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| SEQUENCE, PROPOSITION, PLOT |
| This three-step process has been consistently cited
as "the most advanced development tool in the film industry." It will
turn the meandering, episodic storyline into a tightly woven plot.
By making the whole script work as a solid, compelling drama, then
doing the same for each act, and for each scene, the script has an
organic unity that will consistently grip an audience. Separate the
Necessary from the Unnecessary; isolate the central Dramatic Question;
direct the audience sympathy; structure conflict to continuously keep
the ever-demanding audience on the edge of their seat. |
| PRINCIPLES OF DRAMATIC ACTION |
| Trap the protagonist in a good strong Dilemma, in which
neither choice is acceptable and you've cornered a wild animal, creating
a dynamic tension. Force the protagonist through a Crisis, and the
resulting Decision & Action is often explosive and revelatory. The
protagonist's final Resolution of the Dilemma can often transform
the central character as well as the audience. Integrate all this
into a Theme of depth and magnitude. A refreshing and practical approach
to using Aristotle's theories of structure to create riveting dramatic
action. |
| DRAMATIC LOGIC |
| Cut to the heart of the dramatic conflict in a script
with this powerful tool. You know the throughline, but what is the
plot about? The ability to strip the plot down to two main combatants
and make the conflict work structurally grounds the material and goes
a long way toward turning mere "Story" into Drama. The power of logic
can isolate and extract that which is the most powerful about the
script and help develop it in its extremes. Take all the energy that
goes into rewrites and put it into engineering your script properly
before you write your first draft. |
| THE 36 UNIVERSAL DRAMATIC SITUATIONS |
| Destroy writer's block, devastate cliche and dimensionalize
character with this remarkable brainstorming tool. Exploit these time-tested
elements to bring fresh ideas, creative chaos and new energy to a
script that has potential but lacks something. Attack the audience
with unexpected twists, dynamic character attributes and powerful
actions. Like a bomb maker's kit, the 36 Dramatic Situations is a
fantastic free association tool with which to explode a story into
unexpected wild dimensions. |
| THREE STATE-OF-THE-ART DRAMATURGIC SCRIPT ANALYSES |
| Each participant will receive as course material an
in-depth analysis of THE GODFATHER, TOOTSIE and BLADE RUNNER. They
will serve as active examples of the tools and techniques being presented
during the seminar and also allow you to follow up with further study
at home. These tools work equally for script analysis and for plot
construction, so getting a look at the mechanics of these masterpieces
shows you how to make the tools serve your needs. |
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