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Post day 4 Assignment Here
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30 Day Script Lesson 4: Kimbal Thompson’s Character Interviews 09.10.21
What I learned doing this assignment is getting to know the cast better.
ASSIGNMENT
1. Empowerment
2. Pull out the character profiles for your protagonist and antagonist.
3. Then interview each character, knowing that they will answer any questions you ask. As you interview them, allow them to tell you their experience.
4. Add any new info to your Character Profiles and share with us what discovered about the characters.
Protagonist: Kai.
What
draws us to this character? He’s physically attractive, multi-ethnic,
talented and assumes leadership
Traits:
good sense of humor, honest, well-accepted by peers
Subtext:
hiding his basic lack of enthusiasm for scouting
Flaw:
procrastination
Values:
honesty, integrity, love of Hawaiian culture
Irony:
while initially not too into the project, he becomes self-absorbed with
it.
What
makes this the right character for this role? Age, time, and circumstanceAntagonist: Rory
What
draws us to this character? He’s obviously a scumbag
Traits:
grizzly, not honest, ruthless
Subtext:
he will kill to achieve his goals
Flaw:
not too sharp
Values:
manipulating people, greed, freedom
Irony:
As clever as his scheme was conceived, he failed to conceive of what could
go wrong.
What
makes this the right character for this role? He’s a non-caring creep.3. Make any improvements you think of to your Part 1 profile and bring the two parts together.
Role
in the story: Protagonist Kai
Age
range and Description: normal bright athletic 14.5-year-old teen maleInternal
Journey: from feeling reluctantly required to perform a scout rank task to
knowing he took the lead in solving a long-time community mystery (and
pride in completing the project).
External
Journey: from questioning why he was doing the project manipulated by his
parents to bring down a notorious outlaw. :Motivation:
To finish the project enabling him to get his driver’s license.
Wound:
Having to always depend on his parents.
Mission/Agenda:
To complete the restorations, obtain the rank of Eagle and move on.:
Secret:
:He really was not too excited about scouting.
What
makes them special? His ability to discover more in the process of the project
and pursue it.Role
in the story: Antagonist: Rory
Age
range and Description: 50-something hardened convict out of prisonInternal
Journey: from feeling confident he could find the cache of jewels he hid
before prison, discovering missing to whatever it takes to retrieve
External
Journey: from discovering the missing cache to hunting down who took it.Motivation:
To retrieve his cache, cash it in and move on.
Mission/Agenda:
find the missing cache and punish who took it
Secret: :How he came by the cache and how he hid it.
What makes them special? His lack of
foresight in being able to pull off the “perfect” crime.Questions for Protagonist: Kai
Kai,
tell me about yourself. I was born at Kapiolani, raised on the windward
side, like water sports including swimming, kayaking, canoe paddling. I am
in a Hula Halau and played soccer. I’ve already started dating and have a
girlfriend. Basically, my parents are insisting I achieve Eagle Scout
before I can get my driver’s license.
Why
do you think you were called to this journey? To get my Eagle. Why you?
Because my dad and uncle were both Eagle Scouts and believe it ‘character
building.’ Maybe for them.
You
are up against . Getting the project approved by the Scouts and school in
time to finish it by the time I can apply for my license, basically a
little less than a year. What is it about them that makes this journey
even more difficult for you? The fact that the airplane sculpture was made
by an old friend of my dad. Now, the school is insisting that I also
refinish an old life-size bronze horse.
In
order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way
outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them
will be the most difficult? I need
to find a good way to learn to do all of this.
What
habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let
go of? Not really wanting to do it.
What
fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? I just don’t want to
disappoint anyone or fail.
What
skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this
conflict or antagonist?It is interesting and we can learn some new skills.
What
are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to
know? While I have encouraged some fellow scouts to participate with me, I
really have no idea what we are getting into.
What
do you think of ? Good question!
Tell
me your side of this whole conflict / story. I was never too excited about
scouting, yet here we are.
What
does it do for your life is you succeed here? It will prove I can do it,
get my driver’s license, achieve Eagle and quit Scouts.Questions for Antagonist: Rory
Rory,
Tell me about yourself. Born in New Jersey, move to Hawaii at about ten.
Went to rough school where they had ‘Kill Haole Day” Got into a fair
amount of trouble but was accepted when I enlisted in the Air Force at 18.
Was sent to Guam in late 80’s, court-martialed, back in Hawaii for a year
before my arrest for attempted murder and imprisoned until I recently
served my term.
Having
to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? I planned
for my future, now I will complete my plan.
Why
are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? The little shit got my
retirement. Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making
them change? Damn right!
What
do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking
down your competition? Outta here rich, took care of him and back to my
future.
What
drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin,
or death? To finish my plan.
What
secrets must you keep to succeed? My prior role in this/What other secrets
do you keep out of fear / insecurity? Others that were involved catching
up with me.
Compared
to other people like you, what makes you special? I’m getting away with
this.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict
/ story. I made off with some of the missing treasure. -
Emmanuel’s Character Interviews
What I learned doing this assignment is getting into the mind of your character and building their personality, dreams, wounds, and goals is very exciting. When I build characters, I think of people I know or have briefly encountered and fuse in various traits they have to create my protagonist and antagonist.
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Lee’s Character Interviews
What I learned doing this lesson…is how revealing it is to have this kind of “conversation” with my characters. I was finding out all kinds of things that really help flesh out the story more and make it all way more cohesive and complete.
Milly – Protagonist.
Q – Tell me about yourself?
M – My name’s Milly. I’m a girl, obviously. I’ll turn 13 in December so I’m in 7th grade. I’m an “only”—that means I’m the only child that my parents had—so it gets kind of lonely since I live out in the country and my dad works in his lab all day and it’s in this secret place that I’m not supposed to go to. I’m a little over 5 feet tall, which is pretty short. I go to school at a country school where there’s kids from kindergarten all the way to 8th grade. I like it because during lunch I can help out in the little kids’ classroom with my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Gibson. She’s nice. Umm, my best friend is Justin. Actually he’s about my only friend. All the other girls in my class are girly-girls who just gossip and giggle and talk about boys, which is stupid, or I just don’t get on with any of them much. Justin’s fun cuz he’s kind of a geek like me. He likes to do cool stuff like ride his dirt bike and go exploring and stuff, but he’s also super smart, which is cool because I am too. He’s dorky too and makes me laugh cuz he’s kind of a klutz and when he tries to do sports he messes all up. He just thinks it’s funny, but I get mad when the other boys make fun of him. It’s cool too because he lives in the country too and can ride his dirt bike to my house and we can hang out and do stuff and finish homework some days while my dad’s at his lab.
Q – Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?
M – Well, I’m the only one that actually believes that’s my dad is missing, so I guess that’s why I have to do it. I mean, everyone else just all of a sudden seems to have never heard of him, almost like he’s was never around. It makes me mad, and I really got pissed at the people in the police station when they said that when Justin and me went there to file a missing person’s report. They just said “We have no record of a man named Dr. Sparks Johnson living in the area.” Dumb, I know, but they just kept saying that. They even said that my dad’s name was James Johnson and that he’d gone on a business trip like he always did and would be back the same night. Me and Justin got suspicious so we waited that night and some guy did show up, but he had a gun and we took off and never looked back. Now we’ve got to get my Grandma Sue out of prison so she can help us find Daddy. She’s all badass and did something awful—Daddy’d never tell me—so they put her in some super-prison up in Colorado or something.
I guess another reason I’m the one doing this is that I’m the only one that knows about Daddy’s toy room where he’s got all his toys. There’s guns and trucks and cars and weird-looking things and they look like totally way cool—almost like they were the real thing, only really small. He’d tell me that wouldn’t it be cool if I could just say a magic word and they’d become real. I used to dream about that, but of course he was just being silly and he never told me any magic words. But I always thought there was something special about them, so me and Justin took’em with us before we left.
Q – You are up against General Janus, who’s kidnapped your father. What is it about him that makes this journey even more difficult for you?
M – Well, obviously he’s a retired military general for one thing, and knows all about killing people. And he’s got a bunch of other military-type people that help him out. And his home might be like some kind of fort, but nobody knows for sure. He’s pretty slick too. I guess he lies a lot, but he makes them sound so much like the truth that you almost think he’s being straight up. And he acts all nice and charming and whatever, so you got to be careful or he’ll schmooze you into doing whatever he wants. Usually, I can spot a lying SOB from a mile away, but I’ll have to be careful with this guy because I’m a sucker for nice people too.
Q – In order to survive this, you’re going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?
M – Well, I’m gonna have to change just about everything. I mean, about the only thing that’s NOT changed is that I’m doing everything with Justin. But other than that, everything’s different. We got to go on the road, we got to break my Granny Sue out of this super prison, and I got no idea how we’ll do that, and then we have to find where this General Janus lives, because he’s the guy Daddy and everyone at his lab was afraid would try and get whatever Daddy made there, and then we’ll have to find out what’s happened to Daddy, and if he’s been kidnapped we’ll have to free him somehow, and shoot, I got no idea how to do any of that. I hope Granny Sue is as badass as Daddy always said so she can show us what to do. I think the worst thing might be that I’ll have to learn about using guns and stuff, and that if I don’t learn that, Daddy might get killed. Rumor is that this General Janus can be really ruthless, and if he does have Daddy, the only way to save him might be to shoot people. Of course, I don’t have anything to shoot with…yet anyway. It makes me kind of nervous, you know…
Q – What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?
M – Probably just the whole idea of being a kid and hanging out and just doing normal stuff and all. That’s the biggest one. But the hardest one will be to really take charge and actually DO something rather than just walking away from a problem. Somewhere here, I think that if me and Justin don’t actually DO some stuff, like maybe some really nasty, violent stuff, that we’ve never done before, we’ll never get Daddy back, and I could never live with that, so I guess I’ll have to DO whatever it takes…
Q – What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?
M – Well, it’s kind of like I said: I’m not some violent person and I don’t know anything about how to act that way. It’s always better to just walk away at school, or just tell the teacher. Of course, when those boys tease Justin, just walking away doesn’t seem to stop them, and sometimes I feel like beating them up. They’re mostly just citified, and I could probably whup ass on at least some of them, but then I’d probably get in trouble or something, so I back off even though they keep hurting Justin. And I wonder too about Granny Sue. Not like I could visit her or whatever, but what would she do that would make her get herself all locked up, especially right after when my Mom died. Sorry…guess I never told you about that. Yeah, my mom died when I was real little and then Granny Sue ran off and did something awful that got her stuck in this prison. Didn’t she know that we’d need her? It makes me mad sometimes.
Q – What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this General Janus?
M – Nothing comes to mind, actually, except that when it comes to my Daddy or my friends or things I care about, I do whatever I have to do to help them out or save them or whatever, and I never ever ever quit until I get what I want. Daddy says that someday, when I need to, I’ll do amazing things or something too, but I’ve got no idea what he’s talking about. I wish I did now that I’m having to do all this stuff…
Q – What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?
M- I don’t want Justin to know about the stuff with my Mom and all. It makes me cry and feel weak and stuff. And I don’t want Granny Sue to know about how mad I am at her, because then she might not help me find Daddy. And I don’t want this General dude to know what a little kid I am and how scared I am of him and whoever his guys are. They gotta be some pretty scary dudes, don’t you think?
Q – What do you think of General Janus?
M – When I used to hear about him when he was trying to run for President, I thought he was crazy, but if he took my Daddy and/or did any harm to him, I think he’s a lying piss-ant son-of-a-bitch and me and Justin and Granny Sue are gonna kick his ass so far he won’t stop until he lands on the moon.
Q – Tell me your side of this whole conflict/story.
M- I practically have already. One day I’m living on the ranch with my Daddy, I go to school and he goes to his lab, and when I get home with Justin, he’s gone. He never comes home, his phone says his line’s “out of service,” i spend the night alone at home, and then when I go to the cops the next day after school, they give me all this shit about that my dad’s not who he is and all, so Justin and I go home and we remember how Daddy and his team were afraid of this guy Janus, we figure Janus might have done something to Daddy, then the guy shows up with the gun, we knock him out, take Daddy’s toys with us in a gym bag, and take off. Later, we decide to go to Colorado to find my Granny Sue because she’s the only one we can think of that could help us, and it goes on from there.
Q – What does it do for your life if you succeed here?
M – Well, I guess if I get Daddy back, we may all just come back to our house in the country and live like normal people again, except Granny Sue might be there too. But I think Justin and me will be a lot different inside. I mean, we’ll have taken down a big-time retired general and presidential candidate that everyone thinks is an asshole! Those guys that bully Justin better watch out. And maybe my Daddy will show me a lot more about who and what he is. And who my Mom was, and stuff like that. I think i’ll have grown up a lot…I guess.
General Janus – Antagonist
Q- Tell me a bit about yourself.
J – Ah yes. Where to start? When I was a boy…
Q – Let’s keep it a bit more focused on this journey, for now.
J – Certainly. As you wish… I’m a retired general, United States Marine Corps and I ran for President of the United States some years ago. The other person got more votes than I, or so they say, so I’ve spent my time since writing books, making a few fund-raising speeches for my supporters, enjoy life a little, the usual retirement gig.
Q – Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
J – I certainly have a lot of strengths. I maintain a force of bodyguards who carry out my orders for any mission, including this one. They of course use appropriate restraint, but…well, let’s just say that they always accomplish their goal. I have first-hand knowledge of something that will give me a total advantage over virtually anyone on Earth, not to mention this country, and, well, there it is. I don’t really know what you mean by weaknesses. I mean, in the face of a couple kids and an old woman? Seriously…
Q – I get what you mean. Why are you so committed to making these people fail?
J – That should be obvious, shouldn’t it? I must make them fail, because the girl’s father is the key to the whole scheme. Without him and his abilities, my goals can’t be accomplished. He’s the only one with both the knowledge and ability to produce what I need to gain an insurmountable advantage over potential adversaries. So you see I must have him—and no one else can have him. It’s as simple as that.
Q – So what do you get by succeeding in this plan? What’s in it for you?
J – (laughs) What’s NOT in it for me? The sky is literally the limit—or Space perhaps. When this scheme succeeds, I’ll have more power at my disposal than quite literally anyone else on Earth. I’ll just have to decide what to do with it. I could just sit back, relax, enjoy a quiet life, etc. But I rather think that, with that much power, I should use it for some good purpose. You know, there’s a lot that should be done in the world but isn’t happening because people are squabbling over silly things like money or arguing about who gets what, you name it. I could change all that. With the power in my hands, I could virtually snap my fingers and make things happen. No, not like a genie. Of course things would take time to build—much less time to get rid of the hold up or what’s there now—but the thing is that things would be constantly moving forward. I rather think that people would like it. At least the ones who like me, do what I say, you know…
Q – What drives you toward your mission/agenda, even in the face of danger ruin, or death.
J – Aren’t you being a bit over-dramatic there? I mean seriously? Danger? Ruin? Death? (Laughs) I hardly think the stakes are that high. I mean, look at my opponents? But I have made plans for certain unfortunate contingencies that might occur nonetheless. If something does go wrong or something unexpected happens, we will be ready. And of course its worth the risk. It’s worth any risk to obtain such power. Anyone would do it—even you I suspect, though you’d probably fail miserably.
Q – What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear or insecurity?
J – In answer to your first question, I’m sure you’d agree that I can’t reveal to anyone that this person that I’ll be kidnapping is not of this world, and his various abilities are the same. And that, as far as anyone knows, no one else on planet Earth has such abilities either. That’s not to say that I might not have some fun with that fact just to keep people from suspecting something. You know, “General, how’d that tank just suddenly appear like that?” “Oh, it’s just my alien friend cooking up a new dish” or some such. And we all have a good laugh about it and then we just move on to the next question. As to your other question, I actually find it rather offensive? Fears? Insecurities? Do you actually believe that I have any such emotions? The idea’s preposterous—silly, if you will. Why would you even ask such a question? The answers are so obvious that to ask it is ridiculous.
Q – Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?
J – Once again, it’s quite obvious. I’m far smarter, far more devious, more careful in my plans, more perfect in their execution, more daring in my methods, you name it. I mean, what other villain, what other predator, would even for a moment even believe that such a plan of mine could ever happen, much less carry it out. They’d all say that it’s ludicrous—that I’m a lunatic. But I’m not, and it WILL work, and that’s why I’m “special” as you say, compared to others like me.
Q – What do you think of Milly and her family?
J – The father is amazing. I’ve seen it, watched him work. He’s a genius in a completely otherworldly way. The rest? I’m afraid that they’re little more than gnats flying around my face while I carry out my plans. I’ll bat them around a bit, and they’ll disperse. If they come back and become annoying, I’ll bat a little harder, and if they still won’t go away, I’ll get out the flying insect killer, spray them, they’ll be eliminated, and we’ll continue to enjoy the evening. You catch my drift, right?
Q – Tell me your side of this whole story.
J – I’m a man of means and intelligence and with many good ideas for how to run the country—even the world for that matter. Having not been able, in the present system, to put myself in a position to carry them out, I searched for a new way, and fortunately found one that’s not near as complicated and perhaps not even as violent as what I’d been working on. And the best part of it is that I’ll have infinitely more power than I ever thought I’d have to carry out my plans, and it will come through a means that no one in their so-called right mind would ever believe even existed. And so I’ll right the wrong that was done using the old system, and finally get to the business of fixing things. Unfortunately, the crux of my plan is an irreplaceable being, and his family is, rather selfishly in my view, trying to the creature back, and have actually become quite clever. I haven’t even been able to take one of them hostage—yet—to use as leverage over their father, my ace in the hole. But I’ll soon find a way. I must. The world depends on it!
As a result of these interviews, I’m already making in my head changes to both profiles and how I see my story. I’ll not list them here—at least not yet—because I’ve got to think about them more, as well as the overall tone of the eventual story.
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Lisa’s Character Interviews
What I learned doing this assignment is the root of the antagonist, Mayla’s abuse towards her kids, and what what drives her. Also I uncovered a lot of backstory of her and David’s relationship.
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST
1. Tell me about yourself. “I’m David Sterling. I’m a father of a little boy and a little girl. Kai, my son is 10, and Diane, my daughter, is 6. I have a wife, Mayla, of ten years, same age as my son. She can be difficult, downright cruel sometimes. I try to be the best father I can be to my kids. They’re my life. I drink a bit, but I’ve always been a good provider. I have a good job. I’m not one for causing trouble.”<div>2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? “Well I think I was meant to be a father. Maybe I wanted to prove to myself that I could be one. I guess I failed. My time was cut short, but it was my fault. I could’ve done better. I should’ve stood up for myself. Now I’ve gotten this opportunity that isn’t common. I get to go back. I gotta make it right. My kids deserved better. I want to make things better.”</div><div>3. You are up against Mayla. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? “Well, I heard from the powers that be that she’s mistreating my kids, and I can’t be there to stop it. I gotta do something, and no one knows what she’s capable of other than me. I’m the only one who sees through her. My kids wouldn’t dare say anything. She’s got them so scared of the foster care system they wouldn’t make a squeak, but what she’s doing is wrong. My kids are good kids. They don’t deserve that mistreatment she’s putting them through. I wish I could say something and expose her lies.”</div><div>4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? “I’m not going drink anymore, not that I’d really be able to as a dog. I gotta push through and survive. I’d do anything for my kids. I’m the only one who cares as much as I do. I know It’s gonna be hard without being able to speak, or drive, or talk, or do any of the things I was used to doing in my old life, but I don’t have any other choice. I’ll take what I can get and make the most of it.”</div><div>5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? “My insecurity and not believing in myself. That was always the toughest. I never has a father figure to look to to show me the right way. I always felt so lost and like I didn’t know what I was doing, when I had more than enough resources at my fingertips. I could’ve done so much better. I see that now” </div><div>6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? “My fear of not being able to be a good father, of not being able to satisfy my wife, my wound of not having a father, and now my wound of failing my kids and being absent from their lives.”</div><div>7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? “I know Mayla like no one else does. I know her weakness, that she’ll do anything for attention. If there’s some way I can get through to my kids, I can stop her. Or at least get my kids away from her.”</div><div>8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? “As a dog, I can’t speak, so no one will know that it’s me. It’s kind of embarrassing though, so I wouldn’t want Mayla to know its me. It’s my cover. Part of me wants my kids to know that it’s me and part of me doesn’t, in case they don’t accept me.”</div><div>9. What do you think of Mayla? “She’s wounded. I understand her. She grew up without a father like I did. She can be difficult, but I deal with it the best I can and try to make it work. She used to just be a bully to me, but now that I’m not there she’s taking out on the kids. I once hoped things can workout, but I just don’t feel the same way about her I once did. And she goes out. I can’t blame her. I know I wasn’t always the most present with her. My kids need me though. She thinks she would get custody if we ever separated, and I believe her. The tend to side with the mom anyway.”</div><div>10. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. “I think I did a pretty good job of raising my kids as far as I did. Then one night Mayla and I had an argument. She left after the kids were asleep, and I started drinking. I should’ve stopped, but I just couldn’t. Next thing you know, I’m in the afterlife. I’m being talked to about my life choices. I’m in shock. I didn’t think it would come to this. They show me Mayla mistreating the kids. They’re crying. I can’t take it. I had to stop her. I want to go back, but they tell me all the positions have been filled for my kids lives and that I already served my purpose, and will never see them again. I can’t accept that, so I beg and plead with them, defending my case. They make an exception. Tell me I can go back as a dog. It’s not what I was expecting, but I take the offer. Once I get to earth, I thought maybe they would adopt me as a puppy, but I was abandoned in the rain in a cardboard box. A truck driver found me and took me to a shelter. From there I was adopted by another family, but they weren’t mine. I was comfortable, but not with my kids, and the little girl treated me like her baby doll. I’m a human being. Well, was one anyway. I escaped one day and ran away. I had to find my kids. I was a scavenger, begging for food on the streets. For a while actually. Then one day I saw them. My kids. They were a few years older. I started barking and wagging. I was so happy to see them. They even asked if they could take me home, but their mom wasn’t having it. I tried to protect them, to take them away from her, but she took them in the car and they drove off. I was out on the streets again. I had another owner take me in temporarily, a homeless man. Charlie was his name. Hardly anyone knew that. It got pretty cold and he kept drinking to stay warm. I tried to keep him warm, but it didn’t do any good. Charlie died that night the same way I did. Found myself in a shelter once again. I wasn’t a puppy anymore. My time was running out. They were gonna put me down, but then I saw Kai and Diane. Kai was all grown up. I started wagging and barking. They didn’t pay me much attention. They almost left with another dog, but I wouldn’t stop. Diane looked into my eyes. I think she saw me. She said maybe they should pick me because I love them. They were right.”</div><div>11. What does it do for your life if you succeed here? I can have a life with my kids and show them the love and kindness they deserve.</div><div>
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST
1. Tell me about yourself. “I’m Mayla, a single mother of two kids, and a widow. I never had a father growing up, so I always wonder what my life would’ve been like with one. I’m an instagram model and influencer. I’m active in my church, and part of the choir. One day I’ll be the soloist, or maybe the music pastor. I can play percussion.”</div><div>2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? “My strengths are my hair, and my face, my body for sure, especially after having two kids.. and my kids, of course. They can get difficult, but mother always knows best. I’m doing what I think is best, for me, and those chubby little brats. Weaknesses? I guess my kids fall in that category, too. They don’t want to be around me, and I don’t want other people to know. I need the attention from them. I crave it. I’ve had such a hard life. I wish people could understand.”</div><div>3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? “David was an alcoholic. He left us to fend for ourselves. Didn’t even leave behind a life insurance policy. I wish I could make him pay.”</div><div>4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? “ I deserve to be the center of attention, in the spotlight.”</div><div>5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? “I have to keep doing what I’m doing, making a better life for myself, getting more followers. It just feels good to get attention. I never got enough of it as a kid. I deserve to be seen, and these kids keep taking it from me. David was supposed to be here and every day, they remind me that he’s not, and it just me. I hate it!”</div><div>6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? “I can’t let people know what it’s really like being at my house. Can’t quite keep these kids in line, no matter what I do. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m not doing my job as a mother. I take pride in that.”</div><div>7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? “People like me? There’s no one else like me. I’m just prettier than they are. Okay and I’ve accomplished a lot more.”</div><div>8. What do you think of David? “David is weak. The kids liked him more because he always played mister nice guy and left me to be the disciplinarian. That was supposed to be his job. I wish I could give him what he deserves. He loved these kids. They definitely take after their father. He was a chubby, awkward kid.”</div><div>9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. “David and I were once in love. Then Kai came along, and things just weren’t the same. I wasn’t ready to be a mother, and frankly I don’t think he was ready for fatherhood either. We were supposed to travel the world together. I could’ve had such an amazing modeling career. Abortion wasn’t an option here. He swore he’d do whatever he could to let me have my career. It was working for a while, but then Diane came along.. I resented him after that. We had our church and our kids, but I always wanted so much more. I just wanted to be seen, and the kids were always getting in the way, especially after David was gone. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He was so selfish. These kids drive me crazy, and they remind me of him so much. I can’t stand it! I wish I could pawn them off on someone else, but that wouldn’t look good on me. I’ll just keep smiling and putting on my makeup. Everything is fine.”
</div> -
Ying’s Character Interviews
What I learned- I’m not sure if I learned anything yet. I think it was fun to listen to the characters talk in their own voices however.
Day 4
Character Interviews
Protagonist
Tell me about yourself.
I am Ying a young Li woman. The second oldest child of our tribe’s leader, Benli.
Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?
For generations, our tribe has lived in relative peace with the Huaxia that invaded our land many, many generations ago. We have kept them confined to their fortified cities for the most part all this time, but now they want to make us their slaves. Our people will not be slaves!
You are up against Sun. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?
Our family have had alliances with many Huaxia through the years. Even my great great grandfather died helping defend the Hauxia emperor 100 years ago. But, Sun is different. He does not care for our tribe or any other tribe. He considers this his land and is going enslave all Yue people or exterminate them. There is nothing we can do but resist.
In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?
I am not the leader of my tribe. My brother is. But, he is not doing anything different than we have always done. That has not been working. I have a Huaxia teacher named Tutor. He is a very strange person, but very smart. He helps me understand what these foreigners are thinking. My brother does not want to understand these people. He only wants to kill them. We have fought with them for many generations. We have slowly lost little by little. They are infiltrating our lands like a rising ocean tide. We need to figure out how to live in harmony with the Huaxia, but I just don’t see this happening with Sun in power.
What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?
Our tribe has done things the same way forever. I love my tribe and their ways, but I think we must change or we will ultimately be defeated and destroyed.
What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?
My biggest fear is that my tribe will be destroyed, everyone killed! That is my biggest fear by far!! I must help prevent this from happening and I think this going to require a new way of doing things, new ideas. My tribe has a difficult time with new ideas. I must make them understand that these new ideas can save our tribe, but I’m afraid of the tribe thinking me a traitor with all of these new ideas. I’m sure they already talk behind my back about listening to the Huaxia Tutor too much. My biggest wound? I suggested to my father that he try negotiating a peace with Sun. He decided this was a good idea and Sun murdered him! Right in front of me!! My insecurities? Sometimes I’m just not sure if what Tutor says is right. But, I think he is. It is hard to know. My brother Ting who leads us is quite sure that Tutor is wrong, even a traitor that should be expelled …or even killed!
What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?
I know Mandarin and understand the Huaxia better than anyone in our tribe. As Tutor says, “Know your enemy!” And, I know them better than anyone. I have also studied the Huaxia art of war. Some of these things we also use, but there are many new ideas I’ve never thought of before. I also am very good at making friends and I think that if we can make peace with our rival tribes that we greatly outnumber the invaders. I just need to find ways to have the tribes see this.
What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?
I don’t want them to know that it was I that recommended to my father the we negotiate a peace. I will never forgive myself for suggesting it to him. I also don’t want them to know Tutor is the one who originally suggested it to me. They would definitely think me a traitor! They would also kill Tutor.
What do you think of Sun?
Sun is an evil man. But, he is also very smart. We cannot under estimate him, even though his men do not know how to fight in the jungle. Still, one wrong step on my tribe’s part and he will kill us all!
Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.
We only want to live as we always have, happy and free. Sun wants to enslave or kill us. It’s as simple as that. He thinks of us like animals.
What does it do for your life if you succeed here?
This war was started before I was born. To defeat Sun and finally have peace would change everything.
Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.
Antagonist
Tell me about yourself.
My name is Sun. I descend directly from the original Huaxia lines. My blood is as pure as the emperor’s, maybe even more pure. (chuckles)
Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
Weaknesses? I don’t have any weaknesses. My problem is that we are greatly outnumbered by these barbarian Yue people. My men could kill two or three times their number of Yue without any problem. But, their numbers are endless. They are like flies! My strengths are many. I am well educated and I can outsmart any of these barbarians. They are such cowards. They hide in their jungles and only attack in the open if they have many times our number. If they fought us on even terms with honor we would beat them easily.
Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail?
The many Yue tribes must be brought under control to make this land productive. These people are so backward. They do not understand anything but fighting, mostly among themselves. The Xian tribe has always been a problem. They just refuse to do what they are told. I think the best thing to do with them is kill every last one of them!
What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?
If I can eliminate the Xian, the Li and all the other Yue tribes will come under my control. I will start to finally have the power and get the recognition that I deserve. I will almost be as strong as the emperor himself!
What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?
Danger, ruin, or death? What are you talking about. These are ignorant stupid squabbling natives. The do not pose a danger to me! They are a nuisance is all. What drives me? For hundreds of years, the Huaxia have not been able to control these pathetic people. There is no honor among these animals and so I will show them no honor. I will do whatever it takes to destroy them so that they are never a problem to the Huaxia again!
What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?
They have eyes and ears everywhere. I must keep my plans a secret. I am doing a better job with just a handful of men than even the emperor could. If I only had enough men, I could conquer the Yue easily. If I were emperor, I could defeat the Yue and the Northern Chinese. If I can defeat the Xian and bring the natives under my control, I could become wealthy enough and powerful enough, that I could defeat the forces of the north and maybe even be bestowed with the Mandate of Heaven. But, the emperor cannot find out about that or he will execute me.
Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?
The others are not smart like me. I am more daring and brave than they are. I will risk things that they never could and do things they could never imagine! They negotiated with these barbarians instead of telling them what to do. I will become a great leader and show everyone! …even the emperor!
What do you think of Ying?
Ying? Who is that?
She is the daughter of Benli. Oh, ya. That girl. I hear she is beautiful and young, that is all I know of her. Her brother is more of a concern to me. He is the leader of the tribe, but to young and dumb to know what to do. He will meet his death soon enough… just like his father! Maybe I will make Ying my whore! That would be fitting! But, I will probably just kill her and everyone in that tribe. They are just too much trouble.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.
It’s very simple. We have these barbarians running around in the forest constantly fighting doing nothing useful with their land. I will make this country so productive! It doesn’t matter to me if the tribes people are slaves or dead. It’s better for now that they are slaves because there are not enough Chinese her yet. But, I hope to get enough Chinese to move from the north so we can eliminate the tribes people. Then, we can make a real society here! As you know now, I have more ambitions than that even!
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Interview with Fran, the Protagonist:
Tell me about yourself: I come from a family of 4 girls and 1 boy. Our father was a professor of psychiatry at a traditionally black college. I became a therapist myself. My parents were followers of Martin Luther King, not the Black Panthers. I had an affair with my college professor of philosophy, an Israeli or white Frenchman, got pregnant and we married. I wanted an abortion but my husband threatened legal action. We had a daughter, Ruth, who’s 32 now and a son who’s 28 but we divorced when my husband became super religious and returned to Israel? He paid child support, so helped out financially, but wasn’t in the picture.
Why you were called to this journey?
Because I’m guilty of having too much – more than I deserve, mainly because my husband was white. Not like my sisters who live over the hill in Oakland. I need to feel their pain.
Who are you up against? The new government, the PCR (People’s Republic of California) and this badass white dude named Sandy. Well, they’re trans but so what? I’ve discovered they want to torture me and make an example out of me…to prove that they can do this to a black woman, as well as a white, no problem.
What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?
Sandy is a former patient.
Stepping out of box to survive—what changes do you expect to make and which will be the most difficult?
Working on a farm – a pot farm no less. I never liked pot anyway. I’m very sensitive and am afraid how I might react to it. Worried it will affect my work and I will suffer. Afraid what they might do if I don’t produce to their quotas. Anyway, I’m not in very good shape and I have a bum knee. Plus, I like my cappuccinos and croissants and I doubt those will be on the menu.
What habits or ways of thinking will be most difficult?
Being unable to pay for what I want (no money in this system). Afraid things might degenerate into a “dog eat dog” mentality and I’ll be too weak to stand up.
What fears, insecurities, wounds held you back?
Loss of everything, including my identity. Managed to survive but barely. Fearful of guns and worry system won’t be as utopian as promised.
What skills, background or expertise makes you well suited to face this conflict or antagonist?
My therapist experience. I can understand people, especially Sandy, as I counseled him, well, they, before they were a they. Also I was a camp counselor
What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?
I’m really afraid.
What do you think of Sandy?
He has a lot of anger to deal with.
Tell me your side of whole conflict/story?
I don’t know why Sandy is being so mean to me. I thought he cared about me. But now I’m just a cog in the wheel of his bigger plan. He’s ended up being very authoritarian, despite all our work, and he seems bent on persecuting me for some reason. I agree with the movement, theoretically, but I didn’t think it would be so extreme, so cruel and inhumane. It worries me. I can’t predict what he’ll do.
What does it do for your life if you succeed here?
I will be reunited with my daughter and get a grandchild and live, once again, in a free land. Even if I have nothing.
Why do you believe in Socialism?
Because it’s caring and compassionate – or that’s what I thought. It’s humane, takes care of everyone no matter their color, race, gender, age, etc. It takes from the rich who have more than they need and gives to the poor, who have nothing — in an effort to achieve true equality. It values the community, the group, rather than the selfish individual.
Interview with Sandy, the Antagonist
Tell me about yourself.
I used to be lost but now I’ve found my calling. I struggled with my identity, politics, school, relationships – now I’m a deputy commandant and have a clear goal: break down society and create a new one. It makes me feel so powerful and purposeful.
Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
I am focused and determined, single minded, can’t be dissuaded. Except that Fran may try to confuse me with her psycho babble, like she did last year. But I’m not going to fall for it. I will cut her off or get rid of her, if I have to.
Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail?
She threatens the system and all we believe in. I thought she could be trusted but now she’s all for saving her daughter – who we cannot let have her baby. No more white people allowed in the population. She’s selfish and we can’t tolerate people thinking of themselves and not the larger group.
What do you get out of winning this fight? Succeeding in your plan/taking down your competition?
Will be promoted to commandant if my farm resettlement works. My future is at stake.
What drives you toward your mission/agenda even in the face of danger, ruin or death?
We must prove this experiment a success. It’s our only chance to save society. Plus, they’ll kill me if I fail.
What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear/insecurity?
1) The plan to eliminate all white people.
2) Worry people will rise up and destroy me and ruin everything.
Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?
I’m ready to give my life for the cause. I don’t know if others are that committed.
What do you think of Fran?
She’s an entitled bitch who mouths Socialist platitudes but won’t be able to live it. She tried to talk me out of my trans identity so I hate her for that.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict/story.
Socialism isn’t enough. We need all-out Communism to bring true equality. Those who HAVE need to give to those who DON’T HAVE. It’s only fair and we need to make it happen by reforming our social system, no matter how many people have to be sacrificed in the process.
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What I learned from doing this assignment is that interviewing characters is a great way to learn more about them. I learned how conflicted and guilt ridden my protagonist is and how arrogant, but frightened of the future my antagonist is.
Tell me about yourself
My name is Ivy Davies. I’m ancient, but I’m not sure if I know that yet. I live a lie, and I’m sick and tired of it, but if the truth about me ever comes out I could still possibly go to prison. Would I like to spend the last years of my life in prison? Tell me, would that be any different that assisted living? I volunteer at assisted living, you know. It’s my way of making up for the wrong I’ve done, especially to poor Mr. Kannedy, that man I accidentally shot in the bank robbery. My granddaughter wonders why I’m a “gun fanatic” as she calls it. She thinks I’m all about 2<sup>nd</sup> Amendment rights. Really, it’s more of a case of don’t pick up a gun unless you know the workings of it inside and out. That might be what I’m really all about, knowing the working of things inside and out. I was lucky to have learned from my mistakes. But I don’t know, maybe I’m about to commit another one. Hey, does anyone else but me say that the “commit” mistakes? Sometimes I’m a mystery to me.
Why do you think you were called to this journey?
What journey would that be? Looking at that stupid online dating site that my granddaughter set up for me? Or making what will most likely be the mistake of actually responding to Victor’s message from that site? Well, it’s either time for him to cough up my cut of the robbery or for me to turn him in. Except, I can’t do that without turning me in, too. Maybe I was called to this journey because my life has finally lacked confusion, or maybe I mean guilt. Maybe the Higher Power, whatever that it – God, Universe, who know? I don’t, but maybe that HP just wants me to end my days in a state of misery and confusion. What a downer I can be, huh? Or maybe I just want to set things right in my own head. Trouble is, right now I don’t know what right is supposed to be.
You are up against Victor. What is it about him that makes this journey even more difficult for you?
In different times and a different place, maybe we could’ve lived happily ever after. Or maybe if he hadn’t been such an asshole from the get-go . . .. What’s love anyway? Wait, I’m going off subject. What about him makes it more difficult? He’s not the arrogant jerk he used to be. Something if wrong with him. I think I know, but he’s got to be honest with me about that, and if I’m right hurting him in anyway would be all, all wrong. You see, I think he has dementia.
What do you want to accomplish? Are you going to have to step out of your box to do that?
Ultimately, my granddaughter’s respect. But how do I get that if I come clean about the bank robbery? Telling her the truth would really be out of my box, as you kids say. It pains me that I’ve been dishonest to her, all of her life. That other thing, though, my cut of the robbery – shit, is that what I really want? Do I want revenge on Victor? Or do I just want to help that poor man who will soon be helpless? I seem to be asking far more questions that I’m answering.
What habits or ways of thinking do you think you will have to let go of.
Just about all of them. If I do end up in prison, no more pot smoking, right? But I’m ahead of myself. I’ll have to stop lying. But there I go getting ahead of myself again. Maybe I won’t have to quit lying. Maybe I’ll just make Victor give up the cash and toss him to the curb. Then I could just keep on keeping on. Except, I am so weary. Letting go might be the way.
What fears, insecurities and wounds have you held back?
I never forgave Victor for running out on me. I’ve lived in constant fear, my entire adult life, that the bank robbery might one day be solved. Wounds? Well, I did wound a man, and that left I big wound on my psyche. My entire life is just a basket of insecurity, held together by the loosest of threads.
What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?
I’m an expert liar. That might help me with Victor. I’m an upstanding, very vocal conservative woman. That might help me if I end up in court. I have a background of slipping and sliding around whatever situation comes my way, and I always land on my feet. That good enough?
What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?
Ha! What aren’t I hiding? My granddaughter has no idea that I’m a bank robber, nor does anyone else. Victor probably won’t know who I am at first, due to the plastic surgery, and that’s how I want it. I don’t need anyone to know about my little pot farm. Then I won’t be able to make the yummy brownies for the assisted living folks. Or do I want them to know all of this, so I can finally be free of all the lies?
What do you think of Victor?
I think he’s a first class jerk. I also think I might still be in love with him. And I also pity him, if indeed he does have dementia.
Tell me your side of the whole conflict/story.
Isn’t that what I’ve been doing during this entire interview? Mostly, I just want to find some peace in my life. Doing that means facing all my lies. Gee, it’s sounding less and less like I want my cut of the robbery, doesn’t it.
What does it do for your life to succeed there?
It either gives me a cushy little bit of cash to make my final years – how maudlin is that – more comfortable. Or if I succeed in honesty, maybe I get free room and board in prison. Or maybe I just get the weight of all the decades of living a lie lifted off of me.
VICTOR BERTZYK
Tell me about yourself.
You know how they day that, when you get older you remember things from 30 years ago, but not yesterday? Well, I don’t remember either! Okay, that’s not true. I little of it is but . . . well, people like me, and I use that to my advantage. I used to be almost cultlike in the way folks admired me. Really. That’s how I managed to talk my nice, little group of college friends into helping me rob a bank. Actually, most backed out, except for a little gal named Daisy Davies. Tell you what, if that was my name, I’d change it, but anyway, poor Daisy. She thought we were going to donate our gains to help the poor and needy. Helped me. I’ll tell you that much. I took that cash and disappeared. Lucky for me, I had a cousin on the wrong side of the law who helped me launder the money. I took a hit, but so what? I had enough left over to start a nifty little real estate business, which I parlayed into a nice little fortune. So I got no worries about retirement. But I do have one worry. Doc says I probably have dementia. That ain’t the way I want to go out. But if I’m lucky, and I always am, I’ll find a little gal who’ll love me so much that she’ll nurse me to the end.
Having to do with your journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
Like I said, people like me. I can charm the ladies. I have lots of money. I just don’t know how much longer I’m going to have my mind. I have lots to accomplish while I’m still sharp enough to do it.
What is it that you want from Ivy?
I want her to love me so much that she’ll never let me go. Don’t worry, if that happens, and it will, I’ll make sure to leave her all that’s left of my money.
What do you get out of succeeding in your plan?
A good person to take care of me. That’s all any old man wants, wouldn’t you say?
What drives you toward your mission?
Fucking dementia. If I don’t succeed, I end up in some lousy memory care facility. That’s not about to happen to Henry, I mean Victor.
What secrets must you keep?
The “d” word keeps rearing its ugly head. That’s the big one. And I suppose my past. The robbery and all. That’s why I’ll be taking a big chance in going back to where it all happened, but who remembers. Hey, maybe I’ll get lucky. Maybe that’s one of the first things I’ll forget.
Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?
I’ve been special all my life, charming, successful, can think on my feet. Could anyway. Shit, the next special I might be is the old man on the senior special bus. Goddamn it, don’t make me think about it.
What do you think of Ivy?
I’m hoping she’s not too bright. Makes my plan easier. I haven’t met her yet, so I don’t know. But she sure seems anxious to hook up with handsome, charming, rich me. I hope she’s more than a gold digger. But hey, maybe I can get her to sign a pre-nup, that she doesn’t get her money unless she stays with me to the end. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Don’t tell her, okay?
Tell me your side of the whole story.
I
might’ve been the bad guy, but I was the smart guy. I came out ahead, and that’s the way I plan to go out. -
Ed Lusk – Character Interviews.
What I learned from doing this assignment is the more free flowing and spontaneous the interview is the better the responses.It’s quite fun. I still sense I’m holding back but this is a valuable creative exercise.
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST – HENRY PELZNIKEL
Tell me about yourself.
My name is Henry Pelznikel. I’m 12 years old. My dad owns Pelznikel toys. We’re going to be the biggest toy company in the world! He opened this huge building outside of town for online orders. My mom still works at our last store at the mall. I’m an influencer, mostly toys. I have 1516 followers – so far. My dad doesn’t see the value, thinks it’s a waste of time. My mom thinks its a safe hobby, she doesn’t want me doing anything extreme because I nearly died of a few years back. I don’t have a lot of friends. My neighbor next door, Rochelle, she’s cool – for a girl. I have on-line gaming friends, instead. It’s Christmas break so I’m helping my dad out in the warehouse. Mostly odd jobs. He doesn’t trust me. I don’t know why. I love my dad. He’s very driven. Some dads want their son to follow them. He doesn’t. My mom just wants me to be safe and happy.
Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? At first I didn’t think any of it was real. I mean a real North Pole and one that’s more like my dad’s office than a magic castle, although come on the reindeer do fly. I think everyone thought I’d fail. I think I surprised them when I took the sled. That was a game changer! Santa wanted me to come to the North Pole. That’s a big mystery in what his Christmas present was for me , or maybe he saw something in me that he needed help with. I think he realized he was too isolated. Could not trust the people around him. I saw that in my dad as well. I think I was selected because I was not in this for myself. Even though I’m an influencer I didn’t do this for me, in the end. I realized that getting the followers was not what I wanted. What I really wanted is to know myself better. I’m almost a teenager, know that I could accomplish something on my own, although Samwise and Rochelle helped. And Santa. He’s not what you think, but only he and I know that. I think my intentions were good, and I would understand and handle what others thought.
You are up against . What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? Well I’m just a kid. Never flew a sled before or left the state of Washington. Alfreda is scary good at what she does. Always one step ahead. I had to be two steps if I wanted to succeed. That I learned lated on. I was raised not to take risks. I think my dad was regretting the risk he took with online business but he felt pressured he had to. I was sheltered from that. I wanted followers because they like me and what I had to offer – toy recommendations. Next thing you know the whole world is against me because they want their toys! Free stuff because they asked Santa for it, because they are good. Well, no one is that good. It’s done to keep up the persona, that institution, it what they believe and no one likes their belief system challenged so discovered. Then there’s Alfreda- not a bad person once you get to know her but she takes her job way to seriously, LOL. That was it for her, a job, everyone expected her to succeed because she never failed – that’s the perception. She taught me not to worry about what other’s think of me. Go out and be yourself and stick to your values. She’ll never be better than what she is now but still she tried to take me down, not for her but for SC and the whole NP. She’s that dedicated, impressive. She very afraid of failure, it’s like her whole world would collapse if she did.
In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? Believe in myself. I was on my own really, Samwise was more worried about losing his pension than me, understandable. I did not mean to take the sled, it just took off. But you didn’t return it. No, I didn’t. I was and plan, a way to contribute, show my dad I could as he said “make myself useful” At first it seemed easy until Alfreda sent her Naughty List after me. Who does that?? I was thinking If I were a game how do I escape mush different than the one trying to catch. It’s all about being a step ahead. Don’t follow me instead of follow me, does that make sense? Go on – well I wanted to be where Alfreda thought I’d be. It’s a big country! Once she was able to track me I knew I was finished. Her and her snowflakes messengers. Did not see that coming. Samwise knew that too. I felt betrayed but I understand why he did it. Why? He’s life is the NP, he didn’t like much of what he saw outside of it. Could blame him for that. Trust in myself was hard after SW left. I had to abandoned my plan and save the NP instead. I thought that was hard because I wanted to help my dad the most and show him I could. But you did show him? Sort of , I didn’t want to credit for it. I was happy to know I did it for them. That was good enough for me.
What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? For people to like me, to know people wanted me safe and sheltered although that felt good it could not last, I need to get out on my own. I didn’t need to post everything , I couldn’t. I had some great moments. You did – people were posting about you #HenryPelznickelsucks. Yeah, cool. I thought I cared what they thought but it doesn’t matter. They’ve moved on and so have I.
What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? Held back, as in not not being afraid of them? More like what you have told me about. Oh, like a counseling. LOL I don’t think the bar was set to high for me by my parents. Deep down I think they see me as weak maybe frail, because of the encephalitis? That a disease, but I caught the disease, only weak people do that. Why not make you stronger then? I think if they loved me too much they couldn’t handle the hurt if I got sick again, you know – died. I thought about death – ontop of the arch, more than about failure. I was actually worried how my parents would react to that. Well -that’s good. You’re thinking about others – exactly ! That changed mind. But you were trying to deliver toys, make good on your promise. Yes I was , but more for me than them.What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? None! LOL, well actually I did know more about social influencing than what Alfreda thought so I could turn against her. I understood game strategy to help escape being chased. I understood what people want and why, to make others happy, that is why we give, right? Santa knew that, it not about him, he’s literally just the messenger.
What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? I never had a real plan in mind. I was making this up as I went along, but really who could have anticipated what I’d come across? We all had this idea, this belief in Santa, the NP , it all a facade. Is it? Well not entirely, they are good people who want what’s best. Never missed a Christmas yet! They are so obsessive LOL. I didn’t want them to know I was afraid. That If I failed I’d only be more sheltered more coddled. That’s a scary thought going into a teenager. I cheated death once. In some ways now I was challenging it, that’ s my superpower. Reckless? No fearless. There’s a difference.
What do you think of ? Santa Claus? He worries too much for a jolly elf. He cares so much about kids. He can’t disappoint, but it getting harder to stay connected. He misses those letters, written by hand. Don’t stop doing that. NP can’t make the toys kids want. That’s his thing you know. He worries about staying competitive , being relevant. He’s learning how to , maybe it’s still the hope, that someone cares.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. My side? Who’s other side is there? LOL, Well I think you just told me. Right, maybe that is why SC wanted me to come to the NP, I’m his chosen messenger. A true influencer. Isn’t that Alfreda’s job? I think she lacks the empathy? She’s from the NP so she’s biased, maybe not trusted. I’m a toy influencer. Now? I was, I’ve moved onto bigger things, LOL. So I made a promise, one I should not have, given what I knew it seemed like the right idea. And there was this intervention. Were you the chosen one? They say it was a mistake, maybe it was. Maybe some other kid was meant to go to the NP. When it was me they Alfreda shifted to damage control. That’s her speciality anyway. I saw a way to make good and still get the sleigh back on time but as they say, nothing goes as planned. So I had damage control, but you know it wasn’t about me anyway.
What does it do for your life if you succeed here? Some people believe me some don’t. It’s a fantastic tale. Some want to monetize it. I don’t. Will you go to work at the NP? I’m not allowed. Maybe consult LOL. I think I can go forward with my life more confident, not afraid, take the risks to be what I want to be, authentically. I want people to see the real me, not some profile on a screen.
Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST – ALFREDA ELF.
Tell me about yourself. Well to be brief as this is a very busy time for Santa’s Elves. I understand – go on – My name is Alfreda, I’m an Elf at the North Pole, my title is Santa’s Generator of Niceness, something like a social media manager in the NEW. The new? Non-Elf World. I’ve served Santa in many roles and I’m extremely proud to be part of his inner-wreath. Like a circle for you. The only female Elf , I might add.
Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? Well, it’s been awhile since I interviewed for a job – a mirth-like smile. I represent the North Pole. I’m a team player, not only do I have resources I know how best they can be used to get the job done. They don’t call me the felt covered hammer for nothing. I’m tough, strong and undeterred. No weaknesses? I’d say I fear failure more than anything. I don’t take criticism well. I have a soft spot for the underdog having been one too.
Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? Of course I’m committed to Henry failing . He took, without permission, Santa’s sleigh two days before Christmas! I was instructed to get it back -without fail, by whatever means necessary. That sounds harsh, Alfreda. It’s Christmas! There is no Plan B. Sorry but it was his decision. I understand his motivation, however the foolishness of one boy doesn’t ruin Christmas for everyone.
What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? I get to keep my job. I don’t need praise. I’m here to serve Santa in whatever capacity he needs me. There is no other higher calling.
What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? I think of the millions of children waking up Christmas morning with no toys from Santa. Unthinkable. They asked Santa and we deliver. Every year. We have a promise to keep to, more than a promise, an institution, to uphold.
What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? My methods can be, some say harsh, I say unorthodox. I’m not proud of soliciting the Naughty List to succeed but they’ll get the job done. Look, the North Pole is facing huge challenges right now. Not only are the world’s children relying on me but so is the lively hood of hundred of Elves. We don’t have many options outside the NP. I fear letting them down the most. The ends justifies the means? In this scenario, yes.
Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? Others like me? There is no one else like me. You can’t mean that Alfreda. You’re right, I’m not a arrogant person, although I can be perceived as such. I’m special because I worked my way up from nothing. I’m proud of that. Not all Elves are born merry. FYI, life in NP can be as unfair as anywhere else. We still must all make our own success.
What do you think of <the Protagonist>? Henry? He’s a good boy at heart. Unlike me, he was protected, coddled because he nearly died. I’m not a parent, so I can’t say what that’s like. Like me he’s surprisingly resourceful when he has to be. His inexperience is his strength, leads to unpredictable. He has a bright future, Im glad he learned that. He owes us a new sled, however.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. We deliver Christmas every year. There’s no delays or postponements. Like I said, millions expect it. It’s not just a tradition for us.It’s our livelihood and it’s our heritage. Don’t mess with that for petty reasons.
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