Having barroom brawls, killing vampires, romancing a mysterious femme fatale and even bumping someone off at her behest. Those are some of the many things we do as screenwriters. Last week, I worked on a script and drew from the well of my experience as a LA rocker during the 80's. I find creating paths and walking them with my characters exhilarating. What about you?
Are you having fun playing God in the stories you create?
All the time. That's one of the reasons people write/watch movies. Real life is pretty "boring", which is fine. Extraordinary things almost never happen. That's why is exhilarating..:) And your characters tend to always be brave and know how to really handle any situation and be the hero. A group of punks just stole your watch? Your hero can beat the hell out of them.
If movies were real life(same goes for video games) you probably won't be the guy who saves the day and kicks aliens back to planet Zoorka, you are one of the hundreds of thousands who flee to safety. You won't ever save the bank from a heist. You're one of those who hit the floor and pray they can make it back home alive. That's why we are thrilled to "be" heroes, even for a few hours, in larger than life situations.
All heroes are larger than life. Including villains. Including the "femme fatale" you mentioned, who in real life, if it exists at all, is busy being with an Emirati prince or whatever...
Did you know that in real life, spies/intelligence officers actually have to look like average people, like they can be overweight, wear glasses, and look like anyone on the street? They aren't the good looking James Bond type or the Nikita(yeah, that old TV series)- like woman who makes you unable to move when seeing her. They have to avoid sticking out, they have to blend in.
And they could probably never, ever(and never do) decimate 3-4 SWAT units and single-handedly infiltrate a military compound to steal enemy chips and then destroy half of(insert rogue country's name here) army as they escape.
Most of them just go to an office and do paperwork all day long. So do the cops, or even FBI agents or even detectives. They don't engage in vicious gunfights while taking down rogue drug lords all day long or blow up buildings and jump from helicopter to helicopter.
They might do some raids, and bust a few kids with drugs or some crazy killer guy, but not like in movie ways.
And if THESE GUYS don't get even a quarter of the action they do in movies, you can imagine how much more mundane the lives of other people really are...
Phil, I do some of the same things when it comes to personal past experiences. I use them for various reasons. Strangely comfort is one of them. I try to call upon how I felt about situations for dialogue, emotions. Great ? thank you sir.
No but most of my characters are definitely people from my past. I've been super fortunate to meet a ton of interesting people and really get to know them. I truly believe in meeting as many people as possible and I definitely pry into their lives haha
1 person likes this
We writers are lonely people. Of course we live through our characters. Or is it just me?
heh heh heh, well that was the idea when I started writing my novel (cheesie pirate romance) but my true subconscious took over and things became WAY more intense than I'd bargained for. Oh, and I also save the planet in OCCUPY THIS. Good feelings, good feelings.....
2 people like this
Nope. No "playing" anything. No loneliness. Life is great! Lol! ;) It's rather characters and stories that I explore. Of course, it's wonderful when you can utilize things from your own life experience or those you know. But mostly I view writing as intrigue, what interests me, discovery, approach, creative voice and good 'ol problem-solving skills—hmmm, now how best to tell or construct this story for my audience? ;)
Hey Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique Robert Parera Glen Bradley Robert Rosenbaum Sarah Gabrielle Baron Absolutely, great question Uncle "freaking" Phil. Yes, my second script I wrote was called "Last Call," and came from my years of working in the bar business and I drew from a well of experience. I worked every job in that business. Then I traveled to Ireland to get a true feel on the bar experience. Much Love guys
Hm. Ok, this conversation really has me thinking now...It appears most people think objectively about their characters. I don't, or if I do it's me forcing myself to in order to tease out plot problems. Coloured pencils and fancy post-it notes help. Mostly though, I'm in my imagination, and I AM the character. The number of times I've been doing dishes and my daughter catches me frowning and mouthing silent words. Seriously. Is this not normal: bawling when 'your' best friend dies, screaming (in your head) for 'your' enemy to stop, heart pounding during a chase on horse back? Doesn't this happen to you when you're composing? Don't you become your character?
Sarah: Whatever works, right?! Lol! ;) Me, not so much. I'll go down the rabbit hole, sure, which can be affecting, absolutely. I'll empathize, of course. I also do a ton of research. Plus I have a vivid imagination. But I try to be as objective as possible. The script is not "me," it is a product. You also gotta think of it outside of yourself, separate it from "you"—'cause that's how it is regarded by others, your audience. I'm not one to consider my screenplays as my "babies." I am a parent, there's a massive difference. Haha! ;) Anyhoo, my two cents, considering work in that way can be a detriment. It may interfere with objectivity. But, of course, to each their own. Whatever works for you to create is what's best! ;)
1 person likes this
Nope. I'm a very fortunate fellow in that at my age I've done 'most everything that was legally allowed (and a few I never got caught at). During the '60s my Daddy was rich, my Mommy was good looking and I was an only (wild) child - how bad could it have been? Now I'm old and all crippled up - but it was fun. I have lots of memories and experiences to draw from when creating new characters (and I've known some interesting folk).
I think that a lot of younger writers lack life's experience so they often create cardboard characters based more on their wishes than reality. Believe me, reality can be far more interesting because it includes real emotions. A vicarious lifestyle is dull and from it, you will create dull characters.