Foundation & Script & Character Archetypes Flashcards
(31 cards)
Protagonist
The hero. The person the audience cheers for.
Goal
Character + Desire
Stracynski’s formula
Story
Goal + Conflict
Desire
What the Protagonist wants
Goal
What the Protagonist will do to get what they want.
Conflict
What is stopping the Protagonist
Straczynski formula + Martin addendum
Story + Resolution = Good Story
Resolution
Does the Protagonist get what they want?
Does the Protagonist get what they want?
Yes= Comedy
No= Tragedy
Memorable Protagonist
We cheer for
Embodies or aspires to Biblical virtue
Must overcome Biblical vice
Memorable Antagonist
We cheer against
Embodies or aspires to Biblical vice
Also possess Biblical virtue but Vice dominates
Memorable external conflict
Opposition to Protagonist comes from outside themselves
Memorable Internal Conflict
Opposition to Protagonist comes from inside themselves
Memorable Conflict
Forces of opposition should be balanced OR should
FAVOR THE ANTAGONIST
Basic screenwriting process
1 CONCEPT
2 TREATMENT
3 FIRST DRAFT
4 REWRITE
5 FINAL DRAFT
Archetype Hero
Dramatic functions:
Audience identification
Primary actor/doer
Learning & growth
Sacrifice
Dealing with death
Dealing with character flaws
Hero types
Willing or Unwilling
Anti-hero
Outlaw, Cynical, Tragic
Group-oriented or Loner
Catalyst-hero
Changes others- Series
Group Hero
Ordinary world to special world. Returns to ordinary world.
Loner Hero
Ordinary society is the special world which they enter only briefly.
Mentor Archetype
Teaching Gift giving Gifts earned by testing Inventor Conscience of Hero Motivator for Hero Plant information or prop Romantic Initiator
Mentor Types
Willing Unwilling Dark Decoy, false, anti-mentor Fallen Must complete own hero's journey Continuing- series Multiple -may express different functions of archetype Comic Inner- internalized teachings
Archetype Threshold Guardian
Tests the Hero
Hero may interact by: Attack, strategically retreat, outwit, appease, make an ally, take on shape of guardian
Guardian signals new power of the hero
^^^resistance = ^^^power
Heroes read and learn from guardians
Archetype Threshold Guardian
Temporarily blocks Hero
Animal
Nature
Architecture
Other archetypes
Archetype Herald
Delivering the Call
Motivation of the adventure
Changes balance of hero’s world, forcing action
May be impersonal force of nature
May be any means of bringing news
Archetype Shapeshifter
Introduces doubt
Increased suspense
Changes constantly through the story
Changes may be physical or emotional, surface or substantive