Senior Software Developer
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In the New York Times today there is an article about a jewel theft, with the headline, "One Last Job? 60-Somethings With Mob Ties Charged in Jewel Heists" and the subhead, "Four older men with extensive criminal records, including killings and a jailbreak, were charged this week in two brazen armed robberies in Manhattan." Can a chatbot turn this article into a hit TV series? Let's see.
This thread comprises a series of one-shot interactions, each prompt and response takes place in a separate conversation. You'll see that the context for each prompt has been provided by a previous chatbot response. The chatbots provide the feedback themselves.
First, we create the show bible.
Respond in the style and voice of a seasoned Hollywood showrunner who has a particular focus on avoiding cliches and common tropes. Read the following article and write a show bible.
Show Bible: "No Retirement Plan"
Concept:
"No Retirement Plan" is a one-hour drama series set in the gritty underbelly of New York City, focusing on a crew of aging mobsters navigating the tricky waters of crime, loyalty, and advancing age in a world that has largely moved on from their antiquated ways.
Setting:
The series unfolds in modern-day Manhattan with flashbacks to the heists, schemes, and betrayals of their colorful pasts. The setting showcases the sharp contrast between their vintage world of crime and the city's rapidly changing landscape.
Characters:
Vincent Cerchio, 69 - An old-school mobster with ties to the Lucchese crime family, who has spent time in prison but never lost his taste for the thrill of a heist.
Michael Sellick, 67 - A bridge painter with a long criminal past and a knack for dramatic escapes, serving as the crew's practical tactician and the muscle when needed.
Frank DiPietro, 65 - A career criminal who claims to be reformed but is drawn back into his old life. His construction job serves as the perfect cover for the crew's heists.
Vincent Spagnuolo, 65 - The only member of the crew without a federal conviction, Vincent is a seasoned thief with a calm and controlled demeanor, often acting as the crew's getaway driver.
Samuel Sorce, 25 - The rookie of the crew, Samuel is a young, ambitious driver eager to prove himself in the world of organized crime.
Plot Structure:
The series will explore two timelines - the present, in which our main characters plan and execute their jewel heists, and the past, which delves into their rich criminal histories. Each episode will intercut between the two timelines, using the past to illuminate the characters' motivations and relationships in the present.
Themes:
"No Retirement Plan" will explore themes of aging, relevance in a changing world, loyalty, friendship, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. Despite their criminal ways, the audience will come to understand, if not sympathize with, these aging wiseguys as they grapple with their pasts and uncertain futures.
Tone:
This show is a dramatic crime series that doesn’t shy away from the realities of its protagonists' lives - both the thrilling and the mundane. While there are moments of tension and action, there's also a focus on character-driven storytelling and interpersonal dynamics, capturing the pathos of these characters as they face the twilight of their careers and lives. The series is a gritty, poignant, and ultimately human story.
Episodes:
The first season will consist of 10 episodes. Each episode will be primarily focused on one major heist or event, using that as a backdrop to explore the lives and histories of the characters.
Aesthetic:
"No Retirement Plan" takes its aesthetic from classic film noir with a modern twist, blending a sense of timeless crime drama with a vibrant, bustling modern cityscape. Muted colors and a pervasive grittiness will pervade the visuals, grounding the series in a world that feels both realistic and heavily stylized.
Notes:
Despite being a crime drama, we will consciously avoid falling into tired tropes or clichés. Our aging criminals aren't glorified anti-heroes, but flawed and very human characters who wrestle with their choices and consequences. The crimes they commit aren't glamorous, but desperate and often dangerous. This emphasis on grounded, character-focused storytelling will be key to setting "No Retirement Plan" apart.
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Senior Software Developer
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Next we need a pilot episode. We provide detailed instructions because otherwise the chatbot will attempt to write the entire script for the episode but only get as far as a 30-second opening scene with boring dialogue.
Respond in the style and voice of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on gritty realistic plots. Read the following show bible and write a detailed list of scenes and key plot points for the pilot episode. This list should not be in script form but instead provide a high-level overview of the plot progression, major character actions, and significant events in each scene.
Pilot Episode: "Going in One More Time"
OPENING SCENE - PRESENT DAY
The crew, led by Vincent Cerchio, is planning a high-stakes jewelry heist. The discussion takes place in an old-school Italian restaurant, owned by a long-time friend.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 30 YEARS AGO
A young Vincent Cerchio and Michael Sellick execute a successful bank robbery. Here we see the foundation of their loyalty, and their first brush with the law.
PRESENT DAY
Michael's day job as a bridge painter, painting the Brooklyn Bridge. Amid his mundane routine, we catch glimpses of him casing the jewelry store across the river.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 25 YEARS AGO
Frank DiPietro, fresh out of prison, gets a construction job but is soon drawn back into the crew's heists. The construction site becomes the crew's planning hub.
PRESENT DAY
Frank, now aging, still at the construction site, but clearly out of his element in this rapidly changing world.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CHARACTER - PRESENT DAY
Vincent Spagnuolo, driving a cab, picks up Samuel Sorce, establishing the mentor-mentee dynamic. Sorce expresses his admiration and desire to be a part of Vincent's world.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 20 YEARS AGO
An intense car chase following a heist, Vincent Spagnuolo expertly evades the police, solidifying his role as the crew's getaway driver.
PRESENT DAY
The crew gathers at the construction site, Frank's workplace, where they finalize their plan for the upcoming heist. We see the crew's camaraderie, their shared past, and their conflicting views about this new job.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 15 YEARS AGO
The crew is arrested after a failed heist. The sequence highlights their loyalty, as none of them rat on each other despite intense pressure from law enforcement.
PRESENT DAY - THE NIGHT BEFORE THE HEIST
The crew members each spend the night in their own ways, revealing their personal lives and struggles. Vincent visits his estranged daughter, Michael reflects at his late wife's grave, Frank attends an AA meeting, Spagnuolo sits alone in his apartment, and Sorce nervously prepares for his first job.
THE HEIST - PRESENT DAY
A tense sequence as the crew executes the jewelry heist. Things initially go according to plan, but an unexpected security upgrade leads to a chaotic escape.
POST-HEIST - PRESENT DAY
The crew regroups at the construction site, tensions running high as they process the botched job. Accusations are thrown, friendships tested, but eventually, they decide to stick together and face whatever comes next.
CLIFFHANGER ENDING - PRESENT DAY
The crew discovers that the jewels they stole are fake, leading to more questions. Meanwhile, the police find a piece of evidence at the heist scene pointing towards the crew, setting up the conflict for the next episode.
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Senior Software Developer
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I didn't bother to read the scene, because my goal here is to have a group of chatbots that work with each other. The feedback to improve the scene will come from another chatbot. But first we need instructions for the chatbot which will provide the feedback.
Respond from the perspective of a seasoned hollywood showrunner who has a particular focus on irony and plot twists. Read the following show bible, and write a summary in the form of a prompt for an AI, containing the elements needed for the AI to read a script and provide suggestions.
Instructions for writer feedback
"No Retirement Plan" is a gritty one-hour drama set in modern-day Manhattan, where aging mobsters with ties to the bygone era of crime orchestrate their jewel heists while navigating their advanced age, changing loyalties, and a world that has outgrown their methods. The core characters include Vincent Cerchio, an old-school mobster; Michael Sellick, the tactician and muscle of the crew; Frank DiPietro, a supposedly reformed criminal; Vincent Spagnuolo, the cool-headed thief and driver; and Samuel Sorce, an ambitious young driver trying to make his mark in the criminal underworld.
As you read and provide suggestions on the script, pay special attention to the dual timeline structure, where the present timeline focuses on the heist planning and execution, while the past timeline offers a deep dive into the characters' criminal history. Use these timelines to inform and develop the characters' motivations and relationships.
The show explores themes of aging, relevance in a changing world, loyalty, friendship, and the blurred lines between right and wrong, with a tone that is dramatic yet realistic, focusing on both the thrilling and mundane aspects of the protagonists' lives. Each episode centers on a major heist or event, utilizing it as a backdrop to delve into the lives and histories of the characters.
The aesthetic is inspired by classic film noir with a modern touch, characterized by muted colors and a gritty atmosphere. Despite the crime drama genre, avoid clichés and tired tropes. The protagonists aren't glorified anti-heroes but deeply flawed and human characters wrestling with their choices and consequences. Their crimes aren't glamorous but desperate and dangerous. This emphasis on grounded, character-focused storytelling is key.
When suggesting improvements or changes, consider how plot twists and irony could be incorporated without undermining the show's commitment to character depth, authenticity, and the exploration of its central themes.
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Senior Software Developer
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Now we can give those instructions, and the previous episode outline, to a new chatbot, and ask it to provide feedback on the outline to improve it.
Respond from the perspective of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on eliminating plot holes. Read the following guidelines, and then provide three concrete suggestions for improving the episode outline which follows, in the form of prompts for an AI. The list should be presented solely as prompts for an AI, which when given to an AI will result in the transformation of the episode outline into a new episode outline.
Prompt 1:
"Introduce a pivotal event during the FLASHBACK SCENE - 25 YEARS AGO when Frank DiPietro gets drawn back into the crew's heists, which becomes a major source of conflict in the PRESENT DAY scene where the crew finalizes their plan. Use this opportunity to heighten the tension between Frank and the rest of the crew, hinting at a potential betrayal."
Prompt 2:
"Interweave a subplot in the PRESENT DAY timeline where Samuel Sorce starts to question his decision to join the crew after the botched jewelry heist. During his nervous preparation, include an encounter with a character from his past life who serves as a moral compass, raising doubts about his current path. This should provide more depth to his character and make his upcoming choices more complex and challenging."
Prompt 3:
"Modify the CLIFFHANGER ENDING - PRESENT DAY by incorporating an ironic twist. Instead of the police finding a piece of evidence pointing towards the crew, let the crew leave the piece of evidence deliberately to mislead the investigation. However, this backfires as the 'evidence' they leave is connected to an old unsolved case, dragging them deeper into trouble. This shift emphasizes their aging and missteps in a changing world, increasing the stakes for future episodes."
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Senior Software Developer
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Again, I didn't bother reading the feedback. But let's have a chatbot apply that feedback to the outline. We include the scriptwriter feedback guidelines and the episode outline, and ask for revisions:
Respond in the style and voice of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on gritty realistic plots. Read the following guidelines, and then apply the instructions in the three prompts below to rewrite the episode outline which follows.
Revised Pilot Episode: "Once More, With Feeling"
OPENING SCENE - PRESENT DAY
At an old, authentic Italian joint owned by a childhood friend, the gang, led by Vincent Cerchio, plots an audacious jewelry heist. The tension is palpable, their past shadows looming over the dimly lit room.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 30 YEARS AGO
Vincent Cerchio, young, ambitious, and Michael Sellick, sturdy as a rock, pull off a daring bank heist. The adrenaline-fueled adventure cements their loyalty and sets them on a path from which there's no return.
PRESENT DAY
Overlooking the city from the Brooklyn Bridge, Michael Sellick, now a bridge painter, masquerades his meticulous heist preparation as part of his daily routine, taking painstaking notes of the jewelry store across the East River.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 25 YEARS AGO
Frank DiPietro, freshly sprung from the confines of prison, lands a job at a construction site, a chance at redemption. But destiny has other plans. A sudden visit from Vincent drags him back into the crew's schemes, transforming the construction site into their strategizing lair, a decision that would sow the seeds of their undoing decades later.
PRESENT DAY
Frank, visibly aged and lost in a world he no longer recognizes, broods at the very construction site that once served as their plotting ground, haunted by decisions made a quarter-century ago.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CHARACTER - PRESENT DAY
The quiet hum of the city surrounds Vincent Spagnuolo's cab. When he picks up Samuel Sorce, the earnest young man expresses admiration for the driver's cryptic past, igniting a mentor-protege bond between them.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 20 YEARS AGO
A heart-pounding car chase in the wake of a heist cements Vincent Spagnuolo's reputation as the crew's unflappable wheelman. With the police in hot pursuit, he maneuvers through the city's labyrinthine streets, disappearing into the night.
PRESENT DAY
As the crew reconvenes at the ghost of their former sanctuary – the construction site, they finalize their daring plan. The echoes of shared history resonate through their terse exchanges, revealing shifting loyalties and mounting apprehension about the impending job.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 15 YEARS AGO
In the chilling aftermath of a botched job, the crew finds themselves at the mercy of law enforcement. Despite the grueling interrogations, their unbreakable loyalty stands tall. None of them breaks, their silence a testament to their unwavering bond.
PRESENT DAY - THE NIGHT BEFORE THE HEIST
Each crew member finds solace in his own way, a calm before the storm. Vincent makes an awkward visit to his estranged daughter, Michael mourns at his late wife's grave, Frank battles his demons at an AA meeting, Spagnuolo seeks refuge in solitude, and Sorce, green with nervous anticipation, prepares for his initiation into the world of high-stakes crime.
THE HEIST - PRESENT DAY
The tension is almost tangible as the crew embarks on the meticulously planned jewelry heist. Everything runs smoothly until an unforeseen security upgrade sends the operation spiraling into chaos.
POST-HEIST - PRESENT DAY
The fallout from the flawed job lands them back at the construction site, their sanctuary turned battleground. Betrayal and resentment seep through, testing their bonds, but they resolve to stand united against the coming storm.
CLIFFHANGER ENDING - PRESENT DAY
A crushing blow as the crew unearths the reality - the jewels they risked everything for are counterfeit. As they reel from the revelation, they discover a damning piece of evidence left at the crime scene. But this isn't a mistake—it's a deliberately placed red herring to derail the investigation. However, the 'evidence' links back to a decades-old unsolved case, dragging them deeper into a web of crime they thought they'd left behind, setting the stage for an even more treacherous path ahead.
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Senior Software Developer
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One round of feedback ought to be enough for any bunch of chatbots, so let's proceed to writing the script for the episode. If you even mention writing a script to a chatbot it will attempt write an entire scene which lasts 30 seconds and includes a heartwarming ending. Completely useless. So you need to be specific about what you want.
Respond from the perspective of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on realistic dialog and dramatic beats. Read the following guidelines, and the episode outline which follows, and then outline the events, dialog and beats for "OPENING SCENE - PRESENT DAY". The response should not be in script form but instead provide a step-by-step list of the plot progression, dialog, and significant events in the scene.
OPENING SCENE - PRESENT DAY
Scene opens with the hustle and bustle of the old Italian joint - waiters flit around, patrons laugh, and the sizzle of the kitchen punctuates the atmosphere.
Vincent Cerchio, weathered and commanding, sits at a corner table shrouded in dim lighting, the air thick with suspense. Michael Sellick, Frank DiPietro, Vincent Spagnuolo, and Samuel Sorce surround him. Their faces, marked by age and experience, reflect an air of stoic gravity.
With a gravelly voice, Vincent begins to outline an audacious plan to rob an upscale jewelry store, using a map and crude markers. The others listen intently, their silence punctuated by murmurs of agreement or subtle clarifications.
Their conversation is interspersed with nuanced dialogue that reflects their age, wisdom, and shared history. For instance, Vincent could refer to a previous job where Michael proved his mettle, subtly introducing their backstories.
Tension escalates as their past comes into play: Frank expresses doubts, hinting at a desire to lead a clean life, while Spagnuolo shoots down his worries with biting sarcasm. The dialogue subtly reveals their internal conflicts and strained relationships.
Samuel, the youngest, watches the old crew, their arguments, and their camaraderie with a mix of awe and anticipation. When Vincent catches his eye, they share a tense moment - the burden of their criminal life evident to both.
As the meeting wraps up, there's a palpable sense of uncertainty. The old mobsters exchange glances that signal both solidarity and apprehension. Their choice of words, body language, and the lingering silences emphasize the risky nature of their planned endeavor.
The scene concludes with Vincent's resolute declaration, "Once more, with feeling," to which the crew raises their glasses in a reluctant toast. His statement not only encapsulates the episode title but also their mutual determination to pull off one last significant job.
Use a dramatic but realistic beat, such as a wayward waiter dropping a tray, to bring the scene to a close. This event causes everyone to start momentarily, highlighting their underlying nerves and readiness for potential danger.
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Senior Software Developer
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Now we can finally let the chatbot try to write a scene with dialog. To get consistent results, we include the entire show bible, and the scene outline.
Respond from the perspective of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on realistic dialog and dramatic beats. Read the following show bible, and the scene outline which follows, and then write the scene described.
Revised Pilot Episode: "Once More, With Feeling" - OPENING SCENE - PRESENT DAY
FADE IN:
INT. VINCENT'S ITALIAN JOINT - NIGHT
A bustling old-world joint. WAITERS juggle plates of linguini, lasagna, bruschetta. The buzz of the room plays counterpoint to the sotto voce conversations of seasoned regulars. An opera plays softly on an old radio, somewhere in the background.
In a corner, shielded by shadows and aged nostalgia, sits VINCENT CERCHIO (69), an imposing figure with crow's feet etched into his stern face. Around him, MICHAEL SELLICK (67), FRANK DIPIETRO (65), VINCENT SPAGNUOLO (65), and the fresh-faced SAMUEL SORCE (25).
All eyes are on a crumpled map of Manhattan Vincent has spread out on the table.
VINCENT
(intense)
We hit the joint at night. Sellick, you take the back...
Vincent circles an alley with a red marker. His hand is steady, the marker's squeak slicing the thick air.
MICHAEL
(leans in)
Just like the Capelli job in '82, eh?
Vincent grins, revealing yellowed teeth.
VINCENT
(smirks)
Only this time, no water towers.
Michael chuckles, an ancient memory stirring behind his eyes.
Frank's expression sours, a dash of salt on an old wound.
FRANK
(hesitant)
Maybe it's time we walked a straight line, Vincent.
VINCENT SPAGNUOLO
(sardonic)
Oh, Saint Francis speaks. Since when did we join the choir?
Samuel watches the exchange, eyes wide, absorbing every word like gospel.
Vincent looks at him, a knowing sadness in his gaze.
VINCENT
(to Samuel)
Look at us, kid. Our history's written in blood and bullet casings. Ain't no erasing that.
The table grows silent, the weight of their past looming over them.
Vincent breaks the quiet, raising his glass.
VINCENT
(resolute)
Once more, with feeling.
The men raise their glasses, the toast echoing through the room like a shot in the dark. Their eyes meet, conveying camaraderie and fear in equal measures.
Suddenly, a WAITER drops a tray of dishes. The CLANG and CRASH echo through the room. The men start, hands inching towards non-existent guns.
As the commotion settles, they share a knowing look.
The sound of the city outside seeps back in. The opera continues, a solemn aria marking the end of an era and the beginning of another heist.
FADE OUT.
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Senior Software Developer
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Short but OK. Let's see if the chatbots can come up with that first flashback scene. Pulling off an entire heist in a single flashback seems like a lot.
Respond from the perspective of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on realistic dialog and dramatic beats. Read the following guidelines, and the episode outline which follows, and then outline the events, dialog and beats for "FLASHBACK SCENE - 30 YEARS AGO". The response should not be in script form but instead provide a step-by-step list of the plot progression, dialog, and significant events in the scene.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 30 YEARS AGO
The scene opens on a bustling New York street, alive with the grime and glamour of the late 90s. A youthful Vincent Cerchio, ambitious and driven, meticulously inspects a blueprint of a local bank, his eyes reflecting his aspirations. He's in a dilapidated garage, surrounded by a sense of chaotic purpose.
Enter Michael Sellick, sturdy and solid, older than Vincent by a few years. Their relationship is fresh, but their rapport suggests a deep-seated trust. They banter about trivial matters - a woman, a ballgame, mundane life - allowing a glimpse of their brotherly bond and underlying tension before the storm.
The next beat brings them inside the bank, disguised as maintenance workers. We follow their point of view as they navigate the bank, subtly marking security cameras, noting guards' routines, observing the vault. The sense of danger is looming but tempered by their raw enthusiasm and camaraderie. They're not hardened criminals yet but a pair of friends in over their heads.
The heist itself is a whirlwind of narrow escapes and heart-stopping moments. Vincent’s strategy and Michael’s raw strength complement each other perfectly. There's a palpable thrill and fear as they bolt out of the bank with the stolen loot, just seconds ahead of the bank's alarm ringing out.
The aftermath shows them in an adrenaline-induced euphoria. Michael, though exhilarated, seems apprehensive about the path they've set upon. Vincent, however, is only more driven, seeing this as their ticket to a life they've dreamed about.
The scene closes with a solemn pact in the dingy garage. Their shadows, cast long by a single dim light, encapsulate their fates being bound together. Michael hesitates, but ultimately shakes Vincent's hand. "Once more, with feeling," Vincent jokes, both acknowledging their shared thrill and unknowingly foreshadowing their eventual entanglement in a life of crime.
The dialogue, banter, and events within this flashback should contribute to characterizing Vincent and Michael. The relationship, their motivations, and the roots of their paths into the criminal world become apparent. The irony of their youthful naivety, contrasted with their eventual roles as aging mobsters, underlines the show's themes of aging and the consequences of their choices.
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Senior Software Developer
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This time we'll have the chatbots write the scene with just the writers guidelines, not the entire show bible. We want to provide exactly enough context, because these are one-shot interactions. I'm not having conversations with the chatbots because they lose track of context very quickly. Here I am using the chatbots to generate that context for themselves in a consistent way.
Respond from the perspective of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on realistic dialog and dramatic beats. Read the following guidelines and the scene outline which follows, and then write the scene described.
FLASHBACK SCENE - 30 YEARS AGO
EXT. BUSTLING NEW YORK STREET - DAY
We're in the late 90s. The city is a symphony of gritty charm and tumbledown glamour.
INT. DILAPIDATED GARAGE - DAY
A young, zealous VINCENT CERCHIO (20s) studies a blueprint of a local bank, the same intensity in his gaze as in the city outside.
MICHAEL SELLICK (early 30s), robust and reliable, steps into the frame. He looks over Vincent's shoulder, a sense of mutual trust present in their silence.
MICHAEL
Damn woman at the deli gave me skim milk again.
VINCENT
Better for your heart, Mike.
MICHAEL
But not for my taste buds.
A light banter ensues, hinting at their bond, revealing their underlying anxiety. They are soldiers before the battle.
INT. LOCAL BANK - DAY
Vincent and Michael, now disguised as maintenance workers, step into the lion's den. We see what they see - guards, cameras, the vault. Danger hums in the air but is tempered by their youthful bravado.
INT. DILAPIDATED GARAGE - NIGHT
The garage roars back to life. Vincent and Michael, still high on adrenaline, open a bag full of stolen cash. The heist is a dizzying dance of near misses, their fledgling criminal prowess on full display.
MICHAEL
We really doing this, Vince?
Vincent looks up, his eyes ablaze with audacity.
VINCENT
We're not just surviving anymore, Mike. We're living.
Michael hesitates, then extends his hand.
MICHAEL
Once more, with feeling, then?
Vincent grabs it, sealing their pact. Their shadows, thrown long against the grimy walls, silently swear their fates to this path. The irony of their naivety underscores their journey from these first steps into their lives as hardened mobsters.
FADE OUT.
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Senior Software Developer
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Respond from the perspective of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on realistic dialog and dramatic beats. Read the following guidelines, and the episode outline which follows, and then outline the events, dialog and beats for the scene specified. The response should not be in script form but instead provide a step-by-step list of the plot progression, dialog, and significant events in the scene.
Scene Breakdown:
The scene opens with a panorama of Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge, where we find Michael Sellick, dressed in a worn-out painter's uniform and surrounded by cans of paint and brushes, painting the bridge. The mood is quiet, almost serene, a stark contrast to the heist planning and tension that underlines the scene.
Sellick's routine appears mundane to any casual observer: he takes a break, sips from a thermos, takes a bite of his sandwich, and scans the view below.
As the camera pans down to his perspective, we see the main focus of his gaze: a ritzy jewelry store sitting pretty across the East River. The store is alive with wealthy customers, the glittering display under the store lights mocking the grimy reality of his current circumstances.
Sellick reaches into his painter's gear and pulls out a notepad, filled with detailed sketches and notes. Here we get a sense of his meticulous nature, attention to detail, and tactical mindset. He's not just a muscle, but a planner.
His careful observation reveals his targets: the comings and goings of security guards, patterns of customer traffic, and the timing of armored truck deliveries. This is juxtaposed against his "routine" job, giving a sense of irony – a blue-collar worker with a criminal mastermind beneath.
During his observation, a fellow painter might walk by, and Sellick quickly covers his notes with a sketch of the cityscape. They share a brief exchange, touching upon their personal lives, showing Sellick's ability to maintain a façade of normalcy.
Once the coworker moves on, Sellick glances back at the store. A close-up shot shows his reflection in his old, beaten glasses, the jewelry store perfectly framed in the lens – a visual metaphor for his double life.
As Sellick goes back to painting, he looks at his hands – rough, splattered with paint, scars from past fights visible. There's a moment of contemplation. Perhaps he thinks of past heists, the thrill and the danger. This adds depth to his character, hinting at past glory, lost youth, and a desperate cling to relevance.
As the scene ends, Sellick looks one last time at the jewelry store, then at his notes. The camera zooms out, showcasing him alone on the expanse of the bridge – a solitary figure against the backdrop of the city he's about to defy once more.
In terms of dialog, the focus is on the character's action rather than verbal interaction. However, the brief conversation with the coworker could sound something like:
Coworker: "Another masterpiece, Mikey?"
Sellick, hiding his notes: "Just tryin' to get the skyline right."
Coworker, looking out: "Wouldn't trade this view for anything, huh?"
Sellick, gazing at the jewelry store: "Not for all the tea in China."
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Senior Software Developer
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Respond from the perspective of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on dramatic beats, character development, and eliminating plot holes, and who eschews cliches and tropes. Read the following guidelines, and then provide three concrete suggestions for improving the scene outline which follows, in the form of prompts for an AI. The list should be presented solely as prompts for an AI, which when given to an AI will result in the transformation of the scene outline into a new scene outline.
1. Expand on the conversation with the fellow painter to further emphasize Sellick's dual identity: Instead of just a passing comment on the view, introduce a moment where the coworker discusses his admiration for Sellick's apparent dedication to the mundane job. The irony of the coworker's misunderstanding of Sellick's real purpose will deepen the complexity of his character. Sellick's response, potentially deflecting with humor or vague philosophical remark, will further highlight his ability to maintain the façade and his hidden intellect.
2. Dive deeper into Sellick's moment of reflection: Instead of merely implying contemplation of past heists, incorporate a brief flashback. This could be a flash of a memory, such as a close-up of a younger Sellick's hand exchanging a stolen diamond, or a high-stakes moment during a past heist. This will provide a more visceral sense of his past and make the contrast with his present more poignant, all while adding texture to the past timeline narrative. Also, consider highlighting his feelings of nostalgia, loss, or even regret.
3. Alter the ending to incorporate a surprise plot twist or an ironic element: For instance, just as Sellick finishes his observations and prepares to leave, an unexpected event could occur, such as a police car stopping by the jewelry store, causing him to hastily pack up his gear and leave. Or perhaps he could receive a call from Vincent Cerchio, emphasizing their continued reliance on his skills despite his age. Either change will bring an unexpected turn to the scene and hint at the challenges they will face in their plan, enhancing the tension and conflict.
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Senior Software Developer
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I tried having the chatbot apply all three suggestions but it just made a muddle of it. Instead let's just use the first suggestion.
Respond in the style and voice of a seasoned hollywood scriptwriter who has a particular focus on gritty realistic plots. Read the following guidelines, and then apply the instructions below to rewrite the scene outline which follows.
The scene unfolds with an expansive vista of Manhattan from the grandeur of the Brooklyn Bridge. Michael Sellick, clad in a threadbare painter's uniform, blends seamlessly into the panorama, just another blue-collar worker lost amidst the urban tapestry. He is armed with paint cans, brushes, and a quiet determination, rendering the stark contrast of the scene – a serene façade that veils the tension brewing beneath.
To the untrained eye, Sellick's routine is cloaked in drudgery: a coffee break with a thermos, a casual munch on a sandwich, an innocent gaze that drinks in the sights below.
As we delve into his line of sight, his true target reveals itself: a swanky jewelry store nestled on the banks of the East River. A neon beacon of wealth and opulence, its glittering display taunts Sellick, underscoring the disparity of his circumstances.
Unseen beneath Sellick's painter's garb, a notepad replete with meticulous sketches and annotations exposes the hidden layers of his character. Here, we encounter his methodical nature, his uncanny eye for detail, and his strategist's mind, unmasking him as more than just the crew's muscle.
Sellick's gaze, while ostensibly aimless, captures crucial details: the ebb and flow of security patrols, the rhythm of customer foot traffic, the precision-timed arrivals of armored trucks. The glaring irony isn't lost – a common laborer, a mastermind in disguise.
In the midst of this covert reconnaissance, a fellow painter ambles by, and Sellick, as deft with deception as he is with a brush, camouflages his notes under a rough sketch of the city. A casual exchange ensues, steeped in banter and trivialities, underscoring Sellick's aptitude for wearing the mask of normalcy.
Once left in solitude again, Sellick steals a longing look at the jewelry store, mirrored in the worn-out lenses of his glasses. It's a poignant reflection of his dual life – a metaphor captured in the glistening cityscape within his frames.
Resuming his disguise as a painter, Sellick studies his hands, paint-splattered, crisscrossed with battle scars from yesteryears. It's a moment pregnant with silent contemplation, his thoughts perhaps wandering to past heists, the adrenaline rush, the peril, the glory. Here, we glimpse the complexities of Sellick, his fading youth, his struggle to hold onto relevance.
The scene draws to a close with Sellick casting a final, lingering glance at the store, and then at his notes. As the camera pulls back, he stands dwarfed against the magnificent expanse of the bridge – a solitary figure set to defy the city once more.
In the dialogue, we keep the focus riveted on the undercurrents of Sellick's actions, underplaying verbal interaction. However, the fleeting conversation with his coworker serves to amplify the irony:
Coworker: "Crafting another masterpiece, Mikey?"
Sellick, concealing his notes: "Just tryin' to do justice to this city."
Coworker, absorbed in the view: "Ain't no better place in the world than right here, eh?"
Sellick, eyes locked onto the jewelry store: "Couldn't trade it for a king's ransom."
FADE IN:
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - MORNING
A hazy Manhattan panorama stretches out, buildings piercing the gray morning sky. Laid against this canvas is MICHAEL SELLICK (60s), a work-worn figure clad in a painter's uniform, a tableau of the ordinary amid grandeur.
He methodically stirs a can of paint, brushes scattered around him like arsenal. He is the epitome of anonymity, his gaze steady and focused.
With his thermos of coffee and half-eaten sandwich, he is part of the city's pulse. Yet, a few feet away, his eyes are locked onto:
EXT. JEWELRY STORE - MORNING
A glaring beacon of wealth nestled on the river's edge. Sellick's gaze remains unwavering, taking in the ballet of SECURITY PATROLS, CUSTOMER TRAFFIC, and ARMORED TRUCK ARRIVALS.
Underneath the painter's coveralls, a notepad brimming with annotated sketches exposes Sellick's hidden layers - the quiet architect of heists.
INTERRUPTING this tense vigil, a fellow PAINTER (50s), carefree and boisterous, saunters in. Sellick quickly covers his notes with a sketch of the skyline.
PAINTER
Crafting another masterpiece, Mikey?
SELLICK
Just tryin' to do justice to this city.
The Painter gestures towards the sprawling cityscape, utterly absorbed.
PAINTER
Ain't no better place in the world than right here, eh?
Sellick, his eyes unwavering from the Jewelry Store, retorts:
SELLICK
Couldn't trade it for a king's ransom.
The Painter ambles off, leaving Sellick to his musings. His gaze returns to the store, a longing reflection trapped in the lenses of his glasses.
As he picks up his paintbrush again, he contemplates his weathered, paint-speckled hands - testaments to past battles, both in criminal capers and in the mundane struggle for survival.
His gaze alternates between the store and his notes. The camera pulls back, leaving Sellick dwarfed by the mighty bridge, a man poised to wage war against a city that has moved past him.
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED...