Screenplay Notes

So today I broke down my original storyboard into sections to see if it follows the standard formula of storytelling. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to strengthen the plot and progression of the story but this is what I have been working on so far.

Act One

Stage #1 Setup

the everyday life of the hero; establish identification with hero by making likable/relatable to the audience.

innocent, child-like teddy bear- "the favorite stuffed animal"

wakes up while the child/owner is asleep, just as every night- explores, creates, has a carefree life, imaginative, light hearted

Turning Point #1: Opportunity

new opportunity, new desire, will start the character on its journey

bear finds toys under bed- creates an opportunity to create, play, and use imagination

Stage #2 The New Situation

reacts to the new situation that resulted from the opportunity

bear creates an imaginative environment- creates a city of blocks and destroys the new world; takes charge of the other stuffed animals within the room

Turning Point #2: Change of Plans

will transform the original desire into something else with a clearly defined end point

story concept is defined, and hero's motivation is revealed

noise/imagination turns into a nightmare

causes shadow monster to awaken- hides in the shadow of the bear (as if he needs to face his own demons)

Act 2

Stage 3: Progress

takes action to achieve its goal

Turning Point #3: The Point of No Return

hero must fully commit to the goal; had the option of turning back, giving up on the plan, and returning to the life he had at the beginning of the film

through the reveal of the shadow monster the bear has no choice but to confront or run away from his fears; his ultimate battle with courage

Stage 4: Complications and Higher Stakes

achieving the goal becomes more difficult, hero has much to loose if he fails

how would you fight a shadow monster? if the bear fails he risks his own safety as well as the safety of his owner

Act 3

Stage 5: The Final Push

hero must risk everything he has, and give every ounce of strength and courage to achieve the ultimate goal

the bear tries to run away from the shadow monster down a long hallway (everything looks scarier in the dark) as if it is a chase dream. it is a final attempt to lure the monster from the sleeping child

Turning Point #5: The Climax

hero must face the biggest obstacle of the entire story- must determine own fate

the bear is grabbed by the shadow monster and dragged back down the hallway into the belly of the shadow- struggles to get away but ends up getting torn to pieces by the monster and left on the floor until day breaks

Stage 6: The Aftermath

ends with the hero's objective; revealing the new life the hero is living now that he has completed his journey

girl/owner finds the bear in shreds- brings the pieces to her mother in the morning; she sews the bear back together

ends back where the story began- girl is put to bet and is shown hugging the bear- has the courage because of the love given from his owner