Draft Zero — Screenwriting Podcast & Deep Screenplay Analysis
Latest Episode
DZ-130: Positive Character Arcs
How can repeating the same beat dramatise a character changing?
Listen to understand how to dramatize an internal shift.
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Welcome to our third entry in our character arc series; and the first where we talk about characters that actually change. And positively, tool
We deep dive into BARBIE, WIDOWS and ALL OF US STRANGERS to work out what makes an arc feel positive -- even if the film itself is heartbreaking. All three films are “positive arcs” that feel wildly different. We speculate whether that’s due to the nature of the relationship questions, the use of additive/subtractive rewards; and whether it’s do with the connection of the characters needs and their goals… →
"If you can repeat events or beats from different angles, that helps demonstrate positive change. And that’s like, again, we talked about it in All of Us Strangers, where you have a similar beat, but a different outcome with Harry."
Recent Episodes
DZ-129: Steadfast Character Arcs - Agents of Change
How do you write a satisfying story when your character never changes
Listen to learn how to move an audience with a character who never changes.
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Do characters need to change for you to have a satisfying story? That’s a question we’ve been asking since, like, episode five of this podcast. And we’re finally talking about them - whatever you call ’em: steadfast, resilent, or flat arcs… →
DZ-128: What even is a Character Arc?
What effect does character changing have on the audience?
Listen to separate the three layers of an arc -- does the character change? How do they feel about it? And how is the audience positioned to feel about it?
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Stu, Chas and Mel finally begin their long-awaited journey into CHARACTER ARCS. In this “primer” episode, we try find some learnings and analytical lenses that we can then apply in future breakdowns… →
DZ-127: Secrets and Clues 2 - The Cost of Revelation
What does it cost a character to find something out, or to say it?
Listen to learn the emotional impact of revealing secrets vs discovering them.
