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Day 2 Assignments
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11 Replies
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Cameron Martin’s 3rd Act Structure
What I learned doing this assignment is…how important it is to make that thematic “Crisis” decision dramatic. I’ve interpreted the “Crisis” of the story to be “where the true gravity of the situation comes into play or a critical rule must be broken.” While I think this element plays a role, reading the twists in THE FAMILY MAN helped me to see how you can stretch the thematic dilemma out, taking the audience through the emotional rollercoaster of “will he? won’t he?” When I look at my analysis of TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY, there isn’t that clear decision, “will he? won’t he?” prevalent throughout the final act. However, there still is that “Crisis” decision in the resolution where the audience is asked “will you? won’t you?” It’s a bit of a different technique, but it’s pulled off because the foundation of it is still built on the father/son relationship between the T-800 and John, and the T-800’s arc to becoming more human/empathetic and valuing human life, which raises the question as to whether we can do the same. Not trying to say one ending is better than the other, but rather that the “Crisis” decision is still a required element in the final act, and can be explored in a myriad of ways. However, I do think TERMINATOR 2’s strategy is a high risk/high reward formula, while THE FAMILY MAN’s strategy has a much more consistent success rate and is easier to pull off.
A. Five Questions…
1. What is it that fascinates you about this story?
The father and son relationship, and how it develops through their survival of a nightmare scenario.
2. What is the main conflict of the story?
The son loves the aliens that are attacking them, seeing the similarities they share, while the dad despises the aliens for their role in killing his wife.
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist?
The main goal is to save Isaiah from the alien threat and get him to safety. His main need is to move past the guilt and trauma of losing his wife and connecting with his awkward son.
4. What is the character arc of your main characters?
Sully’s arc consists of the trait “Controlling” shifting to a new trait, “Cooperating.” The only other character that has a real arc is the character Markus, who changes from a “Pacifist” to a “Revolutionist.”
5. How do you want this movie to end?
Sully has to rely on his son in order to save him.
Afterward, Markus helps them to board an escape pod and sends them on a mission to expose the authoritarian Hegemony’s coverup of the cause of the alien outbreaks.B. Five Plot Points…
1. PLOT POINT 2 — A major twist that sends the story towards its final destination.
Isaiah gets infected by alien worm spores and is going to be a brood mother. In addition, the bunker was breached in an earlier scene, so all of the passengers that were infected are loose, just as a passenger ship drops down with the conscripted exterminators to wipe out everyone.
2. CRISIS — The decision point.
Sully has to choose whether to keep trying to control the situation, or to involve his son in the decision making process. This happens when Sully gets pinned down, out of options, and finally asks Isaiah what to do. It’s what follows the teaser at the beginning of the story.
3. CLIMAX — Bring the Protagonist face to face with the Antagonist to face his biggest fear.
Isaiah leads Sully through the bunker, helping him get to the medical bay on board the passenger vessel. There, Sully is able to extract the eggs growing inside Isaiah’s lungs via a bronchoscopy.
4. RESOLUTION — Show the effects of the climax and tie up loose ends.
The conscripted exterminators, including Markus, arrive to kill off Sully and Isaiah, but because Isaiah insisted on grabbing Jude’s confidential information, the documents and recordings are able to turn the conscripted against the military leading them. Markus leads Sully and a recovering Isaiah to an escape pod, and sends them away to expose the Hegemony to the masses.
5. FINAL PAGE — The final minute of the movie.
Sully and Isaiah watch the planet fade into the distance, as other escape pods are launched as well, with one of them containing an infected passenger.
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Dev Ross – Assignment 2 – 3<sup>rd</sup> Act Structure
What I learned from doing this assignment was that in going back to the outline I created at our onset, I was better able now to see my story and characters unfold and how I am going to consciously set up and build to my third act.
1. What is it that fascinates me about this story? The deep and committed ability for some to believe so much in ‘their truth’ that they are willing to sacrifice others and themselves to prove it.
2. What is the main conflict of this story? To overcome inadequateness/powerlessness/being ineffectual – to regain POWER. Clay Caine believes that by killing Lincoln Able, he will regain favor with his followers and God.
3. What is the main goal of your protagonist? To eliminate the man, he believes is the roadblock to his power. Killing him will put him on top again.
4. What is the character arc of your main characters?
– Caine moves from power to feeling powerless and betrayed, to revenge and the ultimate destruction of self.
– Able goes from love and community to fear, to anger, to revenge.
B.
1. PLOT POINT 2 — A major twist that sends the story towards
its final destination.
Lincoln forces his wife out of the car, which leads to her death. He is now all alone; has nothing left but his revenge.
2. CRISIS — The decision point.
Clay can’t accept the truth about his sister’s ‘rape’ and his own half-black heritage.
3. CLIMAX — Bring the Protagonist face to face with the
Antagonist to face his biggest fear.
The two men battle to kill each other and end up killing themselves.
4. RESOLUTION — Show the effects of the climax and tie up
loose ends.
A new strand in the multi-verse forms that shows totally integration of people.
5. FINAL PAGE — The final minute of the movie.
Another strand forms where ADAM SPENCER – white supremacist becomes President of the USA.
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PS81 – Dana’s Third Act Structure
What I learned Doing This Assignment.
Understanding the Third Act enables me to better outline the SETUP and REVEAL moments throughout the script and advance the story in a way to satisfy a reader/audience. Much like the movie I reviewed, the Usual Suspects, I need to insert subtle SETUPS to lead an audience in one direction, only to REVEAL the TWIST ending they never suspected.
What is it that fascinates you about this story?
Would a psychologist, committed to helping others, commit an act of evil save her family?
What is the main conflict of the story?
The psychotic personality of a DID patient threatens to kill a radio psychologist’s family on air unless she commits a horrific act against her patient.
What is the main goal/need of your protagonist?
Rescue her family from the protagonist.
What is the character arc of your main character?
Self-doubting therapist to powerful psychologist.
How do you want the movie to end?
Positive/Negative. Protagonist saves her family but loses her humanity.
PLOT POINT 2
Ellen brings Jason’s suicidal alter forward and bulldozes him to commit suicide to save her family.
CRISIS
Ryan, the psychotic personality, reemerges as Ellen tries to convince William, the suicidal personality, to commit suicide, and the two personalities occupy the same reality, fighting each other for dominance.
CLIMAX
Ellen pushes William, the suicidal alter, to kill himself to save her daughters.
RESOLUTION
Sorensen, the police detective, ties up loose ends only to discover that Jason, the DID patient, was not the real kidnapper/killer and the real killer is still at large.
FINAL PAGE
The real killer, still posing as Ryan, the psychotic alter, calls another radio show and begins again.
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June Fortunato’s Third Act structure Day 2 of Great endings
What I learned– I’ve been thinking about how to end and payoff each of my setups, and this assignment helps. Thanks! for it.
1. What is it that fascinates you about this story? Protect yourself and you lose everything.
2. What is the main conflict of the story? Roy has to risk facing his terrors to win the love of his life, but capturing Kim is like capturing a cloud. Kim has to stop running, to defeat her brother and take what’s hers and trust again.
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist?
Roy wants an easy retirement to float along as he has done. But he can no longer do that. Instead, he wants the woman who has captured his heart- and to get her, he must face his past. What he gets is more wonderful, takes more courage, richer, deeper, than what he ever thought was possible. <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Kim wants what’s hers – to be fully in control and loved. But in order to do that, has to overcome herself -to stand up and stay. No more hit and runs. Her goal is to defeat her brother and take what’s hers.
4. What is the character arc of your main characters?
Roy’s character arc Roy plays on the edges- outside of society and outside of himself. He destroys his body and has to become a member of the world he loathes. Then he meets Kim- a woman who understands him. Roy has to face his horrors to gain her love- but she runs from him because she fears that she hurt him. He goes back to his old life, but it’s not as fearsome. Kim’s love has helped, and she can help him come back to life. In the end, he knows that he must confront the past, he must be vulnerable, and if Kim is there, Kim is home, Kim is true freedom, Kim is breath and life. <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>The one character trait to change: vulnerability is truth and truth is love.
Kim’s character arc
Kim is an ethereal, hit and run escape artist. A runner. An avoider. She escapes into the world of music, of her garden, of fantasy. She yells at a safe distance. She deeply fears rejection and others, schadenfreude, play into that. When she tries to confront her tendency and her brother, she’s thrown down the stairs and damaged. Her brother will stop at nothing. She has to take action. Roy’s influence, and his battle with his demons, teaches her courage. She learns that she will hurt people sometimes, but that she can make amends. She has to take her power and not everyone will love her. In the end, love gives her the courage she needs to deliver the blow to her brother, and take what is hers- and with Roy, far more than she thought she deserved. The one character trait to change: To have absolute, visible courage is to have power.
5. How do you want this movie to end? Both Roy and Kim will achieve their goals. The audience should walk out with a feeling of love and a glow.
Major plot twists:
PLOT POINT 2 Pages 68-69 Roy’s melt down in Atlantic City. Kim runs away.
CRISIS Page 77 Roy decides to pursue Kim and not Suzy Page 81 Kim kidnaps Brian for a joy ride and confronts him- Kim goes on the attack Roy can’t get an apartment Page 88 Roy overcomes a potential meltdown during the movie shoot due to Kim’s influence 92 Kim babysits Marilyn’s home, Roy finds her and Roy & Kim finally get together
CLIMAX 96 Kim discovers Roy’s medal and he opens up. (Not yet written) Kim admits that she ‘borrowed’ Marilyn’s car, and Marilyn forgives her. (Not written yet) Roy connects Kim to his lawyer, and they send damaging evidence to defeat her evil brother & wife. (Not yet written) Roy, Kim, Brian and Ingrid square off at the cottage- Brian and Kim try to escape and are carted off by police.
RESOLUTION (Not yet written) Roy and Kim get Kim’s house, and Marilyn’s dogs. Marilyn’s daughter comes home and takes care of Marilyn’s house.
FINAL PAGE (Not yet written) Roy and Kim visit Marilyn in hospice with the dogs and Suzy and Denny also visit.
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DAY 2 – Structure of the Third Act
Lisa’s Third Act Structure
What I learned is that creating a structure provides the path for the story and dialogue to flow naturally.
1.What is it that fascinates you about this story?
Does a strong woman have to give up her strength to find and be in love?
2. What is the main conflict of the story?
Mary has decided that she’s leaving town for a bigger city to give her daughters a better chance at experiencing a more exciting and diverse life. What Mary wanted for herself growing up.
But can she leave the only place she’s ever known and, in the process, leave behind her father, sisters, ex-husband, and boyfriend to start a new life?
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist?
Mary needs love. She takes care of everyone else, but no one takes care of Mary.
4. What is the character arc of your main characters?
Mary keeps rejecting Joseph’s proposals because deep down she may still be in love with her ex-husband, Peter. At the end, will she end up with either of them…or leave town alone? It’s a surprise.
5. How do you want this movie to end?
Before the second to the last scene, it looks like there’s a chance that Peter and Mary will get back together. But Joseph proposes one last time, will she say yes to him, this time? After Joseph asks her, we fade out without knowing her answer.
“One year later” comes on the screen, it’s Christmas again. We are in the kitchen where the movie started and there are baked goods everywhere. We move thru the old Victorian house as It’s a Wonderful Life is on the tv and it’s the scene final scene…we hear Auld Lang Syne. The house is all decorated for Christmas. Then we see Uncle Billy as he barks and runs into the living room. Janie and Ruthie run over to the Christmas tree and shake presents. Mary comes in the room. She has stayed in Seneca Falls. She yells into the dining room, “Are you coming? The girls are going to open 1 present.” Is it Peter or Joseph who enters the room?
B. Give a short description of how each of these structural steps
will occur in your script.1. PLOT POINT 2 — A major twist that sends the story towards
its final destination.Peter kidnaps Santa Claus and brings him to town. Mary is trying to find Peter because she’s afraid he’s going to hurt himself. (At the beginning of the movie, we see a flashback to Mary saving Peter from drowning after he jumps off the George Bailey bridge.)
2. CRISIS — The decision point.
Mary decides to switch places with the real Santa Claus and confront Peter herself.
3. CLIMAX — Bring the Protagonist face to face with the
Antagonist to face his biggest fear.Mary dressed as Santa Claus, tries to talk Peter out of stealing from the town. The NORAD agents shoot at them on the roof of a house that Peter intends to burglar. Mary throws herself in front of Peter and falls off the roof. Was she hit? Peter gives up to the agents because he thinks Mary as been shot. The incompetent NORAD agents missed. And Joseph is in the yard watching. He catches Mary when she falls, and they end up in a snowbank.
Santa convinces the bumbling NORAD agents to let Peter go if he agrees to meet them the next day. They let Peter go. Santa tells Peter that he could have left at any time but stayed to try and help him. He summons the reindeer and takes off.
To push the Climax, Peter and Mary’s daughter Janie is lost at the IAWF parade. They hug. Mary kisses Peter and then they run off to find Janie.
4. RESOLUTION — Show the effects of the climax and tie up
loose ends.Mary runs down Main Street asking everyone she knows if they’ve seen Janie. This also shows how many wonderful people are in the little town and how many know and care about Mary and her family.
Mary goes to the end of the street to the church. The night is clear, and the Christmas star is shining brightly above the church. Mary finds Janie in the nativity scene. Janie laments about not wanting to leave Seneca Falls…and all the reasons to stay.
Peter and Ruthie (their other daughter) find them outside the church and all 4 hug each other tight. The town has found their way down the street to the church. They start to sing, Silent Night. Violet and Tilly, Mary’s sisters show up. Followed by their father, Harry. Then Joseph pushes through the crowd in time to see the family hugging.
The next day, Christmas Day, Peter goes to see the NORAD agents at the hotel. As he comes out to the street afterwards, the whole town is there. They tell Peter that they have used the money from the festival to pay off his mortgage and save his shop from foreclosure. One by one people tell how much Peter means to them. Joseph has agreed to finance next year’s festival.
Later, at Mary’s old Victorian house there is a party of people there including Peter and Mary’s sisters, father, and Mary’s best friend, Annie. Joseph and Mary go out onto the porch. Joseph proposes for the last time. Freeze frame on Mary’s face.
5. FINAL PAGE — The final minute of the movie.
“One year later” comes on the screen, it’s Christmas again. We are in the kitchen where the movie started and there are baked goods everywhere. We move thru the old Victorian house as It’s a Wonderful Life is on the tv and it’s the final scene. We hear Auld Lang Syne coming from the tv. The house is decorated for Christmas. Then we see Uncle Billy as he barks and runs into the living room. Janie and Ruthie run over to the Christmas tree and shake presents. Mary comes in the room. We know she has stayed in Seneca Falls. She yells into the dining room, “Are you coming? The girls are going to open their presents.” Peter enters the room and kisses Mary. Surprise! Uncle Billy runs around their feet barking as the girls start opening presents. We pull out of Mary’s house and into the snowy street. A shot going down the highly decorated Main Street and ends at the George Bailey Bridge.
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Kate’s 3rd Act Structure
What I learned doing this assignment – it was so helpful to go back to some of the early documents/lessons in this and get them organized, and then see how it has all evolved. It reminded me that Nia is the Protagonist (not the town) and I need to make that more central and linked to the context of the towns fight with Darrogh.
1. What is it that fascinates you about this story?
A David can still win over a Goliath at personal and community levels.
The truth will free you.
Sometimes you have to do things that aren’t ‘good’ in order to reach the ultimate good.
2. What is the main conflict of the story?
Nia’s wants to believe her father is wonderful and then has to deal with the real Darrogh and story of the past, which plays in the context of the town rising up against him and she has to chooses sides.
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist?
She wants the perfect idealized father she never had/She needs to know the truth.
4. What is the character arc of your main characters?
Nia evolves from innocent and passive, to aware and proactive.
Darrogh moves from supremely confident to broken and pleading
Luciana moves from longing to accepting
5. How do you want this movie to end?
Nia finds her power, says no to her father and leaves to have her now free life.
I want the audience to feel uplifted/inspired by Nia’s arc, and also warned by Darrogh’s. (He loses everything by his greed and arrogance.)
B. Give a short description of how each of these structural steps will occur in your script.
1. PLOT POINT 2 — A major twist that sends the story towards its final destination.
Darrogh (her father) throws Nia out of his house, she has a flashback to a forgotten memory when he kicked her Mother out; Luciana (who she was beginning to trust and like) has been called into question; the land they are all trying to has bulldozers on it; the 2nd attempt to work the con has failed.
2. CRISIS — The decision point.
Nia has sorted it out with Luciana and heard some truths; and had another memory surface; 3rd try at the con has worked; Darrogh has asked Nia to come back ‘home’; Nia agrees to go all in with the community and also suggests a ‘play’ to expose the con to Darrogh very publicly
3. CLIMAX — Bring the Protagonist face to face with the Antagonist to face her biggest fear.
Darrogh and Nia have one more private meeting when he again tries to’ buy’ and emotionally blackmail her, she again asks him to tell her the truth but can’t yet tell him she knows; the play is performed capped by an ‘epilogue’ performed by Nia (dressed a gown of her mother’s) as Desdemona in the murder scene in Othello- and she tells him she knows the ruth.
4. RESOLUTION — Show the effects of the climax and tie up loose ends.
The community have their land back, Nia and Darrogh have one last visit when he pleads for her to stay – he is sorry and lonely. She forgives him but leaves to go on with her life without him, suggests he will have to depend on this community. She leaves his house on foot, as she first arrived, refusing the offer of one of his cars.
5. FINAL PAGE — The final minute of the movie.
Nia is on the bus, leaving with the acting troupe as she had arrived, reading a letter Luciana gave her as they hugged goodbye. VO Luciana saying not to worry about Darrogh, she will take care of him because she loved Amahla (Nia’s mother) who loved Darrogh, and she wants Nia to have a completely free life.
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PS81 Day 2 (Writing Great Endings) Anita’s 3<sup>rd</sup> Act Structure
What I learned: Comparing this with my original outline, I do see some changes. The way the story has played itself out shifted the beats of the final reveals. This assignment has also helped me see where I have to fill in a few gaps to bring the audience along to closure.
A. Answer the 5 questions below so you have a good understanding of the foundation that needs to be considered as you create your ending.
1. What is it that fascinates you about this story?
The decision to have a child or an abortion is PERSONAL and COMPLEX.
2. What is the main conflict of the story?
Does a woman put her life and her career at risk to carry and birth a child she doesn’t even want?
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist?
Danica NEEDS a kidney transplant (preferably from a close relative); Danica’s GOAL is to have a successful career.
4. What is the character arc of your main characters?
Danica: from considering an abortion, to having the child, to abandoning it, to deciding she wants to seek her daughter out.
Cyrus: His character arc does not change. He is a narcissist till the end.
Harley: From the rejection of her birth parents her arc gets ever more dark and twisted – ultimately killing the father to get his kidney to her mother.
5. How do you want this movie to end?
Danica loses her career but gains a kidney and her life – but as an unwitting accessory to Harley’s crime of murder. I want this to be a shocking reveal to the audience.
B. Give a short description of how each of these structural steps will occur in your script.
1. PLOT POINT 2 — A major twist that sends the story towards its final destination.
Danica’s sister dies from kidney disease and Danica discovers her own health life-threatening genetic risk and eminent need for a kidney transplant.
2. CRISIS — The decision point.
Danica, while arguing the most important case in her career, and doing so in front of Judge Cyrus Kilner – faints from the pain of late stage kidney failure. Danica’s Senior Partner and mentor puts her on furlough and Danica decides to reach out and connect with Harley.
3. CLIMAX — Bring the Protagonist face to face with the Antagonist to face his biggest fear.
Harley, who has already unearthed the identities of her biological parents and their health histories (through working at a genetic research lab), sets up a meeting with Danica. On the way she does a hit-and-run on Cyrus, killing him.
4. RESOLUTION — Show the effects of the climax and tie up loose ends.
Danica wakes in a hospital, having received her new kidney. Harley walks in and reveals it is from Cyrus.
5. FINAL PAGE — The final minute of the movie.
Danica will live, but it is with the knowledge that the daughter she never wanted, but had hoped to get to know – that her daughter is a monster who has orchestrated she receive a kidney from the man who has ruined her career, twice – Harley’s own father.
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Anna’s Third Act PS 81
What I learned was; I thought I couldn’t do it, why because I had not thought out all of the story yet. Panic mode! Anyway I followed the instructions and brainstormed and it all worked out, I learned I could do this first draft on the fly.
NOTE TO ANY READERS With apologies. This assignment was done on drugs, dental drugs that is. I hope it makes sense as I am still very dizzy and tired.
A. Answer the 5 questions below so you have a good understanding
of the foundation that needs to be considered as you create your
ending.1. What is it that fascinates you about this story?
I love the idea of life change at any age. I cannot stand the idea of wasting life through stagnation, be it as a teenager or a vintage person.
2. What is the main conflict of the story?
The opening conflict is between an older couple of live-in lovers. One wants to stay status quo. The other wants to bite off maybe more than she can chew.
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist?
Have a life of fun and adventure. She is not really thinking about responsibility at the beginning of the story.
4. What is the character arc of your main characters?
Sophie will take on new challenges and find out how difficult they are. Sandy will try once to win her back then fade into old age oblivion. A cynical policeman will get his heart turned around.
Sophie will meet a host of new situations requiring that she take responsibility, and people, including an unsuitable suitor.
5. How do you want this movie to end?
Alfie from Silent Night will appear to meet his litter mate Pirate and he will help with the final challenge.
Could be a montage of happy moments contrasted with kids sleeping on the streets.
B. Give a short description of how each of these structural steps
will occur in your script.1. PLOT POINT 2 — A major twist that sends the story toward its final destination
Sophie has to decide whether to turn the farm into a home for street youth, or let the council house them.
2. CRISIS — The decision point.
Alife arrives and the opening scene is a fun day at the beach with the two dogs and Dylan. (Silent Night’s first movie in three-part series.)
Sophie gets a call from her new potential man, a community policeman. One of her lads is sick, in the hospital with septicemia, his leg is being amputated.
3. CLIMAX — Bring the Protagonist face to face with the
Antagonist faces his biggest fear.Valentine’s party at the farm. Police dude/wanna be lover boy, has a shouting match with Sophie offering all the arguments why she should not do this, including she will croak one day, then what?
4. RESOLUTION — Show the effects of the climax and tie-up
loose ends.She tells him of her plan for the legacy of the farm and asks him if he wants to come and live with her at the farm.
5. FINAL PAGE — The final minute of the movie.
Could be a montage of happy moments contrasted with kids sleeping on the streets.
And a ” What can you do ” phone number plus some stats and a shot of The Big Issue Salesperson
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Day 2 – Structure of the Third Act – Assignment
Mike O – 3<sup>rd</sup> Act Structure
What I learned doing this is… my third act is a let down. It had no surprise yet relatable twist whatsoever. I have to work this process and come up with a viable third act. I love my climax and resolution, it is the second plot point and the crisis which need beefing up.
[I] Answer the 5 questions below so you have a good understanding of the foundation that needs to be considered as you create your ending.
1. What is it that fascinates you about this story? The healing power of love, the magic that it brings into a person’s life.
2. What is the main conflict of the story? Will the protagonist choose or love? Will she allow herself to be in love?
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist? Her main goal is to become a recognized artist, her main need is love, to be in love
4. What is the character arc of your main characters? Protagonist begins …. Ends up a successful artist who is in love; Antagonist begins arrogant and condescending, ends up going to prison; Love interest, begins as an overprotective single father, ends up in love with a nuclear family.
5. How do you want this movie to end? Happily ever after, true love wins out.
[II] Give a short description of how each of these structural steps will occur in your script.
1. PLOT POINT 2 — A major twist that sends the story towards its final destination. Brooklyn letting Iverson know she has someone in her life. She is not interested in him romantically.
2. CRISIS — The decision point. Brooklyn’s love interest, Tarek collapses; he is sick. Brooklyn leaves her gallery, her life’s work, to be with him and to take care of his two sons.
3. CLIMAX — Bring the Protagonist face to face with the Antagonist to face his biggest fear. Brooklyn faces Richard after the gallery is burned to the ground. She has proof he did it, is caught off guard and is subsequently arrested by the town sheriff.
4. RESOLUTION — Show the effects of the climax and tie up loose ends. Brooklyn is able to get rid Richard, move forward with her career and her life as Tarek proposes to her on Christmas morning.
5. FINAL PAGE — The final minute of the movie. Montage of the wedding, the kids and all the characters from the movie.
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Matthew Frendo’s 3rd Act Structure
WHAT I LEARNED: Looking at my current structure after the first assignment showed me what areas were weak. I learned who to focus more on the main crisis to make it a powerful emotional experience for the audience and reader. This will also help the movie be more cohesive. I believe this may have been a weak point before, so I’m glad to be getting a better understanding of it now.
1. What is it that fascinates you about this story? society’s hated outcasts coming together to beat the odds and become bigger heroes than the society ever was
2. What is the main conflict of the story? Will they survive the monster hunt?
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist? Gosl – survive, need – other people she can rely on and trust
4. What is the character arc of your main characters? Traumatized loner to strong leader
5. How do you want this movie to end? Kristen ,Josh and Alicia survive.
1. PLOT POINT 2 – After truth about Alicia comes out in the interviews, they are sent back into the hunt…with the Host really out to get them now.
2. CRISIS – Alicia runs after her abusive father enters game as monster…then has to decide between running and hiding (letting trauma win), or fighting him with new friends (coming to grips with trauma).
3. CLIMAX – Alicia’s father is released into the games…enhanced as a monster torturing her. She has to fight him to survive, as he taunts and tries to destroy her. He traps her alone in Hall of Mirrors, taunting and torturing her. She fights back, but is about to lose, when friends find a way to bust in. She uses distraction to kill him and win.
4. RESOLUTION – Players make it out, Alicia reunites with son, Kristen asks who voted for the last monster, with gun (humor).
5. FINAL PAGE – Host is put into games…and killed in post-credits scene.
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Antonio Flores’ 3rd Act Structure
What I learned doing this assignment
We strive for clarity. Outlining helps us having an organized slate with structure, where we can apply the yardstick and gauge quality, check on what might be missing, etc.
ASSIGNMENT
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A. Answer the 5 questions below
1. What is it that fascinates you about this story?
— It’s about empowerment (girl power, gender balance), which I have advocated for decades as educator and martial arts coach
— it’s about the protagonist physical and emotional emancipation
— it compares-contrasts dance and fighting
2. What is the main conflict of the story?
Human versus Power (Rules)
3. What is the main goal/need of your protagonist?
Want: to rescue her boyfriend
Need: to become an underground MMA fighter in no time
4. What is the character arc of your main characters?
A fragile cheerleader coach becomes a courageous warrior
5. How do you want this movie to end?
A realistic ending. The hero is overpowered by her opponent and killed, but survives thanks to receiving timely medical attention.
B. Give a short description of how each of these structural steps
will occur in your script.
1. PLOT POINT 2 — A major twist that sends the story towards its final destination.
Parisa is the only choice for the tournament final as Philip gets killed and Bahadur is extremely weakened by the poison.
2. CRISIS — The decision point.
Highly principled, Parisa has to accept that in a fight to death, victory implies survival
3. CLIMAX — Bring the Protagonist face to face with the Antagonist to face his biggest fear.
Parisa is to fight Shahnaz, the Ruler’s favorite, on a scaffold at a high distance from the ground. The setting sets off the anxiety that numbs Parisa. She relives the moment when her sister fell off a high building
4. RESOLUTION — Show the effects of the climax and tie up loose ends.
Although Parisa wins the match and, along with that, the antidote to save her boyfriend, the two contestants fall off the scaffold and die. Parisa survives due to timely medical attention. In her passing to the other side, she fixes things with her sister, with her bosom friend Sandy, and witnesses her mom’s departure (replacing her?)
5. FINAL PAGE — The final minute of the movie.
Parisa returns to the cheerleaders team to share her learning with the students.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Antonio Flores.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by
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