Writing, performing, filming, directing, and editing this monologue was a challenge and a gift. The monologue captures a young woman (Claudia) describing how she was urged to sign a document that prevents her from acknowledging any sexual violence she witnesses while touring with a legendary musical act. In the monologue Claudia wears an oversized denim […]

  Analysing the character Tonya in the movie I, Tonya (2017), played by Margot Robbie.  Character Language Character Archetype Character and Characterisations

The character Tonya in the film I, Tonya (2017) is based on a real person, elite figure skater Tonya Harding who orchestrated an attack on a skating rival. The media created an unfavourable picture of Harding and in some ways constructed her as the antagonist (shadow) in the events that transpired. This makes her a […]

The observable traits in Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Tonya Harding in the film I, Tonya (2017) are, as story theorist Robert McKee proposes, a cluster of qualities that seen collectively form Tonya’s characterisation (McKee 1999). If we examine Tonya in the film we would notice, she has a seemingly low intelligence quotient, she’s female, her […]

Margot Robbie’s portrayal of competitive and controversial ice skater Tonya Harding in the film I, Tonya (2017) is a great example of how language can function within a film to expand our understanding of a character. Robbie was fortuitous enough to have access to real archives of Harding’s interview pieces and Harding herself to use […]