1 lecture 3: it’s the same thing professor christopher bradley singin’ in the rain (1952)...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
1
Lecture 3:Lecture 3:It’s the Same ThingIt’s the Same Thing
Professor Christopher Bradley
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden
![Page 2: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Previous LessonPrevious Lesson
• Why good writing matters!
• Conflict and Goals
• Action and Dialogue
• Building to the Climax
• Writing Exercise #2 Back to the Future (1985) Written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale
2
![Page 3: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
In this LessonIn this Lesson
• Creating Character
– Aspects of Character
– Dimension = Contradiction in Character
– Character creates Story
– Story creates Character
Frankenstein (1931)Screenplay by
Edward Faragoh & Garret Fort
3
![Page 4: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
In this Lesson (Continued)In this Lesson (Continued)
• Story Structure
– The basics of how to put a screen story together
– Every scene brings the character closer or further away from their goal
Frankenstein (1931)Screenplay by
Edward Faragoh & Garret Fort
• Writing Exercise #3:
– Write a “journal entry” for both your protagonist and antagonist. Why do they want
what they want? 4
![Page 5: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
Creating CharacterCreating Character
Lesson 3: Part I
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Screenplay by Richard O’Brien and Jim Sharman
![Page 6: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
CharacterCharacter
• Characterization• Character is revealed by
goals• Character is revealed by
choices under pressure– What’s Up, Doc?– Citizen Kane– What Ever Happened to
Baby Jane?6
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)Screenplay by Lukas Heller
![Page 7: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Character RevelationCharacter Revelation• Characters should never be what they
seem, or not only what they seem.• A character changes significantly over
the course of a story.– Characterization– True nature– True nature at odds with seeming truth– Increasingly difficult choices– Character significantly changed
77
![Page 8: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Story Creates CharacterStory Creates Character
• When you have a story you want to tell, you need characters that would believably live that story by who they are and by the principles by which they live their lives.
8
![Page 9: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Character Creates Story - 1Character Creates Story - 1
• If you change an aspect of your character, the story can’t remain the same. A change in the character moves the story in a new direction.
• Characters do what they do because of who they are.
9
![Page 10: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Character Creates Story - 2Character Creates Story - 2
• Pause the lecture and watch the clip from Singin’ in the Rain. Notice as you’re watching that Lena LaMont’s actions come out of character.
10
![Page 11: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Character Creates Story - 3Character Creates Story - 3
• Lena’s actions forward the plot. If she were a different person (if she had compassion or if she were perhaps more intelligent) completely different things would have happened.
• Now pause the lecture and watch the clip from Tootsie. Michael Dorsey’s confrontational character finally finds a place where it pays off.
11
![Page 12: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Character Creates Story - 4Character Creates Story - 4
• If Michael Dorsey were intimidated by people in authority, if he were less arrogant, the scene would have turned out very differently.
• Now pause the lecture and watch the clip from Raging Bull, in which Jake surrenders his soul, his integrity, throwing a fight for a chance at a meaningless outward symbol of victory.
12
![Page 13: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Character Creates Story - 5Character Creates Story - 5
• Jake doesn’t understand his own values. He actually values his integrity more than the outward symbol of victory, but he doesn’t know it.
• Socrates wisely said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. If Jake had lived an examined life, the story could not have been written this way.
13
![Page 14: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
Function of CharacterFunction of Character
• There needs to be believable characterization.
• Characters should have the qualities that a person who does the things in the story would have.
Carrie (1977)Screenplay by Laurence D. Cohen
Based on the novel by Stephen King
![Page 15: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Goals and CharacterGoals and Character• For compelling storytelling, the goal of your
protagonist and the goal of your antagonist must be in direct conflict.
Carrie (1977)Screenplay by Laurence D. Cohen Based
on the novel by Stephen King 15
![Page 16: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
ConflictConflict
• You want to join the conflict already in progress. The seeds should have been germinating for a long time, even if they’re just now reaching the surface.
16
![Page 17: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Multidimensional CharactersMultidimensional Characters
• Multidimensional characters aren’t created by giving your characters a lot of various characteristics. They are created by giving your characters conflicting characteristics.– Hannibal Lechter is insane, yet highly
intelligent– Stanley Kowalski seems to be a heartless
sadist, but he weeps in the street when his wife leaves him
17
![Page 18: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Story StructureStory Structure
Lesson 3: Part II 18
Pulp Fiction (1994)Screenplay by Quinton Terantino & Roger Avary
![Page 19: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Function of StructureFunction of Structure
19Harold and Maude (1972)
Screenplay by Colin Higgins
• The function of structure is to layer ever-increasing pressure on the characters, asking more and more of them in terms of risk and difficulty of choice.
![Page 20: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Your ProtagonistYour Protagonist• A protagonist has a strong, clear GOAL.• The protagonist is actively pursuing that goal.• The protagonist may have a contradictory goal of
which he or she isn’t even aware.• The protagonist has the ability to convincingly
pursue his or her goal.• The protagonist may be good or bad, but the
audience must empathize.• The story builds to a climax where the protagonist
does or does not get their goal.20
![Page 21: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Your AntagonistYour Antagonist• Your Antagonist is not necessarily “the bad
guy.” He or she simply has a goal in direct conflict with your Protagonist.
• It might be a perfectly rational, ethical goal. Remember the principle of “Good Answer /Better Answer. No one is wrong. One character is just more right.
21
![Page 22: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Your Antagonist (continued)Your Antagonist (continued)• Make sure the goal of your Antagonist is just
as clearly stated as that of your Protagonist, and that they are also aggressively pursuing that goal.
• A weak antagonist will make for a weak story! Put your Protagonist up against a real opponent, so that it’s not clear how or even if the Protagonist can win.
22
![Page 23: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
AssignmentsAssignments
Raging Bull (1980)
Screenplay by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin
23Lesson 3: Part III
![Page 24: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
24
ReadingReading• Read Chapter 5 in Robert McKee’s
Story, “Structure and Character.” • Take the Reading Review to be sure
you’ve gotten the concepts!
24
![Page 25: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
25
E-Board PostE-Board Post
25
• Write a “journal entry” for both your Protagonist and Antagonist where they discuss their goals and how they plan to accomplish those goals (about a paragraph for each).
• Write in the first person.• Make sure your Protagonist and
Antagonist are both right.
![Page 26: 1 Lecture 3: It’s the Same Thing Professor Christopher Bradley Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Written by Adolph Green and Betty Comden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062321/56649ebd5503460f94bc7231/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
End of Lecture 3End of Lecture 3
Next Lecture: Compelling First Acts26
Alien (1979)Screenplay by Ted Tally