It's finally time to get started on your script. As with any kind of writing project, keep in mind that you are only producing a draft here; every good script (every good play, novel, memoir, etc.) goes through multiple drafts -- so please, don't let yourself be a perfectionist as you begin to fill these early pages. Let the writing happen. Don't worry if it doesn't immediately meet your expectations! It would be very strange if it did.

For this assignment your job is to write the first ten pages of your screenplay. I suggest that you re-read pages 21-24 of the Field text, as well as his Chapter 7 on "Setting Up the Story." Remember his advice that you have just ten pages to grab the attention of whoever might read your script. The first ten pages must (1)introduce your main character, (2) let the reader knowwhat the story is going to be about, (the basic dramatic premise) and (3) establish the general situation andcircumstances surrounding the main character.

Remember: you must tell your story in pictures. Yes, you'll be writing dialogue! -- but the best films are those in which the essence of the story would come across to an audience even without the dialogue. Think hard about what your readers will SEE as the drama unfolds.

By now you will have read Chapter 13 of the Field text, in which he discusses screenwriting format. Obviously, you need to do your best to follow his advice. Do not, however, be overly concerned about making mistakes in format. You may want to download free screenwriting software (Celtx) or even pay for such software (Final Draft), but do not feel obligated to do so. It is possible simply to set the tabs on your word-processor and get started.

The first ten pages of your script should be uploaded as a Word document to the appropriate assignment page (drop box), under 'Assessments.'ALSO,it should be posted on the discussion board (under 'Communication'), so that your classmates are able to read and respond to it. Thank you!

(Below in bold is what I have so far)

Screenplay idea: "Echoes of Eternity"

Genre: Science fiction / Drama

In the near future where humanity has developed the technology to implant memories, Eva, an emotionally scarred neuroscientist works for a corporation that provides memory enhancements. Haunted by the tragic death of her husband in a car accident, Eva becomes obsessed with using her skills to relive her past and alter her traumatic memories. Her main goal is to change the event that caused her so much pain.

Eva's journey begins when she meets a mysterious man (Dr. Adrian) who claims to have perfected a device that allows users to relive memories and to interact with them. Eva collaborates with Adrian and begins a series of dangerous experiments because she is intrigued and desperate. As she looks deeper into her memories, she starts to uncover hidden truths about her husband's death. Eva realizes that it was no accident but part of a larger conspiracy involving her employer.

The film explores themes of grief, the ethics of memory manipulation, and the quest for closure. As Eva gets closer to the truth, she faces risks in the real world and within her mind. Her pursuit puts her on a collision course with powerful figures within the corporation who keep their secrets. Eva must decide whether to destroy her past or accept it, finding strength in her memories instead of being imprisoned by them. The climax forces her to confront her grief and choose between the illusion of a perfect past and the painful reality of her present.

Character Exploration: Eva

Part One: Early Life and Formative Experiences

Eva was born into a middle-class family in a bustling city, with two loving parents who encouraged her curiosity and thirst for knowledge from a young age. She was always a precocious child, showing a keen interest in science and technology. However, her childhood was not without its challenges. Eva's parents struggled with their own issues, and their relationship was often strained, leading to periods of instability and tension at home.

Despite the difficulties at home, Eva excelled academically and found solace in her studies. She immersed herself in books and scientific experiments, seeking to understand the world around her and escape the turmoil of her family life. This drive for knowledge and understanding would shape Eva's future ambitions and career path.

As Eva grew older, she became increasingly aware of the fragility of life and the fleeting nature of happiness. This awareness was heightened by a traumatic event in her teenage years when she witnessed a fatal car accident that claimed the life of a close friend. This experience left a profound impact on Eva, sparking her fascination with memory and the human mind.

Part Two: Eva's Journey in the Film

Eva is introduced as a talented neuroscientist working for a corporation that specializes in memory enhancements. However, beneath her professional facade lies a woman haunted by her past. Eva's husband's tragic death in a car accident years ago continues to torment her, and she becomes consumed by the desire to alter her traumatic memories.

Eva's journey begins when she meets Dr. Adrian, a mysterious figure who claims to have developed a device that can manipulate and interact with memories. Intrigued and desperate for closure, Eva agrees to collaborate with Dr. Adrian on a series of dangerous experiments. As she delves deeper into her memories, Eva uncovers shocking truths about her husband's death and the sinister forces at play within her own company.

Eva is driven by a relentless pursuit of the truth, despite the risks and dangers she faces. She must confront powerful figures within the corporation who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets, putting her own life in jeopardy in the process. As Eva's quest for closure reaches its climax, she is forced to make a pivotal decision: to either destroy her past and seek revenge, or to accept the painful reality of her husband's death and find strength in her memories.

Ultimately, Eva's character determines the course of the story's incidents. Her actions and decisions drive the narrative forward, leading to a dramatic confrontation that forces her to confront her grief and choose her path forward. In the end, Eva emerges forever changed, finding a sense of closure and redemption amidst the echoes of eternity.

Act I: The Set-Up

• Inciting Incident: Eva's routine is disrupted when she encounters Dr. Adrian, who presents her with a groundbreaking but ethically dubious memory manipulation device.
• Eva's World: We see Eva's life as a neuroscientist and her struggle with the loss of her husband, establishing her as a character driven by her quest for knowledge and closure.
• End of Act I: Eva decides to use the device on herself, setting her on a path that could either heal or destroy her.

Act II: The Confrontation

• Plot Point into Act II: Eva's first experiment with the device reveals unexpected truths about her husband's death, propelling her into a deeper investigation.
• Rising Action: As Eva uncovers more about the company's dark secrets, she faces increasing danger from those who wish to silence her.
• Midpoint: Eva's resolve is tested when she learns the full extent of the company's machinations, including their role in her husband's death.

Act III: The Resolution

• Plot Point into Act III: Armed with the truth, Eva is now a target. She must choose between erasing her memories to save herself or fighting back.
• Climax: In a final confrontation, Eva faces off against the corporation's enforcers, using her intellect and the device to outsmart them.
• Resolution: Eva emerges victorious but changed. She chooses to live with her memories, finding strength in the love she and her husband shared.