Stakes Is High Exercise

"LIFE & DEATH"RAISING THE STAKES IN YOUR SCRIPT
FADE IN:
INT. IN FRONT OF YOUR COMPUTER - NOW
SCRIPTED WHIM                    Make your audience care. Give   your characters tough choices
   and the potential for harsh
   consequences. Not all dilemmas
   pit life against death, but if
   you can put the psychological
   or literal livelihood of a
   character at stake, then do.
   This exercise will help you to
   raise the stakes in your writing.
Piece of pie.
Superbowl ticket.
Fish in a pet store.
Barber.
SCRIPTED WHIM                    Choose one of the items above
   and write a 2-page scene about
   the last of that item and the
   two characters who want it.
   Only one of them can have it.
   And remember...conflict,   conflict, conflict.FADE OUT:THE END