The three characters in every story ...

This is the recipe, not "formula" as in write to a map.  It is useful for scenario design as well.  The podcast is at:


http://www.writingexcuses.com/2011/10/02/writing-excuses-6-18-hollywood-formula/ 

Transcript is at:  http://wetranscripts.livejournal.com/49969.html 

Every story should answer these questions:

-who is the protagonist?
-what is their goal?
-who is the antagonist?
-what are they doing to stop the protagonist?
-who is the relationship character?
-what is the theme they are conveying?
-when do they come full circle with said theme?

As one commentator said "4 years of Film school ..." and this podcast taught him things he really needed to know.

While they explain this in the context of:

Casablanca

The podcast goes far beyond that.

Very useful.