Module 3 – Lesson 7: Character Profiles Part 2

[Carole Avila]

ASSIGNMENT

Carole Avila – Character Profiles Part 2

My vision: My writing skills are in demand by the writing industry, because I provide exceptionally crafted, well-loved and inspirational stories enjoyed by all ages that compel professionals to produce my work onscreen and in print.

What I learned from doing this assignment is how my characters can evolve from the beginning of conception to the end of writing a script.

Mandy Ruhe – Protagonist (as Carmena Luebber)
An immature and irresponsible woman from the future is sent to Texas, 1845, and assumes the identity of a hard-working ranch owner. She is in her early twenties and has unruly brunette hair. Mandy must assume the responsibilities of the ranch owner and can’t return to her own time until she saves a ranch from financial ruin, steals guns from an army storehouse, and prevents the southwestern states from returning to possession by the Mexican government.

Mandy wants to be a better person and make a difference in her life, but doesn’t know where to start. She is impulsive and for this reason doesn’t always make good decisions. Sometimes she lets her own desires influence her actions. When big issues arise on the ranch, Mandy wants to escape with her time travel device but doesn’t know how to make it work. Mandy must keep her real identity a secret, but her ranch manager suspects something isn’t right about Carmena.

She’s afraid to take care of so many people when she can barely take care of herself. Mandy, as Carmena, must save the ranch from financial ruin and avoid falling in love with the men who love the ‘real’ owner. Mandy moves from being apathetic to learning to care for her ranch employees, putting in effort to learn her way around the ranch, doing things that are hard for her, like mucking stalls and taking care of barn animals. She also uses her knowledge of the future to create a financial portfolio for the ranch, and eventually learns to take on the responsibility of the ranch. She feels her employees are her family as she only has a few relations in the future.

She easily relates to the children, has a secret crush on the ranch owner (the ‘real’ Carmena thinks of him as a brother), has a bigger crush on the Captain (the ‘real’ Carmena keeps him at bay in favor of running the ranch). She learns from the real Carmena’s memories that she thinks of Carlos like a brother. Mandy wants to hire a new housekeeper so the ranch owner will keep his mind off Carmena.

As Carmena, Mandy must pretend she knows what she’s doing in order to run the ranch efficiently. She uses her knowledge of the future to try to create positive changes for her employees. Although has fallen in love with Captain Sanders, she learns if she stays in the past, she can change the course of history. She is willing to steal guns from the army for Santa Anna in exchange for her time travel device, and must steal them from the army warehouse that the Captain is in charge of protecting. Mandy inadvertently uses terms from the future unheard of in the past. She grows into a responsible adult and is willing to see her own life with a new perspective. She grows a “can do” attitude.

Carlos Solis Protagonist (Triangle)
Carlos is loyal and hardworking, is fiercely loyal and devoted to the ranch and protective of Carmena. He’ll do whatever is necessary to help her, even when he suspects she isn’t who she says she is. He is a Mexican man in his mid-thirties, physically well-built and ruggedly handsome.

Carlos suspects something off about Carmena and is determined to find out what it is. When he discovers Mandy’s true identity, he teaches her about her role on the ranch and the history of her employees. Although he is in love with the real Carmena, he learns that she doesn’t return his feelings.

He has no family of his own and has abandonment issues. He takes care of everyone on the ranch; he wants their happiness. He takes his role of ranch manager seriously. He has a perfect command of English as the original owner of the ranch, Carmena’s now deceased father, Heinrich Luebber, raised Carlos like his own son. Carlos is kind and has a strong desire to do right by the ranch.

Carlos loves Carmena but hides his true feelings. He is somewhat controlling and protective of her. He likes that she (Mandy as Carmena) initially physically responds to him when they’re alone. He learns of Carmena’s new identity, that she’s from the future. He tries to convince her not to pursue a relationship with the captain and tries to sabotage their relationship.

He doesn’t tell Mandy, as Carmena, that he is directing his men in gunrunning activities. Carlos is level headed, but succumbs to his emotional desires and becomes emotionally upset seeing Carmena interact with the captain. He doesn’t want to relinquish control of the ranch to Mandy after learning her new identity. He disapproves of her spending money on ranch essentials—a new stove, another housekeeper, spoiling the employees with rewards. Carlos tries to convince Mandy not to return to her own time.

Although he wants a romantic relationship with Carmena, he needs a relationship with someone who nurtures him instead. Carlos suffers unrequited love with Carmena and has to learn to accept how she feels about him, not loving him as he loves her.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna — Antagonist
Santa Anna is exiled from Mexico and Mandy, as Carmena, finds him injured on her ranch. Santa Anna steals her amulet and blackmails her for weapons. He’s in his late thirties, is handsome, clever, and desperate. He’s also conniving, manipulative, and dishonest. He’s a good bad guy to dislike.

His own family tried to have him killed, but they only managed to injured him when a cannon ball destroys his leg. That deeply hurt him both emotionally and physically. His bad leg keeps him in a lot of pain.

Carmena has her housekeeper, Angela, nurse him in the secret bunkhouse. She confesses she is his illegitimate daughter and is the one who tried to have him killed along with the husband. Santa Anna is polite to Carmena, while trying to think of a way to blackmail her. He manages to steal Carmena’s time-travel amulet and will only return it in exchange for guns.

Santa Anna is desperate for change in his country’s politics and needs power and recognition. He needs weapons to create an army and organize a coup against the current Mexican government.

[Susan]

Assignment Mod 3 Lesson 7 Character Profiles Pt 2

My Vision: I am an amazing writer who has fun every day, is recognized by the industry for my ability to take audiences who love me through surprising experiences, and who has multiple successful movies produced while being highly paid.

What I learned from doing this assignment is: I felt this assignment was very complex. I had to go back over previous lessons and piece everything together like a puzzle, upgrading while doing so. I got lost a bunch of times and had to go back and make sure I hit all the questions for each character.

Start this assignment by empowering yourself using our State-To-Activity empowerment process.

State: It is so much fun…

Activity: …to discover what is under the surface for my characters.

Done, a few times during this assignment.

For all characters:

Concept: A Russian Trapeze Artist Spy must decide if she should trust an American Sleeper Agent whose country’s exploits magnify the ever increasing existential threat to her people.

Major Story Hook: Her trapeze partner sets her up to take a fall with the Russian police.

Tell us the Character Structure you’ve chosen.

Dramatic Triangle

With each of your lead characters, first tell us the following:

BRENDI – Lead 1 Protagonist: BRENDI Rostovanova/Protagonist

A. The High Concept.

BRENDI’s Logline: Trapeze aerialist turned spy who is working to save innocent Russian lives even if she must disobey orders from her superiors.

B. This Character’s Journey.

BRENDI goes from being a new undercover agent using her life as a Trapeze artist in the Russian Circus to a brilliant field agent who saves Russia and her people.

C. The Actor Attractors for this Character.

She is in great shape and has to do stunts, lots of action especially for a female actor, lead role, charming and gorgeous but at the same time highly intelligent, takes her spy role seriously, Russian patriot who loves her country and people (as well as family), fiercely patriotic, she has very strong motivation to stop the terrorists, she uses her ingenuity to solve problems, she doesn’t just kill everyone she uses pawns to get to the bottom of plots. New spy who gets thrown into the deep end and MUST acclimate or die and fail, she uses her wits as well as her beauty, agility and strength to get what she wants. She goes with her gut instead of listening to her superiors, She drives like a maniac, she can use her sexuality even though she hates doing so, large emotional range from innocent and inexperienced to driven, brave, focused, determined. She needs to prove herself.

Brainstorm these profile components for each character.

Character 1: BRENDI

Brainstorm the first 6 parts of the profile for each of your lead characters.

1. Role in the Story: Protagonist

2. Age range and Description: Late 20’s, Trapeze Artist’s body, Stunning,

3. Core Traits: Wounded, Fiercely Patriotic, Determined, Highly Intelligent, Brave

4. Motivation; Want/Need: BRENDI wants to prove herself to be more than a “pretty face,” she needs to save Russia and her people

5. Wound: BRENDI was not taken seriously an an intellect and planner her entire life due to her agility and sport skills she was trained on the Trapeze and fussed up for her finesse, good looks and great body. She wanted to do more.

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

Likability: BRENDI is beautiful, a talented Trapeze artist, smart, brave, thinks on her feet,

Relatability: she is trying to be great being a spy even though she is new to it, she is having problems with her work trapeze partner, she is stuck with an unknown person to help with an assignment, she has to go against her superiors, is in competition with CHAZ, is up against a dangerous person, is in a very dangerous world, doesn’t know exactly what the problem is – has to find out.

Empathy: her Trapeze partner almost drops her, her Trapeze partner sets her up, she finds out he is a secret Ukrainian terrorist agent, her secret agent partner is killed in a shootout, she has to work with a CIA agent she is not sure she can trust, she is falling in love with the enemy (CHAZ).

7. Character Subtext:

BRENDI Subtext Logline:

BRENDI is a Russian Undercover Secret Agent who uses schemes, seduction, and plotting to get recognition as a strong, highly proficient spy to boost her moral and stop being taken only as a “pretty face.”

BRENDI takes tremendous risks even though she is a newbie because she must prove herself.

She is conspiring with CHAZ to save Russia and the Russian people.

She is secretly falling for CHAZ.

8. Character Intrigue:

Which of these will give this character more depth and make them more interesting?

Conspiracy: BRENDI is working to be acknowledged above all other Russian agents and is also in competition with agents and villains-terrorists from other countries.

Deception: BRENDI makes plans to take down the terrorists by throwing them off in the wrong direction. She is hiding/imprisoning Filipp against the wishes of her superiors.

9. Flaw:

What is this character’s weakness? The flaw is an internal problem they have that directly affects their actions or abilities. Often, it will be the way they sabotage their own success.

Overdoing things & Poor decision making: Trying to prover herself BRENDI sometimes puts herself and others in unnecessary danger.

That flaw is going to show up any time they are under stress.

Wound: BRENDI’s needing to prove herself because BRENDI was never acknowledged as an intelligent, competent, person growing up, by her family, friends, teachers and mentors. She was only seen as a pretty face and a sports figure.

10. Values:

What this character believes in and cares about. Are honesty and integrity important to them or do they value love and happiness most? List their most prevalent values.

Patriotism, People’s Lives, Family, Duty, Love, Loyalty, Being your best, Intelligence

11. Character (Internal) Dilemma:

These are two opposing parts of a person that cause internal conflict. Sometimes, it is the person’s way of compensating for a fault. Look at each character and ask, “What would be an internal dilemma that would have them vacillate between one extreme and another?”

Wants to save Russia and the Russian people vs Wants to prove herself no matter what.

CHAZ – Lead 2 Antagonist-Protagonist: CHAZ Kofman / Lev Kotov (undercover name) Triangle Character

A. The High Concept.

CHAZ’s Logline: Dissatisfied American undercover Agent working in Russia under orders from his father to stop Russia from dismantling the Ukraine terrorist plan, his great great Grandmother a pogrom escapee Russian Jew.

B. This Character’s Journey.

CHAZ goes from doing what his father wants him to do, to listening to his moral, ethical core and doing what is right – saving millions of Russians/Russia and stopping the destabilization of the area.

C. The Actor Attractors for this Character.

Fit and Strong, Unexpectedly compassionate, Hates being a clown, Disobeys superiors for his moral/ethical code, Helps save the day.

Brainstorm these profile components for each character.

Character 2: CHAZ

Brainstorm the first 6 parts of the profile for each of your lead characters.

1. Role in the Story: Protagonist-Antagonist

2. Age range and Description: Early 30’s, Totally Fit, Can do anything physical, Handsome/Sexy,

3. Core Traits: Compassionate, Highly intelligent, Brave, Highly Ethical/Moral, Pissed Off,

4. Motivation; Want/Need: CHAZ wants to make his CIA father proud, but feels he is constantly put in bad situations just to help his father’s career. He needs to follow his inner core of morality and ethics and become the best and most appreciated agent.

5. Wound: His father never seems to acknowledge when CHAZ does a good job, and continually gives him shitty assignments just to help his own career in the CIA. CHAZ feels invisible, unappreciated, used, angry.

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

Likability: Handsome, Witty, Extremely Moral and Ethical, brave,

Relatability: Wants to be the one to win the day, he has to go against his superiors, he is a fish out of water in a rival country, is in competition with BRENDI, is up against a dangerous person, doesn’t know exactly what the problem is – has to find out. Fully embraces his “clown-ness” even though he hates doing it.

Empathy: He is disrespected by his own agency, he is a fish out of water, he is falling in love with the enemy (BRENDI).

7. Character Subtext:

Subtext Logline: CHAZ is an undercover CIA agent in the Russian circus who has Russian ancestry, and feels taken advantage of by his superiors, especially his father, so uses his high moral and ethical standards to go completely against their wishes.

Secrets: His Father is running him. He is falling for BRENDI.

Lying/Withholding/Concealing: He is still in contact with the CIA

Being American Hero: He feels like he has to be an American Marvel Superhero to prove he is better than his brother.

Conspiring: CHAZ is conspiring with BRENDI to save Russia and millions of Russian lives.

8. Character Intrigue:

Which of these will give this character more depth and make them more interesting?

Hidden agendas: CHAZ needs to prove himself and overcome the disdain and infantilizing of the department.

Secret: Russian ancestry, great grandmother escaped Jew of Russian pogrom he detests Russia for this, but also has a fondness for the culture and heritage she passed down to him.

Conspiracy: With BRENDI to save Russia and her people.

Deception: He hides the fact that he is assisting BRENDI from his superiors, and he hides the fact that he is still in contact with the CIA from BRENDI.

Unspoken Wound: Treated like an incompetent child by his Father and the CIA, never being taken seriously.

Secret Identity: Clown in Russian Circus.

9. Flaw:

What is this character’s weakness? The flaw is an internal problem they have that directly affects their actions or abilities. Often, it will be the way they sabotage their own success.

Overdoing things: To prove himself

Over-confidence: Thinks of himself like an American Marvel Super Hero

That flaw is going to show up any time they are under stress.

10. Values:

What this character believes in and cares about. Are honesty and integrity important to them or do they value love and happiness most? List their most prevalent values.

Honesty/Integrity/Ethics: CHAZ must do what is right.

Being your best: He must always be his best.

Winning: CHAZ wants to win to prove himself.

11. Character Dilemma:

Being/Doing the right thing vs. Need to be accepted and lauded.

CHAZ must do what is right even though he believes it will not please his father and the others at the CIA who he is trying to please.

CHAZ must follow his ethical compass and help BRENDI save Russia, the balance of power in the area and millions of innocent Russians and not follow his “superiors.”

The MONSTR – Lead 3 Antagonist: Hadeon (hay-dee-in) Borysenko, The MONSTR

A. The High Concept.

Logline: Ukraine terrorist Boss who is known only to two other sleeper agents (one he is running and one who unbeknownst to him is running him), and is the only one who knows his entire plan – to murder millions of Russian innocents and destroy Russia.

B. This Character’s Journey.

Goes from planning several small terror attacks to distract from larger plan, planning nuclear destruction of major Russian city, to losing to BRENDI and CHAZ, and losing his life.

C. The Actor Attractors for this Character.

Playing someone who is literally insane as well as a psychopath and has NPD. Being in excellent physical condition and doing stunts. He is in the shadows, un “unknown” quantity for part of the screenplay we only see parts of him, but never all of him. He is literally insane. He is devious, highly intelligent, and a superb planner. He is always sarcastic and yet gets furious when anyone thinks he is funny.

Brainstorm the first 6 parts of the profile for each of your lead characters.

1. Role in the Story: Antagonist

2. Age range and Description: 40’s, Scarred (including face), thin/wiry agile, wears 3-piece suits as part of his blending in/hiding (not something a terrorist would wear),

3. Core Traits: Determined, Furious, Insane/Vicious, Genius/Superb Planner, Devious,

4. Motivation; Want/Need: Wants to get back at the Russian Government people, and become next Russian President (unlikely/insane idea).

5. Wound: He was part of the Russian higher ups then one of his ideas was x-ed and he and his family we fugitives. His wife and children were murdered. He managed to escape and get in to Ukraine.

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

Likability: ZERO, audience interest because we hear his voice, but don’t see him

Relatability: He is laughed at when he is sarcastic when he is not trying to be funny. He thinks he is working for himself, but he is really doing someone else’s bidding.

Empathy: ZERO, he is laughed at when he is sarcastic when he is not trying to be funny

Brainstorm these profile components for each character.

7. Character Subtext:

The Monstr Subtext Logline: The MONSTR is an X-Russian, now Ukrainian Terrorist whose bad blood history with Russian power figures fuels his anger which he uses as a go button to action (whether smart or not).

Secret/Withholding/Hiding something: His identity as a former Russian “aristocrat”/politico and his disgrace.

Lying: To all but his top 1 underling, and the man actually running him about the big terror.

Luring: Gathering people to his cause.

Plotting: Smaller terrorist acts to detract and confuse away from the major terror plot.

8. Character Intrigue:

Which of these will give this character more depth and make them more interesting?

Hidden agendas: To get back at the politicos.

Conspiracy: Plotting to destroy Russia completely.

Secrets: His past affiliation with the Russian politicos and how they murdered his family.

Deception: Hiding himself and plotting secretly the big terror using smaller terrors to hide it.

Unspoken Wound: Disgrace and murder of his wife and children.

Secret Identity: He is really an ex-Russian politico.

9. Flaw:

What is this character’s weakness? The flaw is an internal problem they have that directly affects their actions or abilities. Often, it will be the way they sabotage their own success.

Overdoing things: In his insane push to get back at the Russian politicos he is planning to destroy Russia and its people.

Poor decision making: he makes mistakes because he is being run by his anger go button, his seething anger toward the Russian politic.

Over-confidence: His plans are too large, determined to completely destroy Russia.

Says the wrong thing: he hates being laughed at so when he is sarcastic and cohorts chuckle or laugh he becomes furious. He needs to be taken seriously (not how he was by the Russians in power).

That flaw is going to show up any time they are under stress.

10. Values:

What this character believes in and cares about. Are honesty and integrity important to them or do they value love and happiness most? List their most prevalent values.

Family Loyalty, Winning, Revenge: The MONSTR’s love for his murdered family and deep wound push him to Revenge and Winning.

11. Character (Internal) Dilemma:

The MONSTR would love the world to see who is taking down Russia, but he must be behind the scenes in order to carry out his revenge!

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