Kenneth Johnson
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Kenneth Johnson – Chronological Edit
What I learned in this assignment is how much more work my script needs. I am loving the story overall, but it is still short of a full script. I also need to strengthen the conflict between protagonist and antagonist. I like the process!
Here is where improvements were made:
A. Improve the flow. I am still improving the flow as I add to scenes and add additional scenes.
B. Improve the clarity. Clarity was good from the start, but I have made more of the dialogue into images that convey the idea.
C. Improve the description. I’m good with the descriptions
D. Improve the dialogue. I have improved the dialogue and will continue to improve the dialogue over the next week. -
Kenneth Johnson – Solved Scene Problems
What I learned in this lesson is that I am really uncomfortable with this approach. Having done the high speed 20% quality draft I am struck by how we are now addressing issues that I would have solved near the start of the process as we did in the Mini-Movie approach. I will keep going, but this weird. The key point is that I have a script in hand, needs a hell of a lot of work, but it exists!!!
Look through your script and identify any scenes that have any of these four problems. Once you identify them, apply the strategies to improve that part of the scene.
I did this, but it is turning into a process. I keep finding scenes that need addressing within these criteria. (Except D, I pride myself on original scenes).
A) Basic Scene Problems
B) Weak Scenes
C) Situations Don’t Challenge Characters
D) Cliché Scenes -
Kenneth Johnson – Solved Character Problems
What Learned with this assignment is that I need to take more risks with the characters to make their interaction and their journey more engrossing.
WEAK PROTAGONIST OR ANTAGONIST
Protagonist: Yes, I am trying to get the audience to like Michael. He is fighting an uphill battle to gain the respect of his father as he tries to get his father to tell the story of his time under fire in the Korean War. I think if I show a stronger example of Lee demonstrating his disappointment with Michael it will strengthen his journeyAntagonist: With Lee I have been too timid about giving him anti-social behavior that labels him “mean spirited” instead of misunderstood. I need a couple of stronger examples of Lee being aggressively anti-social.
B. PROTAGONIST TOO GOOD OR ANTAGONIST TOO BAD
Right now I see the characters as being a bit too middle of the road. I think going harder at Michael’s need for approval and Lee’s need for Michael’s respect will strengthen them both.C. WEAK CHARACTER INTROS
I will play with the intros for both Michael and Lee.D. CHARACTERS NOT IN ACTION
I’ve done a pretty balanced job of making the characters physically conduct themselves to demonstrate the point of the scene. Though with this assignment I will watch for more opportunities to add meaning to action.E. PROTAGONIST JOURNEY NOT STRONG
I need to add more obstacles and give Lee more opportunity to make Michael’s life Hell.F. ALL THE CHARACTERS SEEM THE SAME
Quite to the contrary, all characters have distinct traits and manners of speaking that set them apart from each other.G. LEAD CHARACTERS NOT PRESENT
This piece is a study of the relationship between father and son. One or the other, or both are in pretty much every scene. -
Kenneth Johnson – Solved Structural Problems
what I learned today is that my script still has structural problems, but things are moving forward. I mean, it doesn’t suck, but it has a ways to go.
Act 1:
Opening/Old Ways: Is this an engaging opening scene that lures us into the story? Is the lead character clearly living in a pre-transformation mode? Do the “Old Ways” show up in their behavior and dialogue?
Yes. We introduce our protagonist, Michael, with a brief history of how he got to the place and time where the inciting incident happens. He is self absorbed and not concerned about how his actions affect others.
Inciting Incident: How does this incident invite and propel us into the journey?
Michael gains special knowledge about his father’s combat experience.
Turning Point: How is this Turning Poing a twist that locks us into the journey with “no going back?”
20 years later, the protagonist is a down-on-his-luck writer who needs a break and proposes his father’s combat story as a script for a film. The pitch is accepted by the studio and now Michael must deliver.
Act 2:
New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with the Act 1 Turning Point?
He will simply ask his father, the antagonist, about his time in the Korean War.
Plan in action: How does the protagonist take action on that plan?
Michael brings a recorder and
Midpoint Turning Point: How does the Midpoint change the meaning, creating a reveal that changes everything while keeping us on the same journey?
Michael does research on the 24th Regiment. He meets a vet and book author who was there. Michael learns the 24th Regiment had been labelled “cowards.”
Act 3:
React/Rethink: What is revealed to the protagonist from the Midpoint? How do they react or rethink things?
He thought of his dad as a hero. Michael realizes that he must take a more nuanced approach. He has to understand his father.
New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with this new level of conflict?
Michael arranges for he and his father to travel to South Korea to see for himself what his time in combat means to the people of Korea.
Turning Point: The lowest of the low. How has this Turning Point brought the character to the lowest of lows, making it almost impossible for them to win in a normal way? This forces them to adopt the change in a much bigger way.
Their Korean host show up in their hotel room with a full documentary crew expecting Lee to tell his story for the camera. Lee feels that Michael has crossed a line and their trust is broken.
Act 4:
Dilemma: What emotional dilemma requires the protagonist to choose between two alternatives, losing something with either choice?
I have to work on this. There is not a strong dilemma in the story so far.
Climax/Ultimate @xpression Of The Conflict: How is this the ultimate expression of the conflict? How does it require a “fight to the death,” either literally or symbolically?
At an event where an important U.S. General is speaking to honor the Korean War vets in attendance, Michael gets the idea to tell the General about his father and his situation. The General honors Lee. Lee opens up and shares the remaining part of his story.
Resolution: How does this resolution represent the “New Ways” and bring this story to a fitting conclusion?
Michael gets to sell his script. Lee gets to have a good night’s sleep.
New Ways: What are the New Ways and do they clearly show up in your lead character’s Act 4 behavior and dialogue?
Michael has gained a new respect for his father and the soldiers he fought beside to allow a people to have a nation that has grown to one of the great economic powers of the world. -
Kenneth Johnson – Fill In Missing Scenes
What I learned with this assignment is that I have quite a few missing scenes to add. This is a good script right now at 20% quality. After 3 or 4 more drafts this could be something special.
EXT. KOREAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – TERRACE – NIGHT
Lee and Michael look out over the water in silence for a moment.
LEE
Not long after I got back with our side, they disbanded the 24th. Retired the flag and everything. We were folded into the rest of the Army.. with all the other Americans. That’s when we realized just how bad we had it. We had new uniforms and weapons, hot meals and clean beds like we had never seen since we got in country. It was good, but it really just made the bitterness that much more bitter.Lee is done talking. He has said all that needs to be said.
MICHAEL
So what’s the other part.LEE
What?MICHAEL
There’s more to this.LEE
I always knew you were a little slow. I guess that’s why you became a writer. I’ve told you my story. There’s nothing else to tell. Now it’s up to you what you’re gonna’ do with it.Michael considers this for a moment.
MICHAEL
I’m not talking about the story, Dad. I’m talking about you. You survived all of this and you never seemed happy about it.LEE
Happy? What have I got to be happy about? I survived when none of my friends did. I had a front row seat to watch each of the best friends that I ever had get his face blown off… get shot through neck… get a bayonet in the gut… and get blown to pieces right next to me.FLASH BACK
EXT. KOREAN VALLEY – MORNING
Young Lee slowly, carefully pulls the shattered remains his buddy on top of himself.
A Chinese soldier walks over to where Lee is lying. He cocks his rifle and then prods the corpse with his bayonet.
Only Lee’s eye is visible as he watches the feet of the soldier.
Seeing no reaction from his prodding, the enemy soldier starts to go, but spots a watch on the wrist of the corpse, bends down to take the watch right in front of Lee’s eye. He then moves on to check another casualty for signs of life.
END FLASH BACK
LEE
I survived when I had no right to.Lee sobs uncontrollably.
Michael is shocked. He puts an arm around his dad, and says nothing.
MONTAGE
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – BALLROOM STAGE – DAY
All of the church volunteers gather on stage at the head of the room with all of the veterans and their families seated in the audience. The volunteers all kneel and bow their heads to the floor in unison.
MICHAEL
(V.O. Narration)
Our warm and generous Korean hosts made it clear just how much they appreciated the service of those Korean War veterans. Including Dad.Pastor Chun steps behind Lee and plants a kiss on the top of his head. Lee can only grin, amused. One of the dreadlocked photographers gets a picture.
EXT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – BACKYARD – DAY
Michael, Cheryl, and their three daughters enjoy a barbecue with family and friends. Lee is the guest of honor.
MICHAEL
(V.O. Narration)
When we got home everyone wanted to hear about the trip. So, we threw a party and everyone was duly impressed. Dad got a kick out of it.They all pose around Lee for a picture.
INT. MOVIE STUDIO – DAY
Weldon shakes hands with Michael as Kyle and Tucker nod approvingly.
MICHAEL
(V.O. Narration)
I delivered the script. Paid off the mortgage and every other bill we had.His agent, Jerry looks the most pleased of all.
INT. LEE’s HOUSE – NIGHT
Lee sleeps peacefully.
MICHAEL
(V.O. Narration)
And Dad finally got a good night’s sleep. -
Kenneth Johnson – Act 4 Resolution
What I learned in this lesson is that my characters are far more eloquent on their own situations than I ever imagined. I need to spend more time listening to what they have to say.
Beginning: Michael and Lee are at a Korean Business Association banquet. Michael finds two seats and sits, Lee keeps walking and sits a few seats down.
Middle: The keynote speaker is General Ransom Sherman, in command of all U.S. forces in Korea. After his speech Michael meets General Sherman and tells him about his father. The General meets Lee. He tells him that he know about the 24th and he understands how biased the after action reports were. He knows how the 24th really fought. The General renders a salute, shakes Lee’s hand, and thanks him for his service. “We are proud of you, soldier.”
End: Lee tells how he made his way behind enemy line back to American forces. He tries to explain that he’s not ashamed of what people thought of the 24th. He is ashamed that he survived while all of his friends died.
INT. KOREAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – AUDITORIUM – NIGHT
Michael and Lee walk into the room with the other veterans. Michael chooses a chair and sits down. Lee continues down a few more seats before sitting down. Michael looks down the table but Lee makes a point of looking the other way.
Waiters bring wine and a sumptuous meal. Naomi perches on the seat next to Michael.
NAOMI
So, your Dad seems pretty unhappy.MICHAEL
He’s pissed. “Pissed off” is a little stronger than “unhappy”.NAOMI
Well, I can tell you, Pastor Chun is non-too-happy.MICHAEL
Yeah, he’s pissed off, too. You may not be able to tell, but we are deeply grateful for being included in this. No one has ever done anything like this for my dad.NAOMI
But he will not give us his story.MICHAEL
I’ve crossed a line with him. We’ve been going about this the wrong way.Pastor Chun steps up to the podium on a low stage. The assembled group gives light applause after each of his statements.
PASTOR CHUN
I trust you all enjoyed the river cruise? Our business association has kindly provided this lovely banquet for us tonight. And as a special surprise that you service men will appreciate, they have invited as keynote speaker the general in charge of all U.S. forces in Korea, General David Sherman.The entire audience applauded strongly.
General Sherman steps up to the podium and smile broadly, taking in the applause with good nature.
Michael looks around and sees the reaction of the crowd and how well regarded this general is. He has a thought.
INT. KOREAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – AUDITORIUM – LATER
The General has a martini and toasts with small group of veteran in their late 80s. Michael his opportunity and approaches him.
MICHAEL
General Sherman, may I introduce myself?GENERAL SHERMAN
Certainly.They shake hands firmly.
MICHAEL
My name is Michael Jones. I’m here with my father, Lee Jones. He served with the 24th Infantry Regiment. It’s been a tough 70 years for him. I was wondering if you could talk to him.GENERAL SHERMAN
The 24th, huh? What Company?Michael is a little surprised by this question.
MICHAEL
Company K, sir.GENERAL SHERMAN
He was there in ’51?Cautiously, Michael wonders where he is going with this.
MICHAEL
Yes he was.The General scans the room and spots Lee sitting with one of the female church volunteers who is telling him about the Korean food in front of him and how best to enjoy it.
The General crosses the room and Lee sees him coming. Lee stands up and stands straighter than he has the whole time. In fact it looks like he’s trying to stand at attention. Michael catches up.
MICHAEL
This is my father, Lee.LEE
Lee Jones. 24th Infantry Regiment.GENERAL SHERMAN
I know about the 24th. I know the after action reports were a load of crap. A Company doesn’t get wiped out by running away. A Company is wiped out standing their ground and holding the line against impossible odds… and fighting to the last man.Lee is welling up.
LEE
I was the last man.The General comes to attention and renders a salute. Lee manages to stand up even straighter and returns the salute. Then the General shakes Lee’s hand.
GENERAL SHERMAN
You did good, soldier. I hope you know that we are all grateful for your service and we are very proud of you. Thank you.Michael waits for them to release the grip on their handshake, then fumbles his phone out of his pocket.
MICHAEL
Can I get a picture?Lee is strangely calm and the General has actually welled up a bit, too. It’s a very good picture of the two of them.
EXT. KOREAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – TERRACE – NIGHT
Michael and Lee step out into the night and lean on a rail overlooking the Han river with the city skyline twinkling on the other side.
LEE
I was behind enemy lines for almost two weeks before I made it back to our side.FLASH BACK
EXT. KOREAN VILLAGE – NIGHT
The villagers feed Lee. They drape a blanket on his shoulders and put a hat on his head.
They give him a bundle of food and a walking stick before sending him on his way.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The villagers that we shared our chocolate with fed me and pointed me in the right direction to get back.INT. JONES FAMILY HOME – KITCHEN – DAY
His father, mother, and sister look devastated as they read and re-read the telegram.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Back at home my family had received a telegram stating that I was missing in action, presumed dead.INT. JONES FAMILY HOME – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Lee’s father is sitting an easy chair reading the paper when his wife, daughter and another son excitedly run in with a STARS & STRIPES MAGAZINE.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
A week later they saw me in Stars and Stripes magazine in a photo of survivors of the Chinese offensive. That’s how they found out I was alive.In the magazine is a black and white photo of Lee in the back of a truck with other very disheveled looking soldiers.
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KENNETH JOHNSON – Act 4 Climax
I learned that my characters have a lot of issues to work out and I just need to keep their conflicts interesting as they tie up the loose ends.
Beginning: As they prepare to board the coaches Michael discusses how to get Lee to tell his story with Naomi and Pastor Chun.
Middle: The group of veterans travel to various military bases and receive full military honors. They review the troops, tour a warship, and witness tactical arms demonstrations.
End: Back in their hotel room, Michael and Lee are surprised by a full documentary crew. Under duress, Lee tells an innocuous story of “Bed Check Charlie” flying in at night to drop hand grenades on their camp and disrupt their sleep.
INT. RESTAURANT A – DINING ROOM – DAY
The other veterans and their families are quietly introducing themselves to each other and tentatively striking up conversations. Lee settles back into his seat, trying not to be notice, and pulls out another packet of crackers and cheese.
Lee notices Pastor Chun and Naomi chatting away from the group. Michael joins them.
PASTOR CHUN
Ah, Mr. Jones! What do you think so far?MICHAEL
Of course this is all amazing, but give me a minute to take it all in.PASTOR CHUN
There is much to see of great land. We are very pleased to be able to share it with you and your father.MICHAEL
Yes, about that… I’m trying to chronicle my dad’s experience in combat during the Korean War.NAOMI
Right. Your father’s story. What you told me was fascinating. I would like to know more.MICHAEL
So would I. But Dad doesn’t want to tell the story. He’s saying that no one will benefit from knowing what went on while he and his Company were under fire. I thought by coming here maybe it would help him open up about it.Pastor Chun has been carefully considering what Michael and Naomi are saying.
PASTOR CHUN
Mr. Jones, years have we spent recording the stories of war veterans from your country and veterans from many other countries who fought to save our nation from the communists. It is a project near and dear to my heart.NAOMI
Pastor, that is a fantastic idea. We can interview your father for our veteran archive project. We can learn his story together.The three of them look over at Lee, who is quietly munching his crackers, oblivious to their attention.
MICHAEL
I like it.________________________
EXT. SEOUL – DAY
The coach moves through the center of the bustling city.
INT. LUXURY COACH – DAY
Michael and Lee as the coach makes its way out of town.
MONTAGE
EXT. ROK MARINE CORPS BASE – PARADE GROUND – DAY
Michael, Lee, and the other veterans sit in a reviewing area and watch as a large precision drill team performs intricate maneuvers while spinning, throwing and catching rifles with fixed bayonets.
Lee and two Korean military official stand in the back of a slow moving limousine to review hundreds of assembled troops.
Then a team of Marines all dressed in black and attached to ropes walk down the face of a 70 foot wall while firing bursts from their weapons
Next, the veterans are given a tour of a pair of Apache attack helicopters.
EXT. ROK NAVAL BASE – DAY
As the veterans exit the coach and walk onto the dock, dozens of uniformed KOREAN SAILORS applaud and cheer.
The Korean Admiral in command of all ROK naval forces guides the veterans on a tour of their latest guided missile destroyer.
In a solemn moment, Lee and Michael are brought to the remains of the Cheonan, a ROK destroyer that was sunk by a North Korean submarine, recovered by South Korean and turned into a full-sized monument at the naval headquarters.
The Admiral and the Korean Minister of Defense proudly pose with Lee for pictures in front of the destroyer. After the pictures, with tears in his eyes, the Minister of Defense gives Lee a hug. Lee is surprised and uncomfortable.
EXT. KOREAN MEGA CHURCH – DAY
The veterans begin exiting the coach and dozens of school children dressed in white wave American and Korean flags while exuberantly singing a song with the words, “we thank god for you!”
As Lee steps off the coach and walks through this spectacle he is clearly touched. The veteran behind him is wiping away tears. Lee stoically refuses to tear up with his son so close by.
END MONTAGE
EXT. HAN RIVER – TOUR BOAT – DAY
Lee and Michael takes pictures with some of their hosts along with other veterans with everyone laughing and in great spirits, including Lee. As the group breaks up, one of the hosts puts a hand Lee’s shoulder and beams proudly at him. They both nod as Lee moves away. Still smiling the Lee and Michael walk out on deck, Michael with a cocktail in his hand and Lee with a steaming cup of tea. They watch the Seoul city skyline go by.
MICHAEL
Are you done being mad at me?LEE
For what?MICHAEL
For making you go on this trip.LEE
I had no idea these folks felt this way.MICHAEL
I never knew that South Korea is such a big player on the world stage. TVs and Cellphones, cars, ships. Ships! Can you believe these guys are the biggest shipbuilders in the world. And they’re saying it’s all because of you.LEE
Me…MICHAEL
Well, you and folks like you who fought and died right here.LEE
This was all ruble the last time I was here. 70 years ago.MICHAEL
A lot has changed.LEE
A lot has changed.INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – LEE & MICHAEL’S SUITE – NIGHT
Lee and Michael take off their jackets. Lee sits in a chair and takes in the view of Seoul from their window. Michael stretches out on the bed and starts scrolling through his phone.
MICHAEL
That was some dinner.LEE
Yeah, that was OK.MICHAEL
OK? Dad almost every lunch has been a feast and every dinner a banquet. And I have never experienced a better breakfast buffet, anywhere. They have literally rolled out the red carpet for you guys.LEE
Yeah… but what’s the catch?MICHAEL
Why would there be a catch? They just want to say thank you.LEE
There’s always a catch.There is a KNOCK at the door. Michael opens the door to find Pastor Chun, Naomi and two members of a FILM CREW.
Lee is wary.
MICHAEL
Yes please, come in. Naomi, Who are these guys?NAOMI
Oh this is our cinematographer and this is his audio engineer.The two men bring in lights with stands, camera and audio equipment.
LEE
What’s all this?PASTOR CHUN
We are collecting the stories of surviving veterans of the war here in Korea. Your son tells us that you have a powerful story to tell.Lee gives Michael a cold look.
LEE
Well I don’t know about all that.The crew has quickly set up the camera and positioned the lights right around where Lee is sitting. Turning the spot into their set. Pastor Chun sits down on the bed opposite Lee and right next to the camera.
NAOMI
Mr. Jones, when Pastor Chun asks a question look at him when you answer. Don’t look into the camera. OK.The light panels are switched on and are quickly adjusted. Behind the camera the cinematographer gives Pastor Chun a “thumbs up.”
Lee looks confused and a little unsettled.
PASTOR CHUN
Would you please say your name and spell it for us?LEE
Lee Jones. L-E-E, J-O-N-E-S.Now Lee simply takes a long time to answer each question. The room begins to get tense.
PASTOR CHUN
Can you tell me with what unit you served?LEE
The 24th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Division, United States Army.PASTOR CHUN
What years were you here?LEE
I arrived in April of 1951.PASTOR CHUN
Is there a story that you can share with us?LEE
No.Everyone is stunned and look to each other helplessly. Lee simply turns and looks out of the window.
The Pastor and Naomi both look to Michael.
MICHAEL
What about “Bed check Charlie”? Can you tell them about Bed Check Charlie?PASTOR CHUN
Who was Bed Check Charlie?Lee stares them all down, then decides to let Michael off the hook.
LEE
The North Koreans had these of biplanes called Polikarpovs. They would come down in the middle of the night so we couldn’t get the sleep we needed. The engines were out of tune so they made a hell of a racket. These jokers would fly real low over the camp and drop hand grenades on us. Now remember it was pitch black out there so we couldn’t really see ‘em. With everybody waking up and trying to shoot in the air, I don’t think we ever hit one of ‘em.Lee looks around, nods and then looks out the window again.
PASTOR CHUN
Is there anything else that you would like tell us?LEE
No.PASTOR CHUN
Is there anything you would like to say to the Korean people?Lee looks into the camera.
LEE
You’ve got a very nice country here. I’m glad I could help. I’m having a good time here and I thank you for having me over.Naomi seeks to break the tension.
NAOMI
Well I guess that wraps that up.She motions for the crew to wrap out. She throws a sidelong unhappy look at Michael.
PASTOR CHUN
Thank you, Mr. Jones, for sharing your time with us.Lee does not get up. He nods at the Pastor and gives a perfunctory smile, then turns to look of the window some more.
The crew breaks down their lighting and camera set up then move everything out of the room.
There is a strained silence until the crew is finished wrapping the gear.
As if wholly undaunted, Naomi smiles warmly to Lee.
NAOMI
I’m sure you have other thoughts. If you decide on anything else that might be worth sharing, we will be happy to come back.MICHAEL
Good, that sounds good. Thanks for coming up.Naomi give gentle bows and leave. Michael closes the door.
Michael turns around to find Lee standing directly in front of him.
LEE
This was your doing, wasn’t it?MICHAEL
Are you going to let me explain.LEE
You set an ambush for me.MICHAEL
Dad, I wanted to hear your story. They they wanted to interview you. I never thought they’d show up with a full documentary crew.LEE
I thought you understood. I thought you had my back.MICHAEL
I’m sorry, Dad.LEE
There are times when “sorry” just isn’t enough. I guess I should have expected you to be the same old Mikey, just out for yourself.Lee steps back and collapses into the chair, diminished.
Michael is crushed all he’s worked for to build a relationship with his father is wrecked.
MICHAEL
I get it. You understand, I want your story so I can sell it to the studio for a movie. I haven’t had a project in nearly a year. Our savings are gone. Bills are late. Cheryl is really pissed at me cause she’s worried we’ll lose the house.LEE
So, you’re pimping out my pain for cash.MICHAEL
It’s not like that Dad! This is real history and you lived it. This is an important chapter in our nation’s history and I see myself as being uniquely positioned to tell that story from your point of view. Look, I’m a hack writer, I know. Nothing great has come out of me except a couple of commercials that won Clios. But Dad, your experience with the 24th in Korea will give me the raw material for something great truly great. And I can make some money… for both of us. Can you trust me on this one?LEE
Trust. That’s a tough commodity. Especially when somebody’s abused it. During the war, I put my trust in the mechanized units, white units, up on the ridges on either side of us…FLASH BACK
EXT. KOREAN VALLEY – DAY
Black soldiers walk along the valley floor spread out in squads of four. This is Company K. Lee’s unit.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
We were winning. We pushed the North Korean forces all the way up around the Yalu river bordering China. Well China didn’t like that. They quietly infiltrated the area with more than a million soldiers disguised as refugees. They struck in three waves. Our unit, Company K with 200 men of the 24th Regiment, was moving up a valley floor. And we had no idea they coming.EXT. KOREAN RIDGE TOP – DAY
Sherman tanks and half tracks with towed artillery move along the ridge with soldiers on foot. They all suddenly begin turning around and heading back in the direction they came
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The mechanized units up on the ridges were covering our flanks. They got word of the waves of Chinese soldiers coming our way and they made a retreat. They never mentioned anything to us Black soldiers down in the valley. We were left with no support.EXT. KOREAN VALLEY – NIGHT
Explosions, heavy and close shake the area. Tracer sounds fill the air. Lee and his buddies dig fox holes while other return fire.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
We were encircled pretty quickly. We hunkered down and dug our foxholes. We held our ground and fought to a stalemate. But there were too many of them.A mortar round kills their lieutenant and their radio operator.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Our officers were killed and we ran out of ammunition.The Chinese charge their position. Lee and those around him hurl grenades, wait for the explosions and then charge at the Chinese with fixed bayonets. The fighting is intense. Those who survive are driven back to their foxholes. The Chinese come at them. Lee fights with his knife in hand, grappling with the enemy. He uses his .45 to dispatch his attacker.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
We made some grenade and bayonet attacks, but our guys were cut down or driven back until it was just hand to hand fighting where the man you killed breathed his last breath in your face.EXT. KOREAN VALLEY – MORNING
The Chinese soldiers walk calmly through the battlefield, proving bodies with a foot. If there is movement, they shoot them.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
When the sun came up I was back in my foxhole with my buddy’s body torn apart next to me. I saw the Chinese soldiers walking through our casualties, checking to see if anyone was alive. When they found a live one, they shot him where he lay. They weren’t taking any prisoners. I played dead. I lay there in my foxhole in the mud and played dead.END FLASH BACK
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – LEE & MICHAEL’S SUITE – NIGHT
MICHAEL
But you survived, right?Lee looks at Michael like he just asked the world’s stupidest question.
LEE
Well, you’re here aren’t you. I’m going to bed. -
Kenneth Johnson – Act 4 First Scenes
I learned that my characters are becoming more foamier with each other and their interactions are making more sense.
Beginning: In the hotel room, Lee wakes up shouting and in a cold sweat. Michael rolls out of bed to calm him.
Middle: At breakfast, their host gives a welcoming speech laying out their itinerary. Again, Lee tries to avoid mingling with the white vets in uniform, but one asks about his unit, Lee tells him and the guy looks him over before just walking away. Michael is shocked.
End: Lee tells how during the war his Company made a successful river crossing against strong resistance. But another of the 24th’s Companies tried to make a crossing farther down the river. The water was deeper, the current was stronger, and the enemy was dug-in and reinforced. That crossing failed, and that’s what got reported.
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – LEE & MICHAEL’S SUITE – NIGHT
There are two queen-size beds with Michael in one and Lee in the other. The CLOCK reads 2:30am. Michael is bundled in the covers, turned away from from Lee with his eyes wide with concern.
Lee is speaking in his sleep. Rising and falling in volume from a whisper to angry shout.
LEE
There’s nobody covering our flank… On the left, 10 o’clock… Look out… Keep firing…. Keep firing… They got Willy… Medic! Medic… They’re still coming… They’re still coming!With this Michael rolls over. He speaks with a calm but insistent voice, like he’s seen this before.
MICHAEL
Dad, are you OK? You are really starting to freak me out. That was pretty loud this time. I mean what will the neighbors say?LEE
Oh boy, go back to sleep.Lee is covered in sweat. He gets up and goes into the bathroom and comes back with towel. He wipes his face, back and chest before getting back in bed, moving over to the side of the bed that isn’t wet with sweat.
MICHAEL
My plan was not to be awake in the first place, Dad. What was that all about?LEE
Just a bad dream, Mikey.Lee snuggles down in his blankets.
MICHAEL
I’ve been around for quite a few of your “bad dreams.” This one was pretty focused. Where were you?Lee has his eyes screwed shut and is trying not to listen. Then he relents.
LEE
Right here. Well, not far from here.MICHAEL
Have you had this dream before?LEE
Not like this. I can’t think now. Let me sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.MICHAEL
It is morning.LEE
Go to sleep, boy.INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – BUFFET HALL – DAY
The buffet is decked out with popular breakfast dishes from around the world. Lee is happy to be able to enjoy a hearty American style breakfast.
Pastor Chun steps to the front of the flanked by some of the Korean church volunteers.
PASTOR CHUN
I promise only one thing. This will be the fastest sermon you have ever experienced. Lord bless this meal and all who are gathered to enjoy it. Amen.There is murmuring and stirring among the veterans.
Pastor Chun smiles.
PASTOR CHUN
That was not the sermon. That was grace.Some minor chuckles from the group.
PASTOR CHUN
What I want to share with you are a few thoughts about gratitude. Rich or poor, we can appreciate what we have. Here in Korea we have seen poverty and famine. Today we celebrate our economic strength and resilience on the world stage. And who do we have to thank for that? You. The brave soldiers who protected us. Saved us. Allowed us, through the grace of God, to build this great nation that you see here today. From our hearts we say, thank you.Pastor Chun and the other church volunteers all bow deeply in unison.
The veterans applaud.
Everyone stands and begin to head downstair. Lee sees some of the veterans who are wearing their 1950s uniforms and he tries to steer away from them. But Lee turns right into the face of a smiling uniformed vet, who sticks out his hand with a smile.
TOM
Well hello there soldier. Tom GundersonLEE
Lee Jones.TOM
What outfit were you with, Lee?Lee grits his teeth a bit.
LEE
The 24th Infantry Regiment.TOM
Oh, well, uh… that was a long time ago wasn’t it. Better catch up with my group. Nice meeting you.Tom moves away as quickly as his 89 year old legs will take him.
Michael frowns a bit. Not sure what he just saw.
MICHAEL
That was curious.Lee looks a little wistful.
LEE
I suppose the river thing was a good example.FLASH BACK
EXT. KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – RIVERBANK – DAY
There is heavy gunfire going in both directions across the river. Mortar shells explode in the water and on both shores. Around 200 Black soldiers are fighting their way across to the far shore.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Our Company, Company K, was ordered to make a river crossing and cut off a key enemy supply line. We did a passable job. Those North Koreans put a pretty good fight, but we thumped ‘em good. Those big wigs up at Battalion were happy with us.Farther down the river is another Company from the 24th Infantry Regiment. Unfortunately, the fire coming from the far bank is much heavier. The black soldiers are getting cut to ribbons but they press on. They find the water is deeper and they’re trying to use rubber rafts and folding boats, but these are getting with accurate mortar fire.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The problem was, there was another Company that was supposed to cross the river a ways downstream from us. The water was deeper, the current was stronger, and the enemy was dug-in and reinforced. They got pounded like there was no tomorrow. And for too many, there wasn’t. That crossing failed. They forgot all about us and our success. The failure, that’s what got reported back in the states.A heavy barrage of mortars begin to fall in the water and on the near bank, driving the soldiers back.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
They even had a little rhyme. It wasn’t very good. “When the mortars start thuddin’ the old deuce four starts buggin’”.END FLASH BACK
Lee looks at Michael with tired eyes.
LEE
That rhyme was the start of plenty of fights.Lee heads downstairs toward the coaches.
-
Kenneth Johnson – Completed Act 3
I learned that I need to create more scenes to give the characters more chance to interact. What I have is the bare bones of the story and the character relationships.
Beginning: Over dinner, Michael tells Lee about his meeting with Melvin and feels they should talk.
Middle: He also shares that Melvin connected him with a veteran’s advocate who wants to honor all living Korean War veterans.
End: Lee explains that he doesn’t want to be honored. Tells the story of shipping out from San Francisco and arriving in Okinawa, Japan to join the 24th Infantry Regiment as a new recruit.
INT. LOCAL DINER – WINDOW BOOTH – NIGHT
Lee and Michael are looking at their menus. Lee is squinting and trying to run his finger under the words. Michael notices.
MICHAEL
Dad, it would be easier if you use your glasses.LEE
Oh, it’s just dark in here.MICHAEL
Dad…LEE
Oh, all right.Lee pulls out a pair of prescription sunglasses that he holds in front of the menu rather than putting them on. Michael starts to say something but thinks better of it.
An older waitress arrives at the table. She has a warm smile and has clearly served them before.
WAITRESS
Well hey you two. How have you been?MICHAEL
Just fine, Sally. How about you?SALLY
Keeping the masses fed. Are you ready to order?LEE
Oh, I don’t know…MICHAEL
We both know you’re going to have the Yankee Pot Roast and I’m going to have the California Club sandwich. You’re going to have an iced tea and I’m going to have a hot tea. Sound about right?LEE
Oh… I guess.Lee an Michael hand over their menus and the waitress takes them, beaming a motherly smile. She turns to leave.
WAITRESS
I’ll be back with those drinks.After a pregnant pause.
LEE
So, what’s going on?Michael pulls out Melvin’s BOOK.
MICHAEL
I found this book.Lee take sees the book and turns away.
LEE
You’re still on about this?MICHAEL
Wait, Dad, I met the author. He served in the 24th Infantry, too. He was there about the time you were. He’d like to talk to you.Michael opens the book to the fly page where there is a note to Lee. Lee takes the book, scans the note and closes the book on the table.
LEE
I don’t need anymore friends.MICHAEL
There’s one more thing, Dad. Melvin put me in touch with a woman from the U.S. State Department who is on a mission to honor every living Korean War veteran she can find.LEE
Why would she do that?MICHAEL
She’s Korean. There’s a meeting at the American Legion Post tomorrow and she’s going to be there. Will you come?LEE
You talked to this woman already, right? What did you tell her?MICHAEL
I told her what I know. I told her that you don’t sleep at night. I told her that you still wake up calling for your friends. She thinks she can help.LEE
Nobody can help. She probably thinks telling my story will ease my mind or some such non-sense. My story is like so many others.FLASH BACK
EXT. TROOP SHIP – SAN FRANCISCO BAY – DAY
A WWII liberty ship sails out past the Golden Gate Bridge loaded with troops.
EXT. TROOP SHIP – SIDE RAILING – DAY
Lee and his friends are all in their uniforms, laughing, pointing and punching each other in the shoulder.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
We were young and stupid. In basic training they tried to warn us about what we were going into, but we thought we were invincible. What did we know? Most of us had never been more than 50 miles from where we were born.EXT. TROOP SHIP – OKINAWA DOCK
Troops unload from the ship onto the dock.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
It took us just over two weeks to sail to Okinawa.EXT. U.S. ARMY CAMP – TRAINING GROUND – DAY
Lee and his fellow Black troops are lined up at attention with all of their gear, while each in turn presents his orders as the officer who steps in front of them.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
When we got there, a white Lieutenant accepted our orders and introduced us to the 24th Infantry Regiment.INT. U.S. ARMY CAMP – BARRACKS – DAY
Lee and his friends enter the barracks. The place is a mess. Guys are playing cards, drinking, and shooting craps.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
There was a lot of smoking, drinking, and drug use, but I focused on the training.EXT. U.S. ARMY CAMP – TRAINING GROUND – DAY
Lee and his friends negotiate an obstacle course as a team of four with their weapons. They also climb ropes, and practice combat with fixed bayonets.
Taking a break, Lee relaxes with a cigarette as others in the background run laps.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
I did start smoking because anyone who wasn’t part of a smoke break had to run laps while the rest of us lit up.EXT. U.S. ARMY CAMP – RIFLE RANGE – DAY
Laying in the prone position, Lee shoots his M1 Carbine rifle. The INSTRUCTOR, who is on a knee next him, pats Lee on the shoulder with a smile.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The Sergeants were really happy with the way I handled a rifle. They made me a marksmanship instructor.END FLASH BACK
The waitress is standing there holding a tray with their food, and she is completely engrossed in Lee’s story, as are the people at the two closest tables.
LEE
Three weeks later, we got our orders to go into combat. When we got those orders, the scuttlebutt had it that or Executive Officer faked a heart attack so he wouldn’t have to lead a bunch of colored boys into battle. True or not, he did not go into combat with us.Lee looks around. The waitress sets their plates down, smiles uncomfortably and quickly leaves. The folks at the other tables go back to their own business.
MICHAEL
This is exactly the kind of stuff we need to know.LEE
I’m telling you, nobody needs this.MICHAEL
This is history. Bob Marley sang about the Buffalo Soldier, and nobody around here knows that YOU were a Buffalo Soldier. You are the real thing. Please come to the meeting.LEE
It only gets worse._________________________________
Beginning: Naomi Chun, the Korean American political attache addresses the American Legion to explain how the people of South Korea revere those veterans who served in the Korean War.
Middle: Naomi meets Lee and tells him of a special program where he can come to Korea and see what his efforts allowed to be created.
End: Lee tries to decline the offer, but Naomi gets down on her knees and implores Lee to come. He grudgingly agrees. Tells how he first went into Korea.
INT. AMERICAN LEGION POST – CABARET ROOM – NIGHT
The large room is dimly lit with about 20 Legionnaires and their loved ones seated at tables finishing their dinner. NAOMI CHUN is on the stage at the head of the room standing at a lectern. She is a tall and alarmingly good-looking Korean American woman. She is standing in front of a huge movie screen that project images of what she is discussing, currently a memorial in Kansas City.
NAOMI
I’ll be honest with you, traveling across the globe to do photo ops at more than 200 Korean War memorials in every country and U.S. state where I could find them was kind of a publicity stunt. I was trying to draw attention to an important chapter in history that many refer to as the forgotten war. During the Korean War, so many gave so much and then never got the recognition given to veterans of WWII or even Vietnam. Well, I can tell you there is an entire nation that owes its very existence to these brave men and women, and it is my mission to make sure they know how much we appreciate them.There is a round of applause. Naomi smiles and nods.
Lee enters with Cheryl and sits down at a table where Michael is seated with his friend, Kevin, and his wife. All of the men are in jackets and ties, and the ladies are in evening wear.
Michael and Kevin rise to shake hands with Lee.
MICHAEL
I was afraid you weren’t going to come.CHERYL
It wasn’t easy. Let’s just say it was the traffic and leave it at that.LEE
Well, I’m here. Now what.MICHAEL
I want you to meet Naomi Chun. She’s the lady I told you about.LEE
I still don’t see the point to all of this.
Naomi has come down from the stage and has made a bee-line to Lee. The gentlemen all stand as she approaches. All except Lee who just stares her down.
NAOMI
You must be Lee.She sits down next to Lee and puts a hand on his and leans in close.
NAOMI
It is such an honor to meet you. Michael has told me a little about you. I’m so glad we have this chance to meet.There is a commotion by the stage as a photographer gathers some of the vets for a photo.
NAOMI
You must come with me. We are taking pictures with some of the other veterans. But you are special. You are the only veteran of the Korean War here tonight.Lee is spellbound and to everyone’s surprise, he willingly follows her to join the others for a picture.
KEVIN
I thought you said he didn’t like taking pictures with veterans.MICHAEL
I guess it just takes the right motivation.CHERYL
How are you going to get from pictures with vets to flying to Korea. He’s not going along with that.MICHAEL
We have a plan.When the pictures are done, Naomi waves for Michael to join them. When Michael joins them, Naomi takes both of their hands but speaks directly to Lee.
NAOMI
I heard your time in Korea was hard. Your memories are not good ones. Your whole unit was wiped-out. But because of your sacrifice we have a country. We want you to know what an honor it is simply to be in your presence.Naomi takes a step back, lowers herself to her knees and bows to gently touch her head to the floor. She raises up, still kneeling and looks Lee in the eye.
NAOMI
We want you to come to Seoul. You will be our guest.Flummoxed, Lee looks around the room then looks to Michael.
LEE
Well, I don’t know.MICHAEL
Sounds like a pretty amazing opportunity.Naomi stands.
NAOMI
There is no cost. And Michael can accompany you. Will you come?LEE
Can I think about it?MICHAEL
What’s to think about? It doesn’t get much better than this.LEE
Maybe, maybe not. The last time I was in Korea things were a lot worse.FLASH BACK
EXT. KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – ROAD – DAY
The Black soldiers march with their weapons as big six by six trucks drive by hauling equipment with artillery pieces towed behind.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The first thing they told us was we had to walk into battle. Trucks are for equipment. And talking about equipment, everything we had was surplus left over from WWII.EXT. KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – CAMP – TWILIGHT
Lee cleans his old M1 Carbine rifle. Another soldier opens canned meat that looks like dog food.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Our weapons, our uniforms, even our field rations. Some of the stuff we had was close to ten years old.EXT. KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – NIGHT
Lee and three other soldiers move warily through the underbrush with four more soldiers not far behind. All have their rifles at the ready.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The toughest part was our assigned duty. Our job was to go out at night to where HQ thought the enemy might be.Their Sergeant holds up a fist and they all stop. Then they all drop down. He pulls out a map and a small red flashlight. He taps Lee on the shoulder and points. Lee levels his weapon and fires one shot. Suddenly, the night is filled with gunfire. The Sergeant is handed a phone and he calls in the coordinates. He then orders a headlong retreat.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
We were to trigger an ambush, call in an artillery mission on our own position, and then run like hell. That was our job. Night after night: live bait.Artillery shells arrive to devastate the area where they had been crouching.
END FLASH BACK
LEE
I guess I could go back.Naomi gives Michael a not sure kind of look before confidently speaking to Lee.
NAOMI
This will be something special.____________________________
Beginning: Lee and Michael clear customs at Inchon Airport and are greeted by their hosts.
Middle: Through the introductions, the photos and the gold neckerchiefs of honor, Lee sees some of the Korean War vets and he is uncomfortable, lets Michael do the talking.
End: They ride into Seoul on luxuriously appointed coach and stop at an expensive restaurant for a lavish banquet. Lee won’t touch the Korean food. Instead he pulls out packets of cheese and crackers that he brought from home.
INT. INCHON AIRPORT – LOBBY – DAY
Lee and Michael come out of customs into the brightly lit cavernous lobby of the airport. They are met with two young Korean PHOTOGRAPHERS, a man and a woman, both spotting long dreadlocks and smiling warmly as they click away.
An impeccably dressed Korean MAN and WOMAN approach Lee and Michael. This is PASTOR CHUN and KAREN PARK, elders with the local Christian mega church that is hosting the veterans on behalf of the South Korean government.
PASTOR CHUN
Are you Lee Jones and Michael Jones.The Church Elder extends his hand. Lee just looks at him. Michael steps between them and shakes hands.
MICHAEL
Yes, this is Lee and I am Michael, his son.He looks deeply into Lee’s eye, almost as if he is bearing his soul.
PASTOR CHUN
It is my honor to greet you as you return to this land for which you sacrifice so much.The other church elder has an arm full of long yellow scarves held with a single golden ring. She opens a scarf wide between her hands and places it over Lee’s head and onto his shoulders. She does the same for Michael.
MICHAEL
Oh wait, I’m not a vet.KAREN
You are his son. You do him honor by being here. So we are happy to honor you as well.Michael is touched.
MICHAEL
I really wasn’t expecting that.Karen has a clipboard which she marks off as she move Lee and Michael to join the rest of the group.
Lee leans over to Michael and says very quietly.
LEE
I don’t see any other Black people here.MICHAEL
Don’t worry about it, Dad. I’m sure there will be some other folks along.Lee sees some of the other veterans are there wearing their Korean War uniforms. This makes Lee very uncomfortable.
Karen and Pastor Chun herd everyone together for a group picture.
LEE
Don’t make me pose with them.MICHAEL
We’ll just go on this side. OK?Michael moves Lee away from the uniformed vets.
The two dreadlocked photographers snap away as Lee tries to blend in with the wallpaper.
EXT. INCHON AIRPORT BUS LOADING ZONE— DAY
The group of about 40 veterans and their families board three luxuriously appointed coaches for the trip into Seoul.
EXT. SOUTH KOREAN HIGHWAY – DAY
The coach cruise along immaculately clean highways with no trash and no graffiti.
INT. LUXURY COACH – DAY
Michael and Lee relax in the finely stitched white leather seats and take in the view of the countryside and small towns along the way. Lee still looks like a fish out of water.
EXT. RESTAURANT A – DAY
The very well dressed Korean church members guide their guests off of the coaches and into the restaurant.
INT. RESTAURANT A – DINING ROOM – DAY
Everyone finds seats around a huge circular table. Pastor Chun and several other local and national dignitaries get up to make speeches as sumptuous meal of Korean delicacies is laid out before them.
Lee won’t touch it. Instead he pulls out packets of cheese and crackers that he brought from home. Michael sees this and is not please. He speaks quickly in hushed tones.
MICHAEL
Is this some kind of protest?LEE
I don’t know what that is.MICHAEL
This is obviously a very expensive meal. Would you at least try some of the beef? You like beef, right?LEE
No.Lee gets up and walks into the bar.
INT. RESTAURANT A – BAR – DAY
The bar is empty. Lee sits on a bar stool. Michael just stands there looking at him.
MICHAEL
What are you doing, Dad?LEE
I don’t like it here. I don’t like this. I want to go home.MICHAEL
We just got here. Can you give it a chance?LEE
It was bad when I was here before. Seemed like every time I turned around somebody was shootin’ at us. But I suppose there were good day, too.FLASH BACK
EXT. KOREAN VILLAGE – DAY
Lee and seven other Black soldier on patrol move through a village. A couple of the kids have a ball made from a goat bladder and they are kicking it around. Lee slings his rifle and joins in. More kids come to watch and play.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The best part for me was dealing with the locals. They seemed to like us OK. I mean they weren’t shootin’ at us and they weren’t tellin’ on us. At least I don’t think they were.Sitting down, Lee gives a couple of the kid some of his Hershey bar. The kids are fascinated and the parents are curious.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
When I figured out they had never had chocolate before, I got my buddies to give up their Hershey bars, too.Other members of the patrol pull out their Hershey bars and share.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The kid’s parents got a kick out of the whole thing. That was a good day. Nobody died.The adults in the village offer tea and share their food with the Lee and his patrol.
END FLASH BACK
INT. RESTAURANT A – BAR – DAY
Lee goes back to the dining room to listen to the speeches.
Michael follows not sure what to make of any of this.
-
Kenneth Johnson – Act 3 Turning Point
I learned that a scene has a way of building itself to the necessary specifications, sort of like the room of requirement in the Harry Potter series.
Beginning: Lee and Michael clear customs at Inchon Airport and are greeted by their hosts.
Middle: Through the introductions, the photos and the gold neckerchiefs of honor, Lee sees some of the Korean War vets and he is uncomfortable, lets Michael do the talking.
End: They ride into Seoul on luxuriously appointed coach and stop at an expensive restaurant for a lavish banquet. Lee won’t touch the Korean food. Instead he pulls out packets of cheese and crackers that he brought from home.
INT. INCHON AIRPORT – LOBBY – DAY
Lee and Michael come out of customs into the brightly lit cavernous lobby of the airport. They are met with two young Korean PHOTOGRAPHERS, a man and a woman, both spotting long dreadlocks and smiling warmly as they click away.
An impeccably dressed Korean MAN and WOMAN approach Lee and Michael. This is PASTOR CHUN and KAREN PARK, elders with the local Christian mega church that is hosting the veterans on behalf of the South Korean government.
PASTOR CHUN
Are you Lee Jones and Michael Jones.The Church Elder extends his hand. Lee just looks at him. Michael steps between them and shakes hands.
MICHAEL
Yes, this is Lee and I am Michael, his son.He looks deeply into Lee’s eye, almost as if he is bearing his soul.
PASTOR CHUN
It is my honor to greet you as you return to this land for which you sacrifice so much.The other church elder has an arm full of long yellow scarves held with a single golden ring. She opens a scarf wide between her hands and places it over Lee’s head and onto his shoulders. She does the same for Michael.
MICHAEL
Oh wait, I’m not a vet.KAREN
You are his son. You do him honor by being here. So we are happy to honor you as well.Michael is touched.
MICHAEL
I really wasn’t expecting that.Karen has a clipboard which she marks off as she move Lee and Michael to join the rest of the group.
Lee leans over to Michael and says very quietly.
LEE
I don’t see any other Black people here.MICHAEL
Don’t worry about it, Dad. I’m sure there will be some other folks along.Lee sees some of the other veterans are there wearing their Korean War uniforms. This makes Lee very uncomfortable.
Karen and Pastor Chun herd everyone together for a group picture.
LEE
Don’t make me pose with them.MICHAEL
We’ll just go on this side. OK?Michael moves Lee away from the uniformed vets.
The two dreadlocked photographers snap away as Lee tries to blend in with the wallpaper.
EXT. INCHON AIRPORT BUS LOADING ZONE— DAY
The group of about 40 veterans and their families board three luxuriously appointed coaches for the trip into Seoul.
EXT. SOUTH KOREAN HIGHWAY – DAY
The coach cruise along immaculately clean highways with no trash and no graffiti.
INT. LUXURY COACH – DAY
Michael and Lee relax in the finely stitched white leather seats and take in the view of the countryside and small towns along the way. Lee still looks like a fish out of water.
EXT. RESTAURANT A – DAY
The very well dressed Korean church members guide their guests off of the coaches and into the restaurant.
INT. RESTAURANT A – DINING ROOM – DAY
Everyone finds seats around a huge circular table. Pastor Chun and several other local and national dignitaries get up to make speeches as sumptuous meal of Korean delicacies is laid out before them.
Lee won’t touch it. Instead he pulls out packets of cheese and crackers that he brought from home. Michael sees this and is not please. He speaks quickly in hushed tones.
MICHAEL
Is this some kind of protest?LEE
I don’t know what that is.MICHAEL
This is obviously a very expensive meal. Would you at least try some of the beef? You like beef, right?LEE
No.Lee gets up and walks into the bar.
INT. RESTAURANT A – BAR – DAY
The bar is empty. Lee sits on a bar stool. Michael just stands there looking at him.
MICHAEL
What are you doing, Dad?LEE
I don’t like it here. I don’t like this. I want to go home.MICHAEL
We just got here. Can you give it a chance?LEE
It was bad when I was here before. Seemed like every time I turned around somebody was shootin’ at us. But I suppose there were good day, too.FLASH BACK
EXT. KOREAN VILLAGE – DAY
Lee and seven other Black soldier on patrol move through a village. A couple of the kids have a ball made from a goat bladder and they are kicking it around. Lee slings his rifle and joins in. More kids come to watch and play.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The best part for me was dealing with the locals. They seemed to like us OK. I mean they weren’t shootin’ at us and they weren’t tellin’ on us. At least I don’t think they were.Sitting down, Lee gives a couple of the kid some of his Hershey bar. The kids are fascinated and the parents are curious.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
When I figured out they had never had chocolate before, I got my buddies to give up their Hershey bars, too.Other members of the patrol pull out their Hershey bars and share.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The kid’s parents got a kick out of the whole thing. That was a good day. Nobody died.The adults in the village offer tea and share their food with the Lee and his patrol.
END FLASH BACK
INT. RESTAURANT A – BAR – DAY
Lee goes back to the dining room to listen to the speeches. Michael follows not sure what to make of any of this.
-
Kenneth Johnson – Act 3 Middle Scenes
What I learned has to do with having more of my characters motivations revealed in the process of telling the story. I know what my characters want to achieve and where they will end up, but the “why” of it really is becoming more and more fascinating.
Beginning: Naomi Chun, the Korean American political attache addresses the American Legion to explain how the people of South Korea revere those veterans who served in the Korean War.
Middle: Naomi meets Lee and tells him of a special program where he can come to Korea and see what his efforts allowed to be created.
End: Lee tries to decline the offer, but Naomi gets down on her knees and implores Lee to come. He grudgingly agrees. Tells how he first went into Korea.
INT. AMERICAN LEGION POST – CABARET ROOM – NIGHT
The large room is dimly lit with about 20 Legionnaires and their loved ones seated at tables finishing their dinner. NAOMI CHUN is on the stage at the head of the room standing at a lectern. She is a tall and alarmingly good-looking Korean American woman. She is standing in front of a huge movie screen that project images of what she is discussing, currently a memorial in Kansas City.
NAOMI
I’ll be honest with you, traveling across the globe to do photo ops at more than 200 Korean War memorials in every country and U.S. state where I could find them was kind of a publicity stunt. I was trying to draw attention to an important chapter in history that many refer to as the forgotten war. During the Korean War, so many gave so much and then never got the recognition given to veterans of WWII or even Vietnam. Well, I can tell you there is an entire nation that owes its very existence to these brave men and women, and it is my mission to make sure they know how much we appreciate them.There is a round of applause. Naomi smiles and nods.
Lee enters with Cheryl and sits down at a table where Michael is seated with his friend, Kevin, and his wife. All of the men are in jackets and ties, and the ladies are in evening wear.
Michael and Kevin rise to shake hands with Lee.
MICHAEL
I was afraid you weren’t going to come.CHERYL
It wasn’t easy. Let’s just say it was the traffic and leave it at that.LEE
Well, I’m here. Now what.MICHAEL
I want you to meet Naomi Chun. She’s the lady I told you about.LEE
I still don’t see the point to all of this.
Naomi has come down from the stage and has made a bee-line to Lee. The gentlemen all stand as she approaches. All except Lee who just stares her down.
NAOMI
You must be Lee.She sits down next to Lee and puts a hand on his and leans in close.
NAOMI
It is such an honor to meet you. Michael has told me a little about you. I’m so glad we have this chance to meet.There is a commotion by the stage as a photographer gathers some of the vets for a photo.
NAOMI
You must come with me. We are taking pictures with some of the other veterans. But you are special. You are the only veteran of the Korean War here tonight.Lee is spellbound and to everyone’s surprise, he willingly follows her to join the others for a picture.
KEVIN
I thought you said he didn’t like taking pictures with veterans.MICHAEL
I guess it just takes the right motivation.CHERYL
How are you going to get from pictures with vets to flying to Korea. He’s not going along with that.MICHAEL
We have a plan.When the pictures are done, Naomi waves for Michael to join them. When Michael joins them, Naomi takes both of their hands but speaks directly to Lee.
NAOMI
I heard your time in Korea was hard. Your memories are not good ones. Your whole unit was wiped-out. But because of your sacrifice we have a country. We want you to know what an honor it is simply to be in your presence.Naomi takes a step back, lowers herself to her knees and bows to gently touch her head to the floor. She raises up, still kneeling and looks Lee in the eye.
NAOMI
We want you to come to Seoul. You will be our guest.Flummoxed, Lee looks around the room then looks to Michael.
LEE
Well, I don’t know.MICHAEL
Sounds like a pretty amazing opportunity.Naomi stands.
NAOMI
There is no cost. And Michael can accompany you. Will you come?LEE
Can I think about it?MICHAEL
What’s to think about? It doesn’t get much better than this.LEE
Maybe, maybe not. The last time I was in Korea things were a lot worse.FLASH BACK
EXT. KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – ROAD – DAY
The Black soldiers march with their weapons as big six by six trucks drive by hauling equipment with artillery pieces towed behind.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The first thing they told us was we had to walk into battle. Trucks are for equipment. And talking about equipment, everything we had was surplus left over from WWII.EXT. KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – CAMP – TWILIGHT
Lee cleans his old M1 Carbine rifle. Another soldier opens canned meat that looks like dog food.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Our weapons, our uniforms, even our field rations. Some of the stuff we had was close to ten years old.EXT. KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – NIGHT
Lee and three other soldiers move warily through the underbrush with four more soldiers not far behind. All have their rifles at the ready.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The toughest part was our assigned duty. Our job was to go out at night to where HQ thought the enemy might be.Their Sergeant holds up a fist and they all stop. Then they all drop down. He pulls out a map and a small red flashlight. He taps Lee on the shoulder and points. Lee levels his weapon and fires one shot. Suddenly, the night is filled with gunfire. The Sergeant is handed a phone and he calls in the coordinates. He then orders a headlong retreat.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
We were to trigger an ambush, call in an artillery mission on our own position, and then run like hell. That was our job. Night after night: live bait.Artillery shells arrive to devastate the area where they had been crouching.
END FLASH BACK
LEE
I guess I could go back.Naomi gives Michael a not sure kind of look before confidently speaking to Lee.
NAOMI
This will be something special. -
Kenneth Johnson – Act 3 Reaction to Midpoint
What I learned this time is simply to keep making time to write. It is easy to let my responsibilities overwhelm the time I have set aside to write. Need to work on this everyday come heck or high-water!
Beginning: Over dinner, Michael tells Lee about his meeting with Melvin and feels they should talk.
Middle: He also shares that Melvin connected hime with a veteran’s advocate who wants to honor all living Korean War veterans.
End: Lee explains that he doesn’t want to be honored. Tells the story of shipping out from San Francisco and arriving in Okinawa, Japan to join the 24th Infantry Regiment as a new recruit.
INT. LOCAL DINER – WINDOW BOOTH – NIGHT
Lee and Michael are looking at their menus. Lee is squinting and trying to run his finger under the words. Michael notices.
MICHAEL
Dad, it would be easier if you use your glasses.LEE
Oh, it’s just dark in here.MICHAEL
Dad…LEE
Oh, all right.Lee pulls out a pair of prescription sunglasses that he holds in front of the menu rather than putting them on. Michael starts to say something but thinks better of it.
An older waitress arrives at the table. She has a warm smile and has clearly served them before.
WAITRESS
Well hey you two. How have you been?MICHAEL
Just fine, Sally. How about you?SALLY
Keeping the masses fed. Are you ready to order?LEE
Oh, I don’t know…MICHAEL
We both know you’re going to have the Yankee Pot Roast and I’m going to have the California Club sandwich. You’re going to have an iced tea and I’m going to have a hot tea. Sound about right?LEE
Oh… I guess.Lee an Michael hand over their menus and the waitress takes them, beaming a motherly smile. She turns to leave.
WAITRESS
I’ll be back with those drinks.After a pregnant pause.
LEE
So, what’s going on?Michael pulls out Melvin’s BOOK.
MICHAEL
I found this book.Lee take sees the book and turns away.
LEE
You’re still on about this?MICHAEL
Wait, Dad, I met the author. He served in the 24th Infantry, too. He was there about the time you were. He’d like to talk to you.Michael opens the book to the fly page where there is a note to Lee. Lee takes the book, scans the note and closes the book on the table.
LEE
I don’t need anymore friends.MICHAEL
There’s one more thing, Dad. Melvin put me in touch with a woman from the U.S. State Department who is on a mission to honor every living Korean War veteran she can find.LEE
Why would she do that?MICHAEL
She’s Korean. There’s a meeting at the American Legion Post tomorrow and she’s going to be there. Will you come?LEE
You talked to this woman already, right? What did you tell her?MICHAEL
I told her what I know. I told her that you don’t sleep at night. I told her that you still wake up calling for your friends. She thinks she can help.LEE
Nobody can help. She probably thinks telling my story will ease my mind or some such non-sense. My story is like so many others.FLASH BACK
EXT. TROOP SHIP – SAN FRANCISCO BAY – DAY
A WWII liberty ship sails out past the Golden Gate Bridge loaded with troops.
EXT. TROOP SHIP – SIDE RAILING – DAY
Lee and his friends are all in their uniforms, laughing, pointing and punching each other in the shoulder.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
We were young and stupid. In basic training they tried to warn us about what we were going into, but we thought we were invincible. What did we know? Most of us had never been more than 50 miles from where we were born.EXT. TROOP SHIP – OKINAWA DOCK
Troops unload from the ship onto the dock.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
It took us just over two weeks to sail to Okinawa.EXT. U.S. ARMY CAMP – TRAINING GROUND – DAY
Lee and his fellow Black troops are lined up at attention with all of their gear, while each in turn presents his orders as the officer who steps in front of them.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
When we got there, a white Lieutenant accepted our orders and introduced us to the 24th Infantry Regiment.INT. U.S. ARMY CAMP – BARRACKS – DAY
Lee and his friends enter the barracks. The place is a mess. Guys are playing cards, drinking, and shooting craps.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
There was a lot of smoking, drinking, and drug use, but I focused on the training.EXT. U.S. ARMY CAMP – TRAINING GROUND – DAY
Lee and his friends negotiate an obstacle course as a team of four with their weapons. They also climb ropes, and practice combat with fixed bayonets.
Taking a break, Lee relaxes with a cigarette as others in the background run laps.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
I did start smoking because anyone who wasn’t part of a smoke break had to run laps while the rest of us lit up.EXT. U.S. ARMY CAMP – RIFLE RANGE – DAY
Laying in the prone position, Lee shoots his M1 Carbine rifle. The INSTRUCTOR, who is on a knee next him, pats Lee on the shoulder with a smile.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The Sergeants were really happy with the way I handled a rifle. They made me a marksmanship instructor.END FLASH BACK
The waitress is standing there holding a tray with their food, and she is completely engrossed in Lee’s story, as are the people at the two closest tables.
LEE
Three weeks later, we got our orders to go into combat. When we got those orders, the scuttlebutt had it that or Executive Officer faked a heart attack so he wouldn’t have to lead a bunch of colored boys into battle. True or not, he did not go into combat with us.Lee looks around. The waitress sets their plates down, smiles uncomfortably and quickly leaves. The folks at the other tables go back to their own business.
MICHAEL
This is exactly the kind of stuff we need to know.LEE
I’m telling you, nobody needs this.MICHAEL
This is history. Bob Marley sang about the Buffalo Soldier, and nobody around here knows that YOU were a Buffalo Soldier. You are the real thing. Please come to the meeting.LEE
It only gets worse. -
Kenneth Johnson – Has Completed Act 2 Draft 1
What I learned this time out is how it is still satisfying to see my characters interact and care about each other even in this high speed writing atmosphere where we are only going for 20% quality. The sensation is actually kind of weird.
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Michael bustles in flinging his backpack on the kitchen counter in frustration and he all but rips off his jacket. All of this much to the surprise of his daughter, ANNETTE, who has books and handwritten notes surrounding her laptop on the kitchen table. Annette is 16 years old and just as perky and attractive as her mother just younger and more angst-ridden.
ANNETTE
Easy Daddy! You’ll break something like that.Michael sees her and calms himself.
MICHAEL
Sorry baby-dumplin’. I just don’t know what I’m doing at the moment.ANNETTE
Can you not know some place else? I’ve got to finish my history report.Michael pulls a bottle of fruit smoothie out of the refrigerator and cracks it open.
MICHAEL
Do you have to do your homework in the kitchen?ANNETTE
Well SOMEBODY took over a bedroom and turned it into a private study so the room I’m sharing with my sisters is kind of busy right now and this is the quietest place for me to work.Cheryl comes into the kitchen.
CHERYL
How’d it go with your dad?MICHAEL
He shut me down. He refused to say anything about his time in the Korean War.CHERYL
Well I hope you’ve got a plan “B”.MICHAEL
I need to figure out a different approach. Maybe start with some researchCHERYL
I heard somewhere that writers do research as an excuse not to write.MICHAEL
Very funny.Annette looks at them both and sighs in disgust. She grabs a pair of headphones out of her schoolbag, cranks the music and buries her nose in a book.
Michael notices the books that Annette is studying are on the Vietnam War. He pulls an earphone away from her ear.
MICHAEL
Annette, what would it take to get you to change the topic of your report?She recoils and takes off the headphones.
ANNETTE
Why would I do that.CHERYL
Yes, why would she do that? The thing’s do on Monday.To Annette.
MICHAEL
I’ll make it worth your while.Michael’s cellphone rings and he answers.
MICHAEL
Oh, hi Kevin… meet you at the Post? What’s up?… OK, about ten minutes. Bye.Michael ends the call.
To Cheryl.
MICHAEL
Cheryl, would you please invite Dad over for dinner?CHERYL
Dinner? I don’t think I want to be a part of trying to deceive your father. And I don’t think you should be dragging your daughter into this.MICHAEL
You want me to write this thing and get paid, right?ANNETTE
It’s OK, Mom. I’m actually kind of intrigued.MICHAEL
That’s my girl! He loves pot roast. I’ll be right back.___________________________
EXT. AMERICAN LEGION POST – ESTABLISHING – DAY
Michael’s car pulls into the driveway of the post.
INT. AMERICAN LEGION POST – BAR – DAY
Kevin is sitting at the bar wearing his Sons of the American Legion cover (a light blue hat).
Michael enters and sits down at the bar.
KEVIN
Hey, Michael. I wasn’t sure if Cheryl would let you get away.MICAHEL
She let me off the leash while she gets thing ready for my dad.The bartender sets two martinis in front of them.
MICHAEL
You know I really was not planning on having a drink. Things are a little tight.KEVIN
I know. I got it.Kevin throws some cash on the bar for the bartender. He takes off his cover and sips his martini.
KEVIN
You really should become a member here.MICHAEL
I’m not a veteran.KEVIN
But your father is. You can join the Sons of the American Legion. Lots of folks are in the film business. Plenty of networking opportunities. We just need to see his DD-214 and we will be happy to induct you into the Sons.MICHAEL
DD-214, those are his discharge papers, right? I’ve never seen his discharge papers. That’s another thing to ask him about.Then Kevin leans in and speaks quietly.
KEVIN
Listen. I did a little research on your father’s unit. They got some pretty bad press during the Korean War.MICHAEL
What sort of bad press?KEVIN
You name it. Drugs, gambling, prostitutes, but the biggest one was…A group of Legionnaires walk by. One claps Kevin on the should.
LEGIONNAIRE #1
Come on, Kevin. The business meeting is about to start and we need you for a quorum. Kevin is swept up in a tide of people adjusting their covers while trying not to spill their drinks.KEVIN
We’ll talk later. I’ll fill you in.INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Michael arrives to find Lee sitting at the dining tables with Cheryl, Annette, and two more of Michael’s daughters. CHRIS and LIZ, both older than Annette.
Cheryl is dishing the plates and Lee is smiling and laughing with his granddaughters.
LEE
When I was in school we didn’t have computers and such. In our little schoolhouse we barely had books. So, what are you girls studying right now?Michael locks eyes with Annette for a moment.
ANNETTE
We’re studying a section on modern warfare.LEE
Modern warfare, huh?ANNETTE
I’m doing my report on the Korean War.LEE
That’s not very modern. That was 70 years ago.Michael sits down at the table and starts to dish his plate.
CHERYL
I was wondering when you might be joining us , especially seeing as this was your idea.Lee stops and looks over at Michael, a little wary.
MICHAEL
I brought some chocolate cake for dessert.LEE
I’ll make sure to eat some.ANNETTE
So, Grandfather, Dad said your regiment was special. Why was it special?LEE
My regiment was all-Black.LIZ
Wait a minute. We learned that president Truman desegregated the U.S. armed forces in 1948. The Korean War didn’t start until 1950.LEE
The 24th Infantry Regiment was created by Congress after the Civil War as an all-Black regiment. They did that so former slaves could feel like contributing members of society. It would take an act of Congress and a whole bunch of hateful white people to make it go away.The room goes quiet. Lee is clearly irritated.
MICHAEL
Dad, I don’t want you to feel like (we’re putting you on the spot)…Lee heatedly cuts him off.
LEE
I know what I feel like. I feel like my family is ganging up on me to tell a story that just doesn’t need to be told. I feel like you don’t know me. And the worst part is I feel like you don’t even care.ANNETTE
Grandfather, can you give me anything for my report?LEE
Like I told your father this morning, nothing good can come from talking about what went on in that war. Just getting there was hard. And getting ready for it was even harder.FLASHBACK
EXT. POCATELLO TRAIN STATION – DAY
LEE
(VO Narration)
All my friends and relatives saw me off at the Pocatello train station. There were a bunch of other boys who got drafted, too. We all got on the train.EXT./INT. PASSENGER TRAIN – DAY
Lee and other Black men excitedly watch the countryside roll by outside the window.
LEE
(VO Narration)
The train trip to Fort Benning, Georgia was almost three days but we had our own train car just for coloreds. We all were pretty stirred up seeing as none of us had been much out of Pocatello before. Let alone going halfway across the country.EXT. FORT BENNING – TRAINING GROUND – DAY
The Black recruits go through all of their training with white recruits in the distance doing the same thing.
LEE
(VO Narration)
When we got to Fort Benning we did our training apart from the rest of the recruits. We trained hard. Calisthenics, running, obstacle courses, weapons training, and lots of marching.INT. FORT BENNING – BARRACKS – DAY
Lee and other recruits clean their weapons. Shine their shoes. Play cards. Shoot the breeze and do a lot of laughing. White MPs walk by outside, looking sternly into the barracks.
LEE
(VO Narration)
When we had leave we were not allowed to go into town, we had to stay on the base, in our little area. They must have figured we’d just get directly into trouble if we set foot off the base.INT./EXT. PASSENGER TRAIN – DAY
Lee holds a shelf of yellow pages that are his ORDERS which he folds and puts in the breast pocket of his crisply pressed brown Army uniform. He looks out the window with young Black soldiers.
LEE
(VO Narration)
The day came when we finished our training and got our orders to ship out to Japan from San Francisco.EXT. POCATELLO BAPTIST CHURCH – DAY
Lee and two other uniformed soldiers proudly pose with their families in front of the local church.
LEE
(VO Narration)
A few of us made a side trip back to Pocatello to say good-bye.END FLASHBACK
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Everyone around the table is utterly rapt by Lee’s story.
LEE
And that was the easy part. It all goes to hell after that. Cheryl, I’d appreciate it if you save me a piece of that cake.Lee throws Michael a dark look and leaves.
_________________________________
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – STUDY – NIGHT
Michael sits a bit dejectedly at his computer. He does searches on the 24th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Division. Lots of black and white photos come up. The photos show Black soldiers firing weapons, manning machine-gun nests, and loading artillery. Michael also finds battlefield reports with words like ILL-EQUIPPED, INEPT, AND DEFICIENT. Then he sees the word STRAGGLING in almost every document.
In his search, Michael comes across a recently published book about the 24th. In the bio he finds that the author is a veteran of the 24th from the same time that Lee was there. Michael dashes off an email asking to talk.
Cheryl slips into the room and from behind she wraps her arms around Michael’s shoulders and gives him a squeeze.
MICHAEL
I had no idea there was so much negative stuff written about Dad’s regiment. I mean official reports that are just full of stereotypical, bigoted descriptions of these Black soldiers in combat.CHERYL
Maybe that’s why your dinner idea tanked so hard.MICHAEL
Maybe Dad’s right. Maybe I don’t really know him. At least not as well as I think.CHERYL
So, you’re still trying to write this thing?MICHAEL
I don’t have a choice.Cheryl leans back hands Michael a BROCHURE with and attached APPLICATION. It is for a senior transportation company.
CHERYL
I know you said you flat out did not want to do the ride hailing thing. But this is a reputable company with set hours and a regular salary.MICHAEL
Look Cheryl, I need time to get this done.CHERYL
And I need another paycheck coming in here. We’re already doing triage on what gets paid and what doesn’t. It looks like your father has no plans to even talk to you anymore, let alone tell you his war stories!There is the PING of a new incoming email. It’s from MELVIN JAKES, the author of the book about the 24th. It says he’s happy to talk and there is a phone number.
MICHAEL
I’ll look it over.Michael gets up and hustles out the door.
CHERYL
You better do more than look it over!EXT. MELVIN JAKES’ HOUSE – DAY
Michael walks up the steps and knocks on the door of a classic 1940s Spanish style bungalow with a red tile roof.
The door opens behind a security screen and a tiny, hunched-over, white-hair Black man answers the door.
MICHAEL
Mr. Jakes?MELVIN
You must be Jones. Come in.INT. MELVIN JAKES’ HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Lightly touching the carpet with his cane, Melvin picks his way carefully to an overstuffed chair with a depression that is perfectly fitted to his small frame.
MELVIN
Take a load off. The wife made a pitcher of Tom Collins. I will admit to a bit of a sweet tooth.Michael sits on the nearby couch as Melvin hands him a drink from a platter on the end table between them.
MICHAEL
Thank you Mr. Jakes.MELVIN
Melvin’s good. So, you want to talk to me about the war?MICHAEL
Well sir, I’m working on a screenplay about my father’s experience during the Korean. The problem is he doesn’t want to talk about it.MELVIN
He was with the 24th was he?MICHAEL
Yes, sir.MELVIN
Well I can understand the man’s reluctance. The 24th had a bad reputation. You have not read my book?MICHAEL
No, I haven’t. Can you tell me what straggling is?Melvin pulls out a copy of his book, produces a black sharpie and begins to write on the fly page as he speaks.
MELVIN
The Uniform Code of Military Justice describes it as “A service member who becomes separated from his organizational unit during a march, a training exercise, or military maneuver,” that man is straggling. But for us, it was a nice way of saying you deserted your post, or never showed up to that post. It went from catches some extra sack time when you’re supposed to be doing calisthenics with your squad, all the way to having drinks with your buddies when you’re supposed to be walkin’ guard duty. There was some of that going on, but it got magnified in the reports. Made it sound like every last one of us was doin’ it.MICHAEL
What was the problem with the 24th?MELVIN
We were Black. They put white officers in charge of us. Those officers consider the assignment to be a punishment. Hell, when we were set to ship out of Okinawa to the Korean theater of war, our Executive Officer faked a heart attack just to avoid leading a bunch of colored boys into battle. So, what everybody heard back in the States was we were a bunch of brainless baboons, not knowin’ which end of the gun the bullets came out of.MICHAEL
But you saw combat. The 24th saw combat, right?MELVIN
We saw combat. Actually, we were under fire most of the time we were in country. We did our part. But that’s not what the reports said.MICHAEL
What did the reports say?MELVIN
They said we were cowards.The two men sit in silence for moment, considering Melvin’s last words. Melvin closes the book he just signed and hands it to Michael.
MELVIN
I know of someone who can maybe help you. -
Kenneth Johnson – Act 2 TP – The Midpoint
I learned that the shift in the focus of the journey adds intensity and interest to the story.Beginning: Michael does some research on his computer about the 24th Infantry Regiment in Korea. Among the archival photos and Army reports Michael find s a recently published book about the 24th and contacts the author.
Middle: Michael meets with the author in his home in Los Angeles and he tells about how the 24th was treated .
End: The book’s author suggests to Michael why Lee might not want to talk about the 24th Infantry Regiment.
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – STUDY – NIGHT
Michael sits a bit dejectedly at his computer. He does searches on the 24th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Division. Lots of black and white photos come up. The photos show Black soldiers firing weapons, manning machine-gun nests, and loading artillery. Michael also finds battlefield reports with words like ILL-EQUIPPED, INEPT, AND DEFICIENT. Then he sees the word STRAGGLING in almost every document.
In his search, Michael comes across a recently published book about the 24th. In the bio he finds that the author is a veteran of the 24th from the same time that Lee was there. Michael dashes off an email asking to talk.
Cheryl slips into the room and from behind she wraps her arms around Michael’s shoulders and gives him a squeeze.
MICHAEL
I had no idea there was so much negative stuff written about Dad’s regiment. I mean official reports that are just full of stereotypical, bigoted descriptions of these Black soldiers in combat.CHERYL
Maybe that’s why your dinner idea tanked so hard.MICHAEL
Maybe Dad’s right. Maybe I don’t really know him. At least not as well as I think.CHERYL
So, you’re still trying to write this thing?MICHAEL
I don’t have a choice.Cheryl leans back hands Michael a BROCHURE with and attached APPLICATION. It is for a senior transportation company.
CHERYL
I know you said you flat out did not want to do the ride hailing thing. But this is a reputable company with set hours and a regular salary.MICHAEL
Look Cheryl, I need time to get this done.CHERYL
And I need another paycheck coming in here. We’re already doing triage on what gets paid and what doesn’t. It looks like your father has no plans to even talk to you anymore, let alone tell you his war stories!There is the PING of a new incoming email. It’s from MELVIN JAKES, the author of the book about the 24th. It says he’s happy to talk and there is a phone number.
MICHAEL
I’ll look it over.Michael gets up and hustles out the door.
CHERYL
You better do more than look it over!EXT. MELVIN JAKES’ HOUSE – DAY
Michael walks up the steps and knocks on the door of a classic 1940s Spanish style bungalow with a red tile roof.
The door opens behind a security screen and a tiny, hunched-over, white-hair Black man answers the door.
MICHAEL
Mr. Jakes?MELVIN
You must be Jones. Come in.INT. MELVIN JAKES’ HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Lightly touching the carpet with his cane, Melvin picks his way carefully to an overstuffed chair with a depression that is perfectly fitted to his small frame.
MELVIN
Take a load off. The wife made a pitcher of Tom Collins. I will admit to a bit of a sweet tooth.Michael sits on the nearby couch as Melvin hands him a drink from a platter on the end table between them.
MICHAEL
Thank you Mr. Jakes.MELVIN
Melvin’s good. So, you want to talk to me about the war?MICHAEL
Well sir, I’m working on a screenplay about my father’s experience during the Korean. The problem is he doesn’t want to talk about it.MELVIN
He was with the 24th was he?MICHAEL
Yes, sir.MELVIN
Well I can understand the man’s reluctance. The 24th had a bad reputation. You have not read my book?MICHAEL
No, I haven’t. Can you tell me what straggling is?Melvin pulls out a copy of his book, produces a black sharpie and begins to write on the fly page as he speaks.
MELVIN
The Uniform Code of Military Justice describes it as “A service member who becomes separated from his organizational unit during a march, a training exercise, or military maneuver,” that man is straggling. But for us, it was a nice way of saying you deserted your post, or never showed up to that post. There was some of that going on, but it got magnified in the reports.MICHAEL
What was the problem with the 24th?MELVIN
We were Black. They put white officers in charge of us. Those officers consider the assignment to be a punishment. Hell, when we were set to ship out of Okinawa to the Korean theater of war, our Executive Officer faked a heart attack just to avoid leading a bunch of colored boys into battle.MICHAEL
But you saw combat. The 24th saw combat, right?MELVIN
We saw combat. We were under fire most of the time we were in country. We did our part. But that’s not what the reports said.MICHAEL
What did the reports say?MELVIN
They said we were cowards.Melvin hands the signed book to Michael.
MELVIN
I know of someone who can maybe help you. -
Kenneth Johnson – Act 2 Middle Scenes
What I learned from this lesson is how much I enjoy writing when I just let go and stop worrying about quality and getting everything just right. Writing with the knowledge that I will be coming back to adjust is rather liberating.
Beginning: Michael meets with his friend at the bar in the American Legion Post where his friends reveals the bad press that he found on Lee’s unit during the war.
Middle: Lee to come over for dinner and Annette asks Lee to help her with her history report. Lee smells a rat. Lee gives Annette a very perfunctory and superficial overview of his service.
End: Lee tells about the train trip to Georgia and his basic training at Fort Benning
EXT. AMERICAN LEGION POST – ESTABLISHING – DAY
Michael’s car pulls into the driveway of the post.
INT. AMERICAN LEGION POST – BAR – DAY
Kevin is sitting at the bar wearing his Sons of the American Legion cover (a light blue hat).
Michael enters and sits down at the bar.
KEVIN
Hey, Michael. I wasn’t sure if Cheryl would let you get away.MICAHEL
She let me off the leash while she gets thing ready for my dad.The bartender sets two martinis in front of them.
MICHAEL
You know I really was not planning on having a drink. Things are a little tight.KEVIN
I know. I got it.Kevin throws some cash on the bar for the bartender. He takes off his cover and sips his martini.
KEVIN
You really should become a member here.MICHAEL
I’m not a veteran.KEVIN
But your father is. You can join the Sons of the American Legion. Lots of folks are in the film business. Plenty of networking opportunities. We just need to see his DD-214 and we will be happy to induct you into the Sons.MICHAEL
DD-214, those are his discharge papers, right? I’ve never seen his discharge papers. That’s another thing to ask him about.Then Kevin leans in and speaks quietly.
KEVIN
Listen. I did a little research on your father’s unit. They got some pretty bad press during the Korean War.MICHAEL
What sort of bad press?KEVIN
You name it. Drugs, gambling, prostitutes, but the biggest one was…A group of Legionnaires walk by. One claps Kevin on the should.
LEGIONNAIRE #1
Come on, Kevin. The business meeting is about to start and we need you for a quorum. Kevin is swept up in a tide of people adjusting their covers while trying not to spill their drinks.KEVIN
We’ll talk later. I’ll fill you in.INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Michael arrives to find Lee sitting at the dining tables with Cheryl, Annette, and two more of Michael’s daughters. CHRIS and LIZ, both older than Annette.
Cheryl is dishing the plates and Lee is smiling and laughing with his granddaughters.
ANNETTE
And then we started studying a section on modern warfare.LEE
Modern warfare, huh?ANNETTE
I’m doing my report on the Korean War.LEE
That’s not very modern. That was 70 years ago.Michael sits down at the table and starts to dish his plate.
CHERYL
I was wondering when you might be joining us , especially seeing as this was your idea.Lee stops and looks over at Michael, a little wary.
MICHAEL
I brought some chocolate cake for dessert.LEE
I’ll make sure to eat some.ANNETTE
So, Grandfather, Dad said your regiment was special. Why was it special?LEE
My regiment was all-Black.LIZ
Wait a minute. We learned that president Truman desegregated the U.S. armed forces in 1948. The Korean War didn’t start until 1950.LEE
The 24th Infantry Regiment was created by Congress after the Civil War as an all-Black regiment. It would take an act of Congress and a whole bunch of hateful white people to make it go away.The room goes quiet. Lee is clearly irritated.
LEE
Like I told your father this morning, nothing good can come from talking about what went on in that war. Just getting there was hard. And getting ready for it was even harder.FLASHBACK
EXT. POCATELLO TRAIN STATION – DAY
LEE
(VO Narration)
All my friends and relatives saw me off at the Pocatello train station. There were a bunch of other boys who got drafted, too. We all got on the train.EXT./INT. PASSENGER TRAIN – DAY
Lee and other Black men excitedly watch the countryside roll by outside the window.
LEE
(VO Narration)
The train trip to Fort Benning, Georgia was almost three days but we had our own train car just for coloreds. We all were pretty stirred up seeing as none of us had been much out of Pocatello before. Let alone going halfway across the country.EXT. FORT BENNING – TRAINING GROUND – DAY
The Black recruits go through all of their training with white recruits in the distance doing the same thing.
LEE
(VO Narration)
When we got to Fort Benning we did our training apart from the rest of the recruits. We trained hard. Calisthenics, running, obstacle courses, weapons training, and lots of marching.INT. FORT BENNING – BARRACKS – DAY
Lee and other recruits clean their weapons. Shine their shoes. Play cards. Shoot the breeze and do a lot of laughing. White MPs walk by outside, looking sternly into the barracks.
LEE
(VO Narration)
When we had leave we were not allowed to go into town, we had to stay on the base, in our little area. They must have figured we’d just get directly into trouble if we set foot off the base.INT./EXT. PASSENGER TRAIN – DAY
Lee holds a shelf of yellow pages that are his ORDERS which he folds and puts in the breast pocket of his crisply pressed brown Army uniform. He looks out the window with young Black soldiers.
LEE
(VO Narration)
The day came when we finished our training and got our orders to ship out to Japan from San Francisco.EXT. POCATELLO BAPTIST CHURCH – DAY
Lee and two other uniformed soldiers proudly pose with their families in front of the local church.
LEE
(VO Narration)
A few of us made a side trip back to Pocatello to say good-bye.END FLASHBACK
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Everyone around the table is utterly rapt by Lee’s story.
LEE
And that was the easy part. It all goes to hell after that. Cheryl, I’d appreciate it if you save me a piece of that cake.Lee throws Michael a dark look and leaves.
-
Kenneth Johnson – Act 2 Reaction to TP 1
I learned that I need to incorporate a little more conflict to keep things interesting.
Beginning: Michael goes home to lick his wounds and figure out his next move.
Middle: Notices daughter’s history report is on Vietnam War.
End: Michael gets her to change her report to the Korean War so she can interview Lee about his experience in the war.INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Michael bustles in flinging his backpack on the kitchen counter in frustration and he all but rips off his jacket. All of this much to the surprise of his daughter, ANNETTE, who has books and handwritten notes surrounding her laptop on the kitchen table. Annette is 16 years old and just as perky and attractive as her mother just younger and more angst-ridden.
ANNETTE
Easy Daddy! You’ll break something like that.Michael sees her and calms himself.
MICHAEL
Sorry baby-dumplin’. I just don’t know what I’m doing at the moment.ANNETTE
Can you not know some place else? I’ve got to finish my history report.Michael pulls a bottle of fruit smoothie out of the refrigerator and cracks it open.
MICHAEL
Do you have to do your homework in the kitchen?ANNETTE
Well SOMEBODY took over a bedroom and turned it into a private study so the room I’m sharing with my sisters is kind of busy right now and this is the quietest place for me to work.Cheryl comes into the kitchen.
CHERYL
How’d it go with your dad?MICHAEL
He shut me down. He refused to say anything about his time in the Korean War.CHERYL
Well I hope you’ve got a plan “B”.MICHAEL
I need to figure out a different approach. Maybe start with some researchCHERYL
I heard somewhere that writers do research as an excuse not to write.MICHAEL
Very funny.Annette looks at them both and sighs in disgust. She grabs a pair of headphones out of her schoolbag, cranks the music and buries her nose in a book.
Michael notices the books that Annette is studying are on the Vietnam War.
MICHAEL
Annette, what would it take to get you to change the topic of your report?ANNETTE
Why would I do that.CHERYL
Yes, why would she do that? The thing’s do on Monday.MICHAEL
I’ll make it worth your while. -
Kenneth Johnson – Finish Act 1
What I learned this time out was the importance of sticking to the high speed writing steps and not looking to be perfect or have all of the answers because that is what had been stopping me from writing this story in the first place.
MONTAGE
INT. DESIGN OFFICE – DAY
We meet MICHAEL as a young man in his 20s fresh out of college. He works at an angled drafting table with other designers looking on as his employer comes to talk with him.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
When I was a young man, fresh out of college, one of my instructors in Commercial Design hired me to work in his design shop. After nearly a year my boss and mentor told me that if I was serious about working in Advertising, then I would need to move to either New York or Chicago.EXT. CHICAGO SKYLINE – DAY
Well, I chose Chicago.
INT. TELEVISION STUDIO – DAY
Michael comfortably walks around the set of a daytime talk show with a clipboard in his hand and a stopwatch around his neck giving direction.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
Once in Chicago I found that I hated Advertising and everything surrounding it. Then I accidentally got a job as a TV Producer. Turns out I was really good at writing for television.EXT. SKY – DAY
An airliner brings Michael back to Los Angeles in a brilliant blue sky over pristine white clouds.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
So, I figured I needed to go home to L.A. which is like the capital of writing for television and movies.INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
It is clearly a heated phone conversation that LEE is having with his ex-wife, Michael’s mother who is insisting that Lee let him stay there. We see Michael standing by the front door with his luggage in hand. Lee scowls.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
The problem was that I couldn’t move back in with my mom, but I didn’t have money for an apartment. So, everybody said I should move in with my dad. That is everybody except my dad. He was not happy, but he said yes.EXT. LEE’S HOUSE – FRONT DRIVEWAY – DAY
Michael has the hood up on his 1972 Volvo 142E. He is intently working on his engine with his small toolkit and socket set. Lee watches from the window and is pleased.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
He wanted noting to do with me. I had been raised by “that woman” and thus, ruined. Then Dad saw me working on my car and noticed I had my own set of tool. He inspected my tools, found them lacking and bought me what he felt I needed. Now we had something to talk about.INT. LEE’S HOUSE – CRAWLSPACE – DAY
Under the house, Lee and Michael are in coveralls and work with a pipe cutter and propane torch as Lee shows him how to do a copper re-pipe.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
Dad started getting me to assist him on projects around the house. From small electrical fixes to a full copper re-pipe of his house. The best part was when he found out how big of an NFL fan I was. We stopped everything for pro football games.END MONTAGE
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
TE 1: Michael and Lee drink too much beer watching Monday Night Football. They laugh, munch snacks, and make fun of the sideline reporter.Then an Army recruitment commercial comes on the TV. Lee gets quiet and somber.
COMMERCIAL SINGERS
“Be all that you can be, in the Army!”LEE
Be all that you can be… you can be dead.Michael is still smiling, uncomfortable with the sudden mood shift.
MICHAEL
OK, not sure where you’re going with this, Dad?As Lee tells the story we start to hear the very low sounds of gunfire, explosions, men shouting, bayonets clashing and mud sloshing.
LEE
I was in the Army. In the Korean War, 1951. I saw first hand what “we could be” in the Army. They claimed president Truman integrated the Army, well they didn’t tell our unit. The 24th Infantry Regiment was all-Black. And we were treated that way. Right up until everybody died. When our troops pushed up too close to the border with China, they sent a million Chinese soldiers right at us. The rest of the U.S. Army pulled out. Retreated. Didn’t tell us. 200 men in my Company. Cut off. Surrounded. Over run. Slaughtered.MICHAEL
How did you make it out?LEE
I didn’t. I’m still there._______________________
INT. MOVIE STUDIO – OFFICE – DAY
This is a well-appointed corner office with a sweeping view of West L.A. The studio development executives, KYLE and TUCKER, both have that expensive casual look that only guys in their late 20s seem to be able to make work. Michael and his agent, JERRY sit attentively listening.
KYLE
We liked the idea of your script, but we’re going to pass on it.MICHAEL
Wait, what? You guys were loving this. What do you need changed?JERRY
It’s a good project. We’re happy to re-write to make it fit.TUCKER
Yes, it’s a good project. It’s going to find a home. Just not here.MICHAEL
What about the horror idea?KYLE
Yeah, that ones a concept with possibilities, but right now we don’t see that one paying off.There is a gentle knock at the door and in walks WELDON JAMES, the head of the studio. Gray hair, fit and trim in a button down shirt and sport coat. They all start to stand.
WELDON
No, no, don’t get up. Just need to see Kyle for a secondWeldon hands Kyle a sheaf of papers.
WELDON
I like what you did with this. It’s approved. Just get all the signatures so legal is happy.Weldon turns and moves to shake hands.
WELDON
Mike, Jerry. Good to see you again. Did you bring us something good?Jerry reaches over and squeezes Michael’s arm.
JERRY
Do the thing. You know. The war thing.Weldon leans in with interest.
WELDON
You have a concept for a war movie?Michael pitches his father’s Korean War story.
WELDON
I like it.Kyle and Tucker quickly agree.
Michael looks a bit shell shocked. Jerry is all smiles.
OUTLINE – Reaction to Inciting Incident
Beginning – Michael sits in front of his computer screen with a black page.
Middle – His wife comes in wanting to know how his meeting went and remind him of how tight their money is.
End – Michael decides he needs to get Lee to tell him more about what happened in Korea.
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – STUDY – DAY
Michael sits down at his desk and wakes up his computer. He opens a document and stares at the flashing cursor on the large BLANK white page. He stares. His fingers are poised over the keys, unmoving.
His wife, Cheryl, walks in absently looking through the mail.CHERYL
You know I think I like the emailed bills better. You don’t get the funny look from the mailman when he hands you the ones marked, “past due.”Michael continues to stare at the blank screen.
CHERYL
Hello, are you in there.Michael slumps a bit.
MICHAEL
Hello darling.CHERYL
Well?MICHAEL
Well, what?CHERYL
What happened in your meeting with Kyle?MICHAEL
I got a project.Cheryl is genuinely surprised.
CHERYL
Oh my god! That is wonderful. Is the horror piece. You worked so hard on that. I knew you’d get some traction with it!MICHAEL
No, they didn’t like “The Foolish Dead.” They thought it was… foolish. Weldon was there.Cheryl doesn’t quite believe this.
CHERYL
The head of the studio was in your little pitch meeting?MICHAEL
Yes, and he thinks it’s the right time for a war movie.CHERYL
But you don’t have a war movie script. You don’t even have a war movie story.MICHAEL
I have my dad’s story.CHERYL
You don’t know his story. You’ve got that one moment of his service where everybody dies. What is that, like five minutes of a script?Michael stares straight into the blank screen and types, FADE IN.
MICHAEL
Guess I’m gonna’ have to talk to my dad._________________________
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Lee let’s Michael in the front door. Lee is older and much more crotchety, but glad to see Michael.
MICHAEL
Hi Dad. I’ve got great news.LEE
Oh?They walk through to the kitchen. There is a pot of tea on the table. Lee grabs another cup for Michael and they sit down at the table.
MICHAEL
It’s your story. I’m going to write your story.LEE
What are you talking about?MICHAEL
It’s perfect, Dad. They had the piece on the Tuskegee Airmen, and the one about the Civil War troops, you know, “Glory.” Now we can do a movie about the 24th Infantry Regiment, the last all-Black unit in the United States Army!LEE
Aah, nobody needs to know that story.Michael keeps ploughing ahead as if Lee said nothing.
MICHAEL
It’s history. And the climax is full of drama. We will have audiences on the edge of their seats.LEE
Nobody cares about the Korean War, boy. Nobody even remembers it. They care even less about the folks who fought it. Just let it be. Leave it alone.Michael has opened his backpack and places an expensive looking digital recorder on the table, plugs in a microphone on a stand and places it in front of Lee. Lee testily sips his tea while Michael carefully adjusts the microphone. He taps the microphone and watches the two channel meters on the recorder bounce.
MICHAEL
I put together a few questions. These are open-ended questions that are just meant to get you going.Michael hands a sheet of paper to Lee. Lee sees that there are 20 questions. He sees that the questions are focused on his experience under fire in Korea. Lee crumples the sheet of questions and drops it on the table.
Michael has been in motion this whole time. He freezes.
MICHAEL
What are you doing?LEE
I don’t want to. I’m not going to. You can’t make me.MICHAEL
Why not?LEE
There’s so much. Too much. My life was good before all of this. All of this mess. Yeah, it was hard times, but it was still good for us.MICHAEL
FLASHBACK
EXT. WOODS – MORNING
It is the 1950s and Lee is a young man on a deer hunt with his father, LOUIS. They both carry rifles as they move carefully through the brush until Louis sights a 10 point buck and guides Lee through taking the shot.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Pocatello, Idaho was surrounded by forest. I would get out there with your grandfather and bring down a buck that would feed my brothers and sisters for a good two months. There was plenty of game and fishing and that stretched Pop’s paycheck. Those were good days.EXT. LAKE – MORNING
Lee and Louis sit quietly in a small skiff with their poles over opposite side, sipping coffee and taking in the stillness and the grandeur of the forested mountains on all sides.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The last day of my good life was fishin’ with pop. The last day I was really happy.INT. JONES FAMILY HOME – KITCHEN – DAY
Lee and Louis enter with their poles and the trout they caught. With trepidation, Lee’s mother, Mae, hands him a letter from the Department of War. Lee opens it to find a DRAFT NOTICE.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
And then everything just went to hell.END FLASHBACK
-
Kenneth Johnson – Turning Point 1 Scenes
What I learned is that my characters need a little more time to get to know each other so the audience can believe they have known each other for over 40 years,
OUTLINE – Turning Point
Beginning – Michael explains to Lee that he want to write his Korean War story and make a script out it. Lee is not on board with this, but doesn’t know how to stop Michael who is very enthusiastic about this.
Middle – Michael sets up his digital recorder and microphone at Lee’s kitchen table and tries to start the interview.
End – Lee shuts Michael down and flatly refuses to have his story told as a script or any other way. Lee then tells a story to explain why he doesn’t want his story told.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Lee let’s Michael in the front door. Lee is older and much more crotchety, but glad to see Michael.
MICHAEL
Hi Dad. I’ve got great news.LEE
Oh?They walk through to the kitchen. There is a pot of tea on the table. Lee grabs another cup for Michael and they sit down at the table.
MICHAEL
It’s your story. I’m going to write your story.LEE
What are you talking about?MICHAEL
It’s perfect, Dad. They had the piece on the Tuskegee Airmen, and the one about the Civil War troops, you know, “Glory.” Now we can do a movie about the 24th Infantry Regiment, the last all-Black unit in the United States Army!LEE
Aah, nobody needs to know that story.Michael keeps ploughing ahead as if Lee said nothing.
MICHAEL
It’s history. And the climax is full of drama. We will have audiences on the edge of their seats.LEE
Nobody cares about the Korean War, boy. Nobody even remembers it. They care even less about the folks who fought it. Just let it be. Leave it alone.Michael has opened his backpack and places an expensive looking digital recorder on the table, plugs in a microphone on a stand and places it in front of Lee. Lee testily sips his tea while Michael carefully adjusts the microphone. He taps the microphone and watches the two channel meters on the recorder bounce.
MICHAEL
I put together a few questions. These are open-ended questions that are just meant to get you going.Michael hands a sheet of paper to Lee. Lee sees that there are 20 questions. He sees that the questions are focused on his experience under fire in Korea. Lee crumples the sheet of questions and drops it on the table.
Michael has been in motion this whole time. He freezes.
MICHAEL
What are you doing?LEE
I don’t want to. I’m not going to. You can’t make me.MICHAEL
Why not?LEE
There’s so much. Too much. My life was good before all of this. All of this mess. Yeah, it was hard times, but it was still good for us.MICHAEL
FLASHBACK
EXT. WOODS – MORNING
It is the 1950s and Lee is a young man on a deer hunt with his father, LOUIS. They both carry rifles as they move carefully through the brush until Louis sights a 10 point buck and guides Lee through taking the shot.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
Pocatello, Idaho was surrounded by forest. I would get out there with your grandfather and bring down a buck that would feed my brothers and sisters for a good two months. There was plenty of game and fishing and that stretched Pop’s paycheck. Those were good days.EXT. LAKE – MORNING
Lee and Louis sit quietly in a small skiff with their poles over opposite side, sipping coffee and taking in the stillness and the grandeur of the forested mountains on all sides.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
The last day of my good life was fishin’ with pop. The last day I was really happy.INT. JONES FAMILY HOME – KITCHEN – DAY
Lee and Louis enter with their poles and the trout they caught. With trepidation, Lee’s mother, Mae, hands him a letter from the Department of War. Lee opens it to find a draft notice.
LEE
(V.O. Narration)
And then everything just went to hell.END FLASHBACK
-
Kenneth Johnson – Inciting Incident
What I learned with this assignment – I found that I need to give the supporting characters a bit more of personal arc to give them more motivation and better dialogue.
OUTLINE – Inciting Incident
Beginning – Michael sits down with the studio executives. They are going to pass on the finished script. They also don’t see much of a pay off with the horror idea that he just pitched.
Middle – The head of the studio interrupts to talk with one of the executives. Greets Michael. Asks if he’s brought them something good. Agent gets Michael to pitch Lee’s story.
End – The studio head thinks it’s a good idea.
INT. MOVIE STUDIO – OFFICE – DAY
This is a well-appointed corner office with a sweeping view of West L.A. The studio development executives, KYLE and TUCKER, both have that expensive casual look that only guys in their late 20s seem to be able to make work. Michael and his agent, JERRY sit attentively listening.
KYLE
We liked the idea of your script, but we’re going to pass on it.MICHAEL
Wait, what? You guys were loving this. What do you need changed?JERRY
It’s a good project. We’re happy to re-write to make it fit.TUCKER
Yes, it’s a good project. It’s going to find a home. Just not here.MICHAEL
What about the horror idea?KYLE
Yeah, that ones a concept with possibilities, but right now we don’t see that one paying off.There is a gentle knock at the door and in walks WELDON JAMES, the head of the studio. Gray hair, fit and trim in a button down shirt and sport coat. They all start to stand.
WELDON
No, no, don’t get up. Just need to see Kyle for a secondWeldon hands Kyle a sheaf of papers.
WELDON
I like what you did with this. It’s approved. Just get all the signatures so legal is happy.Weldon turns and moves to shake hands.
WELDON
Mike, Jerry. Good to see you again. Did you bring us something good?Jerry reaches over and squeezes Michael’s arm.
JERRY
Do the thing. You know. The war thing.Weldon leans in with interest.
WELDON
You have a concept for a war movie?Michael pitches his father’s Korean War story.
WELDON
I like it.Kyle and Tucker quickly agree.
Michael looks a bit shell shocked. Jerry is all smiles.
OUTLINE – Reaction to Inciting Incident
Beginning – Michael sits in front of his computer screen with a black page.
Middle – His wife comes in wanting to know how his meeting went and remind him of how tight their money is.
End – Michael decides he needs to get Lee to tell him more about what happened in Korea.
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – STUDY – DAY
Michael sits down at his desk and wakes up his computer. He opens a document and stares at the flashing cursor on the large BLANK white page. He stares. His fingers are poised over the keys, unmoving.
His wife, Cheryl, walks in absently looking through the mail.CHERYL
You know I think I like the emailed bills better. You don’t get the funny look from the mailman when he hands you the ones marked, “past due.”Michael continues to stare at the blank screen.
CHERYL
Hello, are you in there.Michael slumps a bit.
MICHAEL
Hello darling.CHERYL
Well?MICHAEL
Well, what?CHERYL
What happened in your meeting with Kyle?MICHAEL
I got a project.Cheryl is genuinely surprised.
CHERYL
Oh my god! That is wonderful. Is the horror piece. You worked so hard on that. I knew you’d get some traction with it!MICHAEL
No, they didn’t like “The Foolish Dead.” They thought it was… foolish. Weldon was there.Cheryl doesn’t quite believe this.
CHERYL
The head of the studio was in your little pitch meeting?MICHAEL
Yes, and he thinks it’s the right time for a war movie.CHERYL
But you don’t have a war movie script. You don’t even have a war movie story.MICHAEL
I have my dad’s story.CHERYL
You don’t know his story. You’ve got that one moment of his service where everybody dies. What is that, like five minutes of a script?Michael stares straight into the blank screen and types, FADE IN.
MICHAEL
Guess I’m gonna’ have to talk to my dad. -
Kenneth Johnson – Act 1 Opening Scenes
What I learned is it is very difficult to let go of old ways. I naturally try to get the best quality out of my writing. It is hard to go for speed over quality.
MONTAGEINT. DESIGN OFFICE – DAY
We meet MICHAEL as a young man in his 20s fresh out of college. He works at an angled drafting table with other designers looking on as his employer comes to talk with him.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
When I was a young man, fresh out of college, one of my instructors in Commercial Design hired me to work in his design shop. After nearly a year my boss and mentor told me that if I was serious about working in Advertising, then I would need to move to either New York or Chicago.EXT. CHICAGO SKYLINE – DAY
Well, I chose Chicago.
INT. TELEVISION STUDIO – DAY
Michael comfortably walks around the set of a daytime talk show with a clipboard in his hand and a stopwatch around his neck giving direction.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
Once in Chicago I found that I hated Advertising and everything surrounding it. Then I accidentally got a job as a TV Producer. Turns out I was really good at writing for television.EXT. SKY – DAY
An airliner brings Michael back to Los Angeles in a brilliant blue sky over pristine white clouds.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
So, I figured I needed to go home to L.A. which is like the capital of writing for television and movies.INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
It is clearly a heated phone conversation that LEE is having with his ex-wife, Michael’s mother who is insisting that Lee let him stay there. We see Michael standing by the front door with his luggage in hand. Lee scowls.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
The problem was that I couldn’t move back in with my mom, but I didn’t have money for an apartment. So, everybody said I should move in with my dad. That is everybody except my dad. He was not happy, but he said yes.EXT. LEE’S HOUSE – FRONT DRIVEWAY – DAY
Michael has the hood up on his 1972 Volvo 142E. He is intently working on his engine with his small toolkit and socket set. Lee watches from the window and is pleased.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
He wanted noting to do with me. I had been raised by “that woman” and thus, ruined. Then Dad saw me working on my car and noticed I had my own set of tool. He inspected my tools, found them lacking and bought me what he felt I needed. Now we had something to talk about.INT. LEE’S HOUSE – CRAWLSPACE – DAY
Under the house, Lee and Michael are in coveralls and work with a pipe cutter and propane torch as Lee shows him how to do a copper re-pipe.
MICHAEL
(VO Narration)
Dad started getting me to assist him on projects around the house. From small electrical fixes to a full copper re-pipe of his house. The best part was when he found out how big of an NFL fan I was. We stopped everything for pro football games.END MONTAGE
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
TE 1: Michael and Lee drink too much beer watching Monday Night Football. They laugh, munch snacks, and make fun of the sideline reporter.Then an Army recruitment commercial comes on the TV. Lee gets quiet and somber.
COMMERCIAL SINGERS
“Be all that you can be, in the Army!”LEE
Be all that you can be… you can be dead.Michael is still smiling, uncomfortable with the sudden mood shift.
MICHAEL
OK, not sure where you’re going with this, Dad?As Lee tells the story we start to hear the very low sounds of gunfire, explosions, men shouting, bayonets clashing and mud sloshing.
LEE
I was in the Army. In the Korean War, 1951. I saw first hand what “we could be” in the Army. They claimed president Truman integrated the Army, well they didn’t tell our unit. The 24th Infantry Regiment was all-Black. And we were treated that way. Right up until everybody died. When our troops pushed up too close to the border with China, they sent a million Chinese soldiers right at us. The rest of the U.S. Army pulled out. Retreated. Didn’t tell us. 200 men in my Company. Cut off. Surrounded. Over run. Slaughtered.MICHAEL
How did you make it out?LEE
I didn’t. I’m still there. -
Kenneth Johnson – Beat Sheet Draft 2
What I learned is that I actually did most of this assignment in the previous assignment. Still moving forward!
Act 1:
MONTAGE
INT. DESIGN OFFICE – DAY
We meet MICHAEL as a young man in his 20s fresh out of college. He works at an angled drafting table with other designers looking on as his employer and mentor fires him.
INT. TELEVISION STUDIO – DAY
Michael has forgiven himself for being fired from his last job. He comfortably walks around the set of a daytime talk show with a clipboard in his hand and a stopwatch around his neck giving direction.
EXT. SKY – DAY
An airliner brings Michael back to Los Angeles in a brilliant blue sky over pristine white clouds.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
It is clearly a heated phone conversation that LEE is having with his ex-wife, Michael’s mother who is insisting that Lee let him stay there. We see Michael standing by the front door with his luggage in hand. Lee scowls.
EXT. LEE’S HOUSE – FRONT DRIVEWAY – DAY
Michael has the hood up on his 1972 Volvo 142E. He is intently working on his engine with his small toolkit and socket set. Lee watches from the window and is pleased.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – CRAWLSPACE – DAY
Under the house, Lee and Michael are in coveralls and work with a pipe cutter and propane torch as Lee shows him how to do a copper re-pipe.
END MONTAGE
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
TE 1: Michael and Lee drink too much beer watching Monday Night Football. An Army recruitment commercial incites Lee to tell about his Company of 200 men getting wiped-out during the Korean War. Through tears he told how only he and two other guys survived. Even drunk, Michael is shocked.
20 YEARS LATER
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – MORNING
Michael is in running clothes preparing a quick bite to eat. His perky but unhappy wife CHERYL gives him a hard time about his writing not covering expenses and maybe he should get a regular job.
EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH – BIKE PATH – MORNING
Michael and his two running buddies TIM and KEVIN jog along the path and discuss Michael’s troubles. Kevin tries to console Michael over his recent string of writing project rejections. Tim suggests he write his father’s war story. Michael doesn’t think that would work because he only knows about the one battle.
INT. MOVIE STUDIO – OFFICE – DAY
Inciting Incident – In a studio pitch meeting no one is interested in the projects Michael has to offer. He pitches Lee’s Korean War story in desperation. The studio loves it.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Turning Point – Lee is older and much more crotchety. Ignoring Lee’s gentle declines of his offer, Michael tries to get Lee to sit down for an interview to get details of his Korean War story. Lee flatly and angrily refuses to tell his story, but tells a little of the story to show why it should not be told.
FLASHBACK
EXT. WOODS – MORNING
It is the 1950s and Lee is a young man on a deer hunt with his father, LOUIS. They both carry rifles as they move carefully through the brush, until Louis sights a 10 point buck and guides Lee through taking the shot.
EXT. LAKE – MORNING
Lee and Louis sit quietly in a small skiff with their poles over opposite side, sipping coffee and taking in the stillness and the grandeur of the forested mountains on all sides.
INT. JONES FAMILY HOME – KITCHEN – DAY
Lee and Louis enter with their poles and the trout they caught. With trepidation, Lee’s mother, Mae, hands him a letter from the Department of War. Lee opens it to find a draft notice.
END FLASHBACK
Act 2:
EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH – BIKE PATH – MORNING
New plan – Michael is at a loss for what to do next. His running buddies, Tim and Kevin, help him to hatch a plan to get his daughter to change her History class report from the Vietnam War to the Korean War.
EXT. LEE’S HOUSE – BACKYARD – DAY
Plan in action – Lee and Michael sit on the patio with Michael’s daughter, ANNETTE. Lee gives some background on the 24th Infantry Regiment to his granddaughter until he realizes what Michael is up and testily shuts it down. He then adds some parts of the story so she can finish her report.
FLASHBACK
EXT. POCATELLO TRAIN STATION – DAY
Lee’s family and friends fill the platform waving as Lee and his fellow inductees are separated. The Black men are sent to the back of the train to the “colored” section.
EXT. FORT BENNING – DAY
Lee and the other recruits go through basic training. Lee impresses the Sergeants with how well he handles a rifle. They make him a marksmanship instructor.
END FLASHBACK
INT. AMERICAN LEGION HALL – DAY
Midpoint Turning Point – Michael’s running buddy, Kevin, is with the American Legion. He introduces Michael to an advocate for Korean War veterans who wants to honor those vets before they die by bringing them to South Korea.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Michael pitches the all-expense paid trip to Seoul for the two of them to Lee. Lee hates the idea. Tells Michael about the last time he was taken to Korea.
FLASHBACK
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO BAY – LIBERTY SHIP – DAY
Lee stands shoulder to shoulder with other Black soldiers at the ship’s railing. They watch the city recede in the distance as they set out to sea for the next three weeks.
EXT. DAY – OKINAWA U.S. ARMY BASE – DAY
Lee and the other new recruits meet up with the 24th Infantry Regiment. They see the drinking, smoking, and drug use. Lee took up smoking because anyone who didn’t had to run laps during smoke breaks. They all train and learn the unit’s combat tactics. Then they all get loaded on a ship bound for Korea.
END FLASHBACK
INT. AMERICAN LEGION HALL – NIGHT
Lee grudgingly comes to the American Legion Hall with Michael and his family for a presentation by the beautiful Korean War veterans advocate. During the presentation, the advocate gets down on her knees, bows her head to the floor, rises and passionately requests that Lee accept the invitation to come to Korea.
Act 3:
INT. INCHON AIRPORT – BAGGAGE CLAIM – DAY
Rethink everything – Michael and Lee, along with 30 other Korean War veterans, are brought to Seoul with the highest honors and first class luxury. South Koreans believe they would not have a country without the bravery of these veterans. Lee is hating every moment.
INT. EXPENSIVE SEOUL RESTAURANT – DAY
The Korean hosts present a sumptuous banquet of Korean delicacies. Lee won’t touch it. Out of his pocket Lee pulls packets of cheese and crackers he brought from home. Michael wants to know why Lee is being so rude. Lee tells him how the 24th Infantry was treated in Korea.
FLASHBACK
EXTERIOR – KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – BIVOUAC – NIGHT
Lee and his fellow soldier prepare for a night patrol. They complain bitterly about their WWII surplus weapons, uniforms, and even their field rations.
EXTERIOR – KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – NIGHT
Lee’s patrol moves in the dark to deliberately trigger an ambush, call in an artillery strike on their own position, and then run like hell. That was their job, night after night. Live bait.
END FLASHBACK
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – LEE & MICHAEL’S SUITE – NIGHT
Lee and Michael are in their queen beds supposedly sleeping, but Michael is wide awake, horrified. In his sleep, Lee is sweating, thrashing and loudly reliving a battle that is not going well.
EXT. SEOUL CITY STREET – DAY
Michael is out for a run on the early morning streets of Seoul. On the phone with his friends half way around the world back at home he comes up with another plan.
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – BALLROOM – DAY
New plan – Over a lavish breakfast buffet that even Lee can’t turn up his nose at, Michael speaks privately with their Korean hosts to get their help in telling Lee’s war story. They will make Lee part of a documentary for the Korean War Museum to get Lee to open up about his Korean War service.
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – LEE & MICHAEL’S SUITE – NIGHT
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Their South Korean hosts show up in their hotel suite with an entire documentary crew. Lee feels completely betrayed by Michael. Seething, Lee tells an innocuous story of “Bed Check Charlie.” The North Koreans would fly over their camp at one or two in the morning in these old Russian biplanes and randomly drop hand grenades and then leave. They caused a whole bunch of chaos in the camp and nobody would get any sleep. Lee confronts Michael vowing to die with his story before storming out.
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – BAR – NIGHT
Michael finds Lee sitting in the bar sipping tea. Michael tries to apologize and wants to know if it was really that relentlessly bad?
FLASHBACK
The best part of the patrols was dealing with the locals. They seemed to like G.I.s OK. Lee gave his Hershey bars to some kids in one of the villages they passed through. When he figured out they had never had chocolate before, he got his buddies to give up their Hershey bars, too. The kid’s parents got a kick out of the whole thing. That was a good day. Nobody died.
END FLASHBACK
Act 4:
SEOUL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – AUDITORIUM – NIGHT
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – Michael feels failure is at hand, but he has a stroke of inspiration, or luck or both. At the farewell dinner for the veterans, the four-star General in command of all U.S. forces in South Korean is there and Michael introduces himself. Michael tells him about his father, and the General knows the history of the 24th Infantry Regiment, knows how they were mistreated, and knows how they died. The General talks to Lee, renders a salute, shakes his hand, and thanks him for his service. Lee is moved. Michael and Lee step outside and through tears Lee tells the final terrible part of his Korean War service.
FLASHBACK
The worst part of my time in Korea was the Chinese spring offensive of 1951. We were winning. We pushed the North Korean forces all the way up around the Yalu river bordering China. Well China didn’t like that. They quietly infiltrated the area with more than a million soldiers disguised as refugees. They struck in three waves. Our unit, Company K with 200 men of the 24th Regiment, was moving up a valley floor. The white mechanized units were up on the ridges on either side covering our flanks. They got word of the wave of Chinese soldiers and made a retreat. They never mentioned anything to us Black soldiers down in the valley. We got with no support. We were encircled pretty quickly. We hunkered down and dug our foxholes. We held our ground and fought to a stalemate. But there were too many of them. Our officers were killed and we ran out of ammunition. We made some grenade and bayonet attacks, but our guys were cut down or driven back until it was just hand to hand fighting where the man you killed breathed his last breath in your face. When the sun came up I was back in my foxhole with my buddy’s body torn apart next to me. I saw the Chinese soldiers walking through our casualties, checking to see if anyone was alive. When they found a live one, they shot him where he lay. They weren’t taking any prisoners. I played dead. I lay there in my foxhole in the mud and played dead.
END FLASHBACK
EXT. LAKE – MORNING
Resolution – Lee and Michael sit quietly in a small skiff with their poles over opposite sides of the boat, sipping coffee and taking in the stillness and the grandeur of the forested mountains on all sides. Lee writes the script and sells it, saving his home and perhaps his marriage.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT
Lee finally gets a good night’s sleep.
-
Kenneth Johnson – Beat Sheet and High Speed Writing
what I learned from this lesson is about letting go of old ways and embracing new ways of stimulating not just creativity but also stimulating getting the words on the page.
Act 1:
MONTAGEINT. DESIGN OFFICE – DAY
We meet MICHAEL as a young man in his 20s fresh out of college. He works at an angled drafting table with other designers looking on as his employer and mentor fires him.
INT. TELEVISION STUDIO – DAY
Michael comfortably walks around the set of a daytime talk show with a clipboard in his hand and a stopwatch around his neck giving direction.
EXT. SKY – DAY
An airliner brings Michael back to Los Angeles in a brilliant blue sky over pristine white clouds.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
It is clearly a heated phone conversation that LEE is having with his ex-wife, Michael’s mother who is insisting that Lee let him stay there. We see Michael standing by the front door with his luggage in hand. Lee scowls.
EXT. LEE’S HOUSE – FRONT DRIVEWAY – DAY
Michael has the hood up on his 1972 Volvo 142E. He is intently working on his engine with his small toolkit and socket set. Lee watches from the window and is pleased.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – CRAWLSPACE – DAY
Under the house, Lee and Michael are in coveralls and work with a pipe cutter and propane torch as Lee shows him how to do a copper re-pipe.
END MONTAGE
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
TE 1: Michael and Lee drink too much beer watching Monday Night Football. An Army recruitment commercial incites Lee to tell about his Company of 200 men getting wiped-out during the Korean War. Through tears he told how only he and two other guys survived. Even drunk, Michael is shocked.
20 YEARS LATER
INT. MICHAEL’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – MORNING
Michael is in running clothes preparing a quick bite to eat. His perky but unhappy wife CHERYL gives him a hard time about his writing not covering expenses and maybe he should get a regular job.
EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH – BIKE PATH – MORNING
Michael and his two running buddies TIM and KEVIN jog along the path and discuss Michael’s troubles. Kevin tries to console Michael over his recent string of writing project rejections. Tim suggests he write his father’s war story. Michael doesn’t think that would work because he only knows about the one battle.
INT. MOVIE STUDIO – OFFICE – DAY
Inciting Incident – In a studio pitch meeting no one is interested in the projects Michael has to offer and he pitches Lee’s Korean War story in desperation. The studio loves it.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
Turning Point – Lee is older and much more crotchety. Ignoring Lee’s gentle declines of his offer, Michael tries to get Lee to sit down for an interview to get details of his Korean War story. Lee flatly and angrily refuses to tell his story, but tells a little of the story to show why it should not be told.
FLASHBACK
EXT. WOODS – MORNING
It is the 1950s and Lee is a young man on a deer hunt with his father, LOUIS. They both carry rifles as they move carefully through the brush until Louis sights a 10 point buck and guides Lee through taking the shot.
EXT. LAKE – MORNING
Lee and Louis sit quietly in a small skiff with their poles over opposite side, sipping coffee and taking in the stillness and the grandeur of the forested mountains on all sides.
INT. JONES FAMILY HOME – KITCHEN – DAY
Lee and Louis enter with their poles and the trout they caught. With trepidation, Lee’s mother, Mae, hands him a letter from the Department of War. Lee opens it to find a draft notice.
END FLASHBACK
Act 2:
EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH – BIKE PATH – MORNING
New plan – Michael is at a loss for what to do next. His running buddies, Tim and Kevin, help him to hatch a plan to get his daughter to change her History class report from the Vietnam War to the Korean War.
EXT. LEE’S HOUSE – BACKYARD – DAY
Plan in action – Lee and Michael sit on the patio with Michael’s daughter, ANNETTE. Lee gives some background on the 24th Infantry Regiment to his granddaughter until he realizes what Michael is up and testily shuts it down. He then adds some parts of the story so she can finish her report.
FLASHBACK
EXT. POCATELLO TRAIN STATION – DAY
Lee’s family and friends fill the platform waving as Lee and his fellow inductees are separated. The Black men are sent to the back of the train to the “colored” section.
EXT. FORT BENNING – DAY
Lee and the other recruits go through basic training. Lee impresses the Sergeants with how well he handles a rifle. They make him a marksmanship instructor.
END FLASHBACK
INT. AMERICAN LEGION HALL – DAY
Midpoint Turning Point – Michael’s running buddy, Kevin, is with the American Legion. He introduces Michael to an advocate for Korean War veterans who wants to honor those vets before they die by bringing them to South Korea.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Michael pitches the all-expense paid trip to Seoul for the two of them to Lee. Lee hates the idea. Tells Michael about the last time he was taken to Korea.
FLASHBACK
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO BAY – LIBERTY SHIP – DAY
Lee stands shoulder to shoulder with other Black soldiers at the ship’s railing. They watch the city recede in the distance as they set out to sea for the next three weeks.
EXT. DAY – OKINAWA U.S. ARMY BASE – DAY
Lee and the other new recruits meet up with the 24th Infantry Regiment. They see the drinking, smoking, and drug use. Lee took up smoking because anyone who didn’t had to run laps during smoke breaks. They all train and learn the unit’s combat tactics. Then they all get loaded on a ship bound for Korea.
END FLASHBACK
INT. AMERICAN LEGION HALL – NIGHT
Lee grudgingly comes to the American Legion Hall with Michael and his family for a presentation by the beautiful Korean War veterans advocate. During the presentation, the advocate gets down on her knees, bows her head to the floor, rises and passionately requests that Lee accept the invitation to come to Korea.
Act 3:
INT. INCHON AIRPORT – BAGGAGE CLAIM – DAY
Rethink everything – Michael and Lee, along with 30 other Korean War veterans, are brought to Seoul with the highest honors and first class luxury. South Koreans believe they would not have a country without the bravery of these veterans. Lee is hating every moment.
INT. EXPENSIVE SEOUL RESTAURANT – DAY
The Korean hosts present a sumptuous banquet of Korean delicacies. Lee won’t touch it. Out of his pocket Lee pulls packets of cheese and crackers he brought from home. Michael wants to know why Lee is being so rude. Lee tells him how the 24th Infantry was treated in Korea.
FLASHBACK
EXTERIOR – KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – BIVOUAC – NIGHT
Lee and his fellow soldier prepare for a night patrol. They complain bitterly about their WWII surplus weapons, uniforms, and even their field rations.
EXTERIOR – KOREAN COUNTRYSIDE – NIGHT
Lee’s patrol moves in the dark to deliberately trigger an ambush, call in an artillery strike on their own position, and then run like hell. That was their job, night after night. Live bait.
END FLASHBACK
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – LEE & MICHAEL’S SUITE – NIGHT
Lee and Michael are in their queen beds supposedly sleeping, but Michael is wide awake, horrified. In his sleep, Lee is sweating, thrashing and loudly reliving a battle that is not going well.
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – BALLROOM – DAY
New plan – Over a lavish breakfast buffet that even Lee can’t turn up his nose at, Michael speaks privately with their Korean hosts to get their help in telling Lee’s war story. They will make Lee part of a documentary for the Korean War Museum to get Lee to open up about his Korean War service.
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – LEE & MICHAEL’S SUITE – NIGHT
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Their South Korean hosts show up in their hotel suite with an entire documentary crew. Lee feels completely betrayed by Michael. Seething, Lee tells an innocuous story of “Bed Check Charlie.” The North Koreans would fly over their camp at one or two in the morning in these old Russian biplanes and randomly drop hand grenades and then leave. They caused a whole bunch of chaos in the camp and nobody would get any sleep. Lee confronts Michael vowing to die with his story before storming out.
INT. LOTTE WORLD HOTEL – BAR – NIGHT
Michael finds Lee sitting in the bar sipping tea. Michael tries to apologize and wants to know if it was really that relentlessly bad?
FLASHBACK
The best part of the patrols was dealing with the locals. They seemed to like us G.I.s OK. Lee gave his Hershey bars to some kids in one of the villages they passed through. When he figured out they had never had chocolate before, he got his buddies to give up their Hershey bars, too. The kid’s parents got a kick out of the whole thing. That was a good day. Nobody died.
END FLASHBACK
Act 4:
SEOUL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION – AUDITORIUM – NIGHT
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – At the farewell dinner for the veterans, the four-star General in command of all U.S. forces in South Korean is there and meets Michael. Michael tells him about his father, and the General knows the history of the 24th Infantry Regiment, know how they were mistreated, and knows how they died. The General talks to Lee, renders a salute, shakes his hand, and thanks him for his service. Michael and Lee step outside and through tears Lee tells the final terrible part of his Korean War service.
FLASHBACK
The worst part of my time in Korea was the Chinese spring offensive of 1951. We were winning. We pushed the North Korean forces all the way up around the Yalu river bordering China. Well China didn’t like that. They quietly infiltrated the area with more than a million soldiers disguised as refugees. They struck in three waves. Our unit, Company K with 200 men of the 24th Regiment, was moving up a valley floor. The white mechanized units were up on the ridges on either side covering our flanks. They got word of the wave of Chinese soldiers and made a retreat. They never mentioned anything to us Black soldiers down in the valley. We got with no support. We were encircled pretty quickly. We hunkered down and dug our foxholes. We held our ground and fought to a stalemate. But there were too many of them. Our officers were killed and we ran out of ammunition. We made some grenade and bayonet attacks, but our guys were cut down or driven back until it was just hand to hand fighting where the man you killed breathed his last breath in your face. When the sun came up I was back in my foxhole with my buddy’s body torn apart next to me. I saw the Chinese soldiers walking through our casualties, checking to see if anyone was alive. When they found a live one, they shot him where he lay. They weren’t taking any prisoners. I played dead. I lay there in my foxhole in the mud and played dead.
END FLASHBACK
EXT. LAKE – MORNING
Resolution – Lee and Michael sit quietly in a small skiff with their poles over opposite side, sipping coffee and taking in the stillness and the grandeur of the forested mountains on all sides. Lee writes the script and sells it, saving his home and perhaps his marriage.
INT. LEE’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT
Lee finally gets a good night’s sleep.
-
Kenneth Johnson – Transformational Events
What I learned from this assignment – A new approach to make the characters and their interactions more interesting and engaging.
OLD WAYS
Ignorant of his father’s real war experience and inner pain.
Failing writer.
Arrogant and self-centered.
Didn’t believe in himself.NEW WAYS
Understands his father’s feelings.
Knows he can accomplish his writing goals.
Has learned to be humble and understanding of others.
Has found confidence in his abilities.STEPS OR CHANGES
Michael realizes that getting the story will be harder than he thought.
He sees that there is more to Lee’s life than he ever knew.
He understands how similar he and Lee really are.
Michael learns that Lee is dying.
Michael admits to Lee that he has been a failure and needs this story.
Michael appreciates Lee for who he is and shows him respect.
He places his father’s needs before his own.
He gets Lee’s story, but successfully writes a sanitized version of it.TRANSFORMATIONAL EVENTS
Lee drunkenly shares part of his Korean War experience with Michael.
In a desperate moment Michael pitches Lee’s story to a studio and they love it.
Michael tries to interview Lee about Korea, but Lee shuts him down with a story.
Michael gets his teenaged daughter to try to interview Lee for a school report.
A friend intervenes with an invitation to honor Lee with a visit South Korea.
Through the medical disclosure for travel, it is shown that Lee is dying.
A Korean documentary crew tries to interview Lee with disastrous results.
Lee talks with the General of U.S. forces in Korea and is moved.
Lee tells the hard parts of his story to Michael.
Michael writes the script. -
Kenneth Johnson – 4 Act Transformational Structure
Create a first draft of your 4 Act Transformational Structure.
1. Give us the following:
Concept – Michael Jones must convince his Korean War veteran father to tell his story of serving under fire in the last all-Black U.S. Army unit so he can sell it as a film script and save his home and his marriage.
Main Conflict – His father, Lee Jones, doesn’t want to tell his story because of the expected and unexpected painful memories.
Old Ways – Michael is arrogant, self-centered, and superficial in dealing with other people and their concerns. Only his needs matter.
New Ways – Michael becomes more accepting of who he is and how his actions affect the lives of others. By acknowledging his own feelings he is able to appreciate the feelings of others.2. Fill in each of these with the answers you have right now.
Act 1:
Opening – Michael introduces himself through a montage with voice over narration, which leads to when Lee gets drunk with Michael while watching Monday Night Football and then telling him about the horrific battle where he watched his friends die.
Inciting Incident – In a studio pitch meeting no one is interested in the projects Michael has to offer and he pitches Lee’s story in desperation. The studio loves it.
Turning Point – Ignoring Lee’s gentle declines of his offer, Michael tries to get Lee to sit down for an interview to tell his Korean War story. Lee flatly and angrily refuses to tell his story, but tells a little of the story to show why it should not be told.
Act 2:
New plan – Michael get’s his daughter to change her History class report from the Vietnam War to the Korean War.
Plan in action – Lee tells some of his war experience story to his granddaughter until he realizes what Michael is up and angrily shuts it down. He then adds some innocuous parts of the story so she can finish her report.
Midpoint Turning Point – Through the American Legion, Michael is introduced to an advocate for Korean War veterans who wants to honor those vets before they die by bringing them to South Korea.
Act 3:
Rethink everything – Michael and Lee, along with 30 other Korean War veterans, are brought to Seoul with the highest honors and first class luxury. South Koreans believe they would not have a country without the bravery of these veterans.
New plan – Michael works with their hosts in South Korean to create a document for history to get Lee to open up about his Korean War service.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – Their South Korean hosts show upunexpectly in their hotel suite with an entire documentary crew. Lee feels completely betrayed by Michael and angrily storms out vowing to die with his story.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – At the farewell dinner for the veterans the four-star General in command of all U.S. forces in South Korean is there and meets Michael. Michael tells him about his father, and the General knows the history of the 24th Infantry Regiment, knows how they were mistreated, and knows how they died. The General talks to Lee, renders a salute, shakes his hand, and thanks him for his service. Michael and Lee step outside and through tears Lee tells the final terrible part of his Korean War service.
Resolution – Lee writes the script and sells it, saving his home and perhaps his marriage. Michael leaves out Lee’s shameful secret. Lee finally gets a good night’s sleep. -
Kenneth Johnson – Character Interviews
I learned that a character must be more fully interrogated in order to understand why they do what they so we may write a more compelling and engaging story.
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST
Tell me about yourself. Hi there. My name is Michael. I am a writer by trade, but I have not been doing well at that lately and my wife is on my back to get a regular job. She thinks I should go to work as an Uber driver, or maybe with one of those access companies that drive seniors to doctors appointments. I’ve got a Masters Degree for christ’s sake. I can’t see myself driving to make ends meet. I like what writing has gotten me so far, a nice home, travel, nice restaurants, kids in private school. It’s actually all kind of stressful. I like to run a few miles in the morning to relieve the stress and clear my mind. On weekends I meet with two or three running buddies for a long run by the beach before going out to breakfast together. And of course, I spend time with my Dad. That’s where things are right now.
Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you? Ever since I got drunk with my Dad watching Monday Night Football and he suddenly told me about this horrible battle during the Korean War that he and a couple of other guys survived, I knew there was a script there, but I only had the bare bones. I needed the whole story. I pitched Dad’s story out of desperation (I could lose my house) and they loved the concept and I got the assignment. Now, somehow, I have to get the whole story. Why me? Because I need the money.
You are up against Lee. What is it about him that makes this journey even more difficult for you? For one thing he’s my dad. He always thought I was too soft. He would get pissed at me if I held the door for him, “Be a man! Just walk through the damn door!” He felt my mother didn’t raise us right. She had custody and mostly blocked his visitation when we were kids. Though I tried to closer with him after college, he puts up walls. He says nasty things about other people just to see how I will react. Mostly, he seems like there are raw nerves just beneath the surface.
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? I mostly think about myself and how things will affect me. I worry too much about what other people think of me. It’s hard for me to genuinely care about other people’s feelings. That’s a box that I need to get out of to succeed.
What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of? I feel like I’m going to have to be totally honest with Dad. I never tell HIM the whole story. I always hold back because I want his approval. I know he never liked me going into the arts. He thought I should go into the aircraft industry like he did.
What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back? I was raised by my mother to avoid being anything like my father. As a result I’ve never accepted who I am. I don’t like myself, but I put on a show of being better than everyone else. I feel like this basic dishonesty has damaged my writing and led to the failures that have put me in this current predicament.
What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist? I really am a good writer. I’ve made a good living as a hack and I’ve honed my skills by writing ad copy and trailer scripts and marketing crap every single day. Plus, I’m his son, so I have access.
What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know? My fear that I am not good enough. That I don’t have what it takes to get this done and everything is going to come crashing down around my head.
What do you think of Lee? Honestly, I’m ashamed of my dad. Because that’s what my mother taught me to think of him.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. Dad told me a piece of this big, juicy story about his all-Black infantry unit getting mistreated by the rest of the Army and then getting wiped out because of it. I’m in kind of a bind, with none of my stuff selling I’m a little behind a bills and such, and the wife is losing her mind on me. During a pitch meeting at a studio the stories that I brought got shot down, so I pitched Dad’s story and they love it. So now I’ve got to get the rest of the story out of him to write the script. Only he’s not talking. He just tells me that it won’t do anybody any good to hear this story. So, that’s the nut I’ve got to crack.
What does it do for your life is you succeed here? Maybe my dad will see me as something more than a soft kid, ruined by his mom (even though I’m pushing 50!). And yes, I will keep our home and the wife will let me sleep in our bed again. The couch is really getting hard on my back.
Ask any other questions about their character profile that will help you.QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST
Tell me about yourself. I’m no hero. I did my duty and served my country. I came home from the Korean War to settle down and raise a family, but my wife turned out to be a little spitfire with big ideas. Too big for me I guess. Three kids later I was out on my own. I got a good job in aerospace assembling fighter jets for the military and space craft for NASA. Put in 40 good years before they laid me off. Then nobody else with good union jobs would hire me at my age. So I retired. The good thing is my house is paid off. I like working with my hands so I remodel my house. I’ve remodeled the place top to bottom seven times now. Friends and family joke that my house is a constant construction site. I don’t put up with fools and I don’t let people tell me what to do or snoop around in my business. I know the value of a dollar and an honest day’s work, and I have no time for people who don’t.
Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses? I am the father. My boy just has to accept the idea that what I say goes. That’s my strength. My weakness was letting my guard down and telling him any part of what happened under fire in Korea.
Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change? If I tell my son the whole story everyone will know the shame of how I survived when nearly 200 other men died.
What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition? I get to keep my secrets and keep everybody out of my business.
What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death? Nobody needs to know this crap.
What secrets must you keep to succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?
Compared to other people like you, what makes you special? I survived. Other people like me didn’t.
What do you think of Michael? He’s weak.
Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story. I drank too much watching a game with my son. One of those “Be all that you can be , in the Army”, recruiting commercials came on, and I said, “Yeah, you can be dead.” And I told Michael about Company K, my Company in the 24th Infantry Regiment. How that night the white mechanized units on our flanks got word of an overwhelming Chinese counter-offensive and how they pulled out without telling the 24th. I told him how we fought to the last man and were overrun and I made it out. But I didn’t tell him how I made it out. Now he wants to make a movie out of what we went through. What I went through. They treated us like dogs, the U.S. Army did. Our weapons, our uniforms, even our field rations were left over from WWII. We walked everywhere because we were told that trucks were for equipment. And it got worse from there. There’s so much more to it, but this is all best forgotten. -
Kenneth Johnson – Character Profile Part 2
I learned to dig deeper and find more of the truth that motivates a character.Role in the story: Michael Jones is the Protagonist
Age range and Description: Michael is a family man in his 40s. A pleasantly handsome black man who stays fit and is quite full of himself.
Internal Journey: Michael must learn to love himself and care about others
External Journey: Michael must learn to love his father and realize that they are the same person, which allows him to love himself.
Motivation: He must sell a script or lose his house and his marriage
Wound: As a child of divorce, he was raised by his mother to loathe being anything like Lee, his father.
Mission/Agenda: Michael has a guaranteed sale for his script if he can get Lee to tell the story of his all-Black army unit in the Korean War.
Secret: Michael doesn’t like himself
What makes them special? He has a good heart and he is determined to do the right thing.Michael Jones – Protagonist
What draws us to this character? Michael is a confident and cheerful dreamer who reaches for those dreams but faces failure after failure. Now on the edge of personal and financial ruin he is forced into connecting with his father. We want to see how he handles this new ground where he is not confident or cheerful. We root for him because we know we might find ourselves in that same position.
Traits: He is smart, creative, and tenacious. He is willing to risk everything when he thinks he has a good plan.
Subtext: He is afraid to be vulnerable and completely honest with his Dad
Flaw: His arrogance that hides the fact that he does not believe he is good enough
Values: He believes in keeping the Ten Commandments and he believes that wisdom and reason eventually wins our over ignorance and emotion. He also believes that a creative mind with the right information can solve any problem.
Irony: He doesn’t know how to talk to his father, but Michael has unknowingly put himself in a position where he must get Lee to reveal his darkest and most deeply held secret.
What makes this the right character for this role? A father and son should be able to talk to each other. They should know each other. As a skilled writer, Michael is the perfect person to chronicle a mostly forgotten aspect of American history; the Buffalo Soldiers of the 24th Infantry Regiment and how they were treated under fire during the Korean War.Role in the story: Lee Jones is the Antagonist.
Age range and Description: Lee is a Black man is his 70s. He is not healthy, prefers beer over water and only just finally gave up smoking. Has always been a lady’s man and still keeps two steady girlfriends.
Internal Journey: Lee wants to be free of the shame and guilt of surviving the battle when all of his friends died around him.
External Journey: He wants Michael’s respect
Motivation: Lee wants a better relationship with his son before he dies.
Wound: Lee is ashamed of how he survived the massacre of his army unit in the Korean War.
Mission/Agenda: Lee does not want to tell his combat story, but feels compelled to share parts to demonstrate why the story should not be told.
Secret: Lee knows that white army officers retreated their units and abandoned Lee’s all Black unit just prior to the final battle.
What makes them special? Lee appears to be deeply racist, but he is really bitter about how the Army treated him and his friends during the Korean War.Lee Jones – Antagonist
What draws us to this character? You are drawn to Lee in the same way people are drawn to a horrible car accident. You just want too see how bad it can get. He is quick to make demeaning comments about people of other races. At a restaurant he will pick up a tip from the table if he thinks you left too much and more than 10% is too much. Lee refuses to be a standard curmudgeon, though. He still enjoys the ladies and loves attending parties. He is quite generous to friends and family, but not to his own children (because that woman raised them).
Subtext: He is going to die soon but hides it, and plays up his fierce independence. “I am not an invalid!”
Flaw: He is tormented by the guilt and shame of having survived
Values: He believes in keeping the Ten Commandments and he believes that wisdom and reason eventually wins our over ignorance and emotion. He also believes that a creative mind with the right information can solve any problem.
Irony: He doesn’t know how to talk to his father, but Michael has unknowingly put himself in a position where he must get Lee to reveal his darkest and most deeply held secret.
What makes this the right character for this role? A father and son should be able to talk to each other. They should know each other. As a skilled writer, Michael is the perfect person to chronicle a mostly forgotten aspect of American history; the Buffalo Soldiers of the 24th Infantry Regiment and how they were treated under fire during the Korean War. -
Kenneth Johnson -Character Profiles Part 1
I learned quite a bit more about my characters. They have begun to talk with me in their own voices.
2. Pick the type of role your Protagonist will play and give us a few sentences on how they will fulfill that role.
Michael is a Dreamer
3. Pick the type of role your Antagonist will play and give us a few sentences on how they will fulfill that role.
Lee is a Change Agent
4. What other characters might be necessary?
Supporting characters: Wife, Daughter, Two Running Buddies, Uncle and Aunt
Minor roles: Korean War Veteran’s Group
5. Pick your genre.
Drama – This story is a Drama
6. Fill in whatever answers come to you about your lead character profiles.
Role in the story: Michael Jones is the Protagonist
Age range and Description: Michael is a family man in his 40s. A pleasantly handsome black man who stays fit and is quite full of himself.
Internal Journey: Michael must learn to love himself and care about others
External Journey: Michael must learn to love his father and realize that they are the same person, which allows him to love himself.
Motivation: He must sell a script or lose his house and his marriage
Wound: As a child of divorce, he was raised by his mother to loathe being anything like Lee, his father.
Mission/Agenda: Michael has a guaranteed sale for his script if he can get Lee to tell the story of his all-Black army unit in the Korean War.
Secret: Michael doesn’t like himself
What makes them special? He has a good heart and he is determined to do the right thing.Role in the story: Lee Jones is the Antagonist.
Age range and Description: Lee is a Black man is his 70s. He is not healthy, prefers beer over water and only just finally gave up smoking. Has always been a lady’s man and still keeps two steady girlfriends.
Internal Journey: Lee wants to be free of the shame and guilt of surviving the battle when all of his friends died around him.
External Journey: He wants Michael’s respect
Motivation: Lee wants a better relationship with his son before he dies.
Wound: Lee is ashamed of how he survived the massacre of his army unit in the Korean War.
Mission/Agenda: Lee does not want to tell his combat story, but feels compelled to share parts to demonstrate why the story should not be told.
Secret: Lee knows that white army officers retreated their units and abandoned Lee’s all Black unit just prior to the final battle.
What makes them special? Lee appears to be deeply racist, but he is really bitter about how the Army treated him and his friends during the Korean War. -
Kenneth Johnson – Transformational Journey
1. I listened to the empowerment audio
2. Who is your Hero and what is their Character Arc that represents a transformation?
The hero is Michael Jones, a middle-aged down on his luck writer who is very self-possessed and arrogant, but really despises himself and fundamentally hates who he is. He becomes someone who can care about the needs of others.
– Internal Journey – Michael must learn to love himself and care about others
– External Journey – Michael must learn to love his father and realize that they are the same person, which allows him to love himself.3. What are the Old Ways and New Ways?
As a child of divorce Michael subconsciously doesn’t want to be anything like his father because he was raised by his mother to loathe everything about his father. He actively avoids doing things the way his father would do them. That’s the old way. The new way is getting to know his father and understanding they actually have the same way of doing things. The same thought processes. Even the same creative approach. And accepting that they are actually the same person at different ages.4. What I learned doing this assignment…
A different way of looking at the creation of characters. I have long understood the internal and external motivations of a character, but this is a more dynamic way of approaching those aspects of the protagonist. -
My name is Kenneth Johnson, an L.A. native working in television here in Hollywood. I have written eight feature scripts, with two produced some years ago. What I hope to get out of this class is to force myself into completing a script I’ve been meaning to write. Lately, I have to concentrate on writing and producing commercials and promos (to pay the mortgage and buy food), which takes so much of my time when I’d rather be doing features. A unique thing about me is that I run marathons for a hobby and as an excuse to travel, with over 60 marathons completed. I am running the Antarctica Marathon at the end of March.
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Kenneth M. Johnson
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