Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
Chas Fisher and Stuart Willis
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DZ-91: Raising (different kinds of) Stakes
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
08/31/22 • 139 min
5.0
How can you keep your audience hooked when they know the end of the story?
Chas, Stu and Mel take a deep dive into stakes, using then lens of biopics to help us think about them. If an audience already knows the “plot” outcome of a story, then how do you create stakes to make a story tense for the audience?
To explore this, we deep dive into HIDDEN FIGURES (about the NASA Friendship 7 mission), DOWNFALL (the final days of Berlin in WW2), and BRIGHT STAR (the life and death of romantic poet John Keats). We unpack the ideas around internal, external and philosophical /moral stakes and propose some new terminology that may help us write stakes more effectively.
As always: SPOILERS ABOUND.
Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.
Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.
This episode brought to you by (drum roll):
ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and
ArcStudio: https://www.arcstudiopro.com - go to www.draft-zero.com/arcstudio for $30 off a subscription!
And how can we forget our awesome Patreons?, Especially Malay, Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Leigh, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!
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 and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.
BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic
CHAPTERS - 00:00:00 - Intro - 00:04:41 - What even are stakes? - 00:24:26 - Hidden Figures - 01:00:46 - Downfall - 01:33:38 - Bright Star - 02:10:33 - Key Learnings - 02:18:57 - Thanks Patreons!
08/31/22 • 139 min

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DZ-92: Insightful recognition in powerful endings
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
09/29/22 • 86 min
5.0
How can endings prompt an audience to reflect on your story?
Stu & Chas set out to explore what makes certain endings powerful, in particular those of LA LA LAND, INCEPTION, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and TURNING RED. The lens they bring to those endings is Aristotle’s moment of “anagnorisis” (don’t worry - we can’t pronounce it either), traditionally when a character moves from ignorance to knowledge (particularly of self).
But in analysing these films, Chas and Stu discover that endings can be particularly powerful when the characters experience insightful recognition in others, or in the world, or - perhaps most powerfully - when the anagnorisis is aimed at the audience. In other words, are there craft tools for your ending to prompt an audience to ask itself the question “What was that all about?”? Turns out, we think there are.
As always: SPOILERS ABOUND
Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.
Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.
CHAPTERS
- 00:00:00 - Intro
- 00:00:48 - Insightful recognition in endings
- 00:03:39 - What the hell is “anagnorisis”?
- 00:12:04 - LA LA LAND
- 00:30:45 - INCEPTION
- 00:35:14 - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
- 01:00:04 - TURNING RED
- 01:18:18 - Wrap up & Key Learnings
- 01:24:26 - Thanks patreons!
LINKS
RELATED EPISODES
This episode brought to you by (drum roll):
ScriptUp: https://www.scriptupstudio.com – use promo code DZ10 to get 10% off; and
ArcStudio: go to https://www.arcstudiopro.com/draftzero for $30 off a subscription!
And how can we forget our awesome Patreons?, Especially Malay, Casimir, Eduardo, Jennifer, Garrett, Bjorn, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, Alex and Khrob. You rule!
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 and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.
BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic
09/29/22 • 86 min

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1 Comment
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DZ-69: Parasite & Audience Questions
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
06/10/20 • 82 min
How can you use audience questions to heighten emotional investment?
Draft Zero return with their next YouTube livestream! Stu and Chas take a deep dive into PARASITE and how its mastery of audience questions elevates the film. They then answer listeners questions on PARASITE and much more.
If you want to listen in on the next live recording, find details here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dz-livesolation-35770237 and/or subscribe to us on YouTube via http://www.draft-zero.com/YouTube
If you want to watch along instead of listen, you can watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RWlYaityMfs
Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.
RUNNING ORDER:
- 00:00:00 - Frontmatter
- 00:01:22 - Intro: Parasite
- 00:10:43 - Cast of Characters
- 00:12:43 - The Establishing Sequence
- 00:23:23 - The Kim's Infiltrate
- 00:42:50 - The Kim's Stay at the Park House
- 00:47:02 - The Midpoint
- 00:53:19 - The Flood
- 00:56:20 - The Party
- 01:05:29 - What is the Parasite?
- 01:10:30 - Backmatter & Listener Questioners
EPISODE LINKS:
- Read: Parasite by Joon-ho Bong & Jin Won Han
- Watch: Parasite (2019)
DZ RELATED EPISODES:
- Listen: DZ-46: Structure & Point of View
- Listen: DZ-54: Thematic Sequences
Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jesse, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, Nick, and Matteo. They’re good humans.
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 and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.
LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero
BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic
06/10/20 • 82 min
DZ-67: Writing “Passive” Protagonists & Melodrama
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
04/30/20 • 178 min
How do I tell a powerful story where the protagonist cannot drive the plot?
Stu and Chas are joined by Stephen Cleary following his exploration into Melodrama, and together they try to reclaim the word from its pejorative meaning.
By examining powerful Melodramas - like THE HANDMAID’S TALE, LADIES IN BLACK and STRANGER THINGS... with many a tangent on MARRIAGE STORY, PETE’S DRAGON, MILDRED PIERCE, GAME OF THRONES, LOST, THE JOKER, THE KILLING, THE WITCHER, war movies and survival films - the three hosts try to unpick what makes Melodrama an alternate story paradigm to the Hero’s Journey.
They delve into how Melodramas centre on characters that don’t have agency; where the plot happens to characters (as opposed to being driven by them); how Melodramas don’t end so much as close; and how all of the above delves into character questions more deeply than the Hero’s Journey. And to wrap it all up, the kind of techniques you use on the page to write effective melodramas.
CW: There is a lot of discussion in this episode about melodrama being associated with “women’s stories” vs the “hero’s journey” - which is biased towards a ‘masculine’ mode of storytelling - and we fully acknowledge in the show and here that we are three cismen talking about these things.
This episode was edited by Christopher Walker. Audio excerpts used for educational purposes only.
RUNNING ORDER:
00:01:14 - Intro: Melodrama & Passive Protagonists
00:01:31 - What is Melodrama?
00:37:46 - The Handmaid's Tale
Watch: https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/69478-the-handmaid-s-tale
00:56:08 - Horror and Melodrama
01:00:23 - Marriage Story
Watch: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/492188-marriage-story
01:14:58 - The Handmaid's Tale & Narrative Techniques
01:30:06 - Game of Thrones and Endings
Watch: https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/1399-game-of-thrones
01:33:07 - Melodrama & Endings
01:38:37 - Ladies in Black
Watch: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/483411-ladies-in-black
02:13:12 - Stranger Things
Watch: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/182026-stranger-things
02:31:34 - The Killing
Watch: https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/32368-forbrydelsen
02:38:07 - The Witcher
Watch: https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/71912-the-witcher
2:43:53 - Wrap Up: Passive & Still Characters
Read: The Handmaid’s Tale - 101 Offred
DZ RELATED EPISODES
- DZ-52: Antagonists! (Part 4) – vs Systems - http://draft-zero.com/2018/dz-52/
- DZ-63: Tools for Better Dialogue (Part 2) – Hook and Eye - http://draft-zero.com/2019/dz-63/
- DZ-60: Unfilmables and Unscriptables (Part 1) – Engaging imagination: http://draft-zero.com/2019/dz-60/
- DZ-61: Unfilmables and Unscriptables (Part 2) – Moments of Awe: http://draft-zero.com/2019/dz-61/
Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jesse, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, Nick, and Matteo. They’re good humans.
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 and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.
LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero
BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic
04/30/20 • 178 min
DZ LiVEsolation Annoucement
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
04/07/20 • 5 min
How does Draft Zero cope with lockdown?
LINKS
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/draftzeropodcast/
- Patreon: http://patreon.com/draftzero/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIEz5b9FMNa7Tj8DkcJQWRA
Dear DZ Listeners,
We hope you are all staying healthy and safe. Due this difficult time of lockdown, Chas and Stu have decided to “regularly” do special live-streamed episodes (via YouTube Live) of Draft Zero that we are calling LiVEsolation.
They different from (and in addition to) Draft Zero ClassicTM as you’ll be able to interact with us as we record: asking questions, prompting for clarification, and making observations that come part of the discussion. You’ll also be able to see video of our us (👎) while also seeing video of the scripts and scenes we are discussing (👍). After they’re streamed, recordings of the livestreams (including the chat!) will be on our YouTube channel for later viewing.
LiVEsolation episodes that we particularly like will also be cleaned up and put out through the traditional podcast feed... but not always. Because our priority is doing these regularly, they'll be looser - like a great live gig. We are aiming for once-a-week and at the same time... but that won’t always be possible due to... well...life. We are also having special guests and will need to work around their schedules and timezones.
So how do you keep up wth our shifting schedule?
We recommend you like our page on Facebook. Our livestreams will be created as events so you know what streams we will be doing and when... in your timezone!
We are also making PUBLIC posts on our Patreon page (i.e. ones you don’t have to pay for if you don’t have the coin during these trying times), so if you follow us there you’ll get something like an email newsletter with announcements about what’s forthcoming. Oh, and if you are a Patreon you’ll get priority access to the online chat (when appropriate) and also get to vote on forthcoming topics.
Meanwhile, Draft Zero ClassicTM episodes will continue as scheduled. All of the above is in addition to what we already had planned, driven entirely by isolation and a need for community right now.
We hope to see you on the livestream soon!
— Stu and Chas.
04/07/20 • 5 min
DZ-66: The Mandalorian and The Rise of Skywalker - Audience Knowledge vs Character Motivation
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
03/17/20 • 105 min
How does audience knowledge affect your character’s motivations?
Chas and Stu are joined by special guest - filmmaker Mel Killingsworth - to talk all things Star Wars. Well. Focusing on The Mandalorian and The Rise of Skywalker and wherever else our tangents take us.
Our primary lens is look at how both shows handle “fan service” — but really its about how you handle character motivations when your audience has more knowledge than your characters, especially knowledge from outside the show itself. To that end, we discuss the characters of Poe, Rey, Kylo, and Palpatine in depth. We also discuss the Watchmen TV Show, Mind-hunter, Jojo Rabbit, Snowtown and Zodiac.
SPOILERS ABOUND. Excerpts used for educational purposes. Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.
RUNNING ORDER
- Introduction: Fanservice
- Poe's Backstory (@ 4:03)
- The Mandalorian (@ 11:40)
- The Rise of Skywalker (@ 23:01)
- Rey Palpatine (@ 24:24)
- Palpatine's Plan (@ 38:27)
- Rey Skywalker (@ 46:05)
- Ben Solo - Depressive Demon Nightmare Boy (@ 52:12)
- Palpatine's Return & Watchmen (@ 01:07:27)
- Rose Tico (@ 01:15:54)
- Fake-Outs (@ 01:19:15)
- The Mandalorian (Revisited) (@ 1:26:08)
- Wrap Up & Key Learnings (@ 1:30:38)
EPISODE LINKS:
- READ: Wikipedia - Fan Service
- READ: “The Rise of Skywalker: Memorabilia without Memory, a Misunderstanding of Hope” by Jeanette Ng
- READ: “The Force Belongs To Us: THE LAST JEDI’s Beautiful Refocusing of Star Wars” by Film Crit Hulk
- LISTEN: Fatman Beyond http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FatManOnBatman/~3/grl4sApz4cE/271-the-rise-of-skywalker-spoiler-show
- FOLLOW: Mel Killingsworth https://twitter.com/mehlsbells?s=20
- WATCH: https://www.b-windmedia.com/
DZ RELATED EPISODES:
- DZ-29: Showdowns & Scene Structure
- DZ-47: Backmatter – A Lost Jedi
- DZ-55: Character Motivations (Part 1)
- DZ-56: Character Motivations (Part 2)
lease considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts! or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.
Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jesse, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, Nick, and Matteo. They’re good humans.
BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic
03/17/20 • 105 min
DZ-64: Backmatter - Controlling your Work, Treatments, and Writing Styles
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
01/30/20 • 102 min
In our annual Backmatter-only episode, Stu and Chas indulge themselves by offering personal opinions on the life and work of emerging screenwriters based on their own personal experience.
To that end, they discuss: what is and is not in your control in relation to an emerging writing career; choosing what project to develop next; using the Black List site to gain traction; the difference between treatments for pitching as opposed to for development; and the difference in writing style when writing on spec as against work for hire.
We also unexpectedly have a guest: David Wappel kindly joins us to share his thoughts on anchoring nouns.
RUNNING ORDER
- Intro
- What is in your control? (@ 05:27)
- Choosing what to develop (@ 28:58)
- Using the Black List site (@ 33:24)
- Treatments for development vs for pitching (@ 59:47)
- Writing on spec vs work for hire (@ 01:23:23)
- Backmatter on backmatter (@ 01:37:37)
EPISODE LINKS
- Wordplayer.com: WORDPLAY/Columns/55. "Time Risk" by Terry Rossio
- M. Night Shyamalan on His Failures, His Successes, and Glass
- The Black List site: www.blcklst.com
- Julio Olivera’s script reading services: www.wearethecontrarians.com/Julio-reads-your-script
- Stranger Things pitch bible: http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Stranger_Things/Stranger_Things_-_Bible.pdf
- Can’t watch a rough cut lady song: https://youtu.be/4MNg3sSZ9F8
- Write Along Podcast on Planners and Pantsers - www.writealongpodcast.com/2018/11/09/ep-2-planners-and-pantsers/
- David Wappel is @davidwappel on Twitter and his website is www.davidwappel.com
Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts! or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners.
Many thanks to Daniel, Chris, Sandra, Jack, Jessie, Nick, Khrob and Theis for being top-level patrons. They’re good humans.
01/30/20 • 102 min
DZ-65: Collaborating with a Director - The Snip
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
02/14/20 • 63 min
What changes in your writing and development when collaborating with a director?
This episode, Chas steps down as co-host (kinda) and is interviewed by Stu as a guest, alongside director Ben Mizzi, about the short rom-com that Chas wrote and Ben directed & produced. The episode covers taking an idea from pitch to screen, working with a director, directing performance on the page, and marketing and distribution strategies for short films.
If you are thinking of producing your own content, well worth a listen!
And if you want to watch The Snip - a 16 min rom com about a guy who gets a vasectomy without telling his wife - here it is: https://youtu.be/_iBdDFKqqbs
Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.
RUNNING ORDER
- Introduction: The Snip
- Working With a Director (@ 3:44)
- How did you go from pitch to script? (@ 13:16)
- Short films and audience expectations (@ 22:19)
- What expectations can you have of the end product? (@ 26:41)
- How do you "direct" performance on the page? (@ 39:05)
- How do you direct performance from a writer? (@ 46:03)
- What are some marketing strategies for short films? ( @ 52:28)
- What is your online release strategy? (@ 58:22)
EPISODE LINKS
- WATCH: The Snip - https://youtu.be/_iBdDFKqqbs
- LISTEN: Screen Director with Jeremy Saunders on Key Art - http://www.screendirector.org/post/2015/8/14/jeremy-saunders-key-art
Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners.
Many thanks to Chris, Sandra, Jack, Jessie, Nick, Khrob and Theis for being top-level patrons. They’re good humans. Consider joining their ranks and supporting us on Patreon!
02/14/20 • 63 min
DZ-63: Tools for Better Dialogue 2 - Hook and Eye
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
12/31/19 • 118 min
How can you create flow and contrast in your dialogue?
A full three years after the first instalment (and one of our most popular), Stu and Chas have kidnapped Stephen Cleary to once again develop some craft tools around dialogue. It would be fair to say that - in that time - all three have learnt a lot more about dialogue than they knew in 2016. It would be also fair to say that Stephen perhaps learnt a little more through his research into “genderlect”.
In Part II, we analyse key scenes from films and TV shows famous for their dialogue, namely FLEABAG (Season 2, Episode 5), JUNO and DEADWOOD (The Pilot). The biggest tools we explore are: the hook and eye; how dialogue can reveal status and empathy; rhythm; contrast and affinity; and pacing.
And just to help us all out, Stephen rounds out the episode with some quick fire examples - FIVE EASY PIECES, JERRY MAGUIRE, GROSSE POINTE BLANK, and NOTTING HILL (again) - and further dialogue tips.
Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode during the holiday season.
RUNNING ORDER
- Intro/Groundwork
- Status and Gender (@ 05:52)
- FLEABAG (Season 2, Episode 5) by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (@ 15:26)
- WATCH: Hair Is Everything — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q97iIDx-b7U
- JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/fleabag
- JUNO by Diablo Cody (@ 47:41)
- WATCH: Juno Tells Her Parents: — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWC-R-q85JU
- JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/juno
- DEADWOOD (Pilot) (@ 01:20:20)
- WATCH: Seth Bullock Hangs a Man in Montana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtgjwmYgTOg
- JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/deadwood
- More Dialogue Tips and Techniques (@ 01:40:55)
- WATCH: Jerry Maguire “Show me the money” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTFJocQBLyE
- WATCH: Grosse Pointe Blanke “You can never go home again” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgLr6qlpec4
- WATCH: Notting Hill “Kitchen Scene” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtQShHQuPwI&t=93s
- LISTEN: DZ-31: Tools for Better Dialogue (Part 1)
- WATCH: Five Easy Pieces “Side Order of Toast” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38maVb_30ng
- FOLLOW: Stephen Cleary
- JOIN: Stephen Cleary Workshops
- READ: Genderlect / Language and Gender
- READ: The Truth About How Much Women Talk — and Whether Men Listen
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 and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.
Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jesse, Daniel, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, Nick, Matteo, and Carrie. They’re good humans.
BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic
12/31/19 • 118 min
DZ-68: Using POV to structure KNIVES OUT
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast
05/17/20 • 92 min
How can shifting narrative point of view drive your sequences?
Born out of isolation madness, this episode is an edited version of Draft Zero’s first YouTube livestream. Stu and Chas both watched KNIVES OUT and - together with our listeners - broke down each sequence and turning point by reference to what the audience knows in relation to the characters (aka narrative point of view). hey then answer listener questions on KNIVES OUT and much else besides live on air.
If you want to listen in on the next live recording, find details here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dz-livesolation-35770237 and/or subscribe to us on YouTube via http://www.draft-zero.com/YouTube
If you want to watch along instead of listen, the video of the episode can be found here: https://youtu.be/EsqoCVu-oX8?t=188
As always: SPOILERS ABOUND
Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.
RUNNING ORDER:
- 00:05:19:23 - Summary of narrative point of view and audience expectations
- 00:10:12:23 - Exploring some of Rian Johnson’s word craft
- 00:14:15:11 - Micro POV shifts in the interview montage
- 00:21:16:22 - How POV shifts turn the film
- 00:47:22:02 - When to let your foot off the plot gas
- 00:59:46:20 - Backmatter / Listener Questions
EPISODE LINKS
- Read: Knives Out - A Murder Mystery by Rian Johnson
- Watch: Knives Out
DZ RELATED EPISODES:
- Listen: DZ-46: Structure & Point of View
- Listen: DZ-05: Shifting audience point of view and heightened emotions
Many thanks to all our patrons but particularly to Theis, Jesse, Jack, Chris, Khrob, Sandra, Nick, and Matteo. They’re good humans.
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 and @chasffisher on twitter. And you can find @draft_zero on Instagram and Twitter.
LINKS @ http://linktr.ee/draftzero
BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic
05/17/20 • 92 min
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FAQ
How many episodes does Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast have?
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast currently has 107 episodes available.
What topics does Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast cover?
The podcast is about Film, Films, Screenwriting, Discussion, Writing, Podcasts, Movies, Arts, Movie, Tv & Film and Performing Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast?
The episode title 'DZ-91: Raising (different kinds of) Stakes' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast?
The average episode length on Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast is 104 minutes.
How often are episodes of Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast released?
Episodes of Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast are typically released every 30 days, 23 hours.
When was the first episode of Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast?
The first episode of Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast was released on Feb 1, 2014.
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5.0
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