In this podcast I look deep into TV shows' structure, progression, and characters to reverse-engineer them so we can create better stories. We go through shows ranging from Breaking Bad to My Little Pony, because we can learn from everything!
Building tension in stories can be a lot of fun and make them really interesting! In this episode, I talk with Emily Gehman about a technique for rapidly developing tension in your stories.Emily's website: emilygehman.comEmily's podcast: http://solidstateradio.net/your-storiesEmily's Twitter: @emilygehmanjoshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Monologues are fun, but they rarely happen IRL. How can we get our characters into positions where they can start believably monologuing?Also, a note: I'll be switching to monthly posting so I can get more balance in my schedule. I know quite a few of you are regulars- thank you for tuning in each week and I hope you continue to enjoy IJITV!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Sometimes we want to fit as much crazy into our screentime (or page space, etc) as possible- but we still want to solve the core issue in the story at the end of it. This is a great method for doing just that!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do we develop zany ideas? We often brainstorm by starting from one point, but what if we combined two separate points instead?joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do we develop characters who care? Here's a perspective to help you develop motives and story concepts based on motives in a clear back-and-forth fashion.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Another structure for developing story concepts rapidly!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do we help characters misjudge others and misjudge situations? This can help us create tension and mystery, and confusion among characters! (If we want that)joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do we avoid creating sacrifices that really aren't? Let's look at rules and how they're essential to sacrifice!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do we have a conversation around a topic rather than preach on it? It's pretty simple, actually: show the facts, tell the truth, through a great story!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do characters swap positions of power, when neither of them gain more resources, knowledge, or skill?joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Like it or not, we often act different ways around different people. How can we set our characters up for that? How do we get them to try pandering to multiple groups?joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
What could possibly go wrong? Let's look at Murphy's Law and ways we can brainstorm things to go horribly wrong for our innocent, unsuspecting characters...joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Joey Nadon joins me to discuss the TOE method, which helps us express character traits effectively and show different sides of our characters!(Apologies for the audio quality on my mic, this will be fixed with future guests)Joey's Website: jnadonvideo.weebly.comjoshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Brenden Taylor shares about the Alienation Effect, which helps us emphasize certain aspects of our characters- in this case, for comedic effect!Brenden's Website: thebookofbrenden.comjoshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
What is the range of possibilities for where your characters can go? If you don't know, it's time to learn your scales!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
This episode of Good Eats does a great job of passing time in interesting ways- in fact, in the segment we study, each way is unique!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
This structure shows us how to get characters trapped and untrapped. And untrapped is totally a word.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
The oversalesman is a great way to create confusion, mystery, and distrust in your groups. Oversalesmen can also be very flexible and change believably and effectively!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do we get characters to do things they wouldn't normally do? Have a good friend sign them up, of course!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
We are always on teams- even if we're writing "solo".joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do we help make characters thankful? Here's another structure you can use to develop stories rapidly!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Everybody has values- believe it or not!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do teams break, and what are the lines that teams can break along? Let's find out!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
"What wouldn't happen?" is a great technique for brainstorming comedy.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
You can build anticipation and excitement for your audience if you cue them in on story cycles and their progress.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Even villains help people!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Is there an easy way to develop evidence for observable characters to observe?joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Not everyone on a team has to succeed every time for the team to succeed. Let's talk about this!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
What makes a soft, sensitive spot in a character?joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Don't try to point out how smart you are.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Potentially controversial topic. Which makes it fun! Villains aren't likable because of having motives; so how DO we make likable villains? Is this even, practically speaking, possible for them to be truly against us and truly likable still?joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
In this episode I discuss ways characters can manipulate each other, turn a crowd, and pressure each other into breaking.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
"Aha!" moments need 3 pieces to come together in order for them to work. Do you know what they are?joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Learn the AAA Threat method, a simple, quick way to introduce and demonstrate threats. So quick, in fact, that MLP implements it clearly in less than 10 seconds of screen time.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
If you have multiple stories going on at once, make sure to keep track of them all and not neglect any where they would be relevant! Fixed audio noise problems this week! :D 'Twas a silly mistake on my part.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
People aren't just brains; they aren't just hearts; they aren't just mindsets; we're WAY more complex than we give ourselves credit for. Got rid of the clicking here, still have a bunch of noise. My physical setup hasn't changed, I THINK I know what's wrong and will try to fix the noise problem next week. Sorry for the poor quality!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Do you just try to grab attention with your intro, or consider the payoff? Sorry for the sound quality in this episode and the clicking, I figured out the problem and will try to prevent that in the future!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do characters decide to change? There are three basic things you need to look at.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Why stick with TV? Videogames have great lessons too!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
What are some tips for making characters that are intrinsically humorous? From investigating Homestar Runner: Donut Unto Others.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
What are some questions you can ask for working within your budget (or giving yourself more budget space)? From investigating The Guild: S1joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
How do you make sure you're ready to begin writing your story? How much outlining is enough? Why outline? From investigating Cowboy Bebop: E10joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
People don't generally go for what they really want, they go for what they think they can get. From investigating Survivor: S27 E4joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Do you just have intros and outros because you "should", or do you use them to enhance your story and storytelling? From investigating Steven Universe up through Season 2joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Do you know why you have the writing rules that you do? Do you ever stop to ask why you've set those rules or allowed them to impact your writing? From investigating Cutthroat Kitchen: S4 E6joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Continuation isn't just about continuing your story's events. From investigating Gravity Falls: S2 E1 (according to Hulu, not according to Amazon).joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Characters have different social expectations. This could be based on culture, family culture, individual personality, and more- but it is where a lot of conflict comes from and we all have these assumptions! From investigating Broadchurch: S1 E4.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
Breaking your characters can help them become stronger- or hopelessly lost. Either way, it's important to know how to do it to develop your character to who they need to be for your story's climax (or for future stories). From investigating Puella Magi Madoka Magica's entire series- they were extremely thorough with this!joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
The Wound/Reason/Decision structure can help you brainstorm new stories. From investigating Friends: S1 E2 "The One with the Sonogram at the End".joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
The title pretty much says it. Have you considered this method before? From investigating Phineas and Ferb.joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
The Request/Break/Apology structure is popular in sitcoms, and can be a great way to create a story. From investigating Last Man Standing: S1 E4 "Last Halloween Standing".joshpowlison.comjoshuapowlison@gmail.comEmail me to request investigation for a TV show or episode!Throw a few bucks my way to support the podcast
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