Monday, December 19, 2011

LORD OF THE RINGS Follows the Universal Story Beats!

Minute-by-minute story beat analysis of FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS.
MINUTE  1:  ATTENSION!
“Much is lost,” the narrator says   
MINUTE  2:  THE BUILD
Dark Lord Sauron forges a master ring, which he pours his cruelty and malice into     
MINUTE  3:  THE RATCHET
Men and Elves fight for the freedom of Middle Earth
MINUTE  4:  ANOTHER NOTCH 
Sauron wipes out many soldiers with the ring’s power
MINUTE  5:  JAW DROPPER
Isildur is murdered and thrown into the river! The ring is lost!
MINUTE  6:  FRIEND OR FIST
The ring consumes Gollum (FIST)
MINUTE  7:  FRIEND OR FIST 2
Bilbo finds the ring (FRIEND and FIST)
MINUTE  8:  SOMETHING STARTLING HAPPENS
Frodo hears Gandalf coming!
MINUTE  9:  THE PURSUIT
Frodo asks Gandalf news of the outside world (he pursues knowledge)
MINUTE 10: THE DISCUSSION 
Gandalf and Frodo discuss Bilbo Baggins
MINUTE 11: THE WARNING
A hobbit’s wife glares at her husband
MINUTE 12: HARSHER WARNING
Bilbo yells that he doesn’t want any visitors! 
MINUTE 13: THE SUBMISSION
Gandalf bumps his head and ducks
MINUTE 14: DANGER WATCH 
Bilbo doesn’t want to answer the knock on the door
MINUTE 15: WHEW, THAT WAS CLOSE!
Bilbo almost touches the ring in his pocket
MINUTE 16: THE BIG CONCERN
Sam is concerned about asking the girl to dance
MINUTE 17: WORLD UPSIDE DOWN
Bilbo tells the children a gruesome tale, which turns their protected world upside down
MINUTE 18: TROUBLE TURN
The dragon firework swoops down on the villagers
MINUTE 19: THE THREAT  
Bilbo reaches for the ring in his pocket
MINUTE 20: PUSH BACK
Gandalf scolds Bilbo
MINUTE 21: THE GREAT AFFECT  
The ring’s power affects Bilbo with its power
MINUTE 22: TRUTH DECLARED
Gandalf to Bilbo: “You’ve had the ring long enough”
MINUTE 23: SCARY STUFF
The scary ring draws Bilbo in
MINUTE 24: SCARY STUFF 2
Gandalf looks at the scary ring
MINUTE 25: SCARY STUFF 3
Gandalf acts oddly
MINUTE 26: THE BIG UNEXPECTED
Gandalf leaves unexpectedly
MINUTE 27: THE MINI-QUEST 
Gandalf rides towards his destination
MINUTE 28: BIG QUEST PREP 
Gandalf reads about the ring in the ancient scrolls
MINUTE 29: BIG QUEST PREP 2 
Gandalf reads more about the ring in the ancient scrolls
MINUTE 30: THE NEED
Gandalf needs to know if the ring is kept secret and safe
MINUTE 31: DISTRESS SIGNAL   
Gandalf realizes the language on the ring is from evil Mordor
MINUTE 32: ANXIETY AMP
Gandalf says that evil Sauron has returned
MINUTE 33: OMINOUS OH NO!
The ring wants to return to its master—oh no!
MINUTE 34: FRIEND AFFECT 
Gandalf refuses to take the ring from his friend Frodo
MINUTE 35: BAIT & SWITCH  
Frodo thinks the ring might be safe at the inn (BAIT), but Gandalf is not sure it will (SWITCH)
MINUTE 36: HIDE & SEEK
Someone HIDES outside Frodo’s window and Gandalf SEEKS who it is
MINUTE 37: OVER HIS HEAD
“The agents of the dark lords” are looking for the ring. Frodo may be in over his head.
MINUTE 38: POSITIVE RECONNECT
Frodo encourages Samwise
MINUTE 39: NEW JOURNEY BOND
Gandalf meets up with his old friend Saruman to discuss what to do
MINUTE 40: ALLY’S WORLD
Distraught Gandalf, Frodo’s ally, learns about Sauron’s evil plans
MINUTE 41: THORNY ROSE
Saruman uncovers the seeing stone (ROSE), but Gandalf sees Sauron’s eye when he covers it back up (THORN)
MINUTE 42: SURPRISE REVEAL
Gandalf realizes he’s been betrayed—his friend Saruman wants him to join with Sauron  
MINUTE 43: SURPRISE REVEAL 2
Saruman steals Gandalf’s staff and shows him that he (Saruman) is more powerful
MINUTE 44: NEW NEWS
Merry and Pippin crash into Frodo and Samwise—they are stealing from the farmer
MINUTE 45: OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Frodo yells at his companions to “get off the road!”
MINUTE 46: THE REVELATION
Frodo realizes a Dark Rider is right above him!
MINUTE 47: THE ESCORT 
Samwise grabs Frodo and drags him towards the woods
MINUTE 48: NEEDED KNOWLEDGE 
Merry tells Frodo about Bucklebury Ferry—what they need to escape
MINUTE 49: FOREBODING FACT
There are more Dark Riders now chasing Frodo
MINUTE 50: THE PORTENT
The Gatekeeper warns Frodo that “there’s talk of strange folk abroad”
MINUTE 51: THE ENGAGE     
Frodo chats with the suspicious bartender
MINUTE 52: SAY UNCLE     
A Ranger stares at Frodo from across the room. Frodo stays put in his seat   
MINUTE 53: THE INTIMIDATION    
The ring tries to seduce Frodo   
MINUTE 54: THE LIGHTBULB    
Frodo realizes that when he puts on the ring, Sauron sees him   
MINUTE 55: SIDESWIPE     
The Dark Riders burst through the town’s gate  
MINUTE 56: DARK TWIST CHAT    
Frodo: What are they? (Referring to the Dark Riders)
Strider: They were once great men...blinded by greed   
MINUTE 57: DIFFICULT WORDS    
Strider to Frodo: They will never stop hunting you   
MINUTE 58: VITAL EVENT    
They are going to Rivendell to see the elves   
MINUTE 59: THE DECEPTION              
Saruman secretly builds an army on Sauron’s orders   
MINUTE 60: THE SHOCKER
Gandalf realizes he’s being held captive on the tower roof   

And so on...  

To learn much more about all 120 minute-by-minute beats, and how to apply them to your screenplay, TV pilot, novel or graphic novel, order Something Startling Happens: The 120 Story Beats Every Writer Needs To Know at Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobles. http://shop.mwp.com/products/something-startling-happens-the-120-story-beats-every-writer-needs-to-know

And try the #1 Bestseller, The Screenwriter's Fairy Tale: The Universal Story Within All Movie Storieshttp://www.amazon.com/The-Screenwriters-Fairy-Tale-ebook/dp/B007U6D0CM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1348519200&sr=1-1&keywords=the+screenwriter%27s+fairytale+the+universal+story+within+all+movie+stories

Todd Klick Writing Serviceswww.toddklick.com

Sunday, December 11, 2011

THE MATRIX Follows the Minute-by-Minute Beats!

As do all great movies, The Matrix follows the 120 universal minute-by-minute story beats to a tee!

MINUTE  1:  ATTENSION!
Cypher tells Trinity, “We’re going to kill him.”    
MINUTE  2:  THE BUILD
Agents show up and argue with the Police Chief    
MINUTE  3:  THE RATCHET
Morpheus tells Trinity that they’ve been compromised — agents are outside!
MINUTE  4:  ANOTHER NOTCH 
The cops and agents chase Trinity on the rooftops
MINUTE  5:  JAW DROPPER
Trinity executes a jaw dropping superhuman leap through a far away window
MINUTE  6:  FRIEND OR FIST
Trinity’s friends save her life by ringing her into the phone (FRIEND)
MINUTE  7:  FRIEND OR FIST 2
Trinity sends Neo an email, telling him The Matrix has him (FRIEND)
MINUTE  8:  SOMETHING STARTLING HAPPENS
The loud knock on the door startles Neo
MINUTE  9:  THE PURSUIT
Neo pursues the girl with the white rabbit tattoo to see where she leads
MINUTE 10: THE DISCUSSION 
Trinity discusses The Matrix with Neo
MINUTE 11: THE WARNING
Trinity warns Neo: “They are watching you”
MINUTE 12: HARSHER WARNING
The boss warns Neo not to be late again or he’ll be fired  
MINUTE 13: THE SUBMISSION
Neo submits to his boss’s threat
MINUTE 14: DANGER WATCH 
Neo sees agents looking in his direction
MINUTE 15: WHEW, THAT WAS CLOSE!
Neo barely dodges the agents as he scurries toward the empty office (Whew, That Was Close!)
MINUTE 16: THE BIG CONCERN
Neo is concerned that he might go to jail
MINUTE 17: WORLD UPSIDE DOWN
Agents handcuff Neo and force him into their car
MINUTE 18: TROUBLE TURN
Agent Smith tells Neo they know he’s a computer hacker
MINUTE 19: THE THREAT  
Agent Smith warns Neo that he’d better help them bring Morpheus to justice
MINUTE 20: PUSH BACK
Neo gives the agent the finger
MINUTE 21: THE GREAT AFFECT  
The agents insert an electronic bug into Neo’s navel
MINUTE 22: TRUTH DECLARED
Morpheus calls Neo “The One”
MINUTE 23: SCARY STUFF
Switch points a gun at Neo
MINUTE 24: SCARY STUFF 2
Trinity pulls out a scary contraption and presses it onto Neo’s navel
MINUTE 25: SCARY STUFF 3
Trinity’s scary contraption sucks the electronic bug out of Neo’s navel
MINUTE 26: THE BIG UNEXPECTED
Neo meets the legendary Morpheus in person!
MINUTE 27: THE MINI-QUEST 
Neo wants to be told what The Matrix is (Neo’s Mini-Quest before he actually sees it)
MINUTE 28: BIG QUEST PREP 
Morpheus explains to Neo that he has to see The Matrix (preparing him to be The One)
MINUTE 29: BIG QUEST PREP 2 
Morpheus offers Neo the red or blue pill (preparing him to see The Matrix)
MINUTE 30: THE NEED
Neo needs to see what swallowing the red pill means
MINUTE 31: DISTRESS SIGNAL   
The liquid mirror, attached to Neo’s fingertip, causes him distress
MINUTE 32: ANXIETY AMP
The liquid mirror creeps up Neo's arm and into his throat. He screams!
MINUTE 33: OMINOUS OH NO!
Neo sees that he’s naked inside a glass pod — and so are millions of others!
MINUTE 34: FRIEND AFFECT 
Morpheus’s machine grabs Neo 
MINUTE 35: BAIT & SWITCH  
Neo is welcomed to the real world (BAIT), but he’s stuck with hundreds of acupuncture needles (SWITCH)
MINUTE 36: HIDE & SEEK
Neo’s true potential remains hidden within his doubting mind
MINUTE 37: OVER HIS HEAD
Neo realizes that there is something attached to the back of his head. He may be in over his head
MINUTE 38: POSITIVE RECONNECT
Neo is re-introduced to Trinity, Apoc, Switch, Tank, Dozer and Mouse — his new friends
MINUTE 39: NEW JOURNEY BOND
Neo bonds further with the Nebuchadnezzar crew as they prepare to defeat the Matrix
MINUTE 40: ALLY’S WORLD
Morpheus explains more about his world inside the computer program
MINUTE 41: THORNY ROSE
The world Neo lived in was nice (ROSE) compared to its ugly reality (THORN)
MINUTE 42: SURPRISE REVEAL
Morpheus reveals that humans are used as batteries  
MINUTE 43: SURPRISE REVEAL 2
Morpheus reveals that there are human crops used for harvesting
MINUTE 44: NEW NEWS
Neo throws up after experiencing all this overwhelming new information
MINUTE 45: OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Neo has his mind freed at an older-than-usual age
MINUTE 46: THE REVELATION
Morpheus reveals that he believes Neo will lead humanity to freedom
MINUTE 47: THE ESCORT 
Tank says he will take Neo to his training
MINUTE 48: NEEDED KNOWLEDGE 
Tank inputs combat knowledge directly into Neo’s brain — Needed Knowledge
MINUTE 49: FOREBODING FACT
Tank gives Neo deadly fighting knowledge (if he doesn’t have this knowledge he will die in The Matrix)
MINUTE 50: THE PORTENT
Morpheus tells Neo, “Your weakness is not your technique” (if Neo doesn’t overcome his weakness he will die)
MINUTE 51: THE ENGAGE     
Morpheus intimidates Neo with his superior fighting skills
MINUTE 52: SAY UNCLE     
Morpheus beats Neo in the fight   
MINUTE 53: THE INTIMIDATION    
Morpheus (Neo’s enemy in the dojo) tells Neo to know he is faster.    
MINUTE 54: THE LIGHTBULB    
Neo realizes he can’t jump from one building to the next  
MINUTE 55: SIDESWIPE     
Neo’s failed jump stuns Mouse   
MINUTE 56: DARK TWIST CHAT    
Trinity and Cypher chat, but then Cypher expresses jealousy   
MINUTE 57: DIFFICULT WORDS    
“Were you listening to me or looking at the woman in the red dress?” Morpheus asks Neo   
MINUTE 58: VITAL EVENT    
Morpheus tells Neo that when he’s ready he won’t need to dodge bullets (vital information for Neo)   
MINUTE 59: THE DECEPTION              
Morpheus tells the crew to set down the ship (to deceive the Sentinels)   
MINUTE 60: THE SHOCKER
The sentinel approaches the Nebuchadnezzar! 

And so on...

To learn about all 120 story beats, and how to apply them effectively to your screenplay, TV pilot, novel or graphic novel, order Something Startling Happens: The 120 Story Beats Every Writer Needs To Know at Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobles. http://shop.mwp.com/products/something-startling-happens-the-120-story-beats-every-writer-needs-to-know

And try the #1 Bestseller, The Screenwriter's Fairy Tale: The Universal Story Within All Movie Storieshttp://www.amazon.com/The-Screenwriters-Fairy-Tale-ebook/dp/B007U6D0CM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1348519200&sr=1-1&keywords=the+screenwriter%27s+fairytale+the+universal+story+within+all+movie+stories

Todd Klick Writing Serviceswww.toddklick.com

 

Monday, December 5, 2011

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Checks Off Every Minute-By-Minute Story Beat!

MINUTE  1:  ATTENSION!
Indiana Jones and his crew head deep into a dangerous jungle.    
MINUTE  2:  THE BUILD
Indy finds a deadly arrow     
MINUTE  3:  THE RATCHET
Satipo says, “The Hovitos are near. The poison is still fresh”
MINUTE  4:  ANOTHER NOTCH 
A man pulls a gun on Indy
MINUTE  5:  JAW DROPPER
A jaw dropping number of spiders crawl onto Indy and his ally’s back
MINUTE  6:  FRIEND OR FIST
Indy saves Satipo from falling (FRIEND)
MINUTE  7:  FRIEND OR FIST 2
Indy saves Satipo’s life again (FRIEND)
MINUTE  8:  SOMETHING STARTLING HAPPENS
The crumbling temple startles Indy!
MINUTE  9:  THE PURSUIT
Indy pursues Satipo who stole the idol
MINUTE 10: THE DISCUSSION 
Belloq and Indy talk about the idol
MINUTE 11: THE WARNING
Belloq warns Indy to hand over the gun or the Hovitos warriors will kill him
MINUTE 12: HARSHER WARNING
The Hovitos try to kill Indy  
MINUTE 13: THE SUBMISSION
Indy remains seated as snake slithers in his lap
MINUTE 14: DANGER WATCH 
Indy watches Marcus approach with ominous news
MINUTE 15: WHEW, THAT WAS CLOSE!
Indy explains to Marcus that he had the idol in his hand — it was this close (and we know, from having seen it, that Indy experienced a close call when the Hovitos warriors almost kill him 
MINUTE 16: THE BIG CONCERN
Indy shows concern when he learns that army intelligence has come to see him. “Am I in trouble?” he asks Marcus
MINUTE 17: WORLD UPSIDE DOWN
Government agents tell Indy that Hitler is looking for an important artifact
MINUTE 18: TROUBLE TURN
Indy learns that Hitler wants the ark so he can obtain great power (which will get Indy into trouble later)
MINUTE 19: THE THREAT  
The Nazis (obvious bad guys) threaten to find the Ra headpiece first
MINUTE 20: PUSH BACK
Indy — who was intimidated by Belloq, the snakes, and now the agents — pushes back intellectually with his superior knowledge of the ark
MINUTE 21: THE GREAT AFFECT  
Marcus tells Indy that the government wants him to find the ark, which greatly affects Indy’s life
MINUTE 22: TRUTH DECLARED
Marcus tells Indy: “Faith is the path of least resistance”
MINUTE 23: SCARY STUFF
Indy shows Marcus his (scary) gun
MINUTE 24: SCARY STUFF 2
Marion is involved in an intense drinking game with a large local (scary for her because she might lose her reputation as a woman who can hold her liquor)
MINUTE 25: SCARY STUFF 3
Marion almost passes out and loses the drinking game
MINUTE 26: THE BIG UNEXPECTED
Marion punches Indiana Jones in the face
MINUTE 27: THE MINI-QUEST 
Indy tells Marion that he needs the bronze medallion (Indy’s Mini-Quest before searching
for the ark)
MINUTE 28: BIG QUEST PREP 
Indy gives Marion money to get the medallion
MINUTE 29: BIG QUEST PREP 2 
Nazis enter Marion’s bar (in preparation to take over the medallion so they can find the ark)
MINUTE 30: THE NEED
The Nazi needs to see the medallion
MINUTE 31: DISTRESS SIGNAL   
Indy sees the red-hot poker moving toward Marion’s face.
MINUTE 32: ANXIETY AMP
The bad guys shoot at Indy
MINUTE 33: OMINOUS OH NO!
A flame races toward Indy’s face (Oh no!)
MINUTE 34: FRIEND AFFECT 
Sallah brings Indy and Marion to his home
MINUTE 35: BAIT & SWITCH  
Marion befriends a monkey (who will later betray her)
MINUTE 36: HIDE & SEEK
The ark stays hidden, not found yet by Belloq or Indy.
MINUTE 37: OVER HIS HEAD
Sallah realizes the ark should remain undisturbed (they may be in over their heads)
MINUTE 38: POSITIVE RECONNECT
Indy and Marion joke together at the market
MINUTE 39: NEW JOURNEY BOND
Indy helps Marion as they fend off the bad guys
MINUTE 40: ALLY’S WORLD
We learn that Marion will hurt someone to defend herself — she clanks the guy over the head with a pan (this plays out later when she pulls a knife on Belloq)
MINUTE 41: THORNY ROSE
Indy shoots sword-guy and is temporarily safe (ROSE), but he still has to find Marion (THORN)
MINUTE 42: SURPRISE REVEAL
Marion reveals she’s hiding inside the basket  
MINUTE 43: SURPRISE REVEAL 2
Marion dies!
MINUTE 44: NEW NEWS
Indy learns Bellog is in town
MINUTE 45: OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Indy threatens to kill Belloq in a public place
MINUTE 46: THE REVELATION
Sallah reveals that he is willing to risk his children to save Indy
MINUTE 47: THE ESCORT 
Sallah says he will take Indy to the old man
MINUTE 48: NEEDED KNOWLEDGE 
Sallah tells Indy the Nazis had a headpiece
MINUTE 49: FOREBODING FACT
The old man cautions Indy that the medallion warns against disturbing the ark
MINUTE 50: THE PORTENT
Sallah spots the dead monkey and catches the poisoned date before Indy eats it
MINUTE 51: THE ENGAGE     
The Nazis yell at Indy
MINUTE 52: SAY UNCLE     
Nazis take Sallah away from the well opening, leaving Indy stuck inside   
MINUTE 53: THE INTIMIDATION    
Nazis keep Sallah away from the well hole — Indy can’t get out   
MINUTE 54: THE LIGHTBULB    
Indy discovers that the sun’s rays really do work through the medallion   
MINUTE 55: SIDESWIPE     
Sallah drops the Nazi flag onto a surprised Indy   
MINUTE 56: DARK TWIST CHAT    
Indy is excited to find Marion, but then he re-gags her   
MINUTE 57: DIFFICULT WORDS    
Indy to Marion: I’ll come back to get you   
MINUTE 58: VITAL EVENT    
Major Toht shows the medallion impression burned into his palm   
MINUTE 59: THE DECEPTION              
Indy and the workers dig at nightfall to avoid detection   
MINUTE 60: THE SHOCKER
The monser-like statue scares Sallah!   

And so on...

To learn much more about all 120 minute-by-minute beats, and how to apply them to your screenplay, TV pilot, novel or graphic novel, order Something Startling Happens: The 120 Story Beats Every Writer Needs To Know at Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobles. http://shop.mwp.com/products/something-startling-happens-the-120-story-beats-every-writer-needs-to-know


And try the #1 Bestseller, The Screenwriter's Fairy Tale: The Universal Story Within All Movie Storieshttp://www.amazon.com/The-Screenwriters-Fairy-Tale-ebook/dp/B007U6D0CM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1348519200&sr=1-1&keywords=the+screenwriter%27s+fairytale+the+universal+story+within+all+movie+stories

Todd Klick Writing Serviceswww.toddklick.com