Romantic Screenplays 101 by Sally J. Walker Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sally J. Walker
to be the player in control of the scene, each demonstrating how he or she is coping at the moment.
And here is an applicable quote about women: “The most unpredictable animal on earth is the human female.”
The summary of this for the romantic heroine is she needs to be Beta-Alpha, motivated toward pride and empowerment.
OTHER CAST MEMBERS
Look to your lead character profiles to identify who you absolutely need in your story. Pay attention to two factors: 1) What is this non-lead character’s role in life and impact on the romantic relationship? 2) Amount of space/word/page count equals importance to the story as a whole.
ANTAGONISTS who are the major obstacle to the relationship’s success are present throughout the story. They must be as strong as the leads or stronger if they are to threaten, recover, subvert, attack again and again! Their power to threaten must be visual. Don’t forget the Minor Antagonists, those irritants that annoy everyone, the audience included. Just don’t belabor or repeat to the point of “boo’s.”
SUPPORTING Characters are the Second Bananas and are most commonly used as contrasts to the leads either in appearance or abilities. They can also provide the psychological balance the leads need and can be the point makers. Use only those that will specifically enhance or complicate the relationship in a succinct manner. Remember a screenplay is more like a short story than a novel. Limited pages, limited cast. Focus on the leads.
WALK-ONS can be your gems for both the actors and the audience. Each character who has dialogue deserves a name and identity that any actor would be proud to do. Do not make these valuable personas merely numbers, as in Policeman #1 or Lady in Line. Think about movies that etched themselves into your memory and you will recall vivid characterizations of bit players. They provide the subtle background of reality in brilliant paint strokes.
CHILDREN should be used in action and speech appropriate to their stage of Growth & Development. Don’t use your own childhood as a guide because your memories are skewed. Rely on medical and social science for guidance. Carefully maintain appropriate maturity level of the child. Look at this Growth & Development Table as a basic reference.
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES
*Note: These are generalities from psychology studies, medicine and juvenile publishing industry. Every human is unique.
Infancy to 1 year/Period of TRUST:
Emotional: Meet needs. Minimal frustration.
Social: Self-centered. Identify/bond with parents/care-givers.
Physical: Rapid growth.
Spiritual: Parental centered.
Play: Motor, sensory.
Books: Sounds & simple, uncluttered, colorful pictures.
Toddler ages 1-3/Period of AUTONOMY:
Emotional: Limited attention span. Testing of limits.
Social: Extended awareness. Family circle.
Physical: Slower. Dexterity. Heightened sensory association.
Spiritual: Can recognize death, separation, guilt.
Play: Can identify parallel/comparison. Motor. Spontaneous.
Books: Simple, syllabic words. Sentences with pictures.
Pre-School ages 3-5/Period of INITIATIVE:
Emotional: Curiosity at work. “Why?” and testing results.
Social: Cooperative. Interactive. Relating wanting and acceptance.
Physical: Steady growth. Initiate physical-mental coordination
Spiritual: Develops conscience and self-esteem.
Play: Cooperative. Action. Expressive.
Books: More complex stories. Identifies morals & characters.
School- Age ages 6-10/Period of INDUSTRY :
Emotional: Performance. Accomplishment. Competitive.
Social: Identifies own sexuality, peer groups, emotions of others.
Physical: Steady, Accident-prone.
Spiritual: Personification of external applied internally.
Play: Dramatization, collections, formal games & competitions.
Books: Peer-oriented. Broaden environment. Positive/Good triumphant.
Pubescent/Pre-Teen ages 10-12/Period of IDENTITY:
Emotional: Capable of independent
And here is an applicable quote about women: “The most unpredictable animal on earth is the human female.”
The summary of this for the romantic heroine is she needs to be Beta-Alpha, motivated toward pride and empowerment.
OTHER CAST MEMBERS
Look to your lead character profiles to identify who you absolutely need in your story. Pay attention to two factors: 1) What is this non-lead character’s role in life and impact on the romantic relationship? 2) Amount of space/word/page count equals importance to the story as a whole.
ANTAGONISTS who are the major obstacle to the relationship’s success are present throughout the story. They must be as strong as the leads or stronger if they are to threaten, recover, subvert, attack again and again! Their power to threaten must be visual. Don’t forget the Minor Antagonists, those irritants that annoy everyone, the audience included. Just don’t belabor or repeat to the point of “boo’s.”
SUPPORTING Characters are the Second Bananas and are most commonly used as contrasts to the leads either in appearance or abilities. They can also provide the psychological balance the leads need and can be the point makers. Use only those that will specifically enhance or complicate the relationship in a succinct manner. Remember a screenplay is more like a short story than a novel. Limited pages, limited cast. Focus on the leads.
WALK-ONS can be your gems for both the actors and the audience. Each character who has dialogue deserves a name and identity that any actor would be proud to do. Do not make these valuable personas merely numbers, as in Policeman #1 or Lady in Line. Think about movies that etched themselves into your memory and you will recall vivid characterizations of bit players. They provide the subtle background of reality in brilliant paint strokes.
CHILDREN should be used in action and speech appropriate to their stage of Growth & Development. Don’t use your own childhood as a guide because your memories are skewed. Rely on medical and social science for guidance. Carefully maintain appropriate maturity level of the child. Look at this Growth & Development Table as a basic reference.
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES
*Note: These are generalities from psychology studies, medicine and juvenile publishing industry. Every human is unique.
Infancy to 1 year/Period of TRUST:
Emotional: Meet needs. Minimal frustration.
Social: Self-centered. Identify/bond with parents/care-givers.
Physical: Rapid growth.
Spiritual: Parental centered.
Play: Motor, sensory.
Books: Sounds & simple, uncluttered, colorful pictures.
Toddler ages 1-3/Period of AUTONOMY:
Emotional: Limited attention span. Testing of limits.
Social: Extended awareness. Family circle.
Physical: Slower. Dexterity. Heightened sensory association.
Spiritual: Can recognize death, separation, guilt.
Play: Can identify parallel/comparison. Motor. Spontaneous.
Books: Simple, syllabic words. Sentences with pictures.
Pre-School ages 3-5/Period of INITIATIVE:
Emotional: Curiosity at work. “Why?” and testing results.
Social: Cooperative. Interactive. Relating wanting and acceptance.
Physical: Steady growth. Initiate physical-mental coordination
Spiritual: Develops conscience and self-esteem.
Play: Cooperative. Action. Expressive.
Books: More complex stories. Identifies morals & characters.
School- Age ages 6-10/Period of INDUSTRY :
Emotional: Performance. Accomplishment. Competitive.
Social: Identifies own sexuality, peer groups, emotions of others.
Physical: Steady, Accident-prone.
Spiritual: Personification of external applied internally.
Play: Dramatization, collections, formal games & competitions.
Books: Peer-oriented. Broaden environment. Positive/Good triumphant.
Pubescent/Pre-Teen ages 10-12/Period of IDENTITY:
Emotional: Capable of independent
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