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Lesson 9
Reply to post your assignment.
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9 Replies
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Assignment One
Show: Game of Thrones
Multiple Big Picture open loops – nested within Small Picture Open Loops.
- Starks marching against the Lannisters
- Jon Snow and his need to make something of himself, will he return south?
- The whitewalkers – seriously, zombies plus dragons.
- Arya’s need to avenge her father
- Lady Stark’s promises to Lord Walder Frey, involving her daughters and son
- Daenerys and her need to regain her family’s rule over the kingdom
- Daenerys and her marriage to Drogo
Small Picture loops
- Fate of Ned Stark (ends badly for him) which sets up multiple long term loops;
- Arya’s initial reaction to her father’s brutal execution
- Will Ned’s bastard son return and help the family defeat the Lannisters?
- Lady Stark’s and the family’s reaction to Ned’s execution
- The capture of Cersei’s brother by the Starks.
- Drogo’s wound causing him to be near death – will the witch’s magic work?
Angels of Vengeance Big Picture Open Loops (seasons 1 and 2)
What I learned in this assignment is that a binge worthy TV show should contain multiple questions/loops running all along the main plotline, and smaller loops per episode.
Goals:
- Dan hunts for the serial killer.
- Serial Killer is collecting energy for the parasitic demon controlling him.
- Serial Killer found dead, so who killed him?
- Brianna and Furies search for serial killer’s first victim
- Demon Sorath has plans to attack the Furies, opening up opportunities to then attack, hold and keep the Underground. Then, the earth itself.
- Gaia sets out to discover who Dan is, and why he was able to get Megaera pregnant.
- Underworld Demon/Dragon Lord Bune has ideas to follow Sorath, but overthrow him at the earliest opportunity and take control.
Consequences:
- Serial Killer kills two people close to Dan, and the killer remains elusive.
- Once Tisiphone kills the serial killer, she releases Sorath.
- Once released, Sorath begins attack on Furies
- Gaia seriously wounded in that attack
Solving problems:
- Serial killer’s past – uncovered when Brianna finds killer’s first victim.
- Dan’s dilemma – serial killer killed by the Furies, how does he deal with the possibility.
- Why is Brianna’s spirit not moving on?
- Greek/Roman gods exist, and Dan is an atheist, how does he deal with this conflict? How can Megaera prove to Dan she’s actually a Chthonic deity?
Relationships:
- Dan and Megaera, and she turns his life upside down.
- Megaera’s relationship with her sisters comes into conflict with her relationships with Dan
- How will Dan react to her being pregnant?
Danger/Survival/Risks
- Megaera loses her goddess powers after becoming pregnant with Dan’s child. How can that happen?
- How will this affect the Furies now that Sorath is released and is determined to rid the world of the Furies.
- Dan tends to drink, and figures the “proof” Megaera uses to prove she’s a goddess is a hallucination caused by alcohol.
- Sorath poses a real danger to the Furies, but also to the earth in general.
- Season Two, Dan must travel to the Underworld to rescue Megaera, thus placing him in real danger of being stranded in the Underworld, plus the dangers of all the weird demons.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by David Thompson. Reason: Completed assignment
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9. AG’s Big Picture: Open Loops
ASSIGNMENT 1 UNORTHODOX
What I learned from Assignment 1: Wow! Almost everything seems like an open loop!
1. Big Picture open loops established early
CONSEQUENCES/SOLVING PROBLEMS/DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
We don’t know the meaning of the eruv or the rules (and consequences) that control Orthodox Jews
SOLVING PROBLEMS/DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
Esty hides money, papers, photo, but leaves her phone
DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
Esty is caught going the wrong direction and lies about it
Where has Esty gone?
GOALS/SOLVING PROBLEMS/DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
They go to see the rabbi, who will restore order and bring Esty back
RELATIONSHIPS/ DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
Esty’s great grandpa had a wonderful voice but died in Hungary before the war
GOALS/RELATIONSHIPS:
The matchmaker has chosen a husband for Esty: Yanky Shapiro, who sits and studies
RELATIONSHIPS: Esty is not a good match; and Yanky is allied with his mother.
RELATIONSHIPS: Moishe also has marital problems
RELATIONSHIPS: Yanky wanted to see more in Europe, but his father would not let him see more than the rabbis’ graves. Yanky wants more, too.
RELATIONSHIPS: They both like music, but only Yanky can perform with males.
SOLVING PROBLEMS/ RELATIONSHIPS: Esty doesn’t have a mother.
DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS: Moishe is frightening.
CONSEQUENCES/ RELATIONSHIPS/DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
Warning: Nobody can find out about this.
GOALS/CONSEQUENCES/SOLVING PROBLEMS/RELATIONSHIPS/ DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS: Rabbi wants Yanky and Moishe to go to Berlin and bring back Esty, who is pregnant
GOALS/SOLVING PROBLEMS/ RELATIONSHIPS/ DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS: Esty’s mother gives Esty repatriation documents for Germany.
GOALS/CONSEQUENCES/SOLVING PROBLEMS/RELATIONSHIPS/DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS: The rabbi will reinstate Moishe if he brings Esty back to Brooklyn.
2. Watch the next episode and see how those open loops are being used to create the need to see future episodes.
Episode 2:
GOALS/RELATIONSHIPS: Esty gets an intriguing lesson in marital sex under Hassidic rules. (How will this work out in real life for Esty and Yanky?) “And it’s your duty to uphold God’s wishes. That’s why we need to guarantee that your wedding night will be a success.”
“Husband and wife fit together like pieces in a puzzle. Understand? — No.”
DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS: “There must be something wrong with me.”
CONSEQUENCES: In Germany, Esty also breaks the rules: “No one’s allowed to sleep here.
Don’t you know that? I’m going to report you!”
CONSEQUENCES: In Germany, Yanky still worries about obeying the Hassidic rules if they are still there on the Sabbath and whether the rabbi knows that Moishe has a smartphone and keeping kosher.
RELATIONSHIPS: Yanky also worries about whether Esty is in danger, but Moishe presents him to a prostitute. Yanky is not tempted, but uses this as an opportunity to ask about what Esty wants from him physically.
DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS: Moishe threatens to get the truth out of Esty’s mother with a gun. Yanky says she seems nice.
RELATIONSHIPS: Esty calls her grandmother, who hangs up on her, devastating Esty.
ASSIGNMENT 2:
What I learned from Assignment 2: Open Loop questions open up deeper levels to the story.
1. Use this list to brainstorm big picture open loops for your first season that you will use to keep the audience captivated.
2. Tell us your top 5-8 Big Picture Open Loops that could be in your pilot.
GOALS:
Uncle John warns Phil he must not apply historical critical studies to the Word of God.
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>CONSEQUENCES:
Anne finds an unconscious woman in a car by the side of the road. She prays but does not know what to do. Scene freezes, question left hanging.
SOLVING PROBLEMS:
Just married, Phil is unaware how deeply entrenched Anne is in fundamentalist ideas.
When Phil figures out her record player, she hopes he can figure her out.
RELATIONSHIPS:
Anne’s best friend is Jesus, and she has not experienced a close human friendship.
Anne prays in tongues and has difficulty explaining her depression in English.
An ambulance nearly kills them when Phil swerves automatically to the right, and Anne says: “There’s only one driver’s seat, and you’re in it!”
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
After meeting Bishop Pike and his son, they learn that the son has committed suicide.
Anne thinks cigarettes are sinful, but buys a pack and considers suicide.
Can Anne and Phil or their marriage survive?
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Module 1 – Lesson 9 – Open Loops – Assignment
Mike – Big Picture Open Loops
What I learned doing this assignment is the importance of thinking and crafting season long mysteries, open looks, characters with intrigue and multiple layers to their person. Again, without thinking all these processes through, outlining, and building in the needed attributes, the TV show will NOT achieve a binge-worthy status.
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ASSIGNMENT 2: — Use this list to brainstorm big picture open loops for your first season that you will use to keep the audience captivated.
I. GOALS:
(1) New goals?
(2) Goals related to the big picture?
(3) Crushed goals?
(4) Competition / conflict around goals?
I. Goals:
(1) Caleb has to warn, protect and prepare his brother, Rick, for what is coming their way.
(2) Prepare Rick for a global war with Necromancers
(3) Having a normal relationship with his soul-mate Victoria
(4) Nothing yet.
——————————————————————————————-
II. CONSEQUENCES:
(1) Are they going to be caught?
(2) What problems can be created from past actions?
(3) Good plans gone wrong?
II. Consequences:
(1) Caleb is being hunted by the FBI and Homeland Security Agency as is his mother
(2) Teleporting a lot, Caleb is on Homeland Security’s radar and they’re tracking him
(3) Caleb’s plan to reunite his family blows up w/ his dad’s death and his being a fugitive ——————————————————————————————-
III. SOLVING PROBLEMS:
(1) What is the major problem for this character?
(2) What are they trying to solve?
(3) Major change imposed on character?
(4) Previous solutions cause new problems?
III. Solving Problems:
(1) He is tender hearted, does not want to fight; is not a born leader
(2) How to prepare themselves and mankind for the upcoming war with Necromancers
(3) The war changes Caleb, he must make hard decisions, killing decisions
(4) nothing yet ——————————————————————————————–IV. RELATIONSHIPS:
(1) Relationships in peril?
(2) New relationships forming?
(3) Conflict inside relationships?
(4) Relationships changing?
IV. Relationships:
(1) Caleb’s girlfriend Victoria – in peril when her ex kills her; Caleb finds her in Shangra La
(2) Caleb meets Olivia, FBI agent, runs from her, she finds him, he lets her in his world, they bond
(3) nothing yet
(4) Caleb’s friendship with Lori becomes more ——————————————————————–
V. DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
(1) Can they survive X?
(2) Putting themselves in danger / making dangerous decisions?
(3) Who else is pulled into their danger?
(4) Internal dangers (drug addiction, need for medicine, inner demons)?
V. Danger/Survival/Risks:
(1) Will Caleb survive the automobile crash?
(2) Caleb & Charles in rescuing Rick,
(3) Kidnappers go after Caleb’s brother, then take Olivia for leverage to draw Caleb out
(4) Will Caleb be swept up and taken to a black site by the NSA
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Leona Heraty’s Big Picture Open Loops
What I learned doing this assignment is…open loop questions are great because they help me think about the future of my plot and how the season will flow and end.
LOST | Season 1 | Episode 10
ASSIGNMENT 1
1. Think about your Example Show. Make a list of the Big Picture open loops that were established early in the season.
Why did their plane crash?
Will they be rescued?
How will Jack lead the group to survive?
Will Jack and Kate get together?
Is someone or something else living on the island?
Is the island haunted?
What or who is the predator that’s hunting them?
How will they be rescued?
How long will they be on the island?2. Watch the next episode and see how those open loops are being used to create the need to see future episodes.
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Why did their plane crash? We still don’t know, but the pilot said it veered off course.
Will they be rescued? We still don’t know.
How will Jack lead the group to survive? Not sure!
Will Jack and Kate get together? Not sure.
Is someone or something else living on the island? Sayid says there’s another lady who has been on the island for 16 years.
Is the island haunted? We know Jack’s Dad’s ghost is there!
What or who is the predator that’s hunting them? We don’t know!
How will they be rescued? We don’t know.
How long will they be on the island? We don’t know.
ASSIGNMENT 21. Use this list to brainstorm big picture open loops for your first season that you will use to keep the audience captivated.
GOALS:
New
goals? How will Genesis and the group
survive the sea monsters?
Goals
related to the big picture? Killing
the sea monsters, re-establishing communication with the main land to be
rescued.
Crushed
goals? Trying to communicate with the
mainland but the cell towers are blown down from the storm.
Competition
/ conflict around goals? Genesis
doesn’t want to go out of the complex and fight the sea creatures, but the
others say they have no choice, or the sea creatures will come for them!CONSEQUENCES:
Are
they going to be caught? They
will be chased and harassed and threatened when they try to escape the sea
creatures and then try to kill them.
Problems
created from past actions? Genesis
tries to hide when she sees the sea creatures from afar, via Jake’s
telescope. She wastes time and doesn’t work on a plan of action until it’s
forced upon her that they have to do something because the sea creatures
are heading their way!
Good
plans gone wrong? Genesis has
a plan that they can take some boats and leave the island, but the boats
have all sunk in the recent storm.SOLVING PROBLEMS:
What
is the major problem for this character? Genesis needs to lead the group to escape from the
amphibious sea creatures….and later, to fight them!
What
are they trying to solve? How
to kill the amphibious sea monsters. What is there major weakness?
Major
change imposed on character? Genesis
is forced to deal with her claustrophobia and she has to overcome it and
crawl into small spaces to try to escape the sea monsters and then later,
to fight them.
Previous
solutions cause new problems? Genesis
wastes time trying to avoid the reality of the sea creatures, who are
heading their way. Her past solution of putting her head in the sand when
facing problems isn’t working anymore!RELATIONSHIPS:
Relationships
in peril? Genesis is the new property
manager and the tenants don’t like her because the regular manager, her
sister, was well-liked and knew what she is doing. Genesis doesn’t have
any experience with this job and she’s just filling in for her sister, who’s
on vacation, so she’s putting the tenants’ relationship with her sister in
dangers. The tenants don’t like Genesis, so they’re not willing to listen
to her or follow her leadership at first.
New
relationships forming? Genesis
aligns with Jake at the start, because she needs him to help with all the reconnaissance
work, looking for the sea creatures. Pete aligns with Morgan at first,
because he thinks Morgan is much smarter and braver than Genesis.
Conflict
inside relationships? None of the
tenants really like Genesis because she can’t measure up to the regular
manager, her younger sister, and they think Genesis is lazy and a coward.
Relationships
changing? The tenants start out not
liking or trusting Genesis, but over the season, they grow to trust her
and eventually love her.DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
Can
they survive X? They will survive the
amphibious sea creatures….barely!
Putting
themselves in danger / making dangerous decisions? The group will be in constant danger of being eaten
alive by the sea creatures or taken to their “lair,” a sea cave, where
they will be eaten later on during a summer solstice party.
Who
else is pulled into their danger?
All of the tenants will eventually be threatened by the sea creatures.
Internal
dangers (drug addiction, need for medicine, inner demons)? Genesis has a drinking problem. Jake is addicted to
Oreo cookies and has to have them every day to function.2. Tell us your top 5-8 Big Picture Open Loops that could be in your pilot.
How did the sea creatures come to the surface of the ocean?
How are the sea creatures also amphibious?
Are the sea creatures mutants from the 1950s government experiments or exposure to radioactivity?
Will Genesis and the group survive the attack of the sea creatures?
Will Genesis figure out a way to fight the sea creatures?
Will Genesis and the group be rescued from the island?
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This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Leona Heraty.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by
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Moses Quainoo
Module 1 – Lesson 9: Inviting Obsession Through Open Loops
“What I learned doing this assignment is…?”
ASSIGNMENT 1
1. Think about Mr. Robot Show. Make a list of the Big Picture open loops that were established early in the season.
Big Picture open loops
Is Elliot guilty of Hacking into Ron’s restaurant?
Will Elliot rescind his decision to work at AllSafe Security?
Will Gideon ever catch Elliot hacking into the boss’s computer?
Will Elliot revenge on Mr. Robot for pushing him over the rail?
Will Elliot bring down the Evil Corp?
Can Angela free Colby?
Will Mr. Robot Angela be Elliot’s woman?
Will the Customer revenge for the theft of the twenty dollar bill?
Will Mr. Robot reveal himself?
Elliot does not know what is happening.
Mr. Robot is Edward Alderson.
Elliot pushes out of the window.
Mr. Robot is a ghost of Elliot’s father.
Who burnt down the Blank’s Disc shop?
Wellick is fired. What will he do next?
Wellick’s wife wants a divorce.
Will Angela get a job at the law office?
2. Watch Episode 9 and see how those open loops are being used to create the need to see future episodes.
ASSIGNMENT 2:
1. Use this list to brainstorm big-picture open loops for the first season of Old Toms Show that you will use to keep the audience captivated.
<div>
GOALS:
New goals?
Ishey went grocery shopping at the supermarket to get more honey for the household.
Ishey rescinds avoiding his classmate Van Pee and boycotting the GoFundMe group or Old Toms group.
Goals related to the big picture?
Ishey wants to join the group and contribute to the burial of Old Tom Johnny Banko.
Ishey wants to work with Gilly to revamp the Old Toms idea to create money for the group.
Ishey challenges his brother to a Borborbor dance contest.
Ishey put up one thousand pounds as the prize. His target was the Old Toms group but the event went viral around the world and brought in many millions of pounds sterling.
Ishey changes his mind when the cash starts to fill the GoFundMe account. He is the one who presented the bait and now they hit big-time money all should come to him.
Crushed goals?
Ishey avoids Van Pee and boycotts the Old Toms group
Competition/conflict around goals?
Gilly wants the money.
Van Pee wants the money.
Senakey wants the money.
<div><div>
CONSEQUENCES:
Are they going to be caught?</div><div>
Problems created from past actions?
Have good plans gone wrong?
The plan was to organize a dance competition between Ishey and Senakry. Ishey presented the prize money of one thousand pounds. Whether he wins or not the prize money will go to the Old Toms group. The good plan went viral around the world and the GoFundMe group started to rake in millions and millions of pounds sterling. The main characters got into conflict.
SOLVING PROBLEMS:
<div>
</div>What is the major problem for this character?
</div><div>
What are they trying to solve?
Major change imposed on the character?
Do previous solutions cause new problems?
RELATIONSHIPS:
<div>
</div>Relationships in peril?
</div><div>
Are new relationships forming?
Conflict inside relationships?
Relationships changing?
DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
<div>
</div>Can they survive X?
</div>
Putting themselves in danger / making dangerous decisions?
<div>
Who else is pulled into their danger?
Internal dangers (drug addiction, need for medicine, inner demons)?
2. Tell us your top 5-8 Big Picture Open Loops that could be in your pilot.
</div></div></div>
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This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Moses Quainoo.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by
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David Wickenden Open Loops Assignment #1
What I learned doing this assignment? I learned that both large and small loops keep the viewers glued to the story to see how the issues or loops resolve themselves as part of the story. This is a great tool to create an obsession for the story.
Mr. Robot
1. Large Loops
· Will Elliot be able to take down ECorps?
· Will he be caught?
· Will Elliot’s boss realize what he’s doing?
· Will Eliot go toe to toe with Wellick?
· Will Elliot and Portia ever be a thing?
· What will White Rose want in return for help?
· What does Mr. Robot really want?
2. Latest episode
· Elliot realizes that he is Mr. Robot. He portrayed his father in the role of Mr. Robot.
· Gideon is starting to see events around his business are happening that he has no control over. – the destruction of the hard drives in fire, the firing of Wellick, the change with the honey pot.
· Elliot may not be able to function as he falls apart, mentally.
· Wellick confronts Elliot and threats him to beat his plan out of him.
Assignment #2 Large Loops for my story
1. Will killer be caught for killing child abusers?
2. Will Janice figure out that the killer is Laura?
3. Will Janice figure out how the killer is one step ahead of her?
4. What will happen to their relationship?
5. What will happen to Janice’s career if she is unsuccessful in finding the killer?
6. Will Janice’s superiors find out about her past?
7. Will Laura be able to escape the country?
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Syd’s Big Picture Open Loops (M1_L9_Open Loops, Assig. 1&2)
What I learned doing this assignment is that my characters’ open loops overlap in many instances — affecting the other characters, their goals and the plot.
ASSIGNMENT 1
Think about your Example Show. Make a list of the Big Picture open loops that were established early in the season.
From the perspective of only having info from episodes 1- 8.
His predecessor was murdered, how will the honorable Ned Stark fare as hand of the king? His daughter is betrothed to the crown prince — will that protect her or put her in danger? In investigates his predecessor’s death?
Will Jaime and Cersei get caught? Will he kill more to cover their secret? Will Jaime come to justice? What will happen to their children?
Will Bran die? If he wakes will he remember? Catelyn investigates the attempts (2) on Bran’s life, blames the Lannisters, takes Tyrion hostage.
Questions about King Robert’s successor arise as Varys warns Ned that Robert’s life is in danger.
Who is Jon Snow’s Mother?
Will Viserys / the Targaryens attempt to regain the throne succeed? What will happen to young Daenerys forced to marry a war Lord? She’s pregnant — now there’s a legacy.
What are White Walkers and how do they make men come back from the dead becoming killer zombies? How many are there?
2. Watch the next episode and see how those open loops are being used to create the need to see future episodes.
Epi. 9 is devastating —
With King Robert helped to a hunting accident and a betrayal by Little Finger, Ned is falsely branded a traitor, but confesses to protect his daughters. Joffrey has him executed anyway. This plunges the seven kingdoms into war.
Cersei and Jaime’s secret is revealed, but she manages to dismiss it as ploy by Ned to steal the throne. Joffrey becomes king — what will that mean for the seven kingdoms.
Bran awakes, crippled. He can’t remember — but Catelyn’s investigation leads to Jaime’s attack on Ned. His men are killed. Battle between the Wolf and Lion is official.
Jon is trapped at the Wall as his brother goes to war. The only person who knew who his mother was is dead.
Viserys pushed Drogo’s buttons and is now dead, yet Daenerys seek the seven kingdoms for her unborn son. A failed assassination attempt by King Robert’s minions has motivated Drogo to send his army to win the seven kingdoms. The Targaryen bid is on.
Rangers disappear. The corpses of dead rangers come back to life and try to kill Commander Mormont — the White Walker problem grows.
ASSIGNMENT 2:
1. Use this list to brainstorm big picture open loops for your first season that you will use to keep the audience captivated.
GOALS:
New goals?
Charita wants an opportunity to make her mark as an artist, as a political player.
Bhad wants to expand his influence, wealth and power — and now he also wants Vanhi.
Rajendra wants to be king of Golden City, he wants that without bloodshed
Goals related to the big picture?
Rajendra believes the throne is his and the Mughals will recognize this.
Crushed goals?
Abzar wants to broker peace between the Mughals and Portuguese — making his kingdom richer and saving his own soldiers. He’ll die before this happens.
Veer wants to reveal that he is Abzar’s bastard brother.
If Veer, had revealed his birthright when he was younger, Anala believes that she would have married him.
Charita doesn’t want the life of a tawaif. She does want a Jagger and a family. She’s the only one who believes she can have it all in this world.
Competition / conflict around goals?
Anala wants Veer to assume the throne. An infant king cannot rule, and it would give Vanhi, it’s mother, too much power.
Veer wants vengeance for Abzar’s murder. He still carries a torch for Anala, the one who knows his secret. Revealing his relationship to Abzar could also make him a suspect in his murder, especially if he aims for the throne.
CONSEQUENCES:
Are they going to be caught?
Rajendra’s theft habit. Bhad has started to suspect him — but why would he do it?
Charita spying on the Portuguese for the Mughals.
Veer, driven by vengeance / revenge, leads an army, now considered a band of outlaws, stealing to fund his quest against Rajendra.
Problems created from past actions?
Charita’s hidden her choices from both her mother, who lives in a Mughal stronghold, and Jagger, who follows Veer (freedom fighter / outlaws) and is working with the Portuguese.
Veer has hidden his true parentage from everyone except Anala. Revealing it now, makes him look like a suspect in Abzar’s murder.
Bhad has spent years developing a lucrative business and a spy network for the Mughal Amir. When the Amir sees that Bhad has feelings for Vanhi, he wants to use that to his advantage AND / OR the Amir suspects that Vanhi may be influencing Bhad to do her bidding.
Rajendra is continually associated with his executed father, and unfairly blamed for many things. Others take advantage of this, including sometimes Raj himself. Does he work to prove his innocence or does he embrace the role of villain?
Good plans gone wrong?
Charita’s employment by the Mughals, puts her at odds with Jagger; when she chooses not to follow Mughal orders, she puts her Mother/infant brother at risk.
SOLVING PROBLEMS:
What is the major problem for this character?
Charita has taken a job spying for the Mughals in exchange for them protecting the infant. Is she working for the government that killed the boy’s father? What compromises will she have to make to succeed?
What are they trying to solve?
Charita wants peace between the Mughals and the Portuguese — that’s what the Mughals say they want, but is it that their agenda.
Everyone believes Rajendra was behind Abzar’s murder. He and the murderer are the only ones who knows otherwise. Who’s the real killer? What was his / her motive?
Major change imposed on character?
Charita’s, Vanhi’s, Anala’s, Veer’s worlds are turned upside down when Abzar is assassinated; each is scrambling for their own future, but also the future of the Golden City and those they care about.
Previous solutions cause new problems?
Taking a job with the Mughals makes Charita their ally and protector of her baby brother (in addition to giving her other things that she wants), but this job / relationship comes with a whole lot of strings.
RELATIONSHIPS:
Relationships in peril?
Charita’s secret new career move puts marriage to Jagger on hold.
New relationships forming?
Damyanti helps Veer escape the dungeon. Does she want more than a pay-off?
Damyanti becomes Rajendra’s confidant and prostitute. She knows how to manipulate him.
Conflict inside relationships?
Veer and Anala were in a relationship in the past. Is she using him for her agenda or does she still have feelings?
Rajendra thought the Amir considered him an ally and Golden City’s heir apparent — he’s learning the hard way that political friendships come at a price.
Relationships changing?
Vanhi wants the best for her daughter, and, therefore, does not allow Charita the freedom / choices that she herself exercises. Charita, taking a job as a Mughal spy, no longer takes orders from her mother.
Bhad and Vanhi have a history of cat and mouse — her new role as mother of the would-be king, now gives her more power than Bhad would like.
DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:
Can they survive X?
Mughal forces launch a surprise attack the Portuguese, while Charita and Bhad are with them. Will Charita survive? This caught Bhad off-guard? Did the Amir / someone else double-cross him?
Putting themselves in danger / making dangerous decisions?
Charita decided to become a spy, on the surface “to pay” for her baby brother’s protection, beneath the surface — she wants autonomy, she wants to use the skills / talents she has, to create her own wealth; she wants to act in a way that creates a meaningful change in her world; she naive — there’s a lot that’s going to come at her that she isn’t expecting
Who else is pulled into their danger?
Charita’s actions, at different times, pull everyone into danger — Jagger, Bhad, Vanhi, her infant brother, Rajendra, all of Golden City
Internal dangers (drug addiction, need for medicine, inner demons)?
Many Portuguese are developing a taste for opium with Bhad’s encouragement. He’s encouraged the Amir to dabble in it thinking the Amir would be easier to manipulate — but that backfired. Bhad skillfully hides his own addiction.
2. Tell us your top 5-8 Big Picture Open Loops that could be in your pilot.
Charita’s decision to become a spy and her corresponding actions, at different times, pull everyone into danger — Jagger, Bhad, Vanhi, her infant brother, Rajendra, all of Golden City.
Crushed Goal: Veer wants to reveal that he is Abzar’s bastard brother. Must avenge his brother.
Rajendra wants the Golden City Throne (he wants love and vindication). Abzar believed in him as heir. His own, now executed, father sought to manipulate him. Now he must have the throne to prove himself, believing it will justify his existence.
Bhad (secretly) wants it all — wealth, power and Vanhi. As he grasps for one, he loses another.
Damyanti’s desire to pull herself up will have consequences for everyone.
Vanhi doesn’t want her son to be king — but the only way she can ensure that he lives to a ripe old age is to make sure he sits on the throne.
Taking a job with the Mughals makes Charita their ally and protector of her baby brother (in addition to giving her other things that she wants), but this job / relationship comes with a whole lot of strings.
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ASSIGNMENT 1
1. List Big Picture open loops established early in LOST:
The biggest deepest open loop is what is the mystic magic of the island? It seems that John Locke is somehow in tune with the island. He went from paraplegic to walking and running. He says, “This island gives you what you’re looking for, but you must give the island something.”
This raises another open loop mystery; how did so many survive the crash with so few injuries? This subliminal question is raised to conscientious in the 7th episode and begs a future answer.2. In the next episode, how are open loops used to create need to see episodes.
We finally see Kate and Jack embrace meaningfully supporting our expectations that there is something romantic between them. However, they quickly, mutually, and intentionally return to an apparent plutonic relationship.
Many future overlapping open loops are created as quickly as others are answered. For instance, we learn that Mrs. Kwon speaks English while learning that Mr. Kwon does not know this. We can’t help but notice there is something going on between Mrs. Kwon and Michael as they exchange long glances.
Another loop closed, is how Charlie will resolve his drug addiction with the inciteful help of Mr. Locke. Thus, we’ve now seen a strong example of Charlie giving the island the last of his addicted drugs for becoming a hero that he so desperately needed to become. This also reinforces the mystery of Locke’s intimate connection with the secrets of the island.ASSIGNMENT 2:
Wayne’s Big Picture Open LoopsWhat I learned doing this assignment is how to find, construct, and enhance open loops on every scale, and overlapping them to keep high levels of emotional audience investment in my series.
1. Brainstorm big picture open loops to keep the audience captivated.
Mike’s goal was to complete an exploratory mission and return to earth and raise a family.
Desae’s goal was to survive on her subsistence farm and raise her 2-year-old child.
The loss of all fuel changed Mikes goals to survival and somehow live among this new planet’s inhabitants.
Desae’s new goals became help the alien spaceman and hide from authorities.
Ultimately both Mike and Desae want to help one another, live together, and resolve physical and cultural differences.
Desae’s desire to keep Mike safe and become a helpmate conflicts with Mike not wanting to endanger her and her son by authoritarian retribution.
As their, intrigue, personal interest, and romance grows between them, it appears their remaining obstacle is the relentless pursuit of Kirton, the lead investigator searching for the alien invader. Throughout the season this becomes a cat and mouse game between them.
Another big open loop is Desae’s neighbor and best friend Yardas and her husband Bendal. Bendal is a very quiet man who appears to be a dullard, but as the season progresses, we discover he and Kirton know one another well, thus we begin to suspect Bendal of betrayal…2. Tell us your top 5-8 Big Picture Open Loops that could be in your pilot.
Smaller loops overlap throughout the seasons, such as:
Gaining possession of HAL (Mike’s onboard computer) from the new “Alien Invader Museum.” It takes a few episodes to locate it, befriend the Romalian scientist trying to analyze it, and enlist his help in feigning it being stolen. This also adds another intriguing character to their inner circle, with his own back story and attributes.
Desae’s discovers Mike’s pocket Bible in his flight suit and asks him what it is about. This leads to her telling him her back story of the religious rebellion against the planet’s atheistic government that lead to her betroths’ death.
This becomes an intermittent open loop in later episodes and series as once Mike is discovered his profession of faith in a higher power becomes a contentious issue.
The role of HAL, once recovered and repaired, becomes a growing open loop, as he has made his own study of Romalian culture and language. He becomes a tutor to Nome (Desae’s son) and information for Desae. HAL help her understand much about earth because of HAL’s extensive audio/video library.
Eventually the loop concerning Bendal is reveled to the audience when he choses to jeopardies himself to save Mike and Desae. We learn he was the security leader who had killed Desae’s betrothed. However, this unresolved open loop remains because he has not reveled this to Desae for whom he’s grown great respect.
Another open loop is between Yardas and her husband, Bendal, because they are unable to have children. It becomes an issue of consternation between them.
Other evolving loops are Mike’s growing relationship with Nome which quickly becomes a father son relationship along with the constant tension of if/when Mike may be taken away.
There are many open typical family concerns, however every issue is amplified by their unique circumstance literally worlds apart, and impending capture.
Near the end of Season 1, they have an intimate wedding including their small circle, not expecting that they are physiologically capable of spawning children.
The Season 1 hook into Season 2 is that Desae shows signs of being pregnant.Season 2 begins with “complications” that cause them to consult with a doctor leading him to discover who the father is and having to convince him to endanger his family to keep their secret.
Of course, this creates other large open loops such as what will the child look like? This hybrid girl child becomes amazingly savant, talented, and able to absorb as mush as HAL can teach her. She and her older brother become quite the team going on their own adventures to lead authorities on wild goose chases and generally being amazingly inventive.
Season 2 hook into Season 3 is the imminent capture of Mike when the farm tractor breaks down and Mike is caught walking on the road by Kirton and his men.Season 3 opens with Nome and Toni (now 8 and 4) steal the prisoner wagon and race to warn Desae.
Season 3 ends (4 years later) with the 4 of them being captured and brought to “justice.”Season 4 begins with them before a very stoic judge who appears to have no mercy until 8-year-old Toni proffers for them. Her testimony is genius and her presentation beyond precocious. As she completes her testimony with a video of her parents’ wedding on Mike’s cell phone, the Judge is overwhelmed to tears. He explains that he once had a son who was very gifted but was killed in an accident along with his wife. He rules that the wedding fulfilled all planetary qualifications for citizenship. However, he sentences Mike to a lifetime of public service to the planet in a paid position in the Alien Invasion Museum science lab to teach Romalian scientists everything he can, also to lead Romalian aviation engineers to develop a space exploration program.
Season 4 outlines many trials and tribulations for each assimilating into Romalian society (after years of being considered a threat to the planet). As the space program proceeds, we find that Toni is uniquely qualified for space travel being small yet able to better withstand greater G-forces etc. than any other Romalian. The season ends with Toni set to pilot Romal’s first space mission outside their solar system to the planet Earth.
Season 5 sees a new rebellion as philosophers learn from Mike that he is a believer in God (Logard). So as Toni heads at near lightspeed to earth (a 6-year trip one way), Mike and Desae become both very popular and dangerous to the planet’s authority.
Meanwhile Toni comes out of suspended animation annually for three days of physical exercise and conversation with the onboard computer that HAL helped to develop. Outside of communication range of either planet, her conversations with HAL2 become little cameos that somewhat parallel Mike, Desae, and Nome’s problems at home with the escalating religious rebellion that Mike can no longer control. The season ends when Mike & Desae are arrested, and Toni comes within first communication reach of Earth. In the last moments of Season 5, Toni learns that Earth is on the brink of imminent Nuclear War!Beginning Season 6, The major powers of Earth are stymied to learn that the hybrid offspring of the legendary Major Michael Barrington is headed to earth.
“The Day the Earth Still Stood” – She brokers a temporary peace and meeting of representatives of the three war leading nations, offering to hear their grievances. Complications, betrayal, etc. ensue.
Meanwhile back on Romal, charges escalate as all the ills of the planet are attributed to Mike & Desae. Eventually Nome is released. Nome plans with HAL (with the help of Yardas and Bendal) Mike and Desae’s escape when HAL hacks into prison computers.
As they escape to be harbored by the growing religious freedom coalition, Season 6 ends on the betrayal on Earth as Toni is kidnapped by one of the waring powers framing one of the others. Thus, pitting the framed power against the other two in a resumed imminent nuclear exchange.Season 7 begins with the struggle of Toni to outsmart her captives and eventual escape. Meanwhile on Romal Mike Desae and Nome and other “Rebel” characters plan a way to expose certain political leaders to create a bloodless revolution. These two efforts comprise most of Season 7. The season ends when Toni escapes in her spaceship, but the waring powers positioned to launch their initial attacks at any moment.
Season 8 Leads off with Toni transmitting back to Earth such that she cannot be jammed by any of the nations, telling of the framing of the wrong power, thus upsetting the entire war plans of all …
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Big Picture Open Loops:
Who will take over the New York Crime Scene
Will Adam rob get away with robbing the bank
Will Adam or Sophie betray Mendelstein
What will happen between Adam and George
Will Nickelworth catch Adam
Will Adam and Sophie get together
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