REVIEW EXERCISE: TRUE & FALSE STORIES
>> PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE
-A true story is not necessarily a good story
-Stories have to be worked and reworked
-True life stories do not offer neat and relevant endings
-Life is unpredictable
-In a story, we can and must control the events and sequences so that it gives the appearance of being like life
Characterization: Defining the character
-Every story starts with a character
The character is…
the heart,
the soul,
and nervous system.
It is through your characters that the viewers experience emotions
<WITHOUT A CHARACTER. THERE IS NO ACTION>
<WITHOUT ACTION, YOU HAVE NO CONFLICT>
<WITHOUT CONFLICT, YOU HAVE NO STORY>
<WITHOUT STORY, YOU HAVE NO SCREENPLAY>
DEVELOPING CHARACTERS
WHEN DEVELOPING A CHARACTER, ASK YOURSELF:
-> Who is your character?
-> What does he want?
-> What is his quest?
-> What drives him to the resolution of the story?
1. Establish your main character
Character should have a 3 Dimensional Structure.
a) Physiology (Physical Appearance)
- Sex
- Age
- Height, Weight
- Colour of hair, eyes, skin
- Posture
- Appearance
- Defects, abnormalities, deformities, birth marks, diseases
- Heredity
b) Sociology (His position in society, e.g. from middle income family)
- Class (lower, middle, upper)
- Occupation: type of work, hours of work, income, condition of work, attitude towards organization, suitability for work
- Education: amount, kind of schools, marks, favourite subjects, poorest subjects, aptitudes
- Home Life: parents living, earning power, orphan, parents separated / divorced, parents’ habits, parents’ mental development, parents’ vices, neglect, character’s marital status
- Religion
- Race, Nationality
- Place in the Community; leader among friends, clubs, sports
- Political Affiliations
- Amusements: hobbies, books, newspapers, magazines he/she reads
c) Psychology (How the character thinks)
- Sex Life, Moral Standards
- Personal Premise, Ambition
- Frustrations, Chief Disappointments
- Temperament: choleric, easy-going, pessimistic, optimistic
- Attitude Towards Life: resigned, militant, defeatist
- Complexes: obsessions, inhibitions, superstitions, phobias
- Personality: extrovert, introvert
- Abilities: language, talents
- Qualities: Imagination, judgment, taste, poise
- I.Q. & E.Q.
- What is the deep and personal secret this character has which he is desperate to protect/hide?
1. SEPARATE THE COMPONENTS OF HIS LIFE INTO 2 BASIC CATEGORIES:
a) Interior (Everything we don’t see on the screen)
- The interior life takes place from birth until your story begins.
- It is a process that forms character. [when you start formulating your character from birth, you see your character build in body and form]
* How old is he when the story begins?
* Where does he live?
* Does he have siblings?
* What kind of childhood did he have?
* What was his relationship to his parents?
* What kind of child was he?
* Is he married, single, widowed, separated or divorced?
b) Exterior (Everything we see in the film)
- The exterior life takes place the moment your story begins to it’s conclusion
- It is a process that reveals character
* Who are they and what do they do?
* Are they sad or happy with their life?
* Do they wish their life was different? Another job, another wife?
>> YOU MUST CREATE YOUR CHARACTERS IN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PEOPLE OR THINGS
ALL DRAMATIC CHARACTERS INTERACT IN 3 WAYS:
1. They EXPERIENCE CONFLICT in achieving their dramatic need. [e.g., Rob a bank, rob a store, rob a person?]
2. They INTERACT with other CHARACTERS. [Either in an antagonistic, friendly or indifferent way]
3. They INTERACT with THEMSELVES. [e.g., He overcame his fear of being caught by pulling off the robbery successfully]
How do you invent characters?
-Try turning them upside down.
A monk who is devoted to his religion…
…but is a football fanatic
A serial killer…
…whose obsession is to kill other serial killers
A common street rat…
…who loves to eat and cook only find food
Next Week
Storytelling Techniques Quiz #1
REVIEW
-3 storytelling tools
-Memory
-Observation
-Experience
-Aristotle’s storytelling techniques
-Developing 3 dimensional characters
-Writing for an audience
