If Cole were the protagonist of the story, then my take on character functions would be different. For me; Cole - Protagonist Ghosts - Nemesis (scare him and he can't even talk about it or he would be considered even more off a freak). Lynn - Attractor (the one relationship he wants resolved, the one relationship he cares deeply about). Malcolm - Mentor. Psychic Ability - Trickster (what attracts the ghosts to him and brings the fear, but also what Cole needs to understand, that this is his gift, and with the knowledge pave the path for Lynn's, Malcolm's and the ghosts redemption).

Great analysis once again... Suggestion for next script: Up in the Air

"Up in the Air" is a great call. I tried to check with myPDFscripts but the site is currently offline. SimplyScripts doesn't have it. I know many people have the script, however it needs to be hosted somewhere for us to consider it for the reading. But if it is available online somewhere, I'd love to read and analyze that script. If not next time, certainly in the future.

Sachinhb1, I can see merit in that interpretation, too. Since well-drawn characters are multilayered in their persona, they can wear 'masks' from scene to scene, relationship to relationship. That is a character can adopt the function of any archetype depending upon circumstances. When I use archetypes for analysis and character development, the way I go about figuring out a character's primary archetype is to drill down into them and determine what is the main narrative function they provide, the single biggest reason they exist in the story. That's why, for example, I look at Ghosts as Attractor figures. They are literally attracted to Cole, they seek him out. Moreover if the primary purpose of Attractor characters is to impact the Protagonist's emotional development, the single biggest aspect of Cole's metamorphosis is moving from fear [of ghosts] to comfort. Once he understands why the ghosts are appearing and accepts that, he is no longer afraid of them, they become a native part of his existence. That arc represents emotional development and it's measured through the relationship he has with ghosts, hence my take on them being Attractors. Similarly if Cole's goal is to be normal, what is opposing him? His psychic ability. He struggles with it throughout the entire story until he realizes the truth about why the ghosts are attracted to him [through the P-M relationship with Malcolm]. But as I say, there is no right or wrong with these types, they are merely tools to help us analyze stories, develop characters and become better writers. Thanks for your take!

I really enjoyed participating this go round. Here are some suggestions: Super 8 Black Swan Inception District 9 Slumdog Millionaire Avatar The Village, The Happening, Signs (to continue with Shyamalan) Love, Actually Erin Brockovitch Traffic The Matrix

Not sure why all those titles ran together but Super 8 Black Swan Inception District 9 Slumdog Millionaire Avatar The Village, The Happening, Signs (to continue with Shyamalan) Love, Actually Erin Brockovitch Traffic The Matrix

I got my copy here: http://www.simplyscripts.com/2009/12/24/up-in-the-air/

More specifically: http://sites.google.com/site/comoprovince/UP_IN_THE_AIR__08.19.08_.pdf?attredirects=0

Great! Maybe I'll just insist we do UITA as our next screenplay and leave it at that. Thanks for the link!