Pale Rider

Beat Sheet by: Bryan Ierardi

Act 1

Opening Image: A gang on horseback terrorizes a peaceful village of settlers mining for gold in the mountains. A young girl, Megan, screams out for her dog. "Lindsay!"

Theme Stated: Burying her dead canine companion, Megan prays, "They killed my dog. I am afraid. I need a miracle... please, just one miracle."

Setup: The Pale Rider rides into town. Mr. Barrett goes to town. He has debts with the General Store owner. Bad Guys circle. Pale Rider appears. He beats the Bad Guys in an axe-handle scuffle.

Catalyst: Barrett offers the Pale Rider "three hots and a cot". Lindsay sees the Pale Rider. This is what we need, someone who is not a afraid of the Bad Guys. At the meal table, he reveals that he is a preacher. The gang's ringleader, Chris Penn, overssees a massive mining operation downstream from the settlers. He gets a report from his boys.

Debate and Decision: Pale Rider and the Mr. Barrett start breaking a large rock that is in the way. Chris Penn and "Jaws" show up. Pale Rider defends the innocent again. Others join in breaking the rock with their newfound confidence and faith.

Act 2-A

Break Into Two: A train arrives. The bossman disembarks. He gets a report. His reaction is an instruction to rough him up. Those mining settlers have to go.

Start B-Story: Go into town. Chris Penn's father wants to see the preacher. Pale Rider resists the bribe overture. "You have 24 hours to get out."

Fun And Games: Lehood makes offer. "I've heard of him."

MidPoint: Night campfire. Barrett says, "This is my home. If we sell out now, what price do we put on our dignity next time." The village makes a decision to defend their ground. "To hell with Lehood." Megan tells Pale Rider, "A miracle happened the day you arrived. I think I love you." He tells her, "You wouldn't want to spend your future on a man like me. Someday the right man will come along." Hurt, she replies, "It's my mooma you love, isn't it? I hope you die."

Act 2-B

Bad Guys Close In: The Preacher visits the Bad Guys' mining operation. "Tell your father they turned him down." Pale Rider rides off. Barrett discovers The Preacher is gone. The Preacher goes to town and collects his gun and takes off his white collar. One of settlers strikes gold. He announces he's going to town to celebrate.

Losing Hope: Megan ventures into the Bad Guys' camp.

The Darkest Moment: Bad Guys begin to rape Megan. Pale Rider shows up and saves her.

Act 3

Break Into Three: Stockburn and his "deputies" blast away the drunk guy who found gold in a barrage of pistol fire. Tell the preacher to meet me in town tomorrow morning.

The Final Battle:

Final Image: