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.
%%
Feel free to visit my web-site – double loft Beds
1. Размер а также анатомические особенности ступни
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
Extremely useful information specifically the last part :
) I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a
very long time. Thank you and good luck.
Check out my page: Double glazed sealed unit repairs
Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward
to new updates.
Have a look at my site: trucking accident lawsuits – Sanora -
%%
my blog post – adhd Assessment belfast
%%
my web page :: How realistic are sex dolls
%%
My website … thc usa, Earle,
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to
assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share.
Cheers!
%%
Also visit my web page; birth Defect lawyers
%%
my page; Triple Bunkbeds
%%
Feel free to visit my web site: personal injury Litigation
Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological globe the whole thing is existing on net?
15% off select meals & necessities when you buy online & pickup in-store.
http://www.lada-4×4.net/member.php?u=13319
http://gallery-3.ru/
Hello my fаmily member! I want to say that this article is amazing,
nice wгitten and include ɑpproximately all important infos.
I’d like to see extra posts lіke tһis .
L᧐ok at my webpage – Delhi escort Vasant Vihar
%%
Here is my page grow
%%
Feel free to visit my web blog: undiagnosed adhd In women (Guide.ind.in)
%%
My web blog ferrari key fob replacement
Hi there, I discovered your web site by way of Google whilst searching for a comparable topic, your website got here up, it appears to be like good.
I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply was alert to your blog through Google, and located that
it’s truly informative. I am going to be careful for brussels.
I will appreciate if you happen to proceed this truck accident lawsuit in Alexandria future.
A lot of folks might be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
%%
Also visit my blog post – buy hemp (http://Www.Keralaplot.Com)
Appreciating the dedication you put into
your site and detailed information you offer. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Fantastic read!
I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google
account.
my homepage – Truck Accident Attorney
Nice blog here! Additionally your website rather a
lot up very fast! What host are you the usage of?
Can I am getting your associate hyperlink for your host?
I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
%%
Also visit my webpage – Asbestos litigation
%%
Feel free to visit my page :: claims
Someone necessarily lend a hand to make seriously articles I might
state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page
and so far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular put
up extraordinary. Great activity!
my web-site; trucking accident law firm
Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this site regularly, this web page is genuinely nice and the people
are in fact sharing nice thoughts.
My web site – 사설토토사이트
http://hetleuksteplekje.nl/viewtopic.php?t=313724
After looking at a number of the articles on your site, I truly like your technique
of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark webpage
list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site as well and let me know your opinion.
my web-site Truck Accident Claim (Velikobrdo.Rs)
%%
My site :: accident claim
%%
my website Double Glazed Windows Chadderton
domperidone for sale online buy motilium for sale order cyclobenzaprine 15mg for sale
http://kstatida.ru
%%
my web-site deals Today
%%
Also visit my web-site … car accident legal (Kaylene)
%%
my webpage; consultant
%%
My homepage :: car accident Lawsuit
%%
Here is my blog Front Door Glass Replacement (http://Www.Jung-Go.Net)
%%
Here is my web site: car accident lawsuit; Boyce,
%%
Here is my site – railroad injuries litigation
http://old.vks-techno.com/?page_id=16
%%
Feel free to visit my homepage … Birth Injury Settlement
%%
Stop by my blog … motorcycle accident compensation
%%
My website … dangerous Drugs compensation
http://bademapa.socialphenomena.org/2018/07/24/воспитательный-процесс/
%%
my web page :: semi truck Accident law
%%
My website – upvc Door lock replacements
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is excellent,
let alone the content!
my webpage :: truck accident lawyers; daoom.co.kr,
Wow, incredible blog format! How lengthy have you been running a blog
for? you made blogging glance easy. The entire look of your
web site is excellent, as well as the content!
%%
Here is my webpage – 18 Wheeler Lawyer