Wednesday 9.13.17 is Character Day
A guest post from screenwriter Tom Benedek.
A guest post from screenwriter Tom Benedek.
It’s a real thing: Worldwide events, conversations about building better character in everyone. Letitripple.org/character-day
As screenwriters, every day is character day. And probably every night if you are really into what you’re writing.
I’m starting a Facebook page (Character Day and Night) to discuss character development for screenwriters using the mission and resources of Character Day as a jumping off point.
Here’s a Character Day resource I love:
Lurking behind this is the Periodic Table of Character Weaknesses-Personal Demons(which I am looking forward to creating. If you would like to help me build that one, please go here:
The characters you create do not embody all those qualities on the Periodic Table of Character Strengths.Screen characters(reflecting real life) start with(and maybe never let go) of personal weaknesses, emotional blind spots, flaws as a story unfolds.
They probably struggle to tap into a couple of those strengths — and battle against personal demons — embodied on the Periodic Table of Character Weaknesses.
And now a word from Character Day 2017:
Let’s start today with that hero of heroes, Maximus. He won all those wars and the emperor asked him to succeed him, become the next supreme leader. Maximus was a man of courage, for sure. How much wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, transcendence did he possess? Lots. He was fixed on a vision of his wife and child in the afterlife. Was he perfect? Hmmm.
Maximus was blind-sided by that ineffectual and tender soul, Commodus. Should he have seen it coming? With an extra measure of wisdom (perspective) and humanity(social intelligence) Maximus might have been more wary of Commodus.
And Commodus himself? You could say he demonstrated courage(bravery) murdering his dad. And wisdom(creativity) by promoting the gladiator games as a national sport in Rome which was a big hit.
But even if Commodus demonstrated certain virtues, the situational context was negative. Sure, he was brave about murdering his dad, but his motive was purely selfish.
Eventually joining the cause of a Free Rome, Maximus embraced social responsibility and out fought Commodus as he battled wholeheartedly for the people in the climax.
Connecting lines(arcs, zig zags, etc.) between character strengths and weaknesses is a stimulating way to brainstorm how the character arcs and tensions in a script unfold.
On the Character Day and Night Facebook Page, we’ll continue the discussion and, of course, consider some movies which may inspire/motivate positive character.
Suggestions are welcome. Let me know your favorites, please!
In future weeks, we’ll take a look at Irving Rosenfeld (American Hustle), Olive (Little Miss Sunshine), Bill Munny (Unforgiven), Andy Sachs (The Devil Wears Prada), Michael (Michael Clayton), Ingrid (Ingrid Goes West), Pat (Silver Linings Playbook), Amelie (Amelie), Mark Zuckerberg (The Social Network) — what are their character strengths, weaknesses, flaws, demons?