Pushing Tin

Beat Sheet by: Bryan Ierardi

Act 1

Opening Image: The high-speed, high- stress world of airline traffic controllers. Nick Falzone (John Cusack) takes on an extra group of aircraft at the end of a long shift and "lines them up like Rockettes". He's good at what he does.

Theme Stated: In the first scene with his wife, Nick asks, "You're happy aren't you?" This is a theme of the movie, insecurity about happiness and even about what it is. In another scene, Russell explains why he stood on a runway in Arizona to feel the wake turbulence of a 747 landing. "I guess my life was a little short on excitement."

Setup: After their shift, Nick and his coworkers grab food at a diner, where we get even more insight into their personalities and their high-pressure world. 7000 planes a day they manage at Terminal Radar and Approach CONtrol (TRACON). Nick is on his way home speeding down the freeway listening to Billy Idol's dancing with myself. It is nice car he pulls up into a cookie-cutter neighborhood parks and greets his wife who is in her rash off to go to the teacher parent conference for their son we learned that their schedules are out of sync. After their quickie, she reminds Nick she's starting her art class tonight, part of her effort to do something for herself. He says it's important if it makes her happy. "You're happy aren't you," he questions insecurely. After their shift, Nick and a coworker are driving home and pull up to a stoplight when a rogue character on a motorcycle. Actually it's the next day and they're on their way to work. The motorcycle rider gives them attitude in pulls a maneuver on them. When they get to work a motorcycle sitting in the parking lot. Nick kicks it over and pours coffee all over it. The next day a group of schoolchildren are being given a tour of the facility. When the kids a wisecrack says that it says here air traffic controllers of the highest rate of "clinical depression, nervous breakdown, heart attacks and alcoholism than any other profession". One of the traffic controllers experiences a near miss each one of these guys is about to snap at any moment.

Catalyst: The "new guy" is introduced to the gang. Nick Falzone shoots 17 baskets in a row and he asked the crowd didn't anybody wants to challenge and. Russell steps up and says, "I'll go." Meanwhile inside Russell's wife, Mary, is unable to tolerate the gossiping that the otherwise in walks out to get more alcohol. Nick walks up and and and helps her with her cocktail while Russell continues to score consecutive baskets in the background.. Russell beats Nick's record. Mary comes up in gives him a big, wet kiss and says she wants to go. The guys are transfixed on her. As the Bells are leaving, Nick tosses the b-ball to Russell and challenges him." A hundred bucks you can't make it from there."

Debate and Decision: Connie and Nick are driving home later and they discuss the Bells. "What do think of her?" They gossip about her. Then Nick asks, "What do you think of him? He's weird isn't he." Connie says, "He's so... interesting."

Act 2-A

Break Into Two: The next day, the crew is back on the job. The pissing match between Russell and Nick continues as each takes on more and more airplanes to show the other up.

Start B-Story: The B-Story is typically the love story. Nick is at the local supermarket sees Mary Bell. She's crying and choose the three huge bottles of vodka in her cart. She explains that Russell's gone and sometimes he just takes off from his motorcycle comes home days later.

Fun And Games:

MidPoint:

Act 2-B

Bad Guys Close In:

Losing Hope:

The Darkest Moment:

Act 3

Break Into Three:

The Final Battle:

Final Image: