Day 5 Assignment

[Emmanuel Sullivan]

Emmanuel’s Action Track!

What I learned doing this assignment is there must be major plot/character action present and disbursed throughout the script to engage the audience and to show significant friction between the protagonist and villain.

[David Mailman]

David’s Action Track.

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?”

It took a few hours, but I learned that when one can give a purpose to an action scene then that action scene becomes more than filler for the movie. Having a purpose advances the plot and the Hero’s journey too. If one can’t think of a purpose, change the scene.

1. Answer the Action Questions:

A. Considering the concept from Lesson 1, what action could naturally show up in this movie?

The action itself would be primarily human to human fighting with the threat of Alien intercession. The human involvement would mean conventional weapons: guns, cars, bombs etc. The presence of ETs could suggest more futuristic weapons such as robots. The Alien involvement might involve the threat of mind control or other unconventional weapons.

B. Considering the Mission and Villain Tracks, what action could work for this track?

Chases, fights, shootouts, escapes, dangerous situations, interrogation.

C. How can the action start well, build in the 2nd Act, and escalate to a climax in the 3rd Act.

ACT 1. The Hero, Saul, starts as a normal, unassuming office FBI agent.

He is accidently involved in a shootout with the Cult that he handles badly. His daughter is killed and he is wounded. He is saved from death by medical techniques derived from Alien intelligence.

PURPOSE. Establishes he is not superhuman to begin with. He owes the Aliens.

He develops intense hatred for the Cult that drives him to become a killing machine. His wounds allow him to have a brain implant that speeds up his reflexes, makes him a dead shot and gives him a super-humanly strong arm. He learns martial arts suited to his injuries and implants.

PURPOSE. Shows his new motivation and abilities as Hero.

He is appointed to an Agency tasked with protecting the Aliens from the Cult and other enemies.

PURPOSE. This gives him the infrastructure and weapons to fight the Cult.

ACT 2. Saul is given assignments by the Agency. He needs to find the leaders of the Alien enemies and destroy their gangs. This results in:

A fight at a bomb-making factory during a routine investigation.

PURPOSE. Saul begins his journey with what seems to be a routine assignment. He begins his role as an action Hero.

Interrogation of a suspect.

PURPOSE. Saul begins to be the aggressor and ruthless.

A fight at the shuttle site against assassins trying to stop him finding the bomb.

PURPOSE. Saul is now an obvious target of the Cult and begins to realize what he is up against.

Saul becomes a direct target of the Cult leader.

PURPOSE. Saul becomes the prime target. The Cult’s resources are clear.

Saul is attacked by fanatical, homicidal Cult members.

PURPOSE. Saul sees the full power of the Cult. Realizes it is more than a simple, angry mob.

He destroys most of the Cult assassins in a car chase and escapes.

PURPOSE. Saul’s full mastery of his skill is seen.

His wife is captured as a hostage.

PURPOSE. Saul is in a situation like when his daughter was killed.

Saul gives himself up and is held prisoner.

PURPOSE. Shows Saul’s self-sacrificing response; one he was not conscious of when he went to save his daughter.

Saul escapes and kills his guards.

PURPOSE. Shows Saul’s fighting ability, determination and cleverness when alone.

ACT 3. Begins to finally destroy Alien enemies.

Discovers leader of Cult and kills her.

PURPOSE. Ends his vendetta. He has atoned for his previous incompetence.

Finds out that the Agency is compromised and that there is another Alien enemy.

PURPOSE. Released from his obligation to follow orders.

Kills the last Alien enemy.

PURPOSE. Saves the Earth. Peace and prosperity will follow.

[Ira Drower]

Action Assignment 5 – Create Your ACTION Track

Ira Drower’s Action Track:

What I learned from this assignment was that I had been thinking about the ACTION from the beginning of these assignments. I even included some in previous assignments. This afforded me additional opportunities to enhance and add to the action track.

1. Questions

A. Considering the Concept from Lesson 1, what action could naturally show up in this movie?

In this movie action shows up from the very beginning. Captain Miller’s revenge killings of gold hunters who stole documents from him. The need for Frank to keep his mission a secret from the world and the base secure means he will take any action necessary to accomplish this. The ramifications of failure mean return to prison and loss of co-workers and girlfriend. The added twist of an experiment by the crazy Professor causing a geological phenomenon and Alien escape ups the action as well. The mobster who Captain Miller brings into the fold with a modified plan of attack also creates action.

B. Considering the Mission and the Villain Tracks, what action could work for this track?

The mutilation of the gold hunters by Miller, the battle pitting Frank against the mercenaries, the rancher who wants the wolves killed, the mobster who kidnaps and forces Frank’s girl to take them to the wolves’ lair in search of the gold. The Alien escape who must be caught and kept secret as well by Frank.

C. How can the action start well, build in the 2^nd Act, and escalate to a climax in the 3^rd ACT?

The horrific murders of the gold hunters by Miller.

The battle against the mercenaries.

The missing cow, Professor’s unauthorized experiment causing ground tremors, the demand for Frank’s wolfpack to be culled, the escaped Alien.

The introduction of a cruel mobster who wants revenge against Frank’s girl and her kidnap and torture to lead them to the gold.

The final battle for the Alien prison against a horde of Alien hunters, MUFON agents, US government officials, drunk towns people on one front, the mobster, rancher, and Captain Miller holding Frank’s girl at the wolves’ cave is going to be one great finale.

Action Scenes Sequenced:

Ambush: Two gold hunters are ambushed by Miller and slaughtered as if by some large beast with claws.

Purpose: To create a mystery track and show the cruelty Captain Miller will use to exact revenge and get what he wants.

FIGHT/Shootout: Frank and his wolf pack are attacked by a group of ex-commando mercenaries at the closed military base which houses the Alien prisoners.

Purpose: Starts Frank’s battles to protect the base, his mission, and the wolf pack he adopted.

The ORDER: State Senator approves Rancher Dan’s request to move cattle to government land near the military site.

Purpose: Part of Captain Miller’s plan to infiltrate the site. He will use cattle as a means to an end. Creates an investigation into closed military sites for contamination.

Dangerous Situation: The professor at the Alien prison conducts an unauthorized experiment unleashing an Alien and causing ground tremors.

Purpose: The actions of the professor put Frank in a worse situation which he must now battle against an Alien with unknown powers. Insight into Frank’s enhanced animal senses.

AMBUSH: Frank is attacked by Alien hunters while deflecting investigations.

Purpose: It also forces Frank to fight crazy Alien hunters and MUFON.

Discovery: The press show up to discover more about the Alien sighting and tremors

Purpose: The press accuse Frank of unnecessary violence. All playing into Miller’s hand. Miller gains access to the site but cannot find the gold.

Chase/Pursuit: Rancher Dan tries to kill Frank by crashing his truck into Frank’s jeep sending it off a cliff.

Purpose: Rancher Dan believes his cattle are being killed by the wolves Frank is protecting.

Escape: Frank is saved by the Alien he captured.

Purpose: Show Alien as an ally (false enemy)

Dangerous Situation: Captain Miller enlists a mobster to help eradicate Frank.

Purpose: Show Captain Miller has been dealing with underworld for fencing stolen goods for years. Calls in a favor. He brings in Rancher Dan as well for more firepower.

Interrogation: The mobster, Captain Miller, and Rancher Dan kidnap and torture Frank’s girl. They demand she show them the wolves’ lair.

Purpose: Miller deduces the gold is being guarded by the wolves. Shows Frank’s girl can be compromised by money and gold as well.

Fight/Shootout: Frank must battle a horde of people who descend on the military site on one side and fight Captain Miller and his accomplices to save his girlfriend on the other.

Purpose: Show Frank’s resourcefulness. Frank uses a cattle stampede to send the horde of civilians running and fights off Captain Miller by tricking them into a teleportation to Siberia.

[Bradford Hicks]

Carlos and Aliyah’s Action Track!

What I learned doing this assignment is that it can be helpful to decide the purpose for an action scene before envisioning the scene itself.

ACT 1

THEFT: Alliyah’s bag is stolen, leaving them without her essential documents.

-Purpose: Creates the catalyst for them to search for it.

SURVEILLANCE: When they spot a woman wearing a piece of Alliyah’s clothing, the follow her to see where she lives so they can get the bag back.

-Purpose: To set up the Chase that follows.

CHASE: They spot the bag thief, and he spots them. The run after him; he rounds a corner and gets flattened by a truck.

-Purpose: They discover something dark in themselves —they enjoyed seeing him die. They feel he deserved it.

ACT II

TRAIN FIGHT: They seek out and find the distractor who was the other half of the theft. They beat him to death.

-Purpose: This elevates their killing to the level of intent. Even darker, and for them even more enjoyable.

STALKING: They see a dipper in action and follow him. This is their first intentional murder and mutilation.

-Purpose: To shock the viewer into seeing how bloodthirsty they’ve become. But we still root for them.

SCOOTER, BOAT, AND BICYLE PURSUITS: Possibly a montage since the actions are similar. They’re on a roll to wipe out these bastards.

-Purpose: To show they’re committed to the cause. And the various stalking/pursuit/murder scenes are entertaining and intense.

MURDER: Omor Net, the antagonist, tortuers and kills with his own hands a young girl from his sex trade whose customer was unhappy with her service. He kills her in front of other girls so they’ll fear him.

Purpose – to show how ruthless Omor Net is, and to reinforce that we’re on the side of our serial killing heroes.

FIGHT: Carlos and Aliyah pursue a female dipper, but when they are ready to kill her Carlos freezes. He just can’t kill a woman. The woman and Aliyah end up in a fight, knife versus hatchet. Aliyah is stabbed and the woman gets away.

-Purpose: To show Carlos has a soft spot, and that Aliyah has the stronger will to kill. Also to set up how Omor Net discovers who the people killing his gang members are.

REVENGE: Based on the description of the killers provided by the female thief who escaped, Omor Net believes the murders are being carried out by a rival Moroccan dipper gang. He orders a one night massacre of dozens of Moroccan thieves.

-Purpose: To involve the Moroccans in the plot twist. When they learn our heroes are “posing” as Moroccans (Omor Net’s excuse), they, too, begin pursuing them. Omor and the Moroccan gang leader make a wager of young women on who can kill the couple first.

FIRE: The Moroccan gang finds Carlos and Aliyah first and corners them in their flat. They set the building on fire to flush them out. People die. They manage to escape by jumping from the roof into a canal.

-Purpose: To show the gang will stop at nothing to get the couple and win the wager. Also, to change the plot direction, as Carlos and Aliyah now know they’re being hunted.

CAPTURE: As they prepare to flee Amsterdam, they’re captured by the Romanian Gang (not sure how/where yet.). Looks like they’re toast. Omor Net is ready to personally torture and kill them; their heads will be proof he won the wager.

-Purpose: To bring our heroes to the brink of death.

ESCAPE: One of Omor’s young girls slips our heroes weapons and/or tools with which they battle and escape.

-Purpose: To create a situation where the heroes and antagonist now know who each other is. Also, to give our hero’s a new mission: To rescue the girl who saved them. (And to create debate between Carlos and Aliyah as to whether they should save her or just leave.)

RESCUE: They return to Omor’s neighborhood, and discover the girl gets driven into a brothel in the city. Armed with weapons, they rescue her from sex trafficking.

-Purpose: To add a new layer of complexity to the plot. Omor now has two reasons to kill them. And to add an additional, sympathetic, character to the storyline.

CORNERED: Omor and his henchmen pursue our heroes to Romania and find them on a river boat cruise (after they’ve returned the girl to her family.). They’re cornered on the boat; there’s no way out, except to fight to the death.

-Purpose: Super intense, blood-pressure raising scenes as they try to avoid being killed in the tight confines of the boat. They’re outnumbered and outgunned. (Hell, they don’t even have guns.). They use a decoy method to kill their pursuers one by one.

-Purpose: To bring our heroes to the brink, where it seems there’s no way out. They can’t win.

CAPTURED: The decoy technique fails, and Carlos is captured. Aliyah can’t find where on the ship they’ve taken him.

-Purpose: To separate our heroes. Together they seem invincible, but apart?

FINAL FACE OFF: Aliyah receives a call on Carlos’ phone saying where to find. him. He’s tied up and they’re going to kill him. They only way she can save him from being tortured first is to give herself up too. She agrees, and face to face with Omor splits his head open with a hand axe. Omor falls from the ship and is ground up by the propeller.

-Purpose: To show who the real hero (heroine) is. And to give the audience a reason to cheer Omor’s demise.

THE FINAL TWIST: Months later, when Carlos and Aliyah re-do their honeymoon, now on a Caribbean island, they discover they’re the victims of identity theft. The look they give each other assures us they have a new mission that no double will involve tracking down identity thieves.

– Purpose: to add a little levity to the conclusion, but also to set up a possible sequel.

[Janeen Johnson]

Janeen’s Action Track

What I learned doing this assignment is that the action scenes must be varied and must be regularly placed within the screenplay.

My Action Scenes:

Shootout/Fight: Fight scene at the mall to open the action.

Purpose: Show the hero is a skilled fighter, show he will protect the president’s parents, show that the bad guys will kill (the SS agent is shot). Fun fight.

Chase/Pursuit: Segway ride to escape the downed bad guys.

Purpose: Comedy, show how fast the hero is compared to a segway.

Chase/Pursuit: Chase Scene to lose the bad guys who follow him (and the President’s Parents (PP)) away from the mall.

Purpose: Include a chase scene where the hero gets the bad guys to wreck a car so he can get away.

Competition: SS agent who was shot disables the agents’ vehicle and the agents in the cross country drive at a rest stop.

Purpose: Shows she is a kick-ass agent not involved in the kidnapping. Shows that she and the bad guys had no trouble finding/following the hero and PP.

Dangerous Situations: Stealing clothes and forcing the PP to put them on and leave everything else behind.

Purpose: Show the hero is determined to keep the PP safe in spite of their lack of cooperation. Show he knows he was followed. Add humor. Show his consideration for the elderly couple.

Chase scene — lose the SS agent in a small town. Purpose: Show the SS agent is still on their trail — how??

Purpose: Show the superior evasion skills of the hero. Start an argument with the PP about whether the SS is a good guy or bad guy.

Dangerous Situation: SS Agent beats them to the great aunt’s cottage at the lake. SS and hero fight, but PP put a stop to the fight by firing a gun, something that silences both of them knowing that 2 shots will bring the cops.

Purpose: Show that the PP are not sheep in this.

Escape/Evade: Flight by water, hiking, to the great aunt’s friend’s cottage.

Purpose: Show how well they cover their tracks. Comic relief.

Competition: Circuitous route used to get somewhere they can contact President directly without it being traceable or getting someone else in trouble.

Purpose: Show cleverness. Humor: Holiday options.

Shootout/Chase: Final shootout as bad guys close in, new good guys close in on the bad guys and SS and hero protect/hide the PP using isolation, watercraft, booby traps and mcgyverisms.

Purpose: Big finish. Fun fight.

[Katharine Panzella]

“Kathy’s Action Track

What I learned doing this assignment is I can write action scenes.

Action accomplishes multiple purposes.

• Creates the adrenaline experience for the audience.

• Pits Hero against Villain (or the Villain’s representatives).

• Makes a change for the story or Hero.

• Gives us an insight into either the Hero or Villain.

• Is entertaining to watch.

Answer these questions to create your Action Track:

• A. Considering the concept from Lesson 1, what action could naturally show up in this movie? all

• B. Considering the Mission and Villain Tracks, what action could work for this track? all

• C. How can the action start well, build in the 2nd Act, and escalate to a climax in the 3rd Act? Danny finds out about stolen antiques sold at auctions. He eventually discovers that the funds go to terrorists who are planning to blow up the UN building. The hurricane increases in intensity as the story progresses.

Select the types of action you’ll use.

• A. Chase/Pursuit

• B. Fight

• C. Shootout

• D. Rescue

• E. Escape/Evade

• F. Competition

• G. Dangerous Situations

• H. Interrogation

• I. Torture

Give us your list of action scenes and the purpose of each scene.

Intro shows storm forming, (danger)

Danny overhears plot. (danger)

Boss tells him to ignore it, no proof. (competition)

Storm now a tropical depression (danger)

Argues with director at Christies. (interrogation)

Depression now a tropical storm. (danger)

Tells chief about the plot and chief again says go be a real reporter. (competition)

Small craft warnings issued for Caribbean. (danger)

Thieves steal a valuable painting from a La Guardia cargo bin. (escape/evade)

Danny’s assigned the case. Follows the trail, traces fingerprints, finds one off the thieves. Interrogates him, has to let him go. Not enough proof since he is an airline employee.

Thief tells the mob boss about Danny. They sideswipe him on a highway but he’s not hurt. (danger)

Another subplot:

The mayor of NYC is a hidden villain. At an auction, the mayor meets the director of Christies. He tells her that they should speak in private. After shutting the door to a conference room, he grabs her ass and kisses her. She slaps him. He says, you’ll regret that, as she hurries out. The next day, the mayor tells his aide to research her finances. A week later, he puts a report on the mayor’s desk. There are suspicious deposits in her bank account from an art gallery. She has been taking bribes and using the money to pay her mother’s nursing home bills. The mayor tells her that he wants part of the money. She unhappily agrees.

Gale force winds lash Puerto Rico. The storm takes a northward turn. Reporters hound the mayor for ignoring the hurricane. It will hit the city and the city is not prepared.(danger)

The terrorists decide to kidnap Danny’s wife. (danger)

They torture her so she tells them Danny overheard the rug store owner’s conversation, the antique panel at the auction was stolen from a museum in India. They send a ransom note to Danny. (extortion)

The storm is off Andros and heading north. NYC in 6 days.

Danny goes to the warehouse. Gun fight with the thieves. Man holds her, threatens to shoot her. Danny puts down his M16 as asked but has a handgun hidden behind it. Hits man who dies, wife runs into his arms. Finds stolen painting from LGA cargo plus more antiques. Finds invoices with the rug store letterhead.

Interrogates store owner. He says nothing, wants his lawyer.

Danny goes back to Christies, tells director that the painting was recovered, can go in the auction. And that there were stolen antiques in the warehouse, destined for the auction. Still no proof the panel was stolen. She almost tells him about the mayor but stops.

The storm hits Jacksonville.

Danny looks at bank records from the rug store, finds a withdrawal to a Pakistani company, also purchases from sports stores.

He goes to the stores, finds semi-automatic gun purchases.

Storm off Outer Banks.

He calls the FBI, who tell him there are links to Pakistani terrorists at the Pakistani company.

He interrogates the store owner, beats him up. Finds guns stored in carpet rolls. Finds photos of the UN building. Finds phone numbers and lists of men’s names. All have Middle Eastern names.

Sends officers to their houses but all are gone.

Danny realizes an attack could be in motion so he heads to the UN.

Storm hits NYC.

There are 4 buildings: the 39 story rectangular Secretariat tower, the General Assembly building, the Library, and a Conference Area.

The General Assembly Building is a sloping structure with concave sides, 380 feet long and 160 feet wide, topped with a shallow dome. The north end, opening onto a landscaped plaza, is the main public entrance to the Headquarters complex. Beyond the lobby to the right is the small Meditation Room. Suspended from the ceiling above the stair landing connecting the lobby with the second-floor ceremonial entrance to the General Assembly Hall is a Foucault Pendulum.

The General Assembly Hall has a seating capacity of 1,800. At 165 ft long by 115 ft wide, it is the largest room in the complex.

The Hall has two murals by the French artist Fernand Léger. At the front of the chamber is the rostrum containing the green marble desk for the President of the General Assembly and matching lectern. Behind the rostrum is the UN emblem on a gold background. Flanking the rostrum is a paneled semi-circular wall that tapers as it nears the ceiling and surrounds the front portion of the chamber. In front of the paneled walls are seating areas for guests and within the wall are windows which allow interpreters to watch the proceedings as they work. The ceiling of the hall is 75 ft high and surmounted by a shallow dome ringed by recessed light fixtures.

Danny finds wounded and dead UN guards.

One wounded guard tells him there are hostages in the Assembly Hall.

The cops search the floors as they surround the Hall.

Danny leads a team up to the 3rd floor balcony.

Shots come from terrorists on the floor above. The team goes to the stairs, climbs up, breaches the doors, use grenades to kill the terrorists. One lives but he is wounded. Danny grabs him, forces him to talk. He says there are 20 terrorists holding 300 people in the Hall.

Danny runs back downstairs to the second floor balcony. Sees men aiming guns at cowering hostages. Can’t shoot. Drops smoke bombs.

Terrorists surprised. They try to escape. They grab hostages.

Danny and crew shoot a dozen men.

Several men escape but are captured.

Danny and men head downstairs.

Pipe sleeping gas into the Hall.

Everyone in the room falls asleep.

Danny and men run into the Hall. Handcuff the terrorists.

Hostages are freed.

Danny relieved.

Papers found in the terrorists homes showing bribes paid.

Danny interviews the director who confesses and asks for clemency.

Danny interviews the mayor who doesn’t.

The mayor is arrested.

The director is given probation.

The panel goes back to it’s original home museum.

Danny and his wife attend the Christie’s auction.

They clink flutes with the director.

THE END.

[Mark Doddy]

Mark Dotz Assignment 5

What I learned from this lesson is – I like the tips for the “types of action”. This really helps to borrow from the structure and really build a series of actions. I really liked this exercise.

A. Considering the concept from Lesson 1, what action could naturally show up in this movie? – Sword fights, lots of non stop medieval sword fights.

B. Considering the Mission and Villain Tracks, what action could work for this track?

The Villain is essentially always chasing the hero.

C. How can the action start well, build in the 2nd Act, and escalate to a climax in the 3rd Act?

The 1^st act the hero breaks out of a dungeon and in the 2^nd act the hero is chased by the villain and finally they will fight in the 3^rd act.

Brainstorm and action track :

Competition- We open with the Hero in a friendly knight joust and competition. We see the highlights of an all day event.

Opening with a fight sequence – The Hero is attacked in the middle of the knight and he fights off Archibald’s and his men, injuring Archibald and getting himself shoved into a dungeon.

Rescue- Damian, our hero is broken out of a dungeon

Escape/Evade – Sword battle – Damian and Isabella fight the knight guards and escape into the forest

Violence- The knight guards are tortured by the cruel Archibald for letting them go. He kills his own men and sends his best to capture them.

Fight and Escape – While on the run Damian and Isabella are cornered by Archibald’s men and fight and defeat all of them,

Dangerous Situations – A village is burned and this causes Damian and Isabella to investigate. They are again cornered and fight the men and free whoever they can , then they have a bow and arrow shoot- out from the trees with the men that have burned the forest.

Chase – Isabella and Damian get on horses and head towards the castle chased by a series of knights. Using Spears they is a joust fight and then a horse back riding sword fight.

Escape/Evade- Dangerous situation – At the death of their favorite horse Damian and Isabella sneak into the castle on foot and are able to disable some of Archibald’s catapults and in disguise wreak havoc on the inside lines of Archibald’s attack.

Shoot out – In the midst of Archibald’s Marauders Damian and Isabella sneak into the castle and make their way to the king at the same time Archibald’s men reach the king.

Final Fight – Archibald’s and his few men are defeated by the Kings men and Damian and Isabella. Archibald and the king are left fighting each other in a final dual, both will die from their wounds, Archibald first. As the King dies he names Domain his successor.

[Renee Miller]

Renee’s Villain Track

What I learned doing this assignment is that creating the villain track is just as important as creating the hero’s track.

A. What might be the Villain’s plan to accomplish an evil outcome or to annihilate the hero? The plan could be pre-existing or created on the spot.

The plan is created on the spot when the hero shows up at one of their “human” auctions.

B. How many ways can the Villain attack or destroy the hero?

Sends a different “slave” to the room. Sends a 20 man hit team. Kidnaps the hero. Brings the corrupt police into the mix. Kills another “slave” that helps him. Hides the kid he’s trying to save. Engages him in a fight and tries to kill him.

C. What advantage does the Villain have and how can they exploit that in this movie?

As the leader of an international human trafficking ring he has thousands of people at his disposal. He has bribed the local police, and the Thai government tends to turn a blind eye to the problem because they’ve been paid off/blackmailed into silence.

D. What would be a “fitting end” for this Villain where they pay for what they’ve done?

The leader is killed, and the ring is disbanded.

2. Include labels with each step of their plan.

Villain: a head of an international human trafficking ring.

Hero: former special forces operative and retired FBI agent.

In the moment plan: The villain’s plan is conceived the moment the Hero shows up at one of their auction events. From that point on he takes action to protect his investments and eliminate the threat.

Suspicion: the villain recognizes the hero from somewhere, but can’t place him.

Switch: villain sends a different “product” to the hero’s motel room to see how the hero reacts.

Decision: realizes who the hero is and sends a group of men to kidnap him.

Plan: hides the “product” away in a secure location guarded by dozens of heavily armed men.

Capture: captures the hero and tortures him. The hero kills everyone and grabs the “product”

Retaliation: kills the woman who has been helping the hero.

Escape: flees the country in a high speed boat.

Fitting ending: dies at sea (not sure how yet.)

[Sung-Ju Lee]

Sung-Ju Suya Lee’s Action Track!

Lesson 5: Create Your Villain Track

“What I learned doing this assignment is…?”

Don’t be afraid if you’ve never done an Action screenplay (or novel) before. Just do it, be average (or, even really bad), then improve, get better with Action scenes, more original, layer it more. I like the idea of examining the Purpose behind the Action. We don’t just write – now a fight scene happens in these next few pages. As I do these lessons (in both the PS80 and in the Action modules), I am coming up with clearer scenes, especially when it comes to Action. Interesting that it pushes my creative buttons, although I feel scared to deep dive. Afterwards, I feel elated I came up with something. Especially, something elevated. I’m very cautious I don’t want to exactly copy CAPTAIN PHILLIPS per se. I didn’t want the Pirates to attack the cruise ship. I had to think of another way.

Logline:

When a group of old timers at a veteran’s retirement home win the mega lottery, they buy an old cruise ship to sail around the world with their extended families, but Pirates hijack their ship in South-East Asia and the Veterans must face the last battle of their lives to save their families.

Create a rough draft of your Action Track.

Answer the Action Questions:

A. Considering the concept from Lesson 1, what action could naturally show up in this movie?

A chase scene throughout the ship. Fight scenes in various rooms (penthouse suite to the crew bunk rooms – where the grandchildren sleep), hallway, cafeteria/dining rooms & huge kitchens, bridge, engine room, luggage holding area, bowling alley, cinema, jump into the pool & fight, children’s day care, use zipline, a fight/chase on jet skis.

B. Considering the Mission and Villain Tracks, what action could work for this track?

All of them. Maybe more as I go along. It’s a cat and mouse game between the Pirates and the Veterans, throughout the cruise ship. When the Pirates realize some of the Veterans and the Family members aren’t on the cruise ship, they go looking for them in a nearby uninhabited lagoon. The Pirates use their boat to go to the lagoon. Gun shots on the cruise ship. The Veterans and the Family members hear this in the lagoon. They are on jet skis, and try to escape the Pirates chasing them. The Veterans have a shark spear, and use it to damage the Pirate’s boat. But, the Veterans and Family members are overtaken, due to the Pirates having guns. Maybe one Family member gets shot in the calf, so others stop. Pirates use the jet skis to get towed back to the cruise ship. No other ships in the area (to hear the gun shots), so the cruise ship won’t get help.

C. How can the action start well, build in the 2nd Act, and escalate to a climax in the 3rd Act?

The cruise ship sails off of Hawaii, breaking down several times. The Veterans, Family members and crew fix it each time. They have fun on the cruise ship, so they explore the entire cruise ship, they all know the layout, its quirks/ malfunctions/ hidden areas/ etc. The Pirates pretend to need refuge late in the First Act. The Veterans and Family members rescue them. They get food and drinks (maybe alcohol?). That might be interesting if the younger Pirates had never had an alcoholic drink before. Maybe a hard lemonade, something like that. So, when they shoot, they don’t shoot straight, and mess up the cruise ship with bullet holes. At the First Act Turning point, the Pirates take over. Demand ransom money. They fire their guns into the air to get the attention of the Veterans and Family members, who are all having fun.

Suggested Scenes for Action:

Dangerous Situation: The Pirates take over the cruise ship. Siege begins. They take out their guns. One of the Veterans makes one Pirate shoot in the air, as a warning shot to alert the others in the lagoon. Pirates gather all the people on the cruise ship onto the deck. Demand money. That gun shot is heard in the lagoon (next scene). No one is on the bridge, since they are anchored, enjoying the holiday.

Purpose: The Pirates show their true colors, show their true nature, their mission. The Veterans are taken by surprise. The Pirates don’t know there are 4 Veterans onboard. They think it’s only Families having fun, and not skilled in fighting.

Escape/ Chase/ Pursuit: The Pirates chase some of the Veterans and Family members escaping jet skis in the lagoon. All this happens in the lagoon, before they get to the cruise ship.

Purpose: The Veterans will fight back, since all of the Veterans have seen action. Shows they use their imagination in using a shark spear in disabling the Pirate’s boat’s motor. Also, that Veteran is a good shot. The Pirates try to shoot the jet skis, but shoot one of the Family members in the calf by mistake. One Pirate boat down, one Family member injured.

Interrogation/ Torture: When the Pirates want the money transferred, the Veterans and Family members resist. They say they don’t have any money left. All their money went into buying the old cruise ship. The Pirates torture (beat him up with the butt of a rifle?) a Family member, a male middle-aged adult. One Veteran sees his mate nod across the ship via the window (or, the Veterans and Family members have their own walkie-talkies). Maybe, signal with Morse code somehow. He says he has a bit of money the Pirates can have, but his info is in his book in the luggage holding area. He starts the transfer on the Pirates laptop, but that Veteran not on the deck disables the internet (across the ship). The money transfer crashes before completed.

Purpose: The Pirates mean business. But, the Veterans can outmanoeuvre the Pirates, as the Pirates don’t know the old timers are Veterans. They don’t know Morse code.

Fight: When the Veteran disables the internet, he also inadvertently disconnects the power. Lights out in the luggage holding area. A fight between the Pirates and Veterans, and some adult Family members. The Pirates shoot at anything, including each other and Family members. The Pirates go to the bridge, shoot the radio. One of the Pirates kills the only pet, a Lab puppy, as it barks at the Pirate. He kills the puppy in front of the children. They run to the dead puppy.

Purpose: The Pirates now know the People on the cruise ship will fight back. They are dealing with smart People who will try to stop the Pirates. The Pirates shoot the radio, to stop the People calling for help.

Kidnap: The Pirates kidnap the grandchildren as collateral until the internet is fixed to do the ransom money transfer. They corral the grandchildren down below in the crew quarters, where the grandchildren were sleeping. A contained section. They are held by a younger Pirate, who drank hard lemonade, so is a bit tipsy.

Purpose: The grandchildren are safe together, away from future shooting.

Ambush: The Veterans overhear the Pirates talk, one of the younger Pirates is the son of one of the Pirate leaders. The Veterans group together as they are being held on the deck. They tackle three younger Pirates who are in charge of keeping the People together. (Also, these younger Pirates drank hard lemonade, and are not on top of their game.) The Family members scatter, run down below to safe hiding places. Two Pirates die. Kidnap the Pirate’s son. Use that radio to announce the Veterans now have a Pirate member.

Purpose: Even the stakes. The Veterans now add a wrench into the Pirates’ plan, which causes a fracture within the Pirate group.

Dangerous Situation: The two Pirate leaders now fight. One wants to rescue his son. The other still wants the ransom money. The Pirate leader says to the Veterans, he will give up in exchange for his son back. The Veterans say they also want the guns. The Pirate leader says ok. The Veterans say the son is tied up down below, in the engine room. The son is unconscious, so can’t yell for help. The Veterans attack the Pirate leader and his remaining followers. All fight. The Pirates shoot throughout the engine room. A mini-fire erupts. The Veterans take the guns. Also, the ship starts to sink. It takes on water.

Purpose: The Veterans have some guns. One Pirate group has been disabled.

Discovery/ Dangerous Situation: The Pirates discover the Veterans won the mega lottery. They radio for back-up on their own radio. Another Pirate boat arrives, 3 more Pirates. Meanwhile, one of the Pirates had climbed up to the ship’s antennae, tried to fix the internet. And/or, try to set up their own internet device. The internet is back up. The ransom money is now the entire mega lottery winnings. One Veteran has a gun to his head. He starts typing, but fakes a heart attack (his bad ticker of an artificial heart). One Pirate shoots a crew member (crew members are in everyday clothes, no uniforms). Frantic chaos. A fight ensues. One Veteran had a gun in his sock. Shoots the lights out.

Purpose: The stakes are life and death now. The Veterans will lose everything.

Shootout/ Rescue: When the Veterans fight off the Pirates in the lower hulls. With guns. In and out of various rooms and sections. Ship sinks more. More water in the ship. The Veterans run to the crew bunk bed area. Burst through the doors. No Pirates, no grandchildren. They go searching for them.

Purpose: The Veterans main concern at this point is the grandchildren as the cruise ship is sinking.

Shootout/ Escape: The Veterans find the grandchildren. Race them up to the decks. Then, go back down to fight the Pirates more. They lock them in various rooms. An explosion in the engine room. The ship sinks more. The Veterans and their Families escape by lowering the tender boats just in time.

The ship sinks. The Pirates drown.

[Mary Spiers]

Mary’s Action Track!

What I learned doing this assignment: I learned that I have a lot of escape sequences that may be too redundant. I started expanding the types of action this and need to work on it some more. I’ll be revisiting this exercise.

1. Answer the Action Questions:

A. Considering the concept from Lesson 1, what action could naturally show up in this movie?Escape is at the top of the list, but also evade, chase/pursuit, then possibly dangerous situations, fight and torture.<div>

B. Considering the Mission and Villain Tracks, what action could work for this track? Mission – escape, fight, possibly competition with Villain and rescue of other boysVillain -Punish (starve, beat),Threaten, confine, humiliate, kill friend

C. How can the action start well, build in the 2nd Act, and escalate to a climax in the 3rd Act?The action starts with the kidnapping of Sam, it escalates as Sam tries different types of escape and undermining of Eb (Villain), it escalates more as Sam does escape, there is a chase and recapture. All the while Eb escalates his punishment and attempts at threats and intimidation. It climaxes in the 3^rd act as Ed has killed Sam’s friend Joe (also a kidnapping victim) leading Sam attempting to kill Eb. He is stopped from this, but from aid from his “tribe” he uses his horsemanship skills and knowledge to obtain his freedom and that of the other boys.

3. Sequence the action scenes to deliver your story. Give us your list of action scenes and the purpose of each scene.

Discovery : Sam leaves his master and goes to Philadelphia to find his fortune. When a circus horse spooks, Sam intervenes to settle it.

Purpose: Gives a hint of Sam’s horsemanship skills

Dangerous Situation: Sam is kidnapped, but he is confident he can escape, clowns around. Eb threatens to slit his throat if he acts up.

Purpose: shows his teenage cockiness and optimism. He has already escaped from one master.

Escape: When the kidnapper’s boat lands near their Chesapeake hideout, Sam gets out of ropes and hides in swamp, but steps in quicksand and has to be rescued by kidnapper.

Purpose: to show Sam’s initiative, impulsiveness and defiance.

Humiliation: Kidnappers make Sam dance for morsels of food, not always giving him any.

Purpose: Show Sam is almost always hungry and will sacrifice his dignity for food. This is a weapon of control for kidnappers.

Intimidation: Offering a deal: Lucy co-villain and partner of Eb’s offers Sam more food and special treatment if he snitches on the other boys.

Purpose: Show Sam’s vulnerabilities to food and his Lone wolf tendancies.

Cause Chaos: When kidnapper’s boat is damaged and is close to a port, Sam and boys try to cause chaos so they can escape. They fight among themselves, give up and go back.

Purpose: Show how when Sam is lone wolf and boys are not working together, the plan fails.

Competition/Personal Agenda/chase: Sam escapes, leaving other boys, with help from Joe (friend and captive) and escapes into Choctaw Country where he is taken in by an Indian boy and shows off his horsemanship skills. He is hunted by Eb.

Purpose: Show Sam’s focus on himself and his horsemanship skills as well as his lack of knowledge of the woods/wilderness.

Dangerous situation: The Choctaws decide whether to hand Sam back to kidnapper’s or keep him as a slave. They force him back to Eb. He has to think of a story fast that will keep Eb from torturing him.

Purpose: Sam’s taste of freedom is dashed and sent back into the clutches of the villain will he will be tortured, but he is quick-witted.

Shootout: Eb stole money from a man who finds the kidnapper’s camp and chases them out of the county, Shoot-out on wagon and horseback.

Purpose: show vulnerabilities of villain and Sam’s help of his fellow captives.

More to follow
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[Linda Kish]

Linda’s Action Track!

What I learned doing this assignment is by focusing on the action track, you can easily make sure the script lives up to the Action genre.

Action Questions:

A. Considering the concept, what action could naturally show up in this movie?

· High speed night chase

· SAFE boat water chase

· Human smuggling

· Stash house firefight

· Gunfight at the border

· Military versus terrorist battle

B. What action could work for these Mission and Villain Tracks?

· Mission

i. Rally thousands to flood the border to provide cover for terrorists crossing

ii. Kidnap son to blackmail Commissioner

iii. Planting bombs in 50 states

iv. Attempt to kill Commissioner

· Villain

i. Use children to cross the border

ii. Human trafficking

iii. Abuse of women and children

C. How can the action start well, build in the 2^nd Act, and escalate to a climax in the 3^rd Act?

· Start – Skirmish at the border > SAFE boat water chase > using children to cross the border leads to a shootout and high-speed night chase

· 2^nd Act – Son kidnapped > send thousands to overwhelm and break through the border > firefight at a stash house > hunting terrorists who kidnapped son, kill them

· 3^rd Act – Bombs planted in 50 cities > hunt and torture pockets of terrorists for info on the plan and their leader > track down the leader and battle to the death > joint task force dispersed to unarm the bombs

Sequence of Actions:

1. Discovery: Terrorists trying to sneak across the border.

Purpose: There is a threat to the US.

2. Chase/Pursuit: Chase terrorists on water with SAFE boats.

Purpose: Difficulty of keeping the terrorists out.

3. Escape: Lead terrorist makes it into US.

Purpose: Rising threat.

4. The Order: Commissioner is updated on the alarming number of terrorists attempting / crossing the border. He orders massive resources to the border to block them. Flying there himself.

Purpose: Commissioner is not going to let them beat him, takes it personally, and owns the responsibility.

5. Shootout: Terrorists use children to get across the border > leads to a shootout and a child is shot by the terrorists

Purpose: Shows the level of evil

6. Ambush & Kidnap: Commissioner’s ex-wife and son are ambushed and the kid is kidnapped.

Purpose: Escalating the hero versus villain conflict, making it more personal.

7. Dangerous Situations: With the Commissioner distracted, the villain incites thousands to overwhelm the border so terrorists can slip into the US.

Purpose: Villain is building his army in the US.

8. Competition: Commissioner and Villain directing teams against each other.

Purpose: They are both powerful and raises questions as to who will win.

9. Interrogation & Torture: Commissioner captures terrorists and tortures them for info about his son.

Purpose: Commissioner is willing to cross lines to find his son.

10. Pursuit: Commissioner goes after the leader. His former military buddies join him.

Purpose: Now he knows who his adversary is.

11. Shootout: Gets to the hiding place where he thinks his son is and engages in a shootout.

Purpose: Think Commissioner is going to win this one.

12. Escape/Evade: Villain escapes with the kid.

Purpose: Villain plans ahead, not going to be so easy.

13. Rescue: Rescues his son.

Purpose: Commissioner wins one, but Villain isn’t there.

14. Torture: Discovers they have a plan of 50 bombs across the US. Tortures the remaining terrorists to new levels.

Purpose: Millions of American will lose their lives if he doesn’t succeed.

15. Hunt and The Order: Hunt for the terrorists and gives kill orders to the rogue military groups who are rooting them out.

Purpose: Escalating the conflict with an expectation that it’ll be a fight to the death.

16. Fights: Terrorists versus rogue military members across the US.

Purpose: Don’t know the outcomes. Who will win?

17. Final Battle: The fight to the death hero versus villain.

Purpose: One will die, one will live. Or …

18. Haunting Kill: Commissioner now knows the villain is his son.

Purpose: Dilemma with a choice that has to be made.