Harry Potter: The Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry is an orphan that lives with abusive guardians. Harry makes friends with Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Fellowship of the Ring supports each other on the Quest.
CODES OF BEHAVIOR
“Character is that which reveals moral purpose, showing what kinds of things a man chooses or avoids.” —Aristotle, Poetics “A character in a story makes choices, and when these choices involve the lives and interests of other characters, they are moral choices. For if some judgment has overriding social importance, prescribes a course of action, is universalizable, and pertains to the general welfare of a social group, we can be reasonably assured that the judgment is a moral one...” —Tom Beauchamp, Philosophical Ethics
“...the hero shows us what matters, what has value, what has meaning among the random and meaningless events of life.”
—Orson Scott Card, Characters and Viewpoint
“Many films deal with characters at a time when they must make moral choices, confronting their values and choosing those that they will live by.” —Linda Seger, Creating Unforgettable Characters
A character’s code of behavior (ethics) guides his interpersonal actions. His ethics determine the way he treats the other characters. Only under intense conflict will his true code of behavior be revealed, for the audience will see whether he maintains his principles while pursuing his objective, or whether he discards them whenever it is convenient.
The protagonist’s principles usually differ from those of the antagonist, but this is not always the case. The protagonist and antagonist can hold very similar codes of behavior. Many modern protagonists lack the values and virtues of the traditional hero. But they do reveal personal codes of behavior. Their value systems may not be the same as the prevailing culture, but they have a private code that is humane and perhaps even superior to the official code. The audience respects the tenacity of the anti-hero that maintains his code and breaks all society’s rules while retaining his integrity.
Conflict is guaranteed by having both the protagonist and antagonist pursue the same unique objective, which only one of them can possibly attain, but with incompatible codes of behavior. The story then becomes an examination of which principles will help the characters obtain the objective, and what the cost will be to both the characters and the community. The character’s codes are revealed in the decisions he makes in order to overcome obstacles while in pursuit of his objective. Conflict is also created when a character’s code of behavior becomes an obstacle to his efforts to attain his primary objective. These are selfconflicts. The character must decide between changing his objective or his code. If he changes his code, then his character is transformed.
Titanic
The wealthy people on the Titanic all exhibit aristocratic codes of behavior and promote the class distinctions that separate them from the working class people on the decks below.
Star Wars
Luke places his own life in jeopardy in order to help the Rebels destroy the Death Star. Darth Vader ruthlessly tortures Princess Leia in order to get the plans. Obie Won Kenobe sacrifices his physical existence so that Luke and the others can escape. Princess Leia, to save the innocent people of Alderan, reveals the location of the Rebel base. The Imperial commander destroys Alderan even though Princess Leia told him what he wanted to know. Han Solo is a mercenary who appears to desert the rebellion in order to save his own skin but returns to help Luke in the final battle.
The Phantom Menace
The Jedi Knights have a code of behavior binding their actions. They can only defend the life of Queen Amidala but not wage war against the Trade Federation without the permission of the Senate.
E.T.
Elliott deceives the government in order to free E.T. The government agents monitor Elliott’s conversations and search his home while he is away.
Jurassic Park
The lawyer runs out of the car and leaves Dr. Hammond’s two grandchildren to face the T-Rex alone. The lawyer is later eaten by the T-Rex while trying to hide in an outhouse. Both Dr. Grant and Ian, the Chaos Scientist put their own lives at stake to protect the children.
The Lion King
Because of the shame he feels in causing the death of his father, Simba accepts exile from his kingdom. Simba later accepts the responsibility of fighting Scar and the Jackals for the control of the Pride Lands.
Return of the Jedi
Luke refuses to join the dark side and use his powers for evil. Men In Black
J and K must work anonymously and sever contact with people outside MIB.
Independence Day
Captain Steve Hiller loves Jasmine even if she is an exotic dancer. He will not sacrifice her for his career in the Air Force. David Levinson still loves his ex-wife, even though she has divorced him. President Whitmore believes he must use nuclear weapons to save mankind, even if it may cause environmental damage to the planet. Russell Casse believes he must sacrifice his own life to help save mankind.
Batman
Bruce Wayne places his life in jeopardy in order to safeguard the community. The Joker insanely attempts to poison the community in order to control Gotham.
Jurassic Park
It is the greed of Dennis, the computer technician, who places the characters in jeopardy by shutting down the computer power to the security system. Dennis only cares about getting more money.
Home Alone
Kevin protects his home from being robbed. His mother gives up her Paris vacation to get back home to Kevin.
Forrest Gump
Forrest has a simple moral code of loyalty and love for his mother and Jenny. He is always doing what he believes is the right thing. Forrest keeps his promise to be a business partner with Bubba even after Bubba was killed. He gives fifty percent of the profits to Bubba’s family. Forrest always keeps his word.
Jaws
Police Capt. Brody feels he has the duty and responsibility to protect the people of Amity.
Sixth Sense
Dr. Malcolm is a kind man who sincerely wants to help children who have emotional problems.
Empire Strikes Back
Luke Skywalker decides not to join the dark side of the force and be with his father, Darth Vader.
The Grinch
The Grinch is a mean and vicious character determined to revenge himself on the people of Whoville because of the humiliations that he experienced as a child.
The Wizard of Oz
Dorothy tries to save the life of Toto by giving the Wicked Witch the Ruby Slippers. This makes her vulnerable and places her at the mercy of the Witch. When this attempt fails, the Witch ruthlessly plans to kill Dorothy for the slippers. The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion all decide to risk their own lives to save Dorothy.
Shrek
Donkey feels that he must keep his promise and not tell Shrek that Fiona becomes ugly at night.
Spider-Man
Peter believes that with great power comes great responsibilities that often force personal sacrifice.
Finding Nemo
Gill feels guilty about putting Nemo’s life in danger. Therefore, he places himself in jeopardy to save Nemo from Darla.
Monsters Inc
Sulley knows that the right thing to do is return Boo home and shred her door, even though that means he will never see her again.
Bruce Almighty
Bruce is willing to lose Grace if that’s what it takes to make her happy. Matrix Trilogy
Neo sacrifices his life to save the humans in Zion from destruction by the Machines.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Liz returns to the cave to save Jack. Will risks his life to stop Jack from being hanged. Barbossa makes Liz and Jack walk the plank.
Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone
Ron sacrifices himself on the chessboard so that Harry can get the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Frodo accepts the mission to carry the Ring to Mount Doom. King Theoden decides to ride to the aid of Gondor. Aragorn decides to attack the Black Gates of Mordor to help Frodo.
TRANSFORMATIONS “Recognition, as the name indicates, is a change from ignorance to knowledge... the recognition which is most intimately connected with the plot and action is, as we have said, the recognition of persons. This recognition, combined with Reversal, will produce either pity or fear, and actions producing these effects are those which, by our definition, Tragedy represents.”
—Aristotle, Poetics
A character goes through a transformation and changes when the obstacles he encounters while in pursuit of his objective force him to alter his values. He changes his code of behavior, or he keeps his code and fails to obtain his primary objective. In the craft of screenwriting, this is often called “the character arc” or the “arc of the story.”
Powerful scenes are constructed whenever a character changes his fundamental values: he can no longer believe something he held to be true. This will be a significant change for the characters. In order to maintain audience empathy, this change must be believable. If not, the audience will no longer identify with the protagonist.
The protagonist and other major characters should be transformed by their experiences. They should not be the same after the climax. Irrevocable changes occur in them because of the decisions they make and the actions they take in their efforts to overcome obstacles that blocked the attainment of their goals. Growth comes from inner conflicts generated by obstacles, because a character will reflect on his code of behavior and change it.
Besides self-transformation, the primal relationships of the protagonist usually change. The transitions should be gradual and not abrupt. To avoid melodrama, the character must be shown going through a series of small changes. This ensures that the audience will believe the transformation. As Lajos Egri states in The Art of Dramatic Writing, “real characters must be given the chance to reveal themselves, and we must be given a chance to observe the significant changes which take place in them.”
Often the relationship of the lovers goes from hatred to love, as shown in Star Wars by Princess Leia and Han Solo. Each relationship will change in some way, even if not to this extreme. Often, it may just be that a character has a better understanding of himselves and others.
The protagonist often makes a major discovery about himself at the end of the story. In the climax his conflict is resolved, a basic truth of human existence is revealed, and the protagonist comes to a new understanding of himself and the world. Traditionally, the protagonist gains wisdom, conquers some weakness, and emerges stronger. The antagonist usually refuses to change his code, which leads to a destruction of himself and his supporters, while the protagonist’s transformations usually result in a better code that benefits both himself and the community.
Titanic
Rose decides to give up the ideals of the aristocratic life and to live an artistic life with Jack.
Star Wars
Luke, Princess Leia, and Han Solo reveal that characters with skill, courage, and perseverance can triumph over impossible odds and defeat the Empire.
The Phantom Menace
Jar Jar is made a General by Boss Nass because he helped to unify the Gungan and the Naboo, and thereby gains the respect of the world.
E.T.
Elliott and E.T discover that friendship and love can cause pain, and that even if they can’t be together forever, their love for each other will survive.
The Lion King
Simba realizes that he can’t abandon his destiny, and if the world is to thrive, he must assume his proper role in the circle of life.
Forrest Gump
Forrest goes from being an outcast to becoming the pride of his community (football player, ping pong player, and war hero) because he completely focuses on what he does at the moment. He changes by achieving public esteem and finally the love of Jenny, but his core never changes.
Return of the Jedi
Luke gains strength and knowledge from the force, and ultimately, with the help of his father, is able to defeat the Empire.
Men In Black
K finally decides to leave MIB and return to the woman he left behind. J replaces K and takes Dr. Laurel Weaver as his partner.
Independence Day
Captain Steve Hiller does not have to sacrifice Jasmine to become an astronaut. David Levinson wins back the love of his ex-wife. President Whitmore leads the fighters into battle and helps to save the world. Russell Casse regains his self-respect and public-esteem by helping to destroy the alien spacecraft.
Batman
Bruce Wayne transforms from a helpless child who watches his parents murdered to an effective crime fighter. He also changes from a man who will not reveal the truth about his secret life, to sharing this knowledge with the woman he loves, Vicki Vale. The Joker changes from a suave gangster into an insane mass murderer in pursuit of power.
Jurassic Park
Dr. Grant develops paternal instincts and an appreciation for children as he protects the lives of Dr. Hammond’s grandchildren from the dinosaurs.
Home Alone
Kevin gains self-esteem and the respect of his siblings after he defends his home from the burglars.
Jaws
Capt. Brody becomes more assertive and aggressive with the mayor after his son is almost killed by the shark. He forces the mayor to sign the voucher to hire Quint to kill the shark.
Sixth Sense
Dr. Malcolm finally realizes that he is dead; that he died from the wound he received when shot by his distraught former patient. Cole Sears understands that he has special abilities that enable him to see dead people, but he also understands that this is a gift that he should use to help these lost souls.
Empire Strikes Back
Luke transforms by learning the ways of the force with the help of Yoda. His supernatural powers increase. He also becomes more mature after the discovery that his real father is Darth Vader.
The Grinch
The Grinch saves the life of Cindy Lou Who then returns the Christmas Gifts to Whoville. He apologizes to the Whos, and then is accepted back into their community.
The Wizard of Oz
Dorothy realizes that you can’t run away from problems, and that there is no perfect world “over the rainbow.” If you can’t find the courage, intelligence, and compassion to solve your problems at home surrounded by those who love you, you won’t be able to do it anywhere. You have the power within you; you just have to believe in yourself. The Wicked Witch doesn’t grow or change and is destroyed by her pursuit of power. The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion all come to realize that they already had the virtues that they sought, but a journey filled with conflicts and obstacles was necessary for them to understand this.
Shrek
Shrek goes from being a loner to marrying Princess Fiona and accepting Donkey as his friend.
Spider-Man
Peter learns that with great power comes great responsibility. He sacrifices his love for MJ to fulfill his responsibilities as a crime fighter.
Finding Nemo
Marlin goes from being over protective, to allowing Nemo the freedom to learn. Nemo gains confidence after escaping from the fish tank.
Monsters, Inc.
Sulley goes from scaring children to making them laugh.
Bruce Almighty
Bruce goes from wanting to be God to not wanting to be God. Matrix Trilogy
Neo goes from not believing that he is the ONE (Matrix 1), to not caring or wanting to be the ONE (Matrix 2), to accepting that he is the ONE and saving Zion from destruction (Matrix 3).
Pirates of the Caribbean
Will Turner accepts that he is the son of a pirate and becomes a pirate. Harry Potter: The Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry goes from being despised by his guardians to winning the esteem and love of his new family at Hogwarts.
Lord of the Rings
Trilogy
Frodo decides that he does not want to destroy the Ring, but instead he wants to keep it for himself.
PERSONALITIES Characters also have personalities, which are specific idiosyncrasies, mannerisms, and unique physical traits that make them memorable. These idiosyncrasies usually reveal a character’s feelings about himself and his primary relationships. They also are often directly connected to his motivation by revealing some weakness or need he desires to fulfill.
These traits either help the character achieve his goals or create obstacles that he must overcome to reach his goal. They play a stronger role in the story if they function as obstacles, for then the character must change and transform in order to achieve his primary objective.
If a character trait does not play a direct role in the story, it should not be emphasized. Physical, psychological, and sociological traits are irrelevant unless they somehow create obstacles for the characters. Drama is about individuals changing themselves and their values while under conflict as they attempt to achieve their goals. Much drama deals with characters overcoming environmental and socially conditioned belief systems in order to obtain a better understanding about themselves and life.
A character’s physical traits will include his or her gender, race, age, sex, height, weight, appearance, and defects or diseases. Sociological traits can include economic class, occupation, education, religion, and political attitudes. These usually reflect each character’s attitudes, likes, prejudices, hatreds, and values.
Character traits are usually intensified and exaggerated. One method of creating uniqueness in a character is to present him as the opposite of stereotype. Whatever his occupation may be, take this profession’s stereotype and reverse the standard traits: the judge who is dishonest, the priest who has lost his faith, or the salesman who is socially inept.
The idiosyncrasy must be visual and cinematic. Illustrate each character trait with a specific visual action. Small actions and small gestures help to round out a character. Instead of making declarative statements about a character’s actions or feelings, show these states through the character’s bodily reactions to other characters and objects that have significance. Don’t try to write a character’s response by just showing the expressions on their face. Write about his body movements and his actions as he interacts with the other characters in the scene.
The Megahit Movies Page 9