Caitlin Stryker
Forum Replies Created
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ASSIGNMENT #27
Solved scene problems by Caitlin Stryker. What I learned doing this assignment was that I’m not sure when a scene doesn’t work. I can feel if it’s boring but I question myself knowing the technical reasons it doesn’t work. I tried to let go of this block and just made changes if the scene bored me.1. Look through your script and identify any scenes that have any of these four problems.
A) Basic Scene Problems
B) Weak Scenes
C) Situations Don’t Challenge Characters
D) Cliché Scenes
2. For any scene problems you find, make the prescribed improvements.
I feel like “Situations don’t challenge characters” was my biggest problem especially early in the script. It kept coming down to raising the stakes of the situation.0 -
ASSIGNMENT #26
What I learned doing this assignment was that it was fun to just think raise the stakes and it also lead to my characters being in more action!
I’m calling this the Harriet pass. My first draft has focused so largely on Carla, my protagonist, that my antagonist, Harriet, is too weak to be who the movie is named after. And I really want Harriet to be a BIG vibrant character. So I’m going to build out her character profile and go through the whole script elevating her behavior.
1. Check your lead characters to see if they have any of the problems listed in this lesson.
A. Weak protagonist or antagonist.
Antagonist: This character is there to force the protagonist to change. Make them a big expression of the protagonist’s fear, wound, or main issue in life. Make them intriguing, but more important, they should constantly force the protagonist into difficult situations.B. Protagonist Too Good or Antagonist Too Bad.
C. Weak character intros.
D. Characters not in action.
E. Protagonist journey not strong.
F. All the characters seem the same.
G. Lead characters not present.
2. For any character problems you find, make the prescribed improvements.
3. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.0 -
What I learned doing this assignment was how the structure had morphed as I wrote the first draft. I still have areas I want to beef up the conflict and make the structure sturdier but I need to keep moving forward for now. I’m loving that this element of rewriting has me seeing the multiple ways the story can shift.
THE STRUCTURE QUESTIONS
Act 1:
Opening/Old Ways: Is this an engaging opening scene that lures us into the story? Is the lead character clearly living in a pre-transformation mode? Do the “Old Ways” show up in their behavior and dialogue?
Inciting Incident: How does this incident invite and propel us into the journey?
Turning Point: How is this Turning Poing a twist that locks us into the journey with “no going back?”
Act 1:
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Opening: Carla reading Sam his bedtime story “Where the Wild Things Are”; steps on toys on the way out. Has a call with Mark who is away for work.
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Inciting Incident: Carla crying in bed at 3am totally stuck and depressed. Carla hears a voice which turns out to be, Harriet, say “Get it together” and looks around spooked feeling crazy then pulls the covers up over her head.
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Turning Point: Bumping into Harriet on Abbott Kinney coming out of Blue Bottle. Making this stronger… what if Carla does ruin Harriet’s shirt with her coffee spill? And Harriet needs a new shirt asap to wear but she fixes by turning her shirt around and making it look cool and says Carla owes her a night out tonight like they dreamed of when they were younger always wanting to be adults.
Act 2:
New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with the Act 1 Turning Point?
Plan in action: How does the protagonist take action on that plan?
Midpoint Turning Point: How does the Midpoint change the meaning, creating a reveal that changes everything while keeping us on the same journey?
Act 2:
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New plan: Carla finds a sitter and meets Harriet out at the Bar for dancing.
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Plan in action: Carla is out on the town at the bar with Harriet. She wants to leave. She bumps into her old boss Jennica from The Agency. Jennica buys Carla a couple shots and then Carla winds up enjoying herself on the dance floor with Harriet.
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Midpoint Turning Point: Harriet comes over for dinner. Mark can’t see Harriet and this causes much confusion. Carla covers by making it seem like she was just feeling super insecure that Harriet didn’t show. Carla confronts Harriet and finds out that Harriet is imaginary. Technically, Harriet is Carla’s childhood imaginary friend.
Act 3:
React/Rethink: What is revealed to the protagonist from the Midpoint? How do they react or rethink things?
New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with this new level of conflict?
Turning Point: The lowest of the low. How has this Turning Point brought the character to the lowest of lows, making it almost impossible for them to win in a normal way? This forces them to adopt the change in a much bigger way.
Act 3:
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Rethink everything: Carla asks Harriet why she left in middle school. Carla wonders if she’s crazy, but decides she is not and that Harriet is her superpower.
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New plan: Use me to help you get unstuck. Everyone needs help and I can help you build your business and yourself.
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Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Viral video of things too wild out on the town and Carla looking crazy talking to herself and winding up in the drunk tank. Harriet reveals to Carla that she wishes she were real and how lucky Carla is to be human.
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Outside of the police station, after bailing her out, Mark shows Carla the viral video of her dancing on the bar top, making out with the bartender, appearing to be talking to herself and then falling off the bar accidentally flashing her boobs on the way down. He asks her what is wrong with her. Carla confesses to having an imaginary friend, Harriet, telling Mark that she’s nuts and he should get together with the woman he cheated on her with. So now Carla’s marriage is really on the rocks not only because in this act she discovered Mark is cheating on her but she has really unravelled.
Act 4:
Dilemma: What emotional dilemma requires the protagonist to choose between two alternatives, losing something with either choice?
Climax/Ultimate @xpression Of The Conflict: How is this the ultimate expression of the conflict? How does it require a “fight to the death,” either literally or symbolically?
Resolution: How does this resolution represent the “New Ways” and bring this story to a fitting conclusion?
New Ways: What are the New Ways and do they clearly show up in your lead character’s Act 4 behavior and dialogue?
Act 4:
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Dilemma: Carla has to choose between holding on to Harriet or letting her go. Between trying to fix her marriage or not. She likes how she feels about herself so much better with Harriet in her life, but it is crazy to have an imaginary friend as an adult. She loves Mark but can they rescue their marriage or is it over between them? Is she diminishing herself by staying with Mark?
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Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Mark books an emergency therapy session after bailing Carla out of the drunk tank and their subsequent fight. At the emergency therapy session the therapist suggests Carla be medicated or put into an inpatient treatment facility. Mark actually considers both options. Carla is appalled and chooses to embrace Harriet as a part of herself. She knows she is not truly crazy.
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Resolution: Carla is honest with the Moms about everything that has been going on with her and that she has an imaginary friend. The Moms reveal that they had at one point in their lives and imaginary friend and that they could still use that help. Everyone realizes, especially Mark, that Harriet is an important part of Carla. This represents the new ways because Carla is not hiding who she is, she is embracing her “freak flag”.
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Assignment #24: Missing Scenes
What I learned doing this assignment is that I forgot to write this scene the first time through. I also had to release any expectations of my first draft miraculously being extraordinary. It was a lesson in reading and accepting what was there before making changes.
1. Do a quick read of your script to pinpoint possible missing scenes. When you discover one, put a placeholder that you can return to.
2. For each missing scene, create a quick outline.
EXT. PARK PLAYGROUND – DAY
Carla introduces Harriet to Sam, which goes gangbusters! They both think one another are awesome. Carla tells Harriet the plan for working back at the agency with Jennica failed. Carla invites Harriet over for dinner.
Beginning: stop at the park on the way home from school
Middle: Harriet shows up and Sam is introduced
End: they have fun playing he even introduces his imaginary friend Rocky. Carla tells Harriet it didn’t work out with Jennica.
3. Write a high speed first draft for the most important of those scenes.
4. Tell us what scenes you added and why.
I added a scene where Sam meets Harriet at the park because it explains why he know who she is when she shows up for dinner, where Mark can’t see her.
5. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
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ASSIGNMENT #23
The Resolution: What I learned doing this assignment was that at this point I just was able to write one of my resolution scenes without outlining it. It poured out of me onto the page. That was fun.
1. Outline Key Scene 4.
SCENE WITH MARK AND CARLA IN LIVING ROOM
Mark is leaving on another work trip. He is sorry. He does not want their marriage to end. Neither does Carla. Trust will be hard to win back. She tells him Harriet is a part of her. He knows. He likes that part and hopes to get to keep Harriet around she is clearly good for Carla.
2. Write Key Scene 4: Resolution – Wrap it up and show us the “new normal.”
3. Write any other scenes for the Act or do some edits on scenes if you’ve completed every scene you outlined.
4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
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ASSIGNMENT #21: The Climax
What I learned during this lesson was to just go with the flow if you’re in it. I don’t think my climax is perfected yet, but I’m happy to have something down. And it actually came to me as the dialogue scene before I outlined it really…
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Key Scene 3: Climax – The Ultimate Expression of The Conflict.
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Beginning: Carla goes back to the beach to find Harriet. But Harriet does not return.
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Middle: Carla is trying to avoid The Moms because she is embarrassed about her behavior. But the Moms corner her. And she tells them everything.
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End: The Moms all admit to some form or alter ego or imaginary friend at some point in their lives. And that they wish they could have theirs back. They see Carla for who she is and not only accept but support her. Kumiko even has a real job proposal on the table.
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ASSIGNMENT #21: ACT 4 BEGINS
What I learned doing this assignment was that in order to get to my ultimate dilemma I actually had to go back and add an element to ACT 3 that I had forgotten.
1. Outline Key Scene 1 and 2.
2. Write Key Scene 1: Reaction to 3rd Act Turning Point.
3. Write Key Scene 2: Protagonist faces their Dilemma.
4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
You’ll outline and write the first two Key Scenes today for Act 4. Here they are:
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Key Scene 1: Reaction to 3rd Act Turning Point.
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EXT. NIGHT Police Station
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Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Carla tells Harriet to leave her alone..
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Beginning: Carla is walking and Harriet pops up. Carla is surprised to see her.
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Middle: Carla doesn’t want Harriet around. Harriet is confused.
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End: Carla tells Harriet to leave. It’s time to be serious.
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Key Scene 2: Protagonist faces their Dilemma.
INT. DAY Therapist Office
TE 9: Now therapy takes a different turn. The therapist and Mark turn on Carla. Will she be able to talk them out of having her committed?
“You want to have me committed? Where? Didn’t they shut all those places down?” “We’ll start with medication.” “No! No. I do not need to be medicated. I’m leaving. You can’t force this on me.” Theme moment:Carla points out all the harsh black and white art in the office and is like “this is me loving myself–leaving this office!”Therapist office:
Beginning: Let’s focus on you this time Carla. I hear you were arrested that’s not good. Acting out?
Middle: Mark tells the therapist about the imaginary friend and wonders if Carla needs serious treatment.
End: Carla must decide between Mark and Harriet and she picks Harriet and runs out of the office. Leaving a stunned Mark and a therapist who suggests she made need to be committed.
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ASSIGNMENT #20
Finish Act 3: What I learned doing this assignment is that I want to infuse more humor in subsequent drafts but that just getting words on the page and completing the basic script is feeling really good.
1. Outline any scenes left for Act 3.
2. Write the outlined scenes.
3. Do a quick read of Act 3 and make whatever improvements you’d like.
4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
NEXT SCENE
Transformational Event C: Carla discovers incriminating evidence of cheating on Mark’s phone. She tells Harriet and Harriet insists she confront Mark.
Beginning: Carla arrives home and immediately hops in the shower after being in the ocean. Mark comes in from the gym and joins her in the shower!
Middle: Carla gets out of the shower since she was basically done when Mark joined her for some fun. In the bedroom she sees an incriminating text pop up on Mark’s phone.
End: Carla tells Harriet in the backyard and Harriet insists Carla confront Mark.
NEXT SCENE
Transformational Event D:Mark suggests couples therapy.
He’s been worried that Carla is depressed anyway.
Beginning: Carla goes back inside to the bedroom where Mark is dressing and confronts him about the text.
Middle: Mark confesses.
End: Mark suggests couples therapy. Carla concedes since she has been depressed.
Scene: Carla working on her portfolio and telling Mark the good news.
Scene: Carla asking the Moms for a ladies night out.
Scene: Transformational Event F
Transformational event F)Carla goes out again with the girls. This time the moms from school are there too. Carla drinks way to much, makes out with a 25yr old, gets thrown in the drunk tank and Mark has to bail her out. The next day there is a viral video of her coyote ugly bar top dancing and falling off with a nip slip. And Harriet is revealed to all to be imaginary–the reason the video is viral is partly because Carla is obviously talking to herself.
Beginning: It’s an official cell phone group chat organized by Carla ladies night out at The Bar! Bouncer Ron lets the ladies cut the line. Cute Bartender is super flirty with Carla. Drinks are being had and dancing is on!
Middle: It’s getting wild! The Moms are egging Carla on as she hops up on the bar and Coyote Ugly Style dances her heart out. Cute bartender gets up there too and they have a super hot kiss. Carla turns to Harriet on the bar top and tells her she’s the best! (it’s obvious Carla is talking to herself.) Carla grabs the water hose and sprays everyone in the bar maybe taking things a little too far. Bouncer Ron tries to get her down. SHe refuses and in trying to escape him “Harriet save me!” her tube top slips down revealing her boobs and she falls off the bar onto the floor.
End: Sorry Carla. Bouncer Ron escorts Carla out to the awaiting drunk tank.
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Assignment #19 Turning Point 3: What I learned writing this assignment is that without the commitment to the process here I never would have completed this scene, it was so hard to put my characters through this.
Scene: Turning Point 3
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Viral video of things too wild out on the town and Carla looking crazy talking to herself and winding up in the drunk tank. Harriet reveals to Carla that she wishes she were real and how lucky Carla is to be human.
Beginning: Carla is sitting in the drunk tank waiting for Mark to come bail her out. Harriet is beside her. They’re both feeling major shame.
Middle: Harriet reveals she took things too far and was desperate to be human through Carla. She thinks Carla is so lucky and saw the opportunity and took advantage. Carla tells Harriet to leave.
End: Mark shows up and tells Carla the video of her antics at the bar is viral. Carla worries one of her mom friends posted it. Mark saw the sexy bartender kiss on the video.
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ASSIGNMENT #18
What I learned doing this assignment is to get it on the page. For the first time I put (insert son’s name here) or (insert cool job here) and just kept going with the dialogue knowing I can fill in on a later pass.
1. Outline Key Scenes 2 & 3.
Key Scene #2: New Plan: Beginning: Harriet suggests Carla to use her to help get unstuck
Middle: Use you how? Just fall into being me for a bit since Mark has trashed your heart and you can’t see straight and you can’t stay as you are or you’ll wind up living in a cardboard box.
End: Okay. Trust fall and Carla allows Harriet to drive the bus on ALL her life decisions.
Key Scene #3:( Things start going well until…)(aka Transformational event E)
Beginning: Carla is volunteering at the school book fair and talking to other moms who turn out to be cool
Middle: Successfully networking and having fun getting ideas for building out her portfolio
End: “Send me your stuff when it’s ready. No rush these things always take a while,”
2. Write Key Scene 2: Makes a new plan.
Done.
3. Write Key Scene 3: Things go well, until…
Done.
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Assignment #17 Act Three Key Scenes:
What I learned doing this assignment is how fun it is to watch my character get back up again. And that I can’t forget certain TEs that happen between key scenes as I outline them because those TEs affect what happens in the key scenes.
Key Scene 1: React/Rethink the new reality revealed by Midpoint
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Ext. Beach – Day
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Beginning: Carla arrives at the agreed upon meeting spot at the beach and Harriet is there waiting and Carla asks–why did you leave me
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Middle: Carla wonders if she is crazy as she sits on the beach talking to her imaginary friend.
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End: Carla and Harriet decide that she is not crazy and that Harriet is her superpower and they jump in the ocean together.
Key Scene #2: New Plan: Beginning: Harriet suggests Carla to use her to help get unstuck
Middle: Use you how? Just fall into being me for a bit since Mark has trashed your heart and you can’t see straight and you can’t stay as you are or you’ll wind up living in a cardboard box.
End: Okay. Trust fall and Carla allows Harriet to drive the bus on ALL her life decisions.
Key Scene #3:( Things start going well until…)(aka Transformational event E)
Beginning: Carla is volunteering at the school book fair and talking to other moms who turn out to be cool
Middle: Successfully networking and having fun getting ideas for building out her portfolio
End: “Send me your stuff when it’s ready. No rush these things always take a while,”
Key Scene #4: Turning Point Protagonist faces their lowest low
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Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Viral video of things too wild out on the town and Carla looking crazy talking to herself and winding up in the drunk tank. Harriet reveals to Carla that she wishes she were real and how lucky Carla is to be human.
Beginning: Carla is sitting in the drunk tank.
Middle: Harriet reveals to Carla that she wishes she were real and how lucky Carla is to be human. Maybe they took things to far.
End: Mark comes to bail her out and reveals the viral video of Carla’s antics that got her in the tank in the first place (the internet is fast.)
2. Write Key Scene 1: Reaction/Rethink.
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ASSIGNMENT #16
Finish Act 2! What I learned doing this assignment was that in order to catch up I had to keep writing and face the music of reading through my 20% scenes so far in Act 2 which was terrifying. Accepting that it was meant to only be 20% helped me to push through the fear.
ASSIGNMENT
1. Outline any scenes that you haven’t gotten to yet from Act 2.
EXT. ABBOTT KINNEY SIDEWALK – NIGHT
Carla and Harriet walk home towards Carla’s place.
Beginning: they joyfully laugh about the evening
Middle: omg my old boss
End: wanna come in for drunk eats?
INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Carla introduces Harriet to the babysitter and it is a weird moment.
Beginning: how’d it go
Middle: oh I am so rude, this is Harriet
End: that was weird.
EXT. PARK PLAYGROUND – DAY
Carla introduces Harriet to Sam, which goes gangbusters! They both think one another are awesome. Carla tells Harriet the plan for working back at the agency with Jennica failed. Carla invites Harriet over for dinner.
2. Write out those scenes.
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What I learned doing this assignment was that even though I fell behind it was time to write again and just push through. I also wound up writing out my midpoint scene after writing a few scenes to build up to it.
ASSIGNMENT #15
The Midpoint!
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Outline the Midpoint scene.
Midpoint Turning Point: Harriet comes over for dinner. Carla finds out that Harriet is imaginary. Carla covers that Harriet is imaginary by making it look like she just didn’t show, but Mark senses something weird is up. This is not a good moment for Harriet because now the jig is up.
Beginning: Carla is excited to introduce Mark to Harriet. She is cooking in the kitchen and getting everything ready for their little dinner party: setting the lovely table out back, etc. Sam is excited too! He met Harriet at the park and loved her.
Middle: Harriet is super late. Carla is feeling dejected, especially after her disastrous meeting with Jennica earlier. Then Harriet arrives and things get weird. Mark can’t see her! Carla confronts Harriet inside in the kitchen and Harriet reveals she is imaginary.
End: Carla covers for herself and Harriet. Comes clean to Mark about feeling really low because of being unable to find work and the meeting with Jennica and plays off pretending Harriet was there.
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ASSIGNMENT #14
Caitlin Stryker’s ACT 2 middle scenes: what I learned doing this assignment is that even though I feel like a conflict averse writer at times I really enjoyed watching my protagonist flail about! And in order to keep writing I am really having to embrace allowing it to be total crap!
1. Outline Key Scenes 2 & 3.
2. Write Key Scene 2: Protagonist takes on a plan and executes it.
INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT
Carla makes late night drunk macaroni while her and Harriet hatch a plan for Carla to get her job back at the agency with Jennica.
Beginning: what am I gonna do?
Middle: maybe bumping into Jennica tonight was a sign? Reach out, network.
End: yes. You’re right, like you were about dancing.
Carla whips about the kitchen skillfully throwing together stove top mac’n’cheese from scratch while her and Harriet hatch a plan.
CARLA
I need your advice about work.
HARRIET
CARLA
expensive, Sam is only getting more expensive–
HARRIET
Heard. So what do you want to do?
CARLA
Dream life I want to have my own ad agency, but that is not practical with where my career left off and juggling motherhood. But when I saw Jennica tonight I had an idea…
HARRIET
Go on…
CARLA
Maybe I could get my old job back?
HARRIET
I thouhgt you said Jennica was a bitch?
CARLA
She is.
HARRIET
And you would want to work with her again?
CARLA
I mean… I could handle it…
HARRIET
Handle it?
CARLA
Yeah, it would get me back in the game at least.
HARRIET
Sure. (beat) Question: why did you leave in the first place?
CARLA
This is kind of embarrassing.
HARRIET
Why?
CARLA
I left to get married and have a baby.
HARRIET
Why is that embarrassing? Those are major life milestones and accomplishments actually marriage and children take a lot of work.
CARLA
They do.
HARRIET
I mean Patti SMith herself the punk poet laureate said “There is no harder job in the world than beinf a wife and mother.”
CARLA
SHe did? That’s so cool. And so true. But it doesn’t make it less feminist or whatever to want those things you know… Women are supposed to just want to do it all nowadays be a badass boss bitch while squeezing in motherhood and marriage on the side.
HARRIET
Oh yeah? How’s that working out for everybody?
CARLA
It’s not. But I still feel like I went about things in the wrong order or like I failed. And how I feel doesn’t matter because I need a job.
HARRIET
And your plan is to get your old job back? How?
CARLA
Yeah. Well I’ve been sending out resumes like crazy on linked in and getting NOWHERE. Then when I saw Jennica tonight I was like wait why not reach back out to The Agency? They know me, they loved me back in the day, I mean Jennica was pissed when I left–
HARRIET
She seems like she might always be pissed but okay.
CARLA
True. But we bonded again tonight over lemon drops. What if I message her to meet for coffee and just feel her out to see if there’s maybe an opportunity for me to get back in the game?
HARRIET
I say go for it! What have you got to lose? Be bold.
CARLA
You’re the best. I’m gonna do it.
HARRIET
This mac’n’cheese is the best. You sure you don’t want to be a chef?
3. Write Key Scene 3: Not only does their plan fail, but…
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
Carla meets with Jennica and it goes badly.
Beginning: so crazy bumping into you at the club thanks for agreeing to meet with me.
Middle: I love my job so much/i miss working so much
End: sorry i can’t help you we’ve been downsizing bc of AI
Carla sits at a lovely outside table waiting for Jennica to arrive. She is dressed for success in a cute floral dress with a blazer. Checking her phone for notice of Jennica’s immenent arrival.
JENNICA
Hi!! Hi, hi, hi! Sorry I’m a bit late.
Carla gets up to give Jennica a hello hug. They sit. Jennica places a work folder with papers in it on the table along with her phone and keys–she’s rolling sans purse.
CARLA
Hi! No worries, I’ve been enjoying a moment to sit.
JENNICA
Work is so crazy right now. We are slammed!
CARLA
That’s great though right?
JENNICA
Oh totally. (then) I need a coffee. I’ll be right back.
CARLA
Oh, I already paid for it. Just say you’re Carla’s friend and they’ll get you want you want!
JENNICA
Look at you go! Thank you!
CARLA
Well, you’re meeting me on short notice which I really appreciate. It’s the least I could do.
JENNICA
And I bouhgt you those shots the other noght!
Jennica gets up to go order her coffee. Carla sits at the table and notices a piece of paper with “hiring” typed on it sticking out of the folder Jennica set down when she arrived. Carla beams.
CARLA
(to herself sotto) Follow the signs and you shall be rewarded. I knew this was the right plan.
Just then Harriet strolls past wearing sunglasses and pulls them down to give Carla a wink and nod, sending her “You go girl vibes”. Carla looks at Harriet as she passes and feels a boost. The universe is operating in her favor!
JENNICA
Thanks again for the suave coffee order. I love this place. It has such a cool vibe.
CARLA
You’re welcome. And, agreed.
JENNICA
So what is going on with you? Are you thriving in your domestic bliss?
CARLA
Well… I love my family, Mark and Sam, they’re great, the best really. Sam did the funniest thing this morning where he–no. I am not going to be that person. You do not want to hear a boring story about my kid. Here’s one picture and we are moving on!
Carla shows Jennica an adorable family photo on her phone of her, Mark, and Sam at the beach.
JENNICA
Thank God. I was literally sitting here praying you wouldn’t torture me with a cute kid story. Kids aren’t cute. They suck. No offense but it’s true. He’s a looker though, both of them, well done.
CARLA
Thanks.
Jennica’s phone rings.
JENNICA
Shit. That’s work. One moment.
Jennica answers her phone and walks away from the table for a moment. Carla just sits there sinking into herself. She looks at her phone: no calls, no emails.
Jennica returns.
CARLA
All good?
JENNICA
Oh yeah. Just busy.
CARLA
Listen, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I wanted to meet today to talk about work actually…
Jennica just looks at Carla expectantly.
CARLA (CONT’D)
I umm… Well, I was kind of hoping to come back.
JENNICA
You mean… to the workforce?
CARLA
No. Yes. I mean to The Agency?
JENNICA
Oh really? Wow. I thought you were gone for good. Off to waste away in domesticity.
CARLA
Yeah. So did I, well not waste away, actually I thought it was going to be great. And it is, mostly, but I need more, something for me AND financially the family life doesn’t really work on one salary anymore.
JENNICA
RIght. Hmm…
CARLA
Do you have anything? I mean-wait-let me start over. (then) I’m not expecting to come back where you’re at now, or even where you were when I left since you were my boss then. But I know I have a lot to offer, especially knowing what the “mom market” wants and I’m would love to start where I left off really. As a jr copywriter and I’m sure I’d work my way up pretty quickly.
JENNICA
Mmhmmm… yeah… the thing is… we’re actually cutting positions right now.
CARLA
Oh really? But, I thought, I mean–
Carla indicates with her eyes to the folder.
JENNICA
Did you snoop through my files? When I went to get a coffee? Is that why you sent me up there alone? Oh my god you sneaky witch.
CARLA
No. Gosh no.
JENNICA
Well even if you did. You should’ve snooped better. It says “hiring pause–layoffs imminent due to AI expansion.” See
Jennica pulls the paper out and shows Carla the full story on the page.
CARLA
Oh.
JENNICA
Yeah. What can I say… AI is taking over. It’s amazing what it can do really. I can do two peoples jobs using it to help me.
CARLA
That’s great.
JENNICA
It really is so cool. Sorry we don’t have anything for you. But you’ll find something. Just get creative. I’m happy to be a reference if you need it.
CARLA
Thanks.
Jennica’s phone dings.
JENNICA
Oh God. Okay. I’ve gotta run. Crisis at the office! Bye.
CARLA
Bye.
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ASSIGMENT #13 ACT 2 BEGINS
What I learned writing the reaction to the turning point scene is to enjoy the ride my characters take me on. They meandered me away from my outline as I had written it but closer to my actual intention which was exciting.
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Outline reaction to the turning point scene:
Beginning: Carla gets into the club and is a fish out of water.
Middle: loads of trouble at the bar getting a drink. Ppl are so rude.
End: Carla is leaving. This is not her scene. She’d love to meet Harriet for coffee instead.
INT. NIGHT CLUB ON ABBOTT KINNEY – NIGHT
Upon entry Carla immediately feels out of place. It is loud, crowded and filled with hot young people dancing with their friends. Carla self-conciously scans the room looking for Harriet, she needs a life line or she’s leaving in 5, 4, 3, 2–suddenly Harriet pops right in front of Carla.
HARRIET
You did it! You got in! Nice work girl!
CARLA
Well yeah you just said to come in, the bouncer was cool like you said.
HARRIET
Ron is the best!
CARLA
Yeah. Do you come here a lot?
Harriet walks away from Carla leading her towards the dance floor.
HARRIET
As much as possible! I love this dance floor. I swear dancing is candy for the soul–it sweetens everything in life up.
CARLA
Yeah. Yeah. It’s cool. Very loud! (then) I think I need a drink first.
HARRIET
You sure?
CARLA
Yeah.
HARRIET
The bar is over there. But hurry cuz this DJ is crushing right now!
CARLA
Ok. I’ll be right back.
Carla makes her way through the crowded dance floor towards the bar. She manages to squeeze herself up to the bar and tries to get the bartender’s attention to no avail. A cocktail waitress taps her on the shoulder.
COCKTAIL WAITRESS
You can’t stand here! This is the service bar.
CARLA
What?
COCKTAIL WAITRESS
Move!
Carla stunned moves away from where she was standing and tries to get another vantage point at the busy bar to order a drink. She starts squeezing between two guys when one of them turns quickly and accidently dumps his cocktail all over her.
DUDE
Shit. My drink.
CARLA
Sorry.
Dude calls to his buddy.
DUDE
Bro, grab me another one. This chick just bumped my drink outta my hand.
Carla turns to leave. She’s had enough of this place. It was a mistake to come here. And just then, Harriet is right there.
HARRIET
What’s taking you so long? What happened?
CARLA
This place is too much for me. I can’t even get to the bar to order a drink. This guy just dumped his drink all over me and acted like it was my fault.
HARRIET
What? That’s bullshit. He’s like 10 years old. Put him in his place. Where’s the girl who told off Scotty Macintosh for spilling his juice box on her in grade 6?
CARLA
Ha! I can’t believe you remember that?
HARRIET
Of course I do! You were always so bold back then.
CARLA
That’s because I had you by my side.
HARRIET
Well, I’m here now aren’t I?
CARLA
You are.
Carla taps DUDE on the shoulder.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Hey! Kid. You just dumped your drink on me–
DUDE
Whatever lady.
Dude and his buddy walk away. Carla sees napkins on the bar and grabs some to dry her outfit. The bartender finally notices her.
BARTENDER
Hey!? You in?
CARLA
What?
BARTENDER
Some chick just bought a round of shots for everyone standing at the bar. You want one?
CARLA
Umm…
BARTENDER
Yes or no?!
CARLA
Yeah. Yes! Thanks.
Bartender slides a shot over in front of Carla.
CARLA (CONT’D)
What is it?
The bartender has moved on without answering. Everyone standing at the bar yells and downs their shot. Carla follows suit.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Oh fuck I hate tequila.
HARRIET
Well, at least you finally got a drink!
CARLA
Yeah. (then) I think I’m gonna go. This isn’t really my scene. Maybe we could grab a coffee in the morning?
HARRIET
Oh no! Don’t get scared off so easily. I swear once you hit the dance floor you’re gonna love it.
CARLA
Yeah. No. This is too much for me.
HARRIET
You sure?
CARLA
I’m sure. I hate this.
HARRIET
Okay. Suit yourself.
CARLA
Let’s grab coffee tomorrow morning though. I’m dying to really catch up.
HARRIET
Sure. Same spot you dumped your Americano on me today? Same time?
CARLA
Oh man, I’m sorry about that. But yes, same spot same time. After I drop Sam at school.
HARRIET
Sounds good. Get home safe.
CARLA
I will. Sorry about tonight.
HARRIET
Stop being sorry all the time. It’s all good.
Harriet shimmy’s back over to the dance floor.
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Caitlin Stryker’s act 1 draft 1: what I learned doing this assignment was that my act 1 as it is now is a little light. I need some more in there but I’ve learned to just plow through even an uninspired writing session and get words on the page–it can and will be re-worked later.
HARRIET
INT. CHILD’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Carla, late 30s, is laying in bed next to her young son, Sam 8 years old, she is reading aloud “Where the Wild Things Are”.
CARLA
And the wild rompous went boom bang boom boom (insert actual line from near the end of the book here.)
SAM
Mom?
CARLA
(Keeps reading a little more not hearing Sam) —
SAM
Mom?
CARLA
What honey?
SAM
Are the monsters real? Are they gonna eat him up?
CARLA
No. No, of course not. It’s all in his imagination, for fun you know?
SAM
Yeah, but they seem so real.
CARLA
Do they?
SAM
Well it’d be more fun if they were real.
CARLA
I think it’d be scary if they were real. They might actually eat him up!
SAM
No they wouldn’t. He’s their King.
CARLA
I love you. It’s time for lights out buddy.
SAM
No! I want another story.
CARLA
I have to get to bed too pal. I’m exhausted. Come on now. We can read more in the morning before school.
SAM
It’s not the same. I don’t want to read in the morning.
CARLA
Goodnight. I love you!
Carla kisses Sam and turns out the light. Sam rolls over to fall asleep and Carla tip toes out of the room. Halfway across the floor she steps on a lego and let’s out a yell.
CARLA (CONT’D)
OW! Fuck! Goddammit.
SAM
Mom! You said a bad word.
CARLA
You have to clean this room in the morning!
SAM
No. Dad and I are in the middle of a battle.
CARLA
Goodnight.
Carla closes the door leaving it slightly ajar. “Why me,” tears spring to her eyes. She takes a deep breath and goes about shutting down the messy house for the night, before crawling into bed.
INT. CARLA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Carla climbs into bed and calls her husbnad Mark on facetime on her phone.
MARK
Hi. How are you?
CARLA
Tired.
MARK
Good thing you’re in bed.
CARLA
Yeah. How was your day? Did you make the sale?
MARK
I can’t tell with these guys. It’s so frustrating. I’m ready to come home.
CARLA
I’m so glad you’re coming home tomorrow. I miss you. I never sleep as well when you’re not here.
MARK
I have an idea to help you fall asleep…
CARLA
Mark! No. I’ve told you that is never happening. They can see everything through these cameras, everything ever seen through the lense is out there somewhere.
MARK
You are being so paranoid. That is not true. (beat) What about old fashioned phone sex then? No cameras involved.
CARLA
I’m sorry babe I just don’t feel sexy. I got not one but two rejection letters today. So I’m stuck in an I’m worthless and nobody wants me loop.
MARK
Well, I want you… (then) Just keep going. SOmething will stick.
CARLA
Yeah.
MARK
Night.
CARLA
Night.
INT. CARLA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Carla lays in bed eyes open in the dark as tears silently stream from her eyes.
CARLA
I’m so worthless.
A curtain bellows by the window. Carla sits up and looks at it. She stares. Gets out of bed to check that the window is closed. It is. That was weird. Carla climbs back into bed and pulls the covers up over her head and rolls over closing her eyes to go to sleep.
HARRIET
(VO) Girl you’ve got to get your shit together.
INT. CARLA’S BEDROOM – MORNING
Carla’s eyes open and she lays there for a moment. She grabs her phone to check the time. Of course there are no messages.
CARLA
Oh shit. We slept in. SAM!
Carla gets up and her and Sam collide in the hallway.
SAM
Mom.
CARLA
Hey buddy. You slept in. You never sleep in.
SAM
Yesh. That was weird.
CARLA
Okay well, we gotta hustle if we;re gonna make it to school on time. Brush your teeth adn get dressed! I’m gonna get some coffee and make breakfast!
Sam heads to the bathroom and Carla heads to the kitchen.
SAM
Can we have pancakes?
CARLA
No! We’re late! Pancakes are for weekends.
INT. KITCHEN – MORNING
CArla bustles about the kitchen still in her pajamas and robe, making Sam’s lunch and breakfast. Talkning to herself.
CARLA
I can’t believe he slept in. Of course he slept in, it’s a school day. Can’t sleep in on the weekends that would be to perfect.
Carla pulls out the coffee tin to discover that there is no coffee.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Great! No coffee. Ha ha. It’s gonna be one of those days. Come on. Get it together Carla. It doesn’t have to be one of those days. We can turn this day around yes ma’am. The day is not shot yet.
Sam enters having brushed his teeth but still in his pajamas.
SAM
Who are you talking to?
CARLA
Nobody. Why aren’t you dressed?
Sam just looks at her.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Dude? Go get dressed!
Sam leaves to go get dressed.
CARLA (CONT’D)
We have to leave this house in t-minus 2 minutes.
Sam yells from the other room.
SAM
But I haven’t had breakfast!
CARLA
You can eat a piece of toast while we walk!
EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MORNING
Carla says goodbye to Sam for the day out front of his school. It’s your typical morning drop off scene with parents and kids all hustling to and fro. There’s the line up of cars and the school bus, kids on bikes, scooters and skateboards. It’s a cool eclectic crowd–this is Venice.
CARLA
Have a great day buddy. I love you.
SAM
Bye mom.
As Carla waves goodbye to Sam a bird shits on her shoulder
CARLA
What the… Oh my… You have got to be kidding me!
Alice, Marisca and Kumiko three super cool intimidating moms with kids in Sam’s class are standing right there chatting. Kumiko hands Carla a wet wipe from her purse.
KUMIKO
Oh my gosh. Are you okay. Here.
CARLA
Thanks. One of those mornings.
KUMIKO
A lucky one! That’s what they say right?
MARISCA
I swear they just say that to make you feel better for being shat on.
ALICE
No. No, Kumiko’s right it’s like an odds thing.
Kumiko, Marisca and Alice carry on their banter amongst themselves. Carla waves and starts to walk off.
CARLA
Thanks again.
KUMIKO
Wait you’re Sam’s mom right?
Carla stops walking.
CARLA
Yeah.
KUMIKO
My little guy, Yuto, talks about Sam all the time. He wants him to come to his birthday party next week, but I didn’t have your number to send the invite.
CARLA
Oh, Sam would love that.
KUMIKO
Tell me your number and I’ll text you.
CARLA
Sure, it’s Carla (310)555-2345.
KUMIKO
Great! Enjoy your lucky day Carla.
EXT. BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE ON ABBOTT KINNEY – DAY
Carla walks out with her coffee in one hand while looking at a text from Mark in her other hand. Text says: “They added another meeting be home tomorrow instead. Keep your head up.” And Carla walks right into Harriet.
CARLA
Oh my god I’m so sorry.
HARRIET
It’s okay. You didn’t spill any coffee on my new shirt.
CARLA
Oh my god–Harriet? Is that you?
HARRIET
Carla! You have got to be kidding me this must be fate!
CARLA
What are you doing here? How are you?
HARRIET
I just moved back to town. I didn’t know you still lived here? I thought it was always your dream to live in New York and be a writer when you grew up?
CARLA
Uh yeah when I was 13. But, you know, life happens and honestly why leave Venice? It’s perfect: beach, sunshine, vagrants!
HARRIET
Yeah… this is a special place.
CARLA
You look amazing by the way. Like, so fucking… cool.
HARRIET
You’re still the nicest person on the planet huh.
CARLA
Oh god. Please don’t say that. I hate when people say that. It makes me feel so pathetic.
HARRIET
Shut up. How can you let a compliment make you feel pathetic?
CARLA
Nice means boring.
HARRIET
Do you think you;re boring?
CARLA
Yes.
HARRIET
Well shit girl that’s no way to live. You only get one go at this life what’s the point of being boring?
CARLA
Still the same Harriet.
HARRIET
Damn straight. (beat) Listen, I gotta get going but, what are you up to later?
CARLA
Uh nothing exciting.
HARRIET
Right, cuz you’re boring.
CARLA
Hey!
HARRIET
You said it. Not me.
CARLA
Fair point.
HARRIET
You should come out tonight. We can properly catch up. You look like someone who needs to go dancing.
CARLA
Oh I’d love to but I can’t.
HARRIET
Why not?
CARLA
My husband’s away, I don’t know if I can get a sitter, it’s a school night.
HARRIET
Well, if you can figure all that out. Meet me at The Brig tonight at 10.
CARLA
10! That’s my bedtime!
HARRIET
Sounds sensible.
CARLA
Ha! It is and I like it that way.
HARRIET
Do you?
Harriet starts to walk away and turns back to Carla.
HARRIET (CONT’D)
10. The Brig. Dress fun. It’ll be good for you.
CARLA
Okay. I’ll try.
HARRIET
Make it happen girl!
EXT. ABBOTT KINNEY SIDEWALK – MORNING
Carla walks along towards home, talking to herself.
CARLA
I can’t believe Harriet’s back! And she looks so good, so cool. Gawd I look like such a schlub. Oh my gosh. What am I doing? What is wrong with me? I’m in my pajamas at drop off and the other moms look so cool. And then Harriet turns up and she looks so cool. How does everyone else have their shit together but me? Instead of having my shit together, I have shit literally on me! Did I say yes to going out out tonight? WHo am I? How am I planning to leave the house on a school night when Mark’s away? And now I’m walking down the street talking to myself. I am losing my mind. This is it. This is it, the end of the line for Carla Jenkins folks.
Carla’s phone rings. It’s Mark. SHe picks up.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Hi honey.
MARK
Hey babe.
CARLA
Thank goodness you called I was literally just walking down the street talkngin to myself like a crazy person.
MARK
Uh oh. Hang in there. I’m almost home.
CARLA
I know, but one more day huh? That sucks.
MARK
I know babe. I’m sorry. Couldn’t be helped.
CARLA
Yeah, I know. (then) Hey guess who I just bumped into?
MARK
Who?
CARLA
Harriet!
MARK
Who’s Harriet?
CARLA
She’s my old best friend from middle school. I can’t believe it. She’s back in town. Actually she invited me out tonight.
MARK
On a Tuesday?
CARLA
Yeah. She’s so cool. Always has been. She’s honestly like who I wish I was. Her clothes, her hair, she’s like always had swagger.
MARK
Are you gonna go?
CARLA
How am I suppposed to go? You’re not here. Who’s gonna watch Sam?
MARK
Good point. (then) Well maybe you gals could go out this weekend when I’m back, like normal people on a Friday.
CARLA
Yeah we’ll see. Oh crap I didn’t get her number!
MARK
How were you planning on meeting up tonight?
CARLA
SHe just said: The Brig at 10. Be there. Like I said she’s the coolest person I’ve ever known. I knew it in middle school.
MARK
Huh. I guess hopefully you bump into her again. Or you could try finding her on socials.
CARLA
Findinf her on socials? Look at you Sherlock Holmes. That’s a good idea.
MARK
Babe, I gotta go. My next meeting starts in 5 minutes. But you sound good, better than last night, I’m glad.
CARLA
Yeah. It’s been a morning.
MARK
Love you.
CARLA
Love you too.
EXT. CARLA’S HOUSE – DAY
Carla has walked all the way home while talking on the phone to Mark. SHe hangs up and heads inside.
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
Carla looks around at the chaotic mess of a lived in family apartment that was sprinted out of on a “running late morning”. She catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror looking drab and dishevelled.
CARLA
Why is everyhting always a mess? Clean up, mess, clean up, mess, clean up, mess. Just a neverending hamster wheel of domestic shit.
Her phone dings and she sees a message email with another job rejection.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Argh! This is so infuriating! I’m just wasting my time.
Carla flips on music to try and cheer herself up while she cleans up. The song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” comes on and she dances around while cleaning.
CARLA (CONT’D)
“Girls Just wanna, they just wanna ah ah…”
She stops dancing and has a thought.
CARLA (CONT’D)
I should go out tonight. WHy not? How do I even get a sitter though?
Carla’s phone dings with a message from Kumiko.
KUMIKO
(via text) Hi!!! Hope you’re having the lucky day you deserve! Here’s the invite for Yuto’s party. Hope you guys can make it.
Carla texts her back.
CARLA
(via text) Thanks! It has been an interesting day… Sam will be thrilled to come to the party! Do you have any sitter recommendations btw?
KUMIKO
Yay! Sitter recos: yes! I have the best college gal, Sarah, she’s great with the kids. Here’s her contact. I’ll tell her to expect to hear from you.
CARLA
Thank you!
KUMIKO
Date night?
CARLA
What?
KUMIKO
Are you having a date night? It’s none of my nusiness really but I’m jealous if you are. I’ve been trying to get the schedule to work out for a date night for ages!
CARLA
Oh ha! No, a girl’s night actually. I ran into an old friend this morning.
KUMIKO
How fun?! You’re so cool going out on a Tuesday! Sorry I’m so nosy.
CARLA
Not at all. Thanks for the sitter reco.
KUMIKO
You got it!
Carla’s phone rings. It’s Kumiko.
CARLA
Hello?
KUMIKO
Hi. Sorry. I was going to text you and it was becoming a novel so I thought–just call the woman!
CARLA
I get that!
KUMIKO
We need some more volunteers for next week’s book fair at the school and I was wondering if you would be available?
CARLA
Umm…
KUMIKO
I know. I’m totally putting you on the spot by just calling but we’re desperate.
CARLA
I can’t. I’m sorry. I’m so busy with work these days.
KUMIKO
Oh darn. Okay. Have a great night out tonight!
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
Carla texts the sitter while talking to herself.
CARLA
Hey college girl can you come watch my kid tonight so I can go out and grasp at my youth? (actual text: Hi this is Carla, Kumiko recommended you, I need a last minute sitter tonight 10pm to midnight?) Two hours is plenty of time right? This is not good. I don’t even know how long going out time is anymore? Two hours is good. I can’t be out late. I’ve got nothing to do but send out resumes and get rejected tomorrow–gotta be rested for that! I should’ve said yes to volunteering. That was rude of me. And now I’m asking for a favor, I already did ask for a favor from Kumiko and then she asked me for one and I lied! I’m the worst person on the planet. I do not deserve to go out tonight.
Carla’s phone dings.
SARAH SITTER
Sure!
INT. CARLA’S BEDROOM – AFTERNOON
Carla has her whole closet out on the bed. She has been trying on outfits in an attempt to look hip. Outfit try on montage.
An outfit that is so basic and beige.
An outfit that does not fit well at all.
An outfit that makes her look like Sporty Spice.
(scene were Sam sees his mom dressed up for the night out and tells her she looks really cool. Like a music video lady.
Turning Point Scene
EXT. NIGHT CLUB ON ABBOTT KINNEY – NIGHT
Carla walks up to the club and realizes there is quite the line to get in. SHe walks down to the end of the line past super cool looking 20yr olds. Nervous she stands in line alone. Carla looks at her phone wishing she had gotten Harriet’s number.
CARLA
What am I doing? I don’t even know if she’s here.
Carla overhears a convo between two 22 year old girls in line ahead of her.
YOUNG GIRL #1
Oh my god like when did senior citizens start coming here?
YOUNG GIRL #2
Shh… dude she can like totally hear you don’t be so rude.
YOUNG GIRL #1
Whatever. I told Charlie this place was lame now, but he insisted we come here.
YOUNG GIRL #2
Well we can leave after one drink.
Carla is ready to turn around and go home when Harriet pops out of the club and screams.
HARRIET
Carla!!! Get your ass up here girl! WHat are you doing waiting in line?
Carla startled looks at Harriet like she is making a scene.
HARRIET (CONT’D)
Come on in! Ron is the coolest, he knows you’re with me.
Bouncer Ron sits there collecting IDs as people walk in to the club. He has a nice rappour with folks and isn’t phased by Harriet.
HARRIET (CONT’D)
Ooh that’s my jam!! Meet me on the dancefloor let’s go!
Carla looks around embarrassed by the scene that Harriet just made but everyone around her is absorbed in their phones. No one noticed or cared. Carla tentatively walks up to Bouncer Ron.
CARLA
Hi.
BOUNCER RON
Hello young lady.
CARLA
Umm… I know there’s a long line, but my friend is in there, Harriet, and she told me to just come up and talk to you to get in?
BOUNCER RON
Harriet?
CARLA
Yeah…
BOUNCER RON
Alright, but just this once. I can’t let everyone jump the line who says “their friend is inside” you know what I;m saying.
CARLA
Yeah… for sure. Thank you.
Carla goes to head inside but Bouncer Ron stops her.
BOUNCER RON
Whoah! Whoah! whoah!
CARLA
I’m sorry.
BOUNCER RON
It’s all good. I just need to see ID miss.
CARLA
Oh yeah. Of course. Thank you!
BOUNCER RON
Have Fun.
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Caitlin Stryker’s tipping point scene, assignment 11. What I learned doing this assignment was to just jump ahead and write the scene assigned even if it doesn’t feel good enough and I don’t have the scenes leading up to it fleshed out yet.
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Outline Act 1 Turning Point
Lock your protagonist into the journey. Point of no return.
Carla goes out for the night. It’s when Harriet sees her in line at the club and she goes in.
Beginning: Carla is at the back of the line. Listening to 20yrs olds around her. She realizes she has no way of knowing if Harriet is there.
Middle: Harriet pokes her head out of the club and calls out to Carla to just come to the front and come in
End: Carla goes up to Bouncer Ron and tells him her friend is inside. He lets her in.
Turning Point Scene
EXT. NIGHT CLUB ON ABBOTT KINNEY – NIGHT
Carla walks up to the club and realizes there is quite the line to get in. SHe walks down to the end of the line past super cool looking 20yr olds. Nervous she stands in line alone. Carla looks at her phone wishing she had gotten Harriet’s number.
CARLA
What am I doing? I don’t even know if she’s here.
Carla overhears a convo between two 22 year old girls in line ahead of her.
YOUNG GIRL #1
Oh my god like when did senior citizens start coming here?
YOUNG GIRL #2
Shh… dude she can like totally hear you don’t be so rude.
YOUNG GIRL #1
Whatever. I told Charlie this place was lame now, but he insisted we come here.
YOUNG GIRL #2
Well we can leave after one drink.
Carla is ready to turn around and go home when Harriet pops out of the club and screams.
HARRIET
Carla!!! Get your ass up here girl! WHat are you doing waiting in line?
Carla startled looks at Harriet like she is making a scene.
HARRIET (CONT’D)
Come on in! Ron is the coolest, he knows you’re with me.
Bouncer Ron sits there collecting IDs as people walk in to the club. He has a nice rappour with folks and isn’t phased by Harriet.
HARRIET (CONT’D)
Ooh that’s my jam!! Meet me on the dancefloor let’s go!
Carla looks around embarrassed by the scene that Harriet just made but everyone around her is absorbed in their phones. No one noticed or cared. Carla tentatively walks up to Bouncer Ron.
CARLA
Hi.
BOUNCER RON
Hello young lady.
CARLA
Umm… I know there’s a long line, but my friend is in there, Harriet, and she told me to just come up and talk to you to get in?
BOUNCER RON
Harriet?
CARLA
Yeah…
BOUNCER RON
Alright, but just this once. I can’t let everyone jump the line who says “their friend is inside” you know what I;m saying.
CARLA
Yeah… for sure. Thank you.
Carla goes to head inside but Bouncer Ron stops her.
BOUNCER RON
Whoah! Whoah! whoah!
CARLA
I’m sorry.
BOUNCER RON
It’s all good. I just need to see ID miss.
CARLA
Oh yeah. Of course. Thank you!
BOUNCER RON
Have Fun.
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ASSIGNMENT 10: ACT 1 INCITING INCIDENT
What I learned doing this assignment is to just write it. Don’t overthink it. Things will need punching up in later drafts but it feels good to get words on the page and let the characters take me for a ride.
1. Outline Key Scenes 2 & 3 for Act 1.
2. Write your Inciting Incident scene.
INT. CARLA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Carla lays in bed eyes open in the dark as tears silently stream from her eyes.
CARLA
I’m so worthless.
A curtain bellows by the window. Carla sits up and looks at it. She stares. Gets out of bed to check that the window is closed. It is. That was weird. Carla climbs back into bed and pulls the covers up over her head and rolls over closing her eyes to go to sleep.
HARRIET
(VO) Girl you’ve got to get your shit together.
INT. CARLA’S BEDROOM – MORNING
Carla’s eyes open and she lays there for a moment. She grabs her phone to check the time. Of course there are no messages.
CARLA
Oh shit. We slept in. SAM!
Carla gets up and her and Sam collide in the hallway.
SAM
Mom.
CARLA
Hey buddy. You slept in. You never sleep in.
SAM
Yesh. That was weird.
CARLA
Okay well, we gotta hustle if we;re gonna make it to school on time. Brush your teeth adn get dressed! I’m gonna get some coffee and make breakfast!
Sam heads to the bathroom and Carla heads to the kitchen.
SAM
Can we have pancakes?
CARLA
No! We’re late! Pancakes are for weekends.
INT. KITCHEN – MORNING
CArla bustles about the kitchen still in her pajamas and robe, making Sam’s lunch and breakfast. Talkning to herself.
CARLA
I can’t believe he slept in. Of course he slept in, it’s a school day. Can’t sleep in on the weekends that would be to perfect.
Carla pulls out the coffee tin to discover that there is no coffee.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Great! No coffee. Ha ha. It’s gonna be one of those days. Come on. Get it together Carla. It doesn’t have to be one of those days. We can turn this day around yes ma’am. The day is not shot yet.
Sam enters having brushed his teeth but still in his pajamas.
SAM
Who are you talking to?
CARLA
Nobody. Why aren’t you dressed?
Sam just looks at her.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Dude? Go get dressed!
Sam leaves to go get dressed.
CARLA (CONT’D)
We have to leave this house in t-minus 2 minutes.
Sam yells from the other room.
SAM
But I haven’t had breakfast!
CARLA
You can eat a piece of toast while we walk!
3. Write the scene for the Reaction to the Inciting Incident.
EXT. ABBOTT KINNEY SIDEWALK – MORNING
Carla walks along towards home, talking to herself.
CARLA
I can’t believe Harriet’s back! And she looks so good, so cool. Gawd I look like such a schlub. Oh my gosh. What am I doing? What is wrong with me? I’m in my pajamas at drop off and the other moms look so cool. And then Harriet turns up and she looks so cool. How does everyone else have their shit together but me? Instead of having my shit together, I have shit literally on me! Did I say yes to going out out tonight? WHo am I? How am I planning to leave the house on a school night when Mark’s away? And now I’m walking down the street talking to myself. I am losing my mind. This is it. This is it, the end of the line for Carla Jenkins folks.
Carla’s phone rings. It’s Mark. SHe picks up.
CARLA (CONT’D)
Hi honey.
MARK
Hey babe.
CARLA
Thank goodness you called I was literally just walking down the street talkngin to myself like a crazy person.
MARK
Uh oh. Hang in there. I’m almost home.
CARLA
I know, but one more day huh? That sucks.
MARK
I know babe. I’m sorry. Couldn’t be helped.
CARLA
Yeah, I know. (then) Hey guess who I just bumped into?
MARK
Who?
CARLA
Harriet!
MARK
Who’s Harriet?
CARLA
She’s my old best friend from middle school. I can’t believe it. She’s back in town. Actually she invited me out tonight.
MARK
On a Tuesday?
CARLA
Yeah. She’s so cool. Always has been. She’s honestly like who I wish I was. Her clothes, her hair, she’s like always had swagger.
MARK
Are you gonna go?
CARLA
How am I suppposed to go? You’re not here. Who’s gonna watch Sam?
MARK
Good point. (then) Well maybe you gals could go out this weekend when I’m back, like normal people on a Friday.
CARLA
Yeah we’ll see. Oh crap I didn’t get her number!
MARK
How were you planning on meeting up tonight?
CARLA
SHe just said: The Brig at 10. Be there. Like I said she’s the coolest person I’ve ever known. I knew it in middle school.
MARK
Huh. I guess hopefully you bump into her again. Or you could try finding her on socials.
CARLA
Findinf her on socials? Look at you Sherlock Holmes. That’s a good idea.
MARK
Babe, I gotta go. My next meeting starts in 5 minutes. But you sound good, better than last night, I’m glad.
CARLA
Yeah. It’s been a morning.
MARK
Love you.
CARLA
Love you too.
EXT. CARLA’S HOUSE – DAY
Carla has walked all the way home while talking on the phone to Mark. SHe hangs up and heads inside.
4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
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ASSIGNMENT #9: Opening Scene and Character Introductions
What I learned doing this assignment is to be wildly imperfect and find joy in it! I loved putting (insert scene here) on the page. SO freeing.
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Step 1. Copy the scene from your beat sheet.
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Step 2. Outline the scene.
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Step 3. Write a minimum level first draft.
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Key Scene 1: Exciting opening scene intros a main character, the conflict and/or world.
Beat Sheet
INT. NIGHT Sam’s bedroom
OPENING: Carla reading “Where the Wild Things Are” to her son Sam for his bedtime story.
Opening Scene Outline:
Beginning: Carla laying in bed with Sam reading “Where the Wild Things Are”
Middle: Sam asks Carla a question and she responds in a character revealing way
End: Goodnight Sam. Carla steps on a lego piece and winces on her way out the door.
Antagonist intro scene when Harriet makes a ghostly appearance in the bedroom.
INCITING INCIDENT: Carla cries in bed silently at 3 am. She rolls over and we see a flutter of a curtain like a presence was there… (this is Harriet)
Outline:
Beginning: Carla crying in bed.
Middle: curtain bellows strangely
End: Harriet VO
HARRIET
INT. CHILD’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Carla, late 30s, is laying in bed next to her young son, Sam 8 years old, she is reading aloud “Where the Wild Things Are”.
CARLA
And the wild rompous went boom bang boom boom (insert actual line from near the end of the book here.)
SAM
Mom?
CARLA
(Keeps reading a little more not hearing Sam) —
SAM
Mom?
CARLA
What honey?
SAM
Are the monsters real? Are they gonna eat him up?
CARLA
No. No, of course not. It’s all in his imagination, for fun you know?
SAM
Yeah, but they seem so real.
CARLA
Do they?
SAM
Well it’d be more fun if they were real.
CARLA
I think it’d be scary if they were real. They might actually eat him up!
SAM
No they wouldn’t. He’s their King.
CARLA
I love you. It’s time for lights out buddy.
SAM
No! I want another story.
CARLA
I have to get to bed too pal. I’m exhausted. Come on now. We can read more in the morning before school.
SAM
It’s not the same. I don’t want to read in the morning.
CARLA
Goodnight. I love you!
Carla kisses Sam and turns out the light. Sam rolls over to fall asleep and Carla tip toes out of the room. Halfway across the floor she steps on a lego and let’s out a yell.
CARLA (CONT’D)
OW! Fuck! Goddammit.
SAM
Mom! You said a bad word.
CARLA
You have to clean this room in the morning!
SAM
No. Dad and I are in the middle of a battle.
CARLA
Goodnight.
Carla closes the door leaving it slightly ajar. “Why me,” tears spring to her eyes. She takes a deep breath and goes about shutting down the messy house for the night, before crawling into bed.
(SCENE WHERE CARLA CALLS MARK HERE)
INT. CARLA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Carla lays in bed eyes open in the dark as tears silently stream from her eyes.
CARLA
I’m so worthless.
A curtain bellows by the window. Carla sits up and looks at it. She stares. Gets out of bed to check that the window is closed. It is. That was weird. Carla climbs back into bed and pulls the covers up over her head and rolls over closing her eyes to go to sleep.
HARRIET
(VO) Girl you’ve got to get your shit together.
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ASSIGNMENT #8
Caitlin Stryker’s beat sheet draft 2:What I learned doing this assignment is the fun layers added when ensuring theme is present and that the antagonist has their own storyline.
INTERWEAVE THEME throughout your beat sheet.
The theme shows up in three stages:
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It is introduced lightly near the beginning.
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It is explored throughout the story.
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It evolves into the message that is delivered at the END.
The theme of Harriet is learning to love all aspects of yourself, even your crazy.
Build your Antagonist into the beat sheet:
Harriet my antagonist: Has a plan in motion before the movie started. They were already in action on their plan and the Protagonist stepped into it, often without knowing. Harriet is back to help Carla learn to love herself again and be the dynamic woman she really is, instead of the sad depressed housewife/mom she has become. Harriet wants to be real, that is her big secret. SHe benefits if Carla keeps her around.Harriet loves the human world.
BEAT SHEET
ACT 1
INT. NIGHT Sam’s bedroom
OPENING: Carla reading “Where the Wild Things Are” to her son Sam for his bedtime story.
INT. NIGHT Carla and Mark’s bedroom
TE 1: Carla talks to her husband Mark on the phone. He is away for work. They talk about her needing to find a job to help with the bills. Theme moment: She talks about feeling unwanted.
INT. NIGHT Carla and Mark’s bedroom
INCITING INCIDENT: Carla cries in bed silently at 3 am. She rolls over and we see a flutter of a curtain like a presence was there… (this is Harriet)
SCENE getting Sam to school. We see the other Moms. Some say Hi to Carla and she shyly walks away.
EXT. DAY Abbott Kinney sidewalk
TE 2: Carla bumps into Harriet, her childhood best friend who moved away, on the sidewalk out front of the coffee shop. Let’s get you out girl and put some color back into your life. Carla says no, it’s a school night and Mark is away. Theme Moment: Harriet says to Carla “Look at you dressed all drab like you don’t matter to yourself.” Carla “Ha! Is that what I look like? I was going for stressed out mom trying to get her kid to school on time.” For Harriet’s storyline this is the moment when she can’t stay in the shadows any longer.
ACT 2
INT. DAY Carla’s Living Room
New plan: Carla gets home, looks around and decides yes, she’s gonna go out tonight! Theme Moment: what about me? What about making time for me to just have fun? What if Harriet calls Carla and the ringtone “girls just wanna have fun” starts playing because Harriet programmed her number into Carla’s phone on the sidewalk and when Carla picks up she’s like come out you know you want to!
INT. DAY Apt
TE 3: Carla has to find a sitter. (She texts for sitter ideas the “mom chain” she rarely interacts with bc they are cooler and more togethr than her.) Carla has to figure out what to wear, better not be drab.
SCENE Carla leaving for the night out with the sitter there.
EXT. NIGHT The Brig Club Exterior
Plan in action: Carla is out at night and in line for the club Harriet told her to meet at! It’s a long line and where is Harriet? Theme moment: Major what am I doing here self-talk. I mean this line is filled with young hot people in their early 20s.
EXT. NIGHT The Brig Club Exterior
TE 4: Harriet comes out of the club and yells to Carla to get to the front of the line and just come in! She knows the bouncer it’s no big deal. Carla hesitates and then says fuck it. SHe goes up to bouncer Ron and gets in using the “Myr friend is in there line” which never works but bouncer Ron is a gem he can read ppl. Harriet has already disappeared back into the club.
INT. NIGHT The Brig Club
Scene: Having a great time in the club. At the bar Harriet forces Carla to be bold and get the hot young bartender’s attn and order a drink.
INT. NIGHT The Brig Club at the bar
TE 5: Carla bumps into her old boss in the club. Carla’s old boss, Jennica, is an intimidating girl boss type who is 5 years younger than Carla and told Carla that she was screwing her career when she decided to leave to get married and have a child. Now that Carla needs to get back to work for real (being a part-time sub is not cutting it) she must reach out to Jennica and work on her portfolio and put herself out into the work world. Harriet motions that she is going to the bathroom when Jennica shows up to protect it from becoming known that she isn’t real.
SCENE Walking home from the bar. Carla talks to Harriet about seeing Jennica and her need for work.
INT. NIGHT Kitchen
Midpoint Turning Point: Harriet comes over for dinner. Carla finds out that Harriet is imaginary. Carla covers that Harriet is imaginary by making it look like she just didn’t show, but Mark senses something weird is up. This is not a good moment for Harriet because now the jig is up.
Act 3:
EXT. DAY Venice Beach Boardwalk
Rethink everything: Carla asks Harriet why she left in middle school. Carla wonders if she’s crazy, but decides she is not and that Harriet is her superpower. Theme Moment: Now that Carla knows Harriet is imaginary she wears earpods so it looks like she is talking on the phone. Harriet is all like “Girl what are you doing?” Carla “Making sure I don’t look like a crazy person talking to herself!” Harriet “First of all this is the Venice Beach boardwalk join the club. Second of all, people look ridiculous talking on earpods. Fuck it you’re a little crazy, you have an imaginary friend, own it!”
SCENE The Moms from school. Harriet pushes Carla to engage more with these interesting women at drop off. Networking is a big part of life especially a successful career life.
INT. DAY Carla’s Living Room
TE 6: Carla discovers incriminating evidence of cheating on Mark’s phone. She tells Harriet and Harriet insists she confront Mark.
INT. DAY Carla’s bedroom
Transformational Event E: Does Carla want to leave Mark? Does she even have that option? She realizes that she doesn’t even have a credit card in her own name. Theme moment: How did she let this happen?
EXT. DAY Abbott Kinney sidewalk
New plan: Use me to help you get unstuck. Everyone needs help and I can help you build your business and yourself. Theme moment: Harriet literally tells Carla that she will help build her self-esteem. Harriet can’t let Carla backslide into her depression and force Harriet to go away. She is fighting for Carla and herself.
SCENE Carla coming up with her business plan.
SCENE Carla talking to the MOMs about work at school pick up
INT. NIGHT Kitchen
TE 7: Carla confronts Mark and Mark suggests couples therapy. He’s been worried that Carla is depressed anyway.
INT. DAY Therapist Office
Scene: therapy session. Harriet is there but Carla tries to be cool. It’s an okay session, there is love between Mark and Carla. Theme moment: the therapist’s office is filled with signs about loving yourself and empowering yourself. Harriet is in the background like these signs are wack but their message is true.
SCENE Carla needs a girls night out and the MOMs are all in
INT. NIGHT The Brig Club
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Viral video of things too wild out on the town and Carla looking crazy talking to herself and winding up in the drunk tank. Harriet reveals to Carla that she wishes she were real and how lucky Carla is to be human.-
TE 8 (all part of the turning point/huge failure/major shift): Carla goes out again with the girls. This time the moms from school are there too. Carla drinks way to much, makes out with a 25yr old, gets thrown in the drunk tank and Mark has to bail her out. The next day there is a viral video of her coyote ugly bar top dancing and falling off with a nip slip. And Harriet is revealed to all to be imaginary–the reason the video is viral is partly because Carla is obviously talking to herself.
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SCENE Carla getting carted off to the drunk tank. The other MOMs look on. Harriet may have let this spiral out of control…
Act 4:
EXT. NIGHT Police Station
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Mark wants to commit Carla, unless she gives up Harriet.
INT. DAY Therapist Office
TE 9: Now therapy takes a different turn. The therapist and Mark turn on Carla. Will she be able to talk them out of having her committed?
“You want to have me committed? Where? Didn’t they shut all those places down?” “We’ll start with medication.” “No! No. I do not need to be medicated. I’m leaving. You can’t force this on me.” Theme moment:Carla points out all the dumb “mickey mouse” love yourself signs in the office and is like “this is me loving myself–leaving this office!”SCENE with the MOMs about what went down in therapy. They all admit to some form of alter ego at some point in their lives or to wanting one. Everyone loves Harriet she has clearly been good for Carla. Theme moment: wait you’re crazy too and you love my crazy?
EXT. DAY Sidewalk in front of therapist office
Mark and Carla have it out
TE 10: Carla can’t hide any part of herself anymore; she will have to own her “crazy” if she wants to fully love herself and bring her whole self to all aspects of her life. This means Harriet stays but as a part of Carla, as her “alter ego” and as a part of herself she brings to the forefront. Which means in a way Harriet gets to be real too! (Like Sasha Fierce and Beyonce. Like Elliot P Dowd and Harvey.)
SCENE the moms back Carla up in front of Mark. A mom comes through big with a work contract for Carla’s copywriting.
Resolution: Everyone realizes, especially Mark, that Harriet is an important part of Carla. Harriet is like, I’m gonna go, you’ve got this now and I gotta love myself too and be reall about the fact that I am not real. And Carla is like forget that you’re staying because you are a real part of me.
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Caitlin Stryker’s beat sheet in 3 passes: What I learned doing this assignment is that having a time crunch and committing to getting the ideas down forces me to not self edit.
Pass 1: Organize your structure and transformational events.
ACT 1
INT. NIGHT Sam’s bedroom
OPENING: Carla reading “Where the Wild Things Are” to her son Sam for his bedtime story.
INT. NIGHT Carla and Mark’s bedroom
TE 1: Carla talks to her husband Mark on the phone. He is away for work. They talk about her needing to find a job to help with the bills. She talks about feeling unwanted.
INT. NIGHT Carla and Mark’s bedroom
INCITING INCIDENT: Carla cries in bed silently at 3 am. She rolls over and we see a flutter of a curtain like a presence was there…
SCENE getting Sam to school. We see the other Moms. Some say Hi to Carla and she shyly walks away.
EXT. DAY Abbott Kinney sidewalk
TE 2: Carla bumps into Harriet, her childhood best friend who moved away, on the sidewalk out front of the coffee shop. Let’s get you out girl and put some color back into your life. Carla says no, it’s a school night and Mark is away.
ACT 2
INT. DAY Carla’s Living Room
New plan: Carla gets home, looks around and decides yes, she’s gonna go out tonight!
INT. DAY Apt
TE 3: Carla has to find a sitter. (She texts for sitter ideas the “mom chain” she rarely interacts with bc they are cooler and more togethr than her.) Carla has to figure out what to wear?
SCENE Carla leaving for the night out with the sitter there.
EXT. NIGHT The Brig Club Exterior
Plan in action: Carla is out at night and in line for the club Harriet told her to meet at! It’s a long line and where is Harriet?
EXT. NIGHT The Brig Club Exterior
TE 4: Harriet comes out of the club and yells to Carla to get to the front of the line and just come in! She knows the bouncer it’s no big deal. Carla hesitates and then says fuck it. SHe goes up to bouncer Ron and gets in using the “Myr friend is in there line” which never works but bouncer Ron is a gem he can read ppl.
INT. NIGHT The Brig Club
Scene: Having a great time in the club.
INT. NIGHT The Brig Club at the bar
TE 5: Carla bumps into her old boss in the club. Carla’s old boss, Jennica, is an intimidating girl boss type who is 5 years younger than Carla and told Carla that she was screwing her career when she decided to leave to get married and have a child. Now that Carla needs to get back to work for real (being a part-time sub is not cutting it) she must reach out to Jennica and work on her portfolio and put herself out into the work world.
SCENE Walking home from the bar. Carla talks to Harriet about seeing Jennica and her need for work.
INT. NIGHT Kitchen
Midpoint Turning Point: Harriet comes over for dinner. Carla finds out that Harriet is imaginary. Carla covers that Harriet is imaginary by making it look like she just didn’t show, but Mark senses something weird is up.
Act 3:
EXT. DAY Venice Beach Boardwalk
Rethink everything: Carla asks Harriet why she left in middle school. Carla wonders if she’s crazy, but decides she is not and that Harriet is her superpower.
SCENE The Moms from school
INT. DAY Carla’s Living Room
TE 6: Carla discovers incriminating evidence of cheating on Mark’s phone. She tells Harriet and Harriet insists she confront Mark.
INT. DAY Carla’s bedroom
Transformational Event E: Does Carla want to leave Mark? Does she even have that option? She realizes that she doesn’t
EXT. DAY Abbott Kinney sidewalk
New plan: Use me to help you get unstuck. Everyone needs help and I can help you build your business and yourself.
SCENE Carla coming up with her business plan.
SCENE Carla talking to the MOMs about work at school pick up
INT. NIGHT Kitchen
TE 7: Carla confronts Mark and Mark suggests couples therapy. He’s been worried that Carla is depressed anyway.
INT. DAY Therapist Office
Scene: therapy session. Harriet is there but Carla tries to be cool. It’s an okay session, there is love between Mark and Carla.
SCENE Carla needs a girls night out and the MOMs are all in
INT. NIGHT The Brig Club
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Viral video of things too wild out on the town and Carla looking crazy talking to herself and winding up in the drunk tank. Harriet reveals to Carla that she wishes she were real and how lucky Carla is to be human.- TE 8 (all part of the turning point/huge failure/major shift): Carla goes out again with the girls. This time the moms from school are there too. Carla drinks way to much, makes out with a 25yr old, gets thrown in the drunk tank and Mark has to bail her out. The next day there is a viral video of her coyote ugly bar top dancing and falling off with a nip slip. And Harriet is revealed to all to be imaginary–the reason the video is viral is partly because Carla is obviously talking to herself.
- SCENE Carla getting carted off to the drunk tank. The other MOMs look on.
Act 4:
EXT. NIGHT Police Station
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Mark wants to commit Carla, unless she gives up Harriet.
INT. DAY Therapist Office
TE 9: Now therapy takes a different turn. The therapist and Mark turn on Carla. Will she be able to talk them out of having her committed?
“You want to have me committed? Where? Didn’t they shut all those places down?” “We’ll start with medication.” “No! No. I do not need to be medicated. I’m leaving. You can’t force this on me.”SCENE with the MOMs about what went down in therapy. They all admit to some form of alter ego at some point in their lives or to wanting one. Everyone loves Harriet she has clearly been good for Carla.
EXT. DAY Sidewalk in front of therapist office
Mark and Carla have it out
TE 10: Carla can’t hide any part of herself anymore; she will have to own her “crazy” if she wants to fully love herself and bring her whole self to all aspects of her life. This means Harriet stays but as a part of Carla, as her “alter ego” and as a part of herself she brings to the forefront. Which means in a way Harriet gets to be real too! (Like Sasha Fierce and Beyonce. Like Elliot P Dowd and Harvey.)
SCENE the moms back Carla up in front of Mark. A mom comes through big with a work contract for Carla’s copywriting.
Resolution: Everyone realizes, especially Mark, that Harriet is an important part of Carla.
- I commit to the High Speed Writing Rules!
- What I learned doing this assignment is that having a time crunch and committing to getting the ideas down forces me to not self edit.
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ASSIGNMENT #6
Caitlin Stryker’s TRANSFORMATIONAL EVENTS: What I learned doing this assignment is that some of my timeline is wonky. It might take me a minute to sort this out.
2. Start with the Character Arc and the list of Old Ways and New Ways.
Character Arc: Carla is a meek, depressed stay-at-home mom with low self-esteem, whose marriage is flailing. In the end, Carla is a dynamic individual fully confident in her abilities opening up her own copywriting business and her marriage is thriving. In between she meets Harriet who challenges her to take the steps to live up to her full potential.
Old ways: waiting for a miracle/lottery ticket; never finishing what she starts; negative self talk; not wanting to stand out; hiding herself; staying home doing housework
New Ways: creating her own successes; always following through; positive self-talk; not willing to compromise herself for the sake of others comfort
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).
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a)Going out at night with friends = getting a sitter, getting dressed up, talking to new people
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b)Reaching out to her old boss (who is a younger woman and didn’t approve of Carla’s decision to marry and have a child) and getting advice and contacts for getting back to work
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c)Coming to terms with the reality that her marriage is in trouble. Mark has cheated on her, she discovers and she will have to confront him.
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d)Can she stand on her own two feet? She is unemployed and has been rejected repeatedly in the job search process. She didn’t even get the front desk at a gym job that she applied for.
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e)Couples therapy? Which turns into is Carla crazy and needing to be committed because she’s an adult with an imaginary friend she insists is real…
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f)Carla fucks up and makes out with a guy at a club and gets thrown in the drunk tank. She was too loud and too rambunctious out on the town.
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g)Carla can’t hide any part of herself anymore; she will have to own her “crazy” if she wants to fully love herself and bring her whole self to all aspects of her life. This means Harriet stays but as a part of Carla, as her “alter ego” and as a part of herself she brings to the forefront. Which means in a way Harriet gets to be real too! (Like Sasha Fierce and Beyonce. Like Elliot P Dowd and Harvey.)
4. Sequence the steps from easiest to most difficult. This will imply the journey the character takes.
See above they are in order A-F
5. Brainstorm dramatic events or tests that could cause those changes for the character.
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When Carla first bumps into Harriet, Harriet invites Carla for a night out. Carla neveer leaves the house anymore, her husband is away on business and it’s a Thursday (school night.) So Carla has to find a sitter and figure out what to wear that isn’t lame and go through getting into a a crowded bar past a line and a bouncer.
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Carla’s old boss is an intimidating girl boss type who is 5 years younger than Carla and told Carla that she was screwing her career when she decided to leave to get married and have a child. Now that Carla needs to get back to work for real (being a part-time sub is not cutting it) she must reach out to Jennica and work on her portfolio and put herself out into the work world.
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Carla discovers incriminating evidence of cheating on Mark’s phone. She tells Harriet and Harriet insists she confront Mark.
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Mark suggests couples therapy. He’s been worried that Carla is depressed anyway.
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Does Carla want to leave Mark? Does she even have that option? She realizes that she doesn’t
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Carla goes out again with the girls. This time the moms from school are there too. Carla drinks way to much, makes out with a 25yr old, gets thrown in the drunk tank and Mark has to bail her out. The next day there is a viral video of her coyote ugly bar top dancing and falling off with a nip slip. And Harriet is revealed to all to be imaginary–the reason the video is viral is partly because Carla is obviously talking to herself.
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Now therapy takes a different turn. The therapist and Mark turn on Carla. Will she be able to talk them out of having her committed?
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Carla can’t hide any part of herself anymore; she will have to own her “crazy” if she wants to fully love herself and bring her whole self to all aspects of her life. This means Harriet stays but as a part of Carla, as her “alter ego” and as a part of herself she brings to the forefront. Which means in a way Harriet gets to be real too! (Like Sasha Fierce and Beyonce. Like Elliot P Dowd and Harvey.)
6. Add these transformational events to your four act structure.
Act 1:
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Opening: Carla reading Sam his bedtime story “Where the Wild Things Are”; steps on toys on the way out. Has a call with Mark who is away for work.
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Inciting Incident: Carla crying in bed at 3am totally stuck and depressed. Do we see Harriet or not at the foot of the bed? Kind of dreamlike.
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Turning Point: Bumping into Harriet on Abbott Kinney coming out of Blue Bottle
Act 2:
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New plan: Let’s get you out girl and put some color back into your life.
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Transformational event A) When Carla first bumps into Harriet, Harriet invites Carla for a night out. Carla neveer leaves the house anymore, her husband is away on business and it’s a Thursday (school night.) So Carla has to find a sitter and figure out what to wear that isn’t lame and go through getting into a a crowded bar past a line and a bouncer.
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Plan in action: Carla is out on the town with Harriet. She bumps into her old boss at the bar. She also bumps into two of the moms from Sam’s school.
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Transformational event B) Carla’s old boss is an intimidating girl boss type who is 5 years younger than Carla and told Carla that she was screwing her career when she decided to leave to get married and have a child. Now that Carla needs to get back to work for real (being a part-time sub is not cutting it) she must reach out to Jennica and work on her portfolio and put herself out into the work world.
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Midpoint Turning Point: Harriet comes over for dinner. Carla finds out that Harriet is imaginary. Carla covers that Harriet is imaginary by making it look like she just didn’t show.
Act 3:
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Rethink everything: Carla asks Harriet why she left in middle school. Carla wonders if she’s crazy, but decides she is not and that Harriet is her superpower.
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Transformational Event C: Carla discovers incriminating evidence of cheating on Mark’s phone. She tells Harriet and Harriet insists she confront Mark.
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Transformational Event D:Mark suggests couples therapy. He’s been worried that Carla is depressed anyway.
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New plan: Use me to help you get unstuck. Everyone needs help and I can help you build your business and yourself.
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Transformational Event E: Does Carla want to leave Mark? Does she even have that option? She realizes that she doesn’t
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Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Viral video of things too wild out on the town and Carla looking crazy talking to herself and winding up in the drunk tank. Harriet reveals to Carla that she wishes she were real and how lucky Carla is to be human.
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Transformational event F)Carla goes out again with the girls. This time the moms from school are there too. Carla drinks way to much, makes out with a 25yr old, gets thrown in the drunk tank and Mark has to bail her out. The next day there is a viral video of her coyote ugly bar top dancing and falling off with a nip slip. And Harriet is revealed to all to be imaginary–the reason the video is viral is partly because Carla is obviously talking to herself.
Act 4:
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Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Mark wants to commit Carla, unless she gives up Harriet.
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Transformational event G)Now therapy takes a different turn. The therapist and Mark turn on Carla. Will she be able to talk them out of having her committed?
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Transformational Event H) Carla can’t hide any part of herself anymore; she will have to own her “crazy” if she wants to fully love herself and bring her whole self to all aspects of her life. This means Harriet stays but as a part of Carla, as her “alter ego” and as a part of herself she brings to the forefront. Which means in a way Harriet gets to be real too! (Like Sasha Fierce and Beyonce. Like Elliot P Dowd and Harvey.)
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Resolution: Everyone realizes, especially Mark, that Harriet is an important part of Carla.
7. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
What I learned doing this assignment is that some of my timeline is wonky. It might take me a minute to sort this out.
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ASSIGNMENT #5
Caitlin Stryker’s 4 Act Transformational Structure: What I learned doing this assignment is that if I just put something down when I feel stuck and keep moving then I get somewhere.
Create a first draft of your 4 Act Transformational Structure.
1. Give us the following:
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Concept: Carla is pulled out of her depression by her old best friend Harriet, who happens to be imaginary.
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Main Conflict: Carla is stuck in her life. She has to find a job and she doesn’t have the self-confidence to put herself out there. Harriet comes along and helps Carla to see how great she is and to feel better about herself, this friendship is improving Carla’s life across the board and then it is discovered that Harriet is imaginary. So now Carla appears crazy, but she doesn’t want to let go of Harriet.
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Old Ways: waiting for a miracle/lottery ticket; never finishing what she starts; negative self talk; not wanting to stand out; hiding herself; staying home doing housework
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New Ways:creating her own successes; always following through; positive self-talk; not willing to compromise herself for the sake of others comfort
2. Fill in each of these with the answers you have right now.
Act 1:
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Opening: Carla reading Sam his bedtime story “Where the Wild Things Are”; steps on toys on the way out. Has a call with Mark who is away for work.
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Inciting Incident: Carla crying in bed at 3am totally stuck and depressed. Do we see Harriet or not at the foot of the bed? Kind of dreamlike.
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Turning Point: Bumping into Harriet on Abbott Kinney coming out of Blue Bottle
Act 2:
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New plan: Let’s get you out girl and put some color back into your life.
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Plan in action: Carla is out on the town with Harriet. She connects with The Moms from Sam’s school.
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Midpoint Turning Point: Harriet comes over for dinner. Carla finds out that Harriet is imaginary. Carla covers that Harriet is imaginary by making it look like she just didn’t show.
Act 3:
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Rethink everything: Carla asks Harriet why she left in middle school. Carla wonders if she’s crazy, but decides she is not and that Harriet is her superpower.
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New plan: Use me to help you get unstuck. Everyone needs help and I can help you build your business and yourself.
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Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Viral video of things too wild out on the town and Carla looking crazy talking to herself and winding up in the drunk tank. Harriet reveals to Carla that she wishes she were real and how lucky Carla is to be human.
Act 4:
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Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Mark wants to commit Carla, unless she gives up Harriet.
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Resolution: Everyone realizes, especially Mark, that Harriet is an important part of Carla.
3. Once you have created the 4-Act Structure for your Protagonist, go back over it to see if there is any big picture points you need to add to represent your Antagonist.
4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
What I learned doing this assignment is that if I just put something down when I feel stuck and keep moving then I get somewhere.
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ASSIGMENT #4
Caitlin Stryker, Character Interviews: What I learned doing this assignment is how much I enjoy Harriet’s company. And that I want to do more character interviews. It’s so freeing and revealing.
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST
CARLA
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Tell me about yourself.
I’m a mom. And a wife. My marriage is okay, we used to be great but it’s hard. Money is tight. My son is amazing. I guess I haven’t told you much about myself yet huh. I’m kind of lost these days. When I was little I loved ballet and dresses. I still do but I don’t wear dresses much anymore and I never dance. I really want to get back to working in advertising now that Sam is in school but I don’t know where to begin. I don’t feel good enough for anything anymore. I cry a lot. I think I might be depressed. I find dark things funny, I always have… but I don’t think I’m funny. I feel like everyone else has figured it all out but me. I’m always worried about my weight, it’s exhausting because I know I look fine but the need to lose 5lbs is always taking up way too much space in my brain. I love flowers and sunshine and the beach. I love romcoms and I feel stupid for loving them. I’m a millennial, I don’t get why that is such a big deal we’re kind of old now. I work very part-time as a substitute english teacher and while I enjoy it, I don’t really want to be a teacher. I’ve always been kind of lonely and shy.
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Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?
Umm… I’m not sure. I think I’m just at the end of my rope. Like I’m screaming inside to get out. So here it is, my chance to get out. I’m lonely locked inside my own head. I don’t want to be. I want to be known.So I guess, me, because it’s my time. If I don’t figure this out now my whole world is going to crumble. I don’t want my world to crumble. And maybe I could inspire some people, maybe I’m not as alone as I think I am…
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You are up against . What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?
Who am I up against? Well, myself, for one. I have to come out of my shell and put myself out there. My husband, too, kinda, I mean he’s pretty tired of my “state”. And there’s Harriet. She’s here to help but she’s also a force, I don’t think she’ll hang out with me if I don’t get it together. I’m also up against the outside world; when did everyone become so intense and proactively optimal? Geez. Calm down everyone!
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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?
It’s really hard for me to market myself. And while a part of me craves the spotlight I’m comfortable not being seen. I expect to have to upgrade my advertising portfolio and reach out to old contacts about finding a job. And then how will I balance work and motherhood and the home if I’m away working all the time. I don’t want to miss out on Sam growing up. But we need more money to be able to get him a good education and life in general is just so expensive these days.
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What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?
What if I’m just not good enough? I find follow through really hard. I’m comfortable quitting.
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What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?
Not being good enough. Not being well-liked as a kid. I’m an outsider type and I find it hard to jump in.
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What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?
I feel like I’m a genuine person. So I think I don’t know, but I feel like my nature being kind and observant makes me ultimately an asset in the world, in peoples lives, and maybe I can help other people become confident…
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What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?
I love that I see the world differently. I love that I get to have Harriet. I don’t want people to know that sometimes I think really mean thoughts about others. I don’t want people to know that I think most people are pretty boring. I think aliens are real and I don’t believe in god.
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What do you think of ?
I have a lot of existential thoughts.
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Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.
So I’m pretty sure Harriet showed up in my bedroom the night before we met on the street. I mean, now I can say that, looking back at all of it. But, honestly, when we bumped into each other in front of the coffee shop on Abbott Kinney I truly believed she was real and she was back. It was so exciting! I mean it was when Harriet left in middle school that I just folded into myself and retreated. I had moments obviously along the way of opening up but I never felt whole. Even with Mark and Sam. I needed Harriet to pull me out of my shell. Now I’ll admit I took it too far. I’m not proud of all of my behavior but I don’t regret it either. You gotta break some eggs to make an omlette and omlette’s are delicious. When Mark was on me about Harriet not being real and wanting to have me committed, that was brutal. That almost broke me, but I knew I was right to hold on to Harriet. She’s a part of me. A really important part of me and also I don’t own her, so I owe her the respect of acknowledging her existence and I don’t think that makes me crazy. I know it makes me stronger. Look at me now! From drab, depressed housewife, to thriving business owner and valued member of my community. Who would Eddy be without her Patsy? Beyonce without Sasha Fierce? Elliot P Dowd without Harvey?
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What does it do for your life is you succeed here?
I think my whole life opens up and becomes brighter. I think my marriage will improve and my son will grow to be a better human overall.
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Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST
HARRIET
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Tell me about yourself.
Hey you! How are you? I’m Harriet. Like how Madonna is Madonna. Harriet. I give the world’s best hugs and I believe in you. I’m very attracted to bright colorful get ups; I have a real passion for fashion and for folks who use their style to really tell you about themselves, to announce their entrance into a room you know?
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Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are my boldness and my kindness. My weakness is my selfishness.
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Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?
I love Carla. SHe has to change or she is going to fade away completely. And the thing is Carla is too magical a person to be allowed to fade away. The world needs her special spark, I can’t believe she doesn’t know that on her own, but we all need a little help sometimes, we all need to be reminded of our greatness at points along the way.
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What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?
I get to see my person thrive. I get to be acknowledged.
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What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?
I believe in magic, that it is real, and that the imaginary magical realms are worth fighting for , the aura around a person affects the world around them and it’s all about making the world a better place. More light, less dark, you know?
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What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?
That I am imaginary. That my greatest wish is to be human. I’m afraid if this is known then I cease to exist in any way.
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Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?
Overall we are a rather mischievous lot, but I like to think I get away with more that most.
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What do you think of ?
You might be surprised to know I’m a rather practical thinker. How we think affects our energy which affects our output and those around us. So I make a point to think as positively as I can. But I know negative thoughts need space, Ijust don;t allow them to take up all the space they way they want to (negative thoughts are greedy little fuckers.) I think a lot about the real essence of love.
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Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.
When Carla sent me away in middle school I was devastated. I was sure she was gonna keep me around. She broke my heart in a way. I bet she told youthat I left. Liar. People will tell themselves what they want to remember. I didn’t want to come back but I had too. Carla was slipping away into the dark place and I knew I could get her out of it. I tried to keep from being found out. I actually thought Carla knew, you know, that I am what I am. So I do feel bad about how serious things got there for a bit. Not about the incident though, Carla deserved to let loose. Now her and Mark have an even playing field, might sound childish but I don’t give a fuck. But with Mark getting so worried about me and trying to have her committed, he really overreacted but I should have warned Carla. I just liked how it felt being seen. That’s my selfishness ruining things. But look at Carla, Mark, Sam, those women?! WHat an amazing community! It’s a different world these days. A lot more room for self-expression, I mean not everywhere but let’s focus on spreading more light. You know what I’m saying right.
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Character Profiles Part 2
What I learned doing this assignment is how much I already enjoy spending time with my lead characters.
Fill in Part 2 of the character Profile for your two lead characters.
Carla
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What draws us to this character? Carla is kind and genuine. She notices special details and takes her time. In a world that is moving fast and disconnected Carla stands out as moving, slowly and quietly. There is a melancholic undertow that we wonder if she can stop from pulling her under.
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Traits: Quiet. Doesn’t like to be rushed. Kind. Genuine. Observant. Depressive.
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Subtext: Clamming up.
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Flaw: Fear of disapproval that stops her from living her life outside herself and her house.
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Values: family, creativity, honesty
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Irony: Craves the spotlight; a bit of a potty mouth. Fuck is her favorite piece of punctuation.
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What makes this the right character for this role? The type of mom who has a swear jar in the house and surprises you that she is the main contributor to it. Carla has the right amount of hutzpah bubbling beneath the surface that we want to see her come out of her shell and be rewarded with a real transformation.
Harriet
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What draws us to this character? Her charisma and exuberance. We feel both taken care of and empowered by Harriet. She owns the space she takes up.
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Traits: Loud and exuberant. Very open. Colorful.
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Subtext: She knows the power of a silent stare.
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Flaw: A disregard for reality and rules of society. Wants to be real. Envious that Carla gets to be human.
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Values: Love and happiness. Personal authenticity not worrying about anyone else’s opinion.
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Irony: Can’t be seen.
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What makes this the right character for this role? This is a magical yet grounded character. There is something so deeply real about Harriet that we wish she could be more than just imaginary.
3. Make any improvements you think of to your Part 1 profile and bring the two parts together.
Carla
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Role in the story: protagonist/lead
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Age range and Description: 30s any ethnicity. Stay-at-home mom who sometimes works as a part-time substitute English teacher.
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Internal Journey: starts off totally stuck in life with low self-esteem and depression. Ends with her dream job, high self-esteem and tons of confidence.
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External Journey: her marriage is crumbling, her clothes are drab, her job is beneath her and in the end her marriage is back on track, her clothes are fierce and she is at her dream job.
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Motivation: Carla wants recognition and to belong. She feels like she is stuck on the outside looking in. She’s lonely.
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Wound: Never being cool enough as a kid. Carla has always felt like an outsider.
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Mission/Agenda: Carla is determined to get unstuck.
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Secret: Ever since Harriet left when Carla was a kid her life has been less fun. Harriet is an imaginary friend, but Carla doesn’t know this.
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What makes them special? A childlike delight in the world. Carla is great at being present and being kind.
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What draws us to this character? Carla is kind and genuine. She notices special details and takes her time. In a world that is moving fast and disconnected Carla stands out as moving, slowly and quietly. There is a melancholic undertow that we wonder if she can stop from pulling her under.
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Traits: Quiet. Doesn’t like to be rushed. Kind. Genuine. Observant. Depressive.
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Subtext: Clamming up.
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Flaw: Fear of disapproval that stops her from living her life outside herself and her house.
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Values: family, creativity, honesty
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Irony: Craves the spotlight; a bit of a potty mouth. Fuck is her favorite piece of punctuation.
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What makes this the right character for this role? The type of mom who has a swear jar in the house and surprises you that she is the main contributor to it. Carla has the right amount of chutzpah bubbling beneath the surface that we want to see her come out of her shell and be rewarded with a real transformation.
Harriet
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Role in the story: antagonist/lead
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Age range and Description: 30s Black. Harriet is the coolest chic you’ve ever met. She is fun and confident. Wears bright clothes that are ahead of fashion. Strong and intelligent. Mischievous.
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Internal Journey: overcompensating with exuberance to calm and confident in her role.
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External Journey: from imaginary friend who is loud but unseen (except by Carla and Sam) to an accepted part of who Carla is, a recognized alter-ego almost as well-known as Sasha Fierce.
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Motivation: love
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Wound: terrified of being abandoned again.
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Mission/Agenda: to get Carla out of her depression. To bring Carla back to her vibrant true self.
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Secret: she’s not real but wishes she was.
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What makes them special? Can be seen by children or those who are truly young at heart if her person truly believes she is real.
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What draws us to this character? Her charisma and exuberance. We feel both taken care of and empowered by Harriet. She owns the space she takes up.
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Traits: Loud and exuberant. Very open. Colorful.
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Subtext: She knows the power of a silent stare.
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Flaw: A disregard for reality and rules of society. Wants to be real. Envious that Carla gets to be human.
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Values: Love and happiness. Personal authenticity not worrying about anyone else’s opinion.
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Irony: Can’t be seen.
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What makes this the right character for this role? This is a magical yet grounded character. There is something so deeply real about Harriet that we wish she could be more than just imaginary.
4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
What I learned doing this assignment is how much I already enjoy spending time with my lead characters.
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Assignment 2
Caitlin Stryker’s Character Profiles Part 1: What I learned doing this assignment is how much fun it is to develop characters!
2. Pick the type of role your Protagonist will play and give us a few sentences on how they will fulfill that role.
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Dreamer
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Carla (30s) is a dreamer. She imagines a happier life for herself, she just doesn’t know how to get there in the beginning. Carla knows deep down that she is capable of being a dynamic player in the advertising world but since she cut her career short to have her son she can’t figure out how to get back in the game. She is currently stuck in a role as a part-time substitute English teacher which doesn’t fill her soul and expand her mind–she’s under-employed outside the home and stuck in a loop of laundry and groceries inside the home. Her confidence will grow and she will start to put herself out into the world more.
3. Pick the type of role your Antagonist will play and give us a few sentences on how they will fulfill that role.
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Change Agent
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Harriet (30s) is a change agent. She shows back up in Carla’s life to lift her out of her depression. She is at once a teacher, coach and guide. Harriet is loud and vibrant and unafraid. Harriet believes in living as if there is nothing to lose. She doesn’t suffer meek behavior. Harriet is an imaginary friend and she knows this about herself, she prefers to consider herself as an alter-ego (like Beyonce’s “Sasha Fierce”) but Harriet chooses to not tell Carla that she isn’t real, because the way Carla treats her like she is real boosts Harriet’s power.
4. What other characters might be necessary?
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Supporting characters:
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Mark = (30s/40s) is Carla’s husband. He’s a tough love advocate. A loving husband but very human. Cheats on Carla mostly because he’s always away for work and he can’t connect with his wife.
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Sam = (7) is Carla’s son. Smart only child who talks a lot and is obsessed with video games. He’s a fun loving kid who thinks his mom is the greatest person on the planet. As long as Carla thinks Harriet is real Sam can see Harriet, but when Carla learns Harriet is imaginary then Sam can no longer see Harriet even though she is still around. (This plays into how Harriet is stronger when Carla believes she is a real person.)
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Minor roles:
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The Moms = Marisca; Alice; Kumiko
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This is a group of 3 other moms who Carla knows that have kids in Sam’s class at school.
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Marisca: (30s Latina) totally grounded and suffers no fools. Marisca runs the best taco truck in town! Her son is Sam’s best friend.
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Alice: (40s white) top brass at THE coolest hottest athleisure wear company on the planet. She has it all and can do it all at the same time.
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Kumiko: (50s Asian) this woman is hip and put together. She makes 50 look like the new 20. Think Ali Wong type.
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Background characters:
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Bartender Jake: (25) He’s young, he’s hot and somehow able to give really sage advice. An old soul.
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Bouncer Ron: (40s) a total teddy bear but will kick you out of the club and into the drunk tank if necessary. He is not judgemental and very understanding.
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Teacher Dunn: (30s white) the social emotional elementary school teacher we all need. She gives out heart confetti and know how to handle the firehose to the face that is life.
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Old Boss Jennica: (30s white) Younger than Carla. A serious go-getter. It’s all work for Jennica. She is a girl boss with no time for romance. Hates kids.
5. Pick your genre.
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Rom-Com or Buddy Movie
6. Fill in whatever answers come to you about your lead character profiles.
Carla
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Role in the story: protagonist/lead
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Age range and Description: 30s any ethnicity. Stay-at-home mom who sometimes works as a part-time substitute English teacher.
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Internal Journey: starts off totally stuck in life with low self-esteem and depression. Ends with her dream job, high self-esteem and tons of confidence.
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External Journey: her marriage is crumbling, her clothes are drab, her job is beneath her and in the end her marriage is back on track, her clothes are fierce and she is at her dream job.
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Motivation: Carla wants recognition and to belong. She feels like she is stuck on the outside looking in. She’s lonely.
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Wound: Never being cool enough as a kid. Carla has always felt like an outsider.
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Mission/Agenda: Carla is determined to get unstuck.
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Secret: Ever since Harriet left when Carla was a kid her life has been less fun. Harriet is an imaginary friend.
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What makes them special? A childlike delight in the world. Carla is great at being present and being kind.
Harriet
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Role in the story: antagonist/lead
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Age range and Description: 30s Black. Harriet is the coolest chic you’ve ever met. She is fun and confident. Wears bright clothes that are ahead of fashion. Strong and intelligent. Mischievous.
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Internal Journey: overcompensating with exuberance to calm and confident in her role.
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External Journey: from imaginary friend who is loud but unseen (except by Carla and Sam) to an accepted part of who Carla is, a recognized alter-ego almost as well-known as Sasha Fierce.
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Motivation: love
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Wound: terrified of being abandoned again.
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Mission/Agenda: to get Carla out of her depression. To bring Carla back to her vibrant true self.
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Secret: she’s not real but wishes she was.
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What makes them special? Can be seen by children or those who are truly young at heart if her person truly believes she is real.
7. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
What I learned doing this assignment is how much fun it is to develop characters!
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Caitlin Stryker’s transformational journey:
What I learned doing this assignment is the need to push through the self-editing voice that says I don’t know what I’m doing, trust the process and get ideas on the page.
ASSIGMENT #1
1. Who is your Hero and what is their Character Arc that represents a transformation?
Carla is my hero. She is a 30 year old mom to Sam (age 5) and wife of Mark (also 30s.) While mostly a stay-at-home mom, Carla picks up part-time work as a substitute teacher for Elementary School. She dreams of working in advertising but has never developed her portfolio. Carla is stuck.
Carla goes from depressed and disempowered to exuberant and powerful.
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Internal Journey:
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Low self-esteem to high self-esteem
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Complete utter lack of self-worth to a strong punk ass woman willing to take on the world (within reason.)
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External Journey:
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Under-employed to dream job
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Floundering marriage on the brink of divorce to thriving marriage (divorce is not off the table if her husband steps out of line.)
3. What are the Old Ways and New Ways?
Old Ways: waiting for a miracle/lottery ticket; never finishing what she starts; negative self talk; not wanting to stand out
New Ways: creating her own successes; always following through; positive self-talk; not willing to compromise herself for the sake of others comfort
4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work.
What I learned doing this assignment is the need to push through the self-editing voice that says I don’t know what I’m doing, trust the process and get ideas on the page.
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Caitlin Stryker, I agree to the terms of this release form as posted.
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Hi! I’m Caitlin. I have written one short film script before, this will be my first feature length script. I am hoping to learn how to pull myself through the script writing process of a feature from concept through a final draft. When I was a child I swore by ketchup and peanut butter sandwiches!
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Wow, Mark, you are fascinating! All I have to offer is a weird childhood sandwich.
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