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Lesson 6
Reply to Post your assignment.
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9 Replies
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Bobby’s Relationship Maps: What I learned doing this assignment was… doing separate maps for lead characters allows me to see a relationship from BOTH perspectives, which gives all sorts of insight into motivations for the other characters in my center circle. GREAT TOOL.
TV Relationship Map – Mr. Robot
ELLIOT relationships:
Elliot/Mr. Robot
Surface: Protoge/Mentor
Common Ground: Both want to bring down Evil Corp;
both hackersConflict: Elliot doesn’t want to hurt people; Mr. Robot doesn’t care
History: Mr. Robot recruited Elliot –he’s key to it all
Subtext: Moral battle: do ends justify means?
Father/son dynamicRelationship Arc: From mentor to…
Elliot/Angela
Surface: Best Friends
Common Ground: Both had parent killed by Evil Corp
Conflict: Angela’s poor men choices; Elliot full of secrets
History: Met when parents got sick; Elliot’s only real friend
Subtext: Elliot in love with her; sees himself as her protector
Relationship Arc: From best friends to…
Elliot/Tyrell Wellick
Surface: David/Goliath
Common Ground: Both tech geeks; little patience for idiots
Conflict: Wellick wants Elliot to work for Evil Corp./Elliot trying to bring him down
History: Wellick offers Elliot job – seems to know what he’s up to
Subtext: Adversaries/two sides of same coin
Relationship Arc: From adversaries to…
MY TV Relationship Map – AMP
FRANK RELATIONSHIPS
FRANK/AMP
Surface: Partners
Common Ground: Both hate authority; both forced into relationship; both love puzzles?
Conflict: Frank sees AMP as a machine; AMP disappointed (Frank not cop he was)
History: Forced partners
Subtext: Competitors/ conspirators
Relationship Arc: From resentful partners to true allies
FRANK/Maggie Boldin
Surface: Boss/Employee
Common Ground: Mutual attraction; both hated authority
Conflict: Maggie now his boss; affair led to breakup of Frank’s marriage
History: One-time lovers; Frank blames her
Subtext: Frank blames Maggie; she reminds him of his failings
Relationship Arc: From Boss/ employee to… regained respect?
FRANK/Dani
Surface: Father/Daughter
Common Ground: Both hate mom; each has no other family
Conflict: Frank abandoned her with mom; Frank consumed with guilt
History: Dani left with mom after divorce – blames Frank; haven’t spoken in years?
Subtext: Dani is symbol of Frank’s failures
Relationship Arc: Estranged to… door slightly ajar
AMP RELATIONSHIPS
AMP/Frank
Surface: Partners
Common Ground: Both hate authority; both forced into relationship; both love puzzles?
Conflict: AMP’s detective skills based in part on what Frank USED to be – AMP breaks rules, Frank lives by them
History: AMP studied Frank; forced partnership
Subtext: AMP wants Frank to accept him – admires who he used to be
Relationship Arc: From forced partners to TRUE partners
AMP/Ailene
Surface: Therapist/Client
Common Ground: Both confused by human illogic; both suspicious of AMP’s makers
Conflict: Ailene in charge of keeping AMP “under control”; when she violates that, AMP holds her future in his hands
History: Ailene helped design AMP – knows him better than anyone
Subtext: Ailene is only one who views AMP as a slave (recognizes him as alive) – both share loneliness
Relationship Arc: From doctor/patient to conspirators
AMP/Miles Malik
Surface: Creator/Creation
Common Ground: Understanding of machine life
Conflict: Miles is AMP’s GOD – one AMP is not thrilled with; Miles has other uses for AMP
History: Miles created AMP
Subtext: AMP is fighting for his freedom; Miles secretly controlling AMP’s underlying programming
Relationship Arc: From God/acolyte to adversaries
AILENE RELATIONSHIPS
AILENE/AMP
Surface: Therapist/Client
Common Ground: Both confused by human illogic; both suspicious of AMP’s makers
Conflict: Ailene sees AMP as her friend; but aware she can’t connect with “real” people
History: Chief designer/ touchstone for AMP – with him since he “woke up”
Subtext: Ailene sees AMP as a son
Relationship Arc: From doctor/patient to conspirators
AILENE/Maggie Boldin
Surface: Client/Consultant
Common Ground: Both working for police (sort of?)
Conflict: Ailene’s loyalty is to AMP – Maggie thinks program is a joke; Maggie sees Ailene as HER employee – Ailene answers to Genesis
History: Ailene the employee Maggie never wanted
Subtext: Maggie represents the world that has always dismissed Ailene; Ailene is everyone who thought they were smarter than Maggie
Relationship Arc: From adversaries to reluctant allies
AILENE/Miles Malik
Surface: Boss/Employee
Common Ground: Both trying to advance AI, and integrate them into society
Conflict: Ailene sees the life in AMP – Miles sees AMP (and everyone else) as tools to be used
History: Miles hired Ailene; Ailene looks up to Miles as her idol
Subtext: Miles is Ailene’s idol; he uses her loyalty to manipulate her
Relationship Arc: From idol to enemy
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What I learned doing this assignment is that in this example show especially two competitors/enemies cover a lot of common ground, and that the relationship arcs can mirror each other on different levels (business level, motherhood or marriage level). This map is very helpful showing precisely how the cobweb is perfectly woven in detail, which makes the example show so strong and intriguing.
Assignment 1: Big Little Lies
Madeline and Celeste
Surface: Friends
Common Ground: Both are moms with kids in elementary school, knowing the same people. Both where there when Perry died.
Conflict: Not a real conflict, but at the end they admit that they should have known much more about each other and their pains.
History: Not revealed how long they know each other. Seem to be friends for a while.
Subtext: Co-Conspirators.
Relationship Arc: Their friendship becomes deeper and more trustful.
Madeline and Renata
Surface: Enemies (sometimes pretending to talk to each other friendly)
Common Ground: Both are moms with kids in elementary school, knowing the same people. Both where there when Perry died.
Conflict: Fulltime mom against hard working, successful mom.
History: Not revealed how long they know each other. Seem to be competitors since their children were born.
Subtext: Major competition (motherhood level). Co-Conspirators.
Relationship Arc: From competitors to sort of friends.
Madeline and Bonnie
Surface: Competitors
Common Ground: Both are moms with kids in elementary school, knowing the same people. Both loved/love the same man. Both have a relationship with Abigail (daughter/friend). Both where there when Perry died.
Conflict: Madeline hates Bonnie, because she is so different from her, and seems to be perfect.
History: Bonnie is the new love of Madeline´s ex-husband.
Subtext: Major competition (marriage level). Co-Conspirators.
Relationship Arc: From enemies to friends.
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Karen Christine Angermayer´s Assignment 2:
Relationship map of my own project – THE BANKER
What I learned doing this assignment is that it quickly shows the weak spots of a character or his role in the show. For me this means that I probably will take out one character completely – or reduce his presence. Interesting and very helpful!
Wolf-Dieter und Emma:
Surface: They have a deal with each other.
Common Ground: Both know what it means loosing sth/someone very valuable.
Conflict: Different generation. Emma is much more sense-driven than in the rat-race like WD. She drinks and smokes while being pregnant – 2 no-gos for him.
History: He yelled at her when she short-changed him at the cash desk.
Subtext: They are helping each other in more than just a financial way.
Relationship Arc: From conflict to a deep understanding and friendship. At the end he will discover that he´s the grandfather of her child.
Wolf-Dieter and Jonas:
Surface: Enemy.
Common Ground: Both experts in the money world: WD in the world it was until Crypto came up, Jonas expert in the world of coins. What both don´t know for a long time: Jonas is WD´s son.
Conflict: Jonas betrayed WD, and has what formerly belonged to WD: his money and that of his clients. In trying to compete with his father he betrayed his real father.
History: The scam.
Subtext: Power struggle
Relationship Arc: WD outplays Jonas. From competition to bitter chase.
Wolf-Dieter and Sabine:
Surface: married.
Common Ground: Married for more than 20 years. Two kids.
Conflict: WD cannot talk to her about the scam and the huge loss. More and more estrangement.
History: She had an affair with his colleague years ago which still is an issue between them.
Subtext: Power struggle, despair
Relationship Arc: From marriage to estrangement.
Emma and Jonas:
Surface: couple.
Common Ground: Couple for about a year. Both work in the scam team.
Conflict: He did not want their child. She decided not to do the abortion.
History: Had a great night out which led to her pregnancy. She admired him. With his help she got the job in the team.
Subtext: Power struggle (“Me or the child”). Danger.
Relationship Arc: From lovers to enemies.
Emma and Juli:
Surface: Colleagues/friends.
Common Ground: Both work in the scam team.
Conflict: competitors for Jonas´ acknowledgment.
History: Emma cannot prove it, but has the feeling that there´s sth going on between Jonas and Juli. She saw them together.
Subtext: Aversion.
Relationship Arc: From Aversion to neutral: After Emma leaves Jonas she doesn´t care about his affair with Juli any more.
Emma and her parents:
Surface: Almost no contact, since she discovered a huge lie which hurt her deeply.
Common Ground: Emma always felt like she didn´t belong to this family.
Conflict: It hurts her to have no contact, but it seems so difficult that she has given up on it.
History: She moved out at the age of 16.
Subtext: Unexpressed love. Helplessness.
Relationship Arc: From misunderstanding to approach.
I´ve also created a map for a third character, and looking at the map, the character´s role and function in the show do not satisfy me any longer. As said above I am thinking about taking him out of the show or giving him a not so present role. Therefore I leave his map out here.
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What I learned doing this assignment is that there’s great power in just making shit up, knowing that ultimately everything is likely to change. It’s all about creating a place from which to start.
ASSIGNMENT 1: EXAMPLE SERIES: THE MORNING SHOW
Create a Relationship Map for one lead character and their relationship with three others.
THE MORNING SHOW
ALEX LEVY & Bradly Jackson:
Surface: Co-hosts
Common Ground: Capable show hosts
Conflict: They both want the top spot and control
History: No history. Alex is new
Subtext: Competition
Relationship Arc: Rivals to partners
ALEX LEVY & Cory Ellison:
Surface: New cocky boss
Common Ground: Both want the show to succeed
Conflict: Cory wants Alex gone and she knows it
History: No history. Cory is new.
Subtext: No history. Must appear as on the same page in public/completely at odds underneath
Relationship Arc: Enemies to partners`
ALEX LEVY & Chip Black:
Surface: Long-time EP
Common Ground: Career-long friendship/Chip’s invested in Alex’s success
Conflict: Alex does what she wants, ignoring Chip, who wants what’s best for the show/his career
History: Friends for years
Subtext: Distrust
Relationship Arc: Dear friends to enemies
ASSIGNMENT 2:
1. Create a Relationship Map for THREE lead characters from YOUR SHOW IDEA.
LOVE SPRINGS
HOLLY GLASS & Jack Oadlinker:
Surface: Former co-workers, once friends now estranged
Common Ground: Both believe Holly is innocent
Conflict: Disagree on the ethics of producing a “drug” w/no FDA scrutiny
History: Best friends and research partners for years. Holly went into management, Jack stayed in research
Subtext: A secret alliance, Jack is useful if he feels important to Holly
Relationship Arc: Best friends to betrayal
HOLLY GLASS & Mindy Margolis:
Surface: Childhood best friends
Common Ground: They both love the town
Conflict: They usually want (and go after) the same thing (or person).
History: They grew up together until Holly left after high school. Friends, always competing for attention, boys, and the spotlight.
Subtext: Holly undervalues Mindy
Relationship Arc: Forced politeness to genuine friendship
HOLLY GLASS & Bobby Kyle:
Surface: Cordial, uneasy, professionally polite
Common Ground: They both love the town
Conflict: Opposite views on what’s best for town: Holly wants change/Bobby wants it to stay the same
History: Bobby was Mayor when Holly left after high school. He thought she was an opportunist.
Subtext: Each wants to undermine/professionally destroy the other
Relationship Arc: Uneasy professionals to outright hatred, then a discovery of common ground (possibly in finale.
JACK OADLINKER & Holly Glass:
Surface: Holly is Jack’s former best friend and trusted coworker, now estranged
Common Ground: Jack wants Holly to succeed and be redeemed
Conflict: Holly pushes Jack’s boundaries, Jack worries about pushing ethical limits
History: Jack and Holly started together at the company 20 years ago. Became fast, trusted friends (think: work husband/wife)
Subtext: Jack would marry Holly if he ever could
Relationship Arc: from Holly’s best friend to realizing she’s crossing lines, and ultimately choosing to stay withing what he believes are ethical boundaries, forcing him to betray Holly
JACK OADLINKER & Brent Waters:
Surface: healthy, professional relationship
Common Ground: they’re both working hard to increase the company’s profits
Conflict: Brent punishes Jack for his loyalty to Holly when it all went down.
History: Brent hired Jack and Holly 20 years ago when the company had ten employees. The three of them built the business together.
Subtext: They each undermine the other at every opportunity. The hate each other.
Relationship Arc: They go from hating each other to a grudging alliance
JACK OADLINKER & William C. “Bill” Hart
Surface: FDA Auditor vs. Researcher
Common Ground: they want safe, effective pharmaceuticals
Conflict: Hart hates Holly (believing the frame job), so he enforces ridiculous details to make Jack’s life miserable.
History: Ten years of auditor/researcher professional sparring. Each respected the other until Holly.
Subtext: Hart wants to take down the company for any violation because what went down with Holly hurt his career.
Relationship Arc: They go from simply hating each other to each using the other for their own end goal.
MINDY MARGOLIS & Holly Glass
Surface: Childhood friends, reunited
Common Ground: they both love the town and share a history
Conflict: Mindy wants what Holly has built
History: they were best friends who competed over everything. Mindy almost always won, but Holly’s the one who left and built a successful career
Subtext: Mindy feels envy toward Holly, along with competition
Relationship Arc: polite reunion, survives a few relationship bumps, ends up being best friends
MINDY MARGOLIS & Bobby Kyle
Surface: the town “Nobody” who knows where the old mayor’s bodies are buried.
Common Ground: these two know the town better than anyone
Conflict: Mindy wants Bobby’s job
History: Bobby may or may not have had a fling (affair) with Mindy after she graduated high school
Subtext: Mindy knows she’s got “dirt” on Bobby, so she keeps him/he stays—in line.
Relationship Arc: not really interacting to Mindy actively undermining Bobby’s bid for the Mayor’s race—she becomes a direct competitor, with a big advantage over Bobby.
MINDY MARGOLIS & Nancy Lin
Surface: Good friends
Common Ground: they’ve known each other for years, love the town and each other
Conflict: Nancy has worked hard her whole life to make something of herself and her restaurant, whereas because of Mindy’s looks, Nancy believes things came easy, so…resentment.
History: Nancy gave Mindy her first job bussing tables at the restaurant. They’re both locals.
Subtext: Nancy resents Mindy, Mindy believes she’s “better” than Nancy. Both regret never leaving the town.
Relationship Arc: they go from a coolish friensship to willing co-conspirators in Holly’s plan, to partners, having each other’s back.
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KZ’s Show Relationship Map
What I learned doing this assignment is…I feel like this technique could yield much more, so I plan to circle back to it later and see if my answers are still the same.
Assignment #1 – No time this week.
Assignment #2 MURDER MY DARLINGS
Create a relationship map for three lead characters from your show idea.
OLIVER & TONY
Surface: Crush
Common Ground: Artistic, both living off of older men
Conflict: Oliver wants Tony to leave Nolan; Tony is afraid to leave.
History:
Subtext: I love you more than you love me.
Relationship Arc: From crush to true love.
OLIVER & NOLAN
Surface: Love triangle competitor
Common Ground: Both love Tony
Conflict: Nolan won’t let Tony go
History: Creation / Creator
Subtext: I’m doing what I want / You will do what I say
Relationship Arc: Control to freedom
OLIVER & MICHELLE
Surface: Tenant / Nosy superintendent
Common Ground: Both want to live good lives
Conflict: Michelle puts Oliver in harm’s way to protect her own interests
History:
Subtext: Michelle has the key to Oliver’s problems, but won’t tell him.
Rel. Arc: Adversary to Ally
TONY & NOLAN
Surface: Lover / Benefactor
Common Ground: Both love to fight
Conflict: Tony wants to be free to love who he chooses
History: Nolan kills off Tony’s crushes in fiction
Subtext: You can’t control me / Yes I can, I own you
Rel Arc: Nolan controlling to Tony in controlling
TONY & MICHELLE
Surface: Sexual involvement with Nolan
Common ground: Both like being famous via Nolan’s books
Conflict: Compete for fame
History: Competition /
Subtext: They want each other dead.
Rel Arc: Co-exist to Fight to the death
NOLAN & TONY
Surface: Lovers
Common ground: Nolan celebrates Tony, who craves notoriety
Conflict: Jealousy
History: Tony’s crushes turn up dead
Subtext: You have to do what I say
Rel Arc: Lover to Destroyer
NOLAN & MICHELLE
Surface: Ex-Lovers
Common Ground: Both want to control Tony
Conflict: The method of control of Tony
History: Used to be involved, now Nolan humiliates Michelle in his books
Subtext: I can use your desire for fame to torture you.
Rel. Arc: Oppression to Freedom
NOLAN & OLIVER
Surface: Next door neighbors
Common Ground: Both love Tony
Conflict: Both love Tony
History: Nolan holds the key to Oliver’s amnesia
Subtext: I can kill you.
Rel Arc. Oppressor to Oppressed
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Jan’s Show Relationship Map
WIL: My maps allow me to jump from chair to chair and explore common mutual interest, links or conflicts from different POV’s and therefore a permanent reminder where the energy flows
OLIVER and Marie
Surface : Teammates
Common Ground: Family
Conflict: involvement of their family in conspiracies
History: Relatives
Subtext: 1 + 1 is more than 2
Relationship Arc: from unknown to lovers
OLIVER and Stefanie
Surface : Army, Client – Doc
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Common Ground: War
Conflict: PTSD
History: experience of war and terrorist attacks
Subtext: Unexpressed thirst for love
Relationship Arc: from unknown to lovers
MARIE and Oliver
Surface : Teammates
Common Ground: Family
Conflict: involvement in the antagonist company and in his opponents too
History: Relatives
Subtext: longing for unconditional trust
Relationship Arc: from unknown to lovers
MARIE and Stefanie
Surface : Oliver’s shrink
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Common Ground: Oliver’s wellbeing
Conflict: Competitors
History: from same state
Subtext:coming out longing for bi sexual life
Relationship Arc: from unknown to lovers
STEFANIE and Oliver
Surface : Army, Client – Doc
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Common Ground: curiosity
Conflict: Trust
History: Army, war experiences
Subtext: Disappointment
Relationship Arc: from unknown to lovers
STEFANIE and Marie
Surface : Teammates
Common Ground: homeland
Conflict: Competitors
History: from same state
Subtext: unknown longing for bi sexual life
Relationship Arc: from unknown to lovers
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What I learned doing this assignment is how the relationship brings out each character’s coloring and how they need each other to really paint them.
Assignment 1- Walking Dead
Rick/Shane:
Surface- co-workers, best friends
Common Ground- cops, leaders
Conflict- who’s in charge
History- many hours on the job together
Subtext- fighting for love for the same girl (Lori)
Arc- best friends to growing apart
Rick/Lori
Surface- wife
Common Ground- child, marriage
Conflict- how to love each other in this new world
History- marriage and becoming parents
Subtext- rebuilding marriage
Arc- Lost to Finding to Rebuilding
Rick/Glen
Surface- Glen is the crazy guy to save/help Rick from walkers
Common Ground- smart, resourceful, work well to accomplish tasks
Conflict- Glen is not as strong as Rick
History- Walkers
Subtext- Reliable
Arc- Glen was savior/hero to Rick to now Glen is only interacted with when needed
Assignment 2
Tree Whisperer
Susan/ Mystery Forest Ranger
Surface- Spirit Guide/Mentee
Common Ground- Both navigating the world, magic
Conflict- agreeing on the same thing
History- MFR saved Susan from an overdose
Subtext- Honest with each other
Arc- MFR starts as Susan spirit guide and then roles switch
Susan/Wilma
Surface- situational relationship to save the forest
Common Ground- saving the forest
Conflict- Wilma can be bossy and demanding, Susan easily irritated
History- First tree to talk back to Susan
Subtext- the key to each other
Arc- Susan owes Wilma a favor to Susan taking charge
Susan/Ramona
Surface- co-workers
Common Ground- front desk, both not part of the A-team
Conflict-Ramona laziness, Susan too organized
History- started job on the same day
Subtext- no sugar coding give it straight
Arc- co-workers to cheerleaders to each other
Wilma/Susan
Surface- Situational
Common Ground- save the forest
Conflict- needs Susan help
History- first human to give magic too
Subtext- the key to each other
Arc- Control to uncontrolled
Wilma/Mystery Forest Ranger
Surface- Boss/Employee
Common Ground- saving forest
Conflict- MFR is unreliable at times for Wilma’s liking
History- Saved his kind from extinction
Subtext- MFR does bidding for Wilma
Arc- MFR is good employee to becomes radical that Wilma can’t control him anymore
Wilma/Oak
Surface- Oak is Wilma’s side advisor
Common Ground- both trees and wise
Conflict- Oak’s wisdom knowledge is too slow for Wilma’s liking
History- Oak became the 2nd tree to grow and grew next to Wilma
Subtext- Reliable
Arc- Oak is Wilma’s trusted advisor to Wilma’s inpatients with Oak
Mystery Forest Ranger/Susan
Surface- Spirit guide /mentee
Common Ground- magic and navigating the world
Conflict- understanding /misunderstanding
History- assigned to Susan and saves her
Subtext- Honesty
Arc- Assigned to Susan to learning from Susan
Mystery Forest Ranger/ Wilma
Surface- Boss/Employee
Common Ground- save the forest
Conflict- to agree or not to agree
History- Wilma saved his kind in the past
Subtext- Wilma expects respect from MRF
Arc- Wilma a great boss/agreeable to saying no to Wilma and finding ones own path
Mystery Forest Ranger/ Juniper
Surface- Friend/Home
Common Ground- home
Conflict- space issue either in too much or not enough at one point or another
History- Juniper opened home for MFR to live in
Subtext- Grateful for each other
Arc- Great home/friendship to wanting so much more to expand
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<div>EMPIRE – RELATIONSHIP MAP: </div>
JAMAL LYON AND LUCIOUS LYON
Surface: Strained father-son relationship
<div>
Common Ground: Both grew up without their mother. Both musical geniuses.
Conflict: Lucious despises Jamal for being gay. Jamal despises Lucious for despising him.
History: Lucious threw him in the trashcan when Jamal had on women’s shoes as a child. Lucious forced him to marry a woman.
Subtext: They fear for one another’s safety because of their respective lifestyles
Relationship Arc: From despising one another to Jamal becoming Lucious’ successor.
JAMAL LYON AND COOKIE LYON
Surface: Overbearing but loving mother-son/manager-artist relationship.
Common Ground: Both love/hate Lucious. They have both fallen prey to Lucious.
Conflict: Jamal doesn’t want Cookie back with Lucious. Cookie wants to focus more on his music, not men.
History: She was in prison for 17 years of his life. He was the only one of her sons who visited her in prison.
Subtext: They are extremely loyal to one another.
Relationship Arc: From a chaotic mother son relationship to becoming co-founders of a new label.
JAMAL LYON AND ANDRE LYON
Surface: Brothers, confidantes.
Common Ground: Have both been victims of Lucious’ abusive parenting and criminal activity.
Conflict: They both want to be the successor for Empire Records.
History: They were raised by Lucious while their mother was in prison. Always looked out for one another.
Subtext: Competition. Lucious sees them both as flawed—one gay, one bipolar.
Relationship Arc: From competing for the CEO position to taking care of each other
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This reply was modified 2 years ago by Chanda Haynes.
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This reply was modified 2 years ago by
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What I learned doing this assignment was that the relationships are also helping to build the story. So if there are things occurring in the story that must happen to or with the main characters, this gives you an idea of what character will make it happen. This also provides some backstory that gives us context for the current story.
LIKE THE JONESES – CHARACTER MAP
TONY JONES
TONY JONES – WILLIE JONES
Surface: Respectful father-son personal and business relationship, not openly affectionate
Common Ground: Extensive knowledge of cannabis, both spent early life working the family farm.
Conflict: Tony wants more responsibility. Willie doesn’t trust him to get it done.
History: Tony was an alcoholic, made some bad decisions in the past. Willie felt he has to save Tony.
Subtext: Willie doesn’t trust Tony. Tony wants to be CEO of his own company.
Relationship Arc: From Tony being VP of Jones Farmacy to being VP of a competing brand.
TONY JONES – HENRY JONES
Surface: Cousins, cordial but not super close.
Common Ground: They were both raised by Willie and Elaine. Their mothers weren’t always present in their lives.
Conflict: Tony has the title, but Henry is given more responsibility. They want what each other has.
History: Always close as kids. Henry looked up to Tony. They were inseparable until Henry left for college.
Subtext: Tony admires Henry for stepping out on his own. Henry has no clue what he’s doing.
Relationship Arc: They go from being cordial and friendly to working for competing CEOs.
TONY JONES – HEATHER JONES
Surface: Very loving, respectful relationship
Common Ground: They both agree that their family has some issues.
Conflict: Heather wants to expose the family secrets in her book.
History: They were both raised by Willie. Grew up like siblings.
Subtext: Tony admires Heather for following her dreams. Heather feels like Tony could be doing more with his life.
Relationship Arc: From close and loving to questioning each other’s decision making.
WILLIE JONES
WILLIE JONES – HENRY JONES
Surface: Very loving, respectful father figure-son relationship
Common Ground: Both
Conflict: Henry agrees Tony should have more responsibility.
History: Willie raised Henry after his mom died and his dad disappeared.
Subtext: Willie gives Henry grace b/c of the loss of his mother.
Relationship Arc: From close business and family relationship to questioning each other’s motives.
WILLIE JONES – CYNTHIA JONES
Surface: Father – daughter, Cynthia feels limited by her father
Common Ground: They both want to grow the family business
Conflict: Cynthia wants to leave Portland and expand the business into other states
History: After Cynthia’s divorce, Willie convinced her to come home and work for the family business.
Subtext: Cynthia feels Willie is narrow minded and shows preference to the male family members
Relationship Arc: From conflict about expanding to having Willie’s full support.
WILLIE JONES – ELAINE JONES
Surface: Loving husband and wife. She’s his advisor.
Common Ground: They share a home, children, and business.
Conflict: Elaine doesn’t like how Willie manipulates their children. They agreed to retire together. Elaine is ready for retirement. Willie isn’t.
History: They started as business partners, and later married.
Subtext: Elaine doesn’t do anything to stop Willie’s behavior.
Relationship Arc: From loving spouses to living in different countries.
HENRY JONES
HENRY JONES – HEATHER JONES
Surface: Twins, close, protective of one another
Common Ground:
Conflict: Heather is more forgiving of their father than Henry is.
History: Twin siblings. Lost their mother in combat, uncertain where their father is or if he is alive.
Subtext: Henry feels Heather is disloyal. Heather feels Henry is ungrateful.
Relationship Arc: Best friend twins to backstabbing each other.
HENRY JONES – PETE ROBERTS
Surface: Business cordial, passive aggressive
Common Ground: Corrupt businessmen.
Conflict: Pete Roberts tries to destroy JFP once he learns Henry is in charge.
History: Never liked each other. Don’t trust each other.
Subtext: Henry wants to know what really happened between Pete and Willie.
Relationship Arc: From colleagues to arch enemies.
HENRY JONES – ELAINE JONES
Surface: Loving, respectful aunt-nephew.
Common Ground: Both protective of Willie
Conflict: Elaine doesn’t trust Henry in business. Henry feels she’s controlling.
History: Henry was raised by Willie and Elaine. Henry’s father was Elaine’s patient.
Subtext: They want each other out of the way.
Relationship Arc: familial relationship to questioning each other’s motives.
PETE ROBERTS
PETE ROBERTS – WILLIE JONES
Surface: Cordial in front of others, snide remarks, passive aggressive
Common Ground: Black men in the cannabis biz
Conflict: Competing for the biggest black owned cannabis brand
History: They both feel betrayed by the other.
Subtext: Have love and respect for each other.
Relationship Arc: From business opponents to election opponents.
PETE ROBERTS – ELAINE JONES
Surface: Friendly but guarded
Common Ground: Both want Willie out of business.
Conflict: Pete is her husband’s nemesis.
History: Feels she left him for Willie. She feels he left her to pursue business.
Subtext: There may still be some feelings for one another.
Relationship Arc: From ex-lovers to striking a business deal.
PETE ROBERTS – TONY JONES
Surface: Mutual respect
Common Ground: Want integrity in the black cannabis business.
Conflict: Tony disapproves of Pete’s rogue business tactics.
History: Tony met Pete when Pete worked with his grandfather. Pete is the grandfather of Tony’s child.
Subtext: They both hope Willie is bothered by their relationship.
Relationship Arc: From like family to business partners.
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