Stereotypes

Four criminals are forced to undergo a bank robbery not knowing the people they are going to work with; however they all have totally different stereotypes. Beginning of the film shows how each criminal are made to do the robbery, they are given a questionnaire to answer and they are asked the same set of questions but answer them totally different because of their stereotype. The four criminals are asked to come up with a plan to rob the bank themselves. So then the film moves onto how each stereotype will go through with the robbery in their stereotypical ways (shown in a film sequence). Then they come up with a plan that they all agree with. However there plan goes wrong and the bank robbery fails. So they then find themselves in jail. So then the film shows how they all react in the prison atmosphere. But devise a plan to escape prison.

Now I need help with sterotypes, I have thought off two sterotypes which a gangstar from america and just a typical english person. But my worry is people may be offended by this.

So please help me with some new stereotypes that could be funny when put in this situatuion? I would like them to be original which mine certainly aren't . So yeah any help would be great thanks

Why should they be stereotypes? Why not four very disparate individuals who are constrained by their circumstances by some unknown person into carrying out this robbery? You could have the habitual criminal; someone being blackmailed but who possesses some skill that is vital to the enterprise; someone who is desperate for the money - an American who can't afford a vital operation for their child and an insider of the organisation that is due to be robbed.

However, in the light of your extreme youth (I'll give you not knowing about a series broadcast many years before you were born but it still won't get made because it's already been done), I would suggest you get yourself a bit more grounding in the art of structure and dialogue. I'm in no way trying to stamp on your enthusiasm but everyone benefits from the guidance of those who've been there and done it.
Think about what you are trying to write. Is is a script? Is it prose? If a script then go and have a look at the examples on the bbc writer's room website. If prose, then think about writers whom you enjoy reading and why they engage you.

If you're particularly interested in exploring stereotypes, you need to know who your target audience is so you know what the stereotype is likely to mean to them.
So who is a typical English person? Posh? Chav? Stiff upper lip? Brawl and a kebab?
Who is a typical American gangsta? Successful rapper? Someone struggling in the ghetto? Eastcoast or Westcoast?
If you know who you're aiming the project at, you can research the media and culture that they are likely to be exposed to.

Yes, I can see where your coming from with desparate individuals. I think this is a really good idea, I'm unsure wheter or not to try and make it funny or serious?

I was looking at trying to write it as a film so I guess it would be a script. Thanks for the feedback

If it's the portrayal of stereotypes you're interested in, then I'd make it funny because you'll in essence be taking the piss out of the individual characters and out of the media.
If it helps, it seemed to me as if a film idea, so you've conveyed that!
Could be done really well if you have the time and enthusiasm to research and hone it.

Happy to help

NB. Disparate wasn't a typo.

Who is a typical American gangsta? Successful rapper? Someone struggling in the ghetto? Eastcoast or Westcoast?

I don't think the OP meant a hip hop gangsta rapper.
He seems to have in mind a proper American gangster. Think Mafia, Al Capone, drug cartel, that kind of person.

Also, I agree with KLRiley. Four typical stereotypes would probably get the script rejected, as a film company would rather have a writer dream up four memorable, original characters.

He said 'gangstar'! I presumed it was a purposeful commentary on the gangsta culture with the character earning the 'r' through a series of MC battles in which we yearn for his talent to redeem him before he shoots a muthaf**ka who is disrespecting his freestylin' spellin'.

You forgot to mention his ho's.

Garden 'oes or just just 'Os' as in Mon Repose?

Heh. *Pictures Ronnie Barker in a hardware shop.*
"O's."

>So please help me with some new stereotypes that could be funny when put in this situatuion? I would like them to be original

By definition stereotypes are not original.

:-)

So I think you meant original characters in any case.

On the other hand most of us are partly stereotyped.

Whats does a West Country pimp call his ladies?

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ January 1 2012, 1:31 PM GMT

"O's."

View original

Ooh ar!

Whats does a West Country pimp call his ladies?

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ January 1 2012, 1:31 PM GMT

"O's."

View original

Ooh ar!

Do you think the OP means 'archetypes' rather than stereotypes??

And a Happy New Year BTW.