[Caryn Ward Ross]

Hi, Caryn Ward Ross.

I’ve co-written one drama script for a drama series of which I was also the EP and story editor.

I am currently developing/writing my first original drama pilot.

I am taking this class because I want to understand the nuances behind writing deep, rich and compelling characters. My goal is to elevate my thought-process and write on a profound, high level.

I love chocolate cookies and I am the proud owner of 236 freckles splattered across my nose, cheeks and face 🙂

[Caryn Ward Ross]

What I learned doing this assignment is there are MANY ways to think about a concept. By doing the PICK A WORLD exercise, it opened my eyes to new possibilities that I’d never even considered. The biggest takeaway for me was the distinction between a character’s arc and the transformation I want my audience to have. Both can influence each other, but they are not necessarily the same thing.

Caryn’s First Three Decisions–

1) SELF-ACCEPTANCE IS LOVE

2) I’m going to love myself fully and completely( flaws and all), and accept the people in my life for who they are!

3) Music as a metaphor for life -time travel: a young blues dancer travels back to Memphis in the 1930’s for a second-chance of keeping her big band music family together and marrying the love of her life on Christmas Eve.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by  Caryn Ward Ross.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by  Caryn Ward Ross.

[Caryn Ward Ross]

What I learned from doing this assignment is the power of accepting what IS and living in the NOW moment. It taught me to appreciate the small things and people in my life, and to not take anything for granted ( small things are actually big things). It also highlighted for me that when we get out of our little bubble and help other people, life has more meaning. I am seeing that the “little” gestures of help can mean the world ( and in some cases, be life saving) for other people.

The CHANGE this movie is about being selfish, condescending, shut down and guarded to being open, vulnerable, caring and kind. The TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY is going from living in a small, self-absorbed bubble and thinking you don’t make a difference, to a person who thinks more of himself and others.

2. The CHANGE AGENT is Rita, who embodies unconditional love and acceptance, as well as optimism and a zest for life. The OPPRESSION is the cyclical nature of his life. The same, predictable things occurring every single day -the blizzard.

3. What causes us to CONNECT TO THE STORY- Phil is cynical and can’t see the gift of the day (moment). Phil is us. Phil goes through the motions of life, ensnarled in the mundanity of it. As we all are too -“same shit, different day” mentality.

4. Phil changed the most-old way: — self-absorbed, self-serving, arrogant and mean to people. Phil is guarded and unwilling to be vulnerable and connect to people. The new way, generous, helpful, sensitive, loving and kind open to being vulnerable and having a meaningful connect.

-Rita changed—she didn’t like Phil because he “only loves himself”. To seeing him as a caring, ope, compassionate man whom she could fall in love with.

-Larry, the camera man changed as well—he went from despising Phil, and thinking hr is a “Prima Donna”, to liking him and being on Phil’s side.

5. THE GRADIENT OF CHANGE:

Phil is confused

Phil tests it out ( pencil on alarm)

Phil confides in Rita, asks for his help

Phil seeks help, medical doctor and then a psychiatrist

Phil has a pity party ( “why can’t I get that day over and over”)

Phil lives recklessly ( nothing does matter and there are no consequences) “We could do whatever we want” -Phil drives recklessly, hits mailboxes, goes on a wild car chase with the police, Phil ends up in jail.

Phil accepts/confirms there are no consequences and says he’ll stay an extra day —

Phil learns the rules of the new world —he punches Ned and does NOT step in the puddle

Phil throws caution to the wind —eats whatever he wants, smokes “ I don’t worry about anything anymore”

Phil manipulates people ( secures a date, robs a bank)

Phil tries to end it all

6. “Old way” beliefs are that the world is centered around him, the mundanity of life, no excitement or appreciation for each new day

7. Profound moments of the movie include the times Phil and Rita were in the diner, and when Phil finally gave the homeless man money.

8. “Only God can make a tree” and “ No matter what happens tomorrow, or the rest of my life, I am happy”

9. It pays everything off because Phil became a whole new person, he helped the sales agent school mate, opened himself up tp love and being loved and realized he can use his life in service of good for other people.

10. When we accept what is and live in the NOW then everything because new and possible.

[Caryn Ward Ross]

I found the PROFOUND MODEL for “The Matrix” as well as the 10 questions? If you scroll all the way down, you will see a Word Doc as well as the questions. It took me a while to find it ( I thought it would be in a separate file). So just letting you know in case anyone missed it like me 🙂

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by  Caryn Ward Ross.

[Caryn Ward Ross]

Caryn Ward Ross

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.

[Caryn Ward Ross]

That is my question also. Where can I find read the “Profound Map” for The Matrix, please? @cheryl croasmun