The Beats
This beat visually establishes the tone, world, and main character’s “normal” before the story truly begins.
What is The Opening Image?
The central message, insight, or underlying meaning explored throughout a story.
What is theme?
This is the written speech spoken by a character in a screenplay.
What is dialogue?
Blue or white, but either way, you must have me if you're late.
What is a tardy slip?
I am not perfect, but I am essential to making progress. Without me, the final means nothing.
What is a/the rough draft?
This beat is the incident or situation that disrupts the protagonist’s life and forces the story into motion.
What is the Catalyst?
The process by which a character grows, changes, or reveals deeper complexity over time.
What is character development?
This section of a script describes what the audience can see or hear, excluding dialogue.
What is action?
Teachers use this to communicate with all students, even though students act like this resource is never-before-seen invention.
What is Schoology?
This number doesn't mean you're stupid. If you get caught using AI, though, it just means you made a stupid decision.
What is an automatic zero?
In this beat, the protagonist questions whether to move forward, often wrestling with fear, doubt, or stakes.
What is the Debate?
This is an arrangement, division, or narrative blueprint that most, if not all, stories follow.
What is three-act structure?
This element indicates how one scene moves to the next, such as CUT TO or FADE OUT.
What is a transition?
Within me hangs your soul and everything that you value. You itch to pull my insides out. I am the thing that is mandatory for all.
What are the phone pockets?
I am powerful like the Holy Trinity, the Mythological Fates, and the Little Piggies. Some of you rely on me too heavily, and it shows.
What is the three-day work extension?
This central beat often marks a false victory or false defeat and shifts the story in a new direction.
What is the Midpoint?
It can be spoken or written. Either way, it's all about the events, the plot, and the story.
What is a narrative?
This line at the start of a scene tells the reader where and when the scene takes place.
What is a slugline?
Your addiction contraption is always ready to go. However, the thing you need to succeed in class rarely is prepared. If you need this, you owe Mr. Frantz your phone for a full day.
What is one of Mr. Frantz's Chromebook chargers?
It happens three times a week and could be very helpful for some of you. However, Mr. Frantz is beginning to think you believe it's a myth or a fairy tale.
What is tutoring?
This beat represents the death of someone or something that the protagonist loves.
What is the All is Lost?
This includes dialogue, action, and formatting instructions. It's read and performed in front of a camera.
What is a screenplay?
This is a small unit of action or emotional shift that occurs within a scene or line of dialogue.
What is a beat?
For some, it's foundational and makes up their identity, but in class, you're going to get busted if you're seen with this.
What is using or applying makeup?
You may not think it's distracting, or "everybody does it." Heck, some of you will say, "Sorry, mister," and then do it again within thirty seconds. However, it makes you sound uneducated, and it needs to stay out of the classroom.
What is swearing / using profanity?