Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

DZ-112: Breaking the 4th wall How is the effect of breaking the 4th wall different to VoiceOver? As part of our series on how filmmakers can directly communicate to the audience, we finally examine the most blatant tool of them all: when character look directly down the barrel of the camera… and thus look directly at us, the viewer. Chas, Stu and Mel take the craft tools/levers they identified in previous episodes and use them to examine HIGH FIDELITY, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY and - of course - FLEABAG. By examining how “in-world” the camera is, who is talking, and whom the character is talking to (i.e. who we are in the relationship), we end up discovering how breaking the 4th wall can involve the audience in the emotional present of the character and also grants the character a degree of narrative control (a craft lever that can be dialled in and out). Separately, in a Backmatter to this episode to be found on our Patreon page, Mel and Chas answer a listener question and take a deep dive into how breaking the 4th wall changes the RELATIONSHIP between you - the viewer - and character. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. Thanks to Chris Walker for his excellent editing this episode.   CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Cold Open 00:00:17 - What is “barrelling”? 00:13:45 - HIGH FIDELITY 00:39:46 - ABBOTT ELEMENTARY 01:04:09 - FLEABAG 01:40:54 - Key Learnings 01:50:48 - Patreon thanks RELATED EPISODES Backmatter on Breaking the 4th Wall DZ-109: Talking DIRECTLY to your audience DZ-110: Voiceover DZ-111: Unreliable Narrators and Fight Club 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, Paulo, 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, @mehlsbells 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 does the unreliability of a narrator impact the way a story is told? In this episode, Stu and Mel (sans Chas!) take a deep dive into FIGHT CLUB and its use of the unreliable narrator. This is a bridging episode between our previous episode on VOICEOVER and our forthcoming episode on TALKING TO CAMERA as Fight Club does both. We dissect the film’s disconnected sequence-driven structure and how the voiceover ’stitches’ the film together.  And then we look at what makes ‘Jack’ an unreliable narrator and how his control over the storytelling impacts us.  As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. Thanks to Chris Walker for his excellent editing this episode. CHAPTERS: 00:00:01 – Cold Open 00:00:20 – Fight Club 00:24:57 – Unreliable Narrators 00:49:09 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up 00:54:07 – Many thanks to our Patrons! RELATED EPISODES: DZ-110: Voiceover DZ-109: Talking DIRECTLY to your audience DZ-53: Antagonists! 5 – vs Audience How can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Lily, Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Paulo, 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

Dive into the captivating world of voiceovers and how they elevate storytelling! Discover the intriguing use of voiceover in 'Veronica Mars,' enhancing its noir tone and character insights. Explore Disney's 'The Emperor's New Groove,' where inner monologues shape audience empathy. Uncover the strategic use of voiceover in 'Pain and Gain,' revealing character motivations and dramatic tension. Marvel at how this narrative tool enriches films and engages viewers, proving that voiceovers can be artfully wielded without feeling like a cheat!

What are the different ways a filmmaker can ask something of the audience? Chas and Stu are joined by recurring guest Mel in this prelude episode to upcoming episodes on Voice Over and Breaking the Fourth Wall. In this episode, we attempt to taxonomise the different ways filmmakers can ask something directly of their audience. To this end, we identify 4 levers that can be pulled: Diagetic to non-diagetic (in story world to outside story world) Who is talking? From story-teller to a character Whom are they talking to? Themselves or directly to the audience? From when in time is the communication coming? They then take these levers and ask a series of questions, including: What does the communication want from the audience? Does the audience know who’s talking? How reliable is the information? How aware is who is communicating of the audience? They then apply these questions and levers to… deep breath… STAR WARS, ROBOCOP, STARSHIP TROOPERS, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, MINORITY REPORT, CHILDREN OF MEN, NEVER HAVE I EVER, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, STRANGER THAN FICTION, DUNE, OPPENHEIMER, YELLOWJACKETS, HUSTLERS, THE OFFICE, MASTERCHEF, ZOMBIELAND, FLEABAG, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, THE BIG LEBOWSKI, SPONTANEOUS, BLACKKKLANSMAN, AMERICAN FICTION, AMERICAN SPLENDOR, THE KILLER, VERONICA MARS, FIGHT CLUB, SHUTTER ISLAND, SIXTH SENSE, HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR. FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, GOODFELLAS, EMPERORS NEW GROOVE, THE TRUMAN SHOW, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, DIE HARD, THE BIG SHORT, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, DERRY GIRLS, THE LAST JEDI, THE LAST DUEL, RASHOMON, BONES AND ALL, ARCHIVE 81, SANS SOLEIL, F IS FOR FAKE, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, JULIUS CAESAR, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Vol. 1 As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. Thanks to Chris Walker for his excellent editing this episode. CHAPTERS: 00:00:00 - Cold Open 00:00:49 - Distinguishing communicating directly to the audience 00:04:32 - Different levers in how to communicate to the audience 00:09:20 - Who is communicating? 00:26:13 - Does the audience know who’s talking? 00:40:00 - From what time is the communication coming from? 00:40:50 - How reliable is the communication? 00:46:08 - How aware are the characters of the communication? 00:58:35 - Analysing edge cases 01:07:37 - What effects do all these have on the audience? 01:16:00 - Key Learnings and Wrap Up 01:19:00 - Patreon thanks RELATED EPISODES: DZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith Weston DZ-15: World-building Rules DZ-54: Thematic Sequences 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 SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via Substack

Expert Judith Weston joins to discuss the concept of Emotional Events in scenes. They analyze scenes from films like OPPENHEIMER and CASINO ROYALE, focusing on power dynamics, subtext, and character relationships. The discussion delves into the importance of emotional depth, collaboration, and authenticity in writing and directing.

Explore how writers establish tone through character interactions in films like Lady Bird, Emily the Criminal, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, and Spontaneous. Discussing minimalism vs maximalism, dialogue nuances, emotional dynamic range, and rules of the world. Analyzing the relationship between characters and tone, using dramatisation to create unique tones. Dive into the impact of character experiences on setting the tone, proposing a triangular framework of given circumstances, character reactions, and audience engagement. Delve into the intricate details of screenwriting to convey emotions, moral dilemmas, and humor through character actions, dialogue, and visual formatting to engage the audience and set up the emotional promise.

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

In this episode, the hosts explore how showcasing characters alone in scenes deepens the audience's connection with them. They analyze scenes from 'After Sun', 'Sense and Sensibility', and 'The Equalizer' to highlight the significance of solitude in revealing character interiority. The discussion focuses on vulnerability, character masks, and staging to create organic moments of introspection. Spoilers abound as they dissect the importance of silent moments and character impact in shaping narratives.

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!