Lesson 4

[Angela Booth]

Angela Booth: Main characters: Georgia, Jodie, Tiff, Anne.
What I learned by doing this assignment is that I had not realised the oppression for each character was a unified, single oppression. I have also learned of new ways to express the oppression and round out some of the storylines for one or two characters. It also gives the women a common thread, rather than disparate storylines.

1. Tell us your transformational journey logline.
Four friends who gave up their dreams when kids came along must stand up to challenge the expectations of those they love to rediscover their true nature and become the best they can be.

2. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also, include: – Their vision: – Their past experience that fits that vision:
All four main protagonists are the change agents for each other, to varying degrees.
In Georgia’s storyline: Tiff and Anne support Georgia to stand up to her husband and father in law and take the space she needs to reconnect with her own potential.
In Jodie’s storyline: Anne has experienced a “fall from grace” and knows how hard it is to accept new, worse situations. She offers philosophical approaches to coping with the natural sense of loss and grief.
In Tiff’s storyline: Anne encourages Tiff to get the kids to take responsibility for their share and Jodie supports her need to take a step back from being the sole breadwinner.
In Anne’s storyline: Tiff has experience of walking out of jobs when the situation is not right, and Georgia has the HR experience to reassure hr that she’s doing the right thing. Jodie, Tiff and Georgia express their feelings about Anne being excluded from the family party, and encourage Anne t demand to be counted.

3. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role.
Georgia: Working hard, full time mum/job/managing all the finances and emotional load for the family alone. She needs balance in the form of help from her husband.
Jodie: Full-time mum who loses her privileged life/home/income etc over time. Needs to stand up to her husband who makes unilateral decisions that have profound impact on her.
Tiff: Working extra shifts to make ends meet while adult kids and husband are out of work. Needs to insist that they take on work to relieve her of the burden of earning all the money.
Anne: Full time work and sharing responsibility for the kids with husband, but feels all the guilt for her son having depression from the age of 5. Needs to forgive herself, and her parents (for doing the same to her).

4. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story.
The Oppression is the expectation that women can have it all and be it all and should WANT to be and have it all: Full time work, caring mother, sexy partner and dutiful daughter.
The Oppression is the expectation that we can simultaneously fulfill these roles and should want to, when in fact filling some but not all the roles is all most of us want.

5. Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role.
Georgia – she will break free momentarily to attend a conference, but on return finds that things slowly slip back into the ld ways, and she goes with them feeling that only she is capable of running the show.

[Beverley]

Beverley Wood’s Main Characters: Matt (scientist), Kim (mail lady), Lauren (long-lost love)

(I Know You’re Out There Somewhere)

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?”

What I learned doing this assignment is that I have to bump up my betraying character.

Tell us your transformational journey logline.

An obsessive scientist learns to fully believe in, and embrace, something he cannot prove, opening his mind to a new way of thinking.

Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also, include: – Their vision: – Their past experience that fits that vision:

The primary change agent is Matt’s mail lady – he doesn’t believe there is anything after death, and she shares Native American wisdom about death being part of a circle to enlighten him. She’s right for the part because she’s not only native, but she’s a guide (ala Clarence) who has arrived as an escort for his long-lost love to finally cross over.
But his long-lost love also influences his change, in a lesser way. (She describes her experiences to him, but he is able to listen because o the mail lady.) For the most part, his long lost love is his opponent, because her ‘want’ is directly opposite of his.

Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role.

Matt’s an OCD butterfly scientist who needs hard evidence to believe anything. I think a lot of us at least wonder what happens after death, and few of us believe anything firm and set – allowing us to learn along with Matt. And many of us (at least of a certain age) have experienced the death of a loved one – a soulmate, a mother, father, sibling, best friend. So we know the pain he feels.

Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story.

The oppression is death. And, to an extent, Matt’s own belief that when you die, you are worm food. Because that’s all that’s been proven. So, death, and his flaw, which is a rigid mind. Death is always there, looking over their shoulders, the clock ticking to when she must go. In the first act, though, it’s more his own refusal to believe in ghosts, even though he sees her.

Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role.

I guess my betraying character is James, the shrink friend, who also does not believe in ghosts. But clearly, after watching DPS, I need to ramp him up somewhat.

[Christy Bley]

Christy Bley’s Day 4 Session 4a Assignment 1
What I learned doing this assignment: Specific Roles are defined well with this model. I put a bulls eye at each sentence showing me how to write these characters, and what they do to fit the model.
My transformational journey logline: An art teacher’s students bug her into using her art to -reluctantly- take up their River Town’s serious cause of the place being swallowed up by silt through the river authorities deliberate neglect of sediment removal.
WHO might be my CHANGE AGENT? And In a few sentences tell HOW that character FITS THE ROLE. What is their VISION? What are their PAST EXPERIENCES that fit that vision?
Her CHANGE AGENTS MIGHT BE her young china painting students whose parents have been kicked off the river, so to speak. OR… the teen CLAY, who minds no one, has experienced the ruins and many other secret places and many that are not that secret which will be lost to sediment.
Who do I think might be my TRANSFORMABLE CHARACTER{S}? How do the character(s) FIT THE ROLE? FICUS is the only choice at this time… she is lazy, unwilling to use her strong sense of duty to what is right. And it is grating. Getting worse.
Who or What do I think might be the OPPRESSION? How does that character FIT THE ROLE? The old River Authority Guy whose son hangs out with him directly across from the RIVER LOOK VIEW STAND on a small tug with a scratched off state tag .
Who might be my BETRAYING CHARACTER? How does that character FIT THE ROLE? Maybe the reckless teen boater, CLAY, who is saved by the mermaid, EMERALD, when flying carp knock him out of his boat. He might accidentally – but no – the BETRAYING CHARACTER IS CLAY’S NEW LOVE’S OLD BOYFRIEND, who was using her to get to her Uncle, once-Senator WOODPORCH, in order TO ACCESS THE OLD RUINS WHERE MANY TREASURES ARE RUMORED TO BE BURIED.

Christy Bley’s Day 4b – analysis of DEAD POETS SOCIETY
WHAT I LEARNED FROM DOING THIS ASSIGNMENT: This level of difficulty is challenging in itself!
What is the CHANGE this movie is about?
The way the students look at life – no longer as a prison.

What is the TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY of this movie?
The movie takes a repressive testosterone overloaded hierarchy of a “normally abnormal” boys school and makes it look at itself through students who say “not my cup, adieu” or who cave and rat out, but who every one started school following the pack, not making waves.
LEAD CHARACTERS:
Who is the CHANGE AGENT (the one causing the change} and what makes this the right character to cause the change?
That would be Mr. Keaton. He’s had experience doing the very thing before, and is convinced and convincing that it’s the right thing to do.
Who is the TRANSFORMABLE CHARACTER (the one who makes the change), and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?
ALL THE BOYS – focusing on the Dead Poets Society re-emergence as per Keating’s remembrances.
What is the OPPRESSION?
The school rules and enforcers (parents).
How are we lured into the profound journey? Magnetic personality and sudden unexpected direction from Mr. Keating.
What causes us to connect with this story?
We see people picked on and don’t like it. Start rooting for the good guy!
Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the PROFOUND JOURNEY?
From ‘old ways” to “new way of being” identify their old way; identify their new way at the conclusion.
The Ethan Hawke character: TODD. He finally steps up to be counted, he wouldn’t even speak at first.
What is the GRADIENT OF CHANGE?
What STEPS did the TRANSFORMATIONAL CHARACTER go through as they were changing?
Lots of thought and viewing of abuse and unfair treatment grew on him.
How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
Belief that not standing up for what’s right is safer and better for everybody to believing there is strength in standing for the right.
What are the MOST PROFOUND MOMENTS of the movie?
All stand on the tables at the end.

What are the MOST PROFOUND LINES of the movie?
“Don’t tell me how to talk to my father. You guys are the same way.”
How does the ENDING PAY OFF THE SETUPS of this movie?
Much mention of poets, words of a poet stamps the end as fulfilled.
What is the PROFOUND TRUTH of this movie?
When guys stand up to uncontrolled brutish machismo in the form of a “NORMAL BOYS SCHOOL” they can become stronger, but it also sometimes kills those lacking that nerve or courage.

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

Mark N.
Lesson 4A. "What I learned doing this assignment is…?" (place at top of your work). I learn to peel the onion further on layering the characters’ roles and giving more depth to their interactions with the Protagonist and Change Agent.

1. Tell us your transformational journey logline. A CIA officer shies away from confrontation, despite instincts, that leads to chronic homelessness and rock bottom, before he declares war to set the record straight.
2. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also, include: – Their vision: – Their past experience that fits that vision: The Change Agent is the former Deputy Chief of Station, in Iraq where the Whistleblower unearthed evidence that proved embarrassing to Station executives’ egos. The Change Agent is a very powerful Antagonist with the CIA who eventually becomes the Chief of Station in Afghanistan. This person gained his experience as a member of the CIA’s elite Special Activities Division within the Directorate of Operations. Following the 9/11 attacks he was the Deputy Team Leader of the Agency’s ‘First In’ element (a six man unit) that laid the ground work for linking up and coordinating with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan that toppled the Taliban Regime from power. Following the attacks on the U.S., he said that he hated the terrorists so bad that he wanted revenge. He got his wish when he turned the other way when as many as 3,000 Taliban Prisoners of War were stuffed into train box cars and left in the desert to die in what would be later deemed “the Convoy of Death.” This Antagonist’s vision is to do whatever it takes to get even with the Protagonist and use ‘the system’ (unchallenged and unquestioned) to destroy. The Antagonists has a Covert Henchman at the base in Afghanistan to undermine the Protagonists successes.
3. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role. The Transformable Character is the Protagonist (Mark Logan) who stands up for others, but not himself. He achieves success that in the end are undermined and his programs are suddenly shut down and discredited after nearly 4 years in the combat zones. A ruse is fabricated that leaves the Mark Logan Blacklisted during the Great Recession of 2009 and he goes through the emotional rollercoaster of changes from a professional to a complete failure in life as he spends the next 5 years homeless on the streets, before he starts to make his way off the streets and eventually runs for U.S. Congress. His crusade for draws attention to his cause for government accountability when he exposes the CIA’s practice of not prosecuting personnel for Child Porn, as opposed to committing treason. The protagonist carries out his own personal vendetta against the Antagonist giving him a taste of his own medicine…vengeance.
Select a character or characters who need to change — whether they know it or not — and design them to start with the Old Ways, to struggle through the journey, and to make the change to the New Way by the end of the movie.

4. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story. The CIA is the ‘untouchable’ when it comes to accountability of senior executives who abuse of title, position and authority. Because Agency employees and contractors are obligated to sign secrecy agreements that hinders grievances outside the CIA, personnel are subject to criminal prosecution for exposing egregious acts. Retaliations is also considered the ‘cultural norm’ where suppressing or destroying a life is a sport.
5. Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. The Betraying Character in my story is named Joe. Joe is the Branch Chief (supervisor) for the Protagonist who not only is forthcoming with the Protagonist that he is being Blacklisted but continues to push the narrative for over a month before the Protagonist realizes what has happened. Once you leave the Agency, the chances for objections go un-noticed or ignored.
6. Answer the question "What I learned doing this assignment is…?" (place at top of your work). I learn to peel the onion further on layering the characters’ roles and giving more depth to their interactions with the Protagonist and Change Agent.

Lesson 4 B: We are looking at this movie from the perspective of the change that occurs for the lead character and the audience.
1. What is the change this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie? The change is about not following blindly, but take charge of your own destiny and shape your outcome in life to leave a legacy to remember. The Transformational Journey is about 7 young men being told what to do, when to do it and what their expected outcome in life is going to be. They go from following the herd to leading it for others to follow.
2. Lead characters:
o Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change? The Change Agent is Mr. Keating who instills upon his students to “seize the day” and develop their “own verse” in pursuing their life’s dreams and be happy. Mr. Keating encourage the students to go against the cultural norm and addresses himself and responds to “Oh Captain my Captain.” Mr. Keating has lived the change and instills thoughtful knowledge that leaves an impression that drives a teaching point home and stimulates critical thinking to ponder. He is not rigid and needs a stick surgically removed from his ass like the Director, Trustees and the Administration.
o Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey? The Transformable Characters involve initially 6 out of 7 key students (one is the Betrayer) who take life’s advice from Mr. Keating. By the end half of the class unite to stand on their desks as a final tribute to their “Captain” demonstrating they have discovered their voices to be heard. One student commits suicide, but even he begins to cross over, until his father destroys his love, dreams and hope of being an actor and cannot live any longer as he refuses to conform. He just cannot find his voice to stand up against his overbearing father.
o What is the Oppression? The Oppression is the Administration of the School, the Director and Trustees who are strict on Tradition, Discipline, Honor and Excellence.
3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story? The use of humor by the Change Agent and profound teaching method that makes the normal subject of poetry that is boring more interesting to engage. We all or at least the older generation can relate to the heavy disciplines pushed. The younger generation is offered up soft served ice cream these days and breast milk to not comprehend what discipline is.
4. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion: The Profound Journey show young me during an era of the early 19th century are raised to be proper and fall in line. They eventually join together to form a group that encourages free thinking and testing the waters of the wild side. They each take that first step outside of their comfort zone (be it falling in love, pursuing their dreams (as an actor), or being daring and risk takers to eventually being defiant in front of the fuddy duddy Director to pay great praise to “Oh Captain my Captain” while standing on top of their desks.
5. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing? The gradient of change starts with the group re-establishing the Dead Poet’s Society. With encouragement amongst the group to go to a cave in the middle of the evening/ night at risk of being caught they seek to follow their new mentor’s path (Mr. Keating) as they experiment with smoking, drinking, girls and just being silly and crazy. They become a support group to one another. As time goes on they reach an apex of the Profound Moment when Neil gives a great performance as an actor and receives a standing ovation. His buddies are their to support, but his dreams are shattered by his father resulting in his suicide. The loss of their friend stirs unity during a witch hunt investigation and allegiance to Mr. Keating is demonstrated, but not until the revalation of who the Betrayer is among their group–Cameron.
6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change? The Tradition of the school is unbalanced by what the young men eventually see as the “Old Way.” They challenge it by forming a club that bonds them as friends against discipline and encourages them to take charge of their happiness and pursue their personal interests. They do not rat on each other and even Charlie gets his ass worn out with a wood paddle he refuses to identify other parties of the group by sticking to his guns as the “MaWanda!” Bottom line is they respect each other and are united in a common cause to pursue their dreams and not the dreams of others.
7. What are the most profound moments of the movie? The most Profound Moment in the movie is when Neil commits suicide that unites the group and half the class against the old ways. Another Profound Moment is the you Dolton falls in love and risks getting the Hell beaten out of him to steal the football players girlfriend from him.
8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
“Words and Ideas can Change the World.” …
“You are here and exist….Reality of destiny and hope …. But ultimately death. …When you contribute a verse, what your verse be like?”
“Seize the day.”
“Oh Captain my Captain.”
“Make your lives extraordinary.”
“Strive to find your own voice.”
You have a “Phone call from GOD!”
9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie? The ending payoff shows Mr. Keating being used as an escape goat to be pushed out the door as he does not conform to the school’s strict disciplinary guidelines. His exit from the school follows from Neil’s suicide and unite most of the students behind him. The setup offers a climax that offers the good guy up to be sacrificed, but the payoff is a beautiful tribute by the students demonstrating their admiration, thanks, and love for their mentor, particularly with Todd demonstrating he has finally crossed over to challenge the Director in class to have a voice (as he has trouble speaking up) as he stands on the desk and says…”Oh Captain my Captain.”
10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie? Several of the quotes combined together can be the Profound Truth….Strive to find your own voice (stand up for yourself), write your own verse (take charge of your destiny in life), make your lives extraordinary (pursue your dreams) and seize the day (do not waste each day pondering what could have been). Bottom line is that a person should not let others dictate your outcome in live in pursuit of happiness.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 1 week ago by  mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier.

[Sandee Magliozzi]

Sandee Lead Characters. What I learned is add a betraying Character to add depth.

1. Liz Autumn, a teenage climbing prodigy who thrives on solitude, is compelled to return to Yosemite when a destructive mining operation jeopardizes her home. Forging alliances with local activists, Liz evolves from a self-reliant loner to a galvanizing leader, realizing that the most daunting challenges can only be overcome together.
2. Change Agent:
• Character: Elena Torres, Liz’s climbing coach.
• Vision: Elena believes in the power of teamwork and the strength that comes from trusting and relying on others, a lesson she hopes to impart to Liz.
• Past Experience: Having been a world-renowned climber who overcame many challenges through the help of her team, Elena understands the limitations of facing big problems alone and the advantages of collaborative effort.
3. Transformable Character(s):
• Character(s): Liz Autumn primarily, supported by secondary characters like Leo and Sam.
• Role Fit: Liz starts off as a fiercely independent individual who is reluctant to trust others, thinking she can handle everything on her own. Her journey from solo efforts to embracing teamwork mirrors the audience’s own potential evolution from isolation to community involvement.
4. The Oppression:
• Nature of Oppression: The main oppressive force in the story is the corrupt mining operation led by Clayton Harrow, which not only threatens the environmental integrity of Yosemite but also the community that depends on it.
• Function: This external threat creates a high-stakes environment that forces Liz and her allies to respond, highlighting the conflict between corporate greed and environmental preservation.
5. Betraying Character:
• Character: Leo
• Role Fit: Leo is deeply involved in eco-activism and has a strong personal commitment to protecting Yosemite. As tensions escalate and the stakes become life-threatening due to the mining company’s retaliation, Leo faces a critical decision. Driven by the need to protect his fellow eco-warriors and perhaps swayed by threats to his own safety or that of his family, Leo could betray Liz by providing misleading information.
• Motivation and Conflict: Leo’s betrayal would not stem from malice but from a desperate attempt to mitigate harm and protect his comrades.

[Mitch Haraguchi]

Lesson 4A:

What I learned doing this assignment is that thinking of the change agent, transferable characters, oppression and betraying characters helps organize your idea about characters and sometimes even helps create new character(s).

1. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also, include: – Their vision: – Their past experience that fits that vision.
>An Asian man who went missing is the change agent. He causes a stir in a peaceful remote village of Midwest and changes the family of a local sheriff dwelling there. :

2. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role.
>The local sheriff is the character who changes the most. His super-conservative, unwillingness to make a change would fit this role.

3. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story.
>The conservative people in the village may be an oppression against accepting the Asian man, who represents unfamiliarity, an outsider and foreigner.

4. Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role.
>The sheriff’s father or wife may be a betraying character who cannot abandon their prejudice against outsiders/foreigners.

Lesson 4B

1. What is the change this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
The change is about the high school boys’ attitude and philosophy toward life, which transforms through their encounter and relationship with Mr. Keaton.

2. Lead characters:
Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?
>Mr. Keating and Neil. Mr. Keaton’s position as a teacher and his unorthodox teaching style makes him the right character for change. Neil is also a change agent. His influence on other boys (especially on Todds) makes him the right character for change.

Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?
>Todd Anderson. He is the character who changed the most. His shyness and reluctance to get involved with others makes him the right character to deliver the profound journey. Neil is also a transformable character as well as a change agent. However, unlike Todd, Neil appears to change himself, only enhanced/catalyzed by Mr. Keating.

What is the Oppression?
>The headmaster and the school system. Also, their parents. In other words, all adults except Mr. Keating.

3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
Everyone, not only boarding school kids, is oppressed by somebody or something above them in their lives. Thus, the boys’ journey from oppression connects us with the story.

4. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion:
As mentioned above, Todd changed the most. His old ways include being shy and unwilling to share things with others. His new ways include being the first to stand on the desk to support Mr. Keating, which represents the rebel against authority.

5. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?
Todd is the transformational character. His first change comes after meeting Mr. Keating, which is shown by putting down “carpe diem” on his notebook (then ripping it off). His second change can be seen through his involvement with the Dead Poet Society. His third and final change occurs after the death of Neil.

6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
Todd’s shyness changes after living with Neil who is honest to himself and openly expresses his emotion.

7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?
The moment Todd gets on the desk.

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
Mr. Keating: “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race.”
Todd: (Standing on the snowy field) “It’s so beautiful” (then he vomits)

9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
At the ending, the students read the chapter of the book they ripped off at the beginning of the movie. At the beginning, Mr. Keating have students stand on the desk so that they can get a “different” view. At the end, the students stand on the desk on their own.

10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?
You have to live your life on your own. Nobody forces you to live a life of theirs.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 1 week ago by  Mitch Haraguchi.
• This reply was modified 9 months, 1 week ago by  Mitch Haraguchi.

[Beverley]

Beverley Wood lesson 4B

Sorry my name keeps coming up as Jana, it was an error, my name is Beverley with an E (to distinguish from Beverley A.

What I learned from watching this movie:

The gradient in this movie is perfectly paced and really helped – I need to focus on slower changes spread throughout my script.

1. What is the change this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?

The change is going from followers to leaders. From obeying the rules that don’t make sense, to trying to change them. And the change is from being conditioned to fall in line, to thinking for yourself. Which IS, after all, what university is supposed to be about.

Lead characters:

2. Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?

Mr. Keating is the agent of change and he is the right one because he has been through this transformational journey himself and his truth and calling is to teach it to others.

3. Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?

All the boys change but I think Todd probably represents the transformation as the outsider who gets inducted into their little group after some cajoling by Neil. I am not sure why he is the right character to deliver this journey? Possibly because he is the most likely to be like most of us, the audience. Not a trust fund baby with swagger and confidence, which the rest of them seem to be and seem to have, so he starts knowing none of them – which helps us get to know them as he does and follows along? Maybe?

4. What is the Oppression?

Conformity, in the form of the school and its rules. And the point at which Neil kills himself, interestingly, is when his father threatens the ultimate oppression: military school.

5. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?

Hmmm…further on Todd as the transformable one, the fact that he isn’t from an uber wealthy family and has to try to fit in while still keeping his eye on the ball (he’s at an important school, with a goal to succeed)… we can identify most easily with him, I think and we see the journey as WE would (through his eyes) if we were in this situation. Also, he’s not weak like Meeks and Cameron, but he’s not daring like Charlie or Neil… he’s average and easy to identify with.

6. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion:

Todd came in kind of shy, and happy to conform, seemed grateful to be there. In the end, he leads the charge (Captain, my Captain). He goes from basically someone who blends in, doesn’t make waves, to someone who stand up for what he believes in.

Knox came in thinking he wasn’t capable (of attracting the cool cheerleader) and in the end, was confident and daring and thought on his feet with her, he really thinks for himself… pushes himself. But all I could think was “Will Gardener”. LOL.

Neil cow-towed to his father 100% (although false to what he believed – he felt the “act” he put on for his father was fine as it allowed him to get most of what he wanted). When push came to shove, he broke out of his mold, and fought for what he believed in. But he couldn’t quite get over the mountain. But it would be a story about Dead Poets without a tragedy. But I did not see this coming. Really brilliant.

7. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?

With every lesson the boys have more fun and even resurrect the DPS. Todd writes Seize the Day and adopts that phrase. The boys marching, first in unison, then at Mr. Keating’s direction, to their own beat. They find the book, start the club, have fun with poetry. Knox makes up a poem and reads it to Chris in a display of bravery. She rebuffs him but he’s happy because “I did it” (seized the day). Todd and Neil bond over a desk set.

8. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

The old ways are challenged as the boys learn how to think instead of what to think – Mr. Keating leads them by showing them, not telling them. He uses sports and team building, challenges their conformity marching, showing them the new way.

9. What are the most profound moments of the movie?

The dead poets book appears, seemingly out of nowhere. The images of them walking to the cave with their hoods up, repeated in the winter later, when the mood has gone colder after Neil dies. When they put Mr. Keating on their shoulders and carry him in victory. When one of them plays the saxophone in the cave. When Knox phones Chris. When Knox says Carpe, or Carpe Diem (several times, probably 30. When Todd jumps on the desk at the end, and they all get up. Even the losers/traitors. When Neil puts his crown of thorns in the window…we know he is channelling the dead poets. And the end, when Mr. Keating looks at them just before leaving…we KNOW he has taught them something they will never forget (Seize the Day) – and his want was satisfied.

10. What are the most profound lines of the movie?

So many! Oh Captain, my Captain. Carpe Diem. If you listen real close, you can hear them whispering their legacy to you. Words and ideas can change the world. First time in my whole life, I’m gonna do it. Dead Poet’s Honour…what’s that?… My word.

11. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?

Mr. Keating gets what he wanted. The boys are thinking for themselves. The Oh Captain, my Captain, the Seize the Day, the brilliant lines that run through this movie.
12. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?

You must stand up for what you believe in, no matter what it costs you.

[Diane Keranen]

Diane’s Lead Characters

What I learned doing this assignment is that my characters were far too undefined. They interacted but lacked a purpose that could show onscreen. It’s no wonder I was unable to get this screenplay to a satisfying state of completion.

1. Tell us your transformational journey logline — A family struggling with generations of combat trauma welcomes home a soldier unsure of his future who must find a path from a war zone to a family home.
Main characters in the four storylines:
Storyline 1: Stewart and Claire (in their mid-60s). Parents of Matt and grandparents of Jake.
Storyline 2: Stewart and Matt (mid-30s, he’s deployed or “re-upped” multiple times). Father and son (Jake is Matt’s son).
Storyline 3: Jake and Cole (10 year-old boys, best friends)
Storyline 4: Gavin, Sr. and Gavin, Jr. (Both combat veterans of different wars) Gavin Sr is an elder (late 80s) and Gavin, Jr. (Stewart’s best friend) dies by his own actions in mid-80s but is included in a flashback.

2. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role —
Storyline 1 (a dominant storyline): Claire is the Change Agent for Stewart. Claire envisions a world where Matt can rejoin his wife and son as a secure family unit and she and Stewart can finally get back to the married life they wanted when they first got married as young lovers before he went into the military. She pressures Stewart (a combat-trauma-affected veteran) to help Matt find a way to make a life that allows him to find success as a father, wife, and son. However, Stewart has not successfully done this himself, and Claire does not see this clearly because she has a good relationship with both Stewart and Matt even though she and Stewart have not lived together since Matt was born.
Storyline 2 (a dominant storyline): Stewart is the Change Agent for Matt. Stewart’s vision is adopted from Claire’s as he wants to give her what she wants because he loves her deeply even though he keeps himself at a distance (he doesn’t want to harm her due to his trauma reflexes which I could call PTSD but won’t… I want to show it rather that say it and I don’t want to diagnose him because veterans struggle differently with PTSD and I don’t want to suggest “this is what PTSD is like”). She is the most significant person in his life. While Claire pressures Stewart to do what he believes will not work, he agrees to try because she has been able to keep the relationships between her and Matt and her an him going through literal decades of hardship. He chooses to trust her judgement and reconcile with Matt to help him sort out his wartime past and family present.
Storyline 3 (a secondary storyline): Cole is a Change Agent for Jake. Jake envisions his father returning from deployment to their family where they can be a normal family. His mother is selling him this vision so he believes he can convince his father to stay home this time and not re-deploy. Cole “helps” Jake figure out a traditional “man’s skill set” in order to earn his father’s love and respect; somethings he believes he does not have.
Storyline 4: (a secondary storyline): Gavin, Jr. might be a change agent for both Stewart and Matt because his end-of-life event influences both of their survival options and choices. Gavin, Sr. might be a change agent for the overall story and the audience.

3. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role —
Storyline 1: Stewart essentially chooses to be transformable. After living alone since his son was born, having a dysfunctional, estranged relationship with his son, he bends to Claire’s will to create opportunities to be part of his son’s future. Stewart also wants to give Claire what she wants from him (a return to a more emotionally and physically intimate relationship) even though he’s not sure he can give it to her.
Storyline 2: Matt is the transformable character. He wants to get his life “in order” so he can be a good husband and father. The pressures to change from returning soldier to the Old-ways-or-New-ways are confusing to him because they are in conflict with each other. Sara wants him to take on her worldview (Old ways) with a “you’re not in the war anymore, so shake it off and be a dad for Christ’s sake,” sort of perspective. Stewart’s agency points to a different way of being in the world (New ways) in which taking on the challenges of living with combat trauma is a through-way to a life he can find satisfying in a “you will always have the war with you, you can’t just ignore it” sort of perspective.
Storyline 3: Jake is the transformable character. He’s deciding for himself what changes he needs to make to “man up” and learns these indirectly, along with Cole’s help from observing social norms.
Storyline 4: (I’m unsure at this time, but Gavin, Jr might be a change agent for Matt who considers choosing the same “out” as well as Stewart who grapples with why he didn’t choose life-ending action.)

4. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story —
The Oppression is the romantic notion of war as something necessary for national security. It works by forming a type of mythic characterization of soldiers and veterans as having taken part in the patriotic act of defending the nation. This characterization doesn’t want to see these patriotic defenders of freedom as weak or damaged. They need to be seen as brave heroes. While it’s fair to recognize the bravery of soldiers, the combat soldiers who see themselves as human beings, and who saw the worst of the worst are those that have a difficult time characterizing what they did as honorable due to the atrocities they witnessed and were required to take part in. What I’m calling the romanticized notion of war is in conflict with human compassion which must be turned off in order to take part in combat. Figuring out how to live with both the realities of war and romantic ideas celebrated back home, is where the oppression works hardest. A choice is demanded.

5. Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role —
Storyline 1: Stewart could be a Betraying Character if, and I do mean “if” at this point, if Matt ends his own life. Stewart would then turn on Claire and remain alone in his cabin in the woods and commit to distancing himself further from her.
Storyline 2: Matt could be the Betraying Character if he takes his own life by deciding he’s not up to the challenge of finding his own way among the conflicting worldviews. Or maybe Sara could try to help Matt work with Stewart and then decide that new ways are too difficult to align with the rest of her worldview.
Storyline 3: Jake. His child’s level of maturity doesn’t allow him to understand the conflict between the oppression and what his father needs to figure out how to live his post-combat homelife. Therefore, he betrays his own desire to earn his father’s respect by “manning up” because he learns the romanticized viewpoint and this leaves him and his father at odds with each other.
Storyline 4: I’m not sure yet but this one may not have one.

[Beverly A Ihnen]

Beverly A. Ihnen’s Lead Characters.
What I learned doing this assignment is that there is a necessity to create characters who will play off of each other, whether they ever met one another or not. I hadn’t even suspected the Change Character was hiding in the shadows when I began working out this story, and yet, how could he not be? Finding him has opened up a new layer of human interaction to add depth and color to this script.

1. Tell us your transformational journey logline.
A naïve young woman from the Midwest volunteers as a tutor in South Central LA, unaware that racial tensions are about to erupt; she puts her life on the line to defend and protect these children and their siblings in the ensuing turmoil.

2. Tell us who you think might be your Change Agent and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role. Also, include: – Their vision: – Their past experience that fits that vision:

The Change Agent is Edwin, an elderly widower whose wife had become active in handling youth gang problems in the mid-1960s after their son was killed in a gang shootout. Seeing the disintegration of the family unit in the South Central communities, the proliferation of drugs and the undermining of education there, Anna (Edwin’s wife) had established a firm friendship with one of the local gang leaders, tutored him, gave him a moral anchor and as a trusted ally, had not only instilled a sense of ethical behavior in this gang but helped them to establish a real identity and purpose, The gang set up their own businesses, their own charities, their own tutoring centers for the area kids. The violence and crime dropped to practically nothing, and as gang-members themselves, they were able to quell the rampant gang wars and form and preserve a truce for many years. Anna passed away a decade ago and Edwin, who had become a father figure and mentor to the original gang members, moved out of the area. It breaks his heart to see a new generation of gang members taking over, and an upsurge in warfare and drugs, but he feels his time is past to make a difference now. He develops a bright hope, however, in his friend, the young librarian.

3. Tell us who you think might be your Transformable Character(s) and give a few sentences about how that character or characters fit the role.

Kirstin is the main character and has the most dramatic transformation. She is a fish out of water, no doubt about it, and could easily and happily retreat to the country life she loves. But now, in LA and finding a deep compassion for children with a very different experience and little hope for the future, is touched to reach out and help. Oddly, it really does not occur to her to be afraid for her own wellbeing, and that quality in turn inspires those around her to protect her and help push forward her transformation.

LaDale is a young black gang member from South Central, and like most those he knows he is hell-bent to live the good life now at whatever price. His younger brother is one of the pupils Kirstin tutors, and he can see that whatever it is she brings to that activity, it has had a profound impact on his brother. He is happier, looks forward to the teaching, looks forward to learning and applying information in life, and sees a life outside the gangs for himself. LaDale will have to move past his gang training to see the good in this strange woman who stumbles blindly into his territory, to protect his brother’s dreams and ultimately to take leadership in bringing about a vision for his community of peace and prosperity.

4. Tell us who or what you think might be The Oppression and give a few sentences about how The Oppression works in your story.

The Oppression is the social atmosphere of a city on the verge of ripping apart in the face of built-up inequalities. One race against another, one neighborhood against the next, divisions fueled by media and merchants of chaos.

5. Tell us who you think might be your Betraying Character and give a few sentences about how that character fits the role.

The Betraying Character is Manny, the young LAPD officer who befriends Kirstin. He has been impacted by her idealism and feels obliged to protect her. He identifies with the idealism and he resists the culture of racial intolerance and brute force, of “us against them.” He tries to instill a new viewpoint into his own surroundings, but ultimately buckles under to the pressure to be “a real bad ass” in a rapidly deteriorating situation.

[Angela Booth]

Angela Booth – Dead Poets Society :

1. What is the change this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
The students are taught to break free from conformity and learn to think for themselves.

2. Lead characters:
o Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?
Teacher Mr Keating is the Change Agent – he was a student at the school and has returned to offer a new way of thinking for a new generation.
o Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?
The students in Mr Keating’s class are the transformable characters. They are on the cusp of adulthood, and are old enough to make their own decisions, but young enough to still be fully I the grip of conformity, as children.
o What is the Oppression?
The Oppression is the school system that insists on turning out a specific type of individual.

3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
The arrival of Todd at the school takes us with him as he learns who is who and what the rules of the school are. Thus we are introduced to the old ways with him, just as he and the rest of the boys are being shown the new way.

4. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion:
Old way: Do as you’re told. Do your homework. Do not deviate from expectation. Make your parents proud in the way they expect.
New way: Be yourself. Be proud and true to your own thoughts and beliefs. Be honest and honourable by standing firm on what you believe to be right and true.

5. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?
First they were introduced to a radical, destructive idea – tearing out the page.
Then they were ridiculed when they walked in uniformity – truly testing them to find their own path.
They are then encouraged to form their own society and break school rules, and Todd is encouraged to try out for the school play, breaking with the tradition of is family and becoming his own person.

6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
Todd receives the same thoughtless gift from his father that he has received many times before, and this acts as a turning point for him to reject his father’s way (the old way) because he sees the damage it causes. Todd then embraces acting from the heart as his new way.

7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?
Mr Kesting telling the boys to rip out the page from the book.
Mr Keating telling the boys to believe in themselves and seize the day.
The boys welling up in tears when they see Mr Keating being removed from the school
The conformity scene where they see for themselves how easy it is to fall in step and copy one another.

8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
Oh Captain my captain.
You must strive to find your own voice.
I always thought the idea of education was to learn to think for yourself.

9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
The boys standing on their desks is testimony to the deep impact that Mr Keating has had on their ability to think for themselves. Defying school orders and rules to do what is right and true for them shows that they have truly understood what Mr keating was trying to teach them.
He is humbled and gratified by their actions. Not everyone stands on the desk, and that’s OK. Not everyone can make the change at the same rate.

10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?
The profound truth is that we need to live our own lives for ourselves, to be the best that we can be. Not for others, or to follow rules set by other people. We need to set our own rules and live them only if they feel right, otherwise change them.

[Natalie Hawkins]

Natalie's 4a: The Change Agent, etc.

what I learned: an approach of shaping a story through this model

logline: A youngster with Native American heritage, studying math and the sciences, tags along with a woman scientist pursuing some math/science challenges which can open the door to a new way of thinking about science and reality.

change agent: the youngster and the scientist

transformable characters: those who hold strong to current beliefs about how the universe works

oppression: scientists in the field whose lives have relied on upholding the current beliefs

betraying character: a scientist who has seen the light, but has too much to lose to reveal that

Natalie's 4b: Dead Poets Society

What I learned: based on true experiences of the screenwriter, especially the Keating role, won Best Original Screenplay, IMDB rating: 8.1/10, Ethan Hawke commented recently that his kid(s) don't recognize him in the film, something like that. Siskel or Ebert thought "Do the Right Thing" was a more deserving movie to be considered for an Oscar, though it didn't make the cut.

1. What is the change this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
The boys become energized on their way to freer thinking and seizing their days.
2. Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?
Keating
3. Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?
The students in Keating's poetry class.
4. What is the Oppression?
The school administrators, like Nolan.
5. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
It has a scary feel, about being rebellious, stepping of a comfort zone, how is that gonna play out? You're on the side of the boys and Keating, and against the strong authoritarian rule.
6. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion:
Todd and Neil. Todd transitions from being shy, and afraid to speak in class, to being brave and standing on his desk at the end to tell Keating that they were forced to sign the letter. Neil gains bravery to pursue his interest in acting, though his father wants him to focus only on things related to eventually getting into medical school. He tries out, gets the part, and acts in the play.
7. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?
The steps outlined above in 6.
8. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
Old way of using the poetry text, to new way of ripping out the first chapter.
Old way of doing what parents ask, to doing what you think excites you.
9. What are the most profound moments of the movie?
Neil kills himself because he feels trapped, so it's profound in identifying a potential cost of being a free thinker.
All the boys standing on their desks at the end, show that the boys believed.

10. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
Carpe diem, seize the day, make your life matter, the lines near the beginning.
Keating mentions that his girlfriend is in London, hard to do that, makes you wonder if he's seizing the day, why is he back at the school?
Neil says, "I'm trapped."
The call from God, and Keating's comment that if Dalton had added "collect", that would have really been something.
Keating says, "not artists, free thinkers".

11. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
The ending shows support for all that Keating was trying to achieve, and makes use of his "standing on the desks as a reminder to see things differently".

12. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?
Free thinking is best, though it may not be welcome, and could involve big costs, you have to make choices, navigate the challenges.

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Natalie Hawkins.