Making a role bigger

Collapse

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Making a role bigger

    I've been asked to make a character's role bigger in act 1 in order to attract A-list talent. For anyone who has had to do this before, did you focus on broadening the character's arc or simply adding more scenes for the character in act 1? Maybe both? I know what I'm being asked to do in theory, but thought some insight into an approach may help. Thanks.

  • #2
    Re: Making a role bigger

    Ends up being both.

    What they want are more *scenes* with the character, but what are those scenes going to be about? That's where we get into going deeper into the character. I'd look at the relationship between this characters and the other characters, and see how you can increase conflict to make some nice big dramatic scenes, or take the existing scenes and make this character more prominent in them.

    - Bill
    Free Script Tips:
    http://www.scriptsecrets.net

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Making a role bigger

      Seems the mention of Act 1 means they want the character to enter with a bang or play much better from the start as far as the prominence of their actions are concerned?

      Is the rest okay or is it just act one they are concerned about?

      edit

      Bill said it better, dang.
      http://wasitsomethingiwrote.blogspot.com/

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Making a role bigger

        "Both" is what I'll do - add more conflict/bang to his first scene and add one more scene in act 1 to better establish the starting point of his arc.

        Yes, the rest is ok.

        Thanks for the responses.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Making a role bigger

          Phat, if this is their main point I'd seriously consider a total restructure of the first act rather than a band aid approach. I don't mean to sound dictatorial, just if I got that note that's the way I'd be thinking.
          http://wasitsomethingiwrote.blogspot.com/

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Making a role bigger

            Hmmm, I didn't really think I was taking the band aide approach. And your logic seems backwards to me. If they did have a problem with the char throughout the entire script, then I can see why I might need to restructure act 1. But they just want to make him more important. To me, that meant more/better/bigger scenes for a prospective actor.

            But I may be completely wrong, so I'll take your suggestion under advisement. Thanks.

            eta - actually they said I need to "set him up better and make him more important in act 1"

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Making a role bigger

              Well opinions are just that and anyone is advised to take them with a pinch of salt.

              A restructure of act 1 isn't a big deal though. Worth thinking about is all I'm saying.
              http://wasitsomethingiwrote.blogspot.com/

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Making a role bigger

                Yes, it's worth thinking about. Thanks.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Making a role bigger

                  Originally posted by phatgirl
                  Hmmm, I didn't really think I was taking the band aide approach. And your logic seems backwards to me. If they did have a problem with the char throughout the entire script, then I can see why I might need to restructure act 1.
                  Band aid wasn't meant to be derogatory. It is shorthand for tweaking rather than looking at the whole'. What I think you are being asked for is something that hooks 'A' list in the first 20 pages. That doesn't neccesarily impact on acts 2 and 3. If they are saying you need a better set up then it appears to me it is first act structure you need to look at more than tweaking individual scenes.
                  http://wasitsomethingiwrote.blogspot.com/

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Making a role bigger

                    Originally Posted by ED
                    Well opinions are just that and anyone is advised to take them with a pinch of salt.
                    Actually ED, the quote I've heard is, "Opinons are like a$$holes. Everybody has one." But I do respect yours.... opinion, that is.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Making a role bigger

                      Originally posted by phatgirl
                      Actually ED, the quote I've heard is, "Opinons are like a$$holes. Everybody has one." But I do respect yours

                      I've edited it on the basis that my a$$ hasn't been complimented since 1989 when I won the office Rear of The Year competition as voted for by the female workers. Helped by the fact my girfriend gave me 20 points and everyone else zero.

                      http://wasitsomethingiwrote.blogspot.com/

                      Comment

                      Working...
                      X