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Reframing the Active/Passive Character Distinction

On the most superficial level, film is a medium founded on the illusion of believability—what we see looks real (most of the time). Thus, the focus of the producer and, consequently, the writer, is on making what we see as engaging as possible. Otherwise, they lose our attention. Whether one calls the connection between screen and audience engaging or electric, tame or gripping, it is the elusive characteristic that all producers look for as intensely as Francisco Pizarro looked for gold and Vasco da Gama looked for spices. In our business, it’s what everyone wants.

What are the implications ...

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