[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher has finished ACT 4.

The essence of my vision is to become an A-list writer, respected in the industry and in high demand by producers for the quality of my work.

To be honest, I veered off my outline because I was very much behind on doing my outline and hurried to catch up and didn’t do the BEST job in the outline, so when need be, I veered off which felt like the correct thing to do for my story. BUT having put in all the work before beginning to write was awesome and using AI was awesome for coming up with out of the box ideas when need be. Loved it. So glad I learned how to use AI.

[Deni sher]

Deni B, Sher’s First Scene
The essence of my vision is to become an A-List writer, respected in the industry and in high demand by producers for the quality of m work.

I have to say that writing my first scene was a piece of cake having done the work prior to writing the scene. It’s mind boggling.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s Rom Com Project
What I learned doing this assignment is how to get my feet wet writing my first Rom-Com based on the SU method. I am writing a story loosely based on my own life BUT will be making many things up to enhance the story, but the basics are built on two very real characters who lost their spouses to cancer.

• Two People Who Belong Together: A widow and a widower, who had wonderful marriages but have both lost their spouses to cancer.
• How Are They Separated: They live 4 hours apart and don’t know each other.

• What Forces Them together: Both of their friends put them each on a dating site, wrote their bios and communicated for them without their knowledge.

• Issues to be Resolved: Learning to live in the “new-normal” after losing the loves of their lives, allowing themselves to be vulnerable, the meeting of their children, grand-children, being set in their own ways, learning how to love someone new.

• On Their Journey of Love: First, they FaceTime on a dating site, then she flies to Mexico to meet him face to face on vacation and a spark is flamed.
Concept: What happens when concerned friends sign a conservative widower and a free-spirited widow up on a dating site, without their knowledge and they meet for the first time on a vacation in Mexico?

• Experience of Falling In Love: For these two it will come easier for the man than for the woman.

• The Journey of Love: First each is mad that their friends put them on a dating site which they both believe is full of scammers and also not the way they have ever met anyone before and don’t believe it’s possible. When they finally FaceTime and find out they each lost spouses to cancer months apart, they feel a commonality and are able to converse about their feelings. After 5 hours of FaceTime, they actually like each other and as much as they don’t want to admit it, have an attraction.

• Relationship Set-up: He tells her he is flying to Cabo alone in 3 days and he has never gone there without his wife and family or friends. That night while she is at a hockey game with her son, she texts him and lets him know that she believes if they had met sooner, that she would be going to Cabo with him. They throw caution to the wind and she flies to Cabo 5 days later.

• Issues each must Resolve: There will be many… as listed above.
• Separation: He lives 4 hours away in Florida and has a summer home in Wisconsin on a lake where he spends 6 months out of the year.
• How will Comedy be Expressed: As I write the story and make up things that did or didn’t happen, there will be much comedy!!

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  Deni sher.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher
2. How many scripts you’ve written? – 1 short, 8 features, 1 stage play
3. What you hope to get out of the class? I want to learn how to write a sellable Rom-Com.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you: I’ve been to 136 countries.

[Deni sher]

DENI B. SHER
“I agree to the terms of this release form.”
GROUP RELEASE FORM
As a member of this group, I agree to the following:
1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.
2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.
I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.
3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.
4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.
5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.
6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.
This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[Deni sher]

1. Name? Deni B. Sher (denibsher@gmail.com)

2. How many scripts you’ve written? I started to study at SU in 2014, have co-written 4 features. Two were optioned, one is under contract to produce, one we have converted to a stage play and we have a producer for the play, and the 4th is tough to sell. I have written 2 myself – one was optioned just before Covid… need to market again, and I need to market the other one also. But have been busy writing… Those 6 all have recommends. I have 3 other scripts in the writing stages.

3. What you hope to get out of the class? I see me more as a ROM-COM writer than anything and have been WAITING for this class… I hope by learning what goes into a rom-com from SU, I can write some real tear jerkers!!!

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? During my 20 years with my late husband, we traveled to 136 countries!

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Deni sher.

[Deni sher]

Hello all, I have a thriller dark comedy NOT a horror, though I do think some scenes will be horrific.
It’s called GROUNDS FOR MURDER
Concept: What if drinking coffee mixed with cremation ashes of a hit-man drives you to commit murder?
If you’d like to exchange, my email is denibsher@gmail.com. This is my first thriller as I wanted a challenge.
Thanks in advance!
Deni

[Deni sher]

DENI B. SHER’S ACTOR ATTRACTORS

I just love being powerful enough as a screenwriter to create lead characters that will attract A-List Actors and I intend to do so by believing in myself and my ability as a screenwriter. I WILL do this!!

LEAD CHARACTER NAME: JOEY BARONE

ROLE: HITMAN

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? Joey is a hitman who owns a café called, Cuppa Joey. Everyone in his small town and area knows and loves him. He is a family man. Loves his wife and son and together they run the family business. What nobody knows is that he’s also a hit man for the mafia.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? Because the café’s coffee is a special blend from their own coffee plantation that was gifted to Joey for helping the natives, it happens to have a special ability to bring people back to life if their ashes are mixed into the coffee. Nobody knows this, until Lena accidentally spills Joey’s ashes into her grinder, after he was murdered, drinks the coffee and morphs into Joey the hitman. Joey comes back to life to take revenge on whoever killed him.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the script? Whenever Lena drinks the coffee with Joey’s ashes, she morphs into Joey and each time we see him murder someone in a different way, then he turns back to being Lena who doesn’t remember anything. In the end, Lena has fallen in love with the detective and promises never to drink anymore of the coffee with ashes, but in the end, she does and she stabs the detective to death while making love – but not as Joey… as Lena!

4. How was the role introduced in a way that sold it to an actor? We meet Joey when he is in Brazil, where he “takes care of business” for plantation owners and is rewarded by being given the deed to the plantation… a one-of-a-kind bean. He is there with his loving, sweet, kind wife and their 18-year-old son, Ben. He’s a real family man.

5. What is this character’s emotional range? He’s this burley, loveable man who is kind to children, all his customers love him, he adores his wife and son, attends Catholic Church, but nobody knows, he is a major hit man for the mob. We see him murder after he is actually dead

6. What subtext did the actor play? His subtext is revenge for being murdered.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character had? He is friends with the Catholic Priest, very dedicated to the church and yet, it was the Priest who killed him, because the Priest is also a hitman.

8. How was this character’s unique voice presented? His unique voice is presented through his actions of murder when Lena morphs into him.

9. What made this character special and unique? That he comes back to life when his wife drinks his ashes in her coffee.

LEAD CHARACTER NAME: LENA BARONE

ROLE: VEHICLE FOR HER DECEASED HUSBAND JOEY TO TAKE REVENGE

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? Lena is a very sweet, innocent mother and wife when the movie opens. After her husband, Joey is murdered, she accidently spills his ashes in her coffee and morphs into Joey. When the coffee wears off, she morphs back to herself but doesn’t remember doing any killing. She eventually believes she is murdering people because her son lets her know and she confesses to the Priest. Now she realizes the Priest is a hitman and must protect herself, so she drinks the coffee on purpose. In the end Lena has a major character arc from the sweet woman to a woman who kills her lover in bed – as Lena!

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? She has no idea that she is murdering people and once she learns what’s happening, she continues to murder to seek out her husband’s murderer.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the script? She confides in the Priest (who killed her husband). Joey seeks revenge through her, She murders the detective who has stood by her and fallen in love with her.

4. How was the role introduced in a way that sold it to an actor? A sweet woman, mother wife, café owner who didn’t know her husband was a hitman, whose character arcs into a murderer herself as she morphs into Joey, but then murders as Lena.

5. What is this character’s emotional range? From an innocent wife, mother, barista loved by everyone who knows her, to a murderer of her lover.

6. What subtext did the actor play? Innocent, then sly and calculating.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character had? Her relationship with the Detective is very interesting as they knew each other in grade school and he knows she’s not capable of murder and he works hard to solve all the murders. Even when he learns the truth about Lena, he protects her as he’s fallen in love with her.. and then she kills him.

8. How was this character’s unique voice presented? Through the changes in her personality.

9. What made this character special and unique? She transitions from a sweet, innocent woman into a murderer after drinking coffee with her hitman husband’s ashes in the coffee.

LEAD CHARACTER NAME: DETECTIVE PETERSON

ROLE: DETECTIVE/LOVE INTEREST

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? In working to solve the local murders, he falls in love with Lena who is committing the crimes and becomes a victim himself at the end when they become lovers.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? As a detective he works hard to solve the crimes being done and yet, he allows his heart to rule his head and becomes a victim of the woman he loves. The irony that he is trying to solve all the murders and gets murdered.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the script? He falls in love with Lena as they knew one another as kids and allows his feelings to keep him from being the best Detective he can be, then he is murdered while making love.

4. How was the role introduced in a way that sold it to an actor? A top Detective who is blinded by love and becomes another victim.

5. What is this character’s emotional range? From very professional and almost cold hearted when dealing with the crimes to falling in love with Lena, defending her actions and believing she is innocent.

6. What subtext did the actor play? That he is going to find the murderer if it’s the last thing he does.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character had? His relationship with Lena, who is committing all the murders. And his relationship with the Priest, who he doesn’t even suspect to be who killed Joey.

8. How was this character’s unique voice presented? Through his love for Lena which affected his job as a Detective.

9. What made this character special and unique? Though he considered one of the top Detectives in the area, he defends Lena, who is committing the crimes, makes excuses for her and loses his life because of it.

When I ran this through AI, this is the result… which I believe is way better than what I wrote.
Joey Barone
1. Known for Role: Playing Joey offers an actor the chance to embody a character who leads a dual life as a café owner and a secret hitman, adding layers of intrigue and depth.
2. Most Interesting Character: Joey is interesting because of his dual identity—his outwardly ordinary life clashing with his dark profession, offering a rich character study.
3. Interesting Actions: Joey’s actions range from serving coffee to executing hits, providing a stark contrast that highlights his complexity.
4. Introduction: Introduce Joey charming customers at his café, then cut to him completing a hit, juxtaposing his warmth with his ruthlessness to capture the actor’s interest.
5. Emotional Range: Joey's emotional range spans from loving husband and community member to cold, calculating killer, demanding versatility and depth from the actor.
6. Subtext: The actor can explore subtext related to Joey’s internal conflict about his life choices and the morality of his actions.
7. Interesting Relationships: His relationship with Lena, filled with love but built on secrets, and his rivalry with the priest hitman, offer dynamic interaction opportunities.
8. Unique Voice: Joey’s voice is calm and soothing in public but shifts to a stern, commanding tone during his clandestine activities.
9. Special: What makes Joey special is his transformation from a likable café owner to a feared hitman, a character arc that promises a memorable portrayal.
Lena Barone
1. Known for Role: Lena's role as a woman who unintentionally becomes a killer through supernatural means offers an actor a unique and standout character in their career.
2. Most Interesting Character: Lena becomes compelling as she transitions from a grieving widow to embodying her husband’s killer instincts, challenging perceptions of identity and control.
3. Interesting Actions: Lena's transformation after drinking the coffee, her confused and horrified realization of her actions, and her eventual embrace of her new identity provide key moments.
4. Introduction: Lena is first shown as a warm, loving wife in her community-centered café, setting up a stark contrast to her later murderous actions, which would intrigue any actor.
5. Emotional Range: Her range spans from deep grief and confusion to intense rage and calculated cruelty, requiring significant emotional depth.
6. Subtext: The actor can delve into the subtext of Lena grappling with loss, identity, and the horror of her actions versus her husband’s hidden life.
7. Interesting Relationships: Her complex relationships with Joey, her son Ben, and Detective Peterson, who becomes her lover, offer rich emotional landscapes to explore.
8. Unique Voice: Lena's voice starts as gentle and supportive but morphs into a harsh, cold tone mirroring Joey's as she takes on his persona.
9. Special: Lena is special because of the supernatural aspect of her transformation and the psychological depth it requires, exploring themes of identity and legacy in dramatic ways.
These attractors aim to highlight the complexity and depth of the characters in your dark comedy thriller, making them appealing roles for actors looking for challenging and distinctive opportunities.
Priest (Father O'Connell)
1. Known for Role: Portraying Father O'Connell offers an actor the chance to play a deeply conflicted character who juxtaposes his role as a spiritual leader with his secret life as a hitman. This complex duality is a rare and enticing challenge for any actor.
2. Most Interesting Character: The Priest is fascinating because he represents the ultimate hypocrisy and moral paradox: a man of God who commits murder. This contradiction makes him one of the most compelling characters in the story.
3. Interesting Actions: His actions include performing religious duties, secretly planning and executing hits, and eventually confronting Lena to control his territory. These actions showcase a character who strategically maneuvers between piety and violence.
4. Introduction: Introduce him in a confessional, offering solace to a parishioner, followed by a scene where he coldly plans a hit. This stark contrast sets up his intriguing dual nature.
5. Emotional Range: The Priest's emotional range includes serene guidance, manipulative anger, cold-blooded decisiveness, and possibly fear or regret as he confronts the consequences of his actions. This range allows for a layered, dynamic performance.
6. Subtext: An actor can play with the subtext of the Priest's internal struggle with his dual identity, possibly exploring themes of justification, denial, or inner conflict about his contrasting roles.
7. Interesting Relationships: His relationships with his parishioners, whom he guides spiritually but may also view as potential threats or targets, and his adversarial relationship with Lena, where he tries to outmaneuver her to maintain control, are deeply engaging.
8. Unique Voice: The Priest's voice is soothing and authoritative in public, offering comfort and wisdom, but it becomes calculating and menacing when he discusses his darker deeds. This duality in vocal expression can be particularly intriguing for an actor.
9. Special: What makes the Priest unique is his position of power and trust within the community, which he exploits to carry out his criminal activities. This betrayal of trust, coupled with his religious facade, adds a chilling layer to his character.
This character analysis for the Priest should provide a strong foundation for crafting a compelling, multi-dimensional antagonist whose moral complexities and secretive life offer a rich vein of drama and conflict in your screenplay.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Deni sher.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. She’s Actor Attractions for film: READY OR NOT

MY VISION: THE ESSENCE OF MY VISION IS TO BECOME A A-LIST WRITER, RESPECT IN THE INDUSTYR AND IN HIGH DEMAND BY PRODUCERS FOR THE QUALITY OF MY WORK.
GENRE: THRILLER/DARK COMEY

LEAD FEMALE: GRACE – SAMARA WEAVING
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Grace’s character has a HUGE arc which would challenge Samara Weaving to go from this totally in love woman wanting to marry the man of her dreams to woman fighting for her life after marrying into a very sick family of murderers. Grace totally becomes an entirely different woman at the end and endures many challenging situations to survive as she outthinks almost everyone else.

What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? Grace is interesting because we get to see her entire being evolve from sweetness and love to a near animal in order to survive and totally hates the man she married. We get to feel all her fear and live the fear she’s going through and it is very believable.

What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? This sweet young, gorgeous woman must kill to stay alive. She starts as the hunted and becomes the hunter to stay alive. She witnesses death of others and with every death she is that much more determined to survive. She outwits all those trying to kill her and yet has compassion for the innocent who get killed along the way.

How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? She is introduced as a gorgeous young bride willing to play a stupid game to make her new family and husband happy, as it is a ‘tradition’ BUT I would think her character’s arc is what would sell it to an actress and all the physical challenges she will need to overcome.

What is this character’s emotional range? WOW. It goes from love to hate. Happiness to fear for her life. Gentle and sweet to a monstrous murderer to stay alive.

What subtext can the actor play? That she thinks her new family is totally crazy. We can read her mind throughout the movie, as she struggles to outwit those trying to kill her, which creates unspoken subtext.

What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? Other than her husband, Daniel, I feel her most interesting relationship is with Daniel’s mother, who she ends up killing in the process of saving her life. Also, Daniel’s brother saves Grace’s life more than once, and in the end, he dies trying to save her life.

How is this character’s unique voice presented? She has a tremendous range of emotions which are all believable and her ability to outwit and outrun everyone shows her voice.

What makes this character special and unique? Grace is not like any other crazy, murderous characters. The fact that she appears soft, sweet, and gentle but turns into a mastermind at survival makes this character unique. She’s not a “dumb” blonde for sure!

In the very last scene we see Daniel's entire family explode into death… Daniel is the last remaining member of the family and then he explodes and the look on Grace's face was priceless. She had not one ounce of love left for this man and she is the victor.

LEAD MALE: DANIEL – ADAM BRODY
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Daniel has a wide range of emotions, just like Grace. But, Daniel goes from totally in love with Grace and a man who wants to stay away from his sick family, to becoming one of them, when he turns on Grace. Daniel’s arc is huge and he is being torn between good/evil and his wife/family and in the end to live or die, which is when he turns on Grace.

What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? Daniel is torn between his family and the woman he loves. Before they marry, he knows how sick his family is but doesn’t expect her to draw the card she does in their game, but when she does he tries to keep her alive… until it’s between his life or hers.

What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? His actions were always to save Grace, but in the end, he turns on her… that action was not expected.

How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? Like Grace’s character, Daniel has a huge character arc and I believe that is what sells it to an actor,

What is this character’s emotional range? From loving and protective, to willing to have his beautiful wife die so he can live.

What subtext can the actor play? He knows what his family is capable of doing and we can see in his face and actions, like Grace, what he is thinking.

What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? His relationship with his brother is very interesting and the fact that his brother dies to save Grace but that Danial is willing to sacrifice her, says a lot about his relationship with his brother. I think Daniel’s relationship

How is this character’s unique voice presented? When it comes down to blood or marriage, blood wins.

What makes this character special and unique? His heart is being torn apart because of this stupid family game, that ends up killing his entire family in the end because his bride outwitted his family.

When he turns on Grace and gives her up to his family after she has fought so hard to survive, it really shows his true character.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Deni sher.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s Genre Conventions

I’m completely confident that I can build all the required genre conventions into my horror/thriller script to become an A-list writer, who is respected in the industry and in high demand by producers for the quality of my work.

I LEARNED a ton doing this assignment. I went from a Thriller Horror to writing a Thriller Comedy. I read it out loud to two female friends who know nothing about screenwriting and they continued to laugh and said it’s a thriller comedy, but since there is murdering and gore it is a dark comedy. Knowing the conventions of a thriller really helped me in forming the story. This is definitely a break through moment for me.

Title: GROUNDS FOR MURDER
Concept: What if drinking coffee mixed with cremation ashes of a killer drives you to commit murder?
Genre: THRILLER DARK COMEDY
Brainstorm ways to deliver the conventions more effectively and build those parts into your 4-Act Structure.
ACT 1: Old ways and Inciting Incident
Opening: Introduction to LENA (40) who lives a tranquil, happy life, married to JOEY (40) and together with their son, BEN (18) run their small-town, successful coffee shop called, Cuppa Joe.
The Priest (VILLAIN) comes in for coffee and talks with Ben about his decision to go into Priesthood and how supportive Lena and Joseph are of his decision.
Friends and customers get coffee and everyone knows everyone. All pay respect to FATHER O’CONNELL.
Inciting Incident: That night, while closing the coffee shop alone ISOLATION, JOEY is shot by an unknown assailant as he attempts to lock up. DEATH His body is thrown on the floor inside the café. As the murderer cuts off JOEY’S right hand at the wrist, HORROR we see it is FATHER O’CONNELL. He tells dead Joseph that he knows cutting off the right hand was your M.O., but now, it’s mine INTRIGUE and that he told him to stay out of his territory, and that he’ll never kill one of his targets again. (Audience now knows the Priest is a killer). Priest puts hand in plastic bag and takes it with him.
Later that night we hear Joey’s cell ring and ring. Finally, Lena and Ben arrive to the café and find Joey’’s body with missing hand. Lena goes hysterical. Ben comforts Lena and calls the police, then calls FATHER O’CONNELL to give him his last rights. SUSPENSE DETECTIVE PETERSON arrives and Priest arrives shortly after.
Cuppa Joe is closed down for ten days while Lena and Ben recover from Joey’s murder.
When Joey’s ashes are picked up, Lena and Ben bring them to the café. Lena opens the container and accidentally spills some of Joey’s ashes into her coffee grinder and they get ground into the beans.

Turning Point: Lena consumes the coffee in front of her son before café opens. While drinking, GUIDO CAPONE arrives with trays of pastries and delivers them at door to Ben and lets him know he’s sorry about the loss of his dad, but that he was never a friend of the family. Lena immediately pulls a knife from a drawer and viciously attacks Guido from behind, VIOLENCE stabbing him multiple times, telling him he knows Guido set up his kill. Then, HIGH TENSION Lena cuts Guido’s hand off. Ben, shocked to see what his mother is doing, shoves her in the car and tells her to go home, tossing the knife and the bloody hand in the car. GORE Ben checks GUIDO for a pulse, but he is dead. Ben calls the Police and tells them an unknown man attacked Guido as he was delivering pastry.

ACT 2: Initial Descent
New plan: Ben returns home with Joey’s ashes and coffee from the brew. Lena, now herself, has no recollection of what happened. The knife has been cleaned and is drying by sink. When Ben arrives, she questions why she had blood all over her, a bloody knife and a hand she put in the freezer… and what happened. Ben puts the knife in a drawer. When Ben tells her, she refuses to believe him, takes the coffee pot, JOEY’S ashes and goes to her bed as a sweet woman. Joey goes out to clean the car.
Later, there is banging on the door. SUSPENSE It is GUIDO’S brother, FRANKIE CAPONE. Do they answer or not? Lena stays in bed while Ben answers door. As Frankie starts to threaten Ben, Lena drinks more coffee, becomes JOEY and attacks Frankie, bludgeoning him to death with a nearby iron.
Together, Lena and Ben drag Frankie’s body down to the lake and toss him into the water, but not before Lena cuts his right hand off and puts it in a bag and in her outside freezer. By the time they clean up any evidence, Lena is back to being Lena and has no recollection of killing Frankie.
The next day, Ben encourages Lena to go to work and NOT to drink any more of JOEY’S ashes. The PRIEST goes into the Cafe for coffee and tells Ben and Lena they found Frankie’s body floating in the lake with his hand right cut off, inferring it must be the same murderer. Lena passes out in shock, but Ben catches her before she hits the ground. PRIEST buddies up to Ben more about becoming a Priest.

Plan in action: Lena’s attempts at normal life fail as she unwittingly begins a murder spree.
Ben is kidnapped by MIKEY CAPONE because they know Joey always cut right hands off after a hit, so now they suspect Ben has replaced Joey as a murderer.
Lena, who was out of sight, overhears their conversation, now unable to control herself, she drinks coffee with JOEY’S ashes, goes to a safe, knows combination and pulls out a gun with a silencer, puts bullets in and handles gun like a pro. She grabs a knife in its jacket, takes off on foot, jumps in their docked boat on the lake and heads across the dark lake, where she anchors behind the CAPONE FAMILY HOME and hides by the driveway. ANTICIPATION As time passes, two other CAPONES exit the house SUSPENSE and take off in a car, passing the other Capone’s car with Ben.
TENSION. As soon as Ben is taken out of the car, hands tied with rope, Lena SHOOTS the CAPONE, cuts Bens hands free and severs off the right hand of the CAPONE before Ben can stop her. They run to their boat and head back to their home. Ben tosses the bloody hand into the lake. UNCERTAINTY
Ben is now glad Lena drank more coffee, but the coffee wears off and Lana doesn’t remember doing the killing or cutting off of the hand. However, she does have the pistol and knife, so when Ben tells her what she did, she’s starting to believe him and does remember drinking the coffee in an attempt to save Ben.

Midpoint Turning Point: Lena’s realization that she cannot stop the transformation and her old ways are ineffective.
Lena accepts that she turns into a murderer when she drinks Joey’s ashes and with Ben’s help they realize that JOEY was a hit-man, but that someone else killed him. But who? Lena decides to invite Detective Peterson over for dinner to see pick his brain about the murders and if they have any suspects. While at dinner, Lena and Detective Peterson start flirting and seeing how much they have in common and discuss the great times they had together in high school.
Detective Peterson tells Lena the murders all seem mob related and he is shocked that the mob would kill Joey. Wants to know if Lena had any idea that Joey was involved. Of course, she didn’t. Maybe killing Joey was a mistake? I want to create intrigue/mystery and tension in this scene.

ACT 3: Spiral and Desperation
Rethink everything: Lena’s recognition of her profound change and struggle with the murders she’s committing.
Lena and Ben discuss the fact that Joey was a hit-man and that Lena can’t drink any more of the coffee with his ashes. They go to sleep that night and like an addict, Lena awakens and gulps down the coffee, gets the guns, knife and bullets, then sneaks out of the house with additional container of coffee. Goes on a killing spree. VIOLENT, TORTUROUS DEATHS.
While she is out killing, she spots FATHER O’Connell, but doesn’t realize it’s him. He too is out doing hits for the mob.
New Plan: Lena seeks to understand and stop the influence of her husband’s spirit.
By the time night turns to dawn, Lena finds herself on the doorstep of the Catholic church, weapons and coffee concealed in her large purse. Lena is back to being Lena.

Turning Point: A huge failure as she attempts to confess to her Priest ISOLATION that when she drinks coffee with Joey’s ashes, she becomes a murderer. Priest has an aha moment but conceals it from Lena and tells her it is impossible and that she is having a mental breakdown. Priest considers killing Lena at that moment SUSPENSE but hears others enter church. He tells her to do her hail Mary’s and donate to the church and he’s sure any sins she has committed will be forgiven. He makes plans with her to visit her house when Ben is there.
On Lena’s way out she runs into Detective Peterson, who tells her about the other murders and wants to protect her. She invites him to dinner with the Priest. ANTICIPATION
At dinner, FATHER O’CONNEL accidentally on purpose, lets Detective Peterson know about Lena’s confession about Joey taking over her body and that she thinks she is a killer. Father O'Connell has a pistol in his pocket, at the ready. Ben covers for his mom. Detective Peterson questions the Priest’s motives as what is told to a Priest is confident and that he is doing an investigation into all the local hits where one person claims they saw you, FATHER at the scene of the crime. No longer able to contain herself, Lena runs into her bedroom, downs coffee, turns into JOEY.

ACT 4: New Ways and Resolution
Lena runs out with a gun, points it at FATHER O’CONNEL. As Joey, she confesses to Detective O’Connell that both he and FATHER O’Connell are hit-men and that Father O’Connell wanted him out of his territory, so he killed me. He wants O’Connell to confess, but instead he fires a few shots at Lean, then runs out of the house. Lena and Detective chase after him. Lena aims to shoot PRIEST, but before she can, lightning strikes him dead.
Lena as Joey, confesses that she might have murdered some of the Capones, but it was when she was Joey. Detective holds Lena in his arms as she cries and eventually becomes Lena again. Lena promises to never drink anymore of Joey’s ashes and buries Joey’s urn in a ceremony.
Detective and Lena fall in love and when they are making love one night, a small urn that matches the large one sits next to the bed and suddenly Lena stabs Detective to death out of a fit of jealousy.

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: The confrontation with the Priest, who we learn killed Joseph as both were/are hitmen and the Priest’s near attempt to kill Lena, but is stopped by divine intervention when he is struck dead with lightening.
Resolution: Detective Peterson’s attraction to Lena comes to fruition as they have an affair and he doesn’t believe Lena was or is capable to committing any crimes. She too acts free of Joseph… until they make love and Lena murders Detective, completing her transformation from a gentle soul to a mass murderer.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Deni sher.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s 4 Act Transformational Structure
State: I feel completely confident that if I stay focused and follow this class that I can successfully write my first horror/thriller script. Today I know I will successfully create the structure for my story,
Give us the following:
TITLE: GROUNDS FOR MURDER
GENRE: THRILLER/HORROR
CONCEPT: What if drinking coffee mixed with cremation ashes of a killer drives you to commit murder?
MAIN CONFLICT: LENA, a gentle, kind widow of a hit-man, who doesn’t know he was a hit-man, accidentally spills his ashes into her coffee, unwittingly unleashing a vengeful spree of murders.
OLD WAYS:
Ignorant that her husband was a mass murderer
Soft spoken
Enjoyed a relaxing, tranquil life on a lake
Wouldn’t kill a flea
Didn’t believe in the death penalty
Loves nature, fishing, kids, animals, friends
Denial
avoidance of conflict
seeking comfort in routine and normalcy
maintains a façade of innocence and is somewhat passive,
a woman who believes in the inherent goodness of people, including her husband
Denies her husband’s guilt, which heightens her fall
NEW WAYS:
Bully
Short tempered
Always on the prowl to beat someone up
Cruel
Sees the worse in everyone
Shuns her friends
Abuses animals and kids
Always looking to Kill people
Confesses to Priest she thinks she has been killing people

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

Act 1: Old Ways and Inciting Incident
Opening: Introduction to Lena's tranquil life, marriage with Joseph, and their small coffee shop, Cuppa Joe.
Inciting Incident: Joseph's sudden death and the accidental mixing of his ashes into the coffee.
Turning Point: Lena consumes the coffee, begins to act like Joseph, and turns mean… even kicks her cat, indicating the first signs of transformation.

Act 2: Initial Descent
New plan: Lena tries to cope with her new reality and maintain normalcy.
Plan in action: Lena's attempts at normal life fail as she unwittingly begins a murder spree.
Midpoint Turning Point: Lena's realization that she cannot stop the transformation and her old ways are ineffective.

Act 3: Spiral and Desperation
Rethink everything: Lena's recognition of her profound change and struggle with the murders she's committing.
New plan: Lena seeks to understand and stop the influence of her husband's spirit.
Turning Point: A huge failure as her attempts to confess to her Priest are met with more violence and the discovery of the Priest's true nature as a murderer of his parishioners whose sins are demented.

Act 4: New Ways and Resolution
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: The confrontation with the Priest and his near attempt to kill Lena, stopped by divine intervention of lightening.
Resolution: Detective Peterson falls in love with Lena and won't believe that she is capable of committing any crimes and Lena believes she is fine. Lena and Detective Peterson sleep together in the end and Lena murders Detective Peterson.
Lena's Old Ways:
A passive and kind-hearted woman who lives a serene life, is devoted to her community, nature, and church, and is in denial about her husband's true nature.
Lena's New Ways:
Becomes aggressive, mistrustful, violent, and ultimately a murderer, mirroring the worst aspects of her late husband.
Lena's Transformational Journey:
External Journey: From a gentle, caring woman to a violent murderer under the influence of her husband's ashes in the coffee.
Internal Journey: From a person who embodies innocence and non-violence to someone who embodies cruelty and violence.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Deni sher.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher's MOD 2/4 Subtext… Beneath the surface

VISION: The essence of my vision is to become an A-List writer, respected in the industry and in high demand by producers for the quality of my work.

I absolutely love the challenge of creating a story that audiences will love and I just switched my entire story to a Horror/Thriller, which I am going to post today.

My new concept is: What if drinking coffee mixed with cremation ashes of a killer drove you to commit murder? OR
A widow of a murdered man ingests her husband’s ashes and becomes him – a hit man.

My new logline is: When the gentle widow of a murdered man, accidentally spills his ashes into her coffee, she transforms into a murderous avenger, unleashing a spree of murders, only to desperately seek a way to free herself from his malevolent influence and stop the cycle of violence she has begun.

Dramatic Triangle

Arc Beginning: a gentle, ashamed widow who feels betrayed

Arc Ending: a blood thirsty, horrific woman

Internal Journey: From gentle and kind, to murderous

External Journey: From a weak, kind widow to a mass murderer

Old Ways:
Ignorant that her husband was a mass murderer
Soft spoken
Enjoyed a relaxing, tranquil life on a lake
Wouldn’t kill a flea
Didn’t believe in the death penalty
Loves nature, fishing, kids, animals, friends
Denial
avoidance of conflict
seeking comfort in routine and normalcy
maintains a façade of innocence and is somewhat passive,
a woman who believes in the inherent goodness of people, including her husband.
denying her husband's guilt, which heightens her fall.

New Ways:
Bully
Short tempered
Always on the prowl to beat someone up
Cruel
Sees the worse in everyone
Shuns her friends
Abuses animals and kids
Kills people

Lena, an innocent wife of a contract killer who becomes a killer herself
Detective Peterson: Works to solve crimes of murder
Jake: Lena’s brother, a Priest and a killer

Lena is a grieving widow of a murdered man, who transforms into a vengeful murderer
Det. Peterson is the small-town local detective assigned to solve the murder case(s)
Jake is Lena’s brother, a hit-man who killed Lena’s brother
The choice of my subtext plots are SUPERIOR POSITION and COMPETITIVE AGENDAS, sprinkled with FISH OUT OF WATER.
Superior position will be that the audience knows Lena drank her dead husband’s ashes and transformed her personality, but nobody else knows what she has done or how she has changed. She is driven to murder because not only was her husband murdered, but he was a hit-man for hire, as is Lena’s brother, the Priest… who killed her husband.

The COMPETITVE AGENDAS will surface throughout as Lena is out to kill and Detective Peterson is out to solve the murders, and in the mean-time he falls in love with Lena (under the surface). Then in the end, when the Detective thinks Lena is no longer the victim of the ashes and no longer a killer, they are in bed together and she kills the Detective…. Hopefully a sequel will evolve.

The FISH OUT OF WATER subtext will appear as well because before drinking his ashes she was a kind, sweet, innocent widow who transforms to a murderer.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Deni sher. Reason: Have no idea why it clumped it all together

[Deni sher]

VISION: The essence of my vision is to become an A-list writer, respected in the industry and in high demand by producers for the quality of my work.

What I learned from doing his assignment is how important it is to consider the protagonists transformational journey before ever writing the script and to make sure you build this into how the character acts and speaks to show their arc through not just words, but through actions and subtext.

I am completely capable to design a great transformational journey for my protagonist.

CHARACTER ARC FOR PROTAGONIST – Mimi Sinclair

Arc Beginning: Emotionally drained wife of barista who dreams of being a screenwriter.

Arc Ending: Emotionally fulfilled, she writes this script, “Brewed Awakenings”

Internal Journey:

From sad, frustrated, timid and fearful to an extraverted, confident, successful, business woman.

External Journey:

From an unfulfilled wife in her husband’s shadow as a barista to a leader in the community and a produced screenwriter.

Old Ways:

Caregiver to her husband

Sad that her husband is ill

Resigned to just working in her husband’s café called, “Cuppa Joe”

Didn’t believe in supernatural qualities of any coffee beans

Never believed their beans had any special powers

Resigned that she’ll never follow her dreams as a screenwriter

Estranged relationship with her son.

Given up on son ever working in café

Didn’t usually interface with the customers

New Ways:

Has found closure on losing her husband

Loves working in her café

She embraces the supernatural

Uses café as a conduit to help others and herself

Changes name from “Cuppa Joe” to” Brewed Awakenings”

Has bonded with her son and brought him into the business

Courageous in her battle to save “Brewed Awakenings”

Sets time aside to help others to find closure of their loved ones

She and her son work together to save “Brewed Awakenings”

[Deni sher]

I am completely committed to becoming an A-List writer, respected in the industry and in high demand by producers for the quality of my work. Today, as an empowered screenwriter I will have my lead characters deliver powerfully on my concept.

What makes these characters fit my concept and title powerfully?

Title: BREWED AWAKENINGS

Genre: Supernatural Drama

Concept: In a small-town cafe, a widow’s accidental discovery turns her business into a conduit for the spirits of the deceased, drawing patrons who seek comfort and closure by adding their loved ones’ ashes to her mystical coffee beans, attracting the wrath of a jealous rival determined to shut them down.

CHARACTER: Mimi Sinclair, protagonist

Logline: A frustrated screenwriter who gave up writing to support her husband’s coffee business, is now a widow, who transforms from mourning to empowerment, guided by her late husband’s spirit, while offering her patron’s the ability to mix ashes of their loved ones with her coffee beans to also experience connecting with lost loved ones for emotional healing.

Unique: Mimi embodies the heart and soul of the cafe. You won’t know until the end that Mimi is the one who wrote this story as a screenplay.

CHARACTER: Arthur Sinclair – mentor, ally

Logline: Arthur’s spiritual interventions provide comfort, guidance and sometimes humor, helping to heal old wounds and advise current decisions.

Unique: His character supports the theme of enduring love and legacy, making Cuppa Joe more than just a cafe, but a character in itself – a place where magic happens, and the simple becomes profound.

CHARACTER: Dustin Sinclair, Mimi’s son and ally

Logline: Dustin’s’ initial skepticism and subsequent awakening to the coffee beans mystical properties provides a relatable journey for the audience, mirroring the skepticism some might feel towards the supernatural.

Unique: Dustin’s transition from disbelief to a deep connection with his father’s spirit underscores the transformative power of the beans. His journey from being estranged from his family to becoming the protector of a small-town mystical cafe, shows his personal growth and his responsibilities to his family.

CHARACTER: Charles Sterling, Antagonist

Logline: As the owner of a high-tech, modern cafe, he uses ruthless tactics to destroy the competition, emphasizing the community’s choice between genuine, heartfelt connections and sleek, superficial modernity.

Unique: Charles brings tension and stakes to the story, making the protective efforts of Mimi, Dustin and Arthur’s spiritual advice more heroic and vital.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s Title, Concept, and Character Structure!

VISION: The essence of my vision is to become an A-list writer, respected in the industry and in high demand by producers for the quality of my work.

What I learned doing this assignment is that finding a title that tells your story and attracts attention is critical, and using AI to help is just short of a miracle.

STATE: I am really good at staying focused on becoming a screenwriter before I die and creating an outline that turns into an amazing story… that sells!

Title: BREWED AWAKENINGS

Concept: In a small-town cafe, a widow’s accidental discovery turns her business into a conduit for the spirits of the deceased to awaken, drawing patrons who seek comfort and closure by adding their loved ones’ ashes to her mystical coffee beans, making it a target for a jealous competitor.

CHARACTER STRUCTURE will be Dramatic Triangle

[Deni sher]

Hello to my ScreenwritingU family! I started taking classes ten years ago at SU. I knew zero about screenwriting at the time, but had a degree in English and a background as an actress on stage doing children’s theater in my 30s, and was the owner/president of a computer company for 14 years. I Feel blessed to have found SU! I have taken just about every class offered as I believe the only thing people can’t take away from you is knowledge! I have written about 8-9 scripts over the years. I have about 6 with recommends from a script consultant. I have 3 options and 2 scripts are in pre-production. Covid ruined my first option… timing is everything.

I am taking AI to help me think out of the box and enhance ideas. It amazes me how fast AI works. There’s no doubt this class will take our writing to the next level.

Something unique about me is that during my marriage of 20 years, my husband took me to 136 countries. He literally gave me the world before passing away in 2019. He was always the wind beneath my wings and he still is….

I can’t wait to get to know more of you. I have made many life-long friends in these classes and without help from other writers I wouldn’t be where I am today!! Thank you. You know who you are!

[Deni sher]

1. Hello my SU, family. My name is Deni B. Sher.

2. I’ve written approximately 8 scripts… maybe 10. I have one under contract that I co-wrote with Ferdinand Gernandt, who I met in ProSeries class. I have optioned two more, however Covid affected one of them and the other happened before strike, so when actors are available hopefully that one will be produced. I started studying with SU about 8 years ago and everything I know is from SU and I have a degree in English.

3.I hope to learn to us AI like an A-list writer and I hope to acquire a love for writing for TV, as I prefer writing features.

4. I have traveled to 136 countries during my 20 years with my late husband, Arthur.

5. I have taken many classes, ProSeries I think 6 & 8, Profound Screenwriting, Binge Worthy 4 TV, Comedy, Mini-Movie Method, Subtext, Maximum Entertainment Class, Action Class, Writing a script in 30 days class… “The more I learn, the more I’ll gain!!”

[Deni sher]

As a member of this group, I, Deni B. Sher, agree to the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[Deni sher]

DENI B. SHER FINISHED ACT 1

What I learned doing this assignment is how important it is to make page one strong enough that the reader/viewer will care about the protagonist and want to go on their journey.

EXT. AVENTURA, FL – HIGH END CONDO BUILDING – NIGHT

A Lexus sedan pulls up to the front doors.

INT. LEXUS – NIGHT

DENI(49) wears designer suit, leans over, kisses ARTHUR (54) behind the wheel, in casual suit and tie.

DENI

Thank you for another wonderful night. I love you, sweetheart.

ARTHUR

I love you too, Deni girl, and that’s why I can’t support what you’re doing. You paid a small fortune just getting him out of high school and now —

DENI

— Please. Let’s not go there. He was accepted into art school and I need to give him another chance.

Arthur gently holds Deni’s shoulders, looks into her eyes.

ARTHUR

How many more chances does he get?

I think first, you should have drug tested him.

DENI

He promised he quit.

ARTHUR

And of course, you believed him.

DENI

I need to believe him. I need to have hope. Trust me. I’m his mother. He’s my only child. I want him to succeed.

ARTHUR

He’s twenty-four. He should have a job and not have his Mommy paying for everything.

DENI

I know, but if I don’t help him, who will? I already signed a lease and we found a great used car.

ARTHUR

Well, you better get some rest. Tomorrow’s the big move in day.

DENI

He’s very excited and I’m excited for him.

ARTHUR

You know I’m here for you, even if I don’t agree.

DENI

I do know. Thank you for loving me the way you do.

They kiss again. Deni gets out of the car. Shuts the door and throws Arthur a kiss.

EXT. RENTAL BUILDING – DAY

Deni and CHRIS (24) in jeans, black tee-shirt, hug.

DENI

Well, kiddo. We did it.

Deni looks into the parking lot, eyeballs an old car.

DENI

Take care of that car. It might be old, but it still runs.

CHRIS

Kinda like you, Mom.

DENI

Ha. Ha.

CHRIS

You know I’m joking.

DENI

I know. So, school starts in a week. I’m excited for you.

CHRIS

Me too. I’ll get my schedule this week and find a part-time job.

DENI

School’s the priority, but if you can find something for weekends, that would be great.

Chris reaches out to hug Deni. They hug.

CHRIS

I’ll make you proud. Promise. Thanks for making all this happen. I love you.

DENI

All I want is for you to be happy and have a successful life.

CHRIS

Me too, Mom.

Deni walks towards her car, turns, waves.

DENI

Keep me posted. I need to get back to work.

SPLIT SCREEN – STREET IN SOUTH BEACH, FL/DENI’S BEDROOM

EXT. STREET IN SOUTH BEACH – NIGHT

Chris stands outside of a club, handing out flyers.

A brunette bombshell with huge breasts, SHABBY, 20s, hangs all over him, a beer in her hand.

Chris makes a cell call.

INT. DENI’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Deni and Arthur sleep in high-end bedroom. Cell RINGS.

Deni sits up quickly, looks at Arthur, looks at clock.

DENI

Please, dear God.

ARTHUR

Just answer it, sweetheart.

DENI

Hello?

CHRIS

Did I wake you?

DENI

Sort of, but that’s okay. Are you okay?

CHRIS

I’m great. Just wanted you to know I got a job in marketing.

Shabby looks at him confused.

DENI

That’s wonderful.

CHRIS

Yeah, I work at night promoting clubs in South Beach.

DENI

I’m proud of you.

CHRIS

Thanks, Mom. Okay. Just wanted to let you know. I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon. Love you.

END SPLIT SCREEN

EXT. STREET IN SOUTH BEACH – CONTINUOUS

Chris hands the cell to Shabby, grabs the beer out of her hand, swigs, kisses her.

CHRIS

Thanks for the cell, Shabby. How ‘bout you score some ecstasy for us, Babe.

EXT. STREET IN SOUTH BEACH – CONTINUOUS

Chris hands the cell to Shabby.

CHRIS

Thanks, Shabby. Gotta keep the golden goose happy.

Chris grabs the beer from her hand, swigs, kisses her.

CHRIS

How ‘bout you score us some ecstasy, Babe.

INT. DENI’S BEDROOM – SAME TIME

Deni lies down, puts her head on Arthur’s chest.

DENI

He’s excited. He got a job in marketing. Thank God he’s okay.

ARTHUR

At three in the morning? I hope you’re right.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – BEDROOM – DAY

Chris and Shabby sprawl out on a mattress, on the floor. Empty beer bottles, dirty ashtrays, clothes strewn on floor, surround them. The sun radiates into their faces. Both stare at ceiling.

INSERT: “Three Months Later”

SHABBY

I’m worried. I barely slept.

CHRIS

We have two weeks to figure it out. Mom paid til then.

SHABBY

Did you tell her yet?

CHRIS

She’ll go crazy.

SHABBY

Can you blame her?

CHRIS

She’s the one who fucked me up.

Shabby laughs.

SHABBY

That’s how I feel about my mom.

CHRIS

That’s why I love you, Babe.

SHABBY

Where will we live?

CHRIS

Don’t worry. I already have an idea.

INT. RENTAL BUILDING – RENTAL OFFICE – DAY

RENTAL AGENT (50s) sits at desk, arms folded across his chest. A cigar burns in an ashtray.

RENTAL AGENT

Nope. Besides the walls, six neighbors filed complaints on his loud music. He’s out and so is his whore.

DENI

He can’t afford a whore. I’ve met Shabby. I like her.

RENTAL AGENT

I can understand why, given what your son’s like. She’s a step above.

DENI

Just give me the keys. I’ll clean the apartment. I want my deposit back.

Rental Agent hands Deni a key.

RENTAL AGENT

Have it your way. I hope you have a strong stomach and lots of elbow grease. You gotta week.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY

The lock CLICKS. The door opens. Walls are covered with graffiti drawings from ceiling to floor.

DENI (O.C.)

What in the hell?

RENTAL AGENT (O.C.)

I expect it to be spotless and repainted white. Good luck.

Deni enters the apartment, shuts the door. She examines the living room walls, pops her head into the bedroom. Shakes her head in disappointment.

DENI

What is wrong with you, Chris? Arthur tried to warn me.

Deni tears up, weeps, trudges out, slams the door.

RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – NEXT DAY

Deni and KAT (45) blonde, tall, strong, scrub the walls together. Walls are almost clean.

KAT

You know I love you like a sister. It hurts me to see what he’s doing.

DENI

If I don’t help him, who will?

KAT

I watched my parents try to save my brother for over twenty years. He bled them dry. Then, overdosed.

DENI

He swears he’s only drinking beer.

KAT

I don’t think so. This artwork’s not from beer. He flunked out of school. What does that tell you?

RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – NEXT DAY

Deni, Kat and ANDY (30s) strong, healthy guy, paint walls.

DENI

Thanks again for helping on your days off.

KAT

You’re one of the good ones, Andy.

ANDY

Deni’s a good boss. What Chris needs is a swift kick in the ass.

DENI

He needed that years ago. It’s my fault he’s spoiled. Once my computer company took off, I went from rags to riches. I just gave him anything he wanted.

KAT

Like my brother, he’s never had to earn anything.

ANDY

Why don’t you give him a job at ComputerDen. This way he can earn his own money and you can keep an eye on him. I’ll teach him. He can cold call for me.

KAT

Where’s he going to live now?

DENI

He can’t live with me. I moved in with Arthur.

Andy steps back, examines the walls.

ANDY

I think we’re done. I’ll take my ladder and the drop cloths to my car. Just put the lid on the can and toss everything in those big garbage bags. I’ll come back up and take all the trash to my truck.

DENI

I couldn’t have done it without both of you.

KAT

That’s what friends are for.

EXT. ARTHUR’S APARTMENT – BALCONY – NIGHT

Arthur and Deni relax having cocktails as the sun sets.

ARTHUR

You’re an amazing woman. I honestly didn’t think you’d get the four thousand back. Have you learned anything about your son?

DENI

I know he’s not responsible. I know he drinks beer and smokes pot and cigarettes. Kat found burnt joint ends in his bathroom.

ARTHUR

I’m sure he does more than pot.

DENI

Like what? I know he tried coke years ago, but he didn’t like it.

ARTHUR

At least that’s what he told you. I think your son has a drug problem, but you refuse to see it.

DENI

But he says he doesn’t.

ARTHUR

Stop believing him. You’re in denial. He’s not going to ever tell you the truth. He doesn’t want to hurt you.

Deni starts crying, stands, gazes out,

DENI

I don’t want him to die. I’m so frustrated and confused. I don’t know what to do or how to save him.

Arthur hugs Deni. She cries on his shoulder.

ARTHUR

You’ll figure it out. You just need to know you can’t trust him. This is like the hundredth time he’s disappointed you.

DENI

You’re going to shoot me.

ARTHUR

Why would I shoot you? I love you.

DENI

I hired Chris and Shabby to work at ComputerDen.

ARTHUR

You what?

DENI

There’s more… I let them move into the loft above my office. I can’t just kick them to the street.

ARTHUR

That’s exactly what you need to do.

DENI

They’re getting married. I told them it’s a great idea. Maybe a wife will help him grow up.

ARTHUR

When did you plan to tell me all of this?

DENI

Now?

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – LOFT – DAY

August and Shabby lie on a mattress on the floor.

Make shift tables support make shift lighting.

A piece of artwork, spray pained on brown paper, hangs from a line strung across the room. Cans of spray paint clutter the floor.

Chris grabs Shabby’s left hand with his left hand and holds both hands in the air.

CHRIS

I can’t believe we’re married.

SHABBY

We really did it.

They hug each other and kiss a long time.

SHABBY

Your mom is very cool. My parents would never let us live up here like this.

CHRIS

I think she’s stupid. She believes everything I tell her.

SHABBY

Well, I like her. She’s paying us to do a job, she’s giving us a place to live and I like working with her.

CHRIS

That’s because you don’t know her like I do. She did some real stupid things with men when I was in high school.

SHABBY

So did my mom. I never wanna be a single mom. It’s gotta sucks.

CHRIS

Yeah, I guess you’re right.

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

There is a black car bumper on the floor and two computer terminals sitting on chairs in front of Deni’s desk.

Deni, looking miserable, sits at her desk.

Chris enters Deni’s office, smiling.

CHRIS

What up, Madre?

DENI

You left your car keys on your desk, so I opened your trunk.

Chris’ smile goes away.

DENI

You lied and stole two monitors from me. You also stole a bumper off someone’s car.

CHRIS

What?

DENI

Don’t what me! You are a thief and a liar. I also think you are a drug addict. I can’t do this any more.

CHRIS

Mom…

DENI

Don’t mom me. You have done nothing but disappoint me time after time. I had enough last summer and then let you back in my life again. I keep trying to help you, but you don’t help yourself.

CHRIS

I’m sorry.

DENI

You’re not sorry. I know you and Shabby are planning to move to Germany. I want you to get a passport by next week. Once you have a passport, I will pay for your one way ticket to Germany.

CHRIS

You’ll really do that?

DENI

Yes. I want you out of my life. And, don’t contact me again until you are clean and responsible. And, if you choose to never contact me again, that is fine too. That is your choice. Just go. I’m done.

INT. ARTHUR’S APARTMENT – BALCONY – THAT NIGHT

Deni sits and stares straight ahead. A pout across her face. She chews a nail. Arthur sits nearby. Both speechless.

ARTHUR

I’m sorry he’s put you through all of this. That’s exactly why I didn’t want him to spend time with my son.

DENI

I know. I just hurt. How could I be so angry with my son that I told him never to contact me again? Where has my love gone?

ARTHUR

Sadly, he’s numbed it with his out of control behavior. You’ll never stop loving him. It’s his behavior you don’t like. And, with reason.

Deni breaks down crying. Arthur kneels in front of her, takes her face in his hands.

ARTHUR

Don’t beat yourself up. The time apart will be good for you both.

DENI

I’ve failed as a mother.

EXT. MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – NIGHT

Arthur’s car pulls up, he gets out, opens trunk and takes a suit case and a carry-on out of the trunk.

Deni gets out of the car, stacks the carry-on on top of suitcase. Arthur and Deni hug.

SUPER: “Five Months Later”

ARTHUR

Please, don’t believe everything he tells you. I know you want to believe he’s changed and I hope he has, but take it slow. Okay?

DENI

I promise I will. I just want to see if he’s doing as well as he says he is.

ARTHUR

I’m sure he’s a fantastic barista. Just don’t get into any arguments and keep it light. I know you miss him. Just have fun.

Deni and Arthur kiss and hug again. Deni pulls her luggage towards the airport, turns and waves as Arthur drives off.

MONTAGE – DENI, CHRIS AND SHABBY HAVE FUN TOGETHER

— Chris shows Deni coffee shop where he works.

— Chris, Shabby and Deni eat and laugh at a German Beer House. All three have a mug of German beer.

CHRIS

This beer doesn’t even taste good to me any more. I’m serious.

SHABBY

We’re only drinking with you, Deni, cause you’re here. It’s tradition.

DENI

You both look great. I’m happy things are working out for you.

SHABBY

I’m back in college. My parents are thrilled.

— Deni, Chris and Shabby visit Munich Cathedral.

— Deni and Chris board a train to Salzburg, Austria.

— Deni and Chris visit Mozart’s birthplace.

— Deni and Chris walk around the streets in Salzburg laughing and having fun.

DENI

I’m so glad I came to see you. I’ve really missed you. I’m glad you’re getting your life together.

CHRIS

Thanks, Mom. Shabby and I are doing great. I’ve missed you, too.

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DENI’S OFFICE

Deni, busy at work, answers her landline.

SUPER: “Seven Months Later”

DENI

This is Deni.

SPLIT SCREEN – DENI’S OFFICE/CHRIS ON CELL IN MUNICH

CHRIS

(cheerful, excited)

Hi Mom!

DENI

Hi Chris! What a surprise to hear from you. Is everything okay?

CHRIS

Everything is great… sort of.

DENI

What do you mean, sort of?

Silence.

CHRIS

Mom… I want to go back home.

Silence.

CHRIS

Shabby and I want to get divorced. I can’t get a good job here because I don’t speak German. I don’t do drugs. I don’t even drink. I promise I will turn my life around if you pay my airfare home.

DENI (V.O.)

Wow! I didn’t expect that. My heart was pulled in two directions. The past year without Chris tormenting my life with his irresponsible and irrational behaviors had been wonderful. My life felt almost normal without the seesaw effects of my son’s chaotic lifestyle. And yet, my maternal instincts began jumping for joy.

DENI

Are you telling me the truth? Are you honestly not drinking and drugging, or are you telling me only what I want to hear?

CHRIS

I swear, I’m not drinking and I’m not drugging. I am tired of wasting my life. I am so unhappy here. I miss you. Please Mom, let me come home.

DENI (V.O.)

Though I didn’t miss the chaos, I did miss my son. I missed the Chris I knew he could be when sober. Please God, tell me I’m not crazy.

DENI

Of course I will pay your airfare.

DENI

(to camera)

The forever hopeful and forgiving codependent mother won out, over the angered and hopeless mother who had given up on him just one year prior.

DENI (V.O.)

Maybe there still is hope.

Chris screams into the phone like he just won the lottery.

CHRIS

I love you, Mom. You’ll see a new me. I promise.

DENI

I love you too, Chris. I can’t wait to see you again.

INT. ARTHUR AND DENI’S HOME – DINING ROOM – NIGHT

Deni and Arthur finish eating dinner.

DENI

I have something to tell you, but I don’t want you to get upset.

ARTHUR

Did you back into another mailbox?

DENI

That would be my third! But, no. It’s bigger than that.

ARTHUR

Well…? Should I keep guessing?

Deni shakes her head, takes a deep breath.

DENI

I agreed to fly Chris home. He called me today. Promised me he’s not doing any drugs or drinking and he wants to turn his life around.

Silence.

ARTHUR

I’m not upset. I knew he’d return eventually. But, I do want you to know, as long as you continue to support him, I can’t marry you.

Deni jumps up excited, hugs Arthur.

DENI

Is that a proposal?

ARTHUR

No, I —

DENI

— Yes it was!! That was a proposal.

ARTHUR

Okay, it was. One day I hope we can get married.

Deni hugs Arthur from behind, leans over his shoulder.

DENI

I love you so much. Yes! Yes, I accept your proposal!

ARTHUR

As much as I love you, I need to make one thing clear. I don’t want him staying here for more than a few days. You may trust him, but I don’t.

DENI

I understand.

ARTHUR

Also, I wouldn’t get overly enthused about Chris. He always tells you what you want to hear and then disappoints you.

DENI

I know. This time I think he really means it. After ten years of partying, he finally wants to make something of his life.

ARTHUR

Sounds familiar.

DENI

(to camera)

I knew his coming home meant I would be dipping into my savings once again, to set him up in a comfortable lifestyle. I was so thrilled hearing he was clean and sober, I would have done anything for him. After all, he was my only child. And, after all, I was his enabling, sick mother.

EXT. PARKING LOT – MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – DAY

Deni and Chris puts Chris’ luggage into Deni’s trunk. One large box contains a bike. Chris slams trunk shut. He turns to Deni and hugs her.

CHRIS

I can’t believe I’m home. I love you, Mom.

DENI

I love you too.

INT.- EXT. DENI’S CAR – DAY

As Deni drives, uncomfortable silence in the car.

DENI

As far as I’m concerned, the past dark years of your life are over. They are history. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

CHRIS

Thanks, Mom.

DENI

In a few days we’ll find an apartment, so you can be independent and move on with your life.

CHRIS

I really appreciate all that you have done for me in the past and everything you’re doing now. I admit I’ve been a real shit, but I am ready to turn my life around. I promised you’ll be proud of me.

DENI

All I ever wanted is for you to find inner peace and happiness. You can’t do that when you are drinking and drugging. You told me you are clean and want to change. That is why I’m helping you again. I believe you and trust you.

DENI (V.O.)

I allowed myself to feel the first ray of hope – again. Though Arthur was usually right concerning most things, I prayed he would be wrong this time.

MONTAGE – DENI SETS CHRIS UP TO BE ON HIS OWN

— Deni and Chris sit at a table in the living room of a townhouse with the OWNER, signing a lease.

DENI

This is perfect. Five hundred a month for six months for a fully furnished townhouse.

CHRIS

The location is excellent.

DENI

I don’t want the lease to be in my name. My son is twenty-five. It’s time for him to be responsible.

LANDLADY

That’s fine. I have grown children. I understand.

The landlady turns the paperwork towards Chris. He signs the lease, looks up to Deni, smiles.

CHRIS

This lease represents a new lease on my life, Mom.

Deni and Chris laugh together.

DENI (V.O.)

I silently prayed, from his mouth to God’s ears.

DENI

I’ll pay the first and last month, but it’s your responsibility to start paying on month two.

CHRIS

Not to worry. Thanks, Mom.

— Deni purchases new clothes for Chris.

DENI

You need to look good to get a job.

CHRIS

I agree. Thanks, Mom.

— Deni purchases Chris a cell phone.

CHRIS

Mom, just get me any phone that works. I don’t need anything fancy. I just need one to find a job.

DENI (V.O.)

Is that my son speaking? Since when did he ever not want the best?

DENI

Pick out the one you want and get one of the basic plans. Remember, you’re responsible for the bills.

CHRIS

I can’t believe I finally have my own cell. Do you realize this is the first time?

DENI

Use it well and don’t forget to call when you get your first job.

— Deni purchases a used car from friend, JON.

JON

Are you nuts? Why are you buying him another car. Don’t you remember what he did to the other ones I sold you?

DENI (V.O.)

Of course I remembered, but blinded by denial, I wanted to forget.

Deni attempts to hand Jon a check for $3,500.

DENI

Please, don’t say a word. I know what you’re thinking.

Jon pushes the check back at Deni.

DON

If you know what I’m thinking, then take back the money. Let him ride a bike.

DENI

(to camera)

The car was registered in Chris’ name. I insured it for one year and gave Chris and his car my blessings.

— Deni and Chris remove food from shopping bags to stock his townhouse with food.

DENI

Well, kiddo. You have food, clothing and shelter – all you need is a job!

CHRIS

I’m confident I’ll get one. There’s tons of restaurants nearby.

DENI

I’m trusting you.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DINING ROOM – NIGHT

Deni and Arthur finish eating dinner.

ARTHUR

I agree with everything you just said. Now, what I want you to do is put it all in writing.

DENI

Really?

ARTHUR

Yes, really. You just swore this is the last time you will bail out your son. Put it in writing. If he disappoints you again, you can read what you wrote. Write down the total you just spent and make a commitment to yourself —

DENI

— And to the world..

ARTHUR

.. That should Chris fail this time and fall back into his old habits that you will never help him again.

DENI

I will. In fact, I will write it to myself and send a copy to him. You have my word.

ARTHUR

You need to do this for you. And, I’m here to support you. Believe me, I know it’s not easy for you.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Chris lays in bed reading Deni’s letter. Empty beer bottles and ashtrays full of butts appear bedside.

DENI (V.O.)

I have seen Chris’ changes since quitting drugs. He is sober and sound. I believe he is capable of turning his life around. I have assisted him for the final time. I invested a total of $7,282. A drop in the bucket to rebirth my child. This is my commitment to myself and to the world, that should Ryan fail this time, that I will never help him again. So, Chris, when you finish reading this letter, please understand that I am very serious. I will always love you whether or not I hand you money again, but it’s time for you to be a man. With love always, Mom.

Chris takes a swig of beer.

CHRIS

Shit. She’s gonna kill me.

Chris dials his cell.

DENI

Hey Chris. How’s your job going?

CHRIS

I got let go for being late. I think my body’s time clock is still off from living in Europe.

DENI

That makes sense. Don’t give up. Take a little time to get your body adjusted, then look again. I can pay next month’s rent.

CHRIS

You’re not mad?

DENI

If you’re not drinking or doing drugs, I’m thrilled. I know it’s hard to adjust. Just hang in there.

DENI

(to camera)

I was very good at rationalization.

CHRIS

Rachel’s coming down from Greensboro to visit. She’s relieved I’m not with Shabby.

DENI

That’s great! I love Rachel. And, I know she loves you. You were her first boyfriend.

CHRIS

I know. And, she’s always been there for me.

DENI

Her parents love you too. She’s a gift from God. Be good to her.

CHRIS

I will be. I’ll find another job after she goes back home.

DENI

Say hello for me, okay?

CHRIS

And, don’t worry, Mom. I’m not drinking or drugging.

DENI

I’m actually not worried. Did you read the letter I wrote to myself? I want you to know, I’m serious.

CHRIS

I know. I love you, Mom.

DENI

I love you. We’ll talk later. Goodnight.

INTERCUT – RACHEL’S BEDROOM/DENI’S BEDROOM – DAY

Rachel paces nervously, then taps numbers on her cell.

Deni lies in bed, alone, reading. Her cell RINGS.

INSERT: “Two Weeks Later.”

DENI

Hello?

RACHEL

(sweet, southern accent)

Hi Deni, it’s Rachel.

DENI

Rachel, what a surprise. How the heck are you?

RACHEL

I’m fine, but it’s Chris I’m worried about.

DENI

What do you mean? Are you here in Florida?

RACHEL

No, but I was. I visited him for a week recently. I’ve been calling and calling but he doesn’t answer his phone. I’m concerned.

DENI

How many days has he not answered?

RACHEL

Today is the third day. That doesn’t seem normal. I don’t want to worry you, but you need to know, he’s drinking again. He’s very depressed. It’s his depression that has me concerned. I hope he doesn’t do anything stupid, if you know what I mean.

DENI

I do know what you mean and I hope he doesn’t either. He told me he stopped drinking and using drugs and that’s the only reason I helped him again. Honestly, I’m shocked.

DENI

(to camera)

Arthur was right. Chris always disappoints me.

RACHEL

Please don’t tell him I called you. He’ll hate me. I think a huge part of his depression is because he knows he really screwed up again.

DENI

Yes, he certainly has. If he’s still alive, I’m going to kill him. I appreciate your concern for him. I’ll drive up there today to see how he’s doing.

RACHEL

I know deep inside he’s truly a good guy. It just sucks that he can’t control his drinking.

DENI

If he’s depressed, then he’s probably sleeping a lot. It makes me extremely sad.

RACHEL

Makes me sad, too. Would you call me after you talk to him, so I know he’s alright.

DENI

Absolutely. Thanks for the heads up. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you to call. Please, take care of yourself.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S BEDROOM – DAY

Deni leaps from bed, yanks off her her pajamas and hurries into her closet.

EXT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – GARAGE – DAY

Deni’s car quickly backs out. Speeds off.

EXT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – DAY

Deni rings the bell. No answer. Deni knocks. No answer. Deni knocks harder. No answer. Deni uses a key. She opens the door. Yells.

DENI

Hello? Chris? It’s your mom. Hello.

Deni steps inside a dark apartment. Shuts the door. Flicks the lights on.

DENI (V.O.)

God, please let Chris be alive. Breathe Deni, breath.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN – DAY

The apartment is a mess. Ashtrays full of cigarette butts sit on every table. Dirty dishes fill the sink with crusted food stuck on them. Mold grew in every dirty glass.

Deni shakes her head in disgust. Opens the refrigerator. It’s near empty.

DENI

Chris! Answer me.

She climbs the stairs.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – CHRIS’ BEDROOM – DAY

The door opens into a room cluttered with beer bottles and dirty ashtrays. There’s a lump under the covers.

Deni slowly approaches the bed, bends to see if he’s breathing. A sigh of relief. Deni kicks the bed.

DENI

Chris. Chris. Wake up.

The lump speaks with his eyes closed. Contempt in the voice.

CHRIS

What are you doing here?

DENI (V.O.)

Wanting to yell my head off at him, I dug deep to find restraint, then calmly spoke.

DENI

I came to check on you out of concern, but now that I know you’re still alive, I want an explanation. You told me you stopped drinking.

Chris sits up in anger.

CHRIS

You have not right being in my home. I did not let you in. You need to leave.

DENI

I need to leave? Excuse me. Who in the hell do you think you’re speaking to?

DENI (V.O.)

I felt like a ticking bomb ready to explode. The audacity of my son made my blood pressure escalate to points it had never seen.

DENI

What’s going on with you? Talk to me.

CHRIS

I’m depressed.

DENI

You’re depressed? How do you think I’m feeling right now?

Chris hold his pillow to his scruffy face. No eye contact.

CHRIS

I’m sorry Mom. I fucked up.

DENI

Sorry does not work anymore. You can put the fucking pillow over your face, but you can’t hide from the truth.

Deni leaves his bedside in disgust.

DENI (V.O.)

My brain was racing. I walked downstairs to think and pace.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY

Deni paces, looks around the apartment. Looks everywhere.

DENI (V.O.)

Any of his of any value is gone.

Deni screams up the stairs.

DENI

Where is your bike?

CHRIS

I pawned it. I took it where you bought those gold earrings.

Deni shouts like a crazy person.

DENI

You pawned it! Why doesn’t that surprise me? Well I’m going to go get your bike. Consider it mine.

DENI

(to camera)

Of course, this wasn’t the first time he pawned his possessions. When he studied graphic design in South Beach, he pawned every piece of computer and photography equipment I bought him. He even sold his candy-apple-red Gibson, collector’s electric guitar, that he, “just had to have,” and that I “just had to buy” to keep him happy.

Deni storms out of Chris’ townhouse.

EXT. PARKING LOT – PAWNSHOP – DAY

Deni’s car pulls into the parking lot.

Chris’ car pulls in right after.

Deni and Chris get out of their cars. Deni is fuming with anger.

CHRIS

There is no way I am going to give you the bike. It’s mine and I need the money.

DENI

(crazed)

I have given you over seven thousand dollars. I want the bike to cover part of my losses.

CHRIS

(defiant and crazed)

I don’t care what you want. It’s my bike and I’m pawning it.

DENI

No, you are not pawning it.

Deni storms into the pawn shop.

Chris waits outside, smug as hell.

Deni storms back out of pawn shop.

Chris screams at the top of his lungs, drooling, and with spit coming out of his mouth like a rapid dog.

CHRIS

I told you the bike is mine. You’re a horrible mother and I hate you!

Deni hyperventilates and spit flies out of her mouth.

DENI

I love you, but I hate your behavior. I hate the person you have become. I don’t even know you anymore. I am not going to continue paying your rent while you drink and drug. I want you out of the apartment. You have two weeks to leave. The son I remember is gone. You need to be on anti-depressants.

DENI (V.O.)

Oh my God, did I really just say that?

CHRIS

Great Mom. You tell a drug addict to take drugs. That’s real smart.

DENI

I did not tell you to take drugs. You need professional help. I cannot help you any longer.

CHRIS

You’ll be sorry, Mom. I’ll never speak to you again.

Chris turns his back, walks away towards his car.

DENI

Call your old girlfriend, Rachel. Maybe you can go live with her. You need to get out of Florida and away from all your loser friends. I’m done!

Deni storms to her car, opens the door, gets in and slams door shut.

INT./EXT. DENI’S CAR – DAY

Deni in tears, shakes as she starts the engine and drives off. After driving two long blocks, she pulls the car to the side of the road. In pain, she cries her heart out, talks to herself. Blows her nose almost constantly. Weeps. Explodes in bursts of over the top anguish.

DENI

I lost my son. I just gave him a death sentence. He’ll die with out me.

Deni blows a tremendous amount of snot from her nose.

INSERT: “One Hour Later.”

Deni takes a few deep breaths, pulls herself together, drives off.

DENI

(to camera)

This was the longest and hardest drive of my life. I felt anguished, depressed, guilty, hopeless and defeated, believing my son was going to die. How can I bare this pain?

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s Turning Point 1 Scenes

What I learned doing this assignment is how important it is to make the turning points so strong and intense after the inciting incident that the reader/viewer is locked into the story and can’t wait to turn the page to see what’s going to happen next. It’s also very important that the protagonist continues with their old behavior right up to the end of ACT 1.

EXT. AVENTURA, FL – HIGH END CONDO BUILDING – NIGHT

A Lexus sedan pulls up.

INT. LEXUS – NIGHT

DENI(49) wears designer suit, leans over, behind the wheel, in casual suit and tie.

DENI
Thank you for another wonderful night. I love you, sweetheart.

ARTHUR
I love you too, Deni girl, and

that’s why I can’t support what you’re doing. You paid a small fortune just getting him out of high school and now —

DENI
— Please. Let’s not go there. He was accepted into art school and I need to give him another chance.

Arthur gently holds Deni’s shoulders, looks into her eyes.

ARTHUR
How many more chances does he get?

DENI
He’s my only child. I want him to succeed.

ARTHUR
He’s twenty-five. He should be on his own and not have his Mommy pay for everything.

DENI
I know, but if I don’t help him, who will? I already signed a lease and we found a great used car.

ARTHUR
I think you should have drug tested him first.

DENI
He promised he quit.

ARTHUR
And of course, you believed him.

DENI
I need to believe him. I need to have hope. Trust me. I’m his mother.

ARTHUR
Well, you better get some rest. Tomorrow’s the big move in day.

DENI
He’s very excited and I’m excited for him.

ARTHUR
You know I’m here for you, even if I don’t agree.

DENI
I do know. Thank you for loving me the way you do.

They kiss again. Deni gets out of the car. Shuts the door and throws Arthur a kiss.

EXT. RENTAL BUILDING – DAY

Deni and CHRIS (25) in jeans, black tee-shirt, hug.

DENI
Well, kiddo. We did it.

Deni looks into the parking lot, eyeballs an old car.

DENI (CONT’D)
Take care of that car. It might be old, but it still runs.

CHRIS Kinda like you, Mom.

DENI Ha. Ha.

2.

CHRIS
You know I’m joking.

DENI
I know. So, school starts in a week. I’m excited for you.

CHRIS
Me too. I’ll get my schedule this week and also find a part-time job.

DENI
School’s the priority, but if you can find something for weekends, that would be great.

Chris reaches out to hug Deni. They hug.

CHRIS
I’ll make you proud. Promise. Thanks for making all this happen. I love you.

DENI

All I want is for you to be happy and have a successful life.

CHRIS

Me too, Mom.

Deni walks towards her car, turns, waves.

DENI
Keep me posted. I need to get back to work.

SPLIT SCREEN – STREET ON SOUTH BEACH, FL/DENI’S BEDROOM

EXT. STREET IN SOUTH BEACH – NIGHT

Chris stands outside of a club, handing out flyers.

A brunette bombshell with huge breasts, SHABBY, 20s, hangs all over him, a beer in her hand.

Chris makes a cell call.

INT. DENI’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Deni and Arthur sleep in a high-end bedroom. Cell RINGS.

3.

Deni sits up quickly, looks at Arthur, looks at clock.

DENI Please, dear God.

ARTHUR
Just answer it, sweetheart.

DENI Hello?

CHRIS Did I wake you?

DENI
Sort of, but that’s okay. Are you okay?

CHRIS
I’m great. Just wanted you to know I got a job in marketing. Shabby looks at him confused.

DENI That’s wonderful.

CHRIS
Yeah, I work at night promoting clubs in South Beach.

DENI I’m proud of you.

CHRIS
Thanks, Mom. Okay. Just wanted to let you know. I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon. Love you.

END SPLIT SCREEN
EXT. STREET IN SOUTH BEACH – CONTINUOUS

Chris puts the cell in his pants, grabs the beer out of the bombshell’s hand, swigs, kisses her.

CHRIS
Shabby, can you score some ecstasy for us?

4.

INT. DENI’S BEDROOM – SAME TIME

Deni lies down, puts her head on Arthur’s chest.

DENI
He’s excited. He got a job in marketing. Thank God he’s okay.

ARTHUR
At three in the morning? I hope you’re right.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – BEDROOM – DAY

Chris and Shabby sprawl out on a mattress, on the floor. Empty beer bottles, dirty ashtrays, clothes strewn on floor, surround them. The sun radiates into their faces. Both stare at ceiling.

INSERT: “Three Months Later”

SHABBY
I’m worried. I barely slept.

CHRIS
We have two weeks to figure it out.

Mom paid til then.

SHABBY
Did you tell her yet?

CHRIS

She’ll go crazy.

SHABBY

Can you blame her?

CHRIS
She’s the one who fucked me up.

Shabby laughs.

SHABBY
That’s how I feel about my mom.

CHRIS
That’s why I love you, Babe.

SHABBY

Where will we live?

5.

CHRIS
Don’t worry. I already have an idea.

INT. RENTAL BUILDING – RENTAL OFFICE – DAY

RENTAL AGENT (50s) sits at desk, arms folded across his chest. A cigar burns in an ashtray.

RENTAL AGENT Nope. Besides the walls, six neighbors have filed complaints on his loud music. He’s out and so is his whore.

DENI
He can’t afford a whore. I’ve met Shabby. I like her.

RENTAL AGENT
I can understand why, given what your son’s like. She’s a step above.

DENI
Just give me the keys. I’ll clean the apartment. I want my deposit back.

Rental Agent hands Deni a key.

RENTAL AGENT
Have it your way. I hope you have a strong stomach and lots of elbow grease. You have a week.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY

The lock CLICKS. The door opens. The walls are covered with pastel drawings from ceiling to floor.

DENI (O.C.)

What in the hell?

RENTAL AGENT (O.C.) I expect it to be spotless and repainted white. Good luck.

Deni enters the apartment, shuts the door. She examines the living room walls, pops her head into the bedroom. Shakes her head in disappointment.

6.

DENI
What is wrong with you, Chris?

Arthur tried to warn me. Deni tears up, weeps, trudges out, slams the door.

RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – NEXT DAY

Deni and KAT (45) blonde, tall, strong, scrub the walls together. Walls are almost clean.

KAT
You know I love you like a sister. It hurts me to see what’s happening.

DENI
He’s my only child, Kat. If I don’t help him, who will?

KAT
I watched my parents try to save my brother for over twenty years. He bled them dry. Then, overdosed.

DENI
He swears he’s only drinking beer and not doing drugs.

KAT
I don’t think so. This artwork’s not from beer. He flunked out of school. What does that tell you?

RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – NEXT DAY

Deni, Kat and ANDY (30s) strong, healthy guy, paint walls.

DENI
Thanks again for helping on your days off.

KAT
You’re one of the good ones, Andy.

ANDY
Deni’s a good boss. What Chris needs is a good kick in the ass.

DENI
He needed that years ago. It’s my fault he’s spoiled. (MORE)

7.

DENI (CONT’D)
Once my computer company took off, I went from rags to riches. I just gave him anything he wanted.

KAT
Like my brother, he’s never had to earn anything.

ANDY
Why don’t you give him a job at ComputerDen. This way he can earn his own money and you can keep an eye on him. I’ll teach him. He can cold call for me.

KAT
Where’s he going to live now?

DENI
He can’t live with me. I moved in with Arthur.

Andy steps back, examines the walls.

ANDY
I think we’re done. I’ll take my ladder and the drop cloths to my car. Just put the lid on the can and toss everything in those big garbage bags. I’ll come back up and take all the trash to my truck.

DENI
I couldn’t have done it without you both.

KAT
That’s what friends are for.

EXT. ARTHUR’S APARTMENT – BALCONY – NIGHT

Arthur and Deni relax having cocktails as the sun sets.

ARTHUR
You’re an amazing woman. I honestly didn’t think you’d get the four thousand back. Have you learned anything about your son?

8.

DENI
I know he’s not responsible. I know he drinks beer and smokes cigarettes and pot. Kat found burnt joint ends in his bathroom.

ARTHUR
I’m sure he does more than pot.

DENI
Like what? I know he tried coke years ago, but he didn’t like it.

ARTHUR
At least that’s what he told you. I think your son has a drug problem, but you refuse to see it.

DENI
But he says he doesn’t.

ARTHUR
Stop believing him. You’re in denial. He’s not going to ever tell you the truth. He doesn’t want to hurt you.

Deni starts crying, stands, gazes out,

DENI
I don’t want him to die. I’m so frustrated and confused. I don’t know what to do or how to save him.

Arthur hugs Deni. She cries on his shoulder.

ARTHUR
You’ll figure it out. You just need to know you can’t trust him. This is like the hundredth time he’s disappointed you.

DENI
You’re going to shoot me.

ARTHUR
Why would I shoot you? I love you.

DENI
I hired Chris and Shabby to work at ComputerDen.

ARTHUR You what?

9.

DENI
There’s more… I let them move

into the loft above my office. I can’t just kick them to the street.

ARTHUR
That’s exactly what you need to do.

DENI
They’re getting married. I told them it’s a great idea. Maybe having a wife will make him grow up.

ARTHUR
When did you plan to tell me all of this?

DENI Now?

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – LOFT – DAY

August and Shabby lie on a mattress on the floor. Make shift tables support make shift lighting.

A piece of artwork, spray pained on brown paper, hangs from a line strung across the room. Cans of spray paint clutter the floor.

Chris grabs Shabby’s left hand with his left hand and holds both hands in the air.

CHRIS
I can’t believe we’re married.

SHABBY

We really did it.

They hug each other and kiss a long time.

SHABBY (CONT’D)
Your mom is very cool. My parents would never let us live up here like this.

CHRIS
I think she’s stupid. She believes everything I tell her.

10.

SHABBY
Well, I like her. She’s paying us to do a job, she’s giving us a place to live and I like working with her.

CHRIS
That’s because you don’t know her like I do. She did some real stupid things with men when I was in high school.

SHABBY
So did my mom. I never wanna be a single mom. It’s gotta sucks.

CHRIS
Yeah, I guess you’re right.

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

There is a black car bumper on the floor and two computer terminals sitting on chairs in front of Deni’s desk.

Deni, looking miserable, sits at her desk. Chris enters Deni’s office, smiling.

CHRIS

What up, Madre?

DENI
You left your car keys on your desk, so I opened your trunk. Chris’ smile goes away.

DENI (CONT’D)
You lied and stole two monitors from me. You also stole a bumper off someone’s car.

CHRIS

What?

DENI
Don’t what me! You are a thief and a liar. I also think you are a drug addict. I can’t do this any more.

CHRIS

Mom…

11.

DENI
Don’t mom me. You have done nothing but disappoint me time after time. I had enough last summer and then let you back in my life again. I’ve tried to help you, but you don’t help yourself.

CHRIS

I’m sorry.

DENI
You’re not sorry. I know you and Shabby are planning to move to Germany. I want you to get a passport by next week. Once you have a passport, I will pay for your one way ticket to Germany.

CHRIS

You’ll really do that?

DENI
Yes. I want you out of my life. And, don’t contact me again until you are clean and responsible. And, if you choose to never contact me again, that is fine too. That is your choice. Just go. I’m done.

INT. ARTHUR’S APARTMENT – BALCONY – THAT NIGHT

Deni sits and stares straight ahead. A pout across her face. She chews a nail. Arthur sits nearby. Both speechless.

ARTHUR
I’m sorry he’s put you through all of this. That’s exactly why I didn’t want him to spend time with my son.

DENI
I know. I just hurt. How could I be so angry with my son that I told him never to contact me again? Where has my love gone?

ARTHUR
Sadly, he’s numbed it with his out of control behavior. You’ll never stop loving him. It’s his behavior you don’t like. And, with reason.

12.

Deni breaks down crying. Arthur kneels in front of her, takes her face in his hands.

ARTHUR (CONT’D)
Don’t beat yourself up. The time apart will be good for you both.

DENI
I’ve failed as a mother.

EXT. MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – NIGHT

Arthur’s car pulls up, he gets out, opens trunk and takes a suit case and a carry-on out of the trunk.

Deni gets out of the car, stacks the carry-on on top of suitcase. Arthur and Deni hug.

SUPER: “Five Months Later”

ARTHUR
Please, don’t believe everything he tells you. I know you want to believe he’s changed and I hope he has, but take it slow. Okay?

DENI
I promise I will. I just want to see if he’s doing as well as he says he is.

ARTHUR
I’m sure he’s a fantastic barista. Just don’t get into any arguments and keep it light. I know you miss him. Just have fun.

Deni and Arthur kiss and hug again. Deni pulls her luggage towards the airport, turns and waves as Arthur drives off.

MONTAGE – DENI, CHRIS AND SHABBY HAVE FUN TOGETHER

— Chris shows Deni coffee shop where he works.

— Chris, Shabby and Deni eat and laugh at a German Beer House. All three have a mug of German beer.

CHRIS
This beer doesn’t even taste good to me any more. I’m serious.

13.

SHABBY
We’re only drinking with you, Deni, cause you’re here. It’s tradition.

DENI
You both look great. I’m happy things are working out for you.

SHABBY
I’m back in college. My parents are thrilled. Sorry you missed them.

— Deni, Chris and Shabby visit Munich Cathedral.

— Deni and Chris board a train to Salzburg, Austria.

— Deni and Chris visit Mozart’s birthplace.

— Deni and Chris walk around the streets in Salzburg laughing and having fun.

DENI
I’m so glad I came to see you. I’ve really missed you. I’m glad you’re getting your life together.

CHRIS
Thanks, Mom. Shabby and I are doing great. I’ve missed you, too.

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DENI’S OFFICE Deni, busy at work, answers her landline. SUPER: “Seven Months Later”

DENI

This is Deni.

SPLIT SCREEN – DENI’S OFFICE/CHRIS ON CELL IN MUNICH

CHRIS (cheerful, excited)

Hi Mom!

DENI
Hi Chris! What a surprise to hear from you. Is everything okay?

CHRIS
Everything is great… sort of.

14.

Silence.

DENI
What do you mean, sort of?

CHRIS
Mom, I want to go back home.

CHRIS (CONT’D)
Shabby and I want to get divorced. I can’t get a good job here because I don’t speak German. I don’t do drugs. I don’t even drink. I promise I will turn my life around if you pay my airfare home.

DENI (V.O.)
Wow! I didn’t expect that. My heart was pulled in two directions. The past year without Chris tormenting my life with his irresponsible and irrational behaviors had been wonderful. My life felt almost normal without the seesaw effects of my son’s chaotic lifestyle. And yet, my maternal instincts began jumping for joy.

DENI
Are you telling me the truth? Are you honestly not drinking and drugging, or are you telling me only what I want to hear?

CHRIS
I swear, I’m not drinking and I’m not drugging. I am tired of wasting my life. I am so unhappy here. I miss you. Please Mom, let me come home.

DENI (V.O.)
Though I didn’t miss the chaos, I did miss my son. I missed the Chris I knew he could be when sober. Please God, tell me I’m not crazy.

DENI
Of course I will pay your airfare home.

15.

DENI (CONT’D) (to camera)

The forever hopeful and forgiving codependent mother won out, over the angered and hopeless mother who had given up on him just one year prior.

DENI (V.O.)

Maybe there still is hope.

Chris screams into the phone like he just won the lottery.

CHRIS
I love you, Mom. You’ll see a new me. I promise.

DENI
I love you too, Chris. I can’t wait to see you again.

INT. ARTHUR AND DENI’S HOME – DINING ROOM – NIGHT

Deni and Arthur finish eating dinner.

DENI
I have something to tell you, but I don’t want you to get upset.

ARTHUR
Did you back into another mailbox?

DENI
That would be my third! But, no. It’s bigger than that.

ARTHUR
Well…? Should I keep guessing?

Deni shakes her head, takes a deep breath.

Silence.

DENI
I agreed to fly Chris home. He called me today. Promised me he’s not doing any drugs or drinking and he wants to turn his life around.

ARTHUR
I’m not upset. I knew he’d return eventually.

16.

ARTHUR (CONT’D)
But, I do want you to know, as long as you continue to support him, I can’t marry you.

Deni jumps up excited, hugs Arthur.

DENI
Is that a proposal?

ARTHUR No, I —

DENI
Yes, it was!! That was a proposal.

ARTHUR
Okay, it was. One day I hope we can get married.

Deni hugs Arthur from behind, leans over his shoulder.

DENI
I love you so much. Yes! Yes, I accept your proposal!

ARTHUR
As much as I love you, I need to make one thing clear. I don’t want him staying here for more than a few days. You may trust him, but I don’t.

DENI I understand.

ARTHUR
Also, I wouldn’t get overly enthused yet about Chris. He always tells you what you want to hear and then disappoints you.

DENI
I know. This time I think he really means it. After ten years of partying, he wants to make something of his life.

ARTHUR

Sounds familiar.

17.

DENI (to camera)

I knew his coming home meant I would be dipping into my savings once again, to set him up in a comfortable lifestyle. I was so thrilled hearing he was clean and sober, I would have done anything for him. After all, he was my only child. And, after all, I was his enabling, sick mother.

EXT. PARKING LOT – MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – DAY

Deni and Chris puts Chris’ luggage into Deni’s trunk. One large box contains a bike. Chris slams trunk shut. He turns to Deni and hugs her.

CHRIS
I can’t believe I’m home. I love you, Mom.

DENI

I love you too.

INT.- EXT. DENI’S CAR – DAY

As Deni drives, uncomfortable silence in the car.

DENI
As far as I’m concerned, the past dark years of your life are over. They are history. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

CHRIS

Thanks, Mom.

DENI
In a few days we’ll find an apartment, so you can be independent and move on with your life.

CHRIS
I really appreciate all that you have done for me in the past and everything you’re doing now. I admit I’ve been a real shit, but I am ready to turn my life around. I promised you’ll be proud of me.

18.

DENI
All I ever wanted is for you to find inner peace and happiness. You can’t do that when you are drinking and drugging. You told me you are clean and want to change. That is why I’m helping you again. I believe you and trust you.

DENI (V.O.)
I allowed myself to feel the first ray of hope – again. Though Arthur was usually right concerning most things, I prayed he would be wrong this time.

MONTAGE – DENI SETS CHRIS UP TO BE ON HIS OWN

— Deni and Chris sit at a table in the living room of a townhouse with the OWNER, signing a lease.

DENI
This is perfect. Five hundred a month for six months for a fully furnished townhouse.

CHRIS
The location is excellent.

DENI
I don’t want the lease to be in my name. My son is twenty-five. It’s time for him to be responsible.

LANDLADY
That’s fine. I have grown children. I understand.

The landlady turns the paperwork towards Chris. He signs the lease, looks up to Deni, smiles.

CHRIS
This lease represents a new lease on my life, Mom. Deni and Chris laugh together.

DENI (V.O.)
I silently prayed, from his mouth to God’s ears.

19.

DENI
I’ll pay the first and last month, but it’s your responsibility to start paying on month two.

CHRIS
Not to worry. Thanks, Mom.

— Deni purchases new clothes for Chris.

DENI
You need to look good to get a job.

CHRIS
I agree. Thanks, Mom.

— Deni purchases Chris a cell phone.

CHRIS (CONT’D)
Mom, just get me any phone that works. I don’t need anything fancy. I just need one to find a job.

DENI (V.O.)
Is that my son speaking? Since when did he ever not want the best?

DENI
Pick out the one you want and get one of the basic plans. Remember, you’re responsible for the bills.

CHRIS
I can’t believe I finally have my own cell. Do you realize this is the first time?

DENI
Use it well and don’t forget to call when you get your first job. — Deni purchases a used car from friend, JON.

JON
Are you nuts? Why are you buying him another car. Don’t you remember what he did to the other ones I sold you?

DENI (V.O.)
Of course I remembered, but blinded by denial, I wanted to forget.

20.

Deni attempts to hand Jon a check for $3,500.

DENI
Please, don’t say a word. I know what you’re thinking. Jon pushes the check back at Deni.

DON
If you know what I’m thinking, then take back the money. Let him ride a bike.

DENI (to camera)

The car was registered in Chris’ name. I insured it for one year and gave Chris and his car my blessings.

— Deni and Chris remove food from shopping bags to stock his townhouse with food.

DENI (CONT’D)

Well, kiddo. You have food, clothing and shelter – all you need is a job!

CHRIS
I’m confident I’ll get one. There’s tons of restaurants nearby.

DENI
I’m trusting you. All I want is for you to be happy, healthy and to prosper.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DINING ROOM – NIGHT

Deni and Arthur finish eating dinner.

ARTHUR
I agree with everything you just said. Now, what I want you to do is put it all in writing.

DENI

Really?

ARTHUR
Yes, really. You just swore this is the last time you will bail out your son. Put it in writing.

(MORE)

21.

ARTHUR (CONT’D)
If he disappoints you again, you can read what you wrote. Write down the total you just spent and make a commitment to yourself —

DENI
— And to the world..

ARTHUR
.. That should Chris fail this time and fall back into his old habits that you will never help him again.

DENI
I will. In fact, I will write it to myself and send a copy to him. You have my word.

ARTHUR
You need to do this for you. And, I’m here to support you. I know it’s not easy.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Chris lays in bed reading Deni’s letter. Empty beer bottles and ashtrays full of butts appear bedside.

DENI (V.O.)
I have seen Chris’ changes since quitting drugs. He is sober and sound. I believe he is capable of turning his life around. I have assisted him for the final time. I invested a total of $7,282. A drop in the bucket to rebirth my child. This is my commitment to myself and to the world, that should Ryan fail this time, that I will never help him again. So, Chris, when you finish reading this letter, please understand that I am very serious. I will always love you whether or not I hand you money again, but it’s time for you to be a man. With love always, Mom.

Chris takes a swig of beer.

CHRIS
Shit. She’s gonna kill me.

Chris dials his cell.

22.

DENI
Hey Chris. How’s your job going?

CHRIS
I got let go for being late. I think my body’s time clock is still off from living in Europe.

DENI
That makes sense. Don’t give up.

Take a little time to get your body adjusted, then look again. I can pay next month’s rent.

CHRIS You’re not mad?

DENI
If you’re not drinking or doing drugs, I’m thrilled. I know it’s hard to adjust. Just hang in there.

DENI (CONT’D) (to camera)

I was very good at rationalization.

CHRIS
Rachel’s coming down from Greensboro to visit. She’s glad I’m not with Shabby.

DENI
That’s great! I love Rachel. And, I know she loves you. You were her first boyfriend.

CHRIS
I know. And, she’s always been there for me.

DENI
Her parents love you too. She’s a gift from God. Be good to her.

CHRIS
I will be. I’ll find another job after she goes back home.

DENI
Say hello for me, okay?

CHRIS
And, don’t worry, Mom. I’m not drinking or drugging.

23.

DENI
I’m actually not worried. Did you read the letter I wrote to myself? I want you to know, I’m serious.

CHRIS
I know. I love you, Mom.

DENI
I love you. We’ll talk later.nGoodnight.

INTERCUT – RACHEL’S BEDROOM/DENI’S BEDROOM – DAY

Rachel paces nervously, then taps numbers on her cell. Deni lies in bed, alone, reading. Her cell RINGS.

Hello?

DENI (CONT’D)

RACHEL
(sweet, southern accent)

Hi Deni, it’s Rachel.

DENI
Rachel, what a surprise. How the heck are you?

RACHEL
I’m fine, but it’s Chris I’m worried about.

DENI
What do you mean? Are you here in Florida?

RACHEL
No, but I was. I visited him for a

week recently. I’ve been calling and calling but he doesn’t answer his phone. I’m concerned.

DENI
How many days has he not answered?

RACHEL
Today is the third day. That doesn’t seem normal. I don’t want to worry you, but you need to know, he’s drinking again. He’s very depressed. It’s his depression that has me concerned.

(MORE)

24.

RACHEL (CONT’D)
I hope he doesn’t do anything stupid, if you know what I mean.

DENI
I do know what you mean and I hope he doesn’t either. He told me he stopped drinking and using drugs and that’s the only reason I helped him again. Honestly, I’m shocked.

DENI (CONT’D) (to camera)

Arthur was right. Chris always disappoints me.

RACHEL
Please don’t tell him I called you. He’ll hate me. I think a huge part of his depression is because he knows he really screwed up again.

DENI
Yes, he certainly has. If he’s still alive, I’m going to kill him. I appreciate your concern for him. I’ll drive up there today to see how he’s doing.

RACHEL
I know deep inside he’s truly a good guy. It just sucks that he can’t control his drinking.

DENI
If he’s depressed, then he’s probably sleeping a lot. I’m very disappointed. It makes me extremely sad.

RACHEL
Makes me sad, too. Would you call me after you talk to him, so I know he’s alright.

DENI
Absolutely. Thanks for the heads up. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you to call. Please, take care of yourself.

25.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S BEDROOM – DAY

Deni leaps from bed, yanks off her her pajamas and hurries into her closet.

EXT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – GARAGE – DAY

Deni’s car quickly backs out. Speeds off.

EXT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – DAY

Deni rings the bell. No answer. Deni knocks. No answer. Deni knocks harder. No answer. Deni uses a key. She opens the door. Yells.

DENI
Hello? Chris? It’s your mom. Hello.

Deni steps inside a dark apartment. Shuts the door. Flicks the lights on.

DENI (V.O.)
God, please let Chris be alive. Breathe Deni, breath.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN – DAY

The apartment is a mess. Ashtrays full of cigarette butts sit on every table. Dirty dishes fill the sink with crusted food stuck on them. Mold grew in every dirty glass.

Deni shakes her head in disgust. Opens the refrigerator. It’s near empty.

DENI

Chris! Answer me.

She climbs the stairs.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – CHRIS’ BEDROOM – DAY

The door opens into a room cluttered with beer bottles and dirty ashtrays. There’s a lump under the covers.

Deni slowly approaches the bed, bends to see if he’s breathing. A sigh of relief. Deni kicks the bed.

DENI
Chris. Chris. Wake up.

26.

The lump speaks with his eyes closed. Contempt in the voice.

CHRIS
What are you doing here?

DENI (V.O.)
Wanting to yell my head off at him, I dug deep to find restraint, then calmly spoke.

DENI
I came to check on you out of concern, but now that I know you’re still alive, I want an explanation. You told me you stopped drinking.

Chris sits up in anger.

CHRIS
You have not right being in my home. I did not let you in. You need to leave.

DENI
I need to leave? Excuse me. Who in the hell do you think you’re speaking to?

DENI (V.O.)
I felt like a ticking bomb ready to explode. The audacity of my son made my blood pressure escalate to points it had never seen.

DENI
What’s going on with you? Talk to me.

CHRIS

I’m depressed.

DENI
You’re depressed? How do you think I’m feeling right now?

Chris hold his pillow to his scruffy face.

CHRIS
I’m sorry Mom. I fucked up.

No eye contact.

27.

DENI
Sorry does not work anymore. You can put the fucking pillow over your face, but you can’t hide from the truth.

Deni leaves his bedside in disgust.

DENI (V.O.)
My brain was racing. I walked downstairs to think and pace.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Deni paces, looks around the apartment. Looks everywhere.

DENI (V.O.)
Any of his of any value is gone. Deni screams up the stairs.

DENI

Where is your bike?

CHRIS
I pawned it. I took it where you bought those gold earrings. Deni shouts like a crazy person.

DENI
You pawned it! Why doesn’t that surprise me? Well I’m going to go get your bike. Consider it mine.

DENI (CONT’D) (to camera)

Of course, this wasn’t the first time he pawned his possessions. When he studied graphic design in South Beach, he pawned every piece of computer and photography equipment I bought him. He even sold his candy-apple-red Gibson, collector’s electric guitar, that he, “just had to have,” and that I “just had to buy” to keep him happy.

Deni storms out of Chris’ townhouse.

28.

EXT. PARKING LOT – PAWNSHOP – DAY

Deni’s car pulls into the parking lot.

Chris’ car pulls in right after.

Deni and Chris get out of their cars. Deni fumes with anger.

CHRIS
There is no way I am going to give you the bike. It’s mine and I need the money.

DENI (crazed)

I have given you over seven thousand dollars. I want the bike to cover part of my losses.

CHRIS (defiant and crazed)

I don’t care what you want. It’s my bike and I’m pawning it.

DENI
No, you are not pawning it.

Deni storms into the pawn shop.

Chris waits outside, smug as hell.

Deni storms back out of pawn shop.

Chris screams at the top of his lungs, drooling, and with spit coming out of his mouth like a rapid dog.

CHRIS
I told you the bike is mine. You’re a horrible mother and I hate you!

Deni hyperventilates and spit flies out of her mouth.

DENI
I love you, but I hate your behavior. I hate the person you have become. I don’t even know you anymore. I am not going to continue paying your rent while you drink and drug. I want you out of the apartment. You have two weeks to leave. The son I remember is gone. You need to be on anti-depressants.

29.

DENI (V.O.)
Oh my God, did I really just say that?

CHRIS
Great Mom. You tell a drug addict to take drugs. That’s real smart.

DENI
I did not tell you to take drugs. You need professional help. I cannot help you any longer.

CHRIS
You’ll be sorry, Mom. I’ll never speak to you again.

Chris turns his back, walks away towards his car.

DENI
Call your old girlfriend, Rachel. Maybe you can go live with her. You need to get out of Florida and away from all your loser friends. I’m done!

Deni storms to her car, opens the door, gets in and slams door shut.

INT./EXT. DENI’S CAR – DAY

Deni in tears, shakes as she starts the engine and drives off. After driving two long blocks, she pulls the car to the side of the road. In pain, she cries her heart out, talks to herself. Blows her nose almost constantly. Weeps. Explodes in bursts of over the top anguish.

DENI
I lost my son. I just gave him a death sentence. He’ll die with out me. Deni blows a tremendous amount of snot from her nose.

INSERT: “One Hour Later.”

Deni takes a few deep breaths, pulls herself together, drives off.

DENI (CONT’D) (to camera)

This was the longest and hardest drive of my life.

(MORE)

30.

DENI (CONT’D)
I felt anguished, depressed, guilty, hopeless and defeated, believing my son was going to die. How can I bare this pain?

[Deni sher]

DENI B. SHER’S INCITING INCIDENT

What I learned doing this assignment is how important it is to include the antagonist (change/agent) in the scene after the inciting incident.

EXT. AVENTURA, FL – HIGH END CONDO BUILDING – NIGHT

A Lexus sedan pulls up.

INT. LEXUS – NIGHT

DENI(49) wears designer suit, leans over, kisses ARTHUR (54) behind the wheel, in casual suit and tie.

DENI

Thank you for another wonderful night. I love you, sweetheart.

ARTHUR

I love you too, Deni girl, and that’s why I can’t support what you’re doing. You paid a small fortune just getting him out of high school and now —

DENI

— Please. Let’s not go there. He was accepted into art school and I need to give him another chance.

Arthur gently holds Deni’s shoulders, looks into her eyes.

ARTHUR

How many more chances does he get?

DENI

He’s my only child. I want him to succeed.

ARTHUR

He’s twenty-five. He should be on his own and not have his Mommy pay for everything.

DENI

I know, but if I don’t help him, who will? I already signed a lease and we found a great used car.

ARTHUR

I think you should have drug tested him first.

DENI

He promised he quit.

ARTHUR

And of course, you believed him.

DENI

I need to believe him. I need to have hope. Trust me. I’m his mother.

ARTHUR

Well, you better get some rest. Tomorrow’s the big move in day.

DENI

He’s very excited and I’m excited for him.

ARTHUR

You know I’m here for you, even if I don’t agree.

DENI

I do know. Thank you for loving me the way you do.

They kiss again. Deni gets out of the car. Shuts the door and throws Arthur a kiss.

EXT. RENTAL BUILDING – DAY

Deni and CHRIS (25) in jeans, black tee-shirt, hug.

DENI

Well, kiddo. We did it.

Deni looks into the parking lot, eyeballs an old car.

DENI

Take care of that car. It might be old, but it still runs.

CHRIS

Kinda like you, Mom.

DENI

Ha. Ha.

CHRIS

You know I’m joking.

DENI

I know. So, school starts in a week. I’m excited for you.

CHRIS

Me too. I’ll get my schedule this week and also find a part-time job.

DENI

School’s the priority, but if you can find something for weekends, that would be great.

Chris reaches out to hug Deni. They hug.

CHRIS

I’ll make you proud. Promise. Thanks for making all this happen. I love you.

DENI

All I want is for you to be happy and have a successful life.

CHRIS

Me too, Mom.

Deni walks towards her car, turns, waves.

DENI

Keep me posted. I need to get back to work.

SPLIT SCREEN – STREET ON SOUTH BEACH, FL/DENI’S BEDROOM

EXT. STREET IN SOUTH BEACH – NIGHT

Chris stands outside of a club, handing out flyers.

A brunette bombshell with huge breasts, GABBY, 20s, hangs all over him, a beer in her hand.

Chris makes a cell call.

INT. DENI’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Deni and Arthur sleep in a high-end bedroom. Cell RINGS.

Deni sits up quickly, looks at Arthur, looks at clock.

DENI

Please, dear God.

ARTHUR

Just answer it, sweetheart.

DENI

Hello?

CHRIS

Did I wake you?

DENI

Sort of, but that’s okay. Are you okay?

CHRIS

I’m great. Just wanted you to know I got a job in marketing.

Gabby looks at him confused.

DENI

That’s wonderful.

CHRIS

Yeah, I work at night promoting clubs in South Beach.

DENI

I’m proud of you.

CHRIS

Thanks, Mom. Okay. Just wanted to let you know. I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon. Love you.

END SPLIT SCREEN

EXT. STREET IN SOUTH BEACH – CONTINUOUS

Chris puts the cell in his pants, grabs the beer out of the bombshell’s hand, swigs, kisses her.

CHRIS

Gabby, can you score some ecstasy for us?

INT. DENI’S BEDROOM – SAME TIME

Deni lies down, puts her head on Arthur’s chest.

DENI

He’s excited. He got a job in marketing. Thank God he’s okay.

ARTHUR

At three in the morning? I hope you’re right.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – BEDROOM – DAY

Chris and Gabby sprawl out on a mattress, on the floor. Empty beer bottles, dirty ashtrays, clothes strewn on floor, surround them. The sun radiates into their faces. Both stare at ceiling.

INSERT: “Three Months Later”

SHABBY

I’m worried. I barely slept.

CHRIS

We have two weeks to figure it out. Mom paid til then.

SHABBY

Did you tell her yet?

CHRIS

She’ll go crazy.

SHABBY

Can you blame her?

CHRIS

She’s the one who fucked me up.

Shabby laughs.

SHABBY

That’s how I feel about my mom.

CHRIS

That’s why I love you, Babe.

SHABBY

Where will we live?

CHRIS

Don’t worry. I already have an idea.

INT. RENTAL BUILDING – RENTAL OFFICE – DAY

RENTAL AGENT (50s) sits at desk, arms folded across his chest. A cigar burns in an ashtray.

RENTAL AGENT

Nope. Besides the walls, six neighbors have filed complaints on his loud music. He’s out and so is his whore.

DENI

He can’t afford a whore. I’ve met Shabby. I like her.

RENTAL AGENT

I can understand why, given what your son’s like. She’s a step above.

DENI

Just give me the keys. I’ll clean the apartment. I want my deposit back.

Rental Agent hands Deni a key.

RENTAL AGENT

Have it your way. I hope you have a strong stomach and lots of elbow grease. You have a week.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY

The lock CLICKS. The door opens. The walls are covered with pastel drawings from ceiling to floor.

DENI (O.C.)

What in the hell?

RENTAL AGENT (O.C.)

I expect it to be spotless and repainted white. Good luck.

Deni enters the apartment, shuts the door. She examines the living room walls, pops her head into the bedroom. Shakes her head in disappointment.

DENI

What is wrong with you, Chris? Arthur tried to warn me.

Deni tears up, weeps, trudges out, slams the door.

RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – NEXT DAY

Deni and KAT (45) blonde, tall, strong, scrub the walls together. Walls are almost clean.

KAT

You know I love you like a sister. It hurts me to see what’s happening.

DENI

He’s my only child, Kat. If I don’t help him, who will?

KAT

I watched my parents try to save my brother for over twenty years. He bled them dry. Then, overdosed.

DENI

He swears he’s only drinking beer and not doing drugs.

KAT

I don’t think so. This artwork’s not from beer. He flunked out of school. What does that tell you?

RENTAL APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – NEXT DAY

Deni, Kat and ANDY (30s) a strong, healthy guy, paint the walls together.

DENI

Thanks again for helping on your days off.

KAT

You’re one of the good ones, Andy.

ANDY

Deni’s a good boss. What Chris needs is a good kick in the ass.

DENI

He needed that years ago. It’s my fault he’s spoiled. Once my computer company took off, I went from rags to riches. I just gave him anything he wanted.

KAT

Like my brother, he’s never had to earn anything.

ANDY

Why don’t you give him a job at ComputerDen. This way he can earn his own money and you can keep an eye on him. I’ll teach him. He can cold call for me.

KAT

Where’s he going to live now?

DENI

He can’t live with me. I moved in with Arthur.

Andy steps back, examines the walls.

ANDY

I think we’re done. I’ll take my ladder and the drop cloths to my car. Just put the lid on the can and toss everything in those big garbage bags. I’ll come back up and take all the trash to my truck.

DENI

I couldn’t have done it without you both.

KAT

That’s what friends are for.

EXT. ARTHUR’S APARTMENT – BALCONY – NIGHT

Arthur and Deni relax having cocktails as the sun sets.

ARTHUR

You’re an amazing woman. I honestly didn’t think you’d get the four thousand back. Have you learned anything about your son?

DENI

I know he’s not responsible. I know he drinks beer and smokes cigarettes and pot. Kat found burnt joint ends in his bathroom.

ARTHUR

I’m sure he does more than pot.

DENI

Like what? I know he tried coke years ago, but he didn’t like it.

ARTHUR

At least that’s what he told you. I think your son has a drug problem, but you refuse to see it.

DENI

But he says he doesn’t.

ARTHUR

Stop believing him. You’re in denial. He’s not going to ever tell you the truth. He doesn’t want to hurt you.

Deni starts crying, stands, gazes out,

DENI

I don’t want him to die. I’m so frustrated and confused. I don’t know what to do or how to change him.

Arthur hugs Deni. She cries on his shoulder.

ARTHUR

You’ll figure it out. You just need to know you can’t trust him. This is like the hundredth time he’s disappointed you.

DENI

You’re going to shoot me.

ARTHUR

Why would I shoot you? I love you.

DENI

I hired Chris and Shabby to work at ComputerDen.

ARTHUR

You what?

DENI

There’s more… I let them move into the loft above my office. I can’t just kick them to the street.

ARTHUR

That’s exactly what you need to do.

DENI

They’re getting married. I told them it’s a great idea. Maybe having a wife will make him grow up.

ARTHUR

When did you plan to tell me all of this?

DENI

Now?

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – LOFT – DAY

August and Shabby lie on a mattress on the floor.

Make shift tables support make shift lighting.

A piece of artwork, spray pained on brown paper, hangs from a line strung across the room. Cans of spray paint clutter the floor.

Chris grabs Shabby’s left hand with his left hand and holds both hands in the air.

CHRIS

I can’t believe we’re married.

SHABBY

We really did it.

They hug each other and kiss a long time.

SHABBY

Your mom is very cool. My parents would never let us live up here like this.

CHRIS

I think she’s stupid. She believes everything I tell her.

SHABBY

Well, I like her. She’s paying us to do a job, she’s giving us a place to live and I like working with Andy and everyone else.

CHRIS

That’s because you don’t know her like I do. She did some real stupid things with men when I was in high school.

SHABBY

So did my mom. I never wanna be a single mom. It’s gotta sucks.

CHRIS

Yeah, I guess you’re right.

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

There is a black car bumper on the floor and two computer terminals sitting on chairs in front of Deni’s desk.

Deni sits at her desk looking miserable.

Chris enters Deni’s office, smiling.

CHRIS

What up, Madre?

DENI

You left your car keys on your desk, so I opened your trunk.

Chris’s smile goes away.

DENI

You lied and stole two monitors from me. You also stole a bumper off someone’s car.

CHRIS

What?

DENI

Don’t what me! You are a thief and a liar. I also think you are a drug addict. I can’t do this any more.

CHRIS

Mom…

DENI

Don’t mom me. You have done nothing but disappoint me time after time. I had enough last summer and then let you back in my life again. I’ve tried to help you, but you don’t help yourself.

CHRIS

I’m sorry.

DENI

You’re not sorry. I know you and Shabby are planning to move to Germany. I want you to get a passport by next week. Once you have a passport, I will pay for your one way ticket to Germany.

CHRIS

You’ll really do that?

DENI

Yes. I want you out of my life. And, don’t contact me again until you are clean and responsible. And, if you choose to never contact me again, that is fine too. That is your choice. Just go. I’m done.

INT. ARTHUR’S APARTMENT – BALCONY – THAT NIGHT

Deni sits and stares straight ahead. A pout across her face. She chews a nail. Arthur sits nearby. Both speechless.

ARTHUR

I’m sorry he’s put you through all of this. That’s exactly why I didn’t want him to spend time with my son.

DENI

I know. I just hurt. How could I be so angry with my son that I told him never to contact me again? Where has my love gone?

ARTHUR

Sadly, he’s numbed it with his out of control behavior. You’ll never stop loving him. It’s his behavior you don’t like.

DENI

I’ve failed as a mother.

ARTHUR

Don’t beat yourself up. The time apart will be good for you both.

DENI

From your mouth to God’s ears.

[Deni sher]

I agree to confidentiality agreement.

[Deni sher]

Hello friends, my name is Deni B. Sher. I have been studying with SU since 2015. I have written probably 10 scripts. I have been optioned, then Covid hit. I have a script, co-written with Ferdinand Gernandt under contract in Germany and another, a Hallmark script, optioned. I was hired to write another but it hasn’t been made yet. I love this school!! Something unusual about me, besides having 12 fingers is I have been to 136 countries.

[Deni sher]

DENI B. SHER’S ACT 1: OPENING SCENEs

What I learned doing this assignment is… although I had a different opening scene in my outline, when I was faced with introducing the protagonist and the antagonist, I was able to put them both in the opening scene. My antagonist is the change agent.

EXT. AVENTURA, FL – HIGH END CONDO BUILDING – NIGHT

A Lexus sedan pulls up.

INT. LEXUS – NIGHT

DENI(49) wears designer suit, leans over, kisses ARTHUR (54) behind the wheel, in casual suit and tie.

DENI

Thank you for another wonderful night. I love you, sweetheart.

ARTHUR

I love you too, Deni girl, and that’s why I can’t support what you’re doing. You paid a small fortune just getting him out of high school and now —

DENI

— Please. Let’s not go there. He was accepted into art school and I need to give him another chance.

Arthur gently holds Deni’s shoulders, looks into her eyes.

ARTHUR

How many more chances does he get?

DENI

He’s my only child. I want him to succeed.

ARTHUR

He’s twenty-five. He should be on his own and not have his Mommy pay for everything.

DENI

I know, but if I don’t help him, who will? I already signed a lease and we found a great used car.

ARTHUR

I think you should have drug tested him first.

DENI

He promised he stopped.

ARTHUR

And of course, you believed him.

[Deni sher]

DENI B. SHER’S BEAT SHEET DRAFT 2

What I learned is how important it is to provide the conflict from the Antagonist so that the Protagonist’s journey of change is more obvious but in a subtle way. Theme is also subtle and for this story the theme is HOPE. I can see where it’s important to subliminally include the theme but not punch the reader in the nose with it.

OPENING

VO by DENI

INT. RENTAL APARTMENT – SOUTH BEACH – DAY

Deni puts Chris in Art School, rents apartment, buys car.

ARTHUR (ANTAGONIST CHANGE/MAKER) talks to Deni and HOPES Chris doesn’t disappoint her.

DENI IS IN DEEP DENIAL

INT. CLUB – SOUTH BEACH – NIGHT

Chris meets Sandra partying.

INT. RENTAL APARTMENT – SOUTH BEACH – DAY

TE 1: Chris kicked out of apartment. Deni scrubs art off walls to get deposit back.

Arthur talks to Deni about Chris being irresponsible and that she can’t keep paying for him. DENI HOPES HE’LL CHANGE.

DENI IS IN DEEP ENABLING

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DAY

TE 2: Deni lets Chris and Sandra live in loft above her company and hires both to work for her.

DENI IS IN DEEP DENIAL AND ENABLING

EXT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DAY

TE 3: Deni catches Chris stealing a computer from her and lying to her.

Arthur knows he also stole a fender off a car and doesn’t want him around his son at all.

DENI CATCHES CHRIS LYING AND STEALING. FACES THE TRUTH.

She writes him a letter telling him he’s a thief and a liar and he needs help that she can’t give. Gives him time to get a passport.

EXT. AIRPORT – DAY

Sends him to Germany with Sandra who is from there.

Arthur warns her to just enjoy and not have expectations.

INT. HOFBRAU HOUSE – MUNICH – NIGHT

INSERT: Five Months Later

Deni laughs and enjoys being with Chris and Rachel.

DENI WANTS TO BELIEVE CHRIS IS DOING WELL AND HE PUTS ON A GREAT SHOW THAT CONVINCES HER. DENI MAINTAINS HOPE

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – NIGHT

Arthur is proud of Deni for handling having Chris away.

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DAY

Deni receives phone call from Chris in Germany.

INCITING INCIDENT – Deni agrees to fly Chris home from Germany after one year. He swears he is clean and sober. Wants to turn his life around.

ARTHUR reminds her of all his lies. Discussion is inciting incident. He doesn’t want Chris to live in their house more than a few days.

DENI IS IN DEEP DENIAL AND ENABLING STILL.

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DAY

Arthur visits Deni at work and lets her know he understands her love for her son, but that as long as she continues to enable him and throw money at him, that he can’t marry her. Deni turns table and says, “is that a proposal

INT. DENI’S CAR – DAY

Deni and Chris have a discussion about letting the past be in the past and Chris moving on with his life. (Page 8)

TURNING POINT Deni invests $8000 to set her son up again with car, apartment, clothing, cell, food. He doesn’t hold jobs. Deni continues to pay rent.

DENI ENABLES CHRIS TO LIVE A SOBER LIFE. HOPES THIS TIME HE’LL SUCCEED.

TE 4: Deni learns he is depressed and drinking alcohol again.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – DAY

TE 5: Deni hits emotional rock bottom. Does tough love. Kicks him out.

DENI IS FULL OF PAIN BUT KNOWS ARTHUR IS RIGHT.

EXT. PAWN SHOP – DAY

Major fight. DENI tells Chris to call his old girlfriend in NC and move up there with her. Chris says he hates Deni and she’s a horrible mother. DENI Drives home in tears.

ACT 2

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – FAMILY ROOM – DAY

Deni cries her eyes out at home.

Deni Surrenders to her Higher Power – Lets go – Lets God

Asks God, How does a mother turn her back on her son.

DENI SURRENDERS TO GOD AND ASKS FOR HELP.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

TE 6: God answers

NEW PLAN

Deni sits and writes for 4 hours. Runs searching for painting on paper and finds it. Believes she has a calling to write a musical. Calls it Mom’s Opera.

FAMILY ROOM – LATER

Deni shares what happened with Arthur. (page 26)

DENI HAS BEEN INSPIRED. NEVER LOSES HOPE.

ARTHUR SUPPORTS DENI EMOTIONALLY, BUT IS DEVIL’S ADVOCATE.

PLAN IN ACTION

EXT. CHRIS’ TOWNHOUSE – DAY

Rachel and Chris finish packing his car and drive off.

INT. CHRIS’ TOWNHOUSE – DAY

Deni enters a filthy townhouse and starts cleaning and continues paying the balance of 3 months rent. 29

DENI IS REPEATED THE SAME BEHAVIOR OF CLEANING UP ALL OF CHRIS’ MESSES AND HOLDS STRONG TO DOING TOUGH LOVE.

ARTHUR REMINDS HER OF THIS REPEAT BEHAVIOR AND WANTS DENI TO START WRITING DOWN HER STATEMENTS OF NOT HELPING HIM AGAIN.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DAY

Rachel calls Deni for help. 28 Phone conversation.

MIDPOINT TURNING POINT

TE 7: Rachel finds coke in his pant pocket, he keeps money from her. She attempts to kick him out. He gets hepatitis from alcohol. Quits drinking for 5 months and calls Deni.PG.33

CHRIS AND DENI DIDN’T SPEAK. RACHEL KEPT DENI IN LOOP.

TE 8: Chris invites Deni to visit. Arthur intervenes, warns her not to give in and believe him.

ACT 3

Deni visits Chris and Rachel.

TE 9: Deni sees Chris’ artwork and it tears her up inside as it visually shows his pain.

RETHINK EVERYTHING – Chris still in anger. I ignored my own emotions and pushed everything down. I was walking on clouds because my son didn’t die and hadn’t drank for 5 months.

Deni invites Chris and Rachel to their wedding.

Deni and Arthur marry 5/24/03. Chris and Rachel attend the wedding.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY – DAY

Deni goes to NYC in her quest to write a musical. Pg 63 Started projecting and creatively visualizing into the future, totally believing both our lives would have a happy ending.

Thought about causes of addiction.

Writings were a way not to deal with reality. I used my writings to confirm Chris was okay. Writings were saving grace. I needed hope.

INT. RACHEL’S TOWNHOUSE – NIGHT

AUGUST 2003 page 81

TE 10: After being sober and clean for 8 months, Chris relapses. Drinks beer. Does coke. Begs Rachel not to throw him out. Promises to go to rehab to appease Rachel.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

Deni writes Chris a letter for his birthday. SEPT. 2003 p.85

Learned from Anne, in my co-dependency, I was caught up in my own insanity by thinking an addict could understand a logical letter.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

TE 11: Admits he’s an addict 10/28/2003. Goes to first NA meeting.

Deni gets an email from Rachel the next morning. Pg.89

Wept happy tears. Thanked my higher power for leading Chris to his first NA meeting. HOPES HE STAYS CLEAN.

NEW PLAN

Rachel and Chris agree to stop speaking to me and work on their relationship issues alone.

I decided to send Chris a letter. Pg.91

(Later I would learn I violated Chris’ boundaries of detachment and used this letter as a passive-aggressive way to express my anger and frustration.)

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S OFFICE

SPRING 2004 we started speaking on phone.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – FAMILY ROOM – DAY

They visit Deni and Arthur in FL for Mother’s Day.

Chris’ grandmother promises him $1000 to quit smoking.

Grandmother lends him $2,000 to buy a mountain bike.

Chris quits smoking cigarettes 5/22/04 Grandmother gives him half the money to put down on a car.

Deni offers to pay for him to go back to college.

DENI SENDS SOME MONEY FOR WHEN CHRIS IS IN COLLGE.

Summer 2005, Chris attends College. HOPE HE GRADUATES.

INT. NEW YORK CITY – ASCAP SEMINAR – DAY JUNE 2006

Deni went to NYC for a 3 day ASCAP Seminar with Stephen Schwartz, Adam Epstein, David Stone and even Joseph Stein who wrote Fiddler on The Roof. Pg. 115

Met Janice, who knew Andrew Lloyd Weber.

DENI BELIEVES ALL HER ENABLING IS IN THE PAST AND THAT CHRIS IS FINE.

INT. KAREN’S CONDO – DAY

Wrote songs with Karen about Denial and One More Promise. Started reading books on addiction. Recorded songs.

Wrote many songs. Pgs 128-146

MARCH 2007 Karen and I recorded our songs with singers.

INT. NEW YORK CITY – RESTAURANT – DAY – 2007

TE 12: Deni Meets Anne Salter, An addiction therapist at lunch and Anne only lives 40 minutes from Deni in FL.

OCTOBER 28, 2007 Chris clean 4 years

Completed all but 3 credits in college to his A.A. Degree. Making $30,000/year as graphic designer.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – FAMILY ROOM – DAY

TE 13: Deni edits Anne’s book, Family Stew about familial dysfunction. Pg. 168, 174. I learned so much.

DENI REALIZES AND LEARNS ABOUT CO-DEPENDENCY AND FAMILIAL DYSFUNCTION.

INT. NEW YORK CITY – STAGE – SEPTEMBER 2009

Deni does a monologue as part of Expressing Motherhood on stage along with other mothers expressing motherhood. Pg.183

TURNING POINT: HUGE FAILURE/MAJOR SHIFT – 2010

TE 14: Chris relapse on prescription Adderall for ADD.

Rachel is fearful for his life. APRIL 6, 2010 Contacts Deni while she’s in Japan.

DENI LEARNS CHRIS THINKS HE CAN’T BE CREATIVE WITHOUT THE MEDICATION.

Says he’s chemically becoming a monster with a death wish. Lost 40 pounds. Arthur adds as change agent. Pg.198

ACT 4

CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT

Deni manipulates Chris with little white lies. NEVER GIVES UP HOPE.

Deni arranges a make-shift intervention pg. 208-210

RESOLUTION: Chris goes to rehab for first time. 4/26/2010

Mother’s Day Card. Pg. 211

Deni visits him and they meet with therapist.

TE 15: Deni admits to her issues of co-dependency and takes an honest look at how she got to where she is as a co-dependent mother.

INT. CHRIS AND RACHEL’S TOWNHOUSE

Chris gets out of rehab and asks Deni not to contact him. That he will contact her when he’s ready. She respects his space.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – BEDROOM – NIGHT

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

Deni writes a poem, praying he’ll come back into her life and the next morning her phone rings…

“Let Me Love You Again, my Son” p. 269

Deni VO at end. Tells reader/audience that as of today, Chris is sober 12 years. Has a loving wife and two sons. DENI NEVER LOST HOPE.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s High Speed Beat Sheet

What I learned doing this assignment (because I am basing the script on my real life and the book I wrote and published) is to pick out the most important actions and reactions that happened over ten years and later figure out how to tie everything together. I did do this in 2 days, but didn’t post and believe me, it’s far from perfect!!!

OPENING

VO by DENI

INT. RENTAL APARTMENT – SOUTH BEACH – DAY

Deni puts Chris in Art School, rents apartment, buys car.

INT. CLUB – SOUTH BEACH – NIGHT

Chris meets Sandra partying.

INT. RENTAL APARTMENT – SOUTH BEACH – DAY

TE 1: Chris kicked out of apartment. Deni scrubs art off walls to get deposit back

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DAY

TE 2: Deni lets Chris and Sandra live in loft above her company and hires both to work for her.

EXT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DAY

TE 3: Deni catches Chris stealing a computer from her and lying to her.

She writes him a letter telling him he’s a thief and a liar and he needs help that she can’t give. Gives him time to get a passport.

EXT. AIRPORT – DAY

Sends him to Germany with Sandra who is from there.

INT. HAUFBRAUGH HOUSE – MUNICH – NIGHT

INSERT: Five Months Later

Deni laughs and enjoys being with Chris and Rachel.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – NIGHT

Arthur is proud of Deni for handling having Chris away.

INT. COMPUTER COMPANY – DAY

Deni receives phone call from Chris in Germany.

INCITING INCIDENT – Deni agrees to fly Chris home from Germany after one year. He swears he is clean and sober. Wants to turn his life around.

ARTHUR reminds her of all his lies. Discussion is inciting incident. He doesn’t want Chris to live in their house more than a few days.

INT. DENI’S CAR – DAY

Deni and Chris have a discussion about letting the past be in the past and Chris moving on with his life. (Page 8)

TURNING POINT Deni invests $8000 to set her son up again with car, apartment, clothing, cell, food. He doesn’t hold jobs. Deni continues to pay rent.

TE 4: Deni learns he is depressed and drinking alcohol again.

INT. CHRIS’ RENTAL APARTMENT – DAY

TE 5: Deni hits emotional rock bottom. Does tough love. Kicks him out.

EXT. PAWN SHOP – DAY

Major fight. DENI tells Chris to call his old girlfriend in NC and move up there with her. Chris says he hates Deni and she’s a horrible mother. DENI Drives home in tears.

ACT 2

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – FAMILY ROOM – DAY

Deni cries her eyes out at home.

Deni Surrenders to her Higher Power – Lets go – Lets God

Asks God, How does a mother turn her back on her son.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

TE 6: God answers

NEW PLAN

Deni sits and writes for 4 hours. Runs searching for painting on paper and finds it. Believes she has a calling to write a musical. Calls it Mom’s Opera.

FAMILY ROOM – LATER

Deni shares what happened with Arthur. (page 26)

PLAN IN ACTION

EXT. CHRIS’ TOWNHOUSE – DAY

Rachel and Chris finish packing his car and drive off.

INT. CHRIS’ TOWNHOUSE – DAY

Deni enters a filthy townhouse and starts cleaning and continues paying the balance of 3 months rent. 29

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DAY

Rachel calls Deni for help. 28 Phone conversation.

MIDPOINT TURNING POINT

TE 7: Rachel finds coke in his pant pocket, he keeps money from her. She attempts to kick him out. He gets hepatitis from alcohol. Quits drinking for 5 months and calls Deni.

TE 8: Chris invites Deni to visit. Arthur intervenes, warns her not to give in and believe him.

ACT 3

Deni visits Chris and Rachel.

TE 9: Deni sees Chris’ artwork and it tears her up inside as it visually shows his pain.

RETHINK EVERYTHING – Chris still in anger. I ignored my own emotions and pushed everything down. I was walking on clouds because my son didn’t die and hadn’t drank for 5 months.

Deni invites Chris and Rachel to their wedding.

Deni and Arthur marry 5/24/03. Chris and Rachel attend the wedding.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY – DAY

Deni goes to NYC in her quest to write a musical. Pg 63 Started projecting and creatively visualizing into the future, totally believing both our lives would have a happy ending.

Thought about causes of addiction.

Writings were a way not to deal with reality. I used my writings to confirm Chris was okay. Writings were saving grace. I needed hope.

INT. RACHEL’S TOWNHOUSE – NIGHT

AUGUST 2003 page 81

TE 10: After being sober and clean for 8 months, Chris relapses. Drinks beer. Does coke. Begs Rachel not to throw him out. Promises to go to rehab to appease Rachel.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

Deni writes Chris a letter for his birthday. SEPT. 2003 p.85

Learned from Anne, in my co-dependency, I was caught up in my own insanity by thinking an addict could understand a logical letter.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S OFFICE – DAY

TE 11: Admits he’s an addict 10/28/2003. Goes to first NA meeting.

Deni gets an email from Rachel the next morning. Pg.89

Wept happy tears. Thanked my higher power for leading Chris to his first NA meeting.

NEW PLAN

Rachel and Chris agree to stop speaking to me and work on their relationship issues alone.

I decided to send Chris a letter. Pg.91

(Later I would learn I violated Chris’ boundaries of detachment and used this letter as a passive-aggressive way to express my anger and frustration.)

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – DENI’S OFFICE

SPRING 2004 we started speaking on phone.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – FAMILY ROOM – DAY

They visit Deni and Arthur in FL for Mother’s Day.

Chris’ grandmother promises him $1000 to quit smoking.

Grandmother lends him $2,000 to buy a mountain bike.

Chris quits smoking cigarettes 5/22/04 Grandmother gives him half the money to put down on a car.

Deni offers to pay for him to go back to college.

Summer 2005, Chris attends College.

INT. NEW YORK CITY – ASCAP SEMINAR – DAY JUNE 2006

Deni went to NYC for a 3 day ASCAP Seminar with Stephen Schwartz, Adam Epstein, David Stone and even Joseph Stein who wrote Fiddler on The Roof. Pg. 115

Met Janice, who knew Andrew Lloyd Weber.

INT. KAREN’S CONDO – DAY

Wrote songs with Karen about Denial and One More Promise. Started reading books on addiction. Recorded songs.

Wrote many songs. Pgs 128-146

MARCH 2007 Karen and I recorded our songs with singers.

INT. NEW YORK CITY – RESTAURANT – DAY – 2007

TE 12: Deni Meets Anne Salter, An addiction therapist at lunch and Anne only lives 40 minutes from Deni in FL.

OCTOBER 28, 2007 Chris clean 4 years

Completed all but 3 credits in college to his A.A. Degree. Making $30,000/year as graphic designer.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – FAMILY ROOM – DAY

TE 13: Deni edits Anne’s book, Family Stew about familial dysfunction. Pg. 168, 174. I learned so much.

INT. NEW YORK CITY – STAGE – SEPTEMBER 2009

Deni does a monologue as part of Expressing Motherhood on stage along with other mothers expressing motherhood. Pg.183

TURNING POINT: HUGE FAILURE/MAJOR SHIFT – 2010

TE 14: Chris relapse on prescription Adderall for ADD.

Rachel is fearful for his life. APRIL 6, 2010 Contacts Deni while she’s in Japan. Says he’s chemically becoming a monster with a death wish. Lost 40 pounds. Arthur adds as change agent. Pg.198

ACT 4

CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT

Deni manipulates Chris with little white lies

Deni arranges a make-shift intervention pg. 208-210

RESOLUTION: Chris goes to rehab for first time. 4/26/2010

Mother’s Day Card. Pg. 211

Deni visits him and they meet with therapist.

TE 15: Deni admits to her issues of co-dependency and takes an honest look at how she got to where she is as a co-dependent mother.

INT. CHRIS AND RACHEL’S TOWNHOUSE

Chris gets out of rehab and asks Deni not to contact him. That he will contact her when he’s ready. She respects his space.

INT. DENI AND ARTHUR’S HOME – BEDROOM – NIGHT

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

Deni writes a poem, praying he’ll come back into her life and the next morning her phone rings…

“Let Me Love You Again, my Son” p. 269

Deni VO and end.

[Deni sher]

Deni B.Sher’s Transformational Events

What I learned doing this assignment, because it is a true story, how important it is to find the events that happened in my past that moved me from being a co-dependent, enabling mother who lived in the fear of her son dying to the proactive mother who refused to allow addiction to destroy both her son’s life and hers and do the work involved in both of our recoveries.

CONCEPT: A true story of a co-dependent mother’s journey (internal & external) when she attempts to save her son from addiction and alcoholism, but ends up saving herself from co-dependency and learns that only the addict can save themself. It is a journey into the letting go of one’s ego in the quest to discover and to love one’s true self – from the inside out.

OLD WAYS:

Ignorant of Addiction (naïve)

Head buried in sand (denial)

Gullible

FEARFUL of her son dying

Pain

Anger

Sadness

Guilt

Shame

Frustration

Anxiety

Would do anything to keep him from failing (enabling)

Enabled him with money

Blind to her own faults and co-dependency

NEW WAYS:

Fearlessness

Surrender

Acceptance

Forgiveness

Stopped supporting him financially

Understanding and Knowledge of Addiction

Let go and Let God

Faced the Truth about herself

Accepted the truth that she was co-dependent and an enabler

Accepted that her son might die without her enabling

Internal Peace

Wholeness

Learned about and understood familial dysfunction and codependency

Serenity

Act 1:

TRANSFORMATIONAL EVENTS:

1998 – RENTED HIM AN APARTMENT IN MIAMI, BOUGHT HIM A USED CAR, AND PUT HIM IN MIAMI ART SCHOOL. HE WAS DOING COKE, DROPPED OUT. I CLEANED THE WALLS HE HAD DRAWN ALL OVER SO I COULD GEET MY DEPOSIT BACK.

OPENING: Deni scrubbing the walls of the apartment to get deposit back.

2001 – CHRIS MEETS SANDRA WHILE PARTYING IN SOUTH BEACH AND DOING DRUGS. HE MOVES INTO HER APARTMENT. THEY GET KICKED OUT. I LET THEM LIVE ABOVE MY OFFICE IN A LOFT AND HIRE BOTH TO WORK AT MY COMPUTER COMPANY.

SUMMER 2001, CAUGHT HIM STEALING FROM MY COMPANY AND LYING TO MY FACE. TOLD HIM IN A LETTER HE WAS A THIEF, A LIAR AND AN ADDICT. I SENT HIM TO GERMANY WHERE SANDRA WAS LIVING.

Deni hands Chris his passport and a one-way airline ticket to Germany and bitches at him for lying, stealing and using drugs. Tells him she never wants to see him again and that he needs to put himself in a rehab, that she can’t save him or takes his aggravation any longer.

Inciting Incident: Chris calls his mom from Germany, begs her to come home, promises he stopped using drugs and alcohol and wants to turn his life around. She agrees to fly him home, but when she tells her fiancé, Arthur (Antagonist) he’s coming home, Arthur reminds her of all his lies and how he sucks her in. Their discussion is the inciting incident.Turning Point: After Deni invests nearly $8000 to set her son up again with a car, apartment, clothing, cell phone, and food. He gets jobs, but doesn’t keep them. Deni continues to pay his rent.I LEARN HE IS DEPRESSED AND DRINKING ALCOHOL Arthur steps in to remind her that she’s enabling again. She goes to his apartment. They have a huge battle.

· SUMMER 2002, HIT MY ROCK BOTTOM. Deni does tough love; kicks him out, they fight and separate yelling at each other.

Act 2: Deni is now out of her comfort box. Unbearable. No turning back.

SURRENDERED TO MY HIGHER POWER – LET GO & LET GOD

ASKS GOD HOW DOES A MOTHER TURN HER BACK ON HER SON? GOD ANSWERS.

New plan: Deni comes home crying her eyes out and asks God, “How does a mother turn her back on her son?” She sits and writes for 4 hours, hears music and God answers her. She believes she has had a calling to write a musical, she titles what she wrote, “Mom’s Opera” at the end of her writing. Plan in action: Whenever Deni is inspired, she writes.Midpoint Turning Point: Chris continued drinking and his girlfriend, Rachel found cocaine in his pants pocket and he was keeping money from her. She attempts to kick him out, but they talk and he stays, promising not to use anything anymore. He had hepatitis from drinking so much. He quit drinking and drugging and called me after 5 months. We had a heart to heart and he invited me to visit them. Arthur will say things to me as my antagonist.

Act 3:

SAW CHRIS’ ARTWORK AND IT TORE ME UP INSIDE, I VISUALLY SAW HIS PAIN and especially the one with gun pointed to his head.

Rethink everything: When I visited his apartment, I was shocked at his artwork. And how it expressed his pain. But he was still filled with so much anger. I had no idea of the amount of work involved in recovery. My finger was pointed at Chris and I had no idea how I ignored my own emotions and continued to push them down. My son didn’t die. I was walking on clouds. We were communicating again. Arthur reminds me not to get too excited.

CHRIS RELAPSES IN SUMMER 2003, said he’ll go to rehab to appease Rachel, BUT doesn’t go.

ADMITS HE’S AN ADDICT 10/28/2003. Goes to FIRST NA meeting.

New plan: Stayed clean 8 months, then relapsed, drank a beer then did coke, Rachael threatened to kick him out, so he went to NA meetings. Admitted he was an addict 10/28/2003. 2005. Rachel and Chris agree to stop speaking with me. Spring 2004, they called and made plans to visit me on Mother’s Day. His grandmother promised him $1000 to quit smoking cigarettes and lent him $2,000 to buy a mountain bike. He quit smoking May 22, 2004. Offered to pay for college. Nov. 2004, Chris’ grandmother gave him $500 of the $1000 to put down on a car. Summer 2005, Chris attends college.Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Rachel emails Deni while she’s in Japan to tell her she’s fearful for Chris’ life, that he’s chemically becoming a monster with a death wish. Was taking Vyvanse for ADD. Relapsed. Lost 40 pounds. Arthur will add to his role as my change agent.

Act 4:

MET ANNE SALTER 2007, an addiction therapist

EDITED HER BOOK, FAMILY STEW, ON FAMILIAL DYSFUNCTION

2010 FACED MY OWN DYSFUNCTIONAL CHILDHOOD

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Deni arranges an intervention where Chris’ friend’s call him. Resolution: Chris goes to rehab for first time. Deni visits him and with a therapist they talk about their history and Chris tells Deni about things she did when he was young, that affected him. Deni admits to her short comings and realizes she too has to deal with her issues of codependency and take an honest look at how she got to where is got to as a co-dependent mother.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s 4 Act Transformational Structure

“What I learned doing this assignment is how important it is to make sure you illuminate the protagonist’s old ways of behavior, so that when they go through their character arc that the new ways are obvious and lead to their change, but also it’s important to include, (in my case) when and how the change agent steps in to keep the protagonist on her journey of healing as a co-dependent enabler.

CONCEPT: A true story of a co-dependent mother’s journey (internal & external) when she attempts to save her son from addiction and alcoholism, but ends up saving herself from co-dependency and learns that only the addict can save themself.

OLD WAYS:

Ignorant of Addiction (naïve)

Head buried in sand (denial)

Gullible

Afraid of her son dying

Would do anything to keep him from failing (enabling)

Enabled him with money

Blind to her own faults and co-dependency

NEW WAYS:

Stopped supporting him financially

Knowledge of Addiction

Let go and Let God

Faced the Truth about herself

Accepted the truth that she was co-dependent and an enabler

Accepted that her son might die without her enabling

Learned about and understood familial dysfunction and codependency

Act 1:

Opening: Deni handing Chris his passport and a one-way airline ticket to Germany and bitching at him for lying, stealing and using drugs. Tells him she never wants to see him again and that he needs to put himself in a rehab, that she can’t save him or takes his aggravation any longer.<div>

Inciting Incident: Chris calls his mom from Germany, begs her to come home, promises he stopped using drugs and alcohol and wants to turn his life around. She agrees to fly him home, but when she tells her fiancé, Arthur (Antagonist) he’s coming home, Arthur reminds her of all his lies and how he sucks her in. Their discussion is the inciting incident.

Turning Point: After Deni invests nearly $8000 to set her son up again with a car, apartment, clothing, cell phone, and food, she learns he is depressed and drinking alcohol. Arthur steps in to remind her that she’s enabling again. She goes to his apartment, they have a huge battle and Deni does tough love; kicks him out, they fight and separate yelling at each other.

Act 2: Deni is now out of her comfort box. Unbearable. No turning back.

New plan: Deni comes home crying her eyes out and asks God, “How does a mother turn her back on her son?” She sits and writes for 4 hours, hears music and God answers her. She believes she has had a calling to write a musical, she titles what she wrote, “Mom’s Opera” at the end of her writing. </div>

<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Plan in action: Whenever Deni is inspired, she writes. She shoots from the hip most of the time.

<div>

Midpoint Turning Point: Chris continued drinking and his girlfriend, Rachel found cocaine in his pants pocket and he was keeping money from her. She attempts to kick him out, but they talk and he stays, promising not to use anything anymore. He had hepatitis from drinking so much. He quit drinking and drugging and called me after 5 months. We had a heart to heart and he invited me to visit them. Arthur will say things to me as my antagonist.

Act 3:

Rethink everything: When I visited his apartment, I was shocked at his artwork. And how it expressed his pain. But he was still filled with so much anger. I had no idea of the amount of work involved in recovery. My finger was pointed at Chris and I had no idea how I ignored my own emotions and continued to push them down. My son didn’t die. I was walking on clouds. We were communicating again. Arthur reminds me not to get too excited.</div><div>

New plan: Stayed clean 8 months, then relapsed, drank a beer then did coke, Rachael threatened to kick him out, so he went to NA meetings. Admitted he was an addict 10/28/2003. 2005, and then, went college to study graphic design.

Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Rachel emails Deni while she’s in Japan to tell her she’s fearful for Chris’ life, that he’s chemically becoming a monster with a death wish. Was taking Vyvanse for ADD. Relapsed. Lost 40 pounds. Arthur will add to his role as my change agent.

Act 4:

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Deni arranges an intervention where Chris’ friend’s call him. </div>

Resolution: Chris goes to rehab for first time. Deni visits him and with a therapist they talk about their history and Chris tells Deni about things she did when he was young, that affected him. Deni admits to her short comings and realizes she too has to deal with her issues of codependency and take an honest look at how she got to where is got to as a co-dependent mother. They don’t speak for many months while each deal with their new realities. Eventually, mother and son both heal. Chris marries a woman who doesn’t drink or do drugs, has a wonderful wife and two healthy sons. Is now 12 years clean and sober. Deni and Chris have an amazing relationship and Chris’ wife is like the daughter Deni never had!

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s Character Interviews

What I learned doing these two interviews was interesting for me because, sadly, my darling husband Arthur passed away from cancer in September 2019. So, for me to interview him today was not only fun, but it was so easy to write what was in his heart in 1999 when we met and when he helped me to do tough love in 2001. Although I’ve written and published a book, I don’t remember putting a lot of Arthur’s input into my book. Of course, I am going to go back and read my book before I begin the script. These interviews will help me figure out how to make page one so good that readers/producers will want to go on my journey!

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself. When I did tough love, I was 51. I am 73 now. My son was almost 26. I was a single mother since he was 4. At 10, I let him go live with his dad and his wife, as I was majorly stressed out being a single mother with no child support. I sold my home, paid off my college loan and opened a computer company while my son lived with his dad. After 2 years, my son returned to live with me when he was 12 and his dad moved to CA from FL. I adored my son and letting him go live with his dad was the hardest thing I ever did, but I felt he would prosper with 2 parents and I was at my wit’s end. While he was gone, I built a very successful computer business and literally went from rags to riches and was able to “spoil” my son when he returned. I did visit him every Friday and bring him to my home until Sunday, every weekend and even paid child support while he was living with his dad. Because I had a major responsibility running a company, I didn’t parent him close enough, but let him be more on his own. I was very naïve when it came to using pot and couldn’t tell when my son was high. I put him in private schools and struggled just to get him out of high school. I even sent him to military school for over a year in NC. He told me he’d never do anything other than smoke pot, and I believed him. Needless to say, that isn’t what eventually took place and I had no control over what substances he injested.Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? Believe it or not, I think God gave me a mission to let people know there is HOPE that our children can recover.You are up against. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you? It is/was a journey between life and death. 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? Because it already took place, I had to step way outside my box. I had to go from being a co-dependent enabler to a mother who accepted that it wasn’t up to her – it was only up to her son. I had no control over his choices. I had to let go and let God. The most difficult challenge was knowing that without my money and enabling, that he could die.What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? That I can save my son. I had to accept that I had no direct control over him. What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? Fear that my son could die. Fear that he would hate me. What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? In the beginning I had no skills, background or expertise to deal with an addicted son, but over the ten years it took for him to get clean and sober, I learned lots of skills and gained tons of knowledge about familial dysfunction. What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? I didn’t want everyone to know my son was addicted because it made me feel like I failed as a mother.What do you think of? I think as parents we need to be educated about what to look for in our children when their behaviors change due to using drugs or alcohol.Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. I was scared to do tough love, but I knew it had to be done. I was very lucky to have Arthur Sher in my life to give me emotional support and act as my change agent/antagonist. As a mother facing losing her son to drugs and alcohol I was ready to go into battle to save my son, but soon learned it was his battle and could only help from the side lines through emotional support, prayer, writing, projection and positive thinking.What does it do for your life is you succeed here? We both did succeed. My son is 12 years sober, married and I have two adorable and healthy grandsons, 11 and 6. My son is one of the best fathers you can imagine. He knows how important a dad is and is there for his boys.Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you. I know me!

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself. When I met Deni, I was divorced 6 years from my ex-wife, I was 56, had custody of my 16-year-old son and I swore I’d never get married again. But, after dating Deni twice, I knew she was the one. We dated one year and when my son went off to college, she sold her condo and moved in with me. We were head over heels in love. I am a radiologist but have an uncanny ability to understand human nature and the psychology of man. Deni was like no other woman I’d ever met and I loved the fact that she never did drugs. Most women I met at her age were usually on something. She was naturally high! I love all sports and especially college football and Pro football. I have traveled all over the world going to sporting events and have been to 12 Super Bowls. I also love and follow European football. I love to gamble on all sports. Not big money, just small amounts on everything! I do love to play Texas Holdem’ in casinos. Because I had a cancerous melanoma on my back just out of med-school, I didn’t think I’d live to see my 40^th birthday. I went through med school with my first wife and asked for a divorce because I wanted to travel and “live” before I died. Though she didn’t want a divorce, she agreed and off I went after getting an honorable discharge from the Navy as a Captain, out of med school. I traveled the world, and lived life to the fullest… but never died. I met my second wife wile partying, she got pregnant and I married again. I stayed married because of our son, but after 10 years we divorced as I was miserable… swearing I had it with women and marriage.Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? Because I dealt with a wife who used drugs, I knew the headaches and heartaches involved. And, as much as I loved Deni, there was no way I could marry her and become financially liable for her addicted son, so I was very strong and adamant about that situation – but in a gentle and kind way. I knew Deni needed someone strong to lean on and who understood what she was going through. L also knew Deni loved me beyond what words can describe and I knew she wanted to marry me. I was hoping she knew it was for both of their benefits for her to do tough love on her son, as that was the only way he could grow and become independent on his own two feet and the only way she could change as a co-dependent parent. Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? I am committed to being Deni’s change agent because I am deeply in love with Deni and want to marry her. Co-dependent parents don’t know they are co-dependent. Deni was so close to her situation that she couldn’t see the trees for the forest. All she wanted to do was save her son and I knew he had to save himself.What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? What I get is a woman who can sleep at night without the fear her phone will ring with someone telling her, her son has overdosed and died. I get a future wife who will not worry all the time about her son. I also get a step-son I can trust not to manipulate his mother all the time and push her buttons. I want to spend the rest of my life with Deni and I know once her son is clean and sober, she will be free to be all she can be in life and I want to be the wind beneath her wings.

5. What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? My love for Deni is my driving force and also my knowledge of how an addict can drain their family as they try to save them and help them. I don’t want to be drained financially by her son. I already was drained by my ex-wife to a tune of a million dollars, so I could have custody of our son.

6. What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity? I know there is a chance that Deni’s son could die without her enabling, so I don’t go there with her. She knows it too but focuses on him living.

7. Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? As a doctor, I have lots of insight psychologically into people. I understand human nature and what makes people tick. I also feel my love for Deni makes me special because I totally get her. I know her better than she knows herself and she agrees with me.

8. What do you think of Deni’s son? Honestly, I think he’s a product of a failed marriage, where he was pulled between parents, heard too many negative things about both from the other and grew up without boundaries or discipline. He feels entitled and out of guilt, Deni buys into everything he says and gets him anything he wants. He doesn’t earn anything. I don’t think he’s an addict. I think he just likes to party and have fun. But, Deni doesn’t agree.

9. Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. Most children suffer when parents divorce, unless both parents work at being friends and making sure the child or children aren’t caught in the middle. Deni’s son has her wrapped around his finger. She is so afraid he’ll die that she just continues to enable him. It pains me to watch. I love Deni and I know if she can stay strong that eventually her son will come to his senses. I am willing to help him once he is willing to help himself. He’s a bright guy. He’s good looking. Has a great personality, but needs direction. If he takes the steps to turn his life around and not use drugs and alcohol, I’ll be there for him.

[Deni sher]

DENI B. SHER’S CHARACTER PROFILE PART 2

What I learned doing this assignment is how important it is to do this preliminary work on your main characters before writing the script, so when you step into their shoes and write what comes out of their mouths, that it is 100% true to who they are.

DENI B. SHER

What draws us to Deni B. Sher? Most parents will relate a mother’s love for their offspring. She is a mother who loves her only child and is fearful for his life, knows nothing about addiction or how to save her son, and who has spent fortunes over the past ten years on his education and keeping him in food, clothing and shelter.

Traits: Spiritual, Intelligent, Creative, Determined

Subtext: Expresses her fears and thoughts in writing poetry, praying, projection and creative visualization.

Flaw: Co-dependent, enabler, fearful of her son dying.

Values: Believes there is always hope, that people can change and she never gives up.

Irony: She loves her son, but to save his life she must let her son go without her enabling and leave it in the hands of God, knowing he might die.

What makes her the right character for this role? She gave birth to this child and wants to see him clean, sober and successful in life, both for himself and for her. She’s lived ten years in fear of him dying and stressed out as his co-dependent enabler. She is a very spiritual person and believes in God and the power of prayer, thought and writing.

DR ARTHUR SHER

What draws us to this character? He is extremely patient and loving to Deni. He is compassionate yet firm. He totally understands what Deni is going through and dealing with. He gives her the strength to stick to her guns. Arthur’s love is like no other she’s ever had in her life.

Traits: Compassionate, brilliant, The Devil’s advocate, Extremely Patient

Subtext: He speaks through his eyes, sets up situations but allows Deni to draw her own conclusions. There is usually a deeper purpose to what he says.

Flaw: Still angry at himself for staying married too long to his last wife.

Values: Honesty, Integrity, clarity, good judgement

Irony: It torments him to see Deni being tormented by her son’s addiction, but as much as he loves Deni, he refuses to marry her as long as she continues enabling an addicted son. He knows what she must do but he can’t do it for her.

What makes him the right character for this role? He is the first man that Deni has truly loved and respected in 30 years and she doesn’t want to lose him or her son. Because she respects his intelligence, she trusts him and knows he’s right and he gives her the strength to do tough love.

[Deni sher]

DENI B. SHER’s Character Profiles Part 1

DENI B. SHER – Protagonist

Role in the story: Victim/Fighter/Dreamer/Hero. As the mother of an addict, Deni is a victim of the injustice of drugs and alcohol in her son’s life. She is a warrior who rises to the challenge to save her son. She imagines a brighter future for him and takes action to bring it into being. And finally becomes a hero in her battle to save her son. He is sober 12 years as of today!

Age range and Description: Female, early 50s, president of a computer company, physically fit, engaged to be married to the love of her life.

Internal Journey: From feeling helpless (unable to keep her son from using drugs and alcohol) to having the strength to do what’s called, “tough love” where she stops enabling and helping her son financially and always preventing him from failing.

External Journey: From a co-dependent mother, with her head buried in denial to a healthy mother willing to examine familial dysfunction and to own her part of the problem.

Motivation: To have a son free of drugs and alcohol and to build a healthy relationship between mother and son.

Wound: Deni was engaged at 19 to her high school sweetheart, who started using drugs, tearing them apart and it broke her heart as she couldn’t get him to stop… and now, she’s lost her son to drugs and alcohol.

Mission/Agenda: To help her son recover from drugs and alcohol.

Secret: Her failure to save her young fiancé from drugs.

What makes them special? Her ability to face the painful truth about herself, her childhood and stand her ground even if it means her son could die without her enabling.

DR. ARTHUR SHER – Antagonist

Role in the story: Change Agent/ A physician who not only loves Deni, but understands her better than she understands herself. He wants to marry her, but won’t as long as she remains co-dependent and continues to enable her son.

Age range and Description: Male, mid-50’s, strong in his convictions, intelligent, compassionate and only wanting the best for Deni and her son.

Internal Journey: Firm in his convictions yet proud of Deni for staying strong and ultimately helping to plan their wedding.

External Journey: From being engaged to a married man.

Motivation: He didn’t want to marry Deni if she had an addicted son, as he knew she would continue giving him money and being tormented by his addiction

Wound: His ex-wife had abused drugs.

Mission/Agenda: To not be the one supporting Deni’s addicted son.

Secret: His ex-wife abused drugs and ruined their life together.

What makes them special? His ability to understand the psychological side of the situation and explain things to Deni so she could understand. And his ability to be logical about anything that came up and use it as a “change agent.”

4. The other supporting characters will be my son, August; his then girlfriend, Rachel; Counselor at Rehab Center; Anne Salter, an addiction therapist and perhaps other minor roles.

5. Genre is tough for me. It’s a Drama, but because I asked God how does a mother turn her back on her son? And, God answered me… I think it’s also Faith driven.

What I learned from this assignment is how important it is for us to understand the main character’s roles, and to clearly define them, so when we write our story each character has their own voice, purpose, and role and we understand where they are coming from psychologically and what motivates them.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Deni sher.

[Deni sher]

Deni B. Sher’s Transformational Journey

What I learned in this assignment is to dig deep into the protagonist. Where they start from at the beginning of the story, to where they end up and how important that character’s arc will be to the success of the story for the audience/reader. And, to not be afraid of the truth because it is a true story.

Transformation occurs when a character DENI is pushed outside HER box by some outside force ADDICTION OF HER SON and required to make shifts in HER behavior or thinking in order to survive (either figuratively or literally).

I am personally the hero in this true story.

INTERNAL JOURNEY: Deni went from feeling helpless (unable to save her son) to affect change by letting go, letting God, using creative visualization, prayer, projection and writing.

EXTERNAL JOURNEY: From a weak, codependent mother, easily manipulated by her son and fearful of her son dying, to a strong woman, facing addiction and codependency, and willing to do whatever it takes for both to be healthy and find a healthy relationship again.

OLD WAYS:

Ignorant of Addiction

Head buried in sand (denial)

Didn’t want her son to die

Would do anything to keep him from failing

Enabled him with money

NEW WAYS:

Knowledge of Addiction

Let go and Let God

Accepted the truth that she was co-dependent and an enabler

Stopped supporting him

Faced the Truth about herself

DENI’S OLD WAYS

Gullible, naïve, in denial, fearful of her son dying, blind to her own faults

DENI’s NEW WAYS

Facing the Truth, accepting that her son might die without her enabling, understanding familial dysfunction.

[Deni sher]

I, Deni B. Sher agree to the entire release form below.

GROUP RELEASE FORM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[Deni sher]

My name is Deni B Sher. I started studying with SU in 2015. Have written 8-10 scripts. Have one I co-wrote with Ferdinand under contract. Another 2 have been optioned. Started studying to turn my book into a script and plan to do so in this class. Something unique: I have traveled to 136 countries during 20 years married to my late husband, Arthur Sher. He literally gave me the world and will forever be the wind beneath my wings. I look forward to meeting more SU family in class.

[Deni sher]

Renee, your email address didn’t work. I have a thriller dark comedy that I am hoping will have more of the comedy when I write the dialogue. My concept is: What if drinking coffee mixed with cremation ashes of a hit-man drives you to commit murder? My email is denibsher@gmail.com
I am the woman who was VERY far behind! But, I caught up!!!
If you would like to exchange, please let me know. I have a few scripts under option, so I know how to write, but this is my first thriller script which was the challenge I wanted.
Deni

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Deni sher.
• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Deni sher.

[Deni sher]

Did you get LESSON 11??? I DON’T SEE IT. If so, can you forward to me at denibsher@gmail.com. Thanks.

[Deni sher]

Renee, I saw you called. Heard your message, but sadly your number got deleted so I couldn’t call you back. PLEASE call again or TEXT me, so I have your number and I will call you back. I am falling behind in the class but am busy writing another script as well. Looking forward to catching up.

[Deni sher]

Renee, Wow… it’s been a long time… since MSC6!!! We’ll have to catch up. My cell is 954.661.9504. Let’s catch up on a phone call. I am currently in WI on a lake, so am one hour earlier than east coast time. I am finally going to write the script I joined SU to learn how to write for!!! It’s based on my book and my life.. major challenge. Thanks for reaching out,

Deni

[Deni sher]

Deborah, I am sorry for the loss of your husband. My husband passed away almost 4 years ago, so I walk in your shoes and for sure he’s with me as I write and forever by my side.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Deni sher.