Lesson 17

[Pat GALBRAITH Galbraith]

ASSIGNMENT 17 Key Scene 1

Subject line: Pat’s Act 3 Reaction to Midpoint

What learned doing this assignment is the Reaction/ Rethink process.

Using your Beat Sheet, outline your Act 3 Key Scenes.

1. Hank’s business is closed for the lack of proper license.

2. Hank decides to bring clients to his home.

3. He gets a large fine in the mail for operating a business in his home.

4. He believes Elaine is dating another man.

Write Key Scene 1: Reaction/Rethink.

Reaction: Hank’s marriage business school that he started to get Elaine back is closed because he doesn’t have the proper license. Hank realizes everything has gone bad and he must make a new plan.

Rethink: After Rosy and Max come to his house for counseling. He decides to call all his other clients so he can continue counseling. Copper Top his mom wants to know if he’s going quit the Marriage school. He tells her no, not now. I’ve got to keep going.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by  Pat GALBRAITH Galbraith.

[Tasha Espinoza]

Tasha’s Act 3 Reaction to Midpoint

Doing this assignment, I learned the following: Even if you think you got the whole writing at 20% thing down, you can relapse and throw a wrench in the flow. Always be focused on speed over quality during the first draft!

1. Using your Beat Sheet, outline your Act 3 Key Scenes.

Key Scene 1: Amy gives Bethany the idea to seek help from a metaphysical healer.

Key Scene 2: The metaphysical healer and his team try to teach Bethany to become spiritually strong so she can get rid of Demon 23 herself.

Key Scene 3: Bethany demonstrates an ability to see all demons and their names, which is the key to expelling them.

Key Scene 4: Turning Point: Deacon Anders knocks out Bethany when she discovers the pentagram in his room.

2. Write Key Scene 1: Reaction/Rethink.

Outline:

INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY

Beginning: With no one else to turn to, Bethany talks to Amy about everything and shows her the video bc normally she would talk this stuff over with Deacon Anders.

Middle: Deacon Anders finds her and has a friendly chat with her. He asks her if she’s still on her dating apps and expresses disappointment that she is. Bethany excuses herself and goes to the restroom, leaving her laptop open.

Amy suggests that maybe the prayer she used in the bathroom could point in the right direction. Where did the prayer come from? Also comes up with the idea for proving Deacon Anders deceit. “So you’re not sure about your priest friend. Well, if he’s hacked your dating account or had someone do it (one of the people she’s interacted with), there’s one way we can find out for sure.

End: Amy recommends a guy she knows who could help her. Bethany asks for the contact info and Amy says she has an idea. She gets Bethany to open up her dating profile on her phone and she finds Koju. She sends a flirty message (Hey you’re cute, wanna meet up Friday night). Bethany gets mad that Amy set up a date with Koju. But Amy texts Koju at the same time and tells him what’s up and that they are setting up a trap for Bethany’s priest, so to just say yes. Koju accepts Bethany’s invitation for a date.

Key Scene 1

INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY

Bethany stands at the order counter. On the staff side of the counter, Amy leans against an espresso maker with her hands across her chest, shaking her head.

BETHANY

Well, say something.

AMY

I already knew you had a demon attached to you.

BETHANY

You did?

AMY

Yeah, I just didn’t realize you had two. That Deacon guy is a real piece of work. And who the hell keeps the name Deacon when they’re a priest.

BETHANY

Deacon is his actual first name.

AMY

He should change it.

BETHANY

I don’t know what to do. Normally I would talk this stuff over with Deacon Anders.

AMY

Because he’s like your best friend who just so happens to be actively destroying your love life by not only telling people your deep dark secret but also by conjuring a demon to rough up your suitors? Most likely.

Bethany nods sadly.

BETHANY

I guess.

AMY

Well, I can think of a couple things to do off the top of my head, but they include acts of violence against your BFF. And it’s hard to talk about him when he’s standing right there.

Bethany turns behind her and sees Deacon Anders standing at the entrance of the coffee shop.

Amy leans in close to Bethany’s ear.

AMY

(whisper)

Don’t let the Black Deacon get too close. He’s already slapped a demon on you.

(louder)

Latte coming right up. Have a seat.

Bethany sees an empty table nearby and sits at it.

Deacon Anders walks over to the table and jovially plops down in the seat opposite her.

DEACON ANDERS

Bethany! I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages. How are you?

BETHANY

I’m doing fine.

DEACON ANDERS

Well, that’s great. You must be busy, I haven’t heard from you about next month’s newsletter. I was so looking forward to our little brainstorming sesh.

BETHANY

Yeah, sorry about that. I’ve been sort of busy.

DEACON ANDERS

Dating I assume.

BETHANY

No, just visiting some old friends.

DEACON ANDERS

Friends?

He looks at her long and hard, a light smirk at the corner of this mouth.

DEACON ANDERS
Well good. I know it’s hard to hear, but Bethany, I just hate to see your little heart be put through the ringer time and time again. It’s good you’re taking a break. Just as long as you’re doing something with your time and staying out of trouble. Idle hands and what not. I wouldn’t want you poking your nose in other people’s business or trespassing out of boredom.

Bethany stays quiet.

DEACON ANDERS

Now I understand from Hazel that you dropped by the rectory today.

BETHANY

Yes, I wanted to say hi. Like you said, it’s been a bit. But she said you were busy and I didn’t want to disturb you.

DEACON ANDERS

That was very considerate of you.

Deacon Anders stands up.

DEACON ANDERS

I really should be going, I just saw you in here and I wanted to pop in and say hi. Do come down to the church soon so we can talk about the newsletter.

He pushes his chair in.

DEACON ANDERS

Until then, be well. And I’m really proud of you for taking a break from dating and giving that horrendous dating site a rest.

Deacon Anders turns to leave.

BETHANY

Oh, I’m still active on the site.

Deacon Anders turns back around.

BETHANY

For when I’m done taking my break.

Deacon Anders drops his arms by his side and he takes on a look of concern.

DEACON ANDERS

How disappointing. I really wish you would advocate for yourself better.

BETHANY

I’m the only one who advocates for me. I’m sorry for keeping you.

DEACON ANDERS

What?

BETHANY

Don’t you have to be going?

DEACON ANDERS

Yes. Yes I do. Hope to see you around church soon.

Bethany smiles but doesn’t say anything.

Bethany watches Deacon Anders as he leaves. She doesn’t notice Amy approaching the table.

Amy sits down in the seat Deacon Anders just vacated.

She makes a face.

AMY

Ew. Warm.

Bethany grimaces.

AMY

So I realized I know someone who can help you.

BETHANY

Really? Thank you. Who?

AMY

His name’s Koju. He’s a regular. Comes in pretty often. Runs a Spiritual Center. I’ve taken a few classes there. He might know what to do about your demon.

BETHANY

He’s not my demon. I don’t own him. I didn’t conjure him.

AMY

No, we already established your friend did. But here.

She shows Bethany her phone.

AMY

This is this center. It’s close by.

BETHANY

Can you give me his number? Or like contact him for me?

AMY

Actually, I have a way better idea.

Give me your phone.

Bethany gives Amy her phone.

AMY

What was the name of that dating app you use.

BETHANY

[Insert name of app]. Why?

Amy click on the app and accesses Bethany’s profile.

AMY

Ah, there you are.

She does a quick search.

AMY

And there’s Koju. If I wasn’t into girls, I said hell yes to that picture.

Bethany leans over the table and cranes her head to see a very attractive guy with washboard abs.

Amy types out a message.

AMY

(typing on [Insert Dating App]}

Hey, you’re cute. Wanna meet up on Friday night.

Send.

She drops Bethany’s phone. Bethany scrambles for her phone.

BETHANY

Omigod! What did you just do? I need to ask him for spiritual advice, not a date!

Amy types on her own phone.

AMY

Calm down. I’m texting with him now and explaining to him about the whole thing, the possession, the evil Deacon, all that.

BETHANY

Why?

AMY

To see if Koju gets an email from Deacon Anders.

BETHANY

It still might not be him.

AMY

It’s him alright. Besides, Koju will need to see it if he’s going to help you.

BETHANY

I would have shown him.

AMY

Yeah, but aren’t traps more fun.

Bethany stares at her wide-eyed, rethinking her selection of temporary friend when she hears a PING on her phone.

AMY

Looks like Koju said yes. You have yourself a hot date. Won’t the Deacon priest be pleased.

[H. Vince]

H. Vince’s Act 3 Reaction to Midpoint

The 30-Day Screenplay – 2023

Lesson 17: Act 3 Begins

What I learned from doing this assignment is…

Since I signed up for too many Screenwriting Classes at once, I have to outline this rather than write it out to stay on track with the class. I realize I may be combing multiple scenes into one but trying to outline key scenes/plot.

REACTION TO MIDPOINT:

Reaction: Victor is feeling lost, abandonment, confusion, sadness after hearing he is an assignment and was supposed to be aborted.

Rethink: It was assumed he may have wanted proof so he was already assigned access to observe.

Act 3:

18. INT. DIMLY LIT ROOM – UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY

BEGINNING: Victor is dealing with this news

MIDDLE: This mysterious woman is his sister

END: They took Victor’s microchip out

19. INT. VICTOR’S HOME – DAY

BEGINNING: Donna realizes Victor is disconnected

MIDDLE: Donna contacts her superiors

INT. VICTOR’S HOME – DAY – FLASHBACK

END: Donna remembers good times with Victor

20. INT. DIMLY LIT ROOM – UNKNOWN TIME OF DAY

BEGINNING: Victor finds out he is in Level 1 transport access with chaperones

INT. ABORTION CLINIC – DAY

MIDDLE: Access granted to see the past in real life but no clearance for interference

INT. JEREMY’S HOUSE – DAY – REWIND

END: Victor wakes up at his friend Jeremy’s house