EXAMPLE: THE PROPOSAL Beat Sheet
Written by Pete Chiarelli
Mini-Logline: In a single workday, Margaret wheels, deals and pulls an
office political end-around while Andrew, facing one disaster after
another, runs interference for her...until Margaret's bosses call her in to
tell her visa is expired and she's facing deportation. In desperation
Margaret grabs Andrew and announces the two of them are getting
married.
Hero’s status quo: Margaret's a hard-driving wiz at office politics, she
makes impetuous decisions, even firing a key editor...all going to show
her lack of feeling, appreciation for others and a general lack of emotion.
Still, her hyper-competence at her job and Bullock's star appeal, and the
undeserved misfortune of this sudden deportation, make her likeable...
Hero’s ordinary life: Reading a manuscript while on an exercise bike
says it all; she’s always working, she never rests.
Inciting Incident/Call to Adventure: Her bosses announce her visa has expired; she is to be
deported. She announces she and Andrew (to his utter horror) are to be married. The sham
wedding seems to be the adventure...but is the real adventure...love?
BEAT SHEET for THE PROPOSAL
1. INT. MARGARET'S APARTMENT - DAY
MARGARET TATE, bossy editor-in-chief, goes though her morning routine; she's neat,
clean, and efficient.
2. INT. ANDREW'S APARTMENT - DAY
ANDREW PAXTON, Margaret's assistant, wakes up late.
3. EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - DAY
Andrew is in a mad rush.
4. INT. STARBUCKS - DAY
Andrew arrives for drinks, and the barista has them ready to go for him. He cuts in line and
doesn't even pay.
5. INT. OFFICE BUILDING – DAY
Andrew barely makes it into the elevator.
6. EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
Margaret is on phone with FRANK, a skittish, high-strung writer, trying to get him to agree
to do a publicity deal with OPRAH.
7. INT. PUBLISHER'S FLOOR - day
Andrew collides with the mail delivery guy, spilling one of the drinks all over himself and
the delivery guy. He's really stressed out about it.
8. INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
Margaret continues her conversation, persuasive, and unflappable as she talks Frank through
it.
9. INT. PUBLISHER'S FLOOR - DAY
Andrew bribes a coworker with sports tickets to switch shirts with him.
The casual air in the office suddenly shifts into panic as Margaret shows up. Text messages
spread through the office like wildfire, heralding her arrival.
10. INT. MARGARET's OFFICE - DAY
Andrew greets Margaret, rattling off her busy morning schedule. She smoothly announces
that she made the Oprah deal with Frank, and dismisses Andrew's praise.
Before Andrew can leave, Margaret notices the Starbucks' barista's phone number and
message on her coffee - the coffee he switched out for Margaret's. He gets the same drink,
just in case this kind of thing happens.
11. INT. PUBLISHER'S FLOOR - DAY
Andrew spreads another set of warning messages before Margaret leaves her office, setting
everyone again to hard work. He then takes up her side as she enters-12. INT. BOB'S OFFICE - DAY
Bob is the next highest editor for the publisher. Margaret promptly fires Bob, since she got
Frank to do the Oprah deal...and Bob didn't, despite it being on his desk for months.
Margaret gives Bob two months to find a new job and a clean exit, rather than a rude firing.
She leaves...
13. INT. PUBLISHER'S FLOOR - DAY
... but Bob storms out after her, going on a tirade about her witchiness. Margaret smoothly
retorts that she's firing him because he's lazy and spends more time having affairs than work.
He's silenced.
She tells Andrew he'll be working this weekend, dismissing any objections - even though it's
his Grandmother's birthday.
14. INT. ANDREW'S DESK - DAY
Andrew explains to his mother that he can't leave for the birthday; he's been busting his ass
for a promotion, and being a 'perfect assistant' for Margaret. He can't quit now, despite her
insufferable domineering.
Margaret is summoned to the OWNERS' office.
15. INT. CEO'S OFFICE - DAY
The CEO informs Margaret that her Visa application has been denied, and she's being
deported...and replaced by the just-fired Bob.
Andrew interrupts the conference with a call from Oprah's office, and Margaret uses the
opportunity to reveal that she and Andrew are getting married - a brazen lie. Andrew,
stunned, goes along with it.
Copyright 2012, Hal Croasmun, All rights reserved.
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