Michael Montiel
Forum Replies Created
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***WHT I learned from this assignment was that it was the hardest thing one so far! my draft is not complete so it was hard to correct turning points/beats that i don’t understand yet. I did a few corrections to act one, but I need to write it out completely one time even though i don’t have the science or fully understand the transformational beats.
LESSON 25: DRAFT 2: SOLVING STRUCTURE PROBLEMS:
ACT ONE:
1.[OPENING SCENE: PROLOGUE: SPANISH ATTACK MAYAN TEMPLE, DESTROY SACRED KNOWLEDGE OF COSMOS,OF LINKS TO EXTRA-TERRESTRIALS]
!!!As sword of conquistador comes down slicing aztec priest, CLOSE ON rocker Robert jams on his electric guitar!
*Opening: Robert is at celebration party! He is being celebrated for his triumph/recent publication/discovery who’s been awarded research position at start-up space travel agency in California making huge money. He’s happy, but he feels he’s selling out. Sarah tells him he must take risks! his paper linking Mayan texts with his astronomy thesis makes sense! He must present it!
old ways: brings leftover cake to his ex-wife’s house, she chews him out for overpromising but underdelivering! daughter shows him love and support!
He drives north under an ocean of STARS.
A.1: *inciting incident: Robert gets motivated to present his latest paper on [MAYAN CALENDAR, RECENTLY DISCOVERED SACRED TEXTS] time travel and communicating with extra-terrestrial life once he gets it published in the Astronomical Journal.
[ROBERT CREATES HUGE QUAREL AT CONFERENCE: DIFFERENT SCINETISTS TAKE DIFFERENT SIDES WITH OTHER SCIENTISTS.
*Turning point: At the end of lecture, US military general Portman takes the ANGRY Robert back to his place. He explains to him that he liked his plausible presentation and would he like to come work in secret government facility.
Robert agrees, and when he’s at the facility, he encounters the very same Dr. Rosinski who was heckling him the previous day. What is goin on here?
Dr. Rosinski confesses that he had to shut him up as Robert was indeed on to something and should not expose this new discovery with the public. Dr. Rosinski bring him on to work for secret government space agency and introduce him to secret super quantum computer that can do trillions of calculations in seconds ! Never before has there been a tool for previous astronomers to help them. Robert was born for this. Finally, he’s ready to take action to do what he was born to do!
[HUGE FIGHT ENSUES HERE: ROBERT WINS CONTROL OF LEADING THE RESEARCH TEAM] ROBERT IS LOCKED INTO THE JOURNEY!—
ACT TWO:
New plan: Robert and Peter work together at first combining new quantum computing and images for the James Webb Satellite Telescope to achieve their goals. They are put on waiting list to discuss time to reserve on telescope as it is “rented” by several other agencies around the world.
[this “rented use of time needs to be explained.” BEGINNING: ROBERT confronts Rosinski, tells him what a jerk he is.
MIDDLE: ROSINSKI explains to him why he had to “shut him up”; Rosinski tells Auggie not to get it “Twisted”; no matter what the government told him, private money is behind this quest and that he—rosinski- will be in charge.
END: Auggie defies authority, they have a fight which gets physical(Rosinski tells him he couldn’t hold on TO his wife and now his girlfriend; makes government quote dig), the general stops the fight, they settle it by arm-wrestling. Auggie wins the arm wrestling competition. He will be in charge of the Project: Blending quantum computing with astronomy in their search for life in outer space.
General Portman escalates problem of borrowing the satellite in outer space by going straight to the “liberal” democratic President to influence him to convince NASA to give full time priority for one month to Dr. Robert Amador and his new research team.
Plan in Action: the President of the USA authorizes full use of James Webb telescope to Robert’s team; in return, Robert must share his new discoveries with the new administration and Department of Education and other Scientists in the USA. Robert agrees. General Portman begrudgingly agrees.
Mid-Point Turning Point: General Portman re-assigns Robert to the project; he insists Robert is the right man for the job and not his mentor Dr. Rosinski. General has confrontation with Dr. Rosinski as he has been demoted. The Satellite is now connected to the James Webb telescope! Images of outer space come in ! We’ve never seen anything like it. We get a lecture for Dr. Robert about what’s happening and what are “tactic” will be and what direction to aim Satellite. Robert and Peter have a big fight! Robert agrees to let Peter point the satellite in the direction he wants. At first images and computer start making correct calculations and the previous images that have downloaded overwhelm the computer: An explosion and fire follow. The computer physically melts! It’s too much power/information for it to handle. Robert is blamed for melt down. The President screams at General Portman for letting a young Professor take charge of such a large responsibility. Robert is blamed for accidental meltdown and humiliated by the President. Roberts demise is seen on television , the newspapers. His family sees how he “ruined his one chance” at fame and respect. THE PROJECT IS SHUTDOWN ON ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT.
ACT THREE
Rethink Everything: Dr. Rosinski consoles Robert. He reprimands him in an underhanded way and blames him for the disaster. Robert agrees that should the project get a second chance that he, meaning Dr. Rosinski will be in charge. He also tells our Protagonist Robert that he will look for outside resources to help fund the project and repair the damage to quantum computer.
New Plan: To his surprise, Robert sees his colleague, which got promoted at the beginning of the story, will now be working directly under Peter. Robert has now been demoted behind Sarah and Peter. This is horrible. He’s now practically an intern again with a stipend. They go back to the drawing board to fix and launch their project with private finding unbeknownst to the President. (here i don’t know what to do with general portman–perhaps he’s been forced out of the loop as it’s no longer a government /department of defense project.).
Turning Point: Huge Failure/Major Shift: Robert notices that there are errors in the calculations! The new team leaders: (Peter/Sarah) have argument/ major conflict with Robert. He is escorted off property. He returns to his family. His daughter talks to him. He has new insight: Yes, he now knows the correct way to move the satellite and what information to look for intelligent life: he doesn’t need quantum computational computing when he can have fellow citizens, astronomy enthusiasts, and crowdfunding to help him build his own computer. He runs to tell Sarah, to not sell out–to not let this vital information into the hands of the private sector for profit. Sarah tells him to fuck off! She chooses profit over science! She and peter will not share what they’ve learned from aliens nor what they will learn from them in the future. They’ve even considered sharing knowledge of Aliens with Russians for profit. Secret “Russian” and “Private” goons are now after robert, to keep him from blabbing to General Portman about their diabolical plan: which includes destruction of most of humanity and repopulation on other worlds. Robert is almost killed, but makes it out alive and gets to General Portman (his new mentor?) to lead new project to outsmart Rosinski’s evil ambitions.
ACT FOUR
CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT:
Robert’s daughter has recruited astronomers and other enthusiasts to volunteer their cell phones/ iPhones / computers to and AI computers in other universities: They will hack the James Webb Telescope and collectively networking and sharing with their computers, they will download images from outer space and messages from beings in outer space. Images are downloaded and shared all over the world: Times Square, Piccadilly Circus Billboards, in Tokyo and and other great cities of the world: The extra-terrestrials are directly communicating with the human race! They assume Dr. Robert Amador is the leader of this species on this planet: they want to speak directly with him! let messages in somewhat sloppy grammar come in: “people if earth: we than you and you’re leader Robert Amador: by now we assume your language has progressed to a Subject-Verb-Object language for post of humanity!” the secret is that collective you can work together! that you must maximize the energy potential of your planet, sun, and solar system : little by little you will begin to colonize your galaxy and the rest of space !”
Cameras/ Reporters reach roberts home! FBI/CIA agents descend on robert’s home. his daughter is with him! she is proud of him! but they take him away! He is in government basement, but wait ! it’s the evil Dr. Rosinski again! he has used false agents to take him away! his life is in danger! They are going to kill him if he doesn’t share what else he has learned from aliens and how he did it!
Resolution: General Portman comes to the rescue ! He’s accompanied by real US MILITARY department of defense: he re-connects to “alien” feed ! : from Aliens: “Learn from us, if you’re getting this message, you are now in a dangerous position to destroy yourselves and civilization; you have under 200 years to fix your planet and make it green, in this way your species buys two million years of time or 200 generations ; with this added time, you will colonize the rest of space ; for now we say goodbye as we’ve already crossed the event horizon and have moved beyond actual reachability and visibility; what you’ve seen are the lights of our star system just reaching you now. goodbye forever!”
With that said, Robert is invited to the White House, the President apologizes to him! he is awarded medal of honor for his discovery and for his valor. Robert is a certified hero: NO LONGER A SPINELESS AIMLESS LOSER OF A PROFESSOR, BUT SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! HE is seen on tv around the world ! he picks up his daughter and hugs her:
Robert is at Haydn Planetarium in NYC: He is a celebrated Astronomer and he has his dream job: learning and and educating young minds about astronomy/biology/anthropology/ linguistics etc.
. . .he looks up at the stars once more . . .Robert tears up. . .
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Lesson 24: Dr. Amador’s missing scenes.
***What I lender from this assignment is that I probably will have more scenes to fill in, but this one sets the “metaphysical” mythological tone that will be a sub-theme of “are we alone in the universe.” Although I still question what the ultimate premise/theme of my film is.
LESSON 24: I/E – GRANDPA’S HACIENDA – FRONT PORCH – DAY – FLASHBACK
PLACEHOLDER [Background on Robert: he was raised by his grandfather: He is loved and Grandfather tells him how smart he is, how good his english is: someday he’ll be best Astronomer]
PLACEHOLDER: WE LEARN OF MAYAN CALENDAR/CIVILIZATION AND MAYAN ASTRONOMERS?
FADE IN:
SUPER YUCATAN PENINSULA 1562
EXT. CHICHEN ITZA-EL CASTILLO SQUARE – DAY
Spanish soldiers descend on mayan town square. They unsheathed their swords and start slicing up men, women, and children.
The Spanish conquistadores enter sacred mayan pyramid, slaughter mayan priests. once in inside center of pyramid, conquistadors grab mayan leader.
Captain of Conquistadores removes helmet, takes out scroll from his satchel. He YELLS out his decree.
CAPTAIN CONQUISTADOR
By other of the King and His Holiness Pope Julian, We sentence you to death and destruction of all your demonic ways.
Behind horse of Captain, a jesuit monk sprinkles holy water on temple floor. The conquistadores slaughter sacred mayan priests, gather all documents and set sacred texts on fire.
JESUIT PRIEST GATHERS MAYAN SCROLLS
JESUIT PRIEST
Captain, your excellency, these texts have knowledge of their gods of the cosmos.
CAPTAIN
Heathen satanic writings. Burn them!
JESUIT PRIEST
BUT your excellency, these people have built pyramids!
CONQUISTADOR SLAMS HEAD OF PRIEST WITH METAL GAUNTLET. PRIEST FALLS UNCONSCIOUS.
CLOSE ON SCROLLS WITH SACRED WRITINGS BURNING.
CUT TO :
ROBERT’s Grandfather telling him of the mayan calendar and their knowledge of the sky people.
END SEQUENCE
ROBERT races through the desert. shooting stars illuminate the sky.
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LESSON 23: DR. AMADOR’S Key Scene 4: Resolution – Wrap it up and show us the “new normal.”
***What I learned from this resolution was that I found it moving even though it will be re-written. Nonetheless, I was able to show an actual “new normal” of my lead character living in his new ways!
EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN – DAY
BEGINNING: ROBERT IS ON white house lawn. The president makes moving speech: “Dr.Robert Augustus Amador, I sincerely apologize for having doubted you, for trying to arrest you
CHUCKLES AND LAUGHS are heard from standing spectators witnessing history.
and not trusting in your valor. for this I honor you with the medal of freedom for your historic contribution to not just our country but for the benefit of all mankind. . .
APPLAUSE from spectators.
MIDDLE: ON TV
ROBERT’S DAUGHTER JUMPS INTO HIS ARMS, HE HUGS HER AND SWINGS HER AROUND.
spectators continue APPLAUDING.
INT. ROSE HAYDN PLANATARIUM NYC – DAY
END: ROBERT IS GIVING SPEACH. ANXIOUS YOUNG astronomers hang on to his every word.
He looks up at the giant crystal stars dangling from the ceiling. He begins to tear up.
cut to:
super:
2145: spaceships powered by clean hydrogen fly in and out of major Earth cities into space. The planet has been saved from destruction: clean cities powered by clean energy glisten, happy families walk on elevated bridges over abundant wheat fields, they pause at a giant statue of Dr. Robert Amador, savior of mankind.
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Lesson 22: Dr. Amador’s Key Scene 3: Climax – The Ultimate Expression of The Conflict.
**what i learned from this lesson was that even though i haven’t perfected my climax yet, I have a good place holder for now. I was actually pretty impressed with myself that I was able to use what I initially wrote for a climax in lesson 5 even though i had not really outlined the steps to how to get there. I will have to remember this in the future for other treatments; to go ahead and write all four acts as if I’ve already written them and then go back and to the outline. I will have to have a rough idea of “working beats” when i come up with another concept. I know everything will be re-written, but for now I’m happy with my amazing climax.
INT. SECRET GOV. FACILITY – DAY
BEGINNING: ROSINSKI AND SARAH REALIZE ROBERT HAS GONE MISSING. They put out a national manhunt to find the “traitor”; robert tells “nerds” in lab he’s gone to chile to use their facility. but its a lie.
EXT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S BACKYARD – DAY
BEGINNING: THE GENERAL, ATHENA, AND ROBERT set up their own quantum computational facility in the general’s backyard along with satellite robert noticed at the beginning of the film when the general said he like to watch soccer around the world; Robert, along with the help of his daughter have recruited fellow citizens, astronomy enthusiasts, and other scientists around the world to help him build his own super computer.
MIDDLE: ROBERT tricks investigators by using IP address from Chile, even though he’s working directly in their “backyard.” Robert is able to hack computer controlling satellite.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. SECRET GOV. FACILITY – DAY
MIDDLE: SARAH AND ROSINSKI ARE LOSING CONTROL OF THEIR COMPUTERS AT THEIR FACILITIES. they know it must be robert hacking the mainframe computers!
intercut with:
EXT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S BACKYARD – DAY
END: ROBERT hacks into webb satellite; he gets the satellite to send message to the “crystal” circling nearby to re-launch its last rocket and enter into the Webb satellites orbit; once connected it starts flickering laser lights through the crystal. At first there is nothing, but THEN; LASER LIGHTS start flickering back from the center of our galaxy to the webb telescope! images are downloaded from outer space on roberts computer and he shares it with people all over the world: the extraterrestrials are communicating directly with the human race!
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. SECRET GOV. FACILITY – DAY
ENDING: CHAOS AT THE SECRET GOVERNMENT FACILITY: nerds tell rosinski and sarah to race into communications office:
ON TV:
TIMES SQUARE, PICCADILLY CIRCUS, BILLBOARDS IN ASIAN CITIES: “WE THANK YOU AND YOUR LEADER ROBERT AMADOR. HE IS OBVIOUSLY THE MOST INTELLIGENT OF YOUR SPECIES; BY NOW WE KNOW YOUR LANGUAGE HAS PROGRESSED TO A SUBJECT-VERB-OBJECT LANGUAGE FOR MOST OF HUMANITY. OUR COMPUTERS SEE THE PATTERN.
[intercut hear with billboards of different cities around the world]:
“LEARN FROM US: COLLECTIVELY YOU MUST LEARN TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAXIMIZE THE ENERGY POTENTIAL OF YOUR PLANET, SUN AND SOLAR SYSTEM. LITTLE BY LITTLE YOU WILL BEGIN TO COLONIZE YOUR GALAXY AND THE REST OF SPACE.
[MORE INTERCUTS HERE]:
LEARN FROM US: IF YOU’RE RECEIVING THIS MESSAGE NOW IT’S BECASUE WE FOLLOW PATTERNS AND CAN SEE THAT YOUR CIVILIZATION IS IN DANGER OF SELF-DESTRUCTION. YOU HAVE UNDER
[INTERCUT WITH FOREIGN LANGUAGES/SUBTITLES]:
200 YEARS TO FIX YOUR PLNET AND MAKE IT GREEN, IN THIS WAY YOUR SPECIES BUYS 200,000 YEARS OF TIME OUR 200 GENERATIONS. WITH THIS ADDED TIME YOU WILL COLONIZE THE REST OF THE COSMOS AND LEARN MUCH MORE BEYOND WHAT YOU COUL’VE EVER IMAGINED. FOR NOW WE SAY GOODBYE AS WE’VE ALREADY CROSSED THE EVENT HORIZON AND HAVE MOVED BEYOND ACTUAL VISIBILITY AND REACHABILITY, WHAT YOU’VE SEEN ARE LIGHTS PHOTOS ENCODED WITH THIS MESSAGE FROM OUR STAR SYSTEM NOW BEYOND THE EVENT HORIZON JUST REACHING YOU NOW. GOODBYE FOREVER.
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE HOUSE LAWN – DAY
Robert is at white house receiving medal of honor for his discovery of intelligent life in outer space and for his valor.
His daughter jumps up into his arms and he hugs her!
cut to:
Robert parades through haydn planetarium in NYC: Students of different age—astronomers in training follow him around the planetarium, listening his lecture; he’s educating young minds for the future of humanity.
he looks up at the stars dangling from the ceiling once more. . .robert starts to tear up.
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LESSON 21: ACT 4 begins: key scene1: reaction to lowest point AND key scene 2: Robert Amador’s dilemma:
***what i learned from this assignment is that i’m coming up against a wall; i’m not sure of my climax but i’m “getting” how to tie key scenes together. i’m fearing becoming repetitive with my plot points but i know once a do a run-through draft with the following outline, i will be more clear and add more excitement and can make my script a page-turner.
INT. QUANTUM COMPUTING FACILITY – DAY
BEGINING: ROBERT SEES SARAH WEARING HAZMAT SUIT. HE’S PISSED. He knows now that she’s been secretly working with Rosinski all along. He learns it was all for profit her motivation; she’s been seduced by rosinski. Sarah tells him they have a job to do and that they didn’t really have a choice.
INT. SECRET FACILITY HEAD OFFICE – DAY
MIDDLE: ROSINSKI is leading meeting on how they’re going to proceed. Robert is angry, attempts to talk to sense into Sarah. They have to figure a way out. Sarah tells him to fuck off; she would not be in this mess if it weren’t for him and she’s lost all credibility with her international colleagues who trusted her. At east she’ll walk out of this a wealthy woman instead of living off an adjunct professor’s salary trying to make ends meet.
END: ROBERT INSISTS THAT SARAH NOT SELL OUT! ‘this is a lost cause.’
***robert aslo realizes again that his calculations are wrong again! they’re going to lose their las opportunity to launch “the crystal” into the Webb’s orbit.
***Robert “plays” along but will risk life and reputation to do what’s right: he will go seek out Portman and his daughter.
key scene 2: dilemma
INT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S HOME – DAY
BEGINNING; ROBERT’S EX-WIFE AND DAUGHTER ARE THERE; ROBERT INSISTS he’s right and needs the General to shut down Rosinski. The General says he’s powerless; Rosinski has all the power. His Ex-wife tells him to accept his defeat and make money for the sake of his daughter.
MIDDLE: ATHENA, robert’s daughter insists that he not worry about her and that he is her hero no matter what. Athena tells him of crowdfunded page that’s willing to help Robert pursue his own satellite communication.
END: ROBERT get’s his daughter’s blessing and knows he’s risking everything, including his reputation and his daughter’s future. He will face his dilemma head on and escape the crutches of the evil rosinski!
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Dr. Amador’s completed ACT 3:
***what i learned most about this assignment was that these scenes weren’t just random: the key senes really helped move my lead character from old ways to new ways until he hits his lowest of the low point and he questions was it worth it; he makes a return to his old ways of simple obedience and living with his head down for the sake of his daughter. his dream is on pause for now, but we shall see where act 4 brings him to completely shed his old ways and embrace the new ways no matter what!”
key scene 1: reaction/rethink is SOLID: he realizes after midpoint that his journey is not just personal but he’s doing it for all mankind!
Key scene 2: He makes a new plan and brings new ideas and pushes “mentor” General to help him once again: this time he’s the mentor reminding the general of his national obligation to his country !
Key scene 3: all is going to plan until the evil Rosinski throws wrench into their new plans; he shuts everything down for his own self-interest and monetary gain.
key scene 4: Turning point ending act three: lowest of the low: robert is basically in metaphorical “chains” as he has to do what rosinski tells him; if it were for him, he’s rather die than help, but he’s worried about his daughter’s future as an astronomer and/or being labeled as a traitor’s daughter.
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LESSON 19:
Dr. Amador’s ACT 3 Turning point: protagonist faces lowest low.
***What I learned from this assignment is that I don’t have a all the pieces of the puzzle, but i’m starting to get “beats” or major dramatic moments. I think i captured a good “lowest of the low” here with the raiding of robert’s facilities and sarah’s betrayal. i also captured well why he must go on as the threat of his daughter’s future reputation as daughter of a traitor will mark her forever.”
INT. NM TELESCOPE FACILITY – DAY
BEGINNING: US MILITARY and other government agents raid Robert and his rag-tag team at the University.
MIDDLE: BROADCAST ON NEWS : ROBERT PORTRAYED AS PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE for sharing government secrets with other countries’ astronomers. We see shots on his ex-wife and daughter— they’re incredulous. government facilities land on their door step and ask what was it like living with a traitor to his country. Athena — his daughter defends him—her daddy is no trader.
END: Robert is told by Rosinski that he needs his help and that he will make sure government drops all charges if he co-operates. He Refuses. Sarah, who’s been helping him is taken into another cell. Sarah tells him to say nothing. Finally, she’s taken out. Robert is threatened with death penalty under the espionage act and it could implicate sarah and even his wife as traitors and they could be executed for treason as well (his daughter will have to live with reputation of being a traitor’s daughter). Robert gives in; he agrees to help rosinski hook up the “crystal” communicator to the satellite. [those blue flashes of light are getting closer and closer—this could be sub-theme?]
**Sarah comes speaks to him?? or better yet, he agrees to work with them on condition that they let his wife and sarah go free. Once he arrives at rosinski’s facility, he’s astonished to see Sarah working for directly for rosinski all along. She was always working for him; they just needed his knowledge. Robert has been betrayed but he has no choice.
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LESSON 18:
DR. AMADOR’S Act 3 Middle Scenes:
***What I learned from this assignment is that I’m getting a good grasp of turning points, and even though I don’t have all the answers, this “outlined” beat sheet will help me flow once i officially start my first “run-through” draft.
(KEY SCENE 2: MAKES A NEW PLAN):
BEGINNING: The president is down in the polls, General Portman gets inside information that this ‘discovery’ if shared with the DOE will boost his numbers and help him with his re-election.
MIDDLE: General Portman and Robert fly to DC., they meet with the president. He hesitates at first and they back and forth: Why should he give them a second chance? Robert proves that there was foul play from Rosinski; he wanted the mission to fail so it could go into private funding. The President asks him what are the chances of it from happening again?
END: Robert insists he has his own loyal team in place outside of rosinski’s hands and can relaunch the mission, but they need to override other organizations , both public and private in getting exclusive time-priority for this ‘re-alighnment” project. The President escalates this mission to top priority. Rosinski is blocked from proceeding any further.
[things go well until ]:
INT. SILICON VALLEY SPACE CORPS. – DAY
BEGINNING: ROSINSKI PRESENTS dilemma to his “bosses”; he tells him he’s been pushed aside by robert’s shenanigans with the annoying general and the President.
Middle: All is going well, they’re[robert and co.] about to launch their global collaborative effort until a a major funder of the president tells the president to change course or else! [the president and private funder go back and forth. we don’t know outcome until]:
[place holder: here we can see more science and global intercuts of telescopes around the world; robert stays the course: we must aim satellite beam at the center of our milky way galaxy: at the deepest black hole in our galaxy—while we have this window literally , technologically and astronomically).
END: right as they are about to start their satellite adjustment, military facilities enter new mexico university to block Robert.
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LESSON 17: DR. AMADOR’S START OF ACT THREE:
Key Scene 1: Reaction/Rethink.
***[what I learned on this assignment: i still don’t have all the answers and the astronomy math is very complicated. It’s above my head, but I’m creating good turning points for my lead character to blossom, to shed the old ways and inhabit the new ways. He still has a long way to go, but he’s gaining confidence when almost everyone doubts him.]
INT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S HOME – DAY
BEGINNING: ROBERT CONSOLES GENERAL PORTMAN as he has been fired by the president as well. He tells the general of his idea since the idiot Rosinski still has no clue how to connect or link up “crystal” to Webb satellite’s orbit.
MIDDLE: ROBERT insists that rosinski had purposely fudge his calibrations and that was the cause of the meltdown. General Portman insists he “let it go” and let rosinski fall flat on his face. if he does, maybe they could go after private funding for themselves. General Portman makes no promises; he still blames robert for his job loss and computer malfunction: [perhaps here it’s the crystal that drifts of into space—like a ball drifting in outer space]
END: Robert tells the General of his secret plot to infiltrate the secret government lab via supercomputers fro other facilities but it would be a risk not to mention a breach of national security. Robert insists there’s hope and they will be hero’s if he gets that crystal to “relaunch” it’s one remaining rocket and get back in sync with the Webb satellite’s orbit.
INT. SECRET GOVERNMENT FACILITY – DAY
BEGINNING: Rosinski plots ahead, he’s confident he’s got unlimited money and will pursue the project even though he’s questioning himself and knows he’s probably over his head. (he’s also someone who’s loath to admit he’s wrong–a true asshole!).
MIDDLE: ROSINSKI IS starting to lose his shit and smarter astronomers under him are afraid of confronting for fear of getting fired [this could be sub theme: top-down management is not always best—everyone should have a voice and come forward.
END: EVENING news describes chaos and more waste at fully sponsored government facilities while “private” billionaires stand to profit from new discoveries in outer space.
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LESSON 16: DR. AMADOR’S Has Completed Act 2 Draft 1:
***What i learned in this lesson is that I still don’t have all the facts, and a new scene came to me. I still don’t know how to incorporate it, but it will make my end of act two more intriguing.
****Perhaps Athena, tells robert of Sarah’s recent visit and this sets off a light bulb and he rushes over to her lecture at the university.
INT. SARAH’S LECTURE CLASS – DAY
BEGINNING: Sarah lecture’s on ancient mayan stone pyramids and temples; he tells her what an influence she’s had on his daughter. She brings up the mayan knowledge of “Zero”
Middle: Auggie follows her after class to her lab
End: he tells her that the idea of mayans was intuitive, that science must be intuitive as well and we must use emotions to look for intelligent life.
placeholder: perhaps the class club be more thorough and she explains math and mayan math and writing: THEN Auggie get’s a revelation : he goes after Sarah, tries to convince her, then convinces her to recruit others (fellow astronomers not in private hands) to help him —Robert— to relaunch their own “crystal” and make it align to webb satelites’ orbit !
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LESSON 15: DR. AMADOR’S Act 2 TP – Midpoint
***At the close of mid-point, I’m still not sure about the science, but I think I’ve caught the “essence” of the Tp-MIDPOINT: it’s the same journey but with new eyes: the lead character is asking himself: what is it that i really want/need. “how ould I’ve been so shortsighted.” The lead character is seeing the bigger picture and keeping the promise to the theme: (which i’m not sure-but here’s a placeholder : science should be made to progress humanity not make private citizens richer—it’s a work in progress I know). This mid-point also makes my lead character make sure to leave his “old-ways” and make way for the “new-ways”, he must take the risks and continue his journey!
INT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S OFFICE
BEGINNING: ROBERT is blamed for accidental meltdown and humiliated by President. General Portman tries to defend him.
MIDDLE: ROSINSKI GETs a hold of the press and leaks “billion dollar disaster” on outdated NASA public funding. President is publicly lambasted on national news. Even though it’s top secret, Auggie’s name is mentioned as being the problem of government quotas being signed to a minority even though he was not up to the job.
END: AUGGIE LEAVES secret facilities in humiliation. his “new ways” of super confidence and leadership have failed him; he reverts to his old ways and returns to professorship, to live his life quietly in academia.
INT. NM STATE UNIVERSITY – DAY
BEGINNING: Auggie returns to academia; he’s still respected by his peers, but he can hear comments circulating. a student points out where his math was wrong. Auggie insists his “calibrations” were correct.
MIDDLE: AUGGIE decides to go over the math, it turns out he wasn’t wrong; someone else entered the wrong data! He assigns his students to assist him with the new corrections.
END: PRESIDENT OF NM UNIVERSITY gets wind of his latest project: he insists Auggie should stop and go back to the basics, go back to teaching freshman and educating “new minds”; after all, his purpose is to draw students and new funding to the university; he’s just a minor celebrity.
(SAME JOURNEY-DIFFERENT MEANING)
INT. AUGGIE’S EX-WIFE HOUSE – DAY
BEGINNING: AUGGIE refuses to listen to School president. He gets fired for insubordination. he tells his wife. She accepts his limitations and as a psychologist she re-states that he’s over his head, that he should stick with what he nows.
MIDDLE: talks to his daughter. She tells him of the Mayans and how every other year/decade a highway opened up in outer space to communicate with the ‘gods’! she has papier-mâché of mayan temples on kitchen table with inlaid mirrors on top, encrusted on temples. Auggie gets an idea! he thanks Athena for her help—she’s his genius daughter.
END: HE races to Sarah! his love interest from the university telescope.
INT. TELESCOPE FACILITY – NIGHT
BEGINNING: He tells her[SARAH} his idea to get back the project, that it’s no longer personal but about the human race and public funding for the sake of the public, NOT private interest!
MIDDLE: SARAH QUESTIONS his authority; is it legal, could she get in trouble for helping him? they go back and forth: She has contacts around the world working at different satellites.
END: SARAH agrees to help him on this endeavor! (for the sake of all humanity, not just personal gain)!
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Lesson 14 key middle scenes 2 & 3 for act TWO: for Dr. Auggie Amador:
“What i learned from this scene, as in the previous, is that i need to keep going. i know i’ve picked up a hard subject matter:science-fiction, and even thought i don’t know the math nor how effective the plot points are, I’m testing my lead character’s “old ways” and pushing him to not give up, to learn to act in the “new ways.”
LESSON 14: ACT TWO MIDDLE SCENES:
INT. QUANTUM COMPUTING CONFERENCE HALL – DAY
Auggie explains what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, how they’re doing it: reverse engineering of the cosmos.
ROSINSKI MAKES secret backstabbing moves to remove Auggie from the project; he tricks fellow astronomer into doing the wrong math, throws Auggie’s work “off course.”
INT. QUANTUM COMPUTING FACILITY – DAY
Day of execution: Auggie leads team into super cold computing facility : they are wearing hazmat suits as they are dealing with very sensitive computers. On execution of the mission, the project fails: the crystal does not connect to the webb telescope?? or data coming in from their limited time with telescope overheats computer causing a melt down?? Auggie goes from leadership position to getting fired and feels humiliated.
BECOMES
Act two middle keys scenes 2 & 3:
INT. QUANTUM COMPUTING CONFERENCE HALL – DAY
BEGINNING: Auggie and Peter Rosinski work well together at first; a lot of science gets explained via their acerbic dialogue and visual displays on overhead projectors,
MIDDLE: nerds ask a lot of questions.
END: AUGGIE wins argument again; Rosinski sows weeds of suspicion; Auggie chews him out for insubordination; the General gives him a warning.
INT. QUANTUM COMPUTER LAB – DAY
BEGINNING: Auggie and team don hazmat suits to enter absolute ZERO computer room. Rosinski is late as he was on phone call with “secret” private money contact.
MIDDLE: rivalry still persists between those loyal to rosinski and those loyal to Auggie. Rosinski makes purposeful adjustment to data/numbers: he convinces colleague of his that Auggie is in the wrong and should not be listened to, as he’s in over his head.,
END: Rosinski convinces one of his loyal followers to fudge the numbers, even though he knows this will wreck havoc on computer once data comes in from outer space. This will also prevent the CRYSTAL from linking to the james webb telescopes orbit; the math will be off.
INT. QUANTUM COMPUTING CONFERENCE HALL – DAY
BEGINNING: Data starts streaming in: Auggie’s theory appears to be working! Black holes in outer space are responding—Then- suddenly
MIDDLE: information starts overwhelming the supercomputer: ROSINSKI’S MANIPULATIONS have made the computer replicate unecessary data. there are trillions of unnecessary data in the computer; the supercomputer along with AI is hallucinating; it’s making stuff up
END: NOT ONLY DOES THE quantum super computer heat up and erases data, but it catches on fire!
[KEY SCENE 3]
INT. QUANTUM COMPUTING CONFERENCE HALL – DAY
BEGINNING: ROSINSKI BERATES Auggie and the General for being over their heads. They should’ve never trusted a newbie like Auggie.
Middle: the general comes down on Auggie also, not only has his plan failed, put he’s made a fool of the general.
END: CONTROL of the project will now fall into Rosinski’s hands and “private” equity.
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DR. ROBERT “AUGGIE” AMADOR’S: Act two: reaction to turning point:
ACT TWO PART ONE/PART TWO:
F. After conference, General Portman shows sympathy for the humiliated Dr. Robert “Auggie” Amador. He gives him boost of self-confidence! tell’s him to not lose faith to brush it off. He invites him to his house. He gets hired by General to lead project at secret government facilities. He’s brushed off this failure and for the first time in his life he doesn’t quit, but takes the Challenge!
G. He demonstrates he’s up for the job. Although he’s tricked to fail, and loses leadership position, he confronts his nemesis and re-takes control of the facility: He proves he’s skilled and still in control and has what it takes to finish his project.
H. After getting fired directly by the US president, he takes control into his own hands: He stands up to his superiors and finishes mission of his own! (General Portman assists him as he’s been fired by president as well).
[for re-write start with exciting conference scene. Rosisnki makes presentation with slides and video/ explains science easily and understandable; the “jerk” Rosinski humiliates him; there’s a fight among scientists. Auggie STORMS OUT; PORTMAN SPEAKS TO HIM; INSISTS HE QUITS HIS CURRENT POSITION AND COME WORK FOR HIM; B: BACKGROUND WITH PARTY: MAKE IT AUGGIE’S FAREWELL PARTY; BUT HAS CONVERSATION WITH SARAH;SHE WILL NOW LEAD THE TELESCOPE; WIFE HUMILIATES/BERATES HIM; DAUGHTER SUPPORTS HIM (TELLS HIM OF MAYAN STORY? OR INSERT MAYAN MYTHOLOGY?). DRIVE’S OFF NORTH TO MEET THE GENERAL.
D: PORTMAN HIRES AUGGIE AND AGREES TO HIS TERMS:
becomes:
Act two Beat Sheet:
INT. CONFERENCE HALL STAGE – NIGHT
General Portman takes sides with General Portman; Gives him needed boost of morality: tells him to brush it off/shake it off he’s gonna have much larger battles up ahead. GENERAL invites Auggie to his house
INT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S HOME – LATER
General discusses secret project with him: tells him why he’s the right man for the job right now. If he doesn’t take job offer, He’ll assign it to Rosinski. Auggie “answers” the call: HE WAS DESTINED FOR THIS JOB ! He will take the job, but on one condition: That he will be 100 percent in charge!General Portman agrees!
INT. COLORADO QUANTUM COMPUTING – DAY
AUGGIE CONFRONTS ROSINSKI, THEY HAVE A FIGHT. HIS NEMESIS RE-takes control of the project. Robert “Auugie” defies authority, its settled by arm-wrestling : Auggie wins, he’s now locked in to lead the project.
BECOMES:
ACT TWO OUTLINE:
INT. ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE – DAY
BEGINNING: General Portman approaches Robert “Auggie.”
MIDDLE;He tells him he gets what he’s saying. Auggie is impressed he gets it. THE GENERAL gives Auggie boost of confidence.
END: The General invites Auggie to his home.
INT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S HOME – LATER
BEGINNING: The General tells him the history of secret government cover-ups
MIDDLE: and why he’s the right man for the job right now with all the recent strides in quantum computing or QIS. If he doesn’t take the job, he’ll give it to his nemesis, Rosinski and he’ll get all the credit.
END: AUGGIE “answers the call!” He will take lead of the assignment but he must be 100 percent in charge! The general agrees to his terms.
INT. COLORADO QUANTUM COMPUTING – DAY
BEGINNING: AUGGIE confronts Rosinski, tells him what a jerk he is.
MIDDLE: ROSINSKI explains to him why he had to “shut him up”; Rosinski tells Auggie not to get it “Twisted”; no matter what the government told him, private money is behind this quest and that he—rosinski- will be in charge.
END: Auggie defies authority, they have a fight which gets physical(Rosinski tells him he couldn’t hold on tho his wife and now his girlfriend; makes government quote dig), the general stops the fight, they settle it by arm-wrestling. Auggie wins the arm wrestling competition. He will be in charge of the Project: Blending quantum computing with astronomy in their search for life in outer space.
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Lesson 12: End of Act ONE: what I learned on this assignment was that even though I had type-O’s and was not clear on what inciting incident was nor on what locks in the Protagonist,I was able to move forward. i chose something complicated and a very complicated theme of science-fiction, but I kept going forward. I will plan on revisiting act one to flesh it out more.
FADE IN:
INT. NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV. TELESCOPE – DAY
ASTROBIOLOGIST, Dr. AUGUSTUS “AUGGIE” AMADOR (30s),Team Leader and fellow astronomers toast SARAH(20s) on new job.
AUGGIE
Sarah, it goes without saying what you’ve meant to us, what you’ve brought to our team. Your insight helped me get published. I sincerely could not have done it without you.
Collective CHEERING. HOOTING. CLAPPING from the smartest youngest astronomers in the country.
ASTRONOMER, JERRY JENKINS (30s), team’s comedian can’t resist, makes his own toast.
JERRY
And here’s to all those nights y’all spent together gazing up at the stars. Alone. My table was always wet and in disarray in the morning.
Collective JOSHING,JABBING, and HOOING from team nerd; others jibe in:
STUDENT ASTRONOMER 1
My table had gooey ectoplasm.
STUDENT ASTRONOMER 2
Sticky and wet. Here’s to Venus !
AUGGIE
Ha-ha very funny. Distinguished Dr. Sarah will now be filing sexual harassment charges against all of you.
SARAH
Can’t file when it’s true.
Collective UPROAR,WHISTLING, CLAPPING, Auggie’s face turns red.
INT. OBSERVATION DECK – LATER
Sarah and Auggie chat away from party crowd.
AUGGIE
You just sullied my reputation.
SARAH
(laughing)
Give those nerds something to fantasize about.
AUGGIE
I’m gonna miss you.
SARAH
I wish you’d come.
AUGGIE
I can’t Sarah. It’s the principle of it all, Silicon Valley billionaires treating outer space like a roller roaster ride because they’re board with Earth. It…It makes me sick.
SARAH
I make you sick?
AUGGIE
No, not you. Never you. It’s just–
SARAH
It’s just what? More money than I’ve made in the past twenty years. I believe in you Auggie and in your quest for intelligent life out there, but life has to be lived here–
AUGGIE
–Yes, yes life is for the living not extra-terrestrials light-years away. You sound like someone I know.
INT. EX-WIFE’S HOME – NIGHT
Loud KNOCKS on door. REBECCA FLORES(30S),Psychologist, slim build strong willed answers door.
REBECCA
I hear you. You’re gonna wake her.
AUGGIE
Where is she?
REBECCA
She’s asleep. You said seven it’s now Ten.
AUGGIE
You’re gonna let me in?
Auggie crestfallen, enters rustic kitchen, takes a seat.
REBECCA
You need some tea to sober up.
AUGGIE
I’m perfectly fine driving through empty desert. I don’t care if I hit a cactus or rattlesnake.
Rebecca brings pot of tea to table.
REBECCA
You’re in those kinda moods.
AUGGIE
You know how going away party’s get. I’m sorry.
REBECCA
I know I know. I was faculty and student once.
(BEAT)
She was lovely. She was good for you. I thought she’s stick around.
AUGGIE
Me too.
REBECCA
But life goes on Auggie. Things are different now. You have to adapt to changing circumstances. Life is expensive.
AUGGIE
So what are you saying? My life’s work has been for nought? That I dedicate my life to launching rich assholes into outer space like an amusement park.
REBECCA
You’d look cute in a ball cap, chewing gum, selling tickets, ‘you must be this high to get on this ride.’
AUGGIE
Ha-Ha world’s funniest therapist.
ATHENA(9)comes running into kitchen.
ATHENA
Daddy!
AUGGIE
I’m so glad you’re up!
Auggie takes MUSHY chunk of cake wrapped in tinfoil from backpack. Rebecca brings candle from kitchen. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
REBECCA
Make a big wish!
Athena blows out solemn candle. BRAVO.
ATHENA
Another trip around the sun!
AUGGIE
Another light-year.
ATHENA
Not possible.
AUGGIE
Why not?
ATHENA
Because with current technology it would take humans 17,000 years. Even our fastest Solar probe travels at 430,000 miles an hour. Light travels at 186,282 miles a second!
AUGGIE
And what’s the distance to our closest neighbor star?
ATHENA
4.2 Light-years away.
REBECCA
Which seems an impossible goal.
ATHENA
Mom, don’t be so negative. Someday, maybe. Daddy, are you going to the conference?
EXT. DARK SKY HIGHWAY – NIGHT
Auggie barrels through desert highway. Sees night sky flooded with millions of stars.
Auggie SLAMS truck door shut, runs to observatory.
INT. NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV. TELESCOPE –
Rummages through dusty boxes. He finds old published article.
CLICKS on computer.
ON SCREEN: ANNUAL ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE DENVER
EXT. DARK SKY HIGHWAY –
Auggie, inspiration on his face, blazes north to Denver. A blazing shooting star cuts across the bedazzled night sky.
INT. ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE – DENVER, COLORADO – DAY
Auggie enters Conference hall filled with renowned international Nobel prize-winning Astronomers.
He sees colleagues (RALPH,GOMEZ,ZSIPINSKI, 30s) from previous research facilities, universities: AUGGIE !
AUGGIE
Ralph! Gomez! Zsipinsky!
RALPH
The three amigos are back! And one Polack
ZSIPINSKY
Hey! Why don’t Mexican astronauts eat beans before they go into space?
AUUGIE/GOMEZ/RALPH
Why?
ZSIPINSKY
Because they don’t want to great a gas planet.
RALPH
Not bad. Why do Poles make the best Astronauts?
(BEAT)
Because they take up space in school!
ZSIPINSKY
Assholes. You can do better than that. You’re only here because of Auggie and government quotas.
AUGGIE
Speaking of assholes. Is he–
ZSIPINSKY
–Yep. That’s one asshole Polack I can’t stand. I can’t believe he took all the credit for your paper. You up for a rematch.
AUGGI
He took credit for my work. He had the data. I had the soul, but he board took his side. This is my chance.
INT. ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE – STAGE – LATER
Auggie is wrapping up presentation. He takes out a crystal, aims laser at it. Spectra of lights shine in every direction.
AUGGIE
As you can see, at the speed of light, I can split the photons in multiple directions at once. Light spectra fracking out of nowhere in the universe is the closest extra-ORDINARY aberration we can make in outer space. It could only be perceived as a higher intelligence.
Nobel prize winning ASTROPHYSICIST PETER ROSINSKI(40s), rises to spew his own thoughts. He has gravitas — the room goes quiet when he speaks.
PETER
Refrackting crystals in space, huh?
AUGGIE
Correct.
PETER
And from what distance in our solar system to you intend to create your new age magic?
CHUCKLES from the Audience.
AUGGIE
At marginal orbit, at the edge of our solar system one million miles from earth.
PETER
Next door to the James Webb Satellite Telescope. And what happens when your magic crystal accidentally bumps the greatest achievement in the history of astronomy off course. Have you thought of that?
The conference hall turns super quiet and uncomfortable. Auggie’s sweat beads are heard hitting the podium.
PETER
What you’re saying is so preposterous. I’m flabbergasted you’ve been able to get this far.
More jeers from audience
PETER
If we were to go through with your crystal refracting , it would still take billions of years for your mock supernovas to reach your so called intelligent life. Professor, with all due respect, we won’t be around for even a few hundred years to get a response. I for one, don’t even have five more minutes.
The lecture hall rips into ROARING LAUGHTER. The Professor appears a little comedic on stage.
He taps the mic. Team Auggie stands up: LET HIM FINISH!
AUGGIE
Light is the only constant in outer space. Waiting for radio signals like we’ve been doing, as you have proposed, will indeed take too damn long. If you can see the light–literally, then intelligent life can respond in kind, like two ships at sea.
PETER
Stop. You’re making a fool of yourself. We’re not pirates out at sea sending signals with mirrors. And when that has worked, we were dealing with one ocean within our dimension of time. You’re light imprints still need millions perhaps more — why am I even discussing this idiocy. You simply have not accounted for the space time continuum in your childish mind. I for one can’t wait another minute for a drink.
World-renowned PHYSICISTS break out in heated YELLING. It’s battle of the nerds in conference hall.
Place-holder: inciting incident and locking -in journey of protagonist is missing.
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DR. AUGUSTUS “AUGGIE” AMADOR’S turning point ONE : “locking in the journey”
Lesson 11: “What I learned on this assignment was that I needed to let my brain simmer down a minute and think outside of the box, that I don’t have to do thinks sequentially and I could re-arrange my thoughts, or “scenes” like any other person or writer. I’ll definitely will be coming back to this scene as it is crucial to get the ‘roller coast ride’ going. I’ll tone down the first fight they have and make it more brainiac funny for this first round. I’ll make their fights more intense and personal as the script progresses.”
INT. SECRET GOV. FACILITY – DAY
General Portman introduces Robert to Rosinski, fight follows. Rosinski makes snide remark about Latinos and government affirmative action: Robert’s emotions are flared/triggered. Army of his colleagues swarm around him. Two teams will fight. But there can only be one, so they arm wrestle. Robert beats Rosinski! Robert will lead the Team to discover intelligent life in the UNIVERSE!
Becomes
INT. SECRET GOV. FACILITY – DAY
BEGINNING: GENERAL PORTMAN officially introduces Dr. Rosinski to Dr. Augustus “Auggie” AMADOR. They fought at conference, there not gonna like each other now.
MIDDLE: There’s a personal history between them: two geeks after the same ‘girl’, an accomplished astronomer in her own right. Rosinski makes snide comment : “you couldn’t hold on to your wife or your girl.” Fight ensues: it’s battle of the nerds! The GENERAL tells them to cool it. He tells them to settle it like real men, they arm wrestle! Who ever wins leads the team!
END: the Battle Royal: Nerd scientists place their bets: has the SOUND and LOOK of classic bar fight/cock fight: Robert “AUGGIE” wins arm Wrestling competition ! He will lead the team his WAY in search for intelligent life in the universe.
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Dr. Robert Amador’s inciting incident (outline)
Lesson 10: What I learned in this assignment: the story was revealing me plot points and characters at the beginning, but in this lesson I started to lose focus. I was making it up as I went along. I also threw in a “flashback” in the “middle” section of an arc in scene. I’m not sure if that works or if that’s allowed. Hopefully, somebody can help me with that question. I’m happy that I’m getting better at outlining, and once I get to know my character’s motives better, I can improve the outline before going on to writing another draft.
ACT 1 BEAT SHEET
I/E – FRONT PORCH – NIGHT
Zoe sees her parents fighting. Robert storms out of the house. Zoe chases after her dad. She tells robert to go to upcoming astronomy conference. She’s smart like her dad. He says he’s not ready—that he’s happy the way he is and if she would understand that. Zoe refuses to accept that. She tells her dad he’s a winner and should present his paper at conference! Robert Agrees.
INT. NM STATE UNIV. OBSERVATORY – LATER
Robert rummages through old boxes, finds what he’s looking for in box. ON SCREEN : Location and time of conference. Night Shift Astronomer Tells him Peter Rosinski, his nemesis will be there. Robert insists he’s ready for him. He’s motivated.
INT. ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE – DAY
At conference, presents paper. Cheers at first then harsh criticism from Dr. Peter Rosinski.
INT. ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE STAGE – LATER
After conference, Robert stands at podium humiliated, Portman says not to lose faith and keep going. At first, Robert brushes him off, he’s humiliated in public and can’t face life. Portman convinces him to discuss things.
INT. PORTMAN’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Portman tells Robert secret project and convinces Robert to join team. Robert Agrees.
INT. SECRET GOVERNMENT FACILITY – DAY
At facility, PORTMAN introduces ROBERT to the very same Dr. ROSINSKI, his nemesis. At first Robert refuses to work with him. Portman convinces him to man up and take the challenge. Robert finally agrees.
…Becomes…
ACT ONE OUTLINE
I/E – FRONT PORCH – NIGHT
Beginning: ZOE chases after her dad, asks him to please stay. Robert agrees.
MIDDLE: She tells robert to go to upcoming astronomy conference. She’s smart like her dad. He says he’s not ready—that he’s happy the way he is and if she would understand him; he’s got to make money.
END: Zoe tells him she’s ok without a present. She tells her dad he’s a winner and should present his paper at conference! That would be her present. Robert Agrees.
INT. NM STATE UNIV. OBSERVATORY – LATER
Beginning: Robert rummages through boxes, he’s motivated, taking action.
MIDDLE: FLASHBACK to his childhood with his Grandfather in Mexico, Learns of MAYANS and their knowledge of the cosmos.
END: Co-Worker at the Observatory warns him that rival critic of his Paper will be there, that he should be ready for Dr. Rosinski’s pompous voice. Robert says he’s never been more ready.
INT. ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE – DAY
Beginning: Robert sees Colleagues from the past. Discussing latest research Topics. Robert corrects them on important overlooked detail. His Colleagues are impressed. Robert shines with confidence.
Middle: Robert gathers his notes. Appears organized, sharp. Makes his presentation. The whole room comes together mesmerized.
End: Dr. Peter Rosinski rises from front of Audience. Makes slow mocking CLAP. Peter humiliates Robert in public. Previous colleagues that were in awe of him now jeer at Robert. The whole conference hall of nerds bust out with laughter when Peter says funny remark about Robert’s presentation; Peter is a one man show full of quick witted comments; you’d better have your presentation tight in front of this asshole. Robert is palpably on verge of tears.
INT. ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE STAGE – LATER
BEGINNING: General Portman stays behind as lecture hall empties. He climbs onstage to console Robert.
MIDDLE: Portman tells Robert that he get’s it. That he’s on to something. Robert is annoyed why he didn’t speak up.
END: General Portman insists they speak privately at his home. Robert agrees, he’s got nothing to lose.
INT. PORTMAN’S HOUSE – NIGHT
BEGINNING: General Portman tells Robert of recent phenomena occurring in space, he tells Robert how long they have been sighting weird flashes of blue light.
MIDDLE: General Portman tells him to join team space research team as he would be a good asset. That it pays good money. But its top secret.
END: Robert Agrees.
INT. SECRET GOVERNMENT FACILITY – DAY
BEGINNING: Robert goes through “Top Secret” protocols. General Portman introduces him to Team Leader: it’s Peter Rosinski ! His Nemesis!
MIDDLE: Robert is livid. He refuses to work with him. The General and Peter said they had to shut him down. He had discovered something and put government “Alien” secret in danger of becoming public.
END: The General and Peter convince him he is the only man for the job! Robert finally gives in; He agrees to join the research team.
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Lesson 9: What I learned on this assignment: I learned that the quick TE points I’d written for came in handy, that it helped be get the essence of the scene quicker, to get to the heart of the scene with unnecessary jibber jabber.
Dr. Robert Amador’s (protagonist) Opening Scenes (BEAT SHEET/OUTLINE):
INT – NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY TELESCOPE-DAY
Opening: Robert is at celebration party for his protege SARAH (20s) who’s been hired by private corporation and will be making lots of money.
Becomes:
Opening Scene Outline
INT. – NM STATE UNIV OBSERVATORY. – DAY
Beginning: ASTROPHYSICIST ROBERT AMADOR(30s) Toasts departing protege, SARAH NOVIK(20s) on her accomplishments and wishes her good luck at her new Job. (Smart ass inside jokes could be made here about cheap champagne, Sarah and Robert’s not so secret Romance.”)
Middle: Other SMART “Big Bang Theory” types having fun at going away party. They make comment about expensive champagne and “how could Robert afford it” on his stipend.
End: Sarah thanks Robert for the party and her favorite champagne. It was a fun Romance while it Lasted. Robert realizes he’s running late for his own daughter’s birthday party. He takes chunk of cake. Another scientist makes smart ass comment about taking so much cake. Robert runs out the door. He races through desolate NM terrain.
Second scene beat sheet:
INT – EX-WIFE’S HOUSE – NIGHT
TE: Arrives late and drunk. his daughter is already in Bed. His ex-wife tears him a new one for bringing left over cake for his daughters birthday. He “forgot” to get present: Ex-wife inflicts revives deep wounds: “for never making enough money, failing as a husband, husband,father, as a Man. He sees his daughter watching the fight. He runs out of the house humiliated even more. Daughter yells out for him to stay:”Daddy.”
Becomes:
Second Scene Outline:
INT. – EX-WIFE’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Beginning: Robert Shows up late and a little tipsy with chunk of cake from party, no present . His Daughter is already sleeping.
Middle: Ex-Wife, ELIZABETH FLORES(30s) chews him out for being so negligent, for never having any money, for his failure of putting his stupid dreams first instead of making a living.
End: Robert runs out the door once more. Always running. . .He hears his daughter in the background yelling “DADDY.” He jumps in his truck. . .
Third Scene Beat Sheet:
I/E – GRANDPA’S HACIENDA – FRONT PORCH – DAY – FLASHBACK
PLACEHOLDER [Background on Robert: he was raised by his grandfather: He is loved and Grandfather tells him how smart he is, how good his english is: someday he’ll be best Astronomer]
PLACEHOLDER: WE LEARN OF MAYAN CALENDAR/CIVILIZATION AND MAYAN ASTRONOMERS?
#3: Scene that introduces Other LEAD character:
FIRST SCENE BEAT SHEET(Antagonist):
INT. – COLORADO CONFERENCE – DAY
TE: sees colleagues from previous jobs/university, Robert corrects them on an overlooked detail that could mess up their calculations. Robert really knows his stuff he’s top of his game!(Theme: Taking courage).
– At Conference, he presents his paper but is booed and jeered by Dr. Peter Rosinski leading the chorus of dissatisfaction with Robert’s presentation. His colleagues, which he corrected earlier–and are now drunk–heckle him as well:”Who’s the asshole now Robert!”
Becomes:
INT. – ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE – COLORADO – DAY
Beginning: Robert sees Colleagues from the past. Discussing latest research Topics. Robert corrects them on important overlooked detail. His Colleagues are impressed. Robert shines with confidence.
Middle: Robert gathers his notes. Appears organized, sharp. Makes his presentation. The whole room comes together mesmerized.
End: Dr. Peter Rosinski rises from front of Audience. Makes slow mocking CLAP. Peter humiliates Robert in public. Previous colleagues that were in awe of him now jeer at Robert. The whole conference hall of nerds bust out with laughter when Peter says funny remark about Robert’s presentation; Peter is a one man show full of quick witted comments; you’d better have your presentation tight in front of this asshole. Robert is palpably on verge of tears.
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Dr. Robert’s Beat Sheet (Draft 2): on exploring theme and actions of my “Antagonist”:
*******What I learned from this assignment: To keep going. Some of my “beats” were clear in my mind, other’s i just placed “placeholders” to revisit. Other themes started to come , but i’ll have to figure that out later. This was difficult, and I could’ve written faster. With more practice I will stay consistent and move with rapidity. Again quantity NOT quality for now!
Theme: You must know who you are to be a here. 2. Not standing up for yourself leads to your demise. 3. ***our planet is a special place, we must protect it***(this is principle theme). This theme is explored throughout the story
ANTAGONIST: Dr. Peter Rosinski (celebrated Astrophysicist) has plan to Attack Dr. Robert’s work; There’s a plan beneath the “plan” to overtake Robert’s project: Something deeper going on beneath the surface as the Antagonist carries out a covert plan of attack!
ACT ONE:(THEME):WHERE IS HIS LIFE GOING? RESOLVES TO TAKE ACTION.
INT – NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY TELESCOPE-DAY
Opening: Robert is at celebration party for his protege SARAH (20s) who’s been hired by private corporation and will be making lots of money.
Transformational Event: Robert is naturally envious; his smile is forced. Someone makes a snide comment. (THEME):WHERE IS HIS LIFE GOING? RESOLVES TO TAKE ACTION.
INT – EX-WIFE’S HOUSE – NIGHT
TE: Arrives late and drunk. his daughter is already in Bed. His ex-wife tears him a new one for bringing left over cake for his daughters birthday. He “forgot” to get present: Ex-wife inflicts revives deep wounds: “for never making enough money, failing as a husband, husband,father, as a Man. He sees his daughter watching the fight. He runs out of the house humiliated even more. Daughter yells out for him to stay:”Daddy.”
I/E – GRANDPA’S HACIENDA – FRONT PORCH – DAY – FLASHBACK
PLACEHOLDER [Background on Robert: he was raised by his grandfather: He is loved and Grandfather tells him how smart he is, how good his english is: someday he’ll be best Astronomer]
PLACEHOLDER: WE LEARN OF MAYAN CALENDAR/CIVILIZATION AND MAYAN ASTRONOMERS?
INT. – NM STATE UNIVERSITY OBSERVATORY – LATER
Inciting Incident: ROBERT goes through boxes of his junk, finds article he published:
TE: Gets motivated (hears what his grandfather says like Obi Wan Kenobi) to present his paper on time travel/communicating with intelligent life in outer space. He’s a changed/motivated man.(THEME: Standing up for yourself).
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>INT. – COLORADO CONFERENCE – DAY
TE: sees colleagues from previous jobs/university, Robert corrects them on an overlooked detail that could mess up their calculations. Robert really knows his stuff he’s top of his game!(Theme: Taking courage).
– At Conference, he presents his paper but is booed and jeered by Dr. Peter Rosinski leading the chorus of dissatisfaction with Robert’s presentation. His colleagues, which he corrected earlier–and are now drunk–heckle him as well:”Who’s the asshole now Robert!”
– At the end of lecture, US military General Portman talks to humiliated Robert.
INT. – GENERAL PORTMAN’S HOME – NIGHT
– General invites him back to his house, OFFERS him top position for new job at secret government facility.
INT. – SECRET GOV FACILITY – DAY
Turning Point : Robert is taken aback when he encounters the very same Dr. Rosinski who was heckling him the previous day. Dr. Rosinski confesses that he had to shut him up as Robert was indeed on to something and risked endangering sharing Government info about “Aliens” in outer Space.
-Dr. Rosinski shows him new super quantum computer that can do trillions of calculations in seconds! Never before have scientists had a tool like this for Astronomy; this is a game changer!
ACT TWO PART ONE:
INT. – SECRET LABORATORY – DAY
NEW PLAN:
TE: ROBERT regains his confidence. he demonstrates he’s up for the job. Shows fellow scientists what he knows [VISUALS AND ROBERT’S LECTURE ARE BROUGHT TO LIFE EXPLAINING DETAILSOF DISCOVERY/MISSION IN COSMOS/ LIMITS OF OUR KNOWLEDGE/TIME SLOTS FOR USING CURRENT WEBB TELESCOPE IN OUTER SPACE]
INT. – WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE – DAY
PLAN IN ACTION-Robert SPEAKS to US President with General Portman, to brief him about “Aliens” and why they need exclusive control of Webb Telescope.
TE: He demonstrates he’s the man for the job,[placeholder: Although he’s being set up to fail by Rosinski, He was just a tool to get US President to agree to exclusive use of telescope].
<u style=”font-weight: bold;”>ACT TWO PART TWO:
INT. – SECRET GOV FACILITY – DAY
MID-POINT/TURNING POINT:
-GENERAL PORTMAN demotes Rosinski from his post after an argument???[placeholder scene: Robert and Rosinski have major public fight] Re-assigns Robert to head the project:
TE: he insists Robert is THE right man and only man for the job! Robert is on top of the world ! finally a some respect rightfully deserved!
-Rosinski agrees to let Robert point satellite in direction he wants [secret sabotage by Rosinski?]
– Quantum computer is now connected to Webb Telescope
– At first, new images come in:Computer quickly does math and and works out “Fermi Paradox” and lists planets that are viable for intelligent life.
-Computer is overwhelmed: an explosion and fire follow. The billion dollar computer melts!
INT. – CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
–Robert is blamed for meltdown
-enraged US president fires him on the spot.
-Project is shut down on orders of the president
INT. – ROBERT’S MOM’S HOUSE – DAY
TE: ??he’s humiliated ; setback re-opens old wounds??; he is transformed to NOT be so hard on himself?? And keep going
– HIS mother consoles him; tells him stuff about his father???[i’m grabbing at straws here]
[placeholder-flashback to mayans??][flashback to Grandpa?]
-Robert licks his wounds and decides to move forward; to not give up.
ACT THREE
INT. – SECRET GOV FACILITY – DAY
RETHINK EVERYTHING: DR. Rosinski consoles Robert, Blames him for disaster, Tells Robert that he will now lead the project, should they get a second chance.
-[They fix computer?]
-TE: Robert catches Rosinski in a lie. Robert is no longer so naive and gullible. Keeps his mouth shut about Rosinski’s connivance.
NEW PLAN: TO HIS SURPRISE: He sees his old colleague and old love interest??, Sarah, and she’s been hired to work directly with Rosinski.
INT. ROSINSKI’S HOME – NIGHT
– They[SARAH AND ROSINSKI] get private funding for project unbeknownst to US President–it’s no longer A department of defense project. General Portman has been let go.
INT. – SECRET GOV FACILITY – DAY
TURNING POINT: Huge failures/major shift: Robert notices there are huge mistakes in the calculations!
-Rosinski and Sarah have huge fight about calculations.
-Robert gets fired for good.
INT. – ROBERT’S EX-WIFE’S HOUSE – DAY
-TE: his daughter talks to him: has new insight! [mayan flashback again?] gets new insight: he’s the leader he was born to be: he doesn’t need quantum computer–he knows which way to point the satellite!
-Daughter tells him : He’s got fellow astronomy enthusiasts and crowdfunding to help him build his own computer!
INT. – SARAH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
-He runs to tell Sarah ABOUT CROWDFUNDING IDEA; HE CAN BUILD HIS OWN QUANTUM COMPUTER WITH GLOBAL USE OF IPHONES AND CONNECT TO SATELLITE; HE CAN GET IMAGES FROM ALL DIRECTIONS OF THE PLANET [his love interest] not to sell out!
– AT first she’s compassionate : romantic interlude goes south real quick: she tells him to fuck off! –the money is good! Profit over science, over people.They’re going to make profit by sharing knowledge with the Russians! Sarah tells him what a fool and failure he is:
TE: Robert’s deepest wound is ignited[sarah at first is understanding put she patronizes Robert]: failure as a man? What a bitch!
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>ACT FOUR: CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT:
INT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S HOME- NIGHT
TE: ROBERT takes the lead! He’s organized like never before:
-Robert Recruits Astronomers around the world; he sets up “lab” at the General’s home: Robert links iPhones – computers- And AI from research facilities around the World! [Connections to Chile hear??]
-He will hack the James Webb Telescope Satellite (JWST)
– Images are downloaded and shared all over the world: Times Square, Piccadilly Circus Billboards, in Tokyo and other great cities of the world!
-They assume Dr. Robert Amador is the leader of this species on this planet: they want to speak directly with him! let messages in somewhat sloppy grammar come in: “people if earth: we than you and you’re leader Robert Amador: by now we assume your language has progressed to a Subject-Verb-Object language for post of humanity!” the secret is that collective you can work together! that you must maximize the energy potential of your planet, sun, and solar system : little by little you will begin to colonize your galaxy and the rest of space !”
-“ALIEN Feed” is shut down
INT. – EX-WIFE’S HOME – DAY
FBI/CIA clamp down on home: “What have you done?”
-Rosinski blames him for another disaster! “You’re a fuck-up Robert! YOU’VE PUT NATIONAL SECURITY AT RISK
-General Portman comes to his rescue: NO ROBERT IS NOT A FUCK UP BUT A HERO OF THE NATION AND THE WORLD.
-General Portman Arrests Rosinski! “You’re the fuck up!”
-TVs resume broadcast: “Learn from us, if you’re getting this message, you are now in a dangerous position to destroy yourselves and civilization; you have under 200 years to fix your planet and make it green, in this way your species buys 200,000 years of time or 200 generations ; with this added time, you will colonize the rest of space ; for now we say goodbye as we’ve already crossed the event horizon and have moved beyond actual reachability and visibility; what you’ve seen are the lights of our star system just reaching you now. goodbye forever!”
RESOLUTION :
EXT. – WHITE HOUSE LAWN- DAY
TE: Dr. Robert Amador, Astrophysicist of the Century , receives medal of honor from the President!
-Robert is an international hero! NO LONGER AN UNCONFIDENT BOOKIS PROFESSOR BUT A SAVIOR OF HUMANITY: He is seen on tv around the world: his mother in Chile sees image of Professor picking up his daughter!
-Robert is appointed leader of the ENSURING FUTURE OF HUMANITY PROJECT!
EXT. EASTER ISLAND – DAY
–Close on Easter Island, Pacific ocean:
THEN
-SPACESHIP swirls by: it’s Planet Earth 200 YEARS LATER:
MONTAGE of all the worlds great cities! A utopian world at last! Theme of movie : to save our planet, as there is really nothing else out there in the universe. Nothing!
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Michael Montiel. Reason: Copy for my own records
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
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Dr. Robert’s Beat Sheet:
*******What I learned from this assignment: To keep going. Some of my “beats” were clear in my mind, other’s i just placed “placeholders” to revisit. Other themes started to come , but i’ll have to figure that out later. This was difficult, and I could’ve written faster. With more practice I will stay consistent and move with rapidity. Again quantity NOT quality for now!
ACT ONE:
INT – NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY TELESCOPE-DAY
Opening: Robert is at celebration party for his protege SARAH (20s) who’s been hired by private corporation and will be making lots of money.
Transformational Event: Robert is naturally envious; his smile is forced. Someone makes a snide comment. WHERE IS HIS LIFE GOING? RESOLVES TO TAKE ACTION.
INT – EX-WIFE’S HOUSE – NIGHT
TE: Arrives late and drunk. his daughter is already in Bed. His ex-wife tears him a new one for bringing left over cake for his daughters birthday. He “forgot” to get present: Ex-wife inflicts revives deep wounds: “for never making enough money, failing as a husband, husband,father, as a Man. He sees his daughter watching the fight. He runs out of the house humiliated even more. Daughter yells out for him to stay:”Daddy.”
I/E – GRANDPA’S HACIENDA – FRONT PORCH – DAY – FLASHBACK
PLACEHOLDER [Background on Robert: he was raised by his grandfather: He is loved and Grandfather tells him how smart he is, how good his english is: someday he’ll be best Astronomer]
PLACEHOLDER: WE LEARN OF MAYAN CALENDAR/CIVILIZATION AND MAYAN ASTRONOMERS?
INT. – NM STATE UNIVERSITY OBSERVATORY – LATER
Inciting Incident: ROBERT goes through boxes of his junk, finds article he published:
TE: Gets motivated (hears what his grandfather says like Obi Wan Kenobi) to present his paper on time travel/communicating with intelligent life in outer space. He’s a changed/motivated man.
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>INT. – COLORADO CONFERENCE – DAY
TE: sees colleagues from previous jobs/university, Robert corrects them on an overlooked detail that could mess up their calculations. Robert really knows his stuff he’s top of his game!
– At Conference, he presents his paper but is booed and jeered by Dr. Peter Rosinski leading the chorus of dissatisfaction with Robert’s presentation. His colleagues, which he corrected earlier–and are now drunk–heckle him as well:”Who’s the asshole now Robert!”
– At the end of lecture, US military General Portman talks to humiliated Robert.
INT. – GENERAL PORTMAN’S HOME – NIGHT
– General invites him back to his house, OFFERS him top position for new job at secret government facility.
INT. – SECRET GOV FACILITY – DAY
Turning Point : Robert is taken aback when he encounters the very same Dr. Rosinski who was heckling him the previous day. Dr. Rosinski confesses that he had to shut him up as Robert was indeed on to something and risked endangering sharing Government info about “Aliens” in outer Space.
-Dr. Rosinski shows him new super quantum computer that can do trillions of calculations in seconds! Never before have scientists had a tool like this for Astronomy; this is a game changer!
ACT TWO PART ONE:
INT. – SECRET LABORATORY – DAY
NEW PLAN:
TE: ROBERT regains his confidence. he demonstrates he’s up for the job. Shows fellow scientists what he knows [VISUALS AND ROBERT’S LECTURE ARE BROUGHT TO LIFE EXPLAINING DETAILSOF DISCOVERY/MISSION IN COSMOS/ LIMITS OF OUR KNOWLEDGE/TIME SLOTS FOR USING CURRENT WEBB TELESCOPE IN OUTER SPACE]
INT. – WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE – DAY
PLAN IN ACTION-Robert SPEAKS to US President with General Portman, to brief him about “Aliens” and why they need exclusive control of Webb Telescope.
TE: He demonstrates he’s the man for the job,[placeholder: Although he’s being set up to fail by Rosinski, He was just a tool to get US President to agree to exclusive use of telescope].
<u style=”font-weight: bold;”>ACT TWO PART TWO:
INT. – SECRET GOV FACILITY – DAY
MID-POINT/TURNING POINT:
-GENERAL PORTMAN demotes Rosinski from his post after an argument???[placeholder scene: Robert and Rosinski have major public fight] Re-assigns Robert to head the project:
TE: he insists Robert is THE right man and only man for the job! Robert is on top of the world ! finally a some respect rightfully deserved!
-Rosinski agrees to let Robert point satellite in direction he wants [secret sabotage by Rosinski?]
– Quantum computer is now connected to Webb Telescope
– At first, new images come in:Computer quickly does math and and works out “Fermi Paradox” and lists planets that are viable for intelligent life.
-Computer is overwhelmed: an explosion and fire follow. The billion dollar computer melts!
INT. – CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
–Robert is blamed for meltdown
-enraged US president fires him on the spot.
-Project is shut down on orders of the president
INT. – ROBERT’S MOM’S HOUSE – DAY
TE: ??he’s humiliated ; setback re-opens old wounds??; he is transformed to NOT be so hard on himself?? And keep going
– HIS mother consoles him; tells him stuff about his father???[i’m grabbing at straws here]
[placeholder-flashback to mayans??][flashback to Grandpa?]
-Robert licks his wounds and decides to move forward; to not give up.
ACT THREE
INT. – SECRET GOV FACILITY – DAY
RETHINK EVERYTHING: DR. Rosinski consoles Robert, Blames him for disaster, Tells Robert that he will now lead the project, should they get a second chance.
-[They fix computer?]
-TE: Robert catches Rosinski in a lie. Robert is no longer so naive and gullible. Keeps his mouth shut about Rosinski’s connivance.
NEW PLAN: TO HIS SURPRISE: He sees his old colleague and old love interest??, Sarah, and she’s been hired to work directly with Rosinski.
INT. ROSINSKI’S HOME – NIGHT
– They[SARAH AND ROSINSKI] get private funding for project unbeknownst to US President–it’s no longer A department of defense project. General Portman has been let go.
INT. – SECRET GOV FACILITY – DAY
TURNING POINT: Huge failures/major shift: Robert notices there are huge mistakes in the calculations!
-Rosinski and Sarah have huge fight about calculations.
-Robert gets fired for good.
INT. – ROBERT’S EX-WIFE’S HOUSE – DAY
-TE: his daughter talks to him: has new insight! [mayan flashback again?] gets new insight: he’s the leader he was born to be: he doesn’t need quantum computer–he knows which way to point the satellite!
-Daughter tells him : He’s got fellow astronomy enthusiasts and crowdfunding to help him build his own computer!
INT. – SARAH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
-He runs to tell Sarah ABOUT CROWDFUNDING IDEA; HE CAN BUILD HIS OWN QUANTUM COMPUTER WITH GLOBAL USE OF IPHONES AND CONNECT TO SATELLITE; HE CAN GET IMAGES FROM ALL DIRECTIONS OF THE PLANET [his love interest] not to sell out!
– AT first she’s compassionate : romantic interlude goes south real quick: she tells him to fuck off! –the money is good! Profit over science, over people.They’re going to make profit by sharing knowledge with the Russians! Sarah tells him what a fool and failure he is:
TE: Robert’s deepest wound is ignited[sarah at first is understanding put she patronizes Robert]: failure as a man? What a bitch!
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>ACT FOUR: CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT:
INT. GENERAL PORTMAN’S HOME- NIGHT
TE: ROBERT takes the lead! He’s organized like never before:
-Robert Recruits Astronomers around the world; he sets up “lab” at the General’s home: Robert links iPhones – computers- And AI from research facilities around the World! [Connections to Chile hear??]
-He will hack the James Webb Telescope Satellite (JWST)
– Images are downloaded and shared all over the world: Times Square, Piccadilly Circus Billboards, in Tokyo and other great cities of the world!
–They assume Dr. Robert Amador is the leader of this species on this planet: they want to speak directly with him! let messages in somewhat sloppy grammar come in: “people if earth: we than you and you’re leader Robert Amador: by now we assume your language has progressed to a Subject-Verb-Object language for post of humanity!” the secret is that collective you can work together! that you must maximize the energy potential of your planet, sun, and solar system : little by little you will begin to colonize your galaxy and the rest of space !”
-“ALIEN Feed” is shut down
INT. – EX-WIFE’S HOME – DAY
FBI/CIA clamp down on home: “What have you done?”
-Rosinski blames him for another disaster! “You’re a fuck-up Robert! YOU’VE PUT NATIONAL SECURITY AT RISK
-General Portman comes to his rescue: NO ROBERT IS NOT A FUCK UP BUT A HERO OF THE NATION AND THE WORLD.
-General Portman Arrests Rosinski! “You’re the fuck up!”
-TVs resume broadcast: “Learn from us, if you’re getting this message, you are now in a dangerous position to destroy yourselves and civilization; you have under 200 years to fix your planet and make it green, in this way your species buys 200,000 years of time or 200 generations ; with this added time, you will colonize the rest of space ; for now we say goodbye as we’ve already crossed the event horizon and have moved beyond actual reachability and visibility; what you’ve seen are the lights of our star system just reaching you now. goodbye forever!”
RESOLUTION :
EXT. – WHITE HOUSE LAWN- DAY
TE: Dr. Robert Amador, Astrophysicist of the Century , receives medal of honor from the President!
-Robert is an international hero! NO LONGER AN UNCONFIDENT BOOKIS PROFESSOR BUT A SAVIOR OF HUMANITY: He is seen on tv around the world: his mother in Chile sees image of Professor picking up his daughter!
-Robert is appointed leader of the ENSURING FUTURE OF HUMANITY PROJECT!
EXT. EASTER ISLAND – DAY
–Close on Easter Island, Pacific ocean:
THEN
-SPACESHIP swirls by: it’s Planet Earth 200 YEARS LATER:
MONTAGE of all the worlds great cities! A utopian world at last!
-
This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Michael Montiel.
-
This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
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Dr. Robert Amador’s (Protagonist)transformational journey:
******What i learned from this assignment: That when I got stuck I was able to push ahead; something difficult for me to do. I put “placeholders” for act four/climax. I also need to find deeper confrontation/transformational events for act 4 and the climax.
#2: Dr. Robert Amadors OLD WAYS:
*Very smart erudite innocent Professor–a little to innocent and gullible for the ways of the world.
*Not sure of himself, he needs to stand up for his goals/interests
*He’s disorganized
*Needs push to get going; his daughter motivates him. She has faith in him, even though he frequently disappoints her.
*lacks self-confidence
NEW WAYS:
*He will master self-confidence
* He will go from weak insignificant person to STRONG global Hero!
*He takes Action: no more nerdy professor, but man with a plan !
* He takes back control of his invention from his mentor who he once feared and respected.
*His daughter sees him as hero for humanity’s future on earth.
* He’s so self-confident a filled with self-love and self-esteem and so sure of himself that he breaks through by communicating with extra-terrestrial life.
*He’s a proud family man; His wife takes him back! He’s earned his daughter’s respect! And He’s celebrated around the world: he will live in eternity as the scientist that discovered intelligent life in outer space.
#3: 6-8 “Changes” / “steps” that need to happen for that character to go from(beginning) old ways to [Ending] NEW WAYS:
1. Recognize life is passing him by an his daughter is getting older and he has bills to pay.
2. He needs to start taking action!
3. He needs to get organized: to get his “shit” together!
4. Take the step to present his studies and make them public at conference!
5. Must be daring and confront scientists when they are wrong, must not be afraid to correct them!
6. Learn to brush-off failures when they happen and move on!
7. He must accept that he is in control and skilled as a very Competent Astrophysicist.
8. Stand up to his superiors even the president of the USA!
#4: Dramatic events or tests causing above changes to the character:
A. He’s throwing party at his observatory for a colleague who’s under him but has decided to leave public-funded observatory and go into private space exploration. Robert is shocked how much more money his colleague Sarah will be making.
B. He brings leftover cake from colleagues party to his ex-wife’s house who’s throwing birthday party for his daughter. He realizes he forgot to get her a present as he’s always got something going on at the lab.
C. His ex-wife yells at him for never making enough money, for failing as a husband, father, provider–as a man!
D. Daughter hears the fight. Robert goes into daughter’s bedroom. She confronts him and tells him how much she loves him and how much she believes in him: He should leave the observatory and make presentation at the conference. He says it’s not ready, his daughter insists he’s ready.
[Put in scene of Mexico here, touch on mayans and ancient Astronomy–showcase what they learned and how the inspires him to re-visit his published article and present it at the conference].
E. At the conference he sees colleagues from previous jobs, universities. He corrects them on an observation, something they forgot to calculate. He’s super confident when he goes on stage to make his own presentation, But he bombs and gets heckled by a more established scientist. He’s booed off stage. His colleagues from earlier in the evening shout, “guess your calculations were off big time, loser!”
F. After conference, General Portman shows sympathy for the humiliated Dr. Robert Amador. He gives him boost of self-confidence! tell’s him to not lose faith to brush it off. He invites him to his house. He gets hired by General to lead project at secret government facilities. He’s brushed off this failure and for the first time in his life he doesn’t quit, but takes the Challenge!
G. He demonstrates he’s up for the job. Although he’s tricked to fail, and loses leadership position, he confronts his nemesis and re-takes control of the facility: He proves he’s skilled and still in control and has what it takes to finish his project.
H. After getting fired directly by the US president, he takes control into his own hands: He stands up to his superiors and finishes mission of his own! (General Portman assists him as he’s been fired by president as well).
#6: Above dramatic transformational events interwoven into Four-Act Structure:
ACT ONE:
*Opening: A: Robert is at celebration party for his colleague who’s been awarded research position at start-up space travel agency in California making huge money. He’s happy for his friend but a little envious: Where is his life going? How long must he remain a PhD. student?
B: He brings leftover cake from colleagues party to his ex-wife’s house who’s throwing birthday party for his daughter. He realizes he forgot to get her a present as he’s always got something going on at the lab. C: C. His ex-wife yells at him for never making enough money, for failing as a husband, father, provider–as a man!
D: Daughter hears the fight. Robert goes into daughter’s bedroom. She confronts him and tells him how much she loves him and how much she believes in him: He should leave the observatory and make presentation at the conference. He says it’s not ready, his daughter insists he’s ready.
[Put in scene of Mexico here, touch on mayans and ancient Astronomy–showcase what they learned and how the inspires him to re-visit his published article and present it at the conference].
*inciting incident: Robert Flys to Colorado: Robert gets motivated to present his latest paper on time travel and communicating with extra-terrestrial life once he gets it published in the <i style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>journal for the search for intelligent life.
E: At the conference he sees colleagues from previous jobs, universities. He corrects them on an observation, something they forgot to calculate. He’s super confident when he goes on stage to make his own presentation, <i style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>But he bombs and gets heckled by a more established scientist. He’s booed off stage. His colleagues from earlier in the evening shout, “guess your calculations were off big time, loser!”
*Turning point: At conference, he presents his paper but he is booed and jeered by Dr. Peter Rosinski leading the chorus of disappointment from the audience. Other scientists stand up for him but sit back down when Dr. Peter Rosinski makes his speech from audience and humiliates Robert.
at the end of lecture, US military general Portman takes the humiliated Robert back to his place. He explains to him that he liked his plausible presentation and would he like to come work in secret government facility. Robert agrees, and when he’s at the facility, he encounters the very same Dr. Rosinski who was heckling him the previous day. What is goin on here? Dr. Rosinski confesses that he had to shut him up as Robert was indeed on to something and should not expose this new discovery with the public. Dr. Rosinski bring him on to work for secret government space agency and introduce him to secret super quantum computer that can do trillions of calculations in seconds ! Never before has there been a tool for previous astronomers to help them. Robert was born for this. Finally, he’s ready to take action to do what he was born to do!
ACT TWO PART ONE/PART TWO:
F. After conference, General Portman shows sympathy for the humiliated Dr. Robert Amador. He gives him boost of self-confidence! tell’s him to not lose faith to brush it off. He invites him to his house. He gets hired by General to lead project at secret government facilities. He’s brushed off this failure and for the first time in his life he doesn’t quit, but takes the Challenge!
G. He demonstrates he’s up for the job. Although he’s tricked to fail, and loses leadership position, he confronts his nemesis and re-takes control of the facility: He proves he’s skilled and still in control and has what it takes to finish his project.
H. After getting fired directly by the US president, he takes control into his own hands: He stands up to his superiors and finishes mission of his own! (General Portman assists him as he’s been fired by president as well).
ACT THREE AND FOUR and Climax
MUST EXPAND HERE AND ADD MORE EXCITING TRANSFORMATIONAL POINTS WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOST AND WE TURN TO THE CLIMAX: what are the missing transformational moments for Robert’s Journey ? Perhaps revisit mayan sequence here?
I. Robert’s deepest wound is ignited/opened up when his wife told him he was a failure as a man: in this dramatic scene he’s at his ex-wife’s house feeling defeated. She’s being super caring but the scene opposition to this is: Robert feels like his wife is being patronizing. [daughter is missing: picked up at school by stranger]: This ignites his anger: is he really a failure as a man/father?
[put mexico scene hear with his grandfather Guillermo! His grandfather is reading El Universo]–he’s motivated
J. It all comes together: he is not failure as a Man. He’s reignited and in dramatic climax, the General aids Robert to get his daughter back and arrests the evil Peter Rosinski!
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Michael Montiel.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
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<header><header>
What I learned this lesson is how hard it was but I kept going with the 4 act structure
Lesson 5: Dr. Roberto Amador’s 4-Act transformational structure:
1. Concept: When Dr. Robert Amador discovers method for communicating with intelligent life in the Universe, government agents recruit him to work in secret facility for their own profit and military gains.
2. Main Conflict: Dr. Peter Rosinski wants to take Roberto’s discovery of communicating with intelligent life and us it for his own fame and wealth. He will make sure Dr. Amador is made to look like a fool and will take his discoveries and sell it to the Russians.
Dr.ROBERTO AMADOR’S OLD WAYS:
1. Old identity: meek perennial Phd. Astronomy student, always in lab studying or writing. He never takes action, he hides behind school while his colleagues move on to bigger and better things.
2. His studying has paid off and decides to go for it and present his paper at important conference, but he is unsure of himself, questions his knowledge, and lacks confidence and backbone to stand up for himself.
3. He has alcohol abuse problems and never has enough money–this has caused him to get divorced–as his wife is tired of supporting the family. His daughter still believes in him though.
ROBERTO’S NEW WAYS:
1. He’s tired of being a nerdy chump–he takes action!
2. He takes back control of project he invented from his nemesis.
3. His daughter, who’s always believed in him, sees him as a hero for humanity’s future.
4. He breaks through by communicating with extra-terrestrial life
5. His ex-wife takes him back. He’s hero to world and his family!
ACT ONE:
*Opening: Robert is at celebration party for his colleague who’s been awarded research position at start-up space travel agency in California making huge money. He’s happy for his friend but a little envious: Where is his life going? How long must he remain a PhD. student?
*inciting incident: Robert gets motivated to present his latest paper on time travel and communicating with extra-terrestrial life once he gets it published in the journal for the search for intelligent life.
*Turning point: At conference, he presents his paper but he is booed and jeered by Dr. Peter Rosinski leading the chorus of disappointment from the audience. Other scientists stand up for him but sit back down when Dr. Peter Rosinski makes his speech from audience and humiliates Robert.
at the end of lecture, US military general Portman takes the humiliated Robert back to his place. He explains to him that he liked his plausible presentation and would he like to come work in secret government facility. Robert agrees, and when he’s at the facility, he encounters the very same Dr. Rosinski who was heckling him the previous day. What is goin on here? Dr. Rosinski confesses that he had to shut him up as Robert was indeed on to something and should not expose this new discovery with the public. Dr. Rosinski bring him on to work for secret government space agency and introduce him to secret super quantum computer that can do trillions of calculations in seconds ! Never before has there been a tool for previous astronomers to help them. Robert was born for this. Finally, he’s ready to take action to do what he was born to do!
ACT TWO:
New plan: Robert and Peter work together at first combining new quantum computing and images for the James Webb Satellite Telescope to achieve their goals. They are put on waiting list to discuss time to reserve on telescope as it is “rented” by several other agencies around the world. General Portman escalates problem of borrowing the satellite in outer space by going straight to the “liberal” democratic President to influence him to convince NASA to give full time priority for one month to Dr. Robert Amador and his new research team.
Plan in Action: the President of the USA authorizes full use of James Webb telescope to Robert’s team; in return, Robert must share his new discoveries with the new administration and Department of Education and other Scientists in the USA. Robert agrees. General Portman begrudgingly agrees.
Mid-Point Turning Point: General Portman re-assigns Robert to the project; he insists Robert is the right man for the job and not his mentor Dr. Rosinski. General has confrontation with Dr. Rosinski as he has been demoted. The Satellite is now connected to the James Webb telescope! Images of outer space come in ! We’ve never seen anything like it. We get a lecture for Dr. Robert about what’s happening and what are “tactic” will be and what direction to aim Satellite. Robert and Peter have a big fight! Robert agrees to let Peter point the satellite in the direction he wants. At first images and computer start making correct calculations and the previous images that have downloaded overwhelm the computer: An explosion and fire follow. The computer physically melts! It’s too much power/information for it to handle. Robert is blamed for melt down. The President screams at General Portman for letting a young Professor take charge of such a large responsibility. Robert is blamed for accidental meltdown and humiliated by the President. Roberts demise is seen on television , the newspapers. His family sees how he “ruined his one chance” at fame and respect. THE PROJECT IS SHUTDOWN ON ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT.
ACT THREE
Rethink Everything: Dr. Rosinski consoles Robert. He reprimands him in an underhanded way and blames him for the disaster. Robert agrees that should the project get a second chance that he, meaning Dr. Rosinski will be in charge. He also tells our Protagonist Robert that he will look for outside resources to help fund the project and repair the damage to quantum computer.
New Plan: To his surprise, Robert sees his colleague, which got promoted at the beginning of the story, will now be working directly under Peter. Robert has now been demoted behind Sarah and Peter. This is horrible. He’s now practically an intern again with a stipend. They go back to the drawing board to fix and launch their project with private finding unbeknownst to the President. (here i don’t know what to do with general portman–perhaps he’s been forced out of the loop as it’s no longer a government /department of defense project.).
Turning Point: Huge Failure/Major Shift: Robert notices that there are errors in the calculations! The new team leaders: (Peter/Sarah) have argument/ major conflict with Robert. He is escorted off property. He returns to his family. His daughter talks to him. He has new insight: Yes, he now knows the correct way to move the satellite and what information to look for intelligent life: he doesn’t need quantum computational computing when he can have fellow citizens, astronomy enthusiasts, and crowdfunding to help him build his own computer. He runs to tell Sarah, to not sell out–to not let this vital information into the hands of the private sector for profit. Sarah tells him to fuck off! She chooses profit over science! She and peter will not share what they’ve learned from aliens nor what they will learn from them in the future. They’ve even considered sharing knowledge of Aliens with Russians for profit. Secret “Russian” and “Private” goons are now after robert, to keep him from blabbing to General Portman about their diabolical plan: which includes destruction of most of humanity and repopulation on other worlds. Robert is almost killed, but makes it out alive and gets to General Portman (his new mentor?) to lead new project to outsmart Rosinski’s evil ambitions.
ACT FOUR
CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT:
Robert’s daughter has recruited astronomers and other enthusiasts to volunteer their cell phones/ iPhones / computers to and AI computers in other universities: They will hack the James Webb Telescope and collectively networking and sharing with their computers, they will download images from outer space and messages from beings in outer space. Images are downloaded and shared all over the world: Times Square, Piccadilly Circus Billboards, in Tokyo and and other great cities of the world: The extra-terrestrials are directly communicating with the human race! They assume Dr. Robert Amador is the leader of this species on this planet: they want to speak directly with him! let messages in somewhat sloppy grammar come in: “people if earth: we than you and you’re leader Robert Amador: by now we assume your language has progressed to a Subject-Verb-Object language for post of humanity!” the secret is that collective you can work together! that you must maximize the energy potential of your planet, sun, and solar system : little by little you will begin to colonize your galaxy and the rest of space !”
Cameras/ Reporters reach roberts home! FBI/CIA agents descend on robert’s home. his daughter is with him! she is proud of him! but they take him away! He is in government basement, but wait ! it’s the evil Dr. Rosinski again! he has used false agents to take him away! his life is in danger! They are going to kill him if he doesn’t share what else he has learned from aliens and how he did it!
Resolution: General Portman comes to the rescue ! He’s accompanied by real US MILITARY department of defense: he re-connects to “alien” feed ! : from Aliens: “Learn from us, if you’re getting this message, you are now in a dangerous position to destroy yourselves and civilization; you have under 200 years to fix your planet and make it green, in this way your species buys two million years of time or 200 generations ; with this added time, you will colonize the rest of space ; for now we say goodbye as we’ve already crossed the event horizon and have moved beyond actual reachability and visibility; what you’ve seen are the lights of our star system just reaching you now. goodbye forever!”
With that said, Robert is invited to the White House, the President apologizes to him! he is awarded medal of honor for his discovery and for his valor. Robert is a certified hero: NO LONGER A SPINELESS AIMLESS LOSER OF A PROFESSOR, BUT SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! HE is seen on tv around the world ! he picks up his daughter and hugs her:
Robert is at Haydn Planetarium in NYC: He is a celebrated Astronomer and he has his dream job: learning and and educating young minds about astronomy/biology/anthropology/ linguistics etc.
. . .he looks up at the stars once more . . .Robert tears up. . .
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1. Concept: When Dr. Robert Amador discovers method for communicating with intelligent life in the Universe, government agents recruit him to work in secret facility for their own profit and military gains.
2. Main Conflict: Dr. Peter Rosinski wants to take Roberto’s discovery of communicating with intelligent life and us it for his own fame and wealth. He will make sure Dr. Amador is made to look like a fool and will take his discoveries and sell it to the Russians.
Dr.ROBERTO AMADOR’S OLD WAYS:
1. Old identity: meek perennial Phd. Astronomy student, always in lab studying or writing. He never takes action, he hides behind school while his colleagues move on to bigger and better things.
2. His studying has paid off and decides to go for it and present his paper at important conference, but he is unsure of himself, questions his knowledge, and lacks confidence and backbone to stand up for himself.
3. He has alcohol abuse problems and never has enough money–this has caused him to get divorced–as his wife is tired of supporting the family. His daughter still believes in him though.
ROBERTO’S NEW WAYS:
1. He’s tired of being a nerdy chump–he takes action!
2. He takes back control of project he invented from his nemesis.
3. His daughter, who’s always believed in him, sees him as a hero for humanity’s future.
4. He breaks through by communicating with extra-terrestrial life
5. His ex-wife takes him back. He’s hero to world and his family!
ACT ONE:
*Opening: Robert is at celebration party for his colleague who’s been awarded research position at start-up space travel agency in California making huge money. He’s happy for his friend but a little envious: Where is his life going? How long must he remain a PhD. student?
*inciting incident: Robert gets motivated to present his latest paper on time travel and communicating with extra-terrestrial life once he gets it published in the journal for the search for intelligent life.
*Turning point: At conference, he presents his paper but he is booed and jeered by Dr. Peter Rosinski leading the chorus of disappointment from the audience. Other scientists stand up for him but sit back down when Dr. Peter Rosinski makes his speech from audience and humiliates Robert.
at the end of lecture, US military general Portman takes the humiliated Robert back to his place. He explains to him that he liked his plausible presentation and would he like to come work in secret government facility. Robert agrees, and when he’s at the facility, he encounters the very same Dr. Rosinski who was heckling him the previous day. What is goin on here? Dr. Rosinski confesses that he had to shut him up as Robert was indeed on to something and should not expose this new discovery with the public. Dr. Rosinski bring him on to work for secret government space agency and introduce him to secret super quantum computer that can do trillions of calculations in seconds ! Never before has there been a tool for previous astronomers to help them. Robert was born for this. Finally, he’s ready to take action to do what he was born to do!
ACT TWO:
New plan:
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****What I learned from doing this assignment:
As before, the two lead characters started to take shape. They are starting to fill in more. They’re talking to me. I can even see their faces. it’s still not focused where my LOGLINE is going but my characters will tell me? Should I do the LOGLINE first?
Dr. Roberto Amador(PROTAGONIST): Interview for Character Profile:
1. Q: Dr. Robert Amador, tell me about yourself.
-A: I’m the only son of a single mom. My birth father is still a mystery. As a kid I was fascinated by the stars. The movie STAR WARS was a big influence in my life; it gave me the chance to really thing big, to think outside of the box and pursue a degree first in astronomy then anthropology. I know there’s life out there in the universe: intelligent life, waiting for us to get to this point in evolution to reach out to them. My whole life i’ve been a dreamer/explorer but I just know there’s something out there–something big, and I know it’s me that will make the discovery and make my mother proud of me, and perhaps if my father knew who I was, he’d be proud of me too. By discovering the biggest question of the universe–meaning “are we alone or not–I’ll be making history. Perhaps it’s just a way for me replace my need for not knowing who my father is, or perhaps because I’m too proud to seek him out because he abandoned my mom and I is the reason why I have taken on such an endeavor. I want the truth. Not the truth about me, but the truth at the heart of the universe. As I said I dream big!
2. Q: Robert, why do you think you were called to this journey? Why You?
-A: It might sound kinda weird, but it’s kinda like a messianic complex: my true father is a mystery and my mom nags be to be “somebody,” so why not the astronomer that will change humanity forever.
3. Q: You are up against Dr. Peter Rosinski. He was your mentor and kinda like a father figure. What is it about him that makes this journey hard for you?
<font face=”inherit”> -A: I trusted Peter my whole life, at least while I was getting my PhD. Now he’s untrustworthy: not only is he hijacking my project of finding intelligent life in outer space, but he’s also made a secret deal with Russians for a lot of money. He has no problem of seeing me demoted, or gone, or even worse. It that sense, as a “change agent,” he’s taken my trust and used it against me. He’s betrayed me for money like Judas, for 30pieces of silver. I’m hurt and betrayed and he’s </font>opened<font face=”inherit”> up wounds of my own father abandoning me.</font>
<font face=”inherit”>4. Q: In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box. What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult? </font>
<font face=”inherit”>-A: The most obvious and most difficult is that I will have to fight back or even kill Peter if I must. Whistleblowing will not be enough; his “goons” will try to </font>thwart<font face=”inherit”> me or kill me or worse: make me look </font>like a buffoon. He’s already tried that tactic once. I’m a little nervous, but I might have to murder Peter if he gets in my way.
5. What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?
-A: quite simply–not taking action, only dreaming. I need to stay the course and not give up so easily. I’m not second best. I am the best Astronomer in the Country ! I need to believe in myself and know my value, my worth, I need to fight for my destiny–my life’s calling!
6. Q: What fears, insecurities, and wounds have held you back?
-A: My deepest wound wound is the absence of my father; I never had one. I’m angered by tat and I’m envious of people that have had a father and everything handed to them. Sometimes I feel like I’m not good enough, and I don’t stand up for myself. I just let life pass me by even though I know I’m the smartest guy in the room. I need to develop that killer instinct.
7. Q: What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?:
-A: First off, I’m highly educated, best astronomer, astrophysicist and anthropologist, sociologist. I know I’ve hidden out in school a lot, but I’m ready to prove what’s written on my research paper. I’ve gotten to know Peter, I speak his language: his love of astronomy and education. He thinks he’s smarter than me, but sometimes he gets it wrong and I have to clean up his messes. To be honest, NO, to make myself perfectly clear: I am a better Astrophysicist than the backstabbing pompous Peter.
8. Q: What are you hiding from other characters? What don’t you want them to know?
-A: That sometimes I feel like a phony: hiding out in my books and lab while the red world goes by, while others have turned their degree into money. Sometimes I feel like a loser. Sometimes I don’t stand up for myself. Sometimes, no, all the time I’m under clouds and feel like I’m not good enough. God damnit , I NEED TO LOVE MYSELF MORE!
9. Q: What do you think of?
-A: I think of life in outer space, how much more advanced they are, how much better use of their star systems have made their society better. It’s all speculation, but I’m always in fantasy world: Even imagining what it would’ve been like to have had a father, Would that have made me more of a man? Would I be more of a fighter and crusader and less of a coward?
10. Q: Tell me your whole side of this whole conflict/ story?
-A: I suppress my killer instincts: I know there’s life in outer space and I know my “idea”, “invention,” “Hypotheses,” if correct. Peter Rosinski, my nemesis is trying to make me look stupid to better him self and move ahead; he wants me to remain his subordinate and sit on the side while he takes my idea. I’m the discoverer of worlds!
11. Q: What does it do for your life if you succeed here?
-A: I will have proven my theses, made contact with ‘Aliens’, figured out how to get there–the new aliens, our new friends, and bring back their knowledge for our own benefit. Most importantly, it will make me the hero of mankind.
12. Why don’t you just stay the course and continue with your life as a perpetual student/professor always buried in books? what’s wrong with that?
-A: I’ve always taken the “easier road,” not to say I didn’t know a lot or have learned a lot, but I need to take ACTION with my life. I’ve always had a theory, and know I need to act on it!
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST: DR. PETER ROSINSKI:
Q: tell me about yourself?
-A: There’s nothing to tell. I’m the top in my field and I can’t stand that little hispanic son of immigrants, perhaps even day laborers stealing my thunder. Humanity is doomed whether we discover intelligent life in the cosmos or not. what’s the point really? i’d rather enjoy my life on earth. i was once naive like roberto, but i see things loud and clear now: those with the most money have the most toys and sex and well everything , and then you die happily. fuck humanity.
Q: having to do with this journey, what are your strength and weaknesses?
-A: I’m the best most qualified smartest scientist for the job. I don’t think I have any weaknesses, save for pretending not to be racist for the sake of polite society. I’m the smartest guy in the room; my students/assistants will handle the detailed mathematical homework.
Q: why are you committed to making the protagonist fail? why do you want to fail that relationship?
A: I know I’m jealous of his work, but he’s put years of my research out there for others to take, to expand on. fuck him. I want to be his mentor but robert is weak, he’s not me. why waste any discovery or profit on him.
Q: What do you get out of winning this fight , succeeding with your plan, taking down your competition?
A: Because, i will be the “Albert Einstein” of this century! all gains will be for me, my name will echo in eternity–not to mention the wealth, fame and sex i will have before i die. fuck fuck fuck that silly little robert. dreamer/ explorer whatever?
Q: What drives you toward your mission, agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?
-A: I believe I’ve answered that question; I want the most out of this life and i’ll be damned if I let roberto get ahead of me.
Q: what other secrets must you keep or succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity ?
-A: Getting government stipend for my work will not be enough, I must claim the honor of this discovery or i’ll be eating and living like a pauper in old age. economic insecurity really drives me. I also know that deep down my rival is more dedicated and smarter, but i can’t let him or the world know that.
Q: compared to other people like you, what makes you special?
-A: I’m smart debonair, good with a good comeback. People are overtaken by my charm and wit. I know I’m a good mentor for robert, but he’ll just have to sit this one out; he’ll be in the history books as my assistant, my minority assistant. I’m wonderful. I’m a great ballroom dancer too and I’m fluent in german. I worked at the UN Atomic Agency in Vienna. I light up the screen: Shall we dance!?
Q: What do you think of?
-A: my position, my economic wellness and increasing prosperity, sex with men and women, my prestige , how i want to all and to be the most satisfied man before i die after a very very very long life.
Q: Tell me your side of this whole conflict/story:
-A: Roberto is just getting in my way. Perhaps he’ll make other discoveries once i’m gone, but this is my moment. Lord knows I’ve been a good mentor to him, but like I said this is my moment, not his!
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#4: What I learned doing this assignment: I was blown away by how my characters started coming to life. Perhaps not fully in focus, but they started talking to me, even creating dialogue for future scenes filled with complex subtext and ironic plot twists. This also interweaved well with the previous assignment. This character profile template helped me guide or how to start fleshing out my characters with confidence and conviction, and without having to know everything right now.
Michael’s part 2 Character Profiles of main two lead characters:
Protagonist: Dr. Robert Amador
Antagonist: Dr. Peter Rosinski
2. Protagonist: Dr. Amador:
* What draws us to this character? : He’s intriguing and highly cultured. He’s an astrophysicist but also an anthropologist: He’s cracked the riddles of the Mayan calendar and explains the Mayan’s advanced astronomy via lectures and dialogue. His daughter, half-latina, half-anglo, awaits his visits when he returns from mexico and learns about the Mayan’s knowledge of astronomy. “Did the mayans make contact with beings from outer space? He’s faced some racial discrimination in the past which has affected him. He’s angry when someone makes a comment to him about “how come he never knew his father.” He’s a scientist but also a good storyteller, and he knows how to box!
* Traits: super smart, one can listen to him for hours; he gives a great lecture. He’s vulnerable dreamer but he’s also a risk taker. He stands up for what he believes in: the future, humanity, his own background half-latino, half???, his mother won’t tell him. He’s ambitious for attention and respect but not for money; he’s frequently broke. His gift to his daughter are his stories. He brings home a piñata but it’s to big to bring onboard the plane: he checks in the piñata but it’s destroyed upon arrival.
*Subtext: Hides his wound of not having a father by overcompensating with his own daughter. He overcompensates by picking up the bill when taking his students out for dinner. “I got this” is one of his lines. He masks his enviousness when he hears others–including his ex-wife talk about what a great father they had, what a happy childhood they had. He frequently brings up his grandfather in his place. When asked about his father: he says he was killed in combat. But what combat? to which he answers:”Aren’t they all the same.” He masks confrontation with attitude.
*Flaw: Gullible, too much of a dreamer. Needs to to take action. in this sense, he’s kinda like hamlet; in his head for too long until he takes action. Lacks some compassion when he’s angered.
*Values: Integrity, honesty, Respect, Courage , perseverance.
*Irony : He’s generous with strangers but then he’s tight with money with his wife and daughter. He’s got all this knowledge and he’s super smart but he has no money, or lives off stipends. He overpromises but he can only underdeliver. He’s in his head too much and does not take action.
<i style=”font-weight: bold;”>*What makes him the right character for this role?: He’s fatherless but what’s to become an amazing provider and champion to gain his daughters respect. Even though he has no money he try’s his best with his adjunct professor salary and stipend–And he never stops dreaming, he will take risks to prove his theory about how we can communicate with intelligent life in outer space. He’s a little like Steve Jobs–that absentee father made him creator of apple computers which changed the world, showed us how to think different.
ANTAGONIST: DR. PETER ROSINSKI:
*What draws us to this character? : He has amazing comebacks and one liners to put people in their place. You wouldn’t want Dr. Rosinski as an enemy. He’s commanding of a room and is blazingly smart; most of his knowledge goes over his head. He’s intriguing and we’re intrigued when he takes Dr. Roberto Amador under his wing.
*Traits: He’s persuasive but also manipulative. He’s charming but he’s putting you down condescendingly.
*Subtext: His encyclopedic knowledge of human nature is spot on. He tells you what you want to hear but he’s stabbing you in the back. He’s a bit like IAGO from Othello. Every word out of his mouth is a lie, or is it? Appearing to be a wise angel, he’s a devil in disguise.
*Flaw: He’s slightly sociopathic, a bit of a misanthrope, he’s lost all confidence in human progress and he’s mad he’s realized too late that he should’ve been more epicurean in his outlook of life. He’s not compassionate.
*Values: Power, culture, Respect, dominance ! rewards intelligence.
*Irony: even though people seem him as a modern day Albert Einstein, his goal is to limit human progress, stay away from people as much as possible. He’s a fake, But he’s also a father figure to Roberto, ironically he’s using this knowledge he has about Roberto to manipulate him.
<i style=”font-weight: bold;”>What makes this antagonist the right character for this Role?: He’s highly intelligent. He will take us on a rollercoaster ride of deception: At first he will befriend Roberto and the public of this new mentor/protege alliance only to betray Roberto in the end, which will unravel Roberto’s insecurities of never having a father, thus adding more conflict to the story: Betrayal from those we most trusted and and most admired. This is very juicy role for a very seasoned complex actor.
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#7 (written first ): What I learned doing this assignment is : That even though no one will probably read this, it has given me a quick format to quickly outline the core characters of my screenplay. Many ideas came to me, and i was losing focus of what my story would be, but I kept going. Hopefully, this format will become second nature to me for future screenplays or tv pilots.
2. Protagonist: EXPLORER/DREAMER :Dr.ROBERTO AMADOR: Astrophysicist (40s), Bookish, requires eyeglasses, physically fit. Roberto is confident his hypotheses has potential to discover intelligent life in outer space. He knows his discovery of intelligent life in outer space will change humanity forever.
3. Antagonist: CHANGE AGENT: DR. PETER ROSINSKI:ASTROPHYSICIST(60s), Small frame, but commands attention. Peter has been down this road before; looking for intelligent life in the universe is a fools errand. It be better to profit from Roberto’s work and then discard him for economic gain. He also has side hustle with US Military : to share knowledge on how to win the arms race in outer space.
4. What other characters might be necessary?
Supporting actors: *GENERAL PORTMAN(50S), Commanding presence; when he speaks, everyone is at attention:Authority figure(antagonist) befriends Roberto in order to win the Space Race against the Russians.
* Dr. Roberto’s ex-Wife: Sandra Blanc, Psychologist(40s), Admonishes Roberto for not making more money with his degree instead of staring at the stars all day.
* Lexie (11) believes in her dad. She loves waiting up for him and listen to his stories about the cosmos, the possibility of life on other planets.
* Anna Amador (70s), Roberto’s Mother, admonishes him for losing his marriage and losing custody of her grandchild, Lexie. She’s always pushed him to do better, to make something of his life instead of being a dreamer.
MINOR ROLES: ROBERTO’S PhD. Students, DR. Peter Rosinski’s Assistants, General Portman’s Pentagon Assistants, Government Lobbyists/insiders/lawyers
Background characters: Students, Scientists, Soldiers,Reporters.
5. Genre: Sci-fi / Thriller: (LOGLINE will eventually go here)
6. Fill in Whatever answers come to you about your lead character profiles:
Protagonist: Roberto Aguilar:
Role in Story: Protagonist: Dr. Roberto Aguilar must push through bureaucracy and challenge his mentor to prove his discovery will benefit the human race.
Age range and Description: Male: Mid 30s to Mid 40s: Scientist, Book smart but not street smart, still in good shape despite hours in study, research, Lab work, Observation facilities.
Internal Journey: Protagonist: Roberto must go from gullible naive scientist to believing in himself and taking a stand against authority.
External Journey: Roberto must show he’s capable of designing project for finding life on other planets and fight against authority figures that want to use his knowledge for profit and self-aggrandizement.
Motivation: To Be first scientist to discover intelligent life in outer space! : To be a “Christopher Columbus” of the 21st century.
Wound: He never knew his father. He abandoned him when he was a baby. He’s always felt he’s had to prove himself and to prove himself to his mother.
Mission/Agenda: Roberto is hired by General Portman to run a secret high-level government assignment to build man-made blackholes in outer space so we can reach exoplanets with earth like environments.
Secret: his propensity towards aggression and violent confrontation when he’s challenged. He’ s easily triggered with childhood memories when he’s called a coward, a fatherless bastard.
What makes my protagonist special? His ability to make people dream, his behavior with his daughter, his ability to laugh, to explain complex things in a friendly approachable way.
DR. PETER ROSINSKI: Antagonist:
Role in the story: Antagonist : Changing- Agent: at first mentors and motivates Roberto to move forward with his project , but then he challenges Roberto to stop dreaming and learn to make money and humanity be damned.
Age Range and Description: 40s to 60s, always in suits, when he speaks people sit up and listen. he’s not very tall , but he commands attention.
Internal Journey: goes from mildly enthusiastic to calamitous cynicism. He’s taken shit his whole life now he wants to make money and live the rest of his life in luxury.
External Journey: at first mentor to Roberto, but then sabotages the project for monetary gain.
Motivation: Wants to gain fame and notoriety and financial prosperity.
Wound: he was once a promising astrophysicist, but his work was taken from him and someone else was rewarded. This time he’s out to do the same to someone else. Also, he’s lonely and needs love but was rejected in the past.
Mission/Agenda: He wants to takeover the project from DR. Roberto Aguilar and use him to his own benefit.
Secret: He knows our species is doomed and is hopeless to look for intelligent life on other planets as we will never be here–at least he won’t be here– to receive the response from intelligent life out there in the cosmos.
What makes him Special? : my antagonist, Peter is charming, he knows “how to play the game” of bureaucracy and research facilities. He’s witty and always has a good comeback and always has a good line to put someone down. At first he can appear to be a father figure for Robert–as this is Robert’s wound (not having a father)–but then he exploits Roberts knowledge and ingeniousness.
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This sounds like a comedy? or were you aiming for drama ? or both?
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<div>Me: MICHAEL STEVEN MONTIEL’s Transformational Journey is to come through and be disciplined: instead of talking about writing ✍️, I must focus and write every day! I get too distracted about perfection and I give up easily. My journey is to honor my own dreams, my own self.
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</div>Internal Journey:My first character is Michelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio; a baroque era painter ; his journey is from hotheadedness and insecurity to become mature and understanding of the importance of his own art and sexuality. <div>My second character is for a science fiction piece that must struggle with his own naïveté and learn to stand up to authority. </div><div> </div><div>External Journey: my first character must learn to work within the boundaries of rules in Baroque era Rome; as for my sci-fi character : he must learn to “break” the rules, risk the consequences of losing everything for what he believes in. </div><div>
</div><div>3. What are the Old Ways and New Ways?:
Caravaggio’s old ways: He paints for money, he knows he’s good but his shortsightedness keeps his work from becoming sublime and revolutionary; NEW WAYS: he has to learn to make it work with the authority figures of his time to get to where he wants to go; although in real life this is a tragedy
My other characters old ways are(Robert Aguilar) : an innocent professor that believes what he’s told; his new ways : he questions everyone and everything; he gets backbone to stand up to the world and to make people listen to him !
4. Answer the question “What I learned doing this assignment is…?” and put it at the top of your work. What I learned from this assignment is that I don’t need to know exactly what my characters want or need, other than that they must be in one place psychologically, physically, emotionally and they must transform themselves into something opposite of who they are or even DIE trying.
5. Post your assignment in the forums.
Subject line: (Your name’s) Transformational Journey (place in first line)My transformational journey is to come through and be disciplined: instead of talking about writing ✍️, I must focus and write every day! I get too distracted about perfection and I give up easily. My journey is to honor my own dreams, my own self.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Michael Montiel. Reason: Needed to finish assignment
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
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Hi my name is Michael Steven Montiel and I agree to the terms of confidentiality set up as requirements for this course.
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Hi I’m MICHAEL STEVEN : I’ve written one tv pilot and working on my first full length feature film. I came to this group from another class. I would like to get a completed feature length script by the time class is done. Currently I have two ideas in my head, but I’ll narrow it down to one. If I can handle it, I’ll pursue both of them within time allotted. I would definitely like to write ✍️ faster and not be such a perfectionist. Thanks, Michael.
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I loved the mild suspense of a depressed individual but then coming through out of the darkness and you get a real sense that she’s transformed ! This has real potential once you keep digging into that character and how she became depressed I know you will find out more soon!
Good job,
Michael.
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Great intrigue and the suicide scene 🎬 that luckily didn’t happen really grabbed me ! Good work. I found this assignment pretty hard but it looks like you really got into it. For my sci-fi film, 🎥 I’m struggling with how the math works for SETI and NASA.
Good job ,
Michael.