DZ-09: Characterising Introductions

Listen if you want your character introductions to pop!

Stu and Chas argue about different techniques for introducing characters and whether character descriptions are even necessary. This is important for writers, as we only have words to compensate for the whole range of cinematic expression. And so Chas and Stu explore techniques like introducing characters through action, having other people discuss the character first, ensuring the introduction represents the character's goal/flaw/theme, and many more.

The scripts Stu and Chas tackle are... [takes a deep breath]... PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, BLADE, THE DARK KNIGHT, the BREAKING BAD pilot, GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, BLADE RUNNER, CHILDREN OF MEN, THE WRESTLER, THE SIXTH SENSE, MISS CONGENIALITY, LOCK STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS, AMELIE, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, FIGHT CLUB, ROCKY, JAWS, CABIN IN THE WOODS, and (mutters under breath) STAR WARS.

Is that it? Probably missed some. Bugger. Oh well. Have a listen and let us know.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

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LINKS

• YouTube: Captain Jack Sparrow's intro
• YouTube: Blade Opening Scene
• YouTube: The Dark Knight Bank Robbery Scene
• YouTube: Miss Congeniality Opening
• YouTube: Children of Men Opening
• YouTube: The Head, the Tail, the Whole Damn Thing
• YouTube: Introduction of Amelie's parents (in French, no subtitles)
• Read: Jane Espenson: That's 'jack-assity', not Jack Cassidy

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Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2014/dz-09/