Day 3 Assignments

[John Budinscak]

Budinscak World View Scene

Day 3

What I learned doing this assignment:

o The need to be extremely selective with dialog to ensure maximum impact.

o Every character has their own World View reflected in their dialogue.

o Easy model to construct around a character.

Character Name: Jack

World View: The world is my oyster.

Life Metaphor: Somebody’s gotta be king.

Food

Gambling

Sex

Rules and Strategies: Horse Test.

One for you, one for me.

Do it first, before they’re ready.

Justifications: “If they’re saying no, you ain’t asking the right question.” “Somebody’s gotta do it, might as well be me.”

Scene:

EXT. DOWNTOWN PARK – DAY

The quaint park is lined with booths featuring restaurants and diners from around the area. A banner over the entrance proclaims “Geeville’s Finest Eateries”.

A ravenous crowd surrounds the exhibit from Carmine’s Restaurant – they’re there for him, they’re Jack’s Pack.

Jack whips out two knives and spins them around like a couple of pistols before beautifully carving and plating the dish. He eyes the crowd as he shaves parmesan on top, and spots his quarry. He points to a man in a blue shirt, the man waves back.

JACK

Hey, blue shirt!

The man leans forward over the counter so Jack can see him.

JACK

Hands and arms up!

Jack has a clear shot down the countertop. He slings the dish and it stops perfectly in front of the man in the blue shirt. Applause follows Jack as he delivers utensils.

JACK

Mangia!

He takes a long bow, but his eyes follow the legs of the approaching LISA HAMM, newscaster and puma in pumps for the local TV station.

LISA

Mr. DiLuna, wonderful display today. The crowd loved it. What did you serve?

JACK

I call it Jack’s Secret. That’s all I can tell you.

LISA

You can’t share anything else?

JACK

No, not until we know this year’s champion. I got a bet with last year’s champ, Jimmy’s Bistro, on this dish. I can’t jinx myself. (beat) Look.

Jack motions to the man in the blue shirt – he’s licking his plate clean. The crowd roars.

LISA

He’s calling it a winner.

JACK

Somebody’s gotta be king, right?

LISA

Where did you learn that impressive knife work?

JACK

Those knife skills were honed on streets far from here.

She gives him an inquisitive look – huh?

LISA

Mr. DiLuna, is that recipe an original of yours?

JACK

Yes and no. Yes, it’s an original, but it’s not completely mine. This one came from my ma.

LISA

She taught you well.

JACK

Yes, she did, and not just in the kitchen. Can I interest you in a private taste test, Ms. Hamm?

Lisa flushes fast, she’s beet red from her chest to her forehead in two seconds. Jack rubs his hands together, like the big bad wolf.

LISA

That didn’t sound quite right, Mr. DiLuna.

JACK

Depends on what you want to hear. And please call me, Jack.

LISA

Okay, Mister … Jack. Umm…

JACK

May I have the pleasure of your company for a special dinner at my place? Bring a couple of your friends to Carmine’s.

Lisa likes this iteration of Jack, not the creepy version.

LISA

I get to bring two guests?

Jack simply smiles, a camouflage hunter waiting for its prey.

JACK

Yes. And call me direct for a reservation.

LISA

You got it. Hey, it appears the committee has found their winner.

They did. Its winners: Carmine’s – best dish and Jack – Top Chef. Jack does his best Jack impersonation. He throws his arm around Lisa’s shoulder and spins her until she faces the camera. He looks into the lens and winks.

JACK

If anyone wants to enjoy this winning dish, please come to Carmine’s and tell them Lisa sent you. Don’t wait, call now. Ciao.

Jack pecks Lisa’s blushing cheek, turns and saunters away. He points, waves and winks to people in the crowd, just like a seasoned politician.

[Robert Smith]

DAY 3 BOB SMITHS WORLD VIEW SCENE

What I learned doing this assignment is..?

CHARACTER: MARLENE DIETRICH

World View: Image is everything.

Life Metaphor: Dress as a gentleman.

Rules and Strategies: Tux and top hat because it’s the best attire for a gentleman.

Justification: It advances me.

CHARACTER: JOSEF von STERNBERG

World View: There is no objective reality.

Life Metaphor: Magic.

Rules and Strategies: What I create is real.

Justification: I love what I create.

CHARACTER: EMIL JANNINGS

World View: The world must conform to me because I deserve it

Life Metaphor: The Oscar.

Rules and Strategies: The Oscar proves I am the best. The only way I can continue to be the best, is to fight for it. Success begets success.

Justification: Success and pleasure.

INT. STUDIO SET OF “THE BLUE ANGEL” – NIGHT.

MARLENE DIETRICH plans to treat Sternberg and her fellow actors (Jannings, KURT GERRON, and HANS ALBERS) to a night on the town (“the Berlin of Lola Lola [the cabaret showgirl character she portrays])

Dietrich comes on to the sound stage from backstage and approaches Jannings, Gerron, and Alhers dressed in tuxedo with tails and top hat.

JANNINGS

Marlene, why are you dressed like that?

DIETRICH

Why shouldn’t I? It’s the best attire for a

gentleman.

STERNBERG

That’s my Marlene. We must make use of

that attire on film. Your image is the key

to your success.

DIETRICH

Socially, yes.

STERNBERG

And in films, yes.

Later that night, at the Club Silhouette. Dietrich, Sternberg, Gerron, and Albers are seated at a table with Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, a sexologist known as “the Einstein of Sex.” After the evening is upset by Nazis in the street hurling rocks at the gay cabaret windows, the conversation at the table turns to the following dialogue.

STERNBERG

(to Hirschfeld)

I understand you are The Einstein of Sex.

HIRSCHFELD

I understand you are the Einstein of filmmaking.

DIETRICH

I think Joe is more like the Houdini of filmmaking.

STERNBERG

Thank you, my dear.

HIRSCHFELD

In other words, you are a sorcerer.

STERNBERG

The world has no objective reality so

I conjure my own on film.

DIETRICH

The philosophers of India say the whole

world is an illusion. So, Joe is an illusionist.

JANNINGS

Those rock-throwing Nazis are no illusion.

If we want to save the art and our lives, what

are we going to do?

HIRSCHFELD

I am going to visit Palestine next year.

Perhaps I should stay there. I am not

Religious but I want to see the heritage

of my people.

STERNBERG

I am not religious either, but staying in

America after I make my current film is

my intention.

DIETRICH

Don’t forget to take me with you.

STERNBERG

How could I forget. Don’t worry. I am

Already after Schulberg to get you a contract

JANNINGS

You don’t want to stay in Germany?

DIETRICH

I don’t speak German anymore. By that I

mean, thanks to the Nazis, my country is

becoming a strange land speaking a strange,

and dangerous language I refuse to speak.

STERNBERG

By the time I’m finished with you, you will be an

international star.

DIETRICH

I must make sure Rudy approves. I want Rudy

and little Maria to come with me. Being a good wife

and mother is important to me.

STERNBERG

Of course.

JANNING

You are lucky. I can’t go to America, my accent

is an impediment for the new Hollywood “talkies.”

I guess I don’t measure up to Gary Cooper even

though I have an Oscar and he doesn’t. You know,

I do have a mother of Jewish origin, but Palestine

is not for me.

GERRON

Nor for me, we have Nazis here but in Palestine there

are Arabs who want to kill us even though we have

lived there for thousands of years. God, how long?

DIETRICH

There is no God. All sides prayed for peace during

the war. Where was God?

JANNINGS

It has nothing to do with God. If every side really

wanted peace, they never would have gone to war.

They would have struggled hard to keep peace.

Ever since I was a boy and ran away to become a

Sailor, I realized, don’t wait for God. Do get it

Yourself. You have to fight for everything you

want. By the way, are we having dinner here? I’m

famished.

HIRSCHFELD

So am I, let’s eat.

Gerron and Albers say that they also want dinner.

Hirschfeld calls for a waiter.

The WAITER enters.

WAITER

Yes, Doctor Hirschfeld.

HIRSCHFELD

We’d like to order dinner. Marlene.

DIETRICH

I’ll have the Spaghetti, please.

.

STERNBERG

Marlene, remember your diet.

DIETRICH

Yes, boss. I’ll have Halibut, please.

HIRSCHFELD

Herr Direktor.

STERNBERG

Steak medium rare..

HIRSCHFELD

And the Oscar-winner. What is your pleasure?

JANNINGS

Another Oscar.

All laugh.

JANNINGS (CONT’D)

Oh, you meant for dinner. Uh. I’ll have the

Sausages with Sauerkraut.

GERRON

You had that for lunch.

JANNINGS

Like the Oscar, I’d like another. It was so good

I want an encore for dinner.

GERRON

May you win it – I mean the Oscar, may you have

The dinner of Sausage and Sauerkraut. As for me: Spaghetti.

No meatballs.

ALBERS

Same for me.

WAITER

Dr. Hirschfeld.

HIRSCHFELD

Oysters on the half-shell and chef salad.

GEORGE

What else would The Einstein of Sex

have for dinner but a known aphrodisiac.

I’ll have the same.

HIRSCHFELD

Thank you, George. All night you’ve

Been silent, now, it won’t be silent

when we get home.

All laugh.

DIETRICH

I’ll change my order to the aphrodisiac.

WAITER

Order changed.

STERNBERG

So will I.

WAITER

Likewise. Changed.

[Julia Keefer]

World View: Ibrahim is oscillating between Islam and a ruthless science that depopulates. BB’s world view keeps regressing him to the womb where he rocks in a boat forever.
Rules and Strategies: Ibrahim is a devoted family man, director of EvergreenEnergy, a sustainable energy company, a practicing Muslim, but he harbors lethal ambitions to be the CEO of STEMGARCHS to put him in the one percent. BB was a serial rapist/murderer/arsonist, then hit man, who amuses himself in the moment play acting different roles. He spent his youth working in a funeral home and wants to repeat the rituals of dying forever without actually dying, hence he loves the action of rocking in a boat.
Life Metaphor: Ibrahim is beginning to think the end justifies the means because to save the planet we must get rid of millions of humans as well as fossil fuels. Truth kills–you– is BB’s modus operandi, the main reason he has never been caught. He perfects the art of lying.

Justifications: Ibrahim justifies his actions by donating to charities and being polite, educated, loving, and engaged. BB has always hidden his crimes with his busy, helpful, hygienic approach to life. BB sincerely idolizes Joe, his adopted son, a firefighter and EMS hero.

EXT. EAST 72nd ST. – DAY
Ibrahim and BB dodge the protesters during pandemic summer 2020. BB looks approvingly at the holes in his shoes.

BB
Dressing down can be as challenging as dressing up.

IBRAHIM
Wasn’t it amazing that Pfizer and Moderna created the perfect vaccines almost immediately, fitting into the COVID spikes like a jigsaw puzzle? They wanted to get rid of the old, fat, weak, sick, and too hyper although they had to accept the collateral deaths of some robust young people who didn’t get the right treatment at the right time. We must dethrone the oily-garchs by locking down the world, reducing travel and tourism, and defunding fossil fuels. My STEM and Big Pharma stocks are stronger than ever.

BB
There are too many destructive, useless, and miserable humans on earth. Not all crimes are solved, whether they are the unleashing of bioweapons or the repeated murders of serial killers.

IBRAHIM
Some blame it all on China, others on the research with Fauci, Winnipeg, Saudi Arabia, and Israel that was ceased by Obama. Naïve Greenies say climate change made the bats give it to humans. It’s an international secret I would love to solve.

BB
You could do it if you hide the truth with fantasies. Wikipedia has a hilarious, long website about COVID misinformation that could fuel movie plots for years to come. Young people can’t stand being quarantined. Protests are ways to socialize outside, screaming, shouting, spitting, and blowing off steam.

Ibrahim and BB join the BLM Protests on Fifth and 72^nd but leave after they spit on cops, scream “NYPD suck my dick,” and then are dismayed by the looting of designer stores on Madison Avenue.

IBRAHIM
Black lives do matter but spitting in a pandemic could be murder, especially if the cop dies of COVID.

A SERIES OF SHOTS as they pound the pavements of Manhattan and end up in a tent in City Hall Park surrounded by a huge crowd screaming, “No justice, no peace. Black Lives Matter. Defund the police.” They walk through the West Village where garbage fires light up the night. The NYPD are greeted with eggs, spit, and kicks. BB is happy to observe this time.

Ibrahim almost stops a crowd from breaking windows in an elegant Tribeca shop, but BB gently holds him back.

BB
Let them express themselves. In the long run, more people will disappear and that is the goal.”
IBRAHIM
Fewer carbon emissions everywhere. Humans are the worst polluters. I never thought healthy, young college students could smell as badly as the unwashed homeless.

BB

Looks are deceptive. They did nothing for me either and that is amazing considering how young women used to stimulate me.

After one night Ibrahim pays for

INT. SMALL HOTEL – NIGHT
a small room near the South Street Seaport to shower and nap.

BB
That’s why I want to live on boats. Let’s take a walk.

EXT.BATTERY PARK – SUNSET

Ibrahim considers Lady Liberty.
IBRAHIM
Gorgeous gift from France. I’ve always loved French culture, one reason I married Sandrine. We speak French at home.

BETTY
C’est si bon! But liberty is having a hard time during this lockdown.

IBRAHIM
She still looks like a goddess at sunset.

BETTY
You still believe in God or Allah?
IBRAHIM
I am on the seesaw, weighed down by love of family and Islam on one end, and our science projects on the other. Omar makes me pray but on my own, I am not as observant as I used to be.

BETTY
Romantic love and freedom fade with the sunset. Long live COVID.

IBRAHIM
Thank God, I mean Science, we are immune.
BB winks as he sprays the COVID sanitizer on their bench.

[Michelle Damis]

PS 80 Michelle Damis World View Scene

What I learned doing this assignment is that I had a very hard time doing this with my characters. I was having a weird moody day which didn’t help. I truly half-assed this, but it’ll keep me from feeling like I’m falling behind.

Character Name: Osgood
World View: Eternity is a curse
Life Metaphor: Darkness cannot stand before the light
Rules and Strategies: I kill those that deserve it most.
Justifications: It’s a game, it give me something to do, maybe I can redeem myself

INT. STUDY/LIBRARY – NIGHT

OSGOOD (V.O.)

And I was unquestionably the world’s most bored vampire.

The couch occupants perk up and look at one another.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

Yes, you heard me. A vampire. And I was 1000% bored with my existence. Mundane, un-exciting, eternal existence. The worst curse imaginable.

The fire in the fireplace transforms into a pile of burning garbage, continuing into a montage of the destruction of the planet’s resources while Osgood continues.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

Second to that was endlessly watching humans waste. They waste everything; the planet, their resources, themselves. They repeat mistake after mistake, they never learn.

Montage continues: Banking, stock market, money, robberies, violence.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

And greed.(sigh) Stupid slips of paper or pieces of metal that they make the center of their universe.

Black and white clips of vampire movies and villagers with pitchforks.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

I found amusement in the fact that humans thought vampires were evil. Well, the ones that believe in us anyway.

Freeze frame on frightened eyes.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

Yes, there is more than one.

Clips of humans committing atrocities.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

Evil is as evil does.

(amused, to himself) Hey, I got that one right.

OSGOOD

But, I digress.(a deep breath) Back to boredom.

Montage of “boredom” clips.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

“Bored to death”, I wish!… Did you know that a vampire cannot kill themselves?

Montage of the vampire trying to kill himself: falling, drowning, poison, etc…

OSGOOD (V.O.)

Its literally impossible. Trust me. I tried, and tried, and tried.

INT. OLD HISTORICAL BUILDING – NIGHT

Osgood stands gazing out a window (we still have not seen his face).

OSGOOD (V.O.)

2022. I had been existing for over 600 years. I lived in an abandoned historical building. It was quite a gem and it was free. I preferred not to use currency anymore. It was a little game I played with myself. I played lots of games with myself.

Flashback/Montage of Osgood in past times displaying opulent wealth.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

I’d already been a millionaire several times. It was easy when you had the time on your hands that I did. But money no longer interested me, it was like taking candy from a baby, which I had done a time or two.

Close-up of Osgood’s face actually taking candy from a baby.(this Is the first time we see his face)

OSGOOD (V.O.)

I’m not a monster, I can’t turn into a bat, and I DON’T sparkle…

Osgood at a desk piled with books. Close-ups on books of professions listed.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

I read a lot. I could pass any number of exams: lawyer, doctor, an electrician. Again, time was on my side. although I loathed it simultaneously.

Flashback to Osgood young (circa.1430)and a group of children playing.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

When we are young time seems to go so slow. For me it will never go anywhere. To be mortal again.

The images of children shift to slow motion.

OSGOOD (V.O.)

To want time to slow, to savor, to beg for delay of the inevitable mortal condition.

A flashback of Osgood with a dying patient. (or victim??)

OSGOOD (V.O.)

I envy that moment when I am with a mortal and they know their time is up.

CUT TO:

INT. ABANDONED HISTORICAL BLDG – NIGHT

Osgood turns away from the window we saw him standing in earlier.

OSGOOD

(directly into camera)

The grass IS always greener.

[Rob Bertrand]

Rob Bertrand’s World View Scene

What I learned: I learned that giving a character a world view can make it easier to write dialogue. It’s like a roadmap to their mindset.

Character Name: Annie Andrews
World View: Life is shit, so what’s the point?
Life Metaphor: I’ll do it tomorrow
Rules and Strategies: Don’t leave the house. If you leave the house…bring an attitude. If they give you attitude, cry.
Justifications: My mom just died. I’d rather to be alone.

Character Name: Jocelyn Wilcox
World View: The world is mine.
Life Metaphor: Fuck the rules
Rules and Strategies:
– I don’t take shit…from anyone. Your dad. Your teachers…anyone!
– I don’t give a shit… Boy giving you a hassle? Fuck his feelings, there’s a million others out there.
– I run this shit. You’re the queen, bitch, so take what’s yours. Don’t take no for an answer.
Justifications: My dad’s got money. Who’s gonna stop me? I’m worth it.

SCENE

INT. ANNIE’S ROOM – NIGHT

CLOSE ON Annie’s cell. The screen shows thirty-one unread messages from Danny

Music plays from a blue tooth speaker.

The girls sit facing each other on Annie’s bed, by an open window.

Jocelyn, leans against the wall, a joint hangs seductively from her lips.

JOCELYN
I can’t believe he catfished you. What a creep. Lemme see the photo he sent you.

Annie pulls it up the photo of a blonde, muscular jock. Jocelyn raises her eyebrows.

ANNIE
Dude gave me a bouquet of gas station flowers.

JOCELYN
Aww, bless his weird little heart.

Looking at the photo on Annie’s phone.

JOCELYN (CONTINUED)
Wow…so that does it for you, huh?

ANNIE
Not really…he was just supposed to be a friend. He got me through a tough time at my grandparents.

JOCELYN
How’d you meet?

ANNIE
He hit me up on snap.

JOCELYN
Ewww. You went out with a snap stranger?

ANNIE
It wasn’t like that…we talked for months, online. He had me completely fooled.

JOCELYN
Never on video chat? The red flags on this, girl?

ANNIE
I dunno? I guess…I guess I needed the distraction? My dad was MIA and there’s only so much home improvement shows you can watch with grandma…

JOCELYN
Where’d he go?

ANNIE
Fucker probably took a tropical vacation. An All-inclusive six-month bender in in Mexico…

JOCELYN
Damn, Annie…

Annie moves to change the subject.

ANNIE
Where’d you move from?

JOCELYN
Shit, my dad moves us around a lot. Spent some time in Tennessee. Last stop was North Carolina. He keeps threatening Alaska. I’d lose my shit!

Annie smiles. She hasn’t been this happy in months.

JOCELYN (CONTINUED)
I’m we stay awhile, now…

Annie blushes.

ANNIE
You gonna let me hit that?

A flirtatious smile on Jocelyn’s face as she looks Annie up and down.

JOCELYN
I’m thinking about it…

For a moment, it’s awkward.

Annie feels Jocelyn’s gaze. Can’t bring herself to make eye contact, when her phone rings. Danny’s calling. Annie sends him to voicemail.

JOCELYN
You smoke weed before?

Annie lies.

ANNIE
Yeah. Like, all the time…

JOCELYN
You ever shotgun it?

ANNIE
You mean, like a beer?

JOCELYN
Lean forward…

ANNIE
Why?

JOCELYN
Just do it.

Annie rolls her eyes, but she’s into it. She leans in close.

JOCELYN (CONTINUED)
Now. Close your eyes and open your mouth. When I blow…you inhale.

Annie eyes her suspiciously.

ANNIE
Okay.

She closes her eyes and parts her lips. Her hands are trembling.

Jocelyn takes a big hit and holds it. She leans in close to Annie. Their lips almost touching.

CLOSE ON Annie’s arms as her skin is peppered with goosebumps.

Jocelyn blows smoke hard into Annie’s mouth.

JOCELYN
Now hold it.

Annie holds her breath for as long as she can, then coughs the smoke out hard.

Jocelyn laughs.

JOCELYN (CONTINUED)
Dat’s da good shit!

Annie composes herself. Her eyes red and blotchy. She leans back and stares at the ceiling.

Jocelyn takes another hit and blows it out the window.

ANNIE
Wow…like…where am I, right now?

JOCELYN
Where do you want to be? If you could be anywhere?

Annie thinks on it for a beat. Her phone rings again. Straight to voicemail.

ANNIE
Anywhere. Far from fucking here. Life is shit, here.

Annie’s phone rings again. Again, straight to voicemail.

JOCELYN
You’re mom…That’s rough, girl.

ANNIE
I miss her. I just keep thinking…all I did was take her for granted. Now’s she gone and I have to go through this miserable experience without her.

JOCELYN
I think the people we love…they live on inside of us. As long as we remember them, they live–

–Annie’s phone rings again.

JOCELYN (CONTINUED)
God damn it! Just tell the guy to go fuck himself, Annie.

ANNIE
I…can’t do that. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.

JOCELYN
I think it’s time I introduced you to ya’ girl’s rules for living.

ANNIE
Oh…I already have my rules. One, don’t leave the house. That’s it…Works pretty good.

JOCELYN
No, no, no. You haven’t tapped into full goddess mode. Let’s me educate you, sister.

Jocelyn, takes another hit. She’s serious about this.

JOCELYN (CONTINUED)
Rule number one…Don’t give a shit…That dude giving you a hassle? Fuck his feelings. He’s beneath you and there’s a million other people, waiting to treat you like the queen you are!

ANNIE
Yeah, I’m holding auditions Tuesday.

JOCELYN
Rule number two…Don’t take shit…from anyone! Your dad…your teachers…the sweaty boys at school…anyone! No one gets to talk down to you. Ever…

ANNIE
Am I supposed to be writing this down?

JOCELYN
And finally…the most important rule. Number three…You run this shit! Be the Queen Bitch! Take what’s yours. Don’t take no for answer. I got my dad wrapped around my freshly manicured finger. I can do whatever the fuck I want…when I want.
(sweetly)
Daddy’s little princess gets whatever she wants.

ANNIE
That ain’t me…

Annie’s phone rings, but before she can send it to voicemail, Jocelyn swoops it up and answers.

JOCELYN
Hello? Hey! Danny! What’s up, bro? What? Nah, man…Annie doesn’t want to talk to you. Like ever. Be a good boy now and fuck off…m’kay?

CLICK.

Annie is stunned and then busts up. The girls fall over each other in a fit of laughter.

They sit up when they find Jessica, standing next to the bed.

Jocelyn stubs out the joint and hides it.

ANNIE
What is it?

Jessica points downstairs.

JESSICA
The voice in the closet says you want to die….

The stoned teenagers just stare in confusion.

JESSICA
It smells like a stunk in here…

Annie and Jessica erupt into a volcano of giggles.

CUT TO:

[Amy Falkofske]

Amy’s World View scene

What I learned doing this assignment is assigning characters a worldview makes them a lot more interesting and probably more desirable to actors.

Character Name: Andrea

World View: The top is the only acceptable place for me

Life Metaphor: I’m royalty

Local fame

Rules and Strategies: Do what you have to do to get what you want.

Justifications: I deserve the best.

Character Name: Meagan

World View: People are for using

Life Metaphor: I’m a victim

Rules and Strategies: It’s okay to lie and cheat to win.

Justifications: She’s a widow. Even from childhood, life hasn’t been kind to her.

INT. – UNIVERSITY SCIENCE LAB – DAY

Andrea positions herself beside the supercollider readying herself to be on camera. Dr. Smitty is standing to her left.

Mark points his camera at her.

MEAGAN (O.S.)

Wait! You can’t start without me.

DR. SMITTY

Meagan, you’re late.

MEAGAN

The traffic was terrible. This mean guy in a Toyota wouldn’t let me merge. This always happens to me.

ANDREA

Meagan? The teacher’s assistant at the university. You’re the one my husband hired as a nanny.

Meagan plasters on a fake smile.

MEAGAN

Yes. We met at the dedication ceremony. I just couldn’t miss you being here today.

DR. SMITTY

Shall we get started?

ANDREA

Yes. Let’s get started. Mark, are you ready?

MARK

Ready in 3-2-

Mark points at Andrea.

ANDREA

I’m here with Dr. Smitty and-

MEAGAN

Wait! Why don’t we turn the machine on?

DR. SMITTY

That’s not advisable.

ANDREA

Actually, Dr. Smitty, I think that’s a great idea. Show the folks at home what it looks like in action.

DR. SMITTY

You don’t understand. That’s very dangerous.

ANDREA

But I’m Andrea Richards.

Andrea checks her reflection in the camera.

ANDREA

The whole town will be watching this.

DR. SMITTY

No. I just can’t.

MEAGAN

Dr. Smitty. Don’t you want to impress those scientists at Harvard who doubted you? You built this. Show them what this baby can do.

Dr. Smitty ponders what Meagan has just said, hesitates, then finds his resolve.

DR. SMITTY

All right. I’ll turn it on.

Dr. Smitty leans across Andrea and located a large switch. He pushes it up and the machine whirs to life.

ANDREA

Great! Let’s begin again.

Mark cues Andrea to begin speaking.

ANDREA

I’m Andrea Richards with WBEN and-

MEAGAN

Wait!

Dr. Smitty rolls his eyes, exasperated.

DR. SMITTY

What now?

MEAGAN

Maybe Andrea should stand closer to the machine, you know, for impact.

Then two things happen at once. Andrea takes one step to her right closer to the machine as Dr. Smitty grabs her arm to pull her back, but…

It’s too late.

SWOOSH

Andrea gets sucked into the machine and disappears.

[Pablo Soriano]

Pablo’s World View

What I learned: This makes things helpful when developing a character. As if there is some longterm goal outside of the one they have in the story. It shapes them to a much more defined personality. I’ll have to come back later with a completed scene.

Irma –

World View: God wants a better life for my children.

Metaphors: A mother rules the roost.

Rules and strategies:

-As long as I follow the signs, God will guide me to the promised land.

-As long as I follow what the bible tells me, we will be safe.

-I must resist temptation.

-God is testing me.

Justifications:

-I’m a good Catholic.

-With all the hardships I’ve been through, I’m due for some relief.

-God wants this for me.

Frank –

World View: All man for himself.

Metaphors: It’s a dog eat dog world.

Rules and strategies:

-Play the system.

-Exploit and take advantage.

Justifications:

-Everyone breaks the law and so can I.

-They’re just going to find a way to cross/sell drugs, might as well be me.

Miguel –

World view: Family comes first.

Metaphors: There’s no love like a mothers love.

Rules and strategies:

-Do what you do best: Gaming.

-Use your skills to make some extra cash.

-Bend the rules, cover your tracks

Justification:

Anything for mother.

It’s just some harmless gambling.

They’d be trying to cross the border anyway.

[Janeen Johnson]

Janeen’s World View Scene

What I learned doing this assignment is that specifying the world view info makes it easier to fine tune and pare down the dialogue, homing in on the points specific to each character rather than a less focused discussion.

CHARACTERS

Character Name: Cinda – Cop

World View: Winners and Losers

Life Metaphor: The law is not fair to women.

Rules and Strategies:

When someone gets beaten, the beater should pay. <div>

When someone gets beaten, it’s okay for them to hit back.

The law should look out for the underdogs.

Women aren’t likely to press charges if the guy will be released soon and they have nowhere to go if they leave the home with the kids.

Justifications:

– Men are usually bigger than women and have the advantage

– Men intimidate women and if the women eventually fights back, that’s fine. That’s justice.

– Abusers often have control of the money so they can get better lawyers and get off when charged.

Character Name: Rod – Cop

World View: Level Playing Field

Life Metaphor: Do the Crime, Serve the Time

Rules and Strategies:

– The law gives everyone the same shot at life

– People determine their own fate

– the law is fair

Justifications:

– He’s a black man who’s got the same shot at making captain as all the other cops.

– He was raised by a black woman who threw his father out when he came home drunk and abusive.

– He knows Cinda would never put up with being hit.

SCENE

INT. POLICE STATION – EVENING

ROD and CINDA return to the police station after a domestic violence call.

ROD

Did you see that guy’s nose? Man, that had to hurt.

CINDA

I’m guessing he deserved it.

Rod shakes his head in derision.

ROD

She sucker punched him with a can of carrots. Who does that?

CINDA

I can guess. Let’s find out.

They set up their laptop.

CINDA

Look him up. I bet he’s hit her before.

ROD

Maybe. But my momma through out my daddy the one and only time he hit her. But my money says she’s a husband beater.

CINDA

You got a bet. The name’s James Topper.

Rod taps the keys and a record comes up.

ROD

Nothing. Arrested for domestic violence a couple of times but never charged.

Cinda gives him the side eye.

CINDA

Uh huh. Sure. She’s the abuser. Sarah Topper. I know that name.

ROD

Hmm.

ROD

The only thing here are six domestic abuse victim statements and each time she refused to press charges. Couldn’t have been that bad.

CINDA

Three of the statements were taken at the same shelter. I know the woman who runs it. That’s where I’ve heard the name.

ROD

Sarah threw the first and only punch today. This is on her. As mad as he was, he’ll press assault charges.

Cinda abruptly turns Rod’s chair to face her.

CINDA

Six times she was beaten so badly that somebody called it in. Six times and nothing happened to him. How many other times did she get hit that weren’t reported? When does she get justice?

Rod shrugs.

ROD

Maybe she likes to pick fights. If she don’t like it, she should leave.

CINDA

That’s sick. Women don’t “want” to get beaten, just like they don’t want to get raped. No record of any injuries for him. So my money says he threw the first punch at least six times. And not a charge, a conviction, or a day of jail time.

Rod shrugs again.

CINDA

He’ll probably get custody of the kids while she rots in jail for a soup can to the nose. He got away with broken bones and at least six beatings we know about. Ten to one, he’ll start hitting the kids within a month.

She shakes her head, helpless.

ROD

It’s the law, Cinda. You get hit, you press charges, the perp gets jail time.

CINDA

That’s not how it usually works for abused women. They’re too scared to press charges. By the way, I won the bet.

</div>

[Jodi Harrison]

Jodi’s World View scene – Day 3

Every character has a World View that influences their dialogue, these include metaphors, rules and strategies, justifications, and traits.

Character Name: Pam Karras
World View: Life must be fair for all, I am superior
Life Metaphor: I will be the equalizer

– Facts

– Civil service

– Empathetic concern

Rules and Strategies:

– If I am honest and fair, everyone else will be too

– Sympathy are surface platitudes, do something

– Life is balance

Justifications:

– By doing my civil service I help to balance the scales of justice

– When I help others I’m in touch with my life’s purpose

– I help victims of the system rise while taking down those inferior shortsighted pro-lifers

INT. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE – DAY

Pam and her friend Chloe is meeting with the Governor. The courteous conversation quickly turns into a heated argument between Pam and the Governor.

GOVERNOR: Who do you think you are Mother Teresa?

PAM: No need for insults, I’m just trying to help those who can’t speak for themselves.

GOVERNOR: Unless they’re a deaf mute everyone can speak.

PAM: Most people don’t have the platform to speak, I myself only got your attention because our attorney pulled strings for this meeting with you. I’m sure we can frame policy to benefit everyone, especially people who are now being dictated into poverty because of the SB8 law.

GOVERNOR: If someone can have sex, they can raise children.

Pam is incensed with the short sightedness of his statement. She shakes, her face turns red, inner turmoil reads on her face. She rises raising her voice.

PAM: If someone can have sex? How many men pay for these dictated births? How many men have to raise these children? Where are the laws on the books that demand lifetime payment from the sex partner who impregnated a woman, until the baby is 18? You only have the burden on the female. She’s on her own. You self-righteously sit there and judge the female. It’s her job? It’s her burden?

GOVERNOR: (sarcastically) My, my, Mrs. Karras, I do believe you are sweating.

PAM: I don’t sweat, I glisten. You not only put this burden on women, you put this burden on the unborn embryo. That embryo grows into a fetus which eventually become viable, which eventually is born becoming a living, breathing baby.

GOVERNOR: I don’t need a brush up on child development little lady.

PAM: You most certainly do. Either that or you’re just plain blind to the facts. What do you do if the Mother doesn’t want to keep it? It goes to a Foster home or an orphanage. If you cared to research the success rate of these infants who age out of the system unscathed you would know that 85% will have babies in their early years, repeating the cycle, with 40 to 50% across the board becoming homeless, incarcerated, drug or alcohol abusive, high school drop outs or unemployed. To speak in your terms, that’ll cost a hell of a lot more money. What kind of life will those heartbeats have? That should be the question you care about.

GOVERNOR: You bleeding heart liberals.

PAM: Governor, you say it like it’s a bad thing. You better check yours and make sure it’s beating.

GOVERNOR: It is and it is. You keep making our government bigger with all your programs for those that should be fending for themselves.

PAM: You did that all yourself. Children can’t fend for themselves, and there’s millions more now with your abortion ban. Impoverished people scrape by fending for themselves and can’t afford things that all Americans should have access to, healthcare for one. By creating this ban you have created a huge governmental system that creates financial dependency tenfold, the same issue you fiscally conservative people rail against, big government and huge spending.

GOVERNOR: Little ladies, this was great fun jawing with ya, but I have to get back to serious work now.

[Armand Petrikowski]

Armand World View scene

What I learned…

The most important thing you can do with dialogue is to be SELECTIVE. The truth is that a character can say hundreds of things in any scene, but very few of them will have impact. You want to select words that have the most impact.

Every character has a World View that influences their dialogue. Their World View includes life metaphors, rules and strategies, and justifications.

The model contains four parts:

World View: Their overall view of the world they live in.

Metaphors: The Life metaphors they operate out of inside that world.

Rules and strategies: What works and doesn’t work in their world.

Justifications: Their “legitimate reasons” and excuses for what they do.

ASSIGNMENT

In this scene in Act 1, Tyler the ghost learns what the living think about him and the night he was murdered 20 wears ago. He’s with Lex, a goth teen who is obsessed with true crime.

TYLER

Cocky

Funny

Scared

Romantic

Character Name: Tyler

World View: The After-Life is Solitary Confinement

Life Metaphor: Captivity, Ghost, Fraud

Rules and Strategies: Being alone, avoid bad memories

Justifications: I deserve solitary confinement

LEX

Brave

Sarcastic

Acts Superior

Lonely

Character Name: Lex

World View: The Living Sucks

Life Metaphor: The After-Life is better

Rules and Strategies: Works: being a loner, doesn’t work: asking for help

Justifications: People disappoint you, betray you

INT. MANOR – NIGHT

Lex confronts Tyler through her EVP app.

LEX

Announce yourself, spirit.

TYLER

(unimpressed)

Chill out, Wednesday Adams—

LEX

Who are you?

TYLER

Leave me alone!

Lex amps up the levels on the EVP app, it sends a shockwave to Tyler.

TYLER

Ouch… Cut that out!

LEX

Are you a ghost?

TYLER

I’m… Tyler.

LEX

Tyler… Berkeley?

TYLER

The one and only.

LEX

I can’t believe it’s you. You’re a hero.

TYLER

I’m not.

LEX

Everyone think so… The massacre—

TYLER

I don’t want to talk about it. You need to leave me alone.

LEX

How is the after-life?

TYLER

You don’t want to know.

LEX

Has to be better than this—

TYLER

It’s like a loop of solitary confinement.

LEX

What?

TYLER

It sucks!

LEX

But… I’ve worked so hard to seek contact with ghosts. I was hoping it would be better than where I am. I want to see you! I want to die! I’ll kill myself—

TYLER

There is no guarantee you’ll become a ghost. I haven’t seen or talked to anyone, dead or alive, in years.

LEX

(Grabbing a knife)

I’m doing it—

Tyler floats toward Lex, snatches the knife from her hand.

LEX

Hey!

TYLER

I deserve to be here. But I don’t know you, and I wouldn’t wish you this anyway.

LEX

But—

TYLER

Good bye. Too much eyeliner by the way.

Tyler dissolves into thin air, leaving Lex alone.

LEX

Spirit? Spirit! Tyler!

[Emmanuel Sullivan]

Emmanuel’s World View Scene

What I learned doing this assignment is creating a worldview for each main character is a great way to view their traits and how they think, which influences what they say and how they interact with other characters.