Lesson 3: Track 1: The Bigger Story

[Rita Roberts]

Rita’s Bigger Story

What I learned doing this assignment:

— There are layers and intrigue built into my story.

— A list of the incidents isn’t nearly as interesting as they are in the context of story.

— If you don’t have connection with the characters, the events are dulled, no matter how intriguing.

A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?

Dreamtime/Spiritworld and waking world

B. What major conflict could be happening?

Ariale doesn’t trust Ben and Ben is afraid he’s got another nut job he can’t trust.

C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?

Ariale and Ben meet up while they sleep at a house that is jointly theirs which they built together in the spirit world. They are able to work out their real world relationship, family issues and fall in love as soulmates, gaining wisdom while they sleep.

2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.

Act 1:
Opening — Ariale meets Betty (She doesn’t yet know Betty is her deceased younger sister) in the Summerlands of the Spirit World.

Inciting Incident — She meets her ex and her dead dad in the same hellish, Spirit World dive bar, which reveals their true characters.

Turning Point — Ariale impulsively goes to a palm reader. Sandra changes her whole view of everything.

Act 2:
New plan —Ariale experiments with the lessons she’s received from Betty in her sleep, finds people to be more transparent and easy to spot their intentions than we are led to believe.

Plan in action — But she doesn’t turn her new wisdom towards Gayle who is sabotaging Ariale’s job right under her nose. And she goes out with Ben to discover he’s actually married (not waiting to find out the divorce is almost final).

Midpoint Turning Point — Ariale discovers her mom’s affair with Mr Miller.

Act 3:
Rethink everything — She gets fired. Goes to the beach for a deserved day off.

New plan —She searches out Ben and finds that his real world house IS the house she’s met him in while sleeping!

Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift —Sandra’s Dream Chamber experience leads Ariale to confront her mother to confirm everything she’s learned in sleep.

Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict — Ariale learns the entire web of family lies, including Gayle’s role in them and she had a half-sister! She’s already met Betty in her sleep. The clearing of lies clears the path for Ariale to start a healthy relationship with Ben

Resolution — She and Ben live in their “dream home” and the entire family is reconciled. Their son, Little Dale, is already acquainted with their spirit relatives. Even Gayle’s anger has been healed with forgiveness all around. She is included since she is Betty’s mom.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Rita Roberts.

[Dean Burkey]

Dean’s Bigger Story
What I learned doing this assignment is the importance of having a strong skeleton upon which to flesh out the story.
“REEL LOVE”
Act 1:
Opening: The movie begins with Ethan Blake and Sophie Taylor’s first day on the set of a romantic comedy. They are introduced to each other and exchange forced pleasantries. The script requires them to perform a cliché romantic scene set in a quaint fishing village during Arbor Day. On camera, they deliver their lines with passion. Off-camera, they exchange sharp, cutting remarks.
Inciting Incident: Ethan and Sophie both reluctantly accepted their roles for different reasons. Ethan needs the money to pay off debts, while Sophie’s agent convinced her it’s a stepping stone to better opportunities. Their mutual disdain for the script and the situation brings them together, though initially, only in shared misery.
Turning Point: Ethan and Sophie have an argument that gets way out of hand, resulting in a small fire on set (perhaps caused by a mishap with the lighting equipment during a night fishing scene). The fire is quickly extinguished, but the damage is done. Furious, Max fires Ethan on the spot. Sophie, however, stands up for Ethan, declaring that if he’s fired, she’ll leave too. Max, not wanting to lose his lead actress, reluctantly gives them both one more chance after they both beg and promise to behave.
Act 2:
New Plan: Determined to make the best of their situation, Ethan and Sophie decide to put aside their differences and focus on making the movie a success. They work together to improve their on-screen chemistry and start rehearsing their scenes more diligently.
Plan in Action: As they spend more time together, they start to share personal stories. During a particularly challenging scene set by the lake, Ethan asks Sophie which experiences in her life she drew upon to portray an emotional scene so vividly. Sophie opens up about losing a close friend in a car crash. In turn, when she asks Ethan the same question, he shares about losing his wife to cancer. This moment of vulnerability marks the beginning of a shift in their relationship.
Midpoint Turning Point: Their improved on-screen chemistry catches the attention of the crew and the marketing team. The marketing team seizes on Ethan and Sophie’s apparent off-screen romance to promote the movie. Their supposed real-life love story becomes a media sensation, blurring the lines between reality and fiction even further.
Act 3:
Rethink Everything: After the movie hits number one at the box office, Ethan tells Sophie that her acting was phenomenal and that she’s very convincing. Sophie, confused, asks which scene he liked best. Ethan clarifies he was talking about their off-screen romance to help promote the movie. Devastated, Sophie realizes he thought it was all an act. She storms away in tears.
New Plan: Gwen overhears the entire conversation and tells Ethan that Sophie genuinely loves him. Ethan, now realizing his mistake, asks Gwen if she can write a way for him to win Sophie back. Gwen, initially offended by his earlier comment, reluctantly agrees to help.
Turning Point: Huge Failure / Major Shift: Ethan, following Gwen’s advice, makes a grand romantic gesture on set, recreating the cheesiest scene from their movie but adding his sincere feelings. However, Sophie is initially too hurt to accept his apology and walks away, leaving Ethan devastated.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate Expression of the Conflict: Ethan doesn’t give up. He plans one final, heartfelt gesture. He organizes a special event at the fishing village where the movie was filmed, inviting the entire cast and crew. He gives a heartfelt speech, confessing his true feelings for Sophie and acknowledging his mistake.
Resolution: Sophie, moved by Ethan’s persistence and genuine apology, forgives him. They share a heartfelt kiss, this time knowing their love is real. The scene fades as they hold hands, surrounded by the supportive cast and crew.
Closing Shot: The camera pans out, showing the bustling movie set with crew members and extras preparing for the next scene of their new movie together, a cheesy romantic comedy about a bakery about to go bankrupt on Flag Day. Ethan and Sophie, now a real-life couple, are at the center, smiling and happy. They exchange a look of genuine affection, and the scene fades to black with the sound of a clapperboard signaling the start of another take.

[Stuart Voytilla]

Lesson 3 Assignment:

What I learned doing this lesson is the importance of asking questions. They helped me be open to the bigger story (the rival Venetian families). And to know when I can pull back from the rabbit holes the questions unearth, and put something down as the current draft to work from. The bigger story perspective explored in this lesson was very valuable.

Act 1:

Opening:

Julian Rossi is a shy, risk-averse engineering student at an East Coast university, following the career path of his father as a marine engineer. He’s interning for his dad at a shipyard during the summer. Julian has a hidden passion for art, and is also taking a summer session on Romance and Art.

Inciting Incident:

Julian’s girlfriend, Remi, dumps him, claiming he doesn’t understand love. Remi’s preparing for her study abroad in France and she wants to go with an open heart. Julian’s determined to follow Remi to France. The Romance in Art seminar has a guest lecturer, Angelina, a visiting professor from Venice. Smitten, he tries to connect with her, but she’s the professor and he’s the student. At the end of the seminar, they have an exchange and she’s curious about his heritage. She’s familiar with the Rossi family based in Venice, famous gondola makers and gondoliers. His father doesn’t know much about the Italian cousins. His grandfather had a falling out with them and immigrated to America.

Turning Point:

Julian’s investigation uncovers likely ties to the Venetian Rossis. He takes a semester leave from university and travels to Venice, determined to become a gondolier and connect with his distant family.

Act 2:

New Plan:

Julian ingratiates himself with the Rossi family as a distant cousin and begins his training as a gondolier.

Plan in Action:

Julian struggles with the physical demands of gondoliering and navigating Venice’s canals, while also uncovering the bitter rivalry between the Rossi and Bianchi families. Discovers the divide goes back several generations. Also discovers that Angelina has a suitor.

Midpoint Turning Point:

During Carnivale, Julian immerses himself in Venetian traditions and uses disguises to get close to Angelina. He’s taking more risks, with the mask and costume. Deeper in the training, he serves as gondolier serving Angelina and her suitor. This happens to be the night and situation when the suitor proposes to Angelina. Julian crashes the gondola, ruining the romantic moment for Angelina and suitor.

He realizes the depth of the Rossi-Bianchi feud, and uncovers further details about his great grandfather’s reason for cutting himself off from the Rossis.

Act 3:

Rethink Everything:

Julian’s failure with Angelina makes him recognize the importance of authenticity. The stakes help fuel Julian’s commitment to his Italian heritage and the craft of the gondola and gondolier.

New Plan:

Julian commits to rigorous training and uses his engineering skills and fashion design passion to create an innovative gondola design.

Turning Point: Huge Failure / Major Shift:

His cousin, Francesco Rossi outs Julian as representing the “rot” of the family that needs to be trashed. Francesco manipulates Julian’s qualification round for gondolier testing, and Julian fails miserably. A humiliating blow. Recognizing what his great-grandfather may have felt, Julian leaves the Rossi family.

Act 4:

Climax/Ultimate Expression of the Conflict:

Julian channels his authentic heart, and enters the gondolier competition as an unexpected participant. He’s facing the number one trainees representing each of the gondola families, including the fierce rival Marco Bianchi. Julian delivers the ultimate romantic experience with skill, prowess, and romantic heart. And winning the heart of Angelina.

Resolution:

Julian wins the competition, earns the respect of both families, and brokers a level of peace between the families. He’s established his new life in Venice and love and romance with Angelina.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Stuart Voytilla.

[Duane T Basham]

1. Brainstorm at least 5 ideas for each of these and select the one or combination you like best for your bigger story.

• A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?
*** Computer Dating App development
• B. What major conflict could be happening?
*** She’s developing the app and he does not know this – and he’s researching the app for another app developer and she doesn’t know that.
• C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?
*** Sparring over a fake relationship when it feels real to both of them. Different view on what love is and how is expressed. Ulterior motives in this relationship all around.
2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.
Act 1:
• Opening – Maria leaves boyfriend one week before the wedding.
• Inciting Incident – Ask college friend who developed an app, if it’s possible to develop and App that can tell if someone is actually in love with you.
• Turning Point – First night in proof of concept of love goes great – BUT Dean of college investigates use of students for a “behavioral study”
Act 2:
• New plan – The Dean of Biology – 45 year old divorcee and thinks love has nothing to do with the biological operation of humans signs on to help with App
• Plan in action – Good testing done and a prototype is developed. Man Maria has met shows up and he and Maria sit in for a session and sparks fly.
• Midpoint Turning Point – Man that Maria left before wedding because she said he did not lover her shows up and demands closure. Maria forces him to go through the evaluation process – and the data (which the team keeps from her) shows he did – does love her – and that she does not love him.
Act 3:
• Rethink everything – Maria pursues relationship with new guy – neither knowing the motives of the other.
• New plan Maria gets real feelings for new guy but will not admit it – claims he is still just a test subject.
• Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Maria finally sees the evidence that her ex was in love with her – but she did not love him. The new guy shows up with the app developer and now they both know each others secret – was any of it real.
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – Maria must decide if she trust the app she developed or her heart – and New guy has to decide if he can trust her for anything.
• Resolution – Maria agrees to sell the app – and write a book about love (what she want to do at the beginning but did not know how). Maria and new guy decide to see where this relationship can go – in the real world.

[Pam Ewing]

Pam Ewing’s Bigger Story
What I learned doing this assignment: the adventure part is lacking – pacing needs work

1. Brainstorm at least 5 ideas for each of these and select the one or combination you like best for your bigger story.
• A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?
o Transylvania
o Bottom of dry well
o Cave
o Castle
o Hotel balcony
o Bank safety deposit boxes
• B. What major conflict could be happening?
o Searching deeper for money/family/connection
o Lies that uncover truth
o Song and Dance
o Fairytale trauma and endings
o Can you trust a cuckoo clock to be accurate
• C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?
o Describing how the cuckoo clock mechanisms work – maybe the city has a fancy public clock that is broken
o She overhears husband to his cousin and misunderstands – later she’ll understand ‘so when you said xxx, you meant YYY’
o Being chased, outwitting pursuers only to be outmaneuvered and caught
o Retrieving fortune from safety deposit box only to discover bank was destroyed but her mother knew that before she moved
o Vampire tropes – some true, some ironic, and some having different meaning

2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.
Act 1:
• Opening – fairy tale story of medieval princess fleeing with a child
• Inciting Incident – mother who was overprotective dies
• Turning Point – Natalie has a quest in order to reclaim her fortune or all is lost
Act 2:
• New plan – Natalie travels alone to claim fortune but her husband tags along
• Plan in action – Natalie meets a handsome and fascinating stranger but discovers trail to fortune has a weird turns
• Midpoint Turning Point – Natalie’s pursuit of her fortune lands her in trouble
Act 3:
• Rethink everything – Natalie’s husband joins her and they rekindle their love
• New plan – They need to breakout but it ends up being an adventure through the mess
• Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – they make it to the castle and think they have found rescue but now they are captured by the villain
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – They fight the villain and true identities are exposed
• Resolution – They gain the fortune but abandon it to the oppressed town and restart their marriage on a deeper, truer level

[Lynn Vincentnathan]

Lynn’s Bigger Story SOPHIE’S WHITE CHRISTMAS
I thought I had already posted this, but here it is:
WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS ASSIGNMENT is the importance of looking into the best way to present these characters and their love journey. Even though I just finished writing the rough draft, I came on some other ideas for different versions (one with less settings!). Then the filling in the acts and beats helped me realize where my weaknesses and strengths were. NOTE: I wrote it with the Hallmark 9 Act structure (the first one, 25 pages; the other 8 ranging from 8 to 12 pages, usually 3 to 5 scenes). This was helpful because I tried to finds some hook cliff-hangers at the end of each act. And if it doesn’t sail with Hallmark, I can take the Act markers out for the other Holiday prodcos and distributors.

1. BRAINSTORM AT LEAST 5 IDEAS FOR EACH OF THESE AND SELECT THE ONE OR COMBINATION YOU LIKE BEST FOR YOUR BIGGER STORY.
A. WHAT INTERESTING WORLD COULD THIS MOVIE/SHOW BE SET IN? My idea was to have a blizzard and one character telling the other it may have been enhanced by global warming (more precip, greater storms, Rossby waves, etc). If it is a Hallmark script, this “issue” will have to be light and subtle (they don’t do issues). If not Hallmark type it could be more risque, slightly more issue-oriented, and more dramatic.
_____ 1. Hallmark type: Ethan is a meteorologist in snow country (CO or elsewhere), and Tilly comes on assignment and they get snowed in. (this might be good for less settings)
__X__ 2. Hallmark type: Ethan is going from LA to Chicago to propose to a woman, Tilly is going from NY to LA on assignment. A harsh blizzard and avalanche make them hole up together in CO.
_____ 3. Not Hallmark type: Ethan is a meteorologist in the Rio Grande Valley, Tilly has come to do a story. A big freeze happens (like the 2021 one, except worse) and she gets stuck there.
_____ 4. Not Hallmark type: No 2 above, except Tilly is the one who tells Ethan that the warming is causing harsher blizzards.
_____ 5. Hallmark type: Tilly and Ethan knew each other in high school and dated, but went their separate ways. He is now a widow with a daughter, Sophie, and has brought her to a snow resort because she wanted a white Christmas, but what she really wants is a mother and works to get them together. They get snowed in by a blizzard and avalanche….

B. WHAT MAJOR CONFLICT COULD BE HAPPENING? Note: Hallmark types don’t have very huge conflicts, and the antagonists turn out not to be bad or they come around to being good.
__X__ 1. Hallmark type: RE No 1 & 2 above: Ethan thinks Tilly is bad for his friend, until they are holed up in a blizzard. Tilly doesn’t like Ethan under his online screen name for making somewhat negative comments.
_____ 2. Not Hallmark type: Tilly is planning to marry a guy (who is just using her for free publicity for his resort) and resents Ethan trying to dissuade her. Ethan resents her from dissuading her against the gal he plans to marry.
_____ 3. Not Hallmark type: Both Tilly and Ethan agree about CC being a danger, but their bosses are against. Tilly’s or Ethan’s reluctance to go against the boss puts them at odds.
_____ 4. Hallmark type: Ethan is against the arranged date between his best friend and Tilly, because he thinks Tilly is not good for Paul.
_____ 5. Hallmark type: RE No 5 above: Tilly left Ethan because she wanted a career and free lifestyle, but is settled now in that town with a small business she loves. Something happens to make her think Ethan is going back to another woman or career opportunity ???

C. WHAT INTRIGUING SITUATION COULD THESE CHARACTERS BE ENGAGED IN?
_____ 1. Hallmark type: RE No 1 above: Ethan’s girlfriend is planning to join him and he’s planning to propose. Meanwhile his co-worker friend is planning to date Tilly when she comes (but Ethan thinks she is bad). Only Ethan and Tilly alone are holed up together during the blizzard and avalanche, he finds she is good. They fall in love, but due to girlfriend and friend issues, Ethan can’t express it until these get resolved.
_____ 2. Not Hallmark type: Tilly could be the one planning to marry a guy (who is just using her to get free publicity for his resort), and Ethan is on his way to an assignment at a meteorology station, but they get snowed in together.
_____ 3. Not Hallmark type: Both Tilly and Ethan are on the same page re CC, but their bosses are against. The issues that keep them apart are Tilly’s or Ethan’s reluctance to go against the boss.
__X__ 4. Hallmark type: RE Nos 1 and 2 above: When holed up with Tilly in a blizzard he finds she is a good person, but can’t express his love for her due to other commitments, while she comes to love him, not knowing he’s trying to set her up with his friend.
_____ 5. Hallmark type: RE No 5 above: Tilly left Ethan because she wanted a career and free lifestyle, but is settled now in that town with a small business she loves. They are falling in love again, but something happens to make her think Ethan is going back to another woman or career opportunity ???
______________________________________________________________________________
2. TURN THAT BIGGER STORY INTO A 3-ACT OR 4-ACT STRUCTURE.

ACT 1:
__OPENING few scenes: Tilly with assistant Susan his headed from NY to LA on assignment, expressing dislike for her family in LA pushing marriage on her. Ethan is in his LA weather service office with best friend Paul; he mentions his upcoming trip to Chicago to propose to his girlfriend and shows disdain for Paul’s planned date with Tilly, because he thinks she’s unstable and Paul will get hurt.
__INCITING INCIDENT: Tilly has to do a story on her boss’s uncle’s CO Airbnb; Tilly and Susan go there and to Silver Bells, CO a few miles farther, finding it is a winter wonderland with hot springs pool, etc. They are happy there and Tilly considers staying rather than proceed to LA; Ethan’s girlfriend’s father just died, so he has to get there in time for the funeral; he gets a ride-share, but it’s through CO rather than his preferred safer NM route (he hasn’t left yet).
__TURNING POINT: Tilly’s mom and sister’s family invite Paul for dinner to check him out, but he insists Ethan come; Ethan is personable, Paul is scared stiff shy; they all like Ethan better, but know he has a gal. They then call Tilly to tell her they are setting up a blind date with a guy. She is furious and tells them she has a boyfriend (Susan knows it’s a lie, as does her mother); her mother says fine, bring him to LA, they’d love to meet him.

ACT 2:
__NEW PLAN: Tilly considers having a friend at work pose as her boyfriend, or only seeing her family briefly unannounced, or not going to LA. Ethan sets out on his trip to Chicago, despite a CO blizzard warning, figuring with drive-sharing he’ll pass through in plenty of time.
__PLAN IN ACTION: Ethan’s trip is slowed down by several (most humorous) factors. Ethan is struggling. Tilly has Susan stay in SB, while she stays as the Airbnb. The historic blizzard hits. Ethan is barely able to make it to the Airbnb. Tilly saves his life and treats him for frost nip. He comes to realizes she is a good person and would be good for Paul. There’s something growing between him and Tilly, but due to his plan to propose to his gal, they understand it can’t go further than friendship. An avalanche blocks access to the freeway, so Ethan misses the funeral.
__MIDPOINT TURNING POINT: Ethan’s gal informs him she met an old friend who proposed, and she’s going to marry him.

ACT 3:
__RETHINK EVERYTHING: Ethan is distressed and wants to return to LA. Tilly now has some hope for their relationship, not knowing Paul (her blind date & who has expressed to Ethan that he loves her) is Ethan’s best friend. Even though Susan tells Ethan that Tilly is in love with him, doesn’t believe. However, he does all he can (most humorous) to dissuade her, which only make her love him more. As the three participate in Silver Bells’ pre-Christmas festivities, they come to feel they’d like to stay longer.
__NEW PLAN: Tilly, knowing Sophie wants a white Christmas, invites her mother and sister’s family to come to SB for Christmas. Ethan invites Paul, saying he’s a good friend (Tilly not knowing he is the blind date). Paul has been getting upset by hearing about Tilly’s reluctance, but Ethan reassures him.
__TURNING POINT: HUGE FAILURE / MAJOR SHIFT: Paul finds out Ethan’s girl has dumped him and is now upset Ethan is stealing Tilly away from him. He calls Ethan and Tilly overhears Ethan’s end and comes to understand Paul is that blind date and Ethan is with her family in on it. She thinks Ethan has only been stringing her along for Paul and is furious. Ethan, having lost his friendship with Paul AND with Tilly, decides to leave for LA.

ACT 4:
__CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT: Ethan overnights with his ride-share’s family in Grand Junction and they coax him into going back. He wants to apologize to Tilly (she was too angry before to accept it) so he finds another place to stay in Silver Bells. But Tilly and Paul are not happy to see him. Paul is now falling for Susan and worries Ethan having lost Tilly is now after Susan. Ethan thinks of leaving, but an elderly couple convince him to stay and try, saying he has to “tickle her funny bone.”
__RESOLUTION: Ethan arrives at the Airbnb Christmas day in a Santa’s cap with gifts. Sophie says all she wants from him for Christmas is to help her with scouts. Paul says he didn’t get a gift for Ethan, thinking he wouldn’t be there. Ethan says all he wants for Christmas is his friendship – they tearfully embrace. Tilly says she didn’t get him a gift. Ethan says all I want for Christmas is you and declares is “love at first frostbite” for her. He gets on his knee and begs her forgiveness. She says, “Sheesh, Ethan. I thought you were going to ask me to marry you.” Ethan surprised asks, “Would you? Marry me?” And she says that’s all she wants for Christmas. They go to a private place and kiss. Sophie peeks then announces to all, “they’re kissing.”

[Brenda Clarke]

BRENDA CLARKE, well this was a huge learning curve. Of course I just started with the romance of the story, in a modern day setting SNORE!!! so doing this lesson provided me with a great tool to THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX, what hasn’t been seen before etc. so this is what I came up with:
A. WORLD English Victorian Setting with a Steampunk Aesthetic,
B. MAJOR CONFLICT Forbidden Love, Class Divide, Family Rivalries,
C. INTRIGUING SITUATION Suffragettes with a love of Car Racing and perhaps a major Competition
I have a basic 4 Act Outline, with only a hint at the characters names and an early title. (which could all change as I keep outlining)
INSPIRED BY REAL CHARACTERS & EVENTS
TITLE: “RACY WOMEN”
Act 1:
Opening:
• Introduce the Victorian city with its steampunk aesthetic, highlighting the contrast between the luxurious upper class and the bustling lower class.
• Introduce the two protagonists:
o The Inventor (Muriel): A brilliant young woman from the lower class, working on developing a groundbreaking petrol engine in her cluttered workshop.
o The Heir (Christabel): A charming and adventurous woman from a wealthy family that owns a major industrial company.
Inciting Incident:
• At a public car race, Muriel, disguised as a male racer to avoid detection, competes with her self-built petrol car. She catches Christabel’s eye with her skill and daring driving.
Turning Point:
• Christable intrigued by the mysterious racer, discovers Muriel’s true identity and is impressed by her ingenuity. She proposes a secret collaboration to build a superior car for the upcoming prestigious race, despite knowing it would anger her family.
Act 2:
New Plan:
• They secretly work together, blending her engineering prowess with his resources. They meet in secluded locations, away from prying eyes, to develop the car.
Plan in Action:
• Their partnership deepens, and they begin to fall for each other. They face various challenges, including mechanical failures and close calls with being discovered by their families.
Midpoint Turning Point:
• During a test run in the underground racing circuit, they are confronted by Christabel’s cousin, who recognizes her and threatens to expose their collaboration, adding tension and urgency to their secret project.
Act 3:
Rethink Everything:
• They argue about the risks they are taking. Muriel fears that their relationship will jeopardize her dreams and her reputation. Christabel reassures her, but doubts linger.
New Plan:
• Determined to win and prove themselves, they decide to enter the official race under a new strategy: Muriel will race openly, and Christabel will provide covert support, leveraging his influence to navigate obstacles. But to avert attention from her family, she works with the Alias of Jane Goodwin, a common London Seamstress.
Turning Point: Huge Failure / Major Shift:
• On the day of the big race, just as Muriel is about to take the lead, Christabel’s family discovers their involvement. They sabotage the car, causing it to malfunction. Muriel barely avoids a crash, and their plan falls apart.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate Expression of the Conflict:
• Despite the sabotage, Muriel refuses to give up. With Christabel’s / Janes encouragement and last-minute repairs, she gets back into the race. The climax is a thrilling race where she uses her ingenuity to overcome mechanical challenges and fierce competitors.
Resolution:
• Muriel wins the race, earning respect and recognition for her skills. The public cheers her victory, and her success forces both families to confront their prejudices and animosities.
• Christabel stands by Muriel publicly, defying his family’s expectations. They commit to building a future together, blending their talents and challenging societal norms, and become fierce campaigners Women’s Rights
• The story ends where they walk hand in hand, ready to face the future together, symbolizing the union of innovation and tradition, and the power of love to transcend barriers, as they march the streets of London as Suffragettes.

[Micki Hess]

Micki’s Bigger Story

What I learned doing this assignment is that the idea becomes a bigger picture. Formulating the acts into a mini insight of the story.

Brainstorm at least 5 ideas for each of these and select the one or combination you like best for your bigger story.

A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?

Luxury Cruise Ship: A classic rom-com setting with a touch of extravagance. Chloe is in her pre-booked honeymoon suite, and Weston is there for a photography workshop.

B. What major conflict could be happening?

The Ex Factor: Chloe’s smooth-talking ex-fiancé, a wealthy businessman, unexpectedly boards the same cruise. He attempts to win Chloe back, creating insecurity and jealousy in Weston.

C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?

Foreign Port Mishap: During a shore excursion in a foreign port, a misunderstanding leads Chloe and Weston separated from their tour group. Lost and with limited communication options, they must rely on each other’s skills and resourcefulness to find their way back.

2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.

4-Act Rom-Com Structure: Runaway Bride on a Singles Cruise

Act 1: The Broken Vow and a New Course

* Opening:
We meet Chloe, seemingly perfect and about to be married. Hints of her uptight nature and second thoughts are sprinkled throughout.

* Inciting Incident:
Just before the wedding, Chloe discovers a shocking truth about her fiancé (caught cheating, a secret debt, etc.). This sends her world crashing down.

* Turning Point:

Impulsively, Chloe grabs her wedding dress and flees the ceremony. She books a last-minute spot on the “Singles Adventure” cruise, her original honeymoon destination.

Act 2: The Reluctant Adventurer

* New Plan:

Chloe boards the cruise determined to have a good time, despite the circumstances. However, she struggles to let go of her heartbreak and is resistant to participating in shipboard activities.

* Plan in Action:

Chloe tries to stick to her meticulously planned itinerary, but the carefree atmosphere of the cruise and the vibrant personalities of other singles challenge her rigid approach

* Midpoint Turning Point:

Chloe bumps into her ex-fiancé on the cruise. His insincere attempts to win her back trigger her insecurities. Feeling humiliated and alone, she breaks down in tears.

Act 3: The Treasure Hunt and Unexpected Connections
* Rethink Everything:
Upset and lost, Chloe seeks solace on the ship’s deck where she encounters Weston, a charming and laid-back passenger.

* New Plan:
Weston convinces Chloe to join the “Pirate’s Treasure Hunt” competition. Initially hesitant, she agrees, hoping for a distraction.

* Turning Point: Huge Failure / Major Shift:

During the competition, Chloe’s rigid planning and distrust of intuition lead to a major setback. She realizes her controlling behavior is hindering her enjoyment and potential connection with Weston.

Act 4: Finding Love and Letting Go

* Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict:

Facing elimination from the treasure hunt, Chloe and Weston must work together, combining logic and intuition. This forces her to rely on Weston and embrace spontaneity.

* Resolution:
Despite Chloe’s initial resistance, they win the competition. More importantly, Chloe starts to let down her guard and enjoys genuine connections with Weston and other passengers. While her ex-fiancé tries one last manipulation tactic, Chloe stands up for herself and exposes his true nature. The wedding dress is symbolically transformed into a new outfit.

* Epilogue:
The cruise ends with Chloe and Weston sharing a heartfelt goodbye, leaving the future of their connection open-ended but with a strong possibility of romance blossoming.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Pat’s Bigger Story
What I learned from this assignment is that love cannot come until the characters endure a boatload of conflict.
Interesting world: The assisted living home where Jaki volunteers and where Mitch’s dad is a new resident. And the strip club where Jaki bartends.
Conflict: Mitch’s initial attraction to Jaki is impeded when he suspects that she is after his dad for his money. Jaki wants to buy the strip club where she works, hoping it will give her financial security. Mitch wants to buy the place in order to turn it into a recreation center for the disadvantaged.

ACT I
Opening: Jaki arrives at the assisted living home in a clown suit. She is supposed to give a special performance that will welcome Mitch’s father as the new resident.
Inciting Incident: Jaki shocks the assisted living home’s director when she starts to remove the clown suit by doing a sexy strip, which Mitch and the other residents find delightful.
Turning Point: Jaki sees Mitch at the strip club where she bartends and learns that he’s interested in buying the place, something she also planned to do.

ACT 2
New Plan: Desperate to gather enough funds to buy the strip club and to spite Mitch’s efforts to do the same Jaki flirts with Mitch’s dad in the hopes that he will give her the money for a down payment on the club.
Plan in Action: The assisted living director bans Jaki from the home due to her outrageous activities that she designed for the residents. However, Mitch’s dad helps her find a work-around, which causes Mitch to suspect Jaki is playing his dad for the money that she thinks he has.
Midpoint Turning Point: After learning his dad’s expensive watch is missing, he accuses Jaki of stealing it and sends the police to her house to search for it.

ACT 3
Rethink everything: Jaki decides to put her house up for sale in a last attempt to get the downpayment for the strip club, but she discovers that she will barely make a profit after the mortgage is paid. She confronts Mitch, accusing him of ruining her life.
New Plan: Mitch’s dad has a stroke, he’s downtrodden and miserable. Mitch tells him that he’ll do whatever is possible to make Dad happy and optimistic again. Dad requests a visit from Jaki, because she makes him laugh.
Turning Point: Huge Failure/ Major shift: When Jaki arrives to cheer up Dad, she overhears Mitch tell his Dad that she only showed interest because she wanted to bilk him out of his money. Jaki is genuinely hurt by the accusation and waits outside the hospital to confront Mitch. They have an argument in which they both make false accusations toward each other.

ACT 4
Climax/Ultimate expression of the climax: Jaki decides to sell her house only to discover that Mitch has purchased the strip club. She believes that she is out of a job entirely.
She moves in with a friend and helps this woman at a homeless shelter, where she learns that Mitch plans to transform the strip club into a recreation center for the disadvantages.
Mitch finds his dad’s watch in some obscure place, locates Jaki and apologizes for believing that she stole it.
Resolution: Mitch asks Jaki to supervise the recreation center and would she please accept a dinner invitation from him. They let down their guard and admit feelings for one another.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Pat Fitzgerald.

[Tita Beal Anntares]

Tita Anntares’ Big Story
What I learned from doing this assignment:
• These questions, building on the earlier concept/character thinking, are midwifing the story without months of anguished blind writing/rewriting
• Thankful I took SU’s courses, particularly the rewrite course
• Interesting that I could keep with the Big Story until the Climax/Resolution… then I had to focus on the two characters within overall events
Note – to give some context if anyone skims this: This is based on an actual journey I took from my living room with two Afghans escaping death by Taliban. When I have a clear dramatic story outlined, I will interview them to find out if I an align my guesses with their world views… or write it as a story I made up.
1. Ideas for a bigger story.
• A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?
o Afghanistan before and after the US evacuated and the Taliban took over the government
o The Taliban is chasing down any pro-democracy Afghans
o It is difficult to get a visa out of Afghanistan
o Pakistan refugee areas are difficult and dangerous
o Creating a new life in the US is better than the Taliban but the streets are paved with pain and uncertainty for immigrants

• B. What major conflict could be happening?
Desperate Afghans, Adam and Zari, flee for their lives. Specific conflicts in the bigger world include all of these related ones:
o When the US evacuates, Afghans who continue to support the promise of democracy are in danger of imprisonment and torture or assassination
o The US will only consider cases of Afghans outside the US until they have finalized the thousands of cases of Afghans who got to the US during the evacuation… and therefore elected US leaders and rights organizations cannot help
o The backlog of Special Immigration Visas of Afghans in the US may take 3-4 years to finalize before Afghans’ cases outside the US can be considered for immigration
o Pakistanis resent Afghans who are taking up living space, food, supplies, specially after floods put Pakistanis in need of support, so they do not hire them and some actually harass, beat them… and the Taliban’s friends in Isis-k in Pakistan are helping to track and kill refugees from Afghanistan
o Living conditions in the refugee areas are bleak – no electricity for fans despite very hot temperatures

• C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?
o They need help because there are so many refugees that rights organizations are overloaded
o They are not only fleeing for their own lives but helping other refugees
o They have to find ways to persuade rights organizations to help them out of the millions who need help… so that they can help other refugees
o Adam puts an alert message into Linkedin and an aging American woman asks how she can help – support letters from an American can build the confidence of rights agencies that they are not helping future sleepers and terrorists get to America
o Their American helps them get a visa to Pakistan, then finds a way to connected with a US general who mobilizes help but fails and says it will be 3-4 years before the backlog of Afghans in the US is finalized and their situation cannot be considered because they are outside… but suddenly something happens…
2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.
Act 1:
• Opening – the lovers are parting, cannot marry because they do not want to hurt their families, each from a different faith and ethnic Afghan culture, and Zari’s family is prejudiced against the husband. They will stay in touch by email – but never marry
• Inciting Incident – The US evacuates Kabul, the Taliban takes over the government and Adam puts a message into Linkedin asking people to tell rights organizations what is happening. An American woman sees it, but her friends warn her it might be from a terrorist trying to get into the US or just wanting money from her
• Turning Point – Adam refuses his opportunity to get on a plane to the US during the evacuation because he cannot bear to leave Zari alone to face the Taliban’s control. She is a college teacher of women’s history and rights… a good target for Taliban’s fears of women and need to dominate, lock them into their homes or extinguish them
Act 2:
• New plan – Adam will ask Zari and her family if she can marry him because he will protect her.
• Plan in action – While his pro-democracy friends are trying to get on planes to the US, Adam drives out of Kabul towards Zari’s home while truckloads of bearded, armed Taliban men ride towards Kabul
• Midpoint Turning Point – – Taliban ransacks Adam’s office, finds out about his many pro-democracy actions and wants to kill him, puts him on the execution list
Act 3:
• Rethink everything – Adam and Zari try to live with his mother, but the Taliban is tracking them and they must find new shelters every night
• New plan – get visa out of Kabul with the help of their American and try to make a temporary life in Pakistan – the American’s support letter gets the visa
• Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – the American puts them in contact with a US general she started talking with on Linkedin who mobilizes many to help… but then he fails too. They will have to wait 3-4 years in squalor and danger… so they start applying to any country that will accept them, from Albania to Zambia, with support letters from their American
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Leading up to the climactic moment (I’m not sure what the dramatic climax will be) the policy of finalizing Afghan cases already in the US before those outside suddenly changes. They get to the US but suddenly are faced with challenges they did not expect. They feel anger, despair, and even start fighting not just disagreeing… but they persist.
• Resolution: Life in America is tough but they rebalance, realize this gives them a base to help other Afghans, and they find ways to connect their original fantasies about American democracy with their love of the vision of what the country will be and commit themselves to becoming full Americans by helping to turn the vision of democracy more and more into reality – and their deepened love for each other

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Tita Beal Anntares. Reason: First time I post, the assignment loses all spacing and appears in one text glob. When I edit and save, the spaces return

[Adite Banerjie]

Hi Tita! Love your concept. There is a lot going on in it which adds to the love story. A suggestion: for the climax you could have something that really happened when a lot of Afghans were left behind on the tarmac and the flight takes off as the Taliban starts firing at them. You could have the lovers trying to scramble on to the plane even as the Taliban is randomly firing and it seems like Zari might get left behind but ultimately she manages to get on with the Taliban raining bullets on the aircraft.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Adite Banerjie.
• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Adite Banerjie.

[Terrie Shaft]

Terrie's Bigger Story
What I learned doing this assignment is that I'd already considered some of these issues. My concern is that my 4 act structure is not enough about the 'bigger story' and too much about the character's relationship. I’ve re generated the 4 act structure but using comedy rather than rom com as the genre. I think this gives a better bigger story structure and I’ll let the next lesson focus on their relationship.
1. Brainstorm at least 5 ideas for each of these and select the one or combination you like best for your bigger story. I used AI to brainstorm and decided to go with what I already had.
• A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?
A reality show. Sara has an opportunity to do a 7 episode reality show.
• B. What major conflict could be happening?
Sara is a social media influencer who posts about productivity. Austin is an artist who is struggling to get by, partly due to his chaotic work habits. Sara is a social media influencer who posts about productivity. Austin is an artist who is struggling to get by, partly due to his chaotic work habits. Austin only believes he can create when he’s inspired. Sara believes that being organized leads to greater opportunities to be inspired.
• C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?
Austin is the focus of Sara’s new reality show – Run Your Schedule, Win Your Life!

Genre: Romantic comedy
Concept: A struggling artist’s career gets a surprising boost when Sara, a viral productivity coach, takes him on as a client for her new reality show. As the coach introduces structure and order to the artist’s chaotic world, they both discover that love can be found in the most unexpected places, even in a meticulously planned schedule.

Characters:
• Sara: Social media influencer and productivity coach, passionate about helping people get more out of life.
• Austin: Talented but disorganized artist, struggling to produce enough work and facing the risk of being dropped by his gallery.
Act 1
• Opening:
o Introduce Austin’s chaotic lifestyle and struggles as an artist. Show his missed opportunities and the imminent threat of being dropped by his gallery.
o Introduce Sara’s structured, productive life as a social media influencer. She’s preparing for her new reality show.
• Inciting Incident:
o Sara’s team selects Austin as a participant for her new reality show. Austin didn’t apply – his friend and gallery owner did it without his knowledge. He reluctantly agrees, because otherwise his gallery will drop him.
• Turning Point:
o Sara’s initial interventions yield surprising positive results, such as Austin meeting his first deadline. However, these changes cause friction, as Austin feels his creative process is being stifled. Additionally, the constant presence of cameras makes Austin uncomfortable and self-conscious.
Act 2
• New Plan:
o Sara devises a more customized plan to help Austin without compromising his creativity. They set specific goals and milestones.
• Plan in Action:
o Austin and Sara work together, with Sara introducing new productivity techniques. They begin to see success, and Austin’s work improves. However, the reality show producers pressure them for more dramatic content, leading to manufactured conflicts and misunderstandings.
• Midpoint Turning Point:
o Austin experiences a breakthrough, creating a viral piece of art thanks to Sara’s methods. They celebrate the success together, growing closer in the process. The reality show’s ratings soar, but the increased attention starts to invade their personal lives.
Act 3
• Rethink Everything:
o The newfound closeness leads to personal conflicts. Austin feels Sara is taking too much credit for his success, or her methods cause a significant personal setback for him. The producers exploit this conflict for drama, making things worse.
• New Plan:
o They must reassess their approach. Sara realizes she needs to balance productivity with creative freedom, while Austin learns to appreciate structure. They agree to set boundaries with the reality show producers to protect their personal relationship.
• Turning Point: Huge Failure / Major Shift:
o The producer of the reality show threatens to find a different influencer for the show if Sara doesn’t push Austin harder to use her techniques. The producer wants it all – not just a reality show but branded content. Sara goes along with some of it, which threatens her professional identity and growing feelings for Austin. Sara & Austin have a falling out, and the show’s future is in jeopardy. The producers push for a dramatic confrontation, leading to an on-camera meltdown that goes viral for all the wrong reasons.
Act 4
• Climax / Ultimate Expression of the Conflict:
o In a pivotal moment, both must confront their fears and flaws. Austin needs to accept help and structure, while Sara must embrace flexibility and creativity. They must decide whether to prioritize the show and their careers or their feelings for each other. They confront the producers and demand changes to the show’s format to allow for a more authentic portrayal of their journey.
• Resolution:
o They find a balanced approach to life, blending creativity with productivity. They commit to a relationship that embraces both chaos and order. The reality show becomes a success, reflecting their new, harmonious dynamic. The final episodes focus on their genuine growth and connection, winning over the audience with authenticity.

Version 2:
Act 1:
• Opening: Introduce Austin, a talented but disorganized artist struggling to keep up with his commitments. He’s on the verge of being dropped by his gallery.
• Inciting Incident: Austin reluctantly agrees to participate in Sara’s reality show, seeing it as his last chance to save his career.
• Turning Point: Sara’s initial productivity interventions surprisingly yield positive results, but Austin feels his creative process is being stifled, leading to tension.
Act 2:
• New Plan: Austin decides to give Sara’s methods an honest try, determined to make the most of the opportunity despite his reservations.
• Plan in Action: Austin starts to see improvements in his productivity and begins producing more art. Sara and Austin start to bond, despite their initial friction.
• Midpoint Turning Point: Austin creates a viral piece of art thanks to Sara’s methods. They celebrate the success together, growing closer.
Act 3:
• Rethink Everything: The success puts more pressure on both Austin and Sara. Austin starts feeling that Sara is taking too much credit for his work. Sara is conflicted between her role as a coach and her growing feelings for Austin.
• New Plan: Austin decides to confront Sara about his feelings, while Sara re-evaluates her approach to helping Austin, realizing she needs to respect his creative process.
• Turning Point: Huge Failure / Major Shift: A major setback occurs – perhaps Austin’s latest work is heavily criticized, or a personal issue surfaces, causing a rift between them.
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate Expression of the Conflict: Austin and Sara have a pivotal confrontation where they must address their fears and flaws. They realize that to succeed, they need to find a balance between productivity and creativity.
• Resolution: Austin and Sara find a balanced approach to life, blending creativity with productivity. They decide to work together, respecting each other’s strengths and boundaries, and their partnership (both professional and personal) thrives.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Terrie Shaft.
• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Terrie Shaft.

[Ron Turowski]

Subject line: Ron Turowski. Rom Com Project
“What I learned doing this assignment is just to put an idea down to start the process.
• Two People Who Belong Together: High School Sweethearts.
• How Are They Separated: Boyfriend moved to a new state.
• What Forces Them Together: Rehabilitation Camp but falls for a counselor.
• Issues to be Resolved: her old boyfriend shows up at the camp
• On Their Journey of Love: Trying to rekindle what they had. Some competition between the new and old boyfriend ensues.

2. Then fill in the blanks to create your conventions. Even though some of these are the same, it is worth looking at them in the context of the conventions.
• Experience of Falling In Love:
• The Journey of Love: From 1st grade to high school.
• Relationship Set-up: Reunited at camp but has moved on with her life.
• Issues each must Resolve: Which one will she choose?
• Separation: 5 years.
• How Comedy Will Be Expressed: Through the Activities at Camp.

[Rae Rodgers]

Rom Com – Lesson 3 – Rae’s Bigger Story – FIRST DRAFT
What I learned doing this assignment is not to lose it! I completed and saved this first draft then lost it somewhere in the ether! So, I’ve created a second draft with the intension it turns out better.
BRAINSTORM 5 ideas: Done. This is the one I am going with.
A. What interesting world could this story be set in?
1. The world of Aviation – Also the marine world in Seattle.
Both protagonists, male and female, are commercial airline pilots.
2. The world of Childcare Centers in favor of lower middle class working mothers.
Besides her piloting, the female protagonist runs two busy Childcare Centers in Palm Springs.
B. What major conflict could be happening?
The air-born couple falls in love when they meet in a pilot’s jump seat on an aircraft headed for LAX. The problem is, Riley McKay lives in Seattle, and besides piloting helps run the family’s marine business. While Emmy Macfarlane, who has close ties with her mother Nancy, also co-owns and runs an insanely busy Childcare center in Palm Springs.
C. What intriguing situation could these characters be in?
Both have had a love affair with airplanes since childhood. Both have committed to always be there for their parents at an early age. At some point Riley will step into the boat building business in Seattle. Emmy, committed to transform her mother’s life, from cleaning bathrooms while her ten year old self watched on, to owning Childcare Centers for working Moms, and for the good of the Palm Springs community.
D. The love is real and both of them know it.
They knew at first glance! As tired as they were, hitching a ride in the “jump seat” for pilots, when all they wanted was sleep – the opposite happened!

USE 4 ACT STRUCTURE
ACT 1:
Opening
INT. PALM SPRINGS AIRPORT – DAY
MICHAEL McKAY (45) and SHAUNA McKAY (44) stomp through the airport to catch a shuttle. Their children RILEY (12) and JEN (10) drag behind. Suddenly Riley trips on a toy Unicorn. He goes down. Locks eyes with EMMY MACFARLANE (10) as she scrambles after her unicorn. Michel yells, “For God’s sake Riley, get your ass over here!” Suddenly Emmy shoves the Unicorn at Riley, “Here, it’s for you. I’m Emmy and I’m sorry.” Their eyes lock as Riley takes the Unicorn and then runs like hell towards his parents.
ASSIGNMENT:
Create your concept and Conventions
Start with whatever idea you have, fill in the blanks and create a concept.
1. Two people who are destined to be together.
Much like the Brigid Jones the opening is a “meet cute” – a flashback to childhood.
At five, all Emmy wants is to be a pilot. No dolls, strollers; she wants trains, planes, boy toys with engines. But growing up in Joshua Tree far from cities and airports, tiny Palm Springs airport was where she’d watch planes take off and land… while her Mom did airport maintenance
From age six Riley had to fly. There was no compromise. The first indication was his leap from the family holiday home roof in Like Arrowhead with large self-made wings strapped to his upper body. And now, present day, after piloting a flight from Prague to NYC and a twenty four hour stopover he grabs a last minute “jump seat” for pilots only and heads to LA for a family reunion.
JFK Airport. As Riley boards the business class cabin a co-pilot takes him aside. Asks him to surrender his “jump seat” to a mother who is taking her special needs child to LA for surgery. Riley surrenders his seat in a heartbeat and waits for the next flight.
Hours later, boarding a back-up flight, the flight attendant steers Riley to the cockpit where the Captain gives him a revered jump seat in the cock-pit, one of two seats directly behind the pilot. Riley looks to his right, sees a pair of knock-out feminine legs, the rest of her hidden by a large open magazine. Minutes later, a very beautiful jerks her face from behind the pages introduces herself as Emmy.
During the five-hour non-stop flight the two talk, bond, and before landing both know there is something special there. Emma admits to him she has no life outside of piloting but wants to someday marry and have kids. She states she is a “Greeny,” talks passionately about married couples replacing themselves that’s all, and not adding to overpopulation. He listens but does not offer his opinion. By the end of the flight, Riley and Emma are inextricably in love!
2. How are they separated:
Riley’s family is in Bridgeport Connecticut. Emma’s is Los Angeles via Yucca Valley. At first they swear this will not separate them, but it causes tension as their relationship takes on a whirlwind life.
3. What forces them together:
San Francisco is Riley’s default stopover city. Los Angeles is Emma’s. They scramble their flight schedules to meet up in either city, but flights get delayed on a regular basis and there are too many missed dates. All he wants is marriage, but she has more piloting to do and is not yet ready to give up her life’s pursuit. So, she studies for her real estate license on the side thinking this might be an easy job to fall into while creating a family of four.
4. Issues to be resolved on their journey of love.
Riley and Emma cannot be apart! So, during a layover they go to marry in an LA courthouse. But before they take the leap they get a call from Seattle!
5. How are they separated.
Riley’s Dad Michael has a heart attack. Riley is called to run the family’s boat building company, the largest in Seattle. Emma returns home, expands her Childcare for working mothers business builds, she’s home less than when she was piloting!
How will comedy be expressed?
Emma and Riley are madly in love, so she takes random flights, hanging with him in the cockpit, taking “jump seat flights” to be together.
6. What forces them to be together?
They make it work, flying together no matter what, until Emma’s OBGYN tells her that air travel is no longer an option. She is pregnant! But they need to see, feel, touch each other twenty four seven and so separation is not an option.
7. Issues to be resolved on the journey of love
There is only one answer, Emma must stay home and live a conventional life. She is committed to the marriage and the baby but she also needs a career.
8. How will comedy be expressed to his parents.
INTERCUT: EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON:
We see Riley (30) in Airline Pilot uniform, returned home from a commercial flight and entering the family home. His father Michael has had a heart attack and wants to hand the reins over to Riley. But Riley has just met a girl, fallen hard at first sight, and the last thing he wants is to be tied to Seattle.
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA:
Emmy (2*) is setting up a new Child Care Center with her mother, NANCY (55). It is their second center, and requires a lot of hands on attention. She is dressed in a commercial pilot outfit, having just arrived home from a long flight.
Inciting Incident.
BOING 777 – IN FLIGHT (NIGHT)
Riley is bumped from his “Jump Seat” in the Pilot’s cabin the minute he buckles up, surrenders the free seat to a disabled WOMAN who needs to reach LAX for urgent medical needs. He waits, boards the next flight, to find the second Jump Seat occupied by a stunning woman. In fact, it is Emmy! It’s love at first sight – and it’s mutual!
IN SEATTLE: Riley enters his family home to find his father waiting, along with the rest of his family. They break the news – Riley is to run the family boat building business.
IN PALM SPRINGS:
Emmy enters the Child Care Center to find her mother in tears, the load is to heavy. She can’t continue with the Centers unless Emmy devotes more time and support.
Riley calls Emmy from Seattle and breaks the news – tells her he loves, wants to marry her. Says he will work it out where they can be together.
Turning Point
The truth is neither Riley or Emmy can get away. They Facetime day and night, exhausted, and it just gets worse. They decide to take a break, shore up both businesses and then reunite.
ACT 2:
New Plan
Emmy is focused with a plan to get the Child Care Centers running smoothly, but after too many emotional “One on ones” solving the mother’s personal and domestic problems she is exhausted and has to get away.
Riley takes a leave of absence and puts his wings aside to help with the family. His father Michael is way too demanding and so Riley defers to his younger sister JEN, starts training her to take over the reins quoting Maya Angelou, “My mission in life is not to strive but to thrive.”
Plan in Action
Riley and Emmy make a plan to meet in LA within the month.
Midpoint turning point
The two weeks Emmy and Riley spend together are a romp in LA’s coastal resorts. They fall more deeply in love, refusing to be apart any longer than it takes to set up their parents with support people. It’s a painful goodbye.
ACT 3:
Rethink everything
Back in Seattle, faced with the fact his father needs him – no one else will substitute, Ryan calls Emmy, says he needs a year to pull things together. She gets upset, tells him to re-think his priorities, call her when he decides to get real. Meanwhile she has even more single women/mothers leaning on her for support and needs a reprieve. Nancy is adding pressure as well — and all she wants is to be with Riley.
New Plan:
Riley flies into Palm Springs Airport where, after an emotional reunion with Emmy, he sees a young girl clinging to her Unicorn. He tells Emmy the story of the girl who once gave him her Unicorn, said he’s never forgotten her. Days later the penny drops. Emmy recalls the Unicorn story, calls it “a sign” they were destined to be together. They marry at the PALM SPRINGS CITY HALL the next day.
A day later, Michael has another heart attack, this is one major, and Riley flies straight home. He calls Emmy, tells her he is badly needed to hold the family together. They argue about whose needs are more important. Riley blows up and there’s a disconnect that lasts for days – both on their own position.
Turning Point – Huge Failure/ Major shift
Nancy sees how destroyed Emmy is by Ryan’s absence, meets with her most ambitious mother and offers her a partnership in the Centers – subject to Emmy’s approval.
ACT 4:
Climax/ Ultimate expression of the conflict
Ryan’s father Michael has still another heart attack but he does not survive it and the McKay family falls apart. This time Emmy flies to Ryan, sees how difficult it is for him to desert the bond of his family for a life in California. They share all options… how can they be apart when they are so mad about each other. They are also married! It becomes a work in progress.
Resolution:
The Airlines give an ultimatum. Ryan must return or he will lose his current status and have to start from zero. He hires a general manager to helm the boat business, returns to the Airlines with his home base in Palm Springs. He’s tense and not himself with Emmy. It becomes a work in progress.

[Mary MacNeith]

Mary MacNeith’s Bigger Story

Having created my two main characters, one with a major illness and the other an out-of-the-box painter, this lesson has my vision of a bigger story for both characters. I love the concept of creating a story within a story. It makes sense for storytelling, and blending it with other genres is a great idea.

[Gayle Jackson]

Gayle’s Bigger Story
What I learned doing this assignment is I have to keep it simple, simple, simple. The more I get plotted up, the less interesting it becomes.

1. Bigger world
A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?
• An American tourist and her tour group get caught in a revolutionary coup and she must step up with her tour guide to get everyone out safely.
• A shy American comic book author craves adventure is mistaken for a smuggler who realizes the mistake and chooses to help clear her name.
• An American mercenary is double-crossed on a deal and the only person he can trust is a tourist who lost her tour group.
• A groom is kidnapped at his destination wedding and his bride risks everything with the help of a mercenary to get him back only to discover her fiancé is in on a coup plot.
• A bride is jilted at the altar and takes a solo honeymoon only to be surprised when a fugitive surprises her by taking over the groom’s tickets.
B. What major conflict could be happening?
• An international coup in a country far from home.
• A case of mistaken identity puts the protagonist in danger out of her depth.
• A well-intentioned protagonist tries to help a mysterious stranger and gets caught up in something illegal and deadly.
• Trying to save a future spouse from mortal danger only to find yourself betrayed.
• Wanting to be alone, feeling betrayed by someone you love, only to be stuck with a stranger who has a history of betrayal.
C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?
• Action – trying to escape a dangerous country
• Adventure – lost in the remote areas of a foreign country
• Spy – trust and betrayal trying to complete an assignment
• Adventure – trust and betrayal trying to succeed in a quest
• Action – rising to the challenge of rescuing self and others

2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.
Act 1:
Opening- Casey is a comic book author in a loveless engagement who yearns for the same adventure she creates for her characters, especially her #1 creation Huckleberry Hawkins
Inciting Incident – In Istanbul, Casey goes to pick up a gift for her fiancé and is given the wrong package by mistake.
Turning Point – Mercenaries try to kill her to get the package. Casey is saved when a mysterious man pushes her off a train and jumps with her.

Act 2:
New plan – Instead of traveling by train to Paris with her Publicist, Casey must walk through the mountains to Budapest with the stranger.
Plan in action – The mystery man claims the name of the comic book character Huck Hawkins unaware Casey is the author. She is suspicious.
Midpoint Turning Point – Mercenaries find them and try to kill both.

Act 3:
Rethink everything – Huck tells Casey the truth of his assignment, that he is being betrayed for the art treasure in the package. But the package only holds a clue, not the treasure.
New plan – Casey is out. They go their separate ways. Her fiancé flies to Europe to rescue her.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Casey goes to the embassy where the Interpol agents betray her. Her PR person provides cover for her to escape the embassy and the fiancé to find Huck.

Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – Casey and Huck rejoin and find the treasure. They are caught and escape certain death like in her comic.
Resolution – They return the treasure to its home country. Huck goes into hiding. 6 months later she is solo and finds him leading an adventure tour and hires him. They kiss.

[Eugene Mandelcorn]

Eugene Mandelcorn’s Rom Com Project

Lesson 3

What I learned doing this assignment is that I have incorporated a big bold story into this double rom-com.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Brainstorm at least 5 ideas for each of these and select the one or combination you like best for your bigger story.

A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?
The world of filmmaking.
The world of homelessness.
The world of construction.
The world of politics.
The world of ecological change.
B. What major conflict could be happening?
The conflict of making a narrative feature vs. a documentary.
The conflict of homeless living near a community of new homes.
The conflict of trying to maneuver complex zoning and planning rules.
The conflict of surviving a natural disaster.
The conflict of dealing with a major dream come true.
C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?
Building a home for the homeless.
Deciding what homeless person will occupy the structure.
Finding a way to have the homeless be self-sufficient.
The formerly homeless helping people who are newly homeless.
Surviving a natural disaster.

2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.

Act 1:

Opening: Joe and Beth meet at a film screening.
Inciting Incident: They are put together to work on a film project in their filmmaking class.
Turning Point: They pick two older homeless people to play the main roles in their project, promising them homes, as a result.

Act 2:

New plan: They bring the two homeless individuals, Voice and Karen to a small vacant lot where they will construct their homes while filming it.
Plan in action: Joe and Beth, along with Voice and Karen, clear the lot, put up the tents, drill for water, plant fruit and vegetable and deal with the city and country to plan the structures and apply for building permits.
Midpoint Turning Point: The people in the new housing development across the street want the homeless people across the street from them evicted and the city make it very difficult for them to build two small structures on the lot.

Act 3:

Rethink everything: They can only put one structure on the lot, and it must be in the center of the property.
New plan: Joe and Beth propose a contest between Voice and Karen to who will live in the tiny home to be built.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: The city tells them that they cannot have a permanent structure on the lot. Not even a tiny home.

Act 4:

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Joe orders a temporary, prebuilt, tiny home on wheels and has it moved to the center of the lot. Both Voice and Karen work on it and finally decide to share it.
Resolution: Just as they move into their new home a Tornado hits and while destroying the entire new home community across the street, their tiny is left standing and the homeless people who ridiculed them ask for their help in rebuilding their community.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  Eugene Mandelcorn.

[William Peed]

Mike's Bigger Story

What I Learned From this Assignment: That our structure needs to be big and sharp and clear.

1. What Interesting World Could This Be Set In?

Algiers. 1580. The Pirate Capital of the Barbary Coast. The Ottoman Empire. 250 Nautical miles from their mortal enemy, Spain. Muslim and Christian and Jewish. Moorish and Turkish and Spanish. Multi-lingual. Multi-cultural. 1,001 Arabian (K)nights and Romantic Chivalries and Homer and the Quran and the Bible.

2. What Major Conflict Is Happening?

Pasha Hassan, the cruel and tyrannical ruler of Algiers, has offered his Court Poet Miguel Cervantes a deal – if Miguel can write a marriage proposal that will convince Daniella, Pasha Hassan’s favorite concubine and Miguel’s secret lover, to marry Pasha Hassan, he can return home to Spain.

3. What Intriguing Situation Could These Characters Be Involved In?

If Miguel doesn’t get Daniella out of Algiers, he’ll lose her forever. If Pasha Hassan finds out, he’ll kill them.

CONCEPT: Miguel must convince Daniella to escape from Pasha Hassan or risk losing her love forever

MAIN CONFLICT: If Pasha Hassan finds out, he’ll have them killed.

ACT 1:

OPENING: Miguel, in chains, being returned to captivity in Algiers after his latest failed escape attempt.

INCITING INCIDENT: Pasha Hassan makes Miguel an offer – if he can write a marriage proposal that will convince Daniella to marry Pasha Hassan, Miguel will be free to return home to Spain.

TURNING POINT: Daniella makes/Miguel promise(s) that he will never leave her in Algiers by herself.

ACT 2: CHALLENGE THE OLD WAYS

REACTION: Miguel tries to settle into a domestic bliss with Daniella. A Job! An Apartment! Dinner Parties! But as long as they’re in Algiers, Miguel will always be second to Pasha Hassan.

THE PLAN: Miguel will arrange it so that Daniella has to leave, by putting her Handmaiden’s life in danger.

MIDPOINT: Daniella asks Miguel to help get Zara out of Algiers.

MIGUEL: I would love to! But I promised you I wouldn’t ever leave you alone in Algiers again. Perhaps if you came with us…

RETHINK: Suddenly, Miguel has to plan an escape.

NEW PLAN: Need Horses. Need a boat. Need a crew. Will use the Wedding as a distraction. Daniella is surprised to learn about the wedding. Miguel has never mentioned The Proposal to her.

TURNING POINT: Daniella asks Pasha Hassan to marry her.

ACT 4: TEST THE CHANGE IN THIS CHARACTER! PROVE NEW WAYS

CLIMAX: The Wedding! Right before which, Daniella learns that Pasha Hassan hasn’t changed at all. So Daniella asks Miguel to help her escape — again.

He does, but in the end, the only way he can free Daniella is by sacrificing his own freedom.

RESOLUTION: Miguel and Sancho dream of what could have been as Pasha Hassan and his new wife, Hajji Murad’s daughter, head for Constantinople.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  William Peed.

[Mary Buchanan]

MaryBuchanan RomCom Project Bigger Story
I learned in this assignment that this process provides new steps to lead the writer to create stories with more depth, streamlining the story. It saves so much time. Your characters become real, and the reader will keep turning the pages.

Brainstorm ideas N/A. for this book; it is part of a series. The setting has to be Madison County. All of my books’ settings are in Madison County.

Bigger Story: The hurricane represents life with its ups and downs. The storm is south of Cuba, and the path is predicted to head to the Gulf of Mexico toward the panhandle of Florida. The eye may approach land anywhere from Cedar Key to Apalachicola. Margo, the main character’s life, will face three challenges to guide her to the final decision about Tony. Tony’s storm challenge is to forget his fear of a dangerous job that doesn’t fit with the success rate of marriages in the FBI unit. He doesn’t want to be a statistic in either category.

Act I. Margo is working on her culinary skills and stops to watch the weather report. Her two friends call, and she forgets what is cooking in the oven. Her house catches on fire.
The reader meets all the characters when Margo attends the weekly Tuesday meeting of the Wildflowers.

Inciting incident: A letter from the FBI announces Margo is under investigation. She is being framed. She assumes Tony is the investigator but can get no confirmation. He has never called like he promised the last time they were together at her friend’s wedding.
Turing point. Tony has not called. She wants to know if Tony is part of the investigation. Is that why he has abandoned her? She is angry because she lost all her money in the last Ponzi scheme when she met Tony. He is bad luck for her.

Act 2: She forgets Tony. He is too much drama. She prepares for the approaching storm. Another con man enters ( man), a playboy and Tony’s acquaintance. Tony finds out and stops the relationship immediately. Margo doesn’t know why the new relationship goes nowhere. The guy never calls Margo for a date. She feels despair again. What is wrong with her?
Tony tries to solve the FBI case because he believes Margo is innocent. She refuses to talk to Tony so she has no clue how hard he is working to clear her of the alleged crime. Technically, he can’t call her because of his duty to the FBI. The handwriting expert confirms Margo’s handwriting on the contracts in question, but the expert has concerns about the documents, which gives Tony hope.

Plan In Action: Tony goes back to prison to interview the perpetrator of the crime. He fails to solve the issue and as soon as he returns to Tallahassee, he is told he and three others are being transferred to Miami for his job as soon as the current case is completed. He doesn’t want to leave Tallahassee or Margo.
He calls Margo, hoping to find a house or condo in Madison. He is retiring She tells him she will never sell him a house and that no condos are available now. He can’t tell her anything about the case until the investigation is done. She tells him to get lost.
Tony goes to Madison and finds Sydnee, and asks for help. Sydnee remembers Diane (the third friend) has a home that will be available for rent soon. She calls Diane, who agrees to rent the house to Tony. Tony returns to Tallahassee to do the paperwork for retirement in thirty days and returns to the prison to interview the criminal again. He refuses to give up.

Midpoint: The storm becomes a category four as it hits land thirty miles south of Madison County. In prison, Tony watches as the real criminal changes personalities in the interrogation and admits he forged all the documents. Tony rushes to his office but has to leave immediately because every office and business in Tallahassee is closing due to a storm.

Act 3
Rethink Everything: Madison County is locked for eight hours as the eye passes through Madison. Margo and her friends are at Diane’s farmhouse in Diane’s basement because neither Sydnee nor Margo’s homes have basements. The friends want to go through this storm together. Everyone is frightened. The ranch hand is with them. He is aware of the body bags and the danger the group is facing. JJ and Diane’s husband are Diane’sergency management in town.
New Plan: Tony has the paperwork to clear Margo but can’t finish the processcan’tis sent home for safety. He can’t finish the job and can’t tell Margo. The hurricane is a frightening experience. Margo decides to stay single for the rest of her life.
Tony continues to check with emergency personnel in Tallahassee and gets updates on Madison County. He discovers 2,000 body bags have been ordered for the tri-county area which includes Madison County. He is in lockdown at his condo. It’s a waiting game, and he’s afraid Margo will die. While locked in his home, he plans the rest of his life with Margo. Life is too precious.

Major shift: The eye of the storm passes slowly. Everyone in the basement steps outside to witness the stillness Margo realizes the value of life with a loved one. She will prove her innocence and find the right one for her.
Tony can’t get to her. Trees can’town, no electricity. No vehicle can drive to or through Madison County. All highways are closed. The area is a war zone. He calls every private pilot and finally finds one who will fly Tony in a helicopter to Madison. Tony lands in a spot in the local town cemetery and runs to Margo’s house. No one is home. He runs to Sydnee’s house. No one is home. She returns to the helicopter because he doesn’t have a clue where Diane lives. All he knows is her last name.. The pilot called someone who could contact the emergency unit in Madison County, but they couldn’t help him. Tony couldn’t wait. He runs to a utility truck working to clear a street and asks if anyone knows Diane. The man tells him how to get to the farmhouse, but no road is open.

Act 4
Climax: The pilot heads to Dian’s farmhouse in the country. From the helicopter, Tony panics because he sees the damage to the farm. He lands in a grassy area and runs screaming for Margo, who is locked in the basement. Tony and the pilot move debris away from the entrance and Margo comes out with everyone there. He informs her she is innocent, he loves her, and he has a house in Madison County.

Resolution: Margo confirms she loves him. He proposes.

[Mary MacNeith]

Act 1:
Opening
Wallis and Wyatt aren’t looking where they are going and run right into each other, they get hurt and are very angry towards each other.

Inciting Incident
Wyatt meets the artist for his fundraiser, and its Wallis, the quirky younger lady he ran into, and both are not happy to see each other.

Turning Point
Wallis and Wyatt visit various locations looking for inspiration for the painting and nothing they see works as they both have far different ideas.

Act 2:
New plan
Wyatt and Wallis get out of the city and explore rural landscapes and feel the inspiration from the starry skies above.

Plan in action
Wyatt and Wallis decide on a vision for the painting yet there is still conflict from both of them.

Midpoint Turning Point
Wallis seeks Wyatt, and discovers he has a major illness.

Act 3:
Rethink everything New plan Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift
The auction committee doesn’t like Wallis’s concept for the painting and she is angry, then Wyatt asks Wallis if she would marry him, as he wants to marry before he dies.

Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict Resolution

Wallis completes the painting masterpiece, and she buys it at the highest price. Wyatt is getting weaker, yet he and Wallis marry and a few days later he passes away.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  Mary MacNeith.

[Madeleine Vessel]

Madeleine’s Bigger Story
“What I learned doing this assignment is a romantic comedy is a story inside a story inside a story:

Story 1: Bigger story with screenplay structure.
Story 2: Romance with 7-stages of love.
Story 3: Each character’s transformational journey.

I also learned that I can create the bigger story by using the concept and major conflict to create a 4-act structure.
Concept:

A charismatic stranger using an assumed name, whose fancy car breaks down in a remote Nevada town, quickly becomes entangled with a goodhearted miner’s daughter, sparking tomfoolery, love, and suspicion as his mysterious past comes to light.

Main Conflict: They are from two incompatible worlds.
• Rich vs. Poor
• Worldly vs. Cautious
• Cynical vs. Optimistic
• Dishonest vs. Honest

Internal Conflict:
She’s locked in to supporting her parents.
He’s locked into picking up the pieces of his old life and moving forward with it.
Issues to be Resolved:

From the get-go, she sees him as rich, successful, and as free as a bird. Good for him, but where’s the future in someone like that for someone like her?

From the beginning, he looks down on her as a risk averse, country bumpkin with no ambition. What he needs is a new partner with money who can help him get back on his feet. Life with her would be way too dull. She is the opposite of his partner who gambled away everything they had.

Story world:
A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?
The story begins in Los Angeles where rich David and Philip design and build boats. They are riding high until Philip’s gambling addiction causes their downfall. Philip is murdered by his creditors, and David, forced to use his personal funds to pay of their company debts, is on the run using an assumed name. He’s in disbelief and shock.
The world then shifts to a remote area in Nevada where David’s car breaks down. His car is towed into a town where David becomes entangled with a miner’s daughter and ends up hard-rock mining to repair his car and pay for board and room. He’s been reduced to living like a pauper.
She is chipping away at her responsibilities while translating subtitles for Asian dramas. She’s slowly amassing funds for what she does not know.

B. What major conflict could be happening?
He’s lying low using an assumed name until his partner’s murderers are caught and brought to justice. He’s lying to her from the get-go about who he is and what he does.
She finds out he’s been lying to her. He can’t be trusted. For her there’s nothing than a liar and a thief.

C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?
2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.
Act 1:
Opening: David driving on a lonely 2-lane road in Nevada.
Thea on the hood of her 4-wheel drive vehicle dreaming of loving and being loved.
David sees steam starts coming from under the hood, and he’s forced to stop.
Inciting Incident: A tow truck driven by Thea stops to give him hydration and pick up his car.
In town, the mechanic tells him his car won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. He needs to order a water pump that needs to come from Germany.
Turning Point: No hotel rooms available, Dave is given a room by Thea’s dad in exchange for labor. He wants him to help with assessment work in a gold and silver mine. The dad won’t take money.

Act 2:
New plan: Dave accepts the terms for his lodging.

Plan in action: Capable in his own world doing his own work, he’s all thumbs in the mining world. Thea runs circles around him.
Midpoint Turning Point: He almost gets himself and Thea killed because he spit the fuses backward.
Because of a raging thunderstorm, Dave and Thea must spend the night together in an old cabin near the mine site.
First Kiss somewhere here.

Act 3:
State Police arrive and notify him his partner’s murderers have been caught.
Dave’s car is ready. He can leave anytime he wants.
A key player in his industry knows what happened to his business and wants to hire him.
Rethink everything: Stay or leave. He decides to leave and take the job in California.

Thea is devastated.

He keeps seeing reminders of Thea and what he left behind.
He decides to make a visit, but when he returns to Nevada, he learns that the miner he stayed with has died, his house has been sold off, and the wife and Thea are gone.
New plan: Find Thea.
He learns that Thea’s mom got a teaching job in Elko, Nevada, and that Thea moved to somewhere in California.
Huge failure: No one knows where she moved to.
An old teacher in town is the only one who knows her phone number.
Turning Point: He calls Thea.
Major shift: They agree to meet.

Act 4: They meet on the beach in San Diego.
She asks him what his real name is.
He tells her his name and who he really is. He tells her he missed her the whole time they were apart.
Ultimate expression of conflict resolution:
They kiss and walk away from us on a beach into the sunset.

[Nancy Lucas]

What I learned doing this assignment is – that if I flesh out my scenes – I have a better idea of how the story will be layed out. That being said- I am still not sure of my romance angle. But I am working on it. Having the story board—or beat board in Final Draft really helps!! 😊

1. Brainstorm at least 5 ideas for each of these and select the one or combination you like best for your bigger story.
• A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in? A small mountain town
• B. What major conflict could be happening? I was thinking it would be the conflict of new technology meeting old school/ simple life – and how the simple life solves the problems the old fashioned way
• C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?—ugh- I am still trying to figure that out. I think he works for the tech company and she is trying to help the STEM students with getting into a contest or going to an event…. (hint: he will need to step in to help)
2. Turn that bigger story into a 3-Act or 4-Act structure.
Act 1:
• Opening: The “project- no town left behind’ is being installed in town- everyone is getting new tech equipment for their stores and homes
• Inciting Incident: It all fails
• Turning Point: We find out this town is really the guinea pig for the tech company.
Act 2:
• New plan: Townspeople take control of their own situation
• Plan in action: Restaurants take control, the bakery takes control, there is no bank—(it turned cashless)—so an ex-teller is trying to find a solution
• Midpoint Turning Point—(unsure)
Act 3:
• Rethink everything: Millenials discovering the old folk may have been on to something
• New plan: Trying to keep the festival of lights alive with monopoly money?
• Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: We lose electricity due to the snow storm
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Townspeople solve their own problems
• Resolution: They fall in love somewhere during this story!

[Bent Hanlen]

Bent’s bigger story
what i learned doing this assignment is ……….. i might be able to write a Hallmark movie or Lifetime movie. My focus is on the arc and the characters. I’m not thinking about special effects in this story. What I learned is I can write plot driven work.

Act 1:

Opening – Tommy is at the plumbing shop and is given an assignment to visit a home.
Inciting Incident – He arrives and finds a leaking pipe that is severely flooding the basement. He calls for back up and his boss answers. The guy says he will be there to help.
Turning Point – Boss arrives and they both turn off the water and help drain the basement.
Act 2: The filipino family who called in the disaster are setting up a big dinner for later. The daughter sees Tommy and flirts with him. No one flirts with his boss which creates tension.

New plan – Tommy doesn’t catch the flirting. The woman named Nimfa packs them both a lunch before they go. Tommy’s boss sees the flirtation and creepily acts like he’s the intended one.
Plan in action – Nimfa visits the plumber shop. Tommy is not there. The boss receives food for Tommy and a note from Nimfa. Boss takes it to the back office.
Midpoint Turning Point – He eats the food and crumples up the note after reading it.
Act 3:

Rethink everything – Tommy arrives back to the office. He is unaware of the delivery from Nimfa. He sees consumed food that looks familiar. Something he ate before. Now he thinks his boss loves filipino food.
New plan – he comes back from a filipino restaurant with food for his boss and shares with his team.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – nimfa arrives to look for Tommy. She sees him and his filipino feast. She wants to know who gave all this food to him. She thinks there is another woman. Tommy doesn’t understand why she’s flipping out.
Act 4:

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – Tommy doesn’t understand why he’s been yelled at by a beautiful woman over food that has nothing to do with her. He sulks in the office. Then he looks down and sees a crumpled note in the garbage can with his name on it. it is a note from Nimfa. The note tells him to enjoy the food and she wants to ask him out. The boss walks in. Tommy asks whats this. and where is the gift of dinner she delivered. The boss replies he ate it. And we can’t be flirting with clients. Tommy grabs a wrench and cracks the boss upside the head.
Resolution – Tommy pulls up to Nimfa’s home. He gets out and goes to the door. She opens it with family behind her. He presents the note and tells her what his boss did. He adds he would love to go out with her on a date. They hug.