Day 25 Assignment

[Joe Donato]

This took a couple of days because I had to back and re-write the original outline so that it properly represents the script. There were a bunch of changes. But doing that made sure that what was on paper and what was in my head, are in unison before moving forward. Now, when I answered the questions, all those structure questions, which were very intimidating two days ago, were actually quite easy to answer. I came up with some more ideas about how to strengthen things. I’ll ponder that overnight and fix that on the next rewrite…

THE STRUCTURE QUESTIONS

Act 1:

Opening/Old Ways: Is this an engaging opening scene that lures us into the story? Is the lead character clearly living in a pre-transformation mode? Do the “Old Ways” show up in their behavior and dialogue?

-Yes, Chuck half-heartedly helps his wife, but is more argumentative than listening to her and ready to justify his actions.

Inciting Incident: How does this incident invite and propel us into the journey?

– clear, obvious: they get physically bumped by the car. In my first draft, I think the car didn’t touch them until later. But I changed that.

Turning Point: How is this Turning Poing a twist that locks us into the journey with “no going back?”

– They have been “tracked/locked in” via Ruth’s phone. Even if they don’t know it yet. Also, they’ve been recorded by the car’s cameras too, so the zombie car “knows” them, which they will discover later.

Act 2:

New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with the Act 1 Turning Point?

– They will now offer themselves up as “bait” and have a new purpose on the road: “Saving” others from getting attacked by the car.

Plan in action: How does the protagonist take action on that plan?

– Recruits other RV driver and they go on a mission to take down the car.

Midpoint Turning Point: How does the Midpoint change the meaning, creating a reveal that changes everything while keeping us on the same journey?

– The first enemy: “modern tech on the highway” has been defeated. Now, the “real” enemy emerges, and shows his face. Now Chuck is battling a flesh and blood youngster. He’s got this! (so he thinks)

Act 3:

React/Rethink: What is revealed to the protagonist from the Midpoint? How do they react or rethink things?

– after interacting with the kid, Chuck is not so sure his “scared straight” methods will work to put the kid in his place. There’s more going on, and Chuck doesn’t want to admit that he can’t compete with the psychological level.

New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with this new level of conflict?

– Going to drive all night just to get off the road and be done with it.

Turning Point: The lowest of the low. How has this Turning Point brought the character to the lowest of lows, making it almost impossible for them to win in a normal way? This forces them to adopt the change in a much bigger way.

– Not only has Chuck’s vessel been grounded, he’s failed his wife on another level: unable to get her to safety. He’s totally now reevaluating his purpose and his value to her.

Act 4:

Dilemma: What emotional dilemma requires the protagonist to choose between two alternatives, losing something with either choice?

– In order to give his wife her wish, he’s going to have to give up hope of resurrecting the RV, which is the symbol of his hopes/dreams/future/worth. Hold on to the idea of salvaging/preserving the RV, or let it go, so they can tear it apart to find the tracking unit so they can find the kid.

THIS PART CAN BE STRONGER if, throughout the story, we see Chuck being extra controlling/preserving of the RV.

Climax/Ultimate @xpression Of The Conflict: How is this the ultimate expression of the conflict? How does it require a “fight to the death,” either literally or symbolically?

– Chuck’s “lingering old self’ has exchanged the RV for the Gun, as the only tool he has to fight the kid. But his wife has psychology to speak to the kid as a human, and now that Chuck is stripped of his preoccupation/agenda, he is actually ABLE to listen to his wife, and try things her way.

Resolution: How does this resolution represent the “New Ways” and bring this story to a fitting conclusion?

– The “old” helps the “young”. Trust is built between the two generations.

CAN BE MADE STRONGER, by having the kid help chuck with some sort of technical thing.

New Ways: What are the New Ways and do they clearly show up in your lead character’s Act 4 behavior and dialogue?

– Chuck returns to the work world for a few more years. No longer “escaping” via early retirement, and no longer afraid of new tech. In fact, he now will help others his age: he’s actually empathetic now!

CAN BE MADE STRONGER in the script by making sure its clear that his “early retirement” plan was an in-noble form of escape in earlier scenes. Also, make sure we see Chuck’s language/interactions with the new class being full of empathy that he clearly learned from his wife.