This is perhaps the dumbest question I have ever had because I should have asked this question at FADE IN.
I have all but completed a script, set in the South Pacific, and at no point is race mentioned. I approach that subject as the director's concern, how he or she sees the characters --
Concerning the current social environment, I would ask if my script is sunk before it hits the water.
The narrative involves two old-school men, with old-school ways, masculine of course. Cast alongside them are three strong women, but is that enough? Is there a market?
Strange days indeed.
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Commenting so I can follow along. I'll be interested to hear the answer to this question as well, since my book series has a diverse cast of characters and cultures without coming right out and identifying anyone by race. Instead, it is merely hinted at since race really isn't a factor to any of the characters: everyone accepts everyone else as they are appearance-wise. Instead they are divided according to realm and attire, not skin color or facial features. There's also a subset of characters from one realm who are almost deaf and use sign-language to communicate.
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Your script isn't sunk before it hits the water, Murphy Ernst. You don't have to mention race in your script.
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The marketability of your screenplay depends on a few factors, including the strength of the story, character development, and overall appeal to the audience. While having unique and well-developed characters is generally a positive thing, it's essential to consider the cultural and social context, especially in today's environment.
If your script doesn't explicitly address race but features characters from the South Pacific, ensure that the portrayal is respectful and avoids stereotypes.
Diversity and inclusion are increasingly important in the entertainment industry, so having a mix of characters can enhance the marketability of your script.
Consider seeking feedback from diverse perspectives to ensure your portrayal is sensitive and authentic.
Ultimately, a compelling story and well-rounded characters are crucial, and the market may respond positively if you handle diversity thoughtfully. There are people who will give culture feedback out there on scripts. Maybe you may need to seek them out.
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You are a writer. Write what you feel works for your story and don't fret about what people may or may not think. Doing research helps. Example, if you are writing a story about Swedish Farmers, it would be valuable to chat with one to see how they live, so as to keep it accurate. But by all means, just focus on a good story.
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I've read many times, if you chase trends you'll never catch one. Maybe just do your thing, then find an advocate in the industry.
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Thank you, Mario. It is a sensitive issue I understand, if perhaps the story is modern, and set in a modern environment, okay, but this story is set in a small-minded village, and there is no place in the story for a transvestite. Is that wrong?
I do have a character in a wheelchair, not to be inclusive, but because she belonged in the story from conception. As for race, the race question never comes up in the story, so why add it? All I can do is set sail and see if the winds become favorable.
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The only thing that assures your script is sunk before it hits the water is being consumed with fear.
If you were inspired to write something genuine in the first place, it means you wanted to see it, and thus there's a market for it.
The second you start writing for a market you perceive, or worse, a market others perceive, you fall into the danger of writing something inherently disingenuous. This is probably the main reason so many modern Hollywood movies just don't feel as rich and passionate as those from previous eras. The second you let the accountants run the creatives, you've lost half the battle.
Something some of us have to accept, and it can be a bitter pill to swallow, is that our love lies within a genre and tone that currently only serves a niche audience. I write pulpy Neo-noir thrillers and Grindhouse style action scripts. That isn't the current zeitgeist, but I'm not interested in penning superhero sagas or Hallmark Christmas films, so I'm not ordering a new Ferrari just yet.
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Have you ever played the game where you change the cast of a film. Image James Bond with Idris Elba rather that Daniel Craig. This is what the production will do. This script has a fat old man, image this story with a thin young man.
I also have the opinion, which isn’t popular, until you can name the director you are the director. You must do the most complete job you can. This is for all jobs.
Since you don’t have a camera in your hands, you don’t have to worry about lens for dolly moves. But there are people in your screenplay you need to describe them.
Physicality is an important of a person. I am a bigger person. I am about 6’2” (188 cm) and 110kg. I work out, daily lately. So people treat me differently than a smaller person. It also influences my behaviour as well. I will slow my walking if I am walking behind a woman as I realise be followed by a man my size may be worrying for some women.
Race, Age and Build influences how the character acts and how the world interacts with them.
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Is it good?
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IMO: Character race, abilities, gender preference, etc... are something to worry about only if they are important to the story. If not, they're your characters in your story. Don't fall into the traps of thinking a character's appearance or culture, etc... dictates how they behave. Your character's behavior comes from the inside; which is why character development (drive, goals, personality, etc...) is so important and matter more than what they look like from across the room.
Maybe, for the moment. tides are turning already. the late-2010s early 2020s is just a trend. In the late 60s, the coolest thing for a rock band to do was to sing about politics, in the 70s, that was not so cool.
This is what it is about, Claude. "The water is contaminated, causing normal people to behave abnormally. Now, only two of the most dysfunctional villagers are functional enough to uncover the responsible forces before the entire community descends into madness."
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It's about story and believable root-for characters.
I am new to any writing community, and this a question I had considered for some time, but I had nobody to ask. Thank you, everyone, for not being offended by the question, I wasn't sure, being fairly new in town, getting tarred and feathered within the first week, is not a great strategy. Much appreciated.