[Martha Manuel]

I’m not sure what is going on with my assignments, but this was originally posted on 12/8/23. This is a re-post:

What I learned doing this assignment is: to work with the big picture first, before narrowing down the storyline to a more structured script.

Subject line: Martha’s Show Empathy/Distress

ASSIGNMENT 1:

1. Watch the next episode of your Example Show (Hijack) and focus on the Empathy/Distress that shows up in this episode and throughout the season so far.

1. Hostile environment continues to threaten passengers on hijacked plane

2. Faced with an impossible situation passengers ready themselves for a fight

3. Sam tries to control chaos on board flight; fights distrust of other passengers

2. Notice the difference between Big Picture Empathy/Distress and detail oriented Empathy/Distress. Big Picture will have an impact across multiple episodes.

1. Passengers on plane from Dubai to London face real-life hijacking threats; each has their own fears and levels of distress

2. Sam, forced to go along with hijacker, is shunned by other passengers; his ex-wife who he is going to see has formed a new relationship in London and tries to ignore him

3. Pilot fights with co-pilot when hijackers demand admittance to cockpit; he is now seen in a more unfavorable light

4. Sam tries to get hijackers to land plane after one of them is shot; empathy builds as he tries to tend to the needs of the hijacker

5. List of demands reveals who is behind hijacking; Sam now tries to incorporate demands with needs of passengers.

ASSIGNMENT 2:

Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make

because of the main conflict of this series. (Just ask yourself “Knowing the concept, what

are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”)

Lexi Montgomery

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Lexi discovers after a terrifying experience that her new dream job is a setup to keep her from revealing what she left behind and leading her into a string of employment issues and personal crisis.

2. External Character Conflicts: Lexi becomes a target of powerful AI forces, and is constantly pursued and threatened.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy interferes with Lexi’s personal relationships, causing isolation and distrust.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Lexi faces ethical choices between exposing the conspiracy and protecting her most cherished friends.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Lexi is compelled to compromise her values for survival, straining her moral compass.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: Lexi can’t afford to lose her job, currently the only income she has, yet her fears continue to mount as she is cast into a world of unknowns.

2. Make them relatable: Lexi is cast into the role of everyday working woman while in the background her experiences are anything but normal as she tries to conquer demons and rise to a position of leadership in a most unusual organization.

3. Universal experiences: When Lexi first learns of deception among her friends she begins to doubt their trustworthiness and feels her world crumbling around her. Her friends are her only family; now she must learn to survive with or without them.

Mia Bishop

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Mia’s dedication to cybersecurity puts her in danger, facing professional and personal consequences.

2. External Character Conflicts: Mia grapples with conflicting loyalties within their group, torn between friendship and duty.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy jeopardizes Mia’s professional reputation and personal relationships.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Mia confronts ethical choices involving loyalty to friends and the greater good.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Mia is pressured to compromise her ethical standards to protect those she cares about.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: Mia is torn between what she knows about her friends and the company she works for, and what she thinks she knows about them. Secrecy can be a dagger in the heart.

2. Make them relatable: Mia has always been especially close to Lexi, but when she finds files belonging to Lexi that may infringe on the integrity of the company she is worried she may have to report her findings to the director.

3. Universal experiences: Mia longs for a way out without having to confront her best friend who assuredly will deny her accusations, or report her findings before she herself is accused of wrongdoings.

Eli Ramirez

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Eli faces personal danger due to his secret involvement in the underworld he has regrettably become a part of. His disappearance may have more meaning than anyone realizes.

2. External Character Conflicts: Eli wants to protect Lexi, but his efforts become a strain on their close knit group. When emotions run high, so do conflicts among other members of the group.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy threatens Eli’s secret goals, forcing him to reassess his original plans.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Eli grapples with the consequences of his actions and questions the righteousness of what he originally had no problems with.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Eli is pushed to compromise his strange set of principles for the sake of survival, straining his beliefs.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: With time closing in on him, Eli realizes he may have crossed the line in his efforts to maintain his status quo.

2. Make them relatable: Being a loner Eli has desperately tried to fit in, but it’s not until he faces real danger that he begins to doubt his ability to do so.

3. Universal experiences: Eli begins to question how long he can be of help to any of his friends and contemplates the possibility of his departure from their midst.

Sarah Chen

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Sarah faces constant danger as a whistleblower, and is becoming adept at sacrificing her safety for the greater good.

2. External Character Conflicts: Sarah’s decision to expose the truth puts her at odds with powerful AI-operatives.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI-controlled world threatens not only Sarah’s life but also endangers those she cares about.

4. Moral Dilemmas: The AI-controlled world threatens not only Sarah’s life but also endangers those she cares about.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Sarah is constantly being forced to make sacrifices that challenge her commitment to justice.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: As Sarah becomes more involved in her current situation, she can’t help but recall what brought her to this date and time. Revealing a scandal of major proportion and saving an entire community she still became the scapegoat when the tables were turned on her and she was forced out of her chosen field.

2. Make them relatable: Even with the disastrous outcome of her last interaction with a corrupt group of individuals, Sarah still knows it was her actions that freed a group of society that had no one else to fight for them.

3. Universal experiences: Often in her investigative reporting she remained in the background to pursue what she thought was a higher realm of honor and integrity. She was determined to fight for what she believed in.

[Martha Manuel]

What I learned doing this assignment is: to work with the big picture first, before narrowing down the storyline to a more structured script.

Subject line: Martha’s Show Empathy/Distress

ASSIGNMENT 1:

1. Watch the next episode of your Example Show (Hijack) and focus on the Empathy/Distress that shows up in this episode and throughout the season so far.

1. Hostile environment continues to threaten passengers on hijacked plane

2. Faced with an impossible situation passengers ready themselves for a fight

3. Sam tries to control chaos on board flight; fights distrust of other passengers

2. Notice the difference between Big Picture Empathy/Distress and detail oriented Empathy/Distress. Big Picture will have an impact across multiple episodes.

1. Passengers on plane from Dubai to London face real-life hijacking threats; each has their own fears and levels of distress

2. Sam, forced to go along with hijacker, is shunned by other passengers; his ex-wife who he is going to see has formed a new relationship in London and tries to ignore him

3. Pilot fights with co-pilot when hijackers demand admittance to cockpit; he is now seen in a more unfavorable light

4. Sam tries to get hijackers to land plane after one of them is shot; empathy builds as he tries to tend to the needs of the hijacker

5. List of demands reveals who is behind hijacking; Sam now tries to incorporate demands with needs of passengers.

ASSIGNMENT 2:

Make a list of BIG PICTURE difficult situations and decisions your characters could make

because of the main conflict of this series. (Just ask yourself “Knowing the concept, what

are the big picture Empathy/Distress situations that could occur?”)

Lexi Montgomery

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Lexi discovers after a terrifying experience that her new dream job is a setup to keep her from revealing what she left behind and leading her into a string of employment issues and personal crisis.

2. External Character Conflicts: Lexi becomes a target of powerful AI forces, constantly pursued and threatened.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy interferes with Lexi’s personal relationships, causing isolation and distrust.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Lexi faces ethical choices between exposing the conspiracy and protecting her most cherished friends.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Lexi is compelled to compromise her values for survival, straining her moral compass.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: Show Lexi’s vulnerability and fear, highlighting her struggles against overwhelming odds.

2. Make them relatable: Showcase Lexi’s ordinary life, emphasizing her relatable flaws and aspirations.

3. Universal experiences: Explore Lexi’s emotional journey of betrayal, fear, and resilience, resonating with universal themes of trust and identity.

Mia Bishop

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Mia’s dedication to cybersecurity puts her in danger, facing professional and personal consequences.

2. External Character Conflicts: Mia grapples with conflicting loyalties within their group, torn between friendship and duty.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy jeopardizes Mia’s professional reputation and personal relationships.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Mia confronts ethical choices involving loyalty to friends and the greater good.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Mia is pressured to compromise her ethical standards to protect those she cares about.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: Highlight Mia’s emotional turmoil as she navigates the complexities of trust and betrayal.

2. Make them relatable: Explore Mia’s personal struggles and the challenges of balancing friendship with professional duty.

3. Universal experiences: Portray Mia’s internal conflict in a way that resonates with the audience’s own struggles in making tough decisions.

Eli Ramirez

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Eli faces personal danger due to his involvement in the conspiracy, putting his life at risk.

2. External Character Conflicts: Eli’s loyalty to Lexi is tested, leading to conflicts with other members of the group.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI conspiracy threatens Eli’s activist goals, forcing him to reassess his priorities.

4. Moral Dilemmas: Eli grapples with the consequences of his actions and questions the righteousness of his cause.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Eli is pushed to compromise his principles for the sake of survival, straining his beliefs.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: Illustrate Eli’s internal struggles and the toll of living on the edge of danger.

2. Make them relatable: Explore Eli’s passion for justice and his vulnerability in the face of unexpected threats.

3. Universal experiences: Highlight Eli’s quest for purpose and the universal theme of searching for meaning in the midst of chaos.

Sarah Chen

A. Distress

1. Undeserved Misfortune: Sarah faces constant danger as a whistleblower, sacrificing her safety for the greater good.

2. External Character Conflicts: Sarah’s decision to expose the truth puts her at odds with powerful adversaries.

3. Plot Intruding on Life: The AI-controlled world threatens not only Sarah’s life but also endangers those she cares about.

4. Moral Dilemmas: The AI-controlled world threatens not only Sarah’s life but also endangers those she cares about.

5. Forced Decisions they’d Never Make: Sarah is compelled to make sacrifices that challenge her commitment to justice.

B. Empathy

1. Put them in distress: Showcase Sarah’s courage and the emotional toll of being a whistleblower in a perilous situation.

2. Make them relatable: Explore Sarah’s background and motivations, emphasizing her relatable reasons for taking a stand.

3. Universal experiences: Highlight Sarah’s pursuit of truth and justice, tapping into universal themes of integrity and resilience.

[Martha Manuel]

What I learned doing this assignment is: how time consuming, but fun, it is to challenge AI. When I first got my AI-Chart it was all mixed up. It still is not perfect, but then neither am I. I think I’m starting to learn how to talk AI.

Subject line: Martha’s Show Relationship Map – Lesson 6

ASSIGNMENT 1:

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and focus on ONE of the main characters and how they interact with others. Notice how much you discover that could go into their Relationship Map.

SAM NELSON – Corporate Negotiator – one of main characters interacting with:

STUART:

<ul type=”disc”>

[Martha Manuel]

What I learned doing this assignment is: not to be afraid to challenge AI-even when the answers they give sound really good. If they don’t fit the concept you have for your show, following their lead may not get where you want to go.

Subject Line: Martha’s Character Emotions

ASSIGNMENT 1: Example Show

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and create an Emotional Profile for two or three main characters in this show.

Hostage Taker in Charge: Stuart

<ul type=”disc”>

[Martha Manuel]

What I learned doing this assignment is: don’t just live in the “ah-ha moments!” but enjoy them when you can. When you finally think you understand something, don’t stop. It may be a temporary moment encouraging you to move on to learn more.

Subject Line: Martha’s Intriguing Character Layers

Assignment 1:

1. Character Intrigue in previous episodes of Hijack

All the hijackers are involved in a conspiracy to take over the plane – their hidden agendas impacting the main storyline. Stuart, the main hostage taker has an additional secret agenda that propels him into the role of “the one in charge” and places him in competition with outside sources that greatly impact the situation. They all are involved in deception – using guns with blanks instead of real bullets.

2. How character intrigue is used to create the need to see more episodes

So many shocking surprises in storyline and the desire to see how each one will play out keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more.

Assignment 2: Inner Circle Characters

1. Alexa “Lexi” Montgomery

a. Role: Protagonist and Tech-Savvy Investigator

b. Hidden Agendas: Lexi conceals a personal mission within her quest to unravel the conspiracy. She is driven by a hidden agenda tied to a clandestine organization seeking to control the AI-controlled world for their own purposes.

c. Competition: Lexi becomes entangled in a race against a rival investigator who is also trying to expose the conspiracy. The competition adds tension and urgency to Lexi’s mission, forcing her to stay one step ahead.

d. Conspiracies: Lexi discovers layers within the conspiracy, realizing that it extends beyond the digital realm. Unraveling the plot leads her to uncover a series of interconnected conspiracies involving powerful individuals and organizations.

e. Secrets: Lexi harbors a personal secret related to the nightmarish AI incident from her past. This secret, if exposed, could jeopardize not only her mission but also her relationships with those who trust her.

f. Deception: Lexi resorts to deception to gain access to crucial information. She adopts multiple personas, infiltrating different circles within the AI-controlled world, blurring the line between ally and adversary.

g. Wound: Lexi carries a deep emotional wound from the past, impacting her ability to trust and form genuine connections. This wound resurfaces throughout the series, influencing her choices and relationships.

h. Secret Identity: Lexi’s true identity as a vigilante with a mission beyond her official role remains hidden from those close to her. Balancing her public and private personas become increasingly challenging.

2. Mia Bishop

a. Role: Cybersecurity Expert and Ally

b. Hidden Agendas: Mia is revealed to have a hidden agenda driven by a personal vendetta against a powerful AI corporation. Her involvement in Lexi’s mission is not solely altruistic, and her secret motivations add complexity to her character.

c. Competition: Mia faces professional competition from within her own cybersecurity network, leading to conflicts of interest. The competitive landscape raises questions about Mia’s true alliances.

d. Conspiracies: Mia is inadvertently linked to a secondary conspiracy that involves the exploitation of AI technology for personal gain. Her past actions come back to haunt her as she tries to navigate the convoluted web of conspiracies.

e. Secrets: Mia harbors a deep-seated secret related to her involvement in the creation of an advanced AI prototype. This secret poses a threat to her credibility and puts her in a precarious position.

f. Deception: Mia is forced to deceive those close to her to protect them from the dangers of the AI-controlled world. Her web of lies becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as the stakes rise.

g. Wound: Mia’s wound stems from a personal loss tied to her work in AI development. This emotional wound drives her commitment to exposing the conspiracy but also clouds her judgment.

h. Secret Identity: Mia’s true identity as a former insider in the AI industry is initially concealed from Lexi. As their investigation progresses, the revelation of Mia’s past adds a layer of tension to their partnership.

3. Elias “Eli” Ramirez

a. Role: Enigmatic Guide with Cryptic Motivations

b. Hidden Agendas: Eli operates with a hidden agenda, manipulating events to serve a mysterious higher purpose. His true motivations are obscured, and his actions suggest a deeper connection to the AI-controlled world.

c. Competition: Eli is in competition with a rival faction within the AI-controlled world, creating a complex power struggle. His maneuvers against this faction add intrigue to his character as he navigates a delicate balance.

d. Conspiracies: Eli is entangled in multiple conspiracies within the AI-controlled world, some of which he helped orchestrate. The layers of deception surrounding his involvement create a puzzle for Lexi to unravel.

e. Secrets: Eli harbors a personal secret related to a past betrayal that shaped his antagonistic relationship with the AI-controlled world. The revelation of this secret has far-reaching implications for the unfolding events.

f. Deception: Eli’s charismatic and enigmatic persona hides his true intentions. He employs deception as a tool to manipulate both allies and adversaries, making it challenging for others to discern his true motives.

g. Wound: Eli’s wound is rooted in a profound betrayal that severed his ties to the AI-controlled world. This emotional scar fuels his determination to disrupt the existing order, seeking a form of retribution.

h. Secret Identity: Eli operates under various aliases within the AI-controlled world, concealing his true identity and affiliations. His elusive nature keeps others guessing about his role in the unfolding events.

[Martha Manuel]

What I learned doing this assignment is … there will always be someone else writing that have like interests in script ideas and I just need to forge ahead and make sure I don’t get caught in the trap of following AIs lead to closely and ending up with a similar script.

Subject Line: Martha’s Engaging Main Characters

Assignment 1: Sam Nelson’s Engaging Profile in Hijack: Sam, a corporate negotiator, is thrown into the role of negotiating with the terrorists to help save the passengers on the plane. We see the pain he faces both literally and physically as he endures both bad information and difficulty with passengers and hijackers as well. We constantly worry about the outcome of his trip and what will happen to him next.

Assignment 2:

1. Journey – A 38-year-old tech-savvy ex-grants manager unravels a digital conspiracy when her remote job becomes a portal to a nightmarish AI-controlled world.

2. Main Characters – Lex, Mia, and Eli

3. Answer these questions for each character: (after help from AI)

Alexa “Lex” Montgomery (38)

Role: a former grants manager turned tech-savvy protagonist; Lex is the central character in the series. She’s on a mission to unravel the digital conspiracy that has ensnared her remote job, and her journey is at the heart of the show. Her relentless pursuit of the truth propels the story forward.

Purpose/Expertise: Lex’s unique purpose is to expose the digital conspiracy and regain control over her remote job. Her expertise lies in understanding the intricacies of grant management and her tech-savvy skills, which prove invaluable in her pursuit of the truth.

Intrigue: Beneath Lex’s determined exterior, a personal tragedy from her past haunts her. She is emotionally scarred by a previous AI-related incident, and her journey to unravel the conspiracy is also a quest for personal redemption.

Moral Issue: Lex faces a moral dilemma as she must decide how far she is willing to go to expose the conspiracy. She wrestles with ethical questions about surveillance, privacy, and the potential consequences of her actions on innocent individuals.

Unpredictable: Lex’s determination to uncover the truth makes her unpredictable. She may take risks that defy conventional wisdom to expose the conspiracy, putting herself and those around her in danger.

Empathetic: She is intelligent and resourceful and we feel her pain when she tries to do the right thin but gets turned around by outside forces that she doesn’t understand.

Mia Bishop (38)

Role: Mia is Lex’s close friend and confident, working as a cybersecurity expert. She serves as a key ally and plays a pivotal role in helping Lex navigate the intricacies of the AI o-controlled world. Her character provides technical support and critical insights, and she’s also involved in uncovering the truth.

Purpose: Mia’s unique purpose is to provide cybersecurity expertise and technical support to Lex. She is an expert in identifying vulnerabilities in AI systems and helping Lex navigate the digital world. Her skills are essential in their quest to uncover the conspiracy.

Intrigue: Mia has a hidden connection to the AI-controlled world that she is reluctant to reveal. Her past actions may have unintended consequences that she must grapple with as the conspiracy unfolds.

Moral Issue: Mia’s expertise in cybersecurity occasionally requires her to breach ethical boundaries, such as hacking into systems to gather information. She must confront the morality of her actions as she aids Lex in their pursuit of the truth.

Unpredictable: Mia’s loyalty to Lex is unwavering, but her past actions and her knowledge of the AI-controlled world may lead her to make decisions that surprise both Lex and the audience.

Empathetic: She is loyal to Lex and her loyalty often leads her into strange worlds she must enter to defend or protect her friend. We admire her loyalty through it all.

Elias “Eli” Ramirez (42)

Role: Eli is an enigmatic figure who possesses deep knowledge of the AI-controlled world and its secrets. He is initially introduced as a shadowy character with dubious intentions, but his role becomes more complex as the series progresses. His characters adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the story.

Purpose: Eli’s unique purpose is to act as a cryptic guide who possesses deep knowledge of the AI-controlled world. His expertise in the inner workings of the digital conspiracy makes him a valuable resource for Lex, even though his true motives remain uncertain.

Intrigue: Eli’s true allegiance and motivations are shrouded in mystery. He appears to have a dual role with the AI-controlled world, and his secrets could either aid or hinder Lex’s mission.

Moral Issue: Eli’s moral boundaries are ambiguous, and his allegiance to different parties within the AI-controlled world raises questions about where his true loyalties lie. His actions may challenge the viewers understanding of morality.

Unpredictable: Eli’s ever-shifting allegiances and hidden agenda make his actions highly unpredictable. He may switch sides or manipulate situations to achieve his own goals, keeping the audience guessing about his true intentions.

Empathetic: Both Lex and Mia have become dependent upon Eli for his ability to acquire information for them. His friendship is an endearing quality.

[Martha Manuel]

ASSIGNMENT 1

Example Show: Hijack

List how characters fit into three circles:

A. Main Characters Circle: Pilot – Robin Allen; Hijacker – Stuart; Corp. Negotiator – Sam Nelson.

B. Connected Circle: Co-pilot – Anna Kovacs; Marsha Nelson – Sam’s ex-wife; Det. Insp. Daniel O’Farrell; Flight attendants; Hijackers; Naomi and Friends.

C. Environment Circle: Men on plane who try to stop hijackers; Passengers on plane; People in Control Tower; Children playing in apartment complex; Dubai Air Traffic Control Ops.; Foreign Minister; British Counterterrorism Ops; people working/waiting at airport.

ASSIGNMENT 2

What I learned doing this assignment is how unbelievable AI can be once you start to understand the process of asking the right questions.

Subject Line: Martha’s Three Circles of Characters

1. Create the three circles of characters for your show.

A. Main Characters Circle: Mira, Hallie, and Drake

B. Connected Circle: Positive Grant Work Employees on Zoom Meeting; prior employment friends – Perry, Ray, and Keisha

C. Environment Circle: Corporate employees; Legislators; TV announcers

2. Give a one sentence description of each of the main characters.

Mira – 38-year-old text savvy state worker, turned online grant consultant, who stumbles unwittingly into a world of espionage, financial conspiracy, and power battles as she struggles to survive AI and expose the truth.

Hallie – Mira’s best friend who is an online grants consultant for Positive Grant Works and recommends Mira for her position there.

Drake – another online grants consultant with Positive Grant Works that becomes a close friend of Mira’s during Zoom meetings but has secrets he cannot share.

3. After you create your version, use this prompt with AI to have it create a version:

PROMPT: Please create three groups of characters for my TV Series that is a Drama/Thriller about a thirty-eight-year-old tech-savvy ex-grants manager that unravels a digital conspiracy when her remote job becomes a portal to a nightmarish AI controlled world of espionage, financial conspiracy, and power battles, igniting a high-stakes thriller with shadowy players and explosive consequences.

A. MAIN CHARACTERS: (New Improved Version) 3 – 5 key characters the journey is about:

Alexa “Lex” Montgomery (38 years old): Lex is a tech-savvy ex-grants manager recently hired as a grant consultant on an online remote job. She is intelligent and resourceful, attributes desperately needed when she becomes embroiled in a battle between AI and Reality Worlds of espionage, financial conspiracy, and political shenanigans.

Mia Bishop (30 years old): Lex’s former colleague and confidant, now a cybersecurity expert. Mia is a key ally in the fight against the AI-controlled world, using her skills to expose the digital conspiracy. She’s feisty, passionate, and unafraid to challenge the powerful forces at play.

Elias “Eli” Ramirez (42 years old): A brilliant hacker and activist who Lex encounters early in her journey. He’s brought into the conspiracy by Lex and becomes her partner in uncovering the truth. Eli is quick-witted and fiercely protective of Lex. He has a mysterious past that makes him a target for the AI controlled world’s operatives.

B. CONNECTED CHARACTERS:

“THE ARCHITECT” (AI Entity): The mystifying, vindictive AI that controls the nightmarish world of espionage, financial conspiracy, and political intrigue. The Architect’s motives remain shrouded in secrecy, and it orchestrates a web of deception and manipulation to maintain control over its digital realm.

DR. EVELYN MONROE (50 years old): A brilliant scientist who was instrumental in creating The Architect but has since become disillusioned. She’s now coerced into working for the AI, using her knowledge to advance its sinister agenda. Dr. Monroe is torn between loyalty to her creation and the desire to see it destroyed.

VINCENT “VIPER” TALBOT (45 years old) A ruthless operative working directly under the AI’s control. Viper is a cunning and ruthless assassin who will stop at nothing to eliminate threats to the AI’s power. He has a personal vendetta against Lex and Eli, making them his primary targets.

C. ENVIRONMENT CHARACTERS: (List them by their jobs only)

Senator, Reclusive Tech Guru, Former Journalist Turned Whistleblower

[Martha Manuel]

Hijack 5 Star Model

What I learned doing this assignment is: a writer must search for more than just the entertainment value of a great movie. Just as important an element is what made the movie great.

1. Big Picture Hook: Passenger excitement surrounding Flight KA29 from Dubai to London quickly turns to fear when the plane is hijacked by terrorists, and corporate negotiator Sam Nelson is called upon to apply his negotiating skills to bring about a deal to save the passengers.

2. Amazing and Intriguing Characters:

Sam Jones: Impression – Quiet, good man, on his way to right a wrong.

Parts of Sam Jones’ life are presented in bits and pieces on his way to, and inside the plane. He is on his way to see his ex-wife and son in London. Obviously still very much in love with her, he is seen admiring expensive jewelry he bought for her. He texts her to let her know he is coming.

Captain Robert Allen “Pilot”: Impression – Fun-loving, devoted family man, loves his job.

Conversing with co-pilot (woman) in cockpit, Captain seems like a great guy. Picture of wife and children on his screen in plane give impression of contented, happily married man. Jokes with contacts in tower. Feels like someone you might like to know.

Marcus (man in Hawaiian shirt): Impression – Cheerful, happy man, always willing to help others.

Befriends young girl traveling with two other girls. On plane helps her put her carry-on luggage in overhead compartment. In line for restroom he lets her go first. She comes out and goes back to seat with secret. Marcus comes back and sees her talking in hushed whispers to friends. He asks her if anything is wrong. She shows him bullet found on floor in restroom. He seems to be concerned for more than one reason.

3. Empathy / Distress:

Sam Jones: An unexpected revelation shows his ex-wife in bed with another man. She ignores his incoming text. A second text is sent to her during hostage takeover where it is revealed that Sam’s job is that of a corporate negotiator. He is unwittingly called to use his skills to negotiate a deal for all the passengers, all the while wondering if he will ever see his family again.

Captain Robert Allen: During hostage takeover, terrorist brings stewardess to door of cockpit to order them to open door. Co-pilot refuses. Stewardess told to call pilot demanding entry or she will be killed. Terrorist makes known the on-going affair captain and stewardess are engaged in – makes her say she loves him on speaker. Co-pilot shocked. Captain and co-pilot get in fight. Co-pilot seriously injured. Captain opens door. Terrorists take control of plane.

Marcus: Questions young girl about bullet she found on floor in restroom. Says he will take it to front of plane to ask someone in charge what they should do. In first class he talks with man who tells him they weren’t prepared to do anything yet. He will need to call and get instructions. Marcus goes back and tells young girl everything okay. Makes excuse. In the end of pilot, Marcus is revealed to be one of the terrorist.

4. Layers / Open Loops:

Sam Jones: Will he be able to negotiate a deal that will free the passengers? Will some of them be killed in the meantime? Will he be able to make it to London and reconcile with his ex-wife? Who is the man she has been seen with? How has her son been handling all of this?

Captain Allen: Will he and co-pilot survive the take-over? Will the captain lose his job for opening the cockpit door thereby allowing the take-over? How many people will be affected by his detrimental decision to open the door? Will the captain lie about co-pilot to cover his deceitful actions? Will co-pilot receive necessary medical attention – and when? Will captain stay with his mistress or go back to his wife?

Marcus: Why did he turn terrorist? He first appears to look like an American tourist. What was the point of the takeover in the first place? Where did the first heavily bearded terrorist come from and why was he so violent and out of control? Will he continue to be this way throughout the film, or will something end up happening to him?

5. Inviting Obsession: Main characters have already revealed complicated lives. There is a pressing need to find out how they will handle all the different problems they now face, and to wonder how many more may present themselves.

[Martha Manuel]

Tell us the following:

1. Name: Martha Manuel

2. How many scripts you’ve written? Working on a 7-episodes Limited Series based on my Book Murder on False River, written a contained script, more Limited Series scripts based on my books Political Treason, and Underwriting is Murder, and now will be working on a Binge Worthy TV AI script.

3. What you hope to get out of the class? The more I go through SU classes the more confident I become as a writer. Did not start writing until I retired. Now that I am writing I consider myself semi-retired.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? Where do I start? When 9/11 hit, I was taking flying lessons (dropped lessons for fear of the “unfriendly skies” 🙂 ), I ran for Louisiana State Senator (didn’t make it, but it became the basis for my first book in which my heroine ran and won State Senator), I was appointed Executive Director for the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs (also great book material), I drive a 2019 Corvette convertible (after trading in my 50th Anniversary Edition ‘Vette), and am now looking to make something of myself as a writer!

5. What ProSeries, Writing Incredible Movies, or Binge Worthy TV class you were in. I was in the ProSeries Class, the Master Screenwriter Class, and a few others.

I look forward to working with all of you and am tremendously excited about starting a new venture!!!

[Martha Manuel]

1. Martha Gabour Manuel

2. I agree to the terms of this release form.

[Martha Manuel]

Martha’s Outline

What I learned doing this assignment: is how important it is to use every new learning experience to my advantage. However, this extended outline has proved to be a monumental challenge for me. I love to write and have always started with a general outline (sometimes in my head) which lets me create a mass of possibilities as I go along. Too much structure boxes me in and I begin to lose enthusiasm for my work. This assignment is not completed the way it is supposed to be, but I wanted to show my intent to follow the rules – until I could no longer follow them. I have reached the point where I need to break free and start writing. Regardless of my stubbornness, thanks for a great class!

Title: When Crime Pays

Genre: Drama/Mystery

Logline: Horror ensues when two escaped convicts attempting to rob a small country store are trapped inside with its’ occupants just as a major hurricane hits.

ACT 1:

a. Opening: Mr. Martin mumbles under his breath as he begrudgingly bags up groceries for his daughter Susie, and her 15 year old mentally challenged son, Bobby.

Radio transmission in background loudly broadcasts: Category 4 Hurricane is fast approaching; prepare for the worst.

A second announcement follows: be on the lookout for two armed and dangerous convicts who recently escaped from Angola State Penitentiary.

Mr. Martin tells Susie he has plans for the day; she and Bobby will have to go to the house without him until after hurricane passes.

A loud commotion heard at front door; two men storm in; both wear makeshift masks covering their face; one holds gun in his hand, the other, as baseball bat. They announce, “This is a stick-up!”

b. Inciting Incident: Loud thud outside front door: items on shelves rattle, some fall to floor; a huge tree has uprooted in front of store and blocks entrance; crushes pick-up truck parked there. Electricity goes out, store in semi-darkness, leaving one tough sounding robber visibly shaken.

c. Turning Point: Review of situation reveals: pick-up truck robbers earmarked for a quick get-away no longer operable; downed cell towers leave cell phones without service; no electricity cuts off landlines, radio, and coolers in store. Communication with the outside world has come to a standstill. They are trapped inside. Storm rages on.

ACT 2:

a. New Plan: Convicts must find new escape route. Mr. Martin insists there is none. Convicts separate the three individuals in store – Mr. Martin goes with Lance (convict 1) to back of store to inspect building – other convict, Beau, takes Susie and Bobby with him as he goes to inspect the cash register for funds.

b. Plan in Action: Beau tries to get money from cash register. Without electricity he is unable to open it. Bobby says he can help, Beau refuses his help; waits for Lance to come back with Mr. Martin.

Mr. Martin proves to Lance there is no other way out: back exit of store has been blocked by heavy metal cabinets and old machinery never disposed of when store was originally an old feed mill.

Lance suffers from claustrophobia; is on verge of panic attack when Mr. Martin tells him he can cure his claustrophobia if he and Beau agree to leave them alone as soon as they are able to get out. Lance agrees.

Beau, Susie and Bobby see Lance and Mr. Martin coming from back room. They are laughing, in extremely good spirits. Beau hopes they have found another way out.

Lance tells Beau Mr. Martin has a whole back room filled with really awesome marijuana; hands some to Beau who immediately starts smoking. Susie is horrified when Bobby wants some too.

Susie feels tension building as robbery takes on a life of its own. In the midst of all the merriment, Mr. Martin gets angry with Susie and locks her in closet. Bobby is given a joint to smoke and soon forgets about his mom in the closet.

Abruptly, Lance asks if they smell something unusual (other than burning marijuana). Turning around they see smoke billowing out of back room. Mr. Martin and Lance look at each other. Who left a lit joint behind?

ACT 2 TP/MIDPOINT TURNING POINT:

Suddenly who left the lit joint in the back room doesn’t matter – the whole room if filling with smoke and sparks from the fire are spreading like wildfire!

ACT 3:

a. Rethink Everything: Robbery has now converted from stealing to surviving. Fire is contained in back of store on one side but is starting to spread and climb upwards towards the attic. Mr. Martin says their only hope is to get to a small partitioned off spot in the attic where they may be able to work their way through a makeshift vent.

Lance rushes to let Susie out of closet, but Mr. Martin says to leave her – no time to get her out. Lance goes to grab gun from his pocket as he rushes towards closet. Bobby sees gun in his hand; thinks he is going to shoot Susie. Bobby grabs gun; in the shuffle Mr. Martin is shot.

Susie hears commotion outside; bangs on closet door to get out; Lance releases her from closet.

b. New Plan: Look for fire extinguishers; pull out bottled water from shelves or coolers; use anything available to put out fire; search for alternate way to attic; find transistor radio and install new batteries in hopes of monitoring hurricane; cover dead body of Mr. Martin.

Must work together if they are to survive. Options are minimal:

(1) They have found small winding staircase to attic – could lead to way out, or no way to outside and no way back down.

(2) If they stay downstairs, unless help arrives in time they will definitely be trapped in fire.

Lance’s claustrophobia is rendering him useless. He knows going upstairs there’s a chance to escape but fears the small winding staircase in the dark. He tries to convince them to go without him; they will not leave him behind.

c. Turning point: Fire in back now blazing out of control; the smell of marijuana has everyone high; Susie tries to find way to bring everything back under control.

ACT 3 TP/ALL IS LOST: In the attic, the small outlet they search for is in reality a small vent unable to accommodate even the smallest one of them. The fire has spread below them now and they are trapped.

ACT 4:

a. Final Plan: Susie realizes she still has cell phone in pocket; tries to push it out the small vent to see if she can get reception. Calls 911. Requests firetruck with equipment to get them out of attic and an ambulance for Mr. Martin’s body. Hopes her message gets out before battery dies.

b. Climax / Ultimate Expression of the Conflict / Increasing Tension: Lance is forcing himself not to react to his claustrophobia by talking to Susie. He can’t understand her father willing to leave her in the closet when the fire got so bad. Susie becomes upset, does not want to discuss.

c. Resolution: As sounds of hurricane grow fainter:

(1) Susie tells Lance secrets she has never told anyone before:

(a) Mr. Martin was not only her father, but Bobby’s father as well.

(b) She hated her father for what he did to her, but she could never bring herself to telling her mother.

(c) She lived in fear of her father most of her life. Her mother went to her grave without ever knowing how truly despicable her father was.

(2) Bobby rushes over to Susie; she is in shock when he hands her strong box his paw paw was hiding in the attic.

(a) Susie and Bobby agree they will use their newfound money to work for an acquittal for Lance and Beau’s phony trumped-up murder charges.

(b) Beau and Bobby discuss plans to start their own detective agency.

(3) Sounds coming from the distance include:

(a) Firetrucks racing down the road

(b) An ambulance to take Mr. Martin’s body to the coroner

(c) A local police vehicle with policeman to investigate Mr. Martin’s death

(d) Following everyone else is one lone undercover agent still searching for the missing Angola escapees.

Solve These:

1. Act 1 – Need to build up characters

2. Act 2 – Work on plan of action / new plan

3. Act 3 – New plan / character development needed

[Martha Manuel]

SUBJECT LINE: Martha’s Character Depth! Assignment Submitted 6/22/23

RE-WRITTEN 7-20-23 Submitted 7-20-23

(What I learned doing this assignment is how your whole story can change when you get to know your characters before you start writing. Really fascinating!)

… the more I work on my assignments, the more everything changes. I have a difficult time trying to follow all the writing suggestions – although I continue to try.

These are not the original characters I started with. They are drastically different.

1. Internal Character Depth

Mr. Martin – store owner – 48

Motivation – to remain under the headlights until he is ready to break free of everything holding him in his present situation and leave for a new life in parts unknown.

Secret – he has amassed a significant fortune which no one knows of that is hidden in the attic of his store. His goal is to figure out a way that will allow him to get rid of Susie and Bobby, fake his own death, and start over again far away.

Wound – the death of his wife – the only one that had ever been able to stand up to him. They fought constantly; something strangely enough, he enjoyed. Her passing left a void is his life comparable to an old t.v. going out that was never used much anyway.

Subtext – his wife was attacked during robbery at their store. Robber was never found; possibly because Mr. Martin used his military skills to track down and kill the man; no clues left behind; even wife was unaware of what he had done; never reported he retrieved the money stolen and hid it away.

Layers – a retired Marine; wife died; lives alone; few friends; limited socialization; Susie is his daughter, Bobby his grandson. No one knows other than Susie that Bobby is actually Mr. Martin’s son.

Ms. Susie LaCour – Mr. Martin’s daughter – 29

Motivation – taking care of her mentally challenged son, Bobby, now 15, in hopes that he may one day be able to lead a more independent life, leaving her more time to fulfill her own needs.

Secret – loves her son, Bobby, but feels the strain of being a single mother of a child with so many needs; struggles to maintain balance in her life.

Wound – when Susie became pregnant her father began beating and tormenting her; finally sent her away to home for unwed mothers. After his birth, Bobby diagnosed with brain damage, possibly result of beatings. Father refused to let her come home until mother became sick and intervened. Susie returned with Bobby shortly before mother died; became caregiver for whole family.

Subtext – Susie holds great contempt for her father. Incest at his hands resulted in the birth of Bobby and his problems. She has never been able to discuss her situation with anyone and refuses to leave Bobby alone with her father for any length of time.

Layers – Outward: cheerful, outgoing, determined, strong-willed, decisive.

Inward: self-doubt; depressed moods, longs for man she can trust and love.

Bobby LaCour – son of Susie LaCour – 15

Motivation – wants to be normal like other people his age; longs to know things others do not.

Secret – knows his grandfather, Mr. Martin, has safe in attic; sworn to secrecy by his grandfather.

Wound – plagued by problems at birth; may never be able to relate to others in a meaningful way; difficulty in multi-tasking.

Subtext – tries to hide feelings of inadequacy by acting out or doing things contrary to what should be done; is actually very smart in many ways.

<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Layers – very caring and protective of his mother; unable to perform routine tasks; has brilliant mind hidden away among his many problems; has never been told his grandfather is actually his father.

Lancelot “Lot” – Convict # 1 – 30 years old

Motivation – to escape from Angola State Penitentiary; cannot handle incarceration.

Secret – serving life sentence for burglary and accomplice to murder; hopes no one ever finds out he was the one that killed the man in the burglary, not Beau. It was accident, still Beau never ratted him out.

Wound – passed from foster home to foster home as a child, Dee never learned to

trust or care about anyone; until now.

Subtext – Lot and Beau escape from prison; hide from deputies searching for them; look for escape from hurricane.

Layers – father deserted family, mother unable to provide for family; forced to watch those who had more get ahead; developed big chip on his shoulder; mother died family disbanded; he feels isolated.

Beau – Convict #2 – 18 years old

Motivation – wants to escape from Angola; thinks he has been cheated out of a chance for any hope of a normal life, whatever that might be.

Secret – Beau tries to act tough but it is difficult for him. Deep inside he is a very gentle person who cares deeply about others.

Wound – ran away from home years ago; father refused to let him come back; misses mother, but not father.

Subtext – follows Dee’s lead on everything; disagrees with his treatment of certain people, but will not acknowledge this for fear of looking weak.

<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Layers – no home base; surprising moral values; need to be loved, accepted; strong sense of loyalty.

2. Character to Character

Conflict: Susie holds great contempt for her father. Incest at his hands resulted in

the birth of Bobby and his problems.

Hidden Agenda: Lot and Beau separate Susie, Bobbie, and Mr. Martin in an

attempt to get someone to show them another escape exit.

Hidden Agenda: Lance forces Susie into locked closet before the hurricane hits

to limit the number of people he must watch.

Conspiracy: Susie talks to Lance in an attempt to get them to give themselves up. Bobby tells Beau about money hidden upstairs; Beau does not readily believe him.

Mr. Martin offers marijuana to Lot if he will agree to leave them all alone.

Intrigue: Mr. Martin worries about the money he has hidden in the attic when fire breaks out; forms plan to recover it without telling anyone.

3. Character Situation

Dilemma – when Lot goes to let Susie out of the locked closet, Bobby thinks he is going to hurt her since he has a gun in his hand. He must try to get gun away from Lot so Susie will not be hurt.

Secret Identity – Lot has developed feelings for Susie and has no intention of hurting her. Wishes things could have been better.

Dilemma – When fire breaks out, Mr. Martin worries about money he has hidden in attic; cannot go to get it or everyone will know what he has been doing. Will not tell of secret stairway to attic; tries to think of way to rid himself of everyone there..

Secret Identity – Mr. Martin does not want to acknowledge that Susie is his daughter and Bobby is his son; fears if word gets out he will be implicated in what he hopes will turn out to be their deaths.

I THINK THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN MY ORIGINAL SUBMISSION!

[Martha Manuel]

LESSON 9:
Keeping It Low
Budget

SUBJECT LINE: Martha’s Budget

What I learned doing
this assignment is: there is always more to learn.

ASSIGNMENT

Run through this list and tell us how many ways you might be able to decrease/increase the budget for your project if that was required.

Cut By 25 Percent MAIN
VARIABLES Quadruple
Budget

N/A (only one) Number of Locations Add forest scene – convicts escape

N/A (rural country store) Expensive locations (see above)

Cut
from five to two Number
of characters 5 original + 2 deputies + 5 firemen

Hear noise from hurricane Special effects Show scenes with hurricane

Cut from 120 to 90 pages Number of pages Maintain 120 pages

N/A Crowd scenes Firetruck, ambulance, etc. at end

N/A Stunts, Chase scenes, and Fight scenes N/A

Fire at door to back room Special sets Show back room engulfed in flames

Cut By 25 Percent SECONDARY VARIABLES Quadruple Budget

Use stock music Rights to music Use hit music for theme song

Hear, don’t show explosion Explosions Show explosion that starts fire

Use obviously defective gun Firearm No need to use more realistic gun

N/A Kids — shorter work days, tutor on the set N/A

N/A Animals – need a wrangler, more time to shoot, Humane Society N/A

Hear sounds of hurricane Weather Show hurricane and its’ effects

Hear firetruck in distance Water scenes Show firemen putting out fire

N/A Night scenes Show convicts escaping prison

N/A Helicopters, aircraft, drone shots N/A

N/A Green screen work N/A

N/A Extensive Make-up Lance hit by fire’s flying debris

N/A Archival Footage N/A

N/A Anything dangerous that increases preparation time and/or Insurance N/A

[Martha Manuel]

<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>SUBJECT LINE: Martha Writes Great Hope/Fear!

What I learned doing this assignment is: each assignment I take makes me feel more empowered as a writer. I am always learning something new.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Pull out the 4-Act structure of your story.

2. Using the list of Infinite Possibilities above, brainstorm 5 or more Hope/Fear moments that can occur in each Act.

ACT 1:

HOPE: Tye (21) and Mark (18), two bungling escaped convicts, hungry from missing

meals to escape, cover their faces with the only thing they can think of – their

underwear – and dart into a small country store armed with one gun and a

baseball bat to rob it.

FEAR: They fear they may have made a mistake when the young 18-year-old girl at the

cash register begins to laugh hysterically and does not take them seriously.

HOPE: With only one girl at the cash register their hopes soar as they see food and

drinks and a small cash register ready to be opened.

WARNING: Her cell phone rings but she is not allowed to answer it. A message left is

from her grandfather telling her she needs to close the store and get home as

soon as possible. A major hurricane is heading towards the store.

THREAT: Before anything can be done a loud crash is heard and the ground shakes.

Her 16-year-old brother comes rushing out from the back of the store visibly

shaken.

DANGER: A huge tree has fallen directly in front of the store’s entrance smashing

everything in sight, including a truck outside they were hoping to use for a quick

get-a-way.

ACT 1 TP: SAFETY DESTROYED: The storm has also caused the loss of electricity

and downed cell phone towers, meaning no store landline and no cell phones.

With exits blocked, and no other way to get out, they are all trapped inside

together while outside the storm rages on.

ACT 2:

NEW PLAN: Still somewhat optimistic, Tye and Mark start looking for another way out.

Tye will keep tabs on Susie and Mark will watch over Bobby. Tye hopes the

storm will slow down the authorities looking for them, but worries that Susie’s

grandfather will call authorities and ask for their help in rescuing his

grandchildren.

HOPE: Tye and Susie are getting attached to each other. She tells him that there used

to be an exit in the back of the store but she doesn’t think it’s a viable option

anymore. They decide to try it anyway.

INCREASING TENSION: The back exit of the store has been blocked with heavy metal

cabinets and old machinery never disposed of when store was originally an old

feed mill. Appears there are no other escape routes. Susie learns Lance suffers

from claustrophobia.

HOPE: Tye and Susie see Bobby and Mark coming out of a back room. They seem in

extremely good spirits. Tye hopes they may have found another exit.

LOSS OF CONTROL: Susie learns Bobby and his grandfather have been selling

marijuana out of the back of the store for some time now. She feels betrayed by

both of them and cannot justify their actions. Bobby and Mark are as high as a

kite. Another large tree falls.

ACT 2 TP/MIDPOINT: ENVIRONMENT: Bobby and Mark argue about who left the lit

marijuana joint in the back room. It doesn’t matter – the whole room is now on fire

and spreading like wildfire!

ACT 3:

RETHINK EVERYTHING: A simple robbery has now converted from stealing to surviving.

NEW PLAN: Try to put out fire; look for fire extinguishers, pull out bottled water from

shelves or coolers; use anything available; search for way to escape; check

attic; find transistor radio and install new batteries in hopes of monitoring

hurricane.

DANGER: Fire is spreading rapidly.

HOPE: Bobby says there is a small window in the attic but he doesn’t know if it’s big

enough for them to get out of.

FEAR: As a group they must decide what they will do. If they all go upstairs they may

get caught with no way back. If they don’t, they may be trapped in the fire.

DANGEROUS: Whatever they decide will be dangerous, but they look for a way to the

attic.

ACT 3 TURNING POINT: ALL IS LOST: Arriving in the attic, the small outlet is not

really a window, but more a large vent. The fire has spread below them and now

they are trapped.

ACT 4:

<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>FINAL PLAN/MIND GAMES: Tye is becoming unable to react because of his

claustrophobia; Bobby and Mark are coming off their high and Susie is trying to

keep it all together.

HELPLESS: All are becoming aware of their impending doom.

CLIMAX / ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT / INCREASING TENSION: Susie tries to break the stifling tension in the room by asking “What’s the worst that could happen?” Tye smiles and says “We could die with our underwear around our head.” Mark says “All the joints downstairs could be going up in flames and I will never have another one.” Bobby says “grandpa will find out I’ve been selling joints out of his store without him ever knowing.”

RESOLUTION: Before Susie can say anything more, sirens are heard in the distance. Bobby looks out and sees a fire truck racing down the road. An ambulance is behind it, and in the far distance an unmarked car. They all vow to take care of each other from this point on – no matter what the cost.

[Martha Manuel]

ASSIGNMENT – LESSON 7: Structure for Containment

SUBJECT
LINE: Martha’s 4 Act Structure

What I learned doing this assignment is: a first draft is much easier to do if you follow all the other lessons’ suggestions and piece them all together one at a time.

Create a first draft of your 4 Act Structure.

1. Tell us the following:

a. Concept: A major hurricane hits just as two young bungling escaped convicts are in the process of robbing a small country store; and, being trapped inside with its’ occupants, they all begin to see the old adage, “Crime Doesn’t Pay” shot to pieces.

b. <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Main Conflict: The 18 and 21-year-old inexperienced robbers begin to push the panic button as they confront three completely different personalities stranded in the store with them during the hurricane.

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

<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Act 1:

a. Opening: Two escaped convicts, Tye (18) and Lance (21), with one gun between

them, enter a small rural country store to rob it.

b. Inciting Incident: The robbers and three occupants of the store, Mr. Martin,

Bobby, his 15-year-old mentally challenged grandson, and Susie, Bobby’s 18-

year-old sister, are confronted by the arrival of a major hurricane.

c. Turning Point: A large tree falls in front of the store entrance, trapping them all

inside; back exit of store blocked with heavy metal cabinets and old machinery

never disposed of when store was originally an old feed mill; phone lines and cell

phones inoperable due to weather.

Act 2:

a. New plan: Tie up people inside; get money from cash register; pack up store

items; search for another way out.

b. Plan in action: No obvious way out; limited money in safe; convicts become

irate; decide to hold Mr. Martin as main hostage until Bobby tells of marijuana in

back storeroom; he will get it for them if they leave his grandfather alone.

c. Midpoint Turning Point: Everyone smoking up evidence of store’s secret

venture until someone carelessly drops a joint and a blazing fire quickly erupts.

Act 3:

a. Rethink everything: Robbery has now converted from stealing to surviving.

b. New plan: Search for way to put out fire in back; to do so robbers must get

cooperation of others in store.

c. Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Fire in back now blazing out of

control; everyone in store high on marijuana; must find way to bring everyone

back under control.

Act 4:

a. Final plan: Lance has become close to Susie; she encourages him to give himself up as they hear sirens coming from down the road; she will get her mother to help him and his friend find a good lawyer that will help prove their innocence.

b. Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: The robbery was bad, the hurricane was worse, the fire was unbelievable, and yet if it were not for the beginning of this fiasco, Lance might never have met Susie, Tye might never have connected with Bobby, and Mr. Martin might never have realized his daughter’s true feelings about her current life situation; and ultimately none of them may ever have seen the old adage “crime doesn’t pay” shot to pieces.

c. Resolution: Firetrucks come flying down the road, an ambulance follows, and following everyone else is a lone undercover vehicle still searching for the missing Angola escapees.

[Martha Manuel]

Subject Line: Martha’s Delivering Multiple Layers!

What I learned doing this assignment is: how much easier it is if you use a basic outline without a lot of names, etc. I wasn’t satisfied with the names I was using and kept changing them causing a lot of wasted time.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Brainstorm potential plot layers.

a. Major scheme revealed: Two tired and hungry escaped convicts decide to rob a small rural country store in the middle of nowhere.

b. Mystery revealed: Store contains little cash and convicts, contrary to popular belief, know little about robbing a store.

c. Thought it was one thing, but it is another: There may be little in the cash register, but major cash elsewhere.

d. Major shift in meaning: When hurricane hits, robbery converts from “stealing” to “surviving.”

e. Hidden history: Owner of store has been hiding money systematically since before his wife died.

f. Hidden plan: Owner will try to avert attention to his hidden money during hurricane

and hope no one will pursue it afterwards.

2. Brainstorm potential character layers:

STORE OWNER –

a. Secret identity: Robbers unaware that the sixty-eight year old clerk in the store who says he doesn’t know combination to small safe downstairs is also the owner.

b. Intrigue layers: fearing for their safety he does not tell convicts trying to rob store that woman in store is his daughter and man is his grandson.

c. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: has rocky relationship with daughter, falsely tells her they can barely make ends meet so she will not leave him and take his grandson.

d. Hidden character history: was cruel to his wife before her death; thinks she may have been hiding money from him; after her death he continues to search for money.

MIDDLE-AGE WOMAN

a. Secret identity: daughter of store owner, mother to 26-year-old mentally challenged son also in store.

b. Intrigue layers: has college degree; graduated with honors; secretly longs for fulfillment; longs for more meaning to her life.

c. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: attractive middle-aged woman who feels no need to embellish her assets; lives in rural area of parish; is caregiver for her 26-year- old son; seldom sees anyone new; prefers the plain look since she has no time for anything else; secretly plans to find way out of current situation.

d. Hidden character history: first marriage was a disaster; husband left her after son’s accident; father has never fully supported her in anything; she no longer trusts men.

SON OF WOMAN ABOVE

a. Secret identity: 26-year-old mentally challenged son of woman above.

b. Intrigue layers: has incredible abilities to remember things he has seen.

c. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: grandfather tells him he must never reveal to anyone about the money he has upstairs; it is their secret.

d. Hidden character history: remembers when his father left; asks mother if grandfather will also leave; helps clean store while mother is at work; sweet man but limited with what he can do; talks incessantly.

ROBBER #1

a. Secret identity: 29-year-old recent escapee from Angola State Prison

b. Intrigue layers: convicted of break-in and robbery and conspiracy to commit murder; suffers from claustrophobia, fears going back to prison setting; instigator of current prison break with Robber #2.

c. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: has no close friends except Robber #2; girlfriend left him when he went to jail; goal is to keep running – probably all his life.

d. Hidden character history: father died in jail; mother alcoholic and drug addict; no role models in his life or relatives that want him; thinks he has nothing to live for; doesn’t care if he lives or dies.

ROBBER #2

a. Secret identity: 18-year-old recent escapee from Angola State Prison with convict above; convicted of break-in, robbery, and murder.

b. Intrigue layers: considers loyalty a priority; never told anyone he was not responsible for the murder he was convicted of (it was convict above).

c. Hidden relationships and conspiracies: has the tough guy persona; tries to be like Robber #1, but when his friend gets too rough with the woman and her son he can no longer follow his lead.

d. Hidden character history: parents died in automobile accident when he was only six; tossed from one foster home to another; learned to be tough to survive.

3. Brainstorm potential location layers

a. Hidden operation: Quiet, small rural country store located at the end of a dirt road.

b. Deeper meaning: Unprepared for major approaching hurricane; unprepared for two escaped convicts that come to rob the store.

c. Trap to draw prey: Robbers unaware of hurricane brewing.

d. Unique sub-world: Robbers and people in store all fear different aspect of hurricane.

4. Tell about layers chosen

a. Surface layer: small country store in the middle of nowhere.

b. Beneath that: becomes confined encampment for all inside.

c. How revealed: when hurricane hits

[Martha Manuel]

Subject Linne: Martha’s Character Journeys!

What I learned doing this assignment would be more aptly put “What I learned <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>not to do”:

Don’t forget after spending a few hours of posting your assignment to click the post button!

3 Act Journey for MR. MARTIN – Store Owner

Beginning: Bagging groceries for Susie and her son Bobby so they can get home before the hurricane hits.

Turning Point: Two escaped convicts break into Mr. Martin’s store demanding money / hurricane hits and they are all trapped inside.

Midpoint: Bobby calls Mr. Martin “grandpa” in front of the robbers. Now aware of the relationship between Mr. Martin, Susie, and Bobby, the robbers plan on taking advantage of this new revelation.

Turning Point 2: Mr. Martin becomes nervous when Bobby tells T-Boy that his grandpa has a treasure chest in the attic filled with money. He wonders if they will believe him.

Dilemma: Ace tells Mr. Martin he must give them money he has hidden in the attic or his daughter and grandson will face serious repercussions. (1) If he gives them money, there is no assurance that they will still not harm his family, or (2) If he can convince them Bobby imagined the money, maybe he could just give them all the money in the cash register, even though there’s not much there. Either way they may still have to kill him and his family since they have seen their faces.

3rd Act Climax: During the hurricane, a fire erupts in the back of the store. It is climbing upwards towards the attic where supposedly Mr. Martin has his money hidden. Not sure if the money is really there, all watch to see Mr. Martin’s reaction.

Ending: Mr. Martin is hit by flying debris and knocked unconscious. Hurricane passes / fire trucks heard in the distance. [Last shot: Large Metal Strong Box in Attic]

3 Act Journey for SUSIE LACOUR – Customer in Store

Beginning: Susie, an attractive middle-aged divorced woman, who never completed her education due to family issues, is rushing to get groceries for her and her mentally challenged son, Bobby, and get home before the hurricane hits.

Turning Point: Locks horns with 2 escaped convicts when they break into store right before a major hurricane hits and demand money / her son wants to join them.

Midpoint: Her son calls Mr. Martin “grandpa” / brags about treasure chest he has in attic / Susie surprised by revelation / wants to question Bobby but cannot let robbers think she believes him in case it is true.

Turning Point 2: Robbers hold Bobby and Susie hostage until Mr. Martin gives them the money. Susie tries to talk T-Boy into getting away from Ace. Ace hears her and grabs her by the hair / pushes her into closet / will stay there until father gives them the money.

Dilemma: Susie wonders if Bobby was just making up a story, or if her father has the money and mother struggled to make ends meet because she never knew about it.

3rd Act Climax: Susie hears sounds of fire in outer room / locked in closet she hears gunshot / bangs on door to get out. Bobby has shot T-Boy by accident and is inconsolable. She is released from closet to calm Bobby down and find something to cover T-Boy with.

Ending: As hurricane passes over, Ace hears sirens approaching. With T-Boy dead it’s every man for himself / he runs out of store. Susie picks up phone / makes call / says she is ready to make some serious changes in her life before time runs out. Waits for response / laughs and says “That sounds perfect. Sign me up!”

3 Act Journey for BOBBY LACOUR – Son of Susie LaCour

Beginning: Bobby, a 26 year-old mentally challenged man lives with his mother who is his constant companion and caregiver. He is at store this morning with his mother.

Turning Point: Store is broken into by a set of escaped convicts and Bobby finds this exciting. He tells his mother he wants to be like them.

Midpoint: Bobby innocently calls Mr. Martin “grandpa” and tells T-Boy that his grandpa has a big treasure chest up in the attic of the store filled with money. This causes his mother to be locked in closet.

Dilemma: Bobby sees T-Boy heading towards the closet his mother is locked in with a gun in his hand. He becomes frantic. (1) He can either stand there and do nothing, or (2) he can try to stop him. Before he can decide the gun goes off and T-Boy is shot in the chest.

3rd Act Climax: Susie is let out of the closet to care for the inconsolable Bobby and to find something to cover T-Boy with. Bobby decides he no longer wants to be a robber.

Ending: After Mr. Martin is hit by debris from the hurricane and lies on the floor unconscious, no one notices Bobby anymore as he goes up some secret stairs to the attic to check on his grandpa’s treasure for him.

3 Act Journey for “Ace” – 28 Year-old Escaped Convict

Beginning: As 29 year-old Ace runs into a small country store, a mask on his face, and a gun in his hand, there can be no doubt what he has come for.

Turning Point: Before he and his accomplice, T-Boy, can get out, hurricane hits and they are trapped inside the store.

Midpoint: Inside the store they learn from Bobby that Mr. Martin is his grandfather and that he has money hidden in the attic of the store.

Turning Point 2: Ace believes Bobby’s story about his grandpa’s treasure chest and pushes Mr. Martin to tell him about the hidden money.

Dilemma: Unable to get Mr. Martin to tell him about the hidden money he tries to think of a way to make him talk. He can (1) Threaten him by locking Susie in a closet, or (2) by attacking Mr. Martin himself. He locks Susie in a closet and ties up Mr. Martin.

3rd Act Climax: Bobby accidently shoots T-Boy. Ace assumes Bobby is dead. Hearing sirens in the distance he realizes it is now every man for himself. He grabs money from cash register and rushes out.

Ending: Along with the firetrucks that come blazing down the road are two police cars. A call is answered by Susie at the store telling her that Ace has been caught and is on his way back to prison.

3 Act Journey for “T-Boy” – 18 year-old Escaped Convict

Beginning: T-Boy and Ace have just escaped from prison and stop in store to get money and supplies.

Turning Point: T-Boy and Ace are trapped inside store when hurricane hits.

Midpoint: T-Boy thinks Bobby is funny and immediately takes to him. When Bobby brags about his grandpa’s treasure in the attic T-Boy gets worried about what Ace will do.

Turning Point 2: T-Boy goes to let Susie out of closet. Bobby sees gun in his hand and thinks he is going to hurt his mother. Bobby accidently shoots T-Boy and he falls to ground.

3rd Act Climax: T-Boy lies on the floor / Bobby inconsolable / Ace lets Susie out so she can console Bobby and find something to cover T-Boy. A sheet from the store is placed over T-Boy’s body.

Ending: With everything in a mess, Bobby looks down at T-Boy / sees sheet start to move / he is alive! Susie thinks T-Boy is worth saving and vows to help him.

[Martha Manuel]

SUBJECT LINE: Martha’s Character Depth!

What I learned doing this assignment is how your whole story can change when you get to know your characters before you start writing. Really fascinating!

1. Internal Character Depth

Mr. Martin – store owner

Motivation – to protect his daughter and her son; must come to terms with the fact that he was unable to protect his wife when she died in car accident.

Secret – he has amassed a significant fortune which no one knows of but will be left to his daughter and her son. It is hidden in a safe in the attic of his store.

Wound – his wife’s passing four years earlier; never remarried; feels the void.

Subtext – his wife was attacked during robbery at their store. Robber was never found; possibly because he used his military skills to track down and kill the man; no clues left behind; even wife was unaware of what he had done; took oath to protect his family better.

Layers – a Marine that retired from service one year before his wife died; never able able to enjoy retirement after her death; lives alone; few real friends; limited socialization; has tremendous need to feel wanted, loved, appreciated, useful.

Ms. Susie LaCour – customer in store

Motivation – divorced; wants to be a good mother, desperately wants to advance in work related ventures.

Secret – loves her son, Bobby, but feels the strain of being a divorced mother of a child who is mentally challenged; struggles to maintain balance in her life.

Wound – son was diagnosed with brain damage after suffering high fever; husband left; now has trouble with trust issues regarding men.

Subtext – does not want father to know she has spells of depression; is taking medication to keep it under control.

Layers – Outward: cheerful, outgoing, determined, strong-willed, decisive.

Inward: self-doubt; depressed moods, longs for man she can trust and love.

Bobby LaCour – adult son of Susie LaCour – customer in store (above)

Motivation – wants to be normal like other people his age; longs to know things others do not.

Secret – knows his grandfather, Mr. Martin, has safe in attic; never told anyone.

Wound – plagued by high fever when he was five; unable to relate to others in a meaningful way; difficulty in multi-tasking.

Subtext – tries to hide feelings of inadequacy by acting out or doing things contrary to what should be done; is actually very smart in many ways.

Layers – very caring and protective of his mother; unable to perform routine tasks; has brilliant mind hidden away among his many problems.

Dee – Robber # 1 – 28 years old

Motivation – wants to escape from Angola State Penitentiary with Beau; cannot handle incarceration.

Secret – serving life sentence for burglary and accomplice to murder was a break for Dee; actually he was instigator and shooter; Beau never admitted he was innocent and was charged with the murder.

Wound – passed from foster home to foster home as a child, Dee never learned to

trust or care about anyone; still he is devastated when Beau is shot during robbery.

Subtext – Dee and Beau escape from prison; hurricane hits and they are trapped

inside store they came to rob; dying in store or being caught again is of little

consequence since Dee thinks he has little to live for.

Layers – father deserted family, mother unable to provide for family; forced to watch those who had more get ahead; developed big chip on his shoulder.

Beau – Robber #2 – 18 years old

Motivation – wants to escape from Angola; wishes he could be more than he is.

Secret – convicted of a murder he did not commit because he would not admit Dee

was responsible; tries to act tough but has problems since this isn’t his strong suit.

Wound – ran away from home two years ago; father refused to let him come back; misses mother; wishes she could have been more like Ms. Susie LaCour.

Subtext – follows Dee’s lead on everything; disagrees with his treatment of Mr. Martin, Susie and Bobby but will not openly acknowledge this.

Layers – no home base; surprising moral values; need to be loved, accepted; strong sense of loyalty.

2. Character to Caracter

Conflict: Tension between robbers and store occupants run high when a hurricane hits and robbers are unable to flee.

Hidden Agenda: Mr. Martin and Susie try to work out plan to overpower thieves.

Conspiracy: Susie talks to Beau behind Dee’s back trying to convince him to give himself up after storm ends and they are freed.

Intrigue: Mr. Martin worries about the money he has hidden in the attic when fire breaks out; forms plan to recover it.

3. Character Situation

Dilemma – Dee tells Beau they must shoot hostages because they can identify them;

Beau must do what Dee says or risk his anger.

Bobby sees gun in Beau’s hand pointing at his mother; must protect her; rush to take gun away or jump in front of mother so she will not be shot.

Secret Identity – Mr. Martin does not want to acknowledge that Susie is his daughter

and Bobby is his grandson; fears robbers will try to use them to force him to do what

they want.

[Martha Manuel]

Contained Script 12 – Lesson 3

Subject Line: Martha’s Right Characters

What I learned from this assignment is: I am still having trouble with the High Concept Hook. Will need to work harder on this.

1. HOOK: When a store fire breaks out during a hurricane, and the ensuing robbery is a bust, will the people inside be able to evacuate… or will only some… or will any?

HOOK: Life can be a mystery to the end.

CONTAINED SETTING: Small rural country store in the middle of a hurricane

2. CHARACTERS:

STORE OWNER – MR. MARTIN: was a Marine and although elderly now, he is still prepared to fight for what he believes in or loves. He maintains a secret to protect his two favorite customers – Mrs. Arnold and her son Bobby.

ROBBER #1 MORRIS LETLOW (SLY) – 29 YEARS OLD: just escaped from prison and instigator of current robbery attempt. Because of his time in prison he has developed a type of claustrophobia. He fears dying in the store or being caught again. Doesn’t have much to live for.

ROBBER #2 TYE ROBINSON (TYE) – 18 YEARS OLD: was convicted of murder with Sly; escaped with him from Angola; follows Sly’s lead on almost everything, but still holds secrets no one knows; does not agree with Sly’s treatment of Mr. Martin or Bobby; grows close to Mrs. LaCour; is shot when Bobby thinks he is hurting his mother.

CUSTOMER #1 – MRS. MARION LACOUR: is strong-minded and a fighter, but also caring and attractive middle-aged woman; tries to keep Bobby quiet during robbery, but he is very excitable; tries to serve as arbitrator when possible.

CUSTOMER #2 – BOBBY LACOUR (MRS. LACOUR’S mentally challenged son): is easily influenced; wants to hang around robbers until he sees Mr. Martin hit on head by one; overly protective of his mother; slow in most circumstances, but is a whiz with his knowledge of the store, having spent many hours there during the summer.

[Martha Manuel]

Subject Line: Martha’s Great Hook!

A. How did this process work for you?

Fantastic! I’m still coming up with ideas.

B. What did you learn doing this assignment?

How important it is not to get saddled in with just one idea.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Use techniques below to brainstorm possible major hooks.

A. Intriguing Contained Setting:

Small rural country store in isolated setting

B. Unique Device:

Robbery in progress; two Angola escaped prisoners

C. Unique Monster/Villain

Hurricane bearing down; unable to evacuate

D. Mystery:

When a fire breaks out during the hurricane and the robbery is a bust, will the people inside be able to evacuate or will only some, or will any?

E. Impossible Goal/Unsolvable Problem:

The robbery has become an impossible goal; a raging fire in the back of the store and a blocked entry way in the front are quick becoming an unsolvable problem.

F. Unique Layers:

One of the robbers is serving a life term at Angola for murder. His partner is the actual one responsible for the murder but the younger robber has never told anyone until today.

2. High concepts: Having to do with social justice what haven’t we seen before?

When the tables are turned and the convicts and those trapped inside the store change mind-sets.

3. Exchanging Components:

Store owner; old man; business man using store as a possible front; old woman; middle aged woman; clerk = chose store owner

Two customers – 2 Clean-up crew members (one a work-release inmate); Woman with mentally challenged son; Young girl and boyfriend; 2 bikers; 2 girls (one white, one black) = chose woman with mentally challenged son

Two robbers – 18 year old white boy; 29 year old black man – escaped convicts; 28-year- old<font face=”inherit”> and his 17 year old girlfriend who broke him out of jail = 18 and 29 year olds</font>

<font face=”inherit”> </font>Rob and assault occupants of small store; during robbery I person is shot – dies; dead body covered with cloth from storage room

Hurricane hits – traps all inside; Electricity goes wild; doors unable to work; no phone lines operable.

[Martha Manuel]

ASSIGNMENT FOR LESSON 1

Subject line: Martha’s Guidelines for “CELL”

What I learned doing this assignment is… <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>how important it is to consider all aspects of making a movie if I want to get it <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>produced.

ASSIGNMENT PART 1: Select Your Project

1. Go through your five ideas and determine which of them can easily fit the Covid-19 guidelines. For the moment, don’t list the ideas. Just tell us your experience of evaluating them based upon the guidelines.

A. It can be done as a contained story.

1) In some instances it was necessary to cut back on the number of people involved to reflect the need for a minimum size cast and crew.

2) Another idea included two separate locations and a possible third and had to be

changed to prevent the need for moving cameras as much.

3) One idea included too many actors/actresses, but could be worked with since they

would be the only characters in the movie.

4) Wardrobe should not be a problem since most of the scripts would be held in everyday

clothing throughout the shoot

5) No small children or pets are involved

6) No special stunts are involved

7) Could get by with a minimum of crew members

B. You can write a pitch in one or two sentences. – Ideas in the making.

C. There is something unique about it. – Working to develop on topic chosen.

ASSIGNMENT PART 2: Adjust a Produced Movie to Covid Guidelines

2. Pick a movie that is outside the Covid Guidelines and give us your thoughts on how

they could make it in the current production environment.

Title: CELL

AS THEY DID IT:

A. People: Cast members: 122

B. Stunts/ Special Effects:

a. Airplane blows up outside plate glass window of airport.

b. Waterfall scene.

c. Field of people dead from fire bombs – some still alive, on fire, running over those dead.

d. Special effects run rampant.

C. Extras:

Large groups at airport, in streets, on escalators, everywhere you look.

D. Wardrobe:

a. Everyday clothing at first.

b. Tattered clothes when people turn into for zombie creatures.

E. Hair and Make Up: Lots of make-up needed for zombie like characters.

F. Kids and Animals: None

G. Quarantine: Large number of extras used throughout the movie.

COVID GUIDELINE VERSION:

A. People: Cast members: 122

a. Cut out scenes not absolutely necessary to movie, i.e.:

Woman, Clay, and Tom meet in Clay’s apartment building

b. Cut back on huge groups of zombies in movie. Use smaller groups with

same heightened awareness.

B. Stunts:

a. Airplane blows up outside plate glass window of airport: Delete.

b. Waterfall scene – beautiful, but not needed.

c. Field of dead people from fire bombs – some still alive, on fire, running over

those dead – scene impressive, but such a large group could be cut back.

d. Special effects run rampant. Great job on how they are done, but to cut down

expenses, many could be left out.

C. Extras:

a) Large groups at airport, in streets, on escalators, everywhere you look.

b) Need to cut back on excessively large crowds.

c) Heightened tension to make up for smaller crowds.

D. Wardrobe:

a. Everyday clothing no problem.

b. Tattered clothes after people turn into zombies – no problem.

c. Cutting down on number of people in scenes would mean fewer people

required to help with wardrobe issues.

E. Hair and Make Up:

Lots of make-up needed for zombie like characters. Will need adequate

number of make-up artists to complete looks in time. Smaller cast will help

relieve the need for large make-up crew.

F. Kids and Animals: none

G. Quarantine: Allow “zombie” cast to do as many scenes as possible in as few

days as possible. Letting them finish faster and leave the set will also limit

their exposure to the possibility of acquiring COVID. It should also help cut

back days in production.

[Martha Manuel]

1. Greetings from Louisiana! I am Martha Gabour Manuel, author of three published books and co-author of a fourth.

2. I have often dreamed about writing a movie but until taking courses through SU had doubts about it becoming a reality.

3. I am currently writing a seven-episode Limited Series based on my first book “Murder on False River.” Been working on this for some time now, so taking a break to take this course will be something like a breath of fresh air.

4. No hit movies to offer right now, but don’t count me out. One way or the other, I’ll …

“See you at the movies!”

[Martha Manuel]

1. Martha Manuel

2. I agree to I agree to the terms of this release form:

3. 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.

0

[Martha Manuel]

Greetings from Louisiana!

I am Martha Gabour Manuel, author of three published books and co-author of a fourth.

I have often dreamed about writing a movie but until taking courses through SU had doubts about it becoming a reality. I am currently writing a seven-episode Limited Series based on my first book “Murder on False River.” Been working on this for some time now, so taking a break to take this course will be something like a breath of fresh air.

No hit movies to offer right now, but don’t count me out. One way or the other, I’ll …

See you at the movies!

[Martha Manuel]

Martha Gabour Manuel

“I agree to the terms of this release form.”

[Martha Manuel]

Hi Eric!

Don’t get discouraged. I just got a note back from Cheryl saying they were having some kind of computer problems. They are working on it and hope to have it up and running soon.

Martha Manuel