Welcome to "Finding Their Voice," in this instalment we delve further into the world of Jonathan. We will explore his monologue, delve into research about his appearance, and experiment with AI to develop mood board images.
We'll begin by uncovering the essence of Jonathan's thoughts and emotions through his monologue, gaining valuable insights into his motivations, desires, and dreams. Following that, we'll take a closer look at his appearance, fashion choices, and overall demeanour, painting a vivid picture.
Finally, we'll embark on an AI experiment to curate a collection of visuals that reflect Jonathan's personality, aspirations, and the essence of his monologue. This was a hit and miss exercise, some work is definitely needed to develop my AI skills. You’ll be familiar with the emerald-green shirt image…that was the highwater mark.
Based on the questions that established Jonathan’s character in the last blog post here is a brief outline that summarises the character, this is useful when starting to develop the monologue.
Full Name: Jonathan Parker
Jonathan Parker is a 54-year-old high-ranking executive at a prestigious advertising agency in Los Angeles. Born and raised in the affluent neighborhood of Bel Air, he exudes refined charm and possesses a discerning eye for aesthetics. Outside of work, Jonathan indulges in art collecting, fine dining, and has a passion for jazz and 80's pop music. He navigates social circles with ease but struggles with internal turmoil and decision-making. While he maintains a cordial relationship with his prominent family, emotional detachment lingers beneath the surface. His most treasured possession is a vintage Rolex watch passed down from his father. Jonathan dreams of personal liberation and contemplates the impact of suppressed desires on his life choices, cherishing the idea of becoming a partner in the future.
Drawing on the monologues I've experienced and shared in my last blog post, I began crafting Jonathan's monologue. Being a visual person, I had to start by imagining him at work, maybe just after leaving a meeting, and walking through the office. This internal monologue captures Jonathan's thoughts and emotions, addressing us with sincere honesty before shifting into his work-mode to interact with his colleagues.
An internal monologue is a literary device used to convey a character's inner thoughts, feelings, and reflections. It is a narrative technique that allows readers to access a character's mind, providing insights into their motivations, conflicts, and emotions. In a normal text or blog post, an internal monologue can be presented through the character's first-person perspective or in a more indirect manner, revealing their thoughts as they navigate situations, make decisions, or analyse events happening around them. This technique adds depth to the character and enhances the reader's understanding of their psyche and actions, for us, it used to further understand our character and how best to portray them and direct them.
Here we delve into Jonathan's inner world, giving us a glimpse of the complexities that lie beneath the surface as he navigates through his daily interactions. The monologue will enable readers to better understand Jonathan's character and the intricacies of his personal and professional life.
Jonathan, weary and contemplative, mused on the nature of their line of work. In this cutthroat industry, they were relentless peddlers of dreams, architects of beguiling facades that masked the truths they dared not confront. The allure of these fantasies proved seductive, and at times, they found themselves ensnared in their own intricate webs of make-believe, cowering from the harsh glare of their own raw realities.
JONATHAN
(haggard, introspective)
You know, in this business, we're always selling dreams. We create illusions, paint pictures of lives we wish we had. And sometimes, we get lost in those illusions, too afraid to face our own reality.
AI generated drawing
He nods and smiles at a passing co-worker.
JONATHAN
(cheerful)
Hey, great job on the Grimes campaign. You knocked it out of the park!
The co-worker thanks him, and Jonathan continues down the hallway, his demeanour shifting as he resumes his monologue.
I like the jump from (haggard, introspective) to (cheerful). While I know we are not filming this I cant help thing how good it would be, maybe even with a split screen (see above) both sides talking to the camera, then when we break to talk to the co-worker one side stays in internal monologue mode, staring directly to the camera, uneasy. The other chats cheerful to the co-worker, then re-joins…back to the internal monologue.
JONATHAN
(heavy-hearted)
But what about the dreams we can't sell? The ones that consume us, tearing at the seams of our carefully constructed lives? What happens when those dreams collide with the harsh light of day?
He stops briefly to congratulate another co-worker.
JONATHAN
(earnestly)
Congratulations on closing that deal, Sarah. You're a force to be reckoned with.
Sarah beams with pride, and Jonathan's expression darkens as he resumes his monologue.
JONATHAN
(resolute, yet melancholic)
We pretend it's all about success, about climbing the ladder, but sometimes the rungs start to crumble beneath our feet. We chase after something we can't name, something that feels like truth, even if it leads us down a treacherous path.
He passes by his office, glancing at the closed door.
JONATHAN
(whispered)
Home away from home.
Taking a deep breath, he continues down the hallway, his voice filled with despair.
JONATHAN
(whispered)
We make choices, each one carrying its own weight. Sacrifices made in the name of duty, loyalty, and love. But what happens when those choices eat away at our souls, leaving us hollow and broken?
A brief pause as he acknowledges another co-worker.
JONATHAN
(sincerely)
Hey, congrats on the promotion, Dave. Well-deserved.
Dave expresses gratitude, and Jonathan's eyes reflect a profound sadness.
JONATHAN
(resigned)
We wear masks, disguising our true selves, afraid of being seen, afraid of being known. And in those moments, we lose sight of who we really are. We become strangers in our own lives.
He continues walking, the weight of his words evident in his every step.
JONATHAN
(bitterly)
We tell ourselves it's temporary, that someday it'll all make sense. But deep down, we know the truth.
(Jonathan's voice cracks with emotion, his eyes welling up with unshed tears).
We're lost, adrift in a sea of missed opportunities and broken dreams.
Being overly specific about how Jonathan delivers these lines might seem excessive, but delving deeply into his character will help us understand him better. By providing more details about Jonathan, we will empower the actor chosen to portray him, enabling them to fully embody the role.
AI generated image
The monologue above was generated using Murf AI, this is the first time I have done this, part of the journey and part of the experiment I want to share. I experimented with several “voices” , I was able to add pauses, adjust the timing and the pitch. While its interesting, it breathes life into these characters, I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. I’m keen to have an actor try the lines…and maybe they are just meant to be read as a way of understanding who Jonathan is.
When delivering lines as Jonathan, it is crucial to set a very clear tone for the character. His emotions and demeanour are multifaceted, and these directives will help convey that complexity:
1. Heavy-hearted: Jonathan carries a profound sadness within him, which should be evident in his voice and body language. There's a weight on his shoulders that he can't shake off.
2. Bitterly: At times, Jonathan's bitterness might surface, revealing a sense of resentment or disillusionment. His words may carry a sharp edge, reflecting his inner turmoil.
3. Resolute, yet melancholic: Despite facing hardships, Jonathan has an unwavering determination, but it's tinged with a touch of melancholy. This adds depth to his character as he navigates difficult situations.
4. Haggard, introspective: His weariness is visible, both physically and emotionally. When deep in thought, his introspection becomes apparent, and his voice may take on a contemplative quality.
Contrast these attributes with the lighter, more cheerful exchanges he has with his co-workers. This contrast will emphasise the duality of his character, showcasing the internal struggles he grapples with while putting on a facade of normalcy in front of others.
PART 2 - coming soon
