Day 3: What I learned rewriting my scene/character…?

[Sandeep Gupta]

Well, still rethinking, and this time rethunk the rethink from yesterday — as this scene illustrates bestowing characters with highly contrasted traits isn’t essential when they might be similar in traits and have a different (notion of right wrong) agenda. Instead, one character can dominate the other by escalating beats, punchline and topper to create high drama. This might make more sense organically in the second scene I mentioned in my answer yesterday.

[David Moe]

What I learned – I have to understand the power dynamics in each scene. I assume there is always is one. I have to look at what each character wants from the other and show it.

[Deb Johnson]

I was able to identify two places where I can capitalize on a Power Struggle. I did not see this before – so it’s definitely a breakthrough:

Power Struggle 1 – between the villain and her audience

Our villain starts her show singing “Feelings” to a live video feed. She’s getting absolutely trashed online. The hecklers are “throwing tomatoes” so to speak. But she ignores it and powers through. She will experience the same disdain every time she engages with them.

Power Struggle 2 – between the protagonist and one of her friends

Between Ruby and BJ – Ruby thinks she’s always right and BJ is just used to having his own way. This is a great foundation to build a power struggle between the two every time they are in a scene together.

[Karyn Laitis]

What I learned from this assignment: This scene has many layers of power struggles. It reminds me of the alignment of characters in The Survivor series. It is a masterful way to portray a power struggle in a family, political venue, academia, the list goes on.