Week 1 Day 3: The “Right Characters” for this story! – THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VAN

[Ramon Espinoza]

Watch 1^st time for:

Where is Junah coming
from?

He was a player who lost his swing.

Where is Bagger Vance coming
from?

He has been a caddie.

What makes them right for
their roles in this movie?

Junah-An important match is coming, and he is a very good player, invited, but he couldn’t, due to his posttraumatic stress.

Bager. He is a caddy, who believes in him. And can help him opvercome this trauma and find his swiing again.

Watch 2^nd time for:

What drama was this scene built
around?

Junah is frustrated, and is shoting in the dark. Trying to figure out what happened, because, despite deniying it, he is hurt that he cant swing anymore.

What traits showed up in these two
character’s words and actions?

Junah- depressed, posttraumatic, inquisitive, generous.

Bagger-
dreamer, idealist, observant, talker

[Ron Berti]

Junah: curious and anxious to know if he’s “still got it”, verbal challenge to stroke by Bagger, 2 duffs and then a nice drive – all in the middle of the night. Clearly a man who needs a little something to be right.

Bagger: “big talker”, loquacious, funny, lighthearted, goes on and on about grip, “no I don’t play golf” (but seems to be thoroughly aware of its processes and details), reveals acknowledgement of Junah’s history winning (this is no chance meeting), refuses $1000 fee, wants a $5 free (why would THAT be?). Conversation dominated by interruptions, the sort of banter that in lesser hands would have just seemed annoying. It IS a little annoying, but simultaneously charming. Clearly Bagger is a finagler, but appears to be on Junah’s side.

The drama comes from wondering “who is this guy?”. He has an unusual way of speaking, some of what he says to Junah is a little disrespectful (“no sir, I walked up right in the middle of where you were hitting, which I think kept me safe”. “You a golfer?” “We have to find it”. On the surface, here’s this “magic Negro” (I’ve heard that term applied to other mysteriously competent Black protagonists) who seems to be provocative towards Junah, but somehow on his side, wanting to caddy cheap and with a plan to regain Junah’s stroke. This is a staple of golf movies, and one can’t help but wonder where this relationship is going to go.

[Joseph McGloin]

Watch 1^st time for:

Where is
Junah coming from?

Consciously he wants no part of the upcoming game. Unconsciously he is looking to play, and looking to regain his confidence in himself he lost in the war.

Where is
Bagger Vance coming from?

Heaven, apparently, and has been sent or volunteered to help guide this lost and broken individual back to his true self, for which process they are using the term “getting back his golf swing.”

What makes
them right for their roles in this movie?

Junah has been broken by his life experiences, is struggling to find his way back to himself and a normal life, but has hit a wall. That’s why he is hitting balls (trying), but into the darkness where he can’t see where they go, so can’t get the feedback he needs to make the necessary changes. The fact that he is at least trying indicates he is ready to do the work, but badly needs a guide.

Bagger Vance, as a kind of guardian angel, is the perfect version of Junah, confident, happy, and just able to be himself. He obviously knows golf and its relationship to life itself, where Junah is now and appears to also know what Junah needs to do to overcome his problems, so is the perfect guide.

Watch 2^nd time for:

What drama
was this scene built around?

The “lost” golf swing is the surface issue for the greater problem of Junah having lost himself, and his way. He’s even considering not playing the game, which could, on a deeper level, potentially be about taking his own life. He is at a crossroads here. He has a potential way out, way back, or way home, however you want to view it, in this enigmatic individual that he has to decide if he wants as his “caddie” or not.

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What
traits showed up in these two character’s words and actions? ,
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Junah: determination, generosity, patience, openness to new
experiences, fear, self-deprecation

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Bagger: humility, appreciative of the little things in life, sense of humor, respectful, knowledgeable about golf and life, gratitude, engaging, enigmatic, confident, philosophical, mentor-like

Daily Focus – Searching for Breakthroughs:

Please
watch this scene and provide your insights/breakthroughs into what makes
this character great from a writing perspective.

Junah could be every-person, which makes the potential for the audience having a transformational journey. He has a deep, relatable wound that has caused existential issues for him. He exhibits the potential for a profound life change as he has the traits of a successful person and is open to “divine” guidance.

[Patty Wilson]

I liked your analogy of Junah’s golf game to his life – he’s not just finding his swing, he’s trying to find his old life.

[Liz]

Watch 1st time for:

Where is Junah coming from? Frustration, you can sense it in his demeanor, his body/stance is very tense.He swings and you can sense that disappointment in himself.Where is Bagger Vance coming from? He is there in the moment.Relaxed, ConfidentNo sense of Care in the worldHe has warmth in his voiceHe has an agenda to be a ‘caddy’Strongly encouraged to hit the ball, bagger knows exactly what Junah needs to see and hear to get him to get that swing again.What makes them right for their roles in this movie?

Watch 2nd time for:

What drama was this scene built around? Junah appears at first to be getting some frustration out, you can see that he is frustrated with himself in his swing.Whether or not Junah can get his swing or get the satisfaction of hitting the ball the way he used to (as it seems)What traits showed up in these two character’s words and actions? Bagger is an instigator to get Junah’s ego in the game (so to speak), Pushing Junah with dialogue “no sir, I set myself directly in front of you and judging how you was hitting them balls – I would be out of harms way”Junah is surprised by that response.Baggar is very direct/purposeful in his words that make Junah step back into his shoes to get the focus that is needed to follow through on that ball.

BREAKTHROUGHS:

Junah’s surprise when Baggar shows up, so irreverent towards Junah’s hitting that ballBaggar is not swayed by Junah, and speaks his own mind.There is no sense that Baggar will back down, but Junah is surprised that Baggar speaks when he is trying to swing.Baggar says “you a golfer?” You can see that – Junah was silently asking himself that very question.Junah feels that Baggar’s insight hits too close to home.The moment when Baggar sets the first ball down for Junah “Lord knows how awful you look if you do…”, Junah hand Baggar the clubBaggar hits the ball perfectly“So, you’re a golfer”The trick is …You lost your swing….we got to go find it…”, all that is, all that was, all that will be” (fantastic execution in dialogue and acting)Junah realizes his swing, but Baggar reminds him it’s in there.

I like the comment: “Junah could be every-person”

Because it does say that we (audience) can relate to frustrations of “I used to be …..” making us more empathetic to his character. While with Baggar, being the conscience (inner voice) sitting on your shoulder saying these things to you, but you won’t listen. But having a person come out and say “you lost your swing” and the ah ha moment of – Yes! That is exactly why I am out here – to find my swing.

What I learned about these two characters and watching the magical moment (Ah Ha) done so eloquently by these two actors. The (writing) dialogue feels natural and I am sure the actors placed their own words in too, to make it more real for them. But I feel because it was written so well, it certainly gave this particular scene a wonderful, magical moment for the audience as it unfolded.

One of my characters does have a moment of great realization, but I feel after breaking this down I can go back and re-write things to bring this “magical”, “ah ha” moment to fruition. This scene is visually lovely and dialogue is executed so well – I really need to see this movie again, to study these two characters more in-depth.

[cara star]

Junah: Enjoys hitting balls, but says he’s not a golfer, resistant to his present moment, lost his swing, is likely embarrassed about his golfing since he’s golfing in the dark/alone, with even a little bit of help from Bagger he is able to connect to the ball,

Bagger Vance: feel he’s been traveling some time — has tired feet, he’s appreciative, knowledgable about golf both the fundamental of the swing and the philosophy behind it, polite with some philosophical ideas, traveling in the area, a caddy with a “cheap” offer, tricky with words, friendly and fun-loving — likes to dance.

Without having seen the rest of the film, they are good roles because Junah has lost his swing and desperately needs a caddy — particularly one that is open-hearted and gentle — and Bagger Vance is offering exactly those services.

We’re not sure who Bagger Vance is… he walks in from the dark with a suitcase, but seems to know a lot about Junah… seems he may have been a fan of his from a previous game. We know that there will be a competition and that there are big stakes at hand… and that Junah is at least secretly trying to gauge if he’ll be competitive… if he’s ready to compete. We know that Bagger isn’t in it for the money… but not sure why he’s in it. He’s an unusual character and all we know about him is that he knows about golf, life, and a previous golf game of Junah’s.

Junah is a kind person. He offers Bagger food and then offers him to hit a ball… he’s slightly impatient with the intrusion but honest about what other caddies would get for the winning prize. You feel that these two would make a good pair. Bagger makes several comments to appreciating life — about the stars and the night. You can tell that Bagger is generous, as is Junah. Bagger seems to know some of Junah’s secrets.

[Patty Wilson]

I have seen this movie and Bagger comes at the right time, with the right tools, and helps Junah save his golf game, and in essence himself. I see Bagger as a guardian angel much like IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

[ATAUR BACCHUS]

A. WHERE-FROM ?

JUNAH – Frustration BUT on the other hand, he is out hitting balls.

BAGGER – Literally, emerges out of the gloom.

Race: It would be tiring to revisit the Magic Negro debate, whatever inherent merit there may be in it.

But some (actually delightful) subtext should not go unnoticed:

a. A man’s grip –

b. If you want some food –

FITTING CONCEPT – PULL BACK

Bagger is a gadfly, but pulls back short of a harangue.

Junuh is not all about comeback – like Rocky

BREAKTHROUGH POINT

Pullback – see above

[Michael Williamsen]

Michael Williamsen

What I learned – can use words as subtext while using action as the story

Watch 1^st time for:

Where is Junah coming
from?

Homeless vagabond, Golf experience bringing him wisdom and humor

Where is Bagger Vance coming
from?

Defeat and bitterness over losing his golf career

What makes
them right for their roles in this movie?

Their pain and past could merge into a good future

Watch 2^nd time for:

What drama was this scene built
around?

Vance teases Junah about losing his swing.

Vance crushes the golf ball – showing golf skill

What traits showed up in these
two character’s words and actions?

Vance – carefree, sense of humor, wise about golf

Junah – bitter, frustrated, un-privileged

[Ronald Neustrom]

Junah is coming from refusing to play in the big tournament and telling his girlfriend he has lost his confidence and his swing. However, he finds himself drawn to this late-night practice or search session where encounters Baggar. He is just a man trying to find a place to rest his tired feet and take in all of god’s glory. Junah is searching for his swing and Baggar is a man that has the insight and the skills to help him.

The drama in this scene is built around is man who has lost something inside and he has chosen to find it. However, he hasn’t admitted it to himself. He is still at the point where he knows something in himself is gone and he might just want or need it back. Junah was stubborn and unwilling to admit his lack of swing. Also, inside deep down he wouldn’t admit how important that his confidence was . That’s why he’s out there late at night and alone trying to get it back. Baggar saw right to the heart of his problem and also knew his potential. Baggar knew how to challenge Junah and reawaken that confidence. Insight, humor, patience, and golf skills were qualities that Baggar possessed that made him right for helping Junah and his inner need.

[James Hernandez]

Watch 1st time for:

· Where is Junah coming from?

· Where is Bagger Vance coming from?

· What makes them right for their roles in this movie?

Junah is coming from an opportunity of redemption. He “lost his swing” and confidence yet he feels the need to hit golf balls in the middle of the night. In essence, he still has something to prove either to himself or others.

Bagger Vance is coming from an opportunity to help someone else be it in golf or life in general. It appears he wants to serve as a mentor which is something he may have experience in doing; a motivator.

Junah is right for his role in this movie by which he was a champion golfer who has a chance to be on top again and help save an institution with his talents. Bagger Vance is right for his role in that he serves as the conscience mover in Junah to make him regain his swing and ultimately his confidence. These two golfers complement each other and provide the engine to the story.

Watch 2nd time for:

· What drama was this scene built around?

· What traits showed up in these two character’s words and actions?

The drama this scene was built around includes Junah needing a caddie for a $10,000 exhibition match, which he has not fully committed to at least in this scene. Bagger knows about the match yet he appears more interested in helping and/or motivating Junah instead of payment for caddie services.

Junah’s traits: considerate, short-fuse, stubborn, redemption seeker

Bagger’s traits: motivator (congenial), conscience mover, teacher, kind

Insights/Breakthroughs:

The characters in my stories are part of an overall puzzle that fulfills the emotions of the piece. They have to make “sense” in that they have to fit in the puzzle and not be extraneous pieces having no specific purposes in the story.

These “right characters” dictate the dialogue and actions that will be said and done as they move forward in the story; only these characters can say and do the specifics the story calls for.