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Day 7 Assignments
Reply to post your assignment.
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9 Replies
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Rob Bertrand’s Cover-Ups
What I learned: I learned that using Dialogue Cover-Up’s is an excellent way to explore branching ideas for a scene. It can help to find the most interesting direction.
SCENE: Danny is caught hiding in the walls. When a cop threatens to let Danny bleed out, this is his response.
DANNY
Don’t…hurt…me. Please…POLICE OFFICER #2
After what you did to this poor family? Maybe we let this fucking pervert bleed out…METHODS OF COVER-UP:
– Silence: Person doesn’t answer when they should.
Danny looks up, no fear in his eyes. A smile turns to a broken and painful laugh. His mind completely splintered.
The officer’s stare down in disgust.
– Action incongruent with words.
Danny looks up, fear in his eyes. He looks weak. Close to death. Danny whisper’s something inaudible.
POLICE OFFICER #2
Huh?Danny mumbles again. Officer #2 leans close to Danny’s face.
POLICE OFFICER #2
You got something you want to confess?DANNY
(whispers)
Yeah….Yes..I do…POLICE OFFICER #2
What?DANNY
I…hate…pigs!Danny spits in the cop’s face, showering him in blood.
Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
CUT TO:
– Change subject.
Danny looks up, fear in his eyes. His voice is getting weaker by the second.
DANNY
Hey. I…remember you. You were here last time, right? Officer….Dumb and Dumber finally…solved the case…Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
CUT TO:
– Question them.
Danny looks up, fear in his eyes. His voice is getting weaker by the second.
DANNY
You…you’d let…a kid die?POLICE OFFICER #2
I’d be doing the world a favor.DANNY
Portland’s finest…Oh, you should know…I wired this whole house…with camera’s. I just made you famous.Danny starts laughing.
Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
CUT TO:
– Attack back.
Danny looks up, crazy building in his eyes until he explodes.
DANNY
Fuck you! I kill every fucking last one of you! Get these cuffs off me, pig!He pulls hard against his restraints. Blood forming at his wrists.
DANNY
I’ll fucking gut you, mother fuckers. Let me go!Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
CUT TO:
– Complement them.
Danny looks up, the light in his eyes fading. His voice grows fainter by the second.
DANNY
Thank you….POLICE OFFICER #1
For what?DANNY
For…not catching me…the first time.Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
CUT TO:
– Threaten them
Danny looks up, crazy building in his eyes until he explodes.
DANNY
You fucking idiots! Do you know who the fuck I am? You’re gonna pay for this?POLICE OFFICER #1
Kid, you keep screaming like that, you’re gonna pass out.He’s right. Danny’s losing consciousness fast.
DANNY
(weak)
I’ll…have…all…your jobs….Danny’s eye’s roll back as he starts convulsing.
POLICE OFFICER #1
(yells)
Where’s the fucking EMT’s?CUT TO:
– Confirm something they already believe whether it’s true or not.
Danny looks up, the light in his eyes fading fast.
Police Officer #1
He must’ve been…living in the walls?DANNY
(whispers)
I just wanted…to be close…to her…POLICE OFFICER #2
Fuck sick, man. That’s a new level of mental illness. Hey…hey do you think he could be involved with that burglary up the street? All the shit in the house got moved around?Danny’s eyes roll back as he starts convulsing.
POLICE OFFICER #1
(yells)
Where’s the fucking EMT’s?CUT TO:
– Misdirection: Do or say something that sends their mind in a
different direction.Danny looks up, fear in his eyes.
DANNY
Thank God, you found me! I thought…I thought they were gonna kill me!POLICE OFFICER #1
Kill you?Danny’s voice grows weaker by the second.
DANNY
They…kept me…down here. Trapped….for months.POLICE OFFICER #2
What the fu…DANNY
Those girls…those girls are…dangerous. Thank God! Thank God, you found me!Danny’s eye’s roll back as he starts convulsing.
POLICE OFFICER #1
(yells)
Where’s the fucking EMT’s?CUT TO:
– Inappropriate reaction to an emotional event.
Danny looks up, no fear in his eyes. He grins through the blood.
DANNY
Hey Pig? Is that boner on my back? I’ll suck your cock, if you let me go?Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
CUT TO:
– Distraction.
Danny looks up, his eye’s spilling tears. But he’s not crying. He’s laughing.
DANNY
Go ahead. Let me die…just know I’ve kidnapped a three-year-old. If I die? She dies.He laughs even harder at the cop’s reaction.
Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
CUT TO:
– Make a joke of it.
Danny looks up, his eyes burning fury.
DANNY
Tell me…if you had a black dick, would you beat it to death?Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
– Continue the conversation as if nothing happened.
Danny looks up, light fading from his eyes. His breath comes in short gasps.
DANNY
Annie…she’ll be back…soon. We can…work…this all…out. No harm done.Sparky calms, sniffs at Danny on the floor.
DANNY
We…can…be…a family…again…Danny’s eye’s roll back in his head as he starts convulsing.
POLICE OFFICER #1
(yells)
Where’s the fucking EMT?CUT TO:
FINAL SCENE
EXT. ANDREW’S HOUSE – NIGHT
The house is swarmed with emergency services. Red and blue police lights illuminate the house as uniformed Police Officer’s search the yard with flashlights.
Firefighters are wrapping up.
INT. LIVING ROOM – ANDREW’S HOUSE – NIGHT
The Police investigation is under way. Evidence is being tagged with yellow numbers.
Police Officer #1 investigates the remains of a burned wedding dress as Police Officer #2 surveys the scene.
POLICE OFFICER #2
You think those girls did all this?POLICE OFFICER #1
Hard to say. But I wouldn’t rule it out.Looking out the window.
POLICE OFFICER #2
K-Nine Unit is here…INT. BASEMENT – ANDREW’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Blackness.
From somewhere, the sound of a muffled dog, barking excitedly.
A sliver of light penetrates the dark, as the door is cracked, then swung open. OFFICER SPARKY, a focused German Shepard, barks intently down the stairs. Holding his leash is, OFFICER LOWE, 30s, chiseled face and muscles for days. He shines a light down the stairs.
OFFICER LOWE
God boy, Sparky. Good boy!
(beat)
He’s got a scent down these stairsPolice Officer #1 leads the way down, flashlight and gun at the ready. Police Officer #2 has his back, followed by Sparky and Officer Lowe.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Police! Makes yourself known, or we will release the dog!There’s no answer.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Funny how the evidence always leads down here…They reach the basement floor. The light switch doesn’t work.
Police Officer #1 shines the light around the room. It’s trashed. A pool of blood surrounds a chair in the center of the room
POLICE OFFICER #2
What did they use this time? Mustard?POLICE OFFICER #1
No sign of condiments. Something feels…wrong?Sparky pulls towards the chair in the center, sniffing the floor. They come upon a Jack’s severed fingers.
OFFICER LOWE
Whoa. Whoa, there, Sparky. Good boy.POLICE OFFICER #2
Oh, shit! That’s….that’s fucking gross!The dog catches the scent, BARKS, like mad. He drags Officer Lowe, towards the freezer. He holds Sparky back with all his might.
OFFICER LOWE
Over here!Police Officer #1 holsters his weapon and approaches the freezer, while his partner provides cover. He grips the handle, silently gives a three-finger countdown, then rips the freezer open.
The dog goes crazy.
Nothing but frozen meat and vegetables.
OFFICER LOWE
Damn it, Sparky! What? You want a burrito?The officers relax. The dog doesn’t. He continues to BARK at the freezer.
OFFICER LOWE
What’s up, boy?A light shines on the floor. Drops of blood and scrapes in the floor.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Hey…help me move this freezer?They pull the freezer away from the wall to reveal a cut out hole in the sheet rock.
Sparky barks and pulls hard. He wants in there.
The cops look at each other. Police Officer #1 draws his weapon.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Come out of there, with your hands up!There’s no response. Only more blood leading into the dark hole.
POLICE OFFICER #1
We know you’re in there, Danny. Come out, now!No response.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Hey, why don’t you poke your head in there?POLICE OFFICER #2
Fuck you. You poke your head in there…Officer Lowe laughs.
OFFICER LOWE
If you don’t come out now, I will release the dog. Believe me, pal…you don’t want that? Not if you enjoy having a face…For emphasis, Officer Lowe releases a foot of slack on Sparky’s leash. The dog snaps forward, barking ferociously. Saliva dripping from his gnashing teeth.
DANNY (O.S.)
Okay! Okay…please don’t…please don’t sic your dog on me!The officers back up, guns and flashlights poised on the hole in the wall.
POLICE OFFICER #2
Slowly!POLICE OFFICER #1
Let me see those hands!A pair of bloody and burned hands appear in the hole, followed by Danny’s face. He crawls through the hole, never breaking eye contact with the police officers.
DANNY
Keep that dog away from me!Danny stands up, the hatchet still embedded in his bleeding shoulder. The skin on his upper body and face have been burned. Those scars will never heal.
POLICE OFFICER #1
On your knees! Hands, behind your head! Do it, now!Danny complies with a smile on his face.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Now, lie down on your stomach. Hands behind your back! Cross your legs!Police Officer #2 holsters his weapon and moves in behind Danny, pulling his handcuffs. He puts a knee on his back, cuffing Danny’s left hand.
POLICE OFFICER #2
We got you…you sick fuck!POLICE OFFICER #1
(into radio)
Suspect is in custody. We’re gonna need the EMT’s.Blood continues to pour from Danny’s wound. He looks up into Sparky’s snarling mouth. His voice weaker by the second.
DANNY
Don’t…hurt…me. Please…POLICE OFFICER #2
After what you did to this poor family? Maybe we let this fucking pervert bleed out…Danny looks up, fear in his eyes. He looks weak. Close to death. Danny whisper’s something inaudible.
POLICE OFFICER #2
Huh?Danny mumbles again. Police Officer #2 leans close to Danny’s face.
OFFICER LOWE
I wouldn’t do that…POLICE OFFICER #2
You got something you want to confess?DANNY
(whispers)
Yeah….Yeah..I do…POLICE OFFICER #2
What?DANNY
I…hate…pigs!Danny spits in the cop’s face, showering him in blood.
Police Officer #2 erupts in anger, but before punches are thrown, he’s pulled off of Danny by his partner. EMT’S arrive, just in time.
CUT TO:
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Amy’s Cover-ups
What I learned doing this assignment is I really enjoy the creativity of coming up with a bunch of different possible responses.
Scene:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY – 2012
Andrea lies in bed holding her newborn son, Josh by her side beaming.
2022 Andrea appears. Once she realizes where she is, her hands cover her mouth and she begins to tear up again.
2012 ANDREA
He’s perfect.
JOSH
Yes, he is. What are we going to name him?
2012 ANDREA
Well, we both seem to like Benjamin.
JOSH
Benjamin it is.
Josh pats Benjamin’s head and smiles.
JOSH
Uh, Andrea, now that we have a little one, maybe you should stay home.
Andrea jerks her head around to stare at Josh.
JOSH
For now. You know, to focus on the baby. I mean I know you have maternity leave, but past that.
METHODS OF COVER-UP:
Silence: Person doesn’t answer when they should-Andrea just looks down at Benjamin and smiles.
Action incongruent with words-Andrea abruptly hands the baby to Josh. “I’ll be a good mom to Benjamin. Don’t worry.”
Change subject-Andrea turns back to the baby. “I think he looks like me, don’t you?”
Question them-“Are you suggesting that I quit my job and be a… stay-at-home mom? Is that what you’re suggesting?
Attack back-“Why don’t you quite your job and stay home with the baby?
Complement them-“You’re going to be such a good daddy. I know you just want what’s best for the baby, but I need my career.
Threaten them-“Don’t you dare suggest that I quit my job and be a… stay-at-home mom!
Confirm something they already believe whether it’s true or not-“I guess you think I should just quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom.”
Misdirection: Do or say something that sends their mind in a
different direction-“We should call your parents and tell them that we named the baby.”
Inappropriate reaction to an emotional event-Andrea starts laughing hysterically.
Distraction-“Oh! Was that the doctor that just walked by? Can you go get him? I need to ask him a question.
Make a joke of it-“That won’t be necessary. By the time my maternity leave is up, we’ll just have him go out and get a job and take care of himself.”
Continue the conversation as if nothing happened-“What name should we use for his middle name?”
Chosen response:
Complement them-“You’re going to be such a good daddy. I know you just want what’s best for the baby, but I need my career.
Scene with chosen response:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY – 2012
Andrea lies in bed holding her newborn son, Josh by her side beaming.
2022 Andrea appears. Once she realizes where she is, her hands cover her mouth and she begins to tear up again.
2012 ANDREA
He’s perfect.
JOSH
Yes, he is. What are we going to name him?
2012 ANDREA
Well, we both seem to like Benjamin.
JOSH
Benjamin it is.
Josh pats Benjamin’s head and smiles.
JOSH
Uh, Andrea, now that we have a little one, maybe you should stay home.
Andrea jerks her head around to stare at Josh.
JOSH
For now. You know, to focus on the baby. I mean I know you have maternity leave, but past that.
Andrea looks back down at Benjamin
ANDREA
You’re going to be such a good daddy. I know you just want what’s best for the baby, but I need my career.
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Jodi’s Cover-ups – Day 7
Most of these ‘cover up’ methods came a bit easier than the first time we did this assignment, except for a couple of them that were a little challenging. Using cover ups helps us to avoid being ‘on-the-nose’ with our dialogue, and it’s helping me to understand and see when I’m writing something on-the-nose. The deeper meaning of the subtext rather than on-the-nose dialogue is a much more interesting choice.
Job interview, talking to his girlfriend:
Charlotte says: How was it babe, did you get the job?
1. Silence:
He shrugs his shoulders, waves her off, scratches his head.
2. Action incongruent with words:
(jovially) No, I don’t think I did and he does a cartwheel.
3. Change subject:
Where do you want to go eat, I’m starving.
4. Question them:
Why do you care so much, can’t handle being with a loser unemployed boyfriend?
5. Attack back:
Sorry Princess, most people aren’t as desirable as you to get the job of their dreams.
6. Complement them:
I love that you care so much.
7. Threaten them:
I swear, if you ask me that one more time, I’m getting out of this car, moving or not.
8. Confirm something they already believe whether it’s true or not:
Another month of me leaching off of you.
9. Misdirection:
Once i find that dream job we’ll buy our house. I’d love to live in the country, how about you?
10. Inappropriate reaction to an emotional event:
Whew, dodged that bullet, they only wanted to pay me eighty thousand a year, I told them where they could shove it. I want at least eighty -five.
11. Distraction:
This is my new friend John, he was in the group interview too.
12. Make a joke of it:
What a bunch of loser dweebs, all standing in line to become gray suiters.
13. Continue the conversation as if nothing happened:
So, tomorrow, I think I need to start looking for a job.
I chose:
12. Make a joke of it: What a bunch of loser dweebs, all standing in line to become grey suiters.
INT. CHARLOTTE’S CAR – DAY
Charlotte is in the drivers seat, she has a hopeful grin on her face. Ed enters the car.
CHARLOTTE: How was it babe, did you get the job?
ED: What a bunch of loser dweebs, all standing in line to be gray suiters.
CHARLOTTE: Oh?
She now looks discouraged and Ed looks defensive.
CHARLOTTE: Well, you got to do what you got to do to make it in this world. I certainly don’t like my job, I’m studying hard to get out of there.
ED: Yeah, but that’s a fate worse than death.
CHARLOTTE: You don’t have to become a corporate robot. But you have to ‘become’ something.
ED: You’re right, I think I want to join the circus, I want to see smiles on children’s faces.
Charlotte’s eyes get real big and she looks dismayed as she turns away from Ed, looking onto traffic.
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Budinscak Cover-ups
Day 7
What I learned doing this assignment:
o Great way to keep your characters’ actions & dialogue consistent throughout the script.
o We are able to convey the meaning we want the audience to experience by selecting the best line in the appropriate situation.
Setup:
It’s the very beginning of Act 2. LC questions Jack, “What are you going to do about you nephews?”
Scene:
INT. OFFICE – DAY
In the cramped stuffed with junk, LC watches the wheels turn in his buddy’s head. Jack, shocked to have uninvited company on his trip, scrambles for an answer, any answer.
LC
What are you going to do about your nephews?
Silence
Jack just looks at LC and shrugs his shoulders. He stands and paces around the office.
Action incongruent with words
Jack pulls a bottle of bourbon from LC’s desk, fills a glass and downs it. He pours another – it’s hammered time.
JACK
Guess it’s time to show them the ropes of life on the road.
Change the subject
Tell me about call center again.
Question them
How do you think it should be handled?
Attack back
I guess they’ll fare better if they’re here with you.
Compliment them
I love what you’ve done with your office.
Threaten them
I’m going to leave them with you.
Confirm something they already believe whether it’s true or not.
Puck’s smarter than me, and Sal’s a mini-me.
Misdirection
What do you think the boys want to do?
Inappropriate reaction to an emotional event
Jack weeps and falls to his knees praying for help or guidance.
Distraction
Who’s the babe you hired to run the call center?
Make a joke of it
What will the two nephew call LC when I leave them with you? Uncle.
Continue the conversation as if nothing happened
I figure I’ll stop in Las Vegas for a full day of gambling, so I’ll have to make up driving time by hardly sleeping. I’ll be fine, don’t worry.
Scene with selection:
INT. OFFICE – DAY
In the cramped stuffed with junk, LC watches the wheels turn in his buddy’s head. Jack, shocked to have uninvited company on his trip, scrambles for an answer, any answer.
LC
What are you going to do about your nephews?
Change the subject
JACK – Tell me about call center again.
LC
No, let’s talk about your nephews.
Confirm something they already believe whether it’s true or not.
JACK – Puck’s smarter than me, and Sal’s a mini-me. I’ve got an idea how this story’s going to end, but I’m bringing them with me. How tough can it be?
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I used this exercise to do a rough draft of a new ending I can’t solve that is still a mess. I am writing on the nose at the end because secrets have been covered up for three novels.
EXT. IBRAHIM’S YACHT – DAY
Kisele, Delphine, Anahu, and Aanadi arrive in a boat and board Ibrahim’s yacht. They fight with Ibrahim and Betty, weakened by some of the poison but not dead and tie them up. They release Jake and Litonya from the lower deck. After the initial embraces and hugs, they sit facing the two villains.JAKE
How could you do all this? Killed and raped at least ten young women including our beloved Felice, fixed your wife Natalia’s brakes so her car would crash in a snowstorm, attacked my wife Priceless who surprised you enough to stop temporarily and move to Manhattan where you set fire to rent stabilized apartments killing seniors or making them homeless like MC, dropped matches into outdoor restaurants, and sprayed sanitizer that was really condensed COVID that infected and killed the Feldmans,Silence.
JAKE
You killed your own son Joe and CS with that fire you set in the antique car.Silence.
ANAHU
Your own son burnt to death because you are a psychopath.BETTY
I did not murder him on purpose. He was my hero.JAKE
Collateral damage, like the seniors who burnt to death or were poisoned by your food boxes. Not just a psychopath, you are a sociopath.BETTY
I thought we made a deal. You have the Bright Space Brain Buffet.JAKE
Yeah, but then you locked us up.Betty laughs.
DELPHINE
The real sociopaths are STEMGARCHS. They have killed billions.IBRAHIM
Litonya, I thought you loved the earth more than anything.LITONYA
More than you.IBRAHIM
So you are a whore, marrying me for money.LITONYA
No, for Kisele’s future.JAKE
You married him?They ignore his question.
IBRAHIM
He won’t have one. Sacrifices must be made to save the earth. Otherwise, no one lives.ANAHU
You are sociopaths.JAKE
Your footpath was a bloodbath not a steambath, but STEMGARCHS is a warpath.
ANAHU
We know your crimes Betty but now we must uncover Ibrahim’s secrets.
DELPHINE
Dad, I always thought STEMGARCHS was helping humanity.KISELE
Some humans.IBRAHIM
STEMGARCHS is a human organization—not God’s angels.DELPHINE
I thought you gave up on God.Orhan and Nikos arrive. Orhan plays his Sufi flute and Nikos says he has been listening to figure out what to do.
NIKOS
If we kill them, we are murderers. If they go to jail, taxpapers waste their
precious money. The Greeks would have recommended that they drink hemlock of
their own accord.IBRAHIM
What if Kisele replaces me as CEO?
NIKOS
He might be crucified by the rest of the genocidal team.IBRAHIM
When you are too ethical, you are run into the ground. Be smart.P.S. I am not being smart because I don’t know how to resolve this because it changes my original ending but maybe it is a good thing.
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Armand Cover-ups
What I learned…
There are three key parts to subtext:
1. The actual text/action.
2. The deeper meaning.
3. The point the deeper meaning is revealed to the audience.
Dialogue Subtext comes in two types:
1. The cover up
2. Subtext pointers
Sometimes a cover-up is more powerful because it causes an
audience to engage, interpret and enjoy the deeper meaning. Sometimes,
a Subtext Pointer is more powerful because it causes the audience
to experience a specific subtext.
METHODS OF COVER-UP:
– Silence: Person doesn’t answer when they should.
– Action incongruent with words.
– Change subject.
– Question them.
– Attack back.
– Complement them.
– Threaten them.
– Confirm something they already believe whether it’s true or not.
– Misdirection: Do or say something that sends their mind in different direction.
– Inappropriate reaction to an emotional event.
– Distraction.
– Make a joke of it.
– Continue the conversation as if nothing happened.
INT. MANOR – NIGHT
Tyler, still a ghost, and Maddie hide in the storage closet.
MADDIE
Why are you in here? The killer can’t see you or touch you…
Silence: Person doesn’t answer when they should.
Tyler remains quiet, shushes Maddie as they hear incoming steps.
Action incongruent with words.
TYLER
I’m not going to let anything happen to you—
Incoming steps. Tyler gasps, disappears through the wall.
MADDIE
You hid again, didn’t you?
TYLER (O.S.)
(peeks through the wall)
No.
Change subject.
TYLER
Do you remember our ski trip to Colorado?
Question them.
TYLER
What are you doing in here hiding, miss badass?
Attack back.
TYLER
I guess I’m just as useless as you. Only I’m already dead!
Complement them.
TYLER
I like your wild hair.
MADDIE
Shut up.
Threaten them.
TYLER
Do you want to die like everyone else?
Confirm something they already believe whether it’s true or not.
TYLER
Yes. I’m a coward. Doesn’t come as a big shocker.
Misdirection: Do or say something that sends their mind in different direction.
TYLER
Any idea who the killer might be?
Inappropriate reaction to an emotional event.
Tyler starts singing the star-spangled banner.
MADDIE
Be quiet!
TYLER
He can’t hear me.
MADDIE
If I can hear you, everyone can—
Distraction.
TYLER
You have a spider…
Maddie stifles her scream. Cleans spiderwebs off her.
Make a joke of it.
TYLER
Thank you for explaining the basics of ghostliness.
Continue the conversation as if nothing happened.
TYLER
We need to find something to get the killer. Look around.
BEST RESPONSE FOR TYLER:
Make a joke of it.
TYLER
Thank you for explaining the basics of ghostliness.
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Elizabeth’s Cover-Ups
What I learned: this seemed difficult. But when I took them one by one, then massaged the rough ideas…
INT. GARDENS BY THE WATER – HALL – LATER
As Ed opens his door—
DON
Pretty exciting encore. Though I’d have preferred the Kingston Trio’s.
(And)
You missed a great show, Ed
ED
I’m sure of it. ‘Night, Don.
Ed intends/expects this to be the end, but
Don pushes his wheels. Forces Ed to—
Hop ahead of him, backwards into—
ED’S APARTMENT – ENTRY – CONTINUOUS
Where Don sees Ed’s Victorian art, for the first time
DON
Wow! That’s—
Now his Freud-Replica office—
DON
K. Feel I’ve seen that before, too.
Ed rubs his temples—how to regain his footing. Hide the annoyance—
ED
So. I was thinking I’d get back to—
But, Don interrupts. Pushes them them both into—.
DON
I know! The Freud museum! Mallory hauled me there before she died. Yours looks exactly like his!
ED’S LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Ed and Don look at each other—bucks with opposing agendas.
DON
Makes sense. But at our age, a little anal?
Ed closes his eyes. But the ironic smile—he’d only take this from a guy like—well, actually, only from—Don.
ED
Better than phallic.
DON
What’s wrong with phallic?
Now, that’s too far. Ed replaces the framed photos on Susan’s alter in silence—point for Ed.
DON
Must have been special gal.
More silence — very. Taking Ed’s role—point for Don.
DON
What was her name?
Ed’s eyes well as he looks at his photos.
ED
Susan.
(Despite himself)
My one and only.
And this rare disclosure from his enigmatic friend—
DON
Mallory and I had 8 years. Second marriage. I can see how it’d be harder to talk about, if you were together that long.
Ed doesn’t respond. How’d this battle turn into to the Christmas Truce of WWI? Finally—
ED
Yes, well, you and Mallory were wonderful couple.
(And)
On that note, let’s call it a night.
But from his chair’s vantage, Don notices–
DON
Is that box hand-carved?
Lord—
ED
I guess. It was Susan’s. She wanted to give it to a son she gave up for adoption before we—hooked up. But she never looked for him, far as I know
DON
What’s in it?
Like he’s truly, never considered—
ED
I don’t know.
DON
(Beat. Perplexed)
So, you going to try to find him?
ED
Would you? I mean, it’s not like he was my son.
Off Don’s confused expression—a guy who would go into a burning building to find someone as ungrateful as Edna?
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Janeen’s Cover-ups
What I learned doing this assignment is it’s possible to quickly come up with a way to do a cover-up using any of these techniques. They are fast to generate and can spice up a situation.
INT. CLASSROOM – DAY
Morgan is at her instructor’s desk. He’s packing up his books.
MORGAN
Can you answer a quick question?
INSTRUCTOR
Sure.
MORGAN
If I use the Waterman Method on someone from a distance, you know, I’m home, they’re in their home, is it legally OK?
Method: SILENCE
The instructor just packs up his materials like she hasn’t asked him a question yet.
METHOD – Action incongruent with words.
With his fingers crossed behind his back as he puts his backpack on, he says, “Sure, perfectly fine.”
METHOD – Change subject
“Do you think every understood what I was saying about intentions vs. wishes?”
METHOD: Question them
“Are you in legal trouble for using Waterman?”
METHOD: Attack back
“I think you need to ask yourself why you’re not open and honest with the person you’re working on.”
METHOD: Complement them
“You ask the best questions. We’ll be covering that in a few weeks. Have a great evening.”
METHOD: Threaten them
“You’d better not be using Waterman for anything we haven’t already talked about in class and we certainly haven’t talked about remote work yet.
METHOD: Confirm something they already believe whether it’s true or not.
“I think using Waterman from a distance is a useful tool.”
METHOD: Misdirection
“Have you successfully used Waterman on a small habit of yours or on a pet behavior you’d like to change?”
METHOD: Inappropriate reaction to an emotional event.
I couldn’t really come up with them since this isn’t really emotional.
METHOD: Distraction
“Did you see if Mr. Jerndon turned in his paper?”
METHOD: Make a joke of it
“If you think your thoughts can travel that far one third of the way through the course, go for it.”
METHOD: Continue the conversation as if nothing happened.
“I have a ton of papers to grade tonight. I hope you’re doing something more fun.”
MY CHOICE:
I chose to have the Instructor offer an answer and Morgan smile slyly — She’s definitely got something underhanded in mind.
INSTRUCTOR
I would say yes. The law doesn’t recognize it as a true power and likens it to offering “thoughts and prayers” which is always OK.
Morgan smiles slyly.
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Emmanuel’s Cover-ups
What I learned doing this assignment is cover-ups are perfect tools to disperse in a script to engage the audience and ensure they stick around. It’s an effective technique to use that never fails if implemented correctly.
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