New Lesson 7

[Laree Griffith]

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[Jennifer Quintenz-Berry]

Jenn’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment: Some of the AI-generated things weren’t on point, but I did stop myself from trying to make the vaguer ones “specific” so that they could fit a variety of different situations. It was helpful to reign back because I could suddenly see more opportunities across multiple episodes rather than the specific events I’d brainstormed that are one-and-done situations.

ASHLYNN “ASH” LEWIS:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Ash faces internal backlash and resentment from her department for continuing an unsanctioned investigation.

B. External character conflicts: Ash clashes with her partner, Detective Byron, who undermines her efforts due to his biased views against women in law enforcement.

C. Plot intruding on life: The investigation jeopardizes Ash’s personal life as the terrorist targets her loved ones, putting her girlfriend Lessa and brother Mike in danger.

D. Moral dilemmas: Ash is forced to question her loyalty to the department’s protocol and her commitment to justice when faced with conflicting interests.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Ash must make decisions that compromise her principles, such as working covertly and risking her career for the greater good.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Ash experiences the burden of isolation and distrust, making her relatable to anyone who has faced opposition for doing what they believe is right.

B. Make them relatable: Ash’s dedication to justice and vulnerability in personal relationships make her a relatable character with universal struggles.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Ash’s internal conflict between duty and personal connections resonates with the universal struggle of balancing work and relationships.

JOEY TREADWELL:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Joey’s physical scars lead to constant self-doubt and fear of rejection, amplifying his distress in seeking acceptance and love.

B. External character conflicts: Joey faces internal conflict when torn between protecting his online community and assisting Ash in stopping a killer.

C. Plot intruding on life: The investigation exposes Joey’s vulnerability as his safe online haven becomes a source of danger, challenging his moral stance.

D. Moral dilemmas: Joey grapples with ethical decisions, torn between loyalty to his incel community and aiding Ash in preventing further violence.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Joey is forced to confront his own fears and biases, making choices that challenge his self-imposed limitations.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Joey’s yearning for acceptance and his internal moral struggle elicit empathy from those who have grappled with self-identity and conflicting loyalties.

B. Make them relatable: Joey’s emotional scars and desire for recognition make him a relatable character, tapping into universal themes of self-worth and acceptance.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Joey’s journey from isolation to hope resonates with anyone who has felt marginalized, emphasizing the universal need for understanding.

DETECTIVE PATRICK BYRON:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Byron faces the distress of unacknowledged bias and resentment, feeling overlooked in promotions due to perceived discrimination.

B. External character conflicts: Byron’s clash with Ash intensifies as he prioritizes personal ambition over the pursuit of justice.

C. Plot intruding on life: The investigation disrupts Byron’s career aspirations, leading to a moral struggle between ambition and principles.

D. Moral dilemmas: Byron grapples with his ingrained biases against women in law enforcement, especially as Ash challenges his beliefs.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Byron must decide whether to compromise his integrity for professional gain or reconsider his biases.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Byron’s internal conflicts and desire for recognition evoke empathy from those who have experienced professional frustration and discrimination.

B. Make them relatable: Byron’s struggle with changing norms and expectations makes him relatable to individuals navigating evolving societal dynamics.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Byron’s internal conflict highlights the universal theme of confronting one’s biases and the struggle to adapt to changing circumstances.

ALESSANDRA “LESSA” ROSSI:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Lessa faces the distress of an abusive past haunting her present, impacting her emotional well-being and relationship with Ash.

B. External character conflicts: Lessa’s past puts a strain on her relationship with Ash as she grapples with the dilemma of revealing her traumatic history (turns down Ash’s proposal, etc.).

C. Plot intruding on life: The blackpills retaliation on Ash spills over to harm Lessa and jeopardize her safety and happiness.

D. Moral dilemmas: Lessa must decide whether to reveal her past and risk losing Ash or continue hiding, perpetuating a dishonest relationship.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Lessa is forced to choose between facing her past or potentially sacrificing her future happiness.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Lessa’s trauma and internal struggle make her a character to empathize with, especially for those who have faced difficult decisions and personal pain.

B. Make them relatable: Lessa’s journey of healing and self-discovery resonates with individuals who have navigated the challenges of coming to terms with their past.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Lessa’s dilemma reflects the universal theme of confronting painful truths for the sake of personal growth and authentic relationships.

MIKE LEWIS:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Mike grapples with the loss of his parents at a young age, and longing for Ash to see him as a brother, not a burden.

B. External character conflicts: Mike faces conflicts with Ash as he seeks independence, leading to strained sibling dynamics.

C. Plot intruding on life: The shooting at school intensifies Mike’s fear that Ash could be killed, leaving him entirely alone.

D. Moral dilemmas: Mike must confront the balance between familial loyalty and his need for personal growth, challenging the boundaries set by Ash.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Mike is forced to assert his independence in ways that clash with Ash’s overprotectiveness, making decisions that challenge their sibling bond.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Mike’s fear of Ash’s dangerous job, and the threats coming in from the Blackpill community.

B. Make them relatable: Mike’s journey toward independence taps into the universal theme of navigating the complexities of sibling relationships.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Mike’s quest for self-discovery and the push-and-pull dynamics with Ash resonate with individuals who have faced challenges in asserting their identity within familial relationships.

DR. LIAM HARPER:

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune: Harper faces distress as Ash questions his professional competence, threatening his ambition for tenure.

B. External character conflicts: Harper experiences conflict with Ash as she challenges his expertise, undermining his authority.

C. Plot intruding on life: The investigation disrupts Harper’s calculated plans for professional advancement, exposing his insecurities.

D. Moral dilemmas: Harper is forced to confront the ethical implications of leveraging a tragedy for personal gain, testing his professional integrity.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make: Harper must decide whether to maintain a façade of confidence or address his vulnerabilities in the face of scrutiny.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress: Harper’s professional insecurities and fear of exposure make him a character to empathize with, especially for those who have grappled with imposter syndrome.

B. Make them relatable: Harper’s ambition and the fear of professional failure resonate with individuals navigating competitive professional environments.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional: Harper’s internal struggle highlights the universal theme of facing professional challenges and the pressure to succeed at any cost.

~ Jenn Q

[Mary Andrews]

Same as Tom. Lesson 7 reply at bottom of list whited out.

[Tom Wilson]

Hi, Laree:

I just clicked on REPLY in NEW LESSON 7. It whited out.

[Tom Wilson]

ASSIGNMENT 1

Tom’s Example Show 24 (2001) TV Series

A. Undeserved Misfortune:

· Because Jack testified against three corrupt coworkers, his colleagues don’t trust him.

B. Exterior Character Conflicts:

· Intentional – Mike designs weapons superior to enemies’ weapons.

· Unintentional – Because co-workers know about their affair, they don’t respect Mike and Nina

A. Plot Intruding on Life – Jack’s daughter Kim is kidnapped.

B. Moral Dilemmas – Jack must discover what caused an airliner with 300 people onboard to crash, or help his wife search for their kidnapped daughter.

C. Forced Decisions they’d never make – Jack must not report Mason’s stealing $200K because he needs his help to find a source who knows who sabotaged the airliner.

1. Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on the Empathy/Distress that shows up in this episode and throughout the season so far.

2. Notice the difference between Big Picture Empathy/Distress and detail-oriented Empathy/Distress. Big Picture will have an impact across multiple episodes. Deadline: 24 hours

ASSIGNMENT 2

1. List BIG PICTURE difficult situations & decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series. Ask yourself: “Knowing the concept, what big picture Empathy/Distress situations could occur?”

Mike

Distress:

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Mike can’t read a ransom note because it was burned up.

2. External Character Conflicts:

3. Plot Intruding on Life: Neighbors call the cops when Mike makes noise working at home late at night.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Must finish weapon on time or go undercover in Mexico to find his wife and daughter.

5. Forced Decisions they’d never make: Police anti-hacker squad want him to squeal on hacker buddies.

Empathy:

1. Put the character in distress: If Maria tries to escape, she endangers his daughter’s life; if she doesn’t try to escape, they will be killed at any moment.

2. Make them relatable: A Navy pal confesses he lied when he joined up, said he was born in the U.S. Mike sympathizes, won’t turn him in because he did the same thing.

3. Universal experiences that are emotional: The audience empathizes with Mike’s stressful problems.

Maria

Distress:

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Maria and her daughter are threatened with rape unless they behave.

2. External Character Conflicts: Mike must lie to his boss when he searches for his wife and daughter.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: Kidnapper calls, asks Mike to trade secret weapon for his wife and daughter

4. Moral Dilemmas: Hard for her to appear positive so her daughter won’t be scared.

5. Forced Decisions they’d never make: Maria would never admit to her daughter that she’s autistic.

Empathy:

1. Put the character in distress: If Maria tries to escape, she endangers his daughter’s life; if she doesn’t, they will be killed.

2. Make them relatable: She fights with the other prisoners to get enough food to feed her daughter.

3. Universal experiences that are emotional: Her daughter feels it’s her fault they were kidnapped.

TW: I’m going to provide my TV series [Format/Genre], [concept], and [conflict]. Can you give me ways to create [distress] and [empathy] for each of my [lead characters]? Please be detailed and provide unique and specific answers for each character in short sentences that are precise.

Distress =

A. Undeserved misfortune.

B. External Character conflicts.
C. Plot intruding on life.
D. Moral dilemmas.
E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

Empathy =

A. Put them in distress.

B. Make them relatable.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

Format/Genre =

Concept =

Conflict =

Lead Characters =

Marty, a Navy officer who’s wife and daughter were kidnapped, must rescue them.

[Eric Geier]

Community Staff catch onto his schemes (external conflict)Eric Geier’s Show, Geezers, Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is, by incorporating empathy and distress into my character profiles, I’m getting a better sense of what choices to make in the struggles they’ll encounter.

Stanley:

Distress:

His Pension gets cut unexpectedly (undeserved misfortune)

His worries about schemes are ignored (external conflict)

His health declines, jeopardizing his plans (plot intruding)

Wife considers reporting friends’ illegal behavior (moral dilemma)

Must choose between life at home and his group of partners (forced decision)

Empathy:

Struggling to pay bills despite working to make ends meet (relatable)

Abandons family events for schemes (universal emotion)

Frankie:

Distress:

Gets swindled by a close friend’s son (undeserved misfortune)

Community Staff catch onto his schemes (external conflict)

A scheme ruins his reputation at retirement community (plot intruding)

Debates betraying friends to protect himself (moral dilemma)

Pressured to risk jail time with a big heist (forced decision)

Empathy:

Wants to be the guy everyone can count on (relatable)

Panics over losing independence with age (universal emotion)

Jerry:

Distress:

His worsening dementia goes unchecked (undeserved misfortune)

His jokes lead the group into danger (external conflict)

Forgets critical details of a big scheme (plot intruding)

Knows a scheme will seriously hurt someone (moral dilemma)

Has to choose between treatment and friends (forced decision)

Empathy:

Covers fear with humor as memories fade (relatable)

Terrified of being cast aside due to illness (universal emotion)

Ming:

Distress:

He loses life savings paying for wife who died’s care (undeserved misfortune)

His ideas are shot down by obstinate friends (external conflict)

A scheme threatens his immigration status (plot intruding)

Debates reporting illegal activity of friends for money (moral dilemma)

Must betray friends or get deported (forced decision)

Empathy:

Stayed true to himself despite discrimination (relatable)

Aches from strained family ties (universal emotion)

[Zeke Farrow]

WHAT I LEARNED:

This is such a great way to organize learning the essential depths of the main characters. I found this very helpful.

JACK

DISTRESS:

UNDERSERVED MISFORTUNE:

Jack gets the sucky assignment of profiling Dr. Montgomery because his ex-girlfriend is editor of the paper.

EXTERNAL CHARACTER CONFLICTS

Jack is in conflict with all the suspects. Jack is in conflict with the editor of the newspaper. Jack is in conflict with Dr. Montgomery who did not choose him for the acting program. Jack is in conflict with Cassandra when he has sex with Olivier.

PLOT INTRUDING ON LIFE

Jack is writing a hack piece on Dr. Montgomery when Dr. Montgomery is brutally murdered and Jack must solve the murder to write the best piece of journalism ever.

MORAL DILEMMAS

Jack can’t help sleeping with the suspects. Once Jack solves the crime, should he let the person get away with it, since It felt justified…? If jack

FORCED DECISIONS THEY’D NEVER MAKE

Jack decides totake the bullet for Olivier. Literally. Jack must decide between Olivier and Cassandra.

EMPATHY:

PUT THE CHARACTER IN DISTRESS:

Jack finds the body.

MAKE THEM RELATABLE

Jack falls for every seduction. Jack wants to be an actor – universal desires. Jack wants to maintain journalistic integrity.

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCES THAT ARE EMOTIONAL

Sex. In search of answers. Disappointed with his assignment. Quest for truth and justice.

CASSANDRA

DISTRESS:

UNDERSERVED MISFORTUNE:

Prime suspect. Unfarily accused. She was under Dr. Montgomery’s control because she took someone else’s spot.

Past traumas resurface. Her secrets may be revealed.

Olivier manipulates Cassandra for his own gain. His own alibi. His own version of events.

EXTERNAL CHARACTER CONFLICTS

Cassandra is in conflict with Jack because she’s a suspect. Cassandra is in conflict with Olivier because they’re on-again-off-again lovers. Also, they have opposing theories of acting. Also Olivier is using Cassandra as an alibi.

PLOT INTRUDING ON LIFE

Cassandra is being scouted by an agent for after graduation and she’s gotta keep her shit together.

Her personal life becomes the subject of scrutiny and her secrets bubble up. She was on the waiting list and called up when someone else couldn’t attend.

MORAL DILEMMAS

Cassandra has no morals. It would seem that having sex with Jack may be a dilemma – nope. Also, taking someone’s place at the school was not a problem. Killing Dr. Montgomery – not a problem.

Will she reveal the truth about her past? Only when it benefits her. And then again, what truth is the real truth. You never know with Cassandra. But in the end, she must confront her past to absolve herself.

FORCED DECISIONS THEY’D NEVER MAKE

Cassandra must kill Penelope Ann Copala who knows too much.

EMPATHY:

PUT THE CHARACTER IN DISTRESS:

People are dying around Cassandra, and she really wants an agent. Cassandra’s whole life depends on this play.

Her wrongful accusation.

Her past trauma elicits sympathy.

MAKE THEM RELATABLE

Cassandra’s struggle to maintain her image as the star of the class while she faces being a prime suspect in a murder case are trying. Will anyone believe her as Nina anymore… Maybe in the second half. But the first half will feel too ironic.

She is vulnerable to the pressures of the limelight. Her resulting complex and fragile emotions make her human.

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCES THAT ARE EMOTIONAL

Rejection. Dashed dreams. Keeping a dark secret. She battles the injustice of nepobaby status… Which isn’t even real.

OLIVIER

DISTRESS:

UNDERSERVED MISFORTUNE:

Olivier was under the control of Dr. Montgomery – being a nepo baby isn’t nearly enough. He was his call boy in exchange for casting.

EXTERNAL CHARACTER CONFLICTS

Olivier has a conflict with Jack because he is a suspect and he sleeps with him. Olivier has a conflict with Dr. Montromery because he is being blackmailed.

Dr. Montgomery’s wife finds a tape of Olivier and Montgomery.

PLOT INTRUDING ON LIFE

Olivier needs his parents’ approval and the cancelled show dashes that hope. Dr. Montgomery was going to ruin his future.

It’s rumored that he sucked Dr. Montgomery’s dick to get Hamlet.

Olivier’s obsession with Jack compromises the investigation.

MORAL DILEMMAS

He did suck Dr. Montgomery’s. Dick to get Hamlet. Killing Dr. Montgomery to escape. Montgomery would bleed him dry forever.

FORCED DECISIONS THEY’D NEVER MAKE

Pretends to be his twin brother to sleep with Jack.

EMPATHY:

PUT THE CHARACTER IN DISTRESS:

Prime suspect. Has a large, vulnerable heart.

MAKE THEM RELATABLE

Horny. Ambitious. Narcissist. Gives in to his passions. Chases pleasure.

Maintains charm and sex appeal while confronting demons and navigating the investigation.

UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCES THAT ARE EMOTIONAL

Guilt. Resentment. Fear of exposure.

[Robert Gemmill]

I learned how to make this story golden with empathy and distress.

Sheriff Ralph Bigsby:
Distress:

Mine: Ralph’s wife left him due to his corruption, causing him inner turmoil.
Claude: Jimmy is bitten by a zombie and Ralph fears he will lose his son.

Empathy:
Mine: Reveal Ralph’s backstory of losing his wife.

Claude: Show Ralph’s love for his son Jimmy.

Dr. Carlotta Fernandez:

Distress:
Mine: Carlotta’s lab is ransacked and her research destroyed.

Claude: Angry townspeople accuse Carlotta of hiding the cure from them.

Empathy:
Mine: Depict her standing up to the sheriff to do what’s right.
Claude: Show Carlotta’s compassion in trying to help zombies.

Jimmy Bigsby:

Distress:
Mine: Jimmy finds out the truth about his mother leaving.

Claude: Jimmy is attacked by zombies and infected.

Empathy:

Mine: Show Jimmy’s innocence and desire to do good.

Claude: Reveal his close relationships jeopardized by his dad’s secrets.

Amos Cardwell:

Distress:

Mine: His scientific discoveries twisted for the wrong reasons.

Claude: Zombie family members don’t recognize him anymore.

Empathy:

Mine: Show him motivated by scientific curiosity.

Claude: Present him as wanting recognition for his inventions.

[Art Blum]

TV show “24”

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune. Jack’s wife and daughter have been kidnapped. The kidnappers threaten to kill them unless he does as they order.

External character conflicts. CTU and police don’t believe Jack and think he’s acting on his own to kill Palmer.

Plot intruding on life. He’s trying to pull his family together but now he’s being used to assassinate a presidential candidate.

Moral dilemmas: Struggling to keep Palmer alive and at the same time save his wife and daughter and knowing he may have to become a killer to save them.

Forced decisions they’d never make. Having to take illegal actions to save his family.

Empathy:

Put the character in distress. The clock is ticking and he only has a few hours left to figure out where his family is being held.

Make them relatable. The stress is almost more than Jack can take and he’s coming close to breaking down emotionally.

Universal experiences that are emotional. Themes of being an outsider and loyalty to Palmer and his family.

Ryan:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Ryan’s secret is exposed at school, causing social isolation and bullying.

External Character Conflicts: Government agents capture and threaten his friends to force compliance.

Plot Intruding on Life: A government raid interrupts a crucial moment in his quest for identity.

Moral Dilemmas: Forced to choose between saving a friend or revealing his abilities to the world.

Forced Decisions: Compelled to use his powers against his principles to protect loved ones.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Ryan struggles to hide his true nature, fearing rejection and harm.

Make Them Relatable: Highlight Ryan’s desire for a normal life and friendships, mirroring universal teen experiences.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of identity, belonging, and the fear of being an outsider.

Seth:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Seth is wrongly accused of betrayal, damaging his relationship with Ryan.

External Character Conflicts: Confrontation with Dr. Blaine over the consequences of their actions.

Plot Intruding on Life: Government interference jeopardizes his efforts to reanimate lost children.

Moral Dilemmas: Forced to choose between loyalty to Ryan and the greater good.

Forced Decisions: Compelled to make questionable alliances to protect those he cares about.

Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Seth grapples with the consequences of past decisions and the burden of secrecy.

Make Them Relatable: Emphasize Seth’s protective instincts and his struggle with the ghosts of his past.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the complexity of morality.

Dr. Blaine:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Facing public scrutiny and blame for the Christopher project’s failure.

External Character Conflicts: Power struggle within Hermes as other factions challenge her authority.

Plot Intruding on Life: Personal life disrupted by the government’s relentless pursuit of Ryan.

Moral Dilemmas: Confronted with the ethical implications of exploiting Ryan’s abilities.

Forced Decisions: Balancing personal ambition with a growing moral unease.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Dr. Blaine grapples with guilt and the consequences of her past decisions.

Make Them Relatable: Humanize Dr. Blaine by exploring her motivations and the internal conflict she faces.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Explore themes of ambition, redemption, and the weight of responsibility.

Jimmy:

1. Distress:

Undeserved Misfortune: Jimmy’s connection to the lost children haunts him with their unresolved pain.

External Character Conflicts: Threatened by forces seeking to exploit his link to Ryan.

Plot Intruding on Life: The government closing in on discovering Jimmy’s true nature.

Moral Dilemmas: Struggling with the ethical implications of guiding Ryan’s actions.

Forced Decisions: Confronting the choice between staying hidden and intervening directly.

2. Empathy:

Put the Character in Distress: Jimmy’s desire to protect Ryan clashes with the limitations of his spiritual existence.

Make Them Relatable: Explore Jimmy’s attachment to the lost children and his desire for resolution.

Universal Emotional Experiences: Themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the search for meaning in an ethereal existence.

I learned more about the internal dynamics facing my characters and this helps me make them more human and relatable.

[Janeen Johnson]

Janeen’s Show Empathy/Distress

What I learned doing this assignment is that doing this more often makes it easier.

Assignment 1

Show: The Morning Show

Alex:

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Her co-anchor has committed sexual assault and it reflects on her

External Character Conflicts: Fights with network execs, her daughter, her producer, her new co-anchor

Plot intruding on life: She must choose between being there for her husband and daughter and former co-anchor.

Moral dilemmas: Should she throw her former co-anchor under the bus or somehow look complicit

Forced decisions they’d never make: Must choose between her own job, her integrity, and her friendship with Mitch

Empathy:

Character in Distress: She’s being considered for dismissal because of her age and her association with Mitch

More relatable: She worries — about her looks, her age, her power

Universal emotional experiences: Being unfairly blamed for another’s conduct, losing her husband because of neglect, having a rebellious teen, having a new co-anchor she can’t trust, knowing her boss is out for himself.

Bradley:

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Her brother screws up each time in rehab and her mother blames her

External Character Conflicts: Fights more or less with Alex, her mother and brother

Plot intruding on life: After letting off steam with the girls, she does something despicable and ends up confessing to her boss

Moral dilemmas: Does she support Alex who she has never respected, use her as a role model and team with her, or try to take her down and become the top dog.

Forced decisions they’d never make: Must choose between her knack and passion for exposes and The Morning Show format

Empathy:

Character in Distress: Drinks to relieve stress — in other words, is self-destructive when under pressure

More relatable: Has a crappy, low class family who doesn’t understand or care about the pressure she’s under

Universal emotional experiences: Fear of screwing up, fear of being “found out”, self-loathing after a drunken night

Assignment 2:

My show:

Adrianna:

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Husband crippled in accident

External Character Conflicts: Needs money to keep family afloat and Bettina won’t fund her in the short term.

Plot intruding on life: The inventions being stolen ruins her plans to provide for her family.

Moral dilemmas: Relies on Zane for comfort, support but husband is feeling abandoned

Forced decisions they’d never make: Will she seduce Zane, the man whose parents caused her husband’s accident, in hopes he will solve her financial issues or miss a payment to the bank?

Empathy:

Character in Distress: Undue financial distress caused by accident

More relatable: Stressed and wants intimacy as a release, but can’t bring herself to cheat

Universal emotional experiences: Husband feeling useless, kids missing out due to financial stress, feeling pressure to provide for the family.

Zane:

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Loses parents and must somehow become the head of their construction company

External Character Conflicts: Adrianna holds his parents responsible for her husband’s condition and wants monetary support for him, but he doesn’t have it to provide

Plot intruding on life: The inventions were supposed to provide some financial relief for them all, but when they are stolen, they are all screwed financially.

Moral dilemmas: Does he hack into other companies in order to win a few bids and keep the company afloat?

Forced decisions they’d never make: Does he violate the order that says he’ll work for the government and never go rogue again or does he let his parents’ company go under and put 1/3 of the town’s breadwinners go under?

Empathy:

Character in Distress: Adrianna is pressuring him, he’s getting no respect from the foremen of the company, he’s winning no bids for additional work and is suspected by all for the theft of the inventions

More relatable: Is truly trying to do his best and feeling like the underdog and in danger at every turn.

Universal emotional experiences: Loss of parents, feelings of responsibility to the company, his parents, Adrianna’s husband and the town.

Bettina:

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Because men took advantage of her for her money, her parents have her on a very short leash at the bank.

External Character Conflicts: Bettina is feeling pressure on all sides to fund the inventions, fund the store, bail out Adrianna.

Plot intruding on life: The inventions were supposed to alleviate these money stresses and they have not.

Moral dilemmas: Does she turn down truly needy people or become a money-grubbing greedy banker like her parents? Can she raise the money any other way?

Forced decisions they’d never make: Should she mortgage her own house and use personal loans to do what she thinks her parents should have done?

Empathy:

Character in Distress: Bettina is very lonely, but suspicious of any man’s attention having been burned so many times. Her parents are on her to show more profit at the bank, inventors are after her for backing money.

More relatable: Bettina is trying to be a decent human being instead of greedy and nothing seems to work.

Universal emotional experiences: Lonely, feeling used by all men who date her, subjected to Sabra’s rumors that she sold out the inventors at her parents’ direction, etc.

Sabra:

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Gave away baby at her parents’ insistence and regrets it deeply. She was so young. Store owners retired due to health and demand same profits they made which leaves here with almost no money.

External Character Conflicts: Store owners want their money every month, other inventors push her to provide some funding too, share “credit” for being an inventor with others when they are her ideas, People shun her because she knows more than they do about what’s going on locally and shares it.

Plot intruding on life: The stolen inventions make her suspect everyone. She came up with them and doesn’t benefit at all.

Moral dilemmas: Does she go to an outside agency to try to get additional inventions developed/made or will she be taken advantage of there just as much as here?

Forced decisions they’d never make: Does she pursue finding her child or have another one out of wedlock to cure the ache she feels? Who would be hurt by it?

Empathy:

Character in Distress: Needs to keep local prices affordable, but come up with money for owners. Sees her best inventions stolen by someone unknown. Can’t trust anyone.

More relatable: Being pressure by deserving couple who left her in charge. Working hard and getting nowhere.

Universal emotional experiences: Losing a child, working harder and not getting ahead, having ideas stolen, not getting full credit for the ideas she comes up with.

Binley:

Distress:

Undeserved misfortune: Thought it was steal the idea from his partner or have it stolen.

External Character Conflicts: Old friend committed suicide when his idea was stolen. friend’s parents hate him. His school will fire him if they find out what he did. Wants to give money for inventions and be part of the group, but he soon finds they are curious about his money source in the extreme.

Plot intruding on life: He can’t enjoy any of the money he made because people would suspect what he did. The current inventions would allow him to go back to his old life with impunity, but he can’t seem to make money from the new inventions due to the thefts.

Moral dilemmas: Does he fund the group and move away after 1 or 2 “hits” or does he try to quietly give them funding without raising questions about where the money is coming from?

Forced decisions they’d never make: He found the plot his old friend had to sell their mutual developed idea out from under him and sold it first, planning to share the money with his partner. It was kill or be killed, right?

Empathy:

Character in Distress: Friend killed himself before he could explain that he had not betrayed him.

More relatable: Has money, wants to help, but can’t explain where it came from.

Universal emotional experiences: Grief over loss of friend, lust for an out of reach local girl, not fitting in with other teachers, unable to explain his real circumstances to anyone due to shame and guilt.

[Kimbal Thompson]

Kimbal Thompson BWAI Module 1/Lesson 7

What I learned from this assignment is the extent to which distress and empathy can motivate the audience through the characters.

ASSIGNMENT 1:

1. Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on the Empathy/Distress that shows up in this episode and throughout the season so far.

Big Picture:

Stay married or Divorce.

Who is responsible for the attack on the aircraft carrier.

Decision on retaliation agreement between England and US.

Vice Presidency for Kate

Detail Oriented

Sudden change in interview with the Russian Ambassador, where would this lead, blinking yellow light on way to destination, information RE Lenkov.

Whether or not ruse by Russian Ambassador would avoid interruption of meeting.

Hal’s opportunity for Secretary of State

Meeting at the Oval Office

PM’s reaction to Kate

2. Notice the difference between Big Picture Empathy/Distress and detail-oriented Empathy/Distress. Big Picture will have an impact across multiple episodes.

Both, per No. 1, above.

Deadline: 24 hours

ASSIGNMENT 2:

1. Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series:

Making the trip successful.

Not being arrested as Drug dealers

Just ask yourself: “Knowing the concept, what are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”

Distress:

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[Mary Andrews]

*Lesson 10 of 74 BWTV-AI Module 1 – Lesson 7: Empathy/Distress, The Binge Worthy Drug! ASSIGNMENT 2:

1. Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series.

Just ask yourself: “Knowing the concept, what are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”

STEVEN CHEN Distress:

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