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Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastAuthor: Chas Fisher and Stuart Willis
Two emerging screenwriters Chas Fisher and Stuart Willis try to work out what makes great screenplays work. Discovering what it takes by analysing what successful writers put on the page. Language: en Genres: Arts, Performing Arts, TV & Film Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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DZ-123: Flawed Characters and Noir 1 - Classic Noir
Episode 123
Tuesday, 30 December, 2025
What can Film Noir teach us about character arcs and audience engagement? In this two part series, Mel and Chas use Noir (the genre) as a lens to interrogate flawed characters. How can characters doing reprehensible things still engage audiences? How can you ensure representation isn't endorsement? And whether these characters undergo transformative arcs, or simply reveal their true natures? Part 1 focuses on two (now classic) noirs: DOUBLE INDEMNITY and THE LONG GOODBYE. While Part 2 looks at two more contemporary examples DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESs and WOMAN OF THE HOUR. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Cold Open 00:00:17 - Flawed Characters and Noir 00:16:40 - Double Indemnity 00:53:38 - The Long Goodbye 01:21:15 - End of Part 1 LINKS Mel's A Brief History of Queer Coding in Film: Part 1 - https://melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/a-brief-history-of-queer-coding-in-film-part-1 More Draft Zero is brought to you more often by our awesome Patreons. Especially Lily, Paulo, Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob. Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.








