[Rashit Ismail]

I’m writing a TV Series that is [Format/Genre] about [Concept] with [Lead Characters]. Can you generate [Plot Layers] and [Character Layers] that could play beneath the surface and be revealed in Turning Points or Cliffhangers. Definition of Layer = A new level of meaning beneath the surface that changes things. It makes us rethink what has happened up to that point and/or causes us to anticipate a new future. You start with a Surface Layer. Then a new layer is revealed. That new layer becomes the new surface. It is what we know as the “reality.” When the next layer is revealed, it surprises us, but soon becomes the next new surface. PLOT LAYERS = Story beneath the story. – Major scheme revealed – Mystery revealed – Thought the story was one thing, but it is another – Major shift in Meaning – Hidden history – Hidden plan CHARACTER LAYERS = identity beneath the identity. – Secret identity – Intrigue layers – Hidden relationships and conspiracies – Hidden Character history – Hidden Agenda – Wound Format/Genre =Biopic historical thriller Concept = “Fortune’s Fugitives”: Dona Gracia wages a perilous war against the Inquisition, orchestrating a human smuggling network while fending off her sister’s vendetta in this riveting renaissance historical thriller. Conflict =Between Dona Gracia and her sister who wants her part of her inheritance. Between Dona Gracia and Emperor Charles V who accuses her to be a false convert to confiscate her inheritance. Between Emperor Charles V and Sultan Su;eiman the Magnificient for the control of the mediterranean. Lead Characters = Dona Gracia who wants to smuggle the crypto Jews to Safety in the Ottoman empire. Brianda who wants to force her sister Dona Gracia to give her part of her inheritance. Charles V Holy Roman Emperor who wants to confiscate the fortune of Dona Gracia by accusing her to be a crypto-jew. Queen Mary of Austria tries to convince Dona Gracia to marry her daughter to a Spanish nobleman to help her brother Charles V put his hands on Dona Gracia’s fortune. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent provides refuge to Crypto-Jews and help Dona Gracia fight the Inquisition and Weaken Charles V and the European powers and reduce their influence on the Mediterranean Sea

PLOT LAYERS:

1. Major Scheme Revealed: Dona Gracia discovers that the Inquisition’s reach extends further than she anticipated, with spies infiltrating her network of human smuggling. The Inquisition aims not only to stop her operations but to capture her alive, unveiling a larger conspiracy to undermine her efforts.

2. Mystery Revealed: Brianda, Dona Gracia’s sister, harbors a secret alliance with a powerful cardinal within the Vatican. This cardinal seeks to discredit Dona Gracia and seize her fortune under the guise of religious righteousness, adding a layer of betrayal and familial intrigue to the conflict.

3. Thought the Story Was One Thing, but It Is Another: Initially, Dona Gracia believes her struggle is solely against the Inquisition and Emperor Charles V’s greed. However, she uncovers evidence of a clandestine pact between Charles V and Brianda, revealing that her sister’s vendetta is merely a pawn in a much larger political game for power and control.

4. Major Shift in Meaning: Dona Gracia’s mission evolves from a personal crusade for survival to a symbol of resistance against religious persecution and political tyranny. Her efforts transcend her own safety, inspiring a movement among the oppressed to reclaim their identities and liberties.

5. Hidden History: Dona Gracia learns of a hidden lineage tracing back to a legendary figure who resisted oppression centuries ago. This revelation not only strengthens her resolve but also unearths a legacy of defiance and resilience that empowers her in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

6. Hidden Plan: Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent unveils a grand strategy to shift the balance of power in the Mediterranean, leveraging Dona Gracia’s network to weaken European dominance while fortifying Ottoman influence. His support for her cause is not merely altruistic but part of a calculated geopolitical maneuver to expand Ottoman sovereignty.

CHARACTER LAYERS:

1. Secret Identity: Dona Gracia conceals her true motives behind a facade of wealth and privilege, presenting herself as a respectable widow navigating the treacherous waters of Renaissance Europe. However, beneath this guise lies a fiercely determined leader willing to risk everything for her people’s freedom.

2. Intrigue Layers: Brianda’s seemingly altruistic intentions mask a web of deceit and ambition, as she maneuvers behind the scenes to undermine her sister’s authority and claim her rightful inheritance. Her outward facade of familial concern belies a ruthless thirst for power and recognition.

3. Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies: Dona Gracia discovers unexpected alliances among unlikely allies, from disenchanted nobles sympathetic to her cause to covert sympathizers within the ranks of the clergy. These clandestine connections blur the lines between friend and foe, forcing her to navigate a complex web of loyalties and betrayals.

4. Hidden Character History: Charles V’s relentless pursuit of Dona Gracia stems from a deep-seated fear of losing control over his empire’s wealth and influence. His tumultuous past, marked by betrayals and political intrigue, fuels his obsession with maintaining power at any cost, revealing a vulnerability beneath his regal facade.

5. Hidden Agenda: Queen Mary of Austria’s seemingly diplomatic overtures mask a hidden agenda to exploit Dona Gracia’s fortune for her brother’s gain. Her proposals of marriage and alliance conceal a deeper scheme to consolidate power within the Habsburg dynasty, further complicating Dona Gracia’s precarious position.

6. Wound: Dona Gracia carries the scars of persecution and loss from her past, fueling her unwavering determination to defy oppression and injustice. Her experiences shape her identity as a resilient survivor, but also leave her vulnerable to emotional turmoil and doubt amidst the turbulent landscape of Renaissance Europe.

[Rashit Ismail]

I’m writing a TV Series that is [Format/Genre] about [Concept] and [Conflict] with [Lead Characters]. Can you generate [Open Loops] and setups that could play out over the course of Season 1. Definition of “Open Loops”:Questions that can only be answered in future episodes. An open loop is a rhetorical device to instill curiosity by creating anticipation for what will come next. Open Loops opportunities: GOALS: • New goals? • Goals related to the big picture? • Crushed goals? • Competition / conflict around goals? CONSEQUENCES: • Are they going to be caught? • Problems created from past actions? • Good plans gone wrong? SOLVING PROBLEMS: • What is the major problem for this character? • What are they trying to solve? • Major change imposed on character? • Previous solutions cause new problems? RELATIONSHIPS: • Relationships in peril? • New relationships forming? • Conflict inside relationships? • Relationships changing? DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS: • Can they survive X? • Putting themselves in danger / making dangerous decisions? • Who else is pulled into their danger? • Internal dangers (drug addiction, need for medicine, inner demons)? Format/Genre =Biopic historical thriller Concept = “Fortune’s Fugitives”: Dona Gracia wages a perilous war against the Inquisition, orchestrating a human smuggling network while fending off her sister’s vendetta in this riveting renaissance historical thriller. Conflict =Between Dona Gracia and her sister who ants her part of her inheritance. Between Dona Gracia and Emperor Charles V who accuses her to be a false convert to confiscate her inheritance. Between Emperor Charles V and Sultan Su;eiman the Magnificient for the control of the mediterranean. Lead Characters = Dona Gracia who wants to smuggle the crypto Jews to Safety in the Ottoman empire. Brianda who wants to force her sister Dona Gracia to give her part of her inheritance. Charles V Holy Roman Emperor who wants to confiscate the fortune of Dona Gracia by accusing her to be a crypto-jew. Queen Mary of Austria tries to convince Dona Gracia to marry her daughter to a Spanish nobleman to help her brother Charles V put his hands on Dona Gracia’s fortune. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent provides refuge to Crypto-Jews and help Dona Gracia fight the Inquisition and Weaken Charles V and the European powers and reduce their influence on the Mediterranean Sea

ChatGPT

Here are some open loops and setups that could play out over the course of Season 1:

GOALS:

• Dona Gracia discovers a new route or method for smuggling crypto-Jews to safety, but it comes with unexpected challenges and risks.
• Brianda, frustrated with Dona Gracia’s resistance, seeks out new allies to pressure her sister into relinquishing part of her inheritance.
• Charles V intensifies his efforts to prove Dona Gracia’s false conversion, leading to a dangerous game of cat and mouse between them.
• Sultan Suleiman aims to expand his influence in the Mediterranean, leading to clashes with European powers and internal resistance within his empire.

CONSEQUENCES:

• Dona Gracia’s past actions come back to haunt her as a former associate threatens to expose her secrets to the Inquisition.
• Brianda’s relentless pursuit of her sister’s fortune inadvertently leads to the uncovering of family secrets that could destroy them both.
• Charles V’s obsession with Dona Gracia jeopardizes his alliances and puts his own reputation at risk.
• Sultan Suleiman’s bold maneuvers provoke retaliation from European powers, putting his empire and the crypto-Jews in greater danger.

SOLVING PROBLEMS:

• Dona Gracia must navigate the treacherous waters of political intrigue while protecting her identity and the lives of those she seeks to save.
• The discovery of a potential traitor within Dona Gracia’s inner circle forces her to reevaluate her alliances and strategies.
• Brianda’s resentment towards her sister intensifies as she grapples with her own ambitions and desires for power.
• Charles V faces growing dissent within his own ranks as doubts about his leadership and motives spread.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Dona Gracia’s relationship with Sultan Suleiman deepens as they forge a powerful alliance against their common enemies.
• Brianda forms unlikely alliances with individuals who share her goals, but their loyalty comes with a price.
• Tensions rise between Dona Gracia and her closest confidants as they struggle to reconcile their personal ambitions with their loyalty to her.
• Charles V’s relationship with Queen Mary of Austria becomes strained as she questions the morality of their actions and the cost of their pursuit of power.

DANGER / SURVIVAL / RISKS:

• Dona Gracia and her allies face mounting threats from both the Inquisition and rival factions determined to undermine their efforts.
• The decision to smuggle crypto-Jews across dangerous territories puts their lives at risk and tests their resolve in the face of adversity.
• Brianda’s increasingly desperate attempts to claim her share of the inheritance lead her down a path of deception and betrayal.
• Sultan Suleiman’s bold moves provoke retaliation from European powers, threatening the fragile peace in the Mediterranean and the safety of those under his protection.

These open loops and setups should help build anticipation and keep viewers engaged as the story of “Fortune’s Fugitives” unfolds throughout Season 1.

[Rashit Ismail]

could not cut and paste the tables I created based on the template in the lesson.

[Rashit Ismail]

Subject line: Rashit’s Character Emotions

What I learned doing this assignment is that characters can have contradictory emotions that they express in Private or in public.

1. For each of your main characters, brainstorm an Emotional Profile, filling in the following:

Dona Gracia Mendes

• A. Situational: Hope: wants to be in charge / Fear: to loose it all
• B. Motivation: Want: to save the persecuted crypto-Jews / Need: to be a national hero
• C.Base Negative Emotion: anger and pride / Public Mask: woman Robin Hood
• D. Weaknesses: cold and calculating
• E. Triggers: injustice, thought of being jailed
• F. Coping Mechanism: come up with elaborate schemes to fight injustice

Brianda Mendes

• A. Situational: Hope: wants to have the attention of all men / Fear: to be ignored
• B. Motivation: Want: to seduce all men / Need: to be recognized for her personality
• C. Base Negative Emotion: Jealous / Public Mask: the most adorable and attractive person
• D. Weaknesses: cannot say no to men
• E. Triggers: being ignored, not adored
• F. Coping Mechanism: betraying the ones she loves

Charles V Holy Roman Emperor

• A. Situational: Hope: make history as a good Christian / Fear: to be overthrown
• B. Motivation: Want: To be the best Christian Emperor / Need: to be appreciated by his subjects
• C. Base Negative Emotion: high temper / Public Mask: The emperor that reunited Christian Europe.
• D. Weaknesses: wants to accumulate biggest personal fortune in Europe.
• E. Triggers: being seen just like another selfish emperor
• F. Coping Mechanism:pretend to fight for the Christian cause

Sultan Suleiman the magnificient

• A. Situational: Hope: extend his empire even further / Fear: be defeated by the Pope and Charles V
• B. Motivation: Want: to be revered / Need: to be the best Sultan in Ottoman History
• C. Base Negative Emotion: weakness for women / Public Mask: not infatuated by Hurrem Sultan
• D. Weaknesses: can be too emotional with people close to him
• E. Triggers: loosing a battle, not being respected by his enemies
• F. Coping Mechanism: create the biggest army in Europe.

[Rashit Ismail]

Dona Gracia Mendes:

• Intriguing Layers:
  1. Visionary Leader: Dona Gracia’s desire to create a homeland for crypto-Jews adds a visionary dimension, portraying her as a leader with a long-term goal beyond immediate survival.
  2. Sisterly Struggle: The intense competition with her sister Brianda, not just for inheritance but also for independence and religious beliefs, deepens the family drama and adds personal stakes.
  3. Historical Activism: Setting up a covert railroad against the Inquisition showcases her as a historical activist, contributing to a larger narrative of resistance against oppression.
  4. Traumatic Past: The emotional wound of witnessing the burning of crypto-Jews provides a powerful motivator, driving her to protect her people and rewrite their history.

Brianda Mendes:

• Intriguing Layers:
  1. Religious Transformation: Brianda’s pursuit of Catholicism to integrate into European nobility creates a complex internal struggle, questioning her loyalty to her family and personal beliefs.
  2. Sibling Rivalry: The competition with Dona Gracia for both inheritance and paternal approval intensifies the familial conflict, contributing to a nuanced portrayal of sibling dynamics.
  3. Betrayal Within: Working with the Inquisition against her own sister reveals a dark layer of betrayal, adding tension and unpredictability to the plot.
  4. Yearning for Acceptance: The wound of feeling neglected by her father adds depth to her character, fueling her desire to prove herself within European society.

Charles V Holy Roman Emperor:

• Intriguing Layers:
  1. Unrecognized Childhood: Charles V’s quest for recognition as an adult stems from childhood wounds, offering a psychological layer that influences his actions and decisions.
  2. Religious Extremism: His involvement in a secret society aiming to eradicate non-Christians adds a layer of dark fanaticism, showcasing the extremes he is willing to go to fulfill his goals.
  3. Political Machinations: The collaboration with Queen Mary of Austria to secure Dona Gracia’s fortune adds a layer of political maneuvering, depicting him as a cunning strategist.
  4. Humanizing Motivations: His desire to raise money for wars sheds light on the human side of a powerful ruler, revealing vulnerabilities beneath the authoritative exterior.

Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent:

• Intriguing Layers:
  1. Strategic Mastermind: Suleiman’s political calculations and desire to weaken European powers present him as a strategic mastermind, elevating him beyond a mere ally to Dona Gracia.
  2. Forbidden Love: His genuine affection for Hurrem Sultan contrasts with his political pursuits, adding a layer of vulnerability and humanity to a powerful ruler.
  3. Sibling Sacrifice: The necessity of killing his brothers to access the throne introduces a dark and ruthless side, exploring the sacrifices made in pursuit of power.
  4. Deceptive Tactics: Suleiman’s ring of spies and deceptive actions against European powers showcase his cunning nature, making him a formidable and unpredictable ally.

[Rashit Ismail]

1. For your Inner Circle characters, fill in any of the Intrigue items that apply.

• Character Name: Dona Gracia Mendes
• Role: smuggle the crypto-Jews to safety in the Ottoman Empire
• Hidden agendas: Create a homeland for the crypto-Jews
• Competition: for keeping her independence, fortune and her real religious beliefs. With Emperor Charles V, her sister Brianda, the Pope etc..
• Conspiracies: Works covertly against the Inquisition by setting up a railroad to help Crypto Jews escape by using her own sea captains and merchant ships
• Secrets: burry the remains of her father in the holy land
• Deception: deceives the Inquisition, the Pope and Charles V
• Wound: her father took her to see crypto-Jews burned at the stake.
• Secret Identity: she is a crypto-Jew

• Character Name: Brianda Mendes
• Role: force her sister Dona Gracia to give her her part of the inheritance
• Hidden agendas: embrace the catholic religion so as to integrate with European nobility.
• Competition: with her sister Dona Gracia to get her inheritance
• Conspiracies: works with the Inquisition to denounce her sister as a crypto Jew in order to get her inheritance.
• Secrets: wants to become a true catholic
• Deception: Deceives her sister into thinking that she is on her side.
• Wound: her father always preferred Dona Gracia over her.
• Secret Identity: Is a true believer in Catholicism

• Character Name: Charles V Holy Roman Emperor
• Role: confiscate the fortune of the Mendes family by accusing them of being crypto-Jews.
• Hidden agendas: raise money to be able to wage his wars in Europe and against the Ottoman Empire
• Competition: competes with France and the UK over control of Europe and Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent to control the Mediterranean
• Conspiracies:works with his sister Queen Mary of Austria to convince Dona Gracia to marry her daughter to a Spanish nobleman to put his hands on Dona Gracia’s fortune.
• Secrets: wants to get rid of all non-Christians in the world
• Deception: deceives his sister to think that he is doing all this in the name of Christianity.
• Wound: Did not have the recognition he deserved as a child.
• Secret Identity: is part of a secret society whose goal is to eradicate Jews and Muslims.

• Character Name: Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent
• Role: provide refuge to Crypto-Jews and help Dona Gracia fight the Inquisition
• Hidden agendas: Weaken Charles V and the European powers and reduce their influence on the Mediterranean Sea.
• Competition: Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor to control the Mediterranean Sea.
• Conspiracies: Conspires with Dona Gracia to organize the embargo of the port of Ancona to weaken the Pope and Emperor Charles V
• Secrets: want to eventually conquer Rome and the rest of Europe
• Deception: Deceives the European powers with a Ring of spies that inform his actions.
• Wound: Had to kill his brothers to access the throne.
• Secret Identity: a true lover of Hurrem sultan, his favorite in the harem

[Rashit Ismail]

<div>What I learned about this module is how the two main characters carry the show and are surrounded by secrets and intrigue at several levels whether in their private or public lives.</div><div>
</div><div> For each of the [main characters] for this [genre] about this [concept], please brainstorm the [Character Basics] of that character that fits this TV series well. Character Basics = A. Role in the show: B. Unique Purpose / Expertise: C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? E. Unpredictable: What will they do next? F. Empathetic: Why do we care? </div><div>
</div><div> Genre = biopic historical thriller</div><div>
</div><div> Concept = “Fortune’s Fugitives”: Dona Gracia wages a perilous war against the Inquisition, orchestrating a human smuggling network while fending off her sister’s vendetta in this riveting renaissance historical thriller.</div><div>
</div><div> Main characters = </div><div>
</div><div> Dona Gracia Mendes: Unique Role: Takes on the Inquisition, fights her sister Brianda, and orchestrates a major human smuggling operation. </div><div>
</div><div>Secret or Intrigue: Uses her merchant ships to smuggle crypto-Jews to the Ottoman Empire. </div><div>
</div><div>Brianda Mendes (sister of Dona Gracia): Unique Role: Aims for her inheritance and enjoys a luxurious lifestyle, attending parties with nobility.</div><div>
</div><div> Secret or Intrigue: Possesses irresistible beauty and is determined to achieve her desires.</div>

Dona Gracia Mendes: A. Role in the show:

• Central protagonist leading the resistance against the Inquisition and managing a clandestine network for human smuggling.

B. Unique Purpose/Expertise:

• Financial genius with a vast network of merchants and ships. Expert in diplomatic negotiations and strategizing against the Inquisition.

C. Intrigue:

• Beneath the surface, Dona Gracia is secretly driven by a personal tragedy – the loss of her family to the Inquisition. This fuels her determination to save others from the same fate.

D. Moral Issue:

• Dona Gracia grapples with the moral dilemma of putting innocent lives at risk for the greater good. The constant struggle to balance righteousness with the necessity of her actions adds depth to her character.

E. Unpredictable:

• Her unpredictable actions stem from her desperation to outsmart the Inquisition. Willing to take extreme measures, including forming unexpected alliances, to ensure the success of her human smuggling operation.

F. Empathetic:

• Audiences empathize with Dona Gracia because of her tragic past and her relentless fight against the oppressive Inquisition. Her compassion for the persecuted creates a connection with viewers.

Brianda Mendes: A. Role in the show:

• Primary antagonist, fueled by personal vendetta against Dona Gracia. Explores the opulent side of Renaissance society.

B. Unique Purpose/Expertise:

• Socialite and manipulator, skillful in navigating the aristocratic circles. Uses her charm and cunning to achieve her goals, contrasting with her sister’s more overt methods.

C. Intrigue:

• Beneath her glamorous facade lies a dark secret – her loyalty to the Inquisition. She manipulates the social elite to serve the interests of the Inquisition, creating a complex web of deception.

D. Moral Issue:

• Brianda grapples with the morality of her allegiance to the Inquisition, torn between familial loyalty and personal ambition. Her internal conflict adds a layer of complexity to her character.

E. Unpredictable:

• Brianda’s unpredictable actions arise from her desire for power and revenge. Willing to betray even her closest allies to achieve her goals, keeping viewers guessing about her next move.

F. Empathetic:

• While Brianda is the antagonist, her vulnerability and internal struggle with her choices make her a more nuanced character. Audiences may find themselves torn between disdain for her actions and sympathy for her internal turmoil.

<div>
</div><div>
</div>

[Rashit Ismail]

PROMPT: Please create three groups of characters for my TV Series that is [genre] about [concept] that is set in [sub-world] and are unique to this story. A. Main Characters: 3 – 5 key characters that the journey is about. Tell us the following: Unique Role: Secret or Intrigue: B. Connected Characters: These are characters that the main characters interact with during the season. They play a part in the journey in some way and sometimes affect the main character’s actions. C. Environment Characters: These are background characters that are necessary to fulfill the “standard roles” for your kind of story, but usually don’t do anything significant. List them by their jobs only. Genre = historical thriller Concept = Dona Gracia Mendes, the wealthiest woman in Renaissance Europe, attempts to pull one of the greatest human smuggling operation of the era, while fending off the Inquisition and an equally dangerous vendetta from her own sister Brianda. Based on a true story. Sub-World = persecution of crypto-Jews

A. Main Characters:

1. Dona Gracia Mendes

   • Unique Role: Wealthiest woman in Renaissance Europe, mastermind of the human smuggling operation.
   • Secret or Intrigue: Dona Gracia is secretly a crypto-Jew, navigating the perilous landscape of the Inquisition while orchestrating the smuggling operation to save her people.

2. Brianda Mendes

   • Unique Role: Dona Gracia’s sister and a formidable adversary.
   • Secret or Intrigue: Brianda is a devout Catholic, unaware of her sister’s secret identity. She is determined to bring her sister to justice for heresy.

3. Diego Vasquez

   • Unique Role: Dona Gracia’s loyal confidant and the operational mastermind behind the smuggling.
   • Secret or Intrigue: Diego is in love with Dona Gracia, a love that complicates their dangerous mission.

4. Inquisitor Rodrigo de Silva

   • Unique Role: Ruthless and cunning inquisitor hunting crypto-Jews.
   • Secret or Intrigue: Rodrigo has a personal vendetta against Dona Gracia, stemming from a past encounter that left him scarred.

B. Connected Characters:

1. Isabella Rodrigues

   • Role: A merchant who unknowingly aids Dona Gracia in her smuggling operation.

2. Father Antonio Cortez

   • Role: Local priest suspicious of crypto-Jews, unknowingly aiding the Inquisition.

3. Elena Ramirez

   • Role: A lady-in-waiting in the court, secretly sympathetic to Dona Gracia’s cause.

4. Captain Miguel de Leon

   • Role: Ship captain hired for the smuggling operation, torn between duty and morality.

C. Environment Characters (Listed by Jobs):

1. Tavern Keeper

2. Merchant Guild Members

3. Servants in Dona Gracia’s Mansion

4. Dockworkers

5. Inquisitorial Guards

6. Court Jester

These characters contribute to the historical backdrop and day-to-day life in the Renaissance setting, providing context and depth to the story.

[Rashit Ismail]

I am replying here as the reply button is not working under lesson 2

Module 1 assignment 2

Circle of characters for my own series

A. Main Characters:

Dona Gracia Mendes:

Unique Role: Takes on the Inquisition which is after her to prove that they are crypto-Jews and fights off hear jealous sister Brianda who wants to get her inheritance.

Secret or Intrigue: She uses her merchant ships to smuggle crypto-Jews from Europe to the Ottoman Empire.

Brianda Mendes the sister of Dona Gracia:

Unique Role: wants her inheritance that Dona Gracia ,à ages after the death of their father to have a good time attending parties with nobility.

Secret or Intrigue: irresistible beauty that never gives up what she has in mind.

Diego Mendes uncle and brother in law of Dona Gracia:

Unique Role: Manages the spice trade with is brother Francisco and becomes Dona Gracia’s partner after Francisco’s death.

Secret or Intrigue: madly in love with Brianda and the brain behind the underground smuggling operation of crypto-Jews.

Josef Nasi the nephew of Dona Gracia:

Unique Role: becomes the right hand of Dona Gracia after the death of Francisco and Diego.

Secret or Intrigue: Can navigate the hallways of power in Europe having studied with princes and future kings at Leuven University.

Charles V Holy Roman Emperor:

Unique role: wants to get rid of non Christians as part of his legacy.

Secret or Intrigue: in so doing wants to put# his hand on their fortune.

Bishop da Silva: the grand inquisitor of Portugal

Unique Role: wants to satisfy the Pope and receive his favors.

Secret or Intrigue: has this sadistic urge to see crypto-Jews burn at the stake.

Sultan Suleiman the Magnificient:

Unique role: is Charles V’s great enemy in stopping the expansion of the Holy Roman Empire in Europe and the Mediterranean.

Secret or intrigue: is madly in love with hurrem Sultan, his favorite in the Harem whom he will marry.

B. Connected Characters: These are characters that the main characters interact with during the season. They play a part in the journey in some way and sometimes affect the main character’s actions.

La Chica or Ana is Diego and Brianda’s only child.

Reyna is Francisco and Dona Gracia’s only preteen child.

Queen Marry of Hungary is the sister of Charles V and helps him govern his vast empire.

Hurrem Sultan is the favorite of the Sultan and will help Dona Gracia secure the Sultan’s favors.

Pierre is the bodyguard of Dona Gracia after the death of Francisco and Diego and is actually a papal spy.

The mother superior helps the release of Doan Gracia after her arrest in Venice.

C. Environment Characters: These are background characters that are necessary to fulfill the “standard roles” for your kind of story, but usually don’t do anything significant. List them by their jobs only.

King Manuel of Portugal who introduced the Inquisition in Portugal.

Pope Paul VI who chased heretics across Europe.

Zaida is Dian Gracia’s trustworthy servant

Moses Hamon is the chief Jewish doctor to Suleiman the magnificent.

[Rashit Ismail]

the Americans character circles

• A. Main Characters Circle: Philip, Elisabeth, Henry, Paige, Stan Beeman
• B. Connected Circle: Oleg Burov, Arcady Zotov, Frank Gaad, Martha Anson, Dennis Aderholt, Nina Krilova, Sandra Beeman, general Zhukov, Claudia, Gabriel, Matthew Beeman, Pastor Tim, Tatiana Vyazmtseva, agent brooks.
• C. Environment Circle: FBI agents, double agents, embassy employees, Secretary of State, house maid,

[Rashit Ismail]

Subject line: The Americans 5 Star Model

What I learned doing this assignment is how important it is to set up the story real well already at the pilot stage and introduce intriguing characters that will push the viewer to want to find out more by binge watching.

1. Pick a Binge Worthy EXAMPLE SHOW from our list below and watch the first episode, making a light outline of the episode. Just the beats and anything that seems important to you.

In 1981, shortly after the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings are undercover Soviet intelligence agents from the secretive Directorate S of the KGB sent to the U.S. 15 years ago to work deep cover in Washington, D.C. Their assumed identities are a married couple who run a travel agency, and even their own children Paige and Henry do not know their secret.

In a cocktail bar, Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell), disguised as a sex worker, talks to an FBI bureaucrat. She takes him to a hotel room where she seduces him for information. Subsequently, Nikolai Timoshev (David Vadim), a KGB operative who has defected to the United States, is being watched by Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), Elizabeth’s husband, and Rob (Chase Coleman). They stand in an alley waiting for Timoshev. As Timoshev approaches them, he realizes it’s a setup and he runs, with Philip and Rob in pursuit. Philip captures him, but not before Rob is stabbed by Timoshev. Elizabeth picks the three of them up in a car and they drop Rob off at a nearby hospital, but miss the ship that would return Timoshev to Russia.

At the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich) meets his new counter-intelligence partner, Chris Amador (Maximiliano Hernández). Their supervisor, Agent Mark Bartholomew (Michael Gaston), informs them that Timoshev failed to arrive. Meanwhile, Philip hides Timoshev in the trunk of his car in his garage, tied up and gagged. Philip threatens to kill him if he makes any noise. Philip then leaves the garage and goes into his home where Elizabeth and their two children, Paige (Holly Taylor) and Henry (Keidrich Sellati), get ready for school. In a flashback, a young Elizabeth is practicing fighting moves with her trainer. Timoshev takes over for the trainer. He and Elizabeth practice. Timoshev gets aggressive and eventually rapes her. Back in the present day, Philip, in disguise, meets with Martha Hanson (Alison Wright), a woman who works in Agent Bartholomew’s office. Philip probes her for information on Timoshev, to which she reveals that the FBI have the car description and license plate number used for the kidnapping and that it was carried out by two men and a woman. Later, Philip tells Elizabeth everything the FBI have on them.

The Jenningses go next door to meet their new neighbors, who happen to be Stan and his family. Stan tells them that he works in counter-intelligence. Later, debating whether or not Stan moving next door is a coincidence, Elizabeth tells Philip that they have to get rid of Timoshev as soon as they can. Philip disagrees, and during their argument he suggests they defect to America by giving Timoshev to the FBI. Elizabeth immediately rejects this idea. In another flashback, Philip and Elizabeth are introduced for the first time and are given their orders. In the present day, Philip, while jogging, calls the hospital where Rob was dropped off. He is informed that he died. Later, Stan asks Philip to lend him jumper cables. Philip takes him to his garage and Stan notices the Jennings’ car is the same type used in the kidnapping, albeit with Virginia license plates.

Later, Philip removes Timoshev from the trunk of the car in order to take him to Stan. Elizabeth attacks Timoshev, attempting to kill him despite his apology for hurting her. Philip asks how he hurt her and when neither of them replies, he breaks Timoshev’s neck. Philip and Elizabeth pour acid on the body and dump it in a wastewater pool at an abandoned factory. They then have sex in their car. Philip (in disguise) visits the man who came on to his daughter in a shoe shop earlier, and almost kills him with a barbecue grill, leaving him with a warning. The next day, Elizabeth goes to see General Viktor Zhukov (Olek Krupa), who questions her about the failed mission. When Zhukov asks for an update on Philip’s loyalty, based on Elizabeth’s earlier reports, she dismisses them, covering for Philip and taking responsibility for the mission’s failure. In a final flashback, Philip and Elizabeth have just moved to the States. Philip tries to get close to her, but she rejects him. In the final scene, Stan breaks into the Jennings’ garage and checks their trunk. Finding nothing, he leaves. Philip hides nearby with a silenced firearm in his hands.

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

1. Big Picture Hooks
   Ask this: What is the big hook of this show? The big hook is how unseeingly normal citizens can turn out to be unsuspected and undercover spies working for your biggest ennemy.
2. Amazing and Intriguing Character
   Ask this: What makes these main characters intriguing and interesting? These characters arre intriguing because they all have comlex backstories based on their past life professional experiences ot affiliations.
3. Empathy / Distress
   Ask this: What situations causes us to feel both empathy and distress for these characters? We feel empathy for Philip because he doesn’t look like a mean guy but just a simple person trying to do his job. Elisabeth seems like a much tougher character but we also feel empathy for her whne we disciver that she was raped by that same KGB officer that defected to the west and that they are trying to kidnap.
4. Layers / Open Loops
   Ask this: What questions are created by this first episode that can only be answered by watching the entire season? will they eventually defect to the West, will Stan discover who they really are ? how long before they are uncovered.
5. Inviting Obsession
   Ask this: How does this pilot create the need to see every single episode? We have several parallel stories and we are curious as to how each will unfold.

3. Watch the same first episode A SECOND TIME while looking at your 5 Star Point analysis. This time, your purpose is to see beyond the obvious answers. Assume there is more to learn and discover it!

[Rashit Ismail]

Name: Rashit Ismail

I agree to the terms of the release form:

GROUP RELEASE FORM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rashit Ismail]

Hello my name is Rashit Ismail. I am more of a producer than a screenwriter and I have currently a pilot script that I would like to re-write with the help of AI and make it truly binge worthy and attract co-producers. I consider myself a citizen of the world and I have several nationalities spanning the world !

[Rashit Ismail]

3. Make a list of 6 – 8 changes or steps that need to happen for that character to go from who they are in the beginning (Old Ways) to who they are in the ending (New Ways).

1- The Inquisition at Dona Gracia’s door after being denounced by her sister

2- The discussion with the Mother Superior while in house arrest at the convent

3- Arrival to Ferrara and convert back to Judaism

4- The Plague and how the Conversos are affected by it

5- The court case with Brianda and the custody of her daughter

6- The departure for Istanbul and meeting with Hurrem Sultan

7- Organizing the boycott of Ancona and its unraveling

8- Negotiate a homeland with the Sultan

The creation of a homeland with the beginning of a
textile industry in Tiberius

[Rashit Ismail]

What I learned doing this assignment is to break down a story into a 4 act structure

Create a first draft of your 4 Act Transformational Structure.

1. Give us the following:

Concept: After the death of her
husband Dona Gracia, the heiress to the biggest spice trading fortune in Europe decides to help her fellow
conversos by taking on the Inquisition.

Main Conflict: The main conflict
is between the two sisters, Brianda wanting to recuperate her inheritance which
Dona Gracia manages for her after the death of her husband.

Old Ways: carefree, guided by her
husband/ apolitical.

New Ways: Self-confident / in
charge/fights for a cause.

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

Act 1:

Opening: carefree life in Venice
Inciting Incident: The sister
denounces Dona Gracia
Turning Point: The Inquisition
arrests her

Act 2:

New plan: Escape from Venice and
help conversos escape
Plan in action: Go to Ferrara.and
continue the court case against her sister and to keep custody of Ana
Midpoint Turning Point: Convert
back to Judaism.

Act 3:

Rethink everything: Plague
outbreak in Ferrara and Find refuge in the Ottoman Empire.
New plan: Organize the boycott of
the port of Ancona to punish the Pope’s persecution of conversos. Brianda’s
last attempt to put her hands to Ana’s inheritance.
Turning Point: Huge failure /
Major shift: Brianda dies. The Boycott fails and Dona Gracia turns her
attention to create a homeland for her people.

Act 4:

Climax/Ultimate expression of the
conflict: Negotiate with the Sultan a settlement for all conversos in the
Ottoman Empire.
Resolution: Begin the establishment
of a homeland in the city of Tiberius with the establishment of silkworm
farms and a textile industry

3. Once you have created the 4-Act Structure for your Protagonist, go back over it to see if there is any big picture points you need to add to represent your Antagonist.

[Rashit Ismail]

What I learned is that we can transform the 3 act structure into a 4 act structure with about equal number of pages for each.

Concept: After the death of her husband and brother in law Dona Gracia finds herself at the helm off the biggest spice fortune in XVI century Europe and decides to help her fellow Conversos escape persecution by the Inquisition.

Main conflict: Dona gracia’s sister Brianda denounces her to the Inqusition in an effort to put her hands on her own par5 of the inheritance which Dona Gracia controls.

Old ways: carefree/guided by husband/apolitical

New ways:Self confident/ in charge/fights for a cause

Act 1:

Opening: carefree life in Venice

Inciting incident: the sister denounces Dona Gracia to the authorities for heresy

Turning point:The inquisition puts her in house arrest

Act 2:

New plan: Escape from Venice and help Conversos escape Europe to the Ottoman Elmore using her own fleet.

Plan in action: find refuge in Ferrara where Jews are tolerated

Midpoint turning point: she converts back to Judaism and assumes the name of Hana Nasi

Act 3:

Rethinking everything: Find refuge in the Ottoman Empire after the outbreak of the plague

New Plan: Organize the boycott of the port of Ancona to punish the ope and the 8 question persecuting the Conversos.

Turning point: huge failure/ major shift. The boycott fails and Dona Gracia shifts her focus to finding a homeland for the Conversos.

Act 4:

climax/ ultimate expression of the conflict: negotiate with the Sultan the use of the city of Tiberius as a homeland for the Conversos.

Resolution: first settlers sent to Tiberius to establish worm farms and create a silk textile industry.

[Rashit Ismail]

What I learned during this assignment is that you can always go deeper in defining your characters by interviewing them.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR PROTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself.

2. I am a conversos, a jew that forcefully converted to the catholic religion. My husband is at the head of one of the biggest spice trading fortunes for the King of Portugal.

Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

4. I was called to this journey after the passing of my husband and then my brother in law that were managing the business. The persecution against my people had become unbearable.

You are up against the Inquisition. What is it about them that makes
this journey even more difficult for you?

6. I am up against an all-powerful institution called the Inquisition. They have the might, the political power and the will to persecute anyone they desire.

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?

9. I expect to become although and fight my enemies. The most difficult will be not to fall into the Inquisition Trap.

Yes I am going have ti give up my protected life as the richest woman
in Europe and as a housewife and take on these powerful men!

What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most
difficult to let go of?

12. will be difficult not to accept the orders that we were subjected to as Converso. We were forced to finance the nobility and the rich.

What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

14. The fear of not being able to handle this all by myself. The fact that men run the show. The fear of death and what would happen to the two young girls under my custody.

What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face
this conflict or antagonist?

16. I am good at reading people’s real intentions. I am well suited because my husband always kept me what was going on with the political intrigues.

What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want
them to know?

18. My secret is to create a homeland for all these conversos that I ma helping to find safety in the Ottoman Empire

What do you think of the Inquisition?

I think it is a faceless and uncontrollable monster.

Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

We lend monies to kings and nobilities to wage their war but when the Pope asks them to persecute us as false converts, they do not hesitate.

What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

My people will live in peace and prosper and us with them.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ANTAGONIST

Tell me about yourself.

I am Brianda Dona Gracia’s sister. I am the unloved sister because they think that all I want to do is to have fun.

Having to do with this journey,
what are your strengths and weaknesses?

I am beautiful and liked by everyone, especially men! I am not as intelligent as my sister.

Why are you committed to making
the Protagonist fail? Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed
to making them change?

Because she controls the money including my inheritance and as such doesn’t allow me to live The life I want.

What do you get out of winning
this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

I will become powerful and enjoy life as I wish.

What drives you toward your
mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

I need to put my hands on my inheritance at all cost.

What secrets must you keep to
succeed? What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

That I will denounce my sister to the authorities

Compared to other people like
you, what makes you special?

I am beautiful and irresistible, and I will become even more attractive to nobility if I have my inheritance money.

What do you think of Dona Gracia?

I hate her because she doesn’t allow me to become financially independent and lead the life that I want.

Tell me your side of this whole
conflict / story.

I do not understand why we have to use our fortune to help Conversos instead of working with European kings and princes and become richer.

[Rashit Ismail]

1.Fill in Part 2 of the character Profile for your two lead characters.

PROTAGONIST: DONA GRACIA

What draws us to this character?
A Woman in a XVI century world dominated by man. She decides to take on
the most powerful organization that spans Europe: the Inquisition. In so
doing puts her life and her vast fortune in danger.
Traits: Intelligent, ambitious,
doesn’t take no for an answer. Had a dry wit and allergy to fools.
Subtext: Is always thinking one
step ahead and how to outmaneuver the opposition, except with her sister.
Flaw: Trusts her sister
Values: Justice, fighting for the
oppressed,
Irony: She is a woman, but she is
the only one that has the means to fight the Inquisition,
What makes this the right
character for this role? She has a very strategic mind that allows her to
create alliances that will help her fight the Inquisition.

ANTAGONIST: BRIANDA

What draws us to this character?
Her beauty and grace. She is beautiful, high spirited and Social
Traits: Sensitive and vulnerable.

Subtext: she can manipulate people
with her beauty to get what she wants.
Flaw: Too emotional
Values: be the center of
attention,
Irony: This most attractive and beautiful
woman will self-destruct.
What makes this the right
character for this role? In a cruel world of persecution and Inquisition
she is like a breath of fresh air and allows us to see also the pompous
aspect of life in Renaissance Europe. She is also everything that Dona
Gracia is not.

2. Make any improvements you think of to your Part 1 profile and bring the two parts together.

· My Protagonist will not let the Inquisition persecute the Conversos.

· She is in her mid-twenties. Not as attractive as her sister Brianda

· Internal Journey

She transforms form a woman leading a rich an opulent normal life to a woman of conviction that protects and fights for the rights of Conversos like her: people that were forced to convert from Judaism to Christianity by the Inquisition.

· External Journey

She uses her merchant fleet to help Conversos that are being persecuted by the Inquisition find refuge in safer shores within the Ottoman empire.

· Motivation: repair an injustice

· Wound: as a kid she saw auto-da-fe’s where Conversos were burnt as heretics.

· Mission/Agenda: bring the persecuted Conversos to safe land in the Ottoman empire.

· Secret: to create a homeland for the Conversos one day

· What makes her special: ability to identify and undo plots.

3.What I learned doing this assignment is that
character profiles are complex and sometime contradictory

[Rashit Ismail]

1. The Hero Dona Gracia is an ambitious young lady who decides to use her vast fortune to take on the Inquistion persecuting the conversos.

2. The Villain is Brianda who is jealous of her sister and who will do everything in her power to get her part of the inheritance.

3. There will be supporting characters and minor roles

4. My genre is a Historical Drama

5. Lead character profile

· My Protagonist will not let the Inquisition persecute the Conversos

· She is in her mid-twenties. Not as attractive as her sister Brianda

· Internal Journey

She transforms form a woman leading a rich an opulent normal life to a woman of conviction that protects and fights for the rights of Conversos like her: people that were forced to convert from Judaism to Christianity by the Inquisition.

· External Journey

She uses her merchant fleet to help Conversos that are being persecuted by the Inquisition find refuge in safer shores within the Ottoman empire.

· Motivation: repair an injustice

· Wound: as a kid she saw auto-da-fe’s where Conversos were burnt as heretics.

· Mission/Agenda: bring the persecuted Conversos to safe land in the Ottoman empire.

· Secret: to create a homeland for the Conversos one day

· What makes her special: ability to identify and undo plots.

6. What I learned doing this assignment is what is the role of the Antagonist and Protagonist and how they will fulfill that role.

[Rashit Ismail]

Rashit Ismail’s Transformational journey

What I learned from this assignment is that there is an internal and external journey.

My hero is Dona Gracia the heiress to the biggest spice trading fortune in XVI century Portugal.

Internal Journey

She transforms form a woman leading a rich an opulent normal life to a woman of conviction that protects and fights for the rights of Conversos like her: people that were forced to convert from Judaism to Christianity by the Inquisition.

External Journey

She uses her merchant fleet to help Conversos that are being persecuted by the Inqusition find refuge in safer shores within the Ottoman empire

Old Ways:

1) Carefree

2) guided by her husband

3) no political viewpoint

New ways

1) Self confident

2 ) takes charge after the death of her husband

3) fights for a cause

[Rashit Ismail]

Rashit Ismail

I agree to the terms of the release form below

[Rashit Ismail]

Hello fellow scriptwriters,

My name is Rashit Ismail.

I have written 2 scripts

Actually I ma more of a Producer but I have commissioned script but I would like to now write one myself and see how it compares. It’s the adaptation of a historical novel.

I consider myself a citizen of the world and have 5 different passports.

looking forward to the class

Rashit