Finding Nemo - Relationships

I have this formula that I lay onto movies.  It's generic enough to work.

Stories happen when a main characters' relationship with another, Fractures, like two atoms.

Stories end when a main character Bonds with another character, like two atoms.

In Finding Nemo, I'd like to stretch it a little.

Marlin's relationship with his wife becomes fractured when she is eaten.
He then bonds with Dory.  Though she doesn't make an appearance in the final scene.

Marlin's relationship with Nemo is fractured and then re-bonded.

The way I'm reconciling this second relationship is that since Nemo gains confidence he becomes a new fish by the time Marlin finds him again.

So, in effect Marlin is bonding with a new character.

FARGO - character flaw

The character flaw in Fargo is Minnesota Nice.  It's the simple, homey, comfortable, honest, way of life.

A character flaw is what makes the story interesting but also the thing that must be overcome, let go, put aside in order to reach the goal.

When Marge learns that her old friend Mike was lying to her, she realizes Jerry may be lying to her.

Theme

A theme or idea - some meaning expressed by the story that was greater than its plot.

It arises naturally.

Three Writing Guides

Theme - not abstract but literal.  For example - Shark killing swimmers. - Every scene concerns this "theme"

Tone - Funny, scared, cute, touching, sad - Pick one tone and make every scene contain it.  Subtones are okay but make sure the main tone is there too.

Reality - make sure behavior is true to the world your creating.

Character Flaw - the thing that matters most

I have to reiterate that the character flaw is the thing of your story.  It's whatever you find is the funniest part of your story if your writing a comedy.  The coolest if your writing action.  The scariest if your writing horror.

It's what is keeping your character from bonding with another.

It's what we fucking want so bad.

It's not snakes for Indiana Jones.  It's his desire to track down rare artifacts.

three villains in feature films

Jaws - mayor, quint, shark

Feature films are long.  And to support each side of the "argument" there will be multiple characters.  I think you can find three villains of different power/style levels in a lot of films.

And a lot of times there is a relationship being tested with one of these villains.

Character Vs. Plot

What we have in other words is Character Vs. Tools.

I think one reason we outline is because we fear that the Tools will lose this battle if we write from page one without knowing where we'll be on page 10.

The tools create the interesting set pieces, they create the interesting visuals, the interesting battles, and so on.

However when we write from an outline, we lose the interesting ways in which characters relate to each other.  The ways they hurt and help each other.

attracting an audience

We are attracted to 1)characters and 2) tools.
We are not attracted to structure.

Characters - relationship problems
Tools - how they are used, magic

outlining and structure

im on the side that says outlining a story is not worth the effort.

because a character has a goal, a weakness, and a strength AND other characters in the story will have the same three elements, it can be artificial to predict where and how they will act and react.

I do believe it it's possible to write passable stories using an outline but characters and scene cuts will without-a-doubt be less interesting, less real.

when you sit down to write with an outline, the outline becomes the engine driving you forward.

when you sit down to write having stepped inside a character, the character becomes the engine driving you forward.   

Joseph Minion and Martin Scorsese - After Hours

Here's a story that steps away from "Reality" and plays with symbols and psych thriller genre.  Parts are comedic.

Stories

Stories are simply about a character that doesn't fit in with others

Character Vs. Plot

Character Vs. Plot

And the third element.

ESSENCE.

The soul of the story.

story breakdown

Am I consistent with my point of view character?
What's the most interesting part of my story?

character strength

A character's strength is keeping their existing relationship together.  It is abused by the antagonist.  It's something positive but something they need to stop using to get what they want.

In another light you could call it their flaw.

Marlin from Finding Nemo is over protective.  It's a "white flaw"  like a "white lie"  From a distance it doesn't seem mean or bad but it's restraining Nemo from growing.

antagonist, villain, bad guy

The antagonist wants the same thing as the protagonist in general.

The reason we dislike the antagonist is because they are trying to suppress the want in the protagonist.

They are essentially saying look i want the same thing but i want it for myself alone.
While the protagonist essentially say I want it, and you want it, why can't we share it.  we can't we all have it.

who doesnt dislike a hypocrite?

character flaw

Consider the most interesting aspect of your character as their character flaw.

Like Indiana Jones is great at finding artifacts but its also what gets him into relationship trouble.

Now on the other side of the spectrum...

Marlin from Finding Nemo is an over protective loving father.

Short Vs. Feature Film Story

A short film situation is one in which a daily routine is shook about.

A feature film situation is one in which a way of life is shook about.

Rising Action

Rising Action is a sort of bullshit term.

Chances are the type and amount of action that takes place in the beginning of your story will be the same at the end.

Rising Action could mean more and more characters are getting involved in the situation.