Two emerging screenwriters – Chas Fisher and Stuart Willis – try to work out what makes great screenplays work. Discovering what it takes by analysing what successful writers put on the page.
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episode 50: DZ-50 - Antagonists! (Part 2) vs Self
How can characters be their own antagonist?
In Part Two of our Five Part Epic Exploration™ into antagonists, Chas & Stu take a look at "vs self" stories. Stories where the protagonist (or main character) serves as their own antagonist as well as the antagonist for those around them.
It took us a long time to settle on our homework, but we ended up exploring LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, SHAME, and MONSTER. Our discussion continues in backmatter with MINDHUNTER and STEVE JOBS.
As a result of our exploration, we manage to get a better understanding of our 'thesu' on: internal vs external change; obstacles and pressure; stories without singular antagonists; and how it really is the antagonistic forces that carve out the protagonist’s journey.
As always: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3. Watch it on on YouTube.
Special thanks to our Patreon supporters. If you would like more Draft Zero episodes more often, click here!
EPISODES LINKS
- DRAFT ZERO RELATED EPISODES
- DZ-49: Antagonists! (Part 1) – vs Humans
- DZ-44: Marvel, First Acts and Establishing Characters
- DZ-43: Driving Sequences – Character and Plot Intensity
- LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE w: Michael Arndt [@ 5m 15s]
- JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/miss-sunshine
- SHAME w: Steve McQueen and Abi Morgan [@ 25m 10s]
- JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/shame
- MONSTER w&d: Patty Jenkins [@ 53m 53s]
- JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/monster
- WRAP UP [@ 1 hr 20m 10s]
- MINDHUNTER created by Joe Penhall [@ 1hr 33m 40s]
- JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/mindhunter
- STEVE JOBS screenplay: Aaron Sorkin [@ 1hr 42 min 20s]
- JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/steve-jobs
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Read the (hilarious) computer transcript here: http://draft-zero.com/transcripts/dz-50/ — or edit on GitHub: https://github.com/Draft-Zero-Podcast/dz-transcripts/blob/master/DZ-50.vtt