Eddie Duran
Forum Replies Created
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Lesson 7: Empathy/Distress, The Binge Worthy Drug!
I learned that my characters can get into life and death situations.
Certainly! To create distress and empathy for each lead character in your 1-hour drama series, let’s use the given conflict categories:
**Format/Genre: 1hr episode / drama**
**Conflict: Two childhood friends who grew up to be human smugglers find themselves in over their heads when they break the rules of the Mexican Cartel.**
**Lead Characters: Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez, Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez, Carlos “El Lobo” Morales**
**Distress:**
**Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez:**
A. Undeserved misfortune: Juan’s rival cartel discovers his double-crossing, leading to a violent attack on his operation.
B. External Character conflicts: A key lieutenant betrays Juan, creating internal strife within the smuggling group.
C. Plot intruding on life: Juan’s personal life is endangered as the cartel threatens his family.
D. Moral dilemmas: Juan is faced with a decision that puts his team at risk but may save his own life.
E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Juan is forced to betray a loyal ally to protect the group.
**Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez:**
A. Undeserved misfortune: Maria’s government handlers intensify the pressure, putting her in a life-threatening situation.
B. External Character conflicts: A rival hacker discovers Maria’s true identity, leading to a dangerous cyber confrontation.
C. Plot intruding on life: The cartel captures Maria’s brother, using him as leverage to force her into compromising situations.
D. Moral dilemmas: Maria is torn between duty to her country and loyalty to her friends, facing a decision with dire consequences.
E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Maria is forced to compromise the group’s safety to maintain her undercover role.
**Carlos “El Lobo” Morales:**
A. Undeserved misfortune: Carlos is targeted by the cartel figure from his past, leading to a personal vendetta against him.
B. External Character conflicts: A former military colleague resurfaces, entangling Carlos in a covert mission that jeopardizes the smuggling operation.
C. Plot intruding on life: The cartel threatens Carlos’s sister, pressuring him to comply with their demands.
D. Moral dilemmas: Carlos faces a choice between seeking personal vengeance and protecting the group, creating internal turmoil.
E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Carlos is forced to confront the cartel figure from his past, revealing painful truths about his history.
**Empathy:**
**Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez:**
A. Put them in distress: Juan faces the emotional toll of his choices, haunted by the danger he’s brought to his team.
B. Make them relatable: Juan’s struggle to balance power and guilt resonates with the audience’s own experiences of inner conflict.
C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Viewers empathize with Juan’s fear of losing everything he built, as it reflects universal themes of redemption and forgiveness.
**Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez:**
A. Put them in distress: Maria grapples with the emotional toll of betrayal, torn between conflicting loyalties.
B. Make them relatable: Maria’s internal struggle between duty and personal connections mirrors the universal conflict between professional and personal responsibilities.
C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Viewers connect with Maria’s desire to protect loved ones, resonating with the universal theme of sacrifice for the greater good.
**Carlos “El Lobo” Morales:**
A. Put them in distress: Carlos faces the emotional burden of seeking vengeance while protecting those he cares about.
B. Make them relatable: Carlos’s struggle with a haunting past and desire for justice taps into the audience’s own experiences of overcoming trauma.
C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Viewers empathize with Carlos’s internal conflict, as the universal theme of confronting one’s demons is emotionally resonant.
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I learned that by investigating the characters’ relationship map leads to many new emotions between them.
**Character Relationships for Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez**
| Relationship Aspect | Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez | Carlos “El Lobo” Morales |
|————————|———————————|—————————|
| Common Ground | Childhood friendship, leadership in the group | Shared childhood experiences, loyalty to the group |
| Relationship Conflict | Trust issues due to Maria’s secretive nature, her potentially betraying the group | Carlos’s personal vendetta and impulsiveness conflicting with Juan’s strategic approach |
| Relationship History | Childhood friends turned partners in crime | Former military comrades with a shared traumatic experience |
| Relationship Subtext | Unresolved romantic tension from their past | Juan’s unspoken guilt for leading the team into dangerous situations |
| Relationship Arc | A complex journey of betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption | A turbulent journey of camaraderie, conflict, and reconciliation |
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Depht of Emotions
My project “The Smugglers”
Certainly, here are the internal struggles of each main character that fit well in your TV series:
**Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez:**
A. Situational: Hope / Fear
– Hope: Juan hopes to successfully betray his current cartel and escape with his life and wealth intact.
– Fear: He fears that his double-crossing will be discovered, leading to dire consequences for him and his team.
B. Motivation: Want / Need
– Want: He wants power and control in the cartel world.
– Need: Deep down, he needs redemption and forgiveness for past actions and betrayals.
C. Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask
– Base Negative Emotion: He is driven by guilt over his betrayal of the cartel.
– Public Mask: He presents a facade of ruthlessness and confidence, hiding his inner turmoil.
D. Weaknesses
– His emotional attachment to his childhood friend Maria is a vulnerability that could be exploited.
– He often struggles with overconfidence, underestimating the risks of his double-agent role.
E. Triggers
– The mention of his traumatic past or reminders of his old life can trigger intense emotional responses.
F. Coping Mechanism
– He copes with his internal struggles by burying them deep and immersing himself in his role as a cartel leader, taking risks to distract himself from his guilt.
**Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez:**
A. Situational: Hope / Fear
– Hope: Maria hopes to complete her undercover mission successfully and dismantle the cartel.
– Fear: She fears being discovered as a double agent, which would lead to her team’s demise.
B. Motivation: Want / Need
– Want: She wants to protect her friends and family by infiltrating the cartel.
– Need: She needs to prove herself as a loyal member of the team while fulfilling her government mission.
C. Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask
– Base Negative Emotion: She harbors a deep fear of betrayal and exposure.
– Public Mask: She presents an image of unwavering loyalty and dedication to the smuggling group.
D. Weaknesses
– Her emotional attachment to her childhood friend Juan makes it challenging to maintain her undercover identity.
– She can become too emotionally invested in her dual life, making it difficult to balance her loyalties.
E. Triggers
– The risk of her true identity being revealed and the safety of her friends are her most significant triggers.
F. Coping Mechanism
– Maria copes by compartmentalizing her emotions, using her tech skills to maintain her cover, and keeping her true feelings hidden.
**Carlos “El Lobo” Morales:**
A. Situational: Hope / Fear
– Hope: Carlos hopes to find and confront the cartel figure responsible for his past trauma.
– Fear: He fears that his thirst for revenge will lead to the destruction of his team.
B. Motivation: Want / Need
– Want: He wants retribution and justice for the wrongs committed against him.
– Need: Deep down, he needs to let go of his past trauma to protect his team effectively.
C. Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask
– Base Negative Emotion: He battles with anger and vengeance within.
– Public Mask: He presents a tough, stoic exterior to his teammates.
D. Weaknesses
– His relentless pursuit of revenge can cloud his judgment, making him unpredictable.
– Carlos struggles with trust and may isolate himself from the team to avoid exposing his vulnerability.
E. Triggers
– Any encounter with the cartel figure from his past or a threat to his team can trigger his anger and need for revenge.
F. Coping Mechanism
– Carlos copes by channeling his pain into aggression and seeking solace in solitude to avoid confronting his emotional struggles.
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What I learned is that Characters have many layers of mystery behind their everyday self.
ASSIGNMENT #1 Wednesday- Netflix
A. Role in the show: Wednesday Adams role is a dark but smart girl whose mission is to uncover the truth that shames Nevermore Academy.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise: Wednesday has many talents but her expertise is using her investigative talent to discover the past of the town of Jericho and the Monster that lurks in the woods.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? She has psychic powers that let her experience the past world.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? Wednesday is willing to break the rules and break hearts in order to accomplish the end game.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next? Wednesday’s sudden decisions are triggered by new revelations to her family’s dark past.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care? We feel empathy towards Wednesday when she helps Eugene from the Pilgrim bullies. She cares for Eugene because he reminds her of her Brother.
ASSIGNMENT #2
“The Smugglers” AI version
A. Main Characters:
Jake – The Leader: Once cautious and reluctant, now arrogant and ruthless after gaining power in the cartel. Secret: Has an estranged young daughter he left behind.
Carlos – The Brains: Jake’s childhood best friend. The planner and voice of reason. Intrigue: Is secretly working with the DEA.
Jenny – The Rebel: Jake’s headstrong girlfriend. She challenges her boyfriend’s authority and methods.
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ASSIGNMENT 2:
I learned that by using AI as an assistant, opens a new world that I could never imagine.
1. Create the three circles of characters for your show. “The Smugglers”
MAIN CHARACTERS CIRCLE.
JAKE, 35, Charismatic leader who is in charge of human smuggling.
CARLOS, 34, Shy but smart kid who helps Jake with the smuggling operation.
SANTOS, 35, Gangmember who becomes a Sicario for the Mexican Cartel.
EL GORDO, 50’s High-ranking member of the Mexican Cartel who’s in charge of human smuggling.
CONNECTED CIRCLE
Benny – Jake’s High School friend
Troy – Jake’s High School friend.
Nikki – Jake’s High School girlfriend.
Troy – Jake’s High School Friend.
ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE
Gangmembers, Mexican Mafia, Immigrants, Border Agents, Random people in Jake’s neighborhood.
USING AI PROMPT:
A. Main Characters:
1. Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez
Unique Role: The charismatic and ruthless leader of a human smuggling operation, known for his strategic mind and charisma. He is the driving force behind the group’s actions.
Secret or Intrigue: Juan has a hidden agenda; he’s secretly working for a rival cartel to overthrow the one he currently serves, making his life incredibly dangerous.
2. Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez
Unique Role: Maria is a brilliant hacker and the group’s tech expert. Her quick thinking and adaptability make her indispensable to the team.
Secret or Intrigue: She is an undercover agent for the Mexican government, gathering intel on the cartel through her association with the group, putting her in constant danger of being exposed.
3. Carlos “El Lobo” Morales
Unique Role: The muscle of the team, Carlos is a former special forces operative. He excels in combat tactics and is the group’s enforcer.
Secret or Intrigue: Carlos is haunted by a traumatic incident from his past, which affects his judgment and actions in critical situations.
B. Connected Characters:
4. Rafael “El Fantasma” Cortez
Role: A high-ranking member of the Mexican Cartel, Rafael is the group’s main point of contact. He offers them protection but demands unwavering loyalty.
5. Isabella “La Rosa” Montoya
Role: A fellow human smuggler with ties to the group, Isabella is both an ally and a rival. She often complicates the group’s operations as she competes for the same clients and resources.
6. Detective Elena Ramirez
Role: A tenacious detective working tirelessly to bring down the cartel. She becomes suspicious of the group and is determined to uncover their illegal activities.
C. Environment Characters (Background Characters by Job):
7. Juan’s Lieutenants
Role: Assist Juan in managing the smuggling operation, overseeing various aspects of the business.
8. Local Police Officers
Role: Some officers are on the cartel’s payroll, while others are trying to maintain order in the region, inadvertently affecting the characters’ actions.
9. Coyotes (Smugglers)
Role: Assist in physically smuggling people across the border. Some work with the main characters, while others are competitors or potential threats.
10. Informants and Spies
Role: Various individuals who provide information to both the cartel and law enforcement, complicating the main characters’ efforts to operate under the radar.
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ASSIGNMENT 2:
What I learned is that by using the AI as an assistant, opens up a whole new world that I cannot immagine.
1. Create the three circles of characters for your show.
MAIN CHARACTERS CIRCLE.
JAKE, 35, Charismatic leader who is in charge of human smuggling.
CARLOS, 34, Shy but smart kid who helps Jake with the smuggling operation.
SANTOS, 35, Gangmember who becomes a Sicario for the Mexican Cartel.
EL GORDO, 50’s High-ranking member of the Mexican Cartel who’s in charge of human smuggling.
CONNECTED CIRCLE
Benny – Jake’s High School friend
Troy – Jake’s High School friend.
Nikki – Jake’s High School girlfriend.
Troy – Jake’s High School Friend.
ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE
Gangmembers, Mexican Mafia, Immigrants, Border Agents, Random people in Jake’s neighborhood.
USING AI PROMPT:
A. Main Characters:
1. Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez
Unique Role: The charismatic and ruthless leader of a human smuggling operation, known for his strategic mind and charisma. He is the driving force behind the group’s actions.
Secret or Intrigue: Juan has a hidden agenda; he’s secretly working for a rival cartel to overthrow the one he currently serves, making his life incredibly dangerous.
2. Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez
Unique Role: Maria is a brilliant hacker and the group’s tech expert. Her quick thinking and adaptability make her indispensable to the team.
Secret or Intrigue: She is an undercover agent for the Mexican government, gathering intel on the cartel through her association with the group, putting her in constant danger of being exposed.
3. Carlos “El Lobo” Morales
Unique Role: The muscle of the team, Carlos is a former special forces operative. He excels in combat tactics and is the group’s enforcer.
Secret or Intrigue: Carlos is haunted by a traumatic incident from his past, which affects his judgment and actions in critical situations.
B. Connected Characters:
4. Rafael “El Fantasma” Cortez
Role: A high-ranking member of the Mexican Cartel, Rafael is the group’s main point of contact. He offers them protection but demands unwavering loyalty.
5. Isabella “La Rosa” Montoya
Role: A fellow human smuggler with ties to the group, Isabella is both an ally and a rival. She often complicates the group’s operations as she competes for the same clients and resources.
6. Detective Elena Ramirez
Role: A tenacious detective working tirelessly to bring down the cartel. She becomes suspicious of the group and is determined to uncover their illegal activities.
C. Environment Characters (Background Characters by Job):
7. Juan’s Lieutenants
Role: Assist Juan in managing the smuggling operation, overseeing various aspects of the business.
8. Local Police Officers
Role: Some officers are on the cartel’s payroll, while others are trying to maintain order in the region, inadvertently affecting the characters’ actions.
9. Coyotes (Smugglers)
Role: Assist in physically smuggling people across the border. Some work with the main characters, while others are competitors or potential threats.
10. Informants and Spies
Role: Various individuals who provide information to both the cartel and law enforcement, complicating the main characters’ efforts to operate under the radar.
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AI Module 1 – Lesson 2: Three Circles of Characters
WEDNESDAY tv series
A. Main Characters Circle:
Wednesday Addams –
Enid Sinclair – roommate
Thing – Wednesday’s helper
Principal Larissa Weems
Bianca Barclay – Wednesday’s nemesis
Tyler Galpin – Sheriff’s son
Xavier Thorpe – love interest
Ajax Petropulus – love interest
B. Connected Circle:
Morticia Adams – mother
Gomez Addams – father
Sheriff Galpin
Marylin Thornhill – dorm mom
Dr. Valerie Kinbott – psychiatrist
Eugene Ottinger – beekeeper
The Monster in the woods
C. Environment Circle:
The School cliques: C. Environment Circle: werewolves, sirens, psychics, vampires and many more creatures that suddenly appear. Town people, Pilgrim World bullies, other students and teachers.
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“WEDNESDAY” – 5 Star Model
What I Learned? By planting certain questions during the first episode leads a viewer wanting to watch the next episode to find the answers.
Big Picture hook:The show is about Wednesday Addams, a Gothic girl who tries to escape from the boarding school her family sent her to.
Amazing Character: Wednesday’s character has many interesting traits, such as psychic visions, deadpan way of speaking and fearless of any repercussions from her odd behavior.
Empathy/Distress: We feel empathy towards Wednesday who is trying to distance herself from her Family but distress when there are dark forces out to destroy her.
Layers/Open Loops: Who is that girl in the drawing. Who is the monster in the woods? Why does her Father have a criminal record? Why does she have psychic powers?
Inviting Obsession: We are willing to watch every episode so we can find out if Wednesday figures out the answers to those Open Loops
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1. Name is Eddie Duran
2. I’ve written 3 features and 2 short stories.
3. I hope to get ahead of the pack when using AI as an assistant.
4. I used to work on a Cruise Ship as a Club DJ.
5. I was in Pro Series many years ago.
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I, Edgar Duran, Agree to the Terms of this Release Form.