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Unwritten Moments
Scripted Characters |
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Workshop lead by
Canedy Knowles
Artistic Director - Atlanta Workshop Players (Booth 712)
[email protected]
Character Archetypes/ Functions
Simplified for the Workshop:
- Protagonist
- Antagonist
- Contagonist (Troublemaker/Trickster)
- Guardian/Mentor- teaches and protects, sometimes from afar; allowing the protagonist to make mistakes and grows
- Sidekick (Ally)- best friend and loyal companion - often their actions unintentionally thwart the protagonist's goals
- Reason - leads with rational thought not feelings, head not heart
- Emotion - leads with feelings not rationale, heart not head
- Skeptic - Cynical of the journey and methods/choices
The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
- Mentor: Guides, teaches, and prepares the hero, often providing crucial tools, advice, or training before leaving them to face challenges alone.
- Ally: (Companion): Assists the hero, provides emotional support, and complements the hero's skills, often acting as a foil.
- Herald: Initiates the journey by delivering the "Call to Adventure" or signaling a necessary change in the hero's life.
- Trickster: Provides comic relief while questioning the status quo, challenging the hero's perspective, and creating chaos.
- Shape Shifter: A character whose loyalty is uncertain, keeping the hero (and audience) in suspense by switching between ally and enemy roles.
- Guardian: (Threshold Guardian): Challenges the hero and tests their readiness to enter the "Special World," acting as a gatekeeper.
- Shadow: (Antagonist): The primary villain or force opposing the hero, representing the dark, unexpressed, or dangerous sides of the hero's own personality.
- Hero: (Protagonist): The central figure who undergoes a journey of transformation, starting as an ordinary person and growing through trials to achieve a goal.
- The Logical One – The audience. The voice of reason.
- The Lovable Loser – The com in sitcom. Constantly making mistakes in their quest to get what they want.
- The Neurotic – They act abnormal under normal circumstances. Expect things to turn out a certain way and get upset when it doesn’t.
- The Dumb One – The best friend or sidekick. Comedic relief with a one liner or a glance.
- The Mean Girl/Bastard – They bring the edginess. The audience POV, but meaner and more clever.
- The Womanizer/Manizer – The flirt. They want sex any time, all the time.
- The Materialistic One – The pampered ones. Shallow.
- In Their Own Universe – Edgiest characters because they can say and do almost anything.
CHARATCTER BREAKDOWNS
From the casting sessions for "How to Get Away with Murder"
[PROFESSOR ANNALISE DEWITT] All ethnicities, late 30s to 50, a law professor at an elite university and renowned criminal defense attorney, Annalise is brilliant, passionate, creative, charismatic--all the things you'd hope for in a law professor--as well as sexy, elegant, glamorous and dangerous. Annalise is ruthless in the courtroom and the classroom; as an attorney, she's cunning, savvy, morally hazy and expert at turning the jury to her point of view. Annalise is also an excellent manipulator of people, particularly her ambitious students, of whom she chooses five to work with her in her law firm (one of them even gets a coveted trophy). Married to a psychology professor and having an affair no one can know about, Annalise calls her Criminal Law 100 class "How To Get Away With Murder"--and this year, apparently, the title will take on a new meaning...SERIES REGULAR (7)
[WES GIBBINS] All ethnicities except Caucasian, mid to late 20s, boyish, easy-going, instantly likeable, a good guy, with leadership qualities he doesn't yet know he possesses, Wes is a student in Annalise's class, but he's not exactly at the top of the heap, since he was wait-listed into the law school and doesn't seem to have the academic cred or privileged upbringing of his cut-throat peers. Feeling like an outsider at this elite university, Wes struggles to maintain his footing in the class, but what he lacks in book smarts he makes up for in a sort of out-of-the-box thinking. Wes doesn't know whether to be impressed or appalled by Annalise, but he's definitely intimidated-- especially after he suspects her of using illegal tactics to win a case...SERIES REGULAR (2)
[CONNER DONAHUE] All ethnicities, mid to late 20s, smart, seductive, sophisticated, confident, cool, hyper-articulate, cut-throat and very ambitious, Conner is a student in Annalise's Criminal Law 100 class, and he makes it a point to go after the top tier status as well as the coveted trophy when she charges her class to contribute to the case she's currently working on. Conner is gay and unabashedly uses his sexuality to get some information that winds up helping Annalise win her case and gets Conner the top place in the class and a job at her firm. Conner admires Annalise and her methods, knowing that what he learns from her can launch him into a successful law career and, as he’s always dreamed, an eventual Supreme Court appointment..SERIES REGULAR (2)
[MICHAELA PRATT] Female, all ethnicities, mid to late 20s, preppy, type A personality, confident, ambitious, an over-achiever, Michaela was born knowing how to "lean in," so she has a tendency to take control and "CEO" any situation. She assumes any guy who talks to her is hitting on her, as has been the case her entire life, which is why she’s so happy to have recently been engaged, a point she’s all to happy to point to anyone who will ask. As a student in Annalise's Criminal Law 100 class, Michaela is desperate to attain the top tier status and its attendant job in the law firm, which she manages to finesse for herself when she goes above and beyond to find out information about a witness that helps Annalise's current case. Michaela unabashedly admires Annalise, and when Annalise wins her case, Michaela watches her at a press conference and says, "I want to be her." ...SERIES REGULAR (1)
[LAUREL WILDING] All ethnicities, mid to late 20s, smart, bookish, introverted, liberal, idealistic, an observer by nature, yet capable of being decisive and even argumentative when pushed, Laurel is another student in Annalise's class. Unlike many of the others, Laurel appears to have a working moral compass and her career dreams involve not making money, but helping the less fortunate. She is more revolted than awe-struck by Annalise's courtroom antics. Laurel is privy to some interesting private behavior between two of the principals in Annalise's latest murder trial, but instead of going to Annalise she goes to one of her assistants, Frank, whose macho, dismissive attitude makes her angry. Laurel is stunned to learn that she's chosen as one of Annalise's top four students, who will work with her in the law firm...SERIES REGULAR (2)
[FRANK DELGADO] All ethnicities, mid 30s, a macho, takes-no-s**t kind of guy, a local Philly boy done good, tough enough to win a bar fight, but not without a certain hidden loneliness, Frank is one of Annalise's associates at her law firm, along with Bonnie Winterbottom. Though not without his shortcomings, Frank assists Annalise in her legal cases but he also vets her students for her, giving his opinion on who should make it to the top four. Frank is dismissive of Laurel when she comes to him with some information, but he supports her as a candidate for the top five students--though as Bonnie seems to think, it could be because he wants to sleep with her, as he is prone to do, his phone full of female students' names he is currently hooking up with...SERIES REGULAR (13)
[BONNIE WINTERBOTTOM] All ethnicities, 35 to 45, Annalise's other associate (along with Frank), Bonnie is Frank's perfect counterpoint: a mama bear type, warm, sweet and smiley – until you cross her, which is when she will ruin you. Bonnie is very good at her job, thorough and surprisingly manipulative. She mediates between Annalise and Frank when they have a contretemps, and perfectly plays her part when Annalise executes a controversial, possibly illegal move to get her client off. Bonnie’s personal life has always taken a backseat to her work, so there’s a late-bloomer, naïve quality to her when it comes to dating...SERIES REGULAR (13)
[TOM] 40s, all ethnicities, handsome, friendly, appealing, a breath of fresh air in the competitive environment of the law school, Tom is Annalise's husband, a psychology professor who chats pleasantly with her first years at a Law School party. He comes from a long line of academic royalty, a blue blood with family money that goes back generations. He and Annalise are the couple everyone on campus envies because they are successful, gorgeous, and seemingly perfect for each other. Tom appears to be a devoted and loving husband, even though there are apparently some serious issues in his marriage. He's very troubled when one of his students, Lila Stangard, goes missing ....SERIES REGULAR (39)
[NATE SEIDEL] 38, all ethnicities, this smart, sexy, respected police detective is having an affair with Annalise, and is caught by Wes while in the midst of an intimate encounter. Married to a woman dying of cancer, Nate is furious when Annalise coerces him to testify falsely at her trial in order to discredit a junior detective. Despite his anger and better judgment, he's still unable to keep away from Annalise and their affair, possibly because he’s fallen in love with her...SERIES REGULAR (29)
[REBECCA] All ethnicities, early to mid 20s, edgy, pierced, with a haunted, vulnerable quality about her, Rebecca is a local Philly girl and Wes' next door neighbor in their run-down apartment building; she's indifferent to the point of rudeness when Wes politely asks her to turn down her music late one night. She doesn’t attend the university but instead bartends at the college pub, serving shots to the spoiled frat boys who are constantly hitting on her. Rebecca’s had to make her own way in the world and fend for herself, which has caused her to develop some rough edges. She also seems to be a bit elusive, mysterious and fragile in a way that is intriguing and beautiful, but she is also apparently having a relationship with Logan O'Reilly, the football player boyfriend of a young university woman who has gone missing...SERIES REGULAR (14)
ASHER MILLSTONE All ethnicities, mid to late 20s,, pompous, uber-prepared, born into privilege, a bit obnoxious, more confident with girls than he has a right to be, Asher is a student in Annalise's class. He's quite open about the fact that he thinks Annalise might be a sociopath, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to be in Annalise's coveted group of students that get to work in her firm. Referred to by Annalise's associate Frank as "the annoying kid," he's the son of a circuit judge, which is possibly why he gets a place in the group of top students who get to work in Annalise's law firm...SERIES REGULAR 7/13 (5)
STORY LINE: Four law students are awarded creme-de-la-creme status in the prestigious class of a legendary law professor, who's also a criminal attorney known for getting her clients acquitted. However, their ambition and determination to succeed turn sinister when they themselves get caught up in a murder plot that rocks their entire university...
[WES GIBBINS] All ethnicities except Caucasian, mid to late 20s, boyish, easy-going, instantly likeable, a good guy, with leadership qualities he doesn't yet know he possesses, Wes is a student in Annalise's class, but he's not exactly at the top of the heap, since he was wait-listed into the law school and doesn't seem to have the academic cred or privileged upbringing of his cut-throat peers. Feeling like an outsider at this elite university, Wes struggles to maintain his footing in the class, but what he lacks in book smarts he makes up for in a sort of out-of-the-box thinking. Wes doesn't know whether to be impressed or appalled by Annalise, but he's definitely intimidated-- especially after he suspects her of using illegal tactics to win a case...SERIES REGULAR (2)
[CONNER DONAHUE] All ethnicities, mid to late 20s, smart, seductive, sophisticated, confident, cool, hyper-articulate, cut-throat and very ambitious, Conner is a student in Annalise's Criminal Law 100 class, and he makes it a point to go after the top tier status as well as the coveted trophy when she charges her class to contribute to the case she's currently working on. Conner is gay and unabashedly uses his sexuality to get some information that winds up helping Annalise win her case and gets Conner the top place in the class and a job at her firm. Conner admires Annalise and her methods, knowing that what he learns from her can launch him into a successful law career and, as he’s always dreamed, an eventual Supreme Court appointment..SERIES REGULAR (2)
[MICHAELA PRATT] Female, all ethnicities, mid to late 20s, preppy, type A personality, confident, ambitious, an over-achiever, Michaela was born knowing how to "lean in," so she has a tendency to take control and "CEO" any situation. She assumes any guy who talks to her is hitting on her, as has been the case her entire life, which is why she’s so happy to have recently been engaged, a point she’s all to happy to point to anyone who will ask. As a student in Annalise's Criminal Law 100 class, Michaela is desperate to attain the top tier status and its attendant job in the law firm, which she manages to finesse for herself when she goes above and beyond to find out information about a witness that helps Annalise's current case. Michaela unabashedly admires Annalise, and when Annalise wins her case, Michaela watches her at a press conference and says, "I want to be her." ...SERIES REGULAR (1)
[LAUREL WILDING] All ethnicities, mid to late 20s, smart, bookish, introverted, liberal, idealistic, an observer by nature, yet capable of being decisive and even argumentative when pushed, Laurel is another student in Annalise's class. Unlike many of the others, Laurel appears to have a working moral compass and her career dreams involve not making money, but helping the less fortunate. She is more revolted than awe-struck by Annalise's courtroom antics. Laurel is privy to some interesting private behavior between two of the principals in Annalise's latest murder trial, but instead of going to Annalise she goes to one of her assistants, Frank, whose macho, dismissive attitude makes her angry. Laurel is stunned to learn that she's chosen as one of Annalise's top four students, who will work with her in the law firm...SERIES REGULAR (2)
[FRANK DELGADO] All ethnicities, mid 30s, a macho, takes-no-s**t kind of guy, a local Philly boy done good, tough enough to win a bar fight, but not without a certain hidden loneliness, Frank is one of Annalise's associates at her law firm, along with Bonnie Winterbottom. Though not without his shortcomings, Frank assists Annalise in her legal cases but he also vets her students for her, giving his opinion on who should make it to the top four. Frank is dismissive of Laurel when she comes to him with some information, but he supports her as a candidate for the top five students--though as Bonnie seems to think, it could be because he wants to sleep with her, as he is prone to do, his phone full of female students' names he is currently hooking up with...SERIES REGULAR (13)
[BONNIE WINTERBOTTOM] All ethnicities, 35 to 45, Annalise's other associate (along with Frank), Bonnie is Frank's perfect counterpoint: a mama bear type, warm, sweet and smiley – until you cross her, which is when she will ruin you. Bonnie is very good at her job, thorough and surprisingly manipulative. She mediates between Annalise and Frank when they have a contretemps, and perfectly plays her part when Annalise executes a controversial, possibly illegal move to get her client off. Bonnie’s personal life has always taken a backseat to her work, so there’s a late-bloomer, naïve quality to her when it comes to dating...SERIES REGULAR (13)
[TOM] 40s, all ethnicities, handsome, friendly, appealing, a breath of fresh air in the competitive environment of the law school, Tom is Annalise's husband, a psychology professor who chats pleasantly with her first years at a Law School party. He comes from a long line of academic royalty, a blue blood with family money that goes back generations. He and Annalise are the couple everyone on campus envies because they are successful, gorgeous, and seemingly perfect for each other. Tom appears to be a devoted and loving husband, even though there are apparently some serious issues in his marriage. He's very troubled when one of his students, Lila Stangard, goes missing ....SERIES REGULAR (39)
[NATE SEIDEL] 38, all ethnicities, this smart, sexy, respected police detective is having an affair with Annalise, and is caught by Wes while in the midst of an intimate encounter. Married to a woman dying of cancer, Nate is furious when Annalise coerces him to testify falsely at her trial in order to discredit a junior detective. Despite his anger and better judgment, he's still unable to keep away from Annalise and their affair, possibly because he’s fallen in love with her...SERIES REGULAR (29)
[REBECCA] All ethnicities, early to mid 20s, edgy, pierced, with a haunted, vulnerable quality about her, Rebecca is a local Philly girl and Wes' next door neighbor in their run-down apartment building; she's indifferent to the point of rudeness when Wes politely asks her to turn down her music late one night. She doesn’t attend the university but instead bartends at the college pub, serving shots to the spoiled frat boys who are constantly hitting on her. Rebecca’s had to make her own way in the world and fend for herself, which has caused her to develop some rough edges. She also seems to be a bit elusive, mysterious and fragile in a way that is intriguing and beautiful, but she is also apparently having a relationship with Logan O'Reilly, the football player boyfriend of a young university woman who has gone missing...SERIES REGULAR (14)
ASHER MILLSTONE All ethnicities, mid to late 20s,, pompous, uber-prepared, born into privilege, a bit obnoxious, more confident with girls than he has a right to be, Asher is a student in Annalise's class. He's quite open about the fact that he thinks Annalise might be a sociopath, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to be in Annalise's coveted group of students that get to work in her firm. Referred to by Annalise's associate Frank as "the annoying kid," he's the son of a circuit judge, which is possibly why he gets a place in the group of top students who get to work in Annalise's law firm...SERIES REGULAR 7/13 (5)
STORY LINE: Four law students are awarded creme-de-la-creme status in the prestigious class of a legendary law professor, who's also a criminal attorney known for getting her clients acquitted. However, their ambition and determination to succeed turn sinister when they themselves get caught up in a murder plot that rocks their entire university...
Identify your character's:
Greatest Hope for life, the scene, a relationship, etc.
Greatest Fear for life, the scene, a relationship, an event, etc.
Worldview or Mantra - sum up their guiding principle in a short phrase
THE SCENE
Excerpt from 52nd to Bowery to Cobble Hill, Brooklyn by Chiara Atik
A: Hey, can I ask a random question?
B: Okay?
A: I normally would never ask this, a I know I am probably just being paranoid, but, Did I DO anything to you?
B: Like what?
A: Anything to make you hate me?
B: I don't hate you.
A: No, I know. It's just that I thought there was this vibe from you, first at the ceremony and now here, so I just thought I'd...
B: I just don't like you very much.
A: Uh. What?
B: I'm sorry.
A: You don't...
B: Like you...
A: ...Very much, or at all...?
B: Just middle of the road not liking you. I think.
A; Okay...
B: Okay?
A: I normally would never ask this, a I know I am probably just being paranoid, but, Did I DO anything to you?
B: Like what?
A: Anything to make you hate me?
B: I don't hate you.
A: No, I know. It's just that I thought there was this vibe from you, first at the ceremony and now here, so I just thought I'd...
B: I just don't like you very much.
A: Uh. What?
B: I'm sorry.
A: You don't...
B: Like you...
A: ...Very much, or at all...?
B: Just middle of the road not liking you. I think.
A; Okay...