[Peter Field]

Peter Field. I agree to the terms of this release form.

[Peter Field]

Peter Field. Written half a dozen feature scripts and a handful of shorts.

I would like to develop a pilot and be hired to work in the writer’s room.

I live in the great Pacific Northwest… but it’s an easy commute to SoCal.

Over the years, have taken PS (47), BW, and many others.

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Basic Plotting

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman would write the introduction.

What I learned in this assignment is that it really helps me at this point to write a basic one-page description of the story in four paragraphs, one for each Act, including the key structure points like opening, inciting incident, turning point 1, 2, 3, climax, and resolution. Using the Protagonist/Antagonist journey beats and Deeper Layer Reveals gives me the basic content I need for each paragraph. Trying to stitch them all together gives me the rest of it.

The one-page helps me answer many of the questions of the current assignment.

TITLE: A COLD DAY IN SEOUL

Genre: Action/Drama

ACT 1: David gets a chance to vindicate his military record.

David VIllers was pushed out of the military due to a failed “special ops” mission. Though the mission failure wasn’t David’s fault, he’s a convenient scapegoat, and is unceremoniously discharged from the Army. David retreats to a resort in SE Asia to lick his wounds. He gets together with an Army brother (Brian Chiang) and complains bitterly about the fucked-up way the Army treated him.

On a whim, he joins a tourist group sightseeing at a local landmark. A “gypsy” steals someone’s purse and David gives chase. The gypsy gets away, but as a result of his heroic effort, he meets Jennifer Hamm, a rising political star who’s there for a big peace conference.

Jennifer asks David to meet her for drinks and she proposes he become part of her security detail, which will be running local security when the American President visits.

*

ACT 2: David investigates security breach(es) and finds connections to local police.

David agrees to join the security team w/ his buddy Brian. Right off the bat, he discovers a grave security breach in the comm. systems used by the team. Tracking down the breach to a local police unit, David is feeling some concern about the American President’s safety.

A member of the police unit follows David and threatens him. David won’t back off, and the guy (a martial arts master) kicks David’s ass. Something the guy says reminds him of another weird moment in his failed mission, and now he starts to think the two episodes are linked somehow. Brian tells him he’s fucking crazy.

ACT 3: David vows to find out once and for all who was behind his failed mission that derailed his military service.

David gets a secret meeting with an ex-agent who has information about the mission. He claims it was a success, not a failure. The evidence is being held in a US black site.

Jennifer has the ex-agent killed before he reveals the full story, which only convinces David the ex-agent was legit.

David and Brian go to the blacksite to get the evidence that is supposed to prove there really is a broad shadow government conspiracy.

David finds out that Jennifer is part of it, that they were behind the failed mission, and they are planning to assassinate the American President when she arrives for the peace conference.

Brian’s captured but helps David escape.

*

ACT 4: It’s up to David to stop the assassination of the new Madam President.

David finally sees Jennifer’s involvement in the failed mission, which scape-goated David; The failed mission was an early step of the larger conspiracy that is about to result in the assassination of the American President.

Jennifer unleashes her fringe fighters while the Martial Arts Master who kicked David’s ass makes himself look like David and prepares his sniper position in the Great Hall where the American President will give her speech.

David fights his way through the fringe fighters and meets his lookalike.

David will fight to the death (which he very nearly accomplishes), but becomes his true warrior self again and beats the Martial Arts Master at his own game.

David’s mantra comes from Lao Tzu: “The Master knows he is going to die, and gives himself completely to the moment.” (or words to that effect)

RESOLUTION: David’s rep is restored, he vows to carry on as part of Madam President’s new security detail.

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Beat Sheet Draft 1

My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman would write the introduction.

What I learned in this assignment is trying to integrate these various previous assignments was not as simple as I hoped it would be. I attribute that to the fact that each of the other assignments had a somewhat different version of the story and so this Beat Sheet is also a little different. It has given me a few ideas for possible comparable movies, though – e.g., The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Salt, for starters.

TITLE: COLD DAY IN SEOUL

Genre: Action/Drama

ACT 1: David gets a chance to vindicate his military record.

Opening – David and Jennifer are part of a sightseeing tour and meet accidentally when Jennifer’s purse is stolen and David chases the thief, who gets away

David PJ 1: David goes to a remote SE Asian retreat to heal his wounds. There’s a big peace conference nearby.

David PJ 2: Reunites with a military buddy and reveals how bitter he is about his treatment by the army

Jennifer AJ 1: Jennifer’s primary security is accused of theft and detained by local police

Deeper Layer: David may be a loyal soldier, but he is deeply damaged inside.

Jennifer AJ 2: Jennifer green lights the use of locals for bodyguard details

INCITING INCIDENT: Jennifer asks David to help with private security

Jennifer AJ3: Jennifer manipulates official protocols to enable coup/assassination

Deeper Layer Reveal: Jennifer is part of “shadow government” coup plotters

David PJ3: David agrees to join private security team

Jennifer AJ4: the shadow government was responsible for David’s mission failure

TURNING POINT 1: a coup/assassination attempt derails peace talks

ACT 2: the private security team fails miserably but David fights off insurgents to protect Jennifer

David PJ 4: David is not the best fighter on the team

Jennifer AJ4: Jennifer is setting David up to be blamed for the assassination attempt

Deeper Layer Reveal: David is not a true warrior; those skills cannot be taught

TURNING POINT 2/MIDPOINT: David discovers a link between coup/assassination attempt and his failed mission

ACT 3: David vows to find out once and for all who was behind his failed mission

David PJ5: David tracks down an ex-agent who has information about Jennifer

Jennifer AJ5: Jennifer has the ex-agent killed before David learns the truth

TURNING POINT 3: David and Brian break in to US black site to recover secret documents; they are both captured

David PJ6: David meets his match with a fighter who almost kills both he and Brian

Deeper Layer Reveal: the docs show Jennifer’s link to US agency behind coup/assassination

David PJ7: David and Brian are both taken hostage/captive

Jennifer AJ6:

ACT 4: David confronts the true culprit, Jennifer

David PJ8: David finally sees Jennifer as an equal, if not a superior; she kicks his ass

CLIMAX: David sacrifices himself and saves Brian from execution

David PJ9: David is willing to give up his life to protect his friend

Jennifer AJ7: Jennifer kicks David’s ass

Deeper Layer Reveal: Jennifer is the true warrior; she and David will never be “equal”

RESOLUTION: David’s rep is restored, he vows to carry on

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Deeper Layers!

My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman would write the introduction.

What I learned in this assignment is a methodical approach to the concept does produce tangible results.

DAVID VILLERS

Deeper Layer puzzle

Surface Layer:

Deeper Layer:

Major Reveal:

Influences Surface Story

Hints:

Changes Reality:

There are multiple places that your deeper layer could come from.

An Act turning point, especially the midpoint.

A major plot twist – Jennifer, whom he is trying to help/protect, is actually involved in the insurrection

A lead character’s subtext (Module 3: Lesson 3). (abandonment issues; volatile, self-abusive; covers emotional despair w/ vicious perfectionism)

A lead character’s intrigue (Module 3: lesson 4). (

Surface: David overextends himself to help Jennifer survive a personal crisis at a big political event

Deeper Layer: David is seeking reassurance and validation from Jennifer as a way to compensate for the abandonment issues he’s never really faced

Major Reveal: Jennifer was directly responsible for his dishonorable discharge

Influences Surface Story: despite his incredible valor and sense of honor, David has never been able to fully commit to his own self-care and listen to the nagging voice deep down that is always questioning his blind obedience to authority

Hints: David is very interested in extremist causes and he himself takes great personal risks in the physical world (dangerous missions; daredevil-type behavior)

Changes Reality: David’s real mission is to integrate his whole self, which will make him into a true warrior able to stand against the corrupt forces of crass power

· Begin — David is “dishonorably discharged” from the military; he seeks refuge in peaceful remote island

· Incident – Jennifer asks for his help at imminent peace talks; he still cares for her

· TP 1 – insurgents attack (and derail) conference

· Act 2 – David fights off insurgents to protect Jennifer

· TP 2/MP – David learns that Jennifer was behind his expulsion from military

· Act 3 – David confronts Jennifer and discovers her connection to extremists inside his own government

· TP 3 – David is taken hostage and threatened to be outed as a spy

· Act 4 Climax – David fights Jennifer (and Bo) and other extremists

· Resolution – the peace talks proceed

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Character Structure

My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman would write the introduction.

What I learned in this assignment is how helpful it is to have the journey structure example to follow; the insight that the antagonist’s time frame is probably on a whole different time frame than the protagonist’s is key to seeing how their paths are both linked and separate.

DAVID VILLERS

Begin — David is “dishonorably discharged” from the military; he seeks refuge in peaceful remote island

Incident – Jennifer asks for his help at imminent peace talks; he still cares for her

TP 1 – insurgents attack (and derail) conference

Act 2 – David fights off insurgents to protect Jennifer

TP 2/MP – David learns that Jennifer was behind his expulsion from military

Act 3 – David confronts Jennifer and discovers her connection to extremists inside his own government

TP 3 – David is taken hostage and threatened to be outed as a spy

Act 4 Climax – David fights Jennifer (and Bo) and other extremists

Resolution – the peace talks proceed

JENNIFER HAMM

Begin – Jennifer uses a top-level security clearance to advance her own political ambitions

Incident – Her conduct is threatened to be exposed by a Force Recon mission in SE Asia

TP 1 – Behind the scenes, Jennifer manipulates mission outcome to disgrace David, which leads to his “dishonorable discharge”

Act 2 – Jennifer works hard to get herself promoted to “chief negotiator” at the coming peace talks

TP 2/MP – information is leaked to David about Jennifer’s involvement in Force Recon mission failure

Act 3 –Jennifer uses her unchecked access and power to keep David at bay and coordinate insurgency against peace talks

TP 3 – David refuses to back down and she orders him to be captured

Act 4 Climax – Jennifer fights David in an unsanctioned match

Resolution – Jennifer is arrested by US agents

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Supporting Characters

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman wants to write the introduction.

What I learned in this exercise is that it wasn’t so easy for me to conceptualize a host of supporting characters without having a better grasp of the story. Some of these choices feel arbitrary, but others do feel genuinely relevant and connect with the story I think I’m trying to tell.

Supporting Characters: military attaché; fiancé, brother, ex-boss, CIA buddy

Background Characters: hired fighters, government bureaucrats, underground radicals

Support 1:

Name: Rebecca Lourdes

Role: David’s fiancé

Main purpose: resistance to David’s mission to prove he was wronged

Value: forces David to justify every decision and increases the personal stakes

Support 2:

Name: Alex

Role: Brian’s brother

Main purpose: conduit to the radical underground

Value: provides access to a lunatic fringe w/ violent tendencies

Support 3:

Name: Lynn O’Rourke

Role: Jennifer’s ex-boss

Main purpose: greases the path for Jennifer’s political ambitions

Value: makes it possible for Jennifer to succeed in her plan

Support 4:

Name: Edward DiSantis

Role: Jennifer’s right-hand man

Main purpose: does most of the dirty work

Value: keeps Jennifer out of trouble

Support 5:

Name: Gordon Jeffries

Role: David’s friend in the CIA

Main purpose: help David find out what really happened

Value: gives legitimacy to David’s mission

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Character Profiles Part II

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman wants to write the introduction.

What I learned in this exercise is that as long as I keep filling in the blanks I will receive nuggets of information about these characters.

DAVID VILLERS

The High Concept – David is a decorated Force Recon commando who was discharged from service. When an old flame asks him to help with security at an international peace conference threatened by a violent mob, he discovers too late that she’s the one behind it ALL.

This character’s journey – from wounded and disillusioned to invigorated and vital

The Actor Attractors for this character: physical prowess; action-oriented; good with animals.

Role in the
Story: protagonist
Age range
and Description: 40’ish, wiry, athletic, striking appearance
Core
Traits: cool under pressure, physical, a force to be reckoned with
Motivation;
Want/Need: to serve his country/needs justice (revenge)
Wound: the
country he loves abandoned him
Likability:
he is loyal to a fault

Relatability: doesn’t like anyone telling him what to do

Empathy: he’s been wrongly removed from service

7. Character Subtext: Plotting (he wants to find out who set him up)

8. Character Intrigue: Unspoken wound is his abandonment

9. Flaw: over-confidence got him into numerous skirmishes that could have been easily avoided

10. Values: believes in honoring the code, which means being the best, winning, and remaining loyal to his brothers

11. Character Dilemma: determined to “win” but often loses

JENNIFER HAMM

The High Concept – She’s the force that David has to reckon with. He spurned her once and she made him pay. Now she thinks he’s the perfect dupe to help her incite a revolt against her own government.

This character’s journey – from a woman scorned to blind, power-hungry ambition

The Actor Attractors for this character: badass female authority figure; light and soft on the outside, but inside she’s mysterious and calculating

Role in the
Story: antagonist
Age range
and Description: 40’ish; penetrating intelligence; soft appearance
Core
Traits: driven, smart, charming; high emotional and social IQ
Motivation;
Want/Need: wants to be Top Dog/needs validation
Wound:
rejected by David

6. Likability: she is charming and disarming; very high social IQ

Relatability: has a panic attack before world assembly

Empathy: she has to work for people who are less intelligent and less imaginative than her:

7. Character Subtext: is hiding something big; she’s the one who started the chain in motion that got David dishonorably discharged

8. Character Intrigue: competition to be the first female president of the US

9. Flaw: poor decision-making, though so far she’s been able to blame it on others

10. Values: Intelligence, winning, fame, power

11. Character Dilemma: she wants external validation & admiration but needs to accept and love herself.

BRIAN CHIANG

The Actor Attractors for this character: rogue, man about town, a finger in every pie, and loyalty to no one but himself.

Role in the
Story: 2^nd lead
Age range
and Description: 40, native-born Korean raised in the US
Core Traits:
secretive, clever, industrious
Motivation;
Want/Need: wants to be part of the elite command/needs to reconnect w/ his
roots
Wound: seen
as an outsider in two countries
Likability:
he will help anyone

Relatability: tries too hard to please people who are never pleased

Empathy: he’s always on the outside looking in

7. Character Subtext: is lying (about his background and connection to radical right)

8. Character Intrigue: holds many secrets and is deceptive

9. Flaw: deep-down is a coward

10. Values: power, money, social prestige

11. Character Dilemma:
looking for wealth as a way to be accepted in elite circles of power… but he’s
not a good person

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Character Profiles Part I

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman wants to write the introduction.

What I learned in this exercise is – keep filling in the blanks for nuggets of information about these characters.

DAVID VILLERS

The High Concept – David is a decorated Force Recon commando who was discharged from service. When an old flame asks him for security help at an international peace conference threatened by a violent mob, he discovers too late that she’s the one behind it ALL.

This character’s journey – from bitter and disillusioned to invigorated and vital

The Actor Attractors for this character: physical prowess; action-oriented; good with animals.

Role in the
Story: protagonist
Age range
and Description: 40’ish, wiry, athletic, striking appearance
Core
Traits: cool under pressure, physical, a force to be reckoned with
Motivation;
Want/Need: to serve his country/needs justice (revenge)
Wound: the
country he loves abandoned him
Likability:
he is loyal to a fault

Relatability: doesn’t like anyone telling him what to do

Empathy: he’s been wrongly removed from service

JENNIFER HAMM

The High Concept – She’s the force that David has to reckon with. He spurned her once and she made him pay. Now she thinks he’s the perfect dupe to help her incite a revolt against her own government.

This character’s journey – from a woman scorned to blind, power-hungry ambition

The Actor Attractors for this character: badass female authority figure; light and soft on the outside, but inside she’s mysterious and calculating

Role in the
Story: antagonist
Age range
and Description: 40’ish; penetrating intelligence; soft appearance
Core
Traits: driven, smart, charming; high emotional and social IQ
Motivation;
Want/Need: wants to be Top Dog/needs validation
Wound:
rejected by David

6. Likability: she is charming and disarming; very high social IQ

Relatability: has a panic attack before world assembly

Empathy: she has to work for people who are less intelligent and less imaginative than her:

BRIAN CHIANG

The Actor Attractors for this character: rogue, man about town, a finger in every pie, and loyalty to no one but himself.

Role in the
Story: 2^nd lead
Age range
and Description: 40, native-born Korean raised in the US
Core
Traits: secretive, clever, industrious
Motivation;
Want/Need: wants to be part of the elite command/needs to reconnect w/ his
roots
Wound: seen
as an outsider in two countries
Likability:
he will help anyone

Relatability: tries too hard to please people who are never pleased

Empathy: he’s always on the outside looking in

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Likability, Relatability, Empathy

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman wants to write the introduction.

What I learned in this exercise is that these elements provide additional individuality and humanity to the leading characters.

DAVID VILLERS

Likability:
he is loyal to a fault <div>

Relatability:
doesn’t like anyone telling him what to do

Empathy: he’s
been wrongly removed from service

JENNIFER HAMM

Likability:
she is charming and disarming; very high social IQ </div>

Relatability:
has a panic attack before world assembly

Empathy:
she has to work for people who are less intelligent and less imaginative
than her

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Character Intrigue

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman wants to write the introduction.

What I learned in this exercise is that thinking about the intriguing possibilities for my lead characters has given me a new sense of how they’re all going to interact with each other, and that each of them has their own underlying goals.

DAVID VILLERS

Role:Protagonist

Hidden agendas: revenge on whoever set him up

Competition: always has to be Top Dog

Conspiracies:

Secrets:

Deception:

Unspoken Wound: abandonment issues; dishonorably discharged from the army

Secret Identity:

David’s determined to regain his elite position in the high command, and to get his revenge on the person or persons who engineered his downfall; he doesn’t take orders well and doesn’t play by the rules; as long as he thinks he’s rocking the boat he’s all in; he’s a rank perfectionist who demands the best of himself even though he can’t ever seem to reach his lofty self-image.

JENNIFER HAMM

Role: Antagonist

Hidden agendas:

Competition:

Conspiracies:

Secrets: set the wheels in motion on David’s discharge from the Army

Deception: she’s behind the uprising that threatens the peace negotiations

Unspoken Wound: the smartest person in the room who is never appreciated

Secret Identity:

Jennifer is secretly using the world peace talks in Seoul as a platform to incite a violent overthrow of the status quo and propel herself into high command; she manipulates David into fighting off her enemies

BRIAN CHIANG

Role: 2^nd lead

Hidden agendas:

Competition:

Conspiracies:

Secrets: had a liaison with Jennifer

Deception:

Unspoken Wound: has never been accepted by the elite command

Secret Identity: a would-be spy/double agent; willing to trade secrets

Brian’s subtext plays out in the constant tension between him and David; he’s always playing a role and can never reveal his true self. He feeds disinformation when it suits him, and takes powers by playing on everyone else’s weaknesses.

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Subtext Characters

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman wants to write the introduction.

What I learned in this exercise is to just do it. It seemed hard at first, but after thinking about the characters’ back stories, various answers seem to percolate to the surface.

RED DAWN

Character Name: JED ECKERT

Subtext Identity: family trauma

Subtext Trait: sullen, speaks little

Subtext Logline: Jed has a family trauma which he covers by pretending to be inarticulate

Possible Areas of Subtext: uses physical violence whenever possible

COLD DAY IN SEOUL

DAVID VILLERS

Subtext Identity: abandonment issues

Subtext Trait: emotionally volatile, self-abusive, a loner

Subtext Logline: David covers up his emotional despair and fear of rejection w/ vicious perfectionism; ultra-competitive in everything; has to be the best

Possible Areas of Subtext: smart, incredible fighting skills, and loyal to a fault

JENNIFER HAMM

Subtext Identity: closely guarded secret

Subtext Trait: driven to stay two steps ahead of everyone, won’t let anyone close

Subtext Logline: Jennifer guards the secret that she set the wheels in motion that had David discharged from Force Recon

Possible Areas of Subtext: she throws her authority and weight around whenever possible to keep everyone off balance

BRIAN CHIANG

Subtext Identity: resentful; deep grudge against authority

Subtext Trait: determined to make everyone pay

Subtext Logline: Brian has a major grudge and is willing to trade secrets to get even with those who’ve injured him

Possible Areas of Subtext: never reveals his true self

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Actor Attractors!

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman wants to write the introduction.

What I’ve learned from doing this assignment is that simply responding to these prompts without too much afterthought has given me some genuine insights into who these characters might be.

DAVID VILLERS / protagonist

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? There is great action, physical prowess, and a chance to save the world.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? He is never quite sure what is going on behind the scenes but takes action anyway.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? He takes on a whole group of fighters, each with their own martial arts style… and wins.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? A fighting intensive opening scene, maybe an unsanctioned “Fight Club” type scene, (that leads to his removal from Force Recon).

5. What could be this character’s emotional range? He is decisive, action-oriented, but with a soft spot for the vulnerable. He has a tender nature, quotes Basho, and loves animals.

6. What subtext can the actor play? He’s got a serious grudge against the bureaucratic takeover that’s behind his loss of military honors. He also has never quite been able to forget the life he might have had w/ Jennifer.

7. What are the most interesting relationships this character can have? He still has a chance w/ Jennifer Hamm, a high-ranking govt. official whose safety he’s responsible for; plus, his old army buddy, Brian Chiang, who has a deep connection to the local culture and political upheaval.

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented? He is most eloquent with his love of nature and Japanese poetry.

9. What could make this character special and unique? He is a warrior in the old-fashioned sense; he respects the sanctity of all living things, and the traditions of the Japanese samurai. In some ways, he has become a stateless samurai.

JENNIFER HAMM / antagonist

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? She is a badass female authority figure with the fate of the world in her hands.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? More than any man, she is able to project strength and confidence at the peace talks.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? She alone appreciates and can relate to the protagonist; she knows how to push his buttons.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? At a major PR stunt in the Rose Garden, she steps up to deliver a message that leaves the WH and Joint Chiefs in the dust.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range? Light and clear on the outside, deep down she is mysterious and calculating She is the smartest person in the room, and has a lively, witty, personality.

6. What subtext can the actor play? She has never received full credit or recognition for her contributions to the WH; she has secret ambitions to be the first female president.

7. What are the most interesting relationships this character can have? She and the protagonist have a lot in common, but with opposite political views; there is also a lot of friction w/ the 2^nd lead because of a secretive past relationship.

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented? She is charming, witty, and intelligent; the smartest person in the room.

9. What could make this character special and unique? She wants to redefine what it means to be a powerful woman; she is a world-class equestrian and a chess master, and solves all the Sunday NYT puzzles in pen.

BRIAN CHIANG / second lead

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? He is a rogue, loyal to the protagonist, and also in some ways to the antagonist. He is a critical conduit to local culture and politics.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? He has many secrets but instills trust through his own code of honor.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? He intercedes in high-stakes moments.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? He parlays with an unruly mob, and liaisons with a violent warlord.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range? Angry, steadfast, honorable, loving.

6. What subtext can the actor play? Still carries a torch for Jennifer. Never accepted by the military command as an equal.

7. What are the most interesting relationships this character can have? Complex relationship with the protagonist; they are brothers in arms, but also rivals in love. Never able to express his true feelings for the antagonist, but willing to sacrifice his life for her.

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented? He has an extreme commitment to the cause, a radical passion for justice and the right way of doing things.

9. What could make this character special and unique? He is an unheralded genius, a deep thinker, inspiring, and a foremost authority on radical socialist causes.

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Actor attractors for RED DAWN (2012) w/ Chris Hemsworth

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman would want to write the introduction.

What I learned doing this assignment is to pay attention to what matters to an A-list actor.

Lead 1

1. Why would an actor want to be known for this part? Heroic action figure who makes the ultimate sacrifice in a story with super high stakes.

2. What makes this character the most interesting character in the movie? He is the first to stand up against impossible odds, and teach guerilla warfare tactics to a ragtag group of high school kids.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? He’s the first one to stand up against the invading enemy; he’s the first to come up with guerilla warfare tactics; he leads numerous undercover missions into enemy-occupied territory.

4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? Under enemy fire, he’s decisive and saves his brother and others in a high-speed escape from suburbia.

5. What is this character’s emotional range? He’s tough, decisive, physical, with lighter moments, a romantic streak, and struggles to communicate with his brother..

6. What subtext can the actor play? There is an unspoken trauma of having lost his mother to illness, and dealing with his trauma by serving in the military.

7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has? He has a complicated relationship with his brother, who both idolizes him and resents him; he has a mostly unspoken love interest with an old high school crush; he’s the de facto leader of a group of high school kids who he takes responsibility for.

8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? He speaks in terse, commanding tones but lets his actions speak loudest.

9. What makes this character special and unique? He attempts to instill heroic, patriotic values in his younger brother, and makes the ultimate sacrifice.

Lead 2

1. Why would an actor want to be known for this part? The star HS quarterback gets a second chance to prove his mettle on the guerilla battlefield. Super high stakes.

2. What makes this character the most interesting character in the movie? He is the star quarterback who has a lot to prove when it comes to guerilla warfare and working as a team..

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? He risks a well-planned mission of sabotage to rescue his girl friend from a POW camp; he becomes part of the team and works his family issues out with his brother; he takes over the fight after his brother dies.

4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? He’s trying to win the football game with seconds left to play; the coach orders him to play for a tie, and they miss the kick..

5. What is this character’s emotional range? He’s tough, but wears his heart on his sleeve; once he learns to be part of the team, he becomes a real leader and inspires others.

6. What subtext can the actor play? There is an unspoken trauma of having lost his mother to illness, and at the same time deserted by his brother who joined the military.

7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has? He has a complicated relationship with his brother, who he admires but who he wants respect from..

8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? He’s commanding, but emotional; once he becomes the leader, he reiterates a speech his brother made.

9. What makes this character special and unique? He picks up the baton after his brother dies and chooses to keep on fighting rather than going off to comfortable safety.

[Peter Field]

Peter’s Genre Conventions

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman would want to write the introduction.

What I learned doing this assignment is to keep plugging away with “answers that I have right now.” I made a bunch of changes already.

Title: COLD DAY IN SEOUL

Concept: A former Force Recon commando tries to rescue an old flame from a military uprising at a world peace conference, only to discover his own government is behind the attempted coup

Genre: ACTION/THRILLER

ACT I

Opening – DV and JH part of sightseeing tour prior to start of big peace talks; JH’s purse is stolen, DV gives chase but thief gets away; police arrest him

Inciting Incident – DV’s local friend (policeman BC) intervenes, asks DV to help w/ easy protection detail in return for “police access”

Turning Point – violent uprising night before peace talks and JH goes missing

ACT II

New Plan — DV makes it his mission to find JH and ignores govt. order to stand down

Plan in Action — DV faces many local adversaries (from multiple SE Asian countries), all are possible abductors; everyone has a motive to derail peace talks

Mid-Point – secret docs are leaked that expose high-ranking American officials linked to “rogue” locals who incited violent uprising

ACT III

Rethink everything — DV identifies forces within American govt as primary suspect

New Plan — go after the Americans!

Turning Point/Huge failure/Major shift – DV breaks into US black site where JH is held; DV is attacked by multiple assailants and left for dead

ACT IV

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict — BC saves DV; they track JH down to military airfield; adversaries previously against him now join him to fight “rogue” Americans

Resolution — DV and JH reunited; coup is thwarted; peace talks go on

[Peter Field]

Peter Field’s 4-Act transformational structure

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own, and William Goldman would want to write the introduction.

What I learned doing this assignment is that it doesn’t have to be perfect right now, or maybe never. It does have to be done, so here goes.

COLD DAY IN SEOUL

CONCEPT: A former Force Recon commando tries to rescue an old flame from a military uprising at a world peace conference, only to discover she’s the one trying to undermine it.

MAIN CONFLICT: A Force Recon commando comes up against his greatest adversary, an old girlfriend, now the ranking negotiator at a world peace conference in SE Asia.

Old Ways

· Blindly follows orders/status quo

· Intentionally overlooks questionable scenarios

· Won’t allow himself to be vulnerable

· Resents female authority

New Ways

· Learns truth about a botched past mission that left him for dead

· Recognizes genuine love for one-time fiancé

· Fights for a cause he never believed in

· Stands up forces inside his own government

Act 1

Opening – on vacation in SE Asia, DV confronts a pickpocket accused of stealing secret docs at big tourist site; thief gets away and police think DV is in on theft

Inciting Incident – friend bails him out of police custody w/ caveat that DV must help w/ easy protection detail of American negotiator at upcoming peace talks

Turning Point– night before talks commence, a violent uprising derails peace talks

Act 2

New Plan— DV agrees to become human shield (w/ friend B. Chiang) to ensure peace talks go forward

Plan in Action— DV and BC identify multiple combatants from multiple SE Asian countries (Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, etc., each w/ own unique martial art fighting style)

Mid-Point – it seems American negotiator (JH) is behind uprising; police suspect DV is involved

Act 3

Rethink everything— is it really JH, or is JH a front for deeper plot to upend peace talks?

New Plan—must stick to JH like a cheap suit, has to protect her from rogue assailant that almost takes them both out

Turning Point/Huge failure/Major shift – DV and BC team up to retrieve secret docs, are attacked by multiple assailants; DV learns who was behind injury that led to his forced retirement

Act 4

Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict—confronts own government, saves JH from committing atrocities

Resolution— real culprit exposed

[Peter Field]

Peter Field’s Subtext Plot

VISION: MY SCRIPTS ARE SO GOOD THEY COULD BE PUBLISHED ON THEIR OWN AND WILLIAM GOLDMAN WOULD WANT TO WRITE THE INTRODUCTION.

What I learned from doing this assignment is rather than trying to work in a little bit of everything, focusing on one or two subtext elements gives more dimension to the story and gave me some totally new ideas about possible motivations for my two main characters.

CONCEPT: A former Force Recon commander tries to rescue an old flame from a military uprising at a world peace conference, only to discover she’s the one trying to undermine it.

SOMEONE HIDES WHO THEY ARE: US VP Jennifer Hamm will do anything to become the first female POTUS. She foments a violent uprising at a world peace conference attended by major dignitaries, including the aging US President.

COMPETITIVE AGENDAS: The world peace conference turns out to be a platform for militant fundamentalists from several nations who want to disrupt the existing world order and install new leadership. David Villers only knows his ex, Jennifer Hamm, is in trouble, and he’s determined to save her.

[Peter Field]

PETER’S TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY

VISION: MY SCRIPTS ARE SO GOOD THEY COULD BE PUBLISHED ON THEIR OWN AND WILLIAM GOLDMAN WOULD WANT TO WRITE THE INTRODUCTION.

What I learned from doing this assignment is that by taking things one step at a time I am able to stay focused on the immediate task and complete my mission.

Character Arc for DAVID VILLERS

Arc Beginning – seriously wounded, obstinate, cynical, betrayed

Arc Ending – fights through his wounds, seeks change, has faith

Internal Journey (mind and emotions) – from wounded and cynical to vital and bold

External Journey (action and experience) – from forcibly retired commander who is part of the status quo to independent iconoclast

Old Ways

Blindly follows orders/status quo

Intentionally overlooks questionable scenarios

Won’t allow himself to be vulnerable

Despises female authority

New Ways

Learns truth about botched mission that left him for dead

Recognizes genuine love for one-time fiancé

Fights for a cause he never believed in

Stands up against his own government

[Peter Field]

PETER’S INTENTIONAL LEAD CHARACTERS

VISION: MY SCRIPTS ARE SO GOOD THEY COULD BE PUBLISHED ON THEIR OWN AND WILLIAM GOLDMAN WOULD WANT TO WRITE THE INTRODUCTION.

What I learned from doing this assignment is to keep my focus on the core characteristics.

Protagonist: DAVID VILLERS

Logline: Force Recon commanders never die. They don’t even retire.

Unique: ex-Force Recon commander, a/k/a The Black Tiger, reputedly invincible, MMA champion

Antagonist: JENNIFER HAMM

Logline: a lifelong diplomat will employ unsanctioned methods to achieve her aims.

Unique: extremely intelligent, charismatic, could be the first female President of the USA

[Peter Field]

Peter Field’s title, concept, and character structure.

Vision: My scripts are so good they could be published on their own and William Goldman would want to write the introduction.

What I learned from this assignment is to keep plugging away, little by little. Incremental effort leads to big changes.

Title: COLD DAY IN SEOUL

Concept: A retired mercenary tries to rescue an old flame from a military uprising at a world peace conference, only to discover she’s the one trying to undermine it.

Action/Thriller

Character Structure: Protagonist/Antagonist (quite possibly Dramatic Triangle)

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Peter Field.

[Peter Field]

Greetings! I’m Peter Field, in Portland, Oregon.

I’ve written a bunch of feature-length scripts, one of which was a top 10 finalist in Big Break a few years ago.

I’m currently working on a crime thriller set locally that a Portland producer/filmmaker is interested in.

I hope to use my time wisely in this course. I want to write the best script I’ve ever written!

Good wishes to all.

Peter

[Peter Field]

I, Peter R. Field, agree to the terms of this release form

GROUP RELEASE FORM

As a member of Writing Incredible Movies, I agree to the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  Peter Field.