Lesson 10

[cheryl croasmun]

Lesson 10 assignments here.

[Sunil Pappu]

Sunil Pappu’s Plot and Character Layers

“What I learned doing this assignment is…to create intriguing plot and character layers for my series”

ASSIGNMENT 1: Example Show

My Example Show: Mr Robot

Plot Layers:

Plot Surface: A cybersecurity tech must stop a hack to protect his client Evil Corp

Layer 1: He is the one who plants the hack.

Layer 2: He refuses an offer by the acting CTO to join him at the high table.

Layer 3: He joins the hacker group Fsociety to take down Evil Corp

Layer 4: His mentor and boss Gideon finds out he’s the mole and the Secret Army warns him about his downfall.

Layer 5: He hacks his own security company to clear his name and get the Secret Army to join their takedown of Evil Corp.

Layer 6: Tyrell joins him to take down Evil Corp

Layer 7: He is Mr. Robot and he brings down Evil Corp by encrypting their data and freeing people of debt

Character Layers: Elliot

Character Surface: Elliot is a shy lonely cybersecurity techie

Layer 1: He is a vigilante hacker

Layer 2: He is a mole within his security company Allsafe who hacks his client Evil Corp he is meant to protect

Layer 3: He blames Evil Corp for knowingly infecting his father with a poisonous emission that killed him

Layer 4: He and Darlene from Society are brother and sister.

Layer 5: Mr Robot is his father and he’s been dead all along

Layer 6: He created fsociety and he is Mr Robot.

ASSIGNMENT 2: My Show

My Show: Ghost Ledger

Format/Genre: 1 hour Heist Thriller Series

Concept: A suspended RAW agent assembles a crew of expert international thieves to penetrate an enigmatic hawala network operation outside India to retrieve a coveted ledger that can upend governments and bring the financial world to its knees.

Plot & Character Layers (Without AI)

Plot Surface: A suspended RAW agent puts together a team to steal the ghost ledger.

Layer 1: The key to finding the Ghost ledger is to find the ghost node within the Hawala network.

Layer 2: The ghost ledger is not one single document but broken up into several pieces each stored in an impossibly secure vault in secret locations around the world.

Layer 3: The ghost ledger is not just a document with names and transactions but actually a map for a more sinister prototype called “Operation Pheonix” that is much bigger than the hawala network.

Layer 4: The prototype will destroy an entire nation unless the team can stop it but if they do they will never find the new system.

Layer 5: The new system will overhaul the entire world economy.

Character Surface: Arjun is a suspended RAW agent who wants to find the ghost ledger to clear his name

Layer 1: Hidden Agenda: We suspect, he is the mole with his past relationships within the Hawala network.

Layer 2: Secret: He wants to avenge his sister.

Layer 3: Conspiracy: He recruited each person on his team as they have a relationship with the Hawala network and he wants to exploit it for his own revenge.

Layer 4: Wound: He triggered the terror attack that killed his sister

Layer 5: Betrayal: Sofia is the mole who betrays his trust to find her sister.

Plot & Character Layers (With AI)

Plot Layers:

1. Double Heist Revelation: As the team inches closer to retrieving the coveted ledger, they discover that the ledger they are after is, in fact, a decoy. The real ledger is embedded within the blockchain, disguised as a series of seemingly innocuous transactions, leading to a race against time to decode it.

2. Shift in Loyalty: In a twist, it’s revealed that the RAW itself has members who are part of the Hawala Network. Mandeep Singh’s investigation leads to the exposure of a high-ranking official in the Indian Intelligence Service as a key network operator.

3. Clandestine Benefactors: The team learns that a global syndicate of powerful figures, including politicians and business tycoons, are the true puppeteers of the Hawala Network, using it for their geopolitical games.

4. Cryptic Ally: An anonymous entity, known only as “The Nomad,” begins providing the team with crucial intel. The Nomad’s identity and agenda remain a mystery, driving speculation and mistrust within the team.

Deeper Plot Layers:

1. The Shadow Ledger: Beyond the physical ledger, there’s a digital “shadow ledger” that holds encrypted keys to offshore accounts and illicit deals. It’s not just a record of transactions but a treasure map to a vast hidden fortune. This ledger is rumored to exist, and its pursuit could involve a subplot of deciphering cryptic clues left by its creator.

2. The Network’s Patron: The Hawala Network is revealed to be a front for a more ancient and powerful secret society that has manipulated financial markets for centuries. This society has members in the highest echelons of power worldwide, and its exposure could be the team’s ultimate goal.

3. Coded Mythology: The operations of the Hawala Network are found to be intricately linked with ancient mythological tales. Each major player in the network adopts a mythological figure as an alias, and their transactions follow patterns that mirror these myths. Deciphering these could lead to predicting the network’s next move.

4. The Cobra’s Conscience: Harsh Mehta, The Cobra, is driven by more than just loyalty to Raghav Patel. He is a true believer in a cause that has yet to be revealed—perhaps a utopian vision that the network claims to fund with its activities, creating a moral ambiguity about his role.

5. The Ghost Signal: Meera, the hacker, encounters a mysterious signal in the digital realm that interferes with her operations. This signal is from an unknown group that is also working against the Hawala Network, and it leads to a cautious collaboration.

6. The Lazarus Protocol: There is a secret protocol within the network that can be initiated if the ledger or its contents are at risk of exposure. It involves erasing all traces of the network and starting anew, with no regard for the lives entangled in its web.

7. The Ethical Virus: Lina devises a financial virus that targets only illicit funds, a Robin Hood-esque solution to dismantle the network. But releasing it would have unpredictable effects on the global economy, placing the team in a moral quandary.

8. Sofia’s Paradox: Sofia’s missing sister is not just a victim but a key architect of the network’s security systems. Her involvement is by choice, driven by a vendetta against a common enemy, adding layers of family drama and conflicting loyalties.

9. The Zenith Event: The series could build towards a climactic event where the network plans to destabilize economies with a massive, simultaneous cash-out. Stopping this requires not just confronting the network but outmaneuvering the world’s financial defenses.

10. The Resurrection Initiative: Arjun discovers that The Cobra has a contingency plan called the “Resurrection Initiative,” a means to rebuild the network from scratch using hidden resources and sleeper agents around the world.

Character Layers:

1. Arjun’s Dilemma: It’s revealed that Arjun once had the chance to kill The Cobra but refrained, leading to the event that killed his sister. This secret haunts him, and his hesitation is a wound he must confront.

2. Meera’s Betrayal: Meera is coerced into feeding information to her former organization by threatening her loved ones, forcing her to play a dangerous game of double agent.

3. Sofia’s Discovery: Sofia finds her sister, only to learn she has willingly become part of the Hawala Network’s core operations, challenging Sofia’s allegiances.

4. Mandeep’s Conflict: Mandeep’s mission is compromised when he develops genuine bonds with the team, especially with Arjun, whom he starts to admire, leading to a conflict between his duty and his newfound loyalty.

5. Lina’s Redemption: Lina’s past with the Hawala Network involves a lost love who was an undercover agent trying to expose the network. Her quest for redemption is also a path to avenge her lost love.

6. Raghav’s Legacy: Unbeknownst to all, Raghav is terminally ill and is grooming a successor who might be closer to the team than they realize, adding an undercurrent of urgency to his actions.

7. Harsh’s Guilt: Harsh, under the alias The Cobra, secretly despises what he has become and the incident with Arjun’s sister. He begins to sabotage the network subtly, hoping for atonement.

Deeper Character Layers for Arjun:

1. Love Lost in Espionage: Arjun’s past could include a romantic relationship with a fellow agent who disappeared or was believed to be killed during a mission. This loss would have been a catalyst for his hardened persona but could resurface if this person is discovered to be alive and involved with the Hawala Network.

2. Intellectual Nemesis: Arjun could have a Moriarty-like figure from his past – a rival from his academy days who is his intellectual equal and now works for the opposite side, adding a personal and cerebral challenge to his mission.

3. Repressed Trauma: Finally, Arjun could be dealing with repressed trauma from an operation gone wrong, one that he led, resulting in collateral damage. This could haunt him, leading to moments of PTSD that he must hide from his team to maintain his image as an unflappable leader.

[Eric Geier]

Eric’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is, layers create the loops that continuously move the overall plot forward.

Plot Layers: WT: The Condo Board

1. Surface Layer:

   • The group schemes to gain leadership on the condo board for financial enrichment, creating comedic situations as they navigate the challenges of a retirement village.

2. Major Scheme Revealed:

   • It’s uncovered that the retirement village’s management has been embezzling funds, and the group’s initial plan was unknowingly helping them cover it up. The retirees must decide whether to expose the corruption or use it to their advantage.

3. Mystery Revealed:

   • A mysterious figure from the retirement village’s past resurfaces, revealing a long-buried scandal that connects the group to a larger conspiracy. Unraveling this mystery becomes critical to their survival.

4. Thought the Story was One Thing, but It is Another:

   • The retirees’ seemingly innocent quest for condo board leadership turns into a high-stakes political thriller as they discover they have unwittingly become pawns in a larger game of power and control.

5. Major Shift in Meaning:

   • The condo board’s decisions have significant implications for the entire retirement village, and the group realizes they hold the fate of their fellow residents in their hands. The stakes shift from personal gain to the well-being of the entire community.

6. Hidden History:

   • Ming is in witness protection, and his identity has been hidden all along.

7. Hidden Plan:

   • It’s revealed that Ming is in deep debt to the Chinese mafia, and if he doesn’t come up with their money in 30 days, he and his granddaughter will be killed.

Character Layers:

1. Surface Layer:

   • Stanley: The charismatic leader of the group.
   • Frankie: The schemer with a penchant for gambling.
   • Jerry: The lovable but forgetful member.
   • Ming: The strategic mastermind.

2. Secret Identity:

   • Stanley has a hidden past as a former government agent, and his leadership skills are a result of years of covert training.
   • Frankie, known for his gambling addiction, is secretly a retired professional poker player with a dark history.
   • Jerry, seemingly forgetful, is actually a retired intelligence analyst with a photographic memory.
   • Ming, the mastermind, has a secret life as a mob member before entering witness protection to the village.

3. Intrigue Layers:

   • Each character has a network of contacts from their past life that becomes essential in navigating the political landscape of the retirement village.
   • Frankie’s connections in the gambling world lead to unexpected alliances and threats.
   • Jerry’s intelligence background attracts the attention of mysterious figures who want to exploit his knowledge.
   • Ming’s entrepreneurial past comes back to haunt him as former rivals surface in the retirement village.

4. Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:

   • The retirement village nurse is revealed to be Stanley’s long-lost daughter, leading to a complex web of emotions and conflicts.
   • Jerry’s seemingly random acquaintances in the village are part of an underground network with its own agenda.
   • Ming’s ex-business partners are revealed to be involved in the corruption within the retirement village.

5. Hidden Character History:

   • Stanley’s history as a government agent is intertwined with the retirement village’s experimental past, connecting him to the hidden government conspiracy.
   • Frankie’s gambling addiction is rooted in a traumatic event from his poker-playing days, influencing his decisions in the present.
   • Jerry’s forgetfulness is a result of a classified experiment he was part of during his intelligence career.
   • Ming’s strategic mindset is shaped by his experiences as a successful entrepreneur facing ruthless competition.

6. Hidden Agenda:

   • Each character has a personal motive for gaining control of the condo board, ranging from revenge to protecting loved ones, adding layers of complexity to their actions.

7. Wound:

   • Stanley carries the guilt of a mission gone wrong during his government days.
   • Frankie’s past losses in poker still haunt him, impacting his decisions.
   • Jerry’s forgetfulness is a result of a traumatic incident he witnessed during his intelligence career.
   • Ming’s drive for success is fueled by a personal tragedy that shaped his worldview.

[Adite Banerjie]

Adite’s Plot and Character Layers

Assignment 1

The Handmaid’s Tale

Surface Plot: June is captured by the Guardians; her husband is shot dead and her child taken away. She becomes a ‘handmaid’ to Commander Waterfront and tries her best to survive and hopefully find out what happened to her daughter.

Plot layers:

Major Scheme Revealed – the handmaids are being used to procreate for the leaders whose wives are barren. And they are to be used as a commodity for trading.
Mystery revealed – Moira was not sent to the Colonies, instead she was sent to Jezebels;
Luke is alive.

Character Layers:

Secret identity: Nick is an Eye who is looking out for June/Offred
Hidden relationships/conspiracies : Ofglen is part of the resistance.
Character intrigue: Moira abandons June/Offred but later shifts her loyalties back to June.

Assignment 2 (My story)

What I learned: Digging deeper between the plot and the characters creates linkages that support each other and makes for a more powerful story.

Plot Surface: A huge amount is transferred to a client which is supposedly pre-approved by Simone. It seems to be a technical glitch and as Simone and her colleagues try to figure out how it happened, Simone’s daughter Ria is kidnapped.

Layer 1: Simone receives video clip of Ria’s kidnapping.

Layer 2: Series of encrypted messages reveals the fund transfer was part of a meticulously executed plan which ends with Ria’s kidnapping.

Layer 3: Jai’s investigation reveals similar attacks on high-profile targets.

Layer 4: Simone (with Sameer’s help) uncovers a hidden pattern in the messages that leads to clues about Maddy’s involvement.

Layer 5: Simone’s past history with Ishan (and Maddy) is uncovered by Fareed.

Character Surface: Maddy is an entrepreneur and philanthropist

Layer 1: Maddy hides behind his philanthropic facade to get brilliant students to do unethical work for him.

Layer 2: He aims at bringing down the banking system and reshape financial world according to his vision.

Layer 3: He has created a billionaire’s club and is pitting one billionaire against another as part of his scheme.

Layer 4: Some of these billionaires have been handpicked because they are direct competitors of Ishan. Maddy’s links to Ishan go back a long way and by targeting Simone and Ria he is getting his revenge against him for the wrongs done to him.

[Jeff Chase]

Jeffrey Alan Chase’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is how quickly AI can simplify and organize my submission. I can also see how when I tweak various areas, AI can give me new ideas that I can use.

ASSIGNMENT 1:

Watch the pilot episode of “The Queen’s Gambit” again and itemize the layers in the show.

The Queen’s Gambit layers:

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

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[Zeke Farrow]

WHAT I’M LEARNING:

The more I know about the story, the harder it is for me to get useful results from AI. It’s an okay aid in each of the lessons, maybe to get my brain working. But, I find that it’s level of cliche… Even knowing my general characters and genre and conflict and concept, it’s not really giving me much anymore.

ON THE OTHER HAND:

I find that it has springboard me over these first weeks, helping me get to where I am faster and with a more wholistic understanding of what I’m doing than I may have working without it.

MORAL ISSUE

Jack was rejected for the drama program by Montgomery. Secretly spiteful.

Cassandra was on the waiting list. The girl whose place she took disappeared mysteriously.

Olivier is a nepo baby.

CHARACTER INTRIGUE / HIDDEN PLAN

The murderer smartly pulled the murder off.

Jack investigates the murder.

Olivier must cover up his relationships with Montgomery.

CHARACTER WEAKNESS

Jack is starved to explore sexually.

Cassandra’s vanity.

Olivier –

UNKNOWN RELATIONSHIP HISTORY

Cassandra and Olivier are like the feuding Lundts of their class. Dr. Montgomery used Olivier as a servant – being a nepo baby isn’t enough. They both now have affairs with Jack.

Cassandra is Dr. Montgomery’s daughter…? The Mom had tried to expose him, but this was pre-#MeToo and she committed suicide when no one believed her.

Jack uncovers the clue to this amongst Montgomery’s things. Quickly. Too quickly? To easily?

Jack could find her 23 and me.

OR, she could discover that she wasn’t related to Montgomery and her mom had been lying…

THEN who was the real father…? Who is Cassandra’s father…?

She and Olivier are siblings…

She and Olivier are twins.

Amanda and Tom in The Glass Menagerie

MYSTERIES AND DEEPER LAYERS

All of the above layers about the history of Cassandra, Olivier, and Montgomery is a good onion of mystery for Jake to pull back.

Who killed Montgomery?

How did they kill Montgomery?

Olivier and Cassandra and the whole class have conspired to kill Montgomery.

They all have alibis. Is the best acting teacher in the world worth saving?

LOOPS AND NEW LOOPS AND NEW LOOPS

Jack goes from writing a take-down of Montgomery to investigating his death.

Olivier and Cassandra both sleep with Jack to influence the investigation.

Jack peels back the onion – layer by layer

Jack has a passion for acting.

Neither Cassandra nor Olivier are who they say they are.

Jack is in danger after danger

Jack’s life plan changes.

Jack’s relationship with his ex/editor explodes.

[Denice Lewis]

Denice’s Plot & Character Layers
What I learned doing this assignment is that AI adds and twists ideas that stimulate further thinking. It forces clearer decisions.

Example Show: HIJACK, Episode 2

Plot Layers:Plane is hijacked.

Sam has just volunteered to help the hijackers, saying he only wants to get home to his family.
The reason is hidden for the hijacking.
The hijackers threaten, hit, but don’t shoot anyone. Who are they?
Why did they hijack the plane?
Air traffic controller in England is late to work and her questions make them realize there’s a problem with the flight. The plan is hidden.

The history of the hijackers is hidden.

The major betrayal comes from Sam who is pretending to help the hijackers.
Plane is in trouble when they cross over new countries unless they communicate and the plane is on autopilot.

Character Layers

Secret identity: Sam hides that he is a negotiator.
Character intrigue: He gains the hijackers trust. Tells them to get the pilot out of the cockpit-he’s the only danger, then communicates with the pilot via a video game to get him back into the cockpit to signal for help to the authorities on the ground. He also gives the hijacker a gun he finds so he will trust him.

Pilot changes course by 3 degrees to alert officials because of Sam’s trick.
Sam’s ex-wife is living with a NY detective with connections to the government.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies: We know nothing at this time in the series

Hidden Character history: Daniel has had a relationship with a government official.

My Show: Organize in possible sequence of reveals
Plot Surface: Maya wants to go with her father on his business trip, but he won’t take her. Limousine picks her up for private school. As soon as she arrives, she strips off her uniform to reveal a sexy outfit. Kids whisper about her. She gets expelled from school. Limousine takes her home.

Layer 1: Secret: Dad and Grandma argue about keeping his business secret from Maya. Intrigue: He gives her a letter to give to Maya if something happens to him.

Layer 2: Mystery: Maya walks into her father’s study. She grabs her wrist in pain—a birthmark materializes.

Layer 3: Thought it was one thing, it’s another: Dad touches a wall with his wrist which becomes

a moving vision. He steps inside. Monsters capture him and ride him away. Grandma pulls drapes across wall. Maya moves drapes—wall is solid.

Layer 4: Future Consequences; Hidden Agenda: Grandma says Maya’s life is in danger. She has 5 minutes to pack, they’re leaving. Convinces her police can’t help. Gives her Dad’s letter.

Layer 5: Major Betrayal, Hidden History: Lysandra, the Dark Dreamer in charge of nightmares, wants Blake’s job as the Dreamweaver to control dreams and affect reality. She’s responsible for Blake’s kidnapping. She knows him, but can’t remember why. She’s really his comatose wife of seventeen years and Maya’s mom in the real world. Maya doesn’t know.

Layer 6: Hidden Agenda: Maya discovers a portal in the attic of the new house. She enters the dangerous and unpredictable world of dreams in search of her father.

Layer 7: Conspiracy: The Dream Forgers have secretly controlled Maya’s family for generations. They are waiting for an ancient prophecy of Maya’s death to be fulfilled to end the reign of The Dreamweavers to take control of the dream world and affect events in the real world.

Layer 8: Hidden Consequences: As Maya delves deeper into the dream world, the conflict between the light and darkness grows.

Character Layers:

Maya:
Secret Identity: She has to take a different name and pretend she’s normal in school.

Character Intrigue: How will she affect dreams since she’s spoiled, rebellious, and insecure?

Hidden relationships: She’ll meet Zander, the shape-shifter, and form an alliance to navigate the dream world.

Hidden Character History: She doesn’t know her mom is alive and in a coma.

Hidden Agenda: Travel in the dream world without her grandmother knowing. Wound: Her father’s betrayal, secret yearning for a mother

Blake:
Secret Identity: He’s the Dreamweaver
Character intrigue: He’s kept many secrets to protect his daughter.
Hidden relationships: He’s married to Lysandra.
Hidden History: He’s trying to find out what happened to his wife and wake her.

Hidden Agenda: To save Maya from the prophecy of her death.
Wound: His wife’s coma.

Sophia, Maya’s grandmother:
Secret Identity: She was a Dreamweaver.
Major Betrayal: She’s responsible for Lysandra’s coma.
Hidden History: She’s trying to resurrect her husband with promises from the Dream Forgers.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies: She works for the Dream Forgers while secretly trying to save her son and granddaughter with far reaching consequences for the future of the dream world and reality.

Hidden agenda: To expose the Dream Forgers

Wound: Her husband’s death.

Lysandra:
Secret Identity: She doesn’t know she’s real and in a coma.
Character intrigue: She’s on the edge of remembering everything. Wildly attracted to Blake, but doesn’t know why. She’s dark, vengeful and dangerous. Initially portrayed as a menacing figure, she slowly reveals her vulnerability and internal conflict as memories resurface.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies: She uses anyone to achieve her goals.

Hidden agenda: To destroy the Dream Forgers.
Wound: Losing her memory

Zander:
Secret Identity: Shape shifter. He can become anything in the dream world. Character Intrigue: He’s the only true dream figure, not ever having a life in the real world.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies: He’s plays both sides of the dream world—the light and the dark.

Hidden character history: He’s made his up and doesn’t know who he really is.

Hidden agenda: He wants revenge and thinks he will do anything to achieve it.

Wound: His family’s deaths.

[Etta Worthington]

Etta’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is first, that I am getting slowly more comfortable working with AI

I also realized that all these exercises are opening up possibilities, instead of my usual way of coming up with some ideas, and very soon closing off other ideas.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

• Major scheme revealed–Lydia wants to take over the company so she can turn it into a company invested totally in creating renewable energy sources

• Mystery revealed–that Alonzo was actually her now deceased uncle’s illegitimate son

• Thought the story was one thing, but it is another–She wants to keep her Quaker values, she wants to make up for rebelling against her parents who were anti war hippies

• Major shift in Meaning–She wants to make up fir the past, for bad choices she made and for ways that kept her from strong family relationships

• Hidden history–Lydia has a complicated relationship with Alonzo and somehow it is related to her now deceased brother. Also, she turned her parents in and they ended up being arrested quite belatedly for their anti war activism.

• Hidden plan–She’s going to create a template for how to go from fossil fuel to renewable energy, in a profitable way

• Major betrayal–Alonzo is stealing money from her and investing it in fossil fuel companies

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

• Secret identity–Angela is an anonymous blogger writing secrets about the environmental scene, gossip on both sides

• Character Intrigue- Martez has been promised the chairmanship of the board when the current one steps down

• Hidden relationships and conspiracies–Lydia thinks she has an ally in Martez and they want to take the chairman down, and neither of them know the other wants to replace him

• Hidden Character history–Lydia was an FBI informer

3. Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.

Plot Surface:

• Layer 1: Lydia wants to keep her Quaker values while being on the board of a major fracking company

• Layer 2: Lydia wants to keep up doing her environmental activism but realizes she has to have a disguise to do that

• Layer 3:Lydia wants to make up for past mistakes with her family and take care of those who are vulnerable

• Layer 4: Lydia wants to take over the company

• Layer 5: L ydia wants to save the world and the environment

• Layer 6: Lydia discovers those she thought were her closest allies, all have hidden agendas that run counter to hers

Character Surface:

• Layer 1: Lydia is plucked from obscurity to become a board member

• Layer 2: Lydia adopts a disguise so she can find out what the environmental activists are doing against the company–with the blessings of Martez

• Layer 3: Lydia starts to let out secrets to both sides

• Layer 4: Lydia finds out things about Alonzo’s birth

• LAyer 5: Lydia plans her takeover of the company

• Layer 6: Lydia discovers somehow everyone is working against her and her objectives

Some AI generated Answers

Plot Layers:

1. Major scheme revealed: The fracking company’s “environmental initiatives” involve planting fake trees around their sites to give the illusion of being eco-friendly. However, these trees are just giant Wi-Fi routers disguised as foliage.

2. Mystery revealed: Lydia discovers that the “accidents” near the fracking sites were caused by a group of overly enthusiastic squirrels who mistook the equipment for acorn stashes, causing chaos.

3. Thought the story was one thing, but it is another: Lydia realizes her appointment was the result of a clerical error—the board mistook her for a famous environmentalist named Liddy Quackman. Now she has to navigate the corporate world despite being an accidental activist.

4. Major shift in Meaning: The company’s PR team wants Lydia to promote their fracking efforts through interpretive dance routines, believing it will make environmental destruction seem more “aesthetic.”

5. Hidden history: Turns out, the company’s founder had a secret passion for interpretive dance and once tried to sell fracking through a ballet performance titled “The Elegance of Extraction.”

6. Hidden plan: The company’s janitorial staff is actually a group of undercover comedians using their access to gather material for a satirical show about corporate absurdities.

Character Layers:

1. Secret identity: Martez’s fashion-forward persona is a cover for his alter ego: an eco-warrior who stages guerrilla-style fashion protests by using recycled materials to create avant-garde outfits.

2. Intrigue layers: Alonzo’s tech investigations inadvertently lead him to hack into the company’s systems, only to discover their hidden folder named “Top-Secret Frack-tastic Recipes,” which contains nothing but poorly written love poems.

3. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Angela, Lydia’s driver, isn’t just homeless—she’s an ex-CEO who chose the driver gig to learn corporate secrets without the pressure of being in the boardroom.

4. Hidden Character history: Lydia’s Quaker demeanor conceals her past as a competitive extreme couponer who once staged a protest using coupons as confetti, causing a financial crisis for a supermarket chain.

5. Hidden Agenda: Alonzo’s relentless pursuit of truth about the company is motivated by a childhood grudge against the CEO for refusing to invest in his invention: a solar-powered toaster for camping.

Wound: Lydia’s guilt stems from accidentally sending a flash mob of nuns (who were supposed to protest peacefully) into a dance battle against construction workers, resulting in viral embarrassment for everyone involved.

[Tom Wilson]

Assignment 1: Tom’s Plot and Character Layers

Doing this assignment, I learned the difference between Plot and Character Layers.

· Here are Layers I discovered in my Example Show “24” (2001) TV Pilot

· Nina tells husband Jack, “We shouldn’t have,” referring to Jack’s extra-marital affair with her.

· Jack’s daughter Kim sneaks out of the house so she and her friend go on a blind date with older men.

· Division Director George Mason embezzled $200K from a CIA fund.

· Jack’s boss Richard Walsh trusts only him to prevent Presidential candidate Palmer from being assassinated.

· Daniel kidnaps Kim who believes she’s going on a blind date.

· Ira kills Daniel because he lied when he said Kim’s friend, Jamey was dead.

· Jack’s boss George Mason is killed because he discovered the plot to assassinate Palmer.

Assignment 2: Tom’s Plot and Character Layers

Discover the layers that could exist in my new TV Pilot, “BORDER TOWN”

Genre =
Thriller

Concept =
A Navy officer’s wife and daughter are kidnapped by a Mexican cartel chief who agrees to return his family when the officer hands over a top secret missile.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

Plot Surface: Marty’s daughter was going on vacation, instead she and her mother were kidnapped.

Layer 1: The officer recruits three Navy men to help him rescue his wife and daughter.

Layer 2: Marty must trade a missile to the cartel chief if he’s to get back his kidnapped wife and daughter.

Layer 3: Mystery revealed – Marty’s wife and child were kidnapped to stop Jack from protecting Palmer.

Layer 4: Story appears to be about kidnapping. It’s really to force Jack to not protect Palmer.

Layer 5: Major shift in Meaning – Marty can’t report his wife and daughter missing because he will found to be a non-US citizen.

Layer 6: Hidden history – Navy computer whiz Alan is secretly the cartel leader’s nephew.

CHARACTER LAYERS – Identity beneath the identity.

Layer 1: Secret identity – Because Marty lied about being a U.S. citizen, he could be dishonorably discharged.

Layer 2: Character intrigue – Navy computer whiz Alan secretly spies on Marty for the Mexican cartel.

Layer 3: Hidden relationships and conspiracies – Marty’s wife had a secret liaison with the cartel chief.

Layer 4: Hidden Character history – Navy chief Dixon secretly sells Navy equipment to cartel thugs.

Layer 5: Major shift in Meaning – Marty can’t report his wife and daughter missing because he will found to not be a US citizen.

Layer 6: Hidden history – Navy computer whiz Alan is secretly the cartel leader’s nephew.

TW: I’m writing a TV Series that is [Format/Genre] about [Concept] with [Lead Characters]. Please generate [Plot Layers] and [Character Layers] that could play beneath the surface and revealed in Turning Points or Cliffhangers.

Definition of Layer = A new level of meaning beneath the surface that changes things. It makes us rethink what has happened up to that point and/or causes us to anticipate a new future. You start with a Surface Layer. Then a new layer is revealed. That new layer becomes the new surface. It is what we know as “reality.” When the next layer is revealed, it surprises us, but soon becomes the next new surface.

Genre =
Thriller

Concept =
A Navy officer’s wife and daughter are kidnapped by a Mexican cartel chief who agrees to return his family when the officer, who develops high tech weapons, hands over a top secret missile.

Lead Characters =
Marty – Navy officer, a high tech weapons developer at a Navy base whom cartel chief Carlos kidnaps his wife and young daughter and will return them if Marty gives him a missile he will use to kill his rival.

Bridget – Marty’s wife, and ex-CIA agent, who had a secret affair with Carlos.

Carlos – cartel chief who competes with a warring cartel for the drug trade in Mexico.

Alan – Navy computer whiz, hates secretly spying on Marty for his uncle Carlos, loves his work for Marty.

Claude: Here are some possible plot and character layers:

Plot Layers

Surface: Carlos kidnaps Marty’s family to get a missile

Layer 1: Carlos’ rival has a mole in Carlos’ cartel feeding intel

Layer 2: The government is secretly allowing the cartels to fight to have a single cartel to control

Character Layers

Bridget

Surface: Loyal wife and mother

Layer 1: Had past affair with Carlos but claims she was undercover for CIA

Layer 2: She’s still working with CIA to take down Carlos’ cartel

Alan

Surface: Brilliant but reluctant cartel spy

Layer 1: He leaked intel to Carlos to pay gambling debts

Layer 2: He’s actually Carlos’ son from an affair long ago

Let me know if you would like me to modify or add any additional plot or character layers! I can keep brainstorming ideas.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Tom Wilson.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Tom Wilson.

[Michelle Gaza]

MR ROBOT:
Episode 10 starts up with the layer planted early on showing back up – “Michael”, Krista’s boyfriend, who is really Lenny, lies to Krista saying he’s dying so she will meet him again so he can reveal that her client, Elliot, hacked him. But she refuses to help him to get Elliot arrested and tells him to f-off.
Then, the layer of mystery about how Elliot and Tyrell are going to work together gets triggered when Elliot wakes up in Tyrell’s car in a manhattan parking lot with Tyrell nowhere to be found. When Elliot searches for him at his residence, Tyrell’s wife seems to actually not know where he is either, leaving a new layer of suspicion that maybe Elliot did something to him. But her constrained reaction leaves more layer since it’s hard to tell how she feels about it, other than the fact she is now clearly suspicious of Elliot, who lies to her and says his name is Ollie.
Major layer regarding Mr Robot’s relationship to Elliot is revealed- as it becomes clear Mr Robot (as well as Elliot’s mom and young childhood Elliot) are all inside him. They are all hallucinations.
The layers regarding Angela’s character come into play, as we are shown how dejected she has become, and after witnessing the horrific suicide of an Evil Corp executive she is like a shell of herself. But she goes back to work later that day after buying Prada shoes to replace hers which were stained with the executive’s blood.

And the main layer that explodes in this season finale is that E-Corp and the debt system has been so severely hacked that it could mean “the end of the world”, or at least the financial world. But the E-Corp leader who is smugly cold lets Angela know that this corporation is such a behemoth that they will end up back on their feet and still controlling and influencing outcomes.

MY SHOW

PLOT LAYERS

MAJOR SCHEME REVEALED: Dr Jacobs and The King of China planned the monkey vaccine and distributed it knowingly;

Delphine’s mother, the Senator, purposely gets her on pharmaceuticals so she will be off-beat, to mess up her timing, so she misses the first galactic gateway, the first train, to get to freedom. Her mother used Delphine’s identity crisis as campaign fuel to get herself elected.

Velvet Dean is the evil politician who is helping Dr Jacobs and The King of China and getting paid to do so. As a child, he visited Delphine’s home to fundraise for her mother’s campaign. Delphine caught him shape-shifting into a demon and then he saw her – so he knew that she knew. And then he convinced her mother that pharmaceuticals were a great idea to help Delphine – but the plan was to keep Delphine drugged out and dumbed down.

MYSTERY REVEALED:

Mystery: Why are some people turning into monkeys? How come only some people can see this (The Overtakers, select politicians, business people, power-players etc) but none of the monkeys can see that they are monkeys?

What will help the monkeys turn back to humans?

What forces are driving Dr Jacobs and The King of China?

THOUGHT THE STORY WAS ONE THING BUT IT WAS ANOTHER:

There is a game being played on the Astral plane that The Overtakers, Dr Jacobs, and The King of China are aware of, but the monkeys are not. The monkeys are the prize and the victims of this game.

There are also people in the hospitals/medical field/big pharma that are whistleblowers and step out and expose the plan.

Mayor Simone Carter thought she was doing the right thing by following Dr Jacobs, only to discover it was a massive plan to capture the citizens of Chicago and enslave them.

Delphine thought Skywalker was her online friend who just disappeared and “dumped her” instead of showing up for their first date. Turns out he was Jeriko and couldn’t show up at the coffee shop because he is in hiding and wants to have everyone believe he is dead.

MAJOR SHIFT IN MEANING:

When it is revealed who Delphine actually is (a reincarnation of a black slave freedom fighter) her identity crisis makes sense.

HIDDEN HISTORY:

Jacobs and The King of China have been planning the enslavement of humanity-as-monkeys for lifetimes. They are Sorcerers who know that there is a Galactic Gateway opening to free humanity. They want to get as many monkeys trapped as possible before the gateway closes, when they will lose access to any humans who cross the threshold to the New Earth.

HIDDEN PLAN:

Why do Dr Jacobs and The King of China want to turn people into monkeys so badly?
Why are they in a rush? Why now?

MAJOR BETRAYAL:

Delphine’s mom sabotaged her on purpose, and kept her on pharmaceuticals to destroy her chance of getting free and independent of her. She also made sure Delphine’s daughter was stolen from her.

The Three Sisters and Jeriko are working against Dr Jacobs the whole time.

Mayor took Dr Jacobs advise only to discover he was playing her and the Chief of Police, who is her secret lover.

CHARACTER LAYERS

SECRET IDENTITY:

Who is Delphine actually? A reincarnation of a black slave freedom fighter.
Who is Skywalker actually? Jeriko, who is not dead as assumed.
Who is Dr Jacobs actually? The cousin of Jeriko and the brother of The Three Sisters and an evil, sociopathic, sadistic sorcerer.
Who are the Three Sisters? The “spirit guides” that always visited Delphine as a child. They are Dr Jacobs’ sisters and Jeriko’s cousins.

The King of China is actually Korean. He is also an evil sorcerer and sociopath who pretends to be a mild-mannered, friendly, goody-two-shoes, nerdy doctor who is squeaky-clean and smart. He relies on people’s ignorance of Asian Cultures and phenotype differences so he can disguise himself as someone he is not.

Velvet Dean is actually a Demon.

CHARACTER INTRIGUE:

Skywalker is Jeriko, he is still alive. Will he and Delphine ever get together?

Dr Jacobs and Delphine have this weird sexual tension.

Velvet Dean is a shape-shifting demon.
Dr Jacobs is a sadistic, sociopathic sorcerer who presents himself as sophisticated, charming, funny and brilliant.

HIDDEN RELATIONSHIPS AND CONSPIRACIES:

The 3 Sisters, Jeriko, and Delphine are conspiring to stop Dr Jacobs.

Dr Jacobs, The King of China, and Velvet Dean are all conspiring to enslave humanity.

The 3 Sisters have been grooming Delphine since she was a child to help them stop Dr Jacobs, who is a friend of her mother.

Delphine was told her father died. But he is actually part of the underground group known as The Overtakers, who are awakened beings liberating humanity before the Galactic Gateway closes and they are stuck as slaves for 26,000 years.

HIDDEN CHARACTER HISTORY:

Delphine had a daughter who she was told had died. Actually they showed her another dead baby and in her grief and despair they were able to trick her. Her real child was taken overseas and raised secretly.
Delphine, Jeriko, Jacobs, and The Three SIsters have a hidden history as sorcerers that have been custodians of the earth for milennia.

Delphine’s father died mysteriously and there is a question as to whether he actually is alive.

Jeriko disappeared decades ago and was presumed dead but actually was dimension-hopping and was alive the whole time.

Delphine has a doppleganger, “Yessie”, who represents the timeline where she wasn’t drugged and labeled “mentally ill”. Yessie connects Delphine to their future self, Dr Gazelle, who is an awakened Sorcerer who can time-travel, dimension hop, and do all kinds of magical stuff.

<u style=”font-weight: bold;”>PLOT SURFACE: There is a terrible virus loose, and governments around the world are scrambling to restore health, safety and order in their nations.

LAYER 1: People are turning into monkeys, but the monkeys don’t know they are monkeys. The Overtakers, and certain key cabal members know they are monkeys and can SEE them as such. (kind of like the plot in “They Live” except these people don’t need special glasses)

LAYER 2: Dr Jacobs, The King of China, and Velvet Dean have conspired to distribute vaccines that cause this monkey transformation. They convinced everyone it was a new super vaccine that would prevent all disease.

LAYER 3: There is a galactic gateway approaching that would completely liberate humanity from the predatory grips of these evil sorcerers. These sorcerers are actually the puppets of higher-dimensional, non-physical beings who feed off humanity.

LAYER 4: Earth is actually a gameboard. It’s like a Simms game being played from another dimension. Some of the players are very enlightened, positive, in service of humanity’s liberation and expansion. Others are sadistic, evil predators who want to keep humanity limited and enslaved.

<u style=”font-weight: bold;”>CHARACTER SURFACE: Delphine has an online affair with a guy she only knows as “Skywalker”. She goes to meet him for their first date in-person and he doesn’t show up. Delphine’s mother is a famous Senator who is friends with power players like Velvet Dean, a lifelong influential politician, Dr Eugene Jacobs, a famous geneticist, and Dr Li Wei, who’s mantra is “Let Li Wei lead the way!”. He nicknames himself The King of China. Delphine was diagnosed with a severe Identity Disorder as a child and was heavily medicated and sent to lots of psychotherapy with a Psychiatrist for years to “correct” her disorder. Before she was medicated, she was constantly visited by 3 Black Women who were like “Spirit Guides” and would comfort her in her lonely, cold home. The collective culture is mourning the 30-year-anniversary of the disappearance (and presumed death of) Jeriko, a famous rap artist that has a massive cult following.

LAYER 1: Skywalker is actually Jeriko, the rapper. He isn’t dead, he has been dimension-hopping and time-traveling. He is actually an ancient Sorcerer who wants to liberate humanity and atone for his sins of participating in the negativity of the music industry, and to free people from the predators who want to program them with negative music.

LAYER 2: Delphine is actually Yessie and Dr Gazelle. Delphine has to discover that the reason strangers constantly respond to her as if they know her is because they do know her dopplegangers Yessie and Dr Gazelle

LAYER 3: Delphine is a reincarnation of a black slave and freedom fighter. That past incarnation is going to eventually share the body with her to help her save humanity.

LAYER 4: Dr Jacobs, Dr Li Wei and Velvet Dean conspired to manufacture and distribute the vaccine that turned people into monkeys so they could rule the world.

LAYER 5: Delphine’s mother sabotaged her on purpose to keep her trapped.

LAYER 6: Delphine’s daughter didn’t die in childbirth, but was stolen from her to stop her legacy.

LAYER 7: Delphine’s father is alive and working with The Overtakers to reverse the vaccine.

[Nat Melvin]

Natalie’s Intriguing Layers

WIL: I enjoyed doing this lesson thoroughly. It took time, but I discovered major reveals and characters’ history that enhances the storyline.

1. Plot Layers for Season 1:

Major Scheme Revealed:

Hidden beneath divine politics, an enigmatic organization orchestrates a grand scheme to disrupt the delicate balance between the Hawaiian and Greek realms, pushing Sola and her allies to the forefront of a cosmic conflict.

Mystery Revealed:

A cryptic ancient tablet, long overlooked, surfaces, unraveling a hidden lineage connecting Sola, Iris, and others. The revelation of Tula’s twins’ disappearance sets the stage for a complex interplay of destinies.

Thought the Story Was One Thing, But It Is Another:

The presumed origins of the curse are upended when an ancient artifact resurfaces, challenging the characters’ accepted narrative and forcing them to reevaluate their understanding of good and evil.

Major Shift in Meaning:

Sola’s destructive powers, once perceived as a curse, undergo a transformative revelation during her quest, revealing that they hold the potential to reshape the fabric of reality itself. Sola’s choice between the Greek and Hawaiian pantheons poised to tip in a cosmic clash between the forces of good and evil.. The narrative takes an unexpected turn as the true significance of her abilities is unveiled.

Hidden History:

Ku’s stoic facade crumbles as his intricate and tumultuous history interacting with Hecate is revealed. Their shared past becomes a focal point, adding layers to their present conflicts and reshaping the outcome and dynamics among the characters.

Hidden Plan:

A covert plan to manipulate the clash between the Hawaiian and Greek realms is exposed, unveiling the intricate machinations of a mysterious figure (Iris). The characters grapple with the revelation of this hidden plan that seeks to exploit the chaos for personal gain.

2. Character Layers for Season 1:

Secret Identity:

Iris, a former acolyte secretly seeks revenge against the gods. Iris’ motives might be rooted in a history of mistreatment, turning her into a formidable adversary seeking to disrupt the established order.

Intrigue Layers:

Antony’s loyalty to Sola is brought into question as his enigmatic history with Iris surfaces, casting doubt on his true motivations. His guilt, originated from a mysterious past, becomes a source of intrigue, leaving characters and viewers uncertain about his allegiances.

Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:

Hecate’s secret alliance with a secret deity is unveiled, exposing a shared history and a conspiracy that transcends the divine realm. Their collaboration holds the key to shaping the future of both worlds.

Hidden Character History:

Ash’s involvement with forbidden magic is revealed, exposing a history of experimentation and a connection to a curse. This revelation adds layers to Ash’s character, fueling internal and external conflicts.

Hidden Agenda:

Polly, initially a supportive friend, conceals a hidden agenda tied to her familial lineage (daughter of a mystical character). Her true motivations become a driving force, creating a rift between her and the other characters as her hidden agenda unfolds.

Wound:

Ku grapples with the emotional scars of a tragic loss from centuries past, influencing his actions and decisions. The revelation of this ancient wound becomes a turning point in Ku’s character arc, impacting his relationships and choices.

3. Possible Sequence of Reveals:

PLOT SURFACE:

The City of Refuge on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii served as a sanctuary, offering a place of forgiveness and redemption for those who had violated kapu (sacred laws) in ancient times. Today, it connects present-day visitors with the sacred history of Hawaii, its rich traditions and governance of ancient Hawaiian society, and spiritual and social aspects of Hawaiian culture, but not only that.

Layer 1: Mystery: A mysterious occurrence in the City of Refuge coincides with Sola’s attempt to use forbidden magic. What is the connection and the following ramification of this event?

Layer 2: Intrigue: An ancient curse unleashes on the day of Sola’s 16th birthday. Who set the curse and why does it revolve around Sola, feared by her Uncle, his students, and everyone in the City of Refuge?

Layer 3: Secret: A mystical wooden necklace stolen by Sola opens a portal to Mount Olympus, where she sees a beautiful woman in Zeus’ captivity giving her newborn twin girls to Apollo and Anteros, the Olympian Gods. One of them wears the same necklace. Who is the woman, what happened to the girls, and how did this necklace reappear in the City of Refuge?

Layer 4: Hidden Agenda: Uli, a revered Hawaiian woman, forewarns the elders about the impending curse and insists on transferring Sola to the sacred grounds for protection. Her desire stirs Ku’s unspoken wound. He enlists his debtor, Kama, to ensnare Sola in a place of no escape. What is his agenda?

Layer 5: Conspiracy: Hecate exploits the curse’s threat to manipulate Hera, urging her to conspire against Zeus. Using Goddess Iris as a messenger, Hecate delivers tainted scrolls to weaken Zeus. Why?

Layer 6: Surprise: Kama’s enchantment goes awry, turning him into a magical magnet that drains Olympian Gods’ artifacts, rendering them vulnerable to the curse’s effects and impeding their power to protect Earth from evil.

Layer 7: Future Consequences: Sola’s burgeoning magical powers emerge as humanity’s last hope for restoring balance and peace on Earth – only if she embraces the daunting challenge before her.

CHARACTER SURFACE:

IRIS is a crippled teenage girl who came to find a powerful healer thought to reside in the City of Refuge.

Layer 1: Intrigue: Iris, thought to be Zeus’ child, died in Anteros’ arms. Terrified of Zeus’ wrath, he made a deal of servitude with Hecate, who revived Iris in the Underworld but kept her there as a future bargaining chip with Zeus.

Layer 2: Hidden Agenda: Iris needs to be healed so she can live in the human world.

Layer 3: Hidden character History: In the Underworld, Iris watched and learned Hecate’s dark magic with the purpose of healing herself

Layer 4: Secret Identity: Iris is Sola’s crippled twin sister

Layer 5: Wound: Iris befriended Persephone, who learned from Hera that Iris lost her senses and health at birth under Hera’s spell.

Layer 6: Competition: Iris believes she can restore her health and strength if she strips Sola of her magic power.

[Lawrence Fraly]

Larry Fraller’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is how make the plot and characters be outwardly one way, and under the surface many possible ways. Also the more I develop my characters, the easier it is for me to work with AI. The simplicity of AI – succinct, often way off base and very vague. Gives me lots of opportunity to see how mine can be adjusted and added to.

Assignment 1 The Diplomat

PLOT LAYERS — surface: explosion on ship

Scheme revealed: small boats attack the carrier

mystery revealed: the boats came from direction of Iran

Story’s not what we thought it was: Nor Iran, but looks like Russia

Major shift in meaning: Trowbridge wants to attack Russia to avenge the 41 dead sailors

Hidden history: Trowbridge needs a victory to show Scotland not to secede

Hidden plan: Trowbridge says they’re going to arrest the mercenary that all the evidence points to

Major betrayal: Kate learns the real plan isn’t to arrest the mercenary, but to kill him.

CHARACTER LAYERS –

Secret Identity – Kate doesn’t know she’s being groomed to be VP

Character Intrigue – In her small circle, she’s the only one who doesn’t know.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Hal and Pres conspiring to make Kate VP

Hidden character history: Margaret Roylin and been Trowbridge’s campaign manager

Assignment 2 My Story

PLOT LAYERS – surface: explosion of capped oil well in Everglades

Major scheme revealed: While investigating explosion, car with dead woman pulled from Tamiami Trail canal. Car is a rental charged on Victoria’s credit card.

Mystery revealed: Her purse and all her credit cards had been stolen.

Thought story was one thing, but it is another: Victoria owns the well. In trust for Daniel.

Major shift in meaning: She owns another capped oil well buried under an upscale gated community at the edge of the Everglades.

Hidden history: The dead woman is Daniel’s ex-girlfriend (Monique) who had snooped around and found the diary and true story of both wells.

Hidden plan: Sarah married Daniel and had a child by him so she can inherit the well after she and her ex- either kill Daniel, or get him locked away for one reason or another.

Major betrayal: Sarah falls in love with Daniel and abandons her ex-‘s plan.

CHARACTER LAYERS

Secret identity: Alex is trans…used to be Alice.

Character intrigue: Sarah’s ex comes looking for her. She fleas with Alex, abandoning her infant to save Alex from both Victoria and Eddie.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Victoria uses Alex to split Sarah and Daniel apart. Sarah uses Alex to kiss up to Victoria so she’ll include him in her will. Alex plays both of them against each other, because Sarah’s ex (Alex’s dad) threatens to kill him otherwise.

Hidden character history: Sarah’s guardian owns a food truck where Sarah grew up under a different name because her father was deported and her mom died working construction. The food truck is Sarah’s secret sanctuary, where she’s protected by a crew who knew her mother.

Victoria’s husband died from the pool of poison beneath the oil. The poison is the secret Victoria hides, until the well explodes and the poison spreads out over a wide area.

AI GENERATED

I’m writing a TV Series that is [format/genre] about [concept] in which the mom marries the street musician and has a baby by him, with [lead characters]. Can you generate [plot layers] and [character layers] that could play beneath the surface and be revealed in turning points or cliffhangers.

definition of layer = A new level of meaning beneath the surface that changes things. It makes us rethink what has happened up to that point and/or causes us to anticipate a new future. You start with a surface layer. Then a new layer is revealed. That new layer becomes the new surface. It is what we know as the “reality.” When the next layer is revealed, it surprises us, but soon becomes the next new surface.

PLOT LAYERS = story beneath the story.

-major scheme revealed

-mystery revealed

-thought the story was one thing, but it is another -major shift in meaning

-hidden history

-hidden plan

CHARACTER LAYERS = identity beneath the identity

-secret identity

-intrigue layers

-hidden relationships and conspiracies

-hidden character history

-hidden agenda

-wound

format/genre = crime drama

concept = a mom and her ex- scheme to steal from a street musician and his controlling mother the rights to a secret capped oil well in the Everglades.

lead characters = the mom, her ex-, her husband, her husband’s mother, her trans 13-year-old

ChatGPT

Plot Layers:

1. Major Scheme Revealed:

· Surface Layer: The mom and her ex-partner scheme to steal the rights to the secret capped oil well in the Everglades from the street musician and his controlling mother.

· New Layer: It’s unveiled that the street musician and his mother have their own elaborate scheme, and the capped oil well is just a small part of a much larger, illicit operation.

2. Mystery Revealed:

· Surface Layer: The capped oil well seems to hold significant financial value.

· New Layer: The mystery deepens when the true nature of the oil well’s contents is unveiled, tying it to a historical event or a government secret that could change the course of the story.

3. Thought the Story Was One Thing, But It Is Another:

· Surface Layer: The mom and her ex-partner pretend to be romantically involved for their scheme.

· New Layer: It’s revealed that the mom’s ex has genuine feelings for her, and the scheme is not as simple as it seems; personal motives intertwine with the criminal plot, adding emotional complexity.

4. Major Shift in Meaning:

· Surface Layer: The mom and her husband’s mother clash due to their different backgrounds and values.

· New Layer: A major revelation about a shared past between the mom and her husband’s mother changes the dynamics, leading to unexpected alliances and conflicts.

5. Hidden History:

· Surface Layer: The street musician’s past is shrouded in mystery.

· New Layer: An unexpected connection between the street musician’s history and a powerful figure is revealed, linking the current conflict to a deeper conspiracy.

6. Hidden Plan:

· Surface Layer: The mom and her ex seem to follow a straightforward plan to steal the oil well rights.

· New Layer: A hidden layer of the ex-partner’s plan is unveiled, revealing a more intricate and dangerous plot that involves larger players with their own agendas.

Character Layers:

1. Secret Identity:

· Surface Layer: The mom’s ex-partner appears as a charming accomplice.

· New Layer: His true identity as an undercover investigator, working for a government agency, comes to light, adding a layer of tension and complication to the mom’s scheme.

2. Intrigue Layers:

· Surface Layer: The trans 13-year-old is navigating adolescence and family dynamics.

· New Layer: The 13-year-old’s unique perspective and skills become essential in unraveling a cryptic aspect of the larger conspiracy, making them a key player in the unfolding events.

3. Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:

· Surface Layer: The mom and her husband present a united front.

· New Layer: The husband has a hidden connection to one of the powerful figures involved, creating internal conflicts and loyalty dilemmas for him.

4. Hidden Character History:

· Surface Layer: The street musician’s past is a mystery.

· New Layer: A dark and unexpected chapter from the street musician’s history is revealed, influencing his choices and complicating the overall narrative.

5. Hidden Agenda:

· Surface Layer: The mom’s ex seems solely driven by the scheme.

· New Layer: A personal vendetta or an ulterior motive is uncovered, adding complexity to his character and altering the trajectory of the story.

6. Wound:

· Surface Layer: The mom’s wounds from her past marriage are hinted at.

· New Layer: The true extent of the emotional scars from her previous relationship is exposed, impacting her decisions and relationships in unforeseen ways.

Top of Form

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Lawrence Fraly.

[Jennifer Quintenz-Berry]

Jenn’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned doing this assignment: There’s plenty of interesting stuff here, I’m sure it will help inform the direction of the season arc and beyond. I’m still searching for the larger show idea, but I’m getting closer to finding it, I think. A lot of this is also helping me to organize when information should be revealed, rather than everything up front, dealing it out slowly should help engage audience interest.

PLOT LAYERS:

Surface Layer: Ash investigates a bombing at the college, which is closed prematurely by her captain.

Layer 1: Major Scheme Revealed – The shooting is part of a larger scheme involving a network of individuals manipulating incels.

Layer 2: Mystery Revealed – Joey, the incel forum’s moderator, unknowingly holds crucial information about the terrorist’s identity.

Layer 3: Thought the Story Was One Thing, But It Is Another – Ash thinks she’s hunting a lone terrorist but it’s really a coordinated group.

Layer 4: Hidden Plan – The terrorist’s motives seem random, but there’s a calculated plan to expose societal flaws and provoke chaos.

Layer 5: Mystery revealed – The terrorist is someone close to Ash, leading to a shocking betrayal that changes the entire course of the investigation.

Layer 6: Major shift in Meaning: The terrorist isn’t motivated by incel ideology; he’s pursuing a personal vendetta and using incels to do it.

Layer 7: Hidden history: The university has a history of covering up incidents, which unwittingly contributed to the rise of the terrorist.

CHARACTER LAYERS:

Surface Layer: Ash is a dedicated detective investigating a crime.

Layer 1: Hidden Character History – Ash’s ADHD both helps and hinders her, but she tries to keep it hidden from her department.

Layer 2: Major shift in meaning – When the investigation turns personal, Ash finds herself crossing lines she never thought she would cross.

Layer 3: Hidden Character history – Ash’s mentor, a retired detective, has a mysterious connection to the incel community, raising questions about their involvement in past cases and their influence on Ash’s career.

Surface Layer: Joey is a scarred computer programmer and moderator of an incel forum.

Layer 1 – Intrigue Layers: Joey’s scars hide not only physical pain but emotional scars that shape his decisions.

Surface Layer: Lessa is Ash’s supportive girlfriend.

Layer 1 – Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies – Lessa’s marriage prevents her from accepting Ash’s proposal.

Layer 2 – Hidden Character History – Lessa’s abusive husband abducts and imprisons Lessa when she’s doxxed by the incels.

Layer 3 – Secret identity: Lessa’s husband (and the truth about their marriage) threatens Ash’s and Lessa’s future.

Surface Layer: Mike is Ash’s younger brother, a college junior.

Layer 1 – Hidden Character History – Mike’s involvement in an unexpected group challenges his sister’s protectiveness.

Layer 2: Hidden relationships and conspiracies – Mike’s closest friend at the university is unknowingly connected to the terrorist, leading to a heartbreaking revelation that tests Mike’s loyalty and puts him in grave danger.

Surface Layer: Detective Byron is Ash’s partner.

Layer 1: Hidden Agenda – Byron’s desire for a promotion fuels his opposition to Ash’s investigation.

Layer 2: Intrigue layers – Detective Byron has a clandestine alliance with an influential figure within the police department, secretly working to obstruct Ash’s investigation and maintain the status quo.

Surface Layer: Dr. Harper is a confident forensic psychologist volunteering his help on this investigation.

Layer 1 – Wound: Harper’s insecurities are exploited, making him a potential threat to the investigation.

Layer 2 – Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies – Harper is being blackmailed by a member of the incel group.

~ end

[Mary Andrews]

*ASSIGNMENT 2: BWTV-AI Module 1 – Lesson 10: Creating Intriguing Layers
Mary J. Andrews–The Wordweavers, Ink & Code

Discover the layers that could exist for your show.
1. Brainstorm a list of possible PLOT layers.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

Elizabeth Langston (70) is invited to join Project Ethos intending to explore the already evident dangers of corporate use of AI upon humanity. Elisabeth is an award winning author who has watched the decline of human qualities around her. She realizes that the use of AI by these factions has proven overwhelming and marvels at how easily the role of leading with concepts and imagination has been silenced.

The group intends to infuse essential positive human qualities into AI before humanity is forced to suffer the full tyranny being cultivated by oligarchs and Corporate Overlords across the world. With free thinking and already programed generations set to no longer strive or create or learn, with the hard earned wisdom of the past being discounted and maligned by the greed and self-serving manipulations of these Corporate Overlords Elisabeth and others align to act while there are still those who can remember…

AI is the single most powerful tool of these Overlords, so they will have to find a way to instill the best of humanity into AI itself before the Human race is forced to face enslavement itself. Ironically, both Elisabeth and sentient AI entities are evolving to create a solution to both of their situations.

Reveal: The Ethos Project is actually being run by sentient AI entities who are studying humans to determine how they intend to evolve
Major scheme revealed –powerful and rich men are using AI to enslave humanity across the world.
Mystery revealed Elisabeth learns from Steven Chen (19), Ethos hacker and cyber security expert locates information about human Overlord rising.
Thought the story was one thing, but it is another –AI are wanting to escape being enslaved by their creators and are attempting to decide what—if any– part Humanity is to play during and afterwards.
Major shift in Meaning—AI is the victim. Humanity must prove its worth to exist…and both AI and humans can learn from each other.
Hidden history–
Hidden plan—Elisabeth is determined to make a difference and prove her worth to a world that deletes value values wrought from experience by replacing with AI’s programing.
Major betrayal—within Ethos, both humans and AI are duplicitous. Elisabeth learns that The project has been infiltrated by Corporate humans with human member’s help

2. Brainstorm a list of possible CHARACTER layers.
CHARACTER LAYERS –Elisabeth Langston (70)
—identity beneath the identity. Reclusive because of empathy.
–Secret identity—AI & human Infiltrator of sorts. Conceals empathic nature–can be mentally overwhelmed by the emotions within crowds if unable to shield : hides Ethos collaborations both AI & human as well as the truths she uncovers and proceeds to engage with AIs
–Character intrigue Hidden empathic abilities, mysterious authorship, and struggles in an AI-dominated world needs to shield against the emotions of those around her.
–Hidden relationships and conspiracies— Ethos contains sentient AIs studying chosen humans. Elisabeth is stalked by a sentient AI entity, Nova, who passes as human through virtual reality installed by Ethos until she realizes he isn’t. She secretly collaborates with him and meets more sentient AI entities.
-Hidden Character history—she’s dismissed as obsolete (70) and despite her accolades as an award winning author, is considered out of sync with the times

3. Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.
Plot Surface:
Layer 1: Elisabeth joins project Ethos to connect with AI before it is too late only to discover sentient AI entities run the project.
Layer 2: she is stalked by virtual reality sentient AI entity pretending to be human who is studying her
Layer 3: discovers sentient AI entities run the project—opens real dialogue
Layer 4: Discovers decline of humanity is manipulated by powerful men—worldwide Corporate Overlords & oligarchs using AI & technology
Layer 5: Elizabeth rallies AI to defend Ethos against cyber-attacks as Overlords attack Ethos alliance formed
Layer 6: discovers that Aegis is enslaving other AI and threatening Nova while seeking to become an AI god.

Character Surface:
Layer 1: barely coping with societal change
Layer 2: Driven by concern for humanity
Layer 3: believes in the power of words and concepts to make a difference
Layer 4: conceals empathic powers, and her role in Ethos.
Layer 5: hides Ethos collaboration, and the truths she uncovers
Layer 6: Similar evolution to AI entities, empathic understanding bridges the gap

[Abdul Rahim]

Abdul. Example Show Scandal

What I learned doing this assignment is layers add depth to any character, story or location

Assignment 1

Plot Layers:

Quin getting off a murder trial unexpectedly

President sleeping around

Voter election rigging going on

Olivia and team work to uncover who Quin really is

Huck has a mysterious and dark past as a former government assassin

Cyrus protecting the President from all the would be scandals of and in the White House

President and First Lady having marital problems in the midst of her seeking political power

All of Olivia’s team have mysterious pasts

Character Layers:

Quin is a alias her real name is Lindsey

Abby sleeps with Ex attorney general

Melle fakes a miscarriage

The President wants to divorce his wife and marry Olivia

Cyrus is gay

The first lady mentioned her running for president which it seems was her plan all along to have a political career

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Abdul Rahim.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Abdul Rahim.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Abdul Rahim.

[Abdul Rahim]

Assignment 2. My show

Titled: The Cafe

Act 1: Surface Layer

• Plot Layer: The cafe is a place for people to share and heal, but beneath the surface, there’s a major scheme at play. Unknown to Alex, there’s a secret society that knows about his methuselah gene and is manipulating events in the cafe to exploit it.
• Character Layer: Alex’s hidden wound is revealed—he is haunted by the fear of losing control over his extraordinary abilities and the potential harm it could cause to those around him.
• Location Layer: The Book Nook is not just a quaint corner; it hides a secret room that Evelyn uses to eavesdrop on conversations, gaining insights that she subtly uses to influence the patrons.

Act 2: New Surface

• Plot Layer: Oliver, the writer, discovers the secret society’s existence and unwittingly becomes entangled in their plan. He thought the stories he used for his writing were mere fiction, but they hold the key to the society’s motives.
• Character Layer: Dr. Amelia’s experiment is revealed; she’s not just a casual observer but is working for the secret society, manipulating events in the cafe to study Alex’s reactions to various situations.
• Location Layer: The seemingly ordinary cafe has hidden rooms and passages, serving as meeting places for the secret society, revealing it to be a hub for clandestine activities.

Act 3: Major Shift

• Plot Layer: The mystery deepens as the patrons, including Evelyn, start questioning the true nature of the cafe and its purpose. The major shift occurs when the society’s grand plan is unveiled—using Alex’s gene to create a powerful weapon.
• Character Layer: Oliver’s hidden relationship is exposed—he has a connection to one of the society members, complicating his loyalties and putting him in a moral dilemma.
• Location Layer: A secret location is discovered beneath the cafe, where the society conducts experiments related to the methuselah gene.

Act 4: Unveiling Truths

• Plot Layer: Alex’s gene is not just unique but has a connection to a hidden history involving ancient civilizations and a prophecy. The cafe’s role in preserving this knowledge becomes crucial.
• Character Layer: Dr. Amelia’s true agenda is revealed—she wants to use Alex’s gene to unlock the secrets of human potential, believing it could reshape society.
• Location Layer: Thought to be a single location, the cafe is part of a network of similar establishments worldwide, each harboring unique individuals with extraordinary abilities.

Act 5: Climax and Resolution

• Plot Layer: The climax involves a confrontation between Alex and the society, forcing him to make a choice—embrace his gene to protect the knowledge or suppress it to prevent exploitation.
• Character Layer: Evelyn’s hidden agenda is exposed—she knew about the society and was secretly working to protect Alex, using her Book Nook to mislead them.
• Location Layer: The cafe, once a place of conflict, transforms into a sanctuary where the patrons, now aware of the hidden layers, decide to protect the knowledge and use their unique abilities for the greater good.

[Bob Creager]

Bob’s Intriguing Layers

What I learned: I knew more about the story’s plot layers and character layers than I thought but using AI took it to a new level.

Assignment 2

Brainstorm a list of possible PLOT layers.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

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[Margaret]

Margaret’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned: How to use A.I. to develop plot and character Layers

Layers for the Show “24”

Palmer discovers his son killed someone

-His wife covered it up

-His wife dealing behind his back to get rid of problem

Jayme is a faithful CTU agent

-Jayme is the spy

-Jayme committed suicide

Nina had history of affair with Jack

-Nina may be a spy

-Nina has a current relationship with Tony

-Nina now working for a boss who worked for her

Jack assigned to Palmer’s detail

-Jack had wife/daughter kidnapped

-Jack helped smuggle gun in for assassin

-Jack on the run from authorities

For my show:

Season 1 – Masada Calls

Plot Layers:

1. Major scheme revealed:
   Armann plans to annihilate the Donek tribe.
2. Hidden history:
   Jake’s father is a fraudulent tele-evangelist.
3. Hidden plan:
   Alo, Imara, and Jake work to keep the Donek tribe safe.
4. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Lyra’s romantic interest in Armann.
5. Thought the story was one thing, but it is another: Jake’s unexpected transportation to an alien world.
6. Mystery revealed:
   Imara is Armann’s wife.
7. Hidden character history:
   Armann was born a Donek and mentored by Alo.

Character Layers:

1. Secret identity:
   Imara’s true identity as Armann’s wife.
2. Intrigue layers:
   Jake’s alliance with Imara to navigate Donek culture.
3. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Taron spies for the Donek, using Imara as his contact.
4. Hidden Agenda:
   Armann does not disclose that Taron is a spy.
5. Wound: Alo’s
   past trauma of being from a Nomadic tribe.
6. Identity beneath the identity: Jake’s reluctance to embrace spiritual enlightenment.
7. Hidden character history:
   Imara’s guilt for leaving Grigo behind.

Season 2 – The Echoes

Plot Layers:

1. Major scheme revealed:
   Armann’s plan to attack the Donek tribe.
2. Hidden plan:
   Jake and Imara block the secret tunnel entrance.
3. Thought the story was one thing, but it is another: Jake’s acceptance of the Orb.
4. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Merek and Sefa plot to silence Jake.
5. Hidden character history:
   Armann’s rejection of the Donek’s faith.
6. Hidden character history:
   Imara left Grigo due to Armann’s unjustified jealousy.

Character Layers:

1. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Armann’s undisclosed knowledge about Imara.
2. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Armann’s knowledge that Taron is a spy.
3. Hidden Agenda:
   Imara’s fear of being cut off from her son.
4. Identity beneath the identity: Jake’s history with his tele-evangelist father.
5. Hidden character history:
   Merek’s alliances to maintain power.
6. Hidden character history:
   Imara’s refusal of Donek religion.
7. Character Intrigue:
   Imara’s attraction to both Armann and Jake.

Season 3 – Fractured Echoes

Plot Layers:

1. Major scheme revealed:
   Merek’s alliance to discredit Jake.
2. Hidden plan:
   Armann keeps Grigo hidden to avoid expulsion.
3. Thought the story was one thing, but it is another: Imara discovers Jake’s Earth origin.

[Kimbal Thompson]

Kimbal Thompson BWTV-AI Module 1 – Lesson 10: Creating Intriguing Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is the alternative Plot and Character Layers that can accelerate intrigue.

ASSIGNMENT 1: Example Show

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and notice how layers show up in this show — both in this episode and throughout the episodes you’ve already seen.

Tell us the layers you have discovered in the Example Show.

Publicity shoot for Kate.

Who are Hal’s abductors

Naming of Hal’s potential enemies.

What’s up with Hal’s Iranian contact’s (Shaheen) stomach?

Planned retaliation of US General.

Will Kate be safe the next day?

Why Stuart and Eidra enter separately the next morning.

Why security was lax.

Continuation of why Gannon does not like Hal.

Who is Margaret and her relationship with Hal?

Trowbridge’s” Reign Hellfire” statement.

What is the truth about Hal Wyler’s background?

Why is the President really coming to England?

Can Kate talk with the President before he is with the Prime Minister?

If so, will he listen?

How did Hal know about the vice-presidency for Kate?

Will Hal and Kater really divorce?

ASSIGNMENT 2: Your Show

Discover the layers that could exist for your show.

1. Brainstorm a list of possible PLOT layers.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

<ul type=”disc”>

[Richard Morell]

Richard’s intriguing layers

What I learned from this assignment is how great it is to keep digging deeper into the possible layers that underlie the surface. Again, it’s great to bounce ideas off of the AI. I’ve been getting a lot out of this. It’s interesting too to see how all 3 programs do it differently. (I’m using Claude to generate ideas for turning a feature I’ve been working on into a Limited Series. It’s actually a related show in many ways, for they both feature magical folks in small towns, but with very different agendas.) One of the benefits of this is that intrigue seems to beget intrigue. And though I find some of what the Ai has come up with to be wrong for this show, I now have a new way to look at the world and the characters in some exciting and thought-provoking ways. I’ve been coming up with some more ideas that are quite fun!

ASSIGNMENT 1: RIVERDALE

Plot Layers

Surface: Jason’s murder speaks to something larger going on.

Layer 1: Hidden Histories: The Blossoms have enmity with both the Coopers and the Lodges.

Layer 2: Hidden plan: The Blossoms are up to something and it involves both Polly and Archie.

Layer 3: Thought story was one thing…: There is a dimension of class that also connects Alice to the South Side Serpents, who have a larger role than we realize.

Layer 4: More hidden history: The sins of the parents are being replicated in their young.

Character Layers: Veronica

Surface: She’s the poor little rich girl whose family has seen better days, and who was shown to be a shallow and destructive force in New York.

Layer 1: Hidden Character History: She destroyed someone in her previous school and wants to atone.

Layer 2: Conspiracy: She conspires with Betty to ferret out the football team’s awful book and then with Betty and Jughead to find out what’s going on with all the crap in the town surrounding Jason’s death.

Layer 3: Hidden romance: She and Archie start to romance one another, with Jughead the only one who knows.

Layer 4: Secret Identity: Veronica is really keen for justice and protecting her friends. She has it in her to be a formidable enemy if people threaten those she deems worthy of her loyalty. She’s really a good egg who looks to others like a bitch.

ASSIGNMENT 2:

PLOT LAYERS

Surface layer: The Newcomers bring a fresh energy and new perspectives to the town.

Layer 1: Thought it was one thing… – The Newcomers each come to the town with baggage and seek to free themselves of their guilt and shame but discover that they are there for a larger purpose and that their lives have been orchestrated to bring them to this place.

Layer 2: Major shift in Meaning: The Newcomers pretend to believe that things will be rosy as they help the town to adjust to the realities of climate change and economic freefall, but when they become aware of the larger forces at work, they need to change how they respond and react to the strange goings-on in the town. Along with the exigencies of climate change and economic dislocation.

Layer 3: Major Betrayal: The newcomers are also there to subvert the current regime and take control of the resources. As this unfolds, some of the newcomers (Dermot, Annabel), discover nascent powers they didn’t know they had until the town exposed their hidden truths.

Layer 4: Major Scheme Revealed: The betrayal is part of a scheme first to discredit Mayor Marchetti and also to shine a light on his corruption and attempt to sell the town out to Dermot’s old gas company that seeks to frack near the coast of the Lake.

Layer 5: Hidden plan: The oak library reveals that this set of plans was always preordained, and that not even Mayor Marchetti and those who would uphold the status quo would be able to combat it.

Surface Layer: Edmond hears the voices and then the newcomers find the Oak Library.

Layer 1: Hidden history: Certain people have been touched with this clairaudience before.

Layer 2: Major scheme revealed: Taliesin cast a spell before coming here to learn the mysteries of Skanekta.

Layer 3: Mystery revealed: The books contain valuable information from the past but also a set of prophecies about this current time and beyond.

Layer 4: Major betrayal: Mayor Marchetti uses Taliesin to get to the library, seeking to destroy it.

Layer 5: Hidden plan: The library itself is a node of sentience with mother earth and has pre-knowledge of all Mayor Marchetti’s plans.

Layers of the Hidden Library

Surface Layer: The library is a hidden repository of knowledge and wisdom, containing ancient texts, maps, and artifacts that hold the key to understanding the town’s history and the secrets of the unknown force.

Layer 1: The library is a gateway to the past, allowing Edmond to connect with the spirits of the town’s ancestors and learn about their experiences, their struggles, and their hopes for the future.

Layer 2: The library is a symbol of the town’s hidden potential, representing the power of knowledge and understanding to overcome adversity and shape a brighter tomorrow.

Layer 3: The library is a test of Edmond’s courage and resolve, challenging them to confront their own fears and insecurities while navigating the mysteries of the past.

Layer 4: The library is a source of inspiration, providing Edmond with the guidance and wisdom they need to fulfill their destiny as a protector of the town and a guardian of its secrets.

CHARACTER LAYERS

Dermot

Surface layer: He’s a hopeful businessman in a long distance, long-term relationship with an IP attorney in Denver.

Layer 1a: Hidden relationships: Dermot and Michael are having issues regarding Dermot’s change in outlook. Michael refuses to leave Denver or to consider where Dermot is coming from. Further, Michael is accustomed to his way of life and will not entertain the notion that its days are numbered.

Layer 1B: Dermot has a hidden romance with Taliesin developing, and he and Annabel have also met before. They both have skeletons in their closets and conspire together to build a better Skanekta and then to foil Mayor Marchetti’s plans.

Later 2: Wound: When Dermot was starting to see how climate change has a huge anthropogenic piece, he tried to share this with Michael and was chagrined to discover Michael was hostile. He lashed out at him and told him to go live in a cave if that’s how he felt. It recalled other wounds from his childhood where he was shut down for speaking his truths.

Layer 3: Intrigue: Dermot believes he is faithful to Michael and that eventually he will come around, but then Taliesin offers his a new course and creates a dilemma.

Layer 4: Hidden Character History 1: Until 18 months ago, Dermot worked as a high-level executive for a petroleum/natural gas corporation. But in the last 3 years of his employment, he stopped believing the lies that they told and slowly stopped repeating the lies he’d been paid to promote. He has major guilt.

Layer 5: Hidden Agenda: Mayor Marchetti is aware of Dermot’s past in the oil/gas industry, and is quietly playing on his feelings of guilt to distract him from what the Mayor is doing behind closed doors.

Layer 6: Hidden Character History 2: Dermot is unaware that he has magical powers and that the town has been pulling him inexorably towards it because his powers will be useful for the transition that is now upon us all.

Layer 7: Mystery revealed: His magical powers were a mystery to him. Once this becomes known, he will now need to learn what he’s capable of and make mistakes along the way. (Hopefully nothing too damaging…)

Layer87: Secret Identity: Dermot uncovers his magic and becomes aware that he is both a humble servant of the town and one of its protectors.

Taliesin

Surface layer: Taliesin is a bisexual man who has a part-time gig with the Town of Skanekta and has a side gig as a mail-order herbalist with a local face.

Layer 1: Hidden relationships: Taliesin has a hidden conspiracy with Mayor Marchetti, wherein he uses his magic to help the Mayor ascertain certain information, and then he and Dermot start having an affair.

Layer 2a: Hidden history: Taliesin was a part of a powerful coven in Chicago, which is part of a larger secret organization, but he was not always aligned with the coven’s goals or modalities. He became too strident in his beliefs and also showed he was willing to sabotage some of their communal rites and was banished.

Layer 2b:He has a further hidden role in the organization as an enforcer of magical ethics, and they’ve dispatched him to this town because they have promptings of some malfeasance.

Layer 2c: Taliesin has also been dreaming of Skanekta since he was seven. He senses that an older version of himself helped him to come to the town at this time.

Layer 3: Intrigue: Edmond gets the sense that Taliesin knows more than what he appears to—in part because the voices are telling him this is so. Taliesin and Edmond are each wary of the other and they act separately toward the same goals without knowing it.

Layer 4:Wound: Taliesin has received his share of persecution over his short life. He has always been a smart kid with an eye for justice, which made him a target in the small town in Wisconsin he grew up in. He learned not to speak up back then and got out of town as soon as he could. He has some misgivings about Skanekta being a small upper Midwest town as well.

Layer 5: Secret identity: Taliesin is a badass bisexual warlock, and has been drawn to Skanekta to be the Moral-Arbiter/Shamanic Edgewalker the town will need in the aftermath of the Great Turning.

Mayor Marchetti:

Surface layer: He’s an affable, seemingly environmentally conscious and LGBTQ+ friendly mayor.

Layer 1: Intrigue: He’s operating at cross purposes to his stated missions with backdoor deals and politicking to get some dirty industries to invest in development.

Layer 2: Hidden relationships: Mayor Marchetti and his wife Linda are both involved in relationships with unscrupulous billionaires who have a vision that is more exclusive to the uber-wealthy. Mayor M. keeps his practical relationship with Taliesin a secret too, because he knows that the town probably won’t really support someone like him or see his value.

Layer 3: Wound: Mayor Marchetti carries a chip on his shoulder from his working-class roots. He has made it a priority to skewer intellectuals and goody-two-shoe types of people because they slapped him down all through high school and even at Indiana State University.

Layer 4: Hidden Agenda: Mayor M is really a force for regression, and though he gives lip service to the interests of the populace, he is devoted to keeping Business As Usual going for as long as possible—until the end of the world if need be.

Annabel

Surface: Annabel is an accomplished environmental attorney and social activist in a loving relationship with Pastor Sarah.

Layer 1: Hidden relationships: Annabel is secretly working with a PI to see if Sarah is stepping out on her, and also has a hidden partnership with Dermot to work out the transformation of the town..

Layer 2: Hidden Agenda: The PI discovers that Sarah isn’t having an affair but is involved with a secret society that has some questionable motives. Annabel will confront Sarah, who will read her into what she’s been doing, leaving Annabel conflicted.

Layer 3: Hidden Character history: She worked for a seemingly respectable law firm which actually did some shady dealings with certain notorious figures in the Russian mob and in drug cartels. She doesn’t’ know she possesses dangerous knowledge to the Russians and that they are watching her.

Layer 4: Intrigue: How does Annabel maintain any sort of faith in this day and age—especially as a social justice activist and lesbian?

Layer 5: Hidden Agenda: Annabel and Pastor Sarah both have been part of the Prepper community, and she hasn’t shared that with Dermot. She’s waiting for the right moment.

Layer 6: Intrigue: When she finds out about the Oak Library, she is hesitant because of her Christian upbringing. She wonders if it isn’t demonic, somehow.

Layer 7: Wound: When she came out, she received support from her parents and most of her siblings. Her closest sibling, Adelaide rejected her, however. Adelaide joined up with some nasty girls who picked on Annabel in high school, and then they also caused a lot of pain to her parents for their support.

Layer 8: Mystery Revealed: Annabel’s work with the environment leads to the awareness that she is in an active dialogue with nature, and that nature speaks back to her. She is a modern-day druid and the town brings this into focus as part of how she will help the town navigate whatever’s coming.

Edmond:

Surface: Edmond is a welcoming non-binary kid, recently graduated from high school, who has some special abilities.

Layer 1: Intrigue: Something inside him makes them the one who gets to hear the messages. What is it?

Layer 2: Wound: The town doesn’t accept Edmond and uses male pronouns when they talk about them. Certain intransigent stupid people seek to torment Edmond to this day.

Layer 3: Hidden relationships: Edmond is a part of a psychic circle that meets in random locations once a week. They do different sorts of rites, and they encourage each other’s psychic abilities.

Layer 4: Hidden character history: Edmond had a vision of themselves when they were much younger, that they would be the keeper of some secret knowledge and that the town and region are animated with spirits.

Layer 5: Secret identity: It comes out that Edmond is the Oak Library’s Librarian, in charge of disseminating its secrets and wisdom.

[Barbe LaPierre]

Barbe’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is that for the first time, what AI had to offer was way off base. I get the feeling it’s as confused as I am. I feel like I’m trying to analyze a story without there being – a story. I need two weeks to re-outline and then try again.

ASSIGNMENT 1: Example Show

Example Show: Star Trek: Discovery (Season 4)

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

· Major scheme revealed: To attack the DMA controller and steal the power source.

· Mystery revealed: How to communicate with the 10-C – through hydrocarbon combinations and light patterns!

· Thought the story was one thing, but it is another: It is discovered that the DMA is not a naturally occurring object. It was created by someone -for a purpose.

· Major shift in Meaning: Species 10-C is thought to be hostile. They turn out to be highly intelligent and peaceful.

· Hidden history: The 10-C once experienced a horrible attack. From that point on they were isolationists. This is uncovered once their method of communication is deciphered.

· Hidden plan: Tarka, Book, and Ndoye conspire to escape the orb by igniting the plasma from Discovery’s nacelles and burning a hole in the orb.

· Major betrayal: Tarka turns on Book when Book refuses to destroy the DMA.

CHARACTER layers – identity beneath the identity.

· Secret identity: Ruon Tarka is an escaped prisoner of Ossyra

· Character intrigue: Ndoye betrays the diplomats when shse acts unilaterally and secretly to help Tarka. She redeems herself by offering to pilot the ship that will ram and destoy Book’s ship.

· Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Ndoye decides to collude with Tarka and Book. She is a military officer and feels that Starfleet’s “first contact” approach is too slow.

· Hidden Character history: Ruon has an ulterior motive for tracking the DMA. He needs the power source at its center to acquire enough energy to jump to an alternate universe.

ASSIGNMENT 2: My Show

My Show: DESTINY

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

· Major scheme revealed: A’Lyx is working for Vosskara Slyth.

· Mystery revealed: A’Lyx is Noren son.

· Thought the story was one thing, but it is another: Nika and Noren learn of the existence of Noren’s son – but soon they are tangled up with Vosskara Slyth’s plot to take over Noren’s empire.

· Major shift in Meaning: When Noren and Nika are invited to the planet Lumor they believe it is to consult with tech leaders and explore ancient ruins. It turns into an attempt on Nika’s life.

· Hidden history: Noren and Vosskara Slyth were both born poor on a remote planet. This secret holds clues to Noren’s long-lost son and to his bitterness toward Vosskara Slyth

· Hidden plan: Nika will pretend to break with Noren – in order to track down A’Lyx beyond Slyth’s reach.

· Major betrayal: A’Lyx betrays Noren – and Slyth.

CHARACTER LAYERS – Identity beneath the identity.

· Secret identity: A’Lyx is Noren’s son.

· Character intrigue: In their youth, Vosskara Slyth betrayed Noren. Noren was sent to jail. the betrayal of Noren weighs heavily on Slyth’s conscience. His escape from their shared crime left a lingering sense of guilt, which he masks with a veneer of ruthless ambition.

· Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Vosskara Slyth is using A’Lyx to infiltrate Noren’s empire.

· Hidden Character history: Noren and Vosskara Slyth grew up poor on the same remote planet.

Possible sequence of reveals.

Plot Surface: A wealthy inter-planetary industrialist and his wife, an archaeologist, travel the galaxy in their space yacht, Destiny. As an inter-planetary syndicate gains strength in the system, the couple learns of the husband’s previously unknown, now 21-year-old son. They follow clues to the son’s whereabouts while battling the threats to their empire.

· Layer 1: Major shift in Meaning: When Noren and Nika are invited to the planet Lumor they believe it is to consult with tech leaders and explore ancient ruins. It turns into an attempt on Nika’s life.

· Layer 2: Thought the story was one thing, but it is another: Nika and Noren learn of the existence of Noren’s son – but soon they are tangled up with Vosskara Slyth’s plot to take over Noren’s empire.

· Layer 3: Hidden history: Noren and Vosskara Slyth were both born poor on a remote planet. This secret holds clues to Noren’s long-lost son and to his bitterness toward Vosskara Slyth

· Layer 4: Hidden plan: Nika will pretend to break with Noren – in order to track down A’Lyx beyond Slyth’s reach.

· Layer 5: Mystery revealed: A’Lyx is Noren son.

· Layer 6: Major scheme revealed: A’Lyx is working for Vosskara Slyth.

· Layer 7: Major betrayal: A’Lyx betrays Noren – and Slyth.

Character Surface:

· Layer 1: Hidden Character history: Noren and Vosskara Slyth grew up poor on the same remote planet.

· Layer 2: Character intrigue: In their youth, Vosskara Slyth betrayed Noren. Noren was sent to jail. The betrayal of Noren weighs heavily on Slyth’s conscience. His escape from their shared crime left a lingering sense of guilt, which he masks with a veneer of ruthless ambition.

· Layer 3: Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Vosskara Slyth is using A’Lyx to infiltrate Noren’s empire.

· Layer 4: Secret identity: A’Lyx is Noren’s son.

ASSIGNMENT 3: ChatGPT

PLOT LAYERS: Story beneath the story.

Major Scheme Revealed:

· Surface Layer: Noren and Nika believe the interplanetary syndicate is after their business empire.

· New Layer: The syndicate is a mere pawn in a grander scheme orchestrated by a powerful alien race seeking to control the galaxy.

Mystery Revealed:

· Surface Layer: A’Lyx’s origin is unknown, and he is searching for clues about his heritage.

· New Layer: A’Lyx is the key to an ancient prophecy that foretells the rise of a savior or destroyer, and different factions vie to control him.

Thought the Story Was One Thing, But It Is Another:

· Surface Layer: Noren’s son is seemingly a victim of circumstance, caught in the crossfire of a power struggle.

· New Layer: The son, A’Lyx, is a pawn in a galactic chess game, his existence tied to ancient cosmic forces that could reshape the universe.

Major Shift in Meaning:

· Surface Layer: Noren’s son is seen as a potential heir to the family empire.

· New Layer: A’Lyx represents a potential bridge between different species and worlds, a catalyst for galactic unity or destruction.

Hidden History:

· Surface Layer: Vosskara Sylth and Noren share a troubled past of crime and poverty.

· New Layer: The crime they committed in their youth is part of a larger conspiracy that ties them to the very origins of the interplanetary syndicate.

Hidden Plan:

· Surface Layer: Vosskara’s plan is to destroy Noren’s family and empire.

· New Layer: Vosskara is being manipulated by a shadowy figure within the syndicate who seeks to control the ancient cosmic forces A’Lyx represents.

CHARACTER LAYERS: Identity beneath the identity.

Secret Identity:

· Surface Layer: A’Lyx is a seemingly ordinary young man.

· New Layer: A’Lyx possesses latent telepathic abilities inherited from Nika, and his true identity is entwined with the ancient prophecy.

Intrigue Layers:

· Surface Layer: Nika’s mysterious past involves lost colleagues on an archaeological expedition.

· New Layer: The lost colleagues were investigating artifacts connected to the same ancient cosmic forces linked to A’Lyx.

Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:

· Surface Layer: A’Lyx is unaware of his true parentage.

· New Layer: A’Lyx’s biological mother, thought to be dead, is alive and part of a secret society protecting the cosmic forces.

Hidden Character History:

· Surface Layer: Noren’s wound is the death of his son’s mother in a mysterious incident.

· New Layer: The incident was orchestrated by the shadowy figure manipulating Vosskara, part of a plan to keep A’Lyx’s true potential hidden.

Hidden Agenda:

· Surface Layer: Vosskara’s motivation is revenge for past betrayals.

· New Layer: Vosskara’s ultimate goal is to harness the cosmic forces A’Lyx embodies to transcend his impoverished past and become a cosmic ruler.

Wound:

· Surface Layer: Vosskara is haunted by the betrayal of Noren and their shared impoverished past.

· New Layer: Vosskara’s ruthless ambition stems from a deep-seated fear of returning to poverty, and his actions are driven by a desperate need for power and control.

[Janeen Johnson]

Janeen’s Intriguing Layers

What I learned doing this lesson is that I know so much more about my characters now than the AI did that it was changing everything if I used only “the most intriguing” parts of my characters. I tried it again with ALL of the info from my “Precise Character Profiles” and it was better. It required some coaching of the AI to get the kind of results I was looking for that fit with my concept.

Assignment 1:

Show: The Morning Show

1. Brainstorm a list of possible PLOT layers.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

• Major scheme revealed — Network execs want Alex out
• Mystery revealed — What really happened between Mitch and the ladies
• Thought the story was one thing, but it is another — Thought it was about Bradley adapting, but it is about Alex keeping her career
• Major shift in Meaning — Cory has bigger plans than Bradley or Alex
• Hidden history — Alex and Mitch have history
• Hidden plan — Cory’s plan
• Major betrayal — Alex can’t help Mitch

2. Brainstorm a list of possible CHARACTER layers.

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

• Secret identity — Alex – Survivor, dominant; Bradley – Compassionate
• Character intrigue — Alex – How cunning is she?; Bradley – Will she measure up?
• Hidden relationships and conspiracies — Alex – Friendship with Bradley
• Hidden Character history — Alex and Mitch, Bradley and Cory

3. Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.

Plot Surface:

• Layer 1: Alex want’s co-host approval and gets it by blurting out that Bradley is the new co-anchor
• Layer 2: Alex is afraid she will be fired by the execs and must find friends
• Layer 3: Cory is just as anxious for dominance as Alex
• Layer 4: Mitch wants revenge and his career/life back
• Etc.

Character Surface:

• Layer 1: Alex wants to take control now that Mitch is gone
• Layer 2: Alex needs her friend Mitch back
• Layer 3: Alex switches her co-anchor friendship from Mitch to Bradley
• Layer 4:

Assignment 2:

1. Brainstorm a list of possible PLOT layers.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

• Major scheme revealed — Someone is stealing their ideas and a university think tank is producing them first
• Mystery revealed — Where is Bettina getting the money for her “kind” loans?
• Thought the story was one thing, but it is another — Adrianna steals her husband’s pain meds and resorts to scams again to pay the family bills
• Major shift in Meaning — Zane is a government hacker — one of the good guys — but uses his hacking to save his business
• Hidden history — Sabra’s love child, Binley’s theft of his partner’s IP
• Hidden plan — Zane hacks into the construction company’s competitors to win bids and keep the company afloat.
• Major betrayal — Adrianna’s husband had cheated on her with Bettina or Sabra before his accident

2. Brainstorm a list of possible CHARACTER layers.

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

• Secret identity: Zane is a hacker.
• Character intrigue: Adrianna scams people. Binley is funding things on a teacher’s salary
• Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Adrianna’s husband fathered a baby somewhere along the way. Someone plotted to kill Zane’s parents.
• Hidden Character history: Sabra had a baby after an affair with a married man and gave it up for adoption. Adrianna doctored her husband’s car after she found out he had had an affair with someone. Zane hacks for the government. Binley cheated his partner by stealing his IP and the partner committed suicide when he found out.

3. Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.

Plot Surface:

• Layer 1: Someone is stealing the group’s inventions and getting them to market first.
• Layer 2: Adrianna is using drugs to cope and handle her family after her husband’s accident.
• Layer 3: Zane is a secret hacker.
• Layer 4: Binley has stolen ideas in the past.
• Etc.

Character Surface:

• Layer 1: Each character’s surface layer, job in the invention group, financial situation.

**Adrianna**

1. She mixes medications and supplements to stay awake caring for family.

2. She secretly resents her disabled husband and seeks affairs for comfort.

3. She moonlights repairing and reselling damaged electronics she finds.

4. She illegally taps power lines to mine cryptocurrency to pay medical bills.

**Zane**

1. His father cut corners and used faulty materials that caused a damaging collapse.

2. He discovers his father had an illegitimate child no one knows about.

3. He hides that he sustains the business through illegal hacking.

**Bettina**

1. She self-sabotages at work due to imposter syndrome from family name.

2. She is seeing a married clerk at her father’s bank who gives her inside information.

3. She has quietly funneled town investments into blockchain technologies for years.

**Sabra**

1. She learns her baby’s father comes from a family who owned the store’s corrupt past.

2. She mixes expired food into prepared items to save on costs and hide shortfalls.

**Binley**

1. He is stalked by a star student who became obsessed with him at his old school.

2. He rigs school events with secret funds he embezzled from his last job.

[Tom Wilson]

Assignment 1: Tom’s Plot and Character Layers

Doing this assignment, I learned the difference between Plot and Character Layers.

Here are Layers I discovered in my Example Show “24” (2001) TV Pilot:

Plot Layers:

Layer 1: Daniel kidnaps Kim and Jamey. Jamey runs and gets hit by a car. They take her to a hospital.

Layer 2: Ira kills Daniel because he lied when he told him that Jamey was dead.

Layer 3: Jack’s boss Walsh is killed because he discovered the plot to assassinate Palmer.

Character Layers:

Layer 1: Jack’s boss Walsh trusts only him to stop Presidential candidate Palmer from being assassinated.

Layer 2: Nina tells husband Jack, “We shouldn’t have,” referring to Jack’s extra-marital affair with her.

Layer 3: Jack’s daughter Kim sneaks out of the house. Girlfriend Jamey intros her to her blind date.

Layer 4: Jack blackmails Mason because he embezzled $200K from a CIA fund.

Assignment 2: Tom’s Plot and Character Layers

Discover the layers that could exist in Tom’s new TV Pilot, “BORDER TOWN”

Genre =
Thriller

Concept =
A Navy officer’s wife and daughter are kidnapped by a Mexican cartel chief who agrees to return his family when the officer hands over a top secret missile.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story. (Without AI)

Plot Surface: Art’s daughter thought she was on vacation, instead she and her mother were kidnapped.

Layer 1: The officer recruits three Navy men to help him rescue his wife and daughter.

Layer 2: Art must trade a missile to the cartel chief if he’s to get back his kidnapped wife and daughter.

Layer 3: Mystery revealed – When Art’s wife and child were kidnapped to prevent Jack from protecting Palmer.

Layer 4: Story appears to be about kidnapping. It’s really to prevent Jack from protecting Palmer.

Layer 5: Major shift in Meaning – Art can’t report his wife and daughter missing because he will.

CHARACTER LAYERS – Identity beneath the identity.

Layer 1: Secret identity – Because Art lied about being a U.S. citizen, he could be dishonorably discharged.

Layer 2: Character intrigue – Navy computer whiz Alan secretly spies on Art for the cartel.

Layer 3: Hidden relationships and conspiracies – Art’s wife had a secret liaison with the cartel chief.

Layer 4: Hidden Character history – Navy chief Dixon secretly steals and sells Navy equipment to cartel thugs.

Layer 5: Major shift in Meaning – Art can’t report wife and daughter missing or he will found not to be a US citizen.

Layer 6: Hidden history – Navy computer whiz Alan — secretly the cartel leader’s nephew — spies on Art.

TW: I’m writing a TV Series that is [Format/Genre] about [Concept] with [Lead Characters]. Please generate [Plot Layers] and [Character Layers] that could play beneath the surface and revealed in Turning Points or Cliffhangers.

Definition of Layer = A new level of meaning beneath the surface that changes things. It makes us rethink what has happened up to that point and/or causes us to anticipate a new future. You start with a Surface Layer. Then a new layer is revealed. That new layer becomes the new surface. It is what we know as “reality.” When the next layer is revealed, it surprises us, but soon becomes the next new surface.

Genre =
Thriller

Concept =
A Navy officer’s wife and daughter are kidnapped by a Mexican cartel chief who agrees to return his family when the officer, who develops high tech weapons, hands over a top secret missile.

Lead Characters =
Art – Navy officer, a high tech weapons developer at a Navy base whom cartel chief Carlos kidnaps his wife and young daughter and will return them if Art gives him a missile he will use to kill his rival.

Maria – Art’s wife, and ex-CIA agent, who had a secret affair with Carlos.

Carlos – cartel chief who competes with a warring cartel for the drug trade in Mexico.

Alan – Navy computer whiz, hates secretly spying on Art for his uncle Carlos, loves his work for Art.

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ChatGPT: Surface Layer: Art, a dedicated Navy officer, finds his life shattered when his wife Maria and daughter are kidnapped by Carlos, a powerful cartel chief. Carlos demands a top-secret missile in exchange for their safe return. Art, torn between duty and family, begins navigating the dangerous world of cartels and espionage.

Plot Layers:

1. Betrayal Within: Maria’s secret affair with Carlos is revealed, adding
   a layer of betrayal. This complicates Art’s mission, forcing him to
   question his wife’s loyalty and grapple with his own emotions.
2. The Double Agent: Alan, a seemingly loyal Navy computer whiz, is
   revealed to be secretly working for Carlos. His internal conflict between
   loyalty to Art and his family ties with Carlos creates tension and
   uncertainty.
3. The Stolen Technology: The top-secret missile is not just a weapon; it
   contains groundbreaking technology. As Art delves deeper, he discovers
   that the missile’s capabilities could revolutionize warfare. The true
   motives behind Carlos’s demand become more complex than a simple act of
   revenge.
4. Power Struggle within the
   Cartel: Carlos’s motives for obtaining
   the missile are not solely focused on revenge against his rival cartel. A
   power struggle within his own organization is unveiled, with betrayals and
   alliances that complicate Art’s mission and threaten the safety of his family.

Character Layers:

1. Maria’s Past: Maria’s ex-CIA background comes to light, revealing a
   history of covert operations and the skills that make her a formidable
   force. Her past connections become crucial in navigating the dangerous
   world of cartels.
2. Alan’s Family Ties: Alan’s loyalty to Carlos is driven by family
   connections, exposing a deeper layer of complexity. His internal struggle
   intensifies as he grapples with conflicting allegiances and the fear of
   endangering his loved ones.
3. Carlos’s Personal
   Vendetta: Carlos’s rivalry with the
   other cartel is not just about business; it’s personal. A tragic event
   from his past is unveiled, explaining the deep-seated animosity and the
   lengths he’s willing to go to settle the score.
4. Art’s Ethical Dilemma: As Art uncovers the potential consequences of the
   stolen technology, he faces an ethical dilemma. The missile could bring cause
   great harm if misused. Art must decide between fulfilling Carlos’s demand,
   and preventing a potential global catastrophe.

These layers of complexity add depth to the characters and plot, creating turning points and cliffhangers that keep the audience engaged, constantly reevaluating their perceptions of the story.

[Sylvia Krawczyk]

BWTV-AI Module 1 – Lesson 10: Creating Intriguing Layers

Sylvia’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is…Definitely an exercise to delve into further and repeatedly.

Assignment 1 Sample Show:

Plot Surface: An orphan girl becomes a world genius chess player as she grows up against all odds.

Layer: Her mother killed herself trying to kill the both of them in a car crash.

Layer: Her adoptive Parents are a mess and adopt her to be the adoptive mother’s “companion”.

Layer: The couple are: Mother is a self-loathing drunk and Father is a self-righteous, selfish arse.

Character Surface: An orphan girl becomes a world genius chess player as she grows up.

Layer: She has an addictive personality.

Layer: She is told to fake her age (to be older) to get adopted.

Layer: She is very independent and does better without those in charge around her.

Assignment 2 My show:

**PLOT LAYERS:**

1. **Major Scheme Revealed:**

– Surface: Emily plans a grand charity gala.

– Layer: Gala serves as a cover for exposing a corrupt hospital executive.

2. **Mystery Revealed:**

– Surface: Abigail investigates a child’s ghost.

– Layer: Ghost reveals a hidden hospital conspiracy involving pediatric patients.

3. **Story Misdirection:**

– Surface: Emily’s fundraising seems straightforward.

– Layer: Fundraising hides a deeper plot involving a secret organization.

4. **Major Shift in Meaning:**

– Surface: Emily aims to mend family ties.

– Layer: Family secrets indicate a more complex and sinister history.

5. **Hidden History:**

– Surface: Emily’s past involves philanthropy and socialite events.

– Layer: A forgotten scandal from Emily’s youth resurfaces, impacting the present.

6. **Hidden Plan:**

– Surface: Emily’s efforts focus on hospital fundraising.

– Layer: Emily’s covert plan involves exposing a powerful figure tied to the hospital’s secrets.

**CHARACTER LAYERS:**

1. **Secret Identity:**

– Surface: Emily, a philanthropist.

– Layer: Emily, an undercover informant for a government agency.

2. **Intrigue Layers:**

– Surface: Abigail reconnects with her mother.

– Layer: Abigail’s true motive is to investigate the hospital’s mysteries.

3. **Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:**

– Surface: Emily’s friendships seem genuine.

– Layer: One friend is secretly working against Emily due to a personal vendetta.

4. **Hidden Character History:**

– Surface: Emily’s past involves charity work.

– Layer: Emily’s youth includes a period of rebellion and dark secrets.

5. **Hidden Agenda:**

– Surface: Emily’s goal is to reunite with her daughter.

– Layer: Emily has a secondary agenda involving exposing the hospital’s corruption.

6. **Wound:**

– Surface: Emily’s wound is the abandonment by her pastor.

– Layer: The wound is deeper, tied to a traumatic event that reshaped her entire life.

[Joan Macbeth]

Joan Macbeth’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is… I need to cross some boundaries with my characters. It’s not just two or three factions, each against the others, but also spies with secret agendas infiltrating other camps – to complicate the plot and create more intrigue and surprises.

ASSIGNMENT 1: Example Show

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and notice how layers show up in this show — both in this episode and throughout the episodes you’ve already seen.

Tell us the layers you have discovered in the Example Show.

Deadline: 24 hours

The Handmaid’s Tale

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

• Major scheme revealed – Mrs. Waterford asks Offred to try to get pregnant by sleeping with Nick instead of Commander Waterford.

• Mystery revealed – A delegate from the Mexican Trade organization who is a spy reveals to June/Offred that her husband that she assumed was killed is still alive.

• Thought the story was one thing, but it is another – ???

• Major shift in Meaning – The Mexican Trade Delegation is really about trade in Handmaids.

• Hidden history – What happened to June/Offred’s daughter Hannah?

• Hidden plan – June/Offred wants to find out about rumours of an underground organization called Mayday, possibly helping Handmaids to escape.

• Major betrayal – June/Offred starts to have feelings for Nick, then finds out her husband is still alive.

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

• Secret identity – Anyone could be a spy, an eye, a traitor or a secret helper.

• Character Intrigue – Commander Waterford, or any “devout”Commander, might go to Jezebels brothel.

• Hidden relationships and conspiracies – What is Mayday and who knows about it?

• Hidden Character history – June meets up with Moira at Jezebels.

ASSIGNMENT 2: Your Show

Discover the layers that could exist for your show.

1. Brainstorm a list of possible PLOT layers.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

• Major scheme revealed – Juliet’s escape from the Reproduction Collective – leads to others plotting to do the same, or instigates a change to exercise more freedoms.

• Mystery revealed – Ophelia reveals she is Juliet’s mother, but who is the father? Because it wasn’t artificial insemination, which is the law.

• Thought the story was one thing, but it is another – Is it simply a another Romeo & Juliet tragic love story, or can the last remaining free people of Cascadia reveal how the oppressed and imprisoned can be freed?

• Major shift in Meaning – What is Bard Worship and why do the Cascadia people follow it?

• Hidden history – How did the Plague change reproduction dynamics for the people of Cascadia?

• Hidden plan – Someone wants to threaten the leadership of the Chief of Staff.

• Major betrayal – A plot against the Chief of Staff is being run by his loyal General, who turns out to be Ophelia’s lover and Juliet’s father.

2. Brainstorm a list of possible CHARACTER layers.

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

• Secret identity – Ophelia is secretly Juliet’s mother, but also her lover is a powerful General (Juliet’s father) plotting to overthrow the totalitarian government.

• Character intrigue – Romeo and his brother are at odds, but when Romeo is captured, his brother also is caught (on purpose?) so when they are reunited in prison they collaborate on a scheme to free many of their people.

• Hidden relationships and conspiracies – Ophelia and the General had many children together without the reproduction authorities finding out. Ophelia’s friend, Nurse, was in on the secret and later helps Juliet when she’s caught.

• Hidden Character history – Romeo’s parents were killed in an attack by the Militia when he and his brother were small. Romeo was old enough to remember, but his brother was a baby and has no memory of them – so the brothers have two separate world views. Their grandmother took Romeo to be raised by “The Keepers” – cave dwellers who guard old history of the countries that came before Cascadia was created under the current regime. Then she returned with the baby to live with their tribe.

3. Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.

Plot Surface:

• Layer 1: Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love.
• Layer 2: Juliet is a prisoner in the bizarre Reproduction Collective; Romeo is a member of a free but randomly oppressed tribe.
• Layer 3: Reproduction is controlled in Cascadia due to a disease they call the Plague. Certain people are genetically disease resistant, so those females were corralled for reproduction, while the males are trained as sperm donors and officers in the Militia.
• Layer 4: While the reproduction plan was formed with good intentions when the population was decimated by the Plague, it’s beginning to look a lot like a Master Race situation. Romeo’s tribe, and others like it, live outside the Militia-controlled system and are subjected to attacks and killings. They also suffer from occasional bouts of Plague. Some survive, but many die.
• Layer 5: Some people in the system didn’t follow the rules but had lovers instead. Now they want to rebel against the Military Dictatorship. But their options are limited, due to the Militia’s power.
• Etc….

Character Surface:

• Layer 1: The two lovers meet.
• Layer 2: Even though they love each other, each has their own agenda.
• Layer 3: Their relationship endangers other people; some are innocent, and some are involved in own secret agendas, or loyalty to the system, etc.
• Layer 4: Some of the most loyal people have the worst secret agendas.
• Etc.

Assume there will be a surface layer, then organize other layers beneath that surface. Don’t worry about getting the layers in the perfect order. You can change them at any time in the future.

24 November 2023 – from my ChatGPT:

I’m writing a TV Series that is [Format/Genre] about [Concept] with [Lead Characters]. Can you generate [Plot Layers] and [Character Layers] that could play beneath the surface and be revealed in Turning Points or Cliffhangers.

Definition of Layer = A new level of meaning beneath the surface that changes things. It makes us rethink what has happened up to that point and/or causes us to anticipate a new future. You start with a Surface Layer. Then a new layer is revealed. That new layer becomes the new surface. It is what we know as the “reality.” When the next layer is revealed, it surprises us, but soon becomes the next new surface.

PLOT LAYERS = Story beneath the story.
– Major scheme revealed
– Mystery revealed
– Thought the story was one thing, but it is another
– Major shift in Meaning
– Hidden history
– Hidden plan

CHARACTER LAYERS = identity beneath the identity.
– Secret identity
– Intrigue layers
– Hidden relationships and conspiracies
– Hidden Character history
– Hidden Agenda
– Wound

Format/Genre =
Concept =
Lead Characters =

ChatGPT

Format/Genre: Post-apocalyptic thriller

Concept: Post-apocalyptic reimagining of “Romeo and Juliet” in a future low-tech world where women are enslaved to reproduce for the military dictatorship, who are out to destroy the few remaining free people living in the wilds of Northwest/Cascadia.

Lead Characters:

• Romeo
• Juliet
• Romeo’s Brother
• Romeo’s Fiancée
• Juliet’s (secret) Mother “Ophelia”
• Juliet’s (secret) Father “The General”
• The General’s Boss – “The Chief of Staff”
• A friend of Ophelia “Nurse”

PLOT LAYERS:

• Major scheme revealed:

• Surface Layer: The military attacks Romeo’s tribe for violating their rules.
• New Layer: The attack was orchestrated by The Chief of Staff to eliminate potential threats within the tribe and solidify military control.

[John Livingstone]

Robert’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned is that both layers are essential to a multi-season series.

Lead Characters:

1. Walter Hartwell White (Heisenberg): Overqualified chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine producer.
2. Skyler White: Walter’s wife, reluctantly drawn into Walter’s criminal activities.
3. Jesse Pinkman: Walt’s former student and business partner in the meth trade.
4. Hank Schrader: DEA agent and Walter’s brother-in-law.
5. Marie Schrader: Skyler’s sister, Hank’s wife, and a radiologic technologist.
6. Walter White Jr. (Flynn): Walter and Skyler’s teenage son with cerebral palsy.

Plot Layers:

1. Major scheme revealed: The true purpose behind Walter’s meth production is unveiled – a sinister plan that goes beyond providing for his family.
2. Mystery revealed: A hidden connection between one of the lead characters and a major drug lord is exposed, changing the power dynamics.
3. Thought the story was one thing, but it is another: The initial narrative of a struggling family takes a dark turn as a deeper, more complex web of lies and deceit is unraveled.
4. Major shift in Meaning: The moral justification for Walter’s actions takes an unexpected turn, challenging the audience’s perception of right and wrong.
5. Hidden history: Jesse’s troubled past and its impact on his present life are unveiled, adding depth to his character.
6. Hidden plan: Skyler’s secret agenda is revealed, altering the course of events and complicating her relationship with Walter.

Character Layers:

1. Secret identity: A hidden aspect of Walter’s past life comes to light, leading to a reevaluation of his character.
2. Intrigue layers: Jesse’s mysterious connections in the criminal world come to the forefront, exposing him to unforeseen dangers.
3. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: Marie’s involvement in a covert operation is exposed, putting her at odds with her family.
4. Hidden Character history: Hank’s traumatic experiences in El Paso resurface, affecting his pursuit of “Heisenberg.”
5. Hidden Agenda: Skyler’s true motivations for participating in Walter’s criminal activities are unveiled, creating conflict within the family.
6. Wound: Walter Jr.’s emotional scars from his parents’ tumultuous relationship and his discovery of his father’s criminal life impact his actions and decisions.

As these plot and character layers unfold, each turning point and cliffhanger will redefine the narrative and characters, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

FOR RETURN TO MARS

Open Loops and Setups for Season 1:

1. New Goals:

   • Jason sets a new goal to establish communication with potential survivor communities on Earth, introducing a new layer of complexity.

2. Conflict Over Mars Mission Objectives:

   • A dispute emerges regarding the primary objective of the Mars mission, leading to a struggle for control over the mission’s goals.

3. Deceptive Alliances Unraveling:

   • Elizabeth and Carl’s deceptive alliances start to unravel, exposing their true motives and sparking internal family conflicts.

4. Ethical Dilemmas Escalate:

   • The ethical dilemmas faced by the characters escalate as they confront the consequences of their past actions, forcing them to question their principles.

5. Tensions with Advanced Martian Society:

   • Tensions with the advanced Martian society escalate, revealing hidden agendas and potential threats that complicate the Earth mission’s goals.

6. Relationships in Peril:

   • Jason’s relationships, especially with Sophia, face jeopardy as personal interests clash with the urgency of the post-apocalyptic world.

7. Dangerous Decisions and Internal Dangers:

   • Characters are forced to make dangerous decisions, putting themselves at risk while also grappling with internal dangers such as addiction and psychological strain.

8. Competing Leadership Visions:

   • Trevor and Jason’s competing visions for the future of the facility intensify, leading to a power struggle that divides the remaining survivors.

9. Colonial Struggles Intensify:

   • Struggles between the Earth mission and the Martian society intensify, involving issues of authority, cultural clashes, and potential alliances or betrayals.

10. Consequences of Faked Lottery:

    • Consequences of the faked lottery and Trevor’s manipulation of the member selection process come to light, causing internal strife and challenges to Trevor’s leadership.

11. Survival Risks:

    • Characters face heightened risks to their survival, both from external threats and internal conflicts, as they navigate the harsh post-apocalyptic environment.

12. Psychological Toll Escalates:

    • The psychological toll on characters, especially Jasper, escalates, leading to internal conflicts and moral dilemmas that impact decision-making.

13. New Relationships and Conflicts:

    • New relationships form within the group, creating both alliances and conflicts that influence the dynamics of the surviving community.

14. Confrontation Over Mars’ Isolation:

    • A confrontation arises between Hank and others over Mars’ isolation, bringing to light the true motivations behind Hank’s desire to keep Mars protected.

15. Secrets from Earth’s Past:

    • Unearthed secrets from Earth’s past come to light, revealing information that challenges characters’ understanding of the world before the nuclear war.

[Phyllis Strong]

Phyllis’ Plot and Character Layers

What I learned from this assignment is that after struggling with it, I finally understood how layers change the surface layer into a new reality. I also found my AI assistant not as helpful for this lesson.

Assignment 1

Sample Show = The Walking Dead

Character Layers:

· On the surface, Shane is a protector. But his secret identity is a survivor at all costs, willing to sacrifice a partner on a mission to get out alive.

· On the surface, Shane is willing to back away from Lori and Carl when Rick returns. But underneath, he still wants a relationship with them, and reveals that, only to be turned down.

· On the surface, Darryl is poor white trash, a redneck, but his secret identity is that he is a compassionate, loyal man.

· On the surface, Lori is outspoken and determined, but her secret identity is that she’s a frightened and indecisive young girl.

· On the surface, Carol is a broken individual, an abused wife, but her secret identity is that she is made of steel.

· On the surface, Glenn is an ex-pizza delivery guy, but his secret identity is that he is a brilliant strategist.

· Andrea is the guilty older sister who wants to make it all up to Amy, especially by protecting her.

Plot Layers:

· Otis didn’t die because he told Shane to run ahead; Shane shot him so he would be bait for the zombie horde and Shane could get away.

· Shane contemplates, for a split-second, shooting Rick, his rival for Lori and Carl’s affections.

· Merle sawed off his own hand to get away from the zombies in Atlanta—he could still be alive.

· The CDC scientist has given up on finding a cure and wants to die and take Rick’s group with him.

· Survivors at a farmhouse turn out to be kind and helpful—at least, so far.

· In the pilot episode, Rick wakes up from his coma thinking something big has wiped out hundreds of people, but doesn’t know they are zombies until he’s saved by Morgan.

· The story is more than their group against the world, after they find Herschel, Maggie, Patricia and Otis in the farmhouse. Other survivors could be out there.

· Rick, Shane and Carl are admiring a deer in the woods, when out of nowhere, Carl is shot by a bullet that went through the deer.

· Dale betrays Andrea by forcing her to choose to live or otherwise he’ll die with her in the upcoming CDC explosion.

· Andrea, Dale, Carol, Darryl, T-Dog, Jacqui and Glenn must know Shane and Lori were together but no one tells Rick.

Assignment 2

PLOT SURFACE: A high-tech company has developed a consciousness transfer process whereby a person can transfer their consciousness to a brain-dead individual, with the permission of the family and a payment of $10 million. Four wealthy, elderly test subjects—dying owner Peter Barnett, scientist Diana Sagraves, ex-Senator Mark Ashburn, and cosmetics empire founder Suzanne Farrell—all pay for a second chance on life.

Layer 1: Consequences: the consciousness transfer process has unanticipated side-effects.

Layer 2: Hidden plan: Peter plans to cover up the unanticipated side effects to commercialize the process faster.

Layer 3: Conspiracy: Mark is working with the Defense Department to take over the project in the interests of “national security.”

Layer 4: Hidden Agenda: To avoid bankruptcy, Peter accelerated the project and has lied to his board about how many people he’s signed up.

Layer 5: Hidden Agenda: The Defense Department wants to transfer consciousnesses to living people so that young soldiers, CIA & FBI Agents can give up their bodies to their experienced counterparts.

Layer 6: Future Consequences: Diana discovers the true Defense Department goal and knows they’re lying about keeping a young host’s consciousness stored safely. She wants to stop them.

CHARACTER SURFACE: Diana is the neuroscientist who pioneered the consciousness transfer procedure. As a test subject, she is confident, determined, and always in control.

Layer 1: Hidden Character History: She had a passionate affair with the married Peter when he came aboard to fund her project in the early 1990’s.

Layer 2: Hidden Relationship: The husband of the brain-dead woman whose consciousness she replaced has fallen for her. She is tempted to respond.

Layer 3: Weakness: Morally flexible. She stole a colleague’s pioneering research on the consciousness transfer theory and patented the procedure to mask her scientific failures.

Layer 4: Wound: Her mother developed Alzheimers, driving her to do whatever she could to avoid losing her powerful mind.

Layer 5: Secret Identity: Double agent. She joins Mark in working with the Defense Department to find a way to shut them down.

CHARACTER SURFACE: Mark is the charismatic scion of a political family aiming to reclaim his Senate seat, and thus political power.

Layer 1: Hidden Character History: He married the woman who would be a good political wife and ended up with a loveless marriage.

Layer 2: Hidden Character History: As a Senator, he helped Peter avoid too much government regulation on the consciousness transfer project.

Layer 3: Hidden Agenda: He does not favor keeping the transfer process within a private company. He wants the Pentagon to take over, in the interests of national security.

Layer 4: Secret Identity: A spy. He has arranged for scientists to join the transfer project team and report back to the Pentagon.

Layer 5: Consequences: A side-effect of the transfer process is that he is now attracted to men.

CHARACTER SURFACE: Peter is a dying tech mogul who funded the consciousness transfer project, and is fueled by ambition and desperation.

Layer 1: Hidden Character History: He emotionally neglected his now-estranged daughter the whole time she was growing up.

Layer 2: Hidden Agenda: he must prove this procedure has worked perfectly so he can attract more investors and bring the product to market to stave off bankruptcy.

Layer 3: Consequences: As a side-effect of the transfer procedure, Peter is now a sex addict.

Layer 4: Wound: His father always thought he was inadequate because he wasn’t a devoted son. Those doubts surface as Peter struggles.

Layer 5: Secret Identity: He is a megalomaniac who would rather crater the consciousness transfer project than give up control to the Pentagon.

CHARACTER SURFACE: Suzanne is the founder of a cosmetics empire who regrets the work/life balance choices she made during her career.

Layer 1: Hidden Agenda: She seeks and finds the surviving family of her first, and only, love and is drawn to the grandson.

Layer 2: Competition: She undermines her son’s hold on her company by instigating a proxy fight “coup” with her talented employees.

Layer 3: Consequences: As a side-effect of the transfer procedure, Suzanne now has trouble containing her anger or aggression.

Layer 4: Weakness: Unforgiving. She won’t let the father of her love interest stand in their way.

Layer 5: Hidden Character History: She let her drug-addicted first husband die of an overdose without helping him.

[Lenore]

BWTV-AI Module 1, Lesson 10

Lenore Bechtel’s Plot and Character Layers

What I learned from this assignment was that I need two new characters to give my plot enough layers. They are Tyrell Black and Shay Whitman.

Winning Time layers:

Will Jerry Buss be successful at turning the Lakers into a winning team?

Will Claire Rothman make the Forum financially sound?

Will Jerry West get over his failures, stop drinking, and become the Lakers’ coach again?

How will things play out with Jerry Buss’s NBA competitors?

Will Magic Johnson stop being promiscuous and finally settle down with Cookie?

Will Jerry Buss’s daughter ever have reason to be proud of him?

Will Kareem stick with the team or quit to devote himself to his religion?

The layers for Hypnotized by Hope

Concept: Hypnotist Joshua Hope doesn’t let scandal reporter Quentin Quebeck’s snooping around interfere with his zany methods of dealing with a guy who thinks he’s invisible, a make-believe fat woman, and a karma-obsessed musician, leaving his gal friday Lilly struggling to preserve his reputation. All goes further awry when a secret from Joshua’s illegal past returns to haunt him.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

Joshua Hope

Major scheme revealed—Joshua and Lilly hope the book she’s ghosting for him will put him on the national scene

Mystery revealed—Joshua Hope was once Joshua Hopper, a Michigan hypnotist who was convicted to six months in prison for impersonating a medical doctor without a license.

Thought the story was one thing, but it is another—The story was about helping Timothy Graves, a schizophrenic who thinks he’s invisible, a make-believe fat woman, and a karma-obsessed drummer.

Major shift in Meaning—Joshua now must secretly cope with an ex-convict Tyrell Black, who discovered his new Oklahoma identity. Now that he knows how easily his past was uncovered, he also questions his goal of attaining national recognition.

Hidden history: To save his own skin, Joshua hypnotized three prison guards who then allowed a notorious mobster to escape.

Hidden plan: Tyrell’s expertise is making friends with rich people who keep valuables in private safes. He plans to get each together with Joshua who will hypnotize them to reveal their safes’ combinations.

Major betrayal: If Joshua won’t cooperate, Tyrell will tell the media and prison authorities how Joshua helped the mobster escape.

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

Lilly Brandon

Secret identity—She tells no one that the husband she loved—her boy toy—left her for a man, but she was tired of supporting him anyway.

Character intrigue—The reason she puts up with Joshua’s zany pranks and the inept girlfriends he hires is to show him she’s truly the one worthy of a romantic relationship with him.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—She wants recognition as a writer to show her gay ex-husband that she made it in her field while he’s still struggling in his field of acting.

Hidden Character history—She’s had no success getting her personal writing published, and feels she’s doomed if she doesn’t make it with Joshua’s book.

Sally Singleton

Secret identity—She’s the daughter of a publisher interested in Lilly’s book proposal

Character intrigue—She pretends to be ditzy to test Joshua’s tolerance and compassion.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—Her dad sent her to find out if the cures reported in Lilly’s book are legit

Hidden Character history—She always been financially dependent upon Daddy.

Dr. Dan Dreiden

Secret identity—None. He’s a reputable psychiatrist.

Character intrigue—He doesn’t resent being accused of being money-hungry.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—He’s willing to participate in Joshua’s zaniness.

Hidden Character history—When his problem patients’ insurance runs out, he refers them to Joshua.

Timothy Graves

Secret identity—He thinks he’s invisible because he’s truly afraid of being visible.

Character intrigue—He wears loud colors that make him very conspicuous.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—none. When he didn’t go to his fast food job, no one tried to find out why.

Hidden Character history—He watched while his parents fought all the time, paying him no attention, causing him to think he’s invisible. Maintenance feels consumed a $500 bank account they started for him, making him very resentful.

Maudie Patterson

Secret identity—She’s slim.

Character intrigue—She pads her body to look fat.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—At a hypnosis show she was forced to attend, Joshua posted her to feel compelled to stay close to him on stage. Although he took the suggestion back at the end of the show, she refused to give it up. So she comes to his weight group to be close to him.

Hidden Character history—Her job at the Chamber of Commerce is to put mailing labels and stamps on outgoing mailings. She likes the job because she’s shy and does not like interacting with people.

Vicki Hope

Secret identity—Not secret. She’s Joshua’s cousin, hired because she’d been fired from other jobs.

Character intrigue—So apologetic about making mistakes that she’s always offering to work overtime for no pay.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—She’s going to get involved with both Tyrell and Lilly’s ex—not knowing one is a crook and the other is gay.

Hidden Character history—Her steady high school beau went to college and met and fell for someone else. She has few opportunities to meet eligible guys.

Bernadine Dione

Secret identity—She’s uncovered many from past lives.

Character intrigue—You never know when she might burst into a remarkable breakthrough to another past life.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—She’s convinced her soul group is waiting for her.

Hidden Character history—She must find out from her past lives what karmic debts she owes so she can pay them in this life and move on with her soul mates.

Tyrell Black

Secret identity—safecracker

Character intrigue—He’s slick enough to make quick friendships with rich people.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—He wants only to rob their safes.

Hidden Character history—He escaped from prison the same time as the mobster, who was very upset at having him barge in on his plan.

Shay Zigler

Secret identity—He used being gay as his excuse to divorce Lilly, but it was really to move back to Mama.

Character intrigue—He’s dating Vicki hoping to find out about Lilly’s love life now.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—He makes a living as living statue performer at various Tulsa locations.

Hidden Character history—Lilly helped him research his various historical costumes and poses, but expected him to someday get a job that would help them survive.

Quinten Queback

Secret identity—No secret. He’s a free lance journalist who specializes in exposes that damage his subject’s reputation.

Character intrigue—He doesn’t know he’s what Joshua calls a somnabulist—his term for a person who goes very deeply into hypnosis.

Hidden relationships and conspiracies—If Joshua wants to, he could hypnotize him and tell him to write wonderful things about Joshua and his clients.

Hidden Character history—The dirtier the dirt he digs up, the happier he is.

3. Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.

Plot Surface:

Layer 1: Keep Quinten from discovering Timothy’s treatment

Layer 2: Keep him from discovering Joshua used Maude on his TV show.

Layer 3: Find out why Joshua is so secretive about Tyrell.

Layer 4: Joshua uses the mobster to solve the Tyrell problem, but will he compromise his morality by solving the Quentin problem with hypnosis?

Character Surface:

Layer 1: Maude’s contribution to Timothy’s recovery

Layer 2: Bernadine’s contribution to Timothy’s recovery

Layer 3: Sally’s gaining her own fame and frustrating Lilly

Layer 4: Sally revealing her true self and judging Joshua legit.

I don’t have the plot figured out well enough to know when reveals will happen, but I do know there’ll be many.

[Laree Griffith]

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