Casablanca - Prewrite Breakdown
Breakdown 37 scenes · 7 story beats · 5 plot threads · 23 characters Casablanca Romance, Drama, War
Logline: A cynical American expatriate must decide whether or not he should help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape French Morocco
Theme: Sacrifice, Patriotism, and Love
Medium: Feature film
Credits: Julius J. Epstein
Philip G. Epstein
Howard Koch
Act I 1. I/E. world map Story Beat: HookNotes: Graphic overlays and voiceover explain the global situation2. I/E. casablanca market - day 3. EXT. visa office / cafe - day 4. EXT. airport - day 5. int. cafe americain - night 6. INT. CAFE AMERICAIN - night Story Beat: Inciting IncidentTheme: Explored7. INT. CAFE AMERICAIN - night 8. exT. CAFE AMERICAIN - night Theme: Challenged9. INT. ricks office - night 10. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - night Story Beat: Plot Point 1Theme: StatedAct II 11. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - night 12. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - NIGHT 13. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - night 14. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - NIGHT Theme: Explored15. I/E. paris - day Theme: Explored16. EXT. train station - MORNING 17. INT. CAFE AMERICAIN - night Theme: Challenged18. int. renaults office - MORNING 19. INT. blue parrot - day 20. EXT. CASABLANCA MARKET - day Theme: Challenged21. Act III 32. int. RICKS APARTMENT - night Theme: Explored33. int. renaults office - MORNING Story Beat: ClimaxTheme: Challenged34. INT. BLUE PARROT - DAY 35. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - DAY Theme: Explored36. int. strasser office - day 37. I/E. AIRPORT - AFTERNOON Story Beat: ResolutionTheme: SymbolizedPlot threads The Visas Visa documents are stolen The thief will be arrested tonight Ugarte gives Rick the documents for safekeeping Rick hides the documents Laszlo needs the documents Strasser is suspicious of Rick Laszlo knows Rick might have the documents Strasser finds no documents at Rick's Rick won't give up the visas Rick plans to use the visas Strasser hurries to stop Laszlo The visas are used for Ilsa and Laszlo to escape Rick's Kindness People are actively trying to leave Casablanca Visas are very limited Ferrari offers to buy Rick's visas Annia needs Rick's help for a visa Rick gives the couple enough money for a visa Rick's Character Rick doesn't want to return to America Rick sticks his neck out for no one Rick is a sentimentalist Rick has always fought for the underdog Rick betrays Laszlo Rick sticks his neck out for Ilsa and Laszlo Laszlo A wager is made on Victor Laszlo Laszlo has an appointment with Cpt. Renault Strasser and Renault threaten Laszlo Laszlo needs Rick's help Strasser thinks Laszlo is dangerous Laszlo will pay for the visas Laszlo shuts down Rick's cafe Laszlo is arrested Rick and Renault plan a sting Rick betrays Renault Laszlo escapes Casablanca Love Story Ilsa arrives at Rick's Cafe Rick and Ilsa meet again Rick remincises on their lost love Flashback Ilsa leaves Rick Rick insults Ilsa Ilsa drops a bombshell Ilsa needs Rick's help Ilsa doesn't tell Laszlo about Rick Love wins Rick might be able to escape with Ilsa Rick forces Ilsa to leave with Laszlo Characters Rick Blaine 40 · White · Male · Hero What does your character want?: Ilsa, his former loverHow will your character attempt to get it?: By helping her escape CasablancaWhat does your character need?: To choose a side in the war, the right sideHow will your character realize it?: When he sacrifices his position and himself to save Ilsa and her rebel husbandIlsa Lund 30 · White · Female · Mother What does your character want?: To support her husband in the warHow will your character attempt to get it?: By sourcing visas to leave CasablancaVictor Laszlo 40 · White · Male · Mentor What does your character want?: To fly to LisbonHow will your character attempt to get it?: By sourcing documents to fly to LisbonWhat does your character need?: Help from RickHow will your character realize it?: When Signor mentions that Rick has the visa documentsCaptain Louis Renault 45 · Other · Male · Mediator Major Heinrich Strasser 55 · Other · Male · Villain What does your character want?: To cordially capture Victor LaszloHow will your character attempt to get it?: By shutting down Rick's saloon and hunting him throughout CasablancaSignor Ferrari 60 · White · Male · Gambler More breakdowns in the library Start a story from a template
int. BLUE PARROT - DAY Story Beat: Midpoint
22. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - evening
23. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - EVENING
24. INT. CAFE AMERICAIN - NIGHT
25. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - NIGHT Theme: Explored
26. int. RICKS OFFICE - night Theme: Symbolized
27. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - night Theme: Symbolized
28. int. hotel room - night
29. int. CAFE AMERICAIN - NIGHT
30. int. ricks apartment - night Story Beat: Plot Point 2Notes: It's insinuated that Ilsa and Rick sleep togetherTheme: Stated
31. I/E. CAFE AMERICAIN - night
Ugarte 35 · White · Male · Thief
Herr Heinze 40 · White · Male
Carl 65 · White · Male · Sidekick(Ally)
Yvonne 25 · White · Male
Sam 50 · Black · Male · Servant
Sascha 35 · Other · Male · Servant
Annina Brandel 30 · Latinx · Female
Jan 35 · White · Male
Patrons 45 · White
Berger 35 · White · Male
Pickpocket 40 · Other · Male · Thief
Officials 40 · White · Male
Suspects 45 · White · Male
Vendor 45 · Other · Male
Dealer 35 · Other · Male
Older-woman 60 · White · Female
Older-man 60 · White · Male