Christopher Sequeira
Forum Replies Created
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<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Psychologist Sandra and the Unknown Killer called “The Hidden”
1. Fill in the blanks and see what shows up.
Concept: A psychologist who can tell when people are lying is stuck in a bizarre prison for inhuman beings that goes into lockdown when one of the inmates has found a way to get out of his cell and kill the staff. Unless she can solve the murders the prison will be destroyed with her and other staff in it. If it’s a variation on a prison / hidden psycho-killer with strange inhuman beings, then, how might that effect the psychologists’s ability to read the killer’s actions?
Hero
Morally Right: Sandra, a psychologist who wants to solve the murders but
also save the innocent staff – and even the ‘innocent’ prisoners from
being killed by the prison being imploded with them in it . If the clock is ticking for all of them, then
how might we set up simple, convincing rules that make this terrifying and
edge of the seat but still grounded?
Villain
Morally Wrong: The mysterious killer and the effects his murders are
causing to make the warden consider destroying the whole place rather than
letting the killer get free. If the killer prowls uncaught
can we play with the possibilities he’s not a prisoner, but perhaps a
warder or other staffer? Set up a powerful twist on this?Hero
A.
Unique Skill Set: Sandra, brilliant brave psych who has a knack of judging
when people are lying, but because of her (failed) past she also understands
need for redemption, and that just because you are a prisoner doesn’t mean
you should be left for dead. If Sandra understand liars and
desperate people so well, then how might we show this and has she used those
gifts in disturbing, semi-criminal or actual criminal ways herself – and did
she do so without getting caught – but knows it was wrong – hurt someone she
cared about and paid a price?
B.
Motivation: Saver herself and the ‘innocents’ (staff and prisoners) in the
prison from murder and death. If her powers are great, then
how might this lead to stunning revelations at story’s end. Rveals unlike
anything we imagine, shocking? Characters who are just not what they seem.
C.
Secret or Wound (she had a past where she misused her power / authority /
knowledge and was branded a criminal – because she actually was. If the usual thing is to see a character redeem
themselves out of guilt what if she has no guilt?Villain
A.
Unbeatable; The mysterious, powerful killer, is it one of the five inhuman
‘gang leaders’ or a completely unsuspected prisoner or staffer? This
villain leaves a series of taunting cluses at each murder scene. If we have this great set-up anyone can be a
suspect so there should be moments when we a re sure we know but we are
shocked by wrong and that means people we don’t expect to die have to die,
and maybe we can’t figure out how, because they were so powerful.
B.
Plan/Goal: To sow havoc and then escape. If the murderer has a bigger goal than we
thought that might create even greater intrigue. Revenge? Personal? Suicide?
Infect the world?
C.
What they lose if Hero survives: the ability to escape If they have other designs then a clue could be
people who don’t get killed. Which puts suspicion on them!Impossible Mission
A.
Puts Hero in Action: First murder and then prison goes into lockdown, and a murderer
who is unfazed by lockdown, seemingly gets everywhere exhibiting murderous
rage and great strength in killing people. If no one sees it it can be a shocking reveal of
the inhuman nature of the inmates which kicks the story to a new level?
B.
Demands They Go Beyond Their Best: if Sandra can’t be smarter, more canny
and more empathetic and capable of seeing through lies—and is also still
willing to forgive herself– – she will fail and die as will the others. If Sandra’s ostensible skill is picking liars
and their lies but she also KNOWS how to lie brilliantly, and she will use
this! Is she the greatest monster / inhuman of all?
C.
Destroy the Villain: By unmasking the villain, stopping the ticking clock
of the prison being destroyed with herself in it. If truth is resolution, then everyone’s truth
must ne revealed. A movie about devastating secrets and lies.2. Once you have filled in a quick answer to each, go back and extrapolate (If _____, then how might _____?) to elevate any answers you can.
3. Tell us your improved answers.
4. Answer the question, “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work. If you visualise the movie while you do this Mission-Hero-Villain exercise you realise the fundamentals of your hero have to be challenged by the nature of this story and the villain. All three of these elements feed each other for conflict and allow creativity to flow on doing fresh things to address the very story.
5. Post your assignment in the forums at http://www.ScreenwritingClasses.com/forums
Subject line: (Your Name’s) Hero and Villain (place in first line) Sandra and “The Hidden”
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Christopher Sequeira’s Conventions
What I learned doing this assignment is…JUST PUT SOMETHING DOWN ON PAPER”
“The Deadkeep”
Concept: A female
psychologist who can tell when people are lying is on assignment at a ‘special’
prison where the inmates are actually inhuman beings when a dead body is
found and the prison goes into lockdown and she must figure out who killer
is as more murders occur and the fanatical warden considers destroying the
place and all in it rather than see anyone escape.Conventions
Hero: Sandra Curtis, a psychologist
with advanced skills in telling when people are lying. <div>Demand For Action: Sent to a ‘special’
prison where the inmates are actually inhuman beings.Mission: When a dead body is found
prison goes into lockdown, Sandra will never be able to leave unless she
can help figure out who killer is and neutralise themAntagonist: The unknown killer, and
the fanatic prison administration.Escalating Action: The killer continues
to strike and other prisoners are escaping, and there may be a ticking
clock where the warden will have the whole prison destroyed rather than
see anyone escape.</div>
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1. Christopher Sequeira
2. I agree to the terms of this release form:-
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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.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Christopher Sequeira.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by
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Hi, Everyone,
1. My name is Christopher Sequeira.
2. I’ve written a couple of scripts which I have not sold, but have written other forms of fiction which I have sold.
3. I was just about to start writing an action story when I saw this class so I hope it makes that script of mine much better than it would have been.
4. When I got married in 1999, it was the first time anyone in my country (Australia) had a wedding ceremony where the wedding celebrant was dressed as Elvis Presley.
Regards to all,
CS
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Subject line: Christopher Sequeira’s Beat Sheet Draft 2
What I learned doing this assignment is that my antagonist can be a mirror of my protagonist and that between those reflections can be where theme is.
EXT. JUST OUTSIDE POOR, 1880 AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY TOWN OF BEECHWORTH – DUSK
PLACEHOLDER: Corrupt and brutal terrorise family chasing into the woods, then horrific indigenous demon kills one, the creature has been brought to life by “a dark master”; “he is coming.”
INT. BEECHWORTH BANK – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Daring and clever robbery by Ned Kelly and his three gang members; the local town-folk love them, the gang, under Kelly’s pivotal leadership are more than a match for corrupt and stupid local officials and inept elites.
INT. KELLY’S SHACK HIDEOUT – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Ned and gang toast their clever raid and examine the loot (including weird gold goblet or cup just sent by a courier) and a huge silver dinner service the corrupt Mayor had ordered from the city, and reflect on why they do what they do. A double agent informant checks in and cheers them on, acknowledges Ned’s shining example of how to regard local corrupt officials. There’s also a look at souvenirs of Ned’s life, like green sash he got for saving a boy from drowning when he was a kid.
EXT. IRISH, THEN CHINESE SECTION OF BEECHWORTH – DAY/NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Ned, in disguise wanders through the town – talking to people who he cares about – who idolise him. Strangely enough at the Chinese Blacksmith he is also welcome, by an old man, and his son. Weird supernatural indigenous creature watching – attacks another person! Creature awaits a dark master.
EXT. STAGE COACH DEPOT – DAY / INT. MAYOR’S HOUSE – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: MAJOR and the COMTE arrive, here to advise local MAYOR on how to defeat Kelly and his gang. Major a sadistic creep, the Comte a withered old man in wheelchair, but a man whom seems quite smart. Something more disturbing about him than the brutal Major.
INT. LOCAL BAR – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Major roughs up locals and shows his evil colours. Comte observes, and seems to be manipulating Major, goading him to be ever more brutal? An informer plays them, but Comte catches him out and Major beats him. One of Ned’s gang witnesses all.
INT. MAYOR’S HOUSE – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Big dinner party, Kelly gang SNEAKS IN. The Comte is in the kitchen and whilst no one sees he spikes the food the guests drink with something that looks like blood.
Ned and Co. attack and get the drop on everyone! Ned laughs and mocks the elite – he’s too smart and too well connected – he’ll eventually lead a social revolution against their type! Then the Comte kills an innocent guest with a dinner knife and dips his signet ring into her blood! He suddenly transforms: He’s now youthful and invigorated and hypnotises all other guests – they go catatonic. The Comte then throws down a gauntlet to Ned! HE will destroy Ned, or make him serve him! Indigenous monsters and other weird transformed people appear and Ned and gang run for their lives! Comte releases the hypnotised – none realise what has occurred, and none think it odd he’s become youthful. Only the Major saw most of what has happened and particularly how the Comte used his strange ring to take power.
INT. CHINESE BLACKSMITH – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Ned heads to the Smithy because of one thing – the old man’s daughter is MEI – and they are lovers! He tells her what has happened and wants her to flee – but she won’t. Her culture knows demons and she wants to help Ned – after all they are to be married. Ned says there can’t be a marriage at the moment, not with evil at large…but he’ll beat it, he always beats authority, whatever its form! The people will help him.
INT./EXT. VARIOUS SCENES IN THE TOWN – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Scenes of frightful attacks as the Comte’s demons begin to head out into the town. Bullets and blood as people try to save themselves from the creatures but guns don’t save the people. Ned tries to help but barely can stay alive against the power of these things, and Steve, one of Ned’s gang is badly wounded. Ned has to have a plan…
INT. CHURCH YARD – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Outside the local church, the Comte and his demonic creatures come to slaughter people but four figures in iron armour attack and cut the demons down. It’s Ned, and Mei and Ned’s brother Dan and Joe Byrne from Ned’s gang, wearing armour made by Mei’s family, blessed by the local priest! But the Comte, pretending to be defeated, laughs it all off. He’s as invincible as ever. He tells Ned he needs to join him. The Comte says Ned and friends will have the daylight tomorrow to rest but the next night spells their doom! Ned thinks that is their chance to kill the Comte when he’s less well protected – if they can figure out how!
INT./EXT. VARIOUS TOWN SCENES – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Ned and Co. talk to a rapidly formed alliance of local Catholic priest, local Chinese Buddhist priest, local librarian / schoolteacher and ask – how does one kill a demon – various theories and pieces of evidence examined; a small arsenal of holy items assembled.
Ned discovers that the townfolk he thought he could rely on don’t want to stand with him, they just liked his harassing of authority and the money they made tricking the cops they were informers but now its real life and death. Ned and his gang are on their own. The Comte now leads the township, for folks would turn Ned in out of fear!
EXT. VARIOUS TOWN SCENES – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Ned and his loved ones are forced to try and fend off demons as they search for where the Comte is, and try and figure out what to do – various demonic attacks have them on the run! They kill some demons but mostly they learn they arte no longer supported by the town.
INT. BLACKSMITH – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Mei and Ned discover her family killed at the Blacksmith’s, by white people who have been controlled by the demons.
INT./EXT. LOCATION – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Ned and Mei stand outside his shack hideout and after grabbing the valuables from it in a couple of duffle bags he sets fire to it as he realises at nightfall it will be overrun by demons – a blood-stained message graffito taunt shows they found him. His little collection of trophies – the green sash, robbery souvenirs, go up with it, but he does walks away sipping billy-boiled black tea from the goblet.
INT./EXT. LOCATION – DAY/NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: The Comte, who has holed up in Beechworth asylum, sits astride a large old chair like a Prince of Hell, as his demons arise for the night’s evil work. They want to go out and do evil for him, but he motions them to follow him, instead.
EXT. MAIN STREET OF TOWN – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Comte and demons stride down main street and eventually face Ned Kelly all by himself, in his blackened armour. Ned has to battle his way through several demons, and does so, and finally faces Comte…and KNOCKS HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND because – (SURPRISE TRICK!)
Then Ned’s gang, and those folk who were his true, faithful people and friends charge the demons and the Comte. Without the Comte’s magic protecting them the demons fall! But then the sadistic MAJOR strikes the weakened Comte down and STEALS HIS RING and he now powers up, becoming younger and stronger – and he controls the demons – no man can stop him! The good guys have lost.
Until Mei pulls the goblet from a saddle bag and nicking her arm she spills drops of her blood in it and feeds it to the Comte – who is revived and slays the Major.
The Comte and Ned face each other – in frozen time apart from all the others – and there is a reckoning between them as the Comte reveals a tragic truth; he sought his own truth here, he believed he could die, and kill God when he went, if the proper mystic rite were enacted. But fate has reversed on them, the Comte will live, and Ned will die, but Ned will become an immortal legend. A surge of supernatural energies pass between as their spirits confront one another. Ned sees his truth, his future, laid out. He will not succeed in leading a social revolution against local tyrants, but he will become more than that; he will become an historical symbol.
EXT. EDGE OF TOWN, NEAR FOREST – DAWN
PLACEHOLDER: The Comte vanishes in the sun’s early rays, and Ned strides away from the town he has saved, no longer a man, but a legend. The townsfolk awaken with no real memory of what went on.
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Subject line: Christopher Sequeira’s High Speed Beat Sheet
“What I learned doing this assignment is that the very act of doing the beat sheet forces structure to start to emerge.”
EXT. JUST OUTSIDE POOR, 1880 AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY TOWN OF BEECHWORTH – DUSK
PLACEHOLDER: Corrupt and brutal terrorise family chasing into the woods, then horrific indigenous demon kills one, the creature has been brought to life by “a dark master”; “he is coming.”
INT. BEECHWORTH BANK – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Daring and clever robbery by Ned Kelly and his three gang members; the local town-folk love them, Kelly more than a match for corrupt and stupid local officials and inept elites.
INT. KELLY’S SHACK HIDEOUT – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Ned and gang toast their clever raid and examine the loot (including weird gold goblet or cup just sent by a courier) and a huge silver dinner service the corrupt Mayor had ordered from the city, and reflect on why they do what they do. A double agent informant checks in and cheers them on. There’s also a look at souvenirs of Ned’s life, like green sash he got for saving a boy from drowning when he was a kid.
EXT. IRISH, THEN CHINESE SECTION OF BEECHWORTH – DAY/NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Ned, in disguise wanders through the town – talking to people who he cares about – who idolise him. Strangely enough at the Chinese Blacksmith he is also welcome, by an old man, and his son. Weird supernatural indigenous creature watching – attacks another person!
EXT. STAGE COACH DEPOT – DAY / INT. MAYOR’S HOUSE – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: MAJPR and the COMTE arrive, here to advise local MAYOR on how to defeat Kelly and his gang. Major a sadistic creep, the Comte a withered old man in wheelchair who seems quite smart.
INT. LOCAL BAR – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Major roughs up locals and shows his evil colours. Comte observes dispassionately. An informer plays them but Major catches him out and beats him. One of Ned’s gang witnesses all.
INT. MAYOR’S HOUSE – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Big dinner party, Kelly ganga attacks and gets the drop on everyone! Ned laughs and mocks them – he’s too smart and too well connected – he’ll eventually lead a social revolution against their type! Then the Comte transforms into supernatural creature youthful and invigorated and kills an innocent guest and hypnotises other guests to throw down a gauntlet to Ned! HE will destroy Ned, or make him serve him! Indigenous monsters and other weird transformed people appear and Ned and gang run for their lives! Comte releases hypnotised – none realise what has occurred, and none think it odd he’s become youthful.
INT. CHINESE BLACKSMITH – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Ned heads to the Smithy because of one thing – the old man’s daughter is MEI – and they are lovers! He tells her what has happened and wants her to flee – but she won’t. Her culture knows demons and she wants to help Ned – after all they are to be married. Ned says there can’t be a marriage at the moment, not with evil at large…but he’ll beta it, he always beats authority, whatever its form! The people will help him.
INT./EXT. VARIOUS SCENES IN THE TOWN – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Scenes of frightful attacks as the Comte’s demons begin to head out into the town. Bullets and blood as people try to save themselves from the creatures but guns don’t save the people. Ned tries to help but barely can stay alive with the power of these things, and Steve, one of Ned’s gang is badly wounded. Ned has to have a plan…
INT. CHURCH YARD – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Outside the local church, the Comte and his demonic creatures come to slaughter people but four figures in iron armour attack and cut the demons down. It’s Ned, and Mei and Ned’s brother Dan and Joe Byrne from Ned’s gang, wearing armour made by Mei’s family, blessed by the local priest! But the Comte, pretending to be defeated, laughs it all off. He’s as invincible as ever. He tells Ned he needs to join him. They will have the daylight tomorrow to rest but the next night spells doom!
INT./EXT. VARIOUS TOWN SCENES – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Ned discovers that the townfolk he thought he could rely on don’t want to stand with him, they just liked his harassing of authority and the money they made tricking the cops they were informers but now its real life and death. Ned and his gang are on their own. the
EXT. VARIOUS TOWN SCENES – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Ned and his loved ones are forced to try and fend off demons as they search for where the Comte is, and try and figure out what to do – various demonic attacks have them on the run!
INT. BLACKSMITH – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Mei and Ned discover her family killed at the Blacksmith’s, by white people who have been controlled by the demons.
INT./EXT. LOCATION – DAY
PLACEHOLDER: Ned and Mei stand outside his shack hideout and after grabbing the valuables from it in a couple of duffle bags he sets fire to it as he realises at nightfall it will be overrun by demons – a blood stained message graffito taunt shows they found him. His little collection of trophies – the green sash, robbery souvenirs, go up with it, but he does walks away sipping billy-boiled black tea from the goblet.
INT./EXT. LOCATION – DAY/NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: The Comte who has holed up in Beechworth asylum is like a Prince of Hell, as his demons arise for the night’s evil work.
EXT. MAIN STREET OF TOWN – NIGHT
PLACEHOLDER: Comte and demons stride down main street and face Ned Kelly all by himself, in his blackened armour. Ned has to battle his way through and does, and finally faces Comte…
…and KNOCKS HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND because – SURPRISE TRICK!
Then Ned’s gang, and those folk who were his true faithful people and friends charge the demons and the Comte. Without the Comte’s magic protecting them the demons fall! But then the sadistic MAJOR strikes the weakened Comte down and takes his power and he now controls the demons – no man can stop him. The good guys have lost.
Until Mei pulls the goblet from a saddle bag and nicking her arm she spills drops of her blood in it and feeds it to the Comte – who is revived and slays the major.
The Comte and Ned face each other in frozen time and there is a reckoning between them as the Comte reveals a tragic truth; he sought his own death here, not Ned’s, but fate has reversed on them, the Comte will live, and Ned will die, but become an immortal legend.
EXT. EDGE OF TOWN, NEAR FOREST – DAWN
PLACEHOLDER: The Comte vanishes in the sun’s early rays, and Ned strides away from the town he has saved, no longer a man, but a legend. The townsfolk awaken with no real memory of what went on.
Group: I will use these High Speed Writing Rules to get my script done at record speed.
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Subject line: Christopher Sequeira’s Transformational Events
“What I learned doing this assignment is…this is a significant way to find solutions to the previous stage of the rough laying out of the 4-act structure; this has helped me understand there are very simple over-arching insights to be gleaned.”
Key learnings: Ned is really not a franchise hero or superhero in this story, until mid- Act 2, even though he’s a seeming courageous outlaw free spirit; the truth is he’s only ever gone up against a corrupt and inept and not as smart as he is local authorities WHO ARE BEING UNDERMINED BY LOCALS TOWNSPEOPLE WHO HATE THEM AS MUCH AS NED! But, once the Comte comes in he will face FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE, A SERIOUS AND EXISTENTIAL THREAT.
He will need to transform from ‘live social outcast thief-performer / Robin Hood/ public magician’ to LEADER OF AN ARMY FIGHTING FOR MORE THAN HIS FREEDOM, BUT FOR PERHAPS ALL THE SOULS OF HIS TOWN.
The evil ones will tempt him for his compliance! Offer him his family, whatever they think he wants. And threaten him a with brutal personal fate.
3. Make a list of 6 – 8 changes or steps that need to happen for that character to go from who they are in the beginning (Old Ways) to who they are in the ending (New Ways).
1. Determined to bedevil authority, and remain at liberty.
2. Outwits authority and drinks up local hero-worship of him.
3. Angry at resistance of new villain – flees and licks wounds!
4. Drumming up followers but failing to convince them!
5. Crushed by his new enemy! Failure as a leader of his own gang!
6. Defeated, dejected!
7. Given up safety and leading a revolution – now is prepared to give all to end an existential threat to people who don’t even like him, who’ve betrayed him!
4. Sequence the steps from easiest to most difficult. This will imply the journey the character takes.
1. Dancing rings around authorities, encouraging townspeople to trick and rip off the authorities by pretending to be informants
2. Rescues members a of his gang from authorities with ease
3. Gets stopped cold by Comte – tables have turned
4. Can’t help his friends – now they are DYING! Townspeople turned against him. Woman he loves spurns him!
5. Tries to rally an army of townspeople they have turned against him –
6. Tries to rally the true spirited fighters in the towns – they have become demons.
7. Throws away his freedom and his safety to lead the all or nothing raid on the monsters. Even needs help from an authority figure – symbolic surrender – to save townspeople who now don’t even like him.
5. Brainstorm dramatic events or tests that could cause those changes for the character:-
1. Goes for easy attack on mayor’s house – turns into a disaster as Comte attacks and reveals his dark power!
2. Gathers a crowd of townspeople to fught the foe – they turn on him, kill one friend and nearly take the rest
3. Fiance angrily warned him – he doesn’t listen
4. Fiance shows him up as a coward and only prepared to fight on a winning turf.
5.
6. Finds the Comte’s hideout in the bush and prepares for a show down – Comte a surprise – he wants to bargain more than kill Ned, he makes Ned and offer.
7. Death of old Ned with ultimate clever, heroic, self sacrificing act.
6. Add these transformational events to your four-act structure:-
Concept: In 1880 regional Australia, outlaw Ned Kelly (with his gang) is a fugitive but also local hero who taunts corrupt authorities, until those authorities mistakenly bring in a man – the Comte – to hunt Kelly with horrific supernatural powers that won’t just net Kelly but will unleash a mystic plague upon the earth.
Main Conflict: Authorities want Kelly caught, convicted and executed at any cost, and hire the malevolent Comte to do so. The Comte uses this permission to unleash widening horrific supernatural activity.
Ned Kelly Old Ways:
Old Identity: Clever, chip on shoulder, fugitive
outlaw gang-leader / local Robin Hood. Something of a ‘performance artiste
bandit’, public profile important.
Claims he wants to destroy structure of society,
must keep the cause alive, but really enjoying life as Robin Hood, looked
up to by locals and creates cottage industry of informant money in the
town as he drives local officials crazy trying to hunt him.
Has secret,
serious relationship with Mei – claims it has to be secret to protect her.Ned Kelly NEW Ways:
New Identity: Not a benevolent devil-may-care, hidden-away
Robin Hood chased by ineffectual police and cheered on by locals but despised
bringer of darkness to the town. But a man now forced to the brink,
terrified not a laughing rascal, realises he’s condemned those he loves, becoming
an icon of man’s fury at evil, not a merry teaser of authority but
a leader of a human army of righteous defence; now prepared to sacrifice
himself, genuinely.
Will preserve society (even corrupt society) to
destroy supernatural evil. Knows if he kills enemy and his so-called ‘cause’
dies with him it’s the right price to pay.
In the face of the far greater danger realises Mei
can look after herself (but he’ll still stand shoulder to shoulder with her)
and deserves the respect of being known as his wife.Act 1: 25 to 30 pages — Set up
and see Old Ways.Opening: 1880. After a weird supernatural flashback teaser showing a sadistic Australian military man (the Major) in the battlefields of Turkey having a bloody vision compelling him to head back to his home country where he’ll encounter his destiny in the form of a bearded 25-year-old man, who is…
…Ned Kelly, outlaw… wee then see Ned and his gang pull off a brilliantly clever, audacious raid on a bank, tweak the authorities and make off with a chest of goods belonging to the soon-to-arrive new local authority (The Major). In the chest is a strange golden antique goblet, that Ned drinks from that night…
…not realising that gesture triggers the supernatural manifestation within the vicinity of a debonair old man known as the Comte who can appear near where the goblet is and has great supernatural evil powers. The Comte summons monsters from the Australian earth and has them hide outside town. The Comte then presents himself to the Major as strategic military expert here to advise on how to capture Ned Kelly. An evil bargain is struck empowering the Comte in frightening ways. The Comte’s price is the soul of Ned Kelly, to use in an occult ritual that will grant him a secret desire (the death of God).
Inciting Incident: Ned is targeted for destruction by both the Major and the Comte.
Turning Point: Ned conducts a daring raid on the Major’s own home as a fancy dinner is prepared. Ned and his men make a bold challenge get the drop on all police and soldiers but then are shattered as the Major introduces the elderly Comte who murders a townswoman and is mystically de-aged to a powerful young man. He shows strength and reveals he has supernatural powers. Ned’s bullets bounce off him and with horror Ned realises a monster is now going to hunt him and demand his submission and ritual surrender (and the apparently the spilling of a little of his own blood voluntarily into the goblet). Ned is now the mouse being tortured – and his brother, his lover and all his friends are in deadly danger.
Act 2: 20 to 30 pages — Challenge
the Old Ways.New plan: As horrific attacks begin on townspeople Ned and his gang try to help but start seeing their efforts are useless. Supernatural attacks and powers are aiding the Major as he clamps down on things. The townspeople hide behind closed doors terrified, OR WORSE STILL THEY BETRAY NED!.
Turning Point/Midpoint: Mei tells Ned he’s mistaken, the townspeople won’t lie down and die for him, or anyone, they have children to protect – they’ll flee, if they’re not struck down while they try and run.
Ned wants to lead people against the bad guys but he’s powerless. Anyone known to be his friend is slaughtered. His role as Robin Hood / local hero is revealed to be hollow, it was never real.
The army he needs to fight the horror doesn’t exist. HE DOESN’T HAVE TOOLS TO FIGHT, HE NEEDS TO GET THEM.
Act 3: 20 to 30 pages — With
Midpoint change, Profound moments that give us new ways.New Plan: Ned realises he was fooling himself he was a leader, he was just a financial convenience for the people to use against the authorities. He had never earned these people’s true trust – he was a crazy, live for himself outlaw. There are people who would follow him, Mei, her family, Jindara. The people he’d taken for granted. The people outside his ‘cause’.
New Insights: Ned goes to Mei and her father’s workshop. Time to get the suits of armour ready…
The Comte and the Major are wreaking havoc. When armoured Kelly Gang shows up!
Turning Point 3: The Comte defeats the armored figure and plucks off the helmet – it’s not Ned – It’s Mei! The Comte is amused and plans to use her as a hostage to taunt Ned, but the major shoots her! She’s seriously wounded as a lesson for Ned. He arrives in time to see the attack and is broken. His gang want to fight back, but he’s distraught they barely get away as dawn breaks and the villains retire to the shadows.
The Major and the Comte are going to destroy all, in their own sweet time, the following night.
Act 4: 25 pages — Test the change
in this character! Prove New Ways!New Plan: Ned goes to Mei’s father and Father Carrigan and pleads with them to fix the armour. Ned admits he was wrong, he needs to be part of a community not a figure outside it. A battle group is formed, with silver-plated, blessed armour! They start fighting their way through the monsters to the throne of blood where the Comte is in control, sending monsterised citizens into the night to spread more darkness.
Climax: The Major steals the goblet, and drinks from it and has the Comte’s power (the Comte becomes a smouldering ruin) and his hellish servants at his command. Ned and his crew battle them – two forces of outsiders vying for the town – and the world’s future. All seems lost though because the major has issued a magical spell and contaminated the entire town, they are all becoming monsters! The contagion will spread and strike down the world… until Mei appears – she’s hurt badly but still just has strength enough to join the crisis – and revives the deadly Comte, even as she collapses at death’s door. The Comte stands with Ned. They beat the Major. The Comte forms an occult link with Ned; they must perform a ritual. They both will die – but both be eternal. They do it and drink each others’ blood from the goblet. There’s a mystic explosion and all the monsters are killed and the townsfolk returned to normal. The Major becomes an insane wreck, locked in the local asylum.
Resolution: The Comte, an old man again, bids farewell. He tells Ned is told one day he’ll be caught, he’ll be defeated, he’ll be tried, he’ll be executed. Ned says yes, but I’ll be a man. Such is life.
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Subject line: Christopher Sequeira’s 4 Act Transformational Structure
What I learned doing this assignment is 4 Act Structure needs to really incorporate character weaknesses and failings. And then the consequent learnings. I suspect mine’s going to need revision, many times.
Concept: In 1880 regional Australia, outlaw Ned Kelly (with his gang) is a fugitive but also local hero who taunts corrupt authorities, until those authorities mistakenly bring in a man – the Comte – to hunt Kelly with horrific supernatural powers that won’t just net Kelly but will unleash a mystic plague upon the earth.
Main Conflict: Authorities want Kelly caught, convicted and executed at any cost, and hire the malevolent Comte to do so. The Comte uses this permission to unleash widening horrific supernatural activity.
Ned Kelly Old Ways:
Old
Identity: Clever, but angry fugitive outlaw gang-leader / local Robin Hood.Wants
to destroy structure of society, must keep the cause alive.
Has
secret, serious relationship with Mei – claims it has to be secret to
protect her.Ned Kelly NEW Ways:
New
Identity: Not a benevolent hidden-away Robin Hood but an icon of man’s
fury at injustice, not a merry teaser of authority but a human army of
righteous defence; merciless if needed.
Will
preserve society (even corrupt society) to destroy supernatural evil. Knows
if he kills enemy and the cause dies with him it’s the right price to pay.
In
the face of the far greater danger realises she can look after herself and
deserves the respect of being known as his wife.2. Act 1: 25 to 30 pages — Set up and see
Old Ways.Opening: 1880. After a weird supernatural flashback teaser showing a sadistic Australian military man (the Major) in the battlefields of Turkey having a bloody vision compelling him to head back to his home country where he’ll encounter his destiny in the form of a bearded 25-year-old man, who is…
…Ned Kelly, outlaw… wee then see Ned and his gang pull off a brilliantly clever, audacious raid on a bank, tweak the authorities and make off with a chest of goods belonging to the soon-to-arrive new local authority (The Major). In the chest is a strange golden antique goblet, that Ned drinks from that night…
…not realising that gesture triggers the supernatural manifestation within the vicinity of a debonair old man known as the Comte who can appear near where the goblet is and has great supernatural evil powers. The Comte summons monsters from the Australian earth and has them hide outside town. The Comte then presents himself to the Major as strategic military expert here to advise on how to capture Ned Kelly. An evil bargain is struck empowering the Comte in frightening ways. The Comte’s price is the soul of Ned Kelly, to use in an occult ritual that will grant him a secret desire (the death of God).
Inciting Incident: Ned is targeted for destruction by both the Major and the Comte.
Turning Point: Ned conducts a daring raid on the Major’s own home as a fancy dinner is prepared. Ned and his men make a bold challenge get the drop on all police and soldiers but then are shattered as the Major introduces the elderly Comte who murders a townswoman and is mystically de-aged to a powerful young man. He shows strength and reveals he has supernatural powers. Ned’s bullets bounce off him and with horror Ned realises a monster is now going to hunt him and demand his submission and ritual surrender (and the apparently the spilling of a little of his own blood voluntarily into the goblet). Ned is now the mouse being tortured – and his brother, his lover and all his friends are in deadly danger.
3. Act 2:
20 to 30 pages — Challenge the Old Ways.New plan: As horrific attacks begin on townspeople Ned and his gang try to help but start seeing their efforts are useless. Supernatural attacks and powers are aiding the Major as he clamps down on things. The townspeople hide behind closed doors terrified.
Turning Point/Midpoint: Mei tells Ned he’s mistaken, the townspeople won’t lie down and die for him, or anyone, they have children to protect – they’ll flee, if they’re not struck down while they try and run.
Ned wants to lead people against the bad guys but he’s powerless. Anyone known to be his friend is slaughtered. His role as Robin Hood / local hero is revealed to be hollow, it was never real.
The army he needs to fight the horror doesn’t exist.
4. Act 3: 20 to 30 pages — With
Midpoint change, Profound moments that give us new ways.New Plan: Ned realises he was fooling himself he was a leader, he was just a financial convenience for the people to use against the authorities. He had never earned these people’s true trust – he was a crazy, live for himself outlaw. There are people who would follow him, Mei, her family, Jindara. The people he’d taken for granted. The people outside his ‘cause’.
New Insights: Ned goes to Mei and her father’s workshop. Time to get the suits of armour ready…
The Comte and the Major are wreaking havoc. When armoured Kelly Gang shows up!
Turning Point 3: The Comte defeats the armored figure and plucks off the helmet – it’s not Ned – It’s Mei! The Comte is amused and plans to use her as a hostage to taunt Ned, but the major shoots her! She’s seriously wounded as a lesson for Ned. He arrives in time to see the attack and is broken. His gang want to fight back, but he’s distraught they barely get away as dawn breaks and the villains retire to the shadows.
The Major and the Comte are going to destroy all, in their own sweet time, the following night.
5. Act 4: 25 pages — Test the
change in this character! Prove New Ways!New Plan: Ned goes to Mei’s father and Father Carrigan and pleads with them to fix the armour. Ned admits he was wrong, he needs to be part of a community not a figure outside it. A battle group is formed, with silver-plated, blessed armour! They start fighting their way through the monsters to the throne of blood where the Comte is in control, sending monsterised citizens into the night to spread more darkness.
Climax: The Major steals the goblet, and drinks from it and has the Comte’s power (the Comte becomes a smouldering ruin) and his hellish servants at his command. Ned and his crew battle them – two forces of outsiders vying for the town – and the world’s future. All seems lost though because the major has issued a magical spell and contaminated the entire town, they are all becoming monsters! The contagion will spread and strike down the world… until Mei appears – she’s hurt badly but still just has strength enough to join the crisis – and revives the deadly Comte, even as she collapses at death’s door. The Comte stands with Ned. They beat the Major. The Comte forms an occult link with Ned; they must perform a ritual. They both will die – but both be eternal. They do it and drink each others’ blood from the goblet. There’s a mystic explosion and all the monsters are killed and the townsfolk returned to normal. The Major becomes an insane wreck, locked in the local asylum.
Resolution: The Comte, an old man again, bids farewell. He tells Ned is told one day he’ll be caught, he’ll be defeated, he’ll be tried, he’ll be executed. Ned says yes, but I’ll be a man. Such is life.
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Christopher Sequeira’s Character Interviews
What I learned doing this assignment is……that when they use their own words to describe themselves characters talk min extremes, which is great for drama. And they illustrate their misconceptions as well as the things they are knowledgeable about.
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 1. Tell me about yourself. I’m Ned Kelly, 25-year-old fugitive from the police and soldiers; a man unjustly persecuted by the rotten state, all his life. I’ve seen the state terrorise me mother, sister, friends and brother, and friends. We are just poor, worthless slaves to them all. I won’t rest ’til I’ve made people understand I’ve had no choice becoming an outlaw. I’ll hurt no one who doesn’t threaten me or mine, but I’ll defend myself against those that do threaten my life or my family’s or that of me friends. Australia, my country, needs to change, there needs to be an uprising, I think that day is coming…
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 2. Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? I was forced into it, by corrupt authorities and police. So, by God, I fight back.
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 3. You are up against <the Antagonist>. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? The Major is the new head of a local force trying to bring me down, just another cruel and evil man, but he’s allied himself with an inhuman monster in the Comte. That creature is pure supernatural evil; sent from Hell. He must be stopped, I can’t stay in hiding and strike out, he’s forcing me to take more terrible actions. I may end up as big a monster as he is in finishing, him, though.
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 4. In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? Secrecy and the ability to disappear have driven police mad in trying to deal with me over many months, and the support of townspeople has kept me well supplied. But now, the game is changed. A black plague of magical evil sweeps forth, and if I don’t find a new way to fight then all those I love – all those who are just like me at heart, common men and women who just want fair treatment – they’ll all be doomed. I’ve never been scared for meself, but I don’t know how to fight this horror, and if I just charge at it and die in battle that won’t be good enough, because those that love me will all be slaughtered in the wake of my death. I’m going to have to get help from somewhere I never have before, fight in ways I never have before…
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? I have been the master of the lightning strike, the secret attack, leading a closely-knit gang of do-or-die fellow outlaws with zero to lose who chose this life. But this new war the Comte forces me into, both with its horrible weapons of dark magic and his evil, monstrous assistants, these are new things I must now fight. But I’ve always believed God is on my aide even if the law was not, so…
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 6. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? Fear of my family being hurt. Fear of my friends being brutalised. Care I am not captured so that they cannot torture me.
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 7. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? Riding, fighting, planning, deceiving, hiding, living rough in the bush, bank-robbing, using a secret network, shooting, roping, swimming, leading men.
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 8. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? That I’m scared and I never wanted to be this sort of leader; I really only want my fate at risk, now I’ve doomed my family and friends – especially the woman I love and my younger brother – and maybe all humanity if the Comte’s monsters overrun my town, for, what if they can’t be stopped?
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 9. What do you think of <the Antagonist>? At first that he’s an inhuman minster, but there’s something more terrifying I’m learning; that he was once just like me…perhaps he still is…
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 10. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. Men like me are almost born to the whims of the police trying to persecute us, and so I became a thief and outlaw. It is in some ways wrong to steal and terrify, so I pick my victims well; those that deserve it.
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 11. What does it do for your life if you succeed here? It will change my family’s view of me and their own fates and it will send a message to people that cruel oppression will not keep honest men down.
LESSON 4: PROTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 12. Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you. Why do you love Mei? Because she is even a greater victim of injustice than I am. She is, in her own way, even a greater outcast and fugitive than I am. And she is a greater warrior and strategist. She has one skill I don’t have; control of her white-hot passions and temper.
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 1. Tell me about yourself. I am of an old family of rulers and warlords, but from a culture extinct. I made a terrible choice and God Himself betrayed me and it’s his fault I am cursed with eternal life, satanic hungers and dark powers – and he shall pay!
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 2. Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? Natural forces and elements weaken me; but I laugh at man-made weapons. Selflessness is a way to hold me at bay, but men do not understand that, greed and rage motivates most of them in battle. Men are but cattle to me.
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 3. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? Kelly’s defeat will return me the sacred object that will enable me to kill God, and have my revenge.
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 4. What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? The means to kill God and end my existence.
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? I have naught to live for, and my savage, inhuman hungers for death bring me pain if not slated.
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? Kelly reminds me of…me. His relationship with his younger brother so mirrors that of mine, centuries ago with my own lost brother.
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? There is no one like you. I will end God.
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 8. What do you think of <the Protagonist>? Kelly is a wily, courageous leader of men. But he’s young and doesn’t realise his greatest vulnerability; those he loves. He will be a great test, but he will fall on the mountain of my enemies’ corpses.
LESSON 4: ANTAGONIST INTERVIEW: 9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. I am the victim of my ancient pride and God’s hubris. But I will win, because God is a cruel and capricious creature, who should serve man, not torture him. I will extinguish him!
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1. Your name: Christopher Sequeira
2. I agree to the terms of this release form, as follows:-
GROUP RELEASE FORM FOR “THE 30 DAY SCREENPLAY”As a member of this group, I agree to the following:
1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, communications, lessons, and models of the 30 Day Screenplay 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, communications, lessons, and models of the 30 Day Screenplay 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 30 Day Screenplay class.
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Subject line: Christopher Sequeira’s Character Profile Part 2 (for 2 lead Characters: Protagonist and Antagonist)
“What I learned doing this assignment is…that the more points of difference that radiate out of my hero and villain that reflect one another, or are in direct opposition create the more satisfying game of repulsion and attraction with them that can be used to make their conflict and the storey as a whole, richer on a sub-textual and other level.?”
Fill in Part 2 of the character Profile for your two lead characters.
Protagonist: Ned Kelly
What draws us to this character? He’s fighting authoritarian injustice in
this story (which we applaud) and he’s seemingly fearless, though
dramatically outnumbered, yet, he’s keeping free by wits and courage.
Traits:
He can’t abide authority in any form; he’s determined that he’s
always right; and he believes his life’s grievances give him a right to do
almost anything; he’s brave to the point of foolhardy; he loves his family
any move against them provokes fury. He rejects weakness in himself and
others. He’s a philosopher, always trying to have pithy insights into the
ways of men “There’s always a plan…”
Subtext:
When he’s challenged by his men or others he’ll remind them that
he’s suffered all his life at police hands. And, therefore, he shouldn’t
be challenged, that his decisions are justified – even if they aren’t.
He’s actually often inflexible to his own detriment; as unyielding as
iron.
Flaw: Thinks
the State and the people will eventually see reason and revoke his
fugitive status; thinks he can outfight them and lead people in an
uprising against them. Won’t accept the clear evidence otherwise (e.g. he
can’t even trust all the people he helps – some are just using him to
trick reward informant money out of the cops). Also, doesn’t realise his
gang and friends and lover are following him, not his mission, despite
what they say, because they owe him so much.
Values:
Family, loved ones; punching up; never punching down. Show no fear.
Irony: Fearless
yet afraid of stepping off his all or nothing pathway to conflict with
authority, with destiny itself.
What makes this the right character for this
role? Unrelenting, not afraid to
lose his life. Believes he can’t lose his soul because he’s fighting state
evil. When he realises with the Comte he could lose his soul, well, that
gives him pause.Antagonist: The Comte
What draws us to this character? Suave, wise, emotionally as in control
as Ned seems out of control. Charming. Seems motivated by higher things.
Bloodthirsty, but not sadistic. Also, is not a snob, like the Major and
other villains in the story.
Traits:
Smart – two steps ahead of everyone. Complex and sensitive, and
understands people’s motive’s well. Delivers witticisms.
Subtext:
Tells little jokes or performs an act of violence
Flaw: Seeks
an outcome that he cannot achieve, like Ned, on a suicide course.
Values:
Sectarianism; Logic / rationality; The individual above all. Absolutely
unfeeling, not sadistic, and wouldn’t blink at mass murder – sees it as a
necessary tool to advance his army but takes no personal joy other than is
pleased if it works as he planned.
Irony: Respects
loyalty and family, selflessness, even though he can exploit it.
What makes this the right character for this
role? Existential goal of this
villain (to see GOD die) versus grounded hero, Ned.Make any improvements you think of to your Part 1 profile and bring the two parts together:-
Protagonist – Ned Kelly: No changes – just enhancements at this stage. Ned’s singlemindedness as a weakness is a big extra attribute.
Antagonist – The Comte: Expansions, not changes. Important he’s not a stereotypical or one-note bad guy; there’s complex, unique stuff going in here, and he’s not a music a hall villain, more a strategic psychopath looking to taste emotions.
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1. Name: Christopher ‘Chris’ Sequeira
2. How many scripts you’ve written: One finished feature, one finished teleplay.
3. What you hope to get out of the class? Need to free myself to write more.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? My wedding was…different…I guess…https://www.facebook.com/christopher.sequeira.5/posts/10158531321268740
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This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by Christopher Sequeira.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by
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What I learned doing this assignment is: There are more nuances to my lead than I thought
2. Pick the type of role your Protagonist will play and give us a few sentences on how they will fulfil that role.
Fighter: Ned is a wily and smart fighter, (but
a dash of ‘runner’ as he’s a fugitive) who effortlessly outfoxes local
authorities. He is determined to be an example of a man who wouldn’t
submit to what he considers unjust persecution, and he believes he might
change the system by violent resistance.3. Pick the type of role your Antagonist will play and give us a few sentences on how they will fulfil that role.
Authority and a Predator: The Major is a newly
deployed authority who is absolutely sadistic and ruthless and looks down
on poor people like Ned. He then empowers and allies himself with the
Comte who reveals himself to be a monstrosity of supernatural evil, that
the Major foolishly thinks he has control of. The Comte becomes the true blood-thirsty
predator, although he has his own motives, that are not unlike Ned’s.4. What other characters might be necessary?
Supporting characters: Love Interest (Mei –
Ned’s love and inspiration after the mid-point), Brother (Dan Kelly), Gang
Members (Steve Hart, Joe Byrne), and Love Interest’s Family (Father, Zsu;
Brother, Chiang)
Minor roles: Local Authorities (Mayor of Beechworth,
the Chief Constable); ), local villagers who are both pro- and con-Ned.
Background characters: Townspeople, publican,
soldiers, travelling entertainers.5. Pick your genre.
· Horror (actually closest to a Horror-WESTERN)
6. Fill in whatever answers come to you about your lead character profiles.
Role in the story: Something of a local Robin
Hood, enemy of local authorities and champion of the common man. and fugitive – symbol and man· Age range and Description: 25 (young, not fiery, but EXPLOSIVE!)
Internal Journey: From fighting against the
state to fighting for his soul.
External Journey:Motivation: Protect those he cares about, then
protect the souls of all around him threatened by a great evil.
Wound: Lifetime of abuse by authority
Mission/Agenda: Change the order of things,
rescue himself from fugitive status, defeat supernatural menace facing
entire town.
Secret: His love for Mei.
What makes them special? A man caught in the
role that history has cast him in; an icon for virtue, or criminality? -
Christopher Sequeira’s Transformational Journey
What I learned doing this assignment is…Identifying the before and after can expose nuances in a character’s thinking and behaviour which help figure out what kind of obstacles I’m going to have to demonstrate they face in themselves in the story.
LESSON 1: Who is your Hero and what is their Character Arc that represents a transformation? Ned Kelly: Outlaw to Saviour; Wanted Poster to Icon for Good. Identifying the before and after can expose nuances in a character’s thinking and behaviour which help figure out what kind of obstacles I’m going to have to demonstrate they face in themselves in the story. • External Journey: Outlaw, trying to bring down society transforms to man who will save society (even worst examples of people in it) from an existential supernatural threat, even if it costs his soul. Not trying to destroy his enemies, but stop an evil because its the right thing to do, no matter his personal cost. What are the Old Ways? Angry, fatalistic, righteous, destructive, suspicious, focussed on own plight and thinks that’s the world. Thinks love is pleasure, good times and alliance. What are the New Ways? Accepting of what he’s done to contribute to his problems; sense of responsibility not blame; must think of the community., and the whole world, knows what love is; it is sacrifice.
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IRON AND BLOOD
In colonial-era Australia, outlaw Edward ‘Ned’ Kelly wants to be a normal man, not a despised caricature of a human being on a wanted poster, so he’s determined to harass the state, its troopers and the corrupt officials who want him dead to make his point. Wily and daring Ned runs rings around local authorities until those authorities form a dark alliance with the Comte, a strange visitor from Europe who secretly holds horrific supernatural abilities. Ned soon finds he has become the vehicle for an evil darkness to destroy his township and even his entire country.