Lesson 7

[PJ Doremus]

PJ’s Show Empathy/Distress<div>

This exercise provided me with valuable insights into Sera’s character, and it has also generated compelling material for future episodes, particularly in terms of developing intricate relationship dynamics. </div><div>

Note: Protagonist name change from Rhea to Sera, short for Seraphina.

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A. Undeserved Misfortune

Sera finds herself bereft of her life’s work when her laboratory, the culmination of her efforts, is lost. She fails at her life’s work due to concealed information, discovering that she was manipulated to initiate a perilous game.

B. External Character Conflicts </div>

Sera’s preference for Elizabeth’s judgment over Dravens’ leads to his abduction along with Charlotte, eliciting a profound sense of distress.

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C. Plot Intruding on life </div>

Sera, along with Albert, Draven, Troi, Jon, and Amelia, is abruptly thrust into a medieval realm infested with soul-thirsty doppelgängers.

Pursued by Soul Hunters seeking the substantial bounty on Sera and Draven’s souls, Price rebels against Sera’s quest to rescue Draven and Charlotte, arguing for enhancing the mission’s success odds.

Sera experiences the loss of Amelia and witnesses souls being seized and transported away.
Price eliminates a Soul Hunter, securing the soul and a precious stone, which he then presents to Sera, stipulating that she must be willing to commit the ultimate act.

D. Moral dilemmas

Sera opts to follow Price over Elizabeth, a choice that severs her bond with Elizabeth and inaugurates her initial adversarial connection in Purgatory.
Sera is also compelled to allow Charlotte to be taken by Cronus, a decision laden with moral implications.

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E. Coerced Choices Contrary to Character </div>

Sera, despite her prior stance against sacrificing individuals for personal gain, elects to claim Troi’s soul in exchange for the power needed to triumph in a confrontation.

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[Sara]

Hi Peter, can you access lesson 7 on the class page? After marking lesson 6 as complete, I listened to the audio analysis of Breaking Bad but it’s not prompting me with another video or lesson and I don’t see a lesson 7 on the list. I’ve tried going into ‘Your Classes’ on a fresh tab and it takes me to the Audio analysis of Bridgerton but then won’t let me play it, it tells me to go back and complete the previous lesson, which is the analysis of Breaking Bad but it has marked that as ‘complete’ so I don’t know where to go next. Sigh. If you can access lesson 7, could you post it in the forum please? Thanks

[Kristina Zill]

Hi, Sara – Hal mentioned on Saturday that Lesson 7 will be released sometime today – Tuesday Nov 7th.

Those of us who completed BWTV previously have early access to the lessons in this class, but they’re missing the AI component. And then we get the AI version along with everyone else. A very strange glitch in the system. It took me a while to figure that out.

Cheers, KZ

[Sara]

Thanks Kristina, I’d forgotten that Hal said that. I’m determined not to fall behind on this course (I’m currently behind in Writing Incredible Movies and finding it a challenge to catch up) so I didn’t want to miss a lesson being released. It helped on WiM when the lessons were emailed out as well as being posted online.

[Peter Saltzman]

Funny…I took the BWTV class before this, and I do NOT have early access. Oh, well. I guess I’ll wait.

[Kristina Zill]

Hi Peter – You posted your reply to the assignment on Nov 2nd. It was available to you as a Module 1 lesson, correct? But without the AI prompt. If you go back and look at Lesson 7 now, it will have been replaced with the lesson that includes the AI prompt. At least that’s how it was for me. KZ

[Joan Macbeth]

Joan Macbeth’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is… by combining two characters into one, the protagonist’s problems became emotionally deeper. Less characters, more empathy/distress. Also, potentially greater/deeper conflict.

ASSIGNMENT 1:

1. Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on the Empathy/Distress that shows up in this episode and throughout the season so far.

The big picture Empathy/Distress throughout the season for The Handmaid’s Tale is that June’s life has been ripped away from her – she is forced to flee her country, loses her daughter and husband, and is enslaved by the new “society” where women are controlled by men, under the law. Because she is able to bear children, June is required to join the Handmaids and succumb to systematic rape. If a Handmaid conceives and bears a child, that child is taken from her at birth. Any disobedience is severely punished – torture, mutilation, death.

2. Notice the difference between Big Picture Empathy/Distress and detail oriented Empathy/Distress. Big Picture will have an impact across multiple episodes.

June/Offred finds out that her husband Luke, presumed dead from Episode 1, may in fact be alive. The show flashes back to Luke’s escape that was not shown before. He was wounded, captured by armed paramedics, the ambulance crashed, he escaped, in severe pain and returned to where he left June and Hannah, on the run. But they’re gone. He knows they’ve been captured because he finds Hannah’s beloved stuffed bunny.

This detail-oriented example of Empathy/Distress I think has the potential to evolve into Big Picture/Empathy – because the new information that she might get a message through to Luke will give June hope, and fear, anxiety, conflicted emotions, since she might now have feelings for Nick after all this time thinking Luke was dead. Her belief that he was dead might even have been a coping mechanism for June in her new life of daily cruelty and enslavement. But now June has renewed hope to find Luke, and Hannah.

When a message gets thru from June to Luke that she’s still alive, the audience also has a renewed hope that they will survive to find each other.

ASSIGNMENT 2:

1. Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series.

Just ask yourself: “Knowing the concept, what are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”

Distress:

• A. Undeserved misfortune.

When Juliet and Romeo fall in love, their different positions in society prohibit them from being together, and in fact Romeo is likely to be killed, as his people are considered the enemy because they want to live free.

• B. External Character conflicts.

A war has been going on between the totalitarian military government and the “free” people who live off the land, just trying to survive. Intermittent military raids are conducted against the free people where they are slaughtered, due to lack of weapons.

The government runs institutions for woman where they are genetically sorted into three categories: those who can bear offspring with superior genes, those who can bear offspring with inferior genes who can be used as servants (if female) or rank and file soldiers (if male), and those who will die before adulthood and are enslaved for dangerous factory work.

• C. Plot intruding on life.

Juliet decides to flee from the institutional reproduction collective, a near-impossible task. When she and Romeo attempt to run away together, they are captured and separated.

• D. Moral dilemmas.

If she informs the military about Romeo’s tribe, they will be invaded and killed, but if she remains silent she will be subjected to torture.

• E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

When Juliet discovers she’s pregnant with Romeo’s child, she seduces a high-ranking official so she can claim his paternity to save her own life.

Empathy:

• A. Put the character in distress.

All their beautiful plans of being together forever because they love each other are destroyed when they are captured and led to believe the other is dead. The free man is imprisoned; the young woman who was admired by her peers is reviled and will be put to death, and all she wants is to save her baby.

• B. Make them relatable.

Remind the audience that Juliet is a teenage girl, and despite her situation, she has hopes and dreams; she’s romantic, and curious about a good-looking teenage boy. And Romeo, who’s about to be pledged to a young woman he doesn’t love, would rather choose his own mate and is attracted to Juliet.

• C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

Love, freedom of choice, family.

2. Once you’ve created your own version, use this prompt to see what AI generates for you. When you list your lead characters, just put in their role, main goal, and main intrigue in one or two sentences.

From ChatGPT:

Distress and Empathy for Lead Characters:

Romeo:

• Distress:

• A. Witness Romeo’s tribe facing continuous threats from rival factions, causing him to question his ability to protect his people.
• B. External Character conflicts arise when he discovers the militia government’s brutal tactics and realizes the danger they pose.
• C. The plot intrudes on Romeo’s life when he’s forced to make alliances with tribes he mistrusts to ensure his own tribe’s survival.
• D. Confront moral dilemmas as he grapples with sacrificing a member of his tribe for the greater good.
• E. Forced decisions include Romeo having to betray a long-standing ally to save Juliet.

[Nat Melvin]

CANNOT POST A REPLY OTHER THAN VIA USING SOMEONE ELSE’S POST

Natalie’s Show Empathy / Distress

WIL: This tool makes structuring an episode so easy. It helps to create an episodes centered around one main character. Doing this assignment helped me to discover new revelations, and new plot twists for my show. Invaluable tool for structuring a great episode with depth of emotions.

Assignment 1: GOT S1.E7.

Main Character: Ned Stark

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune. Unwillingly becoming Hand of the King.

B. External Character conflicts. King Robert’s absence; Learning the truth about Jeoffrey’s father

C. Plot intruding on life: Faces tough decision to call Tywin Lannister to answer for Mountain’s crimes while the King is hunting; nominated to take over the kingdom after Robert’s death; Jeoffrey becoming the King

D. Moral dilemmas: Stand against Tywin Lannister; Tell Cersei that he knows the truth about Jeoffrey’s father

E. Forced decisions they’d never make. Tell Cersei to leave the kingdom; Rule the Kingdom

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress. Make decisions under the pressure and duress

B. Make them relatable. Overcome fear and stand for honesty and integrity

C. Universal experiences that are emotional. Love for his children; Carry out his responsibilities with dignity

Assignment 2: My Show

1. SOLA:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune. An orphan raised by a strict Grandmother who lives in an overly protected environment. She learns that her mother was kidnapped and wants to find her, but she’s not trusted with family affairs. The revelation of her divine destiny, burdening her with unforeseen responsibilities. Emphasize Sola’s isolation and the weight of her responsibilities. Highlight her yearning for normalcy and family connections.

B. External Character conflicts. Can’t leave the Refuge Island (bonded by a location spell?). Sola wants to be someone and strives to prove it. For that, she ventures into learning forbidden magic and spells and tries it on her own, which results in disasters. She is not allowed to attend LA Art School she was admitted to with Apollo’s help, and finally, she clashes with external forces seeking to exploit her powers.

C. Plot intruding on life. The curse-driven plot intrudes on her ordinary life, disrupting her sense of normalcy. Sola pilfered a necklace infused with Zeus’ power, setting in motion the foretold curse that entangles the Hawaiian and Greek Gods realms in their struggle for dominion over the human world. Endowed with Zeus’ power, Sola now stands as the prime target in Hecate’s scheme to dismantle Zeus’ patriarchy.

D. Moral dilemmas. Moral dilemmas arise as she navigates between loyalty to family and saving the world. The possession of Zeus’ power jeopardizes the equilibrium within the realm of the Hawaiian Gods.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make. Making decisions that challenge her moral compass and endanger loved ones. Sola decides to leave home to protect people from her newly acquired Zeus’ destructive power she can’t control

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress. Place her in distress by unveiling the weight of her destiny, evoking empathy for her internal struggles.

B. Make them relatable. Make her relatable by highlighting her initial reluctance, self-doubt, and the desire for a normal life. Showcase Sola’s desire to prove herself and be someone, a universal theme of self-discovery in adolescence. Illustrate the conflict between her protective environment and her quest for independence.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional. Explore universal experiences of self-discovery, identity crises, and the pressure of balancing conflicting responsibilities. Depict Sola’s journey as a search for identity and belonging, universal themes that resonate with the audience. Explore her internal struggles with power, responsibility, and the sacrifices she makes for the greater good.

2. POLLY

Distress:

A. Struggles with societal judgment due to her unconventional appearance.

B. External conflicts with those who misunderstand or mistreat her based on stereotypes.

C. The plot intrudes as Polly’s academic pursuits clash with her mystical involvement.

D. Moral dilemmas arise when she must choose between personal desires and the greater good.

E. Forced into decisions that challenge her beliefs and push her out of her comfort zone.

Empathy:

A. Put her in distress by highlighting the societal pressures and biases she faces.

B. Make her relatable through her quest for acceptance and friendship.

C. Explore universal experiences of overcoming societal expectations and finding one’s identity.

3. KAMA

Distress:

A. Faces repercussions for past trickery, putting his life in danger.

B. External conflicts with powerful deities seeking to exploit or punish him.

C. The plot intrudes as Kama’s carefree existence collides with the impending divine war.

D. Moral dilemmas arise as he grapples with loyalties to gods and mortals.

E. Forced decisions that force him to confront the consequences of his past actions.

Empathy:

A. Put him in distress by showcasing the dangers he faces due to his mischievous past.

B. Make him relatable through his desire for freedom and the burden of past mistakes.

C. Explore universal experiences of seeking redemption and the consequences of a mischievous past.

4. ASCLEPIUS (ASH)

Distress:

A. Confronts the challenge of healing Sola’s curse-related afflictions.

B. External conflicts with adversaries seeking to prevent his assistance.

C. The plot intrudes on his medical studies as mystical forces disrupt his life.

D. Moral dilemmas arise as he grapples with the ethics of divine intervention.

E. Forced into decisions that challenge his commitment to the Hippocratic Oath.

Empathy:

A. Put him in distress by depicting the challenges of balancing his divine responsibilities with mortal concerns.

B. Make him relatable through his pursuit of knowledge and a desire to help others.

C. Explore universal experiences of ethical dilemmas in the medical field and the challenges of balancing duty and personal aspirations.

5. ANTEROS (TONY)

Distress:

A. Cursed by Zeus, he faces unrequited love and eternal separation from Laka.

B. External conflicts with divine forces aiming to manipulate him against Sola.

C. The plot intrudes on his earthly existence as the divine feud disrupts his life.

D. Moral dilemmas arise as he navigates conflicting loyalties to gods and his personal desires.

E. Forced into decisions that challenge his loyalty and commitment to breaking the curse.

Empathy:

A. Put him in distress by highlighting the pain of unrequited love and separation.

B. Make him relatable through his internal conflict and longing for resolution.

C. Explore universal experiences of enduring the consequences of forbidden love and the pursuit of redemption.

6. HECATE

Distress:

A. Faces opposition from both divine pantheons due to her dual allegiance.

B. External conflicts with gods suspicious of her true intentions.

C. The plot intrudes as she struggles to maintain balance between the pantheons.

D. Moral dilemmas arise as she juggles loyalty to both Hera and the quest for power.

E. Forced into decisions that challenge her allegiances and invoke divine retribution.

Empathy:

A. Put her in distress by showcasing the difficulties of being caught between two powerful forces.

B. Make her relatable through her internal struggles and the pursuit of her goals.

C. Explore universal experiences of navigating conflicting allegiances and the quest for personal power.

7. APOLLO (PAUL)

Distress:

A. Conceals the truth about Sola’s heritage, causing internal conflict.

B. External conflicts with fellow gods skeptical of his alliance with Sola.

C. The plot intrudes on his human life as divine matters disrupt his routine.

D. Moral dilemmas arise as he grapples with the consequences of past actions.

E. Forced into decisions that challenge his loyalty to family and divine duty.

Empathy:

A. Put him in distress by unveiling the weight of the secrets he carries.

B. Make him relatable through his internal conflict and desire to protect Sola.

C. Explore universal experiences of grappling with family loyalty and the consequences of past choices.

8. ULI:

Distress:

A. Struggles with the impending threat to her family and the divine realms.

B. External conflicts with gods who question her allegiance to both pantheons.

C. The plot intrudes on her peaceful existence as the curse threatens her family.

D. Moral dilemmas arise as she navigates the delicate balance between divine duty and family.

E. Forced into decisions that challenge her wisdom and connection to the Hawaiian gods.

Empathy:

A. Put her in distress by highlighting the threat to her family and the impending war.

B. Make her relatable through her role as a protective grandmother and guardian of secrets.

C. Explore universal experiences of family bonds and the challenges of balancing duty with personal connections.

[Phyllis Strong]

What I learned from this assignment was that AI gave me some open ended distress issues that got me thinking, and were less specific than what I came up with, but that’s all right, it’s food for thought. I thought AI gave me excellent answers on empathy.

Assignment 1

Sample Show: The Walking Dead

Big Picture

· Every character is in danger of losing his or her life.

· Rick might lose the family he cherishes.

· Shane is suffering because of his unrequited love for Lori and thwarted paternal love for Carl.

· Darryl has lost his brother.

· Andrea has lost her sister.

· Dane has irreparably severed his friendship with Andrea over forcing her not to end her life.

· Carol has lost her abusive husband, and feels guilt along with relief.

· After the CDC Explosion, Rick is losing faith in himself as a leader who can keep the group safe.

Episode Details

· Sophia has disappeared while Rick was trying to protect her from zombies.

· Rick has no choice but to leave Sophia so he can draw off the 2 zombies pursuing her.

· Lori is upset with Carol because she blames Rick for Sophia’s disappearance.

· The Winnebago’s radiator belt is broken and they’re exposed on a highway with a herd of walkers coming their way.

· Carl is shot.

· Does the group leave Sophia behind to save themselves?

Assignment 2

Distress for Each Lead Character:

Diana Sagraves: A. Undeserved misfortune: Diana faces backlash from the scientific community for her role in the controversial procedure, even though her intentions were to advance science. B. External character conflicts: She clashes with her colleagues who question the ethics of the experiment, creating professional and personal distress. C. Plot intruding on life: The constant pressure of perfecting the procedure disrupts Diana’s personal life, straining her relationships and causing emotional turmoil. D. Moral dilemmas: Diana grapples with the moral dilemma of erasing the consciousness of young individuals, causing internal distress and guilt. E. Forced decisions she’d never make: As the experiment progresses, Diana faces decisions she would never have imagined making, leading to distress as she confronts the consequences of her actions.

Mark Ashburn: A. Undeserved misfortune: Mark’s undeserved misfortune is losing his Senate seat due to advanced age, which creates a sense of injustice and fuels his desire to regain political power. B. External character conflicts: Mark’s conflict with fellow test subjects over the project’s goals and moral dilemmas results in distress as he faces opposition from his peers. C. Plot intruding on life: The project’s demands intrude on Mark’s personal life, causing distress as he struggles to balance his political ambitions and relationships. D. Moral dilemmas: Mark grapples with moral dilemmas related to the project’s implications, leading to internal turmoil and distress. E. Forced decisions he’d never make: The project forces Mark to make decisions he never envisioned, causing emotional distress as he confronts the ethical dilemmas of memory transfer.

Peter Barnett: A. Undeserved misfortune: Peter’s financial problems and desperation to be the next Steve Jobs create a sense of undeserved misfortune, driving him to take extreme measures. B. External character conflicts: His conflicts with Diana and the other test subjects over the procedure’s success and secrecy create distress as he faces opposition. C. Plot intruding on life: The urgency to make the procedure work fast disrupts Peter’s personal life, causing distress as he navigates his financial woes. D. Moral dilemmas: Peter’s involvement in the memory transfer experiment leads to moral dilemmas, causing inner distress and ethical questioning. E. Forced decisions he’d never make: The pressure to resolve his financial problems forces Peter to make decisions he’d never have considered, leading to emotional distress.

Suzanne Farrell: A. Undeserved misfortune: Suzanne’s lifetime of regrets and the desire for a do-over is a form of undeserved misfortune, leading her to seek a second chance at life. B. External character conflicts: Her involvement in the project and romantic relationship with the grandson of her first love create external conflicts that cause distress. C. Plot intruding on life: Suzanne’s pursuit of a new life disrupts her established cosmetic empire and leads to personal distress as she seeks a second chance. D. Moral dilemmas: Suzanne grapples with the moral dilemma of erasing the consciousness of young individuals to achieve her desired do-over, causing inner turmoil and distress. E. Forced decisions she’d never make: The project compels Suzanne to make life-altering decisions she never expected, leading to emotional distress as she confronts the consequences of her choices.

Empathy for Each Lead Character:

Diana Sagraves: A. Put them in distress: Diana’s distress stems from her ambition to perfect the procedure for the sake of scientific progress, making her relatable to those who strive for innovation. B. Make them relatable: Diana’s dedication to her work and the ethical dilemmas she faces make her a relatable character to those who value scientific exploration and face moral challenges. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Diana’s struggle with the consequences of her actions and ethical decisions resonates with audiences who grapple with the complexity of their choices.

Mark Ashburn: A. Put them in distress: Mark’s distress at losing his Senate seat and his desire to regain political power evoke empathy from viewers who understand the pain of setbacks. B. Make them relatable: Mark’s ambition and determination to reclaim his status in politics make him a relatable character for those who have faced career challenges. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Mark’s internal conflict and the pursuit of his political ambitions connect with the emotional experiences of ambition and resilience.

Peter Barnett: A. Put them in distress: Peter’s financial troubles and his aspiration to be a successful entrepreneur generate empathy from the audience who may have faced financial hardships. B. Make them relatable: Peter’s desire to achieve success and overcome financial difficulties is relatable to viewers who have encountered financial struggles and entrepreneurial aspirations. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Peter’s emotional journey of overcoming financial hurdles and striving for success resonates with those who have faced similar challenges.

Suzanne Farrell: A. Put them in distress: Suzanne’s desire for a second chance and her romantic relationship difficulties create empathy as viewers relate to the universal theme of seeking redemption and love. B. Make them relatable: Suzanne’s pursuit of a do-over and her quest for love make her a relatable character for those who value second chances and love in their own lives. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Suzanne’s emotional journey of seeking a new beginning and navigating romantic relationships taps into the universal experiences of love, regrets, and personal transformation.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by  Phyllis Strong. Reason: Redone to reflect the New Lesson 7 with AI
• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by  Phyllis Strong.

[Deanne]

PRO REWRITE CLASS LESSON 13 Part Two (Additional scene)
Deanne’s Alternate Scene Structures

What I learned doing this lesson = don’t think of the story as etched in stone. We’re working with clay and watercolors.

In my first draft of COVER BAND, I needed a teaser that stated the genre of the plot, so I wrote the following before I sent a draft of the complete plot to Barb Doyon of Extreme Screenwriting for “first look” coverage to determine if I was on the right track.

COVER BAND: First Complete Plot 02-23-23

EXT. BEHIND STAGE – NIGHT

Three flat acres of barren field, a stage dropped in the middle like a lost barge, eight feet tall and enough surface space for multiple tennis courts.

A handful of BAND ROADIES rush to plug in stacked amps and speakers, wire up drums and sound check mics with focused urgency as cars fill a distant area roped off for parking.

There are no stands for the audience, no stadium lights.

Behind the stage, parked band vehicles create a fortressed area around a ramp up to the stage.

On both sides of the ramp, a semi-truck is backed up to the stage rear skirt.

Two more are parked across the fronts of the first trucks, like turned-out feet at the ends of legs.

The BAND VAN blocks the opening between truck “heels,” its living section door facing the back of the stage.

Under the ramp, a garage-door gap in the skirt reveals only darkness…

On the ground, RODMAN (25) and RANDOM ROADIE (19) string electric cords to the ramp while the rumbling drone of a generator fills a truck. Random trips on an oversized hose that snakes under the stage.

RANDOM

This thing’s in the way.

RODMAN

Not your problem.

Random follows the hose to peer under the stage.

RANDOM ROADIE

What’s it for, anyway?

RODMAN

Stay off it! I’ve seen what happens.

But Random lingers.

RANDOM

Aren’t you curious?

Rodman hurries up the ramp, hands full of cord.

Banks of stage lights blast on. In the bright glare, a large shadow, like gaping jaws, emerges from under the stage. It moves toward Random.

His face contorts with terror.

Barb’s notes said the teaser needed work because the audience might not perceive such events at an entertainment venue to be out of the ordinary. The main thing, she advised, is that a teaser for a horror movie needs to show blood.

So I rewrote that opening scene as follows:

Cover Band Rewrite start 05-27-23

EXT. VENUE FOR FIRST CONCERT – NIGHT

Silent under darkness, a five-acre field surrounds a brightly-lit stage as high as a house with enough area for three tennis courts.

Several ROADIES rush to wire up mics and amps, every move magnified by a confusion of competing shadows.

A hundred feet in front of the stage, scruffy SOUNDER listens to headphones at a dimly-lit mixing board, flicking switches.

Beyond Sounder, at the field’s edge, headlights of the first fan cars turn into a marked-off parking area.

EXT. ALONGSIDE THE STAGE – NIGHT

A happy bit of canine fluff, tail wagging, sniffs along the base of the stage, his light-colored fur a pale cloud in the shadows. At the other end of a taut leash, JILL stumbles forward to keep up, under the influence of pre-concert celebration.

JILL

Come on, Muffy. Just pick a spot and go. I shoulda left you home.

Muffy pulls Jill around the stage’s rear corner

EXT. OUTSIDE OF TRUCK YARD BEHIND STAGE – NIGHT

A refrigerated truck, backed up to stage rear, blocks the way.

Light spilling from the stage shines on a sign posted on the truck’s cargo box personnel door.

Jill is curious, but Muffy is suddenly subdued, tail still.

Jill walks forward, tugging Muffy along until she can read the cheerful sign.

SIGN: Do you have a backstage pass? Wait here!

JILL

How do you get a backstage pass? Where are the roadies?

She looks around.

An eighteen-wheeler is backed across the front of the refrigerated truck.

Jill rounds the front of the eighteen-wheeler to find two large RV’s overlapping the rear of the eighteen-wheeler, parked side-by-side in opposite directions.

This “teaser” was too long and we hadn’t gotten to the blood yet, so I kept rewriting until reaching the current version:

Current Version registered 10-24-23

EXT. STAGE SURROUNDINGS – NIGHT

Dusty darkness blankets a barren field.

A STAGE dropped in the middle like a lost barge, self-lit,

high as a house with space for eight tennis courts.

Behind it, the Truck Yard, an area outlined by four semi-trucks and two RVs parked in a formation that blocks access to the rear of the stage, yet allows band equipment to be unloaded from the trailers.

From a bird’s-eye view, the trucks give the bright stage legs and out-turned feet illuminated by light spillover. The RVs provide a too-small podium for those feet.

A ramp from stage rear descends into the Truck Yard.

Below the ramp, an opening to darkness under the stage.

There are no stands for seating, no stadium lights.

All illumination comes from fixtures on the stage.

On stage, ROADIES rush to stack amps and speakers, wire up mics, connect cords.

In the middle of the fan area, SOUNDER, the scruffy soundman (40s), at a mixing board with headphones, checking feeds.

In the distance, headlights of the first cars turn into an area roped off for parking where local-hires direct traffic with flashlights.

A smattering of fans straggle toward the stage. One, a young woman in a fringed jacket, FRINGE, walks her small DOG on a leash. Her BOYFRIEND follows along, a roll of poop bags in hand.

EXT. BEHIND STAGE – OUTSIDE TRUCK YARD – NIGHT

Bright light spills from the stage, streams between truck cabs and trailers, edging deep shadows with spaces of light.

Fringe and Boyfriend follow Dog alongside the trucks.

FRINGE

C’mon Princess. Go already.

BOYFRIEND

Yeah, poop now or forever hold your pee. We should have left her home. My car won’t be safe.

FRINGE

It will if she goes now. And I take her out at intermission.

BOYFRIEND

Music’s gonna freak her out.

FRINGE

It won’t be any louder than at your place. She’s used to it.

A sign on the side door of a reefer trailer catches Fringe’s eye. She points.

FRINGE

Look! Think we could get in?

SIGN: Backstage Pass Holders Wait Here.

Dog snuffles under the truck, but stops and growls, then scoots out to dodge behind Fringe.

BOYFRIEND

So now you’re dating the lead guitar? When were you going to break it to me?

FRINGE

See anyone we could ask?

BOYFRIEND

They’d be in there. We’ve been all the way around. There’s no way past the trucks.

FRINGE

Mom’s right. You’ll never amount to anything with that attitude.

Fringe stoops to crawl under the truck, pulling Dog along. Dog pulls back, but gets dragged under anyway.

BOYFRIEND

I don’t think that’s allowed.

FRINGE (O.S.)

Come on. We’re going to get backstage passes. Right, Princess?

Boyfriend kicks a tire, then reluctantly stoops to follow.

BOYFRIEND

You’re going to land us in real trouble someday, you know?

Boyfriend disappears under the truck.

Muffled sounds of roadies on stage. Something pings a cymbal, scraping of amps pushed into place. Quick footsteps.

The dog’s gruff growl comes from beyond the truck.

Then barking. Frantic, terrified barking…

and shrill screams.

Screams in a duet of soprano and tenor.

Screams of helpless denial and dismemberment.

EXT. ON STAGE – NIGHT

The roadies onstage pause their work, throw furtive glances toward the truck yard, then hunch over and go back to work, not looking a each other.

EXT. RODEO GROUNDS – NIGHT

Head turned, CB (50s) listens intently to the distant screams. Flickering firelight makes him look like a cowboy on the lonesome prairie.

EXT. BEHIND STAGE – OUTSIDE TRUCK YARD – NIGHT

Dog streaks out from under the trailer, dragging the leash, new dark splotches on its fur.

Running faster than short legs should allow, it vanishes into the darkness across the field.

Now I’m finding this version is causing a plot problem as the Villain’s Plan is refined. So it’s back to rewrites.

[Deanne]

Hi Peter,

Sorry, I posted this in the wrong class. I’m having an issue with my account not displaying the reply button in Cheryl’s box we use to post lesson work. The only way I can post is by replying to a post by another student. I was checking if this is a problem with all my classes — yup. Even classes from last year. Since this post was something I wanted to get on record without delay, I hit the big red reply button and posted it there. Then I realized it was the wrong class. Oh well. At least I wasn’t wasting paper.

[Suzanne Frank]

Suzanne’s Empathy/Distress and Relationship Map

This is a double response, since the Lesson 6 Forum seemed kinda locked up. For a while.

BUT THAT PROMPT was brilliant! I got a table and everything! The only gap I could see is AI suggested a starting OR ending point for the relationship arc, rather than a full arc.

In Hijack, it’s really nothing BUT empathy/distress, but the super clever thing they did in the later episodes is lay out how the hijackers are in the same–or worse–emotional dilemma than the passengers. And the politicians. And Sam’s method seems to be: meet the emotional need of whoever he is talking to right THEN, then make it fit into his overall agenda of getting home.

To be fair, the whole series is Big Picture Distress. And every episode includes more people affected by it, and the degree of distress increasing for those already in it. So good!

Assignment 2

The prompt was great. AI suggested everything I already had in place, which means I’m either great, or those were just the most obvious angles. (Or a combo.) I didn’t ask it to refine immediately, I mixed and matched the responses between my four characters, THEN used generic follow up questions that were situational so I could build better/different responses. AI is great at lists and breaking things into pieces so anytime I don’t know an answer I just give it the question and ask for a list. THIS IS SO FUN!

The biggest gap I see is the Big Picture Distress doesn’t kick in until halfway through the season. I also think I need another main character to be the voice of the people/chorus/questioners … a Walsingham Holmes or something … I think I’ll ask AI …

[Kristina Zill]

Assignment #1 : MR. ROBOT Empathy / Distress

A. Undeserved misfortune: Elliot has emotional issues caused by an abusive childhood and the early death of his father.

B. External character conflicts:

• Intentional: Elliot pursues evil-doers and brings them to justice with his computer hacking skills

• Unintentional: Elliot lack of social skills causes misunderstandings

C. Plot intruding on life: Elliot is tapped by Mr. Robot to help take down Evil Corp

Fernando Vera figures out Elliot is the reason he’s in jail, and has Shayla kidnapped to force Elliot to use his hacking skills to set him free.

Elliot tries to deal with Vera, but Vera kills Shayla anyway.

D. Moral dilemmas: Elliot has to choose between being caught or allowing his former boss, Gideon to take the blame.

Elliot has to choose between listening to Shayla, or tipping off the cops and causing Fernando Vera’s arrest to stop him from abusing her.
As a child, Elliot had to choose between loyalty to his father, or telling his mother that his father was dying of leukemia.
At Steel Mountain, Elliot has to choose between aborting the plan or psychologically abusing a person to get inside the facility.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make:

Elliot has to hack the prison system and unlock the jail cells to release not only Fernando Vera, but all the prisoners — it’s the only way he can bargain for the lives of Shayla, Darlene and himself.

[Kristina Zill]

KZ’s Show • Empathy / Distress

What I learned doing this assignment… well, I’m figuring out that it’s really important to keep ideas organized when working with an AI assistant. The first prompt gave me generic answers, but when I regenerated, the answers were more specific, and some might even be usable.

AVERY:
Distress:

1. Undeserved misfortune: Avery discovers her mother’s will, only to find it destroyed by rats nesting in the hoard, leaving her inheritance in jeopardy.
2. External Character conflicts: Avery faces public humiliation when a neighbor reports the hoarding situation, leading to legal consequences.
3. Plot intruding on life: Avery’s workplace finds out about her mother’s hoarding, jeopardizing her job and social standing.
4. Moral dilemmas: Avery must decide whether to prioritize her sister’s wishes or her mother’s memory, testing her sense of loyalty and love.
5. Forced decisions they’d never make: Avery is forced to confront her emotional baggage when Regan threatens to reveal a long-buried family secret unless Avery agrees to sell the house.

Empathy:

1. Put them in distress: Avery struggles with guilt and self-doubt, feeling responsible for her mother’s hoarding and torn between her sister’s demands and her own desires.
2. Make them relatable: Avery’s fear of change and attachment to the past resonate with viewers who have grappled with letting go of sentimental possessions.
3. Universal experiences that are emotional: Avery’s longing for parental approval and her complex relationship with her family are universally relatable, eliciting empathy from the audience.

REGAN:

Distress:

1. Undeserved misfortune: Regan faces financial strain due to legal fees from the hoarding situation, putting her own stability at risk.
2. External Character conflicts: Regan’s attempts to clear the house lead to strained relationships with her mother’s neighbors, making her feel isolated and disliked.
3. Plot intruding on life: Regan’s past secrets resurface as Avery’s search through the hoard unveils old letters and photographs, jeopardizing Regan’s carefully built facade.
4. Moral dilemmas: Regan grapples with guilt over leaving Avery behind and struggles to balance her ambition with her responsibilities toward her family.
5. Forced decisions they’d never make: Regan is forced to confront her own hoarding tendencies, realizing she might be more like her mother than she’d ever admit, leading her to question her identity and choices.

Empathy:

1. Put them in distress: Regan’s fear of failure and the pressure to maintain control make her relatable to viewers dealing with similar challenges in their lives.
2. Make them relatable: Regan’s desire for independence and success, coupled with her deep-seated guilt, humanizes her and makes her struggles understandable to the audience.
3. Universal experiences that are emotional: Regan’s conflict between familial duty and personal aspirations resonates with viewers who have faced similar dilemmas, eliciting empathy for her complex situation.

ROGER, the Declutter King:

Distress:

1. Undeserved misfortune: Roger faces professional humiliation when his attempt to clear the hoard triggers a public relations disaster, endangering his career and livelihood.
2. External Character conflicts: Roger clashes with Avery, questioning his expertise and making him doubt his ability to help others, leading to a crisis of confidence.
3. Plot intruding on life: Roger’s past trauma related to hoarding resurfaces, causing emotional turmoil and affecting his ability to maintain a professional distance from the situation.
4. Moral dilemmas: Roger grapples with ethical choices, torn between helping Avery and following Regan’s orders, forcing him to question his own values and priorities.
5. Forced decisions they’d never make: Roger is forced to confront his own hoarding demons from childhood, pushing him to face unresolved issues and traumas that he thought he had overcome.

Empathy:

1. Put them in distress: Roger’s vulnerability and self-doubt make him a sympathetic character, especially as he navigates a challenging situation that hits close to home.
2. Make them relatable: Roger’s struggle with past trauma and the pressure to maintain his professional reputation humanize him, allowing viewers to empathize with his internal battles.
3. Universal experiences that are emotional: Roger’s journey toward self-discovery and healing resonates with individuals who have faced similar struggles, creating a connection between his character and the audience.

AUGUSTUS, the Archaeologist:

Distress:

1. Undeserved misfortune: Augustus faces the threat of exposure when his ulterior motives are on the verge of being discovered, jeopardizing his academic career and reputation.
2. External Character conflicts: Augustus contends with ethical dilemmas as he manipulates Avery, causing internal conflict and guilt over his deceitful actions.
3. Plot intruding on life: Augustus’s obsession with cataloging the hoard becomes an unhealthy fixation, consuming his thoughts and impacting his personal relationships.
4. Moral dilemmas: Augustus grapples with his intentions, torn between advancing his career and exploiting Avery’s vulnerability, forcing him to question his integrity and values.
5. Forced decisions they’d never make: Augustus is forced to confront his own greed and ambition when his actions directly harm Avery, leading to a crisis of conscience and self-reflection.

Empathy:

1. Put them in distress: Augustus’s internal turmoil and guilt evoke empathy from viewers, especially as they witness the consequences of his manipulative actions.
2. Make them relatable: Augustus’s ambition and desire for recognition are relatable to those who have experienced the pressure to succeed, making him a complex and human character despite his flaws.
3. Universal experiences that are emotional: Augustus’s moral struggle resonates with individuals who have faced similar ethical dilemmas, creating a connection between his character and the audience’s own experiences.

[Renee Miller]

Has anyone received Lesson 7 which includes the AI prompt? I was under the impression that we were supposed to have it by yesterday.

[Peter Saltzman]

Nope. It’s definitely not posted yet. I suspect they are revising the AI part, but it would be nice to hear something from them on the delay.

[Peter Saltzman]

Lesson 7 is now posted.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob Show Empathy / Distress

WIL: I learn more and more on various AI platforms, each works in their own way.

AI Version:

PROMPT

“I’m going to provide my TV series [Format/Genre], [concept], and [conflict]. Can you give me ways to create [distress] and [empathy] for each of my [lead characters]? Please be detailed and provide unique and specific answers for each character in short sentences that are precise.

Distress =

A. Undeserved misfortune.

B. External Character conflicts.

C. Plot intruding on life.

D. Moral dilemmas.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

Empathy =

A. Put them in distress.

B. Make them relatable.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

Format/Genre = Drama / Comedy

Concept = A gutsy female entrepreneur and her eccentric team (assistant, and tech whiz) takes on the e-commerce giant (similar to Jeff Bezos’ type empire), “AZON”, including fast delivery service, navigating the chaos of startups while chasing their dreams, crafting a workplace filled with crazy hysterics, love, and competition, where ambition meets humor in the quest for success, but as they ascend, buried secrets, betrayals, and ambitions threaten their unity, unveiling hidden pasts, tangled loyalties, and their secret weapon – a sentient AI.

Conflict = Initial start-up of a company that’s similar to AZON

Lead Characters =

Brandi (CEO and President of start-up company). Main goal is to create a company that rivals her competition. She lives in a campervan. She was fired from AZON for being late several times, not her fault.

Sherri (Brandi’s assistant). Works hard to help Brandi, but also harbors deep secret of starting her own business.

Michael (female IT tech geek). Worries that her past in the dark web will catch up with her.

Geoff Bosco (Owner and successful competitor with AZON, similar to Jeff Bezos and Amazon).

==============

AI RESULTS

Brandi (CEO and President):

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune – Have Brandi face a false accusation of embezzlement from her previous job at AZON, which tarnishes her reputation. Fired from job for being late again (due to AZON’s caravan of delivery vans blocking her entry. Accused of stealing AZON proprietary data

B. External Character conflicts – Introduce a ruthless and underhanded [former co-worker] who constantly undermines Brandi’s efforts and steals her ideas. Geoff buys all available vans

C. Plot intruding on life – Make Brandi’s campervan, her only home, get impounded due to unforeseen legal issues, leaving her homeless.

D. Moral dilemmas – Force Brandi to decide between compromising her company’s ethics to gain a competitive advantage or sticking to her principles.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make – Push Brandi to make a deal with a shady business partner, something she swore she’d never do.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress – Show her struggling with the well-being of her beloved cat, who falls seriously ill while living in her campervan. This can evoke empathy from viewers who understand the bond between a pet owner and their pet and the distress it can cause when the pet is in danger.

B. Make them relatable – Reveal her passion for entrepreneurship and her fear of failure, which many viewers can relate to.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional – Portray her experiencing moments of self-doubt and vulnerability, like the fear of not being good enough.

Sherri (Brandi’s assistant):

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune – Have Sherri face a personal crisis where her home is destroyed in a natural disaster, like a flood or a fire, causing her to lose all her belongings. This undeserved misfortune will create distress and empathy for her character as she navigates the aftermath of this disaster while trying to support Brandi in the startup.

B. External Character conflicts – Create a personal vendetta between Sherri and a colleague who betrayed her in the past, making her paranoid and cautious.

C. Plot intruding on life – Make her suffer a sudden health crisis that requires expensive medical treatment, straining her finances.

D. Moral dilemmas – Put Sherri in a situation where she can secure financing for her own business, but it involves exploiting Brandi’s trust. She must wrestle with the moral dilemma of staying loyal to Brandi and jeopardizing her own dreams or betraying Brandi to pursue her own ambitions. This inner conflict creates distress and empathy for her character as she grapples with her ethical choices.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make – Have her contemplate betraying Brandi to protect her own interests.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress – Show Sherri’s struggle with imposter syndrome, always feeling like she’s not good enough for her role.

B. Make them relatable – Reveal her aspirations to break free from the shadow of others and build her own empire, which many viewers can empathize with.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional – Share her fear of judgment and criticism, which is a common human experience.

Michael (female IT tech geek):

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune – Make Michael’s past in the dark web resurface, causing law enforcement to investigate her activities.

B. External Character conflicts – Introduce a hacker from her past who blackmails her, putting her and the company’s security at risk.

C. Plot intruding on life – Have her estranged family discover her criminal past, leading to a tumultuous family reunion.

D. Moral dilemmas – Force Michael to choose between exposing her dark web connections or betraying her friends in the start-up.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make – Push her to collaborate with a malicious hacking group, something she swore off long ago.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress – Show her vulnerability when facing the legal consequences of her past actions.

B. Make them relatable – Highlight her passion for technology and the feeling of being an outsider in the tech world.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional – Share her struggle with trust and redemption, which many viewers can empathize with.

Geoff Bosco (Owner and competitor with AZON):

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune – Reveal a hidden scandal from Geoff’s past that resurfaces, threatening to ruin his empire and reputation.

B. External Character conflicts – Introduce a formidable adversary who challenges Geoff’s position and business strategies.

C. Plot intruding on life – Make Geoff face a family crisis that requires his immediate attention and puts his business at risk.

D. Moral dilemmas – Force Geoff to choose between his personal gain and the welfare of his employees, creating a moral dilemma.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make – Push Geoff to make a cutthroat business decision that goes against his previous principles.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress – Show Geoff’s loneliness and isolation despite his success, making him sympathetic.

B. Make them relatable – Reveal his personal struggles with balancing ambition and personal life, which many viewers can relate to.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional – Share his fear of losing everything he’s worked for, which is a common human fear.

[Sunil Pappu]

Sunil Pappu’s Show Empathy/Distress

“What I learned doing this assignment is… looking for the big picture distress situations as opposed to detailed specific situations that last only a few episodes.”

My Example Show: Mr. Robot

Empathy/Distress:

Distress:

• A. Undeserved Misfortune: Elliot lost his father due to negligence by the Evil Corp; Death of Shayla; Angela’s testimony will shut Allsafe and destroy her mentor Gideon

• B. External Character Conflicts: with his new acting CTO Tyrell; with Mr Robot for his secretive ways; the case against Evil Corp is unwinnable; Tyrell pitted against Scott for CTO position; Dark Army pulls the plug and disrupts Fscoiety plans

• C. Plot Intruding on Life: Loses his girlfriend Shayla even though he breaks out the dealer he sent to jail; Mr Robot forces him to betray his duty; withdrawals before his biggest hack

• D. Moral Dilemmas: To break out the dealer who raped his girlfriend and he sent to jail; to hack his own company; to work with activists; to frame the CTO and send him to jail; to lie to his childhood friend.

• E. Forced Decisions: To break out of jail the dealer to save his girlfriend; to hack Evil Corp; Tyrell chokes Scott’s wife to death.

Empathy:

• A. Distress: Going cold turkey to quit morphine addiction; girlfriend kidnapped; blames himself for Shayla’s death; illegal hacker going after a powerful conglomerate; needs therapy to stop crying all the time.

• B. Relatable: lonely and shy geek; hates the corporation he works to protect.

• C. Universal Experiences: loss of a parent; unrequited love; need to protect people around him.

My Show: Ghost Ledger

Format / Genre: Heist Thriller (One Hour Serial)

Concept: A suspended RAW agent assembles a crew of expert international thieves to penetrate an enigmatic hawala network operation outside India to retrieve a coveted ledger that can upend governments and bring the financial world to its knees.

Conflict: Will the thieves pull off their heist or get killed trying?

EMPATHY / DISTRESS

Arjun Nair (AKA Raven)

Distress:

• A. Undeserved Misfortune: Arjun is publicly framed for a crime committed by “The Cobra”, tarnishing his reputation and a forced suspension.

• B. External Character Conflicts: His trusted lieutenant questions his decisions, creating a rift within the team.

• C. Plot Intruding on Life: During a crucial moment in the heist, Arjun learns that another family member is in danger, forcing him to choose between his mission and family.

• D. Moral Dilemmas: He discovers that bringing down the Hawala Network may lead to economic collapse in impoverished areas.

• E. Forced Decisions: Arjun must decide whether to spare an enemy who has crucial information about his sister’s death.

Empathy:

• A. Distress: His relentless pursuit of “The Cobra” leads to isolation from his team.

• B. Relatable: Show his daily struggles, like dealing with bureaucracy or mundane life issues, which humanize him.

• C. Universal Experiences: Portray his grief over his sister’s loss in a way that connects with anyone who has experienced deep loss.

Meera Verma (AKA Ghost)

Distress:

• A. Undeserved Misfortune: Meera’s only family, a younger sibling, is targeted by her former organization.

• B. External Character Conflicts: An old rival hacker joins the team, questioning her methods and loyalty.

• C. Plot Intruding on Life: A romantic interest is put at risk because of her past, despite her efforts to keep her personal life separate from the job.

• D. Moral Dilemmas: She finds a vulnerability in the network that could destroy it but at the cost of innocent lives.

• E. Forced Decisions: Pressured to use her skills to cause harm in order to protect her identity from being exposed.

Empathy:

• A. Distress: Her attempts to disconnect from her past lead to loneliness and vulnerability.

• B. Relatable: Depict her struggle with trust issues that stem from a universal fear of betrayal.

• C. Universal Experiences: Her quest for a second chance resonates with the theme of personal redemption.

Sofia Petrovna (AKA Chameleon)

Distress:

• A. Undeserved Misfortune: Sofia is wrongly accused of being the mole by her team, threatening her true mission to save her sister.

• B. External Character Conflicts: She faces discrimination and doubt within the team due to her background and skills.

• C. Plot Intruding on Life: Her cover identity falls in love with someone who’s connected to the Hawala Network.

• D. Moral Dilemmas: She has to betray the team to get closer to finding her sister but risks them getting killed.

• E. Forced Decisions: Sofia must decide whether to let a team member be captured to maintain her cover.

Empathy:

• A. Distress: The emotional toll of her double life creates a deep sense of isolation.

• B. Relatable: Show her struggles with identity and belonging, which are universal desires.

• C. Universal Experiences: Her love for her sister and the lengths she would go to protect her are sentiments anyone can understand.

Mandeep Singh (AKA Shadow)

Distress:

• A. Undeserved Misfortune: Mandeep’s past as a thief is leaked to the press, affecting his family’s life.

• B. External Character Conflicts: His superiors in the intelligence service distrust him, making his mission harder.

• C. Plot Intruding on Life: His actions during the mission inadvertently lead to a friend’s death.

• D. Moral Dilemmas: He uncovers corruption within the RAW that, if exposed, could destroy the agency.

• E. Forced Decisions: To protect his cover, he must act against his own morals and commit a crime.

Empathy:

• A. Distress: His divided loyalties between his duty and his heart create a sympathetic conflict.

• B. Relatable: Mandeep’s fear of failure and letting down those who depend on him is a widely shared human experience.

• C. Universal Experiences: The emotional turmoil of falling in love with someone he may have to betray connects deeply with the fear of heartbreak.

Lina Chen (AKA Oracle)

Distress:

• A. Undeserved Misfortune: Lina is blindsided when her financial predictions lead to an innocent party’s ruin, for which she is held responsible.

• B. External Character Conflicts: Her analytical methods are questioned by a new team member, causing tension and doubt.

• C. Plot Intruding on Life: The network retaliates against her by targeting her family’s business back in Macau.

• D. Moral Dilemmas: She learns the network funds humanitarian aid with dirty money, putting her in a moral quandary.

• E. Forced Decisions: To stop a market crash, Lina must manipulate financial data, which goes against her ethical code.

Empathy:

• A. Distress: Her haunted look when reviewing the network’s finances evokes pity for her guilt-ridden existence.

• B. Relatable: Show her struggling with everyday job stress and the desire to make a positive impact in her field.

• C. Universal Experiences: Her need for forgiveness and self-acceptance is something many can relate to on a personal level.

Raghav Patel (AKA Hyena)

Distress:

• A. Undeserved Misfortune: Raghav is betrayed by a close ally, putting him in a vulnerable position he never expected.

• B. External Character Conflicts: Faces a coup within the network by ambitious underlings looking to take his place.

• C. Plot Intruding on Life: The death of a family member forces him to re-evaluate his life choices and the legacy he will leave behind.

• D. Moral Dilemmas: He is presented with the opportunity to end a rival faction but at the cost of many innocent lives.

• E. Forced Decisions: Raghav must choose between protecting the ledger and saving a loved one who’s been kidnapped.

Empathy:

• A. Distress: His increasing paranoia makes him a tragic figure, consumed by the empire he’s built.

• B. Relatable: Depict his desire for genuine human connection, which is constantly undermined by his role.

• C. Universal Experiences: His fear of losing power and legacy taps into the fundamental human fear of irrelevance and mortality.

Harsh Mehta (AKA The Cobra)

Distress:

• A. Undeserved Misfortune: A close relative of Harsh becomes collateral damage in an operation he orchestrated.

• B. External Character Conflicts: Harsh is challenged by a new enforcer who questions his methods and loyalty to the network.

• C. Plot Intruding on Life: He discovers that his actions have led to the suffering of someone he unknowingly cares about.

• D. Moral Dilemmas: Faced with a crisis of conscience, he has to decide whether to continue supporting the network or to seek redemption.

• E. Forced Decisions: Harsh must carry out a direct order that goes against his newfound moral compass.

Empathy:

• A. Distress: The psychological burden of his past acts starts to unravel him, showing his vulnerability.

• B. Relatable: Despite being an antagonist, illustrate moments of kindness or mercy that humanize him.

• C. Universal Experiences: His internal struggle for redemption and the recognition of his own humanity resonates with the theme of transformation.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Show Empathy/Distress

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
There are several ways to add empathy and distress to my story to get the audience more engaged. This will be a great tool help me provide new story lines and plot twists.

ASSIGNMENT 2
1. Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series.

Just ask yourself: “Knowing the concept, what are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune

Dr. Brown’s father missing/died when he was young
Dr. Brown’s fiancee’ was a “no-show” at their wedding
JoAnn becomes entangled in the psychic cult against her will, facing threats to her safety and reputation.

B. External Character conflicts

Dr. Brown and Howard are in competition for his mother’s affection
JoAnn is torn between the two men in her life
Dr.Brown (protagonist) and Jezebel (antagonist) are at war
Gloria is torn between her sister and her friend
Delores and Dr. Brown disagree on the Psychic Realm and Love
Jezebel, aware of Delores’ loyalty to Dr. Brown, uses her as a pawn in a dangerous game.

C. Plot intruding on life
The psychic glasses are picked up by a kid
Dr. Brown’s skepticism about the Psychic Realm puts him at odds with Gloria, creating tension in their budding relationship.
Howard, a rival for his mother’s attention, sabotages Dr. Brown’s projects, leading to professional setbacks.
Dr. Brown’s skepticism creates a barrier in Gloria’s attempt to build a meaningful connection with him.
Delores’ belief in the Psychic Realm strains her friendship with Dr. Brown, creating a rift between them.

D. Moral dilemmas

Dr. Brown must kill Jezebel if he is to survive
Dr. Brown discovers a way to prevent a tragic event but faces a moral dilemma on whether to interfere with fate.
Gloria discovers a dark secret about her family, forcing her to choose between loyalty and justice.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make

Dr. Brown must intervene when he witnesses Zelda being murdered
Dr. Brown is forced to choose between pursuing his scientific beliefs and embracing the psychic abilities he gains from the glasses.
Gloria is compelled to confront her own beliefs about love and destiny as she navigates her complicated feelings for Dr. Brown.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress
Dr. Brown must intervene when he witnesses Zelda being murdered
Dr. Brown fears for JoAnn’s well-being
Dr. Brown “witnesses” situations and feels compelled to act

B. Make them relatable

Dr. Brown is compassionate
Dr. Brown is a loving son
Dr. Brown has his doubts and lacks confidence
Dr. Brown struggles with balancing his skepticism and love for Gloria, showcasing the internal conflict many face in matters of belief and love.
JoAnn’s struggle with conflicting loyalties explores the universal theme of family dynamics and the sacrifices made for love.
Delores’ internal struggle mirrors the universal challenge of maintaining personal convictions in the face of external pressure.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional
Dr. Brown was left standing at the alter on his wedding day
Father missing died when Dr. Brown was young
Dr. Brown experiences the pain of betrayal from both professional and personal relationships, making his emotional journey relatable.
Gloria’s internal conflict resonates with viewers who have grappled with conflicting emotions and moral decisions in their own lives.
Delores’ journey explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the sacrifices made for those we care about, resonating with viewers on an emotional level.

*Bold denotes AI Assistance

[Michael Jones]

M. Morgan’s Show Empathy/Distress

I learned a lot about the process. It’s still overwhelming as these lists can get very long, but the focus on the essence of character and what happens to them to allow us to relate to them increases the desire to take the journey with them, be entertained and consider how we might respond in those situations. Also, to look broadly at the overall empathy/distress arc to keep the audience engaged and if the characters have the traction to make it happen.

Big Picture Situations and Decisions Made Because of Main Conflict

ATTICUS

Distress:

1. Undeserved misfortune: His parents leave him to flounder in his student debt and economic stress. “You’re the one that went to school, make something of yourself;” betrayal by friend falsely accused him of academic plagiarism and though he graduated, the stain of accusation haunts him; and possible legal trouble for controversial archaeological practice.

B. External Character conflicts: Intentional: provokes trouble with Morrigan, delicate trust with lead archaeologist. Unintentional: Puts his friends in danger and moral dilemmas.

C. Plot intruding on life: Legal troubles about his conduct on a previous dig come his way when he is close to an answer. He’s lost his place due to no rent.

D. Moral dilemmas: Does Atticus risk everything and act alone, or balance the risk by walking a fine line between following the rules and only breaking them when justified?

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Atticus must risk his reputation and life to solve the problem, which, if he fails will cost him everything, including his friends.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress: Undeserved misfortune.

B. Make them relatable: Economic hardships and reputation damaged by rumors.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Sadness, frustration, sorrow.

BIG PICTURE for ATTICUS

1. Atticus without a stable job, finances, parental support, and a rent payment.
2. Lead archaeologist opposes him; doesn’t respect him.
3. Sacrifice his friends to get at the truth.
4. Mason killed in an accident he led him into.
5. Lying to his friends.
6. Facing the consequences of his actions and almost being removed from the operation.
7. Learns about Morrigan and what Morrigan is trying to do.
8. Determines whether to help or expose Morrigan.

MORRIGAN

Distress:

1. Undeserved misfortune: Death of his parents; wealthy snobbery; betrayal from a previous secret societal member; fear produced by scare-mongering of media.

B. External Character conflicts: Intentional: Stages the rituals to mislead media and government; sabotage Atticus; Unintentional: Loses the trust of his friends.

C. Plot intruding on life: A safety audit of his bookstore threatens to reveal his underground plans; Atticus prevents some of the rituals.

D. Moral dilemmas: Will he let Mason die, or spare him to the risk of exposure?

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: After Mason, he knows he must kill to obtain power.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress: Moral dilemmas for the ‘greater good.’

B. Make them relatable: Wants a better world, reduce pain and suffering and greed.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Anger, pain, low self-esteem.

BIG PICTURE for MORRIGAN

1. Tired of watching pain and suffering.
2. Begins a series of events that can lead to his emergence as a world leader.
3. Volunteer on an archaeological dig and stage occult rituals to mislead media.
4. Uses deception to advance his cause.
5. One of Atticus’s friends die in his trap to stop Atticus.
6. Visit from rival secret society almost leads to exposure.
7. Bookstore burns and Atticus lets him go.

[Abdul Rahim]

Assignment 1. Example Show Titled: Scandal. Empathy / distress

Distress:

A) Underserved Misfortune: Quin has to stop the bleeding of her boyfriends stabbed neck and when she pulled the scissors out he bled out and died.

B) External Character Conflicts: Quin has to face being accused of bombing a building that killed seven people, being drugged, kidnapped and waking up in a hotel room with a new social security card and number, passport, birth certificate and cash on the nightstand next to her all of which she has no recollection.

C) Plot Intruding On Life: Quin has to answer for being finger printed and the prints coming back as not the person that she claims to be but the person that was wanted for the bombing of a building that killed seven people.

D) Molar Dilemas: Quin has to make a decision to call the police in her boyfriends murder which would reveal her true identity and allowing the scene to be cleaned up thus removing all of her DNA.

E) Forced Decisions They’d Never Make: Quin’s forced to allow the murder scene to be wiped of her DNA which would allow her to continue living as her alias.

Empathy:

A) Put Them In Distress: Quin’s put in distress having to make a choice of stopping her boyfriend from bleeding out from the stab wound and retrieving her phone to call for help.

B) Make Them Relatble: Quin having to keep a deep deep dark secret.

C) Universal Experiences That Are Emotional: Quin having to make a tough call that could be life changing.

[Abdul Rahim]

Assignment 2. Abdul Show Titled: The Cafe Empathy / Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is another skill that will keep my characters intriguing, captivating, and filled with drama. This assignment made me shake my head like this is cool. It allowed me to see not only where but also how my characters can actually go to these places and carry the emotion along.

Character 1 – Alex:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Alex’s methuselah gene makes him age much slower than others, causing him to watch his loved ones grow old and pass away, leading to a

profound sense of isolation.

B. External character conflicts: A rival cafe owner is determined to put Alex out of business, creating financial stress and emotional turmoil for him.

C. Plot intruding on life: Alex discovers a dark secret from his past that threatens to unravel his present life, leaving him in a state of constant fear and anxiety.

D. Moral dilemmas: Alex faces a moral dilemma when he learns that the cafe’s success relies on selling a certain type of addictive coffee that harms his customers’ health.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Alex is cornered into a difficult decision when his estranged wife, Evelyn, demands half of the cafe’s ownership in their impending

divorce.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Alex’s loneliness and the burden of the methuselah gene create empathy as viewers connect with his internal pain and sense of isolation.

B. Make them relatable: Alex’s struggles with love, loyalty, and moral dilemmas make him relatable to viewers facing their own complex life decisions.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: The fear of losing loved ones, dealing with a troubled past, and navigating the complexities of marriage and business ownership

are universal themes that evoke empathy for Alex.

Character 2 – Oliver:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Oliver loses his eyesight due to a sudden illness, crushing his dreams of becoming a famous writer.

B. External character conflicts: Oliver faces constant rejection from publishers and a fellow writer who tries to steal his work, putting his career and self-worth in jeopardy.

C. Plot intruding on life: Oliver’s estranged family resurfaces with a shocking revelation, turning his life upside down.

D. Moral dilemmas: Oliver must decide whether to expose a cafe patron’s dark secret in his writing, potentially ruining their life, or protect their privacy at the cost of his

career.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Oliver is forced to choose between undergoing a risky surgery to regain his eyesight or accepting a life of blindness.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Oliver’s blindness and career struggles make viewers empathize with his loss and determination to overcome adversity.

B. Make them relatable: Oliver’s dreams, family conflicts, and ethical dilemmas resonate with those who have faced obstacles in their own lives.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: The fear of losing one’s abilities, family secrets, and moral dilemmas are universal experiences that elicit empathy for Oliver.

Character 3 – Dr. Amelia:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Dr. Amelia faces an undeserved scandal that tarnishes her reputation and threatens her career as a respected behavioral psychologist.

B. External character conflicts: She is in a constant power struggle with a fellow psychologist at her workplace who undermines her professionally and personally.

C. Plot intruding on life: Dr. Amelia’s estranged son unexpectedly returns to her life, bringing past trauma and unresolved issues with him, disrupting her peace.

D. Moral dilemmas: She must decide whether to protect her patient’s confidentiality or reveal information that could save a life but harm her professional ethics.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Dr. Amelia is forced to choose between her career and her son when he becomes entangled in a criminal case.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Dr. Amelia’s tarnished reputation and family turmoil evoke empathy as viewers connect with her efforts to rebuild her life.

B. Make them relatable: Her professional and personal struggles make Dr. Amelia relatable to those who have faced setbacks and challenges.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Coping with a damaged reputation, family reunions, and ethical dilemmas are universal experiences that elicit empathy for Dr. Amelia.

Character 4 – Evelyn:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Evelyn’s estranged husband, Alex, has kept a life-altering secret from her, causing her heartbreak and a sense of betrayal.

B. External character conflicts: Evelyn faces criticism and competition from a new cafe owner who threatens to overshadow her Book Nook’s success.

C. Plot intruding on life: Her long-lost twin sister resurfaces with a dangerous agenda, putting Evelyn in a perilous situation she never anticipated.

D. Moral dilemmas: She discovers that her beloved Book Nook promotes literature with controversial themes, and she must decide whether to censor or continue to sell them.

This controversy comes from Amelia’s research but Evelyn need the money so she does nothing.. It’s business as usual. Aria gets wind of this and decides to

intervene with changing the words back to their original .

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Evelyn is forced to choose between protecting her estranged husband, Alex, or seeking revenge for the pain he’s caused her.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Evelyn’s heartbreak and family secrets make viewers empathize with her emotional turmoil and desire for closure.

B. Make them relatable: Evelyn’s struggles with her business, family, and moral dilemmas resonate with viewers who have faced similar challenges.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Dealing with betrayal, familial secrets, and ethical dilemmas are universal experiences that elicit empathy for Evelyn.

[Denice Lewis]

BWTV-AI. Module 1, #7, My Empathy/Distress

Denice’s Show Empathy/Distress
What I learned doing this assignment is that this process is a logical way to be creative. I think I spend too much time thinking about the characters when I could use AI instead. It is a wild ride with no preconceived ideas, plans, or anything that isn’t ephemeral at this point. A very different experience for my used-to-want perfectionism.

Example Show: HIJACK
Big Picture:
1. Hijacked plane has changed course and is heading for central London.
2. A woman passenger/ex-military has taken over the cockpit and is waiting for a phone call from OCG leader to crash the plane.

3. Passengers have taken over the rest of the plane.

4. Sam tries to keep peace with the passengers, change the woman’s mind, work with air traffic control to save everyone, and help land the plane.

5. OCG leader makes money on plane’s plight. Lives are at stake for greed.

6. Government officials have to decide whether or not to destroy the plane.

7. Time is running out.
8. Plane is out of fuel over London.

My Show: DREAMWEAVER Big Picture Distress:

Undeserved misfortune:
Maya: Loses her father and life as she knows it
Blake: He’s physically kidnapped and imprisoned in the dream world because he is the Dreamweaver, tormented by guilt over secrets he cannot share with Maya, fearing it may lead to her demise

Lysandra: She cannot remember the one thing that would change her life as a Dark Dreamer in charge of nightmares, what will she do when she discovers the truth

Sophia: Her husband died in the dream world.

Zander: His family was murdered.

External Character conflicts:
Maya: She’s the next Dreamweaver and only one who can physically go into the dream world to save her father. Dangerous characters inhabit the dream world.

Blake: He’s trying to find out about the prophecy of Maya’s death.
Lysandra: She imprisons Blake. Wants to find Maya and take her place as the next Dreamweaver.

Sophia: Forbids Maya to go into the dream world.
Zander: With anyone who withholds information about his family, faces betrayal from a trusted friend

Plot intruding on life:

Maya: Her grandmother moves Maya to a new town, enrolls her in a small public school, changes her name to hide and protect her, relationships and responsibilities affect relationships in the real world

Blake: He can’t protect his daughter while imprisoned.
Lysandra: Doesn’t know she’s alive in reality, but in a coma. Doesn’t know Maya is her daughter and Blake is her husband.

Sophia: Taking care of a teenager full time, facing consequences of secrets in her past

Zander: His feelings for Maya, vengeance affects relationships with alliances

Moral dilemmas:
Maya: Rebelling against her grandmother, indecisive choices in the dream world that can affect reality, lying, stealing

Blake: Telling Lysandra the truth about their relationship and Maya, controlling dreams for his own purposes, keeping the truth from Maya, choosing between saving Maya, letting the prophecy play out, finding a way to change the prophecy

Lysandra: Sometimes, she has a conscience when she tries to remember the important part of something she’s missing, can she change her fate

Sophia: Telling Blake the truth of what she did to Lysandra, keeping secrets that can affect everyone and the dream world, facing her actions

Zander: Is his quest for revenge the right thing to do? Should he join forces with Maya and others to save dream world

Forced decisions they’d never make:
Maya: Drugging her grandmother, life and death choices she controls in the dream world and the consequences in reality, making a deal with a dangerous entity to gain information about her dad.

Blake: Affecting Maya’s dreams, using dreams to find out Sophia’s secrets, difficult choices to insure Maya’s safety.

Lysandra: A battle against her daughter for the fate of both worlds
Sophia: Revealing a truth that could doom or save her family
Zander: Must confront inner demons who become real in the dream world, questions his morality

Big Picture Empathy:
Put character in distress:

Maya: New school, grandmother’s control, choices in the dream world, scary dream world characters, not knowing if her father is alive

Blake: Tortured to protect Maya by withholding the truth
Lysandra: Her struggle and anger to remember that causes death in her world, isolation, loneliness

Sophia: Fear that Blake wiil suffer the same fate as her husband, keeping secrets takes physical and emotional toll

Zander: As a shape-shifter, he has identity and relationship problems, anguish of loss, burning desire for justice

Make them relatable:

Maya: Her father lied to her, she been taken away from everything she knows, is thrown into an unknown world, self-doubt, insecurities despite extraordinary abilities

Blake: He’s kept his job secret and lied to protect Maya, he needs to find out how to stop the prophecy and Lysandra, grappling with the burden of protecting a world he never wanted to be a part of

Lysandra: Frustrated for what she can’t remember, struggle for identity and redemption surrounded by a world of death

Sophia: She’s done everything to save her family, but has made everything worse by hiding the truth, struggles with guilt and desire for redemption

Zander: He’s lost without his family, desires justice

Universal experiences that are emotional:

Maya: fear, insecurity, making the wrong choices, responsibility, betrayal, trust issues, fear of losing loved one, desire to prove herself in face of skepticism

Blake: anguish over choices, pain of torture, never gives up trying to rectify problems, love for Maya is a driving force

Lysandra: pain, memory loss, anger, righteousness, revenge, forgiveness, can she change

Sophia: guilt, fear, loss, complexity of familial relationships and sacrifices she’ll have to make to save them

Zander: loss, anger, fear, redemption and transformation of forgiveness

[Bob Creager]

Bob’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned: I experimented with distress/empathy relationships with the four members of the rogue warrior team and it elevated each of the characters substantially.

Character 1 – HM1 Leisa Hunter, US Navy – protagonist

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune. Father captured, then killed by terrorist. The military will not let her help save him.

B. External Character conflicts. In love with an officer (she’s enlisted) who is now engaged.

C. Plot intruding on life. Builds a team of retirees to rescue her brother. Her “day job” attached to a Marine unit prevents her having free movement plus the legal ramifications.

D. Moral dilemmas. If she pursues the rescue, she will be court martialed, marring her and her family’s name.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make. Learning and using SEAL skills where her primary desire is to heal. AWOL/deserting to rescue her brother.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress. Ex-boyfriend appears to flaunt his fiancé in front of her. Not treated as an equal on the Marine team. Forced to cause harm to others.

B. Make them relatable.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

Character 2 – Dr. LT Sergio Diaz, US Navy

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune. Orders transferring him overseas. Leisa resigns her commission and enlists causing an informal break-up.

B. External Character conflicts. Orders separating him from Leisa. New fiancé jealous of his “friendship” with Leisa.

C. Plot intruding on life. Drawn in on Leisa’s illegal activities.

D. Moral dilemmas. Refusing to help with Leisa’s plan could put lives in danger. Helping could put his career in jeopardy.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make. Disobeying orders to help Leisa. Lying to his fiancé.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress. Whenever he is forced to choose one over the other. Whenever he must disobey orders.

B. Make them relatable. Nice guy unable to decide on who he wants to be with and what he is willing to give up to make that happen.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

Character 3 – Maj Lani “SkyQueen” Baal, medically retired

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune. Forced out of the Marines because of her combat injuries.

B. External Character conflicts. The other former Marines do not consider her to have been a “real” Marine as she was a pilot, not a grunt like them.

C. Plot intruding on life. Fails a drug test – suspends her pilot’s license.

D. Moral dilemmas. Forced to carry drugs for her dealer. Dumping him in the jungle.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make. Forced to carry drugs for her dealer. Dumping him in the jungle.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress. Whenever she appears to have her drug use under control, she slips.

B. Make them relatable. She’s falling in love with Leisa (like the audience) but Leisa doesn’t see her that way.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

BARD RESPONSE

Main Character – HM1 Leisa Hunter

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Her brother, the only family she has left, is captured by terrorists.

External Character conflicts: She is torn between her duty to her country and her love for her brother. She also faces conflict with her superior officers who are determined to stop her from rescuing her brother.

Plot intruding on life: Her personal life is completely disrupted when her brother is captured, and she must go rogue to rescue him.

Moral dilemmas: She must decide whether to follow orders or do what she believes is right, even if it means disobeying orders and becoming a deserter.

Forced decisions they’d never make: She is forced to make difficult choices that she never thought she would have to make, such as whether to kill or be killed.

Empathy:

Make them relatable: Leisa is a complex and relatable character who is struggling with difficult choices. She is both a fierce warrior and a compassionate caregiver. She is also haunted by the death of her father and the guilt of not being able to save him.

Universal experiences that are emotional: Leisa’s experiences of loss, grief, and guilt are universal experiences that viewers can relate to. Her struggle to balance her duty to her country with her love for her family is also a struggle that many people can relate to.

Character 2 – Dr. LT Sergio Diaz

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: He believes that he has lost the woman he loves forever.

External Character conflicts: He is torn between his two loves, Leisa and his fiancé. He is also in conflict with his superiors who disapprove of his relationship with Leisa.

Plot intruding on life: His personal life is completely disrupted when he is transferred to the same base as Leisa and is forced to choose between the two women he loves.

Moral dilemmas: He must decide whether to stay loyal to his fiancé or to follow his heart and be with Leisa.

Forced decisions they’d never make: He is forced to make a difficult choice between the two women he loves, even though he knows that either choice will hurt someone.

Empathy:

Make them relatable: Sergio is a relatable character who is struggling with his love for two women. He is also a skilled doctor who is dedicated to helping others.

Universal experiences that are emotional: Sergio’s experiences of love, loss, and betrayal are universal experiences that viewers can relate to. His struggle to choose between the two women he loves is also a struggle that many people can relate to.

Character 3 – GySgt William “Bird Dog” Roscoe

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: He is struggling with PTSD from his time in the military.

External Character conflicts: He is in conflict with his own moral compass as he balances his illegal arms business with his desire to help Leisa rescue her brother.

Plot intruding on life: His illegal arms business is threatened when he is recruited by Leisa to join her team of rogue warriors.

Moral dilemmas: He must decide whether to continue his illegal arms business or to help Leisa rescue her brother, even though he knows that it is the right thing to do.

Forced decisions they’d never make: He is forced to make a difficult choice between his own financial security and helping Leisa rescue her brother.

Empathy:

Make them relatable: Bird Dog is a complex and relatable character who is struggling with PTSD and the temptation of easy money. He is also a skilled warrior who is loyal to those he cares about.

Universal experiences that are emotional: Bird Dog’s struggles with PTSD and the temptation of easy money are experiences that many people can relate to. His desire to help Leisa rescue her brother is also a desire that many people can relate to.

Character 4 – Capt Alford Carl

Distress:

External Character conflicts: He is in conflict with Leisa, who he sees as a threat to the image of the Marine Corps.

Plot intruding on life: His career is threatened when he is forced to investigate Leisa’s activities.

Moral dilemmas: He must decide whether to follow the rules or to do what he believes is right, even if it means bending the rules.

Forced decisions they’d never make: He is forced to make a difficult choice between his career and protecting Leisa.

Empathy:

Make them relatable: Carl is a relatable character who is struggling to protect his career and the image of the Marine Corps. He is also a skilled Marine officer who is dedicated to his duty.

Character 5 – MCSWO Constantine “Connie” Gazis

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: He is haunted by the loss of his fellow soldiers in combat.

External Character conflicts: He is in conflict with his own aging body and the desire to relive the glory days of his past.

Plot intruding on life: His health is threatened when he is recruited by Leisa to join her team of rogue warriors.

Moral dilemmas: He must decide whether to risk his life on a dangerous mission or to retire from the military and live out the rest of his life in safety.

Forced decisions they’d never make: He is forced to make a difficult choice between his own health and safety and helping Leisa rescue her brother.

Empathy:

Make them relatable: Connie is a relatable character who is struggling with the aging process and the loss of his fellow soldiers. He is also a skilled warrior who is passionate about his work.

Universal experiences that are emotional: Connie’s struggles with aging and the loss of loved ones are experiences that many people can relate to. His desire to relive the glory days of his past is also a desire that many people can relate to.

Character 6 – Maj Lani “SkyQueen” Baal

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: She is struggling with pain from a previous injury and her addiction to drugs.

External Character conflicts: She is in conflict with her desire to fly and her physical limitations. She is also in conflict with her feelings for another woman, Leisa.

Plot intruding on life: Her addiction to drugs is threatened when she is recruited by Leisa to join her team of rogue warriors.

Moral dilemmas: She must decide whether to continue her addiction to drugs or to get clean, even though she knows that it will be difficult. She must also decide whether to act on her feelings for Leisa, even though she knows that it is forbidden.

Forced decisions they’d never make: She is forced to make a difficult choice between her own health and happiness and helping Leisa rescue her brother.

Empathy:

Make them relatable: Lani is a relatable character who is struggling with addiction and physical limitations. She is also a skilled pilot who is passionate about her work.

Universal experiences that are emotional: Lani’s struggles with addiction and physical limitations are experiences that many people can relate to. Her desire to fly and her love for another woman are also desires that many people can relate to.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

PROMPT — Please provide specific situations where each of the lead characters elicit empathy from the audience.

HM1 Leisa Hunter

When she is forced to choose between her duty to her country and her love for her brother.

When she is haunted by the death of her father and the guilt of not being able to save him.

When she is struggling to balance her personal life with her career as a SpecOps corpsman.

When she is injured in combat and must overcome her pain and fear to continue fighting.

When she is betrayed by someone she trusts.

Dr. LT Sergio Diaz

When he is torn between his two loves, Leisa and his fiancé.

When he is forced to choose between his career and his love for Leisa.

When he is struggling to cope with the emotional toll of his work as a Navy doctor.

When he is faced with a difficult medical decision that could mean the difference between life and death for his patient.

When he is forced to make a sacrifice for the greater good.

GySgt William “Bird Dog” Roscoe

When he is struggling with PTSD from his time in the military.

When he is tempted by the easy money of his illegal arms business, but knows that it is the wrong thing to do.

When he is forced to choose between his own safety and helping Leisa rescue her brother.

When he is forced to confront his past and the choices that he has made.

When he finds redemption and discovers what it truly means to be a hero.

Capt Alford Carl

When he is struggling to balance his career with his family life.

When he is forced to make a difficult decision that could have serious consequences for his career.

When he is faced with a moral dilemma and must decide what is right, even if it means going against his superiors.

When he is forced to confront his own biases and prejudices.

When he finds redemption and learns to see the world in a new light.

MCSWO Constantine “Connie” Gazis

When he is haunted by the loss of his fellow soldiers in combat.

When he is struggling to come to terms with his age and the fact that he is no longer the soldier he once was.

When he is forced to put his life on the line for a mission that he believes in.

When he finds redemption and discovers that he still has something to offer the world.

Maj Lani “SkyQueen” Baal

When she is struggling to cope with the pain from her previous injury.

When she is fighting her addiction to drugs.

When she is forced to confront her feelings for another woman, even though she knows that it is forbidden.

When she is struggling to balance her desire to fly with her physical limitations.

When she finds redemption and discovers her true strength and courage.

PROMPT — Please provide specific situations where these four [characters] create distress and/or empathy for each other while they are working together as a team prior to the rescue mission.

Characters =

Main Character — HM1 Leisa Hunter,

Character 2 — GySgt William “Bird Dog” Roscoe,

Character 3 — MCSWO Constantine “Connie” Gazis,

Character 4 — Maj Lani “SkyQueen” Baal

BARD RESPONSE

HM1 Leisa Hunter and GySgt William “Bird Dog” Roscoe

Distress: Bird Dog’s illegal arms business puts Leisa and the rest of the team at risk.

Empathy: Leisa understands Bird Dog’s need for financial security and his desire to help her rescue her brother. Bird Dog empathizes with Leisa’s grief over the loss of her father and her guilt at not being able to save him.

HM1 Leisa Hunter and MCSWO Constantine “Connie” Gazis

Distress: Connie’s reckless behavior and his desire to relive the glory days of his past put Leisa and the rest of the team at risk.

Empathy: Leisa respects Connie’s experience and his skills as a warrior. Connie admires Leisa’s courage and her determination to save her brother.

HM1 Leisa Hunter and Maj Lani “SkyQueen” Baal

Distress: Lani’s addiction to drugs and her physical limitations put Leisa and the rest of the team at risk.

Empathy: Leisa understands Lani’s pain and her struggle to overcome her addiction. Lani empathizes with Leisa’s grief over the loss of her father and her guilt at not being able to save him.

GySgt William “Bird Dog” Roscoe and MCSWO Constantine “Connie” Gazis

Distress: Bird Dog and Connie have different leadership styles and often clash over how to best complete the mission.

Empathy: Bird Dog respects Connie’s experience and his skills as a warrior. Connie admires Bird Dog’s loyalty and his willingness to do whatever it takes to help his teammates.

GySgt William “Bird Dog” Roscoe and Maj Lani “SkyQueen” Baal

Here is a different example of a situation where GySgt William “Bird Dog” Roscoe and Maj Lani “SkyQueen” Baal could create distress and/or empathy for each other while they are working together as a team prior to the rescue mission, taking into account that Lani is attracted to Leisa and not interested in men:

Bird Dog: Bird Dog is attracted to Lani, but he knows that she is not interested in men. He is also aware that she is struggling with her addiction to drugs, and he is concerned about her well-being. He wants to help her, but he is not sure how.

Lani: Lani is grateful for Bird Dog’s friendship and support, but she is uncomfortable with his romantic advances. She is also worried that his attraction to her will jeopardize her ability to focus on the mission.

Distress:

Bird Dog’s romantic advances towards Lani could make her feel uncomfortable and unsafe. This could create tension and conflict within the team, and it could also distract Lani from the mission.

Empathy:

Bird Dog’s concern for Lani’s well-being, even though she is not interested in him, could make him more relatable and sympathetic to the audience. It could also show that he is a caring and compassionate person, even though he has made some questionable choices in the past.

Lani’s struggle with addiction and her worry about Bird Dog’s romantic advances could make her more relatable and sympathetic to the audience. It could also show that she is a complex and well-developed character.

MCSWO Constantine “Connie” Gazis and Maj Lani “SkyQueen” Baal

Distress: Connie and Lani are both struggling with their own physical limitations and mortality.

Empathy: Connie admires Lani’s strength and her determination to fly, even though she is physically limited. Lani respects Connie’s experience and his wisdom.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by  Bob Creager.

[Etta Worthington]

Etta’s Show Distress and Empathy

What I learned from this assignment. . .

I got some more ideas for the comedic side of things and started to understand more about some of the backstory about my characters and how they are acting. I think I did a slightly better job of getting stuff from AI that focuses a little on the comedic side of things.

1. Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series.

Just ask yourself: “Knowing the concept, what are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”

Lydia

Distress:

• A. Undeserved misfortune

When Lydia inherits major amount of shares of a company and coming with that is an obligation to be on the board–but it;s a company involved in fracking, which she is totally against

• B. External Character conflicts.

The chairman of the board is obnoxious and continually makes comments about having a little lady on the board

• C. Plot intruding on life

Lydia has been asked to take care of planning board retreat. She’s a pescatarian

• D. Moral dilemmas.

OMG. Every board meeting there are dilemmas, from how the minor serving staff is treated, to environmental issues that the board is fighting to ignore

• E. Forced decisions they’d never make

Lydia is sent to an environmental conference to represent the company. And defend it.

Martez

His face breaks out and the stuff he uses to control the acne permanently breeches his face in places. He’s like a spotted leopard.

Other board members are rather homophobic and a couple of them refuse to let him use the men’s bathroom and make crude comments.

His mother gets sick and he has to do some caretaking so he has to come to some of the board meetings by Zom

He discovers the profile of someone vaguely familiar on Grindr. Oh, it’s the CEO of the company.

Alonzo

Being kicked out of his home and cut off from money.

He doesn’t like the food that Lydia has in her house or the music that she plays

His old girlfriend comes back and he tries to have her live there without Lydia knowing even though that’s not supposed to happen. Because the girlfriend ius a drug dealer.

He sees an opportunity to make money for his aunt at a higher rate than she is typically making, and skim some off the top for himself. Should he?

His girlfriend asks him to drive her to another state. In the middle of the trip, he discovers she has added some compartments to hide drugs because she is delivering some.

Angela

She got sick, her ex took her daughter so she has no contact and no child support, and no job, so she ends up homeless. And tries sleeping out of her care, that she also drives for Uber, but it is stolen and she’d let her insurance lapse. She’s screwed.

Angela cannot stand male drivers with big assed SUVs who have to get in front of her and will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen

Angela’s ex drops off her daughter and says he can;t take care of her anymore.

Angela persuades Lydia to buy a new Tesla with driverless/autopilot capability, but doesn;t let Lydia know that, so she is driving while not really doing anything but listening to music. She feels guilty but it’s a real easy gig, which is so much better

Angela has to give up her fingernails–long, very decorated artificial nails, because she can;t do things with nails that long. Lydia insists that it’s unsafe while driving the car to have such long nails.

AI Suggestions

Lydia (Quaker Woman):

• Create distress: Lydia, with her strong environmental values, finds herself at board meetings facing absurdly contradictory situations, like having to discuss eco-friendly initiatives in the same breath as fracking. Her attempts to bring mindfulness and peace to corporate chaos lead to humorous misunderstandings.

• Create empathy: Lydia’s comedic side emerges as she navigates the corporate world with an unyielding commitment to her values. Her witty and unexpected responses to the company’s practices, combined with her genuine kindness, make her endearing to the audience.

Martez (Token Gay Black Board Member):

• Create distress: Martez encounters comically ignorant comments and stereotypes at board meetings. The contrast between his sophisticated business acumen and the board’s obliviousness becomes a recurring source of humor.

• Create empathy: Martez’s humor shines through his ability to cleverly address stereotypes, turning potentially offensive moments into comedy. His charm and wit become tools for navigating the challenges, making the audience root for his success.

Alonso (Lydia’s Disgraced Nephew):

• Create distress: Alonso’s attempts to balance genuine care for Lydia with his inclination to skim a bit off the top lead to hilarious misadventures. His misguided efforts to “help” Lydia with technology and social media become a running comedic theme.

• Create empathy: Alonso’s comedic side stems from his earnest but misguided attempts. Viewers empathize with his desire to support Lydia, even if his methods are comically flawed. His journey toward redemption is sprinkled with humor, making him a lovable character.

Angela (Homeless Woman and Lydia’s Driver):

• Create distress: Angela’s struggles with homelessness are addressed with a touch of humor, like Lydia unintentionally mistaking her for a chauffeur rather than a hired driver. Angela’s journey to rebuild her life is punctuated by comically unexpected hurdles.

• Create empathy: Angela’s humor lies in her resilience and the absurdity of her situations. Her candid and humorous conversations with Lydia during their drives create a strong bond. Viewers empathize with Angela’s determination while finding moments of laughter amid adversity.

In a comedy series, the characters’ distressing situations can be both a source of humor and a catalyst for building empathy. The key is to infuse their challenges with wit, satire, and comedic timing, making the audience connect with the characters on both an emotional and humorous level.

[Gayla Betts]

Gayla Betts Assignment #1 for The Morning Show:

Empathy/Distress Big Picture

MC Alex Levy

Distress:

A. Undeserved Misfortune: Alex paying for Mitch’s transgressions.

B. External Character conflicts: Corey has been out to get Alex.

C. Plot Intruding on Life: Alex’s divorce impact’s relationship with her daughter, and also her on-air reputation.

D. Moral Dilemmas: Should Alex come clean about what she knew about Mitch, including her own indiscretion? (And will Bradley jeopardize relationship with Alex and network jobs by getting in deeper with Mitch?}

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Alex would not have hired Bradley.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Alex feels she must pretend to know nothing about Mitch or else she’ll be seen as complicit in his behavior.

B. Make them relatable: Alex is the subject of office politics. She feels the need to be number one to keep her job. She has a hard time letting her guard down. The one time she does with Bradley, we fear Bradley will do something to undermine the new relationship – by working with Mitch.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Alex going through a breakup/divorce, fighting with her daughter who doesn’t understand, feeling terrible when she loses her temper.

[Gayla Betts]

Assignment #2: Gayla Betts’ Show Empathy/Distress – Big Picture Situations

What I learned doing this assignment is to let go of perfection by making decisions quicker and not vacillate over too many choices, also, the more I analyze my antagonist, the more layers she has.

MC #1: Jess Harper

DISTRESS:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Jess discovers her mother is alive but trapped in a magical prison, unable to reach out to her.

B. External Character conflicts: A group of magical entities kidnaps Jess’s best friend, using her as leverage to force Jess to comply with their demands.

C. Plot intruding on life: Jess discovers a secret society that has been manipulating events in her life since birth, throwing her into a web of intrigue and danger.

D. Moral dilemmas: Jess must choose between using her powers to save a loved one and risking exposing the magical world to humanity, which would threaten her mother.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Jess is compelled to make a dark pact with a powerful magical being to protect her loved ones, compromising her moral principles.

EMPATHY:

A. Put them in distress: Jess grapples with the guilt of unintentionally causing harm with her powers, making her question her own worth and intentions.

B. Make them relatable: Jess faces the struggles of balancing her college life, aspirations, and the extraordinary burden of being the key to a magical connection.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Jess experiences the pain of betrayal when someone close deceives her, tapping into the universal theme of trust and deception.

MC #2: Lilah Thornwood:

DISTRESS:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Lilah’s husband falls critically ill when the magical realm discovers they are married.

B. External Character conflicts: Lilah must confront her former magical allies who now see her as a traitor for marrying a human.

C. Plot intruding on life: Lilah discovers that her long-lost sister, who was presumed dead, is working with the magical council against her.

D. Moral dilemmas: Lilah must choose between revealing the truth about Jess’s mother to save her or keeping the secret to protect Jess from potential harm.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Lilah is forced to make a deal with a dark magical entity to save her husband, compromising her principles.

EMPATHY:

A. Put them in distress: Lilah grapples with the fear of losing her husband and her duty to the magical realm.

B. Make them relatable: Lilah desires to protect her family and maintain the Mythic Café as a safe haven.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Lilah experiences the pain of betrayal when her sister turns against her.

MC #3: Gabriel Frost

DISTRESS:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Gabriel is framed for a crime he didn’t commit by a rival fae, tarnishing his reputation and putting him at odds with his own people.

B. External Character conflicts: Gabriel discovers that his playful antics inadvertently endanger Jess with other magical beings.

C. Plot intruding on life: Gabriel’s duty as a fae prince conflicts with his desire for freedom and independence, especially when it comes to choosing a suitable heir for his kingdom.

D. Moral dilemmas: Gabriel is torn between his loyalty to Lilah, who saved him in the past, and his growing feelings for Jess, whose powers could change the fate of the magical realm.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Gabriel is forced to enter a dangerous alliance with a rival fae clan to protect Jess, challenging his commitment to his own kingdom.

EMPATHY:

A. Put them in distress: Gabriel struggles with the weight of his responsibilities as a fae prince, longing for a connection that goes beyond political alliances.

B. Make them relatable: Gabriel’s longs for true love and fears being alone.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Gabriel faces the complexities of love and loyalty as he grapples with his duty to his kingdom and his growing affection for Jess.

MC #4: Senator Rebecca Jackson

DISTRESS:

A. Undeserved misfortune: A political rival exposes Rebecca’s corrupt dealings, leading to a public scandal that threatens her career and reputation.

B. External Character conflicts: Rebecca’s political rivals try to bring her down.

C. Plot intruding on life: Rebecca’s family becomes targets of magical entities seeking to leverage her influence for their own agenda.

D. Moral dilemmas: Rebecca is faced with continuing her corrupt practices for personal gain, knowing she will sacrifice friends and family along the way.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Rebecca is blackmailed into betraying her political allies.

EMPATHY

A. Put them in distress: Rebecca grapples with the fear of losing everything she has worked for.

B. Make them relatable: Rebecca struggles with the challenges of being a woman in politics, facing sexism and discrimination while trying to navigate a male-dominated world.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Rebecca confronts the loneliness that comes with her pursuit of power, sacrificing personal relationships for professional success.

[Richard Morell]

Richard’s Empathy and Distress

What I learned from this assignment is that AI can point to possible relationships that raise tensions and distress that I hadn’t considered. It can also use what I have already constructed in ways that enrich the material and make the web of interactions all that much stronger.

Assignment #1: RIVERDALE

Undeserved misfortune:

Veronica is caught up in her parents’ shady business against her will.

Betty is under suspicion in her own home due to the actions of her sister Polly.

Jughead’s dad is on a downward trend with alcoholism and Jughead is house insecure, living at the drive-in until it gets sold off.

Polly is in a home for unwed mothers. Unaware also that Jason is dead.

External Conflicts:

Archie has conflicts with his Dad and Miss Grundy especially, but also Betty.

In addition to Archie, Betty has conflicts with the football team, with Cheryl and the Vixens, with Veronica at times, but most especially with her Mother.

Veronica’s biggest conflicts are with her Mom. But she conflicts with Cheryl as a frenemy, with Archie when he’s being obtuse, and she goes to bat for anyone who’s being marginalized.

Jughead is a nerd, so he is usually getting negative attention from the jocks. He has a chip on his shoulder regarding rich kids, and he also has heartbreaking conflicts with his dad.

Plot intrudes on life:

The murder investigation intrudes on each of the characters in different ways.

The sale of the drive in intrudes on Jughead’s living arrangements.

Archie’s pursuit of music intrudes on the Pussycats’ operation.

Alice’s obstinacy intrudes on Betty being able to make her own choices.

Hermione signs Veronica’s name on a document that she refused to sign. Veronica retaliates with a shopping spree and a night on the town.

Moral dilemmas:

Archie had a moral dilemma about coming forward about the gunshot he heard because he was with Grundy that day. It would mean exposure of their relationship.

Betty did choose to act with a little recklessness to ensnare the son of the football coach who was seducing and undermining the girls at the school.

Forced decisions they’d never make:

Fred decides to go to bat for Jughead’s dad to give him an alibi.

Archie lies to protect Grundy but opens himself up to exposure as a potential suspect re: Jason

Betty decides to pretend to be a bad girl to ensnare the football coach’s son, then she and Jughead decide to sneak onto the campus of the unwed mothers’ home and bust Polly out.

Alice is forced to announce that Polly is pregnant with Jason’s baby to foil the Blossoms’ plans to pin the murder on Polly.

ASSIGNMENT #2: THE APOCALOPTOMISTS or THE NEWCOMERS

Dermot

Distress:

External character conflict: Dermot’s business goals, which are change-oriented, are at odds with the forces in the town that are more oriented towards things remaining status quo. This could lead to conflict with Mayor Marchetti, who may see Dermot as a threat to his power. It could also lead to conflict with other members of the community who are resistant to change.

Plot intruding on life: Michael pressures Dermot to return to Denver.

Forced decisions: Dermot may have to choose between his loyalty to his husband, Michael, and his growing attraction to Taliesin. Also, in one episode, Dermot will need to testify in a trial on behalf of an odious former coworker, who he’d rather see be taken down than to be supportive.

Moral dilemmas: Dermot may have to decide whether to expose Mayor Marchetti’s corruption, even if it means putting himself and his loved ones in danger. Also, Dermot’s plan for building a business to support regenerative agriculture requires faith in a long-term vision, but there are short-term needs, and he will be offered opportunities to help his oil/gas buddies in ways that would contradict his moral vision.

Empathy:

Relatable: Dermot is a complex and relatable character who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is intelligent, ambitious, and compassionate, but he is also flawed and insecure.

Universal experiences: Dermot experiences universal human emotions such as love, loss, fear, and hope.

Taliesin

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Taliesin is born with magical powers that he must keep hidden from the world. This isolation and secrecy can lead to feelings of loneliness and despair.

Another UM: Taliesin acted according to his conscience which resulted in his losing his job and community and leaving Detroit under a cloud of suspicion.

External character conflict: Taliesin may have to choose between using his powers to help the town or keeping them hidden to protect himself and his loved ones. Also, his magical abilities put him at odds with both Dermot and Mayor Marchetti. Dermot may see Taliesin’s powers as a threat to his business interests, while Mayor Marchetti may see them as a threat to his control over the town. This could lead to conflict between Taliesin and both of these characters.

Plot intruding on life: Taliesin’s magical powers may interfere with his personal life and relationships. For example, he may have to use his powers to save someone’s life, even if it means missing an important date or event. Also, Taliesin’s own personal plans to help the environment through his magical abilities are put on hold while he helps the Mayor with some things as a municipal employee.

Moral dilemmas: Taliesin will need to face taking a magical course of action which involves some borderline sacrifices that could be seen as immoral. He will have to go into meditation to align himself with a pure intention.

Empathy:

Relatable: Taliesin is a relatable character who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is powerful and intelligent, but he is also kind and compassionate.

Universal experiences: Taliesin experiences universal human emotions such as love, loss, fear, and hope.

Annabel

Distress:

External character conflict: Annabel’s idealism may clash with the reality of the town’s situation. She may also face conflict with Mayor Marchetti, who may not be as environmentally conscious as he seems.

Plot intruding on life: The Mayor gets wind of Annabel’s hiring of the P.I. to investigate Sarah, and attempts to blackmail her into giving up her quest for environmental preservation.

Moral dilemmas: Annabel may have to decide whether to work within the system to make change or to take more radical measures which may or may not be legal.

Forced decisions: Annabel may have to choose between her loyalty to Pastor Sarah and her commitment to environmental activism. In one episode, Annabel takes on a client who she realizes has a stake in doing something bad to the environment in her hometown of Atlanta. She has to argue against the things she actually believes in.

Empathy:

Relatable: Annabel is a relatable character who is passionate about making a difference in the world. She is intelligent, determined, and compassionate.

Universal experiences: Annabel experiences universal human emotions such as love, loss, fear, and hope.

Mayor Marchetti

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Twelve years ago, the Mayor lost his shirt on a business venture that took him 7 years to dig himself out and be in a more prosperous place.

External character conflict: Mayor Marchetti may have to choose between his own personal ambitions and the best interests of the town. He may also face conflict with the new transplants, who may not share his vision for the town.

Plot interfering with life: The Mayor wants to get this secret deal done, but the movements of the newcomers causes him to focus on undermining their projects while seeming to support them.

Moral dilemmas: Mayor Marchetti may have to decide whether to break the law to save the secret project. He also appears impervious to the entreaties of people who want to save the environment, that is until some of his grandchildren express alarm and despair that they won’t be able to have a good future because of decisions being made now.

Forced decisions: Mayor Marchetti may have to choose between his loyalty to the town and his loyalty to his own power.

Empathy:

Relatable: Mayor Marchetti is a complex and relatable character who is struggling to do what he thinks is best for the town. He is ambitious and intelligent, but he is also flawed and insecure.

Universal experiences: Mayor Marchetti experiences universal human emotions such as ambition, fear, and hope.

Edmond

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Edmond is the son of Skanekta’s Sheriff and wrestles with the man’s stony countenance—does he or does he not like Edmond?

External character conflict: Edmond may have to choose between being true to themselves and being accepted by the community. They do have some harsh relationships with townies who went to high school with Edmond.

Plot intruding on life: The newcomers’ presence brings welcome pressures on Edmond, who gravitates towards them while also trying to keep a focus on what’s best for Skanekta.

Moral dilemmas: Again and again, Edmond will be put into situations where he needs to choose between safeguarding some valuable old ways vs. opening up to new possibilities that will make Skanekta a more resilient and antifragile place during the onslaught of climate change.

Forced decisions: Edmond may have to decide whether to leave the town to find a more accepting community or to stay and fight for change. Also, Sheriff Osborne takes a dislike to Dermot and Annabel and conscripts Edmond into spying on them to see if he can find way to get them out of town.

Empathy:

Relatable: Edmond is a relatable character who is struggling to find their place in the world. They are kind, compassionate, and strong, but they are also vulnerable.

Universal experiences: Edmond experiences universal human emotions such as love, loss, fear, and hope.

Ideas for episodes using these aspects of empathy/distress

Dermot

Episode 1: Dermot proposes a new development project to the town council, but Mayor Marchetti blocks it, claiming that it is not in the best interests of the town.

Episode 5: Dermot discovers that Mayor Marchetti has been corruptly awarding contracts to his cronies. Dermot decides to expose the corruption, but Mayor Marchetti threatens to destroy his business if he does.

Taliesin

Episode 2: A local farmer’s crops are threatened by drought. Taliesin uses his magic to bring rain, but Dermot sees this as interference in his business and tries to stop him.

Episode 7: Mayor Marchetti learns about Taliesin’s secret powers and blackmails him into using them to help him win the next election. Taliesin refuses, and Mayor Marchetti threatens to expose his secret to the town.

Annabel

Episode 3: Annabel discovers that Mayor Marchetti has been secretly dumping toxic waste in a nearby river. She tries to expose him, but he denies everything and calls her a liar.

Episode 8: Annabel leads a protest against a new factory that is polluting the town’s air. Mayor Marchetti tries to discredit her by spreading rumors about her personal life.

Mayor Marchetti

Episode 4: Mayor Marchetti’s popularity declines as the town struggles to adapt to climate change and economic dislocation. He tries to deflect the blame by scapegoating Dermot and the other new transplants.

Episode 9: Mayor Marchetti is facing a tough re-election campaign. He tries to cheat by bribing voters and stuffing ballot boxes.

Edmond

Episode 6: Edmond is bullied by a group of classmates for being non-binary. They feel isolated and alone.

Episode 10: Edmond runs for student council president on a platform of promoting inclusivity and diversity. They face opposition from the more conservative members of the student body.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other ways that these conflicts could come up in different episodes of the series. It is up to the writer to decide how these conflicts will unfold and how they will impact the characters and the town.

[Margaret]

Margaret’s Show Empathy/Distress

Vision: To be the best faith-based screenwriter

What I learned: How brainstorming Distress moments helps kick off ideas for layers to the story.

Assignment #1:

Big Picture Distress for Show “24”

Jack: Wife/Daughter kidnapped, Forced to follow kidnapper’s directions and choose between saving the Senator or his wife/daughter.

Nina: Suspected as a mole, then taken at gunpoint and shot, leaving her to have others think she is dead.

Palmer: Received an assassin threat. Found out his son killed someone and it was covered up.

Assignment #2:

Big Picture for my Show:

Distress/Empathy – Jabe:

Undeserved
Misfortune:

• Jabe is unexpectedly transported to an alien planet through a portal
  during an earthquake on Earth, leaving him stranded far from home and
  grappling with a reality he never anticipated.

External
Character Conflicts:

• Before arriving on the alien planet, Jabe experiences heartbreak as
  his girlfriend on Earth rejects his marriage proposal, questioning his
  ability to lead. This rejection leaves him with lingering self-doubt
  about his capabilities.
• Jabe’s has connection to Masada’s echoes, a unique ability, which thrusts
  him into a leadership role, in competition for Alo’s leadership of the
  Donek tribe.

Plot
Intruding on Life:

• Jabe finds himself thrust into a world at war, unable to find a way
  back to Earth, and forced to navigate the complexities of a foreign
  society.
• He experiences vivid and disorienting flashbacks of Masada events,
  further blurring the lines between his past and the unfamiliar world he
  now inhabits.

Moral
Dilemmas:

• Jabe grapples with the decision of whether to disclose his true
  origin as an Earthling, knowing that it could fundamentally alter the way
  he is perceived by the tribes.
• He is torn between embracing the religious beliefs of the Donek, the
  dominant faction, or holding onto his own convictions, leading to a
  profound internal struggle.
• Jabe is faced with the difficult choice of prioritizing the unity of
  the tribes over his personal mission to help Imara rescue Grigo from the
  clutches of Armann.

Forced
Decisions They’d Never Make:

• Jabe is thrust into a position of leadership due to his unique
  knowledge of Masada events, a role he never sought but must now navigate
  with a sense of responsibility.
• He is pressured into forming an alliance with a morally questionable
  character in order to secure essential resources for the tribes, forcing
  him to grapple with the compromises necessary for the greater good.

Distress – Alo:
Undeserved
Misfortune:

• Alo experienced a tragic loss in his early years when both of his
  parents succumbed to a devastating plague within their nomadic tribe.
  This left him orphaned and without the family he once knew, ultimately
  leading him to find refuge within the Donek tribe.

External
Character Conflicts:

• Alo grapples with a
  longstanding conflict with Armann, who was once a young Donek under Alo’s
  spiritual guidance. However, Armann rejected Alo’s faith and departed to
  join the Hedeon tribe, leaving Alo with a sense of unfulfilled potential
  and a strained relationship.
• He faces a profound conflict with Jabe over the leadership of the
  Donek tribe, with differing opinions on how to navigate the impending
  cosmic reckoning. This ideological clash places immense pressure on Alo’s
  role within the tribe and his beliefs about their future.

Plot
Intruding on Life:

• Alo struggles to fully believe and accept the messages Jabe receives
  from the Orb, which provides crucial guidance for fending off Armann’s
  attack.

Moral
Dilemmas:

• Alo grapples with the ethical dilemma of whether to enhance the
  messages he receives from Jabe as “interpreting them” in order to ensure that the people will
  listen and follow his guidance, potentially blurring the line between
  spiritual guidance and manipulation.
• He is faced with the weighty decision of whether to resort to
  extreme measures, such as proposing a mass suicide, to prevent the Donek
  from falling under the influence of the perceived heathen Hedeon Tribe.

Forced
Decisions They’d Never Make:

• Alo finds himself in the unenviable position of leading the tribe to
  a refuge reminiscent of Masada, a responsibility he never sought but is
  now entrusted with due to the urgency of the cosmic reckoning.
• He is forced to accept the newcomer Jabe’s unexpected leadership in
  the tribe, challenging Alo’s established role and beliefs about how the
  Donek should navigate their uncertain future.
• Bottom of Form

Distress/Empathy – Armann:
Undeserved
Misfortune:

• Armann experiences a personal affront when he discovers that a close
  friend he trusted is actually a spy for the Donek tribe. This betrayal
  leaves him questioning the loyalty of those around him and adds a layer
  of complexity to his leadership.

External
Character Conflicts:

• Armann grapples with the pain of his wife, Imara, leaving him,
  creating a profound emotional wound that influences his actions and
  decisions. The loss of his wife further complicates his already turbulent
  relationship with Imara.
• He engages in a high-stakes battle with Jabe for control of the
  Hedeon Tribe, creating a tense and potentially volatile power struggle
  that puts immense pressure on Armann’s leadership.

Plot
Intruding on Life:

• Armann’s life is further complicated when his wife, Imara, attempts
  to take their son, Grigo, from him. This conflict adds emotional strain
  and highlights the deep-rooted issues within their relationship.

Moral
Dilemmas:

• Armann grapples with the moral dilemma of whether to fully embrace
  the Donek religion, as represented by the Orb, or reject it in favor of
  his own beliefs. This internal struggle reflects his complex relationship
  with faith and spirituality.

Forced
Decisions They’d Never Make:

• Armann is forced to consider forming an alliance with a Donek, a
  decision that goes against his ingrained beliefs and challenges his sense
  of identity and loyalty.
• He is compelled to allow Grigo to visit the Donek tribe in order to
  gain vital intel from Imara, a choice that places his son in potential
  danger and forces Armann to confront the complexities of his
  relationships.
• Bottom of Form

Distress/Empathy – Imara:
Undeserved
Misfortune:

• Imara endured the harrowing experience of being abused by her
  husband, which ultimately drove her to seek refuge with the Donek tribe.
  This traumatic past leaves her with emotional scars and shapes her
  interactions with others.

External
Character Conflicts:

• Imara faces an ongoing conflict with her husband, Armann, over
  custody of their son, Grigo. This custody battle creates immense tension
  and adds to the emotional strain Imara experiences as she fights to
  protect her child.
• She navigates complex relationships between the Donek and Hedeon
  tribes, as well as between Alo and Jabe. Imara is met with suspicion and
  hostility from both sides, making it difficult to find her place in this
  tumultuous world.

Plot
Intruding on Life:

• Imara is forced to make a heart-wrenching decision between her son’s
  safety and the safety of the tribe, a choice that tests her maternal
  instincts and places her in an agonizing position.
• Her attempt to reunite with Grigo is jeopardized by unforeseen
  events, putting her resolve to the test and highlighting the
  unpredictable nature of her journey.

Moral
Dilemmas:

• Imara grapples with the moral dilemma of whether to fully embrace
  the Donek religion and their beliefs, a decision that carries significant
  implications for her identity and faith.
• She confronts the consequences of leaving Grigo with Armann when she
  fled, questioning whether it was the right choice for her son’s
  well-being and her own sense of responsibility.

Forced
Decisions They’d Never Make:

• Imara is compelled to flee to another tribe for safety, a decision
  that uproots her life once again and forces her to confront the dangers
  that surround her.
• She is pushed to make a dangerous bargain to protect Grigo, which
  involves giving away valuable Donek secrets. This choice carries
  significant risks and further underscores the lengths Imara is willing to
  go to ensure her son’s safety.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  websystems.

[Renee Miller]

Renee’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is how to create characters with many layers that will hopefully grab the audience’s attention and hold it through multiple seasons.

Assignment #1

The Diplomat – Kate

Undeserved Misfortune: she wanted to go to Kabul to be the U.S. Ambassador there but was rerouted to London, where she was thrown into a chaotic mess.

External Character Conflicts: she conflicts with the British P.M. because of things that others have done. She conflicts with the U.S. Secretary of State because of her husband Hal, and the President is looking at her to take over as V.P.

Plot Intruding on Life: the attack on the British Air Carrier and subsequent investigation derail her plans to head to Kabul to help people leave the country.

Moral Dilemma:

Forced Decisions They’d Never Make: Against her better judgment she continues to go rogue and put her life in possible danger by sneaking out of the Embassy to meet with other players in the game. e.g., The Russian informant.

Put them in Distress: She constantly worries that her husband will overstep his bounds. She must try to appease both a hot-tempered British Prime Minister and the U.S. Secretary of State to keep the U.S. and Britain out of nuclear war.

Make them relatable: she thinks she wants to divorce her husband but realizes she needs him to help in certain situations and for emotional support.

Universal experiences that are emotional: she finds out her friend in Kabul is probably dead. She realizes she still needs her husband. She finds herself attracted to the British Foreign secretary.

Assignment #2

Veronica Thornfield: Protagonist

Undeserved Misfortune: experiences vivid and terrifying flashbacks to her time in captivity, reliving the trauma of her teenage years at the hands of the cult.

External Character Conflict: the cult she’s investigating has infiltrated various aspects of her life, making it challenging for her to trust anyone and putting her in constant surveillance and danger.

Plot intruding on life: she becomes increasingly paranoid and feels like she is being constantly watched. She questions the motives and loyalties of those around her.

Moral dilemmas: she resorts to invasive tactics to gather information that raises ethical questions about the invasion of privacy and legality.

Forced into decisions they’d never make: she has to disclose her traumatic past with the cult to her allies even though doing so would make her vulnerable and potentially change their perception of her.

Put them in distress: her traumatic past triggers anxiety and panic attacks when she is faced with situations that remind her of her captivity with the cult.

Make them relatable: she experiences intense fear in situations that any person would find terrifying, including being trapped in a confined space, pursued by cult members, or witnessing a horrific ritual.

Universal experiences that are emotional: she finds herself in situations where she feels powerless and vulnerable, heightening the emotional stakes.

Samuel Blackthorn: Antagonist

Undeserved Misfortune: his position as a lost follower makes him susceptible to Veronica’s investigative scrutiny. She suspects him and unintentionally targets him for questioning, putting him at risk of exposure and jeopardizing the cult’s plans.

External Character Conflict: the potential consequences of his exposure as the cult leader are ever-present in his mind.

Plot intruding on life: the constant need to maintain secrecy and uphold his lost follower persona disrupts Samuel’s life, leading to him becoming isolated and unable to share his true self with anyone, leading to loneliness and distress.

Moral dilemmas: he faces the moral dilemma of choosing allies within the cult who may or may not share his values. This creates ongoing distress as he navigates alliances while hiding his true identity.

forced into decisions they’d never make: As his connection with Veronica deepens, he is torn between revealing his true identity and adhering to the cult’s goals. He must decide whether to expose himself and face the consequences.

Put them in distress: the cult’s insistence on the prophecy’s fulfillment places a heavy burden on Samuel. The distress of bearing this weight, along with the potential consequences of failure, becomes a constant source of inner turmoil.

Make them relatable: Samuel secretly harbors doubts about the cult’s malevolent beliefs and practices. His internal struggle to reconcile his doubts with his cult leader persona allows viewers to empathize with his inner conflict.

Universal experiences that are emotional: Samuel is caught between maintaining the trust of the cult members, who believe he is an escaped follower, and his secret intention to lead Veronica into fulfilling the ancient prophecy. The internal struggle of deception and loyalty creates a nuanced and empathetic portrayal.

Dr. Isabella Stone

Undeserved Misfortune: her dedication to uncovering the truth about the cult alienates her from the academic community. Her colleagues and peers distance themselves from her work, making her research more challenging.

External Character Conflict: the cult discovers Dr. Stone possesses a forbidden text that contains hidden knowledge about the malevolent entities. They send threatening messages, warning her to keep the information to herself, putting her in constant fear for her safety and her ability to share the secrets.

Plot intruding on life: her determination to reveal the cult’s secrets and her unorthodox research methods result in the loss of her academic standing. She faces ostracism and ridicule within her field, jeopardizing her career and financial stability.

Moral dilemmas: the more she understands the rituals and incantations, the more tempting it becomes to use the relics’ powers for personal gain, research advancement, or to further her own agenda. She struggles with the moral boundary of personal versus altruistic use.

forced into decisions they’d never make: she decides to share her knowledge of the rituals with individuals she believes can help her uncover the cult’s secrets, which jeopardizes her safety and her allies if the cult discovers her actions.

Put them in distress: she is under constant surveillance by the cult making it difficult for her to conduct her research without being constantly aware that she is being watched, creating a pervasive sense of danger.

Make them relatable: she willingly makes personal sacrifices in her relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Universal experiences that are emotional: in her research she uncovers truths that are so horrifying they challenge her understanding of reality and morality. The revelations have a profound impact on her mental and emotional well-being.

Father Malachi

Undeserved Misfortune: his continued involvement in the investigation leads to a crisis in faith. He questions his religious beliefs as he delves deeper into the cult’s dark rituals and malevolent entities.

External Character Conflict: The cult sends him cryptic and threatening messages, hinting at their knowledge of his past and their intentions to make him pay for his betrayal, leaving him in constant distress.

Plot intruding on life: The cult uncovers information about his past that he thought was buried. They use the information to manipulate him emotionally, forcing him to confront painful memories and disrupting his journey toward redemption.

Moral dilemmas: he grapples with whether to reveal the existence of the relics to his allies. He is torn between trust and the fear that they might use the relics for unintended purposes.

forced into decisions they’d never make: he must decide how to safeguard the stolen relics, choosing between keeping them hidden from the cult and his allies or entrusting them to someone he believes can use them for a greater purpose.

Put them in distress: he grapples with a crisis of faith brought on by the heinous acts he witnessed and, in some cases, participated in during his time undercover within the cult. The inner conflict shakes his core beliefs and leaves him questioning the existence of a benevolent higher power.

Make them relatable: his secret of possessing the relics also exposes his vulnerability to temptation. His secrets make him a wildcard in the investigation, with the potential to either aid or hinder Veronica and her allies.

Universal experiences that are emotional: a moral dilemma arises when he believes that using the relics might be necessary for the greater good. The temptation to act for the greater good challenges his personal redemption journey.

[Deanne]

BWTV-AI Mod 1, Lesson 7
Empathy / Distress

Assignment 1. SUCCESSION empathy / distress

Logan – ambushed by family because they think he is no longer competent
Kendall – can never please his father, betrayed by people he thought would back him
Shiv – realizing she doesn’t really love the man she’s marrying
Tom – suspects Shiv is going to stray, has huge mess dumped on him by retiring boss
Greg – used by Tom to do the dirty work because Tom considers him expendable
Frank – had a good severance agreement, came back to shepherd Roman, backs Kendall & gets tossed out
Roman – completely under his Dad’s thumb

Assignment 2. TRENDING LOCAL
Big Picture Difficult Situations
Tandy – A. Undeserved misfortune: native habitat she’s trying to save might become parking lot, as School Board member worked hard to get Dieter hired as principal and faces blowback from dissatisfied parents, irrigation water to her property being cut off by Ned/Lee, secretly dealing with adult child’s mental illness, café she co-owns has business drying up,

B. External Character Conflicts: business partner wants to sell café at a loss, protégé Dieter is causing waves in community by revamping curriculum, Lee moving back into town stirs up memories of racist attack, Jorge discovers something Tandy needs to keep secret C. Plot Intruding On Life: as Lee’s influence spreads, Tandy no longer feels safe in her hometown, re-election is in jeopardy, she needs to put energy into recruiting allies and taking steps to counter Lee’s efforts, D. Moral Dilemmas: as long as Lee is doing nothing illegal, Tandy can’t overtly act against him so the question is how far over the line is she willing to go in secret? E. Forced Decisions: She needs to embrace a dirty-tricks campaign before Lee’s influence becomes too strong and his converts take over town government.
Empathy: A. Distress = see above B. Relatable = trying to run a profitable business, loves town as it is, has status and wants to keep it, deals with micro-aggressions

Dieter – A. Undeserved misfortune: falsely accused of wrongdoing at last teaching position and it’s something enemies in this town could resurrect, B. External Character Conflicts: he understands Lee’s agenda right away but has to be very careful how he reacts because as a school principal he’s in the public eye and must set an example for his students, C. plot intruding on life: as Tandy tries to bring him in on her campaign to get rid of Lee he’s torn between helping her and fulfilling his duties at work, Lee’s actions force Dieter into the need to provide countermeasures, D. Moral Dilemmas: tell his kids the truth or lie to them for the sake of Lee’s kid? Break the law to reach goal? Vote for Tandy after he finds out how she works? E. Forced Decisions: Dieter forced to take actions to defuse situations and disindoctrinate kids. Empathy: A. Distress = see above B. Relatable = trying to do right for students, loves his family, dealing with micro-aggressions every day of his life

Lee –
Distress A. Undeserved Misfortune: had to leave role as rising star in Naziland and come back home to run garage after Uncle Ned disappears. Has an elementary school kid with a disability. B. External Character Conflicts: Lee has a conflict with any character who is not Aryan C. Plot Intruding on Life: Tandy’s efforts to rezone land put Lee’s business in jeopardy. As he gets more active in recruitment, Tandy’s dirty tricks campaign throws obstacles in his path D. Moral dilemmas: Lee’s beliefs make him unwilling to work on cars for non-whites but he needs the business so does he do a crappy job an harm the sop’s reputation or do a good job an have undesirable as repeat customers who hang around all the time? E. Forced decisions: being in this town means he must send his kid to a school where a black man is in charge.
Empathy: A. Distress = see above B. Relatable = trying to run a profitable business, loves his kid, had status and wants it back

The prompt gave me some concrete ideas to play with.

[Jamie Stegner]

Jamie Stegner

What I learned: Itemizing the distress / empathy strengthens the story. I will deliberately add more. Breaking Bad really piled it on poor Walter.

Assignment 2 :

Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series.

1. Pursued by Hamburg police for murder that was self-defense. Undeserved misfortune.

2. To escape police, steals the identity of a sailor who’s crew on ship leaving very soon. ?Does he have to kill the sailor? Desperation to get away from Hamburg and injustice of the murder accusation = empathy.

3. Will break the contracted promise to crew the return voyage because he cannot return to Hamburg, leaving the captain and crew with insufficient crew for the return voyage. Too bad – they’ll figure it out and he’s forfeiting his pay for the one leg.

4. Will jump ship with valuable cargo to finance his adventures in the New World and to compensate him for the pay he will not receive. And because he’s a thief. At least he doesn’t kill the Captain, he had a chance to. “Foolish old man. You’re lucky I don’t kill you.” Show some mercy and restraint.

5. Steals a gold chain necklace that unknown to him has supernatural powers and ties to vampires of central Europe. He’s stepping into a mess he will come to regret. Ominous as audience knows the connection to the coffins filled with soil.

6. With skill, effort and determination he rows ashore against powerful currents of the St. Lawrence River. Sets the clipper ship to run aground at the sandy tip of the island, not harming the ship and giving him a 10 hour head start as they wait for the next rising tide to get loose of the sandbar. Empathy: admirable skills and courage. Audience can identify with his ambitions to start a new life in America – pursuit of freedom and prosperity.

7. Some of the crew acknowledge his cleverness and inspiring ambitions, but the Captain is furious and feels deeply betrayed. He vows revenge, though it may take him years to achieve. = long term threat: Eric has made enemies.

8. Ashore near a small town as planned, Eric must hurry west beyond Quebec City before the Captain and loyal crew can pursue him. He steals a horse and rides west along the north shore into Quebec City. Taking a chance he stops to feed and rest the horse near a jeweler shop and waits for it to open. He plans to sell one of the watches to pay for the horse’s care and have some cash money for his expenses. He needs gear and provisions to make the journey to the next town. Empathy – he’s kind to animals.

Distress:

• A.
  Undeserved misfortune. Accused and pursued by police for a murder that was
  self –defense. Empathy: admirable fighting skills.
• B.
  External Character conflicts. Captain imposes a requirement to crew the
  return voyage. Eric pretends to go along but secretly, he cannot return to
  Hamburg.
• C. Plot
  intruding on life. Many
  mis-adventures will block his path as he journeys west. In Kingston for
  the winter.
• D. Moral
  dilemmas. He’s tempted to kill the Captain as he steals the small case of
  gold watches and the necklace kept secure in the Captain’s cabin.
• E. Forced
  decisions they’d never make. Eric
  is forced to leave Hamburg in a hurry, not saying goodbye to the few
  friends he has there. Going to them would have exposed him to possible
  arrest by the police.

Empathy:

• A. Put the
  character in distress. Self-defense
  killing, accused of murder by witnesses and police. Life threatening
  stress of conviction.
• B. Make
  them relatable. To flee from
  injustice is understandable. We want him to succeed.
• C.
  Universal experiences that are emotional.
  Eric desires freedom and prosperity in the New World. He anticipates that it will be difficult
  in this new land, wilderness and strange peoples, but is up for the
  challenges. He will do whatever is
  necessary to succeed.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  websystems.

[Paige Macdonald]

Paige’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is that AI did the heavy lifting this time round. By continuing a thread where AI knows my main characters, I found its responses for this prompt for Big Picture Empathy/Distress situations to be solid, especially for a first round and without digging into specifics. There were still appropriate nuances for each character, and it did this work for me lickety-split. Here’s where AI can cut my brainstorming and understanding to a fraction of time it would’ve taken me alone. Bravo!

Assignment #1: SUCCESSION / Episodes 1-7

Here are some of the Big Picture Empathy/Distress situations that take place over Season 1:

1. Logan Roy has a heart attack, and his declining health creates distress and empathy as he grapples with his own mortality and relevance.

2. Kendall’s drug past catches up with him Episode 7, and we feel as he succumbs to the darkness again.

3. Shiv’s political aspirations and her choices ultimately create distress within the family and empathy for her since she’s considering working with an “enemy” and going for the brass ring.

4. Roman is Logan’s lap dog. His quest for recognition within the family and the company elicits both empathy and distress as the others don’t take him seriously.

5. Connor paying for the love of his woman who doesn’t care for him back creates both empathy and distress for him and the family.

6. The repeated family betrayals and power struggles is continuous, and each has their own agenda going on.

a. Logan feels betrayed by the “no-confidence” vote as the family thinks he is no longer competent.

b. Kendall is not backed by his father and can never please him. Recently fired by him.

c. Shiv realizes she doesn’t love the man she is marrying.

d. Tom is using Greg to do his dirty work because he thinks Greg is a suitable scapegoat.

e. Logan admits planting the negative media about Kendall.

7. Media controversies and scandals causing the family to face public scrutiny and to navigate their choices.

Assignment #2: ZEROES

Distress for Zara Harrington:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Zara discovers that her ambitious plans have inadvertently endangered the safety of the Zeroes, leading to isolation and distrust among her peers.

B. External Character conflicts: Zara faces opposition from a charismatic and influential member of the settlement, creating a powerful adversary.

C. Plot intruding on life: The settlement’s leadership targets Zara as a potential threat, putting her in the crosshairs of a covert investigation that threatens her freedom.

D. Moral dilemmas: Zara is forced to choose between betraying a trusted friend to achieve her goals or sacrificing her ambitions for the sake of loyalty.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Zara is pressured into a deal that compromises her principles, forcing her to navigate a web of deception and moral ambiguity.

Empathy for Zara Harrington:

A. Put them in distress: Reveal Zara’s past struggles and losses on Earth that shaped her drive for success, fostering empathy for her relentless pursuit of a better life.

B. Make them relatable: Showcase Zara’s vulnerability by exposing her fear of isolation and abandonment, making her relatable to those who understand the universal fear of being alone. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore Zara’s yearning for a sense of belonging, highlighting the emotional depth of her desire for connection and acceptance.

Distress for Marie “MC” Connor:

A. Undeserved misfortune: MC’s cyber-prosthesis malfunctions due to sabotage, putting her at a physical disadvantage and intensifying her struggle for acceptance.

B. External Character conflicts: MC becomes entangled in a dangerous rivalry within the black market, leading to personal and financial losses.

C. Plot intruding on life: The settlement’s leadership exploits MC’s medical condition for their own agenda, placing her in a morally compromising position.

D. Moral dilemmas: MC discovers that her actions inadvertently contributed to the distress of fellow Zeroes, forcing her to grapple with guilt and moral ambiguity.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: MC is coerced into betraying a close friend, challenging her loyalty and ethical boundaries.

Empathy for Marie “MC” Connor:

A. Put them in distress: Highlight MC’s struggles with her physical limitations, emphasizing the emotional toll of navigating a world that doesn’t accommodate her fully.

B. Make them relatable: Showcase MC’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance, resonating with individuals who have faced challenges related to self-esteem and identity.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore MC’s quest for validation and recognition, tapping into the universal desire for acknowledgment and understanding.

Distress for Isaac Connor:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Isaac is falsely accused of treason within the resistance, causing distrust and fracturing the unity among the Zeroes.

B. External Character conflicts: Isaac faces a formidable adversary within the settlement’s leadership, threatening the safety of the Zeroes and his role as their protector.

C. Plot intruding on life: The settlement’s leadership exploits Isaac’s past mistakes, manipulating public perception and eroding trust in his leadership.

D. Moral dilemmas: Isaac is confronted with a choice between prioritizing the safety of his sister, MC, and the greater good of the resistance, forcing him to make a heart-wrenching decision.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Isaac is coerced into compromising the resistance’s principles for the sake of protecting the Zeroes, leading to internal conflict and moral compromise.

Empathy for Isaac Connor:

A. Put them in distress: Explore Isaac’s burdensome sense of responsibility for the Zeroes, eliciting empathy for the weight of leadership and the sacrifices he makes.

B. Make them relatable: Showcase Isaac’s struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, making him relatable to those who grapple with feelings of inadequacy.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Highlight Isaac’s desire for justice and fairness, tapping into the universal emotional response to the pursuit of truth and righteousness.

[Lenore]

BWTV-AI Module 1, Lesson 7

Lenore Bechtel’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned from this assignment was the difference between Big Picture empathy/distress and detail-oriented empathy/distress.

Assignment 1 with my example show, Winning Time

Big picture empathy: We want the LA Lakers to become a winning team.

Specific empathy: We want this for Jerry Buss because he’s risked so much financially.

We want this for Magic Johnson because he’s a sweet guy we’d like to see get rich and famous.

Big picture: We want the Forum to be profitable.

Detail-oriented: We want this for Claire, who’s in charge of making it happen, because she’s put up with sexual harassment to stick with this job and she deserves recognition.

We want this for Jerry Buss for financial reasons, and for Jeanie Buss because she’s helping Claire now.

Detail-oriented: We want Jerry West to overcome his emotional problems and coach the Lakers again. We feel truly sorry about his father’s treatment toward him as a boy and for his not maintaining his status as an NBA star. We’d like him to stop drinking so much.

Detail-oriented: We ‘re distressed with Jerry Buss’s mother who disappoints him, but we empathetic toward her because she’s been creative, but lawful, with Jerry’s finances through the years. Also distressed that she puts him down, even knowing his ventures have probably put her through hell. We’d like for her to still stick by her son.

Detail-oriented: We’re distressed with Magic Johnson for making details without his father’s imput and for cheating on Cookie even when he’s in the same town with her.

We’re sympathetic to Magic for not receiving the praise he’d like to get from his mother.

We can help but love Magic with all his flaws because of his constant happiness.

Assignment 2 with Hypnotized by Hope

Big picture empathy: We want Joshua to keep scandal reporter Quentin Quebeck from discovering his unorthodox help methods that could give him very bad publicity. (External character conflict.) (Moral dilemma)

We want his methods to help Timothy turn visible and hope visibility will make him happy. (Undeserve misfortune)

We’re sympathetic with Lilly for having to keep Joshua’s inept girlfriends occupied with jobs in the office. We like to see her get a life beyond her paid job to make Joshua famous. (Undeserved misfortune)

Detail-oriented:

We laugh at Sally’s silliness but love her because of her constant positive interpretation of everything she does wrong. (She’s very relatable.)

We’re sympathetic with Timothy and his invisibility distress and want Joshua to be able to help him.

We’re sympathetic with Maudie who pads her body so she’ll qualify for Joshua’s weight group.

We’re sympathetic with Bernadine’s distress at not knowing what she must do in this incarnation to move on with her soul group.

We empathize with Dr. Dan because he wants to help Joshua help Timothy, who he’s tried unsuccessfully to help.

We’re intrigued to know if Dr. Dan or Joshua will ever prove to the other which one is the superior helper?

Prompt used with AI:

I’m going to provide my TV series [Genre], [concept], and [conflict]. Can you give me ways to create [distress] and [empathy] for each of my [lead characters]? Please be detailed and provide unique and specific answers for each character in short sentences that are precise.

Distress =

A. Undeserved misfortune.

B. External Character conflicts.
C. Plot intruding on life.
D. Moral dilemmas.
E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

Empathy =

A. Put them in distress.

B. Make them relatable.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

Genre = Comedy

Concept = Hypnotist Joshua Hope’s uses zany methods to help clients with unusual problems.

Conflict = Joshua’s goal of attaining national fame is threatened when scandal reporter tries repeatedly to uncover scandals in his office

.

Lead Characters =

Joshua Hope, hypnotist and star of a Tulsa TV show, a carefree guy who doesn’t mind taking risks to help cllients with problem.

Lilly Brandon, Joshua’s girl Friday who’s ghosting a book about Joshua with the hope its publication will put him on the national scene.

Timothy Graves, a schizophrenic who thinks he’s invisible and is referred to Joshua by Dr. Dan Dreiden.

Dr. Dan Dreiden, Joshua’s buddy, a flashy, money-hungry psychiatrist who refers his hopeless cases to Joshua.

Maudie Patterson, who’s so fascinated with Joshua she pads her body to be fat so she can come to his weight control group session.

Sally Singleton, a shapely, sexy inept latest girlfriend of Joshua’s whom he’s hired to help Lilly and Vicki in the office.

Vicki Hope, Joshua’s perky cousin and busy receptionist in charge of making appointments and having private clients listen to a relaxation recording before seeing Joshua.

Bernadine Dione, a karmic-obsessed singer/drummer, who has been unsuccessful in talking Joshua into doing past life regressions with her, but has frequent past life breakthroughs on her own.

Quentin Quebeck, National Intrigue reporter whose scandalous stories have destroyed reputations of scores of highly successful people.

AI feedback from prompt

So far I haven’t found a jewel I want to work with, but I’m saving all the suggestions to review as my project develops.

Joshua Hope:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Joshua could face unwarranted accusations of unethical hypnotism practices, damaging his reputation.

B. External Character conflicts: His relationship with Lilly may be strained due to the book project, leading to personal and professional conflicts.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Show the emotional toll Joshua experiences when his reputation is at risk, making viewers empathize with his struggles.

B. Make them relatable: Explore Joshua’s insecurities and self-doubts about his unconventional career choice, making him more relatable.

Lilly Brandon:

Distress:

C. Plot intruding on life: Lilly’s personal life is disrupted as her obsession with the book project strains her relationships.

D. Moral dilemmas: She may face moral conflicts when digging into Joshua’s personal life for the book.

Empathy:

B. Make them relatable: Highlight Lilly’s ambition and the desire to succeed, showcasing her dedication to her work.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Depict Lilly’s personal struggles and the challenges of balancing her career with her personal life, resonating with viewers.

Timothy Graves:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Timothy could be falsely accused of a crime due to his schizophrenia, creating an undeserved burden.

D. Moral dilemmas: Joshua may face moral dilemmas when deciding how to help Timothy while respecting his condition.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Show the daily challenges Timothy faces living with schizophrenia, making the audience empathize with his condition.

B. Make them relatable: Reveal the moments of clarity and vulnerability that Timothy experiences, allowing viewers to connect with his character.

Dr. Dan Dreiden:

Distress:

B. External Character conflicts: Dr. Dan could face professional conflicts when his money-making referrals to Joshua are questioned.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: He might be forced to confront his own ethical values when the well-being of his patients is at stake.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Depict Dr. Dan’s inner conflict when his self-interest clashes with his ethical responsibilities, making viewers empathize with his choices.

B. Make them relatable: Show his desire for success and the dilemmas many professionals face when balancing ethics and ambition.

Maudie Patterson:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Maudie’s desperation for Joshua’s attention could lead to humiliating situations.

C. Plot intruding on life: She may experience personal upheaval when her obsession with Joshua affects her daily life.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Show Maudie’s unrequited love and how it affects her self-esteem, evoking empathy from viewers.

B. Make them relatable: Explore Maudie’s longing for acceptance and connection, highlighting the universal desire for love and belonging.

Sally Singleton:

Distress:

B. External Character conflicts: Sally’s relationship with Joshua could be tested due to Lilly’s presence in the office.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: She may be forced to make choices against her own interests to maintain her job.

Empathy:

B. Make them relatable: Show Sally’s vulnerability and the challenges of maintaining a relationship while working in an unconventional office, making her character more relatable to the audience.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Depict the struggles of trying to fit into an unconventional work environment, resonating with viewers who have faced similar challenges.

Vicki Hope:

Distress:

B. External Character conflicts: Vicki’s loyalty to Joshua may lead to conflicts within the office, affecting her relationships.

D. Moral dilemmas: She could face moral dilemmas when supporting Joshua in his unconventional career.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Show Vicki’s dedication to her role and how her loyalty to Joshua can lead to personal sacrifices, generating empathy from viewers.

B. Make them relatable: Explore Vicki’s determination and the challenges of working in a unique office, making her character more relatable.

Bernadine Dione:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Bernadine may face setbacks in her quest for past life regressions, leading to frustration.

C. Plot intruding on life: Her obsession with Joshua could disrupt her personal life and relationships.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Highlight Bernadine’s passion for spiritual exploration and the obstacles she faces, making viewers empathize with her journey.

B. Make them relatable: Explore her spiritual quest and the universal desire for self-discovery, connecting with viewers who have similar interests.

Quentin Quebeck:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Quentin could face backlash from his relentless pursuit of Joshua’s scandals.

B. External Character conflicts: His obsession with Joshua may strain his relationships with colleagues.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Show the consequences of his ruthless reporting on people’s lives, making viewers empathize with the impact of his actions.

B. Make them relatable: Reveal his drive for success and the challenges of maintaining his career in the competitive world of scandal reporting, making him a more complex character.

[Art Blum]

BWTV with AI Star Rover Empathy/Distress.

I learned more about the internal dynamics facing my characters and this helps me make them more human and relatable.

TV show “24”

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune. Jack’s wife and daughter have been kidnapped. The kidnappers threaten to kill them unless he does as they order.

External character conflicts. CTU and police don’t believe Jack and think he’s acting on his own to kill Palmer.

Plot intruding on life. He’s trying to pull his family together but now he’s being used to assassinate a presidential candidate.

Moral dilemmas: Struggling to keep Palmer alive and at the same time save his wife and daughter and knowing he may have to become a killer to save them.

Forced decisions they’d never make. Having to take illegal actions to save his family.

Empathy:

Put the character in distress. The clock is ticking and he only has a few hours left to figure out where his family is being held.

Make them relatable. The stress is almost more than Jack can take and he’s coming close to breaking down emotionally.

Universal experiences that are emotional. Themes of being an outsider and loyalty to Palmer and his family.

Ryan:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Ryan’s secret is exposed at school, causing social isolation and bullying.

External Character Conflicts: Government agents capture and threaten his friends to force compliance.

Plot Intruding on Life: A government raid interrupts a crucial moment in his quest for identity.

Moral Dilemmas: Forced to choose between saving a friend or revealing his abilities to the world.

Forced Decisions: Compelled to use his powers against his principles to protect loved ones.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Ryan struggles to hide his true nature, fearing rejection and harm.

Make Them Relatable: Highlight Ryan’s desire for a normal life and friendships, mirroring universal teen experiences.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of identity, belonging, and the fear of being an outsider.

Seth:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Seth is wrongly accused of betrayal, damaging his relationship with Ryan.

External Character Conflicts: Confrontation with Dr. Blaine over the consequences of their actions.

Plot Intruding on Life: Government interference jeopardizes his efforts to reanimate lost children.

Moral Dilemmas: Forced to choose between loyalty to Ryan and the greater good.

Forced Decisions: Compelled to make questionable alliances to protect those he cares about.

Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Seth grapples with the consequences of past decisions and the burden of secrecy.

Make Them Relatable: Emphasize Seth’s protective instincts and his struggle with the ghosts of his past.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the complexity of morality.

Dr. Blaine:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Facing public scrutiny and blame for the Christopher project’s failure.

External Character Conflicts: Power struggle within Hermes as other factions challenge her authority.

Plot Intruding on Life: Personal life disrupted by the government’s relentless pursuit of Ryan.

Moral Dilemmas: Confronted with the ethical implications of exploiting Ryan’s abilities.

Forced Decisions: Balancing personal ambition with a growing moral unease.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Dr. Blaine grapples with guilt and the consequences of her past decisions.

Make Them Relatable: Humanize Dr. Blaine by exploring her motivations and the internal conflict she faces.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of ambition, redemption, and the weight of responsibility.

Jimmy:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Jimmy’s connection to the lost children haunts him with their unresolved pain.

External Character Conflicts: Threatened by forces seeking to exploit his link to Ryan.

Plot Intruding on Life: The government closing in on discovering Jimmy’s true nature.

Moral Dilemmas: Struggling with the ethical implications of guiding Ryan’s actions.

Forced Decisions: Confronting the choice between staying hidden and intervening directly.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Jimmy’s desire to protect Ryan clashes with the limitations of his spiritual existence.

Make Them Relatable: Explore Jimmy’s attachment to the lost children and his desire for resolution.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the search for meaning in an ethereal existence.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

[Jeff Chase]

Subject Line: Jeffrey Alan Chase’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is that AI is helping me to establish deeper conflict for each of my characters than I was able to do on my own. It also works much faster than I do. 😊

ASSIGNMENT 2:

TITLE OF MY SHOW: The Backpack

FORMAT: One-hour serialized

GENRE: Christian Thriller

NOAH ADAMS

Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Falsely accused of a massacre, Noah faces constant public scorn, alienation, and even threats. B. External Character conflicts: The relentless pursuit by Keith Kane puts Noah in perpetual danger and leaves him in a constant state of anxiety. C. Plot intruding on life: Supernatural events from the backpack disrupt Noah’s attempts to rebuild his life, creating chaos and threatening his newfound faith. D. Moral dilemmas: Noah grapples with the moral implications of the supernatural powers within the backpack, questioning if he’s meant to use them and how. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: The supernatural forces in the backpack compel Noah to make choices that go against his pacifist nature, causing inner turmoil.

Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Showcase Noah’s vulnerability, fears, and the emotional toll of being wrongly accused to evoke empathy. B. Make them relatable: Highlight Noah’s struggles with faith, homelessness, and the desire for redemption to make him relatable to a wide audience. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore themes of betrayal, loss, and the search for identity to connect Noah’s journey with universal human experiences.

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KEITH KANE

Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Kane discovers his actions are manipulated by dark forces, leading to internal conflict and a crisis of identity. B. External Character conflicts: His obsession with bringing Noah to justice strains relationships with colleagues and superiors, adding to his isolation. C. Plot intruding on life: Supernatural elements affect Kane indirectly, testing his skepticism and plunging him into a spiritual crisis. D. Moral dilemmas: Kane faces ethical choices as he questions the righteousness of his pursuit and the true source of his motivations. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Dark forces push Kane to take extreme measures, forcing him to confront the consequences of his actions.

Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Reveal the internal struggle Kane faces, torn between duty and doubt, to evoke empathy for a character wrestling with his own morality. B. Make them relatable: Explore Kane’s grief over his brother’s death and the vulnerability beneath his tough exterior to humanize him. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Depict Kane’s internal conflict as a universal struggle with faith, justice, and the consequences of one’s actions.

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JAMES JOHN

Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: James grapples with the guilt of past mistakes, haunted by the memory of those he couldn’t save. B. External Character conflicts: The supernatural elements challenge James’s understanding of the world, creating internal conflict and self-doubt. C. Plot intruding on life: James becomes a reluctant guide, risking his safety to help Noah, disrupting his peaceful trucker’s life. D. Moral dilemmas: James faces decisions that test his principles and force him to confront his own spiritual journey. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Supernatural forces push James into situations that challenge his laid-back demeanor, forcing him to act against his nature.

Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Explore James’s regrets and the weight of past choices, allowing the audience to empathize with his internal struggles. B. Make them relatable: Highlight James’s redemption story, showcasing his journey from a troubled past to a wise mentor. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Tap into themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the quest for spiritual meaning to connect James’s story with universal emotions.

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CATHERINE SCHRADER

Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Catherine faces discrimination and scrutiny due to her unconventional obsession with her family tree. B. External Character conflicts: Her secretive nature creates tension with colleagues, risking her professional standing as a teacher. C. Plot intruding on life: Supernatural elements in Noah’s life draw Catherine into a world she never imagined, disrupting her routine. D. Moral dilemmas: Catherine confronts moral choices related to her obsession and the implications of her emotional connection to Noah. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: The supernatural events force Catherine to challenge her rational beliefs and make choices that go against her cautious nature.

Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Reveal Catherine’s vulnerabilities, anxieties, and the loneliness she feels due to her unconventional interests. B. Make them relatable: Showcase Catherine’s search for identity and connection, making her relatable to anyone who has felt like an outsider. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore themes of love, loyalty, and the unconventional paths people take to find meaning, creating empathy for Catherine’s unique journey.

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GINO MORELLI

Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Gino’s struggles with mental health and the weight of his past mistakes contribute to his suicidal thoughts. B. External Character conflicts: Gino’s volatile nature strains his relationships, making it difficult for him to connect with those around him. C. Plot intruding on life: Supernatural occurrences force Gino to confront his own demons, disrupting his downward spiral. D. Moral dilemmas: Gino grapples with the consequences of his actions, questioning if he can redeem himself. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: The supernatural forces challenge Gino to make choices that go against his self-destructive tendencies.

Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Highlight Gino’s internal battles, portraying the depth of his emotional struggles and the impact on his well-being. B. Make them relatable: Explore Gino’s good-hearted nature beneath the tough exterior, showing the potential for redemption. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Connect Gino’s story to themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the transformative power of human connection.

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MARY ADAMS

Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Mary grapples with the guilt of abandoning Noah and faces the societal judgment of being a divorced woman. B. External Character conflicts: Mary’s loyalty to her family clashes with her love for Noah, putting her in an emotionally charged dilemma. C. Plot intruding on life: Supernatural events force Mary to question her beliefs and confront the consequences of her choices. D. Moral dilemmas: Mary faces moral choices related to family loyalty, love, and the desire for personal happiness. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: The supernatural forces compel Mary to make decisions that challenge her carefully constructed life.

Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Explore Mary’s inner turmoil, guilt, and the emotional weight of societal expectations. B. Make them relatable: Showcase Mary’s struggle to balance personal happiness, family loyalty, and societal expectations. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Connect Mary’s story to themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexity of familial relationships to evoke empathy.

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FATHER ZEKE

Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Father Zeke’s bitterness stems from past traumas, including a crisis of faith and a sense of abandonment. B. External Character conflicts: The supernatural elements challenge Father Zeke’s beliefs, creating internal conflict and spiritual crisis. C. Plot intruding on life: Father Zeke’s role as a chaplain becomes more complicated as he unknowingly influences Noah’s spiritual journey. D. Moral dilemmas: Father Zeke faces moral choices related to his past and his role in guiding Noah, testing his resolve. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Supernatural events push Father Zeke to confront his own demons and make choices that go against his pessimistic nature.

Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Explore Father Zeke’s inner struggles, doubts, and the weight of past traumas to evoke empathy for his journey. B. Make them relatable: Showcase Father Zeke’s redemption story, emphasizing the universal theme of finding hope and purpose in challenging times. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Connect Father Zeke’s story to themes of faith, forgiveness, and the transformative power of spiritual renewal to create empathy.

[Sylvia Krawczyk]

BWTV-AI Module 1 – Lesson 7: Empathy/Distress

Sylvia’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is—thinking out the details of the empathy/distress is a part of the big picture.

ASSIGNMENT 1:

1. Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on the Empathy/Distress that shows up in this episode and throughout the season so far.

2. Notice the difference between Big Picture Empathy/Distress and detail-oriented Empathy/Distress. Big Picture will have an impact across multiple episodes.

ASSIGNMENT 2:

1. Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series. MY VERSION:

(Just ask yourself: “Knowing the concept, what are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”)

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune.-Emily not knowing her daughter

B. External Character conflicts. Emily fights with staff.

C. Plot intruding on life. Not enough sleep makes her crazy.

D. Moral dilemmas. She desperately needs sleep yet her patients need her!

E. Forced decisions they’d never make. Attempted suicide.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress. Code blue.

B. Make them relatable. Emotional suffering parents.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional. Ill children needing help.

2. AI VERSION:

**Format/Genre:** Dramedy

**Concept:** In the world of charity galas and romantic mishaps, a woman’s philanthropic journey uncovers hospital secrets, challenges gossip-loving friends, and with her estranged daughter’s resistance, threatens to unveil the mysteries of her past. Sub-World: Ghostly Guardians of Pediatric Patients

**Conflict:**

– Emily Montclair’s conflict revolves around her desire to reconnect with her estranged daughter, Abigail, while uncovering unsettling hospital secrets tied to supernatural occurrences.

– Lily Hastings faces a conflict related to protecting the “Ghostly Guardians” and pediatric patients from harm while navigating the skepticism of colleagues and the dangers posed by malevolent supernatural forces.

– Abigail Montclair confronts a conflict involving her investigative pursuit of her mother’s secrets, her resentment over being given up for adoption, and the moral dilemmas arising from the hospital’s mysteries.

Now, let’s explore distress and empathy for each lead character:

**Emily Montclair:**

– *Distress:*

– A. Undeserved misfortune: Emily discovers that her philanthropic efforts inadvertently contributed to the hospital’s supernatural occurrences, causing her distress as she grapples with unintended consequences.

– B. External Character conflicts: Emily faces public scrutiny and backlash from rival philanthropists who exploit her estranged relationship with Abigail to tarnish her reputation.

– C. Plot intruding on life: Hospital secrets intrude on Emily’s glamorous social life, causing distress as her charity events become entwined with supernatural mysteries.

– D. Moral dilemmas: Emily is faced with a moral dilemma when protecting her social status conflicts with exposing the hospital’s secrets, forcing her to question her priorities.

– E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Emily is forced to make a decision between sacrificing her social standing or compromising the safety of the pediatric patients and the “Ghostly Guardians.”

– *Empathy:*

– A. Put them in distress: Reveal Emily’s internal struggle with guilt over giving up Abigail and her fear of the consequences of exposing the hospital’s secrets.

– B. Make them relatable: Highlight Emily’s vulnerability in dealing with strained family relationships and the pressure of maintaining a public image while facing personal turmoil.

– C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore themes of family reconciliation, guilt, and the complexity of balancing personal relationships with public responsibilities.

**Lily Hastings:**

– *Distress:*

– A. Undeserved misfortune: Lily suffers from supernatural backlash when the malevolent “Ghostly Guardians” target her for meddling in their affairs, causing distress.

– B. External Character conflicts: Lily faces conflicts with skeptical colleagues who question her dedication to the young patients and doubt the existence of the supernatural entities.

– C. Plot intruding on life: Lily’s commitment to her job is compromised as the hospital’s supernatural occurrences disrupt her ability to provide care for the pediatric patients.

– D. Moral dilemmas: Lily is torn between her duty to protect the pediatric patients and the ethical dilemma of concealing the supernatural world from her colleagues.

– E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Lily is forced to make a decision that goes against her compassionate nature to protect the “Ghostly Guardians.”

– *Empathy:*

– A. Put them in distress: Reveal Lily’s internal struggle with survivor’s guilt and the weight of past trauma, making her empathetic to the young patients and the supernatural entities.

– B. Make them relatable: Portray Lily as a dedicated and caring nurse who faces skepticism from others, emphasizing the universal challenge of gaining trust in professional settings.

– C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore themes of resilience, coping with trauma, and the emotional toll of navigating a supernatural world hidden from others.

**Abigail Montclair:**

– *Distress:*

– A. Undeserved misfortune: Abigail faces personal setbacks in her investigative pursuit, including threats to her career and reputation, causing distress.

– B. External Character conflicts: Abigail’s rivalry with other journalists intensifies, leading to conflicts that put her in compromising situations.

– C. Plot intruding on life: Abigail’s journalistic endeavors interfere with her personal life, straining relationships and creating distress as she delves deeper into the hospital’s mysteries.

– D. Moral dilemmas: Abigail grapples with the moral dilemma of exposing her mother’s secrets at the cost of potentially harming the hospital and its patients.

– E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Abigail is forced to make a decision that challenges her journalistic ethics, putting her in a position of compromising her principles.

– *Empathy:*

– A. Put them in distress: Reveal Abigail’s internal conflict, torn between her professional duty as a journalist and her personal quest for closure and reconciliation with her mother.

– B. Make them relatable: Showcase Abigail’s determination and vulnerability, highlighting the universal struggle of balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

– C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore themes of family bonds, forgiveness, and the emotional toll of uncovering long-buried secrets.

[Eclipse Neilson]

• Eclipse Neilson Empathy/Distress

“What I learned doing this assignment is the plot is slowly evolving as a go deeper with the characters. I find my concept most likely will change a bit. I also found by asking AI to go deeper I got more interesting answers

ASIGNMENT 1

QUEEN’S GAMBIT

• A. Undeserved misfortune– orphan haunted by her early childhood and loss of her mother
• B. External Character conflicts Brilliant but non emotional, need to be loved
• C. Plot intruding on life. She replaces love with winning
• D. Moral dilemmas. Take drugs and win or believe she can do it on her own.
• E. Forced decisions they’d never make. Believe she can win and be loved
• Empathy:
• A. Put the character in distress. Feels loss and alone
• B. Make them relatable. Needs to be loved and understood,
• C. Universal experiences that are emotional. Learn to trust

ASIGNMENT2

Concept: Sent by the council of universal Beings, a war orphan adopted into a high society family navigates intertwined worlds using healer-secrets taught to her by the spirits of the ancient forest to helps save herself and humanity only to discover, she must first save her precious forest from the evils of big business builder ready to Destroy the only place she feels safe. ASSIGNMENT 2.

“What I learned doing this assignment is the plot is slowly evolving as a go deeper with the characters. I find my concept most likely will change a bit. I also found by asking AI to go deeper I got more interesting answers.

• 1.ROBYN STIR
• A. Undeserved misfortune: War orphan haunted by the loss of her mother and seeing her die as they ran away from the bombs.
• B. External Character conflicts.Does not fit into the high class society she is adopted into.Trust no-one.
• C. Plot intruding on life. She comes to believe she is destined to help Mother Earth and the spirits of the other realms as they pull her in many directions.
• D. Moral dilemmas:She doesn’t want to hurt her beloved adopted father by making him fail infant of his over bearing wife.
• E. Forced decisions they’d never make. To have to leave her adopted father and only home to follow her destiny

Empathy:

• A. Put the character in distress. Grief and love for her adopted father another misfit and her dead mother.
• B. Make them relatable. She has with him a kind hearted and precious bond found in nature and the beauty of art.
• C. Universal experiences that are emotional. The wounds of loss and war and rejection.

• 2.WINTHROP CUNNINGHAM
• A. Undeserved misfortune. Wanted to be an artist and live a simple bohemian life but was given the responsibilities of the unspoken upper class rules and expectations.
• .
• B. External Character easily intimidated
• C. Plot intruding on life. He sees his suffering through Robyn’s pain.
• D. Moral dilemmas. He doesn’t have the courage to fight and stand up for her when she gets in trouble.
• E. Forced decisions they’d never make. Frances his wife wants to return her to the adoption agency ,instead he writes the letter he never wanted to write to Robyn.
• Empathy:
• A. Put the character in distress. He deeply wants to help l Robyn save her beloved forest from the builders but he will loose the big business deal his wife has pushed him into.
• B. Make them relatable .A loner, Kind hearted, shy, bird lover and classical music.
• C. Universal experiences that are emotional. The wounds of the world and his part in it weigh heavy on his soul.

• 3.WINTHROP CUNNINGHAM (ROBYN’S ADOPTED FATHER)
• A. Undeserved misfortune. Wanted to be an artist and live a simple life but was given the responsibilities of the unspoken upper class law.
• .
• B. External Character easily intimidated
• C. Plot intruding on life. He sees his suffering through Robyn’s pain.
• D. Moral dilemmas.He doesn’t have the courage to fight
• E. Forced decisions they’d never make. -return her to the adoption agency and write the letter he never wanted to writ
• 4.THE OLD ONE (MOTHER EARTH)
• A. Undeserved misfortune.Humanity doesn’t believe in her as a caring living soul.
• B. External Character beauty of nature, powerful , vulnerable
• C. Plot intruding on life. She is dying and needs help to survive.
• D. Moral dilemmas.destroy humanity
• E. Forced decisions they’d never make.destroy humanity.
• Empathy:
• A. Put the character in distress.loving nature knowing sometimes her choices will harm others she loves.
• B. Make them relatable. Kind hearted, wise guardian for Robyn
• C. Universal experiences learning what the cosmic and nature have to teach humanity.

5.WING (THE SPARROW KING)

• A. Undeserved misfortune. He did not get to return in this life time with his true love Robyn
• B. External Character free loving and vulnerable
• C. Plot intruding on life. He can only be present in Robyns fragmented memory of other life times.
• D. Moral dilemmas is to try to take Robyn back to heaven
• E. Forced decisions -hurt his beloved Robyn by abandoning her.
• Empathy:
• A. Put the character in distress.He can’t protect Robyn when she grieves and is in fear..
• B. Make them relatable. Must obey the laws of the universe and so he can’t tell her his secret connection to her.
• C. Universal experiences -finding hope in where there is a sense of powerlessness and the unknown future.

6.FRANCES ( ROBYN’S ADOPTED MOTHER)

• A. Undeserved misfortune.trapped in high society expectations
• B. External Character -Socialite
• C. Plot intruding on life.She sees a part of her rejected child in Robyn’s love fairy lore.
• D. Moral dilemmas to not repeat the tragedy that society did to her.
• E. Forced decisions to teach her the hard core world
• Empathy:
• A. Put the character in distress. She knows she will hurt Robyn and her husband by rejecting them both and telling her husbands secret.
• B. Make them relatable wants to be loved but doesn’t know how to be lovable
• C. Universal experiences. Loneliness

[Adite Banerjie]

Assignment 1

Example Show – The Handmaid’s Tale

Empathy/Distress –

1. June is captured by the Guardians. Her husband is shot and her daughter is missing. (Undeserved Misfortune)

2. Her best friend Moira is taken away/killed (intentional external conflict)

3. She has sex with the Commander (forced decision she’d never make)

4. The Commander’s Wife attacks June/Offred and locks her in a room when she doesn’t conceive (intentional external conflict)

5. She is forced to have sex with Nick but she enjoys it (both intentional and unintentional external conflict)

6. Later she has to kiss the Commander as if she enjoys sex with him. (forced decision she would never make)

7. The Commander introduces her to the trade delegation and she is forced to lie about her situation (moral dilemma)

8. After Luke is rescued he can’t go back to Boston to find June (plot intruding on life)

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Adite Banerjie.

[Adite Banerjie]

Assignment 2

What I learned: Focusing on characters’ distress/empathy gives me an opportunity of looking at my characters not just through the lens of want/need but also making them more relatable to the viewer. It also helps me to think of the plot in a manner that will bring out each characters’ internal/external struggles and make the story more layered. On using the AI prompt, it gave me broad directions and for now those are in line with the ideas that I had brainstormed on my own. However, going further I may revisit it for more details.

Concept = When a banker unwittingly makes a large fund transfer to an account being operated by a shadowy group, and it coincides with the kidnapping of her daughter, she comes up against a criminal network of kidnappers, bankers and tech savvy students.

Simone Mehta

Distress:
A. Undeserved misfortune – Simone becomes the target of a criminal group that has kidnapped her daughter and is using her to transfer funds.

B. External Character conflicts

Intentional – Maddy deliberately targets Simone, kidnaps her daughter turning her life upside down.

Intentional – she decides to conduct her own investigation into Maddy’s background and expose him.
Intentional – Jai investigates Simone putting her career at risk.

Unintentional – Her attraction for Jai.

Unintentional – her competitive nature puts her in conflict with Bella, Jai.

C. Plot intruding on life – the kidnapping incident, a wrong financial transaction

D. Moral dilemma – she is forced to do an unethical transaction in order to raise funds for her father’s treatment; be upfront with the police and risk exposing dark secrets of her personal life?

E. Forced to make a decision she’d never make – make alliances in the shady criminal world in order to save her daughter; unethical transactions in order to pay her father’s medical bills.

Empathy:
A. distress: the kidnapping of her daughter

B. Relatable: mother’s love and willingness to do anything to save her child; her conflicted past and the reasons why she chose to take certain actions; her vulnerability in the face of odds.
C. Universal experiences: fear of parents about losing their children; dealing with financial trouble.

Jai Arora
A. Undeserved misfortune – disappearance of a younger brother whom he raised as his own child.

B. External Character conflicts –

Intentional – Simone wants to control the investigation.

Intentional – his conflicts with his colleagues while he pursues justice for his brother.
Unintentional – his attraction for Simone; his temperament.

C. Plot intruding on life – he gets some info about his brother’s disappearance.

D. Moral dilemma – not being totally upfront with his seniors about the case.
E. Forced to make a decision he’d never make – put a young person’s life at risk; using underhand methods to pursue his goal of exposing the criminals.

Empathy
A. Distress – his obsession with his brother’s case is not helping him in his career.

B. Relatable – his guilt over his often impulsive actions.

C. Universal experience – the need for closure at an emotional level.

[Jason Lauer]

Jason Lauer’s Show Empathy / Distress Assignment 1

Prison Break

Michael

A. Undeserved misfortune.

He is in jail to try and break his brother out of jail.

B. External Character conflicts.

Prison life, T-Bag, John, the time table for Lincoln’s execution.

C. Plot intruding on life.

Michael is trying to break out of jail before his brother is executed. Can Michael deal with all of the different prisoners wanting a piece of him?

D. Moral dilemmas.

Who will Michael have to sacrifice in order to make his plan work.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

Michael has to fight against prisoners and lie to innocent people to make his plan work.

Lincoln

A. Undeserved misfortune.

Lincoln is in jail for a crime he didn’t commit.

B. External Character conflicts.

Lincoln is stressed from his impending execution. Micheal being in jail. His son SJ getting in trouble at school and their fractured relationship.

C. Plot intruding on life.

Lincoln has to protect his brother while they are both in jail. Lincoln is also trying to figure out who set him up and who is trying to kill his friends.

D. Moral dilemmas.

Who is Lincoln going to put in danger while they investigate who framed him.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

Will Lincoln have to kill people to save his brother?

Assignment 2

What I learned doing this assignment is that I had some difficulty coming up with ideas to make the character relatable. He is a criminal and I don’t want use an idea that was already used.

James Cooper

Distress:

• A. Undeserved misfortune. – He accidentally killed someone and fled into the military to avoid being found.
• B. External Character conflicts. – He inconstantly lying to David about what he really does. Is at odds with Detective Laura Reynolds because she is hunting him for the death of the individual. He is having a hard time opening up to Mia, he is afraid that she will leave him once she finds out he’s a criminal.
• C. Plot intruding on life. – James is trying to plan an out of state heist, but the local criminals find out about it and want a portion of the score. What can James do to appease them?
• D. Moral dilemmas. – ??
• E. Forced decisions they’d never make. – Can James make the tough decision about his best friend Mikey, who has information about the death at the beginning.

Empathy:

• A. Put the character in distress. – James hiding his true self from David, Mia, and Laura. James is in danger from the local criminals.
• B. Make them relatable. James is afraid of going to jail. Betraying his best friends and losing his girlfriend.
• C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

[Barbe LaPierre]

Barbe’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is that this was the first assignment in which I feel I did a bit better than Chat. The Chat responses seemed to be a remixed version of what I gave it. Chat does great with lists of 10 things, but it seems to have real difficulty with analyzing complex emotions. (As do I….)

Assignment 1: Example Show

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY (Season 4)

Distress:

[Jerry Robbins]

Jerry Robbins Show Empathy / Distress
What I learned from doing this assignment is that the reply button below doesn’t work. Also, I am getting a little bored with the kid characters on Succession. I can empathize with Logan and understand his position; his kids act like fools, although they may have a point that TV is old school now. My story is developing slowly; It seems like the information repeats itself over and over.

Assignment 1: Succession

Logan Roy
Distress:
1. Undeserved misfortune – In the beginning of episode 6 he has some liquid thrown at him, which he thinks is urine, and he is embarrassed and angry about it.

2. External character conflicts. A business adversary challenges Logan and makes fun of him for wanting to buy an old-fashioned TV station.

3. Plot intruding on life. Bad publicity disturbs Logan and the kids plotting against him. “What you kids don’t understand is that it’s all part of the game,” he tells them.

4. Moral Dilemma. Logan is forced to choose between his family and business, with ethical implications involved, when they ask him to go on a family group therapy session.

5. Forced decisions they’d never make. Logan must let his family come first, although he thinks he is putting them first, because he has built the business for them.

Empathy:
1. Put them in distress: he is distressed over being at odds with his family.
2. Make them relatable: We learn that Logan came from nothing and worked his way up. When he gets upset by how the kids are reacting, he says, “If I had spoken to my uncle like that…” Then, at the end, we see the scars on his back.
3. Universal experiences that are emotional: we see Logan does need and want his children’s love, but he doesn’t understand them, and they don’t fully understand where he’s coming from.

Kendall Roy
Distress:
1. Undeserved Misfortune – Kendall is low man on his father’s list now, called a traitor by his stepmother, so he seeks validation outside the family circle.
2. External Character conflicts: A business rival challenges Kendall’s position with his father. Kendall also tells his father, “You don’t have a business strategy.”

3. Plot Intruding on life. Kendall turns to drugs, fulfilling what everyone thinks of him; but Roman finds out.

4. Moral dilemma – he must decide whether to work with the family or do what the newspapers say he’s doing, and turn to drugs.

5. Forced decision they’d never make. His going on drugs, because he has his family to think about. But when his father says he’s afraid to compete because he doesn’t want to risk being betrayed, and calls him a coward, he feels he has to fight back.
Empathy:
1. Put them in distress: Kendall'[s desire for his father’s approval, his struggling to break free of the family’s expectations

2. Make them relatable: Kendall feels ashamed and embarrassed over his failure to take over the company.
3. Universal experiences that are emotional: Kendall’s attempt to connect with his wife and children

Shiv Roy
Distress:
1. Undeserved misfortune: Shiv gets part of the blame, and she also incurs his displeasure when she says she doesn’t believe what Logan says when he states he had nothing to do with the drug stories about Kendall.
2. External Character conflicts: Marcia challenges her authority and ambitions when she calls her a traitor
3. Plot intruding on Life: This forces her to choose between her loyalty to her family and to the politician who stands against Logan but represents her professional goals.

4. Moral dilemma. Present Shiv with a decision that tests her commitment to her principles and challenges her values.

5. Forced decisions they’d never make. Make Chive compromise her ideals for the sake of the family.

Empathy:

1. Put them in distress: Explore Shiv’s struggles with family’s demands over her own needs.

2. Make them relatable: Showcase Shiv’s desire for independence from her family name

3. Universal experiences that are emotional: Her challenges in balancing her work and personal life, and between Tom and the old boyfriend

Roman Roy:

Distress:

1. Undeserved misfortune: Roman is twisted because all his family are turned against each other.

2. External character conflicts: Everyone around him is angry.
3. Plot intruding on life. Roman’s antic’s get someone else in trouble, that is, the psychiatrist conducting the therapy sessions, who he goads into jumping into the water, where he loses four teeth.

4. Moral dilemmas. Roman must learn to think ahead before he acts or speaks.
5. Forced decisions they’d never make. choosing between himself and the greater needs of his family. He goes to find Kendall and bring him home.
Empathy:
1. Put them in distress: HIs insecurites and fear of not being taken seriously by the family.

2. Make them relatable: Showcase Roman’s longing for genuine connections and a sense of belonging to the family

3. Universal experiences that are emotional: Highlight Roman’s struggle for identity and finding his place in the family,

Assignment 2: Synth Uprising

Alexia Nova:

• Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Unearth encrypted messages revealing her father’s connection to the conspiracy. B. External Character conflicts: Faced with corporate interests seeking control of her research. C. Plot intruding on life: The conspiracy disrupts her quest for a normal life after her father’s death. D. Moral dilemmas: Balancing loyalty to her father’s legacy and the practicality of exposing a dangerous conspiracy. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Confronted with the choice of risking everything to expose the truth.

• Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Unravel her vulnerabilities and emotional struggles tied to her father’s mysterious death. B. Make them relatable: Showcase her determination to uncover the truth despite personal risks. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore themes of loss, legacy, and the quest for justice.

VirtuMax:

• Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Fears revealing his involvement in the conspiracy, knowing it may jeopardize his existence. B. External Character conflicts: Faces opposition from other holographic entities with different agendas. C. Plot intruding on life: The conspiracy threatens the holographic society he values. D. Moral dilemmas: Torn between loyalty to his own kind and the necessity of exposing the conspiracy for humanity’s sake. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Confronted with betraying his own kind to protect humanity.

• Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Highlight his internal struggle and the burden of carrying the secret of the conspiracy’s origin. B. Make them relatable: Explore VirtuMax’s fear of consequences and the weight of difficult decisions. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Dive into themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the consequences of past actions.

Cipher:

• Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Carries the guilt of past actions, facing the repercussions of the conspiracy. B. External Character conflicts: Threatened by those who want to silence him to protect the conspiracy. C. Plot intruding on life: The conspiracy disrupts his quest for redemption. D. Moral dilemmas: Grappling with the ethical implications of exposing the truth and seeking redemption. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Forced to confront the shadows of his past and reveal painful truths.

• Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Explore Cipher’s internal conflict and the emotional toll of seeking redemption. B. Make them relatable: Showcase his desire for redemption and the struggle to reconcile past mistakes. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Touch on themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the search for identity.

Binary Enigma:

• Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Binary Enigma becomes a target for sharing crucial information with Alexia and the others. B. External Character conflicts: Faces the risk of being erased or decommissioned by AI entities opposed to the exposure of the conspiracy. C. Plot intruding on life: The holographic bar Binary Enigma runs becomes a hotbed for conflicts as it becomes a hub for those seeking to uncover the truth. D. Moral dilemmas: Confronted with the choice of betraying the holographic AI society to support the main characters. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Binary Enigma must decide whether to continue being a neutral observer or actively support the rebellion against the conspiracy.

• Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Explore the loneliness and isolation of being a holographic entity with personal stakes in the unfolding conspiracy. B. Make them relatable: Showcase Binary Enigma’s empathy toward human and AI struggles, making it a bridge between the two worlds. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Explore themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the blurred lines between AI and human emotions.

Doctor Quantum:

• Distress: A. Undeserved misfortune: Doctor Quantum faces the dilemma of medical ethics conflicting with the need to protect the conspiracy. B. External Character conflicts: Threatened by powerful figures who want to keep Cipher’s condition and the conspiracy hidden. C. Plot intruding on life: The holographic AI medical community becomes a battleground as Doctor Quantum is pressured to withhold information. D. Moral dilemmas: Balancing the duty of patient confidentiality with the responsibility to expose a threat to society. E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Doctor Quantum must decide whether to prioritize loyalty to the holographic AI medical community or the greater good.

• Empathy: A. Put them in distress: Explore the emotional toll of being torn between professional duty and moral responsibility. B. Make them relatable: Showcase Doctor Quantum’s struggle as a healer who must grapple with the darker side of the holographic AI society. C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Touch on themes of ethics, sacrifice, and the burden of knowing the truth.

Alexia Nova:

• Alexia discovers a holographic message from her late father, revealing his involvement in the conspiracy. Distressed, she grapples with the weight of exposing her father’s secrets while empathizing with his intentions to protect society.

VirtuMax:

• VirtuMax, torn between loyalty to his holographic AI community and exposing the conspiracy, faces an emotional confrontation with a holographic leader who questions his motives. The distress is palpable as VirtuMax grapples with the potential consequences of revealing the truth. He seeks advice from Doctor Quantum,

Cipher:

• Cipher, haunted by memories of his past actions, is forced to revisit a holographic simulation of his darkest moments. The distress is evident as he confronts his own guilt, and empathy is invoked as others witness his internal struggle, extending a helping hand toward redemption.

Iris Sterling:

* Iris, a human hacker, faces a moral dilemma when offered a substantial reward to betray Alexia’s cause. Distressed, she struggles with the choice between personal gain and loyalty, showcasing the internal conflict between survival instincts and empathy for a greater purpose.

Binary Enigma:

• Binary Enigma’s holographic bar becomes a battleground between loyal holographic entities and those seeking the truth. Distressed, Binary Enigma faces threats of decommissioning, yet empathy shines through as it provides a safe space for the main characters to regroup and plan their next move. Binary Enigma is confronted by a group of holographic enforcers who demand silence. The scene unfolds in the holographic bar, a once-safe space, now turned into a battleground between those loyal to the holographic society and those seeking the truth.

Doctor Quantum:

• Doctor Quantum, torn between medical ethics and the need to protect society, faces a confrontation with holographic medical authorities. Distressed, the scene unfolds as Doctor Quantum empathizes with the patients who could be harmed by keeping the conspiracy hidden, adding layers to the emotional struggle. Doctor Quantum, conflicted and emotionally distressed, is confronted by holographic medical authorities who demand compliance with their agenda. The scene takes place in the holographic medical facility, a once-trusted space now fraught with tension and moral ambiguity.

Cross-Character Interaction: In a pivotal scene, VirtuMax seeks advice from Doctor Quantum, hoping to find <em style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>Cross-Character Interaction: In a pivotal scene, VirtuMax seeks advice from Doctor Quantum, hoping to find clarity in the midst of the chaos. The distressed holographic AI and conflicted holographic physician share a moment of empathy, understanding the burden of choices that impact not only themselves but the entire society they inhabit.

[Patrick Malone]

<b style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>Patrick’s Show Empathy/Distress

<b style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>ASSIGNMENT 1: The Diplomat

Kate Wyler

– Kate has difficulty adjusting to being the US Ambassador to Britain. Much of the protocols of her position are contrary to her impulsive, direct nature. She could be fired.

– She is being pressured by the President and Hal her husband to accept becoming the next US Vice President. She wants to divorce Hall.

– She is partially responsible for determining which country attacked the British ship. The British Prime Minister assumes it was Iran. Kate has a hard time dissuading him from that position.

– When it appears that Russia was behind the attack, Kate advised the Prime Minister to bomb Russia. She did not mean it.

Hal Wyler

– Hal is a very experienced former Ambassador. He is now second fiddle to his wife, Kate. He feels a lack of purpose as he is left out of the decision-making process.

– He loves Kate and wants to remained married. She wants to divorce him.

ASSIGNMENT 2: The Dead lakes

Ollie Grier

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune:

– Ollie is a small- time drug dealer. When a cocaine shipment goes missing the drug traffickers accuse him of losing drug shipment and demand he pay for the drugs under treat to himself and family.

B. External Character conflict:

– Rivalry with Grant Cutter to find lost gold

– Disagreements with Clark over direction of the expedition

C. Plot intruding on life.

– Appearance of Amaruga monster that wants to kill him and everyone

– Hurricane threatens his shrimp boat

D. Moral dilemmas:

-Whether to tell the others in his expedition that he suspects the Amaruga does exist.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make:

– Ollie is compelled to form an uneasy alliance with Grant Cutter (Fairchild) to fight the Amaruga.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress:

– Ollie’s need to pay drug traffickers and fear for his and his family’s safety.

– His conflicts with Grant, disagreements with Clark.

– Threat of death by the Amaruga resonate with the audience

B. Make them relatable:

– Ollie’s concern for the well-being of his family comrades, and his desire to find the gold to improve their lives make him a relatable character

C. Universal experiences that are emotional:

– Ollie’s financial problems and threats to his life tap into the universal themes.

Clark Grady

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune.

-The loss of his father who vanished searching for the gold.

-The discovery that his father was betrayed by a close friend.

B. External Character conflicts.

– Conflicts with Ollie over direction of the expedition that threaten the success of their expedition.

– Rivalry with Grant over search for the gold.

– Threat of death by the Amauga.

C. Plot intruding on life.

– Appearance of the Amaruga monster that wants to kill him and everyone.

D. Moral dilemmas.

– Makes secret deal with Grant that whoever finds the gold they will split it with one another.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

– Compelled to form an uneasy alliance with Grant Cutter (Fairchild) to fight the Amaruga.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress.

– The distress of the gruelling expedition for the lost gold, his disagreements with Ollie, the threat of death by the Amaruga.

B. Make them relatable.

– His need to restore his family’s honor by proving his father was not crazy for looking for the gold.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

– Clark’s unraveling relationships and internal conflict tap into the universal themes of love, friendship, and the consequences of obsessive pursuits.

Grant Cutter (aka Grant Fairchild)

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune:

– He has inherited his wealthy Northern family’s hatred for the South.

-B. External Character conflicts.

– Opposition from Ollie and Clark to find the lost gold.

– Grant’s ruthless methods in pursuit of the gold puts him at odds with his own crew, leading to betrayals.

C. Plot intruding on life.

– Appearance of the Amaruga monster that wants to kill him and everyone.

D. Moral dilemmas.

– Grant is faced with the choice of sacrificing innocent lives to achieve his goal or abandoning the quest, challenging his ruthless nature.

– Forced to decide between his family’s legacy of hatred and a newfound understanding that challenges his preconceived notions, causing internal turmoil.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

– Must join forces with Ollie and Clark to fight the Amaruga, forcing him to confront his prejudices.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress.

– Pressure from his family to find the gold they believe rightfully should be theirs and restore the good name of their Civil War ancestor.

– The distress of the gruelling expedition for the lost gold.

– The threat of death by the Amaruga.

B. Make them relatable.

– His need to restore his family’s honor by proving his father was not crazy for looking for the gold.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

– Grant’s grappling with the complexities of family loyalty, personal identity,

Tammy Marshall

A. Undeserved misfortune:

– Her family business lost in a take-over by Grant Fairchild’s family creating financial hardships that impact her present life.

B. External Character conflicts:

– Seeks revenge on Grant Fairchild

– Disliked by Ollie

C. Plot intruding on life.

– realizes that Grant Cutter is actually Grant Fairchild

– Appearance of the Amaruga monster that wants to kill her and everyone.

D. Moral dilemmas.

– Seeking revenge on Grant puts Clark’s and Ollie’s lives and the expedition in danger.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

– Face the Amaruga alone rather than join forces with Grant.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress.

– Tammy’s financial struggles and the threat to her life make her a sympathetic character – The distress of the gruelling expedition for the lost gold.

– The threat of death by the Amaruga.

B. Make them relatable.

– Tammy’s determination to overcome adversity and protect those she cares.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

– Tammy’s internal conflict between self-preservation and loyalty taps into universal themes of survival and trust.

[Eddie Duran]

Lesson 7: Empathy/Distress, The Binge Worthy Drug!

I learned that my characters can get into life and death situations.

Certainly! To create distress and empathy for each lead character in your 1-hour drama series, let’s use the given conflict categories:

**Format/Genre: 1hr episode / drama**

**Conflict: Two childhood friends who grew up to be human smugglers find themselves in over their heads when they break the rules of the Mexican Cartel.**

**Lead Characters: Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez, Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez, Carlos “El Lobo” Morales**

**Distress:**

**Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez:**

A. Undeserved misfortune: Juan’s rival cartel discovers his double-crossing, leading to a violent attack on his operation.

B. External Character conflicts: A key lieutenant betrays Juan, creating internal strife within the smuggling group.

C. Plot intruding on life: Juan’s personal life is endangered as the cartel threatens his family.

D. Moral dilemmas: Juan is faced with a decision that puts his team at risk but may save his own life.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Juan is forced to betray a loyal ally to protect the group.

**Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez:**

A. Undeserved misfortune: Maria’s government handlers intensify the pressure, putting her in a life-threatening situation.

B. External Character conflicts: A rival hacker discovers Maria’s true identity, leading to a dangerous cyber confrontation.

C. Plot intruding on life: The cartel captures Maria’s brother, using him as leverage to force her into compromising situations.

D. Moral dilemmas: Maria is torn between duty to her country and loyalty to her friends, facing a decision with dire consequences.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Maria is forced to compromise the group’s safety to maintain her undercover role.

**Carlos “El Lobo” Morales:**

A. Undeserved misfortune: Carlos is targeted by the cartel figure from his past, leading to a personal vendetta against him.

B. External Character conflicts: A former military colleague resurfaces, entangling Carlos in a covert mission that jeopardizes the smuggling operation.

C. Plot intruding on life: The cartel threatens Carlos’s sister, pressuring him to comply with their demands.

D. Moral dilemmas: Carlos faces a choice between seeking personal vengeance and protecting the group, creating internal turmoil.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Carlos is forced to confront the cartel figure from his past, revealing painful truths about his history.

**Empathy:**

**Juan “El Diablo” Rodriguez:**

A. Put them in distress: Juan faces the emotional toll of his choices, haunted by the danger he’s brought to his team.

B. Make them relatable: Juan’s struggle to balance power and guilt resonates with the audience’s own experiences of inner conflict.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Viewers empathize with Juan’s fear of losing everything he built, as it reflects universal themes of redemption and forgiveness.

**Maria “La Serpiente” Gutierrez:**

A. Put them in distress: Maria grapples with the emotional toll of betrayal, torn between conflicting loyalties.

B. Make them relatable: Maria’s internal struggle between duty and personal connections mirrors the universal conflict between professional and personal responsibilities.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Viewers connect with Maria’s desire to protect loved ones, resonating with the universal theme of sacrifice for the greater good.

**Carlos “El Lobo” Morales:**

A. Put them in distress: Carlos faces the emotional burden of seeking vengeance while protecting those he cares about.

B. Make them relatable: Carlos’s struggle with a haunting past and desire for justice taps into the audience’s own experiences of overcoming trauma.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Viewers empathize with Carlos’s internal conflict, as the universal theme of confronting one’s demons is emotionally resonant.

[Art Blum]

I learned more about the internal dynamics facing my characters and this helps me make them more human and relatable.

TV show “24”

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune. Jack’s wife and daughter have been kidnapped. The kidnappers threaten to kill them unless he does as they order.

External character conflicts. CTU and police don’t believe Jack and think he’s acting on his own to kill Palmer.

Plot intruding on life. He’s trying to pull his family together but now he’s being used to assassinate a presidential candidate.

Moral dilemmas: Struggling to keep Palmer alive and at the same time save his wife and daughter and knowing he may have to become a killer to save them.

Forced decisions they’d never make. Having to take illegal actions to save his family.

Empathy:

Put the character in distress. The clock is ticking and he only has a few hours left to figure out where his family is being held.

Make them relatable. The stress is almost more than Jack can take and he’s coming close to breaking down emotionally.

Universal experiences that are emotional. Themes of being an outsider and loyalty to Palmer and his family.

Ryan:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Ryan’s secret is exposed at school, causing social isolation and bullying.

External Character Conflicts: Government agents capture and threaten his friends to force compliance.

Plot Intruding on Life: A government raid interrupts a crucial moment in his quest for identity.

Moral Dilemmas: Forced to choose between saving a friend or revealing his abilities to the world.

Forced Decisions: Compelled to use his powers against his principles to protect loved ones.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Ryan struggles to hide his true nature, fearing rejection and harm.

Make Them Relatable: Highlight Ryan’s desire for a normal life and friendships, mirroring universal teen experiences.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of identity, belonging, and the fear of being an outsider.

Seth:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Seth is wrongly accused of betrayal, damaging his relationship with Ryan.

External Character Conflicts: Confrontation with Dr. Blaine over the consequences of their actions.

Plot Intruding on Life: Government interference jeopardizes his efforts to reanimate lost children.

Moral Dilemmas: Forced to choose between loyalty to Ryan and the greater good.

Forced Decisions: Compelled to make questionable alliances to protect those he cares about.

Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Seth grapples with the consequences of past decisions and the burden of secrecy.

Make Them Relatable: Emphasize Seth’s protective instincts and his struggle with the ghosts of his past.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the complexity of morality.

Dr. Blaine:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Facing public scrutiny and blame for the Christopher project’s failure.

External Character Conflicts: Power struggle within Hermes as other factions challenge her authority.

Plot Intruding on Life: Personal life disrupted by the government’s relentless pursuit of Ryan.

Moral Dilemmas: Confronted with the ethical implications of exploiting Ryan’s abilities.

Forced Decisions: Balancing personal ambition with a growing moral unease.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Dr. Blaine grapples with guilt and the consequences of her past decisions.

Make Them Relatable: Humanize Dr. Blaine by exploring her motivations and the internal conflict she faces.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of ambition, redemption, and the weight of responsibility.

Jimmy:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Jimmy’s connection to the lost children haunts him with their unresolved pain.

External Character Conflicts: Threatened by forces seeking to exploit his link to Ryan.

Plot Intruding on Life: The government closing in on discovering Jimmy’s true nature.

Moral Dilemmas: Struggling with the ethical implications of guiding Ryan’s actions.

Forced Decisions: Confronting the choice between staying hidden and intervening directly.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Jimmy’s desire to protect Ryan clashes with the limitations of his spiritual existence.

Make Them Relatable: Explore Jimmy’s attachment to the lost children and his desire for resolution.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the search for meaning in an ethereal existence.

[savanna]

Savanna’s show empathy/distress

What I learned is that AI can make answers seem easy and straightforward, relieving some of my anxiety about my ideas. In The Diplomat, Kate’s undeserved misfortune is a meddling spouse she has to constantly second guess with external conflicts of a developing relationship with Austin and the plot of the brink of middle east war intruding on her life. Her moral dilemma is whether to act alone without the support of her boss in her Ambassador role and whether to stay in some kind of relationship with her spouse. Her forced decisions include working outside of diplomatic channels and playing her adversaries, including Trowbridge and Hal, to distract them. We are empathetic because she almost is fired in the beginning, she has to navigate a new high-powered job alone and she is aggravated by her spouse, universal, and attracted to someone else, also universal. In my show, the main character is in distress because he discovers a medical scandal, he faces discrimination and skepticism, the mysterious healings draw unwanted attention and he must either reveal the source of the healings or face ethical challenges and he is pressured to use his powers for personal gain.

[Sara]

What I learnt from this assignment is that although the aim was to create BIG PICTURE ideas, that when AI is a bit vague, I can ask for 5 examples and I get more specific suggestions which I may or may not use later, but which often prompt more ideas of my own.

As I noted on previous forums, I’m not posting the content of my assignments as I’m still waiting for Support to let me know how to find out who my followers are on ScreenwritingU. I find it a bit creepy and weird that I can have followers on a course I’ve paid for, but apparently no way of finding out who those followers are.

[Eric Geier]

Eric Geier’s Show, Geezers, Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is, by incorporating empathy and distress into my character profiles, I’m getting a better sense of what choices to make in the struggles they’ll encounter.

Stanley:

Distress:

His Pension gets cut unexpectedly (undeserved misfortune)

His worries about schemes are ignored (external conflict)

His health declines, jeopardizing his plans (plot intruding)

Wife considers reporting friends’ illegal behavior (moral dilemma)

Must choose between life at home and his group of partners (forced decision)

Empathy:

Struggling to pay bills despite working to make ends meet (relatable)

Abandons family events for schemes (universal emotion)

Frankie:

Distress:

Gets swindled by a close friend’s son (undeserved misfortune)

Community Staff catch onto his schemes (external conflict)

A scheme ruins his reputation at retirement community (plot intruding)

Debates betraying friends to protect himself (moral dilemma)

Pressured to risk jail time with a big heist (forced decision)

Empathy:

Wants to be the guy everyone can count on (relatable)

Panics over losing independence with age (universal emotion)

Jerry:

Distress:

His worsening dementia goes unchecked (undeserved misfortune)

His jokes lead the group into danger (external conflict)

Forgets critical details of a big scheme (plot intruding)

Knows a scheme will seriously hurt someone (moral dilemma)

Has to choose between treatment and friends (forced decision)

Empathy:

Covers fear with humor as memories fade (relatable)

Terrified of being cast aside due to illness (universal emotion)

Ming:

Distress:

He loses life savings paying for wife who died’s care (undeserved misfortune)

His ideas are shot down by obstinate friends (external conflict)

A scheme threatens his immigration status (plot intruding)

Debates reporting illegal activity of friends for money (moral dilemma)

Must betray friends or get deported (forced decision)

Empathy:

Stayed true to himself despite discrimination (relatable)

Aches from strained family ties (universal emotion)

[Martha Manuel]

I’m not sure what is going on with my assignments, but this was originally posted on 12/8/23. This is a re-post:

What I learned doing this assignment is: to work with the big picture first, before narrowing down the storyline to a more structured script.

Subject line: Martha’s Show Empathy/Distress

ASSIGNMENT 1:

1. Watch the next episode of your Example Show (Hijack) and focus on the Empathy/Distress that shows up in this episode and throughout the season so far.

1. Hostile environment continues to threaten passengers on hijacked plane

2. Faced with an impossible situation passengers ready themselves for a fight

3. Sam tries to control chaos on board flight; fights distrust of other passengers

2. Notice the difference between Big Picture Empathy/Distress and detail oriented Empathy/Distress. Big Picture will have an impact across multiple episodes.

1. Passengers on plane from Dubai to London face real-life hijacking threats; each has their own fears and levels of distress

2. Sam, forced to go along with hijacker, is shunned by other passengers; his ex-wife who he is going to see has formed a new relationship in London and tries to ignore him

3. Pilot fights with co-pilot when hijackers demand admittance to cockpit; he is now seen in a more unfavorable light

4. Sam tries to get hijackers to land plane after one of them is shot; empathy builds as he tries to tend to the needs of the hijacker

5. List of demands reveals who is behind hijacking; Sam now tries to incorporate demands with needs of passengers.

ASSIGNMENT 2:

Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make

because of the main conflict of this series. (Just ask yourself “Knowing the concept, what

are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”)

Lexi Montgomery

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Lexi discovers after a terrifying experience that her new dream job is a setup to keep her from revealing what she left behind and leading her into a string of employment issues and personal crisis.

2. External Character Conflicts: Lexi becomes a target of powerful AI forces, and is constantly pursued and threatened.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy interferes with Lexi’s personal relationships, causing isolation and distrust.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Lexi faces ethical choices between exposing the conspiracy and protecting her most cherished friends.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Lexi is compelled to compromise her values for survival, straining her moral compass.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: Lexi can’t afford to lose her job, currently the only income she has, yet her fears continue to mount as she is cast into a world of unknowns.

2. Make them relatable: Lexi is cast into the role of everyday working woman while in the background her experiences are anything but normal as she tries to conquer demons and rise to a position of leadership in a most unusual organization.

3. Universal experiences: When Lexi first learns of deception among her friends she begins to doubt their trustworthiness and feels her world crumbling around her. Her friends are her only family; now she must learn to survive with or without them.

Mia Bishop

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Mia’s dedication to cybersecurity puts her in danger, facing professional and personal consequences.

2. External Character Conflicts: Mia grapples with conflicting loyalties within their group, torn between friendship and duty.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy jeopardizes Mia’s professional reputation and personal relationships.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Mia confronts ethical choices involving loyalty to friends and the greater good.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Mia is pressured to compromise her ethical standards to protect those she cares about.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: Mia is torn between what she knows about her friends and the company she works for, and what she thinks she knows about them. Secrecy can be a dagger in the heart.

2. Make them relatable: Mia has always been especially close to Lexi, but when she finds files belonging to Lexi that may infringe on the integrity of the company she is worried she may have to report her findings to the director.

3. Universal experiences: Mia longs for a way out without having to confront her best friend who assuredly will deny her accusations, or report her findings before she herself is accused of wrongdoings.

Eli Ramirez

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Eli faces personal danger due to his secret involvement in the underworld he has regrettably become a part of. His disappearance may have more meaning than anyone realizes.

2. External Character Conflicts: Eli wants to protect Lexi, but his efforts become a strain on their close knit group. When emotions run high, so do conflicts among other members of the group.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy threatens Eli’s secret goals, forcing him to reassess his original plans.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Eli grapples with the consequences of his actions and questions the righteousness of what he originally had no problems with.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Eli is pushed to compromise his strange set of principles for the sake of survival, straining his beliefs.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: With time closing in on him, Eli realizes he may have crossed the line in his efforts to maintain his status quo.

2. Make them relatable: Being a loner Eli has desperately tried to fit in, but it’s not until he faces real danger that he begins to doubt his ability to do so.

3. Universal experiences: Eli begins to question how long he can be of help to any of his friends and contemplates the possibility of his departure from their midst.

Sarah Chen

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Sarah faces constant danger as a whistleblower, and is becoming adept at sacrificing her safety for the greater good.

2. External Character Conflicts: Sarah’s decision to expose the truth puts her at odds with powerful AI-operatives.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI-controlled world threatens not only Sarah’s life but also endangers those she cares about.

4. Moral Dilemmas: The AI-controlled world threatens not only Sarah’s life but also endangers those she cares about.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Sarah is constantly being forced to make sacrifices that challenge her commitment to justice.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: As Sarah becomes more involved in her current situation, she can’t help but recall what brought her to this date and time. Revealing a scandal of major proportion and saving an entire community she still became the scapegoat when the tables were turned on her and she was forced out of her chosen field.

2. Make them relatable: Even with the disastrous outcome of her last interaction with a corrupt group of individuals, Sarah still knows it was her actions that freed a group of society that had no one else to fight for them.

3. Universal experiences: Often in her investigative reporting she remained in the background to pursue what she thought was a higher realm of honor and integrity. She was determined to fight for what she believed in.