Lesson 4

[Jan Fantl]

3.4. Jan’s Character Story Lines

WIL: …….. continue and re fine

Teaser: WAR

Essence: During his duty, Oliver’s patrol is ambushed by a child assassin, resulting in the death of a fellow soldier in his arms.
Turning Point: Startled from his daytime nightmare in the desert camp, Oliver must gather himself and continue the interrogation of the primary assassin.
O Opening : Marty is a loyal police officer in the field, but over time he started he started to question the work ethics in the army.

Act 1: TRAVEL

Essence: Interrupted during the interrogation, Oliver learns of his father’s sudden death and catches a cargo flight home with the help of his buddy. He briefly speaks to his mother on the phone, promising to listen to her full story upon their reunion. <div>

(Opening O): Oliver is released to fly home for his father’s funeral

Turning Point:) Stranded at a cargo airfield, Oliver chooses a motel to get some sleep, assuming his mother will be resting as well.

(O Dilemma: Oliver needs rest and decides against driving that night)

Act 2: ARRIVAL

Essence: Essence: Oliver returns home and meets detective Petra, who informs him about his mother’s death but is unaware of his father’s demise. They explore the house together, and Oliver discovers his mother’s appointment with the notary. Despite his emotional state, Petra insists on proof of his identity before granting him access to his parents’ house. </div>

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(O’s O) Oliver arrives home, meets detective Petra, who shares the news of his mother’s passing. They search the house, but Petra sees no signs of foul play. Oliver finds an appointment in his mother’s calendar that raises suspicions. However, Petra withholds the keys and denies him the opportunity to stay.

(P O) Petra is ready to leave when an unknown individual approaches, questioning her presence. Although he identifies as Oliver Wind, there is no concrete proof that he is the woman’s son. With tensions rising, they walk through the house, and Oliver notices pictures of himself. Despite this, Petra refuses to let him stay, asserting her authority.

P TP 1: As Petra prepares to leave, Oliver asks about his father’s body, but she is clueless about it. She requests to show up at the investigation department.

(Turning Point/Midpoint): Oliver defies the dismissive homicide department and embarks on a journey to uncover the truth.

Act 3: DOORS SHUT

Essence: Frustrated and alone in his hometown, Oliver encounters obstacles at the residents registration office due to lack of proof of identity and other public offices. He attempts to contact relatives, including Uncle Hans, but faces difficulties reaching them. He schedules an appointment for the following day and also contacts the police at his father’s workplace. </div><div>

O Dilemma: Feeling isolated in his own town, Oliver refuses to give up and takes proactive measures, visiting various public offices for assistance. While condolences are offered, he struggles to find anyone willing to provide immediate help.

(Hans O): Uncle Hans receives a call from Oliver, expressing condolences for his father’s death but postponing their meeting until the next day due to being out of town. He then informs his daughter, Clarice, about Oliver’s arrival, leading to uncertainty about their next steps?

(Notary O) Oliver arrives at the notary’s office, initially facing resistance from the secretary. However, notary Muller intervenes and invites him into his office.

O TP: In a surprising turn of events, Oliver is handed a recently signed power of attorney document by his mother, dated just one day prior, raising suspicions about her intentions.

Act 4: BRAWL/ SEX

Oliver confronts the authorities with the power of attorney, gaining access to his home where he searches in frustration for answers. </div><div>

(O Major Conflict) Despite limited evidence and resistance from the authorities, Oliver becomes determined to uncover the truth behind his parents’ deaths, pushing forward in his investigation. (Who will I find for him to talk to and unveil this?)

(O TP) Oliver becomes involved in a – staged -bar brawl, sustaining injuries. Marie, the bartender, comes to his aid and they share a passionate night together.

(Marie opening) Marie encounters Oliver at her nighttime job and is drawn to him, offering her support and inviting him to stay the night.

Turning Point: After their encounter, Oliver is restless and suffering from insomnia, he takes a walk in an attempt to find solace and peace of mind.

Act 5: RESTLESS NIGHT

Essence: Oliver searches his parents’ house again and uncovers a hidden compartment containing one of his mother’s diary. </div>

Lock In: As he reads aloud from his mother’s diary, he shatters the illusion of her death: a peaceful dead, really?

[Kristina Zill]

KZ’s Character Storylines

What I learned doing this assignment is… how to integrate character storylines with the plot. This technique helps streamline descriptions to what’s most intriguing.

MURDER MY DARLINGS

Teaser:

Essence: A young man flees a 12th-floor apartment, chased by an unknown assailant

Turning Point: The young man is pushed over the banister and falls down the stairwell to his death in the foyer below.

Act I

Essence: (Oliver opening) Oliver suffers from partial amnesia – there are huge holes in his memory. Against all evidence that points to his being a costume designer, he feels certain that he’s a CIA agent.

(Tony opening) Not realizing he’s being watched, Tony enters via the balcony and hides evidence tied to Raymond’s murder – the dead man’s missing shoe.

Turning point:

(Detective Uhm opening) A detective shows up, asking questions about Raymond’s murder and looking for a missing shoe.

Dilemma: Oliver makes the decision to hide the shoe.

Act II

Essence: Oliver and IRL Tony meet.

(Oliver TP1) Oliver accidentally crosses over into the real world and enters IRL Tony’s apartment, meets Tony, who he doesn’t remember.

(IRL Tony opening) Tony is elated that Oliver is “back from the hospital,” informs him that they were lovers, and hides him because Nolan is insanely jealous.

(Nolan opening) Nolan enters, complains bitterly that a literary blogger has been trashing his work.

(Russian opening) A Russian lets himself in to Nolan’s apartment. He and Nolan go to Nolan’s home office and close the door.

(IRL Tony TP 1) Tony sends Oliver back home through the portal.

Act III

Essence: Nolan’s novels are published as part of a money laundering scheme, and he also is forced to insert secret messages for the GRU in ebooks of his supernatural thrillers.

(Nolan – Major conflict) The Russian wants to know why Oliver isn’t dead yet. Nolan assures him that Oliver is on life-support at the hospital and will die any day. The Russian taunts him about the literary blogger’s criticism: that his murder scenes lacked realism. The Russian dictates a sentence that Nolan must work into his current novel and wants to know when it will be ready to publish.

Act IV

Essence: Oliver decides to break it off with Tony

(Oliver TP2) Michelle reveals that Raymond was Tony’s lover, and that all of his lovers seem to die a gruesome death. When Oliver sees Tony, he tries to break it off, but Tony acts differently than before and claims to not know who he is. Michelle seems vindicated in saying that Tony is not to be trusted.

Act V

Essence: Oliver is accused of murder.

(Detective Uhm TP1): The Detective finds the shoe; informs Oliver that he is a suspect in a murder.

(Oliver ending) Oliver must discover Raymond’s real murderer or be accused himself.

[Chanda Haynes]

LIKE THE JONESES – Character Story Lines

What I learned doing this assignment is how we are starting to organize the story into acts and then into specific actions that occur within each act. I can see how this is structuring the outline and the pilot.

Teaser:

•Essence: Willie (opening), a father and co-founder of a cannabis company celebrates his company, Jones Farmacy’s 10th year anniversary. His wife wants him to retire. His son wants more responsibility in the company and the mayor wants him to commit to 4 more years with the LOCC.

•Turning Point: Henry (opening) is Willie’s estranged nephew, a gambling addict, owes money in multiple states and the loan sharks are on his ass.

• (H TP1) Henry discovers documents regarding an inheritance for he and his twin sister. Willie was the trustee.

Act 1:

•Essence: Tony (opening) is a cannabis businessman who is unhappy with his role in the company he co-founded with his father. Due to his past, his power in the company is limited. His ex-wife barely speaks to him, and he has only limited access to his son.

•Turning Point: (T TP1) Tony demands more responsibility and freedom in the company.

Act 2:

•Essence: (W TP1) Elaine finally convinces Willie to give Tony a shot at CEO and take a hiatus. Willie gets appointed another four years of the LOCC.

•(H Midpoint) Henry arrives in Portland to confront his uncle about the inheritance.

•Pete (opening), a successful business owner and cannabis advocate who has hit a rough patch. His sales are down and the governor questions his future with the LOCC.

•Turning Point/Midpoint: (W Midpoint/H Midpoint) Henry has incriminating info on Willie. Henry threatens to go to the LOCC.

•(P TP1) Pete’s staff walk out on him, including his VP.

Act 3:

•Essence:

•(W TP2/H TP2) Willie appoints Henry as CEO.

•(T Midpoint) Tony resigns from Jones Farmacy after the Henry announcement.

(W Dilemma) Willie tries to convince Tony to stay.

(P Midpoint) The Governor will not renew Pete for a new term. Pete learns that Tony is out of work and digging into LOCC activity.

· Turning Point: (T TP2) The cannabis community, including Pete’s former VP, rallies around Tony and he learns more details about the LOCC activities, including Willie.

Act 4:

•Essence: (T Dilemma)Tony must decide if he will return to Jones Farmacy or pursue new interests. Tony must decide what to do to with the LOCC info he has.

•(W Major Conflict) Willie hides the blackmail from Tony.

•(H Dilemma) Henry realizes he’s in over his head in his new position.

•(H Major Conflict) Henry hides from Willie the info about the money he owes the loan sharks. (P Dilemma) Pete feels Tony would be a good fit for his company, but Tony is uncovering more of the LOCC’s criminal activity.

•Turning Point: (P Major Conflict) Although Tony is the son of his nemesis, Pete offers Tony a sweet deal. He wants him on his team.

Act 5:

•Essence: (T Major Conflict) Tony receives multiple offers from Jones Farmacy competitors.

•(W Ending) Willie cancels his plans to leave. He’s back in the game full time.

•Lock In:

◦(T Ending/P Ending) Tony accepts a position as VP of Green Diamonds, Jones Farmacy’s competition.

◦(H Ending) The loan sharks arrive in town after hearing about Henry’s promotion.