Day 5 Assignment

[Tracy Cheney]

Tracy El Pueblo Layers and Reveals

What I learned is to wait for more ideas to reveal themselves — I want them to feel natural, not contrived.

1. Antonia’s grandma doesn’t want Antonia to know she herself got to choose her husband. Grandpa and she were young mixed-race farm workers in Mexico.They were recruited to come to start El Pueblo when she was 19. The church allowed couples to choose instead of the forced arrangements now popular on the frontier. She uses the brokered arrangement to raise her family’s status — did it with her two daughters, and now Antonia and her cousin. It will be the new priest Father Diego who reveals this to Antonia.

2. Antonia hides the fact that she goes out unaccompanied — it started as an emergency run to the native village to get the shaman when her uncle was dying. She believes her grandmother’s status in town protects her.

3. Lucas creates his own cover-ups. He hides the fact of his father’s suicide even from his uncle in El Pueblo, his father’s brother. Lucas doesn’t know if his eldest brother mentioned that the dad had been injured when he wrote months in advance to ask that Lucas come north. Lucas is stunned to discover at home after the funeral that the eldest brother always planned to cut him off financially even before their father died. The secret of the suicide will eat away at Lucas until he must confess it in El Pueblo — he doesn’t like being denied eternal salvation because of his father’s sin. The betrayal of his brother stings, but Lucas gradually comes to see it as benefiting him. He’d have no chance in his Mexican town because of the family being ostracized other than joining the military as a lower rank soldier to earn a meager living.

4. Father Diego has so many huge secrets being revealed to him, he’s reeling at the time he’s supposed to be an impenetrable moral rock of the Church.

A. The local family priest hides Indian freedom-fighters. When Diego confides this to his dad to help them, instead his dad trades them north into Comanche country. The powerful tribe maintains a huge network across the southern US. Diego finds out the local Indians and lowest classes are traded regularly to appease the Comanche who could wipe out everything with their frequent raids. While away for 8 years at seminary, Diego’s family became specialized traders, giving the Comanche what they want in goods to save their own lives.

B. While inspecting the family’s extensive trade operations along the <st1:place w:st=”on”>Gulf of Mexico</st1:place>, Diego discovers his dad trades in African slaves. As it’s illegal to import slaves directly into the <st1:country-region w:st=”on”>US</st1:country-region>, an active black market exists through <st1:country-region w:st=”on”>Mexico</st1:country-region> to <st1:city w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>New Orleans</st1:place></st1:city>. Diego’s father justifies this as a blow against the Spanish, for he only takes human cargo from captured Spanish ships to rob them of the gain.

C. Diego’s father made a deal to give a large bequest to the Church only if Diego gets to administer it — and is assigned far away for everyone’s protection.

D. The family are crypto-Jews, having been in <st1:place w:st=”on”><st1:country-region w:st=”on”>Mexico</st1:country-region></st1:place> since 1500. This has to remain a secret to protect the extended family. This is only revealed to Diego in a letter found in his trunk once he sails for <st1:state w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>California</st1:place></st1:state> territory.

E. Diego was given to the Church as a “spare” son to be seen as upstanding Catholics and keep the Inquisition away. He got a classical college education. He has no desire to serve at an isolated frontier mission. Diego feels betrayed on all accounts.

6. Thomas cannot reveal that he is a fugitive slave on the run from a <st1:state w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>South Carolina</st1:place></st1:state> plantation since he was 13. He received a promise of pardon/freedom from General Andrew Jackson for serving with Jean LaFitte’s pirate band at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Thomas never trusted any deal with the <st1:country-region w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> for a black man. He’s deathly afraid of slave catchers and bounty hunters. He’s left LaFitte’s protection because LaFitte signed a deal with the Spanish to spy on the revolutionaries fighting in <st1:country-region w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Thomas felt betrayed, as LaFitte always professed hated for the Spanish. Thomas supports freedom fighters wherever they are, so heads to <st1:country-region w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>Argentina</st1:place></st1:country-region> because they won. He presents himself as an emancipated black mercenary for hire.

7. Joseph visits the daughter of his master of his apprenticeship in <st1:city w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>Boston</st1:place></st1:city> at her finishing school. They were around each other when younger, as he stayed in their home and got a rudimentary education. But her father made it clear to his stable of young men that they were to steer clear of his daughter. But Joseph is a 28 y-o-independent man now. He’s home from the sea for good.

Joseph’s big secret comes far later during his trial in the 2nd season: why does he lie to the people of El Pueblo about being forced to sail for Captain Bouchard from Argentina to attack California. Why did he voluntarily leave <st1:state w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>Hawaii</st1:place></st1:state> to join this crew? Was he an original crew member sailing for the other captain on the <st1:city w:st=”on”><st1:place w:st=”on”>Santa Rosa</st1:place></st1:city>?

[Sharon Scherle]

Jean’s Layers and Reveals

What I learned doing this assignment is that with thought and careful planning I can incorporate layers cover-ups, and reveals into the outline before I even start writing. It will help make the script more interesting and engaging.

This is the list of the Layers, Cover-Ups, and Reveals I’ve added to the outline:

The Layer: The Vault Agency are time travelers

In the teaser, Tanner, in Colonial Philadelphia rescues Ben Franklin, then vanishes. We don’t see it happen. It’s implied.

Tanner, now in Sharra’s timeline, gives her a Vault business card in the beginning.

During Sharra’s interview, Lazarus explains the job without saying it involves time travel – adventure, interesting places and people, stimulating work, a place she can use her perfect memory ability to the fullest.

Faolan, from 1825, is now in the Vault’s main complex to gather intel on Sharra. He overhears Tanner and Cam discussing Sharra’s injuring from a mission. This is a future event.

Faolan reappears in Sharra’s timeline and takes down her mugger.

After the mugging, Lazarus sends Tanner back in time to stop the mugging from happening. He watches it happen, too far away to stop it, but goes after the mugger.

The Reveal: The watcher will figure it out without being told by this point.

The Layer:

In the teaser, we see a metal tattoo behind Tanner’s left ear.

The business card Tanner gives Sharra, the Vault Agency logo on it is the same design/metal as his tattoo.

Sharra has an odd reaction to the logo.

Faolan has the same tattoo.

When Faolan shifts into the Vault complex, we hear the pylons rotating and get a sense of the vastness of the vaulted room, but don’t yet see it.

Cam heals Sharra with future medical devices.

The Reveal: The final scene: Lazarus shifts Sharra to the main complex. She sees the nine pylons made of agrylium, the same metal as their tattoos. The place is futuristic/otherworldly.

The Layer:

Sharra gets mugged/stabbed. She thinks it’s her boss after her.

Faolan checks behind the mugger’s left ear – no tattoo.

Faolan hacks into the mugger’s home computer but the mugger comes outside. He prints off the last email and leaves

Sharra gets attacked outside her old office. Faolan saves her, checks behind their ears – no tattoo.

The Reveal: Back at his townhouse while getting ready for the dinner party, Faolan reads the email – the assailant is a Vault agent.

The Layer: Lazarus needs Sharra to save the Vault.

Tanner and Lazarus disagree about Sharra’s recruitment.

When Sharra gets stabbed, Tanner argues again with Lazarus. He leaves angry.

The Reveal: Lazarus pulls out the note his future-self came back and left. The note stakes she is crucial to fixing the Vault.

The Layer: Sharra is alone.

Sharra’s apartment is sparsely furnished. Only a few personal items around. One is a photo of her parents, her brother, and her when they were younger.

During Sharra’s interview, Lazarus mentions Grayson. Sharra hasn’t seen him in years. Probably dead.

Sharra visits her parents’ grave asking for advice, of course, getting none. Her brother, Grayson, is unreliable.

The Reveal: Sharra’s place is being watched. She’s almost killed by her boss and taken by the mugger. Sharra has no one, no place to go, and agrees to go with Tanner.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by  Sharon Scherle.

[Janeen Johnson]

Janeen’s Layers and Reveals

What I learned doing this assignment is that doing this analysis gives me specific points I need to make in my scenes/acts.

Act 1

Deeper Layer Reveals <div>

Mindy takes Mike from Cara —

Surface cover up — Mindy and Cara are best friends.

Disruption – Mindy takes Mike while Cara is away for a semester (someone dying?)

Reveal — Mindy isn’t particularly altruistic.

Jim doesn’t/can’t cut Mike out regarding Molly. He is an honorable guy.

New Information Reveals

1. Jim marries for money —

Jim is yelled at by his mean drunk father that they need more land

A. Jim likes Molly, but Molly likes Mike so he accepts that.

B. Mike goes to college, but Molly refuses to go too.

C. Jim’s dad tells him to marry Molly for her land.

D. Jim befriends, but doesn’t woo Molly.

E. Mike breaks up with Molly after meeting Cara.

F. Jim, still Molly’s friend, but primarily for the land, marries Molly on the rebound at Christmas.

G. Jim’s dad dies soon after the wedding.

H. Molly has Hunter just 8 months after they marry and he thinks Mikes is the biological father.

2. Molly dies: 16 years later (6 months ago) —

1. Hunter comes home from the Campions, late for supper.

2. Jim lights into him about hanging out with Mike, he says he was helping Randi with her mower.

3. Molly sticks up for Hunter and accidentally says that Hunter never helps Mike, only Randi.

4. Jim gets angry with her after Hunter goes in to get cleaned up and he slaps Molly. She says, “No more” and runs out, getting in her car.

5. Jim goes after her, apologizing, saying he won’t do it again and she takes off at high speed.

6. Molly runs into a train, panicked.

7. Funeral scene — Molly’s picture is on the casket, friends ask, “Suicide? He says yes, Hunter and Gabe are crying.

Act 2:

Deeper Layer Reveals

Mindy is worried that Cara would use mind control to bump her off so she could have Mike: </div><div>

Surface Cover up — They are still best friends and Mindy is leaving her kids and their inheritance in Cara’s care if anything happens to her

Disruption — Mindy is having premonitions of her own death

Reveal — Mindy believes Cara is desperate enough to wish her dead in order to get Mike.

New Information Reveals

Randi has Alzheimer’s – </div><div>

A. Randi gets a doctor’s report that she has Alzheimer’s and is devastated.

B. Randi confesses it to Mindy and makes her promise not to tell anyone — even Mike and Cara. Mindy promises.

C. Randi makes Mindy promise to change the will from Randi being the twins’ guardian to Cara — and give her control of the farm as well, rather than Randi.

D. Mindy does as she is asked and convinces Cara.

2. Mike gathers evidence that Molly’s death wasn’t a suicide

1. Mike feels suicide is not something Molly would have done.

2. Mike was helping Molly plan to get away from Jim.

3. Mindy finds the suicide note on the computer and reads the actual note — not at all in Molly’s style — very much in Jim’s

4. They decide to wait until after the holidays to pursue it.

5. They die in the accident the same way Molly did.

Act 3:

Deeper Layer Reveals

Cara takes her role of guardian seriously: </div><div>

A. Surface Cover-Up — At the holidays, Cara is the fun “aunt”.

B. Disruption — Mike and Mindy are killed and Cara is devastated.

C. Reveal — Cara must change her role with the twins from fun aunt to parent and determines to take them to LA.

New Information Reveals:

Cara has heard a lot about these people over the years, but has not met them in person. </div><div>

A. Cara meets Randi who is as grief-stricken as she is about Mike and Mindy

B. Cara meets people at the funeral.

C. Cara and Randi are approached by neighbors about renting the land and Randi says it’s much to early to even consider that.

D. Cara meets Jim and is impressed/drawn to him
Cara meets Hunter and sees his deep grief about losing Mike.

2. Randi realizes she has to make Cara stay on the farm.

A. Cara and Randi hear pitches to rent their land or take over the farming for the season from several people.

B. Randi dismisses the pitches, but Cara thinks they should consider them.

C. Randi overhears Cara talking to the twins about moving to LA

D. Randi remembers her conversations with Mike and Mindy about keeping the farm intact for the kids and not letting her Alaska sons get it as they (and Mike’s dad) want it

Act 4:

Deeper Layer Reveals:

Jim sees Mike and Molly’s death as a chance to get more land </div><div>

A. Surface Cover Up: Jim feels out Cara about renting the land and she seems amenable. Now he has to work on Randi

B. Disruption: Jim enlists his sons to work on Randi

C. Reveal: Jim promises Randi and Cara that he will help Cara by doing all of the stuff Mike used to do. Randi is livid

New Information Reveals:

Cara plants to take the kids to LA because she wants to have kids with her boyfriend. </div><div>

A. Cara can’t stay because she has a practice and boyfriend in LA.

B. Randi Explains rental land to Cara

C. Cara’s boyfriend will not do long distance or move to Iowa

D. Cara is torn, but the kids don’t want to leave the farm either.

E. Randi explains about her sons in Alaska and her promise to Mike and his dad.

F. Cara realizes she has to stay.
Cara’s LA boyfriend breaks up with her when he learns her decision.

Act 5:

Deeper Layer Reveals:

Cara admits to herself that she did envy Mindy and questions if it was enough to have caused Mindy’s death </div><div>

A. Surface Cover Up: Cara is heartbroken about Mike and Mindy.

B. Disruption: Randi mentions that Jim will not replace Mike – or her boyfriend in LA. Cara wonders if Randi knows how jealous she was of Mindy having Mike and does some mind control work to find out.

C. Reveal: Cara’s work reveals that she may have wished Mindy dead and she is devastated/guilty.

New Information Reveals:

Jim is violent to his boys </div>

A. Hunter says he can help Cara with the equipment since he’s always helped Mike and his dad.

B. Cara considers Jim as a Mike/boyfriend replacement

C. Hunter tells Randi and Cara that he’ll help them to keep the farm going for the rest of the season and beyond if they want.

D. As they leave, Jim is furious at Hunter for helping them rather than convincing them to turn the farm over to the Walraths.

E. Cara is shocked when Jim’s fury causes Hunter, Gabe and the twins to flinch and back away in fear. Randi sees she can use Jim’s violence to help her manage Cara.

[r. reid jr]

R. Reid Jr’s LAYERS AND REVEALS MOD 3: ASSIGNMENT 5

What I learned doing this assignment is when this is applied to each act, it will shine even before it is written. I also discover some ‘hidden’ gems in my story and ‘connections’ I didn’t consider in the story I didn’t see before that bring connect my ‘characters’ stories even more.

Surface: Bruce poses as insurance adjuster to investigate for the bank.

Layer beneath: Bruce isn’t here for the bank but for another

criminal organization.

How Revealed: Mystery woman tells something from his past.

Surface: The lead agent makes it look like there is a partnership.

Layer beneath: Lead agent is out for himself.

How Revealed: Bruce overhears it on a phone call to sell out who ever gets in his way of a promotion

Surface: Bruce poses as a immigrant at college

Layer beneath: Bruce is an alien and needs to connect to humans and understand what makes them tick.

How Revealed: The female agent will be dropping off her niece and sees Bruce going into a class. Curious she follows him and sees he is in the same class as the suspect earlier on.

Surface: Mysterious Woman behind the attacks

Layer beneath: She says she knows Bruce and they were working together to hid the tech before he lost his memory.

How Revealed: Before working on a term paper the other students taking a break and offer Bruce a hit of ganja. Bruce has a hallucination that the mysterious woman told him they knew each other.

**Notice that each of those reveals were done in a dramatic way.

Here are some places to look.

Intriguing or dangerous parts of the sub-world-The TECH used on other people to make them susceptible to committing crimes, acquiring skills and then completely forgetting about it.
Major conflict of the show-Bruce trying to know who to open up to or to trust or who to align with.

Unique purpose/expertise of a lead character- The Mysterious woman approaching Bruce after he took a hit to tell him he sent her.

Conspiracy-The Mysterious woman and the Bruce were lovers and or best friends. Bruce planted THE TECH on Earth himself.

Secrets-Bruce is not an immigrant but an alien.

Deception-Pretending to work with the Agents, one of which would sell him out in a second.
Wound-The female agent’s past.

Character history- Bruce’s life is unknown accept his homeward will be killed if he doesn’t complete his task.

Character secret identity- Bruce posing as an insurance agent.

Hidden agenda-Bruce’s, the lead agent and the Mysterious woman.

Dilemma- Does Bruce go on trusting the agents or just work with them.

Hidden relationship history Bruce and the Mysterious woman.

A deeper mystery- What will happen if the Agents find out about THE TECH or the Mysterious woman?

Real reasons behind actions-Bruce’s connection to THE TECH.

Who else involved-The Mysterious woman and Snowy.

How it happened- According to the Mysterious woman, Bruce sent her to Earth to hid THE TECH.

What is really happening-Bruce in finding his answer might have fallen for Snowy. But the female agent is also falling for Bruce as well. Or at least knows secret and posing to be a student to get to know Snowy.

Why people are behaving this way-Bruce behaving as student or Agent behaving like she doesn’t know.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by  r. reid jr.

[Natasha Le Petit]

Mod 3 – Lesson 5: Layers and Reveals

What I learnt in this assignment is to not show too much. I have now decided to hold back on information given in one of the earlier scenes. I have also created a ‘surface’ for the organisation that Michael goes to work for. So that it presents itself as something different. I have made our protagonist appear to be something he is not. Creepy, holding someone against their will, when he’s really trying to save them. Presenting Abbey is being held against her will at the house but she is there for rehabilitation. I may change the two boys that attack Joe, to make them appear nice and friendly at the start and then reveal their true nature.

[Rob Sutherland]

Rob’s Layers and Reveals

What I learned doing this assignment is the value of creating cover ups of existing information to generate intrigue.

List of layers and reveals for the pilot:

The rape “victim” is actually a demon

Vincent is not just Julia’s boss, but the leader of the demons

The barman is not just a barman, but “The Mirage”.

Brendan White is a cop and has a sixth sense – which helps him with his gambling habit

Julia is an archaeologist – how do we hide that fact before revealing it?

Teaser:

Surface Layer: A young woman is being assaulted by a gang

Reveal: The woman is a demon who lured the gang into a trap and kills them

Act 1:

Surface Layer: Julia chats with a barman at a pub she is drawn to in a vision

Reveal: The barman is The Mirage, the mysterious being who has been seen around the city

Act 2:

Surface Layer: Julia is a random victim of the demon attack.

Reveal: Julia has pictures of the demons and the Mirage that she has drawn – she has some connection to them that is more than random.

Act 3:

Surface Layer: The Mirage is not interested in the demons, just trying to avoid them

Reveal: The Mirage is investigating the demons, hunting for one in particular

Act 4:

Surface Layer: Detective White is a normal cop

Reveal: Detective White has a gambling habit and uses a mysterious sixth sense to win

Act 5:

Surface Layer: The Mirage has no way of fighting the demons

Reveal: The Mirage has a voice power that terrifies them and sends them fleeing