Storyform for "In The Heat Of The Night "

CHARACTER DYNAMICS:

• MC RESOLVE: Steadfast
• MC GROWTH: Start
• MC APPROACH: Do-er
• MC PROBLEM-SOLVING STYLE: Logical
• IC RESOLVE: Change

PLOT DYNAMICS:

• DRIVER: Action
• LIMIT: Optionlock
• OUTCOME: Success
• JUDGMENT: Good

MAIN CHARACTER (Det. Virgil Tibbs)

• THROUGHLINE: Situation
• CONCERN: The Present
• ISSUE: Work vs. Attempt
• PROBLEM: Deduction
• SOLUTION: Induction
• SYMPTOM: Potentiality
• RESPONSE: Certainty
• UNIQUE ABILITY: Attempt
• CRITICAL FLAW: Analysis
• BENCHMARK: The Past
• SIGNPOST 1: How Things are Changing
• SIGNPOST 2: The Present
• SIGNPOST 3: The Future
• SIGNPOST 4: The Past

OVERALL STORY (Figure out who committed the murder)

• THROUGHLINE: Manipulation
• CONCERN: Conceiving an Idea
• ISSUE: Permission vs. Deficiency
• PROBLEM: Acceptance
• SOLUTION: Nonacceptance
• SYMPTOM: Potentiality
• RESPONSE: Certainty
• CATALYST: Deficiency
• INHIBITOR: Reappraisal
• BENCHMARK: Developing a Plan
• SIGNPOST 1: Developing a Plan
• SIGNPOST 2: Playing a Role
• SIGNPOST 3: Changing One's Nature
• SIGNPOST 4: Conceiving an Idea

MAIN VS. IMPACT STORY (Dueling law men)

• THROUGHLINE: Activity
• CONCERN: Gathering Information
• ISSUE: Prerequisites vs. Preconditions
• PROBLEM: Probability
• SOLUTION: Possibility
• SYMPTOM: Potentiality
• RESPONSE: Certainty
• CATALYST: Preconditions
• INHIBITOR: Repulsion
• BENCHMARK: Understanding
• SIGNPOST 1: Understanding
• SIGNPOST 2: Gathering Information
• SIGNPOST 3: Doing
• SIGNPOST 4: Obtaining

IMPACT CHARACTER (Police Chief Bill Gillespie)

• THROUGHLINE: Fixed Attitude
• CONCERN: Contemplation
• ISSUE: Investigation vs. Doubt
• PROBLEM: Acceptance
• SOLUTION: Nonacceptance
• SYMPTOM: Induction
• RESPONSE: Deduction
• UNIQUE ABILITY: Doubt
• CRITICAL FLAW: Expediency
• BENCHMARK: Memories
• SIGNPOST 1: Memories
• SIGNPOST 2: Impulsive Responses
• SIGNPOST 3: Innermost Desires
• SIGNPOST 4: Contemplation

ADDITIONAL STORY POINTS

• GOAL: Conceiving an Idea
• CONSEQUENCE: Gathering Information
• COST: Contemplation
• DIVIDEND: The Present
• REQUIREMENT: Developing a Plan
• PREREQUISITE: Understanding
• PRECONDITION: Memories
• FOREWARNINGS: The Past

VOCABULARY:

Acceptance: a decision to allow, tolerate, or adapt, or not to oppose

Action: in terms of the Overall plot, actions force decisions

Activity: an activity or endeavor

Analysis: evaluation of the situation and/or circumstances

Attempt: applying oneself to something not known to be within one's ability

Certainty: the determination that something is absolutely true

Change: Det. Virgil Tibbs changes his essential nature while attempting to solve the problem

Changing One's Nature: transforming one's nature

Conceiving an Idea: coming up with an idea

Contemplation: present considerations

Deduction: a method of thought that determines certainty

Deficiency: appraisal of what is lacking

Developing a Plan: visualizing how an existing idea might be implemented

Do-er: Det. Virgil Tibbs looks for a physical solution to his problem

Doing: engaging in a physical activity

Doubt: questioning validity without investigating to be sure

Expediency: most efficient course considering repercussions

Fixed Attitude: a fixed attitude or outlook

Gathering Information: gathering information or experience

Good: Det. Virgil Tibbs ultimately succeeds in resolving his personal problems

How Things are Changing: the way things are going

Impulsive Responses: innate responses

Induction: a method of thought that determines possibility

Innermost Desires: basic drives and desires

Investigation: gathering evidence to resolve questions of validity

Logical: Det. Virgil Tibbs uses inherently logical (linear) problem solving techniques

Manipulation: a manner of thinking or demeanor

Memories: recollections

Nonacceptance: a decision not to allow, tolerate, or adapt; a decision to oppose

Obtaining: achieving or possessing something

Optionlock: the story climax occurs because all options have been exhausted

Permission: what is allowed

Playing a Role: temporarily adopting a lifestyle

Possibility: a determination that something might be true

Potentiality: a determination that something might become true

Preconditions: restrictions imposed on an effort

Prerequisites: the essential preliminaries that must be met

Probability: likelihood

Reappraisal: reconsideration of a previous determination

Repulsion: pushing or being pushed away from

Situation: a situation or environment

Start: regarding Det. Virgil Tibbs, the audience is waiting for something to begin

Steadfast: Det. Virgil Tibbs ultimately retains his essential nature

Success: the original goal is achieved

The Future: what will happen or what will be

The Past: what has already happened

The Present: the current situation and circumstances

Understanding: appreciating the meaning of something

Work: applying oneself to something known to be within one's ability