
Beyond the Screenplay
“Lessons from the Screenplay” creator Michael Tucker and the LFTS team do deeper dives into the storytelling of individual movies and chat with the creatives behind those films.
Latest episodes

Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 31min
Episode 198: A.I. Artificial Intelligence
The BTS team discusses the film's decades-long development, its rich story world, and ultimately how inconsistencies in pacing, character motivation, and tone keep it from feeling like a cohesive narrative.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/x7zpbrdCM4sBig Swing Summer Schedule: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131204547🎬 Join our community! Head to the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay🎬 Beyond the Screenplay on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheScreenplay👕 Beyond the Screenplay Merch https://lessons-from-the-screenplay.creator-spring.com☕️ LFTS Merch: https://standard.tv/collections/lftsFind us on TwitterBeyond the Screenplay: https://x.com/BTScreenplayMichael Tucker: https://x.com/michaeltuckerlaTricia Aurand: https://x.com/TriciaJeanABrian Bitner: https://x.com/BrianBitnerAlex Calleros: https://x.com/Alex_CallerosEdited by Mike Wuerth and the Nebula Studios teamProduced by Vince Major: https://x.com/VinceMajorWebsite: http://beyondthescreenplay.comFor Inquiries and Booking: vincet.major@gmail.com

Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 23min
Episode 197: La La Land
The BTS team discusses the construction of a modern musical with a small cast, the central's character's choices and motivations, and how the opening musical number sets the stage for the rest of the film.Big Swing Summer Schedule: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131204547🎬 Join our community! Head to the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay🎬 Beyond the Screenplay on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheScreenplay👕 Beyond the Screenplay Merch https://lessons-from-the-screenplay.creator-spring.com☕️ LFTS Merch: https://standard.tv/collections/lftsFind us on TwitterBeyond the Screenplay: https://x.com/BTScreenplayMichael Tucker: https://x.com/michaeltuckerlaTricia Aurand: https://x.com/TriciaJeanABrian Bitner: https://x.com/BrianBitnerAlex Calleros: https://x.com/Alex_CallerosEdited by Mike Wuerth and the Nebula Studios teamProduced by Vince Major: https://x.com/VinceMajorWebsite: http://beyondthescreenplay.comFor Inquiries and Booking: vincet.major@gmail.com

10 snips
Jun 13, 2025 • 1h 50min
Episode 196: Interstellar
The hosts dive into the emotional depth and ambitious storytelling of a sci-fi epic. They discuss love as a quantifiable force and how it intertwines with survival. Recapping their initial confusion, they share newfound insights about time and humanity. The intricacies of the father-daughter relationship are explored, alongside critiques of pacing and character dynamics. Key decision moments reveal how emotion can cloud judgment. They reflect on nostalgic film experiences and briefly celebrate the wonders of octopuses, adding a quirky twist to the conversation.

Jun 11, 2025 • 3min
Announcing our Summer Schedule!
We're launching our summer season, "Big Swing Summer" with a new episode releasing every Friday! We'll be taking a look at ambitious movies where the filmmakers reached for the stars and discussing what can be both lost and gained by taking such big swings.June 13th: InterstellarJune 20th: La La LandJune 27th: A.I. Artificial IntelligenceJuly 4th: Patreon-Exclusive — Cloud AtlasJuly 11th: Romeo + JulietJuly 18th: Pulp FictionJuly 25th: The Fountain🎬 Join our community! Head to the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay👕 BEYOND THE SCREENPLAY MERCH https://lessons-from-the-screenplay.creator-spring.com☕️ LFTS Merch: https://standard.tv/collections/lftsFind us on TwitterBeyond the Screenplay: https://x.com/BTScreenplayMichael Tucker: https://x.com/michaeltuckerlaTricia Aurand: https://x.com/TriciaJeanABrian Bitner: https://x.com/BrianBitnerAlex Calleros: https://x.com/Alex_Calleros

Jun 6, 2025 • 8min
Patreon Preview: The Last of Us Season 2 Dissection
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on The Last of Us (Season 2), the BTS team discusses a crucial scene in the game and how it compares to the series.Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/beyondthescreenplay🎬 Join our community! Head to the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay🎬 Beyond the Screenplay on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheScreenplay👕 Beyond the Screenplay Merch https://lessons-from-the-screenplay.creator-spring.com☕️ LFTS Merch: https://standard.tv/collections/lftsFind us on TwitterBeyond the Screenplay: https://x.com/BTScreenplayMichael Tucker: https://x.com/michaeltuckerlaTricia Aurand: https://x.com/TriciaJeanABrian Bitner: https://x.com/BrianBitnerAlex Calleros: https://x.com/Alex_CallerosEdited by Mike Wuerth and the Nebula Studios teamProduced by Vince Major: https://x.com/VinceMajorWebsite: http://beyondthescreenplay.comFor Inquiries and Booking: vincet.major@gmail.com

Jun 3, 2025 • 2min
Patreon Preview: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film.Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130269997🎬 Join our community! Head to the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay🎬 Beyond the Screenplay on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheScreenplay👕 Beyond the Screenplay Merch https://lessons-from-the-screenplay.creator-spring.com☕️ LFTS Merch: https://standard.tv/collections/lftsFind us on TwitterBeyond the Screenplay: https://x.com/BTScreenplayMichael Tucker: https://x.com/michaeltuckerlaTricia Aurand: https://x.com/TriciaJeanABrian Bitner: https://x.com/BrianBitnerAlex Calleros: https://x.com/Alex_CallerosEdited by Mike Wuerth and the Nebula Studios teamProduced by Vince Major: https://x.com/VinceMajorWebsite: http://beyondthescreenplay.comFor Inquiries and Booking: vincet.major@gmail.com

Apr 30, 2025 • 13min
Patreon Preview: The Last of Us (Season 1)
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on The Last of Us (Season 1), the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film.Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/beyondthescreenplay🎬 Join our community! Head to the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay🎬 Beyond the Screenplay on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheScreenplay👕 Beyond the Screenplay Merch https://lessons-from-the-screenplay.creator-spring.com☕️ LFTS Merch: https://standard.tv/collections/lftsFind us on TwitterBeyond the Screenplay: https://x.com/BTScreenplayMichael Tucker: https://x.com/michaeltuckerlaTricia Aurand: https://x.com/TriciaJeanABrian Bitner: https://x.com/BrianBitnerAlex Calleros: https://x.com/Alex_CallerosEdited by Mike Wuerth and the Nebula Studios teamProduced by Vince Major: https://x.com/VinceMajorWebsite: http://beyondthescreenplay.comFor Inquiries and Booking: vincet.major@gmail.com

7 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 52min
The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 1 | What We're Watching
The discussion kicks off with the exciting evolution of the show from video game to television. The hosts dive deep into the emotional storytelling and character development, particularly emphasizing the balance of love and violence. New characters like Gail bring fresh dynamics, while the importance of music enhances the narrative. They also critique storytelling tropes and explore the delicate interplay between playful moments and darker themes. Overall, the adaptation's structure and character complexities are explored, leaving fans eager for what's next.

8 snips
Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 1min
The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 8 | What We're Watching
The discussion dives into the season finale of a hit show, exploring themes of fate and emotional character arcs. The complexities of storytelling are unpacked, highlighting a balance between satire and seriousness. The hosts critique narrative mechanics, expressing frustrations over missed opportunities for deeper connections. They also analyze the cultural impact of community viewing experiences, likening it to shared social moments. Finally, they reflect on the evolution of television and how it shapes today’s storytelling dynamics.

10 snips
Apr 5, 2025 • 38min
The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 7 | What We're Watching
The discussion dives deep into the penultimate episode, focusing on themes of violence and emotional confrontation. They analyze character dynamics, exploring the escalating tensions among three women and the complexities of family relationships facing existential crises. Audiences can expect a rich exploration of identity, manipulation, and the impact of emotional struggles. With a backdrop of cinematic elements like a Muay Thai fight, the hosts build anticipation for a chaotic and impactful season finale filled with existential questions about fate.