[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's Supporting Characters
Vision for success: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.
1. What I learned from doing this assignment is sketching in the supporting characters gives me a starting point so they aren't flat, they've got purpose & value in the story.

2. Tell us your supporting and background characters.
• Supporting Characters: Jessalyn "Jess" James, Walter Fox, Ethan Crowe, Daytona's mother, Nugget (dog)
• Background Characters: Mercenaries, Mayor, townspeople, sheriff, police, park employees, SEALS
3. Focusing on those supporting characters, fill in the basic profile for each.
Support 1:
• Name: Jessalyn "Jess" James
• Role: Leader of mercenaries
• Main purpose: Seize the mine, find the gold
• Value: Hired to find the gold for Joe, but will betray him to reclaim the treasure her ancestors stole and hid.
Support 2:
• Name: Walter Fox
• Role: Daytona's estranged father, former mine foreman
• Main purpose: Help Daytona find his way home via forgiveness
• Value: Mends his relationship with Daytona and knows the mine intimately, giving him an edge against Joe and the mercenaries
Support 3:
• Name: Ethan Crowe
• Role: Lisa and Joe's son
• Main purpose: Help his mom and the town defend against Joe and the mercenaries
• Value: Helps Joe realize the gold he really wants is with family
Support 2:
• Name: Amaya – (Miwok for Night rain)
• Role: Daytona's mother
• Main purpose: Helps Daytona with forgiveness and to fully step into his gifts.
• Value: Helps Daytona re-engage with his heritage and embrace the warrior he is.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's Character Profiles Part 2
Vision for success: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.
1. What I learned from doing this assignment is I like digging into all these profiles, and then having AI create the profile sheet to make it nice and tidy summary.

GOLDSTRIKE
A. High Concept: Die Hard in a gold mine. An ex-Navy SEAL returns home for Christmas, but discovers that mercenary treasure hunters have invaded his peaceful town.

Daytona Fox (Protagonist)
Role in the Story: Protagonist; former Navy SEAL must overcome his guilt and PTSD to protect his town from mercenaries, ultimately reconciling with his past and his father.
Age range and Description: 40s. Former Navy SEAL, buffed. Half Native American, half white (Welsh).
Core Traits: Resourceful, perceptive, distrustful, brave.
Motivation; Want/Need:
Want: Stop the mercenaries and protect the town.
Need: Reconcile with his father, embrace his heritage/gifts, deal with his PTSD.
Wound: Abandonment, guilt from losing a Working Service Dog (WSD) on a mission.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Likability: Rehabs WSDs after their retirement to be rehomed to veterans.
Relatability: Combat scars, suffered loss of a WSD.
Empathy: Relatable everyman with vulnerabilities and sensitivities toward the planet and environment; suffers from PTSD.
Character Subtext: Withholding, deflection.
Character Intrigue: Hidden Agenda; sees and hears things differently and partners with nature, withholds from fully integrating his gifts to fit in.
Flaw: Disconnected/hiding from his native side, inability to trust.
Values: Valor, integrity, honor, Seven generations.
Character Dilemma: Center of attention versus staying quiet.
Joe Crowe (Antagonist)
Role in the Story: Antagonist; obsessed treasure hunter seeking revenge and redemption, ultimately challenged by his morality and connections with his son and former partner.
Age range and Description: 50s. Black Irish, charming, weathered—his treasure hunting has consumed him.
Core Traits: Resilient, determined, haunted.
Motivation; Want/Need:
Want: Find the treasure.
Need: Redeem himself.
Wound: Betrayal.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Likability: Black Irish charm, likable despite being untrustworthy.
Relatability: Addicted to the hunt for treasure.
Empathy: Left to die by his partner, can't trust anyone.
Character Subtext: Conniving, unethical.
Character Intrigue: Deception; secretly purchases the abandoned mine, booby traps areas to search for the treasure unimpeded, uses anyone to get what he needs—even his own son.
Flaw: Compulsive liar, hot-tempered, overconfidence.
Values: Determination, survival, personal gain.
Character Dilemma: Wealth versus being a good person.
Lisa Coi (Connecting Character)
Role in the Story: Connecting character; town librarian, historian, single mother. Protects the community's secrets and allies with Daytona against the mercenaries.
Age range and Description: 30s. Tanned Italian, sometimes ties back dark wavy hair, piercing green eyes. Practical day dress, stylish evening attire, loves Carnival of Venice and opera.
Core Traits: Methodical, inquisitive, intelligent.
Motivation; Want/Need:
Want: Protect the town.
Need: Protect the secret of the treasure.
Wound: Devastated by divorce and Joe leaving her.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Likability: Helpful librarian, always happy to share information and answer questions.
Relatability: Walking Google when it comes to town history.
Empathy: Single mom with dreams of a better life, multigenerational wine maker whose family estate was lost to the bank.
Character Subtext: Being polite.
Character Intrigue: Secrets; knows the stories of the town and the real secret of the treasure Joe is after, uses this knowledge to leverage resistant town folks into fighting the mercenaries.
Flaw: Lack of self-worth, passive-aggressive.
Values: Family, integrity, loyalty, accountability.
Character Dilemma: Be an activist versus “mommy’s good child.”
Walter Fox (Supporting Character)
Role in the Story: Supporting character; Daytona's estranged father, former mine foreman.
Age range and Description: 70s. Welsh, rugged and tough, embodies old-world mining culture.
Core Traits: Stubborn, experienced, proud.
Motivation; Want/Need:
Want: Preserve the town and its legacy.
Need: Reconnect with his son, Daytona.
Wound: Estrangement from his son, guilt over not supporting Daytona's choices.
Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
Likability: Deep sense of duty and tradition.
Relatability: Generational conflicts, regrets of past decisions.
Empathy: Regretful old man wanting to mend relationships.
Character Subtext: Hiding his own guilt and regret over their estranged relationship.
Character Intrigue: Knowledge of hidden parts of the mine and its true dangers.
Flaw: Inability to express emotions, pride.
Values: Tradition, family, hard work.
Character Dilemma: Pride in heritage versus the need for reconciliation.
These profiles can help you shape your characters to be multidimensional and engaging, fitting their roles in the story while adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

[Rebecca Smith]

HOMEWORK – CHARACTER PROFILES

Becky's Character Profiles Part 1
Vision for success: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.
What I learned from doing this assignment is this process that I got stuck because I made it too hard on myself – too detailed. It was also a bit difficult to translate the lesson into the exercise. Once I got past that, I was able to enjoy the lesson.

GOLDSTRIKE

A. High Concept: Die Hard in a gold mine. An ex-Navy SEAL returns home for Christmas, but discovers that mercenary treasure hunters have invaded his peaceful town.
B. This Character's Journey:
• Daytona Fox (Protagonist): Daytona, a former Navy SEAL, confronts his past trauma and cultural identity while leading the defense against mercenaries, ultimately reconciling with his father and saving his town.
• Joe Crowe (Antagonist): Obsessed with finding treasure for redemption and revenge, Joe's journey unfolds in a desperate pursuit that challenges his morality and leads to unexpected connections with his son and former partner.
• Lisa Coi (Connecting Character): Lisa, the town librarian, historian, and single mother, navigates her complicated past with Joe while protecting her community's secrets and forging new alliances with Daytona against the mercenaries.

C. The Actor Attractor for this Character:
a. Daytona – Protagonist
Clash of Cultures: Daytona is a complex character with a mix of Native American and white heritage, embodying the clash of cultures in his DNA. His commitment to both serving his country as a Navy SEAL and protecting the land as an indigenous warrior presents a deeply layered role that would attract an actor looking to portray a multifaceted hero. To Serve and Protect: This character takes the idea of "to serve and protect" to a unique level, bridging his dual identities as a warrior for his country and a guardian of the earth, making the role iconic. Relatability and Depth: Daytona is not just a typical action hero; he is a relatable everyman with vulnerabilities and sensitivities toward the planet and environment. His adherence to the Seven Generations principle and his complex, misidentified character make him one of the most interesting characters in the story.
b. Joe – Antagonist: An actor can shine as a complex villain driven by obsession and a need for redemption, offering a multifaceted portrayal of desperation and cunning. Joe’s obsession with the gold, his dark past, and his relationship with Lisa and Ethan add layers of intrigue and moral ambiguity. Introduce Joe in a high-stakes negotiation scene, showcasing his charisma, intelligence, and ruthless determination. Joe experiences obsession, regret, charm, manipulation, and a desperate need for redemption, providing a wide emotional palette. The actor can play Joe’s hidden motives and inner turmoil, particularly his conflicted feelings about Lisa and Ethan. His strained relationship with Lisa, his attempts to connect with Ethan, and his rivalry with Daytona provide rich narrative tension. Joe’s voice is persuasive and commanding, often masking his inner desperation and obsession. Joe’s duality as both a charming manipulator and a desperate man on the edge makes him a uniquely compelling antagonist.
c. Lisa (Connecting Character): An actor can be known for portraying a strong, intelligent woman who plays a pivotal role in uncovering the mine’s secrets and fighting to protect her community. Lisa’s blend of historical knowledge, personal stakes, and emotional resilience makes her a crucial and fascinating character. Researching and discovering the mine’s dark secrets, leading the townspeople in resistance, and navigating her complicated relationships with Joe and Daytona. Introduce Lisa giving a passionate speech about the town’s history, showcasing her deep connection to the community and her strength. Lisa’s emotional journey includes anger, determination, vulnerability, love, and betrayal, providing a rich emotional tapestry. The actor can play Lisa’s hidden pain and unresolved feelings towards Joe, as well as her growing feelings for Daytona. Her conflicted relationship with Joe, her protective and nurturing relationship with Ethan, and her budding romance with Daytona provide depth and complexity. Lisa’s voice is authoritative yet compassionate, reflecting her dual roles as a historian and a protector of her community. Lisa’s combination of intellectual strength, emotional depth, and personal stakes makes her a uniquely compelling character.
Brainstorm the first 6 parts of the profile for each of your lead characters.
1. Role in the Story:
a. Daytona Fox – Protagonist. Former Navy SEAL must overcome his guilt and PTSD to protect his town from mercenaries. In the end he becomes a courageous leader who has reconciled with his past and his father and saves the town.
b. Joe Crowe -Antagonist. An obsessed treasure hunter, his partner tried to kill him and left him for dead. Joe seeks the treasure for the power of revenge, but instead finds redemption and a new role as father to Ethan and co-parent with Lisa.
c. Lisa Coi -Triangle. Town librarian, historian, hobbyist wine-maker, she knows the gold mine and it's legends well, is an ally to Daytona and a foil to Joe. As Joe's ex, she can read him and anticipate his moves, which helps Daytona defeat him. Her role is to protect her son and her town.
2. Age range and Description:
a. Daytona: 40's. Former Navy Seal, buffed. Half Native American 1/2 white (Welsh).
b. Joe: 50's: Black Irish, charming, weathered – his treasure hunting has consumed him.
c. Lisa: 30's. Tanned Italian, sometimes wears her dark wavy hair tied back, piercing green eyes. Practical day dress, stylish evening attire, loves Carnival of Venice and opera.
3. Core Traits:
a. Daytona resourceful, perceptive, distrustful, brave
b. Joe: resilient, determined, haunted
c. Lisa: methodical, inquisitive, intelligent
4. Motivation; Want/Need:
a. Daytona:
i. Want: Stop the mercenaries and protect the town
ii. Need: Reconcile with his father, embrace his heritage/gifts, deal with his PTSD
b. Joe
i. Want: Find the treasure
ii. Need: Redeem himself
c. Lisa
i. Want: Protect the town
ii. Need: Protect the secret of the treasure
5. Wound:
a. Daytona: Abandonment, Guilt: he had a WSD that got killed on a mission
b. Joe: Betrayal
c. Lisa: Devastated by divorce and Joe leaving her

6. Likability, Relatability, Empathy:
a. Daytona
§ Likability: Daytona rehabs WSDs (Working Service Dogs) after their retirement to be ready to be rehomed to a veteran. He gives back to veterans (human and animal)
§ Relatability: Combat scars – he had a WSD that got killed on a mission.
§ Empathy: Daytona is a relatable everyman with vulnerabilities and sensitivities toward the planet and environment. Suffers from PTSD.
b. Joe
i. Likability: Joe has the black Irish charm – you can't help but like him even though you know you shouldn't.
ii. Relatability: Addicted to the hunt for treasure.
iii. Empathy: He was left to die by his partner. Can't trust anyone.
c. Lisa
i. Likability: Librarian helpful, always happy to share information & answer questions.
ii. Relatability: When it comes to the town history, she's a walking Google.
iii. Empathy: Single mom with dreams of a better life. Multigenerational wine maker who's family estate was lost to the bank.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's Likability/Relatability/Empathy
vision for my success : I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.
What I learned from doing this assignment is my character is morphing from a Flat Stanley into a very empathetic and relatable man – Pinocchio lives!
2. Brainstorm one or more ways you can present your Protagonist through each of these:
• Likability: Daytona rehabs WSDs (Working Service Dogs) after their retirement to be ready to be rehomed to a veteran with PTSD. He gives back to veterans (human and animal)
• Relatability: He had a WSD that got killed on a mission with Daytona.
• Empathy: Being of service like this helps him with his own PTSD.
3. Just to get the experience, give us one or more ways that your Antagonist could be presented through each of these:
• Likability: Joe has the black Irish charm – you can't help but like him even though you know you shouldn't.
• Relatability: He has a bit of a gambling addiction, but he is no Robinhood
• Empathy: His quest for gold/fortune is his own gold rush even though destiny seems to keep snatching success from him.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky’s Character Intrigue.

Vision for success: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.

What I learned from doing this assignment is this is really fun and expands my characters, makes them so much more interesting and complex.

1. Character Name: Daytona Fox
Role: Protagonist
Unspoken Wound: His mother abandoned him as a child and his father blamed Daytona, creating a rift between them.
Secret Identity: Being a mixed blood child, he lives between two worlds, not fully belonging to either. His mother was a tribal healer and had a relationship with all living beings – and ghosts. His father worked long hours as a miner and left Daytona to his own devices to fend for himself.
How Daytona’s subtext might show up in my movie:
Each challenge Daytona faces pulls him closer to his Miwok roots – he won’t survive if he doesn’t tune in to his ancestors and use the skills his mother taught him. He presents as a highly trained Navy SEAL, but his inner world enhances those skills through intuition, oneness with nature, tracking, reading energy, and other Native American gifts and traits.

2. Character Name: Joe Crowe
Role: Antagonist
Hidden agendas: Joe hides his true intentions and manipulative nature from those around him, especially his son, masking his deep-seated paranoia and fear.
Deception: Joe will lie, cheat and steal to get what he wants.
Unspoken Wound: His last partner betrayed and nearly killed him. Now he trusts no one.
How Joe’s subtext might show up in my movie. Joe has deep-seated paranoia and fear, leaving him with no one to trust resulting in an insatiable drive to find treasure to protect himself. He is a hungry ghost – nothing satisfies him, he always wants more, always on the hunt. Even when he wins he loses because he is never satisfied, so he keeps pushing until all is lost.

1. Character Name:
Role: Jessalyn “Jess” James
Hidden agendas: She has deep ties to the area in her lineage.
Competition: She’ll betray Joe to get the treasure.
Secrets: She knows that this is about more than just gold – and she wants some of it.
Deception: Jess continuously plots to manipulate both the mercenaries and the townspeople to gain access to the treasure.
Unspoken Wound: latch key kid with no supervision except tv.
Secret Identity:She comes from a long line of bandits who make their own rules and take what they want. Jess secretly navigates her dual allegiance to both her team and the town's legacy.
How Jess’s subtext might show up in my movie: Fiercely independent, she ignores the laws to get what she wants and will play people against each other for entertainment and to move her plans forward. She likes to quote movie lines when stressed to deflect any weakness. Wry sense of humor.
Here are the character subtexts based on the provided information:
Jessalyn "Jess" James
Subtext Identity: Dual role as a mercenary leader and a descendant of the town’s founders adds layers of intrigue and moral conflict. Subtext Trait: Concealing, treacherous Subtext Logline: Jess is the mercenary leader and a descendant of the town’s founders who knows its secrets and will stop at nothing to get the treasure.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
Hiding something: Jess hides her true heritage and intentions from both her mercenary team and the townspeople.
Afraid to say: She is afraid to reveal her true identity and personal connection to the town.
Secret: Jess secretly navigates her dual allegiance to both her team and the town's legacy.
Lying: She lies about her motives to both sides to achieve her goal.
Plotting: Jess continuously plots to manipulate both the mercenaries and the townspeople to gain access to the treasure.
Daytona Fox
Subtext Identity: Abandonment wound Subtext Trait: Guarded, suppresses his gifts Subtext Logline: Daytona is a former Navy SEAL with an abandonment wound who sees and hears things differently and partners with nature, withholding from fully integrating his gifts to fit in.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
Withholding: Daytona withholds his true abilities and past experiences to avoid being seen as different or vulnerable.
Deflection: He deflects questions about his past and his unique skills, focusing instead on the present dangers.
Afraid to say: Daytona is afraid to open up about his traumatic experiences and his connection with nature, fearing judgment or rejection.
Joe Crowe
Subtext Identity: The criminal Subtext Trait: Conniving, unethical Subtext Logline: Joe is an obsessed treasure hunter who will do anything to get what he wants, even using his own son.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
Plotting: Joe continuously plots ways to outsmart others and secure the treasure for himself.
Secret: He secretly purchases the abandoned mine and sets booby traps to deter others from interfering.
Hiding something: Joe hides his true intentions and manipulative nature from those around him, especially his son.
Using others: He uses people, including his son, to achieve his goals without revealing his true intentions.
These subtexts add layers to each character, making them more complex and intriguing.

4o

add a wound that will create intriguing subtext for Joe Crowe

ChatGPT
Here is an updated version of Joe Crowe's character with a wound that creates intriguing subtext:
Joe Crowe
Subtext Identity: The criminal Subtext Trait: Conniving, unethical Subtext Logline: Joe is an obsessed treasure hunter who will do anything to get what he wants, even using his own son, driven by a deep-seated fear of failure and a desire to prove himself.
Wound: Betrayed by a trusted partner in his past, Joe lost a significant treasure and was left for dead, fueling his obsession and paranoia.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
Plotting: Joe continuously plots ways to outsmart others and secure the treasure for himself, haunted by the fear of being outsmarted again.
Secret: He secretly purchases the abandoned mine and sets booby traps to deter others from interfering, driven by his fear of failure and betrayal.
Hiding something: Joe hides his true intentions and manipulative nature from those around him, especially his son, masking his deep-seated paranoia and fear.
Using others: He uses people, including his son, to achieve his goals without revealing his true intentions, motivated by a desperate need to prove his worth and avenge his past betrayal.
Fear of failure: Joe's actions are often driven by a subconscious fear of failing again and being seen as a failure, which he hides behind a façade of confidence and ruthlessness.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's Subtext Characters
Vision: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.
What I learned – I checked w ChatGpt on my character names and decided to tweak them a little to more reflect the story. Very helpful. I also really enjoyed dialing in the subtext and got some surprise twists to incorporate into the story.

Movie Title: GOLD STRIKE
Character with the most subtext
Character Name: Jessalyn "Jess" James
Subtext Identity: Dual role as a mercenary leader and a descendant of the town’s founders adds layers of intrigue and moral conflict.
Subtext Trait: concealing, treacherous
Subtext Logline: Jess is the mercenary leader and descendent of the town she knows its secrets, and will stop at nothing to get the treasure.
Possible Areas of Subtext: Plotting, secret, hiding something
3. For your two leads, brainstorm these answers:
Character Name: Daytona Fox
Subtext Identity: Abandonment wound
Subtext Trait: Guarded, suppresses his gifts
Subtext Logline: Daytona sees and hears things differently and partners with nature, withholds from fully integrating his gifts to fit in.
Possible Areas of Subtext: withholding, deflection
Character Name: Joe Crowe
Subtext Identity: the criminal
Subtext Trait: Conniving Unethical
Subtext Logline: Joe is an obsessed treasure hunter who will do anything to get what he wants.
Possible Areas of Subtext: He secretly purchases the abandoned mine, booby traps areas he wants off-limits so he can search for the treasure unimpeded, will use anyone to get what he needs – even his own son.

Then use this prompt to brainstorm the character subtext with AI.
Here are the character subtexts based on the provided information :

Jessalyn "Jess" James
Subtext Identity: Dual role as a mercenary leader and a descendant of the town’s founders adds layers of intrigue and moral conflict. Subtext Trait: Concealing, treacherous Subtext Logline: Jess is the mercenary leader and a descendant of the town’s founders who knows its secrets and will stop at nothing to get the treasure.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
Hiding something: Jess hides her true heritage and intentions from both her mercenary team and the townspeople.
Afraid to say: She is afraid to reveal her true identity and personal connection to the town.
Secret: Jess secretly navigates her dual allegiance to both her team and the town's legacy.
Lying: She lies about her motives to both sides to achieve her goal.
Plotting: Jess continuously plots to manipulate both the mercenaries and the townspeople to gain access to the treasure.

Daytona Fox
Subtext Identity: Abandonment wound Subtext Trait: Guarded, suppresses his gifts
Subtext Logline: Daytona is a former Navy SEAL with an abandonment wound who sees and hears things differently and partners with nature, withholding from fully integrating his gifts to fit in.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
Withholding: Daytona withholds his true abilities and past experiences to avoid being seen as different or vulnerable.
Deflection: He deflects questions about his past and his unique skills, focusing instead on the present dangers.
Afraid to say: Daytona is afraid to open up about his traumatic experiences and his connection with nature, fearing judgment or rejection.

Joe Crowe
Subtext Identity: The criminal
Subtext Trait: Conniving, unethical
Subtext Logline: Joe is an obsessed treasure hunter who will do anything to get what he wants, even using his own son, driven by a deep-seated fear of failure and a desire to prove himself.
Wound: Betrayed by a trusted partner in his past, Joe lost a significant treasure and was left for dead, fueling his obsession and paranoia.
Possible Areas of Subtext:
Plotting: Joe continuously plots ways to outsmart others and secure the treasure for himself, haunted by the fear of being outsmarted again.
Secret: He secretly purchases the abandoned mine and sets booby traps to deter others from interfering, driven by his fear of failure and betrayal.
Hiding something: Joe hides his true intentions and manipulative nature from those around him, especially his son, masking his deep-seated paranoia and fear.
Using others: He uses people, including his son, to achieve his goals without revealing his true intentions, motivated by a desperate need to prove his worth and avenge his past betrayal.
Fear of failure: Joe's actions are often driven by a subconscious fear of failing again and being seen as a failure, which he hides behind a façade of confidence and ruthlessness.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky’s Build in the Genre Conventions
Vision: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.

Title: GOLDSTRIKE
GENRE: Action Thriller with supernatural elements
What I learned doing this assignment is it’s great to use AI when I get stuck to help me keep moving forward and give me a starting point for crafting the story. Running my four act structure through AI for the Action Genre Convention did’t change it all that much. When I added Thriller Genre, that upped the game a bit. AI created an opening scene I preferred and cut out a lot of extra detail I did not need at this point.

Act 1: Setup
Purpose: Introduce the protagonist, the setting, and the central conflict, establishing the stakes and setting up the action.
Opening Image: Start with a stunning aerial shot of the scenic, touristy mountain community with the abandoned gold mine in the background. Establish the tranquility and beauty of the place.
Protagonist Introduction: Daytona Levesque returns home: Daytona, a former Navy SEAL suffering from PTSD, comes back to his hometown seeking peace and recovery during the Christmas season. He is tense, keeping his distance from his estranged father despite the warm reception from his loyal dog, Nugget.
Daytona's emotional journey: Daytona visits the local library, hoping to find Linda, but instead he admires the Miwok hand-woven baskets on display. He then visits his mother’s grave, which has a tombstone with a similar pattern, sitting in silence, reflecting on his past and loss.
Antagonist Introduction: Introduce Joe, the obsessed treasure hunter. Show his determination and obsession with finding gold. Maybe he's poring over old maps and documents in a makeshift office.
Introduction of the secondary characters and subplots:
Linda Esperanza: Linda, the town librarian and historian, encounters Joe Turner, her ex, at the Emerald Mine State Park. Joe's suggestive remarks about hunting treasure make Linda uneasy. She rejects his dinner invitation, reminding him of his responsibilities towards their son, Ethan, who is now a high school student.
Joe's ambition: Joe inspects The Secret Room in the park, revealing a detailed model of the mine with its extensive underground passages running deep beneath the town. His obsession with finding the legendary treasure is evident.
Inciting Incident:
Joe's plan revealed: Linda and Daytona discover Joe's purchase of the mineral rights to the mine. Alarmed, they notify the townspeople and initiate a petition against the reopening. Linda's son, Ethan, helps spread the word through social media.
Turning Point:
Town meeting scheduled: The city council schedules a meeting on Christmas Eve to address the issue. The entire town shows up to protest, forcing Joe to move to Plan B.
Act 2: Confrontation
New Plan:
Mercenaries arrive: Joe calls in his mercenaries to forcibly open the mine. The town is thrown into chaos as armed men begin to take control.
Research and realization: Daytona and Linda dig deeper into Joe's motives. They discover that Joe is not just after gold but a legendary treasure, increasing the stakes and the danger to the town.
Plan in Action:
Cursed treasure: As Daytona and Linda uncover more about the treasure, they learn it is cursed, adding a supernatural element to the threat.
Midpoint Turning Point:
Dangerous conditions: Joe has falsified documents declaring the mine safe. In reality, the mine's infrastructure is severely compromised, with rusted supports and flooded shafts posing serious risks. Confrontations between townspeople and mercenaries escalate.
Act 3: Crisis
Rethink Everything:
Mercenaries go rogue: Tensions rise as mercenaries take hostages. Joe, driven by greed, leads the charge, strategizing how to leverage the hostages.
Mine shaft collapse: A major mine shaft collapses, trapping Joe, the mercenaries, and the hostages. Daytona and Nugget begin a desperate search for an alternate entrance to rescue them.
New Plan:
Daytona’s training and intuition: Guided by his SEAL training and land spirits, Daytona navigates the booby-trapped tunnels. The remaining mercenaries hunt Daytona and the rescue team, intensifying the conflict.
Turning Point:
Race against time: Daytona uses his skills and spiritual guidance to avoid traps and find the hostages. The danger from both the collapsing mine and the mercenaries peaks, creating a tense, high-stakes environment.
Act 4: Climax and Resolution
Climax:
Cat and mouse: Daytona confronts Joe in a final showdown, overcoming his PTSD to save the hostages. The ghosts of miners aid Daytona, while Nugget assists by detecting traps and leading the way.
Battle for the treasure: Both sides fight fiercely over the treasure. As Joe reaches for it, Nugget intervenes, and Daytona and the townspeople work together to push the chest into the flooded shaft, rendering it unretrievable.
Resolution:
Escape and justice: Daytona and the survivors find an exit with Nugget's help. The police arrest Joe and his mercenaries. The town council officially denies the mine's reopening, and Daytona reconciles with his father and embraces his heritage.
New beginning: Daytona, now more open and trusting, balances his dual identities and leads his community, using his unique skills to protect and guide them.

This detailed breakdown incorporates the conventions of the Action Thriller genre, ensuring a fast-paced, adrenaline-filled narrative with escalating action, a capable and skilled hero, clearly malicious antagonists, and high stakes throughout the story.
Incorporating Thriller Conventions
Purpose: To thrill your audience with high stakes, plot twists, and suspense that never lets up until the adrenaline-packed climax.
Life and Death Situations:
Constant danger: Throughout the story, Daytona, Linda, and the townspeople face continuous threats from the mercenaries, the unstable mine, and the curse of the treasure. Each step presents physical, emotional, or mental danger, maintaining high tension.
Plot Twists:
Joe's real target: The revelation that Joe is after a legendary, cursed treasure, not just gold, introduces a significant twist, heightening suspense and stakes.
Cursed treasure: The curse on the treasure adds an unpredictable supernatural element, complicating the characters' actions and increasing the danger.
Mine collapse: The collapse of the mine and the entrapment of key characters create a major twist, pushing Daytona to use all his skills and intuition to navigate the perilous situation.
Escalating Tension:
Mercenaries’ increasing aggression: As the mercenaries become more desperate and rogue, their actions escalate, leading to more violent confrontations.
Hostage situation: The taking of hostages by the mercenaries intensifies the urgency and danger, forcing Daytona and the townspeople to take decisive action.
Final showdown: The climactic battle in the mine tunnels, with supernatural elements and life-threatening obstacles, ensures a thrilling and adrenaline-packed conclusion.
This structure ensures a compelling narrative that aligns with both Action and Thriller conventions, keeping the audience engaged with continuous suspense, high stakes, and escalating action.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's 4 Act Transformational Structure
Vision – I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.

GOLDSTRIKE

• Concept – Die Hard – in a gold mine. When Joe, the treasure hunter covertly buys an abandoned gold mine under a touristy mountain community, residents resist its reopening. Mercenaries storm the town to open the mine and get the gold.
• Main Conflict – A treasure hunter wants the legendary chest of gold hidden inside the abandoned mine but opening it will unleash a devastating curse. Daytona and the townspeople have to stop him.
• Old Ways -Daytona is used to working on a small SEAL team, with earned trust among teammates.
• New Ways – Daytona must work with the town, trust his gifts, and accept help from strangers to defeat the mercenaries and prevent Joe from finding the treasure and unleashing evil forces.
3. Fill in each of these with the answers you have right now.
Act 1:
• Opening – Daytona Levesque returns home hoping for a quiet Christmas where he can get some rest and rehab. He’s jumpy and wary due to PTSD, and ignores his estranged father even though his dog wags his tail at him. He goes to the library to see if Linda is there. No. So he looks at the Miwok hand-woven baskets on display, then heads to a small cemetery to visit his mother’s grave which has a similar pattern to the basket on the tombstone. He sits down with her, back to headstone in silence.
• Linda Esperanza, town librarian and historian, takes some books up to the Emerald Mine StatePark and runs into Joe Turner her ex, and asks him what treasure he’s hunting now. His catbird smile makes her uneasy. Joe asks her out to dinner but she refuses, been there done that, and besides, she has to get back to pick up the son he left behind. He’s in high school now. And no, you are not coming over. She leaves and Joe walks into The Secret Room – where a miniature model of the mine tunnels and shafts are on display under glass. The model details the 567 miles of underground passage and an incline depth of 11,007’ …directly underneath the town.
• Linda and Daytona discover that Joe bought the mineral rights to the mine and wants to re-open it. They notify the townspeople and Linda drives the petition to protest. Linda’s son Ethan, a wiz with computers and social media helps get out the word.
• Inciting Incident – The city council schedules a town meeting on Christmas Eve.
• Turning Point – Entire town shows up Christmas eve to protest. Joe moves to plan B.
Act 2:
• New plan – Joe calls his mercenaries into town to open the mine by force.
• Plan in action – Joe needs to get deep into the mine to retrieve a treasure hidden for a century. Daytona and Linda research areas Joe hears his ancestors tell him Joe is targeting something else – Daytona realizes he’s not going after gold, he is going after the legendary treasure – which puts the town in even greater danger.
• Midpoint Turning Point – The hidden treasure is cursed.
Act 3:
• Rethink everything – Joe forged the paperwork saying the mine was safe. It is not. Rusted and decaying supports are dangerous. And they have to pump out water, as the treasure is hidden in a shaft that is below sea level and currently flooded. Townspeople picket the mine. Mercenaries get testy. Confrontations blow up. Townspeople afraid that pumping water out of the shaft will collapse the mine and their homes. Daytona’s intuition spikes and he gets strong warning messages and some guidance.
• New plan – Mercenaries go rogue, take hostages. Joe, unable to resist, is in the thick of it, leading the charge, strategizing on how to best use the hostages to his advantage.
• Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift – a mine shaft collapse, trapping Joe, the mercenaries and the hostages. Dakota and Nugget search for an alternate entrance to the collapsed shaft. Dakota uses his SEAL training and is guided by the land spirits – they warn him of trip wires and booby traps Joe and the mercenaries set up. Time is of the essence to save them. The remaining mercenaries hunt Daytona and the search and rescuers.
Act 4:
• Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict – Cat and mouse with Joe and Daytona. Daytona must face his fears and PTSD to overcome the mercenaries and save the hostages. He also must reconcile with his father, an old mine foreman, to pinpoint the location of the hostages and the treasure before Joe gets it and unleashes evil. The ghosts of miners who died there (now guardians of the treasure) reach out to Daytona to help him and hinder the mercenaries. Nugget sniffs out trip wires and TNT, tracks the Mercenaries. Battle ensues. The treasure is discovered. Both groups fight to claim it. The treasure chest is unloaded from it’s hiding place, the lid almost comes off and an effervescent ghoulish slim bubbles under the rim. The fighting reaches a fever pitch. Joe reaches for the treasure. Nugget tackles him. Daytona and a few burly townspeople push the chest into the water and they all watch it sink into the depths toward the 11,000’ bottom. It is unretrievable. Joe surges toward Daytona and pushes him towards the water. Nugget grabs the tail of Daytona’s shirt and pulls him back so he doesn’t fall in. Daytona grabs Joe just before he tumbles in and pulls him to safety too.
• Resolution – Daytona follows the nature spirits’ guidance and with the help of Nugget, finds an exit. Everyone escapes to the surface, where the police take Joe and his band of mercenaries under arrest. Linda asks the town counsel to officially deny the reopening. They agree. Daytona is grateful for the camaraderie, help & now is more open and trusting, he has embraced his heritage and uses his unique skills and insights to lead and protect his community while balancing his dual identities.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky’sActor attractors!
Vision: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.

What I learned – AI is a good starting point, but I went a lot deeper with my Protag on the first pass and was glad I did that first before running it through AI. AI returned more generic answers than I wanted for my protagonist. I feel just plugging it in to AI and going with it is a mistake, we need to color it with our own view of the story to really make it pop. But it is good for a quick sketch of possibility and as a start of brainstorming.

ACTOR ATTRACTOR TEMPLATE
Lead Character Name: Daytona Levesque
Role: Protagonist
What about this role would cause an actor to want to be known for it? Daytona is mixed race – Native American (Miwok) and white – he has a clash of cultures in his DNA. Takes “To serve & and protect” to a different level. He serves his country as a Navy SEAL. He protects the land as a Miwok. He is a man of two worlds.

What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in your story? Relatability and depth. Not just a typical action hero; he is a relatable everyman with vulnerabilities and sensitivities toward the planet and environment. Seven Generations principle is integrated in him. Wounded, complex, misidentified character. Hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Hard to get to know him but once he trusts, he lets you in to his world and is loyal and protective. His rift with his father is due to Daytona judging him for being a mining foreman and tearing up the earth and for abandoning his unmarried mother.
What are the most interesting actions the Lead could take in the script? As a child, his mother told him stories of the mine and the curse that was put upon it. He understands the mine and the hidden curse. He is hyper sensitive to the messages he gets from the mine and the spirits and uses that etheric information to aid in his battle to save it. He is a seer and can access otherworldly realms. He can walk between worlds in meditation.
How can you introduce this role in a way that could sell it to an actor? This is a complex role that has a lot of subtext and explores the bond of man with nature and what happens when man does not listen. The role is an understated bad ass SEAL licking his wounds, healing and coming back to save the day in a new way based on his character growth.
What could be this character’s emotional range? Daytona exhibits a wide emotional range throughout GOLDSTRIKE. He goes from expecting a quiet Christmas at home to ease his PTSD to feeling intense fear and anxiety during the mercenary takeover. He shows frustration and anger as he battles the mercenaries, coupled with moments of vulnerability and despair, particularly when he fears for his own life and the lives of the townspeople trapped in the mine. His connection to nature and partnership with his dog Nugget inspire, while his ultimate resolve and determination underscore his heroic qualities.

What subtext can the actor play? He presents as a low-key Navy Seal, his subtext is his intense emotional connection to his Miwok roots and nature. He hears and sees things differently and partners with nature.The conflict between his sense of duty and the personal risk to his life.The conflict between reconciling with his father and saving the town.
What’s the most interesting relationships this character can have? He connects with nature and the spirits in the mine tunnels – the ghosts of miners who died there and the malevolent spirits of the curse. Coming to acceptance of his father. The bond between him and Nugget.
How will this character’s unique voice be presented? Daytona is a crafty coyote with a zen approach to life. This blend of zen, toughness, and vulnerability gives him a distinctive voice that stands out among action heroes.
What could make this character special and unique? His Native American heritage gives him a unique perspective. His ability to communicate with nature and the spirits in the mine give him an edge over the mercenaries as far as having a strong ally in the battle.

From CHAT GPT

Actor Attractors for GOLDSTRIKE
Genre:
Action/Thriller
Concept:
"Die Hard in a gold mine. When a treasure hunter covertly buys an abandoned gold mine under a touristy mountain community, residents resist its reopening. Mercenaries storm the town to open the mine and get the gold."
Characters:
Protagonist: Daytona Levesque
Antagonist: Joe Turner
Connecting Character: Lisa
Other Key Characters: Jessica James (leader of the mercenaries), Ethan (Lisa and Joe’s son)

Daytona Levesque (Protagonist)
1. Known for Role:
This role would allow an actor to showcase a powerful transformation from a broken ex-Navy SEAL to a heroic leader, adding depth and gravitas to their filmography.
2. Most Interesting Character:
Daytona is the linchpin of the story, facing internal and external battles. His journey of reconciliation, leadership, and combat makes him a deeply layered and relatable hero.
3. Interesting Actions:
Engaging in intense combat scenes, setting strategic traps for the mercenaries, and leading the townspeople in a desperate defense. His emotional confrontations with his father and the townspeople add depth to his character.
4. Introduction:
Introduce Daytona’s refusal to see his father, showcasing his emotional baggage and setting the stage for his transformation. He prefers his dog to his father. And his dog does not like his father either.
5. Emotional Range:
Daytona navigates guilt, anger, fear, hope, and love, showing a wide range of emotions from vulnerability to steely determination.
6. Subtext:
The actor can play the subtext of Daytona’s fear of failure and his yearning for redemption, which adds complexity to his every action and decision.
7. Interesting Relationships:
His tumultuous relationship with his father, his growing bond with Lisa, and his mentorship to Ethan provide rich relational dynamics.
8. Unique Voice:
Daytona’s voice is a mix of military precision and emotional introspection, often contrasting his external toughness with internal vulnerability.
9. Special:
Daytona’s background as a Navy SEAL, combined with his emotional journey of redemption and leadership, makes him a uniquely compelling character.

Joe Turner (Antagonist)
1. Known for Role:
An actor can shine as a complex villain driven by obsession and a need for redemption, offering a multifaceted portrayal of desperation and cunning.
2. Most Interesting Character:
Joe’s obsession with the gold, his dark past, and his relationship with Lisa and Ethan add layers of intrigue and moral ambiguity.
3. Interesting Actions:
Orchestrating the mercenary invasion, manipulating town officials, and engaging in intense confrontations with Daytona and Lisa.
4. Introduction:
Introduce Joe in a high-stakes negotiation scene, showcasing his charisma, intelligence, and ruthless determination.
5. Emotional Range:
Joe experiences obsession, regret, charm, manipulation, and a desperate need for redemption, providing a wide emotional palette.
6. Subtext:
The actor can play Joe’s hidden motives and inner turmoil, particularly his conflicted feelings about Lisa and Ethan.
7. Interesting Relationships:
His strained relationship with Lisa, his attempts to connect with Ethan, and his rivalry with Daytona provide rich narrative tension.
8. Unique Voice:
Joe’s voice is persuasive and commanding, often masking his inner desperation and obsession.
9. Special:
Joe’s duality as both a charming manipulator and a desperate man on the edge makes him a uniquely compelling antagonist.

Lisa (Connecting Character)
1. Known for Role:
An actor can be known for portraying a strong, intelligent woman who plays a pivotal role in uncovering the mine’s secrets and fighting to protect her community.
2. Most Interesting Character:
Lisa’s blend of historical knowledge, personal stakes, and emotional resilience makes her a crucial and fascinating character.
3. Interesting Actions:
Researching and discovering the mine’s dark secrets, leading the townspeople in resistance, and navigating her complicated relationships with Joe and Daytona.
4. Introduction:
Introduce Lisa giving a passionate speech about the town’s history, showcasing her deep connection to the community and her strength.
5. Emotional Range:
Lisa’s emotional journey includes anger, determination, vulnerability, love, and betrayal, providing a rich emotional tapestry.
6. Subtext:
The actor can play Lisa’s hidden pain and unresolved feelings towards Joe, as well as her growing feelings for Daytona.
7. Interesting Relationships:
Her conflicted relationship with Joe, her protective and nurturing relationship with Ethan, and her budding romance with Daytona provide depth and complexity.
8. Unique Voice:
Lisa’s voice is authoritative yet compassionate, reflecting her dual roles as a historian and a protector of her community.
9. Special:
Lisa’s combination of intellectual strength, emotional depth, and personal stakes makes her a uniquely compelling character.

Jessica James (Leader of the Mercenaries)
1. Known for Role:
An actor can be known for playing a fierce and complex antagonist with a hidden personal motive tied to the town’s history.
2. Most Interesting Character:
Jessica’s dual role as a mercenary leader and a descendant of the town’s founders adds layers of intrigue and moral conflict.
3. Interesting Actions:
Leading tactical assaults, revealing her hidden heritage, and facing off against Daytona in intense combat and psychological battles.
4. Introduction:
Introduce Jessica in a commanding scene where she outlines her tactical plans, showcasing her authority and intelligence.
5. Emotional Range:
Jessica experiences determination, conflict, ambition, and hidden vulnerability, offering a rich range for an actor to explore.
6. Subtext:
The actor can play Jessica’s internal conflict between her mercenary duties and her personal ties to the town’s history.
7. Interesting Relationships:
Her interactions with Joe as both an employer and a rival, her confrontations with Daytona, and her hidden connection to the town’s legacy.
8. Unique Voice:
Jessica’s voice is commanding and strategic, often masking her deeper personal conflicts and historical ties.
9. Special:
Jessica’s blend of tactical brilliance and hidden emotional depth makes her a uniquely compelling character.

Ethan (Lisa and Joe’s Son)
1. Known for Role:
An actor can be known for portraying a brilliant but troubled teenager who plays a crucial role in the town’s defense and reconciliation with his father.
2. Most Interesting Character:
Ethan’s combination of video game expertise, strategic mind, and emotional struggle with his father’s abandonment makes him fascinating.
3. Interesting Actions:
Using his gaming skills to devise strategic defenses, confronting his father, and forming a bond with Daytona.
4. Introduction:
Introduce Ethan in a scene where he excels in a gaming tournament, showcasing his intelligence and strategic thinking.
5. Emotional Range:
Ethan experiences resentment, brilliance, bravery, and eventual reconciliation, providing a wide emotional spectrum.
6. Subtext:
The actor can play Ethan’s hidden pain from his father’s abandonment and his desire for acceptance and recognition.
7. Interesting Relationships:
His strained relationship with Joe, his protective relationship with Lisa, and his mentorship with Daytona.
8. Unique Voice:
Ethan’s voice is sharp and insightful, reflecting his intelligence and emotional depth.
9. Special:
Ethan’s unique combination of modern tech-savvy skills and deep emotional layers makes him a compelling and special character.

These actor attractors are designed to highlight the unique and compelling aspects of each character in "BENEATH THE GOLD," making them appealing and desirable roles for potential actors.
This is what AI came up with after I added my actor attractors for the protagonist.
Protagonist Profile: Daytona Levesque
Character:
Daytona Levesque
Role:
Protagonist
Actor Attractors:
1. Known for Role:
Clash of Cultures: Daytona is a complex character with a mix of Native American (Miwok) and white heritage, embodying the clash of cultures in his DNA. His commitment to both serving his country as a Navy SEAL and protecting the land as a Miwok warrior presents a deeply layered role that would attract an actor looking to portray a multifaceted hero.
To Serve and Protect: This character takes the idea of "to serve and protect" to a unique level, bridging his dual identities as a warrior for his country and a guardian of the earth, making the role iconic.
2. Most Interesting Character:
Relatability and Depth: Daytona is not just a typical action hero; he is a relatable everyman with vulnerabilities and sensitivities toward the planet and environment. His adherence to the Seven Generations principle and his complex, misidentified character make him one of the most interesting characters in the story.
Wounded and Complex: Hard on the outside but soft on the inside, Daytona's journey of trust, loyalty, and protection, along with his deep-seated rift with his father over environmental values, adds layers to his character.
3. Interesting Actions:
Spiritual and Tactical: Daytona uses his unique sensitivity to the messages from the mine and the spirits, combined with his SEAL training, to navigate and combat the mercenary threat. His ability to access otherworldly realms in meditation and his strategic use of this knowledge in battle are compelling actions that showcase his dual nature.
4. Introduction:
Complex Role: Introduce Daytona in a moment of quiet reflection, perhaps meditating in nature or visiting his mother's grave, highlighting his connection to the earth and the spirits. This sets the stage for his transformation into a leader who uses his unique skills and heritage to save the day.
5. Emotional Range:
Wide Emotional Range: Daytona exhibits a wide range of emotions, from the quiet introspection and healing from PTSD, to intense fear and anxiety during the mercenary takeover, frustration and anger in battle, and moments of vulnerability and despair. His ultimate resolve and determination underscore his heroic qualities.
6. Subtext:
Intense Emotional Connection: Daytona's subtext includes his deep emotional connection to his Miwok roots and nature. The actor can play the conflict between his sense of duty and the personal risk to his life, as well as the inner turmoil of reconciling with his father while saving the town.
7. Interesting Relationships:
Spiritual Connections: Daytona’s interactions with the spirits of the mine and his acceptance of his father add depth to his character. His bond with his dog Nugget provides a touching, loyal companionship that enhances his humanity.
8. Unique Voice:
Crafty Coyote: Daytona’s voice blends a zen approach to life with toughness and vulnerability. His crafty, thoughtful dialogue contrasts with the typical action hero, making his voice distinctive and memorable.
9. Special:
Heritage and Abilities: Daytona’s Native American heritage and his ability to communicate with nature and the spirits in the mine set him apart from other action heroes. His unique perspective and mystical edge provide a fresh take on the protagonist archetype.
Transformational Journey:
1. Character Arc:
Arc Begins:
Initial State: Daytona starts as a guilt-ridden, emotionally distant ex-Navy SEAL, struggling with PTSD and his estranged relationship with his father. He feels disconnected from his hometown and his heritage, judging his father for being a mining foreman and for abandoning his unmarried mother.
Arc Ends:
Final State: By the end, Daytona has transformed into a confident, courageous leader who has reconciled with his past and his father. He embraces his heritage, using his unique abilities to protect the town and earn the community’s respect. He finds a new sense of purpose and balance between his dual identities.
2. Internal/External Journey:
Internal Journey:
Mind and Emotions: Daytona’s internal journey involves overcoming his guilt and anger, finding forgiveness for his father, and embracing his dual heritage. He learns to trust others and himself, accepting his role as a protector of both his community and the earth.
External Journey:
Action and Experience: Externally, Daytona faces the mercenary threat, using his SEAL training and spiritual insights to lead the townspeople in defending their home. His actions, from tactical combat to strategic use of the mine’s hidden secrets, showcase his growth and leadership.
3. Old Ways vs. New Ways:
Old Ways:
Initial Behaviors: At the beginning, Daytona is emotionally distant, distrustful, and focused on his personal pain and guilt. He is judgmental of his father and disconnected from his heritage, seeing his SEAL training as his primary identity.
New Ways:
Transformed Behaviors: By the end, Daytona is emotionally open, trusting, and focused on protecting others. He reconciles with his father, embraces his heritage, and uses his unique skills and insights to lead and protect his community, balancing his dual identities.
By incorporating these elements into Daytona Levesque's character profile, you can create a compelling and multi-dimensional protagonist that attracts actors and resonates deeply with audiences.

[Rebecca Smith]

HOMEWORK

Becky’s Actor attractors for Die Hard
Vision: I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.

What I learned from this – I’ve seen this movie many times. When I used AI to help me analyze this, I was amazed at the answers. It helped clarify and solidify what it takes create a truly interesting character that is “actor bait” and will assist in my strategy to attract an actor.

1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
An actor would want to be known for the role of John McClane in "Die Hard" because it offers a blend of action, drama, and depth. The character is not just a typical action hero; he is a relatable everyman with vulnerabilities and wit. This role propelled Bruce Willis to stardom, demonstrating his versatility and establishing him as a leading action star. The character's complexity, combined with iconic lines and memorable moments, provides a rich performance opportunity and lasting recognition.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
John McClane is one of the most interesting characters in "Die Hard" because of his relatability and depth. Unlike many action heroes of the time, McClane is an ordinary cop caught in extraordinary circumstances. His quick thinking, resourcefulness, and resilience make him compelling. Additionally, his personal struggles, such as his strained marriage and being an outsider in a different city, add layers to his character, making him more than just a one-dimensional action figure.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Some of the most interesting actions John McClane takes include:
Sneaking through the air ducts to evade and outmaneuver the terrorists.
Using a fire hose to swing off the roof of the building when it's about to explode.
The memorable scene where he walks barefoot on broken glass to escape the terrorists.
His improvised use of office supplies and tools to create weapons and distractions.
His constant communication with the outside world, particularly his interaction with Sgt. Al Powell, which showcases his leadership and strategic thinking.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
John McClane is introduced in a way that immediately establishes his everyman appeal. He arrives in Los Angeles, visibly uncomfortable on the plane, showcasing his vulnerability and relatable nature. His attempt to reconnect with his estranged wife at her office Christmas party provides an emotional foundation. This introduction grounds the character in reality and personal stakes, making the role appealing for an actor looking to portray a nuanced, multifaceted character.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
John McClane exhibits a wide emotional range throughout "Die Hard." He goes from being hopeful and determined to reconnect with his wife to feeling intense fear and anxiety during the terrorist takeover. He shows frustration and anger as he battles the terrorists, coupled with moments of vulnerability and despair, particularly when he fears for his own life and the lives of the hostages. His humor and sarcasm add a lighter touch, while his ultimate resolve and determination underscore his heroic qualities.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
An actor can play several layers of subtext with John McClane:
The tension and regret over his failing marriage and the emotional distance from his wife.
The internal struggle of a man trying to prove himself, both as a husband and a cop.
The vulnerability of feeling out of place in an unfamiliar environment (New York cop in Los Angeles).
The conflict between his sense of duty and the personal risk to his life.
His reliance on humor and sarcasm as a coping mechanism to mask fear and stress.
7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has?
The most interesting relationship John McClane has is with Sgt. Al Powell. Their bond, formed over the radio, showcases McClane's leadership and humanity. Despite never meeting in person until the end, their conversations provide emotional support and critical information exchange. This relationship highlights McClane's ability to inspire trust and camaraderie, and Powell's belief in McClane underscores his credibility and heroism.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
John McClane's unique voice is presented through his witty and often sarcastic dialogue. His New York attitude and blue-collar sensibility come through in his language and interactions. He frequently uses humor to defuse tense situations, and his one-liners, such as the iconic "Yippee-ki-yay, motherf***er," have become synonymous with his character. This blend of humor, toughness, and vulnerability gives him a distinctive voice that stands out among action heroes.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
John McClane is special and unique because he combines the qualities of an everyman with those of a heroic figure. He is not a superhuman or a trained assassin, but rather a regular cop who relies on his wits, determination, and resourcefulness. His flaws, such as his strained marriage and occasional self-doubt, make him relatable, while his courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds make him admirable. His blend of humor, vulnerability, and toughness sets him apart from traditional action heroes, making him a memorable and enduring character.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Rebecca Smith.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's Subtext Plot
I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.

What I learned – I have always been challenged by creating subtext. This really helped. By using AI to prompt several different subplot possibilities, I was able to see the options and choose which I felt were best for my story and what I wanted to develop.

Subtext Plots for GOLDSTRIKE
Genre:Action/Thriller
Concept: Die Hard in a gold mine. When a treasure hunter covertly buys an abandoned gold mine under a touristy mountain community, residents resist its reopening. Mercenaries storm the town to open the mine and get the gold.
Major Story Hook: Will Daytona sacrifice his chance to reconnect with his estranged father to save the town, or will he choose family over duty, risking the release of an ancient evil?
Lead Characters:
Protagonist: Daytona Levesque
Antagonist: Joe Turner
Connecting Character: Linda
Transformational Journey:
Daytona starts as an emotionally distant ex-Navy SEAL haunted by his past, seeking peace in his hometown. He ends as a confident and connected leader who has reconciled with his father and found a new purpose in protecting his community.

1. Scheme and Investigation
Subtext Plot:
Joe Turner is scheming to uncover the legendary hidden chest of gold by manipulating town officials and planting false evidence.
Linda, the town historian, begins an investigation into the sudden interest in reopening the mine, uncovering clues about Joe's true intentions and his connections to the mercenaries.
Events: Joe plants forged documents suggesting the mine is safe; Linda discovers discrepancies and enlists Daytona to help her; together, they uncover Joe's manipulations and his plan to unleash the ancient evil.
Hidden Motives: Joe’s obsession with the treasure is driven by a need to redeem his family name; Linda’s investigation reveals her personal connection to the town's founding and the curse tied to the gold.
2. Layering
Subtext Plot:
Beneath the surface story of mercenaries and treasure, there's a deeper layer involving Harold James's pact with the original miners to seal away a malevolent force.
Events: As Daytona fights to defend the town, he uncovers old diaries and maps that hint at a dark history; Linda deciphers the clues, revealing the true reason the mine was sealed.
Deeper Meaning: The fight isn't just about gold; it's about preventing an ancient evil from being released. Daytona's journey mirrors the historical struggle, showing that true treasure is the safety and unity of the community.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's Transformational Journey

I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.
What I learned – AI is a super helpful assistant to creativity! It takes the structure and makes it easy, rather than me laboring over the framework. It allows me to focus more on the story and is a great brainstorming partner..
Title: Goldstrike
Genre: Action/Thriller
Concept: Die Hard in a gold mine. When a treasure hunter covertly buys an abandoned gold mine under a touristy mountain community, residents resist its reopening. Mercenaries storm the town to open the mine and get the gold.
Protagonist: Daytona Levesque
1. Character Arc
Arc Begins:
• Who They Are at the Beginning: Daytona is a former Navy SEAL who has returned to his hometown for Christmas. He is emotionally distant, haunted by his past experiences in combat, and estranged from his father, who was once the mine's foreman. Daytona feels a deep sense of guilt and failure for not maintaining relationships and for not being able to protect those he cared about in the past.
Arc Ends:
• Who They Are at the End: By the end of the story, Daytona has transformed into a confident and connected leader. He has reconciled with his father, overcoming his emotional barriers. Daytona accepts his past, uses it as a source of strength, and finds a new purpose in protecting and leading his community.
Improvement Suggestions for Character Arc:
• Foreshadow Change Early: Introduce subtle hints of Daytona's potential for leadership and connection in early interactions.
• Pivotal Moments: Create key moments where Daytona's decisions lead to small but significant changes, building up to his final transformation.
• Reflective Dialogue: Use dialogue with other characters, such as his father and Linda, to reflect on his internal changes and highlight his growing emotional resilience.

2. Internal/External Journey
Internal Journey:
• Beginning: Daytona is emotionally closed off, plagued by guilt and haunted by his combat experiences. He avoids deep connections, fearing failure and loss.
• Middle: Daytona begins to confront his past, especially his relationship with his father. Through the conflict with the mercenaries, he learns to trust and rely on others, opening up emotionally.
• End: Daytona has reconciled with his father and embraced his role as a protector. He finds peace with his past and recognizes the strength in vulnerability and connection.
External Journey:
• Beginning: Daytona arrives in his hometown, intending to spend a quiet Christmas. The town is soon threatened by mercenaries seeking to reopen the mine.
• Middle: Daytona leads the townspeople in defending their home. He uses his military skills to strategize and combat the mercenaries, facing numerous physical challenges.
• End: Daytona successfully leads the townspeople to overcome the mercenaries, uncover the mine’s secrets, and prevent the release of the ancient evil. He reestablishes his place in the community and finds a new purpose.
Improvement Suggestions for Internal/External Journey:
• Parallel Development: Ensure that internal growth is mirrored by external achievements, with each external challenge pushing Daytona to grow internally.
• Symbolic Actions: Use Daytona’s physical actions to symbolize his internal journey, such as dismantling traps (breaking down emotional barriers) or saving townspeople (rebuilding connections).
• Consistent Obstacles: Introduce consistent internal and external obstacles that force Daytona to adapt and grow simultaneously.

3. Old Ways vs. New Ways
Old Ways:
• Behaviors: Avoids emotional connections, reluctant to engage with the community, relies solely on his own skills, and avoids confronting his past.
• Emotions: Feels guilt, isolation, and a fear of failure and loss.
• Thinking Patterns: Believes that relying on others is a weakness, thinks he must shoulder burdens alone, and doubts his ability to protect and lead.
New Ways:
• Behaviors: Engages actively with the community, collaborates and trusts others, reconciles with his father, and takes on a leadership role.
• Emotions: Feels connected, confident, and at peace with his past, embracing vulnerability as a strength.
• Thinking Patterns: Understands the power of teamwork and community, recognizes that sharing burdens makes him stronger, and believes in his capacity to lead and protect effectively.
Improvement Suggestions for Old Ways/New Ways:
• Clear Contrasts: Make the contrast between old and new ways stark and impactful, showing clear behavioral, emotional, and cognitive shifts.
• Gradual Transition: Show a realistic and gradual transition from old to new ways, with setbacks and moments of doubt to make the change more believable.
• Reinforcement: Use secondary characters and subplots to reinforce the changes in Daytona, highlighting how his transformation positively impacts those around him.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky's Intentional Lead Characters
I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful, and well-paid – who writes stories that entertain and inspire.
What I learned from doing this assignment is, the story is actually a triangle, not antagonist/protagonist. And wow, it sure is helpful to use AI.

Concept:
"Die Hard in a gold mine. When a treasure hunter covertly buys an abandoned gold mine under a touristy mountain community, residents resist its reopening. Mercenaries storm the town to open the mine and get the gold."
Characters:
1. Protagonist: Daytona Levesque
○ Role: Protagonist
○ Journey: Daytona, a former Navy SEAL, returns to his hometown for Christmas and is thrust into a battle against mercenaries who seek to reopen an abandoned gold mine. Throughout the story, Daytona confronts his troubled past, including his estranged relationship with his father, and ultimately must choose between reconnecting with his father or saving the town from an ancient evil.
○ Unique: Daytona’s military background gives him the skills necessary to lead the townspeople in their defense. His personal struggle with his past, including his strained relationship with his father, adds depth and emotional weight to his character.
○ Intentional: Daytona’s expertise in combat and strategy is crucial for the town’s defense. His internal conflict and growth throughout the story drive the emotional core of the narrative, making him a relatable and compelling protagonist.
2. Antagonist: Joe Turner
○ Role: Antagonist
○ Journey: Joe Turner, a seasoned treasure hunter, has spent years searching for the legendary hidden chest of gold rumored to be buried deep within the mine. His obsession drives him to extreme measures, including hiring mercenaries to secure the mine. Joe’s journey is one of increasing desperation and moral decay as he sacrifices everything in his quest for treasure.
○ Unique: Joe’s relentless determination and obsession with the treasure set him apart as a driven and formidable antagonist. His personal connection to the town and hidden motives add layers to his character.
○ Intentional: Joe’s knowledge of the mine and its secrets, combined with his willingness to use force to achieve his goals, make him the perfect foil to Daytona. His personal vendetta and connection to the town deepen the conflict and stakes.
3. Connecting Character: Linda
○ Role: Connecting Character
○ Journey: Linda, the town historian and Joe Turner’s old flame, finds herself torn between her past with Joe and her current feelings for Daytona. As the conflict unfolds, Linda must navigate her emotions and decide where her loyalties lie. Her journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment as she plays a crucial role in uncovering the town’s history and secrets.
○ Unique: Linda’s deep knowledge of the town’s history and her personal connections to both Daytona and Joe make her a key figure in the story. Her internal struggle and evolving feelings add complexity and tension to the narrative.
○ Intentional: Linda’s role as the historian is vital in revealing the mine’s secrets and the ancient evil. Her relationships with both the protagonist and antagonist create a dynamic and emotionally charged love triangle, driving the interpersonal drama and heightening the stakes.
Summary:
Protagonist: Daytona Levesque
• Role: Former Navy SEAL
• Journey: Confronts his past and must choose between family and duty
• Unique: Military skills and personal struggle with his father
• Intentional: Leads the town’s defense and emotional core of the story

Antagonist: Joe Turner
• Role: Obsessive treasure hunter
• Journey: Driven by desperation and moral decay
• Unique: Relentless determination and personal connection to the town
• Intentional: Uses knowledge and force to pursue his goals, deepening conflict

Connecting Character: Linda
• Role: Town historian and love interest
• Journey: Navigates her emotions and loyalties
• Unique: Knowledge of town’s history and connections to Daytona and Joe
Intentional: Reveals secrets, creates emotional tension, and heightens stakes

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Rebecca Smith.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Rebecca Smith.

[Rebecca Smith]

Becky’s Title, Concept & Character Structure!
Vision for my success from this program:
I am an extraordinary writer – prolific, produced, profound, joyful & well-paid – who writes stories that entertain & inspire.
What I learned – hustling to catch up. Outlining will save me some time.
I claim ownership of my action thriller with supernatural elements:
Title: Goldstrike.
Concept: Die Hard in a gold mine: A treasure hunter's secret purchase ignites a clash in a peaceful town as mercenaries invade to unearth hidden riches.
Character Structure: Protagonist versus Antagonist.