antagonist vs. protagonist
I have a question. Is it possible to have a movie where the two main characters are both the protagonists and at the same time eachothers antagonist?
I think that is what happens in this movie but since I have been working with Dramatica Pro I didn't know if this was structurally possible.
It still seemed to be one story with both heroes on the same path?
I think the key to remember is that Dramatica is only one opinion on the model of Story, not the only model, or for want of a better word method of structuring story. I actually quite like the Dramatica view of the Story Mind and find it very good at making me think about aspects of Story I may otherwise not have, but also think that there are infinite possibilities for story design.
Why couldn't the protagonist in your main plot line in fact be the antagonist in a sub-plot - and vice versa? I guess the challenge would be to ensure you didn't end up with a confused audience or perhaps worse, an audience ambivalent to the plight of your protagonist, because they are rooting against him in the sub-plot. Dangerous ground I would think and potentially very complicated.
I believe eventually one will have to come out on top, or what has your story achieved, ie what is the message or the value statement you are communicating to the audience - if that is confused then I imagine in most instances you have likely failed in your promise (made at the start) and the audience will not be satisfied.
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David Murtagh
I would be interested to know what you think if you see the movie. You might be right as I don't think the movie did great dispite having a lot going for it. But both characters change and grow and do not remain steadfast in their resolve. Could it be the couple as one character mind possibly. In that case the antagonist would be ...............................love?......maybe?
I don't know. We'll see what you and/or others think.
Sam
I might get the movie out this week and take a look as I do like the idea of discussing story form and points on this forum.
I can think of several movies with dual or multiple protagonists, the Witches of Eastwick and Thelma and Louise come to mind (maybe?), but not one where you have protagonist/antagonist changing 'roles' against each other.
I guess in the movie you mention (and I will watch the movie), the question is do they both win (or loose), and someone or something else the opposite? What I mean is for them both to be the protagonist I would think in order for the story to work, if they are a "dual(?)" protagonist, they would both have to mutually suffer or benefit - together.
Just my ramblings, late on a Sunday, after writing for the last 8 hours (revising a script actually), so my brain is now toast and the above may be gibberish. Sorry if it is. I will probably read it again tomorrow and go - what the... !
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David Murtagh