6 Things That Need Fixing

Zetland · Tiger Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 163

I've been thinking about the "6 things that need fixing" recently and I've come up with a few ideas to what the problems are.

1. Physical - the obvious problem that the story is all about.
Someone is trying to kill me, I am in great debt, my family have been kidnapped etc.
2. Emotional - the inner problem with the hero.
He is depressed, hates himself, regrets the past too much.
3. Social - the hero's relationship problem.
He is lonely, doesn't appreciate his family or partner, is unpopular
4. Beliefs - what the hero (wrongly) thinks
He is racist, sexist, prejudiced, uses fate as an excuse for his bad lifestyle.
5. Habitual - the hero has a vice that he must overcome
He is an alcoholic, drug addict, nymphomaniac, overeats
6. Lifestyle - the wrongs of the hero's daily routine.
He is lazy, unhelpful, greedy

I think if the 6 things to fix are made up of these elements, the film will be stronger and the transformation will be greater but it's just something I've come up with.

Any thoughts on it?

BenAA · Kitten Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 2 Location: London

nazardo · Cat Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 21

6 Things That Need Fixing by Blake's own admission is an arbitrary number. The idea is to make sure there are problems up front that the hero needs to work on and be paid off later in the story. It helps builds character and generate scene ideas.

But what you don't want is to have 6 (or 3 or 5) things that are just cliches or versions of the same thing. So making a defined list like Ben did is a great way to focus the things that need fixing. It also is a great way to spur your imagination. Even before I learned about Save the Cat! I had made up my own simple list which was...

1. past - something from the past that is holding the character back
2. present - something recent affecting the character RIGHT NOW
3. future - something that will catch up with the character down the road

... but I LOVE Zetland's list. I think it covers all the important bases nicely with no real overlap. I'm going to put the list to use on my next story Smile

LHOOQtius · Cougar Joined: 17 Apr 2008 Posts: 57 Location: California

Zetland's six axis list, and the 3 phases of past, present, and future can of course also be mixed-and-matched.

I find Michael Arndt's terminology that he uses in his lectures about stakes in a story to be helpful. His terminology divides the stakes into three levels, as such:

* External Stakes - The obvious, material issues at hand in the story. Will Olive get to, and win, the contest? Will Deckard kill the rogue replicants?

* Internal Stakes - The direct emotional issues the character faces. Will the Hoovers come together as a family? Will Deckard and Rachel find love?

* Philosophical Stakes - The theme posited as a risk for the characters. Will Richard continue to value only winning at all costs, or will he embrace joy de vivre? Will Deckard embrace humanity, or will he remain a killing machine?

There are also other terms for this that other writers use, so whatever works for you -- go for it.

Brooke · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject:

This is all very good. Thanks cats, I'm copying and pasting.

Mike Rinaldi · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:07 pm Post subject:

Brilliance. I love this forum.

_________________
The Slusho's gone? Why is all the Slusho gone?

MikeNYC · Tiger Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 139

Yup. I agree.

Cut and pasted and right next to my current working loglines.

woo hoo!

m.

Glenn · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:26 am Post subject:

Right with you, cats. Copy and pasted that list where I can always refer to it. When I'm facing a new project and it comes time to figure out the six things, I usually draw six blanks. Thanks a ton, Zetland. I need this cheatsheet! Very Happy

_________________
A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.

LHOOQtius · Cougar Joined: 17 Apr 2008 Posts: 57 Location: California

Hi All,

I took a stab at combining the posts, and cohering the ideas. I also made a simple little sheet for tracking this for your char. (Note: You may not wind up filling out every issues box for your char -- that's ok, no need to overdo it.)

YMMV.

-S

STAKES AND “SIX THINGS THAT NEED FIXING”

METAPHYSICS of STAKES

External Stakes – The obvious, material issues at hand in the story (i.e. the surface plot).

Internal Stakes – The direct emotional issues the character faces (i.e. the love story).

Philosophical Stakes – The metaphysical crisis the character faces (i.e. the theme).

ONTOLOGY of ISSUES

1. Physical Issues – Surface, material conflicts that drive the plot. (Ext. Stakes)
Someone is trying to kill the hero, hero is in great debt, hero’s family has been kidnapped etc.

2. Emotional Issues - Inner conflicts that define the character arc. (Int. Stakes)
Hero is depressed, hates himself, regrets the past too much, longs for love, etc.

3. Social Issues – Individual relationship conflicts and hero’s relationship to society in general. (Ext. & Int. Stakes)
Hero is lonely, doesn't appreciate family or partner, is unpopular; class and race conflict, etc.

4. Habitual Issues - Vices (and Virtues that become problems) that relate to the hero’s arc and the theme, and also may be a plot drive (esp. sex & drugs). (Ext. & Philo. Stakes)
Hero is an alcoholic, drug addict, nymphomaniac, overeats, etc.

5. Personality Issues – Psychological issues (which will underlie other issues) that relate to the hero’s arc and the theme. (Philo. Stakes)
Hero is lazy, unhelpful, greedy, crude, angry, etc.

6. Belief Issues – Hero’s cherished beliefs, challenging which defines the theme and broadly defines the hero’s arc. (Philo. Stakes)
Hero is racist, sexist, prejudiced, misanthropic, subservient / self-loathing, etc.

MODALITY of ISSUES

1. Past - Something from the past that is holding the character back. This is usually related to the core emotional and philosophical issues in the character’s arc.
2. Present - Something recent affecting the character RIGHT NOW. This stems from both the character flaws created by the past issues, and the character’s current situation.
3. Future - Something that will catch up with the character down the road. Emerging from the character’s past and present flaws and issues comes the final showdown within the character that defines the culmination of the arc.

Downloadables:

http://www.bugaj.com/ScreenwritingHelp/StakesAndIssuesGrid.xls
http://www.bugaj.com/ScreenwritingHelp/StakesAndIssuesGrid.pdf
http://www.bugaj.com/ScreenwritingHelp/StakesAndIssuesDoc.pdf

_________________
Stephan Vladimir Bugaj
http://indieauteur.com
http://www.lhooqtius.com
http://www.bugaj.com

Kevan · Liger Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 878

Hey Steph

Pretty cool, dude..

Excellent stuff..

Thanks...

Kevan

Brooke · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:28 am Post subject:

Resistance is futile... we must cut and paste the worksheet.

We are grateful.

jeffpaterson · Cougar Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 57 Location: Canada

Thanks for the downloadables!

_________________
Penny Lane: Never take it seriously, you never get hurt. Never get hurt, you can always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit all your friends.

Martin Blank · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject:

Steph,

Gold. THANK YOU!

Cheers,
Martin

_________________
"I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork."

jojo · Kitten Joined: 29 Jun 2011 Posts: 2

Hi everybody - first post! Very Happy

This is a fairly old thread, but I still find the "six things that need fixing" to be a tremendously interesting theory. Combining the things to fix with Laurie Hutzler's theory of what a hero WANTS and what he truly NEEDS, I found myself reshuffling the 6 kinds of issues identified here (physical, emotional, social, beliefs, habitual, personality) and creating some sort of step-by-step questionnaire to help me build a deeply flawed, three-dimensional character.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.) Which DEEP-ROOTED PROBLEMATIC BELIEFS define the hero?

The very foundation of the hero's imperfect existence. Is he prejudiced? Racist? Absolutely sure that his youth will last forever? Falsely convinced that a career is more important than family?

2.) These problematic beliefs lead to the hero's PERSONALITY ISSUES. Which character traits are keeping him from truly being at peace with himself and those around him?

He / she's embittered, unable to maintain a relationship, uptight, naive, neglects his family, lazy, unhelpful, greedy, crude, angry.

Often, this is connected to something the hero immediately wants: success, women, money, revenge.

3.) Usually influenced by as well as influencing his personality issues, HABITUAL ISSUES may furthermore illustrate that the hero is stuck in a state of stasis.

He / she's violent, an alcoholic, a drug addict, a notorious philanderer.

4.) All these character issues combined lead to some sort of SOCIAL ISOLATION. How is the hero different from the seemingly untroubled person next to him?

He / she is single, an awkward teenager, a careerist spending his life at the office, an outsider, the "weird neighbour", part of an estranged family, divorced.

5) Ultimately being unlike the rest of society, a hero will be defined by his most pressing EMOTIONAL PROBLEM - the one flaw he / she must overcome in order to be healed.

He / she needs a family, needs to be at peace with his past, needs to forgive, needs to find his way back into love.

Often, the hero must give up something he immediately wants (see nr. 2 - example: wants a career) to overcome this flaw, identify and finally get what he needs (example: needs to accept his family is more important).

Healing usually includes victory over the hero's habitual issues.

If you built your story right, healing automatically includes rethinking the hero's deep-rooted problematic beliefs (see nr.1).

6.) Since the hero is stuck in a state of stasis, he can't change his life on his own. Which UNEXPECTED EVENTS OR PHYSICAL OBSTACLES are forcing the protagonist to act - and ultimately to change?

The hero's child is abducted. He / she falls in love. Lifes are at stake. He / she is fired. Makes a drunken bet.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know about you, but I found this to be rather helpful. Smile

Example: Jim Carrey as Mr. Popper from Mr. Popper's Penguins.

1.) Which DEEP-ROOTED PROBLEMATIC BELIEFS define the hero?

Ever since his father seemingly lost interest in him, Popper grew up to leave his childhood behind once and for all. He's become the prototype of a career-minded grown-up. To him, his work is more important than everything - family, decency, joy.

2.) These problematic beliefs lead to the hero's PERSONALITY ISSUES. Which character traits are keeping him from truly being at peace with himself and those around him?

He's the best at what he does - building buildings, no matter where. Popper's ruthless. Driven. Lacks compassion. Doesn't care that his latest construction project will destroy a cozy little eatery. Forgets about his children's birthdays.

3.) Usually influenced by as well as influencing his personality issues, HABITUAL ISSUES may furthermore illustrate that the hero is stuck in a state of stasis.

No true habitual issues here.

4.) All these character issues combined lead to some sort of SOCIAL ISOLATION. How is the hero different from the seemingly untroubled person next to him?

Popper is divorced, living alone in his giant, cold apartment. No real friends. Not even his neighbour likes him. In fact, since he doesn't care that his construction project will put some good, hard-working people out of their jobs - even the rather unpleasant, tough-as-nails Mrs. Van Gundy doesn't feel a connection to him.

5) Ultimately being unlike the rest of society, a hero will be defined by his most pressing EMOTIONAL PROBLEM - the one flaw he / she must overcome in order to be healed.

Popper must rediscover his inner child and understand that there's more to being a grown-up than pursuing a career. Also he must learn the rules of human decency (which is why he ultimately must give up his construction project). Of course, he also must rediscover love.

6.) Since the hero is stuck in a state of stasis, he can't change his life on his own. Which UNEXPECTED EVENTS OR PHYSICAL OBSTACLES are forcing the protagonist to act - and ultimately to change?

Popper receives a crate of penguins... Wink

	Save the Cat Community Forum Index » Save the Cat	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1