Lesson 27

[mark.napier2022@gmail.com napier]

SUBJECT: Mark Napier’s Solved Scene Problems

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First….I apologize for the delay in response. I had a friend involved in a serious car accident and I have been dealing with him, his recovery and legal and medical followup for the last 8 days so it tossed a wrench into the works here for me. I just had too many distractions going on to focus on this class. At least I got the bulk out of the way.

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What I learned: This is more of a things to do list. I have completed most of my dialog for Acts 1 through 3, but I recognize my dialogs in Act 3 and eventually ACT 4 will need further scrutiny.

Basic Scene Problems: I have too many scenes really that are narrated vignettes (ACT 2) to address action that is taking place as short stories in place of lengthy dialog. Again I am covering a period of several years. The intent is to demonstrate the successes of the Protagonist during a briefing to his replacement. Or it is being discussed as a war story. The intent is to show to the audience here is action showing what the Protagonist achieved just before the Antagonist unravels or destroys at all costs to disrupt the Protagonist from continued service to the CIA.

Weak Scenes: I need to re-evaluate the Arc in each scene and as noted insert a closing remark, statement or action that blends into the next scene.

Situations Don’t Challenge Characters: I am reassessing ACT 4 to beef up the action the Protagonist faces and the Antagonist that leads up to his stroke.

[Caitlin Stryker]

ASSIGNMENT #27
Solved scene problems by Caitlin Stryker. What I learned doing this assignment was that I’m not sure when a scene doesn’t work. I can feel if it’s boring but I question myself knowing the technical reasons it doesn’t work. I tried to let go of this block and just made changes if the scene bored me.

1. Look through your script and identify any scenes that have any of these four problems.
A) Basic Scene Problems
B) Weak Scenes
C) Situations Don’t Challenge Characters
D) Cliché Scenes
2. For any scene problems you find, make the prescribed improvements.
I feel like “Situations don’t challenge characters” was my biggest problem especially early in the script. It kept coming down to raising the stakes of the situation.