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Day 10 Assignments
Reply to post your assignment.
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5 Replies
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What we learned doing this assignment is that this was pretty easy considering we had already done the outline and could take the information from there. It’s still a challenge to write concisely and get the essence of the scene so it’s good practice for that. We also liked how we were able to see the entire pilot flow very quickly by reading the beat sheet.
Couple Goals Beat Sheet
A story = the lifestyle situation Liz helps with
B story = Liz and Eric
C story = family and society relationships/dynamics
Show Concept: a suppressed swinger after being exposed by her childhood best friend starts using her hair salon as a front for sex and relationship advice in order to finally live her truth.
Inciting Incident: Liz’s childhood best friend, Michelle shows up at the local swing club and sees Liz and her husband Eric. After Liz helps Michelle explore the lifestyle in an attempt to save her marriage, she feels like this is her purpose and decides to help strangers with sex and relationship advice using her hair salon as a front.
Teaser
INT. CLUB CARNAL – NIGHT
Liz has sex in a swinger club while others including her husband watch, then Liz slams the door on a woman for being on her cell phone.
ACT 1
EXT. CLUB CARNAL – SAME NIGHT
Outside the club, they see the same woman and Liz tells Eric that’s who she slammed the door on. Their secret has been exposed by someone they know.
ACT 2
INT. BATHROOM – DAY
Liz confronts Michelle about the club and Eric makes them swear to squash it so they aren’t exposed further.
INT. LIZ’S PARENT’S LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Liz’s mom shames Liz and her dad during his and Michelle’s birthday party where we learn Michelle is Liz’s childhood best friend who is like a sister.
INT. HOT LOCKS HAIR SALON – DAY
Michelle admits to Liz that she was at the swinger club to help save her marriage and asks for Liz’s help.
Act 3
INT. KANE HOUSE – NIGHT
Liz convinces Eric that she should attend a swinger house party alone so she can send him a video of her naughtiness but it’s a cover for helping Michelle.
INT. HOUSE PARTY – SAME NIGHT
Liz tries to help Michelle and her husband with their first swinger experience, but it fails miserably. Michelle leaves without her husband.
EXT. HOUSE PARTY – SAME NIGHT
Michelle blames Liz and leaves. Eric has to pick Liz up from the party and finds out about her deceptive plan.
INT. HOUSE PARTY – SAME NIGHT
While Liz waits for Eric, she goes back into the house to get the video she promised him.
INT. CAR – SAME NIGHT
Liz and Eric drive in silence. She screams at him to say something but he doesn’t take the bait.
Act 4
INT. KANE HOUSE – DAY
Liz and Eric have a heart-to-heart about how she needs to live authentically and wants to keep helping people. He reminds her of the stakes if they are public.
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
Eric gets caught by a mom watching the video Liz sent him from the party.
INT. HOT LOCKS HAIR SALON – DAY
Liz and Michelle reconcile. Despite Liz telling Michelle that her marriage is irreparable, Michelle decides to stay with her husband. A woman who saw a TikTok post from Liz comes into the salon for her sex advice. Liz tells Michelle to not tell Eric about the TikTok.
Act 5/Tag
INT. HOT LOCKS HAIR SALON – NIGHT
After hours at her hair salon, Liz helps her dad style his wig for a night out. He is a closeted trans.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by Dave Arena.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by
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Megan’s Beat Sheet
What I learned doing this assignment is…that I had about 80% of my beat sheet created from our outlining process. All I really had to do was add slug lines and connect the dots.
This pilot had already come a long way and it’s not even written yet. Looking forward to continuing to elevate!
Title: DEAR FUTURE SELF
Show Concept: Lexie, a bright but overlooked middle child on the verge of running away from home, discovers she can communicate with her future self, an ability that soon transforms her into the badass undercover agent coaching her.
Inciting Incident: Lexie receives an email response from her future self.
A story = High Concept story: Lexie and Alexis’s communication and influence on one another
B story = Colleagues and Competitors: Lexie’s competition with her siblings / Alexis’s competition with Sterling and avoidance of Brett
C story = Other relationships: Betsy’s competition with Cerise / the effects of Dylan‘s alcoholism on his family / Cerise’s lies and learning to heal, open up, and trust again
BEAT SHEET
TEASER
INT. Elegant LA Restaurant — Night
An undercover Lexie busts a Hollywood box office bribe. Looks in the mirror on her way out.
INT. Lexie’s Bedroom — Day
Lexie’s reflection replaces Alexis’s as Lexie eagerly checks her first day of school outfit in the mirror. Alexis’s VO about the importance of trust. In her hurry, Lexie breaks her necklace chain.
EXT. Outside Lexie’s House — Day
Lexie meets up with Betsy and Betsy’s younger brother Marcus outside. Betsy criticizes Lexie‘s first day of school outfit.
ACT 1
INT. School Bus — Day
The bus driver asks the girls their names. He mishears Lexie. She is too flustered to correct him.
INT. High School Hallway — Day
Mean girls walk past Lexie and snicker at her outfit.
INT. High School Gymnasium — Day
Lexie is gasping as she tries to keep up with the rest of the students running laps. PE teacher blows his whistle at her.
INT. High School Classroom — Day
The speech teacher calls Lexie to the front of the room. She approaches fearfully. After an awkward silence and snickers from students, she runs out of the classroom.
INT. High School Cafeteria Food Line — Day
Cafeteria lady gives her green beans after she says she doesn’t want them.
INT. High School Cafeteria — Day
Cafeteria is noisy, crowded, nowhere to sit. A mean student steals her chair before she can sit down. Lexie sets her tray down and leaves the cafeteria without eating.
INT. Lexie’s Dining Room — Evening
Lexie feels shut out by her family. Her older sister Lily and younger brother Scott are happy and successful and have the full attention of mom and dad. Dylan’s alcoholism revealed.
INT. Lexie’s Bedroom — Evening
Lexie looks around at her plain walls. She looks down at her blank phone. She pulls an overnight bag out of her closet and tosses it onto her bed.
ACT 2
INT. High School Cafeteria — Day
Cafeteria is noisy, crowded. Betsy walks in tray in hand and looks around for Lexie.
INT. High School Library — Day
Lexie is sitting on the floor in the stacks reading a novel and eating a PBJ. Meets Cerise; they hit it off. Betsy comes in with her cafeteria tray. Instant tension between her and Cerise. Cerise leaves and Lexie admits she’s thinking about leaving home. Betsy convinced her she just needs to find something of her own to make her special.
MONTAGE
INT. High School Science Lab — Day
Lexie spills owl pellets on a cute boy (Tony) and Betsy sets something on fire.
INT. High School Gymnasium — Day
Lexie falls on her head attempting a cartwheel and Betsy tells off the rude cheerleaders who laugh at her.
INT. High School Library — Day
Lexie and Betsy sit in a circle with other students, books in hand. Lexie is listening raptly; Betsy falls asleep.
INT. High School Auditorium Stage — Day
Fall musical auditions. Betsy can’t sing and Lexie runs away in terror only to fall offstage.
MONTAGE ENDS
INT. High School Classroom — Day
Lexie is still icing her elbow and kids in the classroom are still taunting her when their English teacher gives the class an assignment: to write an email to their future selves.
INT. Lexie’s Dining Room — Evening
Tense family dinner. Dylan is clearly drunk, irritable. Rages against the government and the corrupt voting system. Amanda clearly disgusted with her husband. No one seems interested in Lexie’s brand-new-to-high-school experiences.
INT. Lexie’s Bedroom — Evening
Lexie sits down at her desk. She fires off her email to her future self and clicks send.
INT. Lexie’s Bedroom — The Next Morning
Lexie wakes up to an email response from her future self.
ACT 3
INT. Lexie’s Bedroom — Day
Lexie is in shock and disbelief. She asks questions about Alexis’s life in Chicago in the year 2040. Time to leave for school. Lexie asks to move the conversation to messenger. Alexis presents her life as happy and successful.
CUT TO 2040 REALITY:
INT. Chicago Department Store — Day
Alexis, in uniform, is refolding men’s dress shirts at the checkout counter when Sterling sweeps past and drops a stack of fliers on the counter, messing up Alexis’s folding. Asks Alexis if she’s made any progress. Brett swings by to say hello and flirt with Alexis on his way to the shoe department. She responds coolly.
INT. Train — Evening
Alexis rides the train home alone, shutting people out.
INT. Alexis’s Studio Apartment — Evening
Alexis’s home life is empty and lonely. Bare walls. Empty fridge.
INT. Alexis’s Bathroom — Evening
Alexis opens her medicine cabinet. Takes out a bottle. Thinks about it. She hears a beep in the bedroom and sets the bottle down on the sink.
INT. Alexis’s Bedroom — Evening
Alexis sees Lexie’s email. Skeptical. Ignores it and goes to bed.
INT. Chicago Department Store — Day
Just as Alexis is about to make a sale, Sterling sweeps in and steals it. Brett makes another pass at Alexis.
INT. Train — Evening
Alexis rides the train alone, shutting people out.
INT. Alexis’s Studio Apartment Kitchen — Evening
Alexis opens her mail and a birth announcement from her sister Lily falls out.
INT. Alexis’s Bedroom — Evening
Alexis sits down in front of Lexie’s email and writes a response: presenting her life as happy and successful as a retail associate.
ACT 4
INT. Lexie’s Kitchen — Day
Lexie is texting Alexis during breakfast. Quick to hide her texts from family. Alexis shocks Lexie with the things she knows about her and her family.
EXT. Lexie’s Front Yard — Day
Lexie meets Betsy and Marcus again to wait for the bus. Betsy stops Marcus from running into the road. Betsy asks Lexie who she’s texting. Lexie hides her messages from Betsy. Betsy mentions driver’s Ed.
INT. Lexie’s Kitchen — Evening
Amanda, Lexie’s mom, is sitting at the kitchen table helping Lily with college applications. Lexie mentions driver’s Ed. They can’t afford it and Amanda is too busy to teach her. Lexie suggests her dad. Instant no.
INT. Lily’s Bedroom — Evening
Lexie sneaks in and opens up Lily’s college application essay on her laptop. She changes a large portion of the essay, resubmits, and hurries out.
INT. Lexie’s Bedroom — Evening
Lexie is lying in bed feeling guilty. She texts Alexis, who already knows what Lexie had done. Lexie finally believes Alexis is her future self. Alexis gives Lexie her first piece of advice: Stop caring what other people think.
ACT 5
MONTAGE
INT. School Bus — Day
Bus driver calls Lexie the wrong name. Lexie corrects him.
INT. High School Hallway — Day
Mean girls walk past Lexie and snicker at her outfit. Lexie walks right past them.
EXT. High School Field — Day
Lexie plays field hockey and enjoys it.
INT. High School Classroom — Day
Lexie wraps up a speech to applause, smiles, and returns to her seat.
INT. High School Science Lab — Day
Lexie smiles at a cute boy (Tony) in biology class.
INT. High School Cafeteria Food Line — Day
Cafeteria lady tries to give her green beans but she speaks up, kindly but firmly.
MONTAGE END
INT. High School Cafeteria — Day
Lexie finds a seat and waves a surprised Betsy over. Betsy comments that Lexie seems to be having a better day. Lexie speaks up when Betsy begins getting too tactless. Lexie smiles, happy, proud of herself.
EXT. Train Station — Evening
As Alexis’s VO resumes about the importance of trust, she sits down on a bench next to someone. They have a terse, coded conversation. Lies. Alexis threatens to kill him. He calls her bluff. She kills him and boards the train home.
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Suzanne’s Beat Sheet
What I learned during this assignment is: do and don’t think
Concept: Supernatural origins of New Orleans are revealed–and want to be released.
Inciting incident: Tilda discovers her family’s hidden history could destroy New Orleans if she doesn’t act.
A= New Orleans & Tilda
B= relationships: Grandmere, Zephyr, J-P
C= disasters
TEASER:
EXT. French Quarter street — Night
Costumed people are using tools on a New Orleans street. Are they partying and destroying it? No, they are repairing it as street art.
EXT. French Quarter street — Night
One of the costumed people is racing through crowded streets, decorated for Mardi Gras, and full of puddles. Buildings are boarded up, half the businesses open.
EXT. French Quarter balcony –Night
Tilda removes mask, then climbs up to the balcony, pulls out a flask and toasts the moon.
ACT ONE
INT. Bar — Day
Tilda and Zephyr reading Tarot cards and talking about “D Day” for Tilda’s big project … which is tonight, for their family who are New Orleans’ royalty.
INT. Mansion — Day
Grandmere with Tilda, Zephyr and other granddaughters, everyone dressing in 18th c. costume, getting ready for “renewal” party
ACT TWO
INT. Mansion — Night
Family ritual around a Looking Glass descends to argument, the a shooting, and Tilda flees
ACT THREE
EXT. French Quarter — Night
Chased into crowd, Tilda grabs a man dressed in 18th c costume (J-P) and they splash through a puddle, to go into alley
EXT. (Old) French Quarter — Night
Tilda and man walking through same but different streets. Return to her family mansion.
INT. (Old) Mansion — Night
Tilda sees the same ritual taking place, but only with men, and talking about how they’ll lose their power in TK time, if they don’t act. She runs away when she’s noticed
ACT FOUR
EXT. (Old) French Quarter — Night
Tilda and man are chased through streets, run through a puddle and
EXT. French Quarter — Night
… back into current time. He yells at her, she returns to the mansion
LOCK-IN
INT. Mansion — Night
Tilda sneaks into the Looking Glass and when she touches it, she hears “free me”
(vision) French Quarter streets destroyed by water and oil, the city submerged, the Gulf Coast blackened and covered in the dead and fire.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by Suzanne Frank.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by
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Sharilyn’s Beat Sheet
What I learned doing this assignment is…write action = right act.
Show Concept: A 600lb. millennial on a weight loss journey unknowingly becomes an underground porn star after a desperate XXX engineer hacks her phone camera.
Inciting Incident: After she falls and can’t get up, Erin’s obesity is on blast by the ultimate hack from family, friends, 1st Responders, a Neighbor, and of course, Walley, the sleazy XXX engineer who gets it all on film
A Story: Invasion of Erin’ s privacy and her weight loss struggle
B Story: Erin’s family, friends, and folks, in general, objectifying her fat
C Story: Societal rejection
TEASER
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Night
Description Erin moans and groans alone, in the dark. Sounds of a wrapper opening. A condom package perhaps?
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Night
Description A crazy full moon? No! Flood lights from across the street outline a fat arm, then plump fingers, reaching in and around full lips as in and out the finger goes.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Bed – Night
Description CREEK! CREEK! The bed herks and jerks. It bounces and flounces.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Night
Description A man’s voice moans in tandem with the motion of the bed.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Night
Description Walley pecks away, complaining to Kandy about the job, his BOSS, the “WATCHERS”
ACT 1
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Bed – Day
Description Erin rouses after binge eating. She digs around finding a sizeable knife.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin pushes out bars and props open the window with the knife. a little BIRDIE greets her. They talk. She feeds it and herself. We see cuts on her fat forearm.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description A familiar food delivery service GUY drops off a bag.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin reaches through a curtain hiding herself. More cuts are visible.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Elementary KIDS run up, are dropped off by MIGRANT/DAYWORKER pick-up trucks, chattering in Spanish.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin greets each kid with a cookie, for herself too, while gently encouraging their English greeting.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Kitchenette/Microwave – Day
Description Kandy poses lifeless in front of the microwave.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Kitchenette/Booth – Day
Description Walley rises from his seat to help Kandy get his coffee.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Kitchenette/Cabinet – Day
Description Walley searches for his “pick-me-up.” He finds it . He kisses it.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Kitchenette/Microwave – Day
Description Walley pours into the mug, he holds. It’s hot! He offers Kandy a sip. She’s frozen in the moment. He remembers she doesn’t drink. He offers her a few pills. She refuses them too.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Kitchenette/Booth – Day
Description Walley stuffs Kandy down across him. She reaches for his hand. They bless breakfast. Walley goes in again on his boss, night work. His thoughts drift outward as she talks aloud about quitting, her former sex work, them living off the grid away from the “Watchers.”
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Patty saunters up shopping bags, make-up totes in hand. She spills the Tee to SOMEONE on her celly. The kids are mesmerized and a little confused all at once, she shoos them away.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin gives Patty the look of death.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Patty hangs up, fed up with all the little kids clamoring. She demands Erin open the door.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin sends the kids on their way while rummaging for her phone.
ON PHONE SCREEN: The image of Patty patting her foot, popping her gum, just being all out too through with her besty, Erin.
BACK TO SCENE
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Day
Description Jumbled wires. Beeps, bells, and alerts go off. An obnoxiously large monitor faces Walley as a comb-overed, self-important BOSS pops on screen to berate Walley’s work performance. Walley stammers through a series of apologies.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Doorway – Day
Description Kandy proudly watches over her man.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Day
Description ON Walley’s fingers as he pushes MUTE. Walley talks back to his Boss, forcefully saying all the things he wants to say to his face. His boss tilts his head, furrows his unibrow and reprimands. Walley stammers. A childhood stuttering problem returns.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table/Keyboard – Day
Description A close-up shows a special button. Smudged. As Walley scratches the stain away it reads “MORE.” Walley looks to Kandy.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Doorway – Day
Description Kandy tilts backward, lightly hitting the floor. Her expressionless face stares up at chipped ceiling tiles.
ACT 2
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Day
Description Food clutter litters the room. Patty maneuvers around the mess, plopping totes down. Spilling T. She goes in on Erin’s hair. Erin sits, munching.
EXT. Erin’s House – Front Door – Day
Description Ms. Chen arrives. Fussy.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Day
Description Erin interrupts Patty’s beauty prep to buzz in Ms. Chen. ON PHONE SCREEN Ms. Chen at the Door.
BACK TO SCENE
INT. Erin’s House – Hallway – Day
Description Ms. Chen tramples through bitching all the way. Cursing in Chinese.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Day
Description Ms. Chen flips at the sight of the room. She straightens up all the while stepping on Patty’s toes. The two side eye, catfight, complain. Erin in the middle of it all, chomps from every nook and cranny in her immediate space. Phone in hand.
EXT. Erin’s House – Front Door – Day
Description Mi-Ya in full furry cat gear, MEOWS and PURRS.
EXT. Erin’s House – Across the Street – Day
Description Neighbor Guy films the Erin’s front door arrivals.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Day
Description ON MONITOR Mi-Ya at Erin’s front door. Loud cat sounds.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Bedroom – Day
Description Walley spoons with Kandy. At hearing the cat sounds he rouses.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Kitchenette – Day
Description Walley searches for KITTY.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Day
Description Walley spots Mi-Ya ON SCREEN.
BACK TO SCENE
He rushes to the monitor. Sits. Starts punching keys. He realizes his hack has landed him in a real house. He calls for Kandy.
INT. Erin’s House – Hallway – Day
Description Mi-Ya playfully trounces toward Erin’s Bedroom.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Day
Description Ms. Chen Stops in her tracks at Mi-Ya’s appearance. She checks her watch. Frowns. Curses Mi-Ya’s tardiness.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Doorway – Day
Description Mi-Ya nixes Ms. Chen off instead excitedly reaching in a matchy fur pouch to show Erin a new muumuu.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Bed – Day
Description OFF Erin’s disappointed face.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Doorway – Day
Description Ms. Chen snatches the muumuu. Reprimands Mi-Ya, who sighs, scratches at her mother in protest. Ms. Chen demands that Patty leave the room.
MONTAGE: Mi-Ya and Ms. Chen strip Erin. She spreads out fully nude ready for a hog wash.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Day
Description Kandy sits next to Walley. They both stare at the screen. Walley covers his eyes to protect the integrity of his relationship with Kandy. He removes his hands and gawks.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin is fabulously fat as she goes over a morning song with the kids.
EXT. Erin’s House – Across the Street – Day
Description Neighbor Guy films the kids.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin spots Neighbor Guy filming. She screams at him. The kids scatter.
EXT. Erin’s House – Across the Street – Day
Description Neighbor Guy schleps away.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin mutters to herself. She slams the window down forgetting the knife propping it up. It cracks, striking a crouching Kid.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description The Kid whimpers.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Erin hears the cries. She digs around for a snack to sooth the crying kid. She reaches out to deliver the snack.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description The kid immediately stops crying and thanks Erin in Spanish. She responds in English. The kids runs off.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Day
Description Walley and Kandy sit dumbfounded at what they just witnessed. Walley realizes that this live stream is golden. We see his mind clicking. Kandy disapproves. Walley reminds her of her past as a blow-up doll sex worker and how successful she was. That was how they met. He knows he shouldn’t but he has to paste up and post what he’s seen.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Bed – Night
Description Erin heaves herself up. She stands upright. A little unsteady. She breathes deeply survey the food chaos in her room. Her eyes land on a CORNER where Patty left a plastic bag. A knowing smile creeps across her face.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Corner – Night
Description Erin takes baby steps over to the bag. What? The bitch can walk! She easily bends over at the waist to grab up the bag. Her round ass moons Walley.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Night
Description Walley’s disheveled. Bug-eyed. Unshaved. Kandy sits with the same look on her face. Glued to the monitor ON SCREEN: Erin’s huge, apple bottom.
BACK TO SCENE
Walley rationalizes watching Erin. What the footage of her will do for them. Kandy’s not buying it.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Bed – Night
Description Erin digs around for a knife. She breathes hard, hot and heavy. She sweats. Walking is work. She pulls out a ZUCCHINI. CUCUMBER, then an unripe PLANTAIN. She sniffs, presses, and pinches each. She rubs them against her breast flesh for smoothness. The Plantain tip pokes her. She pitches it across the room. She weighs the zucchini and cucumber, one in each hand. She measures for length and thickness. The Zucchini wins. She cuts the tip. Lifts her stomach, slides it down to her HooHa. She throws her head back and moans. Let the food fuck begin.
LATER…
Erin drenches in water. She licks her lips, smacks her tongue in her mouth. Parched, she needs a drink. She yanks herself up. Woozey.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Floor – Night
Description Erin steps on the Plantain, slips and slams to the floor! In pain, she can’t get up.
ACT 3
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Night
Description BANG! Kandy stares at the monitor. ON SCREEN: a large shadowy figure of Erin awkwardly lying on the floor.
BACK TO SCENE
Walley rushes in. He checks Kandy then turns his attention to the monitor.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Floor – Day
Description Erin moans in pain. She tries to roll over. She wipes herself. Soak and wet. She sees the blood o her palm and screams.
EXT. Erin’s House – Front Door – Day
Description Neighbor Guy pounds on the door, pushes the doorbell as Ms. Chen and Mi-Ya stroll up.
EXT. Erin’s House – Driveway – Day
Description Erin’s Parents STU & LU race into a spot. They jump out in a panic.
EXT. Erin’s House – Street – Day
Description Migrant parents and kids low-ride by. Curious, they stop, chattering in Spanish.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Day
Description Walley justifies his live stream to Kandy recognizing Erin’s hurt.
EXT. Erin’s House – Front Door – Day
Description Stu & Lu beg Erin to open the door as a CROWD gathers. Mi-Ya tiptoes around to Erin’s window. Neighbor Guy’s eyes follow Mi-Ya
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Mi-Ya taps out the secret knock on the pane. She enquires about Erin’s state. Snarky Erin responds. The two go back and forth about getting help. Erin is adamant about not wanting any 1st Responders showing up.
EXT. Erin’s House – Street – Day
Description Sirens WHIR. Too late.
INT. EMT Van – Moving – Street – Day
A middle-aged Latin Hotty crosses himself and touches a dangling Jesus pendant
EXT. Erin’s House – Front Door – Day
Description Patty argues everyone down about barging in on Erin. She ceases her rant as the EMT Van pulls up.
EXT. Police car/Fire Trucks – Moving – Street – Day
Sexy POLICE and Hot Fire dudes answer the call of duty.
INT. Erin’s House – Floor – Day
Description Erin goes off on Mi-Ya who was just trying to help.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Neighbor guy snaps a sneaky video of Mi-Ya talking through the Window. Her cat senses pick up the filming. She turns on him. He flees.
INT. Erin’s House – Floor – Day
Description Erin throws a tantrum. Why can’t Everyone just leave her alone?
EXT. Erin’s House – Front Door – Day
Description Patty makes eye contact with the EMT Drivers. He nods “nope” turns on his heels at the behest of his COLLEAGUES. Patty marches behind him.
INT. Erin’s House – Floor – Day
Description Erin pleads with erveyone to leave her alone she’s fine. It’ll just take her a minute to get up, but she can. On her own.
EXT. Erin’s House – Front Door – Day
Description Ms. Chen refutes every word Erin yells through the door. Stu & Lu plan with the FIREMEN a bat-a-ram the entryway. The Police demand to know who Erin Stodermann is as they have a complaint from a parent of child endangerment. Stu & Lu go into protect mode. Pissed, Mi-Ya snitches that Erin is inside, incapacitated.
EXT. Erin’s House – Street – Day
Description Local TV NEWS CREW descends on the scene.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Day
Description Walley finger taps hard on the keyboard. He can’t believe his luck. It’s happening for him, finally. He names it “Erin Eats Everything.” He stops, feeling Kandy’s guilty gaze on his back. He assures her that this time, it’s gonna work. He calls his Boss and quits.
INT. Erin’s House – Hallway– Day
Description The Firemen knock the front door down. ALL pack the house, fan out and search the premises.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom –Day
Description Erin screams at the top of her lungs for them to get out! Ms. Chen Stu & Lu try to calm her, convince her that she needs help. They see the blood. Erin clocks the shocked expression on the 1St Responders’ faces. They weren’t prepared for a patient her size.
EXT. Erin’s House – Driveway – Day
Description Patty confronts the EMT driver, who wants no parts of her.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Day
Description As Medics ask health questions, Patty reenters. Erin is still on the floor.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Floor – Day
Description Patty crouches by her friend whose eyes plead with her. An EMT stands over them asking Erin if they could at least test her vitals. Erin agrees. They take her blood pressure, lift her limbs. Ms. Chen cleans up around her. The bleeding stops. The COPS state their reason for being there. Patty answers for Erin.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Night
Description ON MONITOR: a counter tallies the endless hits to Erin’s live stream
BACK TO SCENE
ACT 4
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Floor – Day
Description Erin is still on the floor. Snoring. Dried blood sticks to her hand. Candy wrappers, snack bags, pizza boxes, fast food packages surround her.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Mi-Ya shows up. She raps on the pane.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Floor – Day
Description Erin rouses. She knows who it is. She shoos her away.
EXT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Window – Day
Description Mi-Ya unhinges the bars and pops open the pane. She climbs in. Cat-agility.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Floor – Day
Description Mi-Ya picks up the food trash as Erin protests. Mi-Ya ignores her. She drops a gift bag on Erin’s stomach roll. Erin peaks in. She pulls out cat ears, and whiskers. Mi-Ya reiterates nine more lives.
EXT. Erin’s House – Front Door – Day
Description Patty pulls the plywood door away from its frame as Ms. Chen directs the reno. The two argue. Patty gets a splinter and breaks a nail. She curses Ms. Chen who holds her own. Weird neighbor Guy appears outta nowhere asking about Erin. Both Patty and Ms. Chen gang up on him. He can’t handle the female energy.
INT. Erin’s House – Hallway – Day
Description Ms. Chen and Patty push and shove each other to Erin’s bedroom
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Bed – Day
Description Erin sits on the bed as Mi-Ya affixes her whiskers and cat-eared headband.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Doorway – Day
Description Both Ms. Chen and wonder why Mi-Ya is on time and prepping Erin? Stu & Lu snap them out of their trance as they push through with groceries.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Day
Description Ms. Chen snatches the bags and exits without a word. Mi-Ya follows. She knows her mom is upset.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom/Bed – Day
Description Erin greets her parents curious as to how they knew she had fallen. Patty goes straight to Erin’s mop of hair. Stu & Lu admit to installing security cameras. Erin is too through them. She asks them to leave. They do. Patty goes in on Erin. At least she has parents who care. Erin reminds her that they’re not her real parents.
INT. Erin’s House – Kitchen – Day
Description Ms. Chen prepares b-fast. Mi-Ya tries to help/make-up. Ms. Chen is not having it. Why was Mi-Ya there without her? The two argue. Mi-Ya leaves after Ms. Chen accuses Mi-Ya of being just like her FATHER. Ms. Chen regrets her words.
INT. Porn Press Headquarters – Office – Day
Description An ASSISTANT rushes in to GINA STELLACIO showing her Erin’s footage.
Excited at the discovery, Gina demands contact with the video/live streamer
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Kitchenette – Day
Description Walley and Kandy are on the outs. Walley’s phone rings. He answers a very professional Assistant who wants to know if he manages the talent in the video. Walley lies saying he does. Kandy is too through with him. He knows it.
INT. Erin’s Bedroom – Day
Description Ms. Chen arrives with a healthy b-fast for Erin who refuses. Instead she demands to know why Ms. Chen allowed the 1st Responders to rape her. Ms. Chen defends her actions retaliating w/harsh criticism of Erin’s weight, life, dependency on her. Patty intervenes. Erin kicks Ms. Chen out.
INT. Erin’s Bedroom – Day
Description Patty sages the room. Erin reminds Patty of her faith. The two reminisce—fat camp, gay camp. Patty pulls out all the Communion bottles from around the room. Erin retrieves a chocolate stash and a Cucumber. A moment passes between them. Maybe they shouldn’t do what they’ve done before?
ACT 5
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Night
Description Alone, buck naked and a little tipsy Erin stands fully naked. Patty wraps her arms around her from behind, her chin resting on her shoulder. Patty affirms Erin’s beauty. Erin isn’t buying it. They’re both drunk. Patty leaves.
INT. Walley’s Trailer – Computer Table – Night
Description Walley watches the live feed. He doesn’t get what’s going on between Patty and Erin?
INT. Porn Press Headquarters – Office – Night
Description Gina watches thinking Walley’s duped her into regular gay porn. She’s pissed.
EXT. Erin’s House – Across the Street – Night
Description Neighbor Guy lurks. He spots Patty leaving the house. He offers her a ride. Patty accepts.
INT. Erin’s House – Bedroom – Night
Description Erin’s text alert sounds. ON SCREEN: Medic text-to-reply message. Erin texts back.
BACK TO SCENE
The medic calls with test results. All of her vitals were normal for her age given her size. Erin rolls her eyes and is about to hang up when the medic expresses condolences for the loss of the BABY. Erin is in shock. More shade from the medic whose dumbfounded that someone her size could even get pregnant. Erin clicks off.
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Tom’s Beat Sheet
What I learned from this assignment was that this was an opportunity to start formalizing the pilot work that had already been done. Each lesson I was copying over my ever growing outline and in this assignment I was primarily putting the relevant pieces together. There were a few places where new information came forth, and other places I saw that still needed attention, but all in all I think the pilot is coming together nicely.
Concept: Nine people with seemingly nothing in common enter into a support group to help cope with loss during the pandemic, but discover they are the subjects of an extraterrestrial experiment to change the outcome of an upcoming political protest that starts a domino effect, leading to the end of democracy, and ultimately the extinction of mankind.
Inciting Incident: Florida Man attends his first support group meeting as ordered by court to avoid jail time, meeting the group that will ultimately be tasked with changing the trajectory of mankind to avoid extinction.
A Story: The group’s purpose to save mankind
B Story: Eddie, Twyla and the Janitor
C Story: The inter/intra-personal relationships of the group
Beat Sheet
TEASER
EXT. STATE CAPITAL – DAY
Seeking at the false flag at a protest, we weave with FLORIDA MAN through the crowd on both sides of the protest as the tension rises. Distracted, as he looks for signs of deception, Florida Man passes seemingly unaffected by growing tensions and impending violence.
EXT. STATE CAPITAL – ULTRA CONSERVATIVE STAGE – DAY
BRENDA, the leader of a far-right organization is preaching her variety of conservative values from a mega phone as Florida Man passes by. Vehemently opposed to everything Brenda stands for, ANGELA screams profanities regarding existential threats against the planet, and waves her banner of opposition.
EXT. STATE CAPITAL – RIGHT SIDE OF CROWD – DAY
Each step Florida Man takes into the crowd is met with greater hostility. Passing by STU, we hear him in an argument about border reform and building bigger walls.
EXT. STATE CAPITAL – CENTER OF CROWD – DAY
Passing into the eye of the storm, Florida Man bumps into F.M., a white cis male and Texan who is struggling to take a side, and DANI who is standing between two men twice her size trying to stop a fight.
EXT. STATE CAPITAL – LEFT SIDE OF CROWD – DAY
PETER CETERA yells at Florida Man demanding social equality, especially for the LGBTQ population. A group of militant looking men and woman pass by Florida Man. The leader of this group, POE, can be heard responding to the prospect of violence indicating that his cohort won’t start the fight, but they’ll finish it.
EXT. STATE CAPITAL – PERIMETER OF PROTEST – DAY
Crossing the adjacent street, the protest has pushed outward into the street, as tensions reach a tipping point. Cars are stuck in the street unable to pass. Florida Man sees a very frustrated JENNY slam her car horn a few times, and then get out of her car and abandon it. Crossing the street, the local police are in riot gear and given the command to break up this protest. As they move in, shots are fired, and complete chaos erupts. Multiple people from gun fire and then due to trampling, many more are injured, but the true damage is to the polarized American psyche.
ACT 1
INT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – BASEMENT
TWYLA and the JANITOR are watching the riot unfold on an old TV. Twyla lectures on about space and time as the Janitor listens attentively. Twyla seems to care deeply about the people and violence. She continues talking about an experiment and how excited she is for the opportunity to help. ELLIOT soon arrives. He is marveling over his own body, fascinated by it.
CLOSE ON TV
They continue talking about the protest as if an event in the distant past, and repercussions it will have long into the future.
INT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – BASEMENT
The conversation that turns and focuses on how this can be stopped, as if it hasn’t yet happened. Elliot still seems distracted by himself, and less concerned about the experiment, but continues feeding into the conversation. Twyla asks if humans are really capable of changing, finally the Janitor speaks up and pauses the TV on a shot of Florida Man indicating that with the right leader it is possible. Twyla and Elliot both show signs of doubt and concern about what the Janitor is implying, but seem to respect the Janitor too much to oppose him. They discuss that this event must be stopped or it will cause a domino effect that leads to the fall of democracy and the end of mankind.
ACT 2
INT. COURTROOM – THREE WEEKS EARLIER
Florida Man, a lone wolf conspiracy theorist prone to making poor choices is representing himself in court. He is reckless, unstable, and aloof. He also continuously refers to the judge by his first name, disrespecting the judge and his court.
Judge makes a comment during trial he represents the greatest problem with society: people thinking they can make a difference—this might as well be a trial for the whole of mankind—the judge is tired of seeing Florida Man in his court.
Facing jail time, Florida Man argues that what he was doing was for the greater good in an attempt to heal the community, and makes a shockingly compelling case, considering he looks homeless. The Judge, who is actually family, tells Florida Man that if he doesn’t abide to house arrest and attend a group support meeting he will go to jail. Florida Man inquires about what type of support group, and the judge recommends one that is actually helping people in the community so that he can learn what it means to be truly helpful.
ACT 3
EXT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – EVENING
Florida Man arrives to the church and sees a flyer on the door for a pandemic survivor support group and walks in.
INT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – BASEMENT
Entering into the basement, a meeting already appears to be underway. In the middle of basement are a circle of ten people. Elliot and Twyla are facilitating the meeting and the other eight are support seekers.
Florida Man is welcomed by Twyla who grabs a chair for him as space is made in the circle. She then hands him a name tag sticker and a marker. Looking around the circle he sees a very diverse group of people all wearing name tags. Florida Man proceeds to write “Florida Man,” on the tag.
Eddie, the more charismatic of the facilitators helps everyone to feel at ease. It seems as though the meeting is just getting started as Eddie reviews some rules with the group.
Stu, Poe, Angela, Brenda, Jenny, F.M., Peter Cetera and Dani all go around and talk about the devastating loss they’ve experienced from the pandemic. Finally, we get to Florida Man and he explains that he hasn’t actually lost anything, and that he is here because a judge is forcing him to be there to avoid going to jail. Several members of the group ridicule him, but Eddie focuses on his honesty and calms down the group illustrating that there is a cosmic bond that unites them.
Twyla and Eddie have a disagreement and the Janitor emerges from the shadows sweeping the floors and making his presence known. Seeing the Janitor, the argument dissipates immediately making Florida Man suspicious as he watches the Janitor recede back into the shadows.
The group takes a break and Eddie B-lines it for the restroom.
INT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – RESTROOM
Elliot contacts someone we do not see and communicates the status of the experiment indicating that everything is going perfectly and alludes his goal of sabotaging the experiment and the fate of humanity.
ACT 4
INT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – BASEMENT
“As the group comes back together, to Twyla’s disapproval, Eddie puts the focus back on Florida Man trying to get him to open up. Florida Man is very reluctant to talk about himself, especially since he is used to being on his own and blending in. Seeing that Florida Man is struggling, Twyla interjects and tries to help him, but Eddie overpowers her and insists that Florida Man lead a trust building exercise.
Twyla becomes more irritated with Eddie as he explains the rules of the trust exercise. The majority of the group shows no respect to Florida Man, believing that he shouldn’t even be there, and as a result the trust exercise fails miserably having an overall negative effect.”
ACT 5
INT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – BASEMENT
“This week’s meeting concludes and Twyla sends them off with a homework assignment and indicates that they will be meeting here every week for the next couple months.
As everyone is leaving a few give Florida Man dirty looks, and others talk about him as if he weren’t there. Florida Man walks out ashamed.”
EXT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – NIGHT
Angela, who has a deep fear of public speaking, empathizes with Florida Man and gives him a word of encouragement after the meeting and a cigarette. They talk briefly before Angela walks off and disappears in the darkness.
INT. SAINT JUDE’S CHURCH – BASEMENT
As the last of the group exits, Twyla calls Eddie out for his behavior. He seems uncaring and before he has to explain himself the Janitor approaches Twyla and Eddie and tells them to start prepping immediately for the next session. Twyla tells Eddie that she is unsure if she can do this, Eddie gives her some tough love, and tells her she has no choice before walking away.
INT. FLORIDA MAN’S HOME
Walking through his home, it looks like a crime scene. He’s a mess, and his life is a conspiracy-driven train wreck. He sits down at his computer and checks his email. There he finds an invitation from a conspiracy group indicating that there is going to be protest and the group is getting together to catch proof of a false flag operation. Florida accepts the invitation.
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