Use of Dramatica Terminology

Come here to ask questions or give advice about the theory that forms the basis of Dramatica.
ericbrooking
Writer
Posts: 10
Joined: Aug 14, 2010 10:03 am

Use of Dramatica Terminology

Postby ericbrooking » Aug 19, 2010 1:07 pm

Chris can you help with this?

I have chosen the MC Issue = Delay and the IC concern is Fixed Attitude outlook of innermost desires.
The MC is a procrastinator and the IC is a tough straight forward guy and father of the MC.
The MC vs IC Story report has come back with this:
If they were to argue, MC might say, "We must focus on what will happen or be because of our Delay." To which IC might respond, "No, we must not be driven because of Hope."

How is one to interpret this? It doesn't sound like something the MC would say as he would not want to shine light on his procrastination. And the IC would want to drive to something he hoped for. I must be reading this incorrectly.

User avatar
Chris Huntley
Site Admin
Posts: 724
Joined: Jan 25, 2008 5:19 pm
Location: Glendale, CA USA
Contact:

Re: Use of Dramatica Terminology

Postby Chris Huntley » Aug 20, 2010 4:33 pm

First of all, the quote you use is in the context of the MC/IC Relationship throughline. The MC might have blind spots when looking at himself, but not necessarily when looking at his relationship with the IC. This falls in the realm of "Do as I say, not as I do."

An important thing to remember about the relationship throughline is that it is about the RELATIONSHIP, not the individuals in the relationship. Let's say I label the relationship between your characters as Teacher/Student. The MC might say something like, "Let's focus on what is going to happen to us as a teacher and student because of these delays," whereas the IC might say, "No, we shouldn't build our relationship as teacher and student based on what we hope may happen."

Always keep the context of the throughline in mind when illustrating the various story points in the storyform. If you do, you'll find that paradoxes, such as the one you point out, make perfect sense when they are appropriately limited in scope.
Chris Huntley
Write Brothers Inc.
http://dramatica.com/
http://screenplay.com/

ericbrooking
Writer
Posts: 10
Joined: Aug 14, 2010 10:03 am

Re: Use of Dramatica Terminology

Postby ericbrooking » Aug 23, 2010 7:59 am

Can you be a little more specific in regards to my situation? The MC is the son who procrastinates and the IC is the father who is trying to get his son to "buckle down and fly right." This would really help me understand what Dramatica is trying to tell me.
Thanks

User avatar
Chris Huntley
Site Admin
Posts: 724
Joined: Jan 25, 2008 5:19 pm
Location: Glendale, CA USA
Contact:

Re: Use of Dramatica Terminology

Postby Chris Huntley » Aug 24, 2010 10:45 am

How about this:

SON: So, what do you think's the problem if we wait a little while? Let's chill.
FATHER: Sitting on you ass and hoping for the best won't cut it.

Does that work better for you?
Chris Huntley
Write Brothers Inc.
http://dramatica.com/
http://screenplay.com/


Return to “Dramatica Theory”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests