2012
Aspiring writer Henry Obert joins a writing group where Hannah Rinaldi's rapid success, including a movie deal, sparks both inspiration and internal conflict among the members. As Colette's desperate attempt to secure an agent through her spiritual adviser backfires, Henry discovers Hannah at their idol's home, causing a significant rift between them. Years later, Henry achieves success with his own book and marries, while reflecting on the varied and often disappointing paths of his former writing group colleagues. Ultimately, Hannah, now a successful author, expresses regret over her past actions and a newfound appreciation for Henry, whose journey has come full circle.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Henry, a struggling writer, delivers pizzas by day while secretly attending a writers’ group.
Open full beat sheetHenry Obert is listed as Narrator / Writer. 30-year-old aspiring writer, works as a pizza delivery driver and carpet cleaner. In the parsed data, Henry Obert is connected to 55 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 40 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
55 scenes / 37 dialogue linesColette Mooney is listed as Writer. 30s, wife of Alan, aspiring novelist. In the parsed data, Colette Mooney is connected to 42 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
42 scenes / 28 dialogue linesHannah Rinaldi is listed as Writer. 20s, aspiring writer, first to get an agent and book deal. In the parsed data, Hannah Rinaldi is connected to 40 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 38 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
40 scenes / 37 dialogue linesAlan Mooney is listed as Optometrist / Writing Group Leader. 40s, optometrist in Glendale, husband of Colette. In the parsed data, Alan Mooney is connected to 36 scenes, 30 dialogue lines, 30 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
36 scenes / 30 dialogue linesJohn K. Butzin is listed as Writer. 60s, military veteran, aspiring writer. In the parsed data, John K. Butzin is connected to 31 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
31 scenes / 15 dialogue linesWilliam Bruce is listed as Writer. 20s, aspiring writer, claims to be a Bukowski devotee. In the parsed data, William Bruce is connected to 22 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
22 scenes / 28 dialogue linesSigrid Hagenguth is listed as John's Partner. German immigrant, works at a hardware store. In the parsed data, Sigrid Hagenguth is connected to 12 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 80.
12 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMaureen Rinaldi is listed as Hannah's Mother. 50s, supportive mother of Hannah. In the parsed data, Maureen Rinaldi is connected to 10 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
10 scenes / 3 dialogue linesLois Piper is listed as Literary Agent. Tired, cynical literary agent. In the parsed data, Lois Piper is connected to 7 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 54.
7 scenes / 3 dialogue linesDr. Xiroman is listed as Spiritual Adviser. New Age spiritual adviser, co-author with Colette. In the parsed data, Dr. Xiroman is connected to 7 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 49.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRichard Benedict is listed as Famous Author. Successful, established novelist. In the parsed data, Richard Benedict is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 88.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesEudora is listed as Waitress / Henry's Wife. Waitress with purple hair, later Henry's wife. In the parsed data, Eudora is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 111.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHenry introduces the location where F. Scott Fitzgerald died and reflects on his life and failures.
Henry ObertHenry stands on the sidewalk in his pizza delivery uniform, reflecting on his own writing ambitions.
Henry ObertHenry gets into his car and puts on his pizza delivery sign.
Henry ObertAlan and Colette are interviewed about their writing group and learn it will be a documentary.
Alan Mooney, Colette MooneyThe writing group meets; Colette reads from her novel.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiHenry works on his writing in his sparse apartment.
Henry ObertHenry delivers pizza.
Henry ObertHenry cleans carpets.
Henry ObertHenry shows his rejection letters.
Henry ObertThe group meets for a session and discusses Colette's work.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiThe meeting concludes with social banter.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiHenry struggles with writer's block.
Henry ObertHenry prepares for work.
Henry ObertFlashback to the previous meeting, focusing on Hannah.
Henry Obert, Hannah RinaldiHannah is interviewed.
Hannah Rinaldi, Maureen RinaldiWilliam is interviewed.
William BruceHannah continues her interview.
Hannah Rinaldi, Maureen RinaldiWilliam continues his interview.
William BruceHannah struggles to name a favorite writer.
Hannah Rinaldi, Maureen RinaldiJohn is interviewed.
John K. ButzinAlan and Colette are interviewed.
Alan Mooney, Colette MooneyColette is interviewed in her garden.
Colette MooneyColette reads in her garden.
Colette MooneyWorkers hear Colette.
Colette MooneyColette talks about Oprah.
Colette MooneyHenry prepares to ask Hannah out.
Henry ObertAlan is interviewed.
Alan MooneyThe group meets, but Hannah is missing.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. ButzinHannah arrives and announces she has an agent.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiThe group takes a photo.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiThe group celebrates with champagne.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiThe group leaves the restaurant.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiHenry and Hannah talk at her car.
Henry Obert, Hannah RinaldiMontage of the writers working.
Alan Mooney, William BruceHenry discusses his feelings about Hannah getting an agent and his admiration for Richard Benedict.
Henry ObertColette practices yoga and discusses her novel and her desire for an agent.
Colette MooneyHannah discusses her superstitions, and Colette arrives with a gift basket to ask about Hannah's agent.
Hannah Rinaldi, Maureen Rinaldi, Colette MooneyHannah and Henry arrive at Alan's office.
Hannah Rinaldi, Henry Obert, Alan MooneyAlan helps Hannah pick out glasses and pitches a new novel idea.
Hannah Rinaldi, Henry Obert, Alan MooneyWilliam eavesdrops on customers and gets into a confrontation.
William BruceJohn introduces his new partner, Sigrid.
John K. Butzin, Sigrid HagenguthSigrid works at the hardware store.
Sigrid HagenguthSigrid shows off her 'Wall of America'.
Sigrid HagenguthColette receives a rejection letter.
Colette Mooney, Alan MooneyHannah receives news that her novel has been sold.
Hannah Rinaldi, Maureen Rinaldi, Henry ObertJohn announces his own publishing deal.
John K. ButzinThe writing group meets and celebrates Hannah's success.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, William Bruce, Colette Mooney, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiJohn reads from his book, causing tension.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, William Bruce, Colette Mooney, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiColette introduces her spiritual adviser, Dr. Xiroman.
Colette Mooney, Dr. XiromanWilliam criticizes TV writers.
William BruceHenry reads Fitzgerald and reflects on hope.
Henry ObertAlan and Colette discuss a famous agent visiting.
Alan Mooney, Colette MooneyAlan meets David Keller.
Alan Mooney, Lois PiperAlan performs an eye exam on David Keller.
Alan Mooney, Lois PiperAlan and Colette discuss the success of their plan to get David Keller to read Colette's novel, while Alan makes advances toward Colette.
Alan Mooney, Colette MooneyDavid Keller discards Colette's pages in a trash can.
Alan Mooney, Colette MooneyHannah reads Henry's manuscript and encourages him, while Henry struggles with his writing progress.
Henry Obert, Hannah RinaldiHenry shows Hannah the home of famous author Richard Benedict.
Henry Obert, Hannah RinaldiHenry takes Hannah to the former home of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sheila Graham, leading to a vulnerable conversation about their backgrounds.
Henry Obert, Hannah RinaldiJohn complains on the phone about errors in his published book, Roaring Lion.
John K. Butzin, Sigrid HagenguthHenry and Hannah share coffee and discuss the pressure of her upcoming book release.
Henry Obert, Hannah Rinaldi, EudoraHenry and Hannah share a moment of intimacy before Hannah sets boundaries.
Henry Obert, Hannah RinaldiThe writing group meets; Henry struggles to share his work and faces questions about his characters' relationship.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiWilliam attempts to borrow money from Hannah; Colette intervenes.
Henry Obert, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, Hannah RinaldiJohn checks his book's sales ranking on Amazon with Sigrid's help.
John K. Butzin, Sigrid HagenguthHannah discusses the potential movie deal for her book with her mother.
Hannah Rinaldi, Maureen RinaldiWriting group meeting poster displayed.
The group meets; Hannah reads her work; John reveals news of Hannah's movie deal from Variety.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiThe group members react to Hannah's success.
Henry Obert, Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William Bruce, John K. Butzin, Hannah RinaldiAlan arrives home and records a new idea.
Alan MooneyAlan finds William in his house while Colette is in the shower.
Alan Mooney, Colette Mooney, William BruceAlan destroys a framed photo of Oprah in a fit of rage.
Alan MooneyHenry talks to the camera about Hannah avoiding him.
Henry ObertHenry mentions having dinner at Hannah's place.
Henry ObertHenry has dinner with Maureen while Hannah is away.
Henry Obert, Maureen RinaldiColette talks to the camera about her rejection letters and her resolve.
Colette MooneyColette burns her rejection letters while Dr. Xiroman comforts her.
Colette Mooney, Dr. XiromanJohn and Sigrid prepare for his book signing.
John K. Butzin, Sigrid HagenguthSigns announce the author signing.
John sits at his signing table; Sigrid uses the PA system to announce the event.
John K. Butzin, Sigrid HagenguthEverything John K. Butzin knows about writing comes down to two simple words: Tom Clancy. Yes, sir. Tom Clancy. The man's a genius. Does his research. All those nitty-gritty technical details. Now that's writing! John K. Butzin has one agent very interested in Roaring Lion. And a publisher up in Oxnard is looking at it as we speak. Plus a certain cousin's best friend has a neighbor who has an in with Clint Eastwood, so Hollywood might be calling soon. Don't know how the other members of the writing group will handle all this success by one person. They better not be pussies.
...consumed totally, completely, absolutely, by endless thoughts of Yuri fondling her breast, his other hand groping her womanhood, knowing... Any second that she might explode, her chastity spraying across the ceiling...Spraying across the ceiling like passionate graffiti. Natasha never thought such a moment possible. "Have I satisfied you, Natasha?" Yuri had inquired after their fourth round of vodka-soaked lovemaking. "Nyet, Not yet," Natasha stated, exhausted, but grateful.
Fitzgerald was one of the truly great American writers of the 20th century. Tender is the Night. The Last Tycoon. This Side of Paradise. And, of course, my favorite, The Great Gatsby. But Fitzgerald ended up out here. Writing movies that never got made. Drinking too much. Alienating people. Losing his way.
Moved here. Took a couple writing classes. Decided to go for it. 24/7. Total dedication to my craft. The writing always comes first. My latest effort is called Sleeping on the Moon. It's about rejection. And pain. Not really about the moon itself. More of a...
Just kidding. I'm actually 28. Hometown is Modesto, California, A sprawling junk heap of a town without a soul. Why did I come to LA? Um, because I knew you were here and that you'd loan me a hundred bucks if I needed it. Right?
I have two unpublished novels. Working on my third, Pizza to Go. These are my rejection letters. Rejected by agents. Rejected by publishers. When you think about it, it's pretty amazing how many ways people can reject you.
Why did I form the group? To help Colette. Oh, I certainly enjoy the creative process, but Colette? Writing is her dream. I'd do anything for her because...because she's my dream. So there you have it.
I like the people in the group. But they can't write worth shit. But, man, Hannah is something. She's the only reason I keep going. Not because I'm learning anything. Hell, no. I just think she's hot.
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