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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DZ-97: Ensembles 2 - Servicing Characters

Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast