2012 External and Internal Dependencies Posted on December 31, 2012 by Melanie Anne Phillips As co-creator of the Dramatica theory, I often take some of the concepts so for granted that I forget to consider wider application of them. For example, in my classes I often speak of the three kinds of character relationships: … Continue reading → Conversational Inertia […]
This is the first in a series of articles I’ll be writing about a whole different way of looking at the Dramatica theory of narrative structure – in terms of dynamics, rather than structure. In fact, the dynamic model is a counterpart, not an alternative, to the existing structural model with which you may be […]
The following is a transcript from an online class on the Dramatica theory of story hosted by its co-creator, Melanie Anne Phillips signed on as Dramatica: William S1 : After working so long in 3-act structure, I’m unclear on Dramatica’s four-act structure. Dramatica : Okay, let’s address that question… Dramatica sees both a structural and […]
Analyzing and Predicting the Activities of Groups & Organizations By Melanie Anne Phillips Based on theories developed by Melanie Anne Phillips & Chris Huntley Introduction to Dramatica Theory and Applications The Dramatica Theory of Story is a model of the mind’s problem solving processes which has been successfully employed for seventeen years in […]
In the Dramatica Theory Book, we lay out a method of story development that results in 28 scenes, each with a component of Character, Plot and Theme. We also describe a 24 scene perspective of story structure. Recently, a Dramatica user was having trouble seeing how the two apparently contradictory approaches related to one another. […]
A Dramatica user recently asked a couple of questions about developing characters other than the Main and Impact (Obstacle) and also about Dramatica’s reference to “28 magic scenes” in one place and 24 scenes in another. Here’s my reply – you’ll find the original questions at the end: Hi, Heather. Here’s some […]
A Dramatica user recently asked: Hello: would appreciate your help on this. Am using the Dramatica software. Level III. Impact Character is MIND and that’s OK. However, the software keeps telling me that Signpost #1 is Memories and Signpost #2 is Preconscious/Impulsive Responses. I want them reversed, i.e. Signpost #1 to be Impulsive Responses and […]
by Chris Huntley I spent nearly sixteen years avoiding reading anything of substance by (Hollywood) story theorists such as Syd Field, John Truby, Christopher Vogler, Robert McKee and others. As co-creator of the Dramatica theory of story, I didn’t want to influence my development of Dramatica so I avoided direct interaction with competing theories. In […]
Analyzing and Predicting the Activities of Groups & Organizations By Melanie Anne Phillips Based on theories developed by Melanie Anne Phillips & Chris Huntley Introduction to Dramatica Theory and Applications The Dramatica Theory of Story is a model of the mind’s problem solving processes which has been successfully employed for seventeen years in […]
Some time ago, I decided to write a poem based on sound Dramatica Theory of Narrative concepts. Specifically, I wanted to cover all four throughlines (I, You, We, and They) and have each follow a quad (family of four) of plot points as an illustration of signpost/journey four act/three act structure seen from all four points […]