Not Cool (2014) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A Thanksgiving homecoming brings Tori's old insecurities back while she tests a tentative connection with Scott and considers whether she can accept him as he is.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Homecoming and Old Wounds

Tori returns from college for Thanksgiving and is met with memories of high school humiliation. News of Gil's engagement brings old relationships and insecurities back into view.

Key Events

• Tori Returns for Thanksgiving — Tori returns home from college for Thanksgiving. Characters: Tori Location: Home
• High School Memories Resurface — Tori recalls classmates mocking her with a humiliating nickname. Characters: Tori Location: Home
• Gil's Engagement News — Tori hears that Gil is getting married. Characters: Tori, Gil Location: Home
• Scott Reappears — Scott, whom Tori knew in school, reappears and tries to win her over. Characters: Scott, Tori Location: Home

Scott's Carefully Planned Courtship

Scott reappears and asks Tori out, researching her interests to shape the date. Tori questions his behavior but begins to notice a thoughtful side beneath his efforts to seem cool.

Key Events

• Scott Asks Tori Out — Scott asks Tori out and researches her interests to plan the date. Characters: Scott, Tori Location: Unspecified
• Tori Questions His Efforts — Tori questions Scott's behavior, including his efforts to find her. Characters: Scott, Tori Location: Unspecified
• Black Friday Photographs — Scott takes photographs of Black Friday shoppers. Characters: Scott, Tori Location: Black Friday shopping area
• A Quiet Moment in the Crowd — Scott explains that an older couple's quiet moment amid the chaos caught his eye. Characters: Scott, Tori Location: Black Friday shopping area

A Date and an Unexpected Connection

Scott explains why a quiet moment he noticed among Black Friday shoppers stayed with him. Their date goes well, and his admission that he wanted to give Tori a special time matters to her.

Key Events

• Tori Sees His Thoughtful Side — Tori is surprised by the thoughtful person beneath Scott's attempts to seem cool. Characters: Scott, Tori Location: Black Friday shopping area
• The Tailored Date — Their date goes well, though Tori sees that Scott tailored it to her presumed tastes. Characters: Scott, Tori Location: Date location unspecified
• Scott Explains His Intentions — Scott says he wanted to give Tori a special time, and she appreciates the effort. Characters: Scott, Tori Location: Date location unspecified

Tori Faces Her Feelings

As Thanksgiving ends, Tori worries about leaving and returning to school. Joel challenges her denial, leading her to admit she likes Scott while recognizing her wish to change him.

Key Events

• Tori Dreads Leaving — Tori struggles with leaving and returning to school as the holiday weekend nears its end. Characters: Tori Location: Home
• Joel Challenges Her Denial — Joel points out that Tori seems to care about Scott despite her complaints about others. Characters: Joel, Tori Location: Unspecified
• Tori Admits She Likes Scott — Tori admits she likes Scott but calls him complicated and says she hoped to change him. Characters: Joel, Tori, Scott Location: Unspecified
• Joel's Advice — Joel tells Tori that Scott is not a project and that she must accept him as he is. Characters: Joel, Tori, Scott Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Thanksgiving Homecoming — Tori returns from college and confronts memories and news that revive old relationship pressures.
  • High School Humiliation — Tori carries painful memories of classmates mocking her with a humiliating nickname.
  • Gil's Engagement — News that Gil is getting married brings relationship pressures into the holiday.
• Scott Reappears — Scott reconnects with Tori and tries to win her over.
  • A Date Invitation — Scott asks Tori out after returning to her life.
  • Researching Her Interests — He looks into Tori's interests to plan an appealing date.
• Questions and Misgivings — Tori is wary of Scott's behavior even as she begins to see more than his performance of coolness.
  • Searching for Tori — Tori questions his efforts to find her.
  • A Thoughtful Side — Tori discovers an unexpectedly thoughtful quality in Scott.
• Black Friday Perspective — A moment amid the crowded shopping day reveals what catches Scott's attention.
  • Photographing Shoppers — Scott takes photographs of Black Friday shoppers.
  • Quiet Amid Chaos — Scott says an older couple sharing a quiet moment caught his eye.
• The Tailored Date — Their date goes well, but Tori recognizes that Scott shaped much of it around what he thought she liked.
  • A Good Evening — Tori and Scott have a date that goes well.
  • An Earnest Explanation — Scott says he wanted Tori to have a special time, and she appreciates the effort.
• The Holiday's End — Tori struggles with the idea of leaving home and returning to school.
  • Weekend Denial — Tori tells herself the weekend will soon be over.
  • School Looms — The approaching return to school weighs on Tori.
• Joel's Challenge — Joel helps Tori recognize her feelings and question her expectations of Scott.
  • Feelings Revealed — Tori admits that she likes Scott.
  • Accepting Scott — Joel tells Tori that Scott is not a project and that she must accept him as he is.

Directed by

Shane Dawson

Key Cast

• Shane Dawson — Scott
• Cherami Leigh — Tori
• Drew Monson — Joel
• Lisa Schwartz — Marissa
• Michelle Veintimilla — Janie