Character = physiology + sociology + psychology
pressures of the environment
As with all mathematical equations, as one variable
changes the resulting product changes, and here his where
we can form our character’s growth or arc
The character bond must be
unbreakable
Crisis
Resolution
Central
Conflict
Climax
The Puffy Chair
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2005 Jay and Mark Duplass
Mark Duplass plays Josh
Has won many independent film awards
Shot on a very low budget… on location…
with friends who worked for little or no pay
Protagonist: Josh
• He lives in a bubble… a “special world”
where he does anything to get what he
wants, just like a child. When faced with
grown-up decisions, great insecurity and
fear arise in him.
Good looking young person + artistic + insecure = Paralysis
Pressure to make a Commitment
Antagonist: Emily
• She’s romantic and naïve. Rather spoiled.
She wants what she wants, even if it doesn’t
exist. She’s manipulative. When faced with
resistance, she reacts emotionally and often
irrationally.
Good looking young person + spoiled + impulsive = Stubborn
Pressure to accept the situation as it is
Pivotal Character: Rhett
• Rhet is direct, honest, and unafraid of the
consequences of being honest. He sees
things for what they are (lizard). He brings
actions that force change.
The Puffy Chair’s Premise:
Fear brings paralysis
Tight conflict
structure that
is continually
RISING
Each crisis lead to…
some dramatic
Climax…
There is a catharsis
(for the audience)
and epiphany
(for the characters)
preceding
each Resolution
Rising action: in each act there is
something more serious at stake.
Act 3: Conflicts center on the relationships
themselves
Act 2: Conflicts center on action-reaction
and disappointments
Act 1: Conflicts center on the road
trip