Enneagram and Encaustic – Screenwriting, Lyrics, Art, and Investigation

CHRISTOPHER REEVE’S SUPERMAN, NINE

I was never a comic book reader. This movie, released when I was fourteen, is the OG Superman for me. Every subsequent Superman property will be compared to this one, often for the worse. The three leads — Clark, Lois, and Lex — are foundational characters. Stray from these portrayals at your peril.

When Superman visits Lois at her rooftop courtyard, he’s so wide-eyed and cheerful. He smiles a lot. Clark, by comparison, is almost dour. This is one of the things we love about Reeve’s portrayal: Clark seems more world-weary and Superman is like a hopeful child.

Superman’s optimism is necessary for his character arc. After Lois dies (which, by the way, is still horrific to watch) he goes very dark. He breaks his father’s rules and changes time. It’s as if Superman learns that personal tragedy is possible for him. Jonathan Kent’s heart attack is an old man dying from a natural progression; Superman is sad but he’s not wounded. However, Lois’ death is unfair. Because he keeps his promise and saves Miss Teschmacher’s mother first, Superman can’t get to Lois ahead of the missile.

Well, the OG superhero is going to get the OG Enneagram number, Nine. That’s my instinct, but is it true? Nines love justice; changing the earth’s rotation is an extreme reaction to the injustice of Lois’ fate, but it fits.

Here’s something interesting: Superman is very physical, as a Nine would be. However, is that an inherent trait, or just a benefit of being an alien from a gravity-heavy planet? Take away all of Superman’s strength, and what personality is left? What about the smiling toddler who lifts the Kents’ car to help a stranger?

Nah, he’s still a Nine. Truth, justice, and the American Way. This catchphrase encapsulates a hero Nine’s ethos. And Clark’s timidity, while a ruse to hide his secret identity, is also the sign of a Nine avoiding conflict. It’s not too far a stretch from his core personality, so it’s believable.

Category 55 Emergency Doomsday Crisis

ONE

Eleanor stands in line at the yogurt shop, which is loaded with new flavors. When Eleanor can’t decide, she steps out of line so the next person can order.

TWO

Closeup of Eleanor’s face as she realizes she just did something unselfish. She runs to tell Chidi about it. Of course, in her excitement she forgets to get the yogurt. After a second of complaining, she rushes out to fulfill her promise. Those “good person” lessons are really working!

THREE

Roll title card.

EVA STRATT, ONE

Please don’t read about Stratt if you don’t want spoilers for “Project Hail Mary”.

My first instinct was to call her a Head Type, but she might be a One. Rules are very important to her. She’s in charge of saving the human race and she won’t shirk her responsibility. A One with a vision is indefatigable. They make a good leader when survival is on the line because they aren’t swayed by feelings. Their coldness is their strength.

Also, Stratt’s karaoke scene suggests that little twinkle that a One has. Her job is too serious to let her dip into humor, but for a small moment we see that she’s got a hidden trait.

Stratt as a One and Grace as a Six leads to the confrontation they have. Both are rule-following Enneagram numbers. Grace, who’s convinced he’s not fit for space, won’t budge. Stratt, who has no other option than Grace for her team, will do anything to advance her mission, including drugging and forcing Grace to go. Not many numbers would act so ruthlessly, but a One with a purpose will.

In Stratt’s final scene, we see how implacable she is. Years have passed; her face is lined with age. She’s sailing on a freezing body of water. This is the state of the world as the sun dies. I doubt she’s in the arctic; she’s probably near Hawaii, although the movie doesn’t specify that. All this time, she’s continued on mission. I actually get chills thinking of how dedicated she is and how her belief in Grace comes to fruition. It’s a beautiful moment when she holds Rocky’s sculpture and gives a slight smile. For Stratt, this is the equivalent of jumping up and down with joy.

You don’t have a story without Stratt and her stringency. A One is an excellent choice for a difficult character. She’s implacable. Perhaps some think her villainous. However, all of her decisions feel true to her nature. Her believability is essential.

ROCKY (THE ERIDIAN), TWO

Rocky is a rock-shaped alien. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that; the trailers were generous in showing him.

Animated characters are similar to Rocky’s design: a voice actor provides one aspect of his personality; the illustrator (or in this case, the puppeteer) provides another layer. They can have an Enneagram, and so can Rocky. However, because he has no human-style face, the voice carries more of the load.

James Ortiz gives Rocky a very energetic voice; he loves problem-solving and is curious, asking many questions. He also has a dry sense of humor. He’s loyal to his species, his mate, and his new friend Grace. Rocky has a generous heart.

He could be any of the traits: Head, Heart, or Body Type. Because he’s the only Eridian we get to know, we can’t tell if he’s more physical than others, more sympathetic, or more cerebral. He’s our only example. With so many options, it’s tempting to call him a Null.

That wouldn’t be fair, though; he clearly has a personality. We’ll need to judge him by human standards.

His wit and exuberant physicality suggest a One. His adventurousness suggests a Seven. His sorrow at being alone in space suggests —

A Two. His little xenon sculptures are his Two Collection. The last half of the movie makes clear that Rocky is a Heart Type. I’ll say no more than that.

RYLAND GRACE, SIX

I saw Project Hail Mary in theaters, and then recently rewatched it on streaming. I would say that the second viewing was a little slower because I knew what Grace needed to discover, but overall it was still a great movie.

Grace is no Body Type; he has no confidence in his physical abilities. He’s also no Heart Type; he’s unaffected by appeals to the good of humanity. He’s a Head Type, one who’s removed himself from professional society. This is part of what makes his Hero’s Journey compelling. He’s no hero, not even in his own mind.

We’re left with a Five, Six, or Seven.

He eventually comes to see himself as an adventurer, as any Seven would, and he ends up being quite resourceful in a pinch. It’s a stretch, though, to call him a Seven. He’s not excited enough at his possibilities. A Seven would love to go into space.

Because his pre-mission choices are driven by fear, he could be a Six. He enjoys being of service to his students, and is willing to speak honestly to them. His classroom is all the world he needs, and he’s happy that it’s a small, isolated environment.

Ah, there we go. At first, his duty is to his teaching job. Later, his duty is to Rocky. A Six can do anything when they feel a sense of duty. It’s what keeps a Six from becoming mentally paralyzed by worry. Grace is a good example of the possibilities of a Six, from their darkest characteristics to their most glorious. The story of how he finds his bravery is very compelling.

Gage and Wrigley: Chapter One, Part Three

“Ready?” Rachel asked. She mostly hid her impatience well.

Wrigley settled on the leather harness protecting Gage’s left shoulder. The right side was cleaned up and bandaged. “What’s the plan?” Gage asked her.

“I want to start in the laundry. A habit, probably stained with blood, would need to be washed.”

“Or incinerated,” Wrigley suggested.

“We’ll have a chance to find more clues at the laundry. We start there.” She gave Wrigley a waiting look.

“Oh,” Wrigley said. “This way.” He cocked his head.

“Pal,” Gage said, “I can’t see what you’re doing and I can’t read your mind. Use words.”

“We’ll be here forever,” Rachel said, rolling her eyes. “He’s basically your horse. Can’t you just nudge him or something? Maybe we could get some reins and a bit?”

While Gage scowled daggers at Rachel, Wrigley shifted his weight and gently pushed with his left talons.

“Are you kidding me?” Gage snorted. Exasperated, he blew air from his mouth.

“Pretty good whinny.” Rachel headed toward the direction of Wrigley’s nod.

Jason Mendoza

It’s been almost a year since my last look at episodes of Season One of The Good Place. I miss it, lol.

ONE

We begin where we left off last episode. Eleanor tries to understand Jianyu (who isn’t really Jianyu). She’s been dodging and weaving since they arrived. How has he escaped detection? Squinting, Eleanor says to him, “You don’t seem like a super genius.”

TWO

He makes a face and we go into a flashback of his first moment in the Good Place.

When Michael welcomes him, he immediately identifies Jianyu as a monk who took a vow of silence. Would Jianyu like to continue with that? He quickly nods.

He’s been silent ever since. (The change in his character from zen monk to street-slang punk is brilliantly played.) His name is Jason, he’s from Jacksonville, and he used to be a DJ and hip-hop dancer. He made money by selling fake drugs to college students.

Gage and Wrigley: Chapter One, Part Two

At this point a codex will become available. Stories about this world and its religions will start to accumulate. Dry reading can give your imagination context and a foundation.

Achievement unlocked. Pick a special skill out of the Owl’s Gifts power-up list.

Gage sat at the dining table in the monastery kitchen while Rachel pushed a cup of tea at him.

“Cut it out,” Gage said.

“You look like something I scraped off my boot. Drink the damned tea.”

“Just get me out of here.”

“I don’t think so. I can’t halt a murder investigation just because you’re struck with the vapors.”

“Hey!” Gage snapped. “Some bird has just claimed a kinship with me closer than marriage. Excuse me if I feel slightly rebellious.”

“All right, Gage, all right.”

Without warning the owl flew through the wide kitchen doorway and perched on the back of one of the table chairs. As the chair rocked with the owl’s weight, Gage lifted a boot and stomped on the seat to steady the wobble.

“Thank you,” said Wrigley, inches from Gage’s face.

“You’re welcome. And goodbye.” Gage stood and beckoned to Rachel.

WiP: Tribe of Liars

After publishing my last screenplay about a year ago, I hit a creative wall. Fort Defiance was such a bucket list project. Completing it was satisfying, which left me with little drive to find something new to write. I had a great and lengthy folder for Tribe of Liars with no plan how to develop it further. I liked the fragments I’d written, but it wasn’t grabbing me.

I believe in letting an idea cook, even if I remain creatively idle, rather than force my writing. It worked. I had a brain blast: I would blend Tribe of Liars with another (untitled) screenplay fragment. Neither was working on its own, but combined, I could envision the story arc.

This entry is a placeholder for how I’ll share my process.

I have four characters and their animal Companions. Each team needs a backstory before I can develop a proper screenplay. Gage and Wrigley are the furthest along right now. Not only do I have a Story Enneagram for them, but I have the fictional writing that digs deeper.

I’d like to post my backstory writings here. When the screenplay is eventually published, I’ll include these prologues in an appendix. It’s a complicated writing idea. Let’s rock!

Update 1:

When I wrote the beginnings of the Gage and Wrigley backstory I didn’t know how to develop the IP further. It was a writing exercise at that point. The ToL idea began as a video game, not a film, so I wanted to include the gaming aspect even in the fiction. The conceit I used — go into a first-person narrator voice for the details — is cringe to me now. However, I will probably continue with some variation of the narrator in the other three Companion stories. A lot of brainstorming went into the animal powers; I don’t want to lose the fun of that.

EDDIE AND PATSY, FOUR AND NINE

Okay, bear with me, lol. I’ve given the Sherlock Holmes tag to the Absolutely Fabulous duo. Let me explain.

When I was watching the Cumberpatch/Freeman Sherlock, their relationship suddenly made me think of AbFab. One of the team is a silly basketcase (Watson, as he’s written for this series), and one is completely cool. Now, Patsy is no detective mastermind, but within the fashion-oriented world of AbFab, she is a consulting savant.

Yes, I’m comparing Patsy Stone to Sherlock Holmes.

And Edina Monsoon, with all of her fake Buddhist chanting and colonic remedies, to Dr. Watson.

They are the antithesis of the Sherlock archetype. It’s impossible to get any further from it. I find it hilarious that, while watching a Sherlock show, I was reminded of these two. However, Eddie and Patsy are a Four/Nine duo living in the best aspects of their Enneagrams.

Patsy, as the Nine, is stoic and dispassionate. Eddie the Four feels everything — everything — for the both of them. Their lifelong friendship, even though it portrays a codependency, is loving and charming. The Cumberpatch/Freeman Sherlock is building something very similar, except the Enneagram numbers are flipped. A Four who feels nothing, as Sherlock does, will never build a healthy partnership with a Nine who carries the emotional load.

As you can see, this post is just an excuse to continue my complaint against the Sherlock series. It’s based, though, in a dedicated passion for AbFab, a ridiculous wonderment of female devotion. I continue to rewatch it every few years. Saunders and Lumley have created something true, even if it’s exaggerated.

(And even more hilariously, I’ve created an Eddie toon in my Fallout 76 playthrough. She’s a ghoul — a wrinkled, noseless, undying social reject. Like a classic episode of AbFab, Eddie pursued a questionable beauty treatment with unexpected consequences. It’s all good, though. She looks refreshed.)