Give the character a name and approximate age.
You're not locked in to using the character descriptions that we discussed.
Let's just make sure we come up with a very strong character.
Here are the character notes from tonight's class. If there's anything missing from the list, add it.
He was thrown out of the house.
He's trying to save the marriage.
He was a co-pilot (First Officer) - always riding shotgun. He was one day away from making Captain.
He got a letter that he thought was to congratulate him on his promotion to Captain.
Instead, it was a letter notifying him that he was being laid off.
He's ex-military.
A family man
Conservative
Ex-athlete
A Charlie Sheen-type party guy
OCD
Hypochondriac
He may have had a past affair with the co-star of the show.
They may be Craig's List Roommates.
He may have sublet from someone he knows. (And she doesn't know that he's her new roommate.)
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If the guy is an ex-athlete what if he was on crew?
ReplyDeleteNow take that to the next step and think about how that affects his attitude.
ReplyDeleteAnd what is his attitude toward her?
How are they different?
Where's the conflict?
With every problem that comes up, we should know what each character's attitude would be. Then, the conflict becomes clear.
I think his strongest emotion toward her in the beginning is annoyance, and probably also her toward him. They are so suddenly thrown together and so different they have to overcome those annoyances and realize they like each other despite them. Right now I'm seeing him as the more of the straight laced and she more of the "free spirit"- they are sort of reminding me of Will and Grace's dynamic at the moment.
ReplyDeletechristina said...
ReplyDeleteI saw her more like that and him more of a stick in the mud, straight laced. But he could be more of a party guy. But if he works because he has to and not because he wants to he would not be trying to become a pilot- he would probably be the flight attendant. And we are talking about this in the wrong space... so I'm going to put this down to his area too.
I am having a more difficult time coming up with him, other than I see his character as being a "william h. macy" type of guy. passive, older, and semi-cool.
ReplyDeleteThe characters learn from one another. I think modern, realistic, witty and indie.
danielle weintraub
I had this neighbor when I was growing up, it was the Dad of my childhood best friend and he kind of reminds me of the party side of our "guy" character. He used to do yard work every weekend in a Speedo (seriously), at least until the snow fell. Be he'd be out there in like, 10 degree weather, looking ridiculous, doing some chore while looking around to see who was watching. He was in the Air Force, so all he would do in his off time was exercise and wear that stupid Speedo. I think flew commercially for a while before becoming a private pilot and did well for himself. He also drove this really tricked out Motorcycle around the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteMy mom told me once that he had a problem with cocaine and cheating, which is why his wife eventually left him. His son grew up almost identically to him and also wants to be a pilot.
Something that might be interesting, kind of going on Will's idea of him collecting something in each place, would be if he never had a kid, but wanted one. His trophy wife though didn't want to ruin her body getting pregnant. So maybe he cheated on her and got another woman pregnant but she wanted nothing to do with him. He ends up without his wife, with a kid he wants but can't have and then loses his job. So maybe before he got fired every city he went to he would collect some toy for his kid, like a Happy Meal toy or something with the city on it, in hopes that someday he'll be able to give them to him.
I really like Laurens idea about the kid in another country. It would add another layer of shit on this guys life and it could be pretty funny to bring the kid in at some point if possible.
ReplyDeleteDavid also mentioned as a character trait that the female character has given up a kid for adoption in the past. This could also be a way for her to be the mother that she never wanted to be.
He could be a one episode deal too where he is mistakenly deported at some point during the show, probably while being watched by the girl. That would be some pretty excellent ammunition.
I really liked Laurens idea as well, I think that him getting another woman pregnant but her not wanting anything do to with him is a great bit of drama story telling we can fit in even if its just a small moment. But I like the idea of him buying toys from everywhere he goes to but in actuality I think he knows he's never going to see his kid and maybe he just does it for himself, to calm himself down and to lie to himself really, like theres a chance he can be a dad but he knows it'll never happen. I also love the speedo imagery , that could be very funny .
ReplyDeleteI like the idea Danielle posted below. I think we should go bold with the characters, we can always dial them back if need be.
ReplyDeleteDavid
"The characters learn from one another. I think modern, realistic, witty and indie."
danielle weintraub
I like the boldness of the AF character Lauren described.
Profile I put together. it was posted under the Girls section.
ReplyDeleteJake Donovan--------------------
See him as a cross between Sam from Cheers and Jay from Modern Family
Physical abilities/disabilities – Great golfer
Ethnic background/religion/spiritual beliefs – Irish, Catholic, New York
Class – Middle
Location – native/new to the Bay Area
PERSONALITY TRAITS
Introvert/Extrovert – Introvert
Thinking or Feeling (Important) –Thinking person
Contradictions – Tough, together on outside, emotional mess on inside.
HABITS
Personal appearance – very together, groomed
Foods – Steak, Potatoes & Scotch
Education & street smarts – Military, Airforce
Fears (VERY IMPORTANT) –not being in control
Most dislikes activities – long talks, especially over the phone
Most liked activities – golf, house cleaning
Deepest secret – Crashed his Airforce jet.
PROFESSION
Occupation – Pilot
Accomplishments – Top of his class in pilot school, Captain of highschool football team. Voted in Highschool most likely to succeed
Causes supports/activism- none
DETAILING
Conservative/radical – Coservative
Which historical figure would they most admire – Ronald Reagan
What will be on the their tombstone – Beloved Husband & Father