Lesson 2

[Kristina Zill]

KZ’s Dramatic Reveals!

Vision: To master screenwriting so that I can win contests, and work with producers to get my movies made.

What I learned from doing this assignment is… how to use reveals to add depth to my script.

I guess what I’m confused about is that every scene has a set-up and reveal to a certain extent. When I listed my demands/reveals, I counted 36! So I suppose that some demand/reveals are more impactful.

One that I have changed since the first draft is that the Warners are like surrogate parents to Wendy.

A: Demand: the real daughter moves back home, and Wendy wants proof that she’s just as important to the Warners.

Reveal (changes how Wendy sees herself): the daughter points out that Wendy reminds her of the pit bull they used to have chained to a doghouse in the backyard — she thus reveals Wendy’s true role in this relationship: she is the Warner’s pit bull who will never be allowed inside.

C: Reinforced dramatically: in her attempt to get off the train to Nirvana, Wendy enters a nightmare negotiation where she sees everyone as they really are, including herself: with a chain around her neck – the Warner’s pit bull who will never be allowed inside.

Another is:

A. Demand: Wendy tells her assistant, Jason, not to play by the rules.

B. Reveal (betrayal): Jason is an informant for the rival firm.

C. Presented dramatically: Jason delivers the oppo research on Wendy