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Lecture 11: The Three Traditional Losses

In this lecture, we explore the concept of "Two Bad Things" and how they push the protagonist to face greater challenges and undergo transformation. Using examples from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Singin' in the Rain," we analyze the protagonist's journey and the significance of these events. The lecture includes writing assignments to apply the concept to your screenplay.

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Lecture 11: The Three Traditional Losses

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  1. Lecture 11:The Three Traditional Losses Professor Christopher Bradley One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman Based on the novel by Ken Kesey

  2. Previous Lesson The Midpoint Alien (1979) Screenplay by Dan O’Bannon

  3. In this Lesson What things happen to tell your protagonist that the problem is much worse than he or she ever imagined? One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman Based on the novel by Ken Kesey • In this lesson, we’ll be looking at some examples of the first two events (of three) that do this.

  4. Two Bad Things One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman Based on the novel by Ken Kesey Lesson 11: Part I

  5. Two Bad Things • Almost immediately after the midpoint, things start to fall apart for your protagonist. • The Antagonist returns, more powerful than ever. • The Protagonist faces his or her greatest fear (a greater fear than the one faced before the midpoint) and FAILS.

  6. Two Bad Things • With each loss, there is more determination. There’s no going back now! • The story moves from what the protagonist wants to what the protagonist needs. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman Based on the novel by Ken Kesey

  7. Two Bad Things • Even though your protagonist thought he or she had changed as much as they ever possibly could, a change that looks impossible is needed. • The goal becomes larger than the original goal. It’s now about honor, justice, nobility, loyalty, true love.

  8. Two Bad Things • It is in these scenes that the protagonist seizes his or her destiny. • After these two failures, your protagonist reaches THE BIG PIT (which we’ll be discussing in the next lecture). At that point, just when things look like they can’t possibly get worse, they DO.

  9. Example 1: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest • McMurphy’s goal was to lead a successful rebellion against the monstrously controlling Nurse Ratched and then escape. • He succeeds, but didn’t anticipate the consequences. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman Based on the novel by Ken Kesey

  10. Example 1: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest • He can’t leave the men to her revenge. Something bigger is being asked of him. • In the scenes following, McMurphy has a chance to escape but lets it pass, truly seizing his destiny as the savior of these men. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman Based on the novel by Ken Kesey

  11. Example 2: Singin’ in the Rain • Don Lockwood’s goal is to transition successfully from a silent film actor to an actor in talking pictures. • He succeeds, but something larger is needed. He has to save Kathy’s career as well. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Screenplay by Adolph Green and Betty Comden Suggested by the song Singin’ in the Rain by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown

  12. Assignments Singin’ in the Rain (1952) Screenplay by Adolph Green and Betty Comden Suggested by the song Singin’ in the Rain by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown Lesson 11: Part II

  13. Writing • Write the next 7-8 pages of your screenplay, taking your protagonist from bad to worse, illustrating the depth of the change needed, the scope and seeming-impossibility of the challenge.

  14. E-Board Post • Give supportive feedback to at least one of your fellow writers on their next 15 pages. 14

  15. End of Lecture 11 Next Lecture: The Big Pit One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman Based on the novel by Ken Kesey

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