@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.4.0 → 0.5.0

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/themes/examples/complete-scene-example.md

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+# Complete Scene Example: Multiple Themes in Action
+
+**Purpose**: Demonstrate how multiple themes can be woven together in a single screenplay scene.
+
+**Themes Demonstrated**: Ambition, Betrayal, Power, Sacrifice
+
+---
+
+## Scene Setup
+
+**Context**: A corporate thriller. Sarah, a mid-level executive, has discovered her mentor Marcus is embezzling funds. She must decide whether to report him or stay silent to protect her career.
+
+**Location**: Marcus's corner office, late evening
+
+**Characters**:
+- **Sarah Chen** (35) - Ambitious executive, Marcus's protégé
+- **Marcus Webb** (55) - CFO, Sarah's mentor, secretly embezzling
+
+---
+
+## The Scene
+
+### INT. MARCUS'S OFFICE - NIGHT
+
+*The city glows through floor-to-ceiling windows. SARAH stands at the door, holding a folder. MARCUS sits at his desk, reviewing documents.*
+
+**MARCUS**  
+Sarah. Working late again?
+
+*Sarah enters, closes the door. The CLICK echoes.*
+
+**SARAH**  
+I found something in the Q3 reports.
+
+*Marcus doesn't look up. A beat.*
+
+**MARCUS**  
+Did you.
+
+**SARAH**  
+Offshore accounts. Transfers that don't match the ledger.
+
+*Marcus sets down his pen. Slowly looks up.*
+
+**MARCUS**  
+(calmly)  
+Close the blinds.
+
+*Sarah hesitates. Then crosses to the windows. As she closes each blind, the office darkens. VISUAL MOTIF: Isolation, secrecy.*
+
+**MARCUS**  
+How much did you find?
+
+**SARAH**  
+Enough to know it's not a mistake.
+
+*Marcus stands, moves to the bar cart. Pours two scotches.*
+
+**MARCUS**  
+You know what I see when I look at you? Myself. Twenty years ago. Hungry. Smart. Willing to do what it takes.
+
+*He offers her a glass. She doesn't take it.*
+
+**SARAH**  
+This isn't about ambition. It's theft.
+
+**MARCUS**  
+(laughs)  
+Theft? I built this company. Turned it from a regional nobody into a Fortune 500. And what did I get? A salary. Stock options that vest when I'm too old to enjoy them.
+
+*He drinks both scotches.*
+
+**MARCUS** (CONT'D)  
+I took what I earned. What they were too cheap to pay me.
+
+**SARAH**  
+You took from the pension fund. From people who trusted you.
+
+**MARCUS**  
+And you're going to report me?
+
+*Silence. Sarah's hand tightens on the folder.*
+
+**MARCUS** (CONT'D)  
+Think carefully. You report me, you destroy your career. Who do you think recommended you for VP? Who's been grooming you?
+
+*He moves closer. Predatory.*
+
+**MARCUS** (CONT'D)  
+You turn me in, you're the whistleblower. The snitch. You'll never work in this industry again.
+
+**SARAH**  
+(quietly)  
+I know.
+
+**MARCUS**  
+Or... you put that folder in the shredder. Tomorrow, I announce you as my successor. CFO track. Everything you've worked for.
+
+*Sarah looks at the folder. Then at Marcus.*
+
+**SARAH**  
+You taught me that integrity matters.
+
+**MARCUS**  
+I taught you that winning matters.
+
+**SARAH**  
+No. You taught me what happens when ambition becomes corruption.
+
+*She turns toward the door.*
+
+**MARCUS**  
+Sarah. Don't do this.
+
+*She stops. Doesn't turn.*
+
+**SARAH**  
+I'm sorry, Marcus. I really am.
+
+*She opens the door. Light floods in from the hallway.*
+
+**MARCUS**  
+You're throwing away everything!
+
+**SARAH**  
+(turning back)  
+No. I'm keeping the only thing that matters.
+
+*She leaves. Marcus stands alone in the darkened office, surrounded by symbols of power that suddenly feel empty.*
+
+**FADE OUT.**
+
+---
+
+## Thematic Analysis
+
+### Theme 1: Ambition
+
+**Application of Rules**:
+- **Rule 1: Make the Goal Appealing** - CFO position is clearly desirable
+- **Rule 3: Force Choice Between Ambition and Values** - Sarah must choose between career and integrity
+- **Rule 5: Question Whether Achievement Brings Fulfillment** - Marcus has power but is corrupt and alone
+
+**Key Moments**:
+- Marcus offering Sarah the CFO position
+- Sarah's hesitation showing the appeal
+- Her ultimate rejection showing values over ambition
+
+**Visual Elements**:
+- Corner office representing success
+- City view representing achievement
+- Darkness when blinds close representing corruption
+
+### Theme 2: Betrayal
+
+**Application of Rules**:
+- **Rule 1: Establish Trust Before Breaking It** - Marcus as mentor established in dialogue
+- **Rule 2: Make Betrayal Personal** - Marcus betrayed employees and Sarah's trust
+- **Rule 4: Show the Betrayer's Justification** - Marcus explains his reasoning
+
+**Key Moments**:
+- Sarah discovering the embezzlement
+- Marcus's justification ("I earned it")
+- Sarah's realization her mentor is corrupt
+
+**Subtext**:
+- "You're myself twenty years ago" - Marcus seeing Sarah as extension of himself
+- The scotch offering - attempting to make Sarah complicit
+- "I taught you" - claiming ownership of her success
+
+### Theme 3: Power
+
+**Application of Rules**:
+- **Rule 1: Show Power's Appeal** - Corner office, wealth, influence
+- **Rule 3: Create Moral Costs** - Marcus's power came through theft
+- **Rule 4: Explore Power's Isolation** - Marcus alone at end
+- **Rule 7: Show Effect on Others** - Pension fund victims mentioned
+
+**Key Moments**:
+- Marcus's power display (office, position)
+- His threat to destroy Sarah's career
+- Final image of him alone despite power
+
+**Visual Symbolism**:
+- High office = elevated power
+- Closing blinds = secrecy power requires
+- Darkness = moral corruption
+- Sarah leaving into light = rejecting corrupt power
+
+### Theme 4: Sacrifice
+
+**Application of Rules**:
+- **Rule 1: Make Sacrifice Costly** - Sarah sacrifices her career
+- **Rule 2: Show What's Being Sacrificed** - CFO position, mentor relationship, industry future
+- **Rule 4: Make Sacrifice Active Choice** - Sarah chooses to report despite cost
+
+**Key Moments**:
+- "I know" - Sarah acknowledging the cost
+- Her hesitation showing the difficulty
+- Walking out showing commitment to sacrifice
+
+**Character Arc**:
+- Enters uncertain
+- Faces temptation
+- Chooses integrity over ambition
+- Leaves transformed
+
+---
+
+## Writing Techniques Demonstrated
+
+### Subtext in Dialogue
+
+**Surface Level**: Conversation about financial irregularities  
+**Subtext Level**: Battle for Sarah's soul, mentor's corruption revealed
+
+**Examples**:
+- "Close the blinds" - Not about privacy, about hiding truth
+- "How much did you find?" - Not curiosity, threat assessment
+- "I see myself in you" - Claiming ownership, manipulation
+
+### Visual Storytelling
+
+**Light/Dark Motif**:
+- Bright office → Closing blinds → Darkness → Light from hallway
+- Represents: Truth → Secrecy → Corruption → Redemption
+
+**Spatial Dynamics**:
+- Marcus behind desk (power position)
+- Sarah at door (escape route, choice)
+- Marcus approaching (intimidation)
+- Sarah leaving into light (moral choice)
+
+### Character Behavior
+
+**Marcus**:
+- Calm initially (confidence in power)
+- Offers drink (attempting complicity)
+- Moves closer (physical intimidation)
+- Desperate at end (power failing)
+
+**Sarah**:
+- Hesitant (internal conflict)
+- Doesn't take drink (refusing complicity)
+- Quiet resolve (moral strength)
+- Leaves (active choice)
+
+---
+
+## Common Mistakes to Avoid
+
+### ❌ **Mistake 1: On-the-Nose Dialogue**
+
+**Bad Version**:
+```
+SARAH
+Your ambition has corrupted you! You've betrayed 
+everyone who trusted you! Power has isolated you!
+```
+
+**Why It Fails**: States themes explicitly instead of showing them
+
+**Good Version** (from scene):
+```
+SARAH
+You taught me what happens when ambition becomes corruption.
+```
+
+**Why It Works**: Implies theme through character observation
+
+### ❌ **Mistake 2: No Visual Storytelling**
+
+**Bad Version**: Scene in generic office with no visual elements supporting theme
+
+**Good Version** (from scene): Closing blinds = increasing darkness = moral corruption
+
+### ❌ **Mistake 3: Easy Choice**
+
+**Bad Version**: Sarah immediately reports Marcus without hesitation
+
+**Why It Fails**: No dramatic tension, sacrifice feels cheap
+
+**Good Version** (from scene): Sarah hesitates, acknowledges cost, makes difficult choice
+
+### ❌ **Mistake 4: Villain Without Justification**
+
+**Bad Version**: Marcus is purely evil with no explanation
+
+**Why It Fails**: One-dimensional, unrealistic
+
+**Good Version** (from scene): Marcus explains his reasoning, making him human despite being wrong
+
+---
+
+## Application Checklist
+
+When writing a thematically rich scene, ensure:
+
+- [ ] **Multiple themes present** - At least 2-3 themes woven together
+- [ ] **Themes shown, not told** - Demonstrated through action and subtext
+- [ ] **Visual elements support themes** - Setting, lighting, objects reinforce meaning
+- [ ] **Character choices reflect themes** - Decisions embody thematic conflicts
+- [ ] **Dialogue has subtext** - Surface conversation hides deeper meaning
+- [ ] **Moral complexity** - No easy answers or one-dimensional characters
+- [ ] **Consequences are clear** - Stakes and costs are established
+- [ ] **Transformation occurs** - Character changes through thematic conflict
+
+---
+
+**Next Steps**: See individual theme examples for deeper exploration of specific themes.
+