DZ-98: Ensembles 3 - Character Function & Theme

Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

What effect does adding a ton of characters have on your story?

In Part 3 (the final part? Ha!) of our exploration into ensemble stories, Stu, Chas & Mel examine films whose genres do not conventionally require a ton of character or that use those ensembles in unconventional ways - in particular, adding whole storylines that are separate from the main character’s story. To that end, we dive into three films that were horrifically snubbed by the Oscars: THE WOMAN KING, RIDERS OF JUSTICE and NOPE.

We breakdown the effects of choosing to use an ensemble on the narrative function of characters, their skills, the webs they exist within, and, ultimately, the story’s theme. Plus we re-apply and re-contextualise the tools uncovered in previous episodes in how to service all these characters.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Cold Open
• 00:01:35 - Intro: Character Function
• 00:08:43 - The Woman King
• 00:50:00 - Riders of Justice
• 01:20:36 - Nope
• 01:47:00 - Key Learnings & Wrap Up
• 01:59:06 - Many thanks to our Patreons

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-96: Ensembles 1 – What do we mean by an ensemble?
• DZ-97: Ensembles 2 – Servicing Characters

EPISODE LINKS

• Mel Killingsworth on The Möbius Strip Storytelling of NOPE
• Mel Killingsworth on Riders of Justice: Tidings of Trauma and Joy

This episode brought to you by (drum roll):

• ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and
• ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a pro subscription!

And how can we forget our awesome Patreons, especially Alexandre, Casimir, Eduardo, Thomas, Jennifer, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex, and Khrob. You rule!

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