My potential world explored through the principles of Craig Batty’s chapter “Creating a World”.

My potential world explored through the principles of Craig Batty’s chapter “Creating a World”.

Which characters belong in the world?

A gem smuggler and his wife. Also, the rest of the gem cartel. There are the backstreet deal makers, the deal-breakers the gem experts and the mobsters. The main character us all this in one, someone whose sophistication and expertise holds him apart from the rest.

Which characters don’t belong in the world?

I imagine, any member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe would appear quite out of place in this world; a world grounded in reality.

 When characters that don’t belong in the world still inhabit it, how do they and other characters react?

If, for argument’s sake members of the MCU did make and appearance in my world, the characters within would likely have an existential crisis as suddenly, magic and superheroes exist.

What are the character hierarchies of the world, and how are they maintained?

The main character, despite his abilities and panache, is fundamentally answerable to the interests of that which is most important to him: his wife. However he is also answerable to his desire for riches and the allure of diamonds for which he has a passion for.

What relationships exist between the characters and their world? How does the world affect them on a daily basis?

The main character must constantly contend with the crime world he is living in and how that affects his happiness.

Structuring the world

Does the world have a specific, tangible hold on the plot?

The world of the diamond smuggling trade is intertwined with the plot; the moral struggles of a diamond smuggler. The tangibility comes in the form of the actual diamonds the characters handle which cause conflict and desire.

Things that literally can or can’t happen?

Can happen: heartbreak, getting shot, being in possession of millions of dollars worth of diamonds.

Can’t happen: magic, alien invasion, paranormal activity.

Does the world suggest or demand a specific type of emotional movement or arc?

Indeed, the point at which the main character needs to decide on his future: one of continued crime or give it up for his own good and his wife and future family.

What’s the pace or feel of the world, and how does that play out in the sequences and scenes you write?

Throughout the written and visual products that I will supply, I plan to create a witty and fast pace and feel. This feel will mirror the world I am creating; the gem smuggling trade.

Are actions affected by the world? What do characters feel they can and can’t do?

The actions of my main character are very much influenced by the world. He is tempted by money and wealth and power but must also remain faithful to his wife, values and new family.

What different varieties or versions of the world exist, and how do they play out through the plot?

The world might have a few niches: perhaps one could be the apartment of the main character. Another could be a deserted alleyway.

Voicing the world

What does the world sound like?

Gunshots, the tinkling of diamonds upon diamonds, shouting, money shuffling.

Does it have a universal voice?

Yes, one which poses a critique of greed.

How might character dialogue be infected by the world attitude, perspective, etc.?

Characters will use diamond-specific slang such as “ice”. Also the dialogue will reflect the way greedy people see the world; something to be exploited and seen as unimportant compared to their own success.

Does the dialogue complement or in fact juxtapose the world?

As mentioned above, the dialogue compliments the world.

Is there a style and pace to character dialogue that reflects what the world’s about?

The dialogues tempo will reflect the wit of the characters and also be a reflection of the fast-paced, no-nonsense world of gem smuggling.

What are the competing voices in the world, and how do they go about being heard?

On one hand there is the voice of the main character’s greed and desire for diamonds. A foil to this voice might be his wife who wishes for a quieter life free from the conflict the main character participates in. Furthermore the main character himself possesses a troubled conscience.

Theming the world

Does the world demand a type of understanding that translates into an obvious theme?

To a slight degree yes:  the belief that of the diamond trade is similar to what is portrayed on screen or in my written artefacts.

Which themes are already prevalent in the world, and which are denied?

Themes of greed, desire, money, love and family

How might theme and meaning be woven into the world through characters, action, visual motifs and dialogue and then communicated out again, to the audience?

The characters, action, visual motifs and dialogue of the film will all work together to support and build theme and meaning within my world and communicate it to the audience. For example, the visual motif of the sparkling diamond might symbolise and communicate the theme of greed and wealth. The Character of the wife might symbolise and communicate to the audience the meaning and value of family and sincere love.