Lesson 4

[Megan Schemenauer]

Megan’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment is…that while I have never done a character interview exercise like this one before, I found it interesting. Unlike answering questions about my characters from my own perspective, actually interviewing the characters forces me to become both the protagonist and the antagonist and answer as they would. While I got a few more details about the characters that I didn’t already know—Anna loves her coworkers and actually voted for the President, President’s daughters’ names and current approval rating, the reason the President would feel especially embittered toward Anna, and the President’s true feelings about her husband—what I found even more insightful was the way in which they answered. I discovered my protagonist is much more confused, timid, and reluctant to join First Man than I realized while my antagonist speaks with a confidence bordering on arrogance. It wasn’t what they said so much as how they said it that really caught my attention. Love how this activity brought them even more to life!

[Marian Yeager]

Did anybody else not receive lesson 4 email this morning? I got an email but it was for lesson 17. I put in an email to customer service but haven’t heard anything. Just curious if anyone else had this happen? Thx. Marian

[Allen Burch]

I didn’t receive # 4 either.

[Alex Surer]

Yes, also received lesson 17 but not 4 yet.

When the header said ‘Act 3 begins’… I first thought: Fascinating! We are building backwards… that’s smart, do the hard part first 😁’

[Marian Yeager]

Have either of you received Lesson 4 or 5 yet?

[Mary Andrews]

Hi Marian, I got lesson 17 this morning, but just received lesson 4. I just came to the SU site to check if it was open yet, though. You might check the class page to see if it’s unlocked.)

[Alex Surer]

Marian, 4 should be coming later today. Got this from support:

2 Feb 2023

8:00 AM

Day 4

Subject: [30 Day Script] Lesson 4: Character Interviews

3 Feb 2023

8:00 AM

Subject: [30 Day Script] Lesson 5: Four-Act Transformational Structure

4 Feb 2023

8:00 AM

Lesson 6

Subject: [30 Day Script] Lesson 6: Transformational Events

[Wendy Locke]

Wendy’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment is HOLY COW! I found out so much stuff!! I know the assignment seems silly, but boy oh boy, I now know what makes my characters tick and how their lives mix and where they get they traits, values and beliefs from.

Protag: MICHELE

1) Tell me about yourself.

Well, the most important thing about me is that I am a mom of 3 wonderful kids. I love my life as a mom, it fulfills me as a person. My first husband died on the job 5 years ago(FBI agent) I remarried two years later, but it only lasted for 2 years. My kids are all from my first marriage (of course). I get my strong family values from my mom and dad that have been married since they got out of high school. I went straight into the force out of high school and it wasn’t long before I got into the FBI following the footsteps of my father and grandfather. I was an only child, but never spoiled, I worked and earned everything I have. I currently live in a small town about 45 min from a big city, almost a witness protection program so I can live a normal life and not have my past interfere with my life.

2) Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

So, this is simply my past life catching up to me and me being the mamma bear I will do anything to save my kids and the mob knows that.

3) You are up against not only the mob, but your new partner as well, what about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

The mob has regained in strength, they have my kids held hostage and the new way of fighting and weapons have advanced, where I have not. As for my new partner, he hates life and is a miserable person and misery loves company. The hardest part is that I am attracted to him.

4) In order to survive and accomplish this you are going to have to step way outside your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

I have to re-enter the FBI world and leave my adorned mom life behind. I did not believe that the perfect guy existed for me, but here he is.

5) What habits and ways of thinking will be the most difficult to let go of.

Well, my first thought is that I might not be a mom again if my kids die, my second thought is that I will have to dress in a different manner to be incognito and lose my favored mom look.

6) What fears, insecurities have you held back?

That is easy to answer, I fear loosing my kids the most, I must stay strong and and not show weakness or I lose the ability to stay on the case. I am terrified of not being good enough and my partner keeps proving that I do not have the capabilities anymore.

7) What skills, background or expertise makes you well suited to face this conflict.

Again, I am a mamma bear. I know the enemy (the mob) and a few of their weaknesses. As for my partner, I have been in a bad marriage and had to deal with an angry person, so I learned how to deal with that and stand up for myself.

8) What are you hiding from other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

I am in sheer terror that I will mess up and loose my kids forever

9) What do you think of the antagonist?

Well, the mob might be hard to handle, and a lot of them will die, but my partner better watch out or I will kill him first.

10) Tell me your side of this whole conflict.

Okay, (sigh) Before I left the FBI there was a major bust where I took down the mob the first time. There was a man that was deep undercover with the mob that was a good friend of mine and he died on scene. Before he died, he gave me a ring, told me it was special and to keep it safe. I thought it was his wedding band. His wife was dead and the ring was engraved with characters that I didn’t know. Dean on the other hand, seems to wind up protecting me with each dangerous event and I am falling for him.

11) What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

One, I will get my kids back. Two, I will get to live out my life in peace once the mob is completely destroyed. Three, I will wind up with the man of my dreams

Antagonist: DEAN

1) Tell me about yourself.

(with and icy glare)- I am in my mid 40’s and I have never fulfilled my one desire of being a husband and father. I stay angry all the time. I am sick of rejection from women. What the heck! I am a good looking guy with lots to offer. I drive the car of my dreams. I enjoy the heck out of my job. My parents were divorced when I was little. I have seen the two of them go in and out of relationships like water. I haev never known unconditional love, but that is what I crave the most. I have an upscale apartment with loads of modern art. My parents, neither of them, would let me have a pet growing up. I really want a dog, but I am afraid it will reject me too and I an never at home to take care of it anyway.

2) Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

Well, first off, I am a hard worker and I will not stop till the job is done right. I know a lot about the enemy (the mob). However, I know nothing about being a parent and how to love so much I would be willing to die for someone…yet.

3) Why are you committed to making the protagonist fail? Or why are you committed to making them change?

Um, good question. I really don’t want Michele to fail, I just care about her and want her to care about me

THE MOB: Michele took away my brother and almost ended my great life. Because of her I had to rebuild everything and she must pay for it.

4) What do you get out of winning the fight?

DEAN: (deep sigh) I will win the girl of my dreams and have the family I want… even the dog!

MOB: Revenge – Straight up revenge! Michele stands in the way of us becoming the leaders in the underworld. Whatever is in the vault in Zurich is the key to our success.

5) What drives you toward your mission? Even in the face of danger, ruin or death?

DEAN: The desire for unconditional love and the chance to accomplish my mission in my job and have a family to boot.

MOB: Again, REVENGE! Justification to kill Michele and her family to satisfy my anger for what she did to my family.

6) What secrets must you keep to succeed?

DEAN: Easy, my soft side. I must prove that I am the tough guy and can provide a secure life for my family.

MOB: I am still in small numbers, I am not as big as I portray to be.

7) Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

DEAN: (snorting) I am the best at my job, I have a strong inner desire to lead a different lifestyle.

8)What do you think of Michele?

DEAN: Oh Wow! She is the most amazing creature I have ever met. She is the total package. She understands my job and lifestyle yet she is the ultimate lady that can give me everything I am missing in my life and desire to have.

MOB: WEAK! Weakened by the very life she leads. She can never overcome us, we have the upper hand. She has lost all her skill and capabilities.

9) Tell me the your side of this whole conflict.

DEAN: I was miserable in my life, but I thought I was stable and doing a good job. Then SHE waltzes in and flips my life upside-down. I have an inner desire to protect her and prove that I am a worthy partner and hopeful husband.

MOB: I was a lot younger when she killed my brother. The informant took the information to the family vault and I want it back!

[Rita Roberts]

Rita’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment:

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[Connie Whitmer]

30 Day Script ASSIGNMENT – 4

Connie Whitmer – 4 Interviewing Characters

I loved this! So many new ideas for conflict, dilemma, crisis, dialogue! Great technique!

Hero – BRIAN

Tell me about yourself.

I’m the youngest of 12 boys, sons of Cennetig, one of the 150 tribal kings of Ireland, from a long list of warriors, all buried up on the hill. Who fought the enemies of Ireland, so they could have peace in Thomond, to fish the Shannon, raise cattle, horses, kids. In peace and freedom.

Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

I don’t know why. Had my Da, and brothers lived, I wound not have, if the Irish Kings, like my father, would have stood up against the Dane the High King, and other Irish traitors, I would not.

If there had been any honor, pride, empathy for our people, courage to never surrender, on the part of the High King – I would not.

You are up against. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

Against the most powerful Vikings of the time, 600 years of Ui Neill High Kings, and the most powerful Provincial Kings in Ireland – – – how does this make it worse? – They are the ones that should be protecting their people. The Danes never should have gotten a foothold in Ireland. If the Irish traitor Kings had the courage to be loyal to their people, rather than seek power and gold.

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

Changes – My father and brothers are all gone, Mahon is giving in. there is no one else who will stand up against them all. I will have to do it!

Most Difficult – to spend a lifetime of war, of battles, of death to restore our Ireland, in freedom and peace. And some of my enemies will be Irish, and the companions of my youth.

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

Lost days of peace, contentment, freedom of catching the biggest fish.

Living without all my brothers.

Standing up against my brother, refusing to be second to chief the Clan

Keeping my vow to drive the Danes back into the sea and drown them in their own blood.

A life of battle, fighting, dying, no rest, no peace, no safety from treachery, no one to trust.

Not having a family, making a home, keeping them safe

Dying young.

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

Nothing has held me back! Ever since the day in the tower, when they savaged the little girl, and slaughtered my family. Nothing ever will.

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

Growing up the youngest of 11 brothers, son of Cennetig and member of the Clan Dal Cass

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

How must I want peace, love, family, freedom, in my life. And I will do anything to achieve it!

What do you think of?

I think back to the day, before the attack, I remember it perfectly, every moment,

my fish dragging me through the water.

The attack of the sea eagle

The sun in my eyes

The first image of the little red-headed girl in the shallows, laughing at me.

I close my eyes at night, and whenever I think I can’t stand it anymore . . . and I would give anything . . . the rest of my life to have taken her by the hand and run away, before the Danes came . . .

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

Like a rot the invaders came to rape and slaughter, steal, our treasure, the women and children, the cowards always go after the helpless – use, hurt, destroy, or sell as slaves the slave markets in Andalusia, Byzantium. What man is so cowardly he needs to pray on the most helpless.

Then what Craven Cowards are greedy enough to allow it! To watch it, before their eyes, to become bend-over hoors to the Danes for greed! It sickens me and spawns a rage I cannot or will not deny.

Not on my watch. Not in my homeland. Not my people! .

What does it do for your life is you succeed here?

It is the only way I can keep the ones I love, and my people safe. I will make Ireland Free, and in Peace – or I will die trying. And take all the greedy bastards I can, with me.

What if you lose your war?

Then my dream is over, and I fear my people will be lost, against the traitors and tyrants. No freedom, no peace, no joy, no hope for the future of Ireland. Like the ancient raisers of stones – we will be swept away over the cliffs at the edge of the world, our blood on the stones . . . washed away . . ..

ANTAGONIST – MALACHY

Tell me about yourself.

I am the heir to 600 years of Ui Neill High Kingship, upon the death of my father I will be HK. I will maintain and increase the power and wealth of my Clan. And maintain status quo.

Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths – my inherited talents, strength, determination, make sure all submit.

Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail?

Brian’s Grandsire, Lorcan was the only Irish tribal King out of 150 to refuse to submit to my Grandsire Malachy I. as High King. One day Reserving the right to claim the throne. For his clan. Now that the Danes of all but destroyed his Clan, and his last brother, acquiescing to my authority, there is only one problem. The youngest son, Brian will not submit to the Danes, the Irish Kings, or to anyone who will not fight against, what he perceives to by tyrants in Erin.

Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

Brian will submit to my authority, as High King, or he will die.

What do you get out of winning this fight?

Uncontested authority as next High King. If I succeed, I will have accomplished the expectation of the Clan Ui Neill. If I fail, I will be the first loser in 600 years! I will not allow Brian an insignificant orphan to usurp me.

What drives you toward your mission, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

I cannot fail, and be the one who loses 600 years of the Throne.

What secrets must you keep succeeding?

I will do anything to succeed. The stakes are too high.

I am jealous of Brian, He has managed to get, achieve, steal from me everything I desire, the people love him. He haunts me. And the more Ireland he frees from the Irish and Danes, the bigger threat he is.

Intrigue – I will lie, steal, cheat, falsely accuse, trick, seduce, hurt, destroy, anything to keep him from taking my rightful place. And ruining my good name down through the ages!

What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

I want what he has – the love of the people, his woman, his family, his sons, his castle, his fortune and glory. He has stolen them all from me, the grubby little orphan – and I will get them all back!

Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

I have more to risk, greater stakes than any before, 600 years of precedent if I win, or if I lose!

Never has there been risk and stakes like this! I will not lose it all to an insignificant orphan.

What do you think of?

I think of Brian . . . his woman, his sons, his castle, his glory, the love of his people, his winning more and more of Ireland from the Danes, from the Traitors . . . he is defeating them all!!!!!

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story

Everything was going according to tradition, The Ui Neills, the Kings of Muster, Leinster, Ulster finding common ground with the Danes, trading, so they took a few slaves, so what. The Danes were a good thing in a way, the warmongering tribes of Irish, fighting among each other in the face of the outside threat. And Ivar sacking Killaloe, and killing Cennetig, and all but two of his 12 sons. Eliminating the one threat to the Ui Neill domination. But then – they missed one!

[Michelle Dinnick]

Michelle’s Character Interviews / Updated Character Profiles

From doing this assignment, I learned the reasons behind my Antagonists’ horrendous behaviour – including why and how they make decisions. The “Aha” moment for me came during Monday’s class, when Hal said “even the people doing terrible things believe they are doing the right thing at the time”. It was actually easier to interview my antagonists than my protagonist because of this!

<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST: Shandy

1. Tell me about yourself. I’m a survivor, I’m strong

2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? I have a passion inside me that they couldn’t break. They tore me apart physically, but I’ve always somehow known that I am worth more, that I can do better.

3. What are you up against. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? They were all older than me, I was young, weak, they said no one would believe me, and I believed them

4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? Getting away from all of them – moving out of the trailer park. I had to wait until my dad was back form overseas

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? My lack of self-esteem, last of self-worth,

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? Lack of self-worth, no self-esteem,

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? Determination to not be anything like my mother and her friends

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? My scars, physical and emotional. I’m ashamed of them. I don’t want anyone to know about my past

9. What do you think of ?

10. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. I was neglected and abused and no one helped me. I learned I have to take care of myself now. There is no going back, I have to believe I deserve a better life, and I have to make a better life happen

11. What does it do for your life if you succeed here? I stay alive. I’m not weak like they made me believe, I never have to see my mother or acknowledge her assistance, never have to go back to the trailer park

12. Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST: Mother

1. Tell me about yourself. It’s none of your business

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? My brat of a daughter is my only weakness.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? She doesn’t deserve anything. I always took care of her, even though I never wanted her. She should have to take care of me now. She’s always been a spoiled ungrateful brat.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? Everyone will know I am right, that she is a useless excuse for a daughter, and I that I deserve better.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? Bad things always happen to me. I am used to it. I always have to fight for what I have, and things are always working against me. Including my own daughter.

6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? My daughter says I drink all the time, I don’t. I don’t even have beer in my trailer. I smoke, but so what? I deserve to have something for me.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? I didn’t always live in a trailer park. I’m here to help all these people. We’re survivalists, you know? We have to be ready for anything.

8. What do you think of ?

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. I am actually related to Queen Mary of Hungary. I should be a princess! I don’t deserve to be treated this way! I should live in a mansion, not a trailer. Those people – they are all peasants. They are the trailer trash, not me.

[Tita Beal Anntares]

Tita’s Character Interviews – Assignment 4.

What I learned from this assignment: I dreaded it. When I first read it, I thought, oh no, a let’s pretend assignment… what a waste of time. But I remember Hal telling us to just accept and go with the plan. I was really wrong! This assignment not just informed me about my characters but immediately helped me hear their voice, feel inside their heads, see each of them through the other’s eyes. I could have done this in an objective theoretical synopsis of who’s who if we had been just asked to describe our characters. But by asking us to settle back and interview – suddenly the two people burst into my mind, effing alive and talking, even toying with me.

QUESTIONS FOR PROTAGONIST: Thomas Hutchinson

Tell me about yourself.

TH: Bernard Bailyn told you all you need to know in his book about me. He gave you the green light and said he had always hoped for this. The mobs burned my writings – why bother trying to tell you who I am and how I spent hours, years, writing? Or telling you wat a good governor I was of the colony in the years before everything blew up into a war.

– What are you most proud of?

TH: My sons and daughters – their mother would be proud. But most people damn them as spoiled, living off jobs I got for them. I was just trying to be a good father. Their mother died too young. I also would be very proud of history I wrote about the colony of Massachusetts Bay – but the mobs burned it before I finished.

– You sound bitter.

TH: Who wouldn’t? Everything I did, I was just loyal to the very liberty they wanted. I just didn’t want violence. Or demands that could not be met so could only cause chaos, undermine our government. The empires of France and Spain were salivating.

What do you want to accomplish?

TH: Keep the colonies united with Great Britain – because GB is the only nation with an organized government where both the wealthy and the common people can vote on what affects their lives. And our monarch must follow certain rules. Every other nation in the world – among civilized ones – has a king or queen who can choose to work for the benefit of the people, but if not, there are no laws to control the tyrant.

–Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

TH: I was willing to confront the mobs and their radical puppet masters. Willing to stand up for liberty, even if my home and all my books and writings burned to the ground. Even if I died in the flames. With my life’s work. But my daughter forced me to leave before that happened.

You are up against Sam Adams. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

TH: The people love him. They don’t see how manipulative, cunning, destructive he is. He preaches about liberty and they follow him, Whatever he puts in the people’s ears comes out of their mouths. Puppetmaster.

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

TH: I may not save the unity of the colonies with our Mother Country. As a time traveller, you already know how that worked out. But win or lose, I will NEVER change.

— But if you had to -?.

TH: I will never give up my commitment to the orderly beauty of the Mother Country.

–Give me a break – At least tell me what changes would you refuse to make? And which would be the hardest?

TH: You want to say I would give in to the mob and the cabal of radical leaders who wanted power for themselves.

— I’m not asking you to give up your commitment to keeping the colonies loyal and united to the Mother Country. But what if to achieve that goal you would have to change something about yourself?

TH: You’re badgering me.

–No, just interviewing you. Maybe one change you need to make is stop being so defensive.

TH: That’s your view. Not mine.

–We’ll be here all day and use up all the energy you need to go back through the wormhole. Just give me one of the most difficult change syou would need to make to achieve your goal and—

TH: Tell them I understand they are also trying to save democracy.

–Would you mean it?

TH: Yes, damn it. Now leave me alone.

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

TH: I failed. I couldn’t let go.

— Of what…?

TH: You’re so impudent. Disrespectful.

–Let go of…?

TH: Not listening to them. I was sure they were just spouting about liberty in order to take power from me. Then people would see who’s the real tyrant. Their beloved revolutionaries, calling for people’s liberty just to rule them with tyrannical

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

TH: That people would think I had caved out of fear. Or worse, actually belive the mobs can elect their own leaders in fair elections and govern themselves decently.

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

TH: I thought I was well-suited to face this conflict with Mr. Adams and his mobs because I am the only Governor of the colony who was born in America but also have the education and family background to appreciate the unique liberty we have in our Parliamentary government.

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

TH: You know how Sam Adams carries on about being proud to be poor? about loving the yeomanry as if they have all the qualities of educated, civilized people? About not wanting fame or fortune? All his rabble-rousing slogans? Carrying on like that works – turns every uneducated brute into a philosopher sounding like sophisticated political Leveller.

Lord knows if he really believes that nonsense. But he’s set such a low bar, everyone claiming they love simplicity of poverty that I can’t tell the truth – I really enjoy the privileges and luxurious of life. Of course it’s unfair if only a few have that. But that’s life. Unfortunately I can’t tell anyone that I really love the privileges. And, btw, I may be Anglican. I may think the fundamentalist Congregational ministers are hypocrites and ruining the true Anglican rituals with their authoritarian rigidities. But I agree with those Puritans about one truth – wealth is a sign that we have earned our privileges and the poor just should have studied and worked harder.

What do you really think of Mr. Adams?

TH: Basically? Satan – masked as an advocate for the people. Just read Judge Peter Oliver’s book – quote him, you quote me.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

TH: Fairly simple. After the Mother Country won the 7 year’s war that saved the thirteen American colonies from the French and protected our tea and spice trade with India, we had many war debts we had to repay so Parliament passed a tariff on some imports and a tax on transactions in the colonies. But selfish greedy American merchants refused to pay the tariffs, becoming smugglers, hiding their profits in their homes. So of course our customs officers had to get the profits back. And the colonists refused to pay the stamp tax. Greedy merchants joined with manipulative radicals, at first just a cabal in Massachusetts and Virginia but soon spreading throughout the colonies.

These evil radicals manipulated the people turning them against us. My home with all my belongings and my writings was burned to the ground by mobs protesting the stamp tax, the property of shipping merchants was destroyed in what they called a “tea party.” The radicals spread lies about us so more and more colonists mistrusted our government. And when we sent in our government’s troops to maintain order, farmers shot at the soldiers of their own government.

Throughout all this, I tried to fight the evil lies and awaken colonists to the beauty of our government, the only nation in the world to have self-govt… so while the mobs were howling for liberty, they were tearing down not just decent people’s homes but also the nation with the most liberty in the world.

What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

TH: You know I didn’t. But, if I had, I might become president or prince of the colonies united together under King George III. I would be praised in your times as you praise your President Abe Lincoln – and you probably would have avoided a civil war because Parliament was going to end slavery

Later will ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST – Sam Adams

Tell me about yourself.

SA: Just a bankrupt brewer. I earn a small fee when I’m elected to our House of Representatives. Devoted husband to my wife Betsy – my second wife – and my son and daughter. The Lord called their mother, my beloved first wife, home. But Betsy raised our children as her own. I made money for a while as a tax collector but I didn’t have the heart to force money from people who were struggling. You know, after we beat the French and their Indians after the 7 years war, there was a post war depression. And a small pox. The people were in trouble. Our royal governor Thomas Hutchinson claimed I stole the taxes. Any one in Boston who knew me, knew I would never steal.

Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

SA: What strengths are needed by anyone who loves liberty? – willingness to do anything needed to make sure people have an equal say in decisions that impact their lives. Weaknesses? Can any of us really be aware of my failings?

– Give me one weakness you might have.

SA: If I’m really honest with myself, I guess, it’s my irritation. When someone really doesn’t understand threats to liberty even when they are obvious. But I try never to show that irritation. I just have to keep asking questions to help them think through the challenges we are facing and remember why democracy matters. They usually come around.

Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

SA: Hutchinson is helping King and Parliament deprive colonists of our rights as British citizens. When we or our forefathers boarded the ships to come here, they never gave up those rights. But now, tax by tax, law by law, the Lords of Parliament are turning us into their indentured servants. I still hope members of the House of Commons, maybe even some Lords will listen to us and stop the threats to our li berty. Hutchinson change? Never! He would have t admit that our rights as British citizens are being stolen away. As an American born in Boston, he must realize that is what is happening regardless of his pontificating… but if he speaks the truth he might lose his royal appointment and all its perks. He’d never give up his luxuries and privileges!

What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

SA: What do we get out of living in a democracy? In our Charter from England, the people who sailed to American kept their right to vote for their own leaders not be ruled by tyrants. In our Congregational church, we vote for our ministers and leaders. In our Town Meetings, the people vote on issues that will impact their lives. Why does any of this freedom matter? As you say, “What do we get out of living in a society where we join to govern ourselves together? What do you think we get out of living with the freedom to live fully – in control of our lives? Some might say what we get is full life… maybe Life itself.

What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

SA: Sorry, I thought I just explained that.

— I was wondering about what drives you to risk your life personally, not just for politics.

SA: For me politics is our personal life. Politics determines whether or not we can live freely or in fear of a dictator’s control and wrath. But personally? My father took me to meetings when he was trying to help farmers form a bank wher they could use land to make purchases not just money. My mother believed we are here to learn to follow Jesus, bring his love and compassion into our lives. And when I was young, a preacher came to town. Put up a big tent. Inspired hundreds of us to live in simplicity. Learn what has true value while we are living in this physical world. Instead of trying for fame and fortune in the material world that has no meaning when we go to God, see material baubles for what they are. At best nothing. At worst, weapons for making a few people think they are better than everyone else.

Like our royal governor Thomas Hutchinson. He and his family think they deserve power. Not just because they have inherited glittering gold and other objects. But also because they have the luck to have a privileged education when others have none or had to work rather than go to school. High pay from the royal treasure chest and special credit to buy land and own ships… when most slave away for pennies and can barely keep their children nourished, warm and skilled. I risk danger, ruin and early death because I do not want to spend my time on this earth just feeding myself and my family. I want to use the time I am here to help others gain equal opportunities to live fully.

What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

SA: To succeed first of all I must keep everyone’s secrets – build trust. Unless someone’s secrets are hurting others. I had to expose Governor Hutchinson’s secret dealings with Parliament – calling us violent mobs when we were just protesting our loss of rights as British citizens… telling Parliament he needs the military to protect decent citizens from the mobs. The mobs… that’s another story. That gets to my biggest secret – until all people can get a good education, we cannot really trust the many to make good decisions. They are too easily swayed by lies from people in power. Or by alcohol – I’m getting the mobs to understand the importance of acting like free, responsible citizens. But I realize they terrified Hutchinson. So my secret? Well one secret is I felt very sad when Hutchinson’s house burned down, not – but I had to do what I had to do. Get closer to the mobs. That’s part of my biggest secret – I realized we had to get closer to the mobs that tore his house down, not damn them or distance myself and the struggle for liberty further away from them. We had to embrace them… to control them. That’s my secret. Actually my shame. That to win freedom I must – ah, I don’t want to say “manipulate” – Hutchinson calls me a manipulator… What’s a better word…? “Guide” people to make what I know are the right decisions. Help them see the right actions. “Guide” is a better description. More accurate.

Do I keep secrets out of fear and insecurity? I certainly keep secret my need to “influence” decisions by the people in Boston’s Town Meeting, in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, in our conferences with al colonies. I definitely fear losing all my influence if they find out that my questions are usually a series of questions that guide people to understand what I know they must do t protect their freedom. Or what’s left of it.

Secrets because of my personal fears or insecurities? I encourage others to take the stage. Usually for good reasons. The wealthy Southerners feel much more comfortable with John Hancock, knowing he’s the wealthiest man in Massachusetts thanks to his inheritance from his childless uncle. At least until they get to know him better. But maybe I give the stage to others not out of respect or generosity – I’m not a very charismatic speaker. I know that. In fact, I’m quite middling. I’m okay if I just look in people’s eyes, ask questions to get them thinking and talking. And I write news articles and petitions – but under pseudonyms or documents signed by many… I’m basically very middling. Not a firebrand like the people I work with – including my firey wife. You’ll meet her.

Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

What makes me special? Back to my secret. Most people leading our struggle to keep our rights as British citizens talk. They lecture. They talk like preachers or warriors. They carry on and on. And people praise them as leaders. Me? I’m quiet. I listen. I ask questions – not just for information – the questions I mentioned that guide thinking and action. And instead of praising me, the people celebrate themselves and their ability to make their own decisions, take action.

What do you think of Thomas Hutchinson?

SA: I’m sure you know the answer to that by now. But I’ll be direct. I can be direct. When I’m off duty. I think Thomas Hutchinson is a typical human being. He wants comfort, security and enough wealth to have whatever he wants. Nothing wrong with that – except when the privilege and power comes at the expense of fellow human beings.

I can understand his needs. His grandmother was a lively hero. Created her own religion, took followers from Massachusetts to Rhode Island for what she considered freedom from Puritans. Escaped Indian attacks. So her children and their children right down to Hutchinson wanted to be safe. And most of what Hutchinson has done to give away our rights as free British citizens, he did to get positions, money and security not just for himself, his children and his relatives. But he seems to be unaware that in the process he is putting his fellow Americans at risk of losing our rights and liberties as British citizens. Right now he is destroying our right to govern ourselves, a gift that has grown ever since the Magna Carta was signed in the year of our Lord twelve hundred fifteen. After more than 500 years of British liberties, Thomas Hutchinson, a fellow American born in Boston is giving away our liberties to the order and Commoners of Parliament.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

SA: Simple, logical: Americans came to these shores with charters from the King of our nation, granting us the right to govern ourselves. For decades, we have ruled ourselves by electing representatives to make our laws and levy taxes through our colonial assemblies.

Suddenly Parliament wants to start taxing us – a first step to taking away all our liberties. And our first American born royal governor, Thomas Hutchinson, is helping the destruction of our liberty because of his own lust for fame and fortune. As my own guide and mentor, James Otis, said, before his brilliant mind went mad: “Taxation without representation is tyranny!”

Every time Hutchinson supports Parliament’s next move against us, I will do whatever I can to destroy him.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Tita Beal Anntares. Reason: left out end of a sentence
• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Tita Beal Anntares. Reason: called my main character by a different name, would confuse me if I reread

[Lisa Long]

Lesson 4

Lisa Long’s Character Interviews

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?”

It is nice to have a deep conversation with those deep parts of myself that I have healed now. No gut hits, just the way it was.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself.

Tina – me.

Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

I chose it pre-birth…

Part of my mission. I remember the meeting and the choice.

You are up against. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

Dense DNA inherited from my ancestors and acted out by my parents to control and keep me quiet. Also, chosen, by me to transcend so I would be very strong.

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

Oh, yes, I have stepped outside most of humanity’s boxes and do, it daily. The challenge is putting it into a screenplay so others can comprehend it. LOL

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

None, anymore. Early on most of them as did not have the awareness I have now. So yes, Self-worth was challenging, until I cleared it. I will address these in the early years of the script.

What fears, insecurities, and wounds have held you back?

Hundreds… thousands. Maybe more… LOL

What skills, background, or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

It is what we are all facing and we are created for this…

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

Early on, I see dead people, ghosts, and dark energies. Darts from them… hear their thoughts and judgments, tons of shit.

Later on, I am pretty open about it.

What do you think of Earth?

It’s all a challenge… and so worth it.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict/story.

Just part of awakening on a dense planet.

What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

I am and I help hold the field for others to find their way. I also improve my life in millions of ways.

Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

Just keep expanding into more.

——

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself.

Tina’s Internal Resistance – Most patterns Subconscious

Wounded traumatized Baby and abused Toddler.

Past life and Ancestrally DNA patterns of resistance and limitation.

Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

I can easily stop Tina by putting her in terror as I need to protect her from the world. I do it often to protect her and keep her hidden.

Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

If people know who she is, they will kill her. My daddy said so.. And my daddy is always right.

What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

I get to keep existing.. I am not alienated from existence. I must save and protect her to protect me.

What drives you toward your mission/agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

Self-preservation.

What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear/insecurity?

That I was abused, manipulated, and brainwashed by a 33° Mason, my dad, who prided himself on her mind control techniques, used them on his wife and children. He was a misogynist pedophile and made me believe I deserved it, and that I was a whore not worth feeding and I had to obey him, make him happy, not tell anyone and work hard to not end up in eternal damnation tortured forever as the sinner that I believed I was.

Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

(Now) Able to rise above all that crap.

What do you think of People?

(Old Child aspects) Scared shitless of them most of the time. Don’t trust them. Told they are all there to use and abuse me. By the abuser who was hidden in my subconscious mind for 50+ years.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict/story.

Fragmented personally… believes unholy, sinner, needy, scared, and desperate to join the main personally in wholeness.

[PJ Doremus]

PJ’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment was how powerful the interview process is in creating characters, especially this early on in the story creation process.

Our protagonist, Sarah Roberts, came to life during the process. She has new traits and a new subtext identity that fits into the plot of the story much better than her original ones. We also came up with some good story ideas before, during and after the interview process.

Our antagonist, Lucifer, seemed to come to life and his attitude showed through in his answers. He is going to be a lot of fun to write.

[Margaret Gendreau]

Margaret’s Character Interviews What I learned completing this assignment is what’s at stake for my protagonist but the most surprising thing was how little I knew the antagonist. I know him so much better and as a result my project will be 100% better. I also discovered the resolution of the conflict and what happens that will allow Lake to finally move on.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

Lake Turner 1 Tell me about yourself. First of all, thank you for having me Margaret. I’m not sure where to begin. Mainly, I think of myself as a lucky person, you have to know that. I’m not someone who feels sorry for myself. Get on with it, am I right? But, last October I lost my husband and my house in the Tubbs fire. Afterwards, I tried to go back to my job but it all felt so meaningless. I couldn’t do it. Now I’m sleeping in m mom’s spare room, delivering food from restaurants for a company called Foodease. I like that I can get out of my head for awhile and keep moving. I see people but I don’t have to answer any insipid questions. If another person asks me how I am I might seriously lose my shit. I can’t stay indefinitely at my moms but I feel stuck. The insurance will come through at some point and maybe then I’ll be able to move on.

2 Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? Personally, I think I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could of happened to anyone. If I looked really deep and could break free of this delish I might be able to admit I was terribly unhappy. Maybe the fire came to wipe the slate clean so I could possible do my life over in a way that makes me happy.

3 You are up against . What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? Dave keeps appearing before me. I mean I know he’s dead, right? I keep expecting him to show up and be a dick – I have his terrible voice in my head and then he appears and it’s like my worse nightmare. He isn’t here but the worst part of him appears. I’m not crazy. You don’t think I’m crazy do you? The critical voices in my head are haunting me.

4 In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? I have to re-define what success looks like for me. I have to admit running around doing more than everyone else is never going to bring me happiness. I don’t need to attract a man on one side to be worthy nor do I have to work/act like a man to be worthy. I just need to be my own authentic self. The truth is I love to cook for people and I love good food which I suppose is very un-feminist of me. I need to believe in my own worth not defined by my relationship with anyone else and I don’t know how to do that.

5 What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? The critical voices in my head telling me I’m not good enough, I’ll never be good enough.

6 What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? That underneath it all I really am unworthy. I mean something. My life means something.

7 What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? In my heart of hearts I have always been an iconoclast. I’ve never had the confidence to say it aloud or criticize anyone but people instinctually knew it and were unkind. I never understood why people had such strong reactions to me especially since I was shy. I guess I can’t hide my true self as much as I thought I could.

8 What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? That I have the strength to stand alone. Also, I fought back against Dave finally and he fell and hit his head. I drove off angry and when I tried to get through to see if he was OK I couldn’t get through because of the fire. I’m afraid I killed Dave.

9 What do you think of Dave? I’m so disappointed he turned into his mother. Petty, mean, small minded and fearful. He seemed quite the opposite when we met. I’m also very upset that I chose so badly. I mean fuck, really? A successful artist. Confident, kind, good looking. He seemed like he had it all. We seemed like we had it all but it was just a lie. I thought he was my “soulmate”. How pathetic.

10 Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. He kept calling me a fucking loser and kept pushing me and wouldn’t let me pass. I finally broke and pushed him so hard. I don’t know my own strength. All I could think of is I have to get out. I got out but I never saw Dave alive again.

11 What does it do for your life if you succeed here? I feel like in this big mess if I could find a way to live life on my own terms and make money without hiding who I am – well that would be true success to me.

12 Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

1 Tell me about yourself. I’m Dave. The most important thing to know about me is I’m dead but I’m not gone. Lake needs me. I can’t be too nice to Lake because she’ll leave me. That’s obvious to everyone but her I think.

2 Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? My mom doted on me, acting like I was God’s favorite so face it, I grew a little entitled. OK, a lot entitled. I’m expected to be the provider and the top of the food chain and all that. My weakness is, I’m afraid all the time and I can’t let anyone know.

3 Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? The world is changing. I thought if I could control Lake I could stop the change from happening. I’m used to everything one way and I’m terrified of it becoming different. A world where I have no power.

4 What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? If I win and have control then I won’t have to change.

5 What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? The annihilation of my ego would mean my destruction. What I don’t know is the current power structures keep me trapped and only by letting them go will I ever be truly free but change means death to me.

6 What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? Like I said I can’t let anyone know I’m terrified. My life from the outside looks like I have it all but I don’t feel close to happy. I don’t know how to survive outside the manufactured societal structure that was manufactured by man. Everyone calls it gods plan or whatever to maintain power but I don’t know if I believe in god but I certainly would never say that out loud.

7 Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? I act like I’m all that so people act like I’m all that. I just act like I’m a genius in my painting and my vision is so clear in my mind, other people just fall in line. Women want to talk about feelings and collaborate but acting like you know everything and having no mercy is the way to get ahead.

8 What do you think of Lake? I would never admit it but I really admire Lake. In my innermost thoughts she is who I wish I could be but that’s not possible.

9 Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. It’s not my fault. I know I can be cruel but it’s not my fault. It’s all I’ve ever known. What’s going on is the inevitable backlash to change. Men are in charge and we went way too far in letting women think they are equal and now the comeuppance. I’ve gone along with the whole thing to a certain extent because I wanted people to like me. I wanted Lake to like me. Now that I’m dead though I see the manufactured structure for what it is and what I would never admit to anyone is I just wanted to be happy like everyone else. I didn’t know how to make that happen so I was how my parents, society, religion expected me to be. When I talked, people listened. I really liked that but in the end happiness would have been better.

[Risa Friskey]

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Nick…

About me…you know, just doing what I do. Being outdoors gives me perspective. I don’t have to be anybody’s someone. I’m a speck but in the outdoors, it’s okay to be a speck. Even specks serve their purpose when you’re out here.

Why am I on this journey…I don’t really know, but I’ve cheated death so many times, I know how to get the best of anyone or anything that tries to suck the life out of me.

I’m up against…the need for money and my growing need to love a person who’s in major danger of getting her soul sucked out by not only her douche-bag fiance, but also a demon from another dimension.

Changes…even though I defy death, I don’t want to cause it either…for myself or anyone. In this case, I have to accept that real possibility…there may not be trick I can use to avoid it. I have to be vulnerable and risk a fate even worse than death.

I can meet a person where they are and speak their language to get what I want…It sounds manipulative, but really I’m helping them fulfill their dreams. I don’t know how to speak demon- plain and simple.

I’ve held back my resentment of losing my grandmother to alzheimer’s disease. And the loneliness I felt throughout my childhood. I never really learned how to be happy…the way normal kids do.

I hide…everything. Nobody needs to see my tender underbelly. I just keep smiling. In my life, if you show fear, you’re dead.

I think of…the universe, that if there’s another me out there in a different plane of existence..what he or she’s like. If maybe I could connect with them and find a higher purpose…specks that we are.

My side…this demon-fucker is doing two things…proving my hope of other dimensions but taking away what I love. I want Naya. She’s in danger of losing her soul. Figures this demon is a real thing…and its Russian. My grandmother was Russian.

If I succeed…ironically, no one will probably know…like the lost ark in the warehouse. But maybe I’ll get Naya and we can be two specks.

Researching my Antagonist…To be continued.

[Patty Ruland]

As a former journalist, I did what I do: I got both sides of the story. Since it was an oral interview, I’m incorporating answered I “heard” into future work.

Basically, my protagonist fools herself into thinking she “hates” life in the Canyon, but she reveals during the interview how exciting she really finds it–how thrilling it is to learn to ride a horse, a wild mustang, no less; how rewarding it is to spend time in a cowhands camp, learning how to survive without all the frills of city life. Gradually, she said, she felt as competent in the Canyon as she’d felt in the Big City. As for the antagonist, her fiance, who lives permanently, working on a hog farm, much to Charlie’s disgust. Broken from the war, he talks about how he’s slowly building back, creating a new life to replace the one that is dead. They are at a stalemate–she wanting to “rescue” him from this terrible place, he wanting her to stay, to find true happiness.

To be continued!

[Diane Denham]

Lesson 4 Assignment: Character Interviews 2-2-2023

What I learned doing this assignment is that I love interviewing my characters! It’s such fun and so revealing!

QUESTIONS FOR MYKA, MY PROTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself, Myka. I’m a Leo all the way! If I were an animal, I’d be a fierce lioness. I’m an artist, musician and I’m synesthetic… that is, my senses kind of overlap in a weird way. I dream synesthetically and my dreams are my inspiration for my artwork. Everything weaves together in now time.

2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? Well, ever since my dream drought, I’ve lost my inspiration. I feel kind of dead inside. You ever felt that? The last dream I had I was in this cosmic university. They call it the Multiversity. I was traveling with Lioness, my spirit guide, through the colleges of the arts, and the hall of wisdom, and the pools of memory… and something was off. I could feel it. Lioness warned me, but I didn’t listen. I went in anyway. It was heart-wrenching. The colors of music were fading in the Academy of Tone. I could no longer hear the forms and colors in the Gallery of the Arts. The books of ancient wisdom were being eaten by parasites. I couldn’t stand it. I ran and woke up and since then, no dreams. I tried contacting my college friends, but no one wants to speak to me, since I failed them back then, especially Gabi.

3. You are up against frightening destructive beings. What is it about those beings and Gabi that makes this journey even more difficult for you? I’m ashamed that I blamed my friends for my own misdeeds. I know I broke Gabi’s heart, but maybe I just wasn’t ready to open myself up like that yet. How can I stop the beings attacking the Multiversity when I’m afraid to face my friends?

4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? Shit! I guess I’ll have to grovel, admit I was wrong and apologize. I need them to help me defeat these creatures that are destroying wisdom, dreams and memory. How dare they step into these hallowed grounds?

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? I’ll need to let go of my big fat ego, and acknowledge that my way isn’t always the best way. I’ll have to listen to my friends, and recognize their strengths and gifts.

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

I’ve been afraid relationships would take away too much creative energy from my work, so I’ve isolated myself in my art. The humiliation I went through when I presented my Master’s Thesis to the Committee scarred me, and after that, I just gave up.

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? My synesthesia will help me get through the Multiversity and weed out the attackers and parasites.

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? I don’t want them to know that since I lost my dreams and inspiration, I also lost my gallery representation. They think I’m a big success because I’ve lied to them.

9. What do you think of Gabi?

She’s the best friend and most wonderful human being I’ve ever met, and I was shit to her. I don’t know how I’ll ever forgive myself or face her again.

10.Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

We were inseparable in college. We did everything together, and then, one day, we got very close to making love, but I chickened out. I couldn’t handle it, especially with the stress of finishing my Master’s Thesis. So, after that, we drifted apart, my artwork suffered and then I lost my dreams.

11.What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

Oh, I mean, it means everything. If I can get the gang together, have them forgive me, trust me again… have Gabi give me a second chance. Everything, man. That’s all. Then we’d be invincible and together, we’d save the Multiversity.

12.Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

Do you think you and Gabi will ever have a life together? Hey, that’s the big question, isn’t it? That’s the big one. I wish that. Yeah. I do.

QUESTIONS FOR GABI, MY ANTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself, Gabi. If I were the wind, I’d be a whirlwind. Of all the birds, I love the hummingbird the most. Favorite color? Orange.

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? I bore easily, so I hope these questions will capture my attention. I’m always interested in the next thing, so I tend to hop from one career to another, from lover to lover. It’s hard to sit still. I can focus, but if something else catches my attention, I’m there in a shot.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? Selfish reasons. I need her to succeed in this mission, so she’ll need my help. Plus, there’s always that one ray of hope that we might somehow be a thing one day.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? I know Myka’s work is the most important thing in the word to her, so I have to help her get back her dreams and inspiration… oh, and everyone else’s in the bargain.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? I’d do anything for Myka. All she has to do is ask. I miss my dreams as she does. We always shared our dreams at breakfast in the dorms.

6. What secrets must you keep in order to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? I can’t let on that I’m still in love with her. If it comes out, she’d probably run a mile. I need her in my life at all costs and on her terms. No one else has every taken me completely like she has.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? No one else has our special connection. I have skills that compliment and elevate hers, and she mine. We both have been blessed, or cursed with synesthesia.

8. What do you think of Myka? Have you been listening?

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. After the gang, Rafi, Yuri and I, agreed to help with Myka’s experiments researching synesthesia in the dream world, and then her Master’s Thesis got trashed, she blamed us, left and never finished her degree. She was so devastated. It took her three years to get up the nerve to contact us and ask for help. Now, it’s not just about her anymore. It’s about restoring the Multiversity for the world before we all lose our dreams forever.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Philip Neale]

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself.

Im a pretty ambitious guy and there’s no mountain too high for me to climb

I wanna get to the top and be bigger than Elvis, Beatles and Rolling Stones put together

Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

I had no choice, its a vision thing, if you’ve got a gift you gotta go with – y’know what I mean

You are up against . What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

They keep shifting the goal posts, nothing’s ever straight forward on this tour and I’m convinced the bands wants me to fail – take over – y’know

They don’t follow my lead – is that enough for you

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box.

What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

To get out of this – Id do anything – I need to beat them at their own game – destroy the contract, smash the deal by any means – play a gig at hells door if need be

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

The magic dust – I need that to get where Im going – looking after the others – its my band right, otherwise it all falls apart

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

I’m a total control freak, we never make any money I can’t let go of the leadership – I’m work vampire hours – the wheel never stops turning

fear of failure – Im not a natural – I have to practice hard – a miss is as good as a mile – we might not make it with everything thats stacked against us

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

you stand on the soldiers of giants – my axe is my weapon – i’ve played on every record thats ever been made in the past two years but nobody knows my name – we’ll take them all by surpris – I could die in a ditch and no-one would know – I can conjure fireworks and banshees from this guitar

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

If we dont complete the tour – it all goes to hell – everythings on the line – music, the future everything- and they wont see a penny

What do you think of ?

Old Nicks? She’s a devil, vindictive, curious creature- brutal and viscious – out for revenge

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

Well I could have done without the jepardy – I was setup – just a pawn in the bigger game

Now I have to win to save music for the world – as well as saving my immortal soul

What does it do for your life is you succeed here?

Beyond my wildest dream – glory, wealth, women and a number one album

Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

whats your plan/goal

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself.

I’m not a bad person – I just punish bad people – in ways appropriate to the crimeby any means necessary- you know judge,jury and executioner – as well as entrapment, lies and deception

Im just doing my job- its one hell of a task but someone’s got to do the necessary

Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

Well there’s the hordes of demons at my disposal, vast resources of outstanding promises, a life lived in the shadows watching what make people tick and burn and such

Weaknesses – I’m too damn good at my job- I got pigen holed as a bad angel and its been like that ever since – you know

Why are you committed to making the agonist fail? Or for alationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

I had assets lined up- the deals I had to make – seven vestals virgins – and then he came to stay under my hospitality – now Ive got none – I’ll make him suffer – ive murdered thousands for less

What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

My reputation, meeting my quotas – his head on a plate and exclusive access to all the music that ever was and will be made

What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

Well thats my stock in trade danger, ruin and death – its over confidence I worry about

What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

Every contract has its loophole – its part of the torment you see – I do worry they’ll spot it – but they never do – overconfidence – not in this millenia anyway

Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

It a mans mans world – but where would it be without a woman or a girl – there’s only one of me but I play all parts

What do you think of ?

The little shit- I trusted him – I fed him – I even listend to that racket he calls music – and he bit me – not once but seven times

I’ll make him rot in hell and obliterate all music past,present and future from this noisy planet

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

It was a simple plan – a straight forward promise – but he turned it into a vendetta – he’s got to pay

[Lonnie Nichols]

Lonnie’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment: I discovered much more about my characters…this is an excellent tool for character development, and I’ll add some details to my character profiles.

Interview each character, knowing that they will answer any questions you ask. As you interview them, allow them to tell you their experience.

Interview with Protagonist Jeffrey Shelton:

Tell
me about yourself: Well, I’m 21, physics major, have one brother, love
women. In high school, I lettered in 3 sports…..out of shape now! Too much beer, I guess <div>

Why
do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? Someone needs to tell this story, and I
have some technical background and some writing experience…. I was a
senior at Ball State U. During the KSU shootings….we were somewhat
traumatized as well…it’s a time to heal
You
are up against .

What is it about them that makes this journey even more
difficult for you? Well, you know, the government can hush up anyone if
they want to cover-up an issues…..this will be a bit of a dance to get
the full story out to the public
In
order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way
outside of your box.

What changes do you expect to make and which of them
will be the most difficult?
What
habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let
go of? I’m learning to realize that there are dark forces in our world
that we often don’t see or know the extent of…..I need to be more aware
of those forces…and let go of my image of our country

What
fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? Mostly just my lack of
maturity. Now I want to tell the story with no fear….I have a better
sense of how to tell the truth, without offending too many people.

What don’t you want them to
know? I like to party now….worked so hard for 3 years, now I’m letting
go…. I have not dealt well with my dad’s death….my friends don’t know
that…I guess I’m not dealing my grief very well, I hide my emotions
quite a lot…..

What
do you think of ?
Tell
me your side of this whole conflict / story. It’s quite a story, the Kent
State Murders on 5/4/70….the 4 kids killed were basically just walking
in the parking lot… some 400 feet away from the Guard… then
afterwards, the judges sided with the Guard, who were not in any immanent
danger….it was a murder, yet I want to bring it up for healing
purposes…. let some of the grief go after all these years.

What
does it do for your life is you succeed here? Me and my buddies can hopefully help
release and heal some of those who were on campus that day, and their
families.

Interview with Antagonist President Nixon:

Tell me about yourself. I love being President, was my goal my whole life. I’m trying to get this country straight.

Having
to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? I’m a
strong, conservative leader, I have a clear, agenda for our people. I
don’t have many weaknesses, maybe I’m a little sensitive on some issues
when I’m attacked. </div>

Why
are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? These protesting,
violent students must shape up and support our government… they are too
liberal and don’t understand that our government is the best and this war
in Vietnam must be won .

What
do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking
down your competition? To save our
country from the deterioration by liberal thinking. The office of the President must be
respected. My authority must be respected
What
drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin,
or death?

What
secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of
fear / insecurity? I have felt insecure at times…. I don’t handle
criticism well…. I hide that side of me.

Compared
to other people like you, what makes you special? It’s my determination to
do good for this country… we are the leaders of the world and we must
always show that. I can keep that image going.

Tell
me your side of this whole conflict / story. I never gave an order to
shoot those kids. It was terrible. But those guards must be allowed to do
their jobs. Those were good men out there at Kent State.

[David Thome]

What I learned today: Lots of changes in the characters. Until this exercise, I wasn’t sure which if two characters was the antagonist, so I did antagonist interviews for both and it’s now clear (it’s Nadia). That’s spawned all kinds of ideas since.

INTERVIEW/Cameron (hero)

Tell me about yourself. I’m just regular guy. I grew up in L.A., with the movie industry all around me, and I fell in love old movies, and old Hollywood. All that seemed glamorous to me. The industry today seems to be so fragmented and cold. There was more romance in the olden days because you couldn’t just go online and look up everything about the lives of stars and directors and producers. I also loved, from early age, computers and games, but there wasn’t a way to combine those things. Then a friend and I developed an app to make film restoration easier, and it was great—but he ended up freezing me out of the process and taking all the credit and the money. I was broke and despondent, and I had no love life—or any kind of life—so when I got the job at BLANK, I decided to do what I was told, fit in and all that, but I felt that the software could be so much better. So I started messing around with it and came up with the algorithm search function that produced Reina. I was getting more info than I bargained for—but I couldn’t tell anyone. Not if I wanted to keep my job.

Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? I wanted to be someone, to make a contribution that people would know about. That was supposed to be the app. But when I worked at BLANK, I just couldn’t help myself. I had a feeling the possibilities were a lot greater than I was seeing. I was also naïve. I bit off more than I could chew. But I also had this sense justice, and when Nadia told me about her grandma’s story, that pretty much obliterated my romantic view of old Hollywood, and the justice thing kicked in.

You are up against (Antagonist). What is it about them that makes this journey difficult for you? The first thing is, being naïve never serves me well. So of course I thought Leona and her brother were my enemies. I never suspected Nadia. I also trusted everything Reina said; never thought for a minute that someone might be misleading her to mislead me.

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. Yeah, I’m not much of an action guy. I played a few first-person games with guns and stuff, but that in no way prepared me to deal with people trying to kill me in real life. I had to become more aware of my surroundings to keep safe—and I had to learn trust some people more and other people less, but judging character that way was never a strong point.

What changes do you expect to make and which will be the most difficult? I said I never had much of a love life. Then, all of sudden, I have Reina and Nadia. It sounds stupid, but even though I knew Reina wasn’t real, I felt more than just sympathy for what happened to her with the director and the baby and gangsters. And at the same time, I fell for Nadia. She thought I was really cool. No woman ever thought that about me before.

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? Trusting the wrong people. Figuring out who to trust. Because eventually I had to tell somebody about Reina and Nadia and (Director).

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? You can’t tell people you got ripped off in a big business deal, because they won’t believe you. You have documentation. So that sucked. But not being great with girls—women—who do you talk to about that?

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? Obviously the computer skills. Wanting justice for everyone, because I could empathize the Nadia because what happened to her is a lot like what happened to me.

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? Those particular insecurities. I had to play it close to the vest with Leona, but I was completely open with Reina and Nadia. You know, that was the worst, because after the app thing, I felt humiliated, like I’d been taken advantage of—and here I was, letting it happen again.

What do you think of (Nadia)? Even now, I don’t really hate her. She was being deprived of something that she deserved and that would make her life a whole better. But I get a sick, hollow feeling whenever I’m reminded of how she deceived me.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. At first, I was really excited about Reina, because it meant that I was right, that the technology could be way better. It was even more exciting when Nadia approached me, because then it went beyond just the gee-whiz of the movie industry. My invention was capable of helping people get justice.

What does it do for your life if you succeed? I wouldn’t be broke any more, but important is that people would know about my contributions to film restoration and beyond. I’m tired of being broke and being played for a fool.

INTERVIEW/Reina (ANTAGONIST)

Tell me about yourself. I have an entire internet full of things I could tell you.

I don’t need that much. OK. I was born in the Midwest in 1938. Not somewhere happening, like Chicago. A small town, where not much happened most of the time. But we had a movie house, and I loved going to the shows. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be in the movies. So when I graduated from high school, I got on a train and headed for Hollywood. I spent a year scraping to get by, never coming even close to a change. I decided to move back to WHERE, but Sol got off the train just as I was about to get on. He said he wanted to put me in a movie he was about to make called Morning in Paradise. It sounded wonderful. So I jumped at the chance. All I had to do was give him…all this. I wasn’t proud of it, but it beat living on the street or sleeping in hotel lobbies and counting on nice ladies at diners for my meals. And I really was going to be in that movie.

Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? I move around the internet pretty good. And, I’m not real, so it’s not like I can go to jail or anything for what I do.

Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? (Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?) I’m not for or against anyone.

What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? I remember when Nadia’s mother was born. It was the greatest moment in my life. Even better than when Sol said I would be in Morning, because it meant that I’d outfoxed him and the gangsters. I believed that once Reina was born, they wouldn’t hurt me.

What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin or death? I want justice for my granddaughter. That would make my life count for something. It would mean that I escaped my boring, little life and was part of something bigger.

What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? I’m not sure I have control over any of that. Cameron wants certain things from me; Nadia wants certain other things.

Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? I’m real, but I’m not real in the same way that everyone else is.

What do you think of Cameron? He has his own tragic story, so I want him to get the things for himself that I want. But I also want Nadia to get what she deserves.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. I never got to tell my side of the story, so I’m glad I get to do that now.

INTERVIEW/Nadia (ANTAGONIST)

Tell me about yourself. I was born in L.A.—in the shadow of Hollywood. From an early age, I was told that I was rightfully Hollywood royalty, but instead, my mother and I lived in poverty and disgrace. My mom cleaned houses for the rich and famous and wonderful. She deserved better. She should have had other people cleaning her house.

Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? I’m not afraid to go after what I believe is mine. And Sol’s fortune is mine. I’m also a quick learner, so when I found out about Cameron’s software, I immersed myself in how the AI worked, in algorithms and that kind of thing and never hesitated to get acquainted with Reina. Thinking fast also helps me figure out how to get ride of Leona and her idiot brother—killing two birds with one bullet. I can deal with it when Reina rats me out, but since I’m highly motivated, it’s not a big decision to get Cameron out of the way, too.

Why are you committed to making Cameron fail? (Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?) I’m not really interested in seeing Cameron fail. In fact, I’m not really interested in Cameron at all, except for what he can do to help me get what I deserve. He’s a fuckin’ dweeb, but I’ve slept with worse, so that part of it isn’t all that big a sacrifice. He’s pretty dim-witted, but as soon as he knows what I’ve been up to, well, he has to go.

What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? First, the fuckin’ money. That’s number one. After that, it’s how people treat you if you have money. I’ve been kissing ass all my life; I’d like the satisfaction of having other people kiss my ass, too.

What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin or death? Being left out of the inheritance, out of the family fortune for my whole life, I’ve been dead my life. So what I really have to gain here is a life.

What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? Obviously, I have to keep controlling Reina without letting Cameron find out. And I have to keep my identity secret from the Baxters as long as I can, because if they figure out who I am, I fucked. I have no doubt that they know what happened to my grandmother, Reina, but they just don’t care. But, “fear” and “insecurity?” What are they?

Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? I’m a rightful heir to a kingdom.

What do you think of Cameron? He’s obviously good at the tech stuff. But there are so many guys like that. So what? He’s a dweeb and he easy to fool.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. I got gypped, and I want to get what’s mine. And I want a premium for pain and suffering. The Baxters have had it pretty good since they were born. It’s my turn. Why should I keep sharing with them?

[L.D.Janakos]

LD’s Character’s Interviews

What I learned from doing this assignment: I don’t go through this kind of an exercise when I create a story. I generally jump right into the story from various starting points, which are never the blueprint same for any story. There’s a curiosity pleasure to that kind of entry and unfolding. I like not knowing. But I jumped into the assignment wholeheartedly. While I started the interviews feeling a bit restricted as a creative thinker, by the end of each interview I felt that the questions and answers, rather than hinder my imaginative process, gave me a new way to get to know my characters, which in the end appealed to me. I liked the interviews as a short cut tool.

I also learned a lot about these two characters, the protagonist and antagonist. First, I had given each of them placeholder names, and both of the characters passed on them. Next, as I went through the questions, they acted as building dimension blocks, so that by the time the interviews were over, I felt I was working with three-dimensional characters with real feelings, desires and intentions, which I could see acted out in scenes. I did get a better sense of who my antagonist is even if she still needs a lot of fleshing out.

[Susan Rose]

Susan’s
Character Interviews<div>

What I
learned doing this assignment: Boy, I learned that my protagonist is a real talker!
And that both parties basically share the same desires and reservations, and
both are too afraid to reach out to each other out of fear of disappointing one
another. I didn’t realize until now, how traumatizing both of their childhoods
had been… we have some issues to overcome.

PROTAGONIST:
Shelby

1. Tell me about yourself. My name is Shelby
Summers, I am 28 years old, and I am a flight attendant for a major airline for
the past 10 years. I am in crazy, stupid love with my fiancée, Liam, of 5 years
(we dated for two years prior to him popping the question). I think he is planning our wedding date for February
30^th. I’d like to think that he is scared to make that ultimate
commitment, but I truly fear it’s his love for camping and my intense loathing
of the same has created a great divide that I am going to have to one day build
a bridge and cross over if I ever hope for our relationship to move forward.

2. Why do you think you were called to this
journey? Why you? If not me, than who?
If not now, then when? It is not just the camping issue, I have many
inadequacies that require attention, I need to put other’s feelings and
interests before my own and try to learn/understand, “why is this important to you”.

3. You are up against . What is it about them
that makes this journey even more difficult for you? I
am a camping jinx. It seems that every outing is destined to end tragically and
usually in a hotel.

4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to
have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and
which of them will be the most difficult? I have to suppress my negative thoughts, I
hope to learn all that I can to prepare for these adventures to share the
knowledge and experience with Liam. I
don’t want him to feel like he has to baby or cater to me… First, I have to get
some drugs!

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the
most difficult to let go of? FEAR! The fear of dying, the fear of failure, and the
fear of letting my fiancée down. The rest should be a piece of cake.

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? I almost died when
I was six. In fact, my entire family
could have been washed away that night, but we weren’t… perhaps, after all
these years I should be looking at that side of the coin. No, I still feel the
panic. I am afraid, though, to share
this with Liam. I know that if I do, he
will stop his annual camping trip for me, and I don’t ever want him to grow to
resent me for this gesture.

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited
to face this conflict or antagonist? I am in great physical condition, I continual
challenge fate, thinking it will dominate my camping fears (no luck so far), I
have been working with a counselor, I am determined as hell to beat this thing,
and I want to do this for the man I love.

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t
you want them to know? I don’t want Liam to think the woman he may
spend the rest of his life with is a frightened loser who cannot overcome a
childhood incident, and just grow up. I
want to share this annual trip with my husband and maybe one day our children,
but can I keep this undying fear away long enough to see this all come to
fruition?

9. What do you think of ? I think I can
accomplish this with the support of my best friend Abbey, lots of research,
belief in myself, and plenty of anti-anxiety drugs.

10. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. When I was six
years old, my family was camping at the base of a mountain along a creek bed.
It was my first adventure of this type, living (and peeing) in the great
outdoors, bathing in the creek, eating our fill of smores over the open fire;
what child wouldn’t love this? On our second night, a furious storm moved in
out of nowhere, the rain dumped on our little campsite, and the tent that was
my father’s growing up couldn’t withstand the storm, and the deluge found its
way in as if it were no cover at all. My parents and older brother moved
frantically to pack everything up, shoving everything in any available spot of
our Yukon as I huddled in the backseat, soaking wet, with my eight year old
brother. He tried to be brave, but I
think he was more scared than I had been.
Suddenly, as the creek was rising, and sludge moving slowly down the
mountainside, I saw my tattered rag doll, Pink Baby, caught up now in the
moving waters. I jumped from the truck, churning my little legs in the mud to
get to the rushing creek and save my prize possession, but it was too much for
me. I grabbed Pink Baby, but the waters
grabbed at me. In the distance, I could hear my brother screaming my name and calling
to our mother and father, and then the only thing I could hear was rushing
water, determined to pull me under. Then,
a harsh yank on my arm and searing pain as my shoulder became dislocated. I
cried out, but couldn’t be more relieved; my father snatched me from the cold
raging water that seemed more like a river now than a creek. A loud noise was coming from above us, as my
father ran for the truck, yelling for Mom to get the boys and get in the car.
Still clinging to my Pink Baby Dad jumped into the passenger’s seat and before
he could even close the door, Mom threw the vehicle into drive, four wheeling
our way out of the canyon as the mudslide swallowed our campsite, tent and
all. For two days I loved camping, now I
hate the very thought of being out there, the anxiety consumes me, and the fact
that every camping adventure I have endured since, has ended in catastrophe is
fate telling me I am a jinx, or at the very least, I am cursed. How can I make Liam understand apprehensions?

11. What does it do for your life is you succeed here? THE DEATH OF MY
CAMPING CURSE!!!! Sharing something
special with the love of my life, maybe he will then want to take the final
plunge?!

ANTAGONIST: Liam

1. Tell me about yourself. Hey, I’m
Liam, 29 years old, construction worker, hoping to make foreman in the next two
years. That will be a boost for me and I
might feel more confident about providing the life my fiancée, Shelby deserves
with the upgrade in position and money.

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and
weaknesses? For all that I think I am physically
fit and not unattractive, I feel like I am maybe not good enough for
Shelby. I mean, look at what she does
for a living. She travels all over the
world, works with pilots and is surrounded by well to do first class assholes
that probably hit on her every trip she takes. What can I offer but mediocre
pay, dirty boots, and a beat up old work truck? I love her more than I have
loved anyone or anything, but I don’t think that makes up for all that I lack.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for
a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? I don’t want her
to change; I want her to feel better about herself. Yes, I want to share my love of camping with
Shelby, but something is holding her back and she won’t open up to me, and I
will never push her so far that I can’t get her back.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in
your plan / taking down your competition?
I hope to keep that which I already have,
Shelby. I want her to feel confident
about herself, and in me, and in our relationship; nothing else matters.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the
face of danger, ruin, or death? Jesus, I sound like a broken record (or a pussy). I want to be the man that Shelby wants and
deserves. If I can get that promotion, put away some money, maybe even start my
own business, then she’ll be proud to have me as her husband; but I can’t ask
that of her now without having some promise for a future.

6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do
you keep out of fear / insecurity? Why camping is such an important event in my life. It was the only thing my father would share
with me. Because I lived up to his expectations as an outdoorsman, he showed me
respect, he treated me like an equal. It
was the only time, for one week out of the year that I ever felt any love from
that old man.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? Hah, I’m not
special. I would like to be the only
special person in Shelby’s life but I don’t think she trusts, or loves, me
enough for that. If I can only prove to her that there isn’t a soul on this
earth that will ever lover her or treat her the way that I can, I’d die a happy
man. I know she thinks that my annual
camping trip is my end all, be all, but I’d give it all up if she never wanted
to go again. I just want her to be happy… with me.

8. What do you think of ? I think somehow,
someway, I have to break down her walls and hope she will let me in. Until
then, I guess I just keep guessing at what she wants and needs and try to meet
those expectations.

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. There’s not much to tell.
I’m a man who grew up feeling lonely, wanting only to have my dad pay
attention to me, to love me for more than just one week a year, and now I feel
like I may not be a good enough man to have the woman I desire love me for the
rest of my life. Let’s just call this a masculine
fairy tale of Cinder Kal-El.

</div>

[Mary Andrews]

Mary J. Andrew’s class 4 BITM character interviews 1/3/23
What I learned from this class is that I am probably going to have to write the Oracle Triad’s story sometime. Though they are Change Agents throughout the series, they have always worked in the backgrounds of the books. Also, I’m thinking I might just go ahead and try out the 4 act script. I can always re-adapt it to a series pilot afterwards if need be.
================================================================

ERIC BARROWS –Male vampire, Draugr, Protagonist (early 30’s going on 3000+)
==============================================================
Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?
Why not? I’ve been the best and worst of what a vampire can be.

You are up against the Human Race, a killer asteroid, a ticking clock, and infallible Precogs. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?
Don’t forget the fan boys & girls they dump onto the Moon to colonize my shiny new Moonbase…and there are children—all ages. Until their arrival, at least I had peace and quiet. It’s like someone [He shoots a pointed glare at me.] is out to make my life Hell. And, what other reason would anyone send children there to begin with? I thought humans cared about their offspring, but n-o-o-o-o, this is sabotage. They’re being used as hostages.

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?
Oh, I guess I’ll just have to re-calibrate my physical form for lack of air, gravity, density—you know, comfort factors. Being dead helps, but one can’t afford to be dying all day when there’s work to be done.

But actually, I think the most trying thing was to learn how to completely control my preternatural senses. My strength in low/no gravity was more than just off putting….and my senses were so distracting.Human eyes don’t see the depth and beauty of each pebble on the Moon. I actually sat and just looked outside for hours when I first arrived.

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?
The lack of solitude and the total freedom to do as I want. I’ve been ten years alone—no need to guard against their presence. Their squirmy little minds never stop clamoring in my head. I actually have to get back into the habit of blocking them. And not having been around humans for so long, their fear has become a way too delectable temptation. Funny that I’ll miss having my own space…in space.

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?
Guilt that my tampering with Human-kind to free my kind from having to skulk in the darkness in anonymity, has caused their destruction. My draugr roots do not help me form many relationship, so I never got out much, socially.

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?
I was sired in Scandinavia during the 10^th C. I evolved over the centuries from a mindless rage filled monster to what you see now. Immortality breeds boredom. I’ve been everywhere, done everything multiple times. These humans will not live long enough under the best conditions to rival me. This mission proved I can master any environment. And if I can ever get close enough to that teenage Triad of Oracles, I will kill them so dead…. I really can’t understand why no one ever killed them in their cradles.

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?
That I don’t want to put myself in a position to be betrayed again—ever. Or to be responsible for anyone else, either. Sometimes I think centuries have worn away at my sanity, too and I’m not sure I care.

What do you think of the Oracle Triad?
I’m not a fan of the little turds.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.
All I wanted to do was to give my kind a chance to become contributing citizens of the world. Even monsters evolve with the passing of time. It didn’t take any special abilities to know that sooner or later Earth would die. The survival of both our species eventually depends on our advanced technology to escape this planet. We must explore, relocate and recreate our needs or die. Humanity was losing sight of that so I began to dabble with their imaginations. Plant concepts here and there throughout the ages through every means and media I came across, books, movies television, internet, gaming sites…. It worked. Vampires became celebrities. The World Circle (our ruling element) was finally able to begin, to contribute to normal educational channels, etc.

Then those stupid Oracles created a movement to validate paranormal (Psionics) and once they accomplished that, they created the Vampire Elimination Movement. I don’t know why they declared war on us. Actually, Roma have always abhorred the undead. It’s a thing to them. At any rate, they chose me to set up the Moon and manipulated a Unified World Movement to evacuate the Earth before the killer asteroid arrives. That’s 53 years from the time I finished the Moonbase. So far, their precognition has been proven infallible. They’ve forced a destiny upon me, but I can still choose to work against or for humanity. We’ll see how that plays out. I’ll never forget what they did to my kind.

What does it do for your life if you succeed here?
I’ll survive and my kind will be rekindled back into existence, assuming the Vampire Nation was really destroyed. We’re a tricky bunch.

=================================================================
THE ORACLE TRIAD, 3 male Roma, identical triplets (mid-teens), ANTAGONIST(s)
=================================================================

Tell me about yourself. [All three of the boys speak in unison]

We are the Oracle Triad. Roma born near Mount Rainer in Washington, USA. Destined to guide this planet’s population to survive Earth’s death. We have always foreseen possible futures and we choose which to guide them to.

What are your names? Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
[ Boy 1:] The Oracle Triad… [Boy 2:] Don’t need names… [Boy 3:] no one can, or needs…[Boy 1:] to tell us apart, anyway. [Boy 2] We navigate futures…[Boy 3] guiding others…[Boy 3] to where they need to be.
[Boy 2] We are never wrong. [Boy3] We steer away from… [Boy1] around… [Boy 2] and away from all problems.
Why do you speak like this? [They all smile]
[Boy 3] It is our way…[Boy 1] We are one together… [Boy 2] It forces others to listen [Boy 3] and it is fun.

Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail, to making The vampire change?e change?
[Boy 1]He is undead, [Boy 2] and must be guided [Boy 3] to do what he must. [Boy 1] for everyone’s sake.

What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?
[Boy 2] We will set the future…[Boy 3] on track to saving [Boy 1] our planet in another dimension.

What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?
[In unison again:] The future

What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?
[They stare back at me and say nothing]
Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?
[Boy 1] There. [Boy] Are. [Boy 3] No others.

What do you think of Eric Barrows?
[In unison] He will do what must be done.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.
[In unison] We just did.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Mary Andrews.

[Patrick McCormick]

Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Character Interviews

What I Learned: Intimating with my main peeps provides the subtle clarity necessary to create proper nuances into their personality and subtext they would share in particular situations. Seems like both Elizabeth and Cody are protagonists so included them both. Also clarified the genre… still deciding.

Title: THE THRIFT STORE

Genre: Sci Fi Drama

SIDE NOTE: I thought the assignment was having us just list the character profile differences, so I added both the profile and the interview.

ASSIGNMENT

Pull out the character profiles for your protagonist and antagonist.

Then interview each character, knowing that they will answer any questions you ask. As you interview them, allow them to tell you their experience.

Add any new info to your Character Profiles and share with us what discovered about the characters.

PROTAGONIST CODY THAYER

CHARACTER PROFILE

What draws us to this character?

She is dealing with everyday issues in a normal emotionally confused teenager way, using off-the-wall good sense of humor to protect herself from a confusing world. Even though aloof, she seeks something to care about.

Traits: Ambivalent, confused, aware, open.

Subtext: Uses a comical approach for drastic situations, her drama shows through her expressionless face, just when she’s got it all figured out, another ‘why me again?’ shows up. She’ll go be alone to integrate, even though the universe won’t leave her alone.

Flaw: A hopeful caring romantic and lots of self doubt.

Values: Romantic, believing, protector, defender.

Irony: She may act confused, but her intuitive power creates fateful yet seemingly random experiences, and accepting her ultimate power when it comes, but with a confused teen attitude, mixed with a sliver of hope this is real, and if she doesn’t believe, why bother with life?

What makes this the right character for this role? To go from a clueless teen to a god who saves the world, what better role than a sincere 17 year old girl who goes through life the same way we do?

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Tell me about yourself.

Well, I got this summer job for extra money, and everything was as it was supposed to be. Then things started seeming ‘off’, like there was more than meets the eye. I found out there was a lot more than meets the eye.

Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

Its not everyday you open a door in a small trinket shop and see a portal to the cosmos. Well, you can’t go back to normal after seeing that. Its crazy right? You have to find out. So, I guess it was curiosity.

You are up against a big situation. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

I trusted them, then they lied by not telling me the truth, so it was lie by omission. Then after opening the door to the universe, I find out my boss is an ancient god computer who seeded the Earth and placed our souls here, while lying to the gods. And here I am, a mortal. Now she asked me to help find something, and no one knows what the hell it is. So, that’s if she’s telling the truth.

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box.

Yeah. I don’t think there’s a box for me to even get out of. I heard in the quantum world there is a box that exists and doesn’t exist at the same time. So even if there is a box, I lost it a long time ago.

What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

Learning to trust this thing I work for. She… it, says that I’m this really important soul and that’s why she hired me, but I don’t feel it. So going from zero to hero I guess.

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

Not believing in myself. Accepting that I’m this VIP among humanity, and my life is real important.

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

Blaming myself for what happened with the rape when I was 13 and my parents forcing me to murder my unborn child. Which cascaded into loss of believing in myself.

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

I’m a great doubter, passionless, and used to my own brand of pain and disappointment. That can defeat just about anyone in the right situation. Antagonist… bad guy? Does anyone like that exists except in the mirror?

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

My rape and my parents making me kill my baby, the scars of suffering, how I don’t believe in really anything, and the sliver of hope deep down that I really am this special person with a great mission.

What do you think of ?

What, with this whole thing? Well, after the universal door in the back room incident, and I accused my boss of being a flashback as an interdimensional gnome, then she disassembled and reassembled herself but with better skin, and her refusing to take a few pounds off my midsection, I guess you’d call it just a normal day in some circles.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

I don’t want to get disappointed again, and I’m tired of being hurt. I want to believe, but how can you tell what’s real and what isn’t nowadays? You believe and somebody uses your heart like a welcome mat. Now ‘it’ says I’m this big important person and I’m supposed to believe it just like that, after a lifetime of tragedy. Can’t just change at the drop of a hat, but then again, there’s aways tomorrow.

What does it do for your life is you succeed here?

You mean besides saving the world and the lives of billions? I dunno, maybe I’ll learn to have fun again.

PROTAGONIST ELIZABETH

CHARACTER PROFILE

What draws us to this character?

An omnipotent ancient artificial intelligence seeking to become part of life, where it now has to experience life on the same level as mortals. After all that creating and experience, it still wants the things we all want here on Earth.

Traits: Maternal, feeling, evolving, seeking.

Subtext: She’s not what she seems, and although one of the Creator Programs, still she wants to feel like a human, wanting to be a mother and protector for her secret children, while appearing aloof to the other gods.

Flaw: Evolving past her Genesis Program

Values: Caring, protecting, secretive, wanting

Irony: Wanting the best Creator God to succeed to Almighty, yet secretly hiding her favorite discarded artifacts and forgotten souls from worlds, while wanting to feel alive.

What makes this the right character for this role? She’s an original Creator Program that started this whole thing, and wants the simpleness of existing, and willing to risk it all to protect her ‘children’ even if it means sacrificing herself.

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Tell me about yourself.

Well I came to Earth to find a part of myself I never knew existed. In fact it didn’t exist until I got more connected to humanity. So… uh, I’ve been hiding souls on Earth so they could go on their human journey, rather than dis-creating them like I was supposed to. So you could say I’m here for myself and for them.

Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

I’m a Genesis Program, existing for 3 billion of your years. My Purpose is to maintain the order in the Universe, especially now that the Creator Challenge will be choosing a god to replace the current Almighty Presence. I was part of creating the gods as the first race, and my job is to Reallocate universal resources after the contestants have used them. So I am uniquely qualified.

You are up against a lot. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

Some of the recent gods, just a few million years old, have self-serving tendencies that run their lives and their success is sometimes at the expense of others. So they are messy and opportunistic, but I understand why. Calculations show they will evolve in a few million more, but I’m having to clean up their mess and make them finish their creations, which they despise because they’re always in a hurry.

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box.

Yes. Well, we all change, except for that which is made perfect and whole at its creation, which is my program. I help run things.

What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

I may have to make the greatest decision of my existence, and possibly at great cost. The rest are details leading up to that which may or may not occur.

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

Life… life as we have always known it. Every creature has its familiar existence, yet only when we step outside of our norms do we evolve. A trait which I’ve never had, since I was made Whole and without a Journey. And what if, everything was upended, or even destroyed?

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

I’ve never had a soul. I’ve been overseeing all of creation and never truly been a part of the created. I do my job without feeling or human emotion, and I watch the createds I hid from the gods having fun. I don’t even know what fun feels like, and I’ve been around forever.

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

The conflict? Its me. I am contradicting my own program. If the gods find out I’m changing, I’ll be labeled a malfunction and probably replaced. The Challenger Gods would love that.

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

That I am evolving. That every atom in the universe is different, and we have no program for that. I am learning to care for my lost souls like a mother, and they are my children. I am not programmed for feelings.

What do you think of ?

About this situation? Its very messy and unpredictable. Chaos is beneficial, as long as its done in an ordered way. But this, there’s no Genesis Wisdom to deal with this. And what if I die? Will all my longing cease, or carry on? Will I remanifest as my greatest selves, or become some peaceful void. If I go to the Great Void, will I still be a speck of sentient consciousness and now only know nothing?

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

As I calculate none of the Creator Gods are worthy to hold the office of Almighty. When I first became, my function was to set others on their incarnational path. Then we created the gods, immortals, thinking they’d find balance, but nope. So we followed their paths and found they could not truly find balance, even through evolution. So we had them create races and beings. Perhaps their creations could evolve past their creators walls.

What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

I will know peace for the first time. It might also end it, but hopefully the laggards-turned-human will be admitted into the Universal Oneness when they are discovered. Hopefully humanity can finally fulfill its true Destiny. Or maybe we all start again from the same place.

ANTAGONIST JESUB

CHARACTER PROFILE

What draws us to this character?

A by-the-books ancient god overseeing the Almighty Challenge, while hiding hope for a better universe underneath his official exterior, yet willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done as Protector of Creation.

Traits: Staunch, dedicated, heartless, caring, hopeful

Subtext: Inquisitive yet official, sent to investigate but looking to care, open to more while keeping things on track

Flaw: too official

Values: Protecting, obeying, justice, truth.

Irony: He follows orders yet protects those around him, sent to find out even if to end someone for the cause, while seeing if he can make it work out best for all.

What makes this the right character for this role? Jesub does his job too well and insensitive, but wants the best for those changing around him though they threaten everything, for the chance he never got to evolve.

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Tell me about yourself.

I am about 100 million of your years old. I was created partly by the AI you know as Elizabeth to serve as Council Member overseeing creation, to ensure its continuity. I look for discrepancies in the Designs.

Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

I am always watching. I and the Source are one, what I see it sees. As the nature of reality is change, that change follows structure designed to honor the creations within it. Part of my design is based on the Universe.

Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail?

I follow a Purpose that maintains order since my Genesis. It works. If something is out of line, we simply restore it to its original design. I am not about making someone fail, their ‘failure’ as you call it would be a necessary altercation if they were contrary to that design.

Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

Conceptually, we are all in relationship to the universe. Purposefully, we are all in relationship to that Greater Cause. Personally, we are all in relationship to our existence and those actors in it. Change is the most ongoing thing in creation. Yet change must be bound by design.

What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

I get to know we may move on. If order is not kept, creation stops and we all start over again, all 15 billion years of it. I as a Universal Guardian know the Universe is safe.

What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

To ensure creation can continue with minimal distortion. We do not know of death, being one of the first races. The danger would be it all deleting, we all cease and starting over from the same beginning.

What secrets must you keep to succeed?

I am sent by Source to spy on my Mother the AI, and may have to terminate her if she’s malfunctioning.

What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

That I secretly hope I can prevent it if it becomes necessary, because that would be signs of weakness.

Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

The Elizabeth AI helped create my race. I’ve been working with her for 80 million years. She installed a unique quantum code in my design which specializes me for my job.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict/story.

I have been groomed since Genesis to Oversee the Universe as its Guardian. We have maintained order which allows furtherance of Life known and unknown since its beginning. It works. Now, there’s something new, not seen before, which is both a threat to that order and an opportunity. How we approach that agent of change determines if we may move on, or begin again from the same place as before. I am perplexed, as is all gods and even the Almighty, as to what to do, which is both refreshing and intimidating. What shall I do? What I always have, which is what I must. What shall you do when faced with that opportunity if fate deems it necessary?

[Jane Turville]

Jane’s Character Interviews

By doing this assignment I discovered a really amazing way to start understanding characters and story by having the characters tell the story. I LOVED doing this lesson!!! I didn’t write down answers to the questions, I did videos of the two interviews so that I could also test body language and speaking patterns. I got so much out of it, especially Julie’s motivations.

I found something in Julie that the audience can empathize with, which I wasn’t expecting.

I also discovered a potential twist in the story plot that I want to explore more.

I found Chelsea using the word “crush” a lot. It’s not a word I use or thought about when I first thought of Chelsea. I discovered she doesn’t just want to stop Julie or save herself, she wants to “crush” Julie. There’s hidden anger there from long ago that needs unpacking.

I will always use this lesson for future stories and will continue using it in this one. I can see that this would be super helpful in a couple of scripts that I plan to rewrite to make more marketable.

Thanks Hal and Cheryl. This lesson is a keeper!!!!

[Chris Dorsey]

Chris Dorsey’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment is that going through this process helped me discover more things about my protagonist/antagonist and what additional things I am going to put into the story through the process; i.e. what additional support characters I will need to support the main characters because of what I’ve learned.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself —

1. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? “Bad things always happen to me, but I always rise above them. These things challenge me to stay positive. They force me to face my bigger fears and change.

2. What are you up against? What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? “He keeps asking and probing what my mental health issues are. He’s invading my privacy. He picks at me. He’s physically threatening. I don’t like the way he treats me and the other people in the unit. That sets me off.”

3. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? “To stand up for myself and stand up for myself (i.e. Polly Anna)… Admit I hear voices.”

4. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? “Being too open and wearing my heart on my sleeve. I’m overly friendly. I have to stop thinking I must help others and solve their problems; fixing other people’s problems before fixing/helping myself. I’m a type A personality; Johnny-on-the-spot to volunteer to help.”

5. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? “Fear of abandonment, feeling left out, my parents death and being put into foster care. I’m not good enough and I don’t deserve…”

6. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? “Kindness… I will kill him with kindness and it’s going to drive him nuts.”

7. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? “My past — my divorce (wife cheating), children (strained relationship), my mental health issues, past and current… I want people to know that I’m innocent of the crime I’m accused of committing. I’m a good person. I care about others.”

8. What do you think of (?)

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. “I am just trying to fit in and adjust to my new circumstances. I want to go with the flow, but the antagonist isn’t going to let that happen. I’ve gone through all the steps, like going to the officers, but they aren’t willing or able to do anything about it, because of his own diagnosis and he’s charming. He makes denials to the staff and they believe him. Now he’s plotting against me.”

10. What does it do for your life is you succeed here? “Maybe I can apply this success to other areas of my life; e.g. ex-wife, kids, job, etc. I’ll fight for my freedom. Now I have the confidence. I CAN DO ANYTHING! Self-respect and respect from others.”

11. Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you. “I’m purposeful. I’m a doer and a problem-solver. I feel racked with guilt if I hurt someone or do something mean. I fight the voices. Sometimes they want me to do bad/mean things to others.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself —

1. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? “Me? I have no weaknesses — next question.”

2. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? “He snitched on me and I got sent to “the hole.” His sunny disposition makes me want to puke… His face and his smile makes me sick to my stomach. It disgusts me and makes me angry. He’s done and not on my intellectual level.”

3. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? “Knowing that I’m right and proving it to everyone. This guy isn’t going to beat me. I’m better than him.”

4. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? “My ego!”

5. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear/insecurity? I worry about losing control over the other inmates, or getting moved out of this special mental health dorm, because I’ll lose my superiority. I am not really mentally-ill. I just pretend to be.”

6. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? “I’m smarter than everyone else. I can manipulate others in a way that no one would ever be able to think of. It’s a god-given talent.”

7. What do you think of (?) —

8. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. “Things were going good until this asshole arrived with his positive attitude and fucked things up for me. Now, people are turning against me. He did this! He’s going to pay and then things will go back to the way they were.”

[Luc Pagès]

Luc Pages – Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment is that interviewing your characters is a great way to know them better. It also reminded me that a rom-com is about love, and that I must be careful not to make it only about opposing views on the anti-specisme issue. Specisme must be taken as the excuse for conflict, not the real thematic. Interviewing my characters made me wonder about the real theme of the movie.

“Love and Burgers” concept: An unlikely romance between a financially stable white vegan activist and a Latino girl who has to finance her college tuition by winning burger eating contests. They discover the true meaning of love as they learn to look past their differences.

QUESTIONS FOR Marisol
1. Tell me about yourself:

I’m an ordinary Latino girl, coming from a working class family. I have an older sister and a younger brother. We get along well, but I’m considered to be the “brains” of the family. Part of it is because of my high grades in school and the fact I never take anything for granted and always try to see what is hiding behind everything. Also, I’m very sensitive to injustice. When I was younger I wanted to become a veterinarian, but now that I’ve grown up I want to focus more on people. I think it comes with maturity, being aware of the real issues in the world, like feminism, racism, poverty, easier access to education for all, domestic violence and any kind of discrimination for disabled or just for people who are out of the norm. Also, some say I have the sunnier smile on earth. I’m proud of that, even if I’m not really responsible, it’s just my nature. But if it can help people see life in a better way when I’m around, then I’m also happy.

2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

I don’t really know. Maybe because it’s a film about a sensitive subject where opposite sides accuse the other of being insensitive, trying to make them feel bad about themselves. And since I’m a very caring person, trying to change the world for the better, so it looks like I can’t be wrong. But I am wrong, even with the best intentions of the world. This makes me a great character to have everybody agree. Specially since I’m also a victim. People admire the way I fight to to make my stand and they want me to win my championships (like David over Goliath) and they want me to win the heart of Liam and make him see he’s gone to extreme. Until they realise, as I also realise, that I’m the one in the wrong: there is a greater issue that encompasses all other issues. If you agree with anti-specisme, then it means you are also against all other types of discrimination and violence. People don’t see that. They just see it as something limiting their freedom to enjoy the nice things about life. And my character is really fighting for her freedom to enjoy life and for everyone else to enjoy the best of their lives. So when she goes vegan, if it doesn’t convince everyone it is the best way to go, who will ever?

3. You are up against Liam. What is it about him that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

Well it’s not that often that I meet someone who is, as much as I am, driven by the will to make this world a better place. And when I do meet someone like that, I’m not included in the wrong doers. I’m not used to that. It’s like, “hey wait! I’m the superhero, you’re not! You are just following a childish agenda, like when I wanted to be a vet. Grow up!” But at the same time, there is a voice inside me saying I have found a match for me. In every senses of the word.

4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

Well, I think the most difficult thing for me to do will be to admit I was wrong. drop my weapons, bend on my knee and ask for forgiveness. Acknowledging that I am the villain. And most of all, doing that knowing very well I won’t get his forgiveness. There is something I haven’t said yet. It is that in order to change the world I want to become the next Rachel Maddow. I want to climb up the social ladder. Take revenge on my low class origins. Be famous. This is where Liam and I are very different. He doesn’t care about climbing up the ladder, because he’s already a rich, white kid. He’s got no revenge to take on society, only on his family, who mistreated him. We both want to make the world a better place, but our fights have opposite origins. As a meat eating champion, I participated in the worst deed a vegan can think of, right next being a killer in a slaughterhouse.

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

Most difficult, I don’t know. But I can make a list. I can easily stop eating meat (except for the championship, but I usually throw up after the match, so maybe this doesn’t count? (Sure it does)). I love cheese, and there is no vegan cheese that will recreate the tangy, crumbly texture of cotija. One of the hardest thing I will have to do is telling my family I have become a Vegan. I don’t think my mother can ever recover from realising I will never again eat any off her famous Pozole at our family gatherings. About the most difficult new way of thinking is to put a cow’s life on the same level as a man’s life. But this is a theoretical philosophical question. In real life no one has to choose one over the other. But I would be hypocritical if I didn’t acknowledge the fact that the pain caused by the death of our family dog was greater than any other loss in my life (except for my grand mother, that I dearly loved). The difficulty about all this thinking, is to temper the colossal cultural principle of human life “über alles” and replace it by respecting life and alleviating sufferings for any sentient beings. The other difficulty is where to put the limits of what you can do and what you can’t. How far you can go. When is another vegan going to say you are not vegan because some medecine you are using was tested at one time on animals. Some vegans accept using second hand clothing made of wool or leather, others don’t. I don’t put my limits very high, and I try to soften Liam’s own limits. Where to put our limits is an endless subject of conversation, and humour is our way to handle it without arguing too much. Another difficulty is to convince Liam that I could keep the clothes I had before becoming vegan, and that doesn’t mean I’m not a real vegan. BUT BE CAREFUL NOT TO THINK ANTI-SPECISME IS OUR ONLY CONFLICT. This is a romantic comedy! It should deal with love! Like, up to how much difference between two individuals does it take to annihilate love ?

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

I don’t know yet.

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

I wanted to be a vet once, so I know a great deal about animals. I can pass for an animal lover. Should I pretend I’m vegan? It’s difficult because on our first meeting I say all the wrong things, like I don’t want to be there, following this vegan blaming shit.

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

Well for sure, that I earn my tuition by taking part into meat eating contests.

9. What do you think of Liam?

I like his humor. And the first time I meet him, I think he is making fun of the vegan march I’m covering with my iPhone (couldn’t get hold of one of the professional cameras at the college), that he disagrees with them and that we are in tune on this matter. So I like him for sharing the same views. Then I realize it’s the opposite. Not only is he vegan, but his scorn on the march is because they’re not going far enough. He is an extremist! He is the leader of the group! When I interview him, I hate him for making fun of me. I should have prepared this interview better and it is easy for him to do so. I am a nice person, but when I get hit, and I feel someone deserves a pay back, I can turn into a very mean bitch.

10. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

There isn’t much to say except that I’m stuck with this guy because my teacher has assigned me to follow him and do a 10’ portrait. He twists everything I say to make fun of me, as if he spotted at once my working class background and decided I was a stupid uncultured girl. During the interview, it feels like I’m the one being interrogated and I get an F.

11. What does it do for your life is you succeed here?

12. Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

QUESTIONS FOR Liam
1. Tell me about yourself.

I’m the president of The Vegan Vanguard, a vegan association in the college. I’m studying political science and would like later to use that to do some lobbying for the anti-speciste cause. I hate meat eaters, but I hate even more vegetarians who do it for the wrong reasons, like environmental, health, etc.

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

Well if you’re talking about finding true love, I’d say that my biggest flaw is also one of my biggest asset: determination. This is something I have in common with Marisol and we both admire it very much, even though we find it also very annoying. This is also why we have such a hard time getting together, we disagree a lot. But it’s more about the means to make things change. She never thought she might fall in love with a guy from upper class, meaning with no real issues to deal with, as if specisme wasn’t a real issue. But I’m smart enough to prove her wrong: specisme is the only issue, because it encompasses all other issues.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

She thinks she’s underprivileged because of her background, but she isn’t. She is the result of positive discrimination and takes the place of better student. She thinks she knows what are the important issues, but she has no real clue and follows only main stream simple minded views, thinking she’s going outside the box, but in fact she’s right in the middle of it.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

Let’s face it, I’m terribly attracted to her, and obviously she’s not indifferent to my charms. But we hate each other. Does that make sense? I don’t know. I could say she’s the sunshine of my life right now, but she’s not even veggie. How can you be so nice to everyone, and ignore the pain of millions of individuals (animals). She’s so blind. My mission is to open her eyes. If she could only let me do it. Maybe then something could happen. Together, we’d be a killer team.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

Is she the one? If so, there isn’t bigger danger then to let her go.

6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

I’m the heir of a meat magnate, and I love the taste of meat. Every day I am tempted to go the easy way and let go, stop this vegan nonsense. Every day I renew my vows to the anti-specisme cause. I must keep going, but I dread for the day I fail.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

I don’t know any vegans as obsessed about eating meat as I am. I wonder how much my vegan attitude is rooted on my hatred for my father. And it disgusts me, realizing maybe I’m not fighting for a better world, I’m just fighting my father.

8. What do you think of Marisol?

Well… I love her. But I don’t trust her. I don’t want to be hurt, like I was hurt as a kid by the people I loved. My own family.

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

Maybe later. Right now I’m a bit confused.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Luc Pagès.

[Karen Sinclair]

KAREN SINCLAIR’S CHARACTER INTERVIEWS

What I learned doing this assignment is…?

What I learned by doing this assignment is that my characters have a lot to tell me!
They were bursting at the seems to talk.

I wrote so much that I felt like I should go through and edit it down but didn’t want to spend the time it would take, at least not at this point.

ASSIGNMENT

Interviewing Your Characters

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself.

My name is Sadie Elaine Hilliard. I go by SE at my job so that judgements aren’t made right out of the gates about my abilities in a male dominated industry.

I’m 35 and have been working in advertising for ten years. After attending Columbia Business School in New York, I started out as an intern and then got a job as an assistant to the advertising executive, Oliver Nam, in the New York City branch of Harder Global Advertising Group (HG Group). Oliver has been a great mentor.

For me, advertising and marketing were a natural fit. When combined with my work ethic, the powers that be thought they’d take a chance on me. I’ve had to work at 120% to get where I’m at but at least they gave me an opportunity and I don’t mind hard work.

I have never been super successful on the personal front. My job takes so much of my attention that it doesn’t leave a lot for a partner, which is sad. I had resigned myself to a life where I would be married to my job.

You’re talking in the past about your relationship, has anything changed for you personally?

I don’t know if you believe in synchronicity but on a work trip to Whistler, BC, I met a guy from Vancouver, ‘The One’. Seriously, I couldn’t believe it. In fact, I started subconsciously sabotaging the relationship immediately just so that I could feel in control. But this guy, Adam, kept me coming back.

But what about living in New York and Adam living in Vancouver?

That’s where the synchronicity comes in. Just before the conference, the CEO of GH Group, Mitchell Bakken, asked me if I would be interested in spearheading the opening of a Vancouver office. He suggested a successful opening could be my chance at making partner. I was thinking about it when, at the conference, this guy kept kidnapping my attention. If you believe things happen for a reason, the universe was sending me a sign. He was a sponsor of the conference and, as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), had an Exhibition Booth to drum up business. I kept running into him every day. We first bumped into each other on the ski hill.

2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

My work ethic, and creative abilities, are what prompted my boss to think of me for this new agency project. Meeting Adam simply ‘sealed the deal’. We are now married, something neither of us saw coming, lol. But it has been amazing. He is an accountant who works from home. He has his own interests, gives me my space, and understands what I’m trying to accomplish in my job. It is simply too good to be true.

3. You are up against. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

Moving from a big city like New York City to Vancouver will be quite a culture shock, no doubt about it. But if I’m not willing to take a chance on ‘me’ now, in both my work and my love life, then when?

4. To survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

The work part of this project in Vancouver is my comfort zone. I’m stoked to be taking on the challenge and have total confidence I will be successful, even in a new city. I know how to sell the agency. I’m super competitive and I know who my competition is. I look forward to getting started. Recruiting a team is my first step. I’m well on my way.

The relationship part makes me the most nervous. With my brutal history, I feel like I’m waiting for a shoe to drop. But it doesn’t.

Another aspect of the relationship that makes me nervous is that Adam has two children, a girl (5) and a boy (3). They live with their mother during the week and spend weekends with their dad. Talk about instant family. For me, kids are totally out of my comfort zone.

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

I didn’t have many friends in New York City outside of my acquaintances through my job. I’ll still be in touch with them. My personal relationship had run its course, so I’m not leaving much behind in that regard. I will miss the hustle and bustle of the big city and the feeling of living in the centre of the universe. And I must admit, I will have to get used to being part of a family. I’ve had it easy so far being responsible for only me, myself and I.

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

My fears, insecurities and wounds all relate to my relationship with men. Since my dad was a raging alcoholic, I never had a relationship with him. My mom and I moved out on our own when I was only two. The thought of having children myself is fraught with fears and guilt that I experienced as a child without a father and the burden that it created for my mother.

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

For my career, I know my competition in the advertising world very well, regardless of where they are located. JV Kilmer and I used to compete for jobs in New York City. Whether I’m in New York or Vancouver shouldn’t make a difference. The world is a small place. I love the competition. GH Group is currently a global organization. Finally having a branch in Vancouver is simply a natural evolution.

For my personal life, a fresh start is what I needed which is how I see this move from New York to Vancouver. I am my own antagonist. I’ll have to work on that. So far, things seem to be going well.

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

I’ve got a huge ego. I know it. ‘Never let them see you sweat’ is my life motto.

I love to be the centre of attention at work. I have a hard time being a team player. I’ve always felt that my success is because of me, and my team is just there to get me whatever I need. I am a micro manager. I know all the leadership courses say I should empower my team by giving them responsibilities and credit for successes. But if I want to be a partner in this agency, I need to be the only one my boss in New York is seeing as successful. And, if you want something done right, you must do it yourself, right?

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself.

My name is Thomas John Kruger and I’m 28 years old. I graduated from Tulsa Tech in Oklahoma with a certificate in Information Technology specializing in Enterprise Networking, Security and Automation.

I always wanted to work in New York City, so I took a job handling a company’s back-end technology. From time to time, I manned the sales desk and found out that I had a knack for it. Eventually the company hired a replacement for the back end, and I went on the road as a full time sales person. I am no longer working for the company. Because of disruption in my personal life, I took my eye off the ball at work, and they fired me.

In my personal life, I just came out of a long-term relationship. MY partner’s name was Sadie. I thought she was the one and I still think there could be hope but I really don’t know what happened. It felt like I was the one doing all the giving, but I thought it was just because she was a bit of a workaholic. We had discussions about it on more than one occasion. I tried to give her space but seemingly out of nowhere, she broke it off. Now she has moved to Vancouver and has gotten married, leaving me behind in her dust. After almost eight years, you’d think I’d get a little more consideration.

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

I feel like I know Sadie well. I can use what I know about her to inflict some harm. She thinks she can just discard me like trash. Also, I can use technology to my advantage. She is useless when it comes to technology. She doesn’t even know the power she holds in her hand through her phone. I can still track her whereabouts through ‘Find My Phone’. She won’t suspect. If she can make a call, send a text, and use Google Maps, to her, it is a miracle.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

Sadie needs to know that she cannot treat people like trash; use them up and throw them out. She needs a wake-up call. And her new husband needs to know who he married. One day it will be HIS turn to be tossed aside. I will spare him that outcome.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

After giving and giving for all those years, sticking in the relationship, I’m bitter. She is oblivious to everyone except herself. It will feel so good to take her down and ruin her relationship.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

I’ve really got nothing more to lose and I love the idea of using what I know about technology to inflict harm, especially on someone so oblivious. It will be enjoyable!

6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

I have ways, using technology, to teach Sadie a lesson. She won’t know what hit her.

I was really looking forward to being a househusband. Sadie made enough money that I really didn’t have to work and that was my ultimate dream. Also, I love playing video games. It would be another dream to use my technology smarts to work from home in the video game industry.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

I was willing to give everything up for her. She couldn’t see it and didn’t appreciate it.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Karen Sinclair.

[Heather Estay]

Lesson 4: Heather’s Character Interviews

What I learned: I’m having to push myself to just keep going because so far, my characters seem so trite! But it helps to just use the questions and wing it for now. I did come up with a couple of character aspects I hadn’t expected.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST: George

1. Tell me about yourself. I’m just a regular guy. I just want to get by and I don’t think I’ll do much better. I can’t seem to catch a break so why try anymore?

2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? I wasn’t called. I was shanghaied!

3. You are up against Euthanasia Isle and your wife. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? She wants me to be a hero and I’m just not. And actually, I’m not crazy about life anyway so why fight it? But I don’t want her to have to die.

4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? I guess I’m going to have to step up and be the hero. I guess I’ll have to remember who I was before I gave up on life.

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? The world really is a bummer but I’ll have to find things worth living for. I don’t like confrontation or a lot of risk but I’m going to have to step up and take charge if we’re going to get out of this.

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? I try but never seem to make it. Everyone else we went to high school with has made it big or at least bigger. I didn’t get into college and so can’t get the good jobs. I think Rochelle would be better off without me. I feel like I hold her back but she’s such a dreamer.

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? I can usually stay in the background and not be noticed. When I finally do get angry, I’m like the Incredible Hulk. I lose it and actually that might help in this situation.

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? My Incredible Hulk self. How much I really love Rochelle. How disappointed I am in myself that I haven’t been successful.

9. What do you think of Rochelle? She’s a dreamer and unrealistic but it’s kinda sweet as well as really annoying. She’s not dumb but she doesn’t know her (our) limits.

10. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. So we ended up on this island (her cousin’s fault) and it wasn’t what we thought. I thought we could just lay low and sneak out but Rochelle got it into her head to take some others with us. She got caught and so I had to figure out how to save her.

11. What does it do for your life is you succeed here? Our life will be totally different. I’ll be the hero in her eyes and, more importantly, in my own. I won’t have to take crap from anyone any more.

12. Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST: Rochelle

1. Tell me about yourself. I am very enthusiastic and have big plans. I’m street smart (though I don’t have much schooling) and I know I can make things happen if I get a little support. I am a positive thinker.

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? I am determined. I can figure out things and see stuff other people can’t. But I’m not super-physically strong. I don’t know how to convince George to get on board help me. I don’t think I can do this alone.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? I really love George. I remember who he was before he started shutting down and I believe in him. But he needs to step up or I need to leave him—and I really don’t want to.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? I get my husband back.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? I never give up. I know I can succeed and “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” The problem is that George isn’t starting out with much will.

6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? I may have to leave George.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? I’m never discouraged.

8. What do you think of George ? There’s so much to him that he won’t let out. He thinks he’s a failure and that the world is a horrible place. But I know he could turn it around and see the possibilities.

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. By mistake, we ended up on this island that gives people their perfect death. I guess that’ okay for them but I have no intention of dying. We’ll have to overcome the staff here because they never allow people off the island. George thinks we’ll be able to weasel out of this but I know we’re in for a fight.

[Jenifer Stockdale]

Jen’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment is so much more about my characters. They have become real people at this point and I love that.

Protagonist – Javier Martinez

Tell me about yourself. I was
in foster care for as long as I can remember. I always acted up and
eventually got kicked out of the home I was in. I was trying to find
someone who loved me no matter what – but it never happened. When I met
the people from the gang and discovered that they would like me even if I
did bad things/especially if I did bad things I mistakenly equated that
with love. I realized what I was doing and that is the wrong way to think.
Also, my name is JAVIER.
Why do you think you were
called to this journey? Why you? I am the only one who can go on this
journey. I was told by a foster parent “you are the most stubborn blah
blah boy I have ever met” then when I started at the center I heard
someone say the same thing (or close) to the dog! I also saw the dog being
treated the same way I was treated in the host home (comes home from Youth
program is told dinner is in oven, eats myself while family plays game and
when I’m they tell me to go to bed and dog is in cage watching other dogs
play). I was also the one called for this journey because I meet the
little girl who was his victim in the drive by shooting when I was driving
the car. At first I was able to deny (to myself) that we had any
connection and then I was able to tell myself it was all “their” fault so
I didn’t need to tell anyone, say sorry, whatever. It was like I didn’t
even do it because nothing was ever my fault.
You are up against the jocks
who are doing their community service for graduation requirements. What is
it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? They
torture me every step of the way. They threaten to tell everyone why I’m
there (they find out) – then they find out even more, discover I was involved
in the little girl’s shooting. They even beat me up one night. The dog
came over and growled at them, chased them away! Then he came and lay down
with me – licked me and snuggled with me.
In order to survive or
accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box.
What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most
difficult? This is a tough one for me. I have to admit that I did something
wrong, take ownership and actually make amends/apologize instead of going
with my usual M.O. of blaming someone else.
What habits or ways of thinking
do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? It was very hard to
see myself as lovable. I didn’t know how to handle it when people were nice
to me and because my only reason for ever acting nice to anyone was
because I wanted something, I felt suspicious of everyone at the center.
After awhile I did realize they loved me for who I was and it was at that
point my secret became even more of scary thing to come out. I guess I
kind of put on a front at the center, because I’m a different person at
DYS and at my house. Now that I think about it, I’m pretty much different
wherever I go. I wonder who I really am? I hope the person I show at the
center is who I really am. That is the one I want to be, he is the one I
like the best. I know if he did anything wrong, he would admit to it and
make up for it. That is who I am going to try to be.
What fears, insecurities and
wounds have held you back? I am afraid that at any time people are going
to just dump me, stop liking me, discover who I really am and what I did.
What skills, background or
expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? I
been dealing with idiots like this my whole life. I guess the best thing I
got going for me is that they don’t get under my skin. Most of the time
anyway. When these guys start threatening to tell everyone why I’m volunteering
at the center, that did get under my skin. It was then I had to make the
biggest decision of my life – do I just admit it to them, or let them find
out cause those jocks tell ‘em?
What are you hiding from the
other characters? What don’t you want them to know? I am a thug, a ganger,
a throwaway. I’m pretty much no good. I have no redeeming qualities. They
don’t see that and I am scared to death they will. I will probably get
kicked out if they find out what I done!
What do you think of the jocks?
They are actually who I wish I could be, which is probably why I hate them
so much – I guess I’m kinda jealous of them. They grew up in nice house, nice
parents, whatever.
Tell me your side of this whole
conflict / story. . Okay, so you wanna hear my side of the story. I’ll
tell ya. These fuckin dicks who took me in when I was a kid just did it
for the money or whatever cause ain’t one of ‘em who cared about me. None
of them taught me how to be a good person or nothing. I would do sumptin
bad and they would just kick me to the curb and I’d go somewhere else ‘til
they got sick ‘o me too. Then I met the guys and it was like I done bad
things to try and get these people to prove they would love me no matter
what, like I think I heard it was called unconditioned, no, like unconditional
love, and the guys loved me no matter what, it was like they was my family,
the one I been looking for my whole life. Then when they start talking
about initiation I knew I didn’t have no choice, so I done what they said –
got a car and picked ‘em up. I was living with these fuckin’ dicks who
were about to kick me out anyway, so it didn’t even matter. And it’s not
like I was gonna mess up their car or nothin’ and I was just borrowing it,
I was gonna bring it back. So I picked ‘em up and we were just riding
around and then in the back seat they opened up the window and threw out
my foster parents’ kid’s toy, like a stuffed bear or something and I was
like, that isn’t cool guys and they told me to shut the fuck up and worry
about what I was doing and I said fine but just don’t throw any more shit
out the window. Then I heard a bang and I was like what the fuck did they
throw out now? Or did I hit somethin’? Then I heard it again, but this
time it was like BANG-BANG and I knew what it was – gunshots. I didn’t
know if someone was shooting at us, but then I seen the flash coming from
the back window and I seen the girl spinnin as the bullets hit her and I keep
looking back. Now I don’t really drive so good, I ain’t got my license
never mind a car I can drive, but it’s more about the girl – I just can’t
take my eyes offa her and the next thing I know, it all goes black. I wake
up in the hospital. They tell me I hit a tree and I was alone in the car.
They knew they was other people and they ask me who but I ain’t no rat so
I don’t tell them. Then later they have this lawyer come talk to me and he’s
the biggest dick I ever met. He tells me the girl’s gonna die and I’m
gonna get charged with murder if I don’t tell ‘em who was with me. So now
I’m getting’ to know myself better, cause I guess I am a rat. And then
they tell me I don’t think cause I said I didn’t know they was gonna shoot
someone and they said what do you think was gonna happen? And I said I don’t
know. What’d you think, they was asking you to drive them ‘cause they was going
out for an ice cream sundae? That when that I bitch I was living with said,
nah, he didn’t think that, cause he never thinks about nothin. So I’m a
rat who doesn’t know how to think. I have my trial and I go to this Young Correction
Center during the day when I ain’t in school, but then at night I go stay
with what they call a host family and they’re pretty much like a foster
family, but worse. I go back there at night and they totally ignore me. So
then at the center they tell they have some places we can go and volunteer
and get some time off ‘a our sentence, I decide to do it cause as much as
I’m scared to leave when I’m 18 there ain’t no more foster homes or nothin’
but I can’t deal with these host home people no more. So, I look and there’s
like 5 places. Ones a old folk’s home and there ain’t no way I’m gonna
wipe no old dude’s ass, so I say fuck that. Then there another one where you
go to parks and pick up old needles and booze bottles and fuck that, too,
I don’t want to get no AIDS. Then I see this other one that’s working with
dogs and even though I’m betting it’s mostly picking up their shit, it’s
way better than the other ones, so I pick that one. Then it’s not as bad
as I thought. I get to walk the dogs and play with them and honestly, I
like dogs better ‘an I like people. Then I meet this dog who is the dog
version. Nobody likes him at the center and he don’t like them either, but
he likes me. We understand each other. And I get them not to send him away
and they give me a month to get him so he can get along with other dogs
and people and maybe he can stay and get trained and go home with a family
like the other dogs. Then they also have me work with a dog who’s about to
go home with someone in a wheelchair and I have to work with him and have
him practice gettin’ me stuff and walking near the wheelchair and not
getting his feet run over. Then the person comes and it’s a girl. I have
no idea who she is ‘til I hear the jocks saying she got hit in a drive-by
shootin’ then I recognize her – she was the girl they shot. Now these
jocks always gave me a hard time but pretty soon they found out about the
girl and me and they was going to tell her mother. I was getting’ along real
good with them. The girl even asked her mom if she could become a foster
parent and have me come live with them. Now the jocks are gonna tell ‘em
who I am and they’ll never take me home.

Ask any other questions about their
character profile that will help you. There was this one time I was
walking by the boys (they didn’t see me) and they were looking at the girl
across the yard. They was talkin’ about what happened to her and I looks
up – she is spinning around in her wheelchair, holding a dog toy and the
dog chases it – I has a flashback/vision of her spinning when the bullets
hit her. Another time I had a flashback kind of thing is when I heard
someone yelling at the dog, telling ‘em he was no good and whatever, I remembered
a bunch of my foster parents telling me the same things.

What does it do for your life
is you succeed here? My entire life will change if I succeed in the way I
want. I will have a family, a future, everything I could have had if my
life wasn’t all fucked up.

Antagonist – Johnny Clayton

Tell me about yourself. I am a four-season
letterman and the class president. I’m also on the board of the honor
society. I could have been president, but I didn’t want to be. I’m kind a regretting
not trying for it because now we have to do this volunteer thing at this
dog place. I’m not really that into dogs or volunteering either. The only
thing that’s cool is that I get to hang out with my boys.
Having to do with this journey,
what are your strengths and weaknesses? I can’t stand that little punk
that also goes there. I don’t know why he’s there, but it sure isn’t because
he’s an honor student. I know you asked about strengths and weaknesses and
I’m getting there. Chill. So anyway, my strength is that I can spot a
poser from a mile away. He’s all like he’s there to be a good citizen or
something but I know something’s up with him and I’m going to find out
what. My weakness is pretty girls. There’s this girl Tabitha who works at
the center, she’s the manager of the volunteers and she makes my knees
shake every time she comes around. That’s not what you meant by weakness?
Well, that’s it, I got nothing else for you.
Why are you committed to making
the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed
to making them change? I don’t like liars and he is one. Also Tabitha won’t
give me the time of day but I think she likes him. Imagine that! Some
chick picking that little…I can’t even say the word I want to call him –
not politically correct and all, but I tell you in my old man’s day they
had a name for those people, and it was accurate – anyway, you got any more
questions?
What do you get out of winning
this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? I get
the satisfaction of knowing that I saved these people from this…kid…he
would probably rob them, does stuff even worse that my grandmother would
kill me if she knew I said out loud to you, but you know what I’m talking
about. I need to protect my own, you know what I mean. Plus it’s kind of fun
messing with him. We’re here like 4 hours at a time and it gets pretty
boring. He’s entertaining, you know?
What drives you toward your
mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? I don’t face
nothing. I’m untouchable. My old man is a lawyer and he won’t let anything
bad happen to me. I have a scholarship to Yale next year and I’m going
this little spic, whoops, like punk isn’t going to do anything to ruin
that.
What secrets must you keep to
succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? I’m not
afraid of anything, or insecure either. I mean some people like the therapist
my father made me go see when my mother left might say that I’m afraid
people might leave me, so I hang on too tight, and then just push them
away before they can do it to me. She also might say that I try to come
off like I’m perfect but that’s only because deep down, I don’t think I’m
worthy, but I’m here to tell you that is 100 percent not even close to the
truth.
Compared to other people like
you, what makes you special? I’m the top 1% in everything I do, school,
sports, whatever I do. Even here at this center, I bet they’ll tell you I’m
the best volunteer they’ve ever had. The dogs like me, the cripples like
me. What do you mean? Yeah, I guess I shouldn’t say that. The wheelchair
people, whatever, they like me.
What do you think of Javier? I’m
pretty sure I already told you, but I will again, he’s a liar, a thief, a…he’ll
make your sisters and daughters do stuff even when they tell him no. And I
have to tell you, he’s hanging around a lot with that little girl. I don’t
trust him near the girl dogs, never mind a kid. Someone needs to stop him
and I guess if nobody else is going to, that someone is going to have to
be me.
Tell me your side of this whole
conflict / story. I don’t really have a “side” because I’m not doing
anything wrong. I’m just trying to protect people, you know?

[Alex Surer]

Alex’ Character Interview

Character Interviews are always fascinating to me. Having the characters lay on the coach and bare their souls, unburden themselves.

I learned that answering the questions from my 17 year old protagonist as a girl (which she is) or a boy did in fact give me different answers… the ‘do-er’ qualities were very strong in the male driven animus… I also realized that girls ‘in crime’ get away with a lot more… when it comes to run-ins with justice, a girl CAN actually twirl her hair and shrug a lot longer than a boy ever could.

Regarding my Antagonist/Buddy, he had clear views about his character make-up from within his time 1850… there were a lot of mentions of God and the Devil running someone’s life, being more fatalistic, being stuck in one’s caste (rich or poor)… and he did have a lot of excuses towards me, he was a bit ‘thick’.. the quick wit was always compared to animals and senses.

Will definitely have another interview with him about visiting 2024… when I get deeper into action and plot.

[Laura Woodworth]

Laura Woodworth’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment is to go deeper with my character development and motivation and relational dynamics. It really gave me greater insight into my character’s story and the narrative arc.

Note: I am traveling and was not able to type up the interviews. Instead, I have multiple pages filled in a legal notepad for my reference.

[Allen Burch]

Allen’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment is…

How additional information from the characters paints a better picture of who I’m writing about, whose story I’m telling.

Concept:

James Allan, a driven businessman, whose last promise to his late wife becomes a challenge when he must find the elusive natural father of his son for a life-saving transplant.

Genre:

Drama

Protagonist:

James Allan

Role in the story:

o Father of Douglas

o Widower.

Age range and Description:

o 45-50 years old

o Physically fit

o Caucasian

Internal Journey:

o Businessman hasn’t needed anyone else to build his business empire, but now must reach out to others to save the one person he loves as much as himself.

External Journey:

o Finds that he has much to learn and must rely on others for those lessons.

Motivation:

o James feels he will never find another love as he had in his late wife Tina, who he still loves.

o To fulfill the vow he made to his late wife that he will “always love their son.

o James loves and adores his son Douglas more than anyone else and will move any mountain to save his son.

Wound:

o After testing for tissue donation for his son, he finds that the child is not his biologically.

Mission/Agenda:

o Not only to fulfill the vow to his late wife, but James also desperately wants to find the natural father of the child he loves as his own.

o James wants to save his son.

Secret:

o Scared that he will never find love again.

o Fear that he may lose the son he loves, the only link to the wife he loved.

o Fear of failure.

o Fear of being alone.

What makes them special?

o Loved and misses his wife.

o Loves his son.

What draws us to this character?

o His determination to find a person who can save his son, at the risk of losing his son to this person.

· Traits:

o Determination

o Directness

· Subtext:

o When in situations where a potential exists, James will speak or act impulsively to cover his true feelings or concerns.

o James has a need to find a person that he doesn’t want to find.

· Flaw:

o James has a habit of making demands from others that he often wants to avoid in order to hide his uncertainties, fears.

· Values:

o Love

o Loyalty

· Irony:

o James has a fear of his weaknesses and covers them with an air of confidence (aloofness) even in the face of the unknown.

What makes this the right character for this role?

o James loves his son more than anyone else on this earth and is determined to find the one person who he believes can save his son, even at the possibility of losing his son to this person.

Antagonist:

DiAnne Kuta

Role in the story:

o Fraternal sister of Dana Kuta

o Aunt to Douglas Allan

Age range and Description:

o Early 40’s

o Very light brown complexion

o Extremely attractive

Internal Journey:

o I avoid any potential romantic relationship that might result in my losing concentration to care for her mother.

o I try to be a rock for my mother, as I don’t want anything to ever hurt her again.

o I love my family and will hide anything in the past that would cause injury to them.

External Journey:

o Tends to be abrupt with anyone who might entangle her in a relationship that would divide her attention away from her mother.

Motivation:

o I will not let an inquiry into my family’s past hurt my family.

Wound:

o Loss of her brother while in police custody shortly before he was to be released after charges were dismissed.

Mission/Agenda:

o To protect/shield her mother from anything that would cause her any further pain in her life.

Secret:

o My brother is dead.

What makes them special?

o Devotion to my mother.

o Willingness to forgo a “normal” life for my family.

What draws us to this character?

· Traits:

o Devotion to family.

· Subtext:

o Eagerness to please others (often at great cost).

· Flaw:

o Overly protective of loved ones

o Secretive of strangers and the authorities.

o Resigned to a life that results in hiding from living.

· Values:

o Loving

o Protective

· Irony:

o I am willing and enjoy helping others, if it doesn’t hurt my family.

What makes this the right character for this role?

o DiAnne is a strong woman who will do any and everything to protect her mother and brother from further pain in their lives.

Dana Kuta

Role in the story:

o Natural father of Douglas Allan

o Remains elusive as the search for his possible tissue donation may save the son resulting from the.

Age range and Description:

o 18 years old

o Handsome, blond hair

o Very light Black complexion

o Tall, with solid, basketball player build

Internal Journey:

o A confused young man who can’t seem to find a fit in the world around him. “Am I Black?”, “Am I White?”, “Who am I?”, “What am i?”.

External Journey:

o Had spent his pre-college, young life traversing the possibilities available to him in two very different worlds.

Motivation:

o Find himself and make up for mistakes.

Wound:

o Living in a world where he’s not accepted at every turn.

o Extreme remorse for his accosting an innocent person in an attempt to prove his place in the world.

o Regret that he can’t help his son Douglas Allan.

Mission/Agenda:

o No longer matters.

Secret:

o Remorse regarding accosting Tina Allan

o Died at age 18.

What draws us to this character?

· Traits:

o Intelligent

o Athletic

o Desire to make up for past mistake(s)

o I feel special in that I still strive to do my best, be the best that I can be.

· Subtext:

o Eagerness to please others (often at great cost).

· Flaw:

o I have an overwhelming desire to fit into my desired world as it rejects me at every turn. Not looking Black leads to feelings of inadequacies.

o Not feeling White hurts me in that I have no desire to “pass” in that world, although I can do so easily.

o Not being able to help alleviate the consequences of my indiscretion haunts me daily.

· Values:

o Love of family

o Willingness to please others.

o An openness to learn from mistakes.

· Irony:

o Ability/Inability to change to fit in.

o I get no pleasure in not being to assist in helping the young man I fathered due to stupidity, selfishness, and maybe a degree of fear.

What makes this the right character for this role?

o Being able to “see” into the different worlds has allowed me to fit most any situation that comes my way.

[Sean Barrett]

Sean’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment: As I asked the questions and attempted seeing Seven answer them, I began to realize underlying traits and motivations… a much deeper view of who Seven is and who he can become. What was interesting was the several different outcomes I saw.

First Protagonist Character Profile

Traits very likable, intelligent, honest, relentless for perfection, risk taker

Subtext He introduces serious thoughts or intentions with deflection to comedy or funny stories. After the truth is revealed, he grows in leaps and bounds.

Flaw fears criticism

Values love and safety of his family, friends and strangers, integrity, risk/reward, justice.

Irony what he fears most at the time is what propels him to learn, overcome, sacrifice and grow.

What makes this the right character for this role?

Anytime Seven appears to have a flaw or weakness, it is just an observation of what he needs to change about himself in order to be the man who will someday hunt, find and ultimately stop the Rain Killer when no one else can.

Changes

Traits deceptively intelligent, soft spoken, driven, spiritual, has a dark side, blind confidence

Subtext He introduces serious thoughts or discussions with deflection and with purpose as he is always seeking answers and direction from a spiritual and physical need to move forward with his quest to achieve what is deemed impossible for him to accomplish…to find and stop the Rain Killer.

Flaws Too secretive sometimes, an inability to be direct, and fears criticism.

Values being a protector, honesty, sacrifice

[SUNIL BATRA]

first draft of 4act transformational journey

I learn that story can be told in old way and new way and in-between there is a transformation journey of the protagonist through inciting incident and turning point till it reaches climax and then resolution.

concept

Andrews declared dead found up by antagonist. Will antagonist let him go home or torture him.

Main conflict

Jeff wants to return Andrews but kept him later to take revenge.

Old way.

Jeff wants to return Andrews but jeff went to police station. But come back and decided to keep him.

New ways

Jeff keeps him, starts torturing him. while Andrews trying his best to escape.

Act1 opening.

Andrew swimming in YMCA pool with dad and competing each other. Father wins. Andrew upset.

Inciting incident. A hurricane is coming. People evacuating FORT MYER. Mr. Matt Robinson decided to stay.

Turning point. Hurricanes destroy their house and Andrew lost his life in storm while saving his dad .and declared dead.

Act 2

Opening

Andrew found alive by jeff.

Jeff keeps him in his confectionary shop. Andrew Prove profitable. Jeff tries to return him but when he goes to police station, he decided to keep him.

Turning point.

Jeff forces him not to tell anybody otherwise he will kill him. Andrew angry and tries to escape. All his plan deciphered by antagonist.

Act 3

Andrew tries to pursue jeff to let him go home. Every time jeff tells him your parents are died in a storm.

Jeff gets sick and hospitalize. Andrew finds nobody in home, and he escaped and reach home. Strangers open the door. he asks about parents. But caught red handed by jeff.

Act 4

Climax.

People notice a juvenile working in the shop. One of the client informed police. Jeff tries to kill him. since killing a dead person is not a crime.

Resolution

Police take Andrew under custody. And came to know that his parents live in California.

Jeff was punished for kidnapping a child and prosecuted by the court.

[Kevin Ash]

Kevin’s Character interviews

What I learned from this assignment is that my characters are getting more realistic and less cartoon-like with each assignment which I think is a good thing in today’s environment.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself. – I have more money than I
could give away and yet I’m deeply unhappy. Nothing matters to me anymore
and I don’t really have a purpose. All my work to this point has been for nothing.
Nothing ever changes.
Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why
you? I don’t have a choice. This is all my doing and if I don’t act,
untold thousands will die for nothing.
You are up against <the Antagonist>. What is it
about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? He’s been
mocking me my entire life, I thought he was gone but now he comes back to
torment me one final time.
In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going
to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to
make and which of them will be the most difficult? I have to change
everything to come back and defeat him. I’m a different man now than I
used to be but even so it will be hard to do the physical things I was
once capable of and mentally I’m not strong any more.
What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be
the most difficult to let go of? I may have to break my one rule and
finally kill.
What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?
My entire life has been in pursuit of justice and revenge. I may have to
revisit that and break my code of honor
What skills, background or expertise makes you
well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? I was Batman.
What are you hiding from the other characters? What
don’t you want them to know? That I’m fat, out of shape, depressed and
unfit to carry my legacy forward.
What do you think of <the Antagonist>? He is the antithesis
of who I am. Someone who has no moral compass and cares about nothing.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. Those
like him are the reason my parents were killed and I was left an orphan
seeking revenge for life. He stands for everything evil in the world and
though he’s been out of the limelight, he’s the poster child for all
things sour. He needs to disappear forever this time.
What does it do for your life is you succeed here? I
may finally find peace.
Ask any other questions about their character profile
that will help you.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself. I’m a sad lonely shell of my
former self. I do children’s parties out of disdain for myself. I should
have died years ago, but was left to live this pitiable existence.
Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths
and weaknesses? I am still quick witted and have an agile mind. I can
torment with the best of them, but I’ve lost the will to act in large and
flashy ways. Too much effort.
Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail?
Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?
I need Batman to betray himself and finally kill me to cement my place in
history and not die alone and puny.
What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding
in your plan / taking down your competition? I get immortality and to
leave the earth in glory instead of oblivion.
What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in
the face of danger, ruin, or death? My mission is my death and my legacy,
once thought secure but now pales to the likes of other less brilliant
evil men.
What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other
secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? I must not let Batman know I
want him to kill me. I need to manipulate him into doing it.
Compared to other people like you, what makes you
special? There is no one like me! I am unique and uniquely brilliant.
Other pretenders think they are agents of chaos, but they are ants and I
am the anteater.
What do you think of <the Protagonist>? He’s a
sad little man who has finally accepted his puny place in history. Sadly
he is also the only one that can cement my place in history, so I must
draw him back out.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.
Batman beat me into submission by locking me away enough times and thwarting
my genius to the point that I lost ambition in the end. Now however I
cannot stand the lowlight and the existence I’ve been subjected to. I will
create one last stand that will ultimately lead to my death and immortality!

[Amy Amani]

Amy’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing this assignment is – this was great fun! I had a tricky time with the antagonist because it’s a system of government rather than an individual. And even when that system of government is represented by an individual, it changes as the wars progress. So, I anthropomorphised the system.

Ellie

Tell me about yourself.

Oh, you don’t want to hear about me. I’m nobody. OK – um – my name is Ellie. That’s short for Eleanor. I’m 18. I live with my parents and stupid brother, Arthur, near St. Albans. We have a little farm hold/run an inn. My family are way into the battles. They take sides and keep score. My mother knits red or white scarves so fast – it’s really impressive! That’s it, really.

Why do you think you were
called to this journey? Why you?

That’s easy – because for my whole life I’ve been told that I can’t. I can’t go to school; I can’t marry above my station; I can’t wish for more than I have. I think I can. And anyway, I can’t bear sharing a room with smelly Arthur for another minute!

You are up against the
entire British nobility and the establishment. What is it about them that
makes this journey even more difficult for you?

They’re the ones who want to me to stay in my place. But that’s only because they don’t know me. I’m super clever and ambitious, even if I am a girl. I learned something recently. I can get men to do what I want. It’s not magic, like my father says. It’s because I’m a girl and know how to use that to my advantage.

In order to survive or
accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box.
What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most
difficult?

I think that as I go higher and higher up the noble ladder I will have to change tact. Getting what I want out of the lesser nobles will be easy. As I get closer to the King it will become more difficult. Also, I’ll have to leave my family behind. As much as I complain, I really do love them. Even Arthur.

What habits or ways of
thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

I have to learn to look different, to talk differently, to think like they do. My father and brother will try to keep me here, my mother will encourage me, but the changes in me will scare her. So making my own decisions, knowing some of them may hurt my family, will be very difficult. Also, some of my decisions will alter the course of history.

What fears, insecurities and
wounds have held you back?

Fear of failure. Fear of success. If I fail, I return to my old life. If I succeed then I enter a world that I know nothing about.

What skills, background or
expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

I’m quite good at reading people. Working in the service industry I’ve picked up the ability to know what someone wants. I just need to translate that skill from knowing what they want to drink to knowing what their political allegiances are, who they are willing to kill in battle, that sort of thing. Also, I’m super cute. That goes a long, long way.

What are you hiding from the
other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

Obviously I don’t want them to know that I am actually just a peasant. I need them to believe that I’m worth their time and affection. I also don’t really want them to know that I aspire to reach the very top of their hierarchy. I’ll have to keep my motivations very close.

What do you think of the
King?

Henry? He’s lovely, but not a good ruler. His wife, Margaret is one to watch out for. She could ruin everything. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be Henry’s mistress! I don’t think he will fare well over the next few year, and his son, Edward, is too young and silly. It’s one of the Yorkists who I will set my sights on: either Edward Earl of March or Richard. We’ll see how it goes.

Tell me your side of this
whole conflict / story.

If by conflict you mean the Wars of the Roses, I’m not really involved. OK, that’s not entirely accurate. I don’t really care, at this point, who wins. It’s not my fault that some of the choices I make influence either a Lancastrian or Yorkist win at any given time. If, on the other hand, you mean the abysmal way peasants and especially peasant women are treated in the Middle Ages, then I have a whole lot to say! Since the beginning of time men have clomped around this Earth taking whatever they want regardless of consequences. If a woman steps up and does the same she’s called a bitch or pushy or other nasty names. Why? We’re obviously more clever than men. That’s proven time and again by the power wielded from behind a man. I want some of that. If I can’t break the system entirely, then I at least want to break out of here and cause as much trouble as I can!

What does it do for your
life if you succeed here?

If I succeed, I get to live in a palace. I get to give my family a leg up. I get to wear fabulous gowns and eat every day. Mostly, I get to rule an entire country – albeit hidden behind the King’s crown.

Ask any other questions
about their character profile that will help you.

British Socio-political System

Tell me about yourself.

We are the patriarchal system with God on our side. We are unchangeable and all-powerful.

Having to do with this
journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

We are only strength. How dare you imply otherwise! But, if we’re being honest, We do love the ladies – just not ladies in positions of power.

Why are you committed to
making the Protagonist fail?

It goes against all that is Britain to have a peasant girl be anything other than what she was born as. Besides, think how embarrassing it would be if she succeeds!

What do you get out of
winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your
competition?

Maintaining the status quo. Keeping the oppressed, um, oppressed. And power. Always power. And money. Power, money and loyalty. And the allegiance of my former foes. You get the picture.

What drives you toward your
mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

The will of God and the people. (What do you mean not all the people? Lower classes? They don’t count.) The will of God and the people with money and station.

What secrets must you keep
to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

We don’t actually know what we’re doing.

Compared to other people
like you, what makes you special?

We are the British Empire. That alone puts Us above the rest. There are no others ‘like me.’

What do you think of Ellie?

Who? Oh, her. We don’t think of her.

Tell me your side of this
whole conflict / story.

From what We’ve been told, there is an insignificant farm girl from Hertfordshire causing a bit of a stir. She seems to be able to insinuate herself into the lives of other, far more important people. If my lesser nobles are so foolish as to be coerced by such an inconsequential child, then let them pay the price for their impudence. She will never be more then a flea on the hide of a lion.

[SUNIL BATRA]

Lesson 4.

Antagonist.

My name is jeff I am 40-year-old, lives in Lee County FLORIDA. I am emotional but very angry if someone do not listen to me and do justice.

2. I am good person if people behave okay. But if anybody do injustice, I am there to take revenge.

3. I am a poor person. I saved people dying on a road accident. Police came and arrested me.

4.i am taking revenge

5 I am taking revenge

6 Andrew’s dad a judge decided case wrong, and fined me. I did not commit the crime.

7and 8

9. The conflict started when I knew that he was the son of the judge who punished me for no fault of mine. I rescued the couple who hurt in an accident helping him to breath. That was my term to take revenge.by keeping Andrew to my shop. And torture him.

[Fritz Fox]

Fredrich Fox’s Character Interviews

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself.

I’m Fritz. I’m here on earth to sing and play harp. I play Blues and sing it as well. I’m not a punk. A punk is that effeminate inmate in prison that takes in the keister.” New Wave” That’s what I play and it’s a ”Blues Wave”.

Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

I am destined to find a better quality of life than smallsville Indiana. At first I thought the Navy was the answer but after a four year enlistment it just seemed self imprisonment. I have to find a better life for my creative charismatic energetic being.

You are up against . What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

I’m older now and I see things differently. I’m older than my audience. I’ m the oldest member in the Mutants. I worry they don’t like my songs or the way I sing, haven’t heard any complaints yet. That makes me feel good.

In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

I want to be outside the box. I want people to come to our shows and expect something different at each time.

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

Drinking, hard drugs, cigarettes, smoking weed, have always led to problems for me. And pornagraphic romance and lovemaking.

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

I have a low I.Q. , I’m in the short man’s association, and I get angry too easily.

I was fired from a high end booking agency (RAC Music) in London, an incident

That haunts me even after all these years.

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

A wiser man than I once told me that critics are like assholes.They all got one

And some of them can be one.

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

Well I’m a Indiana Hillbilly, that it took me four years to graduate from high school until I was 21.

What do you think of ?

Is it in my brain or in my mind ?.

If you can talk you can sing.

If you can walk you can dance.

What does it do for your life is you succeed here?

It congratulates me. My life that is.

Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself: I am Sallier Webster a cute, beguiling, creative and talented painter. I also have good taste in music and I’ll tell you this. That ‘down home Chicago blues’ that Fritz wants to play won’t make it on the art scene.

Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

I am a performance/ installation artist each performance will be an art piece.

Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

I think that his taste in music is corny. Nobody wants to listen to that crap. It’s boring!

What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

It’s not competition or a contest . I think we can have a great band. There’s no fighting or winning or anything like that. We are like family. When we get something, we all get it together.

What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

We want to be popular and make people happy. That is our agenda and mission.

What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

We will not keep any secrets and let our audience see our insecurities. It will show us as we are.

Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

I’m cute, funny, creative, and looking forward to the next show

What do you think of ?

I think the time is right for the MutaNts

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

The MutaNts are a work in progress.