Lesson 8

[William Whiteford]

Assignment 8
William Whiteford – Thriller Plot!

In this assignment, I learned how to create a rough draft for a thriller plot outline. The process begins by selecting a movie structure, with the three-act structure being a popular choice. Next, the key elements of mystery, intrigue, and suspense (MIS) are arranged within seven key structural beats: the inciting incident, call to action, turning point 1, midpoint, turning point 2, climax, and resolution. This process was demonstrated using *The Bourne Identity* as an example.

1. List your structure using a format you are comfortable with.

Here is my three-act structure:

Inciting Incident: A mysterious veteran shoots a bird in a park.
Turning Point 1: The Hero’s wife’s cat is found dead, and his files are hacked.
Midpoint: The Hero, writer G., chases the Villain, his secretary, who manages to escape.
Turning Point 2: The Hero is confined to a psychiatric clinic.
Climax: The Hero confronts and defeats the Villain.
Resolution: The Hero hires a new female secretary, the Villain is imprisoned, and the Hero’s wife escapes abroad.

2. Insert life-threatening situations, mysteries, and the Villain’s plan into your structure.

Inciting Incident: A mysterious veteran, described as “a man with a rifle,” shoots a bird in a park.
Villain’s Plan 1: Staging a series of animal killings to frame the his boss, have him confined to a psychiatric clinic, and then flee abroad with the Hero’s wife.
Life-Threatening Situation 1: The Hero could be shot during the park encounter.
M1: Who is the shooter?
M2: Is the shooter a fugitive from a local psychiatric clinic?

Turning Point 1: The writer’s wife’s cat is found dead.
M3: Is the elusive veteran responsible?
Life-Threatening Situation 2: Is this a warning to the writer and his family?
II: The writer burns the secretary Jack’s manuscript. Jack assaults the writer and then vanishes. Later, the writer discovers that Jack H. died three months ago.
M4: Who is using the identity of “Jack H.” and where is he now?
M5: Will the Hero be able to identify, locate, and capture the villain? How?
Life-Threatening Situation 3: A masked man attacks the Hero at home during the night.
M6: Who is the attacker? Could it be the protagonist’s brother, Dan, who recently had a dispute with him over property?
Midpoint: The hero chases the secretary, but the latter escapes.
Life-Threatening Situation 4: A high-speed car chase through the city, with both men armed and aiming at each other.
Turning Point 2: The Hero confined to a psychiatric clinic.
Life-Threatening Situation 5: TheHero fears for his life, dreading the possibility of electric shock treatment.
Life-Threatening Situation 6: While in the clinic, the real veteran launches a violent attack on the Hero.
Life-Threatening Situation 7: The Hero escapes the clinic, pursued by the police.
Climax: The Hero confronts the villain in a final showdown and triumphs.
Life-Threatening Situation 8: The Hero faces the armed Villain alone, in a dark and confined space.

Resolution: The Hero’s wife escapes abroad, while he hires a new female secretary. Meanwhile, the villain begins writing his memoirs from prison. Will he find success?
# # #

[William Peed]

1. Three Act Structure

INCITING INCIDENT: Pasha Hassan asks Miguel to write a proposal to Daniella for Pasha Hassan
TURNING POINT 1: Daniella makes Miguel promise that he’ll stay in Algiers and make it work
MIDPOINT: Daniella asks Miguel to help her escape
TURNING POINT 2: Daniella asks Miguel to help her escape. Again
CLIMAX: Miguel gets captured so Daniella can escape
RESOLUTION: Miguel and Sancho watch Pasha Hassan sail off to Constantinople

2. Insert Life Threatening Incidents, Mysteries, and the Villain’s Plan Into Your Structure

INCITING INCIDENT: Pasha Hassan asks Miguel to write a marriage proposal to Daniella
–VILLIAN’S PLAN: To get married so the Sultan will name him the Grand Vizier
–LIFE THREATENING SITUATION: Daniella is the love of Miguel’s life. If she says no…
–M1: Why does Pasha Hassan ask Miguel to ask Daniella to write a proposal for him
TURNING POINT 1: Daniella makes Miguel promise to not leave her alone in Algiers.
–LIFE THREATENING SITUATION: If Pasha Hassan finds out, he’ll kill them
–M2: Why won’t Daniella leave with Miguel
–LIFE THREATENING 2: Pasha Hassan ends up in the Harem at the same time as Miguel and Benengeli
—-Zara
MIDPOINT: Daniella asks Miguel to help her escape
LIFE THREATENING 3: If Pasha Hassan discovers their plan, they’ll all be dead