Day 2: Worthy Opponents – TOMBSTONE

[David Moe]

Insights/breakthroughs – So well cast, it’s hard to imagine another Ringo of Doc Holiday. These worthy opponents seem to share equal parts disdain and appreciation for each other. They’re both aware of each others’ reputations and during their dialogue, more is revealed about each other. Ringo is educated, and so is Holiday. Holiday loathes Ringo because he sees himself in the man and this explain his self-loathing behavior. Holiday’s apathy and sarcasm make the scene. Ringo’s gunplay is matched by Holiday’s cup-play. It makes the scene suspenseful, menacing and irreverent. This is one of those movies that I could watch over and over and see something new every time. Their traits are similar, but their motives are so different. Both reckless, but in different ways. Both confident – but one with hubris, and the other with a death wish. Great characters. Great cast.

[Sandeep Gupta]

Arguably both characters were well set up in the audience’s mind, and this scene serves to heighten tension. DOC is staged on the legend WYATT EARP’s side, and JOHNNY arrives snatching the autograph with impunity. Wyatt’s associates, including Doc are reserved and calm, to Johnny’s company brash, arrogant and dominating the scene. Doc steps up to test the waters and nudge the balance back with words. This, and the fact that these guys are towering over the scene starts the tension, has them stand out, and Wyatt’s gun under the table tells us this is getting dangerous, escalating the drama.

Even as we are introduced to DOC as under the weather, signaling confidence “in his prime,” he is rooted either in his history, in whatever was the righteous principle on the Frontier, or noticing Johnny’s incorrect pronunciation, or knowing the outlaw is only spinning a balanced gun made for this. He on the other hand knows he can spin even a lopsided cup with the same dexterity, without being provocative. So, he has measured the man and the challenge because he knows what they are doing.

Not drawing on the first 30 pages, this is clearly where the equation would be introduced. Traits are introduced in contrasts, in narcissism, in health, attitude, respect for the law, humor, and erudition, e.g. The Future is clearly mirroring the encounter, echoing a requiescat. I am not sure how wounds show up here except whatever it is that is the making of the bully, and the strong but infirm protagonist. There could be a layer as well, if we were to read Doc had caught the mispronunciation in the “evidently….” Afterall, he was a dentist in the 1800s.

[Deb Johnson]

Reading the comments by the fans on YouTube was helpful – they translate the Latin and give some interesting insights.

It was interesting that this scene takes place in a saloon, near the gambling table. These two, in a sense, are “playing a game” to see who is better, who is bluffing, and who will win.

It’s important to have a scene like this to set up the tension and the inevitability of the climax.

These characters are worthy opponents – both are smart, have gun skills, and are known by their reputations. And while Johnny may be intimidating, Doc keeps his cool, makes fun of Johnny, and de-escalates the situation for the time being.

[Paul McGregor]

What makes this character (Doc) great from a writing perspective is how the write manages to portray a tough man under a veneer of vulnerability. We know he is tough and his reputation for toughness goes before him, but many of his actions and words are those of a self-effacing underdog. He is unarmed, faced with a guy with a 6-shooter.

The trick with the cup embodies this ambivalence. He is at a serious disadvantage, having a metal cup against a gun, but he wins the contest. He has totally destroyed Ringo.

He is also a complex character, clever with words, (and not just in English):

“There’s something around the eyes. It reminds me of… me!”

Fascinating writing.

END.

[Karyn Laitis]

Character Mastery: Week 2, Day 2 Tombstone

Karyn Laitis

WORTHY OPPONENTS

What tension comes from putting these two worthy opponents face to face? —Doc and Johnny are on opposite sides of the law, yet both are very similar: gun slingers, fragile egos, needs for attention, educated and purported to be the “fastest gun” in the territory. Doc goads Johnny with the title of “greatest pistolero since Wild Bill (Hickok)”. Although the attention was initially on Wyatt Earp, who attempted to diffuse the tension by claiming he is a retired “law dog”. It was then heated up when directed to an inebriated Doc Holiday.

What does Doc discover about Johnny’s character in their first meeting? – Doc discovers Johnny’s fragile ego, educated, and has a short fuse. He sees himself in Johnny, prideful, easily provoked, likes people to fear him, likes to perform and doesn’t like to be mocked. It’s the mirror that Johnny is for Doc that Doc hates. When Johnny speaks to Doc in Latin, Doc becomes very focused and rather than pull his gun, perfectly duplicates Johnny’s moves with a shot cup getting the bar crowd to laugh and applaud at the display.

How do these two characters standout from the others? – They are both showmen- competitive. Doc is cavalier with his excesses because he is ill, the broken-down old master standing up to the young challenger who is ready to claim and own the title of “fastest gun”. They are sparring gladiators. Luckily, Doc has Wyatt to protect him.

What drama is this scene built around? — It’s a good vs. evil dilemma; law abiding vs. lawlessness. Jonny and the Cowboys intimidate the townspeople. Fear will keep them bound to the Cowboy’s code. The only hope is that the Earp brothers and Doc Holiday will stand up to the Cowboys.

What profile items showed up in these two characters words and actions? — Their traits are similar, but coming from different places—-lawful vs lawless.

Traits shared: Ego, reputation, educated, fastest gun, competitive.

[Trish Carothers]

Worthy opponents indeed. One I liked immensely, Holliday, and the other I loathed immensly. Great opposites. Watching Holliday’s casual mockery of Ringos “terror” display is hilarious, a wonderful twist – thank you writer! If he’s this intelligent and humorous when drunk, what must he have been sober. Sadness for Holliday’s dilemma – how to live life while dying, and sadness for Ringo and what might have been if he had chosen his life differently. It’s like seeing both sides of the same coin, but one side is shinier. But then, we wouldn’t have the joy of this movie, one of the best.

[Lawrence Fraly]

Week 2 Day 2 Worthy Opponents

TOMBSTONE

FIRST WATCH

Tension when these two worthy opponents come face-to-face:

Johnny Ringo tries to intimidate Doc by talk, by gun in Doc’s face, by gun speed. Doesn’t work. They mock each other, matching wits and speed. Ultimately, Doc outdoes Ringo. But Ringo’s not humiliated by Doc’s showing him up with his cute cup trick, which draws laughter all around. Ringo looks like he’s walking away, bested by a drunk, but instead good-naturedly buys a round for the house. Game on. They understand each other. Only one can win, but both will try.

What does Doc discover about Johnny’s character in their first meeting?

Doc sees himself in Johnny. His nerves of steel. His arrogance. They’re both educated men, speaking Latin to each other.

How do they stand out from others?

Talent with gun, steely eyes, speaking Latin, literally standing, both are bold and fearless.

SECOND WATCH

What drama is this scene built around?

Both men have reputations as gun men. And they know it. Doc’s drunk, in a saloon. All the patrons are completely focused—riveted on how Doc and Ringo test each other.

They’re on Doc’s home court, with Doc’s good buddy Wyatt Earp holding court with a gun cocked and ready if Ringo pulls a fast one.

What profile items (right character, traits, secret, wound, future) showed up in these two characters?

In addition to what’s above, they are both confident, playful, and have a history of killing.

What makes this character great from a writer’s perspective?

The challenge. Upping the stakes. Each has to draw upon subtext, secrets, resources that build tension into the future. The characters’ talents go from the mundane to the ridiculous, giving the writer free reign with his imagination.

Insights/breakthroughs I picked up from other writers;

I missed that Doc sees himself in Ringo and doesn’t like what he sees (himself).

I get that these two are twins on opposite sides of the tracks, but I learned from the forum that Doc is likeable, Ringo is despicable.

I missed Doc is unarmed and protected by Wyatt Earp. I mean, I saw this but it didn’t dawn on me that Earp tried to defuse the situation by saying he’s retired. Doc picks up the ball and runs with it.

I don’t know why I miss so much on the surface that speaks worlds of subtext underneath. It helps to read others’ comments. So many breakthroughs.

What I learned rewriting my scene/character:

Breakthrough! I have to strengthen my two main characters in the family feud script, which is still in outline and notes. This lesson is much better applied before I begin the actual script. All the lessons are.