Jennifer Miller
Forum Replies Created
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My name is Jennifer Miller. I’m a produced screenwriter, who currently focuses on thrillers. However, when I played with the AI prompt for the Horror class I fell head-over-heels. The ability to be extremely creative using this genre made my heart explode. My goal is to create a billion dollar horror franchise, land a manager, and sell my current thriller, as well as this horror concept. One unique thing about me is that I study the law. It’s strange and surprising, but the study of law has turned into a spiritual pursuit as well, which, I hope, will lead to great moral and emotional horror. We shall see. Happy writing everyone!
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This reply was modified 6 months ago by Jennifer Miller.
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This reply was modified 6 months ago by
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Jennifer Miller, 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. -
Miller’s Show Mysteries
What I learned – to create a mystery that will hook and engage the audience; that the mystery is not revealed until either the end of the season or the entire show – cool! And, when we create/craft a mystery worth solving we create audience obsession – binge worthy, baby!
Inviting obsession is a 3-way of – mystery, open loops, and plot layers – they go into EVERY episode to create obsessive magic. We are taking this show to Vegas! 2 types of mystery – one hits you with intrigue right out of the starting gate. The other is a slow burn, a creepier that emerges over time and sucks you in and keeps you glued to the screen. And, together they create obsession;
Assignment 1: Wednesday
Mystery Type 1: Who is killing people in the woods? Sheriff believes it is an outcast from Nevermore. Who is trying to kill Wednesday, why did the monster save her, is her father a murderer, and will she be the harbinger of destruction according to a vision and prophecy from Rowan’s mother.
Mystery Type 2: How do all these suspects and her parents play a part in the murder, the cover up of Rowan’s attack, the monster, and the prophecy? Cover Up: Tyler and Ms. Thornton are presented as normies who are there/allies to Wednesday. Secret: Who is covering up Rowan’s murder and why; who is the Hyde and who is his master and how does this play into the prophecy and Jospeh Crackstone evil Pilgrim, and how does her parent’s past play a role in the present crime/prophecy? Reveals: Her visions, her investigation, Tyler and the police report, Nightshades mark and book, Goodie is her guide, Nathaniel’s book/diary about Hyde’s and their masters; Red herrings Xavier and Dr. Kimbot; Parents past the night of the dance and the deep seated hatred and grudge of Laura Gates to take revenge for the tragedy that ruined her family and her life; Tyler’s mom was a Hyde and he was a dominant one.
Assignment 2:
1. Create your Shocking Event Mystery and tell us the WWWWW and H, along with the part withheld.
A. Shocking Event: Who took her mother, why can’t she shift, who is murdering teens in town/forest?
B. Secret: How does her mother’s past work as a doctor tie into the murders
C. Investigation:Police, Grandmother, and Phoebe look into the murders and the connection to her mother.
WWWWW and How:
What: Mother was investigating the killings saw a connection
When: Recently arrived in town after Pack leader dies.
Where: Shiner Falls
Part withheld:
Who: Took her mother and who is killing and terrorizing the town?
Why: To cover up failed experiments on mothers/human/wolf guised as fertility help, but Lydecker experimented to create a super hybrid wolf able to control via silver nanobot shot into the heart, but the experiments caused chaos and now must be eliminated.
How: Uses Dolly’s father who she loves and continued to experiment on, as a weapon to do her bidding and kill the teens from experiment.
2. Create the Over Time Mystery and tell us the WWWWW and H, along with the part withheld.
A. Cover up: Prophecy and Werewolf Cult presented as bad guys.
B. Secret: Phoebe searches for clues to the prophecy and her role in it.
C. Reveals: Starts with abduction of her mother, she must find her, then her Grandmother gets dementia, Cult not the main enemy, but the Secret Society is and they are prepared to kill anyone who might expose or jeopardize their work/experiments.
WWWWW and How:
Who: Took her mother, Leto
What: How does her past or heritage/prophecy/inheritance play into this?
When: In Scotland where they moved after attack when she was a baby.
Where: In Scotland where they moved after attack when she was a baby, and in Shiner Falls where they retreat after her mother disappears
Why To cover up past failures experimenting with human and werewolf mothers and their babies. The babies are now teens and the experiment to control them and their transformation failed causing chaos and Dr. Lydecker wants to cover his tracks which means destroy/kill the evidence.
How: Used comatose man, Dolly’s father, who Lydecker loves and continued to try to save, but now she uses him as her weapon – sending him into the woods to kill the teens/evidence of her experiments.
Part Withheld:
Who did it?
Why did they do it?
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ASSIGNMENT 1: Example Show
Wednesday Addams
A. Situational: Hope – Solve the mystery, find the truth/ Fear Other’s will die, herself
B. Motivation: Want – to be her own person, learn the truth, and get out from her mother’s shadow / Need – to get out of her own way, embrace her feelings/new friends, and her mother, opening up to the fact that she does not have to go this alone.
C. Mask: Base Negative Emotion – Terror / Public Mask – Hero
D. Weaknesses Single-minded and obsessive, overly confident, lies to her friends and puts them in danger is her quest for the truth; starting to have feelings and maybe ever (YUCK) she wants a hug!
E. Triggers Color, Enid’s music and emotion, emotions, her mother and being in her shadow, injustice and bullies; attacks on her and her friends.
F. Coping Mechanism Music, problem solve and anyalze, strategize and fight back.
Enid
A. Situational: Hope – TO be accepted and date Ajax / Fear – She will be rejected
B. Motivation: Want – to wolf out yo! / Need – accept herself and be on her own time
C. Mask: Base Negative Emotion – Fear / Public Mask – Confidence
D. Weaknesses socially obsessed, needs approval, worries what others think of her, what her mother thinks of her.
E. Triggers her mother, Wednesday’s rudeness, lack of respect, not wolfing out
F. Coping Mechanism throws herself into tons of extracurricular activity to distract, gossip.
ASSIGNMENT 2: Your Show
Miller’s Character Emotions
What I learned doing this assignment is that like Wednesday Addams I need to learn how to get out of my own way, and learn to make friends and embrace AI and BWTV processes, and so that is what I have learned and will continue to do – knock these out, learn, and move on. Trust. Also this one was fun when I stopped trying to be perfect. Woohoo!
ME: This VERSION is the one I made: Below each character will be AI PROMPT results.
Phoebe
A. Situational: Hope – to find the truth, solve the mystery, and save her family and land/ Fear – Someone she loves will die, she will die, betrayal.
B. Motivation: Want – to wolf out / Need – to accept herself and let people in/not have to be a lone wolf, and to get out of her own way.
C. Mask: Base Negative Emotion – Rage and Terror / Public Mask – Hero
D. Weaknesses Single-minded and obsessive, making friends and embracing new family and community makes her feel weak, liability
E. Triggers Her mother, her in ability to transform and control her anger, her grandmother
F. Coping Mechanism Problem solves, lashes out, denial
AI:
Phoebe (16):
A. Hope: Mastering her werewolf abilities. Fear: Losing control and hurting loved ones.
B. Want: Uncover family secrets, protect loved ones. Need: Accept her werewolf nature and psychic powers.
C. Mask: Projects confidence, conceals anger and confusion. Public Mask: Strong and determined teenager.
D. Weaknesses: Impulsiveness, emotional vulnerability.
E. Triggers: Threats to loved ones, encounters with rogue werewolf cult.
F. Coping Mechanism: Seeks guidance from her grandmother, relies on relationships for support.
ME:
Dolly
A. Hope: Bring down Phoebe and her family to avenge her father / Fear: Defeated, Exposure.
B. Want: To avenge her father/ Need: Control.
C. Base Negative Emotion: Rage / Public Mask: Nice friendly
D. Weaknesses: Pig headed, ignorant about the truth, obsessive.
E. Triggers: Injustice, being challenged, defiance, competition.
F. Coping Mechanism: Strategize, scheme, lies and manipulates.
AI
Dolly (Human/Hunter):
A. Hope: Finding justice for her family. Fear: Losing humanity to revenge.
B. Want: Revenge for her family. Need: Balance revenge with justice, seek redemption.
C. Mask: Rage. Public Mask: Pretends to be Phoebe’s ally.
D. Weaknesses: Overwhelming desire for revenge, struggles with trust. Feelings of friendship
E. Triggers: Memories of her father, encounters with rogue werewolf cult.
F. Coping Mechanism: Channels anger into hunting skills, forms genuine connection with Phoebe.
ME:
Lucas
A. Hope: Make a name for himself, make money/staying on top. Fear: Exposed, arrested, or killed, betrayed.
B. Want: Money and power / Need: Love and Validation.
C. Base Negative Emotion: Sadness / Public Mask: Modern day Robin Hood.
D. Weaknesses: Hurting people he cares about.
E. Triggers: Loss of loyalty, competition, thought of jail, questioning his ability..
F. Coping Mechanism: Strategize, spending money.
A1 reworked using my take:
Lucas Kane:
A. Hope: Make a name for himself, gain money, and power. Fear: Exposed, arrested, killed, or betrayed, especially by Phoebe discovering his true allegiance.
B. Want: Money and power. Need: Love and validation, especially from Phoebe.
C. Base Negative Emotion: Sadness, particularly over his deceptive actions. Public Mask: Modern-day Robin Hood facade, hides his true motives and affiliation.
D. Weaknesses: Hurting people he cares about, especially Phoebe, due to his double-crossing nature.
E. Triggers: Loss of loyalty, competition, fear of jail, questioning his ability to maintain the facade, and moments where his true feelings for Phoebe surface.
F. Coping Mechanism: Strategizes to maintain his cover, spends money to distract from guilt, and struggles with the emotional toll of his deception.
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ASSIGNMENT 1:
I switched to WEDNESDAY (Addams) Endless intrigue, perhaps not as much as The Americans – holy smoke that one started with intrigue – secret identity/conspiracy/ hidden agendas and LIFE, their whole life is hidden in conspiracy – WHOA – what a concept, perhaps done created initially, I may do the same moving forward – being with a character or world that must remain hidden – I actually have done that – WELL DONE ME – HA! Or perhaps it is all this training with Hal, knowledge rearing it’s head after constant repetition, creating something new, finally sinking into this thick-headed- single-minded-and-obsessive skull that houses an even more stubborn, but lovable when she is controlling her human instincts, which wants to take a bite out of you, mind.
Episode 4 has Wednesday and the lead character’s using these 7 intrigue methods, specifically hidden agendas – Wed. Asks Xavier to dance bc he is a suspect in murder case, Eugene is connected, but Wednesday blowing him off to go to the dance wounds him, same wound for Tyler and Xavier, both hurt by Wednesday’s lack of feelings. Biance gets wounded by Xavier. Xavier and Tyler compete for Wednesday, Wednesday competes with Sheriff, and on and on.
FUN!
ASSIGNMENT 2
Miller’s Intriguing Character Layers
What I learned doing this assignment is I can do this step by step, using the 7 ways to build intrigue.
Intrigue in 7 ways, Lead Characters (more than I need, I do realize this, but I like at this point to have options and AI is fast, so why not…)
Phoebe (16):
Role: Protagonist, navigating supernatural mysteries in Shiner Falls.
Hidden Agendas: Uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance, accept her werewolf nature and psychic powers, protect her loved ones.
Competition: Genesis Group, rogue werewolf cult.
Conspiracies: Genesis Group’s experiments, rogue werewolf cult’s prophecy, Connection to mother’s past and recent murders in Shiner Falls.
Secrets: May hold the key to the werewolf community’s survival, unaware of her true potential, connection between her mother and the town’s supernatural forces. Internal struggle wolf out or not to wolf out, monster, anger explosion.
Deception: Hides her nature to Dolly and others,
Wound: Haunted by her mother’s disappearance, emotional wound drives determination.
Secret Identity: Concealed werewolf teenager, navigating the human world while struggling to control her emerging supernatural powers.
Grandmother Helena:
Role: Mentor and guide to Phoebe, powerful werewolf figure.
Hidden Agendas: Investigate her daughter’s disappearance, protect Phoebe and the family bloodline, maintain control over her diminishing mental state.
Competition: Her own pack who wants to put her down.
Conspiracies: Conspiracy behind disappearing werewolf powers, connection to her daughter’s past, recent murders in Shiner Falls.
Secrets: Ancient werewolf secrets, truth behind Leta’s disappearance, impending danger to the werewolf community.
Deception: Forced to deceive others about her condition, erratic behavior poses danger.
Wound: Loss of her daughter Leta haunts her, her inability to protect her family adds vulnerability.
Secret Identity: Powerful werewolf elder, blending into human society while concealing her dwindling abilities and investigating family mysteries.
Leman (Pooka):
Role: Unexpected ally with a magical secret.
Hidden Agendas: Protect Phoebe, reconcile feelings for Helena, balance loyalty to his kind with alliance to the werewolf family.
Competition: Humans, supernatural factions.
Conspiracies: Ancient conspiracy, politics and power struggles within the supernatural community.
Secrets: Information about the family’s past, feelings for Phoebe and Helena, true nature as a Pooka.
Deception: Juggling alliance between humans and supernatural beings, maintaining a neutral facade.
Wound: A complicated history with Phoebe’s family, torn between loyalty and love.
Secret Identity: Shape-shifting Pooka, assuming a human guise while secretly aiding Phoebe and concealing his true, magical nature.
Douglas (Father):
Role: Blind protector with a hidden understanding.
Hidden Agendas: Protect Phoebe, uncover the truth about his wife Leta’s disappearance, understand the supernatural world to guide Phoebe effectively.
Competition: Supernatural forces, secret societies.
Conspiracies: Conspiracy involving his wife’s past, disappearing werewolf powers, Genesis Group’s experiments.
Secrets: Hidden knowledge about the supernatural world, the extent of his blindness, identity of those involved in the conspiracy.
Deception: Uses blindness as a disguise, insights often surprise others.
Wound: Loss of his wife Leta, blindness forms an emotional wound, determination to protect Phoebe.
Secret Identity: Blind yet insightful, concealing the extent of his supernatural knowledge, guiding Phoebe without revealing his awareness.
Dr. Lydecker:
Role: Ruthless scientist with dark ambitions.
Hidden Agendas: Harness Phoebe’s powers for experiments, sell supernatural technology to the military, eliminate anyone in his way.
Competition: Rogue werewolf cult, other secret societies.
Conspiracies: Experiments involving humans and werewolves, covering tracks to avoid exposure, manipulating events to further his agenda.
Secrets: Extent of his experiments, truth behind Leta’s involvement, knowledge about Phoebe’s bloodline.
Deception: Uses charm and scientific authority to deceive others, conceals sinister motives.
Wound: Pursuit of scientific advancement at any cost, lack of empathy forms an emotional wound.
Secret Identity: Ruthless scientist, hiding his sadistic nature and obsession with power behind a facade of professionalism.
Apollo Coirsell:
Role: Charismatic cult leader torn between prophecy.
Hidden Agendas: Fulfill the prophecy using Phoebe’s powers, protect the family’s legacy, maintain control over the rogue werewolf cult.
Competition: Genesis Group, other supernatural factions.
Conspiracies: Conspiracy surrounding Phoebe’s bloodline, ethical implications of using Phoebe’s powers, unwavering conviction in Phoebe’s significance.
Secrets: Conflict between the belief in the prophecy and family ties, fear of beliefs being wrong forms an emotional wound.
Secret Identity: Charismatic cult leader, inner conflict hidden behind certainty and conviction.
Dolly (Hunter):
Role: Fierce werewolf hunter with a hidden agenda, later becomes an ally to Phoebe, seeking truth and justice.
Hidden Agendas: Seek revenge for her family, uncover the truth about her father’s actions, protect innocents.
Competition: Rogue werewolf cult, Genesis Group, and Phoebe initially.
Conspiracies: Conspiracy involving her father’s actions, connections between the werewolf community and influential figures, truth about Shiner Falls, infiltrates Phoebe’s world believing her responsible/mother for her father’s attack the left him disfigured and comatose.
Secrets: Discovery of her father’s actions, internal struggle between revenge and justice.
Deception: Dolly deceives Phoebe that she wants to help her, so she can get proof and take revenge.
Wound: Discovery of her father’s actions challenges her beliefs, transformation from a vengeful hunter to an ally of Phoebe’s..
Secret Identity: Skilled werewolf hunter, concealing her identity while navigating the complex world of supernatural beings.
Detective Theo:
Role: Human police detective unknowingly involved.
Hidden Agendas: Solve mysterious murders, uncover the truth about supernatural forces, protect the town from looming danger.
Competition: Supernatural beings, secret societies.
Conspiracies: Conspiracy involving supernatural factions, truth behind seemingly unrelated events, unraveling the supernatural mysteries.
Secrets: Realization of the supernatural reality forms an emotional wound, challenging the understanding of the world.
Deception: Unintentionally deceived by supernatural beings, unaware of his role in the supernatural conflict.
Secret Identity: Dedicated detective, ignorance of the supernatural hidden behind rationality and logic.
Lucas Kane:
Role: Charismatic werewolf torn between love and duty.
Hidden Agendas: Protect Phoebe, ensure the werewolf community’s survival, balance feelings for Phoebe with loyalty to the rogue werewolf cause.
Competition: Genesis Group, other supernatural factions.
Conspiracies: Conspiracy surrounding Phoebe’s bloodline, ethical implications of using Phoebe’s powers, unwavering conviction in Phoebe’s significance.
Secrets: Conflict between love for Phoebe and loyalty to the werewolf community, inner conflict forms an emotional wound.
Secret Identity: Passionate werewolf, inner struggle hidden behind confidence and conviction.
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Miller’s Engaging Main Characters
What I learned doing this assignment is this is overwhelming and a lot to learn, lots of new definitions and skills and we are moving very fast. I know Hal said to take no more than 90 minutes per assignment, not including time to watch model show, but every time I sit down with AI it ends up sucking away hours, especially the character options because most of them were not good or even aligned with the concept, and so I have to keep reworking and I am exhausted by this, making me dread opening and working with AI – I hate AI, it makes me ticked off every time I use it. I know the mindset is not to focus on it being perfect and I don’t expect it to be as I have worked with AI, and I know it is FAR from perfect. It is a tool for brainstorming, yet it even makes me annoyed doing that. It gives such long responses that I feel glazed all over… and not in a good way. That is what I have learned as well as a lot of definitions for characters and their roles – what is needed for them to be BINGE WORTHY.
WEDNESDAY (Addams)
Wednesday’s role is to master her psychic abilities, solve the murders and the mystery surrounding her parents 25 years ago. Her purpose is to find the truth behind the monster and the prophecy, as her expertise she has THING to help, she is bright, educated, determined, and misunderstood. Intrigue is why did the monster not kill her, what happened to Rowan, and is she going to destroy the town based on a vision from Rowan’s mother 25 years ago. Moral issue is that she doesn’t mind to do dark deeds, but intriguingly she takes up for vulnerable kids like her bro and the bee dude, which is part of her empathy. She is unpredictable because she will do things against the law to find the truth.
Journey is to transform into a werewolf, save her grandmother from the pack who want to put her down, and stop a monstrous killing spree linked to mystery behind her mother’s disappearance.
The main characters that will sell:
Character Basics:
Phoebe (16):
A. Role in the show: Protagonist, central character, navigating the supernatural mysteries in Shiner Falls.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Struggling to accept her werewolf nature and psychic powers, discovering her unique bloodline’s significance.
C. Intrigue: Haunted by dreams of her missing mother, Phoebe is the linchpin between a secret society and a rogue werewolf cult.
D. Moral Issue: Struggles with the boundaries of her power and her identity, especially when it comes to her werewolf nature.
E. Unpredictable: Her actions and decisions are influenced by her evolving powers and the secrets she unveils.
F. Empathetic: We care because she is a young girl thrust into a world of darkness and mystery, trying to find her place and protect her loved ones.
Grandmother Helena:
A. Role in the show: Mentor and guide to Phoebe, powerful werewolf figure.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Experienced werewolf, knowledgeable about the family’s bloodline, investigating her daughter’s disappearance and the recent murders.
C. Intrigue: Covertly drugged, Helena’s erratic behavior poses a danger to herself, making her pack want to put her down.
D. Moral Issue: Struggling to maintain control and protect her family despite her diminishing mental state.
E. Unpredictable: Her shifting behavior keeps everyone guessing about her true condition and intentions.
F. Empathetic: We care because she is a strong, capable woman whose vulnerability adds depth to her character.
Leman (Pooka, Irish Black Rabbit, Lemon):
A. Role in the show: Unexpected ally to Phoebe, harboring a complicated history with her family.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Shares a supernatural bond with Phoebe, possesses knowledge about the family’s past, secretly in love with Helena.
C. Intrigue: Complicated emotions for Phoebe and a complex past with her family, making his motivations ambiguous.
D. Moral Issue: Balancing his loyalty to Phoebe with his allegiance to his own kind, especially in the face of a brewing war.
E. Unpredictable: His feelings for Phoebe and his alliance with her family make his actions unpredictable, creating tension and suspense.
F. Empathetic: We care because he’s torn between his duty to his kind and his feelings for Phoebe, adding depth to his character.
Douglas (Phoebe’s Father):
A. Role in the show: Protective father, blind but insightful, with a mysterious past.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Possesses unique insights despite his blindness, moved his family to protect Phoebe, deeply loves his late wife, Leta.
C. Intrigue: Blind yet perceptive, his insights often lead Phoebe in unexpected directions, uncovering hidden truths.
D. Moral Issue: Struggling with his knowledge of the supernatural world and his desire to shield Phoebe from harm.
E. Unpredictable: His insights, rooted in his blindness, often surprise others, keeping them on their toes.
F. Empathetic: We care because he’s a devoted father, willing to do whatever it takes to protect his daughter, adding emotional depth to the story.
Dr. Lydecker:
A. Role in the show: Antagonist, former friend of Leta, obsessed with Phoebe’s powers for his experiments.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Genetic researcher, behind the town’s murders, sees Phoebe as the ultimate experiment, wants to sell her powers to the military.
C. Intrigue: Obsessed with power and scientific advancement, willing to go to any lengths to achieve his goals, driven by greed.
D. Moral Issue: Crossing ethical boundaries in his experiments, using both humans and werewolves as subjects, driven by personal gain.
E. Unpredictable: His desperation and obsession with Phoebe make his actions unpredictable, making him a dangerous adversary.
F. Empathetic: We care because he represents the dark side of scientific curiosity, his ruthlessness contrasting with Phoebe’s vulnerability.
Apollo Coirsell (Werewolf Cult Leader):
A. Role in the show: Antagonist, driven by a prophecy, believes Phoebe is the harbinger of destruction.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Leader of the rogue werewolf cult, shares a supernatural bond with Phoebe due to blood relation, once connected deeply with Leta.
C. Intrigue: Conflicted emotions about his family and the prophecy, torn between his duty as a cult leader and his personal connections.
D. Moral Issue: Wrestling with his belief in the prophecy and his family ties, questioning the ethics of his actions.
E. Unpredictable: His internal conflict makes his decisions and actions unpredictable, blurring the lines between antagonist and empathetic character.
F. Empathetic: We care because he is torn between his belief in the prophecy and his family connections, making him a complex and multifaceted character.
Dolly (Werewolf Hunter):
A. Role in the show: Initially an antagonist, later becomes an ally to Phoebe, fierce and independent werewolf hunter.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Skilled werewolf hunter, initially driven by revenge, later motivated by justice and uncovering the truth.
C. Intrigue: Her father’s past involvement in hunting innocents for profit challenges her beliefs, leading to a moral crisis.
D. Moral Issue: Wrestling with the morality of her family’s actions, torn between revenge and justice, especially after learning the truth about her father.
E. Unpredictable: Her evolving perspective and internal conflict make her actions unpredictable, adding depth to her character arc.
F. Empathetic: We care because she undergoes a significant transformation, from seeking revenge to seeking justice, reflecting a profound inner struggle.
Detective Theo James:
A. Role in the show: Human police detective, unknowingly investigating supernatural mysteries.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Dedicated detective, becomes entangled in the supernatural conflict, risking his career to help Phoebe.
C. Intrigue: Unaware of the supernatural world, his discovery of werewolves challenges his understanding of reality, making him question everything he knows.
D. Moral Issue: Balancing his duty as a detective with his newfound knowledge of the supernatural, risking his career and safety to help Phoebe.
E. Unpredictable: His involvement in the supernatural conflict makes his actions unpredictable, as he navigates a world he never knew existed.
F. Empathetic: We care because he represents the audience’s perspective, discovering the supernatural alongside us, adding a relatable element to the story.
Lucas Kane (Wolf Love Interest):
A. Role in the show: Charismatic werewolf, member of the outlaw rogue cult, but passionate about Phoebe’s significance, believing she may be the secret for survival as opposed to the belief that is will destroy them and their way of life.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise: Convicted that Phoebe is the key to a new era for werewolves, leads with unwavering determination, possesses strategic and combat skills unmatched within the supernatural community.
C. Intrigue: Lucas’s intense belief in Phoebe’s importance adds complexity to his character, making his actions unpredictable as he navigates between his feelings for Phoebe and his commitment to the rogue werewolf cause.
D. Moral Issue: Struggling with the ethical implications of using Phoebe’s powers for the werewolf community’s survival, questioning the lengths he is willing to go for his kind’s prosperity.
E. Unpredictable: His unwavering conviction and deep feelings for Phoebe sometimes cloud his judgment, making his decisions unpredictable, especially when it comes to protecting her.
F. Empathetic: We care because he is torn between his loyalty to his kind and his love for Phoebe, representing the internal conflict many characters face in the series. His complexity adds depth to the romantic subplot, making his character both captivating and relatable.
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Assignment 1
The Americans:<div>A. Main Characters Circle:
Elizabeth Jennings (Hero)
Philip Jennings (Partner)
Paige Jennings (Family)
Stan Beeman (FBI Agent)
B. Connected Circle:
Nina Sergeevna (KGB Informant) Nina is a KGB informant working in the FBI office where Stan Beeman is based. She becomes romantically involved with Stan, creating a complex web of loyalties. Nina provides crucial intelligence to the KGB while struggling with her own moral dilemmas and allegiances.
Oleg Burov (KGB Officer) Oleg is a young and ambitious KGB officer stationed in the Soviet embassy. He forms a relationship with Nina and becomes entangled in the web of espionage and betrayal. Oleg’s loyalty is tested as he navigates the dangerous world of intelligence gathering in a foreign land.
Henry Jennings (Younger Son) Henry is the younger son of Elizabeth and Philip. Initially oblivious to his parents’ true identities, he represents the innocence within the family. As he grows older, he starts questioning the secrecy surrounding his family, leading to his gradual involvement in the unfolding events.
Arkady Ivanovich (KGB Rezident) Arkady is the KGB rezidentura in Washington, D.C. He oversees the activities of Elizabeth, Philip, and other KGB operatives in the United States. Arkady is experienced, strategic, and plays a pivotal role in orchestrating espionage operations while managing the complexities of Cold War politics.
Ivan Mikhaylov (Russian General) Ivan Mikhaylov is a high-ranking Russian general who becomes a pivotal contact for Elizabeth. He holds critical information and influence within the Soviet military. His interactions with Elizabeth shape important plot points and missions, making him a key figure in the larger political landscape of the series.
C. Environment Circle:
Sandra Beeman (Stan’s Wife) Sandra is Stan Beeman’s wife, unaware of her husband’s involvement in counterintelligence. She represents the typical American suburban housewife, providing a contrast to Elizabeth’s role and struggles.
Martha Hanson (FBI Secretary) Martha works in the FBI office as a secretary and becomes romantically involved with Philip under his alias. She unwittingly becomes a source of valuable information for the KGB.
Claudia (KGB Handler) Claudia is the KGB handler for Elizabeth and Philip. She is a stern and experienced operative who assigns missions and provides guidance to the Jennings family. Claudia’s loyalty to the cause often clashes with the human cost of their operations.
Agent Dennis Aderholt (FBI Colleague) – Aderholt is an FBI agent working alongside Stan Beeman. He becomes a recurring character, providing a different perspective on the FBI’s efforts to uncover Soviet spies in the United States.
Irina Semenova (Philip’s Former Love) Irina is a woman from Philip’s past, adding depth to his character. She resurfaces, leading to emotional turmoil for Philip as he grapples with his past decisions and their impact on his present life.
Arkady’s Assistant (KGB Operative) A dedicated and loyal KGB operative who assists Arkady in managing intelligence operations and communication with agents in the field. Though in a supporting role, their actions can have significant consequences for the main characters.
Becca (Paige’s Friend) Becca is one of Paige’s friends, providing a glimpse into the lives of typical American teenagers. Her interactions with Paige serve as a reminder of the normalcy that the Jennings family strives to maintain amidst their clandestine activities.A. Main Characters Circle:
• Elizabeth Jennings (Hero)
• Philip Jennings (Partner)
• Paige Jennings (Family)
• Stan Beeman (FBI Agent)
B. Connected Circle:
• Nina Sergeevna (KGB Informant)
• Oleg Burov (KGB Officer)
• Henry Jennings (Younger Son)
• Arkady Ivanovich (KGB Rezident)
• Sandra Beeman (Stan’s Wife)
• Martha Hanson (FBI Secretary)
• Claudia (KGB Handler)
• Agent Dennis Aderholt (FBI Colleague)
• Irina Semenova (Philip’s Former Love)
• Arkady’s Assistant (KGB Operative)
• Becca (Paige’s Friend)
• Mail Robot
• Ivan Mikhaylov (Russian General)
• Erik Nesterov (KGB Analyst)
• Larissa Petrov (Soviet Embassy Staff)
• Viktor Zhukov (Russian Diplomat)
• Elena Volkov (Soviet Sympathizer)
• Father Andrei (Russian Orthodox Priest)
• Anatoly Kuznetsov (Soviet Scientist)Assignment 2:</div><div>
Miller’s Three Circles of Characters
What I learned doing this assignment is that BWTV shows focus on a few main characters and the rest ripple out like a circle connecting and creating the environment.
Description of each of the Main Characters – Main Character Circle: Phoebe, Virginia/grandmother, Dad, Cult leader (wolf) and the Doctor (human/dormant wolf), Leman
Phoebe (16): Protagonist, Phoebe, is sent to her grandmother’s home in the mysterious town of Shiner Falls. Unable to transform, she struggles to accept her wild nature and is plagued by dreams of her mother. Unbeknownst to her, she possesses a unique bloodline that could hold the key to the survival of the werewolf community. Haunted by her mother’s unsolved disappearance, she discovers a connection between her mother’s past and a series of brutal murders rocking the town. As she delves deeper into the mysteries, she grapples with her emerging werewolf and psychic powers, becoming the focal point of a dangerous struggle between a secret society and a rogue werewolf cult
Grandmother (Unnamed): A powerful werewolf, Phoebe’s grandmother reluctantly mentors her despite battling dementia and uncontrollable shifting. She is haunted by her daughter Leta’s disappearance and suspects a connection to the recent murders in their town. She harbors a secret love for Leman.
Leman (Pooka, Irish Black Rabbit, nicknamed Lemon): Leman is a mysterious Pooka with the appearance of a big black rabbit. He was present during the attack on Phoebe and her mother, becoming an unexpected ally. He shares a complicated past with Phoebe’s family and is secretly in love with her grandmother.
Douglas (Phoebe’s Father): Phoebe’s blind father, a preacher who moved them far away after the incident in the forest. Despite his blindness, he possesses unique insights and an unyielding love for his late wife, Leta. He struggles with his past and must confront it to protect Phoebe.
Dr. Lydecker: A deceptive figure posing as a trustworthy professional, Dr. Lydecker is a wolf conducting unethical experiments for the Genesis Group. He plays a dangerous game, manipulating unsuspecting mothers and their babies for sinister purposes.
Werewolf Cult Leader – Apollo Coirsell: The enigmatic leader of a werewolf cult, Apollo Coirsell is a formidable adversary. Ruthless and cunning, he seeks to control Phoebe and other werewolves, aiming to consolidate his power and dominance over their kind.
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The Americans 5 Star Model
What I learned doing this assignment is that binge worthy tv shows have these five things in common, these 5 things that I will work to build into my own BWTV show – the big hook, intriguing characters, empathy/distress, open loops, and inviting obsession. I learned what each of those 5 points do and how to identify them. </font>
The Americans:
1) Big Hook: The Americans: Undercover Soviet agents, posing as an ordinary American family, grapple with the challenges of espionage during the Cold War, exploring themes of loyalty, identity, and family bonds.
2) Intriguing Characters: Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, Soviet spies posing as an ordinary American couple, captivate audiences with their intricate double lives. Elizabeth’s unwavering commitment and Philip’s internal conflict create a compelling dynamic as they navigate espionage, family, and moral ambiguity.
3) Empathy/Distress: (Pilot Episode): Philip and Elizabeth, deep undercover Soviet spies in 1980s America, grapple with a perilous mission that jeopardizes their safety and that of their unsuspecting children. Their intricate web of deception forces them into morally challenging situations, creating a palpable sense of empathy and distress among viewers. Witnessing their constant struggle to maintain their cover while protecting their family elicits a profound emotional connection, compelling audiences to anxiously anticipate their next move.
4) Open Loops: Will the delicate balance between duty and emotion shatter their carefully constructed façade of a marriage? Will Their Cover Be Blown? The Tension of Alliance: Philip and Elizabeth’s marriage was initially arranged for their mission, but genuine emotions have begun to surface. How will their evolving relationship affect their loyalty to the Soviet cause?Will Stan Beeman, the astute FBI agent living next door, unravel the true identities of the Jennings family? What about their children, Paige and Henry – will they ever discover the startling truth about their parents’ covert lives? Can the Jennings maintain their dangerous charade and protect their family? Will Phillip defect without telling Elizabeth?
5) Inviting Obsession: How will Philip and Elizabeth navigate their perilous double lives, and all the fake roles they play, seduction and manipulation and relationships, outmaneuver their astute FBI neighbor Stan Beeman, protect their family, uphold their loyalty to the Soviet mission, and confront the constant threat of exposure, all while facing relentless FBI scrutiny and the complexities of the Cold War era? Will their allegiance to the Soviet cause withstand the trials of genuine emotions? How far will Philip and Elizabeth go in their high-stakes missions?
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Hello, I’m Jennifer Miller.
I’ve written just under ten scripts.
My goal for this class is to acquire a dependable, step-by-step process that I can consistently rely on to craft thrilling narratives. I’m excited about the prospect of developing a reliable blueprint for mapping out these complexities.
Unique, special, strange, or unusual about me – perhaps this is one or many of these things – In 2017, a year after completing a graduate degree in screenwriting, I was feeling pretty lost and disheartened with my life and career. So, one day, I made the choice to slay the professional screenwriting dragon with a clear head, armed with clarity of mind, body, and spirit, and I quit drinking and partying like a rockstar. And I have never looked back. What I’ve learned – sobriety is rewarding, graduate school not so much. Also I love writing, and it’s finally becoming fun for me again. I hope the same for all of you.
Taking a cue from Cheryl, I’m excited to collaborate with each of you on this incredible screenwriting adventure.
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i: a woman; Jennifer Miller, do 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.
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Miller’s Gives Great Clues!
What I learned is that you look at each of the main mysteries and then the last
Reveal to brainstorm clues. This lesson helped me understand the previous
Lesson better. I am getting tired, but I am also extremely hopeful and exhilarated
by this MAP! This is going to be a GREAT THRILLER, and perhaps for the first
time I am looking forward to FEEDBACK – haha! Because I know we are all,
hopefully, on the same page after this brilliant course, and the feedback, I believe,
will only make my thriller better, greater than any of my previous thrillers.Mystery 1: Who took Emily?
Clues:
Emily lied about working late.
Emily vanished after a date from a dating app she works for.
Emily’s dating profile has been deleted.
Emily asked for time off.
Liam called Emily.
Emily’s car found, she is missing, foul play.
Emily’s car has an address.
Mystery 2: What is Liam hiding?
Clues:
Reporter, David, saw Emily and Liam together.
Liam lied about his relationship with Emily, didn’t tell Hazel about their date.
Liam suggests Hazel look at herself and her past.
Liam’s alibi clears him.
David and Hazel look into a past connection, someone with a grudge against her.
Mystery 3: Who is Mandy Dune?
Clues:
Trevor discovers fake accounts linked to Mandy Dune, with faces/names from
Hazel’s past practice as a child psychiatrist.Mandy Dune ran away from home.
Trevor was asking about her.
Mandy is Jessica.Trevor found dead, with his death mirroring Jessica/Mandy’s father’s death.
Jessica points to Liam, who used a fake profile to connect with Emily and ask her
out.Liam runs.
Mystery 4: Is Jessica the killer?
Clues:
Hazel discovers a photo proving Jessica is Mandy Dune.
Mandy/Jessica blames Hazel for her brother Marcus’s death, accusing Hazel of
not saving him from their abusive father, Michael Dune. -
Miller’s Dramatic Reveal
What I learned is that this lesson was not very clear to me. I read the information twice, perhaps I am getting tired, but I found the section How to Create Reveals to be unclear. Also it seems as if I have already done this, built reveals into the map with the other tools. I am going to keep slogging ahead, but even the examples didn’t connect for me – Ex. Bourne floating dead in the water and the REVEAL is that his hand moves, ok, so he is not dead, and he has 2 bullets in the back, but all of that plays out in real time and is not a cover-up. Maybe that is the disconnect for me – How did it get covered up? You simply find a way to present a different “reality” previously in the story, just like you did with the Big Mystery of your story – I do not understand that, but as I say perhaps it is me and in a day or two I will have a eureka moment. I think reveals are pieces of information or a secret, a MYSTERY, that has been covered up and the truth reveals itself, comes to light.
A list of the important reveals that you want the audience to experience.
That it is Hazel’s past that is coming back to haunt her. That Emily lied to her. That Liam lied to Hazel. That Emily really is missing. That the app is not responsible, nor fake dates. That Liam is actually in love with her daughter, not the killer. That Trevor is killed when he discovers that Jessica is actually Mandy Dune. That Jessica is Mandy Dune and she plans to kill them both and frame Liam while increasing her social media following.
The reveals you built into your Thriller Map. – I felt as though I had already done a pretty good job of building them in before this lesson, but I am not sure I fully understand the lesson, so there is that. Ha.
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Miller’s Trust Relationships
What I learned doing this assignment is that it not only helped me to figure out more of the structure, which in turn will help me clean up my map when the time is right on Day 14. Also it really deepened the character relationships and their motivation, which will again help me when I move to scenes and clean up this map. I feel as though I have just had a break through. Really great lesson!
Create trust / distrust relationships between your characters and add them to your Thriller Map.
1. Make a list of the main characters.
Hero: Hazel
Villain: Jessica
Red Herring Character: Liam
Trusted, but shouldn’t be: Jessica
Isn’t trusted, but should be: David2. With each character, ask these questions:
A. What is their basic state — trustable or not trustable?
Hazel is trustable, honorable.
Jessica is untrustable.
Liam is untrustable.
David is trustable.
B. How might they really be trustable, but appear not trustable OR be not trustable, but appear trustable?
Jessica seems trustable as she befriended and took Emily under her wing, but she has set this all up to appear helpful and trustworthy.
Liam is trustworthy as he truly loves Emily, but he is a very private person, who has a turbulent past with parents who were constantly arguing, and the fact that he created one of the most violent video games on the market and now turned his life around and created a new game, an app designed to help people find love matches. And, he lies to Hazel, but it will turn out that he did it for a good reason.
David is a journalist and one tends to be wary of reporters.
C. What circumstances might cause them to switch from one to the other?
Jessica will not switch, even when she discovers she is wrong about her hatred of Hazel, blaming her for the death of her brother.
Liam switches when he realizes Emily hasn’t taken time off to marinate over his wedding proposal, but that she is really in danger and missing.
David is always on Hazel’s side, even when she thinks he is not – she finds a folder that he he has compiled about her life and work, but it turns out that he did not do that to write a story, he did it because he thinks that perhaps the person who took her daughter might be someone from her polarizing past as a child psychologist.
3. With each character relationship, brainstorm how trust or distrust might show up between them.
Hero / Villain: Hazel trusts the innocent young woman, listens to her advice and evidence. Jessica tells her the truth about Liam and Emily’s secret relationship because it serves her and her plan to frame Liam.
Hero / Red Herring Character: Liam lies to Hazel about Emily. His past as a violent video game creator, and his secretive ways.
Hero / Trusted, but shouldn’t be: SAME AS Hero/Villain
Hero / Isn’t trusted, but should be: David compiles a dossier on Hazel and her past. She thinks it is for a story. Also Emily’s GPS shows his address as a place she visited the night she went missing.4. Create a sequence for each trust/distrust relationship (like I did with Three Days of The Condor) and then add that to your map.
Hazel / Jessica
Trust Jessica shares that Emily lied about working.
Trust Jessica helps Hazel, discovers Liam is the one behind the fake dating profiles in Emily’s dating history and that they were secretly seeing each other.
Distrust Stalks Hazel and Emily.
Distrust Takes Emily captive.
Distrust Frames Liam
Distrust Jessica is really Mandy Dune, an ex-patient of Hazel.
Hazel / Liam
Distrust Liam is secretive and he lies.
Distrust Liam withholds that he created fake profiles to connect secretly via the dating app with Emily.
Trust Liam loves Emily and asked her to be his wife, and Emily was surprised by his proposal and asked for a few days to think it over and time to figure out how to tell her Hazel.
Hazel / David
Trust David visits Hazel’s bookstore.
Distrust Emily’s car is found and her GPS takes her to David’s house.
Trust David wasn’t home, but he thinks he knows why Emily came by, and that is bc he saw Liam and Emily together.
Distrust Hazel finds a dossier in his office about her.
Trust David explains he was considering a story about her, but then he started to connect her past, and began to wonder if the person who took Emily is connected to Hazel’s past.
5. Give us the new version of your Thriller Map.
OPENING: Mother and daughter are climbing. Introduce Dr. Hazel Ferguson, a former child psychologist turned bookstore owner, and her strained relationship with her college freshman daughter, Emily, because Hazel can tell she is keeping a secret from her. Mother and daughter are being watched.
***PAST Planning BEFORE THE MOVIE BEGAN:
Intrigue: Jessica meticulously profiles Hazel and Emily, identifying their vulnerabilities and psychological triggers.
Intrigue: Leveraging her charismatic online persona, Jessica befriends Emily through their internship at the dating app, Love Clicks, cultivating trust.
Mystery: Who is watching them? Why? Are they targeting Hazel? Emily? Both?
Life Threatening: Surveillance / watched – mother daughter go on a climbing adventure Echo Peak, Emily has a secret, Hazel can tell. They are watched by an unseen WATCHER.
TWIST:A new problem occurs.
Distrust Stalks Hazel and Emily.
CAR: return to car to find tire violently slashed. Hazel pretends that she ran over nail, all the construction they passed – yeah right — Emily saw the tire, she knows it was not a nail, but she lets it slide, and decides to lighten the mood. While changing the tire Emily convinces mom to try the dating app, support her interests, and make her empty nest as love nest, and she creates a dating profile for mom. WATCHER’S phone is notified, connected to Emily’s dating app/phone, when Hazel’s profile is created.
Life Threatening: Physical danger / Threats / Surveillance / watched – return to car to find tire violently slashed. Hazel pretends that she ran over nail, all the construction they passed – yeah right — Emily saw the tire, she knows it was not a nail, but she lets it slide, and decides to lighten the mood. While changing the tire Emily convinces mom to try the dating app, support her interests, and make her empty nest as love nest, and she creates a dating profile for mom. WATCHER’S phone is notified, connected to Emily’s dating app/phone, when Hazel’s profile is created.
TWIST: It just got more dangerous.
Distrust Stalks Hazel and Emily.
UNI – Emily’s DATING APP goes off, she beams when she sees
the profile user, tries to play it off but Hazel saw the
excitement and warns her to be careful. Emily turns it back
on her – she’s the one who needs to watch out, saw the tire.
Hazel is a controversial figure, some say hero, some say no
– not the first time targeted. Don’t worry, Trevor there –
we keep a close watch on our interns.
TWIST: A lie is uncovered.Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – At the university, Hazel drops off Emily, warns her to be careful. Surveillance / watched – who is being targeted Hazel or Emily, or both? Hazel has enemies as she has been an outspoken opponent of certain pharmaceutical drugs used to treat minors. ***Perhaps SET UP TREVOR, Jealous/Ex.
Bookstore:
Trust David visits Hazel’s bookstore.
INCITING INCIDENT: Daughter goes missing.
Intrigue: Jessica executes her abduction plan, forcefully taking Emily away and making it appear as though Liam Harding, the dating app’s creator, is involved in Emily’s disappearance.
Intrigue: Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile, making it appear as though Liam Harding, the dating app’s creator, is involved in Emily’s disappearance.
Mystery: Who took Emily?
TWIST: The worst thing possible happens.
Distrust Takes Emily captive.
DEBATE: All signs point to she took time, but no, no, Hazel knows her daughter, yes, sure Hazel can be overprotective, she understands the dark side of human nature, but Emily would never just leave, never. She is not that kind of kid.
Secret: Jessica kidnaps Emily after a date with Liam.
Cover Up: Emily vanishes mysteriously after a secret rendezvous with Liam.
Life Threatening: Trapped / Abducted / Arrested; Betrayal from someone close; Someone operating covertly around them – Emily is taken by Jessica.
Roommate, did not spend night there, not first time, didn’t
look dressed for working? Hazel goes to her dorm room and discovers
Emily did not sleep there. Her roommate tells Hazel she looked all dressed up for
a date, she is always going out, but Emily told Hazel she had to work late at the
dating app.
TWIST: We see an unexpected side of someone.Life Threatening: Someone operating covertly around them – Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile, tells Hazel Emily didn’t work late at the internship, she had a date from the app.
TWIST: A lie is uncovered.
Trust Jessica shares that Emily lied about working.
Distrust Frames Liam
Talks to Valerie and Liam – Hazel and begins to suspect their
involvement in Emily’s disappearance when she learns her dating profile has been
deleted. The Hardings are secretive, and want to protect their business and
reputation.
TWIST: A new problem occurs.Distrust Liam is secretive and he lies.
TURNING POINT 1: Her car is found abandoned.
TWIST:The worst thing possible happens.
***Is the knife still there? FINGER PRINT – and that finger print belongs to MICHEAL DUNE. Could open with HIM and then play it back – see him at home, KNIVES, weapons, sad lonely life he leads, photo of his kids, torn, wife out of pic. Do we see him murdered, or do we see the knives? She kills him and BUT then wouldn’t he be the frame, not Liam???
TWIST: It just got more dangerous.
Car GPS leads her to DAVID. Hazel teams up with investigative
journalist David Remmington, who is there doing an expose on the enigmatic
Harding twins, to uncover the truth.
Mystery: What is Liam hiding?Distrust Liam is secretive and he lies.
Secret: Jessica pins the crime on Liam, uses crime to increase social media followers.
Cover Up:
A) Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile.
B) Jessica knows from Emily that Liam used fake profiles to ask her out on the app.
C) She discreetly informs Hazel about Emily’s connection to Liam.Intrigue: Playing the role of the concerned friend, Jessica hints to Hazel that Liam might have had a role in Emily’s vanishing, diverting attention and raising doubt.
Intrigue: Jessica exploits (HAZEL’S) Emily’s dating app profile to intensify the danger and connects it to Hazel’s past experiences as a child psychologist. Meanwhile, Trevor, who works at the dating app, becomes increasingly uneasy about Jessica’s involvement. He accidentally stumbles upon a crucial piece of information that could potentially unravel Jessica’s plan. Trevor finds evidence linking Jessica to the abduction and realizes the danger he poses. Just as he’s about to share the information with Hazel, Jessica kills Trevor.
TWIST: New options emerge. (Trevor and fake accounts)
TWIST: Secret identity uncovered.
TWIST: It just got more dangerous.Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily’s car found and GPS leads Hazel to David, journalist covering the Harding Twins, violent gamer, the most violent, leaves behind blood and guts to take on the most violent game, love. WHY was Emily at his home? He wasn’t there, but he has a good guess – he saw an intimate moment between Liam and Emily.
Distrust Emily’s car is found and her GPS takes her to David’s house.
Trust David wasn’t home, but he thinks he knows why Emily came by, and that is bc he saw Liam and Emily together.
Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily’s car found and GPS leads Hazel to David, journalist covering the Harding Twins, violent gamer, the most violent, leaves behind blood and guts to take on the most violent game, love. WHY was Emily at his home? He wasn’t there, but he has a good guess – he saw an intimate moment between Liam and Emily.
TWIST:Secret identity uncovered. And lie is uncovered.
Life Threatening: Something that damages their reputation – When Hazel confronts Liam and Valerie, she is informed that Emily asked for a couple of days off. Trevor she said it was for personal reasons. App about to launch nationally and they do not believe their app has anything to do with Emily. But her dating profile has been deleted.
Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – Turns out that Liam was last person to see Emily, and a known gamer who created violent, psychological games.
Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily her daughter lied to her, and all those dates, and she knew Emily was keeping something from her.
Life Threatening: The threat that their own secret could be revealed – Liam does not reveal to Hazel anything about his relationship with Emily, professional capacity is all he discusses. And, he isn’t concerned at all. He believes Emily, surprised by his proposal, turned him down and then asked Trevor for time off. Thinks she is thinking. She asked him for time.
Life Threatening: Public humiliation – Jessica via social media. Liam exposed using fake dating profiles, met with Emily numerous times.
MIDPOINT: Liam’s alibi clears him, but Hazel is convinced he took her daughter because she begins receiving disturbing matches from the dating app that are images and names of her past patients.
TWIST: New consequences emerge.
TWIST: A mistake returns to haunt them.
Scenes: Hazel’s investigation intensifies, and she grows convinced of Liam’s involvement. LIAM (DAVID) proposes an alternative theory tied to Hazel’s past patients and her contentious essays against certain pharmaceuticals. But, Hazel uncovers discrepancies in Liam’s story with Jessica and Trevor’s help and learns about the fake profile user who went on a date with Emily. Jessica “helps” Hazel uncover that the user is actually Liam. This revelation deepens Hazel’s suspicions about Liam’s role.
TWIST: Someone changes sides. TREVOR
Trust Liam loves Emily and asked her to be his wife, and Emily was surprised by his proposal and asked for a few days to think it over and time to figure out how to tell her Hazel.
Distrust Hazel finds a dossier in his office about her.
Trust David explains he was considering a story about her, but then he started to connect her past, and began to wonder if the person who took Emily is connected to Hazel’s past.
Mystery: Who is Mandy Dune?
TWIST: Secret identity uncovered.
Trust Jessica helps Hazel, discovers Liam is the one behind the fake dating profiles in Emily’s dating history and that they were secretly seeing each other.
Secret: Jessica recovers Emily’s dating profile.
Cover Up: She discreetly shares it with TREVOR to pinpoint Emily’s location, fully aware that Trevor will trace the fabricated online interactions back to Liam.Intrigue: As details come to light about Liam and Emily’s secret relationship, and that the fake profiles were created by him on Emily’s account. Using her social media prowess, Jessica orchestrates a comprehensive online campaign that paints Liam as suspicious. She exposes Liam’s actions concerning Emily, his hidden connections, and his manipulation of dating profiles. Just as Hazel becomes convinced that Liam is behind her daughter’s disappearance, Jessica manipulates Hazel’s dating app profile sending matches from fake accounts with pictures of her past patients. This makes Hazel doubt her suspicions about Liam and keeps her torn between her intuition and the unsettling coincidences.
TWIST: A lie is uncovered.
Secret: Jessica is Mandy Dune.
Cover Up: Trevor launches an investigation into the dating app, specifically scrutinizing Emily’s online presence. He uncovers a fabricated profile that had communicated with both Emily and Hazel, utilizing images and names from Hazel’s past clients. However, the mastermind behind this account was none other than MANDY Dune, aka Jessica, not Liam. Tragically, Trevor meets a grim fate. Leaves behind Liam’s hospital file, she stole to frame him.Intrigue: Jessica uses Emily’s phone to text Liam, lure him to her old home, there disables him and carefully orchestrates a scenario that frames him for Emily’s disappearance. She leaves behind subtle evidence that points toward his involvement (GAMING, violent past).
Life Threatening: Public humiliation – Jessica via social media. Liam exposed using fake dating profiles, met with Emily numerous times.
Life Threatening: Other parties who need to solve the mystery first. Liam, suspect number one, and he really does love Emily, needs to find her and clear his name. Interrogating Liam, he tells her he knows all about her and her past – don’t try to pin this on me or my company, as you have plenty of people who seem to want you dead – Emily told me about the tire, no NAIL. Knifed.
Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – David tells Hazel that Liam is either a devious lover or she is being targeted by a past patient, a psychotic killer.
Life Threatening: The threat that their own secret could be revealed – Trevor discovers Liam behind the fake profiles from Emily’s deleted dating app, showing he and Emily were constantly corresponding and dating.
Life Threatening: Other parties who need to solve the mystery first / Threat – Liam fights back against Hazel’s accusations. Hazel believes Liam has her daughter now convinced and she has been harassed through the app — believes he is playing a game with her. But he says he loves Emily, he bought the house – he is being followed. He now believes Emily is in danger. She asked him for a few days, he popped the question to her and scared her, thought she needed time and she told me how protective you are of her, she’s your whole life. Liam calls Trevor and tells him he was not the only fake profile that reached out to Emily, there was another and he thinks they have been harassing Hazel, sending her profile matches that are old patients she failed to help/save. Are you a hero? What does your journey really say about the fruits of your labor? What about the lives of the innocents?
Life Threatening: Trapped / Abducted: Jessica takes Liam.
Life Threatening: Arrested Police arrive to arrest Liam ???
TURNING POINT 2: Trevor is dead and Liam is missing and all signs point to Hazel’s past as a child psychologist.
Distrust Liam withholds that he created fake profiles to connect secretly via the dating app with Emily.
TWIST: It just got more dangerous.
Mystery: Is Jessica the killer?
TWIST: A mistake returns to haunt them. We see an unexpected side of someone. It just got more dangerous.
Distrust Jessica is really Mandy Dune, an ex-patient of Hazel.
Secret: Jessica is an ex-patient of Hazel’s and she is out for revenge
Cover Up:
A) Jessica changed her name to hide something. Her real name is Mandy Dune.
B) Trevor was investigating Emily’s dating profile, tracks down a fake profile that contacted both Emily and Hazel. He tracks those to an account M. Dune. He searches and finds that M. Dune is none other than Jessica Burnside. This revelation terrifies Trevor,And, he is murdered, making it look as though Liam did it.
Secret: Jessica, a former patient of Hazel, seeks vengeance.
Cover Up:
A) She kidnaps Liam, leaves evidence that he killed Trevor.
B) Frustrated by Hazel’s perceived hero status, Jessica meticulously devised her escape plan and adopted a new identity as Jessica.Intrigue: In a high-stakes confrontation, Jessica reveals her true identity to Hazel, exposes the depths of her revenge plan, and unravels the connection between their pasts, all while Emily’s life hangs in the balance.
Life Threatening: Physical Harm: Jessica discovers Trevor has put it together that there was another fake profile, but he did not create it, leading her to target Trevor.
TWIST: It just got more dangerous. We see an unexpected side of someone. A mistake returns to haunt them. New consequences emerge.
Life Threatening:Physical Harm: Hazel told by Trevor he may have something for her, they plan to meet, but he is killed.
CLIMAX: Hazel breaks into Mandy Dune’s childhood home and battles her past to save the future.
Life Threatening:Physical harm / Arrested: Turns out that Jessica is actually Mandy Dune. Hazel goes to Mandy’s old house. They battle and David is wounded, but Hazel stops Jessica before she can hurt anyone else when the police arrive. Jessica is taken into custody.
RESOLUTION: Hazel reunites with Emily.
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Miller’s Twists and Turns <div>
<div>
What I learned doing this assignment is that adding a twist is easily achieved two ways; starting with the current direction and then adding a twist or beginning with the twist. This one blocked me – probably because I was tired and getting bogged down after putting it all together – whoa! That was heavy lifting, but now that I have gone through I found the process fun and fairly easy, just needed some time to think and make choices.
This is an unedited document/map and it has many places that repeat. But here it is in all it’s glory : P
OPENING: Mother and daughter are climbing. Introduce Dr. Hazel Ferguson, a former child psychologist turned bookstore owner, and her strained relationship with her college freshman daughter, Emily, because Hazel can tell she is keeping a secret from her. Mother and daughter are being watched.
***PAST Planning BEFORE THE MOVIE BEGAN:
Intrigue: Jessica meticulously profiles Hazel and Emily, identifying their vulnerabilities and psychological triggers.
Intrigue: Leveraging her charismatic online persona, Jessica befriends Emily through their internship at the dating app, Love Clicks, cultivating trust.
Mystery: Who is watching them? Why? Are they targeting Hazel? Emily? Both?
Life Threatening: Surveillance / watched – mother daughter go on a climbing adventure Echo Peak, Emily has a secret, Hazel can tell. They are watched by an unseen WATCHER.
TWIST:A new problem occurs.
CAR: return to car to find tire violently slashed. Hazel pretends that she ran over nail, all the construction they passed – yeah right — Emily saw the tire, she knows it was not a nail, but she lets it slide, and decides to lighten the mood. While changing the tire Emily convinces mom to try the dating app, support her interests, and make her empty nest as love nest, and she creates a dating profile for mom. WATCHER’S phone is notified, connected to Emily’s dating app/phone, when Hazel’s profile is created.
Life Threatening: Physical danger / Threats / Surveillance / watched – return to car to find tire violently slashed. Hazel pretends that she ran over nail, all the construction they passed – yeah right — Emily saw the tire, she knows it was not a nail, but she lets it slide, and decides to lighten the mood. While changing the tire Emily convinces mom to try the dating app, support her interests, and make her empty nest as love nest, and she creates a dating profile for mom. WATCHER’S phone is notified, connected to Emily’s dating app/phone, when Hazel’s profile is created.
TWIST: It just got more dangerous.
UNI – Emily’s DATING APP goes off, she beams when she sees
the profile user, tries to play it off but Hazel saw the
excitement and warns her to be careful. Emily turns it back
on her – she’s the one who needs to watch out, saw the tire.
Hazel is a controversial figure, some say hero, some say no
– not the first time targeted. Don’t worry, Trevor there –
we keep a close watch on our interns.
TWIST: A lie is uncovered.Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – At the university, Hazel drops off Emily, warns her to be careful. Surveillance / watched – who is being targeted Hazel or Emily, or both? Hazel has enemies as she has been an outspoken opponent of certain pharmaceutical drugs used to treat minors. ***Perhaps SET UP TREVOR, Jealous/Ex.
INCITING INCIDENT: Daughter goes missing.
Intrigue: Jessica executes her abduction plan, forcefully taking Emily away and making it appear as though Liam Harding, the dating app’s creator, is involved in Emily’s disappearance.
Intrigue: Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile, making it appear as though Liam Harding, the dating app’s creator, is involved in Emily’s disappearance.
Mystery: Who took Emily?
TWIST: The worst thing possible happens.
DEBATE: All signs point to she took time, but no, no, Hazel knows her daughter, yes, sure Hazel can be overprotective, she understands the dark side of human nature, but Emily would never just leave, never. She is not that kind of kid.
Secret: Jessica kidnaps Emily after a date with Liam.
Cover Up: Emily vanishes mysteriously after a secret rendezvous with Liam.
Life Threatening: Trapped / Abducted / Arrested; Betrayal from someone close; Someone operating covertly around them – Emily is taken by Jessica.
Roommate, did not spend night there, not first time, didn’t
look dressed for working? Hazel goes to her dorm room and discovers
Emily did not sleep there. Her roommate tells Hazel she looked all dressed up for
a date, she is always going out, but Emily told Hazel she had to work late at the
dating app.
TWIST: We see an unexpected side of someone.Life Threatening: Someone operating covertly around them – Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile, tells Hazel Emily didn’t work late at the internship, she had a date from the app.
TWIST: A lie is uncovered.
Talks to Valerie and Liam – Hazel and begins to suspect their
involvement in Emily’s disappearance when she learns her dating profile has been
deleted. The Hardings are secretive, and want to protect their business and
reputation.
TWIST: A new problem occurs.TURNING POINT 1: Her car is found abandoned.
TWIST:The worst thing possible happens.
***Is the knife still there? FINGER PRINT – and that finger print belongs to MICHEAL DUNE. Could open with HIM and then play it back – see him at home, KNIVES, weapons, sad lonely life he leads, photo of his kids, torn, wife out of pic. Do we see him murdered, or do we see the knives? She kills him and BUT then wouldn’t he be the frame, not Liam???
TWIST: It just got more dangerous.
Car GPS leads her to DAVID. Hazel teams up with investigative
journalist David Remmington, who is there doing an expose on the enigmatic
Harding twins, to uncover the truth.
Mystery: What is Liam hiding?Secret: Jessica pins the crime on Liam, uses crime to increase social media followers.
Cover Up:
A) Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile.
B) Jessica knows from Emily that Liam used fake profiles to ask her out on the app.
C) She discreetly informs Hazel about Emily’s connection to Liam.Intrigue: Playing the role of the concerned friend, Jessica hints to Hazel that Liam might have had a role in Emily’s vanishing, diverting attention and raising doubt.
Intrigue: Jessica exploits (HAZEL’S) Emily’s dating app profile to intensify the danger and connects it to Hazel’s past experiences as a child psychologist. Meanwhile, Trevor, who works at the dating app, becomes increasingly uneasy about Jessica’s involvement. He accidentally stumbles upon a crucial piece of information that could potentially unravel Jessica’s plan. Trevor finds evidence linking Jessica to the abduction and realizes the danger he poses. Just as he’s about to share the information with Hazel, Jessica kills Trevor.
TWIST: New options emerge. (Trevor and fake accounts)
TWIST: Secret identity uncovered.
TWIST: It just got more dangerous.Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily’s car found and GPS leads Hazel to David, journalist covering the Harding Twins, violent gamer, the most violent, leaves behind blood and guts to take on the most violent game, love. WHY was Emily at his home? He wasn’t there, but he has a good guess – he saw an intimate moment between Liam and Emily.
Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily’s car found and GPS leads Hazel to David, journalist covering the Harding Twins, violent gamer, the most violent, leaves behind blood and guts to take on the most violent game, love. WHY was Emily at his home? He wasn’t there, but he has a good guess – he saw an intimate moment between Liam and Emily.
TWIST:Secret identity uncovered. And lie is uncovered.
Life Threatening: Something that damages their reputation – When Hazel confronts Liam and Valerie, she is informed that Emily asked for a couple of days off. Trevor she said it was for personal reasons. App about to launch nationally and they do not believe their app has anything to do with Emily. But her dating profile has been deleted.
Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – Turns out that Liam was last person to see Emily, and a known gamer who created violent, psychological games.
Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily her daughter lied to her, and all those dates, and she knew Emily was keeping something from her.
Life Threatening: The threat that their own secret could be revealed – Liam does not reveal to Hazel anything about his relationship with Emily, professional capacity is all he discusses. And, he isn’t concerned at all. He believes Emily, surprised by his proposal, turned him down and then asked Trevor for time off. Thinks she is thinking. She asked him for time.
Life Threatening: Public humiliation – Jessica via social media. Liam exposed using fake dating profiles, met with Emily numerous times.
MIDPOINT: Liam’s alibi clears him, but Hazel is convinced he took her daughter because she begins receiving disturbing matches from the dating app that are images and names of her past patients.
TWIST: New consequences emerge.
TWIST: A mistake returns to haunt them.
Scenes: Hazel’s investigation intensifies, and she grows convinced of Liam’s involvement. LIAM (DAVID) proposes an alternative theory tied to Hazel’s past patients and her contentious essays against certain pharmaceuticals. But, Hazel uncovers discrepancies in Liam’s story with Jessica and Trevor’s help and learns about the fake profile user who went on a date with Emily. Jessica “helps” Hazel uncover that the user is actually Liam. This revelation deepens Hazel’s suspicions about Liam’s role.
TWIST: Someone changes sides. TREVOR
Mystery: Who is Mandy Dune?
TWIST: Secret identity uncovered.
Secret: Jessica recovers Emily’s dating profile.
Cover Up: She discreetly shares it with TREVOR to pinpoint Emily’s location, fully aware that Trevor will trace the fabricated online interactions back to Liam.Intrigue: As details come to light about Liam and Emily’s secret relationship, and that the fake profiles were created by him on Emily’s account. Using her social media prowess, Jessica orchestrates a comprehensive online campaign that paints Liam as suspicious. She exposes Liam’s actions concerning Emily, his hidden connections, and his manipulation of dating profiles. Just as Hazel becomes convinced that Liam is behind her daughter’s disappearance, Jessica manipulates Hazel’s dating app profile sending matches from fake accounts with pictures of her past patients. This makes Hazel doubt her suspicions about Liam and keeps her torn between her intuition and the unsettling coincidences.
TWIST: A lie is uncovered.
Secret: Jessica is Mandy Dune.
Cover Up: Trevor launches an investigation into the dating app, specifically scrutinizing Emily’s online presence. He uncovers a fabricated profile that had communicated with both Emily and Hazel, utilizing images and names from Hazel’s past clients. However, the mastermind behind this account was none other than MANDY Dune, aka Jessica, not Liam. Tragically, Trevor meets a grim fate. Leaves behind Liam’s hospital file, she stole to frame him.Intrigue: Jessica uses Emily’s phone to text Liam, lure him to her old home, there disables him and carefully orchestrates a scenario that frames him for Emily’s disappearance. She leaves behind subtle evidence that points toward his involvement (GAMING, violent past).
Life Threatening: Public humiliation – Jessica via social media. Liam exposed using fake dating profiles, met with Emily numerous times.
Life Threatening: Other parties who need to solve the mystery first. Liam, suspect number one, and he really does love Emily, needs to find her and clear his name. Interrogating Liam, he tells her he knows all about her and her past – don’t try to pin this on me or my company, as you have plenty of people who seem to want you dead – Emily told me about the tire, no NAIL. Knifed.
Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – David tells Hazel that Liam is either a devious lover or she is being targeted by a past patient, a psychotic killer.
Life Threatening: The threat that their own secret could be revealed – Trevor discovers Liam behind the fake profiles from Emily’s deleted dating app, showing he and Emily were constantly corresponding and dating.
Life Threatening: Other parties who need to solve the mystery first / Threat – Liam fights back against Hazel’s accusations. Hazel believes Liam has her daughter now convinced and she has been harassed through the app — believes he is playing a game with her. But he says he loves Emily, he bought the house – he is being followed. He now believes Emily is in danger. She asked him for a few days, he popped the question to her and scared her, thought she needed time and she told me how protective you are of her, she’s your whole life. Liam calls Trevor and tells him he was not the only fake profile that reached out to Emily, there was another and he thinks they have been harassing Hazel, sending her profile matches that are old patients she failed to help/save. Are you a hero? What does your journey really say about the fruits of your labor? What about the lives of the innocents?
Life Threatening: Trapped / Abducted: Jessica takes Liam.
Life Threatening: Arrested Police arrive to arrest Liam ???
TURNING POINT 2: Trevor is dead and Liam is missing and all signs point to Hazel’s past as a child psychologist.
TWIST: It just got more dangerous.
Mystery: Is Jessica the killer?
TWIST: A mistake returns to haunt them. We see an unexpected side of someone. It just got more dangerous.
Secret: Jessica is an ex-patient of Hazel’s and she is out for revenge
Cover Up:
A) Jessica changed her name to hide something. Her real name is Mandy Dune.
B) Trevor was investigating Emily’s dating profile, tracks down a fake profile that contacted both Emily and Hazel. He tracks those to an account M. Dune. He searches and finds that M. Dune is none other than Jessica Burnside. This revelation terrifies Trevor,And, he is murdered, making it look as though Liam did it.
Secret: Jessica, a former patient of Hazel, seeks vengeance.
Cover Up:
A) She kidnaps Liam, leaves evidence that he killed Trevor.
B) Frustrated by Hazel’s perceived hero status, Jessica meticulously devised her escape plan and adopted a new identity as Jessica.Intrigue: In a high-stakes confrontation, Jessica reveals her true identity to Hazel, exposes the depths of her revenge plan, and unravels the connection between their pasts, all while Emily’s life hangs in the balance.
Life Threatening: Physical Harm: Jessica discovers Trevor has put it together that there was another fake profile, but he did not create it, leading her to target Trevor.
TWIST: It just got more dangerous. We see an unexpected side of someone. A mistake returns to haunt them. New consequences emerge.
Life Threatening:Physical Harm: Hazel told by Trevor he may have something for her, they plan to meet, but he is killed.
CLIMAX: Hazel breaks into Mandy Dune’s childhood home and battles her past to save the future.
Life Threatening:Physical harm / Arrested: Turns out that Jessica is actually Mandy Dune. Hazel goes to Mandy’s old house. They battle and David is wounded, but Hazel stops Jessica before she can hurt anyone else when the police arrive. Jessica is taken into custody.
RESOLUTION: Hazel reunites with Emily.
</div></div>
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OPENING: Mother and daughter are being watched.
***PAST Planning BEFORE THE MOVIE BEGAN:
Intrigue: Jessica meticulously profiles Hazel and Emily, identifying their vulnerabilities and psychological triggers.
Intrigue: Leveraging her charismatic online persona, Jessica befriends Emily through their internship at the dating app, Love Clicks, cultivating trust.
Mystery: Who is watching them? Why? Are they targeting Hazel? Emily? Both?
Life Threatening: Surveillance / watched – mother daughter go on a climbing adventure Echo Peak, Emily has a secret, Hazel can tell. They are watched by an unseen WATCHER.
Life Threatening: Physical danger / Threats / Surveillance / watched – return to car to find tire violently slashed. Hazel pretends that she ran over nail, all the construction they passed – yeah right — Emily saw the tire, she knows it was not a nail, but she lets it slide, and decides to lighten the mood. While changing the tire Emily convinces mom to try the dating app, support her interests, and make her empty nest as love nest, and she creates a dating profile for mom. WATCHER’S phone is notified, connected to Emily’s dating app/phone, when Hazel’s profile is created.
Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – At the university, Hazel drops off Emily, warns her to be careful. Surveillance / watched – who is being targeted Hazel or Emily, or both? Hazel has enemies as she has been an outspoken opponent of certain pharmaceutical drugs used to treat minors. ***Perhaps SET UP TREVOR, Jealous/Ex.
INCITING INCIDENT: Daughter goes missing.
Intrigue: Jessica executes her abduction plan, forcefully taking Emily away and making it appear as though Liam Harding, the dating app’s creator, is involved in Emily’s disappearance.
Intrigue: Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile, making it appear as though Liam Harding, the dating app’s creator, is involved in Emily’s disappearance.
Mystery: Who took Emily?
DEBATE: All signs point to she took time, but no, no, Hazel knows her daughter, yes, sure Hazel can be overprotective, she understands the darkside of human nature, but Emily would never just leave, never. She is not that kind of kid.
Secret: Jessica kidnaps Emily after a date with Liam.
Cover Up: Emily vanishes mysteriously after a secret rendezvous with Liam.
Life Threatening: Trapped / Abducted / Arrested; Betrayal from someone close; Someone operating covertly around them – Emily is taken by Jessica.
Life Threatening: Someone operating covertly around them – Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile, tells Hazel Emily didn’t work late at the internship, she had a date from the app.
TURNING POINT 1: Her car is found abandoned.
Mystery: What is Liam hiding?
Secret: Jessica pins the crime on Liam, uses crime to increase social media followers.
Cover Up:
A) Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile.
B) Jessica knows from Emily that Liam used fake profiles to ask her out on the app.
C) She discreetly informs Hazel about Emily’s connection to Liam.Intrigue: Playing the role of the concerned friend, Jessica hints to Hazel that Liam might have had a role in Emily’s vanishing, diverting attention and raising doubt.
Intrigue: Jessica exploits (HAZEL’S) Emily’s dating app profile to intensify the danger and connects it to Hazel’s past experiences as a child psychologist. Meanwhile, Trevor, who works at the dating app, becomes increasingly uneasy about Jessica’s involvement. He accidentally stumbles upon a crucial piece of information that could potentially unravel Jessica’s plan. Trevor finds evidence linking Jessica to the abduction and realizes the danger he poses. Just as he’s about to share the information with Hazel, Jessica kills Trevor.
Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily’s car found and GPS leads Hazel to David, journalist covering the Harding Twins, violent gamer, the most violent, leaves behind blood and guts to take on the most violent game, love. WHY was Emily at his home? He wasn’t there, but he has a good guess – he saw an intimate moment between Liam and Emily.
Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily’s car found and GPS leads Hazel to David, journalist covering the Harding Twins, violent gamer, the most violent, leaves behind blood and guts to take on the most violent game, love. WHY was Emily at his home? He wasn’t there, but he has a good guess – he saw an intimate moment between Liam and Emily.
Life Threatening: Something that damages their reputation – When Hazel confronts Liam and Valerie, she is informed that Emily asked for a couple of days off. Trevor she said it was for personal reasons. App about to launch nationally and they do not believe their app has anything to do with Emily. But her dating profile has been deleted.
Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – Turns out that Liam was last person to see Emily, and a known gamer who created violent, psychological games.
Life Threatening: The unknown – Emily her daughter lied to her, and all those dates, and she knew Emily was keeping something from her.
Life Threatening: The threat that their own secret could be revealed – Liam does not reveal to Hazel anything about his relationship with Emily, professional capacity is all he discusses. And, he isn’t concerned at all. He believes Emily, surprised by his proposal, turned him down and then asked Trevor for time off. Thinks she is thinking. She asked him for time.
Life Threatening: Public humiliation – Jessica via social media. Liam exposed using fake dating profiles, met with Emily numerous times.
MIDPOINT: Liam’s alibi clears him, but Hazel is convinced he took her daughter because she begins receiving disturbing matches from the dating app that are images and names of her past patients.
Mystery: Who is Mandy Dune?
Secret: Jessica recovers Emily’s dating profile.
Cover Up: She discreetly shares it with TREVOR to pinpoint Emily’s location, fully aware that Trevor will trace the fabricated online interactions back to Liam.Intrigue: As details come to light about Liam and Emily’s secret relationship, and that the fake profiles were created by him on Emily’s account. Using her social media prowess, Jessica orchestrates a comprehensive online campaign that paints Liam as suspicious. She exposes Liam’s actions concerning Emily, his hidden connections, and his manipulation of dating profiles. Just as Hazel becomes convinced that Liam is behind her daughter’s disappearance, Jessica manipulates Hazel’s dating app profile sending matches from fake accounts with pictures of her past patients. This makes Hazel doubt her suspicions about Liam and keeps her torn between her intuition and the unsettling coincidences.
Secret: Jessica is Mandy Dune.
Cover Up: Trevor launches an investigation into the dating app, specifically scrutinizing Emily’s online presence. He uncovers a fabricated profile that had communicated with both Emily and Hazel, utilizing images and names from Hazel’s past clients. However, the mastermind behind this account was none other than MANDY Dune, aka Jessica, not Liam. Tragically, Trevor meets a grim fate. Leaves behind Liam’s hospital file, she stole to frame him.Intrigue: Jessica uses Emily’s phone to text Liam, lure him to her old home, there disables him and carefully orchestrates a scenario that frames him for Emily’s disappearance. She leaves behind subtle evidence that points toward his involvement (GAMING, violent past).
Life Threatening: Public humiliation – Jessica via social media. Liam exposed using fake dating profiles, met with Emily numerous times.
Life Threatening: Other parties who need to solve the mystery first. Liam, suspect number one, and he really does love Emily, needs to find her and clear his name. Interrogating Liam, he tells her he knows all about her and her past – don’t try to pin this on me or my company, as you have plenty of people who seem to want you dead – Emily told me about the tire, no NAIL. Knifed.
Life Threatening: Talking about the danger – David tells Hazel that Liam is either a devious lover or she is being targeted by a past patient, a psychotic killer.
Life Threatening: The threat that their own secret could be revealed – Trevor discovers Liam behind the fake profiles from Emily’s deleted dating app, showing he and Emily were constantly corresponding and dating.
Life Threatening: Other parties who need to solve the mystery first / Threat – Liam fights back against Hazel’s accusations. Hazel believes Liam has her daughter now convinced and she has been harassed through the app — believes he is playing a game with her. But he says he loves Emily, he bought the house – he is being followed. He now believes Emily is in danger. She asked him for a few days, he popped the question to her and scared her, thought she needed time and she told me how protective you are of her, she’s your whole life. Liam calls Trevor and tells him he was not the only fake profile that reached out to Emily, there was another and he thinks they have been harassing Hazel, sending her profile matches that are old patients she failed to help/save. Are you a hero? What does your journey really say about the fruits of your labor? What about the lives of the innocents?
Life Threatening: Trapped / Abducted: Jessica takes Liam.
Life Threatening: Arrested Police arrive to arrest Liam ???
TURNING POINT 2: Trevor is dead and Liam is missing and all signs point to Hazel’s past as a child psychologist.
Mystery: Is Jessica the killer?
Secret: Jessica is an ex-patient of Hazel’s and she is out for revenge
Cover Up:
A) Jessica changed her name to hide something. Her real name is Mandy Dune.
B) Trevor was investigating Emily’s dating profile, tracks down a fake profile that contacted both Emily and Hazel. He tracks those to an account M. Dune. He searches and finds that M. Dune is none other than Jessica Burnside. This revelation terrifies Trevor,And, he is murdered, making it look as though Liam did it.
Secret: Jessica, a former patient of Hazel, seeks vengeance.
Cover Up:
A) She kidnaps Liam, leaves evidence that he killed Trevor.
B) Frustrated by Hazel’s perceived hero status, Jessica meticulously devised her escape plan and adopted a new identity as Jessica.Intrigue: In a high-stakes confrontation, Jessica reveals her true identity to Hazel, exposes the depths of her revenge plan, and unravels the connection between their pasts, all while Emily’s life hangs in the balance.
Life Threatening: Physical Harm: Jessica discovers Trevor has put it together that there was another fake profile, but he did not create it, leading her to target Trevor.
Life Threatening:Physical Harm: Hazel told by Trevor he may have something for her, they plan to meet, but he is killed.
CLIMAX: Hazel breaks into Mandy Dune’s childhood home and battles her past to save the future.
Life Threatening:Physical harm / Arrested: Turns out that Jessica is actually Mandy Dune. Hazel goes to Mandy’s old house. They battle and David is wounded, but Hazel stops Jessica before she can hurt anyone else when the police arrive. Jessica is taken into custody.
RESOLUTION: Hazel reunites with Emily.
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Miller’s Life Threatening Sequence
What I learned is the easiest way to keep hearts pumping is the put the hero in danger by methodically raising the stakes. And, that the Villain’s goal must be worth killing for. Those two, along with a suspenseful set up prior to the Life Threatening moment, are essential to keep the thriller a cardiovascular workout that aligns with the genre.
What is the Villain’s plan and how does that put the Hero in danger?
PLAN: The villain’s aim is to exact revenge on Hazel by abducting her daughter, Emily, and exploiting Hazel’s past traumas, while framing Liam and increasing her social media likes.
Hazel is put in danger because she will do anything to find and save her daughter, Emily.
DANGER: Surveillance and a threat, a slashed tire begins the mystery – who is being targeted and why, the mother or the daughter, or both. Closeness to the villain.
What other potential dangers could your Hero experience as they try to solve the mystery and confront the Villain?
Threats
Talking about the danger
Physical danger
Surveillance / watched
Chased
Lured into a dangerous situation
Closeness to the villain
Trapped / Abducted / Arrested
Danger to someone they know
People around them die or are injured.
Stalked
Thugs or professionals hired to hurt them.
Presence of weapons or thugs
The unknown.
Something that damages their reputationThe chance that a relationship could end.
The threat that their own secret could be revealed.
Public humiliation.
Loss of a job or career.
A demand to stop pursuing the mystery.
Betrayal from someone close.
Someone operating covertly around them.
Other parties who need to solve the mystery first.From the list of potential dangers, choose the ones that work for this story.
Threats
Talking about the danger
Physical danger
Surveillance / watched
Chased
Lured into a dangerous situation
Closeness to the villain
Trapped / Abducted / Arrested
Danger to someone they know
The unknown.Something that damages their reputation
The chance that a relationship could end.
The threat that their own secret could be revealed.
Public humiliation.A demand to stop pursuing the mystery.
Someone operating covertly around them.Other parties who need to solve the mystery first.
Sequence those dangers in order and make a list like the one I did for Basic Instinct above.
Surveillance / watched – mother daughter go on a climbing adventure Echo Peak, Emily has a secret, Hazel can tell. They are watched by an unseen WATCHER.
Physical danger / Threats / Surveillance / watched – return to car to find tire violently slashed. Hazel pretends that she ran over nail, all that construction they passed, yeah right— Emily saw, she knows, but she lets it slide and decides to lighten the mood. While changing the tire Emily convinces mom to try the dating app, support her interests, and make her empty nest as love nest, and she creates a dating profile for mom. WATCHER’S phone is notified, connected to Emily’s dating app/phone, when HAzel’s profile is created.
Talking about the danger – At the university, Hazel drops off Emily, warns her to be careful. Surveillance / watched – who is being targeted Hazel or Emily, or both? Hazel has enemies as she has been an outspoken opponent of certain pharmaceutical drugs used to treat minors. ***Perhaps SET UP TREVOR, Jealous/Ex.
Trapped / Abducted / Arrested; Betrayal from someone close; Someone operating covertly around them – Emily is taken.
Someone operating covertly around them – Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile, tells Hazel Emily didn’t work late at the internship, but that she had a date from the app.
Something that damages their reputation – When Hazel confronts Liam and Valerie, she learns that Emily asked for a couple of days off for personal reasons. This casts doubt on Emily’s actions and raises concerns about the dating app’s involvement in the unfolding events, which could tarnish their family’s reputation and the reputation of their business.Trevor she said it was for personal reasons. App about to launch nationally and they do not believe their app has anything to do with Emily. But discover that her dating profile has been deleted.
Talking about the danger – Turns out that Liam was last person to see Emily, and a known gamer who created violent, psychological games.
The unknown – Emily her daughter lied to her, and all those dates, and she knew Emily was keeping something from her.
The unknown – Emily’s car found and GPS leads Hazel to David, journalist covering the Harding Twins, violent gamer, the most violent, leaves behind blood and guts to take on the most violent game, love. WHY was Emily at his home? He wasn’t there, but he has a good guess – he saw an intimate moment between Liam and Emily.
The threat that their own secret could be revealed – Liam does not reveal to Hazel anything about his relationship with Emily, professional capacity is all he discusses. And, he isn’t concerned at all. He believes Emily, surprised by his proposal, turned him down and then asked Trevor for time off. Thinks she is thinking. She asked him for time.
Public humiliation – Jessica via social media. Liam exposed using fake dating profiles, met with Emily numerous times.
12) Other parties who need to solve the mystery first. Liam, suspect number one, and he really does love Emily, needs to find her and clear his name. Interrogating Liam, he tells her he knows all about her and her past – don’t try to pin this on me or my company, as you have plenty of people who seem to want you dead – Emily told me about the tire, no NAIL. Knifed.
Talking about the danger – David tells Hazel that Liam is either a devious lover or she is being targeted by a past patient, a psychotic killer.
The threat that their own secret could be revealed – Trevor discovers Liam behind the fake profiles from Emily’s deleted dating app, showing he and Emily were constantly corresponding and dating.
***LIAM’S story and timeline check out – CCTV footage show Emily leaving HOME LIAM and later drives to DAVID’S.
Other parties who need to solve the mystery first / Threat – Liam fights back against Hazel’s accusations. Hazel believes Liam has her daughter now convinced and she has been harassed through the app — believes he is playing a game with her. But he says he loves Emily, he bought the house – he is being followed. He now believes Emily is in danger. She asked him for a few days, he popped the question to her and scared her, thought she needed time and she told me how protective you are of her, she’s your whole life. Liam calls Trevor and tells him he was not the only fake profile that reached out to Emily, there was another and he thinks they have been harassing Hazel, sending her profile matches that are old patients she failed to help/save. Are you a hero? What does your journey really say about the fruits of your labor? What about the lives of the innocents?
Trapped / Abducted: Jessica takes Liam. Arrested Police arrive to arrest Liam. Found his phone at Trevor’s.
Physical Harm: Hazel told by Trevor he may have something for her, they plan to meet, but he is killed.
Physical Harm: Jessica discovers Trevor has put it together that there was another fake profile, but he did not create it, leading her to target Trevor.
Physical harm / Arrested: Turns out that Jessica is actually Mandy Dune. Hazel goes to Mandy’s old house. They battle and David is wounded, but Hazel stops Jessica before she can hurt anyone else when the police arrive. Jessica is taken into custody. -
Miller’s Mystery Sequence
What I learned is to start with the end in mind and brainstorm back. And, I saw how simple the plan can be, and to keep it simple. I love that it will not appear simple, but it is and, I believe, should be. I say that particularly after modeling the thrillers and using the chart, as I can now see more clearly, precisely where to put my energies, MIS. This focuses me, which give me more energy, and I need that. Piece by piece, one leads to the next and the next, and away we go!
Big secret: Jessica is the kidnapper.
The mysteries and cover ups:
Mystery 1: Who took Emily?
Secret: Jessica kidnaps Emily
Cover Up: Emily goes missing after secretly meeting Liam.
Mystery 2: What is Liam hiding?
Secret: Jessica pins the crime on Liam, uses crime to increase social media followers.
Cover Up:
A) Jessica deletes Emily’s dating profile.
B) Jessica knows from Emily that Liam used fake profiles to ask her out on the app.
C) Jessica tells Hazel that Emily was involved with Liam.Mystery 3: Who is Mandy Dearwood?
Secret: Jessica recovers Emily’s profile and gives it to TREVOR.
Cover Up: Trevor links the fake profile dates from Emily’s account back to Liam, further implicating Liam.Mystery 4: Is Jessica the killer?
Secret: Jessica is an ex-patient of Hazel’s and she is out for revenge
Cover Up:
A) Jessica changed her name to hide something. Her real name is Mandy Dearwood.
B) Trevor was investigating Emily’s dating profile, tracks down a fake profile that contacted both Emily and Hazel. He tracks those to an account M. Dearwood. He searches and finds that M. Dearwood is none other than Jessica Burnside. This revelation terrifies Trevor,And, he is murdered, making it look as though Liam did it.
The first mystery involves the hero because her daughter is missing.
Act 1:
Opening:
Introduce Dr. Hazel Ferguson, a former child psychologist turned bookstore owner, and her strained relationship with her college freshman daughter, Emily, because Hazel can tell she is keeping a secret from her.
Inciting Incident (Mystery 1: Who took Emily?):
Emily vanishes mysteriously after secretly meeting Liam, one of the app’s co-founders.
Hazel goes to her dorm room and discovers Emily did not sleep there. Her roommate tells Hazel she looked all dressed up for a date, she is always going out, but Emily told Hazel she had to work late at the dating app.
Hazel calls her friend, Officer Mike Griffin, who promises to look into it.
Act 1 Turning Point (Mystery 2: What is Liam hiding?):
Hazel goes to Emily’s internship, maybe she is there, but she discovers from Jessica that Emily did in fact lie about working, they did not work last night. She meets with Liam and Valerie Harding, the app’s co-founders, and begins to suspect their involvement in Emily’s disappearance when she learns her dating profile has been deleted.
The Hardings are secretive, and want to protect their business and reputation.
Hazel starts investigating Emily’s disappearance, uncovering subtle hints that suggest Liam’s potential involvement.
Hazel teams up with investigative journalist David Remmington, who is there doing an expose on the enigmatic Harding twins, to uncover the truth.
Act 2:
Midpoint:
Trevor’s investigation reveals that Mandy Dearwood is Jessica Burnside, a former patient of Hazel’s seeking revenge.
Jessica, using Emily’s dating profile, sends Hazel and Trevor cryptic messages, further deepening the mystery.
Act 2 Turning Point (Mystery 3: Who is Mandy Dearwood?):
Jessica kidnaps Liam to frame him for Emily’s murder and increase her social media following.
Climax:
Hazel and David uncover Jessica’s true identity as the mastermind behind Emily’s abduction and Trevor’s murder.
They confront Jessica, exposing her deep desire for revenge and unraveling the connection between their pasts, all while Emily’s life hangs in the balance.
Act 3:
Resolution (Mystery 4: Is Jessica the killer?):
Hazel reconciles her protective instincts with allowing Emily to pursue her own path and dreams.
Liam and Valerie’s dating app faces public scrutiny but remains operational, emphasizing genuine connections and personal growth rather than manipulation.
Hazel and David’s romantic relationship deepens as they share a newfound sense of responsibility and understanding.
Emily and Liam are in love.
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Miller’s SOTL Stacking Suspense
I learned that Bourne Identity is fairly simple in design, which blows my mind. I have always loved Tony Gilroy and the BI. It begins with mystery, a question, danger, and it ends the same way – with the introduction of a new more profitable program, Blackbriar. I wrote the chart by hand and then I went back and watched the film a second time, which was really helpful to not only learn the chart, but it gives a deeper understanding, at least for me.
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Miller’s BI Stacking Suspense
I learned that this is an intense exercise that requires a good amount of attention. My biggest take away is that watching the film a second time really brought the chart home for me. My brain hates following directions, so watching a film twice and learning this new skill was extremely helpful and encouraging – I always think I am doing it wrong and will never understand – even though I prove myself wrong about that all the time . I also learned that watching a film I am very familiar with, especially the second film we had to model, Bourne Identity, that my knowledge of who he was and what he was doing got in my way. I am looking forward to doing the same for a fresh thriller that is new to me. And, a final take way was that I can see how simple the plan is, and how it is built into the whole. Bird By Bird.
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Miller’s Villain Has a Great Plan!
What I learned is to start with the end in mind and work my way back.
End goal: The villain’s aim is to exact revenge on Hazel by abducting her daughter, Emily, and exploiting Hazel’s past traumas.
Devious way: She befriends Emily to gain access to her life, ultimately leading to Emily’s abduction. She creates a trail of incriminating evidence pointing to Liam Harding, the dating app creator, making it appear as though he’s involved in the abduction.
Cover it up: Through social media manipulation, they divert attention from themselves, plant doubts about Liam, and frame him for the abduction. They livestream a staged confrontation, leaving subtle evidence to implicate Liam.
Sequence it to make it as intriguing as possible.
1: Jessica meticulously profiles Hazel and Emily, identifying their vulnerabilities and psychological triggers.
2: Leveraging her charismatic online persona, Jessica befriends Emily through their internship at the dating app, Love Clicks, cultivating trust.
3: Jessica executes her abduction plan, forcefully taking Emily away and making it appear as though Liam Harding, the dating app’s creator, is involved in Emily’s disappearance.
4: Playing the role of the concerned friend, Jessica artfully hints to Hazel that Liam might have had a role in Emily’s vanishing, diverting attention and raising doubt.
5: Jessica exploits Emily’s dating app profile to intensify the danger and connects it to Hazel’s past experiences as a child psychologist. She crafts a narrative that ties the app’s workings to the trauma of children Hazel couldn’t save, magnifying the stakes and forcing Hazel to confront her past.
(Jessica exploits Emily’s dating app profile to intensify the danger and connects it to Hazel’s past experiences as a child psychologist. Meanwhile, Trevor, who works at the dating app, becomes increasingly uneasy about Jessica’s involvement. He accidentally stumbles upon a crucial piece of information that could potentially unravel Jessica’s plan. Trevor finds evidence linking Jessica to the abduction and realizes the danger he poses. Just as he’s about to share the information with Hazel, Jessica remorselessly eliminates Trevor to eliminate him as a threat, making it appear as an accident.)
6: Using her social media prowess, Jessica orchestrates a comprehensive online campaign that paints Liam as suspicious. She exposes Liam’s actions concerning Emily, his hidden connections, and his manipulation of dating profiles. Just as Hazel becomes convinced that Liam is behind her daughter’s disappearance, Jessica manipulates Emily’s dating app profile to create disturbing similarities between matches on the app and Hazel’s past patients. This makes Hazel doubt her suspicions about Liam and keeps her torn between her intuition and the unsettling coincidences.
7: To maintain control and amplify chaos, Jessica kidnaps Liam and carefully orchestrates a scenario that seems to frame him for Emily’s disappearance. She leaves behind subtle evidence that points toward his involvement while live-streaming the entire ordeal to her social media followers, boosting her influence and ensuring an audience for her twisted narrative.
8: Jessica reveals her true identity to Hazel, exposes the depths of her revenge plan, and unravels the connection between their pasts, all while Emily’s life hangs in the balance.
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Jennifer Miller’s World and Characters!
What I’ve learned is that honing in on the top three characters and aligning their MIS is key to keeping the thriller tightly focused and perfectly attuned from the start, generating MIS in every aspect. Additionally, focusing more on the world, which I rarely do, was enjoyable, and brainstorming ideas for the setting/world with AI was a fun experience.
Concept:
Title: SWIPE LEFT AND DIE
A bookstore owner and former child psychologist navigates the sinister side of a dating app to save her missing daughter, only to uncover secrets that reveal a dangerous past connection.
Big M.I.S.:
Big Mystery: Where is Emily, her daughter? Who took her, and can Hazel find her in time?
Big Intrigue: Jessica, posing as a lamb, plans to take the one thing Hazel loves more than anything—Emily—as retribution for the loss of the only person Jessica ever loved, her brother Marcus.
Big Suspense: Will Hazel be killed or harmed trying to find Emily? Will she figure out the game in time to save her daughter.
Intriguing World: Amid the sleek interface of a sophisticated dating app lies a world where the pursuit of love collides with a web of vengeance.
Characters:
HERO: Hazel Ferguson
Mystery: Who has taken her daughter?
Intrigue: She may run a bookstore, but she is a trained psychologist who knows how to quickly read and unravel people.
Suspense: She aggressively searches her missing daughter, putting her in more and more danger.
RED HERRING: Liam Harding:
Mystery: How does Liam’s secret relationship with Emily tie into her sudden disappearance?
Intrigue: He orchestrated an intricate web of fake dating profiles to romantically pursue Emily and win her over. He keeps his relationship with Emily secret, while his tech empire’s multimillion-dollar sale is impending.
Suspense: Unveiling his hidden motives progressively reveals a shrewd and calculating persona. Liam’s motives and actions blur the line between friend and foe, complicating Hazel’s quest to find her daughter and raising questions about him.
VILLAIN: Jessica Star (Mandy Dryer)
Mystery: Why is she going to such lengths to hurt Hazel/Emily? What happened between her and Hazel? Who is she really?
Intrigue: She has been planning revenge since seeing Hazel hailed as a hero on the news. She befriended Emily and set up LIAM HARDING (Dating Apps Creator) to enact her revenge. She plants clues using the dating app and digital footprints, commits murders, stalks her targets, and poses as an ever-helpful friend, all to get revenge against Hazel.
Suspense: Will she kill or harm Emily before Hazel can find her?
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Jennifer Miller’s Big M.I.S.
What I learned? Get her done and don’t fall in love… yet.
SWIPE LEFT AND DIE, Thriller Logline: A bookstore owner and former child psychologist navigates the sinister side of a dating app to save her missing daughter, only to uncover secrets that reveal a dangerous past connection.
The Conventions:
Unwitting but Resourceful Hero: Dr. Hazel Ferguson
Dangerous Villain: Jessica Star, also known as Mandy Dryer, was once a patient of Hazel’s. She holds Hazel responsible for the death of her brother, Marcus.
High stakes: The life of her daughter, her life, and and the safety of anyone caught between Hazel and Jessica’s escalating conflict.
Life and death situations: Kidnapping, stalking, murder, and damaged reputations.
Swipe Left and Die is thrilling because the mother has enemies from her past, and her daughter was secretly seeing someone she met on the dating app.
Big M.I.S.:
Big Mystery: Where is Emily, her daughter? Who took her, and can Hazel find her in time?
Big Intrigue: Jessica, has spent years planning her revenge against Hazel after becoming incensed seeing Hazel praised as a hero on the news for stopping a school shooting and saving lives. Yet, Hazel did not save her beloved brother, and she must pay. Today Jessica, posing as a lamb, plans to take the one thing Hazel loves more than anything—Emily—as retribution for the loss of the only person Jessica ever loved, her brother Marcus. Jessica seeks out Emily, and befriends her.
Big Suspense: Will Hazel be killed or harmed trying to find Emily? Will she figure out the game in time to save her daughter.
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The Pope’s Exorcist Thriller Conventions:
What I learned doing this assignment is that by narrowing the focus onto the key components/conventions makes things very clear and less overwhelming.
Conventions:
Unwitting but Resourceful Hero: The Pope’s Exorcist is Father Amorth
Dangerous Villain: Asmodeus, The King of Hell
High stakes: Asmodeus wants to unleash an army of fallen angels and to possess Amorth, so he can infiltrate and destroy the church.
Life and death situations: The family’s life, Amorth’s life, Father Esquibel’s life, and the destruction of the Church, all that is good, and the world if the demon succeeds to bring down the Church through a powerful priest like Amorth.
This movie is thrilling because? The main characters must face and confront demons from their past in order to battle and ultimately defeat EVIL, a powerful demon determined to unleash Hell.
What is the BIG Mystery, Intrigue, and Suspense of this story?
Big Mystery: Who is the demon possessing Henry?
Big Intrigue: Asmodeus, the King of Hell, who has possessed a boy in order to lure Father Amorth to him in order to possess him and use him to infiltrate and destroy the church.
Big Suspense: Will Amorth and the family be harmed or killed trying to stop Asmodeus and his evil plan.
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Hello, I’m Jennifer Miller.
I’ve written just under ten scripts.
My goal for this class is to acquire a dependable, step-by-step process that I can consistently rely on to craft thrilling narratives. The intricate nature of the thriller genre, with its interwoven plots, concealed motives, and suspenseful layers, has always fascinated me. I’m excited about the prospect of developing a reliable blueprint for mapping out these complexities.
Unique, special, strange, or unusual about me – perhaps this is one or many of these things – In 2017, a year after completing a graduate degree in screenwriting, I was feeling pretty lost and disheartened with my life and career. So, one day, I made the choice to slay the professional screenwriting dragon with a clear head, armed with clarity of mind, body, and spirit, and I quit drinking and partying like a rockstar. And I have never looked back. What I’ve learned – sobriety is rewarding, graduate school not so much. Also I love writing, and it’s finally becoming fun for me again. I hope the same for all of you.
Taking a cue from Cheryl, I’m excited to collaborate with each of you on this incredible screenwriting adventure.
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1. Jennifer Miller
2. I agree to the terms of this release form.
3. Please leave the entire text below to confirm what you agree to.
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.
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Jennifer Miller’s Mystery Sequence
What I learned is to start at the end and work back and not panic, bird by bird, discover the cover ups that become the mysteries that become the mystery chains. One thing builds from the next and the last mystery is always about the villain. Plus SECRET/COVER UP is a great tool to make the whole thing manageable and flowing into the next making a thrilling story.
What is the big secret that the Villain is covering up?
Stop the sell of the company and continue trafficking and laundering, business as usual, making millions and silencing anyone who gets in the way.
How many ways can they cover that secret? Those become the mysteries.
Frame Percy for: the sabotage of her business in hopes to lower the price of the sell, and for the attempted murder of Margot. And, by forcing Margot to kill the sell. Who wants Margot dead? Can Margot trust Percy? Is this an inside job? Is Walt the killer?
The first mystery must engage the Hero into solving it.
Margot has been attacked, her business and life are under siege.
<div>
</div>Sequence the mysteries so that each one leads us to the next one. Include ONE Red Herring mystery if you can.
Create a Mystery Chain for each main mystery.
Open: Attempted murder. Margot is brutally attacked, but Thomas, a chef there to discuss her wedding, interrupts the attack and saves Margot’s life, but she is left with amnesia.
Mystery 1: Who tried to kill Margot?
Percy is Margot’s fiancé. <div>
Percy was with her that night. Did he do it?
Percy and Margot argued that night about a leaked whistleblower document that could ruin his reputation and disrupt the merger. She ends it, she can’t trust him, gives him back his ring. He leaves it on a table in the foyer on his way out.
Percy gets cross when investigators bring up a past domestic violence accusation, one that was dismissed, a fabrication. The woman killed herself. She was disturbed.
Police believe either an intruder, there’s been robberies in the neighborhood of late, or an employee with a grudge about selling the business to Percy, who they believe plans to replace the employees with an automated system.
Mystery 2: What is Percy hiding?
Percy has played Margot from the beginning of the merger. </div><div>
He claims he has nothing to do with the disruption of Margot’s operation.
He wants to bury the fake whistleblower document— it could hurt the merger and his integrity and reputation.
It looks like he’s so rich he thinks he’s above the law.
He tells the police Margot was a shrewd negotiator. She wanted out, especially since someone threw a rock through her window threatening her.
Percy has assaults allegations in his past that he hid from her.
What does it mean that Percy has not disclosed this?
He enjoys winning and will stop at nothing to be named the next head of the family business.
Then, he implies Margot knew he was considering replacing workers down the line with an automated system and she made a stipulation to the contract not to allow it, however, if workers are out of line and endangers the business he would be perfectly in his rights to override the contract. Hence he could be the source of the disruption – lower $ and save money by replacing workers, win win.
Mystery 3: Is this an inside job?
Margot moves forward with the merger, she tries to wrap her battered head around the attack and the disruption to her business by scouring the books. She doesn’t want any more surprises. </div>
She finds a surprise from the co-op farm/yard and discrepancies in the books.
<div>
Walt offers to help, but Margot is working with Thomas and Esme, she’s got this.
Percy tells Margot he believes someone from her company sent the threats.
She accuses Percy of sending her on a goose chase.He shows her the video footage outside of her home where a man in a hoodie waited in the shadows for her.
To her shock, she discovers that person is Dedoe.Mystery 4: Is Walt the killer?
Walt has been in the middle of the merger from the beginning. </div>
He presented the fake whistleblower doc exposing Percy.
He continually points out how Percy is devious and ruthless.
Esme disappears after Margot tasks her to dig into discrepancies and money spikes at co-op farm/yards.
A year earlier another employee in accounting disappeared mysteriously, like Esme.Walt’s ex-wife left him financially ruined when he left her for a new young wife, who he promised to keep in luxury.
If he is the killer, what is he going to do next?
He is meeting Margot privately to killed her.
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Jennifer Miller’s Villain Has a Great Plan!
What I learned is how important it is to be precise while setting up clear actionable goals, plus the great need to make a choice on who the villain is.
Villain’s plan:
What is the end goal? To cover up embezzlement of millions from the company, put Percy in prison, and be crowned the head of the family business.
How can the Villain accomplish that in a devious way? Fire the employee who discovered the accounting problem. Fake the original document, shift the blame by framing someone else, and destroy the paper trail.
How can they cover it up? Murder Margot and Esme, who have the original dossier sent by the whistleblower, and recover the document to destroy it.
Sequence it to make it as intriguing as possible.
Kill Margot and Esme, make it look like a robbery.
When Margot survives, but is left with amnesia he acts like he is trying to help Margot get her memory back, but in reality, every action sets her further from the truth in some way.
Find the dossier that Margot has and gaslight her into believing Percy is the killer.
Destroy evidence and rework documents Bernie Madoff-style.
Fake documents to back up the frame accusations against Percy, who has financial problems.
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Jennifer Miller’s SOTL Stacking Suspense
I learned how each scene flows into the next and are not subtle, but obvious cause and effects. Clarice gets a riddle from Hannibal and she unravels it and follows the lead, step by step the risks and stakes get higher and higher. I look forward to learning more advanced skills as we move ahead, but I see the benefit of Stacking MIS.
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Jennifer Miller’s BI Stacking Suspense
I learned how MIS is woven throughout the story, into the characters, and into each scene. I have long been a model movie breakdown fan. I love looking under the hood to see how everything works. This method/chart makes it easier to follow and track the storylines by focusing on the main 4 characters, which will help me keep track of the mystery, intrigue, and suspense.
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Jennifer Miller’s World and Characters!
What I learned doing this assignment is if you build the world and the characters based on MIS I will have a killer thriller.
1. Logline: A romantic thriller about a woman suffering from amnesia, who tracks down clues to discover the killer and clear her name, while being torn between her growing attraction to the man who saved her life and the fiancé she doesn’t remember.
The Big M.I.S.:
Big Mystery:
Margot receives an explosive document from a whistleblower that could drastically change the terms of the corporate merger, but the document is fake, and when Margot’s assistant, who was working to authenticate the document dies from an apparent accident, the mystery becomes— What would be valuable enough to leak a fake document, kill Esme, and attack Margot?
Big Intrigue:
The underhanded plan of a ruthlessly ambitious Walt Milhouse to frame his boss Percy for the missing money and take over the company by killing Esme and Margot. Or… Walt’s true deception to frame Percy for the stolen funds is uncovered and he will silence anyone who saw the real document.
Big Suspense:
Will Walt kill Margot?
2. Tell us the Intriguing World you have selected for this story.
Ruthless ambition inside a large a well-loved family-owned and privately-held bakery. The acting CEO desires to destroy the competition with a new acquisition that is hotly contested inside the family as fraud and embezzlement schemes emerge.
3. With your top 2 or 3 characters, tell us the role they play and then answer these three questions:
HERO: Margot Godot
What is the mystery of this character? Who attacked her and why?
What is the suspense of this character? Will her memory return so she can expose the attacker?
What is the intrigue of this character? Will the killer strike again?
RED HERRING: Percy Devlin
What is the mystery of this character? Did he kill Esme and attack Margot to cover up fraud inside his company and save his reputation?
What is the suspense of this character? He does not want to sell his company to a behemoth, but he likes to play the game and has a gambling problem.
What is the intrigue of this character? Will he try to kill Margot?
VILLIAN: Walt Milhouse
What is the mystery of this character? Why is he going to such lengths to make the deal between his company and Margots?
What is the suspense of this character? He is a sly narcissist scheming Percy, his boss, and Margot.
What is the intrigue of this character? Will he get away with it and win the day, destroying Percy and Margot as he goes?
What is the intrigue of this character? Will he get away with it and win the day, destroying Percy and Margot as he goes?
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This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by Jennifer Miller.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by
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Jennifer Miller’s Big M.I.S.
What I learned doing this assignment is to try and be as clear and succinct as possible with the conventions and the Big MIS.
Logline: A romantic thriller about a woman suffering from amnesia, who tracks down clues to discover the killer and clear her name, while being torn between her growing attraction to the man who saved her life and the fiancé she doesn’t remember.
What are the conventions of your story? <div><div>
Unwitting but Resourceful Hero: Margot Godot
Dangerous Villain: Walt Milhouse
<div>
High stakes: Esme’s life (her assistant), Margot’s life, Thomas’s life, and Margot would not be named successor of her family’s company.
Life and death situations: Esme is found dead, Margot’s home is ransacked and she’s attacked, but she survives.
This story is thrilling because? Margot knows who the killer is, but she doesn’t remember because the attack left her with amnesia, and she is sleeping with the enemy.
2. Tell us the Big M.I.S. of your story?
Big Mystery: Margot receives an explosive document from a whistleblower, but the document is not real and when Margot’s assistant, who was working to authenticate the document, dies, an apparent accident, the mystery becomes— What would be valuable enough to leak a fake document, kill Esme, and attack Margot? </div>
Big Intrigue: The underhanded plan of a ruthlessly ambitious Walt Milhouse to frame his boss Percy for the missing money and take over the company by killing Esme and Margot. Or… Walt’s true deception to frame Percy for the stolen funds is uncovered and he will silence anyone who saw the real document.
Big Suspense: Will Walt kill Margot?
</div></div>
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Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
Unwitting but Resourceful Hero: George Smiley
Dangerous <div>Villain: Bill Haydon
High stakes: Life and death stakes, Smiley must discover the identity of the mole inside his own government office.
Life and death situations: Yes and yes.
This movie is thrilling because? There are five suspects operating at the highest level of intelligence and one is a mole. And one of the five is the hero, yet you never know who to trust. They all have secrets.What is the BIG Mystery, Intrigue, and Suspense of this story?
Big Mystery: Who is the mole?
Big Intrigue: Which one of the five top intelligence officers that worked with Smiley is the mole? Can Smiley be trusted to find the mole? Is he the mole?
Big Suspense: Will Smiley find and stop the double agent in time to stop the leaks, win the Cold War, and save Irina? Stop more bloodshed? Prevent WWIII?Anything else you’d like to say about what made this movie a great thriller? It is a slow burn, but it moves and plays like speed chess. Everyone is well set up as a possible double agent, there are lots of secrets, and there is always a question.
Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?”
I learned that TTSS is incredibly layered and complex. It’s filled with intrigue, red herrings, and secrets. I also learned from the MIS question above that even with a large cast and a complex story that the story can still be simply explained in a few sentences – Smiley, who is also a suspect, is tasked to discover who out of five possible agents working in British Intelligence is a Russian double-agent.
</div>
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Hello. I’m Jennifer Miller. I look forward to being part of this group! I’ve been like a kid waiting for Christmas morning for this class to drop. I have written 8 scripts. I studied screenwriting at UCLA. There I had a short produced and was a finalist for Sundance’s New Voices Lab. I’ve sold three romantic comedy scripts. The first one aired in December, which was a true thrill and a dream come true. I watched the premiere with my parents. Yet, while working professionally I discovered that my process is flawed and it exhausts me and it causes me a lot of stress– deadlines, spinning wheels and all. Oh la la. Recently I decided to move away from romcoms to focus on thrillers. Yet again I struggled, but then Hal’s Thriller email landed in my inbox. It was truly an answered prayer. He covered all the things I wish to accomplish – a streamlined process that comes in bite size pieces stemming from intrigue. Perhaps this will seem strange to some and unique to others, but currently I am studying the law of mankind, not the legal system of codes and statutes, but the law under god. The knowledge is a most interesting journey to discover what is real and what is fiction. It’s wild. I can also two-finger whistle like Holly Golightly.
xoxoxox,
Jenn Miller
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Jennifer Miller agrees 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.
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Hi. Here’s my email jennmillerfilms@me.com
I’m sorry I am just getting this. I’ve been offline drafting a thriller, still drafting — whew! But would be happy to take a look. Happy weekend.
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Those are great titles! I am a huge noir fan, too. Sorry I missed this reply. I had just finished the pitch class and I had to focus on my thriller. I hope you enjoyed the class and achieved your goals along the way. I look forward to catching up in April, once the rewrite is complete. Here we go!
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Yes, it’s very exciting and inspiring. I’m late to the party, but working to catch up–and I am loving everyone’s stories!
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Heck yeah! This will be fun and spooky, HA!
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Hi Ira. I love that you are also writing books. That is on my to-do list, as is a horror trilogy. Best of luck finishing the script and launching your book. Wow. That’s exciting. And, maybe it’s a stretch, but as a kid I loved to be scared–ghost stories and things that go bump in the night. Best, Jennifer.
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Hi Barry. Accountability is so helpful. I wish you the best of luck to complete script number 2.
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Hi Karlos with a K. Best of luck to you to complete a first script.
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Hi Renee. Congrats on your optioned project. Thanks for sharing your archery journey, that’s a very unique experience.
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Hi Nick. Congrats to being ready to market your work. That’s wonderful. Looking forward to your cringe concept inspired by scooping cat liter, paint me intrigued. Warm regards, Jennifer.
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Hi Sophia. Time flies. I’ve taken courses starting with the pro-series since 2017. Is this your first horror? Congratulations on all your hard work.
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Hi David. Oxford sounds pretty amazing. Looking forward to seeing how Jane Austin influence’s your horror story. Fun!
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Hi Deborah. Thanks for the movie tips, it seems we share a preference for good old traditional horror with an emotional and moral component. I hope to learn how to do that, too, turn it on it’s ear with a strong emotional core. And, it’s great that we have your professional experience and expertise with us, but mostly I love that you are defying expiration dates. You sound like a fighter, there’s honor there. Warm regards, Jennifer.
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Miller’s Big Picture Open Loops
What I learned doing this assignment is that using open loops to create mysteries/questions about the future to create obsession – a need to know the answer.
Big Picture Loops:
Will Lydecker kill Phoebe?
Will Phoebe bring destruction to the town and pack?
Will Phoebe be killed?
Will Phoebe find her mother?
Will she save Helena?
Will she transform?
Will she solve the murders?
Make friends and get out of her own way? What will come of her relationship with Lucas, Dolly, Patsy?
What’s the story of her parents past?
How will Dolly capture and hunt Phoebe?
Will Phoebe survive the pack’s initiation ceremony?
Wednesday Open Loops – who tried to kill her, why did the monster save her, will she bring destruction to the school as prophesied, is her father a murderer, and who and why is the monster killing/purpose?
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Love it, that is funny!
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Thanks Maureen! I look forward to your story, too.
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Chocolate cake and working to clear a friend’s name is how I like to spend an evening. Looking forward to more.
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Great villain, the devouring mother.
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What is in the box? I have to know! Looking forward to hearing more.
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Martial Arts and a vendetta – I am hooked!
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Yes! Here’s to a fun ride. And, that was a fun movie.
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I love a great double cross film filled with cons and scheming characters and I think on many levels this film succeeds, but I do recall not feeling blown away (or thrilled) by it. And, after reading your post, I think I now know why – the stakes, at least the ones listed, don’t seem high enough, well his life is a pretty high stake, so maybe it’s that the dangerous villain isn’t fully committed to do anything it takes to achieve their goal. Hmm. That’s interesting to ponder. Great post and I may have to revisit this film, too, and see if I can pin point why I wasn’t blown away because I am a fan of the cast and I love bookstores. And, please keep us posted on how this aligns with how you to compose music.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by Jennifer Miller.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by Jennifer Miller.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by
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Now those are some high stakes! Reading your post makes me want to revisit the film.
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Hello Warren. I love musicals. And, what an interesting life! I love Annie and I have always wanted to work on a musical. I look forward to learning more about you and your work as we move forward. I am confident we’ll be a supportive community for each other. All the best!
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Hello Janet. Wow. Crystal chandeliers. That’s interesting. I love stones and crystals. You’ll have to post one of your creations for us to see. I can’t wait to learn the skills to create the sorry map, too. It’s going to be a great class.
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Hi Judith. I love dogs! I have a four pound giant that I found one stormy afternoon in 2013. It’s been a love affair since. I look forward to hearing your story, improving together, and growing more confident with thrillers.
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Hi Ian. I’ve never visited Australia but I hope to. It seems like an interesting and lovely place. I look forward to hearing more about your writing.
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Hi Gary. You have a fun life! I love motorcycles. I had dirt bikes as a kid, and later in New Orleans I rode around on a 1971 Vespa. It was incredible fun. Best of luck with your trilogy. Great title.
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Hi Patricia. A serial killer– that is wild. I once covered a serial killer story in New Orleans for the news. It was terrifying. The Louisiana serial killer was Derrick Todd Lee. I saw him on death row at Angola State Penitentiary. He was a lot bigger in person. That is a summer I will never forget.