Writing My Outline

 After improving my synopsis it was time to write my outline. 

An outline focuses more on the plot, whilst a synopsis details more about the characters (as I learnt here). 

To help with this, the seminar focused on structure and plot points. Paul used script he had written for a short film Phone-O-Phobia. 

The main points we outlined were: 

• Opening- the normal world
• Inciting incident
• Break into Act II- protagonist gets active
• Plot Point 1- just before midnight
• Midpoint
• Plot Point 2- in the midpoint
• Dark Night of the Soul- moment of no return
• Plot Point 3- at the start of act III
• Climax- for good or for bad
• Ending- the new world

As I already knew my plot quite clearly I wrote out these main points and essentially filled them in, using them as a skeleton for my structure. 

This led to my outline: 

Opening- the new world:

65-year-old Ted has been a postman for as long as he can remember and since the death of his wife, the repetitive days consist of his rounds, waving to his neighbour Patricia and feeding his pet Lazarus. 

Inciting incident:

Then, one day, Ted finds a love letter amongst the post, anonymously addressed to him and complete with a clue. After a deliberation with Lazarus, Ted decides to follow the encrypted note. 

Break into Act II- protagonist gets active:

On his journey he is interrupted by nosy busybody Colin, demanding to know why Ted is off his usual route. Ted is anxious and attempts to slide by him, with little conflict. Colin remains on the pavement shouting at Ted’s back, threatening to report him. 

Plot Point 1- just before midnight: 

The clue takes Ted to the village shop, owned by lemon-drizzle loving Lizzy. He waits outside and attempts to pluck up the courage to go in. After watching a couple walk by, holding hands, he is motivated to open the door. The conversation between the two is awkward, despite Lizzy’s bubbliness the point of the conversation keeps getting lost under the topic of cake. Eventually, Ted gets his question across, asking if she is the admirer. She blushes and explains how she has the next clue. 

Midpoint:

Ted leaves the shop with a little more spring in his step. Again, Ted is stopped by Colin who demands to know why Ted is now going backwards on his route. He is waving his phone around threatening to report him. Again, Ted pushes past, this time grumbling under his breath. 

Plot Point 2- in the midpoint:

Ted then finds himself at the village hall, he stares at the ‘Only Staff’ sign, loitering outside the door. His breath has laboured and his heart pounding, but the sight of two birds fluttering around together acts as an incentive. 

Dark Night of the Soul- moment of no return:

After a few deep breaths he pushes the door forward. Ted attempts to call over to Mary, the hard-of-hearing cleaner to ask if she has the next clue but there is no response. After a very tiresome conversation he discovers Mary knows nothing, and she does not have the next clue. He walks away lost and deflated. 

Plot Point 3- at the start of act II:

Ted drags his feet home, his heart empty. Colin waits by his front door, foot tapping. Straight away, he accuses Ted of having not delivered the post today. Ted watches the ground, accepting the words. The shouting pulls Patricia out into her front garden to watch, even Lazarus is at the edge of his cage trying to see out the window. 

Climax- for good or for bad:

After too many harsh words, Ted’s head rises and he beings to shout back, arguing how one day off in 43 years is hardly a crime. Colin’s face darkens, and he storms off, mouth silent. As he leaves he drops a handful of letters clearly snatched from Ted’s postal bag. Within the pile is a letter addressed to Ted at the village hall. He rips it open excitedly, heart pounding. Deciphering the clue quickly, Ted looks across the road to see a blushing Patricia watching him, she smiles shyly. 

Ending- the new world:

We end on Ted sat at his kitchen table, two places filled with spaghetti Bolognese and two smiling faces.