[Janet McGinn]

LESSON 2 :TV example: PRISON ESCAPE, Episode 2, Three Circles of Characters:
WHAT I LEARNED… Characters relationships reflect the theory, “Six Degrees of Separation” as to their connectedness to the story.
A. MAIN CHARACTERS:
-A1- Inmate, Michael Scofield, structural engineer, prison map tattoo on chest, plans prison break.
-A2- Inmate, Lincoln Burrows, on death row, execution in 30 days
-A3- Victoria, female defense attorney, Lincoln’s ex-girlfriend.
B. CONNECTED CHARACTERS:
-B1- L.J. (Lincoln, Jr) Mike’s nephew
-B2- Prison Cellmate
-B3- Prison Doctor (Governor’s daughter)
-B4- Prison inmate, John Abruzzi, high-ranking member of the Mafia
-B5- Two F.B.I. agents including Alexander Mahone
-B6- Prison Warden Pope
-B7- Prison inmate “Cooper”, senior robber with hidden money
C. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERS:
Tattoo Artist; Lincoln’s mother (Lisa); Bishop
BANK… staff, victims during robbery
COURT… Bailiff, Judge, 1st Defense attorney, Victoria’s office assistant
PRISON… chaplain, four guards, 50 inmates

[Janet McGinn]

JUNE 5, 2025… TV SERIES CHOICE… Prison Break ….
What I learned doing this assignment is … BINGE WORTHY leaves unanswered QUESTIONS to compel the viewer to watch and follow the journey of the characters.

Prison Break — LIST THE 5 STAR MODEL…
** 1 ** Big Picture Hook… a man deliberately gets himself incarcerated to orchestrate his brother's escape from death row.

** 2 ** Intriguing Character: Mike tattoos his body with a map of the prison compound, with a lucky plan to be sent to the same Maximum Security Prison as his brother. Mike commits an armed robbery and lets the judge sentence him to prison for 5 years.

** 3 ** Empathy Distress: Mike watches the guard stabbed and the inmates laugh. We are sad to know that appeals denied, Lincoln's scheduled execution is next month, on May 11. Mike's nephew, L.J., sells weed to show he has no care what happens to him in the future. Lady Lawyer is torn between her past love of Lincoln and her current fiancé planning a wedding.

** 4 ** Build Layers / Open Loops: First 5 minutes of the pilot shows Mike rips off the posted newspapers that introduce all prison character … Brother Lincoln…. Chicago Mobster Abruzzi … Senior “Rich” Convicted “Cooper” … Prison Doctor– all become necessary for the escape plan. Open loops are other characters connected to Mike, the lady lawyer and his nephew.

** 5 ** Inviting Obsession.. – [Mystery] Mike in prison, his mis-direct to the doctor of being “diabetic” when he’s healthy. – [Dept of emotion] : Lady lawyer who has a dysfunctional view of her love life. Teenager, L.J. dealing drugs because he has no self worth. – [High concept] Killing of the Bishop and the corrupt organization? Will Mike survive Maximum Security Prison with his brother?
[ I think this TV series will explore moral justice and family devotion.

[Janet McGinn]

I’ll do the class privately…
I agree to the terms of the release form … to this group confidentiality agreement, to keep all projects, the strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential.

[Janet McGinn]

GREETINGS from Janet Scrivner McGinn. My family calls me GranJan, short for Grandmother Janet, with 5 granddaughers. I am a retired middle school teacher.
STORIES INSPIRED BY THE TRUTH … First draft feature, Widowed Without Warning. Both completed features, Most Wanted Dad and Yard of Love won quarter-finalist awards.
GOAL FOR THIS CLASS, complete a TV binge-worthy drama entitled, Laptop In a Bottle.
STRANGE EVENT … In April 2024, PHOENIX screenplay writers conference, Chris Lockhart was the keynote speaker. During Q and A, I asked if in his early career did he attend a pitch fest in LAS VEGAS in 2003? He addressed the conference… Were you the one with the laptop who showed a video of your dead husband inside a tent? … I have talked about that pitch for years. …. Yup, we took a photo together.

• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by  Janet McGinn.
• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by  Janet McGinn.
• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by  Janet McGinn.