Technology -- Circuits
The New York Times on the Web

August 19, 1999

Dramatica Pro

If you're the type of person who hates to read manuals, this program is not for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a piece of software that can raise more questions about your story's plot, characterization, individuals' motivations, inner thoughts, moral dilemmas, and course of action than you may even care to know, then Dramatica Pro deserves serious consideration.

The program, developed by two screenwriters, takes users through what they call "a new theory of story." The underlying premise is that "story forming," creating the Dramatica skeleton of a story stripped of its illustrations, is a different process from "story weaving," the telling of a story to the audience. Both should be developed separately.

Dramatica offers more than 32,000 story forms, which eventually become narrowed down to one as the user continues to answer questions about the story. Our Casablanca screenwriters would have been asked to consider issues like: "Does Rick use a logical method of problem solving or an intuitive method?" Do actions force decisions, or decisions force actions?" And does the struggle between Rick and Ilsa "involve a manner of thinking or demeanor?"

The process is not for the faint of heart; it can take days to complete. After the user runs through the various story forms, it's suggested that it be done two more times to check for accuracy. It is a tedious process, to be sure, but it forces the writer to think carefully about the structure and implications of the story.

Where the other programs look outdated, Dramatica Pro is a visual breath of fresh air. Virtually all elements of the software are customizable, including overall screen size, font and font size. Characters can be assigned one of scores of thumbnail portraits to help personalize each.

Follow the entire process and you'll be presented with a report on your screenplay that could be almost as large as the final work. The process can be so daunting and complex that Dramatica classes are held at the company's Los Angeles offices to help users master the program. With each successive release, the company has tried to simplify the software, reducing the size of its printed manuals and substituting lay terms for technical jargon.

The program is still overengineered for my taste, and there are so many tasks to accomplish and so many areas to cover that you begin to wish you could get on with the job of writing.