Week 1 Day 2: Living Into Their Future – THE TERMINATOR

[Andrea Verde]

Sarah is a legend even though she doesn’t know it yet. She has a big call on her life. Shes also a survivor. She’s told the truth by Kyle who is a fighter too and determined to reach her to save her life. The two are very similar and their journey i(even though Kyle is from the future) to outsmart the enemy for the future they both want. Love and family, children and a great world to live in.

[Susan]

Sarah Connor is living into the future of becoming the Madonna (Mother Mary) and Savior/Mother of the Savior in the War against the machines. The film uses “mythic” or “religious” ideas for the scope of the characters Sarah and her son. She is going to have a son. She will teach him to fight, organize, and prepare for the war from when he was a child while they were in hiding before the war.

Kyle Reese is living into the future of his own death.

Sarah’s transformation implied by the scene is from a disorganized, frightened person (who is tougher in the moment than she thinks she is), who can’t even balance her check book to the Savior’s Mother. However, by the end of the scene she accepts her “fate” by acknowledging that this is only her first field dressing (of many/implied).

The Drama the scene is built around is Sarah and Reese escaping and being on the lamb and in hiding from the Terminator after he murders an entire police squad at the station. Also Sarah is trying to get her head around time travel, machines ruling the world, and who she is supposed to be/become.

The traits that showed up the 2 characters in this scene:

Sarah Connor: Strong, Restless, Afraid, Wired, Analyzer, Decisive, Show-me

Kyle Reese: Apostle/Cherisher/Devotee, Fighter, Brave, Caring, Knowledgable, Defender, Innocent

What makes Sarah great from a writing perspective in this scene…

We will be able to see Sarah change drastically from a weaker person to a superhero so there is a lot of material there for a drastic character change that can be set up in steps. Her analyzing character trait will allow her to see when she has made a mistake and how to fix it, or even how to avoid mistakes and what she will need to do to help her son.

What makes Reese great from a writing perspective in this scene…

He already knows a version of the future and is hell bent on fixing it, protecting Sarah, and helping save humanity. He knows all about the Terminator robots and ways to get around them. He is a “disciple” of Sarah’s son. His innocence makes him both strong and vulnerable.

Thinking about my own screenplays/stories it might be possible to incorporate a known “mythic” storyline and characters in some of them.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  Susan McClaryu. Reason: Added last sentence
• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  Susan McClaryu.