Character Introduction problem

[Presence]

Hi all, first post!!

I am having a bit of a problem, I am just breaking the point of no return for my protagonist and I am introducing a major new character at the same time.

The problem is in how I am introducing this character, I am simply worried because he does not have direct contact with the protagonist ie. we see him in a scene and leave with him. This is a point where the story splits POV between this new character and the protagonist.

I am worried that I don't have a bridge...something which makes his introduction a little more organic. My fear is that this is too abrupt, especially after a quarter way into the film.

[dpaterso]

Lacking clairvoyance, I can only guess... and I won't comment on the wisdom of leaving your protag, presumably the story benefits from this turn.

What's the new character doing when we meet him?

Do you give him a memorable entrance or a riveting action so we want to stay with him and find out more?

Your goal (perhaps...) should be to make your audience willingly surrender their interest in your protag and follow your new character instead.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[NikeeGoddess]

i don't understand. this happens all the time (especially in an ensemble story). the protagonists is not in every single scene. is your major character the antagonist? some stories give them near equal screen time.

i suggest you find a script that is similar to yours and give yourself the confidence to continue on or show you how to fix the problem.
ie - in Silence of the Lambs - Jamie Gump is the killer they're after but his character is non-existent in the 1st act; minor in the 2nd act; and major in the 3rd act.

[Presence]

The scene in which the new character is introduced is very action packed, it is the moment of crossing the threshold. She nearly takes the life of the protagonist in this introductory scene though fails. We carry on with her to the main Antagonist and from there the storyline is split until the final climax.

She is basically a bridge to the Antagonist and plays a key roll in the rest of the screenplay.

[Chesher Cat]

You should introduce her like you would any other character when she first appears on camera, and continue on with the story.

[Presence]

Thanks so much for the responses guys!!

I ended up cutting out the bridge character to the Antagonist and put the Antagonist right into the scene. It is much smoother and moves the plot along much more quickly, which is what I wanted.