So It Began

Our first training session began on April 29, 2007 (followed by the Welcome party the other night) with the basics on characterization as our first lesson. Our head training officer then was JP Abellera (writer of the upcoming Regine-Piolo starrer, Paano Kita Iibigin, among others) who discussed the concept of characterization to the so-called "circle of being (COB)." COB is the point where a character experiences a siginificant event in his life that would later become a motivating factor for him to pursue a goal in life.

Aside from COB, what I learned the most that day was that there is almost always one protagonist in a story, no matter how many the characters are (except for movies with multiple protagonists and stories). There is one character whose goal would be bigger than the rest. With that, he'd be the lead protagonist in the story.

Kaya naman bigla akong nalito sa pinasa kong kwento that day. Na-realize ko tuloy na marami pang kulang sa kwentong nasa isip ko, in terms of its storyline. Wala pa talaga akong exact conflict for my characters although I already have a conclusion on my mind. The whys and the hows to lead to the goal are what I need to develop. Naiisip ko tuloy na ipagpaliban muna ang kwento at mag-focus sa isa ko pang kwento na mas buo at detalyado na sa isip ko. However, everytime I get to talk to Acy about it, na-eexcite ako. She seems to be pretty into it as much as I do. But it'd be one tough work, I must admit. It'd be a dream project. Matapos ko lang isulat, happy na ko. It'd be my ode to the Sharonians and Maricelians na talaga namang loyal hanggang ngayon. Some sort of testament to what a "true fan" is all about. Aside from that, para kay Mega, s'ympre. One of my biggest desires is to work with her or write something that has to do with her. Kung hindi man ito 'yun, sana something better could come along.

Anyway, before we started the discussion, we saw The Graduate, hence the poster above. It is a movie that I have been wanting to see these last few months. Gusto ko siya mapanood sa DVD but I haven't got the chance of buying due to financial restraints since I prefer the Region 1 version. Kung may maa-avail pang Special Edition, the better.

The Graduate is a fine piece of film that is character-driven. Being 40 years old, classic na siyang maituturing. Yet the conflict in it is universal and timeless. It is about Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) who, after college, becomes confused on which path to take: the never ending road to further education or to practice what was learned in all years of his education. On the night of his party, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) offered him some adventure - an adventure that he took which led him to knowing what he truly wants in life. Or is it really what he wanted?

As the confused, undecided young man, Benjamin is a picture of perfection to anyone who has travelled the same road. Very typical (not stereotypical) of men who is in the same age. JP asked us which character in the film do we relate to. Of course, most of the time, audience relate to the main protagonist in the film. Who would be caught dead relating to the villain or the anti-hero? However, I find Mrs. Robinson more fascinating than Benjamin.

As I've said, Ben is typical. Because we became confused or undecided in some point in our lives (or is still is), we know and feel what he is going through. He need not tell his life story just so we could understand his predicament. But Mrs. Robinson is a mystery, a puzzle of some sort. I can't help wondering who she really was. What pushed her into seducing Ben? Did she like him even before he graduated? Did she just wait for the right time to pounce on him? Was it her first time? Has she done it before? Sa mga anak din ba ng mga kaibigan niya? If it was the her first time, why did she choose Ben? What is it in Ben that struck her chord? As what Ben asked her, what happened to her and Mr. Robinson? Why did she react badly when she learned that Ben and her daughter, Elaine, were dating? Was she jealous or she just wanted to keep Ben to herself? Sex lang ba habol niya kay Ben or is she (afraid of) falling for him?

You see, Mrs. Robinson is a multi-dimensional character. There's more to her than meets the eye. But like Ben, we would never know what's inside her head and heart. She'd just remain an adventure that was never truly explored and understood. Mas masarap himay-himayin ang mga karakter na tulad ng sa kanya.



Well, anyway, for those who haven't seen the film, I suggest that you watch it. If not for its cinematic gem, see it for the excellent performance of the great Anne! For those who have, second or third viewing won't hurt. Classics are meant to be enjoyed over and over again.

As a bonus, you can download the soundtrack of the film through my Multiply account. I had the original CD on my possession for quite some time now but never truly listened to it. Soundtracks are best served after watching the films they were based on.

Enjoy! ;)

Notes: Mike Nichols directed this film. See another film of his, Closer, which has the most flawed characters on screen yet so human. Like The Graduate, it also boasts of superb performances from its lead cast.

Rumor Has It was sort of based on The Graduate. The story takes off from there. It follows the life of Sarah (Jennifer Aniston), the daughter of Jocelyn (supposed Elaine from The Graduate) and the grand daughter of Katharine (Shirley Maclaine, Mrs. Robinson), who is finding herself and the path she needs to take. Her search brought her to Earl (Kevin Costner, Ben Braddock) who helped her find her way. Mas naintindihan ko 'to ngayon (when I saw it on HBO this time) now that I have seen The Graduate.

The Other Sister, one of my favorite films, also paid homage to The Graduate, where the song above was taken.

Sabi ni Biboy kamukha ko raw si Dustin. Hmm. . .