close window An excerpt from the book REEL PEOPLE by Howard M. Gluss, Ph.D. and Scott Edward Smith Authenticity. Is it too much to hope for?The therapist in his office is not unlike the audience in a darkened movie theater. In a world of stolen moments and fleeting images there is a journey of discovery. Figuratively and literally in the dark, the therapist like the filmgoer, searches an illusory world...a province assembled from clandestine personas and enveloped in well-honed, polished, highly developed facades...all for a glimpse of what might be real. The therapist like the filmgoer also enters the dark unsure of the success or failure that lies ahead. From the very first flicker of incandescent light on the silver screen, to the final fade out of Hollywood's latest premiere, it is remarkable how hard those who make movies work to create an environment in which the story plays out authentic. Yet with all the talented craftsmanship and technical wizardry, it is often such a rare and glorious thing to find authenticity in the central characters. Why are the psychological personas of the characters that inhabit many films so often deficient? It is with utter amazement that millions of dollars and unsurpassed talent can be drafted in the pursuit of pulling the wool over an audience eyes, and so little is given to the creature that is at the center of all this attention. In the ensuing rush of creative genius what is most curiously forgotten (or avoided) is looking straight into the eyes of the character and challenging them to tell the truth. You will find in REEL PEOPLE a commonality with all the films cited. They have successfully (arguably, some better than others) brought to vivid life a personality and used it at the heart of the developing story. It is character that leads us...not a special effect, or a convoluted plot point, or a studio's mad, multi-million dollar ad campaign. With the films examined in REEL PEOPLE, the creators have been careful to make sure that the characteristic traits are not merely quirks, but ultimately the story. That if it were not for these defined traits, the story would not play out as it does. The plot will be defined by their actions. It is essential to the dramatic structure of the story that the character is who he is. Within the realm of clinical practice and psychiatry, there has been a theoretical assessment created that is known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM). It's perhaps best described as "the language." A common ground that enables all therapists to speak with one another with some sense of understanding within the profession. It creates for the multitude of doctrines, an international language. Amongst its many assessments, the DSM has identified dozens of disorders. These disorders are categorized under such divisions as eating, mood, childhood, anxiety, substance-related, psychotic, and personality. It' s the last of these, the Personality Disorders, that is the bases of information presented in REEL PEOPLE. It is important to note that personality disorders need not be psychotic. What's more, it is perhaps best not to think of these personalities as disorders. The connotation here plays heavy on the interpretation that something is horribly wrong when in fact the condition is more problematic than debilitating. Truth be told, it is perhaps more accurately a personality order. An order of responses. A series of recognizable, correlating conduct responses. The key to understanding might be as simple as taking note at how the clinical phrasing of the diagnostic criteria for each of the personalities begins: "A pervasive pattern...." What it suggests is that it is something more than the Average Joe. An overwhelming commonality in the patterns of behavior. In the choosing of cinematic examples for REEL PEOPLE, the emphasis was not placed on whether or not a film character fit the rigid diagnosis of the DSM-IV. Instead, examples were chosen to highlight a specific personality characteristic In diagnosing characters it is more realistic to look at a combination of personality attributes in defining a dimensional character. For example, a person with a Narcissistic personality may also portray characteristics of a Borderline and/or an Antisocial, but in doing so will most likely be less schizoid (having a personality marked by extreme shyness, secluded intent, and an inability to form close relationships). Though REEL PEOPLE will draw from many theoretical sources, it is not meant to be an exhaustive overview of psychological study. Rather, it should serve as a practical guide for the individual found somewhere along the boundless plane of creativity. Proclaiming categorically a specific personality type onto a character is not the purpose here...most psychologists will tell you that you can't...the human psyche is much more complicated than simple definitions. Be forewarned, even the highly regarded DSM comes with a cautionary warning against such actions. If however, you understand the nuances that exist between the personality types the opportunity to successfully create a true and honest portrayal will exist. The real value in using this book is looking at various personality styles and combining characteristics to form a unique characterization. Art, as in real life, finds that these individuals rarely fit stringent characterizations but are rather a combination of many different elements to form an individualized personality. As with all psychological theories, these personality styles should be used as a method for attempting to understand personality but not as diagnosis. These definitions should spark creativity and debate rather than limit it.