Screenwriting, Lyrics, Art, and Investigation
A beat, and then a gentle GLOW begins to emanate from the
crack in the bed-curtains.
Soft SOUNDS begin, as well. Shuffling, blowing, swishing,
lowing. Nervous, Scrooge reaches for the curtains. Smells
assault his senses, stopping him.
A CRY, part newborn baby, part enraged animal, rings through
the apartment and Scrooge jumps back into his bed.
GENTLE VOICE
(OVER)
Ebenezer Scrooge. Come to me now.
Meek, Scrooge draws the bed-curtains and steps out.
Continue reading “Scrooge, page 36”The tongue, right? Tasting his thrown axe for that sweet gold ore.
He’s so jolly! (Hey, Skinny Santa, this is how you do it.) His little doggos and his cheer, his adventurous spirit and his easygoing acceptance — who doesn’t love Yukon? He’s a little bit of a mentor, a wise man, for Rudolph and Hermey. He’s a loner, after all, and he knows how to find peace and contentment in the wild.
Who is this bearded Mountain Man?
He has gadgets and friends, a sled loaded with paraphernalia, and an open and welcoming personality. Society is an odd match for him — square peg, round hole — and his heart, when given, is 100% yours. Two?
No, wait! He’s an Eight (who moves to Two in strength). Look at that robust torso! He’s so aggressive and confident around the Abominable. And who else would tame the beast? Too funny. Only an Eight would create a very Humble Bumble.
Didn’t you just love him when you were a child? He’s brash and comfortable. But that tongue thing — and somehow tasting weird things is an Eight quality, who knew? — was always a little too far.
SCROOGE
You think I could have changed her
mind? That I had any control? That
I could stop the woman I loved from
leaving me!?
As Scrooge gets angrier, Ebenezer slumps further forward in
despair.
PAST
Yes.
Scrooge roars, reaching to grab Past.
Continue reading “Scrooge, page 33”That moment when you see Santa — Santa Claus! — tell Rudolph he’s not good enough because of a physical difference you’re devastated. THIS IS THE SANTA! He’s all good, all loving (like God) and all forgiving. Why is this Santa so petty and mean?
Usually Santa is more of an avatar. This Santa is a character. Let’s pursue his Enneagram number.
Well, and I’m cracking up, this Santa is hungry. Or, he’s not hungry. He’s just an ascetic, which is totally wrong for a Santa. Mrs. Claus says, “Eat, papa, eat. No one likes a skinny Santa.”
WHY ISN’T SANTA ROLY POLY? Everything about this version is . . . Not Santa. Every year, according to this story, Santa lives lean until the last couple of weeks when he overeats. This is a very conflicted, eating-disordered Santa.
One. I mean, I go immediately to One. Skinny, energetic Santa who only gives in to the requirement of his job at the last minute is a One. Santa who tsks at Rudolph’s nose because it’s not up to some random standard that Santa himself made out of whole cloth is a One. And when he must grovel to Rudolph and ask for his help, he does it with dignity. One.
Also, the Pole is super efficient. One.
Next to Boy Scrooge is a figure in exotic garments, an axe in
his belt, and leading a wood-laden donkey.
ALI BABA
Ready to look for hidden treasure,
young Master Ebenezer?
REVERSE to Scrooge. His delight causes Past to stop and
stare.
SCROOGE
And Robinson Crusoe! My imaginary
friends were a comfort to me. I had
forgotten!
ROBINSON CRUSOE, with a parrot on his shoulder, kneels down
to look Boy Scrooge in the eye.
“I want to be . . . a dentist.” After years of watching Hermey I accept his reality, but think about how weird this was the first time you heard it. The North Pole and dentistry seem so unrelated. Sweets and Santa, though: the writer’s thought process is clever. Of course the land of sugar has tooth decay. I’m impressed.
You’ve written an outcast, someone as misplaced as Rudolph. That’s lovely. And he’s a good egg, a solid friend. And when they must go against the Abominable, Hermey is brave (oink oink) and competent. He’s also very resolute. The Head Elf is stern and intimidating, yet Hermey sticks to his guns.
Great character! What is he?
A Six. This is why he and Rudolph are a good partnership. The world is black and white to Hermey. He could go along to get along. The elf gig is good. His principles, though, his determination, won’t let him acquiesce. Also, his bravery is tied to helping his friends. A Six is so loyal that their natural fear will be put aside if someone needs them.
Now we’re really getting Christmas-y!
He’s so sweet-natured he breaks your heart. Even 50 years ago when this movie first came out, his dad Donner and Santa struck us as cruel. His nose is odd so he’s socially rejected. Talk about an underdog story!
Rudolph is quite non-judgmental, possibly because he has been judged so harshly by others. Another possibility is that he is naturally kind. He makes friends easily with those outside of the reindeer competitive milieu. And when he befriends someone, he fights for them. Clarice against the Abominable, the Misfit Toys . . . he’s as loyal as you could wish.
He can really fly. He’s the best at the tryouts. Does this mean Body Type? His kindness — his sense that cruelty is wrong and he won’t engage in it — has been leading me toward Six. He certainly isn’t an Eight. He’s much too resigned with the injustice of the workshop. And he’s not a One. That quick wit and energy are missing.
Another Nine? Yes. It’s the refusal to engage in conflict, the running away. He lives in Six, his weakness number, until finding his strength. It’s the Harry Potter and T’Challa motif again. Soft-hearted hero keeps us waiting for a lot of the story, and then they bring the power. We know all along that the payoff will be great. He leads the sleigh team! Everyone who was mean to him apologizes and admits their mistake. Justice. That’s how you make a classic.
I don’t know if these two have enough screentime to rate Enneagram numbers, but I so wanted to write their names! So great!
Also, if Ox and Midge don’t have separate numbers, do they combine to form one number as a storytelling shortcut?
Their invitation of Lucy is so cooperative. Midge extends the plan and Ox sells it. As of yet I haven’t looked at the Storytelling Enneagram of this film. I’m going to guess, though, that since the Eight is the thwarted wedding — Lucy’s relationship with Ox and Midge reaches a cumulative point — that the Two would be the introduction of them. They are a team: Peter’s Family. We see more of Ox because he and Jack must resolve their work relationship. Midge has a small presence but she kills it during the time she’s given.
Midge. Small. Ack — sorry. Also, here’s an eternal question: why does ANYONE need to inspect Peter’s testicles? Not the question I thought I’d write when I woke this morning.
I don’t think these two characters had Enneagrams in the script. I think the director cast these two and said, “Work your magic.” And they did. I will argue, though, that the success of the Two/Eight in the story is due to choices this team made. They knew their job, the weight on their shoulders, and delivered the beats.
The black sheep brother. The good son. He’s adult enough to live separately from his parents, yet connected enough to visit often. He can’t say no to helping dad in the family business, although he’s successful enough at furniture craftsmanship to go out on his own.
Jack is at a crossroads when Lucy enters his life. Is his nature, like Lucy’s, a driver for his story? Actually, I would say not. He is a support role. His character reacts, not acts. (Poor Bill Pullman! The meme of his career!)
There for everyone but never taking charge. Nine.
He’s so congenial to everyone, yet also protective of his family. He’s a judge, weighing this new person. And . . . he will not fight for her. Partly, he is loyal to his family. However, he also will not go to battle for what he wants. Nines and conflict, you know. Lucy waits for him to speak up. Eventually her own conscience must object. Jack was never going to stop the wedding; his objection is only voiced after Lucy has taken the big risk.
A Two Woman-Nine Man relationship can lead to trouble. She’s too accommodating for someone who should slay his own dragons. So, what do you think? Do Lucy and Jack succeed at lifelong marriage? Ha! That is beyond the scope of this movie.
You watch Sleeping the first time for the romance story. You rewatch it for the family interactions and the character bits. These mashed potatoes are so creamy.