DZ-93: Talismans (Part 1)

Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast

How can you use physical objects to reveal inner character?

In this series, Chas and Stu discuss TALISMANS. Physical objects that are imbued with meaning by a character or characters. They’re a powerful tool to access inner character.

In this first part, we lay the groundwork to discuss talismans and present something of a taxonomy. What makes talismans powerful? What makes them different from MacGuffins or characters? What types of Talismans are there? In the second part, we will breakdown THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, and another film.

Examples we cover here include: TOP GUN, SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER, BETTER CALL SAUL, LORD OF THE RINGS, CASTAWAY, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THE DARK KNIGHT, THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, RONIN, PULP FICTION, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, BREAKING BAD, BACK TO THE FUTURE, THE TERMINATOR, TITANIC, INCEPTION, STAR WARS (of course), THE MATRIX, ANDOR (spoilers!), LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, and PULP FICTION.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3.

Thanks to Chas Fisher & Chris Walker for editing this episode.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00:00 - Intro
• 00:03:15 - Talismans in our own lives
• 00:08:41 - Scott Myer's definition of Talismans
• 00:18:58 - What are not Talismans?
• 00:21:48 - Wardrobe
• 00:28:26 - Talismans vs Characters
• 00:43:18 - Talismans vs MacGuffins
• 00:49:33 - Photos
• 00:53:53 - Jewellery
• 01:02:22 - Weapons & Tools
• 01:10:02 - Vehicles
• 01:12:03 - Letters & Journals
• 01:14:19 - Andor (Spoilers)
• 01:16:20 - Talismans and Rituals
• 01:24:14 - Wrap Up & Key Learnings

LINKS

• Scott Myers / Go Into The Story: Talismans - https://medium.com/go-into-the-story/talismans-bcbf0a04d45d
• Scott Myers / Go Into The Story: Story Talismans - https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/story-talismans-89b91523e71d

RELATED EPISODES

• DZ-11: Adventure for the MacGuffin! - http://draft-zero.com/2014/dz-11/
• DZ-87: Keeping Genre fresh - http://draft-zero.com/2022/dz-87/

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