Chick 1 says:
Welcome to a new series of posts, Beat Sheets. A beat sheet is a story structure tool used by many screenwriters, listing out certain events or moments called beats that usually occur in every story. These beats drive the plot. The particular beat sheet we’ll be using here was developed by Blake Snyder in his screenwriting book, Save The Cat. It is very popular among writers in Hollywood today.
In this series, I’ll follow the plot of different movies and list each point where I think an important beat occurs. Snyder’s theory is that every great or even good movie, every story has all of these beats in some form. For the first few posts I’ll list Snyder’s explanation of each beat. Tell me if you think I’m right. Or if you think a certain beat doesn’t exist in the movie at all.
For this first one, let’s take a look at Hot Fuzz, the second collaboration by Simon Pegg/Nick Frost/Edgar Wright following Shaun of the Dead. Like Shaun of the Dead, it’s a funny, sharp story. The writing and editing are tight, tight, tight. No line or prop is thrown away from Aaron A. Aaronson to “Swan!”. Almost everything comes back into the plot. So let’s dive in. Obviously SPOILERS FOLLOW.
Opening Image – A visual that represents the struggle & tone of the story. A snapshot of the main character’s problem, before the adventure begins.
- Nick Angel charging toward the camera, determined to follow each rule to the letter without a thought for anything else.
Set-up – Expand on the “before” snapshot. Present the main character’s world as it is, and what is missing in their life.
- Opening narration – Angel is such an intense, uptight officer that he doesn’t have any friends, even his girlfriend dumps him for not being able to “switch off”. His drive is shown by the rundown of his police record.
Theme Stated (happens during the Set-up) – What your story is about; the message, the truth. Usually, it is spoken to the main character or in their presence, but they don’t understand the truth…not until they have some personal experience and context to support it.
- Stated by Nick to Danny before they watch movies – needing to learn to switch off. Nick is so obsessed with his job he doesn’t know how to relate to others. This does not happen during the set-up, however there is a deleted scene when Nick’s girlfriend break’s up with him during the set-up. I believe it’s stated during that scene.
Catalyst – The moment where life as it is changes. It is the telegram, the act of catching your loved-one cheating, allowing a monster on board the ship, meeting the true love of your life, etc. The “before” world is no more, change is underway.
- Nick’s forced transfer from his job as one of London’s most successful cops, to a boring country position.
Debate – But change is scary and for a moment, or a brief number of moments, the main character doubts the journey they must take. Can I face this challenge? Do I have what it takes? Should I go at all? It is the last chance for the hero to chicken out.
- Nick tries this unsuccessfully with his bosses.
Break Into Two (Choosing Act Two) – The main character makes a choice and the journey begins. We leave the “Thesis” world and enter the upside-down, opposite world of Act Two.
- Nick’s journey to Sanford, not just his physical journey but his first evening in the town. He tries to handle things as he always has; it doesn’t work. He’s not in Kansas anymore.
B Story – This is when there’s a discussion about the Theme – the nugget of truth. Usually, this discussion is between the main character and the love interest. So, the B Story is usually called the “love story”.
- Nick and Danny are the B Story. The “romance” does not have to be literal but it is where the hero receives nuture and care. Danny idolizes Nick & is shaken out of his stupor by Nick’s heroism. Nick needs Danny’s affection more than he realizes and is finally able to loosen up thanks to Danny’s example.
The Promise of the Premise – This is the fun part of the story. This is when Craig Thompson’s relationship with Raina blooms, when Indiana Jones tries to beat the Nazis to the Lost Ark, when the detective finds the most clues and dodges the most bullets. This is when the main character explores the new world and the audience is entertained by the premise they have been promised.
- From the moment Nick begins to meet the citizens of Sandford, they seem quiet country folk but there is also something sinister in each meeting. Then comes the first murder. There really is something evil lurking beneath the quaint exterior.
Midpoint – Dependent upon the story, this moment is when everything is “great” or everything is “awful”. The main character either gets everything they think they want (“great”) or doesn’t get what they think they want at all (“awful”). But not everything we think we want is what we actually need in the end.
- After the fair and Tom Messenger’s murder, Nick’s midpoint is “awful”. He is miserable in his new job and town. He KNOWS something is going on but no one believes him. He is a laughing stock to his co-workers and even fights with his one new friend.
Bad Guys Close In – Doubt, jealousy, fear, foes both physical and emotional regroup to defeat the main character’s goal, and the main character’s “great”/“awful” situation disintegrates.
- Nick keeps getting closer to the murderer, even actually witnessing a murder himself and gets Danny back on the case. But they can’t quite figure it out.
All is Lost – The opposite moment from the Midpoint: “awful”/“great”. The moment that the main character realizes they’ve lost everything they gained, or everything they now have has no meaning. The initial goal now looks even more impossible than before. And here, something or someone dies. It can be physical or emotional, but the death of something old makes way for something new to be born.
- Nick uncovers the truth. He was right; there are multiple murderers. But now he will likely be killed because almost the entire town is in on it. When Danny joins in the group and “stabs” Nick, Nick is convinced that Danny is in on it. His one real friend (and therefore, his one true accomplishment) is a part of it all. Nick (and his friendship with Danny) both appear to die here.
Dark Night of the Soul – The main character hits bottom, and wallows in hopelessness. The Why hast thou forsaken me, Lord? moment. Mourning the loss of what has “died” – the dream, the goal, the mentor character, the love of your life, etc. But, you must fall completely before you can pick yourself back up and try again.
- Although the “stabbing” was a rouse to save Nick, he can’t convince Danny to join him. He is completely alone in his fight.
Break Into Three (Choosing Act Three) – Thanks to a fresh idea, new inspiration, or last-minute Thematic advice from the B Story (usually the love interest), the main character chooses to try again.
- On his lonely drive back to London, Nick stops at a convenience store and sees the cop movies that Danny introduced him to. He realizes he has to finish the job and rides into town, armed to the teeth, and on a white horse no less. Even the guns across his back look like angel wings. Nick Angel, get it?
Finale – This time around, the main character incorporates the Theme – the nugget of truth that now makes sense to them – into their fight for the goal because they have experience from the A Story and context from the B Story. Act Three is about Synthesis!
- Near the start of the fight Danny joins Nick. Soon they are able to convince the rest of the police force to join them and Nick leads the take down of the murderers not on his own but as part of a team.
Final Image – opposite of Opening Image, proving, visually, that a change has occurred within the character.
- Nick and Danny are patrolling the town, Nick fine with checking out some “hippies”. A true partnership thrives; Nick has adjusted to quiet village life and Danny gets to be a “real” cop.
http://ya-sportsmen.ru
русское порно зрелых
http://www.bylki.org
Excellent article. I certainly appreciate this website.
Keep it up!
Also visit my page … porn star (Winifred)
топ порно
http://www.bylki.org
%%
Also visit my site – discountcode
I appreciate, result in I discovered just what I used to be taking
a look for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Feel free to visit my web page … people
%%
my blog: Mesothelioma Lawyer
%%
my website; Local psychiatrists Near Me (spps.dgweb.kr)
%%
Feel free to surf to my blog post :: mesothelioma claim
%%
My homepage: netsuite implementation partner
%%
My blog :: vodafone 12 month Sim only [Gw.acaunion.com]
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am actually pleassant to
read all at one place.
It is in reality a nice and useful piece of information. I am
happy that you just shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Hello! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to
give a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading through
your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with
the same topics? Thank you!
Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell
and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear
and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to
tell someone!
Hurrah! After all I got a website from where I be able to
actually obtain valuable facts regarding my study and knowledge.
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly
picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this site,
since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous
to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if
your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading
instances times will very frequently affect
your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads
and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to
my email and can look out for much more of your respective exciting content.
Make sure you update this again very soon.
Heya just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t
loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same
results.
If you are going for finest contents like I do, just pay a quick visit this website
all the time because it provides quality contents, thanks
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It
absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads.
I am hoping to give a contribution & aid different users like its
aided me. Good job.
It’s really a nice and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you just shared this helpful info with us.
Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
порно анус
русское порно
http://www.bylki.video
I’m curious to find out what blog system you happen to be
working with? I’m having some minor security problems with my latest website and I would
like to find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout of your website?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures.
Maybe you could space it out better?
%%
my site – Compare Sim Only Deals
http://www.alsidom.ru/
For most recent news you have to visit web and on world-wide-web I found this web site as a finest web page for most
up-to-date updates.
Here is my web page; truck accident settlement (Cleo)
%%
Visit my homepage :: private Adult adhd assessment near me
Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I
know my visitors would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.
Hey There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is a very well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of
your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
%%
Feel free to surf to my web page; Upvc installation near me
%%
Also visit my page: biofuel Fireplaces
порно актрисы
классное порно
%%
Feel free to surf to my homepage :: Avon Uk
%%
Also visit my blog :: avon how to become a representative
%%
Feel free to surf to my blog :: delta 8 near me
I wanted to thank you for this good read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it.
I’ve got you book-marked to look at new stuff you post…
Also visit my web page – delta 8 Vape cart
%%
Feel free to surf to my homepage; private adhd diagnosis scotland – Doris -
%%
Have a look at my webpage – netsuite training Free
%%
Review my website … seo Service uk
in.k2web.cc
Quibusdam numquam nisi aut velit pariatur voluptate. Rerum aut molestias distinctio sed ut eligendi natus qui. Error quia est et repellendus. Soluta nesciunt non eligendi laboriosam.
Dolorum ut minus porro veniam ex assumenda dolorum vel. Et dolor debitis occaecati enim eaque ducimus officia. Sit voluptatem excepturi tenetur ipsum quaerat quia culpa. Beatae ut earum qui sunt occaecati perspiciatis. Odio nam expedita et explicabo inventore ut voluptatem.
Est iusto necessitatibus aperiam distinctio eligendi non doloremque dolorum. Maxime explicabo et perspiciatis reiciendis ipsa. Atque blanditiis qui illo voluptatem eos. Quo eos est rem voluptas cumque. Aperiam ipsum commodi voluptatem voluptatem voluptas. Facilis fuga nam officiis soluta dolores omnis molestiae.
Consequatur quod quo molestiae sed quo illo unde. Numquam animi est quia culpa praesentium sunt exercitationem. Molestiae ratione voluptatem cum hic repellendus quas qui exercitationem.
Accusantium et ut eos. Harum ab ea magni rerum. Eveniet doloribus reiciendis placeat ea quis mollitia quia et.
http://tour174.ru
%%
my page :: voucher code – Virgie,
порно мужики
https://www.pornodrive.org
I do consider all the ideas you’ve presented in your post.
They are very convincing and can certainly work.
Nonetheless, the posts are too short for starters.
Could you please lengthen them a little from next time?
Thank you for the post.
Also visit my webpage :: delta 8 vape cartridge (Rochell)
порно фото гола
%%
Here is my site Best 5G Deals Sim Only
%%
My page installation