The Beat Sheet

Opening Image:  1986, darkness, blizzard, small wooden building mostly buried, barely visible light on a roof covered by snow in Antarctica.

Theme Stated:  Being trapped together can bring out the worst in people.

The Setup: Two men have been snowed in together for months in Antarctica (Alvaro – Argentinian and Graham – Brit.) They are playing an ongoing chess game as they talk.

The Catalyst: Argument over Argentina victory over England World Cup 1986.

Debate:  Hand of God argument/accusation

Break Into Act II: Dreaming of home

B Story: Discussions of home always bring out competition between the men and their prospective countries.

Fun and Games: Haley’s comet was lame (Alvaro’s argument) v. discovery of ozone hole was a victory (Graham’s argument)

Midpoint: Graham can’t take it anymore. He is going crazy and knocks over the chess board and shouts (There’s the hand of God for you!)

The Bad Guys Close In or Conflict Intensifies: Alvaro drinks the last New Coke.

All Is Lost: Graham raves and carries on because he can’t stand Alvaro and his constant teeth sucking, toe knuckle cracking, and snoring.

Dark Night of the Soul: Alvaro tries to calm Graham with stories of his childhood, reminders that there is only about a month to go before sunlight returns.

Break Into Act III:  The calm before the storm

The Finale: Alvaro decides to read a book from their small library and Graham gives away the ending. Alvaro grabs an ice pick and attacks Graham.

Final Image: Alvaro reading his book in silence, blood splatter on his face, mumbles something about the (hand of God)

The Logline

Alvaro is determined to survive an Antarctic winter snowed in with a young man who is coming unhinged.