Week 2 Day 3: Character Subtext #1 – GET OUT

[Mary Albanese]

Scene Mastery, Week _2 Day 3 __ Character SUBTEXT

Watch _GET OUT party scene______ first time for:
Basic Scene Components, which are:
Scene Arc – Chris attends a party his GF’s parents throw. It’s all white people who squeeze his muscles, and ask racist questions with a pleasant smile. Or speak about race in academic terms. “Black is in fashion.” He notices the black maid, acting zombified. People pointing at him. He sees Logan and goes to him. Logan doesn’t remember him. Logan is the “pet” of an old white lady, like a trained poodle. Logan is zombified. Hardly black at all. He twirls for his creepy lady’s white friends, pleased to entertain them. It is so creepy.
Situation – Chris must try to get through this party for his GF’s sake.
Conflict – These white people at his GF’s party are weird and creepy with their fake smiles and treating black people like happy poodles.
Moving story along – Questions – why are these white people like this? Why does the black maid and Logan allow to be treated like this?
Ent. Value – We feel creeped out for Chris. It is a hideously uncomfortable situation, where everyone seems to be in on a secret about you.
Setups/payoffs. He sees Logan and expects to greet “an old brother.” Instead, he gets zombified Logan who is apparently dating this creepy old white lady. Logan betrays Chris’ greeting of black fellowship to his white creepy lady. He knows Logan from before – and this isn’t him.

2nd time:
What makes it great? This is creepy on every level. Every verbal exchange, every look, every action, every gesture feels out of place in a creepy way.
Which characters cover up the real meaning? All the white characters except the GF act in such an over the top forced-happy way that we sense something is going on. And Logan covers up the real meaning the most by acting like he enjoys being treated like a trained poodle.
How many ways do they cover up the real meaning?
1. Lady TOUCHING Chris’ muscles inappropriately
2. Lady’s racist question to the GF about black men
3. Academic-like talk of dark skin being beneficial in society
4. Chris notices the black maid all zombified, serving a sea of white people.
5. Chris sees white people opening staring and pointing at him, as if he would appreciate that.
6. Chris seems someone he recognizes, an old “brother,” who doesn’t recognize Chris or act like himself with his white-washed clothes and speech.
7. “You two make a lovely couple” the old white lady says as she cuddles Logan, physically showing us how much she and Logan do NOT make a realistic or lovely couple.
8. Logan confides in the white lady what Chris said, betraying Chris’ attempt at ‘black bonding.’
9. “That’s… nice. Let’s go.” Logan’s old white lady GF is CLEARLY lying, covering it up with a bland excuse.
10. Chris tries to fist-bump Logan, who gives a good-old-boy white handshake instead.
11. Chris watches Logan turn and preen for a group of white people who applaud, like they would for a trained poodle. Scene ending line: Chris says: WTF.
What makes us see there is something deeper going on? Every verbal exchange, every glance, every action tells us there is something very creepy going on underneath the insanely bland pleasantry talk and vacuous smiles. Except for Chris and his GF, every word and every action of the party attendees is completely out of kelter.