DZ-97: Ensembles 2 – Servicing Characters

How do you give your audience access to a lot of characters?

In Part 2 of our exploration into ensemble stories, Stu, Chas and Mel examine films whose plot and genre require a lot of characters. Thus we tackle a team sports film (PITCH PERFECT), a murder mystery (GLASS ONION), a slasher (SCREAM 2022) and a family holiday flick (THE FAMILY STONE). 

By looking at these films, we discover tools for writers to service characters and give them more dimension. These tools include: shifting group dynamics; the spectrum of private to public behaviour; breaking POV, and quintessential group introductions. 

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.


CHAPTERS

  • 00:00:00 – Cold Open
  • 00:01:46 – Intro: Servicing Characters
  • 00:14:40 – Pitch Perfect
  • 00:37:54 – Glass Onion
  • 01:09:20 – Scream 5
  • 01:32:17 – The Family Stone
  • 02:13:22 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up

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