Andor is a masterclass in screenwriting

00:00 That's just love
02:47 Welcome to Writing Wednesdays
04:15 What is a scene?

Four key concepts for writing powerful scenes:

06:31 ONE - Motivation
08:36 TWO - Beats
13:36 THREE - Turning Points
14:25 FOUR - Levels of Change

Download Damien's notes on Andor ep7

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[NecroMoz]

Star Wars for 45 years: "Do or do not, there is no try"

Andor: "There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy. Remember this. Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction.

Random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy. There are whole armies, battalions that have no idea that they’ve already enlisted in the cause. Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward. And then remember this.

The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that and know this, the day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empire’s authority and then there will be one too many.

One single thing will break the siege. Remember this. Try.”

[TomBrawns]

Luthen's dialog with Saw was the best I've seen from Star Wars. For me, the words were LIGHTYEARS more threatening than their blasters.

[Casilocapuntocom]

I started crying in that scene with Andor and Marva 🥺

[alsharpe]

The show is by far the best stuff we’ve gotten from Starwars in 20 years!!!
It’s just a masterpiece! I like it better than anything!

[ashtonturner]

Hands down, Andor is the best Star Wars property I have watched.

[frankwolftown]

Cassian: I'll be worried about you all the time.
Marva: That's just love. There’s nothing you can do about that.
Damn, that's good writing!

[lcflngn]

Been praising the writing since ep 1, great to see the topic well-discussed. Was hoping to find something like this, thx so much!

Also been saying I hope screenwriters take a few notes. Would help all of TV improve for all of us.

[jonahthejedai]

The best scene in Andor Season One is The first confrontation of wills between Luthen and Saw. It is just…. Wow

[rajikkali]

I loved the empire's ISB chamber discussions. The political dynamics and power plays were extremely interesting, and I'm not usually captivated by those things.

[gonzaloaravena]

This is a great review, and loved that concept of change on multiple levels. Very powerful. Thanks!!

[frerkshow]

Hey thanks for your videos! Andor was for me the best that I watched in years. It really was the concept of fighting for a good course concept of my childhood put in an more mature setting. I guess the film hits even harder when you ever stand before a row of riotcops in a protest.

[christopherpardell]

I somewhat disagree as to your reading of this scene and Marva Telling Cassian to give up searching for his sister. Or her reaction to his original plan to take her away. Marva tried to give Cassian a home, but she knows Cassian has never fully embraced Ferrix as his home. Cassian’s inner conflict is that he is committed to nothing because he believes everything was stolen from him. His search for his sister is his search for his own past. For a home stolen. When he offers to take her away, she is shocked to realize he still doesn’t see Ferrix as his own community. The Community that brought hardship down on itself to help Cassian escape. She refuses to go because it is HER home, and she won’t have that taken from her. She will stand with her community. And she tells Cassian she understands why he has to leave. But she knows that her remaining on ferrix will tie Cassian’s heart to this place and the people he knew.
When he says he’ll be back, She understands he doesn’t really think he will. But when she says “of course you will, ” she is expressing her own Faith in Cassian, that someday he WILL realize that Ferrix is his home, that these are his adopted people and that he will stand with them. She has the wisdom to know that Cassian has to leave and find his future, in order to let go of his past, and she is certain that he will find his way back home to the values she and her community tried to instill in him. This isn’t mere tough love. She is making herself an example of commitment to something larger. The ‘home’ she knows he will come back to is becoming the man She and Clem raised him to be.

[whisthpo]

Just found out last night that, Tony Gilroy was the Writer (story & Screenplay) for All 4 'Bourne' films
and also Directed 'Bourne
It's Bloody Marvellous!.

[marcosmartins]

I agree with you on the Maarva / Cassian scene but for me the best scene on the series is clearly the monolog from Luthen / Stellan Skarsgard about Sacrifice...
"I share my dreams with ghosts" must be one of the coldest lines ever spoken in Star Wars

[colleybri]

At last, some really good serious analysis of the writing in Andor! I’m an English teacher – I think it would make a great comparative text with Les Miserables or The Trial.

I don’t agree with every detail of your assessment, but I think it’s both excellent and interesting. In addition to those “on the page” aspects of screenwriting, I love the way the little visual details in the direction contribute too. The precisely placed flashback to young Cassian “ taking on the garrison” in the form of his own impetuous act of rebellion, seeking revenge for what they did to his father, adds so much depth and nuance to his growth here. And if Maarva really is in someway ashamed of him, it’s even more interesting when he gives that little half smile when she mentions the bravery of the heroes of Aldhani. he’s so wants her approval. He could get it if he said something, but that would also admit a failure in himself . So many layers of irony.

[troublewithweebles]

I would like to know what George thinks of Andor.

[thegrunbeld]

I love the dialogue in Andor. Masterpiece

[mattgilbert]

This is good stuff, Mr. Walter. Much appreciation.

[jumbobillion]

Never expected star wars to make me cry. Twice.
First "That's just love", beautiful and brilliant. Then the wee robot who can't let go. Kind of resented that one, don't make me feel sad for a multi tool.

[francescadellabona]

I'm humbled by your passion and knowledge, thank you for your amazing work!