Companion with Drew Hancock
Digest
Drew Hancock's podcast delves into the creation of his film "Companion," a sci-fi thriller exploring the complexities of toxic relationships in a future influenced by AI companions. The film follows Iris, a woman navigating a weekend getaway with her manipulative boyfriend and his suspicious friends, culminating in murder and surprising revelations. Hancock details the film's evolution from a horror concept to a Coen-esque thriller, emphasizing the shift in focus from AI gone wrong to Iris's emotional journey and escape from a toxic relationship. He discusses the real-world technological influences, focusing on the plausibility of AI companions and their potential impact on human interaction and empathy. The podcast also explores the film's genre-bending approach, blending thriller, horror, and comedy while maintaining a strong emotional core. Hancock analyzes key characters, including the toxic Josh, and the societal commentary embedded within the narrative. He shares insights into his screenwriting process, emphasizing outlining, rewriting, and embracing unexpected creative opportunities. The discussion highlights the importance of audience connection, achieved through a carefully crafted opening scene designed to humanize Iris and earn audience empathy. Finally, Hancock offers advice to aspiring screenwriters, urging them to trust their instincts and embrace the unexpected "gifts" that emerge during the creative process.
Outlines
Creating "Companion": Concept, Technology, and Toxic Relationships
Introduction to Drew Hancock and his film "Companion," a sci-fi thriller exploring toxic relationships and the impact of AI, focusing on Iris's journey and the film's evolution from a horror concept.
Technological Influences and Societal Impact
Discussion of the real-world technology informing the film's vision of the future, the impact of AI companions on human interaction, and the film's nuanced message about technology's potential for both good and bad.
Character Development, Genre Blending, and Storytelling
Details on character development, particularly Iris and Josh, the evolution of the story, the challenges and rewards of blending genres (thriller, horror, comedy), and maintaining a strong emotional core.
Film Structure, Audience Connection, and Societal Commentary
Analysis of the film's structure, particularly the opening scene designed to foster audience empathy, and the societal commentary on dehumanized expectations of women.
Script Development, the Third Act, and Writing Process
Discussion of the script's evolution, challenges of crafting a satisfying third act, the importance of a strong emotional conclusion, and Hancock's writing process, including outlining, rewriting, and embracing creative opportunities.
Keywords
AI Companions
Artificial intelligence companions and their potential impact on human relationships and societal structures.
Toxic Relationships
Exploration of manipulative and controlling relationships and the struggle to escape them.
Genre-bending
Skillful blending of thriller, horror, comedy, and relationship drama to create a unique narrative.
Emotional Core
Prioritization of relatable characters and universal themes of love, betrayal, and self-discovery.
Screenwriting Process
Hancock's iterative process, emphasizing outlining, rewriting, and recognizing unexpected creative opportunities.
Sci-fi Thriller
Genre classification of the film "Companion."
Filmmaking
The process of creating a film, from concept to completion.
Character Development
Building believable and relatable characters within a narrative.
Q&A
How did the film's concept evolve from a horror story to a Coen brothers-esque thriller?
The shift in focus to Iris's emotional journey and the addition of heist and comedic elements transformed the initial horror concept.
What real-world technological advancements influenced the film's depiction of AI companions?
Hancock considered existing AI sex dolls and their potential evolution, focusing on plausibility and ethical implications.
How did the film's opening scene contribute to audience engagement and empathy for Iris?
The opening humanizes Iris and reveals the toxic nature of her relationship before revealing she's a robot, fostering empathy.
What is the film's message regarding the intersection of technology and human relationships?
The film explores the complexities of human-AI relationships, showcasing both toxic uses and the possibility of genuine love.
What advice does Drew Hancock offer to aspiring screenwriters?
Embrace unexpected creative opportunities ("gifts"), rewrite extensively, and trust your instincts.
Show Notes
How will romance adapt to the age of A.I that lies ahead? What bleak (and beautiful) impulses might the technology bring out in us? And have you ever seen a Black Mirror episode inside a Coens Brothers thriller, inside a Barbarian-esque horror? These are the questions posed by Companion, the new movie by writer-director Drew Hancock. Today on the show, we talk devotion, dating and androids with Drew, whose directorial debut kept its cards close when it came to its marketing – and understandably so, because there are some really fun twists and turns in this script that are best experienced fresh. (Stop reading if you haven’t yet seen Companion and want to experience fresh, as recommended).
Companion is about a young woman named Iris, played by Sophie Thatcher. Iris arrives at a weekend away with her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) to glares of suspicion from his friends, who she’s meeting for the first time. As an audience, we experience her hurt at these friends’ strange microaggressions – and at Josh’s dismissive behaviour, callously, abruptly commanding her to “go to sleep” immediately after sex. Then – a murder. A murder and a reveal. Arguably the most humane character amongst this assortment of friends, is not human at all, but a machine. From there, a crime thriller unfolds with a large stash of cash at its blackly comic centre. It’s bold, original and manages to find new things to say about the intersection between technology and relationships. I had a blast watching it – and Drew from the sounds of things, had a blast writing it.
On this episode of Script Apart, you’ll hear about the current real-world advances in technology like Iris that informed his vision of where we might be fifteen years or so into the future. We get into the hints at how A.I companions like Iris have altered the world beyond what we see in the film – and some early ideas for the movie that were completely different to what ended up on screen. And we break down every detail of the film’s emotionally satisfying ending.
Script Apart is hosted by Al Horner and produced by Kamil Dymek. Follow us on Instagram, or email us on thescriptapartpodcast@gmail.com.
Support for this episode comes from ScreenCraft, Final Draft and WeScreenplay.
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