Lesson 3

[Marlon Jones]

Lesson #3 – Assignment 1

What I learned: The decisions I make to create each character in my story must include most, if not all, of the aspects of the engaging character profile… depending on their role in the show. Lead characters must have ALL aspects included in their makeup whereas not all connected characters do. Looking at the lead character of Scandal through the lens of the engaging character profile… it provides a good roadmap as to how to develop my characters.

Scandal
Olivia Pope and her team of crisis managers do whatever it takes to get justice for their clients… which appears to be outside of the lines. But they insist that they are “the good guys.”

Engaging Character Profile – Olivia Pope

A. Role in the show: Leader of a team of lawyers who don’t practice law but rather manage crises that their clients bring to them.

B. Unique Purpose: to get justice for her clients in cases that seem “un-winable.”

Expertise: High political acumen and near perfect “gut” feel for cases.

C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? She left her dream job at the White House because she is in love with the President and was having an affair, but she knew it couldn’t go anywhere.

D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? Blackmail, threats of exposing secrets, affair with the married President of the United States, making deals with bad people.

E. Unpredictable: What will they do next? Makes decisions relying on her “gut” even when the evidence might say otherwise. Her judgement can get clouded because of her love for the President and she will do almost anything for him.

F. Empathetic: Why do we care? Even though her tactics might be unconventional, her heart seems to be in the right place… which is justice for her clients. She claims to “wear the white hat.” Meaning that she is a “good guy.” And… we hate seeing her hurting over a real love that can never be.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 4 weeks ago by  Marlon Jones.

[David]

David Chai's Engaging Main Characters

What I learned doing this assignment is it's vital to have complex characters to make your series engaging, and likability is not high on the list of priorities.

SUCESSION

Kendall Roy.

• A. Role in the show: heir apparent son of the media mogul of Roy enterprises, which is a proxy for Disney / Fox Corp.
• B. Unique Purpose / Expertise: He's persistent and tries, even if he has serious failings as a son and a businessman. Not really an expert at anything, but he does try hard.
• C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? He's despised by his father and his wife wants to divorce him.
• D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? He is wiling to backstab his own family to get ahead.
• E. Unpredictable: What will they do next? He is impulsive and somewhat delusional, but in his effort to please his dad, and be like his dad, he can ignore reason and logic and make emotional choices.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care? We want to see him earn the respect of his father and his family, or, go down in flames trying.

[Bryan Koss]

Bryan Ko's Assignment 1

ASSIGNMENT 1:

⭐︎Watch the next episode of your Example Show to see any places the lead characters might fit this model.
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⭐︎A. Role in the show:
An orphaned girl who lost her mother gradually rises to fame as a renowned chess player due to her exceptional chess skills.
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⭐︎B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:

She is an extraordinarily intelligent chess prodigy
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⭐︎C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
The whereabouts of the female protagonist's father remain a mystery to the audience, and the depth of her inner emptiness is also unknown.
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⭐︎D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
She takes too many Tranqulizer.
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⭐︎E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
The audience will be curious about how Beth's extraordinary talent will help her overcome challenges. What if she gets defeated? How will she rise again, and so on?
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⭐︎F. Empathetic: Why do we care?

After her mother's death, Beth, now an orphan, still doesn't receive genuine care. Coupled with the fact that she entered the adult world too quickly, this makes people worry about her. Her loneliness and emotional void are being filled by her success in chess, as she doesn't have much warmth or love outside of it. This makes the audience sympathize with her.
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• This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by  Bryan Koss.

[Marlon Jones]

Lesson #3 – Assignment 2

What I learned: The characters that will sell my show MUST have many levels to them. They can’t be perfect and do all the right things. They must be real and relatable because every person in the world has some brokenness in them and you want people to be able to connect with and root for your main characters… and in order to do that, they MUST be intriguing.

Normal Is Relative

Journey: Divorcees who were loved by all in their past lives struggle to “blend” their families due to unexpected and unrelenting obstacles from those closets to them… friends, families, their own kids, and sometimes even themselves.

Characters that sell this show: Stevie and Dominique

A. Role in the show:
Stevie: An optimistic 40-something dad from Compton, CA who is trying to move on from a devastating divorce after nearly 20 years of marriage and meets someone new.
Dominique: An overly cautious “soccer Mom” from small town Texas who is navigating her new life as a divorced mother of four in a new relationship.

B. Unique Purpose:
Stevie: To rebuild his life after a life-shattering divorce and prove all the doubters about his new relationship wrong.
Dominique: To change the negative stigma of her character due to going into a third marriage.

Expertise:
Stevie: Engineer but not “typical.” Creative (song writer). Empath and people-pleaser. Knows how to get what he wants out of people. Chameleon… able to fit in anywhere.
Irony: In this chapter of his life, he is seemingly unable to get the support he needs from those who are supposed to be there for him.
Dominique: Extremely knowledgeable about the medical field and human body. Empath and people-pleaser. Skilled at planning grand events for any occasion.

C. Intrigue:
What is secret beneath the surface?
Stevie: Always seen as the role model for his younger siblings and leader of a near perfect life but has skeletons in his closet that no one would suspect or believe. His “mask” is almost perfect even though he is severely broken inside.
Dominique: She projects a superior air of confidence but is extremely insecure and self-conscious which causes her fear in her relationships and interactions with others… no matter how important or not important they are.

D. Moral Issue:
What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Stevie: His knack for storytelling allows him to easily “bend” the truth. Has a past of inappropriate behavior with women. Anger issues have led to embarrassing actions/consequences.
Dominique: Plotting to get even with those who have wronged her. Using emotional manipulation to control her surroundings.

E. Unpredictable:
What will they do next?
Stevie: Emotional and sometimes reckless. Lashes out in anger and rebellion.
Dominique: Every disappointment eats away at her peace and she reacts in explosive ways.

E. Empathetic:
Why do we care?
Stevie: Unfair treatment of a loving father, son, and brother by those who are supposed to love him the most.
Dominique: Everything she has known in her adult life has been turned on its head and she cannot fix it no matter how hard she tries.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by  Marlon Jones.

[Tom Wilson]

ASSIGNMENT 1
Jack Bauer’s Engaging Profile: Jack and wife Teri separated after he had an affair with co-worker Nina. He feels guilty, wants Teri and daughter Kim to forgive him. At work, he hunts down a foreign agent who stalks Presidential candidate Palmer whom he’s tasked to protect.

ASSIGNMENT 2:
Tom’s Engaging Main Characters
Doing this assignment, I learned it’s great fun to make my characters fascinating.
TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD: Show Journey: Sara goes from desperately seeking a cure for a disease ravaging her people to being the first Afghan First Lady. Ratkin goes from general commanding U.S. forces in Afghanistan to President of the U.S.

Main Characters: Scientist Sara Amed is forced to marry General Ratkin so he puts her on a PhD path to cure a disease ravaging her people. In turn, she must break up with her true love and marry Ratkin so voters will forget he abruptly pulled U.S. troops from Afghanistan so he could run for President.
• Main Characters’ Role/Purpose/Expertise:
1. Protagonist Sara Amed’s purpose is to find a cure and save her people from the disease including her mother, Fazela. Beneath the surface she secretly meets with her true love, Lt. Matt Brown. To get a PhD to cure the disease she must break up with Matt and marry Ratkin so he can get elected President. During the day she interprets for U.S. soldiers training Afghans to fight the Taliban. At night, she secretly teaches young girls which Taliban forbids, and seeks a cure using old lab equipment. We empathize with her because she must make stressful, life threatening decisions about the future for her mother, her people and herself.

2. Antagonist General Ratkin‘s purpose is to be nominated and elected President so the incumbent Vice President Philby isn’t nominated to be President because he was caught selling classified secrets to an undercover FBI agent posing as an Iranian spy. He is unpredictable because he leaves billions of dollars worth of U.S. materiel behind when he pulls U.S. troops out of Afghanistan so he can rush to the U.S. in time to qualify to run for President. His secret: He plotted with Philby to sell the secrets to Iran and is only slightly less guilt. He’s totally useless as a commanding officer and grossly unqualified to be President. We empathize with him for all the wrong reasons. He’s comical in his stupid decision-making. Morally, he’s despicable because he watches kiddie porn and has no qualms about shooting “wogs” (Afghans) he dislikes.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Tom Wilson.

[Susan Arnout Smith]

Susan Arnout Smith’s Lesson 3: Engaging Main Characters to Sell My Show

What I learned: The more I explore the characters, the faster I’ll get to a rich, captivating story with characters that engage viewers (and sell soap).

Assignment: Module 1, Lesson 3, Deep Dive on 4 Main Characters

Please go deep into the following areas for Lucy, Nate, David and Sarah. What makes a lead characters engaging on multiple levels? • A. Role in the show: • B. Unique Purpose / Expertise: • C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? • D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? • E. Unpredictable: What will they do next? • F. Empathetic: Why do we care? ChatGPT said: ChatGPT Here’s a deep dive into what makes Lucy, Nate, David, and Sarah engaging characters on multiple levels, broken down into the requested areas:
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Lucy (14)
A. Role in the Show:
Lucy is the emotional and tactical leader of the siblings. Her journey propels the narrative, as she must protect Nate, make life-or-death decisions, and navigate the evolving truth about their parents and their past.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Lucy excels in pattern recognition and creative problem-solving, skills honed from years of living off-grid in Alaska. She’s also emotionally resilient, often acting as the glue that holds their family together.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Lucy has flashes of memories from her early childhood, but she can’t decipher whether they are real or imagined. Her dreams hint at traumatic events, creating an underlying fear that she might not be able to trust her own mind.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Lucy struggles with the morality of turning in the only parents she’s ever known. She grapples with whether justice justifies betrayal and must decide how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Lucy’s loyalty and intelligence make her unpredictable when faced with moral dilemmas. She could confront kidnappers head-on, orchestrate a risky rescue, or forge an uneasy alliance with a dangerous adversary.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Lucy’s fierce love for Nate and her internal conflict make her deeply relatable. Her vulnerability, despite her strength, makes audiences root for her as she faces overwhelming odds.

Nate (11)
A. Role in the Show:
Nate is Lucy’s partner in survival and often her moral anchor. He serves as both a strategist and a voice of reason, challenging her decisions while offering his own insights.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Nate has an eidetic memory and an innate ability to intuit others’ motives. He’s the puzzle solver, often spotting crucial details that others miss, making him essential in uncovering the truth.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Nate hides feelings of guilt and inadequacy, believing he’s a burden to Lucy. He also harbors a growing sense of rebellion against the survivalist teachings of their ‘parents,’ craving a more normal life.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Nate’s trust in Lucy wavers when her decisions conflict with his sense of right and wrong. He’s forced to question whether loyalty to family means turning a blind eye to their crimes.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Nate’s sharp intellect and moral conviction can lead to unexpected actions, from confronting their captors to making a bold move that even Lucy wouldn’t dare.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Nate’s vulnerability as a child thrust into life-threatening situations tugs at the audience’s heartstrings. His hope and innocence, despite everything he endures, make him deeply sympathetic.

David (‘Father’)
A. Role in the Show:
David is the protector and enforcer within the family. His skills and tactical mindset have kept them alive, but his secrets and questionable morality are catalysts for the show’s conflicts.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
David is a master of survival and combat, capable of outthinking and outmaneuvering enemies. His calm demeanor under pressure contrasts with his inner turmoil.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
David hides the truth about why they kidnapped Lucy and Nate. He feels immense guilt but believes their actions were justified. He also carries scars from his own troubled past, which drive his overprotectiveness.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
David’s willingness to kill or manipulate for the sake of the children crosses ethical lines. He also justifies keeping the kids in ignorance to control them, blurring the line between protector and oppressor.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
David’s unpredictability stems from his love for the kids and his ruthless survivalist mindset. He could switch from nurturing to violent in an instant if it means keeping them safe.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
David’s love for Lucy and Nate feels genuine, even if his methods are flawed. His guilt and moral conflict humanize him, making the audience question whether he’s a hero or a villain.

Sarah (‘Mother’)
A. Role in the Show:
Sarah is the emotional heart of the family, balancing David’s harshness with compassion. She acts as the mediator between him and the kids, but her own secrets add tension to the story.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Sarah’s expertise lies in emotional manipulation and diplomacy. She’s skilled at de-escalating situations and reading people, a stark contrast to David’s more direct approach.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Sarah’s guilt over their actions runs deeper than David’s, but she also harbors a darker secret: she was complicit in the crimes of Lucy and Nate’s biological parents before defecting.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Sarah manipulates Lucy and Nate’s love and trust to keep them close, even as she knows they deserve the truth. She struggles with the morality of lying to protect them versus empowering them with knowledge.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Sarah’s unpredictability lies in her divided loyalties. When pushed to the brink, she could betray David, sacrifice herself for the kids, or even seek redemption by turning against their birth parents.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Sarah’s maternal instincts and visible remorse make her sympathetic, even as she makes morally gray choices. Her love for the kids is genuine, and her struggle to atone resonates with the audience.

Summary
Each character is engaging because they blend unique strengths with emotional depth, moral conflict, and unpredictability. Their secrets, motivations, and complex dynamics ensure the audience is invested in their journey, rooting for them even when their actions challenge traditional notions of right and wrong.