tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post665944753240675674..comments2024-03-27T11:18:53.456-07:00Comments on Temple of the Seven Golden Camels: Arcs and Transformations - Part Twomark kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11953166248647413142noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post-46692406247691304582013-01-24T18:02:15.020-08:002013-01-24T18:02:15.020-08:00Traveling angel movies is a great term, never hear...Traveling angel movies is a great term, never heard it before. It's interesting to look at characters like that, or ones like James Bond with a consistent emotional constitution, as an enduring archetype necessary to certain kinds of storytelling as opposed to just plot devices. For example, I love Seinfeld's Kramer for his reliably whacky antics but hate Lisa in the Simpsons for always being "that character" who thinks too much and yet doesn't seem to grow from any of it. I suppose one's attitude towards these kinds of characters depends largely on how open they are to the personality type more generally.Prinnigmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11678787642261626029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post-14977725525281077522012-12-10T08:44:29.837-08:002012-12-10T08:44:29.837-08:00Youre right about most drama shows where the chara...Youre right about most drama shows where the character doesn't change, like Law and Order, but there are a few exceptions like Lost, Fringe a few others where its impossible to run them out of order since the characters and storylines do change over time.Paul Burrowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02423241437016431567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post-57135772160000759212012-12-02T21:28:40.653-08:002012-12-02T21:28:40.653-08:00There's an interesting character arc in a sing...There's an interesting character arc in a single scene of the movie "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940, John Ford.)<br /><br />Steely waitress who doesn't cut anybody slack gets asked by the Joad kids how much the candy next to the cash register is.<br /><br />She asks how much they've got, then lies about the cost of candy, gives it to them. They exit, and she gets called on her soft-heartedness (not in evidence before) by two truck drivers.<br /><br />Stills from the scene: <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej1I-IrHWCc<br /><br />(No actual footage, copyrights sometimes work.)Steve Huletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post-2350516896035635692012-11-29T17:43:39.653-08:002012-11-29T17:43:39.653-08:00This isn't only true of cinema: one of the cla...This isn't only true of cinema: one of the classic 'rules' about novels is the necessity of the character's transformation over the course of the book. But there are loads of novels for which this isn't true.<br /><br />One of my favorites, Austen's <i>Persuasion</i>, has a central character whose happy ending is a result of her successful resistance to the changes being pushed on her from outside characters and circumstances.<br /><br />Tenacity can be as heroic as transformation... but maybe it's more of an adult virtue and the stories it more rightly belong to older characters, rather than characters in the midst of figuring out who they are/want to be.<br /><br />The protagonist of <i>Persuasion</i> is older by several years than the protagonists of Austen's other, more transformation-centered novels.tim bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06191165243642321955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post-70946397638175972322012-11-27T11:17:53.061-08:002012-11-27T11:17:53.061-08:00Also have to mention Walter White & Jessie'...Also have to mention Walter White & Jessie's character arc through the 5 seasons of Breaking Bad.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01688883698954943258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post-89006330777896436492012-11-26T09:33:54.781-08:002012-11-26T09:33:54.781-08:00As Mahesh says, above, one way this can be done ve...As Mahesh says, above, one way this can be done very successfully in ongoing series is to have long, slow character arcs that extend over multiple seasons. This method has resulted in some of my favorite storytelling moments of all time, because the sheer length of the tv series format allows for a level of depth in exploring a character arc that you just don't have time for in a 2 hour movie.<br /><br />This seems to be less common than the completely episodic, unchanging model that you discussed, probably because it can't be milked out as long. Once you start introducing character arcs into a story, it implies the existence of a beginning, a middle, and an end to the story. But I, as a viewer, think this is for the best and consistently pray for it. I mean, no show is going to last forever. Even the best character will grow tired over time if he and his world never change. <br /><br />As a creator, you can either have a one-dimensional character that you milk for as long as possible, who eventually ends with a whimper when the gag finally grows old, or you can create a compelling character that changes over time in meaningful ways, then end with a bang in a way that actually resolves the story. Of course this means the story ends there, just when it's most poplar, which producers hate, but I don't really consider that a disadvantage. Better to end popular than unpopular, if you're going to end either way. Better to end with a bang than a whimper.<br /><br />This means the only real disadvantage is that you can't display the show out of order. This is a minor disadvantage, in that your show will not hold as much appeal for casual viewers who may chance across the show mid-season. But I think the tradeoff is very worth it, as the show will have a much stronger capacity to attract and retain serious fans. Allowing and creating solid character arcs opens the door to forming a real emotional connection with your viewers, and that's going to keep them coming back. Without any hard data, I would still speculate that one serious, committed viewer is worth at least 2-3 casual viewers, from a purely financial perspective.<br /><br />The film-medium storyteller who excels most at this type of story, as far as I'm aware, is Joss Whedon. Buffy is one of the best examples of character arc in a series that I know, and it's still popular years and years later. Firefly, even though it only ran one season, was definitely building up to real character arcs. Firefly still has an extremely active fan base, and it only ran for one season ten years ago. How many shows can say that?<br /><br />So I'm glad to see you talking and thinking about character arcs. That's the meat and potatoes of any good story, in my opinion. But please don't discount the possibility of character arcs in ongoing shows! The level of storytelling possible in long-form film (i.e. ongoing series) is in my opinion the best there is, and it kills me that so many american shows are created specifically to avoid any meaningful character arc.<br /><br />Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16518903647831371357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post-32319333181229345702012-11-25T04:38:35.840-08:002012-11-25T04:38:35.840-08:00Love your posts on character arcs.
[SPOILER ALERT...Love your posts on character arcs.<br /> [SPOILER ALERT]<br />One interesting example is "Real Men" 1987 with James Belushi and John Ritter. There characters, during the course of the movie, transform each other adapting the traits which they desire from the other one. Sensitive Wimp, into tough guy and the tough guy develops a sensitive side. What has always impressed me is the way that transformation takes place over the movie. Believeable and true to the characters.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01522221375515470079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23438334.post-4428218528093775612012-11-25T01:19:56.020-08:002012-11-25T01:19:56.020-08:00Hey I'm loving your series on character arcs ....Hey I'm loving your series on character arcs ..:)<br /><br />I think character arcs are important not only in movies but in series too.. I mean if you watch Supernatural series the brothers and important characters have amazing character arcs throughout the 8 seasons.. it's just incredible ...<br />But it's not like they changed every episode, but they have changed over the seasons , the journey have transformed them ..<br />So as the Dexter not only he but almost all the major characters have good character arc. I think Rapunzel have beautiful character arc too.. she's like exciting, optimistic baby with little dream seeing the lanterns and after dream talk when memories come back .. she definitely transforms .. "am I mumbling now mother??" ..she is willing to take charge and ready to make her own decisions by herself.. She even offers to trade her life for Flynn's that's huge change considering Flynn was the first other human being she met who was a thief <br /><br />I mean it would be debateble but I have always found James Bond as really shallow character... We enjoyed Chris Nolan's Batman because he not only had character arc for 3 movies combined but there's Two different character arcs .. Bruce Wayne's Character arc and Batman's character arc.<br /><br />.. usually the major character who don't have character arc is Mentor character<br /><br />The Kung fu panda one was so awesome because not only Poo but Shifu had character arc too<br /><br />You are right about sitcoms they mostly don't have character arcs .. but look at The Big Bang theory <br />Almost all the characters have character arc<br />And they still have maintained humor standards and their popularity too. <br /><br />...here's Concept of Pyramid Of transformation I wrote while ago, its simple but really cool concept for character arcs and transformation<br />http://www.bramhaa.com/animation/intensity-of-conflict-in-animation-story-writing/<br />I hope you will take time to read it<br /> Maheshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783495856967953738noreply@blogger.com