Teddy Pasternak at 2011-08-19 15:48:32:

Since the two "entities are completely disconnected" you're going to have tremendous problems marrying them. That disconnect will eventually trickle down to an audience who will wonder why they're not connecting with the story.

My suggestion would be to create two separate stories. Take your protagonist with the unique flaw and plot a story for him - a story that grows out of that character. And use Scott's great suggestions. Ask yourself those questions.

Then, use your original plot with the twist and come up with a new protagonist that would fit better. Someone who the audience would benefit the most from watching. Someone who has to struggle and overcome the most obstacles on the way. Someone who has to travel the furthest to get to the end.

Here's your chance to tailor-make a new character to fit the plot. Could be an interesting exercise.

Annika W at 2011-08-19 16:05:05:

Ha! This was my main writing problem for a while -- in at least three or four scripts. I seem to have overcome it, but I know exactly where Robert is coming from.

I've written 9 scripts and the problem cropped up "mid-pack" -- around scripts 3, 4, and 5. The conclusion I came to was this was a result of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing. I knew just enough to know that there were clicks I had to hit and "rules" I had to follow. The character transformation arc didn't come naturally, but plotting did, so I was trying (and failing) to shoehorn all these arc-related must-haves into the plots that came so naturally to me. But you know what they say - fail frequently! It's part of the process.

More learning and more studying of scripts and being patient with myself really helped, as I've gotten through this phase and the aspects of story development that were once very dogmatic and methodical have now become organic again. Keep working, Robert. As is often said on this site, "The only way out is through."

HEROES_are_BORING at 2011-08-19 16:53:10:

Could talk about this all day. I feel like it's sorta related to the "what comes first when you come up with a story: character or plot" - but one should always be designed around the other. It's chicken and the egg - one doesn't exist without the other. Not in good scripts.

Sounds like the reader with the question for this post might have two different scripts on his hands.

Courtney Chambers at 2011-08-19 21:13:44:

@Teddy

I love the name.

So the question is -- if I name one of my guys "Jerry" with the same last name -- he's an agent in a cheap suit with thick glasses -- will you promise not to sue?

"Unsolicited material" ... right? : )

I think Larry David and his crazy world with that name.

Oh yeah... it stuck!

matthew colella at 2011-08-19 21:59:02:

daily reader - first time poster.

normally i enjoy the role of silent reader. but this question, coupled with the one last week about writing multiple drafts of a script and not knowing when to throw in the towel, has me feeling strangely qualified to comment on the topic of ineptitude.

scott's advice, as usual, is sublime. and w/o getting too detailed, i found myself in a similar situation on my last script after roughly 4 or 5 drafts. i have an amazing protag and a great story - but what i eventually realized was that i was forcing this protag into a story that wasn't his.

in this regard, teddy's advice is extremely helpful as you could try to find a new character to tell the story. or, from my meager experience, find a new story for your great character to tell.

there's a reason why the two entities aren't harmonizing. back up (per scott's advice) and re-examine what's at the core of both ideas.

ahhhh GITS. how i love thee.

Scott at 2011-08-19 22:03:17:

@matthew: I have a special admiration for first time posters. Plus in reading your comment, I can say that I feel your pain. Bottom line: Writing is hard.

So because of that and your willingness to post a comment for the first time, here you go: A blast of GITS creative juju!

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!!

Now go write the hell out of that next scene!

Teddy Pasternak at 2011-08-19 22:15:00:

@Courtney

I don't mind at all. Hell, make 'em twins - Jerry and Karl Oval. Same cheap suits, same thick glasses, they finish each others sentences and make jokes about wanting 10% EACH. Go for it!

Courtney Chambers at 2011-08-19 22:39:07:

@Teddy

Jerry and Karl sit at a small table outside of a New York eatery -- arguing about that ten percent.

But something distracts them --

The tasteless knish.

A la Woody Allen...

So it begins.