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Day 7 Assignments
Reply to post your assignment.
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12 Replies
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Rob Bertrand’s Translated Characters
What I learned: I learned how to fill a scene with character by using the 9 components of my character’s profile. By using these components, I was able to put myself in my characters shoes and brainstorm how they would speak and react to different situations.
CHARACTER PROFILE
Annie Andrews – Protagonist
Basic character traits: Sarcastic, quick tempered, fragile teenager who aches for acceptance.
Want/Need: Wants to be left alone. Needs to forgive herself for the death of her mom and come out to her father.
Paradoxes: A people pleaser who can’t say no. / Wants to withdraw from the world.
Secret: She’s secretly gay and has a crush on Jocelyn.
Flaw: Her temper goes off like a bomb and she often says things she doesn’t mean in anger.
What is special about this character: She uses her sarcasm like a deadly weapon.
Traits: Whip smart, quick tempered, evasive, who aches for acceptance.
Subtext: Hiding Something
Character Logline: Annie is a high school student, overwhelmed with guilt over the death of her mother, who’s struggling to come out to her traditional father.
CHARACTER PROFILE
Jack Andrews – Side Character
Basic character traits: Exhausted, foul-mouthed, conservative with a soft spot for his daughters.
Want/Need: Wants his daughters to grow up / Needs to quit drinking.
Paradoxes: Wants to be a better father/ Struggles with alcoholism.
Secret: The reason Annie was driving the night Nora died was because he was too drunk to drive.
Flaw: He can’t admit it when he’s wrong.
What is special about this character: Best mechanic in town.
Traits: Hard working, foul-mouthed, traditional father, In denial.
Subtext: Hiding something (alcoholism)
Character Logline: Jack is an overworked auto mechanic, who’s grieving the death of his wife, Nora, while struggling with alcoholism and his daughter’s deteriorating mental health.
CHARACTER IDEAS – ANNIE
Situation: Annie is alone in her bedroom, struggling with putting makeup on for a date with Danny at the fair, when her father Jack barges in to say goodbye.Role in Story: Protagonist. A high school senior who recently lost her mother in an accident.
Age Rage/Description: 17, a naturally pretty tomboy who’d rather sleep in then take the time to put on makeup. Her clothes scream intentionally unapproachable and her eyes hide a strength that she doesn’t yet know exists.I will be using the ideas in bold.
Trait A: Sarcastic
– Can you please knock? What if I was naked, Dad?
– It’s not a date. I’m just hanging with a new friend.
– We met online. It’s not the 80’s anymore, dad.
– Wants to find an excuse to cancel.
– I’m not her parent! You can’t expect me to babysit 24/7!
– Jesus, Dad, do you even know what day it is?
– I need money.
– Maybe I wouldn’t uber if you’d actually let me get my license.
– Love you too, pops.Trait B: Quick Tempered
– If mom were here, she’d teach me how to do this!
– You don’t want what’s best for me, you just want what’s easiest!
– Dad, I can still smell the booze.
– Like you give a shit!
– I’m not talking about this with you! Get out!Trait C: Fragile
– Feelings are hurt when her dad makes fun of her makeup.
– Fishes for a compliment but her dads clueless.
– Dad! I’m wearing pretty things.
– Gets uncomfortable when her dad compares her to her mom.Trait D: Aches for Acceptance
– I don’t have friends.
– It’s hard to make friends when everyone thinks you killed your mother.Character Subtext: Annie uses her temper to protect her feelings.
– Annie quickly loses her patience with her dads’ questions
– Annie gets upset that her dad doesn’t notice she’s prettied herself up.Motivation/Want/Need: Annie wants to find a reason to cancel on Danny. Annie needs to get out of the house.
– She could cancel since Dad forgot to get a sitter for Jessica.
– She doesn’t want to let her dad down and does what she thinks is expected of her.Unique/Special: Annie is extremely sarcastic and uses her wit like a deadly weapon.
– She knows how to hurt you with words.
– When she’s pushed to her breaking point, she pushes back.Character Logline: While preparing for her date, Annie gets into a fight with her father, Jack, when he doesn’t notice she’s prettied herself up.
CHARACTER IDEAS – JACK
Situation: Jack wants to check in with his daughter before he leaves for work.Role in Story: Supporting Character, a widower who’s struggling to raise his two daughters after the accidental death of his wife. He finds it easier to over work himself, than to face his daughter’s grief.
Age Range/Description: 40s, Jack is a strong, hardworking man with haunted eyes. Underneath the unkempt beard, hides a handsome, traditional father. But his grief and alcoholism has aged him hard.
Trait A: Exhausted
– Running late for work.
– Doesn’t have time for this.
– Pulled a double shift last night.
– Won’t be home till 5am.Trait B: Foul Mouth
– Jack has a mouth like a trucker, but hates when his daughter curses.
– When Jack is angry, his cursing escalates.Trait C: Conservative
– Asks traditional questions about Danny
– Complains about today’s youth. A boy should meet the father of the girl he’s about to date.
– He gets on Annie for taking the lord’s name in vain.Trait D: Soft Spot for his Girls
– Gives Annie sixty bucks for the night.
– He just wants what’s best for Annie.Character Subtext: Lying to himself and his daughters
– Jack denies the liquor on his breath.
– Claims its mouthwashMotivation/Want/Need: Wants to communicate with Annie. Needs to get to work.
– Makes an attempt to check in with Annie. But she’s resistant and awkward.
– Tries to connect with story of his first date with Nora.Unique/Special: Appears to be a strict father, but his daughters have him wrapped around his finger.
– Gives Annie money
– Wants her home by 8:30
– Gets a bit teary eyed at Annie’s appearance.Character Logline: After the death of his wife, Jack Andrews struggles to connect with his depressed daughter as she prepares for her first date with a boy.
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Armand’s Full-out Characters
TYLER, THE GHOST
1. Basic character traits:
Arrogant
– When asked for proof about the killer’s return, Tyler brags about being a ghost and that’s proof enough
– Points out he’s better than Lex
Belittling
– Ridicules Lex’s goth/emo appearance
Cowardly
– Refuses to show Lex where the killer is
– Refuses to get involved, encouraging Lex to run away
Sarcastic
– Calls himself an example of what will happen to the college kids if they don’t leave the manor
– Says Lex is scarier-looking than the killer, but she is no match for the killer’s skills
Romantic
– Opens himself up about his fear of being unable to save the college kids, which gains him Lex’s attention.
– Blames himself for Maddie’s death
2. Want/Need
Tyler, the ghost, WANTS to save the college teens from being murdered like he was years ago.
He NEEDS to prove he is not a coward.
– Asks Lex about the deaths of Maddie and his other friends
– He refuses to let more people die
3. Paradoxes (Warring elements)
Arrogant in front of others, but feels inferior about himself
Belittles those he feels superior to, but is kind to his girlfriend in private
4. Secret: He is afraid to admit he is scared. Uses sarcasm to cover it.
5. Flaw: Afraid to own up to his mistakes
6. Special: He is a ghost afraid of a mortal killer.
He freezes at the presence of the serial killer
He has visions of the killer, it turns out the killer kept coming back to the manor because the killer was Charles, Tyler’s half-brother
8. Subtext: Scared, in Denial
– He can’t admit he’s scared so his pride pushes him to show bravado in front of Lex
9. Character Logline: Tyler is the ghost of an entitled college jerk who was murdered 20 years ago by a masked serial killer, and now has to overcome his hidden guilt and fears to save a new group of college kids from suffering the same grisly faith as him.
– Use his ghost powers to show Lex a montage of what will happen to her if she stays (aka the original murder spree).
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Budinscak Translated Character
What I learned doing this assignment is:
o I’m going to revise my main character’s basic traits to give him more range.
o I find there’s a fine line between good and evil.
o Great guide into character behavior to elevate scenes.
o I found other ‘good ideas’ that will be worked into the story.
Character Name: Jack
Situation: Jack’s at his destination in Burbank – a funeral home – and Don Vito reveals the contents from the ice cream containers in the cooler – the head, hands and feet of the missing government witness.
1. Role in the story: Protagonist, Uncle to Puck and Sal, and the one who promised to deliver the package.
2. Age range and Description: Late 20’s, movie star good looks with hardened features and soft eyes.
3. Core Trait A – Selfish – what might a ______ person do or say?
o I’ve seen better heads in gelato containers.
o Do you think if it was French Vanilla he’d look better?
o Jeez, if I’d a known that was in the cooler, I’d have charged admission on the way here.
o Ain’t that the guy from Texas Chainsaw Massacre?
Trait B – Conniving – what might a ________ person do or say?
o Wha’d you do with the body? Can I sell the organs?
o Maybe we can make a mold and sell masks.
o What are you gonna do with the brain?
o So, wha’d he do?
o Ready to negotiate with the information he has – FBI.
Trait C – Street Smart – what might a _____ person do or say?
o Worst case of suicide I’ve ever seen.
o I can see that face on a milk carton.
o He don’t need no shoes or gloves anymore. Where’s his watch?
o Looking around the room, assessing escape routes and the Don’s personnel.
o Already identified the pencil on the counter as the weapon to murder Don Vito and how he’ll do it.
4. Want/Need – Want: to buy himself some time and assess the situation. Need: to escape.
o Jack excuses himself to go to the bathroom.
o Jack engages Don Vito in conversation while he gets up from his chair and moves towards the doorway.
o Jack starts to tell the Don all the little personal stories about him and his nephews experienced along the trip.
o Jack weaves tales of bravery and near-fatal encounters of his trip.
o Jack details his interaction with the FBI.
5. Secret – Jack skimmed money from Don Vito to fund the psychic call center start-up in Terre Haute with LC.
o Jack offers Don Vito a special investment opportunity to get in on the ground floor – a psychic hotline.
o Jack NEVER admits to taking any money at all – ever.
o Jack offers the Don a seat on the Board of Directors of the call center.
o Jack offers to cook for absolutely any occasion Don Vito needs him. Over 25 people, Jack will need a two-day advance notice.
o Jack has kept detailed records of all his transactions, including all dates, locations and customers of Don Vito. Jack’s lawyer friend has a copy, too.
6. Flaw – Jack’s never met a bet, or odds, that he couldn’t beat.
o Jack ‘runs the odds’ – three times – on how long it will take to dispatch of the Don’s bodyguard and hold Don Vito captive.
o Jack makes a friendly wager with Don Vito about the missing government witness.
o Jack doesn’t back down while being questioned and stands up to Don Vito.
7. Special – Jack’s a self-taught chef who won a “Taste of New York” competition, but honed his knife skills in street fights.
o Jack fondles the tactical steel pen in his pants pocket, just in case he has to sign a document or needs a weapon.
o Jack offers to make lunch for everyone in the funeral home.
o Jack’s knowledge of food and his flair in the kitchen helps to relax the defenses of all the Don’s bodyguards.
o Jack practices every move in his head how he’ll disarm the two bodyguards and disembowel the Don.
Character Name: Don Vito
Situation: The delivery to the funeral home and the contents from the ice cream containers in the cooler are revealed to Jack – the head, hands and feet of the missing government witness.
1. Role in the story: Antagonist, in the sense of providing opposition to Jack attaining his goal.
2. Age range and Description: Late 60’s, white hair, paunchy and punchy with mean eyes.
3. Core Trait – Dictatorial – what might a _____ person do or say
o Jack, tell me what you saw at the funeral home in Geeville or I’ll ship you back in those two containers.
o Be honest or it’s your turn next,
o I know about those bastards at the FBI, but now they’re mine.
o There is only one way – my way.
o Don Vito pulls out a knife, tests how sharp it is by slicing through Jack’s shirt
Trait – Arrogant – what might a ____ person do or say?
o He cuts Jack off in the middle of his explanation and has his bodyguards drag Jack away.
o He orders the two nephews be brought into the room and watch their uncle be tortured.
o He claims to know that Jack’s been cheating him, but he was too busy to do anything.
Trait – Narcissist – what might a _______ person do or say?
o Don Vito bragged to Jack about conquests and relationships he never had.
o Don Vito couldn’t wait to drink a glass of ice water in front of those insufferable nephews of Jack while they’re chained to a wall.
o The Don was more concerned with the stain on the front of his jacket than the beatings his men administered.
o Don Vito didn’t wait for Jack to finish his story before he got up and left the room.
4. Character Subtext: Underhanded
o Don Vito had Puck and Sal brought to the room before he challenged Jack for answers.
o The Don has his henchmen take Jack’s nephews out for ice cream before Jack’s torture begins.
o Don Vito slaps Sal around before approaching Puck, only then did Jack relent and answer the question.
o Don Vito shows Jack how sharp his scissors are when he chops off a piece of wood, then calls for Jack’s nephews to be brought to the room.
o Don Vito negotiates Jack’s release if he’ll double cross the FBI.
5. Wants/Needs
o Wants: Everyone to obey him, follow his orders.
o Needs: He cannot afford to show any signs of weakness.
o Don Vito orders a man to cut off Jack’s finger, or that man will lose his finger instead.
o Don Vito orders his men to beat the nephews.
o He wants to have Jack believe his nephews are getting beaten when in fact they were not.
o Don Vito will hurt Jack and the nephews if he believes it demonstrates his will to his men.
6. Secret: Don Vito paid a portion of the agreed upon sum to the FBI in exchange for the location of the government witness. He now has the FBI guys at his disposal.
o Don Vito has his men staged at every door waiting for the FBI to show up at the Burbank funeral home.
o Don Vito chains Jack to a chair and lets him know he’ll have company once the FBI team shows up.
o Jack, do you know what it cost to get rid of a government witness? Two FBI agents. The Don laughs.
7. Special: Don Vito’s nickname is the Weatherman for his uncanny knack of predicting exactly where and when lightning will strike and leave behind a conflagration.
o Jack, do you know why they call me the Weatherman?
o Don Vito plans to burn the Burbank funeral home with Jack and the FBI team inside … then file for insurance.
o In front of Jack, the Don calls his brother in upstate NY and asks if he’d like to expand into the space occupied by Carmine’s.
o Don Vito calls Carmine’s and places orders just so the muzzled Jack can hear his sisters’ voices.
4. The ideas I decided to keep:
Jack’s side: Jack has kept detailed records of all his transactions, including all dates, locations and customers of Don Vito – and Jack’s lawyer friend has a copy, too.
Don Vito’s side: Don Vito wants Jack to believe his nephews are being beaten when in fact they’re not.
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Amy’s Full-Out Characters
What I learned doing this assignment is it’s good to brainstorm scenes this way. Otherwise, it would just be talking heads. I don’t think I’ve quite succeeded here, but I understand what the end goal is.
Andrea
Basic character traits: well-spoken, image conscience, playful, competitive
Want/Need: Wants to become a network anchor, wants Josh and her kids back, needs to feel validated
Paradoxes: Wants to be a good wife and mother but also wants a demanding career
Secret: She once gave a co-worker the wrong directions to a story location so that she could beat her to the story
Flaw: She can be selfish
Special: She was the ugly duckling at school until her braces came off and her acne went away, then she became one of the popular girls.
Meagan
Basic character traits: nurturing, motherly, conniving, deceitful
Want/Need: Wants to keep Andrea away from Josh and her kids. Needs to be loved
Paradoxes: She is a loving mother figure to Josh’s kids and to fiancé to him, but she’s not above manipulating them to get what she wants
Secret: She pushed Andrea into the supercollider and caused her to be lost in time
Flaw: She will cheat to get what she wants
Special: She was the apple of her father’s eye until he died tragically in car accident when she was just 8.
Name: Andrea
Traits: well-spoken, image conscience, playful, competitive, concealing
Subtext: Afraid to say
Character Logline: Andrea is a tough-as-nails news anchor who holds her own secrets close to the vest.
Possible areas of subtext: Andrea is tough on the people she interviews, but when alone, she cries about the state of her life.
Name: Meagan
Traits: nurturing, motherly, conniving, deceitful
Subtext: lying
Character Logline: Meagan is a soccer mom who pushed Andrea into the supercollider to get rid of her so she could take over her family.
Possible areas of subtext: Meagan is sweet and nurturing to Josh, Chloe and Benjamin, but nasty to Andrea when they are alone together.
Interesting situation- Andrea comes upon Meagan in what used to be her home and realizes that in the year that she’s been gone, Meagan and Josh have started dating and gotten engaged.
Andrea:
What would a (well-spoken) person do or say?
-Try to make Meagan feel stupid by talking down to her
-Try to convince Meagan that everything that happened over the last year is null and void because she is back now.
What would an (image-conscience) person do or say?
-Beg Meagan to leave so she won’t have to suffer the embarrassment of losing everything.
What would a (playful) person do or say?
-Hurl funny insults
-Play games with Meagan to make her think she’s going crazy
What would a (competitive) person do or say?
-Ask the children and Josh who they love the most
-Threaten to take Josh and the kids back
-Fire Meagan as the nanny of the kids
What would a (concealing) person do or say?
-Pretend that’s she going along with the situation, but secretly plotting her revenge
Meagan
What would a (nurturing) person do or say?
-Try to console Andrea, though it wouldn’t be sincere.
-Pretend that she is consoling the kids at this disruption in their lives.
What would a (motherly) person do or say?
-Give Andrea a lecture about how she left and now she needs to accept the way things are.
-Try to be the hero to the kids to make sure they stay on her side.
What would a (conniving) person do or say?
-Threaten to make sure Andrea stays out of Josh and the kids’ lives no matter what it takes.
-Try to kill Andrea
What would a (deceitful) person do or say?
-Try to make Andrea think everything that happened was her fault.
What would a (lying) person do or say?
-Deny that she had anything to do with Andrea falling into the machine
Ideas I’ve decided to keep-
-Andrea hurls funny insults at Meagan
– (Andrea) Try to convince Meagan that everything that happened over the last year is null and void because she is back now.
– (Meagan) Give Andrea a lecture about how she left and now she needs to accept the way things are.
-Try to make Andrea think everything that happened was her fault.
– (Andrea) Fire Meagan as the nanny of the kids
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PS80 DAY 7 BOB SMITHS FULL-OUT CHARACTERS NOVEMBER 3 2021
What I learned is…?
How to create and discover characters by looking at their traits and other factors related to them and also in this process I discovered ways in which they would behave that I had not previously conceived.
SITUATION: In the dramatic triangle between director Josef von Sternberg, and actors Emil Jannings and Marlene Dietrich, there is a conflict between Jannings and Dietrich into which von Sternberg must intervene after Jannings actually injures Dietrich in a fight scene.
This occurs at #10 INT. STUDIO SET OF “THE BLUE ANGEL” – DAY
The conflict between Jannings and Dietrich escalates to violence when Jannings overcts a scene of strangling Dietrich’s character that he actually strangles Dietrich and injures her to which von Sternberg calls on both actors to partner up in the name of art and finish the film, making it the great film he envisions.
JOSEF von STERNBERG (35) Diminutive with black hair graying at the temples. He has an academic appearance.
Basic character traits
Trait 1: Perfectionist.
Trait 2: Artistic.
Subtext: Demanding.
Special: He is a great motion picture director and has produced Oscar-winning films, with Jannings.
Wants/needs: To make a great movie of “The Blue Angel. And counsel Dietrich supportively in the name of her future for which he is grooming her for stardom to partner with Jannings, put aside all differences to make sure a great
Paradoxes: Wants a mentor professional relationship with Dietrich but also is having an intimate relationship with her as well. The two roles Mentor and Lover clash.
Secret: Von Sternberg is having an affair with Dietrich which is an open secret to all involved in the production.
Flaw: He is in a pygmalionizing relationship with Dietrich as he mentors her not only for her part in “The Blue Angel” but he is grooming her for super-stardom. He has an infatuatuation for her that parallels the characters in “The Blue Angel” of the Professor who is ruined because of his infatuation for Lola Lola.
Logline: Josef von Sternberg is the celebrated director of “The Blue Angel” who cast his discovery Marlene Dietrich as Lola Lola in defiance of the studio brass and the star (Emil Jannings) and now find himself in a relationship of both lover and mentor of Dietrich while trying to direct “The Blue Angel” and play referee in a feud between Jannings and Dietrich.
WHAT WOULD JOSEF von STERNBERG DO/SAY?
All traits, his subtextual demanding nature, wants/needs, and the paradoxical and conflictive roles he has with Dietrich as both mentor and lover (his flaw), would lead Josef von Sternberg to appeal to Jannings and Dietrich’s in a supportive manner appealing to them to become partners in the name of art in order to join him in making “The Blue Angel” a great motion picture which would only become career enhancing for all of them.
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EMIL JANNINGS: (45) rotund Oscar-winning actor who seems to have an ability to strut sitting down, both on camera as the Professor and off-camera. He portrays Professor Rath who is infatuated with the cabaret singer, Lola Lola (Dietrich).
Trait 1: Jealousy (of Dietrich as a rival to his star-status in “The Blue Angel”).
Trait 2: Imperiousness.
Trait 3: Fear (of his career viability in an industry in which his German accent has cost him work in ‘talkies’ and with the apparent near-future Nazi domination of Germany and the fact that he has a Jewish mother.)
Wants/needs: To maintain star-status in “The Blue Angel” which he believes Dietrich has undermined with the unwitting collaboration of the director, von Sternberg, who has devoted himself as mentor to her.
Paradox: ——-
Secret: He is attracted to Dietrich.
Flaws:
Flaw 1: He over reacts and over-acts.
Flaw 2: He is sullen. He throws tantrums at perceived slights.
Flaw 3: Although married, he has a roving eye and has harassed actresses on the sets of all his movies which caused problems in the productions.
Special: He is a great actor and has had an illustrious career in Germany and Hollywood.
Logline: Emil Jannings is the Oscar-winning star of “The Blue Angel” but is jealous of Marlene Dietrich whom he fears will undermine his star-status.
WHAT WOULD JANNINGS DO/SAY?
What would Jannings do/say through his trait of jealousy?
He has complained from the beginning that Dietrich is upstaging him and undermining his stardom and has taken away from him the creative partnership that he previously enjoyed in many projectswith director von Sternberg because von Sternberg devotes himself full time to mentoring Dietrich to the exclusion of Jannings and others.
What would Jannings do/say through his trait of imperiousness.
He demands attention and to be listened to when it comes to his complaints. He does not get support from fellow actors in the cast, Kurt Gerron and Hans Albers. Which only further frustrates him.
What would Jannings do/say with his fears about his stardom in “The Blue Angel.”
He falls into his pattern of sullenness and tantrums.
What would Jannings do with his fear of the Nazis and the safety of himself, his family and his Jewish mother?
He only confides with Albers and Gerron as they are anti-Nazi. The love of Albers’ life is Jewish and Gerron is a Jew.
MARLENE DIETRICH (29), von Sterberg’s discovery to play Lola Lola in “The Blue Angel.” The future sex goddess and von Sternberg mentee and later partner in a number of acclaimed motion pictures.
Traits:
Trait 1: Ambition.
Trait 2: subservience (to von Sternberg).
Wants/needs: To have success as Lola Lola in “The Blue Angel” and have superstardom in partnership with Josef von Sternberg.
Paradoxes: She is subservient to von Sternberg as lover and actress and mentee to his mentorship but she is also lover.
Secret: An open secret that she is living a bisexual lifestyle while married and with a daughter whom she supports along with her husband’s mistress.
Flaw: Egotistical.
Special: She is a budding superstar.
Subtext: Domineering (publically) but never with von Sternberg.
Logline: Dietrich is the unknown discovered by director, von Sternberg and cast in the prominent role of showgirl Lola Lola whom he grooms for her role and for future stardom, although she is in a feud with the film’s star (Emil Jannings).
WHAT WOULD MARLENE DIETRICH DO/SAY?
What would Marlene Dietrich do/say through her trait of ambition?
She would go along with any solution made by von Sternberg.
What would Marlene Dietrich do/say through her trait of subservience (to von Sternberg)?
She would go along with any solution made by von Sternberg.
(And he would state it in a manner consistent with Dietrich’s goal of acting success in “The Blue Angel” and the superstardom that follows).
What would Marlene Dietrich do/say through her wants and needs?
She would demand an apology from Jannings and follow anything deamanded of her by von Sternberg for the success of “The Blue Angel” and that would lead to her having a career of superstardom and creative partnership with von Sternberg in many film projects to come.
What would Marlene Dietrich do/say through her paradox of being his mentee, an actress under his direction and also his lover?
Do whatever he asked. Even forgive Jannings for injuring her which she does after he apologizes.
What would Marlene Dietrich do/say through her flaw of being egotistical?
Just follow what von Sternberg says knowing it will be consistent with her wants and needs for a successful performance in “The Blue Angel” and in superstardom afterward with a partnership with von Sternberg.
What would Marlene Dietrich do/say through her secret that she is not only in an intimate relation with von Sternberg but is living a bisexual lifestyle while married and with a daughter whom she supports along with her husband’s mistress?
She would say nothing. It is private and does not fit the immediate problem of her conflict with Jannnings.
What would Marlene Dietrich do/say through her special quality of superstardom?
Just follow von Sternberg’s directions as it will, she knows, take her to superstardom.
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Jake and BB and Ibrahim
Protagonist and Antagonists
I need more dialogue and actions from these prompts that fit into my chapters, and this is not easy. I chose to merge all three under each category so I can make them work together.
Trait A positive Test positive be negative no test negative be positive Make people test positive and be negative. Is your conversation an exclamation point, a question, a period, a colon, or a dangling participle like a dangling dick? Jake deliberately makes his dialogue like a cheerleader but BB talks in a monotone, methodically listing things that must be done. Ibrahim thinks American optimism is silly, preferring the more satirical European approach.
Trait B fit and fun versus anal and robotic. Jake is paid to be fit and fun, it is a chore for Ibrahim, and BB uses fitness to survive and work on boats. As Ibrahim and Betty take the precious Bright Space brain buffet drugs, their physical performance exceeds Jake’s in old age.
Trait C insecure about his ADHD no, really it is an advantage. Jake fills time with music, fitness, EMS, and his family. When BB experienced the boredom of homelessness, he plots a better future with boats. Ibrahim is superficially confident but insecure about his height of 5 feet 6 inches, his sterility and Jake’s sperm for kids. All men are insecure in their own ways.
Trait D Jake is cute and charming while BB is basically ugly and marginalized and needs plastic surgery. BB has two broken teeth left in his smelly, toothless mouth, one glass eye while Jake has perfect teeth, sparkling turquoise eyes, wavy golden hair, and a fit body. They are both 5 feet 10 inches, but BB’s age and bad posture shrink him to 5 feet 8 inches most of the time. As time progresses, this changes because BB becomes a woman, wears a red wig and a padded, push-up bra, gets dentures and eye surgery and eyeglasses that improve her sight. At midpoint when she gets the Brain Buffet and Jake’s good looks and brain are sabotaged by Parkinson’s, the seesaw is tipped unexpectedly, making Jake frustrated and depressed although he tries to hide it. Ibrahim dyes his hair black, works out and dresses expensively, but doesn’t like aging and wants to look and think better as well as have more money. This makes him bitter and sarcastic.
Flaws Jake Has trouble listening in part because of his ADHD, but BB is a great listener. BB is a psychopath, but Jake loves people, especially when he is the center of attention. BB manipulates Jake by facilitating his performances. Ibrahim used to be the ideal citizen but after nature betrayed him with Hurricane Ida, he gave up his faith and veering towards his own psychopathy. Jake is kind and wants to forgive but Ibrahim and BB/Betty lack his ethics.
Secrets and Subtext: Jake has committed crimes in his youth like plagiarism, statutory rape, and sexual harassment, and has a temper when he is boxed in instead of boxing out. BB as a serial killer has a huge secret record that he has meticulously erased until it is uncovered by Jake’s kids. “Secrets must be kept. They are sacred.” Both agree. Ibrahim has exploded twice in his life, once in the first novel when he finds out his child is not his, and in the third novel when the Summit collapse kills his wife and son. He is great at covering his feelings with generous action, polite, formal discourse, and competent actions. A funny scene occurs when Delphine teaches her dad to talk more American with ya know, like, ha ha ha, and other gems punctuated in his conversation is an amiable monotone because the point is not to threaten people.
Motivation/want/need: Jake needs people to listen to him, to lead a disciplined wellness program, and to have a happy family around him. BB needs to kill people for ultimate control. Jake’s true love is Litonya who was BB’s secret fantasy when he was a serial killer in the Gunks but she was too strong for him. “I will do anything to get my own boat,” BB promises. Ibrahim wants to be king of the highest castles and needs some social conformity for this to work. As he ages, he is desperate for the Brain Buffet drugs especially when he loses his position and privileges as CEO.
Special BB has been closer to death than anyone as a funeral director and serial killer/rapist/arsonist and hit man. Jake can twist himself around people to have a comfortable life. When BB helps Jake and Litonya give birth to Jesse, he says, “Birth is much more violent than death.” Jake admits that “I am afraid of death because I love life too much and figure out religion.” What does BB believe? Is death peaceful? Maybe BB was never afraid of death. Ibrahim is a brilliant engineer and used to have a deep faith. He has exceptional leadership skills.
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Jodi’s Translated Characters – Day 7
It was a great exercise to come up with many different angles and ideas to develop your characters, dialogue, and scenes. It helped me to reach further into my imagination for alternatives, as opposed to in a single moment what I would have instantly felt a character might say or do, which has shown to be very limiting. Some of the responses are very long and I have a challenge ahead of me to cut some of these important facts (stats) out. I bolded the responses I like the most.
Character Name: Pamela Karras, Protagonist, Soon to be Gubernatorial Candidate. Late 40’s, her looks are disarming, people are very comfortable around her, which helps her get what she needs.
Trait A: Compassionate:1. I’m sure you’re not aware of the dire outcome
2. I know your hands are tied
3. This must be so hard for you being in this spot
4. I know you’re a church going man, but religion and the medical facts do not coincide in the SB 8 law.
5. My heart aches for every woman and child left in the cold with this law.
6. I know you can open your heart and see with your eyes what damage this law has been doing to thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of lives.
7. I’m sure you’d want your family members to have the real help they need if the situation came about, not just a 270 a month band-aid by TANF, that doesn’t help anyone.
8. You have a kind face, I’m sure your heart can be kind too.
Trait B: Homebody:
1. I’m out of my comfort zone coming here and talking with you today, but it is an important cause.
2. I’d much rather dig my head in the sand and pretend there’s no problem, but all one needs to do is open their eyes to see what desperation now exists in the lives of many women and children.
3. I’m safe, and my family’s safe in our safe little home, but what about those who are not, struggling to survive.
4. From the financial burden this law has caused women, NOT MEN, ONLY WOMEN and homeless children that flee everyday from your orphanages and abusive foster homes, what’cha gonna do for them? Pray!? Are they in your ‘thoughts and prayers’ Governor? or just fleeting thoughts on Sunday morning when you’re in church.
5. We both have wonderful, cozy, secure homes, but how about teenage girls who are turned away from their families because of pregnancy? Do you think the boy who got her pregnant will help pay for her or his parents will take her in? more than likely not. If you’re going to put this burden of forced term on girls why don’t you give them a fighting chance with sex education in high school at least? Do you hate females that much?
Trait C: Devoted to family:
1. I’m lucky to have a ‘normal’ family. How about you? But too many pregnancies are from teens that live in turbulence, be it family conditions, financial hardships, abusive situations, abandonment issues, you think the solution is adoption, orphanages or foster care? We taxpayers are paying for this assault on women’s rights along with the federal government who you abhor. Isn’t your outcry about too much government? And yet, you have your hand out, creating a bigger government. If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…it’s a duck!
2. So what are you really doing for these heartbeats you dictated to save by the SB8 law? Thousands of these children sleep on mats on floors, in CPS offices, whether state and local officials have barred it or not, it is a reality, children have to sleep somewhere! And although children without proper placement has been an issue for years now, and only getting worse, the number of children has skyrocketed, nearly a tenfold increase from the previous year, and because of the mounting demand, children are sleeping in such places anyway. The number of Texas foster children placed in unlicensed facilities, like motels, churches and offices, surpassed 400 in June 2021. In 2021 the state lost at least 1,000 beds for children. Do you care about their ‘heartbeats’? There’s more to life for a child that your SB8 Heartbeat law clearly doesn’t care about. How about the love of a parent? How about the feeling they get on Christmas morning jumping out of their safe beds to get a glimpse of Santa? or having a family they know loves them? or clothes and personal items they can call their own and not have to have them taken from them as that’s all they have. Do you know some children, results of your dictated law have had to occasionally beg for a shower, toothbrush, toothpaste or even a meal? These kids that fall through the cracks and sleep on floors don’t get to experience much of the wonderful stuff of life and love. Don’t even get me started about how the state has to pay for the ones that have lost their way after matriculating out of the system. Front-line caseworkers say the situation is worsening by the day for the children, The harm to foster children goes beyond loneliness and missed meals. Foster children have been subjected to physical and sexual abuse in temporary placements. Children have gone missing while in state care and some have been groomed for sexual trafficking. CPS workers — trained for case management, not therapeutic care — have their hands tied in how to respond. At least 23 children have died in Texas’ long-term foster care system since summer 2019, These are traumatized kids who have experienced abuse, neglect, and much worse, they often age out of care more damaged than when they entered. Regarding the 2011 lawsuit of Texas foster care the U.S. District Judge who ruled said that children “often age out of care ‘more’ damaged than when they entered.” Twice the state was held in contempt of court for failing to adhere to her orders to make the system safer. So, I ask you again Governor, Do you really care about their ‘heartbeats’? demanding to bring MORE unwanted children into this most dark world for them, while you live in your cozy home. I know, I know….they’re in your ‘thoughts and prayers’!
3. You’re a man, so you can’t possibly know what females go through. Don’t you realize having an abortion is not a jaunt through the park? ‘Most’ women don’t view this decision lightly. It is a life-changing decision that only she should make and giving up a child creates scars for both the mother and the child through its life. Unless of course they were one of the lucky ones to be adopted by a loving family, but the statistics find the amount of adoptive parents available woefully lacking, and if the child doesn’t find a home by age six, their chances drop dramatically, if you’re a minority the possibility is even worse. Children are remarkably impressed upon and transformed into the adults that they’re going to become.
4. I’m all about family first, when there’s not going to be casualties. Do you have any concept of what these little children go through? Where’s my Mom? My Dad? Didn’t they love me? Am I unlovable? Then, if they are very unfortunate, they get abused at the hands of the very people you entrust and ‘pay’ to take care of them; orphanages, foster homes, taxpayers. At least 23 children were killed in foster care since 2019, how about their ‘heartbeats’?
Trait D: Stubborn:
1. There’s no excuse good enough to defend banning abortion!
2. You are unconstitutionally power grabbing at women’s expense.
3. What’s with you white males and your oppressed wives?
4. Mind your own business!
5. Isn’t it you and other Texans that fly the Gadsden flag “Don’t tread on me” as protest on restrictions of gun control? How’d you like there to be a ban on gun ownership? You and your kind would be screaming about your civil rights from the mountaintops.
6. How can you kill heartbeats of convicts but dictate that a woman must, with her body, carry an embryo to full term after six weeks? Heartbeat right! If a ‘heartbeat’ is detected, yes, convicts have faulty hearts, but they beat none-the-less. You can’t pick and choose what a ‘heartbeat’ is to your liking, for your own purposes or control in this SB8 law. You’re a fucking hypocrite! And all you so called ‘religious’ conservatives that demand the same are hypocrites too. This has nothing to do with religion, actually this law is a lack of religion and compassion for other. It is a cold-hearted agenda. But I’ve always said there are many of you who waste pew space to poster and pretend you are good people, but mostly you sit your asses in a pew on Sunday and sin on Monday.
Character Subtext: Luring and plotting
1. What is this law costing taxpayers?
2. So, you’re against the death penalty too then? They do have heartbeats when detected by a sonogram. Isn’t that the criteria in the SB8 law?
3. Shouldn’t there be consistency in the laws? It does appear to be a personal agenda.
4. From 2015 to present there have been 65 murders of ‘heartbeats’ on Texas death row. Why the double-speak, the double-standard?
5. So, it’s not true that your SB8 priority is to save heartbeats? Cause the same standard of policy or regulation (sonograms) would absolutely register heartbeats of death row inmates right? So, your white legislative branch and you sir, are cherry picking and choosing what ‘kind’ of heart beat qualifies here. I’d say this is just another attack on women to have control over them. Keep them in their place. Keep them in line.
6. Are you scared of women’s independence and power Governor? Are you scared we’re going to take your jobs and ‘power’ away? So, you and your kind find ways to oppress the obvious.
7. Is this how you curtail that? Keep us down? I can see by the pictures of your legislative branch you have very few women and other minorities to have a voice in their lives.
8. Shouldn’t this law be called the White Men’s Control Law? I mean, let’s get real. Let’s really put it out there and be honest.
9. You can be against abortion, but to FORCE your feelings onto another human being who feels differently and tell them how to live…it’s egregious! Shall I take your ‘guns’ away? Cause I’m against guns, they STOP heartbeats too, how would you and your conservative ‘values’ people like that? Where does controlling others end?
Want/Need: She wants life to be fair and just for all, so she runs for Governor, she needs to feel unconditionally loved.
Paradox: Although tenacious in her work, Pam is easy going and doesn’t like conflict or getting too involved in others issues, but she soon finds it hard to ignore the struggles of others.
Secret: Pam and friends were arrested for drug possession one night while in college, the drugs belonged to another person, but they were all riding in the same car.
Flaw: She has paralysis when attempting public speaking, and fears her conservative family will disown her.
Special: She fights for people who can’t fight for themselves.
Character Arc: Pam has two debilitating fears that she overcomes.
Character Logline: Pamela is like a dog with a bone STUBBORN, who PLOTS and LURES information from others with her congenial way, if she feels it will be to her advantage. She borders on manipulative.
Character Name: Governor Chad Babbitt, late 40’s. Chad has a thousand watt smile even while stabbing you in the back. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Trait A: Hypocrite:
1. I care about all my flock her in Texas. I’m doing what’s best for everyone.
2. We pray to Jesus ‘hard’ in church. He hears our pleas and he spoke to me to save all heartbeats.
3. If men were able to bare children the law would be for us too. It just so happens to be little ladies like you that get to procreate. We aim to keep it that way.
4. Those heartbeats killed other heartbeats, so it’s an eye for an eye.
5. My heart goes out to all that this law creates hardships for.
Trait B: Chauvinist:
1. Too many of you women keep your pants and skirts open.
2. If women would just resist our advances, there’d be no problem.
3. You women need to be controlled for your own good.
4. Don’t let your beau poke ya, and there’d be no problem.
5. Most women truly want to be told what to do. There are some exceptions like you.
6. This country, the Constitution and the laws were formed by men, are run by men, and will continue to be shaped by men.
7. Little ladies, this was great fun jawing with ya, but I have to get back to serius work now.
8. Oh, you like that picture huh, my daddy, god bless his soul, would say “I dirtied up my backyard with four girls trying to get my boy”.
9. What do you ladies worry about? We take care of you. Make a good home and life for you. Why aren’t you satisfied with that!
Trait C: Short tempered:
1. Now you’ve really chapped my hide.
2. I’m sick of you women starting trouble, you man-haters get out of my office!
3. Well, I can see you did some work here, I could’ve saved you some time. We’re not going to reverse this law.
4. I don’t care how many innocent women get hurt from the bounty hunters, they should’ve kept their skirts on!
5. If people want to sue each other they can, that is out of my hands.
6. There’d be no call for Bounty Hunters if women didn’t have abortions.
Trait D: Loves his wife:
1. My wife’s a saint.
2. My wife has a made a beautiful home for us.
3. You should all be God fearing women like my wife.
4. My wife is a wonderful accepting Mother.
5. Women like you can’t hold a candle to my wife, she cares so much, she has a prayer meeting every week for the unborn babies, orphans, foster kids, they give money too.
Subtext: Unethical:
1. Sometimes I have to move mountains to get bills passed.
2. You go lookin’ for trouble, trouble might come lookin’ for you.
3. We buy the land. We have a nice consortium of investors and developers.
4. I have a lot of favors I have to cash in.
5. I have a lot of people I have to answer to.
6. My branch is stacked with people who think like me. If you don’t like it, try to unseat me.
7. You have to pay to play.
8. If a contractor doesn’t like it, they can hit the highway.
Want/Need: Chad wants to retain his position of Governor, which brings him lots of power. He is insecure
1. You women want it all don’t you. You can’t have everything.
2. You think your power is in spreading your legs.
3. I have friends in high places, just try to take me down.
4. I’ve been in this position because I listen to what my constituents want, and this is where I’ll stay.
5. Just try to unseat me, do your best, you’ll have a surprising road to hoe. It’ll be a bumpy ride.
6. My people love me, if you want to come up against me, you’ll have another thing coming.
Paradox: His public act is fearlessness, but in reality he truly is afraid of the gains of women and minorities. He controls women’s bodies with the SB8 anti-abortion law.
Secret: His wife had an abortion in her younger college years.
Flaw: He looks like he would have been a boy scout in his youth, but he has no ethical boy scout traits.
He’ll do whatever it takes to retain his seat of power.
Special: He loves guns and his verbiage often includes gun knowledge or slang.1. You sharp shooters are starin’ down my barrel
2. Little lady, If you don’t stop threatening me I’ll get out my eleven.
Character Arc: He is always polished and slick when romancing his base, but when Pam rattles his nerves during a televised debate, he turns to incoherent nonsensical ramblings (which he thinks no one can see through).
Character Logline: Chad is an UNETHICAL Governor who only cares about his power and will bribe or threaten anyone who stands in his way.
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Richard’s Translated Characters
What I’ve learned is… doing these lessons is creating more depth to my characters. I am thinking about them now on different levels, and when you know your characters better, they will be stronger from the very first scene they are in.
Situation: Illeana finally tells Shane that she is pregnant with his child, right before the English land on the island.
Shane –
Role – protagonist
Age range and description – 30s, warrior.
What might a loyal person do or say?
Core trait A – Loyalty
To do everything in his power to have his partner and unborn child survive this situation.
Sacrifice himself for their survival.
Core trait B – Fearless
Promises her that all of them are getting out of this situation alive.
Core trait C – Tactful
That he will make sure they escape under the cover of darkness.
That the situation is not as bad as it looks.
Core Trait D – Natural born leader
Convinces her everything is alright.
He takes in the information, then immediately focuses on getting them out of this situation.
Character Subtext
Tactful – underplays the increasingly dangerous situation they find themselves in.
Tries to convince her that freedom is only hours away.
That they will negotiate with the English for their freedom. Even if he must sacrifice himself.
Motivation; Want/need
Want: he wants the English out of Ireland.
Need: he needs peace in his life.
Now he wants and needs the safe passage of his partner and child.
Unique/special
While his instincts have always been war, he now understands there is more to life.
Character Logline
Illeana
Protagonist, ensemble – 30s, warrior, better heir to her clan than her brothers.
Core Trait A
Amazonian
That if she gives birth to a son, he will be future leader.
That she will still fight to protect her child.
Will having the child detract from her standing.
Will she lose the will to fight to raise her child.
Core trait B
Diplomatic
That she can use the situation to appeal to the English for leniency.
That she can use the situation to save herself.
Will the others sacrifice themselves to save her child.
Core Trait C
Scheming
Use the pregnancy to her advantage, playing on others’ emotions.
That this child will be future leader, she must always protect herself.
Kill her loved ones to give her child a future.
Core Trait D
Sexual
Using her sexuality to help sway the minds of others.
Play on the importance of women in society.
2. Want/Need:
She wants to rule. Needs Shane and a family.
This baby could be an option for future power if she can escape this situation.
Will she sacrifice her true love, and partner for her own future.
Special:
She equals any man on both the battlefield and politics.
With the situation, will the child take away from her own ambitions and what she wants to achieve.
Character Logline:
Unable to rule due to tradition, the only daughter of a fallen clan chief schemes with whomever she can to rid the world of her male siblings and offer a brighter future for her unborn child.
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Janeen’s Translated Characters
What I learned doing this assignment is that this is a great way to add subtext to a scene.
My scene selection
INT. DESIGN STUDIO – DAY
Morgan and Daniel Richards greet with fake kisses and she tells him she’s seen his wife at the shelter, donating clothes. He turns away with an evil leer.
2/3. Morgan Day – Traits: Insecure, Curious/Eager to learn; Perfectionist; Bold under pressure; Subtext Character Traits — Intimidated, Crafty;
A. What might an Insecure person do here?
1. Morgan might look fearful when saying she has seen Daniel’s wife.
2. Morgan might wait until Daniel has his back turned to say she’e seen his wife so he won’t see the fear in her eyes or won’t be able to read judgement in her face.
B. What might a Curious/Eager to learn person do here?
1. Morgan might ask if Daniel ever has Amber drop off any of his designer clothes at the shelter.
2. Morgan might ask if it is OK if she donates some of the clothes he’s made for her to the same shelter.
C. What might a Perfectionist person do here?
1. Morgan might fuss about the details of the clothes at the fitting.
2. Morgan might fuss about the neatness of Daniel’s studio.
D. What might a Bold Under Pressure person do here?
1. She might ask Daniel how Amber got her bruises?
2. She might ask Daniel if Amber was in a car accident.
E. What might someone who is Intimidated, yet Crafty do here
1. She might look around for signs of a scuffle
2. Morgan might check to see if Daniel’s knuckles have bruising and if so, ask him how he did it. Was he in the accident with Amber?
Daniel Richards – Temperamental Artist; Insecure; Incredibly Good Designer; Perfectionist; Subtext Character Traits: Cloaking, Vengeful
A. What might a Temperamental Artist person do here?
1. Daniel might be alternately friendly and furious with Morgan depending on her critiques of the items she is trying on
2. Daniel might fuss more than usual about critics of his work in the media to cover his nervousness.
B. What might an Insecure person do here?
1. Daniel might resort to stony silence whenever mention of Amber comes up.
2. Daniel might pretend he often sends Amber on missions of mercy
C. What might an Incredibly Good Designer do here?
1. Daniel might chastise Morgan for her posture or dictate her posture to show off his work to best effect.
2. Daniel might mention some of the ways he accents Morgan’s good points or routinely camouflages her bad ones.
D. What might a Perfectionist do here?
1. Daniel might tell Morgan to never stand a certain way in any of his couture.
2. Daniel might tell Morgan to arrange the dress in a very specific way before pictures.
E. What might someone who is Cloaking and Vengeful do here?
1. Daniel might mask his fury at Amber for having gone to a women’s shelter.
2. Daniel might look devious as he plans his revenge for having been “betrayed” by Amber in such a public way.
4. Ideas I will keep:
Morgan might ask if it is OK if she donates some of the clothes he’s made for her to the same shelter.
Morgan might fuss about the details of the clothes at the fitting.
Morgan might wait until Daniel has his back turned to say she’e seen his wife so he won’t see the fear in her eyes or won’t be able to read judgement in her face.
Daniel might resort to stony silence whenever mention of Amber comes up and turn the conversation back to fashion.
Daniel might be alternately friendly and furious with Morgan depending on her critiques of the items she is trying on
She might ask Daniel if Amber was in a car accident when fishing for the cause of Amber’s bruises.
Daniel might tell Morgan to never stand a certain way in any of his couture.
Morgan might check to see if Daniel’s knuckles have bruising and if so, ask him how he did it. Was he in the accident with Amber?
Daniel might look devious as he plans his revenge for having been “betrayed” by Amber in such a public way.
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What I learned doing this assignment is to brainstorm how the main character might react to a situation based on their character profile. Similar to any occupation or our own lives when we are placed in a situation and there are 100s of different ways to react.
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PS 80 Michelle Damis Full-out Characters
What I learned is that I needed to go a different route with this assignment. I am quite behind after a few days on set and a short trip. I created templates for my characters similar to the template that Hal gave us. I have filled those out and will have them to reference from here on out. This will help me as I work through future scenes and develop dialogue.
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Jennifer’s Full-out Characters
WHAT I LEARNED: This is a useful way of making sure to incorporate character into every scene. To some extent it’s already part of my thought process, but I particularly think this will be useful for less-significant characters that might not be as well fleshed-out initially.
SITUATION:
Early in the story, Jessica and Amanda learn of the prestigious scholarship to Chapman U for one service-oriented junior before their advanced literature class. Jessica instantly starts jotting down thoughts on how to win and texts her father that they need to make a plan, but doubts herself when Amanda mentions she’s already fulfilled many of the scholarship’s public service requirements and Jessica has not, instead focusing on her tech skills (establishes tech expertise). How can Jessica look the part of the good citizen and stat? Her secret hatred of Amanda and Ethan becomes clear, knowing that the three of them are the clear frontrunners.
CHARACTER 1: Jessica
Role: Protagonist, high school junior overachiever
Age range/description: 17, a wisp of a Southern belle with a permanent (if sometimes fake) smile on her always lipsticked mouth and a pained look in her eyes
** Core trait: Smart as a whip
Instantly maps out a complex diagram indicating every aspect she needs to cover to win the scholarship
Instantly does a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats)
Has a special notebook she strategizes in, and when Amanda indicates she has already done a bunch of the requirements, Jessica turns to her “Amanda” page in her strategy notebook and jots something down quickly
** Core trait: Deeply insecure
Starts cursing to herself the moment the teacher announces the service requirements
Starts adding things up on her fingers and clearly comes short
Sinks lower and lower in her chair while trying to pretend to be confident
“Amanda, this is something even you might have to work hard to make happen.”
** Core trait: Tries to appear perfect at all times
Sits there with a fake smile on while her hands shake as she takes notes on the scholarship
Says something about how she’s overqualified and will do just fine, thankyouverymuch, despite looking panicked
Tries to quietly gasp for air as a panic attack almost kicks in while she looks around hoping no one notices
** Core trait: Southern belle
Dresses up in full makeup and neat hair, buttons her neat little cardigan while trying to be proper mid-panic attack
Says a gracious thank you when the teacher checks on her
“Bless your heart, Amanda.”
** Character subtext: Underneath her facade of Southern graciousness, she is a smouldering cauldron of rage.
While Amanda takes notes casually about the competition, Jessica glares daggers at her
** Motivation – want/need: She wants to win, which she does because she really needs to feel loved, approved of unconditionally and never has been by her parents, never realizing that this is a no-win game.
Jessica whispers to herself, “This is what it will take. Yes!”
Jessica texts her father: “Huge scholarship opportunity. You’ll be happy.”
** Unique/special: She is tirelessly ambitious. It does not make her cool, but ultimately it helps her win according to the messed-up rules she lives by.
Jessica pulls out a full-on life planner/calendar and starts adding in dates like no one’s business. She takes this all super seriously.
** Character logline: Jessica is a high achiever whose insecurity nags at her, causing her to lash out and punish those who get in her way.
Jessica attempts to make Amanda feel bad about not being stoked about the competition. “You know this would help you launch your illustrious [TBC] career. Why wouldn’t you care?”
Paradoxes: She secretly wants to be kind and good, but her desire to win is so powerful due to the lack of unconditional love from her parents that it kills her soul slowly.
Secret: She has to work harder and longer than anyone else to get the things she’s got, and it makes her feel unworthy and ashamed — for ex., reading books on success. She has actual talents but doesn’t honor them in herself. By hiding the hard work away from others, she tries not to be discovered for who she really is, but who she is could redeem her … unless she changes/hardens to become the achiever she really wants to be, which means giving up her vulnerability and heart and truly only going for the win.
Flaw: At the beginning she really cares but is terrified of being vulnerable in front of her peers, whom she sees as competitors. See her Secret above for more info.
Character arc:
Part to be changed: Jessica wants to win, but is forever afraid to go for it, often hesitates at the last minute and comes in second
Biggest fear: Losing/not being outstanding and first, losing control
Completion of arc: Jessica goes for it and ends up doing literally everything it takes to win (and succeeds)
Jessica is desperate to win at life, grabbing at opportunities to show her prowess, and now she’s up for a hugely prestigious scholarship that would set her up for long-term success. She tends to tense up at the last minute when trying to go for it, though, which costs her significant wins. She thinks she isn’t someone if she doesn’t win and comes up against brick walls a lot among the characters who have more personality, more life in them because they aren’t only fixated on being number one.
CHARACTER 2: Amanda
Role: Antagonist, high school junior prodigy/achiever
Age range/description: 15, looks young because she’s younger than her classmates, but she’s a bundle of tightly woven intellect and snark in a very funny, charming package
** Core trait: Smart as a whip, and things come extremely easily to her
Yawns, “Like that’s hard?”
She gets that Jessica is flipping out and looks at her, mouthing the words to a formula she (Amanda) has worked out about how Jessica operates. NEED TO WORK ON THIS
** Core trait: Snarky Southerner with heart and a bite
“I will never not say ‘y’all.’ Most great languages have a second-person plural. Just because ill-informed people think that means you’re ignorant for saying ‘y’all’ doesn’t make it so.”
Gives Jessica a “bless your heart” right back and full of snark when Jessica is patronizing to her
** Core trait: Dreamer
“I’m not even sure I want to go to Chapman. I can’t decide. I’m torn between Yale and Juilliard and just can’t decide which of my talents I want to focus on for undergrad.” (This would be terribly painful for Jessica to hear — that Chapman is Amanda’s consolation prize.)
“Don’t you ever think about anything other than joining the rat race and getting ahead, Jessica? You’re a teenager. Enjoy it while it lasts. One day we’ll all wake up wrinkled and aware that we’ve wasted some part of our potential.”
** Core trait: Little tolerance for jerks
“Cut the pretention, Jessica. Not all of us have parents who are practically royalty, and we still do OK.”
** Character subtext: Her kindness belies her unwillingness to participate in or take b.s. from anyone.
“Look, I get that this would mean a lot to you. But you don’t get to talk to people that way.”
** Motivation – want/need: She wants to be successful but laugh all along the way. She needs to feel trust in people to open up to them at all, is cautious, but wants to keep things as relaxed as possible. She is easily bored and needs new things to keep her mind occupied.
“I might tackle this. I can always go for a good challenge. They’re so rare.” Smirk reflects sarcasm.
“This could be good for a laugh.” (Jessica would seethe over this, noting that Amanda spent 2 weeks in London at a workshop and now thinks it somehow makes her British.)
** Unique/special: She is the kind of young woman who seems too good to be true, but because she deflects so much attention off of herself with humor, most people wouldn’t see it. She is a musical prodigy.
(See above. Everything comes easily to her.)
** Character logline: Amanda is a natural achiever with a big heart whose natural skepticism repels her from Jessica until Jessica appears vulnerable, leaving Amanda open to be Jessica’s next victim.
“What would make you think I wouldn’t want this scholarship? My parents aren’t made of money.”
Teacher might announce that Amanda and Jessica should listen up at the beginning, and Jessica would hate being lumped in with Amanda, whom she sees as inferior.
Paradoxes: She’s a dreamer but willing to do the work. She just doesn’t have to do much work.
Secret: She doesn’t trust Jessica but has a protective sense about her anyhow that kicks in when Jessica seems vulnerable. It will ultimately cost Amanda her life. POSSIBLY: She is embarrassed by her success.
Flaw: Curses like a sailor and has a sharp temper
Character arc:
Part to be changed: If she doesn’t think something is important, she doesn’t know why others do, which makes her unkind at times and also sometimes lazy
Biggest fear: Doing and doing and achieving and it all being meaningless in the end, like the Energizer bunny going and going
Completion of arc: She has to learn to find meaning in what she does, and for her meaning is actually friendship, which she tries to create with Jessica before Jessica kills her
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