Sep 7, 2007

Might as well call him Midas Wells

Lajos Egri says every drama must have a premise. Premise equals purpose, theme, root-idea and a bevy of other terms invented by writers to describe the same thing. I'll try not to add on to the pile. I'll just make myself an Egri acolyte and call it the premise. Which leads me to ask myself a question: what is the premise of Midas?







Character defeats thuggery? Sincerity prevails in the face of conformism? I think these are pretty straightforward premises. Midas and Charles represent the character, D represents thuggery. Can one have a complimentary premise? I haven't advanced far enough in Egri's book to know for sure. If so racism and cultural identity are definitely good material for a secondary premise. Something simple along the lines of "love determines family over race."







It's surprisingly deflating to know exactly where we're going with this story. Still, it's nice to feel a strong handle with which I can direct the plot.







Jimmy and I have differed on the opening. I favor the functional opening at the park. I might favor a montage of inner city festivities. A barbeque here, some kids running around, guys staring each other down, competition on the asphalt jungle. A gospel soundtrack. LA's inner city's got needs. Big ones. And if rich white folk are willing to come in and live here and try to make a difference, more power to themm. But you got to understand. This is a whole different world than you're used to. This is an asphalt jungle and there are rules in this jungle. Much different than the country.







Brother, you know that and I know it, but that don't change the fact that we need all the help we can get. And this family is solid. I've know John for years and the man does not back down from anything. When a man like that comes to you offering, you don't turn him down. So let's give these people a chance, throw our weight behind them. Besides, I think you'll find them a little different than your average white family.







Character. Do I know my characters? Midas. 6'4, black, athletic build. Christian. Born and raised in Bakersfield. Moving in to LA. 756Raised by a white family. His father is a preacher/real estate agent. He's made a bun565dle selling homes and now765 he wants to get back to preaching, in his old neighborhood. Midas was 68rdening, feeding 7. He667 also like playing piano in the church, reading, talking philosophy with677 his556 dad, talking music with567 his sister, wrestling with his brother and cooking with his mom.



and discipled under them for a few months before suffering a breakdown and committing suicide. The immense trauma of those two events and the young ages of the children prompted the Fergusons to move to new territory and sr56878685e6tart afresh.





The Midas bandwagon breaks down as they enter into the inner city. They push the old wagon into Walker Bros. Mechanics. Charles p[9088t67side and pops the hood. He means to check the oil but instead pops off the water lid and gets some hot dirty water spraying up in his face. Alicia looks away a little sheepish876869897890870ly. M7687idas pops up ea768gerly78 by Charles' side, asking what the problem is. Charles comments on Alicia's "fineness." Midas089098 reveals to Charles' embarrassment and amazement that Alicia is his sister.