I was watching an interview with Bojack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg the other day, and he said something that really interested me.

While discussing how ideas for various inventive Bojack Horseman episodes came along, he noted how the writer’s room strives to “present it in such a way that the format was justified by the function.”

(HEAVY Spoilers for Bojack Horseman follow…)

He goes on to discuss how the writer’s room would effectively build the entire plot of episodes around specific ideas that play with form. For example- the death of Bojack’s mother apparently came about because the writer’s room…

It felt impossible to pick any single scene from Promising Young Woman. It’s continually inventive, tension-wrought, and never allows the audience to feel comfortable in their hopes. And though so much of this film is worthy of analysis, I figured the first ten pages are really worth looking into.

Link to Pages: https://focusfeaturesguilds2020.com/promising-young-woman/screenplay/Promising_Young_Woman.pdf

Written By: Emerald Fennell

Sequence Outline:

1. A group of men are in the club, talking about frustration with the women in their workplace.
2. They notice CASSANDRA, drunk and alone in the corner. They debate who among them is going to talk to her. …

Here’s a wonderfully wholesome scene from Freaks and Geeks- a similarly wholesome show.

Scene Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJlVirycg-0

Written By: Paul Feig

Scene Context:

This is the final scene of the pilot. Lindsay has been forced to work at the homecoming dance. Her brother, Sam, has been hoping to get a slow dance with Cindy.

Scene Conflicts:

• Sam is insecure and doubts himself.
• Lindsay doesn’t know where she “belongs” within the school.
• Both want to feel loved and included.

How It Plays Out:

1. Mr. Rosso comes up to the unhappy Lindsay, tending the punch bar. Encourages her to enjoy the dance.
2. Lindsay looks wistfully around the dance. …

Here’s a scene from Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl, a film that, despite it’s flaws, carries a hefty emotional punch thanks to the layered characters and their uniquely dramatic situation.

Scene Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikTeRazhEFg

Written By: Jesse Andrews

Scene Context:

Rachel has just been diagnosed with cancer. Greg has been tasked (by his mom) to hang out with her.

Scene Conflicts:

• Greg wants to avoid awkward silence.
• Rachel doesn’t have anything to say. Her and Greg are complete strangers.

Scene Outline:

1. The pair enter Rachel’s room. Greg tries to compliment it, obviously just trying to fill out the silence.
2. They sit on opposite ends of the…

Here’s another scene analysis from Fleabag, this time emerging from a Season Two episode.

Written By: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Scene Comes From: Fleabag, Season 2, Episode 4

Scene Context:

Fleabag is trying to seduce the Hot Priest. He’s been able to notice when she breaks the fourth wall, and is planning to officiate the wedding between her father and Godmother. They’re in Fleabag’s cafe, which she opened with her now-dead friend, Boo.

Scene Conflicts:

• Hot Priest wants to know Fleabag on a personal level.
• Fleabag doesn’t want to share about herself.

Scene Outline:

1. Hot Priest asks why the cafe is Guinea Pig themed.
2. FLASH to a quick…

When terms like “high-concept” pop up, it’s easy to think of films filled with explosions and space travel. In actuality, the term “high-concept” seems to relate more to the creativity inherent in a premise. Here, we get a hugely “high-concept” film which remains so memorable for how it’s based distinctly in our own reality.

Scene Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0wgVq8THDk

Written By: Andrew Niccol

Scene Context:

Truman is on a TV show, and he’s the only one in the world who doesn’t realize it. He has, however, begun to suspect that everyone is lying to him.

Scene Conflicts:

• Truman wants to see his wife at work.
• His…

I don’t know why it took me this long to start watching Fleabag, but I’m really glad I did. Here’s one of many scenes that caught my eye while watching.

Written By: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Comes From: Fleabag, Season 1, Episode 5

Scene Context:

Claire and Fleabag have arrived to their father’s house in order to honor their deceased mother, who died from breast cancer. Their father is now in a relationship with their Godmother, who is staying with him.

Scene Conflicts:

• Fleabag and Claire want to honor their mother without drama
• Dad wants to appease Godmother and his daughters both
• Godmother doesn’t want to…

Here’s a scene from a film that is a masterclass in establishing irony and subverting expectations of the genre. Also, it has Al Pacino doing the thing where he yells a lot.

Written By: Frank Pierson

Scene Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQmU6Yhnr9E

Scene Context:

Sonny, in a poor attempt to rob a bank, has taken hostages. Police have contacted him and he’s agreed to let one hostage go as a show of trust. They don’t know what Sonny looks like.

Scene Conflicts:

• Sonny wants to make a deal with the cops that guarantees his survival. He also wants to make sure the hostages are safe.
• Eugene wants…