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Lesson 7
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Mark Hammond”s High Speed Beat Sheet
What I learned doing this assignment is: I learned personally, can get more accomplished if I don’t try to make it perfect on the first draft.
Pass 1
Organize your Structure and Transformational Events:
Opening:
EXT. IN FRONT OF AN OLD SPOOKY LOOKING HOUSE – DAY
The manager excepts the keys and pays the real estate agent out of a bag that’s labeled payroll.
TE !:
Inside the crew is celebrating they have a location to shoot their video and even state they didn’t think he could do it.
INCITING INCIDENT:
While verbally abusing the handyman setting up the lights and sound system. causing him to trip the electrical system, locking all of the doors and shutters with riot gates. They are now locked in a strange house with the serial killer.
TE 2:
The manger discovers the lead singer is mysteriously missing.
He tells everyone it’s an All-Hallows Eve prank.
TE 3:
Time is critical, so he gets the crew working and tries to figure out if he needs someone to take the lead singer’s place.
ACT 2:
TE !
He postpones filming and tries to find the lead singer
TE 2
He asks them to try to open the doors and windows but they can’t
TE 3
He searches for the missing lead singer to no avail.
TE 4
He has everyone attempt to call the lead singer with their cell phones, but there are no signals.
Midpoint Turning Point:
The lead singer is found dead… mutilated, and he suspects the handy man is the killer.
The manager reaffirms that he did see someone else in the house.
The manager realizes this is real, and takes on a leadership role.
Act 3:
TE 1
The manager makes a bold stance and takes charge.
He orders everyone to find some sort of a weapon
TE 2
He teaches the crew how to use their weapons in a defensive mode; because he’s never been on the offense in his entire life.
TE 3
The manager watches as another member of his crew is brutally murdered,
and he did little to prevent it.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict
The manager musters up his courage, and volunteers to face the serial killer all alone.
TE 2
He surrenders his cowardly self to the serial killer, to lure him in close. He knows the killer underestimates him and will oblige.
TE 3
When the killer gets close, he’s surprised that the manager leaps up to attack him.
TE 4
The manager is putting up a ferocious fight, but he’s losing.
TE 5
He is surprised when the crew springs in to action and helps kill the serial killer.
Resolution:
The manager gets the respect and honor he was seeking. The love of his life and the video produced.
*** He confesses, makes restitution, makes a successful rap video and is no longer a coward, fraud and loser.
***(He makes good on his word.)***
PASS 2: Add Slug Lines: and PASS 3 PLACEHOLDERS
EXT. IN OF A OLD SPOOKY LOOKING HOUSE – Day
OPENING: The manager excepts the keys for the house from a shady looking real estate agent. He gives him money out of a pouch that’s labeled PAYROLL..
NT. PARLOR OF THE OLD SPOOKY HOUSE – DAY
TE !:
Inside the crew is celebrating they have a location to shoot their video and even state they didn’t think he could do it.
INCITING INCIDENT:
While verbally abusing the handyman setting up the lights and sound system. causing him to trip the electrical system, locking all of the doors and shutters with riot gates. They are now locked in a strange house with the serial killer.
PLACEHOLDER: I fear reactions from the producer and crew.
TE 2:
The manger discovers the lead singer is mysteriously missing.
He tells everyone it’s an All-Hallows Eve prank.
TE 3:
Time is critical, so he gets the crew working and tries to figure out if he needs someone to take the lead singer’s place.
TE 4
He belittles his staff to get them to hurry up, and then discovers that there is someone else on the premises.
TE 5
(He regrets that his crew member was killed and takes responsibility for it.
ACT 2
INT. ROOMS AND CLOSETS IN THE HOUSE – NIGHT
The producer is addressing the crew hiding his deep concern.
TE 1
He postpones filming and tries to find the lead singer by searching every room and closet In the house.
TE 2
He asks them to try to open the doors and windows but they can’t. They are trapped .
TE 3
He has everyone attempt to call the lead singer with their cell phones, but there are no signals.
Midpoint Turning Point:
INT. A DUSTY ATTIC WITH OLD PICES OF FURNITURE – NIGHT
The lead singer is found dead… mutilated. The crew looks on terrified.
PLACEHOLDER: show shock and terror
TE 4
The manager suspects the handy man is the killer.
TE 5
The manager reaffirms that he did see someone else in the house.
The manager realizes this is real, and he has to take on a leadership role.
TE 6
New plan:
Find a way out. The manager has to plan a way out and keep the group together and find the killer before he kills someone else in the group.
ACT 3
New plan:
Find a way out. The manager has to plan a way out and keep the group together and find the killer before he kills someone else in the group.
He tries to solve the killer problem on his own but he is unable to.
(He realizes that he can’t do it all and that he needs help to succeed.)
He realizes that he will need his team’s help to (A) survive and ( B ) make the video so he stops treating them as subordinates.
(He doesn’t give up or run away from his dilemma as a loser would.)
TE 1
Rethink everything:
The manager makes a bold stance and takes charge.
He orders everyone to find some sort of a weapon
New plan:
INT. LARGE LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
He teaches the crew how to use their weapons in a defensive mode; because he’s never been on the offense in his entire life.
PLACEHOLDER: series of shots illustrating the training of the use of weapons.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift
INT. DINING ROOM WITH A 12 FOOT LONG DINING TABLE – NIGHT
The manager watches as another member of his crew is brutally murdered,
and he did little to prevent it.
PLACEHOLDER: reaction from the producer and crew.
TE 1
He realizes his plan does not work. Defense is not the way to kill this serial killer.
TE 2
The manager is really feeling like a coward-that it his fault they followed him someone that really doesn’t know what he’s doing, and it caused the death of their friends.
TE 3
He comes up with a new plan that includes the others to kills the killer.
TE 4
He becomes a courageous leader in his heart and is bubbling over with newfound confidence.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict
TE 1
The manager musters up his courage, and volunteers to face the serial killer all alone.
INT. DINING ROOM – NIGHT
He surrenders his cowardly self to the serial killer, to lure him in close. He knows the killer underestimates him and will oblige.
PLACEHOLDER: I need to put in the reaction of the killer.
TE 1
When the killer gets close, he’s surprised that the manager leaps up to attack him. The manager is putting up a ferocious fight, but he’s losing.
PLACEHOLDER: choreograph a fight sequence between the producer and the killer
TE 2
He is surprised when the crew springs in to action and helps kill the serial killer.
TE 3
Resolution:
The manager gets the respect and honor he was seeking.
The love of his life and the video produced.
TE 4
He confesses, makes restitution,
TE 5
makes a successful rap video and is no longer a coward, fraud and loser.
TE 6
(He makes good on his word.)
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Steve Jones – High Speed Beat Sheet
What I learned doing this assignment is speed is your friend at this stage. I can put my perfectionism in a little box and put it on a high shelf nearly out of reach. Next draft, I’ll move it down one shelf closer and so on until my final draft when I’ll open up that box and lick it clean.
Act 1:
INT. MARS SPACEPORT – DAY
Opening: Harry is on duty when a ship arrives from Earth. He finds it all routine and easily spots someone that the AI system and spotter robots miss who turns out to be there illegally. The illegal immigrant is taken away pleading for help.
Harry’s relationship with his fellow officers is strained and they keep him at arms’ length. Harry’s boss is more accepting of the results Harry gets but still doesn’t understand him.
Inciting Incident: During the arrest of the first immigrant, Harry misses a second one who gets through undetected.
INT/EXT. MARS SPACEPORT – DAY
Harry spots the second illegal at the last minute and gives chase.
EXT. WOODS – DAY
TE: The illegal is killed just as Harry is about to catch him after an arduous chase.
Harry is amazed at how hard the illegal tried to escape when all he faced was being sent back home.
Peep is horrified that he’s accidentally killed the illegal.
INT. POLICE HQ – DAY
Harry’s boss recognises that Harry is his best chance of catching illegals but that, as just on man, he needs help. He forces Harry to have a robot partner who he wants Harry to teach his tracking techniques to. Harry is appalled by the idea and reminds Buzzard how he works alone.
INT. EARTH OFFICE – NIGHT
On Earth, Carina hears the news and vows to Keenan that she’s going to catch the killer. Keenan wants to know how she’s going to do that and Carina tells her she’s going to Mars with the next illegals.
EXT. WOODLAND – DAY
TE: Harry investigates the site of the murder with the robot in tow. He makes some initial discoveries based on his methods and has to explain them to the robot.
INT. VOR’S CLINIC – DAY
Peep tells Vor that the police have the latest shipment and Vor is furious. He tells Peep that they still need one more because of him. Peep is devastated. The last delivery was all he needed to finish his work and now that Peep has killed him and destroyed it, they need someone else to bring it to him.
INT.POLICE HQ – DAY
Turning Point: Harry’s dread of being sent to Earth is brought home when Buzzard tells Harry he needs to solve this case using his special powers or he’ll be out of the job and that will mean he’s on borrowed times on Mars. The future of Mars’ tourist trade and business relations with Earth are at stake. This is a career defining or career destroying situation.
Act 2:
INT. MORGUE – DAY
New plan: TE: Harry is now scared and ups his game with the investigation. He and the robot go to the morgue and find out about how the illegal was killed. Harry wonders why this method was used.
INT. VOR’S CLINIC – DAY
Vor tells Keenan to get the next illegals set up with the last shipment again.
PLACEHOLDER:
Plan in action: Harry establishes a link between something about the illegal and Vor’s clinic.
INT. POLICE HQ – DAY
Harry tells Buzzard he is going to interview Vor and Buzzard warns him to stay away from the most powerful man on Mars.
INT.VOR’S CLINIC – DAY
TE: Harry breaks the rules and interviews Vor who tells him about SISCO and his treatment for sick Earthers who can afford the journey and the VISA. Harry asks him about the immigration policy and how someone would beat it. Vor says he doesn’t know.
EXT. VOR’S CLINIC – DAY
Harry leaves, telling the robot that Vor is hiding something. The robot doesn’t believe him.
INT.VOR’S CLINIC – DAY
Vor instructs Peep to get Harry out of his way.
INT.SPACEPORT – DAY
Carina arrives from earth with the lates immigrants and sees Harry following them. She follows them all.
INT. VOR’S CLINIC – NIGHT
Vor plans for the next delivery on the assumption that Harry will be out of the way.
EXT. WOODLAND – NIGHT
Harry moves in to arrest the immigrants and Carina tries to confront Harry just as Peep tries to kill him.
INT. HARRY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
TE:Harry experiences a very different life on Mars when Carina accuses Harry of being the killer and he narrowly escapes death. Harry and Carina find out more about each other.
Midpoint Turning Point: Harry adds to his allies/friends/partners when he teams up with Carina.
Act 3:
INT. HARRY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Rethink everything: Carina believes that Harry isn’t the killer.
INT.EXT. VOR’S CLINIC – NIGHT
TE: Harry now understands more from her about why the immigrants are risking so much.
Harry risks his badge by breaking into Vor’s Clinic.
Carina and Harry save Javine who they then have to protect. She is the last illegal Carina sent through and they rescue her from Vor so they now have proof that he is involved.
INT. HARRY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
New plan: Harry is no longer driven by selfish needs as he faces his duty to catching the killer and changing the Immigration policy by going to Earth to set the plan for Vor’s capture in motion. Carina reminds him that without his Police badge, he will be a Martian citizen who went to Earth and returned under a false ID.
Harry explains how the only way to catch Vor and get his badge back is to return as the next illegal with whatever Vor is smuggling and catch him in the act of trying to extract it. Carina reminds him that the illegals don’t survive this process as far as she knows.
Harry reminds her that he Immigration force doesn’t have him on it anymore so he’ll get through easily.
TE: Harry admits that this is the only way and he’s prepared to risk it.
INT. SPACEPORT – DAY
Harry and Carina leave for Earth.
INT.VOR’S CLINIC – DAY
Vor celebrates and contacts Keenan on Earth to check that the next delivery is on schedule.
INT. EARTH OFFICE – NIGHT
Keenan explains that it will be on the ship that is on it’s way to Earth when it returns to Mars.
INT. VOR’S CLINIC – DAY
Vor is happy and tells Keenan that he needs another job doing when the ship docks.
INT. EARTH SPACEPORT – DAY
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Harry arrives on Earth and is promptly arrested, has his Martian passport is taken leaving him trapped in his version of Hell.
Harry works harder than he has done in his whole life to escape so he can set himself up as the next illegal.
INT. EARTH SPACEPORT – NIGHT
Harry returns to Mars illegally to lure Vor out and catch him red handed. Now he is exactly the same as those he used to spot and send back.
Act 4:
INT. SPACEPORT – DAY
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Harry and Carina return and Harry is spotted by his tracker robot using the techniques Harry taught him. But Harry gets through and the tracker robot follows him.
EXT. SPACEPORT – DAY
Carina follows them both.
Harry meets Peep who knocks him out and drags him back to the clinic.
INT. VOR’S CLINIC – DAY
Vor is aware of Harry’s plan and prepared for him. It’s a trap!
No longer a loner and with everyone else’s help, Harry defeats Vor in the clinic where he’s been extracting the substance he’s been smuggling from Earth inside the illegals.
INT. POLICE HQ – DAY
Resolution: Harry exposes the real mastermind behind the immigration policy and it is dismantled.
High Speed Writing Rules Rule!
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Subject line: Jennifer Williams – High-Speed Beat Sheet
1. What I learned doing this assignment is…?”
· I learned that combining the previous lessons with this lesson has allowed me to be more flexible and released in the creative process to tell the story in my head.
2. Decide to intentionally use the High-Speed Writing Rules throughout the rest of this program.
• Rule 1: Understand writing in drafts.
• Rule 2: Choose speed over quality for EARLY drafts.
• Rule 3: Allow yourself to start (and continue) without all the answers.
• Rule 4: Use empowering self-talk. Cheer yourself on.
• Rule 5: Give yourself freedom to write without criticism.
• Rule 6: Keep moving. Don’t allow yourself to ever stall out.
• Rule 7: if it doesn’t come to you, give it to your creative mind to process.
3. Use the High Speed Writing Rules as you create your Beat Sheet.
• Pass 1: Organize your Structure and Transformational Events.
• Pass 2: Add slug lines.
• Pass 3: Add placeholders and additional scenes.
Main Characters:
Protagonist – Delores; Antagonist – Cindy; BFF – Kendra; Internet Gentleman – Lyle; Co-Worker – James; Daughter – Mauri
• Concept: After losing the love of her life, a middle-aged mother harbors a deep fear of never finding love again, but her world is turned upside down when her passionate fantasies lead her into a perilous love triangle.
• Main Conflict: Cindy is on a mission to ensure the relationship that Delores wants to work ends. She sends a barrage of threatening texts and phone calls to Delores. Cindy tries to make sure the memorable weekend getaway Lyle has planned ends as the trip to hell.
• Delores’ Old Ways:
1. Suffers from fear of unexpected loss.
2. Spends a lot of time alone.
3. Spends long days at work.
4. Resigns herself to seeking companionship on the Internet.
5. Never going out socially.
6. Never dates.
• Delores’ New Ways:
1. Learned to have a work-life balance.
2. Limits her Internet activity.
3. Overcomes fear of unexpected events in life.
4. Opened herself to attending more social activities.
5. Began dating.
Act 1:
• Opening:
INT: CHURCH – DAY
ü Delores is in a wedding gown in the church’s vestibule, waiting with her father for the doors to open for her to walk down the aisle.
INT. SEATTLE HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
ü We see a hospital room with life support equipment and the sounds of the machines monitoring the patient.
INT: CHURCH – DAY
ü The music begins to play, the doors open, they step up, and the music stops.
ü The congregation turns toward the altar, but we don’t know the groom.
ü End scene
TITLE CARD: ONE YEAR EARLIER
INT. GYM – DAY
ü Delores is at the gym with her daughter, Mauri, and her BFF, Kendra, ending their workout.
ü Delores is sitting on a bench lost in thought. Mauri realizes her mother has fallen into sad mode and is thinking of her husband, who passed away.
ü Delores sends Mauri to another area in the gym while Kendra comes over to be a listening ear.
ü The Protagonist shares with BFF her fears.
ü The Protagonist assures her daughter that she is happy in her current state.
ü Delores learns Kendra has set up a not-so-chance meeting with a guy. He invites Delores for coffee afterward, but Delores politely declines, citing a work meeting.
INT. WORK OFFICE – DAY
ü Delores gets to work, and her Co-Worker, James, who has been trying to get to know her on a non-work level, creates a reason for them to have lunch together.
ü Delores is in the office late and meets up with Lyle, the online gentleman she’s been communicating with for several months, in an online specialty book lover’s room, and they engage in delightful banter.
ü Totally out of character, Lyle convinces her to meet him for dinner.
INT. DELORES’ HOME – NIGHT
ü They exchange personal information via email. To her surprise, she’s excited but keeps it a secret from her Kendra and Mauri.
• Inciting Incident:
EXT. OUTSIDE SEATAC AIRPORT – DAY
ü Once Delores committed to a trip away with Lyle.
EXT. BOTANIC GARDEN – DAY
ü Touring the gardens with Lyle.
INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
ü Cindy began sending text messages and voicemails to intimidate her.
• Turning Point:
INT. LYLE’S HOME SEATTLE – DAY
ü Delores takes the trip with Lyle only to learn that there are secrets that feed her insecurities.
ü Cindy turns up the harassment.
INT. DELORES’ OFFICE – NIGHT
ü Delores retreats to old ways, spending late days in the office.
Act 2:
• New plan:
INT. DELORES HOME – NIGHT
ü Delores returns to occupying her time online, but it doesn’t serve her.
ü Unbeknownst to Delores, Cindy posted photos on the Internet that made it seem like she had reconciled with her Lyle, Ex-husband.
ü Kendra talks Delores into going out with her James.
ü Delores decides to move on from Lyle.
• Plan in action:
EXT. YOUNG CAMP – DAY
ü Delores attempts to let her guard down.
ü Delores interacts with camp counselors and James.
EXT. THEATER LOBBY – NIGHT
ü Enjoys the company of James, attends a stage play, and they become incredibly close.
INT. COFFEE SHOP – EVENING
ü Conversation with James after play.
• Midpoint Turning Point:
INT. DELORES’ HOME – NIGHT
ü Delores goes online to the book lover’s room, checks the people online, and responds to questions on critiques.
ü She sits to contemplate her next move before she exits website.
ü Delores terminates her account.
Act 3:
• Rethink everything:
INT. GYM – DAY
ü After realizing Lyle would not return, she decides to move on.
ü Delores has a push in the gym in a competitive stationary bike race with Mauri and Kendra.
INT. DELORES’ HOME – DAY
ü Delores has a hard-to-hard with her mother, Kendra, and receives urging from Mauri to start getting herself back on the dating scene.
ü Delores understands that she can’t control unexpected medical issues.
ü Delores stopped working late.
• New plan:
EXT. RESTAURANT – DAY
ü Delores starts to step up her social agenda.
ü Delores has lunch with a person Kendra introduced her to.
ü Dates a few people but finds that James is her best choice.
INT. DELORES’ OFFICE – DAY
ü Changes her mind about moving out of the state for a new career.
ü Begins to see James exclusively.
• Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift:
INT. COMPANY AWARDS DINNER – NIGHT
ü Delores overhears James’ best friend discussing their past womanizing, but she believes it is James’ current status.
ü Feels betrayed again and retreats.
INT. DELORES’ OFFICE – DAY
ü Delores attempts to contact Lyle one last time only to encounter Cindy.
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict:
INT. LYLE’S OFFICE SEATTLE – DAY
ü Lyle’s sister confronts Cindy.
ü We learn that Lyle did not reconcile with Cindy, but is in the hospital.
ü Lyle’s family tries to contact Delores but has no luck.
EXT. OUTDOOR CAFÉ – DAY
ü James learns of the misunderstanding and clears it up with Delores. James assures her that he is only interested in her.
• Resolution:
TITLE CARD: Six Months Later:
INT. PARK – DAY
ü The Protagonist Co-worker and she started to see each other out in the open.
INT. DELORES DINING ROOM – NIGHT
ü He made his presence and intentions known to Mauri and Kendra.
ü James asks Delores’ father for her hand in marriage.
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
ü James proposes to Delores.
INT. SEATTLE HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
ü We see a hospital bed with Lyle in it, in a coma.
ü Lyle’s sister finds out who Delores is and tries to send her a message; however, the Protagonist has disabled her account.
INT: CHURCH – DAY
ü Delores is in a wedding gown in the church’s vestibule, waiting with her father for the doors to open for her to walk down the aisle.
ü The music begins to play, the doors open, they step up, and the music stops.
ü We see the congregation, and James comes into view, standing next to the minister.
ü Delores appears happy on her wedding day.
THE END.
FADE TO BLACK.
4. When you post this assignment, commit to the group that you will use these High-Speed Writing Rules to get your script done at record speed.
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