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Thematic Sequence Confusion

Posted: Jun 06, 2010 5:34 am
by gabriel17
Hi Chris.

I was wondering if you could clarify something for me.

I've illustrated my story form in broad strokes and I'm about to start working on the thematic sequences. I have a general idea of they work, but something in particular is confusing me.

My OS Issue is Skill with the Counterpoint of Experience and the other elements in that quad are Wisdom and Enlightenment.

I've been reading the Dramatica material regarding sequences and one of the questions it poses is: "When Skill is the issue, how do we rate the Wisdom of those espousing it?"

To me, this question suggests that I place the emphasis on Wisdom as being either beneficial or detrimental in relation to Skill, which would then allow the audience to evaluate Wisdom.

My understanding however is that I should focus on Skill as being either beneficial or detrimental in relation to Wisdom, which would then enable the audience to evaluate Skill.

So my question is: which way should I look at it? Do I focus on Skill and evaluate it in terms of wisdom or do I focus on Wisdom and evaluate it in terms of Skill?

Also, I'm using the thematic quads as Dependant, Companion and Dynamic Pairs, for example Wisdom indirectly benefiting or hindering Skill. Is this the right thing to do or am I completely off track?

I've been going round and round trying to work out the sequences for all four throughlines and all I've done is confuse myself, so any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Re: Thematic Sequence Confusion

Posted: Jun 08, 2010 10:57 am
by Chris Huntley
Theme is all about the value of something in relative context versus independently. So, with Skill vs. Wisdom, it is important to illustrate the value/usefulness/effectiveness of each, but also the relative value of one to the other. For example, Skill may be shown as important, and Experience shown as important, but overall, Skill may be of less value than Experience in the context of the story. (NOTE: This is only one of a variety of ways Sill and Experience may be shown.)

As an ISSUE, Skill is tied to your throughline's Problem (and Solution). This is why it is the point of reference and why the thematic conflict is Experience as it relates to Skill, and not vice versa so much.

Wisdom and Enlightenment are there to contextualize Skill and Experience. In other words, wisdom and enlightenment may be used to show how and why Skill is advantageous or disadvantageous.