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post Day 22 Assignment Here
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JAYE’S ACT 4 CLIMAX
What I learned is the climax is the ultimate test of the story! In the beginning Hero and Villain’s powers got switched in a freak accident. They had to go the entire movies trying to figure out how to get them back, or how to work with what they now have. Then the real villain comes in to annihilate them both before there has been a resolution!
INT. VILLAIN’S CAVE / LIVING ROOM – SUNSET
Villain comes out of the bathroom. Clean forehead, fresh change of
clothes. Hero has already washed and changed.Hero is at the stove, apron, frying chicken breasts.
Villain looks at Hero’s pants. X-ray vision reveals a diamond in Hero’s
pocket. Not a surprise.VILLAIN
What if this is our life now?
Two broken supers.HERO
I always thought you had a choice.VILLAIN
You don’t think you have a choice?HERO
I don’t know.
(beat)
Eventually the snake bites.Villain chews his lip.
HERO
You ready to be the Hero?VILLAIN
I hate everything that’s
happened to me.
(beat)
Except I’ve never had a friend
before.Hero turns the chicken. He looks at Villain and smiles. A shared
connection.A VOICE from the cave’s entrance calls their attention.
MAYOR
Gentlemen!They look. Mayor and Scientist enter. Mayor wears an earpiece that
flashes with a green light. Scientist wheels a large crate behind him.HERO
Mayor..?MAYOR
May we come in?Villain’s face drops. Mayor eyes Hero at the stove.
MAYOR
I hope I’m not interrupting
anything.HERO
How did you know where he
lives?MAYOR
He showed me.Hero looks at Villain. Villain touches his aide.
Scientist opens the crate while Mayor makes his way further in.
He indicates to Hero.MAYOR
Please, have a seat.Hero remains standing. He removes his apron and places it over a
dining chair.HERO
(to Villain)
What’s going on?Villain swallows hard.
MAYOR
We have a lot of catching up
to do.Villain opens his mouth to speak. Mayor holds up the detonation
device. Shakes his head.HERO
Don’t touch him.Mayor laughs as Scientist pulls out and shoulders a massive
weapon that looks like a rocket-launcher. Points it at Hero.MAYOR
I’m not here for him.Hero looks at Villain. Villain looks at the ground.
Scientist makes his way around Hero, aiming the weapon at the
back of his head.MAYOR
It’s only fair you know why
you’ll be dying.Mayor paces. Clears his throat. He’s been waiting for this moment.
MAYOR
I have the cleanest city. Lowest
crime-rate in the nation. And
everyone thinks I’m a joke.Hero furrows his brow.
MAYOR
My city. Your glory.MAYOR
That lightning strike was meant for
you, but this jackass hit you both.SCIENTIST
Lightning is very difficult–MAYOR
Shh! Don’t interrupt my
monologue!Scientist purses his lips.
MAYOR
Shit. Where was I?
(beat)
Anyway… you could solve every
crime — except one.HERO
The missing people.Mayor laughs.
MAYOR
I was going to kill you and
(air quotes)
“find” the missing and
(air quotes)
“rescue” them myself, and finally
these goddamned citizens and
colleagues would take me seriously!HERO
Where are they?Mayor taps his head.
MAYOR
The vault.HERO
I helped you.MAYOR
You stole my spotlight.Mayor paces.
MAYOR
But the lightning debacle makes
it even better.
(beat)
If you would have died, the
whole city would have mourned
you. Had a parade. Put up
statues in your honor. But now…
now you’re a mess. You’re a
terror. No one likes you and
they’ll be glad to see you dead.
(beat)
And I’ll be the Hero for defeating
your menacing evil-ass.Hero clocks Villain. Smoke starts to fill the kitchen.
MAYOR
He knew. He revealed your
weaknesses, and he brought you
here. Just like I told him to.Villain shakes his head.
HERO
Friend, huh?VILLAIN
It’s not like that.MAYOR
And yet here we are.Hero’s heart breaks. Mayor looks to Scientist.
MAYOR
Now.A high-pitched SMOKE DETECTOR pierces the air. Mayor and Scientist
look toward the kitchen.Hero bolts. He runs for the cave opening grabbing Mayor as he runs
out at bullet speed. The detonation device drops to the floor.Hero runs across the top of the water!
MAYOR
NOT NOW!!!Scientist shoots!
Lightning hits hero in the back. Mayor screams as he and Hero drop
below the water.Scientist and Villain share a glance. Scientist points the lightning gun
at Villain. He pulls the trigger. Nothing!He looks at the weapon. It’s charging!
Scientist releases it, and it swings round the thick strap to his back.
Scientist eyes the detonation device. Villain eyes Scientist.
Villain rushes Scientist, Scientist rushes the device.
Scientist dives for it. Villain dives for Scientist.
INT. THE LAKE – SAME
Hero sinks. Unconscious. Mayor squirms.
Hero holds him as they continue their descent. Hero hits the bottom,
landing on top of Mayor.Mayor continues squirming. Struggles, and finally worms his way out
of Hero’s grasp.Hero’s eyes open.
Mayor swims for dear life, but something grabs his foot and pulls him
back down.
INT. CAVE – SAMEScientist grabs the device and pops the lid open. His finger over the red
button–Villain grabs Scientist’s hair and smashes his face into the marble, cracking
the floor.Scientist drops the device. Another crack! And another!
But Scientist laughs!
Villain lifts his head by the hair.
Scientist looks at Villain, with his mangled grin. Ripped skin reveals a metal
skull covered in blood.Villain stares in horror as one of Scientist’s eyeballs plops out of the socket
and dangles out, bouncing off his dented cheekbone.SCIENTIST
How long you think he can
hold his breath?Villain looks up, and outside the cave’s entrance. No sign of Hero.
Villain smashes Scientist’s face into the floor one last time. He
grabs the detonator and runs toward the entrance.Scientist struggles for his lightning gun. The charge is nearly at full
capacity.
INT. LAKE – SAMEHero and Mayor hit bottom again. Hero is squeezing the life out of
Mayor. Mayor dies.Hero lets go. Checks the surface of the water, 30 meters up.
Hero is weak. Struggling. He makes for the top. But he’s too far.
His arms and legs slow.
The water SPLASHES overhead.
Hero’s eyes close, and Villain appears beside him. He embraces Hero
and starts to swim upward.
EXT. THE LAKE – CONTINUOUSVillain pops out of the water. Pulls Hero to shore. Hero is lifeless.
I<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>NT. CAVE – SAME
The kitchen pan of chicken is now on fire!
Scientist points his gun at the men.
EXT. THE LAKE – SAMEVillain pounds Hero’s chest.
VILLAIN
Come on, Mike!Hero coughs up water. Villain pulls him up and hugs him.
INT. CAVE – SAMEScientist fires the gun.
EXT. THE LAKE – SAMEA bolt of LIGHTNING heads straight for Hero and Villain.
Villain tucks his head into Hero’s shoulder and shield’s Hero’s head
with his arm as lightning covers them both.The diamond emits bright blue in Hero’s pocket.
The dust settles. Villain, still holding onto Hero, lifts his head and
stares into the entrance of his cave.Villain’s eyes glow red and he aims into the cave. But Scientist is
GONE!Villain rolls Hero on his side, as Hero vomits more water.
VILLAIN
I think we’re back.
EXT. CITY – DUSKHero flies over buildings, carrying Villain. Villain points to the left. An
executive car travels at high speed, weaving through traffic.Hero scans with X-Ray eyes. Inside the car, Scientist drives. Skin hangs
from his bashed skull.
INT. EXECUTIVE CAR (MOVING) – SAMEScientist is focused. He checks the rearview mirror. Lifts some flopping
skin.Through the windshield, Hero and Villain descend, side by side, hard and
fast on the front of the hood.Scientist sees just as…
EXT. STREET – SAME
The car flips over and over and over, landing on its roof and sliding to a
halt in front of ADVANCED SCIENCE INSTITUTE!
Cars screech to a halt and pedestrians gather to watch as Hero and
Villain pry Scientist from the car.Scientist kicks and screams as Villain drags him to the lab’s entrance.
A SECURITY GUARD approaches, then thinks better of it.
INT. LAB – SAME
Villain is stuffing Scientist into a lightning chamber. Slams the door
shut and latches it.Scientist laughs as Hero pushes buttons and pulls the lever.
LIGHTNING fills the chamber. Scientist explodes! Circuits fly, metal
distorts, skin burns up.Hero pulls back the lever.
Hero and Villain exchange relieved glances.
HERO
We still have the missing
citizens. Now that the Mayor’s
dead…VILLAIN
I know where they are.HERO
Let’s go save them together.Villain shakes his head.
VILLAIN
This one’s all you. Go get your
glory back. We both have
reputations to repair. -
Mary and Rich’s Act 4 Climax
What I learned doing this assignment is that it feels great to get a first draft inot the home stretch. Still making changes so can make it mostly cohesive, but more to follow in rewrites that follow.
1. Outline Key Scene 3.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – NIGHT
Morty and Jax are walking to the last day of class. Morty stops short. He refuses to go in. Jax and Morty have an argument discussion.
All about, everything that’s cascaded towards them these last 4 months. Morty admits that he is too afraid, too chicken to go into class. He will wait in
the parking lot next to Mabel. Jax must go it alone, be brave, and enter class, as Morty waits in the hallway for Jax to come out.
Jax does and approaches Morty and tells Morty they won, and now he can get his car fixed and Jax is not a loser anymore. He hands him the $250. His share. Morty sees something on Jax face, surprises Jax by pulling out his new cell phone (previously a dumb phine where had to press multiple keys to create a simple text) – his new EyePhone 2001. He looks up the contest, sees that they are NOT the winners. “You have some ‘splaining to do.”
NOTE: A SEMESTER IS 4 MONTHS LONG
2. Write Key Scene 3: Climax – The Ultimate Expression of The Conflict.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – NIGHT
Morty and Jax are walking through to the last day of their class. Morty stops short.
MORTY: I can’t do it.
JAX: What are you talking about?
MORTY: I can’t go in there.
JAX: You kidding me?
MORTY: No. And ka-ching.
Jax rifles through his pocket. Picks out a dollar.
JAX: Oh, for cripes sakes.
He stuffs the dollar in their backpack.
JAX: After all we’ve been through, now you’re going to play chicken on me.
MORTY: I just can’t take another defeat.
JAX: Who says we’re defeated? You don’t even know whether or not we’ve won.
MORTY: I don’t know Jax. Maybe it was all too much to dream for. Maybe dreams really don’t come true.
JAX: And maybe they do. C’mon, Morty, don’t go ape shit on me.
MORTY: Nope. Nope. Meet me out in the parking lot. I’ll be waiting by Mabel.
Jax continues down the hall. He pulls open the door to the class, looks back at Morty. Goes in.
Morty turns and walks the opposite way.
Outside the old Hall of the College, on a concrete bench Morty sat and fidgeted. He keeps looking at his watch and then at the trees and sky.
Finally Jax emerges from the door, with a big smile on his face. Morty perks up – this is a good sign!
JAX: Hello, winner partner.
MORTY: You wouldn’t kid an old man, would you.
JAX: Morty, really. A double ka-ching?
MORTY: Finally, I can’t believe these last months.
JAX: Next stop, hollywood! (fidgets a bit himself, looks away). Here’s your $250.
MORTY: Wait a minute. How long have we known each other?
JAX: About 4 months.
MORTY: You can’t fool me. Where’s your cut?
JAX: In my pocket, now take it.
Just then, a rival group of students comes up behind them celebrating waving a check.
BILLY: Hey losers, we won!
SARAH: Yeah, cool, huh?
MORTY: What?
BILLY: See ya’ in Hollywood. Not.
They walk off.
Morty pulls his hand away from the $250 that Jax is trying to give him.
MORTY: What the…? The Sad Stupid Clown won over Yard Wars? That was the lamest idea ever.
JAX: There’s no accounting for taste.
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Karin Hallén’s Act 4 Climax
What I learned doing this assignment is that I’m not quite sure where the climax starts, which scenes belonged in yesterday’s class and which one in today’s. And I am wondering if that might be because my scenes are not clear enough, or simply because there are too many of them. I learned that I probably do have too many length and repetitive scenes between reaction and climax, but I don’t know which ones to cut out yet, so keeping them for now and will figure out which ones to eliminate in the rewrite.
Outline Key Scene(s) 3
INT. UNIVERSITY – AULA – DAY
Beginning
George is extremely nervous. He looks out across the huge aura, filled with students. He starts speaking. Stutters. Tries again. For the first time he starts off just talking honestly. Hesitantly at first.
Middle
He becomes an authentic speaker. He stops pretending to be perfect to his audience and speaks from his heart and truth. He says that all this started because he genuinely wanted to help people. And he still does. But he got lost. He speaks about his errors. And how they harmed him and everyone around. People start listening.
End
He gets a standing ovation and people cry at the end of his speech.
EXT. GOLF COURSE – DAY
Beginning
Geena plays golf with three golf friends. She suggests a friendly competition with her co players for the last 9 holes and they refuse to have any of it. They say that golf is a gentleman’s sport and they don’t need to compete among friends.
Middle
After the last hole they pass a tennis court on the way back to the club house. Geena looks over at the tennis court wistfully. She asks if anyone is up for a game. They look at her like she is crazy.
Geena looks reminiscent. She thinks she sees George playing at the tennis court and actually lights up. It’s not him. She hears in her head the mean things she yelled to him the last time she saw him.
Her golf friends say that it’s time for bite to eat and it jolts her back to reality. She shakes it off and laughs at something. But something seems changed in her.
INT. GOLF CLUBHOUSE – RESTAURANT – DAY
Geena has lunch with her golf buddies, but appears distant and subdued.
End
EXT. RESORT BOOKSTORE – DAY
Geena walks by a bookstore, still in golf gear. She glances in through the open door and spots George’s book on a shelf. She enters the store and buys it
EXT. COLLEGE – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: George speaks at a graduation. Scene showing that George becomes increasingly comfortable and popular, but that he is not at all driven by that anymore.
EXT. GEENA’S HOME – DAY
Geena sits in a longe chair in the shade, reading George’s book. She is focused. She underlines something. The sun moves across the sky and gets lower on the horizon.
INT. GEENA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Geena reads George’s book. She turns the page. She’s almost at the end. She reads the last page and closes the book.
INT. JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER – DAY
Beginning
George donates his book and speaks at a juvenile detention center.
Middle
On the way out he gets a call from his former booker. Back when he cancelled all his book tour they forgot to cancel a big convention that was booked months ago, before Geena left. George says no.
End
After hesitation George says yes.
LARGE CONVENTION CENTER – CHECK IN DESK – DAY
TRANSFORMATIONAL EVENT 8
Beginning
George checks in at a big convention. It’s obvious that it’s a prestigious place. The Check-In Lady asks about Geena whom he was booked to speak together with. George says that he’ll be doing it alone. The Check-In Lady says you have to stick to what you put on the schedule. “You had months to change or update it. It’s too late.” You have disqualied yourself.” George is devastated. He says it’s the most important convention of the year. And that he has something important to say now.
Middle
Just then Geena shows up. George is shocked. He says he thought he’d never see her again, she says that his wish was that “ he’d never HAVE to see her again”, but she knows that he secretly WANTED to see her again, here at the convention, and WANTING TO is not the same as “HAVING TO” so her showing up is unrelated to his last wish. So, she decided to come. Because she wanted to see him, as well, she admits. George lights up. The Check-In Lady looks confused at the conversation.
End
George and Geena have the courage to admit that they missed each other and that they are friends. For real. The Check-In Lady is sour and ask them to hurry up and be done with the make-up party. They get their badges. They say something like “Let’s do this.”
INT. HUGE CONVENTION HALL – DAY
Beginning
George’s and Geena’s last seminar together. It is a huge success. At the end of it they hug and thank each other publicly and give each other praise.
Middle
Brad Brightly appears in the audience and congratulates them on an a fantastic seminar. They outsold his seminar, but he doesn’t care. He just loves good teachings/lectures. Really means it. He’s bright and sincere as always.
End
After the seminar Rebecca approaches them, with admiring eyes on George. She finally had a chance to see him speak. Geena nudges him until he asks her out for dinner. She lights up and happily accepts.
Write Key Scene(s) 3 – The ultimate Expression of the Conflict.
INT. UNIVERSITY – AULA – DAY
George stands on stage looking out across the huge room filled with college students. Every seat is filled. George sweats profusely and keeps wiping his hands on his pants. He looks extremely nervous.
George hesitantly checks the microphone. He avoids starting until he can’t stall anymore.
GEORGE
Hello everyone. I am George Wallow. And, umm… I am… well, for starters I’m extremely nervous. I am not a good speaker.
The students squirm in their seats.
GEORGE
So it’s ok if I bore you and you want to leave. Let’s just get that out of the way. It wouldn’t be the first time. In fact I kind of expect it.
George gestures at the exit. A few students chuckle in a friendly, compassionate way. But nobody leaves.
GEORGE
That, umm, might make you wonder why I speak at all. And I don’t have a good answer to that, except that it ended up being for all the wrong reasons.
The students start listening more intently.
GEORHE
It didn’t start that way, I think I wrote a book for the right reasons. Actually I first wrote it for myself because I was so down in the dumps, so lost and sad and lonely that I had to get it out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who write for that reason.
Several students nod in agreement.
GEORGE
And two, I thought that if my words, if I could help just one other person who felt that bad, lost, alone, then I wanted to do that.
A couple of students nod again.
GEORGE
(CONTINUES SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT’S BELOW, BUT TO BE REWRITTEN, SHORTENED, IMPROVED)
And then I sent it to a publisher. They hated it. Then I changed a lot in it. To make it more, I don’t know… energetic. I sent it to people who knew better. They told me what to do. What to change again. Basically myself. My image. That I could become a speaker based on my book. An expert. I’d never been an expert, or even really good at anything. I’ve never been popular. I’m… boring. Then it all got skewed. I saw a way out. I was going to become a rich and famous speaker. Get on the New York Times bestseller list. Really fast. It was… awful. I never got on a bestseller list. Well, kind of, but that’s just because I sold my book on Kindle for a penny, to show sales. It was all for looks. Now, if I had given my book away with the intention to give people who couldn’t afford to buy a book a chance to read it, it would have been ok. But that wasn’t the reason. It was all about me. About how to become successful. And look it. Boost the brand. And I guess inside of me, most of all not to feel so lonely. It didn’t help. I sucked. I felt betrayed. I felt like people didn’t help me enough. Like everyone else had more sales. And I felt more like a failure than ever. I tried everything. Fake it till you make it. Right? I thought that was the game. I accused everyone else of being fake, just because I was. I was lonelier than ever. I thought everyone was petty because that’s what I was. They weren’t. I met great people, amazing speakers. Generous people focused on giving. Some people are true experts. I am not. And the only reason I’m standing here is that a great young man among you guys asked me to speak here today, and it’s to honor his wish I am here. He came to visit me the other day. And we talked. Like friends. We both felt like shit. And then we talked. About him and me. And for the first time in years I didn’t feel like I was in sales. Or advertising. Just two guys feeling like shit and hanging out and when he left he thanked me for helping him feel better. I should have thanked for helping me feel infinitely better. I’m doing that now. My friend, you know who you are. Thank you!
The audience cheers.
GEORGE
You guys don’t need my book. You don’t need an expert on how to live life. You might need that for certain situations, or subjects, like after a divorce, or on nutrition, or how to run a marathon, but not on who you are, or on life. Don’t spend years sitting in an audience staring straight at someone else, live or on a screen hoping to one day have enough information that you’ll know how to live. How to be alive. Or be happy. You don’t need me. You don’t need to know more experts’ stories. You don’t need more information. And you don’t need an audience. You need each other.
(GEORGE WRAPS UP SPEECH FAIRLY QUICKLY HERE WITH SOMETHING MEANINGFUL AND SIMPLE)
George gets a standing ovation and some students cry at the end of his speech.
EXT. GOLF COURSE – DAY
The weather is gorgeous. Geena plays golf with three GOLF BUDDIES. The move leisurely from hole to hole.
GEENA
Hey, how about a friendly competition on the last 9 holes?
GOLF BUDDY 1
I don’t think that’s necessary.
GOLF BUDDY 2
I agree. Why ruin a perfectly relaxing round?
GOLF BUDDY 3
Yeah, no need to compete among friends.
GEENA
Ok. No, of course.
They keep playing.
After the last hole they walk back towards the Clubhouse. Across the parking lot there is a tennis court. Geena glances at it.
GEENA
In anyone up for a game of tennis sometime?
Her golf buddies laugh as if she was joking until they realize she means it.
GOLF BUDDY 2
Are you crazy?
Golf Buddies 1 and 3 shake their heads.
GOLF BUDDY 1
Not for me.
Geena looks reminiscent. She looks at the tennis court again. Two men enter the court. One of them looks just like George from behind. Geena lights up.
GEENA
(to herself)
George?
The tennis players take their sides and the man who look like George faces Geena. He has a beard and doesn’t look like George at all face on.
Geena hears in her head all the mean things she yelled to George the last time she saw him.
GEENA (V.O.)
You are a failure and nobody likes you! You’re going to be alone for the rest of your life and everyone thinks you’re pathetic! They laugh at you.
Golf Buddy 3 nudges Geena.
GOLF BUDDY 3
You coming? Let’s get a bite and a beer.
Geena comes back to reality. She shakes it off.
GEENA
You know I wouldn’t say no to that.
She laughs.
GOLF BUDDY 2
That’s our Geena.
INT. GOLF CLUBHOUSE – RESTAURANT – DAY
Geena has lunch with her golf buddies, but appears distant and subdued.
EXT. RESORT BOOKSTORE – DAY
Geena walks by a bookstore, still in golf gear. She glances in through the open door and spots George’s book on a shelf. She stops and hesitates. She enters the store.
INT. RESORT BOOKSTORE – DAY
Geena buys George’s book.
EXT. OUTDOOR SPEAKING EVENT – DAY
George speaks at a college graduation in front of hundreds of graduates and gets huge applause.
GEORGE
(INSERT GOOD SHORT SPEAK HERE: Something that includes: Geena’s speak about nutrition. Refers to it. Speaks about the huge focus on and effort that goes into marketing, at the expense of things product quality. Not about food per se. For life itself. How our life and what we believe to matter is ruled by marketing. Hurry up win and shine. No time to develop depth. It’s the lack of depth inside that makes up the aching loneliness. Emptiness. But you are the generation that can see beyond. And have the courage. Be like a tree. Let it take time. Be still. Run deep. ETC)
George finishes his speech on a profound and simple note.
EXT. GEENA’S HOME – DAY
Geena sits in a longe chair in the shade, reading George’s book. She is focused. She underlines something. The sun moves across the sky and gets lower on the horizon.
INT. GEENA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Geena reads George’s book. She turns the page. She’s almost at the end. She reads the last page and closes the book.
INT. JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER – REC ROOM – DAY
George speaks at a minimum security Juvenile Detention Center, where he donates a book to everyone who wants one.
GEORGE
I was really just coming here to leave a couple of copies of a book I wrote in the library. And then I was asked to come and say a few words. I don’t have anything prepared. But my book is about loneliness first and foremost. I don’t claim to know what it feels like being here. Or what it’s like to be you. But I do know what it’s like to feel so lonely inside that you think you’ll go insane and what that can do to your mind and the things it can make you do. Just because you hope it’s gonna kill the ache inside. I don’t know what you kids all did to be here, but for all I know the things I did to make a quick buck and to gain attention, to look like a success just trying not to feel so lonely were right up there with things that break the law. And it didn’t help me one bit. Because loneliness is rooted in something else. Something deeper. I used to know this woman, she’d been in a prison, in isolation longer than anyone of you will be here, longer anyone else I’ve heard of and I can honestly say that she was less lonely than I was, and less imprisoned. She was true. She didn’t pretend. She didn’t lie. She always found life somehow… She umm…
George trails off in thought. Then, he gathers himself and holds up a book.
GEORGE
Anyway, if anyone wants one of these, I’m leaving them here, so just grab a copy. And, yeah, if anyone feels like you want to talk, or write, or whatever, I’m pretty free. So, just call. Reach out. It’s ok. You’re ok. You’re ok.
George gathers his things and leaves.
EXT. JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER – DAY
As George exits the prison he gets a call. He answers.
GEORGE
Hello. Linda! Hold on. Let me get in my car.
George gets into his car.
GEORGE
Ok, you’re on speaker.
LINDA (O.S.)
So, I hear you’re back out there speaking again.
GEORGE
Just here and there.
LINDA
Let me know if you need a booker.
GEORGE
Nah, I don’t do it like that anymore. For sales. Or money.
LINDA (O.S.)
Well, I’m calling you because I got a reminder from the National Health and Wellness Convention in Connecticut that you’ve been booked for since last year. I apologize, but it slipped my mind to cancel it when I canceled your book tour. But it doesn’t sound like something you want to do anymore. Should I just tell them you can’t make it.
GEORGE
Yeah, probably.
LINDA (O.S.)
Okidoki.
George is silent for a moment.
GEORGE
No, actually you know what. I’ll do it. I have something to say now.
LARGE CONVENTION CENTER – CHECK-IN DESK – DAY
TRANSFORMATIONAL EVENT 8
George stands at the check-in table at a big Convention Hall. The way the entire place is decked out it’s obvious that it’s a prestigious convention. It’s busy with people moving around, getting ready.
GEORGE
Checking in. George Wallow.
The CHECK-IN LADY hands him a badge.
CHECK-IN LADY
And you are here with Geena Woo?
GEORGE
Actually she can’t make it. I’ll be on my own.
CHECK-IN LADY
You are booked as a two speaker team. And her name is the main draw. People bought tickets expecting that. You can’t just drop her now. You had months to change it. It’s too late now. I have to give people their money back.
The Check-In Lady tries to take George’s badge back. George holds onto it.
GEORGE
No, please. This is the most important event of the year. I have something that really matters to say now!
CHECK-IN LADY
I’m sorry, you’ve disqualified yourself.
George looks devastated. The Check-In Lady doesn’t look sorry at all. She and George pull on the badge back and forth, neither of them letting go of it. The Check-In Lady jerks hard and wins. She grins triumphantly.
GEENA (O.S.)
I’m not late, am I?
George spins around, shocked. He stands face to face with Geena.
GEORGE
Geena?!
GEENA
Last time I checked.
George tries but can’t hide that he’s happy to see her.
GEORGE
What are you doing here? I thought I’d never see you again, ever.
GEENA
Well, your last wish was that you’d never HAVE to see me again, but I know that you secretly WANTED to see me again and HAVING TO is not the same as WANTING TO so then that’s unrelated to your wish, and so that freed me up. Follow?
The Check-In Lady looks confused.
GEORGE
No, wait, wait, wait! You didn’t that know if I wanted to see you! How could you? You were just hoping.
GEENA
You kept a shard of my lamp didn’t you? Kind of kept us connected. I felt you. So, I decided to come here, because well, oh, dang it, I didn’t want to say this, but I wanted to see you too. I missed your whiny face.
George breaks into a smile.
GEORGE
I hate to admit it, but I’ve missed you, too.
GEENA
Insane, huh?
GEORGE
Definitely.
GEENA
Come here you silly sour jackass.
Geena opens her arms for a hug.
GEORGE
Bossy… badass.
George embraces her.
GEENA
Friends? For real?
GEORGE
Yeah. Yeah.
The Check-In Lady looks increasingly impatient. The check-in line behind George and Geena is getting longer.
CHECK-IN LADY
Can you two take your make-up party somewhere else. People are waiting. People who are actually supposed to be here.
George and Geena turn to the Check-In Lady.
GEORGE
Ma’am, this is Geena.
GEENA
Geena Woo, as in half a dog bark.
GEORGE
Seems she could make it after all. Can I have my badge back, please. And one for Ms Woo?
The Check-In Lady hand them their badges.
GEENA
Let’s do this!
INT. HUGE CONVENTION HALL – DAY
George and Geena are on fire. The play off each other and have great energy together.
The room keeps filling up more and more as they speak. Brad Brightly and Nick stand over by the door. They smile and nod in approval. Rebecca sits in the audience.
It’s the end of the seminar
GEORGE
Not that I think anyone had any doubt, but this could not have happened without my great, no my best friend, Geena…
PLACEHOLDER: George and Geena praise, hug and thank each other publicly. George also thanks real experts and devoted true leaders like Brad Brightly and apologizes to him for being rude. He also apologizes to everyone in the audience, for his old ways.
After the seminar is over Brad Brightly approaches George and Geena with a big genuine smile.
BRAD
Fantastic seminar. Really inspiring. Aah, do you feel it? How many people’s spirits you guys have lifted just now? I love it! This is what it’s all about. People coming together, caring.
Rebecca approaches them.
REBECCA
You again. I finally got to hear you speak. And I can’t believe you’re the same person.
George looks like a question mark.
GEORGE
I’m sorry?
REBECCA
Oh, Rebecca. We’ve met a couple of times. In a bar and a bookstore. But don’t worry, you were really drunk the first time and completely frazzled and preoccupied the second.
GEORGE
Seems about right. I’ve spent a lot of my life being both. I’m sorry.
REBECCA
It’s ok. I always sensed there was more to you. Your book is better than I think you realize.
GEENA
I agree!
GEORGE
You read it?
GEORGE
I’m speechless.
GEENA
Well, you know… You are pretty good at tennis, figured it might not be that far fetched that you’re good at something else you’re that tenacious about, too.
Most people have left, but Rebecca lingers keeping her eyes on George. Geena nudges George and hints at Rebecca. George blushes. Geena nudges him again.
GEORGE
Umm, Rebecca. Seems I owe you an apology for my behaviors the last two times we met. Would you like to.., can I umm, buy you dinner? I’m sorry, I’m sure you’re busy.
Rebecca smiles.
REBECCA
I’d love that. Thank you.
George looks flustered and happy. He and Rebecca head towards the exit.
GEORGE
Wow, your teeth are really white.
REBECCA
I know, you told me that once. Like your underwear.
GEORGE
Nooo!
REBECCA
Yeah.
-
JUDITH ABINGDON Act 4 Climax
“What I learned doing this assignment is…?” just put it down, it’s flowing, not sure if any of it’s good, but I’m putting it down!
1. Outline Key Scene 3.
The weekend was a blast. They head home and when they arrive at Inez’s house Juliet goes in to help Inez unpack. Madalyn is there with Michael and harsh words are exchanged.
Juliet goes to her Mom’s just to gather her stuff has an incident with her step father.
She moves out and gets a house share
Key Scene 3: Climax – The Ultimate Expression of The Conflict.
INT. CABIN DAY
MEL
Hey Jules I didn’t see you leave last night, did you have a good time?
JULIET
Oh yeah, I spoke with the universe and it spoke back!
MEL
I think you must have had a contact high! Are you sure you did not partake?
JULIET
Nope, just high on life, and a bit of weed!
MEL
Groovin! I had my own revelations
JIM ( from couple) Packing things up
it was epic! But the tape was jammed in the machine this morning.
MEL
I will buy you another one Man! And one for myself, what a freakin great album!
INEZ ( coming out of one of the bedrooms)
Hey kids, what are doing looking so bright eyed this morning?
Juliet
Must be all this fresh air!
MEL
Yeah, really invigorating!
Inez
it’s a long ride back, shall we get ready?
JIM
At your service Ma— Inez!
Cars packed and they take off.
Arriving to drop Inez off, they find Madalyn, Michael and his fiancee all being very polite and smiley. Madalyn scowls when she sees Juliet.
JULIET
Hello Madalyn, Michael and you must be?
CAROL ( very proper in a pastel shift, hair in a chingon)
Carol, Michael’s fiancee. A pleasure to meet you!
INEZ ( pulling Juliet away from the scene)
Oh, hello, Carol, Michael! Juliet can you help me with this?
(They go into Inez’s bedroom)
I know he is not your favorite person right now, but can we just leave it?
JULIET
For sure, I am not going to stoop to his level.
They are getting ready to leave, saying goodbyes, and Juliet goes behind Carol
JULIET
Glad I got to meet you! Take care ( whispers in her ear) And I’d watch out for that one if I were you! (Audible to everyone), Bye now!
Michael and Carol leave, Madalyn is glaring at Juliet
MADALYN
What did you say to her?
JULIET
OH, I just told her I liked her dress.
MADALYN
Really! Inez, I told you either she goes or I do!
INEZ
If only that were true, now let’s sit down and talk about all this nonsense, .
JULIET
No need Inez. Madalyn, not to worry, I am going, today! But you better promise me you are going to be a lot nicer to your sister from now on! She works hard all day and provides you with everything and you are just so ugly to her. I’m surprised you have not turned into a pillar of salt or something. For all that praying you do, you sure are one of the meanest people I have ever met!
MADALYN
I, I don’t know what you mean! Inez are you going to let her talk to me like that?
INEZ ( smirking)
She is entitled to her opinion.
MADALYN
( to JULIET ) Oh, what do you know anyway! Well, don’t let the door hit you on the way out!
JULIET
See what I mean, always full of love!
INEZ
Are you sure you are ready to go now, love?
JULIET
No time like the present! Thanks for a great weekend! I’ll be in touch. Love ya!
Juliet goes back to her house with the intention of gathering a few things. The house seems empty. She calls out.
JULIET
HELLO? Anyone home?
She heads for her room, and Larry comes out of the den.
LARRY ( Speaking from the doorway )
Oh, so she returns. Shall I roll out the red carpet?
JULIET
Where’s Mom?
LARRY
Out at some baby class or something
JULIET
I just came to get a few of my things, I won’t be staying. When will she be back?
LARRY
Not sure, an hour or so
JULIET
How’s the baby?
LARRY
Cries a lot, doesn’t sleep.
JULIET
So a typical baby. I’m sure you are very helpful with him!
LARRY
Not my job!
JULIET
Nice. OK, well I won’t be long here.
She turns to gather things. Larry has gone off, but returns after a few minutes. He comes into the room getting up close in her face.
LARRY
So where are you off to? Got some new boyfriend you are shacking up with?
( he gets closer and pushes Juliet down on the bed)
Are you even sure what you should be doing with a man? Here let’s make sure.
( He is tugging at her pants, and making grinding motions, she squirms and knees him in the balls) He gets up, bent in pain
You little bitch! What the hell
JULIET
GET OUT OF HERE!!! Don’t you dare touch me ever again. I’m going to tell Mom what you did.
LARRY
Ha, she will never believe you! You little whore, Madalyn told your mother what you did to Michael. You filthy little tramp.
JULIET
That’s rich! You are a poor example of manhood! I’m just glad we are not related. Tho you and Madalyn might be. I’m outta here.
LARRY
Don’t come back asking for my help when you hit bottom!
JULIET
Thanks for the vote of confidence! But I think I will be just fine! Caio! loser
Juliet grabs her things and runs past him. She heads next door to Mel’s.
JULIET
Hi Mrs. Hall, Is Mel home?
MRS. HALL
Yes, Dear, I think she just came in, you just go right up! Is everything OK?
JULIET
rushed
Yes, sure. Thanks
she runs up, bursts into Mel’s room and falls on the bed
Oh thank God, Mel
MEL
Jules, what’s up babe?
JULIET
I just came from my house, I went to grab some stuff and my stepfather tried to make a pass at me!
MEL
like, waddha ya mean?
JULIET
Don’t make me repeat it. It was just gross, that’s all. I was going to stay there for a while but I see that is not possible, can I stay with you for a few days. I just left Inez and another weird scene over there and now I don’t know what to do…. Oh, Mel, I’m such a screw up,
(breaks down crying)
MEL
JULES, This is NOT your fault! I think the grown ups are the screw up’s here. I’m gonna go over there and punch him out!
JULIET
NO Mel. He’s not even worth the effort. I just can’t even think right now.
MEL
I know, you go take a nice bubble bath, calm down and we will come up with a plan. Ma, we need another spot for dinner!
END
-
Mickey Gonzalez Act 4 Climax
What I learned doing this assignment is succeed or can do better. Working to be winning.
Outline Key Scene
At a construction site. With a demolition ball swinging Knocking taking out of a tall building. See a Foundry doors glowing through the flats.
The steel foundry small brick of steel runs through a chubby hole. While another takes out to cool. He stands outside of the foundry. This is something he does not want. He must get back at winning.
A conveyor belt is carrying black coal over the top of a dump truck. Workers are around. Mark speeds under the conveyor system picking up gravel when black workers come around and shake their heads.
Write Key Scene 3: Climax – The Ultimate Expression of The Conflict.
Back to the job site. Mark works with Mick.
Wrecking demolition ball in the air. Bulldozer noise we can hear.
See far over the Detroit’s expressway, the Ford Motor foundry.
A dump truck ready to carry black coal from a conveyor belt.
Mark speeds under the conveyor system picking up black coal gravel shooting up from the car’s tires. Disappearing.
When black workers come around and shake their heads.
The workers yell out “get out”.
Mark is not ready to give it up. Is his way out. Manuscripts are worth a lot of money along with a valuable vast collection of writings stolen from him. He wants his monies and vast collection back bad. Only way for Mark to get it going with Raquel. There is no other way. He must win. If he does not win is back to planning to work with the black coals.
-
Bernadette Wilson Lesson 22 – The climax Scene
What I learned writing this was all the many holes that I still have to sew up before this scene comes, but it makes sense for the justification of both the protagonist and the antagonist. More holes to fill in but here it is.
INT. METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART – NIGHT
Brinda runs into the museum. She knows there is a large tribute going on. The revealing of a major wing in the museum.
She gets there. At the revealing she notices Webber, Boss and alot of high society people.
She cannot find Cal, nor can she find the killer.
She starts looking frantically.
Boss notices and gets up and looks after her. He starts following her.
Webber is socializing with the hobnobbers and notices Brinda as well. He is not pleased.
He gestures to Boss to go follow her.
Brinda finally gets to the Roman wing, and notices the blonde haired woman with Boss.
Boss is drugged up and about to have his eye cut out.
Brinda rushes in and points her gun.
BRINDA
Stop!
Mimi looks up and sees Brinda. She stops and gets up from the Boss.
BRINDA
Put your hands up please and through down the knife Mary Lou.
Mimi turns around to look at Brinda and drops the knife.
They both look at each other for the first time.
Brinda almost knows her, but yet she doesn’t.
MIMI
It’s alright, I would never hurt you baby.
Brinda reacts uneasily.
BRINDA
Shut up. Don’t call me baby.
MIMI
But you are my baby. They took you away from me. Don’t you see what they did?
BRINDA
Who? What did they do?
MIMI
Them, with their dirty lies, their filthy secrets.
Mimi starts coming closer.
MIMI
It’s what took me away from you.
BRINDA
Mary Lou stay where you are. I’m not who you think I am.
MIMI
I’m not who you think I am.
BRINDA
Who are you?
MIMI
It’s me baby. Don’t you know.
BRINDA
No.
Mimi removes her blonde wig. Brinda is still a little confused.
MIMI
They tried to kill me baby. They tried to shut me down. They took me away from you.
Brinda is shaking with her gun pointed.
BRINDA
No – you’re lying Mary Lou.
MIMI
I’m not baby. I’m not.
Brinda does not know what to do. She does not recognize the woman although she looks really familiar.
MIMI
You were so little when they took me away from you.
BRINDA
No!
MIMI
Then they killed your daddy. I’ve come to save you from them.
At this point Webber comes in and points a gun and is about to hit Mimi.
Brinda turns around.
BRINDA
No!
Both guns shoot at the same time. Brinda shoots Webber where it hurts. It takes him down.
Webber’s bullet just skims Mimi.
Brinda runs up to Webber. Mimi runs away. -
Christi’s Act 4 Climax
I learned that changing a Midpoint in a movie causes ripples and aftershocks. The Climax was completely wrong so I had to rewrite it.
I also learned that it’s impossible to sleep when it’s 27 degrees so I’m continuing to work. I think I’ll hang out in the mall tomorrow, now that it’s open.
The Climax is now a shootout on the estate through some sort of shooting relay. Not sure if it’s going to be a grouse hunt or what. Rich people be crazy so there’s plenty of options. I’ve just put the card there on the floor so when I correct the scene, I’m sure it will come to me by then.
Also, thank you for offering the next free class. I really get so much out of them. I did take a vacation day tomorrow but will need to wait for the recording as I can’t afford the long distance charges. I know, poor ppl problems.
I’m excited for this template we’re doing because once I’m done the murder mystery, I’ll put it towards the military Sci fi I entered in the Nicholls. If it quarter finals, it would be better for it to be more polished than it is now.
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Hi Cheryl, shouldn’t I be able to access all the forums, to go back and look at my work, I have misplaced some scenes and would like to copy them from the forum. Particularly act four scenes 1 and 2 thanks.
Judy
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