Shahrukh Shackle
Forum Replies Created
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Shah Has Completed Act 2 Draft 1
I learned that I need to intercut occasionally between goings-on in Avanti, how Queen and Mohini manage things with Ministers, find a way of introducing Akaash and Mohini’s romance long-distance.
I/E. THE PATH TO THE GATE – CONTINUOUS
The massive metal gate rears up in front of him. GUARDS sit on either side.
EXT. PALACE GATES – NIGHT
Akaash is stopped at the palace gates by a GIANT sent by his ancestors the sky-go Indra. No one may go in or out of Avanti unless they pass the test. They battle, Akaash wins. The Giant hears his mission and tells him his father went to visit the Yogi Shant Sheel on his last mission to break the curse put on the rulers of Avanti by an old Yogi Maldev for doing him harm.
EXT. CREMATION FIELD – NIGHT – CONTINUOUS
Opening – As Akaash wades alone through the cremation ground he comes across hideous monsters. At the centre is YOGI SHANT SHEEL. Akaash is surprised to see him in this unholy setting but Shant Sheel says he is not in a position to judge anyone. How does he know that he is not secretly evil or treacherous?
TE 1. He realizes how alone he is and how little he knows of these matters. But his father’s life (or afterlife) is in his hands and sets off.
INCITING INCIDENT. Shant Sheel tells Akaash that he has to track down who threw his father into the infernal regions out of revenge because Vikram displaced him as king. Akaash must get there in time to disrupt the rituals and if he is to save his father.
EXT. WILDERNESS – DAWN
TE. He walks out, shocked by his father’s treachery. Why did Vikram supersede his older brother and does he plan to do the same to him?
EXT. WILDERNESS – DAY
OPENING: Akaash alone and distracted falls into his old ways, hunting and wasting time.
INCITING INCIDENT. His dead grandfather arrives and tells him the story behind the curse on his line.
EXT. WILDERNESS – CONTINUOUS
TE1. Akaash is disillusioned about his family and even more determined to confront his father and find out the truth.
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP – CONTINUOUS
Akaash approaches Hari and interrupts his rituals. Akaash is attacked by missiles and thunderbolts but holds his own. In the battle Hari falls into the abyss. Akaash doesn’t know if this means he can’t rescue his father.
EXT. THE ABYSS – CONTINUOUS
TE. Akaash’s first thought is to get answers from his father whatever the cost. He leaps into the abyss.
EXT. PALACE GATES – NIGHT
Akaash is stopped at the palace gates by a GIANT sent by his ancestors the sky-go Indra. No one may go in or out of Avanti unless they defeat him. They battle, Akaash wins. The Giant hears his mission and tells him his father went to visit the Yogi Shant Sheel on his last mission to break the curse put on the rulers of Avanti by an old Yogi Maldev for doing him harm.
EXT. CREMATION FIELD -NIGHT – CONTINUOUS
Opening – As Akaash wades alone through the cremation ground he comes across hideous monsters. At the centre is YOGI SHANT SHEEL. Akaash is surprised to see him in this unholy setting but Shant Sheel says he is not in a position to judge anyone. How does he know that he is not secretly evil or treacherous?
TE 1. He realizes how alone he is and how little he knows of these matters. But his father’s life (or afterlife) is in his hands and sets off.
INCITING INCIDENT. Shant Sheel tells Akaash that he has to track down who threw his father into the infernal regions out of revenge because Vikram displaced him as king. Akaash must get there in time to disrupt the rituals and if he is to save his father.
EXT. WILDERNESS – DAWN
Reaction: He walks out, shocked and carries on walking by his father’s treachery.
EXT. WILDERNESS – DAY
OPENING: Akaash alone and distracted falls into his old ways, hunting and wasting time.
INCITING INCIDENT. His dead grandfather arrives and tells him the story behind the curse on his line.
EXT. WILDERNESS – CONTINUOUS
TE1. Akaash is disillusioned about his family and even more determined to confront his father and find out the truth.
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP – CONTINUOUS
Akaash approaches Hari and interrupts his rituals. Akaash is attacked by missiles and thunderbolts but holds his own. In the battle Hari falls into the abyss. Akaash doesn’t know if this means he can’t rescue his father.
EXT. THE ABYSS – CONTINUOUS
TE. Akaash’s first thought is to get answers from his father whatever the cost. He leaps into the abyss.
ACT 2
EXT. PALACE GATES – NIGHT
Akaash goes through the door behind his bed, rearranges the curtains and locks the door. Walks through a dark tunnel
On to
EXT. PATHWAY TO THE GATE
It is a massive gate guarded by armored men on both sides. Silently and swiftly, Akaash scales the gate and drops down safely on the other sides, shield by the darkness. As he’s getting up, he collides with something large. A deep voice speaks.
GIANT
Where do you think you’re going?
Akaash steps back and the giant’s outline begins to take shape.
AKAASH
I’m Akaash, Yuvraj of Avanti.
The giant laughs loudly.
GIANT
So you’re the one who’s running away!
AKAASH
Who are you?
GIANT
I’ve been sent by Indra to guard the gates of the city. No one comes in, no one goes out.
AKAASH
Why not?
GIANT
So that only the noble of heart van leave or enter. There are those from within and without who wish Avanti ill.
AKAASH
I’m the Yuvraj…
GIANT
Then why don’t you stay and protect it from your enemies?
AKAASH
I have a mission which needs o be accomplished before the period of protection is over. Even better, If I find my father, he can take his rightful place on the throne. Now let me pass.
The giant doesn’t budge. Akaash draws his sword. With a mighty roar, the Giant lifts him in the air and drops him from a great height. Akaash performs a few cartwheels, latches on to the giant’s belt with his arms and kicks hm in the face. Th fight continues until finally, the Giant howls for mercy. Akaash pulls himself together, wishes the Giant well and sets off.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE GATES – CONTINUOUS
The Giant follows. Akaash turns around.
AKAASH
What do you want?
GIANT
When Raja Vikram left Avanti it was to ask the Yogi Shant Sheel how to save your dynasty from the curse of Yogi Maldev. ShantSheel was the only one who could help Vikram.
Akaash is shocked but determined. He bows to the Giant.
AKAASH
I humbly ask for your help. Tell me how to get there.
GIANT
His may be your chance to show your metal. May the gods guide your path.
He lifts Akaash and in a few strides puts him down in vast field. The stench of death is sickening. Akaash retches.
Akaash turns to speak to the giant but he’s gone.
Akaash steps into he field.
INT. AKAASH’S BED-CHAMBER
Guards, led by a Minister, enter to find Akaash gone. They search everywhere but miss the chain-mail curtain behind the bed.
MINISTER
Look again. Pull everything apart. Just find him.
After a lot of searching they find the door and hammer it open. A group of guards run into the tunnel.
EXT. CREMATION FIELD – NIGHT – CONTINUOUS
Akaash wades alone through the cremation ground he distinguishes figures hovering and drifting, hears moaning, wailing, hissing. Corpses and strange creatures litter the ground and he picks his way through them. Then something damp hurls itself on his back, throwing him off-balance. He feels claws digging into his neck and shoulders and tries to throw them of, twisting his neck around to identify the creature. Two, glittering eyes lock into his. It is a witch. He keeps moving forward trying to fight her off, spitting, snarling and nipping until he stumbles into
EXT. A CIRCLE SURROUNDING A FIRE – CONTINUOUS
In the light and shadows of the flames he sees strange creatures he’s never encountered before, horned giants, anthropomorphs, twisted and rotting corpse. Wispy forms drift around.
At the centre is YOGI SHANT SHEEL. He flings a handful of dust into the flames and the reach into the sky. Behind it, the a Gigantic image of Shiva side by side with his wife the goddess KALI. INCLUDE RITUALS.
SHANT SHEEL
I was expecting you. I see you look surprised.
AKAASH
I had not expected such an unholy setting.
SHANT SHEEL
You are in no position to judge what is unholy. How can you know the who is holy and who evil or treacherous? What do you know of the world other than your war skills and your luxuries?
AKAASH
I am Akaash son of Vikram-Aditya. I wish to know where he went from here, where I can find him?
SHANT SHEEL
You have come here because I have something you desire. Yet you question my ways.
AKAASH
Indeed Yogi Maharaj. My country is threatened by a dangerous enemy and I ask you to help me find him.
Shant Sheel looks him up and down.
SHANT SHEEL
I see none of the bows or prostrations which accompany a favour as grand as this. Yet I see no prostration, no salutation, not even a miserable bow. Tell me why I should help you.
AKAASH
I ask nothing for myself. The most Sacred of the 7 Sacred Kingdoms is at risk. If Avanti is taken over by an immoral invader, the other cities will crumble too. The world will be at risk. That is why I need to find my father.
SHANT SHEEL
(laughs)
The evil king Shalivahana! Of course you fear him. Why do you think I preside over these malign and unclean creatures if not to keep them under control so that they cannot help prevent depraved men to defeat the noble people of this world.
The monsters and spirits surround him. He flings up his arms and they step back hissing and yowling.
SHANT SHEEL
Your father came on my invitation for a different reason. But to keep Avanti from falling, I will help you. But don’t forget, the journey will be hard – even impossible. Your father did not return. Would it not be better for you to return and prepare to fight Shalivahana yourself. The warriors of Avanti have never been defeated.
EXT. BATTELFIELD – SIMULTANEOUS
The WAR MINISTER watches as SOLDIERS perform night-time maneouvres and practices.
WAR MINISTER
We cannot be sure when the enemy will attack. A night-ambush is entirely possible.
EXT. CREMATION FIELD – NIGHT
Akaash watches Shant Sheel surrounded by his unearthly cohorts and wraiths. He stands alone, separate from the others, desolate.
SHANT SHEEL (V.O.)
How can you know who is holy and who evil or treacherous? What do you know of the world other than your war skills and your luxuries?
Akaash stands very still. Very alone. He has no answers.
SHANT SHEEL
Listen carefully. On the edge of the northern mountains, a yogi sits meditating. He cast your father into the infernal regions to punish him. The Yogi is your uncle Hari . Vikram snatched his throne and he seeks revenge. At the rise of dawn seven moons from now, he will complete his rituals.
Akaash looks aghast.
SHANT SHEEL
You must disrupt his rituals or he will be trapped there forever.
EXT. WILDERNESS – NIGHT
Akaash races through vast uninhabited spaces and finally lies down, exhausted. He wakes up at
DAWN
Still half asleep he reaches for a blanket but there’s nothing there.
AKAASH
Anyone there?
No response. Slowly he becomes aware of strange noise, animals, birds, trampling of twigs. He jumps up
AKAASH
One day has gone. I must hurry.
He streaks across like an arrow.
EXT. FOREST – DAY
Akaash enters the forest, stops briefly for a drink in a stream, then searches for something to eat. He tries some berries and foliage. They are unfamiliar. He spits them out and continues to run.
Through the branches, he sees a flock of deer in a glade. Swiftly, he draws his bow and shoots. He looks at the deer, working out what to do with it. He examines it, picks at its skin, finds a sharp stone to start skinning it. Then gives up and sits down frustrated.
EXT. FOREST – HIGH NOON
A loud shattering of branches and a DONKEY crashes through. It lets out piteous groans as it tries to get to its feet. Akaash looks at it, not quite sure what to do.
DONKEY
Are you going to help me or not?
Akaash is bemused.
AKAASH
What are you? Where did you come from?
DONKEY
I am your grandfather.
Akaash is outraged.
AKAASH
You insult my ancestors.
The donkey brays loudly.
DONKEY
You are an ignorant pup. Help me up! Then I will tell you my story.
Akaash helps the donkey. It stretches itself, moves around and then comes very close to Akaash.
DONKEY
I am indeed your grandfather. Many years ago, I played a cruel trick on a Yogi called Maldev who had meditated for decades to beg a boon from the gods.
AKAASH
What did you do?
DONKEY
You don’t need to know. It’s enough to say that when he discovered the hoax, I was transformed. Worse still he put a curse on our family. It was to redeem this curse that Vikram undertook this mission. If he fails, our dynasty will wander for eternity.
AKAASH
Then I am even more determined to find my father and confront him.
DONKEY
I have watched how your arrogance. Your selfish ways will keep you from your goal.
AKAASH
My ways! You destroy a holy man’s meditations, my father usurps his older brother’s throne and you talk of my ways?
DONKEY
Don’t waste time judging others. Pull yourself together and look to your goal. I will help you find your uncle.
Akaash raises his hands to the sky in utter despair.
AKAASH
Lord Indra, guide me I beg you. I must release my family from this terrible curse.
There’s a flash of light in the sky.
DONKEY
True passion at last. Jump on my back.
The Donkey shoots into the sky with Akaash on his back. He turns his head with a twinkle in his eye.
DONKEY
I permit you to call me Grandfather now.
MONTAGE of desert, forests, flowing water as the donkey flies Akaash and lands on:
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP –
HARI sits cross legged in a saffron robe, head bowed in meditation. In front of him a terrifying black space that goes on forever.
Akaash dismounts and approaches Hari. The Donkey flies into space. Akaash calls out.
AKAASH
I am Akaash, son of Vikram-Aditya.
HARI turns around, furious.
HARI
You dare to…
AKAASH
…disrupt your ritual to stop you evil plans.
Hari stands up and faces him.
HARI
You fool! You don’t know what you’ve done!
He swirls around, arms moving frenetically. Fireballs and missiles shoot at Akaash. He dodges them with agility then manages to hurl back an object.
Hari reels as it hits him then launches himself at Akaash. They wrestle. Akaash flings Hari backward. He rises. His foot slips and he falls backward into the abyss.
Akaash gazes down into the abyss.
AKAASH
I have to get my answers from my father.
Without further thought, Akaash leaps into the abyss after Hari.
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Act 2 TP – Midpoint
scene outline
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP –
HARI sits cross legged in a saffron robe, head bowed in meditation. In front of him a terrifying black space that goes on forever. Akaash dismounts and approaches Hari. Akaash approachs the meditating figure of Hari And calls out to him. Hari’s ritual is disrupted he whirls around furiously hurling fire-balls and missiles at Akaash. The two men clash physically and Hari slips into the abyss of the Infernal Region.
Akaash hesitates then jumps in after Hari. He wants answers from his father above all.
…
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP –
HARI sits cross legged in a saffron robe, head bowed in meditation. In front of him a terrifying black space that goes on forever.
Akaash dismounts and approaches Hari. The Donkey flies into space. Akaash calls out.
AKAASH
I am Akaash, son of Vikram-Aditya.
HARI turns around, furious.
HARI
You dare to…
AKAASH
…disrupt your ritual to stop you evil plans.
Hari stands up and faces him.
HARI
You fool! You don’t know what you’ve done!
He swirls around, arms moving frenetically. Fireballs and missiles shoot at Akaash. He dodges them with agility then manages to hurl back an object.
Hari reels as it hits him then launches himself at Akaash. They wrestle. Akaash flings Hari backward. He rises. His foot slips and he falls backward into the abyss.
Akaash gazes down into the abyss.
AKAASH
I have to get my answers from my father.
Without further thought, Akaash leaps into the abyss after Hari.
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Shah – Act 2 TP – Midpoint (place in first line)
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP –
HARI sits cross legged in a saffron robe, head bowed in meditation. In front of him a terrifying black space that goes on forever. Akaash dismounts and approaches Hari. Akaash approachs the meditating figure of Hari And calls out to him. Hari’s ritual is disrupted he whirls around furiously hurling fire-balls and missiles at Akaash. The two men clash physically and Hari slips into the abyss of the Infernal Region.
Akaash hesitates the jumps in after Hari. He wants answers from his father above all.
…
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP –
HARI sits cross legged in a saffron robe, head bowed in meditation. In front of him a terrifying black space that goes on forever.
Akaash dismounts and approaches Hari. The Donkey flies into space. Akaash calls out.
AKAASH
I am Akaash, son of Vikram-Aditya.
HARI turns around, furious.
HARI
You dare to…
AKAASH
…disrupt your ritual to stop you evil plans.
Hari stands up and faces him.
HARI
You fool! You don’t know what you’ve done!
He swirls around, arms moving frenetically. Fireballs and missiles shoot at Akaash. He dodges them with agility then manages to hurl back an object.
Hari reels as it hits him then launches himself at Akaash. They wrestle. Akaash flings Hari backward. He rises. His foot slips and he falls backward into the abyss.
Akaash gazes down into the abyss.
AKAASH
I have to get my answers from my father.
Without further thought, Akaash leaps into the abyss after Hari.
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Shah – Act 2 TP – Midpoint
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP –
HARI sits cross legged in a saffron robe, head bowed in meditation. In front of him a terrifying black space that goes on forever. Akaash dismounts and approaches Hari. Akaash approachs the meditating figure of Hari And calls out to him. Hari’s ritual is disrupted he whirls around furiously hurling fire-balls and missiles at Akaash. The two men clash physically and Hari slips into the abyss of the Infernal Region.
Akaash hesitates the jumps in after Hari. He wants answers from his father above all.
…
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP –
HARI sits cross legged in a saffron robe, head bowed in meditation. In front of him a terrifying black space that goes on forever.
Akaash dismounts and approaches Hari. The Donkey flies into space. Akaash calls out.
AKAASH
I am Akaash, son of Vikram-Aditya.
HARI turns around, furious.
HARI
You dare to…
AKAASH
…disrupt your ritual to stop you evil plans.
Hari stands up and faces him.
HARI
You fool! You don’t know what you’ve done!
He swirls around, arms moving frenetically. Fireballs and missiles shoot at Akaash. He dodges them with agility then manages to hurl back an object.
Hari reels as it hits him then launches himself at Akaash. They wrestle. Akaash flings Hari backward. He rises. His foot slips and he falls backward into the abyss.
Akaash gazes down into the abyss.
AKAASH
I have to get my answers from my father.
Without further thought, Akaash leaps into the abyss after Hari.
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Shah –Act 2 Reaction to TP 1 (place in first line)
<font face=”inherit”>I learned that </font>I<font face=”inherit”> have to work harder to externalise my character’s TP. I’ll set mind to it.</font>
EXT. PATHWAY TO THE GATE
It is a massive gate guarded by armoured men on both sides. Silently and swiftly, Akaash scales the gate and drops down safely on the other sides, shield by the darkness. As he’s getting up, he collides with something large. A deep voice speaks.
GIANT
Where do you think you’re going?
Akaash steps back and the giant’s outline begins to take shape.
AKAASH
I’m Akaash, Yuvraj of Avanti.
The giant laughs loudly.
GIANT
So you’re the one who’s running away!
AKAASH
Who are you?
GIANT
I’ve been sent by Indra to guard the gates of the city. No one comes in, no one goes out.
AKAASH
Why not?
GIANT
So that only the noble of heart van leave or enter. there are those from within and without who wish Avanti ill.
AKAASH
I’m the Yuvraj…
GIANT
Then why don’t you stay and protect it from your enemies?
AKAASH
I have a mission which needs o be accomplished before the period of protection is over. Even better, If I find my father, he can take his rightful place on the throne. Now let me pass.
The giant doesn’t budge. Akaash draws his sword. With a mighty roar, the Giant lifts him in the air and drops him from a great height. Akaash performs a few cartwheels, latches on to the giant’s belt with his arms and kicks hm in the face. Th fight continues until finally, the Giant howls for mercy. Akaash pulls himself together, wishes the Giant well and sets off.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE GATES – CONTINUOUS
The Giant follows. Akaash turns around.
AKAASH
What do you want?
GIANT
When Raja Vikram left Avanti it was to ask the Yogi Shant Sheel how to save your dynasty from curse cast by the Yogil Maldev. ShantSheel was the only one who could show Vikram the solution.
Akaash is shocked but determined. He bows to the Giant.
AKAASH
I humbly ask for our help. Tell me how to get there.
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The Sacred Kingdom – Act 1 (13 scenes)
My main lesson was to go ahead and finish the act though it’s about half as long as it should be, rather than struggling to add scenes and expand it by creating new scenes. Some of the scenes don’t require dialogue but little or no dialogue which means the acted scene will be much longer than the written one implies. Also, vitally, that I should look more carefully at the content and roughly how many scenes, long and short would tell the story of each sequence within the Act. I also struggled not to spend time describing elements of location and appearance of rooms and people which I generally enjoy doing. It was all very different from my usual way of writing an Act.
1. EXT. FOREST – DAY
Crown Prince AKAASH(20) takes aim at a magnificent stag. As his arrow strikes, the animal throws back its head, leaps into the air and falls. A GROUP OF HUNTER FRIENDS cheer loudly.
HUNTER 1
A matchless shot from the Prince.
HUNTER 2
He’s an avatar of Arjun! The bow is his body, the arrow his arm. He never misses his mark.
Akaash accepts their praise as his due. He rides on, followed by the others.
On the way, he spots an OLD MAN weighed under a heavy bundle of logs and a YOUNG GIRL carrying a water pot. He motions to one of his GUARDS to help him. The Guard jumps off his horse, takes the Old Man’s bundle. The Old Man falls to the ground, prostrates himself before Akaash.
OLD MAN
May Indra shower his blessing down on you. May he keep you safe from danger! May he ever send victory your way.
Akaash nods grandly, and rides on. The girl helps the Old Man up.
GIRL
It’s the soldier you should thank, Grandfather, he’s the one who helped you.
GUARD
Quiet girl! If the Prince had not asked your grandfather would still be staggering under the weight of his burden.
Akaash is stung but rides on. A lithe-figured member of the group, slips away from the group.
2. EXT. PALACE ENTRANCE – LATER
The WAR MINISTER greets Akaash anxiously.
WAR MINISTER
Yuvraj (crown prince) we have alarming news. King Shalivahana is preparing his army to march north Let us meet the Ministers and discuss our strategy.
He signals to him to lead the way. Akaash leads. There is a frantic look on his face.
3. INT. A DARK SPACE – SIMULTANEOUS
The RAJGURU (Court Sage) gazes into the flames. The brighter the flames the deeper the darkness.
RAJGURU
This is the way when the shadows are too many.
He peers into the darkness at crouching, creeping shapes. One stands out – column-like – cast from solid darkness. The Rajguru steps into the flames into the figure. Blackness.
With a jerk he comes back into his room, shivering, blinded for a moment. Falls to his knees before the dominating statue of the Sky-God Indra.
RAJGURU
To feel the truth of a being other than yourself, you need to stand in its body. But this form has perplexed me. It shields itself with another identity.
He looks up at the statue.
RAJGURU
Guide me Lord Indra! It intruded on my ritual without being summoned? Do you alert me to present danger?
He sits, silently, meditating.
4. INT. A LARGE STATE ROOM – SIMULTANEOUS
The MINISTERS rise and bow low before Akaash.
CHIEF MINISTER
Salutations, Yuvraj (crown prince) it is time for you to be crowned without delay.
Akaash is startled.
AKAASH
How can that be when my father may still be alive.
CHIEF MINISTER
(bows his head)
We have had no word of Vikram-Aditya for nearly two years now. It is time for you to take his place.
AKAASH
No one can take the place of Vikram…
WAR MINISTER
King Vikram is known in every kingdom of this planet – there has been no news of fresh victories.
AKAASH
Or otherwise.
WAR MINISTER
Let us not waste time arguing. Avanti must have a king. The cosmic law ordains that he who attacks the rightful ruler of the Sacred Kingdom of Avanti is doomed to destruction unless three years have passed without an incumbent.
AKAASH
How long will Shalivahana’s army take to reach Avanti?
WAR MINISTER
A few months. No more. It is vital he knows immediately that Avanti has a king.
CHIEF MINISTER
My Lord I must impress upon you that it is your duty to accept the honour and defend Avanti.
Akaash bows his head, thinking.
WAR MINISTER
Why do you hesitate, my Lord? Your warrior skills are incomparable. You are well-versed in the strategies of war passed to us by no less than the heroic warriors of the historic battle of Kurukshetra.
A murmur of approval from the ministers. Akaash is reassured. He bows his head.
AKAASH
Then I will do my duty. Avanti will have a king.
The Ministers form a line and pass by Akaash, bowing to him. He looks confident now, enjoying the moment.
CHIEF MINISTER
The coronation must take place immediately.
The Rajguru bursts dramatically into the room.
RAJGURU
Do not be hasty! A dark entity has removed our beloved king to another world and has the prince in its vision. I stood in know its body to its truth but nothingness pervaded me. An entity shielding itself with another identity.
Akaash is devastated.
All present are taken aback.
AKAASH
Another world? How can I find him? Can he be returned as the rightful king?
All present are taken aback.
RAJGURU
That choice is yours to make. Whatever you choose will be wreathed in darkness. An evil force will obstruct your every step.
CHIEF MINISTER
Rajguru! What can you do to mitigate this?
The Rajguru shakes his head.
RAJGURU
All I can do is pray that the Yuvraj’s divine ancestry gives him fortitude and..wisdom (beat)which perhaps learn on his journey since he has not seen fit to study the sacred values and rules of kingship
Akaash is uncomfortable but he pulls himself together.
AKAASH
You are my elders. You guided my father. I will be guided by you.
WAR MINISTER
Then stay and protect Avanti. The most Sacred of the seven Kingdoms. If it falls to Shalivahana it could destroy the world. Wisdom can be more swiftly be learned here. Rajguru?
RAJGURU
That too, is the Yuvraj’s choice.
CHIEF MINISTER
The Yuvraj must stay.
The other’s murmur their approval. Akaash bows his head.
AKAASH
Then I humbly accept your advice.
But there’s nothing humble about his demeanour.
AKAASH
(bowing his head)
Rajguru, I beg your forgiveness for my youthful disregard. I will do everything in my power to absorb what you can teach me.
The Rajguru look sceptical.
RAJGURU
Whatever your choice, darkness and conflict will be your companions. You and Avanti are both in danger.
He turns and leaves the room.
5. INT. QUEEN’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
Akaash enters his mother’s chamber and bows low.
AKAASH
Give me your blessing Mother. The advisors of the great Raja Vikram-Aditya have chosen to crown me.
The Queen is concerned.
QUEEN
May Indra’s blessings be with you. (beat) Do you believe this is the right choice?
Her remark surprises Akaash.
6. INT. A SMALL SPACE IN THE APARTMENT – SIMULTANEOUS
The disguised figure lays down her bow and arrows and strips off her hunting garb. She picks up a voile garment. She looks around at a garlanded icon of a beautiful woman in mid-dance, folds her hand in a ‘namaste’ and bows before it. Then she takes a small box from beneath the image.
7. QUEEN’S APARTMENT
QUEEN
Your father always said: Kings are not born worthy. They achieve kingship when they merit it. I believe you need time and hard work before you are ready to rule.
The figure enters the room. She is MOHINI (19) daughter of the QUEEN’s late companion.
AKAASH
The Ministers all agree that the only way to save Avanti is for me to become king. With your blessing and the advice of my Ministers I will rule with confidence.
QUEEN
‘Your’ ministers? Before you even wear the throne? As your mother and wife of Vikra-Aditya, I cannot be less than honest. Devote yourself to the Rajguru’s teaching, hold your father’s ideals and you could one day be a worthy king.
AKAASH
Time is short. The two years are nearly over. I have given my word to defend Avanti. I must be crowned immediately.
QUEEN
Then, my son, I will not be present at the coronation.
Akaash is stunned. It’s like a slap in the face.
8. I/E. A PALACE SIDE-ENTRANCE – NIGHT
Akaash walks along in the darkness, swinging an axe. An ELDERLY MAN follows him. Akaash looks around buth conceals himself in the shadows.
9. EXT. BATTLE-PRACTICE ARENA – NIGHT
Akaash swings a massive axe with the full power of his body, repeatedly attacking a tree-like block of wood. Mohini comes in dressed in full armor watches for a moment and calls out.
MOHINI
(in a deep voice)
Yuvraj! Use that axe on someone who can fight back!
Akaash hears the challenge and seeing her in full armor he swings his axe. She stops his axe with hers. He is about to swing again. Mohini has takes off her helmet.
AKAASH
Mohini!
MOHINI
Everyone knows your skill with an axe. Use the energy to learn the ancient rules of king-ship. They say wisdom is mightier than the axe.
AKAASH
My father should have been here to teach me. But he left me behind and went adventuring with my little brother.
Mohini snorts.
MOHINI
Vital rule of kingship. The eldest son remains to protect the kingdom and take over if, heaven forbid, he’s killed on a mission.
AKAASH
He never took the time to guide me. Or validated my achievements.
MOHINI
The gurus wait for you every day. Put your mind to it and you’ll soon become worthy of the throne.
AKAASH
Where do I begin?
MOHINI
With humility. The next time you see someone who needs help, get off your horse and help instead of waiting for your guard?
Akaash is taken aback.
MOHINI
Just the little things. A true king is a servant to his people.
AKAASH
I must find my father first.
It’s Mohini’s turn to be taken aback.
MOHINI
You’d abandon Avanti to that demon Shalivahana?
AKAASH
I have a question for him.
Mohini turns away.
MOHINI
The Queen is right. You aren’t ready to rule. You put your personal need above the safety of Avanti and the honour of the throne. Go on your adventure and abandon the Sacred Kingdom!
AKAASH
As my father did.
Mohini gives him a furious look and walks away.
AKAASH
Mohini! Wait. I’m full of self-doubt and confusion. I will strive with everything I have, to protect Avanti.
MOHINI
Then stay. Examine your weakness. Learn the lessons and become a worthy king.
AKAASH
You are right. But what of my mother? She thinks I’m unworthy.
MOHINI
All the Queen wants is for you to be a good ruler. Ask the Rajguru for guidance.
AKAASH
My future queen.
Akaash holds out his arms. Mohini takes a few steps towards him then stops.
MOHINI
Keep your promise and I’ll keep mine.
She walks quickly towards the Palace.
Akaash feels a movement and looks behind him. The Elderly Man reveals himself. He is one of the Ministers.
AKAASH
Are you following me?
E.M.
Yuvraj, I have some information that might help you. Before your esteemed father left on his last mission, we had a regular visitor at court – a simple man who finally disclosed that he was a Yogi of exceptional powers. His devotions are focused on bringing peace to our world.
AKAASH
That sounds like an a impossible undertaking.
E.M.
Your esteemed father valued his advice. You would do well to consult him in this situation.
AKAASH
Who is this man?
E.M.
The Yogi Shant Sheel.
AKAASH
I have made my decision. My ministers and the Rajguru will be my guides.
E.M.
Summon the Yogi. Come with me and let us discuss the way forward with your Ministers.
He bows and gestures to Akaash to lead the way.
INT. A LARGE STATE ROOM – DAY
Akaash enters the room with the Elderly Minister. The Ministers stop speaking quietly together and rise.
CHIEF MINISTER
Welcome Yuvraj. I gather you have been demonstrating your fighting skills.
AKAASH
I have been thinking. I believe we should delay the coronation a few months while I dedicate myself to the Rajguru’s lessons and prepare myself for my future rule.
CHIEF MINISTER
An admirable decision.
He looks at the War Minister.
WAR MINISTER
Indeed, Minister. But the coronation must not be delayed. The learning can continue after the coronation.
AKAASH
Would that not be like forcing the River Ganges to flow backwards? I must earn the right to be king first.
WAR MINISTER
It is imperative that news of the coronation reaches Shalivahana well before he begins his journey to Avanti.
AKAASH
I have made my decision. The coronation must be delayed till I have earned the right to become king.
The War Minister and Chief Minister exchange a look.
CHIEF MINISTER
I regret we cannot agree, Yuvraj. The coronation must take place in a few days. Invitations have been issued. Gifts and congratulations have begun to arrive.
ANOTHER MINISTER
On the other hand the Rajguru will be in attendance at every opportunity to guide you.
Akaash is furious.
AKAASH
What kind of a king allows himself to be shackled by his Ministers?
E.M.
Once you wear the crown, my Lord, your power will be magnified. Divine blood runs in your vein. You will triumph.
AKAASH
I will meet this Yogi you spoke of.
10. EXT. A ROOM OF WORSHIP – DAY
The room is dominated by a giant image of the god Shiva. SHANT SHEEL (ageless) with a radiant face, bows to the image, lays a garland and various devotional offerings at its feet.
SHANT SHEEL
Bless my efforts Shive Shankar Maharaj! Shalivahana king of the south plans to attack Avanti and I must stop him spreading his evil.
He performs the 8 point prostration before the image. He gets up and walks into
11. EXT. A MASSIVE BARREN SPACE – DAY
Shant Sheel approaches a ring of rocks and makes a striking action. Flames leap out of the ground. The rocks exude a fiery orange liquid. Shant Sheel picks up a handfuls of soil and throws them into the fire. Within the flames, indistinct shapes appear. Some crawl out of the flames, some heave themselves over – misformed mutated forms of animals and humans.
SHANT SHEEL
Fly to the South and do your work! Keep Shalivahana at bay.
12. INT. AKAASH’S BED-CHAMBER – NIGHT
Akaash tosses and turns in his bed as images of VIKRAM and younger brother DHARMA flit through his mind engaging in skirmishes, achieving victory, laughing, walking away from him, then suddenly disappearing into a great abyss. Akaash sits up in a sweat.
13. INT. OUTSIDE AKAASH’S DOOR – SIMULTANEOUS
Two men stand Guard. Along the corridor and on the corners, more GUARDS.
Akaash looks around as he hears a sound from behind his bedhead. He pulls his bed over, draws a curtain and reveals a door behind it. He hears a key in the lock. The door opens slightly. Akaash grabs his sword, ready to attack.
The door opens. Akaash sheathes his sword and bows.
QUEEN
I was informed you’re being kept here under guard.
AKAASH
I was not aware of it.
QUEEN
The Rajguru was waiting for you to visit. He informed me that you had not gone to see him at the appointed time.
AKAASH
I’m afraid I fell asleep.
The Queen approaches Akaash and breathes in.
QUEEN
A sleeping draught. They do not plan to let you out until the invitations have gone out. Once the messages and gifts begin to pour in, the guests will follow. You will be locked into your coronation.
AKAASH
I promised I would work diligently with the Rajguru.
QUEEN
But I hear you refused to be crowned.
AKAASH
There were disagreements.
MOHINI
You said you could not be crowned until you had completed your work with the Rajguru. Just as you promised.
AKAASH
They were not prepared to wait. I have decided to leave Avanti and find my father.
He bows his head.
AKAASH
Forgive me for abandoning Avanti. I cannot stay. I will aim to return before the period of grace is over. Without without my father.
THE QUEEN MOTHER
Go with my blessing.
AKAASH
What of you and Mohini?
THE QUEEN MOTHER
We have the entire Avanti army to protect us.
MOHINI
We women know how to protect ourselves.
She feels around inside her armour and hands Akaash a small box.
MOHINI
The Memory Gem. Made from my mother’s tears. Her last gift.
Akaash bows deeply to his mother. She raises her hand in blessing and leaves.
Akaash comes close to Mohini. She leans her cheek against his. He strokes her hair, then turns and walks into the night.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
-
This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by
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The Sacred Kingdom
This assignment prompted me to fill out my scene with an outline and proceed to writing the TP having thought the scene through.
ACT 1 – DETAILED OUTLINE.
EXT. FOREST – DAY
Crown Prince AKAASH(20) takes aim at a magnificent stag. As his arrow strikes, the animal leaps in the air and falls. A GROUP OF HUNTER FRIENDS cheer loudly. Akaash accepts their praise as his due. He rides on, followed by the others.
On the way, he spots an OLD MAN weighed under a heavy bundle of logs and a YOUNG GIRL carrying a water pot. He motions to one of his GUARDS to help him. The Old Man praises Akaash extravagantly, falls to the ground, prostrates himself before Akaash who accepts it, again, as his due, and rides on. The girl helps the Old Man up, and says loudly, that it’s the soldier who’s carrying the log who should be praised and not the an who gives the order. One of his party tells the girl off. Akaash is stung but rides on. One member of the group, disguised as a man, slips away.
EXT. PALACE ENTRANCE – LATER
The WAR MINISTER greets Akaash as he enters. Avanti’s arch-enemy King Shalivahan of the South is preparing his army to attack. According to cosmic law the Sacred Kingdom can only be attacked if there is no monarch on the throne. Akaash must be crowned king urgently.
The COURT GURU is doubtful, Akaash is not ready for kingship.
INT. QUEEN’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
Akaash goes to visit his mother and get her blessing.
INT. A SMALL SPACE IN THE APARTMENT – SIMULTANEOUS
The disguised figure strips of her hunting garb and picks up a voile garment.
QUEEN’S APARTMENT
The figure is MOHINI (19) daughter of the QUEEN’s late companion she joings them. The QUEEN tells AKAASH he is not ready to be king. He will dishonor his father and the throne if he is crowned. It’s like a slap in the face.
EXT. GARDEN – LATER
Akaash confesses secret doubts about his own worthiness to Mohini. Mohini tries to convince Akaash that there’s still time and if he works hard on the principles and values set out from ancient times, he will be an excellent ruler. But Akaash chooses to avoid that option. He decides to go in search of his father who may still be alive and ask about his doubts.
…………..
Lesson 11
EXT. BATTLE-PRACTICE ARENA – NIGHT
Akaash swings a massive axe with the full power of his body, repeatedly attacking a tree-like block of wood. Mohini comes in dressed in armour watches for a moment and calls out. He swings around with his axe seeing her in full armour and she stops his axe with hers. She challenges him about his fury saying everyone knows his skill and might with an axe. If he spent the same energy on the rules of kingship, he would very quickly make a worthy king. Akaash says that it was his father’s duty to develop the qualities he needed but he preferred to go off on adventurous missions with his kid brother.
He confesses he has always had secret doubts about his own worthiness because his father focused on what should try to achieve without ever validating is actual achievements.
Mohini tries to convince Akaash there’s still time. He has all the qualities of a warrior and an athlete. He just needs is to work on the time-honoured values and principles of rulership. She points out that a worthy king would get off his horse immediately and helping the Old Man rather than wait to summon a soldier to do it. Akaash rejects her advice option. He decides to go in search of his father who may still be alive. Mohini gives him a ‘memory-gem’- a gift from her by her mother before she died.
……
ACT 1 Turning Point
EXT. BATTLE-PRACTICE ARENA – NIGHT
Akaash swings a massive axe with the full power of his body, repeatedly attacking a tree-like block of wood. Mohini comes in dressed in full armor watches for a moment and calls out.
MOHINI
(in a deep voice)
Prince Akaash! Use that axe on someone who can fight back!
Akaash hears the challenge and seeing her in full armor he swings his axe. She stops his axe with hers. He is about to swing again. Mohini has taken off her helmet.
AKAASH
Mohini!
MOHINI
Everyone knows your might with an axe. Use the energy to learn the ancient rules of king-ship? They say wisdom is mightier than the axe.
AKAASH
My father should have been here to teach me. But he left me behind and went adventuring with my little brother.
Mohini snorts.
MOHINI
Vital rule of kingship. The eldest son remains to protect the kingdom and take over if, heaven forbid, he’s killed on a mission.
AKAASH
He never took the time to guide me. Or validated my achievements.
MOHINI
The gurus wait for you every day. Put your mind to it and you’ll soon become worthy of the throne.
AKAASH
Where do I begin?
MOHINI
With compassion. The next time you see someone who needs help, get off your horse and help instead of waiting for your guard?
Akaash is taken aback.
MOHINI
Just the little things. A true king is a servant to his people.
Akaash has a light bulb moment.
AKAASH
I’m going to find my father.
It’s Mohini’s turn to be taken aback.
MOHINI
You’d abandon Avanti to that demon Shalivahana?
AKAASH
I have a question for him.
Akaash feels a movement and looks behind him.
THE QUEEN MOTHER
Go with my blessing.
AKAASH
What of you and Mohini?
THE QUEEN MOTHER
We hav the entire Avant army to protect us.
MOHINI
We women know how to protect ourselves.
She feels around inside her armour and hands Akaash a small box.
MOHINI
The Memory Gem. Made from my mother’s tears. Her last gift.
Akaash bows deeply to his mother. She raises her hand in blessing and leaves.
Akaash comes close to Mohini. She leans her cheek against his. He strokes her hair, then turns and walks into the night.
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The Sacred Kingdom
This lesson allowed me to develop the ACT 1 scenes more fully and to lead me sequentially to writing the full scene.
ACT 1 – DETAILED OUTLINE+TP SCENE
EXT. FOREST – DAY
Crown Prince AKAASH(20) takes aim at a magnificent stag. As his arrow strikes, the animal leaps in the air and falls. A GROUP OF HUNTER FRIENDS cheer loudly. Akaash accepts their praise as his due. He rides on, followed by the others.
On the way, he spots an OLD MAN weighed under a heavy bundle of logs and a YOUNG GIRL carrying a water pot. He motions to one of his GUARDS to help him. The Old Man praises Akaash extravagantly, falls to the ground, prostrates himself before Akaash who accepts it, again, as his due, and rides on. The girl helps the Old Man up, and says loudly, that it’s the soldier who’s carrying the log who should be praised and not the an who gives the order. One of his party tells the girl off. Akaash is stung but rides on. One member of the group, disguised as a man, slips away.
EXT. PALACE ENTRANCE – LATER
The WAR MINISTER greets Akaash as he enters. Avanti’s arch-enemy King Shalivahan of the South is preparing his army to attack. According to cosmic law the Sacred Kingdom can only be attacked if there is no monarch on the throne. Akaash must be crowned king urgently.
The COURT GURU is doubtful, Akaash is not ready for kingship.
INT. QUEEN’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
Akaash goes to visit his mother and get her blessing.
INT. A SMALL SPACE IN THE APARTMENT – SIMULTANEOUS
The disguised figure strips of her hunting garb and picks up a voile garment.
QUEEN’S APARTMENT
The figure is MOHINI (19) daughter of the QUEEN’s late companion she joings them. The QUEEN tells AKAASH he is not ready to be king. He will dishonor his father and the throne if he is crowned. It’s like a slap in the face.
EXT. GARDEN – LATER
Akaash confesses secret doubts about his own worthiness to Mohini. Mohini tries to convince Akaash that there’s still time and if he works hard on the principles and values set out from ancient times, he will be an excellent ruler. But Akaash chooses to avoid that option. He decides to go in search of his father who may still be alive and ask about his doubts.
…………..
Lesson 11
EXT. BATTLE-PRACTICE ARENA – NIGHT
Akaash swings a massive axe with the full power of his body, repeatedly attacking a tree-like block of wood. Mohini comes in dressed in armour watches for a moment and calls out. He swings around with his axe seeing her in full armour and she stops his axe with hers. She challenges him about his fury saying everyone knows his skill and might with an axe. If he spent the same energy on the rules of kingship, he would very quickly make a worthy king. Akaash says that it was his father’s duty to develop the qualities he needed but he preferred to go off on adventurous missions with his kid brother.
He confesses he has always had secret doubts about his own worthiness because his father focused on what should try to achieve without ever validating is actual achievements.
Mohini tries to convince Akaash there’s still time. He has all the qualities of a warrior and an athlete. He just needs is to work on the time-honoured values and principles of rulership. She points out that a worthy king would get off his horse immediately and helping the Old Man rather than wait to summon a soldier to do it. Akaash rejects her advice option. He decides to go in search of his father who may still be alive. Mohini gives him a ‘memory-gem’- a gift from her by her mother before she died.
……
ACT 1 Turning Point
EXT. BATTLE-PRACTICE ARENA – NIGHT
Akaash swings a massive axe with the full power of his body, repeatedly attacking a tree-like block of wood. Mohini comes in dressed in full armor watches for a moment and calls out.
MOHINI
(in a deep voice)
Prince Akaash! Use that axe on someone who can fight back!
Akaash hears the challenge and seeing her in full armor he swings his axe. She stops his axe with hers. He is about to swing again. Mohini has taken off her helmet.
AKAASH
Mohini!
MOHINI
Everyone knows your might with an axe. Use the energy to learn the ancient rules of king-ship? They say wisdom is mightier than the axe.
AKAASH
My father should have been here to teach me. But he left me behind and went adventuring with my little brother.
Mohini snorts.
MOHINI
Vital rule of kingship. The eldest son remains to protect the kingdom and take over if, heaven forbid, he’s killed on a mission.
AKAASH
He never took the time to guide me. Or validated my achievements.
MOHINI
The gurus wait for you every day. Put your mind to it and you’ll soon become worthy of the throne.
AKAASH
Where do I begin?
MOHINI
With compassion. The next time you see someone who needs help, get off your horse and help instead of waiting for your guard?
Akaash is taken aback.
MOHINI
Just the little things. A true king is a servant to his people.
Akaash has a light bulb moment.
AKAASH
I’m going to find my father.
It’s Mohini’s turn to be taken aback.
MOHINI
You’d abandon Avanti to that demon Shalivahana?
AKAASH
I have a question for him.
Akaash feels a movement and looks behind him.
THE QUEEN MOTHER
Go with my blessing.
AKAASH
What of you and Mohini?
THE QUEEN MOTHER
We hav the entire Avant army to protect us.
MOHINI
We women know how to protect ourselves.
She feels around inside her armour and hands Akaash a small box.
MOHINI
The Memory Gem. Made from my mother’s tears. Her last gift.
Akaash bows deeply to his mother. She raises her hand in blessing and leaves.
Akaash comes close to Mohini. She leans her cheek against his. He strokes her hair, then turns and walks into the night.
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The Sacred Kingdom
In this exercise I noted that the process is about creating the perfect arc for each Act and significant scene by putting a step-by-step planned structure in place so that each scene hits the right points and the intermediary scenes are used to set-up structural elements as well as character development/introductory elements.
ACT 1 – DETAILED OUTLINE.
EXT. FOREST – DAY
1.Crown Prince AKAASH(20) takes aim at a magnificent stag. As his arrow strikes, the animal leaps in the air and falls. A GROUP OF HUNTER FRIENDS cheer loudly. Akaash accepts their praise as his due. He rides on, followed by the others.
On the way, he spots an OLD MAN weighed under a heavy bundle of logs and a YOUNG GIRL carrying a water pot. He motions to one of his GUARDS to help him. The Old Man praises Akaash extravagantly, falls to the ground, prostrates himself before Akaash who accepts it, again, as his due, and rides on. The girl helps the Old Man up, and says loudly, that it’s the soldier who’s carrying the log who should be praised and not the an who gives the order. One of his party tells the girl off. Akaash is stung but rides on. One member of the group, disguised as a man, slips away.
2. EXT. PALACE ENTRANCE – LATER
The WAR MINISTER greets Akaash as he enters. Avanti’s arch-enemy King Shalivahan of the South is preparing his army to attack. According to cosmic law the Sacred Kingdom can only be attacked if there is no monarch on the throne. Akaash must be crowned king urgently.
The COURT GURU is doubtful, Akaash is not ready for kingship.
3. INT. QUEEN’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
Akaash goes to visit his mother and get her blessing.
4. INT. A SMALL SPACE IN THE APARTMENT – SIMULTANEOUS
The disguised figure strips of her hunting garb and picks up a voile garment.
5. QUEEN’S APARTMENT
The figure is MOHINI (19) daughter of the QUEEN’s late companion she joings them. The QUEEN tells AKAASH he is not ready to be king. He will dishonor his father and the throne if he is crowned. It’s like a slap in the face.
6. EXT. GARDEN – LATER
Akaash confesses secret doubts about his own worthiness to Mohini. Mohini tries to convince Akaash that there’s still time and if he works hard on the principles and values set out from ancient times, he will be an excellent ruler. But Akaash chooses to avoid that option. He decides to go in search of his father who may still be alive and ask about his doubts about him. Mohini gives him a little box containing the ‘memory gem’ made from the tears of her mother who was a celestial nymph.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
-
This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
-
This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by
-
The Sacred Kingdom
I learned not to worry about details and full answers and just get the through-line down.
LESSON 9 – OUTLINE
1. INT. PALACE ENTRANCE- LATER
The WAR MINISTER tells Akaash that Avanti’s arch-enemy is preparing his arm to attack. Akaash must be crowned king urgently. The COURT GURU is doubtful, Akaash is not ready for kingship.
INT. QUEEN’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
The Queen tells him he will dishonor his father and the throne of the Sacred Kingdom if he is crowned before he’s ready. It’s like a slap in the face.
EXT. GARDEN – LATER
Akaash confesses secret doubts about his own ability to Mohini. He wants to know if his father is still alive and why he left him behind. He decides to go in search of his father.
2. EXT. PALACE GATES – NIGHT
A giant sent by Akaash by sky-god Indra challenges Akaash at the palace gates but he defeats him and forces him to reveal where his father was headed when he left on his last mission. The Giant says Vikram went to yogi Shant Sheel to find how to break the curse put on the Avanti Dynasty by Yogi Maldev.
EXT. CREMATION FIELD – NIGHT – CONTINUOUS
Shant Sheel tells Akaash he has to stop his uncle Hari from trapping his father Vikram in the infernal regions to gain revenge for usurping is throne. Akaash has to disrupt his rituals before it is too late to save his father.
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP
Akaash disrupts Hari’s rituals. In a shower of missiles and thunderbolts, Hari falls into the abyss. Akaash jumps in after him. He still wants answers.
3. INT. DEEP-SEA REALM OF PATAAL- DAY
OPENING: Akaash wakes up in luxurious surroundings. A Corpse nags him find Vikram. He owes him a debt and won’t be free until he repays it.
INT. VASUKI’S THRONE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Akaash asks Vasuki the Cobra-King if his father is in Pataal. Vasuki refuses to answer and tells him no one leaves Pataal.
EXT. A SMALL SEA-CAVE – DAY
Akaash swallows his pride and asks Hari for advice. Hari reveals he crowned Vikram king and abandoned worldly matters to purify himself of his sins. With the throne empty Avanti is open to attack. If Shalivahana conquers the Sacred Kingdom, the world will be controlled by evil forces.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR
Akaash persuades the Queen’s LADY to bring him the stone.
EXT. PATAAL
Overcome with guilt that the Lady’s favor will mean severe punishment, he return the stone before its absence is discovered. (how?)
Akaash and Hari battle terrible obstacles. A massive barrier reef appears at the boundary. Beyond it marshy sand as far as the eye can see. Akaash gives up.
EXT. BARRIER REEF
Akaash hears the piteous calls of an old WITCH trapped in the sands and feels duty-bound to help. He heaves himself up and carries her on his back. She drives him on, lashing, goading an humiliating him on and finally they re-enter the human realm.
3. EXT. CREMATION FIELD
Akaash is shocked to find himself back where he started. The witch comes off his back. She says was testing his compassion and humility. He is overwhelmed and grateful. He bids he farewell and addresses her mother. She looks grateful. His humility and sense of duty served him better than his fighting skills. He bids he farewell and addresses her mother. She reveals herself as the Goddess Kali.
EXT. SACRIFICIAL FIRE, CREMATION FIELD
The Corpse warns Akaash that Yogi Shant Sheel intends to offer the Avanti Dynasty as a sacrifice to the god Shiva in return for sovereignty over the world.
EXT. A DARK SPOT, CREMATION GROUND
Akaash instinctively accepts the Corpse’s advice to refuse Shant Sheel’s command to prostrate himself before the flames to honour the God.
EXT. SACRIFICIAL FIRE, CREMATION FIELD
Shant Sheel is prepared and hurls Akaash and Hari into the flames. Akaash appeals to the god to take him, leave his uncle, who is a holy man, to go and redeem his line from the curse.
Shant Sheel commands a group of witches to suck their blood. Instead the fly into the fire and liberate him.
The witches, instructed by Kali, who was the disguised as the old witch fly Akaash
into
EXT. SVARG – SKY-GOD’S HEAVENLY REALM
Vikram and Dharma don’t recognize Akaash in this euphoric atmosphere and Akaash has to find a way of jogging his father’s memory.
4. EXT. SVARG – SKY-GOD’S HEAVENLY REALM
Akaash shows the memory gem to Dharma.
In it, they see SHALIVAHANA, the enemy, battering down the gates of Avanti. Dharma suddenly remembers.
Akaash faces the toughest decision of his life – wait for his father to resolve his question or protect Avanti. He takes his leave of Vikram taking Dharma to protect the Sacred Kingdom. If he is vrowned king in time – Avanti will not be attacked.
When Vikram hears the mention of a Sacred City, he says he must defend it.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE AVANTI PALACE
The battle is in full flow. Akaash asks his father’s guidance and Dharma’s help.
Shalivahana attacks Vikram from behind but escapes without killing him. But the sight of Vikram has energised the Avanti army and they fight with passion.
EXT. A DUNE ON THE EDGE OF THE BATTLEFIELd
Akaash sees his father is wounded and races to him.Vikram’s memory returns. Vikram gives him his ring bestowed on him by Indra. Akaash begs him to stay but it his time to return to Svarg.
INT. QUEEN’S QUARTERS
Shalivahana has surrounded the Queen’s quarters and is holding the women hostage.
EXT. BATTELFIELD
Akaash hands over to Dharma and races over to liberate the queen and Mohini. They shout that they will look after themselves. Akaash remembers the world could be at stake and against his urge, returns to the fight.
He sees Kali appear by the women, 20 times her size. Shant Sheel protects Shalivahan.
The battle rages between humans, gods and the demonic forces of Shant Sheel.
Akash slay Shalivahana, resisting the desire to cast an exta blow from rage.
EXT. CENTRE OF BATTLEFIELD
Akaash is face to face with Shant Sheel with supernatural powers. Shant Sheel is indestructible but Akaash doesn’t give up.
Akaash sees Kali in the distance, calls out ‘Hail Mother Kali!’. He thrusts is sword into Shant Sheel who falls to the ground. A formless sliver escapes his body as he dissolves.
Prologue
The end
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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The Sacred Kingdom
Lesson learned from this assignment: The theme of the film is to find out who you are from within. In the case of Akaash it begins with the search for answers and validation whereas true meaning and self-knowledge comes from within. By the end Akaash is able to develop his self-awareness and as a result, change his ways and acquire the values required to be worthy of the throne of the Sacred City: respect, compassion, humility, gratitude and commitment.
Lesson 8
C. Plan beneath the plan: This one looks like Attack/Counter Attack, but there is something deeper going on under the surface as the Antagonist carries out a covert plan of attack.
Shanta Sheel is the reincarnation of the great yogi Maldev who had been proving is devotion to the gods for decades thrugh abstinence and ascetitism and prayer.
On a hunting trip one day, the then ruler of Avanti (Vikram’s father) decided to play an unpleasant joke on him and upset his years of devotion. He sent a concubine to seduce him and produced a boy. The Yogi gave up his years of devotion offered in return for immense power in the universe. When he discovered he had been tricked, he slaughtered his son, turned the king into an ass and swore to destroy the line of kings descending from the sky god Indra.
A generation later, he returned as Shanta Sheel, a Yogi who proved his honesty and good character to Vikram and claimed he needed the help of a hero like him to help resolve a thorny issue. What he really wanted was to sacrifice Vikram and his son to Kali, gain is revenge and at the same time have Kali grant him sovereignty over the universe. But Vikram and his won met he corpse of the son Maldev murdered nd it guided them to safety.
Shant Sheel encurgges Shalivahana’s attac kon Avnti because he wants it for himself. There’ll be some ambiguousness here, too – where he’ll give the audience the impression he’s S’s enemy.
Vikram outwitted the Yogi and liberated the soul of the corpse who said it would return to pay back the debt if Vikram’s progeny needed help.
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I have to work out some background interactions for the audience to start becoming suspicious about Shant Sheel’s instructions. We know people are not what they seem, so what about the noble Shant Sheel who is supposedly helping and protecting Akaash on his mission to rescue his father and brother. What are his real intentions? He’s a dark and powerful figure who uses demon hordes and evil spirits to support him while giving the impression that really he is controlling these agents of darkness to protect the world. He is a ‘hidden’ antagonist. His motives: Sacrificing the Avanti Dynasty as Revenge to gain Power.
Beat Sheet for Antagonist
1. In a cremation ground surrounded by demons, monsters and unclean spirits, Shant Sheel shows he is in complete control. When Akaash is surprised by his location, he explains it is to ensure the world is safe from evil beings.
2. He tells Akaash his father Vikarm usurped his older brother Hari’s throne and Hari wants to trap him in the infernal regions for revenge. Akaash must stop this happening.
3. An unexpected barrage of lightning and magical missile results in both Akaash and Hari falling into the abyss and landing in Pataal. Akaash believes Hari caused the storm and vice versa. In fact it was part of Shant Sheel’s plan to lure all the members of the Avanti dynasty to sacrifice them to Kali.
4. Shant Sheel send a demoness disguised as a beautiful woman to lead him to the Nagmani stone from the Vasuki’s crown so that he can get out of Pataal and continue his mission.
5. When Akaash undermines this by saving the ‘beautiful woman’ from Vasuki’s wrath, he throws up a massive reef to prevent him crossing the boundary. (intention?)
6. He is infuriated to find that Akaash is under some kind of divine protection when he crosses the boundary and is on his way back to the crematorium.
7. He plans to go ahead and sacrifice Hari and Akaash in return for greater power in the universe and at least partial revenge. He fails.
8. He encourages King Shalivahana to attack Avanti, knowing that the dynasty will find a way to return and fight the battle to protect their sacred kingdom.
NOTE: I’ve been in hospital. Post-op now and doing my best to keep up through the brain fog!! Apologies.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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The Sacred Kingdom
“What I learned doing this assignment is…to be able to construct each significant sequence as required without being opted to explain what goes on in between.
INT. PALACE ENTRANCE- LATER
WAR MINISTER tells him SHALIVAHANA, Avanti’s most fierce enemy is grabbing he chance to attack since it is only legitimate – or possible to take over the kingdom if its throne isn’t occupied by a rightful heir. He urges Akaash to agree to a coronation. The ROYAL PRIEST casts doubts on Akaash’s worthiness to be king.
INT. QUEEN’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
The Queen is with MOHINI (18) Akaash’s childhood sweetheart when Akaash comes in, excited.He has agreed to be crowned. His mother tells him he will dishonor his father and the throne of the Sacred Kingdom if he is crowned before he’s ready.
TE 1. It’s like a slap in the face.
EXT. GARDEN – LATER
Mohini consoles Akaash. Though confident of his capabilities, he is desolate, unsure if his father is dead, and has secret doubts about his ability – and wants to know if his father may still be alive.
TE 2. He decides to go in search of his father.
EXT. PALACE GATES – NIGHT
Akaash is stopped at the palace gates by a GIANT sent by his ancestors the sky-go Indra. No one may go in or out of Avanti unless they pass the test. They battle, Akaash wins. The Giant hears his mission and tells him his father went to visit the Yogi Shant Sheel on his last mission to break the curse put on the rulers of Avanti by an old Yogi Maldev for doing him harm.
EXT. CREMATION FIELD – NIGHT – CONTINUOUS
Opening – As Akaash wades alone through the cremation ground he comes across hideous monsters. At the centre is YOGI SHANT SHEEL. Akaash is surprised to see him in this unholy setting but Shant Sheel says he is not in a position to judge anyone. How does he know that he is not secretly evil or treacherous?
TE 1. He realizes how alone he is and how little he knows of these matters. But his father’s life (or afterlife) is in his hands and sets off.
INCITING INCIDENT. Shant Sheel tells Akaash that he has to track down who threw his father into the infernal regions out of revenge because Vikram displaced him as king. Akaash must get there in time to disrupt the rituals and if he is to save his father.
EXT. WILDERNESS – DAWN
TE. He walks out, shocked by his father’s treachery. Why did Vikram supersede his older brother and does he plan to do the same to him?
EXT. WILDERNESS – DAY
OPENING: Akaash alone and distracted falls into his old ways, hunting and wasting time.
INCITING INCIDENT. His dead grandfather arrives and tells him the story behind the curse on his line.
EXT. WILDERNESS – CONTINUOUS
TE1. Akaash is disillusioned about his family and even more determined to confront his father and find out the truth.
EXT. A MOUNTAIN TOP – CONTINUOUS
Akaash approaches Hari and interrupts his rituals. Akaash is attacked by missiles and thunderbolts but holds his own. In the battle Hari falls into the abyss. Akaash doesn’t know if this means he can’t rescue his father.
EXT. THE ABYSS – CONTINUOUS
TE. Akaash’s first thought is to get answers from his father whatever the cost. He leaps into the abyss.
INT. BEDROOM — NIGHT OPENING:
TE 1: Meets Trinity for the first time. She has a message — “Morpheus is looking for him.
INT. DEEP-SEA REALM OF PATAAL- DAY
OPENING: Akaash wakes up surrounded by luxury and healing, to see the face of a CORPSE pushing and prodding him. It nags him to look for Vikram. He says he owes him a debt and won’t be free until he repays it.
EXT. DEEP-SEA GROTTO – LATER
TE 1: Akaash is roused from his hypnotic sleep and remembers his mission. He asks VASUKI the Cobra-King if his father is in Pataal.
INT. VASUKI’S THRONE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
INCITING INCIDENT: Vasuki refuses to answer Akaash’s question. And says visitors to Pataal have to remain here.
TE 2: Akaash recalls the Yogi’s words about never knowing who anyone really is. He swallows his pride and hostility and asks for Hari’s advice.
EXT. A SMALL SEA-CAVE – DAY
OPENING: Hari tells Akaash he dishonored the throne and the kingdom so he crowned Vikram king and abandoned worldly matters to purify himself of his sins. Without someone on the throne, Avanti is open to attack. And as a Sacred City, if it is taken over by Shalivahana the world will be in danger of being controlled by evil forces.
INT. PALACE CORIDOR
OPENING INCIDENT: Akaash finds out the NAGMANI stone from Vasuki’s crown will allow him to escape. He persuades the Queen’s LADY to bring him the stone.
TE 1: As he approaches the boundary he is overcome with guilt repaying the Lady’s favor with severe punishment manages to return the stone before its absence is discovered.
INCITING INCIDENT:
Vasuki creates terrible trials to stop Akaash fleeing. He battle through but at the border, a massive barrier reef appears. Beyond it marshy sand as far as the eye can see. Akaash gives up.
TE 2: He hears the piteous calls of an old WITCH trapped in the sands and feels obliged to help. He heaves himself up and carries her on his back. She drives him on, lashing him and goading an humiliating him on and finally they re-enter the human realm.
OPENING: At the cremation ground. The witch comes off his back. She says was testing his compassion and humility and he helped her, despite her cruelty without asking for reward.
TE 1: Akaash is overwhelmed and grateful. He knows now he doesn’t need praise or warrior skills to do what he believes is his duty. Serving others – an important duty of kingship.
INCITING INCIDENT: The Corpse warns Akaash that Yogi Shant Sheel intends to offer him and his family as a human sacrifice to KALI in return for sovereignty over the world. He is the reincarnation of Yogi Maldev and has picked Akaash’s family to avenge the wrong-doing of his grand-father who destroyed his ritual meditations in his previous life.
TE 2: Akaash sees the Corpse’s sincerity, accepts his advice that he should beware Shant Sheel’s command to prostrate himself before the flames.
OPENING: When the moment comes, Akaash tries to protect himself and Hari but Shant Sheel is prepared and hurls him into the flames.
TE 1: Akaash appeals to Kali to take him, let his uncle, who is a holy man, to go and redeem his line from the curse.
INCITING INCIDENT: Shant Sheel commands a group of witches to suck their blood. Instead the fly into the fire and liberate him.
TE 2: Akaash’s determination to rescue his father is strengthened, he must save him and the family from the curse and make Avanti secure.
OPENING: The witches, instructed by Kali, who was the disguised as the old witch who rode his back, fly Akaash into Svarg, the realm of the Sky-God Indira – his ancestor. There he sees his father Vikram and his brother Dharma. They don’t recognize him.
TE 1: Akaash fights the impulse to sink into the euphoric existence of Svarg and to confront his father. Instead, he prays for guidance.
INCITING INCIDENT: Akaash shows the memory gem to Dharma, hoping to remind him of the past. It shows them SHALIVAHANA, the enemy has arrived with his army and battering down the gates of Avanti. Dharma suddenly remembers.
TE 2: Akaash faces the toughest decision of his life – wait for his father to remember the past and resolve his question he sacrifices his yearning for his father’s validation to return to protect Avanti. He tells Vikram he and Dharma will return to protect the Sacred Kingdom. If he can be crowned in time, Avanti will be saved from attack.
OPENING: He tells Vikram he and Dharma will return to protect the Sacred Kingdom. If he can be crowned in time, Avanti will be saved from attack. When Vikram hears the mention of a Sacred City, he says he will go with them to defend it.
TE 1: They arrive too late. The battle is in full flow. Akaash acknowledges he has never fought a war before and asks his father’s guidance and Dharma’s help. Vikram agrees.
INCITING INCIDENT: Shalivahana attacks Vikram from behind but escapes without killing him. He conceals himself behind a dune so as not to demoralise avanti’s soldiers. And he remembers Akaash and Avanti.
TE: Dharma takes Akaash to Vikram who gives him his ring bestowed on him by Indra. Akaash begs him to stay but it his time to return to Svarg.
OPENING: Shalivahana has surrounded the Queen’s quarters and is holding the women hostage.
TE 1: Akaash hands over to Dharma and races over to liberate them. They tell him he should put the safety of Avanti above everything. They will look after themselves. He remembers the world could be at stake ad against his own desire to save the Queen and Mohini, he fights off the army
INCITING INCIDENT: The forces of Kali battle Shant Sheel who is behind Shalivahan.
TE 2: A fights with honour and dedication bearing in ind the vlues of battle.
OPENING: The battle rages between humans, gods and the demonic forces of Shant Sheel.
TE 1: Akash slay Shalivahana, resisting the desire to cast another blow for revenge.
INCITING INCIDENT: Akaash is face to face with Shant Sheel with supernatural powers. Shant Sheel is indestructible but Akaash doesn’t gibe up.
TE 2: Akaash sees Kali in the distance, calls out ‘Hail Kali!’ and thrusts is sword into Shant Sheel. He falls to the ground. A sliver of dark smoke is seen escaping his body as he dissolves.
The end
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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Subject line: Akaash’s Transformational Events (
Answer the question “It helped me go through my structure and content to find many points of transformation and place them in context at the end of each sequence in the each Act.’
Old and New Transformational Arcs.
1.Outwardly strong, confident, skilled at Warcraft but relies on this for his popularity while denying that inwardly he is vulnerable due to his father’s obvious disappointment in his failure to acquire the religious and philosophical values of kingship.
When Akaash’s mother confirms he is not yet ready to take the throne despite news of an impending attack, it is like a slap in the face. He abandons the coronation and leaves Avanti in search of his father to ask the question ‘why’?
2. Akaash demonstrates his formidable skills, defeats a giant who shows him the way to the cremation field and encounters ghosts, demons and rotting corpses to find the Yogi who can guide him to his father, Vikram.
Vikram realises that for the first time he is entirely alone and that nothing will be handed to him on a plate. He conquers his pride to asks the powerful Yogi for help and instructions to find his Uncle.
4. The Yogi tells him his father superceded his older brother Hari’s throne. He wonders if history will repeat itself and he will be superceded by his younger brother Dharma who disappeared with his father.
Akaash is disillusioned with his father Akaash thinks of abandoning his journey but reflects on his own ways and realises he could have worked harder on the values of kingship instead of blaming his father. The right thing would be to liberate him from the curse then ask his father to explain his position.
5. Alone on his journey with no praise or encouragement, he is distracted and loses focus.
When his grandfather’s spirit warns him he’s running out of time to disrupt his uncle’s meditations his father will be condemned to eternal damnation Akash remembers his mission and leaps into action. In the fight that follows, he fends off magical creatures and when Hari falls into the abyss, he jumps in after him to rescue his father.
6. Enjoys the lavish hospitality of Vasuki, king of Pataal, the deepest ocean, and asks Vasuki if Vikram is still here. Vasuki refuses to tell him and informs him no visitor is allowed to leave the kingdom.
The Corpse who has attached itself to him tells him Vikram is not here but tells him the Cobra stone is his only way out. . Akaash persuades an attendant of the Cobra queen to bring him the stone but is ashamed when he realises she will be severely punished, he feels guilty (and finds a way to save her.)
7. A massive reef appears as Akaash reaches the boundaries of Pataal. Marshy land lies on the other side. Akaash knows there’s no way out. He gives up.
An old woman begs him to carry her to the other side. Akaash sees her distress and pulls himself together, putting up with her nagging and nipping and scratching. The act of helping her takes him back to the human world.
8. The Corpse advises Akaash to refuse the Yogi’s command to prostrate himself before the Goddess because because he and Hari are to be the human sacrifice which will gain him sovereignty over the world. Akaash believes the yogi is a good guy. It will anger him and destroy his chances to save his father.
Akaash listens carefully to the Corpse’s reasoning and its sincerity and knowledge and agrees to follow his plan.
9. Akaash finds his father in the Sky-god’s heaven with his brother. They’ve forgotten about him and Avanti. They have no desire to leave this euphoric realm. The memory gem alerts him to the arrival of the enemy at the gates. Akaash has a dilemma. Should he wait for his father’s ‘answer’ or should he return and do his best to fight of the enemy and save Avanti.
He decides that Avanti has to be his priority and win or lose, worthy or unworthy he is honour-bound to defend the Sacred City. But the mention of a sacred city under attack galvanises Vikram and Dharma and they go with him
10. The battle is ferocious. Akaash fights to his best ability with devotion and selflessness. Vikram is shot but as he dies he tells Akaash he needs no confirmation from him. That he has demonsrated the qualities and values of a true leader. Akaash is grateful but he’s already realised he’s worthy and fights on to destroy the enemy and the yogi.
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The Sacred Kingdom 4 Act Transformational Structure
What I learned doing this assignment: trying to nail the major events without going into too much detail.
Create a first draft of your 4 Act Transformational Structure.
1. Give us the following:
Concept
A young prince battles the Otherworldy forces of a dark Presence to liberate his captive father and save the Sacred Kingdom of Avanti in ancient India.
Main Conflict
He wants to be king but is he worthy without his father’s validation. And can he be king if his father who vanished two years ago, disapproves of him?
And does he have the right to or the skills to fend off a powerful enemy in his father’s absence?
Old Ways
He has exceptional physical and personality based qualities but lacks the inner resources that would help him conquer his fears that he won’t be a worthy king without his father’s validation.
Relies on outward qualities and is easily distracted.
Misses raise and popularity .
New Ways
realises his outer skills and status will not resolve his issues
doesn’t rely on praise or help
Becomes proactive and takes the initiative
He takes a decision to act without the validation or help of his father.
2. Fill in each of these with the answers you have right now.
Act 1:
Opening
Akaash is outhunting with his pals when he spots a boar and chases it into a dark glade. A misty world. A fire. A rhythmic chant. An air of evil. The boar traps him against a tree-trunk. He’s about to sever it’s head but surprisingly lets it go. He cannot understand what made him do it. Is he losing his mojo?
Inciting Incident
A powerful enemy is preparing to attack. He must be crowned immediately since this is a sacred city and can only be attacked if a descendent of the sky-god Indra is not on the throne. To save Avanti, he must agree to be crowned despite the fear of failing.
Turning Point
Akaash’s mother tsays he lacks the wisdom and values necessary to be a king. It’s like a slap in the face.
Act 2:
New plan
With the help of his mother and his childhood sweetheart Mohini, he slips out of a secret tunnel to the gates of the palace. Mohini gives him a memory gem containing the tears of her mother.
He finds Yogi Shantsheel who tells Akaash his uncle Hari threw Vikram into the infernal regions not made king though he was the older brother. Akaash must capture him before he completes his meditation to trap Vikram permanently. Akaash is disillusioned.
Plan in action
The Yogi Shantsheel tells Akaash his uncle Hari threw Vikram into the infernal regions not made king though he was the older brother. Akaash must capture him before he completes his meditation to trap Vikram permanently.
Bored of trekking out on his own, Akaash is constantly distracted, he hunts, he eats, he sleeps, practice his skills, then bored, activates the talisman. A scruffy donkey appears. He is Akaash’s grandfather, transformed into a donkey by the old Yogi for destroying decades of penance and meditation for a prank, just as the gods were about to grant his desire. Akaash is shocked by the unpleasant truths about his ancestors. He’s worried his father ill make the younger brother king.
Midpoint Turning Point
(Some hint about redeeming cruel actions by showing kindness.) Grandfather tells Akaash he has lost sight of his goal and will not meet Hari’s deadline. He tries to tell him Hari will help him, but Akaash rejects his view. He’ll get there in time to stop Hari, retrieve his father from the infernal regions and fix it all. Grandfather suddenly asks about his mother and his sweetheart and what might become of them if he doesn’t get things going. He uses the Talisman to find his father. There’s an explosion. The Talisman cannot be exploited to get to the goal. It implodes. The easy option has backfired. Grandfather tells him that this behaviour is exactly what Vikram doubted Akaash’s worthiness to be king.
Act 3:
Rethink everything
Akaash runs through the forests, shattered, trying to clear his brain. He is ready to take the quest seriously. Grandfather slow, frustrated that so much time has been wasted calls out in frustration to Indra for help. The next moment, he soars into the heavens, light as a feather, crying out that Akaash’s passion has given him flight.
They see Hari’s saffron-robed figure perched on he edge of a precipice, deep in prayer. Grandfather warns Akaash that the old yogi has placed him there with promises of redemption. If he fails he’ll fall into the demonic region
Akash disrupts his meditation with moments to go. Hari hurls missiles at him. In the fury battle Hari both fall into the infernal region. As Akaash leaps after him, a stinking corpse attaches itself to him.
New plan
Akaash wakes up in splendour, healed and pampered in the deep-sea kingdom of Vasuki, the 7-headed cobra king. But his father is not here. The corpse tells Akaash that Vikram rescued him years ago and it has sworn to guard his progeny if they need his help. It nags Akaash to continue his search.
A hand-maiden of the cobra-queen gives Akaash helps him by giving him a magical stone from the crown of Vasuki to help him escape with Hari and the corpse. Furious, Vasuki raises one obstacle after another.
At the boundary of the deep-sea kingdom a massive reef appears, blocking their path. Akaash slumps down, defeated. They are trapped.
Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift
The Yogi tells Akaash to prostrate himself before Kali and instead hurls him into the sacrificial flames.
Act 4:
Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict
Akaash is pulled out by a gang of witches and finds himself in Indira’s heaven. He sees his father and brother but they don’t recognise him. Instead of falling into the, euphoric atmosphere, he struggles to revive their memory. He shows his brother the memory gem.
They see the forces of the enemy king on the borders of the Sacred kingdom.
At the sight of a Sacred City under attack, both Vikram and Dharma say they will fight with him against the enemy. Vikram still doesn’t recognise Akaash or recall that this is his kingdom.
Resolution
A massive battle begins. Shanthsheel and his magic on one side, supporting the enemy. Akaash on the other side. Vikram’s memory returns and he acknowledges Akaash who fights with passion while still showing kindness to the wounded and fearful. Vikran dies. After a brief set-back Akaash fights back. The Goddess Kali, enraged by an attack on the City and its women joins Akaash’s efforts and destroys the Yogi. (Throughout, she has been testing him by pretending to be a helpless but cantankerous woman who wants to be carried on his shoulders.)
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by
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Unable to post Lesson 4 though I did work on it from my hospital bed – only I had to dictate so it’ll take time to write up. Meanwhile, I’ve started working on Lesson 5.
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Akaash (protagonist) Yogi Shantsheel (antagonist) Profile Part 2
This assignment helped me to dig deeper into the details of the antagonist and protagonist and how in strange ways they mirror each other until it turns into a war of equals.
AKAASH
What draws us to this character?
He is attractive and accomplished, an attentive and courteous young man with a winning quality that make people want to be noticed by him.
Traits:
Enthusiastic, confident,– with a ‘can-do’ attitude. A crown prince who will assure the safety of the kingdom.
Subtext:
Beneath this super-confident exterior is the desperate need to be validated by his father who disappeared 2 years earlier.
Flaw:
Beneath the energy and physical prowess, he lacks genuine passion because he doesn’t believe in himself and is resentful about his father.
Values:
He does the whole warrior-hunter thing with panache but shows tenderness to wounded animals. He focuses on maintaining his popularity with his subjects and his peers and believes in facilitating others so that he can be a fair and likeable king when the time comes.
Irony:
He avoids the tedious parts of being a monarch and ignores the obligations, duties and commitment to hard choices which will ultimately benefit the kingdom. Underneath the good cheer he is constantly resentful of his father’s disapproval of his ways.
What makes this the right character for this role?
His well-concealed vulnerability recognised only by his mother and his childhood sweetheart.
Yogi Shantsheel
What draws us to this character?
His immense charm and power and his apparent concern for the Sacred City of Avanti which is deprived of its ruler Vikram. The spiritual guidance that influences Akaash to take the risk and go in search of his father. Flashes of suspicion/doubt about his intentions – is he pushing Akaash into these terrifying trials to test him and make him a worthy king or has he got an ulterior motive.
Traits:
Bathed in the light of holiness. He exudes power despite being humble. Dedication to saving the Sacred City of Avanti from tenemies eager to attack while the throne lies unoccupied.
Subtext:
He intends to lure Akaash into a trap to retrieve his father and brother, so that he can sacrifice them to the goddess Kali, fulfil his oath of revenge to his guru and achieve sovereignty over the world.
Flaw: Power-hungry. Ruthless. Controls demons and unclean spirits.
Values:
Self-interest. Determination to avenge his old master and take over the world.
Irony:
His massive ego and lust for power blinds him to his own weakness and he fails to see that Akaash has learned how to shatter his aims.
What makes this the right character for this role?
He’s magnetic, powerful and yet humble. He is terrifying at times and at others a perfect guiding force. He’s mysterious and unpredictable and it’s hard to work out who/what he really is.
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Shahrukh Shackle, Character Profiles Part 1
I learned how to be systematic about identifying various aspects of my main characters, Akaash and his antagonist Yogi Shantsheel.
Genre: High fantasy/quest
Protagonist: A skilled warrior-prince who seeks his ‘lost’ father to prove to him that he is a worthy heir to the throne of the Sacred City.
Antagonist: The powerful Yogi Shantsheel, who convinces the Akaash he can guide him on his quest to find the cosmic world where his father is trapped and bring him back to the Sacred City. In fact the Yogi intends to gain sovereignty over the universe by offering the King and Akaash as a human sacrifice to Kali.
Type of Protagonists
The queen , his mother, who approves of his quest and charges him to place the Sacred Kingdom’ above everything.
His childhood sweetheart, who gives him a ‘memory gem’ to comfort him when he faces hard times.
Vetal, an animated course who attaches itself to the prince against
Incidental helpers.
The protagonist meets a series of helpers and enemies who often appear to be what they are not.
His grandfather, a king who is transformed into a donkey by a Yogi whose goals he destroyed just as he was on the verge of achieving them.
A Witch-goddess who torments and tests him throughout her journey.
The Cobra-King of the deep-seas, who seems hostile but has the prince’s interests at heart because of his profound respect for his father.
Type of Anatagonists
Kali – the Yogi’s patron goddess who is waiting for the human sacrifice that will make the Yogi sovereign of the world.
A white lamb given to him by the Yogi, who is supposed to be his ‘look-out’ but proves to be demonic.
Various members of the underwater kingdom.
Demons, monsters, animated corpses and horned creatures who haunt the cremation grounds where the Yogi performs his meditations and penances.
The King of the South who has his eyes on the Sacred City and plans to invade with his mighty army while crown prince and king are absent.
AKAASH, the crown prince of a Sacred City of ancient India, who has not discovered the ancient values and obligations of kingship and their divine ancestry.
Male, 18, tall, handsome, a sportsman with great warrior skills but distant.
Internal journey: he needs to grow from a self-indulgent prince into ‘everyman’ who embraces the importance of nurturing his subjects and retaining the elevated status of the kingdom he will one day rule.
External journey: Akaash grows from an entitled, over-confident youth with physical prowess into an adult with humanity and humility fit to put his future subjects and the guardianship of the Sacred City above himself.
Motivation: to find his father, the king who disappeared 2 years earlier and confront him about his contempt for him and his reason for abandoning the kingdom
Wound: He is resentful because he doesn’t realise that his father’s is disappointed in him and chooses his younger brother as his companion on heroic ventures.
Mission/agenda: to find his father and be the ‘returning hero’ who restores his father to the kingdom and proves himself.
Secret: . He is unconsciously fearful that he will not be good enough unless his father affirms his accession.
What makes him special is his determination to travel through terrifying worlds and learn quickly that people and places are not what they appear to be.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by
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PS:
The assignment helped me to condense my characters’ journey and also to build up my character.
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An entitled and self-indulgent crown prince is deeply resentful that his father has disappeared before explaining why he has a low opinion of him.
But during his terrifying quest, he learns, painfully, to discover his failings and that things and people are not always what he expected and gains the admiration of his father and be crowned the king of the Sacred City.
Old ways
Arrogant
accomplished in warfare but unwilling to take the throne because he’s secretly scared.
<font face=”inherit”>his desire to confront his father fuels is partly a way to avoid the impending attack from an enemy king </font>
he expects things to come easily to him
over-confident of his physical skills
lacks judgement
knows it all
New ways
He learns things are not always as they seem
acquires patience
learns to assess situations and people and becomes less impatient
confronts his own weakness but gains confidence to make hard choices
Understands his father’s concerns despite the fact that he doesn’t recognise him
<font face=”inherit”>returns to his kingdom to fight off a </font>rival<font face=”inherit”> ruler</font>
engages in a bloody battle with demonic forces to save his kingdom and gains his father’s recognition and admiration.
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I agree to the terms of the confidentiality statement
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Hello Cheryl,
I’m a long-time Screenwriting U member. Over the years I’ve written 13 commissioned screenplays, including a rewrite for Buena Vista and one of Merchant Ivory Productions. The last got produced and got nominated for a BAFTA in the early 90s. I created a tv series, Beecham House which was broadcast by ITV (UK) and shown on Masterpiece (US) as well as being widely streamed world-wide. Sadly, the director chose to change things substantially as the filming progressed and a second season wasn’t commissioned because it was different from the original document I’d written. Such is life. I’ve created another show but they take such a long time to get going, so I decided to return to screenplays.
I wrote a horror script set in London, in September-October in 8 weeks on a screenwriting lab. It’s had some interest. For this project I intend to write a story set in ancient India – gods, princes and magical creatures not familiar to the western world. My main passion is mythology – I’ve written 23 books for kids and adults around that subject. I’m excited to be writing my first mythological quest movie which I hope will appeal to all ages.
Delighted to read about this course and eager to meet, greet and exchange views.
Shah
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Shahrukh Shackle.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by