Lesson 5

[Rodney Cavin]

Rod’s Villain has a great plan

This lesson taught me how to structure the villain’s plan, how it’s revealed and in what order. Also learned it’s a most important first step.

It was a particular challenge—far from complete—as I’m beginning with only a two line concept with a few characters and their situations in mind.

I’m confident that as building blocks continue this basic plan will expand into much more detail and definition. It’s an entirely new way for me to begin a script as I usually start with an opening scene and plow ahead. I can already see how this approach will build the entire structure making the script flow on it’s own. Incredible!

What is the end goal:

To find a stolen micro chip before it gets exposed and to kill all those responsible, to keep the government secrets flowing and profitable for the mob.

How can the villain (Tony) accomplish that in a devious way.

- When Tony learns the micro chip has been stolen the thief is killed.

- Searches the receiving waitress’ (Kelli—protagonist) apartment who accidentally received the stolen chip.

- Puts pressure on her boss (Billy) to find what she did with it.

- Kills another waitress (Magen) who was the intended recipient of the chip.

- Stalks the Kelli to see who she meets, where she goes.

- Attempt to “accidentally” kill the police detective (Detective Aldrich) in charge of the murder cases.

How can they cover it up?

Fake evidence of a Washington scandal involving a US Senator (Senator Blanding), making him a strong suspect (the red herring).

Black mailing an investigative reporter (Rachael) digging for information about this case.

Kidnap Kelli to get her to hand over the chip (before they kill her).

Kill the messenger/thief (Mickey).

Prevent Kelli from learning anything as she worked to solve the case and save her life.

Sequence it to make it as intriguing as possible.

Kill Mickey in the opening scene.

Reveal hint of Washington scandal.

Blackmail Rachael.

Break in and trash Kelli’s apartment.

Kelli escapes a murder attempt.

Washington scandal reveals the Senator Blanding is heavily involved.

Kelli kidnapped, threatened with death (leads to finale).


[Steven Pickering]

Steve’s – Villains plan
What I learned is the villain has been planning this for years before the story starts… even I did not know that… he’s a sneaky bugger!
1. What is the end goal?
Mr Finman wants to close the indoor market for redevelopment, and make a fortune for himself.
2. How can the Villain accomplish that in a devious way?
The market traders have certain rights that could stop him, but they are unaware. The villain must keep these rights quiet to complete his goal.
3. How can they cover it up?
Start preparatory building works to show the plan/project is happening.
Pretend they are being generous with compensation and help to find other markets.
Gain access to a previously secured cellar to obtain original deeds for the building (deeds contain a restrictive covenant against any future redevelopment)
Kill anyone that starts to uncover the secrets.
4. Sequence it to make it as intriguing as possible.
Make traders believe the closure/demolition is happening and is a done deal.
Evict any trader that might have potential to disrupt the plan
Undertake surveys of building and prepare for demolition.
Announce plans to traders with offer of generous compensation
Destroy the huge petition handed in by traders and customers.
Kill off any objections – in a credible way
Manipulate traders to turn against each other

[Ronald Neustrom]

Ron Neustrom Lesson 5 Villain’s Plan

What I learned is…endings can be difficult. If you go on a two-week vacation to Europe do you know what you are going to be doing on the last day of the trip? Did the trip progress to your most meaningful and climactic activity happening on the last day? I struggle with endings, and this is where the Thriller begins. These activities forced me into making some concrete choices. But the most useful part of this chapter is the way it breaks down the connections and events into four categories. Villain’s Plan. Mystery. Intrigue. Suspense. I think this approach will help me see the best ending for my story or at least see the different pieces that have to be developed and combined through progressions and resolved.

Working Title: Every Part of the Animal

Villain’s Plan

GOAL: Keep Ana’s Murder a secret.
INTRIGUE: Use a small, devoted Deputy killing crew…aka. The Miranda Men to wipe away any connection to the Mayor’s killings or illegal activities.
COVER SECRETS: Mayor Margaret Doud ordered a whistleblower to be killed years ago to gain an election victory. The whistleblower had two daughters. One has returned to infiltrate and expose the Mayor’s murder. The mayor hides behind her social programs to conceal her clandestine activities. On the surface they seem commendable but are really designed to stifle political opponents. She has committed murder. Diverted money. Silenced opponents to accomplish her level of control and power.

1. What is the end goal? For Mayor Doud to win re-election by hiding Ana’s Murder.
2. How can the Villain accomplish this in a devious way? Through her covert deputy hit squad planting evidence, changing files, and killing anyone who tries/tried to stop her.
3. How can they cover it up? They cover it up through their social programs that are designed to help victims but are really a cover for exposing vulnerable women they can use and exploit. They make the victims look unstable so when something happens to them they can divert attention back to the victims.
4. Sequence it to make it as intriguing as possible.
A. 12 years ago a single mother is killed by a conman trying to steal her identity.
B. She has two daughters who are put into the system after her disappearance.
C. One returns to expose their mother’s killer.
D. The other daughter has devoted her life to helping victims and works with local law enforcement.
E. The social worker sister helps her revenge seeking sister transition out of prison; however, her revenge sister is using her to get closer to the deputy gang who she believes killed their mother.
F. Their mother’s body is found and evidence points to fool play and city people involved.
G. The Mayor orders the deputy gang to kill the revenge sister trying to expose the gang.
H. They figure out she is trying to get inside so they construct a plan.
I. The deputies use her as an informant as a set-up to kill her.
J. Revenge sister escapes during the hit attempt.
K. The social worker sister is coerced to believe her revenge sister’s allegations against the mayor and try to save her or keep her career dreams alive. (crisis)
L. The sister connects their mother’s killing to the Mayor.
M. Her revenge sister takes down some of the deputies.
N. Together they takeout the mayor.

• This reply was modified 5 months ago by  Ronald Neustrom.

[Lisa Vons Cooper]

What I learned is working from the villain’s goal backwards fills in a lot of the blanks. It allowed me to make sure I was thinking of how the story started and how to bring it all together.
To create your Villain’s plan, answer these four questions:
1. What is the end goal?
1. To expose Sam and her family’s generational secret.
2. How can the Villain accomplish that in a devious way?
1. Start by killing off each member of the family that took away everyone she ever loved.
2. Only allow one person in on the secret, JJ is the only one who lost as much as her and wants the same revenge.
3. Become Sam’s best friend, make her think her true best friend (Tyler) is not trustworthy.
4. Have JJ become Tyler’s boyfriend.
3. How can they cover it up?
1. By becoming the protagonist’s friend and having her brother become the protagonist’s best friends boyfriend.
4. Sequence it to make it as intriguing as possible.
1. Iz reminds Sam that it’s their friendiversary. They met while going through flight attendant training 5 years ago. This has been a very long game.
2. At the same time Tyler and JJ celebrate 2 years.
3. Sam notices that JJ and Iz are bickering on the balcony. She questions them. She knows they know each other casually but it’s interesting that they would bicker.
4. Just after their anniversary Tyler catches JJ leaving Sam’s room. His response is suspicious. Tyler wants to believe him and lets it go.
5. Iz starts to question Sam about her family. Sam gets worried. Why is she asking?
6. Tyler catches JJ at her and Sam’s house when he’s supposed to be at work. He says he was trying to surprise her, but she was supposed to be out of town. She tells Sam about both instances.
7. Sam sweeps the house and finds multiple bugs. She leaves them so JJ doesn’t know they know. The only time they talk about family business is on the beach without their phones. This makes Sam question every conversation they’ve had in the house.
8. Sam tells her dad about JJ and Iz. He has background checks done on them. He finds out they grew up in the same foster home after their parents were killed by her uncle. This makes Sam wonder if she was carful enough to keep her family safe.
9. The family starts to wonder if Sam’s right that they should close the doors to this chapter and walk away.
10. Will Iz and JJ keep coming after them? How does Sam flush them out? Will she have to kill them to end this? Is anyone else involved? All questions that need to be answered.