THE COUNTESS OF BUDAPEST – MetaData
Title: _The Countess of Budapest_
Credit: written by
Author: The King of Jesters
Source:
Notes: Filename: COB-Scene1 09162019.highland
Copyright: kingofjesters.com
LOGLINE:
Indecisive hero must choose between his familiar toxic family headed by his narcissistic grande dame mother, and the unfamiliar lure of a loving, unselfish woman.
SYNOPSIS:
PAR 1: Johnny (protagonist) wants to make a life with his new love, Manya, while maintaining a relationship with his family, especially his younger sister, Sissi. He wants to write and make a difference in the world, a goal which Manya supports.
PAR 2: However, Johnny’s mother, Lotti (antagonist), wants to recapture her former station of wealth and privilege in pre-war Budapest, and will have none of Johnny’s plans, insisting on a lucrative career in banking for him, from which she expects to benefit. Lotti is charming and attractive and throws numerous obstacles in Johnny’s way.
PAR 3: Johnny has to learn that he can escape, and be free to love, independently, and to have the courage to lose a family that demanded loyalty that was not deserved and create a family of his own.
BEAT SHEET:
ACT I:
1. Opening Image – Johnny and his world, a tentative life with Manya, but one that is not entirely at equilibrium. Their physical love is not successful. [1%]
2. Theme Stated – Manya’s remarks hint at what Johnny’s arc will be. (Manya-I love you, Johnny, and everything will be all right, as long as we’re together). [5%]
3. Set-up – Visiting in San Francisco, Johnny recedes back into his toxic family (it’s what he knows from their diaspora) and leaves Manya hanging alone (this will result in the loss of Manya and the new fulfilling life (the stakes)). [1 to 10%]
4. Catalyst (Inciting Incident) – When Manya breaks the glass Christmas ornament, and everyone including Johnny, laughs at and humiliates her, Johnny suddenly realizes that he must act (choose) one way or another. [10%]
5. Debate – Johnny consults his oracle at Land’s End (his younger self) to figure out what he should do. Young Johnny can’t help; he is trapped in the past. [10% to 20%]
ACT II:
6. Break into 2 – Johnny understands that he must escape Lotti and his family, and leave the bank, and commit himself to Manya and his writing. But how? [20%]
7. B Story – Brigit, an old and older lover, comes to visit Johnny. They make successful love, as they have in the past. Brigit tells Johnny that she cannot have children. Johnny realizes he has betrayed Manya and fallen deeper into Lotti’s world. [22%]
C Story – Sissi
8. Fun and Games (Promise of the Premise) – Johnny does not tell Manya. Johnny and Manya attempt to stay together, and have children, unsuccessfully. [20% to 50%]
9. Midpoint – Johnny and Manya are together, but Johnny has failed at writing and having children. He doesn’t really want children. He feels he should not have abandoned his family. [50%]
10. Bad Guys Close In – Lotti learns of the their attempts to have children, and says that this makes her very sad, etc. Sissi berates Johnny on his efforts to free himself. [50% to 75%]
11. All Is Lost – Lotti strikes and informs Manya of Johnny’s betrayal with Brigit. Manya abandons Johnny. [75%]
12. Dark Night of the Soul – Johnny is duped by his family once again. Max dies, as a result. Johnny has lost everything (Manya, Max, and his chance for a new and better life) [75% to 80%]
ACT III:
13. Break into 3 – Brigit points Johnny in the right direction: a life with Manya and children, which she herself can’t have. Johnny at last summons the courage to breaks with Lotti and his family [80%]
14. Finale – Johnny now finally understands, and begs Manya for another chance. They are reunited, but without Max.
15. Final Image – Johnny and Manya together with children, indicating a successful sexual life. They visit Lotti at her death, and learn that Sissi was unable to escape, and has taken on aspects of Lotti’s character.
