Lesson 9

[Jason Lauer]

(Jason Lauer’s) Big Picture Open Loops Assignment 1

Prison Break

GOALS:

Break out of Prison

Find out who set up Lincoln?

Save LJ from the Government.

CONSEQUENCES:

How many people are they going to have to involve to break out?

What kind of scumbag will they break out with?

LJ’s mom and step-father are also killed.

Veronica’s life is put in danger when she helps Lincoln.

SOLVING PROBLEMS:

How can Michael break them out of prison when he only has criminals to work with?

When the weekly problem arises, how will Michael solve it?

How can they help LJ while they are in Prison and he is free?

How does John deal with the politics of the Mafia while in prison?

RELATIONSHIPS:

Michael and Sara’s relationship. Can they work outside the prison, because they both care for one another.

Who can Michael save from T-Bag?

How will Lincoln and LJ’s relationship be repaired?

DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:

Can Michael survive Prison?

Will Lincoln be executed?

Will LJ and Lincoln reunite?

Will Veronica survive?

Who is hunting Veronica and LJ?

Jason Lauer’s Big Picture Open Loops Assignment 2

What I learned doing this assignment is that creating open loops can help with unlocking parts of the characters that had not been considered.

GOALS:
Will James plan a robbery that will set him for the future?
Will David capture the deadly robbery crew running through the city?
Will Detective Reynolds find the evidence needed to tie James to the accidental murder?
Will Mikey be able to keep his family and work life separate?
Will Mia turn on James once she finds out he’s a criminal?
Will Mia be able to walk the line between criminal and citizen?
Will David figure out that James is a criminal?
Will James be able to trust Mikey, knowing that he still has evidence from the accident?

CONSEQUENCES:
What will happen in James is caught? Will he go down shooting instead of going to jail?
How will his colleagues look at David once they realize his friend is a criminal?
What will happen to Mia if her sources are found out?

SOLVING PROBLEMS:
Can James hide his plans from David?
Can Laura tie evidence to James?
Will Mia be implicated by her criminal sources?
How will David stop this dangerous crew?

RELATIONSHIPS:
Will David find out about James’ criminal career?
Can James hide his criminal career from David?
Will James and Mia get together?
Will James and Mia stay together when James’ criminal career is revealed?
Will Mikey and James remain friends?
Will Laura discover Mikey’s involvement in the accident?

DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
Can James survive the crimes he commits?
Will the Dangerous crew kill civilians?
Can David stop this crew?
Will James go to jail or the grave?
Will Laura go to any means necessary to get evidence on James?
Is Mia’s life in danger from her criminal connections?
Is Mia’s life in danger from James’ criminal career?
Is James’ life in danger due to Mia’s criminal connections?

[Gayla Betts]

Gayla Betts Assignment 1: Big Picture Loops for The Morning Show
BIG PICTURE OPEN LOOPS:
Alex’s job is in jeopardy – how will she survive?
Mitch will not accept being fired – who will he take down with him?
Cory is a wild card – what is he up to?
How will Alex and Bradley’s relationship progress (foreshadowing if Bradley is Alex’s new partner)?
Other open Loops:
Did Alex know what was going on with Mitch? Did she sleep with him too?
Why did she have to put on her wedding ring on the way out the door; where is her husband? What is their relationship?
Who/how many slept with Mitch? What was the culture at the studio?
Who leaked the story to the Times?
Why does everyone seem to hate Cory?
How does he have so much power in only a month?
Why does Cory like to create so much chaos? What does he mean by cleaning house (in convo to Chip)? Is he threatening Alex’s job and who else?
Why has the network been dragging out Alex’s contract negotiations?
Who will replace Mitch? What will Mitch do?
What is Bradley’s family backstory?
What will she do for a new job?
Will there be a relationship between Cory and Bradley?
What are the network and show politics – who’s on whose side?
Who will be Alex’s partner?

[Gayla Betts]

ASSIGNMENT 2:
Gayla Betts Assignment #2 – Big Picture Open Loops for My Show
What I learned doing this assignment is how much identifying the open loops help manage and organize motivations and how they map out the future of the show in terms of keeping them at the forefront. My Big Picture Open Loops:
What will happen if the portal door is breached?
What are the depths of Jess’ powers? Will she be able to handle them? What danger will she be in if they become known?
What happened to Jess’ mother? Why has Jess been kept in the dark?
What does her father know?
Other Open Loops:
Will there be a relationship between Jess and Gabriel?
What is Gabriel’s end game?
What will happen to Lilah if her marriage to a human is revealed? Will her husband leave her if he learns she lied to him?
Whom is Senator Rebecca Jackson loyal to? What are her plans for Jess’ and the rest of the magicals?
What is the history Lilah and Gabriel share? What are they not telling Jess?

[John Livingstone]

Robert’s Big Picture Open Loops

What I learned from this exercise is that things can get very complicated very fast.

Breaking Bad: Big Picture Open Loops

Will DEA brother-in-law Hank apprehend Walter?

Will Skylar discover Walter’s involvement in drug dealing?

Will Walter or Jesse face deadly consequences at the hands of the drug lord?

Will the school or DEA uncover the identity of the equipment thief?

Can Walter endure the challenges of the drug world?

Will Walter succeed in obtaining the $2 million to secure his family’s future?

Return to Mars: Big Picture Open Loops

1. New Goals:

   • Jason sets a new goal to establish communication with potential survivor communities on Earth, introducing a new layer of complexity.

2. Conflict Over Mars Mission Objectives:

   • A dispute emerges regarding the primary objective of the Mars mission, leading to a struggle for control over the mission’s goals.

3. Deceptive Alliances Unraveling:

   • Elizabeth and Carl’s deceptive alliances start to unravel, exposing their true motives and sparking internal family conflicts.

4. Ethical Dilemmas Escalate:

   • The ethical dilemmas faced by the characters escalate as they confront the consequences of their past actions, forcing them to question their principles.

5. Tensions with Advanced Martian Society:

   • Tensions with the advanced Martian society escalate, revealing hidden agendas and potential threats that complicate the Earth mission’s goals.

6. Relationships in Peril:

   • Jason’s relationships, especially with Sophia, face jeopardy as personal interests clash with the urgency of the post-apocalyptic world.

7. Dangerous Decisions and Internal Dangers:

   • Characters are forced to make dangerous decisions, putting themselves at risk while also grappling with internal dangers such as addiction and psychological strain.

8. Competing Leadership Visions:

   • Trevor and Jason’s competing visions for the future of the facility intensify, leading to a power struggle that divides the remaining survivors.

9. Colonial Struggles Intensify:

   • Struggles between the Earth mission and the Martian society intensify, involving issues of authority, cultural clashes, and potential alliances or betrayals.

10. Consequences of Faked Lottery:

    • Consequences of the faked lottery and Trevor’s manipulation of the member selection process come to light, causing internal strife and challenges to Trevor’s leadership.

11. Survival Risks:

    • Characters face heightened risks to their survival, both from external threats and internal conflicts, as they navigate the harsh post-apocalyptic environment.

12. Psychological Toll Escalates:

    • The psychological toll on characters, especially Jasper, escalates, leading to internal conflicts and moral dilemmas that impact decision-making.

13. New Relationships and Conflicts:

    • New relationships form within the group, creating both alliances and conflicts that influence the dynamics of the surviving community.

14. Confrontation Over Mars’ Isolation:

    • A confrontation arises between Hank and others over Mars’ isolation, bringing to light the true motivations behind Hank’s desire to keep Mars protected.

15. Secrets from Earth’s Past:

    • Unearthed secrets from Earth’s past come to light, revealing information that challenges characters’ understanding of the world before the nuclear war.

[Lawrence Fraly]

Larry Fraller’s Big Picture Loops

What I learned doing this assignment is to not freak out if I can’t figure something out. AI will help me figure things out. When I get bogged down in detail, AI helps me see the bigger picture.

Assignment 1

DIPLOMAT

Goals:

learn to be ambassador

divorce Hal

Major problems

ambassador to UK – doesn’t want it, doesn’t know the protocols

who did the explosion

Consequences

UK have her bypass the sec of state who is her boss

sec of state can’t stand Hal

Solving problems

major problem – stopping a war

trying to solve who attacked the ship

major change – has to deal with high society and top authorities

previous solutions cause new problems–she’s used to field work in a third world country concerning human rights

public image is everything to the Brits

Relationships

Her plan to divorce Hal is in peril.

new relationship with CIA station director

new relationship with UK foreign secretary

Danger/survival/risks:

has to work with CIA

if she fucks it up, there could be a war

MY STORY

Goal Eddie and Sarah want to steal the oil well

Victoria wants to keep oil well secret, and definitely not let Sarah in on the secret

Consequences Will Sarah and Eddie get caught

What will Victoria do to stop the scheme

Victoria’s already killed one of Eddie’s girlfriends

Solving problems

Can Sarah escape Eddie’s threats

Sarah’s major problem is Eddie

How can she keep her plans secret

She’s not used to acting for herself

Relationships

She plots to leave Eddie

Will she come clean with Daniel

Daniel despises Alex, can this be resolved

Victoria turns Alex against Sarah

Danger/survival/risks:

Sarah, Daniel and Eddie (her ex) haven’t the slightest idea the danger their in

Alex is beginning to see the bigger picture. What will he do about it?

Victoria’s the only one who knows the details of the well.

Victoria’s part of a larger group protecting/the well

Victoria has killed before, will she kill again.

The well contains poisonous gases which, if released, would cause widespread illness, death

AI Generated Loops

You

I’m writing a TV series that is [format/genre] about [concept] in which the mom marries the street musician and has a baby by him and [conflict] with [lead characters]. Can you generate [open loops] and setups that could play out over the course of season 1.

Definition of “open loops”: questions that can only be answered in future episodes. An open loop is a rhetorical device to instill curiousity by creating anticipation for what will come next.

open loops opportunities:

goals:

new goals?

goals related to the big picture?

crushed goals?

competition/conflict around goals?

consequences: are they going to be caught?

problems created from past actions?

good plans gone wrong?

solving problems:

what is the major problem for this character?

major change imposed on character?

what are they trying to solve?

major changes cause new problems?

previous solutions cause new problems?

relationships: relationships in peril?

new relationships forming?

conflict inside relationships?

relationships changing?

danger/survival/risks:

can they survive X?

putting themselves in danger/making dangerous decisions?

who else is pulled into their danger?

internal dangers (drug addiction, need for medicine, inner demons)?

format/genre = crime drama

concept = a mom and her ex scheme to steal from a street musician and his controlling mother the rights to a secret capped oil well in the Everglades.

conflict = control of the oil well and the ex-‘s threats of violence against the mom and the street musician lead

characters = the mom, her trans teen, her ex-, the musician, his mother

ChatGPT

Certainly! Here are some open loops, setups, and potential storylines for your crime drama TV series:

Goals:

1. New Goals:

· The mom discovers a hidden document that hints at another valuable resource in the Everglades. What is it, and how does it complicate their initial plan?

· The street musician starts pursuing a music career in a way that inadvertently puts the secrecy of the oil well at risk. Can they keep his new ambitions under control?

2. Goals Related to the Big Picture:

· The mom learns about a larger organization with interests in the Everglades, raising questions about who else might be after the oil well and why.

· The musician’s mother has a hidden agenda that involves a powerful figure in the city. How does this connection impact the power dynamics around the oil well?

3. Crushed Goals:

· The mom and her ex-face unexpected setbacks in stealing the rights to the oil well. What went wrong, and how do they adapt their plan?

· The musician’s dream of a music career hits a roadblock, leading him to reconsider his involvement in the oil well scheme.

4. Competition/Conflict Around Goals:

· A rival group discovers the mom and her ex-‘s plan and seeks to outmaneuver them. What are their motives, and how do they complicate the situation?

· The ex-‘s violent threats escalate, creating internal conflicts within the group and putting pressure on their alliance.

Consequences:

1. Are They Going to Be Caught?:

· A detective with a personal connection to the Everglades starts investigating, raising the stakes for the mom and her group.

· The musician’s mother hires a private investigator to dig into the background of the mom and her ex-. What secrets will be uncovered?

2. Problems Created From Past Actions:

· The mom’s past criminal activities resurface, leading to unexpected alliances and betrayals.

· The ex-‘s violent actions have consequences that extend beyond their immediate circle, attracting attention from law enforcement and criminal rivals.

3. Good Plans Gone Wrong:

· A seemingly foolproof plan to steal the rights to the oil well unravels due to an unforeseen complication. How do they salvage the situation?

Solving Problems:

1. Major Problem for This Character:

· The trans teen faces challenges related to their identity and the societal pressures in the crime-filled environment. How do they navigate these issues?

2. Major Change Imposed on Character:

· The mom is forced to make a difficult choice that jeopardizes her relationship with her child. How does this decision impact their future actions?

3. What Are They Trying to Solve?:

· The mom discovers a hidden message that suggests the oil well might have environmental consequences. How does this revelation affect their motives and alliances?

4. Major Changes Cause New Problems:

· A change in leadership within the criminal underworld introduces new conflicts and alliances, reshaping the dynamics around the oil well.

5. Previous Solutions Cause New Problems:

· The mom and her group successfully acquire the oil well but find themselves entangled in a web of corporate and political corruption. How do they navigate these treacherous waters?

Relationships:

1. Relationships in Peril:

· The mom’s relationship with the musician becomes strained as secrets and lies come to light. Can they overcome these challenges, or is their connection doomed?

2. New Relationships Forming:

· The trans teen forms a surprising alliance with someone from the musician’s past. How does this alliance impact the overall scheme?

3. Conflict Inside Relationships:

· The ex-‘s violent tendencies create tension within the group, leading to internal power struggles. Who emerges as the dominant force, and at what cost?

4. Relationships Changing:

· The musician’s mother begins to question her loyalty to her son, leading to unexpected alliances and betrayals.

Danger/Survival/Risks:

1. Can They Survive X?:

· The group faces a dangerous encounter in the Everglades that tests their survival skills and loyalty to each other.

2. Putting Themselves in Danger/Making Dangerous Decisions:

· The mom makes a risky deal with a dangerous figure to protect her family. How does this decision come back to haunt them?

3. Who Else Is Pulled Into Their Danger?:

· A charismatic activist becomes involved in their cause, attracting both supporters and enemies. How does their involvement change the dynamics of the conflict?

4. Internal Dangers (Drug Addiction, Need for Medicine, Inner Demons):

· The musician struggles with addiction, posing a threat to the success of their plan. Can they overcome these personal demons, or will it lead to their downfall?

These open loops and setups should provide a foundation for intricate and suspenseful storylines throughout Season 1 of your crime drama TV series.

[Tom Wilson]

Assignment 1: Tom’s Big Picture Open Loops in his Example Show 24 S1E1 Pilot

· Loud knocking on door in Kuala Lumpur as CIA agent transmits encrypted message. Can he send the message before he’s arrested?

· CIA boss learns the message says: POTUS candidate Davis Palmer is targeted to be murdered.

· Nina calls: Jack must come in now. Why does big boss Walsh want everyone in the office ASAP?

· Jack’s daughter Kim sneaks out. Girlfriend Jan picks her up. They will party with college boys.

· Jack and Teri were separated. Will Teri forgive Jack for having a fling with his coworker Nina?

· Walsh: A domestic hate group hired as Russian assassin to kill Palmer. But why?

· Walsh can trust only Jack to save Palmer. Will he prevent Palmer from getting killed?

· Walsh tells only Jack he has intel that a spy is in their midst. Who could it be?

· Jack forces Agent Mason to tell him the intel source or he’ll squeal Mason’s embezzling money.

· Will Mason get revenge on Jack because he discovered his theft?

· Mason: If Palmer’s elected, their counter terrorism unit is gutted. Will Jack try to save him?

· A car hits Jan. She’s unconscious in the street. Will she live?

· Mandy steals Martin’s photo ID. Blows plane door open. Parachutes out. Blows up plane. Why?

Assignment 2: Open Loops in Tom’s Show Pilot “BORDERTOWN”

· Art’s wife Maria and clairvoyant daughter Maggie are kidnapped. Will he get them back?

· Does Mort the computer whiz who works for him have anything to do with the kidnapping?

· Art gets a message: If he wants his family back, he must trade a top secret missile for them.

· Middle of the night: Art abruptly wakes up. He dreamt his daughter asks him to save her.

· Art inventories Sword missiles. One is missing. Was it stolen by the cartel?

· Art fires a missile into Cobra’s mansion. Sneaks in hoping he didn’t kill Maria or Maggie.