Lesson 8

[Jeanne Sanner]

Jeanne Sanner’s Beat Sheet Draft 2

What I learned by doing this lesson is: I believe I have already done this throughout my screenplay thus far. I began with my theme, and I am writing the play to explore the theme. The theme: Is forgiveness, even of parental sexual abuse, possible, and if so, how?

The main character, Andrea, has the biggest hurdle, though Darin has achieved forgiveness of his husband for having an affair, and Laura is working to forgive her mother for cremating Laura’s father without consulting Laura, to which Laura would have argued vehemently against.

Actually, Andrea’s lack of ability to forgive her father is the real antagonist. Her father is the impetus, but Andrea is battling with the idea of having to forgive her father when she doesn’t really want to, doesn’t think he deserves it, and doesn’t know how.

What I have gained from this assignment though, is that I need to create a better opening to introduce the characters.

The Opening I am now considering is: Andrea and Justin’s ship comes in and Darin and Laura are at the dock to welcome them home. Lots of energy; we see the strength of Andrea’s and Justin’s relationship, their professional goals, and we get to know the friends, too.

Up to now, I have gotten into the theme too quickly. I will make the current opening my second scene, and the introduction of the theme then happens in the third scene.

Also, I now realize why I was not as successful with speed writing in the last assignment: I was combining that assignment with this one. I will keep speed writing in mind with future assignments if it is appropriate.

I realize that I must be careful not make my theme an infomercial, and my script has the potential to do that. It also has the potential to be preachy. I am cognizant of those pitfalls and will do all I can not to fall into them.

[Margaret]

Nice insight on your assignment! Glad you are changing up your opening scene, I think that will make it way more interesting.

[Jeanne Sanner]

Thank you Margaret! I appreciate any insights.

I’m working making as much visual instead of words, but that sure is a challenge isn’t it!

[Laurie Reilly]

What I learned from these assignments… is that it is hard posting from the road! Had to take off last Friday and head south due to a death in the family, but I kept writing along the way- however wifi was so spotty, I couldn’t post. Plus the forum seemed to lose my first 5 posts during the reset. So.. below are lessons 5-8 all rolled into one. I am home now and trying to catch up. Thanks!

Act 1:

OPENING

INT. ANNIE’S CLOSET 2018- DAY

Annie is pining for the past, still, by hiding in the closet and smelling Joe’s clothes. In private she is still mourning her 1st husband Joe who died 30 years ago.

INT. ANNIE’S KITCHEN 2018- DAY CONT.

Annie’s 60th birthday finds her in a seemingly happy scene surrounded by her 3 adult children and her 2nd husband Sean, Her children give her a jar of their happy memories with her,

Choice- small scene of having to chose which one to read. She has a hard time making the choice

PLACEHOLDER incl ref to Joe, the three adult children have a lively and fun camaraderie. Ref to Hunter’s bass. Sean has new song.. etc.

EXT. VERMONT SKI AREA 2018- DAY

TE 1- Inciting Incident- While skiing with her 3 adult children, Erin, Hunter and Maggie, Annie hits a tree and loses consciousness. Annie chooses a dif trail then her kids. Again, a choice

INT. ALTERED STATE-TIMELESS

TE 2 – Annie comes around in altered state, sitting in a twilight void, her life memories swirling around her in a blur. She has a guide who shows her that time and space are merged here. There are others in the distance, some in a coma, some preparing to pass on, others like her, in-between. The guide shows Anna how she can select from her life memories that are swirling around her and be briefly immersed in that moment. She can view each of these memories before deciding if she wants to visit it. If she chooses, she then can briefly enter the memory. Then comes back to the altered state. Some scenes we see, but she doesn’t go into, but swipes to next one instead. Like Sean teaching Hunter the guitar, etc.

• OLD WAY Annie gets to visit her memories, but she is still just along for the ride. This is the old way

INT. MEMORY 1

PLACEHOLDER, come back and tie in later scenes. Memory should include a choice between dolls, or a pet.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

PLACEHOLDER – Need a way she knows she is coming out of the memory

INT. MEMORY 2

PLACEHOLDER – tie in later scenes, but they will have happened in a different way- Wedding scene with Sean, with Erin and Hunter there. All are happy, but Annie plays with both rings. Erin tells her it’s ok to be happy again. What happened to Joe was not her fault, don’t feel guilty.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

PLACEHOLDER -Each time Annie comes back to the altered state she is given more information. Make a reference to a choice.

INT. MEMORY 3

PLACEHOLDER- more memories- these are all brief. Memory could be of Maggie’s birth, with Sean carrying out baby maggie to show a very happy and excited Erin and Hunter

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

INT. MEMORY-CHILDHOOD

TE- 3 She visits one memory of her mother, that goes beyond the good part (mother young and beautiful and playful) to one that exposes her mothers’s schizophrenia mother, then she, as always, comes back to the altered state. This should reference not having any control.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

• OLD WAY- in discussion- This exposes how much Annie wishes she could change the past. One of the memories is the death of her first husband 30 years ago, which she passes by and does not view.

PLACE HOLDER NEED SET UP FOR HOW SHE STAYS IN A MEMORY

INT. MEMORY- PRE ACCIDENT

TE- The next memory is before the accident. She is not pulled back into the altered state.

Act 2:

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN-DAY

Annie is stunned that she is staying in the memory from 1992, happy to be with Joe again, her younger self and her 2 older children as kids again (Erin 10, Hunter 8). She tells no one, afraid they will think she is going schizo, like her mother.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE BEDROOM-NIGHT

PLACEHOLDER- intimate scene..

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, ANNIE DREAM

Her dreams at night are of Maggie and are too real. Dreams need to be filmed differently then memory state.

INT. ASSYLUM 1992-DAY

TE 2.1- Annie goes visits her mother in an institution. She doesn’t want to be like her

PLACEHOLDER- Annie doesn’t want to be like the ‘old annie’ who is reacting to life instead of directing it. She wants to chose her story line, she wants to take control.

EXT. WOODVILLE 1992- DAY

Annie realizes she is close to the day of the accident that took Joe’s life. Annie believes she can save Joe’s life. And is thrilled she can save him and give Erin and Hunter back their father. If this is real.

INT. MARY-LOU HOMEOFFICE 1992- DAY

That thought sends her to her aunt Mary Lou who is a hypnotherapist, Annie tells her that she wonders if she is living in a memory from an altered state-or she is going schizo. Mary Lou doesn’t believe in the altered state but doesn’t judge, tries to convince her it really is 1992, there is no other life, no Sean or Maggie..She offers to hypnotize her.

INT. MARY-LOU OFFICE 1992-DAY CONT.

PLACEHOLDER SCENE Midpoint Turning Point- In hypnosis with M’Lous help,

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

NEED TO THINK THROUGH HOW IS ALTERED STATE IN HYPNOSIS DIFFERENT. Annie returns to the altered state to help her see the future, She can see memories with Sean and Maggie. She can view them, but can’t enter them. She can’t see Sean..sees scene leading up to his death? She can see scenes with Sean and Erin and Hunter, happy ones. She can see scenes of Hunter and Erin being very sad at Joe’s funeral. There is no guide

INT. MARY-LOU OFFICE 1992- DAY CONT.

Annie tries to explain to M’lou… is almost hysterical that Joe will die soon if she does nothing.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992- ANNIE AND JOE BEDROOM EVENING

At night as she lies next to Joe, she is plagued by memories of Maggie. She promises her she will always be there for her.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- DREAM STATE

PLACEHOLDER- dreams are always a bit fuzzy, dif then altered state. Memories of Maggie

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN

TE 2.2 Annie is on the phone with Marylou. Decides to try to figure out what is real by calling Sean’s old work number. He answers. She hangs up.

Choice exposed. Annie realizes if she saves Joe and lives her live with him, there will be no meeting Sean, and more importantly, no Maggie. Annie is unsure if she is starting to be like her mother, but she can’t bear the thought of seeing Joe die again… but then there is dear Maggie.

TE 2.3- Annie has a c-section scar from Maggie? MLou starts to believe?

Act 3:

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN

TE.3.1 Annie decides to save Joe. BIG SCENE HERE this is the choice

EXT. WOODVILLE-1992

Annie figures a way to stop the truck and save Joe.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN- EVENING

Annie has the first day of life after what would have been his death. Erin and Hunter are so happy

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE BEDROOM- EVENING

But at night, in her dreams, infant Maggie howls and fades away. The scar is gone.

EXT. MARY-LOU – 1992 – HOMEOFFICE- MIDNIGHT

Annie on the doorstep, asking to be hypnotized.

INT. MARY-LOU -1992- OFFICE- EVE CONT.

Annie goes under hypnosis.

INT. ALTERED STATE

The memories of Maggie and Sean are back. Memories of Joe and Hunter and Erin, don’t include her.

INT. MARY-LOU – 1992- OFFICE- EVE CONT.

Annie comes out of the altered state and shows her the scar is back. Then she asks is she can stay with Mary-lou, suitcase in car was intent, that’s why the scar is back

TE 3.2- Annie abruptly leaves Joe, and her kids behind (she doesn’t want to take them away from the father she just gave them back), to keep on the timeline to meet Sean and have Maggie.

INT. MARY-LOU OFFICE 1992

Annie phone call with Joe that she is leaving him and the kids. She is devastated.

PLACEHOLDER- ALMOST GIVES IN? ALMOST TELLS JOE,

ACT 4

INT. NORTHEAST PUB, 1995, EVENING

Annie on payphone, talking to Joe, kids won’t come to the phone. He asks her to comeback, she says she can’t. Banner sign: school fund raiser. She hangs up and sits close to stage and catches the eye of Sean, handsome music teacher on stage singing.

INT. COURTHOUSE 1997, DAY

Courthouse wedding with just Annie and Sean, huge difference from earlier memory with both kids at the wedding.

INT. ANNIE’S CAR 1997, DAY

Annie picking Erin and Hunter up at the airport. It’s a chilly reception. Esp since Annie is pregnant. Argument with Erin (15) regarding choosing other family.

INT. ANNIE AND SEAN’S HOUSE 1997, DAY

Tension between Annie and Sean when Erin and Hunter reject Sean. Sean overhears Annie asking about joe. Sean tries to interest the kids in music. They reject him.

INT. MATERNITY WARD, 1998

Mary lou is there for the birth of Maggie, Sean is late (?), but then tender moment with Maggie.

INT. ANNIE AND SEAN’S HOUSE 1998, DAY

Maggie is a week old, Marylou does hypnosis for Annie.

PLACEHOLDER THOUGHTS (Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift. Now Annie is a divorced woman, not a widow when she meets Sean.

(something dramatic during birth that is dif then her memory of Maggie’s birth) She does give birth to Maggie, but the siblings don’t know her. She doesn’t have Erin and Hunter with her, and they are very resentful she left them. Joe is broken hearted. Even her relationship with Sean is different than her early memories.)

EXT. ERIN’S GRADUATION 2000- DAY

Erin graduates, Annie is there with two-year old Maggie. Scene with Sean meeting Joe.. Annie is clearly emotional. Joe is good with Erin and Hunter Annie is haunted. Joe looks thin, not healthy

PLACEHOLDER THOUGHT- Should Joe be there?

INT. MARYLOU OFFICE 2000, DAY

Annie has marylou hypnotize her. She reaches the altered state, but only revisits memories with Joe… can’t see memories with Sean… but Maggie is there.

INT. ALTERED STATE-

Memories are different, but include all three kids getting older.

INT. MAGGIE SCHOOL- 2014 EVENING

Maggie is now 16 and performs at the school, she is very good on the guitar and sings. Annie and Sean are proud, Annie gets a phone call (WHO?). Joe is in a diabetic coma.

INT. HOSPITAL- CALIF- 2014

PLACEHOLDER THOUGHT-? Annie arrives too late. Joe has died. Erin and Hunter are crushed. Annie tries to comfort them, they reject her.

EXT. ANOTHER GRAVEYARD

Annie finds her mother’s gravesite. Butterflies? She walks over to the next one, it is Mary Lous. Conversation with M’lou.The power to change the worst day of her first husbands’ life has backfired in every way. Mary-Lou has also passed away and Annie can’t access the altered state through hypnosis anymore.

INT. ANNIE AND SEAN’S HOUSE

Annie comes home from funeral to Sean asking for a divorce, Couldn’t compete with Joe while he was alive, doesn’t want to compete with him while dead. Annie is understanding. She puts both her wedding rings on her right hand.

EXT. DRIVING TO SKI AREA 2000

Annie passes through a town with a hypnosis sign.

PLACEHOLDER SCENE. Need a revelation for Annie here?

EXT. VERMONT SKI AREA 2000

Once again Annie is skiing on her 60th birthday, this time only with Maggie. Again, she loses control and hits a tree.

INT. SKI PATROL HUT, 2000- CONT.

She comes to in the ski patrol room. Erin leans over her anxiously, Annie is surprised, asks where is Maggie- Erin doesn’t know who Maggie is. Then Joe leans into the picture.

[Margaret]

Margaret’s Sheet Draft Two

What I learned: Clarifying the theme helps focus the scenes so that the purpose of the script is fulfilled.

Theme: Spiritual battles require action (We can’t ignore the snakes chasing our children).

Act 1 – pages 1-25, set up and see the Old Ways

1. EXT. WHITTIER – DEPARTMENT STORE – DAY

Opening: An earthquake in Whittier, CA. Jabe runs from a building as its facing crumbles. He hops over fallen bricks, tries to get away from the building. He struggles to keep his footing, jumps aside as a car veers towards him. He stumbles. A crack in the road widens, moves towards him.

2. EXT. OTHER WORLD – BEACH – DAY

Inciting Incident: Wakes up in another world, lizards run by him. He screams, brushes the lizards away. Sees the horde of lizards are being chased by snakes. Saves a lizard from a snake. (Chase/Pursuit) Pulls himself to safety onto a large rock. (This scene should represent the meaning of the movie: He saves the Dorek from the Hedeon, moving to the safety of a large rock, Masada).

3. EXT. ROCKY BLUFF – DAY

Jabe moves up a rock, only to be confronted by Dorek men and Alo (Counselor of the Dorek). The Dorek are trim, petite in size, versus Jabe’s tall, overweight appearance. The appear unthreatening until they pull out unique weapon on Jabe. They motion for him to come up. Jabe has a yellow aura, jokes about the iridescent aura surrounding Alo. Alo motions for the men to put their weapons down. Jabe tries to brush off his own purple aura, jokes about looking like Barney. Alo tells him not to be afraid, but he denies his fear with a joke.

4. EXT. TOWN SIDEWALK – DAY

Jabe asks the way “home” and realizes he is in a foreign place. Alo invites Jabe to his home in the Dorek sector. States he will have to choose between the Hedeon and the Dorek, but he will be more at home with the Hedeon, since he is purple. Alo says, “Thinking you can remain undecided is an illusion of the mind. Not choosing is to be. No choice is a choice.” Jabe stays with Alo, afraid of the unknown.

5. INTERIOR – ALO’S HOME – DAY

Imara, a woman with a purple aura, serves dinner. Jabe asks why she is “purple” and not like the others (Everyone else in the room has a pearly iridescent aura). She answers, “We are all born that way. I have not seen the Orb.” Jabe jokes about “seeing things” and “is this another no choice is a choice moment?” Alo threatens that he many only see the Orb once, rejecting it marks them for death.

Motivation: Jabe sees the conflict between the Hedeon and Dorek. If he can keep the peace, it ensures his survival.

6. EXT. HEDEON SECTOR – PLAZA – DAY

Armann tells the Hedeon men (all with purple aura) that the Dorek are out to destroy their children, filling their minds with stories of the power of the ORB. As Armann speaks, his aura turns red and the men he speaks with turn red as well. A ball of light floats in front of Armann. The men wait to see how Armann will react. He tells the men to start fights with the Dorek, purposely kill them to intimidate them. The Orb disappears as Armann and his men leave to engage with the Dorek.

7. EXT. TOWN – DAY

In town, Jabe watches as Armann (red aura) picks on an innocent Dorek man, kills him in what appears falsely to be a justified attack. Jabe’s aura turns yellow, he freezes, does nothing to help. Armann turns towards Jabe. A Dorek man grabs his arm, moves him away from the scene.

8. EXT. TOWN – SAME – DAY

Armann moves down the street and taunts other Dorek who run in fear.

9. EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN – DAY

TE#1 On his way back to Alo, The Dorek man who pulled Jabe away is attacked by AKUJI, a small

man with a dark red aura. Jabe stops, towers over the Hedeon man, steps in between the two

and says, Can’t we all get along?” The Hedeon man is much smaller than Jabe and decides not to

fight This giant of a man. Jabe picks up the wounded Dorek man, takes him to Alo.

10. EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN – DAY

A Hedeon man sees Jabe carrying the Dorek man, warns him to leave the Dorek and join the Hedeon. He seems to be a kind man, but his aura turns yellow when he speaks of Armann’s power. He threatens Jabe, saying Armann cannot tolerate Hedeon who sympathize with the Dorek and encourages Jabe not to align himself with the rebellious cult, run from the Orb.

11. EXT. ALO’S HOME – DAY

Imara’s aura is red as she talks with Jabe. She spews her hatred of the Hedeon. Jabe tries to help her move on, and Imara turns purple as she reveals she is tired of dwelling on her hate, she states she trusts the Dorek and Taaba. Jabe tells her she can trust him, he will take care of her as he would his own sister.

12. INT. ALO’S HOME – DAY

A glowing ball of light (Orb) floats towards Imara. She reaches out, pulls it to her chest, her aura changes to a nacreous glow. Jabe secretly watches, then confronts Imara once he sees her aura changes. Jabe learns that once you touch the Orb and pull it towards you, your aura changes to nacreous and you will never be purple again. She warns him not to refuse the Orb.

Turning point:

13. INT. ARMANN’S HOME – DAY

Grigo (7) asks Armann about his mother. He tells him she lives in the Dorek sector, tells him he will send a message asking her to visit. An exuberant Grigo hugs his father.

14. INT. ALO’S HOME – DAY

TE #2 Time is up. Alo receives Armann’s letter stating all purple must be returned to the Hedeon tribe or else they will be sought out and killed. Alo gives Jabe the choice to stay with the Dorek or leave and join the Hedeon. Jabe wants to stay with the Dorek and lay low. Jabe turns red as Alo accuses him of only thinking of himself, to not make a decision that would better himself. Jabe replies that Alo is “not his mother” and stalks off.

Act 2 – pages 25- 45 Challenge the Old Ways

New Plan:

15. EXT. HEDEON SECTOR – DAY

Jabe leaves the Dorek to meet with the Hedeon (a tribe with a purple aura). Since he is of purple aura himself, he is accepted and arranges to meet with Armann. The man who warned him earlier reminds him to not express sympathy for the Dorek. In the background, Akuji, the man who Jabe stopped from killing the Dorek smolders with hate, a deep red aura.

Plan in Action:

16. EXT. ARMANN’S HOME – PATIO – DAY

Jabe meets Armann and is introduced to his son Grigo (Imara’s 9 yr old son). Grigo sees that Jabe is purple and asks if he knows of Imara and if she is still purple. Jabe jokingly says she is his “little sister” and says “not anymore.” This angers Armann who turns green while Jabe talks. Armann tells Grigo that his mother’s aura doesn’t matter, Grigo will never see her again. Armann tells Grigo to stay outside while he motions Jabe to go inside with him. Grigo stays but calls out after Armann. Grigo’s aura turns grey as he begs his father to let his mother come.

17. INT. ARMANN’S HOME – DAY

Akuji whispers into Arman’s ear. Armann turns to Jabe, gives him a choice – stay with the Hedeon as Armann’s body guard or be killed as an example to the Dorek. Jabe refuses to answer. Armann orders his man to place Jabe in a guarded room to think about his answer.

18. INT. ARMANN’S HOME – BEDROOM – DAY

TE #3 Jabe escapes through a window (barely fits and jokes about his morning donuts), making himself Armann’s enemy. (Obstacle)

Midpoint

Turning point:

19. INT. TEMPLE – DAY

TE #4 Alo speaks to the Dorek in the temple of “Taaba” and his expectations of the Dorek. Jabe arrives, is taken by the peaceful way of Taaba and so when the Orb floats towards him, he accepts the Orb and loses his purple aura.

20. EXT. TOWN – DAY

TE #4 The man who Jabe learns from the Orb and stands up to the Hedeon in the street.

21. INT. ARMANN’S HOME – DAY

When Armann realizes the Dorek has “turned” Jabe, he burns the temple and vows to kill all of the Dorek so that none of the Hedeon will come under the influence of the Orb.

Act 3 – pages 45-65 With the Midpoint change, the Old Ways are dropping off and profound moments give us the New Ways

Rethink plan:

22. ALO’S HOME – DAY

TE #6 After discussing the situation with Imara, Jabe comes up with an idea and influences Alo to leave the city and take the Dorek to Masada.

New Plan:

23. EXT. FOOTHILLS – MASADA – NIGHT

A few Hedeon guard Masada. The Dorek wait until dark and a few brave men sneak up the snake path to kill the Hedeon. Jabe refuses to kill and stays behind.

24. EXT. FOOTHILLS – MASADA – NIGHT – SAME

The Dorek men are successful and give the signal for the rest to come up the mountain.

25. EXT. MASADA – DAY

The Dorek settle into Masada, celebrate their escape. A few purple among them accept the Orb in the excitement of the moment.

26. EXT. HEDEON SECTOR – DAY

Armann stirs up his tribe, they plan the attack on Masada.

Turning pt/huge failure:

27. EXT. MASADA – DAY

Armann has his men build a wall around Masada. The Dorek pray.

28. EXT. FOOTHILLS MASADA – DAY

The Hedeon attempt to enter Masada by the snake path but the few Dorek hold them at bay.

29. EXT. HEDEON CAMP – DAY

Armann tells the Hedeon they must build a ramp and take the fortress. “We can ignore the threat and see our children fall to their deceit or we can fight and kill the insidious cancer that eats at our society, and captures the minds of our own.”

30. EXT. MASADA FORTRESS – DAY

The Hedeon build the ramp as the Dorek watch from the walls. Alo assures them Taaba is with them, they are protected.

31. EXT. HEDEON CAMP – DAY

Armann calls for the men to move their siege tower up the ramp.

32. EXT. MASADA FORTRESS – MORNING

TE #7 The Hedeon are close to breaching the walls. (Escalation) A few Dorek try to escape down the snake path to the East and are killed by the Romans. Alo posts a guard to keep the Dorek from leaving. The Hedeon breach the first wall. Set fire to the second wall, wait until the next day to attack.

33. INT. MASADA MEETING PLACE – Day

TE #8 Alo gathers the men and gives an impassioned speech, “We can surrender, we can fight, or we can die free men.” The Dorek form a suicide plan and want Jabe to assist them (Overwhelming Odds). Jabe: “Die or Die? I’ll take my mind’s illusion.”

Act 4 – pages 65-90 Test the change in this character! Prove New Ways!

Climax:

34. EXT. MASADA – DAY

TE #9 Jabe realizes the Dorek must survive to save future generations from remaining “purple”. He plans with Imara to escape so she can find and help Grigo and the other children. (New Plan) A Dorek man hears them and tells Alo.

35. TE #10 Alo confronts Jabe. Jabe tells him he is not of this world, and the Orb has not given him peace to surrender his life. He will fight for Taaba, with the Orb’s strength, even if he is the only one.

36. INT. MASADA MEETING PLACE – DAY

The Dorek cast lots to see who will take the lives of their own. Dorek kill Dorek. Jabe hides Imara.

37. EXT. MASADA – NIGHT

Jabe fights (need unique fight), fends off the Hedeon at the risk of his own life while Imara escapes down the snake path to freedom.

Resolution:

38. EXT. MASADA – DAY

Jabe returns to the ramp, falls off the mountain fighting with Armann (Full out attack). (Need unique fight) (Jabe and Armann fall together.)

39. EXT. WHITTIER – STREET

TE # 11 Jabe lands back in his own world. Sees the same auras as the world he left. Realizes he cannot stay neutral in this fight. He must help those with a purple aura find a better way.

[Ed Preston]

Ed’s High Speed Beat Sheet v2

What I learned from this assignment is that I may have hinted at the theme early on in the Commencement Day Speech. Perhaps I’ll sharpen it up by adding a quote from Mark Twain, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.”

The main beats of the Antagonist’s story:

We see Sam with his fellow angels before they go on their separate assignments. Sam’s earthly persona is that of a fairly nondescript Brit of working class background who enjoys motorcycling. We learn that he’s heading East to a college graduation.

When Dave goes on a self-destructive motorcycle ride after receiving his bad news, Sam miraculously saves him from certain death.

After Dave decides to follow the path left open to him, Sam reveals himself (as an angel), and his mission, to Dave and accompanies him to his destination.

When Dave’s motorcycle is damaged and being repaired, Sam and Dave stop in a small, very old town in the Nevada desert, not found on any map. There Dave experiences a brief conjunction between Heaven and Earth that has a profound effect on him.

Sam presents Dave with the option of clearing out an evil, demon-infested place in the desert at some risk to Dave (and which they cannot do without him), or taking the safer long way around, and leaving it intact.

While at their final stop for gas, as Dave goes into the store for a Yoo-Hoo, Sam disappears, leaving a note behind saying that Dave can now go the rest of the way without him.

SLIGHTLY UPDATED BEAT SHEET:

ACT 1

INT. DINER, VERY SMALL TOWN IN RURAL NEVADA – DAY

Six men, their appearance suggests they’re from a variety of backgrounds, are at a round table having breakfast. Their discussion reveals that each has a different assignment. One of them, dressed for motorcycle touring, says he’s headed to Massachusetts for a college graduation.

INT. SMALL APARTMENT IN MANCHESTER, MA – DAY

Two roommates, Dave and Glen, are talking. Dave is graduating today, and about to leave. Glen holds up 3 letters that were delivered while Dave was getting ready, and says that one of them smells nice. Dave says he knows who it’s from, and he’ll open them when he gets back, and dashes out the door. Glen feels a round object in the envelope and looks concerned.

EXT. OUTDOOR GRASSY AREA, SUMMIT COLLEGE, WENHAM, MA, CHAIRS AND PLATFORM SET UP FOR COMMENCEMENT – DAY

While preparing for their procession, Dave and some of his friends discuss their plans. Dave, a life- long ‘planner’, tells them he’s not only getting married to his High School sweetheart, but he’s been offered a job, with equity, at the social networking company, MegaFace, that’s been in the news lately for their spectacular growth. They all express admiration and envy, but when he leaves, one of them calls him an ass and the others nod in agreement.

The commencement speaker, a famous lawyer, tells the graduates he wishes them not only success, but enough adversity, hardship, setbacks, and unfairness to develop compassion and a sense of justice.

INT. BACK AT DAVE’S APARTMENT – FOUR HOURS LATER

Glen is gone. Dave picks up the three envelopes. He opens the first, from Tall Pines College in Northern California, offering him a full graduate scholarship. He tosses it aside. The second is from MegaFace, ‘regretfully’ withdrawing their offer of employment. He’s shocked. He opens the third, from his fiance, basically saying that the wedding is off and she’s gotten engaged to Dave’s oldest friend, the son of a man who owns six large automobile dealerships. He turns the envelope over and an engagement ring falls out, hitting the counter with a thud. He’s gone from shocked to devastated.

EXT. DAVE’S APARTMENT – SAME TIME

Dave comes storming out, snatches the ‘For Sale’ sign off the Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle on the lawn, starts the engine and roars off like a rocket.

EXT. ROUTE 128, MANCHESTER, MA, NORTHBOUND – MINUTES LATER

Dave races down the highway at insane speeds, weaving in and out of traffic, then swerves around a minivan that won’t get out of the way fast enough, only to find himself heading straight for the back of a slow-moving truck that just lumbered onto the highway from a utility vehicle turnaround. In a split second, another figure on a motorcycle, Sam, races past and snatches Dave off his bike just before it hits the truck and explodes in flames.

Immediately after, Dave and Sam are sitting at the side of the road, joined by the family in the minivan, and the driver of the truck. Everyone has a different account of what they saw, the children’s stories are most accurate, but the adults dismiss them as fanciful because they’re clearly ‘impossible’. In a moment when others are occupied, Sam leans in and tells Dave he’s his guardian angel, for a while, anyway. He promises to catch up with him later, but leaves just as the police arrive..

INT. BACK AT DAVE’S APARTMENT – FORTY MINUTES LATER

Glen has returned. He looks out the window as Dave is dropped off by a police car. Dave enters and tells Glen everything that happened. Glen holds up the previously discarded letter from Tall Pines College and says maybe Dave should reconsider. Dave flops on the couch, exhausted.

INT. JOE’S PAWN SHOP, GLOUCESTER, MA – NEXT DAY, AFTERNOON

Dave puts the engagement ring on the counter, along with his expensive motorcycle helmet. Joe, a retired cop with perceptive people skills, chats with Dave and examines the ring. He’s heard about Dave’s close call and takes him out back where he pulls the cover off a beautiful, fully-restored ‘73 Moto Guzzi (rhymes with Gucci) Eldorado touring motorcycle. A genuine classic.

ACT 2

EXT. SOMEWHERE IN WESTERN MA ROUTE 2, MID-DAY, 3 DAYS LATER., SUNNY & CLEAR.

Dave is riding the Eldorado, now loaded for a trip. A triumphant break-up song, similar to the Eagles’ “Already Gone” is playing. As the song concludes, he pulls into a diner for lunch.

INT. ROADSIDE DINER, NOON, SAME DAY.

Dave sits at a booth looking at a menu. Sam comes in. Dave recognizes him from the other day. They have a conversation where Sam reveals more about his mission. From then on he accompanies Dave on his journey.

INT. BIKER BAR/ROADHOUSE SOMEWHERE IN WESTERN PA, SAME DAY, EARLY EVENING

Sam and Dave are having dinner. Dave asks about Sam’s appearance. Sam says he can look many different ways and demonstrates, switching from Mr. America, to a soldier, to a famous movie star, etc, but says he prefers the way he looks now. They finish their dinner, Dave leaves to use the men’s room, Sam leaves a tip and takes the check to the cashier. Dave returns from the men’s room and sees a gorgeous, buxom biker chick in Sam’s seat. He assumes it’s Sam again, showing off. Dave sits, gives her a slow once-over and expresses his admiration. A hand on his shoulder distracts him. It’s Sam. He tells Dave it’s time to go, and also apologizes to the woman’s bad-ass biker boyfriend who just appeared and looks ready to punch Dave out. Sam and Dave leave quickly.

EXT. EATON BAPTIST CHURCH, EATON OH, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, SUNNY

At the softball game, Sam is encouraged to participate. In the bottom of the last inning, they’re behind, 6-5, two men on base, with Sam at bat. He hits a line drive straight into the glove of the

clumsiest guy on the opposing team, ending the game. As the ball field clears out, Dave tells Sam he thought he could hit better than that, Sam picks up a bat and ball and points to the Al’s Root Beer sign atop the outfield wall and tells him to pick an ‘o’. Dave picks the first one and Sam tosses the ball in the air, swings, and drives the ball clean through the center of the ‘o’. Dave says “you can do that, but you couldn’t hit over the head of the second baseman?” Sam explains that the man who caught the ball looked like he was having a serious self-confidence crisis and afraid he’d disappoint his wife and kids yet again. But now he was the hero of the game, and why couldn’t Dave be happy for him and his family, and besides, isn’t the point of church sports to have fun? Dave says “You did that intentionally?” “Yup, seemed like a good idea at the time. Still does.” Dave reluctantly agrees.

Dave wants to see Sam do it again, through the other ‘o’. Sam obliges. The ball sails through, just like the first time, then they hear a loud ‘crack’. They go to the parking lot and discover that the ball hit the windshield of an old car, and the owner is giving a “I don’t need another thing to fix on this old junker” speech. Just then a guy comes up to the owner and asks if the car’s for sale and offers him $3,000 for it because the body is so good. Dave looks at Sam and asks if this was his doing. Sam shrugs.

EXT. GAS STATION/CONVENIENCE STORE, RURAL KANSAS, 3 DAYS LATER, AFTERNOON, SUNNY AND WINDY

Crossing Kansas, they stop at a small gas station outside a small city. After getting gas they go in for refreshments. There’s a Weather Channel report of an incredibly fast developing tornado just outside the city they’re near, centered on their location. The sky darkens ominously and it looks like a funnel cloud will form and drop down exactly where they are. The other occupants of the gas station begin to panic, but Sam tells everyone to stay put and they’ll be all right. The funnel cloud passes over, and indeed somehow never touches the gas station, which almost seems to be in a bubble. Everyone is of course relieved and kind of amazed. As they watch, the funnel cloud moves directly towards the city. Dave asks Sam why he doesn’t do anything about it. Sam answers that his mission is to protect him, wherever he happens to be, and he can’t just go around doing whatever he wants. Dave, angry, gets on his motorcycle and heads straight towards the funnel cloud. Sam shrugs, closes his eyes, folds his hands, and as Dave nears the funnel cloud, it evaporates in less than a minute, as though it was never there. Dave returns and Sam says, “Well played”.

INT. STUCKEYS, WEST OF LAS VEGAS, LATE AFTERNOON, CLEAR

On a remote road west of Vegas they stop at a Stuckey’s for gas and coffee. On the way to the register they poke through the gift shop. Dave notices Sam glaring at a display of sappy angel figurines, and quips “Pity they don’t have any wearing little biker outfits.” Sam shakes his head, grabs a few postcards and heads for the register. A tiny TV showing Wheel of Fortune is interrupted with breaking news of the CEO of MegaFace being arrested for fraud and embezzlement.

ACT 3

EXT. DARK DESERT HIGHWAY, 11PM, NIGHT, CLEAR

An old pickup truck a mile ahead of Dave and Sam hits a pothole and a roofing nail bounces out. Dave picks up the nail in his tire, which blows and nearly throws him off the bike, though he is able to

come to a stop still upright. They decide to camp under the stars and deal with the problem the next day. While Dave is sleeping, another angel (or two) visits Sam and they have a conversation we cannot hear.

EXT. OLD TOWN THAT APPEARS ON NO MAPS, DUSK, CLEAR

Sam takes Dave to the outskirts of town where a field is set up for a big gathering, with lots of tables,

chairs, a dance floor and a stage, all surrounded by lights. As dusk begins to fall, food is brought out. People arrive in groups of various sizes, including quite a few elderly dressed as people did in the 40’s and 50’s (varsity sweaters, poodle skirts, saddle shoes, etc) which Dave finds amusing. After everyone has eaten, the big lights come on, and a band has assembled on the stage. No sooner do

they begin playing when the dance floor is crowded with people dancing incredibly well. Dave walks to the edge of the dance floor for a better view and Sam joins him. Soon a really cute girl, Kathy, in a pink sweater and poodle skirt comes up to Dave and reaches for his hand. He hesitates, but Sam encourages him to try anyway. Sure enough, Dave and Kathy are natural partners and tear up the dance floor for hours. Dave is having the time of his life. Just after they stop at the punch bowl for refreshment, a bell sounds and Kathy suddenly seems anxious to leave. Dave asks why, but she begs off, thanking him for dancing with her. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and runs off. Dave notices many people seem to be leaving. Sam joins him and Dave asks what’s going on. He says “Just the end of the evening. We need to go, too.”

After they get their jackets and are walking back, Dave notices a frail-looking woman in a wheelchair, dressed in a pink sweater and poodle skirt. The woman is staring at him, and when their eyes meet, she suddenly looks away. Dave looks at Sam, bewildered. Sam nods in answer to Dave’s unspoken question. Dave goes over to her, takes her hand, they speak, Dave gives her a kiss on the cheek, and walks back to Sam. He comments that this is a very unusual place. Sam agrees.

EXT. 80 MILES EAST, UNKNOWN ROAD, WELL AFTER MIDNIGHT, DARK, COLD, STARRY SKY

They are on the edge of a dry lake bed, surrounded by low hills. This is an intensely evil place, infested with demon spirits, and they must cross it. Sam and Dave are joined by six ‘special forces’ angels. Because he’s human, Dave’s presence will draw out the demons, thirsty for blood. Dave is offered the option of going around rather than crossing, but they cannot defeat the demons that way. He chooses to cross. They race across, in formation, the angels fighting off the demons, but are nearly overwhelmed. They are joined by reinforcements from above, and the demons are wiped out.

CONCLUSION

It ends with Sam and Dave stopping at a convenience store in California, right before the turn that will take Dave to his new school. Dave goes in and comes out with a cold Yoo-Hoo. His ‘girly’ bike is gone and his Moto-Guzzi is back, keys in the ignition, and a note thanking Dave for the best vacation

ever. While he’s reading the note, a cute, short-haired, athletic-looking girl comes out of the store, stops and says, “That’s a really nice bike!” – “Thanks, I really like it!” She keeps walking and gets into a small pickup with luggage and boxes in the back, looks back at Dave with a big smile and says “Maybe someday!” Closes the door and says, “See ya!” As she drives off Dave notices the truck has a fresh new bumper sticker “Follow Me to Tall Pines College”.