In this The Social Network analysis, we get a lesson on how to write a character arc, specifically a Negative Change arc using the film written by Aaron Sorkin.
The Social Network Script PDF Download ►► bit.ly/sn-scr
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K.M. Weiland's Creating Character Arcs ►► bit.ly/weilandarcs
Chapters:
00:00​ Intro: The Four Endings in Every Film
01:14 Overview: The Social Network
01:45 Mark's Want & the "Lie"
03:53 Mark's Need & the "Truth"
04:49 The "Fall Arc" Explained
06:26 Mark Establishes a New Want
09:49 The Midpoint & "Lie-Based Actions"
11:24 The "Lie" Replaces The "Truth"
15:30 Mark's Want vs. Need: Want Achieved
17:23 Get Your FREE Screenwriting Worksheet
Most main characters in a story change in some way but not all changes are positive. In Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay for The Social Network, we get an excellent example of a Negative Change Arc.
In our Social Network video essay, we’re going to work through Sorkin’s screenplay using concepts of how to write a character arc by author KM Weiland. In this Social Network analysis, we’ll find out the depths that characters like Mark Zuckerberg will go to achieve their wants vs needs.
In this last episode of our series on the 4 Endings to Every Film, we’ll look at what we call a Bitter-Sweet Ending. This is when the protagonist achieves what they want, but fails to get what they really need. In Zuckerberg’s case, his want is to do something substantial to get noticed by the elite final clubs at Harvard. His need, which is also established in the very first scene, is to become more selfless and develop his relationship skills.
Of the many screenwriting techniques necessary to know how to write a character arc, finding their “lie” is a top priority. Weiland describes this as “The Lie the Character Believes,” which is an assumption about themselves or the world around them this is false - but they believe wholeheartedly. In a Fall Arc, Weiland explains that the character’s want is often directly tied to the “lie” and that the decisions they make lead them further into the lie as they pursue their want.
In The Social Network, Mark’s lie is that he feels that by simply being accepted into the social elite groups at Harvard, it will “lead to a better life.” In his pursuit, he encounters Divya Narendra and the Winklevoss twins who contract Mark to help them build an exclusive social network for Harvard students. Instead of playing by the rules, Mark decides to steal their idea and turn it into something all his own - and, thus, Facebook is born. Along his path to success, Mark absolutely achieves everything he thought he wanted. But it came at a price - his close personal relationships. First, his girlfriend, Erica, and then, more importantly, his friendship and partnership with Eduardo. In this Negative Change Arc, Mark embraced the “lie,” rejected the “truth” and ended up alone - the youngest billionaire in the world without a single meaningful relationship in his life.
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Songs used:
"Complication with Optimistic Outcome" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Haute Couture" - Nu Alkemi$t
"Club Foot Clavipes" - Isaac Joel
"A Familiar Taste" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Hand Covers Bruise (Reprise)" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Painted Sun in Abstract" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Ball and Biscuit" - The White Stripes
"Hand Covers Bruise" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"In Motion" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Almost Home" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"14 Ghosts II" - Nine Inch Nails
"Pieces Form the Whole" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Penetration" - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Baby You're a Rich Man (Instrumental Cover)" - The Beatles
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