DZ-98: Ensembles 3 - Character Function & Theme

Listen if you're writing an ensemble storiy and want to understand how different characters serve different narrative and thematic functions! In Part 3 (the final part? Ha!) of our exploration into ensemble stories, Stu, Chas & Mel examine films whose genres do not conventionally require a ton of characters or that use those ensembles in unconventional ways. In particular, adding whole storylines that are separate from the main character’s story. To that end, we dive into three films that were horrifically snubbed by the Oscars: THE WOMAN KING, RIDERS OF JUSTICE and NOPE. We breakdown the effects of choosing to use an ensemble on the narrative function of characters, their skills, the webs they exist within, and, ultimately, the story’s theme. Plus we re-apply and re-contextualise the tools uncovered in previous episodes in how to service all these characters. Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode. 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 Alexandre, Casimir, Eduardo, Thomas, Jennifer, Garrett, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex, Khrob, Thomas and Alexandre. ——— CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Cold Open 00:01:35 – Intro: Character Function 00:08:43 – The Woman King 00:50:00 – Riders of Justice 01:20:36 – Nope 01:47:00 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up 01:59:06 – Many thanks to our Patreons FILMS THE WOMAN KING (2022) — (w) Maria Bello, Dana Stevens, Dana Stevens (d) Gina Prince Bythewood RIDERS OF JUSTICE (2020) — (w) Anders Thomas Jensen NOPE (2022) — (w) Jordan Peele SCRIPTS Study the script: THE WOMAN KING (2022) — Maria Bello, Dana Stevens, Dana Stevens Study the script: NOPE (2022) — Jordan Peele LINKS Read: Mel on The Möbius Strip Storytelling of NOPE Read: Mel on Riders of Justice: Tidings of Trauma and Joy EPISODES IN THE ENSEMBLES SERIES DZ-96: Ensembles 1 - What do we mean by an ensemble? DZ-97: Ensembles 2 - Servicing Characters DZ-98: Ensembles 3 - Character Function & Theme RELATED EPISODES DZ-96: Ensembles 1 - What do we mean by an ensemble? DZ-97: Ensembles 2 - Servicing Characters ——— 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/2023/dz-98/