Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

Chas Fisher and Stuart Willis
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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.

  1. DZ-126: Secrets and Clues

    ٥ مايو

    DZ-126: Secrets and Clues

    Listen if you want to understand how hidden information drives character motivation and plot structure! “Getting information puts your character in danger. And danger rewards your character with information." — One of three ideas we steal from game design in this episode. In this two part series, we talk about how secrets, clues and hidden information motivate characters and may (or may not) help you plot from a character perspective. Part One (this episode) looks at WAKE UP DEAD MAN; while Part Two looks at SIDE EFFECTS, and the pilot episode of SHRINKING. The other two (related) ideas are: Landmark information (characters just have it), Secret (they know it's there, need to unlock it), and Hidden (invisible until they pay the cost)Narrative velocity — are characters pushed forward or are they pulled forward?To that end, in this episode Stu, Chas and Mel start with the murder mystery (ostensibly the easier deep-dive): Rian Johnson’s WAKE UP DEAD MAN. But this is a complex film made even more complex by being a dual-protagonist film. Uhuh. Benoit Blanc is pulled through the story by his need to solve the case; Father Judd pushed through, against his will, to prove his innocence. Breaking down how that plays out — and why it matters for the kind of escalation each character can sustain — is the heart of the episode. And inevitably we go on some tangents: pointers, plants, and underpinnings (from our Everything Everywhere All At Once episode) fair play in locked-room mysteries, Narrative POV (as always) and node-based plotting and what dungeon-crawl game design has to do with writing a web of clues. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. "Information puts players in danger and danger rewards characters with information, right? That's kind of the loop with like thriller game design." — Stu Willis @ 00:05:40LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon.Join the discussion on Reddit.Watch and comment on YouTube.Send us feedback.Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre and Lily. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open00:00:18 – What do we mean by Secrets and Clues?00:13:22 – Wake Up Dead Man01:22:50 – Key Learnings & Wrap UpFILMS WAKE UP DEAD MAN (2025) — (w) Rian JohnsonSCRIPTS Study the script: WAKE UP DEAD MAN (2025) — Rian JohnsonLINKS Read: DIY & dragons: Landmark, Hidden, SecretRead: The Alexandrian » Advanced Node-Based DesignRead: Ascii Dreams: The Quest for Quests (Part 1)Read: Ascii Dreams: The Quest for Quests (Part 2)Read: Mel's KNIVES OUT: A Rose by Any Other Name Would Not Clue Us InEPISODES IN THE SECRETS AND CLUES SERIES DZ-126: Secrets and CluesRELATED EPISODES DZ-90: Setups & Payoffs in Everything Everywhere All At Once——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2026/dz-126/Changeover: 20260523-1413

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  2. DZ-125: Oscars One-shot - BLUE MOON

    ٢٦ فبراير

    DZ-125: Oscars One-shot - BLUE MOON

    Listen if you want to understand how narrative POV, screenplay format, and dialogue craft can elevate a contained biopic into an Oscar-nominated film BLUE MOON is a talky, period-drama that film about an obscure songer-writer in the 1940s. Yet, it attracted world-class talent AND Academy Award nominations, including for it's script. Join Chas & Mel as they explore how narrative POV, interweaving relationships, hooky dialogue, and even the screenplay format itself make the script for BLUE MOON so great. While Stu is still on show and we are between the 2026 Oscar nominations and the actual ceremony, our patreons selected BLUE MOON for this one-shot and boy are Mel and Chas glad they did. They dive into many lessons learned in previous episodes, like our character-driven episode… or analysis of French scenes in Adolescence… or the story-telling power that comes from the audience knowing the ending from biopics. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. When I say rules, I mean the prescriptive rules of when someone posts something on screenwriting and everyone goes *Oh, you broke all the rules*. I'm saying this is good. I'm saying most of those rules are suggestions or most of those rules are given to you when you are learning how to write for a reason. — mel LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon. Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre and Lily. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – BLUE MOON 00:02:19 – Summary of Key Learnings 00:13:34 – Controlling narrative POV 00:27:49 – Using screenplay FORMAT to reflect the emotional story 00:39:27 – Interweaving relationships 00:56:46 – Repetition and pop culture references in dialogue 01:07:54 – Key learnings 01:16:02 – Thanks patreons and Oscar-nominated listener! FILMS BLUE MOON (2026) — (w) Robert Kaplow (d) Richard Linklater LINKS Read: BLUE MOON - Scene Headings Breakdown RELATED EPISODES DZ-01: Do Screenplay Gurus win you Oscars? DZ-68: Using POV to structure KNIVES OUT DZ-118: ADOLESCENCE and Tension Through Questions DZ-90: Setups & Payoffs in Everything Everywhere All At Once DZ-35: Driving Characters or Character Driven? DZ-63: Tools for Better Dialogue 2 - Hook and Eye ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2026/dz-125/

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  3. DZ-124: Making the Despicable Compelling

    ٣٠ يناير

    DZ-124: Making the Despicable Compelling

    Listen if you need audiences to root for characters who do terrible things Mel and Chas continue to explore what Noir (the genre) can teach writers of all other genres. In particular: How to keep the audience on side of characters doing reprehensible things; How to control your audience understanding of those reprehensible actions; and Distinguishing between characters undergoing transformative arcs against discovering their true natures In finding the common craft tools of Noir over 100 years, this Part 2 looks at two modern noirs – DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS (1995) and WOMAN OF THE HOUR (2024) – after Part 1 looked at the classic DOUBLE INDEMNITY and THE LONG GOODBYE. Despite Chas claiming to have edited this episode it was, in fact, Chris Walker who saved the day and got this done. Thanks Chris. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. I think these films have got really strong control over the questions and that's how they get us to follow, compelling us to follow characters who are doing terrible things. — chas LIKE THIS EPISODE? Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre and Lily. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Using noir as a lens 00:01:56 – DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS 00:31:33 – WOMAN OF THE HOUR 01:04:30 – Key Learnings 01:08:50 – Thank you Patreons! FILMS DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS (1995) — (w) Carl Franklin, Walter Mosley (d) Carl Franklin WOMAN OF THE HOUR (2024) — (w) Ian Mcdonald (d) Anna Kendrick DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) — (w) Raymond Chandler, James M Cain, Billy Wilder (d) Billy Wilder THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) — (w) Leigh Brackett, Raymond Chandler (d) Robert Altman SHOT ZERO DEEP DIVES Blocking a Sneak: DOUBLE INDEMNITY LINKS Shot Zero: Noir shots in WOMAN OF THE HOUR EPISODES IN THE NOIR SERIES DZ-123: Flawed Characters in Noir DZ-124: Making the Despicable Compelling RELATED EPISODES DZ-123: Flawed Characters in Noir DZ-03: Making Unlikeable Protagonists Compelling DZ-110: Voiceover ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2026/dz-124/ Download episode: DZ-124.mp3

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  4. DZ-123: Flawed Characters in Noir

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    DZ-123: Flawed Characters in Noir

    Listen if you want to write morally compromised characters without endorsing their choices. In this two part series, Mel and Chas use Noir (the genre) as a lens to interrogate flawed characters. How can characters doing reprehensible things still engage audiences? How can you ensure representation isn’t endorsement? And whether these characters undergo transformative arcs, or simply reveal their true natures? Part 1 (DZ-123) focuses on two (now classic) noirs: DOUBLE INDEMNITY and THE LONG GOODBYE. While Part 2 (DZ-124) looks at two more contemporary examples DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS and WOMAN OF THE HOUR. Despite Chas claiming to have edited this episode it was, in fact, Chris Walker who saved the done and got this done by the end of 2025. Thanks Chris. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. This is the philosophical question, right? When you get drunk, do you change what you do or do you simply allow your inhibitions to fall and do what you would normally want to do? — mel LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon. Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Lily, Paulo, Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis and Khrob. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open 00:00:17 – Flawed Characters and Noir 00:16:40 – Double Indemnity 00:53:38 – The Long Goodbye 01:21:15 – Wrap Up and Key Learnings FILMS DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) — (w) Raymond Chandler, James M Cain, Billy Wilder (d) Billy Wilder THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) — (w) Leigh Brackett, Raymond Chandler (d) Robert Altman SHOT ZERO DEEP DIVES Blocking a Sneak: DOUBLE INDEMNITY LINKS Read: Mel's A Brief History of Queer Coding in Film Part 1 EPISODES IN THE NOIR SERIES DZ-123: Flawed Characters in Noir DZ-124: Making the Despicable Compelling ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2025/dz-123/

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  5. 1dZ-01: Arkyvrs - A Mansion Most Vile - Ep1

    ٢٦‏/١٠‏/٢٠٢٥ ·  إضافة

    1dZ-01: Arkyvrs - A Mansion Most Vile - Ep1

    What happens when a group of filmmakers play a ragtag group of filmmakers in a gritty sci-fi horror? "Ignite the fire within and explore unknown territory" - Werner Herzog. This episode is unusual, even by Draft Zero standards. It's an "Actual Play Podcast" where Chas, Stu, & Mel are joined by Kim Ho and Luke Clark to play MOTHERSHIP, the sci-fi horror game we talked about in episodes DZ-121 and DZ-122. Stu is the GM while everyone else is a ragtag crew of freelance filmmakers. We debrief the experience (so far) at the end of the episode) Mel plays Zara, the glamorous face of the operation. Chas plays Winston, the cynical and egoistical "photojournalist". Kim is Cal, the scrappy scrounger and sound recordists, while Luke is Tarsos the steadfast producer of the group. The crew are enlisted to record a sensationalist report on a missing corporate president before the mercenary retrieval team arrives. And yeah, this means we're soft-launching yet another project that's called 1dZ, which looks at how we can use tools from ttrpgs in screenwriting… and vice versa. To get future episodes go to: http://www.1d-zero.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00:11 - Intro for DZ Listeners00:01:51 - Meet the Snortin' Betsy00:06:22 - A Mansion Most Vile (Ep 1)01:52:32 - Debrief through TOMBSRELATED EPISODES DZ-121: Escalating Antagonism 1: SinnersDZ-122: Escalating Antagonism 2: Rebel Ridge + Meet the ParentsLINKS Tuesday Knight GamesJoshua Kramer: A Mansion Most VileAlewood Games: ArkyvrNobody Wake the BugbearCampaign SuppliesMore Draft Zero is brought to you more often by our awesome Patreons. Especially Lily, Paulo, Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob. Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via Substack SUBSCRIBE TO 1DZERO via Substack ACKNOWLEDGES via our website: https://draft-zero.com/2025/1dz-01/

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  6. DZ-122: Escalating Antagonism Across Genres

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    DZ-122: Escalating Antagonism Across Genres

    Listen to learn how thinking of your hero as the horror (for your villains) makes your script dynamic. In this episode Chas, Stu and guest Kim Ho continue their exploration into the power(s) of antagonism and how focusing on them can develop story. While Part 1 looked at the horror film SINNERS, in Part 2 we venture into genres beyond horror with the action-thriller REBEL RIDGE, and the comedy classic MEET THE PARENTS. To both these films we apply the generative story framework TOMBS (Transgression – Omens – Manifestation – Banishment – Slumber) and are surprised at just how well it maps. TOMBS comes from the MOTHERSHIP sci-fi horror table-top role-playing game. Which we love. We explore how TOMBS, and thinking about antagonism in general, allows writers to deepen their understanding of their characters, their relationship of the heroes with the antagonists, and generate story fuel in a way that escalates the story. We discuss how thinking of your hero as the horror for your villains helps everything become more dynamic. Oh, and we talk about launching an actual play podcast. Which is happening. Stay tuned! As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. There's a great line from Don Johnson later where he says, the deal was fair. The issue is that you felt that you were allowed to offer it. He tells him that he has transgressed against the rules of the laws or the rules of this system of this world. — chas LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon. Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Lily, Paulo, Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis and Khrob. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open 00:00:12 – Escalating Antagonism Part 2 00:03:29 – Rebel Ridge 00:45:30 – Meet the Parents 01:30:29 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up 01:41:38 – Thanks to our Patreons FILMS REBEL RIDGE (2024) — (w) Jeremy Saulnier MEET THE PARENTS (2000) — (w) Jim Herzfeld, John Hamburg (d) Jay Roach LINKS IMDB: Kim Ho Explore: Mothership YouTube: The Philosophy of Final Destination Read: The Philosophy of Horror or Paradoxes of the Heart by Noël Carroll YouTube: GinnyDI - "This Game used 5 steps to scare the crap out of me" Listen: 1dZ-01: Arkyvrs - A Mansion Most Vile - Ep1 EPISODES IN THE ESCALATING ANTAGONISM SERIES DZ-121: Escalating Antagonism in SINNERS DZ-122: Escalating Antagonism Across Genres RELATED EPISODES DZ-49: Antagonists! 1 - vs Humans ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2025/dz-122/

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  7. DZ-121: Escalating Antagonism in SINNERS

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    DZ-121: Escalating Antagonism in SINNERS

    Listen to strengthen your story by focusing on the antagonistic forces in your script. We often struggle to develop the middle stages of a story. Could this be because we focus on our protagonists’ journeys and plot structure more than on how the antagonistic powers are awakened, wronged, discovered, gathering strength and revealing themselves? In this episode, Chas and Stu are joined by professional screenwriter and playwright Kim Ho to explore how a generative story cycle (from tabletop role-playing game MOTHERSHIP) can be used to develop stories, not just write them better. This cycle is TOMBS: Transgression – Omens – Manifestation – Banishment – Slumber. Kim also contrasts this cycle with the Onset, Discovery, Confirmation, Confrontation cycle identified by horror philosopher Noel Carroll, as well as the philosophy of the FINAL DESTINATION franchise as analysed by The Morbid Zoo. By applying the TOMBS cycle to Ryan Coogler’s amazing 2025 original feature SINNERS, we discover how focusing on the rising power of the various sources of antagonism can generate narrative fuel (and make your second Act sing); force your protagonists to Survive, Solve or Save (pick one); and how this escalation in antagonism can be mapped quite separately from your protagonists’ character arcs. To prove that TOMBS does not just work for horror stories, we polled our patreons for which other genres to explore. Stay turned for the next episode (DZ-122) where we apply the TOMBS cycle to thriller REBEL RIDGE and comedy classic MEET THE PARENTS. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. when you use those structures that are out there, they tend to be around plot and they tend to think primarily from the protagonist's point of view. And using this system, we can actually look at the forces of antagonism in a story. — chas LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon. Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Lily, Paulo, Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis and Khrob. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold open 00:00:18 – What is T.O.M.B.S? 00:31:04 – SINNERS 01:17:51 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up 01:23:51 – Thank you patreons! FILMS SINNERS (2025) — (w) Ryan Coogler LINKS IMDB: Kim Ho Explore: Mothership YouTube: The Philosophy of Final Destination by the Morbid Zoo Read: The Philosophy of Horror by Noel Carroll EPISODES IN THE ESCALATING ANTAGONISM SERIES DZ-121: Escalating Antagonism in SINNERS DZ-122: Escalating Antagonism Across Genres RELATED EPISODES DZ-49: Antagonists! 1 - vs Humans ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2025/dz-121/

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  8. DZ-120: Subtext is Overrated!

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    DZ-120: Subtext is Overrated!

    Listen if you're struggling to write subtext without it feeling forced! Or, how focusing on good drama will result in good subtext. We often hear how subtext is important for good screenwriting. We're here to tell you it isn't. Good subtext is a result of good drama, and your focus should be on creating that good drama. But how? In this episode, Chas Fisher and Stu Willis are joined by screenwriter and teacher Tom Vaughn (Winchester) to delve into the world of subtext. We kick off the discussion by talking through Tom's article "Why Subtext is Overrated" and break down his core idea that subtext is a byproduct of character goals, tactics and fears. We explore this further through close examination of "the other way" scene from MICHAEL CLAYTON, "the strudel" scene from INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (both known for their subtext) and the "new years" sequence from THE SUBSTANCE. Inevitably discussion also turns to the relationship of subtext to emotional truth, theme, symbolism, dramatic irony and filmmaker's subtext. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. You can't market subtext, man. — tom LIKE THIS EPISODE? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon. Watch and comment on YouTube. Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Lily, Paulo, Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis and Khrob. → Read the transcript for this episode. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:20 – Intro: What is Subtext? 00:00:21 – Cold Open 00:18:59 – Michael Clayton 00:42:59 – Inglorious Basterds 01:13:48 – The Substance 01:46:13 – Wrap up & Key Learnings FILMS MICHAEL CLAYTON (2007) — (w) Tony Gilroy INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009) — (w) Quentin Tarantino THE SUBSTANCE (2024) — (w) Coralie Fargeat SCRIPTS Study the script: MICHAEL CLAYTON (2007) — Tony Gilroy Study the script: INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009) — Quentin Tarantino LINKS Read: The New Literalism Plaguing Today's Biggest Movies Read: Emotional Truth Over Subtext: Unlocking Compelling Scenes in Your Screenwriting Website: Story and Plot YouTube: Raising the Stakes - What is Subtext? RELATED EPISODES DZ-40: Tactics and Scenes DZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith Weston DZ-119: Final Character Choices & Great Endings ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2025/dz-120/

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مشاهدة الكل (١٣٠)

حول

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.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Chas Fisher and Stuart Willis
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠١٤ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ١٣٠
  • التقييم
    فاضح
  • حقوق النشر
    © Presented by Chas Fisher & Stuart Willis. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

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