Dramatica Weekend Workshop Syllabus

Dramatica &
Accessories

Software

StoryWeaver

$29.95

A step by step approach to story development, from concept to completed story for your novel or screenplay. More than 200 interactive Story Cards guide you through the entire process.

Details and Demo

Dramatica

$149.95

The most powerful story structuring software available, Dramatica is driven by a patented "Story Engine" that cross-references your dramatic choices to ensure a perfect structure.

Details and Demo

Movie Magic Screenwriter

$149.95

The most advanced screenwriting software available, Movie Magic is deemed a "preferred file format" by the Writer's Guild. An industry standard, MMS is used by professionals and studios around the world.

Details and Demo

Throughline Index Cards

$9.95

Interactive index cards - Name them, add notes, titles, colors, click and drag to re-arrange, adjust font, save, export and print. An essential tool for every writer.

Details

Academic Discounts
on Select Products

Are you a student, teacher, or academic staffer? Get the very best price on select products with these manufacturer sponsored academic discounts!

Details

Dramatica Weekend Workshop Syllabus

5 STORYENCODING

Storyencoding: The process of developing scenarios and images to convey the underlying dramatic appreciations of a story.

* Video Clips: Various storyencoding examples from The Fugitive.

Examples of Storyencoding as found in the movie The Fugitive

OBJECTIVE STORY

THROUGHLINE EXAMPLES

OS Domain: Universe – a situation is the general area in which the objective story’s problem resides	Dr. Richard Kimble has been wrongly convicted of Mrs. Kimble’s murder
OS Concern: The Future – what will happen or what will be is the area of shared concern in the objective story	The public’s future safety
OS Range: Preconception – unwillingness to re-evaluate is the objective story’s thematic focus	Guilty! Innocent!
OS Problem: Help – a direct assistance to another’s effort to achieve their goal is the source of the objective story’s difficulties	When people help it messes things up
OS Solution: Hinder – a direct detraction from another’s effort to achieve their goal is the actual remedy for the objective story’s problem(s)	Only by obstructing "Justice" will true justice be served -- impeding things long enough to let everything rebalance
OS Focus: Control – a method based on organization and constraint is the principal symptom of the objective story’s problem(s)	Imprisoning bad guys; controlling (and falsifying) Provasic drug results
OS Direction: Uncontrolled – a disorganized response is the apparent remedy for the principal symptom of the objective story’s problem(s)	Escaping prisoners; convicted murderers on the run; vigilante police; release of the Provasic drug into the public sector; etc.

MAIN CHARACTER

THROUGHLINE EXAMPLES

MC Domain: Physics – an activity is the general area which defines Dr. Richard Kimble’s attributes	Stay free long enough to identify person responsible for Mrs. Kimble’s murder.
MC Concern: Obtaining – achieving or possessing something is the area of Dr. Richard Kimble’s greatest concern	Discover (and obtain evidence indicating) who was responsible for wife’s death
MC Range: Self Interest – doing or being based on what is best for oneself is the area of Dr. Richard Kimble’s greatest sensitivity	Exonerate his name
MC Problem: Pursuit – a directed effort to resolve a problem is the source of Dr. Richard Kimble’s drive	Go after the “killer”
MC Solution: Avoidance – stepping around, preventing or escaping from a problem rather than solving it is the item, event, or process needed to truly satisfy Dr. Richard Kimble’s drive	Go to Bermuda
MC Focus: Control – a method based on organization and constraint is the area or item Dr. Richard Kimble believes the problem to be	Captivity
MC Direction: Uncontrolled – a disorganized response is the way Dr. Richard Kimble responds to problems	Freedom

Dramatica Story Engine Settings for The Fugitive

STORY DYNAMICS

RESOLVE: Steadfast

DIRECTION: Stop

APPROACH: Do-er

SEX: Male

WORK: Decision

LIMIT: Optionlock

OUTCOME: Success

JUDGMENT: Good

OBJECTIVE STORY

DOMAIN: Universe

CONCERN: The Future

RANGE: Preconception

PROBLEM: Help

SOLUTION: Hinder

FOCUS: Control

DIRECTION: Uncontrolled

CATALYST: Openness

INHIBITOR: Self-Interest

STIPULATION: Progress

SUBJECTIVE STORY

DOMAIN: Mind

CONCERN: The Subconscious

RANGE: Denial

PROBLEM: Logic

SOLUTION: Feeling

FOCUS: Control

DIRECTION: Uncontrolled

CATALYST: Closure

INHIBITOR: Commitment

STIPULATION: The Preconscious

MAIN CHARACTER THROUGHLINE

DOMAIN: Physics

CONCERN: Obtaining

RANGE: Self-Interest

PROBLEM: Pursuit

SOLUTION: Avoidance

FOCUS: Control

DIRECTION: Uncontrolled

UNIQUE AB: Approach

C. FLAW: Delay

STIPULATION: Doing

OBSTACLE CHARACTER THROUGHLINE

DOMAIN: Psychology

CONCERN: Becoming

RANGE: Commitment

PROBLEM: Help

SOLUTION: Hinder

FOCUS: Logic

DIRECTION: Feeling

UNIQUE AB: Rationalization

C. FLAW: Hope

STIPULATION: Being

ADDITIONAL STORY APPRECIATIONS

GOAL: The Future

CONSEQUENCE: The Subconscious

COST: Becoming

DIVIDEND: Obtaining

REQUIREMENTS: Progress

PREREQUISITES: The Preconscious

PRECONDITIONS: Being

FOREWARNINGS: Doing

Back to the Dramatica Weekend Workshop
Table of Contents

[dramatica/dramatica_footer.htm]

Resources