§ PODCAST / EPISODES
Noir
2 episodes · Dec 2025 – Jan 2026
"Do these characters in noir, do they change? Because that’s going to lead into a longer exploration on character arcs."
— Chas Fisher | DZ-123: Flawed Characters in Noir
DZ-123: Flawed Characters in Noir
What can Film Noir teach us about character arcs and audience engagement?
In this two part series, Mel and Chas use Noir (the genre) as a lens to interrogate flawed characters. How can characters doing reprehensible things still engage audiences? How can you ensure representation isn’t endorsement? And whether these characters undergo transformative arcs, or simply reveal their true natures… →
Listen if you want to write morally compromised characters without endorsing their choices.
DZ-124: Making the Despicable Compelling
How does Film Noir show us terrible people doing terrible things without endorsing it?
Mel and Chas continue to explore what Noir (the genre) can teach writers of all other genres. In particular:… →
Listen if you need audiences to root for characters who do terrible things