While I finish up a rewrite on “Brother’s keeper” I am starting a new TV series. In it a number of people are switched. (Can’t believe I’m goin’ sci fi here) They are identical characters - played by the same character in different universes - with different qualities.
Example -
Bob, Joe, Bill are in universe A.
They switch with
With Brad, Mike and Phil who are identical (same actors) but different lives.
How do I write these characters after the switch.
i.e. Bob and Brad are the same (just random names now.)
After the switch is Bob written as Brad or BOB/BRAD which would make Brad BRAD/BOB
Answers I’ve gotten so far are too confusing for a reader.
Really confused. Any help.
From the "Screenwriters Bible":
BOB in A becomes in B either BRAD/BOB or BRAD (BOB).
Or add a line of action to explain it.
Steal from writers. "Counterpart" by Justin Marks. Page 18, study how Marks easily describes two identical characters (played by the same actor).
http://thetelevisionpilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Counterpart_1x0...
Watch Ted's film 'Leaves of Grass' to see how Ed Norton played both characters.
See if you can find a screenplay of "Cloud Atlas" because actors played multiple parts in different storylines.
You might want to check out the script for Face/Off.
Thank you - sure I can find an answer in those suggestions.
I think you should write it with the production assistants and script coordinators in mind. They are the ones who ultimately become part of the "Accountability Chain" for continuity in every line in a script. So...I'd only put the character's name above the dialogue who is actually speaking it - "BOB" when he's speaking, and "BRAD" when he's speaking.
I'd also have a clear line in the narrative that explains the situation/situations when the switch/switches take place, like
UNIVERSE B
"In this universe, Bob is now BRAD."
Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, John!
Just a hint, using names that begin with the same letter will add a lot of confusion. In order to help your reader keep things straight, have every name begin with a different letter than the others and then make the names of the same character radically different. Example--instead of Bod/Brad, try something like Stan/Fredrick . Also, make the names uncommon to further help everyone keep who is who straight.
I hope so, you pain-in-the-ass John Iannucci.
Yes I am Tony - yes I am.
Pat, those weren’t the names I was using. Just examples.
LOL
counterpart ?