Lesson 6: Creating Your Action Structure

[Robert Smith]

AU ACTION LESSON 6 STRUCTURE 41724

ROBERT SMITH’s STRUCTURE

WHAT I LEARNED DOING THIS ASSIGNMENT…?

How to fit a story on a frame of structure so that it holds together and is pleasing to

reader and audience.

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WHAT IS MY STORY?

GENRE: Gangster.

TITLE: “A Golem in Gangland”

PLACE: New York City.

TIME: 1940.

The New York Syndicate, headed by Charlie “Lucky” Luciano and Meyer Lansky have a subdivision of contract killers that came to be known as “Murder Incorporated” headed by Jewish gangster “Lepke” Buchalter and ruthless hitman Abe “Kid Twist” Reles. This story is based on actual persons and events but fictionalized.

PITCH: In 1940 Jerusalem, a revered rabbi gives an American gangster and rabbi’s son (Max Levitsky) a demon-possessed Golem and an ancient text of a death-curse for his use in order to protect the Jewish community from enemies. After the gangsters and the Golem wreak havoc on a Nazi Rally in New York, The villain (Reles) is out to kill Max and capture the Golem and the death curse for the nefarious criminal purposes of the mob. Will Max’s rabbi father rescue him before he is destroyed by either Reles or the Golem who is growing in demonic power?

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ASSIGNMENT

CREATE A 3 ACT STRUCTURE FOR YOUR STORY.

1. OPENING: The police are baffled and must find the killer who threw turncoat gangster Abe ”Kid Twist” Reles from his police protected 6^th floor hotel room on the eve of his court testimony against his former boss Lepke Buchalter, the head of Murder Incorporated. The only possible clue is a chip of clay that could only have come from Palestine. In a Coney Island hotel room?

2. INCITING INCIDENT: The Hero (Max Levitsky) is a gangster in Murder Incorporated and a rabbi’s son who has acquired a golem and an ancient death curse from a revered rabbi in Jerusalem. He shows them off to Boss Lepke Buchalter and Abe Reles who inform him that Boss Meyer Lansky calls upon all Jewish gangsters to disrupt a Nazi Party rally in New York City, which Max will bring his golem to do, however, Lepke and Reles plot to kill Max and capture the golem and death curse to use in their own criminal enterprises.

3. FIRST TURNING POINT: END OF ACT ONE: Jewish gangsters converge on the Nazi rally, including Max (with his Haganah martial arts skills) and the golem (with his monstrous strength)..

4. MIDPOINT: A harrowing car chase through Manhattan streets as Reles seeks to kill Max and capture the golem as ordered by Lepke. However, it ends in a car crash which Reles survives while Max and the golem escape and head back to Max’s warehouse.

5. SECOND ACT TURNING POINT: Max is a hero to his Jewish community, but he is warned by his rabbi-father (Shmuel) of the dangers of violence and the dangers to his soul in having a demon-possessed golem and a death-curse all from a rabbi he regards to be a pernicious charlatan. While they drink coffee in a luncheonette near the synagogue, Reles shoots up the place in an effort to kill Max. It fails and he kills beloved synagogue member Hayyim Gottlieb.

6. CRISIS CLUSTER:

1. Max recounts to his father (Rabbi Shmuel) how Rabbi Nahoum Gabbai in Jerusalem gave him the golem and death curse to use for the protection of the Jewish community from antisemites (Nazis). Max’s father (Rabbi Shmuel) exposes Gabbai as a crooked rabbi, a charlatan and that Max is in danger because the golem is demon-possessed and feeds off his own hatred which accounts for his dramatic growth in strength and stature. Likewise the death curse will also damage Max’s own soul. He should destroy both Golem and death curse.

2. After the killing of innocent citizen Hayyim Gottlieb, Detective Murtagh and Special Presecutor Saperstein crack down on organized crime and put out an APB for the arrest of Reles whom they view as a one man crime wave..

3. A mole for the Synidicate inside the police force tells Reles that Murtagh and Saperstein are out to arrest him. Reles vows, they’ll never take him alive because he will assassinate Murtagh and Saperstein – totally against mob rules that forbid killing of law enforcement personnel because it will draw police attention to the mob.

4. Lepke hears about Reles’s assassination plan and orders a contract killing of Reles to prevent the murders of Murtagh and Saperstein. Reles learns of it from the former owner of the Harlem numbers racket (now under Syndicate control and surrenders to Murtagh and Saperstein to seek refuge and their protection (including immunity) while Reles confesses all he knows about Lepke to Murtagh and Saperstein for their case against him in court.

7. CLIMAX: On the eve of Reles’s testimony against Lepke in court, Max, against his father’s counsel, recites the death-curse against Reles, which the Golem hears and interprets as Max’s order to kill Reles, which he does, following some kind of radar to Reles’s 6^th floor room in the Half Moon Hotel. The Golem climbs up the outer wall into the window and throws Reles out.

RESOLUTION: Saperstein and Murtagh realize the Golem killed Reles as the clay fragment they found in Reles’s room is a match for a broken edge on Golem’s foot they cannot charge the Golem as it is not a human being, and they cannot charge Max for ‘wishing Reles dead.’ Following his rabbi-father’s advice, Max surrenders to Murtagh and Saperstein to continue Reles’s work of testifying against Lepke. Max also returns to his father and his Jewish faith.

CLOSING TITLES

This movie was based on real persons and events but fictionalized , including . fictional characters and events..

Lepke Buchalter was sent to the Electric Chair.

The death of Abe Reles is still unsolved.

[leland teschler]

What I learned doing this assignment is that keeping a 3-act structure in mind can help in planning the action.

1. Opening – Hero is in a den of bad guys examining automatic weapons they bought. They think hero is one of them. We hear some of hero’s thoughts.
2. Inciting Incident—One of the bad guys says hero is a rat– hero gives the help word to the FBI agents listening. Gun fire ensues, almost killing the hero, before his FBI colleagues show up.
3. First Turning Point at end of Act 1– Hero says he’s done with undercover work after one too many close calls. His boss says ok, after one last assignment informing on a terrorist gang.
4. Mid-Point – Hero applies for low-level job in restaurant used by gang for meetings. Employees give him scut work, though restaurant owner’s kid thinks he is cool.
5. Second Turning Point at end of Act 2 – Hero stops a theft at the restaurant quietly, but kid sees it. Hero confides in owner’s kid that he can read minds, and that he isn’t who he seems to be.
6. Crisis – Hero thwarts a weapons buy accidentally gives hints that lead thugs toward the fact he is the rat.
7. Climax- Hero takes on entire gang when they try to firebomb the restaurant. The kid helps him by translating the thoughts of the thugs into English. Once again, his colleagues are late in providing backup support.
8. Resolution – Thugs are either dead or arrested. Hero’s real identity is revealed to restaurant staff who had given him a hard time. Hero gets a desk job. Kid stays in his life as a friend.

[ATAUR BACCHUS]

ATAUR’S ACTION STRUCTURE
WHAT I LEARNED: THIS ACTION STRUCTURE IS EMBEDDED IN THE THREE TRACKS – MISSION, VILLAIN, ACTION. SO CAN EXCAVATE ALTERNATIVES – NEED TO CIRCLE IN TO “BEST” ALTERNATIVE.
1. OPENING
Chosen Action Sequence: Jesse, the ex-Ranger, is ambushed by a team of mercenaries in the middle of a dense forest. Using his knowledge of guerrilla warfare, he takes down the attackers one by one, showcasing his skills and introducing the high-stakes conflict with Noriega’s forces.
Why This is Better:
• Alternative I: Jesse is seen in a quiet town setting, reminiscing about his past. This lacks immediate action and may not hook the audience quickly.
• Alternative II: Jesse is in a bar fight over a minor dispute. While this shows his toughness, it doesn’t introduce the main conflict or his skills effectively.

2. INCITING INCIDENT
Chosen Action Sequence: Noriega’s mercenaries destroy a beloved community center, injuring several townsfolk and leaving a threatening message for Jesse. This forces Jesse to realize the extent of the threat and the need to protect his town.
Why This is Better:
• Alternative I: Jesse hears a rumor about Noriega’s plans from a friend. This is too passive and lacks the urgency needed.
• Alternative II: Jesse finds a mysterious note warning him about Noriega. This is vague and doesn’t create an immediate, tangible threat.

3. FIRST TURNING POINT AT END OF ACT 1
Chosen Action Sequence: Jesse decides to confront Noriega directly, leading to a high-stakes chase and a brutal confrontation where Jesse narrowly escapes with his life. This solidifies his commitment to the fight.
Why This is Better:
• Alternative I: Jesse gathers his friends to discuss a plan. This lacks the dramatic intensity needed for a turning point.
• Alternative II: Jesse starts training the townsfolk. While important, it doesn’t have the immediate action and conflict necessary for this point.

4. MID-POINT
Chosen Action Sequence: Jesse discovers a hidden cache of weapons and documents revealing Noriega’s broader plans. This changes the purpose of his journey from just defending the town to dismantling a larger conspiracy.
Why This is Better:
• Alternative I: Jesse saves a kidnapped friend. While action-packed, it doesn’t shift the story’s meaning significantly.
• Alternative II: Jesse learns about Noriega’s tragic past. This adds depth but doesn’t alter the immediate stakes or objectives.

5. SECOND TURNING POINT AT END OF ACT 2
Chosen Action Sequence: A large-scale assault on the town results in devastating losses for Jesse’s side. He feels defeated and questions his ability to protect the town, leading to a moment of deep self-reflection.
Why This is Better:
• Alternative I: Jesse’s plans are exposed, forcing him to go on the run. While dramatic, it doesn’t showcase the personal and communal stakes as effectively.
• Alternative II: Jesse is betrayed by a close ally. This adds conflict but doesn’t have the same impact as a large-scale defeat.

6. CRISIS
Chosen Action Sequence: Jesse must choose between saving a group of townspeople trapped in a burning building or pursuing Noriega to prevent further attacks. He chooses to save the people, sacrificing his chance to stop Noriega immediately.
Why This is Better:
• Alternative I: Jesse decides to leave the town to protect his loved ones. This feels like a retreat and lessens the dramatic tension.
• Alternative II: Jesse confronts Noriega but is easily overpowered. This diminishes his character’s strength and determination.

7. CLIMAX
Chosen Action Sequence: In a final showdown, Jesse and Noriega face off in a fierce battle at the town’s center. Using his wits and guerrilla tactics, Jesse manages to outmaneuver and ultimately defeat Noriega.
Why This is Better:
• Alternative I: A large-scale battle with townsfolk and mercenaries. While epic, it can overshadow the personal conflict between Jesse and Noriega.
• Alternative II: Jesse sets a trap for Noriega, who is captured without much resistance. This lacks the high-stakes confrontation needed for a climax.
8. RESOLUTION
Chosen Action Sequence: The town comes together to rebuild, with Jesse overseeing the reconstruction. He receives a message indicating that Noriega’s backers are still out there, hinting at future conflicts but showing the immediate threat is over.
Why This is Better:
• Alternative I: Jesse leaves the town to start a new life. This doesn’t provide closure for the community he fought to protect.
• Alternative II: A celebratory festival in the town. While positive, it may feel too abrupt and not address the lingering threats effectively.
END