Lesson 16

John P. Hallar

Member

December 22, 2023 at 4:14 pm

Subject line: John P. Hallar’s Profound Map (Version 1)

What I learned in this lesson is how to put the entire course into one profound map.

TITLE: Familiar Strangers
WRITTEN BY: John P. Hallar

1. What is Your Profound Truth? Family bonds and love are deeper AND STRONGER
   than any other.
2. What is the Transformational
   Journey?
   Old Ways: Em is a lonely, narcissistic elderly veteran who
   believes he can control things, manipulate things and people with money. His main rule: All that matters is me. – Lonely –
   Hardheaded – Arrogant – Narcissistic
   – Being in Control – Doesn’t care about anyone else. – Sees himself as in control and that everyone must
   listen to him.
   Journey: When Judith comes into Em’s life, it creates a temporary
   distraction from the truth that Em has been ignoring all along. Only when
   Judith turns out to be a con artist showing Em that his plan for a “bought”
   family won’t happen, that he is forced to face and recognize the truth of his
   relationship with Kimberly.
   New Ways: Em has realized that he had
   true love all along, with his daughter. His new rules: Open minded –
   considerate – listen to others – loves his daughter.
   Transformational Logline: A lonely 93-year-old retiree’s pursuit of love and companionship
   becomes a journey of self-discovery, as he learns that attempting to buy affection leads to deception,
   prompting a powerful realization
   that his true family and love have been present all along with his daughter.
3. Who are Your Lead Characters? Em, Judith, and Kimberly
   Change Agent (the one causing the change): Judith
   Transformable Character(s) (the one who makes the change): Em
   Betraying Character (if you have one): Judith
   Oppression: The fake relationship. The con game.
4. How Do You Connect with Your
   Audience in the Beginning of the Movie?

A. Relatability: We all, or most of us, have elderly parents. If those parents live away from family, then they are subject to being taken advantage of.
B. Intrigue: Is Judith saying who she really is. Why the hatred between Em and Kimberly.
C. Empathy: Em is lonely. He wants the family he thought he never had.
D. Likability: Em is very giving, too much so. To a fault.

5. What is the Gradient of the
   Change? What steps do the Transformational Characters go through as they
   are changing?

1. Gradient
   1. The Emotional Gradient. Excitement. Em is excited that he’s finally going to have the
   family he always wanted. He’ll finally get to have Thanksgiving and
   Christmas with someone.

1. The "Forced
Change" Emotional Gradient. Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression,
and Acceptance.

1. Denial:Once Em begins to realize
that Judith is not the person, he thought she was and that she was just
using him for his money he begins to come up with excuses as to why he
paid her all that money.
2. Anger:Em begins to tell Artie that he is pissed with
Judith and how dare she do what she did. He will never forgive her.
3. Bargaining:Em bargains with Artie to save
face, show he was in control the whole time and knew what he was doing
and what she was doing.
4. Depression:Em barely eats for a couple
weeks as the profound truth of the con hits home.
5. Acceptance. Em must face the facts that Judith betrayed him and that
the family he planned and paid for will in fact never work out. He was
forced to accept that truth.

1. Setup:

<ul type=”disc”>

1. Em’s apartment. His lonely “cave”.
2. Introduction of Judith.
3. Judith’s release from Southern freeing her up to do whatever
she wants with Em.

2. Journey:

<ul type=”disc”>

1. Em meets Judith.
2. Em hatches his plan.
3. Em announces his plan and Judith more than willingly
accepts.
4. Em makes all these plans for a family based on lies and
deceit.
5. Judith
changes her mind about going on a vacation with Em.
6. Em
begins to realize Judith is not who she says she is and that he broke.
7. Em asks
Kimberly for the inheritance money back that he gave her.
8. Kimberly
denies Em’s request for the money.
9. Em disowns
Kimberly.
10. Judith
borrows more money then immediately blocks his phone number.
11. Em faces
the truth that Judith was never going to divorce her husband and marry
him.

3. Payoff<b style="color: var(--bb-body-text-color);">:

<ul type=”disc”>

1. Em finally realizes that he had the family he craved all along
with his own kid, Kimberly. He calls Kimberly to ask for forgiveness
for everything he’s done over the years and asks to be reunited.
2. Kimberly forgives him.
3. Em moves back to Florida to be closer to Kimberly and live
out his years close to her.

3. Gradient
   3. The Challenge / Weakness Gradient

1. Challenge: Having to make a major life-changing decision.
2. Weakness: Ignorance,
Loneliness.
3. Challenge: Em is 93, Judith is 45.
4. Weakness: Em has money, so he tries to buy her affection.
5. Challenge: Judith is already
   married.
6. Weakness: Ignorance. Em gives
   Judith the money for the divorce, buys her a ring. He overreacts.
7. Challenge: To move on.
8. Weakness: He’s back to being
   alone again. He lays in his bed replaying the events in his mind over
   and over again.

6. What
   is the Transformational Structure of Your Story?

1. [MM1]
   Ordinary World:
   We meet our 93-year-old veteran, Em, living a lonely life and yearning
   for love and family. The inciting incident occurs when he encounters a
   captivating younger female caregiver, Judith, sparking a desire for
   companionship.
2. [MM2]
   Denial of the Call: Initially,
   Em denies the unconventional nature of his newfound connection and the
   potential consequences. As Em becomes increasingly involved with
   Judith, he inadvertently becomes locked into a conflict that jeopardizes
   his family ties.
3. [MM3]
   First Attempts: Seeking
   fulfillment, Em turns to the traditional means of solving his loneliness,
   reaching out to his only friends Arthur and Michelle. Jackie and his
   neighbor Victor. However, these attempts fail, closing off
   conventional avenues for resolution, leaving Em with limited options.
4. [MM4]
   Bigger Plan Gone Wrong: Determined
   to find love, Em hatches a bigger plan, unaware of the true intentions of
   the captivating Judith. Em proposes to Judith. She accepts but
   first she must get divorced from her current husband. As the supposed
   divorce that Em paid for is going on, the two plan a vacation to Em’s
   past residences but also to move into a two bedroom together. The
   plan goes horribly wrong due to crucial information about Judith’s
   motives that Em lacked and Em’s failing mental capabilities due to his
   extreme age.
5. [MM5]
   Confronting the Need to Change: Judith
   and Em move into a two-bedroom apartment together. Immediately Em
   confronts Judith about not sleeping in the same bed as him. Weeks later
   Judith has an unannounced friend over to cook dinner. Em is not invited
   to the dinner which they eat in the other bedroom. Faced with this new
   arrangement and realization and the consequences of his actions, Em
   realizes his own weaknesses and the need for change. Judith makes
   an excuse that she is sick and cannot take the vacation they had planned
   months ago. Em begins to realize that Judith is not who she seems. He
   retreats to reflect and internalize the lessons, acknowledging that he
   cannot continue the same path. He goes through the classic stages of
   grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance.
   Judith has taken Em for all his money.
6. [MM6]
   New Plan with Change: Em
   spawns a new plan, this time embracing change in his approach to love and
   family. After only two months together, Em notifies Judith that he cannot
   continue to live with her and must move back into a one-bedroom
   apartment. As Em puts the plan into action, he is nearly destroyed by a
   revelation from his request to Kimberly to give him back the inheritance
   money he gave her six months prior. Kimberly refuses, thus creating a
   major, almost irreconcilable divide. One that threatens the family bond
   between Em and Kimberly forever. Kimberly is correct to assume the money
   will go to Judith.
7. [MM7]
   Revelation and Turning the Tables: The revelation transforms the veteran’s
   understanding of love and family, giving him the strength to face the
   conflict. After Kimberly’s refusal to bail out Em, he has only one
   option, to stand on his own two feet with the help of his rollator of
   course. He rejoins the battle against the wishes of his family, friends,
   and his growing awareness with renewed fervor, turning the tables on the
   forces threatening his family ties. Em continues with Judith, first
   bailing her out of jail on a shoplifting arrest, paying to get her towed
   car out of storage then providing one last payment for her rent and car
   payment.
8. [MM8]
   Resolution and New World: Em
   overcomes Judith’s blatant motive to not be involved with him when
   immediately after he gives her money for rent and a car payment, which
   she had her daughter pick up because she was supposedly sick, she blocks
   his number making it impossible for Em to call or contact her. She cuts
   him off cold turkey right before the Thanksgiving holidays. This is the
   final, hurtful, and devastating straw for Em. He now knows Judith never
   had any intention of marrying him and creating a family with him.

The story concludes with Em, now transformed and understanding why Kimberly refused to send the money, reconciles with Kimberly thus moving into a new world of genuine connections with Kimberly, realizing that the love he needed was always within reach.

7. How
   are the “Old Ways” Challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a
   main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?

1. Old Way: Reliance on men.

1. Challenge: Judith challenges this rule by being her own woman. She pretends
or leads Em to think he’s in charge but in her own mind, she has no
intentions of letting him be the boss.
2. Challenge Question: How does the “old school” belief in men being charge and providing for women accommodate and embrace the diverse strengths,
talents, and ambitions that individuals, regardless of gender, bring to
a modern society?
3. How it might play out: Em not embracing the new times, since he is so old, will fail
immediately.

1. Challenge: Judith disrupts Em’s plan by going along with it till the money
runs out.
2. Challenge Question: How does this approach contribute to the authenticity and depth of
meaningful relationships.
3. How it might play out: Em embraces a lie which goes on as long as Judith wants it to.

1. Challenge: Em must overcome the fact that he is no longer in charge of
Kimberly and that she needs to do whatever he says. She is her own woman
now. She can make decisions that he will disagree with. She will
challenge him.
2. Challenge Question: Would a more open and empathetic communication about values,
understanding, and mutual respect contribute to the potential for
rebuilding and strengthening their connection?
3. How it might play out: If Em would only freaking talk with Kimberly and listen to why
she did what she did he might understand and the relationship could be
healed.

1. Challenge: Em must learn and/or understand that he does not have the mental
faculties he once had and that he needs to lean on and trust Kimberly
more and more.
2. Challenge Question: Could Em’s embrace of vulnerability and seeking support from others
enhance his overall well-being and potentially lead to a more fulfilling
and supported late stage of life?
3. How it might play out: Em would gradually see that his old ways are not working.
He is so desperate he finally begins to try whatever will work,
relinquishing control.

1. Old Way: Reliance on Men

1. Challenge: Judith challenges this rule by being her own woman. She pretends
or leads Em to think he’s in charge but in her own mind, she has no
intentions of letting him be the boss.

1. How it might play out: Em wouldn’t have tried to plan out everything thinking Judith
couldn’t do it nor wanted to do it thus he would have relied on Judith
to provide input, solutions and contribute financially thus saving him
his money.

1. Challenge: Judith disrupts Em’s plan by going along with it till the money
runs out.
2. Counterexample: That two individuals build a strong bond based on shared
values, mutual respect, and emotional connection.
3. How it might play out: If Em had employed this thinking he would have seen that the relationship
could not continue without buying her out.

1. Challenge: Em must overcome the fact that he is no longer in charge of
Kimberly and that she needs to do whatever he says. She is her own
woman now. She can make decisions that he will disagree with. She will
challenge him.
2. Counterexample: Imagine a scenario where Em and Kimberly engage in open
and honest communication about their differences, acknowledging and
respecting each other’s perspectives.
3. How it might play out: If Em could embrace this, then he initially would not be able to
help Judith financially thus ending the con, exposing who she really
was then Em would at least have some money to fall back on once
Kimberly believes Judith is gone forever.

1. Challenge: Em must learn and/or understand that he does not have the mental
faculties he once had and that he needs to lean on and trust Kimberly
more and more.
2. Counterexample: Em, recognizing the importance of his personal well-being,
decides to proactively seek support. Despite his initial hesitation to
relinquish control, he engages and embraces a support network.
3. How it might play out: As the story plays out, Em begins to realize that his
mental faculties are not what they use to be and he opens up to the
idea of letting Kimberly help him.

8. How are You Presenting Insights through Profound Moments? Irony.

1. Insight: Giver vs. the Taker

Irony: Em gives, gives, and gives. Contrast this with Judith who takes, takes, and takes.

2. Insight: Appearances aren’t always what they seem.

Irony: Judith’s way or technique of providing for Maddie. Contrast her conning, stealing from only for the sole purpose of providing for her teenage daughter who she is 100% committed to.

3. Insight: Strength is found in vulnerability.

Irony: Em firmly believes that his daughter wants no part in his life only to face profound loneliness. Contrast this with the new Em who embraces vulnerability, discovering resilience and support through authentic connections of his family, daughter.

4. Insight: Success doesn’t guarantee fulfillment.

a. Irony: Em achieves his goal of having Judith move in but feels empty. Counter this with Judith, who feels like she has fallen to new lows having to move in with Em but has won a free place to live.

5. Insight: Forgiveness liberates the forgiver.

a. Irony: Em, in asking for the inheritance money back and not getting it from Kimberly, faces inner turmoil about the abandonment. Contrast this with the new Em who forgives Kimberly despite the perceived wrongdoing, experiencing a sense of liberation and emotional freedom.

8. What are the Most Profound Lines of the Movie?

1. “Look, love is love at any age between anybody, regardless of whether it’s right or wrong”.

a. Emotion and meaning of the scene – Tense/Power Struggle. Em and Kimberly are fighting over is blood thicker than water.

b. Em’s new Line – “Love respects no age or judgment. It holds an unwavering truth—a force unburdened by societal standards, ever resilient in its pursuit.”

2. “Chosen bonds are more significant than the bonds with family. Family will always let you down.”

a. Emotion and meaning of the scene – Tense/Power Struggle. Em and Kimberly are fighting over is blood thicker than water.

b. Em’s New Line – “Selected bonds possess an inherent depth, a purposeful intertwining of lives that transcends mere chance.”

3. “I’ll never be able to right the wrong I did to my family, Kimmy especially.”

a. Emotion and meaning of the scene – Remorse. Em regrets what he did to his family.

b. New Line – “I know I can’t undo the pain I’ve caused, especially with Kimmy. It’s a regret I must live with.”

4. “No well about it. Is your agency trying to control her goddamn private life too?”

a. Emotion and meaning of the scene – Frustration and anger. Em is trying to find out what Arty is going to think about his plan, although hidden at this point, is to see what Arty thinks about Judith coming over on her own now.

b. New Line – “Let’s cut to the chase. Is your agency attempting to dictate her private affairs as well? It reeks of an unwarranted intrusion.”

5. “Whadya mean hold up. She’s not an employee of yours anymore. She can do whatever the fuck she wants, whatever goddamn well pleases her.”

a. Emotion and meaning of the scene – Frustration and anger. Em is trying to find out what Arty is going to think about his plan, although hidden at this point, is to see what Arty thinks about Judith coming over on her own now.

b. New Line – “What do you mean by ‘hold up’? She’s no longer under your employment. She possesses the autonomy to pursue whatever fulfills her, irrespective of your constraints.”

9. How Do You Leave Us with A Profound Ending?

1. What is your Profound Truth and how will it be delivered powerfully in your ending?

A. The profound truth in Em is that family bonds are stronger than any other.

B. It will be delivered visually, with Em and Kimberly on her front porch together again.

2. How do your lead characters (Change Agent and Transformable Characters) come to an end in a way that represents the completed change?

A. Judith, the CA, in her last con confirms to Em that he was looking in the wrong relationship for love, companionship.

B. Em, the TC, finally comes to terms with his relationship with Judith and his plan for creating a family was never right in the first place. He forgives Kimberly then re-connects with her.

3. What is the setup/payoffs that complete in the end of this movie, giving it deep meaning?

A. Setup: Em goes to the deepest level of despair, loneliness, and depression before he breaks and re-unites with Kimberly.

B. Payoff: Em and his real family, the family bond, are stronger and have lasted through this tough journey.

4. How are you designing it to have us see an inevitable ending and then make it surprising when it happens?

A. Until the very end, it will appear that Em will NEVER forgive Kimberly and that he would rather die alone than forgive her.

5. What is the Parting Image/Line that leaves us with the Profound Truth in our minds?

A. Em and Kimberly on her front porch, having tea and sitting together. Being together again.