Kaden San
Forum Replies Created
-
Trust/Mistrust Sequence has been added as an underline.
Hero: David Stratton
Villain: James Ridley
Red Herring Character: The
Financier, Henry GarnerTrusted, but shouldn’t be: James
RidleyIsn’t trusted, but should be: Henry
GarnerTitle: Neural Nemesis
Act 1: The Set Up
Introduction:
We meet David Stratton, on his last assignment before retirement, showcasing his extraordinary combat abilities, sharp reflexes, and covert actions.
After a successful operation, he has a small celebration of his retirement with colleagues and friends where he goes drinking for the first time in years.
Inciting Incident:
Stratton wakes up in the morning, feeling different. He tries to perform some combat moves he’s known for years but fumbles (plot twist).
He discovers a scar on the back of his neck – indicating that something has been done to him while he was asleep (plot twist).
He notices the date, realizes that he has been unconscious for two days. He calls a colleague (Veronica – the Tech person) to confirm it has been two days since they last spoke at the party (plot twist).
Tech Mystery: He discovers a discarded part of the memory extraction device tech under his bed (although he doesn’t know what it is yet). It’s intricate and obviously a part of a more significant apparatus.
Act 1 Turning Point 1:
Tech Mystery: Determined, Stratton starts his search for answers. He breaks into a former agency contact and traces the equipment to Dr. Verne, a neuroscientist known for his cutting-edge research on memory and muscle reflexes, had disappeared months ago. Rumors had surfaced that he was working on a revolutionary project, but details were scarce. This device appears to be able to transfer skills from one person to another.
The Big Secret: Stratton believes the culprit is stealing abilities for wealth and power.
Stratton decides he needs his abilities back and returns to the spy agency.
Act 2
Villain Trust: The Villain, James Ridley, a senior member of David’s spy organization and a close friend of David’s, directs him to the “The Financier” as the possible culprit.
The Financier (Red Herring): A mysterious billionaire suspected of financing the evil organization. He has been funding several covert projects and is very secretive about them. David uncovers monetary ties between the Financier and Dr Verne believed to be behind the technology.
Stratton begins assembling a team of old friends and allies, each with their own set of skills. Veronica, (the tech expert and operations co-ordinator), Gareth (an elite sniper & weapons specialist) and Louise (the expert thief). They devise a plan to recover the device from the Financier but must first trace his steps.
Suspense: Unreliable Allies: Not everyone in his inner circle believes he can overcome this setback. Doubts, internal conflicts, and reluctance to help come from superiors he once trusted. This includes James Ridley, who insists that he is doing this out of concern for him (Villain Trust).
Intrigue: They follow the breadcrumbs to elite individuals & prodigies who have disappeared. Fake reports and social media postings are published to justify their disappearance.
Red Herring: They infiltrate a secretive high-profile event hosted by the Financier (Red herring distrust). It’s a black market event where illegal and experimental high tech is for sale. There is also a cage fight showcasing the newly acquired skills of the rogue Agent (Alex) where he easily kills other fighters (plot twist).
Suspense: Lured into a Dangerous Situation: A deceptive invite promises a way to restore lost abilities (Villain trust), leading him into a trap where he narrowly escapes. The Villain orchestrates a direct confrontation by putting him in the cage fight with the rogue agent in order to gloat and showcase the rogue agent’s skills, and demoralize the protagonist further (plot twist).
We discover that Stratton had once trained Alex and he was presumed dead (plot twist) after a botched operation years ago (Plot twist).
Red Herring: Evidence found in the Financier’s office seems to hint at knowledge of the extraction plots. The Financier is discovered to have been present where the extraction incidents occurred (Red herring distrust).
Intrigue: Other elites are involved in accidents and their sustained injuries are being treated at a fake rehabilitation centre for elites funded by the Financier. The fake rehabilitation centre, becomes the new obsession among the elites.
They go to interview a potential witness to one of the elite disappearing.
Suspense: They encounter rogue agents enhanced with stolen abilities led by Alex (the rogue agent) who worked closely with David who has been sent to deal with the witness.
Suspense: Technological Manipulation: As he relies more on technology to compensate for his lost skills, the Villain hacks or tampers with his equipment.
Suspense: Memory Lapses: Stratton starts experiencing sudden and unexpected memory lapses at the worst time (plot twist). Names, places, even faces – essential details vanish, making his mission incredibly challenging.
Suspense: Without his elite skills, even average thugs or lower-level agents can give him a hard time. This becomes evident when he barely escapes from a pursuit, which would have been easy for him previously
Professional Humiliation: As he stumbles and fumbles due to his lost skills he thereby loses a key potential witness who dies because he could not protect them (plot twist). He is reprimanded by his own superiors in his spy organization. His once legendary reputation is tarnished.
Suspense: Demand to Stop Pursuing the Mystery: He’s detained by local authorities, while trying to get away from the rogue agent. His former agency, seeing his compromised state, demands he stop the investigation, declaring it ‘above his current pay grade’ (plot twist).
The Tech Mystery: James Ridley (Villain Trust) informs Stratton that Dr. Verne might be held in a secret facility underneath the rehabilitation centre. A high-risk mission ensues to locate and hopefully rescue him.
Suspense: Stratton has a direct run in with Alex who uses Stratton’s own moves against him and is vastly outmatched. Stratton gets away by the skin of his teeth.
Suspense: Stratton, with his diminished skills, struggles with self-doubt.
Stratton confronts James who suspects that they seemed to know he was coming and it was like a trap was set for him (Villain Mistrust). James declares is innocence, that his confidential informant was killed getting him that information (Villain Trust).
The Tech Mystery: Once rescued, Dr. Verne is initially reluctant to speak, traumatized by his abduction and forced work. However, with time, he reveals the magnitude of his findings. He had been working on a way to transfer muscle memory to help patients with muscle degradation diseases or paralysis. But the tech was weaponised by the Villain.
Suspense: Talking about the danger: Verne explains the extraction process isn’t perfect, and if he doesn’t recover his abilities soon, he might lose them permanently. Furthermore, he will slowly lose his mind if his abilities are not restored within four weeks (plot twists). Symptoms include dizziness, memory lapses and onset dementia. Also the recipient’s memories and behavior can be unpredictable and violent bordering on psychosis. He has figured out how to stabilize both of these and has hidden the research on a flash drive.
James Ridley claims that it’s possible that Dr Verne is lying – that he may be responsible for weaponising it and wants to keep the technology for his own gain (Villain mistrust). David disagrees and wants to keep him hidden for the time being – along with the flash drive.
Midpoint:
Intrigue: They are drawn to a government database cyber attack that steals the sensitive government secrets. The authorities believe a rival country is behind the attack.
The Financier (Red Herring): Infiltrating secretive high-profile events hosted by the Financier. Finding covert project details in the Financier’s assets, leading to a false climax – The Financier is being blackmailed because his daughter has been held hostage (plot twist). He is a victim not the culprit. As the Hero is about to expose the Financier, it’s revealed that the billionaire’s interest was in a completely different illicit tech venture and not the extraction process.
The Financier, offers to assist Stratton covertly as a double agent if he can assure the rescue and safety of his daughter (Plot twist).
They mount a rescue mission successfully, retrieving the daughter, only to discover she is actually an agent for the Villain (plot twist) sent to steal Dr Verne’s hidden flash drive. The Financier’s real daughter is returned safely to him for his co-operation in fooling David (red herring mistrust).
Mystery Hidden Training Facilities: Surveillance captures training sessions of agents showcasing abilities not their own. This location is where agents with stolen abilities are trained, but for what purpose? This was given to them by the Financier as thanks for rescuing his daughter (Red herring final trust).
Intrigue: The rogue agent begins taking out threats, but it’s disguised as unrelated incidents or accidents.
Intrigue: The rogue agent starts taking out high level government agents and frames the protagonist based on his telltale combat abilities. He is now being hunted by government officials as a person of interest.
Suspense: Government law enforcement, pursue the protagonist for the framed crimes of the Villain, complicating his efforts.
David decodes a secret communication between rogue agents about a big upcoming event.
Targeting Mystery: David recollects a past mission where he crossed the now-Villain, hinting at the personal vendetta (plot twist).
Suspense: The Unknown: He experiences episodes where he cannot differentiate between reality and illusion, likely a side effect of the extraction procedure.
Suspense: Danger to Someone They Know: In an attempt to demoralize him further, a close friend is severely harmed by the rogue agent, with hints that it’s only the beginning.
Suspense: Betrayal from Someone Close: An ally, out of fear and coercion, betrays his trust, by turning over documents related to the spy organisation’s other elite members to the villain, as possible extraction targets (plot twist).
The team discovers the organization’s plan is nearing fruition. They have a list of elite targets and are set to extract abilities from a key military general that would allow the coup to proceed.
Intrigue: Bomb threats start emerging, taking the attention away from the extraction process and the upcoming coup.
Hidden Facility mystery: Unearthing blueprints of a fortified base, suggesting preparations for a significant assault – the military coup.
Intrigue: As the climax approaches, irrefutable evidence of the muscle memory extraction is exposed, but by then, the villain’s army is ready (plot twist).
David reveals a failed mission, a betrayal, and the Villain swearing revenge.
Plot twist: Someone changes sides: One of Stratton’s team members defects to the villain’s side, seeking the promise of enhanced abilities.
Other Parties Want the Villain Dead: Rival factions or organizations, seeing an opportunity, wish to take down the Villain, but their methods are extreme, forcing the protagonist to navigate a delicate balance as he needs the rogue agent alive to regain his abilities.
Intrigue: The military coup begins, with a now clear and present threat to the government, culminating in a massive battle between the protagonist, his spy agency and the unstoppable army.
Plot twist: Lost Backup: Just when Stratton believes he has backup, he discovers that a majority of his spy agency has been compromised at the highest level, and they’re not coming to assist. It is James Ridley who gave the order, leaving no doubt of his betrayal and that he is the leader of the rogue organization (Villain mistrust).
3. Turning Point Act 2:
The team infiltrates the organization’s main facility. They recover the device, but not without costs – members of Stratton’s team are captured (suspense).
Act 3: Resolution
1. Climax:
Suspense: Betrayed by Their Own Abilities: In a climactic confrontation, the rogue agent uses the protagonist’s own fighting style against him, turning his strengths into his greatest weakness.
Suspense: Just as things look bleak, Stratton taps into his years of experience and cunning, using the environment and Alex’s overconfidence against him. The fight is brutal, but Stratton manages to outwit the younger agent.
Plot twist: Before he can activate the device, he has another memory lapse and can’t figure it out. Dr Verne, shows up just in time as he starts to seize up.
With help from Verne using the device, Stratton reclaims his abilities.
With his abilities back and the device in hand, Stratton and his remaining team disrupt the organization’s plans and rescue their friends.
Stratton confronts Ridley who reveals that he wants revenge for all the agents lost under incompetent officials from the government, to be replaced by officials of his own choosing (Final Mistrust). Stratton fights James Ridley who has recently given himself multiple combat abilities making him volatile and dangerous. Stratton stays calm and eventually overcomes him.
3. Ending:
Stratton destroys the device, ensuring no one can misuse it again. He returns to retirement, but now with a renewed sense of purpose, mentoring young agents and emphasizing the value of experience over raw skills.
-
Existing and new Plot twists identified/added in bold
Title: Neural Nemesis
Act 1: The Set Up
Introduction:
We meet David Stratton, on his last assignment before retirement, showcasing his extraordinary combat abilities, sharp reflexes, and covert actions.
After a successful operation, he has a small celebration of his retirement with colleagues and friends where he goes drinking for the first time in years.
Inciting Incident:
Stratton wakes up in the morning, feeling different. He tries to perform some combat moves he’s known for years but fumbles (plot twist).
He discovers a scar on the back of his neck – indicating that something has been done to him while he was asleep (plot twist).
He notices the date, realizes that he has been unconscious for two days. He calls a colleague to confirm it has been two days since they last spoke at the party (plot twist).
Tech Mystery: He discovers a discarded part of the memory extraction device tech under his bed (although he doesn’t know what it is yet). It’s intricate and obviously a part of a more significant apparatus.
Act 1 Turning Point 1:
Tech Mystery: Determined, Stratton starts his search for answers. He breaks into a former agency contact and traces the equipment to Dr. Verne, a neuroscientist known for his cutting-edge research on memory and muscle reflexes, had disappeared months ago. Rumors had surfaced that he was working on a revolutionary project, but details were scarce. This device appears to be able to transfer skills from one person to another.
The Big Secret: Stratton believes the culprit is stealing abilities for wealth and power.
Stratton decides he needs his abilities back and returns to the spy agency.
Act 2
The Financier (Red Herring): A mysterious billionaire suspected of financing the evil organization. He has been funding several covert projects and is very secretive about them. David uncovers monetary ties between the Financier and Dr Verne believed to be behind the technology.
Stratton begins assembling a team of old friends and allies, each with their own set of skills. They devise a plan to recover the device from the Financier but must first trace his steps.
Suspense: Unreliable Allies: Not everyone in his inner circle believes he can overcome this setback. Doubts, internal conflicts, and reluctance to help come from superiors he once trusted.
Intrigue: They follow the breadcrumbs to elite individuals & prodigies who have disappeared. Fake reports and social media postings are published to justify their disappearance.
Red Herring: They infiltrating secretive high-profile event hosted by the Financier. It’s a black market event where illegal and experimental high tech is for sale. There is also a cage fight showcasing the newly acquired skills of the rogue Agent (Alex) where he easily kills other fighters (plot twist).
Suspense: Lured into a Dangerous Situation: A deceptive invite promises a way to restore lost abilities, leading him into a trap where he narrowly escapes. The Villain orchestrates a direct confrontation by putting him in the cage fight with the rogue agent in order to gloat and showcase the rogue agent’s skills, and demoralize the protagonist further (plot twist).
We discover that Stratton had once trained Alex and he was presumed dead (plot twist) after a botched operation years ago (Plot twist).
Red Herring: Evidence found in the Financier’s office seems to hint at knowledge of the extraction plots. The Financier is discovered to have been present where the extraction incidents occurred.
Intrigue: Other elites are involved in accidents and their sustained injuries are being treated at a fake rehabilitation centre for elites funded by the Financier. The fake rehabilitation centre, becomes the new obsession among the elites.
They go to interview a potential witness to one of the elite disappearing.
Suspense: They encounter rogue agents enhanced with stolen abilities led by Alex (the rogue agent) who worked closely with David who has been sent to deal with the witness.
Suspense: Technological Manipulation: As he relies more on technology to compensate for his lost skills, the Villain hacks or tampers with his equipment.
Suspense: Memory Lapses: Stratton starts experiencing sudden and unexpected memory lapses at the worst time (plot twist). Names, places, even faces – essential details vanish, making his mission incredibly challenging.
Suspense: Without his elite skills, even average thugs or lower-level agents can give him a hard time. This becomes evident when he barely escapes from a pursuit, which would have been easy for him previously
Professional Humiliation: As he stumbles and fumbles due to his lost skills he thereby loses a key potential witness who dies because he could not protect them (plot twist). He is reprimanded by his own superiors in his spy organization. His once legendary reputation is tarnished.
Suspense: Demand to Stop Pursuing the Mystery: He’s detained by local authorities, while trying to get away from the rogue agent. His former agency, seeing his compromised state, demands he stop the investigation, declaring it ‘above his current pay grade’ (plot twist).
The Tech Mystery: Stratton, utilizing his connections and skills, finds that Dr. Verne might be held in a secret facility underneath the rehabilitation centre. A high-risk mission ensues to locate and hopefully rescue him.
Suspense: Stratton has a direct run in with Alex who uses Stratton’s own moves against him and is vastly outmatched. Stratton gets away by the skin of his teeth.
Suspense: Stratton, with his diminished skills, struggles with self-doubt.
The Tech Mystery: Once rescued, Dr. Verne is initially reluctant to speak, traumatized by his abduction and forced work. However, with time, he reveals the magnitude of his findings. He had been working on a way to transfer muscle memory to help patients with muscle degradation diseases or paralysis. But the tech was weaponised by the Villain.
Suspense: Talking about the danger: Verne explains the extraction process isn’t perfect, and if he doesn’t recover his abilities soon, he might lose them permanently. Furthermore, he will slowly lose his mind if his abilities are not restored within four weeks (plot twists). Symptoms include dizziness, memory lapses and onset dementia.
Midpoint:
Intrigue: They are drawn to a government database cyber attack that steals the sensitive government secrets. The authorities believe a rival country is behind the attack.
The Financier (Red Herring): Infiltrating secretive high-profile events hosted by the Financier. Finding covert project details in the Financier’s assets, leading to a false climax – The Financier is being blackmailed because his daughter has been held hostage (plot twist). He is a victim not the culprit. As the Hero is about to expose the Financier, it’s revealed that the billionaire’s interest was in a completely different illicit tech venture and not the extraction process.
The Financier, offers to assist Stratton covertly as a double agent if he can assure the rescue and safety of his daughter (Plot twist).
They mount a rescue mission successfully, retrieving the daughter, only to discover she is actually an agent for the Villain (plot twist) sent to destroy an evidence they have gathered so far that would expose the Villain’s plans. The Financier’s real daughter is returned safely to him for his co-operation in fooling David.
Mystery Hidden Training Facilities: Surveillance captures training sessions of agents showcasing abilities not their own. This location is where agents with stolen abilities are trained, but for what purpose?
Intrigue: The rogue agent begins taking out threats, but it’s disguised as unrelated incidents or accidents.
Intrigue: The rogue agent starts taking out high level government agents and frames the protagonist based on his telltale combat abilities. He is now being hunted by government officials as a person of interest.
Suspense: Government law enforcement, pursue the protagonist for the framed crimes of the Villain, complicating his efforts.
David decodes a secret communication between rogue agents about a big upcoming event.
Targeting Mystery: David recollects a past mission where he crossed the now-Villain, hinting at the personal vendetta (plot twist).
Suspense: The Unknown: He experiences episodes where he cannot differentiate between reality and illusion, likely a side effect of the extraction procedure.
Suspense: Danger to Someone They Know: In an attempt to demoralize him further, a close friend is severely harmed by the rogue agent, with hints that it’s only the beginning.
Suspense: Betrayal from Someone Close: An ally, out of fear and coercion, betrays his trust, by turning over documents related to the spy organisation’s other elite members to the villain, as possible extraction targets (plot twist).
The team discovers the organization’s plan is nearing fruition. They have a list of elite targets and are set to extract abilities from a key military general that would allow the coup to proceed.
Intrigue: Bomb threats start emerging, taking the attention away from the extraction process and the upcoming coup.
Hidden Facility mystery: Unearthing blueprints of a fortified base, suggesting preparations for a significant assault – the military coup.
Intrigue: As the climax approaches, irrefutable evidence of the muscle memory extraction is exposed, but by then, the villain’s army is ready (plot twist).
David reveals a failed mission, a betrayal, and the Villain swearing revenge.
Plot twist: Someone changes sides: One of Stratton’s team members defects to the villain’s side, seeking the promise of enhanced abilities.
Other Parties Want the Villain Dead: Rival factions or organizations, seeing an opportunity, wish to take down the Villain, but their methods are extreme, forcing the protagonist to navigate a delicate balance as he needs the rogue agent alive to regain his abilities.
Intrigue: The military coup begins, with a now clear and present threat to the government, culminating in a massive battle between the protagonist, his spy agency and the unstoppable army.
Plot twist: Lost Backup: Just when Stratton believes he has backup, he discovers that a majority of his spy agency has been compromised at the highest level, and they’re not coming to assist.
3. Turning Point Act 2:
The team infiltrates the organization’s main facility. They recover the device, but not without costs – members of Stratton’s team are captured (suspense).
Act 3: Resolution
1. Climax:
Suspense: Betrayed by Their Own Abilities: In a climactic confrontation, the rogue agent uses the protagonist’s own fighting style against him, turning his strengths into his greatest weakness.
Suspense: Just as things look bleak, Stratton taps into his years of experience and cunning, using the environment and Alex’s overconfidence against him. The fight is brutal, but Stratton manages to outwit the younger agent.
Plot twist: Before he can activate the device, he has another memory lapse and can’t figure it out. Dr Verne, shows up just in time as he starts to seize up.
With help from Verne using the device, Stratton reclaims his abilities.
With his abilities back and the device in hand, Stratton and his remaining team disrupt the organization’s plans and rescue their friends.
3. Ending:
Stratton destroys the device, ensuring no one can misuse it again. He returns to retirement, but now with a renewed sense of purpose, mentoring young agents and emphasizing the value of experience over raw skills.
-
Title: Neural Nemesis
Act 1: The Set Up
Introduction:
We meet David Stratton, on his last assignment before retirement, showcasing his extraordinary combat abilities, sharp reflexes, and covert actions.
After a successful operation, he has a small celebration of his retirement with colleagues and friends where he goes drinking for the first time in years.
Inciting Incident:
Stratton wakes up in the morning, feeling different. He tries to perform some combat moves he’s known for years but fumbles.
He discovers a scar on the back of his neck – indicating that something has been done to him while he was asleep.
He notices the date, realizes that he has been unconscious for two days. He calls a colleague to confirm it has been two days since they last spoke at the party.
Tech Mystery: He discovers a discarded part of the memory extraction device tech under his bed (although he doesn’t know what it is yet). It’s intricate and obviously a part of a more significant apparatus.
Act 1 Turning Point 1:
Tech Mystery: Determined, Stratton starts his search for answers. He breaks into a former agency contact and traces the equipment to Dr. Verne, a neuroscientist known for his cutting-edge research on memory and muscle reflexes, had disappeared months ago. Rumors had surfaced that he was working on a revolutionary project, but details were scarce. This device appears to be able to transfer skills from one person to another.
The Big Secret: Stratton believes the culprit is stealing abilities for wealth and power.
Stratton decides he needs his abilities back and returns to the spy agency.
Act 2
The Financier (Red Herring): A mysterious billionaire suspected of financing the evil organization. He has been funding several covert projects and is very secretive about them. David uncovers monetary ties between the Financier and Dr Verne believed to be behind the technology.
Stratton begins assembling a team of old friends and allies, each with their own set of skills. They devise a plan to recover the device from the Financier but must first trace his steps.
Suspense: Unreliable Allies: Not everyone in his inner circle believes he can overcome this setback. Doubts, internal conflicts, and reluctance to help come from superiors he once trusted.
Intrigue: They follow the breadcrumbs to elite individuals & prodigies who have disappeared. Fake reports and social media postings are published to justify their disappearance.
Red Herring: They infiltrating secretive high-profile event hosted by the Financier. It’s a black market event where illegal and experimental high tech is for sale. There is also a cage fight showcasing the newly acquired skills of the rogue Agent (Alex) where he easily kills other fighters.
Suspense: Lured into a Dangerous Situation: A deceptive invite promises a way to restore lost abilities, leading him into a trap where he narrowly escapes. The Villain orchestrates a direct confrontation by putting him in the cage fight with the rogue agent in order to gloat and showcase the rogue agent’s skills, and demoralize the protagonist further.
Red Herring: Evidence found in the Financier’s office seems to hint at knowledge of the extraction plots. The Financier is discovered to have been present where the extraction incidents occurred.
Intrigue: Other elites are involved in accidents and their sustained injuries are being treated at a fake rehabilitation centre for elites funded by the Financier. The fake rehabilitation centre, becomes the new obsession among the elites.
They go to interview a potential witness to one of the elite disappearing.
Suspense: They encounter rogue agents enhanced with stolen abilities led by Alex (the rogue agent) who worked closely with David in the past and was presumed dead. He has been sent to deal with the witness.
Suspense: Technological Manipulation: As he relies more on technology to compensate for his lost skills, the Villain hacks or tampers with his equipment.
Suspense: Memory Lapses: Stratton starts experiencing sudden and unexpected memory lapses at the worst time. Names, places, even faces – essential details vanish, making his mission incredibly challenging.
Suspense: Without his elite skills, even average thugs or lower-level agents can give him a hard chase. This becomes evident when he barely escapes from a pursuit, which would have been easy for him previously
Professional Humiliation: As he stumbles and fumbles due to his lost skills he thereby loses a key potential witness who dies because he could not protect them. He is reprimanded by his own superiors in his spy organization. His once legendary reputation is tarnished.
Suspense: Demand to Stop Pursuing the Mystery: He’s detained by local authorities, while trying to get away from the rogue agent. His former agency, seeing his compromised state, demands he stop the investigation, declaring it ‘above his current pay grade’.
The Tech Mystery: Stratton, utilizing his connections and skills, finds that Dr. Verne might be held in a secret facility underneath the rehabilitation centre. A high-risk mission ensues to locate and hopefully rescue him.
Suspense: Stratton has a direct run in with Alex who uses Stratton’s own moves against him and is vastly outmatched. Stratton gets away by the skin of his teeth.
Suspense: Stratton, with his diminished skills, struggles with self-doubt.
The Tech Mystery: Once rescued, Dr. Verne is initially reluctant to speak, traumatized by his abduction and forced work. However, with time, he reveals the magnitude of his findings. He had been working on a way to transfer muscle memory to help patients with muscle degradation diseases or paralysis. But the tech was weaponised by the Villain.
Suspense: Talking about the danger: Verne explains that he might be able to regain his abilities – and the deadly consequences of not getting them restored over a long enough time period.
Midpoint:
Intrigue: They are drawn to a government database cyber attack that steals the sensitive government secrets. The authorities believe a rival country is behind the attack.
The Financier (Red Herring): Infiltrating secretive high-profile events hosted by the Financier. Finding covert project details in the Financier’s assets, leading to a false climax – The Financier is being blackmailed. He is a victim not the culprit. As the Hero is about to expose the Financier, it’s revealed that the billionaire’s interest was in a completely different illicit tech venture and not the extraction process.
Mystery Hidden Training Facilities: Surveillance captures training sessions of agents showcasing abilities not their own. This location is where agents with stolen abilities are trained, but for what purpose?
Intrigue: The rogue agent begins taking out threats, but it’s disguised as unrelated incidents or accidents.
Intrigue: The rogue agent starts taking out high level government agents and frames the protagonist based on his telltale combat abilities. He is now being hunted by government officials as a person of interest.
Suspense: Government law enforcement, pursue the protagonist for the framed crimes of the Villain, complicating his efforts.
David decodes a secret communication between rogue agents about a big upcoming event.
Targeting Mystery: David recollects a past mission where he crossed the now-Villain, hinting at the personal vendetta.
Suspense: The Unknown: He experiences episodes where he cannot differentiate between reality and illusion, likely a side effect of the extraction procedure.
Suspense: Danger to Someone They Know: In an attempt to demoralize him further, a close friend is severely harmed by the rogue agent, with hints that it’s only the beginning.
Suspense: Betrayal from Someone Close: An ally, out of fear and coercion, betrays his trust, by turning over documents related to the spy organisation’s other elite members to the villain, as possible extraction targets.
The team discovers the organization’s plan is nearing fruition. They have a list of elite targets and are set to extract abilities from a key military general that would allow the coup to proceed.
Intrigue: Bomb threats start emerging, taking the attention away from the extraction process and the upcoming coup.
Hidden Facility mystery: Unearthing blueprints of a fortified base, suggesting preparations for a significant assault – the military coup.
Intrigue: As the climax approaches, irrefutable evidence of the muscle memory extraction is exposed, but by then, the villain’s army is ready.
David reveals a failed mission, a betrayal, and the Villain swearing revenge.
Intrigue: The military coup begins, with a now clear and present threat to the government, culminating in a massive battle between the protagonist, his spy agency and the unstoppable army.
Other Parties Want the Villain Dead: Rival factions or organizations, seeing an opportunity, wish to take down the Villain, but their methods are extreme, forcing the protagonist to navigate a delicate balance as he needs the rogue agent alive to regain his abilities.
3. Turning Point Act 2:
The team infiltrates the organization’s main facility. They recover the device, but not without costs – members of Stratton’s team are captured.
Suspense: Hostage Situations: The Villain, confident in his power, takes several hostages, including those close to the protagonist, forcing him into making tough choices.
Suspense: Betrayed by Their Own Abilities: In a climactic confrontation, the rogue agent uses the protagonist’s own fighting style against him, turning his strengths into his greatest weakness.
Act 3: Resolution
1. Climax:
Suspense: Just as things look bleak, Stratton taps into his years of experience and cunning, using the environment and Alex’s overconfidence against him. The fight is brutal, but Stratton manages to outwit the younger agent. Using the device, Stratton reclaims his abilities.
With his abilities back and the device in hand, Stratton and his remaining team disrupt the organization’s plans and rescue their friends.
3. Ending:
Stratton destroys the device, ensuring no one can misuse it again. He returns to retirement, but now with a renewed sense of purpose, mentoring young agents and emphasizing the value of experience over raw skills.
-
Here are the dangers to the hero listed in order:
1. Loss of Abilities: Right after the extraction procedure, the protagonist finds himself unable to perform even basic actions that he once excelled in. His shooting is off, and his hand-to-hand combat skills are all but gone.
2. Professional Humiliation: As he stumbles and fumbles due to his lost skills he thereby loses a key potential witness who dies because he could not protect them. This incident is captured, and he is reprimanded by his own superiors in his spy organization. His once legendary reputation is tarnished.
3. Memory Lapses: Along with his combat skills, the protagonist starts experiencing sudden and unexpected memory lapses. Names, places, even faces – essential details vanish, making his mission incredibly challenging.
4. Threats: Anonymous packages or messages are sent to him, making it clear that the Villain knows about his vulnerability and is mocking his attempts to intervene.
5. Chased: Without his elite skills, even average thugs or lower-level agents can give him a hard chase. This becomes evident when he barely escapes from a pursuit, which would have been easy for him previously.
6. Taunted: Everywhere he goes, the rogue agent seems to be always a step ahead, taunting him with his own stolen abilities and keeping him constantly on edge.
7. Talking about the danger: An anonymous source (the inventor of the extraction device) reaches out, with a coded message left at a crime scene. They provide fragmented clues about how he might regain his abilities – and the deadly consequences of not getting them restored over a long enough time period.
8. Danger to Someone They Know: In an attempt to demoralize him further, a close friend is severely harmed by the rogue agent, with hints that it’s only the beginning.
9. Surveillance: His every move seems to be monitored. Drones, suspicious vehicles, or even casual bystanders seem to be tracking him, hinting at the Villain’s vast resources and network.
10. The Unknown: He experiences episodes where he cannot differentiate between reality and illusion, likely a side effect of the extraction procedure.
11. Thugs or Professionals: He is ambushed by a group of agents displaying combat styles eerily familiar, hinting that they might be using extracted abilities from other elites.
12. Physical Danger: Every confrontation leaves him injured or exhausted due to his lost skills, which takes a toll on his health and stamina.
13. Lured into a Dangerous Situation: A deceptive invite promises a way to restore lost abilities, leading him into a trap where he narrowly escapes.
14. Unreliable Allies: Not everyone in his inner circle believes he can overcome this setback. Doubts, internal conflicts, and reluctance to help come from superiors he once trusted.
15. Trapped: A seemingly innocuous lead brings him face to face with the rogue agent in an environment designed using the protagonist’s own tactics.
16. Hostage Situations: The Villain, confident in his power, takes several hostages, including those close to the protagonist, forcing him into making tough choices.
17. Betrayal from Someone Close: An ally, out of fear and coercion, betrays his trust, by turning over documents related to the spy organisation’s other elite members to the villain, as possible extraction targets.
18. Other Parties Want the Villain Dead: Rival factions or organizations, seeing an opportunity, wish to take down the Villain, but their methods are extreme, forcing the protagonist to navigate a delicate balance as he needs the rogue agent alive to regain his abilities.
19. Demand to Stop Pursuing the Mystery: He’s detained by local authorities, while trying to get away from the rogue agent. His former agency, seeing his compromised state, demands he stop the investigation, declaring it ‘above his current pay grade’.
20. The Threat That Their Own Secret Could Be Revealed: The Villain hints at dark secrets from the protagonist’s past, and threatens to reveal them.
21. Technological Manipulation: As he relies more on technology to compensate for his lost skills, the Villain hacks or tampers with his equipment.
22. Closeness to the Villain: The Villain orchestrates a direct confrontation, not for combat, but to gloat, showcase the rogue agent’s skills, and demoralize the protagonist further.
23. Impersonated: The rogue agent, with the protagonist’s skills, commits acts under his guise, creating confusion and mistrust among his allies.
24. Presence of Weapons: Confrontations reveal that even basic weapons in the hands of adversaries are a grave threat now, given his weakened state.
25. Other Parties Need to Solve the Mystery First: Independent factions, pursue the protagonist for the framed crimes of the Villain, complicating his efforts.
26. Weaponized Technology: The Villain, besides having muscle memory tech, employs drones, AI defenses, and other advanced gadgets to thwart the protagonist’s efforts.
27. Betrayed by Their Own Abilities: In a climactic confrontation, the rogue agent uses the protagonist’s own fighting style against him, turning his strengths into his greatest weakness.
28. End Game Danger: As the story hurtles towards the climax, the protagonist, despite his vulnerabilities, rallies his allies for a final confrontation, not just to reclaim his abilities but also to stop the Villain’s nefarious plans.
-
1. The Big Secret:
While the protagonist believes the clandestine organization is just stealing abilities for wealth and power, the true objective is even darker: a full-scale military coup of the government. The head of this organization, the main Villain, is a covert leader with a personal vendetta against the retired spy from a past betrayal.
2. Main Mysteries/Cover-Ups:
1. The Targeting Mystery: How and why was the retired spy, our protagonist, specifically targeted for ability extraction?
2. The Tech Mystery: How does the muscle memory extraction device work? Who created it?
3. The Red Herring – The Financier: A mysterious billionaire suspected of financing the evil organization. He has been funding several covert projects and is very secretive about them.
4. Hidden Training Facilities: Locations where agents with stolen abilities are trained, but for what purpose?
Red Herring Steps:
1. The Financier is found at locations where the extraction incidents occurred.
2. The Hero uncovers monetary ties between the Financier and the scientists believed to be behind the technology.
3. Evidence found in the Financier’s office seems to hint at knowledge of the extraction plots.
4. As the Hero is about to expose the Financier, it’s revealed that the billionaire’s interest was in a completely different illicit tech venture and not the extraction process.
3. The Engaging Mystery:
The retired spy wakes up feeling weak, realizing his abilities are not as sharp. He needs to understand how he became a victim and why he was targeted, drawing him deeper into the rabbit hole.
4. Sequence of Mysteries:
1. The Hero’s quest begins with understanding The Targeting Mystery, trying to fathom why he, among all elite spies, was chosen.
2. This curiosity leads him to The Tech Mystery, wanting to uncover the mechanism of his ability loss.
3. While investigating, suspicious financial transfers bring the Hero to The Financier.
4. After the Red Herring is cleared, the protagonist stumbles upon Hidden Training Facilities, which slowly unravels the military coup intention.
5. Mystery Chains:
– The Targeting Mystery:
1. Protagonist finds a strange mark on his body, a possible sign of the extraction.
2. He recollects a past mission where he crossed the now-Villain, hinting at the personal vendetta.
3. Flashbacks show a failed mission, a betrayal, and the Villain swearing revenge.
– The Tech Mystery:
1. After being targeted, the protagonist discovers a small discarded piece of equipment near his home. It’s intricate and obviously a part of a more significant apparatus. It appears to be a failed or older version of the device used on him.
2. Dr. Verne, a neuroscientist known for his cutting-edge research on memory and muscle reflexes, had disappeared months ago. Rumors had surfaced that he was working on a revolutionary project, but details were scarce.
3. The protagonist, utilizing his connections and skills, finds that Dr. Verne might be held in a secret facility in the Alps. A high-risk mission ensues to locate and hopefully rescue him.
4. Once rescued, Dr. Verne is initially reluctant to speak, traumatized by his abduction and forced work. However, with time, he reveals the magnitude of his findings. He had been working on a way to transfer muscle memory to help patients with muscle degradation diseases or paralysis. But the tech was weaponised by the Villain.
– The Financier (Red Herring):
1. Dissecting the questionable financial transfers.
2. Infiltrating secretive high-profile events hosted by the Financier.
3. Finding covert project details in the Financier’s assets, leading to a false climax.
– Hidden Training Facilities:
1. Surveillance captures training sessions of agents showcasing abilities not their own.
2. Decoding a secret communication between rogue agents about a big upcoming event.
3. Unearthing blueprints of a fortified base, suggesting preparations for a significant assault – the military coup.
-
1. What is their end goal?
To orchestrate a successful military coup against the government using an unstoppable army of elite individuals whose extraordinary abilities have been stolen and implanted into their agents.
2. How can the Villain accomplish that in a devious way?
· Kidnap elite individuals and extract their skills without their knowledge or consent.
· Blackmail elite individuals into willingly giving up their skills for the extraction.
· Use a double agent inside the government to provide them with a list of the best targets for extraction.
· Hack into surveillance systems to track and capture targets.
· Use propaganda to create distrust in elite individuals, making it easier to capture them without public outrage.
· Create a fake rehabilitation center for elite individuals to voluntarily come to, only to be subjected to extraction.
· Use the young rogue agent (with the retired spy’s skills) to eliminate any competitors or threats.
· Collaborate with enemy nations to secure more resources and potential extraction candidates.
· Use moles in intelligence agencies to prevent any information about their operations from being leaked.
· Introduce a tech virus to cripple communication networks during the coup.
· Plant bombs in key governmental locations, ready to be detonated to serve as a diversion when necessary.
· Infiltrate the educational system to identify prodigious talents early on and groom them for future extraction.
· Corrupt or control health facilities to sedate and extract from individuals during routine medical procedures.
· Partner with criminal syndicates or mafias to facilitate kidnappings and extractions in exchange for shared power.
· Use a deep fake AI to impersonate the elites, maintaining a facade of normalcy while the real individuals are held captive.
· Sabotage the security details of elite individuals, making them easy extraction targets.
3. How can they cover it up?
· Release some individuals post-extraction, wiping their memories so they remember nothing.
· Make it look like elite individuals are disappearing due to personal issues, like mental breakdowns or the desire for privacy.
· Spread misinformation, ensuring no suspicions are raised.
· Make it appear as cyber-attacks from rival countries, diverting attention and resources.
· Spin the narrative that the captured elites are partaking in a secret competition or event.
· Leak fake stories about elites to support the propaganda, blurring the lines between truth and fiction.
· Publicize the fake center as a premium retreat for elites, with fake testimonials.
· Make the rogue agent’s actions look like accidents or crimes of passion, not planned assassinations.
· Have the rogue agent kill high profile government personnel in a manner that would make it appear that it was done by the protagonist.
· Cause accidents that disrupt communication.
· Use deep fake technology to make it seem as though the protagonist is admitting to killing elites.
· Create a narrative of potential terrorist attacks, keeping authorities on high alert and focusing on the wrong threat.
· Position the grooming process as special scholarships or opportunities for gifted students, making it seem benevolent.
· Release news about a new, routine medical procedure or vaccine, making widespread sedations seem normal.
· Use the deep fake AI to post regular social media updates.
· Attribute the security sabotages to budget cuts or incompetence, diverting attention from the real threat.
4. Sequencing for Intrigue:
· Elite individuals are noticed to be disappearing or acting out of character when they lose their abilities. Other elites are involved in accidents and their sustained injuries are being attributed to the loss of their abilities.
· Prodigies seem to be disappearing, while fake social media postings are published.
· Cyber-attacks cause distractions, making the authorities believe a different country is behind the chaos.
· The protagonist uncovers bribery and corruption at an elite military training school, suggesting external forces at play.
· The creator of the memory extraction device appears to be working for the Villain yet he leaves cleverly coded helpful clues for the protagonist at each kidnapping scene, suggesting otherwise.
· The fake rehabilitation centre gains traction, becomes the new obsession among the elites.
· The protagonist discovers, a secret underground facility beneath the rehabilitation centre. Then discovers that it is also a training ground.
· The rogue agent begins taking out threats, but it’s disguised as unrelated incidents or accidents.
· The rogue agent starts taking out high level government agents and frames the protagonist based on his telltale combat abilities.
· Bomb threats start emerging, taking the attention away from the extraction process and the upcoming coup.
· As the climax approaches, irrefutable evidence of the muscle memory extraction is exposed, but by then, the villain’s army is ready.
The military coup begins,
with a now clear and present threat to the government, culminating in a massive
battle between the protagonist, his spy agency and the unstoppable army. -
Assignment 1
What I learned:
1. We are never truly sure of Tramell’s guilt or innocence. This uncertainty keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
2. The movie employs sexuality as a narrative tool to deepen the mystery and raise the stakes of the story.
3. No character is purely good or bad. This helps keep suspense alive, as we are never entirely sure about characters’ motivations.
4. The film delves into the backgrounds of its central characters, which not only gives them depth but also offers clues and red herrings crucial to the mystery.
5. The use of hints and clues that indicating future events is throughout the film. Effective foreshadowing can build suspense.
6. The script is filled with dialogue that often carry double meanings, adding layers to the mystery and the characters.
7.
The film doesn’t offer a clear resolution, leaving room for interpretation.Assignment 2: Silence of the Lambs Scene MIS
SCENE 1: Clarice’s Training Course
– Essence of Scene: Clarice is in the middle of a physical training exercise at the FBI Academy.
– Stakes: Lives of the hostages.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Why is this young woman so determined? What drives her?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense: The sudden summons she receives adds a layer of mystery. Why is she being pulled from her training?
SCENE 2: Crawford’s Briefing
– Essence of Scene: Clarice is briefed by Jack Crawford about interviewing Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
– Stakes: Obtaining information from Lecter about an ongoing case.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Why did Crawford choose her for this task?
– Suspense: How will she handle this high-pressure assignment?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: Who is Buffalo Bill? What’s Lecter’s connection to the case?
– Suspense: The dangerous reputation of Dr. Lecter heightens the stakes.
SCENE 3: Clarice’s First Visit to the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane
– Essence of Scene: Clarice meets Dr. Chilton and then Dr. Lecter for the first time.
– Stakes: Will Lecter help, or is Clarice in danger?
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Mystery: Why is she willing to risk so much?
– Intrigue: Her bravery in facing Lecter.
– Suspense: How will she navigate Lecter’s manipulations?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: What happened between Lecter and the last person who visited him?
– Intrigue: Lecter’s coded message about a former patient.
– Suspense: The palpable tension as she walks past the other inmates.
SCENE 4: Clarice and Hannibal’s Initial Interaction
– Essence of Scene: Clarice tries to question Lecter, and he probes into her personal history.
– Stakes: Gaining Lecter’s trust and assistance.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Mystery: There are hints of her traumatic past.
– Intrigue: Her strategy and determination in dealing with Lecter.
– Suspense: Will she buckle under Lecter’s pressure?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: Why is Lecter showing interest in Clarice?
– Intrigue: Lecter’s insight into the Buffalo Bill case.
– Suspense: The dynamic and unpredictable nature of their conversation. Will he help her or get in her head to use her?
SCENE 5: Clarice’s Reflection After Leaving the Hospital
– Essence of Scene: Clarice processes her interaction with Lecter and gets a clue related to the case.
– Stakes: Understanding Lecter’s hints and progressing in the Buffalo Bill case.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Mystery: How will she use the clues provided by Lecter?
– Suspense: Can she decode the information in time to make a difference in the case?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: What does Lecter know about the case that others don’t?
– Intrigue: The significance of the “two can play” hint.
– Suspense: The ongoing threat of Buffalo Bill and what he might do next.
SCENE 6: Clarice’s Flashback to her Father’s Funeral
– Essence of Scene: We see a young Clarice at her father’s funeral.
– Stakes: Insight into Clarice’s past and her emotional vulnerabilities.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Mystery: What exactly happened to her father?
– Intrigue: How has this event shaped her motivations and career choices?
SCENE 7: Examination of the Body
– Essence of Scene: Clarice and Crawford examine the body of one of Buffalo Bill’s victims.
– Stakes: Finding any clues to help in the investigation.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Her meticulous observation skills.
– Suspense: What will she discover?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: The significance of the moth chrysalis in the victim’s throat.
– Suspense: The graphic nature of Buffalo Bill’s murders and the urgency to find him.
SCENE 8: Return to the Academy
– Essence of Scene: Clarice and her friend, Ardelia, investigate the chrysalis and relate it to the case.
– Stakes: Linking the discovered clue to Buffalo Bill.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Her dedication to the case, even off-duty.
– Suspense: Will this clue be significant in finding the killer?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: Why does Buffalo Bill leave the chrysalis in his victims?
SCENE 9: Second Meeting with Dr. Lecter
– Essence of Scene: Clarice returns to Lecter with the intent to gain more insights.
– Stakes: Obtaining more information from Lecter, while risking psychological exposure.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Mystery: Why is she so driven to engage with Lecter?
– Intrigue: The dynamic between her and Lecter; a mutual curiosity.
– Suspense: Will Lecter reveal more, or just play games?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: What more does Lecter know about Buffalo Bill?
– Suspense: The unpredictability of their interaction.
SCENE 10: Clarice’s Recollection of the Lamb Slaughter
– Essence of Scene: Clarice tells Lecter about a traumatic childhood memory involving the slaughtering of lambs.
– Stakes: Her personal trauma and its connection to her drive to save the abducted girl.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Mystery: What other traumas does she hide?
– Intrigue: The vulnerability she displays in front of Lecter.
– Suspense: How will Lecter use this personal information?
SCENE 11: Dr. Chilton’s Ambush
– Essence of Scene: Dr. Chilton reveals to Clarice that her deal with Lecter was a sham, and he has his own plan to use Lecter for fame.
– Stakes: The trust between Clarice and Lecter is jeopardized.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Suspense: How will she react to this betrayal?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Intrigue: Dr. Chilton’s ulterior motives and manipulation.
– Suspense: How will Lecter respond to this new deal?
SCENE 12: Lecter’s New Deal
– Essence of Scene: Dr. Chilton and the Senator negotiate a deal with Lecter, promising a transfer in exchange for information on Buffalo Bill.
– Stakes: Extracting genuine information from Lecter amidst these manipulations.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Lecter:
– Intrigue: His demand for a transfer, hinting at ulterior plans.
– Suspense: Will he genuinely help or is this another of his games?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: Does Lecter really know who Buffalo Bill is?
– Suspense: The desperation of the Senator and the ticking clock to save the senator’s daughter.
SCENE 13: Clarice Visits Lecter Again
– Essence of Scene: Clarice confronts Lecter about the false deal and seeks more information about Buffalo Bill.
– Stakes: Gaining genuine insights from Lecter amidst the deceptions.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Her determination and courage in facing Lecter again.
– Suspense: How far will she go to get the truth from him?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Intrigue: Lecter’s cryptic clues and insights about Buffalo Bill.
– Suspense: The tension between Clarice, Lecter, and the encroaching Dr. Chilton.
SCENE 14: Lecter’s Escape Plan
– Essence of Scene: While being prepared for transfer, Lecter assaults and kills his guards in a gruesome fashion.
– Stakes: The immediate danger posed by Lecter and the ramifications of his escape.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Lecter:
– Mystery: How exactly did he orchestrate this escape?
– Suspense: His violent actions and the unfolding escape plan.
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Suspense: The chaos of the escape scene and the uncertainty of capturing Lecter.
SCENE 15: The Aftermath of Lecter’s Escape
– Essence of Scene: Police and SWAT teams discover the extent of Lecter’s escape, finding bodies and realizing he’s disguised himself.
– Stakes: Capturing Lecter before he disappears.
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: Where is Lecter and what is his next move?
– Intrigue: His brilliant and grotesque means of diversion.
– Suspense: The manhunt and the realization that Lecter is disguised as one of the injured.
SCENE 16: Clarice Interviews Frederica Bimmel’s Friends
– Essence of Scene: Clarice digs deeper into the life of one of Buffalo Bill’s victims, Frederica Bimmel.
– Stakes: Unearthing clues about Buffalo Bill’s patterns or identity.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Her dedicated investigative approach, speaking to friends and retracing victims’ steps.
– Suspense: Will she find a lead connecting to Buffalo Bill?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: Why was Frederica Bimmel targeted?
SCENE 17: Investigation at the Victim’s House
– Essence of Scene: Clarice examines Bimmel’s room, looking for clues.
– Stakes: Understanding the connection or pattern among the victims.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Suspense: Will her investigation yield any actionable clues?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: The discovery of the dress patterns with diamond shapes cut out.
SCENE 18: Dr. Lecter’s New Location
– Essence of Scene: The authorities find that Lecter is in a different city, having killed a tourist for his possessions.
– Stakes: Capturing Lecter before he blends into obscurity.
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Suspense: Where will Lecter strike next? How will the authorities close in on him?
– Intrigue: Lecter’s resourcefulness in changing his identity and evading capture.
SCENE 19: Clarice’s Realization and Call to Crawford
– Essence of Scene: Clarice connects the dots about Buffalo Bill’s intentions with the women’s skins.
– Stakes: Understanding Buffalo Bill’s motivations to predict his next move.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Her ability to piece together disparate clues.
– Suspense: The urgency to share her findings with Crawford.
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: Why is Buffalo Bill collecting women’s skins? What’s his endgame?
SCENE 20: The FBI’s Raid Preparations
– Essence of Scene: Crawford and the FBI prepare to raid a house they believe to be Buffalo Bill’s.
– Stakes: Capturing Buffalo Bill and rescuing the senator’s daughter.
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Suspense: The anticipation of the raid and the uncertainty of its outcome.
– Intrigue: The collected evidence pointing towards this location.
SCENE 21: Clarice Visits Another Victim’s Home
– Essence of Scene: Clarice decides to visit the home of another victim in Ohio, hoping to find more clues.
– Stakes: Piecing together more information about Buffalo Bill’s selection process and possible identity.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Her persistent, hands-on approach to the investigation.
– Suspense: What might she discover that others have missed?
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Mystery: Are there any connections between this victim and the others?
SCENE 22: FBI’s False Lead
– Essence of Scene: The FBI raids a home they believe to be Buffalo Bill’s, only to realize it’s a false lead.
– Stakes: The immediate danger to the senator’s daughter and the wasted time.
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Suspense: The build-up to the raid and the subsequent realization.
– Intrigue: If this isn’t Buffalo Bill’s location, where is he?
SCENE 23: Clarice’s Discovery
– Essence of Scene: While interviewing friends of the victim, Clarice stumbles upon Buffalo Bill’s house.
– Stakes: The life of the senator’s daughter and Clarice’s own safety.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Suspense: The realization and danger as she stands at Buffalo Bill’s door.
– Intrigue: Her decision to proceed despite being alone and potentially outgunned.
SCENE 24: The Showdown
– Essence of Scene: Clarice is in Buffalo Bill’s house. She discovers his gruesome workshop and eventually confronts him.
– Stakes: Capturing Buffalo Bill, rescuing the senator’s daughter, and Clarice’s own survival.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Suspense: Navigating the dark, eerie environment of the house, knowing Buffalo Bill could be anywhere.
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Suspense: The game of cat and mouse between Clarice and Buffalo Bill, especially during the power outage.
SCENE 25: Aftermath of the Showdown
– Essence of Scene: The aftermath of the confrontation, with the FBI arriving and the senator’s daughter being rescued.
– Stakes: Processing the trauma of the confrontation and understanding the entire scope of Buffalo Bill’s actions.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: How will she cope with the trauma and the enormity of her actions?
SCENE 26: Clarice’s Graduation
– Essence of Scene: Clarice Starling graduates from the FBI Academy.
– Stakes: Clarice’s achievement and transition from a trainee to an FBI agent.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Intrigue: Her feelings and reflections on her journey, especially after confronting Buffalo Bill.
SCENE 27: Phone Call from Dr. Lecter
– Essence of Scene: At the graduation party, Clarice receives a call from Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
– Stakes: Lecter’s intentions and the fact that he remains free.
– Character MIS (Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense):
– Clarice:
– Suspense: The sudden realization that Lecter is reaching out to her.
– Intrigue: Her emotional and psychological response to his call.
– Lecter:
– Mystery: Where is he now? What is his plan?
– Intrigue: His statement that he won’t pursue Clarice.
– Suspense: His intentions regarding Dr. Chilton.
– Other Mystery, Intrigue, Suspense:
– Suspense: Lecter’s ominous hint at “having an old friend for dinner,” implying a threat to Dr. Chilton.
-
This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by Kaden San.
-
This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by
-
What I learned is that there are multiple layers to a great thriller script that need to be thought through carefully.
Logline: “A retired spy must reclaim his extraordinary combat abilities that were stolen using a muscle memory extraction device and implanted into a young and ruthless rogue agent, who works for a clandestine organization attempting to steal the abilities of elite individuals to create their own unstoppable army.”
Big Mystery:
Who stole his abilities, how did they do it and is there a bigger purpose at play?
Big Intrigue:
Shadow Organization: Behind the young rogue agent, there exists a covert organization with intentions of creating an army of enhanced spies using the extracted abilities from the best agents around the world. Their aim? Overthrowing governments and seizing power in multiple nations simultaneously.
Big Suspense:
The spy must contend with more combat experienced spies and assassins trying to stop him. Moreover, the longer his abilities remain implanted in another, the harder they will be to recover and the more unstable his existing memories become, making it more difficult for him to decipher fact from fiction.
World Setting:
The Underground Black Market and fight club:
This setting would be rife with whispered secrets and hidden agendas where the muscle memory extraction device could have originally been bought or is being sold to the highest bidder. Furthermore, top agents could be present, and deals are made discreetly. Within the black market could be a fight club where the rogue agent might test and display his newfound abilities against formidable opponents to further improve the bidding war for their skills. The dingy, adrenaline-charged atmosphere is perfect for unexpected confrontations.
HERO (Retired Spy)
Mystery: How will he track down and confront the rogue agent who now possesses his stolen combat abilities?
Intrigue: As he navigates the world without his abilities, he discovers deeper layers of betrayal within the organizations he once trusted. While his aim is to recover his abilities, there’s the question of whether he’ll use them for vengeance or justice.
Suspense: Can he reclaim his abilities and stop the clandestine organization’s plan to steal and implant elite skills into an unstoppable army, especially when he’s at his most vulnerable?
RED HERRING (Possible Third Party – Former Ally/Protegé)
Mystery: Why is this ally/protegé always at the scene after the rogue agent’s deeds? What’s their end game?
Intrigue: They seem to have their own secretive operations running parallel to the rogue agent’s actions. They leave clues, some that aid and some that hinder the retired spy’s mission.
Suspense: Will they cross paths with the retired spy, leading to a confrontation? And if so, on which side will they truly stand?
VILLAIN (Rogue Agent):
Mystery: Beyond having the retired spy’s abilities, what drives the rogue agent? What’s his personal stake in all of this?
Intrigue: With every encounter, it becomes clear the rogue agent is not just a mere puppet of the organization but has his own vendetta and ambitions. He’s always a step ahead, leaving breadcrumbs of his bigger plan.
Suspense: As he becomes more emboldened by the stolen abilities, who else is in his crosshairs? Will he turn on the very organization that empowered him, aiming for something even bigger?
-
Title: “Neural Nemesis”
Logline:
“A retired spy must reclaim his extraordinary combat abilities that were stolen using a muscle memory extraction device and implanted into a young and ruthless rogue agent who works for a clandestine organization attempting to steal the abilities of elite individuals to create their own unstoppable army.”
Unwitting but Resourceful Hero:
The retired spy. Although he has lost his unique martial arts abilities to the muscle memory extraction device, his years of experience and underlying resourcefulness give him an edge. His experience has provided him with a variety of tools, contacts, and knowledge to navigate this crisis.
Dangerous Villain:
The young and ruthless rogue agent. Empowered with the stolen skills and abilities of the retired spy, he becomes an incredibly formidable foe. Moreover, his youth grants him vitality and a recklessness that can be as unpredictable as it is deadly.
High Stakes:
If he fails to reclaim them, he stands to lose a core part of his identity. Additionally, in the hands of the rogue agent, these abilities are being used for malevolent purposes as part of the big intrigue that will have world consequences.
Life and Death Situations:
Every confrontation between the retired spy and the rogue agent is a potential death match given the agent’s enhanced abilities. Furthermore, as the retired spy delves deeper into the web of deceit surrounding the muscle memory extraction technology, he finds himself up against other formidable adversaries or traps set by those guarding the device’s secrets.
This story is thrilling because?
The story pushes the hero to rely not just on his physical prowess but his wits, cunning, and resourcefulness. It questions the core of one’s identity and challenges the limits of one’s adaptability and resilience in the face of overpowering odds.
Big Mystery:
Who stole his abilities, how did they do it and is there a bigger purpose at play?
Big Intrigue:
Behind the young rogue agent, there exists a covert organization with intentions of creating an army of enhanced spies using the extracted abilities from the best agents around the world. Their aim? Overthrowing governments and seizing power in multiple nations simultaneously.
Big Suspense:
The spy must contend with more combat experienced spies and assassins trying to stop him. Moreover, the longer his abilities remain implanted in another, the harder they will be to recover and the more unstable his existing memories become, making it difficult for him to piece together fact from fiction.
-
“The Bag Man” (2014) thriller conventions
What I learned is that great thrillers will tend to stick to these conventions.
Unwitting but Resourceful Hero:
John Cusack’s character, Jack. He’s assigned a seemingly straightforward task by a crime boss to transport a bag but not to look inside. While he may have been unaware of the full scope of what he was getting into, he uses his wits and resourcefulness to navigate the treacherous waters of this assignment.
Dangerous Villain:
Robert De Niro’s character, Dragna. He’s the menacing crime lord who gives Jack the assignment. Dragna is enigmatic, powerful, and ruthless, ensuring that Jack and others who cross his path remain on their toes.
High stakes:
The contents of the mysterious bag. The urgency with which Dragna wants this bag, coupled with the mandate that Jack must not look inside it, creates an air of mystery and elevates the stakes of the movie. Everyone wants the bag, and are willing to kill him for it, but why?
Life and death situations:
Throughout the film, Jack finds himself in a series of escalating confrontations. He has to deal with rival criminals, corrupt cops and unpredictable characters at the motel, all while ensuring that he remains alive and in possession of the bag.
This movie is thrilling because?
“The Bag Man” is thrilling because it combines elements of suspense, mystery, and action. The enigma of the bag’s contents, the deadly cat-and-mouse games between Jack and those who want the bag, and the unpredictable nature of many characters keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Furthermore, the dark and seedy setting of the motel amplifies the tension, making it a gripping watch.
Big Mystery:
The main mystery in the story revolves around the contents of the bag. Throughout the film, viewers and the protagonist, Jack, are left wondering what’s inside the bag and why it’s so important. This central question drives the plot and motivates many of the characters’ actions.
Big Intrigue:
The intentions and plans of Dragna, the crime lord played by Robert De Niro, represent the big intrigue. Dragna’s reasons for wanting the bag, his endgame, and how all the characters fit into his larger plan are kept hidden, adding layers of depth and uncertainty to the narrative.
Big Suspense:
The imminent danger Jack faces while trying to fulfill his task creates the primary suspense in the film. With rival criminals, corrupt cops, and other unpredictable characters all trying to get their hands on the bag, Jack is constantly in peril. His situation is further complicated by Dragna’s mandate not to look inside the bag, adding an element of psychological tension as curiosity battles with obedience. The seedy motel setting and the various characters Jack encounters heighten this sense of danger, as he never knows who he can trust.
-
1. Kaden San
2. I agree to the terms of this release form.
3.
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.
Agreed.