Day 10 Assignments

[Bob Rowen]

Bob Rowen’s Inciting Incident

What I learned doing this assignment is how to put the pieces of my story together using the beat sheet, outlining, inserting the inciting incident and the reaction to it. And to accept a 20% quality draft as I’m moving forward!

Opening scenes introducing Virgil, Protagonist

EXT. PGE MAIN EUREKA OFFICE – MORNING

VIRGIL PRATER (mid-20s) stands in front of the PGE building gazing at the Reddy Kilowatt logo, shrugs his shoulders then enters.

INT. PGE OFFICE RECEPTION AREA – CONTINUOUS

VIRGIL

I’m looking for the personnel office.

RECEPTIONIST

Down the hallway, second door on the left.

VIRGIL

Thank you.

INT. PGE PERSONNEL OFFICE – CONTINUOUS

SECRETARY

Can I help you?

VIRGIL

Yes, Ma’am. I’d like to fill out an application for work.

SECRETARY

We don’t have any openings right now.

VIRGIL

That’s what I’ve heard but I would still like to fill out an application so you’d have it on file should something come open.

SECRETARY

Well, okay.

The secretary hands Virgil an application and he starts filling it out as he stands at the counter.

VIRGIL

I’m finished with this. Now I’d appreciate the opportunity to take the pre-employment test.

SECRETARY

Like I said, we don’t have any openings right now.

VIRGIL

I know but I’d still like to –

The personnel manager enters.

SECRETARY

(interrupts)

This gentleman has completed an completed an application and now he wants to take a pre-employment test. I’ve already told him we don’t have openings.

The personnel manager picks up Virgil’s application and glances at it.

PERSONAL MANAGER

Ex-military?

VIRGIL

Yes, Sir.

The personnel manager looks at his watch.

PERSONAL MANAGER

Why not? Come on into my office.

Virgil follows behind the manager who is still reading over Virgil’s application.

INT. PERSONNEL MANAGER’S OFFICE -CONTINUOUS

PERSONAL MANAGER

Ex-Marine?

VIRGIL

Former Marine. Yes, Sir.

PERSONAL MANAGER

Oh, that’s right. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Virgil smiled and nodded his agreement.

PERSONAL MANAGER (CONT’D)

Let’s get started with your test. There’s a short essay section, lots of math, and a pattern analysis section. Some portions of it are timed. And there is a dexterity test at the end of it.

PERSONAL MANAGER (CONT’D)

You ready? Need to use the rest room first?

VIRGIL

No, Sir.

Virgil finishes the test. While the personnel manager scores it, Virgil views the pictures and plaques on the walls.

PERSONAL MANAGER

You did extremely well on all the tests. In fact the best I’ve seen. Where to you see yourself in five years?

Virgil points to an artist rendering of the atomic plant under construction hanging on the wall behind the manager.

VIRGIL

Right there!

PERSONAL MANAGER

Why there, if I may ask?

VIRGIL

Because I believe nuclear power is the panacea to the emerging energy crisis.

PERSONAL MANAGER

Tell you what. Why don’t you go to lunch, I’ve got a couple of calls to make, and we can get back together, let’s say at 2 this afternoon.

VIRGIL

Sounds good. I’ll be back and on time.

INT. PERSONNEL OFFICE – AFTERNOON

Virgil enters the personnel office and the secretary motions for him to go directly into the manager’s office.

SECRETARY

He’s expecting you.

PERSONAL MANAGER

How was lunch?

VIRGIL

Great.

PERSONAL MANAGER

Take a seat. We’ve got some things to talk about.

Virgil sits down at the conference table in front of the manager’s desk.

PERSONAL MANAGER (CONT’D)

Are you willing to start at the bottom of the ole proverbial food chain?

VIRGIL

Yes, Sir.

PERSONAL MANAGER

You know we don’t have any openings at the present time but I can get you into the line department as a laborer until something more suitable comes available. You game for that?

VIRGIL

Yes, Sir.

PERSONAL MANAGER

All new employees have a six months probationary period before they become permanent. You okay with that?

VIRGIL

Yes, Sir.

PERSONAL MANAGER

When can you start?

VIRGIL

I need to give my current employer two weeks notice. Any time after that.

PERSONAL MANAGER

Okay.

1. OUTLINE KEY SCENES 2 (Inciting Incident) & 3 (Reaction to it) for Act 1.

Key Scene 2 Outline

BEGINNING – Virgil informs Kathryn he’s been offered a position in the fossil fuel units of PGE’s Humboldt Bay Power Plant.

MIDDLE – Kathryn asks Virgil if he’d ever end up working in the nuclear unit around radiation.

END – Virgil responds that’s exactly what he wants to do.

Key Scene 3 Outline

BEGINNING – Kathryn is opposed to Virgil accepting the job offer at the power plant.

MIDDLE – They argue about the safety of working in the nuclear unit.

END – Virgil’s stubbornness strains their marriage.

2. SCENE FOR THE INCITING INCIDENT:

INT BEDROOM – NIGHT

While lying in bed, Virgil shares his exciting news with Kathryn. He’s been offered a position in the fossil fuel units of the power plant. Kathryn wants to know if Virgil will ever have anything to do with the nuclear unit. Virgil casually says probably. Kathryn expresses her strong opposition to Virgil accepting the job offer. Virgil makes clear that working in the nuclear energy field is what he’s always wanted because it would be a career opportunity of a lifetime. Kathryn storms out of the bedroom.

3. SCENE FOR REACTING TO INCITING INCIDENT:

INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Virgil enters the living room and wants to know why Kathryn left the bedroom. Kathryn reminds Virgil of their marital pact never to take an argument to bed. Virgil agrees and suggests they discuss her concerns with his job offer. Kathryn feels working in a nuclear facility is too dangerous because of exposure to radiation. Virgil assures her that he has had ABC Warfare training in the Marines, knows how to work safely around radiation, and that PGE’s nuclear plant is carefully regulated by the Atomic Energy Commission. Kathryn points to Virgil’s stubbornness and says, “You’re so damn stubborn! I disagree with you because I know you’re wrong!” Virgil promises Kathryn that if he gets to work in the nuclear unit and it becomes a dangerous place to work, he’ll flat-out quit.

[Robert Springfield]

Rob Springfield’s Act 1 Inciting Incident

What I learned doing this assignment is that an outline of the key scenes highlights the main features of the story.

Inciting Incident scene:

INT. CAR – NIGHT/DAY

BEGINNING: Jeff gives Mark a tongue-lashing like no other after he catches him spying during poker night.

MIDDLE: The next day, while dropping Mark off at school, Jeff dares him to get into trouble again.

END: Mark exits the car seething. He picks up rock to throw at Jeff’s car as it is leaving, but somebody bumps him, and the rock breaks Dr. Green’s windshield.

INT. PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE – DAY

BEGINNING: The principal reads a long list of infractions that Mark has acquired over the school year, suspensions, etc.

MIDDLE: The principal and Jeff agree that Mark should get arrested to teach him a lesson.

END: Dr. Green suggests that Mark should do community service in his laboratory for the Summer. Mark slumps down in his chair like it’s the end of the world.

Reaction to the Inciting Incident:

INT. SOFTWARE LABORATORY – DAY

BEGINNING: Dr. Green gives Mark a tour of the lab and brags about the accomplishments there. Mark gives several snide remarks like he doesn’t want to be there.

MIDDLE: Dr. Green lets him know that he will be doing lots of manual labor, dumping scraps and cleaning up everyday. Mark implies that he won’t show up.

END: Dr. Green tries to appeal to Mark’s sense of reason to no avail, then tells him to show up anyway whether he likes it or not.

EXT. SOFTWARE LABORATORY – BACKLOT – DAY

BEGINNING: Mark sweats and breathes profusely as he dumps old equipment into a dumpster.

MIDDLE: Mark starts throwing rocks and goofing off, breaking bottles. Dr. Green sees it and talks with him. He senses something in Mark’s responses and tries to talk to him. Mark reacts with sarcasm, telling Dr. Green that labor laws were being broken.

END: Dr. Green responds with a firm admonition and makes him get back to work.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by  Robert Springfield.

[Harley Grant]

Assignment 10

Harley Grant’s Inciting Incident

What I learned doing this assignment is to trust the process and keep moving.

INCITING INCIDENT

INT. HOUSE – NIGHT

BEGINNING: Priyanka puts Sia to sleep.

MIDDLE: Priyanka gets an automated call from the county saying that her ex-husband Rohan is getting out of jail the next morning:

<font face=”inherit”>END: Priyanka </font>realizes that her safe, quiet life is coming to an end.

REACTION TO THE INCITING INCIDENT

INT. HOUSE – NIGHT

BEGINNING: Priyanka calls Rick to ask him if they can stay with him.

MIDDLE: Priyanka wakes up Sia and tells her that she needs to pack a bag.

END: Priyanka calls Raj to say that she will come by later to talk to him about the news.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by  Harley Grant.

[Arial Burnz]

Subject Line: Arial Burnz’s Inciting Incident

INCITING INCIDENT – AYLEN IS ARRESTED

INT. ELCARYN COTTAGE – NIGHT

BEGINNING: Aylen, Cellica (her mother) and Dylan (now her fiancé) enjoy a home cooked meal to celebrate Aylen and Dylan’s engagement.

MIDDLE: The city prefects interrupt the private festivity to arrest Aylen. They will not say what she is charged with, but as she, Dylan and Cellica struggle to make sense of the chaos and Aylen is being taking into custody, the cottage is searched and Aylen’s satchel is confiscated, which has the letter from the Messenger she was given the day before.

END: Aylen is dragged away from her home and the arms of the people she loves most dear.

——–

REACTION TO THE INCITING INCIDENT – AYLEN IS QUESTIONED BY THE ROYAL CLERK & ESCAPES

INT. ROYAL SOLINTA COURT CHAMBERS – NIGHT

BEGINNING: Aylen is brought before the royal clerk, Tirandal Qiren, who questions her about allegations brought against her and the letter she had in her possession.

MIDDLE: Through a series of questions and the use of a magical court tool called a truth rod, Aylen is interrogated about the letter and it’s contents. Since she passes the magical lie detector and doesn’t know the language in which the letter was written, the clerk deems her innocent of the charges. But when Qiren asks who the intended recipient was for the missive (Lady Haera Greymore), he has Aylen escorted to the prison carriage instead of letting her walk free.

END: Out of sheer terror of being thrown into prison, Aylen surprises and breaks free of the guards to escape her fate.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by  Arial Burnz.
• This reply was modified 3 years, 3 months ago by  Arial Burnz.