[Rhonda Dents]

Rhonda’s Character Profiles Part 1

What I learned doing this assignment is that all behaviors, good or bad come from a back story. There’s a reason characters are the way they are, and it’s important to know that and to give the audience a peek into it.

Protagonist’s Role: Barbara begins as a victim but quickly becomes a fighter. She begins her new life as the wife of a well-known successful musician, whom she quickly discovers is an unfaithful, self-indulgent, arrogant and sees her as just a church girl who’s there to provide the comforts of home and raise the children while he lives his exciting, glamorous, adventurous life as an entertainer. When he leaves her and her children to be with his mistress, Barbara must fight for the security of her family by learning to be a provider after years of being a housewife.

Antagonist’s Role: Robert – Villain. Unfaithful husband, self-absorbed, disrespectful to his wife, arrogant beyond measure, and finally an abandoner. <font face=”inherit”> </font>

Supporting:

Bettye Brown: Daughter of Robert’s Manager. Robert’s mistress, a primary reason for the divorce.

Shirley Carter: Barbara’s sister – sidekick – help agent – supporter

Minor Characters:

Mason Brown – Robert’s Manager

Background:

Musicians, audiences, fans, church members.

Action / Drama

BARBARA’S JOURNEY begins at 18. She is a simple, shy church girl with an Angelic voice. She lives with her strict father and her mischievous older sister. She is obedient and follows the rules. She is swept off her feet by the charismatic Robert Bailey whom she meets when he performs at a neighborhood juke joint.

BARBARA’S SECRET – She is a fabulous vocalist and prolific writer who has more than enough talent to make it on her own, but doesn’t know it.

Robert is a charismatic R&B performer, early 20s, who is enjoying some success in the regional market with a particularly high visibility and large fan base in the New Orleans area. His huge ego and philandering ways make him an unsuccessful catch for Barbra, and he soon abandons her and her children.

ROBERT’S SECRET – He lacks self-confidence because of how he was raised by an abusive, critical father, and overcompensates for it by trying to be overly confident and less caring.

[Rhonda Dents]

Rhonda’s Transformational Journey

What I learned is that the Hero must be noticeably changed from how she/he began to how she/he is at the end of the story.

2. Who is your Hero and what is their Character Arc that represents a transformation?

Barbara goes from being a timid, sheltered, church girl, to a strong, independently thinking woman who can manage her career and life on her own, without her parents or ex-husband. She grows from a very good, but apprehensive choir girl, to an accomplished, acclaimed, award-winning R&B singer.

Internal Journey:

From a shy unconfident church girl with low self-esteem – to and independent, strong, confident woman full of self-love.

External Journey:

She moves from the small town of St Francisville to the bustling music town of New Orleans with her successful, pompous entertainer husband and then to the bright lights of Hollywood as a star vocalist and independent woman and then returning to St Francisville to her simple yet fulfilling retired life.

3. What are the Old Ways and New Ways?

Old Ways:

She is shy and timid

She obeys all laws and follows all rules

She has low self-confidence

She is an amazing vocalist, full of doubt

She’s only been comfortable singing in the church.

New Ways:

Outgoing

Social Butterfly

Self-confident in life and business

Knows she can blow!