{"id":7271,"date":"2017-08-16T07:00:05","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T07:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etbscreenwriting.com\/\/?p=7271"},"modified":"2021-07-30T22:34:16","modified_gmt":"2021-07-30T22:34:16","slug":"break-the-mold-when-harry-met-sally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etbscreenwriting.com\/break-the-mold-when-harry-met-sally\/","title":{"rendered":"When Harry Met Sally – Breaking The Mold"},"content":{"rendered":"

Writing Advice Wednesday<\/h3>\n

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Each of the Nine Character Types<\/a> books contains a precise set of tools to create one specific kind of character\u2019s emotional playing field<\/strong> and establish his or her driving force<\/strong> in a story.\u00a0A character\u2019s emotional playing field defines the internal framework (structure) of the story. It is the range of action and behavior (from predatory to spiritually enlightened) that instantaneously establishes a particular type of character to an audience.\u00a0A character\u2019s driving force is the combination of actions and reactions that propel the character through the story.<\/p>\n

For example, Chinatown<\/em> and Apocalypse<\/em> Now would never be put on the same genre list. \u00a0But emotionally they are the same film. \u00a0In the beginning, the protagonist searches for the truth about one simple thing (Who killed Hollis Mulray. Where is Colonel Kurtz?) \u00a0Over the course of the story the protagonist finds out the truth about a much larger thing. (The corruption in the water system in Los Angeles. The moral quagmire and craziness of the war in Viet Nam.) \u00a0In the end, the protagonist finds out the truth about himself. (Not asking for help– not trusting his colleagues– results in disaster. \u00a0I could easily become the monster who was Kurtz.)<\/p>\n

The Buddy Movie has all the same elements of a typical Romantic Comedy (without the sex). \u00a0The buddies are thrown together. \u00a0They don’t like each other. By being forced together they learn from each other. \u00a0In the end, in the highest act of love between buddies, they are willing to take a bullet for each other.<\/p>\n

The best thing about this post is how what we think of a romantic comedy is turned on its head in in When\u00a0Harry\u00a0Met Sally<\/em>. Also, it’s a wonderful excuse to revisit this enchanting film. Go and watch it tonight, especially if you’ve never seen it!<\/p>\n