Day 4: Triangle – OCEAN’S 11

[Paul McGregor]

Assignment Week 2 – Day 4

What makes this character (Danny Ocean) great from a writing perspective is that much of what his personality is communicated in an understated way, like the dimmed lights in the restaurant. He still loves Tess (“I want to get on with my life, and I want you with me.”) but he is willing to accept that she no longer loves him and remain cool. Just as the lights remain dim, so his feelings remain contained.

He is excellent at repartee:

Tess: You know your problem?

Jimmy: I have only one?

Terry: I know everything that happens in my hotels.

Jimmy: I’ll put the towels back then.

He is also a multi-faceted element in this love triangle. While deeply regretting Tess’s rejection, he is there to help her and he remains cool when her new lover appears and even manages to be polite.

So, from a writing point of view, we see someone with deep emotions below the surface, but who is able to contain them. There will be no explosions in this very public setting, the restaurant.

END

[Sandeep Gupta]

Interesting how much happens en-scene without taking into account the first half of the movie mise-en-scene. Especially the triangle.

TESS clearly still has very strong emotions for DANNY. She is badly hurt by something he did, she acts to spite him in spite that the relationship is clearly not dead for her. Neither of them know it though. For her it’s just shoved beneath the carpet of an exigent reality. Unlike for Danny, who is aware the relationship is likely lost and to be re-won.

He is still deeply connected to her or at least deeply covetous, and “operates” pretending the relationship is not dead.

Danny seems to really know something about Terry — which wouldn’t be hard. Terry is naturally suspicious of him, them being in that world and as well as now that he learned Danny is Tess’s former husband.

Tess and TERRY seem to have more of a functional relationship, nowhere more evident than in the silent seconds before Danny arrives. Even if Tess may have resigned to one of convenience, I don’t trust Terry though. In a way the writer set us up to want to rescue her?

Still, this is clearly Danny’s scene to drive, and that’s something given that Tess is Julia and Ted Griffin may have a D.Litt. in repartee. Almost all of the observations above, especially between Tess and Danny are pretty much in the dialog.

With all the above to understand the interest techniques, this is what I see so far. While we root for our obvious favorites, ownership of the turf seem to highly favor the other, the scene’s antagonist. What further draws interest is Danny confidently telegraphing the future with both.

He approaches Tess first in an as a matter-of-fact nonchalant manner, and then respectfully altruistic — I believe him that he will respect her choice of not choosing him, albeit for someone better.

In Terry’s case Danny indicates with simple and light confidence — giving *us* the glee that the “all-knowing” alpha-Terry offers Tess by declaring his dominance to Danny. Although it seems unfair to rely only on the scene but for the sake of that challenge, at this point Danny may even be a good guy good guy, who only lied about being a thief. And maybe he really isn’t. Amal thinks so.

Arguably, there are two triangles in this scene, one with Tess, and the other with Casino’s assets. Which is kinda very interesting, because in a way then every scene with a want-object is a triangle scene. That opens up possibilities for us to seed (write) contrasting attitudes towards it.

[Deb Johnson]

Triangles are a great way to set up/maintain conflict. Danny has disrupted the balance between Terry and Tess – now we wonder how this will all play out. It’s not just a movie about a heist.

Two things I noticed.

First – we see a great example of “Living into their Future”. Danny shows up before Terry – meaning, Danny will always be one step ahead of Terry. (This is also an example of the past playing out – because Danny was in Tess’ life before Terry).

Second – I saw an example of “Belonging Together”: When Terry asks Danny to stay for a drink, Tess and Danny both say together: “He can’t”, “I can’t”.

[Lawrence Fraly]

Thanks for that about Danny showing up before Terry as a model for him being a step ahead of Terry (plot and character). These are the kinds of layers I often miss… the ones buried in plain sight.

[Karyn Laitis]

Character Mastery: Week 2, Day 4, Ocean’s 11

Karyn Laitis

Triangle

What makes this love triangle interesting? — This is as much a triangle power struggle as I didn’t really feel a lot of warm fuzzy love by these 3 characters. They all want something-Danny, Tess, and Terry. They want what they can’t have and its all about the business to taking what belongs to someone else.

Where do you see secrets, intrigue, and emotional needs? – They all have secrets which gives each of them power over the others in the triangle. Danny needs to prove that he is better than Terry, as an “alpha-male” suitor for Tess’s favor. Terry knows he can provide more for Tess than her ex-ex-con husband. The emotions seem more about power.

Where do you see conflict between each point of the triangle.? – Tess has animosity and mistrust of Danny; Danny’s competing with Terry to win back Tess and Terry is just trying to keep control over Tess and his business. Terry knows about Danny and his past indiscretions.

What drama is this scene built around? – Power and control—Danny wants to steal Tess and money from Terry while Terry wants to maintain control over his business and Tess.

What profile items showed up in these two character’s words and actions: Danny is a con man who says he no longer lies, yet that is a typical con. Terry is a Vegas style wanna-be mob boss. The traits the surface for Danny and Terry is egotistical, competitive, pompous, and greed.

[Lawrence Fraly]

Karyn, love how you put the drama in such clear and simple terms. You must be excellent at writing loglines and concepts.

[Trish Carothers]

Love triangles create tension and intrigue and this triangle is fought with those Whose dominant? Two guys thumping their chests, one woman managing the situation. She does her best but she’s no lion tamer. Danny has the advantage because he and Tess have history. Terry can’t really overcome that so he uses his and Tess’ present relationship and the freedom to touch Tess intimately as his high cards. Only Tess’ high card of allowing Terry’s high cards to be significant. So it’s two against one. So Danny appears to lose face. We wonder what’s going to happen and to whom.

Danny ‘s secret is that he is robbing the casino, and he keeps it even though he wants his wife back. He tries to create those ties with Tess but no go. Can’t tell if Tess has a secret by reading this scene. Or Terry,, unless he’s using Tess to beat Danny up emotionally.

Danny needs his wife’s love – he’s risking a lot to even talk to her. It seems like tess still loves Danny but she’s hurt and now doesn’t trust him. Terry is a smuck and doesnt really trust Tess, much mess have feelings for her…he’s a machine!

What is the conflict between the points of the triangle. There are two points of conflict between Danny and Terry: Danny’s prison past and his wife; Danny and Tess: past and present and possible future?; Tess and Danny present, past, possible future and Tess’ relationship with Terry. Complex and intriguing…how are they all going to resolve these issues.

The drama this scene is built around is a casino robbery revolving around the passions of the triangles.

The profile traits that showed up between Danny and Terry are intelligence, wit, pride, chess players, and excellent planners. Danny may be a liar but he’s honest about his feelings for Tess. Terry is an emotional liar who is using Tess to wound Danny, which works.

[Lawrence Fraly]

Week 2 Day 4 TRIANGLE

Ocean’s Eleven

FIRST WATCH

What makes this triangle interesting?

The subtext. All the dialogue is oblique, nothing direct except Danny saying he would like her in his life, but respects her choice. From the first gesture of this scene, when Danny touches Tess’s shoulder and she thinks it’s Terry, we feel the tension of the other man’s (Terry) presence, even when he’s not there – through expectations and surprises.

Where do you see secrets, intrigue, and emotional needs?

This meeting between Danny and Tess would be kept secret if Terry doesn’t show up. Unless—Danny WANTS Terry to see him with Tess. A taunt? Is Danny playing up the emotions one would expect him to show her by his acting (saying) he wants her in his life? Can we trust Danny, since he admits to lying (about being a thief), while she implies Danny has lied to her all along. I mean, she says Danny never told her he was in prison—unless SHE’S lying too. There’s a secret history of bad blood between them.

Then there’s Terry, who implies he knows Danny plans, or at least intends to rob the casino. It’s as if Terry is challenging Danny to a duel, using Tess as a reason. There has to be some bad blood between Terry and Danny too. A history we don’t know but we can feel from this scene.

Where do you see conflict between each point of the triangle?

See my response to previous question.

SECOND WATCH

What drama is this scene built around?

Terry owns a casino. He acts like he owns Tess. Danny acts like he’s only saying hey to his -ex, but we know he’s a thief. Does Danny own Terry? Terry says “I don’t imagine we’ll be seeing Mr. Ocean any time soon.” Danny retorts “You never know.” Like two alley cats testing each other.

Profile

Terry – cold, eyes of steel. This guy don’t sweat for nothing nor nobody. Danny’s might be just the heat to force Terry’s wound to the surface. Something in Terry’s life made him a control freak. Macho Latino? Appropriate for Casino boss, but for a triangle relationship?

Danny – slick, a smooth operator, schemer, pretty boy with an ugly heart.

Tess – a player. Is she distant and distrusting of Danny – because she knows Terry is watching? She and Danny must have had some chemistry, matching their traits when they were married/living together. So it’s harder to read her than Danny.

These characters are great from a writing perspective

They speak through subtext, playing off one another’s weaknesses. Each portends a future showdown. The dialogue is witty. Danny is playful. Tess is a player. Terry is being played.

My own script.

I’m developing my horror movie. There’s a built-in triangle between the young married couple and the prince. Each has a triangle with the other. All subtext, except the young woman whose naiveté evolves outwardly. Her actions corrupt her. Her husband and the prince (and the prince’s mother) are all corrupt inside to begin with. The husband doesn’t know it until the prince makes him aware of it. Oh what fun I’m going to have with them after seeing this scene, and reading this lesson.

[J.R Riddle]

This love triangle has interesting characters: Tess surprise at Danny showing up, and then her anger shows up by saying what Danny didn’t do for her and what he did to her. He wasn’t honorable in their relationship with lying, thieving and being irresponsible in the relationship. She wants security, however while Benedict can provide huge financial security, Danny hints that Benedict has less integrity, has her in a cage by knowing “everything in his casino” and infers that he knows something about him that she doesn’t.

When Benedict shows up and notices the chemistry. He knows all about Danny’s life of crime, and challenges him with his knowing. While Danny knows he’s on another man’s turf, he backs off, gives him his seat. Danny doesn’t want Benedict to suspect anything about anything, so he lies about the meeting, and Benedict knows he is lying. Subtext well written. It’s obvious all three are hiding something from emotions to power, intent and future actions to get what they want in their lives. The men infer “let the games begin” without saying it directly. Fun to watch.

What I learned: Deepen the triangle in my script with more wit and subtext and create a battle of movements and words, very politely and mannerly, would work as well.