DZ-94: Talismans (Part 2)

Listen to write objects that accumulate powerful meanings across your story and create unspoken emotional payoffs.

In part two of our two-part series on TALISMANS, we break down the beats used to turn objects (in a broad sense) into talismans; how talismans can track character journeys and transitions; and how they can be used to create powerful moments without words.

While Part 1 looked a range of talismans in a bunch of different movies, in this episode we deep dive into just three examples. We look at how Thor’s crisis of masculinity is articulated through his relationship with Mjolnir and Stormbreaker in THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER; how the yearning love in PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE is communicated through paintings and music; and how the impact of an emotional affair is charted through key locations in INTHE THE MOOD FOR LOVE.

Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.

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

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CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 – Intro
• 00:01:15 – Talismans (Part 1) Followup
• 00:08:37 – Forging a Talisman (The Beats)
• 00:23:22 – Thor: Love and Thunder
• 00:59:52 – Portrait of a Lady on Fire
• 01:32:39 – In the Mood for Love
• 01:59:39 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up
• 02:06:10 – Thanks to our Patreons

FILMS

• THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER (2022) — (w) Taika Waititi, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (d) Taika Waititi
• PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (2019) — (w) Celine Sciamma
• IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (2000) — (w) Wong Kar Wai, Liu Yichang (d) Wong Kar Wai

SHOT ZERO DEEP DIVES

• PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE is a ghost story
• PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE is a ghost story

LINKS

• Read: Go Into The Story - Talismans
• Read: Go Into The Story - Story Talismans

EPISODES IN THE TALISMANS SERIES

• DZ-93: Talismans (Part 1)
• DZ-94: Talismans (Part 2)

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-92: Insightful Recognition in Powerful Endings
• DZ-93: Talismans (Part 1)

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Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2022/dz-94/