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Day 21 Assignments
Reply to post assignment.
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4 Replies
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Bob Rowen’s Act 4 First Two Scenes (20% Quality Draft)
What I learned doing this assignment is basically twofold: the reinforcement of the value of outlining scenes and how lining contributes to the development of the storyline.
Outline Key Scene 1 (Reaction to Act 3 Turning Point)
INT. DR. KASUN’S OFFICE – DAY (a cry for help)
BEGINNING: Virgil befriends a University professor who offers Virgil much needed help
MIDDLE: Virgil’s best protection is to go public as quickly and in as many different ways as possible
END: A comprehensive plan of help is developed
Outline Key Scene 2 (Protagonist faces his Dilemma)
INT. UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE – DAY (files an appeal to an adverse decision)
BEGINNING: Virgil is denied unemployment benefits
MIDDLE: PGE claims Virgil was terminated with cause
END: Virgil learns that he can subpoena Edgar, et al, and make them testify under oath
Write Key Scene 1 (Reaction to Act 3 Turning Point)
INT. DR. KASUN’S OFFICE – DAY
Virgil is meeting Dr. JACKIE KASUN (mid 50s) for the first time. Dr. Kasun has a well deserved reputation on campus for being a political activist.
DR. KASUN
I finally get to meet you. Bob Kittleson has shared your PGE difficulties with me. If just half of what he’s told me is true, you’re going to need a lot of help with how to deal with it.
VIRGIL
Dr. Kittleson is a straight shooter. I’m sure what he’s told you is all true.
DR. KASUN
What I meant to say is simply that you’ve got a lot to deal with.
Virgil pulls his simulation of the secret police report out of his briefcase and hands it to her.
VIRGIL
Did Dr. Kittleson share this with you?
DR. KASUN
Yes, and this was the first thing I wanted to talk to you about.
Dr. Kasun reads the simulation of the document.
DR. KASUN
Wow. And you’ve received threats to both you and your wife? I’ve heard you two are also being harassed by the police department? That true?
VIRGIL
Yes. And I don’t know what to do about any of it. I need help.
DR. KASUN
Okay. Yeah, that’s what Bob Kittleson said. The first thing I would suggest is that you go public with everything as quickly and in as many different ways as possible. That would be your best protection.
VIRGIL
Won’t that make matters worse for me and my family? We already have friends and even some family members who are turning against me.
DR. KASUN
That’s not surprising but what you really need to do right now is to get out front of this thing rather than just letting PGE and the Eureka Police Department control it. You need to go on the offense instead of remaining on defense.
VIRGIL
I’m guessing you have some suggestions on what I should do.
DR. KASUN
I do. Kittleson said you were denied unemployment benefits. Have you filed an appeal?
VIRGIL
No, ma’am I haven’t because I did make the phone call the Company accused me of making, which really wasn’t what the Company claimed it to be.
DR. KASUN
File the appeal because you can get the plant managers to testify under oath thus providing the hearing officer the basis for determining the real reasons why you were terminated. He or she (Kasun smiles) will provide a written opinion, which could prove very helpful in future public discourse.
VIRGIL
What if the hearing officer agrees with PGE?
DR. KASUN
You have to believe truth ultimately rises to the top.
VIRGIL
That’s it?
DR. KASUN
Oh no, of course not. There’s more. I’m going to suggest you also contact the environmental writer at the Times-Standard, which could prove helpful if the managing editor allows coverage. I have some more ideas but let’s get you started with these first.
Write Key Scene 2 (Protagonist faces his Dilemma)
INT. UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE – DAY
Virgil’s number appears on the big screen. He’s been assigned to Window 6. Virgil picks up his stuff and goes to his assigned window,
CLERK
Good morning, Mr. Prater. I see you’re here about your denied claim. How may I help you?
VIRGIL
I understand I can appeal the department’s decision.
CLERK
That’s what the notice you received clearly stated.
The clerk hands a packet of material to Virgil.
CLERK
Here’s what you need to fill out and return to this office if you want to appeal the department’s decision.
VIRGIL
How long will it take?
CLERK
You can go right over there, fill out these forms and bring them back to me. Then you’ll be notified of a hearing date. I see your former employer responded you were terminated with cause so you need prove that’s not true. You can subpoena witnesses and documents if any of that will help you prove your case.
As Virgil complies with the clerk’s instructions, he keeps looking up at the clock as time passes. Virgil finally finishes completing and signing all of the paperwork and returns to Window 6. The clerk peruses the packet of materials.
CLERK
That’s long list of witnesses!
VIRGIL
That’s what I’m going to need!
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Rob Springfield’s Act 4 First Scenes
What I learned doing this assignment is the protagonist has to be forced to make the most difficult choice during this part of the story.
Act 3 Turning Point: John and Manny devise a slick way to flush Mark and his family out. They quickly seize them without making a scene. They hack and steal the app, then delete it from Mark’s phone. They kidnap the family and take them to a remote location and tie them up to kill them. It’s lights out for Mark and family.
ACT 4: REACTION: John Stein and Manny stand over Mark and Jeff as they are being tied up. John taunts Mark about how he’s a loser and his bad behavior has been his downfall, he should have pursued sports, he saw him throwing behind the laboratory. [Manny tells Jeff about his disrespect is the reason his entire family will be wiped out.] John Stein’s crew laugh horrendously at them. Mark drops his head in defeat, like John is totally right.
ACT 4 DILEMMA: Mark ponders John’s words. He has a flashback about Dr. Green’s advice. He realizes his strength is what has always gotten him into trouble ultimately, but how can he reverse it?
REACTION
INT. REMOTE AREA – NIGHT
BEGINNING: John Stein and Manny tower over Mark and Jeff like victors in a war. They taunt them nonstop.
MIDDLE: John mocks Mark about being an all-around loser, from technology to sports.
END: Mark wants to speak, but he’s at a lost. His face says “I am a loser.” He drops his head in defeat as John and his crew laugh uncontrollably.
DILEMMA
INT. REMOTE AREA- NIGHT
BEGINNING: Mark eyes his dad for several beats. Jeff perks up like he senses something. Mark lock eyes on John like a light bulb has come on.
MIDDLE: Mark has a flashback.
END: In the flashback Dr. Stein gives Mark a compliment about his throwing.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by Robert Springfield.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by Robert Springfield.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by
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Subject: Arial’s Act 4 First Scenes
What I learned doing this assignment is…that clarity of the ending might not come until this point!
Key Scene 1: Reaction to the 3rd Act Turning Point
BEGINNING: When Aylen gets the message of Dylan’s abduction through Gwen, Aylen will be furious. She’ll play the woulda-shoulda-coulda game, beating herself up (figuratively) for sticking around.
MIDDLE: She should have sought out Dylan first and not wasted time on Tanyth and Qiren. She would have learned he was not part of the plan. They could have walked away.
END: Now he may die and it’s her fault!
Key Scene 2: Protagonist Faces Their Dilemma
Is she going to surrender to Kylantha’s demands and sacrifice her life to save Dylan? Or is she going to confront the woman who caused her a decade-and-a-half of misery? Aylen decides to confront Kylantha once and for all. She can’t keep running or cowering to bring about peace. She’s going to fight for what she wants.
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Assignment 21
Harley Grant’s Act 4 First Scenes
What I learned doing this assignment is that things are starting to move quickly and my main character needs to make tough decisions fast.
Key Scene 1 – Key Scene 1: Reaction to the 3rd Act Turning Point
Beginning: Priyanka leaves the house and emerges from the back on to the street. Rick is waiting for her inside his car. Priyanka walks over to Rick. He tells her to hurry up and get in.
Middle: Priyanka opens the car door. She stops. Priyanka tells Rick that she can’t leave without Sia.
End: Rick hands her his gun. He tells Priyanka to kill Rohan and bring our girl home.
Key Scene 2 – Protagonist Faces Their Dilemma
Beginning: Priyanka snakes her way through the ventilation system and back into the bedroom. She knows that she cannot risk Sia’s life with a shootout.
Middle: Priyanka decides that the safest thing she can do is to fake an illness.
End: Priyanka makes herself throw up and bangs on the bedroom room door as she hurls. One of the guards show up, sees the mess on the floor and shirt, and calls for another guard to come. They shackle Priyanka’s hands, take her out of the room, but don’t frisk her.
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