What can screenwriters learn from the storytelling techniques used by stand-up comedians? Standup comedians can keep audiences gripped to their every word for over an hour, and often bring them to emotional climaxes by the end. So how do they do it and what tools can apply to scripted narratives? For this deep dive into standup, Stu and Chas are joined by the super-talented comic and podcaster Alice Fraser. Which is rather fortuitous. Because not only are we schooled on comedy techniques, but because Alice also has a Masters in Narrative Rhetoric. So as we dive in to NANETTE by Hannah Gadsby, BABY COBRA by Ali Wong and IT’S THE FIREWORKS TALKING by Daniel Kitson (with more than a passing reference to Alice’s own show SAVAGE and INSIDE by Bo Burnham), we analyse narrative structure, transitions, set-ups and pay-offs used by stand-ups… But we end up focusing on exploring thematic tools - particularly the Aristotelean concepts of the rhetorical triangle: logos (how the story is told), ethos (who the storyteller is), and pathos (how the audience emotionally engages). With these powers combined, storytellers of all kinds can produce work of thematic power and resonance. Or just funny. And in backmatter, we discuss adapting Savage for the recorded stage with Alice! Enjoy! Spoilers abound. Audio excerpts used for educational purposes. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:25 - Alice Fraser on comedy 00:22:33 - Comedy tools to be explored 00:26:21 - Nanette by Hannah Gadsby 00:48:47 - Transitions in and out of theme 01:08:32 - Baby Cobra by Ali Wong 01:37:57 - It’s the Fireworks Talking by Daniel Kitson 02:04:45 - Key Learnings 02:14:39 - Backmatter - Adapting SAVAGE from stage to screen and screen again LINKS Alice Fraser - http://www.alicecomedyfraser.com  Listen: Savage Part 1 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/alice-fraser-trilogy/alice-fraser-trilogy-savage-part-one/10070682 Listen: Savage Part 2 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/alice-fraser-trilogy/alice-fraser-trilogy-savage-part-two/10082916 Watch: Savage: https://www.amazon.com/Alice-Fraser-Savage-Season-1/dp/B08BYZD952 Hannah Gadsby - Nanette: Watch: https://www.netflix.com/title/80233611 Hannah on Working it Out podcast with Mike Birbiglia: http://workingitout.libsyn.com/5-hannah-gadsby Alice Wong - Baby Cobra: Watch: https://www.netflix.com/title/80233611 Daniel Kitson - It’s The Fireworks Talking: Listen: https://danielkitson.bandcamp.com/album/its-the-fireworks-talking-2007 Bo Burnham - Inside: Watch: https://www.netflix.com/title/81289483 Thanks to all our patrons, especially Thomas, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Theis, Sandra, 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. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

DZ-83: A Very Thematic Stand-up Special!

How can writers dramatise Given Circumstances? In this final podcast release of last year’s run of LiveSoLation episodes, Chas and Stu are joined by Uber-geek Mel Killingsworth (who else?) in an epic exploration of how Dave Gibbons’ and Alan Moore’s seminal graphic novel WATCHMEN is adapted differently in Zack Snyder’s 2009 film and Damon Lindelof’s 2019 HBO television show. For this podcast release, we focus on a single craft tool: GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES. Traditionally an acting tool, we look at how it is also a useful writing tool: how is your story world different to your audience’s lived world and how best to communicate that? In terms of WATCHMEN (as you will hear), there is so much given circumstances to convey — in terms of alternate history, superhero rules, political rules, character backstory, character worldview — that is done excellently in both the movie and the TV show that this becomes a masterclass in exposition. We also touch on narrative structure and tone: how presenting the exact same information in a different order or through a different tonal lens can change how it lands for an audience. ie this diagram -- But this is explored much more fully in the very-visual companion YouTube videos. Subscribe to our YouTube to be notified when they’re released! http://www.draft-zero.com/youtube While this episode may not be for the feint of heart, we feel it is one of our best. Hope you do too. Quantity has a quality of its very own. Spoilers abound. Audio excerpts used for educational purposes. Thanks to Chris for wrangling this into shape! CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:02 - Watching the Watchmen 00:06:13 - Summaries 00:17:07 - Given Circumstances 00:38:39 - The Characters 00:51:07 - Theme & Characters 01:02:13 - Narrative Structure & Theme 01:27:07 - Worldview 01:33:47 - Dr Manhattan 01:51:50 - Wrap Up LINKS Watch: Watchmen (2009) screenplay by David Hayter & Alex Tse Watch: Watchmen (2019) created by Damon Lindelof Read: Watchmen illustrated by Dave Gibbson and written by Alan Moore RELATED EPISODES DZ-37: Excelling at Exposition (Part 1) DZ-38: Excelling at Exposition (Part 2) Thanks to all our patrons, especially Thomas, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Theis, Sandra, 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. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.

DZ-82: Dramatising Given Circumstances in Watchmen

How do you make effective pitch decks and look books for your projects? Chas and Stu are joined by writer/director/producer/multi-hyphenate Marc Furmie of Rezistor Studios to talk all things pitch decks and look books. Coming from an advertising and music video background, Marc shares his experience in putting together visual materials to pitch a project. We discuss the difference between pitch decks and lookbooks,  how they help you sell your projects, what buyers are looking for, television vs features, and how do we make yours better? This is a podcast cutdown of the live stream that was done with Marc. So if you'd like to *see* what we are discussing, including a critique of a listener's pitch deck, then check out our YouTube recording. Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode. LINKS: Full Video: https://youtu.be/T5u1uzKNVQs Rezistor Studios: https://www.rezistorstudios.com Shot Deck: https://shotdeck.com Eagle Image Library: https://en.eagle.cool Adobe Fonts: https://fonts.adobe.com Da Font: http://dafont.com RELATED EPISODES: Listen: DZ-71: Treatments & Loglines - Development Tools Listen: DZ-72: Theme & the Story Synopsis - Development Tools 2 Listen: DZ-73: Selling documents – Development Tools 3 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.

DZ-81: Pitch Decks & Look Books - Development Tools 4

How can interweaving timelines elevate the emotional experience for the audience? In our final part, part 3, of our Interweaving Timelines series, we — Chas, Stu & Mel — take a deep dive into Greta Gerwig's 2019 adaptation of Little Women. In her adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's iconic novels, Greta chose to interweave the seperate timelines of Little Women and it's sequel, Good Wives, to create a thematically and emotionally potent work. This differs from all the other adaptations, which have chosen to keep the chronological storytelling of the source material. We compare Gerwig's choices and their resulting effects with Gilliam Armstrong & Robin Swicord's more faithful (and chronological) 1994 version. It's almost like a scientific experiment! Stay tuned! 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. RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:37 - ScriptUp Sponsorship 00:02:00 - Little Women - 2019 vs 1994 00:06:35 - 2019's Interweaving Timelines 00:15:29 - Summarising the plot points 00:31:39 - Initial contrasts with chronological telling 00:35:32 - Laurie's Proposal 00:54:10 - Amy and Laurie's courtship 01:03:34 - Beth's Death 01:26:44 - Book burning and ice skating 01:36:51 - How the structure expresses theme 01:44:06 - Key Learnings and Wrap Up 01:59:02 - Backmatter LINKS Watch: Little Women (2019) screenplay by and directed by Greta Gerwig Watch: Little Women (1994) screenplay by Robin Swicord and directed by Gilliam Armstrong Read/Listen: Scriptnotes, Ep 433: The One with Greta Gerwig RELATED EPISODES DZ-78: Interweaving Timelines 1 - Destroyer DZ-79: Interweaving Timelines 2 – The Social Network This episode brought to you by ScriptUp – https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off. Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Randy, Garrett, Bjorn, Jessie, Khrob, and Sandra. They’re good humans. 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.

DZ-80: Interweaving Timelines 3 - Little Women

How can interweaving two timelines change how we feel about a character? In this Part 2 of Interweaving Timelines (aka The Stu Monologue Episode), Mel, Chas and Stu tackle Sorkin/Fincher's The Social Network. As you’ll hear, it is clearly Stu’s favourite of the examples we cover and, ah, *not* Mel’s favourite. While all three bring their own biases and opinions on the reality of Facebook as it has become, we do manage to put the destruction of democracy to one side to actually analyse the meticulous craft that this film displays. We analyse Sorkin’s on-the-page skill with time jumps, managing intercutting and introducing characters - as well as explore how the flash-forward technique manages the absence of stakes (i.e. we know Facebook exists) and creates a different emotional experience to the flashbacks of Destroyer. Finally, and most importantly, we look at how the interweaving timelines change how the audience feel about Mark Zuckerberg (as portrayed in this film). RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:48 - The Social Network 00:07:36 - The flash forward structure 00:18:46 - Why did we pick this film? 00:29:41 - What are the stakes? 00:42:45 - Time jumps & transitions 00:52:59 - Audience's perception of Mark 01:00:45 - Storyteller cuts 01:09:20 - Sorkin vs Fincher 01:16:07 - Wrap up & key learnings 01:23:15 - Backmatter LINKS Watch: The Social Network written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher Read: Wordplayer - The Storyteller Cut RELATED EPISODES DZ-78: Interweaving Timelines 1 - Destroyer DZ-43: Driving Sequences – Character and Plot Intensity This episode brought to you by ScriptUp – https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off. Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Randy, Garrett, Bjorn, Joakim, Khrob, and Sandra. They’re good humans. 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.

DZ-79: Interweaving Timelines 2 - The Social Network

How does interweaving two timelines change how the audience feel? Stu and Chas are joined by Mel Killingsworth to dissect interweaving timelines. Not anthology films. Not Cloud Atlas. But films where two plot lines featuring the same characters, but from different timelines, are woven together. How do you manage stakes when you know a character’s future? What questions does this prompt in the viewer? And how the hell do you orient the reader? To answer these questions, it will take three episodes. In this Part 1, our intrepid team (and Mel’s 42 pages of homework) tackle the 2018 film DESTROYER directed by Karen Kusama, written by Hay & Manfredi and starring Nicole Kidman. Meanwhile, Part 2 will cover THE SOCIAL NETWORK and Part 3 will compare the 1994 Gillian Armstrong version with 2019 Greta Gerwig version of LITTLE WOMEN. Whew. Stay tuned! 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. RUNNING ORDER 00:00:10 Intro 00:01:46 Interweaving Timelines? 00:14:54 Destroyer & Timelines 00:35:28 Indicating Timelines 00:39:21 Ordering the Key Events 00:51:50 Theme & Timelines 01:06:44 Questions prompted by the ending 01:20:58 Key Learnings & Wrap Up 01:37:37 Backmatter EPISODE LINKS WATCH: Destroyer (2018) FOLLOW: Melanie Killingsworth – @mehlsbells on twitter READ: "A Game Designer’s Analysis Of QAnon" RELATED EPISODES DZ-05: Shifting audience point of view and heightened emotions DZ-46: Structure & Point of View This episode brought to you by ScriptUp - https://www.scriptupstudio.com - use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off. Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Randy, Garrett, Bjorn, Jack, Khrob, and Sandra. They’re good humans. 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.

DZ-78: Interweaving Timelines 1 - Destroyer

How do you choose which project to start next? In their now-annual full backmatter episode, Stu and Chas let their hair down, drop the guise of objectivity, and allow themselves to have an even more subjective opinion about writing and the business of writing. In this particular Backmatter entry, they wax lyrical on [deep breath]: character journeys, hyperlink cinema, keeping genre fresh, beginning a new co-writing relationship, managing multiple projects, choosing your next project, and - naturally - Star Wars. SPOILERS ABOUND, particularly for The Mandalorian Season 2 and Ready or Not. Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode. RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:55 - DZ update 00:11:18 - Mooting future topics 00:39:51  - Questions to ask of a new co-writing relationship 00:49:56 - Why is pressure different to stakes and obstacles? 00:55:22 - How to manage multiple projects? 01:07:08 - How to pick your next project? 01:19:54 - The Mandalorian Season 2 EPISODE LINKS READ: Brandon Sanderson  "My Work Life Balance As A Writer" But the system using folders is actually from Anthony Johnston READ: Anthony Johnston - "The Organized Writer" Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Randy, Bjorn, Garrett, Joakim, Khrob, and Sandra. They’re good humans. 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.

DZ-77: Backmatter - Prioritising and choosing projects

What can we learn from Sofia Coppola’s on-the-page skills over her career? Following the success of the Tips from Tarantino episode, we have again decided to look at three different scripts from over the course of a long screenwriting career from a single writer to see what we can learn. Our beloved patreons not only selected Sofia Coppola as said writer, but also selected the scripts to analyse: LOST IN TRANSLATION, THE BLING RING and THE BEGUILED. Stu and Chas are joined by repeat Draft Zero offender Melanie Killingsworth and are surprised to find that Coppola does not often write the tone or experience of her films into her scripts (given how specific her tone is and how unique the experiences of her films are). Instead, we are treated to a masterclass in writing character performance on the page - actor catnip, if you will - as well as Coppola’s insightful use of white space. You can also watch the complete live stream on YouTube. 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, and to Carissa Lee for reading the script excerpts. RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:12 - Sofia Coppola & Writing to Direct 00:13:49 - Lost in Translation 00:54:07 - The Bling Ring 01:18:24 - The Beguiled 01:34:53 - Wrap Up & Key Learnings 01:45:28 - Backmatter: Cultural Portray in Lost in Translation EPISODE LINKS FOLLOW: Melanie Killingsworth – @mehlsbells on twitter WATCH: Lost In Translation READ: http://dailyscript.com/scripts/lost_in_translation.pdf WATCH: The Bling Ring READ: https://raindance.org/scripts/The%20Bling%20Ring.pdf WATCH: The Beguiled READ: https://www.scriptslug.com/assets/uploads/scripts/the-beguiled-2017.pdf READ: DZ-76 Sofia Coppola Collated Scripts READ: Hit film gets lost in racism row READ: Latent racism 'Lost in Translation' RELATED EPISODES DZ-13: True that - Tips from Tarantino DZ-60: Unfilmables 1 - Engaging imagination DZ-16: Masters of Whitespace This episode brought to you by ScriptUp - https://www.scriptupstudio.com - use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off. Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Randy, Bjorn, Jack, Khrob, and Sandra. They’re good humans.  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.

DZ-76: Spotlight on Sofia Coppola

How can you do powerful storytelling... without dialogue? Stu and Chas are joined by filmmaker, podcaster and writer Matthew Brown to deep dive into FURY ROAD and its astounding visual storytelling, both on the page and on screen. We talk about setups and payoffs, given circumstances, image systems, environmental storytelling, and how the relationship between Furiosa and Max is built over the course of the story with very little dialogue (besides Tom Hardy’s grunts and the odd bellow of “MEDIOCRE!”). You can also watch the complete live stream on YouTube or just the breakdown of the Furiosa/Max fight (which isn’t in the podcast) here. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3. RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 Intro: Fury Road & Visual Storytelling 00:01:07 Why Fury Road? 00:06:17 World Building & Given Circumstances 00:23:19 World Building & Plot Points 00:30:50 Setups & Payoffs 00:35:03 Who is the Protagonist? 00:35:08 Max & Furiosa's Arc 01:00:44 Stray Observations 01:05:28 Wrap Up EPISODE LINKS FOLLOW: Matt Brown - @tederick on twitter, or buy his book at tederick.com/furyroad READ: Cinephillia and Beyond - In Search of Our Better Selves: The Rebirth, Redemption and Road Warriors of George Miller’s ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ WATCH: Mad Max: Fury Road READ: The Art of Mad Max Max Fury Road RELATED EPISODES DZ-33: Protagonist vs Hero – Dawn of Character Function DZ LiVE Ep3 - Watchmen - The Comic, The Movie & The Show Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Stuart, Jack, Chris, Khrob, and Sandra. They’re good humans. 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. LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

DZ-75: Fury Road & Visual Storytelling

What can we learn from folk horror? Draft Zero return with their next YouTube livestream! Stu and Chas are joined by previous guest (and successful screenwriter) C.S. McMullen for a deep dive into MIDSOMMAR! We analyse the film through the lens of Folk Horror, but tackle broader topics such as horror vs dread, rising tension, transgressions, unfilmables, and portraying toxic relationships. You can also watch the recorded live stream on YouTube. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3. RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 Intro: Misommar & Folk Horror 00:00:15 Why Midsommar? 00:03:54 What makes horror "folk"? 00:18:20 The First Ritual 00:32:17 Transgressions 01:07:32 Grief & The Ending 01:23:18 The May Queen 01:40:04 Wrap Up & An Exercise EPISODE LINKS Watch: Midsommar Watch: The Wicker Man RELATED EPISODES Listen: DZ-60: Unfilmables 1 - Engaging imagination Listen: DZ-61: Unfilmables 2 – Moments of Awe Listen: DZ-62: Unfilmables 3 - As Ifs & Emotional context Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Stuart, Jack, Chris, Khrob, and Sandra. They’re good humans. 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. LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

DZ-74: Midsommar & Folk Horror

How do I write selling documents differently to development documents? In developing our stories and scripts, we have probably written some combination of treatments and loglines and outlines. Some of us have probably even sent these development materials out to producers or agencies when “selling” a project — as a step towards getting someone to read or *gulp* produce your material. If so… have you written them differently? Should you have? You probably should have... In this final part from the epic recording on short documents, Stephen explores how we should craft the words on the page and structure these documents differently when they are to sell the project as opposed to develop the project. Something that Chas and Stu badly need to hear, learn and apply right now. RELATED EPISODES Listen: DZ-71: Treatments & Loglines - Development Tools Listen: DZ-72: Theme & the Story Synopsis - Development Tools 2 Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, and Matteo. They’re good humans. 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. LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero

DZ-73: Selling documents - Development Tools 3

How can I develop my theme without writing script pages? Continuing our look at tools used in development, Chas & Stu are joined by Stephen Cleary to talk about Theme, The Thematic Logline and what Stephen calls The Story Synopsis. All are tools to help writers better understand their theme and how it is dramatised. We use the classic film WITNESS as an example, so spoilers abound. Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3. Thanks to Meegan May for reading the examples. Meegan May is an emerging queer screenwriter and former military intelligence analyst with plenty of award winning scripts and extensive experience in development. Look her up! RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 - Intro: Theme in Development 00:01:54 - The Story Synopsis 00:04:19 - Plot & Theme / Praxis & Mythos 00:11:12 - Back to the Story Synopsis 00:13:45 - Witness 00:16:09 - Thematic Logline 00:17:00 - Using the Thematic Logline in development () 00:22:26 - Witness - 1st Act in Story Synopsis 00:25:46 - Witness - 2nd Act in Story Synopsis 00:28:55 - Characters, Plot & Theme 00:30:27 - Witness - Book drops his facadé () 00:33:25 - Witness - 3rd Act in Story Synopsis () 00:40:49 - Witness - Complete Story Synopsis 00:41:51 - Using the Story Synopsis in development 00:48:04 - Rewriting using the Story Synopsis 00:54:53 - Wrap Up EPISODE LINKS Watch: Witness Watch: Lawrence of Arabia Watch: MacBeth RELATED EPISODES Listen: DZ-71: Treatments & Loglines – Development Tools Listen: DZ-54: Thematic Sequences Listen: DZ-41: Theme and Worldview Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, and Matteo. They’re good humans. 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. LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero

DZ-72: Theme & The Story Synopsis – Development Tools 2

How can I develop my plot before writing the screenplay? Stu and Chas are joined by fan-favourite, Stephen Cleary, to NOT look at what makes great screenplays work -- but what makes great  "short documents" work.  We draw on Stephen Cleary's wealth of experience in developing work with writers, as a producer, as a script editor and as a former head of development. This recording turned especially epic and so we have divided it into three parts that can be listened to in any order. Part I explores the short documents and tools you can use to develop your story’s PLOT before going to script, including the Premise, the Logline, various synopses, character documents, and - of course - the dreaded Treatment… But also looks at development tools that aren’t written like: script reads, mini-shoots and animatics. Stay tuned for Part II which delves into documents that develop your story’s theme and then Part III where we look at how to write short documents differently when your objective isn’t story development but rather selling your idea/project. RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 - Intro  00:13:32 - The writing gym  00:19:32 - Animatics & Script Readings  00:28:08 - Telling your story out loud  00:31:07 - Why Treatments suck  00:36:49 - The Premise  00:44:43 - Exploring WRITTEN short docs  01:04:29 - What about non-hero's journey?  01:14:36 - Using short docs to keep going  01:21:04 - Back to the Premise  01:24:37 - Moving from Premise to Logline  01:25:33 - Stay tuned for Part 2!  Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, and Matteo. They’re good humans. 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. LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

DZ-71: Treatments & Loglines - Development Tools

How does Joker use melodramatic techniques to elevate its storytelling? Draft Zero return with their next YouTube livestream! Stu and Chas take a deep dive into JOKER and analyse the film through the story paradigm of melodrama. Is it a melodrama? Why or why not does that matter? And does that influence how it has been written on the page? They then answer listeners questions on JOKER and more. If you want to listen in on the next live recording, find details here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dz-livesolation-35770237 and/or subscribe to us on YouTube via http://www.draft-zero.com/YouTube If you want to watch along instead of listen, you can watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pcMKhzJ1LkM Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3. RUNNING ORDER 00:00:00 - Intro: Joker & Melodrama 00:01:42 - What is Melodrama? 00:16:47 - Why Joker? 00:23:25 - Is Joker a Melodrama? 00:24:40 - Father & Son 00:28:00 - Penny Fleck's confession 00:41:30 - What is it like to be powerless? 00:54:35 - Bathroom Dancing 01:01:12 - The Joker Born 01:15:04 - Arthur Stands Up 01:28:42 - Listener Questions EPISODE LINKS Read: Slap Happy Larry - Tips for Writing Melodrama Read: Joker by Todd Phillips & Scott Silver Watch: Joker (2019) DZ RELATED EPISODES Listen: DZ-67: Writing “Passive” Protagonists & Melodrama Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, and Matteo. They’re good humans. 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. LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic

DZ-70: Joker & Melodrama

 Is the MacGuffin truly interchangable, and how does it impact on your character writing? Stu and Chas are joined by a special guest - Scriptmag contributor Brad Johnson - to discuss how the choice of the MacGuffin can impact on the quality of an action/adventure film. To test this thesis, our heroes compare the auspicious originals of two iconic franchise with their, um, less-than-auspicious 4th instalments (in other words we compare RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK with KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL and THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL with ON STRANGER TIDES) as well as look at two recent & original entries into the genre, namely NATIONAL TREASURE and PRINCE OF PERSIA. Our heroes uncover how key the relationship between the protagonist and the MacGuffin is and how this can impact on writing in any genre, not just action/adventure. Suprisingly, Brad brings up STAR WARS before Stu does... LINKS You can find Brad Johnson on Twitter or at www.ReadWatchWrite.com Scriptmag: Specs & The City: MacGuffins and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ by Brad Johnson pecs & The City: MacGuffins and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ - See more at: http://www.scriptmag.com/features/specs-the-city-macguffins-and-raiders-of-the-lost-ark#sthash.zlc7sxQo.dpuf The Blackboard forum: What is a MacGuffin? citing TVTropes.org and Alfred Hitchcock Youtube: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK - The Greek Chorus/Exposition Scene Youtube: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK - Showing protagonist's desire for the MacGuffin The Complete Making of Indiana Jones by Rinzler and Bouzereau Youtube: How Indy 4 should have ended Youtube: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL - Visualising and explaining the MacGuffin Youtube: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES - Where the protagonist says that they do not want the MacGuffin in the middle of the film Youtube: NATIONAL TREASURE - Where the MacGuffin itself actually tells the protagonist to take action Youtube: PRINCE OF PERSIA - The only point where the MacGuffin actually affects the plot Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or RSS. Please send feedback to ask at draft-zero.com. Please considering rating us on iTunes!

DZ-11: Adventure for the MacGuffin! [Remastered]

Two emerging screenwriters – Chas Fisher and Stuart Willis – try to work out what makes great screenplays work. Discovering what it takes by analysing what successful writers put on the page.

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Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

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