Sim1Got to love characters
May 18th 2007 04:12
Reggie Hayes
While good film writing often focuses on plot and story, character development is where the go-go really comes into play. If you believe, as do many substance abusing writers, that there are only seven real stories then you’ll tip towards putting maximum effort into the players.
As a writer I’ve made a successful non-profit career out of meeting real people to flesh-out my characters. I remember an early piece of advice;
“Don’t write about a whore until you’ve actually met one.”
Uncle Max set me straight but it didn’t really fall into place until I met a former boxer called Reggie Hayes.
He showed me that real-life characters are far more surreal than any fictional creation. Reggie taught me that to truly call yourself a writer you’ve got to get down and do the research. A real writer has the hands of a coal miner, not the black skivvy and top-range laptop of a cry-baby.
Anyway, 10 roles, not just talkin’ bout acting, that I reckon make the grade;
Orson Welles, The Third Man.
Harvey Keitel, The Bad Lieutenant.
Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver.
Michael Douglas, Wall Street.
George C. Scott, The Hustler.
The 13 ½ floor chick, Being John Malkovich.
Cathy Bates, Misery.
Dennis Hopper, Blue Velvet.
Jack Nicholson, The Departed.
Milla Jovovich, The Fifth Element.
Until next time and happy film-making.
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