Story structure can often be a struggle, so searching for new configurations one can easily adapt to different stories is a never-ending endeavor. I recently read Gravity by Alfonso Cuarón and Jonás Cuarón and was taken aback by its simplicity, as well as its effective delivery of a story that succeeds in keeping the viewer on the edge of its seat. In Gravity everything that can go wrong goes wrong, and it makes for an interesting ride. So, why not try to decipher a structure framework out of it. Let’s call it The Everything Goes Wrong Structure Model.
The Model
The Structure in Five Parts
There are multiple ways we could deconstruct Gravity’s structure, but dividing the main sections by the goals the main character pursues seemed like a logical and appealing approach.
The structure is divided into five sections. It starts with the Story Setup and ends with the Resolution. In the middle part we find three equally important sections that take the protagonist through an impossible journey: the Realignment, All is Lost, and the Last Card.
The First Part, aka The Story Setup
Let’s call the first part of this structure the Story Setup. It is where it all starts. The first few pages set up the story and guide us through the initial state of affairs. This part is crucial in establishing the story world, the main characters, and their opening objective. The Story Setup ends with a threatening complication and ultimately the definition of a new goal.
The Second Part, aka The Realignment
The Realignment section kicks off the journey. Everything has changed. Whatever the main character set out to do at the start of the story is no longer viable and the stakes have skyrocketed. There is no other option but to change course.
The Third Part, aka All is Lost
Nothing has evolved the way our protagonist had initially intended. Everything has gone wrong and with every complication that arises, the chances of fulfilling the ultimate goal seem close to impossible. The protagonist needs to reconsider her actions to escape this situation alive.
The Fourth Part, aka The Last Card
At this point, the chances of succeeding and achieving the new ultimate goal are getting slimmer and slimmer. The protagonist is running out of chances to fulfill her objective. We aim for one last desperate attempt as the main character plays her final card.
The Fifth Part, aka The Resolution
The protagonist has been challenged beyond anything we would ordinarily witness and, in the case of Gravity, has come out triumphant on the other end. She has beaten all odds and has lived to experience the resolution to her struggles. Whether the resolution is positive or negative, we come to the end of the story. We finally get to know how this journey ends.
Gravity Deconstructed
The Story Setup
In the case of Gravity, the Story Setup introduces us to the story world; the space, a place where “life is impossible”. The story commences in a threatening location where the stakes are high and the chances of survival can be slim.
[…]
AT 600 KM ABOVE PLANET EARTH THE TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATES BETWEEN +258 AND -148 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
THERE IS NOTHING TO CARRY SOUND. NO AIR PRESSURE. NO OXYGEN.
LIFE IN SPACE IS IMPOSSIBLE.
This first part also introduces the main characters, Dr. Ryan Stone…
CAMERA TILTS DOWN and DOLLIES IN ON DR. RYAN STONE, a medical engineer on her first mission. She is on a crane-like robotic arm attached to the shuttle. She is focused on a communication card panel on the Hubble.
… and Matt Kowalsky.
MATT KOWALSKI, a veteran astronaut commander on his last space mission, spacewalks behind the shuttle. He wears a propulsion backpack
We are therefore dealing with a rookie and an expert. As a novice to space, Dr. Stone’s body is struggling to adapt, emphasizing the danger of this mission.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
A section of the Earth as CAMERA TRACKS. The EXPLORER space shuttle becomes visible. The fuselage roof of the shuttle is open, creating an exterior hangar where the Hubble telescope is docked.
[…]
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Okay. Copy that, Explorer. Dr. Stone, Houston. Medical is concerned about your ECG readings.
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
I’m fine, Houston.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Well, Medical doesn’t agree, Doc. Are you feeling nauseous?
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Not any more than usual, Houston. Diagnostics are green. Link to communications card ready for data reception. If this works, when we touch down tomorrow, I’m buying all you guys a round of drinks.
[…]
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Dr. Stone, Houston. Medical now have you with a temperature drop to thirty-five-point-nine and a heart-rate rise to seventy. How are you feeling?
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Houston, I’m fine. It’s just keeping your lunch down in zero-G is harder than it looks.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Uh, Dr. Stone, Medical is asking if you want to return to Explorer.
We also quickly learn the reason for their presence in space, their opening objective. Their mission is to install Dr. Stone’s scanning system in the Hubble. Once achieved, return to Earth.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
[…]
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Installing your system in the Hubble is the purpose of this mission and so we appreciate your patience, Doctor.
[…]
So far, we have situated the story in its world, met our main characters, and learned about their opening objective. But the mission is not evolving as expected and the technical difficulties they are experiencing are turning their primary goal into an impossible task.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
A section of the Earth as CAMERA TRACKS. The EXPLORER space shuttle becomes visible. The fuselage roof of the shuttle is open, creating an exterior hangar where the Hubble telescope is docked.
[…]
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Not any more than usual, Houston. Diagnostics are green. Link to communications card ready for data reception. If this works, when we touch down tomorrow, I’m buying all you guys a round of drinks.
[…]
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Booting comms card now. Please confirm link.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
That’s a negative, we’re not seeing any data.
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Standby, Houston, I’m gonna reboot the comms card.
[…]
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Comms card reboot in progress.
[…]
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Negative. We’ve been here a week, Houston. Let’s just finish this.
(clears throat)
Card is up.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Uh, no, that’s a negative. I’m afraid we’re getting nothing on this end, Doctor.
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Try again.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
No, still nothing.
[…]
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Thank you, Kowalski. Now, Houston?
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
That’s a negative.
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Could Houston be misinterpreting the data?
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Well, we’re not receiving any data. Engineering is recommending a vis-check for component damage.
Ryan takes a card out and examines it.
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Let me see what’s going on. What have we got?
(to Mission Control)
Visual examination doesn’t reveal any damaged components. The problem must be originating from the comms panel.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Yeah, that seems to be the case. Engineering admits that you warned us that this could happen. That’s as close to an apology as you’re going to get from them. We should have listened to you, Doc.
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Get working.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Well, looks like we’re going to have to improvise.
Matt moves INTO FRAME.
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
I’m on it.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
How long do you think it’ll take you?
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
One hour.
[…]
RYAN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Houston, from first inspection, comms panel appears to be dead. Am I a go to cut link to auxiliary?
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
You’re the expert, doctor. It’s your call.
[…]
By page 9, we learn that a Russian satellite has been hit by a missile strike, creating a considerable amount of debris.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
[…]
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Explorer, this is Houston.
EXPLORER CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Go ahead, Houston.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Uh, NORAD reports a Russian satellite has incurred a missile strike
Matt continues to breathe heavily into the radio.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
The impact has created a cloud of debris orbiting at twenty thousand miles per hour. Current debris orbit does not overlap with your trajectory. We’ll keep you posted on any developments.
Although at first these debris don’t appear to be an imminent threat to our characters, by page 13 when Mission Control instructs them to abort the mission it will become clear that they are in danger of losing their lives. The debris have multiplied, heading toward them at rapid speed. A countdown has been set.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
ISS, this is Houston.
RUSSIAN SPACE STATION CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Houston.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Explorer, this is Houston.
EXPLORER CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Go ahead, Houston.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
Mission abort. Repeat. Mission abort. Initiate emergency disconnect from Hubble. Begin reentry procedure. ISS, initiate emergency evacuation.
EXPLORER CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Copy all, Houston, and in work.
(to Matt)
Matt, immediate return to Explorer. Repeat, immediate return to Explorer.
MATT
Copy. Explorer, prep airlock.
EXPLORER CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Airlock engaged, ready to receive.
MATT
Houston, elaborate.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Debris from the missile strike has caused a chain reaction, hitting other satellites and creating new debris. Traveling faster than a high-speed bullet up towards your altitude. All copy.
MATT
Copy all.
(to Ryan)
Put a bow on it, Dr. Stone.
[…]
This is where the first part, the Story Setup, ends. Their initial objective is no longer viable. Now, they must pursue a new one: abort the mission and go home.
The Realignment
Our main characters can no longer fulfill their initial mission. The circumstances have spun out of control and a new goal has been set: an emergency evacuation to enter Earth. The second part has begun, but complications quickly surface and their new goal is challenged.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Well, we have a full-on chain reaction. It’s been confirmed that it’s the unintentional side effect of the Russians striking one of their own satellites.
[…]
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Explorer, new data coming through.
MATT
What’s the blowback, Houston?
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
It’s not good. Most of our systems are gone. Debris chain reaction is out of control and rapidly expanding.
Ryan is on the robotic arm.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Multiple satellites are down, and they keep on falling.
Matt flies to the right.
MATT
Define ‘multiple satellites.’
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Most of them are gone. Telecommunication systems are dead. Expect a communication blackout at any moment.
What they feared has happened. Debris are flying past them and death is a more than realistic possibility.
RYAN
Kowalski, visual of debris at nine o’clock.
Fragments of debris fly past.
MATT
Half of North America just lost their Facebook.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Explorer, repeat, expect a communication blackout at any moment.
EXPLORER CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Copy that, Houston.
A large piece of debris from a BSE satellite flies past Shariff.
MATT
Explorer, this is Kowalski, confirming visual contact with debris. Debris is from a BSE sat.
The debris flies.
[…]
Given the situation, re-entry is impossible.
MISSION CONTROL (V.O.)
(over radio)
Kennedy reports meteorological conditions no-go for re-entry.
Their only contact with Earth is suddenly cut out. They are on their own.
MATT
Explorer, permission to retrieve Dr. Stone.
Matt flies towards Ryan.
EXPLORER CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
You’re a go, Kowalski.
(to Mission Control)
Houston, this is Explorer, copy.
MATT
All right.
EXPLORER CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
We’ve lost Houston. We’ve lost Houston.
The situation is critical. They have to get out of there but Dr. Stone is still attached to the robotic arm. Matt Kowalski desperately tries to unstrap her. And as a reminder of the great danger looming over them, Dr. Shariff is killed after being hit by debris.
Matt tries to help Ryan detach herself.
MATT
Unstrap. Look, we need to get the hell out of here.
RYAN
All right.
SHARIFF
Need some help there, Matt?
MATT
No, don’t wait for us.
A piece of debris smashes into Shariff, killing him.
RYAN
It’s stuck!
MATT
Man down! Man down!
Their chance of escaping the attack is suddenly greatly reduced when the shuttle is attacked by the flying debris, veering out of control, taking Dr. Stone with it.
Flying debris punctures holes in the shuttle, which starts to veer out of control.
EXPLORER CAPTAIN (V.O.)
(over radio)
Houston, this is Explorer, copy. Houston, this is Explorer, copy. Kowalski, repor–
Ryan, still attached to the robotic arm, spins around with the shuttle.
MATT
Explorer’s been hit!
(to Explorer Captain)
Explorer, do you read? Explorer, over! Explorer!
The robotic arm breaks off from the shuttle with Dr. Stone still attached to it. She eventually breaks free but Kowalski has lost sight of her.
The robotic arm breaks off from the shuttle with Ryan still attached to it. She continues to spin around.
MATT
Astronaut is off structure! Dr. Stone is off structure!
(to Ryan)
Dr. Stone, detach! You must detach! If you don’t detach, that arm’s gonna carry you too far!
RYAN
(crying out)
No! No! I can–
MATT
Listen to my voice! You need to focus!
RYAN
I can’t! I can’t!
MATT
I’m losing visual of you. In a few seconds, I won’t be able to track you. You need to detach! I can’t see you anymore! Do it now!
RYAN
Okay, I’m trying! I’m trying! I’m trying!
Ryan detaches herself and flies off.
MATT
Houston, I’ve lost visual of Dr. Stone. Houston, I’ve lost visual of Dr. Stone.
Now Matt Kowalski sets out for her, but her GPS is down, rendering the activity even more complicated.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – 600 KM ABOVE EARTH – DAY
Ryan spins out of control as she careens.
MATT (V.O.)
(over radio)
Give me your position.
RYAN
I don’t know! I don’t know! I’m spinning! I can’t — I can’t — !
MATT (V.O.)
(over radio)
Report your position.
RYAN
GPS is down. I ca– It’s down, I can’t —
[…]
As if things were not critical enough, Dr. Stone’s oxygen is running low, decreasing at an alarming rate. Another countdown has begun: she needs to go back to the shuttle before she runs out of oxygen.
INT. HELMET – DAY
Ryan glances about as she tries to calm down. The Explorer shuttle, a glowing light, is far off in the distance.
[…]
CAMERA RACKS FOCUS ON the inside of the helmet, which illuminates gauges and meters of the vital statistics of Ryan’s space suit, which read:
CWL TEMP 15C WARN RADIATION LOW OXYGEN 10% LIFE SUPPORT BATTERY 42%
[…]
MATT (V.O.)
(over radio)
Your status. Give me your readings.
Ryan looks at the gauge on her wrist, which indicates her suit status.
RYAN
I… Uh, three — three — three point six PSI.
MATT (V.O.)
(over radio)
Your O2, give me your O2.
RYAN
Uh, oxygen is going down. It’s going down fast. It’s going down fast. Nine — No, eight-eight percent. Eight three point nine percent.
[…]
And because one countdown is seemingly not enough, Matt Kowalski estimates ninety minutes before the next debris attack.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – 650 KM ABOVE EARTH – DAY
Matt flies, pulling Ryan behind him.
MATT
… Kowalski. How do you copy? Houston, in the blind. This is Kowalski.
RYAN
They can’t hear us.
MATT
We don’t know that. That’s why we keep talking. If somebody is listening, they might just save your life. Set your watch for ninety minutes.
RYAN
Why ninety?
MATT
Well, Houston clocked that…
Ryan sets her watch.
MATT
… debris at fifty thousand miles an hour. If you factor in our current orbit, then I figure we got about ninety minutes before we get our asses kicked again.
[…]
The Explorer has suffered devastating damage. Their chances of re-entry using the Explorer are shattered. With the confirmation that Dr. Stone and Matt Kowalski are the sole survivors of this mission and still without any contact with Earth, the situation is dire.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – 650 KM ABOVE EARTH – DAY
[…]
Matt leads Ryan and Shariff’s corpse toward the wreckage of the Explorer, which has suffered devastating damage.
MATT
Here’s hopin’ you have a hell of an insurance policy, Houston. The damages to Explorer are catastrophic. Will commence search for survivors.
RYAN
O2 down to five percent.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – EXPLORER – DAY
[…]
CAMERA PUSHES PAST THEM THROUGH the window frame, INTO the cockpit, which is in disarray. Several objects are floating about. The beam of Matt’s flashlight shines onto a floating toy. Ryan moves to enter, but suddenly bumps into the corpse of one of the astronauts. Matt peers in through a hole on the other side of the cockpit.
MATT
Houston, in the blind. To confirm. Mission Specialist Dr. Stone and Mission Commander Matthew Kowalski are the sole survivors of the STS-one-five-seven.
[…]
And this is where the second section ends. With the destruction of the Explorer, they need to set a new direction: Reach the International Space Station and use their escape pod, the Soyuz, to return to Earth.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – EXPLORER – DAY
[…]
MATT
All right, we have to make our way to the Space Station. Over there.
Matt points to the space station way off in the distance.
MATT
It’s a bit of a hike, but we need to use their escape pod, the Soyuz, to get back to Earth. Agreed? Dr. Stone, agreed?
Matt and Ryan facing each other.
RYAN
Agreed.
All is Lost
They set off on their mission to reach the ISS.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – EXPLORER – DAY
[…]
Matt pushes Ryan, and she spins away. Matt pushes off the shuttle and thrusts, pulling Ryan with him.
RYAN
Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God.
MATT
Houston, in the blind. This is Kowalski.
CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal Shariff’s corpse, now tethered to the shuttle.
MATT
Dr. Stone and I have determined to proceed to ISS and use one of their Soyuz for re-entry. ISS, if you hear us… we could sure use a rescue mission.
Dr. Stone is out of oxygen, now only counting on what is left in her helmet.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – 550 KM ABOVE EARTH – DAY
Matt floats, pulling Ryan behind him. The sun crests over the edge of the Earth. Hank Williams, Jr. sings “Angels Are Hard To Find” under the following scenes.
RYAN
O2 down to two percent.
[…]
Matt floats in the b.g. toward the far-off space station. Ryan is pulled with him.
RYAN
O2 down to one percent.
MATT
Well, I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is, we’re about five minutes from the ISS and I know where the Russians stash their vodka. And that is good, because I’m runnin’ on fumes here. The bad news is, I’m gonna be about ten minutes short of breakin’ Anatoly’s record, and I —
An alarm sounds, indicating Ryan’s oxygen level is low. Matt looks at his wrist mirror.
RYAN
Uh…
MATT
What?
RYAN
Uh… I’m redlining. My O2 tank pressure is low.
MATT
Your tank is out of oxygen but you still have it in your suit.
RYAN
Got it.
INT. HELMET – RYAN’S POV OF MATT AND THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION – DAY
MATT
So you have to sip, not gulp.
She looks down to her arms as she checks her oxygen monitor. The monitor reads: oxygen low.
[…]
As if reaching the station was not complicated enough, the first Soyuz is missing and the second seems damaged. Re-entry with the Shoyuz is inconceivable.
[…]
MATT
Sip, Ryan.
(to Mission Control)
Houston, in the blind, we have a visual of the ISS. The station must have been evacuated because the first Soyuz is…
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
Matt and Ryan float in the f.g., as Ryan exits.
MATT
… missing. The second Soyuz exhibits surface damage, and its chute has been deployed. Any use as an escape pod for re-entry is impossible.
And of course only one or two good thrusts are left.
[…]
Matt floats toward the space station, pulling Ryan with him.
RYAN
Shouldn’t we be turning? We’re drifting again.
MATT
Not yet. I wasn’t kidding about those fumes. This can has one or two good thrusts left… if we’re lucky. Steady. Aim. Fire!
They hit the space station hard. The tether breaks and Ryan loses contact with Matt Kowalsky, but gets entangled in the rigging.
Matt triggers his thruster, hurtling them at a high speed.
INT. HELMET – RYAN’S POV – DAY
Past Matt to the space station. Ryan’s arms enter f.g. and grab hold of the tether.
RYAN
Brake! Brake! You have to brake!
MATT
I can’t, the can’s empty.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – SPACE STATION – DAY
MATT
We’re gonna hit hard! Grab a hold of anything you can!
INT. HELMET – RYAN’S POV TO THE SPACE STATION – DAY
She flies toward the space station.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – SPACE STATION – DAY
Matt flies and smashes into it. Ryan is pulled behind him.
RYAN
It’s — what do I do? What do I do?!
She flies into f.g. as CAMERA TILTS UP and FLIPS AROUND to TRACK WITH her as grabs hold of a railing.
MATT
Ryan!
Matt flies past, pulling Ryan with him. Ryan bumps into a solar panel and their tether snaps. Ryan falls.
RYAN
The tether broke, I’m detached! I’m detached!
MATT
Grab a hold! Grab anything!
Ryan falls. She becomes entangled in some of the Soyuz’s parachute rigging. The rigging pulls her up. She reaches out her hand.
Matt Kowalsky cannot hold on. Ryan is being pulled by the tether. She either lets him go or they will both die.
MATT
Ryan! Give me five!
RYAN
I’ve got you.
INT. HELMET – RYAN’S POV – MATT – DAY
He flies toward her, unsuccessfully grabs for her hand.
RYAN
I’ve got you. Right here, right here. Okay, get it.
Ryan grabs hold of the tether attached to him.
MATT
Shit! Shit.
RYAN
No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – SPACE STATION – DAY
Ryan is pulled by the tether.
RYAN
Got ya.
Matt holds firmly onto the tether as he is yanked. Ryan holds firmly onto the tether. Ryan’s left leg is entangled in the parachute rigging.
RYAN
Got ya. You just… hold on and I’m gonna start pulling you in. I’m gonna star–
MATT
Hey, Doc.
RYAN
Just hold on. Hang on. I am gonna pull you in. I’m gonna pull you in.
MATT
Ryan, listen. You have to let me go.
RYAN
No.
MATT
The ropes are too loose. I’m pulling you with me.
RYAN
No.
Dr. Stone has no intention of letting Matt Kowalski go, so he does not have a choice but to make the decision for both of them. He unclips himself, granting Dr. Stone a chance at survival. Although, whether she can weather out the complications without the guidance of her mentor remains to be seen at this point.
Matt takes hold of the tether clip.
RYAN
No, no, no.
MATT
You have to let me go, or we both die.
RYAN
I’m not letting you go!
Ryan is pulled and Matt yanks her back.
RYAN
We’re fine!
MATT
No. Ryan, let go.
RYAN
No. No. You’re not going anywhere. You’re not going anywhere.
Matt starts to unclip the tether.
MATT
It’s not up to you.
RYAN
No, no, no, no, no… no… Please don’t do this.
Matt unclips the tether.
RYAN
Please, please, please, please don’t do this. Please don’t do this. No, no, no. Please don’t, Matt. Please don’t do this.
Matt lets go of the tether and floats off.
[…]
Her oxygen runs out completely and would soon lose consciousness. Time is ticking.
[…]
Ryan smacks into a part of the space station and flips over. She grabs hold of a metal railing. We see Matt far away now in the b.g. Ryan’s C02 alarm goes off, indicating that she’s out of oxygen.
MATT
Ryan, do you hear me? Do you copy?
RYAN
My CO2 alarm went off. My CO2 alarm went off.
Since the last plan of using the Soyuz for re-entry failed, an alternate solution has been set.
[…]
MATT
Look, you need to board the station. Do you see the airlock?
[…]
Holding on tight to the space station’s railing, Ryan turns her body upside down and moves toward the station.
MATT
That second Soyuz is too damaged for re-entry, but it’s perfectly fine for a little Sunday drive.
Ryan climbs upward.
RYAN
Sunday drive?
MATT
Look to the west. You see that dot in the distance?
CAMERA PANS TO a tiny dot in the distance, which is the Chinese station.
MATT
That’s a Chinese station.
RYAN
Yes.
MATT
You’re gonna take the Soyuz, and you’re gonna cruise over there. Chinese lifeboat is a Shenzhou.
[…]
But she always crashed the simulator for re-entry which does not give us a lot of confidence as to her ability to pull this off. All odds are against her. All seems lost.
[…]
RYAN
I’ve never flown a Shenzhou.
CAMERA DOLLIES AROUND Ryan.
MATT
It doesn’t matter. Its re-entry protocol is identical to the Soyuz.
RYAN
Okay.
MATT
You never flown the Soyuz either?
RYAN
Only a simulator.
MATT
Well, then you know.
RYAN
But I crashed it.
MATT
It’s a simulator, that’s what it’s designed for.
RYAN
Every time. I crashed it every time.
The Last Card
This is her last chance to go home. She needs to get aboard the space station, take the second Soyuz for a drive to the Chinese station where she will be able to use the Shenzhou lifeboat to head home, but she quickly loses contact with Matt Kowalsky however and she is now completely on her own.
INT. SPACE STATION – DAY
[…]
She stops and turns toward the radio panel, placing a radio headset on her head.
RYAN
(into radio)
Okay. Matt, this is Ryan, copy. Matt, this is Ryan, copy. Matt, I made it, I’m here, I’m on the station. Do you copy? Come on, Matt, talk to me. Tell me where you are, give me your position. Where are you? Give me a visual. Just tell me what you see. Oh, come on. You’ve been yammering since we left Cape Canaveral, and now you decide to shut up? Talk to me. Just say something, say anything! I don’t care! Hey, tell me about, uh, Mardi Gras. Tell me about the hairy guy. Huh? Tell me what happened. What happened to the, uh, hairy guy?
Ryan’s reflection is on the window as she gazes through it.
RYAN
(into radio)
Please talk to me.
(whispering)
Please.
(to mission control)
Houston, in the blind… this is Mission Specialist Ryan Stone reporting from the ISS. All communications with Mission Commander Matthew Kowalski have been lost. Radio transmission absent. Visuals nonexistent. To confirm, I, Ryan Stone, am the sole survivor of STS-one-five-seven.
Unable to catch a break, an alarm sets off. There is a fire.
[…]
An alarm sounds, prompting her to float and examine a laptop affixed to the wall.
RYAN
What now?
On the laptop monitor, which displays a message and a graph of the station, which indicates which sections are on fire. The alert reads: “FIRE.”
[…]
The fire rapidly expands, with the station exploding and crumbling. Nonetheless, Dr. Stone onboards the Soyuz and undocks it.
[…]
The fire is quickly expanding. Ryan takes the fire extinguisher again, plants her feet and stabilizes herself. She sprays the fire extinguisher.
The fireball rapidly expands, knocking Ryan into a new passageway. The fireball expands throughout the station behind her. She dives down, through a hatch. She struggles to open the hatch to the second Soyuz. The fireball is expanding into the compartment.
Ryan climbs down into the second Soyuz, still carrying the fire extinguisher and locks the hatch above her.
She climbs further down into another section of the Soyuz. She closes the second hatch above her.
The Soyuz shakes, due to the station outside exploding and crumbling.
INT. SOYUZ – DAY
Ryan slides down through a hatch into the command center of the Soyuz.
[…]
EXT. STATION (OUTER SPACE) – DAY
The Soyuz is released from the station and floats away from it. The Earth is far off in the b.g.
However, the parachute that has been deployed is tangled around a section of the station. Another countdown before the debris hit: 7 minutes.
INT. SOYUZ – DAY
The periscope displaying the station from outside. As it floats away, the parachute, which has been deployed, is tangled around a section of the station.
Ryan breathes heavily. She is seated and watches the periscope in front of her. She checks her watch for the amount of time until the debris will hit again. It reads “00:07:25.”
RYAN
Seven minutes to get out of here.
[…]
It pulls her toward the station, but she is able to keep it at a stop with thrusters. She needs to detach it from the tethers.
An alarm goes off. The debris are about to make another unwelcome appearance.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
The station thrusts away, the parachute still caught. It pulls taut and stops the Soyuz with a jolt.
[…]
EXT. STATION (OUTER SPACE) – DAY
The parachute tenses and pulls the Soyuz toward the station at a high speed.
She uses the manual controls to activate the thrusters.
[…]
EXT. STATION (OUTER SPACE) – DAY
The Soyuz flies away from the station at a slower velocity than before. The parachute pulls taut, and the Soyuz jolts to a stop, but the soft thrusters keep it from being pulled back toward it.
INT. SOYUZ – DAY
Through the periscope, we see that Soyuz has steadied, but is still tethered to the station via the parachute, which is entangled in one of the station’s solar panels.
[…]
The Soyuz hovers near the station. Ryan, wearing a space suit, steps out of the hatch, tethered to the inside of the Soyuz cabin. Her watch timer goes off, indicating that the debris should be coming back. She glances about, but does not see any debris.
[…]
She climbs down the side of the Soyuz to where the parachute ropes are bolted to the vessel. She attaches herself to an open panel and glances about.
[…]
Satisfied that no debris is coming, she produces a tool and starts to detach the parachute ropes. She doesn’t see the debris coming toward her.
[…]
And here they are. She detaches the Soyuz which luckily enough has not been hit. The station crumbles behind her.
Ryan drops one of her tools, which starts to float away. She turns to grab it and sees the debris hurtling toward her as it starts to tear through the satellites.
RYAN
Shit.
As she quickly tries to detach the parachute ropes, she flips upside-down and tries to ignore the debris cutting through the station behind her.
[…]
She removes one of the ropes as a section of the station explodes behind her. The remaining part of the station flies under the Soyuz.
She holds onto the Soyuz as the station spins out of control, pulling the Soyuz with it. She struggles to hold on as the Soyuz flies through new debris.
She removes the final rope and holds tight to the Soyuz, which flies away from the station. The wing of the Soyuz plows through a satellite.
The Soyuz floats, seemingly out of harm’s way. Ryan climbs toward the Soyuz hatch. She glances back at the crumbling station before exiting.
[…]
New countdown: 90 minutes before debris hit again.
She is on her way to the Chinese station but of course another complication rears its face. The Soyuz is out of fuel. And it’s very cold. Again, all seems lost.
INT. SOYUZ – DAY
[…]
She looks at her watch. She resets her watch timer to 01:30. She starts the timer. Ryan reacts to the temperature which is now below freezing. She places an instruction manual in her lap and uses the steering joysticks to reposition the Soyuz.
[…]
INT. SOYUZ – DAY
The periscope displays the far-off Chinese station on the western horizon. The Soyuz stabilizes in a position to head directly toward it.
RYAN
Okay. Let’s go visit the Chinese station.
(to Mission Control)
Houston, in the blind, Tiangong is approximately one hundred kilometers to the west, and I am off its course by about thirteen degrees. I will correct trajectory.
[…]
Ryan presses the thruster ignition button on the control panel.
RYAN
Two… one.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
The Soyuz continues to float.
INT. SOYUZ – DAY
Ryan reacts, confused.
RYAN
What’s happening, what’s happening? Come on, come on.
Ryan reaches up toward the control panel again.
LOW ANGLE – RYAN
presses the thruster ignition button again.
RYAN
One.
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
The Soyuz continues to float.
INT. SOYUZ – DAY
Ryan repeatedly presses the ignition button, but nothing happens. She starts to panic.
RYAN
Come on, come on, come on.
She taps on the fuel gauge, frozen in place due to the temperature. The needle is tapped loose and drops down to zero, indicating that there is no fuel.
[…]
She is ready to let it go.
[…]
She leans over and presses a button on the control panel. CAMERA PANS WITH her as she reaches up and switches off the lights. She turns some dials, decreasing the oxygen in the cabin’s atmosphere, preparing to kill herself.
The monitor, displaying the atmosphere levels and vital statistics of the cabin. The oxygen meter drops rapidly as an alert sounds. Text under the meter reads: “O2.”
Ryan, now sitting back in the seat. She closes her eyes.
[…]
Matt Kowalsky appears out of nowhere and advises her on a way forward. That is all she needs to take back control of her fate.
The beam of a flashlight shines on her through the O.S. porthole. She sees Matt, peering through the porthole. He starts to open the hatch. Ryan, covering her face and reacting.
RYAN
No, no, no, don’t!
Matt opens the hatch, sucking out all the air and sound. He crawls in and closes the hatch behind him. Ryan, cowering behind her hands, but still alive. Matt sitting next to her. He leans over and turns a dial to re-pressurize the cabin. He takes off his helmet as air and sound are returned.
MATT
(grunts)
Check your watch. Thirteen hours and eleven minutes. Call Anatoly and tell him he’s been bumped.
[…]
MATT
All right. Let’s get out of here. The Chinese station’s about a hundred miles. Just a little Sunday drive.
RYAN
We can’t.
MATT
Sure we can.
Matt presses several buttons.
RYAN
There’s no fuel, I tried everything.
MATT
Well, there’s always something we can do.
RYAN
I tried everything.
MATT
Did you try the soft landing jets?
RYAN
They’re for landing. So…
MATT
Well, landing is launching. It’s the same thing. Didn’t you learn about that in training?
[…]
As the Soyuz approaches the Chinese station, she uses the fire extinguisher to reach it. As she gets out, she spins out of control. The fire extinguisher empties out, but she succeeds in grabbing onto the station and climbs up to the hatch.
EXT. SOYUZ (OUTER SPACE) – DAY
The Soyuz cabin hurtles toward the Chinese station. Ryan gazes through the porthole.
INT. SOYUZ – DAY
The Chinese station can be seen through the porthole, and it appears to be dropping toward the Earth.
[…]
Ryan disarms the emergency exit latch for the hatch.
RYAN
Okay.
Ryan moves back and reaches up to grab the fire extinguisher floating above her.
[…]
EXT. OUTER SPACE – DAY
The hatch bursts open, and Ryan is hurtled out of the Soyuz.
[…]
Ryan uses the spray of the fire extinguisher to act as a thrust back toward the station.
[…]
She thrusts down toward a satellite wing. She can’t grab hold of anything and floats, hovering over the station. She tries to use the fire extinguisher to move back down, but it is empty. She tosses it away and continues floating, just above the station.
RYAN
(crying out)
Damn it.
Ryan reaches out and grabs the end of the station. She hangs on.
[…]
Ryan struggles to climb up the length of the station. She finally reaches the hatch.
[…]
While she struggles to open the airlock, the debris strike again.
As she holds on to the rail surrounding the hatch, the next debris strike starts. Debris hurtles past her as she opens the hatch and crawls down inside. The station hurtles toward the Earth through the shower of debris.
Upon the debris impact, the space station breaks apart, but she quickly boards the Shenzhou. Her goal of reaching it has been achieved.
EXT. CHINESE SPACE STATION – DAY
The space station traveling toward Earth as the station starts to break apart.
INT. CHINESE SPACE STATION – DAY
Ryan, floating, tossing her helmet. Ryan closes the airlock hatch behind her. And floats down a compartment, into the control cabin.
INT. SHENZHOU CONTROL CABIN – DAY
Ryan, upside down, closing the hatch and locking it. She sits in a seat and buckles her seat belt.
[…]
The Resolution
It is now time to witness the success or failure of our protagonist’s ultimate goal. Dr. Stone will either succeed and land on Earth safe and sound, or she will lose her life in the process.
As the Shenzhou heads toward Earth, it is burning up, breaking apart… her chances of succeeding are questionable.
EXT. SHENZHOU CONTROL CABIN – DAY
The cabin splits off from the rest of the vessel and continues on. The burning cabin traveling among burning debris. It falls toward Earth, entering the atmosphere.
The burning debris plummeting into Earth’s atmosphere.
INT. SHENZHOU CONTROL CABIN – DAY
The control panel sparking.
EXT. EARTH’S OUTER ATMOSPHERE – DAY
And cabin and burning debris, leaving a smoking trail as they travel.
The cabin is breaking apart.
Against all odds, the pod lands on water. Dr. Stone is alive, but as she opens the pod’s hatch, water pours inside, dragging it below the surface.
EXT. EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE – DAY
The pod, plummeting, falls through the clouds as a parachute emerges from the pod, slowing the pod’s trajectory.
[…]
The pod falling through the clouds.
EXT. LAKE – DAY
The pod, falling and drops into a lake.
[…]
The door to the pod shoots off.
INT. SHENZHOU CONTROL CABIN – DAY
Ryan stands at the hatch as water pours inside the cabin, forcing her against the cabin wall.
[…]
Although she struggles, Dr. Stone is able to get away and walks off on firm land…
EXT. LAKE – DAY
Ryan surfaces. She floats on her back.
The CAMERA TILTS UP TO the sky. Burning debris from the space station soars through. TILT BACK DOWN TO Ryan swimming.
She crawls onto the shore and lies down, exhausted.
[…]
She struggles to her feet. She unsteadily walks off.
Final Notes
There are two elements, which help sustain this structure, that I believe are worth mentioning.
A Mentor
What would be a hero’s journey without the help of a mentor. Dr. Stone is a rookie at this Space stuff. Matt Kowalski, a veteran who has probably seen it all, plays the role of a mentor to our protagonist.
He comes into play at the beginning of the story, the Story Setup, and stays in one capacity or another until the Last Card section. Without his advice and experience, we could wonder if Dr. Stone would have been able to reach a positive resolution. At the beginning he might be taking the steps himself, but soon after he only provides guidance. She quickly needs to take care of business herself.
Countdowns
Throughout the story there is one constant countdown: the debris attack. It will complicate the situation multiple times throughout the story and provide a greater level of risk. Countdowns are an engaging option to build a sense of urgency like nothing else can. There is also a second life-threatening countdown: Dr. Stone’s dropping levels of oxygen at the beginning of the story.
Conclusion
There is something quite satisfactory in discovering a new simple but effective framework to build a captivating story’s structure. Alfonso Cuarón and Jonás Cuarón have provided us with a model we can use any time we need our viewers to stay on the edge of their seat. Although Gravity is quite the epic story, this model seems appropriate to any genre.