Beyond The Screenplay

The BTS team discusses the design of the central characters, the film's masterful use of setup and payoff, and which elements of the story were not in the script but rather discovered during production.

In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Saving Private Ryan, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://bit.ly/3Cx9rPV Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay Michael Tucker: https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla Tricia Aurand: https://twitter.com/TriciaJeanA Brian Bitner: https://twitter.com/BrianBitner Alex Calleros: https://twitter.com/Alex_Calleros Produced by Vince Major: https://twitter.com/VinceMajor Website: http://lessonsfromthescreenplay.com For Inquiries and Booking: Vince@Plusfortyseven.com

The BTS team discusses 28 Days Later's stylized aesthetic, how the alternate endings help contextualize the theme, and how the film walks the line between a high budget blockbuster and a B horror movie.

The BTS team discusses the enigmatic character design of Andy Dufresne, the film’s vignette story structure, and the devastating one-two punch of Red’s narration and Thomas Newman’s score.

The BTS team discusses Lady Bird's vignette format and pacing, the characters' complicated relationships, and how a 350 page script becomes a 94 minute movie.

The BTS team discusses how Ridley Scott's masterpiece manages to work despite ignoring several common screenwriting rules, the unforgettable tone set by H.R. Giger's amazing designs combined with the production and direction, and Ripley's slow reveal as the film's protagonist.

Part of the BTS team is joined by Tom Van der Linden and Thomas Flight, co-hosts of the podcast Cinema of Meaning, to discuss Gladiator: its many fascinating themes, the construction of Maximus as a protagonist, and what makes all the swordplay meaningful as well as thrilling.

In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Nope, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://bit.ly/3JB2BvK Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay Michael Tucker: https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla Tricia Aurand: https://twitter.com/TriciaJeanA Brian Bitner: https://twitter.com/BrianBitner Alex Calleros: https://twitter.com/Alex_Calleros Produced by Vince Major: https://twitter.com/VinceMajor Website: http://lessonsfromthescreenplay.com For Inquiries and Booking: Vince@Plusfortyseven.com

The BTS team discusses the design of the film's dual protagonists, the escalation of the stakes and pacing, and the story's enduring thematic resonance.

The BTS team discusses Jordan Peele’s use of horror genre expectations, examines the film’s many setups and payoffs, and manages to say “well-observed” a record number of times.

The BTS team discusses Thor: Ragnarok's place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, how its themes explore colonialism and family dynamics, and Taika Waititi's use of comedy and improvisation.

The BTS team discusses the film's frenetic pacing, the use of voiceover narration, the design of the central characters, and Ray Liotta's iconic performance.

In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Top Gun: Maverick, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://bit.ly/39l9Wlp Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay Michael Tucker: https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla Tricia Aurand: https://twitter.com/TriciaJeanA Brian Bitner: https://twitter.com/BrianBitner Alex Calleros: https://twitter.com/Alex_Calleros Produced by Vince Major: https://twitter.com/VinceMajor Website: http://lessonsfromthescreenplay.com For Inquiries and Booking: Vince@Plusfortyseven.com

The BTS team discusses the ambitious premise, filmmaking, and story web, the design of the central characters, and how the triumphant third act brings it all together.

The BTS team discusses Contact’s strong themes, the fairytale-like quality to Robert Zemeckis’ films, Jodie Foster’s amazing performance, and the notorious “mirror shot.”

The BTS team discusses Top Gun’s high-octane story world, the incredible flight sequences, and of course, why we all love Goose.

The BTS team discusses the movie's insane action sequences, the character design of the Parr family, and how The Incredibles helped usher in a new age for Pixar.

The BTS team discusses the film's episodic nature and what makes it still feel cohesive, the simple yet complex themes, and how the Coen Brothers make their own rules.

In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Starship Troopers, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://bit.ly/3FgB5kV Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay Michael Tucker: https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla Tricia Aurand: https://twitter.com/TriciaJeanA Brian Bitner: https://twitter.com/BrianBitner Alex Calleros: https://twitter.com/Alex_Calleros Produced by Vince Major: https://twitter.com/VinceMajor Website: http://lessonsfromthescreenplay.com For Inquiries and Booking: Vince@Plusfortyseven.com

The BTS team discusses the kinetic direction and screenwriting of the pilot episodes, the dimensionality of the show's many characters, and of course, the questions... so many questions.