By Design (1982) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A couple's search for parenthood unfolds beside the changing professional paths of their fashion-business associates.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Shared Life, A New Desire

Helen and Angie are introduced as lovers and co-owners of a Vancouver fashion business. Helen's wish to become a mother creates the central personal question, and Angie reluctantly agrees to support her.

Key Events

• Vancouver Fashion Partnership — Helen and Angie live together, design women's clothes, and run their own fashion business. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver fashion business
• Helen Wants Motherhood — Helen expresses that she wants to become a mother. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver fashion business
• Angie's Reluctant Agreement — Angie reluctantly agrees to support Helen's wish for a child. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver
• The Physical Obstacle — The couple recognize that a physical factor complicates their path to parenthood. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver
• Artificial Insemination Considered — Helen and Angie consider artificial insemination as a possible solution. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver

Rejected Paths To Parenthood

The couple considers artificial insemination and visits a sperm donation facility. After seeing an unkempt drunk leave the donation cubicle, they reject that option, and permission to adopt is also denied.

Key Events

• Visit To Sperm Facility — The couple investigate artificial insemination through a sperm donation facility. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Sperm donation facility
• The Donor Cubicle — They see an unkempt drunk emerge from the cubicle after donating sperm for beer money. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Sperm donation facility
• Artificial Insemination Rejected — The couple quickly reject artificial insemination after witnessing the donor scene. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Sperm donation facility
• Adoption Is Denied — Helen and Angie are denied permission to adopt. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver
• A New Parenthood Plan — With adoption and artificial insemination rejected, they seek another route to parenthood. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver

The Terry Proposal

With the conventional options closed, Helen and Angie consider Terry as a potential one-night stand and sperm donor. The parenthood plan becomes tied to a personally and socially complicated choice.

Key Events

• Terry Identified — The couple set their sights on photographer Terry as a possible donor. Characters: Helen, Angie, Terry Location: Vancouver
• One-night Stand Proposal — Terry is considered for a possible one-night stand with Helen. Characters: Helen, Angie, Terry Location: Vancouver
• Terry As Sperm Donor — The plan connects Terry's possible involvement with Helen's wish to have a child. Characters: Helen, Angie, Terry Location: Vancouver
• Fashion Work Continues — The fashion-business storyline continues alongside the parenthood effort. Characters: Helen, Angie, Terry, Suzie Location: Vancouver fashion business
• New Design Partnership — Terry and Suzie partner around their new clothing designs. Characters: Terry, Suzie Location: Vancouver fashion business

Birth And New Directions

Angie gives birth to a girl, bringing the couple's parenthood journey to its stated outcome. Meanwhile, Suzie and Terry move to Los Angeles to promote their new clothing designs.

Key Events

• Los Angeles Opportunity — Terry and Suzie prepare to relocate to Los Angeles to promote their designs. Characters: Terry, Suzie Location: Vancouver
• Angie's Pregnancy Outcome — Angie gives birth to a girl, fulfilling the couple's parenthood goal. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver
• A Daughter Is Born — The birth establishes the couple's family outcome. Characters: Helen, Angie Location: Vancouver
• Terry And Suzie Depart — Terry and Suzie move to Los Angeles to promote their new design. Characters: Terry, Suzie Location: Vancouver to Los Angeles
• Two New Beginnings — Helen and Angie begin parenthood while Terry and Suzie pursue design promotion in Los Angeles. Characters: Helen, Angie, Terry, Suzie Location: Vancouver and Los Angeles

Story Breakdown

• Shared Vancouver Life — Helen and Angie begin as lovers and co-owners of a women's fashion business.
  • Romantic Partnership — Helen and Angie are in love and live together.
  • Fashion Business — They design women's clothes and run their own business.
• Helen Wants Motherhood — Helen's desire to become a mother changes the couple's shared priorities.
  • Motherhood Announcement — Helen announces that she wants to have a child.
  • Reluctant Support — Angie agrees to support Helen despite her initial reluctance.
• Physical Parenthood Barrier — The couple confronts the physical obstacle involved in becoming parents.
  • Insemination Considered — Artificial insemination enters their discussion as a possible solution.
  • Donation Facility Visit — They investigate the option at a sperm donation facility.
• Options Collapse — The couple rejects artificial insemination and is denied permission to adopt.
  • Disturbing Donor Scene — They see an unkempt drunk emerge after donating sperm for beer money.
  • Adoption Denied — Permission to adopt is denied, closing another route to parenthood.
• Terry Becomes Candidate — The couple turns to Terry as a possible one-night partner and sperm donor.
  • Photographer Selected — Terry is identified as the potential donor.
  • One-night Arrangement — The plan considers a one-night stand for Helen with Terry.
• Parallel Design Futures — The parenthood storyline concludes while Terry and Suzie pursue a separate design opportunity.
  • New Design Promotion — Suzie and Terry partner to promote their new clothing designs.
  • Los Angeles Move — Suzie and Terry move to Los Angeles for the promotion.
• Birth And Family — Angie's birth of a girl provides the stated resolution to Helen and Angie's parenthood journey.
  • Angie Gives Birth — Angie gives birth to a girl.
  • Shared Parenthood Outcome — The couple reaches the family outcome they were seeking.

Directed by

Claude Jutra

Key Cast

• Patty Duke — Helen
• Sara Botsford — Angie
• Saul Rubinek — Terry
• Sonia Zimmer — Suzie
• Mina E. Mina — R.B. Corcoran