Review exercise: True & False Story
-A true story may not necessarily be 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
Characterisation: 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, there’s no story
Without story, there’s no screenplay.
Developing Characters
-When developing a character, ask yourself:
+ Who’s the character? (Traits)
+ 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 (Gender, age, height, weight, colour of hair, eyes skin, posture, appearance, defects, abnormalities, deformities, birth marks, diseases, heredity)
b)Sociology (Social class- lower, middle, upper, Occupation- type of work, hours of work, income, condition of work, attitude towards organisation, suitability of work, Education- amount, kind of schools, marks, favourite subjects, poorest subjects, aptitudes, Home Life- parents living, earning power, orphan, parents seperated/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 (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, judgement, taste, poise, IQ, EQ, What is the deep and personal secret the character has which he is desperate to protect hide?)
