Gear and accessories can make a difference in scenes.
A scene in a Survival Thriller script where a character has hiking gear will be different from a scene where she doesn’t have the gear.
And a fight scene in a Monster script where a character wears a knife/gun holster will be different than a scene where he holds the weapon the entire time since he can holster it and do other things with his hands.
Have you ever given a character gear/accessories? How did it affect the scene?
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In my planned comedy spy film The Mustache That Knew Too Much, the spy`s sidekick is loaded with gadgets that do not always work as planned.
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I like that title, Wyman Brent! Will the gadgets get the spy and sidekick into funny and dangerous situations?
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Maurice Vaughan, thanks. Yes, the sidekick means well but he is not as clever as he thinks. Oftentimes, his gadgets backfire and cause havoc.
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You're welcome, Wyman Brent. Is The Mustache That Knew Too Much live-action or animated?
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Maurice Vaughan, it will be live-action
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This is a good one Maurice Vaughan and always essential! In my recent finished trailer, for one of my short films I given three characters their gear/accessories.
1) A magical/mystical bow (animated).
2) A firearm (animated)
3) Diving equipment.
The first was for an immortal angelic type war being, armed and ready to shoot, (influencing and promoting costuming, along with atmosphere) just calculating the target or targets.
The second is an agent type figure (with the obvious dress code) coming out of a shadowed background and firing one round., complimenting technique and posture in doing so (something like a James Bond).
The third is presumed actual footage , however fitted ideally in equipping divers who were exploring ancient underwater discoveries, of what is believed to be a mythical past, but tangible actual evidence of different and controversial theories.
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There’s an exercise where you imagine your characters as action figures. What are their costumes? What are their accessories?
I could name a dozen iconic characters that are defined by their props, but I’ll mention Indiana Jones briefly. Obviously he has the hat, the whip, a pistol. He goes for the gun when he’s outmatched. And in Temple of Doom, we expect that. So, when he reaches for his gun at a crucial moment and his holster is empty, it’s a big deal. He faces two men with swords. Now he has to use his whip, instead of shooting them (which is how he defeated a swordsman in the previous film.)
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I used to do martial arts, and the weapon I was most familiar with was the (in English) staff. In one of my fantasy (book) worlds, the people used them for fighting. I enjoyed choreographing the fight scenes with some of my fellow instructors. Did the same for another fantasy (book) world where a character used a saber. One of my students was a saber champion, and he brought his equipment one day, gave me a session, and answered questions. Then he edited the scene to make sure it was realistic. Fun times.
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I picture The Mustache That Knew Too Much as a Johnny English and Get Smart kind of movie, Wyman Brent.
Thanks, Eon C. Rambally. I like those gear/accessories, especially the magical/mystical bow. I haven't thought about using diving equipment in a script, but I've been outlining a script that diving equipment would be perfect for. Thanks for the idea.
That's a great exercise, Mike Boas! I'm going to try it. Thanks. And speaking of action figures, I made this post about acting out scenes with action figures a while back: www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Time-to-Play-Screenwriting-Tip
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Wow! You choreographed the scenes with your fellow instructors and your student, Debra Holland! That does sound fun. Choreographing scenes and in-person research (like interviews) are the best things for developing stories in my opinion.
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Maurice Vaughan, similar. Plus, a bit of Austin Powers thrown in. However, this spy lives in the present day, but operates just like it is the 1970s.
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I invented some for fantasy EG walking stick turns into a snake & ancient sigils written on papyrus turn into flying insects. With other genres I often steer away from usual weapons & equipment so protagonist utilises an object unexpected eg stiletto heels weapon or sheet & string hand sewn parachute.
I like those accessories, Debbie Croysdale. And I like that idea! Steering away from usual weapons and equipment so the protagonist utilizes an object unexpected. I didn't think of that. I can see that working in the scripts I'm working on. Thanks for the idea.