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Lesson 2
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Margaret’s Character Profiles Part 1
What I learned doing this assignment: The protagonist doesn’t have to be the perfect hero
Protagonist role: Jabin (20’s) is a caring, laid-back man who would never be seen as the hero. As the story starts, he is a Runner – running from any threat or any commitment. He transforms at the end to the hero, making a way to save Hedeon’s children.
Antagonist role: Armann (50’s) is the leader of the Hedeon clan. He is a narcissist and threatened by the Dorek’s way of life and their influence on those around him. He is a PREDATOR, his mission is to annihilate the Dorek.
Other characters: Alo, A spiritual guide for the Dorek clan. Imara, a Hedeon who lives with the Dorek and commits to their ways.
Genre: Sci Fi Action
Jabin:
Role in Story: Antagonist
Age/Description: 20’s, overweight peacekeeper
Internal Journey: From laid-back peacekeeper to activist
External Journey: Initially seeking his way home to helping Imara escape
Motivation: Initially to return home, then to save Hedeon’s children
Wound: Pushy mother – wants him to be a doctor. He left pre-med because he was afraid he wouldn’t make it, became a pizza delivery man.
Mission/Agenda: Mission to survive, then save Hedeon’s children
Special: Caring peacekeeper, excellent negotiator
Alo-
Role: Protagonist
Age/Description: 50’s, fit, seasoned warrior
Internal Journey: Fearful of Dorek’s influence to seeking their annihilation
External Journey: Take over the Dorek’s fortress (Masada)
Motivation: Keep the current culture of narcissism without Dorek interference
Wound: He has had the Spirit Ball present itself many times, feels guilt/fear at rejecting it
Secret: His mother was a Dorek, he ran away as a teenager to join the Hedeon
What makes him special: He is a skilled warrior, motivating the clan to kill the Dorek
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Ed’s Character Profiles, part 1
What I learned doing this assignment is that characters need to be believable, interesting, have some depth and some things to reveal.
My Protagonist, Dave, plays the role of a runner, with overtones of fighter and dreamer. He fulfills that role by first running from his crumbled, embarrassing failures towards his only glimmer of true hope, and along the way puts his selfishness aside and risks all to fight for something bigger than himself, while along the way framing a new dream of a truly fulfilling life.
The Antagonist, Sam, — an honest-to-God angel from Heaven — is a change agent, who is initially Dave’s bodyguard, mostly good-natured but able to project a quiet, not-his-first-rodeo strength rather than some bumbling out-of-place dimwit.
What other characters might be necessary? Dave needs a roommate, a handful of fellow graduates, parents and relatives to visit on his road trip to the West Coast, some biker bad guys, and a few friends that Sam, the angel, has made on his previous ‘vacations’.
Supporting characters: None, per se. This is primarily a road trip movie (though a life-changing one)
Minor roles:
In the opening scene, fellow angels in a diner, discussing their new assignments and sharing tips; typical angel chit-chat.
Dave’s roommate.
A few of Dave’s friends at graduation.
Drivers and passengers in other vehicles who witness Dave’s crash.
Cops who bring him home.
Pawn shop owner who provides Dave with a new motorcycle.
Dave’s parents, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc who they visit at various points in their journey.
Biker gang leader and his hot girlfriend.
“Special forces” angels (no speaking, just action).
Elvis impersonator and dancers in Vegas.
Various friends of Sam who they encounter in various places, etc, etc..
Background characters:
Crowd at Dave’s graduation.
Diners in various restaurants.
Biker bad-guys.
UFC good guys.
Genre — this is Drama / Comedy all the way, an OMG what’s gonna-happen-next drama with enough humor to keep it enjoyable.
Lead character profiles.
Roles in the story:
Dave is a smart kid who just graduated college and has it all together — until his plans collapse through no fault of his own.
Sam is an actual angel, who has volunteered for a temporary assignment protecting Dave while he travels cross-country.
Age range and Description: Dave is early 20s, Sam is of unknown age (he’s NOT a human who died and is trying to “earn his wings”), however he appears to be a fairly non-descript, 40-ish man who speaks with an English accent.
Internal Journey: Dave is smug, self-centered, and materialistic; he needs to let go and seek his God-given destiny. Sam doesn’t need to grow up, but each time he helps someone, he develops a greater appreciation for humanity’s redemption and is grateful to have a part in it.
External Journey: Cross-country road trip on motorcycles with some interesting stops!
Motivation: Dave seeks depth, significance, and a rewarding life. Sam enjoys visiting Earth and helping people.
Wound: Dave’s carefully-planned life crashed and burned on college graduation day, betrayed by both his fiancé and his best friend. He also fears a small-town life of plodding insignificance.
Mission/Agenda: Dave’s mission is to salvage his life, Sam’s mission is to get Dave to the West Coast safely.
Secret: None I can think of… yet. Maybe Sam failed once and is troubled by it.
What makes them special? They’re both enthusiastic motorcyclists.
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LESSON #2: Tim Barley’s Character Profiles Part I
What I learned from doing this assignment is that this is a great exercise to piece together future motivation(s) for my characters from protagonist to antagonist to supporting characters.
Protagonist [Martin Sterling] role: Runner
Martin is literally on the run from the Oscars ceremony until the next morning as he dodges crazy exes, domineering rival producers and disgruntled writers/actors/directors all night.
Antagonist [Azazel] role: Predatory Change Agent
Azazel, ruthless and relentless, is 2nd in command in Hell and normally collects souls, but is suspicious when The Devil takes the Martin assignment. His suspicion will drive him to pursue his quarry as far as it takes, and will use disguise, deceit chase and discord to catch them.
Other character’s that are necessary (names TBA):
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS:
Martin’s #1 assistant
Martin’s #2 assistant
Studio Head
Rival Producer #1
Disgruntled writer
MINOR ROLES
Rival Producer #2
Crazy actor
Crazy actress
BACKGROUND CHARACTERS
Oscar attendees, Oscar party attendees, LA club scene people
GENRE: Dark Comedy
LEAD CHARACTERS:
Martin Sterling
Role in the story: Protagonist – legendary hedonistic Hollywood Uber producer
Age range and Description: 40’s, athletic/strong health freak balances his love for booze and drugs
Internal Journey: FROM jaded, egotistical, bottom-line, control freak tyrant TO humble, empathetic and creative driven producer, allowing others to use their creativity
External Journey: FROM a man that has everything done for him TO a man that takes control of his OWN life in running from threats both real and supernatural and working WITH others and not against them
Motivation: atone for the person he has become instead of what he was
Wound: loss of his innocent/creative side he came into this industry with
Mission/Agenda: atone by making amends with those he wronged
Secret: many of the ideas that he used to get rich didn’t come from himself, but others
What makes them special? dormant creativity with hard charging style
The Devil
Role in the story: Protagonist – (curious about life) Prince of Darkness
Age range and Description: (human form) – young, attractive man in his early 30’s
Internal Journey: FROM sinister, evil, bored, restless Lord of Hell to believer in humanity and open to new experiences that Earth has to offer
External Journey: FROM overseer of the tortured damned to one learning that humans can be so much worse to themselves than he can ever be.
Motivation: experience the decadence that Martin has cultivated to achieve a thrill he hasn’t had in a long time
Wound: making a deal with God to rule Hell, thereby losing his Angel status
Mission/Agenda: have a good time, stop Azazel
Secret: may be planning abdicating his throne in an appeal to return to Heaven
What makes them special? he’s Satan
Azazel
Role in the story: Antagonist – disgruntled demon, one of three who would rule Hell in Lucifer’s absence
Age range and Description: (human form) – young, attractive woman in her early 30’s
Internal Journey: from demon that wants to kill Lucifer to one that crafts a plan to become ruler of Hell
External Journey: from her arrival on Earth to hounding Martin and Lucifer all night until they finally confront each other
Motivation: to be ruler of Hell
Wound: rebelled against God
Mission/Agenda: kill or trap Lucifer on Earth
Secret: other demons do not know she is on Earth
What makes them special? She’s a brutal, chaotic, insane high ranking demon from Hell
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