Purpose of the true/false story exercise
True story not necessarily good story
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.
Every story starts with a character. The character is the heart, the soul, and the nervous system. It is through your characters that the viewers experience emotions.
DEFINING THE CHARACTER
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.
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?
- Establish your main character.
Characters should have a 3 dimensional structure.
a) Physiology
Sex
Age
Height, weight
Colour of hair, eyes, skin
Posture
Appearance
Defects, abnormalities, deformities, birthmarks, diseases.
Hereditary
b) Sociology
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 school, 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.
c) Psychology
Religion
Race, Nationality
Place in the Community; leader among friends, clubs, sports
Political affliations
Amusements: hobbies, books, newspapers, magazines he/she reads
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
The interior life takes place from birth unti the moment your stories begin.
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 does 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
it is 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.
[eg, Need money - Rob and bank, rob a store, rob a person?]
2. They INTERACT with other CHARACTERS.
[Either in an antagonistuc, friendly, or indifferent way]
3. They INTERACT with THEMSELVES
[eg, He overcame his fear of being caught by pulling off the robbery successfully]
How do you invent characters?
-try turning them upset 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 fine food.
