tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post3418127019068692207..comments2023-10-15T05:01:43.528-07:00Comments on Bamboo Killers: Female characters are not just pieces of sushiEmily Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-90779530729693116922013-09-27T10:42:29.041-07:002013-09-27T10:42:29.041-07:00And how! I saw something recently about a female e...And how! I saw something recently about a female exec going batty about this on Twitter, so it's something I've been hitting hard in any of the feedback I give. Makes me feel good about my current script. The three main female characters in my current spec:<br /><br />RAGEN (30) has a cheeseburger dripping down her wrists. At 5'2", 280 lbs, you might say she's eaten a few too many. But if you told her that, you'd be eating your next cheeseburger through a straw.<br /><br />MICHELE, a wild-eyed Betty Crocker in her 50's.<br /><br />and<br /><br />CINDI, a Dolly Parton-type whose boobs, hair, and makeup can all be seen from outer space. <br /><br />Pick one detail and exploit it. \\!dkfwritinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08539315244253420830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-17236760264129994212013-09-24T16:19:05.319-07:002013-09-24T16:19:05.319-07:00I save time by just inserting the actresses's ...I save time by just inserting the actresses's name. <br />Int: coffee shop<br />In comes super hot Jennifer (think Rooney Mara.). Did I mention she's hot?Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01117955244109045919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-62200634162807336512013-09-21T03:25:22.747-07:002013-09-21T03:25:22.747-07:00I wish I could look at anything in life the way th...I wish I could look at anything in life the way the cat looks at that sushi, I wish something, anything, would inspire so much awe in me as it does that puss, , aren't those the truly beautiful ones, the one's who are capable of feeling such wonder JabberWockyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372150430859099941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-11601697618821039572013-09-20T16:17:56.438-07:002013-09-20T16:17:56.438-07:00I keep all my character intros brief. Here is the ...I keep all my character intros brief. Here is the lead protag from my recent spec:<br /><br />FELICIA RUGAL (35) flips open a cell phone. Her pant suit matches her expression: All business.<br /><br />And another woman:<br /><br />MELINDA (20s), Felicia’s overly eager assistant.<br /><br />Here's the first male:<br /><br />MAX (8), Felicia’s intelligent yet snarky son.<br /><br />I like to use actions and dialogue to paint the picture of my characters. Why front load a bunch of unnecessary details? Who am I to say "She's beautiful, but doesn't know it. She's the girl next door" then they cast someone completely different than what I had in my mind? Doesn't make sense to begin with. <br /><br />My biggest pet peeve is: Katniss - Hunger Games. Jennifer Lawrence is not at all what I (or anyone, c'mon) pictured for Katniss. In the screenplay you could write "beautiful, with an edge. Rich olive skin and jet black hair" which is what they would have if they followed the book, then BAM! Jennifer Lawrence is Katniss. She is white, cute - NO EDGE, brown hair. NOT Katniss... so what was the point of that description?<br /><br />From your example above, 60 pages in, what will you remember about Bob from that specific description? Uh... grey beard and something about cigarettes? A screenplay ain't a novel. If you paint him throughout the story, the image sticks much better.<br /><br />Sorry for rambling.<br />driftinginscriptshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00952514403603825930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-12290041917280893832013-09-20T15:52:58.192-07:002013-09-20T15:52:58.192-07:00Even worse is when female characters are referred ...Even worse is when female characters are referred to as hot/sexy. It's not enough for her to be attractive-- she must also be desirable.Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06609615221492923692noreply@blogger.com