Knockout Gypsy Wedding
Synopsis
Inspired by a true story about an Irish Traveller and Northern English intermarriage. Sinead’s from a proud nomadic family, and Sean intends to adopt her way of life. All attendees are low SES. Men dressed in traditional dinner jackets; women wear elaborate fairy-tale dresses. Tacky garden party transitions into an Irish pub reception. Wedding goes pear-shaped when Clodagh, Sinead’s mum, drinks too much; and Sean’s dad, Michael, criticises son’s choices; going on to berate Sinead’s family and destroy the bar. Liam, Sean’s brother, responds by knocking Michael out with nunchucks, cutting reception short. All guests evacuate to the street with cigarettes. The bar manager is understanding, she’s seen worse. Sean and Sinead cover damage costs. Sean helps Liam carry their concussed dad into Liam’s van. Kissing Sinead, Sean inadvertently transfers Michael’s blood onto her dress, officially ruining her night. They drive off, unhappy, in a ‘just married’ van with flowers and tin cans.
1. Who is the Protagonist of your story?
Sean Conky is the main protagonist, the events of Sean and his relationship with his father predominate the excerpt. However, I would label this piece as dual protagonist – the other being Sinead. Both must individually manage unfavourable circumstances. Both are responsible for their parents, and the overall outcome of the wedding.
2. What craft techniques have you used to make your Protagonist sympathetically flawed?
(victim of undeserved misfortune etc) Emotionally abused and early marriage inclined. Sees the best in everybody, positive outlook.
3. Who is the Antagonist? (or forces of antagonism?)
While antagonism exists between Sean and Sinead, and their success is dictated by the other – The actions of Michael are devastating and cause problems for the protagonist and story. The drunk parents Michael and Clodagh cause antagonism.
4. What is the Inciting Incident in your story?
Michael has had too much to drink and is behaving inappropriately which threatens to upend the ceremony.
5. Describe the action your Protagonist takes in response to the Inciting Incident.
Until that moment, Sean does not have reason to suspect Michael. The wedding has gone smoothly until now, and Sean wants to maintain that for the rest of the night. His response is asking Liam to watch over him. But he tries to reason and placate Michael in the meantime, continue to the night’s success, and face a barrage of obstacles and consequences. Other flaws are exposed here on.
6. Does this action form the Act 1 Turn? If not what beat takes us into the new world or commits the Protagonist to the main story?
Yes, the moment Sean and Liam notice their father chance is the Act 1 turn. This point onward, into Act 2 the main story, we see flaws within the family relations, and this undermines the wedding, the set up.
7. What is the Protagonist’s Goal in this story?
After a violent row, Both Sean and Sinead are trying to keep the reception afloat and achieve a successful night. They are aware of their parent’s weaknesses but were expecting them to be on their best behaviour. They are trying to navigate a successful ceremony to the very end where it leads to ruin.
8. Name two obstacles your Protagonist encounters before the end of the story.
1) The damage Michael causes to the venue and setting, which is then billed to Sean and Sinead.
2) Maintaining the safety of guests and being successful hosts, independent of their parents who are the ones causing mayhem.
9. What is the resolution of your story? Does the Protagonist get a Reward or a Reversal?
The protagonists receive a Reversal. The situation is out of their control, and while they deal with it to their best ability, it cannot be mended. This is a tragi-comedy. While the protagonists have gained their supposed reward, the end of the night and the opportunity to be together; the drama from the night carries over marring their relationship and connection to the event.