DZ-50: Antagonists! 2 - vs Self

Listen if you want to understand how protagonists can serve as their own antagonist and how antagonistic forces shape a character's journey

In Part Two of our Five Part Epic Exploration™ into antagonists, Chas & Stu take a look at "vs self" stories. Stories where the protagonist (or main character) serves as their own antagonist as well as the antagonist for those around them.

It took us a long time to settle on our homework, but we ended up exploring LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, SHAME, and MONSTER. Our discussion continues in backmatter with MINDHUNTER and STEVE JOBS.

As a result of our exploration, we manage to get a better understanding of our 'thesu' on: internal vs external change; obstacles and pressure; stories without singular antagonists; and how it really is the antagonistic forces that carve out the protagonist’s journey.

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

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CHAPTERS

• 00:05:15 – Little Miss Sunshine
• 00:25:10 – Shame
• 00:53:53 – Monster
• 01:20:10 – Wrap Up
• 01:33:40 – Mindhunter

FILMS

• LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006) — (w) Michael Arndt (d) Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
• SHAME (2011) — (w) Abi Morgan, Steve Mcqueen (d) Steve Mcqueen
• MONSTER (2003) — (w) Patty Jenkins

SCRIPTS

• Study the script: LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006) — Michael Arndt
• Study the script: SHAME (2011) — Abi Morgan, Steve Mcqueen
• Study the script: MONSTER (2003) — Patty Jenkins

EPISODES IN THE ANTAGONISTS! SERIES

• DZ-50: Antagonists! 2 - vs Self
• DZ-51: Antagonists! 3 - vs Nature
• DZ-52: Antagonists! 4 - vs Systems
• DZ-53: Antagonists! 5 - vs Audience
• DZ-49: Antagonists! 1 - vs Humans

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-43: Driving Sequences - Character and Plot Intensity
• DZ-44: Marvel - First Acts and Establishing Characters

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Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2018/dz-50/