Lesson 8

[LJ (Lawrence John) Seliski]

LJ’s Intriguing Moments

My vision is to write incredible high-concept screenplays that are made into popular, financially successful movies.

What I learned from doing this assignment is how I can add at least two possible new intriguing moments in each act, following the two processes of identifying existing intrigue and creating new ones.

Genre = Sci-Fi
Title = Defiant Allies
Concept = An eighteen-year-old woman who was abused as a foster child rescues a gifted, exiled alien twelve-year-old Princess, and agrees to help her avoid capture by the Princess’s twenty-four-year-old identical twin sister, an adversary who wants to misuse the Princess’s gift and is involved in a conspiracy that threatens both humanity and alien kind.

Act 1: Set Up and See Old Ways
Intriguing Moment 1: Mia’s Encounter with Ariael
Intrigue: Mia saves Ariael from Zarael’s capture attempt, not realizing the true stakes involved.
How it plays out: During a routine day of survival, Mia stumbles upon Ariael being pursued by Zarael's henchmen. Mia’s instincts kick in, and she intervenes, leading to a tense and fast-paced chase scene. The audience senses there's more to Ariael than meets the eye.

Intriguing Moment 2: Ariael’s Secret Gift
Secret: Ariael uses her alien gift to buy the foster home, revealing her extraordinary abilities.
How it plays out: After being accosted by Gina, the foster home owner, Ariael discreetly uses her power to manipulate reality, ensuring the ownership of the home changes hands smoothly. Mia is stunned by this revelation, realizing Ariael is more than a helpless girl.

Intriguing Moment 3: Zarael’s Covert Agenda
Covert agenda: Zarael’s partnership with Tyrell Dugan, a corrupt politician.
How it plays out: A clandestine meeting between Zarael and Tyrell highlights their sinister plan. They discuss the implications of Ariael’s capture, hinting at a larger conspiracy. This scene sets the tone for the depth of Zarael's ambition and the scope of the threat.

Intriguing Moment 4: Turning Point with the Energy Vortex
Hidden identity: Ariael reveals her true alien nature by transporting Mia to her home planet.
How it plays out: Ariael takes Mia through an energy vortex, showing her the hidden allies on her planet. This moment solidifies Mia’s trust in Ariael and deepens the plot by revealing the true stakes of their struggle.

Act 2: Challenge the Old Ways
Intriguing Moment 1: Trust Issues Surface
Superior position: The audience knows Ariael's capabilities, but Mia doubts her.
How it plays out: Mia’s struggle with trusting Ariael reaches a peak when Ariael runs out of money. Ariael promises to fix things but needs to go to her bank. Their heated argument highlights the strain on their alliance.

Intriguing Moment 2: Disguised Heist
Scheme: Ariael transforms herself and Mia to infiltrate a bank.
How it plays out: To access funds, Ariael disguises herself as a baby and Mia as her nanny. The tension builds as they navigate the bank under the watchful eyes of security, adding suspense and showcasing Ariael's unique abilities.

Intriguing Moment 3: Overheard Conspiracy
Conspiracy: Mia and Ariael overhear a plot involving Tyrell Dugan.
How it plays out: While at the bank, they accidentally overhear Dugan’s underlings discussing the deal with Zarael. This realization forces them to reassess their situation and the depth of the conspiracy against them.

Intriguing Moment 4: Revelation of Twin Relationship
Mystery: Ariael reveals Zarael is her twin sister and their troubled past.
How it plays out: After narrowly escaping another capture attempt, Ariael confides in Mia about Zarael being her twin and the stakes of their conflict. This deepens the audience's understanding of Zarael's motivations and the emotional complexity of their rivalry.

Act 3: Profound Moments that Give Us New Ways
Intriguing Moment 1: Mia's Growing Trust
Mystery: Mia starts to trust Ariael and embraces their friendship.
How it plays out: Mia acknowledges how much Ariael has done for her and the foster home. A heartfelt conversation solidifies their bond and commitment to each other’s safety and success, highlighting Mia’s emotional growth.

Intriguing Moment 2: Ariael's Leadership Acceptance
Secret: Ariael accepts her responsibility to her people and planet.
How it plays out: Ariael confides in Mia about her doubts and fears. The two discuss their roles, and Ariael decides to embrace her destiny as a leader. This moment of vulnerability and determination sets the stage for their renewed strategy.

Intriguing Moment 3: Zarael's Ruthless Plan
Covert agenda: Zarael plans to use a planet-destroying device.
How it plays out: In a secret meeting with Tyrell, Zarael outlines her ruthless plan to destroy her home planet if she can't capture Ariael. The audience is privy to this plan, increasing the tension as Mia and Ariael remain unaware.

Intriguing Moment 4: Mia’s Disguise
Hidden identity: Mia disguises herself as Zarael to gather evidence.
How it plays out: Using Ariael’s abilities, Mia is transformed to look like Zarael. She infiltrates Tyrell’s meeting, records their conversation, and escapes, revealing the extent of Zarael’s plans. This moment adds suspense and shows Mia’s bravery and resourcefulness.

Act 4: Test the Change in this Character! Prove New Ways!
Intriguing Moment 1: Betrayal at the Foster Home
Cover up: Gina reveals Ariael’s location to Zarael.
How it plays out: Gina, the former foster home owner, betrays Mia and Ariael by informing Zarael of their whereabouts. This leads to a dramatic confrontation at the foster home, testing Mia’s and Ariael’s resolve.

Intriguing Moment 2: Ariael’s Capture
Scheme: Zarael captures Ariael and takes her back to their home planet.
How it plays out: In a daring raid, Zarael captures Ariael, leaving Mia and the foster home in chaos. This setback forces Mia to use the energy vortex device and coordinate with Ariael’s allies for a rescue mission, heightening the stakes.

Intriguing Moment 3: Mia’s Counterattack
Superior position: The audience knows Mia’s plan to rescue Ariael.
How it plays out: Mia uses the energy vortex and leads Ariael’s allies to Zarael’s hideout. The tension mounts as the audience knows Mia’s plan while Zarael is unaware. This creates a dramatic buildup to the final confrontation.

Intriguing Moment 4: Final Showdown
Climax: Mia and Ariael confront Zarael.
How it plays out: In a final showdown, Mia and Ariael face Zarael. Zarael threatens to kill Ariael if attacked. Using Brett’s teargas, Mia incapacitates Zarael and her allies, rescuing Ariael. The climax is intense, showcasing their unity and newfound strength.

Resolution
Intriguing Moment 1: Zarael’s Downfall
Conspiracy: The media exposes Tyrell and Zarael’s plans.
How it plays out: Mia releases the recording to the media, leading to Tyrell’s arrest and Zarael’s retreat to avoid capture. The public outcry against their conspiracy sets the stage for Zarael’s final defeat.

Intriguing Moment 2: Zarael’s Mental Breakdown
Cover up: Zarael's mental breakdown as a consequence of her failure.
How it plays out: After failing in her plans, Zarael is mentally devastated. Ariael, showing compassion, places Zarael in a psychiatric care home. This moment highlights the emotional cost of Zarael's ambition and sets up potential redemption or further descent into madness.

Intriguing Moment 3: Ariael’s Leadership
Secret: Ariael takes her place as a leader, revealing her true identity to her people.
How it plays out: Ariael returns to her planet, fully embracing her role as a leader. She addresses her people, revealing her true identity and the sacrifices made. This moment is triumphant, showcasing her growth and the hope for her planet’s future.

Intriguing Moment 4: Mia’s New Beginning
Mystery: Mia’s future as Ariael’s trusted companion.
How it plays out: With Zarael defeated and Ariael leading her people, Mia finds peace and purpose. She decides to stay by Ariael’s side as her trusted companion. The story concludes with a sense of hope and new beginnings for both characters, emphasizing their friendship and resilience.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  LJ (Lawrence John) Seliski.

[David Wickenden]

David Wickenden – Intriguing Moments
Assignment #8 – Intriguing Moments
“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?”
Intrigue has the audience engaged.
State: I am great at…
Activity: …discovering and creating intriguing moments!
2. Give us a one sentence explanation of the intriguing moments in each Act of your project. Like the example above.
• Intrigue – What happened to the witches 300 years ago?
• Secret – Eliza had a part in her mother’s disappearance, but has blocked this from her memory.
• Covert agenda – Silas is not who he says he is.
• Hidden identity – Eliza has an affinity for magic, but refuses to give it any credence.
• Conspiracy – Silas needs to sacrifice a Blackwood to gain the magic of the dead witches.
• Scheme – Silas pretends to protect the Blackwood siblings only so he can kill one for a power grab.
• Superior position – The audience knows that Silas is up to no good.
• Cover up – None of the Blackwood children are aware that the ghosts were murdered witches from their family and had been killed by Silas’s ancestors.
• Mystery – Why are the ghosts haunting the estate?
AI INPUT
Act 1: Magic is Scary
1. Intrigue: Eliza's Mysterious Past
• Moment: Eliza's recurring dreams of her childhood.
• How it plays out: Eliza experiences vivid dreams of her mother disappearing into a different realm, which she cannot fully remember. These dreams hint at her suppressed magical abilities and set up the mystery of her mother's disappearance. The audience is left wondering about the connection between Eliza's past and the present events.
2. Secret: Silas’s True Intentions
• Moment: Silas and his followers arrive to help the siblings.
• How it plays out: Silas and his followers arrive just in time to fend off the ghosts, appearing as saviors. However, in subtle interactions and glances, Silas’s true sinister intentions are hinted at, creating a sense of unease and suspicion for the audience while the siblings are still oblivious.
3. Covert Agenda: The Cult's Hidden Rituals
• Moment: Silas subtly gathers information about the siblings.
• How it plays out: As Silas and his cult members integrate themselves with the siblings, they covertly ask probing questions about the siblings' knowledge of their family history and any magical abilities. These seemingly innocent inquiries are actually part of Silas’s plan to prepare for the sacrificial ritual.
4. Superior Position: The Audience Learns About the Prophecy
• Moment: Flashbacks to the 1700s show the witches' prophecy.
• How it plays out: Through a series of flashbacks interwoven with the present-day story, the audience learns about the witches' prophecy involving the Blackwood bloodline and the cult's quest for power. This creates dramatic irony, as the audience knows the siblings are in danger long before they realize it themselves.
Act 2: Searching the Past
1. Mystery: The Book of Secrets
• Moment: Gabriel finds the book with an eye on its cover.
• How it plays out: Gabriel discovers a hidden compartment in the mansion containing a book with an eye on the cover. This book contains detailed histories of the Blackwood family and their connection to magic. The book itself is mysterious and hints at deeper, hidden knowledge waiting to be uncovered.
2. Secret: Eliza's Hidden Power
• Moment: Eliza starts having visions and flashbacks.
• How it plays out: As Eliza reads the book, she starts experiencing visions and flashbacks of her childhood, revealing her suppressed magical abilities and the moment her mother was taken. These revelations are initially kept secret from her siblings, adding to the tension and mystery of her character's journey.
3. Covert Agenda: Silas's Manipulation
• Moment: Silas feigns interest in helping Eliza learn magic.
• How it plays out: Silas offers to help Eliza learn more about magic, but his true goal is to ensure she remains unaware of his plans to use her brother Gabriel in the ritual. He subtly guides her away from the most critical information while gaining her trust, creating an intricate web of deception.
4. Conspiracy: The Hawthorne Legacy
• Moment: Discovery of the witches’ murder by the Hawthorne family.
• How it plays out: The siblings uncover documents and letters revealing that the Hawthorne family, ancestors of Silas, were responsible for the murder of the Blackwood witches in the 1700s. This historical conspiracy sheds light on Silas’s motives and his family's dark past, deepening the plot's complexity.
Act 3: Fast Learner
1. Scheme: Silas's Plan to Capture Gabriel
• Moment: Silas orchestrates a diversion.
• How it plays out: Silas creates a diversion to separate Gabriel from Eliza and Elenor, orchestrating a series of events that lead to Gabriel’s capture. This calculated scheme reveals Silas's cunning and strategic mind, keeping the audience on edge about what he will do next.
2. Cover-Up: Eliza’s Failed Attempt at Magic
• Moment: Eliza's initial failure.
• How it plays out: Eliza tries to use magic against Silas but fails due to her lack of confidence and experience. To cover up her failure and protect her siblings' morale, she hides her doubts and continues to project confidence, adding layers to her character's internal struggle.
3. Hidden Identity: Gabriel's Hidden Potential
• Moment: Gabriel shows signs of latent magical ability.
• How it plays out: During a moment of high stress, Gabriel inadvertently displays a burst of magical power, hinting at his own untapped potential. This revelation is kept hidden from the cult and Silas, creating a new layer of intrigue about Gabriel’s role in the unfolding events.
4. Superior Position: The Audience Knows Silas’s Ritual Timing
• Moment: Flashbacks to Silas preparing the ritual.
• How it plays out: The audience sees flashbacks of Silas preparing for the sacrificial ritual, including precise details about the timing and requirements. This knowledge heightens the suspense, as the audience knows the exact time the siblings are running out of to stop the ritual.
Act 4: The Battle
1. Intrigue: The Final Ritual’s True Nature
• Moment: The true purpose of the ritual is revealed.
• How it plays out: As Silas prepares to sacrifice Gabriel, the true nature of the ritual is revealed. It’s not just about power for Silas but about resurrecting an even more malevolent force. This revelation adds a final, terrifying twist to the story.
2. Cover-Up: Eliza’s Strategic Use of Magic
• Moment: Eliza uses her blood to gain power.
• How it plays out: Eliza cuts herself and uses her blood to gain the witches’ power, but she keeps the full extent of her newfound abilities hidden until the final moment. This strategic cover-up allows her to surprise Silas and the cult during the climax.
3. Conspiracy: The Cult Members' True Allegiances
• Moment: Some cult members turn against Silas.
• How it plays out: In the final battle, it is revealed that not all cult members are loyal to Silas. Some have their own agendas and secretly plan to overthrow him. This internal conspiracy within the cult adds an additional layer of complexity to the climax.
4. Mystery: The Portal and Eliza’s Mother
• Moment: The portal opens, revealing Eliza’s mother.
• How it plays out: As Eliza fights Silas, a portal opens, and her mother appears, providing Eliza with the combined power of the witches. The mystery of how and why her mother was in the other realm is partially revealed, leaving some questions unanswered but providing a crucial turning point in the battle.
These intriguing moments will enhance the complexity and depth of your screenplay, keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  David Wickenden.

[Robin Fellows]

WIM+AI – Module 4 – Lesson 8
Robin’s: Depth – Intriguing Moments

MY VISION: I aim to make my writing flow naturally, like second nature, crafting stories that resonate globally and leave a mark, backed by a supportive team.
In this lesson, what I learned is that sprinkling some intrigue into each act can really spice up my screenplay and keep the audience hooked.
Memory Alpha’s Intriguing Moments
ACT 1:
Intrigue: Jake discovers a cryptic clue at the murder scene, hinting at a deeper conspiracy involving advanced technology.
Mystery: Jake's decision to take on the case is influenced by an anonymous source, raising questions about who is behind the message and their motives.
Covert Agenda: Maya uncovers evidence of Syndicate operations, but Jake suspects there may be a deeper conspiracy within the police force.
Hidden Identity: A mysterious figure shadows Jake during his investigation, leaving him questioning the loyalty of those around him.
ACT 2:
Covert Agenda: Maya's past alliances come into question as Jake uncovers evidence suggesting she may have ulterior motives.
Cover Up: Veronica manipulates her underlings and erases evidence of failure, hinting at her larger plans to maintain control over the Syndicate.
Hidden Identity: A member of Jake's team is revealed to have ties to the Syndicate, casting doubt on their true intentions and allegiances.
Secret: Jake's struggle with addiction and guilt over his partner's death is exposed during a therapy session, adding layers to his character and internal conflict.
ACT 3:
Hidden Identity: Maya's true identity and motivations are called into question as Jake delves deeper into her past, uncovering secrets that could unravel their alliance.
Secret: Jake's investigation leads him to confront corruption within the police force, exposing a web of lies and deceit that threatens to consume him.
Covert Agenda: Maya's past connections to the Syndicate are revealed, raising suspicions about her true loyalties and the extent of her involvement in the case.
Conspiracy: The team uncovers evidence linking the Syndicate to larger corporations and government entities, suggesting a conspiracy that goes beyond the city's underworld.
ACT 4:
Conspiracy: Veronica gains the upper hand temporarily, leading to a climactic confrontation where Jake must confront his own demons and the truth about his family's past.
Superior Position: Maya's true agenda is revealed as she manipulates events to her advantage, forcing Jake to question everything he thought he knew about her.
Cover Up: Jake's efforts to expose the truth are thwarted by powerful forces within the city, leading to a final showdown where he must risk everything to bring justice to the victims.
Mystery: The true mastermind behind the conspiracy is unmasked, shocking Jake and his team as they realize the extent of the corruption they've been fighting against.
AI’s Intriguing Moments for Memory Alpha
ACT 1:
Intrigue: Jake stumbles upon a perplexing clue at the murder scene, hinting at a labyrinthine conspiracy involving cutting-edge technology.
Mystery: A cryptic message urging Jake to take on the case raises suspicions about the sender's identity and motivations.
Covert Agenda: Maya's discovery of Syndicate operations leads Jake to suspect hidden machinations within law enforcement.
Hidden Identity: An enigmatic figure shadows Jake's investigation, casting doubt on the loyalty of those in his inner circle.
ACT 2:
Covert Agenda: Maya's murky past surfaces, prompting Jake to question her true intentions and allegiances.
Cover Up: Veronica skillfully erases any traces of Syndicate failure, revealing her grander designs to maintain supremacy.
Hidden Identity: A team member's connections to the Syndicate are exposed, shrouding their loyalties in suspicion.
Secret: Jake's personal demons emerge during therapy, adding complexity to his character and internal strife.
ACT 3:
Hidden Identity: Maya's true colors come under scrutiny as Jake delves into her background, unearthing secrets that could unravel their partnership.
Secret: Jake uncovers police corruption, unveiling a web of deception that threatens to engulf him.
Covert Agenda: Maya's ties to the Syndicate surface, casting doubt on her motives and involvement in the case.
Conspiracy: Evidence implicating the Syndicate with influential entities hints at a conspiracy larger than the city's underbelly.
ACT 4:
Conspiracy: Veronica gains the upper hand temporarily, leading to a climactic showdown where Jake confronts his past and family legacy.
Superior Position: Maya's ulterior motives surface as she manipulates events, forcing Jake to reevaluate his trust in her.
Cover Up: Jake's quest for truth faces formidable opposition from entrenched powers, culminating in a final confrontation for justice.
Mystery: The true puppet master behind the conspiracy is unmasked, shaking Jake and his team to the core as they grapple with the extent of corruption.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Robin Fellows.

[Bob Creager]

Bob Creager’s Intriguing Moments
VISION: As a screenwriter, I aspire to craft highly unique, high-concept stories that intrigue from the first glance and reach an A-list storytelling level at my own pace.
What I learned: This one had amazing breakthroughs. I’d finished the assignment and came up with a better ending. I used AI to see how that impacts not only the intriguing moments but any holes in the transition between scenes or acts. So many choices. I would put in a suggestion and retest to see if anything new popped up. It did.
BEAT SHEET – DRAFT 6
ALTERNATE TITLE: VAMPIRE SANTA: THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Act 1: Old Ways
• ***Day 1
• Nick PJ1: Opening: Nicholas Samichlaus, aka Santa Claus and a centuries-old vampire, struggles with bloodlust intensified during Christmas.
• Dawn approaches. Santa delivers toys. Asks Eirlys for a drink. She’s run out. He soldiers on. She says that the night is over. Come back next year. Santa pleads for one more, a sick child. Eirlys begs him to stop. You know what will happen.
• Collapses at the child’s house, uses his waning powers to attract a drug-addled boy, her brother. He feeds. Rejuvenated, he delivers to the young girl sleeping by the tree.
NOTE: Whenever the vampire takes over, his face distorts almost like in Buffy.
• When Nicholas collapses, needing blood Eirlys doesn’t have, Eirlys’s distress reveals her deep fear of losing another friend to darker forces.
• Nick PJ2: Demonstrates Santa magic to enter buildings, candy cane always in hand.
• Santa grabs Eirlys, taps his nose, flies away through the ceiling, a candy cane lies on the bed next to still alive brother. Apologizes to Eirlys. Says the boy didn’t deserve that. He hates that his cravings control him. Would do anything to stop.
• Eirlys points out that the 12 Days have started. She’ll be here soon. We don’t have to stay in one town. Nick: points out that he lives for the hunt. Eirlys: Or hunter.
• Inciting Incident: Interpol Agent Isabella Clarke investigates “12 Days of Christmas” vampire attacks.
• Isabella, a crossbow with a wooden bolt aimed at a Man. Her phone dings. The text reads: 12 Days started. City – Crimson North. She fires the bolt, penetrates the Man’s back, he collapses, dead. She turns, strolls away.
• Isabella AJ1: Isabella checks in with the local police, a hardened, no-nonsense demeanor, clearly carrying emotional baggage from her tragic past. Hates Christmas. Desk Sergeant hands her a FedEx envelope. Stands before a cork board with pictures of missing children from the area. Opens the envelope, it’s her as a child with two adults.
• Isabella wished a Merry Christmas at the police station. She says tell that to the victim. Examines photos. Sees the candy cane. There!
• At the hospital with the victim’s family, the little girl tells her that Santa provided the toy. Says her parents couldn’t afford it. They concur that it wasn’t from them. She says Santa ate the cookies and milk. The dad signals that it was him.
• Interview terrified townsfolk about the bizarre “12 Days of Christmas” vampire attacks
• Isabella enters a church, unfamiliar with the experience. Lights a candle, places the photo of her and the two adults. She wonders who the adults are. They are her race and her parents growing up were a different race.
• ***Day 2
• Nick PJ3a: Isabella AJ2: Turning Point: Nicholas and Isabella meet at a crime scene, sparking romance. He introduces himself as a Toy Designer, he bets she’s Interpol. Surprised.
• At the victim’s house, no evidence other than the candy cane. Neighbors hang out. Nick mingles in with them. They lock eyes. A little Santa magic (wave of the hand) and Isabella approaches.
• Kozlov, watches Nicholas charm the townspeople, attempts to mimic his appeal but fails, revealing his deep-seated envy of Nicholas’s Santa-derived power to be loved despite his vampiric nature. Tries to charm a woman, fails. Child runs from him. Tries a Santa laugh, children cringe.
• Isabella questions his health, looks tired. Nick glances at the setting sun. More Santa magic, the sun sets. A snap of the fingers, time freezes, Nick checks the neighbors, all in the nice category. He walks the street, enters an apartment building, a man frozen in mid-swing at a woman. Nick unfreezes the man, feeds. Nick heals the woman’s bruised face. Nick dances to Isabella. No longer looking tired.
• Nick unfreezes time, gives a ho-ho-ho. Isabella frowns.
• Isabella AJ3: Nick PJ3b: Nicholas gives a Santa laugh. She questions his appropriateness, his looks. Says it’s the candy cane.
• Nick PJ 3aa: Isabella AJ4: Nicholas disappears, returns. Unexplained time lapse. She asked when did it get dark out.
• Nick PJ4: Children charismatically attracted to him. He passes out candy canes, an unlimited supply.
• Neighborhood children gather around. Nick hands them candy canes. Isabella asks for one. Tells Nick she’ll eat it later.
• Bury her growing feelings as she trails Nicholas as the prime suspect
• A police call comes in, the wife beater is dead. Nick offers to walk her to the crime scene. A policeman tries to keep him out. Magiced. Nick goes to the wife, tells her about her future. Wishes her well. Isabella watches him in action, mesmerized.
Act 2: Embracing the Old Ways
• ***Day 3
• Nick PJ5: New Plan: Elf Eirlys warns Nicholas his romance leads to tragedy, he ignores her.
• Nick follows the police down the street, Eirlys joins him, yanks him behind a bush. Accuses him of repeating the tragedy of Christmas 1814. Tells her he’s just playing. Nothing will happen.
• Isabella AJ4: Whenever Nicholas talks to her about toy designing, she is mesmerized and forgets about vampires.
• Isabella asks a policeman to have forensics analyze her candy cane and the one next to victim one and two.
• As Isabella questions Nick about his whereabouts, he tells her about the joy of making toys. It’s Santa magic. She’s mesmerized. He offers her an ancient, homemade toy with the initials N.S.. When asked he says the initials must be a coincidence. When he stops talking, a crowd of children sit at his feet. Eirlys makes eye contact, nods. Nick begs off, joins Eirlys.
• At lunch, Eirlys eats a massive meal. Nick has hot chocolate and pie. As Eirlys slows down, she pulls out a folder of pictures and details about the teens, three boys, two girls. Nick marks them with a “naughty” as he scrolls through their pictures. Says that the leader will be last. Eirlys says that they are just kids and don’t deserve to die. Everyone is responsible for their own actions.
• Eirlys drives Nick in her Mini Cooper on the outside, a big sleigh on the inside. They tour the hangout of the teens. The teens work for the school superintendent fixing games. The teens offer sex/money for the fix. Fight Club.
• Nick inquires of Eirlys if she gives her approval and that this meets the requirements for the 12 Days of Christmas.
• Flashback: The first 12 Days attacks. Santa flies into a small town, is robbed by town thugs who steal his bag giving them unlimited access to toys. They plan on reselling them. Santa sends for a replacement bag. After the deliveries, Santa returns, takes out all 12 men in the gang, one after another, creating fear and panic in the criminal community. At the end, the Sheriff drafted a force of farmers/business owners who mopped up the extended crime network. Peace and prosperity follows.
• (continue from before the flashback) One of the girls meets with basketball player. Gives him cash and sex. He throws a close game. The Team goes out to commensurate their loss. Afterwards, the Player meets with the Teen leader, gets paid. Nick as Santa waits. As the Teen leader walks away, Santa as Nick attacks the Player.
• ***Day 4
• A doorbell cam picks up the two. Isabella questions the Teen leader. Nothing to hold him.
• Before the picnic, Nick slips away, the Teen gang meets in an abandoned store. Nick grabs one of the boys taking a leak. He’s gone. Nick rushes to lunch.
• Nick arranges a picnic in the park. The weather is spring-like. He presents her with a snow globe. The house is the house she grew up in. Nick Santa laughs, makes light of it. A moment of pure excitement for Isabella. His thoughtfulness and magical abilities create a perfect date. Isabella says she loved that house. How did he know? I loved growing up there and I love my parents. But sometimes… sometimes it was like I didn’t exist to them.
• Isabella admits that she is searching for a vampire. Nick laughs it off, becomes serious. Wants to know why. Isabella only gives a hint at her backstory.
• ***Day 5
• Nick PJ6: Plan in Action: Nicholas manipulates crimes scenes and witnesses, conceals vampirism from Isabella. He demonstrates Santa magic like time slowing and glamouring. Victims smell like candy.
• Nick kicks back on a park bench, a child pulls on his sleeve, points at the candy canes in his pocket. He hands her and her friends each a cane and a Christmas-y toy. They hug him, run off. Kozlov sits beside him. Kozlov accuses Nicholas of betraying vampire-kind for his Santa role, only to be driven back by Nicholas’s candy cane sword, empowered by children’s love.
• Nick shows up at the Teen Gang’s hideout, magically wipes all fingerprints from the building, manipulates the memory of the teens. They suddenly don’t remember anything, even what they just told the police.
• Eirlys signals to Nick. As Nick leaves, he offers to meet Isabella for lunch tomorrow. At first, she refuses, a little Santa magic, she cheerfully says yes. Isabella questions her sanity.
• Nick joins Eirlys. Eirlys tells Nick he’s off his plan and he needs to focus. Eirlys tells him he doesn’t have to kill them all. Reminds her that he doesn’t have control. She says that words out that Kozlov is in town.
• Nick confesses to Eirlys that he’s in love with Isabella. Asks her to help him prevent a Christmas 1814.
• Nick goes for a jog. The Teen girls hang out at one of the girl’s house. The two girls wonder if the Superintendent will ever give them their freedom. (they were trafficked) Depressed at the loss of one of their own. Nick enters. One dead. One bit but alive.
• ***Day 6
• Nick shows up at the crime scene, ostensibly to take her to lunch. Isabella begs off. He gets a brief from Isabella. Surprises Nick that one girl survived.
• Nick goes to the hospital, disguised as a respiratory technician, the girl does not recognize him. He finishes her off, takes her half full bag of blood with him.
• While Nick is at the hospital, Kozlov arrives at the crime scene, says he’s a P.I.. Takes Isabella off to the side, asks her outright if she is chasing a vampire, and asks if it has been six attacks since this is the sixth day of Christmas. He describes Nick. Doesn’t believe Kozlov.
• Isabella AJ5: Kozlov, secret identity as a P.I. provides clues to Isabella of Nicholas’ vampirism. Asks if there are unexplained time lapses, confused crime scene reports, Nick showing up without notice. She says he’s just interested in her. Kozlov, asks, is it for his dinner.
• Nick PJ7: Midpoint Turning Point: Romance grows. Ice skating interrupted by Kozlov’s appearance. Isabella tries to query Nick, the questions deflected. When Kozlov arrives, Nick stops time. Kozlov orders him to leave Crimson North. Literal. Nick must leave but immediately returns. Kozlov says he will permanently ban Nick from town. Reminds him that his “(Santa) duties” override his orders. Kozlov storms off.
• Unaware of what happened but influenced by it, Isabella opens up about her parents and being pulled from the burning house by Santa – she laughs, says at least someone dressed as Santa. Nick: Maybe it’s for the best. We would have never met without their deaths. But, what happened to you (in the subsequent fire) is unforgiveable.
• Nick Santa magics Isabella to an old workshop in the woods. She doesn’t realize that she has been transported many miles away. In the workshop are many ancient homemade toys. There is one labeled Christmas 1814. The tiny people inside are Nick and another woman.
• Isabella gets the call about Girl 2. Isabella AJ6: Isabella reveals orders to kill the vampire.
Act 3: Transition
• ***Day 7
• Nick PJ8: Rethink Everything: Eirlys warns Nick that any romance with Isabella will lead to tragedy. Your magic won’t allow it. Your sire won’t allow it. She says she’ll support his decision, no matter what.
• Eirlys consoles Nick. Suggests picking up and going to another town. He says he can’t because he loves her, Christmas 1814 or not. He asks her for help. Don’t let him lose control.
• Flashback: Series of shots showing Nick wooing a woman, he tries to give up being a vampire, fails, she witnesses it. Nick kills her and escapes.
• Isabella tries to follow him. He allows it except when he needs to skip out.
• Nick PJ9: Eirlys drives Nick in her car, advises him to reveal that he’s Santa. She drops him off at Teen 4 shooting hoops in his backyard.
• Teen 4 attacked, dead.
• Isabella’s rental car mysteriously breaks. Eirlys picks her up, offers her a hot chocolate from a thermos. Isabella unloads on her dilemma. How can she kill the man she loves. Rage overcomes her. How could he do this to her, to those innocent people? Eirlys drops her off at her car. Convinces her that it is fixed. Eirlys has magic.
• Sitting behind the wheel, she tells herself that she has to kill him even if she loves him
• ***Day 8
• Nick PJ10: New Plan: Nicholas decides to reveal his vampiric nature to Isabella but will withhold he’s Santa but unconsciously sabotages the latter.
• Isabella arrives at the diner, Nick, a large plate of pancakes, donuts, ice cream, syrup and jam on everything. A pitcher of milk. She sits next to him, a pot of coffee in her hand, grabs one of his donuts.
• Isabella says she’s never heard of vampires who eat food. He can’t be the vampire.
• Says that Teen 5 is in protective custody. Asks about Eirlys. Her car was seen at the site. She asks him to tell her that he’s not the vampire. He gives a sad smile. Says he’s sorry. It’s not what he wants.
• Nick, using Santa tricks, shows up in the Superintendent’s office. Glamours him to tell him about his illegal activities. Learns of fight club tonight. Takes a tiny feed. Disappears. Supe doesn’t know what happened to his neck. (Plug in some Supe references earlier.)
• Nick finds a secret door, enters as only Santa can. Filing cabinets, cork boards, white boards. Labels of: Sold, Hooking, Prospects. Random looks. Mostly girls but also boys.
• At fight club: Nick robs all the money, destroys it. Vamps on Supe. Flies his body in Eirlys’ Mini Cooper/sleigh, drops him in a lake/ocean/river.
• ***Day 9
• A riot ensues among those who lost their money. Supe is given up by the bettors. Can’t be found.
• Kozlov at the crime scene. Says no one will ever find Supe. Not all vampires leave bodies behind. Isabella says it’s not a vampire crime, just your normal crime. Super took off with the money. While examining the scene, an anonymous text arrives: More than just children are on the naughty list.
• Nick sits on a bench before a Nativity scene, Isabella joins him. She admits that she’s never felt being part of a family. But now… As she professes her love for him, Kozlov appears.
• Isabella AJ6: Turning Point: Kozlov exposes Nicholas as the killer of her parents and the one responsible for her inability to have children.
• Isabella AJ7: Isabella has a flashback of Nicholas’ Santa laugh at her parents’ death and a flashback of the earlier crime scene where Nick Santa laughed. Isabella says she hates Nick and will kill him.
• Nick P11: Nick prepares to battle Kozlov, knowing he cannot kill his sire, but hopes to discourage him.
• Eirlys warns Nick to stay away from Isabella and Kozlov. He tells her he cannot. Asks her to be strong for the new The Santa.
• He walks the bad streets. Looks for an opportunity. I man jumps out at him with a gun. Gives him a Santa laugh, sniffs him. Tells him he stinks and not worth the effort. The man shoots him in the back. Nick stumbles, turns into scary vampire, attacks him on the street. Rips his head off, jams the gun into his neck cavity.
• Nick slumps, full vampire face. Eirlys approaches. He attacks her, bites her neck. Eirlys, calm, calls out to Nick to “come back to me.” As she fades, Nick realizes his mistake, hugs her apologizingly.
• After Nicholas’s brutal kill, Kozlov tries to exploit his inner conflict, arguing that the Santa role is a delusion masking his true monstrous self. Nick says he’s learning to control it. Kozlov points out he just yanked a man’s head off. Nick says that he wasn’t using it.
Act 4: New Ways
• ***Day 10
• Nick says he has something to do. Isabella begs him to stay. He takes out Teen Leader reluctantly. Hates himself for it.
• Isabella in her rental, drives for hours, stops at a burnt-out house, the house she grew up in. Everything has been destroyed, burnt, or stolen except an unwrapped candy cane in perfect shape hanging from one of the surviving structures, a closet door. On the mantel, is the framed family picture, perfectly preserved, that she received early in Act 1.
• Kozlov attacks Isabella, takes a taste. Laughs at Nick. Taunts him because he knows that Nick cannot harm him. Offers to let her go if he relinquishes The Santa role. Nick says he can’t. Kozlov throws her in a cage in the back of his truck.
• Nick PJ12: Climax: Nicholas battles Kozlov, channeling love, Christmas magic, and vampiric abilities.
• Nick calls on his North Pole team, a sleigh pulled by reindeer arrives loaded with elves armed with toy-like weapons. They fight, only irritating Kozlov. Two female elves comfort Isabella who in turn, comforts them as it looks like Nick will not succeed.
• Nick PJ13: As he fights, he morphs into Santa then vampire and back, attracting children from all around. Children help Santa.
• Kozlov grabs a kid. The kid screams. Kozlov flashes back toto a centuries-old memory of Kozlov as a human father, trying to save his child from marauders.
• Nick tries to stab Kozlov with a spike to the chest, fails. As Kozlov prepares to feed on the child, Nick stakes himself, dies.
• Kozlov surprised he won, stares off at his reflection in a store’s window, his reflection fades from vampire to human and back.
• Isabella tries to rush to Nick, Kozlov grabs her, says that she is his, now.
• A glow forms around Nick. Children rush in, hug him.
• Nick, full on Santa mode, wakes, a weak ho, ho, ho. The kids scream. Isabella cries. Nick points out that Santa magic is stronger than vampire magic. He just didn’t know that. Nicholas’s victory isn’t just over Kozlov, but over the very notion that his vampiric nature defines him. His success comes from embracing his chosen identity fully, showing that the love he’s earned as Santa transcends any power bestowed by his vampire lineage.
• Santa magics the kids so they don’t remember the fight but do remember Santa and his elves. He gives them all toys.
• ***Day 11 & 12
• Isabella A9: Deeper Layer: Nicholas reveals that he had no control over his urges so he only fed on “the naughty”. Isabella asks about her parents. Nicholas tells her that her parents embezzled money from the orphanage that they ran, depriving children of what could have been a much better life. She asks if that is why she is a hunter? Because she is flawed like her parents. He says she was trafficked, and her real parents are still alive.)
• Nick receives a text: Peoria is in trouble. Next Christmas? Isabella questions his interest because he’s no longer a vampire. But he has mad Santa skills. She wonders if it was mad Santa skills that disappeared the Superintendent. He suggests that they drag the lake. Maybe they’ll get lucky.
• Isabella AJ10: Nicholas offers to grant her a Christmas wish. She asks for a child. A little Santa magic and Isabella feels the change. She reminds him that it takes two to parent.
• Nick PJ15: Isabella AJ11: Epilog: Christmas magic cures Isabella’s inability to have children. Eirlys holds the baby, while pregnant again. Elves scurry about. They are at the North Pole.
• Eirlys tells them that the Office of The Santa is now secure for many generations.
• Isabella asks Nick, Why the 12 Days? When a town is on the cusp of going evil, they need a purging. It’s not so much the victims being killed, but the investigation that follows that does it. This has worked for centuries. (500 years ago England) Isabella tells him to report these towns to Interpol. She has an in. He only feeds directly on humans during those 12 days, the rest of the year is blood banks and reindeer blood. Rarely has an innocent been harmed. Rarely?
• Kozlov, shattered, walks the cold, rainy streets. A child without a coat huddles under a bush. He calls out to Kozlov, now looking a little like Santa in the odd light. He says he’s lost, cold, and hungry and wants help. Kozlov wraps the kid in his coat, surprised he knows where the kid lives, takes him home. The parents invite him in for an Epiphany Eve dinner.
• The Day 1 victim, now a vampire, reads an article about the 12 Days of Christmas “Attacks”. As he reads, he morphs into a vampire.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Bob Creager.

[Monica Arisman]

VISION: I am a very successful screenwriter who has had multiple movies made.

What I learned doing this assignment is to always remember that each scene needs at least two interest techniques (I remember that from another class).

2. Give us a one-sentence explanation of the intriguing moments in each Act of your project. Like the example above.

ACT 1:

Drama: Emily survives her suicide attempt and encounters the hidden library.

Secret: Emily just received another rejection letter that pushes her to attempt her life.

Secret: Emily has an alcohol addiction.

Mystery: Why isn’t Emily dead and instead touring a library?

Drama: Emily meets God and receives her mission.

Mystery: How did Emily end up meeting God?

Covert Agenda: Why is God using Emily to bring spirituality back to humanity?

Superior Position: The audience knows that Emily is having a NDE.

Drama: Emily wakes up in the hospital with her distraught brother.

Secret: Emily is confused when she wakes up but realizes she has had an NDE but is afraid to tell anyone.

Mystery: How is Emily going to perform God’s mission when she’s a failed writer? But decides to embrace her new purpose despite her doubts.

ACT 2

Drama: Emily explores the library and meets forgotten souls of writers. And, is torn between Donahue’s instructions and Azazel’s temptations.

Hidden Identity: Donahue and Azazel misrepresent who they are.
Conspiracy: The souls of forgotten writers are conspiring to rid the library of Donahue and Azazel and they’re going to use Emily to do it.

Mystery: How did the souls of forgotten writers get forgotten and why must they spend it in God’s Library?

ACT 3

Drama: Azazel’s true intentions are revealed.

Covert Agenda: Azazel wants to take over the library.

Cover-up: Azazel has covered his tracks even from Donahue.

Drama: Emily stands up to Azazel to save her puppy.

Intrigue: Azazel wants something from Emily – her ability to write.

Scheme: His scheme is if she doesn’t give it to him, he’ll rape her and kill her puppy.

Secret: Emily has a hidden secret from Azazel and Donahue and will reveal it to save herself and her puppy.

ACT 4

Drama: Emily defeats Azazel and writes the best story of her life.

Conspiracy: Emily uncovers the conspiracy between Donahue and Azazel.

Scheme: Emily and the souls of forgotten writers unleash their plan to free them and get rid of Donahue and Azazel.

CHATGPT Version:

Act 1: Initiation and Inciting Incident

Intriguing Moment 1: Hidden Identity

• Scene: Emily encounters the hidden library after her suicide attempt.

• Play Out: Emily, disoriented and weak, stumbles upon an ancient, ornate door in a surreal, dreamlike landscape. As she pushes it open, she steps into a vast, ethereal library filled with glowing manuscripts and antique typewriters. An enigmatic figure, Donahue, watches her from the shadows.

• Detail: The camera follows Emily’s hesitant footsteps, capturing her awe and confusion. The lighting shifts from dark and cold to warm and inviting as she steps into the library, symbolizing her transition from despair to a place of potential discovery.

Intriguing Moment 2: Secret

• Scene: Emily meets God and receives her mission.

• Play Out: God appears as a calming, radiant presence in the library, explaining that the library is a repository of forgotten tales meant to inspire and heal humanity. God entrusts Emily with the task of rediscovering and sharing these stories.

• Detail: A close-up on Emily’s face reveals her mix of skepticism and awe as she listens. God’s voice is serene yet powerful, with an echo effect to emphasize the divine nature of the encounter.

Intriguing Moment 3: Scheme

• Scene: Emily wakes up in the hospital with her distraught brother.

• Play Out: Emily awakens to find her brother, David, by her side, overwhelmed with worry and relief. Unbeknownst to Emily, David has been manipulated by Azazel to keep her grounded in despair, believing he is protecting her.

• Detail: The scene is filled with raw emotion as David expresses his anguish. The audience sees Azazel in the background, unnoticed by David, smirking as he watches their interaction, hinting at his covert agenda.

Intriguing Moment 4: Superior Position

• Scene: Emily decides to embrace her new purpose despite her doubts.

• Play Out: Emily, back home, finds the typewriter her brother gave her. She contemplates her mission and decides to start writing, despite her lingering fears. The audience knows that Azazel has placed subtle spells on the typewriter to influence her work.

• Detail: Emily’s hand hovers over the keys, and as she begins to type, a faint, ominous glow emanates from the typewriter, unnoticed by her but visible to the audience, indicating Azazel’s influence.

Act 2: Exploration and Growing Doubts

Intriguing Moment 1: Mystery

• Scene: Emily explores the library and meets forgotten souls of writers.

• Play Out: As Emily delves deeper into the library, she encounters the spirits of past writers who share their tragic stories and lost masterpieces with her. Each writer hints at a hidden force that caused their downfall.

• Detail: The spirits appear in a spectral, ghostly form, their voices filled with sorrow and regret. Their stories are interspersed with flashbacks, providing visual clues to the mysterious force at play.

Intriguing Moment 2: Covert Agenda

• Scene: Emily is torn between Donahue’s instructions and Azazel’s temptations.

• Play Out: Donahue provides Emily with guidance, emphasizing the importance of integrity in her storytelling. Meanwhile, Azazel, posing as a friendly mentor, tempts her with shortcuts to success and power.

• Detail: Split-screen visuals show Emily listening to Donahue’s sage advice on one side and Azazel’s seductive promises on the other, highlighting her internal conflict. The lighting for Donahue’s scenes is warm and soft, while Azazel’s scenes are dark and alluring.

Intriguing Moment 3: Hidden Identity

• Scene: Emily confronts repressed memories in the dream archive.

• Play Out: Emily accesses the dream archive, uncovering past lives and traumatic events she had forgotten. One vision reveals her as a powerful storyteller in a past life, targeted by dark forces.

• Detail: The dream sequences are surreal, with a hazy, dreamlike quality. The camera focuses on Emily’s reactions as she experiences these visions, her expressions shifting from confusion to horror to determination.

Intriguing Moment 4: Intrigue

• Scene: Emily finds a sense of community among the forgotten souls.

• Play Out: Emily bonds with the spirits of the forgotten writers, who reveal that they were all victims of a conspiracy led by Azazel to erase their work from history.

• Detail: The scene is emotionally charged, with the spirits sharing their stories in a circle around Emily. Their spectral forms flicker as they speak, and Emily’s determination grows with each revelation. The camera captures her resolve, contrasting the spirits' translucent forms with her solid presence.

Act 3: Confrontation and Revelation

Intriguing Moment 1: Cover-Up

• Scene: Azazel’s true intentions are revealed.

• Play Out: Emily uncovers evidence of Azazel’s manipulation in the library. She confronts him, and he admits to his plan to use her storytelling to spread chaos and despair.

• Detail: The confrontation takes place in the library’s darkest corner, with shadows creeping around Azazel’s form as he reveals his true nature. Emily’s face is illuminated by a flickering candle, symbolizing her fragile hope and determination.

Intriguing Moment 2: Superior Position

• Scene: Emily stands up to Azazel to save her puppy.

• Play Out: Azazel kidnaps Emily’s puppy, threatening to kill it unless she complies with his demands. Emily, fueled by love and newfound courage, confronts him and manages to injure him, rescuing her puppy.

• Detail: The scene is intense, with close-up shots of the puppy’s frightened eyes and Emily’s fierce determination. The fight is visceral, with Emily’s raw emotions driving her actions. The audience sees Azazel’s moment of vulnerability, foreshadowing his eventual defeat.

Intriguing Moment 3: Scheme

• Scene: Emily faces the reality of the dangerous price of unlocking the library’s secrets.

• Play Out: Donahue reveals the catastrophic consequences of misusing the library’s magic, emphasizing the responsibility Emily holds. The knowledge weighs heavily on her, and she realizes the depth of the conspiracy against her.

• Detail: Donahue’s revelation is delivered in a somber tone, with the camera focusing on Emily’s distressed face. The library’s once-warm glow dims, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Intriguing Moment 4: Mystery

• Scene: Emily is shown the library’s magic and a way to outwit both Donahue and Azazel.

• Play Out: The library reveals its hidden magic to Emily, showing her a path to harness its power ethically and outsmart both Donahue and Azazel.

• Detail: The magical revelation is depicted with stunning visual effects, with books and scrolls glowing and floating around Emily. Her expression shifts from confusion to realization, and the audience sees the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.

Act 4: Climax and Resolution

Intriguing Moment 1: Conspiracy

• Scene: Emily defeats Azazel.

• Play Out: In a climactic battle, Emily uses her storytelling powers and the library’s magic to outwit and destroy Azazel. His plans unravel as she turns his tricks against him.

• Detail: The battle is visually spectacular, with Emily’s words forming tangible forces that clash with Azazel’s dark magic. The final blow is delivered with a surge of light, symbolizing Emily’s triumph over darkness.

Intriguing Moment 2: Superior Position

• Scene: Emily writes the best story of her life.

• Play Out: Inspired by the library’s hidden magic and her own experiences, Emily writes a story that captivates the world, fulfilling her mission and bringing hope to humanity.

• Detail: A montage shows Emily typing furiously, intercut with scenes of people around the world reading her story and feeling inspired. The camera captures her intense focus and the joy of creation, culminating in a shot of her satisfied smile as she finishes the manuscript.

Intriguing Moment 3: Hidden Identity

• Scene: God visits Emily, thanking her for her service.

• Play Out: God appears to Emily, revealing that she has always been destined for this role, her past lives leading up to this moment. He thanks her for her service, affirming her true identity and purpose.

• Detail: The scene is serene and filled with light, with God’s presence enveloping Emily in a warm glow. Her face reflects a deep sense of peace and fulfillment as she realizes her true identity and purpose.

Intriguing Moment 4: Cover-Up

• Scene: Emily continues her journey with newfound determination.

• Play Out: Emily, now fully embracing her role, sets out to continue her mission, knowing there are more stories to uncover and share. The library remains a hidden refuge, its secrets safeguarded by Emily’s newfound wisdom.

• Detail: The final shot shows Emily walking away from the library, her back straight and her steps confident. The library’s entrance closes behind her, blending into the surroundings, symbolizing its continued secrecy and Emily’s ongoing journey.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Monica Arisman. Reason: Formatting

[Sunil Pappu]

Sunil Pappu’s Intriguing Moments

My Vision: I’m a successful produced writer who specializes in female-led thrillers.

“What I learned from doing this assignment is… to create intriguing moments in each act.”

INTRIGUE MOMENTS

ACT 1:

IM: Secret: Ria has a fear of water and closed spaces and is now sent on a mission to go on a ship.
IM: Covert Agenda: Ria’s secret mission to uncover a traitor within the rebel crew

IM: Conspiracy: Vikram is tasked with infiltrating the rebel forces and reporting to the Pakistani Admiral

IM: Superior Position: Desai is in the middle of a messy divorce and takes out his angst on the only woman on his ship – Ria.

IM: Cover up: Vikram sabotages the radio and Ria misses a crucial communication that leads to the death of rebel forces on the ground.

ACT 2:

IM: Superior Position: Ria reveals her fears to Rehman who help her overcome her trauma and complete her diving drill.

IM: Superior Position: Ria and Vikram spy on each other
IM: Mystery: Ria intercepts a message for Vikram but is unable to decode it.

IM: Superior Position: Vikram kills Rehman, makes it look like an accident and blames it on Ria.

ACT 3:

IM: Hidden Identity: Ria identifies a unique signature in the messages from the enemy radio operator.

IM: Covert agenda: Ria plants false intelligence to flush out the traitor

IM: Intrigue: Vikram gains access to Desai’s military codes bonding over war stories

IM: Coverup: Vikram tries to mislead the rebel crew as they try to sabotage the Pakistani supply ships

IM: Scheme: Ria receives a leaked audio that reveals Varma’s secret about her father

IM: Conspiracy: Vikram turns on the ship’s beacons to signal the Pakistani frogmen and help sink their ship

ACT 4:

IM: Superior Position: Pakistani frogmen sabotage the ship and set mines to sink it.

IM: Scheme; Vikram cuts off the underwater cables to stop Priya from decoding the messages

IM: Superior Position: Ria fights the frogmen trying to stop them from blowing up the ship and finds a way to signal her rebel crew.

IM: Mystery: Ria intercepts and relays the top-secret message that gives Varma the D-Day for the war.

IM: Coverup: Ria reveals the true assassins of Vikram’s sister

IM: Intrigue: Desai leaves his sidearm with Vikram and locks the door.

IM: Secret: Varma sets the record straight in a secret ceremony to honor Ria’s father

AI VERSION:

Act 1: Old Ways – Skepticism and Independence
Intriguing Moment 1: Initial Briefing
• Details: Ria is briefed on her mission in a dimly lit, secret meeting room. The tension is palpable as her superiors discuss the risks and stakes involved. She notices subtle glances exchanged between her superiors, hinting at something they're not telling her.
• How It Plays Out: The audience sees Ria's determination but also her skepticism. She catches snippets of a whispered conversation between Secretary Varma and another official, suggesting there’s more to this mission than she's being told.
Intriguing Moment 2: Departure and Setup
• Details: As Ria boards the ship, she notices Captain Anirudh and Commander Vikram exchanging a knowing look. The crew's cold reception adds to the atmosphere of distrust.
• How It Plays Out: Ria overhears a conversation between two crew members doubting her abilities and discussing the "real reason" she's on board, adding layers of conspiracy and hidden agendas.
Intriguing Moment 3: The Missed Communication
• Details: During a critical moment, Ria misses an important message, leading to the loss of lives. The blame game starts, and Captain Anirudh's doubts about her grow stronger.
• How It Plays Out: Ria's inner turmoil is depicted as she replays the event in her mind, trying to figure out what went wrong. A fleeting image of Vikram with a satisfied smirk suggests he might have orchestrated the situation.
Intriguing Moment 4: Ria's Redemption
• Details: Ria intercepts a vital message that gives the crew a small victory. However, the success is overshadowed by tensions and suspicions, especially from Commander Vikram.
• How It Plays Out: The intercepted message contains a cryptic code, leading Ria to suspect there’s a deeper layer of communication happening. She notices Vikram’s subtle reaction, which suggests he understands the code better than he should.
Act 2: New Plan – Trial and Error
Intriguing Moment 1: Tensions Rise
• Details: An emergency diving drill ordered by Captain Anirudh pushes Ria to face her fears. Rehman assists her, but the exercise strains her relationship with Vikram and the crew.
• How It Plays Out: Ria's struggle underwater is intense. As she overcomes her fear, she finds a hidden compartment in the ship with suspicious documents. Rehman’s encouragement hints at a deeper bond forming.
Intriguing Moment 2: Rehman's Death
• Details: A dive mission led by Vikram goes wrong, resulting in Rehman's death. Ria is accused of negligence, deepening the crew’s distrust.
• How It Plays Out: During the mission, Ria discovers clues that Rehman might have been onto something significant. The accusations against her feel orchestrated, and a hidden note from Rehman points her towards Vikram.
Intriguing Moment 3: Intercepted Message
• Details: Ria intercepts a message meant for Vikram, revealing his covert agenda. The message suggests he’s a plant, meant to disrupt the mission.
• How It Plays Out: The message is encrypted with a code Ria recognizes from her father’s notes. As she deciphers it, she realizes Vikram’s true purpose. The tension escalates as she decides whether to confront him or gather more evidence.
Intriguing Moment 4: Ria’s Revelation
• Details: Ria pieces together evidence suggesting Vikram’s betrayal and the falsehood surrounding her father's dishonor. This revelation is the turning point in her resolve.
• How It Plays Out: Ria secretly shares her findings with Rehman’s close confidants. The small group decides to act discreetly to gather more proof, adding to the covert nature of their mission.
Act 3: Rethink Everything – Unraveling Truths
Intriguing Moment 1: Internal Fracture
• Details: The crew’s dynamic fractures as doubts about Ria’s innocence grow. Ria’s attempts to feed false intelligence to test her suspicions result in unexpected civilian casualties.
• How It Plays Out: The false intelligence leads to a heated confrontation with Captain Anirudh. Amidst the chaos, Ria discovers a hidden compartment in Vikram’s quarters, containing maps and plans that confirm his betrayal.
Intriguing Moment 2: Evidence of Betrayal
• Details: Ria finds concrete evidence of Vikram’s betrayal and the role of Secretary Varma in fabricating her father's dishonor.
• How It Plays Out: Ria's investigation leads her to a secret logbook detailing Vikram’s communications with Pakistani forces. The betrayal hits close to home as she finds Varma’s name tied to her father’s past.
Intriguing Moment 3: Ship Sabotage
• Details: The ship is sabotaged, and the crew must work together to prevent sinking. Ria’s expertise is crucial in decoding the message before it's too late.
• How It Plays Out: The sabotage is intense, with water flooding in. Ria, fighting her claustrophobia, decodes the message just in time, revealing a plot to sink the ship and leave no survivors.
Intriguing Moment 4: Confrontation
• Details: Ria confronts Vikram with the evidence of his betrayal. The confrontation is intense, with Vikram trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
• How It Plays Out: The confrontation happens in a confined space, heightening the tension. Vikram’s attempts to justify his actions are met with Ria’s resolve to expose him, leading to a physical altercation.
Act 4: New Ways – Triumph and Transformation
Intriguing Moment 1: Underwater Showdown
• Details: An underwater showdown between Ria and Vikram occurs as the ship teeters on the brink of sinking. Ria must fight him while reconnecting the cable to intercept the crucial message.
• How It Plays Out: The scene is high-octane, with Ria’s claustrophobia adding to the tension. As she reconnects the cable, Vikram’s attacks become more desperate. The struggle ends with Ria gaining the upper hand, thanks to her training and determination.
Intriguing Moment 2: Captain’s Battle
• Details: Captain Anirudh and his crew fight off Pakistani frogmen, attempting to save the ship from going under.
• How It Plays Out: The battle is fierce, with Anirudh showcasing his leadership and strategic skills. The crew’s coordinated efforts, fueled by a newfound respect for Ria, turn the tide in their favor.
Intriguing Moment 3: Final Interception
• Details: Ria successfully intercepts the crucial message, revealing US support for Pakistan, which legitimizes India's backing of East Pakistani rebels.
• How It Plays Out: The intercepted message is relayed in a tense radio room scene. The crew’s reaction is mixed, with some feeling vindicated and others mourning their losses. Ria’s quiet triumph is underscored by her grief for Rehman.
Intriguing Moment 4: Resolution and Redemption
• Details: Ria restores her father's legacy and gains Captain Anirudh’s respect. The crew’s camaraderie is solidified as they prepare for the next phase of their mission.
• How It Plays Out: The resolution is bittersweet, with Ria standing at her father’s memorial, finally at peace. Anirudh’s offer to make amends signifies the beginning of a new chapter for her. The final scene hints at the ongoing struggle, with Ria ready to face whatever comes next.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Sunil Pappu.

[Margaret]

Margaret’s Intriguing Moments:
My Vision: To write profound faith-based screenplays that are produced.
What I learned: My outline prior to this lesson contained ZERO intrigue. The brainstorming I had to complete enhanced the structure.
Intrigue Moments:
ACT 1:
Secret/Cover up: During Christmas Dinner, Jabin discreetly takes painkillers for his back pain, ensuring no one in his family notices. The audience sees Jabin’s subtle movements and the flash of concern in his eyes, creating a sense of underlying tension. His family’s obliviousness to his pain adds to the emotional weight, suggesting that something more serious is happening beneath his cheerful demeanor.
Secret: Dr. Morgan talks with colleague on the phone, the conversation only partially heard, leaving the audience aware that Dr. Morgan is not as confident that Jabin’s cancer can be cured as he confidently asserts.
ACT 2:
Intrigue – Superior Position: Dr. Morgan’s WOUND is REVEALED – he lost a loved one with aspirations to cancer so he struggles to get emotionally involved with the aspirations of his patients. Jabin is unaware of the history, just sees his Doctor as emotionally detached.
Intrigue – Cover up/Superior position: Becca is already determined to be with Jabin, but she doesn’t let him know. She tells her mom that he is the “one who got away.”
ACT 3:
Secret: Dr. Morgan begins secretly researching alternative treatments and contacting experts worldwide without informing Jabin, fearing to raise his hopes prematurely. The audience sees Dr. Morgan’s late-night research sessions and cryptic phone calls. This covert effort shows his internal conflict and slowly reveals his growing emotional investment in Jabin’s case.

Secret/Coverup: : The HR department offered employment to too many new graduates, causing them to request a start date extension for Jabin, allowing him to undergo treatment. They write Jabin asking for an extension. Jabin receives the letter and accepts, not telling him he has cancer.

ACT 4:
Secret/Coverup: : Jabin and Becca do not tell the wedding guests that his cancer is back so that the celebration isn’t diminished.
Mystery: Jabin’s final lab results show no signs of cancer, and the family cannot explain the sudden remission. The scene is filled with emotional highs, as Jabin, his family, and Becca celebrate the unexpected news. Dr. Morgan’s admission of the mystery adds a layer of spiritual and existential wonder, leaving the audience contemplating the power of faith, love, and the unexplainable in life’s journey.

[Edward Lusk]

ED'S Intruiging Moments.

MY VISION is to be a bankable, reputable, and industry go-to writer who’s demonstrated how to entertain and hold an audience’s attention through unforgettable characters and stories that are as enjoyable to write as they are to watch.

What I learned doing this assignment is I had built in some intriguing moments, however, I did not realize the type of moments they were and how impactful they can be on the story, especially if I can raise the intrigue stakes later on in the scene construction, or add additional moments to the story's structure.

INTRIGUE MOMENTS – MODULE 4 – LESSON 8
Act 1:

Intriguing Element: Hidden identity.
A mysterious figure tumbles down the chimney, covered in soot and wearing an oversized elf hat. Grandpa Nick and Grandma Evie exchange knowing glances, hinting at a deeper understanding of Jasper's true nature.

Intriguing Moment 2: Jasper’s Magical Antics

Intriguing Element: Covert agenda.
Jasper pops up at different counter locations without being seen moving, unsettling Howie. This magical behavior is unnoticed by the other characters but not by the audience, who are intrigued by Jasper's unusual abilities.

Intriguing Moment 3: The Mysterious Snowflake Pendant

Intriguing Element: Mystery.
Howie notices something Jasper must have lost in the scuffle – a snowflake pendant. This object hints at a deeper connection between Jasper and Christmas magic, which Howie finds intriguing.

Intriguing Moment 4: The Grandparents’ Cryptic Conversation
Intriguing Element: Conspiracy.
Howie overhears his grandparents discussing the broken chimney's significance in hushed tones, indicating there is more to the chimney than meets the eye.

Act 2:
Intriguing Element: Cover-up.
Description: Jasper claims to be working as a caregiver for Howie's grandparents. Howie is suspicious, as his grandparents didn’t mention hiring anyone. Grandpa Nick backs up Jasper's story, but Howie remains unconvinced.

Intriguing Element:Secret.
Jesús confesses he orchestrated the incident with the gay couple to break up Howie's toxic relationship and bring him to Winterberry Manor, hoping for a better outcome. He had no idea Jasper would be there.

Intriguing Element:Hidden identity.
Howie sees Jasper’s feet kicking in the air as he is halfway down the chimney. He hears Jasper seemingly talking to others inside the chimney, which Jasper dismisses as an echo.

Intriguing Element: Mystery.
Description: Grandpa Nick explains to Howie that his favorite fireplace is the Keystone Chimney, a magical portal allowing Santa to use all chimneys. The concept of “enactment of the true Christmas spirit” is introduced, but its details remain vague
Act 3
Intriguing Element:Hidden identity.
Jasper’s elf hat falls off, revealing his elfin features. He confesses he really is a North Pole elf stranded at Winterberry Manor due to a mishap while performing maintenance on the magical chimney.

Intriguing Element: Mystery.
The family brainstorms possible enactments of what is the true Christmas spirit, each attempt providing false hope. The true nature of the enactment remains elusive, adding tension and urgency.

Intriguing Element: Conspiracy.
Howie’s parents reveal they rejected him last Christmas not because he was gay but to protect him from revealing his elf heritage and the chimney’s magic.

Intriguing Element: Dilemma.
Jasper contemplates staying with Howie and his family versus returning to the North Pole. This internal conflict is visible to the audience, who understand the stakes better than the characters.

Act 4:

Intriguing Element: Superior position.
The family gathers around the Keystone Chimney, attempting various Christmas spirit enactments. The clock strikes midnight, and the chimney starts to glow, but Jasper is nowhere to be found.

Intriguing Element: Mystery.
Howie realizes he has the snowflake pendant Jasper lost. He places it around Jasper’s neck, completing the necessary elements for the chimney’s magic.

Intriguing Element: Cover-up.
After Jasper’s departure, Howie seeks comfort in Jesús, only to find he has left. Grandpa Evie covers up the fact that Jesús is now at the North Pole, having switched roles with Jasper enabling him to return to Howie.

Intriguing Element: Scheme.
Howie and Jasper receive the old book from Grandpa Nick, bestowing them as the new custodians of the magic chimney. Their role in preserving Christmas traditions is solidified.

[Linda Kish]

Linda’s Intriguing Moments

My Vision is: I will do whatever it takes to be a sought-after profound writer who has many successful movies produced and an Oscar on the mantel.
What I learned doing this assignment is I had a lot of intriguing moments, but this assignment gave me several others. I found this AI prompt to be the best so far in that it gave me more unique and valuable ideas (that weren’t pulled from the info I included in the prompt) than other prompts.

Act 1:
Superior Position: Joaquin’s friend tipped off the cops.
Intrigue: Where is Dante taking Joaquin and why won’t he tell him where or why?
Conspiracy: Arturo has gone to his home to collect his family and is following behind Dante’s jeep.
Mystery: Why is Joaquin important to Rodrigo?
Covert Agenda: The competition.
Intrigue: The anonymous threat delivered by courier. Your family will suffer if you don’t participate.
Intrigue: Who is stalking Camila and Isabel?
Superior Position: Joaquin is hiding in the tunnels from Dante and his men.
Covert Agenda / Scheme: Arturo devised the competition (and taking him under his wing) to push Joaquin into committing violence so he can win back Camila.
Secret: Joaquin has never told anyone what he did that got his father killed.
Cover Up / Covert Agenda: Arturo has his men attempt to kidnap Isabel so he can swoop in and stop it, looking like a hero.

Act 2:
Intrigue: Who is blowing up the rival drug lab?
Secret / Conspiracy: Camila and Arturo were engaged to be married and are keeping the information from Joaquin.
Intrigue: What is Arturo paying off the cop for?
Covert Agenda: The kingpin’s deception. Joaquin overhears his conversation w/Rodrigo that the win is his, he just wants the legacy and part of that is to to “cleanse” the org for loyalty.
Super Position / Cover Up: Joaquin sneaks into Dante’s lair to plant surveillance equipment and finds a file on himself.
Covert Agenda: Arturo schemes for Luis to attack Isabel so he can not only be the one to warn Joaquin, but also be the one to tell Camila her husband killed a man.
Hidden Identity: Isabel is like her father and sneaking around to identify her stalker.
Covert Agenda / Intrigue: Dante corners Joaquin but instead of getting revenge for his brother’s murder, he gives Joaquin a choice to come work for him.
Scheme / Intrigue: Joaquin’s notebook – he’s planning how to win.
Superior Position: Isabel doesn’t listen to her bodyguard and sneaks into the warehouse.
Superior Position: The cop is in Arturo’s pocket.

Act 3:
Cover Up: The cop tells a story as to how Isabel got herself killed.
Superior Position: Snipers get in position during Isabel’s funeral to take out Joaquin.
Intrigue / Hidden Identity: Where is Joaquin going in the tunnels? To kill the cop.
Scheme: Warns Santiago of things his rivals are planning that will affect the community.
Superior Position: Arturo’s man sees Joaquin leave and follows him.
Scheme: Arturo kidnaps celebrities’ kids to secure the largest ransom in history.
Covert Agenda / Conspiracy: Arturo is in bed with the rival cartel and sets Joaquin up to be killed.
Cover Up: Arturo tries to wiggle out of setting up Joaquin.
Intrigue: Joaquin drives to the outskirts of town, using his drones, searching for something.
Hidden Identity / Intrigue: Joaquin steals money, night vision goggles, military uniforms, etc. from the cartel. What is he going to use it for?
Covert Agenda: The Mexican President warns the US about trying to free the hostages, but he is under duress.
Intrigue: What is in the letters Joaquin asked Santiago to mail?
Scheme / Conspiracy: During a points tally, Santiago and his men free the hostages.
Intrigue / Covert Agenda / Secret: Says goodbye to his family, he’s going to win, but how is a secret.
Superior Position / Covert Agenda: Camila is trying to buy Joaquin time when Arturo comes to her for information.
Scheme: To find Joaquin in the tunnels and kill him.
Conspiracy: Arturo makes a deal with Dante and tips off the rival cartel to go after Joaquin.
Intrigue / Covert Agenda: Arturo tells Camila her husband is dead. Is he?

Act 4:
Covert Agenda / Scheme: Joaquin captured by immigration.
Mystery: What is in the notebook and letters?
Hidden Identity: Arturo makes a mistake, revealing himself as the stalker.
Intrigue: Maritza escorts Joaquin to a black site warehouse.
Covert Agenda / Scheme: Explosions.
Mystery / Scheme: Joaquin is alive, arrives in time for the awarding of the competition winner. How did he get out alive?
Covert Agenda / Scheme: Arturo motives and him as the driver of the competition are revealed.
Covert Agenda / Scheme: Kills Rodrigo and using explosions as a distraction, kills all of his rivals.
Hidden Identity: Joaquin is the new leader of the cartel
Conspiracy / Hidden Identity: Maritza is alive and working with Joaquin.

[Renee Miller]

Renee’s Intriguing Moments

My Vision: I will be in the top 1% of screenwriters and be known in the industry as an A-list screenwriter who is easy to work with, gets the job done, and never has to worry about the next job.

What I learned from this assignment is how to make each act in my script more intriguing.
Act 1:
Cover-Up: As Lily prepares to commit a murder, her act is interrupted by Jehovah's Witnesses. The scene sets a darkly comedic tone and establishes the ongoing struggle between her murderous instincts and the mundane interruptions of daily life, symbolizing the group members' efforts to maintain their reformed identities.
Conspiracy: The group finds one of their own murdered in a manner echoing their past crime. This event shocks the members, sowing seeds of distrust and paranoia. Dr. Hope Thorn must delve into this mystery, suspecting that the killer might be one of the group, possibly acting on a covert agenda against the reformed murderers.
Secret: During a trust-building exercise intended to solidify the group, another member is killed. This heightens the intrigue as it occurs under circumstances where everyone is supposed to be observed and safe, suggesting that the killer is among them and may be manipulating the situation to create fear and chaos.
Hidden Identity: As Dr. Thorn investigates, subtle clues hint at an insider's involvement, possibly even someone faking their reformation. The audience knows more than the characters, understanding the dual nature of the group members, which adds a layer of dramatic irony.
Act 2:
Superior Position: Hope decides to increase surveillance and personal monitoring of the group. She becomes secretive about her methods, which creates tension within the group as they start to feel more like prisoners than patients, escalating their paranoia and distrust.
Scheme: More murders follow, each mimicking a member's past crimes. The pattern suggests a detailed knowledge of their histories, hinting at either a group member or someone with access to their confidential files, intensifying the mystery and suspicion among the group.
Covert Agenda: The murder of Marcus Vale, initially suspected, in the same stylized manner as the others, disrupts all of Hope's theories, throwing the group into further unrest. This event forces the group to reconsider their suspicions and look toward less obvious members, including the seemingly unassuming Felix Moray.
Hidden Identity: Felix, who has been quiet and unassuming, starts showing knowledge and insights that hint he might know more about the murders than he lets on. This shift in suspicion is driven by his sudden prominence in discussions about the murders, subtly suggesting he might be hiding his true nature.
Act 3:
Mystery: With the failure of her previous strategies, Hope becomes more open about her past and her fears, using vulnerability as a tactic to draw out the killer. This creates a poignant moment where her history as a murderer is contrasted with her current role, deepening her character complexity.
Cover-Up: Despite Hope's new approach, another murder occurs. This moment is critical as it happens despite the heightened vigilance and emotional openness, suggesting a very clever and adaptable killer, possibly pointing back to Felix's evolving strategies.
Conspiracy: Felix's behavior becomes increasingly detached from the group's trauma, indicating his possible lack of genuine emotional connection and hinting at his underlying motives of revenge rather than recovery.
Act 4:
Covert Agenda: In a climactic group session, Hope sets a psychological trap by revealing details only the killer would react to. Felix inadvertently exposes himself by revealing knowledge of these specifics, confirming his role as the orchestrator behind the ironic murders.
Secret: Upon his exposure, Felix's true motive of vengeance against those he deemed unworthy of redemption is revealed.

[James Hernandez]

James’ Intriguing Moments

My Vision: I am a great writer who is recognized by the industry as an exceptional collaborator able to elevate any project into production and have maximum success.

What I learned from doing this assignment is…although I’m writing a romantic comedy there’s much underhanded activity going on. This probably stems from my characters wanting to find the love of their lives which in some instances cause people to go the extra mile to achieve their goals. The AI prompt provided interesting intrigue possibilities that could add new layers I did not previously consider.

Act 1: Ethan wants to find true love by Valentine’s Day.
Opening: Introduce Ethan as a lovable but awkward bachelor, desperate to find love. He’s at a New Year’s party hoping his date shows up, but doesn’t. Character action: Ethan takes notes as he observes other couples smooch then gives them humorous complements on what he studied.
INTRIGUE: Ethan uneasily checks his watch and looks around at a New Year’s Eve party.
Distress: Ethan becomes anxious watching the other couples smooching as he constantly searches and inquires for the arrival of his date. (Negative Emotional Moment)
Ethan’s close friend, Albert, surprises him the next day and witnesses a depressed man. Albert suggests an online dating site given Ethan is a tech enthusiast and the analytical type. Character action: At first, Ethan politely rejects the idea, but then shows his wit by giving the suggestion a try.
Ethan gets several requests to meet from an interesting array of women; feels overwhelmed and chooses not to meet any of the women. Character action: Ethan politely refuses to engage with the array of women by sending them witty messages.
Surprise/Success: Ethan reacts joyfully at the numerous requests for a date and is overwhelmed. (Positive Emotional Moment)
Inciting Incident: the success of the dating site causes Ethan to hire Joey, a tech genius, to bring order to his fortune; she’s hired for a short duration. He wants to find true love by Valentine’s Day (The Ticking Clock). Character action: Ethan politely evades questions about his past inquired by Joey. His mannerisms become awkward.
SETUP: a) Joey hints that she has many “members of her family” to take care of.
SETUP: f) Joey uses smooth language to make her case as a con would.
SETUP: g) Ethan refuses to talk about his upbringing with Joey.
INTRIGUE/MYSTERY: Ethan evades questions about his past mainly childhood. Why?
SETUP: i) Ethan states he likes children.
Bonding: Ethan and Joey both express how they like children. (Positive Emotional Moment)
Ethan and Joey work on his profile as she “maximizes” the algorithm. Character action: Ethan becomes enthralled with Joey’s work and displays his analytical trait by mentally calculating the chances of a successful algorithm.
SETUP: b) Ethan doesn’t feel comfortable putting his “life” out there on the internet.
Comedy: Ethan goes on multiple dates and meets women who are eccentric and some who are downright bizarre. Character action: Ethan offers awkward complements to hide his disillusionment with the dates. He offers chuckles as the women describe themselves.
The meet-cute: Ethan meets Lily and subtle sparks fly as they appear to hide an aspect of their lives. That said, they have an enjoyable time together. Character action: Ethan developed a preset of questions he asks Lily to make sure she’s not a psychopath. Character action: Lily reads Ethan a poem she specially wrote for their meetup.
Surprise/Love/Bonding: It turns out Ethan has an enjoyable date with Lily as the potential for love is in the air. (Positive Emotional Moment)
SETUP: h) Lily is right on target with how Ethan likes to express himself.
SETUP: i) Ethan says he likes to take care of children.
SETUP: j) Lily avoids talking about her childhood.
DEEPER LAYER: Ethan has already found true love as Lily has been following his life through the letters he has left behind, but doesn’t know it yet.
Secret: Lily keeps knowing about Ethan and his letter from him. INTRIGUE
REVEAL: b) Ethan has an apprehensive nature before entering relationships.
Turning Point 1: Ethan begins to question the authenticity of the connections he's making online, but believes he may have a future with Lily, one of the newfound potential prospects. Character action: Ethan gently criticizes Joey’s work because he feels most of the dates were unsuccessful. He offers witty scenarios as to why those relationships would never pan out.
SETUP: e) Lily tells Ethan she hates to lose as she recounts her victories in life.
Competitive Streak: Lily suggests a friendly competition in creating pottery or another art form during one of their dates, showcasing her competitive side.
Hidden agenda: Lily wants to get to know Ethan better for his authenticity before revealing she’s the owner of one of his past letters. INTRIGUE
SETUP: d) Lily shows Ethan her art studio with many works in progress.
Relationship set-up: Ethan wants to go on more dates with Lily. She’s the hope he has for his love life; he has a connection with her due to the following from one of his letters. Character action: Ethan makes his case to Joey using possible moments he’ll have with Lily.
DEEPER LAYER: Lily comes across as knowing Ethan well on their first few dates.

Act 2: Ethan wants to pursue Lily who could be the one.
New plan: Ethan seeks help from Joey to manage his online dating chaos; wants no more dates for now. Character action: Ethan sets up a probability test to see if he’ll have success with Lily.
Joey finds out that her children’s father who’s on trial may not be acquitted from felony charges.
Superior position: The audience knows Joey is a mother with an intent to secure her children’s well-being; Ethan is unaware of this situation. INTRIGUE
Distress: Joey’s anxiety grows as she learns her children may wind up fatherless. (Negative Emotional Moment)
REVEAL: a) Joey is actually separated looking for a father for her five kids.
Scheme: Joey will attempt to swoon Ethan so he can be the father figure for her children. INTRIGUE
SETUP: f) Joey comes across as desperate with her family in dire straits.
SETUP: i) Ethan feels compassion for Joey’s family, which may include children.
Writing Letters Back: Lily begins writing letters back to Ethan, mirroring his form of communication and deepening their connection.
SETUP: c) Max is introduced as a scheming ex who doesn’t take no for an answer.
The journey of love: Joey becomes more attracted to Ethan putting a wrench in his pursuit of Lily. Joey starts developing feelings for Ethan, creating a complex love triangle, and adding tension to their professional relationship. Character action: Ethan gives in to Joey’s advances as he calculates how they’ve arrived at this moment.
Covert Agenda: Joey actively launches a campaign to win Ethan for herself. INTRIGUE
Emotional Dilemma: Ethan finds himself in a bind as he not only has feelings for Lily, but is developing a romance with Joey. (Negative Emotional Moment)
REVEAL: f) Joey is a con woman. She sets a plan to make Ethan hers.
Ethan goes on an all-day date with Lily. He learns more about her as she correctly “guesses” many details of his life. Character action: Ethan becomes enraptured with Lily’s accurate perception of him; his wittiness flows out as he’s totally comfortable with her. Character action: Lily wows Ethan with her own developed art.
Bonding/Love: Ethan and Lily’s compatibility grows as he feels more attached to her. (Positive Emotional Moment)
Mystery: How does Lily know so much about Ethan? INTRIGUE
SETUP: g) Ethan refuses to chat about his past much to Lily’s dismay.
REVEAL: d) Lily is a gifted artist.
Plan in action: Ethan begins to develop genuine feelings for Lily, a potential girlfriend. Character action: Ethan ironically enough writes Lily a letter, which is a bit awkward but best lets him convey his feelings for her. Character action: Lily playfully writes a letter of her own expressing her feelings towards him.
SETUP: j) Lily avoids discussing her past by focusing on the written letters.
Lily decides Ethan is better for her than Max. Max is the estranged and clinging ex who is very possessive; she asks him to get lost. Character actions: Lily confronts Max by belittling him sarcastically until he has no choice but to leave.
REVEAL: e) Lily is very competitive. She tells Max that his own competition for her is over.
Issues: Lily’s ex, Max, is still in her life as he refuses to let her go. He becomes an antagonist in Ethan’s quest for love. Max is manipulative and vengeful, using his tech skills to create chaos in Ethan’s life.
Midpoint Turning Point: Ethan's online escapades catch the attention of Max, an internet troll and Lily’s ex, who launches a smear campaign against him.
REVEAL: c) Max is an internet troll on a smear campaign against Ethan.
Scheme: Max plans to ruin Ethan making him unattractive to Lily. INTRIGUE
Separation: Lily catches Joey on top of Ethan in a heated moment; Lily now has distrust for Ethan as he attempts to explain. Character action: Ethan defuses the situation by humorously portraying this act with Joey does not include a future as they’re not compatible; he puts everyone in an awkward state. Character action: Lily refuses to accept the apology from Ethan, yet she gives them her own verbal attack.
Moral Issue/Distress: Ethan finds himself between two women not knowing how to diffuse the situation causing angst in Lily and Joey. (Negative Emotional Moment)

Act 3: Ethan must find a way for Lily to have total trust in him.
DEEPER LAYER REVEAL: Lily tells Ethan she’s known about him for a while but wanted to make sure he’s the real man portrayed by his letters. Character action: Ethan implores Lily to give him another chance, but comes across as reserving details from his past. Character action: Lily makes it clear that words cannot fix their relationship; more truth and substance is needed.
Wound: Both Ethan and Lily’s tragic pasts surface causing an ironic bonding situation as they share similar childhood challenges. (Positive Emotional Moment)
REVEAL: g) Ethan was shuffled from one foster family to the next as a child; abandoned at birth.
REVEAL: h) Lily has one of Ethan’s past letters. This is how she’s known about him; she frequents the place where he writes his letters.
REVEAL: j) Lily’s guarded nature stems from a deep-seated fear of rejection that goes beyond her father's abandonment. This is where Lily and Ethan bond because of their similar histories.
Rethink everything: Max reveals himself as the mastermind behind Ethan's new viral profile. Max confronts Ethan and tells him to back off. Character action: Ethan fights back at Max laying out the scenarios he’ll never succeed.
INTRIGUE: Max’s revelation raises the question of whether he will be successful against Ethan?
Comedy: Numerous women continue to pursue Ethan as he’s an online sensation. Character action: Ethan messages back the overexuberant women attempting to letting them down easy.
Issues: Ethan doesn’t know how to handle the constant influx of women in his life. Character action: Ethan asks Albert to “cover” the influx by acting as his therapist to dissuade them.
Lily’s Dilemma: Lily must choose between blindly competing for Ethan’s affection without knowing the full truth or taking a step back to gain clarity. Both choices seem to risk her chance at genuine love. Character action: Lily works on an abstract painting of her and Ethan as she ponders her predicament.
Emotional Dilemma/Sacrifice: If Lily gives up on Ethan, she may lose a worthy relationship yet his shortcomings could cause further torment. (Negative Emotional Moment)
DEEPER LAYER: Ethan realizes he and Lily were meant for each other. All their actions were made for the purpose of solidifying their relationship. Character action: Ethan reaches out to Lily with a lyrical verse attempting to smooth out things. Character action: Lily communicates with Joey expressing contempt for her intrusion.
Ethan writes Lily a letter from the heart to salvage things. Character action: Ethan tries to use humor to get Lily’s trust back.
Cover up: Joey continues to hide her scheme from Ethan. INTRIGUE
New plan: Ethan must confront Max and expose his deception to win Lily's heart. Character action: Ethan follows Max’s moves like an undercover detective trying to get filth.
Turning Point 2: Huge failure / Major shift: Lily breaks away from Ethan due to his supposed new online sexually charged persona. She receives the new letter but doesn’t open it. Character action: Lily stops working on the painting of her and Ethan.
Dilemma: Ethan is faced with two equally unacceptable choices: give up on love due to the chaos caused by Max and Joey, or confront Max and risk further humiliation. He feels he might lose Lily no matter what he does. Perhaps Albert’s the sounding board. Character action: Ethan asks Albert to help him sort out Lily’s reactions she may have at his reconquering chase.
Public Apology: Ethan stages a public apology to Lily at one of her art shows, using humor and vulnerability to win her back.
Artistic Confrontation: Lily confronts Ethan in a public space, like an art gallery, using her artwork to express her feelings and demand honesty from him.
Joey must decide whether to continue pursuing Ethan or support him in winning Lily’s heart. Joey is torn between their own feelings for Ethan and helping him reconcile with Lily.
Moral Issue: Joey reaches a major decision in her life as to what is right and wrong; that is help his relationship with Lily or continue to pursue a father figure for her children. (Negative Emotional Moment)

Act 4: Ethan and Lily reach understanding and move forward as a couple.
Joey steps back and helps Ethan confront Max, putting their own feelings aside for the greater good. This act of selflessness becomes Joey’s ultimate conflict resolution.
Courage: Joey finds the strength to help Ethan with the love of his life. (Positive Emotional Moment)
Covert agenda: Joey helps Ethan combat Max and his treacherous mission. INTRIGUE
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Ethan confronts Max and exposes his manipulation, proving his love for Lily is genuine. Perhaps Ethan turns the tables on Max. Character action: Ethan creates a witty but damaging post that reveals Max as a major internet troll.
Live Stream Confrontation: Ethan live streams his confrontation with Max, using humor and cleverness to expose Max’s true nature in front of a wide audience.
The journey of love: Ethan and Lily truly fall for each other; they’re meant to be together. It happens consequently on Valentine’s Day. Character action: Ethan deletes all his social media accounts with the press of a few buttons in front of Lily. Character action: Lily raises her hand in victory feeling she now knows the real Ethan.
Success/Love: Ethan and Lily unite in true love overcoming emotional struggles and the negative forces in their lives. (Positive Emotional Moment)
Joey reunites with the father of her children given he’s found not guilty. They have a reconciliatory dinner on Valentine’s Day.
REVEAL: i) Ethan has been anonymously funding scholarships for foster children.
INTRIGUE: Ethan shares his philanthropic gesture to what purpose.
Symbolic Gesture: Lily symbolically gives Ethan a key to her studio, representing her opening up and trusting him with her heart.
Bonding: Lily solidifies her relationship with Ethan by giving him the key to her studio which means it is the gateway to her heart. (Positive Emotional Moment)
Resolution: Ethan and Lily embark on a genuine relationship, free from Max's influence. They go out on the town on Valentine’s Day. Character action: Ethan takes Lily to the first place he left one of his letters; where his writing journey began. Character action: Lily surprise Ethan with the completed painting; perhaps at the same place as where the letter was left.

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  James Hernandez.

[Madeleind Gentinetta]

Madeleine’s Intriguing Moments
Vision: I am going to do whatever it takes for me to be a writer of amazing stories with meaning who can move the audience and change the world resulting in financial, critical and audience success.

What I learned from doing this assignment is: It was amazing to see, how many of the intrigues I got, AI came up with the same ones.

ACT 1:

1.1 Opening
Secret: Mary’s heavy use of makeup to hide her age and insecurities.
Intrigue: Mary is overly concerned about the contract, hinting at her desperation for validation and continuity in her career.
Scheme: Olivia’s reluctance to discuss the contract foreshadows a hidden agenda (Maybe she wants to hand Candy Club over to her son).
Hidden Identity: Vince’s overreaction to Mary’s drink shows he knows something about her past that the audience doesn't.

1.2 Inciting Incident
Surprise: Mary’s unexpected fall off the stage.
Intrigue: Mary’s dramatic complaints about the hospital suggest she’s used to a different lifestyle, hinting at past luxuries.
Covert Agenda: Why does Mary try different ways to advance quickly?
Mystery: Vince’s insistence on Mary’s rehab at the elderly home instead of her own home (maybe).

1.3 Turning Point
Hidden identity: Why does Vince know Placid?
Intrigue: How will Mary be able to adjust to the elderly home?
Mystery: What will happen with the Candy Club after Olivia’s death?

ACT 2:

2.1 New Plan
Hidden Identity: Sophie’s quiet observance hints she understands more about the adult world than she lets on.
Secret: Placid’s late-night dance practices.
Covert Agenda: Vince’s secret meetings with the new bar owner, Dieter.

2.2 Plan in Action
Secret: Mary’s overexertion in rehab hints at a deeper issue with proving her worth.
Superior Position: The audience knows about Mary’s injuries worsening, but she hides it from others.
Intrigue: Why is Dieter delaying the contract and what are his ambiguous intentions towards the Candy Club and its future?
Scheme: Vince’s attempts to sabotage Mary’s efforts by rehearsing with a younger singer.

2.3 Midpoint
Mystery: The significance of the Marlene Dietrich photo Mary finds.
Secret: Julia’s covert drinking habits and why Mary does not want to rehearse at the kitchen.
Hidden Identity: Robert’s revelation as Mary’s son, whom she gave up for adoption.

ACT 3:
3.1 Rethinking
Betrayal: Mary’s discovery of the critical article by Fanny, hinting at a larger plot against her.
Intrigue: The viral campaign and its unexpected backlash.
Secret: Placid’s suggestion to perform at the concert hall hides his true feelings about Mary’s talent.
Scheme: Vince’s role in orchestrating the bad press to manipulate Mary’s decisions.

3.2 New Plan
Success: Mary’s belief in her triumph when all tickets are sold.
Mystery: The unexplained generosity behind the ticket sales, despite the bad press.
Intrigue: Dieter’s vulnerability about living up to his father’s legacy.
Cover Up: The real reason behind the ticket sales, eventually revealed to be Placid’s doing.

3.3 Huge Failure
Betrayal: The revelation that Vince and Robert were behind the negative article.
Distress: Mary’s hair disaster before the performance.
Emotional Dilemma: Mary’s struggle to decide whether to perform in honor of Hortense.
Intrigue: The mystery surrounding Hortense’s life and her connection to Mary’s past.
Hidden identity: Placid is an artist manquée and does not want Vince and Robert to stop Mary from performing.
Intrigue: Will Hortense last wish be fulfilled?

ACT 4:

4.1 Climax
Surprise: Sophie’s costume swap, reflecting her growing influence.
Bonding: Vince’s unexpected support at the piano during Mary’s performance.
Bonding: Mary decides to perform for Hortense.
Secret revelation: Mary’s decision to perform without her elaborate costumes and makeup.
Success: The audience’s overwhelming positive reaction to Mary’s authentic performance.

4.2 Resolution
Love: Mary’s emotional reunion with her son during the final performance.
Courage: Mary’s embrace of her true self, symbolized by her purple hair.
Intrigue: The audience’s chant for “Mary,” signifying their acceptance.
Final Emotional Dilemma: Mary goes for dive instead of applause.
Surprise: Dieter’s father’s unexpected appreciation of Mary’s show, indicating a shift in the club’s future.

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  Madeleind Gentinetta.

[Kathryn Gould]

Kathryn’s Intriguing Moments

I choose to be a highly creative and energized writer who makes big movies and loves her life working with the most creative people in the world.

What I learned: My story is full of intriguing moments, and there’s always room for more!

Act 1:

Beginning:

Japheth Bridges, an unassuming, bespectacled biohacker, and his team enter (covert agenda) Medinano, a powerful biotech firm, seeming to be simple waste disposal workers (secret identity). Mocked by security guards for his need to wear glasses, Japheth endures the cruelty and disregard with which people from the Dregs are treated. He’ll respond in a way that they take as dumb or subservient, but we’ll soon find out was either a hidden dis or total irony (secret). Japheth's glasses reveal their true high-tech capabilities as they allow him to hack into security systems, revealing him to be much more than a simple waste disposal worker, showcasing his hidden prowess and ingenuity (covert agenda). As Japheth skillfully and bravely infiltrates the facility and takes what his team needs. He receives encouragement/ praise on the radio from his mentor Dr. Bennett.

His sister Nell – who doesn’t seem to have enhancements, but is able to hack the security and open doors etc –sequesters herself in a server room. As she guides Japheth up a garbage chute, he uses genetically enhanced strength to shimmy up, as she opens gates for him (covert agenda). At one stop he’s able to grab a batch of syringes filled with brand new nanotech. At the next he leaves a device that will allow a remote connection to the computers inside. Expecting to pick up a package at his next stop, he finds a scientist who says he’s coming too – along with the tech he’s stolen (mystery – who is this guy? Why the sudden change of plans?). Surprised by the sudden need to smuggle a scientist out of the secure facility, Japheth begins to unravel as he has to decide to help this stranger by risking his sister’s life. But if he doesn’t do it, all their lives are in danger.

Japheth was not warned about this, but the scientist insists that he won’t be able to get out any other way, and that Dr. Bennett needs him. When he climbs into the chute with Japheth, we see his dead colleague on the floor (superior position). Japheth gets mentally stuck trying to figure out a way out with the scientist – Nell comes up with a risky new plan. Alarm bells start ringing. Japheth has to do an on-the-fly installation of the new nano on Nell so they can get away. She insists that he gives her the nano to shut all her bodily functions down so she appears dead and can go out the garbage chute and they pick her up after they exit. Faced with an unexpected situation and alarms blaring, Japheth has to inject the new nanotech into Nell. The tension and high stakes make this a bonding moment as they rely on each other’s strengths and quick thinking. We see how close the two are as he carries her home, fixes her tech and gets her on her feet again. When they wake her from her dangerous near-death state – REVEAL: her former enhancements aren’t working, and we learn that she can’t walk without them. This is also a good time for someone to remark how good he is and ask why he never went to school, and he says school is for Uppers douchebags (insert world-specific slang here) (cover up – he’s covering up his real feelings and his past here).

Inciting Incident:

Japheth’s investigation into Nell’s issues -and helping her walk again- reveals mind-control programming hidden in Medinano’s tech (mystery). Japheth proudly goes to his parent figure Dr. Bennett to tell her about his discovery, and is stung when he receives only her dismissal and a warning to stay silent, as well as her dismissal of his performance on another project he was working on – a special code to make it easier for her to cure the rampant epidemics that commonly spread throughout the Dregs. (Dr. Bennett’s covert agenda) (Medinano has made it basically impossible for code to spread from one person to another – so you could be saved from some terrible death, but then if you can’t afford another dose, watch your child die of the thing you were just saved from.)
The gang spends a sleepless night arguing about what to do, worried that someone will find out about what they’ve done and come for them. They wonder if Dr. Bennett is already under Medinano’s control (conspiracy), and then they catch a news report claiming that the scientist they helped escape, Dr. Kuthrapali, is a dangerous terrorist (secret identity). Japheth over-analyzes the situation to death, wondering why Dr. B is so afraid to bring Medinano down – and Nell says that it sounded like she was speaking from experience when she told them how dangerous Medinano could be.

Turning Point 1:

Japheth and his team return to Dr. Bennett’s lab to confront her, only to find that it’s deserted, and a dead Medinano operative is strapped to an examination table (mystery). Realizing they have to get out of there at once, they encounter more Medinano investigators coming to search the place. Accused of espionage and murder, they barely escape, now fugitives.

Act 2:

Fleeing Medinano’s forces, they believe they have been betrayed and deserted by Dr. Bennett, and they begin to wonder- who can they trust (conspiracy)? If they can get to Bennett, they can get to anyone. Japheth runs tests on all of them to make sure they don’t have the mind control tech. The only person who can answer their questions is Dr. Bennett – they realize they have to find her. Dr. Bennett, meanwhile, has gone underground with Dr. Kuthrapali to work on a mysterious project (mystery). The biohackers' images are manipulated and broadcast throughout the Dregs, labeling them as dangerous terrorists (conspiracy). A tender moment between Japheth and his crush, Lila, as she says goodbye in order to check on her parents who are in poor health. While hiding, he realizes he needs to use a public computer to find out where Dr. Bennett might be, and takes the risk. The team is ambushed by Medinano agents and must navigate the treacherous, maze-like alleyways of their home turf, leading to a high-octane chase through an underground tech bazaar – crowded, neon-lit streets and alleys filled with illicit tech vendors and mercenaries. They are saved by the return of Lila, who does something that I will have to carefully design to seem clever at the moment but obvious when you look back on it. They have to ask Lila to submit for testing, but she passes. (scheme – this is the moment she started betraying them).

Turning Point 2/Midpoint:

When they find Bennett, they are attacked by her operatives and taken to her. Wounds: Dr. Bennett is hurt that he would think she betrayed him (secret identity – she is lying about who she really is). She tells him her secret past – she was arrested for helping poor people pirate Medinano tech and left her wife and daughter behind in the Uppers. She now has a granddaughter she’s never even met (resolution of earlier mystery). Japheth feels guilty for suspecting her, but he begs her to help him expose Medinano’s evil plot. Dr. B reveals to the group Japheth’s secret about having applied to a Medinano school/ internship that would have gotten him out of the Dregs, revealing his desire to escape the Dregs and his internal conflict about his identity and values. – maybe she says that in response to his questions about why she left her daughter (“Why have you never told Nell what you sacrificed for her? Because you don’t want her to feel like she has to make the same choice I did.”) She tells him that he is like a son to her and she already feels guilty for endangering him as she has. She triggers his abandonment wound when she tells him she is leaving the Dregs and heading to Canada, where she thinks they may still have some form of socialized medicine and she might be able to help people there (scheme – that’s not what she’s doing).

Act 3:

Japheth struggles with the thought of doing nothing and allowing Medinano to have its way—how much worse could it get in the Dregs anyway? Nell reminds him of their parents and how much they sacrificed for them, and tells him that his own sacrifice for her will be for nothing if they don’t stop this. (covert agenda) The group plans an infiltration of Medinano’s main facility to expose the company’s wrongdoing. Their previous covers blown, the team decides that the only way into the facility will be through the door that is exclusively reserved for upper management, requiring them to disguise themselves as Medinano executives. A high-tension infiltration scene unfolds as their skills are put to the test, but they are all able to enter, except Lila. During the infiltration, Japheth faces an agonizing choice when Lila is held back. Despite his instinct to save her, Nell convinces him to press on. This moment of sacrifice is emotionally charged, underscoring the personal costs of their mission and Japheth’s growing leadership burden.

Just as they are about to reach the CEO’s office where they will put their plan into action, the team is confronted by security forces. They have been betrayed by Lila. The shocking revelation that Lila has turned herself in and betrayed the team is a gut-wrenching moment for Japheth (secret identity). His fury and sense of betrayal fuel an adrenaline-fueled escape attempt, only to be thwarted by Lila’s intimate knowledge of his weaknesses, telling the Medinano operatives to focus on capturing Nell. This betrayal deepens the emotional stakes and sets up the climax.

Team member Olly dies in the struggle, and Medinano doctors just watch him die, refusing to help.

Turning Point 3:

Captured, Medinano’s team begins removing their enhancements, including Nell’s mobility. People start having mysterious seizures (mystery), giving our heroes an opportunity to escape. Examining them Japheth realizes that Dr. Bennett has used his code to create a virus that seems to be targeting everyone with Medinano enhancements (covert agenda). Hacking Medinano’s system from within, they find a perfect escape route, but choose to help stop the virus instead of fleeing. Japheth’s realization that his own code is spreading the virus helps him slow down its spread. Lila switches back to his side, explaining that Medinano was holding her family hostage. He figures out how to slow the spread of the virus, and using Medinano’s own mind-control technology, they force the Medinano CEO to help them. Meanwhile, Nell slips some code of her own into the Medinano system (mystery/covert agenda).

Act 4:

Climax:

In a climactic battle, they slow the spread of the virus and track down Bennett as she attempts to protect her own family from the coming destruction —giving them the code they need to stop the virus altogether. They need more of the antidote than they have, can’t replicate it fast enough/ get it out to people in time. Everyone seems to lose hope. Japheth looks at his team, sees how far they’ve gotten – reminds them what can happen when people work together. The people of the Dregs and the Uppers have been following along as Nell has secretly been broadcasting everything (mystery revealed). Japheth realizes that the people in the Dregs have all been treated by Dr. Bennett and given a preventative, and that if they donate blood to the people in the Uppers, they can stop the virus. They call on the people in the Dregs to come donate blood to the people in the Uppers. The people are watching and start to do this on their own. Facing a life sentence for her actions, Dr. Bennett acknowledges that Japheth and Nell are better people than she is—then commits suicide by giving herself the virus (covert agenda).

Resolution:

Exoneration and societal transformation. The biohackers are exonerated, and the live broadcast leads to a newfound understanding between the Uppers and the Dregs. Japheth and Nell, now wary but hopeful, commit to protecting humanity from technological abuses and working toward a more equitable future. Since the conspiracy spans the globe, with sleeper agents already in key positions in major governments (covert agenda), the final act involves coordinating with international biohacker cells to dismantle Medinano’s influence worldwide. Societal transformation begins with the biohackers at the forefront, heralding a new era of equality and justice.

[Pam Ewing]

Pam’s Intriguing Moments
Vision: Become a Writing Athlete
What I’ve learned: I’m not seeing originality in the AI responses, but they are embellishing things I’ve started which makes me happy

Act 1
Scheme – Maia thought she was acquiring a company that ends up taking over her company
Secret – How does Ollie spring Maia from the institution

Act 2
Intrigue – the spa seems off or is it just Maia’s discomfort
Superior position – Audience knows part of Maia’s backstory that Dr. Kari and the spa do not

Act 3
Mystery – why are guests disappearing, being hypnotized, what supports the luxury of the spa
Covert agenda – Dr. Jeremy’s quest to uncover his sister’s death

Act 4
Secret – Dr. Kari is wearing Dr. Jeremy’s sister’s skin
Superior position – Maia and Dr. Kari each believe that they
Conspiracy – Dr. Kari’s full enterprise is revealed
Hidden Identity – Dr. Kari is creating skin that she can wear
Hidden identity – Ollie has been institutionalized many times, in fact, that’s where she and Mia met as traumatized children

[Michael Collado]

Mike’s Intriguing Moments

My Vision is to write an original screenplay, make a couple of calls to pitch it, to start a bidding war.

From this lesson, I learned how to add new intrigue to the emotions already there – I also learned that Chat GPT’s response parallels my moments but in broader strokes.

Act 1:

Surprise: While on an unauthorized stakeout, Jocinda saves a woman from a domestic beating, but because she left, the burglar gets away. We see Jocinda exiting the detective’s bullpen with snide remarks tossed her way as she carries a box. Her reply to them at the door is, “If it were a man who saved that woman, you would be getting an accommodation for doing it off duty!”
Theme stated: Detective Sibowits, her training officer, stops her before she leaves and gives her some advice. “You have to know how to play the game before you can change the rules.”
Love/Hidden Weakness: Jocinda has a tender moment with her Goddaughter as she rolls up to the house where Ava is doing her chores. Jocinda’s sister Latisha and her husband Kofi watch from the window, and we find out Kofi is unhappy with this unannounced visit. He hates it when she is there because she always shows Ava shortcuts that bypass hard work. She shows this to be true with a memorization shortcut that gets Ava out of the doghouse with her dad.
Moral Issues: Jocinda battles the Little League board and its president, Mr. Jones because they do not want a woman to manage one of their teams. She shoots down every reason they come up with. The one that works in her favor is that she is the only one in the room who played ball in college.
Surprise: Jocinda announces that she will be taking over the coaching job for Ava’s team, the Twins, because of the extra time on her hands. Now, the fact that she is on suspension is out in the open, and Kofi, under his breath, mutters, “I knew it!”
Surprise: At the first practice, Coach Jo discovered that the team was curiously stacked with eleven-year-old brainiacs.
Courage: Ava introduces the team from the dugout to Jocinda, explaining that they all have nicknames. Coach Jo questions the nicknames, and Ava explains that they are nicknames they gave each other so they can ignore the mean ones.
Emotional Dilemma: The intro about TyRod reveals that he lost his mother and older brother in an accident. The intro for Stanley “Stats” Dombrowski is that he is an autistic kid that they kind of adopted, and he sits in the bleachers, keeps statistics in a notebook, and waits for his mom to complete her workout.
Funny Dilemma: Coach Jo questions some nicknames and gets a humorous answer. On the ones she guesses the reason for, she is totally wrong. For example, Tyler “TyRod” Rodriguez, she thinks it’s like A-Rod, and Ava explains it is because he helped his dad with the family car one day, and when they walked up, he was holding the tie rod for the suspension. When she takes a shot at Jonah “Babel” Martinez, she thinks it is because he talked so much; Ava gives her a strange look and explains it because his family speaks about fifteen languages. When Coach Jo looks at her funny, Ava explains,” You know, like, the Tower of Babel?”
Funny Dilemma: While practicing, the brainiacs are very awkward at the fundamentals of baseball. When Coach Jo brings out the CD for them to watch with their parents, the kids question the intent, like, “Wait, what? Watch this with our parents?”
Funny Dilemma: Coach Jo meets the neighborhood crackpot, the zany Doc Cosmo Von Spin PHD, and whether she knows it or not, he shows her, in his own comical and physiological way, how to teach kids with this caliber of intelligence.
Superior Position: Earlier in the day, Mr. Black watched Nanobots attach themselves to specific neurons, forming a seamless connection with the host’s motor cortex.
Covert Agenda: Mr. Jones secretly goes to Mr. Black, the CEO of the Vitamin company, with concerns that Jocinda is a Detective. Here, we see Mr. Black Playing Catch with a chimpanzee.
Hidden weakness: After the first plan involving the CD is a bust because she learns the parents are worse than the kids. Coach Jo takes the first step in healing her wound by using Doc Cos’s help. She passes out a rule book and a book on baseball strategy, explaining that learning baseball is like learning chess. You cannot win a game if you do not know how to counter the first move in the Queen’s Gambit. The kids are impressed with the analogy.

Act 2 New Plan

Secret: Ava is a little worried about TyRod, but a FaceTime call puts her at ease. During the call, we see a clean bedroom with TyRod folding clothes from the laundry.
Hidden Weakness: The next step with Doc Cos’ help, Coach Jo doesn’t teach batting stances; she teaches parabolas. She explains how the arc of a pitch follows a quadratic trajectory. “Visualize the vertex,” she tells them. “That’s where the sweet spot lives.” And they are excited because they understand. They start timing their bat swing to meet the ball. Their objective is to maximize the coefficient of restitution as the bat— or lever—makes contact with the baseball, transforming linear momentum into a parabolic trajectory dictated by the initial velocity vector and the angle of incidence.
The pitchers are taught that the spin’s direction determines the lift force’s orientation. For instance, a topspin (forward spin) induces a downward lift force, causing the ball to drop more sharply than gravity alone would dictate. Conversely, a backspin (reverse spin) generates an upward lift force, resulting in a deceptively “floating” pitch.
Conspiracy: Mr. Black and Mr. Jones meet again, this time in the Synapse Tech Systems Laboratory, where Mr. Black is also the CEO. We see a pill-making machine being installed in the lab with Vita Solutions boxes next to it.
Covert Agenda: Later that week, Mr. Jones picks up a new batch of vitamins from Mr. Black, along with a list of boys he wants to take this new version of vitamins.

Act 2 Plan in Action:

Hidden Identity: Ava calls TyRod again because she is worried, but things are fine once again. We see TyRod leave his clean bedroom and enter a living room that looks like a tornado ran through it. He stops as he closes his bedroom door and stares for a moment. His father looks at him with glassy eyes and a raggedy beard and catches his stare. He Snaps and slurs, “WHAT? WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?” A tear runs down Ty’s face, and he responds, “I want you to be with me, Dad, NOT with them.” TyRod tosses the CD from Coach Jo onto the Couch, and it lands on a picture of his Mom and Brother.
Success/Winning: All Twins’ baseball fundamentals are improving, kids are playing permanent positions, and their knowledge of the games has grown the fastest as they see the game more clearly now. A couple of the kids who were designated pitchers enjoyed seeing how the ball reacted in different ways when the laces were spinning in a specific manner.
Intrigue: Mr. Black is in the stands watching a different game. He employs a slow, sinister clap and grins as he witnesses one of the boys taking the new vitamins make a catch in the outfield, imitating Willie Mays’ patented basket catch.

Act 2 – Midpoint Turning Point:

Intrigue: Jocinda sees the same catch. She is in awe, and then she notices Mr. Black in the stands enjoying what he sees. She watches the game for a while and notices some other plays that remind her of some of the late great professional baseball players. She also notices Mr. Black’s reaction to each.
Scheme: Mr. Jones gets Mr. Black’s attention, then nods to look up the Sideline. Coach Jo’s notetaking has piqued Mr. Black’s interest.

Act 3 – Rethink everything:

Intrigue: With a murder board on the wall of her RV, Coach Jo is trying to figure out what is happening. She turns her interest to two boys in particular, the one boy who reminds her of Willie Mays and the other who reminds her of Ty Cobb, but only because of his hard play on the bases.
Intrigue: After another good practice, Coach Jo gathers the kids on the bleachers around Stats to include him in the talk. She asks if anyone has noticed anything odd about the other players. After some funny comments, Smitty, the catcher, says he notices some of the better players twitch their little fingers. Drip chimes in that some of them wink at him. Coach Jo is fascinated by this information.
Funny Dilemma: Drip’s statement results in some comical banter, which leads to his subtext proclamation that he likes Izzy.
Superior Position: Mr. Jones visits Mr. Black in his Laboratories because he is concerned about the minor side effects he is starting to notice. In the background by the new machine are bottles of the same vitamins Mr. Jones is handing out to the Little League.
Intrigue: Mr. Black brings out a new chimp to play catch with Willie; her name is Sandy. Sandy winds up and pitches the ball to Willie. It’s a thing of beauty and an exact imitation of Sandy Koufax. Mr. Jones is in awe and forgets about the side effects.
Secret: We see Jocinda open an email. The subject of the email is Mr. Black. (Here is where we learn of Mr. Black’s menacing background.
Cover-up: Coach Jo hints at Mr. Jones about her theory, and with Mr. Jones’s reaction, she knows she is on the right path.
Intrigue: Because of the teams and Coach Jo’s good-hearted interest in Stats, his mom, Debra, has Coach Jo over for dinner. There, Coach Jo learns from Stats in a unique way, which is his way of showing affection, that the pinky twitch and the wink are characteristics of Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. It finally dawns on her what has been missing, but before she leaves, she asks Stats to do something for her and also realizes that Debra might be a love interest.

Act3 – New Plan:

Wound: Coach Jo goes to her sister’s house, and Kofi wants to know why she is meeting with Doc Cos. When she confesses that he has been giving her tips on how to coach the team, Kofi is confused but happy she is asking for help. He then points out that asking for help is a step in the right direction for a new you.
Intrigue: Coach Jo learns from her sister that the nanobots are a tectological breakthrough and that Mr. Black must have cracked the code to bridge the gap to transmit information. The nanobots are programmed with great athlete’s movement and instincts that will interface with the neural network, accessing the muscle memory and instinctual responses. Once connected, the nanobots act as conduits, relaying the athlete’s expertise directly to the subject’s motor neurons. This technology will revolutionize human potential. Imagine a world where anyone can perform at the level of a champion, breaking insurmountable barriers. She also learns that Mr. Black’s company makes the kids’ vitamins.
Superior Position: Mr. Black reaches back into his past for help to eliminate Coach Jo.
Wound: Coach Jo eats some crow and calls and explains her theory to Det. Sibowits. Det. Sibowits backs her play, and she gets him some vitamins for testing.

Act 3 – Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift:

Intrigue: Mr. Jones tells Mr. Black what Coach Jo knows about the secret program. Mr. Black reveals to Mr. Jones that it will not be a problem by tomorrow.
Cover Up: The vitamin analysis comes back. The vitamins are clean of any foreign matter, especially Nanobots. Det. Sibowits tries to reach Jocinda but must leave a message. He contacts Latisha and gives her the bad news.
Intrigue: Latisha goes to Jocinda’s RV to see if she is there; no Jocinda, but she sees the murder board, and something dawns on her.

Act 4 – Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict:

Secret: In the first game of the championship series, Coach Jo reads tips from one of Stats’ notebooks. The tips are about Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, and a few other past greats’ weaknesses at the plate and in the field, which she passes on to her pitchers. This information neutralizes their talent at the plate, and the Twins have a stunning win in the series’ first game.
Cover Up: Coach Jo wakes up and is tied up in a chair. She looks around, and she is in a laboratory. She sees Sandy and Willie playing catch and has to do a double take. Mr. Black comes into the Lab.
Cover Up: Coach Jo reveals that the police are testing the vitamins as they speak. Mr. Black informs her that they are testing the placebo and will find nothing.
Cover Up: They will not even find you! We have taken your RV, and you will have a tragic accident in it, probably because you were so depressed at the fact that you failed yet again because of your arrogance and history of not asking for help.
Success/Winning: Det. Sibowits and the whole Detective unit come bursting into the Lab, guns drawn. Latisha tested one of her friend’s vitamins, confirmed nanobots were laced in them and notified Det. Sibowits, who had just gotten off the phone with Mr. Jones, who had a change of heart for the kids and called in the information.

Act 4 – Resolution:

Success/Winning: In the championship game, the Twins play Mr. Jones’ team without the nanobots’ assistance, and the brainiacs prove that any physical game can be learned through sound scientific research. And yes, TyRod’s father is in the stands, all cleaned up, wanting to be a dad again.

Closing Image:

Excitement: The team celebrates a well-played season for their baseball achievements. Jo watches proudly, her place as coach and mentor firmly established.
The final shot mirrors the opening but now shows Jo confident and respected, having found a new purpose and path—through the detective unit, not around it, which helps expand her problem-solving ideas.

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  Michael Collado.

[Lee Tidball]

Lee’s Intriguing Moments

My Vision: I am a writer who is excellent, recognized as such by people in the industry, and has several projects sold for WGA-type fees and some of those produced and successful in the theater and/or on a major streamer.

What I learned doing this lesson is that, for the most part, I’ve got quite a bit of intrigue already in this story. However, it was really cool to use the AI prompt, because it came up with a number of other great areas of intrigue that I hadn’t thought of previously that both create intrigue and help make the general plot a better story! Those that I liked I worked into my list of intrigue moments.

Intriguing moments in “TOUGH ASSIGNMENT”

ACT 1
– Intrigue: Who’s the sniper on the bus roof that threatens Knox when he won’t obey their commanding officer?
FIVE YEARS LATER
– Mystery: Kellen wakes with a start. Was she having a dream? Was it a dream of the scene before?
– Mystery: Kellen runs an American Ninja style fitness course early in the morning, shoots arrows, throws knives, shoots with a target rifle. Why?
– Covert Agenda – Knox and a group of men hike up to an old mining town disguised as electrical workers and miners. They carry crates of unknown materials, also digging tools. Knox carries a pistol.
– Hidden Identity: a few of the men appear more cerebral, Asian, and carry technical electronic stuff.
– Conspiracy: Knox’s activity appears to center around both the old mine town and a modern electrical substation directly behind it.
– Mystery: Kellen is pulled out of breakfast for a phone call from Mara Jenson, a former comrade and now cybersecurity expert, who asks her to please check out an electrical substation nearby for any suspicious activity—it could save California’s entire electrical grid.
– Mystery: At the old mining town, Knox and crew unpack mining tools, and also assault rifles, which they keep out of sight. The Asians go to work at the substation.
– Kellen meets her group—seven 6th graders and two counselors—and tells them that they’re going to the old mining town for their hike.
– Superior position: The audience knows that dangerous people are there and something’s fishy.
– Jesse, one of the counselors, casually asks Kellen if she’s got family close by. Cover-up: Jesse knows that Kellen is his aunt, but he hasn’t seen her in ten years and wants to know if she even recognizes her.
– Cover-up: Jesse and Allison, the female counselor, make eyes and smiles at each other while hiking along,
– Intrigue: The man giving the mining presentation to the coming students shows up and is adamant about giving his presentation to the students. Knox shoots him dead, hides the body.
– Intrigue: Kellen arrives with the group, sees all the people there, but no one to give the presentation.
– Cover-up, hidden identity: Knox acts as if he and his men are there in the man’s place, starts getting out supplies for the kids.
– Hidden identity: Kellen seems to remember Knox from somewhere. She quietly tells Jesse and Allison to move the kids on out, but one of the kids sees the dead body of the mining teacher, screams!
– **Intrigue: Discovery of Suspicious Activity**
– – **Moment**: Kellen notices strange equipment and unfamiliar faces in the mining town.
– – **Details**: While leading her class, Kellen spots sophisticated communication gear among the seemingly benign mining tools. Her military instincts are piqued. She subtly informs Allison, her fellow counselor, but keeps the kids unaware. This moment sets the tone for the underlying threat.

ACT 2
– Cover-up, Hidden Identity: When the sheriff and SWAT team arrive, Knox plays nice, “negotiates” with them for the hostage kids, but he’s really just stalling for time so his men can get out their heavier weapons.
– Superior position: The audience can see that the SWAT team will be out-gunned and overmatched, but the SWAT team thinks they have the upper hand.
– Conspiracy, Hidden identity: Kellen, who has escaped, approaches the electrical substation, sees the Asians and hears them talk in Korean, a language she understands a little. Some set explosives, a couple enter data into a laptop computer. And yet, they all wear PG&E electrical worker outfits.
– Covert agenda: as the battle rages between SWAT and Knox’s men, Kellen finds where Jesse and the other kids, tells them that she’ll be back to rescue them, but they can’t leave now because of all the fighting going on.
– **Mystery: Gabriel Knox's Hidden Agenda**
– – **Moment**: Kellen hears a mention of a higher authority.
– – **Details**: During the fight, Kellen overhears Gabriel Knox on a secure line, referencing orders from an unknown superior. This introduces a new layer of mystery regarding the true masterminds behind the attack, suggesting that Knox might be just a pawn in a larger scheme.

ACT 3
– Conspiracy: Mara contacts Kellen, she must protect the substation. Electrical grids are going down all across the country. Everything seems coordinated.
– Hidden Identity: Kellen pulls out hidden weapons and ammunition from her cabin. She’s actually a former Green Beret sniper (from her own traumatic dreams) who still serves with a special unit of the National Guard.
– Hidden Identity: Kellen’s sister calls her, wants to know how Jesse is doing. Kellen’s shocked to learn that her long-lost nephew is the male counselor in her group—and a hostage of Knox and his insurgents.
– Covert agenda: Knox is told by the Korean techies that they’re ready to upload the malware into the computer of a supervisor who they killed. Then they’ll blow the substation.

ACT 4
– Hidden Identity: Kellen discovers that Jesse is also very computer savvy. He comes with her to stop the Koreans.
– Hidden Identity: Knox discovers as he and Kellen fight it out, that she’s the one that was responsible for leaving he and his party in Afghanistan years before.
– Secret: Attacks were made all around the country by a secret alliance of authoritarian individuals and regimes. Kellen had saved the entire West Coast from a total power outage, which would have allowed soldiers from that alliance to come ashore, establish control, and take over the US.

– **Cover Up: Concealing the Full Scope of the Threat**
– – **Moment**: Authorities downplay the cyber attack.
– – **Details**: After the dust settles, Kellen learns that the full extent of the cyber attack and the militia's true goals are being downplayed by the authorities to avoid public panic. This cover-up hints at potential future threats and the ongoing battle Kellen might face.

– 4. **Mystery: Mara Jensen's Unrevealed Connection**
– – **Moment**: Mara Jensen's cryptic message.
– – **Details**: In the resolution, Mara Jensen contacts Kellen with a cryptic message, suggesting that the substation was part of a larger network of attacks. This leaves the door open for potential sequels and adds an element of lingering mystery to the story.
–

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  Lee Tidball.

[Pat Fitzgerald]

Pat’s Intriguing Moments

My vision is to have fun completing this class with a contest-winning script that will establish me as a courageous and original writer.
What I learned: Intrigue moves the story forward.

Act One:
Intrigue: Violet uses reverse psychology to coerce Tammi to move into the Valhalla retirement community.
Mystery: Does Violet want her there for a specific purpose?
Superior Position: Violet again uses reverse psychology to convince Tammi to aid her in “babysitting” a man with dementia.
Covert Agenda: It’s time to complete the underhanded pranks that Tammi and Violet pulled in high school and commit the one they never had the chance to do – murder someone just for the thrill.
Scheme : Tammi and Violet rearrange furniture in the home of a man debilitated with dementia.
Covert Agenda: The purpose is to confuse the man so he becomes more disoriented than he already is and will fall to his death.
Conspiracy: Violet tells Tammi who their next victim will be, the obnoxious Doggie Mom and her equally obnoxious Matted Dog

Act Two:
Intrigue: While Tammi’s back is turned from Violet, Violet raises a meat cleaver over Tammi’s head, but quickly hides it when Tammi turns around.
Superior Position: Audience knows why Tammi visits Doggie Mom, to set up her demise.
Conspiracy: Tammi passes Matted Dog out the bathroom window, to Violet.
Mystery: A masked person whisks Matted Dog out of Violet’s hands.
Covert Agenda: Tammi suggests that Doggie Mom take something to calm herself.
Covert Agenda: At Doggie Mom’s funeral, Tammi volunteers to befriend a woman in a wheelchair who wishes she was dead, not Doggie Mom.
Intrigue: Wheelchair Woman wants Tammi to take her on a picnic overlooking a cliff.
Mystery: Violet thinks she hears a faint sound of a dog barking in Maynard’s house.
Secret: After Violet leaves, Maynard proceeds to give Matted Dog a haircut. He is the masked person who saved the dog from Violet.
Covert Action: Violet sets Tammi up to look like Tammi has stolen a bracelet from one of the Quilters.

Act Three:
Scheme: To get revenge on Violet for the bracelet incident Tammi brings her poisoned candy and eats a piece, just to prove it’s not poisoned.
Superior Position: The audience sees Tammi force herself to throw up, because the candy was poisoned.
Scheme: To further vex Violet, Tammi tampers with her car’s brakes.
Secret: When Maynard asks to borrow Violet’s car, Tammi keeps her mouth shut.
Intrigue: A Quilter breaks up a fight between Tammi and Violet to suggest everyone go for a picnic – at the cliffside.

Act Four:
Intrigue: The designs in the Quilters’ quilts, when laid out together, for a pentagram.
Hidden Identity: The Quilters are Satan worshippers.
Conspiracy: The Quilters are all angry with Violet for wanting the Matted Dog to die. They might be Satan worshippers, but they loved that dog! It’s Violet’s time to die.

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  Pat Fitzgerald.

[hari messer]

Hari's Intriguing Moments

My Vision: I want to write screenplays that enable me to work with like minded creative people in the industry to produce profound movies that will have a long lasting positive effect on the world.

What I learned… Intrigue will hold the audience’s attention.

### Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller
### Concept: A suspended cop discovers that a multinational corporation’s attempted takeover of a small town’s water supply is really a front for an alien invasion of the Earth.
### Structure:
– Act 1: Colt McBride arrives in town, discovers the body, and begins investigating despite opposition.
– Act 2: Colt teams up with locals and delves deeper into the mystery, encountering various obstacles and uncovering secrets.
– Act 3: Major revelations and increased danger as the true scale of the conspiracy is revealed.
– Act 4: The climactic confrontation and resolution, exposing the aliens and saving humanity.

### Characters:
– **Colt McBride**: Protagonist, suspended cop seeking redemption.
– **Del Beck**: Antagonist, sheriff, secretly an alien.
– **Jamaica Daly**: Love interest, unknowingly part alien.
– **Evelyn Daly**: Jamaica's mother, keeper of crucial secrets.
– **Hal Burton**: Mayor, later revealed as the true alien leader.

—

### Act 1: Intriguing Moments

1. **Intrigue**:
– **Moment**: Colt notices something off about the townspeople when he first arrives in Jefferson.
– **Scene**: As Colt drives through town, he sees people acting strangely around water sources – some avoid it, others seem oddly fixated on it.

2. **Secret**:
– **Moment**: Colt discovers a hidden room in his motel.
– **Scene**: While unpacking, Colt accidentally finds a trapdoor under the bed, leading to a small, concealed room filled with surveillance equipment monitoring the town.

3. **Covert Agenda**:
– **Moment**: Colt overhears a suspicious conversation between Mayor Burton and Sheriff Beck.
– **Scene**: Colt sneaks into the town hall and listens to Burton and Beck discussing “the shipment” and ensuring “no one finds out the truth about the water.”

4. **Hidden Identity**:
– **Moment**: Jamaica’s eyes momentarily flash reptilian during a heated moment.
– **Scene**: During a tense town hall meeting, Jamaica stands up to Beck, and for a split second, her eyes change, unnoticed by most but seen by Colt.

—

### Act 2: Intriguing Moments

1. **Conspiracy**:
– **Moment**: Colt finds classified documents about the water company’s real activities.
– **Scene**: Breaking into the water company’s office, Colt discovers hidden files detailing shipments and coded messages hinting at something more sinister than corporate greed.

2. **Scheme**:
– **Moment**: Evelyn reveals a partial truth to Colt.
– **Scene**: Evelyn reluctantly tells Colt that the water is special, hinting at a secret but not fully revealing Jamaica’s heritage or the full scale of the alien plan.

3. **Superior Position**:
– **Moment**: The audience sees Beck’s alien form and his communication with other aliens.
– **Scene**: Beck, in his hidden lair, sheds his human guise and contacts his superiors, discussing their timeline and the need to control Colt.

4. **Cover Up**:
– **Moment**: Evidence of the body Colt found is tampered with.
– **Scene**: Colt returns to the lake with reinforcements, but the body has been removed, and any traces of the alien morph are gone, leading others to doubt his story.

—

### Act 3: Intriguing Moments

1. **Mystery**:
– **Moment**: Colt uncovers an old photograph showing Beck in the town decades ago, unchanged.
– **Scene**: Researching in the local library, Colt finds an old newspaper with a picture of Beck from 50 years ago, looking exactly the same, hinting at his alien nature.

2. **Hidden Identity**:
– **Moment**: Jamaica undergoes a partial transformation.
– **Scene**: During a quiet moment with Colt, Jamaica’s alien features partially emerge, and she panics, revealing her confusion and fear about her true nature.

3. **Covert Agenda**:
– **Moment**: Evelyn reveals the full truth to Colt and Jamaica.
– **Scene**: Under threat, Evelyn finally tells Colt and Jamaica about the alien heritage, the renewal ritual, and the real purpose of the water company.

4. **Scheme**:
– **Moment**: Hal Burton’s betrayal is hinted at.
– **Scene**: Colt notices inconsistencies in Hal Burton’s support and a slip of the tongue that makes Colt suspicious of his true loyalty.

—

### Act 4: Intriguing Moments

1. **Cover Up**:
– **Moment**: Beck tries to frame Colt for a major crime.
– **Scene**: Beck sets up a scenario where Colt is found with planted evidence, making it appear he is the one sabotaging the water supply, causing the townspeople to turn against him.

2. **Superior Position**:
– **Moment**: The audience learns Burton’s true identity before Colt does.
– **Scene**: A scene shows Burton contacting higher alien authorities, revealing his role as the true alien leader, while Colt is still unaware and planning to trust him.

3. **Hidden Identity**:
– **Moment**: Jamaica’s full transformation.
– **Scene**: On stage at the 4th of July celebration, Jamaica morphs completely, revealing her alien form to everyone, causing chaos and forcing Colt to act quickly.

4. **Mystery**:
– **Moment**: The final piece of the puzzle about the water’s properties is revealed.
– **Scene**: Colt discovers a hidden document or relic that explains how the water was originally discovered and altered by the aliens, providing the key to reversing their control.

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  hari messer.
• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  hari messer.

[David Zelitzky]

David Z’s Intriguing Moments

Vision:
I am an interesting, dependable, successful writer that people love to work with.

What I learned from doing this assignment is this is a good reminder to make sure we take these events to the extreme for maximum impact.

TITLE: HELL’S DINER
GENRE: HORROR

ACT ONE
Chris keeps it a secret from Tessa that he has been meeting up with Parker without anyone knowing…

SECRETS – Both Chris and Tessa hear and/or have visions and don’t want to acknowledge it to each other until they have no choice –

SUPERIOR POSITION – We start to see that Mick is a user and can’t be trusted… Chris sees it first and then Tessa finally does – she wants to believe the best in people and is charmed by him

SCHEME – Mick is coerced into making sure that all the kids – Tessa and Chris – are shot up and addicted to further his career.

ACT TWO

MYSTERY – How will Tessa escape the underworld created by Devil Dust? Once it has everyone in its grips most will never escape and die or are lost forever.

SURPRISE: Tessa was a drug addict and swore she would never shoot up and ruin her life again. Her parents are gone and now there is no other way to rescue Chris.

ACT THREE:

CHARACTER CHANGE: Tessa starts to find her strength as she fights the dark forces and works against the hallucinations that were holding her back.

INTERNAL DILEMMA: Tessa has to decide if she gives up her health and possibly her life to rescue Chris and bring him back from the brink. Her LOVE of him and BONDING makes the decision unavoidable.

ACT FOUR:

MISLEAD/REVEAL: Mick has been the evil force throughout but he is consumed by guilt when he says the chaos that has been brought and when he SACRIFICES himself we actually feel for him – finally.

SUSPENSE/UNCERTAINTY – Do Chris and Tessa track down Drug Lord and make sure he never hurts anyone else? Will they risk or lose their own lives in the process?

CHARACTER CHANGES RADICALLY: Tessa becomes her own super hero and refuses to back down anymore.

[Jan Westbrook]

Jan’s Intriguing Moments

My vision: I am a talented and strong writer with a unique voice, recognized by the movie industry with multiple screenplays produced

What I learned was this is a weak skill for me, at the moment. I seem to use the emotional moments for intriguing moments a lot. Finding intriguing moments in something I will continue to work at.

ACT I:
Intrigue: after Emberleaf drinks the sacred tea, looks into the mirror water, sees a vision of herself getting scolded by Gossimerwind for a magic spell she used
Intrigue/Mystery: a hazy figure (will be M’Mranth-Jix) in the mirror water
Hidden Identity: Khyber-Ra as the wanderer
Intrigue: we do not see M’Mrath-Jix clearly talking to Khyber-Ra
Scheme: Khyber-Ra and Nightshade plotting for the numinous amulet fragments

ACT II:
Intrigue: we do not see who Khyber-Ra is talking to in the forbidden forest
Scheme: Nightshade feigns loyalty to the alliance
Intrigue: Emberleaf hesitates by the liquid grounds, why
Cover-up: Nightshade saves Emberleaf from the winged creature, so she can still get the fragments
Superior Position: we find out who that the hazy figure and who Khyber-Ra was talking to are the same person
Intrigue: the encroaching forbidden forests are closing in on Eveandor
Mystery: the creature knows Emberleaf and we do not know why
Mystery: memories and hidden pasts triggered in the alliance, Emberleaf’s memory of creating the creature from dark magic, what she was scolded for

ACT III:
Scheme/Covert Agenda: M’Mranth-Jix engaging with Emberleaf directly, now that Nightshade is out
Intrigue: encounters the whispering phantom, Gossimerwind, warned of dark magic in her
Intrigue: Emberleaf turns away from the liquid ground
Scheme: the queen’s council confronts Khyber-Ra to get the numinous amulet, but fail
Hidden Identity: M’Mranth-Jix is Khyber-Ra’s father and master
Conspiracy: Khyber-Ra’s plot to overthrow M’Mranth-Jix

ACT IV:
Mystery: Emberleaf knows dark magic and the creature was the one she created
Scheme: Khyber-R’s revenge plan to take over Eveandor by stealing the numinous amulet
Cover-up: Khyber-Ra tries to convince Emberleaf he is reformed and she is almost tricked, but uses the dark magic in her to break the trance
Mystery/Intrigue: the queen’s council comes to the decision to expel Emberleaf from the council

• This reply was modified 10 months, 4 weeks ago by  Jan Westbrook.
• This reply was modified 10 months, 4 weeks ago by  Jan Westbrook.

[Terrie Shaft]

Terrie’s Intriguing Moments
Vision: I am paid to write screenplays that become successful movies. My process is so solid I can enjoy my equestrian hobby while exceeding expectations with my writing.
Concept: An alien crashes into an off-the-grid hippie's house and they accidentally swap bodies.
What I learned from this assignment is that I’m not sure necessarily how to distinguish emotional moments from intrigue. They seem intertwined and somewhat overlapping to me. But the AI found some that I didn’t label as intrigue so I’ve augmented my answer. I also found that the AI had a tendency to reveal things too early to add the intrigue but that would take away from other aspects.
Act 1:
Intrigue – Bill’s Spaceship Malfunctions
Scene: Bill is in his spaceship, and the broken toilet starts a cascade of malfunctions.
Intriguing Moment: The audience is introduced to Bill’s predicament as he desperately tries to fix the toilet, leading to a series of bizarre and comedic spaceship malfunctions. The chaotic environment and unusual alien technology create an air of mystery about Bill’s competence and the state of his ship.

Superior Position – The Crash
Scene: Bill crashes into Misa’s outhouse.
Intriguing Moment: The audience sees the impending crash before it happens, creating anticipation. Misa thinks it’s a hallucination, while Bill’s sheer terror and confusion provide a humorous contrast, heightening the comedic tension

Mystery – why is Deputy Rhoades meditating on the job
Cover-Up – Body Swap Incident
Scene: The body swap happens in the outhouse.
Intriguing Moment: After swapping bodies, Misa (in Bill’s body) and Bill (in Misa’s body) struggle to grasp what happened. Misa dismisses it as a hallucination while Bill panics, leading to a series of hilarious miscommunications. The audience knows the truth, but the characters don’t, creating a superior position scenario.
Act 2:
Secret – Bill’s body’s illness is worse than he lets on

Hidden Identity – Farmer’s Market Chaos
Scene: Misa’s body (with Bill) and Bill’s body (with Misa) at the farmer’s market.
Intriguing Moment: Bill (in Misa’s body) becomes an unexpectedly good salesman, while Misa (in Bill’s body) struggles to navigate human customs. Their hidden identities cause hilarious confusion, especially when Misa (in Bill’s body) wears a Bigfoot costume to avoid recognition.

Cover up/ Scheme – when Deputy Rhoades pulls them over
Scene: Deputy Rhoades interacts with Misa (in Bill’s body).
Intriguing Moment: Deputy Rhoades becomes suspicious of Misa’s odd behavior, thinking she’s on drugs. Misa (in Bill’s body) must scheme to avoid suspicion, leading to comedic situations where she over-explains her actions, making things worse.
Superior Position – we know it’s an alien in the Big Foot costume, but Deputy Rhoades doesn’t

Act 3:
Scheme – Winning Deputy Rhoades’ Trust
Scene: Deputy Rhoades interacts with Misa (in Bill’s body).
Intriguing Moment: Deputy Rhoades becomes suspicious of Misa’s odd behavior, thinking she’s on drugs. Misa (in Bill’s body) must scheme to avoid suspicion, leading to comedic situations where she over-explains her actions, making things worse.

Scheme – Winning the Festival
Scene: They compete at the Earth Day festival.
Intriguing Moment: Misa (in Bill’s body) and Bill (in Misa’s body) must scheme to win the best product competition. Their attempts to outdo other vendors lead to hilarious situations, especially when they must keep their body swap a secret.

Hidden identity / Conspiracy – Confrontation on Stage
Scene: On stage at the festival.
Intriguing Moment: During their presentation, they are confronted about Misa’s family’s environmental crimes. The conspiracy about her family’s wealth is exposed, adding tension. The reveal shocks the audience and jeopardizes their chance to win, increasing the stakes.

Cover up – hiding Bill’s alien body
Cover agenda – Deputy Rhoades wants Misa in rehab
Intriguing Moment: Bill and Misa must work together to convince Rhoades they aren’t on drugs. The comedic dialogue and absurd explanations to cover up their body swap create a tense yet funny scene.

Act 4:
Cover up – Bill, Misa and Deputy Rhoades work together to hide that an alien visited Earth
Intrigue – Repairing the Spaceship
Scene: All three characters work on the spaceship.
Intriguing Moment: With the funds and parts from the retailer, they fix the spaceship. The process is filled with comedic errors and near-misses. The intrigue lies in whether they can finish before Bill’s body (with Misa) deteriorates further.
Final Twist – Accidental Reversal
Scene: Testing the spaceship toilet.
Intriguing Moment: Just as they are about to part ways, Bill’s body (with Misa) tests the repaired spaceship toilet, causing a spark that reverses the swap. The comedic twist resolves the main conflict while leaving room for future misadventures, ending on a light and humorous note.

• This reply was modified 10 months, 4 weeks ago by  Terrie Shaft.

[Mary Spiers]

Mary’s Intriguing Moments
My vision: I am a leading creator of relatable family-friendly stories with compelling, authentic and unique characters.
What I learned: This follows nicely from the reveals at time but interestingly there are new aspects of intrigue that came up by doing this exercise.

Act 1: Discovery and Departure
Secret (Intrigue) – Ava’s Hidden Pain: During Ava’s performance, she experiences overwhelming sensory pain linked to her music, which she hides from everyone around her. This secret struggle sets the stage for her journey, hinting at deeper, unexplained phenomena affecting her life.
Hidden Identity (Intrigue) – Diana’s Initial Ambiguity: When Ava first meets Diana, there's a subtle hint that Diana knows more about Ava than she lets on. This moment includes Diana making veiled references to Ava's family, suggesting a hidden connection that Diana is not yet willing to disclose.

Act 2: Mastery and Deception
Curse (Mystery). When Ava hears about the curse, besides wondering what it is, neither Ava nor the audience knows exactly what it is or how it came about.
Conspiracy (Intrigue) – Eli’s Whispered Conversations: Eli is seen having secretive discussions with unidentified figures at the retreat, suggesting a conspiracy. These moments are shown in fragmented glimpses to Ava, who begins to feel paranoid and suspicious of the motivations behind Eli's mentorship.
Scheme (Intrigue) – The Special Note’s Dubious Origins: As Ava delves deeper into the concept of the "Special Note," she finds old, obscure references in the retreat’s library that hint at its existence but also suggest it might be a fabricated legend.
Cover Up (Intrigue) – Diana’s Nightly Disappearances: Unbeknownst to Ava, Diana often disappears at night. This covert behavior aligns with secret activities that involve her maintaining hidden artifacts or performing rituals that are not yet revealed to Ava, adding a layer of suspense and mystery about her true intentions.
Superior Position (Intrigue) – Audience Knows More Than Ava: The audience is shown glimpses of Eli’s true nature and his disdain for Ava's abilities through his private monologues, which Ava is unaware of, creating a dramatic irony that heightens the tension as Ava grows closer to trusting him.

Act 3: Descent and Redetermination
Hidden Identity (Intrigue) – Reveal of Diana’s True Identity: The reveal that Diana is Ava’s grandmother is strategically delayed to this act, where it has the most emotional impact. This hidden identity plays out as Diana gradually leaves clues about her past, leading to a dramatic revelation.
Conspiracy (Intrigue) – Diana and Eli’s Past: Diana and Eli knew each other from earlier days suggesting a complex backstory involving power, betrayal, and ethical dilemmas, which Diana hid from Ava.

Act 4: Climax and Resolution
Scheme (Intrigue) – Eli’s Final Plan: As the final confrontation looms, it's revealed that Eli plans to use Ava’s refined abilities in a public demonstration to solidify his influence. This plan is uncovered through intercepted communications that Ava and her allies find.
Cover Up (Intrigue) – The Truth About the Curse: Diana confesses that she inadvertently helped create the curse affecting their family through a failed ritual many years ago, which she has since tried to mitigate or reverse through Ava without revealing the full truth.
Superior Position (Intrigue) – Audience Knows Diana’s Sacrifice: The audience is made aware through Diana’s private moments that her guidance and tough love towards Ava are her ways of atoning for past mistakes, adding depth to her actions that Ava is not yet aware of.

• This reply was modified 10 months, 3 weeks ago by  Mary Spiers.

[Hope McPherson]

Hope’s intriguing moments

My Vison:

To be a full-time respected screenwriter whose work brings joy to viewers and creates work for others in the industry, including actors and crew.

What I learned:

I zoomed through this assignment – still trying to catch up – but was able to see where the scene did include the intrigue techniques and where they could be stronger.

A Novel Nuptial Revolt:

A bride’s wedding plans unravel when her own fictional creations hijack the festivities, turning her special day into a chaotic battle of wills.

Act 1

Secret: Marta is hiding the truth about the readiness of her overdue manuscript.

Intrigue: Chad cautions her about micromanaging this day, which implies this may be an issue with her.

Intrigue: Why is Marta avoiding her publisher’s calls?

Scheme: Marta lies about having her manuscript ready.

Intrigue/conspiracy: Marta meet Vincent and Lily, dressed in 19th century garb. Vincent introduces them (her book’s fictional characters!). They demand she change their characters — or they will edit her.

Act 2:

Intrigue: The police officer who arrives is another one of her fictional characters, Detective Felix Sharp.

Intrigue: Marta’s fictional characters suddenly fill the venue.

Hidden identity: Vincent arrives in the groom’s suite. Sees Chad and is visibly shaken.

Intrigue/mystery: Why does Vincent look menacingly at Chad like he knows him?

Superior position: Marta’s publisher arrives and Vincent lies by telling her that Marta has agreed to major changes.

Cover up/secret identity: Marta tells the publisher that Vincent and Lily are the wedding planners.

Intrigue: Will Chad call off the wedding day?

Mystery: How does Vincent shoves Chad into the fictional book world, and how will Chad get back!

Act 3

Scheme: Marta convinces Vincent to bring out Royal Brighton, the book’s hero and Vincent’s nemesis, to discuss the changes she’ll need to make to their storylines.

Intrigue/Hidden identity: To everyone’s shock, Royal appears — and looks exactly like a 19th-century Chad.

Superior position: Guests assume this is some over-the-top wedding.

Mystery: In a spectacular flash, Chad reappears!

Intrigue: The publisher declares that Marta’s career is over!

Scheme: Determined, Marta and Chad grin at each other. “Butter!” they say in unison.

Conspiracy: Chad motions for the characters to follow his lead!

Act 4

Scheme: Marta summons up her creative energy and demands Vincent return to the fictional realm.

Conspiracy: Marta has her fictional characters working together to force Vincent toward the now thoroughly buttered dance floor.

Intrigue: Vincent, disoriented and defeated, sees everyone united against him. Marta yells, “No!”

Mystery: Marta tells Vincent that she has a new novel in mind, and he may be just the character to lead it — with a few minor adjustments.

Covert agenda: Marta gives Vincent a redemption story where he learns to let go of his resentment and embrace a new role as a mystery-solving sea captain.

Hidden identity: Vincent, now dressed as a sea captain, steps in as the ceremony’s new officiant!

Conspiracy: Bridesmaids walk down the aisle, now with Lily as maid of honor — and Marta appearing in an amazing Lily original.

[Harry Rankin]

Harry’s Intriguing Moments

My vision for success from this program is:
To create scripts freely when working with producers, directors and cast, and sell award-winning work to create a lifestyle confident of financial freedom.

What I learned from doing this assignment is: One

Act 1:
Opening:
Intrigue: During the training scenario, Suli notices Nancy whispering urgently to another medic, hinting at something important.
How it plays out: Suli’s curiosity is piqued as she catches glimpses of the conversation but doesn’t hear enough to understand what’s going on. This moment sets up the secretive nature of Nancy’s involvement.
Secret: Jon is seen working on a small device in his quarters, quickly hiding it when Suli enters.
How it plays out: Jon’s secretive actions create an air of mystery about what he’s building and why he’s keeping it hidden from Suli, hinting at his covert agenda.
Covert Agenda: Harrison, during a press conference, subtly manipulates the narrative about the space mission, framing it as a beacon of hope amid global unrest.
How it plays out: The audience sees Harrison’s skill in controlling public perception, setting up his ulterior motives and the impact of his actions on the mission.
Hidden Identity: Suli overhears a conversation about a past incident involving Nancy but doesn’t get the full details, planting seeds of curiosity.
How it plays out: Suli makes a mental note to ask Nancy about it later, introducing the theme of hidden pasts and setting up future revelations.
Inciting Incident:
Intrigue: Suli and Jon navigate the comedic mishaps of their love affair in space, but Suli notices Nancy acting unusually attentive and cautious around her.
How it plays out: Nancy’s behavior raises questions for Suli, who starts to wonder if there’s more to her actions than just medical concern.
Secret: Jon reveals to the audience (but not to Suli) that he has a hidden stash of emergency supplies he’s been gathering.
How it plays out: Jon’s covert preparations hint at his deep-seated fears and his need to protect Suli, even if she doesn’t know about it.
Covert Agenda: Harrison receives a private communication from an unknown source, discussing plans that could impact the mission.
How it plays out: The audience learns that Harrison is orchestrating something behind the scenes, adding tension and anticipation for what’s to come.
Cover Up: Suli suspects that something is off with the mission’s communication systems, but when she brings it up, her concerns are quickly dismissed by command.
How it plays out: This dismissal makes Suli even more determined to find out what’s being hidden, hinting at larger conspiracies at play.
Turning Point:
Intrigue: Suli discovers a hidden compartment in the ISS containing documents about the mission’s true objectives.
How it plays out: As she reads through the documents, her confusion and concern grow, realizing that there are aspects of the mission she was not told about.
Secret: Jon accidentally discovers Nancy’s secret file on Suli’s pregnancy while searching for medical supplies.
How it plays out: Jon confronts Nancy, leading to a tense exchange where Nancy reveals her reasons for keeping it secret, deepening the intrigue.
Covert Agenda: Harrison makes a cryptic call to a high-ranking official, discussing “contingency plans” if the mission goes off course.
How it plays out: The audience gets a glimpse of Harrison’s broader scheme and his willingness to manipulate events to his advantage.
Conspiracy: Suli and Jon stumble upon encrypted messages indicating that the mission might have been sabotaged.
How it plays out: They decide to investigate further, setting up a subplot of uncovering the conspiracy and adding layers to their personal and professional dilemmas.
Act 2:
New Plan:
Intrigue: Suli reveals her pregnancy to Jon, leading to a series of humorous and desperate attempts to hide it from their colleagues.
How it plays out: They create a plan to cover up the symptoms, leading to funny and awkward situations that also deepen their bond.
Secret: Nancy covertly modifies medical records to hide Suli’s pregnancy from the mission control team.
How it plays out: Nancy’s actions are seen by the audience but not by other characters, creating tension around whether her deception will be discovered.
Covert Agenda: Jon starts implementing his secret makeshift survival plan, unbeknownst to Suli, using his engineering skills to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
How it plays out: The audience sees Jon working late at night, testing and refining his devices, hinting at his deep concerns and resourcefulness.
Cover Up: Harrison orders the suppression of any news about potential risks related to the mission, ensuring that the public remains in the dark.
How it plays out: Harrison’s manipulation of the media is shown through a montage of news clips, highlighting his control and the stakes involved.
Plan in Action:
Intrigue: Suli notices discrepancies in the mission logs and starts investigating, leading to a deeper understanding of the underlying issues.
How it plays out: Suli’s detective work uncovers small but significant clues, making her realize that their mission might not be what it seems.
Secret: Jon confides in Nancy about his fears and the secret plan he’s been working on, seeking her advice.
How it plays out: Nancy supports Jon’s efforts, sharing her own insights and creating a covert alliance between them to protect Suli.
Covert Agenda: Harrison’s plan starts to unravel as unexpected complications arise, forcing him to take more drastic measures.
How it plays out: Harrison is seen making frantic calls and issuing commands, his calm facade cracking under pressure.
Conspiracy: Suli and Jon decode part of the encrypted messages, revealing that there is indeed a plot against the mission.
How it plays out: Their discovery leads to a tense and secretive discussion about how to proceed without alerting the wrong people.
Midpoint Turning Point:
Intrigue: The crash of the delivery drone shuttle forces Suli and Jon to confront the reality of their isolation and the possibility of sabotage.
How it plays out: The crash is shown in a dramatic and chaotic sequence, with Suli and Jon’s reactions highlighting their fear and determination.
Secret: Jon’s hidden stash of emergency supplies becomes crucial, revealing his foresight and deep concern for their safety.
How it plays out: Jon reveals the supplies to Suli, who is initially shocked but then grateful for his preparation, strengthening their bond.
Covert Agenda: Nancy takes risky measures to keep Suli’s pregnancy safe, including modifying the station’s medical equipment.
How it plays out: Nancy’s actions are shown in a series of tense scenes, with her constantly looking over her shoulder, aware of the risks.
Conspiracy: Suli and Jon decide to confront Harrison’s involvement directly, using their encrypted communications to send a coded message to Earth.
How it plays out: The message is crafted carefully, with the hope that someone trustworthy on Earth will decode it and act on their behalf.
Act 3:
Rethink Everything:
Intrigue: Suli and Jon find a hidden compartment in the ISS with supplies and documents suggesting there’s more support available than they were led to believe.
How it plays out: The discovery raises new questions about who put the supplies there and why, adding layers of mystery to their situation.
Secret: Jon finally shares his secret makeshift plan with Suli, leading to a mix of relief and frustration from her.
How it plays out: The revelation sparks a deep and emotional conversation about trust, survival, and their future together.
Covert Agenda: Nancy begins to communicate with a trusted contact on Earth to arrange a secret plan for their safe return.
How it plays out: The audience sees Nancy’s careful and covert communication efforts, knowing that any misstep could jeopardize everything.
Conspiracy: Suli and Jon piece together more clues, realizing that Harrison’s involvement is deeper than they thought, and they plan their next move.
How it plays out: Their discussions and planning are intercut with scenes of Harrison growing increasingly paranoid, building tension.
New Plan:
Intrigue: Suli and Jon start executing their new plan, using the hidden supplies and Nancy’s covert help to prepare for the baby’s arrival.
How it plays out: The preparation scenes are a mix of humor and tension, with Suli and Jon working together seamlessly despite the odds.
Secret: Jon discovers a hidden message from an unknown source that offers a cryptic hint about the mission’s true purpose.
How it plays out: The message leads to a series of investigative scenes, with Jon trying to decode its meaning and implications.
Covert Agenda: Harrison ramps up his efforts to control the narrative, using his influence to manipulate public opinion and obscure the truth.
How it plays out: Harrison’s media manipulations are shown through news reports and social media trends, contrasting with the reality of Suli and Jon’s situation.
Conspiracy: Suli and Jon make a breakthrough in their investigation, discovering evidence that could expose Harrison’s entire scheme.
How it plays out: The discovery is dramatic and intense, with Suli and Jon realizing the gravity of their findings and the danger they are in.
Turning Point:
Intrigue: A message from Earth warns Suli and Jon about an imminent threat, pushing them to act quickly.
How it plays out: The message creates a sense of urgency, leading to a flurry of activity and planning as they prepare for the worst.
Secret: Nancy reveals a personal secret that changes the dynamics of their relationship and gives them new hope.
How it plays out: The revelation is emotional and cathartic, offering a deeper understanding of Nancy’s motivations and creating a stronger bond among the characters.
Covert Agenda: Jon’s secret plan faces a major setback, forcing him to rethink his approach and adapt quickly.
How it plays out: The setback is shown in a tense and dramatic scene, with Jon scrambling to find a new solution under pressure.
Conspiracy: Suli and Jon decide to go public with their findings, hoping to expose Harrison and garner global support.
How it plays out: Their decision is made in a dramatic and emotional scene, setting the stage for the final act and the ultimate showdown.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate Expression of the Conflict:
Intrigue: As Suli goes into labor, they discover that Harrison’s reach extends further than they thought, creating new dangers.
How it plays out: The labor is intense and filled with suspense, with the added intrigue of new threats emerging at the worst possible time.
Secret: Jon reveals a final, hidden aspect of his plan that could ensure their safety and the baby’s successful birth.
How it plays out: The reveal is dramatic and hopeful, with Jon’s ingenuity shining through as he implements the final steps of his plan.
Covert Agenda: Nancy enacts a risky maneuver to protect the baby and ensure Suli’s safety during childbirth.
How it plays out: Nancy’s actions are shown in a series of tense and heroic scenes, highlighting her dedication and bravery.
Conspiracy: The truth about Harrison’s involvement is broadcasted globally, leading to a dramatic shift in public perception and support.
How it plays out: The broadcast is a turning point, with people around the world reacting in real-time, and Harrison facing the consequences of his actions.
Resolution:
Intrigue: The world’s reaction to the birth and the revelations about Harrison’s conspiracy lead to widespread change and new initiatives.
How it plays out: The resolution shows news reports and social media posts, highlighting the global impact of Suli and Jon’s story.
Secret: Nancy reveals her full story to the public, becoming a symbol of resilience and hope.
How it plays out: Nancy’s public revelation is emotional and powerful, providing closure and inspiring others.
Covert Agenda: Harrison’s downfall is shown through a series of legal and political consequences, finally bringing justice.
How it plays out: Harrison’s arrest and the dismantling of his network are shown in a dramatic montage, emphasizing the impact of Suli and Jon’s actions.
Mystery: The final scenes hint at the enduring mystery of space exploration and the ongoing journey of Suli, Jon, and their baby.
How it plays out: The film ends with a hopeful and mysterious tone, showing Suli, Jon, and their baby looking out at the stars, ready for whatever comes next.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is… that although I've embedded intrigue in many places, there are still so many possibilities for intrigue throughout!

Act 1: Opening and Inciting Incident
Intriguing Moment 1: Covert Message
• Scene: Xiola receives a hidden message from an unknown source.
• Play Out: Xiola, still trying to adjust to the plane's environment, receives a cryptic message on her futuristic device. The message is encoded, and as she deciphers it, she realizes it's from someone who knows about the anomaly. The message hints at a conspiracy and warns her to trust no one. This sets up a sense of paranoia and urgency.
• Intrigue Technique: Covert Agenda: The hidden message suggests a larger conspiracy. Mystery: Who sent the message and why?
Intriguing Moment 2: Hidden Explosive Device
• Scene: Quarky finds a hidden device accidentally.
• Play Out: During a moment of turbulence, Quarky stumbles and accidentally activates a hidden weapon concealed within one of the animal cages. Xiola quickly disables it before it can cause harm, but the incident raises questions about Quarky's true identity and purpose on the plane.
• Intrigue Technique: Hidden Identity: Did Quarky plant the device or discover it? Intrigue: What is Quarky's real mission?
Intriguing Moment 3: Unexpected Interference
• Scene: External interference causes the plane to malfunction.
• Play Out: As Xiola and her allies are making progress, the plane suddenly malfunctions due to an external interference. They trace the source to a rival faction attempting to sabotage their mission. This moment raises the stakes and forces them to act quickly to prevent disaster.
• Intrigue Technique: Scheme: The rival faction's attempt to sabotage the mission. Conspiracy: The broader conflict between factions.
Act 2: New Plan and Midpoint Turning Point
Intriguing Moment 1: Sabotage Attempt
• Scene: Someone sabotages the plane's communication systems.
• Play Out: During a moment of relative calm, the plane's communication systems suddenly go offline. Xiola and Quarky check with the pilot and discover evidence of sabotage. This act forces them to realize that someone is actively working against them, intensifying the mystery.
• Intrigue Technique: Scheme: Someone is trying to disrupt the mission. Mystery: Who is behind the sabotage?
Intriguing Moment 2: Hidden Compartment
• Scene: Zartuuf finds a hidden compartment on the plane.
• Play Out: Zartuuf, while exploring the plane, stumbles upon a hidden compartment in the cargo area. Inside, he finds advanced alien technology and documents that indicate someone on board has been smuggling these items. This discovery points to a deeper conspiracy and raises questions about the true nature of the flight.
• Intrigue Technique: Hidden Identity: The smuggling of alien technology. Conspiracy: Who is behind the smuggling, and what is their agenda?

Intriguing Moment 3: Double Agent
• Scene: Zartuuf reveals he is a double agent working for Zhetak.
• Play Out: In a tense confrontation, Zartuuf admits to Xiola that he has been working for Zhetak all along. He tries to justify his actions by explaining his desire to eventually double-cross Zhetak and gain power for himself. This revelation shakes Xiola's trust, but Zartuuf promises to prove his loyalty by helping her.
• Intrigue Technique: Hidden Identity: Zartuuf is a double agent. Conspiracy: Zartuuf's plan to double-cross Zhetak.
Intriguing Moment 4: Hidden Message
• Scene: Xiola finds a hidden message from her mother, Xe.
• Play Out: While investigating a series of anomalies, Xiola stumbles upon a hidden message left by her mother. The message provides crucial information about the anomaly and hints at a larger conspiracy involving multiple factions. This discovery reignites Xiola's determination to find the truth and adds emotional depth to her mission.
• Intrigue Technique: Mystery: The message reveals a deeper conspiracy. Intrigue: Xiola's mother is involved in the anomaly.
Intriguing Moment 5: Secret Meeting
• Scene: Xiola and Quarky secretly meet with Xe.
• Play Out: Xiola and Quarky arrange a covert meeting with Xe from the ET Confederation. Xe appears as holographic image in the hold of the plan, provides valuable information about Zhetak's plans and offers further support to bring him down. The meeting is tense, with the constant threat of being discovered.
• Intrigue Technique: Secret: The meeting is conducted in secrecy. Cover-Up: Xe offers discreet support.
Act 3: Rethink Everything & New Plan
Intriguing Moment 1: Hidden Identity
• Scene: Xiola discovers evidence of Quarky's Identity.
• Play Out: Xiola stumbles upon evidence that Quarky has been using their abilities to close dangerous portals, and spy on Zhetak. This revelation creates a closer relationship between the two siblings, ultimately leads to a deeper alliance.
• Intrigue Technique: Scheme: Quarky's Shamanic identity is revealed. Drama: The bonding between Xiola and Quarky.
Intriguing Moment 2: Hidden Device
• Scene: Zartuuf discovers a hidden device on the plane.
• Play Out: Zartuuf uncovers a sophisticated device hidden in the plane's cargo hold. The device is linked to the anomalies and appears to be part of Zhetak's larger plan. Zartuuf and Xiola must figure out how to disarm it without alerting the other passengers, adding to the suspense.
• Intrigue Technique: Mystery: The purpose of the hidden device. Scheme: The device is part of a larger plan.
Intriguing Moment 3: Unexpected Reinforcements
• Scene: Reinforcements arrive to help Xiola.
• Play Out: Just as the situation on the plane seems dire, a group of time agents from future Earth, led by a friend of Xiola, materialize on the plane. Their arrival shifts the balance of power and provides Xiola with much-needed support, but also raises questions about their true motives.
• Intrigue Technique: Superior Position: The audience knows the reinforcements have their own agenda. Mystery: The true motives of the reinforcements.
Intriguing Moment 4: Emotional Revelation
• Scene: Xe reveals herself to Xiola in a vision.
• Play Out: Xiola experiences a powerful vision where her mother, Xe, appears and provides crucial information about Zhetak's plan and the nature of the anomaly. This emotional encounter gives Xiola new insights and strengthens her resolve to stop Zhetak. The vision is intense and laden with emotional weight, pushing Xiola to her limits.
• Intrigue Technique: Mystery: The true nature of the vision. Intrigue: Xe's hidden role in the conspiracy.
Act 4: Climax & Resolution
Intriguing Moment 1: Hidden Agenda Exposed
• Scene: Zhetak's full plan is revealed.
• Play Out: In the final showdown, Xiola and her allies manage to expose Zhetak's complete plan to the ET Confederation. They present irrefutable evidence of his manipulations and schemes, leading to his immediate arrest. The revelation is dramatic and satisfying, bringing a sense of justice.
• Intrigue Technique: Conspiracy: Zhetak's full plan is exposed. Scheme: The evidence against Zhetak.
Intriguing Moment 2: Sacrificial Act
• Scene: Quarky sacrifices themselves to save the plane.
• Play Out: In a moment of high tension, Quarky uses their shamanic powers to neutralize the final anomaly threatening the plane. The act requires immense energy, and Quarky collapses from exhaustion. This sacrificial act cements their heroism and underscores the stakes of their mission.
• Intrigue Technique: Sacrifice: Quarky risks everything to save the plane. Drama: The emotional impact of Quarky's sacrifice.
Intriguing Moment 3: Secret Weapon or Power
• Scene: Xiola uses a secret weapon to defeat Zhetak.
• Play Out: In the climax, Xiola reveals a secret weapon or power she had kept hidden throughout the mission. The powerful artifact/technology from future Earth, turns the tide in their favor and allows her to subdue Zhetak. The reveal is surprising and adds a twist to the final battle.
• Intrigue Technique: Secret: The hidden weapon is revealed. Scheme: Xiola's hidden strategy.
Intriguing Moment 4: New Beginning
• Scene: Xiola, Zartuuf, and Quarky set off on a new mission.
• Play Out: After Zhetak's defeat, Xiola becomes Commander of the ET confederation, offering Zartuuf, and Quarky a new mission. They are tasked with investigating other anomalies across the multiverse, solidifying their partnership and setting up potential future adventures. The scene ends on a hopeful note, with the trio ready for new challenges.
• Intrigue Technique: Mystery: The nature of their new mission. Intrigue: The potential for future adventures.

[Sylvia Krawczyk]

WIM+AI – Module 4 – Lesson 8: Depth – Intriguing Moments
Sylvia’s Intriguing Moments
My vision from this program is to challenge myself in my writing genre and write my most amazing script to date.
What I learned doing this assignment is…AI is interesting as it constantly rewrites my own ideas. I must repeat and ask for NEW ideas or for it to write and add other elements such as romance, sex, thriller etc. I thought I had to give it as many details as possible but that does not seem the case. When I get the correct wording, the answers can be enlightening. Now, I get timed out and must wait a certain time if I ask too many things. This is new. I am excited to see what I use from the answers I got from this exercise.

Genre = Romantic Thriller
Concept = An artist's unexpected reunion with her first love reveals mutual passion that turns to sinister betrayal leading to a crises that unravels her life.
Characters = Character: Protagonist: Hope
Logline: A well-known artist, Hope, is unhappily married to Will.
Unique: Hope is guilt filled that she respects yet does not love her husband. She’s still in love with Joy.

Character: Antagonist: Joy is Hope’s old classmate.
Logline: Full of life, Joy is an art curator. She’s jealously power hungry and wants Hope’s identity.
Unique: Joy was Hope’s first love in High School and Will’s fiancé from College.

Character: Antagonist-Third Wheel: Will is Hope’s husband.
Logline: Will is a family lawyer that avoids responsibilities with his wife, Hope.
Unique: Will is secretly having an affair with Hope’s brother as he helps Joy.
Structure =

• This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by  Sylvia Krawczyk.