Day 5: Attraction – A STAR IS BORN

[Paul McGregor]

Assignment Week 2 – Day 5

What makes these characters great from a writing perspective is that so much is revealed about them without explicit dialogue.

Lady Gaga’s meaning comes out, not so much in dialogue, as in song. Suddenly, as she sings, she becomes the creative writer. She is getting a message across in a creative way. It is as though the screenwriter is saying, “Now it’s your turn.”

Both characters are in sync with one another because they both suffer from a void, but, at the same time, both have creative aspirations.

Their back story is also told by the setting. They sit in the road like two homeless people, reflecting that both are at a low-point in their lives. And the surrounding darkness plays a role (as it did in the restaurant scene in Ocean’s 11). They are in the dark and are trying to find the light.

In the background are the bright lights of a supermarket. But these garish lights are the lights of consumerism, of uniformity. Their desire is to be creative. They are looking for different bright lights, for stage lights.

END

[Deb Johnson]

great insight on the location – the symbolism of the location – both as “homeless people” and the lights of the supermarket.

[Sandeep Gupta]

This is one scene for which I think questions cannot be answered true to film without help of pages leading to it, so my scene-purist friend if you are reading this, please bear with me. Let me explain.

From the scene itself it seems ALLY is smitten by JACK at the onset, and he is somewhat indifferent until (quickly when) she knocks out a few lines improvising her accurate read of Jack at the opening of the song. That didn’t agree with what I had read about the story, so I went to the script. QED.

Jack is at least impressed by her from the instant he recognizes her talent singing Piaf 10–15 pages before this scene. If he is not attracted by her manner in the green room, I’d say it would be a rather odd and insensitive sense of prerogative. Instead let’s presume his best intentions and say he is attracted by her talent and effortless rapport with an unusual bunch, and bowled over by the time she reads him out in the parking lot like a large-print aria.

Ally seems to go from minus 10 to a plus 100 on him by the time Jack has told her the story of his birth and upbringing. Her initial reaction was common-sense-caution, makes him wait, doesn’t fan-girl on him, but softens by the time he has put cold compress on her hand and has completely abandoned caution, a moment before she croons “I am falling.”

From the previous pages, Jack is in serious need of someone acknowledging his miserable baggage, and arguably this is the first time he shares this wound with anyone. Given he was raised by a near-peer, he may also have a need to “save” someone he can take under his wing and balance the “subjugation.” This actually may also be the “secret” we didn’t know yet. That kid who was raised by his brother and still resents him at some level, will quickly be competing with Ally’s success although he is doing all to cause it at the moment.

For Ally, she recognizes her own talent and resents the unfair or even cruel rejection on her looks. That is a major wound for a young girl, and Jack bandages it a bit by the time they are out of the Cop bar. From the looks of it, he also heals it some by his appreciation of her talent — he is from the very industry that inflicted that wound on her. From the way she prizes her friends that accept her, that’s *her* void she is trying to fill.

Both have telegraphed a future. She is ambitious, he is going to give her a helping hand, but this headstrong hothead may eventually have enough of the needy and insecure boy. That may be obvious and contribute further to the drama as does the contrast in their traits — hothead ingenue vs. calm experience, career at lower rungs, vs. top rung, young vs. old, psychological soothers being relationships vs. alcohol, and being alone vs. among friends, e.g. Funny, I had not consciously registered these five contrasts until I started writing them. Sort of re-emphasizes the discovery in the previous lesson.

Regardless, top talent of both, nurturing nature (even if his is not beneath jealousy) and hopes pegged on each other’s implicit promise will bring them together until, offering all the above to play out in conflicts, ergo drama. It is not unlikely we also feel a little suspense — whether he is going to adopt, befriend, or date her till the end of the scene. But that may just be me being dense. : D

[Lawrence Fraly]

I think the song alone is almost enough to carry this scene…and his awe reflecting my own awe at her suddenly singing to/for the universe, not just him or herself. Amazing song.

[Sandeep Gupta]

Thanks for saying this Larry — absolutely remarkable how none of us remembered (or wrote) how profoundly meaningful and spontaneous those lines must have been when they hit us the first time. One of those moments when I am going, goodness what else did I miss and where else!

[Deb Johnson]

It helped that I did not see this movie – because I had to judge the scene all by itself. It’s wonderfully written, as it was easy to fill in the blanks simply by watching what was presented. This is the first time we see their attraction – so it’s subtle – a simple look, a kiss of the hand. While he’s impressed by her talent, it’s obvious that there is something more going on. It’s an intriguing scene that makes me want to see the whole film. Again, great writing.

[Paul McGregor]

Yes, Deb, I agree. Also makes me want to see the whole movie. Seeing such scenes shows me what we have to aspire to. Sometimes it seems like a very distant shore. But we’re far from the shallow now. We have to keep on swimming! I mean writing! Good luck with your script!

[Trish Carothers]

The whole movie is awesome

[Karyn Laitis]

Character Mastery: Week 2, Day 5, A Star Is Born

Karyn Laitis

Attraction

Where do you see attraction show up for Ally? — There is an inkling of attraction in the parking lot as she is composing a song for Jack, who is smitten with her talent.

Where do you see attraction show up for Jack? – In this scene, you can see Jack is smitten with Ally’s talent as a songwriter and vocalist.

What is causing that attraction? – There is a mutual, musical attraction. Jack is taken by Ally’s raw talent and Ally is in awe of Jack’s accomplishments. It would start as Jack as a mentor/coach to Ally’s music novice.

What drama is this scene built around? – Often there is a disparity between the two characters’ attraction. Here we have a seasoned professional with emotional baggage and addictions to cope. He would be a benefit for Ally yet he becomes a source of hurt and drama. Ally being a novice, looks to Jack for his experience. Her talent and success is too threatening for Jack’s fragility.

What profile items showed up in these two character’s words and actions:

Traits for Jack: Unresolved hurts, feels unworthy, loves the audience admiration. smitten

Traits for Ally: Talented, eager, star struck, infatuated,

[Trish Carothers]

Amazing what cinematography and actors/directors can add to simple conversation. The attraction is obvious between them: caring motions, loving touches, loving looks, connecting on a deeper level, trying to be real, though how real can it be with a falling down alcoholic? Ever. Gaga actually recognizes who he is while doing her song, which presupposes her hidden agendas, as does her singing. Is she just a user? Maybe. Although coming out of the dressing room, she seems vulnerable. Not sure Cooper feels vulnerable here…and if so, might be a combination of being unsure in the presence of someone who wants to know the man not just the star. and mawkish sentimentality. Maybe clearer with a viewing of the whole movie.

At this point, can’t see either of them living into their futures, although there are small hints that something might happen between them in the future…his comment – “You could be a songwriter.”

Traits: her scrappiness in the fight which will come in handy in the music industry. She can be tender, insightful, and fearless. He is already a “success” music wise but his personal life is crap. He can be caring and thoughtful and romantic…is that real, a drunken fantasy, a star’s is habit, or can I get you to bed before I pass out moves? Too early to tell.

[Trish Carothers]

Ps…Unsure what their wounds are but both are needy and that could be the engine that drives their relationship…until one or both no longer have those need(s) fulfilled in their futures …or not.

[Lawrence Fraly]

Week 2 Day 5 Attraction

A STAR IS BORN

FIRST WATCH

where does attraction show up for Ally?

The way she looks at him, especially when he’s not looking at her.

She admits the song (or at least the line about rough edged) is about him.

The way she surrenders to the song, it’s an offering to him. Or rather for him. Yet not. She’s allowing herself to be vulnerable to him, without asking his permission. She sings with supreme confidence, knowing (sensing) his awe. I mean, like how could he NOT be in awe. As are we, the audience.

When he kisses her hand, she says, she loves that. Then hedges when she says, she thinks, fearing she’s made herself too vulnerable to him. But she says it anyway. She’s already beyond herself with him.

Her song asks if he’s trying to fill that void (she knows the void), and asks if he needs much more.

Where does attraction show up for Jack?

He listens intently to every word she says. When she gets too emotionally close, he looks down, but still as intent, even more so, when he’s not engaging directly with her. His asking if the song, or the line is about him…shows he likes her liking him. He knows he’s a star, but it’s good to feel it’s not just for the masses, but for someone who truly feels his pain.

He kisses her hand.

He’s sitting in a parking lot with her. Bringing her into his world of alcoholic disregard (disdain) for the public who have no regard for him (or who let him into their world of pain numbed by addiction—without judging). Trusting her not to judge him.

what is causing this attraction?

I can’t tell what’s causing the attraction, because they’re already sitting in each other’s intimate space when the scene opens.

However, the attraction builds as she reveals more of herself through the song. It’s the song, I believe, that draws in the audience beyond empathy and interest in the characters. The song, the lyrics, the melody, her voice, her belting it out with eyes closed, standing above him and the world – this song is not only to him, but to the universe.

SECOND WATCH

What drama scene built around:

She’s writing a song for him. They’re in a parking lot of a convenience store, without regard for their social status or personal differences. It’s a shared space. Their intimately shared space.

Profile

Jack alcoholic, aging out, knows the elation of writing/performing but he’s lost it and in great need of being appreciated as a musician as well as a person – he’s intuitive (knows the song is about him) – but he’s not going to grab her attention, he needs her appreciation to be freely given. He’s no fool. He knows he’s hit bottom. It’s his wound, but it’s also his identity.–That void, Needs more. Hard core.

Ally Insightful, bold, vulnerable, She knows that void he’s in, and needs more, and is hard core. Everything she sings about him is coming from herself…also herself, in her own fashion, on a different scale.

Breakthroughs: “That” void is beyond the personal. It’s the existential void of despair that we are alone in this universe and can seek solace only in surrendering to that void in each other. But only if the other also feels “that” void. Not just feels, but knows, deep inside. That’s the appeal of this song and their relationship.

WHat makes these characters great from writer’s perspective – they exist within and with each other. Neither could stand alone. Apart, they’re opposites in the everyday world, the temporal world. Together, their opposites merge into a singularity, a harmony. This scene shows me the importance of music. Music – this song – is a central character, without which this would be an ordinary movie about the broken sage mentoring the gifted acolyte.

My own script The attraction in this scene is built around the song which is built around their attraction, which is built around their need for more than themselves. All of a sudden, from what I’ve been focusing on in the song, it’s just now coming to me that almost all my characters in everything I write are trying to fill that void, or avoid it, but they need so much more than the world provides. This script’s a horror genre. I can feel the void throughout the story, in the violating of norms, and the antagonist’s preying upon the protagonist’s fantasies. What I need to do is adjust the entire outline so the subtext creeps into every scene. Maybe some of it’s already there. I have to rethink this.

[J.R Riddle]

After watching the 1st time, I noticed lots of mumbling, like both initially were holding back, almost shyly. She sang her own song, impressed Jackson, but no one else has been much impressed. Sitting on the street in the dark, lonely parking lot infers they were both empty, at the bottom. Both looked somewhat grungy – he looked like he badly needed a shower. Both lack self worth. Both have wounds from childhood: Ally’s mother was gone and Jackson’s father and mother were gone. Both have insecure, needy mannerisms. Attraction – She was mostly awed by his fame, and he mostly by her talent.

Neither felt good enough. Both enormously talented but lacking emotional support from the men who raised them. She felt ugly; he felt worthless due to losing his hearing, drinking and addictions. The attraction was both being on the common playing field of music, low self-esteem and neediness.

The second time watching: The drama was built on pain and insecurity. Both looking to the other to escape their realities. No happy people here. Jackson kindly said he was not good at keeping secrets, and correctly stated, as his issues were apparent. Jackson’s character arc continually tanked. When I had watched the Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand films based on co-dependent, emotional love, they were also depressing. This film scored a little higher through the arc of Gaga following her dreams and talent towards lasting success. That helps a somewhat positive ending. Not one of my favorite films, past or present, unless like all of us – for analyzing film and writing creative scripts.