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.

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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-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

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Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2018/dz-54/