Kill the Cat

This week on “Kill the Cat”, we discuss Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 film "Arrival", with screenplay by Eric Heisserer, adapted from the novella "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang. In this episode, we will be breaking down why "Arrival", being a science-fiction film about aliens, feels so real both on the page and on the screen. We will be examining how the screenwriting, cinemtography, production design and score combine to anchor this alien story in the very human themes of communication, connection, and loss.

These episodes are also available on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ben Stiller's 2013 film "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", screenplay by Steven Conrad, is a masterclass in speaking the common tongue of film language. The use of colour, mise en scene, and symbolism take us deeper into the life and imagination of Walter Mitty. In our desire to push boundaries and reinvent the wheel, it can be easy to overlook the effectiveness of the techniques that have come before. This month, Kill the Cat is diving into how you can use these techniques both on the page and on the screen.

These episodes are also available on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is the king of cold opens. From the Backstreet Boys to Diane Wiest Infection to The Full Bullpen, this comedy often opens its episodes with hilarious and unforgettable sketches known as cold opens. What is the magic formula to the perfect cold open? Listen to this episode of "Kill the Cat" to find out. 

Apologies for getting Rosa and Amy's names the wrong way around when referencing the "He Said, She Said" episode.

These episodes are also available on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...this is the story of "The Princess Bride". In this episode, we tackle why this fantasy film has endured the test of time to become a beloved classic. We look at William Goldman's technique approach as only writing "the best parts" and skipping the boring bits to create a quotable, magical, memorable tale that has been passed down the generations. 

Have ideas for future episodes? Just want to say hi? Did we kill your father and should we prepare to die? Find us on the social media links below or email us at [email protected]. 

Cat Sole:

"The Nice Guys" is one of our favourite movies and one of the most hilarious movies out there - but why? What it is about Shane Black's comedic style seen in such films as "The Nice Guys," "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and "Iron Man 3" that keeps us laughing? Listen to this week's episode to hear us break down the funniest moments of "The Nice Guys" to find out how to make an audience laugh by subverting their expectations. 

These episodes are also available on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

What D&D class is Healy? Let us know your thoughts at the social media links below or email us at [email protected].

Cat Sole:

The wizarding world of "Harry Potter" is one of the most immersive universes ever written, and is a success that many have since tried and failed to emulate. What did J.K. Rowling do to make this universe feel so real and detailed? Find out in this episode of "Kill the Cat", where we break down immersive storytelling in "Harry Potter."  These episodes are also available on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Have ideas for future episodes? Just want to say hi? Find us on the social media links below or email us at [email protected].

Cat Sole:

"Kill the Cat" is a monthly film and television podcast where director, cinematographer, and editor Ibrahim Faraj and screenwriter and script consultant Cat Sole sit down to break down their favourite movies and TV shows and why they work. Subscribe for episodes on world-building in Harry Potter, subverting expectations for comedy in The Nice Guys, and how to write the perfect Brooklyn Nine-Nine cold open. 

Thoughts? Comments? Ideas for future episodes? Come chat to us! 

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