-
Lesson 1
Reply to post your assignment.
-
23 Replies
-
Working hard every day to become the best writer I can be and as a result I am one of the best writers in Hollywood
What I learned from this exercise is the need to write the script with the lead actors in mind so they will accept the roles and help to get the movie made.
Lloyd Shellenberger Module 3 Lesson 1: Characters That Sell Scripts
Movie Title: Letters from Baghdad
Lead Character Name: SFC Jerry Reese
Genre: Action Drama
Title: Letters from Baghdad
High Concept: An Iraqi interpreter is murdered by terrorist, SFC Reese and his unit must step in to save the widow and her children from certain death.
Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle/Protagonist vs Terrorists
Character Logline: SFC Reese is a career soldiers who always follows the rules but now he must think outside the box to save himself and the family.
Unique: Reese grew up tough and ready on the streets of New York as a former gang member. This strong street sense allows him to see things unfold before they happen. As a result of his unsure and often chaotic upbringing, structure and security are paramount for his daily functioning, the Army provides this.
1 – Actor notoriety – Wants to be known for this part.
SFC Reese is a gritty and smart character by design as he must face off against a government bureaucracy and deadly terrorists.
2 – Character that is most interesting in movie.
SFC Reese is the catalyst that moves this story forward and the conscience behind the movement to save this family. His morality and beliefs drive everything that happens. In contrast the lead antagonist believes that anyone who aids the Americans are traitors and he is equally committed to stopping it.
3 – Takes most interesting actions in the story.
SFC Reese takes on the terrorists head on and defies the State Department and his unit while risking his life to do so. He becomes fearless in the end.
4 – Outstanding Introduction.
In the beginning SFC Reese responds to and open market area of Baghdad and saves the lives of his soldiers and the civilians around him by being more street aware and smarter than the bad guys.
5 – Range of emotions the actor can play.
SFC Reese goes from indifferent to deeply committed, afraid to fearless, and finally from self centered to empathetic of the plight of the family and the Iraqi people.
6 – Subtext the actor can play.
In the beginning Reese is there to do his job and get the hell out of Iraq. His personal growth all comes from understanding the lists of subtexts he must understand. His need for security and order, his not wanting to initially get involved but eventually finding a reason to do so. Finally, his caring and protection of the family all come from subtexts he must accept and understand.
7 – Relationships that are interesting.
The relationship between Reese and the family becomes a deep and meaningful one by the end of the movie. His conflicted relationship with his superiors and the State Department also drive many of his motivations. His understanding of the American bureaucratic system takes a full 180 degree turn by the end changing every belief he held dear. Reese is aware of the flaws in the system and no longer accepts the status quo.
8 – Unique Voice expressed through dialogue and action.
Reese is a survivor of the highest degree but he finds he can be a better leader and and a better person person through this experience. His tough “bring it on New York attitude and never back down persona” is impressive and needed in this situation.
9 – Something truly special about this character.
Reese isn’t just fighting for this family he is fighting for his very soul as he believes turning his back on this family can never be undone. He believes the unit, his fellow soldiers, and the State Department owe this family everything. Reese and his soldiers will risk everything to do the right thing.
10.
In 3:10 to Yuma the scene that stands out more than anything is when Dan tells Wade a fellow soldier shot off his leg and that he isn’t a hero. Dan shows a kind of courage that the Antagonist can identify with and respect so Wade decides to help him.
In the end, Dan won the respect of Wade and more importantly his son. He realizes the gang he has been running with are not the kind of men he wants to be associated with.
Wade is a scholar of the bible so an eye for and eye is his final response. His gang took the life of Dan so Wade takes theirs for payment.
-
WIM Module 3 Lesson 1 Lead Characters That Attract Actors
Vision: To write and sell excellent, original, enticing screenplays in order to take audiences on cinematic adventures that satisfy their need for great stories.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that Shane Black created a unique character in the Riggs character, who because he is a little crazy, can explore a range of emotions from depressed and suicidal to happy to be hunting bad guys and get really aggressive.
Movie Title: Lethal Weapon (1987)
Lead Character Name: Martin Riggs
Actor notoriety – Wants to be known for this part.
-Funny, cool good guy who’s a bit crazy and takes big risks because he’s not afraid to die.
Character that is most interesting in movie.
-Even though he’s a bit crazy, he’s got a warm personality and gets results, knows how to fight, can handle a gun and has skills from being in the Phoenix Project in Vietnam. (The Phoenix Project was an intense counter-insurgency program in which spec-ops teams would dress in indigenous garb and drop into Viet Cong controlled areas at 3 am to kill or disappear Viet Cong leaders and teams). No wonder Riggs has skills.
-Takes most interesting actions in the story.
-Christmas tree lot cocaine bust. Brings the suicide jumper down by handcuffing him and making him jump. Overcomes being tortured by electric shock.
-Shoots bad guys in the desert rescue scene. Kills Mr. Joshua in a fist fight.
Outstanding Introduction.
-Drinks Coors for breakfast while smoking a cigarette.
-Almost suicide seen in which he mourns the loss of his wife.
-Then the gun scene in the police department where he erroneously subdues his new partner.
-Makes fun of the department shrink by making a face at her with one eye closed and one open.
Range of emotions the actor can play.
-Depressed and suicidal to extremely motivated pursuing bad guys who went rogue in the CIA who are running a drug ring in LA.
-Also, several comedy scenes like the 100 dollar bill to buy 100k in coke. Does a great Three Stooges impression before arresting/killing most of them.
Subtext the actor can play.
-Free to take unnecessary risks because he barely cares about living due to the loss of his wife.
Relationships that are interesting.
-Buddy with straight man Danny Glover, friends with Murtaugh’s family. He becomes like a protective uncle.
Unique Voice expressed through dialogue and action.
-Takes action: aggressively arrests the coke dealers at the Christmas Tree lot, aggressively gets the suicide guy off of the roof, aggressively kills the pimp who tried to kill his partner Roger, aggressively shoots at the helicopter used to kill Hunsecker, aggressively snaps the neck of his torturer and then aggressively deals with Mr. Joshua at the end.
Something truly special about this character.
Under all that aggression he’s a likeable character who has a sense of humor.
-
Just noticed something: where I put straight man Murtaugh (Danny Glover), in the comedic sense in which Martin Riggs makes jokes like a lot of old-timers are using those referring to his police revolver. Or when he brings him a cup of coffee in bed and Murtaugh is pissed off by the intrusion into his personal space of his bedroom. The movie is rich with jokes at Roger Murtaugh’s expense.
-
-
Margaret’s Actor Attractors for Movie: Queen of the Desert
Margaret’s Vision: To be the best screenwriter for faith-based movies
What I learned: The Actor Attractors!
Movie Title: Queen of the Desert
Lead Character Name: Gertrude Bell (Nicole Kidman)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? This story is from an historical event in 1915 with a strong female lead who inspires other females to take risks, be brave, follow the mission of your own making.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? She is unlike the sterotypical female in 1915. She is smart, breaks the mold, has men attracted to her but also dependent on her.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? She bridges the culture gap and is able to effectively navigate the fierce tribes in the desert.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? She is talked about among a group of military experts (all men) discussing their need for her expertise. Her first scene she is expressing her need to escape – to be somewhere, do something different.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? From desperation to love, to grief, to love again, to fear, to knowledgeable counselor.
6. What subtext can the actor play? Subtext in flirting scenes and in scenes with tribal leaders.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? Her negotiations with the sheiks.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? She speaks and writes with symbolism and poetry.
9. What makes this character special and unique? She is “as bold as any Bedouin man” while holding her own against the bias held by men in her own culture
-
Alyssa’s Actor Attractors for Edge of Tomorrow
One Sentence Vision: I want to be the best writer I can be and a go-to writer in the industry, crafting scripts that become successful movies which make a lasting impact on people.
What I learned from this assignment is…paying attention to the lead characters in major movies and how they’re built, from their general introduction to the first line the character says to their specific actions and arc, etc. It’s super helpful to know how to get the attention of big actors!
Movie Title: Edge of Tomorrow (Sci-fi/Action)
Lead Character Name: William Cage (Tom Cruise)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Cage has a great character arc of a coward becoming a hero, set in the unique backdrop of a future alien war- a blockbuster sci-fi with heart, and Cage is the one who has to make most of the major decisions since he holds the power of resetting time.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? His growth as a character in both learning courage and developing skills to be the most bad ass of them all. He has the most to learn in a “fish out of water” scenario but it makes him the most interesting and his journey the one you root for.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? He is the one who is living every single day so he has to be the default leader, making the key decisions and the one everyone listens to. He’s the one who has to convince everyone of the truth and he’s the one who kills the big bad enemy in the end.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? He’s a unique character, an Army PR guy who is all smooth talking until the pressure is on. He’s introduced on TV first as the face of the Army, then we quickly see who he really is which is an unexpected twist- a Major with no military experience.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? From cowardice to courage, from fear to bravery, from trying to run from everything to being the one who runs into battle first and gets others to follow. He has sorrow when Rita dies, and some quiet moments of discovering his feelings for her, and then the triumph of victory and love.
6. What subtext can the actor play? He has to reveal and hide certain things from characters all throughout- every time he meets every character, he has to reset and act differently, because he knows things they don’t know he knows, even with Rita when he knows she’s going to die and doesn’t want to tell her. It keeps all the relationships interesting throughout.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? His relationship with Rita, the warrior, the opposite of him at the beginning but by the end they are soldiers who care deeply for each other and would die for each other.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? How he’s so out of his element in the Army and combat situations, even though he’s supposed to know what he’s doing. He doesn’t know terms, he doesn’t even know how to use the mech suits he’s been pitching to the masses. Once he lives the day enough, his confidence grows and he knows what’s he’s doing.
9. What makes this character special and unique? His arc is great from coward to hero- polar opposites- and the fact that he’s a Major with no combat knowledge keeps him entertaining to watch in those environments. Seeing him win in the end is all the more satisfying because he has grown so much as a character.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.) The third act climax sequence, where he is now the war hero people follow and he saves Rita (at first), get the girl (the kiss!), and even though they both sacrifice themselves at the very end, you’ve gotta love knowing this is the guy who was called a deserter and now he’s the one who’s willing to die to save the world. It’s great!
Lead Character Name: Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? She’s a bad ass war hero who is also feminine; strong but not trying to act like a man. Female war hero is a tantalizing role for women wanting to make a splash in the action genre.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? She’s introduced slowly with people talking about her, her photo on buses, and her reputation. When we finally meet her, we have high expectations and she’s written so well that she exceeds the expectations. Throughout the movie she’s brave, making good decisions, not perfect but self-less and will do anything to defeat the enemy. Even though she’s cold at first, she warms up.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? Trusting Cage when no one else will and helping train him; she’s the one who knows it all training the newbie and it’s a great mentor role. She also pushes Cage in ways he needs to be pushed.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? The slow build and then great reveal on the battlefield when she is kicking ass, and then the early scene where she walks away from Cage, stealing his battery and letting him die. It’s another twist- you think she’ll try to save him, but she leaves him there- her mission is bigger than one life and she’s consistent throughout in that.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? From cold and aloof to vulnerable, but there’s so much under the surface. We don’t get much of her backstory, but she feels real and warms up to Cage as she gets to know him throughout each day. She goes from doubting him, annoyed at him, to liking him, admiring him, and giving her life for him.
6. What subtext can the actor play? She’s a very reserved character who doesn’t give much; she’s doing a mission and stuffs her emotions under the surface, but they come out in little moments. She feels real, even when she’s not talking- in a look or a reaction to Cage. Lots goes unsaid but felt with her and it shows.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? With Cage, the cowardly newbie she has to train and convince to save the world. They are polar opposites at the start, but by the end are partners who care for each other.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? She’s aloof and blunt, no sugar coating but to the point. She’s a soldier and a war hero and it shows in how she reacts to events- with calmness and courage.
9. What makes this character special and unique? The fact that she’s a bad ass war hero but also willing to trust this new guy and help him, at first for her own goals of winning the war, but she learns to trust him. She’s super cool without trying to be cool.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.) One of the first scenes with her on the battlefield when Cage is fumbling around and she appears, kicking butt and killing aliens. Then Cage gets mortally wounded and she walks up to him, takes his battery pack, and leaves him to die. It’s such a surprise and the first real interaction between the two of them. It’s a great introduction to their relationship especially knowing how it ends.
-
Alyssa,
This is a really great character assessment. You really put your self and your thoughts into this. I enjoyed reading it.
Paul
-
Thanks, Paul! I’m having a lot of fun with these assignments, it’s been super interesting to read everyone’s homework!
-
-
-
Ashley’s Actor attractors for The Little Mermaid
Vision: I write enthralling, entertaining, and transformational scripts that win awards, get produced and create positive change in the world.
I learned a lot more about my protagonist. Slowly I’m unraveling this character and her relationships.
Movie title: The Little Mermaid (I saw it with my 5-year-old recently!)
Lead Character Name: Ariel
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? A new spin on the Disney classic.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? This mermaid is fascinated with humans and collects mundane gadgets despite her mother being killed by a human.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? Ariel has to seduce the prince and kiss him without her voice, and without knowing that she must kiss him if she is to remain free.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? While collecting lost items from a shipwreck, she nearly gets eaten by a shark. She is willing to risk her life to discover the human world.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? In love, rebellious, courageous
6. What subtext can the actor play? She doesn’t know that she must kiss the prince. She must show that she doesn’t know her mission without using her voice.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? Her relationship with the prince and her father, the king
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? Her voice is enchanting, and is taken by Ursula.
9. What makes this character special and unique? A mermaid who wants to be human.
-
Student Name: H. Vince
WIM – 2023
Lesson 1: Lead Characters That Attract Actors
My Vision: I am going to go to the theater in disguise and watch a movie I wrote and listen to the reactions of the audience.
What I learned from doing this assignment is…
That I chose a movie I hadn’t seen for some time so I had forgotten most of the details when I watched it today. I saw the movie in a whole new way by analyzing the main characters and assuming why an actor would want to choose to take on such a role.
MOVIE TITLE: THE VANISHING (1993)
Starring: Jeff Bridges. Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis, Sandra Bullock
LEAD CHARACTER NAME: Antagonist Barney Cousins (Jeff Bridges)
1. Why would an actor WANT
to be known for this role?It’s a chance to act as a believable demented man far from who the actor is probably in real life.
2. What makes this character the most interesting character in the movie?
He thinks abduction is a series of calculations and finds out things don’t always work out as planned.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Practicing the steps leading up to the abduction & taking notes. Failing at attempted abductions. Being successful at an abduction when he didn’t plan it out perfectly. Admiring the protagonist. Being beat up. Being outsmarted.
4. How is this character
introduced that could sell it to an actor?The movies starts out showing the character practicing abduction on himself including timing how long he is out when he breathes in chloroform and recording the results.
5. What is the character’s emotional range?
He is a calm and strong man. He records his pulse rate at one point while practicing abduction. He realizes the weaker or more vulnerable he is, the easier it may be to abduct. He expresses that he loves his wife and daughter. He tells his daughter that romance should be secret. He tells his wife that working on a cabin in the woods on his own is his way of finding out more about who he is. His calmness changes when he thinks his daughter has been abducted.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
He can be a family man and teacher and go about his life as if an abduction never took place.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this
character has?He has a connection with his daughter through the infinity symbol. She gives him a bracelet for his birthday with this symbol. He admires the protagonist for searching for his girlfriend for years and not being able to move on in life until he knows what happened to her.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
After he saved a girl drowning in a pool and his daughter praised him for it, he thought he had to be on a mission to see if he was capable of evil as well to justify being a God in his daughter’s eyes.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He doesn’t see himself as a killer because to him, he doesn’t actually kill a person. He sees his actions as experiments. He even asks the protagonist and his girlfriend to drink the drugged coffee so they can experience what the person before them experienced. He also asked the first abductee if she would get in his car making it always their choice at first.
-
Working hard every day to become the best writer I can be and as a result I am one of the best writers in Hollywood
What I learned from this exercise is the need to write the script with the lead actors in mind so they will accept the roles and help to get the movie made.
Lloyd Shellenberger Module 3 Lesson 1: Characters That Sell Scripts
Movie Title: Batman Begins
Lead Character Name: Bruce Wayne/Batman
Genre: Action Drama
1 – Actor notoriety – Wants to be known for this part.
Bruce Wayne is a socialite by day and Batman by night. The dichotomy of this is stark and contrasting. The role has a built in audience with action and conflict most actors would love to be known for.
2 – Character that is most interesting in movie.
While Batman’s enemies are unique and interesting Batman is just as unhinged as they are. He has built a whole network around this alter ego and the psychosis that comes with his secret life. You as the viewer are forced to watch him cut a wide, destructive, path knowing there is no good end to this second life as a winged vigilante
3 – Takes most interesting actions in the story.
<font face=”inherit”>Batman portions off parts of his life, his company, and his fortune to fund his nocturnal anti crime activities. He is a skilled fighter and shows this on multiple occasions. He is also a skilled </font>sleuth<font face=”inherit”> who must match wits with a homicidal maniac to save Gotham and himself. He often puts himself in harms way to stop the antagonist. He is the most relentless and fearless character in the movie. </font>
4 – Outstanding Introduction.
From the murder of his parents, to his travels in the far East, to his association with the League of Shadows he is an interesting and dark character you cannot stop watching. We see right up front he is the most skilled fighter amongst murderers and thieves. More often than not his psychosis is played out in physical confrontations as witnessed early in the fight scenes with other inmates. He was put in solitary confinement not for his safety but the safety of others.
5 – Range of emotions the actor can play.
Bruce Wayne undergoes a range of emotions ranging from sadness and dispair to controlled rage as his alter ego Batman. When he puts on the suit he fundamentally changes with the new role he must play. Police officers, soldiers, and emergency rescue personnel do the same thing every day. Unfortunately, the suit and his persona are deeply tied together. He has every emotion at his disposal should he want to play it. Christian Bale played these nuances masterfully.
6 – Subtext the actor can play.
The subtexts are plentiful in Batman Begins starting with the death of his parents to the question of why is he in an Asian prison being recruited and trained by a secretive and dangerous organization. None of this is ever fully explained. It is left to the audience to fill in the blanks. Because of who he is, the situation fits him well and the subtexts also do too.
7 – Relationships that are interesting.
We the audience begin our focus on Bruce Wayne who is in hiding in the far East and undergoing a fundamental life change that will impact every part of his future. He must make a decision to join the League of Shadows or escape their control and risk death. His relationships with others is strained and difficult and Rachel can never break through to Bruce Wayne without encountering Batman. He is a man alone for the most part.
8 – Unique Voice expressed through dialogue and action.
Bruce Wayne/Batman’s voice comes from witnessing the murder of his Mother and Father. He is rooted in violence and anger. His actions reflect a man who is forever tormented and seething just below the surface. He is loaded with triggers that would keep a competent psychiatrist busy for a lifetime.
9 – Something truly special about this character.
Batman in a perfect world would be Bruce Wayne the billionaire but every thing that has happened to him has created a dark anti hero at best or a murderer at worst. He is not unlike the people he battles. He barely hangs onto his humanity, but his mastery of control allows him to navigate tricky situations that would kill the normal hero.
-
Adrienne Watkins- Actors attractor for “Return to Me”
My Vision: I am going to work as hard as I reasonably am able to succeed at script writing to be recognized by multiple movie producers as a skilled script writer, and to have my scripts produced worldwide.
What I learned from doing this assignment write scripts with colorful character to attract actors
Lead Character Name: Protagonist David Duchovny
1-Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Range of emotions for a mature businessman and his relationships
2-What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
His 1<sup>st</sup> wife dies, her heart is given to the woman, unknown to him he falls in love with.
3-What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
From dancing with his wife to the hospital after the car accident, to dating again and dealing with grief by engrossing himself in designing a habitat he promised his 1<sup>st</sup> wife for the gorilla, his deceased wife taught sign language.
4-How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He’s at work supervising the building of a gorilla habitat his wife taught sign language. He goes home to meet his wife for a benefit dinner, on the way home from the dinner she dies in a car accident.
5-What is this Character’s emotional range?
From happiness, to shock, to deep grief, heart wrenching tears, to mourning, then happiness, then falling in love again, then disappointment then love again.
6-What subtext can the actor play?
When he is dating Minnie Driver, underneath he’s still grieving his wife.
7-What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
With his first wife, his best friend, Minnie Driver who received his 1<sup>st</sup> wife’s heart and her family
8-How is this character’s voice unique?
Unlike his single best friend, he’s unable to hop from one relationship to another, he’s a one-woman man.
9 What Makes this Character special and unique?
Has emotional struggles with the woman he has fallen in love with having his 1st wife’s heart. Can he love her for herself or is it because she has his 1st wife’s heart?
10(Fill in a scene the shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model)
When he arrives home from the hospital because his wife has died from the car accident, he slides down against the door near his dog, still wearing his shirt with his wife’s blood on it, he lies there all-night crying with heart wrenching sobs.
-
Chris, Thanks for your analysis and description from the movie Lethel Weapon. I always wondered why this movie was a hit and even now Danny Glover is known for this movie. But now I see why. its action packed, colorful, and with scenes of humor Especially when you described Phoenix Project in Vietnan.
-
Melissa Barreca’s Actor Attractors for Movie: Glengarry Glen Ross
<font face=”arial, sans-serif”>My vision: Melissa Barreca is one of the most sought-after writers in the movie industry because of the artistry of her writing, professionalism and exceptional ability to tell important, entertaining, joyful and heartbreaking stories that inspire audiences and become legendary classics.</font>
<font face=”arial, sans-serif”>What I learned from doing this assignment is…It is interesting and educational to watch movies with an eye towards character development. </font>
Movie Title: Glengarry Glen Ross
Lead Character Name: Richard Roma (Al Pacino)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
He says the most shocking and eloquent things. He exudes confidence. He has all the answers.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
The contrast between him and his confidence and all of the other panicked salesmen that just reek of desperation.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
He makes his job about deep philosophical issues, not selling real estate.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He sachets into the bar with an air of superiority and gives everyone a monologue on how ridiculous they are.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
He goes from schmoozing sales prospects to being rage filled when he is potentially faced with losing his top sales prize.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
He is in the lead. He knows he can sell. He is playing with everyone for sport because he is in the top position and he can.
7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has?
Dave (Ed Harris) – they are both strong personalities and there is some extreme tension through the movie that no one understands.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
He is obviously an educated man, because he has extensive vocabulary but he is also very “street” because he cusses and threatens people with abandon.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He has a subtext of desperation when pushed even though he seems so smooth on the surface and makes every scene where he is closing seem so easy.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Argument with Ed Harris after the robbery at the office, they reach the height of anger and scream at each other and Roma ends up getting the best of him. He seems to delight in pushing his buttons.
-
WIM Module 3, Lesson 1
Lenore Bechtel’s Actor Attractors for Hot Pursuit
My vision: I want to create enough salable screenplays that an agent will want to market my work and recommend me for writing assignments.
What I learned from doing this assignment is the many things needed to make a character good enough to attract a name actor to the role.
Example Movie Title: Hot Pursuit
Lead Character name: Rose Cooper played by Reese Witherspoon
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Because Rose Cooper is inept, funny, and lovable from the start and sure to be remembered as one of Reese’s most memorable roles.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
She knows and quotes appropriate rules from the police manual not only word for word, but number by number. She’s so well known for her poor judgment that “to be coopered” has become part of police vocabulary.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
She always commandeers whatever she needs—cars, clothes, disguises.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
The opening scene has her chasing a guy because he left her on a first date. We find out after she catches him, that he ran because she pulled a gun on him when he said he was leaving. She says she pulled the gun and said she deserved a second date as a joke
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Everywhere. Serious, conflicted, smart, devious, playful, cagey, stupid, sexy.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
She’s not as confident as her bravado indicates, and she regrets she has trouble with relationships, whether professional or personal.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Her relationship with the female character she’s trying to save alternates from scorn to admiration to disgust to almost love.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Outstanding dialogue—almost all a bit unique. Physical comedy—almost to the point of slapstick.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Her spunky determination to complete her assignment, no matter the obstacles.
10. A scene that shows many actor attractors is when she’s impressed that an escaped felon whom she’s commandeered to help her admires her intensity. After giving him specific orders of what he must do, she lip-kisses him and her change from a by-the-rules, get-the-job-done cop to a more casual, smell-the-roses, sexual human starts.
-
Cassie’s Actor Attractors for The Nice Guys
My vision: I am a dynamic, respected, constantly learning and growing writer with an ever-growing and improving library of A-list quality, genre-diverse scripts that present genuine stories that audiences love to watch and that producers love to sell, and boy, do I make that MONEY, y’all!
Movie Title: The Nice Guys
Lead Character Name: Holland March (Ryan Gosling)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
It’s a dynamic, wide ranging character in an action comedy “period (1970s) piece”2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s a struggling PI with questionable morals trying to make a living for him and his daughter after he lost his wife in a house fire that he still carries guilt for
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
All the fights! The car chases! Again, he’s a struggling, not-so-good PI, so his scenes are pretty much dumb luck, and it’s fun to watch
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Oh, I forgot, he’s an alcoholic, too, which gets in the way/helps his attempts. His intro is him waking up fully dressed late in the morning, soaking in a bathtub. The TV (on The Waltons, which helps set the time setting and referencing it is also a repeated game later in the movie) wakes him up suddenly. Then the phone rings, he pulls his soggy self out of the tub and crawls to it as he listens to a voicemail from his daughter, who clearly takes a supportive parent role over his wreck of a self.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
EVERYTHING. He’s scared, weak, nervous, and he grows through the movie to be the strong one at the end.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Quiet frustration and desperation, anxiety, DRUNKENNESS, to confidence.
7. What are the most interesting relationships this character has?
With his daughter and his now-partner-through-necessity, Jackson Healy.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
How he attempts to succeed in what’s necessary for success in his jobs, and fails consistently.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
His reactions in high-stress scenes: his screams are AWESOME.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
When he’s drunk at the party and goes around asking questions, ends up swimming after the mermaids in the pool (shown in the background), then falls down a hill while trying to impress a lady (he pretends she’s shooting him and LAUNCHES himself over a wall and falls a VERY long way, sees Amelia running away, can’t place her, then ends up leaning against a tree and smoking with a dead guy who happens to be the next person person they’re looking for in their case.
Movie Title: The Nice Guys
Lead Character Name: Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
He’s a tough guy who is paid to go beat people up in an action comedy in the ‘70s (arguably a period piece). A good taste to leave in producers’ and audiences’ mouths when they’re looking for another capable and believable tough guy, and leave them impressed by his realistic, believable placement in a different, distinct decade.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Lots of fight scenes where he DOMINATES. A good taste to leave in producers’ and audiences’ mouths when they’re looking for another capable and believable tough guy, and leave them impressed by his realistic, believable placement in a different, distinct decade.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Fights and fights and car chases! And his dilemma of trying to find Amelia “off the clock” because he feels like it’s the right thing to do–unique range that’s fun to watch from a guy who beats people up for buyers. And having to deal with dead weight March because he has no other choice.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He slides on his brass knuckles, rings a doorbell, and slugs some random guy in the face, calmly delivering the message, “Leave (So-and-So, I forget) alone.” Boom.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Calm, brutal, patient, in control, to sensitive, concerned, wanting to protect and save someone of his own choosing.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
There was a nice moment where he shares a story with March about being the “dinner guy” who saved a diner of people from a crazy guy with a shotgun, even though no one paid him. He said it made him feel “useful.” It’s the first softness and insight into who he is at the core. And of course, March is passed out drunk on a diving board and doesn’t hear a word.
7. What are the most interesting relationships this character has?
With March and March’s daughter.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
His patience and confidence in getting people to do what he wants, because he knows he has a whole range of ways to get them to comply…and he ain’t afraid to use them.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He’s the guy in charge who is very good at beating people up for money, seemingly the one with twisted morals. However, his actions and priorities actually make him the more honest and human of him and March.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
His scene where he meets March and beats him up and breaks his arm because Amelia paid him to do it. He learns and gathers info from March about the same girl because he uses his big ol’ bag of tricks on March, then calmly accepts a YooHoo from his daughter outside.
-
Paul’s Actor Attractors
My Vision: I am going to study, learn, and practice to hone my natural talents to become a master writer who creates works that people love and that make an impact on their lives. These works will be published, produced, distributed, and seen by a wide audience.
What I learned from doing this assignment is …?
I learned how it should be done. What I could aspire to for my script. I had seen Contact before and was not terribly impressed (because there were no aliens!). But watching it through this lens, I saw what an incredibly cool script it was. When it was over it was like … wow!
Contact (Sci-Fi, Thriller, Female lead)
1 – Actor notoriety – Wants to be known for this part.
Jodi Foster has established notoriety as an intelligent, persevering independent female in a ‘man’s world’ in films like Silence of the Lambs. In this role, she is battling bureaucracy and her male lover.
2 – Character that is most interesting in movie.
She is the Don Quixote character chasing windmills and she succeeds! She has to directly face her own beliefs and arguments at the end.
3 – Takes most interesting actions in the story.
She is the primary mover throughout the entire movie, she meets with clandestine financiers, works at the SETI satellite and the Large Array, and of course, she goes to meet the aliens!
4 – Outstanding Introduction.
Her character has already been set up in the child sequences, so when we see Jodi, it’s with the giant SETI dish as a backdrop. It’s breathtaking and a contrast from her smalltown home.
5 – Range of emotions the actor can play.
It’s all there. Anger. Envy. Restraint. Love. Backing away from love. Persistence. Fear. Loss.
6 – Subtext the actor can play.
The subtext of her father is never lost throughout the whole movie. Almost every action has some relation to her relationship with her father.
7 – Relationships that are interesting.
She has the good father (her real father), and the bad father (Drumlin). She has a love interest with a preacher, but as a child, she rejects the preacher who tells her that her father died for a reason. The love interest with the preacher suddenly ceases, but then reemerges as a potential antagonist.
8 – Unique Voice expressed through dialogue and action.
She’s very direct and doesn’t fall back in the face of authority, until things move to a national stage and she has to change her tone and actions to not demand her due.
9 – Something truly special about this character.
Besides being a strong female and all the other good things above, what I think would have made her take the script is the emotional/spiritual paradox that they put her character in with regard to taking things on faith. At first they sort of toy with it, but then they make her confront it. The range of emotions on her face as she realizes this is incredible.
10. The hearing scene at the end of the movie.
-
Module 3 Lesson 1 Characters that Sell Scripts
Marguerite Langstaff
Vision: I want to learn to write and market movie scripts.
What I learned doing this assignment: I learned that I should be studying movies’ characters…not simply enjoying them….and the deliberate things that their authors have them do.
State: I have so much fun seeking comedic opportunities for my characters.
Activity: discovering what will cause actors to sign onto my movies!
Title: THE BILLIONAIRE IN 501
Movie Title: 80 FOR BRADY (genre: comedy and drama)
Lead Character Name: Lily Tomlin …. Luella….
An actor would WANT to be known for this role. It is a character that the audience falls i love with because she is fun, generous to a fault, is loving and is loved. She is the story that makes the movie so delightful. She is the hero who motivates Tom Brady to win the Super Bowl, she is the leader really of her little group of friends and leads them on an adventure of a lifetime. She does things that the audience can identify…for example believing that the Patriots’ victory depends partly on how she acts during each game…as she intentionally knocks over a bowl of potato chips believing that’s important to bring the Patriots good luck. We see her kindness when she gets Rita Moreno (who spills her drink) another drink, and later we’re overwhelmed with her kindness and generosity for secretly using all her money to buy game tickets for her good friends. There are other strong characters in this movie, but none is strong enough to steal the show from Luella. She can do anything. For example in the contest to throw the football into a net Luella wins hands down. She has a message we all want to hear, “This is gonna work out.” Her relationship with her friends and with Tom Brady is always complementary. We laugh, cry, act, worry and respond to all of Luellas emotions during this movie, all the time knowing down deep inside that “This is gonna work out.”
2. Luella (Lily Tomlin) is one of the most interesting characters in the movie, because the story is her story….her recovery from cancer, her group of friends, her daughter’s constant contact with her, her positive relationship with everybody else in the movie, their loving her so much. She makes mistakes, has secrets, is a hero, and is a leader of the group right up to the end of the movie….and we the audience travel those roads or roles right along with her.
3. The most interesting actions Luella makes are: getting Super Bowl tickets, keeping her pending results at bay because she doesn’t really want to hear bad news, leading her little group to the Super Bowl, and finally motivating Tom Brady.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it? She’s fun and confident and caring in a situation that most of us can identify with….watching the Super Bowl with friends…and she is the obvious leader of the group.
5. What is Luella’s emotional range? It is full range…from a cancer victim who suffers to losing her dream of seeing the big game, to recovering the dream, to the despair of losing the game to the thrill of victory and success.
6. What subtext can Luella play? She knows there is a distinct possibility that her cancer has returned, but she keeps this news away from, not only her friends but also from herself. She uses all her money for the tickets, but she makes her friends think they won the tickets, because she doesn’t want them to feel bad about her spending all her money in order to see the Super Bowl.
7. The most interesting relationships Luella has are initially with her three best friends and then with Tom Brady. The relationships are all close and considerate ones, and each is different in its own way.
8. Luella’s unique voice is presented through her actions. She is kind to all her friends and she acts by doing what she wants to do….not especially by what she is expected to do. She buys the tickets, has the reveal party, plans the trip, goes into the communication booth and talks to Tom Brady….her actions are her voice. Her message, in addition to “This is gonna work out.,” is, “Friendship is facing the unknown hand in hand.”
9. Everything this character does is special and unique, and yet it is full of activity with which the audience can identify. The friendship, the ups and downs of life, the shortage of money, the retirement home, worried adult daughter, etc. Going to the Super Bowl and making major decisions such as motivating Tom Brady and special and unique. We all love Luella. We have to suspend belief in many real things happening….the half time actor helping them into the game, one character winning tons of money, the winning basket shooting, communication during the game with Tom Brady….and we accept those things as real.
10. There are so many scenes in this movie which show Luella fulfilling the actor Attractor model…but we’ll just take the first one in which she is introduced as a strong character…the party is at her house and she leads her friends into the usual actions of good luck while showing the kindness to them
-
Eden Young WIM Module 3 Lesson 1: Characters That Sell Scripts
My vision: I am going to be an empowered, wonderful writer that’s known for great dialogue and great characters that win audiences’ hearts. <div>
What I learned from this assignment is it’s fun figuring out the actor attractors.
ACTOR ATTRACTORS:
Movie Title: The Nice Guys
Lead Character Name: Jack Healey
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Oh my God, who wouldn’t want to be in this brilliant film! It’s a 1977 modern day film noir, detective novel with a Laurel and Hardy/ Abbot and Costello twist all the way through. This role pays tribute to the quiet good guy with a rough exterior. The Great American loner, underdog detective that takes no b.s.. Plus there’s a cool shoot out at the end.
What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? He’s the “The Diner Guy.” The hero:“For a moment I felt useful.” … that doesn’t draw attention to himself3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? Healy first comes on the scene roughing up a guy fooling around with underage girl who turns out to be Amelia. Then goes to scare Holland March not knowing after their “encounter” that they they’ll team up to solve a crime.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? Emotional range stays very even kill. But there is that one moment towards the end when Molly tells him not to kill John Boy towards the end; and you see it. It means something to him what this young girl thinks of him/ he wrestles with his conscience. Standards.
6. What subtext can the actor play? There’s tons: the guy who’s been around and seen some shit. Trust doesn’t come easy if at all. Stays to himself. He can be a killing machine and at the same time can miss the mark. Quiet. Humanly gentle It felt like he had been in love once and love got away.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? Most definitely the one with Holland March as well as Molly March.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? The dialogue is a modern day stylized film noir-pulp fiction book with tons of comedy. The banter between he and Holland March is fantastic! Incredible timing and delivery.
9. What makes this character special and unique? He’s the straight man with a whole lot going on. His whole demeanor. How he dresses: from jeans low key Hawaiian shirt with white t-shirt underneath to his blue shirt and robins blue leather jacket. He says a lot with very little words and even when not speaking. He lives above a club and has fish pets in a fish tank.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Right after his brilliant scene beating up Holland March, he meets Molly who he noticed earlier reading in the park and now has a “sweet” little exchange and a Yoohoo. Top of next scene we see him with a case of Yoohoo going up to his place.
Lead Character Name: Holland March
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Again who wouldn’t! The banter, great writing and style is so fun. Holland March is the sexiest down on his luck, “Nice Guy” ever. So unique, plus he gets play witty comedy at its best with style and tongue and cheek.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? The most brilliant clutz, detective ever. A hot dad. The “Nicest” of the two Nice guys (Wink.. Wink) He’s the Stan Laurel, a skinny Costello. And sports a great 70s wardrobe. A gentleman with old fashion values. “How many times have I told you don’t say and stuff.”
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? When he dives and rolls off the balcony then tumbles into a tree. And then has his Lou Costello quivering-wheezing breakdown. Classic! Hilarious! And Driving a Red 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 is not so bad either.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
5. What is this character’s emotional range? The range is subtle but definitely there.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
He is the “nice guy.” The nerdy dad. The down on his luck sometimes taken for a naive nit-wit; but always ends up being at the right place at the right time. You can feel his covering up the regret and loss of his wife underneath his trying to do the right thing.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? His relationship with his daughter Molly is amazing: who’s parenting who. Wink. Wink. And his relationship with Jack Healey is priceless.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? Fast paced. Quick wit banter. Brilliantly funny.
9. What makes this character special and unique?He almost feels like he is out of the 1940s with70s clothes on. He has this wholesome private eye demeanor that is so unique and funny.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
When Tally comes out in her peach-coral orange satin gown and gun and her hair full and gorgeous, and he says Tally you look exquisite. Did you know someone switched the briefcases. There was no money. (Gun drawn) What are you doing? Priceless. Says it all.
It looks like Russell Crowe and Ryan gosling are having a blast working with each other. Great
chemistry. Two peas in a pod.
</div>
-
Movie Title: Mean Girls
Lead Character Name: Cady Heron – Lindsay Lohan
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
A funny, career defining role as the protagonist in almost every scene of the movie.
What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
The duality of playing both the misfit, new girl and one of the plastic cool girls.
What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Playing two characters. Balancing being a mathlete and plastic and negotiating keeping both groups happy. Showcasing a mixture of dorky and mean girl behavior.
How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Via fish out of water comedy tropes as a home-schooled only child living in Africa to joining high school for the first time.
What is this character’s emotional range?
From misfit dork to cool girl, then mean girl and finally the emotional maturity to do the right thing and accept who she really is.
What subtext can the actor play?
Pretending to be a plastic cool girl when she’s really a dork.
What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
With her nemesis queen bee Regina George. We see Cady working the fine line between keeping Regina happy, not exposing her secret mission and attempting to have a relationship with Regina’s ex-boyfriend.
How is this character’s unique voice presented?
By playing two parts and the use of Cady as the narrator of the film, so the audience is aware of what she’s thinking and feeling.
What makes this character special and unique?
The duality of playing two parts dork/cool and the emotional journey this character undergoes.
(Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Having won the tie-break of the state finals, Cady and the Mathletes attend the spring fling. Cady is elected queen but declares that all her classmates are wonderful in their own way, snapping the plastic tiara and distributing the pieces to other girls in the crowd, including Janis, Gretchen, and Regina. She rekindles her friendship with Janis and Damian, makes up with Aaron, and reaches a truce with the Plastics.
-
Actor attractors for – ORDINARY PEOPLE
VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
To look deeper into a character so that character is one that an actor would like to portray.ACTOR ATTRACTOR TEMPLATE
Lead Character Name: Conrad Jarrett (youngest son)
Role: ProtagonistWhat about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? An average kid with a wide range of issues raging from brother dying to failed suicide to an insensitive mother to dating and learning how to persevere.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? At first he’s self contained but then he opens up and shares his feelings.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? Sees a psychiatrist, quits swim team, at Xmas yells, “Give her the G.D. camera!!!”, fights a classmate, can’t talk to his mother.
4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? At first he appears as an ordinary kid but slowly we see the complexity of the life in which he lives. He displays talent in choir – he’s a good tenor, he is good at swimming.
5. What could be this character’s emotional range? Always trying to remain calm and wants to be more in control. Looses control and resorts to rage/anger a couple of times.
6. What subtext can the actor play? Tries to bury the fact his brother Buck “let go” during the boating accident. Feels his mother hates him.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have? The relationship between his mother – she dislikes him and he feels he doesn’t measure up compared to his brother Buck.
Also, the relationship between the psychiatrist – doesn’t like at first then he trusts him and “opens up” and shares his feelings.
8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented? Through his ability to do his best – good tenor, swimmer, student but doesn’t understand when things go bad and blames himself when it happens.
9. What could make this character special and unique? Self preservation. He survived a boating accident, suicide, a dysfunctional family life.
Lead Character Name: Beth Jarrett (Mother)
Role: (Antagonist)
1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script?
4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?
5. What could be this character’s emotional range?
6. What subtext can the actor play?
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?
8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?
9. What could make this character special and unique?Lead Character Name: Dr. Berger (Psychiatrist)
Role: (Protagonist)
1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script?
4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?
5. What could be this character’s emotional range?
6. What subtext can the actor play?
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?
8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?
9. What could make this character special and unique? -
Haley Chambers’ Actor Attractors for Æon Flux (2005)
Haley’s Vision: I am going to work hard to be recognized as a successful screenwriter with many of my scripts made into films/TV shows.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS ASSIGNMENT IS… There are many things in a character that can make them more appealing to a major actor/actress.
Lead Character Name: Æon Flux (Charlize Theron)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Strong female lead who is a skilled fighter and key member of a rebellion against the Goodchild Regime.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
She has flashes to her past life, skilled combat fighter
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Climbs walls like a ninja. Beats up a bunch of characters through hand/gun combat. Grieves her sister’s death. Crashes a plane. Uses her cool gadgets to get out of imprisonment.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
She is climbing walls and taking down guards with her bare hands. She is clearly a cool character from when she is introduced.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Grieving her sisters murder while being tough. Being assigned to kill Trevor, but also realizing she loves him.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Through her interactions with other characters throughout the stories, Æon sees flashes to a past life of hers. She is grieving the loss of her sister while also realizing her whole life has been a fabricated lie. So, she is trying to weave together all these unusual events/flashbacks to discover the truth.
What is the most interesting relationship the character has?
Æon is ordered to assassinate Trevor Goodchild, who she discovers was her significant other in some past life/reality. It is very interesting seeing how they knew each other and how she comes to see the organization she works for/the world itself completely differently.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
She is a person who wants to get revenge for her sister, much of her reasoning/desires come from wanting justice.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
It’s a futuristic world, she is a rebel to the Goodchild Regime, she is an excellent fighter, has cool spy gadgets, sees flashbacks to a past life, has a weird name, sister was murdered, she is actually a clone of Goodchild’s wife.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
I couldn’t find access to the script, I was wondering if there was a good site for that?
Character Name: Trevor Goodchild (Martin Csokas)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Cool and scheming leader of the Goodchild Regime, brilliant scientist who saved the human race, has a dark secret
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Everyone believes he invented the cure to the human race, but he really has been cloning them for 400 years, has a secret mission to cure human sterility.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Imprisons Æon Flux, tests cures for human infertility, falls in love with Æon, reveals he is Æon’s husband from 400 years before, gets shot multiple times, has a fight with brother
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He is introduced as the savior of the human race, but he captures Æon, who is sent to assassinate him.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
He is trying to secretly cure human infertility, but everyone is trying to kill him, he gets shot and is in a lot of pain, he is falling in love with Æon, he sees his brother die.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
He is keeping a dark secret, that the cure he developed for a deadly virus 400 years ago caused human infertility, and has been cloning them ever since. But everyone else thinks he is the savior. He is trying to cure human infertility, while also trying to find the clone of his long dead wife. We don’t know they were married, but he does.
What is the most interesting relationship the character has?
He has a really interesting relationship with Æon Flux. He sees her as “Catherine”, who he was married to 400 years ago. He is trying to make her remember their past life, while falling for her all over again.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
He is well educated, wants to cure human infertility, is the leader of the Goodchild Regime and has a high level of authority, in love with Æon
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He is a clone of the person that invented cloning humans, has a dark secret, in love with Æon
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
I couldn’t find access to the script, I was wondering if there was a good site for that?
-
Bent’s actor attractors for Raiders of the Lost Ark
what I learned doing this assignment is this……… I have rethought my characters and added more vulnerabilities and faults because they aren’t perfect. Imperfections I think are attractive for the reason they can throw an impediment into the mix.
Movie Title: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Lead Character Name: Indiana Jones or Dr Henry Jones
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? The character is around significant history and events. He gets thrown into scenarios with important figures involved.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? An archeologist whose purpose is to place artifacts into museums and keep them out of the hands of the wrong people.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? He never gives up and is determined to take important historic pieces out of the hands of the bad guy.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? He has a calm demeanor. His main weapon is a whip. He is not a man of steel.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? calm to inquisitive to willing to fight against what is wrong.
6. What subtext can the actor play? Indiana solves puzzles in his head. He thinks out loud what his next move will be when uncovering puzzles.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? Has a fear of snakes, cannot be around them. He relies on his friends to help him. Has difficulty in loving relationships.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? He’s more than an archaeologist , he’s a fighter yet struggles against the tough ones. He uses violence when necessary and has killed others.
9. What makes this character special and unique? He’s always places in life or death situations and somehow finds a way to save himself and others.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The scene where he heads off the nazis at a pass. With a bazooka, he claims he will blow up the Ark. His bluff is called by his rival who is also in the same business as Indy. Indy goes from tough to vulnerable …
-
Shira Marin’s Actor Attracters for HEKATE RISING
WIM-Mod .3 –– L. 1
Movie Title: Hekate Rising (Genre-Drama +… I couldn’t find an appropriate one particular film for practice, so I did not do this part of the assignment. The screenplay is a drama without all the sci-fi, so maybe Wonder Woman (only for real) meets The Matrix (only for real) meets Possession meets Mona Lisa Smile (a drama)
Lead Character/Protagonist–KARA CAVALLI-mixed race (Zendaya or Tati Gabrielle)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
The character is fresh, original, and complicated. She has some very powerful experiences to respond to. It could be a wonderful breakout role for a 30-ish mixed race female.
This role is an opportunity to show emotional and behavioral complexity and range, sometimes in your face, sometimes very subtle, in relation to the other characters as well as to herself. The character’s arc moves from brilliant, quirky, yet self-doubting, introverted doctoral student to full-tilt global change-maker.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Her transformational cycle is astonishing. It’s great to watch Kara move from her beleaguered student self to an ultimately independent, confident, completely empowered and integrated feminine/masculine self, and all because she came to trust Hekate and embody her wisdom.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Kara is alternately self-effacing and bold, intense, with veiled power. In scene 3, when Kara wakes up from a mysterious, mystical dream where she unknowingly meets Hekate, the goddess, she’s very consternated and edgy. When Hekate, disguised as a lightning bolt, visits her the first few times, Kara’s literally blown away. When Kara visits with her Jungian analyst, Jenn, on the heels of this scene, she has an uppity, ornery but also desperate conversation. Other times, she’s brilliant but intimidated, then turns soft, sweet, sensual, and compassionately supportive. She stands for what she believes in and isn’t afraid to color outside the lines.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Kara is introduced through a dream in which she is led to the underworld to meet Hekate. Kara learns that she is Hekate’s Daughter, The Feminine Harmonic, The One.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Kara’s range is wide and deep, from brilliant but self-doubting doc student slogger to energetic, confident rising global change agent.. As I noted above, an actor would need to have that 5-octave emotional range to make this role sing.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
There is tremendous sub-textual level in this story. It’s deeply psychological in relation to Kara’s early life trauma that causes her self-effacing, mostly loving attitude and alternately conflictual behavior with her boyfriend Oliver. Kara’s subtext is very complicated, visible, and testy in relation to her mother. Kara’s relationship to Hekate also goes through its paces, especially in relation to trust with both Hekate and her analyst Jenn Le. Kara’s relationship to the department Dean is primarily stressful, intimidating, and stunts Kara’s energy and capacity to move forwards with her doctoral project. Only with Calum, her dissertation advisor, is her feeling, attitude, and behavior clear.
7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has?
Definitely with Hekate and next with Oliver.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Articulate, sometimes humorous and sassy but with undertones of reticence. Forceful, but fatalistic. Conviction without having the answers. Passionate about the need for global change based on her grasp of Social Psychology rather than driven by our human psychological inner world, i.e., relating to the outer world through our soulful inner world and using that guidance to make outer change.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
With all that’s happened to her, Kara’s still openhearted and, even though faltering, she keeps her shoulder to the wheel. She’s got a paradoxical nature that, at times, struggles due to her past and how it’s activated in the present.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
I’m unclear about what you’re asking for here. Let me know?
Second Lead/Protagonist’s Companion/Alter-ego: Protagonist––HEKATE, a Titan-Greek goddess, more ancient and far more powerful than the Olympians (
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
This may well be the role of a lifetime for a middle-to-late middle-aged woman of mixed racial and ethnic descent. Hekate is a formidable, triple-powered goddess who actually does know and can set the world on a healing, generative course versus the self-destructive one it’s on presently.
Hekate is divinely magical, a conjurer, who can use her powers to rally nature, both the physical environment and human. Her desire to restore herself to the human psyche drives her to become embodied consciously in Kara, who will then transmit her intentions to save humankind and the planet through global influencing and change-making. She can show up in unexpected, for-goddesses-only ways.
2. What makes this character the most interesting character in the movie?
First and foremost, as a goddess, Hekate has an extraordinary range of expression. She is divinely wise, compassionate, and humorous, full of energy to move the entirety of humankind towards revelation that will turn the tide of planetary destruction.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Hekate’s able to literally move the scapes of the sky, sea, land, and air. Her dark side is both mysterious and apparently negative. She can send messages through storms, tornados, and fires. These are expressed at various points in the story when Hekate uses these powers as well as appearing out of nowhere. She will restore herself to the human psyche in divinely inspiring ways.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Hekate first appears in a dark cave, illuminated by torches, surrounded by her animal familiars and other attributions of her triple-powered nature. Shortly afterward, in a bookstore, she surreptitiously appears to us but as a bolt of lightning to Kara,
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Hekate is furious and funny, frightening and feral. She’s dogged about her intention to transform the human psyche to save the planet from self-destruction.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Hekate’s sly and knows the underbelly and shadow of everything that all characters intend. Through Kara, she is finally revealed as palpable inspiration.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Hekate has an extraordinary relationship with Kara that runs the gamut from mysterious goddess who stirs physical nature and everything she touches. She pops out of thin air to divinely inspired advisor whose every word has gravitas and points to the future unfolding of her intentions.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Hekate’s voice has gravitas and is low and rich, engaging. She knows the power of authority and what it can produce. Hekate’s ultimately commanding, even over the Olympians. She’s also is clever, capable of warm and wonderful offhanded humor, compassion and warmth. She’s unique in the way she mixes the ancient with modern forms of expression. Her will must be done.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Hekate’s nature is ubiquitous and illuminated, she means business and shows it throughout the story. She overtakes Kara but without violating her in any way. Her becomes embodied in Kara by her absorption of the vibrating energy of Hekate’s Feminine Harmonic. This experience proves the rare value of Hekate’s solution to humankind’s self-destructive nature.
OBSTRUCTOR-ANTAGONIST: Grayson Benoit (Wentworth Miller)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
An actor who can play deep, complex, narcissistic emotional subtext of insecurity while outwardly blustering with either brash arrogance or veiled contempt, covered with a veneer of academic professionalism would covet this opportunity.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Grayson is a contrast to all of the other characters in the movie. He’s standout that you have to deal with because he has power and is hungry for more.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Grayson’s self-defeating attitudes coupled with his bombast make for intrigue and also his cross-dressing and how he hides so much of himself.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Grayson is first seen primping in front of a bathroom mirror. He is an overly-groomed man who expresses an unwarranted air of elitism. He’s convinced himself that his charade is mandatory. His behavior with others belies his apparent pedigree. His first interaction attempting to intimidate Kara shows this. He takes no prisoners.
5. What is the range of emotions the actor can play?
Grayson burns with self-importance and arrogance at the beginning and ends with a transformation that changes his life, in fact saves him from himself.
6. What is the subtext the actor can play?
There’s an ever-present sense of something in Grayson that’s not quite what it appears to be. He’s an enigma due to his living two hidden lives that are major aspects of his psychology.
7. What’re the most interesting relationships this character has?
Grayson’s interactions with Kara and Calum, Kara’s Dissertation Chair, are most interesting so far.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
His voice is singular in standing for the privileged Old White Man/Senex viewpoint. It also stands for the conservatism he thinks the university stands for.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Grayson’s so dug into his story, that his completely unexpected capacity to grow, even to transform, makes him amazing at the end of the story.
Log in to reply.