(I want something, so I do something inevitably feeling something.)
To discover what your character really wants you must answer the 8 W's
Who (Am I)
Where (am I)
When (is it)
Where (have I come from)
What (do I need)
Why (do I need it)
What (will happen if I don't get it)
What (must I overcome)
Who am I? - I am Jasmine Hadley, a newly single mother of two, Minerva Hadley and Persephoney Hadley, my ex husband is the deputy prime minister and has left me for another woman named Grace. He was hardly ever home, always on 'business trips', so I guess I should have seen it coming. And I know that Sephy resents me for it, she must think that I drove him away, but she is too young to know anything that is above her head. I am a Cross who lives in a very large house with a private beach nearby that is disconnected from the rest of the world with a fence. I am a depressed alcoholic probably because my husband left me and my youngest daughter rebels against me repetitively so instead of facing the challenges that life throws at me, I turn to alcohol to numb the pain that has been inflicted upon me. When I have an argument with my daughter, I drink, when my ex husband is trying to ruin my life even more, I drink, when begin to remember my past, I drink. Honestly at this point its just a way to fill the gaps of time that people usually spend at work or with their family. Well that and shopping, you can never have too many shoes right?
Where am I? (in my scenes) - 1) I am watching Sephy swing on the garden swing, well twist more than swing, from the kitchen window. Just watching her waiting for the right time to tell her that she must see the father of her best friend die, and deciding of how to say it. I'm not even sure why we even have that swing anymore, it's old and ugly and no one even uses it properly anymore, but Sephy wants to keep it. God know why, probably because of some sort of nostalgic feeling she gets because she and Callum always used to play on it, when life was good. The rest of the garden is empty, just a couple of trees and some flower beds along the side, now it's just freshly mown grass with gaps where children used to laugh, to play. The door to the wine cellar is right next to me and it is taking everything in me not to bring a glass but no, I must keep my chin up and my head high, for not only my sake, but for my families image.
2) Me and my family are in the dining hall of our huge house, sitting on a large table for nine but populated by four, picking at our expensive food, me drinking my wine and everyone sharing awkward glances and trying to engage in conversation while the butler is setting out more food that probably won't be eaten. The room is large and furnished well but seems empty, probably because we are such a small family and this house is meant for at least seven, but it's not just that. It feels cold, unused, so many colours and trinkets but boring. but maybe thats just because my ex husbands in the room, he tends to have that effect on things, leeching them until they're dry, dulling them. I feel sorry for Grace really, she will just end up like me, a shell of what used to be filled with life and energy. But when I think of her properly, I think she's probably just in it for the money.
When is it - 1) It is 2014, it is early spring, the sun lightly brushing the blades of grass, illuminating Sephys skin with the makings of a happy picture if only her eyes weren't so sad, it is around 4:15 and I really need to get her inside soon or we will be late.
2) Still 2014 but now coming into Summer around 6 with the light still shining through the windows.
Where have I come from - 1) I was just putting finishing my wine so that I would not be noticeably drunk for the cameras when I decide to call Sephy in only to find her sitting on her old swing set, just twisting. I do not want to disturb her right away, she'd look so peaceful if it wasn't for the pained look on her face.
2) I was just sitting at the pool, trying to get as tanned as possible in the summer sun, contemplating how Sephy will feel about the news of boarding school when the butler calls me and tells me that my ex husband has arrived and that I should get ready for dinner.
What do I need? - 1) I need to make Sephy look nice quickly without her finding out where she is going so that she will willingly go.
2) I need to comply to what Kamal thinks is best for Sephy and try to break it to her gently so she doesn't flip out and run away or do something she will regret.
Why do I need it? - 1) because if Sephy shows up not dressed for the occasion, and if we show up late, it is sure to get noticed by the press and they will jump at the chance to make us look bad.
2) Kamal can make my life even worse than it already is and I really don't want that to happen because it will not only effect me, but my children as well.
Why do I need it? - 1) because if she doesn't show up or if we show up late and looking like naughts then the press will make fools out of us and that would be terrible for my image.
2) because if Kamal gets irritated with me he may cut us off and that would not be good for my children or me.
What must I overcome? - 1) I must go to the hanging myself which will be difficult because I do still love the Mgreggors but I must do it to support Kamal especially since everyone thinks that we are still together, it would seem awfully odd if we didn't show. It will be terrible but I have to do it.
2) I must try to overcome the fact that I don't want Sephy to be upset but I also want whats best for her and if Kamal thinks that it is this then so be it, though I do not want for my own daughter to hate me even more, this must be done, for her safety otherwise God knows what will happen.
Where (am I)
When (is it)
Where (have I come from)
What (do I need)
Why (do I need it)
What (will happen if I don't get it)
What (must I overcome)
Who am I? - I am Jasmine Hadley, a newly single mother of two, Minerva Hadley and Persephoney Hadley, my ex husband is the deputy prime minister and has left me for another woman named Grace. He was hardly ever home, always on 'business trips', so I guess I should have seen it coming. And I know that Sephy resents me for it, she must think that I drove him away, but she is too young to know anything that is above her head. I am a Cross who lives in a very large house with a private beach nearby that is disconnected from the rest of the world with a fence. I am a depressed alcoholic probably because my husband left me and my youngest daughter rebels against me repetitively so instead of facing the challenges that life throws at me, I turn to alcohol to numb the pain that has been inflicted upon me. When I have an argument with my daughter, I drink, when my ex husband is trying to ruin my life even more, I drink, when begin to remember my past, I drink. Honestly at this point its just a way to fill the gaps of time that people usually spend at work or with their family. Well that and shopping, you can never have too many shoes right?
Where am I? (in my scenes) - 1) I am watching Sephy swing on the garden swing, well twist more than swing, from the kitchen window. Just watching her waiting for the right time to tell her that she must see the father of her best friend die, and deciding of how to say it. I'm not even sure why we even have that swing anymore, it's old and ugly and no one even uses it properly anymore, but Sephy wants to keep it. God know why, probably because of some sort of nostalgic feeling she gets because she and Callum always used to play on it, when life was good. The rest of the garden is empty, just a couple of trees and some flower beds along the side, now it's just freshly mown grass with gaps where children used to laugh, to play. The door to the wine cellar is right next to me and it is taking everything in me not to bring a glass but no, I must keep my chin up and my head high, for not only my sake, but for my families image.
2) Me and my family are in the dining hall of our huge house, sitting on a large table for nine but populated by four, picking at our expensive food, me drinking my wine and everyone sharing awkward glances and trying to engage in conversation while the butler is setting out more food that probably won't be eaten. The room is large and furnished well but seems empty, probably because we are such a small family and this house is meant for at least seven, but it's not just that. It feels cold, unused, so many colours and trinkets but boring. but maybe thats just because my ex husbands in the room, he tends to have that effect on things, leeching them until they're dry, dulling them. I feel sorry for Grace really, she will just end up like me, a shell of what used to be filled with life and energy. But when I think of her properly, I think she's probably just in it for the money.
When is it - 1) It is 2014, it is early spring, the sun lightly brushing the blades of grass, illuminating Sephys skin with the makings of a happy picture if only her eyes weren't so sad, it is around 4:15 and I really need to get her inside soon or we will be late.
2) Still 2014 but now coming into Summer around 6 with the light still shining through the windows.
Where have I come from - 1) I was just putting finishing my wine so that I would not be noticeably drunk for the cameras when I decide to call Sephy in only to find her sitting on her old swing set, just twisting. I do not want to disturb her right away, she'd look so peaceful if it wasn't for the pained look on her face.
2) I was just sitting at the pool, trying to get as tanned as possible in the summer sun, contemplating how Sephy will feel about the news of boarding school when the butler calls me and tells me that my ex husband has arrived and that I should get ready for dinner.
What do I need? - 1) I need to make Sephy look nice quickly without her finding out where she is going so that she will willingly go.
2) I need to comply to what Kamal thinks is best for Sephy and try to break it to her gently so she doesn't flip out and run away or do something she will regret.
Why do I need it? - 1) because if Sephy shows up not dressed for the occasion, and if we show up late, it is sure to get noticed by the press and they will jump at the chance to make us look bad.
2) Kamal can make my life even worse than it already is and I really don't want that to happen because it will not only effect me, but my children as well.
Why do I need it? - 1) because if she doesn't show up or if we show up late and looking like naughts then the press will make fools out of us and that would be terrible for my image.
2) because if Kamal gets irritated with me he may cut us off and that would not be good for my children or me.
What must I overcome? - 1) I must go to the hanging myself which will be difficult because I do still love the Mgreggors but I must do it to support Kamal especially since everyone thinks that we are still together, it would seem awfully odd if we didn't show. It will be terrible but I have to do it.
2) I must try to overcome the fact that I don't want Sephy to be upset but I also want whats best for her and if Kamal thinks that it is this then so be it, though I do not want for my own daughter to hate me even more, this must be done, for her safety otherwise God knows what will happen.
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