This is the basis for the entire story, or the "setup." 5. Talk about the need for "concrete action" -- be sure to refer to internal and external actions.

Without concrete action, there is no story -- just people thinking and talking, if that. Concrete action provides compelling reasons for more action, and is the driving force behind the story and the story itself. Internal action can be an important decision made by a character, or actions that occurred before the time of the screenplay that influence decisions/actions within. Internal action almost always leads to external action; physical interaction with the environment/other characters that moves the plot forward.

6. "Beats" are units of action in a screenplay. In class, we've used a system of beats called plusses minuses. Explain plusses and minuses. What is the advantage of using them?

Using pluses and minuses to keep track of beats allows the screenwriter to ensure that rising action is occurring in the screenplay. A plus is a gain that the character makes in achieving their goal, and a minus is a setback or complication. If there are too many of either in a screenplay, especially in a row, the balance of the conflict is diminished or destroyed and the audience loses interest.

7. Act two is all about conflict....

Yet the importance of keeping the conflict "balanced" cannot be overemphasized. If the protagonist or the antagonist becomes to powerful or powerless in your film, your audience will lose hope and disengage. The same will happen if the audience feels confident in the film's ultimate resolution because of an unchallenged opportunity for resolution. Using the paradox, demonstrate how your film keep its audience "off balance:"
Something weird MIGHT be going on in the house

Strange things keep happening without explanation

Nothing overtly threatening or truly unexplainable has occurred

Kitchen goes haywire while Mom's cooking breakfast

Mom might be going crazy (family history)

PART TWO.

Answer TWO of the four essay questions below. Typically, a good answer will be approximately three paragraphs long (10pts EACH = 20 pts total).

1. Describe static action, jumping action, and rising action defined by Egri. What steps must we take as screenwriters to accomplish rising action?

2. Write a few paragraphs on the Lamott Goldman . What key truths did you glean from them?

3. Using Schindler's List, the step-by-step process through which Schindler grew from a materialist to a humanitarian. Mention the use of pockets,