Writing Drama (11)

Yves Lavandier’s book Writing Drama currently rates as the absolute favorite of our book reviewer Jack Brislee.To give you the opportunity to delve into Lavandier’s amazing knowledge and insight, we will be publishing a weekly excerpt from the book. The Objective’s Effectiveness It is not enough, if you want to write a story successfully, simply … Read more

Video: David Mamet

Here is an interview from a few years back in which Mamet explains what drama is all about.

And it’s not character development.

It’s about “Get there, that’s all it is. Whatever is happening next.”

Mamet summarizes his view on his craft in a very simple statement.

“The whole idea of drama is three things:

  • Who wants what from whom?
  • What happens if they don’t get it?
  • Why now?
  • And for the avoidance of doubt:

    “There’s no such thing as character development. All there is, is action”

    He also talks about the Hero’s Journey and how each story is really the same Hero myth. A fascinating piece.

    Enjoy!

    Read more

    Best o/t Web 8 Aug 10

    :: Martin Scorcese on story versus plot.
    :: Stuck for ideas? Look around you in everyday life.
    :: The psychological process from disunity to unity, Inception’s elements.
    :: The key to presenting religion in science fiction.
    :: A look at scene description: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
    :: Young Adult and Diablo Cody.
    :: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spielberg script.
    :: Interview with screenwriter Alex Litvak.
    :: The benefits of reading aloud, hear your story.

    Read more

    Structure: Elephant In The Room

    Story structure has become a riddle. We have bona fide experts, people with solid credentials, telling us story structure is critical. Many argue that story structure comes in 1 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 7 or even 9 acts! Others proclaim story structure to be a myth. by Lee A. Matthias Set-Up: Blind Man’s … Read more