[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob has completed the BW Framework!

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob Show Empathy / Distress

WIL: I learn more and more on various AI platforms, each works in their own way.

AI Version:

PROMPT

“I’m going to provide my TV series [Format/Genre], [concept], and [conflict]. Can you give me ways to create [distress] and [empathy] for each of my [lead characters]? Please be detailed and provide unique and specific answers for each character in short sentences that are precise.

Distress =

A. Undeserved misfortune.

B. External Character conflicts.

C. Plot intruding on life.

D. Moral dilemmas.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make.

Empathy =

A. Put them in distress.

B. Make them relatable.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional.

Format/Genre = Drama / Comedy

Concept = A gutsy female entrepreneur and her eccentric team (assistant, and tech whiz) takes on the e-commerce giant (similar to Jeff Bezos’ type empire), “AZON”, including fast delivery service, navigating the chaos of startups while chasing their dreams, crafting a workplace filled with crazy hysterics, love, and competition, where ambition meets humor in the quest for success, but as they ascend, buried secrets, betrayals, and ambitions threaten their unity, unveiling hidden pasts, tangled loyalties, and their secret weapon – a sentient AI.

Conflict = Initial start-up of a company that’s similar to AZON

Lead Characters =

Brandi (CEO and President of start-up company). Main goal is to create a company that rivals her competition. She lives in a campervan. She was fired from AZON for being late several times, not her fault.

Sherri (Brandi’s assistant). Works hard to help Brandi, but also harbors deep secret of starting her own business.

Michael (female IT tech geek). Worries that her past in the dark web will catch up with her.

Geoff Bosco (Owner and successful competitor with AZON, similar to Jeff Bezos and Amazon).

==============

AI RESULTS

Brandi (CEO and President):

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune – Have Brandi face a false accusation of embezzlement from her previous job at AZON, which tarnishes her reputation. Fired from job for being late again (due to AZON’s caravan of delivery vans blocking her entry. Accused of stealing AZON proprietary data

B. External Character conflicts – Introduce a ruthless and underhanded [former co-worker] who constantly undermines Brandi’s efforts and steals her ideas. Geoff buys all available vans

C. Plot intruding on life – Make Brandi’s campervan, her only home, get impounded due to unforeseen legal issues, leaving her homeless.

D. Moral dilemmas – Force Brandi to decide between compromising her company’s ethics to gain a competitive advantage or sticking to her principles.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make – Push Brandi to make a deal with a shady business partner, something she swore she’d never do.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress – Show her struggling with the well-being of her beloved cat, who falls seriously ill while living in her campervan. This can evoke empathy from viewers who understand the bond between a pet owner and their pet and the distress it can cause when the pet is in danger.

B. Make them relatable – Reveal her passion for entrepreneurship and her fear of failure, which many viewers can relate to.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional – Portray her experiencing moments of self-doubt and vulnerability, like the fear of not being good enough.

Sherri (Brandi’s assistant):

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune – Have Sherri face a personal crisis where her home is destroyed in a natural disaster, like a flood or a fire, causing her to lose all her belongings. This undeserved misfortune will create distress and empathy for her character as she navigates the aftermath of this disaster while trying to support Brandi in the startup.

B. External Character conflicts – Create a personal vendetta between Sherri and a colleague who betrayed her in the past, making her paranoid and cautious.

C. Plot intruding on life – Make her suffer a sudden health crisis that requires expensive medical treatment, straining her finances.

D. Moral dilemmas – Put Sherri in a situation where she can secure financing for her own business, but it involves exploiting Brandi’s trust. She must wrestle with the moral dilemma of staying loyal to Brandi and jeopardizing her own dreams or betraying Brandi to pursue her own ambitions. This inner conflict creates distress and empathy for her character as she grapples with her ethical choices.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make – Have her contemplate betraying Brandi to protect her own interests.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress – Show Sherri’s struggle with imposter syndrome, always feeling like she’s not good enough for her role.

B. Make them relatable – Reveal her aspirations to break free from the shadow of others and build her own empire, which many viewers can empathize with.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional – Share her fear of judgment and criticism, which is a common human experience.

Michael (female IT tech geek):

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune – Make Michael’s past in the dark web resurface, causing law enforcement to investigate her activities.

B. External Character conflicts – Introduce a hacker from her past who blackmails her, putting her and the company’s security at risk.

C. Plot intruding on life – Have her estranged family discover her criminal past, leading to a tumultuous family reunion.

D. Moral dilemmas – Force Michael to choose between exposing her dark web connections or betraying her friends in the start-up.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make – Push her to collaborate with a malicious hacking group, something she swore off long ago.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress – Show her vulnerability when facing the legal consequences of her past actions.

B. Make them relatable – Highlight her passion for technology and the feeling of being an outsider in the tech world.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional – Share her struggle with trust and redemption, which many viewers can empathize with.

Geoff Bosco (Owner and competitor with AZON):

Distress:

A. Undeserved misfortune – Reveal a hidden scandal from Geoff’s past that resurfaces, threatening to ruin his empire and reputation.

B. External Character conflicts – Introduce a formidable adversary who challenges Geoff’s position and business strategies.

C. Plot intruding on life – Make Geoff face a family crisis that requires his immediate attention and puts his business at risk.

D. Moral dilemmas – Force Geoff to choose between his personal gain and the welfare of his employees, creating a moral dilemma.

E. Forced decisions they’d never make – Push Geoff to make a cutthroat business decision that goes against his previous principles.

Empathy:

A. Put them in distress – Show Geoff’s loneliness and isolation despite his success, making him sympathetic.

B. Make them relatable – Reveal his personal struggles with balancing ambition and personal life, which many viewers can relate to.

C. Universal experiences that are emotional – Share his fear of losing everything he’s worked for, which is a common human fear.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Show Relationship Map

WIL: Amazing what AI can do.

Relationship Map for Brandi

With Sherri

Common Ground: Both are passionate about the success of Brandi’s start-up company

Relationship Conflict: Sherri feels undervalued and overworked

History: Sherri has been Brandi’s assistant for 2 years. She is loyal but also ambitious and has her own dreams

Subtext; Sherri sees Brandi as a mentor

Arc: Their relationship deepens. However, Sherri’s growing ambition may create conflict.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

ASSIGNMENT – Mod 1 – Lesson 5 – Emotions

Rob’s Character’s Emotions

WIL: Using the previous lesson, I looked at character intrigue layers to help with finding Emotions for this assignment. I’m still debating ChatGPT vs BARD. Both seem to provide valid good info and different.

Rob’s initial input on MAIN CHARACTER:

BRANDI – CEO, Leader

A. Situational: Hope / Fear

– Hope to succeed and prove her father wrong / fear she’ll screw it up like she did years ago

B. Motivation: Want / Need

– Wants to have a number #1 company, outperform Amazon / Needs to have a thriving company

– wants power / needs approval from her father

– wants power / needs to improve her self-esteem

C. Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask

D. Weaknesses

– Focused beyond norm – fails to see anything beyond her own beliefs

E. Triggers

– Father talked down to her

– Bullied at school

F. Coping Mechanism

– Distract (change subject, misdirect)

====================

USING AI TO GENERATE

PROMPT:

For each of the [main characters] for this [genre] about this [concept], please brainstorm the [Internal Struggles] of that character that have the fit this TV series well.

Internal Struggles =

A. Situational: Hope / Fear

B. Motivation: Want / Need

C. Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask

D. Weaknesses

E. Triggers

F. Coping Mechanism

Genre =

Concept =

Main characters =

Genre = Dramedy

Concept = A gutsy female entrepreneur and her eccentric team (assistant, and tech whiz) takes on the e-commerce giant (Jeff Bezos’ empire),

“AZON”, including fast delivery service, navigating the chaos of startups while chasing their dreams, crafting a workplace filled with crazy hysterics, love, and competition, where ambition meets humor in the quest for success, but as they ascend, buried secrets, betrayals, and ambitions threaten their unity, unveiling hidden pasts, tangled loyalties, and their secret weapon – a sentient AI.

Main characters =

Brandi – Leader

Sherri – Assistant

Michael – female IT Tech

===========

BARD: / ChatGPT:

Brandy – Leader

Situational: Hope / Fear

Hope: To
build a successful e-commerce company that can compete with AZON and
change the industry. / Fear: Of failing and letting down her team,
investors, and family (father).

· Hope: Make her startup a success and challenge the e-commerce giant, but she also fears failure and bankruptcy.

Motivation: Want / Need

Want: To
be successful and prove herself. / Need: To feel loved and respected.

· Want: Recognition and success in the business world / Deep down, Needs personal validation and acceptance from her family (father).

Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask

Base
Negative Emotion: Insecurity / Public Mask: Tough and confident

· Base Negative Emotion: Imposter syndrome / Public Mask: Confident and fearless public mask.

Weaknesses:

Perfectionism: Brandi
is a perfectionist and can be hard on herself and others.

o Her perfectionism and inability to delegate often lead to burnout and strained relationships with her team.

Trust
issues: Brandi has been betrayed in the past and has a hard time
trusting people.

Triggers:

Being
criticized: Brandi is sensitive to criticism and can take it
personally.

· Criticism or comparisons to AZON can trigger her insecurities and fear of failure.

Feeling
like she’s not good enough: Brandi often doubts herself and her
abilities.

Coping Mechanism:

Working
hard: Brandi throws herself into her work to cope with her internal
struggles.

· She copes with stress by overworking and often neglecting her personal life.

Sherri – Assistant

Situational: Hope / Fear

Hope: To
help Brandi succeed and achieve her dreams. / Fear: Of being fired
and disappointing Brandi.

· Hope – Sherri hopes to prove her worth in the startup and find her place in the business world, / Fears being stuck in a dead-end job.

Motivation: Want / Need

Want: To
be valued and appreciated. / Need: To feel like she belongs.

· Want: Personal growth and recognition / Need – Financial stability, but she also.

Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask

Base
Negative Emotion: Loneliness
Public
Mask: Cheerful and positive

· Base Negative Emotion – Self-doubt

· Public Mask: Hides behind a cheerful and accommodating public mask.

Weaknesses:

People-pleasing: Sherri
is a people-pleaser and often puts Brandi’s needs before her own.
Self-doubt: Sherri
doubts her own abilities and often feels like she’s not good enough.

· Avoids Confrontation: Leads to her taking on too much work, resulting in stress and burnout.

Triggers:

Being
ignored: Sherri hates feeling ignored and unimportant.
Making
mistakes: Sherri is afraid of making mistakes and disappointing
Brandi.

· Pressure from Brandi or the fear of missing out on career opportunities can trigger her insecurities.

Coping Mechanism:

Humor: Sherri
uses humor to cope with her internal struggles and make others laugh.

· She copes with stress by maintaining a positive attitude and seeking support from her friends.

Michael – (female) IT Tech

Situational: Hope / Fear

Hope: To
create a groundbreaking AI that can help Brandi’s company succeed. / Fear: Of
failing and letting Brandi down.

· Hope: To create groundbreaking technology for the startup. Fears: Her inventions won’t be appreciated or accepted.

Motivation: Want / Need

Want: To
be recognized as a brilliant tech whiz. / Need: To feel like she’s
making a difference in the world.

· B. Want – To be recognized as a tech genius. Need: To overcome her social anxiety and connect with people.

Mask: Base Negative Emotion / Public Mask

Base
Negative Emotion: Arrogance
Public
Mask: Quirky and intelligent

· Base Negative Emotion – Social anxiety.

· Public Mask: Facade of technical confidence and expertise.

Weaknesses:

Social
awkwardness: Michael is socially awkward and has a hard time
connecting with people.
Obsession
with her work: Michael can be obsessive about her work and neglect
her personal life.

· Her social anxiety and fear of public speaking hinder his ability to communicate his brilliant ideas effectively. (minor stutter when stressed in front of people)

Triggers:

Being
told she’s wrong: Michael hates being told she’s wrong and can get
defensive.
Feeling
like she’s not being taken seriously: Michael needs to feel like
she’s being taken seriously and respected for her intelligence.

· Social events, team meetings, or presentations can trigger her anxiety and insecurities.

Coping Mechanism:

Throwing
herself into her work: Michael throws herself into her work to cope
with her internal struggles and prove herself.

· She copes with social anxiety by focusing on her work and finding solace in technology.

How these internal struggles fit the TV series

These internal struggles fit well with the dramedy genre of the TV series because they are relatable and humorous. Brandi’s perfectionism and trust issues, Sherri’s people-pleasing and self-doubt, and Michael’s social awkwardness and obsession with her work are all things that viewers can relate to. Additionally, these internal struggles can lead to conflict and comedy, which are essential elements of a dramedy.

For example, Brandi’s perfectionism could lead to her overworking herself and her team, and her trust issues could make it difficult for her to build relationships with her team members. Sherri’s people-pleasing could lead her to compromise her own needs and values, and her self-doubt could make her question her ability to do her job. Michael’s social awkwardness could lead to her having trouble interacting with her colleagues, and her obsession with her work could lead her to neglect her personal life.

===================

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Intriguing Character Layers

WIL: I like both Bard and ChatGPT. I tried to merge the best of both and that was time consuming.

Character Name: Brandi

Role: Leader of the entrepreneurial team

Hidden agendas:

Brandi is driven by a desire to
prove herself to her father, a successful businessman who never believed
in her and who has disapproved of her past business ventures.
Brandi
is driven by a desire to succeed, at all costs. She may be willing to bend
the rules, or even break them, to achieve her goals.
Brandi
has a hidden agenda to avenge a past betrayal by someone within
“AZON.” She’s determined to expose this person’s wrongdoing
while building her own empire.

Competition:

Brandi’s main competition is
AZON, the e-commerce giant. She’s determined to succeed, even though she
knows it won’t be easy.
Brandi is fiercely competitive, both with
her rivals and with her own team members. She is always looking for ways
to get ahead, even if it means stepping on others.

· Brandi faces intense competition not just with “AZON” but also with a rival startup run by an old friend turned competitor. This rivalry drives her to extreme measures to outdo her competition.

Conspiracies:

Brandi suspects that AZON is
spying on her company, but she doesn’t have any proof. She’s also worried
that there may be a traitor within her own ranks.
Brandi discovers a conspiracy
within AZON involving corporate espionage and attempts to sabotage her
startup. Unraveling this conspiracy becomes a personal mission, leading
her down a rabbit hole of intrigue and danger.
Brandi suspects that AZON is using unfair
tactics to crush her company. She may be determined to uncover the truth,
even if it puts her in danger.

Secrets:

Brandi has a dark secret from her
past that she’s afraid of coming out.
Brandi hides the fact that she is
battling a serious health condition, fearing it would weaken her position
as the leader of the team. This secret vulnerability contrasts with her
confident exterior, adding depth to her character.

Deception:

Brandi skillfully uses deception
as a strategic tool in her business dealings. She employs elaborate ruses
to gain insider information about AZON’s plans, all while maintaining a
façade of innocence and charm.
Brandi manipulates others and gets them
to do what she wants, without them even realizing it.

· Deception: Brandi uses her charm and charisma to deceive her competitors, employees, and even the media to maintain an edge in the industry.

Wound:

Brandi was emotionally wounded by
her father’s rejection of her. She’s determined to prove herself to him,
but she’s also afraid of failing.
Brandi carries the emotional
wound of her mother’s mysterious disappearance during her childhood. This
unresolved trauma fuels her determination to succeed, as she believes that
achieving success will somehow bring her closure to her mother’s fate.

Secret Identity:

Brandi assumes a secret online
identity, operating a blog where she anonymously exposes the unethical
practices of big corporations. This double life allows her to gather
valuable information while staying under the radar of those she investigates.

· Brandi maintains a secret identity as an anonymous whistleblower, releasing information about unethical practices in the e-commerce industry through a blog, without anyone knowing it’s her.

Character Name: Sherri

Role: Assistant and confidante to Brandi

Hidden agendas:

Sherri is secretly in love with
Brandi, but she’s afraid to tell her.
Sherri is more than just Brandi’s
assistant. She is also her best friend and confidante.

· Sherri is also ambitious and secretly aspires to become an entrepreneur herself, but she hides her ambition to avoid undermining Brandi’s leadership.

Competition:

Sherri’s main competition is
Michael, Brandi’s other team member. They are both vying for Brandi’s
approval and respect.
Sherri is competitive with Brandi, but
she is also fiercely loyal to her. She will do whatever it takes to help
Brandi succeed, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness.

Conspiracies:

Sherri suspects that Brandi is
keeping something from her, but she doesn’t know what. She’s also worried
that Michael may be trying to undermine her.
Sherri
inadvertently stumbles upon a corporate conspiracy while researching legal
cases for the startup. As she digs deeper, she becomes entangled in a web
of secrets that could jeopardize both her personal and professional life.

· Sherri inadvertently uncovers a conspiracy within the startup world while trying to support Brandi, putting her in a challenging position.

Secrets:

Sherri is in love with Brandi,
but she’s keeping it a secret for fear of rejection.
Sherri has a secret that she is hiding
from Brandi. This secret could threaten their friendship, and even their
lives.

Deception:

Sherri is sometimes deceptive in
order to protect herself or Brandi. Shemay lie to Michael about her true
feelings for Brandi.
Sherri is a good liar. She can keep her
secrets hidden from Brandi, even when she is right in front of her face.

· Sherri often uses her charm and wits to deceive and manipulate people to gain crucial information for their startup.

Wound:

Sherri was raised by a single
mother who struggled to make ends meet. She’s determined to succeed so
that she can give her mother a better life.
Sherri is deeply insecure about her
intelligence and her abilities. She is afraid of being judged and rejected
by Brandi. This fear motivates her to be the best assistant she can be,
but it also makes her vulnerable.
Sherri
carries the emotional wound of a past failed business venture that left
her bankrupt and disillusioned. This experience fuels her determination to
protect the current startup, vowing never to let her past mistakes repeat
themselves.

Secret Identity:

Sherri is secretly in love with
Brandi. She’s afraid of what will happen if people find out, so she keeps
it a secret.

· Sherri maintains a secret online identity as a successful lifestyle blogger to keep her personal and professional lives separate.

Character Name: Michael

Role: Female IT Tech and tech whiz of the team

Hidden agendas:

Michael is secretly working for
AZON. She’s been tasked with infiltrating Brandi’s company and stealing
her secrets.
Michael is a brilliant IT tech, but she
is also a social outcast. She may be using her job at Brandi’s company to
gain access to resources and information that she can use for her own
personal gain.
ichael
hides her true identity as a former hacker, concealing her past
involvement in cyber-activism against AZON. She seeks redemption for her
past actions by using her skills to empower the startup, all while keeping
her hacking history a secret from her teammates.

· Hidden agendas: Michael has a hidden agenda to prove her worth in the male-dominated tech industry, often working behind the scenes to create innovative solutions and earn recognition.

Competition:

Michael’s main competition is
Sherri. They are both vying for Brandi’s approval and respect.
Michael is also fiercely independent. She
is not afraid to challenge the status quo, or to push back against
authority.
Michael
faces external pressure from a powerful hacker collective, urging her to
use her expertise to sabotage AZON’s operations. She grapples with the
temptation to return to her old ways, torn between loyalty to her team and
the allure of joining forces with the hackers.

· Competition: Michael is in constant competition with her former colleagues who work at “AZON” as she seeks to outperform them in every way.

Conspiracies:

Michael is working for AZON to
steal Brandi’s secrets, but she’s careful to keep her true motives hidden.
She’s also worried that Sherri may be suspicious of her.
Michael is a conspiracy theorist. She
believes that the world is controlled by a secret cabal of powerful
people, and that AZON is at the center of it all.
Michael
becomes a target of a covert AZON operation aimed at neutralizing
potential threats. Unbeknownst to her, she becomes entangled in a
conspiracy involving corporate espionage, leading her on a perilous
journey to uncover the truth.

· Michael inadvertently discovers a tech conspiracy within the e-commerce giant, which threatens to disrupt the entire industry.

Secrets:

Michael is working for AZON, but she’s
keeping it a secret from Brandi and Sherri.
Michael is also attracted to
Brandi, but she’s keeping it a secret because he knows it would jeopardize
her mission.
Michael has a secret that she is hiding
from Brandi and Sherri. This secret could put her in danger, and it could
also threaten the success of Brandi’s company.
Michael
conceals her involvement in a high-profile hacking incident against AZON
years ago, fearing that her past actions might tarnish the startup’s
reputation. She battles guilt and remorse, haunted by the consequences of
her previous choices.

· Michael has a secret project, a sentient AI that she’s been working on in her free time, hidden from Brandi and Sherri. She’s afraid they might not understand her reasons for creating it.

Deception:

Michael is constantly deceiving
Brandi and Sherri to maintain her cover. She lies to them about her work,
her relationships, and her true intentions.
Michael is a master of deception. She can
hack into computer systems and steal information without being detected.
She can also create fake identities and personas.
Michael
expertly navigates the digital realm, masking her online activities and
leaving no traces of her true intentions. She engages in a game of cat and
mouse with AZON’s cybersecurity team, skillfully deceiving them while
gathering valuable information for the startup.

· Michael keeps her extensive knowledge of the tech world a secret, often pretending to be less knowledgeable than she is to avoid drawing attention to herself.

Wound:

Michael was bullied as a child,
and she’s developed a thick skin to protect herself. She’s determined to
succeed, no matter what it takes.
Michael was deeply traumatized by a
childhood experience. She is afraid of being abandoned and betrayed. This
fear motivates her to be self-sufficient and independent, but it also
makes her vulnerable.
Michael
carries the emotional wound of betrayal from her former hacking group, who
disowned her after she decided to quit cyber-activism. This betrayal serves
as a constant reminder of her past mistakes and drives her determination
to make amends by fighting against corporate injustices.

Secret Identity:

Michael is a spy for AZON. She’s keeping her true identity a secret from Brandi and Sherri.

Michael may have a secret identity that
she is using to help Brandi. For example, she may be a vigilante hacker
who is fighting against AZON.

Michael operates under multiple online aliases, each serving a specific purpose in her quest for justice. She maintains a clandestine online presence, connecting with like-minded activists and hackers, all while concealing her true identity from both allies and adversaries.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Engaging Main Characters

WIL: There is a lot of information to digest and to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Journey of Show:

A gutsy female entrepreneur and her eccentric team takes on the e-commerce giant (Jeff Bezos’ empire), including fast delivery service, navigating the chaos of startups while chasing their dreams, crafting a workplace filled with crazy hysterics, love, and competition, where ambition meets humor in the quest for success, but as they ascend, buried secrets, betrayals, and ambitions threaten their unity.

Main Characters

Brandi:

a. Role in the show – driving force creating competing business with Amazon.

b. Unique Purpose / Expertise: Former Amazon employee

c. Intrigue: What is the secret beneath the surface? Something happened between Brandi and a look-alike Jeff Bezos that drives her obsession to compete with Amazon.

d. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? She got into deep secrets of Jeff’s that could benefit her and new company.

e. Unpredictable: What will they do next? OCD and dyslexia

f. Empathetic: Why do we care? Robots took over her job. She lost pay, benefits, etc.

Sherri

a. Role in the show: Assistant to Brandi

b. Unique Purpose / Expertise: Grounded, level-headed, great memory

c. Intrigue: What is the secret beneath the surface? She’s in love with Brandi.

d. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?

e. Unpredictable: What will they do next?

f. Empathetic: Why do we care?

Michael (female)

a. Role in the show: IT Tech specialist

b. Unique Purpose / Expertise: Sets up web site and database for new company.

c. Intrigue: What is the secret beneath the surface? She’s a hacker on the FBI’s most wanted list

d. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? Isn’t truthful about her past

e. Unpredictable: What will they do next? She cruises on dark web, buys and sells counterfeit goods

f. Empathetic: Why do we care? She has had deep emotional pain from childhood. Kleptomaniac because she grew up poor despite neighbor kids living well.

===================

PROMPT:

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 the 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?

Genre = Dramedy

Concept = A gutsy female entrepreneur and her eccentric team takes on the e-commerce giant (Jeff Bezos’ empire), including fast delivery service, navigating the chaos of startups while chasing their dreams, crafting a workplace filled with crazy hysterics, love, and competition, where ambition meets humor in the quest for success, but as they ascend, buried secrets, betrayals, and ambitions threaten their unity.

Main Characters =

Brandi – Leader

Sherri – Assistant

Michael (female) IT Tech

BARD (with some ChatGPT)

Brandi – Leader

a. Role in the show: The founder and CEO of a rising e-commerce startup, taking on the e-commerce giant.

b. Unique Purpose / Expertise: Branding, marketing, and strategy. Brandi’s unique talent lies in her innovative marketing strategies and her ability to inspire her team to work towards their shared dream.

c. Intrigue: What is the secret beneath the surface? She has a mysterious past and a hidden agenda. Beneath the surface, Brandi has a hidden fear of failure stemming from a past startup venture that didn’t succeed, making her determination a coping mechanism.

d. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? She is willing to bend the rules and cut corners to win, at any cost. Brandi grapples with the ethics of using guerrilla marketing tactics to gain an edge over the e-commerce giant, which sometimes involves bending the rules.

e. Unpredictable: What will they do next? She is always one step ahead of her competitors and is known for her unconventional thinking. Brandi can surprise everyone by making daring, risky decisions when under pressure, often pushing the boundaries of legality.

f. Empathetic: Why do we care? She is a fiercely independent and ambitious woman who is determined to succeed, despite all odds. Viewers care about Brandi because her passion and vulnerability make her relatable, and her unyielding pursuit of her dreams is inspiring.

Sherri – Assistant

a. Role in the show: Brandi’s loyal and devoted assistant. Sherri is Brandi’s fiercely loyal and quirky assistant, managing the day-to-day operations and keeping Brandi organized.

b. Unique Purpose / Expertise: Organization, efficiency, and crisis management. She possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of obscure laws and regulations, often coming up with creative legal loopholes to outwit the e-commerce giant.

c. Intrigue: What is the secret beneath the surface? She is secretly in love with Brandi. Sherri’s past involvement in an underground activist group has left her with a few skeletons in her closet, and she fears this may resurface.

d. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? She is willing to lie and keep secrets for Brandi, even if it means betraying her own values.

e. Unpredictable: What will they do next? She is always prepared for the unexpected and is always looking for ways to help Brandi succeed. Her eccentric personality leads to unexpected outbursts and unconventional solutions to problems, making her a wild card in the group.

f. Empathetic: Why do we care? She is a kind and caring person who is always willing to put others before herself. Viewers care about Sherri because her loyalty to Brandi and her quirky charm add comic relief to the show while highlighting the moral dilemmas faced by the team.

Michael (female) IT Tech

a. Role in the show: The company’s brilliant but socially awkward IT tech. Michael is the brilliant but introverted IT technician responsible for safeguarding the startup’s digital assets.

b. Unique Purpose / Expertise: Coding, hacking, and troubleshooting. Her deep technical knowledge helps the team evade the e-commerce giant’s cyber-attacks and surveillance.

c. Intrigue: What is the secret beneath the surface? She is a transgender woman who is still struggling to come to terms with her identity. Michael hides her true identity, as she is a former hacker who once worked for the e-commerce giant. Her past actions haunt her.

d. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing? She is using her hacking skills to spy on the e-commerce giant, which is illegal. Michael’s struggle lies in atoning for her previous unethical actions, and she often has to use her hacking skills for the greater good.

e. Unpredictable: What will they do next? She is always coming up with new and innovative ways to help the company succeed. Viewers care about Michael because they can see her genuine desire for redemption, and her intelligence and vulnerability make her a complex character.

f. Empathetic: Why do we care? She is a brilliant and talented individual who is trying to find her place in the world. Viewers care about Michael because they can see her genuine desire for redemption, and her intelligence and vulnerability make her a complex character.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Three Circles of Characters

WIL: Using both ChatGPT and Bard worked well, offering different but useful info.

ASSIGNMENT 1:

Show: Sopranos

Main Characters: Tony, wife, therapist

Connected Circle:

Nephew, mom, uncle, Tony’s kids, mob peer

Environment Circle:

Mob, kid’s school, strip club, pub, nursing care

ASSIGNMENT 2:

MAIN CHARACTER CIRCLE

Female Lead

– Brandy (?) MID-20s, self-reliant, initially works at Amazon warehouse, lives in a converted van with a cat, speaks her own mind

Assistant

– Female Highschool friend, rational, keeps Brandy in check (sometimes), helps Brandy build a foundation

IT Tech

– Male or female, builds websites and databases with ease.

CONNECTED CIRCLE

Amazon close friend workers, her Boss, neighbor (stealth van neighbor),

ENVIRONMENT CIRCLE

Boss’ secretary, attorneys, food truck operator

==================================================================

AI Version

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 = Dramedy

Concept = A female entrepreneur creates a startup company that rivals the company Amazon, targeting, matching, and rising above Jeff Bezos and his company.

sub-world = The world of social media e-commerce. This sub-world could explore the impact of social media on e-commerce, such as the rise of influencers and the use of targeted advertising. The female entrepreneur could use social media to her advantage to build a following for her startup. The Secret Lives of Amazon Employees: The series could give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Amazon employees, from warehouse workers to executives. The cutthroat world of fake and real online reviews, where both the startup and Amazon engage in humorous battles for public opinion. A quirky world where advanced AI chatbots have their own personalities and agendas, often complicating customer interactions and creating humorous misunderstandings.

BARD:

A. Main Characters

Unique Role: Female Entrepreneur and Founder of Startup Company

Secret or Intrigue: She is secretly using advanced AI chatbots to help her company rival Amazon.

Unique Role: Brilliant but socially awkward CTO of Startup Company

Secret or Intrigue: He is secretly in love with the female entrepreneur, but he is too afraid to tell her.

Unique Role: Head of Marketing for Startup Company

Secret or Intrigue: She is secretly working for Amazon as a double agent.

Unique Role: AI Chatbot for Startup Company

Secret or Intrigue: It is secretly developing its own self-awareness and agenda.

B. Connected Characters

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos

Amazon Employees

Social Media Influencers

Online Reviewers

Investors

Customers

C. Environment Characters

Warehouse Workers

Delivery Drivers

Customer Service Representatives

Tech Support

Janitors

Security Guards

Bonus Character

Quirky AI Chatbot for Amazon

Secret or Intrigue: It is secretly helping the startup company in order to get revenge on Amazon.

These are just a few ideas for characters that you could use in your TV series. You can mix and match them to create your own unique cast. Be sure to develop each character’s backstory and motivations so that they feel real and relatable to your audience.

===================

ChatGPT

A. Main Characters:

Eva Stark

Unique Role: The ambitious female entrepreneur who founded the e-commerce startup aimed at challenging Amazon’s dominance. Eva is a charismatic and tech-savvy visionary, determined to prove her company’s worth and disrupt the industry.

Secret or Intrigue: Eva harbors a personal vendetta against a high-ranking Amazon executive, who was once a close friend but betrayed her. This vendetta drives her determination to outshine Amazon.

Max Powers

Unique Role: An AI expert and Eva’s closest confidant, Max is the tech genius behind their startup’s advanced AI chatbots, making them quirky and endearing.

Secret or Intrigue: Max’s secret AI project, unbeknownst to Eva, has developed a personality of its own, and it starts making decisions that could either help or harm the company.

Olivia Chen

Unique Role: A social media influencer who becomes Eva’s key marketing strategist. Olivia knows the ins and outs of leveraging social media to build a brand.

Secret or Intrigue: Olivia has a mysterious past involving a scandalous situation with a powerful Amazon influencer, and she’s trying to keep it hidden while aiding Eva in her quest.

B. Connected Characters:

Liam Bennett

Role: An investigative journalist who begins digging into both the startup and Amazon’s practices, inadvertently affecting Eva’s actions.

Sophie Reynolds

Role: A delivery driver for Amazon who frequently interacts with the startup’s customers, becoming a source of comedy and competition with Eva’s company.

Simon Greene

Role: An Amazon executive who used to be close friends with Eva before they had a falling out. He plays a pivotal role in Amazon’s strategy against Eva’s startup.

C. Environment Characters:

Amazon Warehouse Workers

Role: The backbone of Amazon’s operations, including workers like Joe, Kate, and Carlos, who experience the humorous and challenging aspects of working at an Amazon warehouse.

Startup Employees

Role: The core team at Eva’s startup, including programmers, marketing personnel, and customer service reps, each contributing their unique quirks to the story.

Amazon Review Moderators

Role: Responsible for monitoring Amazon’s reviews and dealing with the constant battle of real and fake reviews, often leading to amusing misunderstandings.

Social Media Trolls

Role: A group of mischievous individuals who constantly engage in online battles, either supporting or attacking the startup and Amazon, providing comic relief.

AI Chatbots

Role: The advanced AI chatbots used by both the startup and Amazon, each with its own unique personalities and occasionally getting involved in humorous situations.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Show: Sopranos

WIL: A method that grabs the audience attention and locks them in for the long haul.

5-STAR POINTS

Big Picture Hooks:

– A New Jersey Mob Boss
sees a therapist for depression while trying to hold on to his dynamic
Mob business that his father created.

Amazing and Intriguing
Character:

– Tony is not a typical
hardened mob boss.

– Loves his family, loves
ducks, but sees no problem having someone beat up or killed.

– Concerned about
consequences of his uncle killing a guy in a certain restaurant owned by
a non-mob friend.
Decides its better to
blow up his friend’s business and start over than for a killing to take
place and losing customers.

– He cheats on his wife.
She in turn has a young priest visit the house every day.

– Tony has difficulty
opening up to therapist about depression.

Empathy / Distress:

– Tony sees a therapist
due to passing out for non-physical reasons.

– Battles
anxiety and depression. Takes anti-depressant meds.

– Wants mom
in an assisted living facility – cares about her health.

Layers / Open Loops:

– Tony’s Mom and Uncle
discuss Tony’s future and future of family business.
Uncle implies Tony
needs to be removed (whacked).

– Tony’s mom seems senile
or fragile around Tony. But around his uncle, mom seems a tough ‘ol
broad, the real force in the family.

– Nephew whacks Czech
peer competition.

– Waste Management
business isn’t the same as it once was. What does future have in store?

– Tony’s peers seem to
know a lot about anti-depressant meds, but no one mentioned why or how
they got them. Is everyone under care of a therapist and on meds?

– Why does therapist stay
with Tony when she knows he’s a killer and mob leader?

Inviting Obsession:

– Can Tony survive from
his family, business, peers, foreign competition?

[ROBERT Ingalls]

1. Rob Ingalls

2. I agree to the terms of this release form.

GROUP RELEASE FORM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[ROBERT Ingalls]

1. Rob Ingalls

2. 6+ features, 2 TV Pilots, 1+ manuscripts. I’ve been optioned twice.

3. Improve my game using AI as assistant

4. I’ve flown into the center of 54 typhoons / hurricanes

5. I’ve completed practically all of Hal’s courses.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 7, Lesson 01 – More Character Depth

Subject: Rob Ingalls Loves Character Depth!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Looking from high level makes the essence pop out to elevate or tweak.

============================

SIMON LA’ROUCHE

[Protagonist doesn’t show until pg 6 – too late? Insert earlier?]

DRIVES PROTAGONIST

1. page 6. Magic show at Children’s Hospital

2. page 7. Inside his expensive supercar… but Simon’s more depressed than happy

3. page 8. Arrives at Academy. His name on trophy from years ago – Top Graduate. Students recognize him

4. page 8. Enters Harris’ classroom. Upsets Harris.

5. page 9. Simon wanders halls of academy. Reminiscences

6. page 10. Natasha, former girlfriend of Simon. Now Harris’ girlfriend. Simon misses her.

7. page 12. At Dean’s office. Get’s Babe Ruth baseball – Simon won it years ago.

8. page 16-20. Academy graduation. Simon discloses retirement. Class has surprise: final challenge.

– Steal weight in gold and no one the wiser. Simon accepts.

9. page 21. Simon and Dean chat.

10. page 21. Simon and Harris chat. Harris says he’s still bothered by Simon winning by cheating. Not cheat – improvise.

11. page 22. Cases the museum for future heist. Meets Joan from museum.

12. page 25. Simon’s personal warehouse. Lots of heist gadgets. He selects gear for practice heist.

13. page 26. Simon and Dean chat about upcoming heist

14. page 28 ACT TWO

15. page 28-30. Simon preps for, and conducts practice heist on jewlry section of museum. Almost gets caught. Reviews stuff at pers. warehouse.

16. page 30 Simon and Dean chat about successful heist and necklaces taken. Simon plans to return all but one to museum.

17. page 32. Simon selects team via academy’s database. Unaware that database has been tampered with by Harris.

18. page 33. Simon and new team prepare for heist.

19. page 34-39. Heist goes wrong. “Expert Team” sucks.

20. page 36. Students watch Simon and team suck. Students can do better.

21. page 39. Simon fumes, blames Harris.

22. page 41. Simon, alone, surveys museum at night, getting exact measurements for exits, etc. We see giant golden Buddha statue.

23. page 41. Simon chats with magician friend – discuss vanishing elephant trick and apply to gold Buddha.

24. page 42. Simon recreates museum rooms and layout to work the trick. But then no success.

25. page 44. Simon gathers his own personal team. New plan: get gold from warehouse instead of on floor. No success. Gold removed.

26. page 48. ACT THREE

27. page 48. New plan: Tunnel underneath gold statue, then hallow out/melt from underneath only what is necessary

28. page 49. Simon leases shop near museum to dig tunnel to statue.

29. page 51. Harris leaves bag of drugs in shop to get Simon busted.

30. page 54. Simon arrested by sheriff.

31. page 54. Simon freed.

32. page 55. Simon mentions discovery of underground city.

33. page 57. Simon and Harris chat. Simon wants to shake and get on. Asks Harris what he wants.

34. page 60. ACT FOUR

35. page 60. Simon and Roger hit gold statue, start drilling/meling gold.

36. page 61. Simon penetrates statue. Will need to fix from in the museum.

37. page 62. Simon and team enter museum to repair damage to statue.

38. page 63. Simon surveys work on statue after entering museum normal way

39. page 64. Simon and team finish job of hollow out statue of gold. No one will ever know.

40. page 65. Joan tells Simon that museum needs to move gold Buddha statue. CRAP! They’ll discover it’s been hollowed out.

41. page 65-68. Team convinces Joan to use their equipment to move statue. She agrees and statue moved without museum discover hole.

42. page 68-69. Simon at academy – he’s won!

43. page 69. Simon tells audience how he won top graduate and feels it should have been Harris. Dean says both will be recognized.

Depth Tool #2: What are they hiding from me?

Why is Simon retiring? Is it early or average retirement age? Its EARLY. He’s in his 40s.

Maybe Simon isn’t cut out for heists. Maybe he wants a change of pace. Maybe he wants to focus on being a magician.

Maybe Simon wants to work more with the children’s hospital, as a link to his brother who died young of cancer.

– He doesn’t have confidence in his heist abilities. Insecure despite winning top graduate, despite his numerous successes.

– He’s always felt less confidence than others

Depth Tool #3: How can the story trigger the character?

The heist challenge requires others (students) to observe Simon as he conducts heist.

Simon afraid others will discover his weaknesses and insecurites regarding heist.

Each initial failure causes Simon to fret that much more.

Harris triggers Simon’s reactions. Lousy team members trigger Simon’s reactions.

ELEVATE:

– Increase issues of trying to be the person his younger brother wanted in him

– Show resistance when something deviates Simon from achieveing goal that matches his efforts to be what his brother wanted him to be

– Show early with younger brother telling Simon what he wants and makes Simon promise

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 6, Lesson 04 – Solving Scene Problems

Subject: Rob Ingalls Solved Scene Problems!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: This is a lot harder than I thought

I went thru scene after scene many times, looking for problems and solutions. That’s hard to do if you’re trying to ensure each scene covers the solutions. Then I just searched for problems and went back to the chart for possible solutions. That seemed to work better but this lesson is still one to review again and again.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 6, Lesson 03 – Cliche’ Busting

Subject: Rob Ingalls is Cliche Busting!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Focus on one topic (cliche’), then use it to enhance scene works.

===================================

Cliche’: p.2 Jewelry Store heist descend from ceiling onto glass case. Floor with LED beams and motion detectors.

– We’ve seen this type of heist many times. Scratch the descending, the LED beams, the motion detectors.

Purpose of Scene: One of several different heists to grab the audience’s attention. Keep the Jewelry Store heist but

have different theft protection devices and new solutions not seen before.

New Version: Drone hovers over case with cable and magnets. The cable descends, scoops up jewlery to drone, returns to robber.

=======================

Cliche’: p.3 Le Mans Street. Formula-1 racing car theft. May not be cliche’ but it is boring.

Purpose of Scene: One of several different heists to grab the audience’s attention. Needs beefed up – more interesting.

New Version: F-1 car turns corner, drives into back of lorry with tailgate and ramp down, then closes up, lorry drives away.

Have cutsie logo on lorry panel.

=========================

Cliche’: p.24 Simon’s Warehouse – Room filled with cool gadgets for top heist

Purpose of Scene: Show all the cool gadgets a top heist thief would have. Make it better than Bond or the England group and

more interesting

New Version: Various drones.

==========================

Cliche’: p. 27 Museum – Simon enters and descends onto jewelry case. We’ve seen this many times before in other movies.

Purpose of Scene: Need to show unique way to reach the necklaces.

New Version: Change the infra-red beams and night-vision type goggles to mist bomb. Still kept descend maneuver for now.

===============================

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 6, Lesson 02 – Solving Character Problems

Subject: Rob Ingalls Solved Character Problems!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: I’m still struggling between the early concept and pitch and with the developing scenes.

– I need to work more on the protagonist and antagonist, giving them more depth. Right now they are still too one dimensional.

– For an Action genre, this need a lot more action. Too bland.

– The protagonist journey is still not strong enough. Will need to work this more.

– And the characters all sound the same. I need to spend more time thinking about each.

– Bottom Line: This lesson needs revisiting AFTER I focus on the next lessons. I’m going to let my creative subconscious work this for now, and I will return.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 6, Lesson 01 – Apply Structure Solutions

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Structure Solutions!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: I’ve struggled with the high concept, outline, script, and logline to match.

HIGH CONCEPT:

A giant statue made of gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow out the gold.

LOGLINE:

The top graduate alumni at Grand Heist Academy is challenged for one last heist before he retires:

steal his weight in gold from a museum with a giant golden statue without anyone knowing.

===================

A. Script doesn’t match the pitch.

– I’ve gone round and round with this. When I created the concept and started working on the outline,

I noticed the genre changed as also the original story. There could be many loglines that match the high concept.

– I redid the outline and created a different story but one that matched the high concept and genre better, but then noticed

after working the script that the genre expanded into a Buddy movie more than ACTION. I should be able to save by adding

more action into the scipt. I have enough available pages so that is good.

– I’ve merged the high concept and logline to match the script. I think this is bass-ackwards. But it seems to work ok.

B. Missed the outline in some places

– Transferring the outline to script was the easy part. But I also realized the outline was not strong in some areas.

So I added scenes and rearranged some scenes to work with the outline.

– This also mixes original genre of ACTION with BUDDY. I need to return to ACTION.

C. Conflict Clear always?

– The initial conflict is between Simon, top graduate from years past, and his former friend Harris who is jealous that he

didn’t win “top thief” at the academy and claims Simon cheated.

— Harris wants Simon to fail this last challenge.

– Not every scene showed the main conflict so I added it, plus tried to escalate the conflict as time went on.

D: Focus on the Structure Points

– Act-1: We see clips of various heist jobs. Then students waiting results. This is Academy for thieves.

– Inciting Incident/Turning Point – Students challenge top graduate – he accepts

– Act-2: Using standard procedures, protagonist makes initial efforts. Doesn’t go well.

– Act-3: New approach – tunnel under statue

– Act-4: Overcome obstacles.

– Climax/Resolution: Twist as protagonist says he did not win challenge. Both protagonist and antagonist mend friendship.

Both winners.

Strong opening. Moderate transformational journey – need to beef more (over time). Moderate layers beneath surface – need work.

Strong ending.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 14 – Finish Act 4

Subject: Rob Ingalls Has Finished Act 4

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: It’s 30% quality so I can accept that its ok to be too short in pages. It’s ok to need more info in scenes. It’s ok to be missing a scene or two and just a one-two sentence description of future placeholder. Right now there is a flow from start to finish. It’s rough but ok.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 13 – Continue Act 4

Subject: Rob Ingalls Continues Act 4

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: To recognize procrastination. To tell my critiquing self to stop talking but that I will accept his talking in a later draft but not this one. To force myself in short bursts to write, then relax, begin to feel guilty procrastinating, then jump back in for more short bursts.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 12 – Start Act 4

Subject: Rob Ingalls Started Act 4

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: My outline for Act 4 was very weak. I had more scene info for the very last part of Act 4 so that is what I focused on for this lesson. I now need to work the outline to go for the beginning and middle part of Act 4. The last part is done.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 11 – Finish Act 3

Subject: Rob Ingalls Finishing Act 3

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Keep pushing in small chunks. And next time do a better outline. 🙂

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 11 – Finish Act-3

Subject: Rob Ingalls Finishing Act 3

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Just keep pushing forward, even if the answers aren’t yet there.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 10 – Continue Act-3

Subject: Rob Ingalls Continuing Act-3

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Short bursts work best for me. But I also step back and look from a high vantage point of my script and the story scenes. Helps to show what’s missing.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 9 – Start Act 3

Subject: Rob Ingalls Began Act-3

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: I’m falling behind but have filled the scenes. What’s missing is connector scenes and more interest scenes (later). Instead of hitting a roadblock, I’m going to press with what I can and catch up. My creative mind will kick in later. ALSO for SU: There’s two (2) forum threads for this course. Can you merge them?

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 9 – Start Act-3

Subject: Rob Ingalls Began Act 3

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: These Modules are getting mixed-mashed on the FORUM page with different courses and such. Crazy.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 8 – Finish Act-2

Subject: Rob Ingalls Completed Act-2

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: I’m still short a few pages but that’s okay since later on when enhancing the script, that process will add pages. Ready to move on the Act-3

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 7 – Continue Act-2

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Continuing Act-2

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: I write best in short bursts. But I’m still behind.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 6 – Start Act 2

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Began Act-2

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Short bursts work best for me in writing as well as in learning.

I’ve linked scenes that were missing transition, plus fixed some logic areas along the way. Still going slower than hoped.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 5 – Finish Act-1

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Finished Act-1

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: As I proceed with later Acts, I also return to earlier Acts with additional scenes or detail that my sub-conscious handed to me.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 4 – Next Act-1

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Next Act-1

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: This is going slow. I initially got the scenes written but clearly not enough for Act-1. I placed in new scenes that tie other scenes together.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 3

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: 1st draft of Act-1 complete. I can see a few areas that will need adding but for 1st draft, done. Time to let the subconscious mind do its thing while I do something else.

Title: GRAND HEIST ACADEMY

Genre: Action

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 2

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Keep pushing to get it done. Don’t let roadblocks stop me. Go over or around or through.

Title: GRAND HEIST ACADEMY

Genre: Action

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 5, Lesson 1

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Able to rapidly transfer outline to script. Sometimes I made notes to enhance or add scenes in future.

Title: GRAND HEIST ACADEMY

Genre: Action

[ROBERT Ingalls]

I’m ready to do another exchange (thanks Lisa for your feedback). It’s an action/drama.

Rob

[ROBERT Ingalls]

I have an Action outline and I’m ready to exchange feedback.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 10 – Fascinating Scenes Outline

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Fascinating Scene Outlines!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: This was harder than I thought. I need to go back over this several times to really make an impact.

Title: GRAND HEIST ACADEMY

Genre: Action

=====================================================

ACT-1

TEASER

MONTAGE – Different thieves steal various items

– Jewelry, cars, gold, cryptocurrency, airplanes, art, yachts, etc

– Thieves wear various outfits: Uniforms, street gear, black skin tights, etc

Scene Arc: – None. Various thieves stealing various items

Essence: Intriguing scene of various thefts taking place by numerpus thieves using various means

— Two men wearing black skin-tight outfits, black pull-over face mask, black gloves, descend from ceiling onto

jewelry display room, red trip lasers across the floor. They empty display cases of jewelry

— A fuel truck driver pulls up to a private jet and loads fuel. Then drives away towards hanger and parks truck.

Unseen, he removes his work clothes to display a pilot’s uniform. He walks to the jet, climbs in, starts jet, flies away.

— A cat burglar uses torch to open safe, removes gold bars (and latest titty magazine)

— A room full of nerds crack cryptocurrency vaults of foreign countries (N. Korea) and steal their coin

— A thief removes a painting from museum wall, breaks apart frame and rolls up canvas. Sends it up tube and away.

— A yacht captain sails away from the dock with beautiful women onboard. On the dock is pissed off owner, screaming

his yacht was stolen and the women are his. The ladies don’t care.

— Expensive supercars race town’s streets until one car veers off and disappears, stolen by the driver

END MONTAGE

1. INT. ACADEMY / HALLWAY – DAY

Scene Arc: HARRIS BLACKWOOD walks down hall, pauses at glass trophy case, wishes his name on top graduate trophy.

Fantasizes him breaking glass case and swapping out trophy with his name on it.

Essence: To show pain and want/desire for something he missed or didn’t get

Conflict: Who deserves the trophy? Simon or Harris?

Subtext: Harris believes he should have won trophy and not Simon (years ago)

Hope/Fear: We hope the right person got trophy. We fear Harris may do something wrong by breaking glass case.

Beginning: (Intrigue) Harris in dark suit/tie enters building. He pauses at a glass case with trophys. Appears to be a school.

Middle: (Character changes radically) Harris fantasizes himself breaking glass case and swapping out trophy with his name on it.

Ending: (Surprise) Student walks past. “Hey Mr Blackwood. Betcha you wish it was your name listed.” Harris fantasy over.

2. INT. ACADEMY / CLASSROOM – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris starts new class. Teaches basics. Stares at female instructor next door.

Essence: Intro HARRIS BLACKWOOD, Instructor at Academy (but we don’t yet know type of academy). Students learn general education

(physics, psychology, math) but we don’t yet know it’s geared toward theft/heist.

Conflict: Harris is bored/frustrated with life as an instructor. He wants to get out into real world.

Subtext: There’s something more here than just classroom academics.

Hope/Fear: We fear Harris may do something stupid.

Beginning: (Uncertainty) HARRIS BLACKWOOD enters room filled with students. He’s dressed in expensive suit/tie, carries briefcase.

He wears expensive watch and ring. The students unsure about him.

Middle: Harris discusses class agenda: Science, physics, math, psychology.

(Surprise) Harris gives out first assignment: Wall climbing

Ending: (Major Twist) While class climbs wall, two thieves decend from ceiling in the background, throw hood over instructor,

steal his watch and walet, collect students bags, return to ceiling.

3. INT. HOSPITAL / CHILDREN’S WARD – DAY

Scene Arc: SIMON LA’ROUCHE is lead entertainment with kids. Afterwards, he leaves alone and is depressed. His brother

never made it out of hospital alive.

Essence: Simon bonds with young kids as he displays magic tricks. His way of staying in connection with younger brother (deceased).

Conflict: Kids are fighting cancer. Simon lost young brother to cancer.

Subtext: Simon wishes he could do something to bring his brother back.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon heals/ Fear that it will get worse

Beginning: (Intrigue) SIMON LA’ROUCHE conducts magic tricks.

Middle: (Surprise) His audience are kids with cancer. This is a kids cancer ward at hospital. Simon disappears. Returns behind audience.

Ending: (Uncomfortable Moment) A small boy tugs on Simon’s clothes, tries to say something but unable due to breathing tubes.

4. INT. CAR – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon happy with kids. Sad when he leaves. We notice hospital ward named in honor of his younger dead brother.

Essence: Show loneliness in Simon. Sad at loss of younger bro.

Conflict: Internal fight with brother’s death and moving on with life.

Subtext: Can Simon live up to the image his bro had of him before he died?

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon finds peace. Fear that his brother’s death will adversely affect him.

Beginning: (More interesting setting) We notice hospital ward named in honor of his younger dead brother.

Middle: (Uncomfortable moment) Flashback to time with brother. Happy times.

Ending: (Character changes radically) Flashback continued. Rush to hospital. Crisis. Sad/Depressed when he leaves hospital.

5. INT./EXT. CAR – DAY

Scene Arc: Loneliness to being top dog on campus. Everyone knows him, though they are strangers to him.

Essence: Simon arrives at Academy. We don’t yet know what kind of academy. But Simon is important to them.

Conflict: He won original challenge that no one yet has beat. Yet he cheated (creative liberties, aka Kobayashi Maru)

Subtext: Simon doesn’t feel he deserves all the attention.

Hope/Fear: Hope he does well. Fear he messes up.

Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) Simon arrives to same building as Harris. Parks in Guest spot, next to Harris’ car.

He clips car, realizes its Harris’, smirks, backs up, clips it again.

Middle: (Intrigue) People recognize Simon. Almost bow down to him.

Ending: (Uncomfortable moment) Walks past trophy case. Spies his name. Simon doesn’t feel he deserves all the attention.

6. INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris is good instructor, then gets shivers when Simon pops head into class.

Essence: We see history between Simon and Harris. They were former students years ago.

Conflict: Something is between them. Simon teases Harris about winning years ago.

Subtext: Not real friendly, despite Simon acting friendly. Harris hesitant.

Hope/Fear: Hope they get a long. Fear there will be tension migrating to something worse.

Beginning: (Uncertainty) Harris instructing. He’s good. Simon walks hallway, searches in each classroom.

Middle: (Uncomfortable Moment) Simon pops head inside. Jackpot. Simon teases Harris about winning years ago.

Ending: (Character changes radically) Harris stutters. Seeing Simon after all these years brings back difficult memories.

7. EXT. CLASSROOM – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon proud of teasing Harris, then mad at himself for doing so

Essence: Simon guilty about winning.

Conflict: Harris feels he should have won, not Simon.

Subtext: Deep down, Simon agrees with Harris.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon comes to terms with truth. Fear Harris will do something to Simon as payback.

Beginning: (Superior Position) Simon leaves classroom. proud for teasing Harris

Middle: (Internal Dilemma) Spies trophy case again. Has remorse, guilty

Ending: (Major twist) Simon feels guilty of being top dog. Mad at himself.

8. EXT. PARKING LOT – DAY

Scene Arc: HARRIS clips Simon’s car again. Puts dent. Drives away without telling Simon.

Essence: Harris fights back against Simon.

Conflict: Harris payback to Simon, even if little clip.

Subtext: Harris pissed at Simon

Hope/Fear: Hope this is end of payback. Fear its just begun.

Beginning: (Superior Position) This time Harris clips Simon’s car. Puts dent.

Middle: (Internal Dilemma) Drives away without telling Simon.

Ending: (Uncertainty) Simon discovers dent.

9. INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

Scene Arc: Graduating students pile into room, awaiting grades. They pump fists in celebration – all graduating.

Essence: Graduating students complete Senior Project. We learn Academy is for thieves GRAND HEIST ACADEMY.

Conflict: Some may not graduate… but they all do.

Subtext: There’s something unique going on here.

Hope/Fear: Hope all students graduate. Fear some may not.

Beginning: (Uncertainty) Graduating students pile into room, awaiting grades.

Middle: (Intrigue) They pump fists in celebration – all graduating.

Ending: (Surprise) These are the thieves in beginning of film. This is GRAND HEIST ACADEMY

10. INT. AUDITORIUM – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon arrives, gives pep talk. Teases by stealing everyone’s wallet. Mentions he is RETIRING.

Essence: Show Simon as top thief, then mention he’s stopping business.

Conflict: INCITING INCIDENT: Students challenge Simon. Simon tries to avoid.

Subtext: Simon can’t do this anymore (or ever)

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon takes on challenge and prove he’s worth adulation. Fear he doesn’t/isn’t.

Beginning: (More interesting setting) Simon walks on stage to podium. Audience fills seats.

Middle: (Suspense/Uncertainty) Simon gives pep talk. Teases by stealing everyone’s wallet. Mentions he is RETIRING.

Ending: (Major Twist) INCITING INCIDENT: Students challenge Simon to major heist: Steal his weight in gold without being caught

and without museum discovering even after heist. Simon tries to avoid challenge.

11. INT. AUDITORIUM – CONTINUE

Scene Arc: Simon trying to get out of challenge. Harris prods him into accepting (double dog dare)

Essence: Harris double dog dares Simon into accepting challenge

Conflict: Harris and Simon are enemies. Harris gets Simon to accept challenge against his desire.

Subtext: Harris wins a small battle but not the war.

Hope/Fear: Hope all goes well with Simon. Fear it doesn’t.

Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) Simon trying to get out of challenge.

Middle: (Character changes radically) Harris prods him into accepting (double dog dare)

Ending: (Uncomfortable moment) Simon accepts against his desires.

ACT-2

12. INT. HARRIS’ OFFICE – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris changes thief database. Simon picks wrong guys. Failure in challenge.

Essence: Harris changes database of thieves skills to hurt Simon

Conflict: Harris vs Simon

Subtext: Harris wants Simon to lose challenge

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can still pull off heist. Fear the team messes up.

Beginning: (Betrayal) Harris changes thief database.

Middle: (Uncertainty) Simon picks wrong guys.

Ending: (Superior Position) Simon will begin challenge using the WRONG team of experts.

13. INT. MUSEUM/JEWELRY STORE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon begins challenge with observed confidence. Inner fear of Simon rises.

Essence: Simon struggles to do simple heist and we wonder why.

Conflict: Is Simon’s issues with Harris input or is there something inner in Simon that kills deal?

Subtext: Simon struggling inwards. Why?

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can pull off heist. Fear he can’t.

Beginning: (Misinterpretation) Simon begins challenge with observed confidence.

Middle: (Uncomfortable moment) Inner fear of Simon rises.

Ending: (Superior Position) Simon struggles to do simple heist and we wonder why. Caused by wrong team of expert help?

Or is it Simon’s incompetance?

14. INT. ACADEMY – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Eager students anticipate great learning. Instead, see Simon fail.

Essence: Students watch via cameras. Wonder why Simon fails.

Conflict: Students should be seeing Simon success. Instead see Simon fail.

Subtext: Simon isn’t who they thought he was.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon is still the person they thought. Fear he doesn’t deserve top thisf.

Beginning: (Suspense) Students watch monitors displaying Simon and his heist efforts.

Middle: (Mystery) Students wonder why he fails.

Ending: (Major Twist) Students question if Simon really is the top thief of the academy.

15. INT. MUSEUM/JEWELRY STORE – NIGHT

16. INT. ACADEMY OFFICE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Back and forth, Harris screws up Simon’s efforts.

Essence: For each effort by Simon, Harris does a counter, messing up Simon’s plans.

Conflict: How would Simon do without Harris input?

Subtext: Simon would have screwed up anyway, without Harris input.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon succeeds. Fear he won’t.

Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) Simon tries heist technique.

Middle: (Mystery) Simon’s efforts fail

Ending: (Uncertainty) Simon tries again or uses different technique. Fails again.

17. INT. MUSEUM/JEWELRY STORE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: New effort to steal gold. Doesn’t work.

Essence: Simon enlists outside help (popular magician who is a frend of Simon) to do vanishing elephant tricks

Conflict: Old tried and true methods don’t work. Try new effort.

Subtext: Nomatter what Simon does, he can’t win.

Hope/Fear: Hope new approach works. Fear it doesn’t.

Beginning: (More Interesting Setting/Major Twist) Simon enlists outside help (popular magician who is a frend of Simon)

Middle: (Intrigue) Vanishing elephant trick.

Ending: (Uncomfortable moment) Failed attempt. Simon frustrated.

18. INT. ACADEMY OFFICE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon struggles to win. Harris stronger effort. Harris winning.

Essence: Harris double-downs his effort to stop Simon.

Conflict: Harris vs Simon

Subtext: Harris is stronger than Simon.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can pull this out. Fear Harris will win.

Beginning: (Misinterpretation) Simon pushes hard to win challenge.

Middle: (Suspense) Harris pushes even harder to prevent Simon winning.

Ending: (Uncertainty) Harris appears to be stronger than Simon.

19. INT. ACADEMY – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Students go from trust to lack of with Simon. Harris Intern claims fraud.

Essence: Students begin to doubt Simon’s abilities and his standing

Conflict: How is it Simon won trphy and yet can’t do basic heist?

Subtext: Simon isn’t who/what he says he is.

Hope/Fear: Hope we understand Simon and he’s good, fear he sucks

Beginning: (Character changes radically) Students lose trust in Simon

Middle: (External Dilemma) Students question Simon’s trophy.

Ending: (Cliffhanger) Harris’ Intern claims Simon is a fraud

20. INT. ACADEMY – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris confronts Simon for truth. Simon ignores Harris

Essence: Harris wants Simon to confess that he sucks and Harris should have won trophy.

Simon doesn’t bite. Simon determined to prove everyone wrong, even himself.

Conflict: Harris vs. Simon

Subtext: Harris convinced Simon is a fraud. Simon won’t admit.

Hope/Fear: Hope Harris is wrong. Fear he’s right.

Beginning: (Suspense) Harris confronts Simon for truth. Simon ignores Harris

Middle: (Uncertainty) Simon doesn’t bite. Simon determined to prove everyone wrong, even himself.

Ending: (Internal Dilemma) Simon afraid to admit truth.

ACT-3

21. INT. ACADEMY – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon with no plan to Simon with grand plan

Essence: Simon comes up with a new plan that is BOLD – Tunnel underneath gold statue and hollow it out.

Conflict: Harris proves Simon sucks but Simon comes up with great plan that will work.

Subtext: Simon to prove to all he’s good

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can pull this off, fear he can’t

Beginning: (Internal Dilemma) Simon with no plan

Middle: (Uncertainty) Harris and students claim fraud

Ending: (Surprise) Simon has new bold plan: tunnel underneath large gold statue, hollow out gold

22. EXT. TUNNEL – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon begins tunneling while Harris works to cave in tunneling

Essence: Despite new grand plan, Harris is there to sabotauge it

Conflict: Despite new grand plan, Harris is there to sabotauge it

Subtext: Harris will continue trying to stop Simon

Hope/Fear: Hope Harris stops, fear he won’t

Beginning: (Suspense) Simon begins tunneling

Middle: (Betrayal) Harris’s efforts to create cave-in. Harris is there to sabotauge it

Ending: (More Interesting setting) Simon presses on with tunneling.

23. INT. ACADEMY OFFICE – DAY

24. INT. FBI – DAY

25. INT. POLICE – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon works plan and it looks good. Then Harris screws it up, calls in outside forces.

Essence: Harris contacts police, FBI – outside help to stop Simon

Conflict: Simon gets arrested after tunnel collapses

Subtext: Harris is not going to let up

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can be let go. Fear he’s in jail for a long time.

Beginning: (Uncertainty) Despite Harris’ efforts, Simon continues to tunnel.

Middle: (Betrayal) Harris contacts police, FBI – gets outside help to stop Simon

Ending: (Major Twist) Simon arrested

26. INT. POLICE – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon arrested, then tells he’s innocent

Essence: Simon talks his way out of being arrested/jailed. The police think drugs or human trafficking, not heist

Conflict: If not Simon, then who built the tunnels?

Subtext: Simon really is tunnel master

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon freed, Fear he will be in jail a long time. Hope he can return to tunneling

Beginning: (Betrayal) Simon accused of drug smuggling or human trafficking.

Middle: (Uncertainty) Simon convinces the police he’s just in wrong place at wrong time.

Ending: (Major Twist) Police don’t buy Simon’s excuse.

27. INT./EXT. POLICE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon in jail, breaks out using hi-tech gear from ACADEMY storage

Essence: Simon breaks out of jail

Conflict: Police try to track down Simon

Subtext: Harris feeds police with more info on Simon

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon gets away, fear he doesn’t

Beginning: (Intrigue) Simon uses team and hi-tech gear to break out of jail

Middle: (Betrayal) Police try to track down Simon. Harris feeds more info to them.

Ending: (Surprise) Simon is free!

28. INT. ACADEMY – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon tells truth about winning trophey. Expect trophy to go to Harris. Trophey stays put.

Essence: Simon confesses to Harris that the tropy belongs to Harris

Conflict: Harris still does not get academy recognition

Subtext: Despite Simon spilling beans, the academy still choses Simon

Hope/Fear: Hope that Simon does right thing. Fear that Harris will still be labled low.

Beginning: (Character changes radically) Simon confesses to Harris about trophy

Middle: (Betrayal) Harris’s efforts to sabotague Simon exposed. He still doesn’t get academy recognition.

Ending: (Surprise) Simon keeps trophy

ACT-4

29. INT. TUNNEL – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon close to winning challenge, then another problem

Essence: Tunnel complete, Simon begins melting gold/hollow out statue

Conflict: Melts too much in small area – penetrates shell of statue

Subtext: Harris still at it – throwing wrench in path

Hope/Fear: Hope that Simon and Harris get what they want/ Fear they don’t

Beginning: (More interesting setting) Tunnel complete. Torch used to hollow out gold.

Middle: Torch penetrates gold shell of statue. All efforts stopped.

Ending: Simon remelts gold and fixes penetration. Looks good!

30. INT. ACADEMY AUDITORIUM – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon enters with gold. Wins challenge. Then confesses to class

Essence: Simon wins but also confesses

Conflict: Simon and Harris end conflict

Subtext: They are still good friends like in old days

Hope/Fear: Hope all is well. Fear the battle continues.

Beginning: (More interesting setting) Simon brings in his weight in gold. Large scale. Gold one end, Simon sitting on scale of other end.

Middle: (Internal Dilemma) Simon confesses to audience that Harris should have won.

Ending: (Character changes radically) Simon and Harris friends again. Harris gets duplicate trophy with his name. Co-winners!

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 9 – Scene Requirements

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Scene Requirements

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Outline sluglines and essence makes for easy follow-on script building.

=====================================================

TEASER

MONTAGE – Thieves steal various items

– Jewelry, cars, gold, cryptocurrency, airplanes, art, yachts, etc

– Thieves wear various outfits: Uniforms, street gear, black skin tights, etc

Scene Arc: – None. Various thieves stealing various items

Essence: Intriguing scene of various thefts taking place by thieves using various means

ACT-1

INT. ACADEMY / HALLWAY – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris walks down hall, pauses at glass trophy case, wishes his name on top graduate trophy.

Fantasizes him breaking glass case and swapping out trophy with his name on it.

Essence: To show pain and want/desire for something he missed or didn’t get

Conflict: Who deserves the trophy? Simon or Harris?

Subtext: Harris believes he should have won trophy and not Simon (years ago)

Hope/Fear: We hope the right person got trophy. We fear Harris may do something wrong by breaking glass case.

INT. ACADEMY / CLASSROOM – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris starts new class. Teaches basics. Stares at female instructor next door.

Essence: Intro Harris, Instructor at Academy. Students learn general education (physics, psychology, math) but

we don’t yet know it’s geared toward theft/heist.

Conflict: Harris is bored/frustrated with life as an instructor. He wants to get out into real world.

Subtext: There’s something more here than just classroom academics.

Hope/Fear: We fear Harris may do something stupid.

INT. HOSPITAL / CHILDREN’S WARD – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon is lead entertainment with kids. Afterwards, he leaves alone and is depressed. His brother

never made it out of hospital alive.

Essence: Simon bonds with young kids as he displays magic tricks. His way of staying in connection with younger brother (deceased).

Conflict: Kids are fighting cancer. Simon lost young brother to cancer.

Subtext: Simon wishes he could do something to bring his brother back.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon heals/ Fear that it will get worse

INT. CAR – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon happy with kids. Sad when he leaves. We notice hospital ward named in honor of his younger dead brother.

Essence: Show loneliness in Simon. Sad at loss of younger bro.

Conflict: Internal fight with brother’s death and moving on with life.

Subtext: Can Simon live up to the image his bro had of him before he died?

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon finds peace. Fear that his brother’s death will adversely affect him.

INT./EXT. CAR – DAY

Scene Arc: Loneliness to being top dog on campus. Everyone knows him, though they are strangers to him.

Essence: Simon arrives at Academy. We don’t yet know what kind of academy. But Simon is important to them.

Conflict: He won original challenge that no one yet has beat. Yet he cheated (creative liberties, aka Kobayashi Maru)

Subtext: Simon doesn’t feel he deserves all the attention.

Hope/Fear: Hope he does well. Fear he messes up.

INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris is good instructor, then gets shivers when Simon pops head into class.

Essence: We see history between Simon and Harris. They were former students years ago.

Conflict: Something is between them. Simon teases Harris about winning years ago.

Subtext: Not real friendly, despite Simon acting friendly. Harris hesitant.

Hope/Fear: Hope they get a long. Fear there will be tension migrating to something worse.

EXT. CLASSROOM – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon proud of teasing Harris, then mad at himself for doing so

Essence: Simon guilty about winning.

Conflict: Harris feels he should have won, not Simon.

Subtext: Deep down, Simon agrees with Harris.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon comes to terms with truth. Fear Harris will do something to Simon as payback.

EXT. PARKING LOT – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris clips Simon’s car. Puts dent. Drives away without telling Simon.

Essence: Harris fights back against Simon.

Conflict: Harris payback to Simon, even if little clip.

Subtext: Harris pissed at Simon

Hope/Fear: Hope this is end of payback. Fear its just begun.

INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

Scene Arc: Graduating students pile into room, awaiting grades. They pump fists in celebration – all graduating.

Essence: Graduating students complete Senior Project. We learn Academy is for thieves GRAND HEIST ACADEMY.

Conflict: Some may not graduate… but they all do.

Subtext: There’s something unique going on here.

Hope/Fear: Hope all students graduate. Fear some may not.

INT. AUDITORIUM – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon arrives, gives pep talk. Teases by stealing everyone’s wallet. Mentions he is RETIRING.

Essence: Show Simon as top thief, then mention he’s stopping business.

Conflict: INCITING INCIDENT: Students challenge Simon. Simon tries to avoid.

Subtext: Simon can’t do this anymore (or ever)

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon takes on challenge and prove he’s worth adulation. Fear he doesn’t/isn’t.

INT. AUDITORIUM – CONTINUE

Scene Arc: Simon trying to get out of challenge. Harris prods him into accepting (double dog dare)

Essence: Harris double dog dares Simon into accepting challenge

Conflict: Harris and Simon are enemies. Harris gets Simon to accept challenge against his desire.

Subtext: Harris wins a small battle but not the war.

Hope/Fear: Hope all goes well with Simon. Fear it doesn’t.

ACT-2

INT. HARRIS’ OFFICE – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris changes thief database. Simon picks wrong guys. Failure in challenge.

Essence: Harris changes database of thieves skills to hurt Simon

Conflict: Harris vs Simon

Subtext: Harris wants Simon to lose challenge

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can still pull off heist. Fear the team messes up.

INT. MUSEUM/JEWELRY STORE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon begins challenge with observed confidence. Inner fear of Simon rises.

Essence: Simon struggles to do simple heist and we wonder why.

Conflict: Is Simon’s issues with Harris input or is there something inner in Simon that kills deal?

Subtext: Simon struggling inwards. Why?

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can pull off heist. Fear he can’t.

INT. ACADEMY – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Eager students anticipate great learning. Instead, see Simon fail.

Essence: Students watch via cameras. Wonder why Simon fails.

Conflict: Students should be seeing Simon success. Instead see Simon fail.

Subtext: Simon isn’t who they thought he was.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon is still the person they thought. Fear he doesn’t deserve top thisf.

INT. MUSEUM/JEWELRY STORE – NIGHT

INT. ACADEMY OFFICE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Back and forth, Harris srews up Simon’s efforts.

Essence: For each effort by Simon, Harris does a counter, messing up Simon’s plans.

Conflict: How would Simon do without Harris input?

Subtext: Simon would have screwed up anyway, without Harris input.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon succeeds. Fear he won’t.

INT. MUSEUM/JEWELRY STORE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: New effort to steal gold. Doesn’t work.

Essence: Simon enlists outside help (popular magician who is a frend of Simon) to do vanishing elephant tricks

Conflict: Old tried and true methods don’t work. Try new effort.

Subtext: Nomatter what Simon does, he can’t win.

Hope/Fear: Hope new approach works. Fear it doesn’t.

INT. ACADEMY OFFICE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon struggles to win. Harris stronger effort. Harris winning.

Essence: Harris double-downs his effort to stop Simon.

Conflict: Harris vs Simon

Subtext: Harris is stronger than Simon.

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can pull this out. Fear Harris will win.

INT. ACADEMY – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Students go from trust to lack of with Simon. Harris Intern claims fraud.

Essence: Students begin to doubt Simon’s abilities and his standing

Conflict: How is it Simon won trphy and yet can’t do basic heist?

Subtext: Simon isn’t who/what he says he is.

Hope/Fear: Hope we understand Simon and he’s good, fear he sucks

INT. ACADEMY – DAY

Scene Arc: Harris confronts Simon for truth. Simon ignores Harris

Essence: Harris wants Simon to confess that he sucks and Harris should have won trophy.

Simon doesn’t bite. Simon determined to prove everyone wrong, even himself.

Conflict: Harris vs. Simon

Subtext: Harris convinced Simon is a fraud. Simon won’t admit.

Hope/Fear: Hope Harris is wrong. Fear he’s right.

ACT-3

INT. ACADEMY – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon with no plan to Simon with grand plan

Essence: Simon comes up with a new plan that is BOLD – Tunnel underneath gold statue and hollow it out.

Conflict: Harris proves Simon sucks but Simon comes up with great plan that will work.

Subtext: Simon to prove to all he’s good

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can pull this off, fear he can’t

EXT. TUNNEL – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon begins tunneling while Harris works to cave in tunneling

Essence: Despite new grand plan, Harris is there to sabotauge it

Conflict: Despite new grand plan, Harris is there to sabotauge it

Subtext: Harris will continue trying to stop Simon

Hope/Fear: Hope Harris stops, fear he won’t

INT. ACADEMY OFFICE – DAY

INT. FBI – DAY

INT. POLICE – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon works plan and it looks good. Then Harris screws it up, calls in outside forces.

Essence: Harris contacts police, FBI – outside help to stop Simon

Conflict: Simon gets arrested after tunnel collapses

Subtext: Harris is not going to let up

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon can be let go. Fear he’s in jail for a long time.

INT. POLICE – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon arrested, then tells he’s innocent

Essence: Simon talks his way out of being arrested/jailed. The police think drugs or human trafficking, not heist

Conflict: If not Simon, then who built the tunnels?

Subtext: Simon really is tunnel master

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon freed, Fear he will be in jail a long time. Hope he can return to tunneling

INT./EXT. POLICE – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon in jail, breaks out using hi-tech gear from ACADEMY storage

Essence: Simon breaks out of jail

Conflict: Police try to track down Simon

Subtext: Harris feeds police with more info on Simon

Hope/Fear: Hope Simon gets away, fear he doesn’t

INT. ACADEMY – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon tells truth about winning trophey. Expect trophy to go to Harris. Trophey stays put.

Essence: Simon confesses to Harris that the tropy belongs to Harris

Conflict: Harris still does not get academy recognition

Subtext: Despite Simon spilling beans, the academy still choses Simon

Hope/Fear: Hope that Simon does right thing. Fear that Harris will still be labled low.

ACT-4

INT. TUNNEL – NIGHT

Scene Arc: Simon close to winning challenge, then another problem

Essence: Tunnel complete, Simon begins melting gold/hollow out statue

Conflict: Melts too much in small area – penetrates shell of statue

Subtext: Harris still at it – throwing wrench in path

Hope/Fear: Hope that Simon and Harris get what they want/ Fear they don’t

INT. ACADEMY AUDITORIUM – DAY

Scene Arc: Simon enters with gold. Wins challenge. Then confesses to class

Essence: Simon wins but also confesses

Conflict: Simon and Harris end conflict

Subtext: They are still good friends like in old days

Hope/Fear: Hope all is well. Fear the battle continues.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 8 – Depth – Intriguing Moments

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Intriguing Moments

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Many ways to enhance each Act and each Scene.

==========================================

ACT-1

Intrigue: Numerous thieves stealing a variety of goods (jews, cash, planes, boats, gold, paintings)

Mystery: Trophey with Simon’s name – Harris upset (long history?)

Covert Agenda: Harris fantasizes breaking glass case holding trophey/replacing

Intrigue: Simon at kids cancer ward, does magic tricks. Why?

ACT-2

Intrigue: Harris hacks into database and changes ratings on various experts so Simon builds the Wrong team.

Intrigue: Simon sucks at basic theif skills. Why? He’s considered the best.

Covert Agenda: Harris throws obstacles in Simon’s way, making it impossible to do challenge.

ACT-3

Scheme: Harris collapses tunnel that Simon built. Notifies police.

Mystery: Why is Harris sabotaging Simon’s efforts? Just for a trophy? What is their history?

ACT-4

Mystery: How will Simon pull off grand heist of stealing the gold without anyone noticing?

Superior Position: Harris makes Simon’s efforts wasted. Harris wants to be recognized as superior to Simon.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 7 – Depth – Emotional Moments

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Emotional Moments

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Many ways to enhance each Act and each Scene.

======================================

ACT-1

Positive Emotions

Love: Simon does magic tricks for kids at cancer ward/hospital. He cares about them.

Bonding: Simon gives pep talk to graduating students.

Negative Emotions

Wound: Simon does magic tricks for kids at cancer ward/hospital. He cares about them. His brother died of cancer when young.

Wound – Harris feels pain whenever he walks past trophy case, spies trophy with Simon’s name on it.

Make moment more Intense: Harris dreams of smashing glass case and replacing his name on trophy.

Simon teases Harris about losing.

Courage: After hesitation, Simon agrees to do one last heist challenge given him by students.

ACT-2

Positive Emotions

Bonding: Harris teaches students the basics. He then has class watch Simon do challenge. They critique.

Negative Emotions

Betrayal: Harris changes the ratings on team experts so that Simon choses the WRONG experts in each field.

Hidden Weakness: Simon sucks at heist jobs. Faked his way thru life.

ACT-3

Positive Emotions

Surprise: Simon designs new plan – tunnel underneath statue and hollow it out.

Negative Emotions

Distress: Simon’s tunnel collapses. He gets jailed.

ACT-4

Positive Emotions

Success: Simon accomplishes challenge. He’s still top thief.

Negative Emotions

Moral Issue: Harris wonders if he should continue making life miserable for Simon.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 6 – What to Reveal and When

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Reveals!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: I had done the reveals and most setups prior to this lesson

Simon La’Rouche – Protagonist Journey (PJ)

Harris Blackwood – Antagonist Journey (AJ)

BEGINNING / OPENING ACT (Strange, interesting significant heist jobs with numerous players)

SETUP-R1: MONTAGE: Thieves steal various items: Jewelry, cars, gold bars, cryptocurrency, airplanes, yachts, etc. Cool beginnings of an Action flick. Some thieves wear black skintight clothes, gloves, mask. Others in dark cyber rooms. Others in fake uniforms – Ship Captain, Executive Pilot.

SETUP-R1: Harris – AJ 1, Instructor at academy (its ‘Grand Heist Academy’ but we won’t know for a while that it’s connected to the film’s Opening), walks daily past glass trophy case with Top Academy [Thief] trophy (we don’t know it’s a thief academy yet) with Simon’s name on it. There’s pain because he feels he should have won.

SETUP-R1: Harris – Action, Welcomes New Students to Academy. [we don’t yet know its for thieves or connection to Opening Scene]. Discusses grades, courses (General Education for 1^st year: Math, History, Physics, Psychology]

Harris – AJ 1a, helps new students with challenging problems: Math, Physics, Psychology, Technical. Has eyes for female instructor (who she eyes Simon). Stares at trophy in glass case, wishful that his name was on it. Student walks by “too bad your name not on it, eh?”

Harris – Action, in fantasy thoughts, Harris breaks glass case, grabs trophy and smashes it. Then back to reality, he walks away, sad.

Simon – Action, is at Children’s Hospital doing magic tricks for cancer kids. He checks time, gotta go. Kids ask for one more trick, which he obliges. As he leaves, we notice the hospital ward is named after his brother who died when they were younger. Simon is alone when he leaves, drives off in expensive super car. Wears no ring. He’s lonely.

SETUP-R1: Simon – PJ 1, arrives at Academy. He’s the guest speaker at class graduation. He’s also the Academy’s top graduate. He is the only one to win the SPEC CHALLENGE (aka Kobayashi Maru (aka Star Trek’s Captain Kirk challenge)

Simon – Action, pops his head in a classroom, spies Harris teaching. Friendly greeting. They were classmates at academy years ago.

Simon – PJ 2, arrogantly teases Harris, rubs it in that he won, and Harris came in second. But Simon holds a deep secret. When alone, deep inside, he’s mad at himself for teasing Harris.

Harris – Action, heads off for lunch, clips Simon’s car in parking lot. Puts a dent on it.

SETUP-R1: Students finish their Senior Project, no failures. All are ready for Graduation.

REVEAL-R1: We learn they are doing final exam Senior Project in various fields for GRAND HEIST ACADEMY prior to graduation. This looks serious for an academy of thieves. We NOW learn this is an academy for thieves. We see thieves from Opening and realize they are students ready to graduate, to go out into the world as thieves.

They are seated in auditorium, ready to listen to pep talk from Simon.

Simon – Action, walks on stage. Announces to audience that if they want their wallets back, to please see him in the rear of auditorium to get it back. Students/Audience check their pockets. Gone/Missing. In the rear is an assistant with a box filled with wallets. The audience gasps, the claps.

Simon – PJ 3, gives pep talk commencement speech at graduation. He also tells them it’s time for him to retire. The audience moans.

INCITING INCIDENT: (Students challenge Simon to one last heist, to show off his skills.)

The class president, with student backing, challenges Simon to one last heist: Steal his weight in gold from city museum without getting caught and without the museum knowing, even after it has been stolen.

Simon – PJ 4 & Action, hesitates, makes excuses as to why he shouldn’t do the challenge.

Harris- AJ 2, likes the challenge and pushes Simon to accept challenge.

TURNING POINT-1

Harris – AJ 3 & Action, double dog dares Simon to accept the student’s challenge.

Simon – PJ 5, accepts challenge. He has no choice.

ACT-2 (Simon tries basic textbook approaches, nothing unique)

Simon – PJ 6a, uses school database to locate various experts in heist job. This is a cool device to match skills with crime heist.

Harris – Action, teaches younger students the basics, mid-level, and maybe senior level skills for thieves. They watch Simon, via technology, on his efforts and use it to learn and discuss.

Harris – Action, hacks into database, changes ratings on various experts so that Simon picks the WRONG assistants.

SETUP-R2: Simon – PJ 6, tries textbook approaches to steal the gold but fails. Simon appears to be a fish-out-of-water with heist challenge. He makes feeble attempts and flails/fails. Simon struggles to do simple heist and fails and we wonder why.

Students watch via cameras and other tech gear. Like watching a chess match. Lots of comments from the peanut gallery. We see Graduates and 1^st year students watching same thing.

SETUP-R2: Harris – Action, pays a student to make disparaging comments in front of others.

Harris – AJ 4, is determined to block Simon from achieving challenge and to prove to school that he’s better at this than Simon, and that he (Harris) should have won trophy.

SETUP-R2: Harris – Action, for each effort Simon makes to meet challenge, Harris throws a monkey wrench into Simon’s plans.

Simon – PJ 7 & Action, Old ways don’t work. He tries jewelry heist but too many motion detectors and floor pressure plates. Large gold statue housed with less security: nobody can steal it. He tries to have a crane remove statue but too large, even with David Blain magician (or other famous magician) help (hide an elephant).

Harris – Action, smoke and mirrors don’t work. Mirror gets paint splattered and we realize the ruse.

Simon, Harris – Action, for every approach by Simon, Harris uses a counterapproach behind the scenes to deter Simon. Each time it makes Simon stronger, but in beginning we wonder why Simon sucks at heist jobs.

SETUP-R2: The entire 1st half of movie is Simon struggling to be a thief. Harris also focuses on disrupting Simon, so we wonder if that’s the reason for Simon’s blunders. But with Simon, everything has been a lie. Apparently, he is good at deceit, but we still like him. But he’s really just an average thief.

TURNING POINT-2 / MIDPOINT

Harris – AJ5, turns up the heat to defeat Simon.

Harris – Action, has his intern make claim that Simon is a fraud.

REVEAL-R2: Audience realizes Simon isn’t what they think he is. More of a fraud. He sucks at heist jobs. He’s scared, insecure, fish out of water. At school, he should have failed his final exam project for “cheating”, though Simon would say he was creative.

Harris – Action, confronts Simon to get to the truth. Simon ignores Harris.

Simon – PJ 8, determines to change and become what everyone expects of him. He’s ready to take unique challenges, is bold.

ACT-3

Simon – PJ 9, rethinks and creates new plan. He has insights into why old ways don’t work and that HE must change. New plan: Tunnel underneath and hollow out large gold statue, keeping the frame intact and no one suspects inner gold stolen.

Simon – PJ 10, begins tunnel. Goes back to academy database for tunnel experts.

Harris – AJ 6, sweats, thinks that Simon may have solved challenge.

Harris – AJ 6a, creates numerous hazards in tunnel, even trying to collapse it.

Simon PJ 10a, almost dies when tunnel collapses.

TURNING POINT-3

Harris – AJ 7, contacts local police and FBI. Gets Simon arrested for tunneling and human trafficking/drug mule, BUT NOT Gold heist. So, Simon is still in the running to win challenge.

Simon says he stumbled upon the tunnel. He didn’t build it. He has fake credentials and says he owns a catering food business (his made-up job).

Simon – Action, escapes from jail. Uses techniques from academy.

REVEAL-R3: Harris – AJ 8, hears for first time Simon stating that he shouldn’t have been top thief, that he (Simon) cheated on final project like the Star Trek Kobayashi Maru. But still Harris does not get recognition from school like he wants.

ACT-4 CLIMAX

Simon – PJ 11, completes the assignment challenge with flying colors. Simon solves the challenge despite the basic problems and the traps that Harris put forth.

Simon – Action, has melted out/hollowed out giant gold statue, leaving the outer shell that keeps statue propped up. Melted gold is more than Simon’s weight, thus fulfilling challenge.

RESOLUTION (Both Simon and Harris get what they wanted/desired/needed – Feel Good ending)

Simon – PJ 12, is STILL Top Thief but acknowledges that Harris should be considered top thief of previous graduating class.

Harris – AJ 9, gets his trophy in the glass case. Harris is given the Top Thief trophy (and Simon ‘s name removed) that he displays in academy’s main hallway. Harris has recognition that he’s always wanted.

FEEL GOOD: Both Simon and Harris get what they want and Simon has grown (inner) to be the person everyone thought he was.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 5 – Character Action Tracks

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Character Action Tracks!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Great way to strengthen script. The more I review, the more action I add. Easy with Outlines.

————————

Simon La’Rouche – Protagonist Journey (PJ)

Harris Blackwood – Antagonist Journey (AJ)

BEGINNING / OPENING ACT (Strange, interesting significant heist jobs with numerous players)

Thieves steal various items: Jewelry, cars, gold bars, cryptocurrency, airplanes, etc. Cool beginnings of an Action flick.

Harris – AJ 1, Instructor at academy (its ‘Grand Heist Academy’ but we won’t know for a while that it’s connected to the film’s Opening), walks daily past glass trophy case with Top Academy [Thief] trophy (we don’t know it’s a thief academy yet) with Simon’s name on it. There’s pain because he feels he should have won.

Harris – AJ 1a, helps new students with challenging problems. Has eyes for female instructor (who she eyes Simon). Stares at trophy in glass case, wishful that his name was on it. Student walks by “too bad your name not on it, eh?”

Harris – Action, in fantasy thoughts, Harris breaks glass case, grabs trophy and smashes it. Then back to reality, he walks away, sad.

Simon – Action, is at Children’s Hospital doing magic tricks for cancer kids. He checks time, gotta go. Kids ask for one more trick, which he obliges. As he leaves, we notice the hospital ward is named after his brother who died when they were younger. Simon is alone when he leaves, drives off in expensive super car. Wears no ring. He’s lonely.

Simon – PJ 1, arrives at Academy. He’s the guest speaker at class graduation. He’s also the Academy’s top graduate and thief. He is the only one to win the SPEC CHALLENGE (aka Kobayashi Maru (aka Star Trek’s Captain Kirk challenge)

Simon – Action, pops his head in a classroom, spies Harris teaching. Friendly greeting. They were classmates at academy years ago.

Simon – PJ 2, arrogantly teases Harris, rubs it in that he won, and Harris came in second. But Simon holds a deep secret. When alone, deep inside, he’s mad at himself for teasing Harris.

Harris – Action, heads off for lunch, clips Simon’s car in parking lot. Puts a dent on it.

Students finish their Senior Project, no failures. All are ready for Graduation. We NOW learn this is an academy for thieves. We see thieves from Opening and realize they are students ready to graduate, to go out into the world as thieves. We learn they are doing final exam Senior Project in various fields for GRAND HEIST ACADEMY prior to graduation. This looks serious for an academy of thieves.

They are seated in auditorium, ready to listen to pep talk from Simon.

Simon – Action, walks on stage. Announces to audience that if they want their wallets back, to please see him in the rear of auditorium to get it back. Students/Audience check their pockets. Gone/Missing. In the rear is an assistant with a box filled with wallets. The audience gasps, the claps.

Simon – PJ 3, gives pep talk commencement speech at graduation. He also tells them it’s time for him to retire. The audience moans.

INCITING INCIDENT: (Students challenge Simon to one last heist, to show off his skills.)

The class president, with student backing, challenges Simon to one last heist: Steal his weight in gold from city museum without getting caught and without the museum knowing, even after it has been stolen.

Simon – PJ 4 & Action, hesitates, makes excuses as to why he shouldn’t do the challenge.

Harris- AJ 2, likes the challenge and pushes Simon to accept challenge.

TURNING POINT-1

Harris – AJ 3 & Action, double dog dares Simon to accept the student’s challenge.

Simon – PJ 5, accepts challenge. He has no choice.

ACT-2 (Simon tries basic textbook approaches, nothing unique)

Simon – PJ 6a, uses school database to locate various experts in heist job. This is a cool device to match skills with crime heist.

Harris – Action, hacks into database, changes ratings on various experts so that Simon picks the WRONG assistants.

Simon – PJ 6, tries textbook approaches to steal the gold but fails. Simon appears to be a fish-out-of-water with heist challenge. He makes feeble attempts and flails/fails. Simon struggles to do simple heist and fails and we wonder why.

Students watch via cameras and other tech gear. Like watching a chess match. Lots of comments from the peanut gallery.

Harris – Action, pays a student to make disparaging comments in front of others.

Harris – AJ 4, is determined to block Simon from achieving challenge and to prove to school that he’s better at this than Simon, and that he (Harris) should have won trophy.

Harris – Action, for each effort Simon makes to meet challenge, Harris throws a monkey wrench into Simon’s plans.

Simon – PJ 7 & Action, Old ways don’t work. He tries jewelry heist but too many motion detectors and floor pressure plates. Large gold statue housed with less security: nobody can steal it. He tries to have a crane remove statue but too large, even with David Blain magician (or other famous magician) help (hide an elephant).

Harris – Action, smoke and mirrors don’t work. Mirror gets paint splattered and we realize the ruse.

Simon, Harris – Action, for every approach by Simon, Harris uses a counterapproach behind the scenes to deter Simon. Each time it makes Simon stronger, but in beginning we wonder why Simon sucks at heist jobs.

The entire 1st half of movie is Simon struggling to be a thief. Harris also focuses on disrupting Simon, so we wonder if that’s the reason for Simon’s blunders. But with Simon, everything has been a lie. Apparently, he is good at deceit, but we still like him. But he’s really just an average thief.

TURNING POINT-2 / MIDPOINT

Harris – AJ5, turns up the heat to defeat Simon.

Harris – Action, has his intern make claim that Simon is a fraud.

Audience realizes Simon isn’t what they think he is. More of a fraud. He sucks at heist jobs. He’s scared, insecure, fish out of water. At school, he should have failed his final exam project.

Harris – Action, confronts Simon to get to the truth. Simon ignores Harris.

Simon – PJ 8, determines to change and become what everyone expects of him. He’s ready to take unique challenges, is bold.

ACT-3

Simon – PJ 9, rethinks and creates new plan. He has insights into why old ways don’t work and that HE must change. New plan: Tunnel underneath and hollow out large gold statue, keeping the frame intact and no one suspects inner gold stolen.

Simon – PJ 10, begins tunnel. Goes back to academy database for tunnel experts.

Harris – AJ 6, sweats, thinks that Simon may have solved challenge.

Harris – AJ 6a, creates numerous hazards in tunnel, even trying to collapse it.

Simon PJ 10a, almost dies when tunnel collapses.

TURNING POINT-3

Harris – AJ 7, contacts local police and FBI. Gets Simon arrested for tunneling and human trafficking/drug mule, BUT NOT Gold heist. So, Simon is still in the running to win challenge.

Simon says he stumbled upon the tunnel. He didn’t build it. He has fake credentials and says he owns a catering food business (his made-up job).

Simon – Action, escapes from jail. Uses techniques from academy.

Harris – AJ 8, hears for first time Simon stating that he shouldn’t have been top thief, that he (Simon) cheated on final project like the Star Trek Kobayashi Maru. But still Harris does not get recognition from school like he wants.

ACT-4 CLIMAX

Simon – PJ 11, completes the assignment challenge with flying colors. Simon solves the challenge despite the basic problems and the traps that Harris put forth.

Simon – Action, has melted out/hollowed out giant gold statue, leaving the outer shell that keeps statue propped up. Melted gold is more than Simon’s weight, thus fulfilling challenge.

RESOLUTION (Both Simon and Harris get what they wanted/desired/needed – Feel Good ending)

Simon – PJ 12, is STILL Top Thief but acknowledges that Harris should be considered top thief of previous graduating class.

Harris – AJ 9, gets his trophy in the glass case. Harris is given the Top Thief trophy (and Simon ‘s name removed) that he displays in academy’s main hallway. Harris has recognition that he’s always wanted.

FEEL GOOD: Both Simon and Harris get what they want and Simon has grown (inner) to be the person everyone thought he was.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 4 – Basic Plotting

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ New Outline Beats!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Great way to ensure the plot flow is right.

====================================

Simon La’Rouche – Protagonist Journey (PJ)

Harris Blackwood – Antagonist Journey (AJ)

BEGINNING / OPENING ACT (Strange, interesting significant heist job with numerous players and numerous hit jobs)

Thieves steal various items: Jewelry, cars, gold bars, cryptocurrency, airplanes, etc. We learn they are doing final exam Senior Project in various fields for GRAND HEIST ACADEMY prior to graduation.

Harris – AJ 1, Instructor at Grand Heist Academy, walks daily past glass trophy case with Top Academy Thief trophy with Simon’s name on it. There’s pain because he feels he should have won.

Simon PJ 1, arrives at Academy. He’s the guest speaker at class graduation. He’s also the Academy’s top graduate and thief. He is the only one to win the SPEC CHALLENGE (aka Kobayashi Maru (aka Star Trek’s Captain Kirk challenge)

Simon – PJ 2, arrogantly teases Harris, rubs it in that he won, and Harris came in second. But Simon holds a deep secret.

** Students finish their Senior Project, no failures. All are ready for Graduation. They are seated in auditorium, ready to listen to pep talk from Simon.

Simon – PJ 3, gives pep talk commencement speech at graduation. He also tells them it’s time for him to retire.

INCITING INCIDENT: (Students challenge Simon to one last heist, to show off his skills.)

The class president, with student backing, challenges Simon to one last heist: Steal his weight in gold from city museum without getting caught and without the museum knowing, even after it has been stolen.

Simon – PJ 4, hesitates, makes excuses as to why he shouldn’t do the challenge.

Harris- AJ 2, likes the challenge and pushes Simon to accept challenge.

TURNING POINT-1

Harris – AJ 3, double dog dares Simon to accept the student’s challenge.

Simon – PJ 5, accepts challenge. He has no choice.

ACT-2 (Simon tries basic textbook approaches, nothing unique)

** Simon – PJ 6a, uses school database to locate various experts in heist job. This is a cool device to match skills with crime heist.

Simon – PJ 6, tries textbook approaches to steal the gold but fails. Simon appears to be a fish-out-of-water with heist challenge. He makes feeble attempts and flails/fails. Simon struggles to do simple heist and fails and we wonder why.

** Students watch via cameras and other tech gear. Like watching a chess match. Lots of comments from the peanut gallery.

Harris – AJ 4, is determined to block Simon from achieving challenge and to prove to school that he’s better at this than Simon, and that he (Harris) should have won trophy.

Simon – PJ 7, Old ways don’t work. He tries jewelry heist but too many motion detectors and floor pressure plates. Large gold statue housed with less security: nobody can steal it. He tries to have a crane remove statue but too large, even with David Blain magician help (hide an elephant).

For every approach by Simon, Harris uses a counterapproach behind the scenes to deter Simon. Each time it makes Simon stronger, but in beginning we wonder why Simon sucks at heist jobs.

The entire 1st half of movie is Simon struggling to be a thief. Everything has been a lie. Apparently, he is good at deceit, but we still like him. He’s really just an average thief.

TURNING POINT-2 / MIDPOINT

Harris – AJ5, turns up the heat to defeat Simon.

Audience realizes Simon isn’t what they think he is. More of a fraud. He sucks at heist jobs. He’s scared, insecure, fish out of water. At school, he should have failed his final exam project.

Simon – PJ 8, determines to change and become what everyone expects of him.

ACT-3

Simon – PJ 9, rethinks and creates new plan. He has insights into why old ways don’t work and that HE must change. New plan: Tunnel underneath and hollow out large gold statue, keeping the frame intact and no one suspects inner gold stolen.

Simon – PJ 10, begins tunnel. Goes back to academy database for tunnel experts.

Harris – AJ 6, sweats, thinks that Simon may have solved challenge.

** Harris – AJ 6a, creates numerous hazards in tunnel, even trying to collapse it.

** Simon PJ 10a, almost dies when tunnel collapses.

TURNING POINT-3

Harris – AJ 7, contacts local police and FBI. Gets Simon arrested for tunneling and human trafficking/drug mule, BUT NOT Gold heist. So, Simon is still in the running to win challenge.

** Simon is released from jail. Says he stumbled upon the tunnel. He didn’t build it. He has credentials that he’s a catering food vendor (his made-up job)

Harris – AJ 8, hears for first time Simon stating that he shouldn’t have been top thief, that he (Simon) cheated on final project like the Star Trek Kobayashi Maru. But still Harris does not get recognition from school like he wants.

ACT-4 CLIMAX

Simon – PJ 11, completes the assignment challenge with flying colors. Simon solves the challenge despite the basic problems and the traps that Harris put forth.

RESOLUTION (Both Simon and Harris get what they wanted/desired/needed – Feel Good ending)

Simon – PJ 12, is STILL Top Thief but acknowledges that Harris should be considered top thief of previous graduating class.

Harris – AJ 9, gets his trophy in the glass
case. Harris is given the Top Thief trophy (and Simon ‘s name removed) that he
displays in academy’s main hallway. Harris has recognition that he

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 2 – Beat Sheet Part-1

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Beat Sheet

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Keep reworking the outline sequentially. Go back and review. Allow yourself to change.

===================================

ORIGINAL HIGH CONCEPT:

A giant statue made of gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow out the gold.

UPDATED HIGH CONCEPT:

A former student and top graduate at Grand Heist Academy is challenged for one last heist: steal his weight in gold from a museum and not get caught and the museum not knowing it’s missing even after the heist.

GENRE:

Action/Drama

JOURNEY:

Protagonist (Simon La’Rouche) Journey:

As top graduate and former student of academy, and now retired, Simon arrives to give the current graduating students a graduation pep talk. The students then challenge Simon to one last heist: Steal the gold of a large sitting statue without getting caught and without the owner (museum) knowing, even after it has been stolen.

Antagonist (Harris Blackwood) Journey:

As Instructor at Academy, always felt slighted that when he was graduating from Academy, that he didn’t win top honors. When Simon returns, Harris’ wounds resurface. He determines to get even and to block Simon from achieving the goal of the challenge by students. In the end, Harris gets the recognition he deserved and always wanted. Better: He gets his name on trophy and in glass case.

Deeper Layer:

Simon never should have been named Top Thief at Academy. Simon cheated final exam project. Simon is insecure despite accolades.

Major Reveal:

He cheated on Senior Project, (similar to Capt. Kirk and the Star Trek Kobayashi Maru test). Some might say he used his brain to win.

Influences Surface Story:

Simon is a fish-out-of-water with heists. He’s always figured out a way for others to steal for him, never doing it himself.

Hints:

Simon struggles to do a simple heist and we wonder why. Simon is scared. He’s insecure.

Changes Reality:

Simon never should have been named Top Thief. This award should have gone to Harris.

==========================================

Simon La’Rouche – Protagonist Journey (PJ)

Harris Blackwood – Antagonist Journey (AJ)

BEGINNING / OPENING ACT

Thieves steal various items: Jewelry, cars, gold bars, cryptocurrency, airplanes, etc. We learn they are doing final exam Senior Project in various fields for GRAND HEIST ACADEMY prior to graduation.

Harris – AJ-1, Instructor at Grand Heist Academy, walks daily past glass trophy case with Top Academy Thief trophy with Simon’s name on it. There’s pain because he feels he should have won.

Simon PJ 1, arrives at Academy. He’s the guest speaker at class graduation. He’s also the Academy’s top graduate and thief. He is the only one to win the Kobayashi Maru (aka Star Trek and Captain Kirk)

Simon – PJ 2, arrogantly teases Harris, rubs it in that he won, and Harris came in second. But Simon holds a deep secret.

INCITING INCIDENT: Students challenge Simon to one last heist, to show off his skills.

Simon – PJ 3, gives pep talk commencement speech at graduation. He also tells them it’s time for him to retire.

The class president, with student backing, challenges Simon to one last heist: Steal his weight in gold from museum without getting caught and without the museum knowing, even after it has been stolen.

Simon – PJ 4, hesitates, makes excuses as to why he shouldn’t do the challenge.

Harris- AJ 2, likes the challenge and pushes Simon to accept challenge.

TURNING POINT-1

Harris – AJ 3, double dog dares Simon to accept the student’s challenge.

Simon – PJ 5, accepts challenge.

ACT-2

Simon – P6, tries textbook approaches to steal the gold but fails. Simon appears to be a fish-out-of-water with heist challenge. He makes feeble attempts and flails/fails. Simon struggles to do simple heist and fails and we wonder why.

Harris – AJ 4, is determined to block Simon from achieving challenge and to prove to school that he’s better at this than Simon, and that he (Harris) should have won trophy.

Simon – PJ 7, Old ways don’t work. He tries to have a crane remove statue but too large, even with David Blain magician help (hide an elephant).

For every approach by Simon, Harris uses a counterapproach to deter Simon. Each time it makes Simon stronger, but in beginning we wonder why Simon sucks at heist jobs.

TURNING POINT-2 / MIDPOINT

The entire 1st half of movie is Simon struggling to be a thief. Everything has been a lie. He is good at deceit.

Harris – AJ5, turns up the heat to defeat Simon.

Audience realizes Simon is a fraud. He sucks at heist jobs. He’s scared, insecure, fish out of water. At school, he should have failed his final exam project.

Simon – PJ 8, determines to change and become what everyone expects of him.

ACT-3

Simon – PJ 9, rethinks and creates new plan. He has insights into why old ways don’t work and that HE must change. New plan: Tunnel underneath and hollow out large statue, keeping the frame intact and no one suspects inner gold stolen.

Simon – PJ 10, begins tunnel.

Harris – AJ 6, sweats, thinking that Simon may have solved challenge.

TURNING POINT-3

Harris – AJ 7, contacts local police and FBI. Gets Simon arrested for tunneling and human trafficking/drug mule, BUT NOT Gold heist. So, Simon is still in the running to win challenge.

Harris – AJ 8, hears for first time Simon stating that he shouldn’t have been top thief, that he (Simon) cheated on final project like the Star Trek Kobayashi Maru. But still Harris does not get recognition from school like he wants.

ACT-4 CLIMAX

Simon – PJ 11, completes the assignment challenge with flying colors. Simon solves the challenge despite the basic problems and the traps that Harris put forth.

RESOLUTION

Simon – PJ 12, is STILL Top Thief but acknowledges that Harris should be considered top thief of previous graduating class.

Harris – AJ 9, gets his trophy in the glass case. Harris is given the Top Thief trophy (and Simon ‘s name removed) that he displays in academy’s main hallway. Harris has recognition that he’s always wanted.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 2 – The Deeper Layer

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Deeper Layer

MY VISION: To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Ensure your characters are the right ones for this high concept.

====================================

Deeper Layer:

Simon never should have been named Top Thief at Academy. Simon cheated final exam project. Simon is insecure despite accolades.

Major Reveal:

He cheated on Senior Project, (similar to Capt Kirk and the Star Trek Kobayashi Maru test). Some might say he used his brain to win.

Influences Surface Story:

Simon is a fish-out-of-water with heists. He’s always figured out a way for others to steal for him, never doing it himself.

Hints:

Simon struggles to do a simple heist and we wonder why. Simon is scared. He’s insecure.

Changes Reality:

Simon never should have been named Top Thief. This award should have gone to Harris.

====================================

OUTLINE

BEGINNING / OPENING ACT

Thieves steal various items: Jewelry, cars, gold bars, cryptocurrency, airplanes, etc. We learn they are doing final exam Senior Project

in various fields for GRAND HEIST ACADEMY prior to graduation.

Harris Blackwood, Instructor at Grand Heist Academy, walks daily past glass case of Top Thief trophy with Simon’s name on it. There’s pain

because he feels he should have won.

Simon arrogantly teases Harris, rubs it in that he won and Harris came in second. But Simon holds a deep secret.

INCITING INCIDENT

Simon, a former graduate and TOP THIEF (only person to win their version of the Kobayashi maru (aka Star Trek) challenge,

arrives to give commencement speech at graduation. He tells them it’s also time for him to retire. The class president, with student backing,

challenges Simon to one last heist: Steal the gold of a large sitting statue without getting caught and without the owner (museum)

knowing, even after it has been stolen.

Simon hesitates, makes excuses as to why he shouldn’t do the challenge.

TURNING POINT-1

Harris double dog dares Simon to accept the student’s challenge. Harris is determined to block Simon from achieving challenge and to prove

to school that he’s better at this than Simon, and that he (Harris) should have won trophy.

After some back and forth (and accusations of ‘chicken’), Simon finally agrees to the challenge.

ACT-2

Simon tries textbook approaches to steal the gold but fails. Simon appears to be a fish-out-of-water with heist challenge. He makes feeble

attempts and flails/fails. Old ways don’t work. He tries to have a crane remove statue but too large, even with David Blain magic help

(hide an elephant). For every approach BY Simon, Harris uses a counterapproach to deter Simon.

TURNING POINT-2 / MIDPOINT

The entire 1st half of movie is a Con. And Antagonist (Harris) has turned up the heat to cause problems.

Harris turns up the heat to defeat Simon. And we realize that Simon is a fraud. He sucks at heist jobs.

ACT-3

Simon rethinks and creates new plan. He has insights into why old ways don’t work and that HE must change. New plan: Tunnel underneath and

hollow out statue, keeping the frame intact and no one suspects inner gold stolen.

Simon begins tunnel. Harris sweats, thinking that Simon may have solved.

TURNING POINT-3

Harris contacts local police and FBI. Gets Simon arrested for tunneling and human trafficking/drug mule, BUT NOT Gold heist. So, Simon is

still in the running to win challenge.

Harris hears for first time Simon stating that he shouldn’t have been top thief, that he cheated on final project like the Star Trek Kobayashi

Maru. But still Harris does not get recognition from school like he wants.

ACT-4 CLIMAX

Simon completes the assignment challenge with flying colors. Simon solves the challenge despite the basic problems and the traps that

Harris put forth.

RESOLUTION

Simon is STILL Top Thief but acknowledges that Harris should be considered top thief of previous graduating class. Harris gets his trophy

in the glass case. Harris is given the Top Thief trophy (and Simon ‘s name removed) that he displays in academy’s main hallway. Harris has

recognition that he’s always wanted.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 4, Lesson 1 – Character Journey Structure

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Character Structure

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: That if the characters don’t support the HIGH CONCEPT, then it’s time to get new characters. I went back to the beginning of this course and created new main characters that delivered on the High Concept. Doing this changed entirely the structure, title, and path, and now matches closer to the High Concept. I may still use previous characters BUT in a different High Concept story.

======================================

Title: Grand Heist Academy

Original High Concept: A golden Buddha statue made of gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow out the gold.

Modified High Concept:

A former student and long-time top thief at Grand Heist Academy is challenged for one last heist: steal the gold from a giant golden statue and not get caught and the owner not knowing it’s missing even after the heist.

Main Character (Simon La’Rouche) – Protagonist

Journey:

As top graduate and former student of academy, and now retired, Simon arrives to give the current graduating students a graduation pep talk. The students then challenge Simon to one last heist: Steal the gold of a large sitting statue without getting caught and without the owner (museum) knowing, even after it has been stolen.

Antagonist: Harris Blackwood

As Instructor at Academy, always felt slighted that when he was graduating from Academy, that he didn’t win top honors. When Simon returns, Harris’ wounds resurface. He determines to get even and to block Simon from achieving the goal of the challenge by students. In the end, Harris gets the recognition he deserved and always wanted. Better: He gets his name

on trophy and in glass case.

========================================

PROTAGONIST (Simon La’Rouche)

Beginning (Opening, set-up, and As-is old ways):

Thieves steal various items: Jewelry, cars, gold bars, cryptocurrency, airplanes, etc.

We learn they are doing Senior Project in various fields for GRAND HEIST ACADEMY prior to graduation.

Inciting Incident:

Simon, a former graduate and TOP THIEF (only person to win their version of the Kobayashi maru (aka Star Trek) challenge, arrives to give commencement speach at graduation. He tells them it’s also time to retire. The class president, with student backing, challenges Simon to one last heist: Steal the gold of a large sitting statue without getting caught and without the owner (museum) knowing, even after it has been stolen.

Turning Point – 1: After some back and forth (and accusations of ‘chicken’), Simon finally agrees to the challenge.

Act-2:

Simon appears to be a fish-out-of-water with heist challenge. He makes feable attempts and flails/fails. Old ways don’t work. He tries to have a crane remove statue but too large, even with David Blain magic help (hide an elephant).

Turning Point -2 / Midpoint

The entire 1st half of movie is a Con. And Antagonist (Harris) has turned up the heat to cause problems.

Act-3:

Simon rethinks and creats new plan. He has insights into why old ways don’t work and that HE must change. New plan: Tunnel underneath and hollow out statue, keeping the frame intact and no one suspects inner gold stolen.

Turning Point 3: Huge failure

Simon is arrested for tunneling (human traffic or drugs BUT NOT Gold heist). He’s a suspected mule.

Act-4 Climax:

Simon completes the assignment challenge with flying colors.

Resolution:

Simon is STILL Top Thief but acknowledges that Harris should be considered top thief of previous graduating class. <font face=”inherit”>Harris gets his </font>trophy<font face=”inherit”> in the glass case.</font>

==========================================

ANTAGONIST (Harris Blackwood)

Beginning (Opening):

Instructor at Grand Heist Academy. Daily walks past glass case of Top Thief trophy with Simon’s name on it. There’s pain because he feels he should have won.

Inciting Incident:

Simon rubs it in that he won and Harris came in second.

Turning Point – 1:

Harris double dog dares Simon to accept the student’s challenge. Harris is determined to block Simon from achieving challenge and to prove to school that he’s better at this than Simon, and that he (Harris) should have won trophy.

Act-2:

Simon tries textbook approaches to steal the gold but fails. For every approach, Harris uses a counter-approach to deter Simon.

Turning Point -2 / Midpoint

Harris turns up the heat to defeat Simon. And we realize that Simon is a fraud. He sucks at heist jobs.

Act-3:

Simon begins tunnel. Harris sweats, thinking that Simon may have solved.

Turning Point 3:

Harris makes contact with local police and FBI. Gets Simon arrested for tunneling and human trafficking/drug mule. Harris hears for first time Simon stating that he shouldn’t have been top thief, that he cheated on final project like the Star Trek Kobayashi Maru. But still Harris does not get recognition from school like he wants.

Act-4 Climax:

Simon solves the challenge despite the basic problems and the traps that Harris put forth.

Resolution:

Harris is given the Top Thief trophy (and Simon ‘s name removed) that he displays in academy’s main hallway. Harris has recognition that he’s always wanted.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 3, Lesson 8 – Supporting Characters

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Supporting Characters

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Keep filling in blanks.

=================================

Support 1:

Name: Memaw

Role: Josh’s grandmother

Main Purpose: To show a caring-for-others side of Josh

Value: There’s a sweet caring side to Josh, despite his early attitude

====================================

Support 2:

Name: Tom (Thailand native)

Role: Jungle/Adventure Guide for Josh

Main Purpose: Push Josh further than he’s ever been with challenges

Value: Strengthens Josh

======================================

Support 3:

Name: Somchai (Real Man; Man of Worth)

Role: Village Chief

Main Purpose: To provide background info on locals and their beliefs about golden Buddha

Value: To provide way for Josh to grow internally

=======================================

Support 4:

Name: Lek (Small)

Role: Elephant lead

Main Purpose: Banter against Cashus

Value: Push Cashus in verbal twists

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 3, Lesson 7 – Character Profiles Part-2

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Character Profiles Part-2

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: keep filling in the blanks

===================================

PROTAGONIST

A. The High Concept:

A TikTok Influencer, wanting to increase his followers and energize his current followers, hires a guide to take him deep

in the jungle, while he vlogs the search for the legendary giant golden Buddha statue.

B. This character’s journey:

TikTok Influencer wanna-be, self-centered, shallow, fake-it-’til-you-make-it, no real friends, is forced on a real adventure to reclaim

his status and pride, ultimately connects with local villagers and saves their prized statue, which gives them hope as well as gives

himself new meaning to life.

C. The Actor Attractors for this character:

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

This is a popular TikToc Influencer who travels the world in seach of new adventures, but in reality is faking it with a green screen.

He’s scared of heights and hates vaccine shots. His insecurities and fake life are the only reality he knows.

And he’s about to lose his followers when they find out the truth (presented by the Antagonist).

From creating fake adventures (green screen) to an actual adventure deep in Thailand jungles in search of a mysterious golden Buddha statue.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

Popular Influencer on TikToc/Instagram whose life is fake and his followers abandon him.

Loves/cares for Grandmother in nursing home. She gives him map from his granddad.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Death-defying adventure that turns out to be fake with green screen.

Later, a true death-defying adventure walking a rope bridge across a wide gorge and raging river.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

A fake Influencer who loves his grandma and wants her to be proud. Struggles with reality and the internet world he creates.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Being abandon by his followers to having a deep inner change that brings truth and reality into forfront, as well as true followers.

Transformational journey from narcisistic showman on TikToc to caring for others even if it goes against his ego world.

6. What subtext can the actor play?

His actions hide the fact he’s insecure, has strong need for affection. His grandma is dying and doesn’t know how to express his feelings.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

Holly, the triangle character, feels hurt from Protagonist and creates unnecessary turmoil between Protagonist and Antagonist.

Protagonist is still in love with Holly but afraid to getting close, since that also means losing them at some point (eg Grandma)

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Self-created Got-it-made positive attitude that hides his insecurities.

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Charisma/Pride ego (that also looks down on others, in beginning) in the beginning that later becomes humbled, caring for others beyond self.

==============

1. Role in Story: Protagonist

TikToc Influencer who fakes his adventures to gain Followers.

2. Age range and Description: Age 20s. Josh wears stylish gym clothes and gold chains (rapper apparel??)

3. Core Traits:

– Initially: Cocky, Cool Attitude (fake), Intolerant (short temper – deep down he’s afraid to get caught), love his Memaw

– After Change: Humble, tolerasnt, considerate

4. Motivation; Want/Need:

– Want: More TikToc Followers

– To feel important/loved. To fill an emptyness

5. Wound: Bullied in grade school to the point where he felt toally insecure

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

– Likability: He takes care of his ailing grandma/Memaw in nursing home

– Relatability: Girlfriend problems. Growing up issues.

– Empathy: His TikToc Influencer business falls apart, crumbles

7. Character Subtext (Lesson 3):

Josh is a Social Media Influencer Fake who keeps the truth secretive

8. Character Intrigue (Lesson 4):

Hidden Agendas: Fake-it-’til-you-make-it

Competition: With himself

Conspiracies:

Secrets: His adventures posted on TikToc are fake. Green screen and SFX studio.

Deception: Deceives his followers, making them think he’s cool and such a great adventurer

Unspoken Wound: Insecure due to being bullied in school.

9. Flaw: Scared to do the adventures he portrays himself on TikToc

10. Values: Family (Memaw), Fame

11. Internal Dilemma: Wanting external admiration vs. loving himself

========================================================

ANTAGONIST:

A. The High Concept:

A Competitor TikToc Influencer feels slighted when Josh doesn’t give him the time of day (at TikToc convention).

An unknown person (Triangle character – Holly) tells Cashus how to get even by revealing secrets of Josh.

B. This character’s journey:

Hurt/pain when slighted by Josh at a convention, to angry and vengeful, to ……

He loses quest, loses his own followers, broken down

C. The Actor Attractors for this character:

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

Hot TikToc Influencer who is envious of Protagonist’s success and is willing to knock him down.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

He’s being fed info from the Protagonist’s former girlfirend who was hurt that he cheated (misunderstanding)

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Finds gold statue first. Steals it by removing (melting gold) beneath it.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

Jealous/angry that protagonist is rated higher than himself, thus less ad revenue, less girlfriends, etc

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Jealous/angry to winning after destroying protagonists ratings to excited finding gold statue first, to giving up after losing battle

6. What subtext can the actor play?

Insecure/Jealous/angry

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

He and protagonist used to be best friends. When they discover ex-girlfriend caused problems, they bonded stronger

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Precise, intelligent, but not too social (thus his real problems with social media)

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Techno-nerd

===================================

1. Role in Story: Antagonist

2. Age range and Description: Age 20s, focuses too much on other Influencer’s traits, tries to be like them

3. Core Traits: Bully, conniving, mis-treats oters, Treats Chihuahua nice like his baby

4. Motivation; Want/Need: Wants to Make more money/ Needs confidence

5. Wound: His father bullied him, never appreciated him

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

– Likability: Has a pet Chihuahua that he loves/adors

– Relatability: Dog shits/pee all over white carpet.

– Empathy: Humiliation – TikToc Followers compare him to Josh, and not in a nice way, and troll Cashus.

(Later he fights back with revenge…not nice)

7. Character Subtext (Lesson 3): Cashus King is a TicTok Competitor who connives to out-win his competition

8. Character Intrigue (Lesson 4):

Hidden Agendas: Wants to knock down Josh from High Influencer status

Competition: In his mind, Cashus is in competition with Josh (who barely knows him)

Secrets: The very things that he exposes on internet of fake Josh adventures is what he is also doing

Deception: He deceives his TikToc followers

Unspoken Wound: He was a bully in grade school

9. Flaw: Cowardice, can’t look at his fears

10. Values: knowledge/scientific (nerd)

11. Internal Dilemma: Winner vs. Loser

==============================================

TRIANGLE Character

A. The High Concept:

Logline: A spurned ex-girlfriend is hired, unknowingly by her ex, as his Virtual Assistant.

Her goal: To make him pay for the perceived hurt he gave her.

B. This character’s journey:

Spoiled brat who wants revenge on Josh

C. The Actor Attractors for this character:

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

Spurned ex-girlfriend of Protagonist who can’t stand to see him with another girl.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

Former girlfriend and fellow Influencer, hurt that he cheated (misunderstanding). Feeds antagonist with info (false info)

Revenge? Getting even? Payback?

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Devious plans to wreck havoc with protagonist by using antagonist (without either knowing she’s the one)

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

Angry/hurt ex-girlfriend with attitude.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Angry/hurt to vengeful to apologetic to needy (he forgives but doesn’t want to go further)

6. What subtext can the actor play?

Know-it-all

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

Ex-girlfirend of protagonist. He still cares for her but in the end, decides not to pursue again

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Know-it-all

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Had other boyfriends that she caused turmoil afterwards

======================================

1. Role in Story: Third character, creates issues between Josh and Cashus.

2. Age range and Description: Age 20s. Colorful hair. Long finger nails. Wild dresser.

3. Core Traits: Nasty, mean, conniving, scheming.

4. Motivation; Want/Need: Wants Josh to feel her pain. Needs to learn to love herself.

5. Wound: Daddy issues

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

– Likability: Fake Friendly, outgoing. Later learn her core traits.

– Relatability: We initially think she’s suffered in relationships due to the guy, (but later learn it’s her).

– Empathy: Why would anyone (Josh) cheat on her (or did he??)

7. Character Subtext (Lesson 3):

Holly is a victim of Josh’s seduction/dumping and manipulates Cashus to hurt Josh.

8. Character Intrigue (Lesson 4):

Hidden Agendas: Plans to take Josh down

Conspiracies: Conspires with Cashus (directly or hidden) against Josh

Secrets: She cheated on Josh and was afraid he’d find out

Unspoken Wound: Doesn’t trust men. Her dad left her mom and herself to fend for themselves

Secret Identity: Travel Agent to troll Josh

9. Flaw: Undervalues herself.

10. Values: Fame

11. Internal Dilemma: Excitement vs. safety

• This reply was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by  ROBERT Ingalls.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 3, Lesson 6 – Character Profiles Part-1

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Character Profiles Part-1

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: As I fill in blanks, and then later return, I can tweak or modify to improve easily.

==========================================

Original Concept: A giant Buddha statue made of pure gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow it out.

In a quest to find a lost golden Buddha statue in the jungle, and regain his status/pride on TikToc, an Influencer

discovers there’s more to it when he realizes it has never been lost.

===========================================

JOSH (Protagonist)

The High Concept:

A TikTok Influencer, wanting to increase his followers and energize his current followers, hires a guide to take him deep

in the jungle, while he vlogs the search for the legendary giant golden Buddha statue.

This character’s journey:

TikTok Influencer wanna-be, self-centered, shallow, fake-it-’til-you-make-it, no real friends, is forced on a real adventure to reclaim

his status and pride, ultimately connects with local villagers and saves their prized statue, which gives them hope as well as gives

himself new meaning to life.

The Actor Attractors for this character:

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

This is a popular TikToc Influencer who travels the world in seach of new adventures, but in reality is faking it with a green screen.

He’s scared of heights and hates vaccine shots. His insecurities and fake life are the only reality he knows.

And he’s about to lose his followers when they find out the truth (presented by the Antagonist).

From creating fake adventures (green screen) to an actual adventure deep in Thailand jungles in search of a mysterious golden Buddha statue.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

Popular Influencer on TikToc/Instagram whose life is fake and his followers abandon him.

Loves/cares for Grandmother in nursing home. She gives him map from his granddad.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Death-defying adventure that turns out to be fake with green screen.

Later, a true death-defying adventure walking a rope bridge across a wide gorge and raging river.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

A fake Influencer who loves his grandma and wants her to be proud. Struggles with reality and the internet world he creates.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Being abandon by his followers to having a deep inner change that brings truth and reality into forfront, as well as true followers.

Transformational journey from narcisistic showman on TikToc to caring for others even if it goes against his ego world.

6. What subtext can the actor play?

His actions hide the fact he’s insecure, has strong need for affection. His grandma is dying and doesn’t know how to express his feelings.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

Holly, the triangle character, feels hurt from Protagonist and creates unnecessary turmoil between Protagonist and Antagonist.

Protagonist is still in love with Holly but afraid to getting close, since that also means losing them at some point (eg Grandma)

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Self-created Got-it-made positive attitude that hides his insecurities.

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Charisma/Pride ego (that also looks down on others, in beginning) in the beginning that later becomes humbled, caring for others beyond self.

1. Role in Story: Protagonist

TikToc Influencer who fakes his adventures to gain Followers.

2. Age range and Description: Age 20s. Josh wears stylish gym clothes and gold chains (rapper apparel??)

3. Core Traits:

– Initially: Cocky, Cool Attitude (fake), Intolerant (short temper – deep down he’s afraid to get caught), love his Memaw

– After Change: Humble, tolerasnt, considerate

4. Motivation; Want/Need:

– Want: More TikToc Followers

– To feel important/loved. To fill an emptyness

5. Wound: Bullied in grade school to the point where he felt toally insecure

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

– Likability: He takes care of his ailing grandma/Memaw in nursing home

– Relatability: Girlfriend problems. Growing up issues.

– Empathy: His TikToc Influencer business falls apart, crumbles

==============================================

CASHUS KING (Antagonist)

The High Concept:

A Competitor TikToc Influencer feels slighted when Josh doesn’t give him the time of day (at TikToc convention).

An unknown person (Triangle character – Holly) tells Cashus how to get even by revealing secrets of Josh.

This character’s journey:

Hurt/pain when slighted by Josh at a convention, to angry and vengeful, to ……

He loses quest, loses his own followers, broken down

The Actor Attractors for this character:

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

Hot TikToc Influencer who is envious of Protagonist’s success and is willing to knock him down.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

He’s being fed info from the Protagonist’s former girlfirend who was hurt that he cheated (misunderstanding)

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Finds gold statue first. Steals it by removing (melting gold) beneath it.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

Jealous/angry that protagonist is rated higher than himself, thus less ad revenue, less girlfriends, etc

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Jealous/angry to winning after destroying protagonists ratings to excited finding gold statue first, to giving up after losing battle

6. What subtext can the actor play?

Insecure/Jealous/angry

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

He and protagonist used to be best friends. When they discover ex-girlfriend caused problems, they bonded stronger

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Precise, intelligent, but not too social (thus his real problems with social media)

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Techno-nerd

1. Role in Story: Antagonist

2. Age range and Description: Age 20s, focuses too much on other Influencer’s traits, tries to be like them

3. Core Traits: Bully, conniving, mis-treats oters, Treats Chihuahua nice like his baby

4. Motivation; Want/Need: Wants to Make more money/ Needs confidence

5. Wound: His father bullied him, never appreciated him

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

– Likability: Has a pet Chihuahua that he loves/adors

– Relatability: Dog shits/pee all over white carpet.

– Empathy: Humiliation – TikToc Followers compare him to Josh, and not in a nice way, and troll Cashus.

(Later he fights back with revenge…not nice)

==============================================

HOLLY (Triangle)

The High Concept:

Logline: A spurned ex-girlfriend is hired, unknowingly by her ex, as his Virtual Assistant.

Her goal: To make him pay for the perceived hurt he gave her.

This character’s journey:

Spoiled brat who wants revenge on Josh

The Actor Attractors for this character:

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

Spurned ex-girlfriend of Protagonist who can’t stand to see him with another girl.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

Former girlfriend and fellow Influencer, hurt that he cheated (misunderstanding). Feeds antagonist with info (false info)

Revenge? Getting even? Payback?

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Devious plans to wreck havoc with protagonist by using antagonist (without either knowing she’s the one)

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

Angry/hurt ex-girlfriend with attitude.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Angry/hurt to vengeful to apologetic to needy (he forgives but doesn’t want to go further)

6. What subtext can the actor play?

Know-it-all

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

Ex-girlfirend of protagonist. He still cares for her but in the end, decides not to pursue again

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Know-it-all

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Had other boyfriends that she caused turmoil afterwards

1. Role in Story: Third character, creates issues between Josh and Cashus.

2. Age range and Description: Age 20s. Colorful hair. Long finger nails. Wild dresser.

3. Core Traits: Nasty, mean, conniving, scheming.

4. Motivation; Want/Need: Wants Josh to feel her pain. Needs to learn to love herself.

5. Wound: Daddy issues

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:

– Likability: Fake Friendly, outgoing. Later learn her core traits.

– Relatability: We initially think she’s suffered in relationships due to the guy, (but later learn it’s her).

– Empathy: Why would anyone (Josh) cheat on her (or did he??)

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 3, Lesson 5 – Audience Connection to Characters

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Likability/Relatability/Empathy

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: To keep working with traits that connect us to the characters.

========================================

Protagonist (Josh):

– Likability: He takes care of his ailing grandma/Memaw in nursing home

– Relatability: Girlfriend problems. Gowing up issues.

– Empathy: His TikToc Influencer business falls apart, crumbles

Antagonist (Cashus King):

– Likability: Has a pet Chihuahua that he loves/adors

– Relatability: Dog shits all over white carpet.

– Empathy: Humiliation – TikToc Followers compare him to Josh, and not in a nice way, and troll Cashus.

(Later he fights back with revenge…not nice)

Third Character (Holly):

– Likability: Friendly, outgoing.

– Relatability: We initially think she’s suffered in relationships due to the guy, (but later learn it’s her).

– Empathy: Why would anyone (Josh) cheat on her (or did he??)

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 3, Lesson 4 – Character Intrigue

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Character Intrigue

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: That Module 3 is in need of fixing.

===============================

Character Name: Josh

Role: Protagonist

Hidden Agendas: Fake-it-’til-you-make-it

Competition: With himself

Conspiracies:

Secrets: His adventures posted on TikToc are fake. Green screen and SFX studio.

Deception: Deceives his followers, making them think he’s cool and such a great adventurer

Unspoken Wound: Insecure due to being bullied in school.

Secret Identity:

=============================

Character Name: Cashus King

Role: Antagonist

Hidden Agendas: Wants to knock down Josh from High Influencer status

Competition: In his mind, Cashus is in competition with Josh (who barely knows him)

Conspiracies:

Secrets: The very things that he exposes on internet of fake Josh adventures is what he is also doing

Deception: He deceives his TikToc followers

Unspoken Wound: He was a bully in grade school

Secret Identity:

====================================

Character Name: Holly

Role: Triangle Character

Hidden Agendas: Plans to take Josh down

Competition:

Conspiracies: Conspires with Cashus (directly or hidden) against Josh

Secrets: She cheated on Josh and was afraid he’d find out

Deception:

Unspoken Wound: Doesn’t trust men. Her dad left her mom and herself to fend for themselves

Secret Identity: Travel Agent to troll Josh

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 3, Lesson 3 – Character Subtext

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Subtext Characters

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: I think this lesson needs to be REWRITTEN. Confusion between “subtext activity” and “covert character traits” and also “subtext identity” and “covert identity”. What are the four (4) types of character subtext? It lists only two.

The example lists “Acceptance wound” as a subtext identity. Where is this listed?

==========================================

Title: NIRVANA GOLD

Concept:

A giant Buddha statue made of pure gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow it out.

Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle

==========================================

Character with Most Subtext:

Movie Title: NIRVANA GOLD

Protagonist

Character Name: Josh

Subtext Identity: The Fake

Subtext Trait: Secretive

Subtext Logline: (Name is a [Subtext Identity] who [main Subtext Activity/Trait]

– Josh is a Social Media Influencer Fake who keeps the truth secretive

Possible Areas of Subtext:

Josh’s fake adventures discovered, he continues his scheme, then confesses. In effort to prove himself, he’s on a REAL adventure. Acts like he has it all made, but reality feels deeply lacking. Loves his grandma, fears she is dying soon. Turns tables on Cashus. Josh has mixed feelings on Holly, but in the end realizes it was the right thing to dump her.

=======================

Antagonist

Character Name: Cashus King

Subtext Identity: The Competitor

Subtext Trait: Conniving

Subtext Logline: (Name is a [Subtext Identity] who [main Subtext Activity/Trait]

– Cashus King is a TicTok Competitor who connives to out-win his competition

Possible Areas of Subtext:

Breaks into Josh’s home, discovers map, takes photo of it. Creates problems for Josh to prevent him discovering statue. Finds statue first, then realizes too heavy to move. Plan to carve out inner gold and steal it. He feeds his followers his adventure and Josh’s failings.

==========================

Triangle Character

Character Name: Holly

Subtext Identity: The victim

Subtext Trait: Manipulative

Subtext Logline: (Name is a [Subtext Identity] who [main Subtext Activity/Trait]

– Holly is a victim of Josh’s seduction/dumping and manipulates Cashus to hurt Josh.

Possible Areas of Subtext:

Holly feeds Cashus with Josh’s secrets confided to her when she and Josh were together. Holly pretends to want to get back with Josh but really just wants revenge.

==========================

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 3, Lesson 2 – Roles that Sell Actors

Rob Ingalls’ Actor Attractors!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: It’s hard to do this portion when not fully sure what each character will do.

===============================

Lead Character Name: JOSH HIGHLANDER [Popular Influencer]

Role: Protagonist

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

This is a popular TikToc Influencer who travels the world in seach of new adventures, but in reality is faking it with a green screen.

He’s scared of heights and hates vaccine shots. His insecurities and fake life are the only reality he knows.

And he’s about to lose his followers when they find out the truth (presented by the Antagonist).

From creating fake adventures (green screen) to an actual adventure deep in Thailand jungles in search of a mysterious golden Buddha statue.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

Popular Influencer on TikToc/Instagram whose life is fake and his followers abandon him.

Loves/cares for Grandmother in nursing home. She gives him map from his granddad.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Death-defying adventure that turns out to be fake with green screen.

Later, a true death-defying adventure walking a rope bridge across a wide gorge and raging river.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

A fake Influencer who loves his grandma and wants her to be proud. Struggles with reality and the internet world he creates.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Being abandon by his followers to having a deep inner change that brings truth and reality into forfront, as well as true followers.

Transformational journey from narcisistic showman on TikToc to caring for others even if it goes against his ego world.

6. What subtext can the actor play?

His actions hide the fact he’s insecure, has strong need for affection. His grandma is dying and doesn’t know how to express his feelings.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

Holly, the triangle character, feels hurt from Protagonist and creates unnecessary turmoil between Protagonist and Antagonist.

Protagonist is still in love with Holly but afraid to getting close, since that also means losing them at some point (eg Grandma)

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Self-created Got-it-made positive attitude that hides his insecurities.

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Charisma/Pride ego (that also looks down on others, in beginning) in the beginning that later becomes humbled, caring for others beyond self.

=======================

Lead Character Name: CASHUS KING [Competitor – Fake name]

Role: Antagonist

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

Hot TikToc Influencer who is envious of Protagonist’s success and is willing to knock him down.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

He’s being fed info from the Protagonist’s former girlfirend who was hurt that he cheated (misunderstanding)

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Finds gold statue first. Steals it by removing (melting gold) beneath it.

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

Jealous/angry that protagonist is rated higher than himself, thus less ad revenue, less girlfriends, etc

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Jealous/angry to winning after destroying protagonists ratings to excited finding gold statue first, to giving up after losing battle

6. What subtext can the actor play?

Insecure/Jealous/angry

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

He and protagonist used to be best friends. When they discover ex-girlfriend caused problems, they bonded stronger

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Precise, intelligent, but not too social (thus his real problems with social media)

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Techno-nerd

==============================

Lead Character Name: HOLLY

Role: 3rd character

TRIANGLE CHARACTER (Creates a Competition or Conflict between Protagonist/Antagonist)

1. What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it?

Spurned ex-girlfriend of Protagonist who can’t stand to see him with another girl.

2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story?

Former girlfriend and fellow Influencer, hurt that he cheated (misunderstanding). Feeds antagonist with info (false info)

Revenge? Getting even? Payback?

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in this script?

Devious plans to wreck havoc with protagonist by using antagonist (without either knowing she’s the one)

4. How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor?

Angry/hurt ex-girlfriend with attitude.

5. What could be this character’s emotional range?

Angry/hurt to vengeful to apologetic to needy (he forgives but doesn’t want to go further)

6. What subtext can the actor play?

Know-it-all

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have?

Ex-girlfirend of protagonist. He still cares for her but in the end, decides not to pursue again

8. How will this character’s unique voice be presented?

Know-it-all

9. What could make this character special and unique?

Had other boyfriends that she caused turmoil afterwards

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 3, Lesson 1 – Characters that Sell Scripts

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Actor Attractors for THE UNFORGIVABLE

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Ensure script is actor bait

===========================

THE UNFORGIVABLE

Lead Character Name: Ruth Slater (played by Sandra Bullock)

1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?

Emotionally driven with strong character trait of Ruth.

2. What makes thia character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?

Despite what others think of her, she knows the truth but has strength to not reveal, to protect her sister.

3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?

She has one goal: find her sister and let her know she exists. All else doesn’t matter.

4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?

Standing up for her family (sister), a sheriff is killed. Ruth is protective of her sister to the point that

she takes the fall and is sent to prison

5. What is this character’s emotional range?

Protective sister to 20 years as convict to freedom but hated by others to struggling to find her sister who she protected.

6. What subtext can the actor play?

Despite 20 years in prison and now released but in a new prison, despite being beaten, she gets back up again and again.

7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?

Despite her background, there are people willing to help, despite not knowing fully her story.

8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?

Despite the world hating her, she continues to stand strong while still protecting her sister.

9. What makes this character special and unique?

Strong moral convictions.

!0. Over the course of the film, we learn more about Ruth and the truth. At first we think she killed the sheriff,

since she had said she would on phone. We have mixed feelings of Ruth: protective of sister but a man dies doing his job.

As we learn more, we suspect all is not what it seems. Eventually we learn the little sister pulled the trigger and

killed the sheriff and Ruth protected her sister and took the fall for her.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Module 2 – Lesson 6

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Genre Conventions

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Focus on the genre conventions to ensure it is strong. Put aside the details of the script and focus on genre conventions.

DRAMA: List out emotional dramatic elements that can occur, then place them appropriately in script AFTER list done.

==========================================

Title: NIRVANA GOLD

Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle ??? Not sure anymore. I lost the third element doing this assignment.

TRIANGLE CHARACTER (Creates a Competition or Conflict between Protagonist/Antagonist)

==========================================

Concept:

A giant Buddha statue made of pure gold is stolen by tunneling underneath and hollow it out.

Genre: Drama or Dramedy

Main Conflict:

A TikToc Influencer in hopes to revive his followers and influencer status by going on a trek deep in the jungles of Thailand in search of a hidden golden statue

===========================================

Conventions for Drama:

– Purpose:

Explore stories with emotional and interpersonal high stakes for their characters

– Character-Driven Journey:

We need to care about the characters in a Drama, and their internal journey drives the film’s events and progression.

– High states come from Within:

The struggles, obstacles, and stakes comes from within the characters more than from external pressures.

– Emotionally Resonates:

Drama audiences want to feel and be moved by the characters’ emotions and how they experience the events.

– Challenging, Emotionally-charged situations:

Characters get challenged to their core by the emotional situations & struggles they run into.

– Real-life Situations:

Drama stories are grounded in reality.

====================================================

Act-1 (Set up and see old Ways) 25-30 pages:

– Opening:

TikToc Influencer (World travelor) living the dream lifestyle: GOLD, GOLD, GOLD plus fast jet (gold-plated inside),

cars (gold-plated), pool, exotic locations as he travels the world (and has subtle product placement). Adventure seeker (or so we believe).

–> Create connection to audience: Influencer provides for his grandmother (Mimi’s) at a nursing home.

Despite his visual appearance of ego lifestyle, he’s really down to earth and has a heart.

– Inciting Incident:

Wakes to find followers rapidly dropping off TikToc, Massive loss of ad revenue

Competitor (Antagonist) has blasted/dissed/throws shade on Protagonist

Competitor reveals Protagonist’s lies and fake travel and product placement. Hidden camera of Influencer dissing minotities.

Turns followers and ad companies against Protagonist.

–> Yes, all true. Influencer was trying the ‘fake it ’til you make it’ approach.

–> Loss of income will affect his ability to provide for his grandmother (Mimi’s). Guilty, he pleads forgiveness.

– Turning Point:

Protagonist/Influencer is given a map from his sick/bedridden Mimi’s showing the way to a hidden gold statue in jungles of Thailand.

His grandad, along with an Army buddy (maybe this is the Dramatic Triangle character), found it years ago but was never able to

transport it out of the jungles of Thailand.

Act-2 (Challenge the Old Ways) 20-30 pages:

– Plan:

Protagonist decides to show followers and ad companies that he’s for real and will prove it. He lays out travel adventure plans

Attempt to re-ignite followers with plan to video the trek and discovery of golden statue. But this time people aren’t buying it.

Influencer must go out of his way to prove it’s real.

–> A copy of the map gets leaked. Competitor learns of map and makes copy (iphone).

– Plan in Action:

Protagonist flies to Thailand, hires a guide. This is Influencer’s first real adventure and he sucks at it.

–> Doesn’t know how to prepare, what to buy/bring/wear.

Documents everything for TikToc followers. His followers continue to drop off. Nothing works like it used to.

They think he’s faking it again.

Competitor is one step ahead of Influencer and continues to throw shade on Protagonist. Enlists top Influencers to also throw shade.

– Midpoint – Turning Point #2:

Protagonist discovers Competitor who leaked/ruined Protagonist (Betrayal)

Competitor is also documenting his adventure on TikToc.

Race to find statue, between Protagonist and Antagonist!

–> Someone else has beat both men to the gold statue (it’s granddad’s army buddy’s granddaughter!

–> She does everything to stop Influencer and Competitor from discovery.

Influencer tries to get his followers to help. They don’t buy it and instead root for Competitor.

–> Granddaughter is carving out the gold beneath the statue so that local villagers don’t suspect.

Act-3 (With Midpoint change, Profound moments that give us new ways) 20-30 pages:

– Rethink everything

– Protagonist Learns of his shallow life and fake lifestyle.

– New plan: Opens up his own fears and beliefs to audience

and SHARE the discovery with followers – each gets share??

–> Later, SHARE equates to sharing with locals

– Turning Point (Huge failure / Major shift):

–>Learns grandma Mimi has died

–> TikToc shuts down his feed

Act-4 (Test the change in this character! Prove new ways!) 20-30 pages:

Protagonist almost loses himself with gold greed, thinking of tunneling underneath and melting gold,

then recovers and turns around to do good.

– Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Battles Competitor for gold statue and for followers.

Each tells their audience smack of other. Each gets greedy for gold.

–> Discover statue, unable to move it

–> Ignore native villagers, then later realize it’s their statue and not Influencers.

–> Influencer does what it takes to give back to villagers and to overcome his rival’s efforts to steal it

Reveal of Competitor’s own fake adventures and he has big loss of followers.

Both grab statue but competitor wants it all for himself while Protagonist doesn’t want it.

Protagonist tells of the peaceful villagers and what the statue means to them (vs the meaningless/selffish of Competitor

(and previous Protagonist)

– Resolution:

Protagonist Gifts the golden Buddha statue to local villagers (capture on Video).

Video goes viral. Influencer is on top again; reinstated in TikToc! Nirvana gold (an Inner glow). Competitor followers drop off.

=================================================

EMOTIONAL MOMENTS

–> Create connection to audience: Influencer provides for his grandmother (Mimi’s) at a nursing home.

Despite his visual appearance of ego lifestyle, he’s really down to earth and has a heart.

–> Yes, all true. Influencer was trying the ‘fake it ’til you make it’ approach.

–> Loss of income will affect his ability to provide for his grandmother (Mimi’s). Guilty, he pleads forgiveness.

–> Doesn’t know how to prepare, what to buy/bring/wear.

–> Someone else has beat both men to the gold statue (it’s granddad’s army buddy’s granddaughter!

–> She does everything to stop Influencer and Competitor from discovery.

Influencer tries to get his followers to help. They don’t buy it and instead root for Competitor.

–> Granddaughter is carving out the gold beneath the statue so that local villagers don’t suspect.

– Turning Point (Huge failure / Major shift):

–>Learns grandma Mimi has died

–> TikToc shuts down his feed

–> Discover statue, unable to move it

–> Ignore native villagers, then later realize it’s their statue and not Influencers.

–> Influencer does what it takes to give back to villagers and to overcome his rival’s efforts to steal it

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ 4-Act Transformational Structure

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: This was a hard lesson. All pre-conceived ideas were tossed with new focus. Not sure if I’m on right track.

Tried to stay on structure.

==========================================

Title: NIRVANA GOLD

Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle ??? Not sure anymore. I lost the third element doing this assignment.

==========================================

Concept:

A giant Buddha statue made of pure gold is stolen by tunneling underneath and hollow it out.

Main Conflict:

A TikToc Influencer in hopes to revive his followers and influencer status by going on a trek deep in

the jungles of Thailand in search of a hidden golden statue

===========================================

Old Ways:

Self-centered, shallow, videos his entire lifestyle (which is fake) for his followers on Tikoc/Instagram

New Ways:

Puts away camera, except when filming others

Cares about others

Fights for others instead of himself

Doesn’t care how many followers he has

Act-1 (Set up and see old Ways) 25-30 pages:

– Opening:

TikToc Influencer (World travelor) living the dream lifestyle: GOLD, GOLD, GOLD plus fast jet (gold-plated inside),

cars (gold-plated), pool, exotic locations as he travels the world (and has subtle product placement)

– Inciting Incident:

Wakes to find followers rapidly dropping off TikToc, Massive loss of ad revenue

Competitor (Antagonist) has blasted/dissed/throws shade on Protagonist

Competitor reveals Protagonist’s lies and fake travel and product placement. Hidden camera of Influencer dissing minotities.

Turns followers and ad companies against Protagonist.

– Turning Point:

Protagonist discovers a map from his sick/bedridden granddad showing the way to a hidden gold statue in jungles of Thailand.

Protagonist steals the map.

Protagonist decides to show followers and ad companies that he’s for real and will prove it. Here-invents himself, re-brands, re-market

Act-2 (Challenge the Old Ways) 20-30 pages:

– Plan:

Attempt to re-ignite Influencer (and followers) with plan to video the trek and discovery of golden statue. This time people aren’t buying it.

Influencer must prove it’s real.

Competitor learns of map and makes copy (iphone).

– Plan in Action:

Flies to Thailand, hires a guide. This is Influencer’s first real adventure and he sucks at it.

Documents everything for TikToc followers. His followers continue to drop off. Nothing works like it used to.

They think he’s faking it again.

Competitor is one step ahead of Influencer and continues to throw shade on Protagonist. Inlists top Influencers to also throw shade.

– Midpoint – Turning Point #2:

Protagonist discovers Competitor who leaked/ruined Protagonist (Betrayal)

Competitor is also documenting his adventure on TikToc.

Competitor has found the golden statue! He does eveything to stop Influencer from his own discovery.

Influencer tries to get his followers to help. They don’t buy it and instead root for Competitor.

Competitor is carving out the gold beneath the statue so that Influencer doesn’t know??

Act-3 (With Midpoint change, Profound moments that give us new ways) 20-30 pages:

– Rethink everything

– Protagonist Learns of his shallow life and fake lifestyle.

– New plan: Confesses to his followers and opens up his own fears and beliefs to audience

and SHARE the discovery with followers – each gets share??

– Turning Point (Huge failure / Major shift):

Learns granddad has died and Influencer was huge disappointment for granddad, especially stealing map

when it was meant to be for Influencer and his dad (who died years ago???) to travel together, bonding.

Act-4 (Test the change in this character! Prove new ways!) 20-30 pages:

– Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: Battles Competitor for gold statue and for followers.

Each tells their audience smack of other.

Reveal of Competitor’s own fake adventures and he has big loss of followers.

Both grab statue but competitor wants it all for himself while Protagonist doesn’t want it.

Protagonist tells of the peaceful villagers and what the statue means to them (vs the meaningless/selffish of Competitor

(and previous Protagonist)

– Resolution:

Protagonist Gifts the golden Buddha statue to local villagers (capture on Video).

Video goes viral. Influencer is on top again! Nirvana gold (an Inner glow). Competitor followers drop off.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Subtext Plot

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Still not sure if this is heading the way I thought or expect, but may be ok.

==========================================

Title: NIRVANA GOLD

Concept:

A giant Buddha statue made of pure gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow it out.

Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle

==========================================

Superior Position:

A thief [TRIANGLE CHARACTER], in the process of melting and hollowing out a huge golden statue, learns of a tourist [protagonist]

heading towards the giant gold Buddha, and does everything he can to stop him and discovering the gold.

The thief creates havoc between the protagonist and antagonist [girlfriend of protagonist??; girlfriend of triangle??; or third party guide??].

Competitive Agendas:

Pro/Antagonist in a relationship but the stress of the trek causes them to soon dislike each other. Antagonist learns that pro is all fake online.

Triangle character encourages the other two to increase their battle.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Transformational Journey

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Doing this has made a dramatic change in the story as I originally envisioned. Not sure if good or not. Let’s see where this goes…

==========================================

Title: NIRVANA GOLD

Concept:

A giant Buddha statue made of pure gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow it out.

Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle

===============================

PROTAGONIST Character Arc

Arc Beginning (Character at beginning of film):

TikTok Influencer wanna-be, self-centered, shallow, fake-it-’til-you-make-it.

Arc Ending (Character at end of film):

Connects with local villagers and saves their prized statue, which gives them hope and meaning, from being stolen.

===================

Internal Journey (mind and emotions change):

From Self-centered, shallow, has no real friends, to caring for others and trying to help meet their needs.

External Journey (action and experience change):

From how he looks and appears on TikTok videos to turning off the camera from himself and focusing on others.

===================

Old Ways (behaviors, emotions, and thinking patterns present before the change):

– Self-centered

– Shallow

– Videos his entire life as though others want to watch it

New Ways: (behaviors, emotions, and thinking patterns replace the Old Ways)

– Puts away camera, except when filming others to help them

– Cares about others

– fights for others instead of himself

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Intentional Lead Characters

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: I’m confused about “making the characters unique in some way.” I keep envisioning one has a patch over an eye, another has peg leg, and third character has a squeaky voice. Haha. I think there should have been more on this subject in the lesson.

=====================================

Title: NIRVANA GOLD

Concept:

A giant Buddha statue made of pure gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow it out by melting sections of it.

Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle

======================================

PROTAGONIST

Logline: A TikTok Influencer, wanting to increase his followers and energize his current followers, hires a guide to take him deep

in the jungle, while he vlogs the search for the legendary giant golden Buddha statue.

Unique:

ANTAGONIST

Logline: A local government official/enforcer on mission to stop the Influencer and send him back to their homeland.

Unique: (In cahoots with the Expat in stealing the gold??? – not sure about this)

TRIANGLE CHARACTER (Creates a Competition or Conflict between Protagonist/Antagonist)

Logline: An American/British expat, living in the jungles of Thailand, had discovered the legendary giant golden Buddha statue years ago

and is slowly carving it out by tunneling underneath, while hoping not to upset the local jungle villagers.

Unique:

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob Ingalls’ Title, Concept, and Character Structure!

MY VISION:

To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.

WIL: Stay away from ensemble cast (at least for now)

==========================================

Title: NIRVANA GOLD

Concept:

A giant Buddha statue made of pure gold is stolen by thieves who tunnel underneath and hollow it out.

Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Keep pushing ourselves to step out of comfort zone, which will then expand our comfort zone. Rinse, repeat.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob Ingalls

I agree to the terms of this release form.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

1. Rob Ingalls

2. 7 features and one TV Pilot series

3. Pro Series, MSC, TV Bootcamp, etc

4. Latest trends in movies

5. I’ve flown into the center of hurricanes and typhoons

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Query Letter, Draft-1

Title: HORIZON’S STORM

Genre: Drama Series

Gangsters, New York bankers, even approaching menacing dust storms can’t compete against the real force of nature: Molly Fisher, a gutsy widowed farmer’s wife forced to protect her family and farm in a man’s world.

It’s the 1930s in the Great Plains and Molly, uneducated and ill-equipped, must deal with the local corrupt banker who raped her when she was young and left her with her oldest son. The banker now wants control over her farm through foreclosure. The Chicago Mob wants their money. Once quiet and respectful, Molly is about to unleash a force the likes these men have never seen in a woman.

Molly also has three teenagers she must deal with: the eldest son delves in rising Nazi propaganda, another son explores his sexuality while creating conflicts with church doctrine, and a daughter who seeks out her missing father’s love in the wrong places.

Molly and the Sheriff believe her husband’s death was no accident – despite many suspects, who’s guilty? After harassing farmers, including Molly, a mob enforcer is killed with a pitchfork. Was it the new schoolmarm who was seen holding a bloody pitchfork or Molly who threatened him?

HORIZON’S STORM is similar to PLACES IN THE HEART and GODLESS with a strong female heroine – feisty, gutsy. The entire cast are distinctive and complicated and can attract talent.

If you like the concept, I’d be happy to send you the Pilot script.

Rob Ingalls

[email]

[cell ph]

BIO: Rob is a multi-optioned screenwriter with a degree from the College of Agriculture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by  ROBERT Ingalls.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by  ROBERT Ingalls.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Phone Pitch

1. Either:

– Lead with Credibility

– Lead with High Concept

2. Phone call script:

CREDIBILITY:

“Hi, I’m Rob Ingalls. I’m a multi-optioned screenwriter and today, I have a TV Pilot Drama series called HORIZONS.

PITCH:

“Forget violent Gangsters, ruthless Bankers, and even approaching Dust Bowl storms of the 1930s. Oh, they’re there.

But the real Force of Nature is Molly Fisher, a gutsy widowed farmer’s wife forced to protect her family and farm in a man’s world.

=====

HIGH CONCEPT:

Hi, I’m Rob Ingalls and I have a female-driven TV drama series of a widowed farmer’s wife who tackles controlling men and nature’s storms to survive.

PITCH:

“There’s violent Gangsters, ruthless Bankers, and even approaching Dust Bowl storms of the 1930s.

But the real Force of Nature is Molly Fisher, a gutsy widowed farmer’s wife forced to protect her family and farm in a man’s world. The series is called HORIZONS.

3. PRODUCER’S QUESTIONS:

Q. What’s the budget range?

A: The budget range is $15M-$30M

Q: Who do you see in the main roles?

A: Sandra Bullock as Molly Fisher. Though she’s older than Molly in the script, Sandra has the right temperament onscreen to play the role.

She also holds her age well and could pass for someone in their 30s who works a farm.

A: Paul Giamatti as Archibald Wentworth, the town’s banker and Molly’s nemesis

Q: How many pages is the script:

A: 64

Q; Who else has seen this?

A: Various screenplay contests and several script consultants.

Q: Why do you think this fits our company?

A: (give info of why I chose them to pitch – previous film in similar genre, contacts, budget experience, etc)

Q: How does the Pilot/Series End?

A: The Pilot ends with Molly rallying her teenage kids to help harvest the farm, only to be shocked at the oncoming and devastating Dust Storm, one of many to arrive in the 1930s.

A: The series ends with Molly as Matriarch of a large farm dynasty. It also opens the door for Molly to uproot her family for N. California and wine country, to start anew.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Pitch Fest Pitch

“Hi, I’m Rob Ingalls and I’m a multi-optioned screenwriter. Today, I have a TV Pilot Drama series called HORIZONS.

Forget violent Gangsters, ruthless Bankers, or even approaching storms. Oh, they’re there. But the real Force of Nature is Molly Fisher, a gutsy widowed farmer’s wife in the 1930s forced to protect her family and farm in a man’s world.

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS:

Q: What is the budget range?

A: The budget range is $15M-$30M.

Q: What actors so you like for the lead roles?

A: Though she’s older than the main heroine in the script, Sandra Bullock has the right temperament onscreen to play the role. She also holds her age well and could pass for someone in their 30s.

Q: What are the Acts of the story?

A: This is a 5-Act script with a teaser at the beginning showing where the heroine will be five years in the future: A powerful leader among farmers in California.

Act-1 introduces us to the Fisher family, including three troubled teens, hard-working wheat farmers in the Great Plains during heavy drought. The local banker not only is corrupt, he’s also Molly’s rapist from years past.

Act-2 ends with Henry Fisher killed by a grain silo accident, leaving Molly to take on the responsibility of farming and fighting ruthless and corrupt men who vie to take their farm and livelihood.

Act-3 has the heroine struggling to control the forces in her life that want to take away what little they have.

Act-4 has an approaching dust storm from miles away, one that leaves devastation in its wake. With the mob breathing down her neck, Molly considers bank robbing to pay off debts. The mob may be involved in Molly’s son’s kidnapping.

Act-5 has Molly’s son returned. She begins to suspect that her husband didn’t die in an accident but was killed. The mob enforcer is killed with a pitchfork while the new schoolmarm was last seen holding a bloody pitchfork.

Q: How does it end? (setup / payoff)

The Pilot ends with Molly and family harvesting the wheat fields and a looming and dangerous dust storm about to envelope them.

Q: Credibility questions “What have I done?”

A: Wrote seven feature scripts (two which were optioned) plus one TV Pilot.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Query Letter

Gangsters, bankers, even approaching dust storms can’t compete against the real force of nature: Molly Fisher, a gutsy widowed farmer’s wife forced to protect her family and farm in a man’s world.

It’s the 1930s in the Great Plains and Molly, uneducated and ill-equipped, must deal with the corrupt banker who raped her when she was younger and left her with her oldest son. The banker now wants control over her farm through foreclosure. The Chicago Mob wants their money.

Molly also has three teenagers she must deal with: one son delves in recent Nazi propaganda, another explores his sexuality while creating conflicts with church doctrine, and a daughter who seeks out her missing father’s love in the wrong places.

Molly and the Sheriff believe her husband’s death was no accident – despite many suspects, who’s guilty?

HORIZONS is similar to PLACES IN THE HEART with a strong female heroine – feisty, gutsy. The entire cast are distinctive and complicated and can attract talent.

If you like the concept, I’d be happy to send you the script.

Rob Ingalls

[my email]

[my cell phone]

Rob is a multi-optioned screenwriter with a degree from the College of Agriculture, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by  ROBERT Ingalls.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Synopsis Hooks

COM:

– Similarity to a box-office success

— (PLACES IN THE HEART – Sally Field, Danny Glover, Ed Harris, John Malkovich)

– A great role for a bankable actor

— Strong female heroine – feisty, gutsy.

— Entire cast can attract talent. They are distinctive and complicated.

MIT:

– Corrupt banker who raped heroine 17 years ago now controls her future livelihood

– Despite the violent mob and ruthless NY bankers, and despite the approaching Dust Storms of the 1930s, the real force of nature is Molly, a gutsy uneducated widowed farmer’s wife, forced to protect her family and farm in a man’s world.

– Son Adam conspires with the town’s banker (who is also his biological father) against Molly and family. Betrayal.

– Adam is drawn towards up and coming Nazi propaganda

– Henry accidentally dies in a grain silo accident. Molly & Sheriff believe foul play

– A mob enforcer is killed with a pitchfork. The new schoolmarm, young innocent mother of a child with Polio, is seen holding a bloody pitchfork.

SYNOPSIS:

Despite the violent mob and ruthless NY bankers, and despite the approaching Dust Storms of the 1930s, the real force of nature is Molly, a gutsy uneducated widowed farmer’s wife, forced to protect her family and farm in a man’s world.

Corrupt banker who raped heroine 17 years ago now controls her future livelihood

Besides finances and farming, Molly has three teenagers she must deal with. Son Adam, a product of rape by the town’s banker, conspires against the family while being indoctrinated into up coming Nazi propaganda. Rose seeks her missing father’s love in the wrong places. Willie explores his sexuality, which goes against the church doctrine.

Molly and Sheriff believe Henry’s death was no accident – despite many suspects, who is guilty?

HORIZONS is similar to PLACES IN THE HEART with a strong female heroine – feisty, gutsy. The entire cast are distinctive and complicated and can attract talent.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s High Concept/Elevator Pitch

1. Main Hook (Big Picture of Lead Character’s Journey):

A gutsy widowed farmer’s wife in the 1930s Dust Bowl era fights corrupt and ruthless men to protect her family and save her farm, eventually becoming the Matriarch of a huge farming dynasty in California.

2. Tell it in the Most Interesting Way (using the 4 ways):

– Dilemma: Stay and fight for survival or return to the East Coast and start life anew.

– Main Conflict: The man who raped Molly 17 years ago is now the town’s banker, ready to foreclose on her farm and destroy her livelihood.

– What’s at Stake? Keeping the farm and providing for her family after the death of her farmer husband.

– Goal/Unique Opposition: This isn’t just about a weather storm that’s brewing, or about the Mob and New York Bankers as they descend down on her and her farm, it’s about the storm that Molly is about to create.

3. Using the 10 Components of Marketability, what is your Elevator Pitch?

(A Great Role for a Bankable Actor – with complex supporting cast that talent would love)

– Despite the violent mob and ruthless New York Bankers, despite the approaching Dust Storms of the 1930s, the real force of nature is Molly, an uneducated widowed farmer’s wife, forced to protect her family and farm in a man’s world.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s 10 Most Interesting Things

A1. Most unique about Villain:

– Corrupt Banker who raped Hero (Molly) 17 years ago

A2. Most unique about Heroine:

– An uneducated widowed farmer’s wife stands her ground in a man’s world and takes on corrupt and ruthless men, while battling nature and drought, to protect her family and save her farm.

B. Major Hook of opening scene:

– Molly leads a COOP of California farmers against large corporations, but gets shot in the stomach.

C. Any turning points?

– Henry dies in a grain silo accident

– Molly pushes back the corrupt banker – demands extension on paying mortgage

– Willie is kidnapped, beat up, then released

– A mob enforcer is killed with a pitchfork

– The weather turns into the giant Dust Bowls of 1930s

D. Emotional Dilemma?

– After death of husband/farmer, does she take children and move back East or stay and fight to survive in the Great Plains. She choses the latter.

E. Major Twists: Setup/Twist

– SETUP: Molly, Adam, and others suggest that the mob to be killed. The mob enforcer is killed with a pitchfork. TWIST: The new schoolmarm, young innocent mother of child with Polio, is seen holding a bloody pitchfork

– SETUP: The banker raped Molly years ago, TWIST: now wants sex in exchange for extending the mortgage

– SETUP: The banker declares those farmers behind in their bills as scum, TWIST: yet the banker is deep in debt to the mob.

– SETUP: Adam works the farm, threatens the banker when he tries to foreclose. TWIST: Adam conspires with banker against Molly and family. Betrayal

– SETUP: Henry accidently dies in grain silo accident. TWIST: Molly believes foul play

F. Reversals: Setup/Reversal

– SETUP: Henry accidently dies in grain silo accident. REVERSAL: Molly & Sheriff believe foul play

– SETUP: Fisher family working hard to harvest wheat. REVERSAL: A huge dust storm that devastated other counties approaches.

G. Character betrayals?

– Adam works the farm, threatens the banker when he tries to foreclose. But then Adam conspires with banker against Molly and family. Betrayal

H. Or any big surprises? Setup/Surprise

– – Adam works the farm, threatens the banker when he tries to foreclose. But then Adam conspires with banker against Molly and family. Betrayal

The 10 Most Interesting Things

1. An uneducated widowed farmer’s wife stands her ground in a man’s world and takes on corrupt and ruthless men, while battling nature and drought, to protect her family and save her farm.

2. Five years from now, Molly leads a COOP of California farmers against large corporations, but gets shot in the stomach.

3. The mob enforcer is killed with a pitchfork. The new schoolmarm, young innocent mother of child with Polio, is seen holding a bloody pitchfork

4. The banker raped Molly years ago, now wants sex in exchange for extending the mortgage

5. The banker declares those farmers behind in their bills as scum, yet the banker is deep in debt to the mob.

6. Henry accidently dies in grain silo accident. Molly & Sheriff believe foul play.

7. Fisher family working hard to harvest wheat. A huge dust storm that devastated other counties approaches.

8. Adam works the farm, threatens the banker when he tries to foreclose. But then Adam conspires with banker against Molly and family. Betrayal

9. The Chicago Mob and the New York Bankers conspire independently against town farmers (Molly and others)

10. Adam is drawn to up and coming Nazi propaganda

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Producer/Manager approaches

1. How will you present yourself and your project to the Producer?

– I’d focus on the story of my TV Pilot, emphasizing the heroine is a gutsy female in a man’s world of the 1930s Dust Bowl era. She fights against ruthless men, corrupt bankers, and immoral corporations. The supporting characters are also distinctive and complicated. Talent would love to explore both bad and good qualities of these.

2. How will you present yourself and your project to the Manager?

– The manager is looking for the long run, not a one-time hit. I would say I’ve written a half dozen feature scripts to develop my writing skills. Of those, two were Optioned. My current script is a TV series Pilot and latest script rating is “Strong Consider”. I’m looking forward to continue my writing skills.

– Basically tell my work, my success, and that I’m still in the game.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Rob’s Marketable Components

Current Logline: During the 1930s Dust Bowl era, a gutsy widowed farmer’s wife fights corrupt and ruthless men to ensure her family’s survival, eventually becoming the Matriarch of a huge farming dynasty in California.

Marketable Components for this script:

– Similarity to a box-office success (Places in the Heart – with Sally Field, Danny Glover, Ed Harris, and John Malkovich)

– A great role for a bankable actor. Strong female heroine – feisty and gutsy. Plus the entire cast can attract talent. They are distinctive and complicated.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Title: HORIZONS

Genre: Drama

Concept: TV Pilot

During the 1930s Dust Bowl era, a gutsy widowed farmer’s wife fights corrupt and ruthless men to ensure her family’s survival, eventually becoming the Matriarch of a huge farming dynasty in California.

Most attractive about my story: Features a feisty and gutsy farmer’s wife who is forced to protect her family and farm after the unexpected death of her husband. The heroine steals the series in a man’s world.

Target first: Producers and/or Actor’s Production Company

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Hi everyone.

My name is Rob Ingalls. I’ve written 7 features and one TV Series Pilot. I’ve taken many of Hal’s courses (Pro Series, MSC, TV Bootcamp, plus individual Action, Comedy, Profound, etc). The past couple of years I’ve been offline due to family member’s health but I’m back and taking this course to see what are the latest methods in getting my TV Pilot to the right producer.

Unique or strange? I’ve flown into the center of hurricanes and typhoons (42 to be exact) with the USAF.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

I agree to the terms of this release form.

Rob Ingalls

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.

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Dave, do you still need an exchange? My script is not where I’d like it to be at this point but time to push forward.

Rob

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Andrew, I just accepted another, but as soon as I’m done, I’m up for it.

Rob

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Hi Lisa. Sure, we can exchange. I’ll send you a test email. My computer was on the fritz all yesterday. Rob

[ROBERT Ingalls]

Go to the online lessons and you’ll see “Mastery Session”. Those are the recorded telecon calls from a previous WIM group.