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Day 8 Assignments
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Chris Grant’s Character Journey Track
What I learned doing this assignment is…? This was a very enlightening exercise and will take longer than 3 days to incorporate into my outline. I’m discovering a lot about my character relationships but I don’t have a scene breakdown yet so I will incorporate this info once the structure has been more specifically laid out.
1. Role:
• Cristian Cordova – Protagonist/ Pursues his father’s whereabouts, Urges the other fisherman to not believe in sea monsters.
• Eduardo Cordova – Obstacle Character – Angry Guardian of morality
• Miriama Cordova – Helpless Guardian Protecting Cristian from abuse
• Harbor Master – Contagonist Tempt Hinder –
• Fisherman 1 – Emotional, Uncontrolled Feelings –
• Fisherman 2 – Skeptical, oppose, disbelief –
• Narco 1 – Sidekick, support, faith –
• Narco 2 – Reason, control, logic –
• Woman being smuggled to US – Obstacle Character – Handoff Positive, Innocent, Morality,
• The Red Devils – Antagonist –
2. Traits:
• Cristian Cordova – Drug Addict, Warrior, Inquisitive, Brave
• Eduardo Cordova – Ghost, Patriarch, Superstitious, Demonically Condescending and Abusive
• Miriama Cordova – Mother, Desperate, Innocent, Clueless
• Harbor Master – In Charge, Deceitful, Generous, Criminal
• Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Anxious, Impetuous, Irresponsible, Destructive
• Fisherman 2 – Practical – Conscious, Wary, Suspicious, explosive bully
• Narco 1 – Trust, Optimism, Fascination, Innocence, Ignorant
• Narco 2 – Obedient, Contained, Cold, Decisive, Hostage
• Woman being smuggled to US – Morally Angry, Broken, Hopeful, Desperate,
• The Red Devils – Voracious, Revenous, Super-Fast, Hungry -
3. Fears:
• Cristian Cordova – Personal Weakness, Abandonment, Rudderless life
• Eduardo Cordova – Selfishness, Inauthenticity,
• Miriama Cordova – Abandonment
• Harbor Master – Lack of control, Annihilation of his control, chaos
• Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Poverty, Lack of support, Chaos
• Fisherman 2 – Practical – Being Deceived, Being pushed around, Being made to feel stupid
• Narco 1 – Boredom, Lack of understanding, Being sacrificed,
• Narco 2 – Deception,
• Woman being smuggled to US – Rape, Degradation, Humiliation
• The Red Devils – Being out of water, Being Killed, Injured among the others.
4. Wants/Needs :
• Cristian Cordova – To be accepted, To quite his drug addiction
• Eduardo Cordova – To be avenged, To be forgiven by his son
• Miriama Cordova – To see her son safe, To be protected herself
• Harbor Master – To play both sides of the fence, To find humility
• Fisherman 1 – Emotional – To feel safe, Needs to be more aware of surroundings.
• Fisherman 2 – Practical – To make money fishing, To feel dominant no matter what
• Narco 1 – Wants to be led, Needs to understand what’s going on
• Narco 2 – Wants to Get back to his family, Needs this job to go smoothly
• Woman being smuggled to US -Escape, Needs Payback
5. Likability / Rooting factors:
• Cristian Cordova – Courage, Underdog,
• Eduardo Cordova – Ability to see through the mist
• Miriama Cordova – Kindness, frailty with strength
• Harbor Master – Listens, Likeable
• Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Funny,
• Fisherman 2 – Practical – Capable
• Narco 1 – Easily Inspired
• Narco 2 – Leader
• Woman being smuggled to US – Strength, Survival
• Red Devils – Curious, Amazing water skills
6. How they react under stress:
• Cristian Cordova – Drug Use, Anger, Irritability
• Eduardo Cordova – Defiance
• Miriama Cordova – Prayerful
• Harbor Master – Silence, Iron Fist
• Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Panic
• Fisherman 2 – Practical –
• Narco 1 – Obedient, Scared
• Narco 2 – Casting doubt, Demanding
• Woman being smuggled to US – Focused, Vengeful
• Red Devils – Feeding frenzy, cannibalism
7. Relationship with other characters:
• Cristian Cordova – Combative, Unreasonable
• Eduardo Cordova – Commandeering, Patriarchal
• Miriama Cordova – Sweet, Approachable
• Harbor Master – Domineering, Manipulative
• Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Constantly backtalking, reluctantly obedient
• Fisherman 2 – Practical – Challenging, Accusatory
• Narco 1 – Acquiescent, Curious
• Narco 2 – Short, Demanding
• Woman being smuggled to US – Frantic, Unable to hear directions
• Red Devils – Consume unless intrigued or distracted
B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
1. Character Intro:
1. Cristian Cordova – Dealing drugs in Quito and lying to his mom
2. Eduardo Cordova – Dying by jumping into a furious pool of angry squid
3. Miriama Cordova – Standing by the shoreline desperately looking for her husband.
4. Harbor Master – Arguing with drunken sailors about empty boats in the harbor
5. Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Freaking out at dead body on the beach
6. Fisherman 2 – Practical – Judging dead body but wanting to get back to work
7. Narco 1 – Introduces himself to Cristian. Seems happy-go-lucky
8. Narco 2 – Quiet, Scared of Harbor Master
9. Woman being smuggled to US – Revealed by Harbor Master as hostage
10. Red Devils – Single Squid watching Cristian in the nets. Docile but easily escapes. Squid jumps in boat and sprays ink all over the men. Takes two men to subdue it.
2. Denial:
1. Cristian Cordova – Doesn’t believe in sea monsters
2. Eduardo Cordova – Doesn’t believe in giving in to drug smugglers
3. Miriama Cordova – Won’t accept that her husband is gone.
4. Harbor Master – Won’t accept that the fisherman are superstitious. Hates them because they are drunk and stupid.
5. Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Denies that he’s scared of dead body.
6. Fisherman 2 – Practical Denies that they are in any danger when forced to give up their motor. Denies that he is afraid to go fishing.
7. Narco 1 – Denies the truth about what they are doing.
8. Narco 2 – Denies being friendly with Cristian. Denies the drug dealers when forced to kill.
9. Woman being smuggled to US –
10. Red Devils
3. Their reaction at first horror:
1. Cristian Cordova – Anger, Guilt, Tries to fight back but can’t
2. Eduardo Cordova – Defiance leads to his death
3. Miriama Cordova – Understands her husband isn’t coming back
4. Harbor Master – Isn’t great at killing and panic ensues.
5. Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Panics jumps into the water and swims away
6. Fisherman 2 – Practical – Defies the danger and tries to fight back
7. Narco 1 – Shuts down. Isn’t able to kill. Too naive.
8. Narco 2 – Changes his mind and angers at what he’s being forced to do.
9. Woman being smuggled to US – Fearless just wants to escape
4. Relation to group after first horror:
1. Cristian Cordova – Wants revenge. Wants to fight back but can’t.
2. Eduardo Cordova – Dead, ghost appears to his son to avenge.
3. Miriama Cordova – Complacent. Tries to be stoic but is fragile.
4. Harbor Master – Laughs but knows this is just sheer terror.
5. Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Jumps into the water and swims out to sea.
6. Fisherman 2 – Practical – Fights back against Cristian. Wants to kill him.
7. Narco 1 – Needs direction. Starts to shut down.
8. Narco 2 – Starts issuing orders, realizes they could be next if they don’t obey.
9. Woman being smuggled to US – Angers, doesn’t care what happens next.
10. Red Devils – Frenzy that won’t stop.
5. How they fight back:
1. Cristian Cordova – Sabotage, Defiance, Courage, Intelligence
2. Eduardo Cordova – Defiance. Won’t give in to demands.
3. Miriama Cordova – Tries to convince Cristian to stay away from the sea.
4. Harbor Master – Starts to sacrifice everyone, takes revenge.
5. Fisherman 1 – Emotional – Isn’t able to fight back.
6. Fisherman 2 – Practical – Bullies Cristian and fights over the motor.
7. Narco 1 – Tries to fight off squid but they drag him down.
8. Narco 2 – Sacrifices himself instead of killing others
9. Woman being smuggled to US – attacks harbor master before jumping into the ocean and swimming away. Shows Cristian how to escape.
6. End Point:
1. Cristian Cordova – Last man alive, floating on a container of cocaine
2. Eduardo Cordova – Stuck in fishing nets, dead, released by Cristian
3. Miriama Cordova – Left watching the ocean all alone
4. Harbor Master – Goes down fighting, philosophical yet terrified. Can’t swim.
5. Fisherman 1 – Emotional – swims out towards the ocean
6. Fisherman 2 – Practical – Attacked by angered squid.
7. Narco 1 – Tries to put out fire. Ends up in the water tangled in the nets.
8. Narco 2 – Sets boats on fire to stop this cycle from occurring to anyone else.
9. Woman being smuggled to US – Swims to the Isla De Los Muertos
10. Red Devils – Descend back into the depths at sunrise.
7. What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?
1. Cristian Cordova – Fights off his cocaine habit while cast adrift at sea.
2. Eduardo Cordova – Causes other fisherman to become superstitious of sea monsters.
3. Harbor Master – Gets what he deserves for causing all this
4. Fisherman 1 – Emotional – No one is going to escape out here in the ocean.
5. Fisherman 2 – Practical – You could be next
6. Narco 1 – Causes the other smuggler to change his mind.
7. Narco 2 – Gives Cristian the chance to enact his revenge.
8. Woman being smuggled to US – It’s possible to survive if you do the right thing to escape the nets.
9. Red Devils – Men are cruel to the sea
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I learned that knowing who the characters are and how they are going to react to the monster will help define what happens during the intense parts of the screenplay which will make the film more engaging.
ELLIE
Traits: Protective, fair and just <div>
Fears: More people will die from disease.
Wants/Needs : To shut down unsanitary farms
Likability / Rooting factors: Her son died from e coli. Sympathetic to her
How they react under stress: Run away
Relationship with other characters: Relates well
RAJ
Traits: Self Righteous, bullheaded </div><div>
Fears: Being thought of as weak
Wants/Needs : To be worshipped.
Likability / Rooting factors: Heroic, brave
How they react under stress: Fight back
Relationship with other characters: Relates well with colleagues only
SON
Traits: Inquisitive, methodical </div><div>
Fears: Making mistakes
Wants/Needs : To be appreciated for his smarts
Likability / Rooting factors: Funny, quirky
How they react under stress: Levelheaded. Figure best way to proceed
Relationship with other characters: Well liked
JOE
Traits: Feckless </div><div>
Fears: Conflict
Wants/Needs : Others to solve problems.
Likability / Rooting factors: Unlikable
How they react under stress: Bury head in sand
Relationship with other characters: No relationship
GRANNY
Traits: Rebellious, Lawless </div><div>
Fears: Government interference in her life
Wants/Needs : To create new breed of poultry
Likability / Rooting factors: Unlikable Ornery
How they react under stress: Fight back
Relationship with other characters: Controlling
HENRY
Traits: Loyal to Family </div><div>
Fears: Harm to Granny
Wants/Needs : Love from Granny
Likability / Rooting factors: Granny likes him.
How they react under stress: Protect Granny at all costs
Relationship with other characters:
JONAH
Traits: Hotheaded </div><div>
Fears: Intruders and minorities
Wants/Needs : To inflict pain on others to prove his masculinity
Likability / Rooting factors: Unlikable. Mean and sadistic
How they react under stress: Cautious. Self preservationist
Relationship with other characters: Family respects him
ELI
Traits: Alcoholic, fearful </div><div>
Fears: growing up
Wants/Needs : To stay drunk
Likability / Rooting factors: Annoying but funny
How they react under stress: Hide
Relationship with other characters: annoyance.
KATHY
Traits: Thrill seeker, Rash </div><div>
Fears: Boredom
Wants/Needs : To leave farm and see the world
Likability / Rooting factors: Dangerous but interesting
How they react under stress: Bring it. Loves chaos
Relationship with other characters:
RUTH
Traits: Calm, enabler, mediator </div><div>
Fears: Conflict destroying family
Wants/Needs : Peace
Likability / Rooting factors: GoodheartedHow they react under stress: Try to diffuse conflict
Relationship with other characters: Liked by all but Granny
MIDGE
Traits: Innocent, naive </div><div>
Fears: Animals
Wants/Needs : Safety
Likability / Rooting factors: Loveable, cute, smartHow they react under stress: Cries
Relationship with other characters: They are protective but mean to her.
What is their Character Journey for this story?
ELLIE
Character Intro: We learn she lost a son to salmonella poisoning. </div><div>
Denial: Not going to let dangerous conditions stop her from investigating
Their reaction at first horror: Let’s call for back up.
Relation to group after first horror: Argue with others to leave. Outvoted
How they fight back: She attacks Monster with butcher knife
End Point: Survival
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? – Shows how to defeat it. Saves child.
RAJ
Character Intro: Running point on farm raid. </div><div>
Denial: We’re government officials. They’re not going to shoot us.
Reaction at first horror: Anger. Wants to get even.
Relation to group after first horror: Annoyed with Ellie.
How they fight back: Guns.
End Point: He dies saving Ellie.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? – Supplies Ellie with weapon and time to fight monster.
SON
Character Intro: Documenting everything </div><div>
Denial: They’re just trying to scare us.
Their reaction at first horror: Figuring a way out.
Relation to group after first horror: On par with Raj. Not on Ellie’s side.
How they fight back: He doesn’t as he gets killed right away.
End Point: In storm door in barn
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? – Let’s people know there’s a monster they’re dealing with.
JOE
Character Intro: Tries to talk Ellie out of investigating </div><div>
Denial: They’ve already been cited. Let them be.
Their reaction at first horror: Thinks its a joke
Relation to group after first horror: Not falling for it. They hate him
How they fight back: Call police
End Point: No change
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?
GRANNY
Character Intro: On porch with shotgun </div><div>
Denial: It can’t be.
Their reaction at first horror: Let the monster do what it wants.
Relation to group after first horror: Anyone blame me and they die.
How they fight back: Fake like she’s shooting monster but not.
End Point: Raj realizes she’s on the monsters side he kills her.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?
-She created monster and wants it alive.
HENRY
Character Intro: Runs to the barn when inspectors come. </div><div>
Denial: This can’t be happening. I’m hallucinating
Their reaction at first horror: Passes out.
Relation to group after first horror: None
How they fight back: Doesn’t.
End Point: Head chopped off with an ax by Ellie.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? – Monster wasn’t killed the way they thought
JONAH
Character Intro: Grabs Midge and drags her inside. </div><div>
Denial: It was a machine accident. Not monster.
Their reaction at first horror: Hesitant
Relation to group after first horror: They hate him
How they fight back: Finally shoots monster
End Point: Monster rips him apart
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? – Shows that monster has weakness.
ELI
Character Intro: Drinking beer laughing like a loon </div><div>
Denial: I must have drank too much.
Their reaction at first horror: Throw up.
Relation to group after first horror: Needs them to protect him.
How they fight back: Curls into a ball.
End Point: Monster claws and pecks him to death.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? – Monster will kill family.
KATHY
Character Intro: Climbing on roof with a crossbow </div><div>
Denial: Someone made a costume.
Their reaction at first horror: Blow up the monster.
Relation to group after first horror: They think she’s crazy
How they fight back: Frantic. Daring
End Point: Monster pecks her to death
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? Shows it’s afraid of noise.
RUTH
Character Intro: Trying to diffuse the situation by yelling at her kin. </div><div>
Denial: It’s her Dad and won’t harm them.
Their reaction at first horror: Blames granny.
Relation to group after first horror: On the outs with her family
How they fight back: Reasoning with monster.
End Point: Survives but is wounded badly.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?- There’s someone still alive to take care of Midge
MIDGE
Character Intro: Playing with dolls on porch. </div>
Denial: Someone’s dressed for Halloween
Their reaction at first horror: Laughs. Thinks it’s a game.
Relation to group after first horror: Protected
How they fight back: Relies on others to protect her
End Point: Survives but she may become the next monster
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?- Ellie’s goal to save a child from harm is fulfilled.
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3. In this lesson I learned how to structure my characters in the story. The way a character is structured helps me to show the story I want to
1. With each of your Survivors and Victims, answer the following questions:
Worker One
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Complainer
Traits: Irritable.
Fears: Not getting paid.
Wants/Needs: Wants to finish his job. Needs his
business partner to help more.
Likability / Rooting factors: He’s a hard worker.
How they react under stress: They lash out.
Relationship with other characters: None.B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: Tapping nails into a wall, complaining
at his partner.
Denial: N/a
Their reaction at first horror: Fight back.
Relation to group after first horror: N/a
How they fight back: Fight with physical violence.
End Point: Is bludgeoned/strangled.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the
others/audience? The spirit inhabits bodies and kills.Worker Two
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Loner
Traits: Quiet. Reserved.
Fears: Not getting paid.
Wants/Needs: Wants to leave town. Needs to keep his
bills paid.
Likability / Rooting factors: He’s a hard worker.
How they react under stress: They listen to music.
Relationship with other characters: None.B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: Entranced.
Denial: N/a
Their reaction at first horror: N/a.
Relation to group after first horror: N/a
How they fight back: N/a.
End Point: Starves.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the
others/audience? The spirit has a hard time leaving the house.Older Daughter
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Survivor/Leader
Traits: Leader, Strong-willed, Logical
Fears: Being stuck in this town, disorder
Wants/Needs: Wants to be recognized as a leader. Needs
to keep order/control
Likability / Rooting factors: Takes charge. Really
cares about her family.
How they react under stress: Attacks the problem and
tries to understand it.
Relationship with other characters: Cares about them.
Can sometimes push them too hard and ignores feelings.B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: Walking in on the phone and joining
the table late.
Denial: Spirits don’t exist, just families in turmoil
Their reaction at first horror: Try to understand how
it all fits together logically
Relation to group after first horror: Takes charge.
Fights against disorder.
How they fight back: Strategy.
End Point: “Survives.” Becomes possessed.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the
others/audience? You can’t escape the spirit.Younger Daughter
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Sacrificial Lamb
Traits: Quiet, Well-behaved
Fears: Not being fed
Wants/Needs: Food, sleep
Likability / Rooting factors: A baby
How they react under stress: Cries
Relationship with other characters: Is a babyB. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: Sleeping in a crib after dinner.
Denial: N/a
Their reaction at first horror: Cries and never stops
Relation to group after first horror: Becomes a
frustration.
How they fight back: Cries.
End Point: Dies by poison.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the
others/audience? No one is safe. The spirit seems to target those who know
of its existence.Mother
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Carrier
Traits: Fading leader, Frustrated, Paranoid
Fears: Being left alone
Wants/Needs: Wants to remain relevant. Needs the family
around
Likability / Rooting factors: Puts others before
herself. Tries to course correct.
How they react under stress: Goes into fantasy.
Relationship with other characters: Is connected with
all characters, but mostly is involved with her mother’s upkeep. Strained
relationship with husband after his drunk driving incident. Growing
distant from her older daughter.B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: Coming in to dinner even later than
the older daughter looking exhausted.
Denial: Thinks the things she is seeing is just
exhaustion
Their reaction at first horror: Grow curious about it
Relation to group after first horror: Pacifies.
Accuses.
How they fight back: Violence towards self. Mental
struggle.
End Point: Dies when she falls through the floor.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?
The spirit can’t be killed.Grandmother
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Introvert
Traits: Quiet. Keeps to self. Reminisces
Fears: Nothing
Wants/Needs: Wants to be left to die. Needs peace.
Likability / Rooting factors: Keeps to herself. Still
smiles at kindness.
How they react under stress: Withdraws.
Relationship with other characters: Has a good
relationship with her daughter and grandchildren. Is wary of her son-in-law.B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: Looking out a window in her room
Denial: Can’t imagine that the family could ever fall
apart
Their reaction at first horror: Withdraws.
Relation to group after first horror: Distant.
How they fight back: Tries to convince the spirit to
leave/call her daughter back from the spirit. Tries to use religious
symbology.
End Point: Is suffocated under a pillow.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the
others/audience? The spirit does not respond to external stimuli.Son
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Innocent
Traits: Brave, Dreamer, High trust
Fears: The safety of his family
Wants/Needs: Wants to impress the caretaker. Needs to
keep his family safe.
Likability / Rooting factors: Generous. Dreamer. Kind.
How they react under stress: Takes action, although
sometimes recklessly
Relationship with other characters: Well liked,
although he annoys his older sister with his over trusting natureB. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: At the dinner table telling stories
and trying to make eye contact with the caretaker
Denial: Believes the world can’t be all that
bad/doesn’t think it’s a true lockdown
Their reaction at first horror: Double down and try to
do things to help
Relation to group after first horror: Becomes
argumentative.
How they fight back: Tries to run to find help.
End Point: Dies when shot by a cop.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the
others/audience? The lockdown is real.Husband
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Red Herring
Traits: Drunk, pushy, loud, stubborn
Fears: Hurting those he cares about. Losing his wife.
Being 2<sup>nd</sup> best.
Wants/Needs: Wants to heal his relationships. Needs alcohol.
Likability / Rooting factors: Does have a few moments
of kindness.
How they react under stress: Drinks
Relationship with other characters: Strained based on
past alcoholism. Has lost trust.B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: Frustrated and trying to keep the
radio in check
Denial: Thinks his wife is causing the problems by
trying to hold onto things she needs to let go of
Their reaction at first horror: Start turning back to
drinking, withdraw, act suspicious
Relation to group after first horror: Incites fear. Intimidates.
How they fight back: Calls out his wife/the spirit in
his wife.
End Point: Is drown in a bathtub.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the
others/audience? The spirit kills those who realize it exists.Caretaker
A. What is their Character Profile?
Role: Moral One
Traits: Genuine, wise, understanding, forgiving
Fears: Not being able to help
Wants/Needs: Wants to help. Needs to find an answer.
Likability / Rooting factors: Is always around to
provide counsel.
How they react under stress: Calmly, though can be
pushed over an edge.
Relationship with other characters: Distant but well-liked
by everyone.B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: Helping to set the table
Denial: Believes the family is too strong to give into
a spirit or a lockdown
Their reaction at first horror: Support the older
daughter and consider how to fight the evil
Relation to group after first horror: Unifies. Becomes
supportive.
How they fight back: Tries to learn about it/trap it.
End Point: Is stabbed to death.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the
others/audience? The spirit must have jumped.2. Build those Character Journeys into your outline.
ACT 1 — SET UP FOR HORROR
Atmosphere of Evil established: We
see a radio crackle to life as a song begins to play over the muffle
sounds of screams growing louder. Suddenly, we hear a large thud and a
hand fall into view – twitching as though the owner has just suffered
massive head trauma.o Horror Situation: The worker’s partner turns on him and attacks him with a hammer
o Response – Fight: Worker tries to fight back. Dies
Worker:
Why: He figured out his work partner was possessed
How: Bludgeoned to death with a hammer by work
partnerMonster Reveal: Can force a re-animated body to kill
INTRO – Worker One – Tapping nails into a wall,
complaining at his partner.
INTRO – Worker Two – Entranced.
FIGHT – Worker One – Fight with physical violence
END – Worker One – Is bludgeoned/strangled
INSIGHT – Worker One – The spirit inhabits bodies and
killsConnect with the characters: The
family sits down for a midday lunch while listening to the radioo Horror Situation: The radio keeps playing strange sounds and music that wasn’t selected
o Response – Denial: The family decides the radio is just old and throws it out
o Monster Reveal: Can be picked up on radio
INTRO – Older Daughter – Walking in on the phone and joining
the table late.
INTRO – Younger Daughter – Sleeping in a crib after
dinner.
INTRO – Mother – Coming in to dinner even later than
the older daughter looking exhausted.
INTRO – Grandmother – Looking out a window in her room.
INTRO – Husband – Frustrated and trying to keep the
radio in check.
INTRO – Caretaker – Helping to set the table.The characters are warned not to do it: A neighbor comes to the door as people are evacuating,
suggesting the family not stay here over the lockdown. And that at the
very least they move over to their house where it is brighter and the air
is less “chilly.”
Denial of Horror: Unable
to reliably move grandma and all the medical supplies she needs to have
with her, the family decides to stay. They cast off concerns that the
house is “chilly.” Plus, they don’t believe the lockdown will last very
long or be enforced.Monster Reveal: Has the power to show people what they
fear to see (the mother sees the neighbor eyeing her husband during the
conversation)
DENIAL – Older Daughter – Spirits don’t exist, just
families in turmoil
DENIAL – Younger Daughter – N/a
DENIAL – Mother – Thinks the things she is seeing is
just exhaustion
DENIAL – Grandmother – Can’t imagine that the family
could ever fall apart
DENIAL – Son – Believes the world can’t be all that
bad/doesn’t think it’s a true lockdown
DENIAL – Husband – Thinks his wife is causing the
problems by trying to hold onto things she needs to let go of
DENIAL – Caretaker – Believes the family is too strong
to give into a spirit or a lockdownSafety taken away: There
does end up being a lockdown enforcement patrol that prevents people from
leaving their houses.o Horror Situation: The family realizes that they are really locked down
o Response – Denial: The family believes there will always be an exception – it will be fine
Monster – The nature of the beast: One day when looking out at the tree in the front yard,
it becomes apparent that the shadow cast by the tree is far longer than
the sunlight would create. Upon finding the end of the shadow, they find a
small concrete marker in the yard with a dead rabbit laying just before
it. Mother Faints, hitting her head on the rock.o Horror Situation: The shadow of the tree seems to extend past a reasonable length and leads to a small marker
o Response – Try to solve it: The oldest daughter tries to understand what is causing the discrepancy
o Horror Situation: Dead animals start showing up in the yard
o Response – Denial: The family believes it must have been a fox
o Horror Situation: Mother hits her head and “dies”
o Response – Try to solve it: Takes mother inside and tries to nurse her back
Mother:
Why: She needs to “die” for the monster to take hold
How: She faints in the presence of the monster and
hits her head on a rockMonster Reveal: Cannot go far beyond the book without
a host
Monster Reveal: Cannot inhabit the living/inhabits the
dead
REACTION – Older Daughter – Try to understand how it
all fits together logically
REACTION – Younger Daughter – Cries and never stops
REACTION – Mother – Grow curious about it
REACTION – Grandmother – Withdraws
REACTION – Son – Double down and try to do things to
help
REACTION – Husband – Start turning back to drinking,
withdraw, act suspicious
REACTION – Caretaker – Support the older daughter and consider
how to fight the evilRELATION – Older Daughter – Takes charge. Fights
against disorder
RELATION – Younger Daughter – Becomes a frustration
RELATION – Mother – Pacifies. Accuses
RELATION – Grandmother – Distant
RELATION – Son – Becomes argumentative
RELATION – Husband – Incites fear. Intimidates
RELATION – Caretaker – Unifies. Becomes supportiveFIGHT – Younger Daughter – Cries
FIGHT – Mother – Violence towards self. Mental
struggle
FIGHT – Caretaker – Tries to learn about it/trap itACT 2 — THE POINT OF NO RETURN
Isolated / Trapped / Abducted: The
lockdown goes on for weeks, with ration patrols being the only way to
receive more food or outside contact.
One of us killed: Grandma
dies, though the circumstances are suspiciouso Horror Situation: Grandma dies a strange and painful sudden death
o Response – Denial: The family can’t possibly believe it is anything other than just her old age
Grandmother:
Why: She figures out that mother is possessed when
looking at her reflection in the mirror
How: Asphyxiation by way of her face being covered
with a pillow by motherMonster Reveal: Lives in a book inside the house
(discovered in home library)
Monster Reveal: Cannot lie (nothing grandma sees is
bad enough to make her unhappy)
Monster Reveal: Can be seen in windows
FIGHT – Grandmother – Tries to convince the spirit to
leave/call her daughter back from the spirit. Tries to use religious
symbology
END – Grandmother – Is suffocated under a pillow
INSIGHT – Grandmother – The spirit does not respond to
external stimuli
END – Worker Two – (learned about) Starves
INSIGHT – Worker Two – (learned about) The spirit has
a hard time leaving the houseMIDPOINT: The monster is worse than we thought!
Terrorized: The youngest daughter is poisoned over
dinner. The son tries to go to get help and is shot by an officer
accidently. The oldest daughter tries to create order while the father
beings a crusade to figure out who could have done this. He begins
speculating that they are being “eliminated” causing further disarrayo Horror Situation: Family witnesses the poisoning of the younger daughter
o Response – Try to solve it: The son goes to find help to fix the situation
o Horror Situation: Family witnesses their son getting shot by an officer when looking for help
o Response – Escape: Family retreats into the house to avoid the horrible scene
Younger
Daughter:
Why: She won’t stop crying because she knows her
mother isn’t her mother anymore
How: Poisoning by mother
Son:
Why: The audience needs to see that there is no
escape
How: He is shot by armed patrol officersFIGHT – Son – Tries to run to find help
END – Younger Daughter – Dies by poison
INSIGHT – Younger Daughter – No one is safe. The
spirit seems to target those who know of its existence
END – Son – Dies when shot by a cop
INSIGHT – Son – The lockdown is realACT 3 — FULL OUT HORROR
Fight to the death: The father comes to realize it is
his wife who is killing off family members, but too late as she drowns him
in one of his drunken stupors.o Horror Situation: Father realizes wife is possessed
o Response – Fight: Father confronts his possessed wife
o Horror Situation: Father is trapped in a bathroom after confronting wife
o Response – Escape: Father tries to break the door down
o Horror Situation: The husband becomes trapped under water
o Response – Fight: He tries to fight, but drowns
Husband:
Why: He figures out that mother (his wife) killed
grandma and starts to figure out that she is possessed
How: Drowning by motherFIGHT – Husband – Calls out his wife/the spirit in his
wife
END – Husband – Is drown in a bathtub
INSIGHT – Husband – The spirit kills those who realize
it existsHysteria: Constant moments of being trapped in small
spaces. Some moments of realize that they can’t bring themselves to hurt
mother.o Horror Situation: Oldest and caretaker trapped inside the house with mother
o Response – Escape: Oldest and caretaker try to escape into a “saferoom”
FIGHT – Older Daughter – Strategy
The thrilling escape from death: The Caretaker and Older
Daughter try to find a place to hunker down in the house where they will
be safe from the mother. Mother falls through loose flooring in the
basement and dies (for real). Older Daughter is heavily wounded in the
process.o Horror Situation: Older and caretaker trapped inside the house with mother
o Response – Escape: Older and caretaker try to escape into a “saferoom”
o Monster Reveal: Make people see the world it sees the world (to understand it)
o Monster Reveal: Can be destroyed if the book is destroyed (attempted/failed)
END – Mother – Dies when she falls through the floor
INSIGHT – Mother – The spirit can’t be killedDeath returns to take one or more: The caretaker is killed
when the spirit jumps to the older daughter.Caretaker:
Why: She figures out that the possession has jumped
to the older daughter
How: Stabbing by older daughterEND – Caretaker – Is stabbed to death
INSIGHT – Caretaker – The spirit must have jumpedResolution: The oldest daughter finishes retelling her
story to local authorities with some inconsistencies towards the end.END – Older Daughter – “Survives.” Becomes possessed
INSIGHT – Older Daughter – You can’t escape the spirit -
What I learned was how to succinctly structure the character profile in order to best direct each character to the role I want them to fulfill in the eyes of the audience.
ALYSSA
A: Character Profile
Role: Rebel / Rule Breaker and Complainer. Survivor.
Traits: Selfish. Not happy with move to new town. Inquisitive/Curious.
Fears: More dissatisfaction than fearful. However, she does seem to fear change.
Wants/Needs: Wants to return to the town she’s familiar/comfortable with. Determined initially to dislike the new town.
Likability: Protective of her little brother and, despite her surface unhappiness with the family’s move, she is pretty close to her mother.
How They React Under Stress: Leans close to family/friends.
Relationship With Other Characters: Close to little brother and mother, but acts coldly to her mother to drive home the point that she is unhappy with having had to move and leave her friends.
B: Character Journey
Character Intro: Moving into new house. She is intrigued with the strange-looking, seemingly abandoned house next door.
Denial: Kodi’s dread of the dark emotions he senses from the house next door only serve to make her curious about it, and draw her to it, while Kodi shies away from it. Considers unexplained noises, overall creepy feeling of house next door as merely natural traits of an abandoned house.
Their Reaction at First Horror: Kodi is killed in front of her. She is traumatized and takes refuge in the familiar; her mother and best friend.
Relation to Group After First Horror: She becomes closer to the group, which further antagonizes the villain, who hoped to become the shoulder for Alyssa to cry on.
How They Fight Back: Initially, she doesn’t realize the group is being intentionally attacked. Once she does, she tries to avoid the villain.
End Point: Once she reaches her breaking point, feeling there is nothing more of value to her to lose, she goes on the attack. Ostensibly destroys the villain, and is the lone survivor.
What Insight Do Their Deaths / Survival Bring to the Others/Audience? The villain has certain physical vulnerabilities and, when one summons enough courage, it is possible to defeat paranormal evil within the physical realm.
KODI
A: Character Profile
Role: The innocent. Sacrificial Lamb.
Traits: Selfless. More inherently courageous than his big sister. He accepts the change in their lives and wants to help his family adjust.
Fears: He is more empathic than his mother or sister, and immediately senses the evil coming from the house next door.
Wants/Needs: Peacemaker. He wants to help his sister accept their new town, and ease the tension between his sister and mother, and bring his family together.
Likability: Very sympathetic character. The audience doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him.
How They React Under Stress: He wants to avoid the dark emotions he feels from the abandoned house but, more importantly, he wants to keep his family as far away from the entity he sense as possible. So he tries to bring his family closer together, and help them rely on each other more than outside influences.
Relationship With Other Characters: As Kodi senses something dark from next door, he both tries to protect his family, while at the same time craving their closeness as a refuge and protection for himself. Kind of a mix of emotions, as he is naturally protective of his family, while at the same time being an innocent little boy who doesn’t fully know how to handle such dark influences, and looks to his mother and big sister for guidance.
B: Character Journey
Character Intro: Helping his family move into their new house.
Denial: Being strongly empathic, he immediately senses a dark influence from the house next door. Rather than being inquisitive, and wanting to investigate the house like his big sister, Kodi wants to avoid it. He is naturally repulsed by the discomfort he feels toward the house.
Their Reaction at First Horror: For Kodi, his strong sense of evil from the house next door is his first horror, as he is far more sensitive to it than his sister or mother are. His reaction to that is to avoid it. For Alyssa and Laura, their first actual horror is Kodi’s tragic death.
Relation to Group After First Horror: Kodi becomes protective of his sister and mother, wanting them to avoid interacting with the house next door.
How They Fight Back: He tries to keep his sister and mother from having any interaction with the house and, by extension, the entity within it. He senses the same evil and repulsion to Charlotte when she tries to befriend Alyssa. He is openly cold to her and leery of Alyssa becoming friends with her.
End Point: Charlotte causes Kodi to be hit by a speeding car, and killed.
What Insight Do Their Deaths / Survival Bring to the Others/Audience? We discover than Charlotte isn’t just creepy and clingy, but that she is evil. We now realize her vengeance and self-serving nature may know no bounds.
LAURA
A: Character Profile
Role: Rescuer.
Traits: A caring mother, protective of her children. She wants to help Alyssa adjust to their new home, and to make new friends.
Fears: Her daughter pulling away from her and resenting her. She’s fearful Alyssa may become more overtly rebellious and start getting into trouble.
Wants/Needs: To keep her kids close while they all adjust to a very new life together.
Likability: Protective mother bear.
How They React Under Stress: She is in denial that any real danger or evil may exist within the normal world. She wants her children to avoid negative influences, or kids who may lead them in dangerous directions, but she doesn’t take the possibility that there could be any kind of paranormal danger seriously.
Relationship With Other Characters: Close with Kodi. Strained with Alyssa. She has misgivings about Charlotte, but is so intent on Alyssa making friends that she denies her inherent ‘mother bear’ alarms, and encourages Alyssa’s acceptance of Charlotte’s friendship.
B: Character Journey
Character Intro: Taking charge as her family moves into their house.
Denial: Their Reaction at First Horror: She is too busy settling her family in to their new house to pay any attention to her kids’ misgivings about the house next door. She doesn’t entertain the thought, or Alyssa’s suspicion, that Kodi’s death could be intentional. She believes it was a tragic accident, and thinks Alyssa’s suspicion of Charlotte having something to do with her brother’s death is just her way of coping with the loss of her little brother.
Relation to Group After First Horror: She pulls Alyssa closer to her, and has Alyssa’s best friend from their previous town come and stay with them, hoping she will be of comfort to Alyssa.
How They Fight Back: Laura provides herself, and Alyssa’s best friend, as Alyssa’s first line of defense in coping with Kodi’s death, unintentionally angering Charlotte, and putting a target on Laura’s back.
End Point: Charlotte kills Laura in a paranormal attack.
What Insight Do Their Deaths / Survival Bring to the Others/Audience? We see a greater kinetic power in Charlotte. We see her anger and vengeance intensify as she enters further into the physical world, and her powers over physical objects increases.
BEST FRIEND
A: Character Profile
Role: Protagonist’s support system. Perhaps a red herring of sorts, but I’m not sure if that applies.
Traits: A take-chart personality. Once she arrives on the scene, in response to Kodi’s death, she takes is upon herself to be the person Alyssa can rely on. She tries to get Alyssa to accept the tragedy of Kodi’s death, and refuses to let her withdraw from life in response.
Fears: She’s pretty fearless. She doesn’t trust Charlotte and tries to keep Alyssa away from her, as she feels Charlotte wants to coddle Alyssa and indulge her immediate sense of self pity, which this friend believes would be destructive to her and obstruct the healing she needs to get beyond the death of her little brother.
Wants/Needs: Wants to bring Alyssa back into engaging in life.
Likability: She is a strong personality which, on the surface, may put some people off. However, as we can see her strength is motivated by her concern for Alyssa’s well being, she wins us over.
How They React Under Stress: She is combative against anything she feels is acting contrary to Alyssa’s own good.
Relationship With Other Characters: She takes charge, with Laura’s blessing, in helping Alyssa to keep from withdrawing into herself, and to face the fact that Kodi is gone. She tries to get Alyssa to accept that reality, without allowing it to rule her, or destroy her future.
B: Character Journey
Character Intro: She arrives in town, along with her boyfriend, as a result of Kodi’s tragic death.
Denial: As she didn’t see what Alyssa did at Kodi’s death, where he suddenly veered out in front of a speeding car for no apparent reason, and in a way that made it appear some unseen influence had taken control of his bike, she thinks Alyssa’s suspicions are paranoia at work, and her need to assign some explanation to her brother’s inexplicable death.
Their Reaction at First Horror: For Alyssa’s best friend, her first introduction to horror is what appears on the surface to a fluke accident, resulting in Laura’s death. She is now not only traumatized by that herself, but is now the only comfort and support left for Alyssa.
Relation to Group After First Horror: She needs to lean on her boyfriend, while allowing Alyssa to lean on her even more. They also now have to deal with the fact that there is no adult in charge, and everything is now up to the three kids, who are now completely on their own to take charge of their fate, and the life and death fight they are now in with the evil entity.
How They Fight Back: As the three remaining kids recognize the active attack against them, they take the fight to Charlotte, and confront her in her own lair, the creepy, abandoned house next door.
End Point: Charlotte causes her to spontaneously combust, mirroring the circumstances under which Charlotte, herself, died.
What Insight Do Their Deaths / Survival Bring to the Others/Audience? Charlotte is more powerful within her own lair, now able to attack by kinetically produce directed, spontaneous fire. We also see the level of her rage, vengeance and sick sense of justice, as she creates a mirror of her own death, by attacking Alyssa’s best friend with fire, just as her father attacked her with fire, causing her death.
BEST FRIEND’S BOYFRIEND
A: Character Profile
Role: Leader / Moral Compass.
Traits: Initially allows his girlfriend to do what she thinks is best for Alyssa, while providing more passive strength and support. But, as it becomes obvious they are under threat from the evil Charlotte, whom they can no longer deny is a real, paranormal and evil entity, his strength, leadership, and sense of ethics comes to the surface. He takes charge of the group, convinces them this is a fight of good vs. evil that must be won, and devises a plan to defeat Charlotte.
Fears: That Charlotte represents a threat to the world, as she could unleash Satan’s power, and could potentially result in the end of life on earth.
Wants/Needs: He wants to protect his friends from the evil which has directed itself at them but, on a greater scale, he feels like the fate of the world may be in their hands.
Likability: Initially, he comes across as just a nice guy. But, when there is finally no one else to count on, he becomes a badass leader, willing to sacrifice himself if necessary to save his friends, while at the same time adopting an attitude of victory, where he believes they can/will win the battle. He therefore turns into a hero character than everyone can cheer.
How They React Under Stress: As the danger becomes greater and more personable, he becomes more of a leader and determined badass. It is impossible to defeat him through threats of harm. That only makes him stronger.
Relationship With Other Characters: He takes charge and leads them in an offensive battle to end the paranormal threat against them once and for all.
B: Character Journey
Character Intro: He arrives with his girlfriend to support Alyssa after Kodi’s death.
Denial: He is a pragmatic guy, who doesn’t initially consider unnatural causes to anything within the natural world, including the death of a 10-year-old boy.
Their Reaction at First Horror: Laura’s death causes him to pragmatically consider that the physical world may be more paranormal than he ever thought before. However, he approaches even that realization through a lens of logic and pragmatism.
Relation to Group After First Horror: He takes charge and gives he girls the confidence to confront and counter-attack Charlotte.
How They Fight Back: They take the battle to Charlotte, attacking her within the house next door, which she considers her refuge.
End Point: Charlotte causes him to fall over the attic balcony, falling to, and through, the main level floor, and onto the basement floor, where he dies.
What Insight Do Their Deaths / Survival Bring to the Others/Audience? It appears now that Charlotte may be unbeatable. Her level of pure evil and vengeance is also now clear, as she kills him in a manner directly mirroring her death, in which she fell from the attic window to her death. At the same time, though, this also gives Alyssa the clue to her ultimate undoing because, in mirroring her own death in the way she kills Alyssa’s friends, she reminds Alyssa that Charlotte did, indeed, die and therefore can again. Alyssa then uses this knowledge to recreate the circumstances of the house that had caused Charlotte’s death, which enables her to destroy Charlotte once and for all. Until, of course, the sequel.
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Bob’s Character Journey Track
What I learned from this assignment is that integrating the various tracks is a complex process that should lead to a strong outline when complete.
NAD
Role: Survivor.
Traits: Intellectual, Self-Assured.
Fears: Darkness, Confined spaces.
Wants / Needs: To be the best / Solve the problem.
Likeability / Rooting factors: Smart. Willing to step up when he must.
How they react under stress: Calm, logical.
Relationship with other characters: Respected, he is private but gets along with everyone.
Character Intro: Given responsibility of running the best fraternity party.
Denial: Believes first death was not a murder.
Their reaction at first horror: Cautious, measured.
Reaction to group after first horror: Tries to convince group to consider horror seriously but is ridiculed.
How they fight back: Tries to solve the mystery of who the monster might be.
End point: Wounds the monster leading to the reveal.
Insight from Death / Survival: Don’t take anything for granted if you want to survive.
CAESAR
Role: Leader.
Traits: Political, Superficial.
Fears: Not being liked.
Wants / Needs: To be considered the leader / to take responsibility and lead.
Likeability / Rooting factors: Witty, handsome. Has a façade of leadership.
How they react under stress: Unsure of self, delegates responsibility.
Relationship with other characters: Distant, but he has been elected president of the fraternity, so he wields some authority.
Character Intro: Addresses meeting after death of first brother – passes the buck.
Denial: Believes fraternity should take horrors seriously but too week to follow through.
Their reaction at first horror: Disappears, hides out.
Reaction to group after first horror: Backs away from responsibility.
How they fight back: Use other brothers to do the direct confrontation.
End point: Sacrificed by the monster.
Insight from Death / Survival: Leaders should take responsibility for their group’s moral behavior.
BLAGO
Role: Carrier, the reason the monster enters the fraternity.
Traits: Kind of an asshole, arrogant, self-proclaimed ladies’ man.
Fears: Being found out as a fraud.
Wants / Needs: To be admired / to find self-respect.
Likeability / Rooting factors: Charismatic, at least until you get to know him.
How they react under stress: Blame others, act out angrily.
Relationship with other characters: They put up with him, most know he’s an asshole.
Character Intro: Putting on a show in front of some girls at a party.
Denial: Whatever it is, it’s not his fault.
Their reaction at first horror: Sacrifice another brother if he can.
Reaction to group after first horror: Hangs back, wants others to take the lead even though it’s his fault the monster is present.
How they fight back: Runs, tries to place others between himself and the monster.
End point: Killed by monster in the monster returns from death scene.
Insight from Death / Survival: The carrier receives his just punishment.
UNCLE BARF
Role: Out of control, alcoholic.
Traits: Partier.
Fears: Loneliness.
Wants / Needs: To be surrounded by friends / to improve his self-esteem.
Likeability / Rooting factors: Funny, helpful. Will give you the shirt off his back.
How they react under stress: He numbs out, can’t deal with it.
Relationship with other characters: Most brothers like him; some pity him, and he is the butt of some jokes. Blago uses him in his attempts to impress women.
Character Intro: Drunk at the first party – participating in show with Blago to impress partygoers.
Denial: Doesn’t think first horror was a murder but fears he might die in the same manner.
Their reaction at first horror: Fear.
Reaction to group after first horror: Withdraws and drinks.
How they fight back: Tries to reason with monster.
End point: Killed by monster as part of terrorizing spree.
Insight from Death / Survival: If you don’t take a stand against something immoral; you are complicit.
TEDDY WHEELER
Role: Faculty advisor.
Traits: Sloppy, dysfunctional.
Fears: Not being liked, beautiful coeds.
Wants / Needs: To be a buddy to the fraternity brothers / to be the adult in the room.
Likeability / Rooting factors: One of the boys. Occasionally can provide some wisdom.
How they react under stress: Panics.
Relationship with other characters: Brothers treat him respectfully when he’s in front of them; behind his back, they think he’s a joke and can be easily manipulated.
Character Intro: Drinking with the boys at a fraternity dinner.
Denial: Things the first horror should be taken seriously but is talked out of it.
Their reaction at first horror: Advises against doing anything that can cause more horror but is readily dissuaded.
Reaction to group after first horror: Lends his sympathy and ends up drinking with the boys
How they fight back: Runs, tries to escape.
End point: Killed by monster as a message to the fraternity.
Insight from Death / Survival: The adults should take control of the situation if the brothers will not.
MORT
Role: Innocent, pledge.
Traits: Befuddled, confused.
Fears: The brotherhood, Not being part of the group.
Wants / Needs: To be accepted / to be confidant.
Likeability / Rooting factors: Innocence, we root for him because he’s picked on by the brothers.
How they react under stress: Conforms to those he believes superior.
Relationship with other characters: Tentative. He is new to the group.
Character Intro: Picked on by brothers at opening fraternity party.
Denial: He is the first victim; he answers the phone and is seduced.
Their reaction at first horror: Surprise, fear.
Reaction to group after first horror: He is killed.
How they fight back: Tries to escape.
End point: Killed as the first victim to establish the monster’s presence.
Insight from Death / Survival: There is something not right at the fraternity.
FROGGIE
Role: The “married” brother.
Traits: Settled, timid, pussy-whipped.
Fears: Heights, his steady girlfriend.
Wants / Needs: To be treated as a leader / to be a man.
Likeability / Rooting factors: Settled down, not part of the party group. We also root for him because he is intimidated by Sue.
How they react under stress: Take charge, direct people.
Relationship with other characters: Looked up to and admired by others except when his girlfriend is around.
Character Intro: With his date at first party scene.
Denial: Believes the first death is a fraternity prank.
Their reaction at first horror: Detachment.
Reaction to group after first horror: Tries to determine if others are playing a prank.
How they fight back: Helps others escape before aiding in fight directly.
End point: Killed trying to help people escape.
Insight from Death / Survival: Fight must be taken directly to the monster.
SUE WEAL
Role: Survivor. Froggie’s steady date. Red herring.
Traits: Stiff, in control.
Fears: Blood, vermin, and bugs.
Wants / Needs: To show she’s better than everyone else / to be loved.
Likeability / Rooting factors: Doesn’t put up with the brothers’ shit. Sort of a den-mother/protector to other girls.
How they react under stress: Confront it.
Relationship with other characters: Brothers are put off by her a bit. She frowns upon their drinking and partying but attends parties to keep Froggie in check.
Character Intro: Putting down the antics of Blago at the first party.
Denial: Believes it is a fraternity prank and convinces Froggie the same.
Their reaction at first horror: Escape, trying to convince Froggie not to help other fraternity brothers.
Reaction to group after first horror: Distances herself
How they fight back: Run to escape.
End point: Survives the monster, loses her boyfriend, and is accidentally killed by Nad during the fight against the monster.
Insight from Death / Survival: Selfishness results in loss.
HAWES
Role: Survivor. The moral one.
Traits: Religious, high morality.
Fears: Blood, death.
Wants / Needs: To be an example to moral behavior / To find a moral companion.
Likeability / Rooting factors: Honest, helpful, respectful of the girls at the party.
How they react under stress: Gives up when faced with too high a stressful situation.
Relationship with other characters: Other brothers find his morality a bit of a burden.
Character Intro: Being respectful at first fraternity party.
Denial: Devastated by first death but doesn’t believe it will be a pattern.
Their reaction at first horror: Reflective, trying to see if there is an internal reason for what’s happening.
Reaction to group after first horror: Tries to convince group to behave better.
How they fight back: Tries to win a moral argument with the monster.
End point: Captured and becomes part of Nad’s choice as to who lives or dies. Escapes when Nad confronts monster.
Insight from Death / Survival: Moral behavior may let you survive the monster.
ADD TO PLOT
Title: FRAT NIGHT
ACT 1 – SET UP FOR HORROR
Atmosphere of Evil established: Monster seduces fraternity brother Mort for a rendezvous and bludgeons him to death.
BLAGO CHARACTER INTRO: Putting on a show in front of some girls at a party.
UNCLE BARF CHARACTER INTRO: Already drunk, participating with Blago to impress girls.
MORT CHARACTER INTRO: Put down by Blago as part of his routine to impress.
SUE WEAL CHARACTER INTRO: Confronts Blago regarding his behavior and Uncle Barf regarding his drinking.
FROGGIE CHARACTER INTRO: Froggie sort of cowers in the background while his steady date takes on his fraternity brothers.
HAWES CHARACTER INTRO: Turning down a sexual advance from a girl at the party.
MORT DENIAL: Mort meets monster after being seduced during a phone call.
DEMAND: Introduce violence and terror.
MONSTER REVEAL: When responding to the seductress, Brother Mort is met with violence.
Horror Situation: Fraternity Brother Mort is lured into a dangerous situation by monster using the guise of a seductress.
Reaction – Denial: Fraternity Brother mort agrees to rendezvous with “monster” in the roof house at the fraternity.
Horror Situation: When the Brother Mort enters the roof house, he is attacked by the monster, bludgeoned, and thrown off the roof.
Character Death 1: Brother Mort who answers the phone.
Why: Makes the bad decision to meet the monster for sex.
How: Surprised, bludgeoned to death with fraternity paddle, thrown off roof.
MORT INSIGHT: Something is amiss at the fraternity.
Connect with the characters: Brothers shown interacting over Mort’s death and planning their big party for Halloween. Brother Froggie informs Sue Weal of Mort’s death by phone.
CAESAR CHARACTER INTRO: President of the fraternity calls a special meeting to talk about Mort’s death.
TEDDY WHEELER CHARACTER INTRO: Faculty advisor Teddy represents the school at the fraternity. Offers condolences and stresses the school plans to keep the “suicide” quiet as well as the fact that Mort was drinking.
NAD CHARACTER INTRO: Nad notes there is a big Halloween party upcoming in two weeks and perhaps they should cancel it due to the death of Mort. He is booed down.
The characters are warned not to do it: Fraternity receives a call saying they should cancel all their parties or there could be consequences. Faculty advisor tells Nad, the social chairman, he should cancel the planned party given the mysterious death of Mort and subsequent phone call.
Denial of Horror: At weekly meeting, brothers vote to proceed with the party considering the death unrelated and the call a prank. Nad is told to make it the biggest party ever.
SUE WEAL AND FROGGIE DENIAL: Believe this is a fraternity prank and that Mort will show up on Halloween.
CAESAR AND UNCLE BARF DENIAL: Believe the phone call is a prank.
HAWES DENIAL: Thinks it may be a prank phone call but is willing to explore the fraternity brothers’ behaviors.
NAD DENIAL: Believes a prank phone call is likely but will proceed with caution.
TEDDY WHEELER DENIAL: Believes there is a real threat but is not strong enough to pursue.
DEMAND: Brothers try to figure out if the earlier brother’s death is related to the call to cancel the party.
MONSTER REVEAL: Brothers conclude there is no monster.
Safety taken away: While hanging party posters at a neighboring girls’ school, Nad is separated from the other brothers.
NAD REACTION TO HORROR: Believes threat is real and tries to convince others.
BROTHERS‘ DENIAL: Brothers ridicule Nad after he was lost in the dark.
DEMAND: We need to understand the first death was not random but rather part of a plan.
MONSTER REVEAL: Monster, costumed. as in opening scene, pursues Nad in the dark.
Horror Situation: Nad is isolated and lost in an unfamiliar dormitory. The lights go out.
Reaction – Panic: Paranoid and lost, Nad runs down a maze of corridors in the dark.
Monster – The nature of the beast: Nad is pursued by the monster and manages to survive.
NAD REACTION TO HORROR: Logical – try to determine who the monster might be.
DEMAND: After seeing the monster, we need to convince others it is real.
MONSTER REVEAL: Nad swears he was being pursued; brothers continue to be in denial.
Horror Situation: Nad is confused and frightened as he turns the corner.
Reaction – Denial: And runs into the other brothers who ridicule him.
ACT 2 – THE POINT OF NO RETURN
Isolated / Trapped / Abducted: Monster confronts Nad in chemistry lab for not cancelling party.
NAD FIGHT BACK: Escapes the monster.
DEMAND: Escalate terror.
MONSTER REVEAL: Monster attempts to kill Nad.
Horror Situation: Nad is alone in the chemistry lab after class. The monster attacks him from out of nowhere.
Reaction – Escape: Nad manages to evade the monster, running into the faculty advisor in the hallway.
One of us is killed: Faculty advisor Teddy Wheeler is killed.
TEDDY WHEELER FIGHT BACK: Tries to escape the monster.
TEDDY WHEELER INSIGHT: Adults should take charge if the fraternity is not behaving.
DEMAND: Faculty advisor’s death increases terror and provides a clue to help us understand the monster’s motive.
MONSTER REVEAL: Monster leaves a party flyer on body after killing faculty advisor.
Horror Situation: Faculty advisor is alone in his office when the monster shows up.
Reaction – Fight: The monster kills the faculty advisor and leaves a party flyer on his body.
Character Death 2: Faculty advisor.
Why: He represents the school’s indifference as to how the fraternities behave and treat women.
How: Surprised by seductress. Bludgeoned to death with fraternity paddle. (Paddle is hanging on wall – a gift from the fraternity). The monster (as the grim reaper) shows up after seductress leaves.
MIDPOINT – The monster is worse than we thought: Party night – the Monster seduces one of the brothers. While waiting for the seductress in a darkened room, he is met by the monster.
Terrorized: The monster bludgeons the brother to death.
UNCLE BARF DENIAL: Believes seductress is not the monster.
UNCLE BARF FIGHT BACK: Tries to reason with monster.
DEMAND: Discover who might be the monster.
MONSTER REVEAL: Is the woman who seduced Uncle Barf related to the killings?
UNCLE BARF INSIGHT: If you don’t take a stand against something immoral, you are complicit.
Horror Situation: A girl at the party seduces a brother to meeting her in a basement room once used for coal storage.
Reaction – Denial: The drunken brother perceives no danger.
Horror Situation: The brother is met by the monster. The monster bludgeons him to death.
Character Death 3: Uncle Barf.
Why: Character flaw causing him to make a wrong decision.
How: Lured away from the party and bludgeoned to death.
ACT 3 – FULL OUT HORROR
Full pursuit by the killer: One by one, brothers are disappearing from the party.
CAESAR INSIGHT: Leaders must take responsibility for the moral behavior of their group.
DEMAND: Escalate the terror; provide potential hope to solve mystery.
MONSTER REVEAL: Nad tries to determine if the manner in which the president is killed reveals anything about the monster.
Horror Situation: Brothers start to disappear from the party.
Reaction – Denial: Others at party assume the brothers that have left made a connection with a girl and have left for sex.
Character Death 4: Caesar, fraternity president.
Why: Assumed to set the moral agenda for the fraternity.
How: Sacrificed.
Horror Situation: Blago (the rapist brother) and Hawes (the moral brother) disappear.
Reaction – Try to solve it: Nad goes to basement coal room to look for missing brothers.
Fight to the death: Nad must pick who dies.
DEMAND: Need to pull together the reason for the presence of the monster.
MONSTER REVEAL: Nad suspects there is a reason he has been asked to pick between the two brothers.
Horror Situation: Blago and Hawes are tied up in basement coal room. Monster informs Nad he can save one of them.
Reaction – Fight: Nad manages to free Blago and Hawes.
The thrilling escape from death: Nad hides in a coffin (present as part of a fraternity ritual) to escape death.
DEMAND: Escalate danger.
MONSTER REVEAL: Monster decides to go after everyone to get its vengeance.
Horror Situation: After freeing Blago and Hawes, Nad returns to confront the monster.
Reaction – Hide: The monster gains the upper hand. Nad is hit by the monster and falls into a coffin. Nad hides in the coffin.
Apparent Death 1: Nad, after being hit, falls in coffin and hides with skeleton.
Why: Increase horror.
How: Attempted something that fails (confronting the monster).
Hysteria: Power goes out in the basement party room. Panic ensues.
FROGGIE FIGHT BACK: Try to help others escape from the monster.
FROGGIE INSIGHT: Fight must be taken directly to the monster.
Horror Situation: Music stops, and lights go out in the party room.
Reaction – Escape: Everyone in party room runs for exits in the dark. A few are picked off by the monster.
DEMAND: Create panic.
MONSTER REVEAL: Any and all brothers can be killed.
Character Death 5: Random brother is killed.
Why: Innocent killed to increase horror.
How: Surprised and bludgeoned.
Character Death 6: Froggie is killed.
Why: Monster is lashing out.
How: Escape attempt leads into monster, and he is bludgeoned.
Death returns to take one or more: Nad uses a fencing sword to ward off monster and accidentally kills another partygoer.
SUE WEAL INSIGHT: Selfishness results in loss.
NAD FIGHT BACK: Take the fight to the monster.
DEMAND: Need to sacrifice others to stop the monster.
MONSTER REVEAL: Nad fights the monster causing it to flee.
Horror Situation: Monster continues to cause hysteria.
Reaction – Fight: Nad grabs a fencing sword and attacks monster. In the process, he accidentally kills Sue Weal, Froggie’s steady date, and causes a bloody injury on the monster’s arm. The monster flees.
Character Death 7: Sue Weal.
Why: Nad made a bad decision to wield a sword.
How: Nad charged blindly into action.
Resolution: When brothers enter the basement coal room to confront the monster, they find a set of hidden stairs leading back to the roof house seen in the opening murder. Once they get to the roof house, they find only the seductress whose sister was raped. The costume the monster wore is on the floor and she is apparently dead from the fencing sword wound. Nad confronts Blago noting the motivation for her attacks. The seductress awakens and attacks Blago. She is surrounded and bludgeoned by the group of brothers (not including Nad). As the lights come back on in the party room, a girl is asking where her sister is.
HAWES INSIGHT: The moral may survive.
BLAGO FIGHT BACK: Offer other brothers as sacrifice.
BLAGO INSIGHT: The carrier will be met with justice.
NAD INSIGHT: In order to destroy the monster, don’t take anything for granted.
DEMAND: Nad figures out what drew the monster to the fraternity.
MONSTER REVEAL: This monster is killed but there is another monster in the making.
Character Death 8: Blago.
Why: Blago’s bad moral decision released the monster.
How: Uses skeleton to skewer Blago.
Character Death 9: The monster.
Why: Set the world right again.
How: Bludgeoned by the remaining brothers.
Horror Situation: Monster’s sister comes looking for her.
Reaction – Sequel: A new need for vengeance.
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Paul’s Monster Reveal Track
3. What I learned from this assignment was that, as well as developing my character profiles, it also helped me develop my story line and think up new twists. It has also got me thinking about new characters who will be added to those given below.
No Man’s Land / The Androphobes
1.
A. Character Profile
Ms EVILY
1. Role: President of island state.
2. Traits: Power-mad; dictatorial; cold-blooded;
3. Fears: Losing power; that people discover her inferiority complex;
4. Wants/needs: Be center of attention; sex.
5. Likability: Gains some sympathy when her sexual desire is discovered.
6. Reaction under stress: Violence; hits out at those around her.
7. Relationship with other characters: Total disregard for everyone except for the Monster whose instructions she is following.
CAROL
1. Role: Wife of Jack and mother of Melanie and Carl.
2. Traits: Loving; suspicious of authority; resilient; ready to risk her life to save those she loves.
3. Fears: politicians; death of the only man left in her family, her husband.
4. Wants/needs: love; a strong man.
5. Likability: She is defending what she loves against evil enemies with the power of the State behind them.
6. Reaction under stress: Fights back, but deeply stressed inside.
7. Relationship with other characters. lamb/lion; tender with those she loves – merciless with those who threaten her or her loved-ones.
JACK
1. Role: Carol’s husband.
2. Traits: would do anything for his wife; not as strong-willed as her
3. Fears: losing Carol; the State; physical violence.
4. Wants/needs: a tranquil, problem-free life; be left alone.
5. Likability: he is vulnerable, faithfully follows his wife despite his own fears.
6. Reaction under stress: tries to hide.
7. Relationship with other characters.
MELANIE
1. Role: Carol & Jack’s daughter
2. Traits: Fearful; easily influenced; lacking self-confidence.
3. Fears: Being marginalized; crossing her teachers.
4. Wants/needs: belong to a group; separate herself from her parents.
5. Likability: Vulnerable victim of indoctrination.
6. Reaction under stress: panic; ready to give up even her father
7. Relationship with other characters. Cold.
NICK
1. Role: Carol & Jack’s son.
2. Traits: Easy-going; curious.
3. Fears: His sister.
4. Wants/needs: his parents’ love; be accepted by his sister.
5. Likability: Naive in the face of danger.
6. Reaction under stress: denial, tries to laugh it off.
7. Relationship with other characters:
B. Character Journey
1. Intro: Presidential debate
2. Denial: N/A
3. Reaction to first horror: She is complicit in the horror and enjoys the horror she is inflicting.
4. Relation to group: She’s in charge. Doesn’t allow anyone to question her decisions.
5. How they fight back: N/A
6. End point: Is killed by the Amazons when they find she kept a secret harem of men while preaching death to all men.
7. Insights from death/survival for other characters/audience?: That these powerful people can be defeated, often by their own weaknesses.
B. Character Journey
CAROL
1. Intro: Helping her daughter with homework; loving, concerned mother.
2. Denial: Initially disbelief, but quickly moves into “I must stop this!” mode.
3. Reaction to first horror: Immediately takes the fight to the enemy.
4. Relation to group: Self-sacrificing.
5. How they fight back: She is smart and quickly comes up with strategy.
6. End point: We think she’s been killed by the Amazons, but emerges at the end to be reunited with her husband.
7. Insights from death/survival for other characters/audience?: Determined resistance can enjoy victory even against heavy odds.
B. Character Journey
JACK
1. Intro: Watching TV presidential debate when candidate Evily announces her androphobic policy.
2. Denial: Laughs off the threat of androphobia and the extermination of men. But he is forced out of denial when Carol shows him daughter’s homework and the threat literally strikes home.
3. Reaction to first horror: The first horror is the killing of his son and father-in-law. He initially hides but is called to action by his wife.
4. Relation to group: Is just one of many, but, on supposed death of his wife, he becomes the unwilling leader.
5. How they fight back: When he takes over leadership of the resistance group, he demonstrates unsuspected, tactical skills.
6. End point: He contributes to brining down Evily and exposing the Monster behind her. Is re-united with Carol, who he thought was dead.
7. Insights from death/survival for other characters/audience?: The fight will be tough, lives will be lost, but victory is possible.
B. Character Journey
MELANIE
1. Intro: Doing her homework, writing an essay on why men have always had a negative impact on the human species.
2. Denial: She is a willing accomplice in the horror.
3. Reaction to first horror: She is cold at the sight of her brother and grand-father being executed.
4. Relation to group: Cold towards her family. A willing member of the androphobe movement.
5. How they fight back: N/A.
6. End point: Dies as a member of the Amazons.
7. Insights from death/survival for other characters/audience?: It’s a warning about the dangers and personal consequences of being manipulated by propaganda.
B. Character Journey
NICK
1. Intro: Being beaten up by his sister and we see the possessed look in Melanie’s eyes.
2. Denial: At the sight of evil in his sister’s eyes he breaks out into tears.
3. Reaction to first horror: Naive curiosity.
4. Relation to group:
5. How they fight back: He is executed by the Amazons before he can fight back.
6. End point: He is executed by the Amazons very early on.
7. Insights from death/survival for other characters/audience?: The Amazons are ruthless and the threat of androphobia is real.
END
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JUDITH’S CHARACTER JOURNEYS – L8 – Homework
What I learned doing this assignment is that there are many parts to developing a horror script.
1. With each of your Survivors and Victims, answer the following questions:
A. What is their Character Profile: JANE (2)
Role: victim, Traits: kind, empathetic Fears: silence; she has sedetaphobiaWants/Needs: to have a good time on her vacation; she needs to get over her fear of silenceLikability / Rooting factors:How they react under stress: blunt and aggressive – reveal an inner toughnessRelationship with other characters: gives more than she gets
B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: she is in the shrink’s office ready to tackle her test to see if the treatments for her sedetaphobia have workedDenial: her friend cautions her about going to the woods, but she assures her she has complete faith in her shrinkTheir reaction at first horror: becomes hystericalRelation to group after first horror: clingyHow they fight back: she does what Jake tells her to doEnd Point: she becomes the monsterWhat insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? Talk things out, forgive to survive.
A. What is their Character Profile: JAKE (3)
Role: leader. Traits: egotistical; achieverFears: people will not think he is the bestWants/Needs: wants to get revenge on Jane for harm she did to him as a kid; needs to forgive herLikability / Rooting factors:How they react under stress: can become listless, apathetic, all a ruse to fool JaneRelationship with other characters: he promises to take care of Jane but all along he is setting her up for the “kill.”
B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: we meet him outside of the shrink’s office when he first meets the shrink while picking Jane up from her session.Denial: that he is wrong to take revengeTheir reaction at first horror: he pretends braveryRelation to group after first horror: he is strong fast actingHow they fight back: he takes all precautions to keep Jane safeEnd Point: he is killed by JaneWhat insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? Forgive heals not only the other but you.
A. What is their Character Profile: SHRINK (3)
Role: monster pretending to be Jane’s rescuerTraits: ambitious; cheatFears: not being seen as the bestWants/Needs: to help Jake terrify Jane: needs to see that what he wants is wrong.Likability / Rooting factors:How they react under stress: she’s strong and capableRelationship with other characters:
B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: see her be kind and caring and supportive of Jane and then she goes into her office and takes drugsDenial:Their reaction at first horror: she rejoices at her successRelation to group after first horror: How they fight back:End Point:What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? People are not always what they seem to be.
A. What is their Character Profile: JANE’S FRIEND
Role: friend that warns Jane she doesn’t trust the shrinkTraits: straightforwardFears: Wants/Needs: wants Jane to believe herLikability / Rooting factors:How they react under stress:Relationship with other characters: kind but tells her what she thinks
B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: when Jane is leaving she is helping her pack and tells her her concernsDenial: Their reaction at first horror:Relation to group after first horror:How they fight back:End Point:What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?
A. What is their Character Profile: CARETAKER (1)
Role: get the cabin ready for guestsTraits: perfectionisticFears: that she will do wrongWants/Needs: to get the cabin ready for the guestsLikability / Rooting factors:How they react under stress: she gets angry Relationship with other characters:
B. What is their Character Journey for this story?
Character Intro: she comes over to the cabin to find out what the complaint isDenial: she had everything ready; some monster did thisTheir reaction at first horror:Relation to group after first horror:How they fight back:End Point: she cleans the cabin while Jane and Jake go to the store.What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?
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Dan’s Character Journey Track
What I learned doing this assignment is… the essential questions to ask to build a character journey for horror.
Kendall Grady
Role (from Lesson 3): Carrier – brings the kaleidoscope into the home
Traits (main characteristics): messy, self-conscious, awkward teenager trying to go through her rebellious phase
Fears (Primal fears): Going insane
Wants/Needs (main motivations): Wants to prove to her parents that she’s not a fuck up, not going down the wrong path. Wants to figure out why Austin would lace her joint. / Needs to start facing reality, asking her parents the hard questions, realizing that she’s jumping to conclusions that don’t make sense.
Likability / Rooting factors: Trying to do better, socially awkward (in an endearing way), will do anything to please her parents,
How they react under stress (numb out, denial, avoid it, blame others, dramatize, angry, give up, shut down, deflect, etc.): Shut down, deny, get angry
Relationship with other characters: Daughter of Nora and Jack
Character Intro: She’s trying to ignore something – has her eyes closed. In therapy maybe?
Denial: N/A – Doesn’t know anything about the kaleidoscope before she experiences it herself.
Their reaction at first horror: Confused. Knows something odd is happening but doesn’t know what it is. She tries to voice concern to her parents, but she’s cautious about it.
Response after first horror: cautious and inquisitive. She knows something is wrong and is keeping her eyes peeled to try to figure out what it is
Relation to group after first horror: They think she’s being dramatic, maybe think she’s high? But they are also in their own nightmares by that point so they are only partly interacting with the real Kendall
Reaction as horror increases: Kendall manages to escape the house, and figure out what is going on. Takes charge, stops ignoring things
How they fight back: Kendall discovers that the mirrors in the home are the source of the kaleidoscopes power, so she smashes them/uses them to fight back
End Point: She rescues her father from the mirror maze and the two live.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?: You have to face these horrors head on to beat them. Be crafty, outsmart it, and don’t let your own mind get the best of you.
Nora Grady
Role (from Lesson 3): Rescuer – would do anything to go back in time and save her baby
Traits (main characteristics): protective, selfish, delusional
Fears (Primal fears): fear of the unknown
Wants/Needs (main motivations): Wants to heal the family, make sure Kendall heals from the tragedy. / Needs to wake up and realize that she’s delusional and is rewriting what happened to the baby.
Likability / Rooting factors: She’s always forgiving to Kendall, gives her many chances. Is all about family.
How they react under stress (numb out, denial, avoid it, blame others, dramatize, angry, give up, shut down, deflect, etc.): Deny, deny, deny
Relationship with other characters: Mother to Kendall and wife to Jack
Character Intro: Waiting for Kendall outside of therapy, or in the car with treats
Denial: Doesn’t believe Kendall when she tells her about the “intruder”. Thinks Kendall is high again.
Their reaction at first horror: She goes with it because it fits into her denial narrative.
Response after first horror: She tries to help Kendall. She is worried, and tells Jack that Kendall is acting strange.
Relation to group after first horror: Thinks Kendall is dangerous, being even more of a helicopter parent to her. Jack doesn’t agree, so they become a bit strained.
Reaction as horror increases: She becomes convinced that her baby is still alive
How they fight back: She “fights Kendall” to get back her baby. But she’s really just going further into a nightmare.
End Point: She won’t budge from the kaleidoscope realm. She’s trapped. The demon devours her.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?: Denial leads to destruction
Jack Grady
Role (from Lesson 3): Leader – family patriarch
Traits (main characteristics): light-hearted, hard working, rational
Fears (Primal fears): fear of the unknown
Wants/Needs (main motivations): Wants to get as much work done as he can, needs to focus more on home life and family members
Likability / Rooting factors: Silly, optimistic, proud of Kendall no matter what, knows a lot of random information
How they react under stress (numb out, denial, avoid it, blame others, dramatize, angry, give up, shut down, deflect, etc.): Deny, avoid it, shut down
Relationship with other characters: Father to Kendall, husband to Nora
Character Intro: reading book of factoids while Nora and Kendall unpack groceries
Denial: Thinks Kendall is having anxiety when Nora tells him about her run in with intruder
Their reaction at first horror: Denies it
Response after first horror: Thinks he’s too tired. Convinces Kendall it’s nothing. Gets a little stern with her.
Relation to group after first horror: Strained with Kendall, then with Nora.
Reaction as horror increases: Starts to fall for the nightmare. Goes deeper into the kaleidoscopes madness
How they fight back: Kendall snaps him out of it. He distracts demon at one point so Kendall can figure out how they can escape
End Point: He and Kendall escape
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience?: Denial leads to destruction. Snap out of it or suffer the consequences!
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Kim’s characters for horror
What I learned from this assignment — Developing the characters and their journeys is crucial to the plot working and my favorite part of prewriting. I have difficulty formatting on this platform. The HTML codes have a mind of their own. Sorry 🙁
A. Daisy’s Character Profile — role “Reluctant Leader”
Character Intro: Layne presents her story. Audience cheers. Traits: unassuming, observant, quiet, dutiful. Fears: Afraid of being killed by the cartel more than by Layne.
Wants/Needs: She wants to win the money to free her husband. She really needs the money to free herself.
Likability / Rooting factors: She’s likable, but appears weak.
How they react under stress: Tendency to faint. Relationship with other characters: Doesn’t want to see them suffer.B. Daisy’s Character Journey
Character Intro: Layne introduces her and presents her story. Denial: She minimizes the dangers in her own mind.
Their reaction at first horror: She faints. Relation to group after first horror: They see her as vulnerable.
How they fight back: Daisy observes and uses information to win.
End Point: She emerges victorious.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience: Strategize silently to win.A. Finn’s Character Profile — role “Rebel” and “Love Interest”
Traits: physically strong, Irish, egotistical
Fears: spending his entire life in prison.
Wants/Needs: Wants a new legal defense but can’t afford it. Needs to prove his innocence, so needs to win the money.
Likability/Rooting Factors: He’s affable but easy to dislike because he’s a convicted murderer and has a big head. How they react under stress: Cool under pressure. Go-to guy. Relationship with other characters: They think he’s cocky. He is. Daisy finds him attractive. He is.B. Finn’s Character Journey
Character Intro: He runs onto the stage with his championship boxing belt held high. Audience boos.
Denial: He minimizes the competition dangers through belief in his own physical capabilities to vanquish rivals.
Their reaction at first horror: Can’t show fear.
Relation to group after first horror: views them as mere competitors.
How they fight back: physical prowess, strength.
End Point: He’s almost killed but teams up with Daisy to kill Layne.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience: The best play is brute strength combined with quiet strategy (Daisy).A. Charlotte’s Character Profile — role “out of control”
Traits: a vacuous cliché—addicted to online shopping, conspicuous clothing/shoes/hair/nails/makeup, 80’s neon vibe. Fear: doesn’t want to look like a schlump (or look her age).
Wants/Needs: Wants to pay off debts, save the farm. Needs to tear up her credit cards.
Likability/Rooting Factors: People dislike her superficiality.
How they react under stress: She freezes.
Relationship with other characters: She’s eye-rollingly frivolous.B. Charlotte’s Character Journey
Character Intro: The audience boos her. She’s shocked.
Denial: Perceives herself as likable because she’s “pretty.” Their reaction at first horror: She cries and worries about her mascara running.
Relation to group after first horror: Who can save me?
How they fight back: She doesn’t get the chance. Early death.
End Point: She slips on a banana peel and falls into the fryer. Dead.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience: Layne uses pitfalls and sabotage to cause their demise.A. Steve’s Character Profile — Red Herring
Traits: Mysterious. He’s Layne’s plant. No one knows why he’s there.
Fears: He doesn’t want to be discovered.
Wants/Needs: He wants to be believed. He needs to warn the others. Likability/Rooting Factors: People are confused by him.
How they react under stress: He’s blithely nonchalant.
Relationship with other characters: They are suspicious of him.B. Steve’s Character Journey
Character Intro: The audience cheers. His story is unclear, unconvincing.
Denial: He believes he’s believable.
Their reaction at first horror: Unconcerned.
Relation to group after first horror: Why isn’t he upset by this? They mistrust him. Not sure if he’s friend or foe.
How they fight back: Has others do his bidding. End Point: He confirms Daisy’s suspicions that he’s a plant.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience: He helps the others to understand that it’s not a fair game.A. Alejandra’s (judge) Character Profile —
Traits: Superstar chef, empathic, helpful.
Fears: Leaving her family without her. Wants/Needs: She wants to help the other contestants. She needs to keep her mouth shut or be further harmed by Layne.
Likability/Rooting Factors: well-liked by the others. They respect her skills. How they react under stress: Can’t react much because of the steel superstructure keeping her head immobile.
Relationship with other characters: They idolize her.B. Alejandra’s Character Journey
Character Intro: The flashback shows how she was maimed.
Denial: Thinks if she plays along, it will all be okay.
Their reaction at first horror: Dramatic screaming Relation to group after first horror: Layne wants to punish her by having the others throw knives at her head.
How they fight back: She pleads with Layne to spare her.
End Point: The others purposely miss, so Layne grabs a knife and finishes her himself. What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience: He’ll stop at nothing.A. Dev’s (judge) Character Profile — “Jokester”
Traits: Regional Indian cookbook author. British. Jokester. Fears: Not acting to help will make him look like a coward.
Wants/Needs: He wants to see Finn die. He needs to support the contestants.
Likability/Rooting Factors: They find him distracting to their survival. How they react under stress: laughs inappropriately.
Relationship with others: They tolerate him.B. Dev’s Character Journey
Character Intro: The flashback shows how he was maimed.
Denial: Believes he can save himself through humor.
Their reaction at first horror: He throws up.
Relation to group after first horror: They’re disgusted. He’s embarrassed.
How they fight back: He calls Layne out. Big mistake.
End Point: He dies at Layne’s hand.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience? Oh, snap.</div><div>A. Sophie’s (judge) Character Profile — Innocent
Traits: Nouvelle Cajun cuisine maven
Fears: She’s made a horrible mistake. Wants/Needs: She wants to promote her new Vegas restaurant. She needed to do it another way than participating.
Likability/Rooting Factors: Kind southern lady, well-liked. How they react under stress: Shock, disbelief.
Relationship with other characters: They want to visit her restaurant. Too bad they won’t get the chance.</div><b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>B. Sophie’s Character Journey
Character Intro: The flashback shows how she was maimed.
Denial: She doesn’t understand Layne orchestrates their demise.
Their reaction at first horror: She hides under the desk.
Relation to group after first horror: Fearful of them.
How they fight back: She doesn’t.
End Point: Layne shoves her into the dough mixer and turns it on.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience: He’s not going to stop until we’re all dead.A. Jimmy’s (judge) Character Profile — “Cheerleader”
Traits: Humanitarian. Feeds SFO’s unhoused from his Tenderloin restaurant.
Fears: He may be wrong about the goodness of humanity. Must deny true nature of humans and reframe everything.
Wants/Needs: Wants to make everything okay/better. Needs to look out for himself.
Likability/Rooting Factors: Likable but preachy.
How they react under stress: Tries to see the good in every adversity.
Relationship with other characters: Tries to get them to believe people are worth saving and that there’s good in the world. They’re not buying it.B. Jimmy’s Character Journey
Character Intro: The flashback shows how he was maimed.
Denial: Believes Layne is somehow redeemable.
Their reaction at first horror: indignant
Relation to group after first horror: The others get tired of his toxic positivity very quickly. End Point: Layne locks the freezer door and forgets about him.
What insight do their deaths or survival bring to the others/audience: You can be the most caring person in the world, and it’s all for naught. Look out for yourself.-
This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Kim Jaspers.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Kim Jaspers. Reason: formatting issues
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Kim Jaspers. Reason: formatting issues
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by
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Lisandro Boccacci’s Character journey track.
what I learned doing this assignment is hashing out the characters in this matter give us the their journey, but also will fill in the plot, with character details. till make the character choices seem true to their personality.
(haven’t come up with names yet) I’m also going to have to think some more about how to place these character details sprinkled throughout the plot.
A1 role: .Leader: 2. Traits: Experienced, bold, rational. has a history of breaking the law. Has experience going through the court system… he learned the law… and has created a YouTube channel to get police officers in trouble..<font face=”inherit”>3. Fears: he is </font>afraid<font face=”inherit”> of ending up homeless, afraid of losing his loved ones. 4. Wants/needs: He has a need to find justice for how much the police have ruined his life. he wants to go out and put bad cops behind bars. He wants to have a good time while doing it. 5. Likeability/rooting factors: talks </font>a lot, isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Has a history of breaking the law. Has experience going through the court system… he learned the law… and has created a YouTube channel to get police officers in trouble<font face=”inherit”> 6. Stress reaction: He can stay calm and clear headed, which is why he can lead. 7. relates to others: Very friendly and jokey with his </font>friends and<font face=”inherit”> can be tender and caring with his girlfriend. B1. intro: He gets called up on the stand as a witness. Denial: he thinks he is untouchable, clever with the laws. 3. 1st horror reaction: they react by getting more focused on the situation, going from jokey to serious. </font><font face=”inherit”>4</font><font face=”inherit”>. </font>relationship<font face=”inherit”> to </font>group<font face=”inherit”> after first horror: He becomes the thing they cling on for rationality.</font><font face=”inherit”>5 Fighting back: he uses a lug nut wrench </font>that’s<font face=”inherit”> in the trunk of the car, he uses that to physically fight the ex cop. 6 stress </font>reaction<font face=”inherit”>: he makes it to the good cops, and ambulances.</font><font face=”inherit”> 7 </font>relationship <font face=”inherit”>with other characters: that his ability to stay calm and think is what got him out alive. </font>
A1. Role: Rescuer: one of the officers has to take action to save their lives from the out-of-control ex officer. 2. Traits: professional, thinks for himself, athletic. 3 Fears: Afraid of being outed as a dirty cop. 4. wants/needs: he wants to keep making money on the side. He needs to keep the secret with everyone else. 5 likeability/ rooting factors: when the ex-cop goes too far, he flips sides and starts helping the victims. He kills the K9 in time and puts in a distress call. 6 stress reaction: he starts to slip thinking about a plan B. 7. relationship with other characters: he gets along with the other cops okay… they keep an eye on him… <font face=”inherit”> things turn when he flips sides and </font>don’t<font face=”inherit”> follow his lead. B. 1 intro: he is part of the squad that surrounds the </font>victims'<font face=”inherit”> cars. 2 denial: He </font>doesn’t<font face=”inherit”> want to believe that the </font>ex-cop<font face=”inherit”> will kill anyone tonight. 3. </font>reaction<font face=”inherit”> to first horror: bothered by it. 4 </font>relation<font face=”inherit”> to group after first horror: 5.fighting back: he is a trained police officer… he is </font>athletic<font face=”inherit”>… uses that to help victims escape as fast as possible. 6 End point: He ends up away from the terror with a victim, he makes the call for help, and stays there hiding in the forest. 7. insight: never too late to do </font>the<font face=”inherit”> right thing. </font>
<font face=”inherit”>A1 role: Moral One: he is a family man; he owns and drives the car. He is a </font>professor<font face=”inherit”> by day, and a constitutional scholar. he has partnered up with the leader to make these live streams and has hit the jackpot. 2. traits: </font>Intelligent<font face=”inherit”>, a good negotiator, outstanding citizen model. 3. Fears: He is </font>afraid<font face=”inherit”> of letting his family down. Afraid to lose </font>them. 4. wants/needs: He wants to do good in the world. he needs to put his family first. 5. likeability/ rooting factors: he is likable because he is a good person at heart. root factors is that he is a family man. 6. he reacts under stress: he just goes into action without thinking. <font face=”inherit”>7. </font>relationship<font face=”inherit”> to other </font>characters<font face=”inherit”>: He is looked at as the responsible one, an honest great guy. </font><font face=”inherit”>B1 Introduced: he is the one that picks the group up from the </font>courthouse<font face=”inherit”>.2. Denial: He </font>believes<font face=”inherit”> as long as he knows his </font>rights,<font face=”inherit”> they </font>can’t<font face=”inherit”> hurt him. 3 first horror reaction: he jumps into action, trying to drive away. </font><font face=”inherit”>4 </font>relations<font face=”inherit”> to group: he is looked upon as the oldest and wisest, </font><font face=”inherit”>survival depends on being the first to act. 5 </font>fighting<font face=”inherit”> back: he owns a </font>pistol;<font face=”inherit”> he knows his right to defend himself 6. end point: he is torn to shred by the dog bit will survive, he is being carried into an ambulance. 7. </font>insight<font face=”inherit”>: Fight for your right</font>
A1. role: complainer: one of the officers who goes along with what’s happening, complains and warns the other officers about the laws they are breaking and the trouble they can get into if they get caught. 2. traits: honest, respective, but naive.. he is also the younger officer in the group. bit of a rooky. 3 Fears: he is afraid of getting shot on the line of duty. 4. wants/needs he wants to start a family of his own. he needs to mature. 5. likeability: honest, young, charming. he comes from a family of police officers. 6 under stress: he tends to coward a bit. 7 relationship with other characters: he is viewed upon as the rooky so they treat him like dirt. B1 character intro: we first see him talking to the carrier. tells him about the dirty cops and what they do, because they are friends, and they are hanging out. 2. Denial: he doesn’t want to believe that it was a set up, and he was played.3. reaction to horror: he is filled with fear. 4. relationship with others: they don’t trust him fully as a rooky and he is trying to gain the groups respect. 5 how they fight back: he runs or hides. 6 end point: he gets shot. 7. insight: don’t be a coward.
A.1. role: out of control: the main antagonist. He is one of the officers who was fired, sued, and sent to prison for three years. That changed him as a man. It has also left him disfigured. In prison his face was slashed up, and his nose was cut off. He wants his revenge. 2. traits: enduring, strong, revengeful. 3 Fears: accepting that he can’t go back to his old life, he fears never being able to fix his face. and he cant take being made fun of. 4 wants/needs: he wants his revenge. he needs to calm his temper. 5. likeability: we like him because of how much he has endured and suffered. he is rooted in being a solid guy. always comes through. 6. he reacts to stress: by finding strength within and forcing his way. 7. relationship with other characters: the officers have the highest respect for him, but they view his temper as his weakness. B1 intro: He is the body cam officer in the courtroom opening scene, and sitting the court room. 2 denial: he doesn’t accept his temper to be a problem. 3. their reaction at first horror: he enjoys it. 4. relation to group after first horror: they are all scared to death by him. 5 fighting back: he is quick to get back on his feet and take control of the situation, uses weapons if he needs to. 6. end point: he is stabbed… crawls to his trailer… and pushes end record . we see an audience of billionaires looking at their screens. all of their live feeds stops. 7 insight: going down the path of revenge brings your own destruction.
<font face=”inherit”>A 1: role: the carrier: he is the younger brother to the girlfriend. he trying to fit in, be part of the group, but also the one who gave the group the tip about the public parking lot, and how the cops are taking advantage of people there. 2Traits: has asthma issues, polite, drinker/</font>socialite, always trying to please others<font face=”inherit”>. 3 fears: being </font>left out. 4.he wants to spend time with his sister, but he needs to go out and find his own place in life. 5likeablility: Hes funny. root factors: he finds they are staying together as a family is important. 6. under stress they react by following his sister’s lead. 7. relationship with other characters: he is close with his sister and just met her friends. B1. character intro: he walks in with double fisting beer when the group is out celebrating. 2. denial: doesn’t want to accept that his sister doesn’t care to stay with the family anymore.3. he panics at the first sign of horror. 4 he becomes the weakest and scared the most out of the group. 5.by trying to run away. 6.end point: he dies in the forest from the asthma attack. Had he just stayed in his lane, none of this would of happened to him.
A1. role: love interest/ lovers: the girlfriend of the leader, lives with the leader, they share everything together, works as a waitress during the day, she joins her boyfriend for the thrill, loves the idea of getting back at cops. she also has a history of back encounters and drug use. 2. traits: rough around the edges, but hard working makes up for it, protective of her brother, she is very beautiful. 3. fears: losing her brother, but fears if she doesn’t live her life now that she will miss the boat. 4 she wants to live life to the fullest. she needs to let go of her past and move on from her family. 5. her aura of having been through the harshness of life, her loyalty to the leader and brother. /rooting factors: she comes from a good family. 6. under stress: they panic and lose control, will just react and blindly and go toward harm’s way. 7. she has a great relationship with the leader, feels like a soulmate connection. everyone in the group finds her attractive and charming. B1 character intro: she meets the leader at the bar in the opening scene. Denial: that her brother is dead. 4 she becomes the hysterical and needs to be controlled from doing something stupid. 5 they attack by any means necessary, even taking a gun and using it if she has to. 6 end point: where the ambulances are and she is also with the leader. insight: having someone there to help you isn’t a weakness and if she has to rely on herself, she flexible enough to get by.
ACT 1 – SET UP FOR HORROR
Atmosphere of Evil established – court room reviewing a police body cam… showing a police chase on foot ending one officer accidently shooting another officer and then catching up to the suspect and using violent force to subdue the person, causing extreme harm.
1. role: out of control: the main antagonist. He is one of the officers who was fired, sued, and sent to prison for three years. That changed him as a man. It has also left him disfigured. In prison his face was slashed up, and his nose was cut off. He wants his revenge. 2. traits: enduring, strong, revengeful. 3 Fears: accepting that he can’t go back to his old life, he fears never being able to fix his face. and he cant take being made fun of. 4 wants/needs: he wants his revenge. he needs to calm his temper. 5. likeability: we like him because of how much he has endured and suffered. he is rooted in being a solid guy. always comes through. 6. he reacts to stress: by finding strength within and forcing his way. 7. relationship with other characters: the officers have the highest respect for him, but they view his temper as his weakness. B1 intro: He is the body cam officer in the courtroom opening scene, and sitting the court room. 2 denial: he doesn’t accept his temper to be a problem. 3. their reaction at first horror: he enjoys it. 4. relation to group after first horror: they are all scared to death by him. 5 fighting back: he is quick to get back on his feet and take control of the situation, uses weapons if he needs to. 6. end point: he is stabbed… crawls to his trailer… and pushes end record . we see an audience of billionaires looking at their screens. all of their live feeds stops. 7 insight: going down the path of revenge brings your own destruction.
Horror Situation: cop shoots other cop on accident. The officer slowly loses his energy. falling to the ground.
Reaction: (fights) The officer chases down suspect, fires at the suspect and hits him on the leg, and runs back to the officer screaming, “Officer down and I’m shot!”
Horror Situation: Starting to realize he shot his own partner.
Reaction : (fights )the officer calls for back up, and an ambulance… more shots are fired and the officer has no clue what is happening. More officers arrive and open vest of the office that has been shot
Horror Situation: …they notice a bullet got through the vest, bleeding from bellow his armpit,
Reaction: they have to stop the bleeding. the officer runs after the suspect and catches up to the suspect and starts beating him to death.
Horror situation: the officer is beating suspect to death.
reaction: another officer has to step in to stop him.
Character Death 1 : Wrong place at the wrong time. The main officer has mistakenly shot at his partner.
A1 role: .Leader: 2. Traits: Experienced, bold, rational. has a history of breaking the law. Has experience going through the court system… he learned the law… and has created a YouTube channel to get police officers in trouble..<font face=”inherit”>3. Fears: he is </font>afraid<font face=”inherit”> of ending up homeless, afraid of losing his loved ones. 4. Wants/needs: He has a need to find justice for how much the police have ruined his life. he wants to go out and put bad cops behind bars. He wants to have a good time while doing it. 5. Likeability/rooting factors: talks </font>a lot, isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Has a history of breaking the law. Has experience going through the court system… he learned the law… and has created a YouTube channel to get police officers in trouble<font face=”inherit”> 6. Stress reaction: He can stay calm and clear headed, which is why he can lead. 7. relates to others: Very friendly and jokey with his </font>friends and<font face=”inherit”> can be tender and caring with his girlfriend. B1. intro: He gets called up on the stand as a witness. Denial: he thinks he is untouchable, clever with the laws. 3. 1st horror reaction: they react by getting more focused on the situation, going from jokey to serious. </font><font face=”inherit”>4</font><font face=”inherit”>. </font>relationship<font face=”inherit”> to </font>group<font face=”inherit”> after first horror: He becomes the thing they cling on for rationality.</font><font face=”inherit”>5 Fighting back: he uses a lug nut wrench </font>that’s<font face=”inherit”> in the trunk of the car, he uses that to physically fight the ex cop. 6 stress </font>reaction<font face=”inherit”>: he makes it to the good cops, and ambulances.</font><font face=”inherit”> 7 </font>relationship <font face=”inherit”>with other characters: that his ability to stay calm and think is what got him out alive. </font>
<font face=”inherit”>A1 role: Moral One: he is a family man; he owns and drives the car. He is a </font>professor<font face=”inherit”> by day, and a constitutional scholar. he has partnered up with the leader to make these live streams and has hit the jackpot. 2. traits: </font>Intelligent<font face=”inherit”>, a good negotiator, outstanding citizen model. 3. Fears: He is </font>afraid<font face=”inherit”> of letting his family down. Afraid to lose </font>them. 4. wants/needs: He wants to do good in the world. he needs to put his family first. 5. likeability/ rooting factors: he is likable because he is a good person at heart. root factors is that he is a family man. 6. he reacts under stress: he just goes into action without thinking. <font face=”inherit”>7. </font>relationship<font face=”inherit”> to other </font>characters<font face=”inherit”>: He is looked at as the responsible one, an honest great guy. </font><font face=”inherit”>B1 Introduced: he is the one that picks the group up from the </font>courthouse<font face=”inherit”>.2. Denial: He </font>believes<font face=”inherit”> as long as he knows his </font>rights,<font face=”inherit”> they </font>can’t<font face=”inherit”> hurt him. 3 first horror reaction: he jumps into action, trying to drive away. </font><font face=”inherit”>4 </font>relations<font face=”inherit”> to group: he is looked upon as the oldest and wisest, </font><font face=”inherit”>survival depends on being the first to act. 5 </font>fighting<font face=”inherit”> back: he owns a </font>pistol;<font face=”inherit”> he knows his right to defend himself 6. end point: he is torn to shred by the dog bit will survive, he is being carried into an ambulance. 7. </font>insight<font face=”inherit”>: Fight for your right</font><font face=”inherit”>
</font>Connect with the characters – The 4 main characters meet the victim of this crime for dinner and celebrate his innocence and wining his lawsuit. here at the party, we get to learn a little about everyone’s personality through their actions and how they speak.
1. role: love interest/ lovers: the girlfriend of the leader, lives with the leader, they share everything together, works as a waitress during the day, she joins her boyfriend for the thrill, loves the idea of getting back at cops. she also has a history of back encounters and drug use. 2. traits: rough around the edges, but hard working makes up for it, protective of her brother, she is very beautiful. 3. fears: losing her brother, but fears if she doesn’t live her life now that she will miss the boat. 4 she wants to live life to the fullest. she needs to let go of her past and move on from her family. 5. her aura of having been through the harshness of life, her loyalty to the leader and brother. /rooting factors: she comes from a good family. 6. under stress: they panic and lose control, will just react and blindly and go toward harm’s way. 7. she has a great relationship with the leader, feels like a soulmate connection. everyone in the group finds her attractive and charming. B1 character intro: she meets the leader at the bar in the opening scene. Denial: that her brother is dead. 4 she becomes the hysterical and needs to be controlled from doing something stupid. 5 they attack by any means necessary, even taking a gun and using it if she has to. 6 end point: where the ambulances are and she is also with the leader. insight: having someone there to help you isn’t a weakness and if she has to rely on herself, she flexible enough to get by.
Monster Reveal: the ex-cop is in the worst of moods and gets in a fight with the other inmates. (He has a bad temper, and its revealed he is strong, and can fight multiple men at once.)
The characters are warned not to do it – 3 years later. The brother of one of the main characters is given a tip about where dirty cops work, and they are told by the guy who just won the court to lay low for a bit… because he knows cops can hold grudges.
1. role: complainer: one of the officers who goes along with what’s happening, complains and warns the other officers about the laws they are breaking and the trouble they can get into if they get caught. 2. traits: honest, respective, but naive.. he is also the younger officer in the group. bit of a rooky. 3 Fears: he is afraid of getting shot on the line of duty. 4. wants/needs he wants to start a family of his own. he needs to mature. 5. likeability: honest, young, charming. he comes from a family of police officers. 6 under stress: he tends to coward a bit. 7 relationship with other characters: he is viewed upon as the rooky so they treat him like dirt. B1 character intro: we first see him talking to the carrier. tells him about the dirty cops and what they do, because they are friends, and they are hanging out. 2. Denial: he doesn’t want to believe that it was a set up, and he was played.3. reaction to horror: he is filled with fear. 4. relationship with others: they don’t trust him fully as a rooky and he is trying to gain the groups respect. 5 how they fight back: he runs or hides. 6 end point: he gets shot. 7. insight: don’t be a coward.
<font face=”inherit”> 1: role: the carrier: he is the younger brother to the girlfriend. he trying to fit in, be part of the group, but also the one who gave the group the tip about the public parking lot, and how the cops are taking advantage of people there. 2Traits: has asthma issues, polite, drinker/</font>socialite, always trying to please others<font face=”inherit”>. 3 fears: being </font>left out. 4.he wants to spend time with his sister, but he needs to go out and find his own place in life. 5likeablility: Hes funny. root factors: he finds they are staying together as a family is important. 6. under stress they react by following his sister’s lead. 7. relationship with other characters: he is close with his sister and just met her friends. B1. character intro: he walks in with double fisting beer when the group is out celebrating. 2. denial: doesn’t want to accept that his sister doesn’t care to stay with the family anymore.3. he panics at the first sign of horror. 4 he becomes the weakest and scared the most out of the group. 5.by trying to run away. 6.end point: he dies in the forest from the asthma attack. Had he just stayed in his lane, none of this would of happened to him.
Monster Reveal: The ex-cop, with a bandaged face is let out of prison. He makes it to hotel. uncovers his face, slowly but painfully…to reveal he is missing a nose… his face all cut up. he is seeing his face for the first time… his temper is out of control.
Denial of horror – the leader of the group reassured them that as long as they have their cameras rolling and know their rights, that they have nothing to worry about.
Safety taken away – When they are surrounded by the police cars in a secluded area away from the city.
Horror situation: the lights shining in their faces, blinding them… and the dark figures surrounding them… officers screaming at them.
Reaction: they pull out their cell phones and cameras and start streaming live to capture any wrongdoing.
Horror situation: the officers begin to ask questions, see their ID, and threaten to arrest them for denying the request.
Reaction: They talk back to the officers… telling them they know the law, their is no sign at the park that says that there is a curfew.
1. Role: Rescuer: one of the officers has to take action to save their lives from the out-of-control ex officer. 2. Traits: professional, thinks for himself, athletic. 3 Fears: Afraid of being outed as a dirty cop. 4. wants/needs: he wants to keep making money on the side. He needs to keep the secret with everyone else. 5 likeability/ rooting factors: when the ex-cop goes too far, he flips sides and starts helping the victims. He kills the K9 in time and puts in a distress call. 6 stress reaction: he starts to slip thinking about a plan B. 7. relationship with other characters: he gets along with the other cops okay… they keep an eye on him… <font face=”inherit”>things turn when he flips sides and </font>don’t<font face=”inherit”> follow his lead. B. 1 intro: he is part of the squad that surrounds the </font>victims'<font face=”inherit”> cars. 2 denial: He </font>doesn’t<font face=”inherit”> want to believe that the </font>ex-cop<font face=”inherit”> will kill anyone tonight. 3. </font>reaction<font face=”inherit”> to first horror: bothered by it. 4 </font>relation<font face=”inherit”> to group after first horror: 5.fighting back: he is a trained police officer… he is </font>athletic<font face=”inherit”>… uses that to help victims escape as fast as possible. 6 End point: He ends up away from the terror with a victim, he makes the call for help, and stays there hiding in the forest. 7. insight: never too late to do </font>the<font face=”inherit”> right thing. </font>
Horror situation: the officers threaten them and continue to ask them to step out of the car.
Reaction: They refuse to get out of the car and stand their ground.
Monster: The nature of the beast – after the police have their fun and play their mind games with the main group in their car…the main monster, the ex-cop bent on revenge comes out… ready to play with no rules or laws stopping him…
Monster Reveal: The man in the pig mask and talking through a megaphone, with a K-9 by his side throws a couple of gas grenades and creates a fog around the car.
Horror situation: the group knows something is up… when the officers stand back and the figure with pig mask shows up…
reaction: they start their car and try to drive away… but its too late… their car is hooked up to a tow truck and the dog is let loose, viciously barking at them through the window.
ACT 2
Isolated/ trapped/ abducted – the ex-cop has his tow truck and drags the characters out into the field where there is no Wi-Fi and internet, but the ex cop has his own camera, and K-9 dog.
horror situation: they can’t escape and are now being dragged.
reaction: they keep live streaming, and they give out their location.
horror situation: the place they are dragged to, has no internet, no Wi-Fi, no cell service and all of their live feed gets cut.
reaction: the driver tells them to stay calm and pulls out a gun.
One of us Killed: one of the officers gets shot by accident and bleeds to death.
horror situation: the driver goes by himself to unhook the car… the K9 gets loose and starts tearing the driver apart.
reaction: the driver shoots back into the darkness … misses the dog
horror situation: the driver almost gets eaten alive by a dog, and he is out of bullets.
reaction: the group gets out of the car to help fight off the K9, the driver limps back into the car and locks everything once they are all inside the car.
horror situation: one of the officers guarding the perimeter falls over the hood of the car bleeding to death…shot by the driver… that officer drops his gun.. and the sister sees that.
Monster Reveal: He has complete command of the dog… uses it to keep the victims from running and uses it for defense. If the victims can eliminate the dog, they have a better chance at running.
Character Death 2: (The complainer) He left his perimeter guarding point, The officer headed towards where the gun fire was coming from and walked into a bullet.
reaction: they stay in the car; they discuss running and getting to an area with internet and cellphone access.
MIDPOINT – The monster is worse than we thought – He starts using his baton stick to break and destroy their car.
Monster Reveal: He argues with the other officers about the officer bleeding to death. They have to take him. Eventually he lets a couple of officers take him to a hospital. Which made the circle perimeter guarding the area smaller.. and the gun that was left behind… the sister still has an eye on it.
horror situation: the glass starts getting smashed by a police baton stick.
reaction: they duck down into the car, shielding themselves form the glass.
ACT 3 – FULL OUT HORROR
Fight to the death – a character gets pulled out and is forced to fight the ex-cop, another makes a run for it… a third goes out looking for the first character, and only one stays in the car. A few officers who have secured the perimeter fire back at the one trying to escape…
horror situation: the younger brother gets pulled out of the car…
reaction: they try to pull him back in the car…but the younger brother gets dragged out and pulled into the darkness…
horror situation: with the younger brother gone, they don’t know whether to run for it, stay put, or try to save him.
reaction: they argue about what to do…the sister grabs the gun that was left behind by the shot officer, runs after her brother….the driver makes a run for it… the leader gets hand cuffed to the door…
horror situation: the younger brother gets tied by the neck and get pulled up off his feet.
reaction: the older sister finds him and fires at the ex cop and at the dog, they make a run for it into the darkness around them. She manages to cut the rope down. and they make a run for it.
hysteria- the ex-cop uses a megaphone to let them know they are all going to die tonight. one by one… sending everyone in a panic, and sets his K9 loose again.
Monster Reveal: he is in control even if the victims are out running about.
horror situation: the driver is being shot at from the officers that are securing the perimeter.
reaction : he has to run tree to tree… dogging bullets until the K9 attacks the driver again.
Horror situation: the younger brother gets an asthma attack…close to suffocating, needs his spray.
reaction: the older sister runs back to the car for the spray.
horror situation: the ex-officer attacks them both electric shocker gun…
Monster Reveal: He is just using what normal officers have… the leader gets some what tazed but is strong enough to withstand it…
reaction: the sister grazes the ex cops face, breaking the mask. they run for it with the spray.
horror situation: they can’t get to the younger brother.
Death returns to take one or more: one of the officers switches sides and begins to help them escape. ends up getting wounded badly and makes it out of the dead zone, the no radio, no Wi-Fi, no internet area and manages to call for back up. Here the brother has an Asthma attack and dies from that.
horror situation: the officers have lost control, things are getting out of hand, the night was just meant to scare them out of town.
reaction: one of the officers turns and decides to help the driver escape the dog by shooting it dead, and they make a run for it out of internet dead zone, able to call for back up.
Monster Reveal: takes off the mask.. still alive… but that bullet could of killed him. He has lost his temper. He picks up knife and runs after them.
horror situation: the younger brother chokes to death.
Character Death 3 : he was the cause for getting them to the set-up point. He dies from an asthma attack that was induced form being hung for a minute.
reaction: the leader tries to get to the younger brother but has to break the side mirror in order to come free.
resolution: back up arrives and police swarm the area and there is a shootout between good cops and bad cops. the ex-cop manages to escape the shootout but chases down the girlfriend/sister, but the main guy has one last fight in order to save his girlfriend, but ends up getting seriously hurt in doing so… they reach the good officers and are escorted out of the area and into an ambulance, the driver although his skin is torn to shreds, he is fighting for his life in ambulance, and the brother is found dead. The ex cop manages to walk to his trailer… where he was running a live feed from multiple cameras to a website that is hitting 20millinon views.
horror situation: the leader has a faceoff with the ex-cop
reaction: leader fights back in order to save themselves.
horror situation: deadly shootout between cops, bullets dispersing everywhere.
reaction: hiding in the forest from the bullets.
Monster Revealed: face to face, both have knives… its a fair fight, the monster and the leader seem to be on the same level.
horror situation: one last final fight, knife fight.
reaction: fight to the death, the leader gets cut up, but manages to stab the ex-cop in the back… rendering him useless with his life hanging by a string.
Monster Reveal: He manages to get back to his trailer where he has a computer booth running multiple live cam feeds to a website.
End scene: the ex cop is checking his millions and watches the news… the survivors in the hospital alive. this makes the ex-cop furious.
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