Characters: First Impressions

I haven't read Blake Snyder's Save the Cat, a book providing amateur and seasoned screenwriters with a framework or "beat sheet" for feature films. I hear and read writers, producers and critics refer to the structure more and more as I delve into theory and the current Hollywood scene as I attempt knead out clunks, cut the fact and fashion act breaks in my scripts. Although I write sketches and shorts, word is, this structure is solid for all models of storytelling. The word is actually like gospel - so affirmative, so believing in this script-selling formula - and I find it a helpful, sensible guide as I re-draft. I have stumbled across one review of the book which disputes Snyder's taste in movies and calls out Snyder's lifting of other scriptlords' ideas for his own beat sheet. The criticism is well-justified and even amusing - check it out here. Snyder, screenwriter of Blank Check and Stop Or My Mum Will Shoot died in recent years and only in middle-age. However, from accounts of his generosity and mentoring qualities, I gather it's the un-sugar-coated truth is that this man was passionate about screenwriting.

"Save the cat" is an original beat Snyder's contributed to the cult world of how-to screenwriting. This beat is supposed to be a moment - the moment when a character does something that makes the audience see them as relatable, sympathetic or the story's hero, such as saving a cat. I've been struggling a with making a protagonist in one of my stories likeable - largely because he was ill-defined and replica-ish to suit a premise. I found a save the cat moment in the form of a weak spot which I think humanises him.

Anyway, I've been intrigued by such techniques and their effectiveness, replaying in my head a mixed review I heard about 50/50. A writer/critic didn't see a journey Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character had to overcome, besides the extrinsic cancer battle. The reviewer also despised the introduction of JGL's Adam for the reason that it seemed inconsistent of character. Paraquoting: "He was set up as rule-follower which is fine and JGL's performance is very charming, but this wasn't a defining characteristic of Adam at all and there was no rule-breaking later to tie it back or show evolution."

I think this is a very fair point. Adam wasn't strictly, decidedly by the book. Whilst his "save the cat" moment could have been more eloquently designed (eg. bookended, integral in the story), Adam isn't an eccentric or even so much a character - he's a reflection of the mild-mannered average-guy writer who went through a similar battle. Whilst not hugely or precisely indicative of a unique or out-of-this-world personality, I think it's still a valid first meeting of Adam. He doesn't take big risks; he obliges convention and social decorum, and don't we all? To argue it's relevancy to the film's theme and character arc, Adam comes to an unexpected halt; he needs to live his life more fully and improve his relationships. We meet a man that isn't head-on with conflict - yet - and who holds back by force of habit and inherent beliefs. Adam's "save the cat" moment is slowing his jog to a stop at traffic lights at a road without traffic.

Late for a deadline

I'm late, I'm late, I know. Of course I had the time around other committments and happenings, but I was quite decided against posting a blog the last few days. I didn't think I had accomplished much written work. Although I think about stories and characters constantly -  I tell you, constantly - I was stuck in my tracks, stuck in my head, stuck in a funk.

Development

I met with a good fellow and discussed Project Hostage. Bringing a partner to a project previously solo, wholly thought up by you thus far, isn't an easy transition for either party. Despite my whimsical intentions, I'm sure I was clinging to ideas in our meeting and wasn't clear painting the full (yet incomplete) picture for the show. It was still a very valuable brainstorm and I hope he isn't scared or indifferent at the proposition of similar meetings in the future. Good fellow linked me Community creator Dan Harmon's model for TV/web/story structure. I've experimented with that of my pilot accordingly, and to meet this model's criteria some characters have changed. As in, the decisions made by characters have shifted to others and I now find a better defined protagonist - now quite likeable!

To mention also, in preparation for this brainstorm - I took on an exercise TV Wet Nurse Matt Hill recommended. I got out my address book and plucked the identities of the people I find most unique and fascinating. Breaking down their personalities (in a nice, friendly, non-stalker way) I saw the pattern of inherent contradictions about these people. Such deductive work proved inspirational as well as spookily relevant tying in with another exercise I was attempting from Rib Davis' book to do with adding contradictions to realise interesting characters.

Writing

So since last week and chiefly in the last eighteen hours I have produced a new draft of the pilot episode. Today also, I had an idea for a sketch - I have no understanding where it came from or at what point it occurred to me. Did I sit down and start typing? Surely not. The obscure idea was somehow implanted. Cobb.... Anyhow, I rather like it and showed a couple of people. They weren't too excited but the reception was generally positive. I shall endeavour to find a producer with an offbeat sense of humour, or in the least, a 'what the hell' attitude, so I can film this pretty.

Improv

This is a new and wonderfully fun thing I do on the weekend. This Sunday just past, I had a moment during a couple of scenes. Rather, I was in the moment. I didn't even realise I was in the moment during the moment. Wowwww. I wasn't like that the previous week or whenever I've performed in front of an audience, and one had indeed gathered for these two scenes. Some good laughs, surprised myself, gave a high-five.

Watched

Mark Duplass movies. Because his eyes are deep wells of beauty and truth and humour. The movies were pretty decent: the first being Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) with the first shared scene between Aubrey Plaza's Darius and Duplass' Kenneth being the highlight; the second one a mumblecore, The Puffy Chair (2005 - written, produced by Duplass, and co-directed with brother Jay).

Last few weeks I've been tuning into Josh Thomas' series Please Like Me. Whilst not great or rapid-fire comedy, I appreciate the honesty behind the writing. I do rather like the father's performance as well.

The last few episodes of Girls has certainly confirmed my love-hate relationship with the second season. I'm quite intrigued by Adam's storyline at present and also Hannah's OCD development - I'm now wary about my tendency to count my steps in a 1-2-3-4 pattern. But I'm leaning towards the rationale that this is to do with my daily running to music with a 4-4 key signature, as opposed to an undiagnosed mental obsession.

Sat through two hours of a DVD explaining the origins, accessibility and fulfilling capabilties of Scientology. Its followers seem to belong to diverse races, ages and classes of people. Beside stabilising their lives through Scientology courses, they all have in common confidence and good looks. Quality casting or the physical manifestation of bodies that have reconnected with the beauty and power that is their Theta? The line between writer research and my actual search for enlightenment has become blurry, and I recognise Scientology is a kind of worrying institution to be flirting with. Never fear readers, their country-club-esque, sauna-loving Church requires its members to invest money, and I am fresh out.

Read

Although highly engrossing, I did not finish Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in time for book club. I've been loaned Tim Costello's Tips from a Travelling Soul-Searcher in which Costello has proffered the challenge, competition and point of life is to collect the most and best stories and after skimming through his personal anecdotes, inspired musings and thought-provoking philosophies, I think it's fair to say Costello's won life. I'm recording many notes for scriptwork. I'm reading another excellent buzz-word book on spirital growth - informing one of my characters to fairly humorous results.