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.
%%
Here is my webpage … Home
%%
Here is my web page; sell Avon products From home
I enjoy, cause I found just what I used to be having a look for.
You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Fantastic post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Cheers!
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and
was curious what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kudos
Your method of explaining all in this piece of
writing is genuinely pleasant, all be able to without difficulty know it, Thanks a lot.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.
I will make sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage one to continue your great work, have a nice holiday weekend!
%%
My web site; alarm
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account
it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
However, how could we communicate?
It’s awesome to pay a visit this website and reading
the views of all colleagues concerning this paragraph,
while I am also zealous of getting familiarity.
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate
a good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot
and never seem to get nearly anything done.
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto
a colleague who was doing a little homework on this. And
he in fact ordered me dinner due to the fact that
I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….
Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending
the time to discuss this subject here on your blog.
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the finest sites on the web.
I will recommend this web site!
Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your submit is just nice and that i could
assume you are an expert in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to take hold of
your RSS feed to stay updated with coming near near post.
Thanks one million and please carry on the enjoyable work.
After looking into a few of the articles on your web page, I really like
your technique of writing a blog. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and
will be checking back in the near future.
Take a look at my web site as well and let me know what you think.
Thankfulness to my father who told me regarding this blog, this
webpage is in fact remarkable.
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how
can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast
provided bright clear idea
Your method of telling all in this article is genuinely fastidious, every one
be capable of effortlessly understand it, Thanks a lot.
I blog often and I really appreciate your content.
The article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark
your website and keep checking for new details
about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought
I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you.
Look forward to going over your web page for a second time.
Marvelous, what a web site it is! This website presents useful information to us, keep it up.
Hi everyone, it’s my first go to see at this website,
and paragraph is really fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types of articles or
reviews.
I all the time used to study post in news papers but now
as I am a user of net therefore from now I am using net for
articles, thanks to web.
Great blog here! Also your web site loads up
very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your
host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours
lol
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next write ups thank
you once again.
I think the admin of this web site is genuinely working hard in favor of his web page, since here every information is quality based stuff.
Thanks in support of sharing such a good idea, piece of writing is good, thats why i have read it entirely
Definitely believe that which you stated. Your
favorite reason seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to be
aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think
about worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to
hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole
thing without having side effect , people can take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web page for a second
time.
Great blog right here! Also your site so much up very fast!
What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate link for your host?
I want my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
%%
Also visit my blog post: Sunnyvale asbestos attorney
Thanks , I have recently been looking for information about
this topic for ages and yours is the best I have came upon till now.
But, what about the conclusion? Are you certain about
the supply?
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus
the rest of the website is very good.
This excellent website really has all of the information and
facts I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know
who to ask.
Greetings! I’ve been following your website for a long time now and finally got the bravery
to go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock Texas!
Just wanted to tell you keep up the great work!
What’s up, I desire to subscribe for this blog to take hottest updates,
thus where can i do it please help.
%%
my page Buy sex machine (icanfixupmyhome.com)
Appreciating the hard work you put into your website and in depth information you offer.
It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same
old rehashed information. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m
including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I got this website from my pal who informed me about this web site and at the
moment this time I am browsing this web page and reading very
informative articles at this place.
Howdy would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price?
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Every weekend i used to visit this web page, because i wish for
enjoyment, as this this web page conations in fact nice funny material too.
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in reality used to be a enjoyment account it.
Glance complex to more delivered agreeable from you! However,
how can we keep up a correspondence?
%%
Check out my web blog … how to become A avon representative
%%
Also visit my homepage: Lovense Fucking Machine
I have read so many posts on the topic of the blogger lovers however this paragraph is really a pleasant paragraph, keep it up.
Also visit my website: car Key locksmith
%%
Also visit my page :: avon login uk – Ernestine -
%%
Also visit my web blog – Windows Repairs
%%
Also visit my site; harvey 18 wheeler accident (Brigitte)
%%
Here is my site :: sexy realdoll (Jayme)
%%
my homepage: masturbator