[Matt Sharp]

The Americans 5 Star Model

I learned that there is always more to see under the surface with good material.

1. Husband and Wife turn out to the be Russian spies hiding in 1980’s America. The heat is on them is growing, with some within the FBI starting to realize there are Russian spies hiding One in particular it their neighbor.

2. From that, make a list of the 5 Star Points for that show.

Big Picture Hooks

Ask this: What is the big hook of this show?

Everyday Americans are actually Russian spies. Both husband and wife are dedicated to the cause, but also ruthless in their own ways, while also very supportive of each other.

Amazing and Intriguing Character

Ask this: What makes these main characters intriguing and interesting?

They are spies, but also the PTA type. They are both trying to protect their family.

Ask this: What situations causes us to feel both empathy and distress for these characters?

They are both trying to protect their family. The husband almost kills a guy for sexualizing his daughter.

Layers / Open Loops
Ask this: What questions are created by this first episode that can only be answered by watching the entire season?

Will they get caught?

Inviting Obsession
Ask this: How does this pilot create the need to see every single episode?

Immediate danger for all the main characters

[Matt Sharp]

1. Matt Sharp

2. How many scripts you’ve written? 10

3. What you hope to get out of the class? Refresh on BWTV with AI now integrated

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I was born Hard of Hearing

5. What ProSeries, Writing Incredible Movies, or Binge Worthy TV class you were in.

I was in all three. Don’t remember the numbers, but BW was about 2 years ago now.

[Matt Sharp]

I am Matt Sharp and I agree to the terms of this release form.

GROUP RELEASE FORM

As a member of this group, I agree to the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[Matt Sharp]

1. Matt Sharp

2. I agree to the terms of this 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.

[Matt Sharp]

1.. Name? Matt Sharp

2. How many scripts you’ve written? I think 10

3. What you hope to get out of the class? More training on writing action movies

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I’m Hard of Hearing