Has anyone has ever had characters who just want to do what they want? That might be a rhetorical question. After many rewrites in order to accommodate changing cast and budget I’ve ended up with characters doing their own thing and wandering off the story. We start shooting in six weeks and time is running out.
Screenwriting : How do you control your characters? by Mike Chinea
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Your post is rather general, but my first thought is that the characters may not be important to the story. Can you be more specific?
Thanks Kent. Your point is brilliant!! After so many changes I lost sight of the story. I will be working on it through the weekend and I will let you know what happens. Thanks again!!!
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Mike, let the characters be themselves (you created them). And look deeper into where they "run" and most importantly, which new element they will show you that you can "use" in the history. Check the original idea is not affected. But if in the end affect the original idea, then rewrite everything again ... or at least new stuff from that character and remember to let them be themselves! The best in all your projects! Regards Ivan
Happen to me!
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Sure, Mike. Glad I could help. Good luck!
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The golden key for a screenwriter: PATIENCE!
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Thanks Ivan. Part of my problem was trying to fit characters were they didn't belong so the story got screwed up. A fresh rewrite is in order.
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I just remind them that I have a DELETE button and if they don't behave...
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Don't let others destroy your baby.
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Do like I did. Told them they could be excused and thanks for the time that was given.
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if it doesn't move the plot along... cut it.
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Let the dynamic run then bring it back to the core of what you wrote. I have an inkling something that it's characters create their own expanded dynamics might be golden. Go back through your rewrites and build parameters where needed and that's that. Set parameters and Sell the Nuts & Bolts, Heart & Soul of it. Sounds much easier than it is though I'm sure.
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In Australia you can use Kangaroos and Beer!
One of the notes I got back from the EP was to give the hero a dog and that would solve everything. C'est la guerre.
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Such a cool solution.... Mans best friend.
You control your characters by directing them Into good actors...
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I know what you mean, I have little control over my characters. I find it best to just know all I can about them so that the directions they take make sense to me. I let them lead me to the story.
@Mark souza Thanks for the laugh XD, that was great! haha