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Day 3: What I learned …
Post the answer to the question, “What I learned rewriting my scene/character…?” and post
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14 Replies
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What I learned is that I really need to focus on each scene.
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What I learned from this assignment is that my characters, my scenes and my dialogue all have to become more multi-dimensional, more complex. Each time I watched this same scene, I found something I hadn’t seen before. For example, the line: “To make that ball go into th hole – you have to let it.”
The dialogue is multi-layered and that’s a feature I have to give to mine.
Also, we discover Bagger Vance gradually during the course of the scene and I have identified a character in my script for whom I will try to create the same, gradual exposition.
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Actually, this lesson does solve a problem I had. I have stories that are loosely, still too closely based on reality resulting in some key pages as dull as me. I had concerns about affecting the purity of intent or of exaggeration should I naïvely make things larger. Apparently, all I have to do is to make thinks larger, and also have a tool to invent a story that stays close to the truth, intensifies the premise and does not feel dishonest.
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Sandeep, you are not dull! You are a creative person! Keep up the great work! 😎
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Thank you Leona. I appreciate it. : )
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You’re welcome!
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What I learned:
I must examine my concept and conflict to make sure that my characters not only fit – but elevate both elements.
I decided to look again at my villain’s character traits and re-think how the protagonists’ character traits are either opposite or balance them in some way.
And then, I looked again at the concept/conflict that I’m creating – my theme – and make sure that my characters are the best expression of this theme.
So Junah has given up on life and Vance comes to him to help him find harmony and healing.
The script/characters wouldn’t work without this balance. This is tricky!
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What I learned: After looking at several scenes in my script, I realized how much and what needed rewritten. I added more subtext, cut some words and make my characters’
tones, different and compelling. My breakthroughs included seeing for the first time, new and different character reactions, complexities and set-up possibilities.
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What I learned rewriting my scene/character
Bagger Vance and Junah are as different as night and day.
Extremes.
Bagger keeps interrupting Junah’s swing, as if he’s an obstruction. Finally, Junah gives in and hands Bagger the club. At this point, Bagger is no longer an obstruction but a guide.
Fantasy come to life – Bagger as Junah’s alter ego.
As in any sport, and art, the more you think about what you’re doing, the less you succeed. As a writer, when I’m thinking about what I’m writing, then I’m not writing, I’m reading. When I just let myself go (as with Bagger), then my swing comes to me. I don’t focus on my writing, but let the story/characters show themselves through me. The story unfolds rather than crumples in cramps.
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that’s a good nuance Lawrence. i hadn’t noticed there’s a role reversal at that moment.
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Hi Larry! I too find that the more I let my story flow, and stop interrupting myself with self-judgement, the better my writing gets and the the writing process is more fun! 😎
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Karyn L.
What I learned from this scene: This scene was more challenging. It helped when I saw the Mentor/Student relationship with Baggar Vance guiding Junah to navigate the self-discovery journey.
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What I learned rewriting my scene/character…I need to add a better set-up for my protagonist, Tara, so she is more of a self-focused teenager, a bit selfish typical teenager, who hides her lack of confidence and courage with jokes and teasing others.
If I add this at the beginning, through dialogue and actions, her transformation into a warrior princess who gains confidence and courage and overcomes her past to kill the Termo-Lytes will be outstanding!
One insight I gained when I watched this scene a second time was the significance of having Junah practice his golf swing at night, by himself, where nobody could watch or judge him. That means he’s lost is mojo and his belief in his abilities and optimism for the future.
Also, I noticed that having Baggar Vance emerge from the darkness at night enhances his mysterious character. When he mentions the 1916 golf tournament and how the star player hit the ball so far it took 20 mins to measure the distance, I realized that Baggar isn’t just some hobo walking along at night, looking for a meal. He knows and follows golf and he knows who Judah is and that Judah was the star player in the 1916 tournament.
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What I learned is –
Opposite characters complement each other.
The emotional or drama set up is important to make the character traits shine through.
Every scene should be taking us towards the character’s future- We see Junah’s future from this scene.
Dialogue should be multi layered/with subtext and should show character traits.
Setting can play a role in showing character traits and the message of the scene.
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