  Drama
This week: Edited by: Elisa: Snowman Stik  
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In every conflict there is a protagonist and an antagonist. Or is there? What if you just have antagonists? Yes, it's possible to tell a story with no clear cut protagonist. In fact, some of the best drama plays grows from two antagonists facing each other. After reading this newsletter, you just might be able to find numerous scenarios in everyday life in which there are only antagonists.
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The holiday season may not seem like a typical time to think about two antagonists facing off against each other. Then again, consider those family gatherings which involve two (or more) people that do not get along. Right there is an example of two antagonists. Aside from family gatherings, where might you be able to see situations involving two antagonists?
One area ripe with opportunity for exploring this setup is history. Some people believe history is made by those who write the books and not necessarily those who are involved in the event. In fact, one could argue that Thirteen Days by Robert Kennedy helped reinforce the idea of John Kennedy as a dreamboat president. On the other hand, displaying significant flaws for both people involved (whether they're original characters or based on real historical figures) can change many components of the story. Having two antagonists can alter the tone, call for different complications to develop the plot, and maybe even affect which point of view to use when telling the story.
One excellent example of this is the movie Good Night and Good Luck. This and Catch a Fire are my two favorite drama movies because both characters are portrayed as antagonists. Good Night and Good Luck is easier to follow, though, which is why I use it as an example. For those of you who are not aware of the movie, it basically dramatizes the televised face-off between CBS news anchor Edward R. Murrow and late Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy back in the mid-1950s. Granted, this did contain two individuals that could be considered antagonists by different groups of people. Some people alive during that time saw McCarthy as a hero and Murrow as a newsman sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Though director George Clooney focused the film's activities on what happen in CBS's New York City studio during this series of challenges, he did show how Murrow was villianized in the television industry itself. Likewise, in Murrow's later speeches set in the early sixties, Murrow could be interpreted as a man who might try to halt televised news from becoming more of a source of entertainment than hard facts news. I wonder what Murrow would think of mass communication if he was alive today.... In any case, Senator McCarthy was also villianized in the movie through the CBS reporters' reactions to McCarthy's cowardly acts, as he backed out of live debates with Murrow and tried to press federal charges against him when no real crime was committed. So who's the real hero of the story? I'll never tell...if there is one. 
Still, crafting two antagonists is not limited to family situations or history-based drama. You can make any two characters equally antagonistic by showing how their motivation is far from pristine, emphasizing detrimental character flaws, and shifting the point of view. Yes, you can even use first person point of view for this, although it can be a little tricky. If you plan to take this route, having an unreliable narrator tends to work better than other first person point of view methods. No matter how you approach it, writing two characters as antagonists is a fresh approach to drama that keeps people engaged. After all, don't we want to know who's ultimately right in the end? Is there even a character who fits that designation? If you can get your readers to ponder these questions at a subconscious level as they read, then you've done your job of ensnaring the reader.
As the holidays approach and you begin to encounter real life situations involving two antagonists, I would like to wish one thing for you. Good night (or day), and good luck.
Until next time,
(sig courtesy of terryjroo) |
After doing some digging, I found a few items which show two antagonists at work.
| | Kate & Asa (18+)
A tragedy pushes two people apart, but doesn't let them abandon one another completely.
#1172029 by Satuawany  |
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This item number is not valid.
#1180611 by Not Available. |
And since it's holiday time, I'm feeling generous and offering up other items chosen at random to peruse. Enjoy!
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This item number is not valid.
#1038704 by Not Available. |
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This item number is not valid.
#878181 by Not Available. |
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This item number is not valid.
#940732 by Not Available. |
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This item number is not valid.
#848442 by Not Available. |
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#612255 by Not Available. |
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Looks like the survey idea caught your attention! Let's see what some of you had to say about it.
From TAofR  : Very interesting way to develop a character. Heh I take the long road. But this is a very interesting way to go about it also, so I might just try this for new characters. Especially the ones that still need a name.
Sometimes the long road has a view we like, so I say do whatever floats your boat. Maybe there are a few methods of character development that float your boat, which is cool, too. If you ever get stuck for names, http://www.behindthename.com is amazing! They have names from all over the world and background information on all of them. The site even includes names invented in literature.
From Mark : Hi Elisa, Thank you so much! Getting the depth of a character has always been a problem with my story writing. I am great with mood, scene, idea, most everything else, but my characters are always flat. I tried this Q&A exercise out before beginning a story last night and it was amazing the simplicity with which the character took shape inside the story. Another great newsletter, and another lesson learned by this (oh so very) green author-wannabee.
And to think it's a great way to talk to yourself and not look like a complete fool!  Still, it does make life easier, and you're not fighting to get your character to talk on the page.
From Chewie Kittie : Once again, Elisa, you ride to my rescue. I struggle with my characters and you swoop in with just the remedy. Thank you for a timely fix to my problem!
Well, Teresa, this goes to show that timing is everything at your local Honda dealer and your site newsletters. Besides, when I ride to the rescue, I choose a low key mode of transportation: a Kia.  Now that actually gives me an idea for a good survey-type question....
From merlin  : What a great NL. Helped me get a character sorted that had been stubbornly 2D. Nice to know I'm not the only one that gets zen-like moments of inspiration in the bathroom.
I think from now on if I'm out of ideas for the newsletter, I'm going to visit the commode. I think the commode is sort of a modern day muse for many of us. In fact, this topic also happened to spring to mind while in that very spot. Now I'd laugh if anyone actually considered investigating this idea for a thesis/dissertation.
That concludes my series of newsletters for 2006! I will kick of 2007 with an issue on character archetypes. What are your thoughts on archetypes? Do you favor or loathe certain ones? Seen any clear cut archetypes in the 21st century? I'd really curious as to everyone's thoughts on the subject. 
And if you happen to miss or misplace a newsletter, feel free to stop by "The Drama Box" [13+]. |
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Drama: December 06, 2006 Issue [#1417]
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