Listen "DZ-122: Escalating Antagonism 2"
Episode Synopsis
How can you apply horror ideas to action and comedy? In this episode Chas, Stu and guest Kim Ho continue their exploration into the power(s) of antagonism and how focusing on them can develop story. While Part 1 looked at the horror film SINNERS, in Part 2 we venture into genres beyond horror with the action-thriller REBEL RIDGE, and the comedy classic MEET THE PARENTS. To both these films we apply the generative story framework TOMBS* (Transgression - Omens - Manifestation - Banishment - Slumber) and are surprised at just how well it maps. *TOMBS comes from the MOTHERSHIP sci-fi horror table-top role-playing game. Which we love. We explore how TOMBS, and thinking about antagonism in general, allows writers to deepen their understanding of their characters, their relationship of the heroes with the antagonists, and generate story fuel in a way that escalates the story. We discuss how thinking of your hero as the horror for your villains helps everything become more dynamic. Oh, and we talk about launching an actual play podcast. Which is happening. Stay tuned! As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. CHAPTERS 00:00:12 - Escalating Antagonism Part 2 00:03:29 - Rebel Ridge 00:45:30 - Meet the Parents 01:30:29 - Key Learnings & Wrap Up 01:41:38 - Thanks to our Patreons RELATED EPISODES DZ-121: Escalating Antagonism DZ-49: Antagonists! (Part 1) - vs Humans LINKS Kim Ho on IMBD Mothership The Philosophy of Final Destination by the Morbid Zoo The Philosophy of Horror by Noel Carroll GinnyDI: "This Game used 5 steps to scare the crap out of me" - https://youtube.com/watch?v=AUXc8hjaBQw 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. SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via Substack
More episodes of the podcast Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
1dZ-01: Arkyvrs - A Mansion Most Vile - Ep1
26/10/2025
DZ-121: Escalating Antagonism 1: SINNERS
29/08/2025
DZ-120: Subtext is overrated
01/08/2025
DZ-117: Tonal shifts
31/03/2025
DZ-116: Writing physical comedy
26/02/2025
DZ-114: Climaxes in Challengers
29/11/2024
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.