Deus Ex Machina - Examples from Cinema and ways to do it right

Episode 1 of the How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM podcast, hosted by Justin Lewis, titled "Deus Ex Machina - Examples from Cinema and ways to do it right " was published on January 19, 2026 and runs 25 minutes.

January 19, 2026 ·25m · How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

Summary

In the first episode of Creative Contraband, we meet host Danny Barrett to tackle a problem every long-form storyteller faces: How do you keep a story coherent over months or years without resorting to convenient miracles or last-minute fixes?Today we explore the quiet mechanics behind great storytelling: Chekhov’s gun, Foreshadowing and the fine line between setup and Deus Ex Machina.You’ll learn how to plant narrative seeds early and make your players think you are a DnD mastermind.Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff:Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmithRoll and Play Press:http://session0studios.com/rollandplayPhantasm Studios: https://session0studios.com/fantasmsMonument Studios: session0studios.com/monumentstudiosDiscord: http://session0studios.com/discordPatreon:https://session0studios.com/patreonDungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Episode Description