"Aimed at both the head and the heart, The Defining Moment plumbs the depths of the most memorable characters ever to appear on the screen, the stage or the page. The book focuses on those moments so pivotal in a character's formation that they create a distinct boundary of before and after, moments without which the character couldn't exist and moments through which characters can transform before our eyes. Writers, actors and storytellers of all stripes will discover a powerful new key to unlock any character they seek to develop, write or portray. They may even unlock a deeper understanding of themselves. Contents include: an introduction to the essential insight of defining moments as a strategy to discover the forces that forge characters dozens of examples of character-defining moments from film, television, the theatre and literature to illustrate the prevalence and power of these moments an exploration of the many kinds of moments that can define a character, from moments of birth or death to moments of discovery or decision to moments of injury or healing an examination of the variety of ways writers and actors employ defining moments in their deepest and most unforgettable work, including insights into the ways directors, editors, cinematographers and composers highlight and dramatize defining moments on screen practical exercises that writers, actors and others can use to discover the moments that have defined and can redefine a character tips for discovering the moments that define nonfiction characters that will empower documentarians and journalists digging for the truth of a subject of their work and that will equip writers and actors working to bring true stories to the screen deeply personal stories from the authors' lives to illustrate the variety of moments that define each of us and to unlock the reader's ability to discover their own personal defining moments For every storyteller, no matter their medium, The Defining Moment will redefine the way they understand their characters and themselves"--