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Lesson 8
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8 Replies
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Benita. lesson 8 Theme an antagonist journey. My theme is already sorted. I have now added:
Antagonist, Constable Strong –
ACT 1. INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – DAY
… D.I. JAMES informs Constable Strong that he has failed his Sergeant’s exam.
ACT 1 EXT. MARKET – DAY
Two ‘heavies’ approach Constable Strong. He tries to evade them. They pull him into an alley and threaten him.
I have also added. Jim –
ACT 1. EXT. MARKET – DAY
Behind his stall, Jim is playing with a rubric cube. LATER same location. The rubric cube completed is on a chair behind the stall.
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The Sacred Kingdom
Lesson learned from this assignment: The theme of the film is to find out who you are from within. In the case of Akaash it begins with the search for answers and validation whereas true meaning and self-knowledge comes from within. By the end Akaash is able to develop his self-awareness and as a result, change his ways and acquire the values required to be worthy of the throne of the Sacred City: respect, compassion, humility, gratitude and commitment.
Lesson 8
C. Plan beneath the plan: This one looks like Attack/Counter Attack, but there is something deeper going on under the surface as the Antagonist carries out a covert plan of attack.
Shanta Sheel is the reincarnation of the great yogi Maldev who had been proving is devotion to the gods for decades thrugh abstinence and ascetitism and prayer.
On a hunting trip one day, the then ruler of Avanti (Vikram’s father) decided to play an unpleasant joke on him and upset his years of devotion. He sent a concubine to seduce him and produced a boy. The Yogi gave up his years of devotion offered in return for immense power in the universe. When he discovered he had been tricked, he slaughtered his son, turned the king into an ass and swore to destroy the line of kings descending from the sky god Indra.
A generation later, he returned as Shanta Sheel, a Yogi who proved his honesty and good character to Vikram and claimed he needed the help of a hero like him to help resolve a thorny issue. What he really wanted was to sacrifice Vikram and his son to Kali, gain is revenge and at the same time have Kali grant him sovereignty over the universe. But Vikram and his won met he corpse of the son Maldev murdered nd it guided them to safety.
Shant Sheel encurgges Shalivahana’s attac kon Avnti because he wants it for himself. There’ll be some ambiguousness here, too – where he’ll give the audience the impression he’s S’s enemy.
Vikram outwitted the Yogi and liberated the soul of the corpse who said it would return to pay back the debt if Vikram’s progeny needed help.
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I have to work out some background interactions for the audience to start becoming suspicious about Shant Sheel’s instructions. We know people are not what they seem, so what about the noble Shant Sheel who is supposedly helping and protecting Akaash on his mission to rescue his father and brother. What are his real intentions? He’s a dark and powerful figure who uses demon hordes and evil spirits to support him while giving the impression that really he is controlling these agents of darkness to protect the world. He is a ‘hidden’ antagonist. His motives: Sacrificing the Avanti Dynasty as Revenge to gain Power.
Beat Sheet for Antagonist
1. In a cremation ground surrounded by demons, monsters and unclean spirits, Shant Sheel shows he is in complete control. When Akaash is surprised by his location, he explains it is to ensure the world is safe from evil beings.
2. He tells Akaash his father Vikarm usurped his older brother Hari’s throne and Hari wants to trap him in the infernal regions for revenge. Akaash must stop this happening.
3. An unexpected barrage of lightning and magical missile results in both Akaash and Hari falling into the abyss and landing in Pataal. Akaash believes Hari caused the storm and vice versa. In fact it was part of Shant Sheel’s plan to lure all the members of the Avanti dynasty to sacrifice them to Kali.
4. Shant Sheel send a demoness disguised as a beautiful woman to lead him to the Nagmani stone from the Vasuki’s crown so that he can get out of Pataal and continue his mission.
5. When Akaash undermines this by saving the ‘beautiful woman’ from Vasuki’s wrath, he throws up a massive reef to prevent him crossing the boundary. (intention?)
6. He is infuriated to find that Akaash is under some kind of divine protection when he crosses the boundary and is on his way back to the crematorium.
7. He plans to go ahead and sacrifice Hari and Akaash in return for greater power in the universe and at least partial revenge. He fails.
8. He encourages King Shalivahana to attack Avanti, knowing that the dynasty will find a way to return and fight the battle to protect their sacred kingdom.
NOTE: I’ve been in hospital. Post-op now and doing my best to keep up through the brain fog!! Apologies.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by
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Doug – What I learned by doing this assignment is – well – this is (eventually – or maybe even very soon) going become a really fun script! Same as previous day, only more so! (PS – I have posted “additions” along with Beat Sheet – so this one is really long! hahaha!)
FADE IN
INT. HARLEM MANSION – MIDNIGHT
ALICE – elderly lady – is at the top of a dark, spooky staircase in an 1870’s mansion. She REACTS, scared, as she hears something – “something happens” – and then she tumbles down the stairs, lying motionless at the bottom. – Why? Who did it? To eliminate resistance to sale? Did Carl tell Jerome that his grandma wouldn’t sell? Does Jerome feel guilty about possibly causing her death? Because he ”told” once Carl told him? Was it an accident or a murder?
INT/EXT JET PASSENGER PLANE – SUNRISE
NICK, late twenties, scruffy but handsome, looks out the window as the plane banks and prepares to land. Inspiring Manhattan skyline. Nick smiles.
INT. JFK BAGGAGE CLAIM & CUSTOMS AREA – DAY
Nick arrives, claiming his small beat-up duffle bag. Jostled and then insulted by a rich-looking imperious “foreigner” – Nick pretends he’s not bothered, but then, using his “street skills”, a moment later “accidently” bumps into the man again, and in the ensuing tumult, relieves the guy of his wallet and passport, with the ruffled and irate foreigner completely unaware. The foreigner is part of the Antagonist plot. Opposite of theme – “I win, you lose” – both Nick and foreigner are playing out opposite of theme (we can all win).
Nick turns away – grins, as he removes a goodly number of $100 bills from the wallet – and then, preparing to toss the wallet and passport in the trash, thinks better of it and signals to an airport employee, letting him know that “someone must have dropped this” – and hands them over. (slight affirmation of theme – he’s already won, but doesn’t need to trample opponent into the dust) At the same time, noticing that the still flustered foreigner is now expostulating to a well-groomed and very striking young lady (SHANIA) – agent of Antagonist plot now in motion – to get major criminal dollars into the country, untraced, for laundering – , who is trying to settle him down, as she shepherds him and his baggage through customs. Nick grins to himself and gives her a wink – just as the man’s name is broadcast over the P.A. and both the man and the young lady REACT with relief!
Nick turns to go to a baggage inspection line on the other side of the room, noticing the imposing “Mastery of the Craft” real estate promotional poster dominating the area. (A real thing – I might change it to an imaginary version by the time I get to the script)
EXT. AIRPORT EXIT AREA – DAY
A homeless guy/gal, with a shopping cart and a happy-looking, gigantic tom cat on a leash perched on top of their stuff, is being moved along by security. Nick considers, then gives the person a $100 bill. The homeless person looks and exclaims happily and Nick double-checks his wallet, then laughs to himself. He thought it was a $1! Welcome to the Big Apple! Oh well, more where that came from… and some of it’s now in his wallet, as well! – THEME – there’s more than enough to go around, and it’s more fun when we all win!
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. – NY REAL ESTATE ACADEMY – DAY
Nick is in a real estate licensing class getting – you’ve guessed it – his NY real estate license!
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FRIEND’S BROOKLYN APARTMENT – NIGHT
Nick is crashing on his friend’s couch. The friend’s girlfriend is unhappy that he is still there. Argument. Nick assures her he’s just about ready to graduate, and then he’ll be long gone. He’s ready to “get his” (and to heck with everyone else – opposite of theme)
INT. REAL ESTATE ACADEMY – DAY
And he does graduate! A variety of real estate brokerage firms are there to recruit promising new agents. As Nick signs up with one, he notices that the same young lady from the airport, Shania, is surveying the various recruits – they lock eyes for a moment – and then the crowd of departing students bears him along towards the exit. A moment later, Shania walks over and talks to the recruiter with whom Nick has just signed. – Antagonist – looking for more “foot soldiers” to implement their plan.
INT. FRIEND’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Big argument between Nick’s friend and his girlfriend – What is his low-life friend still doing here?!!! (there will be some backstory given as to how they know each other) Nick, meanwhile, is stuffing things into his duffle bag – and rushes out the door! Thanks for everything! And when you’re ready to buy your Tribeca penthouse, give me a call! He and the friend exchange grins – and he’s out the door. Abundance beckons!
INT. SUBWAY – LATE NIGHT
Sleeping on the deserted subway. But scarcity seems omnipresent – a fun incident occurs on subway? But of course…!
EXT. APARTMENT HOUSE – DAY
Nick enters the building – he’s got the keys – escorting potential rental clients inside. This is his first “listing” as a new agent. Abundance of housing – lol!
INT. APARTMENT – DAY
Nick is showing the apartment – to several clients, series of scenes. Then, as evening falls he gets take-out delivered to the door (buzzing them into the lobby and then upstairs) – as he takes his duffle bag out of a closet and attempts to make a comfortable place for himself on the floor. IE. – this is where he plans to spend the night!
Before he settles in, he makes a call – talking to the main person at the foster care/orphanage he had “graduated from”, not all that long ago. His goal of sharing abundance “with the folks back home”. We learn of his fondness for the person and the place – something of why he had been in Mexico before coming to NYC (to deliver his best friend’s ashes to his parents) – and how he is in process of “making it big in NYC” – so he’ll be able to bail his old home out of the dire financial straits it’s in and save the day – so stay strong, help is on the way! And then he hangs up and attempts to make himself comfortable, sleeping on the floor of the empty apartment he’s trying to rent for his new company, his first assignment.
A few hours later, when it’s dark – Nick is awakened by the buzzing of the apartment’s intercom. Antagonist move – to see if he might be a “good recruit” – ie. can he think in a crisis and does he have enough guts to pull things off? He stumbles over and answers it without thinking – to hear a brusque voice thanking him for confirming that there is an unauthorized person in the apartment – they’re on their way up! Oh shit! Nick scrambles to get his stuff together, possibly looks out the window – sees a security guy below, looking up at him – dashes out the front door…
INT. BUILDING HALLWAY – NIGHT
Just as the elevator DINGS its arrival on his floor. He runs to the staircase – goes up to the roof – through the door armed with a buzzer, which blares a warning as he burst through…
EXT. APARTMENT HOUSE ROOF – NIGHT
To see Shania off to one side – putting her phone back into her coat pocket. She casually waves “hi” – asks him if he’s been sleeping well?
Nick asks if he knows her – and then realizes where he’s seen her before. You? She smiles and nods to the door to the roof which suddenly slams open again and two burly security guards come rushing through! “If they catch you, it’s your license. Sweet dreams!” Can “love” conquer criminality and the “I win/you lose” mind set?
Nick looks around – sees that the next building (on the side) is not that far away and a little lower down. He tosses his duffle bag across the gap to the other roof – braces himself (as Shania watches him appraisingly, mentioning that a good horizontal leap is an important quality for an aspiring real estate agent) – as he gives her an incredulous look – runs, hits the low wall bordering the edge of the roof at top speed – and leaps….
… just making it across to the next building! He stumbles, grabs his duffle bag, and runs to the far side, where there’s a fire escape leading down.
The guards ask Shania if she’s okay? Shania nods, thanks them for their quick response… More Antagonist plan revealed – she’s the one who turned him in, to see if he was a “worthy recruit”?
EXT. ALLEY AT SIDE OF SECOND BUILDING – NIGHT
…as Nick drops off the fire escape – sees a large, open dumpster, tosses his duffle inside and follows it in, pulling the lid closed over him…
Just as one or more of the guards trots by, still looking for him. And keeps going.
INT. DUMPSTER – NIGHT
The lid opens – framing Shania in the security light overhead. She tells him the guards are gone – it’s safe for him to go back to the apartment and finish out the night. But what if the same person reports him again? Nick asks.
She smiles and tells him… she already did that once, she won’t be needing to do it a second time, as she hands him a card and tells him to call her in the morning – his license will be transferred to this company, and they’ll find him a more comfortable place to stay by day’s end. Antagonist’s plan clicks into place…
Hunh?
Before offering him a “better job”, she needed to see how he worked under pressure.
He gives her a look. “And…?”
She blows him a kiss, tells him to call her in the morning – but, even if he decides to stay put, to be sure to get out before 6am trash pickup…
…and lets the lid fall back on his head! But will “love” be stronger? Or is it all manipulative, with power and money triumphant?
INT. POSH REAL ESTATE OFFICE – DAY
Nick, Shania, SCOTT (the President of the company) and JEROME, one of the lead brokers. Nick is signing papers – as (maybe) the same “Mastery of the Craft” poster Nick had been inspired by at the airport looks down on them all. Note: if that is the case – it will be a parody of the Brown Harris Stevens actual ad campaign – because I don’t want to imply that this new company is actually BHS!
Jerome will show him the ropes – and subtly adjusts Nick’s collar and straightens his tie – and will hopefully help him upgrade his wardrobe, as well. Antagonist’s plan is now locked in. But is Jerome’s fate, also, already sealed? Two sets of antagonists (we start to realize) – Shania, her mom, and Scott – and – actual criminal money launderers, who see Athena and her team as “means to their own ends” – with no particular loyalty to any of them, and they are quite mean guys!
EXT./INT. HARLEM MANSION – DAY
This is one of Jerome’s listings that Nick will be helping him with. He’s showing him around – amazing place – old, well-loved, and majestic… but clearly in need of a lot more care. Jerome tells him about the current owner’s family – including the great-grandfather – a legendary Harlem number’s king & neighborhood benefactor – and legends of a lost treasure hidden somewhere in the depths of the house. We learn that Jerome grew up in this neighborhood and has a great fondness for the house and its inhabitants. Especially the owner’s deceased grandmother, Alice, who was always really nice to him when he was a little kid on the block. The risk with real estate company has already secured a potential buyer – but Jerome wants to bring additional competition into the picture to boost the price for the benefit of Carl, Alice’s grandson – who was also one of his childhood friends. Everyone can win theme stated here – but this places Jerome at risk with Team #2 of Antagonists! And… oops… gets himself killed as his attempt to implement “win-win” aspect of the theme – but he will, ultimately, be redeemed. Jerome seems a little nervous and Nick may ask him – why not just “take the money and run” – but Jerome wants to do his best for the home and the family. And, besides, if the buyer has to pay a little bit more, it will be worth it and good for Carl’s family! Anyway, it will be interesting to see how the first open house goes!
I’M NOT SURE IF THIS FIRST OPEN HOUSE IS “NOW” OR IF THERE ARE A FEW INTERIM SCENES BEFORE – WITH NICK GETTING SETTLED IN TO HIS NEW PLACE – TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THESE GUYS ARE BEING SO NICE TO HIM – WHO IS SHANIA REALLY – ETC.
INT. HARLEM MANSION – OPEN HOUSE – DAY
With action yet to be formulated, as Nick is downstairs, perhaps greeting people and signing them in – while upstairs – where we can’t see what’s going on – Jerome is killed! As above…
A hooded figure comes barreling down the stairs, knocks Nick over, slams past the other people and out the door and is gone. Nick rushes upstairs – Jerome, with his dying breath, tells Nick to check his laptop – password Edgecombe 409 (also his home address) – tell Bernie that Jerome said to let him in – and he dies.
The police are there – decide that it must have been a robbery, since Jerome’s expensive Rolex is missing. Nick doesn’t tell them about Jerome’s last words –
INT. 409 EDGECOMBE
But he does go to Jerome’s apartment house – tells the concierge (who doesn’t know about Jerome’s death yet) that Jerome told him to get something from his apartment for him – he’s tied up – gives him a real estate card from the company. Bernie looks at it – cool – 11-D. He gave you a key, right?
Nick realizes he’d better say “yes” – so he does – but when he gets up there and can’t undo the deadbolt, he has to go out the hallway window, edge around to one of the windows and find one that is slightly ajar – right near the fire escape – wedges it open, and lets himself in.
He finds the laptop, opens it, but, as he’s starting to look for “anything” – he hears someone unlocking the front door. Oh no – not again! He shuts the laptop and takes it and heads out the same window he came in, closes it, and this time, he goes down the fire escape. Crouched in the bushes around this side of the building – he sees someone exiting the building, empty-handed, and getting into a waiting car – then drives away. It’s Shania. Antagonist move – Nick needs to find out why Jerome was killed – and what does this mean for Antagonist’s plan? Especially now we are (maybe) starting to realize that there are two “Antagonist Teams” – with different motives.
ACT 2
SERIES OF SCENES – OVER A PERIOD OF TIME
Nick does start to find information on the laptop, from emails and documents, about three main potential real estate transactions. Not telling anyone that he’s got the laptop or what he’s finding in its files.
Note: Nick is asked to take over Jerome’s listings – but told that there are deals in process, and not to rock the boat. He’ll be sharing the commissions with Jerome’s family – and it would be a pity if he screwed things up for Jerome’s heirs by doing anything to deep six those deals.
Back to the laptop – one set of files concerns the HDFC “Affordable Housing” apartment on the same block as the Mansion – which is heading into foreclosure, thanks to mismanagement by its ownership board. Nick starts to care for everyone – just like he cares for his foster/orphanage home – and decides that EVERYONE is going to win – he will not let all the others get ripped off – which is a switch from his earlier “swim with the sharks and become one of them” original plan to “take the money from NYC and run back to Ohio and save the day” – to his “real family”. It starts to change…!!!
Going there, Nick meets various of the owner/residents – learns that this is where Jerome’s family lived when he was a little kid (and some of them still do) – he was the pride of the building and his death was a horrible shock. Lots of other stuff going on… and it seems that Jerome was quite possibly working to “deep six” the deals which had been set up, on his own. To save the HDFC from a foreclosure sale (to his company’s clients), ditto the Church property, and ditto the Mansion. Nick is starting to get wind of a massive money-laundering scheme. Jerome clearly knew about it – but, from emails, notes, and documents on his computer, it seems clear that his loyalty to his own neighborhood was compelling him to try to steer an alternate course – which may well have been why he was killed. Leaving Nick in his place.
The Church property is spooky and decrepit, adjoining the Mansion – which anchors the block at one end – with the HDFC apartment house at the other.
AND – the Antagonist’s plan is further revealed as exactly the opposite – that their intention is to rip off the “marks” and take the money and run – and screw the ‘hood! So the conflict is joined!
After having spent time at the apartment house, Nick heads over to check out the Church. It seems deserted –services are now being held at a rental property a few blocks away – but Nick finds his way to go in and look around. Someone else is inside. Momentary startlement – then he realizes it’s Shania. Nick, wondering what is going on, starts to ask her about “all of this” (without revealing he has Jerome’s laptop – but she doesn’t seem to want to talk about it, distracting him with – whatever – and then suggests they grab a cup of coffee at a nearby garden/coffee shop.
INT./EXT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
It’s clear that they’re fencing around with each other – each trying to find out what the other one is concealing – but it’s also clear they really like each other, regardless. And – over the course of all this – each is learning more about the other’s life/background/likes/dislikes – and even though both are sad about Jerome’s death (although Shania may know more than she says) – they are having a great time together, as they move the party to… But now – Nick, having realized that Shania is “the enemy” – also realizes that he is falling in love with her! Uh oh….!!!
INT. LOCAL PUB – NIGHT
…a local pub. Now eating & drinking, with less fencing and more “free play”…
INT. BEDROOM – NEXT MORNING
… waking up next to each other in Shania’s bed! Both are initially shocked/surprised – and then both break out into laughter, remembering it all!
She’s gotta get it together and get on with her day – as does he – and she makes sure not to leave him in her apartment (if that’s where they are) before she locks them both out.
LATER
SHANIA ON THE PHONE – Shania realizes the same thing (that she and Nick are on “opposite sides”, but she is falling in love with him, as well)
To her mom, ATHENA, who is in London. Paraphrasing the famous NASA catch-phrase, she tells her, “Houston, we have a problem!”
Her mom is the mastermind of their current real estate/money-laundering endeavor – the biggest of her career, with tens (and tens) of millions of dollars/pounds/rubles/pesos/yen on the line and some really serious people, with minimal senses of humor, watching them like hawks. (PS – it was their partners who had Jerome killed – not something either would have wished, but, once done, it’s done.)
Nick may be a promising recruit, but he may also be a loose cannon drawback, and they cannot let him mess this up! Shania is troubled and doesn’t know how handle things and…
AFTER A LONG DISSOLVE…
EXT. JFK AIRPORT
We find ourselves back at JFK, but in a private area. Athena is getting off her chartered jet – met by Shania and a limo on the tarmac (no customs) – Her mom decides for her. The “I win, you lose” is, currently, her overriding concern (see her character background) – and she comes to NYC to handle Nick, who has become a problem. Her daughter, of course, is sacrosanct, but Nick (uh oh) is NOT!
INT. POSH BOUTIQUE HOTEL
…and checks into her boutique hotel – greeted by the manager (I had the thought that something comes up where the hotel is in financial trouble – and she simply calls up her accountant and tells him to “buy it” – not sure if this actually makes sense, but idea is to establish that she is “the real deal”).
OTHER SCENES
Even though he has many questions and major doubts, Nick is really happy with Shania and delighted that her mom has come to visit! He knows she has something to do with the whole real estate endeavor (in actuality, she is the major financial backer of Scott’s company – hence Shania’s favored decision-making position within it)… Nick, however, is on a high and feels that love will conquer all! How could it not? And – ultimately – it will, but with a few (MAJOR) bumps along the way!
INT. HARLEM RESTAURANT – NIGHT
And – after he has a lovely dinner with Shania and Athena – at which everyone seems to have a great time and he heads for home, leaving Shania to stay with her mom – Athena agrees that he’s lovely – which is why it is too bad he has to die. If Jerome had stayed true to the course, none of this would have been necessary, but now Athena, reluctantly, now “sees the logic” of that earlier course of action.
Major blow-up between mom and daughter – but it’s clear Nick does know too much (which will be established prior) – and he can’t be trusted to go along with the program, because he has… well… he still seems to have a soul! THIS IS HUGE – theme vs “the plan” – and FAMILY HISTORY and need to “destroy the opposition” – US VS THEM – OR… is there a better way?!!!!
He’s trying to help the HDFC get out of foreclosure (which is part of Athena’s money-laundering plan – that is, to rig the foreclosure auction of what would otherwise be a “protected property” – and unable to be purchased) – so that is a problem. And… he’s also started poking around in the sale of the Church property – which, along with the apartment house and the Mansion – complete the entire block – which is what needs to be sold “together” for the money-laundering consortium to move ahead with their overall plan. So – while Athena has to promise her daughter they’ll figure out a way to convince Nick to “join the family business” –
Athena, instead, gets on the phone and arranges for an “accident” to befall Nick on his way home. Antagonist plan – but very, very conflicted!!!
EXT. CITY STREET – NIGHT
But when a car pulls up and someone jumps out to grab him – Nick manages to shake him off and take off on the run…
And our old friend, the homeless person from the airport, with his cat, just happens to be in the right place at the right time, to shove their shopping cart in front of Nick’s pursuer – sending him crashing all over the sidewalk – as Nick disappears from sight (and the cat – who is actually a bobcat-sized Tom – snarls and swipes at the pursuer as he gets to his feet – encouraging him to get back into the car, and continue their pursuit of Nick in a safer environment). Good karma in action, to be sure! The “Universe” steps in to affirm that the theme of – “we can all win” is correct!
EXT. NICK’S NEW RESIDENCE
The car is pulled up outside of Nick’s current residence.
Nick, across the street, realizes he can’t go home just now.
EXT. UPTOWN TRINITY CEMETERY – NIGHT
It’s not that far away from his apartment house. He pulls himself up over the wrought-iron fence that separates it from the street…
And, as it starts to rain, he forces the door of a large, stone family crypt – which gives way – and lets him stumble inside.
INT. FAMILY CRYPT – NIGHT
His phone lights the way – a small room, with several stone coffins and plaques. Spooky, but kind of neat. If there were a bit more of a chase – maybe he hears the guys coming over the fence after him, but they don’t realize where he is. Or… if they think they did – and actually try to open the metal door of the crypt – Nick tries to hold it closed from the other side – but he can’t get a good grip on it – and then – he hears a deep male voice telling him not to worry – “Alice and I will keep it closed!” Er… are these the spirits of the famous Harlem numbers runner and his daughter, whose house Nick has been charged to sell? Hmmm… there’s a possibility…! And – the “Ancestors” step in to also lend a hand!!!
Anyway – Nick’s phone dies, its light goes out, and he’s really stiff when he wakes up at sunrise!
THIRD ACT
EXT. UPTOWN TRINITY CEMETERY – DAY
Walking out from the crypt (shutting the door carefully behind him) – who does Nick see reading one of the historic headstones? Yup – it’s Shania. She tells him she got a text to meet him here. From an unknown number. Hmmm… well, Casper was a famous “numbers king”, so why not?
ANYWAY – these two have some major things to work through here – as well as Athena and her daughter – and then Athena and Nick, as well. So lot’s to work on here! So – theme and Antagonist plan – etc – lots to work out here!!!!
Oh – and along the way – the families in the HDFC were able to raise enough money to save their building – with Nick’s help, of course. Maybe some new buyers, we’ll see.
Also – the Minister who had pretty much sold out his parishioners in the sale of the church – and now has second thoughts – gets pushed off a subway platform and dies. However, it will later turn out that he had taken out a life-insurance policy on himself for a (very) large amount – leaving his “church” as his beneficiary. And… the Attorney General will void the previously contracted sale – as is his right (in terms of the sale of religious properties). A lot of this is going to have to be woven into the story as we go – and revealed at the right times along the way. Sacrifice for others as a way of redemption. Big deal.
I wonder if Scott – the president of the real estate company – gets co-opted? Oh – yes, in fact, he does.
,
ACT FOUR
INT, MANSION – DAY
Somehow – the sale of the Mansion is going to go through and – the consortium of remaining bad guys who have decided that they need to take matters in their own hands and they need to take out all three – Nick, Shania, and Athena. So a major bad-guy double-cross! 2<sup>nd</sup> group of Antagonists now takes over – as first team (Athena and Shania) are converted to supporting Nick in theme of – we ca all wim together. Nope – 2<sup>nd</sup> team is devoted to “we win, you lose (and die)!” And I believe that Scott – president of real estate company – goes over to the 2<sup>nd</sup> group’s side. Yikes!
The sale will close on the following day – not sure how all this will work out – but, although at this point, the traditional “Final Walk-Through” the day before the sale may not be a logical proceeding – I have a feeling that Carl, the current owner, who is deeply in debt & truly has to sell the mansion or lose it – tells Nick that he, Nick, needs to come to the Mansion for the last time. I haven’t figured everything out yet – but – he’ll need to be there along with Shania and Athena – and – the idea is for the bad guys (I think Scott is there, too) – to kill all of them, because they all seem to have “changed sides” and need to be eliminated. Not Scott – because he has sold-out Athena and Shania, and, of course, Nick.
And – along with all this, there has always been a well-established plan to trigger “an accidental gas explosion” (hey, these things do happen in NYC) – that will not only blow up the “historically protected” Mansion, but will also take out the HDFC apartment house (which could, legally, be purchased if it went into foreclosure, but which would not be able to be destroyed to build a new, market-rate building). It’s okay if the Church gets blown up – because it was a mess, anyway, and the Minister’s “bequest” will enable his parishioners to rebuild – and better than before… SO – major Antagonist’s “final play” and conflict takes place.
But, meanwhile, back at the Final Walk-Through, Nick, Shania, and Athena go to rescue Carl – are trapped – find out about the rigged explosions – and, because Shania and Athena are, in fact, so totally bad ass (Kendo, Aikido, and who knows what else – Athena had made sure Shania trained with her, all through her childhood) – they take out the bad guys – along with some timely help from Nick and Carl! AND – with a brief intervention from Casper (the great-great grandfather – his name will probably be changed from the actual historic character, whose name was, truly, Casper) and his daughter Alice – they discover how to avert the destruction of the Mansion – but, since the aversion of a final big explosion is sort of anticlimactic – there will be some fun and climactic action which will result in the blowing up of the Church – with only the bad guys getting blown up – but maybe (not sure how or why) – a suitcase full of money gets blown up, showering the entire neighborhood (including the cat person) with $100 bills!
And – well – not just combat but theme – of neighborhood coming together, including an “ancestor assist” somehow enabling our guys to win!!!
AND – also, thanks to Casper’s spirited guidance, the actual “buried treasure” is found within the walls of the Manion. It turns out to be a deed dating back to the days when Casper ran one of Harlem’s very first locally owned mortgage companies – which is for the land underlying the 25 story “State Building” – which will mean that Carl now “owns” the land underlying this massive, governmental structure! And, as we wrap up the loose ends, we’ll find out that, though it will be kept very, very quiet, the State of New York will be paying Carl and his family a tidy sum for what turns out to be an ongoing lease for the land their multi-story building rests upon! So – the “theme in action” – final step in Nick and his group surviving and winning – the formerly worried HDFC folks, Carl, and the Ancestors – and somehow about the parishioners -so it’s not only fighting prowess, but “the neighborhood” acting on its own behalf – which will, ultimately, save the day. This is important and will help prove the theme – so it’s not just Nick and his gang – but the whole neighborhood acting on its own behalf. Good!
The real estate company – now run directly by Shania – oversees the mortgaging construction of the new church + community space + supermarket + condos – which will be a fantastically good thing for the community – as opposed to the original money-laundering scheme to buy up the whole block – destroy all the protected buildings through an “unfortunate catastrophic accident” – and then build a huge money-laundering dream of a steel-and-glass skyscraper, which would be flipped into several phases of additional money-laundering ventures, each worth many tens of millions of dollars – of “freshly cleaned” criminally-originated financing.
But now, instead, the neighborhood is preserved and enhanced – and – hey, Nick even makes enough of a real estate commission through the Church project – as well as negotiating the (you guessed it) ongoing lease for the State House’s underlying property – that he now has just enough money to go back and “save the orphanage” – YAY!
And – well, I think that Nick and Shania just might celebrate their marriage in the new, rebuilt Church – with, of course, Athena and, maybe, one or more spiritual beings to add to the cheer!
SO – still a lot more to work out – but this is the direction I want it to go in.
FADE OUT!
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Lesson 8: Pam Ewing’s Theme and Antagonist’s Journey
INT. MOTHER’S BEDROOM – DAY
Frazzled Natalie is so concerned over her mother’s monitors and doctor’s calls that she misses out on time with her dying mother. Theme discussed when is it too old to take chance. Are risks worth it?
INT. HOUSE – DAY
Natalie isn’t focused her husband. He tries to be supportive but she inconsolable and tells him to get out. He packs and she frets. Husband departs but reminds Natalie that life is for living like her mother lived, fully alive.
INT. MOTHER’S BEDROOM – DAY
Mother has Natalie’s attention. Gives Nat her necklace and says it will open doors for her and she will need to unlock many secrets in life. Mother dies. Natalie feels a weird electricity as her mother passes. Natalie withdraws into overly planning her visit to honor her mother’s wishes.
INT. HOUSE – DAY
Natalie cleans up what had been her mother’s bedroom and realizes that she is well and truly alone. She feels a hot flash that she comments is early menopause as something disintegrates at her touch but she thinks it is just because the thing was old. Natalie calls the doctor for testing.
INT. LAWYER’S CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
A few people are gathered for the reading of Natalie’s mother’s will. Her husband slips in at the last minute.
Standard bequeaths and a letter to each Natalie and her husband. Natalie has words with husband that cause her another hot flash that causes a gust of wind to knock things over. She regrets arguing as soon as he leaves but does not pursue him and consoles herself that this is her new freedom. Natalie withdraws into overly planning her visit to honor her mother’s wishes. Her husband tries to intervene but eventually leaves.
INT. LAWYER’S CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
Natalie reads her letter to undertake a quest for her ancestral birthright. The attorney office hands her an additional info which again causes an electric response in her. She questions her ability to complete the task.
EXT. AIRPORT – DAY
Natalie arrives and meets a taxi driver who takes her to her hotel. He suggests that she visit a particular restaurant in the market square and have her fortune told. She sees a man being cruel to a local and another man (she can’t see his face but this is who will later be her guide – Antag.) She and her necklace flash in anger. Her response is a glimmer of renewed life. Her vibes awaken anger and a challenge in the Antag.
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Natalie meets the fortune teller who discusses water, earth, fire are elements of powers of the people of the land. Fortune teller does a little hocus pocus and reveals no power for Nat. Natalie is deflated. The fortune teller is shooed away by Natalie’s husband causing hot flash with confusion, concern and an argument about who left who. The table’s candle flares, waitress trips spilling water putting out the flame. Hot flash gone and natural explanation for supernatural? Natalie feels that she has tried to be more engaged in life but lacking an ancestral power shows her that she’s better off shut down – damn – then husband challenges her.
EXT. HOTEL – DAY
Natalie meets her local guide (antag) who is going to help her navigate the bureaucratic process for declaring
ancestral ties to become citizen. Natalie feels safe in the process. The Antag is burned by her necklace when it shines on him. He asserts his authority with smugness.
INT. CITY ADMINISTRATION – DAY
Antag is clearly paying people off and Natalie thinks that this is part of the service but Antag is really setting her up. She agrees to see the countryside and come back to the paperwork hell tomorrow. While departing city hall her husband joins them over Antag’s objections. Antag had a different experience planned for her to eliminate her before she made any inroads in her claims. Antag wants to reveal his power. Nat and husband argue over the purpose of being there and how to honor her mother – paperwork or making connections.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – DAY
Antag gives local legend and points out a place they should stop and admire. While Natalie and husband bicker at a remote ruin, Antag desserts them. Rather than being upset, Natalie wants to explore and finds a fragrance drawing her that her husband cannot smell. They fall into an old, dry well. What to do but argue? Antag’s goons find them and decide they will keep until morning. Husband thinks he’s making headway in life while Natalie has no alternatives and is resigned to dying.
INT. DRY WELL – NIGHT
Having reached some peace, Natalie and her husband sleep and a warm dime light envelops them.
EXT. DRY WELL – DAY
A shaft of morning light shows a kind of lock. Natalie uses her necklace retrieve an artifact. Using the artifact
suddenly the well starts to fill with water and they are floated to up to the ground. Natalie suspects this might be more than menopause. Her husband tests her powers. Natalie has hope.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – DAY
Now wet and hungry they head for a nearby farm. The farmer doesn’t speak English but forces them into hiding when he sees goon approaching. The goons start to beat the farmer so Natalie runs out to protect them but her husband pushes her back and he goes out. He is caught and dragged away. Natalie has a purpose now to save her husband, not just run a bureaucratic errand.
INT. ANTAG’S CASTLE – DAY
Antag provides limited new information about Natalie’s threat to his ancestral power. Husband is attached to an ancient torture device. Natalie is carted back to the city by farmer. Antag gets to riff on his destiny and the power attached to it. He’s glad for the challenge of Natalie because it lets him test his power in a new way.
INT. RESTAURANT – DAY
Natalie finds the fortune teller and shows her the relic she found. The fortune teller shows her how to claim her birthright. She says she just wants to save her husband. Reluctantly, advising the this could end her claims and increase problems for the villagers, the fortune teller connects Natalie to people who will take her to the castle. Natalie embraces challenge without a plan.
EXT./INT. ANTAG’S CASTLE – DAY
Natalie floats up to the window that looks in on the torture chamber and sees her husband’s peril. Dissolving the artifact she is able to walk through the wall to her husband and free him. Antag appears and they battle. Natalie learns that he has powers but her power is wind that is able to defeat his fire. In trying to outwit and out-power her, Antag ends up turning himself into ashes. Natalie feels good about using up the artifact even if not in the most effective way because she’s with her husband. Antag monologues more to intimidate.
INT. ANTAG’S CASTLE – DAY
Natalie’s husband guides her into the main castle where they happen upon the truth of her birthright. She vows to sets the people free which dissolves her necklace. Working together with no plan seems to work.
EXT. HOTEL – DAY
The village which seems much the same but Nat and Husband see glimmers of change. Any regrets? Not a one! They leave the village to it’s own happily ever after and they make for home and whatever. Husband regrets that her powers are gone. She demonstrates that she’s still got them.
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Marilynne’s Beat Sheet Draft 2
What I learned doing this assignment is… it remains challenging to do a quick pass and not get distracted by all the other “little ideas” that pop into your head along the way.
1. Pass 1: Interweave theme throughout the beat sheet.
Who has the right to decide how technology should influence the course of human development?
· Antagonist (corporation): technology advances belong to the highest bidder
· Protagonist (scientist): technology advances should be available to everyone
· Team member (from the military) – whoever funded the technology development should control how it’s is used – it’s nobody else’s business
2. Pass 2: Build in the Antagonist’s Journey – In this case the antagonist has a plan in motion before the movie starts and the Protagonist steps into it, without knowing. (Main beats of the Antagonist’s story are bold and underlined below)
Act 1:
INT. VIRTUAL HUMAN PROJECT (VHP) LAB – EARLY MORNING
OPENING: DR. ISY BORDEN enters the scenario test with a cut on her arm and realizes it is healed when she leaves the lab.
INT. VHP CONFERENCE ROOM – LATER SAME MORNING
TE 1: In a meeting with colleagues who try to control what she does, going so far as to volunteer to “take over her project” which everyone can see is going to be a blockbuster success. She declares her intelligence and experience are very well suited for this project, she’ll work independently from now on and won’t take any more crap from them like ridiculous ideas about a take-over.
ISY meets with her team to plan the test scenario for the next day. BENNY MARTENS will take the lead on conducting the test.
INT. GTA CORNER OFFICE – LATER THAT DAY
MR. SID ADAMOS, Chief of Research and Development in a powerful company Global Techno Action (GTA), recognizes the future importance of Dr. Borden’s research. He keeps close tabs on her and senses she is close to discovering something big (or already has but hasn’t told anyone.)
He disagrees with the Assistant Chief about how to proceed. He feels his company has the right to own this technological development because they have the funds and expertise to continue to develop and market it world-wide. He plans to infiltrate her team, steal the work and destroy her credibility in the process.
Initially Sid hires a top hacker to remotely insert rogue programming to change the rock climbing scenario.
EXT. ABC COFFEE SHOP – EARLY NEXT MORNING
A GTA Human Resources rep approaches Benny when he picks up his morning coffee. She strikes up a conversation and asks if he might be interested in working for a large R&D corporation, with a considerable increase in salary. He is surprised by this sudden offer and says he’ll think about it.
INT. VHP LAB – LATER THAT MORNING
TE 2: A bizarre accident occurs during the test of rock climbing scenario. The climbing rope is apparently cut and Benny “falls to the ground” – he’s only physically 2 feet from the ground, but virtually felt he fell from a great height and suffered a panic attack. Benny quits his job.
TE 3: She must become skilled at operating inside the VHP Lab as its developer. She doesn’t have any idea how this could happen and begins testing the training scenarios herself to find out.
INT. VHP OFFICE – EARLY AFTERNOON
Sid knows the research team are at a critical point in their testing and need an immediate replacement. He pulls all the strings necessary to make sure his resume reaches Dr. Borden and he is hired as the replacement team member. He introduces himself as Mr. Sid Adamos – better known by his nickname Cracker Jack (or CJ). She doesn’t think he’s funny.
“What is Sid short for?”
“A name I have suffered for my entire life – Sisyphus* – my father thinks he’s hilarious. You know – a Greek god who was clever and destined for greatness.”
“If I recall he also ended up spending eternity pushing a boulder up a hill.”
“Well, that too.”
INT. VHP OFFICE –LATER THAT AFTERNOON
The minute he’s hired, he starts to track Dr. Isy Borden’s movements.
INT VHP LAB – MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
When the team is not scheduled to be in the VHP lab, Sid creates an androgenous-looking avatar who dresses all in black. Takes several attempts to move his avatar into the real world.
He programs the avatar to follow Isy the next evening. Its job is to create a diversion, then shoot and injure her.
INT. CONVENIENCE STORE – DAY
INCITING INCIDENT: An androgenous figure dressed in black apparently randomly robs a local convenience store. ROBERTO, Isy’s 10 year-old son, is shot and sustains a life threatening spinal injury. She suspects the Saboteur is behind it.
TE 4: Sees the Saboteur’s power and its intent to destroy her.
INT. VHP OFFICE – EARLY MORNING
Sid is surprised to find Dr. Borden in her office the next day with only minor injuries. Her 10-year-old son was seriously injured. He appears suitably shaken up by this news but in reality, he’s already busy making plans for how he can best use this information to his advantage.
INT VHP LAB – LATE EVENING
Sid programmes a visit from a figure dressed in black.
INT. VHP LAB – LATE AFTERNOON
Isy is close to finding the answer (for her son) when a similar figure in black gains entry to their secure environment. It causes a crash in the virtual test of a motocross race scenario and comes close to seriously injuring Isy.
Act 2:
INT. VHP LAB – LATE AFTERNOON
Sid gets bruised after an encounter in the VHP Lab with the motocross race scenario. He doesn’t let anyone on the team know how much he’s hurting – has covered the bruises with make-up and is taking pain killers by the handful. He only limps when no one is around.
INT. VHP MEETING ROOM – DAY
Team discusses how and why someone is sabotaging the VHP; list possible suspects who would stand to gain by destroying their project
Sid makes a point of contributing to the team during meetings, but truthfully is taking notes to help him program the next glitch.
INT. VHP COMPUTING ROOM – DAY
Team works to repair the programming glitch that caused motocross accident. Argue about who could be responsible, who would benefit (?government, military, industry)
INT. ISY’S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON
Receives a notice that an anonymous donor will fund their project to completion. Isy struggles with not knowing who that funder is and whether it will make a difference to how the technology is used.
INT. ISY’S OFFICE – LATE EVENING
Isy is tired and working alone. She glimpses a shadowy black figure physically in the lab as well as on multiple computer screens and wonders if this is all in her head.
INT. ISY’S OFFICE – VERY EARLY NEXT MORNING
Isy arrives for work and discovers the figure in black sitting at her desk. It threatens her and her son’s lives. She calls Campus Security, but the figure disappears by the time they arrive.
TE 5: Recognizes the Virtual Human Project has the potential to develop in more complex and potentially dangerous ways that are outside their current experience.
INT. VHP MEETING ROOM – DAY
Team anxiously debates how it is possible for a Virtual Human to exist outside the lab and what this might mean for future consequences.
INT. ISY’S OFFICE – LATER SAME DAY
Isy discusses the anonymous funding source with her department head and discovers it is the military. She worries this could present some serious problems in how decisions are made to use the technology. However, she’s run out of options and Roberto urgently needs the treatment.
Act 3:
INT. VHP LAB – DAY
Isy and her team test ways to take down the Saboteur. Develop a plan and start round the clock monitoring of the virtual and physical spaces; reset access codes to the VHP. Able to rule out the military who it turns out are funding the remainder of their research.
INT. VHP LAB – LATER THAT DAY
Under extreme security precautions, Isy attempts to temporarily repair Roberto’s spine damage. This will give them more time to find and correct the problem that’s preventing a permanent change. The figure in black interferes in the treatment and nearly kills Roberto.
Isy concludes there is a leak in the team but doesn’t know where.
Act 4:
INT. VHP LAB – NEXT DAY
TE 6: Defeat the Saboteur at its own game.
Isy reveals complete plans to two out of the three team members. She suspects the third member she hired after the climbing wall accident and only reveals partial plans to him.
Isy is attacked in a virtual test of motocross racing. But this time she’s ready. With the help of two team members, she aggressively knocks out its car, sending it crashing to the side in flames.
INT. VHP LAB – 2 DAYS LATER
TE 7: Isy adopts her rightful place as the research leader (?is promoted, gets a plaque)
Isy completes the urgent treatment on her son’s spine and proves it is successful.
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High Speed Beat Sheet
David Bruno
“What I learned doing this assignment is…?”
Learned many things about organizational structure.
4 ACT STRUCTURE BEAT SHEET
Act 1:
Opening:
INT. CAMPUS LECTURE HALL – DAY
Alistar is teaching a class on the ‘Fermi Paradox’
THEME: TOUCHING ON HOW MISINFORMATION IS DEALT WITH ABOUT ALIENS.
Inciting Incident:
INT. NSA OFFICE – DAY
Antag is investigating Alistar’s field trip. He assigns a student to spy on Alistar.
THEME: THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRESSION OF ALISTAR’S INVESTIGATION.
EXT. MOJAVE DESERT – DAY
Field trip to the Mojave desert where the Nevada triangle exists. During the field trip an actual alien spacecraft is sighted.
THEME: THE THREAT OF REVELATION OF ALIEN PRESENCE ON EARTH.
Act 2:
The Plan:
EXT. CAMPUS GROUNDS – DAY
Alistar reasons with stunned students after ET encounter. Students refute his rationalization. Contends with his next step after the trip.
THEME: ALISTAR COOPERATES WITH THE CONVENTIONAL VIEWPOINT TO ALIENS ON EARTH.
INT. CAMPUS LECTURE HALL – DAY
Alistar reviews other explanations but is again refuted.
THEME: THE REBELLION TO CONVENTIONAL VIEWPOINT.
INT. FACULTY OFFICE – DAY
Later, he is visited by the NSA and is interrogated concerning his experience and those of his students. Alistar placates the NSA official. Is given a faux pass. The NSA official is unconvinced and continues his investigation of Alistar. The cat and mouse chase begins.
THEME: THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRESSION OF ALISTAR’S INVESTIGATION ACTUALLY MANIFESTS.
Turning Point 2:
INT. FACULTY OFFICE – NIGHT
Alistar is now on alert about the NSA and no longer believes he is safe from harm if he continues his investigations. He seeks another method and determines a sabbatical is in order.
THEME: the extent that the government will go to coverup it’s deceit about any issue it want to keep secret is sensed by Alistar.
MIDPOINT:
PLACEHOLDER – Alistar reviews all his data concerning alien investigations and government misinformation in a brainstorming session that lasts into the night.
THEME: FURTHER ANALYSIS REVEALS DECEPTION OF GOVERNMENT COVERUP AND MISINFORMATION.
INT. HOME – DAY
He seeks to find out who is spying on him in his class. He concludes his class and issues top grades to all.
THEME: the hegemony feels threatened and moves to control Alistar.
After giving notice of sabbatical, he is packing for a trip to Egypt.
Placeholder: Alistar spots his suspected student at the airport in combat fatigues.
Act 3:
INT. JET PLANE – NIGHT
Alistar re-evaluates his information about government coverups and misinformation. He now realizes that the government agency, NSA, is at the heart of the concealment of the truth for whatever reason. He is more determined that ever, believing that forewarned is forearmed and continues his investigation into the presents of aliens on earth and the origins of the Homo-sapiens.
EXT. CAIRO AIRPORT – DAY
Alistar meets his archeologist friend, Max working on a dig in Egypt looking for alien artifacts.
EXT. ARCHEOLOGY DIG – DAY
At his dig Alistar briefs Max about recent events. Max tells Alistar that he is fearful they’re on the same path since they both believe homo-sapiens were brought here from another planet.
EXT. INSIDE THE DIG – (LATER) DAY
Max uncovers a piece of alien spacecraft he lifts up out of the dig, raises his arms in a victorious gesture. A shot rings out and Max is killed by a bullet. Alistar now knows how serious of a dilemma he is in.
THEME: THE DEADLY EXTENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT GOES TO PROTECT IT’S SECRETS.
EXT. DESERT SCENE – DAY
A Bedouin tribe attacks the sniper and Alistar escapes and returns to his home.
INT. SECRET NSA FACILITY – NIGHT
The antag outside of a chamber with alien strapped inside to a table. The antag nods his head to the operator. He pulls a level lowering a pellets into the bucket of acid release the poisonous gas, killing the alien. The antag verifies the that the alien has been dispatched. He lifts his phone and says, ‘It’s done’ and walks out of the facility.
THEME: THE DEADLY EXTENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT GOES TO PROTECT IT’S SECRETS.
Act 4:
EXT. FIELD TRIP LOCATION – DAY
Alistar walks for days to a ridge and sees an alien encampment miles away. Aliens scurry to hide. A thermobaric bomb explodes over encampment destroying both aliens and drone. Alistar records everything.
THEME: THE DEADLY EXTENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT GOES TO PROTECT IT’S SECRETS.
EXT. ALIEN ENCAMPMENT – SUNSET
Alistar assesses the damage and finds 1 alien alive. He asks the alien if homo-sapiens were from another planet. The alien chokes and replies, “Yes, we placed Homo-sapiens here as the population of a penal colony”. Alistar is shocked beyond belief and says “no, no, no. That can’t be”. The alien looks at him and says; “you’ve come a long way from bows and arrow… just look around you! And this is a small thing compared to thermonuclear… “ And the alien dies. Alistar hears in the distance the hum of drone propellers and takes cover… He walks out of the encampment in the cover of night back home to his office.
INT. CONGRESSIONAL HEARING – DAY
Alistar testifies to a subcommittee on government wrongdoing about what he witnessed to the NSA’s activity.
INT. HOME OFFICE OF NSA ANTAG – NIGHT
ANTAG puts gun in his mouth and pulls the trigger.
THEME: THE DEADLY EXTENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT GOES TO PROTECT IT’S SECRETS.
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Aina’s Beat Sheet Draft 2
What I learned doing this assignment is if fear of facing my work is huge, trust the process and my whiteboard, it always brings me out of sticky development situations. Now regarding the subject of the lesson: looking at antagonist’s story in simple beats does help a lot even if I know my Act 3 still needs a lot more. And I never fancied that adding theme to scenes at this stage can help the action and scenes become much clearer.
ACT 1 – SET UP AND SEE OLD WAYS
OPENING: Montage of Urr’s life
INT. APARTMENT – NIGHT – WINTER
Urr eats cookies and cream under a Christmas tree – family dog near by, waits, Urr gives him a piece.
INT. APARTMENT – DAY – WINTER
Urr pushes toys out of the way – father’s foot steps directly to the place the toy had been before
Urr uses his magic to cleanse the apartment as he rides on the dog – FEAR: every move is well set-up and rehearsed
INT. APARTMENT – URR’S HIDEOUT – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: show Urr’s corner in the city – similar or different to the farm?
INT. APARTMENT – DAY – SPRING
Mother/Father in an argument – dark shadows grow in a corner of the room – Urr does his ritual – shadows retreat – fight stops
Urr cleans apartment, boxes on his way – FEAR: every move is well set-up and rehearsed, Urr is curious but fears to ask or wonder about it – better to ignore it, then it will go away
INT. APARTMENT – DAY – SPRING
TE 1: More boxes and less things as Urr cleanses the apartment – talk of moving, and excitement about the house. Urr puzzled – moving, moving where? Listens in. FEAR: what will happen to me when they leave? They cannot leave without me? Dramatic: life will never be the same again – but when it ever is? PLACEHOLDER: Urr frets about, takes things out of boxes, this causes arguments among family members, and they pack faster than he can take things out.
Beaten, Urr realises he must go with the change. Begins to pack packing must be all about holding onto the old. They cannot go without me, without me they will loose all their luck, and without them I don’t know what will happen to me.
INT. APARTMENT – DAY – SUMMER
INCITING INCIDENT: Movers move out furniture and boxes – family dog going bonkers – Urr in one of the boxes – FEAR: physically afraid now. Daughter asks if Family Elf comes along. Mother says yes. But what if there is an house elf already there. Mom: they will have to get along then.
EXT. FARM – STABLES – DAY – SUMMER
Farm elves witness the family move in to the farm – Velbas is clearly the leader, grumpy and unfair, cheeky but respected. (Velbas and farm elves 1). FEAR: excited fear of the newcomers, hope for a salvation of the farm. Urr hides himself from them and does not want to believe what his eyes have just seen (a bunch of elves like him). Better to ignore them, maybe they will go away.
INT. FARM HOUSE – URR’S HIDEOUT – DAY – SUMMER
PLACEHOLDER: Urr settles in – what could happen here? Chat with dog? Mice come to check up on him? Also, place must be hidden. FEAR: trying to set up everything as in the city.
INT. FARM HOUSE – KITCHEN/BEDROOM/HALLWAY – SUMMER
TE2: Urr explores his new home – an old farm house, which needs a lot of work. Urr figures it’s too big for him to be able to do his job properly – plus family goes outside a lot. FEAR: he is literally scared to venture out.
EXT. FARM HOUSE COURTYARD – DAY
TE 3: Urr follows Daughter out – it’s a large farm, with a stable and barn, an old well in the middle of the courtyard. Daughter has a sandbox near the house. FEAR: Urr freaked – this is too much – how will he look after all of them? Rushes back in:
INT. FARM HOUSE KITCHEN – DAY
TE4: Urr bumps into Velbas and his daughter Kippen (sneaked up on Urr, keeping an eye on him). FEAR: Velbas is hostile. Kippen is nice. Velbas tells Urr immediately he wants him out. Urr is fine with that, he wants to get away from here as well, but with his family. Velbas pretends he is okay with that.
INT. FARM HOUSE – URR’S HIDEOUT – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Urr thinking of a plan at night. His plan/way is a subtle manipulation. What could it be?
EXT/INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Urr sees something that makes him determined he must get the family away from here. What could it be? Shadows? And farm elves not knowing what to do with it? Family loving the farm? FEAR of the unknown – the Shadows.
EXT. FARM HOUSE/COURTYARD – DAY
TURNING POINT: Urr makes a deal with Velbas, they will work together to make the family hate the farm and move back to the city. During this Urr breaks something by accident “first accident” – Mother not happy – this place is falling apart, why are we here? Velbas gets an idea.
ACT 2 – CHALLENGE THE OLD WAYS
INT. FARM HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
THE PLAN – Velbas talks reluctant Urr into his plan to leave an impression that the house is falling apart, it does not want new people in it – if there’s one thing the father hates most, it’s things not going to plan, and they plan to use this as a way to get them to move out. Urr’s secret FEAR: what damage will this plan bring along?
INT. FARMHOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
TE5-PLACEHOLDER: “Second accident” – Velbas and Urr do the first crashing of an item together – Velbas lets Urr lead but pulls strings himself. Urr is not comfortable, but goes along out of respect for the elder. Family clears up the mess. It hurts Urr to do negative things – he is all about positive.
EXT. FARM HOUSE – DAY
TE6: Upset Urr hurries outside away from Velbas. MEETING THE FARM ELVES. He is surrounded by farm elves. Many loud creatures, all want to ask questions, touch him, consider him odd. FEAR: farm elves – fear of a stranger
INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY
TE7: “Third accident” – Velbas hijacks their project and begins to create chaos. Urr tries to go along, but he is not sure how to co-operate – it is difficult for him. FEAR: Velbas is fearless, but his own fear of loosing the future drives it.
INT. FARM HOUSE – BY/OR IN URR’S HIDEOUT – EVENING
TE8: Urr by himself, feeling odd and different – he has never had that feeling FEAR of what it is/means – he always belonged in his lone world, now lonely feels wrong. Kippen approaches, listens, they form a friendship. She shares her FEAR of dark corners. Background: shadows
INT. FARM HOUSE DAY/NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: MONTAGE Velbas breaking things – Urr pulling away, Urr even (FEAR) pretends to be ill to get out of it, refuses to go out (social anxiety) – Father fixing things – shadows become larger
INT. FARM – STABLES – DAY
Farm elves have gathered – Velbas leads the meeting (Velbas and farm elves 2) – farm elves worried about shadows (FEAR of the unknown), Velbas tells them there are none – elves don’t believe him – respect fading + think of another development.
EXT. FARM YARD BY THE STABLES – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Mother and Father arguing by the stables.
TE9: Shadows are big and emerge from behind the stables – Velbas freaked – Urr stands up against them and wins, fight dissolves, Mother/Father make up – Urr feels good about himself – Velbas thinks (he cannot do what Urr has just done) – fighting one’s FEAR
INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Urr and Kippen do something together – they work well as a team. Maybe include the dog? Both ignore their FEAR and prejudice
INT. FARM HOUSE – EVENING – AUTUMN
MIDPOINT TURNING POINT: Urr sees Velbas destroying things by himself, laughing, Dad picks up, laughs as well, old things, who needs them, throws away. Thank you, whoever you are. Urr realises that Velbas has been working against him all the time. Velbas wants Urr out but for the family to remain – in order to prosper a house needs people.
ACT 3 – PROFOUND MOMENTS THAT GIVE US NEW WAYS
INT. FARM HOUSE – URR’S HIDEOUT – NIGHT
TE10: PLACEHOLDER – beaten, Urr is exhausted from going against his nature and creating chaos instead of harmony. On top of that the shadows have returned and although family loves the new house, there are more disagreements than ever before. His FEAR of what will happen to me will change for what will happen to the family?
TE11: PLACEHOLDER – Urr speaks with Kippen and realises:
Respect for elders nor being polite is not helping him
He must stand up for himself and his family
He must get wiser and stronger to fight the shadows – saving the family becomes main goal
Kippen asks him not to leave – he has brought this house alive and her father, although a bitch to Urr, is so much more fun to live with. Used to brood and was miserable.
INT. FARMHOUSE – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Velbas asks Urr to teach him how to fight shadows, promises knowledge of elves and friendship, apologizes for all he has done. I’ll help you make sure family and you will be fine here, and you will teach me how to get rid of the shadows. Urr agrees.
INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: something should happen – what? Something that makes Urr face his FEAR of loosing the family, something bad happening to the family – to help Urr make up his mind
INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY
NEW PLAN: PLACEHOLDER: save the family from themselves and the shadows first and then figure out a way of getting them away from the farm and back to the city – add someone ho doubts in his plan FEAR wants to hold Urr back, he refuses to go along this time. At the same time Velbas’ goal to learn as much as he can from Urr by giving as little as he can back.
INT/EXT. FARM HOUSE – DAY – AUTUMN
PLACEHOLDER: mending and fixing the house, doing his rituals – but using other elves and Kippen and Dog to help him + training to be stronger to fight the shadows – NOTE: opposition must grow here, a lot! What can Velbas do for it + shadows?
INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY – WINTER
PLACEHOLDER:
the house is good, the family is happy, Urr has done his job.
Dilemma: does he stay and Velbas will make life for his family hell or does he leave (fear of leaving the family because he does not know what will happen to him) and family will get to live in peace? What event makes him face this dilemma? Development of his FEAR?
INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY – WINTER
PLACEHOLDER: what happens for Urr to decide to leave? Remember Xmas is coming. What does Velbas do in the end of Act 3 to cause Urr wanting to leave? It must be something big and devastating – Urr must believe Velbas really is his friend and Velbas must prove he really is not!
INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY – XMAS EVE – WINTER
TURNING POINT: Urr decides to leave the family and call himself defeated, Velbas has won, he gets his house and his family. His biggest FEAR of having to leave his family has come true, and he has chosen it himself.
ACT 4 – THE CHANGE IN URR. PROVE NEW WAYS.
EXT. SNOWY FIELDS – DAY – XMAS EVE
TE12: Urr walks off into the night day before Xmas Eve. Fights for his life in the snowstorm – FEAR of what will happen to him will return?, almost dies, but finds his strength, yet now he’s lost. He realises he does not have FEAR anymore and decides he cannot leave his family like this, he must stand up for what is his. He turns to go back but gets lost in the snowstorm.
EXT. SNOWY FOREST EDGE – DAY – XMAS EVE
TE13: Farm elves find him and help him get back. Farm needs him, elves scared. The shadows are family shadows and house elf (Velbas) has no chance against them. Elves need Urr.
EXT. FARM HOUSE – EVENING – XMAS EVE
TE14: the shadows have emerged larger than before and are now destroying the farm physically, Velbas cannot handle them by himself.
EXT/INT. FARM HOUSE – EVENING – STABLE
CLIMAX: Urr leads the farm elves, and Velbas in the battle of banishing the shadows from the farm – FEAR isn’t half as bad if you know what you’re doing and you have a support system to fight it.
INT. FARM HOUSE – KITCHEN – NIGHT – XMAS EVE
RESOLUTION: cookies and milk under Xmas tree, Urr and farm elves celebrate the victory.
EXT. STABLE – DAY – XMAS
TE15: Velbas moves to stables
INT. FARM HOUSE – DAY
END: Urr and Kippen in the house together.
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Antagonist Journey – Fair Market Value
1990s Southern California.
EXT. HOME – DAY
Steve Lawson scopes out Monique’s property as she leaves for the day, then breaks in. He quickly calls a locksmith to change the locks, quickly removes all of Monique’s personal things, and tosses them in a dumpster a few blocks away. He then brings in various personal items to make it seem like he lives there.
EXT. HOME – DAY
Monique returns home and finds him in her home. She calls the police and when interrogated by them, Steve is able to produce a photo ID and documentation that he is the owner of the property.
EXT HOME – NIGHT
Monique has been forcibly removed by the police, who don’t believe her story. She returns to her house and bangs on the door, yelling out at him and insists he’s a squatter, he remains calm and undisturbed. His composed manner impresses the police, and they immediately assume that because Monique is Hispanic, she doesn’t belong in the neighborhood.
INT HOME – DAY
Through a series of phone calls, Steve reveals he has a network of associates who help him create fake identities and falsify paperwork to help him steal the titles of various properties. He starts making arrangements to steal another property in Pasadena.
INT COURTHOUSE – DAY
Monique tries to do a title search on her house to find out the squatter’s name, but she is rudely rebuffed by the clerk who assumes she is homeless. When Monique leaves, the clerk runs out the building and places a panicked call at a nearby payphone.
INT HOME – DAY
The police officer who originally responded to Monique’s 911 call
is doing a routine patrol when he spots Steve at a vacant house.
While the officer is initially suspicious, Steve is able to distract him
by discussing a recent football game.
EXT HOME – DAY
Monique peeks through the window of her former home, and sees
Steve talking to someone. Monique patiently waits until she sees
the woman’s face, and is shocked to recognize the clerk from the
Records Office.
INT OFFICE – DAY
An emotional Monique is trying to plead her case at the police
station, but is met with disbelief, dismissal and outright hostility.
She is warned that if she tries to pursue her case, she will be
jailed for harassing an innocent citizen.
EXT HOME – DAY
Monique aggressively confronts Steve, who informs her that he
has filed a restraining order against her. She doubles down in her
accusations, but it is clear she is up against unsurmountable
odds.
INT HOME – DAY
While Monique holds a series of exploitative jobs that pay very
little, Steve coolly starts arranging for the sale of the house, and
sets his target on another vacant property.
INT HOME – NIGHT
While working as a caretaker for an elderly man, Monique
systematically builds her case against Steve.
EXT HOME – DAY
A stunned Steve is arrested on charges of identity theft.
INT COURTHOUSE – DAY
During the trial, he is charming and charismatic, and manages to
have his sentenced reduced to six months.
EXT COURTHOUSE – DAY
Six months later, Steve is released from jail, but is promptly shot
dead on the sidewalk by Monique.
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