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Day 1 Assignments
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58 Replies
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Claire’s Character Structure
MY VISION:
I have a fabulous career as a screenwriter working in both TV and film, and I have tremendous creative, financial, and personal success. I specialize in female driven projects, and I am the go-to-girl for writing lesbian stories.
WHAT I LEARNED: Just take the next right step and everything will unfold. It doesn’t have to be perfect today. I can elevate it at any point.
HORROR SCRIPT
Protagonist: Maeve
Beginning: Maeve starts out in hiding mode. She senses a dark energy on the movie set, but does not tell Sybil, or anyone, right away. When weird things start happening on set, she tells Sybil but does not argue when Sybil dismisses her and her intuitions.
Middle: Maeve states clearly what she is sensing and ask people to listen to her and follow her advice. She is attacked by some in the group.
End: Maeve does not ask people to follow her, she steps in as leader whether they like it or not.
Beginning: Horrifying scene of a patient murdering her doctor. It turns out to be a scene from the movie they are shooting.
Inciting Incident: Maeve senses a dark energy on the set. She tells Sybil, but Sybil dismisses her.
Turning Point: The first woman is possessed and kills her own wife.
Act 2:
Maeve tells Sybil that there is an evil spirit and wants everyone to leave.
Plan in action: Sybil does not believe her and she and the consultant psychiatrist approach it as a mental/emotional issues
Maeve tries to leave and the bridge is out.
Maeve investigates the murder suicide in 1980.
Midpoint Turning Point: Second woman is possessed and murders her wife.
Act 3:
Rethink everything: Maeve believes the women were possessed and caused to kill their spouses.
New plan: she has a séance to investigate who the spirit is. Learns that it is the ghost of the psychiatrist, not the patient who murdered her.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Maeve feels herself being possessed.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: The ghost of the evil psychiatrist possesses Maeve’s wife, Sybil. Maeve battles the ghost and gets rid of it for good.
Resolution: Maeve saves Sybil from the ghost
Antagonist: Ghost of Evil Psychiatrist
Beginning: Tortures her queer patients in the 1950s. Is murdered by one of the patients she tortured. Later, learns that Sybil wants to investigate the story of her murder.
Middle: Tortures the lesbians on the movie set by possessing the women, one at a time, and forcing each to kill her own wife.
End: Battles Maeve twice, once when she tries to possess Maeve, and once when she posses Maeve’s wife. She loses and Maeve sends her to hell.
Beginning: Murdered by her patient that she tortured.
Inciting Incident: Learns Sybil wants to investigate the true story of her murder.
Turning Point 1: Possesses the first woman and has her kill her wife.
Act 2:
Terrorizes the women. Causes the first possessed woman to kill herself. Prevents Maeve from leaving.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Possesses the second woman and forces her to kill her wife.
Act 3:
Terrorizes the women. Tries to stop Maeve from learning the truth.
Turning Point 3: Possesses Maeve.
Act 4 Climax:
Possesses Maeve’s wife and battles Maeve and loses.
Resolution: She goes to hell.
THRILLER SCRIPT
Protagonist: Eve
Beginning: Hesitant to make a commitment to Debbie
Middle: Commits to finding Debbie
End: Asks Debbie to marry her
Act 1:
Beginning: Eve and Debbie are together
Inciting Incident: Debbie and Eve fight. Debbie breaks up with Eve
Turning Point: Eve discovers Debbie is missing.
Act 2:
New plan: find Debbie.
Plan in action: She tells the FBI that Debbie’s ex-husband tried to abduct Debbie last night and she saved her. Tells FBI that she and Debbie were lovers.
They bring the exhusband in for questioning.
The FBI then asks Eve questions as if she is a suspect
Midpoint Turning Point: FBI arrest Eve for kidnapping Debbie
Act 3:
Rethink everything: who kidnapped Debbie and is framing Eve?
New plan: Get out of jail. Find Debbie herself. This looks personal to Eve,
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Eve discovers that there is a domestic terrorist group that kidnaps queer people and forces them into conversion therapy and it is likely that they kidnapped Debbie.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Eve battles the kidnappers and rescues Debbie.
Resolution: Debbie’s mother is arrested for arranging the kidnapping. Debbie is in hospital recovering. Eve asks Debbie to marry her.
Antagonist: Patty
Beginning: Patty is a sobbing mother who’s daughter has been kidnapped.
Middle: She lies about Eve and Debbie’s relationship.
End: She is arrested for kidnapping Debbie.
Beginning: [OFF SCREEN] Debbie tells Patty that she is in a relationship with Eve. Patty is stunned and upset because of her religious beliefs.
Inciting Incident: [OFF SCREEN] Debbie tells Patty that she and Eve are serious and will probably get married.
[OFF SCREEN] Patty makes a plan to kidnap Debbie and frame Eve for the kidnapping.
Turning Point 1: [OFF SCREEN] Patty’s people kidnap Debbie to put her through conversion therapy
Act 2:
Patty plays the despondent mother card.
Patty tells the FBI that Debbie was not dating Eve, but Eve was stalking Debbie.
She says that Debbie was dating a man.
She has a man go to the FBI and say he has been dating Debbie.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: FBI arrest Eve.
Act 3:
Tells FBI that she told Debbie not to report the stalking but instead pray for Eve because she was troubled.
[OFFSCREEN] She has people threaten the waitress so she will lie to the FBI about Debbie and Eve.
Turning Point 3: Patty sends her people to kill Eve.
Act 4 Climax: Her people tell her that Eve has rescued Debbie. She runs.
Resolution: She is caught by the FBI and arrested for kidnapping Debbie.
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Geezer Pete’s Character Structure
MY VISION: I am going to write incredible screenplays and streaming content for the horror genre.
What I learned doing this assignment is just like life. We sometimes walk into the middle of another’s life story.
Carlos (Protagonist)
• Beginning: Carlos drives a vintage hearse for a local priest and undertaker.
• Inciting Incident: He refuses when his gang asks him to return to the thug life.
• Turning Point 1: Carlos’s wife Dani is killed in a drive by shooting at his son’s baptism.
• Act 2: Carlos kills some of his old gang with a poisoned machete – but is fatally wounded and dies but doesn’t know it.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Carlos hides out from the police in the funeral home – but it’s his ghost haunting it. He witnesses the old priest performing a ritual on a body.
• Act 3: Carlos steals the Meat Wagon to finish his gang, not realizing it’s his body in the back of the hearse!
• Turning Point 3: Carlos hunts down Jude and crashes the hearse into him.
• Act 4 Climax: Carlos awakens in the coffin–rises from the dead thanks to the ritual the priest performed on his body. Takes out Jude.
• Resolution: Carlos assumes the old priest’s role as servant to Santa Muerte
Jude (Antagonist)
• Beginning: Jude inducted Carlos into MS 13 when he was a kid. Carlos was his right-hand enforcer and killed on command. Carlos rose in infamy as The Scorpion with the Texas/Mexico drug cartels.
• Inciting Incident: Carlos is arrested after a joint CIA/Federales sting. Sent to jail and finds God. Jude tries to get him back in the thug life.
• Turning Point 1: Jude orders Carlos family killed at his son’s baptism.
• Act 2: After Carlos, kills his gang Jude shoots and kills Carlos.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Jude doesn’t know if Carlos is dead, so he sets out to make sure the job is finished.
• Act 3: the vintage hearse chases Jude with no driver! He doesn’t see Carlos because he’s a ghost.
• Turning Point 3: Jude is run off the road.
• Act 4 Climax: Carlos awakens in the coffin–rises from the dead thanks to the ritual the priest performed on his body. Takes out Jude.
• Resolution: Carlos assumes the old priest’s role as servant to Santa Muerte
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JAELLE’S Character Structure
My vision: I’m an award winning screenwriter that is sought after by people in the industry, who creates scripts that change lives to bring a new vision to the world, and I’m richly rewarded.
Protagonist: Blavatsky
Beginning: Seance with a small group.
Inciting Incident: The Sun posts the oped by Coues calling Blavatsky a fraud.Turning Point 1: She starts the Theosophist Society
Act 2: Meets Olcott andSinnett
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Attacked by Scientist, Spiritualists and Christianity.
Act 3: Theosophical Society begins to crumble.
Turning Point 3: Blavatsky is betrayed by members of Society.
Act 4 Climax: Court case is a sure win for Blavatsky and the Society
Resolution: Blavatsky dies, terminating the suit; The Sun retracts Coues’ storyAntagonist
Beginning: tries to collude with Blavatsky
Inciting Incident: writes an OpEd to The Sun, a popular newspaper in NYC.
Turning Point 1: Tries to enter the Society.
Act 2: Coues takes Soloviov under his wing.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Breathes new life into fraud case
Act 3: Uses Soloviov to betray Blavatsky
Turning Point 3:
Act 4 Climax: Court case is a sure loss.
Resolution: Coues is defeated and shamed -
MODULE 4 LESSON 1
Tracy’s Character Structure
I will do whatever it takes to become a successful author and screenwriter with multiple screenplays produced.
What I learned doing this assignment is the antagonist’s structure can begin well before the opening scene of the movie.
ANNA:
Beginning: Anna
is home in Virginia with the family; her husband Benjamin is away at the
warInciting
Incident: Her brother-in-law Thomas deserts from the army, and comes to
tell her his other brother, Baylis, is dead of smallpox. He brought the
body home. Anna faces losing family not just in battle, but to disease.Turning Point 1:
While canvassing neighbors for supplies for the soldiers, Anna receives a
letter from Benjamin. Her brothers are ill. He does not have a coat. She
cannot trust that supplies she sends will reach them in time—if at all.
Unless she brings them herself.Act 2: Anna rides
out alone, full of confidence. She quickly learns others are not as
trustworthy or patriotic as she. When she delivers her uncle’s payment to
his business associate, she overhears the payment is to finance a
smuggling operation to arm British POWs. She tries to catch and expose the
smugglers but highwaymen catch her alone on the road. Before they harm
her, she is rescued by Hessian soldiers and an unassuming baker who is a
spy for the Continentals. He accompanies her on the road and teaches her
survival skillsTurning Point 2
/ Midpoint: When she stops for the
night at York, her first night on her own again, a congressman asks her to
carry a secret message to Gen. Washington warning him of a conspiracy.Act 3: Anna
takes the message at dawn the next day, focuses her efforts on delivering
the message safely. One of the conspirators’ henchmen pursues her, threatens
her. She eludes him over and over.
Turning Point 3:
As she nears Valley Forge, worrying about both her missions, she passes a
field hospital and stops to make sure her brothers aren’t there. She stays
too long and her pursuer catches up. She eludes him again, and barely
beats him to the picket line at Valley Forge.Act 4 Climax:
When she demands to see General Washington, the soldiers on guard laugh at
her. When she persists, they accuse her of being a spy. Her pursuer shows
himself and exchanges gunfire with the soldiers. He escapes. They take
Anna into custodyand are walking her to headquarters under armed escort when they pass Benjamin on the path. She recognizes him, and together, they convince the soldiers she is telling the truth. They meet with Gen. Washington together. He accepts the message but does not read it. Has she failed?
Resolution: She has a long-awaited reunion with Benjamin
and her brothers, who are still sick but recovering. Gen. Hamilton tells
her the message was read, and was useful. She is offered an escort home,
with Benjamin as part of the detail.On the way, they meet the congressman again, and he fills in more details about the corruption in Congress. She witnesses Lafayette’s great display of loyalty to Washington.
WILLIAM
Beginning:
Younger brother to George.Inciting
Incident: George dies unexpectedly, leaving a widow and four children with
no means of support. William takes responsibility for them, plus his own
young bride.Turning Point 1:
He cannot support the two families on his own. Is forced to send his niece
and nephews to an indenture and apprenticeships. Vows to earn enough that
his family never has to suffer like this again.Act 2: He offers
to bankroll Anna’s trip, if she will deliver a payment to his business
associate.Turning Point 2
/ Midpoint: The payment is to finance a smuggling ring. He has put Anna in
grave danger.HENCHMAN/ASSASSIN
Act 3: He
accosts Anna on the road, demands the letter back. Is surprised when she
refuses. Lets her go—but follows, waiting to get her alone so he can use
whatever means necessary to get the letter.Turning Point 3:
He attacks her on the morning of the second day, but she escapes.
Act 4 Climax: He
follows her to the field hospital and is just yards behind her when she reaches
the picket line at Valley Forge.
Resolution: The soldiers
engage him in gunfire. He retreats, unwilling to risk capture and admit
who has sent him. -
CJ’s Characters Structure
Vision: I am a confident and empowered writer who embraces challenges and changes and writes highly sought-after projects with fresh and exciting ideas. I will be produced and hired to write projects that get produced.
WIL: As I laid this out – I realized that I have some holes in the outline – I have made some notes/ suggestions and know that it is an area I want to continue to review and elevate.
Title: MEMORY HUNTERS
Concept:
In a future with technology to retrieve memories, a Memory Retrevalist, caught in the mind of a psychopath struggles to find a way out before he destroys her mind and kills her.
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<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>ASSIGNMENT
Start with the Protagonist and your source material. Create a beginning, middle, and end of the character’s story.
Add the rest of the structure to the characters to the script. Try to get to the point as we’ve done in the Iron Man example above.
Protagonist: Mya Ortega
Beginning: Mya refuses to deal with her childhood trauma to the point she has a brain tumor.
Inciting Incident: Mya finds anomalies in the system logs where criminals are being visited off hours
Turning Point 1: Mya is threatened (NEW?) Maybe her sister s kidnapped?
Act 2: Mya fights back
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mya is put in the mind of a psychopath
Act 3: Mya must face her fears from her childhood
Turning Point 3: Mya fights back and destroys the mind of the psychopath
Act 4 Climax: Mya confronts Frank Yorgen and is proven wrong
Resolution: Mya remembers a memory from psychopath’s mind and realizes that it was Terry and CEO – she sends Terry into destroyed mind of Psychopath and destroys CEO.
Antagonist. – Dr. Catherine Harpie
Beginning: Catherine gives press conference in break through tech – announces new contract with FBI – first subject psychopath -she saves a dog from an abusive owner
Inciting Incident: She overhears Mya confront her boss Frank Yorgen about the log anomalies – Catherine steps in and buries the reports
Turning Point 1: Catherine moves Mya’s training up
Act 2: Catherine has Mya threatened to back off
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mya has Terry switch Mya from embezzler to Psychopath
Act 3: Catherine reports Mya as incompetent and her fault after Mya survives
Turning Point 3: Catherine uses Mya’s accusation of Frank against her
Act 4 Climax: Mya confronts Catherine – who thinks she’s gotten away with it
Resolution: Catherine is exposed to the media
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Bobby’s Character Structure
MY VISION: A writing life that is mine to do with as I please. Independently wealthy, always creatively engaged, sought after, and utterly fulfilled.
What I learned doing this assignment is… the antagonist’s structure is very interesting. I’ve got the protagonist as an “accidental” antagonist for my Antagonist (he gets in Hack’s way – doesn’t do what he’s supposed to). Not sure if this is powerful enough… we will see.
MOVIE: JASON VS THE ZOMBIES
HIGH CONCEPT:
A tormented, aspiring serial killer is forced to join forces with the bullies that were his intended victims, when the cabin they’re partying in is attacked by zombies from the nearby Civil War graveyard.
JASON’S 4-ACT STRUCTURE
OPENING: Jason fantasizes being the “hero” (killing Jack, rescuing Lucy); woken/abused by Carl at home; late for work, and abused and mocked there
INCITING INCIDENT: Jason humiliated by Hack and the bullies; fired by boss
TURNING POINT 1/END OF ACT I: Jason’s Dad sides with bullies (“you’ll always be a loser, ‘cause you can’t take what you want”) Jason vows to live out his fantasy and kill his enemies
ACT II: Jason tracks bullies to the cabin – falling victim to fear all the way, failing over and over to live up to his own expectations of the “Avenging Hero” – then he has his first chance to kill…
TURNING POINT 2/MID-POINT/END OF ACT 2: Jason can’t make himself kill Vinnie (peeing in the woods); then a zombie kills him! Jason freezes, until Hack kills the zombie with Jason’s machete. Zombies are real! Hack knows what Jason’s doing there…
ACT III: Hack brings Jason inside, claims to know nothing of zombies. Jason begs bullies to help him, to survive zombie attack
TURNING POINT 3/END ACT 3: Zombies invade the house, as Jason’s “mission” is revealed, and he has to confront bullies/make amends, while fleeing to roof to avoid zombies
CLIMAX: Jason defeats Hack – who’s turned zombie – and saves Jack and Lucy.
RESOLUTION: Jason is the hero at last – and makes friends in the process.
HACK’S 4-ACT STRUCTURE
OPENING: Hack grows up in cousin Jack’s shadow, ignored and belittled by parents.
INCITING INCIDENT: Hack’s parents kill themselves – actually, Hack murdered them. Hack sent to live with Jack.
TURNING POINT 1/END OF ACT I: Jack gets scholarship. Going to leave Hack behind. Nope – not going to happen. Hack looking for way to “end” Jack.
ACT 2: The trip. Hack does all he can to fuck with the group, drive wedges between friends. Jack keeps defending him.
TURNING POINT 2/MIDPOINT/END OF ACT II: Hack discovers Jason in woods – a “serial killer” in the making? A perfect toy/grenade for Hack to bring into the group. And there are ZOMBIES in the woods. Wonderful.
ACT 3: Zombies are attacking. Hack tries to set Jason up as bad guy – somehow, this is failing. Hack is minimalized – not having influence he wants.
TURNING POINT 3/END OF ACT 3: Hack lets zombies in the house. Decides to become one. (kills a zombie. Takes a bite?)
CLIMAX: Hack/Zombie leads “troops” into house, sending Jack and Jason on to the roof (need better location for finale?). Hack takes revenge on them all!
RESOLUTION: Jason kills Hack.
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Gisele Frazeur’s Character Structure
My vision: I am going to work diligently to become a brilliant, reliable screenwriter who is sought after, regularly produced, highly paid, and awarded. Artistic fulfillment and financial freedom will result from the achievement of this goal!
What I learned doing this assignment is: Unlike erecting a building – – structure can be created out of order – – puzzle pieces being shifted around to create the tightest structure for the screenplay.
Darin August / Protagonist
Beginning: Darin attends the FiFi awards with her sister Livie.
Inciting Incident: Upon their return home – – the two are shot at.
Turning Point 1: Darin learns of Livie’s death in the hospital.
Act 2: Darin decides to investigate the prime suspect (Leff-T) herself.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Leff-T is cleared as a suspect.
Act 3: Darin gets back on the wagon. Enlists Dharma’s help to make sense of what Pookie has been trying to communicate.
Turning Point 3: Dharma is overdosed.
Act 4 Climax: Having put the pieces together – – Darin has a showdown with Hank. Hank is shot.
Resolution: Darin accepting FiFi award for “Dog Perfume” she made for Livie. Her husband, Leff-T, their daughter and Pookie watch the ceremony.
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Hank Sandford / Antagonist
Beginning: K9 officer Hank Sandford’s penchant for partying has landed him in trouble with a drug trafficker.
Inciting Incident: He is being blackmailed for having slept with one of the trafficker’s hookers. Said trafficker is requiring Hank to find ways to stump his sniffer dog – – allowing for the undetected transport of drugs.
Turning Point 1: Hank has successfully caused his sniffer dog to fail at one transport using information gleaned from his perfumer sister-in-law, Darin August.
Act 2: Hank fails to be able to repeat his “one-off”, causing the drug trafficker to up the stakes.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Hank’s wife, Livie, is murdered by the traffickers.
Act 3. Hank pulls out the stops to extort more useful information from Darin.
Turning Point 3: Hank has Dharma overdosed.
Act 4 Climax: Having figured out the truth – – Hank and Darin have a showdown.
Resolution: Hank is dead.
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Ian Greenham’s Character Structure
Vision: Completing this program will significantly enhance my screenwriting skills.
Doing this assignment I learned the importance of creating character structures.
Protagonist: Aly Silvers
Beginning: Aly is a successful defense attorney, but having been raised as an only child in a foster home, she is very much alone in the world.
Middle: Aly is struck down with leukemia.
End: After a bone marrow transplant from a newly discovered identical twin sister, Aly recovers and comes to enjoy the fulfilment of having a close sibling.
Beginning:
Aly is a successful defense attorney.
Inciting
incident: Aly is struck down with leukemia, needing a bone marrow
transplant.· Turning Point 1: It is discovered that Aly has an identical twin sister who’d be an ideal donor.
Act
2: When Aly recovers, she sets about proving the innocence of her
identical twin sister, who’s serving a prison sentence for a murder she
claims she did not commit,
Turning
Point 2 / Midpoint: Aly’s initial attempt is unsuccessful.
Act
3: Aly discovers new evidence exculpating her twin sister.
Turning
Point 3: Aly’s second attempt at exonerating her sister succeeds.
4th
Act Climax: Aly’s sister is released from prison.
Resolution:
Aly enjoys the fulfilment of having a close sibling.Antagonist: Nicki Holder
Beginning: Nicki is serving a term in prison for a murder she claims she did not commit, but being a nurse by background, makes regular blood donations to the Blood Bank.
Middle: A nurse from the Blood Bank discovers through tests that Aly and Nicki are identical twin sisters, so Nicki agrees to make a bone marrow transplant to help save Aly’s life.
End: Nicki and Aly are reunited and come to appreciate the fulfilment of having a close sibling.
Beginning:
Nicki is serving a prison sentence for a murder she claims she did not
commit.
Inciting
incident: When it is discovered that Nicki has a twin sister suffering
from leukemia, she agrees to make a bone marrow donation for her.· Turning Point 1: The bone marrow transplant is successful and Nicki’s sister recovers.
Act
2: Nicki’s sister, a successful defense attorney, sets about proving
Nicki’s innocence.
Turning
Point 2 / Midpoint: Nicki’s sister’s first attempt at exonerating her
fails.
Act
3: Nicki’s sister’s second attempt succeeds.
Turning
Point 3: Nicki is exonerated and released.
4th
Act Climax: Nicki begins a return to her previous life as a nurse.
Resolution:
The two sisters enjoy the fulfilment of having a close sibling.[WIM: Module 4, Lesson 1: Character Journey Structure – July 10, 2022]
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Pat Fitzgerald’s Character Structure
Vision: I have the courage, confidence and talent to create contest winning screenplays and will go on to have my scripts optioned and produced.
What I Learned: The puzzle pieces have been reconfigured. My first pass at this assignment taught me that a buddy flick – two aging strippers trying to bilk assisted living geezers out of their money – would be to complicated to put together. I’d have to weave two main character plots, both interacting with an antagonist and also try to fit in a love story between one of the strippers with an assisted living resident. One stripper had to go. The story now makes so much more sense to me, will prove easier to plot out, and producers won’t have to fill two leading character roles. This was a real breakthrough. What I learned in the first pass still stands – DO NOT OVERTHINK.
Protagonist: Jaki Buran
Beginning: Jaki tries to care for her toddler grandson while doing online transcriptions in order to make the monthly mortgage payment.
Inciting Incident: Jaki’s daughter, Rochelle – supervisor of an assisted living home – offers Jaki a job to doing a clown act at the home.
Turning Point 1: Turns out the clown act, transformed into a raunchy dance is such a big hit, that Jaki starts teaching dance to assisted living residents and fakes interest in Ajax Stafford, planning to bilk him out of some money.
Act 2: Just as Jaki realizes she genuinely cares for Ajax, his family asks Rochelle to ban Jaki from seeing him, convinced she’s only interested in his money.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Jaki sneaks Ajax from the home, and witnesses him having a dementia episode. She accepts his mental status, in love for the first time in her live.
Turning Point 3: Intending to support Ajax if necessary, Jaki applies for a caregiving job at the assisted living home, but Ajax’s family see to it that she is turned down.
Act 4: Jaki and Rochelle have a showdown. Jaki loves her daughter, but Rochelle drives her crazy and undermines all of Jaki’s good intentions.
Resolution: Jaki accepts Ajax’s marriage proposal. They have a happy wedding.
Antagonist: Rochelle Buran
Beginning: Rochelle is OCD over online buying and is heaving in debt, despite her job as supervisor of an assisted living home.
Inciting Incident: Rochelle’s ex-husband is woefully behind in child support payments. She can no longer afford daycare and must grudgingly rely on her mother.
Turning Point 1: With Jaki spending more time at the assisted living home, Rochelle must keep her daughter at work, which angers the home’s owners.
Act 2: Rochelle sides with Ajax’s family and forbids Jaki from coming to the assisted living home, which she hopes will free Jaki up to do fulltime babysitting.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Rochelle loses her home due to making a bad investment and must move in with Jaki. She discovers Ajax living there and informs Ajax’s family.
Act 3: Rochelle supports Ajax’s family instead of standing up for Jaki.
Act 4: Rochelle finally accepts Jaki for who she is and all her faults, realizes Ajax still has lucid years left in him.
Resolution: Rochelle is Jaki’s matron of honor at Jaki’s wedding.
Triangle Character: Ajax Coleman.
Beginning: Ajax learns he is in the early stages of dementia.
Inciting Incident: Ajax’s family talk him into moving to an assisted living facility.
Turning Point 1: Ajax watches Jaki’s half-assed clown act, switches her music to something sexy, and, much to her daughter’s horror, transforms to a raunchy, seductive clown.
Act 2: Ajax contacts a lawyer to get his family off his back when he learns that they are making plans to ban Jaki from seeing him.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Snuck out of assisted living by Jaki, Ajax has a dementia episode. He doesn’t know where he is. His family plans to have him declared incompetent and Jaki arrested for kidnapping.
Act 3: Ajax family arrives at Jaki’s house, intending to take him back to assisted living. He calls the police, saying they are trespassers and contacts his lawyer.
Act 4: Ajax interrupts Jaki and Rochelle’s argument, hands Rochelle written plans to get her out of her financial woes.
Resolution: Ajax proposes to Jaki. They have a happy wedding, despite his family’s absence.
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Lori’s Character Structure
Vision: I want to be a professional screenwriter recognized by the industry as the go-to for family-friendly scripts and have multiple successful movies produced.
What I learned: A multi-layered outline and screenplay start by developing the characters’ journeys, not filling in scenes. During the Mastery Session, I learned that the triangle character must have equal parts to the protagonist and antagonist, so I developed Claire’s journey further.
Protagonists (family):
• Beginning: It’s a hectic family morning with news that Claire is returning to work after years of being a stay-at-home mom. The husband and kids aren’t thrilled with the idea.
• Inciting Incident: The family agrees to hire an AI to fill Mom’s shoes temporarily.
• Turning Point 1: The family loves the excitement the AI adds to their lives, but unbeknownst to them, the AI wants to take the mom’s place permanently.
• Act 2:
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: The family discovers the AI’s evil plan.
• Act 3:
• Turning Point 3: The family tries to get rid of the AI, which proves hard to do.
• Act 4 Climax: The family pulls together, and it’s one last fight to the “death” to get rid of the AI.
• Resolution: The family finds a new normal where they work together for everyone’s good.
Protagonist (Brad, dad):
• Beginning: Brad stresses about his wife returning to work.
• Inciting Incident: The kids beg Brad to hire an AI, and as “luck” would have it, they are approved for a free trial.
• Turning Point 1: Brad is happy to see his kids getting along well with the AI. He loves the excitement the AI adds to their lives and feels guilty for being attracted to the AI.
• Act 2:
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: The family discovers the AI’s evil plan.
• Act 3:
• Turning Point 3: Brad is mad that he was fooled by the AI and wants to protect his family.
• Act 4 Climax: Brad leads his kids, and it’s one last fight to the “death” to get rid of the AI.
• Resolution: The family finds a new normal where they work together for everyone’s good.
Triangle Character (Claire, mom):
• Beginning: Mom announces that she’s returning to work.
• Inciting Incident: Mom must leave for training for a couple of weeks.
• Turning Point 1: Claire gets the news that the family has hired an AI. She gives her blessing and hopes the AI will get the house and family in order.
• Act 2: Claire is worried when she can’t get ahold of any of the family.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Claire is set on a wild goose chase thanks to the AI.
• Act 3:
• Turning Point 3: Claire desperately tries to get back home as she fears something awful has happened.
• Act 4 Climax: Claire returns home to fight alongside her family against the AI.
• Resolution: The family finds a new normal where they work together for everyone’s good. Claire decides she wants to work from home.
Antagonist (Alex):
• Beginning: Alex causes trouble at the lab where she was created.
• Inciting Incident: After her engineer is fired, Alex decides she will take her life into her own hands and places herself in a category of AI housemaids, and she assigns herself a family.
• Turning Point 1: Alex shows up at the Logan home and charms the family. She’s a fish out of water.
• Act 2:
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: The AI wants to permanently take Claire’s place as mom/wife, so she plans to get rid of her.
• Act 3:
• Turning Point 3: The AI is mad at the family and is now out for revenge.
• Act 4 Climax: It’s a fight to the “death.”
• Resolution: Alex leaves the Logan family and finds the engineer that created her hoping to start a family with him
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Jeffrey Alan Chase’s Character Structure
My vision: I am the best screenwriter I can be – an “A” list writer who receives praise for high concept ideas, great execution, a string of successful movies and is always ready to share his knowledge and do what he can to help another writer on the way up.
What I learned from doing this assignment is: working quickly and filling in the blanks causes new ideas to pop up and is a good acid test for existing ideas.
Title: Shards
High Concept Logline: A woman with no childhood memory is involved in a cat and mouse game with a cunning hypnotist not knowing the man is responsible for both her amnesia and the death of her treasure hunter father.SARAH COLE CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE – PROTAGONIST
Beginning: Sarah is a lonely, young woman with childhood amnesia who was attracted to become an expert in repairing broken ancient pottery. She is haunted by recurring vague memories that she was somehow responsible for the death of her father twenty years ago.Inciting Incident: Powerful emotions are triggered when Sarah receives an ancient Anasazi Indian pot to repair. The zig zag pattern on the pot is the same zig zag as on the small shard on her necklace. She is driven to meet James March, the pot’s owner, a hypnotist and author of self-help books.
Turning Point 1: March reluctantly takes Sarah on as a client and hopes her story becomes his next book.
Act 2: Sarah meets her six-year-old self under hypnosis and with March’s help reconstructs her past.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: With March’s help, Sarah wins the battle of wills with her younger self only to learn that she was indeed responsible for her father’s death.
Act 3: Sarah quits therapy and swears she’d rather die than learn the truth. She ignores March’s pleas to let him help her. She uses alcohol and drugs to cope and tries to kill herself.
Turning Point 3: March helps Sarah realize the only way to find peace and answers she needs is for them both to revisit “the scene of the crime”, a remote, desolate area on the Navajo reservation.
Act 4 Climax: Sarah and March rediscover the desert cave where her father died. Sarah realizes March has been using her all along – and that he murdered her father.
Resolution: Sarah and March fight. Sarah wins. Sarah has put the pieces of herself back together and can allow herself to be loved and enjoy life as a complete person.
JAMES MARCH CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE – ANTAGONIST
Beginning: March was the hired hand of Sarah’s father, Ben, who dug up Indian graves for collectibles.Inciting Incident: March reads about Sarah in a pottery magazine. He realizes this is the same person he tried to kill twenty years ago after he murdered Sarah’s father.
Turning Point 1: March “saves” Sarah from a masked mugger, beats the man mercilessly, and then manipulates Sarah’s feelings of gratitude and indebtedness to lock her into perceiving him as her personal savior.
Act 2: March discovers that young Sarah who appears in hypnosis is a handful as he tries to manipulate Sarah’s memories of past events and at the same time, prevent her from recalling anything about him.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: March’s psychopathy and greed causes him to be careless and move too fast. He inadvertently mixes his memories in with Sarah’s memories during a hypnosis session. He covers his mistakes well.
Act 3: March deals with Sarah’s “mugger” who appears and wants more money to keep quiet about March “using” Sarah for his next book. March gives him $1,000 in cash. March is upset but we don’t know why.
Turning Point 3: March contacts the stable to learn that the “mugger” got drunk and rolled his pickup in the desert. March will have to take a different guide with him into the desert with Sarah. It’s Johnny.
Act 4 Climax: March succeeds in re-discovering the cave. He confesses everything, shoots Johnny and attempts to kill Sarah.
Resolution: March fights with Sarah, eventually falling to his death from the same cliff he threw her off twenty years before.
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Renee Brown’s Character structures
“My scripts are the cream that rise to the top: I am an A-list screenwriter.”
What I learned: This story weaves the past and present of 3 characters together. I was unsure how and when I would leap from past to present, but I think by mapping the individual arcs of the characters from young to old, that piece of the puzzle will fall into place. It is interesting how this structure is not necessarily the script’s structure yet, but the character’s structure that will collide to form the script structure. I’m excited to experience the result. Gratitude to the inspirations of Creativity.
GLOW AGAIN
When a magical stone reunites two star-crossed lovers decades later in a small Montana town, they must abandon wounds of the past and confront buried secrets if they are to reignite true love and glow again.
Structure to the characters’ lives:
Alley Winder
Beginning: Hopeful, talented young singer songwriter
Inciting Incident: Falls in love with CJ
Turning Point 1: Overhears CJ and Charlie slamming one of the singers at open mic. Alley thinks they are talking about HER. Hurt, and betrayed, she leaves CJ on first sight.
Act 2; Alley abandons her dream and passion, throws the necklace CJ made for her into the river retreating into a life of safe apathy.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: (10 plus years later) Alley buys the Starcross Stone in a Missoula antique shop.
Act 3: Alley’s apathy driven life falls apart. She loses her job and goes to Soaking Springs MT to regroup.
Turning Point 3: Alley is reunited with CJ and finds out her long-lost Grandma (Lillian) has been in Soaking Springs the whole time.
Act 4 Climax: Alley finds Lillian and learns the hyper-romantic stories Lillian told her years ago were mostly made up. Disillusioned, Alley leaves the Starcross stone on Lillian’s dresser as she goes.
Resolution: Alley abandon’s her expectations of perfect love and goes to CJ with earnest clarity.
CJ Claim
Beginning: Wandering Street jeweler
Inciting Incident: Falls for Alley on first touch.
Turning Point 1: Is dumped by Alley. CJ has no idea why. Accuses Alley of having another lover. Alley is so hurt; she lets him think he is right.
Act 2; CJ nurses his broken heart in reckless decisions. He gets drunk with Charlie, his dog gets hit by a truck, and CJ gets into a near fatal drunken accident taking Sam (dog) up the mountain to die at home.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: (10 plus years later) Now the groundskeeper at Lillian’s Resort Motel, CJ spots Alley, but does not yet reveal himself.
Act 3: CJ relives the painful memories of Alley, the breakup and his accident. In this way we see the other side of the breakup and realize Alley’s recollection is woefully inaccurate.
Turning Point 3: CJ reveals himself to Alley, but they get in a fight about the past. Alley tells him she threw the necklace in the river at “their spot”
Act 4 Climax: CJ dives into the river to retrieve the necklace that has been waiting, caught on river wash tree trunk for all these years.
Resolution: CJ takes the necklace to Alley and lays his heart out on the line but is rebuffed by a confused Alley. He retreats into his re-broken heart until Alley comes to him. He finally kisses her with epic abandon.
Lillian Lamont
Beginning: War torn Normandy. Adventurous Lillian longs for escape. The war is over and a parade for the American allies marches through the streets.
Inciting Incident: Lillian catches the American penny that Joe (soldier) tosses from a tank in the parade. They fall in love and marry quickly.
Turning Point 1: Lillian’s sister gives Lillian the Starcross Stone to take to America.
Act 2; Lillian arrives in America only to realize her fantasy adventure lands her in deep woods Mississippi.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: (30 years later) Joe dies from a heart attack. Lillian holds her postcards from Montana in her hand. The stone glows for the first time since she left France. She packs her bags and bolts.
Act 3: Lillian lands in Soaking Springs MT and uses the money from the life insurance to start Lillian’s Resort Motel. She runs it for decades then (having abandoned her family) checks herself into a rest home when she starts forgetting things.
Turning Point 3: Alley finds Lillian in the rest home in Missoula (only miles from Alley all these years)
Act 4 Climax: Alley asks Lillian if the stories she told of her love with Joe were true. Having made up a faux history for herself in Montana, Lillian now hardy knows what was real and what wasn’t.
Resolution: Lillian finds the Starcrossed Stone that Alley left on her dresser. She holds it close to her heart as she lays down for a nap. The Stone glows again, and Lillian drifts off into sleep then into death and is reunited with her soldier love, Joe.
Starcross Stone
Beginning: The Starcross stone has been handed down by the Lamont’s, mother to daughter for generations. Mother Lamont dies in the bombing.
Inciting Incident: Before Lillian leaves for America with Joe, Lillian’s older sister gives her the Starcross Stone. The Stone glows in anticipation of the voyage.
Turning Point 1: Sitting on the dock in America, Joe is not there to retrieve Lillian. They want to put her back on the boat to return to France. The Stone glows. But Joe arrives at the last moment and Lillian reunites with her soldier.
Act 2; Lillian and the Stone land in Mississippi. Lillian packs her bags to bolt, the stone glows. She then finds out she is pregnant. She stays. The stone does not glow for decades.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: (30 years later) Joe dies. Lillian holds her postcards from Montana in her hand. The stone glows for the first time since she left France. She packs her bags and bolts.
Act 3: Lillian starts her Motel in Soaking Springs. The Stone glows.
Turning Point 3: Lillian takes the Stone to Missoula to help pick out a thing, It falls out of her bag and is lost to Lillian. A homeless woman finds it, sells it to the antique owner for the price of her deepest desire: Another drink. It waits there for years until…
Act 4 Climax: Alley buys the stone and allows it to glow again when she follows her heart.
Resolution: The Starcross Stone is reunited with Lillian. The Stone glows again, and Lillian drifts off to sleep then death and is reunited with her love, Joe. One of the rest home nurses sells the Stone to the same antique dealer who places it back in its case, where it sits until this day, waiting to glow again.
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Kevin Cunningham’s Character Structure
My Vision: By making my high-quality writing and speaking known in many venues (the Industry, Youtube, podcasts, books), I will create a reputation as a profoundly powerful, thoughtful, and skilled writer, and be sought after for new and rewrite activities at the highest levels.
What I learned from doing this assignment: This helped clarify the antagonist’s throughline. More and more, Mr. Fox is becoming a structural antagonist. Yet he’s not really the villain in the piece – it’s all the venal or self-important townsfolk who are really the fools in this story. Mr. Fox is just a clever scamp. Perhaps I need another clear villain behind everything? For example, a cartel of rich white guys that Mr. Fox is himself serving, until, for example, he has a change of heart? Worth considering…
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Concept: A woke New England town votes to give their land back to the Native American tribe they stole it from centuries before – putting leadership of the town in the hands of a clueless slacker Native teen
Implicit Concept: Even when they try to help the Natives, the whites can’t help but try to screw them over.
Main Conflict: A slacker Native teen, appointed leader of a town, must overcome his own immaturity and many competing partisan forces to successfully keep the town out of breakdown and bankruptcy, and protect his tribe’s future.
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Protagonist: Mukki (Native American Teenager)
– Beginning: Mukki lazily supports his marginal tribe’s trivial efforts to make money at the Powwow.
– Inciting Incident: In school, Mukki’s peers decide to push for Native land recognition
– Turning Point 1: The Town votes to not only recognize the tribe, but to hand over the land to them!
– Act 2: Mukki is assigned to run the town by his grandfather, who is busy dealing with opioid issues in the tribe.
– Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mukki fails colossally to bring the town together
– Act 3: Mukki tries “Native ways” to get the town in order
– Turning Point 3: Native ways too fail, but Mukki has to make it work or his tribe loses everything!
– Act 4 Climax: Mukki uses video game skills and his sleuthing friends to discover that Mr. Fox was behind it all.
– Resolution: The Historian reveals that the town should really go to a different tribe. Mukki can retire.
Antagonist: Drew Fox (Mormon Real Estate Entrepreneur)
– Beginning: Mr. Fox is at the top of his game, but his wife lays it down: time to retire and be with family!
– Inciting Incident: As a final triumph, Mr. Fox decides to develop town lands into retirement havens.
– Turning Point 1: Mr. Fox’s efforts at Town Hall are rebuffed in no uncertain terms by the woke tree-huggers there.
– Act 2: Mr. Fox schemes to get his development – meets with Native builder, undermines town development officer
– Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Mr. Fox casts the deciding vote in Town Meeting to give the land to the Natives.
– Act 3: Mr. Fox works with Mukki and others to transition the land successfully, while undermining it behind the scenes.
– Turning Point 3: The Town is desperately broke and the Natives will lose everything: Mr. Fox proposes a casino.
– Act 4 Climax: Mr. Fox is revealed by his own daughter to be the schemer, and Mukki defeats him.
– Resolution: Mr. Fox lands on his feet anyway – he was rich to begin with!
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Leona Heraty’s Character Structure
My Vision: To be the best family comedy screenwriter in the industry and have my screenplays produced into fabulous movies, making audiences laugh a lot and making me independently wealthy!
What I learned from doing this assignment is… working out the protagonist’s and the antagonist’s character structure now will help me a lot later on, when I get into the details of the beats of the story.
Title: Termo-Lytes Attack!
Genre: Comedy (Sci-fi)
Concept: A teenage tour guide with an extreme fear of bugs takes a wrong turn and leads her group to an abandoned country club overrun by giant mutant termites.Character Structure
Tara: Protagonist
ACT 1
Beginning: Tara is driving and a bug flies into the car, and she freaks out, loses control, runs her car up on a curb, jumps out and climbs a tree to get away from it.
Inciting Incident: Tara’s Mom and Dad ask her to drive the last tour group for the house garden tour and she reluctantly agrees to do it.
Turning Point 1: It starts to storm, Tara’s cell phone runs out of battery, they lose the GPS directions and run out of gas. They seek shelter at an abandoned country club.
ACT 2
Act 2: Tara, Meg and Davy try to call for help but their cell phones are dead, and the storm gets worse. They hear scary animal noises and Tara finds a place where they can hide until they can figure out their next plan.Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: The group’s hiding place is a tunnel under a nest of giant Termo-Lytes, who spotted them! Big Betty says they just want to be friends, but some of the Termo-Lytes look really scary and hungry!
ACT 3
Act 3: Tara finds a new hiding place: an old industrial kitchen that looks like an abandoned lab. Green goo is oozing on a plant in the corner that has the good and is starting to grow fast. The Termo-Lytes are trying to break inside! Big Betty charms Tara into coming out to talk
Turning Point 3: Tara is talking to charming Big Betty, who suddenly turns on the group, snatches Davy, and takes him to an empty pool. Big Betty drops and forces him to climb into the pool as the Termo-Lytes prepare for their summer solstice feast in a dining room and their return to the living!
ACT 4
Climax: Tara and Meg retreat to the kitchen lab, and Meg reveals she owns the abandoned country club. She was making a green substance to create an eco-friendly way to kills termites, but she added too much Turmeric!Tara sneaks out and stumbles across some croquet balls. She hurls them at Big Betty and the Termo-Lytes to get their attention and get Davy out of the pool. Tara and Davy make it back to the kitchen lab.
Tara notices that turned over bottle of Turmeric fell on the plant and it’s dying fast. Meg says they can dip the croquet balls in olive oil and sprinkle them with Turmeric.
They fight the Termo-Lytes in hand-to-hand combat as they die one-by-one from the Turmeric balls. Big Betty fakes like she’s dying to get their sympathy, and Tara falls for it…until Big Betty grabs Meg and is about to eat her!
Tara grabs the last of the Turmeric balls and hurls it into Big Betty’s nostril. She breaths it in and dies instantly!
Resolution: The group has survived the attack of the Termo-Lytes! They leave the abandoned country club and start walking down the road, away from the Termo-Lytes. Tara is no longer afraid of bugs!
Inside the kitchen lab, a rat knocks another jar of green goo on the floor. The jar breaks and the green goo seeps toward a hole in a baseboard, where termites eating away on the wood…the goo starts to cover them.
Character Structure
Big Betty/Termo-Lytes: Antagonist
ACT 1
Beginning: One month ago: In an industrial kitchen/homemade lab, a figure leaving the room brushes up against a jar of green goo on the counter.
Inciting Incident: The jar falls on the floor, shatters and oozes towards termites who are eating a hole at the base of a nearby wooden cabinet.
Turning Point 1: Big Betty and the Termo-Lytes are feasting on Palm fronds and getting bigger and bigger!
ACT 2
Act 2: Big Betty and the Termo-Lytes are planning their “come back” dinner for the Summer Solstice and in a few hours and they plan to take over the world!Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Big Betty finds Tara and the group’s hiding place and says she’s a friend and they can trust her and to come on out for the Summer Solstice feast!
ACT 3
Act 3: Big Betty charms Tara and the group into trusting them and helping them with the Summer Solstice feast, which is “totally vegetarian,” and the Termo-Lytes don’t eat meat, AKA people.The Termo-Lytes turn on them and advance on them, saying they’ll make a tasty treat. Tara and the group escape to an industrial kitchen that has a makeshift lab, where they notice the green goo and the plant.
Turning Point 3: Davy runs outside the lab to grab his candy bar that fell out of his pocket and he’s snatched by Big Betty. She forces him to climb into the empty pool as the Termo-Lytes prepare for their summer solstice feast in a dining room and their return to the living!
ACT 4
Climax: Big Betty and the Termo-Lytes lure Meg and Tara out of the lab, but the bugs don’t know that Meg and Tara have created Turmeric croquet balls that are poisonous to the Termo-Lytes.Big Betty makes her big speech about their come-back and her plans to start with eating Tara, Meg and Davy first, as an appetizer. The Summer Solstice Feast will be spent invading San Diego and eating as many people as possible.
As Meg, Tara and Davy hurl the Turmeric balls at the Termo-Lytes, one-by one they eat them and die. Then Big Betty is left and has a broken leg. She begs for sympathy and they fall for it, until she grabs Meg and is about to eat her!
Tara grabs a croquet ball and jumps on Big Betty’s yucky, stinky, sticky body. She hits the croquet ball with a croquet stick and it zooms into Big Betty’s nostril. Big Betty breaths deep and it goes deeper into her nostril and before she dies, she says “I’ll be back!” then she drops dead!
Resolution: Inside the kitchen lab, a rat knocks another jar of green goo on the floor. The jar breaks and the green goo seeps toward a hole in a baseboard, where termites eating away on the wood…the goo starts to cover them.
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Rebecca’s Character Structure
Vision: My success in this program will lead me to be the go-to writer for producers looking for incredible scripts for successful movies enjoyed by a vast viewing audience.
I learned from this assignment that it takes a bit of thought to see the story from each point of view, meshing the characters together like working on a crossword puzzle.
Protagonist: Ragman
Opening:
1917, Battlefield in France.
A sharpshooter (sniper), Ragman sees his brother hit by mortar fire. He comforts his brother, leaves him a canteen, and promises his brother the kill a few of the bastards. Separated from his unit, Ragman sniper kills 16 German soldiers but leaves the 17th man, the officer, remain alive.
Beginning:
Reluctant to walk out with the other men at his captive mine in solidarity with the United Mine Workers called strike, Ragman joins the others, moves out of the company house, purchases a pickup truck, and starts a junk recycling business.
Inciting incident:
Coal and Iron Police, led by Herr Bucholtz, invade the mining town. After Ragman’s brother Ervin, a carpenter, is whipped by Bucholtz to stop progress on the building of union barracks and promises to finish the project before the evictions. Incensed, Ragman throws rocks at a line of cans and yells profanities.
Turning Point 1:
Ragman enlists his baby brother Albert to aid him with the barracks project. Bucholtz views the progress from afar and desires Ragman’s wife. Near eviction day, Ragman helps his father-in-law Stan move to a house on a nearby farm while Ludie and her sister and brother pack. Upon his return, Ragman finds a hysterical Ludie and Reise (sister-in-law). They cry about the police leading their brother from the house with a noose around his neck. Ragman finds a catatonic Ben, vilified by the police.
Act 2:
Ervin recovers and leads the barracks building in a nearby town. Bucholtz conspires to lure him onto company property, arrests him, and take him to the lockup. Ragman and Albert find the injured Ervin sharing a cell with a deathly ill man and break them out of jail.
Turning Point/ Midpoint:
Tensions build between Ragman and Ludie as she sinks ever deeper into depression. Things get worse after she returns from a two-week stay with her friend Dora in the city with her long hair whacked off. He feels helpless to help her.
Ragman and Albert rescue Ervin from jail, take him to the hospital, and he dies. Ragman throws more rocks and struggles to avoid encounters with Bucholtz.
Act 3:
Ragman visits Stan and encounters a young man, Bernard, looking for the pregnant Reise, who her father sent to Detroit. Ragman loses his temper and accuses him of knocking up the girl. He learns it was Bucholtz who also raped Ludie. Ragman loses all control. Once calm, he asks Bernard to spy on Bucholtz.
Turning Point 3:
Albert recovers and organizes the miners for a mass protest and teaches passive resistance methods to keep them safe. Ragman tells him to stop to give time for his heart to recover. Ragman confronts Bucholtz, who confesses to Ludie’s rape and claims to be the 17th man, the one left alive. Bucholtz bites off Ragman’s ear and attempts to choke him. Rube Dembaugh, the township constable, shows up and arrests Ragman.
Act 4 Climax:
Two weeks before the protest, Bernard shows up at Ragman’s door with evidence that Bucholtz is insane. He gives Ragman a journal written by Bucholtz with a plan to use a Gatling gun to mow down the picket line. Ragman calls union headquarters to ask for help. Anthony arrives, and the two devise a plan to kill Bucholtz and not get caught.
Resolution:
Ragman goads Albert into a fight, causing him to relapse, and replaces him with Anthony. The protest remains peaceful until Bucholtz arrives. Ragman moves in for the kill, but the crowd pushes him far away. He picks up a stone and hammers it towards Bucholtz but hits the horse, who rears up, dumps his rider, and flails hooves at his rider’s head. Ragman slips out of his outer clothes and the crowd. Shocked, everyone remains silent. Ragman appears later to ask what happened.
Antagonist: Bucholtz
Opening:
1917, Battlefield in France.
A German officer leads his command through the woods during the height of battle. He turns around and sees his troops dead on the ground. The officer begs for death, to die with honor. Instead, he must live with his disgrace, and his life goes downhill.
Beginning:
The shell-shocked officer ends up in a psychiatric hospital. When his father visits, he claims the man is not his son. His father orders him to stay away from the estate, not to contact his mother, and change his name. Months later, after discharge, he travels to the town where his fiancé and love child live. He learns that they died in a house explosion, gets into a drunken brawl, and the police arrest him for murder.
Inciting incident:
The prisoner’s father pulls strings, and Baldwin-Felts Agency offers him a job in America and freedom if he accepts the offer. He is trained and commissioned as a strike breaker in West Virginia.
Turning Point 1:
Bucholtz uses the detective agency to locate the American soldier who let him live and learns his location. He then maneuvers the agency to send him to the Russellton coalfields.
Act 2:
Bucholtz arrives in town to break the strike and find his adversary. Bent on bringing the strike to a quick end, Bucholtz violently dominates the community, especially Ragman’s family involved with the union. Bucholtz ogles Ragman’s wife as she reminds him of his beloved Mina. He receives a letter from his half-brother Hans that their father killed Bucholtz’s mother before committing suicide. Understanding that he lost everything that mattered to him, he gets drunk.
Turning Point/ Midpoint:
Bucholtz orders his mole to lure Ervin, the carpenter, to company property. Once captured and he refuses to fight back, Bucholtz orders the prisoner tied to a car. Bucholtz removes a whip from his belt and threatens what he will do. When Ervin still refuses to fight, Bucholtz cracks it across his back. After several more bloody lashes when the man continues to absorb the pain and humiliation. Bucholtz goes berserk with repeated lashes until Ervin falls unconscious. Haunted by his brutality (like his father), Bucholtz becomes ever more erratic.
Act 3:
Bucholtz waits until Ludie, her younger sister, and her girly brother are alone in the company house. He orders his men to take the boy up the road to brutalize him and the remaining trooper to take the sister upstairs and enjoy her. He pleads for Ludie to love him and, when she resists, knocks her unconscious. He tenderly removes her clothing, kissing each part before he rapes her. Afterward, he redresses her and leaves, hopeful that she will bear his child. Months later, he encounters a hag at the bus stop and recognizes her as Ludie, no longer beautiful.
Turning Point 3:
Bucholtz learns that she killed his child, his last hope. He lures the recovered Ervin back onto company property, arrests him, and takes him to the lockup. When the man still does not resist his whipping, Bucholtz sees the devil, throws down his weapon, and exits the jail. In his quarters, he drinks a bottle of scotch and suffers hallucinations before he passes out.
Act 4 Climax:
Ragman confronts him at the barracks. He tortures him by confessing to being the 17th man, giving details of possessing Ludie and impregnating her. When Ragman grabs him, Bucholtz bites off his ear and puts him into a choke hold. The township constable intervenes and robs him of his kill.
Resolution:
The company executives at Republic Steel call him on the carpet for his failure and issue a deadline. Pressured, Bucholtz comes up with a brilliant plan of revenge and victory. When Ragman’s brother leads the picket line of men, women, and children, he will shoot the brother first to signal the hidden Gatling gun to open fire on the crowd. Problem solved. He storms into the protest and notices a new leader, the controlled crowd singing union songs, and yells at the thugs infiltrated into the protesters to attack. He aims his gun at the leader, a thump on his back unsteadiness his shot, the horse dumps him, bashes his head with his hooves. Bucholtz dies.
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BOB SMITH’s CHARACTER STRUCTURE
<ins cite=”mailto:Robert%20Smith” datetime=”2022-06-25T15:53″>My vision for success after this program: </ins>
<ins cite=”mailto:Robert%20Smith” datetime=”2022-06-25T15:53″>I want to become a great writer who delivers entertaining, informative, and uplifting movie scripts that sell and get produced. </ins>
<ins cite=”mailto:Robert%20Smith” datetime=”2022-06-25T15:53″>What I learned from doing this assignment is…?</ins>
The creation of character structure also is revealing and sparks even more creative development of characters.
CHARACTER STRUCTURE JOURNEY – PROTAGONIST.
L O U T A S C A
BEGINNING: Lou is ‘whacked’ by Carlo Vizzini on the order of their boss, Crazy Tony Rizzo, Caporegime in the Giordano crime family, ostensibly because Lou was spilling Giordano family secrets to other families. Real reason: Tony didn’t want to pay Lou the $200,000 in gambling debts that he owed him.
INCITING INCIDENT: Lou finds himself between 2 worlds and can’t get into the World to Come because of a lifetime of crime UNLESS he goes back and does an act of supreme good: Persuade his killer (Carlo) to quit the mob, flip, and enter Witness Protection – something Lou should have done. He also finds out the real reason Tony ordered his execution and is eager to get it done and get to the World to Come. Rabbi Solomon discloses that he wants a collateral good, namely, if Lou could persuade Carlo to leave the mob, his friend, Solomon’s son, Sam will join him.
TURNING POINGT 1: Against his spirit guide’s (Rabbi Solomon Levinsky) advice, Lou appears to Carlo (visible only to Carlo) at his 30<sup>th</sup> Birthday Party and startles him. When Crazy Tony sees Carlo go hysterical, claiming that he sees Lou, he believes Carlo is insane and a liability to the crime family – he already (rightly) suspects Tony and his mob friend Sam (Rabbi Solomon’s son) to be dealing drugs which automatically means they must be executed. Lou is sorry for his rash action which could result in Carlo and Sam’s execution by Tony Rizzo. Plus, Tony has another anxiety, Carlo was told by Lou to mention $200,000 to Tony. When he does, Tony is visibly upset and fears his secret about the real reason for ordering Lou’s execution is now exposed.
ACT 2: Carlo’s fiancé – -Sherrie, a stripper at Tony’s strip join, believes he has seen the spirit of Lou Tasca and wants to have a séance with her pole dance partner Zoey the Psychic Stripper who is also Tony’s mistress, in order to send Lou away. The stripper-medium believes Lou is trying to tell Carlo where $200,000 can be found. She tells Tony and he fears his murderous plan against Lou will be discovered. This only cues Rabbi Solomon and Lou to use the Séance as an opportunity to get Zoey the Spirit Medium to bud out of their mission to get Carlo (and Sam) to quit the mob. Through a clever plan of spirit-possession, Lou tells Zoey exactly that and scares her off. But it leaves Carlo and Sam still exposed to being whacked by Tony Rizzo.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint. The Seanc goes exactly as planned. Zoey is scared away from Lou and Solomon’s mission to save Carlo. But Carlo although he gets the message to quit the mob, still won’t budge. Sherrie, who wanted all along for Carlo to quit the mob, walks out on Carlo, leaving him alone and still exposed to Tony Rizzo’s plan to assassinate him and Sam. Tony leaves a voicemail message with Sam to get him to come to his apartment. But the danger they are in from Tony is clear.
ACT 3: At Carlo’s apartment. Lou still urges Carlo to quit the mob. Carlo still resists. Sam arrives and tells Carlo to ‘get his head screwed on again.’ With Lou and Solomon listening in, Carlo tells Sam of his experience of being spiritually possessed by Lou Tasca. Sam identifies it as being possessed by a Dybbuk – an evil spirit of a dead person. However, Sam does not believe in these tales of his people from Russia. Lou protests that he is not a Dybbuk but an Ibbur, a friendly possessing spirit who enters a person for doing good. Rabbi Solomon supports Lou by spirit-possessing Carlo and speaking through him to warn that Tony Rizzo is on the way to kill him and Carlo and they have to turn themselves in the feds. Sam freaks out and confesses that he is the hitman that Tony sent to kill Carlo, if he doesn’t get his head screwed back on. He threatens to kill Carlo. Carlo say, Right, you kill me the way I killed Lou and Tony will kill you.
Carlo says he will go to Witness Protection, Sam comes to his senses and says he’ll join them.
TURNING POINT 3: At that point, for Lou and Solomon, it is ‘mission’ accomplished, as Carlo and Sam have quit the mob and are headed into Witness Protection. Lou proceeds to the World to come.
ACT 4: As Lou proceeds to the World to Come, he confesses that he’d love have another mission like this with Solomon.
Climax: Lou tells the audience to do good and rectify what’s wrong.
RESOLUTION: Lou has accomplished his mission and heads off to the World to Come.
CHARACTER STRUCTURE JOURNEY – ANTAGONIS.
“CRAZY TONY” RIZZO
BEGINNING: Tony is called crazy because he idolized mob rebel, “Crazy Joe” Gallo and dresses like him. As a Capo of a crew that includes Lou Tasca, Carlo Vizzini, and Sam Levinsky, he orders Carlo to ‘whack’ Lou on the grounds that Lou has spilled family secrets to other families. His real reason is that Tony owes Lou $200,000 in gambling debts and doesn’t want to pay him.
INCITING INCIDENT: At Carlo’s Birthday party, Carlo claims that he sees the ghost of Lou Tasca (he does), Tony sees Carlo as insane and therefore a mob liability who must be eliminated,
He already (rightly) suspects Carlo and Sam of dealing drugs, which is serious grounds for eliminating them both. But he is especially anxious when Carlo, apparently prompted by Lou, mentions $200,000.
TURNING POINT 1: Tony fears his real reason for eliminating Lou will be exposed. Tony calls his riend, Russian Mob Boss Oleg Oransky to get is ex-KGB henchman to check out if Carlo and
Sam are dealing drugs. Oleg says he will and he and Tony will have a ‘sit-down’ to discuss the results of their investigation.
ACT 2: Tony speaks on the phonoe to his Mistress, Zoey the Psychic Stripper, who tells him she will do a séance to expel Lou’s ghost from Carlo’s apartment. She also tells him that the $200,000 that he was so upset about will also be discovered. Tony hangs up afraid of exposure of the real reason he had Lou assassinated.
Turning Point 2: Tony’s wife Lisa suspects he had been talking to his mistress. Don’t simply says it’s business and proceeds in his plans to learn what Oleg’s henchmen have discovered.
ACT 3: Tony meets with Oleg who tells him that his former KGB henchmen have found Carlo and Sam free of any involvement with drugs. Tony insists to Oleg that his intuition tells him he is right and they are involved in drugs. Oleg, with whom Tony shares a lucrative racket of Gasoline Bootlegging, confesses his real reason for killing Lou Tasca (the $200,000 gambling debt) and that he needs money because he has a paraplegic child and another child who wants to go to college, Oleg asks if Don Primo Giordano has offered to help. To which Tony replies that he hasn’t. Oleg then plays a recording of Giordano dissing Tony. Tony asks from where and how did he get that tape? Oleg claims from his ex-KGB henchmen. Tony decides to start his own family but that he still has to whack Carlo and Sam, just the same. Oleg says he could bring some Russian mob snipers to do kill them, or poison them, but Tony insists he already has his plan, he just has to put it in motion.
Turning Point 3: Oleg says he could bring some Russian mob snipers to do kill them, or poison them, but Tony insists he already has his plan, he just has to put it in motion.
ACT 4: Tony arrives at Carlo’s apartment to kill Sam and finds Carlo still alive and Oleg is present who is revealed to Tony as an FBI informant who will join Witness Protection along with Carlo and Sam. The FBI officers arrive and arrest Tony, Carlo, Sam, Oleg, and Sherrie who has returned to Carlo because he will quit the mob and go into Witness Protection.
ACT 4 CLIMAX: All present try to persuade Tony to also enter witness protection until Lisa arrives. She admits she too was an FBI informant and encourages him to ‘turn rat’ and enter Witness Protection because it will be for his own good and that of Lisa and their children.
RESOLUTION: Tony joins Oleg, Sam, and Carlo in ‘turning rat’ by surrendering to the FBI and joining the Witness Protection Program.
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Micki’s Character Structure
My vision: Be recognized as a writer that will work with the industry and would do what it takes to be that WRITER.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that outlines can be helpful.
Title: FIREWORKS
PROTAGONIST
DAKOTA TANNER
Beginning:
She picks up a wedding dress.
Inciting Incident:
Goes up to the attic to look for the tablecloth with Blake.
Turning Point 1:
Looks for it and gives up. Heads back down and the door is locked.
Act 2:
Goes through the boxes and notices Blake sitting on the sofa.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint:
Finds her old high school album.
Act 3:
A letter falls out.
Turning Point 3:
Dakota tells Blake she wants to end the feud.
Act 4 Climax:
She reads the letter and now knows why John broke up with her.
Resolution:
She marries John
Antagonist
BLAKE RILEY
Beginning:
She wrote a letter to John in high school.
Inciting Incident:
She goes up to the attic with Dakota.
Turning Point 1:
Sits on the sofa and watches Dakota.
Act 2:
Finds a cd player with CDs and starts dancing.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint:
She grabs the fallen letter.
Act 3:
Sees a motorcycle pulling up in the driveway.
Turning Point 3:
She finds out that Dakota wants to end the feud.
Act 4 Climax:
She and Dakota fight.
Resolution:
She stands next to Dakota at the wedding
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Claudia’s CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE
Vision: To become such an excellent writer that I know every script I write will be well received by the industry, that my scripts will sell and be produced, and I’ll live the life of my dreams. To also become so empowered that fear is to be laughed at, instead I relish and look forward to pitching, meetings and much more.
What I’ve Learned Doing This Assignment: It’s important to map out the individual character’s outline to make sure it matches with the overall high concept
ABBY: PROTAGONIST
Beginning:
Is giving a live lesson on storage; Show Germaphobia while walking dog
Inciting
Incident: She rushes to hospital; her father has a heart attack. Meets Jack
at hospital.
Turning
Point 1: Abby is guilted into taking over the cleaning business. Jack is
an old friend of the family.
Act
2: Abby meets maids; makes changes;
learns the company is in trouble.
Turning
Point 2 / Midpoint: Maids rebel and pretend to be sick, leaving Abby to
try to do all the work herself. Spends time with Jack but he’s hiding
something.
Act
3: Company is in serious trouble. Abby looks for ways to fix things or might
need to sell. Jack tries to help. Brings in Boomer.
Turning
Point 3: Abby finds out Jack is a hoarder. The business is going under.
Act
4 Climax: Abby gets one last shot with a major client. Realizes Boomer is
trying to steal the company.
Resolution:
Abby saves the company and helps it expand. Abby and Jack start a new
venture, both personally and professionally.JACK: PRO/ANTAGONIST/LOVE INTEREST
Beginning: Before movie starts: Jack is working, in
therapy
Inciting
Incident: Abby’s father has a heart attack; he visits him in hospital
Turning
Point 1: Meets Abby at hospital
Act
2: Pursues Abby but is afraid she’ll find out his secret.
Turning
Point 2 / Midpoint: His own business is needing him. Offers to help Abby.
Act
3: Brings in Boomer and gives him financials.
Turning
Point 3: Abby finds out his problem.
Act
4 Climax: Tries to fix his problem so he doesn’t lose her.
Resolution:
In therapy. Cleans his place out. They get together. New business idea.BOOMER: ANTAGONIST / TRIANGLE
Beginning:
Before movie starts. Boomer loses a big deal and his Dad (his boss) is
pissed. He needs to do something to show his father he can handle the
work.
Inciting
Incident: Abby’s father has a heart attack. They realize the company is
ripe for a takeover.
Turning
Point 1: Boomer ingratiates himself with helping with Little League.
Moving.
Act
2: Boomer shows up as much as he can to spy on Abby and the business.
Offers maids money to stay home
Turning
Point 2 / Midpoint: Boomer offers maids money to stay home.
Act
3: Boomer offers to help with the books.
Turning
Point 3: Boomer has his Dad go to close down Abby’s business.
Act
4 Climax: Boomer is found out and tries to say it’s all fair in love and
war.
Resolution:
Boomer gets fired and his Dad is kicked out of company for unethical
business practices. Boomer apologizes. -
Hope McPherson’s character structure
Vision: To be a working, trusted screenwriter who supports herself by writing smart films that are produced and enjoyed, while also working on writing assignments for other industry professionals.
What I learned: Thinking of these characters are people with their own agendas makes a world of difference. Our personal agendas rarely line up with other’s agendas and filling out these plot points really brought that home for these characters. And I don’t think I’ll ever want to skip this step for future screenplays!
Marta Jordan
Beginning: Marta has a bridezilla meltdown over a typo on the menu when she learns the English Department plans to let one of its young faculty members go soon.
Inciting incident: Her manuscript’s fictional antagonist, Cyrus Landrake, shows up in her office.
TP 1: Marta must save her wedding as Cyrus begins editing her life and changing wedding plans.
Act 2: Marta unable to rebook venue and caterer; stuck with subpar options as Cyrus threatens to put David into the book, if she doesn’t cooperate.
TP2/midpoint: Marta can’t find David and she’ finds him “in her manuscript.” Rosie, from the manuscript, appears.
Act 3: Marta’s wedding plans implode and she’s fired.
TP 3: Marta discovers truth about David’s gambling when he’s late for the wedding rehearsal.
Act 4 climax: Marta discovers the connection between Andrew, Cyrus, and Rosie.
Resolution: Marta calls off the wedding to break the cycle; the dean offers to rehire her, but she decides to become a full-time author.
Andrew Vanderburg (antagonist 1)
Beginning: Andrew learns one of the two assistant English professors will be let go.
Inciting incident: He has dinner with old college buddy, a struggling actor, offers him a job, playing the antagonist in Marta’s manuscript.
TP 1: Andrew accesses Marta’s manuscript, updates the character, Cyrus, to make him “disappear from page.
Act 2: Andrew sabotages Marta to their dean, lying about her work and dedication.
TP2/midpoint: Andrew gives David $10K, knowing he’ll disappear and gamble it away, and he “adds” David to the manuscript to make it look like he’s been swept inside of it.
Act 3: Andrew hires another actor to play “Rosie” and wreak more havoc on the wedding plans.
TP 3: Andrew blackmails Cyrus to continue with the deception.
Act 4 climax: Andrew frames Cyrus for the deception of Marta.
Resolution: Andrew discovers he got tenure.
Cyrus Landrake (antagonist 2)
Beginning: Cyrus’ off-, off-Broadway play closes and he returns home to lick his wounds.
Inciting incident: He has dinner with his old college roomie, Andrew, and agrees to play the part of Marta’s antagonist.
TP 1: He demands Marta make him the hero of her manuscript and cancels the wedding venue and caterers.
Act 2: He brings in another actor to play “Rosie,” and continues “editing” Marta’s life and wedding.
TP2/midpoint: He realizes David is addicted to gambling and that’s why he disappeared.
Act 3: He realizes he likes Marta and tries to convince her to break off her wedding.
TP 3: Cyrus wants out of deception, but is blackmailed by Andrew.
Act 4 climax: Cyrus admits to the deception and contacts the dean.
Resolution: He admits that he’s falling for Marta.
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Natalie’s Character Structure
My vision is to create and produce award winning stories that make an unforgettable emotional impact on a worldwide audience.
What I learned from this assignment: Love going through character arch and plot points for each character, but what a mighty mess! LOL. Need to redo the whole thing for each character separately. Hope to close those loopholes as the story develops further.
BLOODHUNTER, mystery thriller
Emily Kingsley, protagonist
Walter Kingsley, antagonist
Hagan Valentine, triangle, love interest
Beginning: Where does the character start?
EMILY: In confinement in her grandmother’s estate (Lady Winslet)
WALTER: working for his distant relative, Lady Winslet, in an old chapel
HAGAN: Coming to his father’s funeral, and is called to see Lady Winslet
Inciting incident: What propels them on their journey?
EMILY: After a hypnotic session sees her drawing of giving birth to a babygirl and becomes obsessed that she is alive
WALTER: After an unexpected appearance of Hagan at is father’s funeral, Walter becomes obsessed that Hagan will become a heir of his father’s estate, especially when Hagan is called to see Lady Winslet
HAGAN: News about his father’s death
Turning Point 1: A major twist that locks them into a conflict.
EMILY: Sees Hagan after a decade of isolation and becomes obsessed with the idea that he may have her child,. She escapes, but misses him by a minute, then follows him in a car and slams into a tree.
WALTER: Sees Emily getting away from the estate to chase Hagan, follows her, and so is detective Mike.
HAGAN: Learns that he is not a heir of his father’s estate because there is no proof that he is, and that the custody of his daughter, Hunter, remains with Lady Winslet, who asks him to leave the town for good. That pisses him off.
Act 2: The character has a “normal response” to this change in their lives.
EMILY: Follows Hagan with Walter to the nightclub, meets Teresa, Hagan’s barista who refers her to Cherimoya, club’s manager.
Sees detective Mike and runs away, but he catches her, then takes Emily to the tunnel.
Gets lost in the tunnel and dances w/ a masked Phantom (Hagan)
Meets Cherimoya (Walter in disguise), who takes her to a secret shamanistic ritual place ostensibly to “meet” Hagan
WALTER: Learns from Teresa, Hagan’s barista, that Emily is looking to find Hagan, but she run away from detective Mike. Walker gets an idea of where to find her.
HAGAN: Gets interrogated by detective Mike, then hires him to locate old family records book
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A twist that causes everything to change but keeps the character on the same journey.
EMILY: While purging Ayahuasca, has a disturbing vision of Hagan conducting sacrificial ritual, passes out.
WALTER: Disguised as Cherimoya, drugs Emily with Ayahuasca, learns that Hunter is alive, takes her back to Lady Winslet’s estate
HAGAN: Dances with Emily as a masked Phantom and learns that she’s still in love with him. He gets a message from detective Mike about where the family book of records is. He asks his employee to keep an eye on Emily and rushes away.
Act 3: The character rethinks their journey and makes a real change to solve things.
EMILY: Wakes up in a strange warehouse and finds Teresa barely alive, she unties her, and then finds Walter holding Cherimoya’s latex mask
WALTER: Convinces Emily that Hagan is the cult’s leader, who uses costumes and disguises to full people, but he, Walter, knows Hagan’s plan and how to stop him from hurting Hunter.
HAGAN: Searches the old chapel for family records book, gets knocked out by someone.
Turning Point 3: Another major twist that takes them to the biggest conflict.
EMILY: Teresa unties Emily
WALTER: Walter ties up Emily to prevent her getting herself in trouble, runs to save Hunter
HAGAN: Is dressed up in a cape, face concealed under a hoodie
4th Act Climax: The ultimate experience/expression of this conflict.
EMILY: Fights the phantoms and tries to save the victim, realizes who Lady Winslet truly is and soots at her. After the floor collapses, finds Hunter and other Walter’s victims beneath the chapel’s floor. Emily takes Lady Winslet’s face mask off, revealing Walter. Finds her embroidered pillow
WALTER: disguised as Lady Winslet orders Emily shoot Hagan, gets shot, and manages to fire back at haha, wounding him. Falls into a hole beneath the floor
HAGAN: Can’t help, gets shot, falls into a hole beneath the floor
Resolution: Their world has changed. How did they end up after going through this journey?
EMILY: In the hospital, finds her Great Uncle’s will in the family records book, has a vision of younger self in love with Hagan
WALTER: is shown in a coffin wearing Lady Winslet’s mask
HAGAN: reunites with Hunter, conveys his love to Emily
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Peter’s Character Structure
My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman would write the introduction.
What I learned in this assignment is how helpful it is to have the journey structure example to follow; the insight that the antagonist’s time frame is probably on a whole different time frame than the protagonist’s is key to seeing how their paths are both linked and separate.
DAVID VILLERS
Begin — David is “dishonorably discharged” from the military; he seeks refuge in peaceful remote island
Incident – Jennifer asks for his help at imminent peace talks; he still cares for her
TP 1 – insurgents attack (and derail) conference
Act 2 – David fights off insurgents to protect Jennifer
TP 2/MP – David learns that Jennifer was behind his expulsion from military
Act 3 – David confronts Jennifer and discovers her connection to extremists inside his own government
TP 3 – David is taken hostage and threatened to be outed as a spy
Act 4 Climax – David fights Jennifer (and Bo) and other extremists
Resolution – the peace talks proceed
JENNIFER HAMM
Begin – Jennifer uses a top-level security clearance to advance her own political ambitions
Incident – Her conduct is threatened to be exposed by a Force Recon mission in SE Asia
TP 1 – Behind the scenes, Jennifer manipulates mission outcome to disgrace David, which leads to his “dishonorable discharge”
Act 2 – Jennifer works hard to get herself promoted to “chief negotiator” at the coming peace talks
TP 2/MP – information is leaked to David about Jennifer’s involvement in Force Recon mission failure
Act 3 –Jennifer uses her unchecked access and power to keep David at bay and coordinate insurgency against peace talks
TP 3 – David refuses to back down and she orders him to be captured
Act 4 Climax – Jennifer fights David in an unsanctioned match
Resolution – Jennifer is arrested by US agents
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Andrew Kelm’s Character Structure
Vision: I am going to do whatever it takes to be a great writer of TV and movies who is sought after by people I respect within the industry and has multiple successful TV series produced.
What I learned doing this assignment is… how to create an independent journey for my antagonist.
FATEMONGERS; a psychic with a blind spot for abusive men uses subtle manipulations to murder a sexual predator who seduces her to get to her sons.
Daphne
- Beginning: Daphne lives in an apartment above her mother’s hair salon looking after two kids from different fathers and doing card readings
- Inciting Incident: meets Roy
- Turning Point 1: She runs away with Roy
- Act 2: She lives with Roy in the caretakers quarters at Gilbert’s church
- Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: she manages to pull together enough money for a downpayment and get a mortgage for a house
- Act 3: she thrives living with Tony and getting her career going
- Turning Point 3: she discovers Roy has been cheating on her and suspects he may be abusing one of her sons
- Act 4 Climax: she arranges Roy’s murder in a way that makes her look as if she ere totally uninvolved.
- Resolution: She maintains a successful independence as a therapist without any suspicion she is responsible for Roy’s death.
Roy
- Beginning: Roy is caretaker for Gilbert’s church and the two of them prey on adolescent boys.
- Inciting Incident: Roy meets Daphne
- Turning Point 1: Roy moves in with Daphne
- Act 2: Roy takes Daphne and her sons to live with him at the manse
- Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Roy fights with Gilbert when he finds him flirting with one of Daphne’s sons
- Act 3: Roy grows apart from Daphne as they become independently successful.
- Turning Point 3: Roy meets a young male lover
- Act 4 Climax: Roy goes to avenge the way Daphne has been treated by her lover
- Resolution: Roy is killed
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Kelly’s Character Structure
I want to be an empowered writer who consistently produces salable scripts.
What did I learn? I learned that by creating the antagonist journey I now have a more clearer view of where my story is going. By filling in the blanks I can see the antagonist come to life . This assignment has given me a better grasp of structure and character. I am really getting a much greater understanding.
Act 1:
Opening: Quinn parties like a rock star comes home and tells parents off.
Inciting Incident: After attending another party Quinn is kidnapped by masked individuals.
Turning Point: Quinn is stuck at a teenage boot camp for troubled youth and there is no way out.
Act 2:
New plan: Quinn notices that things at the camp don’t seem to add up. The aliens make great food and have engaging reflective activities that seduce the teens.
Plan in action: Quinn tries to warn others but her peers think she’s nuts
Midpoint : Turning Point: Quinn witnesses the alien transforming into one of the teens and killing them. The aliens begin watching Quinn’s every move.
Act 3:
Rethink everything: Quinn figures out the alien plan.
New plan: Quinn convinces some of the teens to leave with her. But some of the teens still think Quinn is nuts.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Quinn’s plan works but the aliens learn and strike back by doing a mass transformation slaughter.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Quinn battles the aliens and outsmarts the leader.
Resolution: Quinn returns home a changed teen but no one believes her story.
Beginning: Darius struggles as an alien to survive
Inciting Incident: Darius learns of a distant planet inhabited by humans
Turning Point 1: Darius gets the idea to use humans as host to rebuild race and it works.
Act 2:
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: The leaders want Darius to increase the number of hosts or the program will be scraped.
Act 3:
Turning Point 3: The humans are aware of the program and Darius cuts off the exit points.
Act 4 Climax: Darius tries to kill Quinn but she outsmarts him and kills him.
Resolution: Darius’s alien clones understand they must continue the mission Darius started in order to save their race.
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Erik’s Character Structure
My vision is to achieve true excellence as a screenwriter which causes me to be a consistently working writer, with actual movies made from some of my scripts, and to become wealthy as a screenwriter, develop relationships in the movie industry where I am recognized as a truly original writer, and to become indispensable in the market in which I want to write.
What I learned doing this assignment… This one helps to keep the bigger picture in focus over everything else, which at this stage is wise. I find the character structures being in line with the movie structure to be an excellent guide for these big-picture decisions, and things fit together this way.
PENNY
Beginning: Just an orphan inside the walls like all the others. She obliviously starts a fire and has to escape! On the city street with another escaped orphan Mara, she enters a mega-mall down the street from the orphanage. On her own now!
Middle: She temporarily loses Mara and gets taken into a nice plush home (temporary) with a boozing wealthy lady.
End: Back at the orphanage, separated from Mara, until it looks like Sarah and her fiancé are going to adopt her…!
Inciting incident:
She starts a fire in the orphanage kitchen that gets out of control. Escapes out a window onto a street alley–and meets Mara.
Turning Point 1:
Penny and Mara enter the mega-big shopping mall….
Act 2:
She is committed to staying in the mall and not going back to the orphanage. It occurs to her that she and Mara could “find parents” here.
Midpoint (Turning Point 2):
Penny gets separated from Mara and moves into Amanda’s place.
Act 3:
Penny realizes that she wants to be together with Mara more than staying in a comfortable house and resolves, once she finds Mara again, that they will stick together no matter what.
Act 3 Turning Point:
She and Mara are caught and go back to the orphanage.
Climax (Act 4):
Penny finds Sarah in the orphanage. She waits in suspense as the girls find out if they will be adopted–and adopted together.
Resolution:
Penny gets a family…?
MARA
Beginning: She exits the orphanage during a fire and meets Penny, who also escaped. With Penny, she enters a huge shopping-mall, almost a world of its own.
Middle: She has the chance to go back to the orphanage but chooses to go back into the mall to be with Penny and take her chances on her own.
End: Back at the orphanage, she is about to be adopted, now separated from Penny.
Inciting Incident:
A fire in the orphanage causes her to escape. She meets fellow orphan Penny on the street outside.
Turning Point 1:
She and Penny enter the mega-big shopping mall….
Act 2:
Mara now must get oriented to her new, vast environment; deal with Penny’s dominating influence; figure out how to navigate and how to find the necessities for their survival, while avoiding being found out.
Midpoint (Turning Point 2):
She gets separated from Penny, finds her way out of the mall and out onto the street, and decides to not go back to the orphanage but to go back to find Penny.
Act 3:
Mara starts to re-think her whole attitude toward going back to the orphanage at all. Makes a pact with Penny that they will always be together.
Act 3 Turning Point:
The girls are caught and sent back to the orphanage.
Climax (Act 4):
Mara gets briefly reunited with Penny just before her impending adoption. Remembers her pact with Penny, so what will she do about this adoption about to be finalized?
Resolution:
Mara gets a family, including Penny too…?
SARAH (quasi-antagonist for a while)
Beginning: Working in the mall. Meeting with parents with whom she has a tense, antagonistic relationship — they are withholding a large trust fund from her until she has two children.
Middle: Realizes the orphans Penny and Mara are stealing her heart. Reveals to her fiancé how her parents are manipulating her and that because of that she is not going to have children with him. Splits from her fiancé.
End: Accepts fiancé back and convinces him to adopt Penny and Mara with her.
Inciting Incident:
Meets Penny and Mara.
Turning Point 1:
Fixes in her mind that Penny and Mara are probably on their own.
Act 2:
Considers giving in to her parents’ dictates, compounded by her fiance’s wish to have a family. Leaves the mall (gets another job).
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint:
Comes back to the mall in search of Penny and Mara. Doesn’t find them. (Maybe comes back a second time and spots Mara–realizes the two orphans are on their own.) Splits from her fiancé.
Act 3:
Reports to the orphanage she knows of two girls all on their own who seem to be stranded in the mall.
Turning Point 3:
Takes fiancé back after he agrees to not pressure her about a family. (Maybe she tells him that she wants to adopt Penny & Mara?)
Act 4 Climax:
In the orphanage she is told that Mara has prospective parents about to be finalized. As she is leaving, Penny sees her, runs to her, and tells her that she has to adopt her and Mara….
Resolution:
Her and fiancé adopt Penny and Mara…?
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Terrie’s Character Structure
I write screenplays that get turned into crowd pleasing successful films using a process that allows me to enjoy my equestrian hobby.
What I learned from this assignment is to talk out ideas with my husband when I’m stuck.
Paige
Beginning: She’s on a terrible date but takes down the guy by profiling him
Inciting Incident: Paige is assigned Witness Protection – but she’s really behavioral
Turning point 1: The witness is her EX but she doesn’t want anyone to know
Act 2: Paige handles the witness protection by the book. She can’t afford any mistakes.
Turning Point 2/ Midpoint: Their cover is blown and they go on the run
Act 3: Paige realizes someone set them up. Starts to acknowledge James paranoia may not just be paranoia.
Turning Points 3: Paige sets information traps to figure out who is double crossing them
Act 4 Climax: Paige flushes the traitor.
Resolution: James testifies, Paige goes back to her normal job.
James/Jason
Beginning: James hiding from his handler but talking on the phone.
Inciting Incident: Requests Paige by name as the person to protect him.
Turning point 1: Paige resists guarding him but he says if she won’t he’ll tell everyone about their past.
Act 2: James/Jason tries to rekindle their romance, Paige wants none of what he’s offering.
Turning Point 2/ Midpoint: Cover blown, on the run.
Act 3: On the run, James/ Jason conspiracy theories on overdrive but some of them start to make sense.
Turning Points 3: James/Jason resists testifying – can’t they just keep running?
Act 4 Climax: James/Jason testifies and owns his role in the problem
Resolution: With the bad guys in jail, James/Jason refuses WITSEC so he can be with Paige.
Traitor – not sure think it’s a she, she works for the US Marshall office in a support function, accounting or IT something like that. I haven’t figured out if she goes to work there specifically to undermine the service or if she gets involved with a domestic terrorist group after she gets the job. Maybe it’s revenge for a family member. So 1 & might be reversed.
Beginning: get job at US Marshall
Inciting Incident: joins a domestic terrorist group
Turning point 1: she’s activated by her group
Act 2: finds a way to keep tabs on Paige & James/Jason
Turning Point 2/ Midpoint: gives away Paige & James/Jason’s location to her group which is a different group than the one that James is testifying against.
Act 3: keeps her group informed
Turning Points 3: Paige gives her incorrect information but she acts on it
Act 4 Climax: Paige confronts her and arrests her
Resolution: found out and goes to prison for her involvement
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Farrin Rosenthal’s Character Structure
Farrin’s Vision: To do what it takes to become a highly paid A-List Hollywood writer whose produced movies will entertain audiences around the world.
What I learned doing this assignment is how to incorporate my leading characters into my four-act structure. What is a story? A story tells the journey of its characters from beginning to end. The story has a structure as do the main characters. Now I know how to meld the two.
Title: TRAPPED
Genre: Thriller
Concept: Claustrophobic and trapped in an underwater grave for stealing $3.6 billion in Bitcoin from the Russian mob, a Los Angeles retail store manager has just 60 minutes to prove his innocence and save his family.
Tom Carter Character Journey 4-Act Structure:
Act 1:
Opening: Tom wakes up trapped in a dark box, doesn’t know where he is or why. We see Tom’s old ways and how they affect his family.
Inciting Incident: Tom and his family are kidnapped by hooded figures. Who are they?
Turning Point: Tom finds out where he is (at the bottom of a pool) and that he is accused of stealing $3.6 billion from a Russian mob boss who is holding Tom’s family hostage. Tom learns he and his family have 60 minutes to live unless Tom confesses.
Act 2:
New plan: Realizing just how trapped he is, Tom’s claustrophobia starts to overwhelm him. Susan, Tom’s wife must step in and help, gets Tom to focus on the day they got married in Hawaii. Tom must find out why he is in the box and how he can escape.
Plan in action: Tom now able to focus, but can’t talk his way out of box, threats against his family increase. Tom calls police. He doesn’t know where he is, police can’t find him, his plans fail.
Midpoint Turning Point: Tom’s box slowly starts to fill with water. The threat to his life just increased exponentially. This means less air and time to escape. The tension keeps rising along with the water level.
Act 3:
Rethink everything: Nothing Tom is saying or doing to escape works. Water keeps rising, time and air running out.
New plan: More desperate, Tom tries to be tougher.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: When tension is at its peak, at the very last second, water at its highest point in the box, with the least air and space left, Tom finally confesses.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Tom is let out of the box with seconds to spare. He slowly learns the truth while pretending to access the stolen accounts. Tom tries to protect his family as the Russian brothers fight, sees Ivan kill Dmitriy. Tom confronts Ivan, after learning of his wife’s betrayal, that she and the Russian are having an affair and are the masterminds behind everything. Now it’s a fight to the death. Tom kills Ivan with a little help from his kids.
Resolution: Russian’s are dead, kids are safe, wife is now in the box screaming, right where the bitch belongs, all assets are in Tom’s name, so he is now a billionaire.
Dmitriy Character Journey 4-Act Structure:
Act 1:
Opening: Ivan tells Dmitriy that Tom has been slowly stealing Bitcoin from him for years. Now, after Bitcoin has gone way up in value worth billions, Dmitriy is blinded by revenge. Schemes with his brother, Ivan, to get his money back.
Inciting Incident: Dmitriy has Ivan and other hooded figures kidnap Tom and his family.
Turning Point: Dmitriy tells Tom he and his family have 60 minutes to live unless Tom confesses.
Act 2:
New plan: Dmitriy continues to try to get Tom to confess, but Tom is overcome with claustrophobia. Dmitriy allows Susan to help Tom.
Plan in action: Dmitriy ups his threats against Tom’s family, threatens to rape and kill them, even the dog.
Midpoint Turning Point: Tom’s box starts to slowly fill with water and Dmitriy does nothing to help.
Act 3:
Rethink everything: Dmitriy can’t get Tom to confess as water keeps rising, time and air running out.
New plan: Dmitriy is unmoved as Tom tries to act tougher, hurts Tom’s kids.
Turning Point: Major shift: When tension is at its peak, at the very last second, water at its highest point in the box, with the least air and space left, Tom finally confesses, and Dmitriy lets him out of the box.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Dmitriy tells Tom to access the accounts with the stolen Bitcoin or he can watch his family die slowly. Dmitriy is shocked to learn his brother Ivan betrayed him, they fight, Dmitriy pummels Ivan and looks like he will win easily, but Ivan somehow turns the tables and kills his brother.
Resolution: Dmitriy is dead.
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[WIM] Caroline’s Character Structure
My Vision: I will perfect my process of writing great scripts and be recognized by the industry as good at what I do and have successful movies produced.
What I learned: This was very helpful because it really fleshed out my antagonist’s back story.
Protagonist: Callahan Terry
Highly Skilled Hero: MI6 agent who is by-the-book
Mission: Save his American friend’s wife from an arms dealer
Demand for Action: He must save her or she dies!
Antagonist: Arms dealer and also his double-crossing friend
Escalating action: A ransom drop turns into a shootout, the friend disappears, and the hunt for the perpetrator ensues.
Mission Track
Motivation: While on a holiday Callahan Terry, an MI6 agent, and his wife, Bridget, met Aaron Copley and his wife Gabrielle, at a resort in Sardinia and hit it off. The resort was attacked by terrorists and many people died, including Bridget. Aaron and Gabrielle helped Callahan and Aaron was the lead agent for the CIA tracking down and arresting the terrorists. They have been trauma-bonded friends ever since.
Inciting Incident: Callahan visits Aaron and Gabrielle at their home in Virginia; it’s his first ever visit to the U.S. Gabrielle is kidnapped on her way to the supermarket.
First Action: After the ransom call comes in, Callahan shadows Aaron to the drop and Aaron is also kidnapped.
Obstacle: Callahan reaches out to the CIA to help but his offer to help is rejected and he is warned to stay away from the case after being interrogated at risk of being deported.
Escalation: The arms dealer beckons Callahan to his lair in Mexico but he is being followed by the CIA and must lose them.
Overwhelming Odds: Callahan embarks on a desperate cross-country trip to the arms dealer’s lair and sneaks into the heavily fortified fortress in the dark of night with the CIA on his trail.
Twist: During his surveillance, he finds out that Aaron is working with the arms dealer. Gabrielle is nowhere in sight. Callahan worries for her.
New Plan: Callahan works to separate Aaron from the compound.
Full-out attack: Aaron acts as if he is giving up but summons the arms dealer and his men and Callahan is in a fight for his life.
Success: The CIA show up in the middle of the firefight and arrest Aaron. The arms dealer escapes. Callahan finds Gabrielle unharmed.
Concept: An MI6 agent on a visit to the U.S. doesn’t know who to trust when his friend’s wife is kidnapped.
Main Conflict: Callahan must find his friend’s wife who has been kidnapped by an arms dealer.
Old Ways: Callahan is a by-the-book MI6 officer.
New Ways: Callahan must break the rules to get to the bottom of the kidnapping.
Act 1
Opening: Callahan is undercover at an event in Bahrain looking for a terrorist. He stops an attack on the members of the House of Khalifa and takes down the terrorist. He is rewarded and urged to take some time off, so he visits Virginia to see his American friends, Aaron and Gabrielle Copley. Aaron is a CIA agent.
Inciting Incident: Gabrielle is kidnapped on her way to the store.
Turning Point: Callahan shadows Aaron to the ransom drop and he also is swept up.
Act 2
New plan: Callahan reports what happened to the CIA.
Plan in Action: Callahan is interrogated and threatened with deportation. The CIA has no idea what is happening.
Midpoint turning point: Callahan hears from the kidnapper, an arms dealer who killed Callahan’s wife at a resort in Sardinia.
Act 3
Rethink everything: Callahan is filled with rage but needs to be objective.
New plan: He travels to Mexico to save his friends with the CIA after him.
Turning Point: huge failure/major shift: Callahan finds out that Aaron is on the arms dealer’s side and was paid to deliver him.
Act 4
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Callahan gets into a firefight with the arms dealer’s men.
Resolution: Aaron is arrested by the trailing CIA agents. The arms dealer gets away. Callahan rescues Gabrielle who had no idea what was going on.
Beginning: Callahan is an MI6 agent who has lost his wife in a terrorist attack
Inciting Incident: Callahan thwarts a plot by terrorists in the UK. The arms dealer threatens revenge.
Turning Point 1: Callahan’s life is threatened and he is told to take time off.
Act 2: Callahan visits his CIA friend Aaron Copley and his wife, Gabrielle, in the U.S.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Gabrielle is kidnapped and Aaron disappears at the ransom drop.
Act 3: Callahan reaches out to the CIA for help but isn’t believed.
Turning Point 3: The CIA threatens Callahan as Aaron has contacted them, Callahan realizes the Aaron is part of the plot.
Act 4 Climax: Callahan follows the terrorist to his desert estate in Mexico while leading the CIA, who is watching him, to the enemy’s lair.
Resolution: A shoot out, Aaron is arrested by the CIA and Callahan saves Gabrielle. The arms dealer escapes.
Antagonist
Beginning: Idealistic CIA agent out of college
Inciting Incident: Witnessed a drug kingpin get let go by the U.S. government
Turning Point 1: Was approached by an arms dealer to help him. He accepted and began to help
Act 2: Befriended Callahan and his wife Bridget at a resort to help the arms dealer murder his greatest enemy in MI6, Callahan.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Bridget died instead, the arms dealer put pressure on Aaron.
Act 3: Aaron invites Callahan to the U.S. to set him up again to be murdered in a drive-by.
Turning Point 3: To spur Aaron into action, the arms dealer kidnaps Gabrielle, Aaron’s wife. Aaron runs interference with his bosses saying Callahan made the whole thing up.
Act 4 Climax: Aaron lures Callahan to the arms dealer’s lair in Mexico.
Resolution: Aaron is arrested by the CIA who follow Callahan; Aaron was under surveillance this whole time.
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Linda’s Character Structure
My Vision is: I will do whatever it takes to be a sought-after profound writer with many successful movies produced and an Oscar on my mantel.
What I learned doing this assignment is once I looked at this from the lead characters perspective I realized I had the wrong inciting incident. This offers that different perspective that is sometimes needed to see something better.
Protagonist: Joaquin
· Beginning: Rodrigo, the drug lord, announces he’s dying and there will be a competition to select his successor. One competitor immediately takes out another unsettling Joaquin.
· Inciting Incident: Arturo tries to recruit Joaquin’s son to the cartel/his team for the competition and he almost gets killed. Joaquin is livid and warns his son they must keep their heads down to avoid the bloody war.
· TP 1: Joaquin and his daughter are stalked and tormented by an anonymous man (Arturo) claiming he will be the next head of the cartel and will take her as his wife. Joaquin enters the competition to protect his children.
· Act 2: Joaquin tries to navigate the competition without compromising his morals.
· TP 2 / Midpoint: Joaquin is backed into a corner and makes his first kill – earning competition points and crossing the line of his morals.
· Act 3: With points on the board, Joaquin is now a target of the other competitors and must abandon all morals to compete to win.
· TP 3: Arturo gains the points he needs to win and with little time left, Joaquin must make a big move that will test how far he will go to take over as head of the cartel.
· Act 4 Climax: Rodrigo anoints Joaquin the new drug lord and tells him his first duty is a mercy killing as the pain has become unbearable and he wants to go out with a bang. Joaquin kills him and then the other top competitors, starting with Arturo.
· Resolution: Joaquin is the new cartel lord and the community is safe, but there is a twist…
Antagonist: Arturo
· Beginning: Arturo and Joaquin’s wife had been young lovers.
· Inciting Incident: When Arturo showed his true colors with his ambition in the cartel, she left him for Joaquin.
· TP 1: Not able to get over his love for her, he plotted to kill Joaquin, but Rodrigo found out and ordered him not to as it was his debt to Joaquin’s father, his former bodyguard.
· Act 2: All these years, Arturo has had to endure Joaquin and his happiness and watch the woman he loves respect his enemy eventhough he has had no success in his life.
· TP 2 / Midpoint: Rodrigo announces he’s dying which means Joaquin will soon not be protected, but he wants revenge now (in case he doesn’t win) and a way to win back his love.
· Act 3: He wants her to see Joaquin is no better than him so he lures him into the competition and conspires to get him to cross his morals.
· TP 3: His love comes to him, but he learns it’s to save her husband.
· Act 4 Climax: Either he or Joaquin are going to win. He knows he can’t win her heart back so he will kill Joaquin regardless of who wins.
· Resolution: Joaquin kills him first.
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Tina’s Character Structure
My Vision: My writing enables me to live an exuberantly creative and productive life in prosperity.
ARGUS’ EYES
A teenage girl has her disfigured face reconstructed at a beauty clinic in the Black Forest, only to discover that her new face is just a mask and she is now the livestock for a blind demon who has stolen her eyes for himself.
Role: Valentina Flemmin
Beginning: Val in the youth detention center. Her sixteenth birthday. she gets a present from her estranged grandma, a necklace for protection.
Inciting Incident: Val gets attacked by a guard, the necklace mutilates the guard.
Turning Point 1: Val in counselling, another freak accident. Val has to flee or she will be blamed for the death of her counsellor.
Act 2: At the beauty clinic her grandmother locks her in instead of welcoming her.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: TWIST Val finds the glasses her mother left for her. She can see the eyes and the demon. val sees it’s not her grandmother. Her grandmother is under his spell.
Act 3: Before Val can do anything she gets a facial and is also under the demon’s influence. Her friend Susie arrrives.
Turning Point 3:
Her gandmother drinks poison to make the demon feed on her and die with her but it fails.
Act 4 Climax: Val accesses the blood well where she can lift the spell and rip off her mask. Without it she is blind, both her eyes gauged out. But with her mother’s glasses she can see.
Resolution: The demon feeds on the patients. Val sprays them with blood from the well, thes get free from the masks. With their powers returning together they can force the demon to return their eyes.
Role: Agatha Flemmin – Val’s grandma
Beginning: When Val was born she protected her from the demon but he could take on of her eyes. So Agatha send the baby into an orphanage far away.
Inciting Incident: Agatha can’t flee and the demon takes her as his livestock to feed on her.
Turning Point 1: Val arrives to join her, the demon lured her here. Agatha tries to scare her away again to protect her.
Act 2: Agatha tries to leave the clinic to get help but the demon feeds in her and almost kills her.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: To save Val from getting a facial Agatha drinks poison to kill the demon but fails
Act 3: Agatha tells Val the truth about it all, she is unable to help now.
Turning Point 3:
Act 4 Climax:
Resolution:
Agatha can take the demons form before her body dies.
Role: Demon
Beginning: the executioner in witch trial in 1600 in the black forest.
Inciting Incident: He binds a witch (flemmin) to burn, but befores she dies she curses him and pokes his eyes out. He dies with her in the flames.
Turning Point 1: He comes back to life In the ashes and blood of the killed witches. But he needs witches lifeforece and their eyes to come to power.
Act 2: In 2008 he gets hold of baby Val, kill her parents (Flemmin) and takes her eye but before he can do more the grandmother saves her. He takes the grandmother as his livestock.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: He build a beauty clinic to provide him with livestock. Now Val turns 16 he lures her into the clinic to finally feed on her.
Act 3: Val get a facial, he feeds on her and becomes more powerful. He locks down the clinic to be in total control.
Turning Point 3: the grandmother tries to poison him bit he sees through val what she’s doing and lets her die.
Act 4 Climax: the blood from the well returns the powers of the witches to all patients. his eyes return to them and he is blind unable to fight.
Resolution: he dies
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Eclipse Neilson : Character Structure
VISION:
I want to be a great award-winning writer, known for my new genre, who creates the most beautiful films that inspire others to feel deeply, pause, and ponder ways to make the world a better place.
SISTER ANNE a nun who secretly run away from her cloister, has come into this lifetime to complete her soul’s journey to become a saint
What I have learned is that by keeping a blank slate and slowly letting ideas form is hard but at time fun.
Protagonist 1
Opening: From the heavens Sister Anne with Lunea Thunder are sent back to Earth by the Council of universal beings to help save humanity. They travel through a time tunnel seeing flashes of lifetime after lifetime of each with a tragic ending sometimes by the hand of Father Sinclair in his many lifetimes with them
In the present Sister Anne is a shy, humble, and shamed by her past nun working under the strict guidance of Father Sinclair – a “go by the church rule” minister.
Inciting Incident: She sees a vision of Jesus standing lovingly next to Lunea Thunder (the town witch) at a flea market and is drawn to find out why. Thus begins her path in this lifetime with Lunea Thunder.
Turning Point 1 Father Sinclair dies leaving her to save the church. He begins to haunt her. She is overwhelmed by loss and fear and seeks help from Lunea who has psychic gifts and knows an ancient shaman
Act 2:
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Sister Anne sees the cruel hatred and discrimination emerging in the village in so many different ways. She knows she must find her courage to lead them back to love. But to complicate things she realizes she is secretly falling in love with Lunea and the congregation has picked up on it and are ready to undermine their friendship.
Act 3:
Turning Point 3: the disapproving congregation begins to increase their hatred and divide against Sister Anne and Lunea. Sister Anne must find courage when The Old shaman tells her that the two must steal the crucifix and place it in the arms of the Mother stone at the top of the ancient hill behind the church.
Act 4
Climax:
Resolution: A teen believes he is doing the right thing and having been ignored by Athena- Lunea’s niece, sets out to shoot all of them at church. He murders Sister Anne and Lunea and wounds Athena. In that moment
the congregation witnesses the miracle as the guardians open the heavenly gates to take Sister Anne and Lunea home . Sister Anne accomplishes her last lifetime task and is given the honor of Sainthood having miraculously saved Athena from the bullet by throwing herself in front of the bullet and healing her (with the help of Lunea ) in front of them just before she dies. Sister Anne and Lunea are buried together arm in arm at the top of an ancient Celtic hill having accomplished their sacred mission.
.Protagonist 2
LUNEA THUNDER a witchy healer, who is a rebellious Wiccan has come into this lifetime to complete her soul’s journey to help Sister Anne become a saint and return the Goddess to a place of honorOpening Lunea Thunder along with Sister Anne are sent back to Earth by the Council of universal beings to help save humanity by making sure Sister anne accomplishes her lifetime task to become a saint. They travel through a time tunnel seeing flashes of lifetime after lifetime of each with a tragic ending sometimes by the hand of Father Sinclair in his many lifetimes with them
In the present Lunea is raising her niece Athena, whose parents were killed in Ukrainian. She has a New Age shop and is constantly being harassed.
Inciting Incident: She sees Sister Anne at the market and that night has horrific a dream remembering her purpose to help Sister Anne become a saint in this lifetime. She knows they must become friends and keeps it a secret that she knows most likely there will be a tragic ending.
Turning Point 1 Father Sinclair dies and Sister Anne visit’s Lunea’s New age shop. Together they seek advice from the Old woman shaman who tells them they must time travel together to find the ancient secret revealed in lifetimes before about the long lost Goddess .
Act 2:
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Lunea and Sister Anne become friends but Lunea having lost so much in her life can’t let anyone close and feels her eternal love for Sister Anne and the pain inevitable. The cruel hatred and discrimination begins to emerge in the village as they spray paint and intimidate Lunea and Athena naming them as evil.Act 3:
Turning Point 3: To complicate things Lunea knows they are here for a purpose and both must find courage to steal the church’s cross and place it in the arms of the old stone monolithic goddess on the top of the hill
The evil slowly takes over and when the congregation discovers what they have done rage erupts. A teen believing he is doing the right thing shoots Lunea, Sister Anne and Athena.Act 4
Climax:
Lunea’s hand is on Sister Anne’s hand that cover’s Athena’s wound and she helps Sister Anne miraculously heal Athena. The congregation witnesses the miracle as the guardians open to take Sister Anne and Lunea’s spirit home to the heavens knowing all is accomplished.Resolution: A peek into the future we see Athena has carried on the sacred truths and is the new minister of the church..
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Sandra’s Character Structure
Vision: I am doing what I love to do as a writer with several successful produced movies.
What I learned doing this assignment is how to create the antagonist’s journey structure in 4 acts.
Protagonist – Captain Sloane
Beginning: Sloane relaxes at home watching tv, when there’s a knock on the door.
Inciting Incident: Sloane discovers his ship crew is smuggling oil.
Turning Point 1: Sloane is badly beaten when he threatens to report the smuggling to the authorities.
Act 2: Sloane tries to ignore the smuggling. Then transfers to another ship where the crew is even more corrupt.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Military police begin raids on Sloane’s house.
Act 3: Sloane leaves the ship and smuggling. Tries several legitimate jobs that all fail.
Turning Point 3: Mr. Big convinces Sloane to come back and smuggle whiskey. The ship sinks.
Act 4 Climax: Sloane gives up the life of crime and enters alcohol and drug treatment.
Resolution: Clean and sober, Sloane falls in love, and becomes a prison counselor helping inmates.
Antagonist – Mr. Big
Beginning: Mr. Big makes a profit by exchanging money for smugglers.
Inciting Incident: A new sea captain and inspector threatens the smuggling operation.
Turning Point 1: Mr. Big sends someone to rough up Sloane and serve as a warning.
Act 2: Mr. Big meets Sloane and lures him into the smuggling world.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Mr. Big tips off the military police to Sloane’s location.
Act 3: Mr. Big is losing money without Sloane.
Turning Point 3: Mr. Big convinces Sloane to come back and work together again.
Act 4 Climax: Mr. Big sinks the ship to collect the insurance money.
Resolution: Mr. Big disappears.
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Amechi’s Character Structure
MY VISION
I am going to be a top 1% action/comedy writer in the industry who writes major action films.What I learned from doing this assignment is not to demand perfection from myself at this stage of the process. Try things and be open to making big changes instead of being rigid with what I come up with at first.
CONCEPT: An obsessed fan of a Superhero works his way into the superhero’s life and clashes with the superhero’s sidekick.
MAIN CONFLICT: Kanaan and Rhapsody compete with each other for the favor of the Superhero and Rhapsody’s mentor, Blackout.PROTAGONIST STORY
• Beginning: Kanaan helps with a self defense class but can’t defend himself or other people.
• Inciting Incident: Blackout is injured saving Kanaan and Kanaan saves his life before Rhapsody can intervene.
• Turning Point 1: Kanaan asks if he can help Blackout as a reward for saving his life, and Blackout says Kanaan has earned Blackout’s trust and is allowed to be part of the investigation despite Rhapsody’s objection.
• Act 2: Kanaan works with Blackout to investigate the mayor and tries to make friends with Rhapsody who resists and tries to push him out.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Blackout’s mentor is killed and Kanaan takes over his responsibilities, despite Rhapsody’s protests.
• Act 3: Kanaan and Rhapsody break in to the Mayor’s penthouse to steal his computer but Rhapsody leaves Kanaan behind. He has to stand up for himself and fight his way out. Kanaan knows Rhapsody is spying on him and draws her into his apartment and blows her up.
• Turning Point 3: Kanaan thinks he is Blackout’s sidekick now, but Rhapsody is alive and coming after Kanaan.
• Act 4 Climax: Kanaan denies having anything to do with Rhapsody’s near death and fights Rhapsody. Blackout intervenes and Rhapsody is knocked into the river, seemingly dead.
• Resolution: Kanaan is Blackout’s new sidekick and they protect the city together.ANTAGONIST STORY
• Beginning: Rhapsody is Blackout’s loyal sidekick and protects him while they fight crime and protect the city.
• Inciting Incident: Rhapsody is responsible when Blackout is injured and left behind while Kanaan gets Blackout to safety.
• Turning Point 1: Rhapsody realizes that Kanaan is a threat to her relationship with Blackout.
• Act 2: Rhapsody works to prove that Kanaan cannot help them and tries to pressure him to leave them alone. She investigates his life but can’t figure out where he lives.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Rhapsody presents what she’s founds to Blackout, who rejects her evidence because it is redacted and she can’t prove anything.
• Act 3: Rhapsody lets her investigation of Kanaan get in the way of helping Blackout get the weapons off the street. She has a big fight with Blackout who is convinced that she is working against him, so she goes to get definitive proof that Kanaan has bad intentions and finds his apartment.
• Turning Point 3: Rhapsody abandons Kanaan and goes to Kanaan’s apartment, which is blown up. Rhapsody survives the murder attempt and goes after Kanaan, who she believes set her up to die.
• Act 4 Climax: Rhapsody fights Kanaan, but Blackout intervenes and kills her.
• Resolution: Rhapsody survives. She has been rescued by the mayor and is turned against Blackout and the city and wants to see both suffer.TRIANGLE CHARACTER STORY
• Beginning: Blackout protects the city from criminals and is championed by the mayor.
• Inciting Incident: Blackout is injured helping Kanaan and allows Kanaan to help him get home.
• Turning Point 1: Blackout allows Kanaan to help him go after the guys who injured him.
• Act 2: Blackout wakes up. He almost died. He allows Kanaan to help with the investigation and helps to train him to fight properly.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Blackout is not liked by the people of the city, but Kanaan convinces him to keep fighting for them.
• Act 3: Blackout has had many sidekicks, and has a shrine where he keeps things that remind him of them. Blackout thinks about giving up. Kanaan talks him into continuing.
• Turning Point 3: Blackout reveals his identity to Kanaan.
• Act 4 Climax: Blackout and Kanaan fight Rhapsody.
• Resolution: Blackout adds Rhapsody’s mask to his shrine, and appoints Kanaan as his new sidekick. -
Linda Anderson’s Character Structure
Vision for your success from this program:
Audiences around the world view and love my meaningful screenplays—one of the most satisfying and energizing accomplishments of my life.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that chiseling the story down to character transformation basics helped me get the tiger by the tail and hold on instead of trashing around, looking for direction and clarity.
Lead Character—Protagonist–Allen
Beginning: As a rookie cop, Allen has gun pointed at his head & his mentor reminds him about the importance of always being able to go home.
Inciting Incident: Allen with severe PTSD nighmares and anxiety disorders from brutal childhood tells Linda he’s having dizzy spells. Finds out he has an unruptured brain aneuyrism and needs brain surgery—another “gun” pointed at his head.
Turning Point 1: Allen and Linda adopt Leaf, an emotionally damaged year-old dog with big issues
Act 2: Allen and Linda visit neurosurgeon’s office and get prepared for brain surgery with outcomes that could clip the blood supply or leave him disabled for life or dead. He finds out he has a blood clot aimed at his heart.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Allen’s dream that he won’t survive the surgery. Can’t get a ticket to The Building of Life.
Act 3: Allen and Leaf reflect each other’s deep wounds as Allen prepares Linda to survive his loss
Turning Point 3: Leaf delivers Allen’s ticket to The Building of Life and he survives the brain surgery and blood clot.
Act 4 Climax: Allen has severe problems with frontal lobe after surgery. Leaf becomes instrumental in healing his emotional responses and wounds.
Resolution: Allen, Leaf, and Linda become stronger family unit, learning to live in the moment, have more fun and creativity, and healed self-confidence. Allen writes about his and Leaf’s dual journey, giving hope to others who face life-threatening situations.
Lead Character (Buddy Movie)—Antagonist/Change Agent–Leaf
Beginning: Leaf is abandoned on a highway, picked up by a couple on Harleys, and left at an animal shelter
Inciting Incident: Leaf is adopted by Allen and Linda and gets his name because he loves leaves
Turning Point 1: Leaf turns Allen and Linda’s home into a war zone. An animal communicator reveals Leaf is filled with shame at being left.
Act 2: Leaf has allies and situations that cause him to start healing his deep emotional wounds. He kisses Linda for the first time and bonds with his first toy.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Leaf delivers Allen’s ticket to The Building of Life.
Act 3: Leaf both comforts and challenges Allen’s coping abilities while he struggles to recover from brain surgery. He helps Allen with PTSD dreams.
Turning Point 3: Leaf gets pancreatitis and now his life is in danger.
Act 4 Climax: Leaf’s groomer reveals Leaf was fearful and aggressive, and paints a much bleaker picture of his deep emotional scars. He could have wound up back at the animal shelter and been euthanized.
Resolution: Allen prepares all Leaf’s meals from scratch, so Leaf survives pancreatitis. Lef becomes friendly with strangers, shows empathy to others, becomes a social media star, and turns into a wonderful family dog.
Triangle Character—Linda
Beginning: Linda greets Allen in the morning after the night shift when he was nearly shot. She can tell he’s hiding something to protect her from worrying.
Inciting Incident: Linda and Allen adopt Leaf.
Turning Point 1: Allen has to tell Linda he has a brain aneurysm and blood clot and needs brain surgery. “The Memo” he gives Linda about it freaks her out.
Act 2: Leaf declares war on Linda’s happy home. Stress mounts as surgery date approaches. Allen gives her “The Manual.” She faces becoming a widow with a very disturbed dog and tons of obligations. Overwhelmed.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Allen survives surgery but Linda has to help him heal with severe frontal lobe issues and while on steroids that make him believe he’s Superman.
Act 4 Climax: Allen goes back to travel-work too soon. She and Allen have big fight over it. Everything that’s going wrong with Allen’s and Leaf’s recoveries falls on her to cope with.
Resolution: Linda relocates her inner strength and independence. She finds ways to cope with Allen’s going back to work too soon, determination to drive the car, and reliance on Leaf for emotional support. They become a healing, happy, relaxed family, take dance lessons, and write a book that help others through life-threatening experiences.
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I see 5 year plus season and peoples choice award.
I learned that because the protagonist and the antagonist start out on the same team to hard to separate the twins.
Start with the Protagonist and your source material. Create a beginning, middle, and end of the character’s story.
3. Add the rest of the structure to the characters to the script. Try to get to the point as we’ve done in the Iron Man example above.
Beginning:Troy opens playing 4 people in chess on the clock when he is informed he is the youngest man to ever win the coveted Fields metal for math problem solving by resolving quantamagazine.org/a-path-less-taken-to-the-peak-of-the-math-world- Cane says they have to get to school so they leave.Inciting Incident:Troy ,his brother and sister enter the new high school as some football players make unwanted whistles and comments about their sister Joy Cane thefuture antagonist jumps in and tells them to take it back. One of they ball players sneaks behind Cane and the quarterback try’s to push him Cane flips over and takes them all down . One big line backers try’s to get involved Troy trips him and the bell rings as the vice principal walks up. They all scurry to class.Turning Point 1: The VP and coach are talking about this new remarkable family telling the coach you should have seen these kids. The brother Troy’s the brains,Cane is the Braun and Joy is the beauty. We must get them to come out and play for us.Act 2:Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: the boys both like the next door neighbor MOLLY. When she chooses Troy it starts the twins splitting apart The family is driving in moms car and gets into a life changing accident that separates them from each other physically,emotionally and spiritually . They become at odds with each other on everything as Cane becomes Troy’s nemesis.Act 3: Turning Point 3:as Cane is being fix with technology’s best Troy is receiving powers from God Act 4 Climax: They meet for all the marbles as both the fate of the world and mankind will be decided by the outcome Resolution 4. The boy’s make amends and the world is a better place as they go after the powers that sought to divide them and pit them against each other.
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Jenifer Stockdale’s Character Structure
Vision: I will write everyday, producing not only high volume but high quality scripts that will ultimately be made into popular movies and television shows.
What I learned doing this assignment is that this is an incredibly useful exercise! I have a much clearer idea of where I am going and this will also help to keep on track and focused, as this story has the potential to go off in confusing directions. Specifically thinking about Christina’s structure, will be helpful.
Dacey
Beginning: Dacey is at work, she is popular, efficient at her job
Inciting Incident: Her husband goes on a trip and she says it always falls apart then and begs him not to go. Tom is murdered after coming to her house.
Turning Point 1: She begins to see blood and Tom’s ghost
Act 2: She is questioned about murder, falling apart, husband leaves her
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Husband tricks her and takes kids
Act 3: She is implicated in murder, looks for and finds evidence with Tom’s help that it is her husband who committed murder
Turning Point 3: Police come to arrest her for murder
Act 4 Climax: She freaks out, tries to show evidence of her husband committing murder
Resolution: Gets taken to hospital where she worked and is strapped to bed. Then is doing bed checks as a nurse named Jill
Christine (the “real” Dacey)
Beginning: Laying in a bed in the background when Dacey goes into room to help patient who cut herself. Wheeled into room in a “stander.” Often in the background getting PT, being walked around, standing in odd positions (Tom comes by puts her arm up and walks away laughing when it stays that way)
Inciting Incident: Wakes up from catatonic state
Turning Point 1: Darcey comforts her, tells her she is okay, she is Christina, Tom isn’t dead, etc. Steals Darcey’s keys and throws them to roommate
Act 2: Go to Darcey’s locker and find all of her information, car keys, etc.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Other girls drop her off at house – she is confused – it doesn’t look right, but she goes in
Act 3: She walks through the house, looking for children’s rooms, thinks she is finding them, but then it is a sewing room, a closet, etc.
Turning Point 3: Getting more and more hysterical, Darcey’s husband comes home – has right name but is short, fat and bald
Act 4 Climax: Kills Darcey’s husband, police come and take her back to hospital
Resolution: Returns to hospital, catatonic. Laying in bed, but a nurse (the one we have seen as “Dacey” all this time but we now know is Christine) comes in a does “bed checks” – steps out of room and co-worker calls her Jill (we met a nurse named Jillian earlier)
Beginning: The day after Dacey is introduced Tom is at a meeting – he is very nervous about getting discharged, he gets razzed by patients and gets upset. He moves the arm of another patient and laughs when it doesn’t move
Inciting Incident:He shows up at Dacey’s house, looking for help as he believes he is being chased, he leaves in a cab
Turning Point 1: Tom, dead appears to Dacey at her house
Act 2: Tom follows Dacey around and tries to get her attention
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Tom finds a way to get through to Dacey and not scare her
Act 3: Tom shows Dacey the murder weapon in her husband’s closet
Turning Point 3: Her husband comes and Tom disappears
Act 4 Climax: As Dacey is being arrested Tom tries to intervene and cannot
Resolution: Tom is in the hospital, fine, and never left
Husband (name TBD)
Beginning: When Dacey comes home in the morning, he is attentive and loving
Inciting Incident: At the anniversary party he appears to be drinking (reformed alcoholic) and flirting with another woman
Turning Point 1: Gets agitated with Dacey and what he believes are delusions
Act 2: He leaves Dacey, taking all his belongings
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: He makes a reservation at the restaurant where he and Dacey had their first date. Orders champagne and an appetizer. He calls Dacey and tells her that he wants to get back together and that he wants to meet at that restaurant to talk about it. It is revealed that he is in bed with the other woman while he is on phone with Dacey
Act 3: He never shows up at restaurant but calls Dacey and tells her that he has the kids and she needs to keep her mouth shut about it or he won’t ever let her see them again. He desperately looks for something.
Turning Point 3: He comes to house to get evidence that he left in closet.
Act 4 Climax: He pulls Dacey out of the closet by her feet and holds up the bat to hit her.
Resolution: The doorbell rings and he runs away.
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Module 4, Lesson 1
KEVIN PATRICK GOULET’S – CHARACTER (JOURNEY) STRUCTURE – Create an Incredible Outline
…My vision: Develop successful screenplay writing method > yields completed screenplays > viewed as PRO/story-telling level quality > sales (compensation) > production > more screenwriting opportunities > Rinse and repeat, many times over.
…What I learned from doing this assignment is:
Because Mine is a Bio-pic story, the story structure is different. I need to create a Character journey based on the most prevalent timeline. Other moments with supporting characters will move in and out as needed to drive the story forward. And while each Characters’ structures are linear, the story probably hinges around a particular segment of time (1964-1965) in the overall timeline (1928-1976) of the Protagonist: when he is having his most momentous achievement. Therefore, parts of the structure of the Antagonist’s Character Structure and other supporting & Peripheral characters will occur (pop up sometimes as flashbacks (?) in and around theProtagonist’s 1964-65 timeline, as they support the growth and progress of the Protagonist while he makes his way through the story.
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ASSIGNMENT :: Start with the Protagonist and your source material. Create a beginning, middle, and end of the character’s story.
Protagonist Vince Guaraldi :: CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE
Beginning:
Born July 17, 1928. Vince, age 4- listens to music on the radio. Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie… Receives merit badges in Boy Scouts…sees parents’ combustible marriage imploding. Father walk out. His two Professional musician Uncles’ Joe & ‘Muzzy’ Marcellino heavily influence Vince’s interest in music.
Inciting Incident:
High School Senior Vince wins (Piano) Talent contest. 1st prize: Summer resort/commissioned ‘gig’ in Yosemite… 1946.
Turning Point 1:
Drafted: Korean War- September… 1946. Stuck in the Mess Hall as a ‘Cook’, Vince manages to entertain fellow troops w/pickup band.
Act 2:
20 yr. old Vince returns from Korean War, 1948. He enrolls in music study at S.F. State, struggles through part-time jobs, watches great Jazz musicians at night/area clubs …studying… begins ascent into world of professional music.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint:
Vince Guaraldi Wins the GRAMMY (1963) for original composition, CAST YOUR FATE TO THE WIND”; locked out of Hollywood Award ceremony because he had No tuxedo!
Act 3:
Vince’s Grammy Winning song (C.Y.F.T.T.W.) is heard by Television Producer LEE MENDELSON, who then ‘discovers’ Guaraldi playing a live gig in S.F. area club… offers VG the PEANUTS Music gig.
Turning Point 3:
CBS brass harshly criticize Guaraldi’s completed musical contributions to “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS” animated television special at screening a week before network debut. They are soon embarassed beyond reproach by how wrong they were and how ‘off-the-charts’ successful the Animated special is -and How ‘well received’ Grammy Winner Guaraldi’s music is in the public eye.
Act 4 Climax:
While Vince enjoys Rock -n- Roll, he knows ‘the British Invasion’ is the ‘nail-in-the-coffin‘ of (then) modern Jazz. Vince goes another direction with his music, instrument choices… (Electric Piano, electric guitar, electric bass)… creates altogether different sound (twist) compositions (he is a true Artist in that regard)… though his desire to stay current, and one day write (radio) industry jazz standards -not (just) hits- never leaves him.
Resolution:
Oddly, the very last song Vince ever plays is in public and it is THE BEATLES ‘Elanore Rigby’. Vince suffers a fatal heart attack between sets at Bay Area Jazz Club ‘BUTTERFIELD’S’ – February 6,1976.
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Antagonist CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE
Vincent Dellaglio (Vince’s Father, 1900-1971).
Beginning:
Vincent Dellaglio immigrates to America from Italy in 1921. He is a Stone Mason (Bricklayer). Meets Carmella Marcellino, they begin a relationship. San Fran. Bay Area, 1925.
Inciting Incident:
Carmella becomes pregnant. She and Vincent quickly marry. Son Vince is born July 17, 1928.
Turning Point 1:
Vincent Dellaglio moves out of family home, abandoning Wife Carmella, Son Vince. 1932.
Act 2:
Vincent has intermittent visits with son Vince; though they are mostly awkward interactions (as are typical for absentee fathers)… periodic moments from Grade School through High School years. 1933-1946.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Vincent takes young Vince to the Ocean on a day-long car ride. Does not inform mother Carmella. Family members become ALARMED (!) searching local neighborhood, local bar; unaware of young Vince’s whereabouts for several hours. Event causes Father Vincent to nearly severs any future opportunities to interact alone with his son.
Act 3:
Vincent crashes son’s Birthday party at the home he once shared with his son and Carmella. Arrives drunk, brings a Mason’s trowel, ‘gift- wrapped’ in a paper-bag. The least expected guest and
Turning Point 3:
Vincent is thrown out of birthday party by Carmella’s Brothers Joe & ‘Muzzy’ MARCELLINO.
Act 4 Climax:
During a ’set’ break at a Club where Vince is performing, Vince’s Father Vincent is bragging to some younger ladies about his now famous, very successful Son. Vince approaches and confronts his Father, who then tries to ‘make nice’ / give impression He and Vince are close. Vince will have none of it; tells his father to get the fuck out of ‘his’ Club.
Resolution:
Vincent Dellaglio dies alone in an apartment, outskirts of town, 1971.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by Kevin Patrick Goulet.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by
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Paul Mahoney’s Character Structure
Vision: My vision is to be a successful full-time professional writer, who constantly learns, enjoys life, creates employment for others and brings joy, fun, fulfilment, health, happiness, inspiration & an attitude of gratitude to my partner and others.
What I learned from doing this is that you can always add subplots to characters.
Dan (Protagonist)
Beginning: Dan, a little fat boy, watches Usain Bolt win a race on TV.
Inciting Incident: Little fat boy loses race is embarrassed, is the slowest at everything. His grade 1 teacher tells him you don’t have to be the fastest or best at anything, apart from being the best you, you can be.
Turning Point 1: Prays to God to make him the world’s fastest at something.
Act 2: Dan no an adult realises he is the world’s fastest at something that he doesn’t want to be – ejaculating.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Dan tries to commit suicide, fails and ends up in a psychiatric ward. He meets an attractive sex therapist, but that just makes his problems worse.
Act 3: Dan plans to escape the psychiatric ward, by overdosing.
Turning Point 3: Dan meets God, who resembles is grade 1 teacher.
Act 4 Climax: Dan has a dilemma when his sex therapist reveals she has feelings for him. She is everything that he could ever want.
Resolution: Dan decides now is not the right time to start a relationship, he needs to first work on being the best person he can be. Can I take a raincheck on that offer?
God (Antagonist)
Beginning: There was only God. Inciting Incident: God created earth ages ago.
Turning Point 1: God created Adam & Eve,
Act 2: God is unhappy with humans, sent floods, plagues etc.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: God sends Jesus, but that doesn’t work out 100% either.
Act 3: God decides to become a primary school teacher in order to see if she can teach those dummies something.
Turning Point 3: God finally grants wish to be the world’s fastest at something.
Act 4 Climax: God reveals her true identity to Dan.
Resolution: God finally got someone to listen to her.
Kyla (3rd character)
Beginning: Kyla is a little girl at primary school and can’t get Dan to notice her.
Inciting Incident: Kyla’s parents shift away, and she never sees Dan again, unrequited love.
Turning Point 1: Kyla studies hard and becomes a Sex Therapist.
Act 2: Kyla sees Dan being publicly humilitated on youtube. She reaches out to him, but he thinks she is just another person yanking his chain and he tries to commit suicide.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Kyla recognises Dan when he is admitted to her ward.
Act 3: Kyla’s feelings for Dan intensify, she tells her Psychiatrist, who has a crush on her.
Turning Point 3: Kyla rejects the advances from her Psychiatrist after she learns he has been giving Dan a tape which plays the benefits of a lobotomy & chemical castration.
Act 4 Climax: Kyla confesses her love to Dan.
Resolution: Dan can’t be with Kyla yet, but she understands. Love takes time.
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VISION FOR SUCCESS: I will deliver delicious, surprising, seemingly effortless work, that is constantly in demand and causes people to recommend me for original and rewrite projects without hesitation.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM DOING THIS ASSIGNMENT IS that thinking of two distinct story arcs that don’t have to coincide 1-for-1 is a BRILLIANT way to figure out plot. Thank you.
TITLE: Cousin Mitch
MITCH:
BEGINNING
Mitch is bright eyed and excited for his first day of high school and his magic trick.
INCITING INCIDENT
Mitch does his magic trick. It fails and he poops on Sophie.
TURNING POINT 1
Mitch arrives back in the almost-present and meets New Mitch.
ACT 2
Mitch investigates the new present that he’s created.
TURNING POINT 2 / MIDPOINT
Mitch gets the chance to do his magic trick again and succeeds this time and attracts Sophie.
ACT 3
Mitch ends up in a love triangle with New Mitch and Sophie and explores the new relationship between Robbie and Simon. He learns that he can be himself and fix his relationships.
TURNING POINT 3
Mitch realizes he’s living in the multiverse.
ACT 4 CLIMAX
Mitch fixes the time machine. Travels back in time. Then back to his timeline where he reconciles his relationship with Sophie, Robbie, and Simon.
RESOLUTION
There’s hope for Mitch’s future.
NEW MITCH:
BEGINNING
New Mitch is bright eyed and excited for his first day of high school and his magic trick.
INCITING INCIDENT
New Mitch does the magic trick and it works, attracting Sophie and everyone in the school.
TURNING POINT 1
New Mitch and Sophie fall in love.
ACT 2
New Mitch and Sophie have a tumultuous love affair while New Mitch has huge success as a magician.
TURNING POINT 2 / MIDPOINT
Mitch shows up and New Mitch takes him under his wing.
ACT 3
New Mitch is driven crazy by Sophie as he puts on his magic show and mentors Mitch.
TURNING POINT 3
New Mitch has a 3way with Mitch to try to forget about Sophie.
ACT 4 CLIMAX
New Mitch learns to choose Sophie above all else from Mitch.
RESOLUTION
New Mitch says goodbye to Mitch and professes his love for Sophie.
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Tom’s Character Structure
When I discuss projects with producers, I list several possible alternatives.
Doing this assignment, I learned to get better at fleshing out interesting characters.
Protagonist John
Beginning: Pals John and Mel fight Taliban in Afghanistan.
Inciting Incident: John discovers an e-pod in Mel’s body.
Turning Point 1: He announces towns people might have embedded pods.
Act 2: He analyzes BioPlus products.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Embedded substance drives people crazy.
Act 3: He furiously analyzes the product to find the toxic source.
Turning Point 3: Phil explodes a bomb that destroys the lab stopping him from finding the toxin.
Act 4 Climax: Finds the solution. Inoculates / saves towns people.
Resolution: John takes over BioPlus, makes good stuff. He and Susan marry.
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Antagonist Phil
Beginning: His company BioPlus makes diet supplements.
Inciting Incident: Fishes container from mountain top lake.
Turning Point 1: Alien brew in his products has positive results.
Act 2: Starts major production run.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Adverse effects kick in. Towns people stricken.
Act 3: Analyzes formula to determine how this happened.
Turning Point 3: Discovers how substance has been sabotaged. Kills disguised alien saboteur.
Act 4 Climax: Battle on the lake. Phil is kidnapped by the aliens.
Resolution: Memorial service for Phil who sacrificed himself to save the towns people.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by Tom Wilson.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by
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Tom’s Supporting Characters
My Vision: While discussing projects with producers, I come up with viable alternatives.
Supporting Characters: Sam – John’s father; Marge – John’s fiancé; Roger – town mayor
Background Characters: Towns people;
Support 1:
· Name: Sam
· Role: John’s father and research mentor
· Main purpose: Help John find the toxin.
· Value: Enables him to save the towns people.
Support 2:
· Name: Marge
· Role: John’s fiancé
· Main purpose: John’s love interest and cop who adds muscle when needed.
· Value: Gets John information and back up when he needs it.
Support 3:
· Name: Roger
· Role: Town mayor and John’s pal from school
· Main purpose: Roger represents towns people.
· Value: Thermostat of the people tells John what he can get away with and what he can’t.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by Tom Wilson.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by
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Teresa Rodriguez’s Character Structure
VISION: I will become a highly respected, sought-after, and successful screenwriter and producer with my own highly profitable production company that I will leave as a blessing to my daughters and many generations to come!
What I learned from doing this assignment is some pieces of the puzzle only comes when you move on filling in other sections of the puzzle first.
Protagonist: Lily White
• Beginning: In her birthday suit, Princess Lily is in the woods with animal friends at the birthday party they throw her.
• Inciting Incident: Later, at her big palace birthday bash, she falls down the stairs in front of a large crowd and paparazzi on live TV. Stepfather tells her she’s an embarrassment to his perfect kingdom.
• Turning Point 1: Narrowly escaping palace guards, Lily fakes her own death and leaves behind a dreadful perfect fairytale life.
• Act 2: Lily comes across the Dwarf’s rundown farm, but they kick her out, mistaking her for perfectionist royalty.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Lily changes her look to disguise her identity, steals food to survive, then gets arrested.
• Act 3: Lily is sent to live in a homeless shelter with other unperfect “undesirables” and meets “Prince.”
• Turning Point 3: Stepfather tries to kill Lily. She survives and foils his plan to steal “youth essence” from village youngsters, but the Dwarfs and “Prince” get captured. Lily is given a dilemma; choose to save the Dwarfs or her “Prince.”
• Act 4 Climax: Lily leads an army of animals and other “undesirables” to defeat her Stepfather.
• Resolution: Lily rules the kingdom and dissolves all “perfectionist” rules.
Antagonist: Evil Stepfather, The Duke/The King
• Beginning: Married Lily’s mom The Queen takes over as ruler when Queen dies. Makes a law that everything and everyone in the kingdom must be perfect.
• Inciting Incident: Lily is set to “come of age” on her 21st Birthday and take over the kingdom.
• Turning Point 1: The Duke sets Lily up to fail at her nationally televised 21st birthday party, then orders her to be killed.
• Act 2: He appoints himself as The King and rules the kingdom.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: He discovers Lily is alive, so he poisons her.
• Act 3: He plots to steal the “youth essence” from all the kingdom’s youngsters.
• Turning Point 3: Lily, Dwarfs, and “Prince” foil The King’s evil plot, so he captures the Dwarfs and “Prince.” Plans to frame Lily for killing them.
• Act 4 Climax: The King fights Lily and loses to his unperfect “undesirables.”
• Resolution: His “perfection spell” dies off on live TV, revealing that he’s an “undesirable” …it’s his biggest nightmare. (he’s forced to clean toilets and wash people’s feet, he hates feet)????
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Lauren’s Character Structure
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edward Brown outline 1
this program is well organized and following it will get my movie made
I learned some insgiths. had done this before. in other vlassese. i really got to pin this up probably beats on foam board. And then review all previous classes to get the depth
SWU WIM outline 1
Beginning: Where does the
character start?
Inciting incident: What propels
them on their journey?Turning Point 1: A major twist that locks them into a conflict nye kiss
Tanya starts to Moscow Kremlin NYE Ball to vamp billionaire Boiris per glamor of Catherine the Great’s Palace
Review on train: classes, winning gold Leaf, suitors who split when PG, influential but boring, her Fathers and Sons needs
Ball where Boris refuses to dance, Tanya refuses marriage, vamps Putin, but not kissed new years Eve
TANYA depressed open to new approach
Act 2 plane ride home/divines
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A
twist that causes everything to change but keeps the character on the same
journey.On jet home tanya goes thru depression to acceptance new Year changes but too late for MIDnight Kiss
Then at home gets Call from George. Neogiate, compromise, go for Midnight Kiss. Make it.
Act 3:
Act 3: The character rethinks
their journey and makes a real change to solve things.
Turning Point 3: Another major
twist that takes them to the biggest conflict.Tanya tests valentine per George
Researches George
Helps George get more organized per building, calendar, grooming, habits and learn to train her students too
Meets George Red Square but dismisses him as childish
Act 4 bird dance and partner ship
Act 1 George
NYE building boat, flags hanging, rejects party Anna
Inciting incident: prays for romantic partner
Deprepressed
Inciting Incident loud email from”Tanya”
Act 2
Act 2: The character has a
“normal response” to this change in their lives.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A
twist that causes everything to change but keeps the character on the same
journey.Calls Tanya
Negotiate MNNYE kiss to meet
Turning point Tanya in Siberia!
Reluctant to go because be vamped
Wound: hurt because women take his pleasing forgranted
Also stunning women conceited
But Tanya sailor, fit, dad researcher , prayer answered
NYE break out year
Kiss at last NYE midnight
Act 3
Act 3: The character rethinks
their journey and makes a real change to solve things.
Turning Point 3: Another major
twist that takes them to the biggest conflict.George passes Valentine test
Gets serious but locked out of building, locked up for driving without license, misses deadlines, messy habits, but becomes Tanya project after Anna writes him off. And shapes up. Meets Tanya face to pretty face and is dismissed
going to show Tanya dragon kite as dragons are ufos
Maybe a gift
Told go home
4th Act Climax: The ultimate
experience/expression of this conflict.
Resolution: Their world has
changed. How did they end up after going through this journey?ACT 4
George flys kite, attracts females, maybe mothers with kids looking for father/parent Tanya realizes she funked test, no Czarina, bird dance, hands as partners.
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Bob DeCarli’s Character Structure
My Vision: To master my craft to the point where I’ve earned a reputation as the screenwriter top producers, directors, and stars can call upon when they need someone to save the day.
What I learned: What I took from this is that, not only can the other characters’ structures begin well before that of the Protagonist, their turning points don’t always have to coincide with those of the Protagonist.
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER (RED) (Antagonist)
Beginning: Plans to build the biggest real estate development of his life.
Inciting Incident: A thug/criminal-turned-activist (DR) begins organizing an active opposition to the imminent domain proceedings necessary for the development to go forward.
Turning Point 1: He frames DR for murder.
Act 2: He secures the appointment of a young, conservative (YG) to the federal bench, who will ultimately rule on the lawsuit challenging the Imminent Domain Proceeding,
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: He discovers YG plans to rule in favor of the plaintiffs challenging the imminent domain case.
Act 3: **Frame YG, get him off the bench.
Turning Point 3: Has the Chief Judge killed and frames YG for it, when it’s clear to him that she will turn against him as well.
Act 4 Climax: Defends his world/life against YG and DR, who have united to bring him down.
Resolution: RED is arraigned on a multitude of charges, facing the rest of his lift in jail.
DEATH ROW (DR) (Triangle)
Beginning: He’s a criminal, feared in the neighborhood where he grew up.
Inciting Incident: A big-time real estate developer begins trying to acquire every home and building to create a large development.
Turning Point 1: DR changes from criminal to activist, helping an elderly woman he once terrorized to keep her home.
Act 2: DR rallies the people to resist RED’s acquisition of all the properties, and when RED starts a condemnation proceeding to force the sale of all the property by imminent domain, DR helps them get an attorney to file a case in federal court.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: In response to RED’s increasingly aggressive and violent intimidation tactics, DR responds in kind, and ends up killing one of RED’s thugs, who is then made out to be an innocent.
Act 3: DR is charged with intentional homicide, convicted, and sentenced to death.
Turning Point 3: DR escapes, and ironically, goes on the run with YG, a disgraced federal judge.
Act 4 Climax: DR is on the run with YG.
Resolution: DR dies sacrificing himself to save YG, with the hope that he will take down RED and save his neighborhood.
YOUNG JUDGE (YG) (Protagonist)
Beginning: A young, pompous judge. Callously sentences DR to death/life in prison.
Inciting Incident: Receives a demand that he recuse himself from an upcoming case, or else. He ignores it and goes ahead and rules.
Turning Point 1: His key card for entering the courthouse has been deactivated, and US Marshals now want to arrest him rather than protect him.
Act 2: After unsuccessfully seeking help from the Chief Judge, he joins a wild escape in progress led by DR, the man he just sentenced to death/life in prison.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: YG tries to present proof of his innocence to the Chief Judge, but she is killed, and YG is framed for her murder.
Act 3: Works with DR to prove that RED is behind the killing of the Chief Judge and framing YG and DR.
Turning Point 3: YG discovers that his last ally, his law Clerk, has actually been working with RED all along, and aided in him being set up.
Act 4 Climax: YG and DR concoct a plan to expose RED and the Law Clerk. DR dies in the process.
Resolution: Having developed the qualities necessary to be a good judge, YG now disposes of cases compassionately, and in a scene that mirrors the opening, sentences another defendant.
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Joaquin “Ibn Gray’s” Character Structure
My vision for the completion of this class is that I will write A plus intriguing screenplays that will be produced into extremely profitable movies, which I will cash large checks from.
What I learned doing this assignment is to see the simple things first. Map it out and it will form.
Protagonist Brewford Dickson
Beginning: Brewford Dickson rides a wagon into Texas
Inciting Incident: Brewford Jr. is kidnapped by a few of Clyde’s men for their ranch
Turning Point 1: Brewford rides into the local town seeking help from the local Sheriff but runs into Clyde kidnapping people in the town.
Act 2: Brewford stumbles upon a community of mixed-race soldiers who offer their assistance to recover Brewford Jr.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Clyde personally captivates Brewford’s daughter
Act 3: Brewford agrees to utilities the soldiers help to save his children.
Turning Point 3: Brewfords wife and the towns women join the fight to save the children.
Act 4 Climax: Brewford kills Clyde Fordwood.
Resolution: A US Calvery rides into town declaring slavery officially against the law.
Antagonist Clyde Fordwood
Beginning: He inherited the largest plantation in Texas after his father died.
Inciting Incident: He was interrupted with the news of salves running away during his piano practice.
Turning Point 1: He is in town playing the piano in the saloon when Brewford walks in looking for answers.
Act 2: He sends his men to follow Brewford.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint. Clyde learns that Brewford has met the soldiers
Act 3: He prepares for an attack of his plantation.
Turning Point 3: He plays his piano aggressively to relieve his stress and makes weapons
Act 4 Climax: He fights Brewford.
Resolution: The slaves on the plantation celebrate at the news of Clyde’s death and their freedom.
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Jaelle’s Deeper Layer!
My vision: I’m an award winning screenwriter that is sought after by people in the industry, who creates scripts that change lives to bring a new vision to the world, and I’m richly rewarded.
Surface Layer: Blavatsky is confident, wretchedly truthful, bold, brilliant
Deeper Layer: deep fear of not being enough, not wanted, not desired
Major Reveal: Father tells her she’s a failure; sister doesn’t trust her
Influences Surface Story: Blavatsky is sick often, nearly dying; gets married, but refuses to have sex; doesn’t follow through on some things; resorts to anger easily and makes enemies.
Hints: her anger overrides sensibility; she breaks down when alone; maybe she is a fraud after all
Changes Reality: She resigns from the Theosophist Society and doesn’t solidify her dream.3. Add the rest of the structure to the characters to the script. Try to get to the point as we’ve done in the Iron Man example above. WHERE IS THIS?
Beginning: Seance with a small group.
Inciting Incident: The Sun posts the oped by Coues calling Blavatsky a fraud.
Turning Point 1: She starts the Theosophist Society
Act 2: Meets Olcott andSinnett
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Attacked by Scientist, Spiritualists and Christianity.
Act 3: Theosophical Society begins to crumble.
Turning Point 3: Blavatsky is betrayed by members of Society.
Act 4 Climax: Court case is a sure win for Blavatsky and the Society
Resolution: Blavatsky dies, terminating the suit; The Sun retracts Coues’ story -
Jamie’s Character Structure
“What I learned from doing this assignment is…this lesson is all about getting the outline started and in alignment to some degree. Certain as I continue with the lessons things will change, I’ll see things differently and perhaps find more interesting ways to approach my concept.
VISION: To sell my script or limited series with future spin-offs to a great producer. And made!
Concept: WITHOUT RECOURSE
With no recourse to sue, two women battle with the FDA and AMA when one has a life threatening medical condition and her doctor and attorney are part of the medical mafia.
Protagonist JUSTINE PARKER
• Beginning: 1991 -Justine is in a horrific accident, on a two lane highway with a semi-truck and trailer then airflighted out of Lake Tahoe down to Reno.
Present day – Justine is caring for her dying mother. Daughter, Gracie arrives to help but brings significant other, Nathan Mills, unknown to Justine. Julia Stone, has COVID, becomes bedridden.
• Inciting Incident: Justine falls, breaks hip, damages shoulder. Nathan and Gracie help out with Sarah when she has hip surgery. Gets released the next day, against medical advice, signs the AMA. IVC filter implanted for surgery. The day after surgery, she comes home, her mother wakes and has promises made with Justine. Later that night her mother dies.
• Turning Point 1: Packs up and divides her mother’s estate. IVC filter removed with complications. She starts writing in her journal. Gracie needs Justine’s help, lies to her. A big argument between them ensues over respect and money with Gracie and Nathan. Sadie goes in to palliative care. Sadie’s daughter, Hanna, becomes the caregiver. Justine becomes despondent, flies to Oregon to be with sister, Sadie. They reunite but soon learn her cancer is now in her lungs. She writes in journal, promises are made. Returning home she stops over and sees Julia.
• Act 2: Justine begins research on Julia’s medical evaluation. Gets medical records from hospitals posing as Julia. They meet with new surgeon, bad news. She returns home, presents Julia’s case to Barrows Neurological and a UCLA surgeon, sets up appointments. She begins further researching and discovers there is a medical mafia in Nevada. Contacts the newspaper journalist. Sees her primary doctor, Dr. T to discuss all her problems and picks his brain. Julia goes behind Justine’s back and asks Peter to get involved, file a law suit and take over.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Justine confronts Julia about Peter’s relationship with the surgeons (his clients). Julia hides her knowledge of medical mafia. Justine lets Julia know she doesn’t trust Peter. Justine and Julia part ways. Justine retreats and shuts down. She gets in contact with Jeanne Lenzer, author, regarding medical devices, begins writing again.
• Act 3: Justine digs deeper, begins medical research with FDA, AMA and revisits her primary. Research deepens on medical mafia. Julia’s medical records get lost. Surgeons she contacted are unable to help but one will provide so long as Julia knows the risks are high. Her article is published but she doesn’t care.
• Turning Point 3: Huge failure. Certified letter arrives from Las Vegas. Sister is now in hospice. Mother’s day approaches, Gracie needs her to help to make floral arrangements. She returns to Oregon to help sister after Mother’s day.
• Act 4 Climax: Sadie wants to die with the Oregon Death with Dignity act. Gracie pushes Justine’s buttons, reminds her of her promise she made to her mother, and why she’s so miserable. Justine is stranded at Vegas airport. Gracie calls Julia to help out and she picks up Justine. Julia lets Justine know she’s having surgery. Doesn’t need her help with Peter by her side.
• Resolution: Surgery day has arrived. I will come back to this later
Antagonist JULIA STONE
• Beginning: Julia has had COVID for months, her neck is in a brace bitches to Justine about her last surgery and the surgeon. Her back problems from surgery worsen.
• Inciting Incident: Julia’s spine caves in, bedridden when her brother calls and informs Justine that she’s not gotten out of bed for over a week.
• Turning Point 1: Calls Justine for help, to no avail, her mother died. Calls Peter, ex and attorney for help, doesn’t respond.
• Act 2: With Justine there, they meet with new surgeon, a straight shooter. Bad news. Julia calls Peter, wants to file law suit. Courier drops off papers. Peter discovers the surgeons that damaged Julia are his clients. She hands over her medical x-rays and records to Justine and flies home. Peter shows up and hands Julia papers to sign.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: After the argument with Julia she relies on Peter’s help. Refuses to take Justine’s calls. Julia gets worse.
• Act 3: She has no will to live but really never has. Calls Sadie, leaves a message.
• Turning Point 3: Julia is off the radar, still refusing to talk with Justine. Justine’s sister calls about dying with dignity. Peter makes arrangements for Julia to see a surgeon. She is convinced the surgery will work and sets date.
• Act 4 Climax: Julia helps Justine out when layover in Vegas is delayed a day. Informs Justine she’s having surgery with Peter’s help. Justine flies home.
• Resolution: Day of surgery.
TRIANGLE GRACIE WYATT
• Beginning: Gracie drives in from California with Nathen Yagger her significant other without her mother knowing. Arguments ensue. Visits with grandmother, brings joy back in the home. They have quiet time together, videos made.
• Inciting Incident: Gracie must take care of grandmother while Justine is in hospital.
• Turning Point 1: Gracie argues about her needs with her mother when if she goes to see Julia in Vegas. Grandmother dies. Help pack up grandmother’s items for family.
• Act 2: Gracie and Nathen fight over money and work. She confronts her mother, about her own needs and why her mother isn’t keeping her promise that she made to her mother, about living her life and making her dreams come true.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Gracie goes her own way, gets work and begins her journey. Gracie pesters her mother about her writing. She crashes Justine’s car tries to fix before she returns home but can’t.
• Act 3: Her work increases but she feels like she’s supporting Nathen and more arguments begin. Get a job Nathan!
• Turning Point 3: Mother’s day approaches, biggest floral day of the year and Gracie needs her mother’s help. She’s working out of the home.
• Act 4 Climax: Gracie calls Julia to help her mom stranded at airport. She sends Justine a song to listen to on her return home.
• Resolution: TBD
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Veronica Turowski’s Character Structure
What I learned from doing this assignment is the storyline I had is continually getting stronger because now I know how to integrate the three characters.
My Vision: I want to be a successful writer who writes several scripts a year and sells them to producers who are eager to make my vision a reality by bringing my scripts to completion so everyone can watch my movies on the big screen.
Concept: While at a funeral, a professional mourner is told by the deceased they were murdered, but when no one believes the mourner, she decides to find and stop the serial killer before he kills his next victim, only to discover she is a ghost and is the mother of the serial killer.
Title: Justice from the Grave
Genre: Thriller
Protagonist Character Journey: Eppsa Kestner
Beginning: Eppsa is in the hospital looking for her son, Hayden. She sees a ghost, Lonnie, in the hallway.
Inciting Incident: She sees Lonnie in the cemetery at his funeral. He tells her he was murdered and someone else will be murdered. She must stop the killer.
Turning Point 1: The man Lonnie said was going to be murdered is on the newspaper cover saying he committed suicide.
Act 2: Eppsa calls the police to try to report the murder of Lonnie and possibly the second victim that Lonnie named. The cops keep hanging up on her. The cops on TV say the people committing suicide are just copying TikTok videos. She sees Hayden in the police station and chases after him.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: She turns to her psychic, Clover, for help.
Act 3: She turns to Lonnie for help finding the serial killers’ victims. She visits her husband’s grave. She leans on the church minister, Palmer McKee, for emotional support.
Turning Point 3: She learns Hayden might be on the serial killers’ list.
Act 4 Climax: She discovers Hayden is the serial killer, and she is a ghost. She kills Hayden to protect his wife and son. His wife, Neta, and son, Evren, are waiting for Hayden at his surprise birthday party when they learn of Hayden’s death.
Resolution: Hayden is dead. Eppsa and Lonnie pass over and go to Heaven.
Protagonist Character Journey: Lonnie Dowic
Beginning: Lonnie dies in the hospital and becomes a ghost who can’t pass over.
Inciting Incident: He meets Eppsa and asks her to help him find his killer. He tells Eppsa the next victim’s name.
Turning Point 1: Lonnie and the next victim meet in the cemetery and vanish.
Act 2: Lonnie talks to a little girl at the cemetery who is attending a funeral. He tells her the next victim’s name and explains she must tell Eppsa when she shows up.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Lonnie talks to another victim in the cemetery who was just murdered. He warns Eppsa that there will be more victims soon.
Act 3: Lonnie remotely talks to Clover, the psychic, while Eppsa talks to Clover.
Turning Point 3: Lonnie warns Eppsa of another victim. This time it’s one of Hayden’s friends from school. All the victims knew Hayden. He tells her to find the killer because Hayden might be on the list.
Act 4 Climax: Lonnie remembers who killed him. He reveals to Eppsa that she is a ghost and convinces her to kill Hayden before he kills his last victim. Lonnie walks Eppsa over to her grave so she can see the tombstone with her and her husband’s names along with the same death date. She remembers her husband killed her.
Resolution: He passes over and goes to Heaven.
Antagonist Character Journey: Hayden Kestner
Beginning: Two men fight. You don’t know the men are Hayden and Lonnie. It looks like Hayden’s trying to save the man. He is cut down his arm.
Inciting Incident: Hayden ducks out of the hospital with a bandage on his arm. The news says he’s a hero trying to save his friend but was cut in the process.
Turning Point 1: Evren, Hayden’s young son, takes money from a customer. Hayden removes an ice cream bar stored next to a dead body in the freezer of his ice cream truck and hands the ice cream to the customer.
Act 2: Hayden kills another person.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Hayden gives a statement or helps with a sketch for the cops at the police station. Hayden lies and claims he chased a man away who killed the man and slashed his arm. The cops want to give him an award for being a good Samaritan. He shivers and tells a cop it’s so cold in the station.
Act 3: He goes to the cemetery to his dad’s grave. He feels Lonnie’s presence.
Turning Point 3: Evren witnesses Hayden kill another victim. Hayden explains why it’s okay to kill sometimes and that his dad (Evren’s grandfather) did the same thing.
Act 4 Climax: He comes face to face with his mom, Eppsa. She makes him grab a knife, and he slits his wrists.
Resolution: He dies by suicide in his ice cream truck. Neta and Evren are left. Neta is worried that Evren has a taste for blood like his dad and grandfather.
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Joe McGloin’s Character Structure
Vision: I am a talented, highly regarded, efficient, relaxed, happy, WGA screenwriter
What I learned from doing this assignment is the antagonist has a real story, and the protagonists’ stories are a little more fleshed out.
Protagonist – Max
Beginning: Max not interested in the potential
assignment of an independent human
Inciting Incident: he rebels at the assignment
Turning Point 1: back in heaven, he
watches her being manipulated and accepts only as a temporary assignment
Act 2: Max helps Jane out of harm’s
way, finds her take-charge approach admirable, but she still needs
protection from the political sharks around her
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Max has to
take on a permanent human form to prevent him from using his overbearing
approach
Act 3: Max as an aide, they get along
well as Max struggles with letting life unfold on its own vs. being a
helicopter
Turning Point 3: Max discovers he is
in love so can’t be objective. He resigns
Act 4 Climax: Max dies
Resolution: Max returns with Clarence’s
helpProtagonist – Jane
Beginning: she is independent but shy
of relationships
Inciting Incident: he is hired and
assigned to her. His overbearing is off-putting
Turning Point 1: She discovers she is
to be the fall guy for a gun bill
Act 2: she pushes alternate gun bill
and succeeds
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Jane leaps
to national politics when boss arrested
Act 3: Jane’s advisor has health crisis
and gets Max as her new advisor
Turning Point 3: Jane falling in love
with Max, a first for her
Act 4 Climax: She is presidential
candidate with Max advising but he dies as a result of resigning his
position as her G. Angel
Resolution: She wins, he returns and they
live happily in the White HouseAntagonist Clarence:
Beginning: Clarence fights the assignment
Inciting Incident: Overruled on Max’s
assignment
Turning Point 1: determines to make
the assignment a failure
Act 2: turns a deaf ear to Max’s
entreaties for help
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Makes Max
get a human body full time; work with that limit
Act 3: Max Max does fine without
Clarence who now has a grudging
respect for Max
Turning Point 3: Max resigns to Clarence’s
chagrin. But rules are rules
Act 4 Climax: Max’s human body dies
Resolution: Clarence
saves the day – a pilot program allow angels + humans to co-exist -
Jane’s Character Structure
MY VISION: I will make my living as a screenwriter by selling my own narrative scripts and successfully fulfilling writing assignments.
By doing this assignment I totally discovered the story for my real antagonist – the killer. I also discovered that I have a little “Pride and Prejudice” going on her between June and Percival. Nothing romantic but his problem is pride and her problem is prejudice! I also discovered how useful previous work has been in helping me continue to create this story.
June Marvel
Beginning: June moves into Shady Acres, a rehabilitation center, to recover from a hip replacement surgery.
Inciting Incident: The famous detective Percival Heriot is also staying in the center. He incites June’s fury and she challenges him to a contest to see if he can solve a crime that she comes up with. He challenges her to the same contest and they are off and running.
Turning Point 1: The body of the center’s physical therapist is discovered. She has been murdered.
Act 2: June believes that Percival’s “crime” has gone terribly wrong. She accuses him of murder and sets out to prove he did it.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: June follows Percival to an ancient ice house on the grounds. They are locked in and barely escape with their lives. During their escape, June is nearly killed as she saves Percival. It is clear that someone is trying to kill them both.
Act 3: With the knowledge that someone wants them both dead, June must put aside her prejudice against Percival and work with him to find the killer. As she begins working with him, she discovers he has a secret.
Turning Point 3: Their plan is to fake June’s death, with the idea that the killer will expose himself when her “death” is discovered. June is finally getting a chance to play an active role in catching a criminal rather than just knitting and observing. She is ecstatic!
Act 4 Climax: The killer knows that June is not actually dead and takes the opportunity to attempt to kill her. In a fight for her life and Percival’s, June turns the tables and traps the killer.
Resolution: June has finally become the action hero she’s always dreamed of becoming. Knowing that she can take tough action and be recognized for it, she now goes back to the comfortable life of knitting and observing human nature. But, she could take action again anytime.
Percival Heriot
Beginning: After solving a very public murder, Percival is exhausted and checks into Shady Acres for a month of TLC.
Inciting Incident: He finds the idea of mild June Marvel solving a crime that he creates laughable. But when she easily discovers the theft of a diamond ring faster than he does, he takes the competition seriously and recruits some of the staff, including the center’s physical therapist, to help him.
Turning Point 1: The physical therapist is found dead, with evidence that links her to Percival as his accomplice.
Act 2: Suspicion turns to Percival and he decides that he must find the killer or be arrested for murder.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Percival follows the clues to an ancient ice house, unaware that June is on his tail. As the ice house fills with carbon monoxide, Percival is rescued by June. As they make their escape, the ice house falls down around them and they barely escape with their lives.
Act 3: With the knowledge that someone wants them both dead, Percival must put aside his pride and work with June to find the killer.
Turning Point 3: For the first time in a very long time, Percival is part of a team, not working alone. But he has trouble adapting and, because of this, their plan and June’s life is now in deep peril. Can his “little grey cells” work fast enough to expose the killer?
Act 4 Climax: Percival realizes who the killer is and why they want him to go to jail for murdering June. It’s not about an old case. It’s about his moonlighting job as Aunt Lily. He can’t use his usual “denouement in library” method of exposing the killer. He must resort to using June’s plan and he must stick to it or she will die and he will go to prison for her murder.
Resolution: June’s fast action and his ability to adapt to something new in a pinch saves the day. He discovers that he likes working with June and that she is the one person he knows he can trust with his deepest secret.
Murderer
Beginning: When her father passed away, her mother wrote to Aunt Lily to ask how to help her daughter. Aunt Lily suggests getting away on a holiday. On the holiday her mother meets a man and they marry.
Inciting Incident: She is sent to boarding school because her mother travels with her new husband.
Turning Point 1: She strives to be accepted at the boarding school, but isn’t. Instead she is bullied. She writes to Aunt Lily to ask what to do. Aunt Lily tells her to fight back.
Act 2: When she fights back, she is expelled from school. Her mother has to fly home to pick her up. The plane crashes and her mother is killed. Distraught, she blames Aunt Lily.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: 20 years later, she accidently discovers Aunt Lily’s real identity and decides to kill Aunt Lily. She hatches a plan and puts it in motion.
Act 3: She murders the physical therapist at Shady Acres in order to get close to Aunt Lily and set her plan into action.
Turning Point 3: She quietly sets up her web and is ready to snare Aunt Lily when she discovers that keeping Aunt lily alive but having him spend the rest of his life in jail would be more satisfying, she changes her plan and sets her sights on killing June and framing Percival for the death.
Act 4 Climax: She sees through June and Percival’s plan to expose her and takes advantage of their scheme to kill June.
Resolution: She doesn’t bank on June and Percival discovering who she is and what she is doing until it is too late. She is captured and arrested for murder.
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John T’s Character Structure Vision: To become a reliable box office success and entertain audiences all over the world. What I learned by doing this assignment is that by mapping out the basics of a logical series of events, a storyline emerges.
CAPT PHIL CONNERS’S CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE •
Beginning: distraught over the murder of the neighbor’s daughter, Amber. • Inciting Incident: Phil decides to track down the itinerant killer. • Turning Point 1: Ben suspects Phil, follows him to a city. • Act 2: Another murder and Phil is nearby – he must be the killer! • Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Phil goes into hiding, alludes Ben • Act 3: Phil is close to solving the murders and ID the serial killer. • Turning Point 3: Phil and Ben race to the scene of the next victim. • Act 4 Climax: Louise shoots Ben, tries to win over Phil – he kills her. • Resolution: Phil is exonerated, a hero.
AGENT BEN CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE • Beginning: Ben takes a short cut to nail a felon. • Inciting Incident: Another murder victim and Ben is put on the case – find the traveling serial killer. • Turning Point 1: Another victim - evidence leads him to Phil. • Act 2: Ben pursues Phil. • Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Ben almost catches the killer. • Act 3: Ben tries to arrest Phil who’s on the run. • Turning Point 3: Ben figures out the killer’s MO, races to the scene. • Act 4 Climax: Ben sees Phil, but is shot by Louise. • Resolution: Ben recovers, is promoted.
LOUISE CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE • Beginning: Endures an abusive childhood • Inciting Incident: Father makes him dress up like a girl. • Turning Point 1: Louis becomes a girl, Louise. • Act 2: Louise gets hired as a female flight attendant. • Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Meets, falls for Phil. • Act 3: Becomes insanely jealous of Amber. • Turning Point 3: Kills Amber. • Act 4 Climax: Tries to kill Ben, dies by Phil’s hand. • Resolution: She’s remembered as a boy.<i style="font-weight: bold;">
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MODULE 4 LESSON 1
Aaron’s Character Structure
MY VISION: I am going to work harder than anyone to be an incredible writer who the industry seeks for projects that have consistent commercial success.
What I learned doing this assignment is the power that each main character brings to the story from their backgrounds and current life’s motivations.
PROTAGONIST
Beginning: Pro’s last day in prison, he’s respectful to guards, takes orders, has no questions about anything, does as he’s told. He’s pulled over on the way home from jail, expired license, he‘s arrested and goes right back to jail – he keeps calm, calms his family down, doesn’t want to rock the boat.
Inciting incident: His uncle gives him a beat-up tow truck and signs over his LLC to him. He’s now a small business owner. His biggest contract is the Sheriff’s department.
Turning Point 1: He discovers evidence that the deputies are breaking the law.
Act 2: Pro freaks out and goes to uncle. He ends up putting the evidence back where it would logically be found by the deputies.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Pro is pulled over by Highway Patrol while towing an abandoned car that turns out is full of the Sheriff’s dope. Deputies show up and claim pro’s their source – now he’s part of the Sheriff’s drug ring.
Act 3: Pro starts changing to new ways – breaking laws, etc. He’s pissed – gets smart and seeks help from others to start new/improved plan. Starts recon on enemies, figures them out.
Turning Point 3: When the deputies think pro’s working with the FBI, pro’s nephew disappears – kidnapped by the deputies.
4th Act Climax: On the voting day for Mayor, all the dominos that Pro set up start to fall: the State Police arrest a couple deputies, Pro blows up the Sheriff’s secret stash of millions, he kidnaps Antag’s wife and then swaps her for him. He begins to torture Antag until he gives up where his nephew is. And when he finds him, he finds every other person that crossed the Sheriff or his deputies in the past 25 years, all buried in town the entire time.
Resolution: The one clean deputy, a Mexican Marine, is now the Sheriff. He’s an ally to Pro, understands full well what Pro had to do, and isn’t too bothered by it at all. Pro is the new King of the town! An inspiration to all the black townspeople, who begin to take on the Pro’s new ways – they’re more sovereign, confident, bold and stand up for themselves.
ANTAGONIST
Beginning: His dad abused him as a child, beat him until he beat everyone in everything… to the town, he has always been their golden boy – HS QB/Pitcher, played in college, all the women chased him and everyone loved him. He dominated and nobody that knew better dared challenge him.
Inciting incident: The Mayor called him out during a press conference, claiming that his department botched an investigation and let a killer lose.
Turning Point 1: The Sheriff files to run for Mayor.
Act 2: Domination. Drug running to fund campaign, blackmail, illegal searches and arrests.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A body shows up of a missing teen – Sheriff treats it like a blessing, when he’s the one who put him there – suspicion that someone is exposing them (Pro).
Act 3: More hidden crimes come to light and Sheriff has no doubt someone is exposing him – he sends his men on an all-out blitz to find the person.
Turning Point 3: It becomes public that the Sheriff is under a cloud of suspicion regarding misdeeds.
4th Act Climax: They find out it’s Pro and the battle ensues – mayhem as the town turns into a warzone (so much for keeping the peace). Pro is lying to the Feds about his involvement, but leading them closer to the Sheriff as the orchestrator of all local crime.
Resolution: FBI arrest Sheriff. He’s now a caged animal – never been so pissed in his life.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by Aaron Can Hoff.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by Aaron Can Hoff.
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Susan Arnout Smith’s Great Amazing Vision: I easily co-create with the Creator projects that are produced, win awards, heal hearts and bring me professional respect, financial abundance and time to explore the world with my family and friends.
What I learned from this assignment: I am so relieved I’m at least working on and in the same module as the class. It really is encouraging to me that I can get caught up bit by bit, and that soon I’ll be current in assignments.
ESME COOPER AND THE PROPHESY OF DOOM
HC: A 12-year old Halfing must come into her own power in time to save her world from an evil Queen activating an ancient prophesy that carries a curse.
Look at the story and who your character is in order to create their unique structure.
CHARACTER’S JOURNEY: Esme Cooper, protagonist
Beginning: Where does the character start?12-year-old Halfling Esme Cooper attacks her nemesis, Gisselda. At issue is whether a Halfling (Esme) will ever ‘grow’ into a Binder, like her mother, High Priestess Ilya.
· Inciting incident: What propels them on their journey?
In a risky and brash move, Esme follows her mother into the sky when her mother goes on a Binder journey to reunite a soul fragment with its wounded self. Esme’s caught and chaos ensues.
Turning Point 1: A major twist that locks them into a conflict.
The woman Ilya was healing morphs into an assassin and delivers an ancient prophesy: Cantoria will be destroyed at the hands of a child: Esme.
· Act 2: The character has a “normal response” to this change in their lives.
Plans that fail: Esme’s contained for her own protection.
She tries to get free. She’s found and contained.
She tries to win allies. Fails.
Esme escapes and uncovers the truth of the prophesy: it’s attached to a curse the Queen activated. Cantoria will die.
Esme’s captured and sent to live in the Outlier compound with her dad. NOTE: all ‘the plans that fail’ are neatly condensed down so that we see everything she tries and fails until she’s sent away to live in the Outlier compound.
MOST OF ACT II: Esme learns skills in the Outlier compound from John, her dad, who is from Earth.
· Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A twist that causes everything to change but keeps the character on the same journey.
Cantoria’s security is breached and attacked by the Queen. Esme and her family escape their world, headed for Earth.
· Act 3: The character rethinks their journey and makes a real change to solve things.
· Reaction: In the escape vehicle, Esme’s mother wraps her in a mantle of forgetfulness. She must never remember her old life…the more she remembers, the more she’ll be in danger.
They crash land on Earth. Esme is separated from the rest of her family.
When she wakens, she can’t remember who she is, or anything about herself.
She meets Mary Fortuna, a wise-cracking, fun and fierce advocate for homeless kids, who promises Esme she’ll help her remember who she is. Esme picks Rose as her name.
Esme (Rose) learns Earth fighting skills and begins to regain memories. This puts her at grave risk.
Mary sends her away to save her, to live with her dad’s parents in Kansas.
Her grandparents turn out to be assassins sent by the Queen to kill her.
This shock leads Esme back to Mary for protection.
· Turning Point 3: Another major twist that takes them to the biggest conflict.
Mary is revealed not to be who she claims to be, not her protector. She was sent by the Queen to neutralize Esme and to never allow her to return to try and save her kingdom. Cantoria is alive, but barely, as is her family. Mary escapes.
· Act IV:
With Bodhi’s help, Esme returns to Cantoria to save her kingdom.
· 4th Act Climax: The ultimate experience/expression of this conflict.
Esme and her forces and the Queen and her forces have a fight that escalates. The Queen reveals she actually is Mary, that she’s seen everything Esme has done and been party to her biggest secrets.
Bodhi reveals himself to have been corrupted by the evil Queen: Esme really must win this battle herself.
In even fiercer fighting, summoning all she knows, and is, and rallying her community behind her once more, Esme neutralizes and stops the Queen.
· Resolution: Their world has changed. How did they end up after going through this journey?
Esme becomes the High Priestess and leader of Cantoria. The Queen is neutralized and all the really risky and scary curse stuff that the ancient one had predicted would happen if the Queen activated the curse, is now turned on the Queen.
Cantoria with Esme as the young leader is saved. The Queen’s reign is blown up, her along with it. Esme and Bodhi are still not reconciled but not enemies either.
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ESME COOPER AND THE PROPHESY OF DOOM
CHARACTER’S JOURNEY: (Antagonist) Her High Holy Most Marvelous Muchness (H3M3) (aka Mary Fortuna)
High Concept: A 12-year old Halfing must come into her own power in time to save her world from an evil Queen activating an ancient prophesy that carries a curse.
Beginning: Where does the character start?
NOTE: Queen’s beginning is before the story starts. She unearths an ancient prophesy and pays extra to activate the curse buried inside it.
Queen’s Inciting Incident is Esme’s TP 1: Inciting incident: What propels them on their journey? The prophesy is delivered, but there’s a screw-up; the assassin delivers the prophesy but is killed! And Esme and her mother get away, but with multiple casualties.
Turning Point 1: A major twist that locks them into a conflict. Note: Queen’s TP1 is Esme’s TP2
Ilya’s security force infiltrates H3M3’s kingdom and is found out. Note: This information is known by Esme’s dad but at least in this version, it’s info kept from her. And whatever was activated inside the prophesy is already starting to in subtle ways affect the Queen.
Act 2: The character has a “normal response” to this change in their lives. The Queen mounts a fierce counter attack on Cantoria. Esme and her family escape.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint, (into Act 3): A twist that causes everything to change but keeps the character on the same journey.
Note: Both timelines now coincide. On Earth, the crash is big news. Queen (as Mary Fortuna) meets Esme in the hospital. Esme’s lost her memory. Mary insinuates herself into Esme’s life through the court system and her seeming good will.
Act 3: The character rethinks their journey and makes a real change to solve things.
As Esme regains memory with Mary’s help, Mary punches up the danger Esme’s in, and Esme promises to only tell Mary when she retrieves a memory. Mary begins to weaken Esme’s power.
Esme’s grandparents take her from Mary. When they’re revealed to be assassins sent by the Queen, Mary saves her. Oh no! Mary herself is the threat, sent by the Queen to neutralize her and never let her return to Cantoria.
Turning Point 3: Another major twist that takes them to the biggest conflict.
With Bodhi’s help, she gets free of Mary. The Queen readies herself for the face-off.
4th Act Climax: The ultimate experience/expression of this conflict.
Esme and her forces and the Queen and hers square off in a fierce, bloody and epic battle.
Oh no! Among those corrupted by the Queen’s power is Bodhi. Esme must win without him. It’s only here, then, that Esme finally claims her true power and is able to defeat the evil Queen.
Resolution: Their world has changed. How did they end up after going through this journey?
Esme becomes High Priestess and leader of Cantoria. The Queen dies.
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KRISTIN’S CHARACTER STRUCTURE
VISION: “I want the personal, professional, and financial freedom and joy that come from writing so well that I’m in demand, selling beyond my wildest dreams, and making worthy projects—on a big scale and with my active, collegial participation.”
WHAT I LEARNED doing this assignment is that it’s okay for the antagonist’s arc to begin before the movie begins. I suppose this is kind of evident once you think about it, but THINKING ABOUT IT was an ah-ha moment. It’s one of the best structural tips ever.
PROTAGONIST / PETE THE PALEONTOLOGIST
Beginning: Where does the character start?
Starts as Peter Pan, leading his group at the best job on earth.
Inciting incident: What propels them on their journey?
His favorite dinosaur is seized by the feds!
Turning Point 1: A major twist that locks them into a conflict.
He stands up for himself—and sues the government.
Act 2: The character has a “normal response” to this change in their lives.
He thinks if he just explains everything, logic will win out. “Just tell the truth.”
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A twist that causes everything to change but keeps the
character on the same journey.
He’s indicted; this gets “real.”
Act 3: The character rethinks their journey and makes a real change to solve things.
He has to start thinking like the opposition—own his power and become a leader. He starts moving mountains—examining the case like he examines rocks.
Turning Point 3: Another major twist that takes them to the biggest conflict.
The co-defendants start turning on one another; he refuses to do this, and realizes he has to stand on his own.
4th Act Climax: The ultimate experience/expression of this conflict.
The “show-down” = courtroom.
Resolution: Their world has changed. How did they end up after going through this
journey?
Strong, focused, the champion of his industry—and his family have no idea.
ANTAGONIST / SLICK WILLY / ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY
Beginning: Where does the character start?
Starts as a mediocre, ladder-climbing government attorney with political aspirations.
Inciting incident: What propels them on their journey?
Getting overlooked for years. Then, after the US Attorney left (when Democrats won the White House), he wanted a promotion. Would do anything to get noticed.
Turning Point 1: A major twist that locks them into a conflict.
He searches for a case that can make him famous, and butters up his old judge pal.
Act 2: The character has a “normal response” to this change in their lives.
He researches issues the judge is familiar with—land ownership. Then, a golden egg is laid on his desk, when he hears from the landowner.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A twist that causes everything to change but keeps the
character on the same journey.
Identifies Pete as a target, and stages the seizure.
Act 3: The character rethinks their journey and makes a real change to solve things.
Pete sues the government! The public falls in love with Pete! Damn it!
Turning Point 3: Another major twist that takes them to the biggest conflict.
He sets up a huge and cumbersome RICO case. Go big or go home.
4th Act Climax: The ultimate experience/expression of this conflict.
The “show-down” = courtroom. He underestimates his rivals—plus, they’re innocent.
Resolution: Their world has changed. How did they end up after going through this
journey?
He looks like an idiot; leaves the post, knowing he will never get promoted.
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Jacqueline Murphy Character Structure WIM MOD 4 Les 1 August 13, 2022
VISION: To empower myself to go for my dreams to be a great writer, actress and filmmaker who is “Admired”, recognized and sought after by the industry and has many successful TV & Film projects produced that make a difference and inspire others to go for their dreams.
What I learned from doing this assignment you see how things are interrelated, align and it’s fun to weave them together. I tried to simplify best I could for clarity. Loved this!
1. State-To-Activity empowerment process. State: I am absolutely capable…Activity: …of creating great Character Structures.
2. Start with the Protagonist and your source material. Create a beginning, middle, and end of the character’s story.
3. Add the rest of the structure to the characters to the script. Try to get to the point as we’ve done in the Iron Man example above.
Beginning: Failing actress with abandonment and rejection woundInciting Incident: Olivia’s mom dies leaving her with a kaleidoscopeTurning Point 1: She meets a handsome Sorcerer who courts her and runs interference to get rid of Olivia’s BBF Angelica an intuitive healer and psychic who knows and sees right through him. Z plants mistrust between Olivia and Angelica which has Olivia fall for his “romancing her” and helping her get her dream to be a starAct 2: Olivia makes a Faustian deal with the Sorcerer to have him “time travel” back to 1940’s Hollywood as a big movie star but she can never return ignoring Angelica’s warningsTurning Point 2 / Midpoint: Olivia is a fish out of water but “acts” her way playing the part of a “star” in this new OH Dimension Her boyfriend Billy has followed here and creates all kinds of problems for her with his gambling, drinking and sex addiction. Olivia is beholden to Mobster and Club Owner Davey Haze and Sam Meyer the Studio head to help her get star roles and give her money to cover the “mess” Billy is creating and keep it quiet so she can keep up her image. Starlet tries to “Steal her role”. She’s hit a wall and is very unhappy until she helps a homeless woman who reveals to Olivia her “hidden genetic talent” . Angelica appears as the Mafia Club owners “right hand advisor” undercover to try and talk sense to Olivia and get her back to the real world.Act 3: Seeing that Olivia may leave the OH Dimension the homeless woman is a powerful witch and mentor decides it’ “Time” to show Olivia how to use her hidden genetic talent and who her father is and was and what her true purpose is in the OH Dimension. Olivia isn’t sure about staying in this new dangerous dimension and misses her niece and the real world she knows. Turning Point 3: A confused Olivia experiments with a “Tarot card spell” and is thrilled to see she is able to time travels herself, back to the Real World with her new found power. A surprised and annoyed Mr. Z follows Olivia and uses Olivia’s adoring 19 year old niece Norma to get under Olivia’s skin by giving Norma a chance to be a star-“just like Auntie O”. Olivia sees Mr. Z “time travel” Norma and decides she must go back and protect her. Act 4 Climax: A battle of wills between Mr. Z. ,Angelica and Olivia. Olivia’s power is magnetized the more time she spends in the OH Dimension and with the appearance of her real father shatters her beliefs and causes her to rethink what her real purpose is in this dimension and how she can make beneficial changes to the real world. The Mentor Witch reveals she is her father’s sister and Olivia must be made Ruler of Throne to restore order in OH Dimension and to release her father from the spell he’s been under. Resolution: Olivia accepts her “Star” position as Sorceress in the OH Dimension. This allows her father, Mr Z and Angelica who are her “siblings” to be the better parts of themselves . The kingdom rallies around Olivia to support her
4. Repeat the process with your Antagonist- Mr. Z
Beginning: Mr. Z cast out of the OH dimension hears that Olivia’s mom has passed and seeks her out to “Steal” her power and the magic kaleidoscopeInciting Incident: Mr. Z romances Olivia and comes between her and Angelica so he can seduce her to make the Faustian deal of going to the OH Dimension with him so he can steal her power and become the Ruler. Turning Point 1: Mr. Z and Olivia’s romance starts to get serious and he has to remind himself of his goal to take her power. Olivia isn’t aware of her hidden genetic power for magic. Z gets jealous as he sees other men want Olivia, especially the dangerous Mafia Club owner Davey Haze and the manipulative studio head Sam Meyer. None of these 3 men could anticipate Olivia would start an affair with Taylor Desmond a married Oscar winning Director. Act 2: Z sees his power weakening and decides to cause more problems for Olivia by having Starlet get her part. He’s dealing with the heavy weights in the OH world Mafia/studio and witches. Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Olivia unawares of her powers pleads with Z to take her back to the real world. She’s so unhappy. Z sees Angelica come on the scene and is suspicious of what she plans to do to thwart him. The witches coven cast a spell on Z that hampers some of his powers but not all. Act 3: Olivia’s experimenting with magic and figuring out how to time travel but a further wrench in Z’s plans NOW he must follow her back to the Real world and sees that he can use her 19 year old niece Norma who wants to be “a star, just like Auntie O” . Z and Angelica are locked in a battle of good and evil as Olivia comes back to the real world portal. Z tempts her so how was it? But when Olivia doesn’t bite he takes Norma into the OH world causing Olivia to have to go back to protect NormaTurning Point 3: Norma is a star and is dating wi newspaper magnate WR Cox and steering Studio head Sam Meyer. She refuses to go back with Olivia. Z offers the solution: Give me your newfound power and the kaleidoscope and the keys to the kingdom and you can get her back. Act 4 Climax: The Witches Coven appeals to Olivia not to let Z run ramshod with his evil power. Z challenges Olivia to a magic duel. Angelica is allowed to help Olivia and the 3 go at it. The thunderstorm of Z’s Evil, Angelica’s Good and Olivia’s “BALANCE” cause ripples through the OH Universe electrically breaking the “spell” that bound Olivia’s father. With the help of the witches the father-the founding ruler and creator of the OH Dimension appears knocking all 3 in separate corners and reveals they are all half siblings BUT Olivia is the only one with one 100% gene to rule because she is BALANCEResolution: After duking it out between themselves Z and Angelica agree to support Olivia as they see the witches coven in behind her and Olivia is the rightful ruler.
5. Repeat the process with your Triangle character-Angelica the intuitive advisor, healer & BBF to Olivia .
Beginning: Angelica advises Olivia in the real world but the loss of Olivia’s mom has made her vulnerable and despondent. Olivia is hell bent on finding out more about the father she never knew and why her mom gave her a kaleidoscope.Inciting Incident: Mr. Z from the OH Dimension comes to usurp Olivia’s power and the kaleidoscope. Being psychic Angelica can see who he is and what he wants. She warns Olivia but Z creates mistrust by making Angelica look like she doesn’t want Olivia to have her dream to be a star. Turning Point 1: To Angelica’s disappointment, Olivia spurns her and makes the Faustian deal to time travel to the dangerous OH Dimension, leaving Angelica behind. Act 2: Angelica can see in her “crystal ball” that Olivia is being hurtled into the more dangerous side of the OH Dimension and doesn’t know how to protect herself. She puts her pride and rejection aside and time travels there inserting herself as Davey Haze the Mafia clubowner’s right hand advisor in order to keep an eye on OliviaTurning Point 2 / Midpoint: A distraught Olivia jerked around by Davey for romance and shunted aside by the Studio head when her star part is given to Starlet begs Z to return her but he won’t as he needs her power to succeed as ruler of the OH Dimension-the magic hour hasn’t happened yet for the power to be exchanged. Angelica appears to a shocked Olivia and guides her to “Be true to yourself” Olivia says: But how. But the time isn’t right and not aligned yet.Act 3: Olivia’s Homeless witch reveals she’s the Head Sorceress of the Coven and teaches her a magic lesson which Olivia tries and she is able to time travel herself back to the “real world” Angelica follows hoping she can keep Olivia thereTurning Point 3: Z follows Olivia back and he and Angelica have a battle of wills: Z Evil and Angelica’s Good. Z tempts Olivia with stardom, future dreams, excitement but sees a real opening when Norma comes in and says: “Aunti O I want to be just like you a big movie star” Z flourishes his magic power dragging Norma through the portal causing Olivia to have to go with him to “save” NormaAct 4 Climax: Olivia and Norma compete for starring roles and are both up for Oscars in the OH Dimension. Olivia exhausted trying to figure out who she is, her role, where she can enlist the witches coven and magic appeals to Angelica. The witches intervene and a battle of Z evil, Angelica good and Olivia BALANCE occurs to see who’ll win and be the ruler. They all are infected with the desire for power, fame and to rule. Resolution: A thunderstorm occurs from the magical battle causing electric currents that release Olivia’s real father from the spell and we can know see him and that he is the creator and the original Ruler of the OH Dimension. The 3 are knocked into separate corners of a triangle and DAD reveals that they are all is children but Olivia has the true 100% power to rule as she is BALANCE. The question is can she part with her need to be a movie star and rule the OH Dimension. For the moment Olivia agrees and convinces dad, the witches coven and all that she can be a “balancing” force and rule fairly. Z and Angelica realize they must be her allies in order to have any power and survive. Angelica is thrilled to be Olivia’s right hand BUT she hasn’t told Olivia of her romantic love of her. Z is seething but goes with the plan and still desires to succeed “trickster” that he is. The GOLD LADY appears: this is Olivia’s mother who blesses it all and reveals there is more to come! Olivia is responsible to make changes in all realms and must empower others to be all they can be and go for their dreams.
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Valeriya’s Character Structure
My Vision: I am a masterful, ahead-of-the-game, and outside-the-box writer full of ideas and creative energy. My writing is fresh, impactful, iconic, beautiful, and effortless, and my projects deliver outstanding commercial and artistic success. I am on the leading edge. I create a lot, it’s fun, quick, and easy. My whole life is that way.
I am absolutely capable of creating great Character Structures!
What I learned from doing this assignment is…
– The story reveals itself step by step, every exercise gives ideas not only about what is in the focus — I figured out the ending for one movie, and the details I needed to honor the premise.
– It’s a very good way to clarify the logic of a story and tighten it up.
– I knew I needed this step and it’s in the program!
– I’m getting better and better at screenwriting, it feels great.
BOO WHO HOO: Following her therapist’s advice, a woman asks her “monster-under-the-bed” to come out into the light where she can deal with it… but the monster has other ideas.
IRENE
Beginning: Irene lives in anxiety, her childhood friend tells her to see a shrink.
Inciting Incident: Shrink recommends Irene to talk to the monster under the bed, and she does.
Turning Point 1: The monster comes out and starts creating a mess and threatening Irene.
Act 2: Irene tries to get rid of the monster, poisons it, locks it out.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Monster takes revenge by killing people around her.
Act 3: Irene negotiates with the monster and looks for unrelated victims to keep it quiet.
Turning Point 3: Her plan fails, and now she has a kid at her place.
Act 4 Climax: Irene fights the monster and understands that the monster wants to die. But she can’t kill it! She hugs it, and it gives her what it was made of — all of it.
Resolution: Turns out it’s not a monster but her unrealized dreams.
BOO
Beginning: For years Irene’s unrealized dreams and suppressed desires
Inciting Incident: For the first time Irene talks to Boo, about her dreams, and asks Boo to come out.
Turning Point 1: Boo comes out to play.
Act 2: Boo shows Irene life is short and instead of being afraid she should live. Boo prompts Irene to create art, call her mom, see her family, take care of herself, go out and have fun, make peace with her dad’s predicament.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Unable to sustain her pain, Irene decides to harm people.
Act 3: Boo pushes Irene to meet the guy she likes.
Turning Point 3: Boo wants to save Irene from death.
Act 4 Climax: Irene wants to kill Boo. Boo succeeds to be realized.
Resolution: Boo transforms into Irene’s life of fulfillment.
7RDRD4: Robots became too human and people start dehumanization program to get rid of them. Can a girl brought up by a robot prove that she isn’t one before she and her robot get killed?
LO
Beginning: She is found and brought up by a robot.
Inciting Incident: Her robot gets recycling invitation and she goes to pass the test instead of it.
Turning Point 1: Her test shows she is a robot and she is sent to recycling.
Act 2: Lo, her robot and other robots escape from recycling.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: She starts robot and human unrest.
Act 3: Society votes for fair open games for the robots who escaped recycling. Lo leads the robots through the traps, to save her robot.
Turning Point 3: Someone kills the robots who survive the game.
Act 4 Climax: Lo and 7 find who it is and fight with him.
Resolution: Lo shows the world what’s going on with it.
7RDRD4
Beginning:
Inciting Incident: Kills the inventor.
Turning Point 1: Wants to end life, but finds a baby.
Act 2: Brings up a human best way it can.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: The girl is about to be killed because of it.
Act 3: 7 saves the girl.
Turning Point 3: But they get caught and must play a rigged game.
Act 4 Climax: They fight the instigator of hatred.
Resolution: 7 dies but his human-creation lives to see the new world.
BENEDICT
Beginning: Benedict is sent out into the world and is mistreated by people.
Inciting Incident: He seizes an opportunity to take control of growing hatred in an underhanded way to turn it against people.
Turning Point 1: Robots escape his dehumanization program.
Act 2: He attempts to stop the riot.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Suggests a fair play as a solution.
Act 3: He helps the game to go the right way by killing the robots.
Turning Point 3: He is found out by Lo and 7.
Act 4 Climax: They fight. His deeds get exposed.
Resolution: He chooses to die.
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Elizabeth’s Character Structures
My Vision: I write kickass, creative and emotional blockbuster movies, TV series and graphic novels like my writing heroes (eg. Jonathan Nolan, Joseph Weisberg, etc.) and be in constant demand.
What I learned from doing this assignment: I learned that by plotting each character structure, you can create a logical sequence of scenes by just filling in the basic blanks.
Protagonist: RIZZO
Beginning: Rizzo must make a presentation to the University of her memory recall system which she and her brother developed or risk losing all funding. She is kidnapped in the middle of the presentation.
Inciting Incident: Rizzo is led to her missing brother Marcus who was injured and suffering from PTSD after a secret mission .
Turning Point 1: After Rizzo enters Marcus’ memory to review, it ‘appears’ Marcus has killed his squad leader in the last mission.
Act 2: Rizzo dives into Marcus’ memory and discovers that his memory cannot go further back than the mission (appears to be amnesia) which makes her more driven to take him home to help him heal.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Sara who was saved in the last mission is mysteriously killed and her boy Billy survives and Marcus is the first suspect.
After entering Marcus Doppler’s memory and searching out clues she concludes he’s an imposter.
<u style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>End of Act 2: Suddenly Miller is killed. This shocks everyone. Rizzo especially since he has been helping her to control Marcus and they were getting closer. Who is the killer?
Act 3: Rizzo figures She must go to Black Time to find the real Marcus. She focusses her efforts to get to Black Time.
Turning Point 3: Huge failure / Major shift: Rizzo arrives in Black Time There she confronts her own doppleganger. She discovers the parallel universe and finds Marcus. She brings him back so he can get quick medical attention.
Act 4 Climax: When they are back, Marcus Doppler and Billy Doppler stands in their way in front of HQ. A huge clash and battle.
Resolution: Marcus Doppler and Billy Doppler are dead. Rizzo thwarted a potential portal opening for other dopplers.
Antagonist: MARCUS DOPPLER
Beginning before the movie starts: When the real Marcus first entered Black Time. Marcus doppler is that copy and he lives in Black Time
When Marcus comes to Black Time a second time. Marcus Doppler senses it.
Inciting Incident: Marcus Doppler fights with Marcus and is able to knock Marcus out and take his place.
Marcus Doppler wakes up with a huge headache, throws up (due to the different universe pressure and gravity) and is in a daze. That’s when Rizzo arrives
Turning Point 1: Marcus Doppler meets Rizzo.
Act 2: Marcus Doppler must succumb to his memory being reviewed.
Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Marcus Doppler is put under house arrest after everyone sees his memory. He plots his way to stay in this universe forever.
He secretly meets Billy Doppler. Together they plot.
End of Act 2: Sara is mysteriously killed and Billy survives (actually BillyDoppler killed her because she can reveal his real identity since she is the real Sara). Marcus is the first suspect.
<u style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Act 3: Marcus Doppler tries to get out of jail. He “apologizes” tries to convince Rizzo he needs her more than ever.Rizzo believes him at first.
Turning Point 3: Huge failure / Major shift: Marcus Doppler kills Miller. This shocks everyone. Who is the killer. Rizzo is long gone in Black Time.
Act 4 Climax: Marcus Doppler and Billy Doppler take over HQ while Rizzo and Frank are in Black Time. When Rizzo brings back the real Marcus, Marcus Doppler needs to capture him alive!
Resolution: Marcus Doppler is dead.
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Daniel Turner’s Character Structure
VISION: to become a produced, well regarded, and in demand writer.
What I learned from doing this assignment is a much simpler and more foolproof way to assemble structure.
Protagonist
Beginning:
Inciting Incident: Crime scene with bled out call-girl.
Turning Point 1: He finds out that criminals in the city are disappearing.
Act 2: He begins to investigate why so many criminals have seemed to have disappeared.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: He finds out that the criminals are being snatched up by a secret group of cops.
Act 3: He discovers that the same group of cops doing the snatching are also behind the ritualistic murders.
Turning Point 3: They realize that he is getting close to finding out all about them and attempt to kill the Detective.
Act 4 Climax: After he gets out of the hospital, he gathers enough evidence to have charges brought against the group.
Resolution: While in custody, the leader of the group escapes. He is let out and the paperwork that released him looks official.
Antagonist
Beginning: He was a Patrolman, he was getting fed up with the bureaucratic injustice that was epidemic.
Inciting Incident: After visiting the CopDoc, he comes up with the idea of creating a secret group who can do what needs to be done without all of the road blocks and red tape.
Turning Point 1: he becomes a psychologist and works and becomes a CopDoc.
Act 2: He was right and begins to recruit and create a secret police group that can clean up the city without restraint.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: The group is very successful in their mission, but a Detective is investigating, he doesn’t yet know about them though.
Act 3: The Detective is getting close to finding out about them.
Turning Point 3: They attempt to kill the Detective before he finds out everything.
Act 4 Climax: He does find out and exposes the group. The CopDoc is brought into custody.
Resolution: The CopDoc uses his pull and loyalty from others and is allowed to escape.
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