Wednesday, April 1, 2009

To prepare for Friday

Complete the acting chart.
Read this excerpt from Robert McKee
Robert McKee’s CHARACTER DEPTH.* Contradictions in the Character*
Depth through Cast Design
CONTRADICTIONS IN THE CHARACTER

You create depth is by constructing contradictions in the character. For example, a character talks one way but BEHAVES another way. Or a character ACTS one way but at his/her core, that person’s True Character is in fact, something very different. On these points, McKee wrote: “Dimension means contradiction: either within deep character (guilt-ridden ambition) or between characterization and deep character (a charming thief). These contradictions must be consistent. It doesn’t add dimension to portray a guy as nice throughout a film, then in one scene have him kick a cat.”
The problem is that McKee only gives ONE EXAMPLE:“Consider Hamlet, the most complex character ever written. Hamlet isn’t three-dimensional, but ten, twelve, virtually uncountably dimensional. He seems spiritual until he’s blasphemous. To Ophelia he’s first loving and tender, then callous, even sadistic. He’s courageous, then cowardly. At times he’s cool and cautious, then impulsive and rash, as he stabs someone hiding behind a curtain without knowing who’s there. Hamlet is ruthless and compassionate, proud and self-pitying, witty and sad, weary and dynamic, lucid and confused, sane and mad. His is an innocent wordliness, a worldy innocence, a living contradiction of almost any human qualities we could imagine.”
DEPTH THROUGH CAST DESIGN
Here’s another angle in which we can focus on the multi-dimensions of a character. You have a protagonist who is basically the sun around which all of the other supporting characters rotate. But you have to carefully construct your cast design. You have to make sure that your supporting characters serve a storytelling function by having each one bring out very specific, very distinctly different dimensions out of your protag.
By doing this, we get to see ALL the different sides of your leading character, right?
So that, for example, your protag behaves:* optimistic and amusing toward Character A but morose and cynical toward Character B.* compassionate and fearless toward Character C but fearful and cruel toward Character D.
THIS IS WHAT I WANTWrite ONE, SHORT PARAGRAPH describing a character in To See the Stars with depth, fewer than 300 words (yes, that’s short to me). I want you to articulate in your paragraph the CONTRADICTIONS in that character and/or how that character is fully fleshed-out by the way he/she behaves DIFFERENTLY toward all the other characters. This can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. You can talk about one simple contradiction in a character or dive into all the multi-contradictions of a character like Hamlet.
Now, here’s an example of what I’m looking for.

This is something McKee wrote in a review of an adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac:“Cyrano is an interesting character for sure full of contradictions - on the one hand fearless of nothing and on the other terrified of rejection. He will openly mock his own nose, declare that he is proud of his great appendage, and yet, his hopeless insecurity about said nose keeps him from declaring his love to Roxanne. He is self-involved and yet selfless as he sacrifices his own happiness in order to give his love that which her heart desires most. In the play, he talks to Le Bret about refusing to be morally tainted or compromised (sadly missing here) and then Cyrano allows himself to become entangled in a great big deceptive lie to his most beloved object of desire. All the while, apart from the occasional duel, he fights for the pride of the Gascons, he fights for France, he fights a hundred men for Ligniere, he fights for everyone within reach but himself.”

1 comment:

  1. I'm so excited about this!!

    Anya Rosen. Her background has a lot to do with why she is how she is today. When she was twelve her father died from a heart attack. She was not paricularly close to her father but still loved him as most children love their parents. He was no longer there to be the protector of the house, the bread winner...nearly all her sense of security was lost. She traveled to America with her two younger sisters and mother. The most terrifying trip of her life. When she arrived in America, she tried to assume the position of the bread winner and protector. She feels responsible for her family of women.

    Now! because of all this that has happened to her...she is very strong. She can deal with harsh conditions and harsh people. However, she's terrified of losing the ones she loves. Which is why she is so slow to let people in. She doesnt want to get hurt again. She doesnt trust people. All trust was shattered when she suddenly lost all that she thought to be stable.

    She is a leader. She is ruthless and determined. She speaks her mind and isn't afraid of the outcome. But, she is human. And when everything piles up on her and bad after bad after bad keeps happening, she sometimes loses hope.

    Bridget brings out the leader in her. Bridget makes her stronger. Bridget is a leader herself and not afraid to speak her mind, therefore enabling Anya to step up and take the lead along with her. She encourages her... even if its not verbal.

    Clara makes her stronger as well. Brings out the protectiveness in her. She views Clara like she views her younger sisters. She loves her as much as she loves her own flesh and blood. She feels obligated to protect and take care of her. Is constantly concerned for her well being... because she LOVES her so much.

    Margeret brings out the bad in her. It hurts her inside when people are so weak willed. She can't understand those who won't stand up for what they believe in... no matter the cost. She has to constantly keep checking her attitude when she is around Margaret. She's just always so negative! Won't even try to understand anyone elses view..won't even try to step out of her comfort zone for those she loves. Tries to treat her with love and respect...but is a constant battle to stay positive around her.

    Roth brings out the very worst in her. She has NO respect for him. He is deceptive and rude and condescending. Sarcasm and her short temper are triggered when he's around. She also feels such hatred towards him because he causes such fear in Clara. She never wants ANYONE messing with Clara.

    Joe. From the very beginning she sensed something different about him, but that scared/stubborn side of her comes out and refuses to let him in. Keeps her guard up. However, as time goes on, he continues to prove himself trustworthy and she slowly starts to let her guard down..so much that she falls for him. Feels that void in her life..the hole that her father left being filled again.

    ReplyDelete