Screenwriting : Other sex protagonists by York Davis

It seems as though you need to understand the other gender's perspective and family and friends definitely assist with that, as would a women's studies class at the local community college if you're interested in the female perspective. Mostly, though, don't you think the voice/need/want/goal/arc of any antagonist or protagonist is going to be well researched? I'd do my best to avoid the cliche ... and then let the characters do the talking within my framework. Best,

Yes, thank you Gail, research is so, so important, especially when attempting the historical genre. But I'd rather draw on the much more personal and impactful family and close friend experiences and knowledge , than on a community college women's studies class for the female perspective..

Go ahead, York- I don't think there is a single "female perspective", anyway. In fact I think a lot of the oft-discussed problems with female characters arise from the belief that they need to be "typical" or "representative" (i.e. in a way that male characters don't). You're not writing Woman; you're writing a woman.

Well, I often wear ladies undergarments... but that has nothing to do with writing female characters.

My script Sins of a Daughter has strong women characters that take control of their lives, something unusual in 1910-12, especially as witches, surely you must know some strong women in your life that could be role models, so why would you have "special problems or extra research?" - you present a conflict and let the women deal with it, raise the stakes and watch them triumph.

I write lots of female protagonists also. I guess if one of them had an issue that was uniquely female -- gynecological in nature, or something -- I'd research it. Same as I'd research if my character were an astronaut or structural engineer. But just for character stuff? I just write from the heart. From the heart, then I have a cheat sheet of 50 gender-based traits that I use to translate male traits into female ones. Here's an excerpt: 1. Enjoys watching on TV... MALE: ESPN Sports Center FEMALE: TLC Reality shows 2. Most cherished possession... MALE: Sports car FEMALE: Dolce y Gabbana handbag 3. Typical injury... MALE: Knife wound FEMALE: Broken fingernail 4. Problem solving technique... MALE: Logic, or shooting someone FEMALE: Flapping arms and shrieking until help arrives ... and so on ...

Thanks Kerry "50 gender-based traits... wonder if I can find one for the 1880s... lol!

Thanks Rachel.

Thanks William, haven't tried wearing female undergarments... yet! But if that works for you... HEY!

When writing a female character, I think of a man, and then I take away reason and accountability....

Thanks, but no thanks Dave, to the chauvinist approach.....lol!

Thanks Rachel for good advice. Neither of my female protagonists are typical people.... both very strong Victorian characters.

The real world is the best resource. I get a lot from women I date plus female friends. For example, yesterday a girl told me of the phenomenon of what she described as "drive-by ear rape" - it's when a man walking towards you in the street waits til he's right by a woman's ear and then leans in and blurts some classic like "you look beautiful today" as he walks by. When they see this guy coming from down the block, they're thinking well in advance "please no, don't drive-by ear rape me". See, I'm aware of wolf-whistling but I didn't know this technique was so common - so therefore it might ring more true to a female audience member. So now I got a nice little piece of dialogue for a romcom scene.

Approach all characters the same way, male or female. Make them well-rounded, fully dimensional, complex and imperfect. Look to the real world and real people -- not stereotypes. I have to say the phrase "strong female" makes me cringe. "Strong" is so subjective. The phrase also implies a male perspective or definition to what "strong" is or means when applying it to women, especially in film. So... other female characters are what, weak? Does "strong female" really just mean female protagonist? (Knowing and understanding the lack of female protagonists in film.) Well, what does make a "strong female" character? And, for argument sake, what makes a "strong male" character? When I ponder this conundrum I always arrive at the same conclusion -- the answers to both questions are the same. Yes, of course, men/women have different points of view and life experiences, but, at the end of the day, we are all human, are we not? We share a human experience, a human condition. When writing any character capture their humanity regardless of gender. That is the key to creating great characters. :)

Thanks Beth, all good points, especially re.What makes a strong male or female protagonist. Of course all protagonists should at least end up strong. I wanted to get more the differences in approaching/writing the different character genders.

Beth, I note your protagonist for "Leaving Eden" is female. How would you approach it differently (maybe the same?) if they were male? Would there be differences in their reactions or arc, the way they reacted to setbacks etc? Maybe the male might have just left home?

Oh, Dave, love your reference to "As Good as it Gets" and Jack Nicholson's "Melvin." Hilarious! :) And -- just a side note or concern/thought really -- please don't refer to the drive-by-ear-thing as "rape." That's such a hideous, over exaggerated and insensitive use of the word even if the phrase came from a female friend of yours and her intent was meant to be humorous. It still is poor taste. And, if you use it in a script you may be met with a harsh response. Perhaps you could come up with something much much better. :) Dealing with constant unwanted sexual advances and harassment is something women put up with on a daily basis. Most men aren't really aware of this frustration or how uncomfortable it makes one feel. Could be good source material for a romcom. Best wishes to you, sir!

Hey York, thank you for taking the time to read my logline. Very much appreciated. :) I think I would have approached the characters the same way if the genders had been different. But, with this script the female characters were taken from real life and true life experience -- mine. Therefore, their gender was predetermined. However, the script does feature many male roles too. And, a couple of my male readers teared up a little when they read it. So, I'm proud to say I made a grown man cry! LOL

Good for you Beth. Thank God in this day and age grown men are allowed and able to show their emotion and tear-up. Your script must be good!

Thanks York. Very kind of you. :) All I hoped for was that my script would make someone FEEL something, you know? I'm really interested in story, moving people and having something to say. My script is really about denial and facing life's hard truths. Likewise, your scripts look fascinating. I love the Dorian Gray story. Sounds very interesting. Did you watch "Penny Dreadful?" It features Dorian Gray as a character. If you haven't seen it, do check it out. Best wishes to you!