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

[Neil Werenskjold]

CM Week 1 Day 3: The “Right Characters” for this story!

Bagger Vance is such a delightful, polite, gracious, respectful, merciful character that delivers zingers in such a delightful way that the recipient of the zingers cannot deny they are having that problem. That opens a natural door for Bagger Vance’s next step to provide a possible way forward out of the (next level of understanding), a hard to admit self-induced problem.

I have really come to understand is how vital subtext is to stimulate the audience’s attention in a Bagger Vance’s positive way. I use subtext a lot in my writing, but this lesson has opened my eyes to the fact that I more often negatively use my subtext. That leads me to want to think about how I can “flip the scrip” and deliver a lesson in life in a positive, gracious “Bagger Vance” subtext way. Wow, that is my heavy breakthrough.

Set-Up: This is the ending of the reveal scene.

Military Family Blues is about two reservist Military families on the verge of divorce. In the two scenes below, two military members, one spouse from each doomed family, are sitting in an aircraft for the long six-hour flight to Honduras. They find out that each spouse back home wants the divorce.

Ironically, while Samantha (Sam) and Bill are deployed, their spouses, Tom, Sam’s husband, and Mary, Bill’s wife, meet in a snowy grocery store parking lot for the first time. They begin a relationship unaware that their spouses are together during the deployment.

After Act 2 evolves and sexual tension has grown to it’s highest intensity in both new relationships. Bill and Sam are wounded in a surprise ambush in Honduras. They are flown back to a local hospital for observation. Their spouses Tom and Mary rush to the hospital not knowing their condition.

That is when the big reveal happens and the couples humorously find out about each other in front of a Spirit filled black chaplain.

This is the wrap-up for this humorous, but honest self evaluating scene.

105. INT. INSIDE THE HOSPITAL CHAPEL – DAY (Continued)

The calm and in control Chaplain smiles.

CHAPLAIN

Well, I have to say this has been interesting. I’m not sure what just happened, but I pray, whatever it was, that it has God’s blessing all over it. It sure has healing and forgiveness as only He can do.

The Chaplain moves closer to both couples.

CHAPLAIN

I praise God ya’ll have a grasp on forgiveness. — Y’all are just going through a rough patch with each other. Yes, we make promises, and yes, we mess up, but I sense this time has been different.

The Chaplain pauses.

CHAPLAIN

Different because, first, by grace, these two came home from the battlefield BLOODED but not in body bags. That’s enough to scare y’all clean back into each other’s arms where you belong. DEEP LOVE never leaves us. — And second, — I just heard the most heartfelt APOLOGIES I have ever heard. Whatever all happened — well, it happened. We all have access to the greatest forgiveness of all time. Y’all know what I’m talk’en about. Right?

Everyone nods.

BILL

We can’t match what Jesus did for us all.

CHAPLAIN

Bingo. Can’t match it, but you can learn from it and imitate it when those precious others around you hurt us.

The Chaplain shifts his weight, thinking deeply.

CHAPLAIN

I just met you folks, but I sense you have been in a spiritual battle of a lifetime. Good on you for coming through it all so well!

The Chaplain pauses to let that sink in. Then continues.

CHAPLAIN

Now, what can you do to keep this from happening again? — You all belong to a good church, don’t you?

They look at each other and shake their heads no.

BILL

Not anymore. We’ve been too busy.

The Chaplain does not judge.

CHAPLAIN

That’s how things start going south. But no matter. Our Father in Heaven loves you all so dearly and is hope’en you will make church a priority again. — If you like a lively service, you are more than welcome to come to my church. It’s interdenominational and interracial. All sizes, shapes, and colors. Ha-ha, We have fun every time we get together. No judging because we all understand we all stumble and learn through those sad moments in our lives. — We try to help each other recover with grace, mercy, and dignity. Anyway, you all are welcome to come visit us.

He looks down, changing the beat as he shakes his head.

CHAPLAIN

But right now, you’ve all had a “Fright of a lifetime.” You need to reconnect and spend time together with your families. So, I won’t go-to-preaching right now, but I hope to encourage you to make time to read PROVERBS 5, which talks about staying with the woman of your youth and tells you why.

A tieback for Tom.

TOM

Proverbs five?

CHAPLAIN

Yep. But enough talking now. Let’s get you out of here after a quick prayer.

Raising his hands and closing his eyes, the Chaplain begins to pray quickly.

CHAPLAIN

Our Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing me into this divine moment with these two crazy but sincere, loving, caring families. Thank you for your healing power within these families to bring them together again. — By faith, we thank you for your promised healing you are performing on these families right now, both physically and spiritually, by super-naturally learning how to forgive one another. — We thank you for your example and continuing forgiveness as we stumble through life and have to repent over and over. In Jesus’s most precious and Holy Name, we pray. Amen!

The Chaplain opens his eyes, looking at the two couples, lifting his hands, smiling.

CHAPLAIN

Now, go in God’s grace and peace that passes all understanding, forgiving, and healing as you are blessed and continue to prosper by His grace. Amen!

[Steven Delisi]

Bagger: he’s educated … enters from the dark announcing himself in a poetic way and references his faith in God. He’s optimistic and rational, even though he’s sort of a tramp. This is in contrast to Junah. Baggers immediate words telegraph that he’s there to save Junah.

A breakthrough for me, is how a characters way of speaking tells us about him and how he will likely operate through out the story. * In the end, when bagger explains “we need to find your swing”, he uses this rhythmical form of speaking that shows the progression of Junah hitting the ball poorly … to better …. to great.

[Constance Gillam]

I’ve never seen The Legend of Bagger Vance but from that 5-minute snippet, the movie appears to be a fantasy. Bagger is almost pulled from Junah’s unconscious self to provide the challenge, the coaching, and the encouragement he needs to play in the tournament–to be the player he once was. My guess is that Bagger will disappear at the end of the story (after Junah wins) as suddenly as he appeared.

In my work in progress, my main character is a soldier returning from war who is experiencing the darkest days of her life. I wonder if one of the other characters in the story can be her Bagger Vance.

[CHRISTOPHER WEBB]

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

Insights

Bagger Vance uses humor to disarm Junah. A stranger appearing out of the dark onto your land should be more alarming to Junah, but Bagger Vance jokingly insults him in a way that’s disarming and true. And throughout the interaction Bagger Vance further uses humor to counteract his annoyance and constant interruption. All the while he’s there to try and get a job and by the time Bagger Vance negotiates a payment with Junah, they have a rapport already.

Insights

Junah is desperately obsessed to be who he once was. So much so that he’ll let a stranger go in his house to eat without even knowing anything about him. He only gets annoyed when Vance prevents him from golfing. He grimaces when Vance seems to walk away and comes back to keep interrupting him. He gets indignant when asking Vance to take a swing. Then when Vance takes a very good golf swing Junah practically yanks the golf club back. When Bagger Vance mentions that Junah lost his swing, it’s the first time that Junah is fully engaged the conversation and not just giving dismissive answers to in order to get back to golfing.

[SCENE]

Set Up: Martin talks to his father, David, about the federal investigation into his company.

INT. OFFICE – NIGHT

Martin and his father talk about the federal investigation into his company.

Martin – I’m just not sure what it is they think you did.

David – That’s because you went to college then straight into the army. You were gone for eleven years. There are things you don’t know.

Martin – Yeah? Like what?

David gives him a look that suggests its REALLY BAD. Martin looks very concerned, but then realizes something.

Martin – Is that why you told me I had to join the Army after college in order to inherit the business one day? Because you knew this would happen? Or was it already happening?

David – Remember how you used to say I was overprotective. Well, guess you had a point. [chuckles]

Martin – JOKES?!?! You have jokes at a time like this?

David – You need to calm down. You’ll be fine. I’ve prepared you for life without the company.

Martin – But I grew up in this company. You groomed me to take it over. I know a lot of the people. Good people.

David – You don’t know everything. They’re nice to the boss’ kid. Doesn’t mean they’re good people.

Martin – Why? What’d they do?

David looks at him cautiously. He presses a button on his desk phone and two burly men instantly walk in the room and stand on the each side of Martin . Martin gives his father a look of utter betrayal.

David – Don’t give me that look. I dunno who compromised you while you were away. Who you might be working for.

Martin – You’re paranoid.

David – Par for the course.

David jerks his chin towards his son. The two goons roughly and thoroughly search him for a wire or any listening device. They come up empty.

David – Phone.

They reach for Martin’s phone but Martin steps away from them and gets into a fighting stance. The two goons look at David for instruction.

David – Turn over your phone, Son. Need to know if you’re recording this. If you truly want to be in know about these things then just comply. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.

Martin looks at his father with surprise. He puts his hands up in surrender and heads towards the exit.

David – Let him go. No need to drag this out any further.

Martin begins to exits.

David – Oh, and Son? (Martin turns towards David) Don’t come back here. You’re no longer wanted or needed.

Martin gives his father a long look before departing.

• This reply was modified 3 years ago by  CHRISTOPHER WEBB.

[Marti Wheat]

CM Week 1 Day 3: The “Right Characters” for this story!

Junus has a confidence problem. He has acknowledged that he lost both his swing and his confidence in the war, which up until being asked to participate in a charity game, he’s accepted. Now, he’s wondering if he can get it back. It doesn’t look too good, as he keeps using the same bad swing to hit the balls, and he’s extremely defensive about it when Baggar walks out of the dark night directly into his terrible swings and sweetly assures him, he was in no danger of being hit by one of his balls.

But, Junus keeps swinging; he doesn’t quit, even though he is clearly frustrated and losing his patience with Baggar’s smooth, gentle chiding. He finally hands him his club and challenges him to “put his swing where his mouth is” and is stunned when Baggar hits the ball square on, sending it off in a perfect arc into the night. Now, their dance begins, with Baggar leading Junus, who begins to see him in a completely different light and, as he finally listens to Baggar and hears what he’s saying, his swing improves, and their characters meld into a perfectly symbiotic relationship. Each character elevates the other and neither would rise to their greatest level without the other.

[Kristina Zill]

• Where is Junah coming from?
Wounded by the war, lost his mojo

• Where is Bagger Vance coming from?
He’s come to secure a job as caddie, but really to help Junah regain his lost swing

• What makes them right for their roles in this movie?
Junah is closed off to the world, has lost his joy

Bagger has the perfect blend of knowledge and sly criticism masked as humor to break through Junah’s defenses. Bagger has joie de vivre which contrasts with Junah’s lack of joy.

• What drama was this scene built around?

Bagger convinces Junah to engage him as caddie, with the unspoken promise that he will help him recover his lost swing.

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

Junah
• defeated, resigned
• loner, self-reliant
• generous, kind to others
• hard on himself

Bagger
• “aw, shucks” hides a sly wit
• deal-maker
• joie de vivre
• professional

Bagger appears out of the darkness, which makes him seem other-worldly. He also could be in danger since he came from the direction where Judah’s balls would have landed. We ask ourselves, “What does the guy really want?” – a question that carries the scene.

When Judah suggests he get something to eat in the house, and Bagger seems okay with that, for the briefest moment, it seems like that’s what he’s come for. Bagger continues his acquiescence to the offer of food, only to turn back and talk more about golf. Gradually we understand that Bagger has a mystical connection to golf and he’s what Junah needs to turn around not only his golf game, but his life.

Junah asks Bagger if he’s going to dance with the ball rather than hit it, and the conversation is a kind of dance where Bagger is trying to lead a reluctant Junah without stepping too firmly on his toes.

[jeffrey jeff glatz glatz]

Junah is coming from a place of sadness with how his life has turned out. He wants that life back but does not know how to get there.

Bagger is coming from a place of belief and how working with Junah can bring him some satisfaction and happiness in his life.

They each can fulfill the others needs. Bagger can help Junah become the man he was, and Junah can help Bagger gain some happiness and fulfilment for something he has a passion for but is unable to participate in at that level of the game (of life)

Junah

Frustration, Hope/dream, Kindness, Impatient

Bagger

Sense of Humor, Wise, Philosophical, Satirical

[Daisy Khalifa]

Junah is coming from a place that longs for redemption and purpose. He wants to save the local golf resort because it is very much part of who he is. Moreover, he has lost confidence in himself and he is shaken — his well being, his stability are hanging by a thread, which is to say his future is threatened — by the War. Still, he is too proud to show this, but deep down he has to know, even if he has serious doubts, if he can play golf and possibly win it all.

Like the proverbial “good angel/bad angel’, Bagger Vance is coming from a place that represents everything it would take for Junah to be in that golf match and win. He represents that gnawing, meaningful and feisty consciousness inside of Junah that nudges him toward giving the golf match a try.

Junah and Bagger are right for the roles because they are polar opposites in terms of their belief systems. Junah sees doom while Bagger sees opportunity. Junah is fearful and a pessimist at this point in his life while Bagger is full of hope, optimistic and fearless. Junah thinks everything could be lost while Bagger looks at life and says, “What have you got to lose?” One character is on an odyssey to become self-aware while the other is completely aware of himself and he knows he is alright.

Junah is skeptical and cynical, and Bagger is a soft-touch, almost. He pushes Junah’s buttons and challenges Junah just enough. Junah asks Bagger, “You a caddy?” To which Bagger replies, “That depends, you a golfer?”

Bagger says just enough to make Junah think twice. When Junah says he doesn’t need a caddy because he is not playing in the match, Bagger presses him and asks him why then is he “hitting balls off in the dark where you can’t even see them?”

Bagger wants to be Junah’s caddy, and Junah needs Bagger to be his caddy but there is something of a dance going on as the two iron out their trust issues, or as Junah irons out his trust of Bagger. The scene takes us from watching a desperate and anxious young man who doesn’t know what he can do to save the golf resort, to a triumphant end when it is clear that the two men are going to come together and make a go of it. Junah’s change of heart about the stranger comes when Bagger says, “Trick is to find your swing?’ Another trick Bagger brings is his ability to get Junah to swing and hit balls for him, as golf balls appear out of Bagger’s hand like magic one after the other.

What I learned with this scene is that characters can convey a lot with carefully chosen threads of dialog. Enactment, or good acting, coupled with well-chosen words that a comprise quick back-and-forth can make a scene very meaningful and profound.

[C Holmes]

Junah is frustrated but still motivated enough to go out in the middle of the night to take swings despite the fact that he has lost his natural ability to connect with the ball. <div>

Where is Bagger Vance coming from? Just wants five dollars guaranteed. He is not a gambler. He only wants to do something for a solid “repayment” and to carry the bag. But he also is a sage, so he knows Junah can’t really see him yet. He needs to be able to do more than just get some food and be on his way.

What makes them right for their roles? Bagger needs to teach. Vance needs to learn.

What drama was this scene built around? Junah is out in the dark, he can tell by the sound of the ball he’s not really hitting his mark. Bagger also hears he’s off his game, so can walk straight toward him without worry he’ll be hit. </div><div>

What traits showed up in these two character’s words and actions? Junah traits: frustration, impatience, kindness and trust that he can feed the man, but also blindness that he can’t really see who he is talking to.

Bagger likes to play old homespun, cornpone, half Mark Twain Americana, old fashioned polite. Playing one down. He knows he can hit the ball further than Junah can even imagine, but also knows his game is the making of people, not the winning of games. It’s like a Buddha acting as a chess champ to play checkers with a five year old, using sport to teach other things far more valuable.

Daily Focus – Searching for Breakthroughs:

I must admit I’ve never watched this movie because every time I try I feel it’s miscast. Smith, Damon, even Theiron just seem like movie stars pretending to be quaint folks from another era. I like these actors, but just don’t think they work here. That aside I’ll stay with the words. </div><div>

The fact that the scene it in the dark seems great to me as Junah is in the dark about his PTSD and the wounds of war. He was accomplished in the near mystically sport of gold but lost his swing in the trenches of World War 1 the greatest mechanized war in the history of the world up to that point.

I work with Vets sometimes so I know they don’t want to talk about it all many a time, because they don’t think anyone can ever understand the physical mental emotional moral and social effects of what they have been through. Junah has that I’ll feed this guy, but he couldn’t possibility help me with my swing kind of attitude. That comes out loud and clear in the writing.

Bagger meanwhile is deeper that Junah will ever be, and knows more about war than he will ever share. That sideways kind of healing is about going into the past the present and the future all at the same time which is the best line in the scene for me.

Read the other writers comments and make notes of any insights/breakthroughs you like. Will do it with replies to others.

Rethink or create a scene for your script using your new insights and rewrite that scene/character.
Post the answer to question, “What I learned rewriting my scene/character?” I think I am too direct sometimes with character words and action. Sometimes not saying what is happening is more mysteriously to the point, than pointing it out directly, which is the Bagger method.

</div>

[Christopher Phillips Phillips]

Looking purely at the scene, a golfer is out at night taking swings, all veering off the intended mark. In the dark a stranger appears – someone that seems to know exactly what the golfer needs, even if the golfer doesn’t know it himself. It’s almost as if his subconscious made the stranger appear. The golfer is even caught off guard when the stranger tells him that he’s lost his swing, obviously something that has been on his mind by the reaction.

The golfer initially says that he doesn’t need any help because he has no plans to play anytime soon – even offers the stranger food in the house. The stranger initially appears to take up the offer but instead decides to hang around and offer the golfer more insights into his problem and also to pitch him an offer he can’t refuse – to caddie for him for only $5. The golfer waves off the initial offer, because he doesn’t need a caddie. However, his swing actually starts to connect even with the simple bit of advice the caddie has to offer. The caddie is not interested in real money, makes no promises, but his life insights are too good to pass up for now.

[Zev Ledman]

Junah has lost all confidence
in his golf. The fact that he keeps hitting balls at night privately
reflects that he wants it back. But, he can’t figure out what to do. So,
he just keeps hitting balls while getting more discouraged.

Baggar, in an unassuming manor,
wants to be part of the game. He’s very knowledgeable and has the skill
set that allows him to identify what a golfer needs to become better. He wants
to help and is confident in his ability to teach someone how they can
improve their game.

Junah has lost his edge and has
no idea what to do. He can’t figure out what to do on his own. Baggar knows how to fix his problem. And,
he’s comes out of the darkness into the light, like an angel to show Junah
the way at a critical time in his life.

Drama –

Junah wants to compete, but can’t.
Baggar has the answers, but it’s hard for Junah to believe.

Character’s words and
actions? Characters are polar opposites: Junah – High Society,
articulate, serious, intense, superiority complex versus Baggar – laid back
country boy, unrefined, humorous, relaxed.

[Counse Broders]

We see that Junah is struggling, and find it odd he’s hitting golf balls at night (How does one even tell where the ball went – he’s striking in the dark, literally). Vance appears out of the darkness adding air of mystery – where’d he come from, why does he appear to have such knowledge of golf?

I had a problem with Will Smith’s southern accent and that took me out of the scene for starters. In reading some other internet pieces, I came across a quote of Spike Lee referring to the character as a “Magic Negro” and a problem. He claimed it was a new “phenomenon” of having an African-American character imbued with special powers. He noted to an audience at Calhoun College “How is it that black people have these powers but they use them for the benefit of white people?” (Ref: http://archives.news.yale.edu/v29.n21/story3.html )

While the screenwriters have said the plot is loosely based on the Hindu sacred text the Bhagavad Gita (ref: https://www.monstersandcritics.com/movies/is-the-legend-of-bagger-vance-a-true-story/ ). I found that interesting to create characters that are telling a parable of ancient wisdom but through a more modern lens. That was interesting to me.

[Judith Resell]

The characters seem right for this story because the profound demoralization of war must meet its match in a larger-than-life spiritual being, a savior capable of healing deep wounds and restoring faith and hope.

[Elizabeth Corinth]

Where is Junah coming from?

The disappointment of the fall from greatness to mediocrity. He probably once defined himself by his abilities and success; in losing those, he has lost his sense of himself, and he wants it back.

Where is Bagger Vance coming from?

He is a mystery, who literally emerges out of the darkness. He wants something, but we don’t yet know what. He knows Junah. He has both technical skill, and a mystical intuitive ability. He is what Junah needs, but he probably needs Junah too for some reason.

What makes them right?

They both have a need that only the other person can meet. They both have greatness inside them but need the other to activate it. They are both the best at what they do.

Drama:

The tension between Junah’s belief that he can’t do it and his obvious desire to play.

The mystery of who Bagger Vance is and what he wants.

The mounting frustration Junah feels about Bagger’s interruptions.

Junah’s traits:

Frustrated

Impatient

Generous / compassionate

Bagger’s traits:

Capable and confident

Mischevious / playful

Insightful

A consummate performer – aware of his impact on others and able to adjust his mode of being to a range of circumstances

[David Wywialowski]

I learned that having the right characters help to bring the scene and the story together. What are their traits and their history? This gives more depth to their relationship also.

[Rosemary Lismore]

Week 1 Day 3: Baggar Vance

Junah is right in this role as he has a history of being a winning golfer. Baggar is right as he speaks the truth about what Junah needs to hear and rediscover about himself, in order to return to his talent at golfing. With Baggar as a suitcase carrying “wanderer” we see the juxtaposition of a caddy offering up advice to a supposed professional player.

We understand when a character says they are not what you are, then play impressively, we suddenly see the conflict the player will use to overcome his current weakness. The nonplayer knows enough to instigate attitude in the ‘player’ and hence, the player feels unnerved and takes his swing more seriously. So fun that Baggar walks up the centre of the yard, confident in his statement, that -with the way you are swinging, I knew you couldn’t hit me. This identifies that Baggar has trustworthy info for the golfer and that Baggar sees him differently than how he sees himself.

Drama is built when Baggar suggests the rate the pro golfer is playing at, identifies him as a player who would not be aiming for the $10,000 prize, and instead is seen as a golfer who would be a good bet to pay a caddy a guaranteed 5 dollars.

This shows that Junah sees himself one way but others see him a different way.