Who Are They and What Are They Doing?

When considering the Objective Story perspective, it is best to use the third person plural (“They”) voice to evaluate the Classes. They refers to the entire set of Objective Characters (protagonist, antagonist, sidekick, etc.) collectively.

  • If the Objective Story’s Domain is Universe (e.g. The Verdict, The Poseidon Adventure, or The Fugitive), consider asking: What is it like to be in their situation? What is their status? What condition are they in? Where are they going to be in the future? What’s so special about their past?
  • If the Objective Story’s Domain is Physics (e.g. Star Wars): What are they involved in? How do they get what they want? What must they learn to do the things they want to do? What does it mean to them to have (or lose) something?
  • If the Objective Story’s Domain is Mind (e.g. Hamlet or To Kill A Mockingbird): What are they afraid of? What is their opinion? How do they react to that? How do they feel about this or that? What is it that they remember about that night?
  • If the Objective Story’s Domain is Psychology (e.g. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or Four Weddings and a Funeral): Who are they really? How should they act? How can they become different people? Why are they so angry, or reserved, or whatever? How are they manipulating or being manipulated?

From the Dramatica Theory Book