Script Apart with Al Horner7 Feb 2023

The Whale with Samuel D. Hunter

Today on the show, we’re joined by Samuel D. Hunter – playwright-turned-screenwriter of moving new drama, The Whale. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film tells the tale of Charlie (Brendan Fraser) – a reclusive former teacher who developed destructive eating habits following a devastating past tragedy. With seemingly days to live, Charlie desperately attempts to reconnect with a daughter who resents him, and is sinking into a cynicism that Charlie finds heartbreaking.

It’s a film that, you may have heard, has stoked a wide range of reactions, which Sam and I get into in detail. We talk about its provoking title, which he explains was designed to prod at people’s prejudices before taking on a completely different context in the story. We discuss the challenges and opportunities presented to Sam when it came to adapting his stage play into a screenplay – and what the scarcity of media telling the tales of plus-size protagonists does for the fabric of our society.

This is a spoiler-filled conversation so please be sure to watch The Whale before listening in.

Script Apart is hosted by Al Horner and produced by Kamil Dymek. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, or email us on thescriptapartpodcast@gmail.com.

Support for this episode comes from ScreenCraft, Arc Studio Pro and WeScreenplay.

To get ad-free episodes and exclusive content, join us on Patreon.

Support the show

Our Sponsors: * Check out Vinted: https://www.vinted.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(185)

Unpacking ‘Primetime’ With Ajon Singh

Why don't you take a seat, Script Apart listeners? 'Primetime' screenwriter Ajon Singh is my guest this week, breaking down in spoiler detail his script for the Robert Pattinson-starring thriller that...

30 Okt 50min

A Friend Request From Aaron Sorkin ('The Social Reckoning')

There's plenty to reckon with in The Social Reckoning, Aaron Sorkin's sequel-of-sorts to The Social Network – one of the most lauded films of the century so far. That David Fincher-directed tale expla...

22 Okt 51min

What 'Whalefall' Means To Daniel Kraus and Brian Duffield

Live from the belly of the beast – aka a London hotel room before the European premiere of their new movie – Brian Duffield (Spontaneous, No One Will Save You) and Daniel Kraus (the Pulitzer Prize-win...

21 Okt 1h 5min

'Coyote Vs Acme' Vs The World

That's all, folks? Not by a long shot. Coyote Vs Acme – the Who Framed Roger Rabbit-esque courtroom comedy written by my guest today. Samy Burch – was famously cancelled by Warner Bros in late 2023 bu...

8 Okt 1h 21min

'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Was Almost A Courtroom Comedy

The world has forgotten New York's famous web-slinger in the latest blockbuster outing in the MCU. The irony is, in real life, Peter Parker is a character that pop culture could never forget or cast a...

19 Sep 56min

How The Writers Of 'Tony' Found A New Recipe For Biopics

Time to delve into screenwriting parts unknown with the writers of one of 2026's most moving coming-of-age dramas. Todd Bartels and Lou Howe are my guests today, discussing in spoiler-filled detail ho...

11 Sep 59min

Where We've Been...

Five weeks in hospital. Five months of being away from your podcast feeds. Yes, listeners, it's been a weird time. But Script Apart is finally coming back in the coming days! Before new episodes start...

8 Sep 4min

Project Hail Mary with Drew Goddard, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Ground control to Script Apart listeners – today on the show, we’re blasting off into the cosmos with three formidable sci-fi storytelling talents. Phil Lord and Chris Miller are the writer-director-p...

26 Mars 1h 36min