Choices S3 E19 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on January 11, 2021May 31, 2021 by admin

Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast Cover

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Choices (Season 3 Episode 19 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy takes the fight to the Mayor, including: (1) comic moments that foreshadow key plot developments; (2) merging the last major plot turn, climax, and falling action; (3) thematic bookends; (4) a main plot that doesn’t change the Buffy/Mayor overall conflict but moves multiple longform story arcs Next Up: The Prom Last Episode: Earshot Work On Your Story ...

Earshot S3 E18 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on January 4, 2021June 1, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Earshot (Season 3 Episode 18 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy gains a dangerous power and someone threatens the entire high school. And: (1) A different kind of audience mislead than we saw in Enemies (2) The role of happenstance and luck (3) What happens when you sideline your protagonist (4) How rewriting and revisions here heightened the dialogue and themes As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free...

Mad Men, Buffy, And More

Posted on December 17, 2020May 21, 2021 by admin

A quick announcement: On Thursday December 17, 2020, you can hear a few more of my thoughts on Buffy the Vampire Slayer along with insights into my favorite Mad Men character, Peggy Olson, if you check out the podcast They Coined It. I was lucky enough to be a guest for part of an episode discussing Season 2's Maidenform. Co-host Roberta Lipp and I also talked a bit about plot and theme in Mad Men and how the previous episode, The New Girl, impacted the character arcs in Maidenform. After ...

Enemies S3 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story)

Posted on December 14, 2020June 1, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Enemies (Season 3 Episode 17 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy engages in a dangerous charade to expose Faith. (1) Does the episode play fair with the audience – or not? (2) Escalating conflict between Buffy and Angel; and (3) What makes Faith, as an antagonist, complex and compelling? As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). Next Up: Earshot (after a holi...

Doppelgangland (Buffy and the Art of Story S3 E16)

Posted on December 7, 2020June 1, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Doppelgangland (Season 3 Episode 16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Vampire Willow returns. This podcast episode looks at: (1) the first scene - initial conflict or prologue? (2) is Willow both protagonist and antagonist? (3) a very subtle Midpoint; and (4) using subplots and story questions to keep viewers coming back. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warning). ...

Consequences (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E15)

Posted on November 30, 2020June 1, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Consequences (Season 3 Episode 15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy deals with the fallout after an untimely death. This episode includes: (1) setting up believable conflict among friends; (2) fast pacing through escalating tension and multiple plot twists; (3) when to leave a character out of a storyline; and (4) conflict based on characters’ life philosophies. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except a...

Bad Girls (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E14)

Posted on November 23, 2020June 1, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Bad Girls (Season 3 Episode 14 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy tries out Faith's approach to life and slaying. This podcast episode talks about: (1) an interloper who brings out different sides of our core characters; (2) expressing theme and exploring philosophy through conflict; (3) how this Faith/Buffy story differs from the Buffy/Kendra story; and (4) two game changers for the season and for Faith personally. As always, the discussion...

The Zeppo (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E13)

Posted on November 16, 2020June 1, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – The Zeppo (Season 3 Episode 13 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Xander has a very strange night. This podcast episode talks about: (1) why Xander is the protagonist; (2) whether a scene can be from the point of view of a character not in it; (3) the effect of a deliberately unfinished subplot; and (4) character growth through conflict. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warnin...

Helpless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E12)

Posted on November 9, 2020June 2, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Helpless (Season 3 Episode 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where Buffy turns 18 and faces a grueling test. This podcast episode talks about: (1) weaving in seemingly insignificant details that make later plot developments work; (2) the dangers of sacrificing character for plot; (3) metaphors, theme, and pace; and (4) the demands of writing with a short turnaround time (really short). As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler...

Gingerbread (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 E11)

Posted on November 2, 2020June 2, 2021 by admin

This week on Buffy and the Art of Story – Gingerbread (Season 3 Episode 11 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), where the adults become paranoid and turn on their children. This podcast episode talks about: (1) themes, including mob rule, parenting, and the danger of fear; (2) strong story structure; (3) whether the episode changes the arc of Season 3; and (4) fantastic and fun dialogue. As always, the discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is spoiler-free, except at the end (with plenty of warni...