Storyform for "True Grit"

CHARACTER DYNAMICS:

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

PLOT DYNAMICS:

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

IMPACT CHARACTER (Rooster Cogburn)

• THROUGHLINE: Situation
• CONCERN: The Future
• ISSUE: Openness vs. Preconception
• PROBLEM: Logic
• SOLUTION: Feeling
• SYMPTOM: Temptation
• RESPONSE: Conscience
• UNIQUE ABILITY: Delay
• CRITICAL FLAW: Approach
• BENCHMARK: The Past
• SIGNPOST 1: The Present
• SIGNPOST 2: The Past
• SIGNPOST 3: How Things are Changing
• SIGNPOST 4: The Future

MAIN VS. IMPACT STORY (Building an Extended Family)

• THROUGHLINE: Manipulation
• CONCERN: Changing One's Nature
• ISSUE: Rationalization vs. Obligation
• PROBLEM: Support
• SOLUTION: Oppose
• SYMPTOM: Reconsider
• RESPONSE: Consider
• CATALYST: Commitment
• INHIBITOR: Closure
• 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

OVERALL STORY (Kill Tom Chaney)

• THROUGHLINE: Activity
• CONCERN: Obtaining
• ISSUE: Approach vs. Attitude
• PROBLEM: Logic
• SOLUTION: Feeling
• SYMPTOM: Reconsider
• RESPONSE: Consider
• CATALYST: Self Interest
• INHIBITOR: Openness
• BENCHMARK: Understanding
• SIGNPOST 1: Understanding
• SIGNPOST 2: Doing
• SIGNPOST 3: Obtaining
• SIGNPOST 4: Gathering Information

MAIN CHARACTER (Mattie Ross)

• THROUGHLINE: Fixed Attitude
• CONCERN: Innermost Desires
• ISSUE: Closure vs. Denial
• PROBLEM: Pursuit
• SOLUTION: Avoidance
• SYMPTOM: Reconsider
• RESPONSE: Consider
• UNIQUE ABILITY: Hope
• CRITICAL FLAW: Rationalization
• BENCHMARK: Memories
• SIGNPOST 1: Impulsive Responses
• SIGNPOST 2: Memories
• SIGNPOST 3: Innermost Desires
• SIGNPOST 4: Contemplation

ADDITIONAL STORY POINTS

• GOAL: Obtaining
• CONSEQUENCE: Changing One's Nature
• COST: The Future
• DIVIDEND: Innermost Desires
• REQUIREMENT: Understanding
• PREREQUISITE: Developing a Plan
• PRECONDITION: The Past
• FOREWARNINGS: Memories

VOCABULARY:

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

Activity: an activity or endeavor

Approach: one's methodology of doing or being

Attitude: demeanor or outlook

Avoidance: stepping around, preventing or escaping from a problem

Be-er: Mattie Ross prefers to work things out internally

Change: Mattie Ross changes her essential nature while attempting to solve the problem

Changing One's Nature: transforming one's nature

Closure: bringing something to an end or to completion

Commitment: a decision to stick with something regardless of the consequences

Conceiving an Idea: coming up with an idea

Conscience: forgoing an immediate pleasure or benefit because of future consequences

Consider: weigh pros and cons

Contemplation: present considerations

Delay: putting off until later

Denial: the refusal to admit to oneself or others that a previously held view is no longer true

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

Doing: engaging in a physical activity

Feeling: an emotional sense of how things are going

Fixed Attitude: a fixed attitude or outlook

Gathering Information: gathering information or experience

Good: Mattie Ross ultimately succeeds in resolving her personal problems

Hope: a desired future that falls within reasonable expectations

How Things are Changing: the way things are going

Impulsive Responses: innate responses

Innermost Desires: basic drives and desires

Logic: a rational sense of how things are related

Logical: Mattie Ross uses inherently logical (linear) problem solving techniques

Manipulation: a manner of thinking or demeanor

Memories: recollections

Obligation: accepting a task or situation in exchange for someone's earlier or potential favors

Obtaining: achieving or possessing something

Openness: willingness to reevaluate

Oppose: an indirect detraction from another's effort

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

Playing a Role: temporarily adopting a lifestyle

Preconception: adhering to a previous held view; unwillingness to reevaluate

Pursuit: the drive to seek after

Rationalization: an alternative explanation used to mask the real reason

Reconsider: thinking through again

Self Interest: doing or being based on what is best for oneself

Situation: a situation or environment

Start: regarding Mattie Ross, the audience is waiting for something to begin

Steadfast: Mattie Ross ultimately retains her essential nature

Success: the original goal is achieved

Support: indirect assistance given to another's efforts

Temptation: the urge to embrace immediate benefits despite possible consequences

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