Screenplay data
Drew Carson, a young martial artist, travels to China to train at the Shaolin Temple after his master, Sifu Kwan, admits he never trained there and Drew witnesses the arrogant Trevor Gottitall humiliate opponents. Initially rejected by the monks, Drew undertakes a persistent vigil outside the temple doors, eventually earning his admission after demonstrating unwavering dedication. Inside the temple, Drew endures grueling physical and mental training, navigating rivalries with fellow student Gao and learning the Shaolin philosophy from Headmaster San De. Drew and the other disciples sneak out to a party, where a fight breaks out, leading to a confrontation with the authorities and the temple leadership. As punishment, Drew is sent on a perilous journey up a mountainside, where he must choose between saving a sacred scroll or a mysterious man, ultimately sacrificing the scroll to save the man and arriving at the Arhat's hut to confess his failure.
Save the Cat beat sheet
American Shaolin follows Drew Carson’s journey from a determined young martial artist in Los Angeles to a disciplined Shaolin disciple in China.
Open full beat sheetDrew Carson is listed as Protagonist / Student. A muscular 16/17-year-old aspiring martial artist. In the parsed data, Drew Carson is connected to 40 scenes, 62 dialogue lines, 62 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
40 scenes / 62 dialogue linesGao is listed as Fellow Student. A rival-turned-friend among the disciples. In the parsed data, Gao is connected to 20 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
20 scenes / 5 dialogue linesDrill Sergeant is listed as Shaolin Instructor. A stern monk in charge of training. In the parsed data, Drill Sergeant is connected to 16 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
16 scenes / 20 dialogue linesLi is listed as Fellow Student. A friendly disciple from Beijing. In the parsed data, Li is connected to 14 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
14 scenes / 1 dialogue linesSan De is listed as Shaolin Headmaster. An old monk who initially poses as a janitor. In the parsed data, San De is connected to 10 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
10 scenes / 18 dialogue linesAshema is listed as Love Interest. A strikingly beautiful young woman in China. In the parsed data, Ashema is connected to 8 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
8 scenes / 15 dialogue linesSifu Kwan is listed as Martial Arts Instructor. A 70-year-old wizened man, dressed in a fraying Chinese jacket and scruffy cloth shoes. In the parsed data, Sifu Kwan is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesArhat is listed as Advanced Monk. The most advanced monk of the Shaolin tradition. In the parsed data, Arhat is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 41.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBob is listed as Antagonist. A big, overweight, and angry man. In the parsed data, Bob is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDr. Pfeelgut is listed as Trevor's Entourage. A psychologist who encourages Trevor to humiliate opponents. In the parsed data, Dr. Pfeelgut is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMrs. Rodriguez is listed as Student's Mother. A supportive mother who makes handmade uniforms. In the parsed data, Mrs. Rodriguez is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 1.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTrevor Gottitall is listed as Antagonist / Rival Fighter. A superior, arrogant fighter with a large entourage. In the parsed data, Trevor Gottitall is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 3.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMaster Kim is listed as Martial Arts Master. An old Korean master with a thick accent.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSifu Kwan trains his students while waiting for someone. Mrs. Rodriguez brings a handmade uniform for Drew Carson.
Sifu Kwan, Mrs. RodriguezKwan confronts Drew in his garage while he practices. Bob, the stepfather, interrupts and argues with Drew.
Sifu Kwan, Drew Carson, BobTrevor Gottitall holds an exhibition, humiliating opponents under the guidance of his psychologist.
Trevor Gottitall, Dr. PfeelgutKwan confesses to Drew that he never trained at the Shaolin Temple. Drew decides to go to China to train.
Sifu Kwan, Drew CarsonDrew arrives at the Shaolin Temple but is rejected by the monks.
Drew Carson, Ashema, San DeDrew discusses his failure to enter the temple with Ashema and her grandfather, who tells a story about a persistent monk.
Drew Carson, Ashema, Sifu KwanDrew begins his vigil outside the temple doors.
Drew Carson, San De, Drill SergeantA montage of Drew's endurance test through various weather conditions and interactions.
Drew Carson, Ashema, Drill SergeantSan De speaks to Drew and reveals he speaks English.
San De, Drew CarsonDrew is finally admitted into the temple.
Drew Carson, Ashema, Sifu Kwan, Drill SergeantThe initiation ceremony for the new disciples.
Drew Carson, Drill Sergeant, San De, GaoSan De announces that the disciples will begin martial training early, and Drew thanks him on behalf of the group.
San De, Drew CarsonThe disciples have a secret party with music, leading to a confrontation between Drew and Gao.
Drew Carson, Gao, Li, Drill SergeantThe disciples begin their formal training in the main chamber.
Drill Sergeant, Drew Carson, Gao, Li, ArhatThe disciples undergo various grueling physical training exercises.
Drew Carson, Drill Sergeant, Gao, Li, ArhatThe Drill Sergeant puts Drew through a brutal wrestling training session.
Drill Sergeant, Drew Carson, GaoLi treats Drew's injuries, but Gao pours dirty water on Drew.
Li, Drew Carson, GaoThe disciples attempt to hold a stance under a waterfall.
Drill Sergeant, Li, Gao, Drew CarsonDrew and Gao struggle with a chest-tapping drill.
Drew Carson, Gao, Drill Sergeant, ArhatDrew and Li play with a frisbee and accidentally hit a statue.
Drew Carson, Li, Drill SergeantDrew practices with a broom and is attacked by an unseen monk.
Drew CarsonSan De talks to Drew about Bodhidharma.
San De, Drew CarsonSan De uses a tea pouring analogy to teach Drew about emptying his mind.
San De, Drew CarsonThe Drill Sergeant teaches the disciples about soft style.
Arhat, Drew Carson, Li, Drill SergeantThe disciples are given their day off.
Drill Sergeant, Drew Carson, Li, GaoThe disciples enjoy their freedom in town and by the river.
Drew Carson, Li, Gao, AshemaDrew convinces the disciples to go to a party.
Drew Carson, Li, GaoDrew and Gao fight, leading to a confrontation with the Drill Sergeant.
Drew Carson, Gao, Drill SergeantSan De mediates the conflict between Drew and Gao.
Drew Carson, Gao, San DeThe disciples prepare to sneak out to the party.
Drew Carson, GaoThe disciples sneak out of the temple.
Drew Carson, Li, GaoThe disciples arrive at the party.
Drew Carson, Ashema, GaoDrew and Ashema attend a party where Drew orchestrates a dance to break the tension between the disciples and the girls.
Drew Carson, Ashema, Gao, LiTough guys confront Drew at the party, leading to a fight between the disciples and the toughs.
Drew Carson, Ashema, Gao, LiThe disciples return to the dorm room after the party fight.
Drew Carson, GaoThe disciples discuss their fear of being caught for the party incident.
Drew Carson, Gao, LiThe Drill Sergeant arrives to take Drew to San De's chamber.
Drew Carson, Drill SergeantSan De and the Drill Sergeant defend Drew against the Headmistress and police.
Drew Carson, San De, Drill SergeantDrew climbs a steep mountainside and crosses a rope bridge where he is harassed by a mysterious man. The bridge frays and snaps, forcing Drew to choose between saving a scroll and saving the man.
Drew Carson, San DeDrew eats with the man he saved, feeling guilty about losing the scroll.
Drew CarsonDrew arrives at the Arhat's hut, finds the Arhat, and confesses to losing the scroll.
Arhat, Drew CarsonNo. Of course they did - what kind of story do you think my Bau Bau would tell? He stayed in front of the temple until they could no longer say no. He went on to become one of the most famous monks in the history of the temple.
At first I was really bored, and very lonely. But then, things changed. Maybe it's like hitting the wall in running - it was like I became part of the courtyard, and I felt powerful. Even the spider became my friend...
It's not enough just to win, Trevor. You have to destroy your opponent completely, mentally and physically. Beat him once, he's a threat. Humiliate him, and he'll fear you forever.
You are wise. You know what is right and what is not right. This disciple does not even know right from wrong. Who will teach him if we do not?
Made up. I never trained at the Shaolin Temple. When I realized my dream couldn't come true, I convinced myself that it had anyway.
Here at the temple, we use a period of intense physical labor to test your patience, and to teach you humility and self-reliance.
We accepted a challenge when this disciple came into our ranks. If we force him to leave China, we admit failure. Can we do that?
At Shaolin Temple, in misty Songshan mountains, We monks trained in iron palm until our hands bled... then we trained some more.
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