Lesson 4

[Lynn Vincentnathan]

Lynn’s 7 Stages of Love – SOPHIE’S WHITE CHRISTMAS

WHAT I LEARNED doing this assignment is that despite myself I seem to have hit all these stages, but this will really help with the next script I write, for which I’m about to outline at this point.

CREATE THE 7 STAGES OF LOVE FOR YOUR TWO LEAD CHARACTERS.

1. MEET-CUTE: They don’t meet in person until soon after Act 1. However, Ethan “meets” Tilly early on (p. 7) as the travel magazine writer his friend Paul wants to date (he sees her glamorous photo in the magazine) and he’s against that because she is too glamorous and unstable; he’s afraid his friend will be hurt the way he was by a glamorous woman. He considers Paul to be the brother he never had.

Tilly “meets” Ethan on p. 15 under his screen name when she reads his negative comment about her, but she also realizes it holds some truth.

2. ATTRACTION/FLIRTING: When they do meet in person he doesn’t recognize her and she doesn’t know he’s the negative commenter. She saves his life and treats him for frostnip. There is an attraction between them, and more importantly a friendship develops.

3. DENIAL: Ethan is on his way to propose to another woman, so both suppress those feelings of attraction. She mumbles, “The best ones are taken.”

4. SEPARATION/FORCED TOGETHER: They are snowed in together in a remote chalet and are together for 6 days, but because of his plan to marry another woman, they suppress their feelings for each other, even though their friendship and attraction grows. When Ethan’s girlfriend dumps him mid-point, what keeps him psychologically separated is Paul’s desire to date Tilly and Paul’s professed love for her. What keeps Tilly from pushing her love for Ethan is thinking he needs time to heal from being dumped.

5. WORKING THROUGH ISSUES/DIFFERENCES: He is family oriented, having lost his as a kid. She resists her family’s pressure to get married and tries to avoid them. He is a stay-at-home guy into “staycations,” she is a travel writer into exploration and adventure. (His negative comment was “What are you running from,” which she acknowledges holds some truth—a guy who cheated her and her family suppressing her longing for adventure thru scouts as a kid.) Before the big betrayal where all is lost, they have come to express these issues and have started to resolve them.

6. HATE/BETRAYAL/ALL HOPE IS LOST: Ethan tries to tell Tilly the truth about being Paul’s friend (the guy her family is pushing, whom she absolutely does not want to blind date), but circumstances prevent that. When she does find out, she is furious and deeply hurt, thinking Ethan was just playing her for his friend, while she had though he just needed time to heal from being dumped (“I’m stabbed in the heart again”).

Ethan leaves realizing he has hurt her and his friend Paul (who thinks Ethan is trying to take Tilly away from him). Note: Tilly and Paul have not met yet, but Paul with her family are coming to see her for Christmas. Her assistant Susan was not able earlier to convince Ethan that Tilly loves him, and now is unable to convince Tilly that Ethan loves her.

7. LOVE HAPPENS: elderly people help Ethan to go back and apologize. At first that backfires, but he persists, gets down on his knee and asks her to forgive him. She says, “Sheesh, Ethan, I thought you were going to ask me to marry you.” Ethan, surprised, says, “Would you? Marry me?”

[Pam Ewing]

Pam’s 7 Stages of Love
What I Learned: Plotting love keynotes is not as easy for me as plotting action
1. Meet-Cute – A fixup by her mother no less! On the way to the lunch she is confronted by various encounters with men. But there are subdued sparks at lunch and an urgency on both sides to move the romance along – all business.
2. Attraction/Flirting – Years later settled into a routine at home prepping for a party share comfortable humor
3. Denial – at party she overhears him seem to indicate that he married for the money. Her mother dies leaving her with no money but a quest to claim the inheritance. She pushes him away before he can dump her.
4. Separation/Forced Together – He follows her anyway. They are on the quest together each claiming it is for the money and each hoping it is for the relationship. She is courted by a handsome stranger.
5. Working through Issues/Differences – On the trail of the money they work the clues together, they are chased, they face danger, they are stuck in a well then a cave and then a castle so forced to confront issues not understanding that a bigger test is just around the corner
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost – in fighting the vampire husband is captured and shrunk, her life is threatened, she has not figured out her power
7. Love Happens – she rescues him and accepts his form, he acknowledges he truly chose her for her with or without her powers or wealth

[Patrick McCormick]

Patrick McCormick's 7 Stages Of Love

Lesson 4: Plot Track 2: The 7 Stages of Love

What I learned doing this assignment is:
Knowing your material this depth shows us what needs improving and gives greater liberty to intensify, while following the conventions.

1. Meet-Cute
Sean has mentored Linda for 15 years, but his studio is failing. He stalls the studio-saving deal as he looks for the missing Hollywood magic.
Linda shows him the studio will die if the deal doesn't happen, covering for him so the investors don't run away.

2. Attraction/Flirting
Linda tries convincing Sean to just do the deal, then he can retire.
Sean stalls, using craziness, pranks and wit to buy time while searching for the magic.
Linda puts up with him by being the grown up stuffy business person.

3. Denial
Linda stays focused on being the serious deal maker while being secretly entertained by his childishness and admiring his dedication.
Sean is charmed by her denying her inner-silliness while wearing a shiny executive veneer. If only they weren't 5 decades apart.

4. Separation/Forced Together
Working together for 15 years; he the mentor, she the student.
But old friends find it hard to admit their deeper love.

5. Working through Issues/Differences
He just won't give up on finding the lost magic, even if he loses the studio.
She never really believed in his crazy dream, and has to betray/disagree for the first time to get the deal done.

6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
Watching him go into that interdimensional portal, left with a dying studio, all is lost.
Admitting her true feelings, going after him, she gives up.
He pulls her into the realm of real Hollywood magic just in time, and her old life is gone.

7. Love Happens
While giving her the tour of the creative dimension, something is very wrong.
Now they must fight to save humanity, and his studio is the key, he was right!
Along the way they risk it all while falling in love.
She must be there for him even if it kills her.

[David Penn]

David’s 7 Stages of Love
What I learned fron this assignment is the necessary structure for a well told love story,
Meet Cute: First time is at political rally. She covers the event, interviews a guy, his face painted red, white and blue… a couple nights later, she interviews him after he saves a life (he’s a fireman). This is the first time she really sees him and is impressed.
Attraction-Flirting. They have a great day at the park, never delving into politics. Facetimes her friends- they all love him. He takes her to the firehouse; they kiss.
Denial. She finds out he’s a huge Trump supporter and is horrified. His friends go out to the local bar and he has chance to hook up with his old high school girlfriend. They both deny they have feelings for each other, but we can see they do.
Separation/Forced Together. Election night. Rumors of it being rigged abound. Riots break out, the media
(and others) are attacked. He saves her from rioters- they’re trapped in the building where she works. Realizes his fellow supporters have gone too far.
Working through issues/differences. Talk politics and what they want out of life- very different. She wants to get outta town, he wants to raise a family here. Despite this, they have a strong attraction and share a lot of values.
Hate/betrayal/all is lost. She lands her dream job in NYC. He almost dies in a fire, is hospitalized. He has no family to visit him. She visits him, pretending to be his fiancee. These two are meant to be together, though she’s now moving.
Love Happens. She’s in NYC, missing him. He’s back on his feet, but missing her. He goes to NYC (a city he’s not fond of) and surprises her at a big media event. They’re gonna try to make it work despite their differences. Love trumps politics.

[Jess Paxton]

Jess’s 7 Stages of Love
What I learned: How to locate and accentuate the key points in Rom-Com.
1. Meet-Cute
Stan rescues Stella from freezing after her car accident.
She wakes up in a bed at his house with someone else’s pajamas on and freaks out.
2. Attraction/Flirting
Stan says he has a beautiful tenant in his B&B.
When Stan saves her from drowning, Stella kisses him. Repeatedly.
They visit the lake and have an ice-cream fight.
3. Denial
Stella runs off to see Joe. He tells her she’s in love with Stan.
4. Separation/Forced Together
Stella learns that Stan is the legal enemy, but Donald insists that she stay at Stan’s and spy on him.
5. Working through Issues/Differences
Sandy gives Stella an ultimatum, and the time she needs to make a decision.
When Donald suggests that Stella seduce Stan, she hangs up and screams.
Stan thinks that Stella has rejected him.
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
Stella goes to Atlanta hoping to save Stan’s house, but without his approval.
Stan finds out that Stella works for the Corporation and believes she is just pretending she loves him. He rejects her and her proposal completely.
7. Love Happens
Stella saves the day by calling the Queen. Stan’s home and his neighbors’ homes are saved from the wrecking ball.
Stella goes to Stan’s and he carries her over the threshold. Stella and Stan are engaged; she starts her own law firm.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Jess Paxton.

[Renee Miller]

Renee’s 7 Stages of Love
What I learned doing this assignment is that I’m not a natural romantic. This really stretched my brain to come up with plausible answers to the 7 stages of love. I enjoyed the exercise and think that if I choose to change from horror to romance this process will only get easier.
Meet-Cute
During a sudden, intense storm at a high school soccer game, Mike, quick-thinking and resourceful, rigs up a makeshift shelter using banners and equipment from the band section. Sarah, drenched and seeking cover, dashes into the same shelter. They laugh off the absurdity of the situation, sparking an initial connection.
2. Attraction/Flirting
At an early reunion planning meeting, Sarah tries to keep things strictly professional, but there’s undeniable chemistry as she and Mike collaborate on choosing themes and decorations. They share light, playful banter reminiscing over high school memories, and their old spark reignites.
3. Denial
Despite the growing attraction, Sarah remains focused on her career goals, brushing off any romantic implications of her interactions with Mike. She insists to her confidante that she’s only in town for the reunion and there’s nothing serious between them.
4. Separation/Forced Together
The reunion planning hits a snag when the main venue suddenly cancels. Sarah and Mike are forced to spend a day together visiting potential new locations. This extended time together leads them to open up about their current lives, dreams, and disappointments.
5. Working through Issues/Differences
During a heated debate over the event’s budget, which mirrors their deeper personal differences—Sarah’s high-control approach vs. Mike’s more laid-back attitude—they confront each other about their past and current life choices, airing out misunderstandings and grievances.
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
On the eve of the reunion, Sarah overhears Mike venting his frustration to a friend about feeling like she’ll never truly prioritize anything over her career. Feeling betrayed that he doesn’t seem to understand or support her ambitions, Sarah decides to accept the overseas job offer, believing that Mike will never fully commit to her as a partner.
7. Love Happens
Heartbroken, Sarah heads to London to start her dream job. Back home Mike struggles to return to his routine. His daughter notices he’s not himself and encourages him to go after her. He hops on a plane and flies to London where he professes his love for Sarah in front of her new co-workers.

[Tita Beal Anntares]

Tita Anntares’ 7 Stages of Love
What I learned from doing this assignment: Interesting that the main structural elements of the story aligned easily with the 7 stages of love. Maybe because the 7 stages incorporate some of the same types of dramatic action that the overall structure of the script also embodies.
7 Stages of Love for Adam and Zari.

Note: I have interwoven with overall structure of the big story so they connect with the story I planned in Assign 3, changed as needed. Not sure the formatting will hold and I can’t figure out how to use the Forum commands for bold, italics and caps. Here’s the format – if it doesn’t hold and this integration of 7 Stages of Love with the Assignment 3 script structure, I can send a pdf.
– The names of the 7 Stages are in BOLD ALL CAPS, the description of the stage in regular.
– The names of the structural elements of the script are in Bold Italics

Act 1:
• Opening – Adam and Zari are working together in a college project to help very impoverished Afghan farmers
1.1 MEET-CUTE: Adam and Zari in college, working together to help impoverished rural Afghan farming people, appreciate each other’s warmth and directness with the poor, showing no class divisions. 1.2 ATTRACTION/FLIRTING: Adam and Zari actually allow themselves to touch hands, shocking the rural people who are horrified and delighted
2. DENIAL: They both tell the rurals it was an accident, give reasons why they would never be interested in each other. Adam: She wants to be a college teacher – high falluting, independent, who would want that? Besides, his family is proud to be Hazarra and Ismaili – would be very sad if he married into a group that hates their culture and ethnicity. Zari: All he cares about is starting a rights organization, getting a PhD – awon’t be a good husband and besides, her family would hate her marrying a minority Hazzara
• Graduation Day – 3. SEPARATION: their project is praised but 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 –4. FORCED TOGETHER Adam will ask Zari and her family if she can marry him because he will protect her… and they can only lock her in the home as the Taliban takes over their pharmacy, doctor’s office and they have no sources of income
• 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 in bleak refugee conditions (no electricity for fan in heat, Pakistanis resenting Afghan refugees, etc. – the American’s support letter gets the visa 5. WORKING THROUGH ISSUES/DIFFERENCES. Adam is helping refugees, wants Zara to help. Zara wants him to help her look like the woman she was, feels desperate at leaving family to whatever the Taliban is doing.

• 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, and Zara has a miscarriage… so they start applying to any country that will accept them, from Albania to Zambia, with support letters from their American 5. WORKING THROUGH ISSUES continues

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. 6 HATE/BETRAYAL/ALL HOPE IS LOST – in the promised land, finally in the US, but suddenly are faced with challenges they did not expect. They feel anger, despair. Adam takes a sweatshop job 3 days a week to pay for food and rent and tries to finish his dissertation on other days. But Zara is ill and has second miscarriage, and even start fighting not just disagreeing but…

• Resolution: … they persist. 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. 7 LOVE HAPPENS. As they accept the new challenges of being in America, they stop arguing and instead become warriors together, they reconnect to their love… and have their first baby.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Tita Beal Anntares. Reason: to get original spacing back
• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Tita Beal Anntares.

[Stuart Voytilla]

What I learned from doing this assignment is the importance of conventions and delivering on audience expectations while also exploring surprising, unexpected ways to meet those expectations. Additionally, I discovered that my lead will juggle two romances. He leaves for Venice to train as a gondolier and learn what love is, initially intending to win back the heart of Remi, his old girlfriend. However, in Venice and through his encounters with Angelina, he truly falls in love with her. I’m excited to explore ways to juggle these two romantic desires and how the audience will root for one love over the other. Julian and Angelina are the romantic leads, and this assignment focused on their Seven Stages of Love.

• Meet-Cute:
  Julian Rossi takes a Romance in Art seminar where Angelina, a guest professor from Venice, lectures about imagery of water and love in art. She calls on Julian to interpret a painting, but he falters in seeing the imagery of love. She embarrasses him, noting his Italian heritage of romance, especially the romance of the gondolas that define her home city. She asks him why he is taking the seminar, and he can't answer.

• Attraction/Flirting:
  At the university’s wine and cheese gala for Angelina, Julian has an accidental encounter with her. He provides his interpretation of the painting, impressing her. She asks why he’s taking the seminar, and he explains that he wants to find what true love is, accepting a challenge from his ex. She remembers his name and asks whether he’s related to the famous Rossi family, the gondola builders. She suggests that the way to know what love is to experience the world as a gondolier. Playful banter, laughter, and their hands brush accidentally.

• Denial:
  Both hide the spark they feel from their encounter. She is the professor, and he is the student. Additionally, he’s committed to Remi. She has two suitors vying for her heart.

• Separation/Forced Together:
  Distance initially keeps them separated. But Julian goes to Venice and trains as a gondolier with the Rossi family. He has repeated encounters with Angelina, but she is from higher society, and he is an apprentice gondolier. Class and privilege keep them separated. She frequently uses gondolas and is particular about her gondolier, hiring Francesco Rossi, who is training Julian. Julian tries to keep himself “disguised” as a gondolier, hoping she doesn’t recognize him as the student.

• Working through Issues/Differences:
  She treats him as a servant, a gondolier. But he starts revealing insights that intrigue her with his innocence of love. Angelina still protects her heart and follows her family’s expectations to marry, having two suitors for her heart. During the two-week Carnival celebrations, Julian takes advantage of disguises to get closer to Angelina. Angelina’s suitors also plan to propose to her during the festivities. With Francesco’s scheming, Julian uses disguises to disrupt the rivals’ plans. In disguise, Angelina mistakes Julian for one of the suitors. This encounter sparks her commitment to him—the suitor.

• Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost:
  Julian realizes his disguises and trickery have pushed Angelina to commit to the wrong suitor. He feels their love is true and reveals himself to Angelina. Enraged and betrayed by Julian’s trickery, Angelina ends any relationship with Julian and stops her connection to the Rossis for her gondola service.

• Love Happens:
  Heartbroken, Julian focuses on successfully completing his gondolier training by passing his test and winning the gondolier competition. His authentic, unique display of skill, artistry, and heart during the competition wins Angelina’s heart.

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

[Dean Burkey]

Dean’s 7 Stages of Love

What I learned doing this assignment is to incorporate the expected in unexpected ways.

1. Meet-Cute

Ethan and Sophie are introduced on the set of their romantic comedy, which is set in a quaint fishing village. They are filming their first scene together by the lake. Ethan, trying to impress the crew, clumsily falls into the water while attempting to reel in a fish. Sophie can’t help but laugh, and they share a moment of genuine amusement.

2. Attraction/Flirting

As they rehearse more scenes together, Ethan and Sophie start to share inside jokes and playful banter. During a break, they find themselves sitting by the dock, talking about their favorite movies and past roles.

3. Denial

Despite their growing attraction, both Ethan and Sophie refuse to acknowledge their feelings. They convince themselves that any chemistry they have is purely for the movie. They continue to bicker off-camera, maintaining a facade of disinterest.

4. Separation/Forced Together

After the argument that leads to the fire on set, Ethan is fired by the director. Sophie, however, stands up for him and threatens to leave if Ethan is not rehired. Reluctantly, the director allows them both to stay, forcing Ethan and Sophie to spend even more time together to smooth things over.

5. Working through Issues/Differences

During an emotional scene set by the lake, Ethan and Sophie open up to each other about their pasts. Sophie talks about losing a close friend, while Ethan shares the pain of losing his wife to cancer. They start to see each other in a new light, and their off-screen relationship begins to soften.

6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost

After the movie becomes a hit, Ethan tells Sophie that her acting was phenomenal and very convincing, but he was referring to their off-screen “romance” used for marketing. Sophie, thinking their connection was real, feels deeply betrayed and storms off in tears.

7. Love Happens

Following Gwen’s advice, Ethan organizes a special event at the fishing village, recreating one of the cheesiest scenes from their movie but with genuine heartfelt additions. He confesses his true feelings in front of the entire cast and crew, acknowledging his mistakes and expressing his love for Sophie.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Dean Burkey.

[Rita Roberts]

Rita’s 7 Stages of Love

Dreamtime

What I learned doing this assignment:

— I have questions: The pieces are there but the betrayal might need to be elevated. My protagonist is betrayed by her family not by her love interest. Is that enough for the Rom-Com stages? Does it hinder the audience’s experience of falling in love or is that a relatable scenario?

The 7 Stages of Love:

1. Meet-Cute — Ariale and Ben run into each other outside a palm reader’s shop while Ariale is freaking out about being in front of a palm reader’s shop. She shoos Ben and his dog along.
Ben obliges but the dog likes her.

2. Attraction/Flirting — Ariale is trying to get back into the palm reader’s shop another day when Ben and his dog walk by again. Palm reader doesn’t open up. Ben reluctantly invites Ariale to coffee where they hit it off.

3. Denial — Ariale learns Ben isn’t technically single. He’s about to sign divorce papers but she thinks it’s a lie.

4. Separation/Forced Together — Ariale is fired for talking about her dreams (in which she meets with Ben where she learns from Betty that she and Ben built the house together because of their soul connection) so she goes to the beach, where she runs into Ben again and discovers the his house is exactly the house she saw in here dreams. But this is too much to process so she runs away.

5. Working through Issues/Differences — Ariale must confront her mother about family secrets coming to the fore.
Ben must find the courage to try again, Ariale might be crazy but at least she’s honest about it and his dog likes her, unlike his ex-wife.

6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost — The lies are deeper than we thought. Her dad isn’t her dad, she has a half sister, Gayle not only got her fired but was her dad’s mistress and she’s known her real father all these years but was never allowed to be his daughter.

7. Love Happens — Once all the lies are aired, new relationships can be formed. The whole family gets together at Ben and Ariale’s dream house, even the deceased relatives are invited and forgiven.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Pat's 7 Stages of Love

What I learned: ‘;m not sure that these seven stages fit in perfectly with my 4 act structure, but I'm okay with that. Learning the conventions for the seven stages structure is a great help when plotting a rom-com. And creating seven stages, which are certainly not written in stone at this stage, is great for learning more about my characters.

7 Stages of Love
Meet-Cute: Mitch is amused at Jaki’s embarrassing welcome for his dad’s arrival at an assisted living home and even more amused and impressed when she transforms it into a teasing strip.

Attraction/Flirting: Mitch and Jaki accompany Mitch’s dad to an ice cream shop and find they have the same sense of humor and concern for Mitch’s dad.

Denial: Mitch is convinced that Jaki stole his dad’s vintage Rolex watch, and Jaki discovers that Mitch wants to buy the strip club where Jaki works and hopes to purchase the place herself.

Separation/Forced Together: Mitch’s accusations over Jaki stealing the watch cause the assisted living home to ban Jaki from volunteering, but when Mitch’s dad has a stroke (or something like that) they share a mutual concern for Dad.

Working Through Issues/Differences: Jaki buys the strip club only to have it severely damaged by a tornado. Mitch comes to her side to say he will aid her in rebuilding.

Hate/Betrayal/All Is Lost: Mitch insists on half ownership of the damaged building. Jaki accuses him of trying to run, if not ruin her life. She refuses to listen to his motivations for ownership.

Love Happens: Jaki is stunned to learn that Mitch wants to transform the former strip club into recreation center for the disadvantaged and he wants her to be its coordinator. Their mutual desire to help others causes them to accept their mutual desire for one another.

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

[Brenda Clarke]

BRENDA CLARKE
I learned that this creates more depth both for the Characters Love Journey but also creates more interest for the audience. this is a rough idea, but may change/develop as I continue to do the outline for this project.
7. STAGES OF LOVE
• 1. Meet-Cute
Both attend the Car Race, Mollie as a participant and Lady Cornelia as a spectator. Cornelia asks her driver to find out who the winner is and their contact details.
LATER: CORNELIA goes to the garage in south London expecting to find Mollie’s brother Oliver (whom she was told was the race winner).
MOLLIE dressed in overalls, covered in dirt and grime, hammers out a dinted fender when Cornelia enters.
Cornelia mistakes Mollie for Oliver, Mollies says her brother is away working on another job and can she help? Through the discussion Mollie reveals that it was her who won the race and that she is actually a better mechanic and driver than her brother.
Mollie instantly is attracted to Cornelia, but Cornelia confused about this incredible woman leaves with uncertainty about what she wants to do. She says she will be touch.
• 2. Attraction/Flirting
invitation for afternoon tea is sent to Mollie by Cornelia. Eventually Cornelia takes Mollie to the stables where she reveals her brand-new motor vehicle. Mollie overcome with glee and the glistening new motor quickly starts sprouting her knowledge about the vehicle, in order to show off to Cornelia. Cornelia impressed by Mollie begins to show a little more interest in her. Mollie agrees to teach her to drive, both very interested in each other.
• 3. Denial
Cornelia struggles with the mechanics of changing gears, and is also unsure of her attraction to Mollie and if she should pursue a relationship with this very unique individual.
• 4. Separation/Forced Together
Outside pressures get to both the women, Oliver suggests that his sister should not be associated with the upper crust and that nothing good will come of it. Cornelia on the other hand lies to her parents, who think she is seeing someone on the sly. Cornelia says she is not with anyone and that it is her political persuasions that take up most of her time. Her parents say that women will never get the vote so she might as well give up her endeavours all together.
• 5. Working through Issues/Differences
Cornelia says she can get Mollie a job as a chauffeur for the head of the WPSU Emmeline Pankhurst, as she tries to win back Mollies affections. Mollie on the other hand makes it obvious she wants to “bed” Cornelia. After a night a bliss together, Mollie suggests Cornelia have an alias to protect her when she attends the rallies, in order to keep it a from her parents. JEAN HORTON.
• 6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
Cornelia’s parents find out she is associated with the car racing events and hires someone to sabotage Mollies car. Mollie ends up injured when her car crashes, she can’t work out why and mentions to Cornelia the car must have been tampered with and blames Cornelia’s family. Cornelia devastated by the circumstances, decides to leave her family and purchases a home in London. Unbeknown to Mollie, Cornelia is arrested at a rally, (for throwing stones and breaking a shop window).
• 7. Love Happens
Mollie recovers and enters an all Female car race. One of Mollie’s friends finds out that Cornelia’s parents did tamper with the car and that Cornelia had nothing to do with it. Mollie and Cornelia get together, Cornelia says she has cut her ties with her family and after spending time in prison, realises she wants to spend the rest of her life with Mollie. Mollie overjoyed, now has the love and financial support to continue her racing career. She wins the race in Cornelia’s bigger and better vehicle and the two women hand in hand march in joyous rally together as they have just allowed the right to vote to women.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brenda Clarke.

[Micki Hess]

Micki’s 7 Stages of Love
What I learned doing this assignment is each stage of love takes the story in depth with the characters’ needs and wants for each other.

1. Create the 7 Stages of Love for your two lead characters.
The 7 Stages of Love:
1. Meet-Cute
2. Attraction/Flirting
3. Denial
4. Separation/Forced Together
5. Working through Issues/Differences
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
7. Love Happens

The 7 Stages of Love: Chloe & Weston
1. Meet-Cute (Act 1, Turning Point): Just after Chloe boards the cruise in a flustered state, she bumps into Weston on the deck, spilling her drink all over herself. Weston, ever the gentleman, helps her clean up and offers her a spare shirt (not too formal, but charming).
2. Attraction/Flirting (Act 2, New Plan in Action): During a mandatory “singles mingle” activity, Chloe and Weston are paired up for a salsa dancing lesson. Despite Chloe’s initial stiffness, Weston’s playful teasing and encouraging guidance lead to laughter and a spark of attraction.
3. Denial (Act 2, Midpoint Turning Point): After her emotional breakdown following the encounter with her ex-fiancé, Chloe tries to avoid interaction with Weston. She denies feeling attracted to him or needing any emotional connection while on the cruise.
4. Separation/Forced Together (Act 3, Rethink Everything): Determined to avoid Chloe, Weston reluctantly agrees to switch teams for the treasure hunt. However, fate intervenes when another passenger drops out, forcing them to work together again.
5. Working through Issues/Differences (Act 3, Turning Point and Act 4): Through the treasure hunt, Chloe and Weston learn to appreciate each other’s strengths. Weston challenges Chloe to loosen up and trust her intuition, while Chloe helps Weston become more strategic and organized.
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost (Absent): The story avoids a “hate” or “betrayal” stage. There are misunderstandings and insecurities, but honesty and communication prevent major conflict.
7. Love Happens (Act 4, Resolution and Epilogue): After their grand discovery in the treasure hunt and Chloe’s stand against her ex-fiancé, a sense of accomplishment and mutual respect blossoms into love. Weston’s confession and Chloe’s reciprocation solidify their bond. The transformation of the wedding dress symbolizes their commitment to a new future together.

[Duane T Basham]

What I learned from doing this is there is a basic conflict in the premise and lodged between them in the relationship. There must be something they are dealing with that gets in the way of all the lovey dovely stuff.
The 7 Stages of Love:
• 1. Meet-Cute: They see each other numerous times but meet at a behavioral study for couples – which is to be used to develop an App to determine if someone is in love.
• 2. Attraction/Flirting: He leaves her a long list of sticky notes and she responds.
• 3. Denial: She’s not looking for a relationship – and this was all for testing purposes anyways – and he’s not rushing into anything.
• 4. Separation/Forced Together: Both are involved in the App development but each has secret motives.
• 5. Working through Issues/Differences: When found out – the standoff begins, but they can’t stop trying to find out if any of it was real.
• 6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost: He feels used and does not trust her. She feels he took advantage of her to get the inside scoop on the app.
• 7. Love Happens: She comes to understand his motives were simple and pure and he comes to understand she has been hurt so many times she throws the first punch when the relationship is in trouble. We see just how compatible these two nut jobs are.

[Terrie Shaft]

Terrie’s Seven Stages of Love
What I learned doing this assignment is that some of this was easy but my meet-cute could use elevation.
1. Meet-Cute
Sarah is frustrated that it is taking too long to get her coffee, she has a schedule! One barista is late, as usual, ya’ know he’s an artist! Austin shows up. She lectures him on the impact of his lack of punctuality. He figures she just really needs coffee – gives her an extra expresso shot.

2. Attraction/Flirting
He makes a backdrop for her reality show set, logo, etc. She gives him a makeover (for the show).
For the sake of the show, they act like they like working together. Their interactions for the show – are they real or reality show?

3. Denial
It’s not real it’s a reality show.
4. Separation/Forced Together
Separation: it’s just for the show; Forced together: to complete the show
5. Working through Issues/Differences
She’s into productivity – schedules – structure; He wants to create beauty to make people happy; She believes he’ll be happiest when he gets things done that are important to him!
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
He’s only doing the show because if he doesn’t his gallery will drop him. The producer lies about the other person to each of them to create drama, such as Sara saying no one can make a living as an artist – creativity is for fun not $.
7. Love Happens
Austin completes the pieces for the upcoming art show and keeps his gallery owner happy
He realizes that she really helped him and that she only wants him to be successful
She realizes that she’s changed. Productivity is not one size fits all. She wants room for fun and spontaneity in her life.

Bonding: Sara’s mom had cancer when she was 12 or 13 and Sara thought if she was ‘perfect’ her mom would get better – Sara made sure all the medicine on a perfect schedule, straight A’s at school, took care of the house. Austin was very close to his grandmother as she was dying, he used art to cheer her up. She supported him as an artistic creative person.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by  Terrie Shaft.

[Kimbal Thompson]

Kimbal Thompson ROMCOM Lesson 4: Plot Track 2: The 7 Stages of Love Assignment
What I learned doing this assignment is that Margo has loosened up.
1. Create the 7 Stages of Love for your two lead characters.
The 7 Stages of Love:
 1. Meet-Cute: A male (Keaton) and a female student (Margot) find themselves in the
same small summer session university design studio. They are mutually attracted to one
another at first sight,
 2. Attraction/Flirting: then discover they have the same birthdate.
 3. Denial: : As the new classmates become “soulmates” he expresses his relationship
dilemma, and Margot tells Keaton that she is at the summer school session because
she’s here with a visiting professor. As the studio ends, they depart i
 4. Separation/Forced Together: Two years later Keaton decides to take a break and go
outside of his high-rise office. Just as he exits his building, Margot is walking toward him
carrying a large deign portfolio. She has just flown in from the east coast, leaving her
luggage at the airport. He takes the day off, they pick up her luggage, have lunch, and
he invites her to stay at his house on the beach. They arrive and are standing just inside
the entrance door when his male housemate tries signaling him that a present girlfriend
is on her way over. She arrives, seeing his Margot and her suitcase. New plan: He
invites both out to dinner. It’s a disaster. The former classmate opts for the extra
bedroom, and later, the dinner mate sneaks in through his window to stay and be
present the next morning. Margo decides to leave.
 5. Working through Issues/Differences: Keaton invites Margo to go on a sail, they get
along well.
 6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost One evening several weeks later, Margo decides to
stop by Keaton’s house unannounced. The house is dark although with romantic music
on low volume, her tapping on the door is met by a voice saying: “Nobody home!”
 7. Love Happens: Keaton, now a practicing professional, is invited to take a summer
course at the Graduate School of Design. On the first day of class, Margo enters just
after the class starts. After class, they reconnect, and Keaton asks her out for that
evening. She declines citing that she has to work. He calls an old friend living in
Massachusetts so they can see one another. His friend offers to fix him up, while in
town. That does not work out and they decide to go to a strip club. There he encounters
Margo pole dancing. Together they leave on her break.

[Luc Pagès]

Luc’s 7 stages of Love

What I learned doing this assignments is forcing myself to fill the blanks sticking to the essentials.
• 1.  Meet-Cute
◦ In the Opening, before his concert (threesome meet with Lilly). He’s got a crush on Lilly, but she’s not interested. Marguerite (80) flirts with him, joking about the age gap between them.
◦ 2nd meet-cute in Limbo, but how?

• 2.  Attraction/Flirting
◦ In Limbo: Marguerite (looking 18) flirts with him, he resists (not interested by groupies, think she’s too young, focused on his music deadlines)

• 3.  Denial
◦ Romance in Limbo… what’s the point?

• 4.  Separation/Forced Together
◦ They make a deal: she helps him with his music – he helps her making contact with med team.

• 5.  Working through Issues/Differences
◦ What is a successful life?
◦ Age Gap
◦ Limited time together
◦ Carpe Diem

• 6.  Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
◦ She hides her real age
◦ Her condition deteriorates

• 7.  Love Happens
◦ A successful life is when you find love, even if it doesn’t last, since nothing does.
◦ Living Carpe Diem with someone who has Alzheimer

• This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by  Luc Pagès.

[Rita Roberts]

Hi Luc,

My Rom Com also takes place between physical/earth life and the spirit world/purgatory. How interesting that we are both exploring that premise! I'd love to exchange scripts when we have drafts ready to read, if you are open to it.

Looking forward to reading more of about your story.

Rita

[Luc Pagès]

Hello Rita, sorry for responding so late. I didn’t see your message until just now.
Sure we can exchange our drafts whenever you feel like it.
I haven’t read enough of your story to respond in a coherent way yet, as I’m driving across France right now and haven’t much time for work… But will do as soon as possible 🙂

[Rita Roberts]

Enjoy your travels, Luc. It will be a little while before I have a new draft that is ready to read and this class seems to be moving slowly so there’s no rush. I’ll be happy to connect whenever the time is right.

Rita

[Ira Drower]

I learned that a Rom-Com requires specific elements for that genre. It’s what makes a Rom-Com unique.
The 7 stages of Love:
1) Meet-Cute: Count Dracul, Dracula, flies into his audition with thunder and lightning and shrieks of pain and anguish. He sweeps up Sophia in his arms and flies to the top of the set piece used for auditions. Sophia and Count Dracul stare into each other’s eyes but Count Dracul does not hypnotize Sophia the way Dracula is used to and he sets her down.
2) Attraction/Flirting: Count Dracul wins the audition and works closely with Sophia on his lines. He becomes frustrated when his charm and sophistication do not break Sophia’s single-minded focus on directing the actors and finishing her unique rotating set pieces for the play. Sophia laughs at him when he raises his eyebrows in a flirtatious manner.
3) Denial: Sophia is intrigued by Count Dracul but doesn’t believe he is a vampire. Count Dracul wonders if he needs glasses when hypnotizing women.
4) Separation/Forced Together: Jerry, the Producer wants a more hip version of Dracula and wants to change his speech. Chris recommends Sophia, who was his voice coach. Sophia and Count Dracul must spend time together to improve his speech. Count Dracul can only work on it during the evenings.
5) Working Through Issues/Differences: Sophia begins to suspect Count Dracul is not just an actor. Count Dracul is fed up with her teaching methods and can’t decide if he should continue the lessons or drain her blood. Not being able to work during the day frustrates Sophia. Count Dracul has an epiphany and makes a breakthrough, both falling into each other’s arms in celebration.
6) Count Dracul discovers a real vampire killing stake has replaced the prop stake for Dracual’s death scene. A full-dress rehearsal for Dracula’s death scene causes Dracula to believe Sophia is behind the betrayal. He arranges for the current cast to be replaced with his family and undead relatives.
7) Count Dracul and Sophia face off on the stage during the death scene only to confess their true feelings toward each other. Sophia quits the show and leaves for London. Dracula survives the attempted death and rushes off stage to find his one true love.

[Avi K]

Avi's Seven Stages of Love

What I learned doing this assignment is: Once again realized that this does not have to be perfect! Need to keep moving initially.

The 7 Stages of Love:

• 1. Meet-Cute – Ashley and Daniel meet at the hotel pool in Dubai.

• 2. Attraction/Flirting – they flirt with each other and he invites her to a party he’s going to.

• 3. Denial – They each feel the other doesn’t really love them. They try to fish for each other’s feelings, but fake denial in order to emotionally protect themselves from the other’s expected refusal.

• 4. Separation/Forced Together – They are forced to work together to survive the manhunt launched to nab them.

• 5. Working through Issues/Differences – They fight dozens of troops when their location is exposed. Ashley discovers that Daniel is trained in combat and firearms.

• 6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost – Daniel takes a bullet for Ashley and will die unless he receives treatment. She gives them both up.

• 7. Love Happens – They are tricked by her boss into meeting in Paris and their true feelings for each other come out.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by  Avi K.

[Rae Rodgers]

Rom Com – Lesson 4 – Rae’s Seven Stages of Love
What I learned from this lesson
Create the Seven Stages of Love for my 2 LEAD characters
The 7 Stages
1. Meet Cute #2
Palm Springs California 2006. Emmy Macfarlane (10) plays with a toy Unicorn while
watching her mother mop the arrival lounge floors.
Michael and Nancy McKay whip through Palm Springs Airport. Their children Riley (12) and
Jen (10) struggling to catch up. Suddenly Riley trips on a toy Unicorn and goes down. He
looks up into the eyes of Emmy. She smiles and offers him a hand up. But this is overridden
by the reprimand from Riley’s dad who screams at him. “Riley, get your butt over here NOW
or we’ll miss the hotel shuttle. ‘
Emmy quickly scoops up her Unicorn. She then hands it to Riley saying, “He’s for you. His
name’s Hart — and I’m sorry.” As Riley runs off, he turns around for one last look at her.”
2. Attraction/ Flirting
EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER
Riley (30), a commercial pilot of two years, throws his head in the cockpit for a word with
his friend the PILOT. He then zips to the cabin, grabs the empty jump seat, buckles up and
tries to sleep before take-off. As he dozes off EMMY (28), also a pilot, buckles up in an
adjacent jump seat. Dressed in uniform, she reveals a pair of legs that are supreme.
During take-off, Riley’s gaze is glued. He introduces himself, gets a little too chatty. Finally,
Emmy tells him she needs to sleep, and does so until touch down at LAX.
Riley asks for Emmy’s phone number. She hesitates, pulls out her phone, sends it to him.
He seems more interested than she – although we see she likes him.
One week later we see the exact same scenario. Riley and Emma flying side by side in
jump seats again. Emmy suspects Riley planned this, but the pilot confirms he did not.
She laughs at this, and this time really warms up to Riley. By the end of their three hour
flight Riley is in love… Emmy is in serious like.
3. Denial
The LAX Hilton is their meeting place with a definite plan for a sleep over. After an
incredible night, Emma disappears back to Palm Springs for a few weeks, gets absorbed in
her mother’s Childcare Centre, starts planning a second location and does not prioritize
Riley’s calls.
4. Separation/ Forced together
Riley’s father Michael has a heart attack and so Riley is called home to Seattle to run the
family boat building business, one of the biggest in Seattle. He leaves immediately telling
Emmy he does not know for how long.
5. Working through Issues / Differences
Riley reaches home, sees how desperately his father needs him, dives into the business
twenty four seven. Weeks later he’s exhausted himself, and has also neglected Emma.
She understands, but she’s pressured also, opening a second Child Care center for low
income mothers working mostly in domestic help.
They plan a getaway, meet one month later and get lost on Santa Monica’s beaches. Both
surmount all obstacles to get away… when they come together they fall right back into the
love affair. But their parting is intense, neither committing when they will next meet.
Two months later, Riley flies to Palm Springs and surprises Emmy. Their love, passion, is
still there. It’s intense, but still he can’t commit while his father is building his strength.
Emma is stressed when he gets there but committed to make this work. Riley’s sister Jen
helms the business but is buckling under the workload, wants him back in Seattle. Riley
and Emmy argue about how this can possibly work.
6. Hate/ Betrayal / All Hope is Lost
Michael has a second heart attack, needs triple by-pass surgery. Jen throws a guilt trip on
Riley, tells him he must come home to run the show.
Riley returns to Seattle, gets buried with the family needs and neglects to call Emmy. He’s
unavailable, buried in the business when she calls. When finally they speak, Emmy says
the relationship will never work – but soon realizes what they have is greater than this, and
hires someone to run the centers with her mother, then flies to Seattle, surprising Riley.
7. Love Happens
Riley and Emmy come together in Seattle. It’s a huge learning curve but still their love
rules.

[Lisa Paris Long]

Lesson 4 Plot – Track 2 The 7 Stages of Love

Lisa Paris Long’s 7 Stages of Love

What I learned doing this assignment is the love story is lead by the bigger story.

Working Title: The Angel Baby

Create the 7 Stages of Love for your two lead characters.

The 7 Stages of Love:

• 1. Meet-Cute: Matt Caldwell and Caroline Mason meet at an ivy league school library in 2009. Caroline is protesting by standing on a chair in the middle of the library and giving a rousing speech on banning books. As Caroline’s chair starts to wobble Matt scoops her up and carries her out of the library onto the steps outside.

• 2. Attraction/Flirting: Caroline is pissed. They argue, he charms her. Banter. He asks her which girl he should date this semester. She indulges him by telling him about each girl in their view and why each is not right for him. He says, “Shall we discuss it further over dinner?” She eventually agrees to dinner and we know they’ll get together.
There is a jump in time to 15 years later…

• 3. Denial: Matt and Caroline are married and have built a very successful business together. They are interviewed on a tv show about their latest invention when the interviewer asks about their personal life. They present a united front that they have always agreed to be each other’s family. When pushed they say they decided long ago not to have children.

• 4. Separation/Forced Together: Matt and Caroline find a baby in their bed and disagree over what to do with her. From taking care of her to who to tell, etc.

• 5. Working through Issues/Differences: Matt and Caroline do everything they can think of to find the parents to no avail. Caroline has suddenly found some mothering instincts that she didn’t know she had previously. This doesn’t sit well with Matt because they agreed no children.

• 6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost: Matt can’t handle the baby anymore and leaves Caroline to take care of her alone. Caroline can’t believe he’s being cruel by leaving. Matt can’t believe she’s breaking their agreement.

• 7. Love Happens: The baby’s parents are located and are coming with the police to pick her up. Matt shows with a change of heart and mind. He apologizes for leaving Caroline alone with the baby. It was important to him to show up for the hand off. Once the baby is gone, Matt and Caroline confess their undying love and both agree that they could take care of a baby after all. Caroline finds out she’s pregnant.

[Donna Donna Hoke Hoke]

Ack, I am trying desperately to catch up after not receiving emails and missing a class on vacation.

1. Meet-Cute: It’s actually a meet awful when she meets him as the coach at a little league game. Later she spots him on Tinder and swipes right, but when she decides the perfect plan is dating someone awful, she goes back to him .
2. Attraction/Flirting: There is none. They’re both acting awful to each other but the attraction is there.
3. Denial: She takes him home to have sex and it’s clear they’re afraid of the feelings.
4. Separation/Forced Together: Grandma insists on meeting him so she takes Eamon to meet her. There’s a crisis and they bond so Charlie tells Eamon about her death curse, which rattles him. They realize they can’t see each other as much, and just meet occasionally for no strings sex.
5. Working through Issues/Differences: Eamon disappears for two weeks and when they finally see each other, they end up in bed.
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost: Eamon has a massive heart attack after sex, and Charlie accuses him of loving her, even after he said her curse was stupid! Eamon denies it but Charlie says it was too close; she can’t risk it. She leaves.
7. Love Happens: Eamon realizes loving Charlie has given him the will to live. He survived BECAUSE of her. He was always at risk. We’re all always at risk. She doesn’t kill people; he is going to LIVE because of her. HAE or as long as they get.

[Ruthie Harris]

Completed but every time I cut and paste my Word doc on here, it turns it into a solid, un-spaced block, so I’m not subjecting anyone to reading that!

[Joy Smith]

Joy Geldard-Smith’s 7 Stages of Love

What I learned doing this assignment is… that I will love these stages as much as I love structure. Creativity can be easier when you have a template to work through, especially when it’s one that will satisfy the audience. I also like that this rings true to real life, although in less extreme circumstances. It’s not often that two people meet, feel the spark, say they like each other and live happily ever after – there’s usually some bumps along the way.

1. Create the 7 Stages of Love for your two lead characters.
The 7 Stages of Love:
• 1. Meet-Cute
o They meet when Stella is just getting set up with her surveillance van. Crispin’s niece drops an ice cream she bought and is distraught. Stella gives her another one. They both see each other as being caring and good with children.

• 2. Attraction/Flirting
o After they both head to the same crime scene, they pretend that they’re together, shopping for their child to get access to the store?

• 3. Denial
o They clash over intelligence and crime scenes and keep arriving at the same place. “Not you again”.

• 4. Separation/Forced Together
o Crispin makes a bust – it’s Stella. She confesses her purpose in town, and they agree to work together to catch the evil Santa who is trying to steal all the stock.

• 5. Working through Issues/Differences
o They are put in a situation where they have to trust each other to help the investigation. They come up with a plan to snare Santa to steal non-existent stock. Instead, lots of parents turn up hoping to buy the toy for their child, and get antsy when they can’t.

• 6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
o Santa and his gang now know that they’re onto him. They both get in trouble with their agencies for arranging the unsanctioned sting. How will they catch Santa now?

• 7. Love Happens
o They work as part of a team, realise how well they work when they’re together, and catch Santa. Then distribute a toy to every kid in Monterey.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 4 weeks ago by  Joy Smith.

[Connie Barr]

Lesson #4 The 7 Stages of LOVE
What I learned from doing this assignment is…that these are the key stages of the romantic journey which I have seen played out creatively in countless Rom-Coms.
My First Date in 47 Years
Karen
1. Meet-Cute: Karen and Jim first meet at a spousal loss support group led by Karen’s BFF, therapist, Bev.
2. Attraction/Flirting: There is an electric connection for them both. They finish each other’s sentences and agree on many thoughts, attitudes, etc.
3. Denial: Karen tries really hard to ignore the connection and feels guilty for even liking Jim at all so soon after Craig’s passing.
4. Separation/Forced Together: Karen considers leaving the support group and finding solace elsewhere, but Bev persuades her to stick it out. She even points out how nice it is to have a new friend who understands what she’s going through.
5. Working through Issues/Differences: Karen’s big issue is guilt. She feels like she is being disloyal to Craig by being friends with Jim and having blossoming feelings for him.
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost: After a lovely dinner together which both Karen and Jim enjoy far too much, he kisses her goodnight which freaks her out. She tells him she can not see him anymore and drops out of their support group.
7. Love Happens: Bev convinces Karen that Craig would want her to be happy and find love again after Jim confesses falling for her big time.

Jim
1. Meet-Cute: Karen and Jim first meet at a spousal loss support group led by Karen’s BFF, therapist, Bev. There is an electric connection for them both
2. Attraction/Flirting: Jim feels drawn to Karen. Her quirky sense of humor makes him laugh which feels so good after his wife’s illness and passing.
3. Denial: Jim also feels some guilt about being drawn to Karen. He feels that his kids will think badly of him too.
4. Separation/Forced Together: His grown children convinced him to join the support group to heal his grief and urge him to continue. They are unaware of his feelings for Karen.
5. Working through Issues/Differences: His guilt escalates and he tries to confess to his kids about his feelings for someone other than their mom but chickens out.
6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost: He really screwed up by kissing Karen after their fun dinner out. She won’t respond to his texts and calls in which he tries to apologize. He feels responsible when Karen quits the support group.
7. Love Happens: After giving Karen some space and time, he confesses his strong feelings for her. They agree that their deceased mates would want them to be happy together!

[Eugene Mandelcorn]

Eugene Mandelcorn's 7 Stages of Love:
What I learned doing this assignment is that two Rom-Coms are better than one.

1. Meet-Cute

JOE & BETH – They meet in exiting the theater, when Joe bumps into Beth, by accident and falls in love with her at first sight.
VOICE & KAREN – Voice and Karen are put in the back seat of Joe's car on the way to the lot where their tiny homes will be built and banter back and forth like two adversaries ready for the big fight.

2. Attraction/Flirting

JOE & BETH – Joe compliments her in the break out room in their filmmaking class and offers to pay her to work on his film project. Knowing that he feels something for her, she decides to accept.
VOICE & KAREN – Voice obviously loves the banter that Karen and him get involved in. They both are sharp and competitive, but the connection is obvious. Different as night and day, they are finding their Sunrise and Sunset, the more they communicate.

3. Denial

JOE & BETH – They loose their connection when Joe insists on shooting the whole project on Cell Phones documentary still, while Beth is working on a dramatic script that she feels needs actors and a director to believe in and make. Maybe they weren't ment to work together and should let these poor homeless people go back to their encampment.
VOICE & KAREN – The two almost get to the point of fisty cups and decide that it is not worth it and maybe they should go back to their original places of residence.

4. Separation/Forced Together

JOE & BETH – When Joe secretly tapes Beth in a very emotional state, she is incensed and refuses to talk to him, but when Voice consoles her and puts in his 2 cents, in defense of Joe, she reconsiders.
VOICE & KAREN – When Voice and Karen find out that they will not be able to have their individual homes built, they are angry, but the idea that they may be able to share a home brings them together.

5. Working through Issues/Differences

JOE & BETH – Joe and Beth confide in each other. Joe tells about tragic death of his mother and the fact that he thinks that his long missing father is homeless. Beth reveals that she was fired from her job and that the money that Joe was paying her kept her afloat for a while, but she ended up getting evicted and is now living in her car.
VOICE & KAREN – Voice reveals that he killed a gang member and is fearful that the gang is after him. Karen reveals that she has never been the bread winner and feels hopeless and helpless without her husband to support her.

6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost

JOE & BETH – With the possibility of no home being built and the time and money already spent gone to waste, makes the housing situation precarious.
VOICE & KAREN – Although speaking to each other with respect and caring, they no longer feel confident that a home for them will be built. They feel the city and the neighboring home owners are working against them and their wishes

7. Love Happens

JOE, BETH, VOICE & KAREN – When a Tornando strikes both couples are forced to shelter in the tiny home built with recycled plastic water bottles was delivered to the small lot. All the homes in the development across the street are destroyed and only their tiny home remains standing. Their love for each other is solidified and their homeless neighbors befriend them as well.

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

[Cindi LeRoy]

LESSON 4 – Rom-Com ASSIGNMENT
Cindi’s 7 Stages of Love
What I learned doing this assignment is to make the love relationship believable it’s best to follow the 7 stages of love.
1. Create the 7 Stages of Love for your two lead characters.
The 7 Stages of Love:
1. Meet -cute: A scene in the Townhall meeting where he defends the importance of saving history and the old mansion. They meet in the hallway. She thanks him for the support. They have coffee at a café across the street, chat and get to know each other.
2. Attractions/flirting: They talk, there is attraction and flirting over coffee.
3. Denial: They each think maybe they could be together as a couple since they share an interest in this mansion. then they each think, no… it’s just a chance encounter.
4. Separation/forced together: They talk on and off; meet for coffee on and off. They have the mansion as a common factor. She takes him on a tour of the mansion. They find some interesting items and costumes in the attic, they try on some of the costumes, and role-play, which adds to the attraction.
5. Working through differences and issues: They try to do a few minor fix ups, which ends in a disaster. There aren’t enough funds to fix up the house. They have to figure out where to get some funds. Where to get some good workers. She wants professional things done the right way, but there’s no funds to hire people. He wants to use volunteers, but they’ve tried that and it’s a disaster.
6. Hate/betrayal/all Hope is lost: They’ve been arguing over what to do about this mansion. He is so committed because history is his passion. She drives by and sees him walking around the yard with a woman/a grant donor. She thinks he’s working with the mayor to try to demolish the building. She gets out of the car and yells at the couple to leave the yard and get off her property. She doesn’t want people nosing around.
7. Love happens: He waits outside for her after work. She is surprised. He says he really needs to talk to her about something important. They go to a coffee café to talk. He tells her the woman was a grant donor .He brings out the papers to show that a grant was approved to fix up the mansion. She’s so happy she cries, he comforts her. Maybe they plan their wedding at the mansion.

[Mary MacNeith]

Mary MacNeith’s, The Seven Stages of Love Assignment.

What I learned doing this assignment is the focus on the connection of each character with their needs and desires, and learning from these characters’s differences, and how they can be in conflict and still learn the positive of becoming lovers.

1. Create the 7 Stages of Love for your two lead characters.

The 7 Stages of Love:
1. Meet-Cute : Wallis and Wyatt run into each other, both very annoyed, and Wyatt sees a little blood on Wallis’s face and takes out his handkerchief to stop the bleeding, even though she is still angry, and quickly thanks Wyatt, and leaves.

2. Attraction/Flirting : Wyatt is in charge to commission a painting for an auction, and he discovers that Wallis is the painter. Wyatt thought it was a male painter, and Wallis and Wyatt conflict, then agrees to work together. As they both collaborate on the concept of the painting, they find that they are more similar than different, and get to know each other better.

3. Denial : Wallis and Wyatt are having challenges with the painting and the relationship. She has ideas and so does Wyatt, and they conflict. They try to collaborate, but it it’s not working.

4. Separation/Forced Together : Wallis and Wyatt avoid each other, as they can’t get a grip on what the painting is going to be, nether the less what they each want or don’t want from one another.

5. Working through Issues/Differences : Wyatt lands in the hospital, and is diagnosed with a terminal disease. The two then go on a journey away from the big city, and find commonality of life issues, differences, and what the painting might look like.

6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost : Wallis is near finished with the painting, then she sees Wyatt talking to another painter thinking she lost the commission, while Wyatt’s disease is worsening.

7. Love Happens : Wyatt shares how much he has fallen in love with Wallis and proposes to her, and knowing how much each of them had shared their “off track” journeys, they know that they were meant to be, if only for a short time that changed their life.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by  Mary MacNeith.

[Nancy Lucas]

ASSIGNMENT 4
What I learned in this assignment is that, while there is a ‘story in a story’ there still has to be the 7 stages of love that occur in the rom-com.

1. Create the 7 Stages of Love for your two lead characters.
The 7 Stages of Love:

• 1. Meet-Cute—She is engrossed in her Bakery but also working on trying to figure out how to get the HS students she mentors – to a regional STEM Competition. – He ( I think) will be parking his car- and blocks the bakery truck from an important delivery—where she ‘meets’ him by questioning why he is parked as he is and his competency in general
•
• 2. Attraction/Flirting—he comes in to her bakery asking for the dessert the bakery is famous and shares his ‘history’ of the dessert with the owner. (maybe?)
•
• 3. Denial- The two families have been at odds for years= like the Hatfields and mcCoys

• 4. Separation/Forced Together-Disagreements about the history of the dessert and the need to work on Stem related things for the HS kids force them together – along with the ongoing community problems of the loss of power and internet
• 5. Working through Issues/Differences—( I do not know how to handle this yet)
•
• 6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost—The girl overhears him criticizing the way she is handling the stem project , and the Christmas festival of lights in a general way.

• 7. Love Happens—when He comes back to make sure things succeed with the HS students, they also overcome the family differences, and help to see that the festival is a success.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by  Nancy Lucas.