Lesson 4

[j T]

Jessica Tremblay’s Character Profiles

What I learned doing this assignment is that it’s important for secondary characters to be fullly developed, have inner conflicts, etc.

A. Name: Joanna
B. Role in the story: Protagonist who gets stuck in storage with the beast
C. Core traits: Runner, broke, graduate, shoplifter, irresponsible with money
D. Motivation (want/need): Wants to leave storage and run away, need to learn to share and love
E. Flaw/wound: weak arm, people will die and abandon you,
F. Secret/hidden agenda: Steal valuables to make money
G. Internal Dilemna: leave storage and save myself… or stay in storage to help Mrs Larsen
H. What makes this character perfect for their role in this story? She’s always running away. Being stuck in storage, she has nowhere to go and must confront her problems.
BEAST
A. Name: Beast
B. Role in the story: Antagonist who wants to eat Joanna in storage
C. Core traits: Hungry, inflates to make itself bigger
D. Motivation (want/need): want to eat and get out of storage, needs to find a way out and take care of her pups
E. Flaw/wound: mutated creature, human will hurt me and my pups ,they scare me
F. Secret/hidden agenda: I’m pregnant and just protecting my lair
G. Internal Dilemna: defend my territory and gain freedom by eating and chasing this woman or settle down with my pups and remain a prisoner?
H. What makes this character perfect for their role in this story? It makes Joanna realize if monsters can be parent, so can she.

TEMPLATE
A. Name: Boyfriend
B. Role in the story: Romantic interest
C. Core traits: Caring and sharing
D. Motivation (want/need): wants a relationship with Joanna, needs to forgive her (for killing his dog accidentally)
E. Flaw/wound: rejected by women, insecure.
F. Secret/hidden agenda: be a family
G. Internal Dilemna: I love this woman but she accidentally killed my dog so I resent her.
H. What makes this character perfect for their role in this story? He is caring and sharing and wants a relationship, he is the opposite of Joanna in every way.

BUILDING MANAGER
A. Name: Building Manager
B. Role in the story: Antagonist
C. Core traits: Greedy, forces Joanna to empty father apartment as fast as possible or he’ll charge her next month’s rent.
D. Motivation (want/need): wants money ; need to learn human lives have value
E. Flaw/wound: greedy, grew up poor
F. Secret/hidden agenda: steals pension cheques from deceased residents, wants to make as much money as possible to buy a house and retire in another country
G. Internal Dilemna: I’m a thief, not a killer. I have to kill Joanna and Mrs Larsen or I’ll end up in prison.
H. What makes this character perfect for their role in this story? Greedy, he is the first antagonist to cause trouble for Joanna at a time where she is grieving.

MRS LARSEN
A. Name: Mrs Larsen
B. Role in the story: Mentor
C. Core traits: grieving (lost parrot, lost lover)
D. Motivation (want/need): feels guilty that Joanna’s father died because of her
E. Flaw/wound: Grieving (Keep a stuffed bird in a cage and plays recorded bird songs), she never moved on from the lost of her husband and child.
F. Secret/hidden agenda: was Joanna’s father “lady friend”, is responsible for the beast starving (it bit her so she stopped feeding it), was married with a child once but they died.
G. Internal Dilemna: Feed beast and risk injury/death, or leave beast to die.
H. What makes this character perfect for their role in this story? Grieving, she shows Joanna there is hope for love even later in life.

Answer the questions to improve the Character Profiles.
• A: Are there any parts of the profile that you could improve?
o Secondary characters should be more fleshed out. Eg. Manager’s motivations (his future dreams) are not clear
• B: Can this character fulfill their role in the story more effectively?
o Mrs Larsen could have a more active role (instead of just talking to Joanna)

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  j T.

[Edward Gillow]

Ed. Gillow’s Character Profiles
What I learned doing this assignment is analyzing characters in a screenplay involves understanding their core traits, motivations, flaws, and roles within the narrative, emphasizing their dynamic interplay and contributions to the story's thematic depth and conflict resolution.
A. Name: Moses
B. Role in the Story: Protagonist. Moses serves as the moral center and guiding force of the narrative, teaming with Boone on a quest against the antagonist, Jose. As a Native American deeply connected to spirituality and family, Moses stands in contrast to Boone’s vengeful and morally ambiguous nature.
C. Core Traits: Spiritual, Family-Centric, Traditional, Trustworthy.
D. Motivation: Want: Moses's primary goal is to protect his community and preserve their way of life, especially in the face of threats posed by Jose's ambitions. Need: Internally, Moses may need to reconcile his spiritual beliefs with the harsh realities of the world, finding inner peace and strength to confront the challenges ahead.
E. Flaw/Wound: Flaw: Moses's unwavering dedication to tradition and family may sometimes blind him to alternative perspectives or opportunities for growth. Wound: He carries a deep emotional wound from past traumas or losses, which may shape his interactions with others and his approach to conflict.
F. Secret/Hidden Agenda: Secret: conceals his doubts or vulnerabilities from others, projecting an image of strength and confidence to inspire and reassure his community. Hidden Agenda: harbors a hidden agenda to protect ones dear to him, even if it means making sacrifices or difficult decisions without others' knowledge.
G. Internal Dilemma: Stability vs. Change: grapples with the tension between preserving tradition and embracing change, torn between the safety of the familiar and the uncertainty of the unknown.
H. Perfect Fit for Role: Moses's character embodies the heart and soul of the story, providing a moral compass for the audience to follow amidst the conflict between good and evil represented by Boone and Jose, respectively. His spiritual strength, family-centric values, and unwavering commitment to tradition not only drive his own journey but also serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for the other characters. As the protagonist, Moses's quest to protect his community and confront the antagonist reflects the larger themes of identity, resilience, and cultural preservation at the core of the narrative, making him the perfect foil to Boone's darker nature and a formidable opponent to Jose's malevolent ambitions.
A. Name: Boone
B. Role in the Story: Anti-Hero. Boone serves as a foil to Moses, representing a darker and more conflicted perspective. Teamed with Moses on the quest to find Jose, Boone's motivations are driven by revenge, and his actions often challenge the moral boundaries of the story.
C. Core Traits: Vengeful, Morally Ambiguous, Resentful, Tough, Untrusting, Scarred, Independent, Ruthless
D. Motivation: Want: Boone's primary goal is likely to exact revenge on those he believes wronged him, driving him to pursue Jose and anyone else he perceives as standing in his way. Need: Internally, Boone needs to confront his own demons or come to terms with the source of his anger and resentment, which is tied to his past.
E. Flaw/Wound: Flaw: Boone's relentless pursuit of revenge blinds him to other perspectives and potential consequences, often leading him down a path of self-destruction. Wound: He carries a deep psychological wound from a traumatic event, shaping his worldview and driving his need for vengeance.
F. Secret/Hidden Agenda: Secret: Boone harbors a secret shame or guilt, related to his past actions or the circumstances that led him to seek revenge. Hidden Agenda: To manipulate or exploit others for his own gain, using their trust or vulnerabilities to further his own objectives without their knowledge.
G. Internal Dilemma: Justice vs. Revenge: Boone grapples with the desire for justice and closure versus the temptation to seek revenge at any cost, potentially conflicting with his moral compass and sense of right and wrong.
H. Perfect Fit for Role: Boone's character serves as a compelling counterbalance to Moses, adding depth and complexity to the story's dynamics. His vengeful nature and morally ambiguous actions create tension and conflict, challenging both the protagonist and the audience's perceptions of morality and justice. Boone's independence, toughness, and ruthlessness make him a formidable force in the narrative, driving the plot forward while forcing the other characters to confront their own beliefs and values in the face of his relentless pursuit of revenge.
A. Name: Jose
B. Role in the Story: Antagonist. Jose serves as the primary source of conflict and opposition to Moses and Boone's quest. As the personification of evil, Jose embodies the darker aspects of human nature, presenting a formidable challenge to the protagonists.
C. Core Traits: Ruthless, Power-Hungry, Manipulative, Ambitious, Merciless, Calculating, Amoral.
D. Motivation: Want: Jose's primary goal is to amass wealth, power, or control, driven by his insatiable appetite for domination and influence. Need: Internally, Jose craves validation or recognition, seeking to prove his superiority or worthiness through his actions and accomplishments.
E. Flaw/Wound: Flaw: Jose's relentless pursuit of power and domination blinds him to the potential consequences of his actions, leading to his downfall. Wound: He carries a deep-seated insecurity or sense of inadequacy, stemming from past failures or betrayals, which drives his need for validation and control.
F. Secret/Hidden Agenda: Secret: Jose hides his true motivations or vulnerabilities behind a facade of strength and confidence, concealing his inner doubts and fears from others. Hidden Agenda: To manipulate or exploit the protagonists for his own gain, using their weaknesses or desires to further his own ambitions without their knowledge.
G. Internal Dilemma:
Domination vs. Connection: Jose may struggle between his desire for total control and domination over others and a subconscious yearning for genuine human connection or acceptance.
H. Perfect Fit for Role:
Jose's character embodies the ultimate threat to the protagonists, driving the central conflict of the story forward through his ruthless pursuit of power and control. His manipulative nature and amoral actions create a sense of urgency and danger, forcing Moses and Boone to confront their own limitations and vulnerabilities in their quest to stop him. Jose's ruthlessness, ambition, and cunning make him a formidable adversary, challenging the protagonists on both physical and psychological levels as they strive to overcome the personification of evil standing in their way.
Answer the questions to improve the Character Profiles for all Characters listed above.
• A: Are there any parts of the profile that you could improve? No.
• B: Can this character fulfill their role in the story more effectively? No.

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  Edward Gillow.

[Tasha Espinoza]

Tasha’s Character Profiles
What I learned doing this assignment is it’s fun to contemplate my characters. Also punching up the character profiles is a great way to make sure the characters deliver on the pitch at the quick and easy, light and breezy outline level.
Character 1
A. Name: Bethany Sawyer
B. Role in the Story: Bethany is the once possessed protagonist, who wants to get to the bottom of why her dating life is a disaster.
C. Core Traits: Kind, Charming, Funny, A push-over
D. Motivation: Want/Need: Bethany wants a boyfriend because she’s lonely and she wants to prove to Deacon Anders that she’s worthy of love, she needs to believe in herself, seek her own approval and solve her own problems
E. Flaw/Wound: Flaw is her lack of curiosity/ Her wound is that her family abandoned her after she was exorcized
F. Secret/Hidden Agenda: Secret is that she thinks Deacon Anders might be right and she’s not loveable/Hidden Agenda is to find a way to get out from under Deacon Anders control
G. Internal Dilemma: She wants to be free to love and prove that she’s not evil but she doesn’t want to defy Deacon Anders to the point where she can’t turn to him for help if he’s right
H. What makes this character perfect for their role in this story? She’s perfect because she was susceptible to demonic control before the story, so who’s to say she couldn’t have a relapse. The potential for that makes her a danger to the other characters of the story.
A: Are there any parts of the profile that you could improve?
I want to add to her character traits that when she’s pushed too far she can be temperamental and make rash decisions, but it takes a lot to get her there.
Maybe make her want more straightforward, she wants Deacon Anders approval but she needs her own approval
Change the flaw – lack of curiosity is weak. Maybe her flaw is that she doesn’t really believe in herself and her abilities.
B: Can this character fulfill their role in the story more effectively? I think overcoming a lack of belief in herself and a lack of curiosity about her situation better sets her up to start down the new path of self-advocacy.
Character 2
A. Name: Priest Deacon Anders
B. Role in the Story: He monitors/controls Bethany and practices the dark arts in preparation for her demonic relapse.
C. Core Traits: Righteous, Crafty, Fearful, Ideologically Hypocritical in the name of God, Caring
D. Motivation: Want/Need: Deacon Anders wants to end the torment and fear Bethany causes him/ Needs recognition
E. Flaw/Wound: He is willing to use dark magic to guide and protect his flock/ His wound is that he lost Father Ptolemy’s respect and trust after his fear kept him from helping Father Ptolemy exorcize Bethany
F. Secret/Hidden Agenda: Secret is that he thinks it’s his God given mission to stop Bethany by any means necessary/Hidden Agenda is he sabotages Bethany’s potential love matches by sending the video of her exorcism to her suitors to scare them away. When that stops working, he conjures Demon 23 and reattaches him to Bethany to do more serious damage and ultimately kill her.
G. Internal Dilemma: He’s a man of God who needs to contain the evil that Bethany is a portal for but he helped raise her and he’s not entirely certain of the threat she poses if she stays contained, hence why he tries to control her exposure to people, through dating, etc.
H. What makes this character perfect for their role in this story? He’s willing to stop Bethany if necessary and he’s willing to engage with the source of the demonic threat in order to do that.
A: Are there any parts of the profile that you could improve?
Maybe change caring to something strong like he has strong empathy for his parishioners and for Bethany too early in the story (when she’s a young adult but before saying yes to Brad’s date)
Punch up his wound to not only losing Father Ptolemy’s respect after he fails to help him to losing the respect of the church and his good standing in the church Maybe he was a promising young clergyman and he harbors a dream of getting back in the good graces of the church but because he’s unraveling that dream become nefarious and more about wanting to control the Vatican by wielding demonic possession as a power.
B: Can this character fulfill their role in the story more effectively? I think I need to depict him actually preparing for Bethany’s relapse by practicing the black arts. Maybe Bethany catches him in a wiccan book store.
Character 3
A. Name: Demon 23
B. Role in the Story: He is the demon that possesses Bethany when she’s a teen and who gets reattached to her when she’s 26
C. Core Traits: Evil, Innocent (in the sense that he knows no other way than evil), possessive, capable of personal growth
D. Motivation: Want/Need: His want is to stop Deacon Anders from controlling his through black magic/ His need is to protect Bethany
E. Flaw/Wound: His flaw is his myopic view of existence/ His wound – he has none
F. Secret/Hidden Agenda: His Secret is that he realizes he would rather love Bethany than possess her/His hidden Agenda is to help Bethany along her journey to spiritual power and enlightenment whenever Deacon Anders’s control over him grows lacks
G. Internal Dilemma: He’s a demon in love. He’s meant to possess souls, not to save them.
H. What makes this character perfect for their role in this story? His supernatural power and love for Bethany helps him to sabotage Deacon Anders plans and point Bethany in the right direction for learning to protect herself.
2. Answer the questions to improve the Character Profiles.
A: Are there any parts of the profile that you could improve? Is his wound that he loves Bethany? When does he discover this?
B: Can this character fulfill their role in the story more effectively? Everything he does has to be interpreted until Bethany learns the summoning spell, so he can cause a lot of the scary/creepy moments through miscommunication. Also, maybe his initial confusing over how he feels for Bethany could make him violent at first. Also would need to establish how Bethany’s light during her exorcism is what first exposes him to weird feelings of love. Her power is like none he’s ever felt and he is attracted to it in a way that is different than he’s used to. So she stays on his mind and when he’s reattached, he finds that he no longer wants to take her soul.