Exposition

MOM

Your father is dead. He died in that horrible car crash two years ago and
he's not coming back, Sarah. He loved you so much because you
were his precious baby girl and he would want you to live.
He would want you to live and find peace. He would want you to move
on and find happiness.


vs.


MOM

He's gone, Sarah.
(then)
And what you are doing to yourself would break his heart.

Show...Don't Tell

Sometimes what our characters don't say is as or more important than what they do say.

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INT. KITCHEN, DAY

Mike enters and slams his car keys onto the counter.

MIKE

I said I was sorry!
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INT. KITCHEN, DAY

Mike enters with his shoulders slumped and his head hanging low. He avoids eye contact. After a long while.

MIKE

I said I was sorry.
_______________________________
INT. KITCHEN, DAY

Mike enters carrying a bouquet of flowers and whistling a happy tune. He's got a skip in his step.

MIKE

I said I was sorry.

The Call to Adventure

The Call to Adventure sets your hero on their journey. Is he/she restless? Is he/she looking for a change? Or, is he/she unsuspecting? Does something new and different fall into their lap? Do circumstances push them into action?

Star Wars: R2D2 holds a message for Luke. There is a princess who needs rescuing.
Akeelah and the Bee: Akeelah pushed into the Spelling Bee.
Miss Potter: " We will publish your book."
The Last of The Mohicans: Damsels in distress need protection in great big wilderness.
I Am Sam: Mother takes off. Sam must raise his daughter alone.
The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy is restless and runs away from home.

One type written page per day equals 7 type written pages per week!

Love,
Mrs. Gregg

SETTING EXERCISE

INT. TEENAGE GIRL'S BEDROOM, MORNING

A twin bed covered with a quilt. Shoes lined up neatly in a row...sticking out from under the dust ruffle. A stack of books on the nightstand...To Kill A Mockingbird, Gone With The Wind, Pride and Prejudice, The Grapes of Wrath. A weekly organizer chart hangs on the wall. Monday is cirled in red. "Library Books Due"

PAN TO:

An identical twin bed with identical quilt covering. Tossed about and untidy. A guitar lies on the floor...surrounded by crumbled up lyrics. A can of soda sits on the nightstand next to a journal and I pod. An identical weekly organizer chart hangs on the wall. There are no marking other than a giant smiley face...smack in the center. It's tongue is sticking out.
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INT. WIDOWER'S BEDROOM, MORNING

The bed is made. Curtains are pulled open...letting in streams of sunlight. A stack of condolance letters sit on the nightstand...a pen by their side. A handful of flower bouquets are placed throughout the room. Dozens of old photographs are scattered on the bed...alongside a dress. A floral dress...laid out with tender loving care...and a hankerchief adorned with a pretty embroidered A...and a purse...a dainty one with seashell pink rose shimmers...and a hat...with a more flowers...pansies.
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INT. MILITARY CADET'S BEDROOM, MORNING

Tight blanket. Propped up pillow. Not an inch of slack or hint of anything out of place. A Bible sits on the nightstand...atop Math and Science textbooks.
Above it...a tacked up photo of a smiling REDHEAD holding a toddler BABY BOY. She blows a kiss.
PAN TO :

Under the bed. A stack of letters.... "RETURN TO SENDER" ...wrapped neatly with a string. TUMS and PEPTO BISMOL bottles.

Opening Scene

Close your eyes and imagine your story. What is your hero's Ordinary World? How can your Ordinary World be communicated visually? What is the first image that comes to mind? Begin writing your opening scene.

Setting Exercise

INT. COUNTRY KITCHEN, DAWN

A soft breeze blows lace curtains through an open window. A fresh baked apple pie sits cooling on the counter. Bacon sizzles in a cast iron skillet. GRANDMA squeezes fresh orange juice by the sink.

SFX
A rooster crows.
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INT. PRISON KITCHEN, DAWN

Industrial. Stainless steel. Florescent overhead lights. Piles of dirty dishes are stacked by the sink. INMATE # 1 soaks in soapy water. INMATE #2 rinses. INMATE #3 dries. An assembly line. A cockroach climbs across the clock which reads 6:10.

SFX

A loud clanging bell.

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INT. DORM ROOM KITCHEN, DAWN

Junk food bags and wrappers scattered about. A half eaten pizza left in it's box on the counter. A pair of dirty socks tossed in a heap on the floor near the overflowing trash bin. A note on the fridge reads "JAMIE...CLEAN UP!!!!!"

SFX

A clock radio sounds. Classic Rock tune.