Out on the Wire Out on the Wire Episode 3.5: Workshop
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Oct 12, 2015 In this insightful session, Benjamin Frisch, a producer known for his keen insights, joins cartoonist Matt Madden, Jessica Abel's creative partner, to critique character profiles from budding storytellers. They dive into a future detective noir, where originality meets specificity, and explore a thought-provoking portrayal of a transgender woman's journey in a Jewish context. The duo unpacks character motivations in a sci-fi allegory, while also strategizing fresh angles on lithium’s societal impact through unique reporting ideas.
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Pick One Memorable Quirk
- Give characters a single odd, specific detail that reveals their mind and shapes scenes.
- Use that detail to create irony or contrast with the story world so the character feels original.
Western Nostalgia As Thematic Contrast
- Placing a Western-reading loner in a crowded megacity creates ironic commentary on nostalgia and justice.
- That contrast deepens theme by making the protagonist chase black-and-white ideals in a muddled future.
Make Interviewees Re-Feel Turning Points
- When your nonfiction subject is practiced at telling their story, design interviews to make them re-experience emotional turning points.
- Probe for moments of surprise or contradiction so the subject can't just breeze through the arc.
