Beyond the Screenplay

By Michael Tucker

What's Beyond the Screenplay about?

“Lessons from the Screenplay” creator Michael Tucker and the LFTS team do deeper dives into the storytelling of individual movies and chat with the creatives behind those films.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Beyond the Screenplay episodes:

03.22.2024
Episode 176: Oppenheimer
The BTS team discusses how Christopher Nolan brings his unique filmmaking style to the biopic genre, when structural complexity can help or hinder a story, and why a strong theme is necessary to hold it all together. Tricia's coverage services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.triciaaurand.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
03.15.2024
Patreon Preview: Fargo
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Fargo, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay⁠ Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay⁠ Michael Tucker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla⁠ Tricia Aurand:...
03.08.2024
Episode 175: Dune: Part Two
The BTS team discusses the spectacle of a Denis Villeneuve cinematic experience, the film's structural choices, and what we might see from the future of the franchise. ⁠⁠⁠
03.01.2024
Episode 174: Past Lives
The BTS team discusses the film's strong tone, how its structure invests the audience in both sets of character relationships, and why the ending sequence hits so hard.
02.23.2024
Patreon Preview: What is Acting?
The BTS team discusses what makes a good performance, the different styles of acting, actor-director relationships, and what kind of performances we typically choose to award. We're thinking of doing a live episode. Let us know if you'd be able to...
02.16.2024
Episode 173: Anatomy of a Fall
The BTS team discusses the control of information, the constant raising of stakes and urgency, and question how exactly the French justice system works.
02.09.2024
Episode 171: Poor Things
The BTS team discusses all things Bella—from her character journey, her evolution, and of course her masterful portrayal by Emma Stone—as well as the film’s use of allegory and the surprise fourth act. ⁠⁠⁠
02.02.2024
Episode 171: Our Favorite Films of the '70s
The BTS team counts down our favorite films of the 1970s, discusses how the decade forever changed the cinematic landscape, and perhaps mentions something about sharks and laser swords along the way...
01.26.2024
Patreon Preview: Chinatown
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Chinatown, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay Michael Tucker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla Tricia Aurand:...
01.24.2024
Announcing our Winter Schedule!
We're launching our winter season, "Best Picture Winter" with a new episode releasing every Friday! We're going to examine some awards season movies, dive into the craft of acting, and maybe discuss the whole awards *thing* along the way. January 26th: Patreon-Exclusive...
01.19.2024
What We’re Watching: True Detective: Night Country (Episode 1)
The BTS team launches their "What We're Watching" series on True Detective: Night Country! For future episodes, head to the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay
12.15.2023
Patreon Preview: Home Alone
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Home Alone, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay⁠ Michael Tucker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla⁠ Tricia...
12.01.2023
Episode 170: Napoleon
The BTS team discusses epic battle sequences, character motivations, accents, and whether or not the imminent director's cut can help tie up some loose narrative and thematic threads. ⁠⁠⁠
11.24.2023
Patreon Preview: Prometheus
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Prometheus, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tricia Aurand: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TriciaJeanA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brian Bitner:...
11.17.2023
Episode 169: The Killer
The BTS team discusses Fincher's signature look and feel, attempts to unravel the film's themes, and examines the value of the pursuit of perfection. ⁠⁠
11.10.2023
Episode 168: Priscilla
The BTS team discusses Sofia Coppola’s ability to capture a feeling, how restraint can make small moments feel powerful, and what we want from movies depicting real people.
11.03.2023
Episode 167: The Virgin Suicides
The BTS team discusses Sofia Coppola's focus on character and emotion, the choice to view the Lisbon girls through the lens of other characters, and how the film lingers with you long after the credits roll. AUTEUR AUTUMN release schedule: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/posts/announcing-our-90434879⁠⁠
10.27.2023
Patreon Preview: Killers of the Flower Moon
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Killers of the Flower Moon, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay⁠⁠ Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay:...
10.20.2023
Episode 166: Shutter Island
The BTS team discusses the film's infamous twist, when the web of mysteries works and when it doesn't, and how Scorsese can turn a B movie into something greater than it might have been in the hands of another filmmaker. ⁠⁠
10.13.2023
Episode 165: Se7en
In our season premiere, the BTS team discusses David Fincher's place as one of our greatest modern auteurs, how Se7en masterfully balances emotion with technical prowess, and how the bleak and hopeless narrative still manages to provide a glimmer of...
10.06.2023
Announcing our Fall Schedule!
We're launching our fall season, "Auteur Autumn" with a new episode releasing every Friday. We're going to examine some of our most iconic directors' unique styles and voices by looking at an early film from their portfolio and then a new...
09.28.2023
Patreon Preview: Rear Window
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Rear Window, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay⁠ Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tricia Aurand: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TriciaJeanA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brian...
08.31.2023
Patreon Preview: Dazed and Confused
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Dazed and Confused, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/beyondthescreenplay Find us on Twitter Beyond the...
07.28.2023
Episode 164: Barbie
In our season finale, the BTS team discusses the juxtaposition between Barbieland and the real world, the similar conflict between Barbie and Ken's character arcs, and how Greta Gerwig manages to take a movie about Barbie and make it as...
07.21.2023
Patreon Preview: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find us on Twitter Michael...
07.14.2023
Episode 163: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation & Fallout
The BTS team discusses how Christopher McQuarrie redirected the franchise, when the extreme in-camera action sequences work best, and what makes Ilsa Faust such a compelling character. SUMMER: IMPOSSIBLE release schedule: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/posts/summer-release-83919760⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
07.07.2023
Episode 162: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
The BTS team discusses what works and what doesn't work about Indy's final ride, how James Mangold's directing style pays homage to the original trilogy, and why less is more when it comes to the magic at the heart of...
06.30.2023
Episode 161: Mission: Impossible 3 & Ghost Protocol
The BTS team discusses how J.J. Abrams and Brad Bird helped cement the look and feel of the franchise, the differences between the heist and action genres, and the importance of developing emotional character relationships.
06.23.2023
Patreon Preview: Asteroid City
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Asteroid City, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: ⁠http://bit.ly/3Noyjyt⁠ Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay⁠⁠⁠⁠ Michael Tucker: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tricia...
06.16.2023
Episode 160: Mission: Impossible
The BTS team discusses the film that launched a multi-billion dollar movie franchise—Brian De Palma's stylish direction, the paranoia and distrust at the heart of the plot, and why the vault mission may be the greatest heist sequence of all...
06.09.2023
Episode 159: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The BTS team discusses the film's gorgeous visual and sonic palette, the core themes and character arcs, and the meta-narrative of "part one" movies and self-referential franchises. SUMMER: IMPOSSIBLE release schedule: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/posts/summer-release-83919760⁠⁠⁠
06.06.2023
Patreon Preview: Speed
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Speed, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: http://bit.ly/3Ci4hY0 Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay⁠⁠⁠ Michael Tucker: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla⁠⁠⁠ Tricia Aurand:...
06.02.2023
Our Summer Season starts soon!
We're launching a special summer season called "Summer: Impossible" with a new episode releasing every week, a deep dive into the entire Mission: Impossible Franchise, and a big finale showdown between two of this year’s most anticipated films. Schedule: June 9th:...
05.19.2023
Episode 158: The Last of Us (HBO) (with VFX Supervisor Alex Wang)
The BTS team is joined by VFX Supervisor Alex Wang to discuss how The Last of Us blends practical and CG effects, the collaborative relationship between VFX and storytelling, and of course, why we love Bill and Frank.
05.05.2023
Episode 157: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (from the Patreon Vault)
In this episode pulled from Patreon "Vault," the BTS team shares their thoughts on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Originally released to patrons August 20st, 2021.
04.21.2023
Episode 156: Magnolia
The BTS team discusses Paul Thomas Anderson's heavily stylized filmmaking, the function of the interwoven character web, the surreal conclusion, and whether or not it all holds up over two decades later.
04.07.2023
Episode 155: Almost Famous
The BTS discusses the contradictory nature of the central characters, the ever-present themes of home and reality, and the differences between the theatrical cut and the bootleg cut.
04.04.2023
Patreon Preview: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, 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/3K57QEA⁠ Find us on Twitter Beyond the...
03.31.2023
Patreon Preview: Spotlight
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Spotlight, 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/3Zy6V5p Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: ⁠https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay⁠ Michael Tucker: ⁠https://twitter.com/michaeltuckerla⁠ Tricia Aurand:...
03.24.2023
Episode 154: Our Favorite Films of the '80s
The BTS team counts down our favorite films of the 1980s, discusses the strange turn pop culture took during this decade, and why some of us may—or may not—have an affinity for the films of this era.
03.10.2023
Episode 153: The Banshees of Inisherin
The BTS team discusses the film's roots in Martin McDonagh's history as a playwright, the story's strong thematic undercurrent, and the design of the escalating conflict between the four central characters.
03.03.2023
Patreon Preview: 10 Things I Hate About You
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on 10 Things I Hate About You, 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/3ERRkWD Find us on Twitter Beyond the...
02.24.2023
Episode 152: Rocky vs. Creed
The BTS team discusses how the original Rocky started it all by ensuring character comes first, how Creed rebooted the franchise by being its own movie while still being true to the original, and how both films deftly explore the...
02.10.2023
Episode 151: The Breakfast Club
The BTS team discusses The Breakfast Club's archetypal-yet-three-dimensional cast of characters, the antagonist handoff at the film's midpoint, and the story manages to be so compelling despite its small scope and single setting.
02.05.2023
Patreon Preview: Little Miss Sunshine
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Little Miss Sunshine, 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/3YkSIs4 Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay: https://twitter.com/BTScreenplay Michael Tucker:...
01.27.2023
Episode 150: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The BTS team discusses Fincher's take on the original Swedish novel and film, how it efficiently delivers story and character exposition, and when a perfectionist's touch can go too far...
01.13.2023
Episode 149: Glass Onion
The BTS team discusses Rian Johnson's satire on new money, how and when the story reveals information, and of course, the return of Benoit Blanc.
12.30.2022
Episode 148: Top Gun: Maverick (from the Patreon Vault)
In this episode pulled from Patreon "Vault," the BTS team shares their hot takes on Top Gun: Maverick. Originally released to patrons June 1st, 2022.
12.24.2022
Patreon Preview: Avatar: The Way of Water
In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Avatar: The Way of Water, 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/3C1RLw9 Find us on Twitter Beyond the Screenplay:...
12.16.2022
Episode 147: Elf
The BTS team discusses how Elf delivers on its premise, the pacing and structure of the character beats, and why it instantly felt like a timeless classic.

What's Beyond the Screenplay about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Beyond the Screenplay episodes:

Episode 176: Oppenheimer

Patreon Preview: Fargo

Episode 175: Dune: Part Two

Episode 174: Past Lives

Patreon Preview: What is Acting?

Episode 173: Anatomy of a Fall

Episode 171: Poor Things

Episode 171: Our Favorite Films of the '70s

Patreon Preview: Chinatown

Announcing our Winter Schedule!

What We’re Watching: True Detective: Night Country (Episode 1)

Patreon Preview: Home Alone

Episode 170: Napoleon

Patreon Preview: Prometheus

Episode 169: The Killer

Episode 168: Priscilla

Episode 167: The Virgin Suicides

Patreon Preview: Killers of the Flower Moon

Episode 166: Shutter Island

Episode 165: Se7en

Announcing our Fall Schedule!

Patreon Preview: Rear Window

Patreon Preview: Dazed and Confused

Episode 164: Barbie

Patreon Preview: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Episode 163: Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation & Fallout

Episode 162: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Episode 161: Mission: Impossible 3 & Ghost Protocol

Patreon Preview: Asteroid City

Episode 160: Mission: Impossible

Episode 159: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Patreon Preview: Speed

Our Summer Season starts soon!

Episode 158: The Last of Us (HBO) (with VFX Supervisor Alex Wang)

Episode 157: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (from the Patreon Vault)

Episode 156: Magnolia

Episode 155: Almost Famous

Patreon Preview: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Patreon Preview: Spotlight

Episode 154: Our Favorite Films of the '80s

Episode 153: The Banshees of Inisherin

Patreon Preview: 10 Things I Hate About You

Episode 152: Rocky vs. Creed

Episode 151: The Breakfast Club

Patreon Preview: Little Miss Sunshine

Episode 150: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Episode 149: Glass Onion

Episode 148: Top Gun: Maverick (from the Patreon Vault)

Patreon Preview: Avatar: The Way of Water

Episode 147: Elf