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This edition has information on the following topics:
========================================================= MAJOR CHANGES BETWEEN VERSION 1.6 and 2.0: STORYGUIDE PATH ADDED: Added new questions and reports to support the new "Storyguide Pro". These questions, combined with the StoryGuide tutorial, hand-hold the user through the entire writing process. These changes provide a practical approach for easing the new user into to using Dramatica. STORYPOINTS REVAMPED: StoryPoints, a useful table of story dramatics, has been revamped to allow better selection, editing, font selection, column resizing, keyboard navigation and overall easier operation. MULTIPLE REPORT SELECTION: Many users have asked for a mechanism to 1) Select multiple reports for viewing, printing and exporting, and 2) to have some guidance describing each of Dramatica 36 reports. There is now a scrolling list of reports that describes each of the available reports, and the user can select one, many or all of the reports. IMPROVED EXPLANATION, THEORY, AND USAGE TEXT: The operation of Dramatica as an application is rather simple and easy to grasp; the theory behind the software has a learning curve. In version 2.0 much of the text used in questions and explanations has been successfully rewritten to reduce the strongly academic tone that hampered earlier versions. OVERALL COSMETIC AND GUI CHANGES: The program underwent several levels of quality assurance to correct minor problems where we were not following the GUI standards of the various platforms. We also corrected any punctuation, grammar, and spelling errors that were reported. In some places, we discovered a small number of incorrect structural or dynamic "appreciations" (Dramatica story perspectives) that had made a few of the earlier reports confusing or incorrect. PERFORMANCE CHANGES: A number of technical changes were made to improve launch and operational performance. Most of these changes were of a highly technical nature, and the result of optimizations to our C++ Class Library that ports Dramatica between Macintosh and Windows. We improve file I/O performance by using the native Macintosh file I/O, and changed the implementation of our list classes, which had a profoundly positive effect on global performance. POWERMAC NATIVE SUPPORT: This new version comes in both PowerMac native and 68K flavors. Dramatica really benefits from the extra performance of being a native application, especially for launch and operations that involve the Story Engine. BETTER WINDOWS 95 SUPPORT: Long filenames are now supported, as well as a number of Windows 95-specific changes: better default fonts, proportional scrollbars, spinning wait cursor, improved print preview, and better support of customized display appearance. Performance and reliability has been improved for all Windows versions. COPY PROTECTION REMOVED: Most of Dramatica's technical support was related to copy protection, which was removed due to Dramatica becoming a more horizontal market product that is now retailed nationwide. Like many non copy protected products, Dramatica Pro requires the user to enter their name and a key the first time the product is installed or moved to a new machine. Otherwise, there is no longer any limitation on number of installs or any impact on backing up and restoring the product. NEW THEORY BOOK: Although technically not a software change, it has been our experience that the Theory Book, "Dramatica: A New Theory of Story" has really inspired writers to use the power of the Dramatica software more effectively. The new theory book abandons the academic tone in favor of simpler explanations, making for more enjoyable reading. Some earlier versions of Dramatica didn't come with the theory book, but user feedback led us to the conclusion that their satisfaction with the product was enhanced by including the theory book. ADDITIONAL STORY EXAMPLES: All stories that Screenplay Systems has broken down are now included with the Dramatica Pro package. This raises the number from 20 to 36. Also, the quality of these breakdowns has improved: we have added additional information for more of Dramatica's many questions. All stories underwent punctuation, grammar and spell-checking, a process that escaped our quality assurance in earlier versions. New stories include: Amadeus, To Kill a Mockingbird, Bull Durham, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, When Harry Met Sally, The Godfather, Casablanca, Reservoir Dogs, and Blade Runner.
========================================================= HOW TO UPGRADE FROM A PREVIOUS VERSION OF DRAMATICA: And now, a word from our sales/update department: Although you will receive an update notice by mail early next month, this is the update information that you may take advantage of now: = = = Update from Dramatica 1.0 thru 1.6 - $99.95. = = = With the Dramatica Pro update, you will receive an entirely new program with new manuals, a new box, etc. Better yet, Dramatica Pro 2.0 doesn't have that annoying copy protection, so all those old installation problems are a thing of the past! If you have bought an older version (pre 2.0) of Dramatica Pro AFTER February 1, 1996, you are entitled to receive a complete update free of charge. Just provide us with your proof of purchase and we'll be happy to take care of you. = = = = = Software-Only Update - $49.95 = = = = =
For those of you who are interested in only updating your software without the Pro Writing System, you can purchase update disks only for $49.95 (NOTE: This is not advised since the new writing system and software are closely intertwined. Buying the disks first and the writing system at a later date is more expensive.) = PowerGrade to Pro 2.0 (Competitive Upgrade) - $229.95 = If you own Dramatica Lite, Dramatica Writer's DreamKit, or a competitor such as Collaborator, Storyline Pro, or Plots Unlimited, you can PowerGrade to Pro by faxing us your proof of ownership (preferably a copy of your program registration card) with your order. To place your order, simply call 1-800-84-STORY or (818) 843-6557, and press "1" for sales and customer service. Or you can send a FAX to 818-843-6557, attn: Client Services. NOTE: Sales tax and shipping/handling charges may apply. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity. We're standing by to take your phone/FAX order 8:30 am to 5:30 pm PST. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
========================================================= SPRING SALE ON SSI SOFTWARE: (prices good thru 4/30/96) Dramatica Pro - $299.95 Dramatica Writer's DreamKit - $109.95 Scriptor - $99.95 Movie Magic Budgeting - $399.95 Movie Magic Scheduling/Breakdown - $469.95 Industry Labor Guide - $199.95 MovieBuff / SpeedCall - $199.95
Call 1-800-84-STORY or (818) 843-6557, and press "1" for sales.
========================================================= SECOND U.C.L.A. DRAMATICA CLASS BEING OFFERED
Dramatica: A Revolutionary New Approach to Storytelling for Screenwriters When: The Weekend of May 18 & 19 Where: UCLA: Boeltler Hall 3400 Fee: $165.00 Registration #: T1660B
Registration:
Join Melanie Anne Phillips and Chris Huntley, the creators of Dramatica, the highly publicized and praised screenwriting software, for an eye-opening seminar on this revolutionary way of looking at story and the practical tools it provides. Based on the premise that every complete story is a model of the mind's problem-solving process, this exciting new theory of writing is being used by aspiring and practicing screenwriters alike to write and improve their scripts. This is the second time the seminar has been done in conjunction with UCLA. The first class was one of the most attended writing classes UCLA Extension has held. It was the first class the authors used multimedia examples to illustrate Dramatica concepts. ========================================================= SEVEN MONTH SCHEDULE FOR DRAMATICA USER'S GROUP The Dramatica Users' Group meets once every month at the Screenplay Systems offices in Burbank. This group is free and open to all Dramatica users, offering a chance to have any and all your Dramatica questions answered face to face. It's also a place to hear of all the latest and greatest Dramatica developments, and most importantly it is a place to see Dramatica in action. The center piece of every User's Group meeting is the Story Breakdown. Every month, we break down another popular story to see how one would approach such a work using Dramatica. Users are invited to review the story before hand and try coming up with a Dramatica storyform on their own. At the meetings, Screenplay Systems will present its storyform and everyone will learn from the exchange and following discussion. The Users' Group meets from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on the second Wednesday of every month at the offices of Screenplay Systems, 150 E. Olive St., Suite 203 in Burbank, CA. The schedule below lists the meeting dates and the films to be analyzed: April 10 -- A Streetcar Named Desire May 8 -- 6 Degrees of Separation June 12 -- Rebel Without A Cause July 10 -- All That Jazz August 14 -- The Sting September 11 -- Ordinary People October 9, 7:00pm: A special "Story Embroidering" meeting. Instead of analyzing an existing story, we're going to create one. Using Dramatica's "Spin-the-model" feature, we will randomly pick one of the 32,768 storyforms. Then, Chris Huntley, co-author of the Dramatica theory, will guide the group through encoding the appreciations and we will write a story "off-the-cuff". Kinda like story improv except that by the end of the night we will have a story that, though bizarre, hangs together and make sense. The story will become the property of all who participate. See you there! If you have any questions, call Mark at 818-843-6557 ext. 532.
========================================================= DRAMATICA AND MOVIE MAGIC IN NEW YORK CITY! If you live in the tri-state area and would like to see Dramatica or Movie Magic in action (or know a friend who might): Screenplay Systems will be doing three two-hour presentations of Dramatica in New York city, April 26-27. The event is co-sponsored by the Director's Guild, Writer's Guild East, Independent Feature Project, NY Women in Film & Television, Microsoft, and the Tisch School of the Arts (NYU film school). Seminar presenters will be company President Stephen Greenfield and Vice-President and Dramatica theory co-author Chris Huntley. There is no charge for these presentations. = = = Seminars on Friday, April 26, 1996 = = =
= = = Seminars on Saturday, April 27, 1996 = = =
If you are a member of one of these organizations and wish to attend, you should contact your group and make a reservation. If you are not a member, you can still attend by RSVPing to:
Demos on Friday are Windows versions, Saturday demos are Macintosh. Products are very similar on both platforms (as you may know). Space is limited to about 100 per session.
========================================================= WEEKLY DRAMATICA WRITERS' GROUP CONTINUES! The Dramatica Writers' group, writers interested in using the software and theory to create and analyze their work, continue to meet weekly, Tuesday nights at the offices of Screenplay Systems (see address above). If you have a script you'd like feedback on, or are interested in getting to use the software or theory, check it out, it's free!
========================================================= UPCOMING REVIEWS & ARTICLES: Reviews of Dramatica are in the works at MacUser, Windows Magazine, MacWorld, and Videography. MacWeek is working on an short piece about the Dramatica 2.0 release.
========================================================= CUSTOMER SERVICE IS OUR #1 PRIORITY Screenplay Systems is working hard to make customer service our top priority. If you are not getting the best possible service, or have a problem which was not resolved to your satisfaction, please contact the appropriate manager by phone, FAX or E-Mail:
General complaints, which are reviewed by all managers, can be sent to: Complaints@Screenplay.com. If you have a problem which could not be resolved by the managers above, please contact me, Screenplay Systems' President, Stephen Greenfield. I can be reached by E-mail, FAX or postal mail. My E-Mail address for these issues is: Prez@Screenplay.com.
========================================================= PHONE SYSTEM UPGRADED: A long awaited overhaul of the Screenplay Systems phone system has been completed. Calls should be picked up quicker, and transferring and voice mail should be more reliable. If you have any comments about the new system, please let us know.
========================================================= ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST: No one likes "junk mail". Screenplay Systems does not pass this list out to any other companies. If you do not wish to receive any notifications from us in the future, please send e-mail to "Newsletter@Screenplay.com" and ask to be removed from the electronic newsletter. If you like receiving information from us, just keep us posted when you change e-mail addresses.
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OUR E-MAIL ADDRESSES: Dramatica Support: Dramatica@Screenplay.com Technical Support: Support@Screenplay.com Newsletter comments: Newsletter@Screenplay.com Customer Service: Sales@Screenplay.com Literature: Lit@Screenplay.com Personal comments, complaints: Stephen@Screenplay.com
Thank you for your continued support, Stephen Greenfield |
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