A beat sheet is a high-level overview of the major milestones (or big "beats") in a story ... including moments like these:
- A beginning, set in the "every day world" of the movie before things get out of hand.
- A call to action, or catalyst, or Big Change that has the potential to pull the hero out of his or her comfortable routine and launch a new adventure.
- A debate about whether or not to accept that call.
- A commitment to the adventure (usually made after rejecting it first!).
- A midpoint, or a crisis that turns the action in an entirely new and unexpected direction.
- A dark night of the soul -- the low point that comes when the main character has lost it all.
- Third Act Break - new energy, new direction, and a chance for redemption.
- The Finale, in which the bad guys lose and the good guys win.
Take apart virtually any story people love and remember, and you'll find that these stories (even if they're dramatically different on the surface) share these (and other) beats.
My first-pass outline for Husbands and Lies is, in fact, a beat sheet. (I use the one Blake Snyder teaches in his superb Save the Cat! screenwriting course.) For me, as a writer, a beat sheet like this one gives me my first, high-level overview of what the major story points are. In a way, the beat sheet is like the skeleton of my novel, revealing its shape ... but few details.
SPOILER ALERT! In the spirit of ReallyNovel.com, I'm posting everything here, including my beat sheet and outlines. Be aware, though, that, by their nature, these kinds of documents give a lot of the story away! If you want to read the story (and discover its secrets) as I write it, you probably don't want to read the beat sheet!
Husbands and Lies: Beat Sheet
Opening Image
Thomas and Briggs at a travel agency (or jewelry store), shopping for an affordable tenth anniversary trip (or ring).
Theme Stated
Thomas and Briggs discover they don't qualify for a "married couples" discount ... because they're not "really married." Thomas backs down, and they leave, defeated.
Set-up
They arrive home to find a limo in front of their house, with the exotic Kim Adder inside.
Catalyst
Kim offers them an all-expense paid trip to Thailand, courtesy of Thomas' old high school friend, Nick -- a multi-millionaire with nostalgia for “friends who were my friends before I had money.”
Debate
Thomas greets the offer with enthusiasm, but Briggs is suspicious of the terms. They decline the offer. Later, as a result of an unexpected visit from the dramatically changed Nick, they change their minds and decide to go.
Break Into Act Two
The two arrive at the airport and settle in to the bizarre, comforting world of First Class travel (funded by Nick). As they tuck into a lavish airborne dinner, Thomas and Briggs realize they are not in Kansas anymore.
B Story
Upon arrival, Thomas discovers that one of the other guests on this excursion is Trent -- Thomas’ college flame (and the “one that got away.”) Coincidence ... or design?
Fun and Games
We tour Bangkok, allowing character quirks to complicate every aspect of the trip. Tensions build and tempers grow short with each passing disaster.
Midpoint
Trent makes a move on Thomas, and Thomas half-heartedly resists. Briggs does not see the incident ... but another character does, and uses the incident as fodder for blackmail.
Bad Guys Close In
Every single aspect of the trip seems dedicated to separating Thomas from Briggs. Their relationship grows more and more ragged, as spats become arguments, arguments become incidents, and incidents spark talk of going separate ways.
All Is Lost
Thomas gives in to Trent ... and breaks Briggs' heart.
Dark Night of the Soul
The fantasy of being with Trent is one thing; the reality is another. Without Briggs, Thomas is miserable. Thomas is at rock bottom, and realizes he’s traded a wonderful reality for a pointless fantasy.
Break Into Three
Kim and Zac, who have been gettin' it on behind the scenes and are now advocates for true love, come clean about a behind the scenes plot they’ve been a part of all along.
Finale
Nick’s grand plan exposed. With a huge, public, gaudy romantic gesture, Thomas wins Briggs back.
Final Image
Thomas and Briggs fly back home on their own dime, in coach. Woman complains about their public displays of affection. When they won't back down, they get bumped by the gay flight attendant -- but up to first class!
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