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by Chris Huntley
Nov 13, 2014 4:56 pm
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Am I getting this correct?
Replies: 2
Views: 12546

Re: Am I getting this correct?

Unless you're writing a novel, you'll be lucky to explore the objective characters more than at a cursory level. There is no "right" way to weave your story together. That said, here's my rule of thumb: The only story points that have a specific order are the four signposts. Each of the ot...
by Chris Huntley
Nov 07, 2014 5:33 pm
Forum: Screenwriting
Topic: What if an amateur had written Shutter Island
Replies: 1
Views: 9938

Re: What if an amateur had written Shutter Island

Too many variables. If it had the cast attached, my guess it would have. I am unfamiliar with the backstory of bringing it to the screen. It's has a twist popular in fiction, which has been around for so long that it is cliche, in my opinion. The production value and cast in the film was outstanding...
by Chris Huntley
Oct 20, 2014 9:46 am
Forum: Screenwriter Wishlist
Topic: NaviDoc
Replies: 1
Views: 10640

Re: NaviDoc

Good suggestion. I've added it to our feature request for Movie Magic Screenwriter updates.
by Chris Huntley
Oct 07, 2014 3:19 pm
Forum: Dramatica Theory
Topic: fiction vs reality
Replies: 1
Views: 11201

Re: fiction vs reality

I think you first need to figure out if this is supposed to be Fiction or Non-fiction. That sounds obvious, but the minute you choose fiction you are only limited by what you feel is necessary to capture the "truth" of the narrative. It's easier to base a fiction on non-fiction and keep th...
by Chris Huntley
Oct 05, 2014 8:50 am
Forum: Screenwriting
Topic: Same Character in a scene
Replies: 4
Views: 13469

Re: Same Character in a scene

If you don't like younger self, you could go with EARLIER SCROOGE, or MEMORY SCROOGE, or SCROOGE IN RECOLLECTION.
by Chris Huntley
Oct 03, 2014 10:29 am
Forum: Screenwriting
Topic: Same Character in a scene
Replies: 4
Views: 13469

Re: Same Character in a scene

There are a number of ways to handle it. If it is something where BOTH characters are onscreen at the same time, then it's best to give the younger character a name like, "YOUNGER SCROOGE". If the older (present day) character is commenting via voice over, then you can keep the name the sa...
by Chris Huntley
Sep 21, 2014 7:51 pm
Forum: The Writing Process
Topic: Parenthetical Direction Question
Replies: 2
Views: 16892

Re: Parenthetical Direction Question

Here is a post by Dr. Format that addresses your questions. ACTION AND PARENTHETICALS QUESTION Is the following example correct? JACK (grabs Jill by the hand) Could sure use some water, my dear. (a beat; starts up the hill) JILL (snatches the bucket out of his hand) Sounds like a good idea, Jack. (s...
by Chris Huntley
Aug 06, 2014 1:18 pm
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Problem and Solution Elements
Replies: 1
Views: 12113

Re: Problem and Solution Elements

I don't think there is a formula for when specific story points are made evident generically-speaking. I suspect that the solution for each throughline tends to show up toward the end of the last act (though exactly when is modified by the Story Judgment, Story Outcome, and MC Resolve dynamics), but...
by Chris Huntley
Jul 17, 2014 8:24 am
Forum: Using the Forums
Topic: Question on going back in time
Replies: 2
Views: 18276

Re: Question on going back in time

Similar to going forward. You can put it in the Scene Heading and let the filmmakers figure out how to convey it to the audience, e.g.: EXT. HOUSE - DAY - 28 YEARS EARLIER Or put up a title card that indicates the same thing. The title card is more explicit and won't be missed but is also more overt...
by Chris Huntley
Jul 08, 2014 9:37 am
Forum: Screenwriting
Topic: series of shots
Replies: 2
Views: 12535

Re: series of shots

Javon -- I responded to this question in this thread: http://forums.screenplay.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4552 However, one other way would be to use visual cues in the frame to indicate time changes. The following example is intentionally generic: MONTAGE -- John throws his mortar board up in the ...
by Chris Huntley
Jul 08, 2014 9:26 am
Forum: Using the Forums
Topic: Question
Replies: 1
Views: 11767

Re: Question

Hi Javon -- Welcome to the forums. There are a number of ways to write them depending on how you want the audience to know how much time has elapsed. Some ways use items within the frame to indicate the time lapse, such as calendars or photos of people growing up, which you should include in your de...
by Chris Huntley
Jun 28, 2014 8:26 am
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Plot Sequence Report: Are the Variations sequential?
Replies: 11
Views: 30389

Re: Plot Sequence Report: Are the Variations sequential?

1. Yes. 2. For all intents and purposes, yes. When exploring theme, the order of the variations can indicate an order but sequence is of less import than relative values (in theme). There is an element of plot (sequence) in the order of the Variations, but strict adherence to it is not necessary, th...
by Chris Huntley
Jun 28, 2014 8:21 am
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Basic question - identifying characters
Replies: 4
Views: 15536

Re: Basic question - identifying characters

That's the DISadvantage of character archetypes. They're too simple to describe more complex characters. In those instances, I recommend breaking away from archetypes by assigning players specific characteristics (character functions). That said, unless the father is the MC or IC, I wouldn't worry t...
by Chris Huntley
Jun 24, 2014 3:15 pm
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Story Expert for PC
Replies: 5
Views: 18494

Re: Story Expert for PC

I feel your pain but cannot melt the glacier any faster than its natural pace. It is still coming, but not any time soon.
by Chris Huntley
Jun 24, 2014 3:13 pm
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Plot Sequence Report: Are the Variations sequential?
Replies: 11
Views: 30389

Re: Plot Sequence Report: Are the Variations sequential?

With theme, the meaning comes from relative value (this vs. that compared to that vs. the other thing, and so on). Order is meaningful in plot, which is defined by sequence -- thus the plot sequence report is about the plot order of the Signposts -- whereas the variations explore relative benefits a...
by Chris Huntley
Jun 24, 2014 3:06 pm
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Basic question - identifying characters
Replies: 4
Views: 15536

Re: Basic question - identifying characters

Yes, Luke can be both Antagonist and Impact Character. If Luke committed the murder and the goal is to try to identify the murderer, then Luke would be the Antagonist if he's trying to prevent being identified as the murderer. When trying to identify characters and assign characteristics, always thi...
by Chris Huntley
Jun 24, 2014 2:58 pm
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Clothes Emphasis
Replies: 1
Views: 11119

Re: Clothes Emphasis

It may or may not be a part of the storyform, depending on what YOU want clothes to represent. Sometimes a cigar is a cigar, to borrow a phrase. If you WANT it to represent something in your storyform, then figure out what you think clothes mean to you and then use your characters to express that th...
by Chris Huntley
May 29, 2014 8:17 am
Forum: Dramatica Theory
Topic: Objective and Subjective Items in Diagonal Pair
Replies: 3
Views: 15062

Re: Objective and Subjective Items in Diagonal Pair

Perhaps "context" is more accurate than "perspective." The inside/outside context does not readily apply to items in the Dramatica structure, whereas it does apply to the four throughline perspectives (MC/IC, OS/SS).
by Chris Huntley
May 26, 2014 3:13 pm
Forum: Practical Dramatica
Topic: Illustrating Justification Levels
Replies: 2
Views: 13468

Re: Illustrating Justification Levels

Generally speaking, the signpost orders indicate the growth process for the two subjective characters -- the Main Character and the Influence Character. One will be tearing down justifications while the other is building them up (under traditional conventions where the MC is Change and the IC is Ste...

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