DZ-54: Thematic Sequences

Listen if you want to make theme your primary driver (for a sequence) Chas and Stu are joined, once again, by the inestimable Stephen Cleary. This episode is a spiritual sequel to our last episode with Stephen, the one on sequence structure. That episode explored how sequences could be broken into plot, character, and plot/character sequences. Well, Stephen’s back to talk about a different type of sequence: the thematic sequence. By limiting (or removing all together) questions related to character or plot, filmmakers can force their audience to engage with the deeper, underlying meaning of the story. Our deep dive onto this topic focuses on LOVE ACTUALLY, THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL, APOCALYPSE NOW, and IN THE BEDROOM. But it wouldn’t be a Draft Zero without numerous digressions including into HUNGER, GET OUT, INFINITY WAR, and THE THIN RED LINE. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. 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. ——— CHAPTERS 00:01:51 – Introduction: Thematic Sequences 00:10:21 – What Is A Thematic Sequence? 00:13:33 – Love Actually 00:42:29 – The Exterminating Angel 02:42:41 – Wrap Up And Key Learnings FILMS LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) — (w) Richard Curtis THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL (1962) — (w) Luis Bunuel, Luis Alcoriza (d) Luis Bunuel APOCALYPSE NOW (1979) — (w) John Milius, Francis Ford Coppola (d) Francis Ford Coppola IN THE BEDROOM (2001) — (w) Todd Field, Robert Festinger (d) Todd Field SCRIPTS Study the script: LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) — Richard Curtis Study the script: APOCALYPSE NOW (1979) — John Milius, Francis Ford Coppola SHOT ZERO DEEP DIVES Five Shots: DEAD PRESIDENTS LINKS YouTube: GET OUT - Dinner Party Scene YouTube: APOCALYPSE NOW - Because its judgement that defeats us EPISODES IN THE SEQUENCES SERIES DZ-43: Driving Sequences - Character and Plot Intensity DZ-54: Thematic Sequences DZ-89: Opening Sequences RELATED EPISODES DZ-41: Theme and Worldview DZ-43: Driving Sequences - Character and Plot Intensity DZ-45: Arguments of the Scene ——— 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/2018/dz-54/