[Diane Denham]

Bonnie's Fascinating Scenes:
ALIENS ON A PLANE
Scene 1

ACT 1:
OPENING
EXT. SPECIAL OPS UNIT – FUTURE EARTH – DAY
Scene Description: Xiola and Xe are attacked while on a special mission, Xe disappears, and Xiola is rescued.
• Beginning: (Superior Position) Xiola and Xe defending themselves against an attack.
• Middle: (Misinterpretation) Xiola believes Xe is genuinely struggling and tries to protect her, unaware that Xe set this up.
• Ending: (Major Twist) Xe disappears and Xiola escapes, thinking Xe is dead.
INT. DISTANT PLANET – DAY
Scene Description: On a distant planet, three rival ET travel agents prepare their respective ET tourists for multidimensional vacations.
• Beginning: (Intrigue) Excitement for the launch as the agents prepare their tourists.
• Middle: (Superior Position) Zartuuf secretly tampers with the others’ devices, increasing tension.
• Ending: (Suspense) We fear things will go wrong due to Zartuuf’s sabotage.

INCITING INCIDENT
EXT. SPECIAL OPS UNIT – DAY
Scene Description: Special agent Xiola prepares for a secret mission.
• Beginning: (Uncertainty) Xiola feels anxious about the mission.
• Middle: (Suspense) Team members’ tense behavior increases Xiola’s anxiety.
• Ending: (Internal Dilemma) Xiola bravely and confidently accepts the call despite her fears.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE COCKPIT/CABIN – PRESENT DAY EARTH
Scene Description: Captain in a good mood, flies through clear skies until turbulence hits out of nowhere.
• Beginning: (More Interesting Setting) Relaxed Captain flying the plane through blue skies.
• Middle: (Uncertainty) Sudden turbulence shakes the plane, causing chaos.
• Ending: (Suspense) The Captain stabilizes the plane, but the cause of the turbulence remains unknown.
TURNING POINT
EXT/INT. ET CONFED – DAY
Scene Description: Zhetak shows his “good side” while Xe is in disguise.
• Beginning: (Superior Position) Disguised Xe and “good side” Zhetak in a friendly chat.
• Middle: (Betrayal) Zhetak’s true reptilian face is revealed when he enters a secret room.
• Ending: (Mystery) The reveal of Zhetak’s true form hints at his nefarious plans.

ACT 2:
NEW PLAN
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – PRESENT DAY EARTH
Scene Description: The plane experiences sudden unexplained turbulence.
• Beginning: (More Interesting Setting) Everyone engaged in different, fairly peaceful activities.
• Middle: (Mislead/Reveal) Sudden jolts and shaking cause chaos and confusion among passengers.
• Ending: (Suspense) The plane stabilizes, but passengers and crew are left on edge.
EXT. QUARKY’S HOME PLANET – DAY
Scene Description: Quarky advises their people, one after the other, to the point of exhaustion, when the Elders suggest a break.
• Beginning: (Uncomfortable Moment) Quarky overwhelmed from spiritual counseling for their people.
• Middle: (Intrigue) Elders suggest a vacation, hinting at something more (perhaps a plan to replace them?).
• Ending: (Relief) Quarky feels relieved and excited about taking a break, although haunted by a lingering suspicion.

PLAN IN ACTION
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola lands on the plane and has awkward meetings with Quarky and Zartuuf.
• Beginning: (Surprise) Xiola lands on the plane.
• Middle: (Uncomfortable Moment) Awkward comical meetings with Quarky and Zartuuf.
• Ending: (Intrigue) Xiola and Quarky unaware they are siblings, adding layers to their interactions.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola discovers a number of portals on the plane and tries to keep cool in front of passengers while fumbling desperately to close them.
• Beginning: (More Interesting Setting) Xiola discovers dangerous portals.
• Middle: (Suspense) Xiola tries desperately to blend in while handling the anomalies.
• Ending: (Surprise) She successfully closes the portals, but the threat remains.
EXT. ET CONFED – NIGHT
Scene Description: Shortly after Zhetak launches his attack, his system goes haywire, and portals begin appearing in his room.
• Beginning: (Intrigue) Zhetak’s device goes haywire.
• Middle: (Uncomfortable Moment) Zhetak panics as portals appear in his surroundings. Xe fears her efforts won’t last.
• Ending: (Mystery) Xe secretly uses her future tech to counteract his attack, hinting at her hidden role.

MIDPOINT TURNING POINT
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola discovers a beautiful, mesmerizing portal and falls prey to its hypnotic power.
• Beginning: (Intrigue) Xiola gazes into the open portal.
• Middle: (Suspense) She falls under its spell, struggling with emotions and memories.
• Ending: (Cliffhanger) She escapes its magnetic, mesmerizing power, revealing her emotional wound.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola, mesmerized, locked into the mesmerizing energy of the portal, is saved by Quarky.
• Beginning: (Suspense) Xiola in danger of being swallowed by the portal.
• Middle: (Reveal) Quarky secretly closes the portal combining their hidden powers with Xiola’s.
• Ending: (Hope) Xiola is saved, hinting at Quarky’s true abilities and their sibling connection to Xiola.

ACT 3:
RETHINK EVERYTHING
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – NIGHT
Scene Description: Zartuuf’s manipulative actions start to create tension and distrust among the agents and tourists.
• Beginning: (Intrigue) The group is relatively cooperative.
• Middle: (Betrayal) Xiola overhears Zartuuf’s suspicious conversation with Zhetak and confronts him.
• Ending: (Mystery) Seeds of distrust are planted, especially towards Zartuuf.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – GALLEY/CABIN – DAY
Scene Description: Quarky begins to bond with Xiola as they team up to fix odd meals and zero gravity occurrences.
• Beginning: (More Interesting Setting) Xiola and Quarky, cautious allies, meet in the galley.
• Middle: (Uncertainty) They handle anomalies of meals and zero gravity on the plane that requires teamwork.
• Ending: (Hope) They develop a sense of camaraderie and trust as they join forces to fix weirdness.
NEW PLAN
INT. ET CONFED – DAY
Scene Description: Zhetak calls Bazz, his brother and rogue agent in Special Ops Unit, leaves angry threatening message that their efforts are being neutralized by Xiola.
Beginning: (Mystery) Zhetak calls someone. (We don’t know that this is his brother, Bazz).
Middle: (Intrigue) Zhetak leaves angry threatening message that Xiola is neutralizing their attacks.
End: (Superior Position) Zhetak goes to his secret room to calm himself beside his ET pets.
TURNING POINT: HUGE FAILURE / MAJOR SHIFT
INT. SPECIAL OPS UNIT – DAY
Scene description: Bazz, who is part of a rogue faction of Xiola’s Special Ops organization, calls Zhetak, reluctant to continue attacks since he is under close surveillance by his commanding officers. Zhetak pressures and threatens brother, Bazz to double-down attacks on the plane. Bazz reluctantly agrees, feeling he is already under suspicion.
Beginning: (Mystery) Bazz, who is in a rogue faction of Xiola’s Special Ops organization, calls his brother, Zhetak.
Middle: (Fear) Bazz refuses to double-down attacks, feeling he is already under suspicion.
End: (Conspiracy) Zhetak pressures and threatens him. Bazz reluctantly agrees.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CARGO HOLD – DAY
Scene Description: Zartuuf’s fear and insecurity surface during a crisis, revealing his vulnerability.
• Beginning: (Intrigue) Zartuuf is confident and composed.
• Middle: (Reveal) Zartuuf’s vulnerability is exposed during turbulence and gravity anomaly. Calls father for help.
• Ending: (Mystery) Humms to himself to change his frequency, using his hidden musical talent complicates his relationship with Xiola.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola uses future tech to disguise herself and investigate.
• Beginning: (Suspense) Xiola is uncertain and cautious.
• Middle: (Intrigue) Xiola struggles with her Flight Attendent disguise and interactions with passengers.
• Ending: (Reveal) Xiola gains new information and respect from Zartuuf.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – LAVATORY – DAY
Scene Description: Quarky decides to reveal their powers to openly assist Xiola and Zartuuf.
• Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) Quarky is hesitant and hiding their true abilities.
• Middle: (Surprise) Quarky confidently uses their shamanic powers to save a passenger.
• Ending: (Hope) Quarky gains trust and respect, highlighting their growth.

ACT 4:
CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – GALLEY – NIGHT
Scene Description: On a secret call with his father, Zartuuf contemplates betraying Xiola to stay in Zhetak’s favor but ultimately decides to support her.
• Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) Zartuuf is torn between loyalty to Zhetak and feelings for Xiola.
• Middle: (Suspense) Zhetak orders Zartuuf to sabotage Xiola’s efforts.
• Ending: (Hope) Zartuuf secretly decides to aid Xiola, betraying Zhetak.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – GALLEY – NIGHT
Scene Description: Quarky discovers a hidden device that is causing one of the anomalies.
• Beginning: (Intrigue) Quarky stumbles upon the hidden device.
• Middle: (Uncertainty) They are unsure how to deactivate it without causing more harm.
• Ending: (Hope) Quarky finds a way to temporarily stabilize the device, buying them more time.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – PASSENGER SEAT – DAY
Scene Description: Quarky faces the moral dilemma of using their abilities openly versus maintaining their cover and confessing to Zartuuf about hiding Gizdink. Zartuuf develops a conscience without Gizdink.
• Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) Quarky is conflicted about using their powers and hiding Gizdink.
• Middle: (Reveal) Quarky decides to embrace their true self and confess.
• Ending: (Hope) Zartuuf develops a conscience, influenced by Quarky’s honesty.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CARGO HOLD – NIGHT
Scene Description: As Zartuuf enters, Xiola receives a clue about her mother’s disappearance.
• Beginning: (Suspense) Xiola is in the dark about her mother’s fate.
• Middle: (Intrigue) Zartuuf enters as Xiola receives a critical clue, struggles with its emotional impact and her attraction to Zartuuf.
• Ending: (Hope) Xiola is driven by newfound determination.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – DAY
Scene Description: In the midst of escalating chaotic events, Xiola, Zartuuf and Quarky plan their next steps.
• Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) Xiola is conflicted about her priorities.
• Middle: (Intrigue) Quarky suggests a risky but promising plan.
• Ending: (Hope) They resolve to move forward together to stop Zhetak.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – NIGHT
Scene Description: Zhetak creates a major anomaly on the plane.
• Beginning: (Suspense) Tension rises as the plane experiences minor disturbances.
• Middle: (More Interesting Setting) A major anomaly occurs, throwing everything into chaos.
• Ending: (Mystery) The cause of the anomaly is unclear, increasing tension.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – DAY
Scene Description: Xiola and Zartuuf work together to stabilize the anomaly, revealing Zartuuf’s skills.
• Beginning: (Uncertainty) Xiola and Zartuuf are hesitant to trust each other.
• Middle: (Reveal) Zartuuf’s skills come into play as they manage the crisis together.
• Ending: (Hope) A newfound trust forms between Xiola and
Zartuuf.

RESOLUTION
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – DAY
Scene Description: Zhetak’s influence on the plane grows, causing widespread chaos.
• Beginning: (More Interesting Setting) The plane’s environment becomes increasingly unstable.
• Middle: (Suspense) Passengers and crew panic as the anomalies worsen.
• Ending: (Mystery) Xiola, Quarky, and Zartuuf must find a way to counteract Zhetak’s power.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – LAVATORY – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola receives a message from an unknown ally offering crucial information.
• Beginning: (Intrigue) Xiola is surprised by the unexpected message.
• Middle: (Reveal) The message contains critical information about Zhetak and Xe.
• Ending: (Hope) Xiola feels closer to uncovering the truth and defeating Zhetak.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – COCKPIT – DAY
Scene Description: Xiola, Zartuuf, and Quarky work together on a plan to defeat Zhetak, letting the Captain in on it.
• Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) They struggle to agree on the best course of action, enter the cockpit.
• Middle: (Hope) They finally come up with a united plan and share it with the Captain.
• Ending: (Suspense) They prepare to put their plan into action, knowing the risks involved.
INT. ET CONFED – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola transports the team to the ET Confed, where a final showdown with Zhetak takes place.
• Beginning: (Suspense) Tension builds as they confront Zhetak on his home ground, find his secret room.
• Middle: (Conflict) An intense battle ensues, with everyone fighting for survival, ET pets scatter and join the fun.
• Ending: (Major Twist) Zhetak is defeated, his secret room with stolen technology is destroyed, and Xe’s true allegiance is revealed, adding complexity to the victory.

INT. SPECIAL OPS HQ/PRISON – DAY
Scene Description: Zhetak is sentenced. Xiola, Zartuuf and Quarky escort Zhetak to his cell. Xiola transports the ET travel agents and tourists to their home planet. The thr
Beginning: (Relief) Zhetak is taken into custody.
Middle: He is sentenced and the three escort him to his cell.
End: Xiola transports the ET travel agents and tourists home.
EXT. SPECIAL OPS HQ – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola, Zartuuf and Quarky watch a monitor, showing the plane stabilizes, and the portals beginning to close, restoring order.
• Beginning: (Relief) The plane returns to normalcy.
• Middle: (Hope) Passengers and crew begin to recover from the ordeal.
• Ending: (Intrigue) Xiola, Quarky, and Zartuuf share a moment of reflection, hinting at future adventures.
INT. SPECIAL OPS HQ CAFE’ – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola and Zartuuf have a final conversation, cementing their bond and hinting at future collaboration.
• Beginning: (Relief) The immediate crisis is over, they share a moment of calm, almost kiss, but realize it’s a bad idea when Quarky joins them.
• Middle: (Connection) They discuss their experiences and the growth they’ve undergone.
• Ending: (Hope) Xiola, Zartuuf and Quarky make a pact to stay in touch and support each other in future missions.
INT. SPECIAL OPS HQ, CAFE’ – NIGHT
Scene Description: When Zartuuf leaves the table, Quarky, in a reflective moment, reveals a personal secret to Xiola, deepening their friendship.
• Beginning: (Intrigue) Xiola notices Quarky acting unusually.
• Middle: (Reveal) Quarky shares a deeply personal story, explaining their motives and fears around his Shamanic powers, while casually neutralizing a tiny portal that appears in her coffee cup.
• Ending: (Connection) Xiola reassures Quarky, solidifying their bond.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN/CARGO HOLD – DAY
Scene Description: The Captain reassures the passengers the danger is over. Passengers share their experiences, adding light-hearted moments and closure to their individual stories. Gizdink stows away.
• Beginning: (Relief) As the Captain reassures them, the passengers start to relax and talk among themselves.
• Middle: (Humor) Light-hearted and humorous exchanges occur as passengers recount their extraordinary experience.
• Ending: (Connection) A sense of community forms among the passengers, despite the strange events. Gizdink crawls into the cargo hold, unlocks the animal cages and they party. Quarky stows away with their animal friends.
INT. SPECIAL OPS HQ PRISON – NIGHT
Scene Description: Zhetak, in his last moments, hints at a larger, more dangerous threat looming over the galaxy.
• Beginning: (Tension) Zhetak, injured and weakened, confronts Xiola one last time.
• Middle: (Reveal) He cryptically warns Xiola about a greater danger.
• Ending: (Suspense) Zhetak’s warning leaves Xiola pondering the future, adding a layer of complexity to their victory.
EXT. SPECIAL OPS HQ – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola, Quarky and Zartuuf watch a holographic display of the plane landing safely, and passengers disembarking, grateful for their survival.
• Beginning: (Relief) Xiola, Quarky and Zartuuf watch the plane touch down smoothly.
• Middle: (Closure) Passengers and crew exit the plane, expressing relief and gratitude to pilot and crew.
• Ending: (Hope) Xiola, Quarky, and Zartuuf watch as the last passengers leave, feeling a sense of accomplishment and readiness for whatever comes next.
INT. SPECIAL OPS HQ – FUTURE EARTH – DAY
Scene Description: Xiola floats her new initiatives past Quarky and Zartuuf, plans for two new special units, one will protect inter-dimensional travel throughout the galaxy, and the other needs a mentor to train students in multidimensional Shamanic journeys.
• Beginning: (Connection) Xiola describes her new initiatives to Zartuuf and Quarky, they exchange glances.
• Middle: (Hope) Xiola fears they won’t volunteer to head the programs. Hopes they will. Quarky and Zartuuf pretend to be disinterested.
• Ending: (Optimism) Quarky totally inspired to share their wisdom, accepts. Zartuuf wholeheartedly takes on the task of leading the unit to protect galactic travel.

DENOUEMENT
EXT. SPECIAL OPS HQ – FUTURE EARTH – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola receives a final, cryptic message from her mother, hinting at new adventurous missions.
• Beginning: (Surprise) Xiola’s device pings with a new message.
• Middle: (Intrigue) The message contains vague but intriguing information about future threats and mysteries.
• Ending: (Hope) Xiola looks up at the night sky, determined and ready for what lies ahead.
EXT. CITY STREET – FUTURE EARTH – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola walks through the bustling city, blending in with the crowd, as she prepares for her next mission.
• Beginning: (Reflection) Xiola navigates the busy streets, lost in thought.
• Middle: (Hope) She observes the ordinary lives around her, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
• Ending: (Determination) Xiola disappears into the crowd, ready to tackle whatever challenges come her way.
EXT. UNKNOWN GALAXY – NIGHT
Scene Description: A distant, menacing figure observes the aftermath of Zhetak’s defeat, hinting at future conflicts.
• Beginning: (Suspense) The figure watches Xiola’s actions from afar.
• Middle: (Mystery) The figure’s intentions and identity remain unknown.
• Ending: (Tension) The figure turns away, planning their next move, setting the stage for future adventures.
INT. SECRET BASE – NIGHT
Scene Description: Xiola reunites with her allies, sharing her experiences and strategizing for future missions.
• Beginning: (Connection) Xiola is greeted warmly by her team.
• Middle: (Hope) They discuss their recent victory and the challenges ahead.
• Ending: (Determination) They begin planning their next steps, united in their mission.
EXT. CITYSCAPE – FUTURE EARTH – NIGHT
Scene Description: A panoramic view of the city at night, symbolizing the vast possibilities and challenges ahead for Xiola and her allies.
• Beginning: (Reflection) The city lights sparkle, representing hope and resilience.
• Middle: (Hope) The view shifts to the night sky, filled with stars and endless possibilities.
• Ending: (Optimism) The camera pans to a single, bright star, symbolizing Xiola’s unwavering spirit and determination.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie's Smooth Out Draft – Scene Requirements
ALIENS ON A PLANE
Sci-Fi Comedy

Act 1: Opening and Inciting Incident
EXT. SPECIAL OPS UNIT – FUTURE EARTH – DAY
Scene Arc: From Xiola and Xe attacked on life-or-death mission, Xe gone missing and left for dead to Xiola’s escape.
Essence: Xe disappears during a mission. Xiola devastated, feels responsible.
Conflict: Xiola is forced to abandon Xe or face certain death.
Subtext: Xe is a double agent who, without Xiola’s knowledge, set this up so she could disappear and secretly infiltrate the ET confederation.
Hope/Fear: We hope Xiola will stay alive. We fear Xe is dead.
INT. DISTANT PLANET – DAY
Scene Arc: From excitement for the launch to dreading things will blow.
Essence: On a distant planet, three ET travel agents prepare to launch their tourists on vacations.
Conflict: The three agents are extreme rivals.
Subtext: Zartuuf is working with Zhetak to sabotage the others.
Hope/Fear: We hope they won’t succeed. We fear others will get hurt.
EXT. SPECIAL OPS UNIT – DAY
Scene Arc: From Xiola feeling anxious to bravely accepting the call.
Essence: Xiola prepares for a dangerous secret mission.
Conflict: Will she live through it?
Subtext: Team is tense because of her last mission disaster.
Hope/Fear: We hope it goes well. We fear she may fail and not return.
INT. COCKPIT/CABIN OF PLANE – PRESENT DAY EARTH
Scene Arc: From clear skies to sudden turbulence and chaos.
Essence: Captain of the plane struggles to navigate through a few seconds of turbulence through mysteriously clear and windless sky.
Conflict: Passengers shaken, children cry, bags fall out of cabinets.
Subtext: Foreshadowing of chaos yet to come.
Hope/Fear: We hope the Captain will steady the plane. Fear there’s more to come.
EXT/INT. ET CONFED – DAY
Scene Arc: From Xe in disguise to Zhetak’s true face unveiled.
Essence: Xe and Zhetak in disguise share outwardly friendly encounter.
Conflict: Zhetak’s face morphs into his true form as he enters secret room.
Subtext: Zhetak has two faces, an outer one that masks his reptilian form.
Hope/Fear: We fear he’s up to no good. We hope he fails.
INT. PLANE – PRESENT DAY EARTH
Scene Arc: From clear skies to sudden turbulence and chaos.
Essence: The plane rumbles and shakes causing chaos and panic.
Conflict: Chaos, fear and confusion throughout the plane, including Captain, travel agents, tourists and passengers.
Subtext: Zhetak’s first covert attack to destroy his rivals.
Hope/Fear: We hope everyone will be okay. We fear the end.
EXT. QUARKY’S HOME PLANET – DAY
Scene Arc: Quarky goes from overwhelmed to relieved and excited.
Essence: Quarky’s Council of Elders suggest a vacation.
Conflict: Quarky is overwhelmed by his people relying on him for every minor problem, tells them to consult their guides while they’re away.
Subtext: Even a Shaman needs a break some time.
Hope/Fear: We fear they’ll have a meltdown. Hope they’ll catch a break.
INT. PLANE – NIGHT
Scene Arc: From Xiola adjusting to landing on the plane to awkward comical encounters with Quarky and Zartuuf.
Essence: Comedy element introduced in main characters relationships.
Conflict: Xiola mutual attraction with Zartuuf, and alchemy with Quarky.
Subtext: Xiola and Quarky unaware they are siblings.
Hope/Fear: We fear she’ll get distracted. Hope she keeps it together.
INT. PLANE – NIGHT
Scene Arc: From Xiola finding dangerous portals blinking in and out throughout the plane to comically closing them.
Essence: Xiola trying desperately to blend in, while handling the anomalies.
Conflict: Dangerous portals sucking in anything and anyone.
Subtext: Zhetak’s initial attack caused a crack in spacetime continuum.
Hope/Fear: Fear they’re all going to die. Hope she can fix the threats.
EXT. ET CONFED – NIGHT
Scene Arc: From Zhetak’s panic to seizing back control of his tech.
Essence: Zhetak’s attack backfires, and he has to deal with rogue portals appearing in his own surroundings.
Conflict: Zhetak panics when his tech device spins out of control.
Subtext: Xe secretly uses her future tech to counteract his attack.
Hope/Fear: We hope he’s ruined. Fear he’ll regain control.
INT. PLANE – NIGHT
Scene Arc: From gazing into open portal to falling under its spell, to escaping its magnetic power.
Essence: Reveals Xiola's emotional wound. Sets up her personal quest.
Conflict: Xiola gazes into the portal, struggling with her emotions, memories and regrets around her failed mission.
Subtext: Xiola, mesmerized as she’s faced with possible and probable alternate realities around the failed mission.
Hope/Fear: Xiola hopes to find closure regarding her mother's fate. Fears the possibility that Xe is truly gone forever.
INT. PLANE – NIGHT
Scene Arc: From Xiola, mesmerized by the portal to Quarky saving her.
Essence: Quarky secretly closes the portal leading to probable/possible realities.
Conflict: Xiola in danger of being swallowed by the portal.
Subtext: Quarky has powers that they’ve kept hidden, until now.
Hope/Fear: We hope Quarky can save her. Fear she’ll be lost.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – NIGHT
Description: Zartuuf's manipulative actions start to create tension and distrust among the agents and tourists.
Scene Arc:
Start: The group is relatively cooperative.
End: Seeds of distrust are planted, especially towards Zartuuf.
Essence: Show Zartuuf's manipulative nature and the beginning of internal conflict.
Conflict: Xiola overhears Zartuuf’s suspicious conversation and confronts him.
Subtext: Zartuuf’s charm masks his deceitful actions.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Xiola hopes to uncover Zartuuf’s true intentions.
• Fear: Xiola fears being manipulated or betrayed.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – DAY
Description: Quarky begins to bond with Xiola as they team up to investigate the anomalies.
Scene Requirements:
Scene Arc:
• Start: Xiola and Quarky are cautious allies.
• End: They develop a sense of camaraderie and trust.
Essence: Build the relationship between Xiola and Quarky through cooperation.
Conflict: They face a minor anomaly on the plane that requires teamwork to fix.
Subtext: Quarky’s shamanic abilities subtly aid their efforts, hinting at a deeper connection.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: They hope to uncover more about the anomalies together.
• Fear: They fear failing to understand or control the anomalies.
Act 2: New Plan & Midpoint Turning Point
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – GALLEY – DAY
Description: Zartuuf’s fear and insecurity surface during a crisis, revealing his vulnerability.
Scene Arc:
* Start: Zartuuf is confident and composed.
• End: Zartuuf’s vulnerability is exposed, complicating his relationship with Xiola.
Essence: Show Zartuuf’s hidden weaknesses and deepen his character.
Conflict: Zartuuf panics during turbulence, revealing his fear and hidden talent.
Subtext: Zartuuf’s fear of failure contrasts with his outward confidence.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Zartuuf hopes to hide his weaknesses and maintain control.
• Fear: Zartuuf fears being seen as weak or unworthy.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – NIGHT
Description: Xiola uses future tech to disguise herself and investigate.
Scene Arc:
• Start: Xiola is uncertain and cautious.
• End: Xiola gains new information and respect from Zartuuf.
Essence: Highlight Xiola’s resourcefulness and the growing respect between her and Zartuuf.
Conflict: Xiola struggles with her disguise and interactions with passengers.
Subtext: Xiola’s awkwardness shows her vulnerability despite her technological advantage.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Xiola hopes to gather useful information without being detected.
• Fear: Xiola fears her cover being blown.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – LAVATORY – DAY
Description: Quarky decides to reveal their powers to openly assist Xiola and Zartuuf.
Scene Requirements:
Scene Arc:
• Start: Quarky is hesitant and hiding their true abilities.
• End: Quarky confidently uses their shamanic powers to save a passenger, gaining trust and respect.
Essence: Show Quarky's growth and commitment to the team by revealing their shamanic abilities.
Conflict: A major anomaly threatens the plane’s safety, forcing Quarky to act.
Subtext: Quarky's abilities are linked to their heritage, hinting at a deeper connection with Xiola.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Quarky hopes to prove their worth and help save the plane.
• Fear: Quarky fears failure and ridicule for revealing their true abilities.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – GALLEY – NIGHT
Description: Zartuuf contemplates betraying Xiola to stay in Zhetak’s favor but ultimately decides to support her.
Scene Arc:
• Start: Zartuuf is torn between loyalty to Zhetak and his growing feelings for Xiola.
• End: Zartuuf secretly decides to aid Xiola, betraying Zhetak.
Essence: Highlight Zartuuf’s internal struggle and ultimate decision to support Xiola.
Conflict: Zartuuf receives direct orders from Zhetak to sabotage Xiola’s efforts.
Subtext: Zartuuf’s actions reveal his growing conscience and the complexity of his character.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Zartuuf hopes to earn Xiola’s trust and support.
• Fear: Zartuuf fears the consequences of betraying Zhetak.
Act 3: Rethink Everything & New Plan
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – PASSENGER SEAT – DAY
Description: Quarky faces the moral dilemma of using their abilities openly versus maintaining their cover, and confessing to Zartuuf about hiding Gizdink. Zartuuf develops a conscience without Gizdink.
Scene Requirements:
Scene Arc:
• Start: Quarky is conflicted about using their powers and hiding Gizdink.
• End: Quarky decides to embrace their true self and confess, leading to Zartuuf’s developing conscience.
Essence: Explore Quarky’s moral struggle and their decision to be honest, influencing Zartuuf.
Conflict: Quarky must decide between staying hidden or using their powers to help Xiola.
Subtext: Quarky’s confession and decision to be open about their abilities inspire Zartuuf to develop a conscience.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Quarky hopes to help Xiola and earn her trust by being honest.
• Fear: Quarky fears rejection and failure.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – COCKPIT – NIGHT
Description: Xiola receives a clue about her mother's disappearance.
Scene Arc:
• Start: Xiola is still in the dark about her mother’s fate.
• End: Xiola is driven by a newfound determination after receiving a clue.
Essence: Advance the plot by giving Xiola a critical clue about her mother’s disappearance.
Conflict: Xiola struggles with the emotional impact of the clue and its implications.
Subtext: The clue hints at deeper conspiracies and Xiola’s personal stakes in the mission.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Xiola hopes to uncover the truth about her mother.
• Fear: Xiola fears the possibility of never finding her mother or the truth.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – PASSENGER SEAT – DAY
Description: Zartuuf and Xiola share a vulnerable moment, deepening their emotional connection.
Scene Arc:
• Start: Zartuuf and Xiola are wary but intrigued by each other.
• End: They share a bond of mutual respect and understanding.
Essence: Deepen the emotional connection between Zartuuf and Xiola, making their alliance more personal.
Conflict: They must navigate their past traumas and fears while working together.
Subtext: Their conversation reveals deeper layers of their characters and shared vulnerabilities.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: They hope to find solace and support in each other.
• Fear: They fear being hurt or betrayed again.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – NIGHT
Description: The ET travel agents’ and tourists’ bizarre behaviors in response to the escalating dangerous anomalies occurring on the plane create chaos, increasing the tension on the plane.
Scene Arc:
• Start: The situation is tense but manageable.
• End: The escalating chaos makes it clear that drastic action is needed.
Essence: Show the growing danger and chaos caused by the anomalies, heightening the stakes.
Conflict: The characters must deal with the escalating anomalies and their effects on the passengers.
Subtext: The chaotic behavior reveals underlying tensions and fears among the characters.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: They hope to find a way to stabilize the situation.
• Fear: They fear losing control and failing to protect the passengers.
Act 4: Final Push & Resolution
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – COCKPIT – DAY
Description: Zartuuf steps up to confront his father, Zhetak, in the final showdown.
Scene Arc:
• Start: Zartuuf is hesitant and fearful of facing Zhetak.
• End: Zartuuf stands up to Zhetak, inspiring the others to fight back.
Essence: Show Zartuuf’s growth and courage as he confronts his father.
Conflict: Zartuuf must overcome his fear and face Zhetak in a final showdown.
Subtext: Zartuuf’s actions reflect his internal transformation and newfound strength.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Zartuuf hopes to expose Zhetak’s schemes and protect his friends.
• Fear: Zartuuf fears failing and being overpowered by his father.
INT. ET CONFEDERATION HQ – DAY
Description: Xe, Xiola, and Zartuuf reveal the truth and defeat Zhetak.
Scene Arc:
• Start: The characters are determined but uncertain about their success.
• End: They successfully expose Zhetak, leading to his downfall.
Essence: Conclude the main conflict by revealing the truth and defeating the antagonist.
Conflict: The characters must present their evidence and convince the ET Confederation.
Subtext: Their victory is not just against Zhetak but also against their personal doubts and fears.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: They hope to bring justice and restore order.
• Fear: They fear being disbelieved or outmaneuvered by Zhetak.
INT. COMMERCIAL AIRLINE – CABIN – DAY
Description: Xiola and Zartuuf acknowledge they should continue as friends and commit to their new mission together.
Scene Requirements:
Scene Arc:
• Start: Xiola and Zartuuf are unsure about the future of their relationship.
• End: They solidify their friendship and commit to their new mission.
Essence: Show the resolution of Xiola and Zartuuf’s relationship and their commitment to their mission.
Conflict: They must navigate their feelings and decide the future of their relationship.
Subtext: Their decision reflects their growth and understanding of each other.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: They hope to continue working together and make a difference.
• Fear: They fear losing the connection they’ve built.
EXT. QUARKY’S HOME PLANET – DAY
Description: Quarky overcomes self-doubt and accepts their role as Shamanic leader on their home planet, and together with Xiola, establishes studies in interdimensional Shamanic journeying.
Scene Requirements:
Scene Arc:
• Start: Quarky is unsure about their role and future.
• End: Quarky confidently accepts their new role and mission.
Essence: Show Quarky’s growth and acceptance of their shamanic identity and responsibilities.
Conflict: Quarky must overcome self-doubt and embrace their true self.
Subtext: Quarky’s acceptance signifies their personal growth and dedication to their mission.
Hope/Fear:
• Hope: Quarky hopes to make a positive impact and fulfill their potential.
• Fear: Quarky fears failing in their new role and letting down their people.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that this process will also work for my unfinished scripts!
LETTERS TO LEONARDO
Genre: Drama Fantasy
Bonnie’s Scene Requirements
Act 1
Opening – Gia’s Ordinary World – Present Day Italy – Status Quo:
EXT/INT GIA’S HOUSE – PRESENT DAY
• Gia’s farmhouse: Gia talks to an invisible Leonardo, who’s spirit sits on her window ledge, while plotting the scenes of the movie she’s writing and directing. She doesn’t realize he’s there. Her girlfriend arrives to pick up her things. They have a heated argument about Carla cheating with a man.
EXT. LEONARDO’S HOUSE – DAY
Follow Gia on Vespa past Olive grove to Leo’s house: Gia skids in late to her film set. The producer threatens to pull funding if she doesn’t meet the deadline.
• Marco. Leonardo’s birth home, Anchiano, near Vinci, Italy. Gia sets up her shot outside Leo’s house. Marco, the museum docent, ruins her shot, leading to a “Meet Cute” angry confrontation with him, but he’s amused. Then she ignores a call from her girlfriend, “Cheating Carla”, clearly upset.
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – NIGHT
• Gia’s farmhouse: Leo’s spirit sits on her bed, talks with her. She doesn’t hear him and falls asleep.
EXT. LEONARDO’S HOUSE, FILM SET – DAY
• Leo’s House/Film set: Gia confides in Marco that she felt Leo’s presence in her room last night. Wonders if it was real, later regrets confiding in a stranger.
INT. LEONARDO’S STUDIO – DAY
LEONARDO’S TIME
• Leonardo In his studio, Leo envisions the faint beginnings of a mysterious device, that could be both an energy source and a spacetime travel vehicle.
EXT. DYSTOPIAN FUTURE CITY – DAY
• Leonora, Leonardo's future female self, lands in a Dystopian future and is held captive, along with the time machine she rode in on. Can’t recall who she is and how she got there.
Inciting Incident – Call to Adventure
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – NIGHT
• Gia’s farmhouse: DREAM #1 Still upset about her breakup with Carla, and frustrated she can’t figure out the ending to her movie, she’s angry with Leo, urges him to talk to her. In the dream, Leonardo tells her to write him a letter and he’ll answer in her dreams.
INT. LEONARDO'S STUDIO – NIGHT
LEONARDO’S TIME
• Leonardo: While working in his studio, Leonardo starts feeling an ethereal ball of light trying to distract and communicate with him. Annoyed by it, he wants only to focus on his work. When it persists, and he becomes angry, it disappears. (Gia or Leonora?)
EXT. LEONARDO’S HOUSE – DAY
• Gia: Despite warnings from her crew, Gia insists on shooting a scene of her film in a thunderstorm, when she sees a threatening spectral ball of light fly towards her, seconds before lightning strikes an electric light and falls on her.
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – NIGHT
• Gia: DREAM #2 After her accident on the set of her film, Gia dreams she’s riding a kind of floating, flying bicycle time machine.
INT. LEONARDO'S STUDIO – NIGHT
LEONARDO’S TIME
• Leonardo: Frustrated and dissatisfied with his sketches of what looks like two spherical objects, he tosses them aside. Tinkers with wooden model of a sphere with spokes, but this doesn’t go well either, and he tosses them out the window.
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – NIGHT
• Gia wakes from her time machine dream, becomes obsessed, believes could be an undiscovered invention of Leo’s. She grabs a drawing pad and pencil and draws her dream machine. (A sketch for a time machine that was hidden in an old dresser in Leo’s time).
INT. CELL, DYSTOPIAN FUTURE CITY – NIGHT
• Leonora: Between fitful sleep and pacing the floor, she begins to remember flashes of her past incarnation as Leonardo.
Turning Point
EXT. LEONARDO’S HOUSE, FILM SET – DAY
• Gia tells Marco she believes the “accident” on set was an attack by an unknown force (Subtext: Leonora is also intensely interested in the sketch.) Marco, intrigued by Gia’s dreams, (subtext) secretly believes whatever it is she’s tapping into, it’s powerful and priceless, but he tries to act casual about it. He encourages her to continue her quest despite the risks.
EXT. CAVE – DAY
LEONARDO’S TIME
• Leonardo: Goes for a walk in the countryside near Florence, finds a cave, hears high-pitched whale-like cries. He enters, whale bones on the walls trigger a vision of the future. Seeing how his invention could change the world in several probable and possible realities, ignites his fear of its power and awe at its potential.
INT. CELL – NIGHT
• Leonora: From lack of food, water and sleep, she begins to hallucinate about Leo’s sketch.
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – NIGHT
• Gia: DREAM #3 Gia’s dreams become more vivid, and she dreams she’s learning how to navigate and ride the Chronocycle, the spacetime travel device from Leo’s sketch.

Act 2
New Plan – Initial attempts to solve the problem – all avenues shut.
EXT. CAFE’, VINCI – DAY
• Gia’s obsession intensifies. She has lunch with Marco in Vinci, tells him about her dream, unsure she can trust him, she leaves out details of its nature. Their relationship is becoming deeper. Marco reveals he is a descendant of Melzi, Leonardo’s companion, and his family inherited a large part of Leonardo’s paintings and notebooks. Gia is speechless.
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – NIGHT
• Gia DREAM #4 Gia’s dreams escalate incrementally, revealing more details about the hidden sketch. She travels to Florence, looking for antique dressers with mirrors, and checking the backing for Leo’s hidden sketch. She visits the convent where Leo was believed to have had a studio for a time, sees a flash of light darting out the window, feels a chill. She dreams Leonardo stands by the dresser and writes with his finger in the air S-A-L-A-I.
INT. LEONARDO’S STUDIO – NIGHT
• Leonardo: Leonardo visions of a time travel device gradually become clearer; he begins sketching the plan for its construction. He struggles with the possibility of building a working model, hiding or destroying the sketch so it will never come to light. His inner concerns disturb and delay his vital work obligations and livelihood.
INT. CELL – DAY
• Leonora: Leonora faces setbacks from the authoritarian Commander of the State, which delays and restricts her escape plan. He gives her a final choice: complete the machine within a given time, or they will kill her and reverse engineer the device themselves. In another sleep deprived, hallucinatory flash, she sees Gia in present time, discovers that she is searching for the plans. Realizing it’s the plan for the machine she rode in with, she’s worried Gia might find it before she: 1. has a chance to repair the time machine. 2. Go back in time and 3. Destroy it… sets up the urgent ticking clock.

Plan in Action
INT. LEONARDO’S STUDIO – DAWN
• Leonardo: Leonardo works tirelessly on perfecting the Chronocycle, becoming increasingly frustrated and driven by his visions of its potential, as well as its dangers.
EXT. AREZZO ANTIQUE MARKET – DAY
• Gia: DREAM #5 Fueled by her obsession, Gia searches for the sketch in the mirrored antique dressers she finds at the famous Arezzo Antique market, not knowing that Leonora desperately wants to find and destroy it. Dreams of Leo’s assistant and sexual companion, Salai, scrawling pornography on back of Leo’s sketch and hiding it behind the mirror.
INT. CELL – DAY
• Leonora: Leonora takes drastic measures, hides key parts of the machine from the officials, as she stalls for time enough to put her plan into action. The plan: Complete it and return to Leonardo’s time to find and destroy the sketch.
Midpoint Turning Point
• Gia, exhausted, still at the Arezzo market, realizes that finding the sketch could mean exposing Leonardo’s secrets, unsure whether it would either validate her work or destroy her credibility, risking everything she has worked for. Maybe it’s not in Italy! Maybe it’s at the chateau where Leo died!
EXT. OLIVE GROVE – DAY
• Leonardo: Leonardo realizes the world may not be ready for this invention. He must decide whether to hide the sketch or risk its potential misuse.
INT. CELL – DAY
• Leonora: Leonora is torn between complying with the State’s orders to finish building the machine for them, or risk testing it before it’s ready, to hopefully escape in secret, and return to the past to destroy it and the original sketch.
EXT/INT. CHATEAU DE CLOS LUCE, AMBOISE, FRANCE – DAY
• Gia: DREAM #6 She travels to France to Chateau Clos Luz, in Ambois, where Leonardo died. Secretly steals into the basement and searches the antique vanities for the sketch. Nothing.
INT. CELL – NIGHT
• Leonora: When the guards are asleep, Leonora places the missing parts into the time machine and sets it to return to Leonardo’s time.
Act 3
Rethink Everything
EXT. LEONARDO’S HOUSE – PRESENT DAY
• Leonora: Leonora lands in the present and meets Marco working at Leonardo’s house.
• Gia: Gia with her actors and crew, sees Leonora talking to Marco, then later, watches her creeping into Leonardo’s house. She begins to suspect this stranger might have a secret agenda, realizing she’ll need to use her charm and caution to discover what she’s up to.
INT. LEONARDO’S STUDIO – DAY
• Leonardo: After experiencing the machine’s potential dangers, in a fit of rage, Leonardo decides to destroy the sketch and the models he has started to build.
EXT. LEONARDO’S HOUSE – DAY
• Marco When Gia and Marco are finishing work, he invites her to visit him at Villa Melzi for the weekend. She recalls from her research that Leo left his estate to a man named Melzi, his companion who was at his deathbed. Seizing the opportunity, she decides to search there for the sketch.
INT. LEONARDO MUSEUM – DAY
• Leonora: Marco gives her a part time job at the museum, and a small room at the back. Gia enters, introduces herself to Leonora and they become new friends, artfully keeping their secrets from each other.
New Plan
EXT/INT. OLIVE GROVE/LEONARDO’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
• Leonardo sets fire to the model but hesitates to destroy the sketch. Instead, still struggling with guilt and fear about its possible discovery and misuse in the future, he hides it behind a mirror in his bedroom vanity.
EXT/INT. VILLA MELZI – DAY
• Gia: Gia visits Marco at Villa Melzi, excited to see small Leonardo sketches hanging on the walls. He leaves her for a few minutes to look around and she finds some of Leo’s original paintings.
In Marco’s bedroom, she instantly recognizes the mirrored dresser is identical to the one in her dreams. She fumbles nervously to unscrew the backing of the mirror, but Marco enters before she has a chance to inspect it. She devises a plan to search for the sketch another time, without him noticing.
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – NIGHT
• Leonardo: DREAM #7 In Gia’s dreams, Leonardo continues to struggle with guilt about whether his work will cause more harm in the world than good or beauty. Within the dream, she tries to make him realize how much he has accomplished in life, and all the beauty and wisdom he has already contributed to the world, urging him to let go of the false belief that he has disappointed God.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
• Gia: Gia faces a major conflict when her relationship with Marco heats up. Nonetheless, she accepts a second invitation to stay with him in his villa.
INT. VILLA MELZI – DAY
During her visit, she secretly returns to the mirrored dresser in his bedroom, successfully unscrews the backing, but doesn’t have time to search, and quickly reattaches it when Marco calls from the next room. She exits, finds Leonora next to Marco. He has invited both women to the villa. What a player!
INT. LEONARDO’S STUDIO – DAY
• Leonardo: Alone in his studio, Leonardo speaks to God, beginning to understand his connection to Gia, but struggling to let go of his guilt.
EXT. VILLA MELZI – DAY
• Leonora: Gia and Leonora confront each other while Marco is outside, now speaking openly over who will find the sketch first, and what to do with it once it’s found. Gia does not reveal where she believes it is hidden. Leonora watches her like a hawk, so she won’t have a chance to inspect the dresser this time.
• Marco enters in the middle of their argument. Thinks they’re fighting over his affections. Gia and Leonora exchange glances.
ACT 4
CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT
INT. VILLA MELZI – NIGHT
• Gia goes to Villa Melzi and successfully retrieves the sketch, without noticing Marco watching her.
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – DAY
She brings it home and writes the ending to her movie, helping to free Leonardo's spirit and thus, metaphorically, herself.
EXT. OLIVE GROVE – NIGHT
• Leonardo: Leonardo’s soul and spirit are now at peace, able to let go and move forward, allowing him to return to the spirit world and move on to future incarnations.
• Leonora: Leonora finally realizes she’s a future incarnation of Leonardo, and merges with him at the very moment he releases his guilt, and his spirit and soul move on.
INT. GIA’S HOUSE – DAY
Resolution
• Gia: Gia moves into a new world where she understands her true potential and purpose. Leonardo is a permanent fixture in her home, she continues conversing with him, although she still can’t see him. She’s writing a new screenplay about Picasso. She continues to write him letters, and he answers her in her dreams. “Dear Leonardo, I read in “Seth Speaks” by Jane Roberts that you’ve had conversations with Picasso. Is that true?”
EXT/INT. GIA’S HOUSE/MOVIE SET – DAY
MONTAGE
• Leonardo: Leonardo’s spirit is at peace through his communications with Gia and uniting with Leonora, his future self. Continues to visit her, and talk with her in her home and on her movie sets, although she still can’t see him.
• Leonora: Leonora fully unites with Leonardo, and they are free at last.
EXT/INT. VATICAN LIBRARY – DAY
• Gia: Through her family’s connections with Vatican higher-ups, she hides the sketch where it won’t be found for centuries, in the labyrinthian depths of the Vatican Library!
EXT. OLIVE GROVE – SUNSET
• Gia completes her authentic film, based on her own experiences with and about Leonardo as the sun sets behind the olive grove outside his Anchiano house. That’s a wrap!
FADE OUT.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is… that although I've embedded intrigue in many places, there are still so many possibilities for intrigue throughout!

Act 1: Opening and Inciting Incident
Intriguing Moment 1: Covert Message
• Scene: Xiola receives a hidden message from an unknown source.
• Play Out: Xiola, still trying to adjust to the plane's environment, receives a cryptic message on her futuristic device. The message is encoded, and as she deciphers it, she realizes it's from someone who knows about the anomaly. The message hints at a conspiracy and warns her to trust no one. This sets up a sense of paranoia and urgency.
• Intrigue Technique: Covert Agenda: The hidden message suggests a larger conspiracy. Mystery: Who sent the message and why?
Intriguing Moment 2: Hidden Explosive Device
• Scene: Quarky finds a hidden device accidentally.
• Play Out: During a moment of turbulence, Quarky stumbles and accidentally activates a hidden weapon concealed within one of the animal cages. Xiola quickly disables it before it can cause harm, but the incident raises questions about Quarky's true identity and purpose on the plane.
• Intrigue Technique: Hidden Identity: Did Quarky plant the device or discover it? Intrigue: What is Quarky's real mission?
Intriguing Moment 3: Unexpected Interference
• Scene: External interference causes the plane to malfunction.
• Play Out: As Xiola and her allies are making progress, the plane suddenly malfunctions due to an external interference. They trace the source to a rival faction attempting to sabotage their mission. This moment raises the stakes and forces them to act quickly to prevent disaster.
• Intrigue Technique: Scheme: The rival faction's attempt to sabotage the mission. Conspiracy: The broader conflict between factions.
Act 2: New Plan and Midpoint Turning Point
Intriguing Moment 1: Sabotage Attempt
• Scene: Someone sabotages the plane's communication systems.
• Play Out: During a moment of relative calm, the plane's communication systems suddenly go offline. Xiola and Quarky check with the pilot and discover evidence of sabotage. This act forces them to realize that someone is actively working against them, intensifying the mystery.
• Intrigue Technique: Scheme: Someone is trying to disrupt the mission. Mystery: Who is behind the sabotage?
Intriguing Moment 2: Hidden Compartment
• Scene: Zartuuf finds a hidden compartment on the plane.
• Play Out: Zartuuf, while exploring the plane, stumbles upon a hidden compartment in the cargo area. Inside, he finds advanced alien technology and documents that indicate someone on board has been smuggling these items. This discovery points to a deeper conspiracy and raises questions about the true nature of the flight.
• Intrigue Technique: Hidden Identity: The smuggling of alien technology. Conspiracy: Who is behind the smuggling, and what is their agenda?

Intriguing Moment 3: Double Agent
• Scene: Zartuuf reveals he is a double agent working for Zhetak.
• Play Out: In a tense confrontation, Zartuuf admits to Xiola that he has been working for Zhetak all along. He tries to justify his actions by explaining his desire to eventually double-cross Zhetak and gain power for himself. This revelation shakes Xiola's trust, but Zartuuf promises to prove his loyalty by helping her.
• Intrigue Technique: Hidden Identity: Zartuuf is a double agent. Conspiracy: Zartuuf's plan to double-cross Zhetak.
Intriguing Moment 4: Hidden Message
• Scene: Xiola finds a hidden message from her mother, Xe.
• Play Out: While investigating a series of anomalies, Xiola stumbles upon a hidden message left by her mother. The message provides crucial information about the anomaly and hints at a larger conspiracy involving multiple factions. This discovery reignites Xiola's determination to find the truth and adds emotional depth to her mission.
• Intrigue Technique: Mystery: The message reveals a deeper conspiracy. Intrigue: Xiola's mother is involved in the anomaly.
Intriguing Moment 5: Secret Meeting
• Scene: Xiola and Quarky secretly meet with Xe.
• Play Out: Xiola and Quarky arrange a covert meeting with Xe from the ET Confederation. Xe appears as holographic image in the hold of the plan, provides valuable information about Zhetak's plans and offers further support to bring him down. The meeting is tense, with the constant threat of being discovered.
• Intrigue Technique: Secret: The meeting is conducted in secrecy. Cover-Up: Xe offers discreet support.
Act 3: Rethink Everything & New Plan
Intriguing Moment 1: Hidden Identity
• Scene: Xiola discovers evidence of Quarky's Identity.
• Play Out: Xiola stumbles upon evidence that Quarky has been using their abilities to close dangerous portals, and spy on Zhetak. This revelation creates a closer relationship between the two siblings, ultimately leads to a deeper alliance.
• Intrigue Technique: Scheme: Quarky's Shamanic identity is revealed. Drama: The bonding between Xiola and Quarky.
Intriguing Moment 2: Hidden Device
• Scene: Zartuuf discovers a hidden device on the plane.
• Play Out: Zartuuf uncovers a sophisticated device hidden in the plane's cargo hold. The device is linked to the anomalies and appears to be part of Zhetak's larger plan. Zartuuf and Xiola must figure out how to disarm it without alerting the other passengers, adding to the suspense.
• Intrigue Technique: Mystery: The purpose of the hidden device. Scheme: The device is part of a larger plan.
Intriguing Moment 3: Unexpected Reinforcements
• Scene: Reinforcements arrive to help Xiola.
• Play Out: Just as the situation on the plane seems dire, a group of time agents from future Earth, led by a friend of Xiola, materialize on the plane. Their arrival shifts the balance of power and provides Xiola with much-needed support, but also raises questions about their true motives.
• Intrigue Technique: Superior Position: The audience knows the reinforcements have their own agenda. Mystery: The true motives of the reinforcements.
Intriguing Moment 4: Emotional Revelation
• Scene: Xe reveals herself to Xiola in a vision.
• Play Out: Xiola experiences a powerful vision where her mother, Xe, appears and provides crucial information about Zhetak's plan and the nature of the anomaly. This emotional encounter gives Xiola new insights and strengthens her resolve to stop Zhetak. The vision is intense and laden with emotional weight, pushing Xiola to her limits.
• Intrigue Technique: Mystery: The true nature of the vision. Intrigue: Xe's hidden role in the conspiracy.
Act 4: Climax & Resolution
Intriguing Moment 1: Hidden Agenda Exposed
• Scene: Zhetak's full plan is revealed.
• Play Out: In the final showdown, Xiola and her allies manage to expose Zhetak's complete plan to the ET Confederation. They present irrefutable evidence of his manipulations and schemes, leading to his immediate arrest. The revelation is dramatic and satisfying, bringing a sense of justice.
• Intrigue Technique: Conspiracy: Zhetak's full plan is exposed. Scheme: The evidence against Zhetak.
Intriguing Moment 2: Sacrificial Act
• Scene: Quarky sacrifices themselves to save the plane.
• Play Out: In a moment of high tension, Quarky uses their shamanic powers to neutralize the final anomaly threatening the plane. The act requires immense energy, and Quarky collapses from exhaustion. This sacrificial act cements their heroism and underscores the stakes of their mission.
• Intrigue Technique: Sacrifice: Quarky risks everything to save the plane. Drama: The emotional impact of Quarky's sacrifice.
Intriguing Moment 3: Secret Weapon or Power
• Scene: Xiola uses a secret weapon to defeat Zhetak.
• Play Out: In the climax, Xiola reveals a secret weapon or power she had kept hidden throughout the mission. The powerful artifact/technology from future Earth, turns the tide in their favor and allows her to subdue Zhetak. The reveal is surprising and adds a twist to the final battle.
• Intrigue Technique: Secret: The hidden weapon is revealed. Scheme: Xiola's hidden strategy.
Intriguing Moment 4: New Beginning
• Scene: Xiola, Zartuuf, and Quarky set off on a new mission.
• Play Out: After Zhetak's defeat, Xiola becomes Commander of the ET confederation, offering Zartuuf, and Quarky a new mission. They are tasked with investigating other anomalies across the multiverse, solidifying their partnership and setting up potential future adventures. The scene ends on a hopeful note, with the trio ready for new challenges.
• Intrigue Technique: Mystery: The nature of their new mission. Intrigue: The potential for future adventures.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is… so much emotion!!!

Bonnie’s Emotional Moments
Act 1: Opening -Inciting Incident
1. Surprise: When Xiola materializes on the plane, she unexpectedly encounters Quarky, leading to a humorous and chaotic moment.
o Play Out: Xiola is adjusting to the sudden change of environment when Quarky, in his bumbling manner, accidentally bumps into her. Initially startled, Xiola’s shock turns into amusement as Quarky tries to introduce himself in a disoriented state. Their interaction quickly becomes a mix of confusion and laughter, setting a light-hearted yet intriguing tone for their relationship.
2. Distress: Xiola feels an intense wave of guilt and sadness as she recalls her failed mission and the presumed death of Xe.
o Play Out: During a quiet moment on the plane, Xiola finds herself alone, staring out of the window. Flashbacks of the failed mission play out in her mind, culminating in the moment Xe disappeared. Tears well up in her eyes, and she clenches her fists, vowing to find out what really happened to Xe. This scene reveals her deep emotional wound and sets the stage for her personal quest.
3. Betrayal: Zartuuf’s manipulative actions start to create tension and distrust among the agents and tourists.
o Play Out: Zartuuf secretly communicates with Zhetak, relaying information about the others. Xiola overhears part of a suspicious conversation between Zartuuf and his anonymous source. She confronts Zartuuf, who skillfully deflects her accusations with charm and lies, but ends with a sting from his ET pet, Gizdink. However, the seed of distrust is planted, causing Xiola to question his true intentions.
4. Bonding: Quarky begins to bond with Xiola as they team up to investigate the anomalies.
o Play Out: Despite the chaotic circumstances, Quarky helps Xiola fix a small anomaly on the plane. As they work together, Quarky’s shamanic abilities subtly come into play, and Xiola begins to sense a strange but comforting familiarity with him. This moment of cooperation and shared purpose starts to build a bridge of trust and camaraderie between them.
Act 2: New Plan and Midpoint Turning Point
1. Emotional Moments Hidden Weakness: Zartuuf’s fear and insecurity surface during a crisis, revealing his vulnerability.
o Play Out: When the plane hits severe turbulence and he loses his pet ET, Gizdink, Zartuuf panics and retreats to a corner, humming a strange tune to himself. Xiola finds him and, despite her initial frustration, realizes he’s using music to calm himself. This moment exposes Zartuuf’s hidden weakness but also his unique talent. Xiola feels the effects of his tune and wonders about his hidden talent. This deepens her understanding of his character resulting in a more complex dynamic between them. Zartuuf misreads her gaze for romance and tries to kiss her, but is swiftly rejected.
2. Courage – Blending In:
o Moment: Xiola uses future tech to disguise herself and investigate.
o Characters Involved: Xiola, Zartuuf, Quarky and passengers.
o Play Out: As the plane stabilizes, Xiola disguises herself as a flight attendant, awkwardly interacting with others, pushing her out of her comfort zone. Zartuuf, impressed by her resourcefulness, begins to see her in a new light, which fosters mutual respect.
3. Courage: Quarky decides to reveal his powers to openly assist Xiola and Zartuuf.
o Play Out: Quarky finds Gizdink, who Quarky allows to hide in their pocket for a prank, and they become friends. Faced with a major anomaly that threatens the plane’s safety, Quarky steps forward, their outwardly shy demeanor replaced with determination. They use their shamanic abilities openly for the first time, to close a portal threatening to swallow a passenger. This act of courage solidifies their role as a key ally,
4. Sacrifice: Zartuuf contemplates betraying Xiola to stay in Zhetak’s favor but ultimately decides to support her.
o Play Out: Zartuuf receives direct orders from Zhetak to sabotage Xiola’s efforts. As he prepares to follow through, he sees Xiola struggling but determined to balance both: to uncover the truth about her mother, and handle the escalating dangerous phenomena on the plane. Torn between loyalty to his father and his growing feelings for Xiola, Zartuuf makes the difficult decision to secretly aid her investigation, sacrificing his relationship with Zhetak.
Act 3: Rethink Everything & New Plan
Emotional Moments
1. Moral Issue: Quarky faces the moral dilemma of using his abilities openly versus maintaining his cover.
o Play Out: Quarky is torn between staying hidden to avoid suspicion and using their powers to help Xiola. They confide in Shuzak, who encourages them to embrace their true self. In a pivotal moment, Quarky decides to use their abilities openly, despite the risk of failure or ridicule and they return Gizdink to Zartuuf, confessing they’ve been hiding her all along.
2. Distress – Clue About Her Mother:
o Moment: Xiola receives a clue about her mother's disappearance.
o Characters Involved: Xiola, anonymous source.
o Play Out: Xiola finds a cryptic message suggesting her mother's involvement in the anomaly. This revelation shakes her, stirring up unresolved emotions about her mother’s fate. Her distress is palpable, driving her determination to uncover the truth. Xe sends Xiola an anonymous video of Zhetak in his hidden chamber, which is filled with stolen tech and his beloved ET pets, fueling her determination to bring Zhetak to justice.
3. Bonding: Zartuuf and Xiola share a vulnerable moment, deepening their emotional connection.
o Play Out: After a near-intimate moment earlier, Zartuuf and Xiola find themselves alone, discussing their fears and past traumas. Zartuuf reveals how Zhetak belittled him as a child, and Xiola shares her guilt over Xe’s disappearance. This raw and honest conversation strengthens their bond and solidifies their resolve to work together.
4. Distress: The ET travel agents’ and tourist’s bizarre behaviors in response to the escalating dangerous anomalies occurring on the plane create chaos, increasing the tension on the plane.
o Play Out: As anomalies continue to occur, Xiola’s and the ET’s attempts to blend in start to fail, causing the passengers to grow suspicious. The escalating tension leads to panic and distress among passengers. Xiola and Zartuuf struggle to maintain control, their stress levels peaking as they try to manage the situation and find a solution.
Act 4: Climax & Resolution
Emotional Moments
1. Courage: Zartuuf steps up to confront his father, Zhetak, in the final showdown.
o Play Out: In the climactic battle, Zartuuf faces Zhetak, using his musical talent to counteract his father’s attacks. Despite his fear, Zartuuf stands his ground, determined to expose Zhetak’s schemes. His courage inspires the others, turning the tide of the confrontation in their favor.
2. Success/Winning: Xe, Xiola and Zartuuf reveal the truth and defeat Zhetak.
o Play Out: Xe, Xiola and Zartuuf, with the help of Quarky, manage to gather the evidence needed to expose Zhetak. In a tense and dramatic sequence, they present their findings to the ET confederation, leading to Zhetak’s downfall. This victory is a culmination of their efforts and marks a turning point for interdimensional travel.
3. Love: Xiola and Zartuuf acknowledge their feelings and commit to their new mission together.
o Play Out: After the dust settles, Xiola and Zartuuf have a quiet moment together. They acknowledge the connection that has grown between them throughout their ordeal. Embracing their feelings, they commit to their new mission: ensuring safe passage for all and teaching others about the multiverse.
4. Sacrifice: Quarky overcomes self-doubt and accepts their role as Shamanic leader.
o Play Out: Quarky steps up to head Xiola’s new school. Overcoming self-doubt, realizes the importance of their shamanic abilities and shared heritage with Xiola. Quarky’s acceptance of this role is a personal sacrifice, as it signifies his growth and dedication to the greater good.

[Diane Denham]

ALIENS ON A PLANE
Bonnie’s Amazing Reveals!
4-Act Structure:
Act 1: Opening and Inciting Incident
SETUP: One month earlier on Future Earth at a Secret Espionage organization, Xiola’s and Xe’s mission fails, ending with Xe disappearing and assumed dead.
SETUP: On a distant planet, the eve of the vacations launch, Zartuuf tampers with rivals’ technology, his 4” tall ET pet, Gizdink stings him.
On a distant planet, three rival extraterrestrial travel agents prepare their tourists for launching vacations via teleportation, time travel, and multidimensional journeys.
SETUP: Zartuuf, Travel Agent #1 prepares to launch ET Tourist #1 Quarky on a multidimensional holiday.
SETUP: Galwak, Travel Agent #2, prepares Tourist #2, Mizdrok for bilocation vacation.
SETUP: Ushteer, Travel Agent #3 prepares Shuzax ET Tourist #3 for time travel holiday.
SETUP: Future Earth, one month after Xe’s disappearance, Xiola prepares for a new mission to the past to investigate a mysterious anomaly.
REVEAL: Xiola feeling responsible for Xe’s disappearance and possible death, she plans a secret personal investigation to uncover Xe’s fate.
• Inciting Incident: A mysterious anomaly catapults the agents and their tourists onto a commercial airline mid-flight over the USA.
ZHETAK Sabotages launches. Secretly causes initial anomaly and further glitches to occur on the plane. Manipulates behind the scenes, escalating efforts to seize control of travel. Monitors situation: Keeps tabs on Xiola’s investigation through secret communication with Zartuuf.
• Turning Point: Xiola materializes on the plane, encountering the confused arrivals, has comic meetup with ET Tourist, Quarky. Tries to hide feelings of attraction-repulsion toward ET Travel Agent, Zartuuf.
ZARTUUF Charming and manipulative, lies to gain advantage, triggering comedic stings from Gizdink, his ET pet. Struggles with mixed feelings for Xiola.
QUARKY Bumps into Xiola, bumbling comically into chaotic and confusing situation. Quietly uses hidden Shamanic abilities to fix small anomalies.
GALWAK ET Travel Agent #2, supports plot by assisting Xiola.
MIZDROK Et Tourist #2, thinks she recognizes Xiola to be Xe’s daughter.
USHTEER ET Travel Agent #3, throws suspicion on Xiola in private conversation with Mizdrok, adding humor and mischief.
SHUZAK ET Tourist #3 throws suspicion on Quarky and recognizes their true identity.
SETUP: At the ET confederation Zhetak share a polite, seemingly harmless chat with a female colleague, yet it is seething with subtext.
REVEAL: Thought dead after mission with Xiola, Xe is alive, chatting with Zhetak. She is a secret double agent infiltrating ET confederation.
SETUP: Zartuuf secretly communicates with anonymous source.
REVEAL: The pilot of the plane speaks on intercom, assuring passengers that the unexpected turbulence should clear soon. Clear skies ahead.
SETUP: Zartuuf listens attentively. Thinks he recognizes the pilot’s voice but waves it off as unlikely.
Act 2:
New Plan: The plane stabilizes in present time. The agents and tourists regroup amid the chaos, adapting and planning to blend in while trying to find a solution to their situation.
REVEAL: Zartuuf collaborates with Zhetak, who promises him lead position, while plotting to control multidimensional travel himself.
• Plan in Action: Each agent works with their tourist, disguising themselves as flight crew and passengers. Xiola uses future tech to investigate, posing as various characters.
REVEAL: Xiola receives secret messages, suspects they’re from Xe.
SETUP: On Zhetak’s orders Zartuuf tampers with the navigation system on the plane, and further misleads Xiola, causing stings from his ET pet.
REVEAL: Zartuuf realizes he’s able to adjust frequencies at will. Struggles with loyalty to his father versus growing feelings for Xiola.
SETUP: Xiola’s latent powers similar to Quarky’s abilities begin to manifest.
REVEAL: Xiola and Quarky realize their cloaking power at the same time.
SETUP: Zartuuf, fearful in a crisis, cowers in a corner humming to himself, exposing his latent musical talent to manipulate frequencies.
REVEAL: Zartuuf tells Xiola how Zhetak threatened, belittled and mocked him as a young boy, so retreats to safe place to calm himself with music.
QUARKY Feels special bond with Xiola, helps search plane for clues. Fixes glitches, cautious not to reveal their hidden powers, begins using them to stabilize anomalies, while maintaining his cover as a tourist.
• Midpoint Turning Point: Xiola and Zartuuf nearly having an intimate moment, instead deepen their bond to carry out the investigation. Xiola receives a clue about her mother's disappearance.
ZHETAK Escalates efforts to destroy Xe and disrupt Xiola’s progress. Conceals true motives within ET confederation, pretends to help while covertly sabotaging. Secretly communicates with Zartuuf and rogue faction within Xiola’s espionage organization to implement conspiracy.
REVEAL: Why this plane, this time? Zhetak’s hated brother, who was responsible for his wife’s death, is the pilot.
REVEAL: Xe, Xiola’s mother is a double agent, infiltrating ET confederation in a mission to take down Zhetak, help Xiola mitigate the anomalies on the plane, and ultimately defeat the conspirators.
Act 3:
• Rethink Everything: Xiola and Zartuuf and Quarky continue the investigation. The pilot and passengers grow suspicious as portals open and odd events occur.
SETUP: Xe sends anonymous messages to Xiola to help her.
• New Plan: Xiola and Zartuuf secretly gather the agents and tourists to search for anomalies. Xiola believes anonymous messages are coming from Xe, her mother.
SHUZAK: Befriends and encourages Quarky to return to their planet and resume role of Shaman for their people.
• Turning Point: The agents' bizarre behaviors expose them. Quarky uses hidden powers to fix glitches, revealing shared abilities with Xiola. Zartuuf begins to overcome fears to adjust frequencies with music.
ZARTUUF Communicates secretly with Zhetak. Receives instructions on misleading Xiola.
QUARKY While facing the dilemma of using abilities openly and risking failure or ridicule, decides to reveal powers and openly collaborate and assist Xiola and Zartuuf. Fixes glitches and stabilizes anomalies while psychically tuning in to Zhetak’s activities and reporting back to the team.
REVEAL: Xiola discovers Zhetak’s schemes. Finds his hidden chamber where he plays with his adored ET pets and plots to manipulate events using stolen tech.
ZARTUUF: Decides to play along with Zhetak’s plan, while suspecting him of betrayal. Communicates his suspicions to Xiola and Quarky..
SETUP: Zhetak faces exposure. Would rather sacrifice Zartuuf than endanger himself or his plans. Takes a big risk decision.
REVEAL: Zartuuf’s father, Zhetak is behind the original attack. Zhetak plots the final showdown. Prepares for confrontation with Xiola and Zartuuf. Final steps in his plan to become Commander of the ET confederation and monopolize multidimensional travel are set in motion.
Act 4:
• Climax: Xiola discovers evidence implicating her mother and Zhetak. Zartuuf learns his father is the mastermind behind the anomaly.
ZARTUUF: As weird glitches on the plane escalate, he steps up efforts to fix dangerous events with his musical talent, and block Zhetak’s attacks.
• Resolution: Xiola and Zartuuf reveal the truth, leading a collective effort to defeat Zhetak. She and Quarky set up school teaching others Shamanic journeying within the multiverse. Xiola and Zartuuf form a special unit to ensure safe passage for everyone and to keep interdimensional travel free.
ZARTUUF Confronts father: Learns the truth about Zhetak’s schemes. Helps reveal the truth: Aids Xiola in exposing Zhetak.
SETUP: Quarky struggles with self-doubt but openly demonstrates their powers to help the team. Xiola recognizes their powers are similar.
REVEAL: Quarky discloses theirs and Xiola’s shared heritage through Xe, their mother.
ZHETAK Forced to confront Xiola and Zartuuf in a climactic battle.
REVEAL: Zhetak lays bare his megalomaniacal plans. Exposed, thwarted and defeated, he is held accountable for his deeds.
Quarky heads Xiola’s new school. Teaches others how to secure their own safe travels while embarking on inner Shamanic journeys.
REVEAL: Zartuuf heads Xiola’s new special tech unit to ensure safe passage throughout the multiverse.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Character Action Tracks!
Title: Aliens on a Plane
Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy
Concept:
Xiola, a secret agent time traveler from future Earth, is sent back to the present to investigate the cause of a mysterious event. During a critical demonstration of their latest technologies, three extraterrestrial travel agents—competing fiercely for dominance in the multidimensional vacations market—experience a malfunction. This malfunction propels them and their three tourists into a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day USA.
Character Profiles:
Protagonist: Xiola
• Role: Clever, witty, and arrogant secret agent time traveler from future Earth.
• Journey: Learns to rely on others and discovers her mother’s hidden role in the anomaly.
• Traits: Confident, passionate, insensitive, deep covert compassion.
Romantic Interest/Antagonist: Zartuuf
• Role: Charismatic, self-centered, ambitious ET travel agent.
• Journey: Transforms from selfish and cowardly to courageous and selfless.
• Traits: Charismatic, ambitious, deceptive, fears being unworthy of love, fear of failure.
Triangle Character: Quarky Strangelet
• Role: Shaman trickster posing as lovable, emotional ET tourist.
• Journey: Embraces their Shamanic identity and uses their abilities to help solve the anomaly.
• Traits: Androgynous, empathetic, self-doubting, fun-loving.
Antagonist: Zhetak
• Role: Ambitious, power-hungry megalomaniac.
• Journey: His manipulative schemes are revealed and thwarted.
• Traits: Manipulative, emotionally immature, two-faced, loves ET pets.

4-Act Structure:
Act 1:
• Opening: Three rival extraterrestrial travel agents prepare their tourists for launching vacations via teleportation, time travel, and multidimensional journeys.
• Inciting Incident: An anomaly catapults the agents and their tourists onto a commercial airline mid-flight over the USA.
• Turning Point: Xiola materializes on the plane, encountering the confused arrivals, comical meeting with ET Quarky, and trying to hide mixed feelings of attraction-repulsion toward ET Zartuuf.
Act 2:
• New Plan: The plane stabilizes in present time. The agents and tourists bumble chaotically, adapting and planning to blend in while fixing the situation.
• Plan in Action: Each agent works with their tourist, disguising themselves as flight crew and passengers. Xiola uses future tech to investigate, posing as various characters.
• Midpoint Turning Point: Xiola and Zartuuf deepen their investigation, nearly having an intimate moment. Xiola receives a clue about her mother's disappearance.

Act 3:
• Rethink Everything: Xiola and Zartuuf agree to focus on the investigation. The pilot and passengers grow suspicious as portals and odd events occur.
• New Plan: Xiola and Zartuuf secretly gather the agents and tourists to search for anomalies. Xiola believes anonymous messages are coming from Xe, her mother.
• Turning Point: The agents' bizarre behaviors expose them. Quarky uses hidden powers to fix glitches, revealing shared abilities with Xiola. Zartuuf adjusts frequencies with music.
Act 4:
• Climax: Xiola discovers evidence implicating her mother and Zhetak. Zartuuf learns his father is the mastermind behind the anomaly.
• Resolution: Xiola and Zartuuf reveal the truth, leading a collective effort to defeat Zhetak. She and Quarky set up school teaching others Shamanic journeying within the multiverse. Xiola and Zartuuf form a special unit to ensure safe passage for everyone and to keep interdimensional travel free.
Character Actions by Act:
Xiola:
Act 1:
1. Investigates the anomaly: Materializes on the plane and assesses the situation.
2. Interacts with Zartuuf: Tries to hide her attraction-repulsion.
3. Meets Quarky: Engages in a comical interaction.
Act 2:
1. Implements future tech: She cloaks herself as a flight attendant to blend in to investigate without causing suspicion.
2. Poses as journalist: Disguise allows her to ask questions without revealing her true identity and mission.
3. Deepens investigation: Nearly has an intimate moment with Zartuuf, receives a clue about her mother.
Act 3:
1. Receives messages: Believes they are from her mother, increasing determination.
2. Searches for anomalies: Gathers agents and tourists to search the plane.
3. Reveals shared powers: Learns about Quarky's and her own abilities and how they’re connected.
Act 4:
1. Discovers evidence: Finds clues about her mother and Zhetak’s involvement.
2. Reveals the truth: Leads a collective effort with her mother, Xe to defeat Zhetak.
3. Ensures safe passage: Facilitates safe travel, forming a special unit to facilitate inner and outer journeys through the multiverse.
Zartuuf:
Act 1:
1. Manipulates situations: Uses lies to gain advantage, leading to comedic stings from Gizdink, ET pet.
2. Interacts with Xiola: Struggles with mixed feelings of attraction-repulsion.
3. Sends message: Secretly communicates with anonymous source.
Act 2:
1. Disguises himself: Works with tourists to blend in as flight crew/passengers.
2. Investigates with Xiola: Deepens investigation and nearly has an intimate moment.
3. Loses ET pet: Searches for Gizdink, his stinging ET pet conscience.
Act 3:
1. Communicates secretly with Zhetak: Receives instructions.
2. Searches for clues: Joins Xiola in searching the plane.
3. Adjusts frequencies: Uses musical talent to stabilize anomalies.
Act 4:
1. Confronts father: Learns the truth about Zhetak’s schemes.
2. Helps reveal the truth: Aids Xiola in exposing Zhetak.
3. Ensures safe passage: Assists in facilitating safe travel.
Quarky:
Act 1:
1. Bumbles into chaos: Adds humor and confusion to the situation.
2. Meets Xiola: Engages in a comical interaction.
3. Uses shamanic abilities: Quietly fixes small anomalies.
Act 2:
1. Forms bond with Xiola: Helps her investigate, revealing hidden powers.
2. Disguises as tourist: Blends in while using abilities covertly.
3. Fixes glitches: Uses powers to stabilize situations.
Act 3:
1. Decides to reveal powers: Faces the dilemma of using abilities openly, risking failure or ridicule.
2. Helps investigation: Assists Xiola and Zartuuf.
3. Supports team: Fixes glitches and stabilizes anomalies while psychically tuning in to Zhetak’s activities.
Act 4:
1. Confronts self-doubt: Uses powers openly to help the team.
2. Reveals connection to Xiola: Discloses their shared heritage.
3. Ensures safe passage: Heads Xiola’s school teaching protected Shamanic journeys.
Zhetak:
Act 1:
1. Sabotages launches: Causes the initial anomaly and further glitches occurring on the plane.
2. Manipulates behind the scenes: Starts to escalate efforts covertly.
3. Monitors situation: Keeps tabs on Xiola’s investigation through secret communication with Zartuuf.
Act 2:
1. Escalates manipulation: Increases efforts to destroy Xe and disrupt Xiola’s progress.
2. Conceals true motives: Pretends to help while sabotaging.
3. Contacts agents: Secretly communicates with Zartuuf and rogue faction within Xiola’s espionage organization.
Act 3:
1. Reveals schemes: Xiola uncovers his manipulation.
2. Faces exposure: Would rather have Zartuuf die rather than endanger himself or his plans. Takes a big risk decision.
3. Plots final showdown: Prepares for confrontation with Xiola and Zartuuf.
Act 4:
1. Confronts Xiola and Zartuuf: Engages in a climactic battle.
2. Reveals true intentions: Lays bare his megalomaniacal plans.
3. Faces defeat: Is exposed and thwarted, facing accountability.
Support Characters:
Xe: Xiola’s mother, double agent infiltrating ET confederation, helps Xiola take down conspirators.
Galwak: ET Travel Agent #2, supports plot by assisting or hindering protagonists.
Mizdrok: Et Tourist #2, recognizes Xiola is Xe’s daughter.
Ushteer: ET Travel Agent #3, throws suspicion on Xiola in private conversation with Mizdrok, adding humor and mischief.
Shuzax: ET Tourist #3 throws suspicion on Quarky and recognizes their true identity. Befriends and encourages Quarky to return to their planet and resume role of Shaman for their people.

Unique Actions by Character:
Xiola:
1. Uses advanced future tech devices subtly while in disguise.
2. Receives cryptic messages believed to be from her mother.
3. Forms an alliance with Zartuuf despite mutual distrust.
Zartuuf:
1. Zhetak orders him to mislead Xiola causing stings from his ET pet.
2. Uses musical talent to adjust frequencies and fix anomalies.
3. Struggles with loyalty to his father versus growing feelings for Xiola.
Quarky:
1. Quietly fixes anomalies using shamanic powers.
2. Adds humor with awkward interactions and playful tricks.
3. Reveals their connection to Xiola and their shared abilities.
Zhetak:
1. Causes havoc from a distance using his secret ET pets.
2. Operates a hidden chamber where he schemes and plots.
3. Uses dual faces to manipulate and deceive others.

[Diane Denham]

Module 4 Lesson 4
ALIENS ON A PLANE
Sci-Fi Comedy
Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is I'm just getting the hang of plotting.

Bonnie’s New Outline Beats! June 16, 2024
ACT 1
OPENING: On a distant planet, three rival extraterrestrial travel agents prepare their tourists for launching vacations via Teleportation, Time Travel, and Multidimensional journeys.
A1J Beginning: Zartuuf, a charismatic, ambitious, self-centered ET Travel Agent, covertly focused on monopolizing the multidimensional travel industry, fearing being unworthy of love and failure, tinkers clumsily with a rival agent’s travel device minutes before preparing his own tourist, Quarky for a multidimensional vacation.
A1J Surface Layer: Zartuuf’s comically selfish ambitions, and flamboyant charisma.
A1J Deeper Layer: Subtle signs of Zartuuf’s use of music and frequency to calm his fears, hiding his ability to manipulate dangerous spacetime warps.
PJ Beginning: At the same moment, Xiola, a secret agent, time traveler from future Earth is preparing to travel from her covertly operating espionage organization back to the present to investigate a mysterious event.
PJ Surface Layer: Xiola is clever, witty, and arrogant, highly independent, preferring to rely on herself rather than delegate. Mission: Investigate the cause and fix the anomaly.
PJ Deeper Layer: Xiola suspects sabotage after she notices irregularities within her organization. Xiola’s true mission is to find her missing mother and expose the conspiracy she suspects between a rogue faction within her organization and the ET confederation, haunted by her first mission where she made a risky decision that caused harm.
INCITING INCIDENT: As the agents prepare for their launches, a strange anomaly occurs, catapulting them and their three tourists onto a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day United States.
TURNING POINT: Seconds later, Xiola materializes on the plane to find the confused arrivals struggling to make sense of the bizarre glitch. When Xiola and Zartuuf meet, they try to hide their mixed feelings of attraction-repulsion to each other. Xiola has awkward comical meeting with Quarky.
PJ Turning Point: Xiola materializes on the plane amidst the chaos caused by the anomaly, encountering the ET travel agents and their tourists. She meets Zartuuf, leading to a mix of attraction and repulsion, hinting at her need to let others in.
TCJ Beginning: Quarky, thrown into the chaos on the plane, due to the unexpected anomaly, appears as an anxious and bumbling ET tourist.
TCJ Surface Layer: Show Quarky as quirky, overzealous, lovable, emotional with inappropriate behavior that causes comical situations.
TCJ Deeper Layer: Sent by the elders on a secret mission, Quarky hides feelings of “imposter syndrome” due to special abilities stemming from an ancient Shamanic heritage. Show subtle signs of Shamanic abilities and playful trickster nature, while struggling with loneliness and fear of ridicule.
A1J Turning Point: Zartuuf meets Xiola on the plane, triggering a mix of attraction and repulsion. His lies to manipulate situations cause Gizdink his ET pet to sting him, adding comic relief and pushing him into the conflict.
A1J Midpoint: During the investigation with Xiola, Zartuuf panics when he loses Gizdink. The near-intimate moment with Xiola, and the deepening investigation challenge his self-centeredness and reveal his vulnerabilities.
TCJ Turning Point: Quarky finds Gizdink, they become friends, decide to keep Gizdink hidden just for fun to see if Zartuuf still lies. Q’s empathy, playfulness and mischief initially cause more confusion but soon reveal their hidden powers, adding humor, heart and mystery to the story.
A2J Surface Layer: Zhetak showing (literally) his two-faced nature as he operates within ET confederation celebrating a minor win, congratulating himself, mocking others, petting and playing with his ET pets.
A2J Hidden Layer: Zhetak smiles at Xe as he passes her and the Commander talking, then back in his office seething anger and jealousy.

ACT 2
NEW PLAN: As the spacetime, multidimensional portals fade in and out, adjusting to the present, Xiola, the agents and their tourists bumble chaotically into one another until the plane stabilizes back into now time. They realize they need to quickly adapt and create a plan to blend in while trying to fix their unexpected, bizarre situation.
PLAN IN ACTION: Each agent will work with their tourist, disguising themselves as various flight crew and passenger. Xiola covertly implements an array of cool future tech devices to sniff out the problem, at times, disguised as a flight attendant, or posing as a journalist who is investigating the anomaly.
MIDPOINT TURNING POINT: Xiola and Zartuuf embark on a major investigation. Meanwhile, Zartuuf searches the hold full of caged animals for Gizdink. In a moment of irresistible mutual attraction, they almost have sex. Xiola receives a clue that could lead to her mother’s disappearance and possible role in the mystery.
TCJ Beginning: Xe sends anonymous message to Xiola’s wrist device.
TCJ Surface Layer: Xe is outwardly friendly with Zhetak.
TCJ Hidden Layer: Xiola’s and Quarky’s mother, Xe, is a double agent infiltrating ET confederation to take down conspirators.
PJ Midpoint: Xiola’s and Zartuuf’s co-operate in the investigation, which deepens their bond. She receives a clue about Xe's disappearance, shifting her personal stakes, causing her to rethink her mission.
PJ Turning Point: Xiola suspects messages are coming from her mother, increasing her determination. However, disturbing multidimensional events escalate, and bizarre behaviors of the agents and tourists expose them, complicating their mission.
TCJ Midpoint: Quarky must decide whether to hide their abilities or use them openly to fix their situation. Meanwhile, serving bizarre dishes to passengers, and causing strange ET soap operas to appear on screens.
A2J Beginning: Zhetak is an ambitious, power-hungry megalomaniac covertly operating within a rogue faction of the ET confederation, manipulating his son Zartuuf and others to achieve his goal of becoming Commander and controlling interdimensional travel, but Xiola and her mother, Xe stand in his way.
A2J Character Intrigue: Zhetak’s sinister plan behind the scenes.
A1J Turning Point: Zartuuf discovers his father's manipulation and realizes he has been a pawn. He must decide whether to continue his selfish path or step up and help Xiola uncover the truth.
A2J Turning Point: Zhetak’s plans are disrupted by Xiola’s and Quarky’s swiftly reversing the bizarre events as soon as they occur, prompting him to escalate his efforts from behind the scenes, increasing the conflict and the stakes. His actions affect Xe and her relationship to Xiola.
TCJ Turning Point: Quarky forms a bond with Xiola, not realizing they share the same mother. This bond helps Quarky gain confidence and reveal their true nature by using their abilities to help.

ACT 3
RETHINK EVERYTHING: Xiola and Zartuuf clash over his jealousy. Xiola insists they put it behind them and focus on the bigger picture.
PJ Surface Layer: The pilot and a few passengers are beginning to suspect something’s not right when portals open and shut at various spots on the plane.
A2J Hidden Layer: Zhetak uses his secret tech to reroute the plane over various magnetic sites around the Earth that trigger odd events.
A1J Zartuuf communicates secretly with an unknown source.
NEW PLAN: Xiola and Zartuuf secretly gather the agents and tourists together and quietly mitigate the threatening events.
PJ Xiola receives messages she suspects are coming from Xe.
TURNING POINT: HUGE FAILURE / MAJOR SHIFT: Agents and tourists in the attempt to blend in, instead exhibit bizarre behaviors, continue to offer unsavory meals and drinks, and strange sci-fi movies and commercials appear on screens. Busted!
REVEALS: Quarky quietly implements hidden powers to fix the glitches, and discovers Xiola shares the same abilities.
A2J Midpoint: As Zhetak’s manipulation of Zartuuf and the plane become more and more evident, it causes a rift between Xiola and Zartuuf, and his covert operations are increasingly at risk of exposure.
A1J Dilemma: Zartuuf must choose between loyalty to his father, Zhetak, and his growing feelings and respect for Xiola and his sense of justice. Either choice risks his ambitions or his newfound sense of morality.
PJ Dilemma: Xiola learns that her mother, Xe is somehow connected with a conspiracy involving the ET confederation and her spy organization. She must choose between following her mission or uncovering the truth about her mother, risking her career and safety.
TCJ Dilemma: Quarky faces rejection if they reveal to Xiola that they are siblings through their mother, Xe, and that they share similar powers. They risk more chaos if they don’t.
A2J Turning Point: Zhetak’s true role in the anomaly and conspiracy is uncovered by Xiola, Zartuuf reluctantly confirms her suspicions. He faces exposing himself and struggles with how to move forward. Begins using his musical powers to adjust frequencies.
TCJ Major Conflict: Quarky openly uses their powers to fix glitches and support Xiola and Zartuuf. They confront their self-doubt and loneliness, proving their worth.
REVEAL: Quarky returns Gizdink to Zartuuf. Zartuuf realizes he’s growing a conscience, no longer needs his pet, and sets it free.

ACT 4
CLIMAX / ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT: Xiola discovers evidence from her mother, Xe, who is infiltrating the ET confederation that her spy organization is collaborating with them to monopolize and control all modes of interdimensional travel. Hints that Zhetak is behind it. Zartuuf realizes it’s true, his father, Zhetak has been using him as a pawn to bring down Xiola, her investigation, and the conspiracy Zhetak himself initiated.
A2J Dilemma: Zhetak must choose between abandoning his plans to avoid exposure or doubling down and risking everything. Both choices could lead to his downfall.
PJ Major Conflict: Xiola discovers that Zhetak, Zartuuf’s father, is behind the anomaly and the conspiracy. She must confront him, risking exposure and the lives of those on the plane. Xiola reveals the truth to everyone on the plane, leading a collective effort to defeat Zhetak and fix the anomalies.
A1J Major Conflict: Zartuuf confronts his father, Zhetak, risking his life and career. This battle tests his transformation from a selfish coward to a courageous ally to his new friends.
A2J Major Conflict: Zhetak against Xe, Xiola and Zartuuf in a final showdown, reveals his full megalomaniacal intent. His manipulations and ambitions are laid bare, leading to a climactic battle for control.

RESOLUTION: Xiola and Zartuuf risk all out panic by revealing the truth. They ask everyone on the plane to help by utilizing their special skills to defeat those who caused the malfunction.
PJ Ending: Final battle with Zhetak, the manipulative mastermind behind the anomaly and conspiracy, Xiola must use all her skills and the alliances she has formed to expose and defeat him. She learns to rely on others and gains closure about her mother.
A1J Ending: Zartuuf helps Xiola reveal the truth and fix the anomalies. He discovers a hidden courageous, caring side, finding a sense of belonging and purpose.
TCJ Ending: Quarky embraces their Shamanic power and is accepted and valued for their abilities. They find a sense of belonging and purpose, helping to resolve the conflict and ensure everyone’s safe passage.
A2J Dilemma: Save himself and lose his son or die rather than lose.
A2J Ending: Zhetak’s plans are thwarted, and he is exposed as the root cause of the chaos caused by the original anomaly. He loses his bid for power and control, facing defeat and accountability. His downfall highlights the ultimate cost of his ruthless ambition.

DENOUEMENT: In the end, they discover how to facilitate safe passage for all to their desired destinations. Xiola recruits Zartuuf and Quarky to assist in her special unit within the ET confederation to keep interdimensional travel free and open for everyone.

[Diane Denham]

ALIENS ON A PLANE
Sci-Fi Comedy
Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is realizing just how much we already know about the story.
Bonnie’s Beat Sheet – Draft 1
ACT 1:
OPENING:
On future Earth, arrogant and confident, Xiola, a special agent time traveler prepares for a secret mission, haunted by guilt tied to her mother’s disappearance.
Shown concurrently, on a distant planet, ET travel agent, Zartuuf tinkers with a rival agent’s travel device minutes before preparing his own tourist, Quarky for a multidimensional vacation.
• Beginning: Hints of Xiola’s personal agenda.
• Surface Layer: Xiola’s mission to investigate the cause and fix the anomaly. Xiola suspects sabotage due to irregularities within her organization.
• Deeper Layer: Xiola’s true mission is to find her missing mother and expose the conspiracy she suspects between a rogue faction within her organization and the ET confederation, haunted by her first mission where she made a risky decision that caused harm.
• Surface Layer: Zartuuf’s selfish ambitions, flamboyant charisma.
• Deeper Layer: Subtle signs of Zartuuf’s use of music in tense moments. His musical talent hides his ability to manipulate dangerous spacetime warps with musical frequencies.
• Subtle signs of Quarky’s Shamanic abilities.
• Surface Layer: Quarky’s role as a tourist and their quirky, bumbling, anxious nature.
• Deeper Layer: Quarky is a member of an ancient mystical Shamanic lineage with special abilities, sent by their elders on a secret mission.
INCITING INCIDENT:
As the three ET travel agents launch their tourists, a mysterious malfunction occurs, catapulting them all on to a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day USA, and at that same moment, Xiola arrives.
• Discovery of a clue about Xe, Xiola’s mother, hinting at Xiola’s hybrid genealogy. Discovery of encrypted messages from her mother hinting at sabotage.
• Discovery of the Zartuuf’s benefactor’s true motives resulting in questioning how his music affect could affect the anomaly, initiating a situation that forces him to choose between Xiola and his ambition.
• Discovery of the importance of Quarky’s Shamanic lineage.
Turning Point 1:
• Realization that Xiola’s mother’s fate is tied to the anomaly. Realization that the anomaly is part of a larger plot.
• Parallel Universe Consequences: Strange events continue causing ripples across parallel universes, where characters see brief flashes of their alternate lives, alternate selves.
• Realization that Zartuuf is a pawn and utilizing his unique talent.
• Realization of Quarky’s hidden brilliance and unique abilities.
• Surface Layer: Zartuuf’s flamboyant charisma and romantic ovations toward Xiola.
• Deeper Layer: Subtle signs of Zartuuf’s use of music in tense moments. His attraction to Xiola conflicts with his driving ambitions.

• Character Introductions:
o Xiola: Revealed as dealing with anxiety and guilt over her mother’s disappearance.
o Zartuuf: An ambitious ET travel agent shown sabotaging rival agents and launching Quarky.
o Quarky: A seemingly bumbling but secretly powerful, intelligent, quirky ET with a hidden mission.
Plot Layers Introduced:
1. Hidden Agenda of the ET Confederation: It's hinted that the ET Confederation may have ulterior motives for the malfunction.
2. Conspiracy: Subtle clues suggest that the ET Confederation is involved in a conspiracy with a rogue faction in Xiola’s espionage organization.
Character Layers Introduced:
1. Xiola Haunted by Guilt: Xiola starts having flashes of a past failed mission in which Xe, her mother goes missing.
2. Zartuuf's Secret Role: Zartuuf receives messages from an unknown source (ET confederation) hinting at a bigger role in the sabotage.
3. Quarky's Secret Shaman Identity: Quarky’s covert behavior hints at a deeper mission than just being a tourist.
ACT 2:
Turning Point 1 to Midpoint
• Xiola balancing her professional and personal quests. Xiola, Zartuuf and Quarky work together to uncover the conspiracy and fix the anomaly.
REVEAL: They discover that the Plane as a Catalyst: The plane is revealed to be a nexus point in time and space, attracting various interdimensional energies, causing the aircraft’s strange anomalies as it trans-locates, flying over various Earth power centers, like Stonehenge, Shiprock, Mt Shasta.
• Zartuuf struggling to implement music to influence the anomaly.
• Quarky’s actions influenced by their lineage and powers.
• Zartuuf’s Betrayal: At a critical moment, Zartuuf is offered a deal by the ET Confederation to betray Xiola and the others in exchange for his own safety and success.
Rising Action:
• Investigation Begins: As Xiola, Zartuuf, and Quarky adjust to their bizarre situation, they try to find the cause without attracting attention.
• Conflicts and Tensions: The group faces numerous humorous challenges, including cultural misunderstandings, technological glitches and weird magnetic and frequency strangeness.
• Developing Relationships: Xiola and Zartuuf’s attraction grows while Quarky’s hidden abilities starts to surface.
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint:
A major breakthrough, contact with her mother, who reveals that Xiola is a hybrid Human/ET.
REVEAL: Xiola's mother is a secret operative working to expose corruption within both the human espionage organization and the ET confederation. Her disappearance was a result of Xiola’s and her mother’s shared mission gone wrong. Xiola's current mission intertwines with finishing what her mother started.
• Identifying key players in the conspiracy.
• A critical moment testing Zartuuf’s courage, where he risks confronting his father, the benefactor, and using his musical abilities to make a difference.
• Quarky’s major success due to their strategies and special abilities.
Plot Layers Deepened:
1. Time Loops and Bilocation: Xiola notices repetitive patterns, hinting at a possible time loops, translocation and bilocation as the plane passes over Earth energy vortices.
2. Interdimensional Portal: A mysterious portal is discovered opening and closing intermittently, secretly set off by the ET confederation, which influences events on the plane.
Turning Point 3:
• Xiola facing the truth about her mother, Xe, a double agent who has been infiltrating the ET confederation to expose the conspiracy, since their original mission gone wrong. The rogue factions within the ET confederation and espionage organization attempt a final devastating move.
• Zartuuf’s decisive use of his musical talent.
• A critical situation where Quarky’s action, involving their shared genealogical lineage and abilities with Xiola, saves the day.

Character Layers Deepened:
1. Xiola's Wound Triggered: Xiola discovers a clue linking Zartuuf to her mother’s disappearance.
2. Zartuuf's Father’s Abuse: Zartuuf reveals his past verbal abusive relationship with his father, complicating his feelings towards Xiola.
3. Quarky's Prophetic Dreams: Quarky’s Shamanic precognitive dreams provide critical hints for solving the ongoing phenomenon.

Act 3: Turning Point 2 / Midpoint to Turning Point 3
• Xiola’s emotional conflict and determination in discovering her mother’s fate and the surprising reveal about her heritage. The team must outwit the conspirators while maintaining their cover and fixing dangerous ongoing multidimensional glitches.
• Zartuuf’s Redemption Arc: Zartuuf faces his controlling, verbally abusive father who caused the trauma that led him to pursue power obsessively. This adds depth to his motivations and his eventual change of heart.
• Zartuuf’s actions driven by his unique ability and need to reconcile his emotions and selfish ambitions.
• Quarky using their powers to influence weird multidimensional events resulting from the original anomaly.

Turning Point 3:
• Xiola facing the truth about her mother, Xe, a double agent who has been infiltrating the ET confederation to expose the conspiracy, since their original mission gone wrong. The rogue factions within the ET confederation and espionage organization attempt a final devastating move.
• Zartuuf’s decisive use of his musical talent.
• A critical situation where Quarky’s action, involving their shared genealogical lineage and abilities with Xiola, saves the day.
Climax Building:
• Truths Revealed: Xiola uncovers more about the ET Confederation’s hidden agenda and her own mother’s secret mission.
• Alliances and Betrayals: Trust issues come to a head as characters’ true motives and identities are revealed.
• Critical Decisions: Xiola must decide whom to trust as they approach the climax of their investigation.
Plot Layers Intensified:
1. Conspiracy Revealed: The players in the conspiratorial sabotage come to light, raising the stakes.
2. Human-ET Relations Crisis: Xiola begins secret negotiations with Xe, her mother, to expose players in the conspiracy… but should she trust her?
3. Ticking Clock: Xe reveals to Xiola that she must alleviate the ongoing crises before the plane reaches its destination, explodes or crashes due to the ongoing life-threatening phenomena.
Character Layers Intensified:
1. Xiola’s Betrayal Fears: Xiola’s fear of betrayal surfaces as she learns about Zartuuf’s role in the interdimensional travel plot.
2. Zartuuf’s Offer: Zartuuf’s actions are increasingly influenced by his father’s role in the ET confederation conspiracy, adding tension.
3. Quarky's Hidden Trauma: Quarky’s past trauma is revealed, explaining the cautious use of their powers and driving their bravery.
Act 4: Turning Point 3 to Climax and Resolution
Climax:
• Resolving both missions simultaneously. Showdown with the conspirators.
• Final resolution involving Zartuuf’s music which he manipulates and syncs with frequencies to close dangerous portals.
• Final resolution involving Quarky’s unique powers.
• Final Confrontation: Xiola, Zartuuf, and Quarky confront the true cause of the malfunction, facing both external threats and internal conflicts.
• Revelations and Sacrifices: Key secrets are unveiled, including Xiola’s dual loyalties and Quarky’s shamanic lineage.
Plot Layers Concluded:
1. Interdimensional Portal Shut: Xiola and Quarky join forces and use their powers to neutralize the mysterious portal.
2. Zartuuf implements Frequencies: Zartuuf joins Xiola and Quarky in mitigating time loops, translocation and bilocation phenomena as the plane passes through skies over Earth vortices.
3. Diplomatic Resolution: Xiola and Xe negotiate a peaceful resolution, forming a special unit to enforce a new interdimensional law to maintain free and open travel between worlds.
Character Layers Concluded:
1. Xiola’s Dual Loyalties: Xiola’s true mission is revealed, and she exposes Zartuuf’s father to be the key to the ET Confederation’s take-over conspiracy.
2. Zartuuf’s Redemption: Zartuuf makes a self-sacrificing choice, betraying his own father, showing his genuine love for Xiola and desire for redemption.
3. Quarky's Secret Identity: Quarky’s true Shamanic heritage is revealed, openly playing a crucial role in resolving the anomalies.
Resolution:
• Xiola finds closure and a way to resolve the anomaly. Conspirators defeated, exposed, and order restored. Xiola heads up a special forces unit to maintain free and peaceful travel between worlds, working with Zartuuf from the ET confederation. Quarky returns to their home planet to continue their role as a respected and honored Shaman to their people.
• Zartuuf’s talent becomes a recognized and valued asset, and he finds a path to healing and redemption.
• Quarky’s powers and ancient Shamanic lineage are recognized and honored.
• New Beginnings: The characters come to terms with their pasts and look forward to a more hopeful future, having grown through their experiences.
• Xiola and Zartuuf’s Relationship: Their complex relationship is left open-ended but hopeful.
• Quarky’s Acceptance: Quarky embraces their sacred lineage and newfound bravery, returning to their home planet prepared to step back into their role of Shaman, and embrace future challenges.

[Diane Denham]

ALIENS ON A PLANE
Sci-Fi Comedy
Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is realizing just how much we already know about the story.
Bonnie’s Beat Sheet – Draft 1

ACT 1:
OPENING:
On future Earth, witty, arrogant and confident, Xiola, a special agent time traveler prepares for a secret mission, haunted by guilt tied to her mother’s disappearance.
Shown concurrently, on a distant planet, ET travel agent, Zartuuf tinkers clumsily with a rival agent’s travel device minutes before preparing his own tourist, Quarky for a multidimensional vacation.
• Beginning: Hints of Xiola’s personal agenda.
• Surface Layer: Xiola’s mission to investigate the cause and fix the anomaly. Xiola suspects sabotage due to irregularities within her organization.
• Deeper Layer: Xiola’s true mission is to find her missing mother and expose the conspiracy she suspects between a rogue faction within her organization and the ET confederation, haunted by her first mission where she made a risky decision that caused harm.
• Surface Layer: Zartuuf’s comically selfish ambitions, and flamboyant charisma.
• Deeper Layer: Subtle signs of Zartuuf’s use of music in tense moments to calm his fears. His musical talent hides his ability to manipulate dangerous spacetime warps with musical frequencies.
• Subtle signs of Quarky’s Shamanic abilities and playful use of them.
• Surface Layer: Quarky’s role as a tourist and their quirky, bumbling, anxious nature.
• Deeper Layer: Quarky is a member of an ancient mystical Shamanic lineage with special abilities, sent by their elders on a secret mission.

INCITING INCIDENT:
As the three ET travel agents launch their tourists, a mysterious malfunction occurs, catapulting them all on to a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day USA, and at that same moment, Xiola arrives.
• Discovery of a clue about Xe, Xiola’s mother, hinting at Xiola’s hybrid genealogy. Discovery of encrypted messages from her mother hinting at sabotage.
• Discovery of the Zartuuf’s benefactor’s true motives resulting in questioning how his music could affect the anomaly, initiating a situation that forces him to choose between Xiola and his ambition.
• Discovery of the importance of Quarky’s Shamanic lineage.

Turning Point 1:
• Realization that Xiola’s mother’s fate is tied to the anomaly. Realization that the anomaly is part of a larger plot.
• Parallel Universe Consequences: Strange and comical events continue causing ripples across parallel universes, where characters see brief flashes of their alternate lives, alternate selves.
• Realization that Zartuuf is a pawn. Attempt to use his musical talent.
• Realization of Quarky’s hidden brilliance and unique abilities.
• Surface Layer: Zartuuf’s flamboyant romantic ovations toward Xiola.
• Deeper Layer: Subtle signs of Zartuuf’s use of music to calm his emotions. His attraction to Xiola conflicts with driving ambitions.

Character Introductions:
o Xiola: Revealed as dealing with anxiety and guilt over her mother’s disappearance.
o Zartuuf: An ambitious ET travel agent shown sabotaging rival agents and launching Quarky.
o Quarky: A seemingly bumbling but secretly powerful, intelligent, quirky ET with a hidden mission.

Plot Layers Introduced:
1. Hidden Agenda of the ET Confederation: It's hinted that the ET Confederation may have ulterior motives for causing the malfunction.
2. Conspiracy: Subtle clues suggest that the ET Confederation is involved in a conspiracy with a rogue faction in Xiola’s espionage organization.

Character Layers Introduced:
1. Xiola Haunted by Guilt: Xiola starts having flashes of a past failed mission in which Xe, her mother goes missing.
2. Zartuuf's Secret Role: Zartuuf receives messages from an unknown source (ET confederation) hinting at a bigger role in the sabotage.
3. Quarky's Secret Shaman Identity: Quarky’s covert behavior hints at a deeper mission than just being a tourist.

ACT 2:
Turning Point 1 to Midpoint
• Xiola balancing professional and personal quests, while working with Zartuuf and Quarky to uncover the conspiracy and fix the anomaly.

REVEAL: They discover that the Plane is a Catalyst: The plane is revealed to be a nexus point in time and space, attracting various interdimensional energies, causing the aircraft’s strange anomalies as it trans-locates, flying over various Earth power centers, like Stonehenge, Shiprock, Mt Shasta.
• Zartuuf struggling to implement music to influence the anomaly.
• Quarky’s actions influenced by their lineage and powers.
• Zartuuf’s Betrayal: At a critical moment, Zartuuf is offered a deal by the ET Confederation to betray Xiola and the others in exchange for his own safety and success.

Rising Action:
• Investigation Begins: As Xiola, Zartuuf, and Quarky adjust to their bizarre situation, they try to find the cause without attracting attention.
• Conflicts and Tensions: The group faces numerous humorous challenges, including cultural misunderstandings, technological glitches and weird magnetic and frequency strangeness.
• Developing Relationships: Xiola and Zartuuf’s attraction grows while Quarky’s hidden abilities starts to surface.

Turning Point 2 / Midpoint:
A major breakthrough for Xiola, contact with her mother, who reveals that Xiola is a hybrid Human/ET.

REVEAL: Xe, Xiola's mother is a secret operative working to expose corruption within both the human espionage organization and the ET confederation. Her disappearance was a result of Xiola’s and her mother’s shared mission gone wrong. Xiola's current mission intertwines with finishing what her mother started.
• Identifying key players in the conspiracy.
• A critical moment testing Zartuuf’s courage, where he risks confronting Zhetak, his father and benefactor, and using his musical abilities to make a difference.
• Quarky’s major success due to their strategies and special abilities.

Plot Layers Deepened:
1. Time Loops and Bilocation: Xiola notices repetitive patterns, hinting at a possible time loops, translocation and bilocation as the plane passes over Earth energy vortices.
2. Interdimensional Portal: A mysterious portal is discovered opening and closing intermittently, secretly set off by the ET confederation, which influences events on the plane.

Turning Point 3:
• Xiola facing the truth about her mother, Xe, a double agent who has been infiltrating the ET confederation to expose the conspiracy, since their original mission gone wrong.
• The rogue factions within the ET confederation and espionage organization prepare final bold move.
• Zartuuf’s decisive use of his musical talent to aid the situation.
• A critical event where Quarky’s action, involving their shared genealogical lineage and abilities with Xiola, saves the day.

Character Layers Deepened:
1. Xiola's Wound Triggered: Xiola discovers a clue linking Zartuuf’s possible connection to her mother’s disappearance.
2. Zartuuf's Father’s Abuse: Zartuuf reveals extreme verbal abuse from Zhetak, his father, complicating his feelings towards Xiola.
3. Quarky's Prophetic Dreams: Quarky’s Shamanic precognitive dreams provide critical hints for solving the ongoing phenomenon.

Act 3:
Turning Point 2 / Midpoint to Turning Point 3
• Xiola’s emotional conflict and determination in discovering her mother’s fate and the surprising reveal about her heritage. The team must outwit the conspirators while maintaining their cover and fixing dangerous ongoing multidimensional glitches.
• Zartuuf’s Redemption Arc: Zartuuf faces his controlling, verbally abusive father Zhetak, cause of the trauma that led to his obsessive pursuit of power. He becomes driven by his unique ability and need to reconcile his emotions and selfish ambitions.
• Quarky using their powers to influence weird multidimensional events resulting from the original anomaly.

Turning Point 3:
• Xiola facing the truth about her mother, Xe, a double agent who has been infiltrating the ET confederation to expose the conspiracy, since their original mission gone wrong. The rogue factions within the ET confederation and espionage organization execute final devastating move.
• Zartuuf’s decisive use of his musical talent to reverse the attack.
• A critical situation where Quarky’s action, involving their shared genealogical lineage and abilities with Xiola, saves the day.

Climax Building:
• Truths Revealed: Xiola uncovers more about the ET Confederation’s hidden agenda and her own mother’s secret mission.
• Alliances and Betrayals: Trust issues come to a head as characters’ true motives and identities are revealed.
• Critical Decisions: Xiola must decide whom to trust as they approach the climax of their investigation.

Plot Layers Intensified:
1. Conspiracy Revealed: The players in the conspiratorial sabotage come to light, raising the stakes.
2. Human-ET Relations Crisis: Xiola begins secret negotiations with Xe, her mother, to expose players in the conspiracy… but should she trust her?
3. Ticking Clock: Xe reveals to Xiola that she must alleviate the ongoing crises before the plane reaches its destination, explodes or crashes due to the ongoing life-threatening phenomena.

Character Layers Intensified:
1. Xiola’s Betrayal Fears: Xiola’s fear of betrayal surfaces as she learns about Zartuuf’s role in the interdimensional travel plot.
2. Zartuuf’s Offer: Zartuuf’s actions are increasingly influenced by his father’s role in the ET confederation conspiracy, adding tension.
3. Quarky's Hidden Trauma: Quarky’s past trauma is revealed, explaining the cautious use of their powers and driving their bravery.

Act 4: Turning Point 3 to Climax and Resolution
Climax:
• Resolving both missions simultaneously. Showdown with the conspirators.
• Final resolution involving Zartuuf’s music which he manipulates and syncs with frequencies to close dangerous portals.
• Final resolution involving Quarky’s unique powers.
• Final Confrontation: Xiola, Zartuuf, and Quarky confront the true cause of the malfunction, facing both external threats and internal conflicts.
• Revelations and Sacrifices: Key secrets are unveiled, including Xiola’s dual loyalties and Quarky’s shamanic lineage.

Plot Layers Concluded:
1. Interdimensional Portal Shut: Xiola and Quarky join forces and use their powers to neutralize the mysterious portal.
2. Zartuuf implements Frequencies: Zartuuf joins Xiola and Quarky in mitigating time loops, translocation and bilocation phenomena as the plane passes through skies over Earth vortices.
3. Diplomatic Resolution: Xiola and Xe negotiate a peaceful resolution, forming a special unit to enforce a new interdimensional law to maintain free and open travel between worlds.

Character Layers Concluded:
1. Xiola’s Dual Loyalties: Xiola’s true mission is revealed, and she exposes Zartuuf’s father to be the key to the ET Confederation’s take-over conspiracy.
2. Zartuuf’s Redemption: Zartuuf makes a self-sacrificing choice, betraying his own father, showing his genuine love for Xiola and desire for redemption.
3. Quarky's Secret Identity: Quarky’s true Shamanic heritage is revealed, openly playing a crucial role in resolving the anomalies.

Resolution:
• Xiola finds closure and a way to resolve the anomaly. Conspirators defeated, exposed, and order restored. Xiola heads up a special forces unit to maintain free and peaceful travel between worlds, working with Zartuuf from the ET confederation. Quarky returns to their home planet to continue their role as a respected and honored Shaman to their people.
• Zartuuf’s talent becomes a recognized and valued asset, and he finds a path to healing and redemption.
• Quarky’s powers and ancient Shamanic lineage are recognized and honored.
• New Beginnings: The characters come to terms with their pasts and look forward to a more hopeful future, having grown through their experiences.
• Xiola and Zartuuf’s Relationship: Their complex relationship is left open-ended but hopeful.
• Quarky’s Acceptance: Quarky embraces their sacred lineage and newfound bravery, returning to their home planet prepared to step back into their role of Shaman, and embrace future challenges.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that if I just keep moving through what I've created so far in the lessons, things gradually do come together.

Bonnie’s Deeper Layer:

Plot Layers
• Surface Layer: Xiola and Zartuuf are investigating the mysterious anomaly.
• Deeper Layer: The anomaly was intentionally created by rogue factions within Xiola’s espionage organization and the ET confederation.
• Major Reveal: The conspirators are attempting to sabotage interdimensional travel to incite chaos and seize power.
• Influences Surface Story: The characters must now navigate the political intrigue and suspected conspiracy between the ET confederation and rogue faction within Xiola’s organization.
• Hints: Inconsistent anomalies, covert messages intercepted by Xiola, and unusual behaviors among certain agents.
• Changes Reality: The investigation is no longer about fixing a glitch but preventing a larger, orchestrated crisis, exclusive control over multidimensional travel.
• Beginning: Xiola suspects sabotage due to irregularities.
• Inciting Incident: Discovery of encrypted messages from her mother hinting at sabotage.
• Turning Point 1: Realization that the anomaly is part of a larger plot.
• Act 2: Xiola, Zartuuf and Quarky work together to uncover the conspiracy and fix the anomaly.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: Identifying key players in the conspiracy.
• Act 3: The team must outwit the conspirators while maintaining their cover and fixing dangerous ongoing multidimensional glitches.
• Turning Point 3: The rogue factions within the ET confederation and espionage organization attempt a final, devastating move.
• Act 4 Climax: Showdown with the conspirators.
• Resolution: Conspirators defeated, exposed, and order restored. Xiola heads up a special forces unit to maintain free and peaceful travel between worlds, working with Zartuuf from the ET confederation. Quarky returns to their home planet to continue their role as a respected and honored Shaman to their people.

XIOLA’S 4-ACT STRUCTURE
• Surface Layer: Xiola’s mission to investigate the cause and fix the anomaly.
• Deeper Layer: Xiola’s true mission is to find her missing mother and expose the conspiracy she suspects between a rogue faction within her organization and the ET confederation, haunted by her first mission where she made a risky decision that caused harm.
• Major Reveal: Xiola’s actions are driven by a personal quest to find out what happened to her mother.
• Influences Surface Story: Adds emotional depth and urgency to her mission.
• Hints: Emotional responses to mother-related topics, private moments of grief.
• Changes Reality: Her mission’s stakes are more personal than professional.
• Beginning: Hints of a personal agenda.
• Inciting Incident: Discovery of a clue about her mother, hinting at Xiola’s hybrid genealogy.
• Turning Point 1: Realization that her mother’s fate is tied to the anomaly.
• Act 2: Balancing her professional and personal quests.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A major breakthrough, contact with her mother, who reveals that Xiola is a hybrid Human/ET.
• Act 3: Emotional conflict and determination in discovering her mother’s fate and the surprising reveal about her heritage.
• Turning Point 3: Facing the truth about her mother, a double agent who has been infiltrating the ET confederation to expose the conspiracy.
• Act 4 Climax: Resolving both missions simultaneously.
• Resolution: Xiola finds closure and resolves the anomaly.

ZARTUUF’S 4-ACT STRUCTURE
• Surface Layer: Zartuuf’s professional ambitions, flamboyant charisma, romantic ovations toward Xiola.
• Deeper Layer: His musical talent hides his ability to manipulate dangerous spacetime warps with musical frequencies. Zartuuf’s attraction to Xiola conflicts with his driving ambitions.
• Major Reveal: His benefactor is using him as a pawn in a darker scheme. His music can influence the spacetime anomaly.
• Influences Surface Story: Adds a unique dimension to his character and the plot.
• Hints: Subtle references to music affecting anomalies, moments of vulnerability, emotional responses to Xiola’s actions.
• Changes Reality: His hidden talent becomes crucial to resolving the anomaly.
• Beginning: Subtle signs of his use of music in tense moments.
• Inciting Incident: Discovery of the benefactor’s true motives resulting in questioning how his music affect could affect the anomaly, initiating a situation that forces him to choose between Xiola and his ambition.
• Turning Point 1: Realization of being a pawn and utilizing his unique talent.
• Act 2: Struggling to implement music to influence the anomaly.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A critical moment that tests his courage, where he risks confronting his father, the benefactor, and using his musical abilities to make a difference.
• Act 3: Actions driven by his unique ability and need to reconcile his emotions and ambitions.
• Turning Point 3: A decisive use of his musical talent.
• Act 4 Climax: Final resolution involving his music which manipulates and syncs with frequencies that are opening dangerous portals.
• Resolution: Zartuuf’s talent becomes a recognized and valued asset, and he finds a path to healing and redemption.

QUARKY’S 4-ACT STRUCTURE:
• Surface Layer: Quarky’s role as a tourist and their quirky, bumbling, anxious nature.
• Deeper Layer: Quarky is a member of an ancient mystical Shamanic lineage with special abilities, sent by their elders on a secret mission.
• Major Reveal: Their lineage grants them unique powers essential to resolving the anomaly.
• Influences Surface Story: Adds depth, mystery, humor and importance to the character.
• Hints: References to elders, secretive behaviors, and cryptic comments involving their shared lineage and special abilities connected with their half-sibling, Xiola, through their father.
• Changes Reality: Their abilities become key to the resolution.
• Beginning: Subtle signs of their Shamanic abilities.
• Inciting Incident: Discovery of their lineage’s importance.
• Turning Point 1: Realization of their hidden brilliance and unique abilities.
• Act 2: Actions influenced by their lineage and powers.
• Turning Point 2 / Midpoint: A major success due to their strategies and special abilities.
• Act 3: Using their powers to influence weird multidimensional events resulting from the original anomaly.
• Turning Point 3: A critical situation where their decisive action involving Quarky’s and Xiola’s shared genealogical lineage abilities saves the day.
• Act 4 Climax: Final resolution involving their unique powers.
• Resolution: Quarky’s powers and ancient Shamanic lineage are recognized and honored.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that taking the time and care to use only what fits my story from the AI generated responses, was totally satisfying and enriching to the process.

Module 4: Lesson 2 The Deeper Layer
Bonnie’s Deeper Layers
New Plot Layers:
1. Xiola's Mother's True Fate: It's revealed that Xiola's mother was a secret operative working to expose corruption within both the human espionage organization and the ET confederation. Her disappearance was a result of Xiola’s and her mother’s shared mission gone wrong. Xiola's current mission intertwines with finishing what her mother started.
2. Quarky's Hidden Identity: Quarky is not a bumbling tourist, but a powerful respected shaman on their home planet. Their special abilities are not just quirky; they are pivotal in stabilizing the time-space anomaly. Their hidden potential becomes a key to resolving the crisis, leading to unraveling the mystery anomaly.
3. Zartuuf’s Redemption Arc: Zartuuf's controlling, verbal abusive father caused the trauma that led him to pursue power obsessively. This adds depth to his motivations and his eventual change of heart.
4. The Plane Passengers' Secret Agendas: Each passenger on the plane has a unique skill that will aid in resolving the crisis.
5. The Interdimensional Conspiracy: The malfunction was no accident, but a deliberate act orchestrated by the ET confederation and a roque faction within Xiola’s espionage organization, aiming to destabilize the interdimensional travel market and seize control.
6. The Plane as a Catalyst: The plane is revealed to be a nexus point in time and space, attracting various interdimensional energies, causing the aircraft’s strange anomalies as it trans-locates, flying over various Earth power centers, like Stonehenge, Shiprock, Mt Shasta.
7. Hidden Agenda of the ET Confederation: The ET confederation is not just manipulating Zartuuf but has a broader sinister agenda to use Earth as a testing ground for their experimental technologies. This revelation forces Xiola and Zartuuf to reassess their mission and the stakes involved.
8. Parallel Universe Consequences: Strange events continue causing ripples across parallel universes, where characters see brief flashes of their alternate lives, alternate selves.
9. Xiola’s Mother’s Disappearance: It turns out Xiola’s mother was also a time traveler who got entangled in the ET Confederation’s schemes. Her disappearance is linked to the current malfunction, adding personal stakes for Xiola.
10. Zartuuf’s Betrayal: At a critical moment, Zartuuf is offered a deal by the ET Confederation to betray Xiola and the others in exchange for his own safety and success. His decision and its aftermath add tension and complexity to the plot.
New Character Layers for Protagonist:
1. Xiola’s True Identity: Xiola is revealed to be a human-ET hybrid, inherited from her human mother and ET father. Her mission is more personal than she realized.
2. Internal Conflict: Xiola harbors guilt over a past mission where her actions led to unintended casualties. Xiola feels intense guilt for her mother’s disappearance, believing it was her fault due to a mission gone wrong. This guilt drives her actions and decisions throughout the story.
3. Secret Mentor: Xiola receives guidance through a mysterious device left by her mother, revealing cryptic messages that slowly unravel the deeper conspiracy and her mother’s real mission, but when the device breaks, she discovers she can use her innate psychic powers to receive messages.
4. Hidden Skills: Beyond her secret agent training, Xiola possesses latent abilities inherited from her ET heritage, which she starts to unlock and use, hinting at her connection to Quarky, as the story progresses.
5. Hidden Vulnerability: Despite her confident exterior, Xiola struggles with severe anxiety and fears of inadequacy, stemming from her mother's high expectations and her own internal pressure to succeed.
6. Dual Loyalties: Xiola is secretly working to investigate both her own espionage organization and the ET confederation, hoping to expose what she suspects is a conspiracy to control multidimensional travel.
7. Connection to Quarky – Secret Mentor: Xiola receives guidance through a spirit being, which connects her to Quarky. She begins to sense a strange connection to them before discovering they are half-siblings through the father. This connection influences her protective instincts towards them and adds emotional depth to her character.
New Character Layers for Antagonist:
1. Familial Ties – Dark Family History: Zartuuf comes from a family with a dark history of unethical experiments in interdimensional travel. His actions are influenced by a desire to both surpass and redeem his family’s legacy. He is secretly related to a high-ranking member of the ET confederation, complicating his feelings of unworthiness and driving his desire to prove himself independently.
2. Romantic Vulnerability: His feelings for Xiola are deeper than he lets on, revealing a softer side that conflicts with his ruthless business persona and affects his decisions.
3. Redemption Desire: Zartuuf has always harbored a secret wish to undo the wrongs he’s committed, driven by a moral compass buried under layers of ambition and survival instinct.
4. Secret Benefactor: Zartuuf has been secretly funded and manipulated by a shadowy figure, his father, within the ET confederation, whose true motives remain hidden. This benefactor’s agenda complicates Zartuuf’s path to redemption.
5. Genuine Love: Despite his manipulative nature, Zartuuf genuinely falls in love with Xiola, which conflicts with his professional ambitions and forces him to confront his true self.
6. Redemption Quest: Zartuuf secretly longs for redemption and to make amends for his past mistakes, driving his actions in subtle ways and adding layers to his character’s motivations.
7. Childhood Trauma: Zartuuf's drive for success is rooted in a traumatic childhood experience where he was constantly belittled and underestimated. This trauma fuels his ambition and fear of failure.
8. Hidden Talent: Zartuuf has a hidden talent for music and frequencies that effect dimensions, which he secretly uses to calm himself, and later others, adding empathy for his character.
9. Secret Compassion for Animals: Zartuuf has a profound love for animals, which is why he is deeply affected when his ET pet goes missing. His compassion contrasts with his otherwise ruthless demeanor.
10. Regret over Past Betrayals: Zartuuf has betrayed colleagues in the past to climb the corporate ladder in the ET travel industry. His regret over these actions haunts him and influences his current decisions.
New Character Layers for Triangle Character:
1. Quarky's True Power: Quarky has a Shamanic ability to manipulate multiple dimensions, a power they gradually learns to master, which becomes crucial in resolving the malfunction.
2. Hidden Bravery: Despite his anxious exterior, Quarky has a history of courageous acts, having saved others during crises on his home planet, which he downplays due to modesty.
3. Cultural Heritage: Quarky’s special abilities are linked to ancient rituals from his home planet, revealing a rich cultural background that becomes vital in understanding the malfunction.
4. Secret Mission: Quarky was sent on the vacation by his elders with a hidden agenda to observe and report on the ET travel agents, making their presence on the plane more than coincidental.
5. Mystical Heritage: Quarky is unknowingly a member of an ancient Shamanic lineage from a distant planet. Their special abilities are tied to his lineage, making him a target for various factions seeking to exploit his powers.
6. Secret Guardian: Quarky was assigned find and act as a secret guardian to Xiola, tasked with protecting her and assisting in her mission. His bumbling nature hides their true competence and dedication.
7. Unseen Sacrifices: Quarky has made significant personal sacrifices to be on this mission, including leaving behind a peaceful life and loved ones. Their inner conflict about these sacrifices adds depth to their character’s journey.
8. Hidden Bravery: Quarky, despite their anxious demeanor, possesses a hidden bravery that surfaces in critical moments, surprising both themselves and others.
9. Unique Perspective: Quarky has a unique perspective on the time-space anomaly, seeing patterns and connections others miss. This perspective is crucial in piecing together the mystery. Despite their bumbling exterior, they are a secret genius with deep knowledge of spacetime mechanics. Their hidden intelligence becomes crucial to solving the malfunction.
10. Cultural Conflict: Quarky struggles with the cultural differences between their home planet and Earth, leading to misunderstandings and comedic situations. This cultural conflict also provides insight into their character’s background.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is a better appreciation for the swift organizational efficiency AI demonstrates when I feed it the prompts along with inputting the story and characters I have created so far.

Bonnie’s Character Structure
Protagonist: Xiola
Beginning: Xiola starts as a confident, arrogant secret agent time traveler from future Earth, harboring a covert compassion. She is emotionally immature and driven by the need to prove herself due to the wound of her mother’s disappearance, which she feels responsible for.
Turning Point: Xiola is sent back to the present to investigate the mysterious anomaly caused by the ET travel agents' malfunction, locking her into a complex conflict when her own high-tech device breaks.
Midpoint: Xiola and Zartuuf, despite their initial antagonism and attraction-repulsion, succumb to their mutual attraction and have a moment of intimacy, causing everything to change in their dynamics and focus.
Turning Point: Xiola discovers evidence that her black ops organization is collaborating with an ET conglomerate to control interdimensional travel, realizing that her mission is more complex and personal than she initially thought.
Dilemma: Xiola must choose between exposing her mother’s role in the ET confederation's plans or saving her, a choice that challenges her core values of excellence and self-reliance.
Major Conflict: Xiola, along with Zartuuf and Quarky, faces the ultimate challenge of revealing the truth and enlisting the help of everyone on the plane to defeat those responsible for the malfunction.
Ending: Xiola emerges as a more mature, cooperative, and compassionate leader, having resolved her internal conflicts and reconnected with her past and family.

Antagonist: Zartuuf
Beginning: Zartuuf starts as a charismatic, self-centered ET Travel Agent, motivated by the desire to monopolize the multidimensional travel industry and battling feelings of unworthiness.
Turning Point: The malfunction propels Zartuuf and his tourists onto a commercial airline mid-flight, forcing him into a situation where his lies and manipulations are put to the test.
Midpoint: After succumbing to his attraction to Xiola and losing his ET pet, Zartuuf’s plans start to unravel, and he begins to show signs of genuine vulnerability and empathy.
Turning Point: Zartuuf discovers that the ET confederation has been manipulating him, realizing that his ambition has been used against him and that he must choose between self-preservation and doing what’s right.
Dilemma: Zartuuf must decide whether to overcome his fears and help Xiola and Quarky expose the conspiracy, sacrificing his dream, or retreat and live with his cowardice.
Major Conflict: Zartuuf joins forces with Xiola and Quarky to reveal the truth, risking everything to rectify the malfunction and defeat the conspirators.
Ending: Zartuuf becomes a courageous, empathetic character, having faced his flaws and taken risks to help others, thereby earning a newfound sense of worth and integrity.
Triangle Character: Quarky
Beginning: Quarky starts as an anxious, bumbling ET Tourist with special abilities, struggling with self-doubt, loneliness, and the desire for acceptance.
Turning Point: The malfunction that throws Quarky into a commercial airline mid-flight pushes him into a new environment where he must adapt and find his place.
Midpoint: Quarky begins to embrace his role as a trickster and helper, using his abilities to fix anomalies and assist Xiola and Zartuuf, gaining confidence in the process.
Turning Point: Quarky discovers that Xiola is his half-sister and that they share a connection through their mother, adding a personal layer to his involvement in resolving the mysterious anomaly.
Dilemma: Quarky must choose whether to reveal his familial connection to Xiola or keep it hidden, fearing the consequences of either choice on their mission and relationship.
Major Conflict: Quarky actively helps Xiola and Zartuuf to uncover the conspiracy and fix the malfunction, using his abilities and emotional intelligence to bring the team together.
Ending: Quarky finds acceptance and purpose, having grown from an anxious outcast to a vital, confident member of the team, and possibly revealing his connection to Xiola.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned doing this assignment is that I was able to easily fill in the supporting characters’ roles because of how much of the story and characters I’ve already fleshed out.

Bonnie’s Purpose Driven Supporting Characters
Support 1:
• Name: Xe
• Role: Xiola’s mother, double agent infiltrating ET confederation
• Main Purpose: To help Xiola take down conspirators
• Value: Essential to plot and protagonist’s journey
Support 2:
• Name: Zhetak
• Role: Zartuuf’s father, antagonist from ET confederation
• Main Purpose: To create the initial anomaly
• Value: Driving force to Zartuuf’s journey
Support 3:
• Name: Galwak
• Role: Et Travel Agent #2
• Main purpose: Sabotage Zartuuf
• Value: Throw suspicion on Zartuuf
Support 4:
• Name: Mizdrok
• Role: ET Tourist #2
• Main purpose: Thorn in Xiola’s side
• Value: Recognize’s Xiola as her missing mother, Xi’s daughter
Support 5:
• Name: Ushteer
• Role: ET Travel Agent #3
• Main purpose: Sabotage Galwak
• Value: Throw suspicion on herself and Galwak
Support 6:
• Name: Shuzax
• Role: ET Tourist #3
• Main purpose: Recognizes Quarky’s true identity
• Value: Convinces Quarky to return to their planet

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is how rich the characters are becoming from creating their profiles in such depth.
Bonnie’s Character Profiles Part 2
Character Profile for Xiola
1. Role in the Story: Protagonist –Time Traveling Spy from future Earth.
2. Age range and Description: Early 30s; sleek, athletic, with a commanding presence and sharp features. Dresses in futuristic, utilitarian attire.
3. Core Traits: Clever, Witty, Arrogant, Covertly Compassionate
4. Motivation; Want/Need:
o Want: To identify and neutralize the anomaly threatening the multiverse.
o Need: To solve the mystery and heal her own guilt surrounding her double agent mother’s disappearance.
5. Wound: Haunted by the disappearance of her mother, which drives her to prove herself in her demanding career.
6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Initially comes off as cold and aloof, but her hidden kindness and struggle to balance her emotions make her relatable and empathetic.
7. Character Subtext: Hiding the pain of her mother’s mysterious fate and the discovery that she is part ET, which she doesn’t fully understand.
8. Character Intrigue: Has a hidden personal connection to the anomaly, unaware that her mission may lead to uncovering truths about her mother.
9. Flaw: Her arrogance and reluctance to trust others often sabotage her progress and make collaboration difficult.
10. Values: Believes in justice, duty, and protecting the multiverse and free and secure multidimensional travel at all costs.
11. Character Dilemma: Torn between her professional duty and the growing personal connection she feels towards Zartuuf and the others affected by the anomaly.
Character Profile for Zartuuf
1. Role in the Story: Antagonist – Love interest for Xiola, ET Travel Agent from a distant planet.
2. Age range and Description: Equivalent to late 30s in human years; tall, charmingly alien with luminescent skin and expressive eyes. Stylish and flamboyant in his alien attire.
3. Core Traits: Charismatic, Ambitious, Self-Centered, Secretly Insecure
4. Motivation; Want/Need:
o Want: To monopolize the multidimensional travel industry.
o Need: To overcome his fears of being unworthy of love and failure.
5. Wound: Constantly feels overshadowed and inadequate due to past failures and the high expectations of his father and his peers.
6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy: His charm and charisma make him likable, and his hidden insecurities make him relatable and elicit empathy.
7. Character Subtext: Hides the truth that the ET confederation is pulling the strings behind his business ventures, unaware that he’s been a pawn all along.
8. Character Intrigue: His deceptive maneuvers to gain an edge in the market often backfire, leading to comedic situations, especially with his ET pet stinging him whenever he lies.
9. Flaw: His self-centeredness and fear of failure lead him to make reckless, ethically and morally dubious decisions.
10. Values: Values success, recognition, and eventually, the courage to conquer his fears.
11. Character Dilemma: Struggles between his ambition and the growing realization that true success may require selflessness and cooperation.
Character Profile for Quarky – Human/ET Hybrid from distant planet.
1. Role in the Story: Triangle Character
2. Age range and Description: Ageless, androgynous; small and whimsical with an ever-changing human, slightly alien appearance.
3. Core Traits: Lovable, Emotional, Trickster, Empathetic
4. Motivation; Want/Need:
o Want: To fix anomalies and find acceptance among peers.
o Need: To overcome self-doubt and loneliness.
5. Wound: Deep-seated loneliness from being different and feeling like an outcast, even among other ETs.
6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Their playful nature and vulnerability make them endearing and easy to root for.
7. Character Subtext: Hiding their fear of never being truly accepted due to their unique abilities and differences.
8. Character Intrigue: Quietly uses their special abilities to fix anomalies, often without others noticing, adding a layer of mystery and playfulness to their actions.
9. Flaw: Overzealous, deep anxiety stemming from past trauma.
10. Values: Values friendship, acceptance, and using their abilities for good.
11. Character Dilemma: Torn between their desire to help and their fear of rejection, when they discover Xiola is their half-sister Hybrid ET/Human with the same father, they must choose either to reveal it or keep it from her.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for the Future: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that each lesson and assignment brings me closer to getting to the heart and soul of my characters and so, bringing them to life!

ALIENS ON A PLANE
Sci-Fi Comedy

Bonnie’s Character Profiles Part 1

Protagonist: XIOLA
A. The High Concept for Xiola: = Xiola, secret agent time traveler from future Earth is sent back to the present to the moment of a mysterious event to investigate the cause: When three ET travel agents compete fiercely for dominance in the multidimensional vacations market on their distant planet a malfunction occurs. During a critical demonstration of their latest technologies, time travel, teleportation, and multidimensional holidays, a malfunction occurs, propelling them and their three tourists into a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day U.S.A.
B. Xiola’s character journey: Xiola is a clever, witty, and arrogant spy, who appears insensitive but harbors a deep, covert compassion for those she deems worthy, while on a mission to find the source of the anomaly, at last realizing she must rely on others to succeed.
C. The Actor Attractors for Xiola:

1. Role in the Story: Secret agent from future Earth who investigates the anomaly.
2. Age range and Description: 30s, physically fit, emotionally immature.
3. Core Traits: Confident, arrogant, passionate
4. Motivation; Want/Need: Wants to find source of the anomaly. Needs to find the secret to mother’s disappearance and reconnect with her.
5. Wound: Her organization blames her for her mother’s disappearance, feels she must prove herself with this mission.
6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Strong, take-charge confident role model for women. Seduced by charmers because of deep need to be loved. Believes the disappearance of her mother was her fault.

Antagonist: ZARTUUF
A. The High Concept for Zartuuf: Zartuuf is a charismatic, ambitious, self-centered ET Travel Agent, a player covertly trying to monopolize the multidimensional travel industry, battling fear of being unworthy of love, without realizing that he is a pawn of the ET confederation behind the scenes.
B. Zartuuf’s character journey: He goes from proud, ruthless and a selfish, coward, to becoming courageous, taking risks to help others.
C. The Actor Attractors for Zartuuf: Constantly lies to manipulate situations to his advantage, but each lie triggers a sting from his tiny ET pet.
1. Role in the Story: Xiola’s love interest, uses his charm to seduce and manipulate her and others to achieve his goals.
2. Age range and Description: 40s, ET, blue eyes, muscular
3. Core Traits: Charismatic, deceptive, self-centered,
4. Motivation; Want/Need: Wants to be the best, monopolize the travel industry. Needs to learn empathy and courage.
5. Wound: Mocked as a child because of his ET pet.
6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Charismatic, polite. Scared in a crisis. We feel sorry for him because he’s unaware he’s a pawn and embarrassed for him for his cowardice.

Triangle Character: QUARKY
A. The High Concept for Quarky: Quarky is a lovable, emotional trickster ET Tourist who quietly uses their special abilities to fix anomalies, while grappling with self-doubt, loneliness and the desire for acceptance.
B. Quarky’s character journey: Quarky goes from anxious and bumbling, to attention seeking trickster, to using his abilities to help Xiola and Zartuuf unravel the mystery anomaly that landed them all on the plane.
C. The Actor Attractors for Quarky:

1. Role in the Story: Quarky adds humor and heart to the story.
2. Age range and Description: 20s, short, quirky, androgenous ET.
3. Core Traits: Good, loving, awkward and inappropriate.
4. Motivation; Want/Need: Wants to please people. Needs to set boundaries and use his abilities to solve problems.
5. Wound: Rejected by father at early age.
6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy: Lovable. Anxious and confused in new situations. Outcast by peers because of his strangeness.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision for Success: I want to improve my writing skills by 200% and sell at least one script between 2024 and 2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that each lesson and assignment brings me closer to getting to the heart of my characters.

Bonnie’s Likability/Relatability/Empathy

Protagonist: XIOLA
• Likability: Strong, take-charge confident role model for women
• Relatability: Seduced by charmers because of deep need to be loved
• Empathy: Loses her beloved mother

Antagonist: ZARTUUF
• Likability: Charming, polite
• Relatability: Feels scared and helpless in a crisis
• Empathy: We feel sorry for him because he’s unaware he’s a pawn to the ETs conspiracy, embarrassed for him for his cowardice.

Triangle Character: QUARKY
• Likability: Lovable, bumbling, quirky-looking ET
• Relatability: Anxious and confused in new situations
• Empathy: Outcast, rejected by father

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision: I want to become 200% better as a writer and have at least one script produced within the year 2024-2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that there are so many ways to add intrigue to my characters, it's hard to pick just one or two.

Bonnie’s Character Intrigue:
XIOLA:
Secret Identity – Dual Loyalty: She is not just a secret agent but also has a hidden personal connection to the anomaly, her mother is a Hybrid ET/Human involved with the ET confederation conspiracy.
Undercover Saboteur: Secretly investigating her own organization, which she suspects is corrupt and power grabbing.
ZARTUUF:
Conspiracy: Involved in a conspiracy with the ET confederation to undermine his competitors and take control of the market.
Deception: Lies to manipulate situations to his advantage, but each lie causes his ET pet to sting him, which adds comedy, as he struggles to hide or explain his pain.
QUARKY:
Unseen Companion: Has an invisible Spirit Guide who offers advice, often adding a comedic and mysterious element.
Symbiotic Relationship: Shares a hidden symbiotic bond with Xiola, which enhances their abilities, without knowing they share the same father.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision: I want to become 200% better as a writer and have at least one script produced within the year 2024-2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is how to edit out what I don't want, and keep what works from AI.

Title: ALIENS ON A PLANE
Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy
Concept: = Xiola, a secret agent time traveler from future Earth is sent back to the present to the moment of a mysterious event to investigate the cause: When three ET travel agents compete fiercely for dominance in the multidimensional vacations market on their distant planet a malfunction occurs. During a critical demonstration of their latest technologies, time travel, teleportation, and multidimensional holidays, a malfunction occurs, propelling them and their three tourists into a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day U.S.A.

Protagonist Character: Xiola
Subtext Identity: Arrogant, witty, passionate secret agent from future Earth.
Subtext Trait: Covertly compassionate and insecure, strategically manipulative, driven by a hidden agenda.
Subtext Logline: Xiola is a clever, witty, and arrogant spy, who appears insensitive but harbors a deep, covert compassion for those she deems worthy, while on a mission to find the source of the anomaly and realizing she must rely on others to succeed.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
• Hiding something: Xiola hides her true mission details, even from her superiors, hinting at a personal vendetta.
• Afraid to say: She struggles to admit her fear of inadequacy, masking it with arrogance.
• Secret: She harbors a secret about her own future (or past) that could change everything.
• Luring/seducing: Uses charm to manipulate others into helping her.
• Withholding: Holds back critical information until the right moment, playing her cards close to her chest.
• Being polite: Often uses politeness as a facade to disarm others and gather information.
• Plotting: Constantly devising plans within plans, using others as pawns in her strategy.
ACT Breakdown:
• ACT 1: Secretly throws the flight marshal from the plane with a parachute, showcasing her ruthless efficiency.
• ACT 2: Poses as a flight marshal (or investigative journalist) and is seduced by Zartuuf, revealing her vulnerability.
• ACT 3: Takes charge when strange multidimensional anomalies keep occurring, showing her leadership and decisiveness.
• ACT 4: Uncovers conspiracy between her organization and a corrupt ET confederation, exposing her ultimate goal and moral complexity.
Antagonist Character: Zartuuf
Subtext Identity: Charismatic, ambitious, self-centered ET Travel Agent.
Subtext Trait: Charming yet deceitful, driven by a deep-seated fear of failure and rejection.
Subtext Logline: Zartuuf is a charismatic, ambitious, self-centered ET Travel Agent, a player covertly trying to monopolize the multidimensional travel industry on his planet, while battling fear of being unworthy of love.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
• Hiding something: Conceals his true intentions from everyone, including Xiola.
• Afraid to say: Fears admitting his feelings for Xiola, worried it will show weakness.
• Secret: The ET confederation is manipulating him for their own gain.
• Lying: Constantly lies to manipulate situations to his advantage, but each lie triggers a sting from his tiny ET pet.
• Luring/seducing: Uses his charm to seduce and manipulate Xiola and others.
• Withholding: Keeps his true feelings and plans hidden until it benefits him.
• Plotting: Always one step ahead, planning his moves to outmaneuver rivals and allies alike.
ACT Breakdown:
• ACT 1: Sabotages rival agents, demonstrating his ruthless ambition.
• ACT 2: Seduces Xiola, a power play revealing his emotional immaturity and need to be loved.
• ACT 3: Saves himself in a crisis, showing a self-preservation instinct.
• ACT 4: Revealed to be working for the evil ET conglomerate, highlighting his ultimate betrayal.
Triangle Character: Quarky
Subtext Identity: Quirky, lovable, androgynous ET Tourist.
Subtext Trait: Highly empathetic with a knack for mischief, often underestimates their own importance.
Subtext Logline: Quarky is a lovable, emotional trickster ET Tourist who quietly uses their special abilities to fix anomalies, while grappling with self-doubt, loneliness and the desire for acceptance.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
• Hiding something: Keeps their true abilities hidden, fearing rejection and humiliation.
• Afraid to say: Struggles to voice their fears and insecurities.
• Secret: Has a unique ability to sense and manipulate energy fields, and intentions of others, which they use discreetly.
• Luring/seducing: Uses humor to defuse tense situations and win people over.
• Withholding: Keeps their true potential and insights hidden, except those he learns to trust, often playing the fool.
• Being polite: Uses politeness to mask their true thoughts and feelings.
• Plotting: Quietly works with Xiola to unravel the conspiracy, often underestimated by others.
ACT Breakdown:
• ACT 1: Panics as they land on the plane, creating chaos and confusion.
• ACT 2: Finds Zartuuf’s lost ET pet, which becomes a calming force and an unexpected ally.
• ACT 3: Quietly uses special abilities to solve anomalies, proving their worth.
• ACT 4: Outs Zartuuf’s part in the conspiracy, showing their hidden bravery and intelligence.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Vision: I want to become 200% better as a writer and have at least one script produced within the year 2024-2025.
What I learned from doing this assignment is that I know my characters so well that answering the questions all just flowed.
Genre = Sci-Fi Comedy
Concept = Xiola, a secret agent time traveler from future Earth is sent back to the present to the moment of a mysterious event to investigate the cause: When three ET travel agents compete fiercely for dominance in the multidimensional vacations market on their distant planet a malfunction occurs. During a critical demonstration of their latest technologies, time travel, teleportation, and multidimensional holidays, a malfunction occurs, propelling them and their three tourists into a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day U.S.A.

Characters = Xiola – Zartuuf – Quarky

Lead Character Name: Xiola
Role: Protagonist – Secret Agent/Time Traveler from Future Earth
1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? She’s an arrogant, passionate operative with a hidden agenda.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? She’s witty yet insensitive.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? Her actions are bold, surprising and unpredictable.
4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? When she lands on the plane, she sniffs out the Air Marshal, seduces him, straps a parachute on him, snatches his shield and gun before pushing him out of the plane.
5. What could be this character’s emotional range? Arrogant, insensitive to passionate to compassionate and self-sacrificing.
6. What subtext can the actor play? She assumes the role of U.S. Marshal and takes command in the chaos.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have? She’s an expert on time travel, multidimensional travel and martial arts.
8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented? She knows how to talk her way out of a tricky situation.
9. What could make this character special and unique? Calm in the face of danger, thinks on her feet.

Lead Character Name: Zartuuf
Role: Antagonist – Love Interest for Xiola/ET Travel Agent
1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? He’s charismatic, clever and manipulative.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? He has a tiny ET pet that stings him when he lies.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? Sabotaging other travel agents for top travel agency position.
4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? Show him stealing a vital part of his rival’s translocation device before the launch. Desperate to succeed, after bungling numerous relationships and shady careers.
5. What could be this character’s emotional range be? From charming to raging maniac to abject regret and remorse.
6. What subtext can the actor play? Innocent victim.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have? Secretly in love with Xiola but he doesn’t know how to love.
8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented? Almost every word is a self-serving lie.
9. What could make this character special and unique? His ET pet, a gift from his ex, acts as an external conscience.
Lead Character Name: Quarky
Role: Triangle Character – ET Tourist
1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? Androgenous, quirky and inappropriate.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? It’s the source of many embarrassing and humorous situations.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? Being the source of misunderstandings and faux pas.
4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? Quarky goes into full panic mode upon arriving on the plane, causing chaos and confusion.
5. What could be this character’s emotional range? Friendly to panic-stricken and cowardly to courageous.
6. What subtext can the actor play? Talented at mimicking others and predicting how they’ll react in any situation.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have? Loyal and protective of Xiola.
8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented? Quarky’s voice is contradictory and illusive, and enigmatic.
9. What could make this character special and unique? This quirky ET detects people’s strengths and weaknesses, which proves to be of great value in an emergency.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Genre Conventions
Vision for the future: I see myself becoming a 200% better writer and having at least one script produced within the year 2024-2025.
What I learned doing this assignment is how to pull out the nuggets from AI's responses regarding genre conventions and then integrating what works into the structure.
Title: ALIENS ON A PLANE
Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy
4-Act Structure = Act 1:
• Opening: Three rival extraterrestrial travel agents prepare their tourists for launching vacations via Teleportation, Time Travel, and Multidimensional journeys. On future Earth, Xiola prepares to be transported into the past on a secret mission.
• Inciting Incident: A malfunction occurs, transporting the agents and tourists onto a commercial airline mid-flight. A whole new kettle of fish-out-of-water!
• Turning Point: Xiola materializes on the plane amidst the confusion, where she has a comic encounter with a quirky ET called Quarky, then clashes with charismatic ET, Zartuuf, igniting feelings of repulsion and sexual attraction.
Act 2:
• New plan: The group realizes they must adapt to their new surroundings and devises a plan to blend in while investigating the malfunction.
• Plan in action: Disguised as flight crew and passengers, they search for clues while facing humorous challenges, cultural misunderstandings and glitches in spacetime.
• Midpoint Turning Point: Xiola and Zartuuf continue their investigation in the hold of the plane, where Zartuuf’s tiny ET pet goes missing. In the cramped space, things heat up and they have sex.
Act 3:
• Rethink everything: Xiola and Zartuuf agree to cool down their emotions, refocus their energy on the investigation, and try to mitigate the growing suspicion among the passengers.
• New plan: They recruit Quarky, the other agents and tourists to search discreetly for clues, but their unusual behavior and devices raise suspicions, leading to misunderstandings and their cover is blown.
• Turning Point: Bizarre, often humorous consequences from the multidimensional malfunction escalate, exposing the group's true identities and intentions. Busted!
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Xiola, Zartuuf, and Quarky uncover evidence of a grand conspiracy involving monopolizing powerful secret multidimensional technologies orchestrated by Xiola’s organization and an extraterrestrial conglomerate.
• Resolution: Xiola rallies Zartuuf, Quarky, and the passengers to use their unique skills to defeat the conspirators. This leads to a series of comedic confrontations, showcasing the bizarre abilities and traits of each character. Finally, The Cosmic Federation opens the technology for the free use of the public. Xiola, Zartuuf and Quarky become its Ambassadors.

[Diane Denham]

What I learned doing this assignment is that I’m just starting to get clarity, see my story unfolding, and I’m having fun and feeling empowered.

Bonnie’s Exciting Vision!
I want to become 200% better as a writer and have at least one script produced within the year 2024-2025. My dream goal is to write a new script every year and have it produced. I’d like people to say that I’m imaginative, inventive, and that my scripts are unlike anything they’ve ever read before — full of intrigue humor and heart, no matter what the genre. I’d like to live the life of a prolific, successful, produced screenwriter until I reach the age of 100!

Bonnie’s 4 Act Transformational Structure

Title: ALIENS ON A PLANE
Genre: Sci-fi Adventure
Concept: Xiola, a black ops time traveler from future Earth, is sent back to the present to investigate a mysterious event where three extraterrestrial travel agents and their tourists are accidentally transported onto a commercial airline mid-flight due to a malfunction.
Lead Characters:
1. Xiola (Protagonist) – A skilled black ops time traveler from future Earth, initially arrogant and self-centered, but transforms into a compassionate and self-sacrificing individual.
2. Zartuuf (Antagonist) – One of the extraterrestrial travel agents, ambitious and competitive, later learns to collaborate and show compassion.
3. Various tourists and airline crew – Caught in the chaos, they initially act out of confusion but later join forces to solve the problem.
Transformational Journey: Xiola begins as a self-centered operative focused solely on her mission but gradually learns the value of teamwork, compassion, and sacrifice as she collaborates with Zartuuf and others to solve the crisis and prevent a larger conspiracy.
4-Act Transformational Structure:
Old Ways: Arrogant, ambitious, self-centered, insensitive.
Act 1:
• Opening: Three rival extraterrestrial travel agents prepare their tourists for launching vacations via Teleportation, Time Travel, and Multidimensional journeys. Simultaneously, Xiola is sent back to the present to investigate.
• Inciting Incident: A malfunction occurs, transporting the agents and tourists onto a commercial airline mid-flight.
• Turning Point: Xiola materializes on the plane amidst the confusion, encountering Zartuuf for the first time and feeling conflicted emotions.
Act 2:
• New plan: The group adapts to their new surroundings and devises a plan to blend in while investigating the malfunction.
• Plan in action: Disguised as flight crew and passengers, they search for clues while facing challenges.
• Midpoint Turning Point: Xiola and Zartuuf's relationship intensifies as they investigate the disappearance of Zartuuf's ET pet, leading to a moment of mutual attraction and intimacy.
Act 3:
• Rethink everything: Xiola and Zartuuf refocus on the investigation after realizing their mistake and the growing suspicion among the passengers.
• New plan: They gather the group to search for clues discreetly, but their efforts backfire when their cover is blown.
• Turning Point: The malfunction worsens, exposing the group's true identities and intentions, leading to chaos onboard.
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Xiola uncovers evidence of a conspiracy involving her organization and the ET conglomerate, endangering interdimensional travel.
• Resolution: Xiola and Zartuuf rally everyone onboard to confront the conspirators and work together to fix the malfunction, ultimately ensuring safe passage for all involved and thwarting the conspiracy. Xiola completes her transformation into a compassionate and collaborative individual, forging a new path forward.
New Ways: Compassionate, self-sacrificing, collaborative.

[Diane Denham]

Title: ALIENS ON A PLANE

Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy

Concept:
A self-serving, arrogant time traveler from future Earth encounters three ET travel agents who are competing fiercely for dominance in the multidimensional vacations market on their distant planet. During a critical demonstration of the agents’ latest technologies, a malfunction occurs, propelling them and their three tourists into a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day U.S.A.

FISH OUT OF WATER:

All seven characters, the time traveler from the future, 3 travel agents and 3 tourists are fish out of water.
COMPETITIVE AGENDAS:

The 3 travel agents are competing against one another to corner the interdimensional travel industry.

[Diane Denham]

ALIENS ON A PLANE
SCI-FI COMEDY
Act 1:
1. Protagonist's Character Arc:
Arc Begins: Xiola is introduced as a highly skilled, yet self-serving and arrogant time traveler from future Earth. She's focused solely on her mission, disregarding the consequences of her actions and the well-being of others.
Arc Ends: By the end of the story, Xiola learns the value of cooperation and empathy. She evolves from a self-serving operative to someone who understands the importance of teamwork and compassion.
2. Internal/External Journey:
Internal Journey: Xiola's internal journey involves her transformation from a lone wolf to someone who learns to trust and rely on others. She confronts her arrogance and learns to connect with people on an emotional level.
External Journey: Externally, Xiola's journey takes her from being solely focused on her mission to navigating the chaos of being stranded on a commercial airliner in the present day. She must adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and work with the ET travel agents and tourists to find a solution.
3. Old Ways vs. New Ways:
Old Ways: Xiola's old ways are characterized by her selfishness and disregard for others. She prioritizes her mission above everything else and sees teamwork as a weakness.
New Ways: By the end of the story, Xiola learns to put the needs of others before her own. She embraces teamwork and collaboration, understanding that strength comes from unity rather than individualism.
Act 2:
1. Protagonist's Character Arc:
Arc Begins: Xiola remains focused on her mission, determined to uncover the truth behind the malfunction and prove her superiority over the ET travel agents.
Arc Ends: Through her experiences on the plane and interactions with the agents and tourists, Xiola begins to question her beliefs and priorities. She starts to see the value in cooperation and begins to change her perspective.
2. Internal/External Journey:
Internal Journey: Xiola's internal journey deepens as she confronts her own flaws and vulnerabilities. She struggles with the realization that her approach to life may not be sustainable in the long run.
External Journey: Externally, Xiola faces numerous challenges as she navigates the unfamiliar environment of present-day Earth. She must work with the ET travel agents and tourists to find a way back to their own time while avoiding detection or calamity.
3. Old Ways vs. New Ways:
Old Ways: Xiola's old ways continue to manifest in her reluctance to trust others and her insistence on following her own agenda.
New Ways: As the story progresses, Xiola learns to let go of her ego and embrace the skills of her companions. She begins to value cooperation and teamwork, understanding that true success comes from knowing oneself and recognizing the strengths of others.
Act 3:
1. Protagonist's Character Arc:
Arc Begins: Xiola reaches a breaking point as the situation becomes increasingly dire. She is forced to confront her deepest fears and insecurities.
Arc Ends: In the climax of the story, Xiola undergoes a profound transformation, fully embracing the values of cooperation and empathy. She is ready to accept and laugh at her shortcomings and face new challenges.
2. Internal/External Journey:
Internal Journey: Xiola's internal journey reaches its climax as she grapples with the realization that she cannot succeed alone. She must learn to trust her companions and rely on their strengths.
External Journey: Externally, Xiola and her companions face their biggest challenge yet as they race against time to fix the malfunction and return to their own time. Through teamwork and determination, they overcome the odds and emerge victorious.
3. Old Ways vs. New Ways:
Old Ways: Xiola’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors revolve around herself, making her insensitive with very little regard for the feelings, ideas and actions of others.
New Ways: In the end, Xiola begins to embrace a wider, more inclusive outlook on life, embracing the value of teamwork and cooperation. She emerges as a stronger, more compassionate individual, ready to face whatever challenges the future may hold.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie's Vision for Success: Do the assignments! Write a great marketable script and get it produced.
What I learned from doing this assignment is… how powerful the state to action empowers me to spring into action.

Title: ALIENS ON A PLANE

Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy

High Concept: Three ET travel agents compete fiercely for dominance in the multidimensional vacations market on their distant planet. During a critical demonstration of their latest technologies, time travel, teleportation, and multidimensional holidays, a malfunction occurs, propelling them and their three tourists into a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day U.S.A.
Character: Xiola
Role: Protagonist
Journey: Xiola, a covert special ops time travel explorer from the future, is tasked with investigating the three ET travel agents suspected of causing the glitch that landed them all on the plane mid-flight.

Unique: Xiola’s unique background as a time traveler from the future gives her a distinct perspective on the events unfolding around her.
Intentional: Xiola’s expertise in time travel and investigation makes her the perfect protagonist to unravel the mystery behind the malfunction and thwart the antagonist’s plans.

Character: Zartuuf
Role: Antagonist
Journey: Zartuuf, an ET travel agent, is determined to sabotage his competitors and monopolize the multidimensional tourist trade.
Unique: Zartuuf’s constant struggle with his ET pet gizdink adds a comedic element to his character, highlighting his flaws and vulnerabilities in amusing ways.
Intentional: Zartuuf’s background as a ruthless businessman and his connections within the intergalactic tourism industry make him the perfect antagonist to challenge Xiola.

Character: Mizdrok
Role: Triangle Character
Journey: Mizdrok, an ET tourist from a different planet, finds themselves entangled in the chaos of the malfunction that lands them on the plane mid-flight.
Unique: Mizdrok’s androgynous nature and fluid identity add depth and complexity to their character, highlighting themes of self-acceptance and authenticity.
Intentional: Mizdrok’s outsider perspective on love and relationships provides a unique lens through which other characters may view gender identity and freedom in loving relationships.

[Diane Denham]

Module 2 – Lesson 1: Bonnie’s Title, Concept, and Character Structure!

Bonnie's Vision for Success: Do the assignments! Write a great marketable script and get it produced.
What I learned from doing this assignment is… how powerful the state to action empowers me to spring into action.

Title: ALIENS ON A PLANE
Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy

High Concept: Three ET travel agents compete fiercely for dominance in the multidimensional vacations market on their distant planet. During a critical demonstration of their latest technologies, time travel, teleportation, and multidimensional holidays, a malfunction occurs, propelling them and their three tourists into a commercial airline mid-flight over present-day U.S.A.

Character Structure: Most likely it will be the Protagonist vs Antagonist (But it might turn out a Dramatic Triangle or Buddy Movie)

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  Diane Denham.
• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

I loved the Empowerment exercises, and I DID laugh at Hal’s perfectionist joke! 🤣 I learned why I was beginning to feel overwhelmed while playing around with AI in the couple of weeks before the March 28th class. I was saving too much data. So, I learned how to be selective. Only save what I like. Dump the rest. Thanks, Hal. 🤗

[Diane Denham]

Hi Cheryl, Hal and Everyone! 🌞Great to be back with you. I am Bonnie Maffei, an artist, Teacher of Active Dreaming, Eurythmist, Mesa carrier in the Peruvian Shamanic lineage of Puma Fredy Quispe Singona, and a longtime student of Hal and Cheryl in SU. I started writing screenplays in 2005. I haven’t counted my scripts, but I must have written about 20 by now, some of which are features and others pilots. I had two optioned, “Becoming Picasso” and “Funeral Fakers”, both written in the Master class. I recognize some of you from the Master class and Bingeworthy Bootcamp. I’m looking forward to having fun with and learning how to use AI as my personal assistant, and im anxious to meet and interact with everyone! Ciao for now! Bonnie 🌹

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

Yes, I, Bonnie Maffei, agree.

[Diane Denham]

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 18: Act 3 Middle Scenes

What I learned doing this assignment is… at this point, February 26th, post what I’ve got and move on to the next assignment.

Bonnie’s Act 3 Middle Scenes of MYKA’S JOURNEY

INT. MULTIVERSITY – DAY

The attack on Wisdom, Art, Music and Dreams continues full force on the other side of waking life.

INT. BAR – NIGHT

Humanity is losing their dreams, their memories and ancient wisdom. Gabi presses Myka to come up with a solution!

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi corner Myka. It’s not just about her.

Key Scene 2 MAKE A NEW PLAN: Protagonist is forced to step even further outside her comfort zone. Myka lets go of more Old Ways that aren’t working, takes on more New riskier Ways.

They plan to use their combined synesthesia talents of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste to fight the villains of the Multiversity in the shared dream space.

The team demands that Myka listens to their ideas.

BEGINNING: Gabi, Yuri and Rafi sit at corner booth with bottles of beer. Myka nurses a glass of ice water. A heated discussion is underway.

MYKA

Gabi’s right, we need a better plan. I’ll brainstorm some strategies and —

RAFI

Seriously? You’ll brainstorm? What about us? I thought we were a team.

GABI

No, not this again, Myka.

YURI

We’re not pups anymore, Myka, so stop trying to play leader of the pack. Let’s brainstorm together.

MYKA

Yeah, sorry, what was I thinking? Yeah, no, I mean, I realize you guys sometimes have good ideas.

They glare at her. She fidgets uncomfortably.

RAFI

We need a really effective strategy, and that would mean considering everyone’s ideas.

Yuri and Gabi nod in agreement.

GABI

Can you handle that, Myka?

Myka takes a drink of water. Gestures to towards the bar.

MYKA

Excuse me, could I get another coffee over here?

The team goes quiet, waiting for Myka to say something.

MYKA

Okay! Fine, I’ll hear you out.

GABI

So good of you.

They’ll intensify their synesthetic training in waking hours. Practice, strategize, asks questions.

Brainstorm. Make a mission board.

INT. BAR – LATER

The plan unfolds.

MIDDLE: There are several empty bottles of beer and a plate of half-eaten fries on the table, and a coffee cup in front of Myka.

GABI

So, The Plan. Lets recap. We’ll use our combined synesthesia talents —

MYKA

Sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste in various combinations in the shared dream space…

Myka writes notes on paper coasters and arranges them in a pattern on the table.

RAFI

Which we’re already good at to —

YURI

To fight the bad guys in the

Multiversity. We know, but how?

MYKA

Are you guys ready to intensify synesthetic training, practice in waking hours together?

RAFI

We should be clear about who’s going to use which skills.

GABI

Come on, Myka! You can do better than this. We need a bolder plan if we’re going to defeat whatever is attacking the Multiversity.

END: Silence while they lean back and drink in unison.

MYKA

Let’s sleep on it, meet at the Treehouse tomorrow to map this out.

GABI

This better not be a cop out.

Myka looks at the puzzle of coasters laid out on the table.

MYKA

I think we’re going to need some bigger coasters.

They all chuckle. Myka picks up Gabi’s beer and holds it up to the light.

MYKA

Hmmm… Craft beer, mind if I have a little taste?

Gabi shoots daggers of disapproval at her, grabs it back.

GABI

Only if you want the silent treatment for another year.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

KEY SCENE 3: Things start going well, until… They attain some initial success with their plans and make some headway in the conflict.

BEGINNING: They send one another signals, knowing which synesthetic skills each of them has.

Myka, Gabi and Yuri create a wall of color and sound around Rafi and she has to get through it using her senses of touch and smell to counteract it.

Gabi, Rafi and Yuri parade around her, wafting violin music and various aromas around Myka, and she has to create opposite visual imagery to dissolve it.

Rafi, Gabi and Myka blindfold Yuri and place various objects around him to taste and smell, and he has to improvise violin music to counteract them.

Yuri, Myka and Rafi blindfold Gabi and lead her through an obstacle course barefoot, and she must create antidotal sound and imagery to alleviate the sensations she feels.

If they achieve a ‘high’ here, it will set them up for even more failure in the Turning Point scene!

EXT. WOODS – DAY

MIDDLE: They practice their skills. The four of them create sheets of color, sound, smell, taste and touch like sheets hanging from a clothesline, and they must venture through them, one at a time, to arrive at a specific destination.

Imagine victory.

Empower themselves for battle. They practice creating the shared dream space. Trial and error until finally… they meet on the other side!

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

END: The four friends lie down, take hands, fall asleep and go into the dream space far more prepared to explore and investigate inside the Multiversity. They meet with dangerous obstacles and use their gifts to dissolve, transform or circumvent them.

They wake up feeling victorious. They celebrate their victory!

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

I finished Lessons 1 through 17 Assignments! Now I’m excited to get going on the next one, Lesson 18! All the way through this course, I have looked forward to working on and completing each assignment.🤩 Celebrating by getting right on it… now!

[Diane Denham]

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 17: Act 3 Begins

What I learned doing this assignment is that I’ve realized this scene is the reaction to the protagonist’s dilemma at the end of Act 2.

Bonnie’s Act 3 Reaction to Midpoint

ACT 3

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFÉ FLOR – DAY

Key Scene 1: React/Rethink the new reality revealed by Midpoint. When the Midpoint changes the meaning of the journey, Myka rethinks her situation. Something major has changed, leaving her floundering for a path toward survival or success. A career opportunity or saving the Multiversity?

BEGINNING: SUPER: FRIDAY 5:00 PM

Myka parks in front of Cafe’ Flor, sees the collector and the investor sitting at an outdoor table. Their eyes meet.

MIDDLE: The collector waves, inviting Myka to their table.

ART COLLECTOR

Michaela! Over here!

Myka stares at them, her synesthesia senses kick in. She sees hundred-dollar bills flying around them in a vortex.

She checks her hair and lipstick in the visor mirror. Makes a face when an acrid green odor wafts under her nose.

Myka flashes on her promise to Gabi, Yuri and Rafi to meet them at the Treehouse. Sees the disappointment in their eyes.

END: She freaks out, changes her mind. She texts the collector: “Sorry. I made a mistake,” and drives away.

[Diane Denham]

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 16: Finish Act 2

What I learned doing this assignment is… Wow, that was fast!

Bonnie Has Completed Act 2 Draft 1

ACT 2

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Key Scene 1: Reaction to the Turning Point.

Myka wakes up and starts to go straight to her OLD WAYS… and soon realizes that her OLD WAYS ARE NOT WORKING. Tension, conflict and stakes escalate to a new level. Outside her comfort zone. She is locked in and there’s no going back.

BEGINNING: Myka gets out of bed, makes coffee and adds a shot of brandy. As she holds it to her lips, she glances down at the floor and sees the eviction notice in shreds and gasps.

MYKA

Oh, shit.

She tosses the drink down the drain, pours a fresh cup of black coffee and sits down in slump in front of her multi-sensory, painting-music creation, looking uninspired.

Her phone BUZZES.

INSERT: Phone caller ID shows ARTSY BITCH.

She picks up.

MYKA

Yeah, what is it? Haven’t you ruined me enough?

She stands walks over to the window, takes a swig of coffee.

ARTSY BITCH

That mouth of yours and

Your temper tantrums are

What got you in trouble

In the first place, Myka.

MYKA

It didn’t help that you

Plastered memes of me

all over social media.

ARTSY BITCH

I’m offering you a chance here. Apologize for your outburst at the gallery and I might decide not to press charges.

(huffs)

And I need you to pay for damages.

MYKA

Really? Apologize? Wow. Even if I wanted to cover costs, which I don’t, I can’t even pay my rent

because… YOU DROPPED MY ASS!

She clicks off.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

MIDDLE: Myka sits in bed, scrolls through social media, reliving her recent tirade at the gallery, now with sober eyes.

INSERT: Laptop screen shows memes of her meltdown at the gallery, destroying her own work and shouting insults at the gallery owner.

Her expressions go from horror to amusement to looking away with disgust and disbelief.

MYKA

Yow, that was me? How am I ever going to crawl out of this hole?

Shuts the laptop and flops back on her pillow, closes her eyes but immediately snaps them wide open when a foul smell wafts under her nose intercut with chunky brownish green, textured streams of color spiraling in front of her sight.

Scenes from her nightmare of the crumbling Multiversity play before her eyes in overlapping colors, forms, sounds and images. Visible scents of mold and dust accost her senses. Flame and ash attack her taste buds and the skin on her arms.

Floods of liquid color splash across masterpieces before her eyes, each tasting like acrid rotting fruit. She gags, brushes away the insects nibbling at her nose.

Myka snaps herself out of it, the dream memory dissolves.

MYKA

How can I fix this? My dreams, my inspiration… God, everything is fading away.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

END: Myka empties brandy and wine bottles into the gutter, tosses them into trash bin. As she throws in the last of them, she glances across the street.

A few people are entering the side entrance of a church.

INT. CHURCH – NIGHT

Myka goes to an AA meeting, stands in back, looks around at the addicts seated in the room, turns and walks out.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

She works on a piece combining music, color and scent, but looks frustrated.

MYKA

This isn’t working.

Stops recording. Closes the bottles of scents. Tosses everything on the floor in frustration.

Myka opens her laptop, searches galleries and theaters. Dials one of them on her phone.

VISIONS GALLERY DIRECTOR (V.O.)

(cool female voice)

Visions gallery.

MYKA

Yeah, hi, this is Myka —

VISIONS GALLERY DIRECTOR (V.O.)

(chuckles)

It’s a hard pass, hon, everybody’s seen your memes.

Director hangs up.

MYKA

Of course they have, bitch. Wait, maybe an out of the way theater?

She dials.

THEATER EVENTS PLANNER

(male voice)

Events. We’re booked through summer, if you’re asking.

MYKA

I’ve got a multisensory —

THEATER EVENTS PLANNER

Name?

MYKA

Uhh, well, I’ve shown my work at —

THEATER EVENTS PLANNER

Look, lady, we’re not taking new artists. Are you a name?

MYKA

Never mind, asshole. Who needs your dumb theater anyway?

Myka hangs up and opens a file of photos of Gabi, Yuri and Rafi from college. Scrolls through with pained expression.

MYKA

God, I was such a shit to you guys… and the Committee and, not to mention, Artsy Bitch.

Slams laptop shut.

MYKA

I make a mess of everything. I’ve got to get out of here… now.

She tosses the remaining scraps of her project into a box, grabs her bag and laptop and flies out the door.

EXT. CAFÉ – DAY

They’re concerned about Myka, talk about staging a possible intervention. They argue and can’t agree what to do. Nothing is decided. They’re still hurt because of the way she left things with them.

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi sit at an outdoor table over coffee.

GABI

You saw the memes of Myka at her opening. I’m concerned about her.

YURI

Just how many meltdowns can one person survive?

GABI

She’s Myka. It takes practice.

RAFI

How are we supposed to help her if she won’t even talk to us?

Long silence while they drink their coffees.

GABI

We stage an intervention.

YURI

Seriously, Gabi? After the way she left things with us?

RAFI

I sometimes wake up hearing her screaming at the Committee even after all this time.

YURI

I don’t know, Gabi. She’d probably just yell at us and walk out. We’d be her collateral damage… again. Why waste our time and energy?

GABI

So we just do nothing then.

EXT. VAN – DAY

Myka jumps in her van and heads out on the highway.

INT. VAN – NIGHT

Myka drives along a one-lane country road, turns off onto a dirt road leading into the woods, parks and gets out.

EXT. WOODS – SAME

Myka treks through thick brush for several yards, past a “No Trespassing” sign, until she comes to a big old tree with a broken ladder leading up to the top.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

Myka climbs up the rickety ladder precariously attached to the trunk of the tree. As she puts her weight onto one of the rungs, her foot falls through. She catches herself with one hand grasping the floor of the treehouse.

She crawls inside. As she gazes around, remnants of the past flood her memory. She brushes the dust and leaves off a yoga mat on the floor and lies down. She gazes out the window across the treetops. Tears well up and she falls asleep.

MYKA’S DREAM

Myka lands on a sandy beach in a hidden cove in a red hot air balloon.

Yuri emerges from a dark cave in the side of the cliff.

Rafi arrives in a little green rowboat.

Gabi flies magically through the air, landing on soft sand.

They gather in front of a shiny golden, multistory building with curved and straight architectural features, windows of many colors, stairways and ramps leading to various levels.

THE MULTIVERSITY engraved across the arched stone entrance.

The ground begins to shake, rocks fall from the cliffs, giant waves crash against the shore. The Multiversity begins to crumble, windows blow out shattered glass.

As the four huddle together, the dream dissolves into tiny particles of light and blows away in the wind.

END OF MYKA’S DREAM

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

A gust of wind blows a flurry of leaves through the window, waking Myka.

MYKA

I miss you guys so much. I don’t think I can do this alone.

SEVERAL SHOTS:

She sweeps the floor, lays out the mats, dusts off the shelves, organizes the mismatched cups and bowls.

Grabs a hammer and box of nails, takes a nostalgic look around before cautiously descending the broken ladder.

She gathers pieces of wood that have fallen from the tree and repairs each step until it’s sturdy enough to climb.

INT./EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

Key Scene 2: NEW PLAN: Myka makes a plan and executes it.

She swallows her pride, and decides to apologize to her friends, and get the old gang together, so she can get back her juju. Myka calls Gabi, Yuri and Rafi, but no one answers.

BEGINNING: Myka packs a few boxes and a rucksack and tosses them into her van. She pulls out her phone, scrolls through her contacts… hesitates.

MYKA

No, I can’t. They hate me.

Stashes her phone back in her pocket. Goes back inside, comes out with a box full of camping supplies, slides it into the back of the van, slams the door shut.

Takes out her phone, taps GABI. It rings. Goes to voicemail. She clicks off.

She calls Yuri. No answer. Then Rafi. Voicemail. She starts to leave a message, changes her mind. Hangs up, goes inside.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

MIDDLE: Myka, clearly distressed, continues packing and cleaning energetically. Falls breathless into the couch.

END: Pulls out her phone, calls Gabi. It goes to voicemail. This time, she leaves a message.

MYKA

Hey, Gabi… uhmm, it’s me. I know it’s been a minute, but please don’t delete this message.

(deep sigh)

It’s… it’s the Multiversity. It’s deteriorating, I’m losing my juju and I… need your help. Call me.

INT. GABI’S STUDIO – DAY

Gabi paints brilliant colors on a canvas. Her phone buzzes. She sees Myka’s name and ignores the call. It rings again. She waits, picks up and listens to the message. An expression of concern comes over her face.

She continues painting, but the colors begin to turn shades of grey.

GABI

What the…? Okay, something’s off.

Gabi fears something is off in the Multiversity.

INT. RAFI’S EURYTHMY STUDIO – DAY

Yuri reads a poem aloud in a clear, deep resounding manner, as Rafi glides gracefully around the room in green silk chiffon veils moving her arms to the sounds of his voice.

INT. RAFI’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Rafi lies in bed reading. Her phone rings, she picks up and hears Myka’s voice. Hangs up. Goes back to reading her book. The words on the page fade in and out.

INT. YURI’S FLAT – DAY

Yuri plays his violin, surrounded by large crystals that vibrate and sing with each tone he plays. His phone rings. Shakes his head, doesn’t answer. Continues playing his violin, but the music sounds dissonant and screechy.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Hands over the keys to her loft to the owner. Gets in her van and drives away.

EXT. MYKA’S VAN – DAY

She pulls her van behind the treehouse, unpacks her stuff and moves in.

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Gabi emerges from the woods and heads towards the treehouse.

INT. TREEHOUSE – SAME

Gabi visits the treehouse, sees evidence that Myka has been living there.

Gabi gazes around, sees evidence that Myka has been living there. She sits quietly for a moment head in hands. As she rises and starts to leave Myka shows up.

Myka apologizes. Tells Gabi her nightmare. Gabi tells her what’s been happening with her living nightmare.

EXT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Key Scene 3: PLAN IN ACTION: Not only does her plan fail, but…

BEGINNING: Rafi and Yuri show up. Gabi greets them and convinces them to come inside. They climb up reluctantly.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

MIDDLE: They hear out Myka with Gabi chiming in…

Myka stands in the middle of the floor in anticipation.

Rafi, Yuri and Gabi climb up into the treehouse and sit on the old sofa opposite her, without a word.

Gabi gives her the go-ahead nod.

MYKA

Okay, here’s the plan, guys —

GABI

Myka?

MYKA

Right… uh, I guess I owe you an apology for dropping off the radar after our… my big debacle.

Silence.

MYKA

Yeah, okay, I know. I’m sorry. I was a bitch. I’ve really missed you and my life hasn’t been the same without the old gang.

Gabi and Rafi exchange glances, trying not to grin. Yuri rolls his eyes, crosses his arms and stares at Myka.

MYKA

Sooo… Am I forgiven?

YURI

Depends.

MYKA

On?

RAFI

On the condition that you keep your huge ego in check.

GABI

No temper tantrums.

YURI

No micromanaging.

MYKA

What? Really?

GABI

Do you think you can handle it?

MYKA

Of course I can handle… Okay, fine. Agreed.

RAFI

So what’s going on, Myka? Why now?

MYKA

I’m losing my juju and I need…

They glare at her.

MYKA

Okay, look, there’s something weird going on in the Multiversity and if I know you guys at all, I’m sure you feel it too. The point is, what are we going to do about it? If we could just figure this out, get the old gang together, do some dream synesthesia research… maybe we could fix things. What do you say?

GABI

The plan is to meet here where it all started. Practice shared synesthetic dreaming, and when we feel ready, enter the Multiversity and find out what’s happening.

RAFI

I’m in.

YURI

When do we start?

MYKA

If we’re going to recreate what we had back then…

GABI

We’d better get this place ready.

The plan is to revive the gang and meet there to continue their synesthetic dream-research, as long as Myka doesn’t get up to her “old tricks”, bossiness and temper tantrums. In other words, on the condition that Myka’s big ego doesn’t get in the way.

SEVERAL SHOTS:

They clean up and repair the treehouse.

Myka slips into her Old Ways a few times, and the others call her on it, but playfully.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

END: Practice synesthetic dreaming there every night until they’re ready to go back into the Multiversity for battle.

They drink mugwort tea.

They lie on mats and fall asleep.

They practice meeting in shared dreams.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

The exterior walls show signs of deterioration.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

Various creatures destroy, eat, steal the content of the branches of Wisdom, Art, Music, Dream and Memory.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Key Scene 4: MIDPOINT TURNING: There’s a huge change in meaning.

They charge in to battle the forces that are attacking Wisdom, Memory and Dream without knowing who or what they’re up against.

They charge into the Multiversity. Myka chickens out and runs. Gabi confronts Myka. Calls her a coward.

BEGINNING: Myka, Gabi, Yuri and Rafi gather inside. Myka brews mugwort tea and pours everyone a cup, Gabi passes them out, Myka drinks from an oversized pottery mug with her name on it.

MYKA

So, guys, the clock is ticking. Time for battle. Are you ready?

Rafi passes around a plate of cookies. Myka takes the biggest one. Gabi shoots her a glance of disapproval. Myka shrugs.

MYKA

What?

Yuri lays out four mats and pillows on the floor in a sunburst pattern with the heads facing towards the center.

YURI

Do we have any idea what we’re up against?

GABI

Yeah, no.

YURI

Maybe one of us ought to go in and check out the situation before we all charge in blind.

RAFI

Too dangerous. We need to know we have one another’s backs.

GABI

Rafi’s right, we’ll have a better chance going in as a team.

MYKA

Maybe I should stay behind in case you guys can’t wake up.

GABI

Seriously? It’s all of us or none of us. The only way we were ever able to enter the Multiversity was if we went in together. You know that, Myka.

MYKA

Right, sure. Okay, then. Yuri, you enter from the tunnel in the cave. Rafi, by boat from the shore. Gabi flies in from over the cliffs —

GABI

We know the drill, Myka, and you drop down from a hot air balloon like when we were kids. Come on.

Gabi takes Myka’s hand. Yuri and Rafi shake their heads.

They take their places on the mats, lie down on their backs, close their eyes and join hands, closing the circle.

Everyone takes a few deep breaths. Their breathing slows. It’s quiet except for the sounds of a bird singing and leaves rustling through the trees.

Rafi snores. Myka opens one eye and looks around.

Gabi turns her head towards Myka without opening her eyes.

GABI

(whispers)

What are you, the sleep police? Relax. Everyone’s going to be okay.

The clock is ticking. The team prepares for battle.

EXT./INT. MULTIVERSITY – HIDDEN COVE – NIGHT

Same journey: They’re still trying to enter shared synesthesia dream and find out what’s going on.

Different Meaning: They discover who and what has been destroying the Multiversity.

MIDDLE: Myka backs down from a dangerous opportunity to conquer the villain, and retreats. Gabi witnesses it.

Rafi rows in from the ocean, pulls her little green boat onto the shore and steps onto the sand.

Gabi flies in over the cliffs and lands on soft sand.

Yuri emerges from the cave in the side of the cliff.

Myka makes a loud grand entrance in her red hot air balloon.

They gather in front of the Multiversity.

The GATEKEEPER greets them at the entrance, the tall, arched, double wooden doors.

GATEKEEPER

What is the correct time?

They answer in unison.

MYKA/GABI/RAFI/YURI

The time is always now.

GATEKEEPER

You may enter.

The Gatekeeper opens the doors and they follow Myka inside.

They explore each of the schools and libraries, speechless at the sight of the disintegration.

PLACEHOLDER Describe these in more detail here.

Gabi spots a gigantic gelatinous blob, hurries towards it.

GABI

Myka, look! Come on.

The blob notices her and slimes towards her.

Gabi runs, just escaping from being absorbed.

Myka freezes at the sight.

GABI

Yuri! Rafi! Run!

Gabi grabs Myka’s hand and the four of them run out through the wooden doors.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

END: They’re no match for the villains.

The four of them sit up simultaneously, eyes wide, in shock.

MYKA

We’re clearly not ready, gang. Something more powerful than I thought is going on in there.

YURI

Yeah, that was some weird shit show. What do we do now, team?

RAFI

We’ll figure it out.

GABI

(whispers)

What happened back there, Myka?

MYKA

I don’t know. I froze. I’m sorry.

GABI

(under her breath)

Coward.

MYKA

What?

Gabi waves it off.

YURI

Synesthesia shared lucid dream rule number one. Don’t freak out!

RAFI

Exactly. If only we could maintain our shared dream long enough to implement our powers, maybe we’d find out who or what wants to bring down the Multiversity.

Gabi walks out muttering under her breath.

Myka scrambles down the treehouse ladder.

MYKA

Gabi! Wait!

Gabi keeps walking away without turning around.

MYKA

You were right!

Gabi stops in her tracks, turns to face Myka.

GABI

Go on.

MYKA

I let you down. I was scared. When it came right down to it, I was only concerned about saving myself.

GABI

You let us all down, Myka.

Myka looks at the ground.

MYKA

I know. I’m sorry. I’ll try harder. Look, let’s try again and I promise I won’t disappoint you this time.

Yuri and Rafi climb down and join them.

YURI

So, what’s the plan.

RAFI

We can’t quit now, right?

MYKA

I’m sorry, guys. I screwed up and this is bigger than all of us. We have to go back in.

GABI

What are you suggesting?

MYKA

Let’s be super vigilant. Notice where things are falling apart. What we need to focus on in our dreams and…

GABI

And?

MYKA

And meet back here Friday. Spend the weekend practicing our skills.

YURI

Better not wimp out this time.

MYKA

Please give me another chance. Regroup Friday, five o’clock?

They exchange glances. Long uncomfortable silence.

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi give reluctant nods of approval.

MYKA

You won’t regret this. I promise.

INT. BAR – NIGHT

Myka strikes up a conversation, agrees to meet an Art Collector and her investor partner at a cafe’ on Friday, the night she’s promised to meet the gang at the Treehouse to save the Multiversity.

Dilemma: Myka sits at the bar staring at a snifter of brandy on her left.

MYKA

Old Myka…?

She turns her gaze to the right to a basket of peanuts in their shells.

MYKA

Or… new Myka?

Looks to the left.

MYKA

Yummy, warm and cozy Myka… or?

She turns to the peanuts on the right.

MYKA

Into the breach to save the Multiversity Myka?

An elegant ART COLLECTOR, 50’s on a stool to Myka’s left speaks to a MAN next to her.

ART COLLECTOR

I don’t care about the ridiculous memes, this artist has talent! I need to get in touch with the gallery to get her contacts.

MAN

You can’t be serious. That woman is a walking disaster.

ART COLLECTOR

Her emotional problems have very little to do with her creativity. My partner and I are always looking to invest in emerging, innovative bold new artists, and this one shows potential —

Myka interrupts.

MYKA

I’m sorry, I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.

The Collector turns and instantly recognizes her.

ART COLLECTOR

Wait, you’re the artist. What are the chances? Michaela was it?

MYKA

Myka. Can I buy you a drink?

INT. BAR – LATER

Myka and the Art Collector sit at a booth, a bottle of cognac between them, sipping brandy.

ART COLLECTOR

No, that’s impossible, my partner is meeting with investors all day tomorrow and Thursday, so we’ll need to push it to Friday at five. That’s the last opportunity she’ll have to discuss funding your projects. She leaves for Rome that night on the red eye.

Myka’s face drops.

ART COLLECTOR

What’s the matter, do you have more important plans?

Silence.

ART COLLECTOR

Fine. If you can’t make it —

MYKA

No, no, no, I’ll be there.

ART COLLECTOR

Prima! Cafe’ Flor, Friday at five.

The Collector stands, they shake hands. She walks away.

END OF ACT 2

[Diane Denham]

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 15: Act 2 TP – The Midpoint

What I learned doing this assignment is… I can’t wait to do each assignment. I love this, especially since I know I can keep writing, or stop even though I know it doesn’t have to be my best action or dialogue. I can always go back and elevate it.

Bonnie’s Act 2 TP – Midpoint

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Key Scene 4: MIDPOINT TURNING: There’s a huge change in meaning. They charge in to battle the forces that are attacking Wisdom, Memory and Dream without knowing who or what they’re up against.

BEGINNING: Myka, Gabi, Yuri and Rafi gather inside. Myka brews mugwort tea and pours everyone a cup, Gabi passes them out, Myka drinks from an oversized pottery mug with her name on it.

MYKA

So, guys, the clock is ticking. Time for battle. Are you ready?

Rafi passes around a plate of cookies. Myka takes the biggest one.

Gabi shoots her a glance of disapproval. Myka shrugs.

MYKA

What?

Yuri lays out four mats and pillows on the floor in a sunburst pattern with the heads facing towards the center.

YURI

Do we have any idea what we’re going to be up against?

GABI

Yeah, no.

YURI

Maybe one of us ought to go in and check out the situation before we all charge in blind.

RAFI

Too dangerous. We need to know we have one another’s backs.

GABI

Rafi’s right, we’ll have a better chance going in as a team.

MYKA

Maybe I should stay behind in case you guys can’t wake up.

GABI

Seriously? It’s all of us or none of us. The only way we were ever able to enter the Multiversity was if we went in together. You know that, Myka.

MYKA

Right, sure. Okay, then. Yuri, you enter from the tunnel in the cave. Rafi, by boat from the shore. Gabi flies in from over the cliffs —

GABI

We know, Myka, and you drop down from a hot air balloon… just like when we were kids. Come on.

Gabi takes Myka’s hand. Yuri and Rafi shake their heads.

They take their places on the mats, lie down on their backs, close their eyes and join hands, closing the circle.

Everyone takes a few deep breaths. Their breathing slows. Rafi falls asleep first. Myka opens one eye and looks around.

Gabi turns her head towards Myka without opening her eyes.

GABI

(whispers)

What are you, the sleep police? Relax. Everyone’s going to be okay.

The clock is ticking. The team prepares for battle.

EXT./INT. MULTIVERSITY – HIDDEN COVE – NIGHT

Same journey: They’re still trying to enter shared synesthestic dream and find out what’s going on.

Different Meaning: They discover who and what has been destroying the Multiversity.

MIDDLE: Myka backs down from a dangerous opportunity to conquer the villain, and retreats. Gabi witnesses it.

Rafi rows in from the ocean, pulls her little green boat onto the shore and steps onto the sand.

Gabi flies in over the cliffs and lands on soft sand.

Yuri emerges from the cave in the side of the cliff.

Myka makes a grand entrance in her red hot air balloon.

They gather in front of the Multiversity.

The GATEKEEPER greets them at the entrance, the tall, arched, double wooden doors.

GATEKEEPER

What is the correct time?

They answer in unison.

MYKA/GABI/RAFI/YURI

The time is now.

GATEKEEPER

You may enter.

The Gatekeeper opens the doors and they go inside.

They explore each of the schools and libraries, speechless at the sight of the disintegration.

PLACEHOLDER Describe these in more detail here.

Gabi spots a gigantic gelatinous blob, hurries towards it.

GABI

Myka, look! Come on.

The blob notices her and slimes towards her.

Gabi runs, just escaping from being absorbed.

Myka freezes at the sight.

GABI

Yuri! Rafi! Run!

Gabi grabs Myka’s hand and the four of them run out through the wooden doors.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

END: They’re no match for the villains.

The four of them sit up simultaneously, eyes wide, in shock.

MYKA

We’re clearly not ready, gang. Something more powerful than I thought is going on in there.

YURI

Yeah, that was some weird shit show. What do we do now, team?

RAFI

We’ll figure it out.

GABI

(whispers)

What happened back there, Myka?

MYKA

I don’t know. I froze. I’m sorry.

GABI

(under her breath)

Coward.

MYKA

What?

Gabi waves it off.

YURI

Guys, synesthesia shared dream state 101… Don’t freak out!

RAFI

Exactly. If only we could maintain our shared dream long enough to implement our powers, maybe we’d find out who or what wants to bring down the Multiversity.

Gabi walks out muttering under her breath.

Gabi confronts Myka. Calls her a coward.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 14: Act 2 Middle Scenes

Bonnie’s Act 2 Middle Scenes

What I learned doing this assignment is that I’m amazed how many times I have been able to think of times in my life when I felt empowered and use those feelings to power my writing.

INT./EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

Key Scene 2: NEW PLAN: Myka makes a plan and executes it.

She swallows her pride, and decides to apologize to her friends, and get the old gang together, so she can get back her juju. Myka calls Gabi, Yuri and Rafi, but no one answers.

BEGINNING: Myka packs a few boxes and a rucksack and tosses them into her van. She pulls out her phone, scrolls through her contacts… hesitates.

MYKA

No, I can’t. They hate me.

Stashes her phone back in her pocket. Goes back inside, comes out with a box full of camping supplies, slides it into the back of the van, slams the door shut.

Takes out her phone, taps GABI. It rings. Goes to voicemail. She clicks off.

She calls Yuri. No answer. Then Rafi. Voicemail. She starts to leave a message, changes her mind. Hangs up, goes inside.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

MIDDLE: Myka, clearly distressed, continues packing and cleaning energetically. Falls breathless into the couch.

END: Pulls out her phone, calls Gabi. It goes to voicemail. This time, she leaves a message.

MYKA

Hey, Gabi… uhmm, it’s me. I know it’s been a minute, but please don’t delete this message.

(deep sigh)

It’s… it’s the Multiversity. It’s deteriorating, I’m losing my juju and I… need your help. Call me.

INT. GABI’S HOUSE – DAY

Gabi’s phone buzzes. She sees Myka’s name and ignores the call. It rings again. She waits, picks up and listens to the message. An expression of concern comes over her face.

She continues painting, but the colors begin to turn shades of grey.

GABI

What the…? Okay, something’s off.

Gabi fears something is off in the Multiversity.

EXT. RAFI’S PLACE – DAY

Rafi lies in bed reading. Her phone rings, she picks up and hears Myka’s voice. Hangs up. Goes back to reading her book. The words on the page fade in and out.

INT. YURI’S FLAT – DAY

Yuri plays his violin. His phone rings. Shakes his head, doesn’t answer. Continues playing his violin, but the music sounds dissonant and screechy.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Hands over the keys to her loft to the owner. Gets in her van and drives away.

EXT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Key Scene 3: PLAN IN ACTION: Not only does her plan fail, but…

BEGINNING: Rafi and Yuri show up. Gabi greets them and convinces them to come inside. They climb up reluctantly.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

MIDDLE: They hear out Myka with Gabi chiming in…

Myka stands in the middle of the floor in anticipation.

Rafi, Yuri and Gabi climb up into the treehouse and sit on the old sofa opposite her, without a word.

Gabi gives her the go-ahead nod.

MYKA

Okay, here’s the plan, guys —

GABI

Myka?

MYKA

Right… uh, I guess I owe you an apology for dropping off the radar after our… my big debacle.

Silence.

MYKA

Yeah, okay, I know. I’m sorry. I was a bitch. I’ve really missed you and my life hasn’t been the same without the old gang.

Gabi and Rafi exchange glances, trying not to grin. Yuri crosses his arms and stares at Myka.

MYKA

Sooo… Am I forgiven?

YURI

Depends.

MYKA

On?

RAFI

On the condition that you keep your huge ego in check.

GABI

No temper tantrums.

YURI

No micromanaging.

MYKA

What? Really?

GABI

Do you think you can handle it?

MYKA

Of course I can handle… Okay, fine. Agreed.

RAFI

So what’s your genius plan?

MYKA

I’m losing my juju and I need…

They glare at her.

MYKA

Okay, look, there’s something weird going on in the Multiversity and if I know you guys at all, I’m sure you feel it too. The point is, what are we going to do about it? If we could just figure this out, get the old gang together, do some dream synesthesia research… maybe we could fix things. What do you say?

GABI

The plan is to meet here where it all started. Practice shared synesthetic dreaming, and when we feel ready, enter the Multiversity and find out what’s going on.

RAFI

I’m in.

YURI

When do we start?

MYKA

If we’re going to recreate what we had back then…

GABI

We’d better get this place ready.

The plan is to revive the gang and meet there to continue their synesthetic dream-research, as long as Myka doesn’t get up to her “old tricks”, bossiness and temper tantrums. In other words, on the condition that Myka’s big ego doesn’t get in the way.

SEVERAL SHOTS:

They clean up and repair the treehouse. Myka slips into her Old Ways a few times, and the others call her on it, but playfully.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

END: Practice synesthetic dreaming there every night until they’re ready to go back into the Multiversity for battle.

They drink mugwort tea, sleep and practice meeting in a shared dream.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

What I learned doing this assignment is how much trouble my protagonist has gotten herself into by speaking and behaving in her Old Ways, and that she’s just now realizing how much she’s lost at this point. She has no choice now… she must swallow her pride and change… but does she though?

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 13: Act 2 Begins

Bonnie’s Act 2 Reaction to TP 1

ACT 2:

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Key Scene 1: Reaction to the Turning Point. Myka wakes up and starts to go straight to her OLD WAYS… and soon realizes that her OLD WAYS ARE NOT WORKING. Tension, conflict and stakes escalate to a new level. Outside her comfort zone. She is locked in and there’s no going back.

BEGINNING: Myka gets out of bed, makes coffee and adds a shot of brandy. As she holds it to her lips, she glances down at the floor and sees the eviction notice in shreds. She sighs deeply.

MYKA

Oh, shit.

She tosses it down the drain, pours a fresh cup of black coffee and sits down in a slump in front of her multi-sensory, painting-music creation, looking uninspired.

Her phone BUZZES.

INSERT: Phone caller ID shows ARTSY BITCH.

She picks up.

MYKA

Yeah, what is it?

haven’t you ruined

me enough?

She stands and walks over to the window, taking a swig of coffee.

ARTSY BITCH

That mouth of yours and

Your temper tantrums are

What got you in trouble

In the first place, Myka.

MYKA

It didn’t help that you

Plastered memes of me

all over social media.

ARTSY BITCH

I’m offering you a chance

here. Apologize for your

outburst at the gallery,

and I might not press charges.

(huffs)

And I need you to pay for damages.

MYKA

Really? Apologize? Wow.

Even if I wanted to cover

costs, which I don’t,

I can’t even pay my rent

because…

YOU DROPPED MY ASS!

She clicks off.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

MIDDLE: Myka sits in bed, scrolls through social media, reliving her recent tirade at the gallery, now with sober eyes.

INSERT: Laptop screen shows memes of her meltdown at the gallery, destroying her own work and shouting insults at the gallery owner.

Her expressions go from horror to amusement to looking away with disgust and disbelief.

MYKA

Yow, that was me?

How am I ever going to

crawl out of this hole?

Shuts the laptop and flops back on her pillow, closes her eyes but immediately snaps them wide open when a foul smell wafts under her nose intercut with chunky brownish green, textured streams of color spiraling in front of her sight.

Scenes from her nightmare of the crumbling Multiversity play before her eyes in overlapping colors, forms, sounds and images. Scents of mold and dust accost her sense of smell. Flame and ash attack her taste buds and the skin on her arms.

Floods of liquid color splash across masterpieces before her eyes… each tasting like acrid rotting fruit. Insects nibble at her…

Myka snaps herself out of it and the holographic dream memory dissolves.

MYKA

How can I fix this? My

dreams, my inspiration…

God, everything is fading away.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

END: Myka empties brandy and wine bottles into the gutter, tosses them into trash bin. As she throws in the last of them, she glances across the street. A few people are entering the side entrance of a church.

INT. CHURCH – NIGHT

Myka goes to an AA meeting, sits in the back. Walks out in the middle.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

She works on a piece combining music, color and scent, but she has trouble concentrating. Stops recording. Closes the bottles of scent. Tosses everything on the floor in frustration.

Myka searches galleries and theaters on her laptop.

Then opens file of photos of Gabi, Yuri and Rafi from college.

MYKA

God, I was such a shit

to you guys… and the Committee

and Artsy Bitch.

What am I going to do?

I’ve got to get out of here.

EXT. CAFÉ – DAY

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi sit around an outdoor table having coffee. They’re concerned about Myka, talk about staging a possible intervention. They argue and can’t agree what to do. Nothing is decided. They’re still hurt because of the way she left things with them.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Diane Denham.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 12: Finish Act 1

Bonnie’s Finished Act 1

What I learned doing this assignment is how satisfyingly thrilling it feels to have completed a first draft of Act 1! And I feel great at having resisted the urge to wordsmith.

EXT. SCHOOL YARD – DAY

Key Scene 1: OPENING:

BEGINNING: As kids, (10-12) Rafi and Yuri are bullied at school because of their synesthesia.

MYKA, 10, sturdy, square build, wearing a red sweater, plays with her curly red lion’s mane. She leans against the wall watching three Bullies approach two of the new kids, shy Yuri, in blue teeshirt and jeans, 10, and Rafi, 10, hiding behind her green hoodie.

In golden orange sundress, whispy blonde-haired GABI, 10, looks on from the opposite building corridor. Her eyes meet Myka’s, she swoops in like a whirlwind.

Two bullies shove Yuri against a bench, get in his face. One bully plays with Rafi’s hood, flipping it on and off of her head, laughing and mocking.

MIDDLE: Myka and Gabi step in and let the bullies know it’s not okay. Myka says something that floors the big one. Gabi reacts in kind to the other two bullies.

END: The four of them strut off in victory, glancing back at the disgruntled bullies.

Myka always wants to be the leader and usually gets her own way. Gabi exchanges glances with Yuri and Rafi that says, “Yeah, it’s less hassle if you just let it go.”

EXT. WOODS – DAY

TE 1: Myka gets her friends to help her build a treehouse in the woods.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Myka, Gabi, Rafi and Yuri hang out together, experiment with their synesthesia. They make a “Synesthete Friends Forever Pact” to always be there for one another.

INT. UNIVERSITY – DAY

At their university, years later, when they’re in their 20’s, Myka recruits Gabi, Rafi and Yuri to help demonstrate her Master’s Thesis research in “The Dreamscape of Synesthetes”. They’re thrilled and agree.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Myka describes what she’s researching, and that she wants them to go to sleep for a couple of hours, wake up and describe what they’ve experienced as synethestes in their dreams. She asks a series of questions:

MYKA

Okay, I need to know how often you dream, if you recall your dreams, and if you ever become aware you’re dreaming and if so, how often. Are you able to control your dreams? Do you ever have the feeling you’re entering other dimensions or realities?

INT. UNIVERSITY CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

SUPER: YEARS LATER

Key Scene 2: INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: At her “Master’s Thesis Defense” meeting, MYKA, 20’s, presents her Master’s Thesis: “The Dreamscape of a Synesthete” to the Thesis Committee.

The lights are dim. GABI, YURI and RAFI, all in their 20’s, lay on mats in the center of the floor, their heads on pillows, each covered with a blanket, eyes closed. Myka explains what she’ll be demonstrating.

MYKA

The three subjects have consumed mugwort tea a few minutes earlier, and are now in REM dream state. It’s as if they’ve entered another

dimension together.

MIDDLE:

20 MINUTES LATER

The three wake up. Myka demonstrates their experience in a multimedia holographic presentation, including sight, sound, and scent, a typical example of their shared dream in which they’ve explored heightened synesthetic dream experiences.

COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN

Well, Myka, I believe my colleagues

and I would agree that was an

extraordinarily delightful and

entertaining experience.

Myka exchanges glances with Gabi, Yuri and Rafi, who are now seated next to her opposite the Committee.

MYKA

Thank you.

MALE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Four stars, Myka! It was missing only one thing.

Myka shrugs, crosses her arms.

MALE COMMITTEE MEMBER

(chuckles)

Hot buttered popcorn!

COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN

As delightful as it was, Myka,

I’m afraid it’s not Masters

Material, as I’ve often said.

It appears you’ve simply

chosen to ignore my advice.

END: She is crushed and humiliated by the Committee, as they give her a harsh critique. Myka overhears the male committee member whisper to the Chairwoman.

MALE COMMITTEE MEMBER

(whispers)

What an outrageous thesis, I thought you were mentoring her. The woman’s delusional.

Gabi grabs Myka and tries to pull her out the door.

GABI

Myka, come on, time to go.

Myka, speechless, storms off in a fury.

INT. HALLWAY / COMMITTEE ROOM – 3 MINUTES LATER

BEGINNING: Key Scene 3: Myka reacts emotionally, tells off the Committee members, and blames her friends for the failure.

The four of them strut along the hallway, Gabi and Myka arm-in-arm in the middle. Myka’s face is red. Gabi speaks softly to her, trying to calm her down.

MYKA

No.

GABI

What do you mean, no?

MIDDLE: Myka turns on her heels and marches back into the Committee Room.

INT. COMMITTEE ROOM – SAME

She walks determinedly to the long table where the Committee members are still gathering their belonging and pushing in their chairs. Places her hands on the table and leans in, speaking in a calm, but firm voice.

MYKA

This is some classic bullshit.

You call yourselves advisors?

Sitting up there in judgement

At my innovative field of study?

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi enter and move cautiously towards Myka.

GABI

Myka?

Myka continues without a hitch.

MYKA

Pull those sticks out of your assess and wake up! My friends and I are visionaries so far ahead of you, you just can’t see us. Your minds are just so locked up behind outdated irrelevant rules and regulations, you’ve become a flock of baahing sheep.

Yuri steps up next to Myka.

YURI

Myka, stop, it’s enough.

MYKA

Unimaginative philistines!

GABI

Let’s go.

END: Gabi takes her by the hand, they turn and walk away.

RAFI

It’s not a complete bust, we can fix this, but we have to leave now.

GABI

Shit, Myka, you’ve really outdone yourself this time.

YURI

Yup, there goes that Master’s.

RAFI

It’s going to be okay, she just needs to cool off.

INT. CAFE’ – DAY

Gabi, Yuri, Rafi and Myka sit at a table having coffee. They talk about how Myka has just jeopardized her chances of ever receiving her Master’s Degree. Worst of all, she’s alienating her friends, who have had enough of her. Myka storms out.

INT. MYKA’S ADVISOR’S OFFICE – DAY

Gabi pleads with Myka’s advisor to give her a second chance. Allow her to rewrite her Thesis and present it again. The advisor reluctantly agrees to discuss it with her colleagues, on the condition that Myka apologizes for her temper tantrum and has no more angry outbursts.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

Gabi tries to convince Myka to apologize to her advisor and to the Committee, and suggests she rewrite her Thesis. Myka stubbornly refuses.

Gabi professes her support and admiration for her and her research. She kisses her, but Myka can’t handle it, and tells her to go.

EXT. CITY STREET – DAY

Myka wanders the streets alone, her senses spinning chaotically. Seen through Myka’s POV synesthesia senses. Sight, hearing, color, movement, etc.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

TE 2: For the next year, Myka loses contact with her college friends. She isolates herself in her own synesthetic world of art and dreams. She paints and composes music. Creates a series of work.

EXT. CITY STREET – DAY

MONTAGE: Myka goes from gallery to theater to gallery, laptop and case of equipment in tow, until finally…

INT. GALLERY – DAY

Myka gets gallery representation and has a show.

INT. GALLERY – NIGHT

TE 3: Starts drinking, becomes ruled by her hot temper and impatience. Makes a scene at her opening. The gallery drops her.

INT. BAR – NIGHT

She’s lost her friends, her dreams, inspiration and lust for living. Falls into a funk.

EXT/INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

BEGINNING: Key Scene 4: TURNING POINT: She finds an eviction notice on her door. 72 hours to move out.

INT. MYKA’S ROOM – SAME

Myka lies in bed and rips the eviction notice in pieces. She pours a brandy, takes a gulp, lights up a joint and falls asleep.

MIDDLE: MYKA’S NIGHTMARE

The Multiversity is crumbling. Dark beings attack The Hall of Ancient Wisdom, The Academies of Art, and Music, and destructive forces consume The School of Dreams, Cinema and Memory.

END OF MYKA’S NIGHTMARE

She wakes up screaming.

MYKA

Oh, my god, what’s happening

To ancient wisdom?

I can’t live without art and Music,

and what’ll I do when my dreams

and memories fade into oblivion?

[Diane Denham]

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 11: Act 1 Turning Point

What I learned doing this assignment is… don’t stop. Keep writing! I can always change things in the next draft.

Bonnie’s Turning Point 1 Scenes

ACT 1 TURNING POINT SCENE OUTLINE

EXT/INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

BEGINNING: Key Scene 4: TURNING POINT: She finds an eviction notice on her door. 72 hours to move out.

INT. MYKA’S ROOM – SAME

Myka lies in bed and rips the eviction notice in pieces. She pours a brandy, takes a gulp, lights up a joint and falls asleep.

MIDDLE: MYKA’S NIGHTMARE

The Multiversity is crumbling. Dark beings attack The Hall of Ancient Wisdom, The Academies of Art, and Music, and destructive forces consume The School of Dreams, Cinema and Memory.

END OF MYKA’S NIGHTMARE

END: She wakes up screaming.

MYKA

Oh, my god, what’s happening

To ancient wisdom?

I can’t live without art and

Music, and what’ll I do

when my dreams and

Memories fade into oblivion?

========

ACT 1 TURNING POINT SCENES

EXT/INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

BEGINNING: Key Scene 4: TURNING POINT:

Myka pulls up in front of her loft and sees a notice on the door. She gets out, rips off the notice and reads it.

MYKA

What? No.

Seventy-two hours?

Asshole. I can’t possibly…

INSERT: 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Move Out

INT. MYKA’S ROOM – SAME

Myka pours a brandy, takes a gulp, lights up a joint, stares at the eviction notice on the table.

MYKA

Screw this.

She picks it up and rips it to pieces.

She sits on her bed, empties her brandy, lies down and falls asleep.

EXT/INT. THE MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

MIDDLE: MYKA’S NIGHTMARE

The Multiversity buildings are crumbling, one by one.

Inside…

INT. THE HALLS OF WISDOM, TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE

THE EDITOR-LOCKSMITH, a scowling, button-down ogre, directs dark being swarming through the bookshelves, opening books and eat the words off the pages. Some carry locks and keys and lock the books up in cupboards.

Inside…

INT. THE ACADEMY OF ART, MUSIC, DREAMS AND BEAUTY

THE CRITIC wields destructive vibrational forces of sound and color.

Inside…

INT. THE HOLOGRAPHIC CINEMATIC ARCHIVE OF LOVE, GOODNESS AND MEMORY

THE DIRECTOR sits in his ridiculously high director’s chair transforming scenarios into dark shadows, ripping apart human relationships.

The Editor, Director and Locksmith turn to Myka, their fangs and claws out, GROWLING and HISSING. She screams and runs away.

END OF MYKA’S NIGHTMARE

INT. MYKA’S ROOM – SAME

END: She wakes up screaming.

MYKA

Oh, my god, what’s happening

To ancient wisdom?

I can’t live without art and

Music, and what’ll I do

when my dreams and

Memories fade into oblivion?

Worst of all, what

Will I do without

My friends?

[Diane Denham]

What I learned doing this assignment is that I’ve realized that even though my original Beat Sheet and Outline are incomplete, I can just keep plugging on and doing the assignments as best and as fast as I can.

Bonnie’s Inciting Incident Scene

INT. UNIVERSITY – CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

Key Scene 2: INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: At her “Master’s Thesis Defense” meeting, Myka, 20’s, presents her Master’s Thesis: “The Dreamscape of a Synesthete” to the Thesis Committee.

The lights are dim. Gabi, Yuri and Rafi, all in their 20’s, lay on mats in the center of the floor, their heads on pillows, each covered with a blanket, eyes closed. Myka explains what she’ll be demonstrating.

MYKA

The three subjects have consumed mugwort

tea a few minutes earlier, and are now in REM

dream state. It’s as if they’ve entered another

dimension together.

MIDDLE:

20 MINUTES LATER

The three wake up. Myka demonstrates their experience in a multimedia holographic presentation, including sight, sound, and scent, a typical example of their shared dream in which they’ve explored heightened synesthetic dream experiences.

COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN

Well, Myka, I believe my colleagues

and I would agree that was an

extraordinarily delightful and

entertaining experience.

Myka exchanges glances with Gabi, Yuri and Rafi, who are now seated next to her opposite the Committee.

MYKA

Thank you.

MALE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Four star, Myka! It was missing

Only one thing.

Myka shrugs, crosses her arms.

MALE COMMITTEE MEMBER

(chuckles)

Hot buttered popcorn!

COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN

As delightful as it was, Myka,

I’m afraid it’s not Masters

Material, as I’ve often said.

It appears you’ve simply

chosen to ignore my advice.

END: She is crushed and humiliated by the Committee, as they give her a harsh critique. Myka overhears the male committee member whisper to the Chairwoman that the thesis was outrageous and a mad woman’s fantasy.

Gabi grabs Myka and tries to pull her out the door.

GABI

Myka, come on, time to go!

Myka, speechless, storms off in a fury.

===

INT. HALLWAY / COMMITTEE ROOM – 2 MINUTES LATER

BEGINNING: Key Scene 3: Myka reacts emotionally, tells off the Committee members, and blames her friends for the failure.

The four of them strut along the hallway, Gabi and Myka arm-in-arm in the middle. Myka’s face is red. Gabi speaks softly to her, trying to calm her down.

MYKA

No.

GABI

What do you mean, no?

MIDDLE: Myka turns on her heels and marches back into the Committee Room.

She walks determinedly to the long table where the Committee members are still gathering their belonging and pushing in their chairs. Places her hands on the table and leans in, speaking in a calm, but firm voice.

MYKA

This is some classic bullshit.

You call yourselves advisors?

Sitting up there in judgement

At my innovative field of study?

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi enter and move cautiously towards Myka.

GABI

Myka?

Myka continues without a hitch.

MYKA

Pull those sticks out of

Your assess and wake up!

My friends and I are visionaries

so far ahead of you, you just

can’t see us. Your minds

are just so locked up

behind outdated irrelevant

rules and regulations, you’ve

become a flock of baahing sheep.

Yuri steps up next to her.

YURI

Myka, stop, it’s enough.

MYKA

Unimaginative philistines!

GABI

Let’s go.

END: Gabi takes her by the hand, they turn and walk away.

RAFI

It’s not a complete bust. We can

fix this, but we have to leave now.

GABI

Shit, Myka, you’ve really outdone

Yourself this time.

YURI

Yup, there goes that Master’s.

RAFI

It’s going to be okay. She just

Needs to cool off.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

What I learned doing this assignment is that I can write quickly when I do the Empowerment exercise before writing.

30-Day Screenplay Lesson 9: February 11, 2023

<b class=””>Bonnie’s Opening Scenes Act 1 Opening & Character Introductions

ACT 1

EXT. SCHOOL YARD – DAY

Key Scene 1: OPENING:

BEGINNING: As kids, (10-12) Rafi and Yuri are bullied at school because of their synesthesia.

MYKA, 10, sturdy, square build, wearing a red sweater, plays with her curly red lion’s mane. She leans against the wall watching three Bullies approach two of the new kids, shy Yuri, in blue teeshirt and jeans, and Rafi, hiding behind her green hoodie.

In golden orange sundress, whispy blonde-haired GABI, 10, looks on from the opposite building corridor. Her eyes meet Myka’s, she swoops in like a whirlwind.

Two bullies shove Yuri against a bench, get in his face. One bully plays with Rafi’s hood, flipping it on and off of her head, laughing and mocking.

MIDDLE: Myka and Gabi step in and let the bullies know it’s not okay. Myka says something that floors the big one. Gabi reacts in kind to the other two bullies.

END: The four of them strut off in victory, glancing back at the disgruntled bullies.

===

INT. UNIVERSITY – CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

Key Scene 2: INCITING INCIDENT:

BEGINNING: At her “Master’s Thesis Defense” meeting, Myka, 20’s, presents her Master’s Thesis: “The Dreamscape of a Synesthete” to the Thesis Committee.

The lights are dim. Gabi, Yuri and Rafi, all in their 20’s, lay on mats in the center of the floor, their heads on pillows, each covered with a blanket, eyes closed. Myka explains what she’ll be demonstrating.

MYKA

The three subjects have consumed mugwort

tea a few minutes earlier, and are now in REM

dream state. It’s as if they’ve entered another

dimension together.

MIDDLE:

20 MINUTES LATER

The three wake up. Myka demonstrates their experience in a multimedia holographic presentation, including sight, sound, and scent, a typical example of their shared dream in which they’ve explored heightened synesthetic dream experiences.

COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN

Well, Myka, I believe my colleagues

and I would agree that was an

extraordinarily delightful and

entertaining experience.

Myka exchanges glances with Gabi, Yuri and Rafi, who are now seated next to her opposite the Committee.

MYKA

Thank you.

MALE COMMITTEE MEMBER

Four star, Myka! It was missing

Only one thing.

Myka shrugs, crosses her arms.

MALE COMMITTEE MEMBER

(chuckles)

Hot buttered popcorn!

COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN

As delightful as it was, Myka,

I’m afraid it’s not Masters

Material, as I’ve often said.

It appears you’ve simply

chosen to ignore my advice.

END: She is crushed and humiliated by the Committee, as they give her a harsh critique. Myka overhears the male committee member whisper to the Chairwoman that the thesis was outrageous and a mad woman’s fantasy.

Gabi grabs Myka and tries to pull her out the door.

GABI

Myka, come on, time to go!

Myka, speechless, storms off in a fury.

===

INT. HALLWAY / COMMITTEE ROOM – 2 MINUTES LATER

BEGINNING: Key Scene 3: Myka reacts emotionally, tells off the Committee members, and blames her friends for the failure.

The four of them strut along the hallway, Gabi and Myka arm-in-arm in the middle. Myka’s face is red. Gabi speaks softly to her, trying to calm her down.

MYKA

No.

GABI

What do you mean, no?

Myka turns on her heels and marches back into the Committee Room.

She walks determinedly up to the long table where the Committee members are still gathering their belonging and pushing in their chairs. Places her hands on the table and leans in, speaking in a calm, but firm voice.

MYKA

This is some classic bullshit.

You call yourselves advisors?

Sitting up there in judgement

At my innovative field of study?

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi enter and move cautiously towards Myka.

GABI

Myka?

Myka continues without a hitch.

MYKA

Pull those sticks out of

Your assess and wake up!

My friends and I are visionaries

so far ahead of you, you just

can’t see us. Your minds

are just so locked up

behind outdated irrelevant

rules and regulations, you’ve

become a flock of baahing sheep.

Yuri steps up next to her.

YURI

Myka, stop, it’s enough.

MYKA

Unimaginative philistines!

GABI

Let’s go.

END: Gabi takes her by the hand, they turn and walk away.

RAFI

It’s not a complete bust. We can

fix this, but we have to leave now.

GABI

Shit, Myka, you’ve really outdone

Yourself this time.

YURI

Yup, there goes that Master’s.

RAFI

It’s going to be okay. She just

Needs to cool off.

Myka has just jeopardized her chances of ever receiving her Master’s Degree. Worst of all, she’s alienating her friends, who have had enough of her.

===

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>30-DAY SCREENPLAY LESSON 8 ASSIGNMENT: THE THEME & ANTAGONIST’S JOURNEY – FEBRUARY 8, 2023

THEME: The bonds of love, passion and friendships transcends time and space.

1. As synesthetic kids, Myka, Gabi, Yuri and Rafi stick together against bullies.

2. In college, they’re passionate about synesthesia, and help Myka with her research of it in dreams for her Master’s Thesis.

3. When wisdom, art, music and dreams are at risk of disappearing from the Multiversity, the four of them team up to restore them, not only for themselves but for the whole world.

GABI – Change Agent/Dreamer Protagonist – Myka’s love interest and synesthetic dream explorer.

Antagonist’s Transformational Journey

1. 10-12-year-old Gabi witnesses a schoolyard bully taunting Yuri and Rafi.

2. Gabi steps between them and bullies. Myka watches from a safe distance.

3. Gabi questions Myka’s lack of empathy a few times, and challenges her.

4. Gabi encourages Myka to get the team together to help with her Thesis.

5. When Myka explodes at her presentation, Gabi tries to talk sense into her.

6. Gabi and Myka kiss. Myka can’t handle it. Gabi says she’ll be there for her.

7. When Myka has a meltdown at her art show, and the gallery owner threatens to call the police, Gabi convinces Myka to apologize.

8. When Myka calls Rafi and Yuri and they don’t respond. Gabi goes looking for her at the Treehouse.

9. Gabi supports Myka’s plan and keeps the team together.

10.Gabi defeats one of the creatures in the Multiversity and saves Myka, putting herself in harms way. Then Myka saves her back, along with the last branch of the Multiversity that’s being attacked.

VILLAINS: An expression of the Protagonists MYKA’s nightmares and GABI’S fears, challenges them in a fight over art, music, wisdom, memory and dream that are slowly disappearing from human consciousness. They challenge the Heroes to their core by forcing them to use their synesthetic powers to defeat the villains:

THE LOCKSMITH – College of Dreams & Visions

THE EDITOR – Library of Ancient Wisdom

THE CRITIC – Academy of Art

THE DIRECTOR – The School of Cinema

THE CONDUCTOR – Academy of Music

ACT 1

EXT. SCHOOL YARD – DAY

OPENING: As kids, (10-12) Myka, Gabi, Rafi and Yuri are bullied at school because of their synesthesia, and they begin hanging out together. Myka always wants to be the leader and usually gets her own way.

EXT. WOODS – DAY

TE 1: Myka gets her friends to help her build a treehouse in the woods. They make a “Synesthete Friends Forever Pact” to always be there for one another.

INT. UNIVERSITY – DAY

INCITING INCIDENT: Myka loses her friends. At their university, years later (20’s) Myka recruits Gabi, Rafi and Yuri to help demonstrate her Master’s Thesis research in “The Dreamscape of Synesthetes”, but is humiliated by the Committee’s scathing comments about her thesis. She tells them off, blames her friends for the failure, storms off, leaves without receiving her Master’s Degree.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

TE 2: For the next year (or 2 or 3 years?) Myka loses contact with her college friends. She isolates herself in her own synesthetic world of art and dreams.

INT. GALLERY – DAY

Myka gets gallery representation and has a show.

INT. GALLERY – NIGHT

TE 3: Starts drinking, becomes ruled by her hot temper and impatience. Makes a scene at her opening. The gallery drops her.

INT. BAR – NIGHT

She’s lost her friends, her dreams, inspiration and lust for living. Falls into a funk.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

She finds an eviction notice on her door. 72 hours to move out.

INT. MYKA’S ROOM – NIGHT

TURNING POINT: Myka has a nightmare that scares the shit out of her.

TE 3: She wakes up and realizes that unless she does something to stop it, not only her dreams and inspiration will fade forever.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Empties brandy and wine bottles into the gutter, tosses them into trash bin.

ACT 2:

INT. CHURCH – NIGHT

She gets sober and goes to an AA meeting.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

She works on a piece combining music, color and scent, but she has trouble concentrating. Misses her friends.

NEW PLAN: Swallow her pride, apologize to her friends, and get the old gang together, so she can get back her juju.

INT. PLACEHOLDER

Myka calls Gabi, Yuri and Rafi. No answer. Goes to voicemail.

EXT. PLACEHOLDER

Myka calls Gabi, leaves a message telling her about the Multiversity.

TE 4: No one answers her calls.

INT. GABI’S HOUSE – DAY

Gabi’s phone buzzes. She sees Myka’s name and ignores the call. It rings again, Myka leaves a message about the old treehouse. She listens but looks sad. She continues painting, but the colors begin to turn shades of grey. Gabi fears something is off in the Multiversity.

EXT. RAFI’S PLACE – DAY

His phone rings, picks up, hears Myka’s voice and hangs up. He notices the words on the page of the book he’s reading are fading and disappearing.

INT. YURI’S FLAT – DAY

Yuri’s phone rings. Shakes his head, doesn’t answer. Continues playing his violin, but the music fades in and out.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Hands over the keys to her loft to the owner. Gets in her van and drives away.

EXT. MYKA’S VAN – DAY

She pulls her van behind the treehouse, starts unpacking her stuff and moves in.

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Gabi visits the treehouse and sees that Myka has been living there. Starts to leave when Myka shows up. Myka apologises. Tells Gabi her nightmare.

EXT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Rafi and Yuri show up. Gabi greets them. They go up reluctantly.

PLAN IN ACTION: They agree to get revive the gang and meet there to continue their synesthetic dream-research.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Clean up and repair the treehouse.

TE 5: Practice synesthetic dreaming there every night until they’re ready to go back into the Multiversity for battle.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

They drink mugwort tea, sleep and practice meeting in a shared dream.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

The exterior walls show signs of deterioration.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

Various creatures destroy, eat, steal the content of the branches of Wisdom, Art, Music, Dream and Memory.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

The clock is ticking. The team prepares for battle.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

TE 6: They charge into battle the forces that are attacking Wisdom, Memory and Dream.

MIDPOINT TURNING: Myka avoids a dangerous opportunity to conquer the villain, and retreats. Gabi witnesses it.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

TE 7: They’re no match for the villains. They wake up feeling defeated. Gabi confronts Myka. Calls her a coward.

ACT 3:

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFÉ – DAY

Myka meets a collector who saw her show and wants her to meet an investor friend on the same day she’s promised to meet the gang to save the Multiversity.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi wait for Myka, but she doesn’t show up.

EXT. CONCERT HALL – DAY

Shutting down.

EXT. ART MUSEUM – DAY

Closing.

INT. LIBRARY – DAY

A librarian browses through the books. The letters fall off the pages or dissolve. She locks the doors.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – DAY

The attack on Wisdom, Art, Music and Dreams continues full force.

RETHINK EVERYTHING: Humanity is losing their dreams, their memories and ancient wisdom. The Gabi presses Myka to come up with a solution!

INT. BAR – NIGHT

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi corner Myka. It’s not just about her.

TE 8: They use their combined synesthesia talents of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste to fight the villains of the Multiversity.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

NEW PLAN: Intensify their synesthetic training in waking hours. Practice, strategize, asks questions. Make a mission board, brainstorm.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

TE 9: Shamanic journey to practice their skills. Imagine victory. Empower themselves for battle. Go into the dream space far more prepared.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Discover higher senses: Ego, Thought, Word, Balance, Movement, Life, and Warmth and combine them to battle the enemies in the Multiversity.

Act 4:

EXT. GABI’S HOUSE – DAY

They regroup at Gabi’s, and make a schedule to meet regularly in the Treehouse.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

They make a new plan. Decide who is going where. Who will team up with the other or go in alone to battle the adversaries…

THE LOCKSMITH – College of Dreams & Visions

THE EDITOR – Library of Ancient Wisdom

THE CRITIC – Academy of Art

THE DIRECTOR – The School of Cinema

THE CONDUCTOR – Academy of Music

EXT. TREEHOUSE

They practice the new approach. Pick mugwort that’s growing wild around the treehouse. Make a special brew to help their dreams, empower themselves.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

The gang drinks the tea. They allow sleep to befall them and so to dream.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

TE 10: Surprise attack on their enemies.

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – They go in and overwhelm the villains with their powers, but lose sight of Gabi. Myka goes back to save her.

EXT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

They wake up, but Myka can’t wake Gabi. They call upon their animal guides to bring her back.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

TE 11: This time, they bring surprise allies… their animal spirits.

Myka brings Lioness, Gabi, Hummingbird, Rafi, Serpent and Yuri, Condor.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

They enter, battle with their animal spirits and the full force of their synesthesia gifts, and achieve victory over the villains.

INT. THE EDITOR – Library of Ancient Wisdom

Rafi and Yuri battle The Editor.

INT. THE CRITIC – Academy of Art

Gabi and Myka battle The Critic.

INT. THE CONDUCTOR – Academy of Music

Gabi and Rafi battle The Conductor.

INT. THE DIRECTOR – The School of Cinema

Myka and Yuri.

INT. THE LOCKSMITH – College of Dreams & Visions

The four of them battle The Locksmith.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

They wake up and celebrate! Vow to recover and rebuild the Multiversity together.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Gabi, Rafi and Yuri surprise Myka with a renewed lease on her old loft.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Resolution – They rekindle their friendship pact and promise to be there for one another no matter what.

[Diane Denham]

February 7, 2023 – BONNIE’S BEAT SHEET AND HIGH SPEED WRITING

What I learned doing this assignment is that even though it’s not perfect, I know everything will fall into place as long as I keep writing.

PASS 1 Organize your Structure and Transformational Events

PASS 2: Add Slug Lines

PASS 3: Add Placeholders and Additional Scenes

ACT 1

EXT. SCHOOL YARD – DAY

OPENING: As kids, (10-12) Myka, Gabi, Rafi and Yuri are bullied at school because of their synesthesia, and they begin hanging out together. Myka always wants to be the leader and usually gets her own way.

EXT. WOODS – DAY

TE 1: Myka gets her friends to help her build a treehouse in the woods. They make a “Synesthete Friends Forever Pact” to always be there for one another.

INT. UNIVERSITY – DAY

INCITING INCIDENT: Myka loses her friends. At their university, years later (20’s) Myka recruits Gabi, Rafi and Yuri to help demonstrate her Master’s Thesis research in “The Dreamscape of Synesthetes”, but is humiliated by the Committee’s scathing comments about her thesis. She tells them off, blames her friends for the failure, storms off, leaves without receiving her Master’s Degree.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

TE 2: For the next year (or 2 or 3 years?) Myka loses contact with her college friends. She isolates herself in her own synesthetic world of art and dreams.

INT. GALLERY – DAY

Myka gets gallery representation and has a show.

INT. GALLERY – NIGHT

TE 3: Starts drinking, becomes ruled by her hot temper and impatience. Makes a scene at her opening. The gallery drops her.

INT. BAR – NIGHT

She’s lost her friends, her dreams, inspiration and lust for living. Falls into a funk.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

She finds an eviction notice on her door. 72 hours to move out.

INT. MYKA’S ROOM – NIGHT

TURNING POINT: Myka has a nightmare that scares the shit out of her.

TE 3: She wakes up and realizes that unless she does something to stop it, not only her dreams and inspiration will fade forever.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Empties brandy and wine bottles into the gutter, tosses them into trash bin.

ACT 2:

INT. CHURCH – NIGHT

She gets sober and goes to an AA meeting.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

NEW PLAN: Swallow her pride, apologize to her friends, and get the old gang together, so she can get back her juju.

TE 4: No one answers her calls.

INT. GABI’S HOUSE – DAY

Gabi’s phone buzzes. She sees Myka’s name and ignores the call. It rings again, Myka leaves a message about the old treehouse. She listens but looks sad. She continues painting, but the colors begin to turn shades of grey.

EXT. RAFI’S PLACE – DAY

His phone rings, picks up, hears Myka’s voice and hangs up. He notices the words on the page of the book he’s reading are fading and disappearing.

INT. YURI’S FLAT – DAY

Yuri’s phone rings. Shakes his head, doesn’t answer. Continues playing his violin, but the music fades in and out.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Hands over the keys to her loft to the owner. Gets in her van and drives away.

EXT. MYKA’S VAN – DAY

She pulls her van behind the treehouse, starts unpacking her stuff and moves in.

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Gabi visits the treehouse and sees that Myka has been living there. Starts to leave when Myka shows up. Myka apologises. Tells Gabi her nightmare.

EXT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Rafi and Yuri show up. Gabi greets them. They go up reluctantly.

PLAN IN ACTION: They agree to get revive the gang and meet there to continue their synesthetic dream-research.

TE 5: Clean up and repair the treehouse. Practice synesthetic dreaming there every night until they’re ready to go back into the Multiversity for battle.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

They drink mugwort tea, sleep and practice meeting in a shared dream.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

The exterior walls show signs of deterioration.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

Various creatures destroy, eat, steal the content of the branches of Wisdom, Art, Music, Dream and Memory.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

The clock is ticking. The team prepares for battle.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

TE 6: They charge into battle the forces that are attacking Wisdom, Memory and Dream.

MIDPOINT TURNING: Myka avoids a dangerous opportunity to conquer the villain, and retreats. Gabi witnesses it.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

TE 7: They’re no match for the villains. They wake up feeling defeated. Gabi confronts Myka. Calls her a coward.

ACT 3:

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFÉ – DAY

Myka meets a collector who saw her show and wants her to meet an investor friend on the same day she’s promised to meet the gang to save the Multiversity.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi wait for Myka, but she doesn’t show up.

EXT. CONCERT HALL – DAY

Shutting down.

EXT. ART MUSEUM – DAY

Closing.

INT. LIBRARY – DAY

A librarian browses through the books. The letters fall off the pages or dissolve. She locks the doors.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – DAY

The attack on Wisdom, Art, Music and Dreams continues full force.

RETHINK EVERYTHING: Humanity is losing their dreams, their memories and ancient wisdom. The Gabi presses Myka to come up with a solution!

INT. BAR – NIGHT

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi corner Myka. It’s not just about her.

TE 8: They use their combined synesthesia talents of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste to fight the villains of the Multiversity.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

NEW PLAN: Intensify their synesthetic training in waking hours. Practice, strategize, asks questions. Make a mission board, brainstorm.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

TE 9: Shamanic journey to practice their skills. Imagine victory. Empower themselves for battle. Go into the dream space far more prepared.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Discover higher senses: Ego, Thought, Word, Balance, Movement, Life, and Warmth and combine them to battle the enemies in the Multiversity.

Act 4:

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – They go in and overwhelm the villains with their powers, but lose sight of Gabi. Myka goes back to save her.

EXT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

They wake up, but Myka can’t wake Gabi. They call upon their animal guides to bring her back.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

TE 10: This time, they bring surprise allies… their animal spirits: Lioness, Hummingbird, Serpent and Condor, achieve victory, recover and rebuild the Multiversity together.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Resolution – They rekindle their friendship pact and promise to be there for one another no matter what.

[Diane Denham]

February 7, 2023 – BONNIE’S BEAT SHEET AND HIGH SPEED WRITING

What I learned doing this assignment is that even though it’s not perfect, I know everything will fall into place as long as I keep writing.

PASS 1 Organize your Structure and Transformational Events

PASS 2: Add Slug Lines

PASS 3: Add Placeholders and Additional Scenes

ACT 1

EXT. SCHOOL YARD – DAY

OPENING: As kids, (10-12) Myka, Gabi, Rafi and Yuri are bullied at school because of their synesthesia, and they begin hanging out together. Myka always wants to be the leader and usually gets her own way.

EXT. WOODS – DAY

TE 1: Myka gets her friends to help her build a treehouse in the woods. They make a “Synesthete Friends Forever Pact” to always be there for one another.

INT. UNIVERSITY – DAY

INCITING INCIDENT: Myka loses her friends. At their university, years later (20’s) Myka recruits Gabi, Rafi and Yuri to help demonstrate her Master’s Thesis research in “The Dreamscape of Synesthetes”, but is humiliated by the Committee’s scathing comments about her thesis. She tells them off, blames her friends for the failure, storms off, leaves without receiving her Master’s Degree.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

TE 2: For the next year (or 2 or 3 years?) Myka loses contact with her college friends. She isolates herself in her own synesthetic world of art and dreams.

INT. GALLERY – DAY

Myka gets gallery representation and has a show.

INT. GALLERY – NIGHT

TE 3: Starts drinking, becomes ruled by her hot temper and impatience. Makes a scene at her opening. The gallery drops her.

INT. BAR – NIGHT

She’s lost her friends, her dreams, inspiration and lust for living. Falls into a funk.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – NIGHT

She finds an eviction notice on her door. 72 hours to move out.

INT. MYKA’S ROOM – NIGHT

TURNING POINT: Myka has a nightmare that scares the shit out of her.

TE 3: She wakes up and realizes that unless she does something to stop it, not only her dreams and inspiration will fade forever.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Empties brandy and wine bottles into the gutter, tosses them into trash bin.

ACT 2:

INT. CHURCH – NIGHT

She gets sober and goes to an AA meeting.

INT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

NEW PLAN: Swallow her pride, apologize to her friends, and get the old gang together, so she can get back her juju.

TE 4: No one answers her calls.

INT. GABI’S HOUSE – DAY

Gabi’s phone buzzes. She sees Myka’s name and ignores the call. It rings again, Myka leaves a message about the old treehouse. She listens but looks sad. She continues painting, but the colors begin to turn shades of grey.

EXT. RAFI’S PLACE – DAY

His phone rings, picks up, hears Myka’s voice and hangs up. He notices the words on the page of the book he’s reading are fading and disappearing.

INT. YURI’S FLAT – DAY

Yuri’s phone rings. Shakes his head, doesn’t answer. Continues playing his violin, but the music fades in and out.

EXT. MYKA’S LOFT – DAY

Hands over the keys to her loft to the owner. Gets in her van and drives away.

EXT. MYKA’S VAN – DAY

She pulls her van behind the treehouse, starts unpacking her stuff and moves in.

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Gabi visits the treehouse and sees that Myka has been living there. Starts to leave when Myka shows up. Myka apologises. Tells Gabi her nightmare.

EXT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Rafi and Yuri show up. Gabi greets them. They go up reluctantly.

PLAN IN ACTION: They agree to get revive the gang and meet there to continue their synesthetic dream-research.

TE 5: Clean up and repair the treehouse. Practice synesthetic dreaming there every night until they’re ready to go back into the Multiversity for battle.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

They drink mugwort tea, sleep and practice meeting in a shared dream.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

The exterior walls show signs of deterioration.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

Various creatures destroy, eat, steal the content of the branches of Wisdom, Art, Music, Dream and Memory.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

The clock is ticking. The team prepares for battle.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

TE 6: They charge into battle the forces that are attacking Wisdom, Memory and Dream.

MIDPOINT TURNING: Myka avoids a dangerous opportunity to conquer the villain, and retreats. Gabi witnesses it.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

TE 7: They’re no match for the villains. They wake up feeling defeated. Gabi confronts Myka. Calls her a coward.

ACT 3:

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFÉ – DAY

Myka meets a collector who saw her show and wants her to meet an investor friend on the same day she’s promised to meet the gang to save the Multiversity.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi wait for Myka, but she doesn’t show up.

EXT. CONCERT HALL – DAY

Shutting down.

EXT. ART MUSEUM – DAY

Closing.

INT. LIBRARY – DAY

A librarian browses through the books. The letters fall off the pages or dissolve. She locks the doors.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – DAY

The attack on Wisdom, Art, Music and Dreams continues full force.

RETHINK EVERYTHING: Humanity is losing their dreams, their memories and ancient wisdom. The Gabi presses Myka to come up with a solution!

INT. BAR – NIGHT

Gabi, Yuri and Rafi corner Myka. It’s not just about her.

TE 8: They use their combined synesthesia talents of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste to fight the villains of the Multiversity.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

NEW PLAN: Intensify their synesthetic training in waking hours. Practice, strategize, asks questions. Make a mission board, brainstorm.

INT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

TE 9: Shamanic journey to practice their skills. Imagine victory. Empower themselves for battle. Go into the dream space far more prepared.

EXT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Discover higher senses: Ego, Thought, Word, Balance, Movement, Life, and Warmth and combine them to battle the enemies in the Multiversity.

Act 4:

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – They go in and overwhelm the villains with their powers, but lose sight of Gabi. Myka goes back to save her.

EXT. TREEHOUSE – NIGHT

They wake up, but Myka can’t wake Gabi. They call upon their animal guides to bring her back.

INT. MULTIVERSITY – NIGHT

TE 10: This time, they bring surprise allies… their animal spirits: Lioness, Hummingbird, Serpent and Condor, achieve victory, recover and rebuild the Multiversity together.

INT. TREEHOUSE – DAY

Resolution – They rekindle their friendship pact and promise to be there for one another no matter what.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Transformational Events

What I learned from doing this assignment is… that I’m determined to do the assignments every day and feel empowered when the words and events appear a little more each time I sit down to write.

MYKA’s Character Arc – Goes from selfish, egotistical and arrogant to self-sacrificing, self-aware, collaborative and courageous.

Myka starts with her Old Ways

· Myka always wants to be the leader and usually gets her own way. As kids, Myka, Gabi, Rafi and Yuri are bullied at school because of their synesthesia, and begin hanging out together.

· Self-centered/Egotistical. When there’s a choice, she picks the best for herself. She finds the perfect spot and they build a secret treehouse deep in the woods where they meet after school and weekends. Myka tags the best spot, best view and comfy chair inside. They make a pact to always be there for one another.

· Years later, at university, Myka is humiliated by her Master’s Thesis Committee, tells them off, blames her friends for the failure, storms off and leaves university.

· For the next year (or 2 or 3 years?) Myka isolates herself in her own synesthetic world of art and dreams. Starts drinking, becomes ruled by her hot temper and impatience.

· Manipulates her way into getting repped at a prestigious gallery. Has a successful show but refuses to accept the gallery owner’s advice and blows it.

· Ambitious, independent artist, to the point of destroying relationships.

Her dream research/synesthetic art are more important than people. She isolates herself creating art from her dreams until she goes broke.

· She can no longer remember her dreams, loses inspiration, her career, her apartment. Hits rock bottom, but she’s too proud to ask for help.

· Until she has a nightmare that changes everything. She wanders through her dreamscape, discovers the Multiversity is under attack. Her Lioness spirit animal tells her she must get her old gang together and save Ancient Wisdom, Memory and Dreams, or humanity will lose them forever.

New Ways

· Makes amends to those she’s wronged, rekindles old friendships.

· Admits she needs their help.

· Embraces her love for her friends and a deeper relationship with Gabi.

· Sacrifices her career to complete the mission with her friends.

· Collaborates with them to save The Multiverstiy of Wisdom, Memory and Dreams, for her friends and the greater good of humanity.

· Courageous, self-sacrificing in the face of danger.

Changes that need to happen for Myka to go from her Old Ways to New Ways.

1. Apologize. Admit it’s not always about her. Heal her damaged relationships.

2. Consider that the needs of others are just as important as hers. Recognize how her friends’ skills are vital to the mission.

3. Turn down a career opportunity to keep a promise to her friends.

4. Agree to training that takes each of their skills equally into consideration.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s Four-Act Transformational Structure

What I learned doing this assignment is… that the Empowerment exercise really stimulates the memory of various times in my life when I had mastered a skill. Experiences I hadn’t felt for years came to life again and I felt the energy and emotions I felt then. This so helped me to dive right into the assignment and get it done in this first draft embryo phase of it’s development.

ASSIGNMENT

The Protagonist’s Journey built into the 4-Act Transformational Structure

1. Give us the following:

· Concept – When Myka, a synesthete artist whose dreams which inspire her artwork begin to disappear, has a nightmare that the Multiversity of Ancient Wisdom, Memory and Dreams is fading and she’s the only one with the skills to save it, she’ll need her estranged friends’ help.

· Main Conflict – The Multiversity is under attack and at risk of dissolving into oblivion and Myka is the only one who can save it. Trouble is, she needs her estranged friends to band together and help her.

· Old Ways – Isolates herself in her own world of painting, dreams and synesthetic creations. Self-centered. Slow to admit she needs help. She’s an ambitious, independent artist above all. That’s her priority, but sadly it’s at the risk of destroying her relationships.

· New Ways – Make amends to those she’s wronged, rekindle old friendships. Admits she needs their help. Collaborate with them to save The Multiverstiy of Wisdom, Memory and Dreams, not only for herself, but for them and humanity. Embrace her love for them, especially Gabi.

2. Fill in each of these with the answers you have right now.

Act 1:

· Opening – The Multiversity is under attack: Gluttonous creatures eat the words from the Library of Ancient Wisdom. Screechers and White Noise Makers invade The Academy of Music and deafen musicians. Anti-color blobs of black, brown and grey paint splash masterpieces and blind painters. It’s chaos under the direction of two powerful, unseen villains that are orchestrating it.

· Inciting Incident – Myka loses her friends, her dreams and inspiration, her gallery representation, her lust for living and falls into a funk.

· Turning Point – Myka has a nightmare that scares the shit out of her. She realizes that unless she does something to stop it, not only her dreams and inspiration will fade, but art, music, literature, wisdom, memory, humor and creativity itself will disappear from humanity. The Multiversity will fade away out of our reach forever.

Act 2:

· New Plan – Swallow her pride, apologize to her friends and get the original gang together to dream and join synesthetic forces. They’ll meet in the treehouse from their youth.

· Plan in Action – They’ll practice here every night until they’re ready for action.

· Midpoint Turning – They meet in the Multiversity, battle and are defeated by the forces that are attacking Wisdom, Memory and Dream and destroying the Multiversity.

Act 3:

· Rethink everything – Humanity is losing their dreams, their memories and ancient wisdom. They must do something!

· New Plan – Use their combined synesthesia talents of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste to fight the villain. Intensify their training in waking hours. Practice, strategize, asks questions. Make a mission board, brainstorm. Shamanic journey to practice their skills. Imagine victory. Empower themselves for battle.

· Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Discover higher senses: Ego, Thought, Word, Balance, Movement, Life, and Warmth and combine them to battle the enemies in the Multiversity.

Act 4:

· Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – They go in and overwhelm the villains with their powers and finally achieve victory, recover and rebuild the Multiversity together, but this time, they bring surprise allies… their animal spirits: Lioness, Hummingbird, Serpent and Condor.

· Resolution – They rekindle their friendship pact and promise to be there for one another no matter what.

[Diane Denham]

Lesson 4 Assignment: Character Interviews 2-2-2023

What I learned doing this assignment is that I love interviewing my characters! It’s such fun and so revealing!

QUESTIONS FOR MYKA, MY PROTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself, Myka. I’m a Leo all the way! If I were an animal, I’d be a fierce lioness. I’m an artist, musician and I’m synesthetic… that is, my senses kind of overlap in a weird way. I dream synesthetically and my dreams are my inspiration for my artwork. Everything weaves together in now time.

2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? Well, ever since my dream drought, I’ve lost my inspiration. I feel kind of dead inside. You ever felt that? The last dream I had I was in this cosmic university. They call it the Multiversity. I was traveling with Lioness, my spirit guide, through the colleges of the arts, and the hall of wisdom, and the pools of memory… and something was off. I could feel it. Lioness warned me, but I didn’t listen. I went in anyway. It was heart-wrenching. The colors of music were fading in the Academy of Tone. I could no longer hear the forms and colors in the Gallery of the Arts. The books of ancient wisdom were being eaten by parasites. I couldn’t stand it. I ran and woke up and since then, no dreams. I tried contacting my college friends, but no one wants to speak to me, since I failed them back then, especially Gabi.

3. You are up against frightening destructive beings. What is it about those beings and Gabi that makes this journey even more difficult for you? I’m ashamed that I blamed my friends for my own misdeeds. I know I broke Gabi’s heart, but maybe I just wasn’t ready to open myself up like that yet. How can I stop the beings attacking the Multiversity when I’m afraid to face my friends?

4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? Shit! I guess I’ll have to grovel, admit I was wrong and apologize. I need them to help me defeat these creatures that are destroying wisdom, dreams and memory. How dare they step into these hallowed grounds?

5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? I’ll need to let go of my big fat ego, and acknowledge that my way isn’t always the best way. I’ll have to listen to my friends, and recognize their strengths and gifts.

6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

I’ve been afraid relationships would take away too much creative energy from my work, so I’ve isolated myself in my art. The humiliation I went through when I presented my Master’s Thesis to the Committee scarred me, and after that, I just gave up.

7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? My synesthesia will help me get through the Multiversity and weed out the attackers and parasites.

8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? I don’t want them to know that since I lost my dreams and inspiration, I also lost my gallery representation. They think I’m a big success because I’ve lied to them.

9. What do you think of Gabi?

She’s the best friend and most wonderful human being I’ve ever met, and I was shit to her. I don’t know how I’ll ever forgive myself or face her again.

10.Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

We were inseparable in college. We did everything together, and then, one day, we got very close to making love, but I chickened out. I couldn’t handle it, especially with the stress of finishing my Master’s Thesis. So, after that, we drifted apart, my artwork suffered and then I lost my dreams.

11.What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

Oh, I mean, it means everything. If I can get the gang together, have them forgive me, trust me again… have Gabi give me a second chance. Everything, man. That’s all. Then we’d be invincible and together, we’d save the Multiversity.

12.Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.

Do you think you and Gabi will ever have a life together? Hey, that’s the big question, isn’t it? That’s the big one. I wish that. Yeah. I do.

QUESTIONS FOR GABI, MY ANTAGONIST

1. Tell me about yourself, Gabi. If I were the wind, I’d be a whirlwind. Of all the birds, I love the hummingbird the most. Favorite color? Orange.

2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? I bore easily, so I hope these questions will capture my attention. I’m always interested in the next thing, so I tend to hop from one career to another, from lover to lover. It’s hard to sit still. I can focus, but if something else catches my attention, I’m there in a shot.

3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? Selfish reasons. I need her to succeed in this mission, so she’ll need my help. Plus, there’s always that one ray of hope that we might somehow be a thing one day.

4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? I know Myka’s work is the most important thing in the word to her, so I have to help her get back her dreams and inspiration… oh, and everyone else’s in the bargain.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? I’d do anything for Myka. All she has to do is ask. I miss my dreams as she does. We always shared our dreams at breakfast in the dorms.

6. What secrets must you keep in order to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? I can’t let on that I’m still in love with her. If it comes out, she’d probably run a mile. I need her in my life at all costs and on her terms. No one else has every taken me completely like she has.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? No one else has our special connection. I have skills that compliment and elevate hers, and she mine. We both have been blessed, or cursed with synesthesia.

8. What do you think of Myka? Have you been listening?

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. After the gang, Rafi, Yuri and I, agreed to help with Myka’s experiments researching synesthesia in the dream world, and then her Master’s Thesis got trashed, she blamed us, left and never finished her degree. She was so devastated. It took her three years to get up the nerve to contact us and ask for help. Now, it’s not just about her anymore. It’s about restoring the Multiversity for the world before we all lose our dreams forever.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

Bonnie’s LESSON 3 ASSIGNMENT Character Profiles for Two Lead Characters

What I learned doing this assignment is… when I listen to the Empowerment audio before writing, and feel moments in my life when I felt super-powerful and creative, the words flow from my fingers onto the page and I can complete the assignments in record time… but not perfectly.

*Synesthesia = a condition in which the senses overlap or weave together. For example, hearing color, seeing music, smelling another person’s mood or personality, any combination of lower and higher senses.

**Eurythmy = A performing art based on the sounds of speech and the elements of music, also known as Visible Speech and Visible Music.

Lead Character Role in the story: MYKA is the *synesthetic protagonist. An artist, musician, **Eurythmist, precognitive lucid dreamer, inner-other world explorer who is passionate about her art.

Age range and Description: 30’s

What draws us to this character? She’s like a lioness!

Internal Journey: From depressed, devastated when she loses her dreams and inspiration to rekindling her passion and saving The Cosmic Multiversity Library from oblivion.

External Journey: From failing to get her master’s degree in a yet unexplored field to getting her new Master’s thesis on “Synesthetic Dream Research in Creating the Future in the Multiversity” approved by the Master’s Committee.

Motivation: She needs to get back her dreams and inspiration.

Wound: She gave up after a seething critique of her Master’s Thesis, and lost her friends, her dreams and her inspiration.

Mission/Agenda: Must win back her friendships and ask for help to save the Multiversity Library of Wisdom, Dreams, and Memory.

Secret: She’s lost her dreams and inspiration for her art and needs her synesthete friends to help her get them back.

What makes them special? She’s a brilliant artist. Famous for her art installations that weave Eurythmy movement, sound and color into an immersive full-sensory experience.

Traits: Creative, Passionate, Fierce, Self-centered, Choleric, Synesthete (Senses: Ego/sight/hearing/movement)

Subtext: Deflects, Avoidance, Denial, Answers Questions with questions.

Flaw: Believes she needs no one; a law and world unto herself

Values: Excellence, Dedication, Ambition

Irony: Artist/Dreamer who loses her dreams and inspiration

What makes this the right character for this role?

She needs to save wisdom, dreams and memory for humanity in order to redeem her own past failures and rekindle her passion for painting.

Change Agent Character Role in the story: GABI is Myka’s best friend and Change Agent. She’s always there for her.

What draws us to this character? She’s like a whirlwind!

Internal Journey: Looking for love.

External Journey: Bouncing from one lover to the next, breaking hearts.

Motivation: Support Myka and win her love.

Wound: Her physical advances were rejected by Myka in college,

Mission/Agenda: Go all in to save the Multiversity… for Myka.

Secret: She’s still secretly in love with her.

What makes them special? She’s full of energy and surprise, never boring.

Traits: Flighty, energetic, fun-loving, lacks focus, gregarious, impatient, vivid imagination, Sanguine, Synesthete (Senses: Life/touch/balance/movement)

Subtext: In awe of Myka’s talent. In love with her.

Flaw: Trouble finishing things. Can’t commit to one thing or person since college.

Values: If it works and doesn’t hurt anyone, do it.

Irony: Although she’s outgoing and fun-loving, she’s burdened by inner sadness

What makes this the right character for this role? Good contrast, conflicts with Myka, and yet they’re attracted to each other.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

DAY 1 ASSIGNMENT – Brainstorm ideas, concepts, loglines and pick the best one. 1-15-23

LOGLINE

Four synesthetic lucid dreamers team up to save “The Cosmic Multiversity Library of Ancient Wisdom, Memories and Dreams” from fading away into oblivion.

CONCEPT

When Myka, a synesthete artist whose precognitive dreams inspire her paintings, has a nightmare that “The Cosmic Multiversity Library of Ancient Wisdom, Memories and Dreams” is fading, her Lioness guide challenges her to save it.

*Synesthesia = a condition in which the senses overlap or weave together. For example, hearing color, seeing music, smelling another person’s mood or personality, any combination of lower and higher senses.

LESSON 1 ASSIGNMENT – The Transformational Journey 1-28-23

Who is my hero and what is their Character Arc that represents transformation?

Hero: MYKA

Internal Journey: From depressed, devastated when she loses her dreams and inspiration to rekindling her passion and saving The Cosmic Multiversity Library from oblivion.

External Journey: From failing to get her master’s degree in a yet unexplored field to getting her new Master’s thesis on “Synesthetic Dream Research in Creating the Future in the Multiversity” approved by the Master’s Committee.

MYKA Old Ways

1. Isolates herself in her own world of painting, dreams and senses.

2. Loner, slow to admit she needs help

3. Ambitious artist above all, at the risk of relationships, self-centered

MYKA New Ways

1. Shares her world with others, becomes less selfish

2. Rekindles friendships and admits she needs her friends

3. Collaborates with them to reignite inspiration, not only for herself, but humanity by saving “The Multiversity of Wisdom, Dreams and Memory”.

What I learned doing this assignment is becoming clearer and clearer on where my character has been and where she’s going.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  Diane Denham.

[Diane Denham]

LESSON 2 ASSIGNMENT – Who Are We Traveling With? 1-29-23

Dreamer Protagonist: MYKA, 30’s, is an artist, precognitive lucid dreamer, inner/other world explorer who is passionate about her art.

Villain Antagonists: An expression of MYKA’s fears and nightmares, challenges her in a fight over wisdom, memory and dream that are slowly disappearing from human consciousness.

Supporting Characters: Sidekicks, former college classmates and synesthete friends, RAFI, GABE and YURI, who participated in lucid dream research in the multiverse for her Master’s thesis, which is ridiculed and rejected by the Master’s Thesis Committee. Now she needs her friends’ help again, bigtime.

Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

What I learned doing this assignment is that if I set a timer, it keeps me on track and helps me focus.

[Diane Denham]

I, Bonnie Maffei, agree to the terms of this release form.

GROUP RELEASE FORM

As a member of this group, I agree to the following:

1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.

2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.

I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.

3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.

4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.

5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.

6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.

This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[Diane Denham]

Hello again, everyone! I’m Bonnie. I’ve written at least 12 scripts, probably more, I’d have to go and count. I hope to get energized to write a brand new script as quickly as possible. I’m a painter, a Therapeutic Eurythmist, a prolific dreamer and “Teacher of Conscious Dreaming”. I’ve been learning and practicing lucid dreaming, precognition, shamanism from courses on the Shift Network. I just finished a class on story for animation with PIXAR writers and animators, and creating short little videos, all online for the past 3 years during the pandemic. I’ve had 2 scripts optioned, BECOMING PICASSO and FUNERAL FAKERS, both of which I wrote in the SU Master Class. Good to see so many of you from our previous classes with Hal and Cheryl! I hope you’re staying well. I look forward to exchanging constructive and empowering conversations with you. Ciao for now!

[Diane Denham]

Sounds like fun… what is STEAM?

[Diane Denham]

Hi Rebecca, what’s a nanowrimo 😃panster?