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Lesson 12
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ASSIGNMENT 12 (Mark) Challenging Situations
What I learned? As I learned earlier to take the existing situation and scene arc and apply the traits and interest techniques to layer and reinforce the scene for the plot; I am expanding on the scene to create challenging situations for the Protagonist that too adds layers and forces the characters to interact with one another just as we do in real life.
Scene 1: (Redaction of words below for this exercise is from my personal scenes in my script and is intended to protect, than waive, my rights that fall under this course’s application. I will honor the course’s exercises and not use the material I complete in exercises for my usage.)
A. Current Scene Logline: SCENE 17: An opportunity to retrieve evidence is lost and a near death experience for witnesses ############# could have been passed off as a ##############, if it had been successful.
B. Essence: To raise questions on whether a US ################### would deliberately use a ######## to ###### and operate off ###########.
C. Brainstorm list of possible challenges.
Values and Physical:
Why was the Protagonist chosen to go on this mission?
What life threatening experience could the Protagonist experience?
Does national security take precedence over #### exploitation?
What coverups have been noticeable and how where they covered up?D. Quick summary of how you will write the scene differently with the new challenge.
Since I had three events going on in one scene, applying the concept from this exercise has enabled me to meld two of the events that were closely related and build off one another. The third event I will simply use in another scene later. This exercise enabled me to focus on the purpose of the scene and refine and shape the dialogue and subtext further toward addressing the four questions I posted making the scene stronger and relevant to the core essence of the plot. This made the scene tighter.Scene 2:
A. Current Scene Logline: SCENE 19: The first phase of the coverup is nearly completed, but the Protagonist’s official report and his professional credibility is the next hit job.B. Essence: The Protagonist is now in the crosshair of a character assassination attempt to undermine his credibility.
C. Brainstorm list of possible challenges.
Wound:
What are the Protagonist’s weaknesses that can be exploited?
Can the Protagonist’s credibility be upended based on his performance in the field?
Does the Protagonist have any allies who can be exploited?
Can his career be upended?
What leverage (title, position, and authority) can senior officials wage against the Protagonist?D. Quick summary of how you will write the scene differently with the new challenge.
Here, a senior official is placating what steps are in order to undermine the Protagonist’s credibility citing events (on the surface) that the Protagonist was believed to have botched or not handled well. Unbeknownst to the leadership, the Protagonist was running interference for his home office and plans to disclose more than the Station expected that reinforces his credibility enough to result in a field title promotion instead.-
This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by Mark napier.
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This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by
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Rita’s Challenging Situations
What I learned:
Breaking down these techniques into steps is really helpful to gradually shift gears in my perception of a scene.
There will be an added challenge — adding more interest techniques while attempting to reduce page count.
I wonder how page count will look when I’ve mastered interest techniques so they’re baked in.SCENE 1:
Current Scene Logline: In a post-war future humanity lives harmoniously, they celebrate the new season, new moon in Aires.
B. Essence: We’re still the same but with better, life-affirming choices, attuned with natural rhythms.
C. Brainstorm list of possible challenges
The fruit vendor has a crush on Sol but she’s into Dawson = awkward.
Lucy trips and drops her bowl on a child’s head
Girls complain about their parents’ lingering hangups from traumas of the war.
So much abundance makes it hard for girls to choose and who to talk to — comedic excess.D. Quick summary of how I’ll write the scene differently with the new challenge.
A combo of 1 & 2, maybe more than one man crushing on the girls to show the contrast between today’s environment of worry and competition to the challenges of excessive goodness.SCENE 2:
Current Scene Logline: Four young explorers crack the code on an abandoned, underground base only to find… a dead body.
B. Essence: Victory! They opened the vault. Fear and Questions — are they not alone?
C. Brainstorm list of possible challenges
Other potential threats — mysterious sounds, unexplored caverns, loss of oxygen
2 of them want to go back, mission is at risk
Some kind of oozing liquid that might be toxic
Light source they have to investigate — is it energy or deadly laser?D. Quick summary of how I’ll write the scene differently with the new challenge.
More than the dead boy and how long has it been there and what killed the guy, add more potential threats and reactions to them. Not only fear for the characters’ well-being but for their mission to find answers. -
Savanna’s Challenging Situations
What I’ve learned that is improving my writing is not to assume just because I have some drama in the scene, it is enough. There’s always something more to throw in.
Scene 1. Current scene logline: HERO dies finally at peace.
Essence: After surrendering the kernel of his lust and love for HEROINE to a greater good, HERO is at peace.
Brainstorm list of possible challenges: Hero could resuscitate, however briefly; Heroine could realize she loves him and that she’s made a mistake dismissing him; There could be a cataclysmic weather event;
How I will write scene differently with new challenge: I will place the scene in a mild earthquake.Scene 2. Current scene logline: HERO brags to HEROINE about his career accomplishment which has the effect of cutting her out.
Essence: Heroine realizes she has to go it alone in career.
Brainstorm list of possible challenges: Heroine is unwell; Heroine has fear of speaking or a stutter; A deadline is looming;
How I will write scene differently with new challenge: I will give the heroine some kind of physical impediment and an almost impossible deadline.
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