Dramatica covers all the bases
January 24, 2006
Found an article on “Dramatica Pro Guides” - whatever that means! Not quite sure if I’ve ever heard it referred to as that. The author has some good stuff to say about how Dramatica the theory can help you write, as long as you don’t let it take over, but this quote seems miles off:
Scriptwriting software in general is best put to use by writers who have conquered the basics of plot and structure, theme and dialogue. If you’re still struggling with these elements, your money may be better spent on a screenwriting book or seminar.
Dramatica is all about helping you with plot and theme! He, of course, forgot to mention character and genre, but the theory has some pretty mind blowing stuff to say about all four of those story concepts.
For example, Dramatica is the first theory that, for me, had a good explanation for why some people see three acts in a story, while others see four. Those who think of the three are looking primarily at the journeys, or transitions of the major throughlines. Those who like to divide up a story into fours are thinking more of the signposts, or areas of interest, in a story. Both exist at the same time, and one way of looking at it is no more correct than the other.
That’s what I have always appreciated while learning Dramatica - it’s not so much about dictating you one set way of looking at a story. Granted, it does require that you make an argument, but it really is just a tool for keeping the contexts of your storylines consistent.
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