[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Profiles – Part 1

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” There’s a lot of depth that goes into my characters.

ASSIGNMENT
2. With each of your lead characters, first tell us the following:

TOM WALKER
A. The High Concept.

On the edge of separation, a couple must reunite or die trying when a cartel hunting spree turns their paradise into hell.

B. This character’s journey.

He goes from just a regular guy who works in the movie industry to being a hero like the ones in the movies he works on.

C. The Actor Attractors for this character.

Known for Role: Tom’s transformation from a quiet, withdrawn Prop Master to a resilient survivalist and protector offers an actor a gritty journey of inner strength, loyalty, and sacrifice. This role provides a chance to portray an unexpected hero.
Most Interesting Character: Tom's evolution is one of the most compelling in the story. His struggle between his technical skills as a Prop Master and the intense, real-life survival situation creates a contrast that makes him dynamic and deeply human.
Interesting Actions: He ingeniously uses his Prop Master skills to craft traps, improvise weapons, and navigate the terrain. His protective instincts kick in as he risks everything to shield Sarah and others from the cartel’s violent enforcers.
Introduction: Tom is introduced meticulously observing his surroundings, an expert eye for detail, setting up a layered introduction that foreshadows his hidden skills and resourcefulness.
Emotional Range: Tom goes from reserved and conflicted about his marriage to a raw, desperate survivalist, experiencing love, fear, anger, and determination as he fights for survival.
Subtext: Tom grapples with his fear of inadequacy and doubts about whether he can protect Sarah, yet he fights to redeem himself through each decision.
Interesting Relationships: Tom’s relationship with Sarah is pivotal as they confront their issues amidst life-threatening danger, pushing them toward vulnerability, honesty, and unity. His dynamic with El Jefe serves as a powerful clash of wills and tactics.
Unique Voice: Tom speaks with careful precision, a technical vocabulary laced with hesitant affection toward Sarah. As he faces danger, his tone hardens, and his words become more assertive and urgent.
Special: Tom’s uniqueness comes from his unlikely skill set, his calm precision under pressure, and his personal arc from self-doubt to assertiveness, making him a hero grounded in realism.

EL JEFE
A. The High Concept.

On the edge of separation, a couple must reunite or die trying when a cartel hunting spree turns their paradise into hell.

B. This character’s journey.

El Jefe goes from a confident business-as-usual Mexican cartel boss to vengeful killer fearing exposure to a frustrated lone wolf.

C. The Actor Attractors for this character.

Known for Role: El Jefe’s role as a calculating, imposing cartel leader offers an actor the chance to embody controlled ruthlessness and power. His character is a chance to portray a memorable, menacing antagonist.
Most Interesting Character: El Jefe’s mix of ruthless intelligence and charisma makes him one of the most intriguing characters. His control over his men and his twisted code of honor provide an interesting depth to his villainy.
Interesting Actions: El Jefe conducts brutal “tests” of loyalty with his men, devises intricate traps for the couple, and manipulates Sarah’s fear to throw her off balance emotionally.
Introduction: El Jefe is introduced with an act of calculated brutality, emphasizing his power and setting a chilling tone for the danger he presents to Tom and Sarah.
Emotional Range: El Jefe’s emotional range includes controlled fury, cunning manipulation, and the rare flicker of respect for adversaries who survive his games.
Subtext: His ambition and desire for control are tinged with insecurity, as he questions his own morality while taking pride in his dominance.
Interesting Relationships: His interactions with Tom and Sarah reveal his twisted respect for resilience, especially as they defy his power. His mentorship of Marie shows a complex dynamic of control and manipulation.
Unique Voice: El Jefe’s tone is calm, deliberate, and commanding, with a veneer of sophistication masking his cruelty.
Special: His magnetic charm combined with his brutality makes him a unique villain who respects a worthy adversary, creating a layered antagonist who sees himself as morally assassin, balancing deadly efficiency with a touch of vulnerability. This is a rare, nuanced complex.

SARAH WALKER
A. The High Concept.

On the edge of separation, a couple must reunite or die trying when a cartel hunting spree turns their paradise into hell.

B. This character’s journey.

Sarah, a high school drama teacher, evolves from a cautious observer to a resilient fighter as she confronts cartel dangers and her hidden pregnancy, strengthening her bond with Tom and their fight for survival.
C. The Actor Attractors for this character.

Known for Role: Sarah’s journey from a conflicted wife to a fierce survivor grappling with a life-changing revelation offers a layered, emotional role. This character would attract an actor looking to explore resilience under extreme pressure.
Most Interesting Character: Sarah’s inner turmoil over her pregnancy and her evolving determination make her one of the most dynamic characters, as she pushes beyond her previous boundaries.
Interesting Actions: Sarah channels her resolve, devising plans to outwit their captors, putting her life on the line, and using her high school drama skills in surprising ways to manipulate the cartel members.
Introduction: Sarah is introduced in a moment of quiet tension with Tom, highlighting the strain in their marriage while hinting at her untapped strength and resilience.
Emotional Range: Sarah experiences frustration, fear, resilience, and maternal protectiveness as she grows from a conflicted partner into a steadfast fighter.
Subtext: Sarah’s determination to survive is layered with her inner struggle over the pregnancy, feeling the need to protect her unborn child while doubting her ability to endure.
Interesting Relationships: Her evolving relationship with Tom is central, reflecting both tension and rekindling love. Her interactions with Marie bring out her steely resolve, contrasting Sarah's empathy with Marie's ruthlessness.
Unique Voice: Sarah’s voice begins with restrained, reserved tones that evolve into confident, assertive expressions of strength. She speaks with conviction as she embraces her resilience.
Special: Sarah’s internal conflict over her unexpected pregnancy in a life-threatening situation sets her apart, adding depth to her character and making her uniquely strong and vulnerable.

3. Brainstorm the first 6 parts of the profile for each of your lead characters.
TOM WALKER
Role in the Story: Protagonist: Husband, reluctant hero, Prop Master

Age range and Description: 25-30 YO, a good-looking, nerdy, clean-cut, medium build guy , boy scout-ish

Core Traits: Enthusiastic, Academic / Nerd, Adventurer, Introvert

Motivation; Want/Need:
Wants: Everything to be perfect including his marriage
Needs: To protect his wife and save the hostages

Wound: Director hated his props / marriage on the rocks because of work
Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Likability: Tom Walker loves movies and enjoys sharing stories with others about his experiences in the movies
Relatability: Everyone enjoys and are intrigued with movies, in some ways Tom Walker is a celebrity but friendly and a regular guy.
Empathy: One of his props started a fire and burned the set down.

EL JEFE
Role in the Story: Antagonist: The villain who threatens the lives of the hostages

Age range and Description: Upper 40’s, weathered, rugged, educated and a heart of stone

Core Traits: There to do a job, even if it means other have to be killed.

Motivation; Want/Need:
Wants: The operation to go through without any problems
Needs: To resolve and issues that arise
Wound: Family members killed by cartel for being disloyal

Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Likability: Odd sense of humor.
Relatability: El Jefe has a job to do and no one will stop him from doing it.
Empathy: Parents murdered. Trying to make ends meet so he can be with his family.

SARAH WALKER
Role in the Story: Triangle: Wife and hostage, the damsel in distress
Age range and Description: 25-30 YO, attractive, fit, determined, intelligent

Core Traits: Resilient, loyal,

Motivation; Want/Need:
Wants: Everything to be perfect including her marriage
Needs: To protect his wife and save the hostages

Wound: Miscarried three times

Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Likability: Friendly, extrovert, social butterfly, heart of gold
Relatability: Wants her marriage to be perfect
Empathy: Marriage is strained because of Tom’s job/lack of kids

• This reply was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL. – Likability/Relatability/Empathy

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” I am confident there will many places to add Likability, Relatability, and Empathy as I get further along with the story and script.

ASSIGNMENT
2. Brainstorm one or more ways you can present your Protagonist through each of these:
Likability: Tom Walker loves movies and enjoys sharing stories with others about his experiences in the movies
Relatability: Everyone enjoys and are intrigued with movies, in some ways Tom Walker is a celebrity but friendly and a regular guy.
Empathy: One of his props started a fire and burned the set down.

3. Just to get the experience, give us one or more ways that your Antagonist could be presented through each of these:
Likability: Odd sense of humor.
Relatability: El Jefe has a job to do and no one will stop him from doing it.
Empathy: Parents murdered. Trying to make ends meet so he can be with his family.

• This reply was modified 4 months, 2 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – SUBTEXT CHARACTERS

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” Layers and layers and layers…. This is what is going to give my characters the depth that is required.

ASSIGNMENT
2. With your example movie, give us the following answers for the character with the most subtext:

Movie Title: DIE HARD
Character Name: JOHN McCLANE
Subtext Identity: A COP WHO IS TRYING TO REPAIR HIS MARRIAGE
Subtext Trait: TRICKY, SLY, SHIFTY
Subtext Logline: JOHN LOVES HIS JOB BUT HE LOVES HIS FAMILY MORE AND WHEN HIS FAMILY IS THREATENED HE WILL RESORTS TO EXTREME MEASURES
Possible Areas of Subtext: WHEN HE DISCOVERS HIS WIFE IS A HOSTAGE, WHEN HE HEARS THE TERRORISTS KNOW SHE IS HIS WIFE, WHEN THE ANTAGONISTS THREATENS TO KILL HER.

3. For your two leads, brainstorm these answers:

Character Name: TOM WALKER
Subtext Identity: A PROP MASTER WHO IS TRYING TO REPAIR HIS MARRIAGE
Subtext Trait: TRICKY, SLY, SHIFTY
Subtext Logline: TOM LOVES HIS JOB BUT HE LOVES HIS FAMILY MORE AND WHEN HIS FAMILY IS THREATENED HE WILL RESORTS TO EXTREME MEASURES
Possible Areas of Subtext: WHEN HE DISCOVERS HIS WIFE IS A HOSTAGE, WHEN HE HEARS THE TERRORISTS KNOW SHE IS HIS WIFE, WHEN THE ANTAGONISTS THREATENS TO KILL HER.

Character Name: EL JEFE
Subtext Identity: A CARTEL BOSS WHO LOVES MOVIES
Subtext Trait: QUOTES MOVIES ALL THE TIME
Possible Areas of Subtext: WHEN HE IS INTRODUCED, WHEN HE HAS TOM KILL A HOSTAGE, WHEN HE CAPTURES SARAH WALKER, WHEN HE DISCOVERS TOM WALKER WORKS IN THE MOVIES, EVERYTIME HE INTERACTS WITH TOM WALKER THEREAFTER.

4. Then use this prompt to brainstorm the character subtext with AI.

Tom Walker
Subtext Identity: A reluctant survivalist masking deep insecurity.
Subtext Trait: Hides self-doubt about his ability to protect Sarah and himself, even as his actions prove otherwise.
Subtext Logline: Tom is a quiet observer who uses his technical skills and acute attention to detail to mask his fear of inadequacy.
Hiding Something: His guilt over feeling inadequate as a husband.
Afraid to Say: He worries Sarah doesn’t respect him, but he avoids confronting her about it.
Withholding: He keeps his inventive ideas close until they’re absolutely necessary, unsure if others will trust him.
Plotting: Uses his Prop Master ingenuity to craft a strategy for their escape.

Sarah Walker
Subtext Identity: A resilient woman hiding vulnerability.
Subtext Trait: Suppresses fear and doubts about her pregnancy while projecting calm determination.
Subtext Logline: Sarah is a conflicted wife who conceals her vulnerability with sharp resourcefulness and maternal instincts.
Hiding Something: Her pregnancy, initially concealed out of fear it will weaken their resolve or strategy.
Afraid to Say: She doubts she’s strong enough to survive and protect her unborn child but refuses to vocalize it.
Secret: Feels guilt for dragging Tom into the trip, believing her need for distraction endangered them.
Being Polite: Initially defers to Tom’s leadership but quietly takes control when necessary.

El Jefe
Subtext Identity: A ruthless cartel leader projecting invulnerability.
Subtext Trait: Masks his insecurity and moral conflict beneath calculated cruelty.
Subtext Logline: El Jefe is a feared leader who manipulates others while secretly questioning his own code of honor.
Hiding Something: Fears his cartel’s operation is more fragile than it appears, driving his brutality.
Afraid to Say: Respects Tom and Sarah’s resilience but views acknowledgment as a weakness.
Plotting: Always one step ahead, setting traps to assert his dominance and control.
Secret: Holds a private disdain for violence but sees it as a necessary tool for survival.

Marie (El Jefe’s Assassin)
Subtext Identity: A conflicted killer with a hidden conscience.
Subtext Trait: Suppresses empathy, especially when faced with Sarah’s resilience and determination.
Subtext Logline: Marie is a cold assassin who secretly questions her loyalty to El Jefe and sees herself in Sarah.
Hiding Something: Her disillusionment with El Jefe’s methods and her role in the cartel.
Afraid to Say: She fears leaving the cartel will make her a target, so she remains loyal outwardly.
Luring/Seducing: Uses Sarah’s empathy to gain an edge in their confrontation.
Withholding: Deliberately avoids killing Sarah immediately, giving her an unspoken chance to fight back.

• This reply was modified 5 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – TOM WALKER / EL JEFE / SARAH WALKER / MARIA – ACTOR ATTRACTORS

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” My characters are taking shape with the Actor Attractors, and that shape is much more dynamic and interesting

ASSIGNMENT
2. Once you’ve done that, answer the Actor Attractor questions for your 2 or 3 lead characters. Consider this a first draft.

4. Use this prompt to brainstorm Actor Attractors for each of your lead characters.

ACTOR ATTRACTORS
Movie Title: SHADOW ISLAND

Lead Character Name: TOM WALKER
Known for Role: Tom’s transformation from a quiet, withdrawn Prop Master to a resilient survivalist and protector offers an actor a gritty journey of inner strength, loyalty, and sacrifice. This role provides a chance to portray an unexpected hero.
He goes from just a regular guy who works in the movie industry to being a hero like the ones in the movies he works on.

Most Interesting Character: Tom's evolution is one of the most compelling in the story. His struggle between his technical skills as a Prop Master and the intense, real-life survival situation creates a contrast that makes him dynamic and deeply human.
His ability to continue pushing forward in order to rescue his wife and the other hostages, remaining calm in the face of danger, and reflecting and emulating heroes from movies he’s worked on.

Interesting Actions: He ingeniously uses his Prop Master skills to craft traps, improvise weapons, and navigate the terrain. His protective instincts kick in as he risks everything to shield Sarah and others from the cartel’s violent enforcers.
He faces off with the antagonist, El Jefe, and uses his wits, skills and expertise in Prop Mastering to defeat him.

Introduction: Tom is introduced meticulously observing his surroundings, an expert eye for detail, setting up a layered introduction that foreshadows his hidden skills and resourcefulness.
Tom has worked on some of the biggest movies in Hollywood, but he
Emotional Range: Tom goes from reserved and conflicted about his marriage to a raw, desperate survivalist, experiencing love, fear, anger, and determination as he fights for survival.
Introverted to courageous to heroic to deadly.

Subtext: Tom grapples with his fear of inadequacy and doubts about whether he can protect Sarah, yet he fights to redeem himself through each decision.
He always has a Plan B, C, D, E, F and G. There’s a several ways of doing most everything so if one doesn’t work, another one will.

Interesting Relationships: Tom’s relationship with Sarah is pivotal as they confront their issues amidst life-threatening danger, pushing them toward vulnerability, honesty, and unity. His dynamic with El Jefe serves as a powerful clash of wills and tactics.
His relationship with his wife. Though their marriage has reached a rocky point, they know each other so well and how the other thinks.

Unique Voice: Tom speaks with careful precision, a technical vocabulary laced with hesitant affection toward Sarah. As he faces danger, his tone hardens, and his words become more assertive and urgent.
Oftentimes, he is referencing movies he’s worked on.

Special: Tom’s uniqueness comes from his unlikely skill set, his calm precision under pressure, and his personal arc from self-doubt to assertiveness, making him a hero grounded in realism.
He has a lot of different skills and he’s very creative.

Lead Character Name: EL JEFE
Known for Role: El Jefe’s role as a calculating, imposing cartel leader offers an actor the chance to embody controlled ruthlessness and power. His character is a chance to portray a memorable, menacing antagonist.
He is in charge from the get-go, commanding his cronies and his assassin, Marie. He’s a take-no-prisoners type of leader.

Most Interesting Character: El Jefe’s mix of ruthless intelligence and charisma makes him one of the most intriguing characters. His control over his men and his twisted code of honor provide an interesting depth to his villainy.
He’s calm and calculating, ruthless and intelligent, does what needs to be done to finish the job.

Interesting Actions: El Jefe conducts brutal “tests” of loyalty with his men, devises intricate traps for the couple, and manipulates Sarah’s fear to throw her off balance emotionally.
Kills when necessary, is in a constant game of cat-and-mouse with Tom.

Introduction: El Jefe is introduced with an act of calculated brutality, emphasizing his power and setting a chilling tone for the danger he presents to Tom and Sarah.
Kills the Guide of the excursion.

Emotional Range: El Jefe’s emotional range includes controlled fury, cunning manipulation, and the rare flicker of respect for adversaries who survive his games.
Calm to rage.

Subtext: His ambition and desire for control are tinged with insecurity, as he questions his own morality while taking pride in his dominance.
Constantly scheming, looking for an edge.

Interesting Relationships: His interactions with Tom and Sarah reveal his twisted respect for resilience, especially as they defy his power. His mentorship of Marie shows a complex dynamic of control and manipulation.
The relationship with Marie, he fully trusts, but she is plotting to kill him (though he already knows this – one step ahead of her).

Unique Voice: El Jefe’s tone is calm, deliberate, and commanding, with a veneer of sophistication masking his cruelty.
Conning, sounds sincere, but knows it’s only a set-up.

Special: His magnetic charm combined with his brutality makes him a unique villain who respects a worthy adversary, creating a layered antagonist who sees himself as morally complex.
Though abandoned as a child, he has managed to overcome tremendous odds to be the boss.

Lead Character Name: Sarah Walker
Known for Role: Sarah’s journey from a conflicted wife to a fierce survivor grappling with a life-changing revelation offers a layered, emotional role. This character would attract an actor looking to explore resilience under extreme pressure.
Most Interesting Character: Sarah’s inner turmoil over her pregnancy and her evolving determination make her one of the most dynamic characters, as she pushes beyond her previous boundaries.
Interesting Actions: Sarah channels her resolve, devising plans to outwit their captors, putting her life on the line, and using her high school drama skills in surprising ways to manipulate the cartel members.
Introduction: Sarah is introduced in a moment of quiet tension with Tom, highlighting the strain in their marriage while hinting at her untapped strength and resilience.
Emotional Range: Sarah experiences frustration, fear, resilience, and maternal protectiveness as she grows from a conflicted partner into a steadfast fighter.
Subtext: Sarah’s determination to survive is layered with her inner struggle over the pregnancy, feeling the need to protect her unborn child while doubting her ability to endure.
Interesting Relationships: Her evolving relationship with Tom is central, reflecting both tension and rekindling love. Her interactions with Marie bring out her steely resolve, contrasting Sarah's empathy with Marie's ruthlessness.
Unique Voice: Sarah’s voice begins with restrained, reserved tones that evolve into confident, assertive expressions of strength. She speaks with conviction as she embraces her resilience.
Special: Sarah’s internal conflict over her unexpected pregnancy in a life-threatening situation sets her apart, adding depth to her character and making her uniquely strong and vulnerable.

Lead Character Name: Maria (El Jefe's Assassin)
Known for Role: Maria offers an actor the chance to play a formidable, ruthless female assassin, balancing deadly efficiency with a touch of vulnerability. This is a rare, nuanced antagonist role.
Most Interesting Character: Maria is intriguing as she grapples with her loyalty to El Jefe while sensing a kinship with Sarah’s inner strength, making her torn and unpredictable.
Interesting Actions: She ruthlessly tracks Tom and Sarah, takes part in high-stakes cat-and-mouse games, and faces Sarah in a brutal, personal confrontation where her own values are challenged.
Introduction: Maria is introduced in shadow, her movement silent but lethal, establishing her as a deadly force while building a mystique around her character.
Emotional Range: Maria moves between cold professionalism, frustration, and a hint of conflicted emotion as she questions her loyalty and the path she’s chosen.
Subtext: Her assassin’s composure masks an underlying discontent and suppressed empathy, particularly when she sees herself mirrored in Sarah.
Interesting Relationships: Maria’s relationship with El Jefe is a complex one, marked by loyalty, resentment, and unspoken tensions. Her interactions with Sarah reveal unexpected respect, making their confrontation both physical and emotional.
Unique Voice: Maria’s voice is minimalistic and sharp, each word purposeful and often dripping with subtle menace or wry acknowledgment of her situation.
Special: Maria’s internal conflict and subtle respect for Sarah set her apart, creating an antagonist who is more than just a ruthless assassin—she’s a character whose motivations are deeply conflicted and ultimately tragic.

• This reply was modified 5 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

Actor Attractors for DIE HARD

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” I struggle with characters. It’s not that I am a perfectionist; I just have a difficult time with it. I need to work on it a lot more.

ASSIGNMENT
6. Give us the Actor Attractors for your Example Movie and your characters. Post them to the forums at http://ScreenwritingClasses.com/forums
ACTOR ATTRACTORS
Movie Title: DIE HARD
Lead Character Name: OFFICER JOHN McCLANE
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Average Joe cop becomes hero when he saves the day defeating a group of terrorists.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
His poise, wits, bravery – all while he’s barefoot.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Jumps into action when he hears gunshots, isn’t afraid to face danger, climbs into an elevator shaft, blows things up, tons of gunfire, jumps off a building smashing into a window and almost getting pulled back outside, lots of fighting.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Goes from an average Joe cop to being a special operation guy.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Doesn’t like flying/ cares for and loves his wife / tough as-nails guy / lots of pain and suffering
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Toys with the terrorists with both action and dialogue knowing he is going to outwit them.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Develops a relationship with Officer Al Powell, an LA cop – they both speak the same language – they understand each other, trust each other, and confide in each other. In the end, John McClane saves the day, but it’s Officer Powell who saves McClane from a terrorist who McClane thought he had killed.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Sensitive at times, harsh and brass when needed,
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He’s a cop – quick thinking – full of surprises.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
In the CLIMAX, McClane faces off with Hans Gruber, the head terrorist/antagonist, who is holding is wife at gunpoint. He is poised as Hans threatens to kill his wife unless he puts his gun down. McClane does so, then begins laughing, confusing Hans who also begins laughing. Quick as a cat McClane grabs the pistol that is taped to his back and shoots Hans and then shoots another terrorist dead thus saving his wife.

Lead Character Name: Hans Gruber
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Plays a bad-ass terrorist, who is intelligent, sophisticated, and ruthless.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He is poised and cunning, in complete control all the time.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Shoots two hostages in the head for different reasons (ruthless), plays hostage when trapped by McClane, gives the orders to his cronies and is in complete control of the situation.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He leads a group of terrorists out of the back of a cube truck into the building, dressed like a well-to-do businessman.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Poised and in complete control to rage.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Constantly scheming, looking for the edge.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
His relationship with John McClane (protagonist) because John McClane is the “fly-in-the-ointment” – constantly disrupting his plans. He respects John, but wants him dead. 8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
He has an accent. He never lets on the he isn’t in control of thew situation and he’s willing to be ruthless if the situation calls for ruthlessness.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He’s a high-class, well-to-do, intelligent character. He has devised a plan to steal $600 million dollars.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Hans and John meet face to face, John has a gun pointed at him, but Hans, through some quick thinking, plays a hostage, then turn-the-tables on John when John hands him a gun, only to learn later that John gave him a gun without bullets. It’s a chess game between the two.

• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Monster Revel Track

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” I need to work on my MONSTER REVEAL DEMANDS a bit more. I will definitely keep that in mind as I move forward.

ASSIGNMENT
1. Create each part of this model:
A. Who is your monster and what is their terror? Henry / Werewolf
Powers? Sharp hearing / Acute smell / Claws that shred / Teeth that tear / Strong / Fast
Limitations?
Weaknesses? Poor eye sight
Plan/Purpose/Appetite? To kill everyone / Uncontrollable animalistic behavior / Fresh blood / meat

B. Sequence the reveals
Opening/prologue: Start the mystery of the monster by showing us the result of their violence.

MONSTER REVEAL – INTRODUCTION OF THE MONSTER
The shadow of a wolf-monster, kills a doctor, blood splattering on the wall, and lets the body drop.

During 1st Act: Foreshadowing as clues

MONSTER REVEAL – SOMETHING IS OFF
A few cats roam the premises, when the group walks by, the cats all hiss at them. Charlie chases one away.

1st Act turning point: Characters are locked into horror

MONSTER REVEAL – THE PRESENCE OF THE MONSTER IS KNOWN
When the moon is on the horizon an eerie howl is heard in the hills.

1st half of 2nd Act: The monster is present, but hidden

MONSTER REVEAL – WHAT THE MONSTER CAN DO IS SHOWN
Sammy’s body is found and he is shredded.

Midpoint: Monster is worse than we thought

MONSTER REVEAL – THE KILLINGS ARE MORE FREQUENT AND CLOSER
Zoey is shredded by the monster not far at all from the others.

2nd half of 2nd Act: Monster pursuing / attacking characters, delivering clues with each attack

MONSTER REVEAL – THE KILLING CONTINUES
Charlie is attacked and shredded to death. Clue….???

3rd Act: Characters solve the puzzle and fight back, apparently killing monster

MONSTER REVEAL – UNDER ESTIMATES HIS VICTIMS
James is killed but leaves the monster vulnerable for Mary to shoot.

Resolution: Survivors live…but somehow, the monster is still alive for the sequel

MONSTER REVEAL – THE MONSTER LIVES WITHIN SOMEONE ELSE
James sits up. James licks his wounds.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Death Track

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” There’s more to think about; there are why’s and how’s to consider, when killing your characters in your script.

ASSIGNMENT
1. Give us the order your characters die in.
With each character tell us the why and how.
DEATHS / KILLINGS

NURSE in the beginning –
WHY?: IT STARTS THE HORROR. To demonstrate the evil that is coming.
HOW? SURPRISED. 3 evenly spaced slashes across her chest and one across her throat, as she hits a wall and slides down.

SAMMY – the Rver –
Why?: This death starts the horror for the night. Refused to help the graduates until the morning. Lazy, a bum. Does the least possible.
HOW?: BLIND-SIDED. A blood-curdling scream followed by a wolf’s triumphant howl. Body found shredded.

MOLLIE – the RVer’s wife.
WHY?: Though she’s loyal to her husband, she’s stupid to think she capable of killing the werewolf by herself.
HOW?: CHARGED BLINDLY INTO ACTION. Slashed and shredded to pieces.

ZOEY – the complainer/Charlie’s girlfriend
WHY?: No one likes a complainer. The sooner the better.
HOW?: ATTEMPTS TO STEAL JAMES’ CAR AND SPLIT LEAVING EVERYONE BEHIND. Bitten on the neck – she’s a girl..

CHARLIE – obnoxious, party all the time guy
WHY?: Acts tough, but is really cowardly -FOR A MORAL REASON (more to life than a party)
How?: BACK INTO IT (thinking of letting James find the keys and when the werewolf strikes James, he would kill the monster and split) – Arm sliced off and then shredded.

JAMES – saves Mary, sacrificial lamb.
Why?: HEROICS. He does everything right, including dying for his girlfriend.
How?: SACRIFICED. Throat slashed. 2. Build the answers into your outline.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Horror Situation Track

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” The more horror situations you can create the better the horror story. I can hardly wait for the next lessons I can add to it.

ASSIGNMENT
1. Build horror situations into your plot by taking the following steps:
STEP 1: Brainstorm 20 to 50 potential horror situations for your story.
STEP 2: Determine which of those work best for your plot.
STEP 3: Add a Reaction (denial, solve it, hide, escape, or fight) to the selected Horror situations.
STEP 4: Put Horror Situations/Reactions in the plot and label them.

WEREWOLF STORY
ACT 1 — SET UP FOR HORROR
Atmosphere of Evil established

Moonlight shines into a hospital room in England. A nurse peeks in to see an empty bed. She becomes panic-stricken calling for the doctors and security.

HORROR SITUATION: Shrieks and screams can be heard in the hallway. The shadow of a wolf-monster kills someone and lets the body drop.

Reaction: The nurse scream in horror!

Connect with the characters

LEADER: James – responsible, drives the car, successful at everything he does. Adventurous – brings a metal detector treasure hunting at Ghost town.
LOVE INTEREST: Mary – James’ girlfriend; generic girlfriend figure who will go anywhere for James.
OUT OF CONTROL OBNOXIOUS: Charlie – party’s all the time, James’ best friend and his alter-ego. Brings a Colt 45 six-shooter to fire during their visit to a ghost town.
COMPLAINER: Zoey – friend of Mary’s who kind of likes Charlie, if he wasn’t such a jerk all the time.
THE CARRIER: The one that brings the horror to the group – Henry – After graduation from college, went to Europe for a month. While in England, he was attacked by a large “dog” and stayed in the hospital for observations. He left the hospital in the middle of the night – that was a month ago. The moon is full tomorrow night and Henry is feeling a bit “hungry.”
These 4 Characters are road-tripping to Los Angeles and they are entering Northern California looking for a ghost town so James can metal detect and Charlie can shoot off a few rounds with his Colt 45.
The characters are warned not to do it.

A roadside attraction has a BIG FOOT statue. Told about a ghost town a few miles away but it’s a ghost town for a reason.
Denial of Horror

They joke about BIG FOOT and other scary monsters and how fake they are.
Safety taken away

After spending the afternoon metal detecting and firing Charlie’s pistol, they decide to head out, however, they start to have engine troubles. Luckily, an RV is coming down the road to visit the ghost town. They agree to fix it in the morning because the sun is going down.

HORROR SITUATION: The graduates are stranded until morning.

Reaction: There’s nothing to worry about – it’s all good.

Monster: The nature of the beast.

As the sunsets, the full moon begins to rise. Henry has ventured off, so has Sammy the Rver.

HORROR SITUATION: When the moon is on the horizon an eerie howl is heard in the hills.

Reaction: Worried, the others begin looking for the two.

ACT 2 — THE POINT OF NO RETURN
Isolated / Trapped / Abducted

HORROR SITUATION: Sammy’s body is found and he is shredded.

Reaction: Mary, with shotgun in hand, is going to kill whatever it is that killed her husband!

One of us killed

HORROR SITUATION: Nearby, screaming!!! The shotgun goes off.

Reaction: The 3 college grads are panicked and go to investigate – Mary is shredded!

MIDPOINT: The monster is worse than we thought!
Full pursuit by the killer

HORROR SITUATION: The college grads go back to the RV – this will make for a good fortress – if only they had the keys.

Reaction: The keys are with Sammy!

HORROR SITUATION: The werewolf HOWLLLLLLLLLLS!

Reaction: They must hurry if they want to escape with their lives.

Terrorized

HORROR SITUATION: Someone needs to go out there and get the keys off of Sammy’s body.

Reaction: They devise a plan.

ACT 3 — FULL OUT HORROR
Fight to the death

HORROR SITUATION: Charlie is going to be the decoy so James can get the keys from Sammy.

Reaction: Charlie has his gun and he is hiding.

HORROR SITUATION: The werewolf is sniffing around and getting very close to Charlie.

Reaction: panics and fires 5 of his 6 shots but misses on all counts, he runs back to the RV, …

HORROR SITUATION: …but trips, he points the gun, his arm is sliced off!

Reaction: Charlie is shredded right in front of Mary as she looks out the windshield!

HORROR SITUATION: James is out there searching for Sammy’s body.

Reaction: James is desperately looking for Sammy.

Hysteria

HORROR SITUATION: Mary is armed with the shotgun but she is trapped inside the RV. The werwolf is circling the RV.

Reaction: Mary takes her best shot hoping to hit the werwolf but misses …

HORROR SITUATION: …and now the werewolf is ripping at the door.

The thrilling escape from death

Reaction: Mary opens the window and slips out, just as the werewolf enters.

James has the keys…

HORROR SITUATION: …but now the werewolf is inside the RV and they are on the outside.

Reaction: They must lure the werewolf out.

Death returns to take one or more.

James shoots the werewolf with the pistol/silver bullet. James and Mary go back to the RV – Mary enters the doorless RV first.

HORROR SITUATION: She hears a noise and turns around – James is gone!!!

Reaction: She looks around and then –

HORROR SITUATION: A SNARL AND FANGS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER!!!

Reaction: Mary pulls the trigger on the shot gun and blows a big hole in him – thus killing the werewolf!

Resolution

Mary goes to James body, gets the keys and drives away.

THE END

• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Horror Plot

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” If I just follow the plan, I was able to fit the puzzle pieces in nicely—or so I think.

ASSIGNMENT
1. Knowing your concept, fill in one or two sentences for each of the plot points.
ACT 1 — SET UP FOR HORROR
Atmosphere of Evil established

Moonlight shines into a hospital room in England. A nurse peeks in to see an empty bed. She becomes panic-stricken, calling for the doctors and security. Shrieks and screams can be heard in the hallway. The shadow of a wolf monster kills someone and lets the body drop.

Connect with the characters.

LEADER: James – responsible, drives the car, successful at everything he does. Adventurous – brings a metal detector for Ghost Town.
LOVE INTEREST: Mary – James’ girlfriend; generic girlfriend figure who will go anywhere for James.
OUT OF CONTROL OBNOXIOUS: Charlie – party’s all the time, James’ best friend and his alter-ego. Brings a Colt 6-shooter to fire during their visit to a ghost town.
COMPLAINER: Zoey – friend of Mary’s who kind of likes Charlie, if he wasn’t such a jerk all the time.
THE CARRIER: The one that brings the horror to the group – Henry – After graduating from college, went to Europe for a month. While in England, he was attacked by a large “dog” and stayed in the hospital for observations. He left the hospital in the middle of the night – that was a month ago. The moon is full tomorrow night, and Henry feels a bit “hungry.”
These four Characters are road-tripping to Los Angeles and entering Northern California, looking for a ghost town where James can metal-detect and Charlie can shoot off a few rounds with his Colt 45.
The characters are warned not to do it.

A roadside attraction has a BIG FOOT statue. Told about a ghost town a few miles away but it’s a ghost town for a reason.
Denial of Horror

They joke about BIG FOOT and other scary monsters and how fake they are.
Safety taken away

After spending the afternoon metal detecting and firing Charlie’s pistol, they head out. However, they start having engine troubles. Luckily, an RV is coming down the road to visit the ghost town. They agree to fix it in the morning because the sun is going down.

Monster: The nature of the beast.

As the sun sets, the full moon begins to rise. Henry has ventured off, so has Sammy the Rver. When the moon is on the horizon an eerie howl is heard in the hills. Worried, the others begin looking for the two.

ACT 2 — THE POINT OF NO RETURN
Isolated / Trapped / Abducted

Sammy’s body is found, and he is shredded. Mary, with shotgun in hand, is going to kill whatever it is that killed her husband!

One of us killed

Nearby, screaming!!! The shotgun goes off. The three college grads are panicked and go to investigate – Mary is shredded!

MIDPOINT: The monster is worse than we thought!
Full pursuit by the killer

The college grads return to the RV – this will make for a good fortress – if only they had the keys. The keys are with Sammy! The werewolf HOWLLLLLLLLLLS!

Terrorized

Someone needs to go out there and get the keys off of Sammy’s body. They devise a plan.

ACT 3 — FULL OUT HORROR
Fight to the death

Charlie is going to be the decoy so James can get the keys from Sammy. Charlie has his gun, and he is hiding. The werewolf sniffs around and gets very close to Charlie. Charlie panics and fires 5 of his six shots but misses on all counts. He runs back to the RV but trips; he points the gun, and his arm is sliced off! Charlie is shredded right in front of Mary as she looks out the windshield!

James is out there searching for Sammy’s body.

Hysteria

Mary is armed with a shotgun, but she is trapped inside the RV. The werewolf is circling the RV. Mary takes her best shot, hoping to hit the werewolf, but she misses, and now the werewolf is ripping at the door.

The thrilling escape from death

Mary opens the window and slips out just as the werewolf enters. James has the keys, but now the werewolf is inside the RV, and they are on the outside.

Death returns to take one or more.

James shoots the werewolf with the pistol/silver bullet. James and Mary return to the RV – Mary enters the doorless RV first. She hears a noise and turns around – James is gone!!! She looks around and then – A SNARL AND FANGS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER!!! Mary pulls the trigger on the shotgun and blows a big hole in him – thus killing the werewolf!

Resolution

Mary goes to James' body, gets the keys, and drives away.

THE END

• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Characters for Horror

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” Picking and choosing my characters for this script was super easy for me and a lot of fun.

ASSIGNMENT

Tell us your Concept and the Group you have chosen.

CONCEPT = A group of 4 college graduates are road tripping to California, one of the four has unknowingly been bitten by a werewolf while he was in England a month earlier, and the full moon is tomorrow.
GROUP = Social Group – The characters are part of an existing social group. Examples include families (THE PURGE, INSIDIOUS), co-workers (SEVERANCE), classmates (JENNIFER¹S BODY), or close friends (IT FOLLOWS).

2. Tell us the Dying Pattern of this movie.

DYING PATTERN = A. Put 6 to 8 characters together and kill them off one by one.

3. Give us an Identity and a sentence for each character that makes up your group.

LEADER: James – responsible, drives the car, successful at everything he does. Adventurous – brings a metal detector for Ghost town.
LOVE INTEREST: Mary – James’ girlfriend; generic girlfriend figure who will go anywhere for James.
OUT OF CONTROL OBNOXIOUS: Charlie – party’s all the time, James’ best friend and his alter-ego. Brings a Colt 6-shooter to fire during their visit to a ghost town.
COMPLAINER: Zoey – friend of Mary’s who kind of likes Charlie, if he wasn’t such a jerk all the time.
THE CARRIER: The one that brings the horror to the group – Henry – After graduation from college, went to Europe for a month. While in England, he was attacked by large “dog” and stayed in the hospital for observations. He left the hospital in the middle of the night – that was a month ago. The moon is full tomorrow night and Henry is feeling a bit “hungry.”
MONSTER BAIT: Sammy – RV-er who happens to be camping nearby.
MORAL ONE: Molly – Sammy’s wife, a bit religious, senses something isn’t quite right.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – GENRE CONVENTIONS

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” I need to follow the conventions and stay the course.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Tell us the following:
Title: SHADOW ISLAND

Concept: A birdwatching excursion from a luxury cruise turns into a deadly fight for survival when tourists stumble upon a cartel’s covert operation on a remote Caribbean island.

Genre: THRILLER

3. Go to this Genre Conventions link and make a list of the conventions for your chosen genre, PURPOSE:
High Stakes = Tom / Sarah witness the Cartel’s covert operation and they are discovered along with the other tourists and everyone’s lives are at stake.
Plot Twists = Maria (El Jefe’s assassin) is plotting to kill El Jefe so she can be the El Jefe.
Suspense = Will Tom/Sarah escape the Cartel?
Will Tom/Sarah save the tourists/hostages from the Cartel?
Will Tom’s “traps” work on the Cartel?
LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS
Physically = Tom / Sarah being pursued by the Cartel
The other tourists/ hostages
Emotionally = Tom / Sarah’s marriage
Sarah’s pregnancy
Mentally = Tom’s skills / ability to save everyone from the cartel
MYSTERY/INTRIGUE/SUSPENSE
Mystery = What is the Cartel doing on this island?
Intrigue = Who is this mysterious man that is interested in Sarah?
Will this mysterious man be the deciding factor in Tom / Sarah marriage?
Will Tom fight to save their marriage?
Will Sarah tell Tom about the pregnancy?
Suspense = The cartel chasing Tom / Sarah through the jungle?
The cartel closing in on Tom as he is trying to send out a distress signal.
Sarah getting captured by the cartel.
Sarah’s pregnancy is a concern.
The group dwindles as the day progresses.
HERO = Tom becomes more resourceful and takes on a more protective role when with Sarah.
VILLAIN = El Jefe orders his men to track down the tourists.
El Jefe orders the assassination of a tourist.
El Jefe is rough with Sarah and threatens Maria.
MAIN EMOTIONS = Suspense, intrigue, mystery, tension, anticipation, uncertainty, and surprise.

4. Brainstorm ways to deliver the conventions more effectively and build those parts into your 4-Act Structure.
Old Ways:
Tom Walker starts as hesitant, stressed, and withdrawn, both in his role as a Prop Master and in his marriage. He must rise to meet the threats on the island and reconnect with Sarah under life-threatening pressure.

Act 1: The Setup
Opening:
Tom and Sarah Walker, aiming to repair their marriage, board a luxury Caribbean cruise ship. The tourists they meet add a light-hearted atmosphere, hiding the danger ahead. A mysterious man shows interest in Sarah and mentions a birdwatching excursion.

Inciting Incident:
The group eagerly follows their local guide, Carlos, through the island’s lush landscape in search of rare birds. During a quiet moment, Tom and Sarah use binoculars to scan the area and, to their horror, spot members of a Mexican cartel, led by the fearsome El Jefe, unloading illegal cargo in a secluded clearing. Just as they realize the danger, Sarah is stung by a bee and lets out an involuntary yelp, alerting the cartel to their presence.

Turning Point:
Chaos ensues as the cartel members, now aware of the tourists, seize several members of the group to ensure there are no witnesses. El Jefe coldly orders one of them to be executed, setting off a deadly chain of events. Tom and Sarah, and a few others, including a doctor, flee into the jungle as they’re forced to rely on each other to survive. This terrifying ordeal pushes them to confront their inner struggles while witnessing the brutal realities of survival.

Act 2: Confrontation and Discovery
New Plan:
The remaining tourists, including Tom and Sarah, take refuge in an abandoned radio tower. Here, Tom's Eagle Scout background starts to emerge as he tinkers with the radio equipment – all those years he spent doing HAM RADIO. Sarah also learns she's pregnant but decides not to tell Tom to keep him focused.
Plan in Action:
Tom manages to send a distress signal, giving them a glimmer of hope. He and Sarah develop makeshift defenses, using whatever resources they can find, and Tom steps into a leadership role, gaining newfound confidence and skill.
Midpoint Turning Point:
The cartel finds them at the radio tower. In the ensuing fight, several remaining survivors are killed, but Tom and Sarah escape. Tom faces off with Maria, El Jefe's assassin, where Maria hesitates—a hint at her inner conflict. This moment leaves Tom and Sarah as prime targets and deepens Tom’s sense of responsibility for Sarah’s survival.

Act 3: Escalation and Transformation
Rethink Everything:
Fleeing deeper into the jungle, Tom and Sarah are isolated. Sarah’s pregnancy weighs on her mind, heightening her vulnerability. Tom realizes he can no longer rely on his old, uncertain ways and must fully commit to becoming the protector Sarah needs.
New Plan:
Tom, now embracing his role as a leader, decides to face the cartel head-on. Using his Eagle Scout and Prop Master skills, he designs traps and strategies, turning the island into a weaponized landscape. He commits to protecting Sarah at any cost.
Turning Point (Huge Failure / Major Shift):
Tom’s carefully laid plans backfire when Maria captures Sarah, revealing her secret agenda to kill El Jefe. Tom must now adjust his focus to rescuing Sarah and eliminating both El Jefe and Maria if they are to survive.

Act 4: Resolution and New Ways
Climax:
In a brutal showdown on the island’s edge, Tom confronts El Jefe in hand-to-hand combat. Meanwhile, Sarah breaks free and faces Maria, whose inner conflict has reached its peak. In a desperate move, Sarah kills Maria, ending the threat and her divided loyalties.
Resolution:
With the cartel defeated, Tom and Sarah, physically and emotionally scarred, reach the shore as a rescue helicopter arrives. They embrace, with Tom now transformed into a protective, decisive leader. As they leave the island behind, both are ready for the challenges awaiting them, including Sarah’s pregnancy.

New Ways:
Tom Walker emerges as a confident, resourceful protector, no longer the insecure Prop Master but a leader who has proven his worth. The ordeal strengthens his relationship with Sarah, who now sees him as a capable husband ready to face whatever lies ahead.

5. Use this prompt to brainstorm other ways to deliver on the conventions:
Old Ways:
Tom Walker starts as hesitant, stressed, and withdrawn, both in his role as a Prop Master and in his marriage. He must rise to meet the threats on the island and reconnect with Sarah under life-threatening pressure.

Act 1: The Setup
Opening:
Tom and Sarah Walker, aiming to repair their marriage, board a luxury Caribbean cruise ship. The tourists they meet add a light-hearted atmosphere, hiding the danger ahead. A mysterious man shows interest in Sarah and mentions a birdwatching excursion.
Inciting Incident:
The group eagerly follows their local guide, Carlos, through the island’s lush landscape in search of rare birds. During a quiet moment, Tom and Sarah use binoculars to scan the area and, to their horror, spot members of a Mexican cartel, led by the fearsome El Jefe, unloading illegal cargo in a secluded clearing. Just as they realize the danger, Sarah is stung by a bee and lets out an involuntary yelp, alerting the cartel to their presence.

Turning Point:
Chaos ensues as the cartel members, now aware of the tourists, seize several members of the group to ensure there are no witnesses. El Jefe coldly orders their execution, setting off a deadly chain of events. Tom and Sarah, and a few others including a doctor, flee into the jungle as they’re forced to rely on each other to survive. This terrifying ordeal pushes them to confront their inner struggles while witnessing the brutal realities of survival.

Act 2: Confrontation and Discovery
New Plan:
The remaining tourists, including Tom and Sarah, take refuge in an abandoned radio tower. Here, Tom's Eagle Scout background starts to emerge as he tinkers with the radio equipment – all those years he spent doing HAM RADIO. Sarah also learns she's pregnant but decides not to tell Tom to keep him focused.
Plan in Action:
Tom manages to send a distress signal, giving them a glimmer of hope. He and Sarah develop makeshift defenses, using whatever resources they can find, and Tom steps into a leadership role, gaining newfound confidence and skill.
Midpoint Turning Point:
The cartel finds them at the radio tower. In the ensuing fight, several remaining survivors are killed, but Tom and Sarah escape. Tom faces off with Maria, El Jefe's assassin, where Maria hesitates—a hint at her inner conflict. This moment leaves Tom and Sarah as prime targets and deepens Tom’s sense of responsibility for Sarah’s survival.

Act 3: Escalation and Transformation
Rethink Everything:
Fleeing deeper into the jungle, Tom and Sarah are isolated. Sarah’s pregnancy weighs on her mind, heightening her vulnerability. Tom realizes he can no longer rely on his old, uncertain ways and must fully commit to becoming the protector Sarah needs.
New Plan:
Tom, now embracing his role as a leader, decides to face the cartel head-on. Using his Eagle Scout and Prop Master skills, he designs traps and strategies, turning the island into a weaponized landscape. He commits to protecting Sarah at any cost.
Turning Point (Huge Failure / Major Shift):
Tom’s carefully laid plans backfire when Maria captures Sarah, revealing her secret agenda to kill El Jefe. Tom must now adjust his focus to rescuing Sarah and eliminating both El Jefe and Maria if they are to survive.

Act 4: Resolution and New Ways
Climax:
In a brutal showdown on the island’s edge, Tom confronts El Jefe in hand-to-hand combat. Meanwhile, Sarah breaks free and faces Maria, whose inner conflict has reached its peak. In a desperate move, Sarah kills Maria, ending the threat and her divided loyalties.
Resolution:
With the cartel defeated, Tom and Sarah, physically and emotionally scarred, reach the shore as a rescue helicopter arrives. They embrace, with Tom now transformed into a protective, decisive leader. As they leave the island behind, both are ready for the challenges awaiting them, including Sarah’s pregnancy.

New Ways:
Tom Walker emerges as a confident, resourceful protector, no longer the insecure Prop Master but a leader who has proven his worth. The ordeal strengthens his relationship with Sarah, who now sees him as a capable husband ready to face whatever lies ahead.

This 4-Act Structure emphasizes Tom’s transformation from passive and uncertain to resilient and proactive, adding depth to his internal and external growth through each act.

6. List your structure from Lesson 6 along with the improvements that come from the Genre Conventions, like I did above.
ACT 1
Opening: Tom and Sarah board a cruise ship and start socializing with the other passengers.
Tom /Sarah sign-up for the Bird Excursion on Shadow Island.
Sarah is approached by a mysterious man.
The following day they go on the excursion.
Inciting Incident: Tom and Sarah see the cartel and then Sarah is stung by a bee, the cartel are alerted their activities are now seen.
Turning Point: Tom / Sarah witness El Jefe execute one of the passengers.

ACT 2
New Plan: Tom /Sarah head to a radio tower and Tom puts his HAM radio experience to use.
Plan in Action: Tom might have gotten a distress signal out before the cartel show up.
Midpoint Turning Point: Tom and Sarah ar forced back

• This reply was modified 6 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – 4 Act Transformational Structure

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” My story is starting to take shape. I need to worry less about the details and just focus on the BIG PICTURE.

ASSIGNMENT

Create a first draft of your 4 Act Transformational Structure.

2. Give us the following:
CONCEPT = A birdwatching excursion from a luxury cruise turns into a deadly fight for survival when tourists stumble upon a cartel’s covert operation on a remote Caribbean island.
Main Conflict = The surviving tourists, a husband and wife, must use their wits and hidden strengths to outmaneuver a ruthless cartel determined to eliminate all witnesses.
TOM WALKER OLD WAYS =
Full of doubt
Shy around others
Stresses over the simplest tasks
Marriage in jeopardy

TOM WALKER NEW WAYS =
Protective husband
Confident
Capable of anything
A leader

3. Fill in each of these with the answers you have right now.
Act 1:
Opening = Tom Walker and Sarah Walker (husband/wife) have martial problems and take a cruise to rekindle their relationship. They take a birdwatching excursion on a remote island.

Inciting Incident = They witness the Mexican Cartel through binoculars conducting covert operations when Sarah gets stung by a bee and shouts in pain. The cartel are alerted to their presence.

Turning Point = The Tom/Sarah see that the cartel have taken some of their group hostage.

Act 2:
New plan = They can’t leave the island and must recuse the other tourists.

Plan in action = Tom and Sarah discuss a plan which includes them getting a signal out at the radio tower, the cartel fire at them, and they don’t know if it worked.

Midpoint Turning Point = They are separated.

Act 3:
Rethink everything = Tom devises a plan using the lens from the binoculars.

New plan = They set a fire to draw the attention of the cartel

Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift = Sarah is captured in the process.

Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict = Sarah gets into a scuffle with Maria and gets her gun but El Jefe threatens Sarah’s life. Tom manages to rescue Sarah and everyone else in a display of heroics.

Resolution = the radio signal they sent worked and a rescue helicopter arrives, the cartel are arrested.

5. To convert your 3-Act Structure to 4-Act Transformational Structure, use this prompt:
Old Ways:
Tom Walker starts as hesitant, stressed, and withdrawn, both in his role as a Prop Master and in his marriage. He must rise to meet the threats on the island and reconnect with Sarah under life-threatening pressure.

Act 1: The Setup
Opening:
Tom and Sarah Walker, aiming to repair their marriage, board a luxury Caribbean cruise. The tourists they meet add a light-hearted atmosphere, hiding the danger ahead.
Inciting Incident:
During a birdwatching tour, Tom, Sarah, and other tourists stumble upon a cartel unloading illegal cargo. When they’re spotted, El Jefe orders their deaths, plunging the group into immediate danger.
Turning Point:
Fleeing into the jungle, Tom and Sarah are thrust into survival mode, witnessing cartel violence against fellow tourists. For the first time, Tom must rely on his survival skills and trust Sarah to navigate their deadly circumstances.

Act 2: Confrontation and Discovery
New Plan:
The remaining tourists, including Tom and Sarah, take refuge in an abandoned radio tower. Here, Tom's Prop Master background starts to emerge as he devises rudimentary survival strategies. Sarah also learns she's pregnant but decides not to tell Tom to keep him focused.
Plan in Action:
Tom manages to send a distress signal, giving them a glimmer of hope. He and Sarah develop makeshift defenses, using whatever resources they can find, and Tom steps into a leadership role, gaining newfound confidence and skill.
Midpoint Turning Point:
The cartel finds them at the radio tower. In the ensuing fight, several remaining survivors are killed, but Tom and Sarah escape. Tom faces off with Maria, El Jefe's assassin, where Maria hesitates—a hint at her inner conflict. This moment leaves Tom and Sarah as prime targets and deepens Tom’s sense of responsibility for Sarah’s survival.

Act 3: Escalation and Transformation
Rethink Everything:
Fleeing deeper into the jungle, Tom and Sarah are isolated. Sarah’s pregnancy weighs on her mind, heightening her vulnerability. Tom realizes he can no longer rely on his old, uncertain ways and must fully commit to becoming the protector Sarah needs.
New Plan:
Tom, now embracing his role as a leader, decides to face the cartel head-on. Using his Eagle Scout and Prop Master skills, he designs traps and strategies, turning the island into a weaponized landscape. He commits to protecting Sarah at any cost.
Turning Point (Huge Failure / Major Shift):
Tom’s carefully laid plans backfire when Maria captures Sarah, revealing her secret agenda to kill El Jefe. Tom must now adjust his focus to rescuing Sarah and eliminating both El Jefe and Maria if they are to survive.

Act 4: Resolution and New Ways
Climax:
In a brutal showdown on the island’s edge, Tom confronts El Jefe in hand-to-hand combat. Meanwhile, Sarah breaks free and faces Maria, whose inner conflict has reached its peak. In a desperate move, Sarah kills Maria, ending the threat and her divided loyalties.
Resolution:
With the cartel defeated, Tom and Sarah, physically and emotionally scarred, reach the shore as a rescue helicopter arrives. They embrace, with Tom now transformed into a protective, decisive leader. As they leave the island behind, both are ready for the challenges awaiting them, including Sarah’s pregnancy.

New Ways:
Tom Walker emerges as a confident, resourceful protector, no longer the insecure Prop Master but a leader who has proven his worth. The ordeal strengthens his relationship with Sarah, who now sees him as a capable husband ready to face whatever lies ahead.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

Terrifying Monster

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” I got to know my monster much better and the things that make my monster a monster. It was good to answer these questions because it made me dig deeper into who the monster is.

ASSIGNMENT
Tell us what or who your monster is.
WEREWOLF

2. Give us a few sentences for each of the following for your monster:
Their Terror

How does the monster terrorize? Silently, without warning, he will rip you to shreds.

How does the monster pursue? Dark as night, the werewolf blends into the night from behind.

How does the monster isolate? Like sheep, he splits up the group and kills the weakest first.

What is the terrible thing they do? He shows you his teeth and how big they are

How does the monster cause death? Clawing, scratching and biting

What makes this inescapable? Half Man / Half Wolf – incredibly quick on his feet

Their Mystery

Question: What do they need to know about this monster? The only way to kill a werewolf is with a silver bullet – where do you get one?

Their Fear-Provoking Appearance

How can you make the look of your monster more grotesque, disturbing, or psychotic?
A rabid, menacing-looking wolf with spit dripping from his mouth, black, empty, blood-shot eyes, and a sinister grin just before he bites you.

Their Rules

What behaviors does it exhibit? Relies on sound and scent to locate victims.

What horror does it create? With its heavy breathing and growling noises, it’s enough to make your hair stand up.

What rules does it follow? When the moon goes down, the werewolf turns human again. A silver bullet will kill the beast. If a werewolf bites you and you survive, you will become a werewolf the next full moon.

Their Mythology

The survivor, in the end, got bit.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Horror Conventions

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” The conventions of the horror genre and the need to honor them.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Watch the movie and as you do, note its conventions.
Title / Concept: FRIDAY THE 13TH / A remote camp is terrorized by a killer.

Terrorize The Characters: The characters individually realize something is wrong by various means and soon find themselves vulnerable and helpless against the killer.

Isolation: Camp Crystal is 20 miles out of town with no phone and a car that doesn’t work.

Death: As the killer makes its presence known the victims know they are going to die.

Monster/Villain: Pamela Voorhees is the big reveal killer/monster.

High Tension: The fear of the dark and the unknown or unseen leads to terror. Knowing death is lurking around the corner (which corner is the question) is horrifying.

Departure from Reality: Summer camp is characterized as a good time which quickly turns into a nightmare with no where to go.

Moral Statement: Those that slack at their duties and don’t take their job responsibilities seriously may/will become the victims of neglect at the hands of the killer/judge.

3. Anything else you'd like to say about what made this movie a great horror film?
This is a classic and has spawn a number of sequels. I believe it is the type of horror movie people expect from the genre and it delivered.

4. With your concept, fill in each of these Conventions for your story.
Concept
A group of 4 college graduates are road tripping to California, one of the four has unknowingly been bitten by a werewolf while he was in England a month earlier, and the full moon is tomorrow.

Terrorize The Characters
When the sun sets and the full moon rises, one college graduate steps away, the remaining three soon realize they are at the mercy of a wild beast of the night.

Isolation
A ghost town in the foot hills of California, miles away from anyone.

Death
The victims know they are no match for the werewolf and after seeing one of their friends get shredded to pieces, the others will do anything to survive the night.

Monster/Villain
A werewolf.

High Tension
Man vs. Beast. Man vs. teeth, claws, superior hearing, ability to see in the moonlight and a thirst for blood. The victims know they are outmatched in every way.

Departure from Reality
What was suppose to be a fun roadtrip with some adventure turns into a “how do you out fox a wolf” night and survive to tell about it?

Moral Statement
To make it in the “real” world you will need more than a college education.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Subtext Plot

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” Working with these 7 categories of SUBTEXT PLOTS has opened my eyes to many much deeper subplots than my original concept.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Tell us your concept and your choice of one or two of these Subtext Plots.
Concept = A couple on a Caribbean cruise witnesses a Mexican cartel's illegal activities on a remote island, triggering a deadly pursuit.

SUBTEXT PLOTS

Scheme and Investigation
Superior Position
Competitive Agendas

3. Give us a few sentences on how your Subtext Plot will play out inside this story.
Scheme and Investigation

Tom and Sarah Walker discover a Mexican Cartel operation during an excursion frotheirir cruise ship. Feeling obliged to help their fellow passengers escape from being hostages, they scheme and investigate a rescue mission.

Superior Position

Tom and Sarah are able to stay “one step ahead” of the Cartel as they plot their strategies, and the Cartel falls into their traps

Competitive Agendas

The Walkers vs. the Cartel in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The Cartel wants to eliminate the witnesses, while the Walkers are trying to save the hostages.

4. To generate more ideas for Subtext Plots, use this prompt:

CHAT GPT
Here are seven possible subtext plots for your thriller screenplay, focusing on the transformational journey of Tom Walker and his encounters with El Jefe, structured around the concept of a couple witnessing a cartel's illegal activities:

Scheme and Investigation: Tom, originally just a tourist, inadvertently witnesses a cartel operation. His prop mastery skills allow him to interpret the significance of seemingly innocuous items and scenes, leading him to collect evidence. Meanwhile, El Jefe, sensing the threat, uses his resources to trace and eliminate Tom. The subtext revolves around Tom’s growing understanding of his own capabilities, paralleled by El Jefe’s increasingly desperate measures to maintain secrecy.

Layering: As Tom and Sarah delve deeper into their Caribbean adventure, they begin to see signs of the Cartel 's influence over the island, not just in the drug trade but in the local economy and governance. The deeper meaning reveals itself as Tom, using his prop skills creatively, uncovers layers of corruption tied directly to the Cartel, forcing him to reassess his understanding of morality and justice.

Someone Hides Who They Are: Sarah uses her acting skills to infiltrate the Cartel under a false identity, gathering information to help Tom. The subtext here is Sarah's internal conflict between her role as a teacher and the deceptive persona she adopts. This mirrors Tom’s transformation as he supports her covertly, struggling with his own identity as a prop master turned real-world action hero.

The Fish Out of Water: Tom is thrust into a situation where he must use his prop skills for real-world survival against the Cartel. He fabricates devices and creates diversions, mimicking scenes from the movies he's worked on. This subplot would highlight his adaptation from a meticulous prop master to a quick-thinking survivor, with the subtext being his realization of his potential beyond the film set.

Superior Position: The audience is aware of a traitor within the Cartel who subtly aids Tom and Sarah, although the couple remains unaware. This dual perspective adds tension as viewers anticipate the couple discovering their unknown ally. The subtext explores themes of trust and betrayal, paralleling Tom’s journey from skepticism to trusting his own decisions.

A Major Cover Up: El Jefe orchestrates a complex cover-up of the Cartel’s activities, implicating innocent locals and using the island's tourism as a façade. Tom’s attempts to expose the Cartel put him at odds with both the criminals and manipulated locals. This subplot showcases his evolution from an observer to an active participant in dismantling the Cartel’s influence.

Competitive Agendas: Tom and El Jefe engage in a strategic battle of wits. El Jefe aims to preserve his empire, while Tom employs every skill he's learned from movies to disrupt the cartel operations. This plot emphasizes their competitive nature and Tom’s personal growth from passive to proactive, reshaping his own narrative from scripted scenes to real-life heroics.

Each subtext plot integrates Tom's and Sarah’s personal growth and skills in a narrative that deepens the storyline, making their transformations and the film's tension more compelling.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – The Transformational Journey

My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” I spend too much time trying to perfect it, thinking it will help me in the long run, but all it does – as HAL has said a thousand times – it just prevents you from moving forward.

ASSIGNMENT

Tell us the Character Arc / Journey / Ways for your Protagonist:

TOM WALKER

ARC
Arc Beginning: Introverted, OCD, timid Prop Master
Arc Ending: Confident, Capable of mastering anything on the spot.

JOURNEY

Internal Journey: From hesitant and worried to confident and rest assured
External Journey: From an insecure Prop Master for the movies to a “MacGyver” that takes down a Mexican cartel / From a husband who’s absent to an attentive husband.

WAYS

Old Ways:
Full of doubt
Shy around others
Stresses over the simplest tasks
Marriage in jeopardy

New Ways:
Protective husband
Confident
Capable of anything
A leader

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL, I 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.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

Brian Bull
I have written 7 – 8 scripts – maybe more – I write a lot of scripts, but I need to elevate a number of them.

I just started working on the series – Season 2 of THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL
I have written 8 scripts.
I would like to write my 9th script by the end of this class and have it produced.
What’s strange about me is – I have been working in the movie industry for 35 years and I want to continue doing so.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL, “I 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.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Marketing Campaign

What I learned today is…I need to continue on and get it done!!!

ASSIGNMENT

Read through the 10 Marketing Campaigns and select ONE that you’ll take action on immediately.

MARKETING CAMPAIGN #6: Marketing to Producers

2. Taking that campaign, make a plan of action, listing the actions you’ll take.

Strategy 1: Great Writing is The Key To Your Success

Since you are asking them to make your movie and possibly risk millions of dollars, quality of writing is very important. Do whatever it takes to elevate the writing… and your pitch.

I will be rewriting my script and adding a few scenes to improve the length.

Strategy 8: Meet Producers on LinkedIn, FB, and Twitter.

Following them on Twitter, friending on Facebook, and connecting on LinkedIn can do wonders for your network. Of you act professionally (no stalking or hounding them) and you have a great pitch, some of them will request your script.

I will also continue to build my network as I am doing my rewrite.

3. Tell us the first action you are going to take…and take it.

I am starting the rewrite/additional writing as soon as I post this!

• This reply was modified 7 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Query Letter Draft ONE

What I learned today is… I think I'm ready to start sending this out to Producers.

ASSIGNMENT
Post your query letter and exchange critiques.
Do one more edit of your query letter, focusing on your script’s hooks.

Dear (friend/producer) –
There's over 50 million fishermen in the US as of 2022, I’ve written a script for them.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
Drama

A fisherman seeks revenge, but instead finds himself on the hook.

Deep in the Louisiana bayous, a fisherman’s determined to catch and kill the catfish he blames for his brother’s death.

For 25 years, the fisherman has been haunted with the loss of his younger brother, but in order to get on with his life, he must decide between carrying out vengeance or passing on the fishing legacy to his son.

In a final effort, the fisherman decides to change the bait to the Rotisserie chicken he bought at the Trading Post, unbeknownst to him, it’s the same chicken he had used when his brother disappeared.

Ironically, in the end, the fisherman realizes just before the massive catfish engulfs him, it was he that got away!!!

If you like the concept, I’d be happy to send you the script.
BRIAN BULL
424 / 205-7277 cell phone
bullsproductionservices@gmail.com

• This reply was modified 7 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull. Reason: Formatting - didn't post correctly
• This reply was modified 7 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull. Reason: I originally posted this as Assignment 10B
• This reply was modified 7 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull. Reason: Typo
• This reply was modified 7 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Target Market

What I learned today is… There is no shortage to the number of Producers out there. It is relatively easy to find the names of Producers.

TITLE – THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

LOGLINE – Deep in the Louisiana Bayous, a vengeful fisherman must catch the catfish he blames for his younger brother’s death before he loses his family or his mind.

GENRE – DRAMA

ASSIGNMENT

Make a list of five or more movies that are similar to yours and five actors that you might want to play your lead characters.
MOVIES

Hunter Hunter
Ondine
The Shallows
Sweetheart
The Wretched

ACTORS
Paul Walter Hauser
Ethan Suplee
Bobby Moynihan
Tyler Labine
Josh Gad

Using the Targeting process above, go to http://www.imdb.com and find 50 to 100 producers (or more) for your specific project.

HUNTER HUNTER:

Neil Elman (produced by)
Juliette Hagopian (produced by)
Shawn Linden (produced by)

Peter Bevan – Executive Producer
Neil Elman – Producer
Juliette Hagopian – Producer
David Brown Massey – Assiociate Producer
Hannah Pillemer – Executive Producer
Mariana Sanjurjo – Executive Producer
Fernando Szew – Executive Producer
Tony Vassiliadis – Executive Producer
Jennifer Weston – Executive Producer
Toma’s Yankelevich – Executive Producer

Shawn Linden (directed by)

Camille Sullivan
Summer H. Howell
Devon Sawa
Nick Stahl

ONDINE

Ben Browning (produced by)
James Flynn (produced by)
Neil Jordan (produced by)

Ned Down – Executive Producer
Michael Maher – Executive Producer
Morgan O’Sullivan – Executive Producer (Octagon Films)
Peter Rawlinson – Executive Producer

Neil Jordan (directed by)

Colin Farrell
Alicja Bachleda
Dervla Kirwan
Alison Barry

THE BOAT

Joe Azzopardi (produced by)
Winston Azzopardi (produced by)
Roy Boulter (Produced by)
Colin Azzpoardi – Line Producer
Rita Galea – Executive Producer
Sol Papadopoulas – Executive Producer
Galea Yolanda – Executive Producer

Winston Azzopardi – Director

Joe Azzopauri – Actor

The SHALLOWS

Lynn Harris – Producer
Matti Leshem – Producer

Jaume Collet-Serra – Executive Producer
Douglas C. Merrifield – Executive Producer

Jaume Collet-Serra – Director

Blake Lively – Actor
Oscar Jaenada – Actor
Angelo Josue Lozano Corzo – Actor
Joseph Salas – Actor

SWEETHEART

Jason Blum (produced by)
J.D. Dillard (produced by)
Alex Hyner (produced by)
Bill Karesh (produced by)
Alex Theurer (produced by)

J.D. Dillard (directed by)

Mark David Katchur – Co-Producer
Phillip Dawe – Co-Producer
Couper Samuelson – Executive Producer
Beatriz Sequeira – Executive Producer
Janette Volturno – Executive Producer

Kiersey Clemons – Actor
Emory Cohen – Actor
Hanna Mangan Lawrence – Actor
Andrew Crawford – Actor

THE WRETCHED

Brett Pierce (produced by)
Drew T. Pierce (produced by) (as Drew Pierce)
Ed Polgardy (produced by)
Chang Tseng (produced by)

Travis Cultreri – Co-Producer
Willis King – Executive Producer
Lanier Porter – Executive Producer
Leman Porter – Executive Producer

ACTORS

Paul Walter Hauser

Sophia Banks – Executive Producer
Simon Beltran – Executive Producer
Amanda Freedman – P
Andrew Hevia – EP
Juan de Dios Larrain – EP
Roger Lolly
Sara McFarlane – EP
Constanza Munoz – Co-P
Daniel Ragussis – Assoc. P
Divya Shahani – EP
Juan Pablo Solano – EP
Arun Thaper – EP
Damiano Tucci – EP
Tiziano Tucci – Ep

Ethan Suplee

Alexander Akoka – Ep
Pastor Alvarado III
Shpetim Beja – CP
Thomas Benski – EP
Nicolass Bertelsen – EP
Len Blavatnik – EP
Barry Brooker – EP
Michael Clofine – EP
Casey Fuller – EP
Gina Gammell – EP / LP
Robbie J. Gottlieb – EP
Vince Holden – Ep
Eric Hollenbeck – AP
Peter Kaufman – EP
Riley Keough – P
Brian A. Loschiavo – EP
Christian Mercuri – EP
Jeff Molyneaux – EP
Douglas Nyback – CP
Gerry Pass – CP
Pia Patatian – EP
Clara Sansarricq – EP
Ryan Schemmel – EP
Edward Storm – EP
Jennifer Storm – EP
Olivia Tyson – EP
Roman Viaris-de-Lesegno – EP
Stan Wertlieb – EP
Ryan Zacarias – P

Bobby Moynihan

Alex Brown – EP
Josie Craven – CP
Jessica Elbaum – P
Will Ferrell – P
Ted Gidlow – EP
Lauren Levy Neustadter – P
Brenden O’Brien – EP
O’Shea Read – CP
Nicholas Stoller – P
Ashley Strumwasser – CP
Conor Welch – P
Reese Witherspoon – P

Tyler Labine

Rumi. M. Arystanbekova – EP
Jonathan M. Black
Craig Cross – EP
Shane Dodson – EP
Luke Edwards – P
Jeremy Elliott – CP / LP
Brandon Evans – P
Brett Forbes – P
Chris Fredricks – EP
Mitchell Grobman – C-EP
James Huntsman – EP
Tims Johnson – EP
Tony Keily – EP
Will Keir – AP
Joey Keir – P
Jeff Kranzdorf – EP
Gregory Morse – EP
Michael O’Leary
Richard Ochoa – EP
Patrick Rizzotti – P
Anne-Marie Schiller – EP
Suzanne Schiller – EP
Todd Slater – EP
Richard Stafford – AP
Narbeh Tatoussian – CP
Jason Winget – EP

• This reply was modified 8 months ago by  Brian Bull. Reason: FORMATTING after posting -

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – PHONE PITCH
What I learned from this lesson is….I GOT THIS – no problem.

Write out your phone pitch along with answers to the questions.

1. Tell us which of the four strategies you are going to use to open your pitch:

Lead with credibility.
Lead with a great title.
Lead with a strong business hook.
Lead with a High Concept.

HIGH CONCEPT

A fisherman’s quest for revenge quickly turns into a nightmare when he discovers he’s THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!!!

2. Give us your script for phone call pitches, like I did above.

“Hi, I’m BRIAN BULL and I’m wondering if I could run a quick pitch by you?

If yes…then…

It’s a SUSPENSE/DRAMA titled THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY.

A fisherman’s quest for revenge, quickly turns into a nightmare, when he discovers, he’s THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!!!

3. Give us a one or two sentence answer to the questions a producer may ask:

What’s the budget range?

$1M – $5 million

Who do you see in the main roles?

Paul Walter Hauser

How many pages is the script?

57

Who else has seen this?

Other than a number of friends – you’re the first.
Why do you think this fits our company?

Your company is renown for making movies that are similar in this particular genre and style, and, your company knows how to produce a movie on this type of budget.

How does the movie end?

Ironically, it ends with the fisherman realizing just before he’s engulfed by a massive catfish, that he was THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!!!

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Pitch Fest Pitch

What I learned today is…I feel as though I am really honing in on the essence of my story and how to sell / pitch it.

ASSIGNMENT

Create your entire Pitch Fest Pitch.

Tell us your credibility.

N/A

2. Tell us your genre and title.

SUSPENSE

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

3. What is your one or two sentence hook?

A fisherman seeks revenge, but instead finds himself on the hook.

4. Please give your one or two sentence answer to each of these questions:

What is the budget range?

LOW BUDGET – $500K – 5M

What actors do you like for the lead roles?

Paul Walter Hauser

Ethan Suplee

Bobby Moynihan

Give me the acts of the story.

Act 1 – A fisherman heads out into the Louisiana Bayous to “the spot” where is younger brother went missing to catch the catfish he blames for his death.

Act 2 – After a series of flashbacks that tell the story of how he got to this point, he switches his bait to the Rotisserie chicken he got at the Trading Post, it just so happens, it is the same chicken he used for bait on that fateful day 25 years ago.

Act 3 – The fisherman hooks the catfish, and after a lengthy battle he manages to bring the catfish right up to the boat, he stares at the size of the catfish and before the catfish engulfs him in 2 bites he realizes, he was THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

How does it end? (setup / payoff).

For 25 years, a fisherman has been trying to catch the catfish he blames for his brother’s death, finally he does, but discovers before being engulfed by the massive fish, he was THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

Credibility questions What have you done?

N/A

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Query Letter

What I learned today is… I am improving my pitch with each passing – it just keeps getting better and better – or so I think. 🙂

ASSIGNMENT

Write your query letter.

Start with your synopsis from Lesson 5, even if it is a first draft.

Deep in the Louisiana bayous, a fisherman’s determined to catch and kill the catfish he blames for his brother’s death.

For 25 years, the fisherman has been haunted with the loss of his younger brother, but in order to get on with his life, he must decide between carrying out vengeance or passing on the fishing legacy to his son.

In a final effort, the fisherman decides to change the bait to the Rotisserie chicken he bought at the Trading Post, unbeknownst to him, the same chicken he had used when his brother disappeared.

Ironically, in the end, the fisherman realizes just before the massive catfish engulfs him, it was he that got away!!!

2. Craft an Opening Hook and put it at the top of the page.

This opening hook should lure us into the concept. Remember, it will be a bold statement, question, setup/punchline, or a quote from the lead character.

A fisherman seeks revenge, but instead finds himself on the hook.

3. Write your Bio and add it below the salutation with the word “BIO:” before it.

BIO – N/A

4. Make sure it has all the Basics covered (from Part One).

Opening Hook
Synopsis
Request
Bio
Contact information

A fisherman seeks revenge, but instead finds himself on the hook.

Deep in the Louisiana bayous, a fisherman’s determined to catch and kill the catfish he blames for his brother’s death.

For 25 years, the fisherman has been haunted with the loss of his younger brother, but in order to get on with his life, he must decide between carrying out vengeance or passing on the fishing legacy to his son.

In a final effort, the fisherman decides to change the bait to the Rotisserie chicken he bought at the Trading Post, unbeknownst to him, the same chicken he had used when his brother disappeared.

Ironically, in the end, the fisherman realizes just before the massive catfish engulfs him, it was he that got away!!!

If you like the concept, I’d be happy to send you the script.

BRIAN BULL
424 / 205-7277 cell phone
bullsproductionservices@gmail.com

• This reply was modified 8 months, 2 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – High Concepts / Elevator Pitch

What I learned today is… There are many ways of pitching my story. I just to refine it to the point that one works best for me. I keep reinventing new ways of saying my HIGH CONCEPT and I think it keeps getting better and better.

ASSIGNMENT

Tell us your High Concept and Elevator Pitch.

To find your main hook, give us what is most unique about your lead character’s journey from a big picture perspective.

A fisherman goes from being the pursuer to realizing he’s the one being pursued!!!

2. How can you tell it in the most interesting way possible?

Dilemma

A fisherman must decide whether to continue his pursuit for the catfish he blames for his brother’s death, or does he move on and teach fishing to his son.

Main Conflict

Man vs. Catfish, a game of cat and mouse, but what if the table was suddenly turned!!!

What’s at stake?

A fisherman, wants to clear his conscious and kill the catfish he blames for his brother’s death at any cost, but the price might be more than he bargained for when he realizes the catfish had him on his menu!!!

Goal/Unique Opposition

Catching the one that got away might just be not be such a good idea when all along it was you that got away!!!

3. Using the 10 Components of Marketability, what is your Elevator Pitch?

Deep in the Louisiana Bayous, a fisherman pursues a catfish that got away, but in the end, when it’s too late, he realizes just before the massive catfish engulfs him, it was he that got away!!!

4. After you answer questions 1 – 3, use AI to brainstorm other possible ways to generate a High Concept for your project.



High Concept Prompt

Pitches

A determined fisherman chases a catfish that got away, only to discover he's the one truly being hunted.


Deep in the Louisiana Bayous, a fisherman becomes prey to the catfish he's hunting, with deadly consequences.

A man hunts a legendary catfish in the bayou, but when he catches it, he realizes he's the one caught.


Obsessed with a massive catfish, a fisherman enters a deadly game of hunter and hunted in the Louisiana swamps.


In the bayou, a fisherman's quest for revenge on a monstrous catfish turns into a chilling fight for his own life.


Comps

"Jaws" meets "Deliverance"

Why: Combines the fear and tension of a deadly creature hunt with the eerie, dangerous setting of a secluded wilderness.

"The Shallows" meets "Cape Fear"

Why: Blends the survival thriller elements against a predatory force with a psychological twist of being trapped and hunted.
"Moby Dick" meets "Anaconda"

Why: Merges the obsessive hunt for a monstrous creature with the deadly peril of facing a formidable, unseen predator in the water.

"The Revenant" meets "Lake Placid"

Why: Highlights a story of survival and revenge against a powerful adversary, set in an untamed, dangerous natural environment.

"Open Water" meets "Southern Comfort"

Why: Pairs the suspense of being stranded and hunted by an unseen force with the eerie, threatening atmosphere of a remote swamp setting.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 2 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Synopsis Hooks

What I learned today is…This is a lot simpler than when you break it down.

ASSIGNMENT

The key to your success is to select HOOKS to tell your story through.

Take your list of 10 COM and 10 MIT for your story.

MOST INTERESTING THINGS

My villain is a catfish that lurks beneath the surface and is never seen until the end when it is revealed he is the size of a station wagon and he engulfs the fisherman in two gulps.

My hero is a fisherman who’s determined to catch and kill the fish that he blames for his brother’s death but ultimately catches more than he bargained for.

The Major Hook of my opening Scene is the location – The Louisiana Bayou at night – with a fisherman loading his boat with fishing equipment, stating why people fish…and finally, he says, “I used to fish for fun…I don’t fish for fun anymore.”

The Turning Point in the story is when John changes the bait to the Rotisserie Chicken he got from the Mukatolou Trading Post – the same chicken he had used 25 years earlier when his brother disappeared in the bayou when John caught the catfish.

John, the fisherman, is emotionally struggling with the loss of his younger brother, Jim, to the point that nothing else matters, but when he is confronted by the imaginary Older Jim he is faced with carrying out vengeance or passing along the traditions of fishing to his son.

The Major Twist in the story is the ending when John, the fisherman, realizes he’s THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

The BIG SURPRISE is the ending with the irony that it is JOHN, the fisherman, who got away for 25 years from the catfish.

COMPONENTS OF MARKETABILITY

The location takes place deep in the LOUISIANA BAYOUS. Outside the boat danger is all around, however, inside the boat there is calm and safety; it’s the polarity of the two which creates interest.

This is a script all about fishing, including learning how to fish from dad, fishing with family, fishing jokes, catching worms, the thrill of catching a fish, the solitude if fishing, the obsession of fishing, and more which will appeal to the 50 MILLION FISHERMAN in the US alone.

Mukatolou, the Great Indian chief that fed a village but didn’t teach any of the braves to fish, then disappeared, and the tribe parished.

The relationship of two brother’s that continues even after one disappears.

2. Select 6 – 10 hooks that could give an overview of your story.

This is a script all about fishing, including learning how to fish from dad, fishing with family, fishing jokes, catching worms, the thrill of catching a fish, the solitude if fishing, the obsession of fishing, and more which will appeal to the 50 MILLION FISHERMAN in the US alone.

The BIG SURPRISE is the ending with the irony that it is JOHN, the fisherman, who got away for 25 years from the catfish.

The location takes place deep in the LOUISIANA BAYOUS. Outside the boat danger is all around, however, inside the boat there is calm and safety; it’s the polarity of the two which creates interest.

My villain is a catfish that lurks beneath the surface and is never seen until the end when it is revealed he is the size of a station wagon and he engulfs the fisherman in two gulps.

My hero is a fisherman who’s determined to catch and kill the fish that he blames for his brother’s death but ultimately catches more than he bargained for.

John, the fisherman, is emotionally struggling with the loss of his younger brother, Jim, to the point that nothing else matters, but when he is confronted by the imaginary Older Jim he is faced with carrying out vengeance or passing along the traditions of fishing to his son.

The Major Twist in the story is the ending when John, the fisherman, realizes he’s THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

The Turning Point in the story is when John changes the bait to the Rotisserie Chicken he got from the Mukatolou Trading Post – the same chicken he had used 25 years earlier when his brother disappeared in the bayou when John caught the catfish.

The relationship of two brother’s that continues even after one disappears.

3. Organize those hooks into a sequence that makes sense for the story.

The location takes place deep in the LOUISIANA BAYOUS. Outside the boat danger is all around, however, inside the boat there is calm and safety; it’s the polarity of the two which creates interest.

My hero is a fisherman who’s determined to catch and kill the fish that he blames for his brother’s death but ultimately catches more than he bargained for.

John, the fisherman, is emotionally struggling with the loss of his younger brother, Jim, to the point that nothing else matters, but when he is confronted by the imaginary Older Jim he is faced with carrying out vengeance or passing along the traditions of fishing to his son.

The Turning Point in the story is when John changes the bait to the Rotisserie Chicken he got from the Mukatolou Trading Post – the same chicken he had used 25 years earlier when his brother disappeared in the bayou when John caught the catfish.

My villain is a catfish that lurks beneath the surface and is never seen until the end when it is revealed he is the size of a station wagon and he engulfs the fisherman in two gulps.

The BIG SURPRISE is the ending with the irony that it is JOHN, the fisherman, who got away for 25 years from the catfish.

The Major Twist in the story is the ending when John, the fisherman, realizes he’s THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

This is a script all about fishing, including learning how to fish from dad, fishing with family, fishing jokes, catching worms, the thrill of catching a fish, the solitude if fishing, the obsession of fishing, and more which will appeal to the 50 MILLION FISHERMAN in the US alone.

4. Using those hooks as an outline, write a first draft of your synopsis.

Deep in the Louisiana bayous, a fisherman’s determined to catch and kill the fish that he blames for his brother’s death but ultimately catches more than he bargained for.

Outside the boat, danger is all around; a catfish lurks beneath the surface, never seen until the end. Inside the boat there is calm and safety.

John, the fisherman, struggles with the loss of his younger brother, Jim, to the point that nothing else matters, and he is confronted by the imaginary Older Jim, now, John’s faced with carrying out vengeance or passing along the traditions of fishing to his son.

John changes the bait to the Rotisserie Chicken he got from Mukatolou’s Trading Post – the same chicken he had used 25 years earlier when his brother, Jim, disappeared in the bayou and the Rotisserie Chicken works again!

Ironically, after 25 years of fishing, John finally realizes when he gets the catfish up to the boat and sees the catfish, whose the size of a station wagon that he’s THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY! just before the catfish he engulfs him in two gulps.

This is a script all about fishing, including learning how to fish from dad, fishing with family, fishing jokes, catching worms, the thrill of catching a fish, the solitude if fishing, the obsession of fishing, and more which will appeal to the 50 MILLION FISHERMAN in the US alone.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 3 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – 10 Most Interesting Things

What I learned today is…I still had some breakthroughs regarding my script which I need to include to make it that much more interesting to Producers.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Go through your project and see which of these specific hooks you have:

A. What is most unique about your villain and hero?

My villain is a catfish that lurks beneath the surface and is never seen until the end when it is revealed he is the size of a station wagon and he engulfs the fisherman in two gulps.

My hero is a fisherman who’s determined to catch and kill the fish that he blames for his brother’s death but ultimately catches more than he bargained for.

B. Major hook of your opening scene?

The Major Hook of my opening Scene is the location – The Louisiana Bayou at night – with a fisherman loading his boat with fishing equipment, stating why people fish…and finally, he says, “I used to fish for fun…I don’t fish for fun anymore.”

C. Any turning points?

The Turning Point in the story is when John changes the bait to the Rotisserie Chicken he got from the Mukatolou Trading Post – the same chicken he had used 25 years earlier when his brother disappeared in the bayou when John caught the catfish.

D. Emotional dilemma?

John, the fisherman, is emotionally struggling with the loss of his younger brother, Jim, to the point that nothing else matters, but when he is confronted by the imaginary Older Jim he is faced with carrying out vengeance or passing along the traditions of fishing to his son.

E. Major twists?

The Major Twist in the story is the ending when John, the fisherman, realizes he’s THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

F. Reversals?
N/A

G. Character betrayals?
N/A

H. Or any big surprises?

The BIG SURPRISE is the ending with the irony that it is JOHN, the fisherman, who got away for 25 years from the catfish.

2. Make a list of any other things in your script that could interest a producer.

The location takes place deep in the LOUISIANA BAYOUS. Outside the boat danger is all around, however, inside the boat there is calm and safety; it’s the polarity of the two which creates interest.

This is a script all about fishing, including learning how to fish from dad, fishing with family, fishing jokes, catching worms, the thrill of catching a fish, the solitude if fishing, the obsession of fishing, and more which will appeal to the 50 MILLION FISHERMAN in the US alone.

Mukatolou, the Great Indian chief that fed a village but didn’t teach any of the braves to fish, then disappeared, and the tribe parished.

The relationship of two brother’s that continues even after one disappears.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – PRODUCERS / MANAGERS

What I learned today is… how to work on selling my self and my scripts. I’m learning the business side of what it means to be a writer.

ASSIGNMENT

Imagine you have two meetings set up — with a producer and then with a manager. What would you say and do differently based upon this model?

Answer two questions:

How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?

First, let me start by saying, I have been in the Motion Pictures Industry for over 30 years and have worked on some amazing projects.

Then, I would focus my pitch on the MARKETABILITY aspect of my script.

Starting with, I have a GREAT TITLE!!! THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale. In the title, I have identified the target audience – FISHERMEN.

Then, I would point out the WIDE AUDIENCE APPEAL. There are 50 MILLION Fishermen in the United States – our target market.

But wait, there’s more!!! This is a DRAMA / SUSPENSE movie and that whole group of moviegoers.

And speaking of moviegoers, the SIMILARITY TO A BOX OFFICE SUCCESS should be addressed.

This movie is like:

THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA; a lone fisherman going out in a boat to fish with his equipment and inner thoughts

ORDINARY PEOPLE; the living brother struggling with the guilt of losing a brother while out on the water

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON; the mysterious and eeriness of the location of the story – the Louisiana Bayous

ON GOLDEN POND; a fish that has eluted a fisherman for years

MOBY DICK; a vengeful man determined to catch a fish

JAWS; the elusive fish is surprising huge

THE SIXTH SENSE; the surprise and shocking ending! Ironically, the fisherman is THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!!! but not this time.

Having said all that, this script UNIQUE and has a MAJOR STORY HOOK but best of all is the ending!!!

2. How will you present yourself and your project to the manager?

First, let me start by saying, I have been in the Motion Pictures Industry for over 30 years and have worked on some amazing projects.

Part of the reason for my success in the Movie Industry is my work ETHICS and ability to work with others towards a goal.

Then, I would focus my pitch on the MARKETABILITY aspect of me, the writer.

I’m only going to write scripts that are marketable; stories that are UNIQUE with INTRUING CONCEPTS and MAJOR STORY HOOKS; APPEALING to ACTORS.

I have this script, a few that are completed, and a dozen others that are in various stages of development.

You are welcome to read the completed ones, and we can talk about the others in development and which of those to develop further.

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – MARKETABLE COMPONENTS

“What I learned doing this assignment is… There is always ways to improve things that I have thought and written about. I have done both regarding my pitch and today I feel as though I just took my pitch one step further and made it that much better – I’m getting excited once again about going back to market.

1. Current Logline

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
For 25 years, a vengeful fisherman seeks to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, but uncovers the startling truth about fishing in the Louisiana Bayous.

2. Look through the 10 Components of Marketability and pick one or two that have the most potential for selling this script.

UNIQUE – THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale is unique because it captures so many elements that are universal about fishing thus every fisherman will be able to relate to the story. Furthermore, it has such a great ending every fisherman will reference this movie every time they go fishing.

GREAT TITLE – THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale is so clique’ in the fisherman’s world with every fisherman having a fish that got away and then having the ironic ending is like having a one/two punch.

WIDE AUDIENCE APPEAL – THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale will most certainly appeal to the 50 MILLION fisherman in the United States, as well as, to every fisherman in the world.

3. Do a quick brainstorm session about ways to elevate those two components for this script and tell us how you might pitch the script through the two components.

Regarding ways to elevate these components is by utilizing another component SIMILARITY TO A BOX OFFICE SUCCESS.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale is ORDINARY PEOPLE, THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA, MOBY DICK, ON GOLDEN POND, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, JAWS, and THE SIXTH SENSE, all wrapped up in into one.

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Brian Bull.
• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Project and Market

“What I learned today is…?”
I need to put on my salesman hat and go to work!!!

ASSIGNMENT
Genre – DRAMA / SUSPENSE
Title – THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
Concept – For 25 years, a determined fisherman seeks to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, but discovers the truth about fishing in the Louisiana Bayous.

In one or two sentences, tell us what you think is most attractive about your story.
My story encompasses a number of universal fishing experiences that anyone who has gone fishing can relate to. It also has a surprise twist in the end!!!

Tell us which you will target FIRST — managers, producers, or actor’s production company — and why you picked that target.
Managers. Right now I am stumped on which actor I would like for the role. Also, I would like to focus on the numerous stories I have to write and looking for a Producer is great and all, but I need someone to do the legwork for me so I can maximize my time.

[Brian Bull]

My name is Brian Bull.
I have written 7 or so scripts.
I took the WIM class and I need to work on getting it made/produced.
I collected chess sets and at one point I had over 150 different chess sets.

[Brian Bull]

I, Brian Bull, I 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.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Amazing Inciting Incident

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have an amazing story that I need to tell!!!

ASSIGNMENT
1. What is the “Inciting Incident” of your series that this pilot needs to deliver powerfully?

Jim takes the two halves of the crystal ball, determines it’s irreparable, and is intrigued by the clarity of the glass; he then creates a pair of glasses, which he discovers will enable him to see the future!

2. Give us the main beats of that Inciting Incident:

Intriguing Concept: An optometrist’s life unfurls when he crafts future-seeing glasses from a crystal ball; while learning how to navigate the inexplicable Psychic Realm, he discovers his true love and “foresees” a murder he must prevent.

Act 1: Dr. Brown is a master craftsman when it comes to making eye glasses. He is very generous but is also very naive and feeble. He has a small gambling problem. He also doesn’t want to get involved with matters.

Midpoint: He sees Jezebel at Lucent Optical through the Psychic Glasses” attempting to murder Zelda at the hospital and Gloria (Who he hasn’t met yet) being threatened.

Lock In: Dr. Brown meets Gloria at the casino and “sees” the two of them in a romantic setting,

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Big Picture Components

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

I’m beginning the process of forming my Pilot

ASSIGNMENT
1. Give us the basic Series Info:
SERIES INFO:

World: The enigmatic Psychic Realm
Main mystery: Dr. Brown must utilize the Psychic Glasses to prevent a murder
Impossible Goal: Navigate the Psychic Realm without being killed
Main Conflict: Jezebel wants the Crystal Ball that she thinks Dr. Brown is hiding
Second Mystery: Dr. Brown’s Dad is alive but where?
Season 1 Arc: From having no future to being able to “see” the future
Season 1 Protagonist Internal Journey: From having no love life to “seeing” the love of his life

2. Tell us the basic Pilot Info:
PILOT INFO:

Pilot Conflict: Dr. Brown takes the crystal ball and makes a pair of glasses only to find out Jezebel is looking for the crystal ball and she will kill to get it.

Characters Introduced: Dr. Brown, Delores, Zelda, Jezebel, JoAnn Brown

Inciting Incident of Season 1: Dr. Brown “sees” Jezebel attempting to murder Zelda

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Visually Appealing Bible

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
It was a lot of fun creating my PITCH BIBLE TITLE PAGE!!!

ASSIGNMENT

AI and I created the perfect Pitch Bible Title Page. I wanted to share but was unable to post the image.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Edited TV Pitch Bible

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
See below.

ASSIGNMENT

4. Tell us what this process did for your TV Pitch Bible and answer the question, “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.

I used GRAMMARLY (Premium), and OMG – it improved everything for me!!! A comma here and a comma there; it caught misspellings and rephrased things for me that made it read so much better. I am happy I added this to my apps for writing.

My TV PITCH BIBLE is 100% better!!! And my confidence is through the roof right now!

I can power through anything knowing everything I write is being double-checked for errors.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – 4 PITCHES – DRAFT #2

VISION!!!


My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!


“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I’m getting closer than ever to achieving my VISION.


ASSIGNMENT
Post your 4 pitches (elevator pitch, phone pitch, pitch fest pitch, and QL) and exchange critiques.
Post your 4 pitches for critique on the forums under Lesson 11.

1. Elevator pitch

I’ve written a movie called… “THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY” – think ON GOLDEN POND meets JAWS.
If that sparks their interest then…
It’s about… a fisherman trying to catch a catfish for 25 years that he blames for his brother’s death, in the end, he catches the catfish and realizes the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”!!!

2. Phone pitch

Hi, I’m BRIAN BULL and I’m wondering if I could run a quick pitch by you?


There are over 50 million fishermen in the United States as of 2022, I’ve written a movie just for them called, “The One That Got Away – A Fisherman’s Tale”.

It’s a Drama / Horror – think On Golden Pond meets JAWS.

The story in a nutshell is …

For 25 years, John has been fishing the same spot, with the same bait, determined to catch the fish that had gotten away; a catfish he blames for his brother’s death, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”!!!


3. Pitch Fest pitch
Hi, I’m an optioned screenwriter who specializes in Speculative Fiction – Twilight Zone if you will.

Pitch: I’ve written a movie for the 50 million fisherman in the United States called, THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale.

It’s ON GOLDEN POND meets JAWS.

It’s a low-budget movie – $1 million to $5 million.

Most of the action takes place in the mysterious and foreboding Louisiana Bayous.

For 25 years, John has been fishing the same spot, with the same bait, determined to catch the fish that had gotten away; a catfish he blames for his brother’s death, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”!!!

4. Query Letter
Title: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale.
Genre: Drama / Suspense / Horror (Golden Pond meets Jaws)

A fisherman blames a catfish for his younger brother’s death when they were kids and for 25 years he’s been seeking revenge / justice in the Louisiana bayous.

Every year, at the same time, going to the same spot, using the same bait as he did the day the catfish pulled him into the water, and when he surfaced, he found his younger brother not in the boat, the fisherman’s determination hasn’t wavered.

On this day, as he waits, the fisherman recollects all the events that have lead to this juncture.

The bayou becomes eerily silent for a moment…and then…… the moment of reckoning.

John finally catches the catfish he has relentlessly pursued, and his resolve of coming face-to-face with his nemesis has arrived, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”!!!

If you like this and would want to read the script, please contact me at:

Brian Bull
bullsproductionservices@gmail.com
Phone: 424 205-7277

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – 4 PITCHES – DRAFT #1

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

I’m getting closer than ever to achieving my VISION.

ASSIGNMENT

Post your 4 pitches (elevator pitch, phone pitch, pitch fest pitch, and QL) and exchange critiques.
Post your 4 pitches for critique on the forums under Lesson 11.

1. Elevator pitch

I’ve written a movie called… “THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY” – think ON GOLDEN POND meets JAWS.

If that sparks their interest then…

It’s about… a fisherman trying to catch a catfish for 25 years that he blames for his brother’s death, in the end, he catches the catfish and realizes the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”; needless to say – to his surprise…it is ONE REALLY BIG CATFISH.

2. Phone pitch

Hi, I’m BRIAN BULL and I’m wondering if I could run a quick pitch by you?

There are over 50 million fishermen in the United States as of 2022, I’ve written a movie just for them called, “The One That Got Away – A Fisherman’s Tale”.

It’s a Drama / Horror – think On Golden Pond meets JAWS.

The story in a nutshell is …

For 25 years, John has been fishing the same spot, with the same bait, determined to catch the fish that had gotten away; a catfish he blames for his brother’s death, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”; needless to say – to John’s surprise…it’s ONE REALLY BIG CATFISH!!!

3. Pitch Fest pitch

Hi, I’m an optioned screenwriter who specializes in Speculative Fiction – Twilight Zone if you will.

Pitch: I’ve written a movie for the 50 million fisherman in the United Staes called, THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale.

It’s ON GOLDEN POND meets JAWS.

It’s a low-budget movie – $1 million to $5 million.

Most of the action takes place in the enigmatic and foreboding Louisiana Bayous.

For 25 years, John has been fishing the same spot, with the same bait, determined to catch the fish that had gotten away; a catfish he blames for his brother’s death, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”; needless to say – to John’s surprise…it’s ONE REALLY BIG CATFISH!!!

4. Query Letter

Title: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale.

Genre: Drama / Suspense / Horror (Golden Pond meets Jaws)

A fisherman blames a catfish for his younger brother’s death when they were kids and for 25 years he’s been seeking revenge / justice in the Louisiana bayous.

Every year, at the same time, going to the same spot, using the same bait as he did the day the catfish pulled him into the water and when he surfaced, found his younger brother not in the boat, the fisherman’s determination hasn’t deterred.

On this day, as he waits, the fisherman recollects all the events that have lead to this juncture.

The bayou becomes eerily silent for a moment…and then…… the moment of reckoning.

John finally catches the catfish he has relentlessly pursued, and his resolve of coming face-to-face with his nemesis has arrived, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”; needless to say – to his surprise…it’s ONE REALLY BIG CATFISH!

Contact Information:

Brian Bull

424 205-7277

bullsproductionservices@gmail.com

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Target Market

VISION!!!

My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
…how to build my network of Producers. This is all becoming very clear to me now.

ASSIGNMENT

Store the producer name, contact information, and IMDBpro link in an email, word document, Excel file, or contact management software.

I have compiled 90 names so far.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Episode Titles

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
With the help of AI I was able to brainstorm episode titles in a fraction of time it would otherwise taken me hours to do.

ASSIGNMENT
3. Sequence the titles so you can see what story they tell. Replace any titles that create genre confusion.

EPISODE 1 – The Way The (Crystal) Ball Bounces

EPISODE 2 – Isn’t In The Cards (or is it)

EPISODE 3 – A Snake In The Grass

EPISODE 4 – A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing

EPISODE 5 – Seeing Eye To Eye

EPISODE 6 – Seeing The Light

EPISODE 7 – Written In The Stars

EPISODE 8 – Seeing Red

Season 1 – Seeing Is Believing

Season 2: Two Eyes Are Better Than One

Season 3: The Third Eye

Season 4: Four Eyes

Season 5: The Fifth Dimension

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Presents Non-Stop Intrigue

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
My Pitch Bible is a living document and there is room for improvement. I need to check back on this from time to time.

ASSIGNMENT
Using Intrigue Patterns, elevate as many lines in your bible as you can.

1. Pull out your TV Pitch Bible. Read through it and highlight any paragraphs that need more interest or that you would like to be even more intriguing.

2. Check the Setups/Payoffs and brainstorm possible replacement lines.

3. Rewrite any parts you feel could be improved.

4. Tell us what this has done for your TV Pitch Bible.

I went through my Pitch Bible line by line and made the improvements necessary making it more intriguing. It has made a substantial difference in the quality. There are still some areas I would like to improve on but for now I feel I must move on.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Pitch Fest Pitch

VISION!!!

My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Keep It Short and Sweet!!! – KISS!!!

ASSIGNMENT

Create your entire Pitch Fest Pitch.
Tell us your credibility.
I’ve worked in the movie industry for 35 years.
I’m a Local 44 member.

I’m from Wisconsin – Fort Atkinson to be exact.

Let me start by saying…

My brother Bob and I used to fish the Bark River
when I was young. That was the inspiration for my script.

2. Tell us your genre and title.
It’s a DRAMA / SUSPENSE low-budget feature film.

The Title is – THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman Tale

3. What is your one or two sentence hook?
With a staggering 50 million fishermen in the United States as of 2022, “The One That Got Away – A Fisherman’s Tale” encapsulates the true spirit of fishing – THIS MOVIE IS FOR THEM!

For 25 years, John has been fishing the same spot, with the same bait, determined to catch the fish that had gotten away; a fish he blames for his brother’s death.

4. Please give your one or two sentence answer to each of these questions:
What is the budget range?

Low budget: $500k to $5 million

What actors do you like for the lead roles?

I’ll have to give this some thought.

Give me the acts of the story.

As the full moonsets and the sun rises, deep in the Louisiana Bayous, with Spanish-cover Cypress trees and alligators lurking, there’s a sense of haunting beauty in the solitude as John patiently waits in his wooden skiff.

Reflecting on his past; learning how to fish from his Dad, the camaraderie he shared with his younger brother, his wife’s recent disapproval of his leaving to do this, John struggles with his determination for revenge and justice.

Recalling an ancient Indian legend, told by an old-timer at a Trading Post the previous day, John finds strength to continue his quest to apprehend the one fish that has eluded him.

After an imaginary conversation with his deceased brother, the bayou becomes eerily silent for a moment…and then…… the moment of reckoning.

How does it end? (setup / payoff).

John finally catches the catfish he has relentlessly pursued, and his determination of coming face-to-face with his nemesis has arrived, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”; needless to say – to his surprise…it’s ONE BIG CATFISH!

Credibility questions What have you done?

I’ve been working in the movie industry for 35 years. I’ve worked with some of the best in the business. I hope to continue this trend.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – INTRIGUE PATTERNS

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have to stop being a perfection!!!

ASSIGNMENT
Using Intrigue Patterns, describe some aspect of your story or characters.

1. Pull out your TV Pitch Bible. Read through it and find ONE line you would like to be more intriguing.

2. Rethink that line using ALL of these patterns, as I did above:

With the “psychic” glasses Jim “foresees” his future wife, Gloria. He also “foresees” Jezebel, Zelda’s sister, attempt to murder Zelda at the hospital!

A. Establish something shocking and point to the terrible things it could mean.

Having fun with his new found “toy,” Dr. Brown may be in for more than he bargained for when he “foresees” his future wife and an attempted murder.

B. Strong statement; question about something underhanded beneath the surface.

Dr. Brown goes from ordinary optometrist to psychic. Rumors circulate that he is working with the devil.

C. Question that points to hidden agendas, hidden identity, conspiracy, etc..

Zelda suffers a heart attack and Dr. Brown suddenly becomes a psychic. People begin to wonder, “Maybe Dr. Brown put a spell or a curse on Zelda? Maybe he’s a secret High Wizard?”

D. Character 1 is convinced/worried/wondering that Character 2 has done _____________.

Delores is suspicious of Dr. Brown’s new abilities of foreseeing the future and Zelda’s hospitalization – making Dr. Brown a prime suspect.

E. But maybe it is all wrong.

Everyone knows Dr. Brown is pragmatic but now he’s predicting things in the future. Something’s wrong.

F. A Pattern that Leads to Future Consequences

Dr. Brown is predicting the future but he’s leaving out important details or at least his predictions are accurate but only so far than there’s a dramatic turn, usually for the worse.

G. If he does ________________, that means ___Intrigue_____.

Just because Dr. Brown is making predictions and Zelda went to the hospital doesn’t mean Dr. Brown put her there or that he stole her crystal ball.

H. State the mystery.

Where did Dr. Brown get these “psychic” powers? How is it that Zelda winds-up in the hospital?

I. Should be/could be _______, but it is even worse.

It should be applauded that Dr. Brown has these new abilities but he must have made a pact with the devil.

J. Intense language.

Dr. Brown is pragmatic in every way and now he’s a “psychic”? The universe works in mysterious ways – NOT!

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – QUERY LETTER

VISION!!!

My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Most of My work for this assignment was already done in previous lessons which made today’s assignment super easy.

ASSIGNMENT

Write your query letter.

3. Write your Bio and add it below the salutation with the word “BIO:” before it.
BIO – My brother and I spent much of our youth fishing for catfish on the Bark River in Wisconsin as I am sure many other kids have done. It’s part of growing-up.

4. Make sure it has all the Basics covered (from Part One).
Opening Hook
Synopsis
Request
Bio
Contact information

OPENING HOOK
With a staggering 50 million fishermen in the United States as of 2022, “The One That Got Away – A Fisherman’s Tale” finally encapsulates the true spirit of fishing – Drama and Suspense.

SYNOPSIS
For 25 years, John has been fishing the same spot, with the same bait, determined to catch the same fish that had gotten away; a fish he blames for his brother’s death.

As the full moon sets and the sun rises, deep in the Louisiana Bayous, with Spanish-cover Cypress trees and alligators lurking, there’s a sense of haunting beauty in the solitude as John patiently waits in his wooden skiff.

Reflecting on his past; learning how to fish from his Dad, the camaraderie he shared with his younger brother, his wife’s recent disapproval of his leaving to do this, John struggles with his determination for revenge and justice.

Recalling an ancient Indian legend, told by an old-timer at a Trading Post the previous day, John finds strength to continue his quest to apprehend the one fish that has eluded him.

After an imaginary conversation with his deceased brother, the bayou becomes eerily silent for a moment…and then…… the moment of reckoning.

John finally catches the catfish he has relentlessly pursued, and his determination of coming face-to-face with his nemesis has arrived, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”; needless to say – to his surprise…it’s ONE BIG CATFISH!

REQUEST
If you like the concept, I’d be happy to send you the script.

CONTACT INFO
BRIAN BULL
PO BOX 704
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
424 / 205-7277
bullsproductionservices@gmail.com

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – High Concepts / Elevator Pitches

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I been playing around with this since the beginning and I think I have finally nailed it.

ASSIGNMENT

Tell us your High Concept and Elevator Pitch.
To find your main hook, give us what is most unique about your lead character’s journey from a big picture perspective.

A fisherman’s determination to catch the fish that he blames for his brother’s death.

2. How can you tell it in the most interesting way possible?

Goal/Unique Opposition

3. Using the 10 Components of Marketability, what is your Elevator Pitch?

I’ve written a script called… “THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY” – It’s about… a fisherman trying to catch a catfish for 25 years that he blames for his brother’s death, in the end, he catches the catfish and realizes the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away”; needless to say – to his surprise…it is ONE BIG CATFISH.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Synopsis Hooks

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I am taking my best parts and organizing them to sell my script and get this movie made and I think it is coming along nicely.

ASSIGNMENT

3. Organize both and select the 10 most interesting things. Post those to the forums.
A fisherman places a fishing hat on the front seat of the skiff, “Miss you Jim.”

The villain lurks below the surface of the water of the Louisiana Bayou and isn’t seen until the very end.
The hero is determined to meet the villain face-to-face.

A Dad presenting a knife that’s been in the family for 3 generations to his son and then taking back the knife when the boy accidentally cuts himself.

The unexplained disappearance of the fisherman’s Dad.

The fisherman is pulled into the murky water by the villian, when he resurfaces his younger brother is gone from the boat.

The loss of the fisherman’s younger brother.

For 25 years the fisherman has been doing everything the same until he tries the new bait he acquired at the Trading Post, this “new” bait catches the fish he has been seeking.

The Indian old-timer at the Trading Post tells the Legend of Mukatolou to the fisherman.
The younger brother appears as an apparition and they have a conversation regarding the fisherman’s quest.
The ending is a shock and ironic!

A. Unique. Fishing movie about fishing.

B. Great Title. Fisherman’s Cliche’ – The ONE THAT GOT AWAY

E. It’s a first. There some fishing movies but i don’t think there is one quite like this one.

F. Ultimate. This has the potential be to a cult classic – why? Because it touches on everything fishing with a surprise ending!

G. Wide audience appeal. There are MILLIONS of people who love fishing!

I. Similarity to a box-office success. The Sixth Sense – surprise ending – IRONY!

4. Using those hooks as an outline, write a first draft of your synopsis.

FIRST DRAFT

With a staggering 50 million fishermen in the United States as of 2022, “The One That Got Away – A Fisherman’s Tale” encapsulates the true spirit of fishing.

For 25 years, John has been fishing the same spot, with the same bait, determined to catch the same fish that had gotten away; a fish he blames for his brother’s death.

As the full moonsets and the sun rises, deep in the Louisiana Bayous, with Spanish-cover Cypress trees and alligators lurking, there’s a sense of haunting beauty in the solitude as John patiently waits in his wooden skiff.

Reflecting on his past; learning how to fish from his Dad, the camaraderie he shared with his younger brother, his wife’s recent disapproval of his leaving to do this, John struggles with his determination for revenge and justice.

Recalling an ancient Indian legend, told by an old-timer at a Trading Post the previous day, John finds strength to continue his quest to apprehend the one fish that has eluded him.

After an imaginary conversation with his deceased brother, the bayou becomes eerily silent for a moment…and then…… the moment of reckoning.

John finally catches the catfish he has relentlessly pursued, and his determination of coming face-to-face with his nemesis has arrived, only to realize the startling truth: he himself was “The One That Got Away” all along.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – SHOW SUMMARY

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

The pieces are starting to fall into place.

ASSIGNMENT
1. Choose the Summary Format you like best.
A. Pilot as Inciting Incident

2. Create an outline using this structure or something similar
Set up — Character’s normal situation
Twist/Hook
Real situaiton – Major Empathy / Distress
Twist/Hook
Impossible to solve conflict or major mystery.
Final Hook into the Series – Extreme Dramatic Question

3. Turn it into a rough draft.

A lonely optometrist, Dr. Jim Brown, goes through his normal day of making glasses to perfection. He and his office Manager, Delores, banter regarding their horoscopes as Delores is a believer in the Psychic Realm and Jim is not. Jim will often visit his widowed mother, JoAnn, at Fairhaven Assisted Living where Jim knows she is well taken care of and safe, though JoAnn wants to start living life to the fullest.

Zelda, a psychic next door to Dr. Brown’s office, is giving a reading for a client when she “sees” an evil woman in the reading. She immediately ends the reading.

Jim hasn’t dated in years because of a lack of time but the truth is his heart was broken when his fiancee’ was a “no-show” at the wedding.

Zelda, tries to give her crystal ball to Jim but suffers a heart attack dropping the crystal ball, splitting it in two. Zelda goes to the hospital. Jim takes the two halves, determines the crystal ball is irreparable and is intrigue by the clarity of the glass, then he creates a pair of glasses which he finds out will enable him to see the future!

With the “psychic” glasses Jim “foresees” his future wife, Gloria. He also “foresees” Jezebel, Zelda’s sister, attempt to murder Zelda at the hospital!

How can Jim stop Jezebel from killing Zelda and how can Jim convince his “future” wife, Gloria, to marry him when she has no interest at the present time?

4. Return to your Binge Worthy Framework and add any of the key Binge Worthy components that will elevate the intrigue while working for the flow of the summary.
Engaging and Intriguing Character

Dr. Jim Brown – A pragmatic optometrist thrown into a enigmatic world of the Psychic Realm.
Delores – Obsessed with horoscopes and fortune cookies believing in the Psychic Realm which will bring Love, Money and Success.
JoAnn – Is elderly and wants to life life to the fullest
Gloria – An innocent psychic being manipulated my her older sister.
Jezebel – pure evil and determined to get what she wants.
Zelda – A psychic and mentor to Dr. Brown

Intriguing World

The practical world of the Optometrist office contrasted with the mysterious world of the Psychic Realm

Empathy/Distress

Dr. Brown was heartbroken when his fiancee’ was a “no-show” on their wedding day.
Dr. Brown is very protective of his mother, JoAnn.
JoAnn is dating a much younger man and wants to live life to the fullest causing Dr. Brown much anxiety.
Delores has low self-esteem at times because of her weight.
Gloria is being railroaded by her sister Jezebel.
Zelda is in Jezebel’s crosshairs.
Jezebel feels betrayed by Zelda and wants what she thinks should be hers; the crystal ball.

Mystery

Dr. Brown’s Dad went missing and presumed dead but he actually is a Dark Wizard trying to harness the Psychic Realm. Will Dr. Brown with him newly discovered gift, the psychic glasses, help him find his Dad? Will they team up or will Dr. Brown challenge him preventing him from achieving his goal?

Layers

How will Dr. Brown prevent Jezebel from murdering Zelda?

Open Loops

Will Dr. Brown and Gloria ever get married as Dr. Brown’s “vision” foretold?

Conflict

Jezebel vs. Dr. Brown / Zelda
Dr. Brown who is pragmatic vs. Delores who is spiritual and esoteric
Dr. Brown with his psychic glasses vs. Gloria with her Tarot Cards
Dr. Brown vs. Howard, his mother’s much younger boyfriend
Dr. Brown vs. his Dad, the Dark Wizard

Relationship Hooks

Will Dr. Brown and Gloria get together?
Will Dr. Brown and Delores ever see eye-to-eye and form a team?
Will Dr. Brown ever get along with Howard?

Irony

Dr. Brown is an eye doctor but is blind to love.
Dr. Brown is pragmatic but creates a pair of “Psychic Glasses”

5. Use either of these two prompts to generate another version of your Opening Summary.

ChatGPT
Title: “Optical Enigma”
1. Set up — Character’s normal situation: Dr. James Brown, a pragmatic optometrist, leads a routine life at Lucent Optical. His world revolves around eye exams and prescriptions. However, haunted by the heartbreak of being left at the altar and the mysterious disappearance of his father, he remains guarded against love and the unknown.
2. Twist/Hook: One day, Dr. Brown acquires a crystal ball from Zelda, his psychic neighbor. Unbeknownst to Jezebel, Zelda’s malevolent sister, Dr. Brown transforms the crystal into a pair of glasses, granting him unexpected psychic visions.
3. Layer beneath the surface – Major Empathy / Distress: Dr. Brown’s protective nature extends to his elderly mother, JoAnn, who is exploring life with her younger boyfriend, Howard. Delores, the esoteric assistant, battles low self-esteem, while Gloria, an innocent psychic, is manipulated by the evil Jezebel.
4. Twist/Hook: Jezebel discovers Dr. Brown’s creation, leading to a brewing conflict as she relentlessly pursues the crystal ball. Meanwhile, Dr. Brown has a psychic vision of marrying Gloria, adding a layer of complexity to his emotions.
5. Impossible to solve conflict or major mystery: The disappearance of Dr. Brown’s father unravels as it is revealed he is a Dark Wizard seeking to harness the Psychic Realm. Dr. Brown must navigate the complexities of his newly discovered psychic abilities to either join forces with or challenge his father’s dark intentions.
6. Final Hook into the Series – Extreme Dramatic Question: As Jezebel closes in on Zelda and Dr. Brown faces the dilemma of aligning with or opposing his father, the series poses the ultimate question: Will Dr. Brown use his psychic glasses to unveil the truth about his father’s disappearance, risking everything for the sake of the Psychic Realm, or will he succumb to the dark wizardry that runs in his blood?

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – 10 Most Interesting Things

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have an interesting and fascinating story that I can’t wait to tell a producer about!!!

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

3. Organize both and select the 10 most interesting things. Post those to the forums.
A fisherman places a fishing hat on the front seat of the skiff, “Miss you Jim.”

The villain lurks below the surface of the water of the Louisiana Bayou and isn’t seen until the very end.
The hero is determined to meet the villain face-to-face.

A Dad presenting a knife that’s been in the family for 3 generations to his son and then taking back the knife when the boy accidentally cuts himself.

The unexplained disappearance of the fisherman’s Dad.

The fisherman is pulled into the murky water by the villain, when he resurfaces his younger brother is gone from the boat.

The loss of the fisherman’s younger brother.

For 25 years the fisherman has been doing everything the same until he tries the new bait he acquired at the Trading Post, this “new” bait catches the fish he has been seeking.

The Indian old-timer at the Trading Post tells the Legend of Mukatolou to the fisherman.
The younger brother appears as an apparition and they have a conversation regarding the fisherman’s quest.
The ending is a shock and ironic!

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – PROJECT & MARKET

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I am one step closer to getting my movie made – I can’t wait!!!

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Give us your Genre, Title, and Concept.
DRAMA / SUSPENSE
The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

2. In one or two sentences, tell us what you think is most attractive about your story.

This is a Fisherman’s Tale that encompasses many of the wonderful things about fishing. As a fisherman fishes he reminisces about his father, his brother and why he’s fishing now; what started out as fun has turned to revenge with a twist in the end. Who knew catfish grew so BIG!

3. Tell us which you will target FIRST — managers, producers, or actor’s production company — and why you picked that target.

Management companies who produce?
Small producers who are connected to any of the above?
Indie producers?

This is a “artsy” movie that has everything to do with cinematography on a low-budget and I figure these are the people most likely capable of making that style of movie.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Meets Managers and Producers

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Producers are more about the script and providing a marketable movie to the public, whereas, Managers are more about me as a writer and providing a marketable script to the Producers.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Imagine you have two meetings set up — with a producer and then with a manager. What would you say and do differently based upon this model?

Answer two questions:

How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?
This is a highly marketable movie for the following reasons –

The Title is so cliche’ for fishing and everyone who fishes – The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale – says it all – THIS IS A MOVIE ABOUT FISHING!

Large audience appeal – millions of people fish
Encompasses universal experiences regarding fishing – we all learned how to tie a fisherman’s knot, the thrill of catching a fish, worms in the ‘frig, the serenity of the outdoors, the camaraderie, etc.
It’s a heartfelt movie with values – The relationship between father and son, the relationship between brothers – both are endearing – making this a character driven movie.
It has suspense and comedy intertwined
There’s an old Indian legend
The Louisiana Bayous is an environment that creates a sense of mystery and fear.
The pacing of the story – whiling fishing and waiting for a bite is slow-paced, every time a fish is caught the action is fast-paced
The music and sounds of the bayou will be incredible
The cinematography will be impressive – camera angles, lighting should add tension.
And then of course, major plot twist in the end – shocking and ironic.
Also, it’s a low-budget movie!!!

2. How will you present yourself and your project to a manager?
I have worked in the movie industry my entire career – 35 years!
I fully understand what it takes to succeed in this business.
I am easy to work with – see above.
I have read hundreds of scripts and I’m confident I can write my own.
I’m certain you know what sells and I would make any changes you deemed necessary.
I believe in my writing skills/stories and can pitch my scripts because of it.
The One That Got Away is a highly marketable script (see Producer’s Notes above)

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by  Brian Bull. Reason: Switched the order - moved "Title of movie..." to the the top of the list

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Marketable Components

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
This lesson is providing me with great information on the selling points of my script and the areas I need to focus on to pitch my script.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Pick one or two components and tell us how your script already fulfills them AND how you might highlight these two in order to elevate the pitch.
1. Tell us your current logline.
2. Look through the 10 Components of Marketability and pick a few that have the most potential for selling this script.
A. Unique. Fishing movie about fishing.

B. Great Title. Fisherman’s Cliche’ – The ONE THAT GOT AWAY

C. True. N/A

D. Timely. N/A

E. It’s a first. There some fishing movies but i don’t think there is one quite like this one.

F. Ultimate. This has the potential be to a cult classic – why? Because it touches on everything fishing with a surprise ending!

G. Wide audience appeal. There are MILLIONS of people who love fishing!

H. Adapted from a popular book. N/A

I. Similarity to a box-office success. The Sixth Sense – surprise ending – IRONY!

J. A great role for a bankable actor. N/A

3. Do a quick brainstorm session about ways to elevate the components you chose for this script and tell us how you might pitch the script through those components.
Example: If you say your script has a great role, in one or two sentences, tell us how you can emphasize that role as you pitch your concept.

This is a fishing movie all about fishing. It touches on so many things that are universal to all fisherman; the serenity of fishing, learning how to fish from your Dad, teaching fishing to someone else, the bait in the refrigerator, fishing with chicken, folklore of an Indian catching so many catfish he could feed a village but they starve because they never learned how to fish, fish jokes, the cliche’ “the one that got away” with the surprise/ironic ending.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – PROJECT and MARKET

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I am one step closer to getting my movie made – I can’t wait!!!

ASSIGNMENT

1 . Give us your Genre, Title, and Concept.

DRAMA / SUSPENSE

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

2. In one or two sentences, tell us what you think is most attractive about your story.

This is a Fisherman’s Tale that encompasses many of the wonderful things about fishing. As a fisherman fishes he reminisces about his father, his brother and why he’s fishing now; what started out as fun has turned to revenge with a twist in the end. Who knew catfish grew so BIG!

3. Tell us which you will target FIRST — managers, producers, or actor’s production company — and why you picked that target.

Management companies who produce

Small producers who are connected to any of the above
Indie producers

This is a “artsy” movie that has everything to do with cinematography on a low-budget and I figure these are the people most likely capable of making that style of movie.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Episode Descriptions

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I think I can do better but I have to stop worrying about making trying to make it perfect this early in the game.

ASSIGNMENT

3. Write a rough draft of each of the episode descriptions for your first season.

FORESIGHT
Episode 1 – Origins of the crystal ball. Zelda suffers a heart attack, goes to hospital. Dr Brown creates the “psychic glasses”. Introduce Delores, Dr. Brown’s office manager, who loves horoscopes and fortune cookies. Dr. Brown “foresees” Jezebel attempting to murder Zelda.

Episode 2 – Zelda is still in the hospital. Dr. Brown is having fun with the “psychic glasses.” Introduce Gloria, a Tarot Card Reader/Traveling Fortune Teller. Dr. Brown sees Gloria at the casino and it’s “love at first sight”. Dr. Brown goes to visit Zelda and Jezebel is there – Dr. Brown is too late. Introduce JoAnn Brown. A serial killer news report on TV. Jezebel and Gloria are sisters. Delores gives Dr. Brown his horoscope for the day.

Episode 3 – Zelda is in a coma. Jezebel tries to find out the whereabouts of the crystal ball by manipulating Gloria into spending more time with Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown feels the need to protect JoAnn because of what he “saw” in her apartment. Introduce Howard, JoAnn’s younger boyfriend. Another psychic is killed in the neighborhood. The horoscope Delores told Dr. Brown before comes true.

Episode 4 – Zelda comes out of her coma, she begins to mentor Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown pursues Gloria, Gloria tries to get information regarding the crystal ball from Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown tries and protect his mother from Howard because he thinks Howard is a shyster. Delores offers Dr. Brown a fortune cookie.

Episode 5 – Zelda reminds Dr. Brown the importance of keeping the crystal ball safe. Gloria slowly begins to confide in Dr. Brown about Jezebel’s grasp on her. Dr. Brown “sees” Gloria doing something out-of-the-ordinary. Dr. Brown misinterprets a “vision” he had of JoAnn with Howard; they were in a play together, not mountain climbing. The fortune cookie Delores gave Dr. Brown before comes true.

Episode 6 – Gloria does a Tarot Card reading for the skeptical Dr. Brown which opens Dr. Brown’s eyes to new possibilities. Jezebel suspects Dr. Brown knows the whereabouts of the crystal ball and she may needs to take matters further. Dr. Brown “sees” JoAnn skydiving and must stop her but she’s at the mall doing the tube skydive with Howard. Another psychic is killed by the serial killer.

Episode 7 – Delores gives Dr. Brown his horoscope which will come true. Dr. Brown and Gloria begin to understand each other and Dr. Brown wants to help Gloria from Jezebel’s manipulations , Gloria wants Dr. Brown to understand the Psychic Realm. Jezebel plans to threaten Zelda forcing Dr. Brown to disclose the whereabouts of the crystal ball.

Episode 8 – The serial killer and Jezebel cross paths at the hospital, the serial killer kills both Zelda and Jezebel. Dr. Brown is at the crime scene, puts on the “psychic glasses, surveys the crowd and notices a man; then he “sees’ himself being strangled, when he removes the glasses the man is gone.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Wordsmithing

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I learn that there were a few words a used repeated and needed to change that. I was surprised. Lesson well learned.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

6. Tell us how many changes you made and give us three you feel really good about.

I made a number of changes – the biggest change I made was the word “look”. I had the word “look” over 25 times. I was shocked.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL has TESTED EVERY LINE.

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Always Room for improvement.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

4. Make any changes that improve the read – focusing on clarity, meaning, and making the script a faster read.

I didn’t change much.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL has Amazing Dialogue

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
There always seems to be a little room for improve with each passing I do.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

3. Tell us how many lines you elevated and give us three before-and-after examples.

8 lines of dialogue I elevated and I just changed them as I went along without saving the before(s).
As a matter of fact I added a short scene to some clarity as well.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL has Incredible Monologues

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I will think about this monologue a bit more and revise it accordingly.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

5. Share the monologue with us.

Work in progress.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL is great at Subtext Pointers

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
When you have perfected your script believe it when I say, “you can always go a little deeper.”

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT
Your goal: Use Subtext Pointers in any scenes where you want the audience to experience the deeper meaning..

4. Make a list of your 5 favorite Subtext Pointer changes and for each one, tell us:

I made the changes as I was going through my script and I forgot to save the changes. I made quite a few. It was fun especially since I thought my dialogue was spot on and then to make these changes I feel I just elevated my script some – made it that much better.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL loves Covering Subtext!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
There are many ways of saying things – finding the right meaning is so important.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

I added as much to much script as I could but I will continue to look and think about it.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL loves Anticipatory Dialogue

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Anticipatory Dialogue is fun to do and is a great way to move your story along.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

Assignment

I was surprised at the number of times I had used Anticipatory Dialogue in my script. I will continue to look for more ways of incorporating into my dialogue.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL loves Attack / Counterattack Dialogue

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Banter is easy and fun to do.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

5. Give us one scene where you did Attack/Counterattack dialogue well.

EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER
Jim reaches down and opens the tackle box revealing an old sepia-toned photo inside the lid.
John sees the photo.

INSERT
An old, crack photo of Great-Grandpa holding up a massive catfish.
BACK TO SCENE
JOHN
You know, Great Grandpappy was a great fisherman.
JIM
I know. You’ve told me that before.
JOHN
Well, he was.
John points towards the tackle box.
JOHN
That picture there proves it.
(impressed)
Look at the size of that “Whisker-fish.”
JIM
It’s a big one.
JOHN
You know it! Possibly the largest catfish caught at the time.
JIM
Yeah. Well how do you know that’s Great-grandpa? Did you ever meet him?
JOHN
Shut up. Don’t be dumb. No, I never met him. That’s like a 1,000 years ago.
JIM
Then how do you know?
JOHN
I know it’s our Great-Grandpa because Dad said as much.
JIM
Yeah, what else did Dad say?
JOHN
Well. Great-Grandpa, and Grandpa and Pops, they all spent their whole life fishing. It’s… I suppose, it’s a tradition of ours. As long as there are catfish in these parts we’ll keep pulling them out.
John notices Jim
JOHN
Hey!!! Listen up! This is important.
JIM
Okay, okay. I’m listening.
JOHN
Well, the fish are either shallow or deep…or somewhere in between.
JIM
Really?
JOHN
Yeah, and they bite twice a day. Just before we get here and just after we leave.
JIM
Well, well, well. Aren’t you funny?
JOHN
Hey, pops always told me fishing was meant to be fun. If you’re willing to learn, there’s a lot I can teach you.
An Indian whispering in the breeze, barely audible.
Jim’s ears suddenly perks up.
JIM
You hear that?
JOHN
Do I hear what?
JIM
I’m not sure. Voices?
JOHN
Voices? Out here? Now who’s being the funny one.
JIM
Seriously John, I thought I heard something. Something in the breeze or…

John starts to reel his line in when suddenly he gets a bite.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Dialogue Structures

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I love the layers dialogue can ad to my script.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Elevated Dialogue

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

I thought my dialogue was spot on but then looking closer I realized I could improve a bunch of lines. Looking forward to word-smithing and making it even better!!!

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

3. Tell us how many lines you rewrote for each character and give us three of your favorites just for fun.
1.
John smirks.
JOHN
I bet you know the name of that bird, making all that noise.

I’m willing to bet, you know the name of that feathered squawk box making all that ruckus. Yeah, am I right?
Below the seat sits the tackle box.

2.

JOHN
You know, Great Grandpa was a great fisherman.

You know, Great Grandpappy… he was a great angler.

3.
JOHN
That picture there proves it.
(impressed)
Look at the size of that catfish.
Look at the size of that “Whisker-fish.”

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Elevated Interest

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I’ve been over my script a dozen times and I can always find something to change and make it more intriguing.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

5. Post a list of the changes you made to the forums.
Scene 7 – Character changes radically – Dad takes the knife back; heartless.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Five Seasons

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Writing 5 Seasons is going to be a lot of fun.

ASSIGNMENT:
1. Brainstorm to find the arc of the entire journey, from Season One to Five.
2. Brainstorm the Stair Step version.

Season 1: Love at First Sight/ Just friends / Jezebel’s on the loose
Season 2: From “just friends” to “you’re ok” / There’s a serial killer after me
Season 3: More than Friends / Dad’s alive
Season 4: Like to Love / Dad’s a Psychic Wizard
Season 5: Wedding Bells / To save the Psychic Realm Dad must be defeated

3. For each season, brainstorm the Building Blocks.

Season 1: Title: Seeing is Believing

A. High Concept or major hook of the season: Dr. Brown creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball enabling him to see the future; through the glasses not only does he foresee the girl of his dreams but he also “witnesses” an attempted murder.
B. Big Picture Arc/Journey: Dr. Brown goes from lonely Optometrist to falling in love at first sight to just being friends.
C. Main Conflict: Jezebel desire to obtain the crystal ball and Dr. Brown’s keeping it a secret and safe.
D. Mystery/Open Loops: How far will Jezebel go to obtain the crystal ball / Will Dr. Brown and Gloria become more than just friends.
E. Cliffhanger: Jezebel dies in the end but there is a serial killer that knows Dr. Brown knows something about him.

Season 2: Title: OICU
A. High Concept or major hook of the season: A serial killer has been terrorizing Santa Monica. While at a crime scene Dr. Brown “foresees” the killer strangling him and the killer sees Dr. Brown looking suspiciously at him, then the killer disappears.
B. Big Picture Arc/Journey: Dr. Brown with the help of Gloria, a Tarot Card reader and Dr. Brown’s love interest, must find out who this killer is and stop him from strangling Dr. Brown.
C. Main Conflict: Dr. Brown vs. the serial killer
D. Mystery/Open Loops: Who is the serial killer? / Will Dr. Brown and Gloria kiss?
E. Cliffhanger: Dr. Brown discovers his Dad is alive.

Season 3: Title: The Third Eye
A. High Concept or major hook of the season: Discovering Dr. Brown is alive leads Dr. Brown and Gloria on an investigation that delves into the Psychic Realm and reveals a Cult of Psychics that have been living amongst us.
B. Big Picture Arc/Journey: Dr. Brown and Gloria using there Psychic abilities follow the clues that lead them to discovering a hidden Psychic Cult which Dr. Brown’s Dad is a part of.
C. Main Conflict: Trying to stay one step ahead of the Psychic Cult without being killed.
D. Mystery/Open Loops: Why is Dr. Brown’s Dad affiliated with this Psychic Cult / Will Dr. Brown and Gloria kiss.
E. Cliffhanger: Dr. Brown’s Dad is the Psychic Wizard of the Psychic Cult and Dr. Brown and Gloria do kiss; how will that effect their relationship.

Season 4: Title: Four Eyes
A. High Concept or major hook of the season: The Psychic Wizard (Dr. Brown’s Dad), is planning to destroy the Psychic Realm.
B. Big Picture Arc/Journey: Dr. Brown and Gloria’s relationship goes from like-to-love as they discover the Psychic Wizard’s evil intentions.
C. Main Conflict: Dr. Brown vs. the Psychic Wizard
D. Mystery/Open Loops: Why does the Psychic Wizard want to destroy the Psychic Realm / How does he intent to do it?
E. Cliffhanger: Gloria is captured by the Psychic Cult, she was the missing piece to the Psychic Wizard’s scheme.

Season 5: Title: The Fifth Dimension
A. High Concept or major hook of the season: In order to defeat the Psychic Wizard and save the world, Dr. Brown goes into the Psychic Realm and enters the Fifth Dimension.
B. Big Picture Arc/Journey: Dr. Brown begins to understand the Fourth Dimension of Time but it isn’t until he discovers the Fifth Dimension that he truly grasps the Power of The Psychic Realm and defeats his Dad, the Psychic Wizard.
C. Main Conflict: Dr. Brown vs. Psychic Wizard; to the death
D. Mystery/Open Loops: What is it that will defeat the Psychic Wizard? Will dr. Brown be able to find “it” before the Psychic Wizard does? Will Dr. Brown and Gloria get married or does Dr. Brown die trying to save the world.
E. Cliffhanger: What becomes of Dr. Brown now?

5 SEASON SUMMARY

Season 1: Seeing is Believing

Dr. Brown, a lonely optometrist, invents glasses enabling him to see the future. As he falls for Gloria, he must protect his invention from the relentless Jezebel. The season climaxes with Jezebel’s demise, unveiling a serial killer who knows Dr. Brown’s secrets.

Season 2: OICU

A serial killer targets Dr. Brown in Santa Monica. With Gloria’s help, they race against time to unmask the killer, and a shocking discovery about Dr. Brown’s supposedly deceased father unfolds, setting the stage for a thrilling confrontation.

Season 3: The Third Eye

Dr. Brown learns his father is alive, unveiling a hidden Psychic Cult. Teaming up with Gloria, they navigate the Psychic Realm, staying ahead of the deadly cult. The cliffhanger reveals Dr. Brown’s dad as the Psychic Wizard, complicating their budding romance.

Season 4: Four Eyes

Dr. Brown and Gloria discover the Psychic Wizard’s plan to destroy the Psychic Realm. Their relationship deepens as they confront the Psychic Wizard, leading to Gloria’s capture and the revelation that she’s a crucial element in the sinister plot.

Season 5: The Fifth Dimension

To save the world, Dr. Brown delves into the Psychic Realm’s Fifth Dimension. Battling his father, the Psychic Wizard, Dr. Brown harnesses newfound powers, uncovering the key to defeat his dad. The climax teeters on the edge of life and death, leaving Dr. Brown’s fate uncertain.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL –

Elevated Emotion!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I love writing emotional scenes.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

5. Give us the list of scenes you rewrote with the scene essence and versions as represented in #5 above.
Scene 7 Essence: Dad is teaching his son, John, how to tie a fisherman’s knot; they are bonding.
How intensified: Dad gives John a knife strengthening their bond only to take it away when John accidentally cuts his hand.

Scene 9 Essence: Two brothers are fishing and the subject of their Dad’s disappearance comes up.
How intensified: A feeling of abandonment comes over them creating an awkward moment for them but it strengthens their bond as a shared experience.

Scene 11 Essence: Two brothers are fishing.
How intensified: John catches a catfish and Jim helps, they successfully bring the fish into the boat.

Scene 15 Essence: Two brothers fishing.
How intensified: John gets pulled into the water by the fish and Jim dives in and cuts the line. John emerges but Jim does not.

Scene 18 Essence: John’s going fishing and his wife disapproves.
How intensified: Increased opposition and escalated the conflict.

[Brian Bull]

Brian Bull – Dramatic Reveals!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I love reveals and this this is something that I believe makes any movie intriguing.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT
4. For any that don’t have strong answers to the above, brainstorm ways to create more demand or reveal dramatically and rewrite the scene.
5. Tell us how you improved each scene – demand, reveal, and/or written dramatically

REVEAL

”No Swimming” sign – The ending will “reveal” why there is no swimming.

Fishing Hat on the front seat of the boat – Jim, John’s brother, goes missing when John fell into the water and Jim dove in and cut the line – so the hat reveals Jim’s absence.

The “Indian knife” – is revealed to have been found by Great Grandpa and handed down and John steals the knife which in turn Jim uses to cut the line and then it is revealed at the end in the Catfish’s head proving it is the same fish that John has been stalking for 25 years.

John’s Dad goes missing – in the end, with John being eaten by an enormous catfish reveals that maybe the disappearance of John’s Dad was caused by same enormous catfish eating John’s Dad.

This has been a long work in progress and I just continually keep at it, working and re-working until I feel I finally got it right.

[Brian Bull]

Brian Bull – Loves Character Depth!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I thought I had it all figured out but I realized I needed to go a bit deeper with the disappearance of the Dad and make it more of a mystery and I needed to expand on the knife (I have to weave that in more)

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT
4. Tell us the changes you made using these tools.

The changes I am making which will take a bit of time is expanding the significance of the knife and the disappearance of the Dad

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Descriptions

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
The more I do the better it gets.

DR. JIM BROWN

Who is the character? Dr. Jim Brown
Role in the show? A pragmatic optometrist with future-seeing glasses, thought he knew love before his fiancee’ was a “no-show” on his wedding day and now he no longer believes in love despite the fact that the glasses have shown him his soulmate.
Noteworthy traits: Orderly, practical, conservative
Intriguing history: Missing Dad, fiancee’ was a “no-show”
Intrigue? Crafts future-seeing glasses from a crystal ball
Mystery? “Foresees” an attempted murder
How do they support or drive the conflict with others? With the ability to “see” the future of others, Jim feels the need to delve into other people’s lives regardless of the consequences.
Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character: A private person but ironically Jim invades the privacy of others by “seeing” their future.
Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters: Telling people their future without their consent.
Unpredictable? Goes against logic when he’s so practical about everything.
Intriguing relationship with one or more characters: Gloria, who also happens to be a Tarot Card reader.

START: Has had his heart broken, pragmatic, willingness to help others.
MIDDLE: Crafted glasses from a crystal ball with future-seeing abilities, “Foresees” a murder and feels the need to prevent it, “sees his soulmate but it never turns out the way he thinks it will.
END: Misinterprets his “visions” using the glasses with unforeseeable consequences.

EDITED VERSION
After a heartbreak, our pragmatic protagonist crafts glasses from a crystal ball with future-seeing powers. He foresees a murder and tries to prevent it, but the glasses also reveal a soulmate whose reality diverges from his expectations. As he misinterprets his visions, using the glasses brings unforeseeable consequences, turning his attempts to alter fate into a perilous journey.

ChatGPT
Dr. Jim Brown, a pragmatic optometrist scarred by a failed wedding, crafts future-seeing glasses from a mystical crystal ball, revealing a Psychic Realm of love, murder, and destiny. Despite his orderly and practical nature, Jim’s obsession with exploring others’ futures, driven by his own shattered beliefs in love, propels the narrative into a conflict-ridden journey. The irony lies in his private demeanor, invading others’ privacy with his “foreseeing” abilities, causing inevitable clashes as he navigates the unpredictable and often perilous intersections of fate, especially in his intriguing relationship with Gloria, a Tarot Card reader.

GLORIA
Who is the character? Gloria
Role in the show? Dr. Jim Brown’s love interest
Noteworthy traits: Mysterious, eccentric, extrovert
Intriguing history: From Romania, gypsy, survivor
Intrigue? Tarot card reader
Mystery? Why does she want the crystal ball?
How do they support or drive the conflict with others? She wants to get out from under Jezebel’s thumb
Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character: Lucky at cards unlucky at love
Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters: Gloria and Jezebel are sisters with psychic abilities and they think they are better than everyone else.
Unpredictable? She knows the Psychic Realm and how to manipulate it.
Intriguing relationship with one or more characters: Gloria and Jezebel are sisters and they want the crystal ball that was in their family for generations.

START: New to Santa Monica, trying to “fit in”, a misfit, “odd”
MIDDLE: Fears her older sister Jezebel and what Jezebel is capable of doing, she can read Tarot cards, trusts no one
ENDING: She desperately wants to “Live Free”

EDITED VERSION

A traveling Tarot Card Reader who has finally settled in Santa Monica, CA hoping to “fit-in” despite being an eccentric misfit. She and her older sister, Jezebel, were abandoned by their oldest sister, Zelda, at an orphanage in Romania when their parents were robbed and murdered. She and Jezebel are now trying to locate their Zelda who has become a successful Psychic. Unhappy and living in fear under Jezebel’s thumb, she desperately wants to separate herself and “Live-Free” pursuing her quest of understanding the Psychic Realm.
While helping Jezebel find the crystal ball, Gloria becomes the love interest of Dr. James Brown. Gloria is a loner with self-confidence; “LOVE” wasn’t in the cards for her so to say, but maybe Dr. Brown knows where the crystal ball is so it might be helpful to have him around if for no other reason than to have a friend.

ChatGPT
A mysterious and eccentric Tarot Card Reader from Romania, now settled and yearning to break free from the clutches of her older sister, Jezebel; Gloria, with her extroverted charm, captures the heart of Dr. Jim Brown, adding a romantic twist to the series. Unbeknownst to others, Gloria’s quest for freedom is entangled with a desire to possess the family’s ancient crystal ball, setting the stage for conflicts with her psychic sister and revealing the intriguing layers of Gloria’s unpredictable ability to navigate the Psychic Realm. As the series unfolds, Gloria’s paradoxical luck at cards and misfortune in love becomes a driving force, adding depth to her character and keeping viewers hooked on the unfolding mysteries of her past and the pursuit of a life truly lived on her terms.

JEZEBEL

Role in the show? Antagonist, Zelda’s younger sister, wants the crystal ball for herself, believes she’s entitled to it
Noteworthy traits: Determined, heartless, conning
Intriguing history: From Romania, gypsy, survivor
Intrigue? Has a Black Pendent necklace, knows some Black Magic, wants to enter the Psychic Realm
Mystery? How will Jezebel enter the Psychic Realm? What lies inside the Psychic Realm? Once there, how will Jezebel use it?
How do they support or drive the conflict with others? Zelda has the crystal ball, Jezebel wants it; she’s willing to kill for it.
Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character: She’s evil but thinks she’ll do “good” once she obtains the crystal ball.
Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters: Zelda wants to keep the crystal ball away from Jezebel, and Jezebel wants the crystal ball.
Unpredictable? Willing to go the extremes to acquire the crystal ball.
Intriguing relationship with one or more characters: Manipulates her younger sister Gloria into doing her bidding.

START: Feels like it’s her against the world, alone
MIDDLE: Believes Zelda “stole” crystal ball for herself, blames Zelda for abandoning her and Gloria at the orphanage, time to take back what should have been hers along.
ENDING: Time for reckoning.

EDITED VERSION

The older of two sisters abandoned at an orphanage in Romania by their oldest sister who took the crystal ball, a family heirloom, with her when their parents were robbed and murdered; has come take it back by any means necessary, including the use of Black Magic so she can enter the Psychic Realm and harness it’s powers.

ChatGPT
In the enigmatic realm of future-seeing glasses and the Psychic Realm, meet Jezebel, a determined and heartless gypsy from Romania with a dark past. Jezebel’s intriguing black pendant necklace harbors secrets of Black Magic as she schemes to claim the coveted crystal ball and enter the Psychic Realm, setting the stage for conflicts with her sister Zelda. As Jezebel manipulates her younger sister Gloria into doing her bidding, the paradoxical twist lies in her belief that acquiring the crystal ball will allow her to use its powers for good, an irony that fuels the escalating conflict with Zelda, who aims to keep the powerful artifact out of Jezebel’s hands. In a world where the future is seen through glasses and the Psychic Realm holds both salvation and doom, Jezebel’s relentless pursuit of the crystal ball adds layers of mystery, hidden agendas, and a sense of impending reckoning to the unfolding narrative.

ZELDA
Role in the show? A Psychic, bordering on the Dark-side and the oldest of 3 sisters from Romania, possesses the crystal ball, an heirloom she acquired when her gypsy parents were robbed and murdered. She is responsible for giving the crystal ball to Dr. Jim Brown before suffering a heart attack and dropping the crystal ball and it splitting in two.
Noteworthy traits: Responsible, trustworthy, enigmatic
Intriguing history: Saved her two sisters in Romania when their gypsy parents were robbed and murdered, entrusting them to an orphanage while she escaped with the crystal ball, protecting it from falling into the wrong hands and ensuring its mystical power remained safeguarded.
Intrigue? She fully understands the power of the crystal ball and the Psychic Realm.
Mystery? Will Dr. Brown tell Zelda what happened to the crystal? How will Zelda manage now that the crystal ball split in two? Will Dr. Brown tell Zelda he turned the crystal ball into a pair of glasses? Will Dr. Brown tell Zelda the powers transferred over from the crystal ball to the glasses?
How do they support or drive the conflict with others? Zelda is the focus of Jezebel’s hatred and Zelda possesses the crystal ball that Jezebel desires.
Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character:
Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters: Zelda’s trying to protect the crystal ball so she can enrich the lives of others and Jezebel’s trying to acquire the crystal ball so she can use it for herself.
Unpredictable? Zelda is a “Sorceress of Secrets”
Intriguing relationship with one or more characters: Zelda’s relationship with her 2 sisters, Gloria and Jezebel; she also is very close to Dr. Brown.

START: An enigmatic Psychic, bordering on the Dark-side of the Psychic Realm is compelled to protect the crystal ball, a family heirloom.
MIDDLE: Being responsible and trustworthy, she is dedicated to preventing the crystal ball from falling into the wrong hands including her sister Jezebel; She fully understands the delicate nature of the Psychic Realm knowing that changing one’s destiny can be beneficial but can also have “unforeseeable” consequences.
ENDING: Entrusting Dr. Brown with the crystal ball seemed like a good idea and maybe it was because when the crystal ball dropped and split in two, Dr. Brown crafted a pair of glasses from the two halves, and now, no one is going to suspect the glasses are the crystal ball.

EDITED VERSION

An enigmatic Psychic, bordering on the Dark-side of the Psychic Realm is compelled to protect the crystal ball, a family heirloom.
Being responsible and trustworthy, she is dedicated to preventing the crystal ball from falling into the wrong hands including her sister Jezebel; She fully understands the delicate nature of the Psychic Realm knowing that changing one’s destiny can be beneficial but can also have “unforeseeable” consequences.
Entrusting Dr. Brown with the crystal ball seemed like a good idea and maybe it was because when the crystal ball dropped and split in two, Dr. Brown crafted a pair of glasses from the two halves, and now, no one is going to suspect the glasses are the crystal ball.

ChatGPT
In the mystifying world of future-seeing glasses and the Psychic Realm, Zelda, an enigmatic Psychic bordering on the Dark-side, holds the key to a split crystal ball with potent mystical powers. Despite being responsible and trustworthy, Zelda faces a dilemma when her sister Jezebel covets the crystal ball for her own desires, setting the stage for a conflict that intertwines fate, love, and potential catastrophe. As Dr. Jim Brown crafts the future-seeing glasses, Zelda grapples with the unforeseeable consequences of altering destinies, creating an intricate web of mystery and intrigue that propels the story forward.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Creating Irony

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Irony is one of those components that can be fun to play with and incorporate in my scripts. It’s interesting on many levels and likely will keep your audience engaged.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and notice where irony shows up in this show — both in this episode and throughout the episodes you’ve already seen.
Tell us the irony you have already discovered in the Example Show.

WEDNESDAY (2nd Episode)

Wednesday is depicted as destroying the school but ironically she is the one who saves it.

Nevermore is depicted as a bunch of misfits, ironically the sinister monster is a resident of Jericho.

Wednesday despises everyone, ironically she has a number of friends.

Joseph Crackstone was a preacher for the Pilgrims who ironically was more devilish than those he condemned.

Principal Weems sees students for who they are ironically she is a “shape-shifter”.

The monster Wednesday seeks is ironically the boy from Jericho that she trusts and likes.

ASSIGNMENT 2

Look back through your previous assignments and find at least 10 different situations or character components that you could go opposite to create irony.

Dr. James Brown doesn’t believe in the Psychic World and ironically he creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball that enables him to see the future.

Dr. James Brown is an Optometrist who helps others to see though ironically he’s unable to see things that are obvious to others.

Dr. James Brown doesn’t believe in love after being stood-up on his wedding day, ironically he has a “vision” of himself and Gloria get married.

Dr. James Brown is opposed to social media because it’s an invasion of one’s private space and ironically he now possesses the ability to see others futures with the aid of his glasses and he’s ok with it.

Dr. James Brown wants to protect his mother from getting hurt, ironically he is smothering her and preventing her fr. living life which is causing her anxiety and stress.

Dr. James Brown helps other people to see clearly, ironically, he’s afraid of the dark because of his inability to see.

JoAnn Brown is old ironically she is dating a younger man.

The glasses that Dr. Brown created which are extraordinary because they allow him to see the future ironically look very plain and mundane.

Jezebel is looking for the crystal ball that Zelda possessed, ironically the very thing Jezebel is looking for is resting on Dr. Brown’s face right in front of her and she doesn’t know it.

Gloria is in cahoots with Jezebel her sister, ironically it will be Gloria who gets her killed.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Solved Scene Problems!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Many of my scenes needed improvement and I’m still trying to flush them out but at some point you need to move on.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Start this assignment by empowering yourself using our State-To-Activity empowerment process.
State: I’m highly motivated…
Activity: …to solve as many scenes as I can.
2. Look through your script and identify any scenes that have any of these problems.
Basic scene design.
Situations don’t challenge characters.
Uninteresting scenes.
Scenes that don’t advance the story.
Scene accomplishes only one purpose.
Exposition filled scenes.
When do I reveal what?
Cliché scenes and action.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Plot and Character Layers

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
It’s always good to dig deeper and add plot/character layers. I think I have plenty for now however I believe more will come to light as I think more about the show.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and notice how layers show up in this show — both in this episode and throughout the episodes you’ve already seen.
Tell us the layers you have discovered in the Example Show.

WEDNESDAY (PILOT)

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

Major scheme revealed
Gomez has Thing stay behind and watch Wednesday
Wednesday and Thing scheme to escape Nevermore
Taylor is going to help Wed. get to the train station.

Mystery revealed
Monster in the wilderness murdered hiker / one of several murders.
The sheriff thinks Gomez should be in jail for murder

Thought the story was one thing, but it is another
Thought Wed. was going to destroy Nevermore but she’s there to save it!

Major shift in Meaning
Pilgrims fr. Jericho aren’t nice

Hidden history
Rowan mother went to Nevermore

Hidden plan
Rowan is to kill Wed. per his mother because she believed Wed. would destroy the school.

Major betrayal
Thing betrays Gomez and pledges its loyalty to Wed.

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

Secret identity
Which character is the monster / Are they from Jericho or Nevermore
Who is Miss Thornhill – really.
Who is Rowan – really – Secret Powers

Character intrigue
Wednesday – Fencing, has “visions”, cellist, highly skilled at many things
Enid – colorful – werewolf; possibly a lone wolf,
Bianca – Siren
Principal Weems – shape-shifter
Miss Thornhill – botanist
Taylor – resident fr. Jericho, interested in Wed., has morals, helps Wed.
Xavier – loves to paint

Hidden relationships and conspiracies
Morticia and Principal Weems were roommates
Xavier and Bianca once dated
Wednesday and Xavier knew each when they were children

Hidden Character history
Rowan’s mother went to Nevermore

ASSIGNMENT 2
Discover the layers that could exist for your show.
1. Brainstorm a list of possible PLOT layers.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

Major scheme revealed
Jezebel and Gloria are trying to steal the crystal ball from Zelda but ca’t find it because Dr. James Brown has turned it into a pair of glasses.
Jezebel is attempting to murder Zelda because Zelda abandoned her and her sister Gloria and then took the family crystal ball to the U.S.

Mystery revealed
Dr. James Brown stumbles onto the serial killer that has been terrorizing Santa Monica all season.
Dr. James Brown “sses” his father is alive and he feels compelled to find him.

Thought the story was one thing, but it is another
Dr. James Brown is constantly misinterpreting his “visions” but soon learns how to use the glasses to his advantage.

Major shift in Meaning

Hidden history
Dr. Brown’s father has been living a secret life within the Psychic Realm
Zelda abandoned Jezebel/Gloria in Romania and took the crystal ball for herself.

Hidden plan
Dr. Brown is going to find his dad.

Major betrayal
Dr. Brown’s mother knew along what had happened to her husband.

2. Brainstorm a list of possible CHARACTER layers.
CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.
Secret identity

Character intrigue

Hidden relationships and conspiracies

Hidden Character history

3. Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.

Plot Surface:

LAYER 1: Jim Brown invades the privacy of others by looking through the psychic glasses and seeing their future. (Moral Issue)

Jim can’t help himself but to meddle in other people’s business which always leads to unfavorable consequences for Jim, however, Jim never learns and continues to do this throughout the season.

LAYER 2: Zelda, the Psychic next door to Jim’s Optical store, has a heart attack and is in the hospital. Later, Jezebel tries to kill her. Jim arrives too late and Zelda flatlines as the nurses come rushing in to save her.

Do the nurses save Zelda?
If the nurses save her will she be in a coma?
If Zelda survives, how will Jim explain to her the crystal ball broke and he has made a pair glasses from it?
Will Zelda understand?

LAYER 3: Jezebel comes into Jim’s optical store looking for Zelda, the Psychic next door. Having just created the glasses, Jim can’t help himself but to put them on and he looks at Jezebel. He “sees” Jezebel with a Day-glow syringe standing over Zelda’s hospital bed. (Open Loop)

Jim has to help his friend Zelda and he must try and stop Jezebel from doing the deed. He knows where but not when.

LAYER 4: JoAnn, starts a romantic relationship with Howard, a free-spirited younger man, because she has finally come to terms with her husbands “death”.

Can an older woman keep up with a younger man?
Will their relationship blossom or wilt as Jim predicts?
Is Howard in it for the money or is his love for her real?
Is JoAnn enjoying herself and her “lust for life” attitude?

LAYER 5: Jim is constantly trying to protect his mother, JoAnn from harm and thus stifling her from living her life and all she wants to do is live life to the fullest.

How far will Jim go to prevent his mom from “endangering” herself?
What adventures will Howard/JoAnn do to “live life to the fullest”?

LAYER 6: Jim sees Gloria and falls in love with her; Gloria has no interest in Jim other than being “friends”.

Will Jim and Gloria ever become more than “just friends”?

LAYER 7: Jezebel wants the crystal ball for herself and is willing to kill anybody to acquire it, including her sisters.

Will Jezebel succeed in finding out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she kill Jim just for the sake of his making the glasses from the crystal ball?

LAYER 8: Gloria does romantically like Jim but her sister, Jezebel, has a strangle hold on her and Jezebel is using Gloria as a pawn to get the crystal ball that Zelda possesses. The crystal ball has been in the family for centuries.

Will Gloria break-free from Jezebel’s grasp and be with Jim?
Will Gloria find out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she allow herself to love Jim regardless about the crystal ball?

LAYER 9: Delores has a huge crush on the Delivery Guy and she keeps ordering stuff online just so he has to stop by the store.

Will Delores and the Delivery Guy ever get together?
What “tricks” will Delores “pull” to get him to notice her?

LAYER 10: There is a serial killer that has been terrorizing Los Angeles.

Will Jim have a run in with this serial killer?
If he did, how would that turn out?

LAYER 11: With the Psychic Glasses, Jim “sees” his father, who has been “dead” for 30 years, with his mother. Now he must get to the bottom of what really happened and find his dad. (Open Loop)

Jim starts the investigation into looking for his father.

Character Surface:

LAYER 1: Secret: Jim Brown Dr. James Brown has taken a crystal ball and created a pair of glasses that can see into the future.

LAYER 2: Secret Identity: Jim doesn’t believe in the psychic world and Delores, his office manager does. Delores is always ordering Chinese food to get the fortune cookies, reading horoscopes and going next door to Zelda’s for a Reading from time-to-time. Jim creates the glasses and now has the ability to see people’s future. He soon discovers he must keep this secret because there are people who are willing to kill for such a device.

LAYER 3: Competition: Jim is in competition with his mom’s boyfriend, Howard, who happens to be the same age as Jim. Jim believes his mom is acting foolish and is taking unnecessary risks to be with Howard. Through the psychic glasses Jim “sees” his mom doing “crazy” things but in the end they are very benign. Once again Jim has overreacted for his mom’s protection.

LAYER 4: Hidden Agenda: Jim goes from a lonely optometrist to a love-stricken psychic when he sees Gloria, the girl of his dreams.

LAYER 5: Wound: Jim’s father mysteriously died in a work related incident after being told by a psychic to move to California for Golden Opportunity. Jim discovers through the vision of the psychic glasses that is father is alive and well. Jim is full of hope, but the question is where could his father be and where does Jim start to look?

4. Use this prompt with AI to see what kinds of layers it brainstorms. When you list the characters, include the one or two things that are most intriguing about them.
I did this and I got some very positive results.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Big Picture Open Loops

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
In order to maintain the audiences interest throughout the episode as well as the season it is best to incorporate mysteries both short term and long term.

ASSIGNMENT 1
1. Think about your Example Show. Make a list of the Big Picture open loops that were established early in the season.
2. Go back and watch the pilot again. As you do, notice how many open loops are being used to create the need to see future episodes.

WEDNESDAY

I did.

ASSIGNMENT 2
1. Use this list to brainstorm big picture open loops for your first season that you will use to keep the audience captivated.

FORESIGHT – An Optometrist (Jim Brown) creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball and he witnesses an attempted murder, now he must figure out when and how to stop it from happening.

Tell us your top 5-8 Big Picture Open Loops that could be in your pilot.

Jim creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball that enables him to see someone’s future when he looks at them.

How will Jim use the glasses to his benefit?

Will people honestly want to know their future if they don’t ask?

What if Jim “sees” something good, does he tell them and spoil the surprise and the thrill of the moment?

What if Jim “sees” something bad, do they really want to know then?

Does Jim go around town telling everyone about the glasses and his new discovery? Some people might think he’s crazy? Some people may kill him for them.

What if Jim misplaces the glasses and someone evil finds them?

Jezebel comes into Jim’s optical store looking for Zelda, the Psychic next door. Having just created the glasses, Jim can’t help himself but to put them on and he looks at Jezebel. He “sees” Jezebel with a Day-glow syringe standing over Zelda’s hospital bed.

Will Jim say anything to anyone about what he just saw?
Jim knows where but not when, how will he stop Jezebel from doing the deed?
Does Jim go to the police and tell them? Will they think he’s crazy?
Does Jim just follow Jezebel around and for how long?
Can Jim trust the glasses to be accurate or is he going crazy, after all he doesn’t believe in the psychic world to begin with?

With the Psychic Glasses, Jim “sees” his father, who has been “dead” for 30 years, with his mother and now he must get to the bottom of what really happened and find his dad.

What really happened to Jim’s dad?
Is he really alive?
Where has he been and what is he doing?
Why hasn’t he been able to escape and contact him and JoAnn?

Jim sees Gloria and falls in love with her though she has no interest in Jim other than being “friends”.

Will Jim and Gloria ever become more than “just friends”?

Jim is constantly trying to protect his mother, JoAnn from harm and thus stifling her from living her life and all she wants to do is live life to the fullest.

How far will Jim go to prevent his mom from “endangering” herself?
What adventures will Howard/JoAnn do to “live life to the fullest”?

Delores has a huge crush on the Delivery Guy and she keeps ordering stuff online just so he has to stop by the store.

Will Delores and the Delivery Guy ever get together?
What “tricks” will Delores “pull” to get him to notice her?

JoAnn, starts a romantic relationship with Howard, a free-spirited younger man, because she has finally come to terms with her husbands “death”.

Can an older woman keep up with a younger man?
Will their relationship blossom or wilt as Jim predicts?
Is Howard in it for the money or is his love for her real?
Is JoAnn enjoying herself and her “lust for life” attitude?

Zelda, the Psychic next door to Jim’s Optical store, has a heart attack and is in the hospital. Later, Jezebel tries to kill her. Jim arrives too late and Zelda flatlines as the nurses come rushing in to save her.

Do the nurses save Zelda?
If the nurses save her will she be in a coma?
If Zelda survives, how will Jim explain to her the crystal ball broke and he has made a pair glasses from it?
Will Zelda understand?

Gloria does romantically like Jim but her sister, Jezebel, has a strangle hold on her and Jezebel is using Gloria as a pawn to get the crystal ball that Zelda possesses. The crystal ball has been in the family for centuries.

Will Gloria break-free from Jezebel’s grasp and be with Jim?
Will Gloria find out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she allow herself to love Jim regardless about the crystal ball?

Jezebel wants the crystal ball for herself and is willing to kill anybody to acquire it, including her sisters.

Will Jezebel succeed in finding out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she kill Jim just for the sake of his making the glasses from the crystal ball?

There is a serial killer that has been terrorizing Los Angeles.

Will Jim have a run in with this serial killer?
If he did, how would that turn out?

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Show Mysteries

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Adding these two types of mysteries to my show certainly adds a whole new dimension to the pilot as well as the entire season. I realize I need to add a few more hints in the pilot to set up the entire season.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on the mysteries that have been created in that show. Also, notice the difference between the big picture mysteries that are a big part of the plot across the entire season versus the smaller mysteries.
Tell us about the mysteries from this show.

WEDNESDAY

MYSTERY TYPE 1: THE “SHOCKING EVENT” MYSTERY
A. Shocking Event: Something intriguing happens that disturbs reality in a big way.
There is a monster terrorizing Jericho County and the Nevermore Academy.
Who is this monster? What does it want?
Will Wednesday destroy Nevermore Academy as Rowan’s mother predicted and depicted in a drawing? or is she there to protect it?
How does Joseph Crackstone return to present day when he died centuries ago? Wiil he destroy Wednesday/Goody and the Nevermore Academy?

B. Secret: An important part that we must know is withheld or kept secret.
Nevermore Academy is the school for misfits and anyone of the students there could easily be the monster. Who is it?
How does Joseph Crackstone return to present day when he died centuries ago?
How will Wednesday solve this mystery or will she die?
Who is the Master of the Hyde? Who is Laura Gate?

C. Investigation: An investigation is conducted (by authorities, main characters, or audience) to discover the withheld part.
Wednesday has been investigating the monster murders and she manages to get a lot of help from her “friends”.
The Sheriff has been investigating the murders as well.

MYSTERY TYPE 2: THE “OVER TIME” MYSTERY
A. Cover up: Cover up presented as reality.
Xavier is Wed.’s prime suspect for being the monster along with Dr. Kimbott as the Master.

B. Secret: Intriguing past event or secret is hidden.
Joseph Crackstone and Goody/ Wed. are drawn showing the destruction of Nevermore.

Xavier has numerous paintings depicting the monster but he claims he has never seen the monster.
It was believed the Gates family was “killed off” and there were no survivors yet Wed. manages to uncover Laura Gates is still alive.
The legend of Hydes (monsters) existing.

C. Reveals: We discover small bits over time. Clues are presented over time that challenge the “reality.” As the cover up deteriorates, it reveals the mystery, and with enough clues, we finally discover the secret.
The monster kills Rowan and saves Wed.’s life when Rowan has Wed. pinned to a tree w/ magic powers.
Body parts are removed fr. the victims.
Xavier paints “things” that can be construed to the killings.
Dr. Kimbott can’t be the Master because she is killed by the monster.
Wed. has a vision showing Tyler is the monster.

ASSIGNMENT 2
Create two mysteries for your show — one that shows up strong in the Pilot and the other that is revealed over time.

1. Create your Shocking Event Mystery and tell us the WWWWW and H, along with the part withheld.
A. Shocking Event: First, Zelda “sees Jezebel in a Crystal ball reading. Second, Dr. Brown “sees” Jezebel attempting to murder Zelda in the hospital.
B. Secret: Jezebel is looking for the crystal ball that Zelda gave to Dr. Brown but Dr. Brown has turned the crystal ball into a pair of glasses.
C. Investigation: Dr. Brown must stop Jezebel from killing Zelda and save is own life fr. Jezebel which may require killing her.

WWWWW and How:

WHO: Jezebel
WHAT: the crystal ball which has been turned into glasses
WHEN: 20 years ago and right now
WHERE: fr. Zelda to Dr. Brown
HOW: Jezebel knows about the crystal ball

Part Withheld:
Will Jezebel find out about the glasses?
Will Jezebel succeed in killing Zelda? and who else?
WHY: does Jezebel want the crystal ball now?

2. Create the Over Time Mystery and tell us the WWWWW and H, along with the part withheld.
A. Cover up: Dr. Brown is an Optometrist and has the crystal ball but turned it into a pair of glasses
B. Secret: the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses; Dr. Brown’s Dad went missing 40 years ago
C. Reveals: The future is attainable with the glasses; Dr. Browns “sees” his Dad with his mother present day.

WHO: Dr. Brown’s father
WHAT: Dr. Brown “sees” his mother and father reunited.
WHEN: Sometime in the future.
WHY: This is something Dr. Brown has been struggling with his whole life.

Part Withheld:
WHERE: Somewhere in the Psychic Realm Dr. Brown’s father is lurking.
HOW: Dr. Brown must use the Psychic Glasses to navigate his way to his father and discover the truth. The truth is his father belongs to a Psychic Cult.

[Brian Bull]

Brian Bull is Cliché Busting!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
The whole story is kind of cliche’ but I think that it is presented in a unique way that makes it stands alone. I will have to revisit this lesson again but I have been spending too much time re-writing scenes or adding to scenes making them even more intriguing. Time to move along.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Go through your script, looking at scenes and asking, “Is that scene going to be recognized from another movie?” For any that the answer is yes, tag it for this assignment. Find as many as possible!
3. Then do this 4-part process with each scene that qualifies:
1. Identify the Cliché. What part of this scene has been done before?
2. What is the purpose of the scene?
3. Brainstorm ideas that deliver on that purpose until you find a unique one that works for your story.
4. Rewrite the scene to honor the unique version.
5. Give us a list of the changes you made to your script. But don’t post the actual script.
Cliché:
New Version:

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Show Empathy/Distress

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
There are several ways to add empathy and distress to my story to get the audience more engaged. This will be a great tool help me provide new story lines and plot twists.

ASSIGNMENT 2
1. Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make because of the main conflict of this series.

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

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune

Dr. Brown’s father missing/died when he was young
Dr. Brown’s fiancee’ was a “no-show” at their wedding
JoAnn becomes entangled in the psychic cult against her will, facing threats to her safety and reputation.

B. External Character conflicts

Dr. Brown and Howard are in competition for his mother’s affection
JoAnn is torn between the two men in her life
Dr.Brown (protagonist) and Jezebel (antagonist) are at war
Gloria is torn between her sister and her friend
Delores and Dr. Brown disagree on the Psychic Realm and Love
Jezebel, aware of Delores’ loyalty to Dr. Brown, uses her as a pawn in a dangerous game.

C. Plot intruding on life
The psychic glasses are picked up by a kid
Dr. Brown’s skepticism about the Psychic Realm puts him at odds with Gloria, creating tension in their budding relationship.
Howard, a rival for his mother’s attention, sabotages Dr. Brown’s projects, leading to professional setbacks.
Dr. Brown’s skepticism creates a barrier in Gloria’s attempt to build a meaningful connection with him.
Delores’ belief in the Psychic Realm strains her friendship with Dr. Brown, creating a rift between them.

D. Moral dilemmas

Dr. Brown must kill Jezebel if he is to survive
Dr. Brown discovers a way to prevent a tragic event but faces a moral dilemma on whether to interfere with fate.
Gloria discovers a dark secret about her family, forcing her to choose between loyalty and justice.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make

Dr. Brown must intervene when he witnesses Zelda being murdered
Dr. Brown is forced to choose between pursuing his scientific beliefs and embracing the psychic abilities he gains from the glasses.
Gloria is compelled to confront her own beliefs about love and destiny as she navigates her complicated feelings for Dr. Brown.

Empathy:

A. Put the character in distress
Dr. Brown must intervene when he witnesses Zelda being murdered
Dr. Brown fears for JoAnn’s well-being
Dr. Brown “witnesses” situations and feels compelled to act

B. Make them relatable

Dr. Brown is compassionate
Dr. Brown is a loving son
Dr. Brown has his doubts and lacks confidence
Dr. Brown struggles with balancing his skepticism and love for Gloria, showcasing the internal conflict many face in matters of belief and love.
JoAnn’s struggle with conflicting loyalties explores the universal theme of family dynamics and the sacrifices made for love.
Delores’ internal struggle mirrors the universal challenge of maintaining personal convictions in the face of external pressure.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional
Dr. Brown was left standing at the alter on his wedding day
Father missing died when Dr. Brown was young
Dr. Brown experiences the pain of betrayal from both professional and personal relationships, making his emotional journey relatable.
Gloria’s internal conflict resonates with viewers who have grappled with conflicting emotions and moral decisions in their own lives.
Delores’ journey explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the sacrifices made for those we care about, resonating with viewers on an emotional level.

*Bold denotes AI Assistance

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Solved Character Problems!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
This is important and I need to keep this assignment on going. As my script continues to develop so does my character. There’s always room for improvement.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Check your lead characters to see if they have any of the problems listed in this lesson.
A. Generic Lead Characters.
B. Weak protagonist or antagonist.
C. Protagonist Too Good or Antagonist Too Bad.
D. Weak character intros.
E. Characters not in action.
F. Protagonist journey not strong.
G. All the characters seem the same.
H. Lead characters not present.

For any character problems you find, make the prescribed improvements.

I made several improvements so far and I feel I will be continuing to make more improvements as I move along.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Show Relationship Map

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I enjoyed thinking about how each of the characters are intertwined with each other.

WEDNESDAY

ASSIGNMENT 1
Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on ONE of the main characters and how they interact with others. Notice how much you discover that could go into their Relationship Map.
Create a Relationship Map for one lead character and their relationship with three others.
Purpose: Give you a deeper experience of the relationships in a well written show.

TV Relationship Map

WEDNESDAY

ENID

Surface: Roommates / Friends
Common Ground: Share a room
Conflict: Wednesday is B&W, Enid is colorful; Opposites
History: Enid wants desperately to be friends
Subtext: Ying-N-Yang, They need each other
Relationship Arc: From not knowing each other to becoming friends

BIANCA

Surface: Classmates, Adversaries
Common Ground: Fencing, Better than everyone else
Conflict:Wed. & Bianca think that they are better than the other
History: Bianca defeated Wed. in a fencing duel, Wed.’s team beat Bianca’s in a race
Subtext: They push each other to become better
Relationship Arc: From disliking each other to disliking each other even more

XAVIER

Surface: Friends, Love Interest
Common Ground: Childhood friends, History
Conflict: Xavier likes Wed., Wed. has no interest
History: Wed. saved Xavier’s life as a child playing Hide-N-Seek
Subtext: Xavier is just a pawn, Easily manipulated for conspiracies
Relationship Arc: From friends to so-so friends

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT

JIM BROWN

Delores
Surface: Co-workers / Friends
Common Ground: Looking out for each
Conflict: He doesn’t believe in psychics / She doe.
History: They have worked together 10 years
Subtext: He worries and cares for her well being
Relationship Arc: From mutual respect to controlling

Gloria
Surface: Love of Jim’s life
Common Ground: Both are in the psychic world
Conflict: Jim is in love, Gloria not so much
History: New relationship
Subtext: Jim will do whatever to win her over
Relationship Arc: From enthralled to obsessive

Mom
Surface: Mother / Son
Common Ground: Each other
Conflict: Jim is over-protective
History: Father had a mysterious accident at work
Subtext: Jim doesn’t want anything to happen to his mother
Relationship Arc: From easy-going to overly concerned

DELORES

Jim Brown
Surface: Co-workers / Friends
Common Ground: Looking out for each
Conflict: She believes in psychics / He doesn’t
History: They have worked together 10 years
Subtext: She’s more capable than Jim knows
Relationship Arc: From helpful to independent

Gloria
Surface: Sweet and innocent
Common Ground: They both like Jim
Conflict: Delores doesn’t trust Gloria
History: New relationship / Started off well
Subtext: Gloria’s hiding something and I want to know
Relationship Arc: From trusting to suspicion

Delivery Guy
Surface: Friendly banter
Common Ground: The internet Delivery system
Conflict: He’s out of her league
History: 5 years of service
Subtext: Delores is crazy about him
Relationship Arc: From friends to being a couple

GLORIA

Jim Brown
Surface: She likes him but just as friends
Common Ground: Both are in the psychic world
Conflict: Jim is in love, Gloria not so much
History: New relationship
Subtext: Does Jim know where the crystal ball is???
Relationship Arc: From liking Jim to help me distance myself from Jezebel

Delores
Surface: Sweet and innocent
Common Ground: They both like Jim
Conflict: Gloria knows Delores doesn’t trust her
History: New relationship / Started off well
Subtext: Gloria can win Delores over with psychic stuff
Relationship Arc: From friends to skepticism

Jezebel
Surface: Gloria is meek, Jezebel is sinister – They are in cahoots
Common Ground: They both want the crystal ball that belonged to Zelda
Conflict: There’s only one crystal ball
History: They are sisters
Subtext: Meek; waiting for the right moment to strike
Relationship Arc: From togetherness to Jezebel perishing by her own accord

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Depth of Emotions

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
That I am adding depth of emotions to my characters and making it easier to understand who they are and what drives them. I am also getting much better at using the AI feature is very exciting. Even though we are just starting out I am accumulating lots of information about each of my main characters.

WEDNESDAY

ASSIGNMENT 1
Watch the next episode of your Example Show and create an Emotional Profile for two or three main characters in this show.

WEDNESDAY

Situational: Hope / Fear: To uncover the truth / others may die

Motivation: Want / Need: To know the truth / answers, closure

Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask: Having feelings / Dead-pan, articulating, confident

Weaknesses: She does like some of her classmates

Triggers: Dishonesty, cowardice

Coping Mechanism: Sarcasm, humor, being straight-forward

ENID

Situational: Hope / Fear: She “wolfs out” / She won’t

Motivation: Want / Need: To be accepted by Ajax (snake boy) / to be accepted

Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask: Unworthy / Confident

Weaknesses: Insecure w/ who she is/isn’t

Triggers: Not being excepted

Coping Mechanism: Patience, tolerance

BIANCA

Situational: Hope / Fear: To be the best at everything / She will lose to Wednesday

Motivation: Want / Need: To be accepted / To be on top

Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask: A failure / Dominate

Weaknesses: Overly confident, under-estimates others

Triggers: Opposition

Coping Mechanism: to challenge

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT – (My SHOW)

JIM BROWN

Hope: To find love / Fear: To die alone

Want: To fall in love / Need: Someone to share his life with

Base Negative Emotion: Getting hurt / Public Mask: Confident, intelligent

Weaknesses: Makes mistakes, miscalculates

Triggers: People who think they know more

Coping Mechanism: Silent Payback – revenge, sarcasm

DELORES

Hope: To find love / Fear: Getting hurt

Want: To make it on her own / Need: To prove her self worth

Base Negative Emotion: Inadequate, low self esteem / Public Mask: fun, funny

Weaknesses: Easily persuaded

Triggers: Being lied to

Coping Mechanism: Aggression

GLORIA

Hope: To be the best psychic in town / Fear: People will think she’s a fraud

Want: To be taken seriously / Need: Self confidence

Base Negative Emotion: Living in her sister’s shadow / Public Mask: Easy going

Weaknesses: Powerless

Triggers: Scared of the dark

Coping Mechanism: Shuts down

JEZEBEL

Hope: To find the crystal ball / Fear: To be at the mercy of others

Want: To be powerful / Need: To be in control

Base Negative Emotion: Being taken advantage of / Public Mask: Confident

Weaknesses: Only cares for herself

Triggers: Not getting what she wants

Coping Mechanism: Lash out

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Intriguing Character Layers

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I had done this assignment before, however, this time around I was able to dig deeper and find more intrigue with all my main characters. I believe there is more to find and I will be asking AI some of my own questions. I am confident that AI can provide a bit more insight and intrigue for each character that I haven’t been able to think of yet.

WEDNESDAY

ASSIGNMENT 1

WEDNESDAY

1. Make a list of the places you’ve already seen Character Intrigue in the previous episodes.

MAIN CHARACTER
Wednesday

Role In The Show: Wednesday is in “complete control’ or she is “out-of-control” depending on your perspective. She has a mission, she will not be detoured and she possesses the skills to carry out any task. Wednesday has decided not to escape Nevermore thus deciding to stay and toil with the other students throughout the semester.

Unique Purpose / Expertise: She is a loner against everyone in Nevermore Academy / she is an expert at everything.

Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? Wednesday actually tries to do “good”. In the Pilot Wednesday thought Rowan was in danger so she ran after him to warn him. In episode 3 she thinks she is the cause for Nevermore’s demise so she investigates for answers.

2. Watch the next episode and see how Character Intrigue is being used to create the need to see more episodes.

HIDDEN AGENDAS: Wednesday teams up w/ the Sheriff to catch the monster. Enid wants to date “Snake Boy”. Eugene likes Enid. Blanca wants to undermine Wed. Rowan wants to destroy Wed. (though Rowan may be dead, we don’t know)

COMPETITION: Xavier and Tyler are both interested in Wednesday. Blanca and Wednesday are in constant competition. Enid and Wednesday are opposites. Nevermore Academy and Township of Jericho dislike one another.

CONSPIRACY: Wednesday and Thing are investigating the “Monster Murders”. The “Jericho Pilgrims” plan to ruin the Rav’n Dance.

SECRETS: Xavier is hiding something, Dr. Kinbott is hiding something, Tyler is hiding something; ALL 3 may have “Secret Identities”

DECEPTION: Thing got Wednesday to go to the Rav’n Dance w/ Tyler behind Wed. back. Wed. manipulates Eugene, Xavier and Tyler.

WOUND: Wednesday doesn’t handle romance well. Principal Weems is at odds w/ Morticia (Wednesday’s mom). Blanca and Xavier have a soured romance.

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT(My Show)

JIM BROWN

Role: Lonely optometrist pursuing the girl of his dreams

Hidden Agenda: Will do whatever it takes to win Gloria and marry her. Suspects his father is still alive.

Competition: Wants to win the heart of Gloria. Competes w/ Howard for his mom’s attention. At odds w/ Delores regarding the Psychic Realm. Jim and Sam are college friends who compete against each other at various times.

Conspiracies: Drags Delores into his schemes to prevent his mother from doing things that he thinks he “sees” and also asks for Delores’ help when scheming to win Gloria’s heart. Asks for Delores help in finding the “truth” regarding his father.

Secrets: He has a pair of psychic glasses which enables him to sees people’s future.

Deception: Willing to tell people things they want to hear in order to get his way, especially when it comes to his mother.

Wound: Father mysteriously died in a work related incident after being told by a psychic to move to California for Golden Opportunity. Fiancee’ was a no show at their wedding.

Secret Identity: Jim has become a psychic with the psychic glasses.

DELORES

Role: Lucent Optical’s Office Manager, Jim’s confidant.

Hidden Agenda: Wants to run the office her way. Protect Jim from harm.

Competition: Wants to win Jim over and make him a believer in the Psychic Realm.

Conspiracies: Delores is to help Jim become the person he was meant to me – High Priest in the Psychic Realm.

Secrets: She is in love with the Amazon Guy and keeps buying things online so he stops by. She is a Guardian of the Psychic Realm ordered to protect Jim.

Deception: She comes from wealth but wants others to believe she’s living on a shoestring.

Wound: Was once married to a guy who wanted her money.

Secret Identity: She’s the heir of a multi-millionaire. She also a Guardian of the Psychic Realm.

GLORIA

Role: Psychic who Jim falls in love with.

Hidden Agenda: Wants to get her hands on the crystal ball not knowing Jim used it to make the glasses from.

Competition: She is in competition with her sister, Jezebel, who also wants the crystal ball for herself.

Conspiracies: Gloria and Jezebel are conspiring to find the crystal ball their oldest sister, Zelda, had before she gave it to Jim for safe keepings.

Secrets: She likes Jim. She despises her sister Jezebel.

Deception: Has no interest in Jim. She’s deceiving her sister, Jezebel, into thinking they are working together.

Wound: Jezebel has never been nice to her. Parents were killed in Romania.

Secret Identity: She knows some Black Magic and belongs to a Secret Psychic Cult.

JEZEBEL

Role: She is looking for the crystal ball her sister, Zelda, had acquired from their mother in Romania when she died.

Hidden Agenda: She will kill anybody that gets in her way of acquiring the crystal ball including her sister and of course Jim.

Competition: Doesn’t realize it but she is in competition with her sister, Gloria, who also wants the crystal ball.

Conspiracies: Jezebel and Gloria are conspiring to find the crystal ball their oldest sister, Zelda, had before she gave it to Jim for safe keepings.

Secrets: She intends to kill Zelda and Gloria when she finally gets the crystal ball.

Deception: She wants Jim to believe that she and Zelda are on good terms but Jim knows differently because of the glasses.

Wound: Her mother didn’t leave her the crystal ball when she died.

Secret Identity: She knows some Black Magic as well, and belongs to a Psychic Cult.

[Brian Bull]

Engaging Main Characters

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
There are many layers to creating a character for a binge worthy TV show and we are just getting started.

WEDNESDAY

ASSIGNMENT 1

WEDNESDAY

A. Role in the show: Wednesday is in “complete control’ or she is “out-of-control” depending on your perspective. She has a mission, she will not be detoured and she possesses the skills to carry out any task. Wednesday has decided not to escape Nevermore thus deciding to stay and toil with the other students throughout the semester.

B. Unique Purpose / Expertise: She is a loner against everyone in Nevermore Academy / she is an expert at everything.

C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? Wednesday actually tries to do “good”. In the Pilot Wednesday thought Rowan was in danger so she ran after him to warn him. In episode 3 she thinks she is the cause for Nevermore’s demise so she investigates for answers.

D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? Wednesday’s willingness to do devious acts in order to achieve her end results.

E. Unpredictable: What will they do next? Wednesday is full of surprises,; she has no limits to the things she can do and her knowledge is vast and her athleticism is outstanding.

F. Empathetic: Why do we care? Wednesday is a misfit in a misfit world. She is a loner up against the world and she does everything with a sense of calm and precision making it admirable.

FORESIGHT (My Show)

Journey: Knowing where to draw the line when you have the ability to see other people’s future while pursuing the girl of your dreams.

Characters that sell this show: Dr. James Brown (Optometrist) and Gloria (Psychic / girl of his dreams)

Role In The Show:

Jim: Lonely optometrist pursuing the girl of his dreams
Gloria: Psychic who Jim falls in love with

Unique Purpose / Expertise:

Jim: Expertise: The finest/best optometrist in LA who creates psychic glasses from a crystal ball.

Purpose: Jim “sees” the girl of his dreams and tries to figure out how to win her over.

Irony: Jim didn’t believe in horoscopes, fortune cookies, crystal balls, tarot cards or any other psychic abilities and now he has a pair of psychic glasses.

Gloria: Expertise: She has the ability to read Tarot Cards.

Purpose: The girl that Jim desires but will never have.

Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?

Jim: Jim’s psychic glasses which he tries to use to land Gloria, spies on his mother and fails miserably by misreading what he sees, interferes with other people’s lives by telling them things they don’t want to hear or know.

Gloria: She wants the crystal ball for herself but doesn’t know that Jim turned it into a pair of glasses.

Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?

Jim: Invading the privacy of others by looking through the glasses and seeing their future.

Gloria: She is pretending to be an angel, friend and a naive sister in order to acquire the crystal ball.

Unpredictable: What will they do next?

Jim: He sees other people’s futures and tells them with mixed responses.

Gloria: Will do whatever it takes to acquire the crystal ball so long as she won’t get caught.

Empathetic: Why do we care?

Jim: Often he misinterprets the glasses vision and this gets him into trouble – means well but turns out bad – no good deed goes unpunished.

Gloria: She wants what she thinks is rightfully hers.

[Brian Bull]

Brian Bull – Three Circles of Characters

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
AI is opening doors to new possibilities and angles which I hadn’t consider before. Having AI is truly like having an assistant that you can suggest ideas to and get an informative answer back. Loving it!

WEDNESDAY

ASSIGNMENT 1

MAIN CHARACTERS CIRCLE
Wednesday
Thing
Enid Sinclair
Principal Larissa Weems
Bianca Barclay (Antagonist)

CONNECTED CIRCLE
Miss Marilyn Thornhill (Dorm Mom / Carnivorous Plant Teacher)

Rowan Laslow (Shapeshifter)

Xavier Thorpe
Eugene Ottinger (President of the Nevermore Hummers)

Tyler Galpin (Barista)
Sheriff Donovan Galpin

Dr. Valerie Kinbott (Therapist)

Morticia / Gomez / Lurch / Pugsley

ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE
FANGS (Group of Vampires)
FURS (Group of Werewolves)
SCALES (Group of Sirens)
STONES (Group of Medusas)

Other students of Nevermore

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT (My Show)

MAIN CHARACTERS CIRCLE
Jim Brown (Optometrist)
Delores Ashley (Office Manager)
Gloria (Girl of Jim’s Dreams)
Jezebel (Gloria’s sister/ looking for Crystal Ball)
Zelda (Psychic who gives Jim the Crystal Ball)

CONNECTED CIRCLE
JoAnn Brown (Jim’s mother)
Howard Stone(Mom’s boyfriend)
Heather (Receptionist at Fairhaven)
Lucy Thornapple (Fairhaven Resident)
Violet Hausen (Fairhaven Resident)
Phoebe Krause (Fairhaven Resident)
R.N. Becky Buckingham (Fairhaven)
Richard

Sam (Jim’s Long time Friend)
Valerie (Sam new girlfriend)
Scotch (Valerie’s ex-boyfriend)
Rachael (Valerie’s Boss)

Nurse Karen North
Dr. Philipp Hasbro

Sheriff Randall Morris

ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE
Fairhaven Residents
Fairhaven Staff (Assisted Living where Mom resides)

Valerie’s Co-workers

Sheriff Deputies

Hospital Staff

Residents of Santa Monica

DR. JAMES BROWN is the Main Character in the show. He creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball that enables him to see into the future and the his “dream-girl”, Gloria, it’s love at first sight – for him at least, not so much for her.

DELORES is the Office Manager at Jim’s store, Lucent Optical, a believer in the Psychic Realm, optimistic, a romantic and a busy-body.

ZELDA is the psychic next door to Lucent Optical who tries to give Jim the crystal ball but suffers a heart attack and drops the crystal ball.

GLORIA is the “girl of Jim’s dreams”. She is a psychic who moves into her sister Zelda’s shop next door to Lucent Optical.

JEZEBEL is a psychic who wants Zelda’s crystal ball for herself and she is will willing to kill anyone to acquire it.

AI ASSISTANCE

Certainly, here are three groups of characters for your drama TV series set in the Psychic Realm:

A. Main Characters:
Dr. James Brown
Unique Role: An optometrist who creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball, enabling him to see the future.
Secret or Intrigue: Dr. Brown discovers that his invention has unintended consequences, showing him not only a love interest named Gloria but also glimpses of a life-threatening event connected to her future.

Gloria

Unique Role: Gloria is the enigmatic love interest of Dr. James Brown, with an unexplainable connection to the Psychic Realm.
Secret or Intrigue: Gloria is aware of the glasses’ abilities and has her own secrets, including her reluctance to get close to James due to a dark prophecy she glimpsed in the crystal ball.

Marianne “Mari” Wren

Unique Role: Mari is Dr. Brown’s close friend and confidante, a psychic who can interpret the visions he sees through the glasses.
Secret or Intrigue: Mari holds a hidden grudge against Gloria for reasons she refuses to disclose, leading to tension and mystery within the group.

B. Connected Characters:

Professor Cassandra Vane
A renowned expert in psychic phenomena, who becomes interested in James’ invention and offers guidance on understanding the glasses’ powers.

Richard Blackwood

A fellow optometrist who becomes James’ business rival and is determined to uncover the secrets of the crystal ball glasses for his own gain.

Isabella “Izzy” Turner

A journalist who stumbles upon the story of James’ invention and becomes obsessed with revealing its truth to the world, even if it means putting James and Gloria in danger.

The Elder Council

A group of wise and mysterious psychic elders who hold the key to unlocking the true potential of the crystal ball glasses and provide guidance to James and Gloria.

C. Environment Characters:

Crystal Ball Crafters
Psychic Cafe Patrons
Psychic Fair Vendors
Tarot Card Readers
Aura Cleanse Practitioners
Psychic Realm Guards
Crystal Shop Owners
Fortune-Telling Booth Operators

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by  Brian Bull. Reason: ADDED ASSIGNMENT #2

[Brian Bull]

Brian Bull – 5 Star Model

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
By breaking down another show into beats and then applying the 5 Star Points I was able to dissect the show and get to the heart of it. It also gave me a few ideas for my own show. At first I thought there was no similarities between my show and this show but after this lesson it opened my eyes to a few possibilities.

WEDNESDAY – Example Show

BIG PICTURE HOOK
Wednesday is devious beyond belief and her time spent at Nevermore will be dark and sinister.

AMAZING and INTRIGUING CHARACTERS
WEDNESDAY
She’s confident, dark and sinister beyond belief.
Highly intelligent
Capable of anything (fencing, playing cello, knows Italian, how-to-fix anything)
Little emotion unless it has evil connotations.
Has VISIONS whenever she bumps into someone.

ENID
She’s colorful and preppy.
A werewolf w/ just claws; may never actually turn making her a “lone wolf”.
Very knowledgeable about Nevermore.
Sensitive to some degree.

PRINCIPAL WEEMS
Suppose to watch Wednesday but does a terrible job of it. (2x Wed. escaped her)
Morticia’s roommate way-back-when.

TYLER
Works at Weathervane Cafe as a Barista

EMPATHY / DISTRESS
WEDNESDAY – New girl in school. Dislikes everyone, loner and likes it that way. Extremely good at several things. Her scorpion was killed in front of her by some mean boys.

MORTICIA – Wednesday’s mother. Just trying to help her daughter. Wednesday is mean to her, says nasty things. Morticia has a heart, but maybe not (depends if your Wed. or not)

ENID – Has a weirdo (Wednesday) for a roommate, a roommate from hell. Enid may never turn into a werewolf instead she will become a “lone wolf”, so far she only has claws. Wants to be friends with Wed. to some degree.

LAYERS / OPEN LOOPS
Is there anything Wednesday won’t do?
Will Wednesday escape from Nevermore or is she content now and will enjoy it?
Will Enid and Wednesday become good friends?
Will Wednesday and Tyler become boyfriend/girlfriend?
Will Principal Weems be able to control Wednesday and to what extent?
Will Wednesday break Dr. Valerie Kimbott and drive her insane?
What does the Sheriff know about Gomez?
What did Gomez do, who did he “kill”, is he really guilty?
What all did Morticia do at Nevermore?
What killed the hiker in the woods?
What was that creature that saved Wed.?
Will the Sheriff find out what’s doing all the killing?

INVITING OBSESSION

How is this going to turn out for Wednesday is the big question?

[Brian Bull]

1. Brian Bull

2. I have written around 7 scripts.

3. I am currently enrolled in the BWTV class but I feel my story is lacking that “something” and I am hoping AI might be able to help me find that “something”. I also believe AI is the future and I would like to be a part of it now rather than later.

4. I work in the Motion Picture Industry and I have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to work with some of the best in Hollywood. For example, early on in my career I worked with one of my childhood stars – Vincent Price.

5. I am currently enrolled in Writing Incredible Movies, and Binge Worthy TV. Needless to say I spend a lot of time working on my writing.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL

I 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.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Structure Solutions!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I need to continue to write more. I could spend a lot more time on this but at the present time I feel I need to move on. I am hoping future assignments will overlap with this assignment but if not then I need to keep working at it.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Using the Structure Questions above, go to each structure point and ask the appropriate question. Then really answer it. If you like the answer, move on. If any of them don’t meet the purpose of that structure point, flag it to look for a solution.

For any problems you discovered, go to the Structure Grid for potential solutions. Find a solution, then take action on it.

Apply the solution by doing a HIGH SPEED REWRITE to that part of the script. Then do that process with the next and the next, etc., until there are no identifiable structure problems in your script.

Give us a list of the changes you made to your script. But don’t post the actual script.

There were numerous changes made to the script and I didn’t make a list as I was doing them; I just did them as I went along.

Post your Beat Sheet to the forums – I know this isn’t a BEAT SHEET but having given this assignment LOTS and LOTS of thought / work I have decided to restructure my script back to it’s original format realizing now that it is the BEST way to proceed.

Notes: The story is present day with John being 38 and is told through a series of flashbacks as John reminisces while fishing about how he came to this very moment in time.

ACT 1
OPENING (Old Ways)
John (38) puts the boat in the water deep in the Louisiana bayous and begins to look for “The Spot”. Finding “The Spot”.

John (8) and his father on the river bank as his dad teaches John the values of fishing and how to fish.

John (13) teaches his younger brother Jim (11) the values and how to fish. They run out of bait. Not giving up, John decides to try chicken from their sandwiches.

Inciting Incident
John (13) catches a “BIG ONE” and gets pulled into the water. Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line. John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat. Jim never resurfaces.

TURNING POINT #1
John (13) is left all alone in the boat.

ACT 2
REACTION:
Since “The Incident”, John (38) has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years. Jim’s photo hangs in the garage and is a constant reminder of his failure at redemption!

PLAN IN ACTION:
John is gathering his fishing equipment. Fishing Pole, Tackle Box, Gloves, Spear, Etc.

Wife reminds John of his failures – nothing to show for his past attempts.
Thinks he should give up and spend time with their son.
Wife suggests trying a different bait – John replies, “NEVER!!!”
John sees a photo of his Grandfather with a huge catfish and wishes he could be successful like him.

MIDPOINT TURNING POINT #2:
John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it.

ACT 3
RETHINK:
Stopping at a gas station/trading post, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about the Native Indians who spoke of catfish so large one catfish could feed a village.

NEW PLAN:
John buys some dog chain, a machete and a whole routtsierre cajun chicken. John puts the boat in the water and begins to look for “The Spot”. Finding “The Spot”. Doing everything just like he always has John grows weary.

TURNING POINT #3:
John reels his line in and finds an empty hook and he’s out of bait.

Act 4
NEW PLAN:
John decides to try the whole routtsierre cajun chicken he picked up from the gas station/trading post as bait.

CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT:
John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, many of the same tactics “The Fish” used when he was a kid are used again, but John is prepared for each one of them. He manages to reel “The Fish” in; close enough that he can harpoon it with his spear. Face-to-face with “The Fish” John sees that he has indeed managed to catch the biggest catfish in Louisiana history!!!

John realizes, “I’m the one you were after – I’m the One That Got Away!”

RESOLUTION:
Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish” thus leaving an empty fishing boat floating in the midst of the water.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Has Finished Act 4!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Finish strong!!!

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Write 6 – 10 pages a day in the next two days.

3. Tell us how it is going for you.

It’s not quite what I want but I feel great about finishing and moving on.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Continues Act 4

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Just keep doing.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Write 6 – 10 pages a day in the next two days.

3. Tell us how it is going for you.

It’s a challenge to find the time each day.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Started Act 4

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Just keep doing.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Write 6 – 10 pages a day in the next two days.

3. Tell us how it is going for you.

It’s a challenge to find the time each day.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Finishing Act 3

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Just stay with it, trying not to be perfect.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Write 6 – 10 pages a day in the next two days.

3. Tell us how it is going for you.

Plugging away.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Continuing Act 3

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Just stay with it, trying not to be perfect.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Write 6 – 10 pages a day in the next two days.

3. Tell us how it is going for you.

Plugging away.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Began Act 3

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have to just keep at it. I found some images on the internet which helped assist in my writing description. I also did a little research regarding the location of my story which helped as well. I also had to write a myth story which needs more attention but I at least got something on paper.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Write 6 – 10 pages a day in the next two days.

3. Tell us how it is going for you.

I made a fair amount of progress today. I am pleased with the way things are shaping up.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Completed Act 2

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
A little everyday goes a long way!!!!

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Write 6 – 10 pages a day in the next two days.

3. Tell us how it is going for you.

Work has taken precedence over everything else but I am anxious to get back at it with a vengeance. I have quite a bit of catching up to do.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Big Picture Components

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have a good start on my outline – there are a few things I need to work out but all-in-all I think I am well on my way.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Give us the basic Series Info:

SERIES INFO:

World: Glimpses of the Psychic Realm

Main mystery: Will Dr. Jim Brown be able to control the powers of the “Psychic Glasses”

Impossible Goal: Dr. Brown preventing Jezebel from murdering Zelda

Main Conflict: Jezebel wants the crystal ball that Dr. Brown made glasses from.

Second Mystery: Will Dr. Brown marry Gloria who has no interest in him?

Season 1 Arc: Dr. Brown creating glasses from a crystal ball enabling him to see the future attempted murder to preventing the murder from happening.

Season 1 Protagonist Internal Journey: From ordinary Optometrist making a pair of glasses from a crystal ball to having the Psychic Realm right in front of him and being able to comprehend it’s powers.

2. Tell us the basic Pilot Info:

PILOT INFO:

Pilot Conflict: Dr. Brown “witnesses” the attempted murder of Zelda by Jezebel and must decide what he’s going to do about it.

Characters Introduced: Dr. Brown, Delores, JoAnn Brown, Zelda, Valerie, Sam

Inciting Incident of Season 1: Dr. Brown creates “Psychic” glasses from a crystal ball and witnesses Jezebel trying to kill Zelda.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Visually Appealing Bible

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I signed up for ADOBE and it’s been a learning curve for me – I have been spending to many hours trying to learn the system – maybe I have an old computer and it’s not fast enough for the latest version of ADOBE but I have selected a few pictures from their catalogue that I think will work – I will just have to keep at it.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Listen to the interview with Creative Director Drew Foerster.
2. Brainstorm ideas for pictures and/or a visual design you might use for your bible.
3. Select at least a few pictures that set the tone for your bible and add them to your bible. Feel free to design in more pictures if it works for you.
4. Let us know your process and what worked or didn’t work as you created the visual version of your TV Pitch Bible. (For the moment, don’t post the visual bible. Instructions are below to exchange feedback.)

Work in progress.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Edited TV Pitch Bible

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
There are areas in my PICH BIBLE that need more attention.

ASSIGNMENT

Go through these editing steps to make sure your TV Pitch Bible is a quick read, presents absolute clarity, and is highly compelling.

1. Make Sure All Formatting Works
Needs white space. (Big blocks of type).
Consistent fonts, type sizes.
Consistent titles that line up and are done the same way.
Consistent punctuation that is meaningful.
Quotes, all caps, and underlining used sparingly and purposefully.

2. Discover Problem Areas and Solve Them
Fluff/Meaningless.
Confusing.
Not intriguing.
Overwritten.
Cliches.

3. Identify Areas to Elevate and Improve Them
Intriguing, but could be more interesting.
Doesn’t propel us into the future of the series.
Needs more powerful set up or payoff.

4. Tell us what this process did for your TV Pitch Bible.

My PITCH BIBLE is far from perfect and will require more attention. This process has open the door for me to continually finesse, tweet and improve my PITCH BIBLE. I will and need to constantly work on this as this is my ticket to where I want to go.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Episode Titles

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I may have cheated on this assignment by choosing to use the Tarot Cards as Episode titles but I think it is cleaver and if you know anything about Tarot Cards and the Psychic Realm you will understand the reference.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Do a quick brainstorm session for each of your episodes and seasons. Use the Title
Formats to do it.

Conflict:
Journey:
Dilemma:
Issue faced:
Irony:
Hero’s challenging situation:
Threat to hero:
Discovery:
Metaphor:

2. Select the titles that stand out, but be open to even better ideas in the future.

3. Sequence the titles so you can see what story they tell. Replace any titles that create genre confusion.

I’m thinking of using the Tarot Cards for my Episode titles. I am still working on my episode descriptions as I haven’t fully figured out my season arc. I am still in the discovery process – I am doing a LOT of READING on Crystal Balls and Tarot Cards and trying to know the Psychic Realm as best I can because it is new to me. In some ways I am much like my protagonist Dr. Jim Brown who went from the ordinary world to the Extraordinary World and that world is the Psychic Realm.

SEASON 1

Episode 1 – The FOOL
Episode 2 – The MAGICIAN
Episode 3 – The HIGH PRIESTESS
Episode 4 – The EMPRESS
Episode 5 – The EMPEROR
Episode 6 – The HIEROPHANT
Episode 7 – The LOVERS
Episode 8 – The CHARIOT
Episode 9 – STRENGTH
Episode 10 – The HERMIT
Episode 11 – WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Episode 12 – JUSTICE
Episode 13 – The HANGED MAN
Episode 14 – DEATH

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Presents Non-Stop Intrigue

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

There is always room for improvement and I have to constantly be looking for ways to elevate the intrigue. This PITCH BIBLE is my ticket in the door.

ASSIGNMENT

Using Intrigue Patterns, elevate as many lines in your bible as you can.
Pull out your TV Pitch Bible. Read through it and highlight any paragraphs that need more interest or that you would like to be even more intriguing.
Check the Setups/Payoffs and brainstorm possible replacement lines.
Rewrite any parts you feel could be improved.
Tell us what this has done for your TV Pitch Bible.

I thought my SHOW SUMMARY could be improved and so I rewrote it and now I am very pleased with the way it reads.

There is so much intrigue I need to put in but it will have to wait as I will give it more thought. It’s good but it’s not perfect – yet. I do need to move on though.

This is how it reads now…

SHOW SUMMARY
Dr. Jim Brown is an optometrist who loves making glasses to perfection. Some may say he is married to his job especially since his finance’ was a “no-show” on their wedding day. Jim thinks the “love-of-his-life” has “up-and-left” and he will be single from now on.

Jim’s Office Manager, Delores, believes in the Psychic Realm and love is everywhere, you just have to know where to look. Everyday Delores reads Jim his horoscope trying to convince Jim that there is still hope for him. They both are looking for love but in two different places.

Zelda, is a psychic next door to Jim’s Optical store. One day, Zelda tries to give her crystal ball to Jim after she “saw” her devilish sister, Jezebel, in a reading. At that moment, Zelda suffers a heart attack dropping the crystal ball, splitting it in two. Zelda goes to the hospital.

Jim takes the two halves back to his shop. determines the crystal ball is irreparable but is intrigue by the clarity of the glass. Jim then creates a pair of glasses which he finds out will enable him to see the future, past and present.

With the “psychic” glasses Jim “sees” his future wife, Gloria. He also “sees” Jezebel, attempt to murder Zelda at the hospital!

How can Jim stop Jezebel from killing Zelda and how can Jim convince his “future” wife, Gloria, to marry him when she has no interest at the present time?

To complicate matters even more, Jim is constantly misinterpreting his “vision” which jeopardizes every situation/reading.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Intrigue Patterns

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I can always make things more intriguing.

I also have been spending a lot of time researching the Psychic Realm because I learned I know very little about it and therefore if I am going to have a TV show about the Psychic Realm I must educate myself more – this will help it making the show much more intriguing and it will add depth and layers and layers. I believe it is already paying off.

ASSIGNMENT

Using Intrigue Patterns, describe some aspect of your story or characters.

1. Pull out your TV Pitch Bible. Read through it and find ONE line you would like to be more intriguing.

2. Rethink that line using ALL of these patterns, as I did above:
A. Establish something shocking and point to the terrible things it could mean.
B. Strong statement; question about something underhanded beneath the surface.
C. Question that points to hidden agendas, hidden identity, conspiracy, etc..
D. Character 1 is convinced/worried/wondering that Character 2 has done _____________.
E. But maybe it is all wrong.
F. A Pattern that Leads to Future Consequences
G. If he does ________________, that means ___Intrigue_____.
H. State the mystery.
I. Should be/could be _______, but it is even worse.
J. Intense language.

3. If you discover a more intriguing version of the line, replace the old one in the TV Pitch Bible.

I didn’t like the way my WORLD portion was and so I focused and that and wanted to elevate it with more INTRIGUE.

Old Version

WORLD

Having the ability to see the future…
…a love-stricken Optometrist witnesses a murder…
…and he must stop it from happening.

Unique Sub-World: The Psychics Realm
Previously unexplored: Glasses enabling you to see the future
The unknown: How the future relates to the present
The unseen: Betrayals and misinterpretations
Unheard of Dangers: Not everything is as it might appear
Reasons to explore it: A chance to make the things right, better

New Version

WORLD

Jim Brown unintentionally enters the Psychic Realm when he creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball. The future, the present and the past are all right there in front of him, however Jim must learn how to interpret and navigate the visions he “sees” or suffer the consequences. Jim’s naive at first believing the world is good but soon discovers the true power of the psychic glasses when he “sees” the evil that lurks all around. Jim quickly realizes there is the ordinary world and then there is the Psychic Realm.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Continuing Act 2

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
The timer helps. It’s amazing what is possible in 5 minutes. I enjoy using the timer! I actually have a couple of breakthroughs as a result of the timer.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

2. Write 6 – 10 pages a day in the next two days.

3. Tell us how it is going for you.

It’s going – just plugging away! Much of my story revolves around dialogue and I know dialogue is coming up in the next Module so I have been holding back a bit.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Began Act 2

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Setting a timer helps. Loved it!!!

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Powering through now that I am on a roll – actually fun to do!!!

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Finished Act 1

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have to keep at it.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Just continuing on and adding whatever comes to mind for Act 1.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Next Act 1 Scenes

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have to keep at it.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Just continuing on and adding whatever comes to mind for Act 1.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – TV Pitch Bible Investigation

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I think there is more below the surface and I just have to keep digging deeper. I am being too much of a perfectionist and I have to stop – I have to embrace ALL my ideas even the bad ones and accept the fact that a GREAT one will eventually come.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Do a complete investigation on your TV Pitch Bible to discover more depth, layers, and intrigue.

Starting with your BW Framework and current draft of the TV Pitch Bible, ASSUME there is something beneath the surface that you absolutely MUST discover.

2. Investigate by picking situations and characters and asking:

Tool 1: Dig: What’s beneath that?

Level 1: When Jim was a kid, Jim’s dad took the family to the carnival’s Fortune Teller where he was told about “Golden Opportunities” which he interpreted as meaning to take his family to California.

Level 2: Jim’s dad and the Fortune Teller were working together on a business venture (a lost treasure) which required Jim’s family to move but Jim’s dad knew they wouldn’t unless ……

Level 3 : After arriving in California Jim’s dad disappears. He was tricked by the Fortune Teller and forced to continue searching for the treasure.

Tool 2: Extrapolate: If __________, then ____________.

If Jezebel and Gloria were traveling Fortune Tellers in Romania then they lost everything to a fire and decided to come to retrieve the crystal ball their oldest sister, Zelda, took when she ran away.

Tool 3: Wonder: What if ______________?

Jim turns evil and starts to make use the “visions” he “sees” for his own benefit. He tries and profits from the visions – takes advantage of people’s fortunes or misfortunes. Maybe he sees them winning the lottery and has them sign a contract prior.

Tool 4: Backtrack: How could ______________ have happened?

Jim and Gloria meet before they meet in the hospital or somewhere else.

Tool 5: Forecast: How could this get even worse?

Jim constantly misinterprets the crystal ball and it lands him in all kinds of trouble. He accidentally pisses off a would-be thief by predicting his heist before he has committed the crime. He ruins people’s relationships by accusing one of infidelity when it wasn’t. Tells a priest he is doing more harm by the things he says and creates self-doubt in the priest when in fact he was helping people with their troubles.

3. Evaluate the possibilities and decide what you are going to use in the different parts of your TV Pitch Bible. Divide the answers into three categories:

Use in TV Pitch Bible.
Tool 5

Use in Episodes.
Tool 1
Tool 2
Tool 3

Don’t use.
Tool 4

4. For any parts where there is a substantial improvement, rewrite those parts of the TV Pitch Bible. Then, tell us what parts you changed and give a quick description of what you did.

Added Tool 5 in a condensed version to the SHOW SUMMARY. “To complicate matters even more, Jim is constantly misinterpreting his “vision” which jeopardizes every the situation/reading.

Added Tools 1, 2 and 3 to EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS for episodes 5, 6 and 7 respectfully.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Show Summary

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have to learn to keep going even if I know the answers aren’t quite right. The more layers I think of the more complex the story gets and I have notes everywhere – it’s like putting the puzzle together but sometimes the pieces seem to belong to a different puzzle – I will think I have had a break through but then it brings up all kinds of different issues.

ASSIGNMENT

Pilot as Inciting Incident

FORESIGHT

A lonely optometrist, Jim Brown, goes through his normal day of making glasses to perfection. He and his office Manager, Delores, banter regarding their horoscopes as Delores is a believer in the Psychic Realm and Jim is not. Jim will often visit his widowed mother, JoAnn, at Fairhaven Assisted Living where Jim knows she is well taken care of and safe.

Jim hasn’t dated in years because of lack of time but the truth is his heart was broken when his fiancee’ was a “no-show” at the wedding.

Zelda, a psychic next door to Jim’s Optical store tries to give her crystal ball to Jim after she “saw” her devilish sister in a reading. Zelda but suffers a heart attack dropping the crystal ball, splitting it in two. Zelda goes to the hospital. Jim takes the two halves, determines the crystal ball is irreparable and is intrigue by the clarity of the glass, then he creates a pair of glasses which he finds out will enable him to see the future!

With the “psychic” glasses Jim “sees” his future wife, Gloria. He also “sees” Jezebel, Zelda’s sister, attempt to murder Zelda at the hospital!

How can Jim stop Jezebel from killing Zelda and how can Jim convince his “future” wife, Gloria, to marry him when she has no interest at the present time?

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Episode Descriptions

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I really need to continue developing my story.

ASSIGNMENT

For each episode, go through the event bullet points and organize them in this fashion.

Hook/Intrigue:
Main Character journey:
Major Challenge/Conflict:
Action/Reaction:
Cliffhanger:

EPISODE 1
Hook/Intrigue: Zelda “sees” Jezebel in a psychic reading and freaks out

Main Character journey: Zelda tries to give the crystal ball to Jim for safe keepings

Major Challenge/Conflict: Zelda has a heart attack, drops the crystal ball and it splits in two.

Action/Reaction: Jim creates a pair of “psychic” glasses from the crystal ball enabling him to see the future.

Cliffhanger: Jezebel is looking for Zelda and Jim “sees” Jezebel at the hospital standing over Zelda with a Day-glow syringe!

EPISODE 2
Hook/Intrigue: Jim is visiting his mom, JoAnn, and “sees” her being molested by a man.

Main Character journey: Jim is compelled to protect JoAnn from this man and he must stop Jezebel from killing Zelda

Major Challenge/Conflict: Jim has to decide between the two.

Action/Reaction: Jim makes mom promise not to venture out

Cliffhanger: Jim meets a woman named Gloria at the hospital, “sees” Gloria and him getting married!

EPISODE 3
Hook/Intrigue: Jim confronts the “man” he saw in his “vision” regarding JoAnn.

Main Character journey: Jim tries to get closer to Gloria but she’s not having it

Major Challenge/Conflict: Jim finds out the “man” is JoAnn’s younger boyfriend.

Action/Reaction: Gloria is friendly to Jim and they go to see Zelda, Jim doesn’t like Howard, wants them to end relationship

Cliffhanger: Jezebel is there just like in Jim’s vision!

EPISODE 4
Hook/Intrigue: Zelda goes into a coma

Main Character journey: Jim tries to get closer to Gloria

Major Challenge/Conflict: Jim doesn’t know what to do with Zelda and the crystal ball, Jim doesn’t know Zelda is Gloria’s older sister.

Action/Reaction: Gloria wants to help Jim with Zelda as much as possible.

Cliffhanger: Jim “sees” Gloria moving into Zelda’s shop next door to his!

EPISODE 5
Hook/Intrigue: Jim “sees” his mom skydiving!

Main Character journey: Jim and Gloria become closer but just “friends”, Jim must stop his mom from skydiving.

Major Challenge/Conflict: Jim and JoAnn argue, Jim wants to be more than just “friends” with Gloria

Action/Reaction: Gloria confides in Jim regarding Jezebel, Jim follows JoAnn to the mall where she and Howard indoor skydive

Cliffhanger: Zelda comes out of her coma

EPISODE 6
Hook/Intrigue: Jezebel reads the Tarot cards “Death” for Jim

Main Character journey: Jim gets Zelda to mentor him

Major Challenge/Conflict: Zelda wants to know the crystal ball is safe

Action/Reaction: Jim doesn’t know how to tell Zelda about the crystal ball

Cliffhanger: Jezebel tells Gloria her plot to kill Jim

EPISODE 7
Hook/Intrigue:

Main Character journey: Jim plots to kill Jezebel making it look like an accident

Major Challenge/Conflict: Jim considers using Gloria as the “bait” in his plan

Action/Reaction:

Cliffhanger: Jezebel kills Zelda

EPISODE 8
Hook/Intrigue:

Main Character journey:

Major Challenge/Conflict: Jezebel vs. Jim

Action/Reaction: Gloria moves into Zelda’s psychic shop just like Jim’s vision

Cliffhanger: Jezebel dies but not according to plan

2. Write a rough draft of each of the episode descriptions for your first season.

EPISODE 1

Zelda, a psychic, is giving a reading when Jezebel, appears in the reading. Zelda panics feeling the need to “hide” the crystal ball.

Jim Brown, an Optometrist whose store is next door is dropping off Zelda’s new glasses. Zelda tries to give Jim the crystal ball for safe keepings but suffers a heart attack in the process dropping the crystal ball. The crystal ball splits in two. Zelda goes to the hospital.

The crystal ball is irreparable. Jim is intrigued by its clarity and decides to make a pair of glasses from the crystal ball.

Upon completion of the glasses Jim discovers he can to “see” the future when he looks in the mirror.

Jezebel stops by Jim’s shop looking for Zelda. Jim puts the glasses on and “sees” Jezebel standing over Zelda at the hospital with a Day-Glow syringe in her hand!!!

EPISODE 2

Jim is visiting his mom, JoAnn at the Assisted Living Facility. He puts on the glasses and “sees” JoAnn being molested by a younger man!

Jim must find this man and stop him. Jim also must go to the hospital and check on Zelda’s safety because Jezebel is lurking around. Jim make JoAnn promise not to leave her apartment until he gets back.

At the hospital, Jim meets an attractive woman named Gloria. Through the glasses Jim “sees” the two of them getting married!

EPISODE 3

On Jim’s way to visit JoAnn Jim confronts the “man” he saw in his vision!

Jim and Gloria spend more time together but Gloria is more intrigued with Zelda and her psychic abilities than she is with Jim.

Jim learns that the “man” is actually JoAnn’s boyfriend and he makes her feel “alive” and she wants to pursue a “love-of-life” lifestyle. This worries Jim to no end. jim confronts Howard and threatens him if anything happens to JoAnn.

Jim and Gloria go to see Zelda at the hospital and Jezebel is there dressed as a nurse, day-glow syringe in hand just like Jim’s vision!

EPISODE 4

Jim and Gloria are having coffee and Jim looks at Gloria through the glasses and “sees” the two of them on the Santa Monica pier with fireworks in the background.

They visit Zelda at the hospital. Zelda is in a coma but she’s alive.

Jim tries to get closer to Gloria but she just wants to know more about Zelda.

Jim and Gloria are on the Santa Monica pier with fireworks in the background just like Jim’s vision. Jim goes in for the kiss but Gloria just wants to be “friends. As they part ways Jim “sees” Gloria moving boxes into Zelda’s psychic shop.

Gloria goes back to her Fortune Teller trailer and Jezebel is there!!! She asks, Do you think he knows where the crystal ball is?”

EPISODE 5

Jim “sees’ JoAnn skydiving!!!

Jim insists on JoAnn to stop seeing Howard; he is BAD for her and she may get hurt in more ways than one! JoAnn disagrees; Howard makes her feels young again.

Jim and Gloria continue being “friends” and Gloria confides in Jim that her sister is trouble, makes her uneasy about many things.

Jim follows JoAnn to the airport where he confronts her and Howard thinking they are there to skydive but they are there picking up Howard’s nephew and niece.

JoAnn, Howard and the kids go to the mall where they all do the indoor skydiving.

Jim and Gloria are at the hospital – Zelda comes out f her coma!

EPISODE 6

Jezebel is in the trailer reading Tarot cards. The “FOOL” card is on the table and then she turns over the “DEATH” card!

Jim and Zelda are talking at the hospital. Zelda wants to know if the crystal ball is safe. Jim assures her it is.

Jezebel tells Gloria she believe Jim knows the whereabouts of the crystal ball and she is willing to torture kill him to get the information to attain it!

EPISODE 7

Jim “sees” Jezebel plotting to kill him and he must strike before she does.
Jezebel kills Zelda.

EPISODE 8

Jim kills Jezebel but it is an “accident” and Jezebels own doing.
Gloria moves into Zelda’s psychic shop just like Jim’s vision.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Episode List Rough Draft

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I have a LOT MORE work to do on my season arc. I need to keep at it.

ASSIGNMENT

Use the Cheat Sheet to do Step 1 – 5, answering the questions.

THE CHEAT SHEET

Beginning……………………………………………….Season End/Cliffhanger

1. What is the Beginning of the season and the End of the season? Jim creates the “psychic” glasses ………….Jim ”sees” himself being straggled by a serial killer.

What possible cliffhanger could be in that last scene of the season, thus demanding that we watch the next season? Jim ”sees” himself being straggled by a serial killer.

2. Season 1 Mystery Set up………………………………Season 1 Mystery Solved

What is the mystery? There is a serial killer roaming the town and there are no leads.

How could the mystery be set up? Splatterings throughout the season of killings taking place around town.

What parts will be left out that must be solved? Who is this killer and why is he strangling Jim?

What is the ultimate solution that the characters must work to discover? Jim knows who the killer is, he just doesn’t know when and where it will take place.

3. Journey begins…………………………………….Journey peaks, but continues.

Where does the Lead Character journey begin and end for this season? Jim creates a pair of “psychic” glasses and he must use them to figure out how to stop his own strangulation from a serial killer.

4. ……Layer.…..Layer……Layer……Layer……Layer……Layer……Layer

What layers have you already discovered in your BW Framework? Invades the privacy of others, overly-protective of his mother, tells people their future without their consent, intervenes in the lives of others knowing their future, Jim doesn’t believe in the Psychic Realm and Delores does, everyone else seems to be in a love relationship but not Jim, Jim and Howard compete for Jim’s moms attention.

Are there any other layers that you could think of? Jim uses the future to resolve the past – his dad mysteriously went missing/died and Jim “sees” him alive.

5. Make a list of the Major Story Lines.

What main characters have story lines that affect everyone else?
Jim’s storylines affect Delores, Gloria, his mom.
Delores’ storyline affects Jim and Gloria’s
Gloria’s storyline affects Jim, Delores

What are the most important story lines of this show?
Gloria, Jezebel are looking for the crystal ball Jim used to make the “psychic” glasses from.
Jim must avoid being killed by Jezebel who wants the crystal ball she thinks Jim has.
Jim is “in-love” with Gloria who isn’t “in-love” with Jim.
Jim is overly-protective of his mom.
Jim’s mom is dating Howard, a younger man.
Jim and Howard compete for his mom’s attention.

Jim interferes with people’s lives by telling them their future though most of the time he misinterprets his visions.
There is a serial killer terrorizing the town and it gets progressively worse as the season goes on.

2. Turn those answers into a list of 8 to 13 Episodes with one sentence explanations.

Episode 1 – Jim creates the “psychic” glasses, Jim sees Jezebel attempt to murder Zelda
Episode 2 – Jim “sees” Gloria as his wife
Episode 3 – Jim meets Howard, visits Zelda in the hospital, Jezebel’s there
Episode 4 – Zelda goes into coma, Jezebel and Gloria are sisters
Episode 5 – Jim and Gloria connect as “just” friends
Episode 6 – Gloria confides in Jim regarding Jezebel, Zelda comes out of coma
Episode 7 – Jezebel plots to kill Jim, Zelda mentors Jim
Episode 8 – Jim plots to kill Jezebel making it look like an accident
Episode 9 – Jim uses Gloria in his plot to kill Jezebel, Jezebel kills Zelda
Episode 10 – Jezebel dies “accidentally”, Gloria moves into Zelda psychic shop

3. With each episode, make a list of bullet points that describe the most important events of that episode.

Episode 1
Zelda “sees” Jezebel in a psychic reading; fears for her life
Zelda tries to give Jim the crystal ball for safe keeping
Zelda has a heart attack, crystal ball splits in two
Jim creates the “psychic” glasses
Jim experiments with the “psychic” glasses
Jim “sees” Jezebel attempt to murder Zelda in the hospital

Episode 2
Delores meets Gloria
Jim “sees” his mom, JoAnn, being molested by a man
Jim visits Zelda in ICU
Jim and Gloria meet
Jim “sees” Gloria as his wife

Episode 3
Jim meets the “man” who molests JoAnn
The “man” is JoAnn’s young new boyfriend
Jim and Gloria visit Zelda in the hospital…
…Jezebel’s there to kill Zelda!

Episode 4
Zelda goes into coma
Jezebel and Gloria are sisters of Zelda’s, they want the crystal ball
Jim and Gloria have coffee and discuss Zelda’s condition
Jim “sees” Gloria moving into Zelda’s psychic shop

Episode 5
Jim and Gloria connect as “just” friends

Episode 6
Gloria confides in Jim regarding Jezebel, Zelda comes out of coma

Episode 7
Jezebel plots to kill Jim
Zelda mentors Jim

Episode 8
Jim plots to kill Jezebel making it look like an accident

Episode 9
Jim uses Gloria in his plot to kill Jezebel, Jezebel kills Zelda

Episode 10
Jezebel dies “accidentally”
Gloria moves into Zelda psychic shop

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Five Seasons

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I was trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole and I struggled with the assignment. I had a major breakthrough when I disregarded what I thought I wanted to do and where I wanted to go but then I ran into some snags with my breakthrough. I need to continue to work on the and stop thinking it has to be perfect because it apparently doesn’t. We’ll see where it goes from here.

ASSIGNMENT

Brainstorm to find the arc of the entire journey, from Season One to Five.

High Concept or major hook of the season: Discovering the powers of the “psychic” glasses.

B. Big Picture Season Arc/Journey: Gifted optometrist to psychic extraordinaire

C. Main Conflict: Staying alive while keeping the glasses a secret

D. Main Mystery/Open Loops: Pursuing the girl of his dreams

E. Cliffhanger: Witnesses a murder and must try and prevent it

2. Brainstorm the Stair Step version.

Season 1: Small town
Season 2: Big city
Season 3: Statewide
Season 4: Nationwide
Season 5: Worldwide.

Season 1 – Jim is the talk of the town and word spreads of his “gift”. He “sees” an attempt to kill the Mayor.

Season 2 – Jim prevents the attempted murder on the Mayor and he becomes a local celebrity.

Season 3 – Jim “witnesses” a serial killer and he is one of the victims.

Season 4 – Jim become a superstar with his own TV show.
Season 5 – Everyone wants Jim’s attention.

SEASON 1: Who knows what the future holds? – Jim does

A psychic desperately asks an optometrist, Jim Brown, to protect her crystal ball but suffers a heart attack in the process and drops the crystal ball splitting it into two halves.

The crystal ball is beyond repair. Intrigued by the clarity of the two halves Jim decides to create a pair of glasses. He soon discovers that he is able to see the future through with the glasses.

While trying the “psychic” glasses out, Jim “sees” all kinds of things; his office manager adopting a puppy, his mother romantically involved with a younger man, his future wife and an attempted murder of the mayor.

SEASON 2: It takes a kook to catch a crook

Jim must now try and prevent the attempted murder of the Mayor but he fears he may come across a “kook”. Ultimately, Jim does prevent the murder and he becomes a local hero making him a celebrity.

SEASON 3: Saving one’s own hide

A serial killer has been terrorizing the city. Jim “sees” who it is and he is one of his victims. It’s time for Jim to save his own life.

SEASON 4:

Jim has captured everyones attention and is the present-day Nostradamus. He gets his own TV show.

SEASON 5: Hero to Zero

Everyone wants Jim’s attention but then he makes a number of “bad” predictions because of misinterpretations of what he “saw” resulting in everyone dismissing Jim as a fraud.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Act 1 First Draft Part 1

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I had the my Act 1 outline transferred over to script form so today I worked on some of the details to “beef” it up.

ASSIGNMENT

I went back and added some more to my ACT 1 as far as dialogue and scene action. I added some good stuff, I think. I did have a breakthrough with John cutting his hand with the knife his dad gave him prompting his dad to question if John is too young for this breaking John’s heart.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – High Speed Writing Rules

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I am having a lot of fun with this. I’m not writing so much as I am cutting and pasting from my outline to my script, but I know that is part of the process. Just get the information from the outline over to the script format as quickly as you can.

ASSIGNMENT

The process of writing ACT1 was a piece of cake!!!

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – First Scene

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Writing that first scene was a “piece of cake!”

ASSIGNMENT

The process of writing my first scene was a piece of cake!!!

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Descriptions

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
To write a great character description it is extremely helpful to make a list of fascinating /intriguing traits along with an order of how to present those traits. If I did the assignment correctly it was a lot of fun and easy to do, it just took a little bit of time and some thought. I also discovered a few new things about each of my characters in the process.

ASSIGNMENT

JIM BROWN

Role in the show? Lonely Optometrist creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball then pursues the girl of his dreams.

Noteworthy traits: Finest Optometrist. Honest. Overly-protective,

Intriguing history: Can make glasses fr. Coke bottles, Father is MIA, fiancee’ was a “no-show”

Intrigue? Witnesses a murder through the glasses and must try and stop it. Invades the privacy of others with glasses, overly-protective of mother,

Mystery? Why did fiancee’ not show up? What happened to dad?

How do they support or drive the conflict with others? Tells people their future without their consent, intervenes with the lives of others knowing their future.

Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character: Doesn’t believe in psychics, everyone else is in “love” but not Jim, lives in the past but has glasses that see the future.

Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters: Jezebel and Gloria want the crystal ball Jim used to make the glasses, Jim falls “in-love” with Gloria and Gloria doesn’t “love” Jim, Jim tries to protect his mom but she has a “new lust-for-life” doesn’t want Jim’s protection.

Unpredictable? Will take the shortcut when it presents itself, lazy.

Intriguing relationship with one or more characters: Delores and Jim disagree on the Psychic Realm, “Loves” Gloria but she doesn’t “Love” Jim, Jim and Howard, his Mom’s boyfriend, compete for her attention.

START: Lonely Optometrist, who’s fiancee’ was a “no-show”, Jim still lives in the past. He can make glasses from anything, including the bottom of Coke bottles, Jim and Delores disagree on the Psychic Realm.

MIDDLE: Traits, Jim is presented with a crystal ball which accidentally splits in two. He takes the crystal ball and creates a pair of glasses from it which miraculously has the capability of seeing the future. Witnesses a murder through the glasses and must try and stop it, through the glasses Jim sees the girl of his “dreams”, Jim’s mom has a “new lust-for-life” and this worries Jim.

END: Jim invades the privacy of others with the glasses, everyone else seems to be in “love” but not Jim, Jim tries to stop the murder from happening but he’s too late.

ROUGH DRAFT

Jim Brown is a lonely Optometrist, who’s fiancee’ was a “no-show” causing Jim to live in the past with a broken heart. He’s a talented optometrist who once made a pair of glasses from the bottom of Coke bottles. Jim and Delores, his office manager, disagree on the Psychic Realm; Delores believes and Jim does not.

Jim is an honest man and probably too honest. He speak his mind and often gets in trouble for it. His mother is living at Fairhaven, an assisted living facility and Jim wants to make sure she is well protected.

The psychic next door gives Jim a crystal ball for “safe keeping” however, she suffers a heart attack and drops the crystal ball splitting it in two. Jim proceeds to make a pair of glasses from the two halves. To Jim’s amazement the glasses he creates enable him to see the future. He “sees” the girl of his dreams and he also “witnesses” an attempted murder which he feels compelled to stop.

DELORES

Role in the show? Jim’s Office Manager

Noteworthy traits: Resourceful. Fun. Funny.

Intriguing history: Comes from wealth, wants to make it on her own.

Intrigue? Loves the Psychic Realm, especially Horoscopes.

Mystery? Why does she want to be so independent?

How do they support or drive the conflict with others? Reads Jim’s horoscope to him everyday and Jim laughs at it.

Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character: Delores orders online just to see the delivery guy but he doesn’t get the message she’s sending.

Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters: Delores believes in the Psychic Realm and Jim does not.

Unpredictable? Goes from super nice to super tough.

Intriguing relationship with one or more characters: She’s got Jim’s back, the stuff she orders she always tells the delivery guy to get his reaction.

START: Jim’s office manager is resourceful and fun. Daily she reads the horoscope to Jim but he disregards it. She likes to orders things online.

MIDDLE: She orders Chinese food for lunch just to get the fortune cookies. When her online package arrives she flirts with the delivery guy mentioning the contents to gauge his reaction. She has no idea Jim’s “psychic glasses” are real.

END: Delores will remind Jim his horoscope was “spot-on” in some obscure way.

ROUGH DRAFT

Delores is Jim’s office manager. She is resourceful and fun. Daily she reads Jim his horoscope despite Jim’s disregard for such “rubbish”. She will order things online just so she can see the delivery guy daily and then she tells him the contents of the package so she can gauge his reaction. She has a major crush on him, however, to him Delores is just another customer. Delores believes in the Psychic Realm so much that she orders Chinese food for lunch just for the fortune cookies. Ironically, she has no idea Jim’s “psychic glasses” are real. At the end of the day, Delores will remind Jim his horoscope was “spot-on” in some obscure way.

GLORIA

Role in the show? The girl of Jim’s dream

Noteworthy traits: Sweet. Innocent. Reads Tarot cards.

Intriguing history: Romanian gypsy. Youngest of 3 sisters. Family of Fortune Tellers.

Intrigue? She wants the family’s crystal ball for herself not knowing Jim transformed it into a pair of glasses.

Mystery? Why is Gloria living under Jezebel’s thumb?

How do they support or drive the conflict with others? She has no interest in Jim though Jim has “seen” him and Gloria getting married.

Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character: She’s a traveling Fortune Teller that just wants to settle down.

Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters: She has no interest in Jim though Jim has “seen” the two of them getting married.

Unpredictable? Self-interest; not to be trusted as she will betray.

Intriguing relationship with one or more characters: Her hatred for her sister, Jezebel, who has Gloria under thumb.

START: Gloria is sweet and innocent. She comes from Romania where she grew-up as a Fortune Telling gypsy. She and her sister, Jezebel have come to Los Angeles to collect the crystal ball their oldest sister, Zelda has.

MIDDLE: Jezebel doesn’t treat Gloria very nice. Gloria enjoys giving Tarot Card readings which she’s very good at. Jim begins to flirt with Gloria who only wants the crystal ball.

END: Gloria wants to settle down in Los Angeles and open her own Psychic Shop. which means “getting out” from under Jezebel’s thumb.

ROUGH DRAFT

Gloria is sweet and innocent coming from Romania where she grew-up as a Fortune Telling gypsy. She and her sister, Jezebel have come to Los Angeles to collect the crystal ball their oldest sister, Zelda has. Jezebel doesn’t treat Gloria very nice. Gloria enjoys giving Tarot Card readings which she’s very good at. Jim begins to flirt with Gloria who only wants the crystal ball. Gloria wants to settle down in Los Angeles and open her own Psychic Shop, which means “getting out” from under Jezebel’s thumb.

JOANN BROWN

Role in the show? Jim’s mom

Noteworthy traits: Charming. Lust-for-life. Adventurous.

Intriguing history: Single mom who’s husband died in a government “accident”.

Intrigue? Her lust-for -life attitude, daring

Mystery?

How do they support or drive the conflict with others? Doesn’t want to be told what not to do, she acts childish at times.

Irony — Opposites or paradoxes that exist with the character: She is elderly but acts like she’s in her 20’s.

Opposing agendas/etc. that naturally causes conflict with other characters: Wants to push the boundaries and get the most from life against Jim’s wishes.

Unpredictable? Willing to take risks.

Intriguing relationship with one or more characters: Her new boyfriend is half her age causing Jim and him to compete for her.

START: JoAnn, Jim’s mom, is living at Fairhaven Assisted Living. She’s a charming old lady with some spunk. Her husband mysteriously disappeared/died while working on a Special Operation for the government leaving her heartbroken for many years.

MIDDLE: Jim soon discovers through the “psychic” glasses that JoAnn is dating a much younger man. She and Howard are “living life” to the fullest; trying new things.

END: These adventures of JoAnn/Howard’s “appear” to be quite dangerous to Jim causing Jim to intervene revealing Jim had misinterpreted his “vision” causing embarrassment and strengthening their relationship.

ROUGH DRAFT

JoAnn, Jim’s mom, is living at Fairhaven Assisted Living. She’s a charming old lady with some spunk. Her husband mysteriously disappeared/died while working on a Special Operation for the government leaving her heartbroken for many years.

Jim soon discovers through the “psychic” glasses that JoAnn is dating a much younger man. She and Howard are “living life” to the fullest; trying new things.

These adventures of JoAnn/Howard’s “appear” to be quite dangerous to Jim causing Jim to intervene revealing Jim had misinterpreted his “vision” causing embarrassment and strengthening their relationship.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Intriguing Concept and World

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I need to keep working on making my story more and more intriguing. I also need to learn more about the Psychic Realm myself because it is a world that is very unique and unexplored.

ASSIGNMENT

Name of the Show – FORESIGHT

Present your Concept:

A lonely, middle-aged Optometrist creates a pair of “psychic glasses” from a crystal ball that enables him to see the future…

B. …inadvertently through the glasses he witnesses an attempted murder…

C. …love-stricken he must try and stop the murder from happening..

D. …as he tries to navigate the psychic world.

2. Tell us the World of this show.

Intriguing World

Having the ability to see the future…
…a love-stricken Optometrist witnesses a murder…
…and he must stop it from happening.

Unique Sub-World: The Psychics Realm
Previously unexplored: Glasses enabling you to see the future
The unknown: How the future relates to the present
The unseen: Betrayals and misinterpretations
Unheard of Dangers: Not everything is as it might appear
Reasons to explore it: A chance to make the things right, better

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN W. BULL
8/5/23 – SCREENWRITING – U
BINGE WORTHY TV SHOWS

MODULE 1 – LESSON 12
BRIAN BULL is ready for feedback!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I can do anything if I just keep at it. Even though I had all the answers from previous assignments I had some difficulty with the template but I manage to figure out what I needed to in order to complete the assignment. I am that much smarter and hopefully it will be easier the next time I do this process.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Creating Irony!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I love irony and I will continue to look for places to use it because it is easy to do and a good source of comedy.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and notice where irony shows up in this show — both in this episode and throughout the episodes you’ve already seen.
Tell us the irony you have already discovered in the Example Show.

RIVERDALE

IRONY

It’s IRONIC that… Veronica accuses her dad of crimes he has committed and questions whether he is worthy of moving back home because she wants to know what kind of a guy he is, the n she goes off and commits trespassing at FP’s Tailer looking for some “evidence” and unlawful entry.

It’s IRONIC that…Jughead is writing an article on Jason Blossom’s murder when his dad may be involved and then actually get arrested for the murder.

It’s IRONIC that… The Blossom family is known for the bright RED hair and Clifford Blossom actually wears a RED WIG covering his WHITE HAIR.

It’s IRONIC that… That ALL the parents expect their children to be perfect and yet not one has a stable relationship and are far from perfect themselves.

It’s IRONIC that… Jughead jokingly accuses Archie of lying so he can have a midnight rendezvous with Veronica not knowing that is exactly where Archie is going.

It’s IRONIC that… Alice Cooper bakes a Peach Pie for a dinner party but there is nothing “peachy” about this dinner party.

It’s IRONIC that… It’s Riverdale’s Homecoming and Jughead’s dad is talking about moving away and Jughead is heading for the bus station to go to Toledo, OH.

It’s IRONIC that… Cheryl Blossom has never done anything nice and yet she says, “She’ll never do anything nice again.”

ASSIGNMENT 2

Look back through your previous assignments and find at least 20 different situations or character components that you could go opposite to create irony.

With each, brainstorm ideas for ways it could go opposite.

Select the ones that work well for the show and share the character and situational irony ideas with us.

FORESIGHT – An Optometrist (Jim Brown) creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball and he witnesses an attempted murder, now he must figure out when and how to stop it from happening.

It’s IRONIC that… Jim Brown, an Optometrist, is naive and blind to the obvious.

It’s IRONIC that… Jim doesn’t believe in the psychic world and yet he creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball that enables him to see the future.

It’s IRONIC that… Delores keeps ordering packages just to see the Delivery Guy but he fails to pick up the “message” she is “sending” him.

It’s IRONIC that… Jim’s mom, JoAnn, is elderly but she wants to be young again so she is dating a younger man.

It’s IRONIC that… Gloria, a psychic and the girl of Jim’s dreams wants nothing to do with him.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Fascinating Scene Outlines!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
There were a couple of places in my story that I could really make fascinating – mainly when John’s father suggests John may be too young – I loved that – it added a another layer. There are probably more that will come to me now that I am familiar with this process.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
While fishing, a fisherman reflects on all the events that have lead to his present state of determination to catch the fish that has eluded him for 25 years which he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

“Fishing is the art of lying convincingly about the size of the fish that got away.” -Unknown

ACT 1

SCENE ARC: From John putting the boat in the water to John getting ready to fish at “The Spot”.

1. EXT. LOUISIANA BAYOU – NIGHT

John puts the boat in the water.

ESSENCE: Establishing the location and the action.
CONFLICT:
SUBTEXT:
HOPE/FEAR:

Beginning: (Intrigue) “NO SWIMMING” sign

Middle: (Intrigue) It’s night, John is loading the boat with fishing equipment.

Ending:

2. EXT. BOAT – NIGHT

In a ceremonially act, John respectfully places a fishing hat on the seat of the boat.

ESSENCE: John is going fishing and the hat obviously means something to him.
CONFLICT: John is fighting back tears.
SUBTEXT: Who’s hat is that?
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John finds peace / We fear that he won’t

Beginning: (Mystery) In a ceremonially act, John respectfully places a fishing hat on the seat of the boat.

Middle: (Uncertainty) We believe that John is just going fishing, but then we know it’s means something more to John with the fishing hat on the seat.

Ending: (Internal Dilemma) John fighting back tears.

3. EXT. LOUISIANA BAYOU – NIGHT/DAY

John heads up the river to “The Spot”.

ESSENCE: John boats up the river noticing all the things that makes this an incredible location and very remote.
CONFLICT: The surroundings are beautiful but John is not relaxed.
SUBTEXT: Why is John so anxious?
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John finds peace / We fear that he won’t

Beginning: (Suspense) John heads up the river to “The Spot”.

Middle: (More interesting setting) Noticing all the things that makes this an incredible location and very remote.

Ending: (Suspense) John is anxious, but why?

4. EXT. BOAT – DAY

John very methodically anchors the boat and starts to get his fishing equipment out.

ESSENCE: This is something John has done religiously for 25 years.
CONFLICT: John seems to be a casual guy but his actions seem very regimented.
SUBTEXT: This seems to be more than just a guy going fishing.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John can relax / We fear that he won’t

Beginning: ( ) John very methodically anchors the boat

Middle: (Intrigue) John starts to get his fishing equipment out.

Ending: (Internal Dilemma) John seems to be a casual guy but his actions seem very regimented.

SCENE ARC: From John learning how to fish by his father to John teaching Jim, his younger brother how to fish; how the love of fishing is passed down from generation-to-generation.

5. EXT. LOUISIANA BAYOU – DAY – 30 YEARS EARLIER

John’s father teaching John how to fish and family values.

ESSENCE: A bonding moment for father and son that will last a lifetime.
CONFLICT: A father teaching his son the right way of doing things pertaining to fishing.
SUBTEXT: Someday you will be teaching these things to someone else.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John will learn everything / We fear he will forget something

Beginning: ( Intrigue ) John’s father teaching John how to fish and family values.

Middle: ( Suspense ) John questioning how he will remember everything.

Ending: ( Character changes radically ) John’s father turning on him and telling him that maybe he’s is too young.

6. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John fishing.

ESSENCE: John reflecting on how the previous scene with his father impacted his life.
CONFLICT: Happiness vs. Sadness = Gratefulness
SUBTEXT: The things his father taught him he will be able to share.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John remembers everything / We fear he will forget

Beginning: ( ) John fishing.

Middle: ( )

Ending: ( )

7. EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER

John teaching Jim, his younger brother, how to fish and family values, however, this isn’t the first time – it’s something John does every time they go fishing.

ESSENCE: A bonding moment between brothers that will last a lifetime, however it gets a bit ridiculous because Jim has heard it so many times before.
CONFLICT: John thinks this “stuff” he’s teaching Jim is so important vs. Jim who has has heard it a thousand times before; Jim likes the birds.
SUBTEXT: John and Jim love each regardless of their differences.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope this relationship flourishes / We fear that it won’t

Beginning: ( Misinterpretation ) John getting his fishing line ready and talking Jim through it. John is all about fishing and unbeknownst to John Jim is bird watching.

Middle: ( Betrayal ) Jim has heard it all before and is bored with the lessons.

Ending: ( Intrigue ) Jim is more interest

8. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John fishing.

ESSENCE: John reflecting on the previous scene with a slight smile
CONFLICT: John seeing how serious he was back then vs. how his brother was just having fun and this makes him smile.
SUBTEXT: John recognizing the difference between him and Jim.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John will relax a bit more / We fear he won’t

Beginning: ( Uncertainty ) John concentrating on fishing.

Middle: ( External Dilemma ) Birds calls in the distance, other wildlife.

Ending: ( Internal Dilemma ) John internalizes the difference between him and Jim; smiles.

9. EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER

A picture of Grandpa reinforces John’s commitment to being a successful fisherman leading to John catching a catfish.

ESSENCE: John catches a good size catfish.
CONFLICT: A “good-size” catfish vs. “bigger” fish to fry.
SUBTEXT: If Jim were to apply the lessons John’s teaching him, he too can catch fish.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope they catch a really big catfish / We fear that they won’t

Beginning: ( Betrayal ) John seeing Grandpa’s picture in the tackle box, Jim questions whether that is their Grandpa or not since neither met the man.

Middle: ( Surprise ) John starts to reel his line in when suddenly he gets a bite and reels in a “good-size” catfish.

Ending: ( Suspense ) “Bigger fish to fry”, the brothers calling it a day.

10. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John sees the picture of Grandpa in the tackle box.

ESSENCE: John is reminded of his commitment to fishing.
CONFLICT: Grandpa caught a massive catfish vs. John hasn’t
SUBTEXT: John’s a failure until he catches a massive catfish like Grandpa.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches a massive catfish / We fear he won’t

Beginning: ( ) John sees the picture of Grandpa in the tackle box.

Middle: ( Internal Dilemma ) Is John a great fisherman like Grandpa or just a wannabe?

Ending: ( Uncertainty ) John closes the tackle box.

SCENE ARC: John is prepping to go fishing, he’s confronted by his wife to stay home with their son however John is determined to go.

11. INT. JOHN’S GARAGE – DAY – YESTERDAY

John entering the garage to get his fishing equipment, confronted by his wife, Teresa.

ESSENCE: John is determined to go fishing and he will not take no for an answer.
CONFLICT: John’s determination to fish and his wife’s persuasion not to go.
SUBTEXT: John is determined to catch the fish he blames for his brother’s death.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches the fish / We fear he won’t

Beginning: ( External Dilemma ) John enters the garage and is confronted by Teresa/Billy, his wife and son. John has to choose between staying and going.

Middle: ( Internal Dilemma / Uncertainty ) As John gathers his fishing equipment, Teresa pleads her case for him to stay.

Ending: ( ) John is going fishing and that is that!

ACT 2

SCENE ARC: From the tranquility of a beautiful setting to the devastating loss of John’s brother.

12. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John kicks back, enjoying his surroundings…

ESSENCE: John taking notice, maybe for the first time, of his surroundings.
CONFLICT: John’s determination of catching “The Fish” vs. the enjoyment of fishing.
SUBTEXT: Fishing was suppose to be fun and relaxing
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear life will pass him by

Beginning: ( Surprise ) John kicks back, enjoying his surroundings…

Middle: ( More interesting setting ) The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water.

Ending: ( Internal Dilemma ) John struggles with his determination of catching “The Fish” and the enjoyment of fishing.

13. EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER

Jim catches a “Stick Bass” and John runs out of bait; John decides to change bait to chicken.

ESSENCE: Jim’s lost interesting in fishing, John is still determined.
CONFLICT: Jim’s disinterest vs. John’s determination
SUBTEXT: The brother’s fish for different reasons.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope they don’t fight or argue / We fear they might

Beginning: ( Mislead / Reveal ) After several failed attempts Jim catches a “Stick Bass”.

Middle: ( Suspense ) Jim loses interest but John is determined.

Ending: ( Major Twist ) John deciding to change bait to chicken.

14. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John hears a fish jump in the distance, birds fly from the trees.

ESSENCE: John is reminded why he is out here.
CONFLICT: Relaxation vs. a Job “to-do”
SUBTEXT: John is here for a reason – to catch “The Fish”
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he won’t

Beginning: ( More interesting setting ) John hears a fish jump in the distance

Middle: ( More interesting setting ) Birds fly from the trees.

Ending: ( Suspense ) John notices all the noises and activity surrounding him.

15. EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER

John catches “The Fish” and struggles to reel it in. John gets pulled into the water and Jim dives in to cut the line. Only John emerges, Jim is gone.

ESSENCE: John catches “the Fish”, Jim saves John’s life and John is left alone.
CONFLICT: Jim dies and John survives
SUBTEXT: Things can go wrong very quickly.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John can get revenge / We fear he won’t

Beginning: ( Surprise ) Jim notices all the noises and activities surrounding them suddenly stop, there is silence.

Middle: ( Major Twist ) John catches “The Fish” and struggles to reel it in. John gets pulled into the water and Jim dives in to cut the line.

Ending: ( Surprise ) Only John emerges, Jim is gone.

ACT 3

SCENE ARC: From Jim’s hat sitting in the boat with John as he fishes to John’s uncovering the Jim’s hat in garage and bringing it along as a reminder of his task.

16. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John fishing and seeing Jim’s hat on the seat reaches over for the machete and brings it closer.

ESSENCE: Jim’s hat reminds John why he is out here fishing.
CONFLICT: Jim’s absence vs. Jim’s presence
SUBTEXT: Jim is gone and he’s not coming back.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

Beginning: ( Suspense ) John fishing and seeing Jim’s hat on the seat.

Middle: ( Internal Dilemma ) John struggles with the thought of Jim’s absence.

Ending: ( Surprise ) John reaches over for the machete and brings it closer.

17. INT. JOHN’S GARAGE – DAY – YESTERDAY

While gathering his fishing equipment, John sees Jim’s photo and takes Jim’s hat and slams a machete down with all his might.

ESSENCE: Jim’s hat reminds John why he is heading out fishing.
CONFLICT: Jim’s absence vs. Jim’s presence
SUBTEXT: Jim is gone and he’s not coming back.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

Beginning: ( Intrigue ) John gathers his fishing equipment talking with Teresa.

Middle: ( Suspense ) John sees Jim’s photo and takes Jim’s hat

Ending: ( Surprise ) Teresa pushes John’s buttons to the point where John declares he’s going to kill “the Fish” slamming a machete down with all his might.

SCENE ARC: From John taking inventory of his fishing equipment in the boat to the day he acquired it from the Trading Post.

18. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John fishing and taking notice of his newly acquired equipment.

ESSENCE: John has added new equipment to his gear.
CONFLICT: Old equipment vs. New equipment
SUBTEXT: Will the New equipment make a difference
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

Beginning: ( Suspense ) John fishing and taking notice of his newly acquired equipment.

Middle: ( Surprise ) John brings the javelin-like spear closer to himself.

Ending: ( Suspense ) A Trading Post logo on a bag.

19. EXT. TRADING POST/GAS STATION – DAY – YESTERDAY

At the Trading Post/Gas Station, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about catfish so large one catfish could feed an Indian village. John buys new equipment and a whole cajun chicken.

ESSENCE: Hearing a fish tale about massive catfish John buys new equipment.
CONFLICT: Old ways vs. New ways
SUBTEXT: Maybe John under estimated “The Fish”
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

Beginning: ( Suspense ) At the Trading Post/Gas Station, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about catfish so large one catfish could feed an Indian village.

Middle: ( Major Twist ) John decides a “new” plan of action may be required to catch “The Fish” he seeks.

Ending: ( Character changes radically ) John buys new equipment and a whole cajun chicken.

SCENE ARC: From John finding an empty hook and another fail attempt to having a conversation with his deceased brother Jim.

20. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John reels his line in and finds an empty hook, he’s out of bait.

ESSENCE: John finds an empty hook and is tired of failure.
CONFLICT: The old ways aren’t working vs. trying something different
SUBTEXT: It might be time for something new.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

Beginning: ( Suspense ) John reels his line in.

Middle: ( External Dilemma ) John finds an empty hook and is tired of failure; must decide between going home failing again or trying something radically different – the whole rotisserie cajun chicken.

Ending: ( Uncertainty ) An empty hook and Jim’s hat. Which will it be? Go home or seek revenge?

21. EXT. BOAT – DAY – JOHN’S IMAGINATION

John has a conversation with his deceased brother, Jim

ESSENCE: Jim tries to talk John out of catching “The Fish”, John refuses
CONFLICT: Jim opinion of “Don’t do this” vs. John’s opinion “I have to”
SUBTEXT: You have to do what you have to do.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John survives catching “The Fish” / We fear he might not

Beginning: ( Internal Dilemma ) John imagines Jim is sitting in the front seat of the boat.

Middle: ( Surprise ) Jim argues that John doesn’t have to go through with this.

Ending: ( Internal Dilemma ) John states that he does.

ACT 4

SCENE ARC: From John changing his bait to John catching “The Fish” to getting “The Fish” right up to the boat to John’s realization “He was the One That Got Away!” to “The Fish” engulfing John.

22. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John changes his bait then catches “The Fish” only to come face-to-face with “The Fish” realizing he’s “The One That Got Away” before being engulfed.

ESSENCE: John successfully catches “The Fish” but realizes the tables have turned.
CONFLICT: John vs. “The Fish”
SUBTEXT: John’s “The One That Got Away!”
HOPE/FEAR: We hope this wasn’t the case / We fear that it is

Beginning: ( Suspense / Uncertainty ) John changes his bait then catches “The Fish”.

Middle: ( Major Twist ) John comes face-to-face with “The Fish” realizing he’s “The One That Got Away”.

Ending: ( Surprise ) “The Fish” engulfs John.

CREDITS ROLL

23. EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

“The Fish” eats hat.

ESSENCE: “The Fish” ate the fisherman and his hat.
CONFLICT: Man vs. Fish – Fish wins!!!
SUBTEXT: Don’t mess with Mother Nature – you might just lose your hat
HOPE/FEAR: We hope there will be a sequel / We fear there won’t be

Beginning: ( Suspense ) The hat is floating on the water.

Middle: ( )

Ending: ( Surprise ) “The Fish” breeches the surface of the water and eats the hat.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Scene Requirements

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I learned so much from doing this lesson. It gave me a greater appreciation for my scenes and made me really think about them. I added a few things and there are a lot more things I want to explore. This story is far from being complete. I have a few more layers to add.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
While fishing, a fisherman reflects on all the events that have lead to his present state of determination to catch the fish that has eluded him for 25 years which he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

“Fishing is the art of lying convincingly about the size of the fish that got away.” -Unknown

ACT 1

SCENE ARC: From John putting the boat in the water to John getting to getting ready to fish at “The Spot”.

EXT. LOUISIANA BAYOU – NIGHT

John puts the boat in the water.


ESSENCE: Establishing the location and the action.
CONFLICT:
SUBTEXT:
HOPE/FEAR:

EXT. BOAT – NIGHT

In a ceremonially act, John respectfully places a fishing hat on the seat of the boat.

ESSENCE: John is going fishing and the hat obviously means something to him.
CONFLICT: John is fighting back tears.
SUBTEXT: Who’s hat is that?
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John finds peace / We fear that he won’t

EXT. LOUISIANA BAYOU – DAY

John heads up the river to “The Spot”.

ESSENCE: John boats up the river noticing all the things that makes this an incredible location and very remote.
CONFLICT: The surroundings are beautiful but John is not relaxed.
SUBTEXT: Why is John so anxious?
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John finds peace / We fear that he won’t

EXT. BOAT – DAY

John very methodically anchors the boat and starts to get his fishing equipment out.

ESSENCE: This is something John has done religiously for 25 years.
CONFLICT: John seems to be a casual guy but his actions seem very regimented.
SUBTEXT: This seems to be more than just a guy going fishing.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John can relax / We fear that he won’t

SCENE ARC: From John learning how to fish by his father to John teaching Jim, his younger brother how to fish; how the love of fishing is passed down from generation-to-generation.

EXT. LOUISIANA BAYOU – DAY – 30 YEARS EARLIER

John’s father teaching John how to fish and family values.

ESSENCE: A bonding moment for father and son that will last a lifetime.
CONFLICT: A father teaching his son the right way of doing things pertaining to fishing.
SUBTEXT: Someday you will be teaching these things to someone else.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John will learn everything / We fear he will forget something

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John fishing.

ESSENCE: John reflecting on how the previous scene with his father impacted his life.
CONFLICT: Happiness vs. Sadness = Gratefulness
SUBTEXT: The things his father taught him he will be able to share.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John remembers everything / We fear he will forget

EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER

John teaching Jim, his younger brother, how to fish and family values, however, this isn’t the first time – it’s something John does every time they go fishing.

ESSENCE: A bonding moment between brothers that will last a lifetime, however it gets a bit ridiculous because Jim has heard it so many times before.
CONFLICT: John thinks this “stuff” he’s teaching Jim is so important vs. Jim who has has heard it a thousand times before; likes the birds.
SUBTEXT: John and Jim love each regardless of their differences.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope this relationship flourishes / We fear that it won’t

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John fishing.

ESSENCE: John reflecting on the previous scene with a slight smile
CONFLICT: John seeing how serious he was back then vs. how his brother was just having fun and this makes him smile.
SUBTEXT: John recognizing the difference between him and Jim.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John will relax a bit more / We fear he won’t

EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER

A picture of Grandpa reinforces John’s commitment to being a successful fisherman leading to John catching a catfish.

ESSENCE: John catches a good size catfish.
CONFLICT: A “good-size” catfish vs. “bigger” fish to fry.
SUBTEXT: If Jim were to apply the lessons John’s teaching him, he too can catch fish.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope they catch a really big catfish / We fear that they won’t

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John sees the picture of Grandpa in the tackle box.

ESSENCE: John is reminded of his commitment to fishing.
CONFLICT: Grandpa caught a massive catfish vs. John hasn’t
SUBTEXT: John’s a failure until he catches a massive catfish like Grandpa.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches a massive catfish / We fear he won’t

SCENE ARC: John is prepping to go fishing, he’s confronted by his wife to stay home with their son however John is determined to go.

INT. JOHN’S GARAGE – DAY – YESTERDAY

John entering the garage to get his fishing equipment, confronted by his wife, Teresa.

ESSENCE: John is determined to go fishing and he will not take no for an answer.
CONFLICT: John’s determination to fish and his wife’s persuasion not to go.
SUBTEXT: John is determined to catch the fish he blames for his brother’s death.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches the fish / We fear he won’t

ACT 2

SCENE ARC: From the tranquility of a beautiful setting to the devastating loss of John’s brother.

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John kicks back, enjoying his surroundings…

ESSENCE: John taking notice, maybe for the first time, of his surroundings.
CONFLICT: John’s determination of catching “The Fish” vs. the enjoyment of fishing.
SUBTEXT: Fishing was suppose to be fun and relaxing
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear life will pass him by

EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER

Jim catching a “Stick Bass” and John running out of bait, John decides to change bait to chicken.

ESSENCE: Jim’s lost interesting in fishing, John is still determined.
CONFLICT: Jim’s disinterest vs. John’s determination
SUBTEXT: The brother’s fish for different reasons.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope they don’t fight or argue / We fear they might

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John hears a fish jump in the distance, birds fly from the trees.

ESSENCE: John is reminded why he is out here.
CONFLICT: Relaxation vs. a Job “to-do”
SUBTEXT: John is here for a reason – to catch “The Fish”
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he won’t

EXT. BOAT – DAY – 25 YEARS EARLIER

John catches “The Fish” and struggles to reel it in. John gets pulled into the water and Jim dives in to cut the line. Only John emerges, Jim is gone.

ESSENCE: John catches “the Fish”, Jim saves John’s life and John is left alone.
CONFLICT: Jim dies and John survives
SUBTEXT: Things can go wrong very quickly.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John can get revenge / We fear he won’t

ACT 3

SCENE ARC: From Jim’s hat sitting in the boat with John as he fishes to John’s uncovering the Jim’s hat in garage and bringing it along as a reminder of his task.

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John fishing and seeing Jim’s hat on the seat.

ESSENCE: Jim’s hat reminds John why he is out here fishing.
CONFLICT: Jim’s absence vs. Jim’s presence
SUBTEXT: Jim is gone and he’s not coming back.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

INT. JOHN’S GARAGE – DAY – YESTERDAY

While gathering his fishing equipment, John sees Jim’s photo and takes Jim’s hat.

ESSENCE: Jim’s hat reminds John why he is out here fishing.
CONFLICT: Jim’s absence vs. Jim’s presence
SUBTEXT: Jim is gone and he’s not coming back.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

SCENE ARC: From John taking inventory of his fishing equipment in the boat to the day he acquired it from the Trading Post.

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John fishing and taking notice of his newly acquired equipment.

ESSENCE: John has added new equipment to his gear.
CONFLICT: Old equipment vs. New equipment
SUBTEXT: Will the New equipment make a difference
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

EXT. TRADING POST/GAS STATION – DAY – YESTERDAY

At the Trading Post/Gas Station, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about catfish so large one catfish could feed an Indian village. John buys new equipment and a whole cajun chicken.

ESSENCE: Hearing a fish tale about massive catfishJohn buys new equipment.
CONFLICT: Old ways vs. New ways
SUBTEXT: Maybe John under estimated “The Fish”
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

SCENE ARC: From John finding an empty hook and another fail attempt to having a conversation with his deceased brother Jim.

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John reels his line in and finds an empty hook, he’s out of bait.

ESSENCE: John finds an empty hook and is tired of failure.
CONFLICT: The old ways aren’t working vs. trying something different
SUBTEXT: It might be time for something new.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John catches “The Fish” / We fear he might not

EXT. BOAT – DAY – JOHN’S IMAGINATION

John has a conversation with his deceased brother, Jim

ESSENCE: Jim tries to talk John out of catching “The Fish”, John refuses
CONFLICT: Jim opinion of “Don’t do this” vs. John’s opinion “I have to”
SUBTEXT: You have to do what you have to do.
HOPE/FEAR: We hope John survives catching “The Fish” / We fear he might not

ACT 4
SCENE ARC: From John changing his bait to John catching “The Fish” to getting “The Fish” right up to the boat to John’s realization “He was the One That Got Away!” to “The Fish” engulfing John.

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

John changes his bait then catches “The Fish” only to come face-to-face with “The Fish” realizing he’s “The One That Got Away” before being engulfed.

ESSENCE: John successfully catches “The Fish” but realizes the tables have turned.
CONFLICT: John vs. “The Fish”
SUBTEXT: John’s “The One That Got Away!”
HOPE/FEAR: We hope this wasn’t the case / We fear that it is

CREDITS ROLL

EXT. BOAT – DAY – PRESENT DAY

“The Fish” eats hat.

ESSENCE: “The Fish” ate the fisherman and his hat.
CONFLICT: Man vs. Fish – Fish wins!!!
SUBTEXT: Don’t mess with Mother Nature – you might just lose your hat
HOPE/FEAR: We hope there will be a sequel / We fear there won’t be

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by  Brian Bull. Reason: Changed DAY to NIGHT for obvious reasons and left out "John" in two places

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Intriguing Moments

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
My story doesn’t lend itself to a whole lot of intrigue other than MYSTERY because it is mainly about a fisherman and his thoughts. I will continue to think about how I can get more intrigue into the story.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
While fishing, a fisherman reflects on all the events that have lead to his present state of determination to catch the fish that has eluded him for 25 years which he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

“Fishing is the art of lying convincingly about the size of the fish that got away.” -Unknown

ACT 1

MYSTREY: In a ceremonially act, John respectfully places a fishing hat on the seat of the boat.

What is the significance of the hat that John so respectfully places on the seat???

Who’s hat was it and what happened to HIM???

MYSTERY: John’s wife suggestion of trying a different bait and John immediately refuting it.

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE BAIT??? WHY???

NEW MYSTERY: The hat belonged to Jim but we still don’t know what happened to him?

ACT 2

MYSTERY: The disappearance of John’s father.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE??? WHY DID HE DISAPPEAR???

WHERE DID HE GO???

MYSTERY: All goes silent before John catches the “BIG ONE”.

Why does everything go silent??? Is this a foreshadowing something is going to happen???

MYSTERY: Jim never resurfaces after diving into the water.

What happened to Jim? dID HE DROWN OR DID A ‘GATOR GET HIM???

ACT 3

MYSTERY: The Old-Timer tells John a tale of the Native Indians catching catfish so large they could feed a village.

IS THE OLD-TIMER CRAZY??? COULD THERE REALLY BE CATFISH THAT BIG???

MYSTERY: John has a conversation with his deceased brother Jim.

IS JOHN GOING CRAZY???

ACT 4

MYSTERY: All goes silent again before John catches “The Fish”.

does SILENCE OCCUR EVERY TIME “THE FISH” IS PRESENT???

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Emotional Moments

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
It’s so important to have emotion in every scene and every act.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
While fishing, a fisherman reflects on all the events that have lead to his present state of determination to catch the fish that has eluded him for 25 years which he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

“Fishing is the art of lying convincingly about the size of the fish that got away.” -Unknown

ACT 1
WOUND: John respectfully places Jim’s fishing hat on the seat where Jim would be sitting if Jim were there.

BONDING: JOHN IS VERY EXCITED TO BE FISHING WITH HIS DAD
Dad is task with getting the fishing equipment out.
Dad teaching John how to tie a fisherman’s knot.
Shows him how to cast.
Family is important.

BONDING: JOHN INSISTS JIM TO BE CALM THOUGH JIM ALREADY IS
John teaching his younger brother how to tie a fisherman’s knot.
Teaches Jim how to cast – takes on that FATHER ROLE MODEL.
John tells Jim about their dad and how he taught John how to fish.
Bonding between John/Jim – GIVES JIM SOME FISHING QUOTES
Family is so important.

LOVE:
A picture of Grandpa in the tackle box
Grandpa caught a massive catfish
John wants to be like Grandpa.

EXCITEMENT: John catches a good size catfish – THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE!

HIDDEN WEAKNESS / DISTRESS: Wife reminds John of his failures – nothing to show for his past attempts – sowing doubt.

EMOTIONAL DILEMMA: Wife thinks John should give up and spend time with their son – tries to redirect John and have him focus on the present and not the past.

DISTRESS: Wife suggests trying a different bait – John replies, “NEVER!!!” Wife suggestions are contradictory to John’s beliefs.

WOUND: Wife mentions John’s father running off, never to be heard from again – he’s not going to do that is he? DEFENDS HIS FATHER’S REPUTATION AND DIVERTS THE SUBJECTS

ACT 2
BONDING:
The brothers are fishing again, not having much luck.
Jim catches a “StIck Bass” – BOTH BROTHERS JOKE ABOUT THIS
Jim gives up on fishing because of the “Stick Bass”.
John reels his line in and his hook is empty.
They have run out of bait.
Not giving up, John decides to try chicken from their sandwiches that their mom packed – something special she said, they might like.
Jim gives John a hard time about switching bait to chicken – likely to catch a ‘gator with it –
John’s determined to catch something before going home.

EXCITEMENT:
John catches a “BIG ONE”!!!
John struggles as he tries to reel in “The Fish”.

DISTRESS:
Jim wants John to cut the line and let it go.

SUCCESS/WINNING:
John refuses – THIS IS IT!!! John’s determination to catch this fish kicks in!!!

DISTRESS:
Jim is worried as he watches John as John tries with all his might to reel the fish in.

SURPRISE:
John gets pulled into the water.

EMOTIONAL DILEMMA:
JIM LOOKS AT THE KNIFE BY THE LIFE PRESERVERS – GRABS THE KNIFE!

COURAGE / SACRIFICE:
Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line.

DISTRESS:
John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat.
Jim never resurfaces.
John is left all alone in the boat with the realization Jim is gone – DEVASTATION!

ACT 3
WOUND / LOVE:
Since “The Incident”, John has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years.
Jim’s photo hangs in the garage and is a constant reminder of his failure at redemption!
John takes the photo down and holds it in deep in thought – we know what he is thinking by the look on his face.
John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it.
The hat reinforces John’s determination to seek revenge and avenge Jim’s death!

WOUND / LOVE: JOHN HAS AN IMAGINARY CONVERSATION WITH JIM
JIM TELLS JOHN HE DOESN’T HAVE TO DO THIS
John takes Jim’s fishing hat and places it on his head for good luck.
JOHN SAYS HE DOES

ACT 4
EXCITEMENT:
John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, many of the same tactics “The Fish” used when he was a kid are used again, but John is prepared for each one of them.

EMOTIONAL DILEMMA:
JOHN SEES THE KNIFE – MOMENT OF TRUTH – DECIDES TO END THIS ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL

WINNING / SUCCESS:
He manages to reel “The Fish” in; just a little closer so he can harpoon it with his spear.
Face-to-face with “The Fish” John sees that he has indeed managed to catch the biggest catfish in Louisiana history!!!

SURPRISE:
John then realizes, “I’m the one you were after – I’m the One That Got Away!”
Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish” thus leaving an empty fishing boat floating in the midst of the water.
Jim’s fishing hat floats a short distance away from the boat.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – REVEALS!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

I love set-ups and reveals and I would like to think that is one of my strong points.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
While fishing, a fisherman reflects on all the events that have lead to his present state of determination to catch the fish that has eluded him for 25 years which he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

“Fishing is the art of lying convincingly about the size of the fish that got away.” -Unknown

ACT 1
PRESENT DAY:
Hints: “No swimming” sign.

John PJ 2:

John puts the boat in the water.
Respectfully places Jim’s fishing hat on the seat where Jim would be sitting if Jim were there.
Heads for “The Spot”.
Everything is reminiscent of the day of “The Incident”.
The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the
Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the
clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water.

PRESENT DAY: Boat traveling upriver at sunrise in a remote Louisiana bayou.

John PJ 3:

Arriving at “The Spot”, John is very much “in-tune” with his surrounding and what it is he is doing.
He does everything just like he always has – just like the day of “The Incident”.

PRESENT DAY: John is tasked with getting the fishing equipment out.

JOHN DOES THINGS VERY METHODICALLY AND A SENSE OF CALM.

FLASHBACK:

JOHN IS VERY EXCITED TO BE FISHING WITH HIS DAD
Dad is task with getting the fishing equipment out.
Dad teaching John how to tie a fisherman’s knot.
Shows him how to cast.
Family is important.
PICKS UP SOME LITTER – DON’T BE THAT PERSON THAT LITTERS

PRESENT DAY: John fishing.

FLASHBACK:

JOHN INSISTS JIM TO BE CALM THOUGH JIM ALREADY IS
John teaching his younger brother how to tie a fisherman’s knot.
Teaches Jim how to cast – takes on that FATHER ROLE MODEL.
John tells Jim about their dad and how he taught John how to fish.
Bonding between John/Jim – GIVES JIM SOME FISHING QUOTES
Family is so important.
PICKS UP SOME LITTER – DON’T BE THAT PERSON THAT LITTERS
JOHN POINTS OUT THE LIFE PRESERVERS – SAFETY FIRST.
2 THINGS – SAFETY – and FUN.
JIM’S NOT A GOOD SWIMMER – SINKS
John’s focus is on fishing – TOTALLY ENGAGED ON FISHING.
Jim’s focus is on nature, the birds in particular.

Influences Surface Story:

A picture of Grandpa in the tackle box
Grandpa caught a massive catfish
John wants to be like Grandpa.

Influences Surface Story:

John catches a good size catfish – THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE!
Knows there are “bigger fish to fry” down there.
Tells Jim “not to worry, there are plenty of fish.”
They’ll come back tomorrow.
John closes the tackle box.

PRESENT DAY: John sees the picture of Grandpa in the tackle box.

FLASHBACK: John entering the garage to get his fishing equipment

Plan In Action:

John is gathering his fishing equipment; Fishing Pole, Tackle Box,
Gloves, Spear, Etc.John sees a photo of his Grandfather with a huge
catfish and wishes he could be successful like him.
JOHN TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN HIS GRANDPA’S SUCCESS.
John gathering equipment – Wife and Billy enter.
Wife reminds John of his failures – nothing to show for his past attempts – sowing doubt.
Wife thinks John should give up and spend time with their son –
tries to redirect John and have him focus on the present and not the
past.
LOVES HIS SON BUT THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO TAKE HIM; TOO YOUNG
John finds encouragement to counteract the negativity displayed by his wife –
Wife suggests trying a different bait – John replies, “NEVER!!!” Wife suggestions are contradictory to John’s beliefs.
Wife mentions John’s father running off, never to be heard from again – he’s not going to do that is he?
DEFENDS HIS FATHER’S REPUTATION AND DIVERTS THE SUBJECTS

Hints: The mysterious disappearance of their father.

ACT 2
PRESENT DAY:

John kicks back, enjoying his surroundings…

The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the
Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the
clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water.

FLASHBACK:
John PJ 1:

Jim is enjoying the surrounding – NOTICES THE BIRDS.
John is focused on fishing, hoping to catch something, anything.
The brothers are fishing again, not having much luck.
Jim catches a “StIck Bass” – BOTH BROTHERS JOKE ABOUT THIS
Jim gives up on fishing because of the “Stick Bass”.
John reels his line in and his hook is empty.
They have run out of bait.
Not giving up, John decides to try chicken from their sandwiches
that their mom packed – something special she said, they might like.
Jim gives John a hard time about switching bait to chicken – likely to catch a ‘gator with it –
John’s determined to catch something before going home.

Inciting Incident:

John catches a “BIG ONE”!!!
John struggles as he tries to reel in “The Fish”.
Jim wants John to cut the line and let it go.
John refuses – THIS IS IT!!! John’s determination to catch this fish kicks in!!!
Jim is worried as he watches John as John tries with all his might to reel the fish in.
John gets pulled into the water.
JIM LOOKS AT THE KNIFE BY THE LIFE PRESERVERS – GRABS THE KNIFE
Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line.
John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat.
Jim never resurfaces.

Turning Point:

John is left all alone in the boat with the realization Jim is gone – DEVASTATION!

ACT 3
PRESENT DAY: John fishing

FLASHBACK:
Reaction:

Since “The Incident”, John has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years.
Jim’s photo hangs in the garage and is a constant reminder of his failure at redemption!
John takes the photo down and holds it in deep in thought – we know what he is thinking by the look on his face.
Midpoint Turning Point:
John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it.
The hat reinforces John’s determination to seek revenge and avenge Jim’s death!
Influences Surface Story:
Jim’s disappearance after cutting the fishing line. Much like
cat-and-mouse – this is a catfish-and-man – one individual trying to
outmaneuver the other for 25 years.

PRESENT DAY: John fishing

FLASHBACK:
Rethink:

Stopping at a gas station/trading post, an old-timer recalls a
fishing tale about the Native Indians who spoke of catfish so large one
catfish could feed a village.
John listens intently trying to decide if there is any truth to what the old-timer is telling him.

Hints:

The Old-Timer’s tale of the Native Indians catching catfish so big they could feed a village.

Fish AJ 1:

“The Fish” have been eating fisherman for a long time.

New Plan:

John buys some dog chain, a javelin-like spear and a whole routtsierre cajun chicken.

PRESENT DAY:
Turning Point:

John reels his line in and finds an empty hook and he’s out of bait.
Frustration sets in.
John has the same results that he has had for the past 25 years.
John grows weary.JOHN HAS A CONVERSATION WITH JIM
John takes Jim’s fishing hat and places it on his head for good luck.
JIM TELLS JOHN HE DOESN’T HAVE TO DO THIS
JOHN SAYS HE DOES

ACT 4
New Plan:

John decides to try the whole rotisserie cajun chicken he picked up from the gas station/trading post as bait.

Fish AJ 5:

John changes bait to rotisserie cajun chicken and “The Fish” knows that it is John.

Fish AJ 6:

“The Fish” takes the bait and the power struggle begins, ultimately ending with “The Fish” and John face-to-face.

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict:

John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, many of the
same tactics “The Fish” used when he was a kid are used again, but John
is prepared for each one of them.
JOHN SEES THE KNIFE – MOMENT OF TRUTH – DECIDES TO END THIS ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL
He manages to reel “The Fish” in; just a little closer so he can harpoon it with his spear.
Face-to-face with “The Fish” John sees that he has indeed managed to catch the biggest catfish in Louisiana history!!!
John then realizes, “I’m the one you were after – I’m the One That Got Away!”

Resolution:

Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish”
thus leaving an empty fishing boat floating in the midst of the water.
Jim’s fishing hat floats a short distance away from the boat.

CREDITS ROLL

Fish AJ 7:

“The Fish” eats hat.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Action Tracks!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
LAYERS , LAYERS and LAYERS – I was feeling pretty good about my outline but then I just kept giving it a little more thought and a little more thought and I was able to come up with a few important Character Actions that enhance the story. I am sure there are more and I am sure they will present themselves as I continue working on this.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
While fishing, a fisherman reflects on all the events that have lead to his present state of determination to catch the fish that has eluded him for 25 years which he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

“Fishing is the art of lying convincingly about the size of the fish that got away.” -Unknown

ACT 1
PRESENT DAY:
Hints: “No swimming” sign.

John PJ 2:

• John puts the boat in the water.
• Respectfully places Jim’s fishing hat on the seat where Jim would be sitting if Jim were there.
• Heads for “The Spot”.
• Everything is reminiscent of the day of “The Incident”.
• The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water.

PRESENT DAY: Boat traveling upriver at sunrise in a remote Louisiana bayou.

John PJ 3:

• Arriving at “The Spot”, John is very much “in-tune” with his surrounding and what it is he is doing.
• He does everything just like he always has – just like the day of “The Incident”.

PRESENT DAY: John is tasked with getting the fishing equipment out.

• JOHN DOES THINGS VERY METHODICALLY AND A SENSE OF CALM.

FLASHBACK:

• JOHN IS VERY EXCITED TO BE FISHING WITH HIS DAD
• Dad is task with getting the fishing equipment out.
• Dad teaching John how to tie a fisherman’s knot.
• Shows him how to cast.
• Family is important.
• PICKS UP SOME LITTER – DON’T BE THAT PERSON THAT LITTERS

PRESENT DAY: John fishing.

FLASHBACK:

• JOHN INSISTS JIM TO BE CALM THOUGH JIM ALREADY IS
• John teaching his younger brother how to tie a fisherman’s knot.
• Teaches Jim how to cast – takes on that FATHER ROLE MODEL.
• John tells Jim about their dad and how he taught John how to fish.
• Bonding between John/Jim – GIVES JIM SOME FISHING QUOTES
• Family is so important.
• PICKS UP SOME LITTER – DON’T BE THAT PERSON THAT LITTERS
• JOHN POINTS OUT THE LIFE PRESERVERS – SAFETY FIRST.
• 2 THINGS – SAFETY – and FUN.
• JIM’S NOT A GOOD SWIMMER – SINKS
• John’s focus is on fishing – TOTALLY ENGAGED ON FISHING.
• Jim’s focus is on nature, the birds in particular.

Influences Surface Story:

• A picture of Grandpa in the tackle box
• Grandpa caught a massive catfish
• John wants to be like Grandpa.

Influences Surface Story:

• John catches a good size catfish – THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE!
• Knows there are “bigger fish to fry” down there.
• Tells Jim “not to worry, there are plenty of fish.”
• They’ll come back tomorrow.
• John closes the tackle box.

PRESENT DAY: John sees the picture of Grandpa in the tackle box.

FLASHBACK: John entering the garage to get his fishing equipment

Plan In Action:

• John is gathering his fishing equipment; Fishing Pole, Tackle Box, Gloves, Spear, Etc.John sees a photo of his Grandfather with a huge catfish and wishes he could be successful like him.
• JOHN TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN HIS GRANDPA’S SUCCESS.
• John gathering equipment – Wife and Billy enter.
• Wife reminds John of his failures – nothing to show for his past attempts – sowing doubt.
• Wife thinks John should give up and spend time with their son – tries to redirect John and have him focus on the present and not the past.
• LOVES HIS SON BUT THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO TAKE HIM; TOO YOUNG
• John finds encouragement to counteract the negativity displayed by his wife –
• Wife suggests trying a different bait – John replies, “NEVER!!!” Wife suggestions are contradictory to John’s beliefs.
• Wife mentions John’s father running off, never to be heard from again – he’s not going to do that is he?
• DEFENDS HIS FATHER’S REPUTATION AND DIVERTS THE SUBJECTS

Hints: The mysterious disappearance of their father.

ACT 2
PRESENT DAY:

• John kicks back, enjoying his surroundings…

• The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water.

FLASHBACK:
John PJ 1:

• Jim is enjoying the surrounding – NOTICES THE BIRDS.
• John is focused on fishing, hoping to catch something, anything.
• The brothers are fishing again, not having much luck.
• Jim catches a “StIck Bass” – BOTH BROTHERS JOKE ABOUT THIS
• Jim gives up on fishing because of the “Stick Bass”.
• John reels his line in and his hook is empty.
• They have run out of bait.
• Not giving up, John decides to try chicken from their sandwiches that their mom packed – something special she said, they might like.
• Jim gives John a hard time about switching bait to chicken – likely to catch a ‘gator with it –
• John’s determined to catch something before going home.

Inciting Incident:

• John catches a “BIG ONE”!!!
• John struggles as he tries to reel in “The Fish”.
• Jim wants John to cut the line and let it go.
• John refuses – THIS IS IT!!! John’s determination to catch this fish kicks in!!!
• Jim is worried as he watches John as John tries with all his might to reel the fish in.
• John gets pulled into the water.
• JIM LOOKS AT THE KNIFE BY THE LIFE PRESERVERS – GRABS THE KNIFE
• Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line.
• John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat.
• Jim never resurfaces.

Turning Point:

• John is left all alone in the boat with the realization Jim is gone – DEVASTATION!

ACT 3
PRESENT DAY: John fishing

FLASHBACK:
Reaction:

• Since “The Incident”, John has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years.
• Jim’s photo hangs in the garage and is a constant reminder of his failure at redemption!
• John takes the photo down and holds it in deep in thought – we know what he is thinking by the look on his face.
• Midpoint Turning Point:
• John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it.
• The hat reinforces John’s determination to seek revenge and avenge Jim’s death!
• Influences Surface Story:
• Jim’s disappearance after cutting the fishing line. Much like cat-and-mouse – this is a catfish-and-man – one individual trying to outmaneuver the other for 25 years.

PRESENT DAY: John fishing

FLASHBACK:
Rethink:

• Stopping at a gas station/trading post, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about the Native Indians who spoke of catfish so large one catfish could feed a village.
• John listens intently trying to decide if there is any truth to what the old-timer is telling him.

Hints:

• The Old-Timer’s tale of the Native Indians catching catfish so big they could feed a village.

Fish AJ 1:

• “The Fish” have been eating fisherman for a long time.

New Plan:

• John buys some dog chain, a javelin-like spear and a whole routtsierre cajun chicken.

PRESENT DAY:
Turning Point:

• John reels his line in and finds an empty hook and he’s out of bait.
• Frustration sets in.
• John has the same results that he has had for the past 25 years.
• John grows weary.JOHN HAS A CONVERSATION WITH JIM
• John takes Jim’s fishing hat and places it on his head for good luck.
• JIM TELLS JOHN HE DOESN’T HAVE TO DO THIS
• JOHN SAYS HE DOES

ACT 4
New Plan:

• John decides to try the whole rotisserie cajun chicken he picked up from the gas station/trading post as bait.

Fish AJ 5:

• John changes bait to rotisserie cajun chicken and “The Fish” knows that it is John.

Fish AJ 6:

• “The Fish” takes the bait and the power struggle begins, ultimately ending with “The Fish” and John face-to-face.

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict:

• John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, many of the same tactics “The Fish” used when he was a kid are used again, but John is prepared for each one of them.
• JOHN SEES THE KNIFE – MOMENT OF TRUTH – DECIDES TO END THIS ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL
• He manages to reel “The Fish” in; just a little closer so he can harpoon it with his spear.
• Face-to-face with “The Fish” John sees that he has indeed managed to catch the biggest catfish in Louisiana history!!!
• John then realizes, “I’m the one you were after – I’m the One That Got Away!”

Resolution:

• Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish” thus leaving an empty fishing boat floating in the midst of the water.
• Jim’s fishing hat floats a short distance away from the boat.

CREDITS ROLL

Fish AJ 7:

• “The Fish” eats hat.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – New Outline Beats!

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I learned that I have spent the last three days re-arranging my outline and maybe I shouldn’t have. I did this because when I started the assignment I thought the best way to tell this story is through a series of FLASHBACKS but that required restructuring everything and that is not what this process is all about so I have been stuck and I don’t like it. Have tried several things to get unstuck and right not I am just going to forge ahead and see what becomes of it. I may have to come back to this lesson and correct my outline but we will see.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
While fishing, a fisherman reflects on all the events that have lead to his present state of determination to catch the fish that has eluded him for 25 years which he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

“Fishing is the art of lying convincingly about the size of the fish that got away.” -Unknown

ACT 1
PRESENT DAY:
Hints: “No swimming” sign.

John PJ 2:
John puts the boat in the water.
Respectfully places Jim’s fishing hat on the seat where Jim would be sitting if Jim were there.
Heads for “The Spot”.
Everything is reminiscent of the day of “The Incident”.
The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water.

PRESENT DAY: Boat traveling upriver at sunrise in a remote Louisiana bayou.

John PJ 3:
Arriving at “The Spot”, John is very much “in-tune” with his surrounding and what it is he is doing.
He does everything just like he always has – just like the day of “The Incident”.

PRESENT DAY: John is tasked with getting the fishing equipment out.

FLASHBACK:
Dad is task with getting the fishing equipment out.
Dad teaching John how to tie a fisherman’s knot.
Shows him how to cast.
Family is important.

PRESENT DAY: John fishing.

FLASHBACK:
John teaching his younger brother how to tie a fisherman’s knot.
Teach Jim how to cast.
John tells Jim about their dad and how he taught John how to fish.
Bonding between John/Jim.
Family is so important.
John’s focus is on fishing.
Jim’s focus is on nature.

Influences Surface Story:
A picture of Grandpa in the tackle box
Grandpa caught a massive catfish
John wants to be like Grandpa.

Influences Surface Story:
John catches a good size catfish
Knows there are “bigger fish to fry” down there.
Tells Jim “not to worry, there are plenty of fish.”
They’ll come back tomorrow.
John closes the tackle box.

PRESENT DAY: John sees the picture of Grandpa in the tackle box.

FLASHBACK: John entering the garage to get his fishing equipment

Plan In Action:
John is gathering his fishing equipment; Fishing Pole, Tackle Box, Gloves, Spear, Etc.

John sees a photo of his Grandfather with a huge catfish and wishes he could be successful like him.
John gathering equipment – Wife and Billy enter.
Wife reminds John of his failures – nothing to show for his past attempts – sowing doubt.
John finds encouragement to counteract the negativity displayed by his wife.
Wife suggests trying a different bait – John replies, “NEVER!!!” Wife suggestions are contradictory to John’s beliefs.
Thinks he should give up and spend time with their son – tries to redirect John and have him focus on the present and not the past.
Wife mentions John’s father running off, never to be heard from again – he’s not going to do that is he?

Hints: The mysterious disappearance of their father.

ACT 2
PRESENT DAY: John kicks back, enjoying his surroundings…

The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water.

FLASHBACK:
John PJ 1:
Jim is enjoying the surrounding.
John is focused on fishing, hoping to catch something, anything.
The brothers are fishing again, not having much luck.
Jim catches a “Stck Bass”.
Jim gives up on fishing because of the “Stick Bass”.
John reels his line in and his hook is empty.
They have run out of bait.
Not giving up, John decides to try chicken from their sandwiches.
Jim gives John a hard time about switching bait to chicken – likely to catch a ‘gator with it.
John’s determined to catch something before going home.

Inciting Incident:
John catches a “BIG ONE”!!!
John struggles as he tries to reel in “The Fish”.
Jim wants John to cut the line and let it go.
John refuses.
Jim is worried as he watches John as John tries with all his might to reel the fish in.
John gets pulled into the water.
Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line.
John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat.
Jim never resurfaces.

Turning Point:
John is left all alone in the boat with the realization Jim is gone.

ACT 3
PRESENT DAY: John fishing

FLASHBACK:
Reaction: Since “The Incident”, John has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years. Jim’s photo hangs in the garage and is a constant reminder of his failure at redemption! John takes the photo down and holds it in deep in thought – we know what he is thinking by the look on his face.

Midpoint Turning Point: John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it. The hat reinforces John’s determination to seek revenge and avenge Jim’s death!

Influences Surface Story: Jim’s disappearance after cutting the fishing line. Much like cat-and-mouse – this is a catfish-and-man – one individual trying to outmaneuver the other for 25 years.

PRESENT DAY: John fishing

FLASHBACK:
Rethink: Stopping at a gas station/trading post, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about the Native Indians who spoke of catfish so large one catfish could feed a village. John listens intently trying to decide if there is any truth to what the old-timer is telling him.

Hints: The Old-Timer’s tale of the Native Indians catching catfish so big they could feed a village.

Fish AJ 1: “The Fish” have been eating fisherman for a long time.

New Plan: John buys some dog chain, a javelin-like spear and a whole routtsierre cajun chicken.

PRESENT DAY:
Turning Point:
John reels his line in and finds an empty hook and he’s out of bait.
Frustration sets in.
John has the same results that he has had for the past 25 years.
John grows weary.
John takes Jim’s fishing hat and places it on his head for good luck.

ACT 4
New Plan: John decides to try the whole routtsierre cajun chicken he picked up from the gas station/trading post as bait.

Fish AJ 5: John changes bait to rotisserie cajun chicken and “The Fish” knows that it is John.

Fish AJ 6: “The Fish” takes the bait and the power struggle begins, ultimately ending with “The Fish” and John face-to-face.

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, many of the same tactics “The Fish” used when he was a kid are used again, but John is prepared for each one of them. He manages to reel “The Fish” in; just a little closer so he can harpoon it with his spear. Face-to-face with “The Fish” John sees that he has indeed managed to catch the biggest catfish in Louisiana history!!!
John then realizes, “I’m the one you were after – I’m the One That Got Away!”

Resolution: Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish” thus leaving an empty fishing boat floating in the midst of the water. Jim’s fishing hat floats a short distance away from the boat.

CREDITS ROLL

Fish AJ 7: “The Fish” eats hat.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Beat Sheet – Draft 1

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I had already done most of the work for this assignment. I am anxious to continue on.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

ACT 1
Fish AJ 1: “The Fish” have been eating fisherman for a long time.

Fish AJ 2: John and Jim caught a “good size” catfish the last time they went fishing.

Fish AJ 3: John and Jim leave “The Spot”

Opening: Two brothers, John and Jim are fishing in a remote Louisiana bayou and not having much luck. They talk as brothers do – last chance to fish before school starts, what the bayou means to them, joking about catching a “stick bass”. They run out of bait.

Hints: The mysterious disappearance of their father.

Influences Surface Story: John caught a good size catfish the day before, knows there are “bigger fish to fry” down there.

John PJ 1: Not giving up, John decides to try chicken from their sandwiches. Jim gives John a hard time about switching bait to chicken – likely to catch a ‘gator with it. John’s determined to catch something before going home.

Inciting Incident: John catches a “BIG ONE”!!! John struggles as he tries to reel in “The Fish”. Jim wants John to cut the line and let it go. John refuses. Jim is worried as he watches John as John tries with all his might to reel the fish in. John gets pulled into the water. Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line. John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat. Jim never resurfaces.

Turning Point: John is left all alone in the boat with the realization Jim is gone.

ACT 2

Reaction: Since “The Incident”, John has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years. Jim’s photo hangs in the garage and is a constant reminder of his failure at redemption! John takes the photo down and holds it in deep in thought – we know what he is thinking by the look on his face.

Plan In Action: John is gathering his fishing equipment. Fishing Pole, Tackle Box, Gloves, Spear, Etc.

Wife reminds John of his failures – nothing to show for his past attempts – sowing doubt.

Thinks he should give up and spend time with their son – tries to redirect John and have him focus on the present and not the past.

Wife suggests trying a different bait – John replies, “NEVER!!!” Wife suggestions are contradictory to John’s beliefs.

John sees a photo of his Grandfather with a huge catfish and wishes he could be successful like him. John finds encouragement to counteract the negativity displayed by his wife.

Influences Surface Story: Grandpa caught a massive catfish and John wants to be like him. John caught a good size catfish the day before, knows there are “bigger fish to fry” down there.

Midpoint Turning Point: John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it. The hat reinforces John’s determination to seek revenge and avenge Jim’s death!

Influences Surface Story: Jim’s disappearance after cutting the fishing line. Much like cat-and-mouse – this is a catfish-and-man – one individual trying to outmaneuver the other for 25 years.

ACT 3
Rethink: Stopping at a gas station/trading post, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about the Native Indians who spoke of catfish so large one catfish could feed a village. John listens intently trying to decide if there is any truth to what the old-timer is telling him.

Hints: The Old-Timer’s tale of the Native Indians catching catfish so big they could feed a village.

New Plan: John buys some dog chain, a javelin-like spear and a whole routtsierre cajun chicken.

Hints: “No swimming” sign.

John PJ 2John puts the boat in the water, places Jim’s fishing hat on the seat where Jim would be sitting if Jim were there, and heads for “The Spot”. Everything is reminiscent of the day of “The Incident”. The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water.

Fish AJ 4: John is back fishing at “The Spot”.

John PJ 3: Arriving at “The Spot”, John is very much “in-tune” with his surrounding and what it is he is doing; he does everything just like he always has – just like the day of “The Incident”. John has the same results that he has had for the past 25 years. John grows weary.

Turning Point: John reels his line in and finds an empty hook and he’s out of bait. Frustration sets in. John takes Jim’s fishing hat and places it on his head for good luck.

ACT 4

New Plan: John decides to try the whole routtsierre cajun chicken he picked up from the gas station/trading post as bait.

Fish AJ 5: John changes bait to rotisserie cajun chicken and “The Fish” knows that it is John.

Fish AJ 6: “The Fish” takes the bait and the power struggle begins, ultimately ending with “The Fish” and John face-to-face.

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, many of the same tactics “The Fish” used when he was a kid are used again, but John is prepared for each one of them. He manages to reel “The Fish” in; just a little closer so he can harpoon it with his spear. Face-to-face with “The Fish” John sees that he has indeed managed to catch the biggest catfish in Louisiana history!!!
John then realizes, “I’m the one you were after – I’m the One That Got Away!”

Resolution: Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish” thus leaving an empty fishing boat floating in the midst of the water. Jim’s fishing hat floats a short distance away from the boat.

CREDITS ROLL

Fish AJ 7: “The Fish” eats hat.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Plot and Character Layers

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I discovered more layers to both my story and to my characters that weren’t there before. This is what is so impressive about this class… It continually requires you to go deeper and deeper and as a result I know I will have a TV show which will be 100% better than it would have been if I hadn’t taken this class.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and notice how layers show up in this show — both in this episode and throughout the episodes you’ve already seen.

Tell us the layers you have discovered in the Example Show.

RIVERDALE

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

At first, Cheryl said Jason fell into the Sweetwater River and it was presumed he drowned but a week later his body was discovered with a bullet hole in his forehead.

It appeared at first that Archie and Betty were going to be soulmates but with the arrival of Veronica it became apparent they are going to be best friends. Instead, it is Jughead and Betty who are dating as they work on the school newspaper, The Blue & Gold. Archie and Veronica are showing interest in one another.

Polly and Jason were a couple and then they broke up only to get back together again when they found out Polly was pregnant. They got secretly engaged with Grandma Blossom’s blessing and a ring. Jason is dead. Polly leaves Quiet Sisters of Mercy and chooses to stay with the Blossoms. Betty tells her mother that Polly did this so she could spy on the Blossoms from the inside.

There is bad blood between the Blossoms and the Coopers as a direct result of Grandpa Blossom killing Grandpa Cooper in order to take over the Maple syrup industry they created together.

The lives of Fred Andrews, FP Jones, Alice & Hal Cooper, Hermione & Hiram Lodge and Clifford & Penelope Blossom are all intertwined because they all went to high school together and now their children do as well.

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

Jason Blossom was a conflicted kid.
He was the star Quarterback on the football team, but not a good role model as he demonstrated with his participation in “The Book of Conquest”.
He broke-up with Polly but then got together with her when finding out she was pregnant. He got involved with a drug deal.
He was going to fake his own death and runaway with Polly and start a new life.
What else is there that we don’t know yet about Jason Blossom?

Archie Cooper loves football but he loves music more.
He is willing to date the music teacher in school for private lessons.
He dates Val, one of the Pussy Cats, so they can collaborate together and write songs.
He’s quick to accept Veronica’s help when Val goes back to the Pussy Cats for the upcoming Talent show though he ends up going on stage alone.
He befriends Cheryl because her parent’s are going to help him get into the Brandenburg School of Music.
The question is – what will Archie do and how far will he go to further his music career?

Betty Cooper appears to be sweet and innocent, but she has displayed “Dark Betty” in full force when Veronica was trying to get even with Chuck. This “Dark Betty” has surfaced a couple of times throughout the season so far with Betty clenching her fists so tight the her finger nails dig into the palms of her hands; this happens mainly around Cheryl Blossom, Betty’s arch rival.
Betty is also, an investigator/reporter, something that runs in her family who own the local newspaper, The Riverdale Register.
Betty and Jughead are collaborating on trying to solve the murder of Jason Blossom.
So far, they have helped Polly Cooper “escape” from the Quiet Sisters of Mercy facility and discovered she was pregnant with Jason Blossom’s baby/twins.
They also discovered the getaway car that Jason and Polly were going to elope in which contained Jason’s Letterman Jacket. Later, when they reported the car to the police the car was set on fire before the police arrived.

ASSIGNMENT 2
Discover the layers that could exist for your show.
Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.

FORESIGHT

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

Plot Surface: An Optometrist, Jim Brown, creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball.

LAYER 1: Jim Brown invades the privacy of others by looking through the psychic glasses and seeing their future. (Moral Issue)

Jim can’t help himself but to meddle in other people’s business which always leads to unfavorable consequences for Jim, however, Jim never learns and continues to do this throughout the season.

LAYER 2: Zelda, the Psychic next door to Jim’s Optical store, has a heart attack and is in the hospital. Later, Jezebel tries to kill her. Jim arrives too late and Zelda flatlines as the nurses come rushing in to save her.

Do the nurses save Zelda?
If the nurses save her will she be in a coma?
If Zelda survives, how will Jim explain to her the crystal ball broke and he has made a pair glasses from it?
Will Zelda understand?

LAYER 3: Jezebel comes into Jim’s optical store looking for Zelda, the Psychic next door. Having just created the glasses, Jim can’t help himself but to put them on and he looks at Jezebel. He “sees” Jezebel with a Day-glow syringe standing over Zelda’s hospital bed. (Open Loop)

Jim has to help his friend Zelda and he must try and stop Jezebel from doing the deed. He knows where but not when.

LAYER 4: JoAnn, starts a romantic relationship with Howard, a free-spirited younger man, because she has finally come to terms with her husbands “death”.

Can an older woman keep up with a younger man?
Will their relationship blossom or wilt as Jim predicts?
Is Howard in it for the money or is his love for her real?
Is JoAnn enjoying herself and her “lust for life” attitude?

LAYER 5: Jim is constantly trying to protect his mother, JoAnn from harm and thus stifling her from living her life and all she wants to do is live life to the fullest.

How far will Jim go to prevent his mom from “endangering” herself?
What adventures will Howard/JoAnn do to “live life to the fullest”?

LAYER 6: Jim sees Gloria and falls in love with her; Gloria has no interest in Jim other than being “friends”.

Will Jim and Gloria ever become more than “just friends”?

LAYER 7: Jezebel wants the crystal ball for herself and is willing to kill anybody to acquire it, including her sisters.

Will Jezebel succeed in finding out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she kill Jim just for the sake of his making the glasses from the crystal ball?

LAYER 8: Gloria does romantically like Jim but her sister, Jezebel, has a strangle hold on her and Jezebel is using Gloria as a pawn to get the crystal ball that Zelda possesses. The crystal ball has been in the family for centuries.

Will Gloria break-free from Jezebel’s grasp and be with Jim?
Will Gloria find out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she allow herself to love Jim regardless about the crystal ball?

LAYER 9: Delores has a huge crush on the Delivery Guy and she keeps ordering stuff online just so he has to stop by the store.

Will Delores and the Delivery Guy ever get together?
What “tricks” will Delores “pull” to get him to notice her?

LAYER 10: There is a serial killer that has been terrorizing Los Angeles.

Will Jim have a run in with this serial killer?
If he did, how would that turn out?

LAYER 11: With the Psychic Glasses, Jim “sees” his father, who has been “dead” for 30 years, with his mother. Now he must get to the bottom of what really happened and find his dad. (Open Loop)

Jim starts the investigation into looking for his father.

CHARACTER LAYERS – Identity beneath the Identity.
Character Surface: Jim Brown, an optometrist, creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball.

LAYER 1: Secret: Jim Brown goes from being a private man who hates the internet/Google because you can learn so much about someone to being a voyeur with his newly created psychic glasses that he can’t prevent himself from putting on and seeing into the private future of individuals.

LAYER 2: Secret Identity: Jim doesn’t believe in the psychic world and Delores, his office manager does. Delores is always ordering Chinese food to get the fortune cookies, reading horoscopes and going next door to Zelda’s for a Reading from time-to-time. Jim creates the glasses and now has the ability to see people’s future. He soon discovers he must keep this secret because there are people who are willing to kill for such a device.

LAYER 3: Competition: Jim is in competition with his mom’s boyfriend, Howard, who happens to be the same age as Jim. Jim believes his mom is acting foolish and is taking unnecessary risks to be with Howard. Through the psychic glasses Jim “sees” his mom doing “crazy” things but in the end they are very benign. Once again Jim has overreacted for his mom’s protection.

LAYER 4: Hidden Agenda: Jim goes from a lonely optometrist to a love-stricken psychic when he sees Gloria, the girl of his dreams.

LAYER 5: Wound: Jim’s father mysteriously died in a work related incident after being told by a psychic to move to California for Golden Opportunity. Jim discovers through the vision of the psychic glasses that is father is alive and well. Jim is full of hope, but the question is where could his father be and where does Jim start to look?

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Big Picture Open Loops

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
WOW! I think my story is really coming together. I learned that by making these big picture loops for my story really opens the door for future episodes and gives each episode purpose by answering some questions and leaving others unanswered. I can see how this is really going to help.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Think about your Example Show. Make a list of the Big Picture open loops that were established early in the season.

RIVERDALE

BIG PICTURE OPEN LOOPS
Who killed Jason Blossom by putting a bullet in his forehead?
Will Archie succeed at playing music?
Will Betty find her sister, Polly and will they be reunited?
Will Veronica become the person that she truly wants to be?
Will Cheryl ever change and become a somewhat decent person?
Did Jughead’s dad, FP Jones have anything to do with Jason’s murder?

SMALL PICTURE OPEN LOOPS
Now that the Drive-In Theater is being demolished, will Jughead find a place to sleep?
Will Betty ever go back to being a cheerleader? Same for Veronica.
Just how gay is Kevin? Is Kevin’s dad really ok with it?
Now that we know Polly is pregnant, will she have twins as predicted by Grandma Blossom?
Will Betty’s parents reconcile and become a family again?

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT – An Optometrist (Jim Brown) creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball and he witnesses an attempted murder, now he must figure out when and how to stop it from happening.

Tell us your top 5-8 Big Picture Open Loops that could be in your pilot.

Jim creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball that enables him to see someone’s future when he looks at them.

How will Jim use the glasses to his benefit?
Will people honestly want to know their future if they don’t ask?
What if Jim “sees” something good, does he tell them and spoil the surprise and the thrill of the moment?
What if Jim “sees” something bad, do they really want to know then?
Does Jim go around town telling everyone about the glasses and his new discovery? Some people might think he’s crazy? Some people may kill him for them.
What if Jim misplaces the glasses and someone evil finds them?

Jezebel comes into Jim’s optical store looking for Zelda, the Psychic next door. Having just created the glasses, Jim can’t help himself but to put them on and he looks at Jezebel. He “sees” Jezebel with a Day-glow syringe standing over Zelda’s hospital bed.

Will Jim say anything to anyone about what he just saw?
Jim knows where but not when, how will he stop Jezebel from doing the deed?
Does Jim go to the police and tell them? Will they think he’s crazy?
Does Jim just follow Jezebel around and for how long?
Can Jim trust the glasses to be accurate or is he going crazy, after all he doesn’t believe in the psychic world to begin with?

With the Psychic Glasses, Jim “sees” his father, who has been “dead” for 30 years, with his mother and now he must get to the bottom of what really happened and find his dad.

What really happened to Jim’s dad?
Is he really alive?
Where has he been and what is he doing?
Why hasn’t he been able to escape and contact him and JoAnn?

Jim sees Gloria and falls in love with her though she has no interest in Jim other than being “friends”.

Will Jim and Gloria ever become more than “just friends”?

Jim is constantly trying to protect his mother, JoAnn from harm and thus stifling her from living her life and all she wants to do is live life to the fullest.

How far will Jim go to prevent his mom from “endangering” herself?
What adventures will Howard/JoAnn do to “live life to the fullest”?

Delores has a huge crush on the Delivery Guy and she keeps ordering stuff online just so he has to stop by the store.

Will Delores and the Delivery Guy ever get together?
What “tricks” will Delores “pull” to get him to notice her?

JoAnn, starts a romantic relationship with Howard, a free-spirited younger man, because she has finally come to terms with her husbands “death”.

Can an older woman keep up with a younger man?
Will their relationship blossom or wilt as Jim predicts?
Is Howard in it for the money or is his love for her real?
Is JoAnn enjoying herself and her “lust for life” attitude?

Zelda, the Psychic next door to Jim’s Optical store, has a heart attack and is in the hospital. Later, Jezebel tries to kill her. Jim arrives too late and Zelda flatlines as the nurses come rushing in to save her.

Do the nurses save Zelda?
If the nurses save her will she be in a coma?
If Zelda survives, how will Jim explain to her the crystal ball broke and he has made a pair glasses from it?
Will Zelda understand?

Gloria does romantically like Jim but her sister, Jezebel, has a strangle hold on her and Jezebel is using Gloria as a pawn to get the crystal ball that Zelda possesses. The crystal ball has been in the family for centuries.

Will Gloria break-free from Jezebel’s grasp and be with Jim?
Will Gloria find out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she allow herself to love Jim regardless about the crystal ball?

Jezebel wants the crystal ball for herself and is willing to kill anybody to acquire it, including her sisters.

Will Jezebel succeed in finding out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she kill Jim just for the sake of his making the glasses from the crystal ball?

There is a serial killer that has been terrorizing Los Angeles.

Will Jim have a run in with this serial killer?
If he did, how would that turn out?

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Show Mysteries

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I had thought about this topic prior to the lesson, but I just didn’t think long enough about it. I really learned that this is more-less the goal of my main character, Jim Brown and will most likely be the driving force of my show. I need to give it a whole lot more thought but I feel as though I am heading in the right direction now.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on the mysteries that have been created in that show. Also, notice the difference between the big picture mysteries that are a big part of the plot across the entire season versus the smaller mysteries.

Tell us about the mysteries from this show.

RIVERDALE

THE “SHOCKING EVENT” MYSTERY

Shocking Event: Jason Blossom was presumed dead from drowning in Episode #1 only to be found very much dead in Episode #2 with a bullet in the forehead. Now, the question is who did it and why?

Secret: We learn over the next several episodes, Jason faked his drowning and was to call his sister, Cheryl, in a month when he was in a safe location. We discover that his girlfriend, Polly, was pregnant and that they secretly got engaged. Polly was to meet Jason at a secret location where their car was parked loaded to go.

Jughead’s dad, FP Jones, has Jason’s Letterman Jacket in his closet, he is also a member of the Southside Serpents, a biker’s gang known for “riff-raff”. What does FP Jones know and was he involved with Jason’s death?

Investigation: The police start an investigation into the killing of Jason and everyone in town is a suspect.

Betty and Jughead want to help Polly who is in a facility, Sisters of Quiet Mercy. They soon learn about Polly and Jason’s relationship and plans. Betty and Jughead start their own investigation which leads them to Polly/Jason’s getaway car. They go to the police to report the car. The car is set on fire before the police can get there. Jughead is a suspect.

THE “OVERTIME” MYSTERY

Cover up: Episode #1 – Cheryl lying about Jason’s whereabouts and claiming he drowned. Episode #7 – Betty and Jughead discover Jason’s getaway car and report it to the police but when they arrive the car is on fire. Episode #8 – FP Jones has Jason’s Letterman Jacket and gives it to Fangs, a member of the Serpents.

Who burned the getaway car after Betty/Jughead discovered its whereabouts?
Why does FP have Jason’s jacket?
How did FP get Jason’s Jacket when it was in the car prior to it being burned?

Secrets: Jason was involved in a drug deal. Jason and Polly had broken-up but when they discovered they were pregnant they got engaged and planned on eloping.

Who was all involved in the drug deal other than Jason?
Where did Jason/Polly plan on eloping to?

Reveals: Grandma Blossom predicts Polly is pregnant with twins. Polly goes to live with the Blossoms instead of her own parents’ house. FP knows something about Jason’s drug deal.

Is FP involved with Jason’s death?
Does he know who did it?

There is a second MYSTERY to the show other than Jason’s Death and that is the DRIVE-IN THEATER PROPERTY.

Veronica’s dad, Hiram Lodge, has bought the property. Cliff Blossom has an interest in the property. Fred Andrews has been hired to do construction on the property. Moose Mason, a high school student/construction worker was assaulted at the construction site and equipment was vandalized.

Why does Harim need to keep it secret that he is the buyer of the Drive-In?
What is it about this property that suddenly everyone is so interested in it?
Who is vandalizing/sabotaging Fred’s construction company?
What is Harim going to build there?
Why does Cliff Blossom want it so badly?

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT – An Optometrist (Jim Brown) creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball and he witnesses an attempted murder, now he must figure out when and how to stop it from happening.

THE “SHOCKING EVENT” MYSTERY
Shocking Event: Jim Brown and his mother, Joann, acknowledge his dad’s death but Jim has a “vision” of his dad present day still very much alive.

Secret: Jim’s dad, Eric, worked for the government in Ohio when Jim was a kid. A Fortune Teller at the carnival told Eric “Golden Opportunities await you” which Eric understood as “take the job offer presented in California.” Shortly after taking the job, Eric, mysteriously “died” though the body was never recovered.

Investigation: Now that Jim has the psychic glasses and he has “seen” his dad alive, Jim is determined to find out the truth and the whereabouts of his dad.

WWWWW and H:

WHO: Jim Brown
WHAT: The mysterious disappearance of his dad 30 years ago but Jim now “sees” his dad with his mom present day through the psychic glasses.
WHY: To reunite his parents and have closure.

Part Withheld:

WHEN: That is the question – Jim has no way of knowing when his “vision” takes place other then it’s in the future, he just knows his dad is alive.
WHERE: Starts locally and becomes much more elaborate throughout the season.
HOW: With the aid of the glasses and the help of Delores, his Office Manager, Jim is going to investigate where his dad is.

THE “OVER TIME” MYSTERY
Cover Up: Jim and Joann have been lied to by the government about Eric Brown’s disappearance/death. They claim no body was recoverable due to the situation involved.

Secret: Jim’s dad, Eric, worked for the government in Ohio when Jim was a kid. A Fortune Teller at the carnival told Eric “Golden Opportunities await you” which Eric understood as “take the job offer presented in California.” Shortly after taking the job, Eric, mysteriously “died” though the body was never recovered.

Reveals: Now that Jim has the psychic glasses and he has “seen” his dad alive, Jim is determined to find out the truth and the whereabouts of his dad.

WWWWW and H:

WHO: Eric Brown – Jim’s dad
WHAT: Working for the government on a special operation for the military; mysteriously disappears; no body recovered
WHEN: 30 years ago

Part Withheld:
WHY: Top secret weapon involving laser optics
WHERE: Secret facility in Los Angeles and then Bakersfield
HOW: Unknown

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Empathy/Distress, The Binge Worthy Drug!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Having done this assignment I was able to focus on the Big Picture Empathy/Distress more than I had in the past. I think I can add a few more but I think I have a good start.

ASSIGNMENT 1

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

Notice the difference between Big Picture Empathy/Distress and detail oriented Empathy/Distress.

RIVERDALE

BIG PICTURE EMPATHY/DISTRESS
Undeserved Misfortune – Jughead is homeless because of a dysfunctional family.
External Character Conflicts – Jughead and his drunken dad
External Character Conflicts – Jughead and Archie and their relationship with Betty
External Character Conflicts – The Coopers vs. The Blossoms (parents)
External Character Conflicts – The Andrews vs. The Jones (fathers)
Plot Intruding on Life – Betty dealing with her sister, Polly’s pregnancy, mental condition.
External Character Conflict – Betty dealing with her controlling mother
<b class=””>External Character Conflict – Veronica dealing with her bad behavior mother<b class=””>
Plot Intruding on Life – Archie wants to be taken seriously as a musician, music career
Undeserved Misfortune – Veronica is the new girl in school, her dad is a convict
Undeserved Misfortune – Jason Blossom is murdered – Riverdale’s problem

DETAILED ORIENTED EMPATHY/DISTRESS
Moral Dilemmas – Archie dating Miss Grundy, the music teacher
Moral Dilemmas – Veronica’s mom foraging Veronica’s signature to get what she wants
Plot Intruding on Life – Betty and Veronica trying out for cheerleading
Plot Intruding on Life – Archie’s stage fright and other people’s disapproval
External Character Conflict – Veronica’s mom and Archie’s dad having an affair

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT – An Optometrist (Jim Brown) creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball and he witnesses an attempted murder, now he must figure out when and how to stop it from happening.

BIG PICTURE EMPATHY/DISTRESS SITUATIONS
Undeserved Misfortune – Jim’s dad mysteriously disappears/dies at work.

Undeserved Misfortune – Jim’s previous love/fiancee relationship ended badly.

External Character Conflict – Jim and Delores’s relationship – Delores believe in the psychic world, Jim does not.

External Character Conflict – Jim’s “sees” Gloria as the girl of his dreams but she has little interest in him, as a matter of fact, she is more interested in the crystal ball that she thinks Jim knows the whereabouts of.

Plot Intruding on Life – Jim trying to keep his mother safe – she’s all he has – Jim constantly “sees” his mother in “dangerous” situations which he tries to defuse only to have the “actual” situations benign.

Plot Intruding on Life – Jezebel thinks Jim knows where the crystal ball is and she is willing to kill him and anyone else to acquire it.

Plot Intruding on Life – Through the psychic glasses Jim “sees” Jezebel sticking Zelda with a Day-Glow needle at the hospital and he must stop it.

Moral Dilemmas – Jim is constantly using the psychic glasses in “see” into other people’s lives – an intrusion of privacy – sometimes he acts upon what he “sees” and and times he only makes mention of it to the individuals.

Forced Decisions They’d Never Make – Jim plots to kill Jezebel and make it look like she did it herself accidentally.

[Brian Bull]

<div>BRIAN BULL – Build Your Relationship Map</div><div>

</div>

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I really need to revisit this and work on my characters relationships. It’s far from where I would like them to be.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on ONE of the main characters and how they interact with others.

Create a Relationship Map for one lead character and their relationship with three others.

RIVERDALE

ARCHIE ANDREWS

Betty
Surface: Best Friends
Common Ground: Neighbors
Conflict: Betty loves Archie, Archie just friends w/ Betty
History: Grew up together
Subtext: Betty is looking out for Archie
Relationship Arc: Betty loves Archie – we don’t know yet

Veronica
Surface: Friends
Common Ground: Both sing
Conflict: Archie has no loyalties to Veronica
History: New relationship
Subtext: She’s there for Archie
Relationship Arc: To early to tell

Jughead
Surface: Best guy friends
Common Ground: Grew up together
Conflict: Archie puts others before Jughead
History: Grew Up together
Subtext: Jughead tries to steer Archie in the right direction
Relationship Arc: We’ll have to wait and see

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT

JIM BROWN

Delores
Surface: Co-workers / Friends
Common Ground: Looking out for each
Conflict: He doesn’t believe in psychics / She doe.
History: They have worked together 10 years
Subtext: He worries and cares for her well being
Relationship Arc: From mutual respect to controlling

Gloria
Surface: Love of Jim’s life
Common Ground: Both are in the psychic world
Conflict: Jim is in love, Gloria not so much
History: New relationship
Subtext: Jim will do whatever to win her over
Relationship Arc: From enthralled to obsessive

Mom
Surface: Mother / Son
Common Ground: Each other
Conflict: Jim is over-protective
History: Father had a mysterious accident at work
<b class=””>Subtext: Jim doesn’t want anything to happen to his mother<b class=””>
Relationship Arc: From easy-going to overly concerned

DELORES

Jim Brown
Surface: Co-workers / Friends
Common Ground: Looking out for each
Conflict: She believes in psychics / He doesn’t
History: They have worked together 10 years
Subtext: She’s more capable than Jim knows
Relationship Arc: From helpful to independent

Gloria
Surface: Sweet and innocent
Common Ground: They both like Jim
Conflict: Delores doesn’t trust Gloria
History: New relationship / Started off well
Subtext: Gloria’s hiding something and I want to know
Relationship Arc: From trusting to suspicion

Delivery Guy
Surface: Friendly banter
Common Ground: The internet Delivery system
Conflict: He’s out of her league
History: 5 years of service
Subtext: Delores is crazy about him
Relationship Arc: From friends to being a couple

GLORIA

Jim Brown
Surface: She likes him but just as friends
Common Ground: Both are in the psychic world
Conflict: Jim is in love, Gloria not so much
History: New relationship
Subtext: Does Jim know where the crystal ball is???
Relationship Arc: From liking Jim to help me distance myself from Jezebel

Delores
Surface: Sweet and innocent
Common Ground: They both like Jim
Conflict: Gloria knows Delores doesn’t trust her
History: New relationship / Started off well
Subtext: Gloria can win Delores over with psychic stuff
Relationship Arc: From friends to skepticism

Jezebel
Surface: Gloria is meek, Jezebel is sinister – They are in cahoots
Common Ground: They both want the crystal ball that belonged to Zelda
Conflict: There’s only one crystal ball
History: They are sisters
Subtext: Meek; waiting for the right moment to strike
Relationship Arc: From togetherness to Jezebel perishing by her own accord

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Depth of Emotions

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Giving Depth of Emotions to your characters will help determine how they behave and react to situations throughout your script – this is important as it will provide consistency and a connection with the audience as they will get to “know” your characters.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and create an Emotional Profile for two or three main characters in this show.

RIVERDALE

ARCHIE ANDREWS

Hope: To be a respected musician / Fear: Failure

Want: To pursue his music career / Need: Approval from others

Base Negative Emotion: Not good enough / Public Mask: In control

Weaknesses: He’s not good enough

Triggers: When he is challenged / competitive

Coping Mechanism: Shuts down and loses his confidence

BETTY COOPER

Hope: To get together with Archie / Fear: To wind-up like her sister

Want: To know the truth / Need: She needs closure, a problem solver

Base Negative Emotion: Insecurity / Public Mask: Everything is okay

Weaknesses: Much to honest, her innocence

Triggers: Injustice, Being compared to her sister

Coping Mechanism: To get to the bottom of everything

VERONICA LODGE

Hope: A fresh start, to start over again / Fear: Not to be respected by her peers

Want: Friends, To be included; to fit in / Need: To be accepted by others

Base Negative Emotion: Insecurity / Public Mask: Confident

Weaknesses: Insecurity

Triggers: Others being taken advantage of

Coping Mechanism: Confrontational, smooth things out quickly

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT

JIM BROWN

Hope: To find love / Fear: To die alone

Want: To fall in love / Need: Someone to share his life with

Base Negative Emotion: Getting hurt / Public Mask: Confident and intelligent

Weaknesses: Makes mistakes, miscalculates

Triggers: People who think they know more

Coping Mechanism: Silent Payback – revenge, sarcasm

DELORES

Hope: To find love / Fear: Getting hurt

Want: To make it on her own / Need: To prove her self worth

Base Negative Emotion: Inadequate, low self esteem / Public Mask: fun, funny

Weaknesses: Easily persuaded

Triggers: Being lied to

Coping Mechanism: Aggression

GLORIA

Hope: To be the best psychic in town / Fear: People will think she’s a fraud

Want: To be taken seriously / Need: Self confidence

Base Negative Emotion: Living in her sister’s shadow / Public Mask: Easy going

Weaknesses: Powerless

Triggers: Scared of the dark

Coping Mechanism: Shuts down

JEZEBEL

Hope: To find the crystal ball / Fear: To be at the mercy of others

Want: To be powerful / Need: To be in control

Base Negative Emotion: Being taken advantage of / Public Mask: Confident

Weaknesses: Only cares for herself

Triggers: Not getting what she wants

Coping Mechanism: Lash out

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – The Deeper Layer

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
Every time I do one of these assignments I discover something new for the story. This time it was John catching a good size fish the day before knowing that there are “bigger fish to fry” down there. Also, I discovered the “No Swimming” sign which I think is hilarious – a subtle joke if you will.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale – (Drama)
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

Surface Layer: John is trying to catch “The Fish” that he blames for his brother Jim’s death.

Deeper Layer: “The Fish” wanted to eat John from the beginning.

Major Reveal: The big reveal is in the final scene when John and “The Fish” lock eyes and John realizes he’s “The One That Got Away”.

Influences Surface Story: Grandpa caught a massive catfish and John wants to be like him. John caught a good size catfish the day before, knows there are “bigger fish to fry” down there. Jim’s disappearance after cutting the fishing line. Much like cat-and-mouse this is a catfish-and-man – one individual trying to outmaneuver the other for 25 years.

Hints: The mysterious disappearance of his father. The Old-Timer’s tale of the Native Indians catching catfish so big they could feed a village. “No swimming” sign.

Changes Reality: Discovering “The Fish” is as BIG as it is and the fact that it engulfs John in one BIG GULP adds to the shocking surprise, horror, humor and irony of the Fisherman’s Tale.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Journey Structure

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
While doing the ANTAGONIST CHARACTER JOURNEY – something I never would have done before taking this class – I discovered a whole new layer my story which I am very excited about. That discovery is that my antagonist is seeking revenge of their own. I can hardly wait to play around with that concept and see how I can work it into the story more and make it that much more intriguing!!!

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale – (Drama)
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

JOHN – CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE

Opening: John is fishing with his younger brother Jim and switches bait to chicken.

Inciting Incident: John catches a “BIG ONE”, gets pulled into the water. Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line. John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat. Jim never resurfaces.

TP1: John is left all alone in the boat.

Act 2: Since “The Incident”, John has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years.
John is gathering his fishing equipment; Fishing Pole, Tackle Box, Gloves, Spear, Etc.

TP2 / Midpoint: John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it.

ACT 3: Stopping at a gas station/trading post, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about the Native Indians who spoke of catfish so large one catfish could feed a village. John buys some dog chain, a javelin-like spear and a whole rotisserie cajun chicken. John heads for “The Spot.”

TP3: John reels his line in and finds an empty hook and he’s out of bait.
John decides to try the whole rotisserie cajun chicken.

ACT 4 Climax: John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, then realizes, “he’s The One That Got Away!”

Resolution: Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish”.

“The FISH” – CHARACTER JOURNEY STRUCTURE

Opening: “The Fish” have been eating fisherman for a long time.

Inciting Incident: John and Jim caught a “good size” catfish the last time they went fishing.

TP1: John and Jim leave “The Spot”.

Act 2: “The Fish” gets caught by John and pulls John into the water only to have Jim cut the line. “The Fish” eats Jim (the smaller one of the two).

TP2 / Midpoint: John escapes into the boat and gets away.

ACT 3: John is back fishing at “The Spot”.

TP3: John changes bait to rotisseriecajun chicken and “The Fish” knows that it is John.

ACT 4 Climax: “The Fish” takes the bait and the power struggle begins, ultimately ending with “The Fish” and John face-to-face.

Resolution: “The Fish” isn’t going to allow this one to get away and eats John.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Supporting Characters

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
In order for a movie to be incredible, the supporting characters need to have worthy roles, serve a purpose and have value. These things will add to the depth and complexity of the movie.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
Teresa – John’s wife
Billy – John’s son
Old-Timer at the Trading Post
Father – John’s dad

BACKGROUND CHARACTERS
Customers at the Trading Post
Girl

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS BASIC PROFILE
Name: TERESA
Role: John’s wife
Main Purpose: She is trying to get John not to go fishing and to stay home.
Value: She represents the present – what John has to live for but John is living in
the past until he can accomplish this one thing – KILL “The Fish”!!! It’s his FLAW.

Name: BILLY
Role: John’s son
Main Purpose: To side with his mother. A take me or leave me.
Value: Billy is the younger version of John and now John is doing the exact
same thing HIS father did when he was Billy’s age.

Name: OLD-TIMER at the TRADING POST
Role: Mentor, Gift-bearer
Main Purpose: Provides knowledge that Jim didn’t have before. Talks about the native Indians and the legend of “The Fish” and how they could feed a village, the type of bait they used is unknown today but…. He might recommend some different equipment, things one might wish they had when the time comes.
Value: These are the things that John needs to accomplish his task. John failed in the past because he didn’t have the knowledge and the proper bait/equipment.

Name: Father/Dad
Role: He’s John’s wound. An older version John himself.
Main Purpose: Symbolically he is many things to John. John holds his father in the highest regards for being so dedicated to fishing. John also dislikes his father for not teaching him more about fishing something he covers up when teaching Jim how to fish. John becomes his father when confronted by his wife and their son and doesn’t take Billy along. The Old-Timer remembers a fellow, a fisherman who dropped a girl off at his Trading Post and went fishing and disappeared, but she was hitchhiking, they weren’t together if he recalls.
Value: Provides many answers to John’s questions.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Intriguing Character Layers

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I learned that I need to dig deeper into my characters and find those characteristics below the surface – this will be an ongoing assignment for me because I know there is a lot more there and I need to find it if I want my show to be Binge Worthy.

ASSIGNMENT 1

RIVERDALE

1. Make a list of the places you’ve already seen Character Intrigue in the previous episodes.

MAIN CHARACTER
Archie Andrews

Role In The Show: A High School sophomore dealing with various issues teenagers may face whiling attending school.

Unique Purpose / Expertise: Archie is pursuing his music and will do whatever he has to to make it better.

Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? Makes bad decisions from time-to-time. Goes against the grain. A good kid that will do the wrong thing to get what he wants. Dates a teacher, gets into fights, breaks curfew by sneaking out when grounded, will lie to the police to protect someone else (Miss Grundy/teacher)

2. Watch the next episode and see how Character Intrigue is being used to create the need to see more episodes.

HIDDEN AGENDAS: Betty is going to investigate Miss Grundy and find out the truth about who she is for Archie’s sake. Veronica is going to confront her mother regarding her dealings with the Southside Serpents, a biker gang, in town. Archie wants to remain close to Miss Grundy for private musical lessons.

COMPETITION: The thee girls, Betty, Veronica and Cheryl are always in competition with each other.

CONSPIRACY: Hermione Lodge and the Mayor of Riverdale are in cahoots regarding the Twi-Light Drive-In – Hermione gets to buy the Drive-In at a reduced price and the Mayor gets a Campaign Donation.

SECRETS: Betty has a crush on Archie. Archie is dating Miss Grundy, the music teacher. Jughead was living at the Twi-Light Drive-In and now that it’s sold he will have to move somewhere else – but where??? Jughead’s dad is one of those Southside Serpents that helped drive down the price of the Drive-In. Hermione Lodge paid the Southside Serpents to drive the price of the Drive-In.

DECEPTION:

WOUND: Betty’s sister, Polly, is in the mental institution.

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT

JIM BROWN

Role: Lonely optometrist pursuing the girl of his dreams

Hidden Agenda: Will do whatever it takes to win Gloria and marry her.

Competition: Wants to win the heart of Gloria.

Conspiracies: Drags Delores into his schemes to prevent his mother from doing things that he thinks he “sees” and also asks for Delores’ help when scheming to win Gloria’s heart.

Secrets: He has a pair of psychic glasses which enables him to sees people’s future.

Deception: Willing to tell people things they want to hear in order to get his way, especially when it comes to his mother.

Wound: Father mysteriously died in a work related incident after being told by a psychic to move to California for Golden Opportunity.

Secret Identity: Jim has become a psychic with the psychic glasses.

DELORES

Role: Lucent Optical’s Office Manager

Hidden Agenda: Wants to run the office her way.

Competition:

Conspiracies:

Secrets: She is in love with the Amazon Guy and keeps buying things online so he stops by.

Deception: She comes from wealth but wants others to believe she’s living on a shoestring.

Wound: Was once married to a guy who wanted her money.

Secret Identity: She’s the heir of a multi-millionaire

GLORIA

Role: Psychic who Jim falls in love with

Hidden Agenda: Wants to get her hands on the crystal ball not knowing Jim used it to make the glasses from.

Competition: She is in competition with her sister, Jezebel, who also wants the crystal ball for herself.

Conspiracies: Gloria and Jezebel are conspiring to find the crystal ball their oldest sister, Zelda, had before she gave it to Jim for safe keepings.

Secrets: She likes Jim. She despises her sister Jezebel.

Deception: Has no interest in Jim. She wouldn’t kill her sister to acquire the crystal ball.

Wound: Jezebel has never been nice to her.

Secret Identity: She knows some Black Magic.

JEZEBEL

Role: She is looking for the crystal ball her sister, Zelda, had acquired from their mother in Romania when she died.

Hidden Agenda: She will kill anybody that gets in her way of acquiring the crystal ball including her sister and of course Jim.

Competition: Doesn’t realize it but she is in competition with her sister, Gloria, who also wants he crystal ball.

Conspiracies: Jezebel and Gloria are conspiring to find the crystal ball their oldest sister, Zelda, had before she gave it to Jim for safe keepings.

Secrets:

Deception: She wants Jim to believe that she and Zelda are on good terms but Jim knows differently because of the glasses.

Wound: Her mother didn’t leave her the crystal ball when she died.

Secret Identity: She knows some Black Magic as well.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Engaging Main Characters

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
There are many layers to creating a character for a binge worthy TV show and we are just getting started.

ASSIGNMENT 1

RIVERDALE

MAIN CHARACTER
Archie Andrews

Role In The Show: A High School sophomore dealing with various issues teenagers may face whiling attending school.

Unique Purpose / Expertise: Archie is pursuing his music and will do whatever he has to to make it better.

Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? Makes bad decisions from time-to-time. Goes against the grain. A good kid that will do the wrong thing to get what he wants. Dates a teacher, gets into fights, breaks curfew by sneaking out when grounded, will lie to the police to protect someone else (Miss Grundy/teacher).

Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? Likes the Music Teacher, Miss Grundy, but knows it’s taboo and wrong but does it anyways. Struggles with doing the right thing by telling the truth to the police and then when he does he lies in order to protect their secret.

Unpredictable: What will they do next? Makes the wrong decision from time-to-time and then has to do the right thing later on. Lies to police to protect the music teacher, sneaks out at night when ground to work on his music.

Empathetic: Why do we care? People lie all the time to protect something they want to conceal. It’s easier to lie than it is to face the truth but sometimes those lies are exposed and the truth comes out and then you are left with having to deal with both lying and the truth. This is something everyone has faced before in their lifetime.

ASSIGNMENT 2

FORESIGHT

Journey: Knowing where to draw the line when you have the ability to see other people’s future while pursuing the girl of your dreams.

Characters that sell this show: Jim Brown (Optometrist) and Gloria (Psychic / girl of his dreams)

Role In The Show:

Jim: Lonely optometrist pursuing the girl of his dreams
Gloria: Psychic who Jim falls in love with

Unique Purpose / Expertise:

Jim: Expertise: The finest/best optometrist in LA who creates psychic glasses from a crystal ball.

Purpose: Jim “sees” the girl of his dreams and tries to figure out how to win her over.

Irony: Jim didn’t believe in horoscopes, fortune cookies, crystal balls, tarot cards or any other psychic abilities and now he has a pair of psychic glasses.

Gloria: Expertise: She has the ability to read Tarot Cards.

Purpose: The girl that Jim desires but will never have.

Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?

Jim: Jim’s psychic glasses which he tries to use to land Gloria, spies on his mother and fails miserably by misreading what he sees, interferes with other people’s lives by telling them things they don’t want to hear or know.

Gloria: She wants the crystal ball for herself but doesn’t know that Jim turned it into a pair of glasses.

Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?

Jim: Invading the privacy of others by looking through the glasses and seeing their future.

Gloria: She is pretending to be an angel, friend and a naive sister in order to acquire the crystal ball which she will kill anyone to get.

Unpredictable: What will they do next?

Jim: He sees other people’s futures and tells them with mixed responses.

Gloria: Will do whatever it takes to acquire the crystal ball so long as she won’t get caught.

Empathetic: Why do we care?

Jim: Often he misinterprets the glasses vision and this gets him into trouble – means well but turns out bad – no good deed goes unpunished.

Gloria: She wants what she thinks is rightfully hers.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Three Circles of Characters

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
This is a great way to visual where characters are in relationship to your Main Character(s). It really came apparent to me when I did the breakdown of Riverdale and it really got me thinking about my own show.

RIVERDALE

ASSIGNMENT 1

MAIN CHARACTERS CIRCLE
Archie Andrews
Betty Cooper
Veronica Lodge
Jughead
Cheryl Blossom

CONNECTED CIRCLE
Fred Andrews (Archie’s Dad)
Mr. & Mrs. Cooper (Betty’s Parents)
Polly (Betty’s Sister – so far only mentioned)
Hermione Lodge (Veronica’s Mom)
Jason Blossom (Cheryl’s Brother)
Kevin Keller (Gay Friend)
Sheriff Keller (Kevin’s Dad)
Miss Grundy (Music Teacher/Archie’s Taboo Flame)
Pops (Diner Owner/Cook)
Reggie (Football Goon)
Moose (Kevin’s Gay Friend)
Mr. Weatherbee (School’s Principal)
Josie & the Pussycats (an All-Girls Band at school)

ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE
Dr. XXXX (Coroner / Autopsy Doctor)
Dr. Phylum (Teacher at school)
Student Body (Riverdale High School)
School Staff (Teachers / Administration)
Football Coach
Football Players
Riverdale Vixen (Cheerleading Squad)
Pop’s Diner Customers / Staff
Football Fans / Marching Band
Residents of Riverdale

My Show – FORESIGHT

ASSIGNMENT 2

MAIN CHARACTERS CIRCLE
Jim Brown (Optometrist)
Delores (Office Manager)
Gloria (Girl of Jim’s Dreams)
Jezebel (Gloria’s sister/ looking for Crystal Ball)

CONNECTED CIRCLE
Zelda (Psychic who gives Jim the Crystal Ball)
Mom (Jim’s mother)
Sam (Jim’s Long time Friend)
Valerie (Sam new girlfriend)
Scotch (Valerie’s ex-boyfriend)
Howard (Mom’s boyfriend)
Rachael (Valerie’s Boss)
Heather (Receptionist at Fairhaven)

ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE
Fairhaven Staff (Assisted Living where Mom resides)
Valerie’s Co-workers
Casino Players / Casino Staff

Description of Main Characters

JIM BROWN is the Main Character in the show. He creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball that enables him to see into the future. With the aid of the glasses Jim sees his “dream-girl”, Gloria, and it’s love at first sight – for him at least, not so much for her.

DELORES is the Office Manager at Jim store, Lucent Optical. She is full of life.

GLORIA is the “girl of Jim’s dreams”. She is a psychic who moves into her sister Zelda’s shop next door to Jim’s Lucent Optical.

JEZEBEL is a psychic who wants Zelda’s crystal ball for herself and she is will willing to kill anyone to acquire it.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – 5 Star Model

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
By breaking down another show into beats and then applying the 5 Star Points I was able to dissect the show and get to the heart of it. It also gave me a few ideas for my own show. At first I thought there was no similarities between my show and this show but after this lesson it opened my eyes to a few possibilities.

RIVERDALE

Light Outline of the Show
The Blossom Twins, Cheryl and Jason, go boating on the 4th of July. Cheryl comes back and Jason is presumed dead from drowning.

Veronica and her mother move into town.

In the local diner Archie and Betty are eating when Veronica shows up to pick up her food. Archie is distracted by Veronica presence while Betty is talking. The school has assigned Betty to give Veronica a tour of the school the next day.

At school, Archie is with is football teammates. Betty is giving Veronica the tour. Kevin is gay beyond doubt. There’s something about Veronica’s dad we don’t know yet.

At the school assembly, we find out through flashbacks of Archie’s that he and the Music Teacher had an affair over summer.

Veronica’s mom and Archie’s dad, Fred Andrew’s, dated in high school.

Over the 4th of July, Archie and the Music Teacher heard “fireworks/gunshot” at 6am.

During cheerleading tryouts Veronica and Betty bond and make the squad despite Cheryl’s wishes. Veronica puts Cheryl in her place.

Football practice Archie is offered a varsity position.

Veronica confides in Betty she wants to be a better person than she was before moving here. Betty confides her sister, Polly, is in the mental hospital because of Jason Blossom turned on Polly, her mom broke Polly.

Archie/Betty/Veronica all agree to go to the dance together as friends.

At home, Betty challenges her mom regarding cheerleading.

Smithers, the Butler, gives Veronica’s mom a bag full of money which came from her ex-husband.

At the dance, Archie wants to meet the teacher for personal lessons. There is a LOVE TRIANGLE going on between Betty/Veronica/Archie with the Teacher on the outside looking-in.

At Cheryl’s after dance party, Veronica/Archie go into the closet and kiss. Betty leaves the party. All three are DISTRESSED!!!

Veronica goes home.

Archie goes to the diner and see Jughead. Jughead says just talk to Betty – like you should have with me. INTRIGUE!!!

Archie/Betty – Truth be Told – Archie is NOT IN LOVE with Betty.

Kevin and some guy go to the river and find Jason with a bullet in the forehead.

With the discovery of Jason the world has changed – shadows/secrets. Monday an autopsy, Tuesday an arrest.

END OF EPISODE

BIG PICTURE HOOK
Betty and Veronica both like Archie, however, Archie has feeling for the Music Teacher which is taboo.

Jason Blossom didn’t drown but was shot in the forehead.

AMAZING and INTRIGUING CHARACTERS
ARCHIE
Has a muscular build.
Wants to be a songwriter.
Doesn’t really want to play football but he’s good at it.
Had an affair with the Music Teacher over the summer.
Has two adorable girls interested in him – Betty and Veronica.

BETTY
She’s in-love with Archie.
She’s an All-American girl, pretty, sweet and kind.
She’s friendly and appreciative.
She’s quick thinking.
She’s learning to stand-up for herself.

VERONICA
New girl in town.
Friendly and out-going.
Has a crush on Archie.
Speaks her mind and can be confrontational at times.
Goes after what she wants.
Sometimes loyal and sometimes not.
Wants to become a better person.
Cares for people/friends.

EMPATHY / DISTRESS
ARCHIE – He has wants and desires like any high school boy. He wants to do the right thing but sometimes it conflicts with is desires. He wants the teacher but he knows it’s wrong, he will settle for Veronica but it will hurt Betty, he doesn’t want to play football but it will help him down the road.

BETTY – She is so sweet but we’re afraid her heart is going to get broken by either Archie or Veronica or both.

VERONICA – She’s the new girl in town and is just trying to figure things out and make some friends but she makes some bad decisions which will hurt those she is trying to befriend.

LAYERS / OPEN LOOPS
What really happened to Jason Blossom now that we know he has a bullet to the head? Will Archie get together with the teacher? Will Archie start dating dating Betty or are they just going to be friends from now on? Will Archie date Veronica? What’s Jughead’s role in all this? What did Veronica’s dad do? What is the deal with Polly, Betty’s sister? Will Betty and Veronica remain friends?

INVITING OBSESSION
How is this going to turn out for Archie/Betty/Veronica is the big question?

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Profiles Part 2

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
By adding all these profiles to my characters it is really defining who they are and I can see that it is going to make everything they do/say easier to write down the road.

Character Name: John (40 years old) – Protagonist

A. The High Concept

This is a fisherman who absolutely loved his younger brother and hates a fish with all his heart with a SURPRISE TWIST at the end of the movie.

B. This Character’s Journey.

In the beginning, John continues doing everything the same way as he has done for the past 25 years; in the end John catches the “The Fish” he blames for his brother’s disappearance/death.

C. The Actor Attractors for this Character.

A Louisiana fisherman who once loved fishing with his brother because of it was thrilling and fun, now fishes with determination of vengeance and hatred. As he gathers his fishing equipment to set out on his annual crusade he his flooded with memories and emotion.

John’s emotional range goes from the perplexity of love between his wife and his deceased brother to the juxtaposition of calm and rage while fishing to excitement to utter shock.

Despite John’s determination and dedication to avenging his brother’s death, in the back of John’s mind is the nagging possibility that his wife might be right and this whole “revenge thing” is a complete waste of time.

John has an imaginary conversation with his deceased brother.

Through his unwavering determination to kill “The Fish” yet believing the outdoors is a sanctuary.

He enjoys the peaceful tranquility of the outdoors while contemplating a violent end to one of nature’s inhabitants.

John’s patience, persistence and determination. When John’s takes Jim’s fishing hat and placing it on his head John has united Jim’s persona with his own and together they will battle “The Fish”.

The moment John catches “The Fish” after 25 years of trying. The struggle involved to reel it in! The shock when John realizes, “he was the one that got away!”

Role in the Story: A fisherman sets out to avenge his brother’s death, catches “The Fish” and then gets eaten by “The Fish”.

Age range and Description: 40, Big-boned, slightly heavy, outdoorsy, burly, dressed in fishing attire.

Core Traits: Determined, Intelligent, Thorough, Imaginative

Motivation; Want/Need: To kill “The Fish” / Justice

Wound: He lived and his brother didn’t

Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Has a photo of his brother
Enjoys nature and the serenity
Watery eyes / tear drop

7. Character Subtext: Something to Prove – Has to catch “The Fish” to justice everything – his seeking revenge, that he’s not a failure, his families rightful place as great fisherman, his wife was wrong to think this was time poorly spent when he presently has a son at home.

8. Character Intrigue: Unspoken Wound: The disappearance of his father.

9. Flaw: Overdoing things / Unable to let go / Seeing things to completion

10. Values: (in this order) Loyalty, Love, Being his Best, Family, Intelligence, Duty, Honesty, Fame, Winning

11. Character Dilemma: Being Loyal to the Past vs. Being Loyal to the Present

Character Name: John (15 years old) – Protagonist

A. The High Concept.

John loves fishing and he wants to pass what he knows along to his younger brother; to teach him the things their dad taught him before mysteriously disappearing. To prove his point he wants to catch a large catfish like their Grandpa did in a family photo.

B. This Character’s Journey.

Teaching fishing to his younger brother to catching a whooper to being pulled overboard to resurfacing and being the only one in the boat.

C. The Actor Attractors for this Character.

It’s a dramatic role of an older brother teaching his younger brother fishing and experiencing the excitement of catching a huge catfish and all the emotions, the anticipation of the catch to the thrill of catching to the devastation of loosing his younger brother.

He demonstrates his knowledge of fishing by teaching his younger brother. The two brothers obviously share a special bond.

John is always trying to do his best and set a good example for his younger brother. He wants to be a role model and a father figure.

1. Role in the Story: A teenage boy who loves fishing and catches a whooper.

2. Age range and Description: 15, average kid, bigger and heavier than his younger brother, somewhat athletic, middle class, jeans and a T-shirt

3. Core Traits: Determined, Intelligent, Thorough, Imaginative

4. Motivation; Want/Need:
Want – To catch a huge catfish like Grandpa
Need – To prove he’s a legitimate fisherman in a long line of fisherman

5. Wound: His father’s abrupt disappearance

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Picks up some litter that’s floating in the river
Tries teaching his brother fishing
Stressing about having to go back to school

7. Character Subtext: Hiding something: He never went fishing with his dad or maybe they went once but he never showed him how to fish – just had him sit in the boat.

8: Character Intrigue: Secret Identity: Wants to be a Role Model/Father figure for his younger brother and set a good example for him to follow.

9. Flaw: Overdoing things / Unable to let go / Seeing things to completion

10. Values: (in this order) Duty, Being his Best, Love, Family, Intelligence, Fame, Winning, Loyalty, Honesty

11. Character Dilemma: Task Oriented vs. Having Fun

Character Name: Jim (12 years old) – Protagonist

A. The High Concept.
Jim loves spending time with his older brother and being outdoors thus when his older brother is pulled overboard by a huge catfish he has no hesitation whatsoever and dives in the water with knife in hand cutting the fishing line and freeing his brother, however, he never resurfaces.

B. This Character’s Journey.

Calm and relaxing to the stress of his older brother catching a fish too big to having to make a split second decision to diving in the water to save his older brother.

C. The Actor Attractors for this Character.

Jim is a cool kid who is kickback and relaxed. He saves his older brother by diving into the water to cut the fishing line when his older brother gets pulled in by a huge catfish.

He pretends to be interested in fishing but really just enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his older brother.

He and his brother are best of friends who do a lot of joking around and kidding.

1. Role in the Story: A boy who dives into the water and cuts the fishing line but never resurfaces.

2. Age range and Description: 12, average kid, smaller and skinnier than his older brother, somewhat athletic, middle class, shorts and a T-shirt, fishing hat

3. Core Traits: Easy-going, Humorous/Jokester, Inquisitive, Brave

4. Motivation; Want/Need:
Want – To spend time with his older brother
Need – To be right at least once

5. Wound: Father’s abrupt disappearance

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Picks up some litter that’s floating in the river
Knows his birds – like his mom
Afraid of the water and alligators

7. Character Subtext: Secretly enjoys the outdoors more than the fishing, the birds and the surroundings.

8: Character Intrigue: Afraid they are going to catch an alligator

9. Flaw: Doesn’t think before he leaps.

10. Values: (in this order) Family, Love, Loyalty, Honesty, Intelligence, Being his Best, Duty, Winning, Fame

11. Character Dilemma: Having Fun vs. Task Oriented

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Profiles Part 1

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

There are a lot of layers to a character and this is a great way of going about it.

Character Name: John (40 years old) – Protagonist

The High Concept

This is a fisherman who absolutely loved his younger brother and hates a fish with all his heart with a SURPRISE TWIST at the end of the movie.

This Character’s Journey

In the beginning, John continues doing everything the same way as he has done for the past 25 years; in the end John catches the “The Fish” he blames for his brother’s disappearance/death.

The Actor Attractors for this Character

A Louisiana fisherman who once loved fishing with his brother because of it was thrilling and fun, now fishes with determination of vengeance and hatred. As he gathers his fishing equipment to set out on his annual crusade he his flooded with memories and emotion.

John’s emotional range goes from the perplexity of love between his wife and his deceased brother to the juxtaposition of calm and rage while fishing to excitement to utter shock.

Despite John’s determination and dedication to avenging his brother’s death, in the back of John’s mind is the nagging possibility that his wife might be right and this whole “revenge thing” is a complete waste of time.

John has an imaginary conversation with his deceased brother.

Through his unwavering determination to kill “The Fish” yet believing the outdoors is a sanctuary.

He enjoys the peaceful tranquility of the outdoors while contemplating a violent end to one of nature’s inhabitants.

John’s patience, persistence and determination. When John’s takes Jim’s fishing hat and placing it on his head John has united Jim’s persona with his own and together they will battle “The Fish”.

The moment John catches “The Fish” after 25 years of trying. The struggle involved to reel it in! The shock when John realizes, “he was the one that got away!”

Role in the Story: A fisherman sets out to avenge his brother’s death, catches “The Fish” and then gets eaten by “The Fish”.

Age range and Description: 40, Big-boned, slightly heavy, outdoorsy, burly, dressed in fishing attire.

Core Traits: Determined, Intelligent, Thorough, Imaginative

Motivation; Want/Need: To kill “The Fish” / Justice

Wound: He lived and his brother didn’t

Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Has a photo of his brother
Enjoys nature and the serenity
Watery eyes / tear drop

Character Name: John (15 years old) – Protagonist

The High Concept.

John loves fishing and he wants to pass what he knows along to his younger brother; to teach him the things their dad taught him before mysteriously disappearing. To prove his point he wants to catch a large catfish like their Grandpa did in a family photo.

This Character’s Journey

Teaching fishing to his younger brother to catching a whooper to being pulled overboard to resurfacing and being the only one in the boat.

The Actor Attractors for this Character

It’s a dramatic role of an older brother teaching his younger brother fishing and experiencing the excitement of catching a huge catfish and all the emotions, the anticipation of the catch to the thrill of catching to the devastation of loosing his younger brother.

He demonstrates his knowledge of fishing by teaching his younger brother. The two brothers obviously share a special bond.

John is always trying to do his best and set a good example for his younger brother. He wants to be a role model and a father figure.

Role in the Story: A teenage boy who loves fishing and catches a whooper.

Age range and Description: 15, average kid, bigger and heavier than his younger brother, somewhat athletic, middle class, jeans and a T-shirt

Core Traits: Determined, Intelligent, Thorough, Imaginative

Motivation; Want/Need:
Want – To catch a huge catfish like Grandpa
Need – To prove he’s a legitimate fisherman in a long line of fisherman

Wound: His father’s abrupt disappearance

Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Picks up some litter that’s floating in the river
Tries teaching his brother fishing
Stressing about having to go back to school

Character Name: Jim (12 years old) – Protagonist

<u class=””>The High Concept.
Jim loves spending time with his older brother and being outdoors thus when his older brother is pulled overboard by a huge catfish he has no hesitation whatsoever and dives in the water with knife in hand cutting the fishing line and freeing his brother, however, he never resurfaces.

This Character’s Journey.

Calm and relaxing to the stress of his older brother catching a fish too big to having to make a split second decision to diving in the water to save his older brother.

The Actor Attractors for this Character

Jim is a cool kid who is kickback and relaxed. He saves his older brother by diving into the water to cut the fishing line when his older brother gets pulled in by a huge catfish.

He pretends to be interested in fishing but really just enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his older brother.

He and his brother are best of friends who do a lot of joking around and kidding.

Role in the Story: A boy who dives into the water and cuts the fishing line but never resurfaces.

Age range and Description: 12, average kid, smaller and skinnier than his older brother, somewhat athletic, middle class, shorts and a T-shirt, fishing hat

Core Traits: Easy-going, Humorous/Jokester, Inquisitive, Brave

Motivation; Want/Need:
Want – To spend time with his older brother
Need – To be right at least once

Wound: Father’s abrupt disappearance

Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Picks up some litter that’s floating in the river
Knows his birds – like his mom
Afraid of the water and alligators

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Likability/Relatability/Empathy

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
It’s the little things that add up and have a big impact on your characters.

Character Name: John (40 years old) – Protagonist

Likability – Has a photo of his brother

Relatability – Enjoys nature and the serenity

Empathy – Watery eyes / tear drop
____________________________________________

Character Name: Teresa- Antagonist

Likability – loves her husband

Relatability – wants him to stay home for the weekend – Labor Day – BBQ

Empathy – Going to miss him terribly

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Intrigue

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

There are several ways to make your characters more intriguing and by listing them it really helps to define who they are. I can really see the advantages to the process.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

Character Name: John (15 years old)
Role: Older Brother

Hidden Agenda: wants to spend the entire day fishing

Competition: Wants to show his brother that he knows what he’s doing and not to go home empty-handed.

Secret: he’s been told about the chicken for bait at school.

Deceptions: gives the impression he knows things about the river – way more than he does

Unspoken Wound: the mysterious disappearance of their father

Secret Identity: Role Model / Father Figure

Character Name: Jim (12 years old)
Role: Younger Brother

Hidden Agenda: the sooner they run out of bait, the sooner they can go exploring the river.

Competition: you never know what you’ll catch and maybe – just maybe, Jim will outperform his brother John

Secret: afraid they might catch a “gator” or who knows what – maybe something worse after all it is the bayou.

Deceptions: That he enjoys fishing as much as John.

Unspoken Wound: the mysterious disappearance of their father

Secret Identity: He’s more of a Birdwatcher

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Character Subtext

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
By adding subtext to a character you are building that characters personality making them more interesting and intriguing.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

2. With your example movie, give us the following answers for the character with the most subtext:

Movie Title: ORDINARY PEOPLE

Character Name: BETH JARRETT

Subtext Identity: The Controller – a total control freak

Subtext Trait: Manipulative, Blaming, Self-Absorbed, Vulnerable, Defensive

Subtext Logline: Beth is a mother who lost a son and now feels she must control every aspect of her family’s life, and she has built a barrier because she doesn’t want to get hurt again.

Possible Areas of Subtext: While getting ready for her son’s funeral she tells her husband what shoes to wear, doesn’t want to have her picture taken with her youngest son, doesn’t want her husband disclosing family issues with friends at a party, awkward conversation with her son but at ease on the phone with whomever; laughing – comfortable playing golf with friends but then gets in a heated argument with husband, discloses she has little in common with Conrad (her youngest son) when he says he’s good at Trig.

3. For your two leads, brainstorm these answers:

Character Name: JOHN (15 years old)

Subtext Identity: A older brother who thinks of himself as a role model to his younger brother and is always right.

Subtext Trait: Control, Competitive

Subtext Logline: John is the older brother who is “teaching” Jim to fish.
Possible Areas of Subtext: Changing location as to where to fish. What type of bait to use. Where to cast. School topics – loves them all and loves debate (wants to be an attorney) and chess.

Character Name: JIM (12 years old)

Subtext Identity: The younger brother who doesn’t care for fishing too much

Subtext Trait: Defiant, sneaky

Subtext Logline: The younger brother who secretively enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his brother.

Possible Areas of Subtext: Casts in wrong spot, Puts bait on too loose. Wants more scenic

[Brian Bull]

Actor attractors for – ORDINARY PEOPLE

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
To look deeper into a character so that character is one that an actor would like to portray.

ACTOR ATTRACTOR TEMPLATE
Lead Character Name: Conrad Jarrett (youngest son)
Role: Protagonist

What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? An average kid with a wide range of issues raging from brother dying to failed suicide to an insensitive mother to dating and learning how to persevere.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? At first he’s self contained but then he opens up and shares his feelings.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? Sees a psychiatrist, quits swim team, at Xmas yells, “Give her the G.D. camera!!!”, fights a classmate, can’t talk to his mother.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? At first he appears as an ordinary kid but slowly we see the complexity of the life in which he lives. He displays talent in choir – he’s a good tenor, he is good at swimming.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range? Always trying to remain calm and wants to be more in control. Looses control and resorts to rage/anger a couple of times.

6. What subtext can the actor play? Tries to bury the fact his brother Buck “let go” during the boating accident. Feels his mother hates him.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have? The relationship between his mother – she dislikes him and he feels he doesn’t measure up compared to his brother Buck.

Also, the relationship between the psychiatrist – doesn’t like at first then he trusts him and “opens up” and shares his feelings.

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented? Through his ability to do his best – good tenor, swimmer, student but doesn’t understand when things go bad and blames himself when it happens.

9. What could make this character special and unique? Self preservation. He survived a boating accident, suicide, a dysfunctional family life.

Lead Character Name: Beth Jarrett (Mother)
Role: (Antagonist)
1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script?
4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?
5. What could be this character’s emotional range?
6. What subtext can the actor play?
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?
8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?
9. What could make this character special and unique?

Lead Character Name: Dr. Berger (Psychiatrist)
Role: (Protagonist)
1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script?
4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?
5. What could be this character’s emotional range?
6. What subtext can the actor play?
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?
8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?
9. What could make this character special and unique?

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL

I 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.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL

I’ve written 7 scripts.

I am hoping to elevate my writing skills and write a Binge Worthy TV Show.

I have been working in the TV/Movie industry for 35 years and I loved every minute of it, however, it is time for me to write/produce my own material.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL -ACTORS ACTTRACTORS

MY VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
By using the ACTOR ATTRACTOR TEMPLATE I was able to give my characters a lot more depth and meaning – hopefully, this will translate to attracting actor’s interest in the roles I am creating.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ACTOR ATTRACTOR

Lead Character Name: JOHN (40 yrs. old)
Role: Protagonist

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

– This is a fisherman who absolutely loved his younger brother and hates a fish with all his heart with a SURPRISE TWIST at the end of the movie.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

– Enjoys the peaceful tranquility of the outdoors while contemplating a violent end to one of nature’s inhabitants.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script?

– The moment John catches “The Fish” after 25 years of trying. The struggle involved to reel it in! The shock when John realizes, “he was the one that got away!”

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

– A Louisiana fisherman who once loved fishing with his brother because of it was thrilling and fun, now fishes with determination of vengeance and hatred. As he gathers his fishing equipment to set out on his annual crusade he his flooded with memories and emotion.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range? From the perplexity of love between his wife and his deceased brother to the juxtaposition of calm and rage while fishing to excitement to utter shock.

– From the perplexity of love between his wife and his deceased brother to the juxtaposition of calm and rage while fishing to excitement to utter shock.

6. What subtext can the actor play?

– Despite John’s determination and dedication to avenging his brother’s death, in the back of John’s mind is the nagging possibility that his wife might be right and this whole “revenge thing” is a complete waste of time.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

– An imaginary conversation with his deceased brother.

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

– Through his unwavering determination to kill “The Fish” yet believing the outdoors is a sanctuary.

9. What could make this character special and unique?

– John’s patience, persistence and determination. When John’s takes Jim’s fishing hat and placing it on his head John has united Jim’s persona with his own and together they will battle “The Fish”.

Lead Character Name: JOHN (15 yrs. old)
Role: (Protagonist)

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

– This is an older brother bonding with his younger brother in the solitude of a Louisiana bayou fishing which he loves doing more than anything else. He experiences the highest of highs when he catches an enormous catfish to the lowest of lows with the loss of his brother in the struggle leaving him alone standing in a boat.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

– While schooling his younger brother on fishing he deviates from tradition and uses some chicken and catches an enormous catfish.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script?

– He catches the largest catfish in the state of Louisiana!

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

– He is passionate about fishing, ambitious in trying a new fishing spot, mentors his younger brother making him the ultimate older brother in a fishing boat.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

– Motivated to content to excited to determined to surprise to terrified disbelief.

6. What subtext can the actor play?

– Has a bit of jealousy of his younger brother who is more easy-going and carefree.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

– His younger brother means the world to him and they are buddies.

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

– Through his belief that he is a role model for your younger brother and everything he does has to be on the up-and-up.

9. What could make this character special and unique?

– He lives by the motto, “We don’t do thing right some of the time – we do things right all the time!” and he tries to lead by example for his younger brother.

Lead Character Name: JIM (12 yrs. old)
Role: (Protagonist)

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

– This is a younger brother bonding with his older brother in the solitude of a Louisiana bayou fishing which he enjoys doing because his older brother loves it so much. He witnesses his brother catching an enormous catfish but becomes worried something bad might happen and makes a split second decision when his brother gets pulled into the water.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

– He makes a split second decision to save his brother.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script?

– He plays Devil’s advocate with his brother just for fun. He makes a split second decision to save his brother.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

– Just having fun while fishing with his brother but takes heroic action when his brother is pulled overboard by an enormous catfish.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

– Happy-go-lucky to disappointed to worried to compelled.

6. What subtext can the actor play?

– He knows his brother is right most of the times but second-guesses a lot of his decisions. He is also smarter than he let’s on to and hides it by joking around.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

– His older brother means the world to him and they are buddies.

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

– Through his sense of humor and light-heartedness – “everything is coming up roses” attitude.

9. What could make this character special and unique?

– Has an admiration for his older brother and a good sense of humor – at the age of 12 years old he doesn’t take life too seriously but idolizes his brother.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Genre Conventions

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
…I love adding layers to my story. I can see the story taking shape and getting better and better with each assignment. I can see the difference and I am amazed!!!

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

GENRE: DRAMA

LIST OF STRUCTURE CONVENTIONS NEEDED

ACT 1
Build the brother’s relationship and the bond that fishing brings to them.

ACT 2
Strengthen John’s commitment to Jim’s death with a photo and hat.
Show how John and his wife are opposed regarding John’s fishing trip.

ACT 3
John needs a bigger commitment – deeper understanding of the task at hand and it has to come from within – he might be up against a bigger foe than he thought.

ACT 4
Good enough for now.

GENRE IMPROVEMENTS – Changes in BOLD

ACT 1
Opening: Two brothers, John and Jim are fishing in a remote Louisiana bayou and not having much luck. They talk as brothers do – last chance to fish before school starts, what the bayou means to them, joking about catching a “stick bass”. They run out of bait.

Not giving up, John decides to try chicken from their sandwiches. Jim gives John a hard time about switching bait to chicken – likely to catch a ‘gator with it. John’s determined to catch something before going home.

Inciting Incident: John catches a “BIG ONE”!!! John struggles as he tries to reel in “The Fish”. Jim wants John to cut the line and let it go. John refuses. Jim is worried as he watches John as John tries with all his might to reel the fish in. John gets pulled into the water. Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line. John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat. Jim never resurfaces.

Turning Point: John is left all alone in the boat with the realization Jim is gone.

ACT 2
Reaction: Since “The Incident”, John has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years. Jim’s photo hangs in the garage and is a constant reminder of his failure at redemption! John takes the photo down and holds it in deep in thought – we know what he is thinking by the look on his face.

Plan In Action: John is gathering his fishing equipment. Fishing Pole, Tackle Box, Gloves, Spear, Etc.

Wife reminds John of his failures – nothing to show for his past attempts – sowing doubt.
Thinks he should give up and spend time with their son – tries to redirect John and have him focus on the present and not the past.
Wife suggests trying a different bait – John replies, “NEVER!!!” Wife suggestions are contradictory to John’s beliefs.
John sees a photo of his Grandfather with a huge catfish and wishes he could be successful like him. John finds encouragement to counteract the negativity displayed by his wife.

Midpoint Turning Point: John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it. The hat reinforces John’s determination to seek revenge and avenge Jim’s death!

ACT 3
Rethink: Stopping at a gas station/trading post, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about the Native Indians who spoke of catfish so large one catfish could feed a village. John listens intently trying to decide if there is any truth to what the old-timer is telling him.

New Plan: John buys some dog chain, a javelin-like spear and a whole rotisserie cajun chicken. John puts the boat in the water, places Jim’s fishing hat on the seat where Jim would be sitting if Jim were there, and heads for “The Spot”. Everything is reminiscent of the day of “The Incident”. The weather, the trees and the leaves blowing in the breeze, the Great Blue Heron flying upstream, the alligator on the shoreline, the clouds in the sky, the insects buzzing the surface of the water. Arriving at “The Spot”, John is very much “in-tune” with his surrounding and what it is he is doing; he does everything just like he always has – just like the day of “The Incident”. John has the same results that he has had for the past 25 years. John grows weary.

Turning Point: John reels his line in and finds an empty hook and he’s out of bait. Frustration sets in. John takes Jim’s fishing hat and places it on his head for good luck.

ACT 4
New Plan: John decides to try the whole rotisserie cajun chicken he picked up from the gas station/trading post as bait.

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, many of the same tactics “The Fish” used when he was a kid are used again, but John is prepared for each one of them. He manages to reel “The Fish” in; just a little closer so he can harpoon it with his spear. Face-to-face with “The Fish” John sees that he has indeed managed to catch the biggest catfish in Louisiana history!!!
John then realizes, “I’m the one you were after – I’m the One That Got Away!”

Resolution: Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish” thus leaving an empty fishing boat floating in the midst of the water.

[Brian Bull]

MODULE 2 – LESSON 5
BRIAN BULL – 4 Act Transformational Structure

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
…I have the ability to dig deeper into my story and add layers. My character needs to have small successes here and there as well as some failures. The entire time working towards that goal that will define them in the end.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

MAIN CONFLICT
Seeking revenge and salvation, John must catch and kill “The Fish” he holds responsible for the disappearance/death of his younger brother, Jim.

OLD WAYS
Going through the motions
No light at the end of the tunnel
Living on a prayer
Long history of failures

NEW WAYS:

Determined
Stronger than ever
Never give up
Failure is not an option
The prize is for the taking
Revenge is all that matters

ACT 1

Opening: Two brothers, John and Jim are fishing in a remote Louisiana bayou and not having much luck. They run out of bait.

Not giving up, John decides to try chicken from their sandwiches.

Inciting Incident: John catches a “BIG ONE” and gets pulled into the water. Jim dives into the water with a knife and cuts the line. John emerges from the water and gets back into the boat. Jim never resurfaces.

Turning Point: John is left all alone in the boat.

ACT 2
Reaction: Since “The Incident”, John has gone fishing for “The Fish” for 25 years. Jim’s photo hangs in the garage and is a constant reminder of his failure at redemption!

Plan In Action: John is gathering his fishing equipment. Fishing Pole, Tackle Box, Gloves, Spear, Etc.

Wife reminds John of his failures – nothing to show for his past attempts.
Thinks he should give up and spend time with their son.
Wife suggests trying a different bait – John replies, “NEVER!!!”
John sees a photo of his Grandfather with a huge catfish and wishes he could be successful like him.

Midpoint Turning Point: John uncovers Jim’s fishing hat and packs it.

ACT 3
Rethink: Stopping at a gas station/trading post, an old-timer recalls a fishing tale about the Native Indians who spoke of catfish so large one catfish could feed a village.

New Plan: John buys some dog chain, a machete and a whole rotisserie cajun chicken. John puts the boat in the water and begins to look for “The Spot”. Finding “The Spot”. Doing everything just like he always has John goes weary.

Turning Point: John reels his line in and finds an empty hook and he’s out of bait.

ACT 4

New Plan: John decides to try the whole rotisserie cajun chicken he picked up from the gas station/trading post as bait.

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: John hooks “The Fish” and the power struggle begins, many of the same tactics “The Fish” used when he was a kid are used again, but John is prepared for each one of them. He manages to reel “The Fish” in; close enough that he can harpoon it with his spear. Face-to-face with “The Fish” John sees that he has indeed managed to catch the biggest catfish in Louisiana history!!!
John realizes, “I’m the one you were after – I’m the One That Got Away!”

Resolution: Leaning over the edge of the boat, John is engulfed by “The Fish” thus leaving an empty fishing boat floating in the midst of the water.

[Brian Bull]

MY VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the SILVER SCREEN!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I just love doing these assignments! I know these are just the pieces of the story and I know eventually it’s all going to come together to MAKE AN INCREDIBLE MOVIE!!! I can hardly wait for that to happen. With each assignment I know I am getting that much closer to putting it all together.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

SUBTEXT PLOTS – LAYERING

Two brothers, John, the older brother, and Jim went fishing.

John managed to hook “a really BIG ONE” and struggled with it for some time and eventually was pulled into the water. Jim dove in and cut the line. John quickly exited the water but Jim never resurfaced.

John goes fishing annually, determined to catch the fish that caused his brother’s disappearance/death.

In the end, the deeper layer is revealed.

After a lengthy struggle between John and “the Fish”, the Fish consumes John in one big gulp and we find out that John was the ONE THAT HAD GOTTEN AWAY!!!

[Brian Bull]

WIM – BRIAN BULL – The Transformational Journey

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my script from my hands to the television!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I learned from this exercise/process that by mapping out the ARC, INTERNAL JOURNEY, EXTERNAL JOURNEY, OLD WAY to the NEW WAYS is the simplest and easiest way to give your story purpose and a driving force. Every step of the way – from the opening scene to the end I now have a map to follow. I can easily build my story from this (the beginning) and I can easily go to that (the end) giving my audience a satisfying sense of progression.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

JOHN

John is the older brother/fisherman who’s determined to catch “the Fish” that he blames for his younger brother’s disappearance/death.

Unrelenting will and determination. Seeks revenge and justice.

ARC BEGINNING: Simple minded fisherman.

ARC ENDING: He has what it takes to land the “BIG ONE!!!”

INTERNAL JOURNEY:

Contemplative and reserved to hell-bent determination and rage.

EXTERNAL JOURNEY:
Small time fisherman to being the fisherman who caught the biggest catfish in Louisiana that was responsible for his brother’s disappearance/death.

OLD WAYS
Going through the motions
No light at the end of the tunnel
Living on a prayer
Long history of failures

NEW WAYS:

Determined
Stronger than ever
Never give up
Failure is not an option
The prize is for the taking
Revenge is all that matters

[Brian Bull]

WIM – BRIAN BULL – INTENTIONAL LEAD CHARACTERS

MY VISION!
My ultimate goal is to get my scripts from my hands to the silver screen!!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…

I’m seeing my characters in a different light. I’m seeing them for who they are and I am concentrating their uniqueness down to the bare essentials which I believe will help define everything they do. I want to do this with all my characters.

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

JOHN
John is the older brother/fisherman who’s determined to catch “the Fish” that he blames for his younger brother’s disappearance/death.

Unrelenting will and determination. Seeks revenge and justice.

THE FISH
“The Fish” is the largest Catfish in the State of Louisiana who John blames for his younger brother’s disappearance/death.

Elusive. All powerful. Uncanny presence.

JIM
Jim is the younger brother who disappeared/died when he dove into the water and cut the fishing line when John got pulled out of the boat by “the Fish”.

Innocent. Sweet. Humorous.

[Brian Bull]

BRIAN BULL – Title, Concept and Character Structure

VISION!!!
My ultimate goal is to get my script from my hands to the television!!

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
I am well on my way to outlining and writing my movies. Through a series of small steps the bigger picture will begin to take shape. I am having fun working through the process and everyday it gets more and more exciting!!!

TITLE: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale

CONCEPT: A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

CHARACTER STRUCTURE: Protagonist vs. Antagonist

[Brian Bull]

Hello everyone – My name is Brian Bull.

I have 7 scripts that I would consider completed and I have 5 other scripts in different stages of development.

I know this class will empower me to improve the scripts I have completed and get them into the right hands and made into movies!!! I am also confident that this class will better my understanding of story ideas / concept and marketability so the scripts I have in development will get written and made into movies/TV shows.

Johnny Depp asked if he could have his assistant take pictures of my eyes so he could have contacts made for his upcoming character role – the character was Whitey Bulger and the movie was Black Mass.

[Brian Bull]

Brian Bull – I agree to the terms of this release form.

[Brian Bull]

Hello everyone – My name is Brian Bull.

I have 7 scripts that I would consider completed and I have 5 other scripts in different stages of development.

I know this class will empower me to improve the scripts I have completed and get them into the right hands and made into movies!!! I am also confident that this class will better my understanding of story ideas / concept and marketability so the scripts I have in development will get written and made into movies/TV shows.

Johnny Depp asked if he could have his assistant take pictures of my eyes so he could have contacts made for his upcoming character role – the character was Whitey Bulger and the movie was Black Mass.

[Brian Bull]

How far would you go to see a band before they die?

This is an intriguing proposition? I asked myself, “Distance-wise or does he (you/Paul) mean, obstacle-wise?” So, I think you have succeeded in grabbing my attention and making me read the next sentence.


Paul is a middle-aged, gay stand-up comedian whose dream is to attend the New Wave festival of ’80s bands in LA.

The first thing that jumped out at me was, “PAUL.” That’s the same name as the writer. That’s weird. Is this some sort of autobiography or something? Is that your intention? I found this to be a distraction and confusing. I’m not sure if that’s what you want, but that’s my reaction. I would suggest changing the name unless that’s where you’re going with this…

Unfortunately, he gets laid off from his day job and also has to deal with a homophobic neighbor and a health crisis that lands him in the hospital.

You use the word, “Unfortunately.” I feel EMPATHY for your character. He lost his job, he has a bad neighbor, and he has health issues. For me, those are ALL reasons for him TO go to LA and attend the NEW WAVE festival.

I might suggest… “Paul’s world crashes in around him including a trip to the hospital; feeling self-doubt about attending the festival and contemplating selling his ticket, Paul digs deep within and makes the trip!

Faced with his return to New York and a world of chaos, Paul must decide whether to stay or go back to LA.”

Will he be able to attend his dream concert, or will he have to sell his ticket and give up on his dream?
Although he does eventually make it to the New Wave festival, when he returns to New York he’s still unemployed and being harassed by his neighbor.
Now he has to decide: Is living in New York really worth it or should he go back to LA?
If you’d like to read my screenplay, please let me know.
BIO: I’m a stand-up comedian and the author of a book, a blog and a one-man show.

I do want to know more about your story and character. I am very curious about how attending the festival, and seeing “the band,” changed him. I am confident that something very traumatic happened at the show that changed Paul forever. So your query letter might want to focus more on the Transformational Journey.

I’m not sure if your Query Letter is going to make a Producer want to read it. I think there are some BIG PICTURE hooks in your story that you’re not putting into the letter.

I hope you find this helpful and not hurtful – I think there’s more to your story.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 4 weeks ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

Thank you Susan! I appreciate it.

[Brian Bull]

I am ready for feedback if you haven’t found anyone to exchange with.

Brian Bull

GENRE: Drama / Comedy / Romance

CONCEPT: An Optometrist creates a pair of glasses from a crystal ball that enable him to see the future.

BIG PICTURE HOOK: Dr. Jim Brown “sees” an attempted murder through his “psychic glasses” and he must try and prevent it from happening. He also “sees” the girl of his dreams though she has no love interest in him and just wants to be friends.

My email is bullsproductionservices@gmail.com

[Brian Bull]

<div>BRIAN BULL – SCRIPT EXCHANGE</div><div>

The ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A Fisherman’s Tale
A fisherman is determined to catch the fish he blames for his younger brother’s death, however, in the end, it turns out the fisherman is the one who had gotten away.

ASSIGNMENT

Exchange feedback with at least one other writer, then rewrite your script to improve it.
1. Post your request to exchange feedback in the Module 6 forums under Lesson 5 and/or respond to another writer who has posted their request.

LOOKING to EXCHANGE FEEDBACK if anyone is available.

</div>

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by  Brian Bull.

[Brian Bull]

Hi Ruthie –

I am ready to exchange if you would like. Email is bullsproductionservices@gmail.com

[Brian Bull]

Hey H – I am looking to exchange feedback if you want. Just let me know.

[Brian Bull]

Hey Steve – I love the fact that you were able to have RED TEXT – if you wouldn’t mind sharing I would love to know how to do that.

[Brian Bull]

Hey Lloyd – we’re both in the WIM class together as well. Jumping in with both feet!!! Looking forward to seeing both projects pan-out.

[Brian Bull]

My wife does animal rescue in the Los Angeles area.

[Brian Bull]

Hey Cassie – I love Ghost Stories and I also love comedies. I’m looking forwarding to seeing where you go with this and watching it develop. I did have a thought regarding your title – just a thought – One Bedroom, One Bath (Ghost included)

[Brian Bull]

Hello Lenore – Looking forward to having you in class.

[Brian Bull]

Looking forward to having you in class.

[Brian Bull]

I won’t say he “fell in love” with my eyes. I believe the exact words he used were, “Hey buddy, I don’t want to sound gay but you have the craziest eyes I have ever seen and I was wondering if my assistant could take a picture of them for a movie role I am going to be in.” Then, when the movie came out every article said, “you couldn’t tell it was Johnny Depp with his blonde hair and “deadly eyes”, “killer blue eyes”, “ice cold eyes”.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Brian – Looking forward to having you in class. There’s Fantasy, STUCK, Deadlines and EMPOWERMENT. It might be time for you to get un-“STUCK” and step into the EMPOWERMENT section – that’s what I have learned so far in this class. Take ACTION doing something you LOVE!!!

[Brian Bull]

Hello Chris – That certainly sounds like a great experience you had with Jim Cash. The time might be right for you to be the next Jim Cash. Am I right???

[Brian Bull]

Hello Ashley – Looking forward to having you in class. It must be beautiful where you are at.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Francine – I always wanted to have a Tarot Card reading!!! That is so cool. I bet you have a lot of fun with that – or maybe not – depends I suppose. Looking forward to having you in class and getting to know you.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Joanne – “(You) have an epileptic cat!” Can I use that as a PROJECT IDEA??? That’s too funny. not really, but it is kind of funny when you think about it and all the different directions you could go with it. I wish you and your cat (name?) the very best.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Karyn – Looking forward to having you in class.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Haley – Your Aunt Margie is a wise women!!! Looking forward to having you in class.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Julia – Looking forward to having you in class. You bring a lot of energy!!!😀

[Brian Bull]

Hello Agnes – Looking for to meeting you and reading your stories.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Ferdinand – I could not agree with you more – LET’S MAKE SOME MOVIE MAGIC!!! I have heard many times over – WRITE THE MOVIE YOU WANT TO SEE – but I am re-thinking that right now – I think it should be said – WRITE THE MOVIE YOU KNOW WILL GET PICKED UP AND MADE!!! $$$😀 LOL

[Brian Bull]

Hello Patricia – I am sure there’s a few jokes in there about being a lawyer and being twiced blessed by the Dalai Lama but I will leave that for another time. I hope you have a GREAT sense of humor. 😀

[Brian Bull]

Hello Rodney – Will you be keeping a journal of your preparations for the climb as well as the climb itself??? Sounds to me like that in itself would make a GREAT SCRIPT!!! Looking forward to getting to know you.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Ruthie – Nice to meet you!!! Congratulations on your script being optioned!!! That’s GREAT!!! You are an inspiration – I hope we can all follow in your footsteps and get our scripts optioned.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Alyssa – I also love Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I am always amazed at the imagination that some individuals display. I guess that is part of the reason we all love going to the movies – to experience another world whether it be this one and some other “otherworldly” world – if that makes sense.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Richard – If you can see this – I WISH I COULD CHANGE THE FONT FOR YOU AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO READ!!! I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW YOU!!!!

[Brian Bull]

Hello H. Vince – How would you like to be addressed??? Do you go by “H” and “Vince” is your last name? Or would you prefer to be called “H. Vince”? Just for clarity – I want to be sure I’m addressing you correctly.

It’s a pleasure meeting regardless and looking forward to our time together throughout this class.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Sangeeta – I look forward to meeting you and seeing your first screenplay come to fruition!!! I wish you the very best. I know you will be up to the challenge. I would say, “Good Luck” but luck has little to do with it – what you put it is what you will get out!

[Brian Bull]

Hello Paul – It is a pleasure meeting you. I am sure working for NASA was very interesting on so many levels – I am sure the stories you have to tell are “out-of-this-world” – sorry, couldn’t help myself. 🙂 I am looking forward to getting to know you better and hearing your stories.

[Brian Bull]

LOL – Yes – maybe a bit more like Paul Newman’s.