story of theme, plot & character

STORY OF STORY OF THEME AND THEME AND

PLOTPLOT

JOHN RAINEY MFAJOHN RAINEY MFARAINEY SCRIPT CONSULTINGRAINEY SCRIPT CONSULTING

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Relationship between plot and Relationship between plot and themetheme

Holistic process of screenwritingHolistic process of screenwriting– Character vs story ideaCharacter vs story idea– Inspirational bits and piecesInspirational bits and pieces

Audience participation exerciseAudience participation exercise

Dispelling a misperceptionDispelling a misperception

Point-of-view character in a filmPoint-of-view character in a film

STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 1STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 1 MAIN CHARACTER THAT TRANSFORMSMAIN CHARACTER THAT TRANSFORMS EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

– CASABLANCA - RickCASABLANCA - Rick– ADAPTATION - CharlieADAPTATION - Charlie– A FEW GOOD MEN - DannyA FEW GOOD MEN - Danny– THUNDERHEART - RayTHUNDERHEART - Ray– JERRY McGUIRE - JerryJERRY McGUIRE - Jerry– PULP FICTION – JulesPULP FICTION – Jules– STAR WARS – LukeSTAR WARS – Luke– GOOD WILL HUNTING - WillGOOD WILL HUNTING - Will– IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – GeorgeIT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – George– MILLION DOLLAR BABY - FrankieMILLION DOLLAR BABY - Frankie– ……AND A ZILLION MOREAND A ZILLION MORE

STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 2STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 2MAIN CHARACTER THAT MAINTAINS MAIN CHARACTER THAT MAINTAINS

STEADFAST VALUES STEADFAST VALUES EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

– LEONE’S SPAGHETTI WESTERNSLEONE’S SPAGHETTI WESTERNS– BRAVEHEART - WilliamBRAVEHEART - William– GLADIATOR - MaximusGLADIATOR - Maximus– SPARTACUS - SpartacusSPARTACUS - Spartacus– BILLY JACK - BillyBILLY JACK - Billy– HIGH NOON – Marshal Will KaneHIGH NOON – Marshal Will Kane– SHANE - ShaneSHANE - Shane– PULP FICTION - ButchPULP FICTION - Butch– BEVERLY HILLS COP - AxelBEVERLY HILLS COP - Axel

STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 3STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 3MAIN CHARACTER THAT TAKES A MAIN CHARACTER THAT TAKES A

DESTRUCTIVE PATHDESTRUCTIVE PATH

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES– CITIZEN KANE – Charles Foster KaneCITIZEN KANE – Charles Foster Kane– ANGEL HEART - HarryANGEL HEART - Harry– SCARFACE - TonySCARFACE - Tony– LOOKING FOR MISTER GOODBAR - TheresaLOOKING FOR MISTER GOODBAR - Theresa– MACBETH - MacbethMACBETH - Macbeth– PULP FICTION - VincentPULP FICTION - Vincent– MEMENTO - LeonardMEMENTO - Leonard– TAXI DRIVER - TravisTAXI DRIVER - Travis– THE WILD BUNCH - PikeTHE WILD BUNCH - Pike

STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 4STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 42 main characters2 main characters

( (ROMANTIC COMEDIES & BUDDY FILMS)ROMANTIC COMEDIES & BUDDY FILMS)

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES-WHEN HARRY MET SALLY – Harry & Sally-WHEN HARRY MET SALLY – Harry & Sally-MOONSTRUCK – Loretta & Ronny-MOONSTRUCK – Loretta & Ronny-YOU’VE GOT MAIL – Joe & Kathleen-YOU’VE GOT MAIL – Joe & Kathleen- SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE – Sam & Annie- SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE – Sam & Annie-TWO WEEKS NOTICE – Lucy & George-TWO WEEKS NOTICE – Lucy & George-HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS – Ben & Andie-HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS – Ben & Andie-PRETTY WOMAN – Edward & Vivian-PRETTY WOMAN – Edward & Vivian-MIDNIGHT RUN – Jack & Jonathan-MIDNIGHT RUN – Jack & Jonathan-48 HOURS – Jack & Reggie-48 HOURS – Jack & Reggie-PLANES, TRAINS, & AUTOMOBILES – Neal & Del-PLANES, TRAINS, & AUTOMOBILES – Neal & Del-ODD COUPLE – Felix & Oscar-ODD COUPLE – Felix & Oscar-THELMA AND LOUISE – Thelma & Louise-THELMA AND LOUISE – Thelma & Louise

STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 5STORY POINTS OF VIEW – 5 MULTIPLE CHARACTER PERSPECTIVEMULTIPLE CHARACTER PERSPECTIVE

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES– TRAFFICTRAFFIC– PULP FICTIONPULP FICTION– THE BIG CHILLTHE BIG CHILL– GRAND CANYONGRAND CANYON– LOVE ACTUALLYLOVE ACTUALLY– SHORT CUTSSHORT CUTS– NASHVILLENASHVILLE– WELCOME TO L.A.WELCOME TO L.A.– AMERICAN BEAUTYAMERICAN BEAUTY– SYRIANASYRIANA

INTRODUCTION TOINTRODUCTION TOMAIN CHARACTER THAT MAIN CHARACTER THAT

TRANSFORMSTRANSFORMS

HERO(INE)’S JOURNEY STORYHERO(INE)’S JOURNEY STORY

WHAT HOLLYWOOD LOOKS FOR IN SPECSWHAT HOLLYWOOD LOOKS FOR IN SPECS

THE TEMPLATE FOR MOST FILMSTHE TEMPLATE FOR MOST FILMS

BEST FOR WRITING SAMPLE BEST FOR WRITING SAMPLE

COHESIVE PLOTCOHESIVE PLOT

EMOTIONAL THEMATIC CENTER EMOTIONAL THEMATIC CENTER

SOURCE OF STORY SPINE (STRUCTURE)SOURCE OF STORY SPINE (STRUCTURE)

DEFINITION OFDEFINITION OFMAIN CHARACTER THAT MAIN CHARACTER THAT TRANSFORMSTRANSFORMS

TAKES THE QUESTING JOURNEYTAKES THE QUESTING JOURNEY MAKES EMOTIONALLY RISKY MAKES EMOTIONALLY RISKY

DECISIONSDECISIONS EXPERIENCES EXPANSION OF EXPERIENCES EXPANSION OF

CONSCIOUSNESSCONSCIOUSNESS BRINGS VALUES BACK INTO BRINGS VALUES BACK INTO

BALANCEBALANCE REACHES A SATISFACTORY GOALREACHES A SATISFACTORY GOAL

Main Character – 1 Main Character – 1 AS PROTAGONISTAS PROTAGONIST

CALLED HERO(INE)CALLED HERO(INE) ExamplesExamples

A FEW GOOD MENA FEW GOOD MEN AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMANAN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THUNDERHEARTTHUNDERHEART CASABLANCACASABLANCA ON THE WATERFRONTON THE WATERFRONT THE WIZARD OF OZTHE WIZARD OF OZ MILLION DOLLAR BABYMILLION DOLLAR BABY STAR WARSSTAR WARS GOOD WILL HUNTINGGOOD WILL HUNTING DIE HARDDIE HARD

Main Character – 2Main Character – 2DIFFERENT FROM PROTAGONISTDIFFERENT FROM PROTAGONIST

ExamplesExamples SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION - RedSHAWSHANK REDEMPTION - Red TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - ScoutTO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - Scout PRIMARY COLORS – Henry BurtonPRIMARY COLORS – Henry Burton ROSEMARY’S BABY - RosemaryROSEMARY’S BABY - Rosemary MILLION-DOLLAR BABY – FrankieMILLION-DOLLAR BABY – Frankie TERMINATOR – Sarah ConnersTERMINATOR – Sarah Conners V FOR VENDETTA - EveyV FOR VENDETTA - Evey

MAIN CHARACTER’S JOURNEYS CREATE PLOT AND THEME OUTER JOURNEY CREATES THE PLOT

Decisions & Actions Creates Antagonist Creates Story Structure

INNER JOURNEY CREATES THE THEME Story’s Emotional Engine Moral Dilemma Main Character’s arc

PLOT & THEME COMBINE TO CREATE STORY SPINE

THEME? UNIVERSAL SUBJECT?

TRAFFIC: drugs MILLION DOLLAR BABY: boxing STAR WARS: oppression

PERSONAL VALUE? TRAFFIC: family connection MILLION DOLLAR BABY: emotional

vulnerability STAR WARS: personal power

DEFINITION OF THEME Theme is implied as a result of the inner

emotional transformational journey that the point-of-view character takes, which is initiated by a Life-Challenging Decision toward an outer quest.

The THEME is a resolution of the main character’s needs and yearnings as the result of some past experience, or ghost, that throws a value out of balance in his/her psyche -- the Theme goal.

PLOT SPINE LIFE-CHALLENGING DECISIONS SERIES OF ACTIONS AND OBSTACLES APOTHEOSIS ATONEMENT SELF-REALIZATION

DEFINITION OF PLOT A coordinated series of actions taken

by the main character in the direction toward accomplishing an outer quest.

The PLOT shows us what the main character will do to fulfill his needs -- the Plot goal.

MC BACK-STORY LAYERSMC BACK-STORY LAYERS

““Pet the puppy”Pet the puppy”

REDEEMING QUALITY

DEFINITION OF REDEEMING QUALITY

A soul quality manifested in a character’s action that has life-supporting, life-enhancing value. Hollywood has coined the phrase “pet the puppy scene” where a character does something positive early in the story that bonds the audience to him. This action of pure, positive energy shows the audience for whom to root, and gives it the impression that this character deserves to succeed in a quest.

EXAMPLES OF REDEEMING QUALITY ALADDIN: Steals his breakfast only to give it away to two

street urchins. A FEW GOOD MEN: Dan shows intelligent humor when he

plea bargains a case during batting practice. ROCKY: Rocky doesn’t break the guy’s thumbs; he walks the

girl home who’s hanging out with hoods. MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie pays for Willie’s wife’s car. STAR WARS: Luke takes pity on R2D2 & urges his uncle to

purchase him along with C3PO. GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will solves the theorem and tells no

one. WIZARD OF OZ: Dorothy smothers Toto with love. DIE HARD: John carries a huge teddy bear through the

airport. CASABLANCA: Rick’s kind to his employees.


REDEEMING QUALITY

EMOTIONAL WOUND

DEFINITION OF EMOTIONAL WOUND

Blow to one’s ego in formative years, like rejection, emotional abandonment, result of physical injury or abuse, psychic abuse, birth trauma, etc.


REDEEMING QUALITYEMOTIONAL

WOUNDSHADOW/GHOST

DEFINITION OF SHADOW/GHOST

From the Emotional Wound arises a shadowy specter of the psyche, which blocks the light of consciousness. It is an inner phantom that haunts and distorts one’s perception.


REDEEMING QUALITYEMOTIONAL

WOUNDSHADOW/GHOSTEMOTIONAL

ARMOR

DEFINITION OF EMOTIONAL ARMOR Feeling the fear from the haunting specter of

an Emotional Wound, one creates a persona that attempts to protect the being and ward off any further attacks on one’s vulnerability. Some build muscles; some grow fat; some develop skills (social, physical, intellectual, artistic); some accumulate knowledge. A belief system is constructed that manifests as mannerisms and attitudes presenting a mask that hides the ghost of the wound even from the being wearing the mask of emotional armor.

EXAMPLES OF EMOTIONAL ARMOR HAMLET: Hamlet’s scathing wit and probing analysis A FEW GOOD MEN: Danny plea bargains GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will slams people with brilliance

and fists. THUNDERHEART: Ray’s FBI suit and tie and ultra-short

hair CASABLANCA: Rick sticks his neck out for nobody. MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie doesn’t train girls.

Tough ain’t enough. Always protect yourself. ROCKY: Rocky maintains low expectations. STAR WARS: Luke goes along with the program. SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION: Red goes along with the

program. DIE HARD: John needs to be in control.


REDEEMING QUALITY

EMOTIONAL WOUNDSHADOW/GHOSTEMOTIONAL

ARMORCHARACTER FLAW/VALUE

OUT OF BALANCE

DEFINITION OF CHARACTER FLAW

A DEFECT OR SHORTCOMING OF SOME INTANGIBLE HUMAN VALUE THAT MANIFESTS AS A NEGATIVE TRAIT, OR THE SHADOW SIDE OF A POSITIVE VALUE.

DEFINITION OF HUMAN VALUE

A principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable, such as faith, hope, charity, justice, prudence, fortitude, temperance, appreciation, humility, compassion, gratitude, honor, etc.

Boy Scout code.

DEFINITION OFVALUE OUT OF BALANCE

Some principle, standard, or human quality that has been compromised or neglected in the main character as a result of assuming the protective nature of emotional armor through beliefs, attitudes, and behavior that rule character choices.

MOVIE EXAMPLES OFVALUE OUT OF BALANCE A FEW GOOD MEN: compromised integrity (Integrity) THUNDERHEART: denial of ancestry (acceptance) ADAPTATION: self-loathing (self-confidence/self-love) STAR WARS: lack of personal power (personal power) GOOD WILL HUNTING: rage (self-forgiveness) OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: distrust (trustworthy) SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION: hopelessness (hope) THE AFRICAN QUEEN: self-serving (selfless service) MILLION DOLLAR BABY: fear of intimacy (vulnerability) WONDERFUL LIFE: feeling insignificant (feeling of value) DIE HARD: fear of loss of control (allowing)


REDEEMING QUALITY



OUT OF BALANCE

EMOTIONAL NEED

DEFINITION OFEMOTIONAL NEED

An unconscious longing, or emotional condition that requires relief. Some emotional imbalance that creates vague discomfort. The psychological state that creates rockets of desire in a character.

EXAMPLES OF EMOTIONAL NEED A FEW GOOD MEN: Dan needs to reconcile with father CASABLANCA: Rick needs completion OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: Zack needs to belong STAR WARS: Luke needs sense of identity ROCKY: Rocky needs self-esteem SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION: Red needs to feel hope MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie needs to nurture IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: George needs to feel valued DIE HARD: John needs to bond with his wife & kids GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will needs to feel self-love


REDEEMING QUALITY



OUT OF BALANCE

EMOTIONAL NEEDCONSCIOUSDESIRE

DEFINITION OFCONSCIOUS DESIRE

Stimulated by an unconscious inner need, desire rises up as a conscious wish, request, longing, or petition for something to be, do, or have. - To covet or crave something or some state of being in the hope that it will fulfill this vague inner need. Desire arouses reason for the Decision To Act and gives purpose and direction to behavior.

EXAMPLES OFCONSCIOUS DESIRE A FEW GOOD MEN: Dan desires to be best at what he does. OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: Zack desires to impress

others. STAR WARS: Luke desires to fight the Imperial Forces. ROCKY: Rocky desires to prove he’s no bum. SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION: Red desires to find something

to believe in. MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie desires to manage a fighter

to a championship. WIZARD OF OZ: Dorothy desires to find a trouble-free

place. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: George desires to do something

great. DIE HARD: John desires to spend Christmas with his family. GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will desires to prove to himself he’s

superior to others.


REDEEMING QUALITY



OUT OF BALANCE

EMOTIONAL NEEDCONSCIOUSDESIRE

LIFE-CHALLENGING

DECISION

LIFE-CHALLENGING DECISION

A Life-Challenging Decision is one where the main character steps beyond the safety of his/her Emotional Armor for some lofty goal. S/he acts according to his/her current beliefs, which dictate reactive behavior, but a Life-Challenging Decision assumes risk as a result of the established Emotional Armor.

STAGES IN ACT ONESTAGES IN ACT ONE

ORDINARY WORLDORDINARY WORLD Redeeming QualityRedeeming Quality Emotional ArmorEmotional Armor Character Flaw/Value out of balanceCharacter Flaw/Value out of balance

CALL TO ADVENTURE/INCITING INCIDENTCALL TO ADVENTURE/INCITING INCIDENT REFUSAL OF THE CALLREFUSAL OF THE CALL NEW INFORMATIONNEW INFORMATION FIRST DECISION TO ACT/CROSSING THE FIRST DECISION TO ACT/CROSSING THE

THRESHOLDTHRESHOLD Stepping outside of Emotional ArmorStepping outside of Emotional Armor Start of Questing JourneyStart of Questing Journey

CALL TO ADVENTURECALL TO ADVENTURE(INCITING INCIDENT)(INCITING INCIDENT)

The Call To Adventure offers the opportunity The Call To Adventure offers the opportunity to the main character to pursue his to the main character to pursue his conscious desire.conscious desire.

EXAMPLES OF EXAMPLES OF CALL TO ADVENTURECALL TO ADVENTURE

A FEW GOOD MEN: Kaffee receives the case assignment A FEW GOOD MEN: Kaffee receives the case assignment of defending Dawson and Downey. of defending Dawson and Downey.

STAR WARS: Obi-Wan solicits Luke to battle the Empire.STAR WARS: Obi-Wan solicits Luke to battle the Empire. ROCKY: Apollo’s manager offers Rocky a shot at the title.ROCKY: Apollo’s manager offers Rocky a shot at the title. MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Maggie begs Frankie to train MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Maggie begs Frankie to train

her.her. WIZARD OF OZ: Auntie Em tells Dorothy to find some WIZARD OF OZ: Auntie Em tells Dorothy to find some

place where she won’t get into trouble.place where she won’t get into trouble. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: Pa Bailey urges George to IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: Pa Bailey urges George to

follow in his footsteps at the Bailey bank.follow in his footsteps at the Bailey bank. DIE HARD: Holly offers John her spare bedroom.DIE HARD: Holly offers John her spare bedroom. GOOD WILL HUNTING: Lambeau rescues Will, tells him to GOOD WILL HUNTING: Lambeau rescues Will, tells him to

see a therapist.see a therapist.

REFUSAL OF THE CALLREFUSAL OF THE CALL

Refusal of the call shows the reactive Refusal of the call shows the reactive behavior of the main character as a result behavior of the main character as a result of living out of his Emotional Armor, and of living out of his Emotional Armor, and sets up the intensity of the emotional risk sets up the intensity of the emotional risk when the character finally makes the when the character finally makes the Decision To Act that sends him on his Decision To Act that sends him on his quest.quest.

EXAMPLES OFEXAMPLES OFREFUSAL OF THE CALLREFUSAL OF THE CALL

A FEW GOOD MEN: Kaffee offers a plea bargain of 12 years A FEW GOOD MEN: Kaffee offers a plea bargain of 12 years with no investigation.with no investigation.

STAR WARS: Luke feels obligated to stay on the farm.STAR WARS: Luke feels obligated to stay on the farm. ROCKY: Rocky plays along with Apollo’s publicity, but doesn’t ROCKY: Rocky plays along with Apollo’s publicity, but doesn’t

take the challenge seriously.take the challenge seriously. MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie says “I don’t train girls. MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie says “I don’t train girls.

Girlie, tough ain’t enough.”Girlie, tough ain’t enough.” WIZARD OF OZ: Lets Professor Marvel talk her into returning WIZARD OF OZ: Lets Professor Marvel talk her into returning

home. home. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: George sets off for college.IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: George sets off for college. GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will blows off five therapists.GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will blows off five therapists. DIE HARD: John creates an argument because Holly changed DIE HARD: John creates an argument because Holly changed

her name.her name.

NEW INFORMATIONNEW INFORMATION(MENTOR BEAT)(MENTOR BEAT)

The New Information beat appeals to the The New Information beat appeals to the Main Character’s redeeming quality and Main Character’s redeeming quality and offers a new perspective on the Call To offers a new perspective on the Call To Adventure.Adventure.

EXAMPLES OFEXAMPLES OFNEW INFORMATIONNEW INFORMATION

A FEW GOOD MEN: Danny discovers that the military is willing to A FEW GOOD MEN: Danny discovers that the military is willing to bargain too easily.bargain too easily.

STAR WARS: Luke’s Aunt & Uncle are killed by the Imperial Forces.STAR WARS: Luke’s Aunt & Uncle are killed by the Imperial Forces. ROCKY: Mickey wants to manage Rocky because he has potential.ROCKY: Mickey wants to manage Rocky because he has potential. MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie’s main fighter leaves him and MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie’s main fighter leaves him and

wins the championship belt; letter returned.wins the championship belt; letter returned. WIZARD OF OZ: Tornado takes the house away and lands it in Oz.WIZARD OF OZ: Tornado takes the house away and lands it in Oz. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: Pa Bailey has a fatal stroke and Potter’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: Pa Bailey has a fatal stroke and Potter’s

primed to close down the Building & Loan.primed to close down the Building & Loan. GOOD WILL HUNTING: Sean has a heart to heart with Will and GOOD WILL HUNTING: Sean has a heart to heart with Will and

pierces his intellect with some truth.pierces his intellect with some truth. DIE HARD: (potential) Talk with Chauffeur makes John realize that DIE HARD: (potential) Talk with Chauffeur makes John realize that

he’s denying his kids on Christmas.he’s denying his kids on Christmas.

FIRST DECISION TO ACTFIRST DECISION TO ACTCROSSING THE THRESHOLDCROSSING THE THRESHOLD

A FEW GOOD MEN: Dan pleads clients not guilty.A FEW GOOD MEN: Dan pleads clients not guilty. STAR WARS: Luke decides to go with Obiwan.STAR WARS: Luke decides to go with Obiwan. ROCKY: Rocky accepts Mickey as Manager.ROCKY: Rocky accepts Mickey as Manager. MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie decides to train Maggie.MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Frankie decides to train Maggie. WIZARD OF OZ: Dorothy steps through the door into Munchkin WIZARD OF OZ: Dorothy steps through the door into Munchkin

land.land. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: George assumes leadership of Building IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: George assumes leadership of Building

& Loan.& Loan. GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will shows up after Sean challenges him, GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will shows up after Sean challenges him,

and finally starts talking.and finally starts talking. DIE HARD: (missed beat) John decides he’ll risk apologizing to DIE HARD: (missed beat) John decides he’ll risk apologizing to

Holly so he can see his kids on Christmas; goes toward the door; Holly so he can see his kids on Christmas; goes toward the door; hears gunfire.hears gunfire.

STEPS TOSTEPS TOLIFE-CHALLENGING DECISIONSLIFE-CHALLENGING DECISIONS

Major obstacle to the questMajor obstacle to the quest Self-doubt and falling back on reactive Self-doubt and falling back on reactive

behaviorbehavior Intercession by the Conscience CharacterIntercession by the Conscience Character New InformationNew Information Beat of silence contemplating the riskBeat of silence contemplating the risk Taking the action of riskTaking the action of risk

ACT TWO ELEMENTSACT TWO ELEMENTS

SPECIAL WORLD – BELLY OF THE BEAST – SPECIAL WORLD – BELLY OF THE BEAST – TRANSFORMATIONAL ARENATRANSFORMATIONAL ARENA

ENEMIES AND ALLIESENEMIES AND ALLIES CONSCIENCE & TEMPTERCONSCIENCE & TEMPTER BUILDING SKILLS NEEDED FOR QUESTBUILDING SKILLS NEEDED FOR QUEST TOTAL COMMITMENT TO QUESTTOTAL COMMITMENT TO QUEST APOTHEOSISAPOTHEOSIS ATONEMENTATONEMENT NEW INFORMATIONNEW INFORMATION

EXAMPLES OF SPECIAL WORLDEXAMPLES OF SPECIAL WORLD

• A FEW GOOD MEN: Courtroom• SHALL WE DANCE: Dance Studio• ROCKY: Training• MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Relationship• WONDERFUL LIFE: Building & Loan• CASABLANCA: Reconnecting w/ past• GOOD WILL HUNTING: Sean’s office• Wizard of Oz: Land of Oz

ACT TWO L-C DECISIONSACT TWO L-C DECISIONS

HAPPEN ABOUT EVERY 15 PAGESHAPPEN ABOUT EVERY 15 PAGES– 45 - CREATING CHARACTER GROWTH 45 - CREATING CHARACTER GROWTH

(adjusting to the Special World) (adjusting to the Special World) AdaptationAdaptation– 60 – TOTAL COMMITMENT TO QUEST 60 – TOTAL COMMITMENT TO QUEST

(approach to the inmost cave) (approach to the inmost cave) MillionDollarBabyMillionDollarBaby– 75 – LEADS TO CENTRAL CRISIS 75 – LEADS TO CENTRAL CRISIS

(ordeal; apotheosis; death of quest) (ordeal; apotheosis; death of quest) MDBMDB– 90 – THRESHOLD INTO FINAL BATTLE 90 – THRESHOLD INTO FINAL BATTLE

(reward; atonement) (reward; atonement) A Few Good MenA Few Good MenDECISIONS CREATE THE STORY SPINEDECISIONS CREATE THE STORY SPINE

DEFINITION OF APOTHEOSISDEFINITION OF APOTHEOSIS

The Apotheosis beat is the seeming death of The Apotheosis beat is the seeming death of the quest. The Main Character sees no way the quest. The Main Character sees no way to proceed. He has made every risky to proceed. He has made every risky decision, taken every risky action and finds decision, taken every risky action and finds himself without options. The situation looks himself without options. The situation looks hopeless.hopeless.

DEFINITION OF ATONEMENTDEFINITION OF ATONEMENT

Atonement is a rite of passage that happens Atonement is a rite of passage that happens when the Main Character comes face to when the Main Character comes face to face with the beliefs that have run his life face with the beliefs that have run his life until now. Now is the time to see them as until now. Now is the time to see them as limitations that stop him from his present limitations that stop him from his present goal. He must embrace and transcend his goal. He must embrace and transcend his shadow side and expand into a new belief shadow side and expand into a new belief paradigm before he can move forward.paradigm before he can move forward.

EXAMPLES OF ATONEMENTEXAMPLES OF ATONEMENT

A FEW GOOD MEN: Danny confronts his fear of being A FEW GOOD MEN: Danny confronts his fear of being compared to his father.compared to his father.

ADAPTATION: Charlie realizes that he can’t control what ADAPTATION: Charlie realizes that he can’t control what other people think of him.other people think of him.

DIE HARD: John admits that he’s been a jerk with Holly.DIE HARD: John admits that he’s been a jerk with Holly. GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will realizes that it’s not his fault.GOOD WILL HUNTING: Will realizes that it’s not his fault. CASABLANCA: Rick realizes that his personal feelings CASABLANCA: Rick realizes that his personal feelings

have little to do with the big picture.have little to do with the big picture. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: George sees the effect he’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: George sees the effect he’s

had on the whole town of Bedford Falls.had on the whole town of Bedford Falls.

ACT THREE ELEMENTSACT THREE ELEMENTS

FINAL BATTLEFINAL BATTLESELF-REALIZATIONSELF-REALIZATION

Awareness of Redeeming QualityAwareness of Redeeming QualityValue in balanceValue in balanceTheme revealed/impliedTheme revealed/implied

NEW MORAL/LIFE ORDERNEW MORAL/LIFE ORDER

New Ordinary WorldNew Ordinary World

New rockets of desireNew rockets of desire

EXAMPLES OF EXAMPLES OF THEMATIC STATEMENTTHEMATIC STATEMENT

A FEW GOOD MEN: Integrity brings honor.A FEW GOOD MEN: Integrity brings honor. SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION: Hope leads to SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION: Hope leads to

freedom.freedom. THUNDERHEART: Acceptance allows THUNDERHEART: Acceptance allows

integration.integration. ADAPTATION: Self-confidence leads to ADAPTATION: Self-confidence leads to

success.success. STAR WARS: Personal power leads to STAR WARS: Personal power leads to

trusting the force/intuition.trusting the force/intuition.

MORE EXAMPLESMORE EXAMPLES

GOOD WILL HUNTING: Self-forgiveness GOOD WILL HUNTING: Self-forgiveness leads to love.leads to love.

OFFICER & A GENT: Trustworthiness leads OFFICER & A GENT: Trustworthiness leads to sense of belonging.to sense of belonging.

MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Vulnerability leads MILLION DOLLAR BABY: Vulnerability leads to letting go.to letting go.

WONDERFUL LIFE: Feeling of value leads WONDERFUL LIFE: Feeling of value leads to accepting one’s fate.to accepting one’s fate.

DIE HARD: Allowing leads to self-DIE HARD: Allowing leads to self-awareness.awareness.

►QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

story of theme, plot & character

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