Comments on: The Transformational Character Arc Part 10 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/ Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:57:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: The Transformational Character Arc Part 11: The Protagonist’s Fatal Flaw | http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-35643 The Transformational Character Arc Part 11: The Protagonist’s Fatal Flaw | Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:45:01 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-35643 [...] is WHY I’ve added this discussion of the Protagonist’s fatal flaw AFTER the Protagonist’s Emotional Reaction to Action. In discussions of the Protagonist’s transformational character arc, I think it’s [...] [...] is WHY I’ve added this discussion of the Protagonist’s fatal flaw AFTER the Protagonist’s Emotional Reaction to Action. In discussions of the Protagonist’s transformational character arc, I think it’s [...]

]]> By: The Transformational Character Arc Part 12 Theme me up Scotty... » The Unknown Screenwriter http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-5595 The Transformational Character Arc Part 12 Theme me up Scotty... » The Unknown Screenwriter Sat, 26 May 2007 11:13:46 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-5595 [...] agree with you, they seem flat, unbelievable, and simply reactionary instead of having an emotional reaction to action that essentially reveals bits and pieces of their character/inner/fatal flaw and then eventually [...] [...] agree with you, they seem flat, unbelievable, and simply reactionary instead of having an emotional reaction to action that essentially reveals bits and pieces of their character/inner/fatal flaw and then eventually [...]

]]> By: The Transformational Character Arc… Part 11: The Protagonist's Fatal Flaw » The Unknown Screenwriter http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-4855 The Transformational Character Arc… Part 11: The Protagonist's Fatal Flaw » The Unknown Screenwriter Thu, 10 May 2007 12:53:49 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-4855 [...] is WHY I've added this discussion of the Protagonist's fatal flaw AFTER the Protagonist's Emotional Reaction to Action. In discussions of the Protagonist's transformational character arc, I think it's better [...] [...] is WHY I've added this discussion of the Protagonist's fatal flaw AFTER the Protagonist's Emotional Reaction to Action. In discussions of the Protagonist's transformational character arc, I think it's better [...]

]]> By: nicolle c jones.com » Blog Archive » I love Doctor Who - but that has nothing to do with this post! http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-4594 nicolle c jones.com » Blog Archive » I love Doctor Who - but that has nothing to do with this post! Wed, 02 May 2007 20:51:00 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-4594 [...] been posting some gold in the form of his Transformation Character arc stuff and I couldn’t agree with him more without resorting to some very naughty and [...] [...] been posting some gold in the form of his Transformation Character arc stuff and I couldn’t agree with him more without resorting to some very naughty and [...]

]]> By: Moviequill http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-4549 Moviequill Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:26:05 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-4549 I tend to create my characters fairly generic and cliche on the first run-through. Give them a few situations and some pattern dialogue, see how they handle it. Then I go back, strike my Rodin pose, curse that my coffee went cold again, and look for ways to twist, flip, distort that cliche and give them a uniqueness. Example, just yesterday I was going over one of my characters who likes to laugh. I added in the element today that when she does, she holds a hand over her mouth in a shy-like gesture. I tend to create my characters fairly generic and cliche on the first run-through. Give them a few situations and some pattern dialogue, see how they handle it. Then I go back, strike my Rodin pose, curse that my coffee went cold again, and look for ways to twist, flip, distort that cliche and give them a uniqueness.

Example, just yesterday I was going over one of my characters who likes to laugh. I added in the element today that when she does, she holds a hand over her mouth in a shy-like gesture.

]]> By: Clive http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-4457 Clive Sat, 28 Apr 2007 08:49:14 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-4457 Hey, you know you'll find no arguments from me when it comes to the character/plot question -- there is no separation. I think where many people get confused about this, is they use the word plot to mean story. I know for me, most of the time my screenplays start with a story idea... a "what if" scenario. This gives me an idea of the what the story is... but it doesn't give me a plot, because the plot is formed from dynamics set up between my characters. The way the story unfolds is completely dependent on the way my characters react to any given situation -- at the end of the day, all I'm looking for in initial character development is a way of understanding how those people will react when presented with the circumstances of the story. This interaction IS the plot. Sorry to bang on about this, but that's the reason I don't develop characters in isolation, but as an ensemble. It's only when you put conflicting character types together in the same story that life starts to breath into a script. Hey, you know you’ll find no arguments from me when it comes to the character/plot question — there is no separation.

I think where many people get confused about this, is they use the word plot to mean story.

I know for me, most of the time my screenplays start with a story idea… a “what if” scenario. This gives me an idea of the what the story is… but it doesn’t give me a plot, because the plot is formed from dynamics set up between my characters.

The way the story unfolds is completely dependent on the way my characters react to any given situation — at the end of the day, all I’m looking for in initial character development is a way of understanding how those people will react when presented with the circumstances of the story.

This interaction IS the plot.

Sorry to bang on about this, but that’s the reason I don’t develop characters in isolation, but as an ensemble. It’s only when you put conflicting character types together in the same story that life starts to breath into a script.

]]> By: suburban screenwriter http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-4441 suburban screenwriter Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:54:19 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-4441 Good post Unk...as to be expected. Perfect timing with all this too because I'm soaking it all in as I am re-envisioning my characters again (some of the old some of the new) so thanx for the boost of needed energy to help with that. Good post Unk…as to be expected. Perfect timing with all this too because I’m soaking it all in as I am re-envisioning my characters again (some of the old some of the new) so thanx for the boost of needed energy to help with that.

]]> By: Christian Howell http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-4438 Christian Howell Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:32:44 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-4438 And to think you don't even charge for this. But then it is not something that is easy to understand if you don't have the aptitude. I may start a blog to share my insights. I'm not produced as a screenwriter but have written popular short stories in college. I'm at the stage now where "formula movies" aren't fun anymore so I try to do more emotional, poignant "people" stories. Though I do like to blow things up sometimes and CGI makes it possible to envision ANYTHING. Keep writing as writing is the revealing of the soul. And to think you don’t even charge for this. But then it is not something that is easy to understand if you don’t have the aptitude.

I may start a blog to share my insights. I’m not produced as a screenwriter but have written popular short stories in college.

I’m at the stage now where “formula movies” aren’t fun anymore so I try to do more emotional, poignant “people” stories.

Though I do like to blow things up sometimes and CGI makes it possible to envision ANYTHING.

Keep writing as writing is the revealing of the soul.

]]> By: Daniel Medley http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc-part-10/screenwriting/characters/2007/04/26/comment-page-1/#comment-4430 Daniel Medley Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:51:09 +0000 http://www.unknownscreenwriter.com/the-transformational-character-arc%e2%80%a6-part-10/screenwriting-characters/2007/04/26/#comment-4430 First off, I’m new to this soirée. Very interesting and informative. For me, I’ve found taking a premise, adding a character imbued with a vague reference to a type, and then asking a profound “what would happen” or “what if” seems to be a starting point for unique, complex characters. Inevitably, the singular “type” begins to take on complexity and unique personality. From this come each character’s wants and needs. The difficult part is coinciding supporting characters “what ifs” with that of the protagonist so that everything fits together nicely, retaining story focus. At the risk of rehashing much of what you’ve already said on this topic, I find great stories not only affect profound change upon the protagonist but that the protagonist’s actions affect profound change upon ancillary characters and the world within which the story takes place. Granted, my point of view is an admittedly inexperienced one. First off, I’m new to this soirée. Very interesting and informative.

For me, I’ve found taking a premise, adding a character imbued with a vague reference to a type, and then asking a profound “what would happen” or “what if” seems to be a starting point for unique, complex characters. Inevitably, the singular “type” begins to take on complexity and unique personality. From this come each character’s wants and needs. The difficult part is coinciding supporting characters “what ifs” with that of the protagonist so that everything fits together nicely, retaining story focus.

At the risk of rehashing much of what you’ve already said on this topic, I find great stories not only affect profound change upon the protagonist but that the protagonist’s actions affect profound change upon ancillary characters and the world within which the story takes place.

Granted, my point of view is an admittedly inexperienced one.

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