The To Do List (2013) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A high school valedictorian's summer quest for sexual experience leads to personal growth and relationship reconciliation.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Valedictorian's Resolve

Brandy graduates as valedictorian and gets rejected by her crush at a party. This rejection prompts her to create a summer to-do list focused on sexual education and losing her virginity to Rusty.

Key Events

• High School Graduation — Brandy graduates as valedictorian in 1993. Characters: Brandy Klark, Wendy, Fiona Location: Boise High School
• Party Rejection — Brandy kisses Rusty, who rejects her upon realizing who she is. Characters: Brandy Klark, Rusty Waters Location: Local Party
• List Creation — Brandy resolves to learn about sex over summer to sleep with Rusty. Characters: Brandy Klark Location: Brandy's Bedroom

Poolside Trials & Experiments

Brandy navigates workplace hazing at the pool while beginning her sexual experiments with Cameron and others. She forms a teaching alliance with her boss Willy to end the bullying.

Key Events

• List Creation — Brandy resolves to learn about sex over summer to sleep with Rusty. Characters: Brandy Klark Location: Brandy's Bedroom
• Pool Job & Hazing — Brandy starts as a lifeguard and faces hazing from her boss. Characters: Brandy Klark, Willy, Cameron Location: Hillcrest Pool
• Feces Prank Incident — Brandy bites pool waste, thinks it's a prank, and pushes Willy into the water. Characters: Brandy Klark, Willy Location: Pool Deck
• Swimming Lessons Deal — Brandy teaches Willy to swim to end the hazing cycle. Characters: Brandy Klark, Willy Location: Pool
• Sexual Experiments Begin — Brandy engages in multiple sexual encounters with Cameron and others. Characters: Brandy Klark, Cameron Location: Various Locations

Betrayal & Broken Trust

Cameron and her best friends discover her list, leading to intense confrontations and emotional fallout. Brandy faces the consequences of treating intimacy as a checklist.

Key Events

• Sexual Experiments Begin — Brandy engages in multiple sexual encounters with Cameron and others. Characters: Brandy Klark, Cameron Location: Various Locations
• Cameron's Heartbreak — Cameron finds the list, feels used, and confronts Brandy angrily. Characters: Cameron, Brandy Klark Location: Pool Area
• Friends' Betrayal — Friends discover the list, feel betrayed, and call Brandy a slut. Characters: Brandy Klark, Wendy, Fiona Location: Brandy's House
• Pool Vandalism & Firing — Brandy and Rusty vandalize a pool, get caught, and Brandy is fired. Characters: Brandy Klark, Rusty Waters, Willy Location: Rival Pool
• Disappointing First Time — Rusty takes Brandy for sex, but it is brief and unsatisfying. Characters: Brandy Klark, Rusty Waters Location: Make-out Spot

Confrontations & Reconciliation

Brandy faces disappointing encounters, physical fights, and sincere apologies to mend her relationships. She learns to value genuine connection over transactional goals.

Key Events

• Disappointing First Time — Rusty takes Brandy for sex, but it is brief and unsatisfying. Characters: Brandy Klark, Rusty Waters Location: Make-out Spot
• Parents' Intimacy Shock — Brandy sees her parents having sex next to them, causing panic. Characters: Brandy Klark, Rusty Waters Location: Parking Lot
• Amber Seduces Willy — Willy arrives to stop Brandy, but Amber seduces him at the door. Characters: Willy Location: Klark House
• Cameron vs Rusty Brawl — Cameron punches Rusty, they fight until Brandy intervenes. Characters: Cameron, Rusty Waters, Brandy Klark Location: Klark House
• Sincere Apology Scene — Brandy apologizes to Cameron, compliments him, and shares her views on sex. Characters: Brandy Klark, Cameron Location: Klark House
• Singing at Wendy's Door — Brandy sings Wind Beneath My Wings to win back her friends. Characters: Brandy Klark, Wendy, Fiona Location: Wendy's House
• Friends Forgiveness — The girls forgive Brandy and reunite as best friends. Characters: Brandy Klark, Wendy, Fiona Location: Wendy's House

College Reunion & Final Act

Brandy and Cameron reunite at university, complete her list through authentic intimacy, and face her father's unexpected arrival. The summer concludes with personal growth.

Key Events

• Friends Forgiveness — The girls forgive Brandy and reunite as best friends. Characters: Brandy Klark, Wendy, Fiona Location: Wendy's House
• Willy's Job Offer — Willy offers Brandy his job back for next summer after quitting. Characters: Brandy Klark, Willy Location: Hillcrest Pool
• Georgetown Reunion — Brandy and Cameron meet again in college and apologize. Characters: Brandy Klark, Cameron Location: Georgetown University
• Final List Completion — Brandy finally achieves orgasm through anal sex with Cameron. Characters: Brandy Klark, Cameron Location: College Dorm
• Father's Discovery — Brandy's conservative father walks in on them, ending the film. Characters: Brandy Klark, Cameron Location: College Dorm

Story Breakdown

• Academic & Social Setup — Brandy's high school success and initial romantic rejection establish her motivation.
  • Valedictorian Graduation — Brandy tops her class in 1993.
  • Party Rejection — Rusty dismisses Brandy after a kiss.
  • List Creation — Brandy drafts her summer sexual goals.
• Workplace & Hazing Arc — Brandy enters the pool environment and faces workplace bullying.
  • Pool Job Application — Brandy becomes a lifeguard.
  • Feces Prank Incident — Brandy bites waste and pushes Willy.
  • Swimming Lessons Deal — Brandy teaches Willy to swim.
• Sexual Experiments Phase — Brandy actively pursues her list with Cameron and others.
  • Cameron Encounters — Brandy and Cameron sleep together.
  • List Discovery Conflict — Cameron finds the list and leaves.
  • Friends' Betrayal — Wendy and Fiona condemn Brandy.
• Relationship Fallout — Consequences of Brandy's actions ripple through her social circle.
  • Pool Vandalism & Firing — Brandy and Rusty get caught.
  • Disappointing First Time — Sex with Rusty proves unsatisfying.
  • Parents' Shocking Scene — Brandy sees her parents together.
• Confrontations & Fights — Physical and emotional clashes force Brandy to take responsibility.
  • Cameron vs Rusty Brawl — Cameron punches Rusty at the house.
  • Sincere Apology Scene — Brandy apologizes to Cameron.
  • Singing at Wendy's Door — Brandy performs to win friends back.
• Reconciliation & Resolution — Brandy mends relationships and prepares for college.
  • Friends Forgiveness — Wendy and Fiona accept her apology.
  • Willy's Job Offer — Willy offers Brandy next summer's job.
  • Georgetown Reunion — Brandy and Cameron meet in college.
• Final List Completion — The summer's goals are achieved through authentic intimacy.
  • College Dorm Encounter — Brandy and Cameron consummate their relationship.
  • Father's Unexpected Arrival — Brandy's father walks in on them.

Directed by

Maggie Carey

Key Cast

• Aubrey Plaza — Brandy Klark
• Johnny Simmons — Cameron
• Bill Hader — Willy
• Alia Shawkat — Fiona
• Sarah Steele — Wendy