Ian Dawson's Blog - Posts Tagged "home-alone"
Writing Tip of the Week: The Active, Reactive, Proactive Protagonist
The Protagonist. The Hero or heroine. The main character. Whatever you wish to call them, they are the driving force in any story. Their choices and decisions regarding what’s happening in the narrative determine the story’s direction.
While there are some exceptions, the majority of Protagonists are Active, Reactive, and Proactive throughout the story. For this post, I’ll be using a film familiar to most people (Home Alone) and discussing how its protagonist (Kevin McCallister) embodies each of these qualities.
Let’s get started!
The Protagonist is ACTIVE
Active: engaged in action; characterized by energetic work, participation, etc.
Your main character should engage with the story and help move things forward. Events, incidents, and major story points revolve around them, so they must be actively in pursuit of a goal for them to be an active participant. As an audience, we should connect with the protagonist either sympathetically or empathetically. Their actions keep us engaged and curious about what they will do next.
In Home Alone, Kevin believes that his “wish” for his family to disappear came true, so he actively celebrates his newfound freedom. Kevin does things he couldn’t normally do around the house (i.e., jump on the bed, eat junk food, watch violent movies, etc.). Once the high of being alone wears off, he then actively proceeds to do laundry, go shopping, and do other adult tasks.
Kevin doesn’t just realize he’s alone, crawl in a corner and cry until his family returns.
Kevin is active throughout the film, and his actions help him discover what Harry and Marv are planning so he can prepare for their attempt to rob his house. His actions also feed into his character arc, from being glad his family is gone to missing them and wanting them back.
The Protagonist is REACTIVE
Reactive: to respond to a stimulus in a particular manner.
Things happen in your story to your main character and those around them. A compelling protagonist reacts and responds to new situations and works to resolve them or avoid them. Your protagonist’s goal is to regain a sense of normalcy, no matter what it takes. If they have to go through a series of obstacles and difficult situations to get there, then that’s what they must do. Even if they do things reluctantly, they still have a goal to achieve and an endgame.
So, when new information or new situations arise, your main character should react. Their response and actions will help move the story forward and keep the action moving.
In Home Alone, Kevin reacts to myriad events that he finds himself in the middle of. From coming face-to-face with Old Man Marley to being accused of shoplifting to realizing that he’s seen Harry before (when he was at his home disguised as a cop), his reactions to these events help move the story forward and drive Kevin’s actions.
His initial reaction to Marley is driven by his older brother Buzz’s urban legend about him, but Kevin soon finds out that Marley is not who Buzz said he was. Again, Kevin’s reaction to Marley in his second encounter at the church helps set up events in the film’s climax.
When Kevin is accused of shoplifting a toothbrush, he panics and runs. Again, the protagonist reacts to an event, and his actions lead to a chase through an ice-skating rink where he can evade capture.
And the main reaction that drives the primary conflict in the film is when Kevin recognizes Harry in the van after Kevin’s almost run over. It’s at this moment that Kevin’s reactions – and his actions – change toward protecting himself and his home from the potential threat of Harry and Marv.
If Kevin doesn’t have the encounter with the Wet Bandits, then the trap-laden house doesn’t happen, and we have a very different third act in the film. But since Kevin interacts with them, reacts to them, and then acts once he overhears their break-in plan, he can prepare for what’s to come.
The Protagonist is PROACTIVE
Proactive: serving to prepare for, intervene in, or control an expected occurrence or situation, especially a negative or challenging one.
While your protagonist never knows what’s coming next, once they are aware that something may happen, they can proactively be ready for any possible event that’s coming next.
Similar to Kevin in Home Alone, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) in The Equalizer is very proactive when it comes to being ready for what may come next. This is evident in the meticulous way he plans and times out his violent encounters and also his prep for the finale at the hardware store.
In Home Alone, once Kevin knows Harry and Marv are coming back to the house at nine that night, he proactively prepares for their invasion of the McCallister house. He plans ahead, ensuring all entry points are covered by traps and hazards, knowing where to go to call for help and what the endgame is.
Now, Kevin’s proactive planning helps him actively defend his home and react to changes in the plan as they occur.
Final Thoughts
Readers and viewers want to be taken on a journey. By having an active, reactive, and proactive protagonist, you give yourself – as the writer – and the audience someone to root for and identify with.
Think about your favorite protagonist. What did they do that was active, reactive, and proactive that helped drive the story and their personal arc forward? How can you apply this information to your main character and their story?
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Definition Sources:
Active - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/active
Reactive - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/react
Proactive - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pro...
While there are some exceptions, the majority of Protagonists are Active, Reactive, and Proactive throughout the story. For this post, I’ll be using a film familiar to most people (Home Alone) and discussing how its protagonist (Kevin McCallister) embodies each of these qualities.
Let’s get started!
The Protagonist is ACTIVE
Active: engaged in action; characterized by energetic work, participation, etc.
Your main character should engage with the story and help move things forward. Events, incidents, and major story points revolve around them, so they must be actively in pursuit of a goal for them to be an active participant. As an audience, we should connect with the protagonist either sympathetically or empathetically. Their actions keep us engaged and curious about what they will do next.
In Home Alone, Kevin believes that his “wish” for his family to disappear came true, so he actively celebrates his newfound freedom. Kevin does things he couldn’t normally do around the house (i.e., jump on the bed, eat junk food, watch violent movies, etc.). Once the high of being alone wears off, he then actively proceeds to do laundry, go shopping, and do other adult tasks.
Kevin doesn’t just realize he’s alone, crawl in a corner and cry until his family returns.
Kevin is active throughout the film, and his actions help him discover what Harry and Marv are planning so he can prepare for their attempt to rob his house. His actions also feed into his character arc, from being glad his family is gone to missing them and wanting them back.
The Protagonist is REACTIVE
Reactive: to respond to a stimulus in a particular manner.
Things happen in your story to your main character and those around them. A compelling protagonist reacts and responds to new situations and works to resolve them or avoid them. Your protagonist’s goal is to regain a sense of normalcy, no matter what it takes. If they have to go through a series of obstacles and difficult situations to get there, then that’s what they must do. Even if they do things reluctantly, they still have a goal to achieve and an endgame.
So, when new information or new situations arise, your main character should react. Their response and actions will help move the story forward and keep the action moving.
In Home Alone, Kevin reacts to myriad events that he finds himself in the middle of. From coming face-to-face with Old Man Marley to being accused of shoplifting to realizing that he’s seen Harry before (when he was at his home disguised as a cop), his reactions to these events help move the story forward and drive Kevin’s actions.
His initial reaction to Marley is driven by his older brother Buzz’s urban legend about him, but Kevin soon finds out that Marley is not who Buzz said he was. Again, Kevin’s reaction to Marley in his second encounter at the church helps set up events in the film’s climax.
When Kevin is accused of shoplifting a toothbrush, he panics and runs. Again, the protagonist reacts to an event, and his actions lead to a chase through an ice-skating rink where he can evade capture.
And the main reaction that drives the primary conflict in the film is when Kevin recognizes Harry in the van after Kevin’s almost run over. It’s at this moment that Kevin’s reactions – and his actions – change toward protecting himself and his home from the potential threat of Harry and Marv.
If Kevin doesn’t have the encounter with the Wet Bandits, then the trap-laden house doesn’t happen, and we have a very different third act in the film. But since Kevin interacts with them, reacts to them, and then acts once he overhears their break-in plan, he can prepare for what’s to come.
The Protagonist is PROACTIVE
Proactive: serving to prepare for, intervene in, or control an expected occurrence or situation, especially a negative or challenging one.
While your protagonist never knows what’s coming next, once they are aware that something may happen, they can proactively be ready for any possible event that’s coming next.
Similar to Kevin in Home Alone, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) in The Equalizer is very proactive when it comes to being ready for what may come next. This is evident in the meticulous way he plans and times out his violent encounters and also his prep for the finale at the hardware store.
In Home Alone, once Kevin knows Harry and Marv are coming back to the house at nine that night, he proactively prepares for their invasion of the McCallister house. He plans ahead, ensuring all entry points are covered by traps and hazards, knowing where to go to call for help and what the endgame is.
Now, Kevin’s proactive planning helps him actively defend his home and react to changes in the plan as they occur.
Final Thoughts
Readers and viewers want to be taken on a journey. By having an active, reactive, and proactive protagonist, you give yourself – as the writer – and the audience someone to root for and identify with.
Think about your favorite protagonist. What did they do that was active, reactive, and proactive that helped drive the story and their personal arc forward? How can you apply this information to your main character and their story?
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Definition Sources:
Active - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/active
Reactive - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/react
Proactive - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pro...
Writing Exercise of the Week: Watch Home Alone
In my last post, we discussed the plot elements of crafting a compelling story. These included utilizing the traditional three-act structure and its components to ensure the plot and main character are active and moving toward their intended goal.
The Assignment
I want you to watch Home Alone and see if you can identify the following plot elements as they happen involving Kevin:
ACT ONE
Inciting Incident: “a single event that either happens directly to the protagonist or is caused by the protagonist” (McKee 190).
Plot Point/Stunning Surprise 1: “the arrival of some event or dramatic reversal that creates a moment of shock for the Hero and drops the curtain on the first act – while immediately raising is again on the second act” (Edson 118).
ACT TWO
Mid-Point Sequence: “The Hero reaches a Point of No Return beyond which turning back is no longer an option…Conflict with the Adversary becomes deeply personal…A ‘ticking clock’ time limit is set in motion…An unmasking takes place, literally or figuratively, and an inner truth gets revealed” (Edson 219-220).
Plot Point/Stunning Surprise 2: “comes out of the blue and changes everything. It signals the end of Act Two and the beginning of Act Three…frequently the primary additional punch of Stunning Surprise #2 is that it completely destroys the Hero’s plan for victory and announces that sweeping improvisation will now be required for the Hero to have any chance of besting the Adversary” (Edson 129).
ACT THREE
Climax/Obligatory Scene: “third-act final showdown between Hero and Adversary that resolves the main plot question once and for all” (Edson 137).
Denouement: “wraps up the plot loose ends and relationships” (Edson 137).
Grab a piece of paper, and as you watch, list what you feel best fits each plot element. Remember: only Kevin’s actions and the plot elements related to him matter in this exercise since he is the main character.
Next Time…
In my next series of posts, we’ll explore these elements as they relate to Home Alone and see if what you picked is the same as what I chose.
Happy Viewing, and I’ll see you next time!
Sources:
Edson, Eric. The Story Solution. Michael Wiese Productions, 2011.
McKee, Robert. Story. Harper Collins, 1997.
The Assignment
I want you to watch Home Alone and see if you can identify the following plot elements as they happen involving Kevin:
ACT ONE
Inciting Incident: “a single event that either happens directly to the protagonist or is caused by the protagonist” (McKee 190).
Plot Point/Stunning Surprise 1: “the arrival of some event or dramatic reversal that creates a moment of shock for the Hero and drops the curtain on the first act – while immediately raising is again on the second act” (Edson 118).
ACT TWO
Mid-Point Sequence: “The Hero reaches a Point of No Return beyond which turning back is no longer an option…Conflict with the Adversary becomes deeply personal…A ‘ticking clock’ time limit is set in motion…An unmasking takes place, literally or figuratively, and an inner truth gets revealed” (Edson 219-220).
Plot Point/Stunning Surprise 2: “comes out of the blue and changes everything. It signals the end of Act Two and the beginning of Act Three…frequently the primary additional punch of Stunning Surprise #2 is that it completely destroys the Hero’s plan for victory and announces that sweeping improvisation will now be required for the Hero to have any chance of besting the Adversary” (Edson 129).
ACT THREE
Climax/Obligatory Scene: “third-act final showdown between Hero and Adversary that resolves the main plot question once and for all” (Edson 137).
Denouement: “wraps up the plot loose ends and relationships” (Edson 137).
Grab a piece of paper, and as you watch, list what you feel best fits each plot element. Remember: only Kevin’s actions and the plot elements related to him matter in this exercise since he is the main character.
Next Time…
In my next series of posts, we’ll explore these elements as they relate to Home Alone and see if what you picked is the same as what I chose.
Happy Viewing, and I’ll see you next time!
Sources:
Edson, Eric. The Story Solution. Michael Wiese Productions, 2011.
McKee, Robert. Story. Harper Collins, 1997.
Home Alone Plot Structure – Part Three
We have arrived at the final act of Home Alone. Act Three of any story is the shortest since the story is wrapping up, and the plot should arrive at a resolution.
In the last post, we left Kevin being surprised by Harry and Marv as he opened the basement door at his neighbor’s house.
Is it curtains for Kevin?
HOME ALONE - ACT THREE
An enraged Harry and Marv finally catch the devious 8-year-old who caused them so much trouble throughout the evening. The battle-scarred duo tells Kevin their plans to do to him what his traps did to them.
Unknown to them, their plans will never happen.
We’re entering what’s known as…
Climax/Obligatory Scene: “third-act final showdown between Hero and Adversary that resolves the main plot question once and for all” (Edson 137).
At 1:30:18, Marley arrives and knocks Marv and Harry unconscious with his snow shovel, then picks Kevin up and takes him home.
But wait. Isn’t the story's hero supposed to save the day and defeat the bad guys? Yes. Kevin wins the day since he has already called the police before escaping his house and running to the Murphy’s. It was lucky for Kevin that Marley arrived, but the cops would’ve shown up anyway and arrested Harry and Marv, which means Kevin’s actions resolved the story.
We watch from Kevin’s point of view as the Wet Bandits—spelled W-A-T by Marv – are arrested and driven away by the cops.
Now, there’s one more story thread to tie up, which brings us to the…
Denouement: “wraps up the plot loose ends and relationships” (Edson 137).
At 1:35:51, Kevin and his mom resolve their previous conflict and hug it out. Then, the rest of the family arrives home and is amazed by Kevin’s ability to survive independently. We get a nice emotional moment when Marley reunites with his family before Buzz yells, “Kevin! What did you do to my room?” and the movie ends.
It’s a tidy finale for all the chaos that’s transpired, and I’ve always wondered how long it took Kevin to clean and repair all the damage to the house.
Final Thoughts
As writers, it’s important to remember the importance of plot and plot elements that help keep the story moving and create conflict and drama for your hero. Kevin definitely drives the action in Home Alone, and his antagonists, Harry and Marv, get what they deserve by the story’s end.
What did you come up with for your plot elements for Home Alone? Were they similar to mine or different? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
Happy Holidays, and I’ll see you next time!
In the last post, we left Kevin being surprised by Harry and Marv as he opened the basement door at his neighbor’s house.
Is it curtains for Kevin?
HOME ALONE - ACT THREE
An enraged Harry and Marv finally catch the devious 8-year-old who caused them so much trouble throughout the evening. The battle-scarred duo tells Kevin their plans to do to him what his traps did to them.
Unknown to them, their plans will never happen.
We’re entering what’s known as…
Climax/Obligatory Scene: “third-act final showdown between Hero and Adversary that resolves the main plot question once and for all” (Edson 137).
At 1:30:18, Marley arrives and knocks Marv and Harry unconscious with his snow shovel, then picks Kevin up and takes him home.
But wait. Isn’t the story's hero supposed to save the day and defeat the bad guys? Yes. Kevin wins the day since he has already called the police before escaping his house and running to the Murphy’s. It was lucky for Kevin that Marley arrived, but the cops would’ve shown up anyway and arrested Harry and Marv, which means Kevin’s actions resolved the story.
We watch from Kevin’s point of view as the Wet Bandits—spelled W-A-T by Marv – are arrested and driven away by the cops.
Now, there’s one more story thread to tie up, which brings us to the…
Denouement: “wraps up the plot loose ends and relationships” (Edson 137).
At 1:35:51, Kevin and his mom resolve their previous conflict and hug it out. Then, the rest of the family arrives home and is amazed by Kevin’s ability to survive independently. We get a nice emotional moment when Marley reunites with his family before Buzz yells, “Kevin! What did you do to my room?” and the movie ends.
It’s a tidy finale for all the chaos that’s transpired, and I’ve always wondered how long it took Kevin to clean and repair all the damage to the house.
Final Thoughts
As writers, it’s important to remember the importance of plot and plot elements that help keep the story moving and create conflict and drama for your hero. Kevin definitely drives the action in Home Alone, and his antagonists, Harry and Marv, get what they deserve by the story’s end.
What did you come up with for your plot elements for Home Alone? Were they similar to mine or different? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
Happy Holidays, and I’ll see you next time!
