Lesson 12

[Connie Hood]

LESSON 12 – Danger, Excitement, Adrenaline

My screenplay is mostly adventure but I’m using some action scenes. The film will close with the heroes pursuing the villain and vice versa. I’m using a combination of real equipment (Model T, Lincoln Page biplane) owned by the actual Clifford as well as the villain’s car. The plane engine failure is also true – well documented in newspaper articles.

CAPTURE AND RELEASE

Clifford has uncovered the Purple Gang and Borko’s involvement in their bootlegging/money laundering operation.

DANGER: Clifford has said no to a partnership and Borko is now fully expose. Borko suggested that he and Clifford partner up, share the proceeds. Now Borko is evading capture, and is intent on killing Clifford and Clara.

Both men are armed and both have confederates. Clara is backing up Clifford, and knows how to handle a hunting rifle.

EXCITEMENT: Borko runs for his roadster (possible 1930 Cadillac V16 or similar. Serious horsepower, can go up to 80 MPH. Clifford and Clara pursue in his Model T, top speed about 40 MPH. However, the Model T can drive overland. Borko loses sight of his pursuers. Speeds along a country road until he spots Clifford, who cut through fields. Borko now pursues Clifford who knows the terrain well.

Clifford arrives at his plane in the field, and he and Clara jump into the cockpit, start the propellor. Borko runs, and jumps onto the wing of the biplane, attempts to shoot his way into the cockpit, but the plane is moving. (Dizzy) Borko also is snagged in the ropes that Clifford uses for his aerobatics show.

ADRENALINE: The carburetor (supercharger) on the plane blows up. Black oil and fuel cover the windshield. Clifford opens the cockpit to see ahead, has to tip the plane because he is leaning out of cockpit. They are also exposed with no windshield but Borko can’t hold on and shoot. The oil hits the wing where Borko stands, causing him to slip back and forth while gripping the struts. Clifford, Clara, and Borko all covered in fuel and dirt from the blown carburetor.

Clara cuts the rope as they are descending into a city park. Police and ambulances arriving because of the imminent plane crash. Borko slides off the wing about 10-15 feet in the air.

Close: Borko in hospital, full body cast, handcuffed to the bed with a 24 hour police watch. He’s trying to make a deal to expose the Purple Gang, but he is not trusted.

[Nat Melvin]

Natalie’s Level 3 Action Emotions: DANGER, EXCITEMENT, AND ADRENALINE

WIL: It was fun going through the scene alternating emotions.

SETUP: Sarah hurts herself while escaping from the maintenance room. She needs to warn Jordan (the Ferris Wheel operator she likes) about the sabotage on the Ferris Wheel.

INT. BOOTH, FERRIS WHEEL AREA – NIGHT

EXCITEMENT: Festive lights blink and alternate, blending in with the Halloween festivities.

SUSPENSE: Jordan stands before the control panel, pushing multiple levers upward. The cabins move in synchrony, gliding forward and swaying, as the passengers step in and take their seats.

ADRENALINE: In a b.g., Sarah forges ahead, navigating through the dense, oblivious to her plight crowd, lost in their own world of merriment. She greets her teeth, suppressing any sign of pain, with her gait compromised by a swollen ankle.

SUSPENSE: Jordan exhales, as the last cabin slots into place: The giant is ready for its grand performance.

He inputs the ride’s parameters in a small digital display, and sets the timer, watching the numbers blink in agreement. His hand hovers over the launch button, and then, with a decisive push, he initiates the ride.

FEAR: The Ferris Wheel comes to life, its mighty frame creaking and groaning, as it begins its ascent. The cabins rise, one after the other, carrying their eager occupants to their exhilarating experience, and, – impeding doom.

SARAH (O.S.)

Stop the wheel, Jordan, Now!

SHOCK: Jordan startles, taken aback by Sarah’s voice.

SURPRISE: Sarah, hair a mess, torn and bloodied clothes hang on her frame, too real to be a perfect Halloween illusion. She drops onto his stool, cradling her injured arm against her chest.

JORDAN

What the heck happened to you?

DANGER:

SARAH

Not now. Stop the wheel. Trust me!

(off his stare)

I fell into bushes. Please, stop the wheel. It’s gonna blow!

JORDAN

What are you talking about?

Sarah throws her hand into the air, and moans with pain.

SHOCK:

SARAH

Listen, Cooper did something to the wheel. He’s… We must stop it.

JORDAN

(skeptical)

Something..? Cooper is a mechanical genius now, who knows how to compromise… And why would he–

SARAH

To force my Grandpa sell the land. I couldn’t reach my mom, ‘cuz my phone died, and I also have her phone. I couldn’t find Grandpa. So, please, believe me.

ANXIETY: Jordan frowns, torn between his sense of trust and duty.

JORDAN

Your mom is on the wheel, few cabins away from Liam. Turner took him for a ride.

SHOCK: Sarah numbs, realizing gravity of the situation, as she scans the passing by cabins for Turner, Liam and her mom.

SARAH

My whole family..? They’re gonna die… Jordan, how do I stop it?

(decisively)

I’ll do it. I’ll take all responsibility. Please.

ANXIETY: Jordan stares at the digital display showing a few minutes left.

JORDAN

(realizing something)

Wait. The new guy. I haven’t seen him before. We left him here when your mom and me–

SARAH

Green shirt, stocky, short mohawk spikes, kind of rough looking?

DANGER: Jordan, consumed with studying the levers and controls, checks beneath the panel for anything suspicious.

JORDAN

(recollecting)

Um, he wore a uniform, but, yeah, sounds like him.

RELIEF:

SARAH

(gasps)

Yes! That’s it! That’s him! The second dude that Cooper hired.

(pleading)

Do you believe me now?

SUSPENSE: Jordan nods in affirmation, and then… the timer dings the end of the ride, making him jolt.

ADRENALINE: Both, Sarah and Jordan freeze in anticipation, eyes glued at the Ferris Wheel making another steady round.

RELIEF: Sarah exhales, and grins, relieved.

FEAR: Jordan stares at the digital display blinking: “0 min.” Puzzled, he presses the stop button, then pushes it again, and again.

DANGER: The Ferris Wheel whirrs, groaning, noticeably gaining speed.

JORDAN

Sarah..? I think, you’re right. It should’ve stopped. But, it didn’t. I…

I don’t know what he did. I don’t know how to stop it.

ANXIETY:

SARAH

(panic stroke)

Do something! Call someone. Call the Police!

FEAR:

JORDAN

Um, I left my phone with your mom.

(finger in the air)

Up there.

FEAR: Sarah stares at the Wheel, as if for the last time, then backs away.

SUSPENSE:

SARAH

I know what to do…. Tell mom… I love her.