How can characters be their own antagonist?

In Part Two of our Five Part Epic Exploration™ into antagonists, Chas & Stu take a look at "vs self" stories. Stories where the protagonist (or main character) serves as their own antagonist as well as the antagonist for those around them.

It took us a long time to settle on our homework, but we ended up exploring LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, SHAME, and MONSTER. Our discussion continues in backmatter with MINDHUNTER and STEVE JOBS.

As a result of our exploration, we manage to get a better understanding of our 'thesu' on: internal vs external change; obstacles and pressure; stories without singular antagonists; and how it really is the antagonistic forces that carve out the protagonist's journey.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND!

Audio quotations used for educational purposes only. Timestamps indicated below. Chapter markers included in the mp3. Watch it on on YouTube.

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EPISODES LINKS

• DRAFT ZERO RELATED EPISODES
  • DZ-49: Antagonists! (Part 1) – vs Humans
  • DZ-44: Marvel, First Acts and Establishing Characters
  • DZ-43: Driving Sequences – Character and Plot Intensity
• LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE w: Michael Arndt [@ 5m 15s]
  • JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/miss-sunshine
• SHAME w: Steve McQueen and Abi Morgan [@ 25m 10s]
  • JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/shame
• MONSTER w&d: Patty Jenkins [@ 53m 53s]
  • JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/monster
• WRAP UP [@ 1 hr 20m 10s]
• MINDHUNTER created by Joe Penhall [@ 1hr 33m 40s]
  • JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/mindhunter
• STEVE JOBS screenplay: Aaron Sorkin [@ 1hr 42 min 20s]
  • JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/steve-jobs

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Read the (hilarious) computer transcript here: http://draft-zero.com/transcripts/dz-50/ — or edit on GitHub: https://github.com/Draft-Zero-Podcast/dz-transcripts/blob/master/DZ-50.vtt