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Lesson 10
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Subject: H. Vince’s 4 Act Structure
Contained – 2023
Lesson 10: Creating Your Outline: Part 1
What I learned from doing this assignment is…
As I’m putting the puzzle pieces together, some other details become clear..
High Concept/Hook: What if while conducting a live podcast in a remote desert location, the grid shuts down and a group of opposites have to work together to survive?
1. Tell us the following:
Title: HEATED <div>
Genre: Drama/Thriller
Logline: While renting a remote desert location, two podcasters
invite on an opposite views guest. During their heated discussion, a grid
shutdown occurs causing them all to be stuck with minimal supplies. After
failed attempts to leave and no communication, they create a pirate radio
station to call for help.Fill in each of these with the answers you have right now.
Act 1:
EXT. HOME/STUDIO IN REMOTE DESERT – DAY
OPENING: PAUL PULLS UP TO THE HOUSE AND PARKS HIS CAR
PAUL LOOKS TO SEE NOTHING IN SITE EXCEPT THIS LOCATION
INT. HOME/STUDIO IN REMOTE DESERT – DAY
LAYER: PRODUCER OPENS THE DOOR FOR PAUL INTO THIS SEEMINGLY AMAZING PROPERTY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
LAYER/REVEAL:
· Property was rented to attend a music festival and the podcasters decide to keep renting the property for a couple of days to do their podcast with Paul there.
· Two women have a podcast called “Third Wheel” where they invite on a guest for each episode.
· PODCASTER 1 TRU is the Alpha female of the 2-person podcast. Thinks she has all the facts (hence her name is Tru). Trusting that nothing bad is really going to happen to her and if it does someone will come to her rescue. Not that interested in unity. Tough, thinks she has all the answers. Scared, wants to be cared for. Tru decides to bring on someone on to their Third Wheel podcast with entirely different views than theirs thinking they can probably sway him their way.
PODCASTER 2 JENN walks on eggshells a bit with her co-host not
wanting to rock the boat so she goes along agreeing with Tru· PODCAST GUEST PAUL doesn’t see much use in reaching across the aisle and trying to understand opposite views. Decides to take on a bet and go out of his comfort zone and attend a podcast in a remote desert location with hosts that have opposite views to increase his own exposure and ratings.
INCITING INCIDENT:
Conflict between all podcasters
· Conversation gets heated
Lines are crossed/pushed
· Jenn decides she is going to stand up to her cohost and have a serious discussion about her place on the podcast and if they should move forward together
HOPE: Jenn stands up for herself, is her own woman. Jenn tells Tru
she has been working on a side project. </div><div>FEAR: Tru is stubborn, doesn’t want to listen to reason
TURNING POINT:
· Grid Shutdown
· Podcast live shuts off along with all electrical devices. AirBnB/VRBO home is not completely equipped for such an emergency.
· HOPE: Temporary power outage
· HOPE: Drive away for help
· THREAT: System shut down on cars
· FEAR: Unknown. What is going on? Is it just the house they’re in?
· THREAT: Phones don’t work
· DANGER: A/C turned off, extreme heat outside
Act 2:
NEW PLAN:
Wait it out for someone to arrive </div><div>
HOPE: Cleaning lady or homeowner will try to get in touch
FEAR: No one is coming to their rescue
CONSEQUENCE: Forced to deal with each other
PLAN IN ACTION:
· Inventory of supplies
· HOPE: Found a swamp cooler
· HOPE: They have supplies to last until the power comes on or someone arrives
· HOPE: Paul has some camping skills
· FEAR: They may run out of supplies
· FEAR: Tru fears running out of meds
MIDPOINT TURNING POINT:
· No one arrives, producer and podcaster leave for help
· HOPE: Help and/or supplies will be found
· THREAT: Tru and Paul are left alone and do not like each other
· FEAR: Paul will fall off the wagon
· THREAT: Tru tries to Metoo Paul, Paul says he is gay so she will leave him alone
Act 3:
RETHINK EVERYTHING:
· Producer comes back hurt
· FEAR: Producer needs medical attention
a. Maybe Snake bite
b. Maybe Scorpion bite
· FEAR: They can’t leave and no one is coming to save them
· HOPE: Home has old books with a survival manual with basic medical information
· Jenn and the producer’s relationship is discovered, Tru feels betrayed.
NEW PLAN:
· HOPE: Producer has skills to create a radio signal so they can call for help
· They call their show a Pirate Podcast even though it is created without internet. It’s more of a call for help pirate radio show for now and will later make it available for download if it‘s a success.
TURNING POINT/HUGE FAILURE/MAJOR SHIFT:
· Tru has to make a decision whether or not she will work with Paul for survival
· Has to decide whether he should care about these women enough to help them out and work together. Admits he is there because of a bet.
· Someone undesirable comes to the rescue by foot
· THREAT: Didn’t take into account giving too much information could put them in danger
· Monsoon/damage to roof
Act 4:
FINAL PLAN:
· Survival Team Effort
· HOPE: They are able to contain the threatening newcomer
· FEAR: They think of a way to get a coded message with their pirate podcast to someone that could help
CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT:
Low supplies, extreme heat
FEAR: Fear that not the right people are listening in on their
pirate podcast
FEAR: Running out of time and suppliesRESOLUTION:
· Help Arrives
· Weeks or Months later?
· Tru is humbled and changed by the experience. Her perspective is taking a turn.
· Jenn is able to “stand on her own two feet”
· Paul believes that people can be capable of change
· Maybe only a partial happy ending? Producer develops an infection and doesn’t make it
</div>
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Title: ADRIFT –
Genre/Drama – Pilot Mini SeriesHigh Concept/Hook: A woman and two men wake up in a life boat in the middle of the Atlantic. They don’t know how they got here. Without help, they’ll quickly die of exposure. Will they be rescued in time?
Act I Opening:
EXT. LIFE BOAT DRIFTS ACROSS THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN – DAYElaine wakes up, glances around. Vast ocean in all directions. Nothing else in sight.
Gus, Alfredo and Elaine wake up on a life boat. They don’t know how they came to be here. All three are terrified; can’t hide it. They bicker continuously.
GUS, wearing a suit and tie, awakens. Looks around, terrified.
ALFREDO, wearing a sailor’s working jeans and work shirt, looks around. Doesn’t understand what he sees.
Gus aches to become an experienced seaman to earn his father’s respect. He secretly fears the water. During a collision at sea, he nearly drowned. Because he’s dyslectic, he doesn’t read well but tries to hide it. He knows he must improve his swimming and reading skills.
Gus bickers with Elaine who suggests improvements. His hidden agenda: He secretly studies so he can join the Navy as a chief petty officer. He’s an experienced boatman. A merchant ship enters the shipping lanes. Gus weighs if he can swim and catch the ship so it will take them to the next port.
Elaine wants to marry a man who’ll help solve her problems and love her for who she is. She knows if she appears desperate, she’ll scare men off. She had to divorce a man who wanted her only for her father’s money. She hides her intelligence so she won’t intimidate a good man. In front of his crew, she told the ship’s captain she was right. He was wrong. She knows she’s too aggressive.
Alfredo wants to become president of his company but doesn’t know how. He’s an ex-con, not the businessman he pretends to be. Because he has a juvenile record, he fears if caught he’ll go to jail for a long time. He fears he’ll lose both grain and the gold. He fears he’ll go to jail for smuggling the gold he hid in the grain aboard the ship they were on. Something happened. They’re now in a life boat. How does Alfredo get the gold hidden in the grain without getting caught? He won’t tell Gus or Elaine about the gold. He fears they’ll report him. He fears Gus will find out about the gold and steal it and/or turn him in. He’s in love with Elaine. But has no money, fears she’ll reject him.
Gus and Alfredo try to out-macho each other. Elaine says they’re childish. She secretly uses a tiny mirror to send a Morse code SOS to a passing ship to save them. She knows Alfredo hides something. Wants him to tell her so they can work it out. She wants Alfredo to ask her out if they ever escape. She is the ship’s navigator and the shipping company CEO’s daughter. A colleague says it’s good Elaine can enjoy doing work she loves and often gets to spd time with her father. She fears if Alfredo finds out her father is the boss, he won’t ask her out.
Layer/Reveal:
Elaine was the ship’s navigator. Alfredo sees her last name is Gregory. Alfredo: ‘That’s the shipping company name. Elaine: ‘That’s my Dad.’ Gus says Mr. Gregory took a chance hiring him. He’s a good guy. Alfredo confronts Gus: ‘See these hands. I’m a deckhand. Work hard all day long. You’re all dressed up. How much work can you get done?’ Gus: I’m accompanying a shipment of grain. It’s in the ship’s hold. Or was.
Elaine: How’d we get here? Alfredo: Fumes poured from the hold. Everyone passed out. Gus: I grabbed a gas mask. Pulled you two into the boat. Elaine: What about the ship? Gus: (Shrugs shoulders) I must’ve passed out.
Gus casts the fishing line into the water. He gets an instant bite. Hauls in a baby shark. They slice it up and wolf it down in a few minutes. Alfredo gives off a glorious burp. Gus and Elaine grin with bloody mouths.
Gus: Let’s go. Gus and Alfredo paddle from either side of the boat. They go two feet, fall back two feet. Alfredo removes his outer clothes, dives in. He surfaces, holds up a black cable: ‘Something on the sea floor is pulling us.’ Elaine: ‘Where, why?’ Alfredo: ‘Let’s cut the cable. Row to where a ship can spot us.’ Gus: ‘We can only row so much. I’m no sailor but without that cable pulling us we have no power or navigation to guide us. We’re at the mercy of the current. And that sun will kill us if we aren’t rescued very soon.’ Elaine: it’s important to find out who’s pulling us and why.’
Elaine fears for Gus. Down too long. Dives into blackness w/ a speargun. Abruptly, Gus shoots up from the bottom. Alfredo pulls himself down. They bump heads.
Inciting Incident:
See a ship. Fire the flare. The ship keeps going. They decide to get closer to shipping lane so they’ll be rescued.
They can’t change boat’s course. It’s pulled along by a cable anchored to something moving on the sea floor.
Alfredo says he’s a sailor. He’ll dive down and loosen the cable to get the boat free. Gus wants to convince Elaine he’s not an “insurance salesman” type. Before Alfredo can dive in, Gus sheds his outer clothes. Jumps in. Follows cable into the darkness below.
Elaine fears for Gus. He’s been gone too long. Alfredo grabs a speargun. Dives in to total blackness. Abruptly, Gus shoots up from the bottom. Alfredo pulls himself down. They bump heads.
Climax/Ultimate expression of conflict:
FEAR: Alfredo won’t let Gus attract a passing ship. Gus and Alfredo fight. Alfredo beats Gus. Holds his head underwater. Elaine hits Alfredo with an oar. A missile almost destroys the boat. Alfredo grabs her. She swims away. Shark approaches. She jumps back in the boat.Crisis: Gus and Alfredo start punching each other. Elaine can’t stop their fight.
· Hidden Agenda: She uses a tiny mirror to send a Morse code SOS to a distant ship to save them.
· Conspiracy: She knows Alfredo hides something. Wants him to tell her so they can work it out.
· Intrigue: She wants Alfredo to ask her out if they are ever rescued.
That night Gus sleeps in the boat’s forward area. Alfredo crawls to Elaine who sleeps in boat’s stern. He tickles her cheek. She screams bloody murder. Gus rushes over. Pulls Alfredo off her.
Dilemma: She can’t decide: Should she escape with Alfredo or Gus?Midpoint: A missile crashes into the sea next to the boat. Elaine and Gus let him be their leader.
Turning Point 2: Alfredo threatens them with a gun if they don’t obey him.
Dilemma: Elaine must choose between believing him, or what, drowning herself?
3rd Act Climax: She slugs Alfredo. Swims away. Shark approaches her. She returns to the boat.
Beginning: ELAINE wakes up in the boat, sees the other two. How did they get here?
Alfredo swims down to the submersible. Gus dives down to help him. They can’t take control of it.
They find they’re being pulled by a submersible
Alfredo’s GPS shows they’re in the Atlantic between Norway and Iceland.
HOPE: Elaine yells the submersible has stopped over a ship wreck on the ocean floor. They see thousands of gold coins that spilled from the ship. Elaine and Gus let him be their leader.
Act I TP: Gus: Let’s wait & see. Alfredo: We must take control of the submersible. Elaine sides with Gus.
A large Navy ship anchors on the horizon. Elaine uses a tiny mirror to send an SOS. The Navy vessel fires one of its big guns.
Act II TP: A missile knocks a corner off the boat. Elaine freaks out. Gus comforts her. Alfredo threatens them with a gun if they don’t obey him. Dilemma: Elaine must choose between believing him, or drowning herself?
Resolution: HOPE: Abruptly, the ship Elaine sent the SOS to moves in to save them.
ENDING: Elaine sees Alfredo exploits women. He threatens her. Gus fights Alfredo. Elaine and Gus swim away. Alfredo chases them in a Zodiac. They dive underwater to escape.
Alfredo won’t let her get in the Zodiac. She yells for help. Gus slugs Alfredo. She and Gus tie up Alfredo. Cut cable to the submersible. Elaine and Gus row to shipping lanes to attract a ship. They see a ship! Fire their last flare. The ship keeps going. They decide they must get closer to the shipping lane so they’ll be rescued.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by Tom Wilson.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by Tom Wilson.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by Tom Wilson.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by
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Aurora’s Outline – Part 1
I learned that adding elements to your story in a logical progression is extremely helpful to the creative process.
· Series Concept: A Praetorian Centurion, naïvely loyal to Emperor Tiberius, is sidelined by Sejanus, his newly promoted boss, and loyally he goes on a bootless errand to find a mythical Jewish rebel. In Palestine, he is placed under house arrest in a remote luxury hostelry, full of spies, and intrigue, and while he struggles with his out of control slaves, he discovers he himself is an insurrectionist.
· Main Conflict in Episode One: Centurion Theophilus Cato struggles to maintain his loyalties to the Roman Empire while protecting his beloved Jewish household slaves from a new wave of anti- Semitism in Rome.
Cold Open: EXT – VILLA IN CAESAREA MARITIMA-DAY 40 AD. Philip reads to Theo a letter from Lucas which addresses Theo as the Excellent Theophilus, reporting Lucas’ research about the Messiah’s life is complete and he will soon forward that account, but he’s been very busy write the second part as the story is on-going. Their old nemesis Agrippa has turned against his uncle Herod Antipas, accusing him of rebellion against Rome. Was he aware that Caligula is trying to reinstate Emperor worship?
Act 1:
Opening: EXT- A RAVINE IN THE FOOTHILLS
OUT OF ROME -DAY 26 AD
Theo rewards a Jewish soldier in his cohort for loyalty and bravery
and chides his soldiers for complaining that he is being reassigned.
Swears by Mercury, Roman God of loyalty.Inciting Incident: EXT- HILLSIDE IN
ROME-DAY At his slave, Philip’s foot race, Theo discovers from Atticus
there is a new wave of anti Semitism coming. Theo sees it manifest against Philip by
the race official. Along the race course Theo ambushes the official to
stop further retaliation against Philip but hides conceals it. In
discussion with Philip afterward he asserts loyalty is key, so don’t get
caught being disloyal.
Turning Point– EXT- STREET OUTSIDE
THE BATHS IN ROME-NIGHT Theo learns
from Atticus that the race official was murdered, stabbed with a military
issued Iberian dagger left at the scene. Atticus reveals their new boss Sejanus
thinks its convenient to blame the Jews. Theo begins to suspect he himself
or Philip is responsible for the death of the official.Act 2:
New plan-.INT- THEO’S VILLA IN ROME-
DAY Theo notices his own Iberian dagger
is missing. Theo is going to
investigate/ cover up. Constantinius
his retainer informs him that Philip has left early. Slave Hannah has
taken in Jael & Josiah, Jewish refugees and Theo is furious. He
confronts her, about her son Philip but is reassured of his slaves’
loyalty and love of him. Hannah invites Theo to their Seder. Theo discovers
Philip was lying about his whereabouts. When Theo confronts, Philip
recites a psalm about a prophesied Jewish warrior overthrowing with an
iron rod. Philip also quotes Virgil.
Plan in action– EXT- STREET SCENE ROME-
DAY He follows Philip and learns he had taken Theo’s dagger to the rebels
but is unable to get it back. Theo
prevails on him to take no more action and trust Theo to handle it.
Midpoint Turning Point-EXT BOTTOM OF
GEMONIAN STAIRS- DAY- Theo finds his Jewish soldier murdered on the
Gemonian stairs and his reward stolen.Act 3:
Rethink everything-INT- MAMERTINE PRISON-
DAY Theo meets Atticus’ at Mamertine
prison to discuss his reassignment.
Atticus suggests that Theo spy on Tiberius, switching his loyalty to
Sejanus. Follow the god of War.
New plan: He declines the offer,
he will retire and slips out of the prison.
Turning Point: EXT- STREET SCENE ROME-
DAY Huge failure / Major shift Theo is dragged before Sejanus.Act 4:
Final plan– EXT TOP OF GEMONIAN STAIRS-
DAY Sejanus threatens him and Theo reveals his plan to go to Palestine
undercover to find the Jewish rebel leader. Sejanus agrees but will send him as an
emissary of the Empire, but he must succeed in finding the Insurrectionist
within two years or die.
Climax/Ultimate expression of the
conflict-INT/EXT SLAVES QUARTERS
AT THEO’S VILLA- NIGHT Thugs attack
at Theo’s home during a Seder on the day his home guard is off duty. In
the dark, Jael helps Theo fend off the attackers.
Resolution– INT SLAVES QUARTERS AT
THEO’S VILLA- NIGHT Jael conspires
with Hannah to conceal that Josiah was killed by Theo during the attack,
because he would be upset. Reveal: Jael hides the bloody rag with which
she wiped her staff. Theo decides
all of them, including Jael are going to Palestine.TAG
EXT- ALLEYWAY IN ROME- DAY Hannah is blackmailed to secret report on Theo’s investigation, with threats to expose her son Philip.
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• Title: Malum
• Genre: Comedy/Thriller
• Logline: After being released from prison, a bartender allows his establishment used as for money laundering by The Mob – the very people who sent him to jail. When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arises, he teams with his lover, the sheriff, and concocts a plan to steal $60 million in cash before a hurricane makes landfall.
Act 1:
INT. BAR – DAY
Opening: To get back in the good graces of the Mob (and get revenge), The Bartender has allowed is establishment to be used as a money laundering facility. Beginning: Staying behind to use his bar as a shelter from the hurricane
INT. OFFICE, BAR – NIGHT
Inciting Incident: In two weeks a mob Lieutenant is coming for the monthly pickup of cash. The Sheriff plans to arrest him and trick him into snitching on who set up her lover/partner The Bartender
INT. BAR, DAY
The Cook becomes agitated as more people seek shelter at the bar. He’s convinced they’re out to get him.
EXT. CAUSEWAY, DAY
A fallen angel, the Stranger tracked the Evil to the island.
INT. OFFICE, BAR – DAY
Change of plan – due to a hurricane the Boss himself is coming for a pickup in five days.
INT. BAR – NIGHT
The Stranger arrives and calls The Bartender by name without being introduced.
INT. SHERIFF PATROL CAR – DAY
The Sheriff and a deputy go door-to-door, making sure residents have left the island before the hurricane hits.
EXT. SHERIFF PATROL CAR – DAY
On their way to take shelter in the bar, the deputy is killed when the church steeple collapses onto his patrol car.
INT. BAR – NIGHT
The Stranger tells the Cook he’s on his side
Act 2:
INT. OFFICE, BAR – DAY
New plan: Scam the Mob Boss into believing he’s caught in an FBI set-up.
INT. SHERIFF PATROL CAR – DAY
Plan in action: Recruit past associates and trusted allies to help with the new plan – make sure the Mob Boss is trapped by the hurricane then trick him into snitching out the rat who set up the Bartender.
INT. BAR – NIGHT
The Stranger approaches the Bartender and confesses his identity – he’s an Angel and spills his guts. He needs help to destroy the Evil.
INT. BAR – DAY
The Sheriff recognizes the Husband as a hitman, and she warns the Bartender.
EXT. BAR – DAY
The Cook sees the Husband killed but can’t see who the murderer is. He’s too afraid to say anything
Act 3:
INT. SHERIFF OFFICE –
Rethink everything: The Sheriff is contacted by the FBI. They’re on their way to bust the bar and arrest everyone. Someone is a snitch.
EXT. SHERIFF CAR – DAY
New plan: Find the damn snitch before the FBI arrives.
INT. BAR – DAY
The Cook is the first to realize the Stranger is hunting the killer. He’s not the murderer and needs all the help he can get.
EXT. CAUSEWAY – DAY
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: The storm wrecks the only way off the island. They’re trapped.
EXT. BEACH – DAY
The Husband is found dead.
INT. OFFICE, BAR – NIGHT
Someone is killing everyone in the bar. She teams up with the Bartender to hunt the killer.
INT. BASEMENT, BAR – NIGHT
Dilemma: Is there another hitman on the island or at the bar?
EXT. OUTSIDE OF THE BAR – NIGHT
Storm moving in. Lightning. The Stranger realizes the Evil isn’t any one person – it’s taken control of everyone and intentionally brought them together to be killed as entertainment.
Act 4:
INT. BAR – DAY
Final plan: Tell the Mob Boss that the whole thing is an FBI setup organized by one of his lieutenants and coerce The Mob Boss into ratting out the rat during their treacherous “escape.”
EXT. STREET – DAY
The Priest attacks the Stranger. The Stranger kills him in self-defense. As the Priest lays dying, the Stranger refuses to absolve the Priest of sin, thereby condemning him to Hell.
INT. BAR – DAY
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: They trick the Snitch into revealing herself – it’s the Wife half of the team the Bartender recruited. Gunfight.
EXT. BAR – DAY
The Bartender, along with the Sheriff, the Cook and the Stranger, defeat the Evil which brought everyone together.
EXT. STREET – DAY
The Cook is absolved of sin by The Stranger before he dies.
INT. BAR – DAY
Resolution: The FBI arrive, and Mob Boss and The Snitch are arrested.
EXT. STREET – DAY
The Bartender and the Sheriff leave town with half of the laundered cash, which was hidden in the Sheriff’s car. The rest is given to the townsfolk to help rebuild the island.
EXT. STREET – NIGHT
The Stranger doesn’t earn back his wings and he leaves town.
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