The Dramatic Writer's Companion by Will Dunne

Author:Will Dunne [Dunne, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-01-26T13:55:00+00:00

Focus first on the main character of the scene-for example, Katurian-and answer these questions to help you explore his or her emotional life in the scene:

I. Primary emotion. Characters experience different emotions at different times, and these feelings vary in intensity, impact, and importance. In the McDonagh scene, the primary emotion that Katurian feels is horror, which, for him, is a form of fear. He is in danger of losing everything he values. Interpret "primary" any way you wish and identify your character's primary emotion in the scene. Then interpret the emotion by imagining it as a form of anger, fear, or love. Which would it be? What would this tell you about the character?

• Storyboard. Katurian's horror occurs mostly in the middle of the scene. Where in your scene-beginning, middle, or end-does your character's primary feeling mostly occur? By making a choice now, you will begin to define a focus for the scene and how it unfolds.

• Stimulus. A key cause of Katurian's horror is Michal's revelation that he has reenacted three murders from Katurian's stories. The stimulus for Katurian's horror is thus immense: not only has his brother killed innocent children, but the deaths were inspired by Katurian's own writing. Identify the stimulus for your character's primary emotion.

• Behavioral impact. One of the most immediate results of Katurian's horror is the need to know what exactly happened and why. The emotion thus triggers a new beat action: to find out from Michal the full and horrible truth. Think about your character's primary emotion. Identify at least one important effect of this emotion on your character's behavior later in this scene or, if appropriate, later in the story.

2. Second emotion. Katurian's second most important emotion in the scene is protectiveness, which, for him, might be a form of love-and a big shift from the horror he feels elsewhere in the scene. What is the second most important emotion that your character experiences in your scene? If you were to view this as a form of anger, fear, or love, which would it be? What would this suggest?

• Storyboard. Katurian's protectiveness is aroused near the scene's end when he is able to forgive his brother for his crimes. Where in your scene does the character's second emotion occur? Choose one of the two remaining blanks in the character's emotional storyboard.

• Stimulus. One cause of Katurian's protectiveness is his relationship with Michal: Katurian has always been his brother's keeper. This responsibility stems from Katurian's understanding that Michal has a diminished mental capacity and is not fully responsible for his actions. Briefly identify an important cause of your character's second emotion.

• Behavioral impact. One effect of Katurian's protectiveness is the need to save Michal from the sadistic police who will soon return, and, in a gesture that echoes Of Mice and Men, to protect him by smothering him to death with a pillow. The scene ends with Katurian tenderly kissing his dead brother. The feeling of protectiveness will also lead into the

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