Are You the One?

You Decide.

Will your Next Screenplay Make the Journey From Script to Screen?

Think of your screenplay as a series of 8 segments thematically divided by 7 Critical or Emotional Decisions made by the Protagonist. These Decisions are active and identifiable on screen.

Step into the Matrix and Let Your Training begin.

 

THE FIRST SEGMENT
Within the first minute of the movie THE MATRIX, the question is pondered: Is Neo "The One"?
  Cypher  
Yeah.  
     
  Trinity  
Is everything in place?  
     
  Cypher  
You weren't supposed to relieve me.  
     
  Trinity  
I know, but I want to take your shift.  
     
  Cypher  
You like watching him, don't you? You like watching him.  
     
  Trinity  
Don't be ridiculous.  
     
  Cypher  
We're going to kill him, do you understand that?  
     
  Trinity  
Morpheus believes he is the one.  
   
  Cypher
Do You?
 
  Trinity
It doesn't matter what I believe.
 

So, is he "The One"? That is the question asked throughout the film and sets up the Protagonists character arc.

Within the first segment, the story is set up and our Protagonist is introduced.


1
15 minutes

Thomas Anderson (Neo) is totally unaware of the journey he is about to take. When mysterious 'agents' come looking for him, he is offered a choice.

Escape by climbing out onto a scaffold outside a skyscraper window or...

...exit the building under custody

He chooses custody.

This decision exhibits where the character is thematically. He saw the scaffold escape as physically risky and was not confident in his own ability to pull it off.

 

THE SECOND SEGMENT
This segment introduces the problem that will haunt Neo throughout the remainder of the film.


2
29 minutes

Neo must choose between two pills and the critical decision will change life as he knows it.

  Morpheus  
Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.... Remember, all I'm offering is the truth, nothing more.... Follow me....  
Neo chooses the Red Pill. That decision brings him to the "Real" world. Thematically, he chooses the only option that will allow him to fulfill the prophecy... Is he "The One"?

 

THE THIRD SEGMENT
ACT TWO begins with Neo viewing the horror that is the "Real World". A world where the machines have taken over and mankind has been reduced to slavery. The stakes of the story are effectively raised.


3
44 minutes
Neo is hit with a gut (emotional) reaction to be returned to the life he left behind. But he knows he can't return and his body convulses.

 

THE FOURTH SEGMENT
Neo has to accept he cannot return to his former life. So, with the help of a motley crew, he is immersed in training that will result in honing neccesary skills. This continues until Neo is ready to confront "The Oracle." She will tell him if he is 'The One'.


4
1 hour 13 minutes
(The Mid-Point)

Neo must decide to open the door and confront his destiny...

...the Oracle tells Neo he is not "The One"

Thematically the story could effectively be over at this point. After all, we have the answer posed at the beginning - is Neo "The One"?

 

THE FIFTH SEGMENT
So, the Oracle said he is not "The One". The story could end, but events outside Neo's control keep it going. While leaving the Oracle, the gang is attacked. They try to escape through an abandoned building's wet wall.


5
1 hour 23 minutes
When an agent grabs Neo through the wall, Morpheus throws himself on the agent. Neo makes the emotional decision to stay to rescue Morpheus. But, Trinity grabs him by the foot and continues the safe escape.

THE SIXTH SEGMENT
Morpheus battles Agent Smith to guarantee Neo's escape. But in doing so, Morpheus is captured y teh agents and taken prisoner.


6
1 hour 36 minutes
(Plot Point 2)
With Morpheus prisoner, the only option is to pull the plug on him, effectively killing him. Neo creates another option. To leave Morpheus plugged in and Neo'll attempt the impossible, to rescue his mentor.

 

THE SEVENTH SEGMENT
During the successful rescue, Neo exhibits traits of his destiny. But, he still doubts he is the one because of the Oracle's words. Morpheus tells him the Oracle only told him what he needed to hear at the time.


7
1 hour 54 minutes

When Morpheus and Trinity have safely been returned, Agent Smith appears. Neo must either...

take the only sane option, run or...

...enter uncharted territory by standing up to the nemesis.

thematically, his decision to stay and fight demonstrates he believes in himself. Neo has decided. He is "the one". And he has the whoop-ass to prove it.

 

THE EIGHTH SEGMENT
ACT THREE consists of Neo as "The One".

 

Financially, THE MATRIX is a monster hit and artistically, it is arguably one of the best modern films in awhile. Could the "Critical Decision" structure help guide you in creating your story?