[Tom Trundle]

Tom Trundle’s Character Profile Part 2

What I learned doing this assignment is that in order to have a compelling cast of characters, they have to have certain characteristics which allow them to grow or cause growth in other characters.

Jake: (Main Male Lead)
Traits: Overweight (at the beginning); co-dependent; lazy; procrastinator; addicted to various substances.
Subtext: Surrounds himself with people and situations which allow him to continue to express his traits.
Flaw: Has given up on loving himself and has caused a lot of damage to those he loves. Puts on weight and doesn’t set goals/boundaries for himself. Is ashamed of his decisions and it affects his family.
Values: Loves his family. Understands a change is needed. Is able to seek out help.
Irony: He has the ability to change himself and also find the love he seeks even in his current situation, but feels that he is not worth it so doesn’t pursue either (at first)
What makes him the right character for this role? Well, the story is about him. The change from overweight, depressed, “loser;” to in control, respected, success story.

Callie: (The Waitress)
Traits: Kind; thoughtful; compassionate; strong; giving (but not to her disadvantage)
Subtext: Is in love with Jake, because she can see the good in him and the potential, but also knows that their relationship won’t work until he accepts himself so she doesn’t reveal her hand.
Flaw: Doesn’t speak up to show her affection for Jake, allowing him to fall into bad relationships. She can’t save him, but she could guide him.
Values: Family, honor, love and consideration, compassion.
Irony: She may have helped Jake break out of his funk if she took a chance in loving him openly but also if she loves him too soon in his journey, he may NOT complete it and may not be the right companion for her.

[Tom Trundle]

1. What I learned doing this assignment is that each role in the screenplay follows a certain dynamic of archetypes including the story itself. Typically in the form of an individual person, but in some cases can be the environment or challenges themselves. For example, I’m not sure my story has a defined antagonist in the “human” sense, unless a character can be both the protagonist and antagonist simultaneously.

2. My character is going to follow the Fighter/Hero Archetype progressively. We are going to go from him having to fight his demons, and his limitations to ultimately fulfilling his goals and finding love in all forms, then becoming the Hero. His transformational journey is one that requires him to wear many hats including:

3. The Change Agent: which will be our hero character as well, not only his beliefs but also his body working against him to hinder him from reaching his goals. I may add in a rival of some sort, but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. Society (or society’s view of our character) can be the true antagonist. Obviously having to change the destructive behaviors is beating our “villain” however, as I stated in the “What I learned” section, it doesn’t have to necessarily be a physical person who serves as the antagonist (right?)

4. What other characters might be necessary?

Supporting characters:

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The Friend: (who kills himself and sparks the journey)
The Waitress: (possible love interest, who works at his favorite diner)
The Kids: (who he has become estranged from)
The Ex: (who is disappointed in the man she used to love and father of her children)
The Support Group: (this is where he meets other people to inspire him)
The Training Group: (these are the people who help him meet his goals)

I am still playing with the idea of a love interest. I think it can play one of three ways. One as the unrequited love of his current situation that ultimately isn’t THE one anyway. One as a friend/acquaintance that has always loved him even before he went through his transformation; Or one as his ex-wife who he wishes he could have back (and won’t get) similar to the first one. Or some combination of the three.

As far as the “Group” characters they will be fleshed out more.

5. I know it’s not listed, but this will be more of a Dramedy (Drama/Comedy).

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6. Jake (mid 40s) overweight, depressed, anxious, lonely. Decides to make a change. We follow his journey.
The rest of the cast will be supporting except for maybe the Waitress.
I do need to flesh out the character arcs for the supporting cast.

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[Tom Trundle]

Tom Trundle’s Transformational Journey

The 30-Day Screenplay – 2023

Lesson 1: The Transformational Journey

What I learned from doing this assignment is…

That even though my idea was outlined in one of the examples, I can bring a different perspective/analysis of my protagonist and of course (because it’s my life) my own spin.

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

Jake was once a successful actor and model who over time let life and his addictions consume him. His last role was playing Santa Claus (without padding). As a result of years of suffered abuse he has jumped up to over 330 lbs and all of his relationships have fallen apart, his family, including his 3 children, his love life and his career. He feels hopeless and beyond saving, until a friend’s death (the one who cast him as Santa) gives him a new perspective and desire to transform his mind, his body, and his life.

Internal Journey:

Learning to love himself as he is, and as he will be.

External Journey:

Finding new friends and companions to help him on his journey. Taking the actions to lose the weight, give up his addictions, repair the broken relationships and find new ones in hope all while honoring his friend who passed away.

Jake’s Old Ways:

1. Procrastinator

2. Depressed

3. Abusive to himself and a doormat to others

Jake’s New Ways:

1. Finds love for himself by taking care of his addictions

2. Repairs damage he’s done to himself by taking care of his health (mental and physical)

3. Gains support and love from his community and becomes an inspiration to others so they can gain their freedom from addictions too.

[Tom Trundle]

Tom Trundle — I agree to the terms of this release form.

GROUP RELEASE FORM

As a member of this group, I agree to the following:

1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.

2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.

I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.

3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.

4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.

5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.

6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.

[Tom Trundle]

Hello everyone! My name is Tom Trundle. I have yet to complete any scripts; although like many of you (I assume) have so many ideas bouncing around inside my head (including unfinished scripts), I’d love to just get them done and completed; and what better way to do that than a course that allows me to complete one of them (and subsequently other ones) in 30 days! <– which is also what I hope to get out of the class.

So… something that is unique/special about me.
Well, I’m a former Fear Factor, Champion, Medieval Times Knight, and Played Prince Charming at Walt Disney World!

Looking forward to working with you all too!