Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

How can we use dramatisation to create tone?

In this episode, Chas and Stu continue their deep dive into how to write tone by examining films with “light” (we use the phrase loosely) tones: LADY BIRD, EMILY THE CRIMINAL, THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, and SPONTANEOUS. We also talk a surprising amount about DUNE and CRAZY STUPID LOVE.

We focus on the relationship between character & tone and how the writers of these films use dramatisation to create their unique tones. We talk minimalism vs maximalism, dialogue, character actions & reactions, emotional dynamic range, and rules of the world vs given circumstances.

Stu proposes a new triangle to help us understand the dials we as writers have to affect tone: the given circumstances of the story, how that effects character actions & reactions, and how the audience are told about those elements.

Thanks to Chris Walker for his excellent editing this episode.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:00:23 - Tone & Character
• 00:15:26 - Ladybird
• 00:33:20 - Emily The Criminal
• 00:57:43 - The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
• 01:17:28 - Spontaneous
• 01:39:38 - Key Learnings & Wrap Up
• 01:51:58 - Many thanks to our Patreons

RELATED EPISODES:

• DZ-105: Establishing Tone - Dark
• DZ-82: Dramatising Given Circumstances in Watchmen

How can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Lily,  Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners.

We are @stuwillis, and @chasffisher on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How do you know if you have enough narrative fuel to write a script?

In this episode, Chas, Stu and Mel attempt to answer a listener question: 

“In your own pre-writing process, how do you know you have enough for a feature? And do you have a specific pre-writing method you're going to?”

Thus we launch into a discussion on our writing processes and the varying usefulness of tools such as log lines, turning points, beat sheets, synopsis, treatments, and scene breakdowns. We also tackle the challenges encountered while developing an idea to first draft, such as balancing the pace of the story, developing distinct character voices, character choices, plot changes, pacing, and thematic clarity.

Is this backmatter? Or is it development tools? You decide! Hahaha.

Thanks so much to Chris Walker for his excellent editing on this episode!

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:00:30 - Introduction: Falling Short
• 00:02:38 - Our Development Processes
• 00:33:06 - Developing from concept
• 00:45:26 - Sponsor: Arc Studio Pro
• 00:48:12 - Expanding your Idea
• 01:15:29 - Long Short Documents
• 01:27:22 - Consistent problems with first drafts
• 01:34:28 - Many thanks to our Patreons!

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Lily,  Alexandre, Malay, Casimir, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners.

We are @stuwillis, @chasffisher and @mehlsbells on twitter. You can also find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via Substack

How can we teach the reader to find the humour in our darkness?

Chas and Stu finally start their long-mooted exploration of tone with a series that examines films and shows with unusual tones and dives into how the writers establish those tones in the first 5 pages.

How does your script want your reader to experience violence in your story? Humour? Sex? Prejudice?

To answer these questions, this episode look at how films with “darker” or “sadder” tones teach the reader what they can laugh at, namely: THE NICE GUYS, THE BANSHEES OF INISHIRIN and the pilot for YELLOWJACKETS.

Together they learn how to better talk about tone, how to frame tone for a scene or sequence, and what levers writers can use on the page to compensate for cinematic tools like music, performance, composition, lighting, design, editing, etc etc etc.

Future episodes plan to explore establishing lighter or quirkier tones, as well as tools in shifting or changing tone on the page.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:00:32 - What is tone?
• 00:25:00 - The Nice Guys
• 00:55:07 - Sponsor: Arc Studio Pro
• 00:57:23 - The Banshees of Inisherin
• 01:25:06 - Yellowjackets
• 01:53:30 - Key Learnings & Wrap Up
• 02:04:40 - Many thanks to our Patreons!

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-60: Unfilmables and Unscriptables (Part 1) - Engaging imagination
• DZ-61: Unfilmables 2 – Moments of Awe

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Lily,  Alexandre, Malay, Casimir, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners.

We are @stuwillis, and @chasffisher on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via Substack

How can scenes where characters are alone increase our connection with them?

In this episode, we explore the audience's connection with characters through the lens of characters being alone.

Chas and Stu breakdown scenes (and their scripts) from AFTERSUN, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and THE EQUALIZER to discuss the significance of solitude in giving the audience insight into a character’s interiority. We talk how big print can reflect character; how finding moments for vulnerability allows characters to drop their masks; and how staging can help these moments occur organically.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:02 - Cold Open
• 00:00:24 - Intro: Character's Alone
• 00:13:04 - Aftersun
• 00:31:55 - Sponsor: Arc Studio Pro
• 00:34:16 - Sense and Sensibility
• 00:59:59 - The Equalizer
• 01:25:02 - Wrap Up & Key Learnings
• 01:28:34 - Many thanks to our Patreons!

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-99: Scene Questions
• DZ-93: Talismans (Part 1)
• DZ-94 Talismans (Part 2)
• DZ-60: Unfilmables and Unscriptables (Part 1) - Engaging imagination

RELATED LINKS

• Shot Zero: www.shot-zero.com
• Restoration: www.restorationseries.com

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Lily,  Alexandre, Malay, Casimir, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners.

We are @stuwillis, and @chasffisher on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via Substack

How can games elevate dramatic scenes?

In part two of this two parter, Stu and Chas go further into the game (of the scene) and look at how games force characters *other* than the protagonist to interact. We deep dive into the wonderful social satires of TRIANGLE OF SADNESS and THE FAVOURITE.

We discuss how games reveal character through competency and decisions, how resources and skills impact the tactics that characters employ, and the difference between referees, rule lawyers, rule makers and rule breakers.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:00:19 - Sponsor: ScriptUp
• 00:01:45 - Intro: Follow up
• 00:10:50 - Triangle of Sadness (Parts 1 and 2)
• 00:35:37 - Sponsor: Arc Studio Pro
• 00:38:25 - Triangle of Sadness (Part 3)
• 00:52:51 - The Favourite
• 01:30:34 - Wrap Up & Key Learnings
• 01:40:30 - Thanks to our Patreons!

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-102: Game of the Scene 1 - Bluey, John Wick 4
• DZ-99: Scene Questions
• DZ-40: Tactics and Scenes

RELATED LINKS

• IMDB: Molli and Max in the Future
• Letterboxd: Molli and Max in the Future

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off
• ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Lily,  Alexandre, Casimir, Jennifer, Thomas, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners.

We are @stuwillis, and @chasffisher on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via our many social medias!

How can ‘games’ help us write better scenes?

Stu and Chas turn their attention to a topic that has long eluded them: the game of the scene. We look at how considering the game that characters are playing — its rules, arenas, players, referees, and win conditions — can help you write more dynamic scenes.

This will be a two-parter, and for this half, we talk BLUEY, “The Quiet Game” (from Season 2) and “Phones” (from Season 3), and JOHN WICK 4. We also touch on GAME NIGHT and LIFE OF BRIAN.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:00:18 - Sponsor: ScriptUp
• 00:01:52 - Intro: What do we mean by Game of the Scene?
• 00:15:06 - The Life of Brian: "What have the Romans ever done for us?"
• 00:20:03 - Bluey
• 00:35:08 - Sponsor: Arc Studio Pro
• 00:37:56 - John Wick 4
• 01:14:34 - Wrap Up & Key Learnings
• 01:22:17 - Many thanks to our Patreons

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-100: Scenes through Swords
• DZ-99: Science Questions
• DZ-40: Tactics and Scenes

RELATED LINKS

• Shot Zero on Game Night's Hot Potato Sequence

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off
• ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Lily,  Alexandre, Casimir, Jennifer, Thomas, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners.

We are @stuwillis, and @chasffisher on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via Substack

What can we learn by analysing how ‘oners’ are written on the page?

Chas, Stu and Mel reunite to talk about writing the *feel* of camerawork in screenplays. We use “oners” — a long-playing continuous take — as a lens to talk about how some writers have “directed” from the page. We talk immediacy, camera positions, handovers, and anchoring action and more.

We breakdown the famous Copacabana shot from GOODFELLAS, the awe-inspiring chase sequence from THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, and the heart pounding ‘Zed attack’ from CHILDREN OF MEN. We also briefly discuss THE BOURNE IDENTITY, HEREDITARY, THE BEAR, ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN and TOUCH OF EVIL.

And we do this breakdown by closely reading the actual words on the page. So thanks to Meegan May (of Starship Q Star) for performing the big print / action lines. Script Pages available on our Patreon.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:13 - Cold Open
• 00:00:23 - ScriptUp Sponsorship
• 00:00:33 - New Chapter
• 00:01:58 - Intro: Camerwork on the page
• 00:09:50 - Contrary Examples: The Bourne Identity and Hereditary
• 00:13:15 - Narrative Purpose and Oners
• 00:16:30 - Goodfellas (intro)
• 00:16:57 - Goodfellas (excerpt)
• 00:18:22 - Goodfellas (discussion)
• 00:32:48 - The Adventures of Tintin (intro)
• 00:34:14 - The Adventures of Tintin (excerpt)
• 00:37:23 - The Adventures of Tintin (discussion)
• 00:49:34 - Children of Men (intro)
• 00:53:38 - Children of Men (excerpt)
• 01:00:32 - Children of Men (discussion)
• 01:12:24 - Key Learnings and Wrap Up

SCENE EXCERPTS via

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dz-101-script-85503252
• DZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draft_zero/
• SZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shotzero/
• DZ Twitter: https://twitter.com/draft_zero
• SZ Twitter: https://twitter.com/_shotzero

LINKS

• WATCH: Goodfellas, The “Copacabana” shot - https://youtube.com/watch?v=OJEEVtqXdK8
• WATCH: The Adventures of TinTin, “Get that bird!” - https://youtube.com/watch?v=ryB-3BRdd64
• WATCH: Children of Men, “Zed’s attack” - https://youtube.com/watch?v=YMM8XrZe1R8
• WATCH: The Bourne Identity, “Escaping The American Embassy” - https://youtube.com/watch?v=tqsUt9n13Gg
• WATCH: All The President’s Men, “The Dahlberg Scene” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qeemjaosp-E
• WATCH: Every Frame A Painting - The Spielberg Oner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q4X2vDRfR
• LISTEN: Starship Q Star: https://starshipqstar.com

LINKS

• WATCH: Goodfellas, The“Copacabana” shot - https://youtube.com/watch?v=OJEEVtqXdK8
• WATCH: The Adventures of TinTin, “Get that bird!” - https://youtube.com/watch?v=ryB-3BRdd64
• WATCH: Children of Men, “Zed’s attack” - https://youtube.com/watch?v=YMM8XrZe1R8
• WATCH: The Bourne Identity, “Escaping The American Embassy” - https://youtube.com/watch?v=tqsUt9n13Gg
• WATCH: All The President’s Men, “The Dahlberg Scene” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qeemjaosp-E
• WATCH: Every Frame A Painting - The Spielberg Oner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q4X2vDRfR
• LISTEN: Starship Q Star: https://starshipqstar.com

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-60: Unfilmables and Unscriptables (Part 1) - Engaging imagination
• DZ-61: Unfilmables and Unscriptables (Part 2) - Moments of Awe
• DZ-62: Unfilmables 3 – As Ifs & Emotional context
• DZ-16: Masters of Time and Whitespace

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Lily,  Alexandre, Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Thomas, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis, and @chasffisher on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

What scene work tools can be learned from martial arts?

In this slightly unusual episode of Draft Zero (but also incredibly on brand), Stu and philosopher swordsperson Damon Young discuss how the lessons they have learned from martial arts can be applied to scenes. In particular, they discuss how approaching an opponent in a sword fight can be analogous to how characters approach conflict, such as: the distance between the characters, who chooses to engage first, how to feint, how to lure an attack by leaving yourself vulnerable, etc. 

They reference classic conflicts such as Clarice interviewing Dr. Lecter in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, when Miranda puts down Andrea in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, and the final showdown between Obi-Wan and Darth Maul in the animated series THE CLONE WARS. 

You can find Damon Young here:

• Website: https://www.damonyoung.com.au/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonayoung/
• Mastodon: https://mas.to/@damonyoung

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND.

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-29: Showdowns & Scene Structure: draft-zero.com/2016/dz-29/
• DZ-84: Choices & Decisions 1: http://draft-zero.com/2021/dz-84/ 
• DZ-84: Choices & Decisions 2: http://draft-zero.com/2021/dz-85/ 

This episode is brought to you by our awesome Patreons, especially Alexandre, Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Thomas, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis, and @chasffisher on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How do audience questions shape scenes?

nspired by our earlier episodes on sequences, Chas and Stu narrow their focus to look at the atomic unit of screen storytelling: the scene. In particular, we breakdown how question and answers prompted in the audience structure individual scenes.

We talk plot, character, and theme questions (and their hybrids) by analysing scenes from LOKI, THE LAST CRUSADE, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, QUEEN AND SLIM,  and DO THE RIGHT THING. We also briefly discuss SUCCESSION, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES, and ANDOR.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:01:56 - Intro: Scene Questions
• 00:16:30 - Loki
• 00:23:24 - The Last Crusade
• 00:33:03 - The Bourne Supremacy
• 00:45:50 - Queen and Slim
• 01:03:03 - Do The Right Thing
• 01:15:03 - Key Learnings & Wrap Up
• 01:33:02 - Many thanks to our Patreons

SCENE EXCERPTS via:

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dz-99-scene-82312058
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draft_zero/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/draft_zero

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-54: Thematic Sequences: https://draft-zero.com/2018/dz-54/
• DZ-43: Driving Sequences – Character and Plot Intensity: https://draft-zero.com/2017/dz-43/
• DZ-45: Arguments of the Scene: https://draft-zero.com/2017/dz-45/

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Alexandre, Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Thomas, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex, and Khrob.

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis, and @chasffisher on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

What effect does adding a ton of characters have on your story?

In Part 3 (the final part? Ha!) of our exploration into ensemble stories, Stu, Chas & Mel examine films whose genres do not conventionally require a ton of character or that use those ensembles in unconventional ways - in particular, adding whole storylines that are separate from the main character’s story. To that end, we dive into three films that were horrifically snubbed by the Oscars: THE WOMAN KING, RIDERS OF JUSTICE and NOPE.

We breakdown the effects of choosing to use an ensemble on the narrative function of characters, their skills, the webs they exist within, and, ultimately, the story’s theme. Plus we re-apply and re-contextualise the tools uncovered in previous episodes in how to service all these characters.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:01:35 - Intro: Character Function
• 00:08:43 - The Woman King
• 00:50:00 - Riders of Justice
• 01:20:36 - Nope
• 01:47:00 - Key Learnings & Wrap Up
• 01:59:06 - Many thanks to our Patreons

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-96: Ensembles 1 – What do we mean by an ensemble?
• DZ-97: Ensembles 2 – Servicing Characters

EPISODE LINKS

• Mel Killingsworth on The Möbius Strip Storytelling of NOPE
• Mel Killingsworth on Riders of Justice: Tidings of Trauma and Joy

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and
• ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Alexandre, Casimir, Eduardo, Thomas, Jennifer, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex, and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis, @chasffisher and @mehlsbells on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How do you give your audience access to a lot of characters?

In Part 2 of our exploration into ensemble stories, Stu, Chas and Mel examine films whose plot and genre require a lot of characters. Thus we tackle a team sports film (PITCH PERFECT), a murder mystery (GLASS ONION), a slasher (SCREAM 2022) and a family holiday flick (THE FAMILY STONE).

By looking at these films, we discover tools for writers to service characters and give them more dimension. These tools include: shifting group dynamics; the spectrum of private to public behaviour; breaking POV, and quintessential group introductions.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:01:46 - Intro: Servicing Characters
• 00:14:40 - Pitch Perfect
• 00:37:54 - Glass Onion
• 01:09:20 - Scream 5
• 01:32:17 - The Family Stone
• 02:13:22 - Key Learnings & Wrap Up

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-96: Ensembles 1 - What do we mean by an ensemble?
• DZ-43: Driving Sequences – Character and Plot Intensity
• DZ-09: Characterising Introductions

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and

ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons? Especially Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis, @chasffisher and @mehlsbells on twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

DZ-96: Ensembles 1 - What do we mean by an ensemble?

How can the same story feel different when you have more characters?

In the first part of our series on ensembles, Chas, Stu and Mel start by laying the groundwork for our future episodes. And we begin by asking the seemingly innocuous question:

‘what do we mean by calling a story an ensemble?’

As we unpack our own assumptions, biases and thoughts, we ask (and attempt to answer) more questions: How does an ensemble differ from a single protagonist or two hander? Why does this distinction even matter? What challenges What genres inherently are ensembles? And what do we hope to learn from the series?

We ice-skate over myriad films including JURASSIC PARK, ALIEN, TOP GUN vs TOP GUN: MAVERICK, DEATH AT A FUNERAL, WAR OF THE WORLDS vs INDEPENDENCE DAY, LORD OF THE RINGS vs WILLOW, OCEAN’S 11 vs OUT OF SIGHT, THIEF vs HEAT, AWAY FROM HER, DIRTY DOZEN, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, SE7EN, READY OR NOT. Look, there’s heaps. We talk a lot of movies.

We also talk through our lens for breaking down group dynamics: collaborative vs competitive vs combative.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode. <3 Chris!

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Intro
• 00:04:17 - What is an ensemble?
• 00:26:51 - Taxonomy of Ensembles
• 00:47:25 - ArcStudio Sponsorship
• 00:48:32 - Group Dynamics
• 01:08:39 - Wrap Up & Hopeful Learnings
• 01:15:15 - Patreon Thanks

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and

ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons?, Especially Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How do you maintain hope in the face of, er, screenwriting?

Time for our annual backmatter episode, where we drop any ruse of any objectivity, and fully embrace our subjective opinions!

In this episode we discuss: potential topics for 2023; the ostensible shortening of first acts; balancing new projects vs current projects; how to maintain hope in the face of an industry as fickle as ours; and end with a discussion of Andor vs Obi-Wan. Yup, Star Wars is the new Die Hard. Get over it.

SPOILERS ABOUND for Andor and Obi-Wan.

FYI we recorded this episode with both of us in the same room (for a more casual atmosphere )but that means there’s more technical gremlins like crosstalk. Our apologies in advance!

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode. <3 Chris!

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Intro: Backmatter
• 00:02:44 - Housekeeping
• 00:05:49 - Future Episode Ideas
• 00:25:52 - Are first acts getting shorter?
• 00:40:16 - New projects vs current projects
• 00:48:59 - Maintaining Hope or Avoiding Despair
• 00:54:21 - The Big Lessons of 2022
• 00:55:19 - Andor vs Keobi
• 01:14:37 - Key Lessons & Wrap Up
• 01:16:06 - Many thanks

LINKS

• LISTEN: Starship Q Star - https://starshipqstar.com/links

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons? Especially Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How can you use physical objects to track character change… wordlessly?

In part two of our two-part series on TALISMANS, we break down the beats used to turn objects (in a broad sense) into talismans; how talismans can track character journeys and transitions; and how they can be used to create powerful moments without words.

While Part 1 looked a range of talismans in a bunch of different movies, in this episode we deep dive into just three examples. We look at how Thor’s crisis of masculinity is articulated through his relationship with Mjolnir and Stormbreaker in THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER; how the yearning love in PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE is communicated through paintings and music; and how the impact of an emotional affair is charted through key locations in INTHE THE MOOD FOR LOVE.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Intro
• 00:01:15 - Talismans (Part 1) Followup
• 00:08:37 - Forging a Talisman (The Beats)
• 00:23:22 - Thor: Love and Thunder
• 00:59:52 - Portrait of a Lady on Fire
• 01:32:39 - In the Mood for Love
• 01:59:39 - Key Learnings & Wrap Up
• 02:06:10 - Thanks to our Patreons

LINKS

• Scott Myers / Go Into The Story: Talismans - https://medium.com/go-into-the-story/talismans-bcbf0a04d45d
• Scott Myers / Go Into The Story:  Story Talismans - https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/story-talismans-89b91523e71d

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-93: Talismans (Part 1) - http://draft-zero.com/2022/dz-93/
• DZ-92: Insightful recognition in powerful endings - http://draft-zero.com/2022/dz-92/

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons? Especially Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How can you use physical objects to reveal inner character?

In this series, Chas and Stu discuss TALISMANS. Physical objects that are imbued with meaning by a character or characters. They’re a powerful tool to access inner character.

In this first part, we lay the groundwork to discuss talismans and present something of a taxonomy. What makes talismans powerful? What makes them different from MacGuffins or characters? What types of Talismans are there? In the second part, we will breakdown THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, and another film. 

Examples we cover here include: TOP GUN, SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER, BETTER CALL SAUL, LORD OF THE RINGS, CASTAWAY, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THE DARK KNIGHT, THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, RONIN, PULP FICTION, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, BREAKING BAD, BACK TO THE FUTURE, THE TERMINATOR, TITANIC, INCEPTION, STAR WARS (of course), THE MATRIX, ANDOR (spoilers!), LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, and PULP FICTION.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chas Fisher & Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Intro
• 00:03:15 - Talismans in our own lives
• 00:08:41 - Scott Myer's definition of Talismans
• 00:18:58 - What are not Talismans?
• 00:21:48 - Wardrobe
• 00:28:26 - Talismans vs Characters
• 00:43:18 - Talismans vs MacGuffins
• 00:49:33 - Photos
• 00:53:53 - Jewellery
• 01:02:22 - Weapons & Tools
• 01:10:02 - Vehicles
• 01:12:03 - Letters & Journals
• 01:14:19 - Andor (Spoilers)
• 01:16:20 - Talismans and Rituals
• 01:24:14 - Wrap Up & Key Learnings

LINKS

• Scott Myers / Go Into The Story: Talismans - https://medium.com/go-into-the-story/talismans-bcbf0a04d45d
• Scott Myers / Go Into The Story:  Story Talismans - https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/story-talismans-89b91523e71d

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-11: Adventure for the MacGuffin! - http://draft-zero.com/2014/dz-11/
• DZ-87: Keeping Genre fresh - http://draft-zero.com/2022/dz-87/

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and

ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons?, Especially Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How can endings prompt an audience to reflect on your story?

Stu & Chas set out to explore what makes certain endings powerful, in particular those of LA LA LAND, INCEPTION, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and TURNING RED. The lens they bring to those endings is Aristotle’s moment of “anagnorisis” (don’t worry - we can’t pronounce it either), traditionally when a character moves from ignorance to knowledge (particularly of self).

But in analysing these films, Chas and Stu discover that endings can be particularly powerful when the characters experience insightful recognition in others, or in the world, or - perhaps most powerfully - when the anagnorisis is aimed at the audience. In other words, are there craft tools for your ending to prompt an audience to ask itself the question “What was that all about?”? Turns out, we think there are.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Intro
• 00:00:48 - Insightful recognition in endings
• 00:03:39 - What the hell is “anagnorisis”?
• 00:12:04 - LA LA LAND
• 00:30:45 - INCEPTION
• 00:35:14 - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
• 01:00:04 - TURNING RED
• 01:18:18 - Wrap up & Key Learnings
• 01:24:26 - Thanks patreons!

LINKS

• HULK PRESENTS THE MYTH OF THE THREE ACT STRUCTURE
• Lindsay Doran on the psychology of story-telling

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-04: Catharsis and the Post-Coital Cigarette

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and

ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons?, Especially Malay, Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How can you keep your audience hooked when they know the end of the story?

Chas, Stu and Mel take a deep dive into stakes, using then lens of biopics to help us think about them. If an audience already knows the “plot” outcome of a story, then how do you create stakes to make a story tense for the audience? 

To explore this, we deep dive into HIDDEN FIGURES (about the NASA Friendship 7 mission), DOWNFALL (the final days of Berlin in WW2), and BRIGHT STAR (the life and death of romantic poet John Keats). We unpack the ideas around internal, external and philosophical /moral stakes and propose some new terminology that may help us write stakes more effectively. 

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND.

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and

ArcStudio: https://www.arcstudiopro.com - go to www.draft-zero.com/arcstudio for $30 off a subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons?, Especially Malay, Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Leigh, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

CHAPTERS
- 00:00:00 - Intro
- 00:04:41 - What even are stakes?
- 00:24:26 - Hidden Figures
- 01:00:46 - Downfall
- 01:33:38 - Bright Star
- 02:10:33 - Key Learnings
- 02:18:57 - Thanks Patreons!

How can you use setups and payoffs to stitch your film together?

In this one-shot, Chas and Stu dive into the awesomeness of EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. In particular, we focus on its use of setups, payoffs and reversals; breakdown the difference between Pointers and Plants and Stitches; deep dive into its Michael Arndt inspired ending. And, of course, we talk hotdog fingers and butt-plugs.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND.

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Intro
• 00:00:43 - Anywhere Anything At The Same time
• 00:10:48 - Summary
• 00:29:51 - Pointers and Planters
• 00:56:17 - The Ending
• 01:17:59 - Wrap Up and Key Learnings
• 01:30:06 - Thanks to our Patreons

LINKS

• Michael Arndt - Endings: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great -- https://vimeo.com/238637906
• Will Dunne - The Dramatic Writer's Companion - https://willdunnedramaticwriting.com/the-dramatic-writers-companion/

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-06: Key Scenes and Unlocking the Story
• DZ-04: Catharsis and the Post-Coital Cigarette
• DZ-10: Midpoint Reversals and The Ride

This episode brought to you by ScriptUp – https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off. 

Thanks to all our patrons, especially Malay, Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Leigh, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

How does your opening sequence set up your audience? Inspired by her tweet on how subversive an opening OCEAN’S ELEVEN has, Chas and Stu invited amazing writer/director Jessica Ellis onto the show to deep dive into opening sequences. How does a good opening setup character, genre, and theme?

In exploring how best to open your story - instead of looking at the almost mandatory studio note of “dropping you in the action” - Stu, Chas and Jess look at the inventive openings of OCEAN’S ELEVEN, LONG SHOT, ARRIVAL and A SERIOUS MAN. Each of these films opens in a way that seems to defy its genre conventions and yet still provide all the set-up it needs to perfectly tell its story.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND.

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:56 - Intro
• 00:12:04 - Ocean’s Eleven
• 00:30:26 - Long Shot
• 01:01:32 - Arrival
• 01:22:22 - A Serious Man
• 01:41:17 - Wrap Up
• 01:46:47 - Patreon thanks

LINKS

• Jessica Ellis: https://twitter.com/baddestmamajama
• What Lies West: https://linktr.ee/whatlieswest

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-15: World Building Rules, Okay?
• DZ-43: Driving Sequences – Character and Plot Intensity
  
• DZ-44: Marvel, First Acts and Establishing Characters

This episode brought to you by ScriptUp – https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off.

Thanks to all our patrons, especially Casimir, Lloyd, Eduardo, Jennifer, Leigh, Thomas, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

How can dramas use genre elements to hook their audiences?

Stu and Chas reunite with TV writer & director Kodie Bedford to look at how some films start out as genre but gradually become character dramas. Or, as Stu never said on the episode "Genre in the streets, Drama in the sheets".

Together, they break down HUSTLERS, PIG and POWER OF THE DOG, to see how these films use their genre trappings to hook their audience while ultimately delivering something else entirely. We discuss chapter breaks, inciting incidents, character questions, theme and MORE.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND.

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

• 00:00:01 - Intro
• 00:00:56 - Drama in Genre Clothing
• 00:02:21 - Sam Elliot on Power of the Dog
• 00:03:19 - Lessons from Keeping Genre Fresh
• 00:08:14 - Hustlers
• 00:43:58 - Pig
• 01:16:24 - The Power of the Dog
• 01:55:02 - Key Learnings and Wrap Up

LINKS

• Kodie Bedford: https://twitter.com/ms_kodie
• Authentic Storytelling – Kodie Bedford: Breaking Down Characters And Worlds

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-87: Keeping genre fresh – Get Out, Promising Young Woman, and The Invisible Man

This episode brought to you by ScriptUp – https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off.

Thanks to all our patrons, especially Lloyd, Eduardo, Jennifer, Leigh, Thomas, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!

Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.