Carol Pearson's work... applied to screenwriting.

kylekmd

kylekmd

Well-known member
For CHARACTER TRANSFORMATION...
ACT1 (Orphan) ACT 2a (Wanderer) ACT 2b (Warrior) ACT 3 (Martyr/Altruist)

Hey DVXusers.

Long time no speak. I've been extremely busy for the past several weeks pulling 18-20 hour days.

I've received a couple PMs on how the new Contour Screenwriting Software from Mariner employs a unique approach to character transformation using four archetypes: the Orphan, the Wanderer, the Warrior, and the Martyr (aka. Altruist).

The life stages show how your character should change from:

ACT1 (Orphan), through ACT 2a (Wanderer) and ACT 2b (Warrior), to ACT 3 (Martyr/Altruist). (Four big segments of your screenplay).

The original source material is Carol Pearson's book, The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By, which details each stage (and 2 others), showing how people change through life experiences. And this is exactly what you want in your screenplay (usually): BIG CHARACTER CHANGE! It's a good book for screenwriting and screenwriters, since we're all pathologic in many ways (at least my wife thinks so).

http://www.amazon.com/Hero-Within-Six-Archetypes-Live/dp/0062515551/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

FYI... Carol Pearson is a Ph.D who travels well in academic circles. Her book is NOT a screenwriting manual, but a self-help book that nicely illustrates how we can live better lives by recognizing these different archetypes within ourselves and learning from them.

I've used this archetype model for a few years, after reading the first edition of her book. It's a solid approach because it leads to identifiable character changes and an overall BIG TRANSFORMATION. So, the Contour Software isn't offering any new information in this regard, just re-packaging old material in a new way. But, I will say it's a good program for the money ($49 WIN/MAC) and has a helpful forum.

Just thought I'd pass that info on.

Take care everyone and good luck with all your writing projects,

Kyle
 
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Kyle that is interesting, good info. As I look at my (new) sequenced horror story my protagonist goes through those exact four char changes (I must be doing something right). Thanks for sharing!

EDIT: I just downloaded the 30 day free trial version of the Contour software, will play with it. Thanks for notifying us all of this software Kyle!

kylekmd said:
...The life stages show how your character should change from: ACT1 (Orphan), through ACT 2a (Wanderer) and ACT 2b (Warrior), to ACT 3 (Martyr/Altruist). (Four big segments of your screenplay)....
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randy--

You're like my wife in that she always likes to spend more money to get the discount... LOL. I understand it, though. Admittedly, I am an AMAZON WHORE... or JOHN, I guess it would be--doling out all that cash for product. Can't tell you how much I've spent there over the past few years. Whew!

BTW, I just bought The Interpretation of Fairy Tales book, too. Stuff like that is ALWAYS helpful to screenwriters and writers in general.

Kyle
 
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Amazon is RUINING me, LOL. I think we need to start an AA group! Amazonians Anonymous, LOL. Cool that you got that same book on Fairy Tales. :)r

kylekmd said:
randy--You're like my wife in that she always likes to spend more money to get the discount... LOL. I understand it, though. Admittedly, I am an AMAZON WHORE... or JOHN, I guess it would be. Can't tell you how much I've spent there over the past few years. Whew! BTW, I just bought The Interpretation of Fairy Tales book, too. Stuff like that is ALWAYS helpful to screenwriters and writers in general. Kyle
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Kyle-

you're my Oprah, you recommend it and I buy it, so the book is on it's way...used $2.41 plus $3.99 shipping. not bad.

I did buy contour a while back and enjoyed the concepts a lot but was pretty disappointed with the interface bugs. I've got a mac and of course nothing is ever made with a mac in mind unless it's crafted by steve jobs himself and then you pay out the nose for it.

So naturally the contour interface displayed quirky behavior the moment I downloaded the program. It's got this weird jumpy thing when I switch between event boxes which really disrupts the creative flow.

I contacted their tech about the issue but received no help until I posted on the mariner (parent company) message boards at which point I was told that "it's something their working on."

At any rate, the value to me was more in the concepts and structure than the applet itself so I still keep the ideas close to my heart even though I no longer use the program.

Anyway, thanks for posting about the book and good luck with the long days.
 
Thanks D--

I use both MAC and WIN but my Contour is on WIN, with no significant problems to date. Honestly, though, I use the Contour pdf more than the software. I can't work from software--at least right now in my career. (Correction: I do sequence in STORYVIEW.) I often need a quick God's Eye view of a project, so I still use old school techniques.
 
A bit of off topic but "Myth and Meaning: Cracking the Code of Culture" might be of interest here too... (and the other stuff by the author)


T
 
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