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Post Day 17 Assignment Here
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Lee’s Act 3 Reaction to Midpoint
What I learned doing this assignment is…
EXT. THE DESERT – DAY
BEGINNING
Granny Sue says now they’ll be able make a plan that will work to find Milly’s father.
MIDDLE
When Justin and Milly don’t seem to take things seriously, she’s honest and firm with them about the stakes. Some people may die that day. Their job is to come up with a plan to make sure they and Marcus aren’t one of them. Justin will prepare a diversion while Milly and Granny Sue move to another side of the Lava Craters to enter unawares
END
Granny Sue give Justin permission to use “the magic word” on the toys that they’ve brought. She tells Milly that she and her will travel in “a couple of leaps” to the other side of the Lava Craters. She’ll ride on Milly’s back. Buoyed by her recent success, and Justin’s encouragement, Milly agrees, and they execute the leaps.
THE SCENE
LATER…
The area off the road now has Marcus’s miniature toys spread all over the area.
She comes back to where Milly and Justin watch.
GRANNY SUE
Well, that’s all that.
She gives Justin the empty plastic bag.
GRANNY SUE
Hang on to that. We’ll need that later.
She goes back down to her utility truck. The kids follow.
JUSTIN
So what are we going to do: make all those big and then go down there and kick some ass.
Granny Sue snorts. Milly gives Justin a “seriously?” Look.
JUSTIN
Well, we got the cavalry now!
GRANNY SUE
Cavalry? Cavalry ain’t gonna do nothing to anybody in the face of General Janus and his little army.
She grabs (a couple things) and they hike back toward their overlook of the Lava Craters.
GRANNY SUE
That area down there looks deserted, like I said, but underneath, it’s a whole different story, and that’s where Marcus will be. And since there have to be entrances in and out, there’ll be perimeter guards and maybe even a spell or two protecting the area from intruders. What we’ve got to do is outsmart him so that he thinks one thing’s gonna happen, but what’s really going on is something else.
JUSTIN
Classic diversion. Gotcha!
Granny Sue smirks at Justin, looks to Milly.
GRANNY SUE
You sure about this one?
MILLY
What’s that supposed to mean? He’s just new to all like this, and so am I. I don’t understand how it helps us to have a diversion if there isn’t a real plan. Stop being so condescending. He’s my only real friend!
Granny sighs, stares out at the Lava Craters. Finally…
GRANNY SUE
Okay here’s the deal. This is a for real situation that can and probably will have some deadly consequences for some. Our job is to make sure it isn’t any of us or Marcus.
GRANNY SUE
To do that, we’ve got to be sharp as tacks and follow a very well-thought-out plan as close to flawlessly as we can. And everyone’s going to have to do their part. We’ll need all our smarts and all our talents to accomplish our goal. If you’re not in with that, you’d best get on that motorbike and leave. If you are, we have better than a fighting chance to be successful.
She looks both kids directly in the eye. Neither of them flinches.
GRANNY SUE
Okay.
(to Justin)
Now you, I’m going to give you something that I’ve never given another “just human” person before. You’re going to be able to use “the magic word.” Just like I did. It will work until one of us tells you it won’t. You will not abuse it. That means use it for a purpose other than what will help our plan. And to make sure you don’t, you’ll change into a wild turkey for five minutes if you do. Got it, Mister Gotcha?
JUSTIN
Uh, yeah. Gotcha.
She points at him and mumbles some unintelligible words.
GRANNY SUE
Point at that bazooka down there and say the magic word.
He does.
JUSTIN
The magic word.
It instantly becomes a full-sized weapon.
JUSTIN
Whoa!
He looks at his finger.
JUSTIN
That’s awesome…and very, very scary.
GRANNY SUE
Great attitude. Now slowly, like, say, two in every minute, make each one of these life-sized. Tell any soldiers to be “at ease.” You can ask one at a time if you yourself want to learn how to operate a weapon, like this bazooka here. The person will show you. Make sure you tell them not to fire it. Then tell them to be “at ease” again. When you’re finished, wait for further instructions.
JUSTIN
Gotcha! Um, where are you guys going to be.
GRANNY SUE
Somewhere way over there.
She points to the far side of the Lava Craters: several miles away.
JUSTIN
You taking the truck?
GRANNY SUE
Nope. We’re going the alien way.
She looks over at Milly, whose eyes widen.
GRANNY SUE
I’ll hang onto your shoulders with my gear. Get us over there in a couple jumps, and make sure to stay clear of the Lava Craters if you have to come down halfway.
Milly looks uncertain. Granny Sue smiles.
Justin catches her eye, gives her a thumbs-up.
MILLY
Okay.
(stooping)
Climb on.
Granny Sue does, with all the gear she collected from the truck.
MILLY
Alright. Here we go. Halfway over there.
She points, then launches herself, disappears into the sky. Justin tries to follow her with his eye, but can’t.
He turns back to his task, checks his watch. Then points at a Jedi Knight toy.
JUSTIN
The magic word!
EXT. LAVA CRATERS – FAR SIDE
Milly and Granny Sue land with a THUMP behind a hill. Granny Sue climbs off Milly, starts up the hill. Milly just stands there.
GRANNY SUE
Come on, kid!
Milly hustles up to her.
GRANNY SUE
Don’t be so shocked, honey. You’re going to be doing stuff like that as if you were walking to your friend’s house before this day’s out.
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Emmanuel’s Act 3 Reaction to Midpoint
What I learned doing this assignment is the midpoint forces the protagonist to regroup and think about a new way of doing things. His old plan just will not work. The villain has blocked all efforts for the hero to succeed at this point and thus forces a reaction.
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Ed’s Act 3 Reaction to the Midpoint.
What I learned doing this assignment – First , some of my third act scenes crept into what I thought was still act two. I’ll fix that later in future drafts. Second I realized I am outlining and writing scenes much faster. I am overcoming those worries about gaps, gaffs, assorted poor quality issues, those will be fixed later. Lastly – screenplays are so much about action- reaction. This structure addresses how to logically concentrate on that fact while elevating the story and moving it forward at different levels.
ACT THREE OUTLINE KEY SCENES
Key Scene 1: React/Rethink the new reality revealed by Midpoint
Key Scene 2: Makes a new plan.
Key Scene 3: Things start going well, until…
Key Scene 4: Turning Point – Protagonist faces their lowest low.
SCENE 1 React/Rethink the new reality revealed by MidPoint
BEGINNING – Henry decides Santa chose him to help with the NP Problem. The mall Santa conduit – that was not an accident. He sees something in him that others don’t . Samwise disagrees. Credibility problem -You took Santa’s sleigh.
MIDDLE – The NP document – Henry has proof there is a problem. If only others could see it too.
END – Henry has to get document to his social media feed. Then others will believe.
KEY SCENE – 2 – Making a new plan
BEGINNING Henry has to finish getting his toy delivered. Time is running out to get the sleigh back. There is ONE special toy he must deliver – the lawyer’s son. Fulfill his promise.
MIDDLE – Henry will use Alfreda plan against him to his advantage – famous for stealing – now use his fame for the NP message.
END – Launch the plan in a BIG WAY ?? Where and How?
KEY Scene 3 – Things are going well until.
BEGINNING – Plan is going well, followers are growing.
MIDDLE – Alfreda goes against Santa’s wishes. Paints Henry as a prankster. Beliefs are split.
END – Alfreda is coming after Henry – In person – Snow Messenger in play. Document disappears.
KEY SCENE 4 – Turning Point – Protagonist faces new low.
BEGINNING – All toys delivered except one – special one found tucked away in the sleigh. Henry;’s plan accepted as a hoax. Samwise says it over. Henry’s done what he can. “You lost kid”
MIDDLE – Alfreda strikes back.
END – Henry is left no sleigh, no Samwise , one special package left, and Family’s Toy business reputation destroyed.
MIDDLE – Henry uses the NP document as proof there is a crisis at the NP. They need help to find a solution.
END – Henry post his proof on Social – followers skyrocket.
EXT. NIGHT SKY – SLEIGH – NIGHT
The sleigh glides over the Chicago Suburbs. Christmas lights adorn the houses below. It’s peaceful – for now. Toy cartons launch off the back of the sleigh.
HENRY
You said Mall Santa’s are conduits. What do you mean by that?
SAMWISE
Santa can’t everywhere. He has helpers. The mall Santa’s channel back to the NP, what the boys and girls are wanting for Christmas. It like a market survey.
HENRY
Is it two way channel?
SAMWISE
I suppose it can be. Why?
HENRY
I think Santa choose me to help him.
SAMWISE
Kid – You seen the NP, Does Santa look like he needs help?
HENRY
That’s just it. My dad taught me those closes to the problem don’t always see the solution. Maybe he wanted me to secretly come the North Pole. You said yourself you didn’t know why I was there.
SAMWISE
Until you stole his sleighHENRY
Accidentally.
SAMWISE
Say Santa wanted you to help him. Okay , with what?
Henry pulls out the document. As he hands it over to Samwise it nearly flies away. Samwise snatches it out of the air.
HENRY
With this – the North Pole melting. Your home is in danger. The tradition is dying.
SAMWISE
Oh that. We’re toast.
HENRY
Don’t say that!
SAMWISE
It an ice mountain. Temperature rise . Ice melts. End of story.
HENRY
A story – a story that must be told and I’m the one who’s going to do it!
SAMWISE
You think people will believe you Henry? They hate you!
HENRY
I have to try. Some people love me others believe in me. I can’t let them down.
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