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Day 4: What I learned …
Post the answer to the question, “What I learned rewriting my scene/character…?” and post
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10 Replies
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What I
learned in rewriting the first scene between my Protagonist (spec ops
sniper) and his Antagonist (the handler) is that I enabled the suggestion
that these two have butted heads before. It reveals that the Protagonist
has a streak of independence and does not just simply obey orders while
the Antagonist’s career depends on the Protagonist obeying his orders
without question. We have a major unresolved conflict that will be played out. -
Week 1. Day 4.
What I learned from rewriting my scene is that it is more entertaining if the reveal is drawn out. Sawyer could have simply asked, “Why is there a reward out for you?” Instead, he plays the “I never…” game. This allows us to learn more about Kate and also to make the revelation of the truth more entertaining.
My Antagonist has a double-identity, and the Protagonist is not aware of this. In the scene where they meet, I have now ensured that the truth comes out slowly and that only part of the truth comes out, leaving the rest for a later scene
END.
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The lessons from today’s class fell together so late that I didn’t even have time to rethink a scene, leave aside rewrite which I am hoping to defer for a bit. I did learn two lessons today and they both have to do with the gestalt. So much of the story we read was mediated by these personalities. Second, screenwriting is probably easy only when we know nothing. Should’ve taken advantage of my ignorance. : D
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by Sandeep Gupta. Reason: answered to Jim at the wrong level, writing my answer here instead
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Sandeep,
Screenwriting is never, ever easy. Knowing nothing would make it even harder.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by
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Insight into what I will call “the power of three”
Today’s scenes from “Lost” breaks down in this way:
1) A hint about the secret from someone else about “person A”
2) A partial revelation of the secret from “person A”
3) A revelation of the secret from “persona A” point of view – which leads to more questions/intrigue
How I applied this today:
Currently, I’m working on restructuring my story outline. This helped because I decided to put one of my characters as a young “witness” to a crime… but he doesn’t quite understand what’s going on. Flash forward to him when he’s older – now he’s suspicious. Finally, he will reveal his suspicions about what happened… which will lead to more questions. So, he’s now 1) involved from the beginning – and the audience will wonder, along with him, about what he saw, 2) how he understands it later – and eventually 3) how he will go about ‘solving’ the crime. This is taking it through “the power of three”.
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shoot, i hadn’t realize that (rule of three being used.) thank you!
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What
I learned from these scenes: The
building of tension for the audience. From planting the seed to acknowledging a
dangerous behavior or action and the an implication that maybe the dangerous
deed was somehow justified which still questions the values of the character. There is a continued tension of uncertainty. This works for a serial drama -
What I learned rewriting my scene/character…my main character’s traits need to be set-up better at the beginning of the script. She’s a self-center teenager who’s also a coward and doesn’t like to stick her neck out for anyone. We could have her drive by a lemonade stand in the opening scene and wave to the kids, like she’s pulling over, then have her drive away. Later on the script, she shows compassion for Davie, a kid and then works to save him from the Termo-Lytes.
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What I learned is that –
Secrets can be used to reveal characters in a mysterious and intriguing way, and keep the audience wanting more.
In my rewrite a hint of the secret will surface in act one
A demand in act two
And a reveal of the secret at the break into act three
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What I learned from Lost.
Great writing about secrets and reveals will enhance tension and wanting to binge watch if writing is a series. My script has a few major secrets, and while I have set them up, I realize there is room for improvement by creating more tension between characters like, ” … why the gun?” “where from – the Russian knife?” Secretive person not revealing any background on the character. Setting up in several scenes on known deception builds more questioning and tension.
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