WIM+AI – Module 3 – Lesson 8: Purpose Driven Supporting Characters

[Michael Collado]

Mike's Supporting Characters

My Vision is to write original screenplays, make a couple of calls to pitch it, to start a bidding war.

This assignment taught me how to assign characters to a specific function to further the story and point to the main concept.

Support 1:
• Name: Mr. Jones
• Role: Mr. Jones is a triangle character that connects Coach Jo and the Little League, as well as between Mr. Black and the Little League.
• Main purpose: Mr. Jones is the President of the Little League and a coach of an opposing team that is a pain in the butt for Coach Jo. He is also the head salesman for Vita Solutions, which provides the vitamins for some of the teams at the eleven-year-old level, the vitamins are a vessel for Mr. Black's nanobot experiments.
• Value: Always creating tension by butting heads with Coach Jo and is Mr. Black's henchman.

Support 2:
• Name: Professor Kramer
• Role: Pro. Kramer is the zany physics professor.
• Main purpose: Pro. Kramer shows Coach Jo how to teach the kids to learn baseball using the language they understand: math, geometry, and physics.
• Value: Pro. Kramer is also a mentor who teaches her the value of teamwork and collaboration, how to overcome her tendency to work alone, and how to seek help when needed.

Support 3:
• Name: Laticia
• Role: Coach Jo's Sister
• Main purpose: Laticia is Coach Jo's sounding board and devil's advocate.
• Value: Laticia keeps Coach Jo at bay with the Little League team and is a surprise link to Mr. Black's Nanotechnology company.

Support 4:
• Name: Kofi
• Role: Kofi is Coach Jo's brother-in-law.
• Main purpose: He is a thorn in Coach Jo's side when it comes to how she approaches the tasks at hand.
• Value: Another one that helps teach her the value of not working alone and seeking help from others with more knowledge.

Support 5:
• Name: Dr. Laura Feinstein
• Role: Mr. Black's lab partner
• Main purpose: Dr. Laura discovers how to get the Nanobots to communicate with the motor neurons and manipulate the muscles to do their bidding.
• Value: Her discovery starts the ball in motion to test it on the kids.

Support 6:
• Name: Detective Sibalwitz
• Role: Jocinda's training officer
• Main purpose: Tries to teach Jocinda how to be a detective and use the whole unit for their cases.
• Value: Jocinda starts to trust him and uses him to corral Mr. Black.

Support 7:
• Name: Ava
• Role: Coach Jo's goddaughter and one of the leaders on the team
• Main purpose: Ava helps organize the team functions.
• Value: Ava is the catalyst for Coach Jo to do well in her coaching debut.

Support 8:
• Name: Stanley "Stats" Dombrowski
• Role: Stats is an autistic kid sitting in the bleachers and writing notes in his notebooks.
• Primary purpose: Stats will supply Coach Jo with statistics for all the kids on every team. He also triggers the breakthrough, so Coach Jo figures out what Mr. Black is up to.
• Value: His stats show how to pitch to and play a shift on the better players in the league, and his mom could serve as a love interest.

Support 9:
• Name: The rest of the team, Liam "Drip" O'Malley, Tyler "TyRod" Rodriguez, Jackson "Jax" Lee, Marcin "Alphabet" Przybyłowicz-Tarkowski, Kacper "Ghost" Gupta, Jonah "Jargon" Martinez, Isabella "Izzy" Williams, Zoe "Zee" Papadakis, John "Smitty" Smith, Jack, "Jocko" O'Bucci
• Role: This is the rest of the Twins team.
• Main purpose: Each one will play a role in transforming into a good player. For example, Drip and Smitty answer the question of why a ball curves.
• Value: Their progress holds the team together, and a couple helps unearth Mr. Black's intentions.

Background Characters 1:
• Name: Patrons at the local tavern, other teams' parents, coaches, and locals.
• Role: sounding boards, parents who care, point to the theme
• Main purpose: This a place where Jocinda/Coach Jo can learn more, blow off stream and connect with her love interest, and meet Professor Kramer.
• Value: points to multiple areas of the concept and theme.

Background Characters 2:
• Name: Police Detective Bull Pen
• Role: Jocinda/Coach Jo's male coworkers
• Main purpose: They show their sexism.
• Value: They build a case against Jocinda/Coach Jo's for her to get suspended.

Background Characters 3:
• Name: Vita Solutions and Synapse Tech Systems employees
• Role: These are the people who work in the development labs
• Main purpose: Sound boards for Mr. Black and Mr. Jones.
• Value: They introduce how the Nanobots are introduced to the host's bloodstream and how the Nanobots connect with the motor neurons to make this feasible for the audience.

• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Michael Collado.
• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Michael Collado.
• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Michael Collado.

[LJ (Lawrence John) Seliski]

LJ’s Supporting Characters

My vision is to write incredible high-concept screenplays that are made into popular, financially successful movies.

What I learned from doing this assignment is a great way to create purpose-driven supporting characters in a screenplay.

Supporting Characters

Support 1:
Name: Brad West
Role: he’s married to Gina, the owner of the home in which Mia and other orphan girls live. He’s a former high-income scientist who’s light-sensitive as the result of an accident.
Main purpose: He has taught Mia martial arts skills and later helps her search for Ariael
Value: over the years Mia has lived in his home, he has become someone whom Mia trusts

Support 2:
Name: Gina West
Role: Brad’s bitter wife who owns the home, resents the fact that Brad is no longer able to provide a high income which led her to decide to make her home into a residence for orphan girls. She takes out her anger on the girls.
Main purpose: to provide insight into the abuse that Mia’s suffered at her hands
Value: She’s a supporter of Tyrell Duggan and later betrays the location of Ariael to Zarael

Support 3:
Name: Tyrell Dugan
Role: a corrupt politician who wants Zarael to help him become the Supreme Leader on Earth
Main purpose: to provide Zarael with Tyrell’s allies and thugs to help Zarael find and capture Ariael. In return, Tyrell will provide Zarael with humans to assist Zarael in becoming Queen on her planet
Value: This shows the determination and corruption of Tyrell and Zarael in becoming the controlling person on their planets

Background Characters

A nine-year-old and twelve-year-old girl who live in Gina’s home
Dugan’s supporters and thugs

• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  LJ (Lawrence John) Seliski.

[Michael Katz]

Michael E. Katz’s Supporting Characters

My vision is to sell a script for a million bucks!

Here's a list of supporting and background characters for my Dramedy screenplay "I Love What You've Done To The Place," along with basic profiles for the supporting characters:

Supporting Characters:
1. Kirsten's daughter (Abigail)
2. Kirsten's friend #1 (Nicole)
3. Kirsten's friend #2 (Shailene)
4. Kirsten's friend #3 (Reece)
5. Jesse's new girlfriend (Zoe)
6. Kirsten's real estate agent (Nathan)
7. Kirsten's lawyer (Laura)
8. The contractor (Alexander)
9. Kirsten's former interior designer Meryl
10. Shop owner where Hallworth finds the replacement vase (Antique Annie)
11. Hallworth's new boyfriend (Corey)

Supporting Character Profiles:

Support 1:
– Name: Abigail
– Role: Kirsten's daughter
– Main purpose: To provide emotional support and a sense of grounding for Kirsten during her journey
– Value: Represents the importance of family and the need for Kirsten to set a positive example for her daughter

Support 2:
– Name: Nicole
– Role: Kirsten's friend #1
– Main purpose: To share her own post-divorce experiences and offer relatable advice to Kirsten
– Value: Represents the diverse experiences of divorcees and the importance of female solidarity

Support 3:
– Name: Shailene
– Role: Kirsten's friend #2
– Main purpose: To challenge Kirsten's perceptions and encourage her to embrace change and take risks
– Value: Acts as a catalyst for Kirsten's personal growth and self-discovery

Support 4:
– Name: Reece
– Role: Kirsten's friend #3
– Main purpose: To provide comic relief and a lighthearted perspective on the challenges of post-divorce life
– Value: Brings levity to the story and helps balance the more serious themes

Support 5:
– Name: Zoe
– Role: Jesse's new girlfriend
– Main purpose: To serve as a reminder of Jesse's new life and the changes Kirsten must accept
– Value: Represents the reality of moving on and the importance of focusing on one's own happiness

Support 6:
– Name: Nathan
– Role: Kirsten's real estate agent
– Main purpose: To guide Kirsten through the process of selling her marital home and finding a new property
– Value: Provides practical advice and support, helping Kirsten take tangible steps towards her new life

Support 7:
– Name: Laura
– Role: Kirsten's lawyer
– Main purpose: To handle the legal aspects of Kirsten's divorce and provide guidance on her rights and options
– Value: Offers professional expertise and helps Kirsten navigate the complex legal and financial aspects of divorce

Support 8:
– Name: Alexander
– Role: The contractor
– Main purpose: To oversee the renovation and demolition process, bringing Kirsten's vision to life
– Value: Represents the physical transformation that mirrors Kirsten's emotional journey and provides practical support in the process

Support 9:
– Name: Meryl
– Role: Kirsten's former interior designer
– Main purpose: To decline Kirsten's request to redecorate, pushing her to find a new designer and approach
– Value: Serves as a catalyst for Kirsten to meet Hallworth and embark on a more transformative journey

Support 10:
– Name: Antique Annie
– Role: Shop owner where Hallworth finds the replacement vase
– Main purpose: To provide a unique and meaningful piece that helps Kirsten let go of the past
– Value: Represents the importance of finding beauty and purpose in unexpected places

Support 11:
– Name: Corey
– Role: Hallworth's new boyfriend
– Main purpose: To show Hallworth's personal growth and happiness alongside Kirsten's journey
– Value: Demonstrates the possibility of finding love and companionship after heartbreak and serves as a parallel to Kirsten's own journey

Background Characters:
1. Kirsten's ex-husband's lawyer
2. Movers
3. Gardeners
4. Kirsten's housekeeper
5. Delivery personnel
6. Auction attendees
7. Neighbors
8. Partygoers at the "smashing" parties
9. Interior designers Kirsten interviews
10. The cop who shows up at the smash party
11. Shop owners on the field/road trips

What I Learned: These supporting characters and background characters help create a rich and dynamic world for Kirsten's story to unfold. Each character serves a specific purpose, propels the story forward, and adds value to the narrative in a meaningful way, contributing to the emotional resonance of the screenplay and overall themes of personal transformation and moving on from the past. They all contribute to Kirsten's journey in meaningful ways, providing support, challenges, and opportunities for growth. The supporting characters also help to create a well-rounded and believable world around Kirsten, reflecting the diverse experiences and perspectives of those navigating life after divorce.

[jim ramsay]

RAMSAY – Module 4 – Lesson 1: Character Journey Structure 5.14.24

My Vision: Creating worlds for my characters. Producing my films will be my ultimate gratification.
3. Add the rest of the structure to the characters in the script.
• Beginning: A dream sequence of Mic being shot and her little sister getting killed by Carlito.
• Inciting Incident: A grown federal agent, Mic, is undercover with the cartel when terrorists try to rape her, and she loses control and kills them all, blowing the undercover operation. She is demoted, quits, and goes on a drinking binge. She gives her teen neighbor boy advice.
• Turning Point 1: Her teen neighbor is abducted by what she thought was a boy online. Mic gives her bad advice and feels responsible; she accepts her demotion to search for Hannah.
• Act 2: Mic is tasked with finding a good Samaritan. She joins forces with him to find Hannah. During their search, she discovers cartel boss Carlito is involved with Hannah’s abduction.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mic wants to kill Carlito, but she needs to rescue Hannah first. Mic and Carlito engage in several tactical battles. Mic damages the cartel’s operations, and even though Mic manages to stay one step ahead of Carlito, she can’t rescue Hannah.
• Act 3: Mic devises a new plan to save Hannah and Kill Carlito, but he is ready for her. After a long battle with Carlito, he foils her plans. She takes one more run at him and gets to Carlito.
• Turning Point 3: Mic has used all her skills, and by some miracle, she is prepared to kill him, but she must choose between finally killing Carlito and saving Hannah. She can’t do both.
• Act 4 Climax: Mic gives up her revenge and decides to let Carlito go so she can save Hannah.
• Resolution: Mic overpowers Carlito. She wins their battle, and she decides she will forgive him, but Carlito won’t let her forgive him, and he tries to kill Hannah. Mic stops him.
4. Repeat the above process with your Antagonist.
• Beginning: Cartel boss Carlito’s faction runs human trafficking and drug operations from Highway Interstate 8 in California into Mexico. His organization abducted Hannah.
• Inciting Incident: Someone has disrupted Carlito’s operations, which has cost him a fortune.
• Turning Point 1: Carlito is furious and directs his soldiers to bring the man who breached his security and damaged his operations to him so he can kill him and send a message.
• Act 2: Mic takes out all of Carlito’s best soldiers, and she sends a message back to Carlito.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mic attempts to rescue Hannah but ends up confronting Carlito. He finds out who Mic is and realizes she wants revenge and to rescue. He and his men fight with Mic, his soldiers help Carlito, and he escapes Mic’s grasp, taking Hannah with him.
• Act 3: Carlito devises a plan to ambush Mic and kill her and Hannah, but he is ready for her. After a long battle, he foils her plans. Mic takes one more run at him, and she gets to Carlito.
• Turning Point 3: By some miracle, Mic is finally prepared to kill Carlito, but she discovers his soldiers have taken Hannah to send her out of the country. Carlito has gotten the best of Mic; he forces her to choose between finally killing him or saving Hannah. She can’t do both.
• Act 4 Climax: Mic decides she will forgive Carlito and save Hannah. Carlito won’t accept her forgiveness, and he orders Hannah to be killed.
• Resolution: Mic overpowers Carlito. She wins their battle, but Carlito won’t let her forgive him, and he makes the call and orders Hannah’s death. Mic does what she must do to stop his call. And Mic saves Hannah.

[Harry Rankin]

Harry’s Supporting Characters

My vision for success from this program is:
To create scripts freely when working with producers, directors and cast, so to make award-winning work and create a lifestyle which is confident of financial freedom.

What I learned from doing this assignment is: The team is (nearly) assembled!

Support 1:
Name: Megan
Role: Suli’s closest friend – on Earth
Main purpose: Confidant
Value: To allow Suli to vent and to gain information

Support 2:
Name: Roger
Role: Phys Ed instructor
Main purpose: Foil for Jon, suited for Suli
Value: To give Jon a direct adversary

Support 3:
Name: Esan
Role: Press secretary for Harrison
Main purpose: To cover up his machinations… and to leak to the press the truth!
Value: Whistle-blower

Support 4:
Name: Mary
Role: Jon’s mother
Main purpose: Guilt trip! (devout catholic)
Value: More for Jon to worry about

• This reply was modified 11 months, 4 weeks ago by  Harry Rankin.
• This reply was modified 11 months, 4 weeks ago by  Harry Rankin.

[Margaret]

Module 3 – Lesson 8
Margaret’s Supporting Characters
My Vision: To write profound faith-based screenplays that are produced.
What I learned: Discovered my supporting characters and their purpose for this screenplay.
My supporting Characters:
Support 1:
• Name: Aimee Munoz
• Role: Jabin’s Mother
• Main purpose: Coordinate Jabin’s care and finances
• Value: Provides physical support, is a sounding board, and provides advice
Support 2:
• Name: Grandma
• Role: Jabin’s Grandmother
• Main purpose: Spiritual guide for the family
• Value: Prayer warrior and provides spiritual guidance
Support 3:
• Name: Job Munoz
• Role: Jabin’s Father
• Main purpose: Provides emotional and physical support for the family
• Value: A strong support for Jabin

[jim ramsay]

RAMSAY – Module 4 – Lesson 2: The Deeper Layer 5.15.24
Vision: Creating extraordinary worlds for my characters. Producing my films will be my ultimate gratification.
Activity: …building in an engaging deeper layer!
2. As we did above with The Sixth Sense, create each piece of this “Deeper Layer” puzzle.
• Surface Layer: Mic wants to revenge her sister’s death
• Deeper Layer: Mic needs to forgive herself and God for her sister’s death.
• Major Reveal: The final scene is a pivotal moment when Mic attempts to forgive Carlito, but he resists, leading to a significant shift in the narrative.
• Influences Surface Story: Mic’s perception is critical. She believes she’s aiding Hannah, but Hannah is guiding and helping Mic.
• Hints: They’re not together much, but Mic recognizes the results of Hannah’s decisions.
• Changes Reality: Taking Carlito’s life will not change anything for Mic.
3. Add the rest of the structure to the characters and script. Try to get to the point, as in the Iron Man example above.
• Beginning: Mic is not the weak and defenseless girl who lets her sister get killed.
• Inciting Incident: Mic massacres three terrorists, which causes her demotion.
• Turning Point 1: Mic’s advice to Hannah may have contributed to her abduction.
• Act 2: Mic returns to work to find Hannah, where she joins forces with the Godly vigilante.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mic and the Samaritan discover Carlito, the gang member who killed her sister, is the one who has Hannah. And Carlito is now the boss of a Cartel faction.
• Act 3: Mic directs all her rage at killing Carlito and saving Hannah. But he is formidable.
• Turning Point 3: Although Mic damages Carlito’s operations, she escapes deadly situations no mortal should survive, and he successfully blocks her reaching Hannah and killing him.
• Act 4 Climax: In their final battle, Mic can finally kill Carlito, but she realizes no justice can fill the void of losing her sister and that killing him will not change anything for her, so she forgives him. But Carlito won’t let her forgive him.
• Resolution: Carlito gives Mic no choice; because he wants to die, and Mic must kill Carlito to save Hannah.

[Sunil Pappu]

Sunil Pappu’s Supporting Characters

My Vision: I’m a successful produced writer who specializes in female-led thrillers.

“What I learned from doing this assignment is… to create supporting characters with a clear main purpose that adds value to the story.”

• Supporting Characters: Ria’s widowed mother, Pakistani Admiral, Enemy Radio operator, Captain of US Merchant ship (who relays Nixon’s message to Pakistan), Cdr. Vikram’s sister (wound for him), Captain Desai’s wife, Rehman’s war-hero brother, Ria’s father

• Background Characters: Rebel divers, Ship crew and staff, Chiefs of Armed forces, Prime Minister, Chief Advisor, Bangladesh freedom fighters (Mukti Bahini group), Captain’s of other merchant ships, Pakistani Frogmen, Naval Dock workers, Naval Command staff, Pakistani military forces, Pakistani Prime Minister, Bangladeshi civilians, Indian embassy staff, RAW agents, Border guards, truck drivers, local informants.

Support 1:
• Name: Chandni Sarkar
• Role: Ria’s widowed mother
• Main purpose: Ria’s only family who wants her daughter to quit and come home
• Value: Creates tension for Ria as she tries to prove herself and clear her father’s name

Support 2:
• Name: Admiral Hasan Mohammad
• Role: Pakistani Admiral, Eastern Naval Command
• Main purpose: Commander Vikram’s boss who receives his secret messages on the rebel mission and plans his Naval attacks on the Bangladesh coast
• Value: To show the stakes for Cdr. Vikram and Ria

Support 3:
• Name: Ayyub Khan
• Role: Enemy Radio Operator
• Main purpose: Ria’s former colleague whose signature she recognizes and beats him in the end to decode his top-secret message that gives India the legitimacy to enter the war
• Value: To challenge Ria’s skills and as a former colleague taunt her for always being second best.

Support 4:
• Name: Captain Robert Green
• Role: Captain of US Merchant Ship
• Main purpose: To pass on secret communications between Nixon and the Pakistani Prime Minister
• Value: One of these messages when intercepted by Ria changes the war

Support 5:
• Name: Simran Kaur
• Role: Cdr. Vikram’s sister
• Main purpose: Vikram’s wound and a reason to betray his duty as a Rebel Commander is her death in a raid due to joining rebel forces in East Pakistan
• Value: Vikram’s motivation to ensure the rebel mission fails

Support 6:
• Name: Priya Desai
• Role: Captain Desai’s wife
• Main purpose: She starts divorce proceedings against Captain Desai and drives him further to scorn all women.
• Value: Captain Desai’s’ misogyny fueled by his hatred for his wife is redirected at Ria creating undeserved misfortune for her.

Support 7:
• Name: Major Salman Khan
• Role: Lt. Rehman’s War-hero brother
• Main purpose: His wound – It haunts him that he failed to fight on the frontlines of war like his brother and let the family down.
• Value: Rehman’s motivation to sacrifice his life for the mission

Support 8:
• Name: Cdr. Abhijeet Sarkar
• Role: Ria’s father
• Main purpose: Ria’s wound – She wants to clear his name and find out the truth
• Value: Ria discovers that her mentor Secy. Varma made her father the scapegoat for his failed operation when in fact he should have been honored for his service. She gets him the recognition he deserves and reinstates her family legacy.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Sunil Pappu.

[Monica Arisman]

Subject: Monica’s Supporting Characters
Vision: I am a very successful screenwriter who has had multiple movies made.
What I learned from doing this assignment is to think about the cast around the lead characters—which I hadn’t done before I started writing a script. I would just plug them in. I see the great value in this.
2. Tell us your supporting and background characters.
• Supporting Characters: Emily’s brother Paul; Azazel, the Tempter, Connecting Character, God
• Background Characters: Dr.’s/Nurses in the hospital,
3. Focusing on those supporting characters, fill in the basic profile for each.
Support 1:
• Name: Paul Davis
• Role: Emily’s Brother, a successful businessman
• Main purpose: To take Emily in after she tries to commit suicide. To be a sounding board for her “visions”.
• Value: To give him something to care about other than himself and to remind him that he lost his way and must find it back to help her.
Support 2:
• Name: Azazel Connecting Character
• Role: The Tempter
• Main purpose: To help Donahue the antagonist, take over the After-Life by manipulating Emily
• Value: He increases the tension because at first we see him being on Emily’s side but slowly he manipulates her into doing their evil bidding.
Support 3:
• Name: God
• Role: The Immortal Being that currently holds the office of the Omniscient and Omnipotent Supreme Being for this Universe.
• Main purpose: To help Emily unlock her gifts of writing and magic.
• Value: He increases the tension because God knows Donahue wants to take over the After-Life but pretends that Donahue has the upper hand. He’s benevolent most of the time, but the After-Life is under threat.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Monica Arisman.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Pat Fitzgerald’s Supporting Characters
My vision is to have fun completing this class with a contest-winning script that will establish me as a courageous and original writer.
What I learned from this lesson is that my main characters both needed their first names changed. Developing supporting characters before actually fleshing out the plot is beneficial. As I created them I could see more of the plot forming. Don’t consider this perfect. It’s just a starting poing.

Support 1: Billy Larson
Role: Violet’s lover; Retirement village’s weed provider.
Main Purpose: Lightens the mood of the residents with his weed brownies.
Value: Causes conflict between Tammi and Violet, as he is attracted to and makes moves on both of them.

Support 2: Myra Jenkins
Role: Tammi’s estranged mother who lives in the village’s memory care unit.
Main Purpose: Forces Iris to realize she must quit blaming her mother for everything she dislikes about herself.
Value: Makes Iris understand that there is value to life even after a person’s faculties are diminished.
Background Characters: The quilting group that Iris organizes. They provide fodder for Tammi to justify feeling that some folks’ lives are no longer worth living.

Support 3: Maynard Christensen
Role: A man with dementia that Iris unsuccessfully tries to kill.
Main Purpose: Provides frustration for Iris who believes she can accomplish everything she sets her mind to.
Value: When Iris succeeds in his demise this gives impetus to Violet’s ever-growing feeling of superiority over Iris.

Background Characters: The ladies in the quilting group that Iris organized, who cause her to believe that she's right, some people are better off dead and it's up to her to see that it happens.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Pat Fitzgerald.
• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Pat Fitzgerald.

[Edward Lusk]

ED'S Supporting Characters

MY VISION is to be a bankable, reputable, and industry go-to writer who’s demonstrated how to entertain and hold an audience’s attention through unforgettable characters and stories that are as enjoyable to write as they are to watch.

What I learne doing this assignment is supporting characters are not just random creations that take part in the story. They are their to serve specific purposes for either the protagonist or antagonist. If they are not serving a purpose then they should not exist.

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS:

Support 1:

Name: Evelyn Bellamy
Role: Howie’s Grandmother
Main purpose: To have Howie find true love and reunite her family.
Value: Remind Howie there is still love in the world and he should not exclude himself from trying to find it.

Support 2:

Name: Nicholas Bellamy
Role: Howie’s Grandfather
Main purpose: To pass down their (Bellamy Family ) holiday traditions to the next generation.
Value: The keeper of secrets. He’s the custodian of the magic chimney. He must convince Howie to help Jasper repair the chimney and save Christmas, not for himself but for others.

Support 3:

Name: Caitlin
Role: Howie’s sister
Main purpose: To convince Howie he must reconcile with his parents in order for him to move on with his life.
Value: She's the conduit between Howie and his estranged parents. She has to broker their reuniting for the sake of family harmony.

Background characters. Holiday shopper’s who annoy and irrate Howie to the point of quitting his job. The village people who bring warmth and charm of the holidays.

[Madeleind Gentinetta]

Madeleine’s Supporting Characters
Vision: I am going to do whatever it takes for me to be a writer of original, emotionally rich stories, recognized for depth, humor, and enduring impact, resulting
What I learned from doing this assignment is: This exercise gave me opportunity to rethink the web of characters and it helped me to improve the opponents and some strategic helpers for Mary. It clarified a lot.

Supporting Characters
Robert
Role: Mary’s son
Purpose: Opposes Mary’s return to the stage due to concerns about her image.
Value: Embodies societal views on elderly women, representing traditional perspectives on aging and public appearance.

Alex
Role: Initial bar owner
Purpose: Supports Mary’s return to the stage, giving her a chance to perform.
Value: Represents the initial hope and belief in Mary’s talent, setting the stage for her comeback attempt.

Dieter
Role: New bar owner
Purpose: Prioritizes profitability, pressures for a younger performer.
Value: Embodies the systemic issues of ageism and commercialism in the entertainment industry, increasing the stakes for Mary.

Faye
Role: Journalist
Purpose: Writes unfavorable pieces about Mary to undermine her confidence and deter her return to the stage.
Value: Highlights the media’s role in perpetuating ageism and the challenges of maintaining a public image.

Hortense
Role: Mary’s room neighbor in the elderly home
Purpose: Provides a grounded perspective and serves as a memento mori.
Value: Contrasts Mary’s struggles with the simplicity and inevitability of aging, offering key insights before her death.

Julia
Role: Kitchen aide
Purpose: Supports Mary by providing a secret rehearsal space, despite Placid’s rules.
Value: Represents a younger, rebellious version of Mary, showing the influence Mary can still have on others.

Enrique
Role: Rehab specialist at the elderly home
Purpose: Encourages Mary’s rehabilitation through stage performance moves, possibly a musician himself.
Value: Provides professional support and believes in Mary’s potential, offering a new perspective on health and performance.

Background Characters
Some other elderly people who populate the elderly home.
Some other children who are part of the integrated school class.
The school teacher.
Maybe Sophie’s parents who are unhappy with Sophie’s interaction with Mary.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Madeleind Gentinetta.

[Renee Miller]

Renee’s Supporting Characters

My Vision: I will be in the top 1% of screenwriters and be known in the industry as an A-list screenwriter who is easy to work with, gets the job done, and never has to worry about the next job.

What I learned from doing this assignment is the importance of creating supporting characters that fit the protagonist’s journey.

Supporting Characters: the other members of the therapy group
Background Characters: the island caretaker, the cook, the boatman, the handyman

Name: Vincent Marco
Role: The storyteller
Main Purpose: to provide dark humor through his overly dramatic recounts of his “hits” and reactions to the group’s dynamics.
Value: he adds a layer of levity and certain old-school charm to the group that helps to balance the tension and horror with his outdated mafia anecdotes and unexpected wisdom.

Name: Claire Redwood
Role: The analyst
Main Purpose: As a former corporate spy who eliminated business rivals, she maintains a cool, analytical approach to solving the mystery of who is targeting the group.
Value: She counterbalances the more volatile members and drives the group’s efforts to understand and outmaneuver the killer.

Name: Tanya Spears
Role: The wild card
Main Purpose: A previous cult leader who orchestrated ritualistic killings, she is always prepared with a bizarre theory.
Value: her unconventional viewpoints and paranoia fuel the narrative’s tension and misdirection, keeping both the characters and the audience guessing.

Name: Eddie “The Butcher” Malone
Role: the enforcer
Main Purpose: he brings a gruesome edge to the group. Known for his brutal methods of dismembering his victims, his insight into the physical aspect of their current predicament is invaluable.
Value: his macabre expertise gives the group a disturbing yet necessary perspective on the murders.

[Kathryn Gould]

Kathryn’s Supporting Characters

I choose to be a highly creative and energized writer who makes big movies and loves her life working with the most creative people in the world.

What I learned: to think about the purpose of each character beforehand so you don’t end up with extra characters who don’t really contribute to the story.

2. Tell us your supporting and background characters.

• Supporting Characters:

o Other biohacking team members – Jace, Olly, Lila

o Scientist who’s helping Dr. Bennett – Dr. Kuthrapali

o Head of Medinano – Matthias Langdon

o Dr. Bennett’s head thug – Pedro

• Background Characters: Other thugs, other Medinano employees, general public in Uppers and Dregs

3. Focusing on those supporting characters, fill in the basic profile for each.

Support 1:

• Name: Jace

• Role: fellow biohacker

• Main purpose: to betray them in the end

• Value: He will be devil’s advocate, arguing for them to let Dr. Bennett’s plan happen, but will eventually go along with the team – until he betrays them to save his mother, upping the tension

Support 2:

• Name: Olly

• Role: computer geek, learning from Nell

• Main purpose: fill out the team, give Nell a possible love interest

• Value: I think he might be the one who has to die at the end

Support 3

• Name: Lila

• Role: team member, specializes in changing appearances

• Main purpose: helps them with disguises, a possible love interest for Japheth

• Value: Medinano threatens to kill her if they don’t comply

Support 4

• Name: Dr. Kuthrapali

• Role: Dr. Bennett’s ally

• Main purpose: Brings her the intel about the mind control, helps her develop the virus

• Value: A spy within Medinano, he has valuable information that they both can use

Support 5

• Name: Matthias Langdon

• Role: Head of Medinano

• Main purpose: Another antagonist who they will have to help in the end

• Value: He will stand in for the rest of the Uppers as someone who has to recognize the inequity and commit to change after he recognizes what Japheth has done. Before that he is ruthlessly hunting the kids down.

Support 6

• Name: Pedro

• Role: head of Dr. Bennett’s terrorist army

• Main purpose: to terrorize the kids and carry out Dr. Bennett’s plans

• Value: He and his team are biohacked like them, so they will be the physical force they’ll have to contend with when they fight Bennett

[Robin Fellows]

WIM+AI – Module 3 – Lesson 8
Robin’s Purpose Driven Supporting Characters

MY VISION: I aim to make my writing flow naturally, like second nature, crafting stories that resonate globally and leave a mark, backed by a supportive team who really get what I'm about.
Today, I learned that developing the supporting cast is as important as developing the leads. This process provided insight into how these characters interact with the leads and their impact on the plot.
Supporting Characters:
Dr. Leonard Thornton
Captain Carla Rodriguez
Adrian Vasquez
Joe Peters
Carlos "Los" Martinez
Background Characters:
Veronica's Henchman
Lab Technicians
Police Officers
Syndicate Enforcers
Homeless Community Members
Basic Profiles for Supporting Characters
Support 1:
Name: Dr. Leonard Thornton
Role: Whistleblower, Neurosurgeon
Main purpose: To expose Veronica Blackwood’s illegal and unethical memory manipulation practices, which sets the main plot in motion.
Value: Integrity and redemption. He believes in doing the right thing and making amends for his past mistakes.
Support 2:
Name: Captain Carla Rodriguez
Role: Corrupt Police Captain
Main purpose: To maintain control over the corrupt power structures within the police department and impede Jake Reynolds’ investigation.
Value: Power and self-preservation. She prioritizes her position and influence over justice.
Support 3:
Name: Adrian Vasquez
Role: Mole within Jake's team
Main purpose: To gather intelligence for the Dominion Syndicate and sabotage Jake's efforts from within.
Value: Loyalty to the Syndicate and personal gain. He values his safety and the benefits provided by his association with the Syndicate.
Support 4:
Name: Joe Peters
Role: Unreliable Witness
Main purpose: To provide crucial, albeit fragmented, information about Dr. Thornton’s murder due to his altered state of memory.
Value: Survival and truth. Despite his impaired state, he wants to help bring justice for what he witnessed.
Support 5:
Name: Carlos "Los" Martinez
Role: Syndicate Enforcer
Main purpose: To enforce the Syndicate’s will and eliminate threats, including those like Jake Reynolds who get too close to the truth.
Value: Loyalty to the Syndicate and fear. He values his place in the Syndicate and the power it gives him, driven by fear of repercussions if he fails.
Detailed Character Profiles
Dr. Leonard Thornton
Role in the Story: Whistleblower whose murder sparks the investigation.
Age range and Description: Late 40s to early 50s, meticulous and intelligent, with a calm demeanor.
Core Traits: Intelligent, Meticulous, Courageous, Ethical
Motivation; Want/Need: Want – Expose Veronica's illegal activities. Need – Achieve redemption for past mistakes.
Wound: Haunted by a past experiment gone wrong.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Likable for his dedication, relatable in his struggle with ethical dilemmas, empathetic due to his remorse.
Character Subtext: Hides the full extent of his past failures.
Character Intrigue: Gathering evidence against Veronica.
Flaw: Overconfidence in his abilities, risky decisions.
Values: Intelligence, Integrity, Redemption
Character Dilemma: Truth vs. Safety
Captain Carla Rodriguez
Role in the Story: Corrupt Police Captain obstructing Jake’s investigation.
Age range and Description: Early 50s, authoritative, sharp, often in uniform.
Core Traits: Authoritative, Manipulative, Self-preserving, Corrupt
Motivation; Want/Need: Want – Maintain control and power. Need – Protect herself from exposure.
Wound: Fear of losing her status and power.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Unlikable due to her corruption, relatable in her fear of downfall, little empathy.
Character Subtext: Hides her involvement with the Syndicate.
Character Intrigue: Continually undermines Jake’s efforts.
Flaw: Greed and corruption, prioritizes power over justice.
Values: Power, Control, Self-preservation
Character Dilemma: Maintain power vs. Risk exposure
Adrian Vasquez
Role in the Story: Mole within Jake’s team.
Age range and Description: Early 30s, charming but untrustworthy, often in casual tech wear.
Core Traits: Deceptive, Charming, Intelligent, Loyal (to the Syndicate)
Motivation; Want/Need: Want – Gather intelligence for the Syndicate. Need – Ensure his own safety and gain.
Wound: Fear of the Syndicate’s retribution.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Initially likable for his charm, later unlikable for his betrayal, relatable in his fear, little empathy.
Character Subtext: Hides his true allegiance.
Character Intrigue: Secretly works against the team.
Flaw: Disloyalty and self-interest.
Values: Personal gain, Safety, Loyalty to the Syndicate
Character Dilemma: Loyalty to the Syndicate vs. Personal survival
Joe Peters
Role in the Story: Unreliable witness.
Age range and Description: Late 70s, disheveled and worn, living in a camper shell.
Core Traits: Distrustful, Insightful, Fragile, Determined
Motivation; Want/Need: Want – Help bring justice for what he witnessed. Need – Clarity and stability.
Wound: Memory-altering drugs clouding his recollection.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Likable for his determination, relatable in his struggle with addiction, empathetic due to his vulnerability.
Character Subtext: Hides the full extent of his memory issues.
Character Intrigue: Holds crucial fragmented information.
Flaw: Unreliable due to drug-induced memory fog.
Values: Survival, Truth, Justice
Character Dilemma: Provide information vs. Fear of being dismissed
Carlos "Los" Martinez
Role in the Story: Syndicate Enforcer.
Age range and Description: Late 30s, tough and intimidating, usually dressed in dark, utilitarian clothing.
Core Traits: Ruthless, Loyal, Fearful, Obedient
Motivation; Want/Need: Want – Enforce the Syndicate’s will. Need – Maintain his position and avoid punishment.
Wound: Deep fear of the Syndicate’s power.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Unlikable for his ruthlessness, relatable in his fear, little empathy.
Character Subtext: Hides his fear of failure.
Character Intrigue: Executes Veronica’s orders with precision.
Flaw: Blind loyalty and lack of empathy.
Values: Loyalty, Power, Fear
Character Dilemma: Execute orders vs. Fear of failure

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Robin Fellows.

[James Hernandez]

James’ Supporting Characters

My Vision: I am a great writer who is recognized by the industry as an exceptional collaborator able to elevate any project into production and have maximum success.

What I learned doing this assignment is…that I presently have a small universe of characters, yet my story implicates a larger scope. Therefore, I’ll need to discover characters I may need to fulfill the initial premise. A premise that includes online dating, selection of suitors, and the world of the internet with all its hijinks.

• Supporting Characters: Max, Lupe
• Background Characters: Bar patrons, Ethan’s first dates, partygoers

Support 1:
• Name: Max
• Role: Lily’s ex
• Main purpose: Max interferes in Ethan and Lily’s relationship
• Value: Max creates stakes in the story as Ethan and Lily’s future together is tested.
Support 2:
• Name: Lupe
• Role: Joey’s aunt
• Main purpose: Lupe keeps Joey updated on her husband’s trial proceedings.
• Value: Lupe is the only person Joey will consider listening to in terms of how to stay even keeled and be reasoned with.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  James Hernandez.

[David Zelitzky]

David Z’s Supporting Characters
Vision: I am an interesting, dependable, successful writer that people love to work with.
What I learned from doing this assignment is thinking pragmatically about how we can further the plot and purpose of the story using supporting characters for that role

Support 1: Mick’s friend
Name: Ross
Role: To back up Mick, support him without question until he dies doing it
Main purpose: To show us there is no end that Mick will not go to in order to fulfill his ambitions
Value: We need to see him die to know that this is serious business and the risk of everyone dying is very real

Support 2: Ross’s girlfriend
Name: Cortney
Role: Airhead, disbelieves what is happening
Main purpose: to die showing us that no one can leave the diner without losing their life
Value: Up the tension and answers the question why isn’t anyone leaving this situation

Support 3:
Name: Scottie
Role: Owns diner
Main purpose: To die. To create tension by being an asshole
Value: Re-affirming why Tessa can’t wait to quit and leave her job and this town. There’s nothing pleasant here!

[Kelly Joseph]

Kelly’s Supporting Characters
I want to be an empowered writer who consistently produces salable scripts.
What did I learn? I learned that I have to think of the value and purpose for each supporting character. I am writing another script and I am learning that many of the characters that I have in the script are not as purpose driven as they could be. Each character needs to have value.

Support 1:
Name: Brook
Role: endangered innocent
Main purpose: this character provides the drive to solve the problem
Value:She is the stakes character and the reason Avery is going on the journey
Support 2:
Name: Jacoby
Role: investigating the connection between the violent actsd done by ordinary citizens.
Main purpose: gives Avery an ally and someone to compare notes with.
Value:his investigation adds to the mystery and intrigue

[David Wickenden]

David Wickenden Supporting Characters
Assignment #8 Supporting Characters
Vision: I become a writer that the industry respects and wants to work with and it offers me challenges that helps me to continue to grow and be successful.
“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?”
It is easy to create supporting characters who can help our main characters fulfill their role in the story.
State: I’m really great at…
Activity: …creating purpose-driven supporting characters.
2. Tell us your supporting and background characters.
• Supporting Characters:
Gabriel Blackwood – Eliza’s older brother.
Evelyn Blackwood – Eliza’s older sister.
Margaret Blackwood – one ghost killed by Hawthorne’s ancestors in 1726
• Background Characters:
A couple cult members
Ghosts
Sara Blackwood – the mother of the children – long disappeared when Eliza was playing with magic as a child.
3. Focusing on those supporting characters, fill in the basic profile for each.
Support 1:
• Name: Gabriel Blackwood
• Role: Eliza’s brother
• Main purpose: support and the main reason Eliza steps up.
• Value: Forces Eliza to use her powers to stop the curse and free the ghosts.
Support 2:
• Name: Evelyn Blackwood
• Role: Eliza’s sister
• Main purpose: support and the main reason Eliza steps up.
• Value: Forces Eliza to use her powers to stop the curse and free the ghosts.
Support 3:
• Name: Margaret Blackwood
• Role: one ghost killed by Hawthorne’s ancestors in 1726.
• Main purpose: To educate Eliza on the past and her role to end the curse.
• Value: Teaches The Blackwood siblings about what the Hawthorne ancestors did to the witches of the past and the threat they still pose.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  David Wickenden.

[Elle Tracy]

ET’s Support and BG Characters
Vision: To earn recognition for my best work including with money.
What I learned from this lesson is to establish supporting and BG characters in the story, so that they can support the lead characters in their journey – yup, just like Hal said (and I hadn’t ever thought of them that way before!).
Support 1: GiGi Monroe, retired circus performer
• Name: GiGi Monroe
• Role: Entertainer
• Main purpose: Attracts STEAM teen boys to the retirement community
• Value: Adds the Art part of STEAM to the project
Support 2: Doc Jenkins, retired NASA PhD
• Name: Doc Jenkins
• Role: connector between Bee and Tyler
• Main purpose: Connects Bee and Tyler and Tyler’s grandfather, so that the rift between the Wilsons’ robotics factory and Bee can be mended.
• Value: Investigates what happened at the robotics factory. Plus, takes over Rube Goldberg project when Bee has a minor stroke.
BG Characters
• Retirement community members
• Teen STEAM students

[Terrie Shaft]

Terrie’s Supporting Characters
Vision: I am paid to write screenplays that become successful movies. My process is so solid I can enjoy my equestrian hobby while exceeding expectations with my writing.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that I haven’t thought about supporting characters AT ALL. I can spin this as a positive, this can be done with a relatively small cast although there are two crowd type scenes.
• Supporting Characters: Nancy, farmer’s market manager; Wade, marketing dude from national retailer;
• 5 lines or under: cashier at hardware store; people buying products from Misa at the farmer’s market
• Background Characters: vendors and customers at farmer’s market; people at Earth Day festival
Support 1:
• Name: Nancy
• Role: Manager of the Farmer’s Market where Misa sells her wares
• Main purpose: Has to force Misa to leave after being rude to customers. Call Deputy Rhoades.
• Value: Allows audience to experience Misa’s inability to function in society
Support 2:
• Name: Wade
• Role: Marketing rep for a national natural foods retail chain
• Main purpose: provide funds to Misa and Bill. Demonstrate that Bill (in Misa’s body) has gained social skills.
• Value: Demonstrate that Bill (in Misa’s body) has gained social skills.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Terrie Shaft.

[Lee Tidball]

Lee’s Supporting/Background Characters

My Vision: I am a writer who is excellent, recognized as such by people in the industry, and has several projects sold for WGA-type fees and some of those produced and successful in the theater and/or on a major streamer.

What I learned doing this lesson is that I can explore the possibilities of the original premise through these supporting characters, and change who they are and what they do depending on the direction I decide to take the plot details of the premise.

Supporting Characters
– Mara Jenson
– Cheng Wu
– Allison
– Jimmie Chong

Background Characters
– Gabriel’s team (a few fellow rebels, plus his “Chinese help” that includes Cheng Wu)
– SWAT team (they come to the rescue—and all get killed)
– Kellen’s Enrichment class – 7 6th graders that include Jimmie Chong
– Misc. teachers, students, camp staff that are at the Outdoor School in the beginning.

Support 1:
* Name: Mara Jenson
* Role: Kellen’s friend, former Green Beret, now works in cybersecurity
* Main purpose: Helps Kellen understand what she’s looking at and their implications. Secretly fights to disrupt the kidnappers’ plot without getting hostages killed.
* Value: Without Mara, Kellen wouldn’t understand the stakes involved—that this is not just some local yokel kidnapping. She also is instrumental in developing a remedy for plants that are infected.

Support 2:
* Name: Cheng Wu
* Role: The real boss of Gabriel’s militia
* Main purpose: To set up a wifi station that will upload a virus targeted at power plants (or water infrastructure ) that will render them useless, thus shutting them down.
* Value: Gives the story its national/international implications and stakes.

Support 3:
* Name: Jimmie Chong (for now…)
* Role: One of the child hostages, a real nerd.
* Main purpose: Informs Jesse what the kidnappers are up to, and can at least attempt to throw their plan off.
* Value: Covertly translates for Jesse, also helps sabotage some key components which delays the kidnappers’ plans so that Kellen can get back with help and firepower.

Support 4:
* Name: Allison
* Role: Female counselor that’s along with the group.
* Main purpose: A friend to Jesse and the students. Freaks out at some point and is killed by kidnappers.
* Value: When she’s shot dead without thought, provides shock value and also empathy and suspense. This is serious business. Who might be next?

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Lee Tidball.
• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Lee Tidball.

[Mary Spiers]

Mary’s Supporting Characters
My vision: I am a leading creator of popular family-friendly stories that bring compelling psychological dimensions to characters and entertaining insights to audiences.

Title: Symphony in Color
Genre: Drama with fantasy elements
Concept: When a musician is struck by lightening, her new ability to see sounds
leads her into the wilderness to search for a musical secret to break a generational curse.
What I learned: This was a helpful exercise. I considered several supporting characters. 1 that I had before still works well. I added another after considering about 6 more brainstorms.

Supporting Character: Ethan Grey
Role: A young ethnomusicologist interested in the musical traditions of indigenous cultures and their connection to nature. He crosses paths with Ava during her quest, intrigued by her unique synesthetic abilities and their potential link to the musical patterns he studies.
Main Purpose: Ethan’s primary role is to provide a scientific and cultural framework that supports and challenges Ava's personal and mystical experiences.
Value: Ethan bridges the gap between the scientific community and the mystical experiences central to the plot. His character enriches the story with a blend of skepticism and curiosity.
Supporting Character: Grace Hammond
Role: Spiritual Community member
Main Purpose: Grace works closely with Silas but starts to question his methods and motives, eventually becoming an ally to Ava.
Value: Grace’s transformation from follower to critic exposes the moral ambiguities within the spiritual community, highlighting the consequences of Silas’s extremism and adding depth to the ideological conflict.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Mary Spiers.

[Linda Kish]

Linda’s Supporting Characters

My Vision is: I will do whatever it takes to be a sought-after profound writer who has many successful movies produced and an Oscar on the mantel.

What I learned is I didn’t realize how many supporting characters I had until I did this assignment and it was way too many. This helped me pare it down and think through which ones were necessary and how they can contribute to the story in more valuable ways. I had some breakthroughs with my supporting characters as a result.

Support 1:
• Name: Rodrigo Espinoza
• Role: The dying kingpin
• Main purpose: His medical condition and impending death is the driving force for the movie plot.
• Value: While not the main antagonist, he pushes Joaquin to change in an uncomfortable way.
Support 2:
• Name: Camila Vega
• Role: Wife of Joaquin
• Main purpose: The woman Arturo covets and reason for his vindictiveness
• Value: While just a supporting character she is really a triangle character, critical to the story, and creates a lot of tension between Joaquin and Arturo.
Support 3:
• Name: Isabel Vega
• Role: Joaquin’s youngest daughter, a target of stalking, and is killed.
• Main purpose: The reason Joaquin joins the competition (one of the competitors is assaulting her), then she is the reason he makes his first kill (to protect her from sexual assault), and the second one (to kill the man who killed her), driving him to violence.
• Value: She is the target of Arturo’s manipulation – he uses her to get to Joaquin and drive him into the competition. And she is the first to suspect Arturo, which drives him to kill her, and thus, driving Joaquin to violence.
Support 4:
• Name: Tomas Vega
• Role: Son of Joaquin. He reminds Joaquin of himself when he is that age and making the same mistake he made – which led to his father’s death.
• Main purpose: Brings Joaquin’s wound to the forefront and forces the reveal.
• Value: He makes Joaquin look in the mirror, at his own mistakes, his fear of change, fear of standing up to the cartel, and letting it control him, and put his family in danger, all his life.
Support 5:
• Name: Santiago
• Role: Restaurant owner / Joaquin’s #2
• Main purpose: Shows Joaquin is winning over the community. Gives Joaquin protection and added manpower so he isn’t killed in the competition.
• Value: To be able to run the cartel, Joaquin will need people on his side and gaining the support of Santiago demonstrates his leadership capabilities.

Background Character 1:
• Name: Maritza
• Role: US Director of Border Control
• Main purpose: She is the key to winning the competition.
• Value: Rodrigo’s hatred for her and their history makes Joaquin figure out how to win the competition. She is Rodrigo’s wound. Sets up a sequel.
Background Character 2:
• Name: Luis Herrera
• Role: Brother of Dante
• Main purpose: A red herring for Isabel’s stalker.
• Value: Creates a situation, the attempted sexual assault of Isabel, that drives Joaquin to kill for the first time, and it is believable, and understandable.
Background Character 3:
• Name: Brayden
• Role: Friend who is killed
• Main purpose: Empathy for Joaquin.
• Value: He sets the opening in motion and is killed as a result and we feel empathy for his friend Joaquin who was not responsible for his death, but made a few innocent decisions that contributed to it.
Background Character 4:
• Name: Galo Leon
• Role: Another competitor.
• Main purpose: To help Arturo in his attempts to take down Joaquin.
• Value: Misleads the audience when Joaquin blows up the lab. Goes after Joaquin in the tunnels. May be other uses for him.
Background Character 5:
• Name: Felipe
• Role: Liquor store owner
• Main purpose: Arturo’s target for his first step in manipulating Joaquin into committing violence.
• Value: An innocent that
Background Character 6:
• Name: Officer Emilio
• Role: Crooked police officer
• Main purpose: Kills Isabel at Arturo’s orders.
• Value: Provides a reason for Joaquin to kill a second time and another empathetic situation for Joaquin that makes us root for him eventhough he’s turning to violence like the other competitors and cartel members.
Background Character 7:
• Name: Nurse
• Role: Rodrigo’s nurse
• Main purpose: Rodrigo is at the end of life so he needs someone to help him.
• Value: Provides some pushback to Rodrigo, which is what Joaquin is going to do in bigger proportion. Is there a way I can use her more?
Background Character 8:
• Name: Waitress
• Role: To mislead with Luis as the red herring.
• Main purpose: Luis assaults her, leading us to believe he’s the one stalking Isabel.
• Value: To show how horrible Luis is, setting him up as a good first kill for Joaquin.
Background Character 9-12:
• Name: 4 American Kids
• Role: They are kidnapped by Arturo.
• Main purpose: For Arturo to win points and look like he may beat Joaquin.
• Value: Add suspense. Authentic cartel crime.
Background Character 13:
• Name: Border control / Immigration Officers
• Role: Confine Joaquin
• Main purpose: Mislead audience to believe Joaquin can’t win the competition
• Value: Suspense. Mislead. Worry the audience.

[Pam Ewing]

Pam’s Supporting Characters
Vision: Become a Writing Athlete
What I’ve learned: Let go and let it flow because this could easily change as needed

Supporting Characters:
o Support 1: Ollie
Role: Takes Maia to spa which she embraces fully
Main Purpose: Comic relief, show contrast to Maia, absentmindedly uncovers issues
Value: Build stakes and suspense, show more of Maia’s character
o Support 2: Corporate takeover CEO
Role: show Maia’s background, wound, potential
Main Purpose: empathy to Maia
Value: empathy to Maia, demonstrates a POV echoes Dr. Kari’s
o Support 3: Dr. Kari’s assistant
Role: sounding board who is starting to “leak”
Main Purpose: to build Dr. Kari’s issues and subtext
Value: Dr. Kari treats as disposable which is dangerous because of what she/he knows
o Support 4: Spa Worker 1
Role: give spa treatments, pat answers to serious questions
Main Purpose: Concierge for her visit, first layer of the onion in Dr. Kari’s web
Value: Foil for investigation, death theme
o Support 5: Spa guest 1
Role: Maia befriends not realizing the true reason they are at the spa is to die
Main Purpose: develop the people who want death/can be convinced to die
Value: Maia’s reason to dig deeper while trying to stay connected when they say they are departing

• Background Characters:
o Spa Worker 2 – show spa works including taking unnecessary tests
o Spa Guest 1 – Maia overhears them talking that they’ve never been to a spa like this before – later their demeanor is robotically happy
o Spa Guest 2 – cynical, when you are promised the world, then the world can’t be real

[jim ramsay]

RAMSAY – Module 4 – Lesson 3: Beat Sheet Draft 1 5.20.24
My Vision: Creating worlds for my characters. Producing my films will be my ultimate gratification.
Activity: Create a sequence of events for my Beat Sheet!
Let’s start with your 4-act structure. Then, add the Protagonist Journey Structure, Antagonist Journey Structure, Deeper Layer, and Genre Conventions to your story. This will create the first draft of your Beat Sheet.
4-Act Structure
Act 1: Introduction to Mic and her Obsession:
Use dynamic visuals and flashbacks to establish Mic’s traumatic past and her relentless pursuit of vengeance against her sister’s killer, Carlito Bonino.
Showcase Mic’s skills as a competent federal agent, but also her inner turmoil and emotional scars from Carlito shooting her and killing her sister.
The act ends with Mic’s reckless response during an undercover operation, which led to her demotion to the Human Trafficking Division. Mic doesn’t accept the demotion and quits, setting the stage for her unplanned journey.
The Catalyst:
When her teenage neighbor Hannah is abducted, Mic is forced to reevaluate her priorities.
Mic accepts the Trafficking position with plans to use the agency resources to find Hannah, and her return leads her to an unexpected alliance with David, a Godly vigilante saving trafficked children.
Act 2: Alliances and Conflict:
We explore Mic and David’s burgeoning partnership as they delve deeper into the world of child exploitation and trafficking, which leads them to discover the cartel’s involvement.
Conflicts and obstacles they face will be highlighted, including resistance from Mic’s agency colleagues and increasingly dangerous encounters with cartel soldiers.
Escalating Tensions:
The stakes are raised as Mic discovers the man who killed her sister, Carlito Bonino, is the cartel boss running the trafficking and drug empire and his connections to influential U.S. officials.
Mic’s isolation increases because betrayals within her agency shake her trust and push her to rely on her instincts, lean more on David’s help, and start operating alone.
Act 3: Internal Struggles:
Mic grapples with intense internal conflict when she assesses her drive for revenge against Carlito and her competing moral obligation to save Hannah, help David’s quest, and stop the fentanyl deal.
We explore Mic’s wavering trust in God and her struggle to reconcile her vendetta.
The Race Against Time:
The tension is amplified as Mic races against the clock to rescue Hannah and thwart Carlito’s plans to gift Hannah as part of a drug deal, pushing her into impossible odds and deadly adversaries.
The anticipation is building for the climactic showdown between Mic and Carlito, and this is where Mic must make a fateful decision that will determine her future.

Act 4: Final Confrontation:
The final confrontation between Mic and Carlito is intense and gripping, filled with pulse-pounding action, emotional catharsis, and miracles collide.
Mic is forced to confront her inner demons and realize that God has cleared the path for her to reach the moment she must make a decisive choice that will define her character.
Resolution:
Mic finds closure, achieving all of her goals: saving Hannah, stopping the fentanyl deal, and bringing Carlito to justice. With David’s guidance, she finds her way back to faith in God.
Mic has grown and transformed from a bitter, hate-driven woman to finding forgiveness and a new sense of purpose after her harrowing journey.
Epilogue:
Mic has a reflective and introspective moment as she contemplates the road she took to get here and the relief she feels having ended her pain. She has overcome her past and emerged as a strong and committed person. Mic and Hannah walk away from the cartel mansion, free from the imprisonment they both were forced to live in—the End.
Protagonist Journey Structure
• Beginning: A dream sequence of Mic being shot and her little sister getting killed by Carlito.
• Inciting Incident: A grown federal agent, Mic, is undercover with the cartel when terrorists try to rape her, and she loses control and kills them all, blowing the undercover operation. She is demoted, quits, and goes on a drinking binge. She gives her teen neighbor boy advice.
• Turning Point 1: Her teen neighbor is abducted by what she thought was a boy online. Mic gives her lousy advice and feels responsible; she accepts her demotion to search for Hannah.
• Act 2: Mic is tasked with finding a good Samaritan. She joins forces with him to find Hannah. During their search, she discovers cartel boss Carlito is involved with Hannah’s abduction.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mic wants to kill Carlito, but she needs to rescue Hannah first. Mic and Carlito engage in several tactical battles. Mic damages the cartel’s operations, and even though Mic manages to stay one step ahead of Carlito, she can’t rescue Hannah.
• Act 3: Mic devises a new plan to save Hannah and Kill Carlito, but he is ready for her. After a long battle with Carlito, he foils her plans. She takes one more run at him and gets to Carlito.
• Turning Point 3: Mic uses all her skills, and by some miracle, she is prepared to kill him, but she must choose between finally killing Carlito and saving Hannah. She can’t do both.
• Act 4 Climax: Mic gives up her revenge and decides to let Carlito go so she can save Hannah.
• Resolution: Mic overpowers Carlito. She wins their battle, and she decides she will forgive him, but Carlito won’t let her forgive him, and he tries to kill Hannah. Mic stops him.
Antagonist Journey Structure
• Beginning: Cartel boss Carlito’s faction runs human trafficking and drug operations from Highway Interstate 8 in California into Mexico. His organization abducted Hannah.
• Inciting Incident: Someone has disrupted Carlito’s operations, costing him a fortune.
• Turning Point 1: Carlito is furious and directs his soldiers to bring the man who breached his security and damaged his operations to him so he can kill him and send a message.
• Act 2: Mic takes out all of Carlito’s best soldiers, and she sends a message back to Carlito.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mic attempts to rescue Hannah but confronts Carlito. He finds out who Mic is and realizes she wants revenge and to rescue. He and his men fight with Mic, his soldiers help Carlito, and he escapes Mic’s grasp, taking Hannah with him.
• Act 3: Carlito devises a plan to ambush Mic and kill her and Hannah, but he is ready for her. After a long battle, he foils her plans. Mic takes one more run at him, and she gets to Carlito.
• Turning Point 3: By some miracle, Mic is finally prepared to kill Carlito, but she discovers his soldiers have taken Hannah to send her out of the country. Carlito has gotten the best of Mic; he forces her to choose between finally killing him or saving Hannah. She can’t do both.
• Act 4 Climax: Mic decides she will forgive Carlito and save Hannah. Carlito won’t accept her forgiveness, and he orders Hannah to be killed.
• Resolution: Mic overpowers Carlito. She wins their battle, but Carlito won’t let her forgive him, and he makes the call and orders Hannah’s death. Mic does what she must do to stop his call. And Mic saves Hannah.
Deeper Layer
The cartel’s abduction of Hannah uncovers a painful truth about Mic’s guilt for not protecting her little sister, complicating her quest for justice, and she realizes that killing Carlito may not be as clear-cut as she once believed.
Along the way, Mic navigates complex relationships and betrayals and learns who she can trust in a world where everyone has their agenda. Mic’s journey is not just about seeking justice for her sister’s death but also about finding redemption for her actions and learning to forgive herself.
Through her interaction with vigilante David and processing all she has done to get to this point, Mic processes the challenges she faces to complete her mission. David has covertly guided Mic through a gradual spiritual transformation, and she questions her beliefs during her final confrontation with Carlito.
Genre Conventions
CONVENTIONS OF ACTION
PURPOSE: To excite your audience with an adrenaline-stirring, fast-paced, big-event story.
DEMAND FOR ACTION: There is a problem or goal for which the only solution is a high level of action (Intense fighting, running, escaping, and/or competing). Plot, character, and situations are all designed to demand Action!
MISSION: There is a stated or implied mission. The Hero must take down the antagonistic force, defend against overwhelming odds, or escape the inescapable.
ESCALATING ACTION: Overcoming the problem requires greater and greater heights of action (and involving higher stakes) as the story progresses.
HERO: Highly capable and skilled. They often bring a unique skill or talent to the fight that makes them stand out from other heroes in the genre.
ANTAGONISTS: Evil/corrupt/malicious, necessitating decisive and expedient action to deal with them.
4. CONVENTIONS OF THRILLERS
PURPOSE: To thrill your audience with high stakes, plot twists, and suspense that never lets up until the adrenalin-packed climax.
LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS: They face danger at every step — either physically, emotionally, or mentally. The hero needs to either be in danger or there is the implication of future danger.
MYSTERY/INTRIGUE/SUSPENSE: A mystery must be solved to survive. Intrigue is the underhanded and covert Villain’s plan. The suspense comes from the danger the Hero faces.
HERO: Unknowing, unwitting, but resourceful hero
VILLAIN: Dangerous, devious, and unrelenting. Committed to destroying anyone who gets in their way.
MAIN EMOTIONS: Suspense, intrigue, mystery, tension, anticipation, uncertainty, and surprise.

[Jan Westbrook]

Jan’s Purpose Driven Supporting Characters

My Vision: I am a talented and strong writer with a unique voice, recognized by the movie industry with multiple screenplays produced.

What I learned from this assignment is that I never considered aspects of main purpose and what specific value they bring to supporting or not supporting the main characters.

Support 1:

Name: Thornwhisper
Role: Skilled magic wielder and strategist of the alliance
Main purpose: prove himself a powerful sorcerer by protecting Emberleaf and creating a plan to retrieve the fragments of the numinous amulet
Value: becomes Emberleaf’s key protector while they quest for the numinous amulet fragments and when confronting Nightshade

Support 2:

Name: Willowbreeze
Role: Healer and peacemaker of the alliance
Main purpose: peacemaker of the community and the alliance of pixies on their quest to restore the numinous amulet
Value: is the reason the alliance gets captured, forcing Emberleaf to challenge herself to finding courage without her magic

Support 3:

Name: Nightshade
Role: Skilled scout and tracker, Khyber-Ra’s underhanded aide
Main purpose: betrayer of the alliance and covetously takes the fragments of the numinous amulet for himself
Value: betrays the alliance and Khyber-Ra to keep the numinous amulet fragments all to himself

Support 4:

Name: Lightthistle
Role: Emberleaf’s advisor and master of Light magic
Main purpose: encourages Emberleaf to be a confident queen, the wise sage
Value: Emberleaf’s advisor. She gives Emberleaf wise counsel in times of uncertainty

Support 5:

Name: M’Mbyr-Sugh
Role: Supreme dark ruler of the realm
Main purpose: to drive Khyber-Ra to get the numinous amulet so Eveandor would fall under his control
Value: is Khyber-Ra’s father and supreme lord, promises Khyber-Ra will be the ruler of Eveandor

Background Characters: Eveandorian and Louatian pixies; queens of other lands in the realm; hideous and malformed creatures; helpful creatures who want Emberleaf to remain queen of Eveandor; creatures of the void hunting the numinous amulet for themselves

• This reply was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by  Jan Westbrook.
• This reply was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by  Jan Westbrook.

[Brandi Hoffman]

Brandi’s vision: I want the creative freedom to attract an audience that is passionate about my films, and regularly deliver films that are commercially successful and leave my audience thrilled and eager for the next.

What I learned: I have a LOT of characters in this movie!!

Supporting and Background characters

Name: William Henry
Role: Buddy’s dad, world famous magician
Main purpose: Mei has to save him from his son
Value: contrast his relationship with Buddy with Mei’s relationship with her mom

Name: Joey Chang
Role: Mei’s brother
Main purpose: Gets kidnapped by Buddy and Mei must save him.
Value: Shows Mei a different way to deal with their highstrung parents

Name: Sophie Alonzo
Role: Mei’s friend and assistant
Main purpose: goes missing after the body appears in the prop box
Value: Mei forgetting about her shocks Mei into realizing she’s been so self centered

Name: Chuck (something or other)
Role: Mei’s ex bf, Sophie’s current BF, illusion designer
Main purpose: Begins the story by falling out of the prop box
Value: Goes from being Mei’s ex, to Sophie’s BF

Name: Lou Timothy
Role: Buddy’s friend, senior stage manager
Main purpose: does Buddy’s dirty work
Value: Mei’s family defeats him, leaving her to go after Buddy

[Vernall Ritchey]

ASSIGNMENT: Module 3: Lesson 8
Vision: To captivate audiences by writing, producing, and directing smart, well-written, blockbuster scripts.
What I learned from doing this assignment is: the importance of incorporating great supporting character profiles that are flushed out.
Subject Line: WIM – Vernall Ritchey – Supporting Characters
High Concept: Kyla an attentive caregiver and soon-to-be nun attempts to exorcise a demon in Father Gill a bedridden priest, but the exorcism fails as it becomes clear that the real battle lies not in his exorcism but in hers. She is the true demonic entity.
Support 1:
• Name: Detective Rivers
• Role: Rookie Detective
• Main purpose: To investigate Kyla’s 911 call from the Convalescent Home
• Value: Confronts a demonic Kyla and starts a brutal and deadly confrontation
Support 2:
• Name: Mr. Weller
• Role: New Churchgoer
• Main purpose: Talking points that allow for Kyla’s background to be introduced and to show how much she is loved and appreciated by the congregation.
• Value: The conversation brings about background information about Kyla’s upcoming ceremony and her being a caregiver for Father Gill; as well as introduce Father Moore and Father Lyle’s character.
Support 3:
• Name: Mrs. Weller
• Role: New Churchgoer
• Main purpose: Talking points that allow for Kyla’s background to be introduced and to show how much she is loved and appreciated by the congregation.
• Value: The conversation brings about background information about Kyla’s upcoming ceremony and her being a caregiver for Father Gill; as well as introduce Father Moore and Father Lyle’s character.
Background 1:
• Name: 911 Operator
• Role: 911 Operator
• Main purpose: To move the story forward by dispatching Officer Rivers to the house to investigate the distress call.
• Value: Increases suspense when Officer Rivers arrives at the house not knowing he is about to be confronted with a demonic presence.
Background 2:
• Name: Churchgoers
• Role: Churchgoers
• Main purpose: To show the church congregation in session.
• Value: The backbone of the movie shows all characters’ journeys beginning with the church.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned doing this assignment is that I was able to easily fill in the supporting characters’ roles because of how much of the story and characters I’ve already fleshed out.

Bonnie’s Purpose Driven Supporting Characters
Support 1:
• Name: Xe
• Role: Xiola’s mother, double agent infiltrating ET confederation
• Main Purpose: To help Xiola take down conspirators
• Value: Essential to plot and protagonist’s journey
Support 2:
• Name: Zhetak
• Role: Zartuuf’s father, antagonist from ET confederation
• Main Purpose: To create the initial anomaly
• Value: Driving force to Zartuuf’s journey
Support 3:
• Name: Galwak
• Role: Et Travel Agent #2
• Main purpose: Sabotage Zartuuf
• Value: Throw suspicion on Zartuuf
Support 4:
• Name: Mizdrok
• Role: ET Tourist #2
• Main purpose: Thorn in Xiola’s side
• Value: Recognize’s Xiola as her missing mother, Xi’s daughter
Support 5:
• Name: Ushteer
• Role: ET Travel Agent #3
• Main purpose: Sabotage Galwak
• Value: Throw suspicion on herself and Galwak
Support 6:
• Name: Shuzax
• Role: ET Tourist #3
• Main purpose: Recognizes Quarky’s true identity
• Value: Convinces Quarky to return to their planet

[Karen Haas]

My vision: I write even better than I imagine, whilst audiences enjoy my work, keeping it always fun and satisfying…

What I learned: Filling in the blanks for supporting and background characters helps to develop what I have so far into a fully realized story. Making each extra character perform some vital role, purpose or value keeps the “extra fat” out of the screenplay, keeping it tight and pithy.

2. Supporting and background characters.

Possible Background Characters: newly homeless people in high school shelter, hospital emergency room nurses and doctors and insurance administrator, ball of twine operator, courtroom judge and jury, Lawyers in lawyer search, courtroom crowd, media people. Tide wash helpers, Red Cross workers Rescue workers,

Supporting Characters: Wacky lawyer, Newly homeless older nurse, homeless unemployed youth, Kansas cowboy living in his truck,

3. Basic profile for each supporting character:

Support 1:

Name: Gwendolyn A. Wacky
Role: Final Lawyer chosen by Lucretia Crone
Main purpose: Incompetant Mouthpiece for Lucretia in front of the Judge when Dot bails out.
Value: Shows us how much Lucretia needed Dot, Wacky is 2nd choice and it shows, ultimately gets fired by Lucretia who chooses to represent herself, maybe.

Support 2:

Name: Nancy Bolton, Newly homeless older nurse,
Role: buddy for Lucretia, someone to discuss issues and problems with, someone to show her the ropes in Kansas
Main purpose: help in fleshing out problems and solutions,
Value: Voice of reason for Lucretia, (the heart or tin man character)

Support 3:

Name: Zippy Kennelworth
Role: Homeless youth
Main purpose: Gives young people’s perspective and computer skills,
Value: Brains, (the scarecrow character)

Support 4:

Name: Cowboy Bob Maga
Role: Man about town
Main purpose: Macho energy, comic relief and foil for Oswald Pecker
Value: Brute Strength & Courage in search of a cause, (cowardly lion character)

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Karen Haas.

[jamie handley]

Jamie’s Supporting Characters
My scripts will get made into powerful movies that impact audiences and view me as a talented, hardworking professional.
What I’ve learned: That it’s hard to make a “full” list of supporting characters or background characters for the story at this point. It will change again so I just included the ones that I knew were going to be involved. Plus, this initiates a character arc for and with the main characters so I think it was a very important lesson to abide by.
Supporting Characters:
Support 1:
Name: Emma Messick
Role: Lindsey and Saide’s younger sister. She is really Lindsey’s full blood sister, and they are like night and day, oil and water. Whereas Sadie has a different father.
Main purpose: Shows how estrangement has passed on between sisters.
Value: How different sisters can be. Shows the guilt in Lindsey and a little with Sadie.

Support 2:
Name: Dylan Scott
Role: Gracie’s Significant Other “SO”
Main purpose: He’s been with Gracie for a long time. Far too many from Lindsey’s point of view. He showed his good side when Lindsey’s mother was in the last months of her life. He cared for and respected her.
Value: He complicates life between Gracie and Lindsey, forcing Lindsey to step back and allow Gracie to make her own decisions where he is concerned. And, it’s killing Lindsey inside. Brings tension between most all members in the family. He weaves in and out through out the story,

Support 3:
Name: Lauren “ANNIE” Quick
Role: Lindsey’s lifetime best friend of sixty years. She understands Lindsey the most, even in her off or bad days.
Main purpose: She has a way of talking to Lindsey that often shows how she puts Lindsey in her place and makes her look from a different perspective. Or she reminds her of their various issues and life experiences they have gone through to remind her. A spirituality they both understand.
Value: Show how we choose our family.

Support 4:
Name: Dr. T. (Thompson)
Role: Lindsey’s primary doctor
Main purpose: Aids Lindsey with her struggles internally and physically (meds)
Value: He helps her with her journey of grieving and health.

Support 5:
Name: Margret “JANE” Ellis
Role: One of Lindsey’s lifelong friends.
Main purpose: Her kindness brings the best out in Lindsey.
Value: Supports her faith, in life and in grief. Supports Lindsey with decision on dying with dignity.

Support 6:
Name: Jimmy
Role: Brooke’s husband
Main purpose: Support for Brooke when they move to Oregon, but does he really?
Value: His support is in question, he’s really staying close to Brooke because of the inheritance, according to Lindsey. Causes a rift between Lindsey and Brooke. Lindsey does not like him.

Support 7:
Name: Michael
Role: The eldest cousin to Gracie and Brooke, Lindsey’s nephew.
Main purpose: Takes sides with Gracie.
Value: Helps to show the disfunction in the family.

Support 8:
Name: Danny
Role: Micheal’s sister.
Main purpose: Shows her selfishness as a person but a very protective mother of two boys.
Value: Disfunction runs through the generations.

Support 9:
Name: Abby
Role: Brooke’s best friends’ daughter who lives in Oregon.
Main purpose: Causes havoc with Lindsey when she arrives in Oregon.
Value: Adds tension, especially when Sadie makes the decision to go into hospice and to die through assisted suicide. She is something Lindsey doesn’t like or trust.

Support 10:
Name: Barbara Ann
Role: Neighbor in Arizona
Main purpose: Showing how neighbors are thoughtful still today.
Value: Represents Lindsey’s mother’s passing.

Support 11:
Name: Police Officer
Role: Comes to Arizona home
Main purpose: Shows the other side of Dylan how destructive he can be. The neighbors reported him.
Value: Show the other side of Dylan, brings tension between Gracie and Lindsey.

Background Characters:
1. EMT arrives at Sadie’s home.
2. Emergency room in Oregon.
3. Medford Airport
4. Palliative Care nurses
5. Hospice nurses
6. Dr. T’s office and Dr. T.
7. Funeral home in Oregon

[Hope McPherson]

Hope’s Supporting Characters

My Vison: To be a full-time respected screenwriter whose work brings joy to viewers and creates work for others in the industry, including actors and crew.

What I learned: I’ve always liked the puzzle-piece aspect of creating a screenplay and it’s wonderful to begin to consider what puzzle pieces I’ll need. Typically, my main characters have a lot of intent behind them, but the supporting characters just appear as needed. This is a good exercise in awareness and necessity.

Supporting Character 1:

• Name: Lilly
• Role: The first of Marta’s “fictional characters” who appears.
• Main purpose: To confuse Marta and begin to throw the wedding day into chaos.
• Value: She’s in cahoots with Royal and Vincent, putting Royal’s scheme to discredit Marta into action.

Supporting Character 2:

• Name: Margaret Frost
• Role: Editor
• Main purpose: She’s the editor with whom Marta and Royal work.
• Value: Very important for writers to remain in her good graces, because she can make or break a writer’s career.

Background characters:

• Wedding guests
• Wedding vendors

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Hope McPherson.

[Andrew Foerster]

Drew’s Supporting Characters

My Vision: I am doing all that is needed to create a future where I am a well-respected Hollywood writer and have the freedom to choose the projects I put my time towards as well as working with amazing producers, directors actors, and agents/managers.

What I learned from doing this assignment is… I’ve never thought of supporting characters in this way so this has helped in finding a strong purpose for each character that shows up in the script.

Tell us your supporting and background characters.

• Supporting Characters: Rylee and Josh and Shelby (Matt’s fiancée)
• Background Characters: Aliens, Men in Black (Government Agents), Matt’s boss, Emma’s co-workers and clients, Alien Con speakers and attendants.

Supporting Character 1:
• Name: Rylee
• Role: Emma’s best friend and co-worker. Also an alien who has watched over Emma since the first time she was abducted in her teens.
• Main purpose: To protect Emma and distract her from figuring out the alien connection.
• Value: To add conflict

Supporting Character 2:
• Name: Josh
• Role: Matt’s best friend and confidant.
• Main purpose: To be a cheerleader and sounding board for his friend.
• Value: He is a romantic just like Matt so he gives Matt the strength to make good decisions.

Supporting Character 3:
• Name: Shelby
• Role: Matt’s fiancée
• Main purpose: Conflict. To get Matt to question his current relationship and to yearn for more.
• Value: To help show

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Andrew Foerster.

[hari messer]

Hari’s Supporting Characters

My Vision: I want to write screenplays that enable me to work with like minded creative people in the industry to produce profound movies that will have a long lasting positive effect on the world.

What I learned … Supporting Characters make the journey happen.

2. Tell us your supporting and background characters.
Supporting Characters: Daniel St. George, Saffron Rose, Evelyn Crenshaw, Hal Burton, Henry
Background Characters: Various locals, both humans and reptilians

Focusing on those supporting characters, fill in the basic profile for each.

Support 1:
Name: Daniel St. George
Role: New Age Alien investigator
Main purpose: Narrator. To help Colt unravel the alien mystery.
Value: Mentor role for Cole and Jamaica

Support 2:
Name: Saffron Rose
Role: Hydrologist
Main purpose: To explain the environmental / economic impact of the privatization of natural resources
Value: She helps to flesh out the corporate water story

Support 3:
Name: Evelyn Crenshaw
Role:Jamaica’s mother
Main purpose:To explain the alien plan.
Value: She knows the truth.

Support 4:
Name: Hal Burton
Role: Mayor of Jefferson
Main purpose: Power behind the throne. Deception.
Value: Trick expectancy. Provides the major reversal and reveal.

Support 5:
Name: Henry
Role: Local homeless person who has actually seen the aliens
Main purpose: Comic relief. To add a bit of crazy. Eventually kills Jamaica
Value: Adds a touch of authenticity to the story. Validates Colt’s experience

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  hari messer.

[Kristin Donnan]

Kristin’s Supporting Characters

VISION: “I envision writing so well and consistently that I’m in demand, cherry-picking projects, selling beyond my wildest dreams, collaborating with people I admire and truly care about, and speaking my soul—on a big scale—so that I enjoy professional freedom, financial freedom, and joy.”

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS ASSIGNMENT: There are some characters I absolutely KNOW need to be in the story, and a lot I’m not sure about. I want the main character to be one sibling of a large family, and for there to be a chaotic-type feeling around… but also I don’t want things to get out of hand. I’m realizing I have to be careful about how I organize this or the story will get buried.

• Supporting Characters:
Jett: John’s trusted neighbor, and a retired law enforcement agent.
Main purpose: Jett helps John, and then Caroline, with their covert investigation.
Value: Helps us gauge how outlandish this case is, how dangerous the past crimes, and whether John can figure it out.

T-Bone: Another brother.
Main purpose: T-Bone’s bumbling “assistance” inadvertently uncovers more of the past crimes.
Value: He also provides comic relief and fleshes out history.

Aunt Lovey: The only living member of the Norwegian Mafia.
Main purpose: She’s the source of the answers to their nagging history questions.
Value: Comic relief, along with confirmation that John is not crazy.

George: John’s conspiracy-theory neighbor.
Main purpose: His outlandish claims and “reports” put the actual (outlandish but real) story in perspective.
Value: Comic relief

Frenchie: The main investigator
Main purpose: Someone in the public for John to spar with, and the main source of the legal threat.
Value: He understands the language, tone, and tenor of the community. John can actually be himself in front of Frenchie.

• Background Characters:
The dead woman: Realtor who was messing around in the estate business
Many other family members (gathering for events and the investigation)

[Tom Wilson]

Tom’s Supporting Characters
My vision is to qualify as a reliable screenwriter who turns a producer’s notes around quickly.
Doing this assignment, I learned to quickly consolidate warts and dimples characters have.

Fazela – Support 1:
• Role: She is Sara’s mother, an insurgent who used CIA supplied Stinger missiles to destroy Russian helicopters during their 1980s occupation of Afghanistan.
• Main purpose: Support her twin children Sara and Zeno in their opposed efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan.
• Value: Often corrects Zeno who makes mistakes; praises Sara for her research and teaching.

Dr. Amins – Background Character 1:

• Role: Mentor of Sara, as she seeks a cure for the disease; helps Zeno prepare to assassinate General Ratkin.
• Main purpose: Speed the plot along.
• Value: Supplies expertise and friendly advice as needed

• This reply was modified 10 months, 2 weeks ago by  Tom Wilson.

[Dawn C Crouch]

Dawn C Crouch – Supporting Characters

I want to write better, marketable scripts.

What I learned from this assignment is to plan the supporting characters with care and purpose in mind. Don’t just let them appear because they are interesting.

Support 1:

Name: Mark Nguyen

• Role: Wildlife and Fisheries official

• Hidden agendas: To give Vietnamese fishermen an advantage.

• Competition: Competes with Odette for James’ attention

• Conspiracies: Mark is part of a local, informal network conspiring to resist the oil company’s encroachment. This network shares information, resources, and strategies to protect their community and environment.

• Secrets: Personal connection with the Fontenot Family.
• Unspoken Wound: Mark carries the unspoken wound of losing her family’s heritage in Hurricane Katrina. This loss fuels his resolve and shapes his actions in the present struggle.
• Main purpose: Brings out a side of the theme that is missing.
• Value: a possible red herring

Support 2:

• Name: Lila Huynh
• Role: James’ personal assistant
• Main purpose: Sounding Board
• Value: Also a childhood friend that knows James very well

• This reply was modified 10 months ago by  Dawn C Crouch.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's Supporting Characters
Vision for success: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.
1. What I learned from doing this assignment is sketching in the supporting characters gives me a starting point so they aren't flat, they've got purpose & value in the story.

2. Tell us your supporting and background characters.
• Supporting Characters: Jessalyn "Jess" James, Walter Fox, Ethan Crowe, Daytona's mother, Nugget (dog)
• Background Characters: Mercenaries, Mayor, townspeople, sheriff, police, park employees, SEALS
3. Focusing on those supporting characters, fill in the basic profile for each.
Support 1:
• Name: Jessalyn "Jess" James
• Role: Leader of mercenaries
• Main purpose: Seize the mine, find the gold
• Value: Hired to find the gold for Joe, but will betray him to reclaim the treasure her ancestors stole and hid.
Support 2:
• Name: Walter Fox
• Role: Daytona's estranged father, former mine foreman
• Main purpose: Help Daytona find his way home via forgiveness
• Value: Mends his relationship with Daytona and knows the mine intimately, giving him an edge against Joe and the mercenaries
Support 3:
• Name: Ethan Crowe
• Role: Lisa and Joe's son
• Main purpose: Help his mom and the town defend against Joe and the mercenaries
• Value: Helps Joe realize the gold he really wants is with family
Support 2:
• Name: Amaya – (Miwok for Night rain)
• Role: Daytona's mother
• Main purpose: Helps Daytona with forgiveness and to fully step into his gifts.
• Value: Helps Daytona re-engage with his heritage and embrace the warrior he is.

[Sylvia Krawczyk]

WIM+AI – Module 3 – Lesson 8: Purpose Driven Supporting Characters
Sylvia’s Supporting Characters
My vision from this program is to challenge myself in my writing genre and write my most amazing script to date.
What I learned from doing this assignment is…adding in the supporting characters helps to cement the storyline and its focus.

Supporting characters:
Support 1:
Name: Michael
Role: Hope’s Brother and Will’s secret lover.
Main purpose: Forces Will to acknowledge his marriage situation to Hope.
Value: Gives Will an excuse to divorce Hope and create a new life.

Support 2:
Name: Ashley
Role: Hope’s co-worker
Main purpose: A mirror to Hope to recognize her talent and situation.
Value: Challenges Hope to open her eyes and take chances.

Support 3:
Name: Jess
Role: Hope’s Lawyer
Main purpose: Prove Hope’s innocence
Value: Forces Hope to stand up for herself.

Support 4:
Name: Steven
Role: Joy’s Lawyer
Main purpose: Prove Joy’s innocence.
Value: Shows the stakes Hope is confronted with against her.

Support 5:
Name: Burt
Role: Judge
Main purpose: Keep things level in the Court room so we see both sides of what is and what appears to be truth.
Value: Comedy relief as things get ever more crazy.

Background Characters:
Artistic Lovers
Underground art theft ring
Jury, court personal, other media, courtroom observers, etc..

• This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by  Sylvia Krawczyk.