Characters Revealed for Script: Overthrowing Divinity - Harmony, Disarray, Restoration
In the world of screenwriting, Paul Peditto stands out as a notable expert, known for his insights into compelling character arcs. His works often delve into the transformative journeys of characters, offering valuable lessons for aspiring writers.
One such example is the underdog story of Rocky Balboa, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone in the 1976 film Rocky. Balboa, a timid club fighter, evolves into a confident contender, embodying perseverance and self-discovery.
Another classic example of a dark character arc can be found in The Godfather (1972), where Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, transitions from a reluctant family outsider to a ruthless mafia boss.
Saving Private Ryan (1998) offers a poignant exploration of duty, loss, and sacrifice through the journey of Captain Miller, portrayed by Tom Hanks.
These films are frequently cited in discussions about great character arcs by many screenwriting experts, including Peditto. However, the provided search context does not contain any direct quotes or analyses from Peditto himself. To access his specific commentary, one may need to consult his writings or talks directly.
Meanwhile, in a more unusual turn of events, the character of Walter Paisley, a busboy at a beatnik cafe, finds himself in a tragic situation. Accidentally killing several people, he turns their bodies into sculptures, which are hailed by bohemian artists as powerful artistic achievements. However, as a piece of plaster chips away, revealing a human finger, a commotion ensues among the artists.
In a different context, Andy Sachs, a recent Northwestern grad looking to pay off her $40,000 student debt, finds herself in the chaotic world of fashion when she is hired as an assistant at Runway magazine, despite her lack of fashion knowledge. As she learns about Jimmy Choo shoes and loses weight, she begins to neglect her friends and boyfriend.
In a crisis of conscience, Andy quits her job at Runway, makes amends with her ex-boyfriend, and finds a new job outside of the fashion world, marking a journey of self-discovery.
Paul Peditto, the author of the book The DIY Filmmaker: Life Lessons for Surviving Outside Hollywood, teaches screenwriting at Columbia College-Chicago and has professionally consulted on thousands of screenplays since 2002. He has also optioned multiple scripts to major companies and wrote and directed the award-winning film Jane Doe, starring Calista Flockhart.
Peditto can be followed at www.scriptgodsmustdie.com and on Twitter @scriptgods.
In another film, Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, an ex-factory worker and recent widower who lives in a suburban Detroit house. He hates his own people and the Asians who have moved into his community. However, when a Vietnamese family moves in next door, Walt saves the son from a gang with his M1 rifle, and the family, in gratitude, has the son do odd jobs for Walt.
Gradually, respect grows between Walt and the kid, and when his sister is kidnapped and raped by the gang, he goes to Walt asking for the gun to revenge his sister and his family's honor. Walt locks the kid in his basement, dresses in his military best, and heads to the gang house, armed with only a cigarette and lighter. Walt dies, but takes every gang member out with him.
The movie The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson, offers a chilling portrayal of a writer and family man who takes a job as caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. Weird events occur, leading to Jack becoming the 'Honey, I'm Home!' bloody caretaker of the Overlook Hotel.
In a more humorous vein, the movie Bucket of Blood tells the story of a busboy who becomes a successful artist by killing people and covering their bodies in plaster.
Lastly, in the romantic comedy Pretty Woman, Richard Gere's character falls for Julia Roberts' character, causing a scandal in his social circle. Love triumphs in the end, and they marry.
By examining these films and others, we can define the character's journey in a script, following the David Mamet 3-Act structural system: Point A (Order), chaos, and Point Z-Reorder. This system, among others, provides a framework for writers to craft compelling and meaningful character arcs.
- Paul Peditto, an authority in screenwriting, regularly discusses compelling character arcs and transformation journeys in his works, offering valuable lessons for aspiring writers.
- The movie Rocky (1976) depicts the underdog story of Rocky Balboa, a character who evolves from a timid club fighter to a confident contender, embodying perseverance and self-discovery.
- In The Godfather (1972), Michael Corleone transforms from a reluctant family outsider to a ruthless mafia boss, showcasing a dark character arc.
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) offers a touching exploration of duty, loss, and sacrifice through the journey of Captain Miller, portrayed by Tom Hanks.
- Beyond movies, Paul Peditto has authored the book The DIY Filmmaker: Life Lessons for Surviving Outside Hollywood, teaching screenwriting at Columbia College-Chicago and consulting on scripts since 2002.
- In the film Gran Torino (2008), Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, an ex-factory worker who, after saving a Vietnamese boy, embarks on a journey towards respect and understanding with the boy's family.
- By examining films like these, we can define a character's journey in a script using systems such as the David Mamet 3-Act structural system, providing a framework for writers to create compelling and meaningful character arcs.