During our third week, of the eight week screenwriting mini course at Concord University, we examined Act One in the three act paradigm, by watching the first act of the film The Matrix (1999).
The students had already submitted their choices for the major beats in the movie (e.g. Opening Image, Inciting Incident, Plot Point 1, etc.), and with their work done, it was my turn to walk them through each key moment, explaining where and when the major beats occurred.
We finished the task.
I asked for questions.
The first one was a stunner: "Is leather that much more comfortable than other material?"
I didn't know what to say.
Another student chimed in: "No, leather is hot and noisy."
One students confessed to having owned a pair of leather pants.
The rest of the class added their comments as to the practicality of leather in everyday life. It was a fun turn of events. I was expecting some further investigation into how character arc is stronger when it's connected to the key story beats. We got to that, eventually, but not before we took a detour on the leather road less traveled.
The students had already submitted their choices for the major beats in the movie (e.g. Opening Image, Inciting Incident, Plot Point 1, etc.), and with their work done, it was my turn to walk them through each key moment, explaining where and when the major beats occurred.
We finished the task.
I asked for questions.
The first one was a stunner: "Is leather that much more comfortable than other material?"
I didn't know what to say.
Another student chimed in: "No, leather is hot and noisy."
One students confessed to having owned a pair of leather pants.
The rest of the class added their comments as to the practicality of leather in everyday life. It was a fun turn of events. I was expecting some further investigation into how character arc is stronger when it's connected to the key story beats. We got to that, eventually, but not before we took a detour on the leather road less traveled.
However, the diatribe did lend itself to a quick discussion of the artifice of film. It's all fake. Everything is contrived - even the most organic, honest situations. Think of how many times you will write and rewrite a script, an act, a scene, a line of action or dialogue. It requires multiple takes for the overall script to appear effortless.
Real life doesn't include "takes." We get one chance in this mortal coil.
Actors and actresses (in film) usually get several chances. There are occasions when only one take is possible, but even then, lighting and sound and camera and make-up and costume and crew all must be in place to make the magic happen. In film world we watch and accept that martial-arts-acrobatic maneuvers really do manage best when the characters wear sunglasses and all-leather outfits. We know that is not real. But it's a good reminder of why we like movies, why we like stories: though they must be rooted in reality (emotional reality, at the core) stories and films are permitted a range of landscapes and characters and costumes and gadgets that exceed our present circumstances; nevertheless, they give us room to dream; they give us strength to chase our dreams; they give us hope that the chasing of our dreams will fill and expand our souls.
So, leather is not that comfortable. Sorry if this offends the S&M crowd. But it's perfect for The Matrix. Besides, the story is about mind and heart over matter, and if you possessed the powers that Neo and Trinity and Morpheus have, then you could make leather an extremely comfortable and practical choice for any article of clothing.
Real life doesn't include "takes." We get one chance in this mortal coil.
Actors and actresses (in film) usually get several chances. There are occasions when only one take is possible, but even then, lighting and sound and camera and make-up and costume and crew all must be in place to make the magic happen. In film world we watch and accept that martial-arts-acrobatic maneuvers really do manage best when the characters wear sunglasses and all-leather outfits. We know that is not real. But it's a good reminder of why we like movies, why we like stories: though they must be rooted in reality (emotional reality, at the core) stories and films are permitted a range of landscapes and characters and costumes and gadgets that exceed our present circumstances; nevertheless, they give us room to dream; they give us strength to chase our dreams; they give us hope that the chasing of our dreams will fill and expand our souls.
So, leather is not that comfortable. Sorry if this offends the S&M crowd. But it's perfect for The Matrix. Besides, the story is about mind and heart over matter, and if you possessed the powers that Neo and Trinity and Morpheus have, then you could make leather an extremely comfortable and practical choice for any article of clothing.
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