Meeting Leo

 Naming Leo

Choosing a name for the main character is one of the most important part into this process to make him feel realistic. I chose the name Leo because it's common, simple and associated with determination somewhat, which can express his demeanor as a long distance runner. I wanted to pick a name that was believable for a young athlete and didn't distract that from the story; therefore, I researched athletes and found a couple with the same name. Some notable runners that inspired the name were Leo Manzano, an Olympic medalist, and Leo Young who is a standout competitive runner. Since Leo is the only character in the opening, his name had to feel relatable and grounded so the audience can "connect" with him easily. 

Creating the Character

Leo is portrayed as a runner who is dedicated to his main goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. He is disciplined and motivated physically, which is shown through his endurance despite his exhaustion, that I'll be making visual. However, through he struggles mentally with doubting himself and fear that he may never get to the point of reaching his goal. I wanted his character to match with the psychological pressures that athletes place on themselves, especially in a sport that prioritizes perseverance and competition.
This character is developed through the contrast between locations. By running outdoors, the scenes are showing his focus and determination, whilst the garage scenes disclose his emotional and deep breakdown. The baseball bat that I'll be utilizing as my prop symbolizes his built-up anger and out of control self, while his running shoes represent his passion and pain that comes with the sport. Having Leo wear the same clothes in both timelines place a tone that his mental collapse is a result of the run. 

(Chris Stevens Along with his wife Chelsey, 2024)

Emotional Arc

Through the opening, Leo switches from being determined to being dissatisfied and finally collapsing emotionally. Even after he completes his run, he feels like he didn't fulfill any of his emotion, displaying the mindset of competitive runners who never are fully saturated with their work. His dialouge, which is limited, demonstrates how he absorbs his pressure instead of embracing it, making his breakdown feel effective. This journey of his emotions allows for the audience to know that Leo's important struggle isn't the run, it's the toll of chasing perfection. 

Sources:

About Us. Leo Manzano Online Store. (n.d.). https://leomanzano.com/pages/bio

Chris StevensAlong with his wife Chelsey. (2024, September 15). Markham Park. Florida Hikes. https://floridahikes.com/markham-park/