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Day 11 Assignments
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What I learned doing this assignment is…? All these emotional action elements are important and important and should not be taken for granted.
Surprise: (calm scene)
INT. GEORGETOWN CLUB – DAY
A posh private club: cigar smoke, high backed leather chairs, parquet floors, backgammon. Liveried servants carry silver trays laden with drinks. Old money.
Trevor enters; a loose grey suit, cigar in hand, horn-rim glasses. He nods, shakes hands as he makes his way to the backgammon room. General Smith is there setting up a board. Trevor approaches and takes a seat opposite. Both attempt to appear normal for the benefit of the surrounding gentlemen.
TREVOR
Good day, Frank. How is the Mrs.?
SMITH
She’s fine, sends her love — Here I thought
you might find this report interesting.
General Smith hands over a bound report. He leans forward. A conspirator.
SMITH (CONT’D)
(soft)
I have included names, dossiers,
company profiles, etc.
TREVOR
That should do for now — You don’t
really expect me to dally about and
play a game with you?
Smith leans back in his chair. His arms outstretched. Jovial.
SMITH
Of course, protocol must be observed.
TREVOR
Umm…then let’s make it quick and painless.
A man stands from his chair, his back to the camera. A sleek Italian suit. He turns…
Stephan. He glances in the direction of the two players. A SINISTER SMILE creases his hard face. The devil. He appears to float as he saunters away.
(Stephan is the Villains top assassin)
Shock:
INT. A KITCHEN – MORNING
The brilliant morning sun fills a highly efficient German kitchen: Krupps Espresso machine, Sieman’s appliances. A MOTHER prepares breakfast. On the TV, Germany’s equivalent to “Good Morning America.”
The camera focuses on the kitchen table. Their SON (16); blond hair, private school clothing, eyes a copy of “F1” magazine. The FATHER hurries into the kitchen.
FATHER
I’m running late for my meeting.
Just a cup to go.
The Mom pours and brings her husband’s cup to the table.
SON
Dad, can I borrow the Beemer tonight?
I’ve a big date.
FATHER
(peeved)
You have your own car.
SON
But Dad…
FATHER
No buts, …
MOTHER
(trying to be helpful)
Dear, perhaps this once…
FATHER
We’ll talk about it when I get home…
EXT. A SUBURBAN LANE OUTSIDE OF BONN – MORNING
A glorious morning, the sky crystal blue, the flowers vibrant in bloom. A school bus is being filled with young children. A man walks his dog. All is normal.
We see an entourage of two cars pull onto the street: a gun-metal Mercedes sedan, a sleek black BMW follows. The camera scans from a man-hole cover to the automobiles approaching down the lane. All is peaceful. Birds sing.
The Mercedes passes the camera’s POV. In the BMW, the man from the kitchen smiles at the children. Laughter.
WHOOSH, the crack of lightening.
A horrific explosion lifts the car 10 feet into the air before it is torn apart in a fireball. Panic. Flesh, blood, screams pierce suburbia. The camera zooms on a young girl of 11: crying, specks of blood cover her face and clothes like freckles.
Suspense:
During climax action scenes, multiple suspenseful ideas. Trevor gets upper hand, is taken by surprise, gets upper hand again, is almost shot but Ashley, takes bullet for him. Trapped yet again, but gets upper hand…
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Assignment 11: Level 2 Action Emotions (Dennis Chrisman)
“What I learned doing this assignment is…?” Using the methods described in the lesson, I was able to create a scene the depicts all three Emotions: Surprise, Shock, and Suspense. In this lesson the definitions, how to and example create a very understandable means to create these Level 2 Emotions.
Create a scene that uses all three of these Action emotions.
EXT. LAST STOP – OUTSIDE THE SUV – GAS PUMPS – DAY
At the “Last Stop” Nancy unintentionally cuts in front of the leader of a motorcycle gang, Machete. She apologizes, he is mean, but leaves her to pump gas. Unfortunately, Nancy uses the last of the gas. She hangs up the nozzle and apologizes.
Machete insults her then grabs her. Nancy takes two steps back and levels Machete with a spinning round house. Nancy goes into the store.
EXT./INT. INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE NANCY’S SUV – DAY
While Nancy is inside the “Last Stop”, Machete wakes up and goes to the SUV. He tries to look into the mirrored windows but sees nothing. He steps to the rear of the SUV and opens the hatch. Behind the hatch rests Nikki, she points a nine mm pistol at him. Machete takes two steps backwards.
NIKKI
Mister you need to shut the door and
leave.
MACHETE
And, what if I don’t.
Nikki lowers the pistol, BANG. She shoots him in the foot. Machete hops on his good leg and howls.
Nancy comes out of the store and sees the commotion. She runs to the SUV, she stores the goods she purchased in the “Last Stop”, then goes to Nikki and takes the smoking nine mm pistol away from her; shuts the rear hatch. She gets in, starts the car and leaves the wounded Machete in the parking lot.
END SCENE
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Lesson 11: Level 2 Action Emotions
ASSIGNMENT
BG’s Level 2 Action Emotions
What I learned doing this assignment: This lesson provided a really helpful framework for constructing a fight scene and adding detail to it.
3. Write the scene as a first draft, highlighting surprise, shock, and suspense.
As REPORTER walks along the dark alley behind HACKER’s apartment building, deep in thought — a slight RUSTLE — REPORTER turns his head to look, as —
A kosh grazes the side of his head and lands on his shoulder. His eyes open wide in surprise — do these things happen in London?
He leans into the attack, his arms going up instinctively, trying to keep body close — trying to turn — get his arms around him to prevent him from hitting again —
For a second, REPORTER gets to look into ASSASSIN’s eyes. Cold, business-like. REPORTER tries to cling tighter, surprise giving way to shock — fear —
It is a deadly struggle between a trained professional and a total novice — with nobody around to watch. In one smooth move, the professional slides out of the clumsy embrace, throwing off the novice onto his back.
REPORTER rolls away, desperately rummaging in his pocket. ASSASSIN no longer looks cool – he’s angry now. He takes out a switchblade. As he approaches to deliver the coup de grace, REPORTER throws himself toward the space between ASSASSIN’s legs, stabbing upwards with his screwdriver — the handle end.
By the time, he realizes his mistake and tries to turn it around, ASSASSIN is already bending over, trying to reach the coiled pest between his legs with the switchblade.
REPORTER squeezes through, uncoiling and pushing himself back with his own legs, taking ASSASSIN’s legs with him. ASSASSIN falls forward, forehead hitting concrete, switchblade flying off.
ASSASSIN’s not out. And he’s really angry. He’s trying to raise himself. REPORTER kicks him on the forehead — taking care not to kick the guy’s nose into his brain. He bends over to make sure he’s out. As he searches him —
REPORTER (muttering): I gotta hit the library — I should learn some judo.
The kosh, the switchblade, no gun, no wallet or identification.
REPORTER: And who the hell are you?
Looks like he’s about to kick him again, but doesn’t.
REPORTER: And you should learn about gravity.
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Set up: Army is taking Air Force reservists on a tour of their Honduras location in two Humvees. They are in the jungle and will have to drive through a number of rivers for their tour.
Sam (Samantha) is an AF reservist she is driving the second Humvee. Army MSG Willis is driving the first Humvee.
They are not expecting any hostel problems but they are all combat ready.
EXT. TEMPORARY FIELD KITCHEN DINING ROOM – DAY
Returning Airmen, Bill, Sam, Hartman, and Rojas, return with their M-4s slung on their shoulders, battle gear, ammo, and cameras.
While they were waiting the second time, Bill is shaking hands with a few ARMY ENLISTED TROOPS and MSG Willis. They are obviously pleased with him.
Two Humvees pull up. MSG Willis goes out to meet them. Some of the AF airmen are milling around. Including Bill, Sam, Kennard, Hartman, Bobo, and Rojas. All ready to go with their weapons.
MSG Willis and Sam are the Humvee drivers.
MSG WILLIS
Do you all have your combat gear and weapons?
All hold up their M-4s as Willis approvingly looks each over.
Willis looks at Sam to brief her before driving.
MSG WILLIS
You’ll get to drive through a few rivers this time around. It will be good training for you.
SAM
Cool, but I have driven through rivers before.
MSG WILLIS
Not like these, I’ll bet. Make sure you follow me, but not too close if we get attacked. We had intel a few monthes ago the cartels had plans to attack us. But it never panned out. Also, the rivers around here are full of fecal matter. You don’t want to get stuck in the river, or you will be responsible for hooking up the tow chain to pull you out. — Catch my drift?
SAM
Yeah! That doesn’t sound like much fun.
ROJAS
What are we going to see?
MSG Willis shrugs his shoulders.
MSG WILLIS
The local area’s extreme poverty. It kinda makes you aware of how well off we are back home. We are so blessed in America.
Willis quickly turns toward Kennard.
MSG WILLIS
Are we ready, Senior Master Sergeant Kennard?
Kennard jumps into his leadership role.
KENNARD
Okay, everyone, listen up.
MSG WILLIS
Just pile into one of the two humvees, and we’ll be on our way.
Humvee #1 Willis (driver), Kennard, Rojas, Sgt Freeman.
Humvee #2 Sam (driver), Bill, Hartman, Bobo, and PFC James.
EXT. LEAVING POST GATE ON HONDURAN COUNTRYSIDE DIRT ROADS – DAY
Humvees drive out the gate of the Army post at Las Delicias.
EXT. HONDURAN COUNTRYSIDE DIRT ROADS WITH PIECED TOGETHER SMALL SHACKS – DAY
Driving by a stream where local women are washing clothes on the rocks. The Humvee occupants all wave to the ladies being friendly.
Driving by bare minimum, one-room shacks the locals live in, with no glass in the windows and some without doors in the doorways.
Locals watch as the two humvees drive by.
A local suspiciously takes out a radio and talks to someone after the humvees past him.
Sum total, the Americans are enjoying the ride. Joking with each other and their new Army friends.
INT. CARTEL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING – DAY
Someone at a desk with a radio responds to a call. Then hurries to the big boss.
INT. CARTEL BIG BOSSES OFFICE – DAY
Knock on the door. Big boss with other cartel leaders present responses to the interruption.
Big boss listens to the courier. Stands at the head of the table. Leans forward on his hands. Looks into the eyes of his followers sternly.
BIG BOSS
Now we have an opportunity. Attack!
Everyone at the table jumps up and runs out the of the room.
EXT. CARTEL COMPOUND – DAY
A swarm of bad guys with weapons are mobilized and jump into a 2-ton truck with canvas cover and wood seats for the gaggle of bad guys to sit. The Boss of the group leads the way out of the cartel compound in his SUV.
EXT. AMERICAN HUMVEES WIND THEIR WAY DOWN THE DIRT ROADS – DAY
With no sense of urgency, the Americans stop and take pictures of the jungle and shacks when no one is present and the small rivers they drive through.
EXT. DESTINATION SIDE OF THE RIVER – DAY
THREE CARTEL MEMBERS listening to a handheld radio.
CARTEL LOWER BOSS
The Americans are coming to the river from the east side of the river, heading west. You set up on the west side of the river directly in their path. They are not to pass by you! — Use the RPGs to stop them in the middle of the river. Then hold them down until we get there to close their back door. — Comprender?!
CARTEL MEMBER #1
Si!
EXT. WIDE RIVER – DAY
The Humvees approach the river.
The first Humvee rolls up to the river. Pauses as the driver shifts it into low 4 wheel drive. Then enters the river cautiously, slowly picking up a deliberate speed, but not very fast. The river is up to the bottom of the Humvee doors.
INT. CARTEL TRUCKS SPEEDING ON DIRT ROADS – DAY
The 2-ton truck is screaming recklessly down the road with all the shooters in the back bouncing around, barely able to stay seated. The boss follows close behind.
INT. HUMVEE #2 – DAY
Sam is watching closely and is tickled. She gets to drive in this wide river.
SAM
Here we go, boys!
Sam pauses and shifts the Humvee into low 4 wheel drive. Then slowly enters the river, following cautiously, but keeping her distance.
EXT. DESTINATION SIDE OF THE RIVER – DAY
The three cartel members are disorganized and cannot decide if they should blow their cover and stand out on the road to show the Americans who are going to kill them or keep their cover. They keep their cover.
They are so excited they get to shoot the RPG.
Cartel member #2 with the RPG pointing at them is tickled too. He is excitedly nervous. As he watches them enter the river.
EXT. MIDDLE OF THE RIVER – DAY
As the Humvees reach the halfway point in the river, suddenly, an RPG comes out from bushes of the destination side of the river. It hits low on the front of the lead Humvee, damaging the front end badly.
MSG Willis and Kennard are wounded badly. Bobo and Rojas are stunned and bleeding.
The occupants of Humvee #2 leap out and spray the jungle with small arms fire. Causing the cartel members to hit the ground.
Bill moves up to the damaged Humvee that is now smoking. He helps Bobo and Rojas to get out as they come under heavy small arms fire.
Suddenly, a second RPG hits the first Humvee, almost knocking out Bill as he was just starting to get Willis out of the driver’s seat.
Bill, somewhat dazed, pulls himself out of the river. He reaches in from the driver’s side door, flicks out his SWITCHBLADE, quickly cuts the safety belt holding Willis.
Sam runs over to help Bill float Willis to safety behind the burning Humvee. The others are firing wildly at the area where the RPGs are coming from.
Bobo pries open the back of the mangled Humvee like a man possessed with superpowers, grabbing bloody and unconscious Kennard from the burning wreckage. Sam is behind the back corner of the Humvee dragging Willis as Bill lets go and helps Bobo get Kennard out the back of the burning Humvee.
A third RPG hits below the front of the burning Humvee pushing the front end up trapping Sam underwater.
Bobo and Bill immediately drop Kennard. Bobo, straining, puts all his energy into lifting the back end of the Humvee to free Sam. Bill is unable to get her out.
Bobo tries again as Bill feverishly pulls on Sam. Suddenly she is free and floats to surface, almost looking drowned. Suddenly she snaps to, sputtering and spits.
She is pissed! She grabs her M-4 and jumps up on the hood of the second Humvee.
The Cartel members see her crouching on the hood of the second Humvee.
With smoke getting thicker and swirling around Sam, she checks her magazine. She only has two rounds left. She slams the magazine into the M-4 and stands up. Tilting her head to one side and back again with extreme concentration.
The RPG shooter sees her stand up, and he steps out into the middle of the road, smiling. He slowly lifts the RPG to aim right at Sam through the smoke swirling around between them.
Sam double-taps the trigger and hits the RPG shooter right in the chest. Just as he squeezes this trigger launching the RPG dead-on, heading right at Sam.
Sam doesn’t have time to duck it happen so quickly. The RPG flies inches over her head, singeing her hair, and keeps going.
EXT. CARTEL TRUCKS SPEEDING ON DIRT ROADS – DAY
-The 2-ton truck approaches the river with the leader behind it. They don’t see the rocket coming straight for them through the smoke of #1 Humvee.
The rocket hits the 2-ton truck with all the cartel fighters. Lighting up the truck and the fuel tank on the truck. Killing or injuring all the occupants of the truck.
The boss’s SUV almost runs into the back of the burning 2-ton truck.
-The boss watches as his support team is devastated by his own RPG.
-He yells to his driver to turn around as they are pelted with M-4 fire from the Humvees. They just barely escape. Catching fire from Rojas and Bobo as they seed away.
EXT. IN THE RIVER BETWEEN THE TWO HUMVEES – DAY
Rojas and Hartman, when the trucks speeding toward them, suddenly explode. They open fire on the SUV as it takes off.
Freeman and Bobo are returning fire in the direction of the jungle where the small arms fire seemed to be coming from.
Two cartel members in the bushes fade deeper into the bushes.
Rojas and Hartman hear a pick-up truck start up the road. Then retreats down the road away from the fighting. Rojas and Hartman fire at the truck, as it gets away.
It is suddenly quiet. No one is shooting at them. The group in the river cautiously collect themselves.
In the distance, they hear something. Two Pave Hawk helicopters are inbound as the Army Quick Reaction Force arrives.
Everyone relieved as they are able to get the two badly bleeding members out of the water. Willis is semiconscious and barely holding Kennard up, both sitting in the water from taking cover during the firefight.
Everyone pitches in to stabilize them.
FREEMAN
Oh yeah. I called for help the second we got ambushed.
BILL
Good job, Freeman.
Suddenly, both Helicopters open fire on the jungle around each side of the road. Then around the 2-ton truck that was burning.
FREEMAN
I better bring them up to speed.
Freeman gets into Humvee #2 and talks to the helicopters. They split and cover both sides of the river as Quick Reaction Force quick rope down on both sides of the river and set up a perimeter.
Sam jumps down. Bloody, singed and painfully runs to help get Willis and Kennard loaded in the helicopter. Bill gets dizzy and almost falls in the river holding his head.
SAM
Are you okay, Bill?
BILL
Just dizzy. Are you okay?
Sam walks around to look at Bill’s wounds, and she twists her ankle on the river bottom.
SAM
Ow! Damn it.
Sam grabs Bill. Bill manages to hold them both up. They look at each other, then start laughing.
BILL
We made it through another attack on our deployments. And you twist your ankle. Go figure.
SAM
Yeah, I have to twist my ankle after it’s all over. Nice timing. You look like you got some shrapnel wounds, buddy.
BILL
You look like you got your head singed girl friend. And you are bleeding too.
As the scene fades out the quick reaction team quickly takes over.
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