§ RESOURCES / FILMMAKER INDEX
Scott Silver
Writer
Films Discussed 2
- · Joker (2019) (w)
- · The Fighter (2010) (w)
Draft Zero Episodes 3

DZ-70: Joker & Melodrama
How does Joker use melodramatic techniques to elevate its storytelling?
Draft Zero return with their next YouTube livestream! Stu and Chas take a deep dive into JOKER and analyse the film through the story paradigm of melodrama. Is it a melodrama? Why or why not does that matter? And does that influence how it has been written on the page… →
Listen if you're writing a character whose trauma becomes the engine of your entire narrative.
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DZ-67: Writing Passive Protagonists & Melodrama
How do I tell a powerful story where the protagonist cannot drive the plot?
Stu and Chas are joined by Stephen Cleary following his exploration into Melodrama, and together they try to reclaim the word from its pejorative meaning… →
Listen if you want to write powerful stories centred on characters without much agency.

DZ-33: Protagonist vs Hero - Dawn of Character Function
How does splitting 'character functions' enhance theme?
We are often told that our ‘protagonist’ needs to be a active. That they need to be compelling. That they need to change. And - old faithful - that they need to be likeable. But after looking at MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, STAR TREK (2009), THE FIGHTER, and SICARIO, Chas and Stu learn that your primary character does not need to do all these things. In fact, they learn that splitting these functions between your primary characters can reinforce theme and create potential for different types of narratives… →
Listen to see how splitting character functions across your cast sharpens what your story actually means.
