What can fight scenes - whether physical or verbal - teach us about structuring any scene?

In exploring how to write good fight scenes, Stu and Chas compare how writers structure memorable showdowns - both verbal and physical. Fights vs arguments. Swords vs insults. Lightsabres vs passive aggressive subtext. To do this, they analyse the showdowns in EASTERN PROMISES, ROB ROY, THE FORCE AWAKENS (yes, yes, we finally let Stu officially discuss Star Wars), A FEW GOOD MEN, BREAKING BAD and BEFORE SUNSET.

As a result, they discover how larger structural elements like mid-points, reversals and act breaks can play out in making individual scenes compelling and dynamic. Also, they learn that great screenwriters don't just write "They fight" when writing fight scenes.

In Backmatter, we learn that Quentin Tarantino is a listener!

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EPISODE LINKS

EASTERN PROMISES by Steven Knight
- Vimeo: Eastern Promises fight in the bath house
- The Nerd Writer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgLoIasrz9Q (YouTube)
Youtube: ROB ROY sword fight
Reddit: [RESOURCE] Star Wars: THE FORCE AWAKENS by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt
A FEW GOOD MEN by Aaron Sorkin
- Youtube: A FEW GOOD MEN courtroom scene
Dailymotion.com: Saul Goodman kidnapped by the meth cooking duo
BEFORE SUNSET by Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy
No Film School: Simplest Way to Make Your Films More Interesting: Use 'Therefore' & 'But' Instead of 'And Then'
The Movie Crypt Podcast: Episode 131 - Gareth Evans
Draft Zero: DZ-08: Status Transactions and the Power of Washing Machines
Draft Zero: DZ-10: Midpoint Reversals and the Ride

BACKMATTER

Please send feedback to ask at draft-zero.com, via our web form or twitter @draft_zero We are @chasffisher and @stuwillis on twitter.

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DZ-29: Showdowns & Scene Structure

Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast