Storyform for "Dark City"

Podcast of Dramatica Users Group Analysis

CHARACTER DYNAMICS:

• MC RESOLVE: Change
• MC GROWTH: Start
• MC APPROACH: Do-er
• MC PROBLEM-SOLVING STYLE: Logical
• IC RESOLVE: Steadfast

PLOT DYNAMICS:

• DRIVER: Action
• LIMIT: Optionlock
• OUTCOME: Success
• JUDGMENT: Good

MAIN CHARACTER (John Murdoch)

• THROUGHLINE: Situation
• CONCERN: The Past
• ISSUE: Prediction vs. Interdiction
• PROBLEM: Perception
• SOLUTION: Actuality
• SYMPTOM: Inertia
• RESPONSE: Change
• UNIQUE ABILITY: Interdiction
• CRITICAL FLAW: Evidence
• BENCHMARK: The Present
• SIGNPOST 1: How Things are Changing
• SIGNPOST 2: The Future
• SIGNPOST 3: The Present
• SIGNPOST 4: The Past

OVERALL STORY (Beat the Strangers at their Game)

• THROUGHLINE: Manipulation
• CONCERN: Developing a Plan
• ISSUE: Situation vs. Circumstances
• PROBLEM: Perception
• SOLUTION: Actuality
• SYMPTOM: Order
• RESPONSE: Chaos
• CATALYST: Circumstances
• INHIBITOR: Senses
• BENCHMARK: Conceiving an Idea
• SIGNPOST 1: Playing a Role
• SIGNPOST 2: Changing One's Nature
• SIGNPOST 3: Developing a Plan
• SIGNPOST 4: Conceiving an Idea

MAIN VS. IMPACT STORY (Rebuild Relationship)

• THROUGHLINE: Activity
• CONCERN: Understanding
• ISSUE: Senses vs. Interpretation
• PROBLEM: Inequity
• SOLUTION: Equity
• SYMPTOM: Order
• RESPONSE: Chaos
• CATALYST: Interpretation
• INHIBITOR: Situation
• BENCHMARK: Gathering Information
• SIGNPOST 1: Doing
• SIGNPOST 2: Understanding
• SIGNPOST 3: Obtaining
• SIGNPOST 4: Gathering Information

IMPACT CHARACTER (Emma Murdoch)

• THROUGHLINE: Fixed Attitude
• CONCERN: Memories
• ISSUE: Evidence vs. Suspicion
• PROBLEM: Change
• SOLUTION: Inertia
• SYMPTOM: Order
• RESPONSE: Chaos
• UNIQUE ABILITY: Suspicion
• CRITICAL FLAW: Prediction
• BENCHMARK: Contemplation
• SIGNPOST 1: Memories
• SIGNPOST 2: Impulsive Responses
• SIGNPOST 3: Innermost Desires
• SIGNPOST 4: Contemplation

ADDITIONAL STORY POINTS

• GOAL: Developing a Plan
• CONSEQUENCE: Understanding
• COST: Memories
• DIVIDEND: The Past
• REQUIREMENT: Conceiving an Idea
• PREREQUISITE: Gathering Information
• PRECONDITION: Contemplation
• FOREWARNINGS: The Present

VOCABULARY:

Action: in terms of the Overall plot, actions force decisions

Activity: an activity or endeavor

Actuality: objective reality; the way things are

Change: an alteration of a state or process

Change: John Murdoch changes his essential nature while attempting to solve the problem

Changing One's Nature: transforming one's nature

Chaos: random change or a lack of order

Circumstances: an emotional assessment of one's environment

Conceiving an Idea: coming up with an idea

Contemplation: present considerations

Developing a Plan: visualizing how an existing idea might be implemented

Do-er: John Murdoch looks for a physical solution to his problem

Doing: engaging in a physical activity

Equity: a balance, fairness, or stability

Evidence: information supporting a belief

Fixed Attitude: a fixed attitude or outlook

Gathering Information: gathering information or experience

Good: John Murdoch ultimately succeeds in resolving his personal problems

How Things are Changing: the way things are going

Impulsive Responses: innate responses

Inequity: an unbalance, unfairness, or lack or equality

Inertia: a continuation of a state or process

Innermost Desires: basic drives and desires

Interdiction: an effort to change a predetermined course

Interpretation: determination of possible meaning

Logical: John Murdoch uses inherently logical (linear) problem solving techniques

Manipulation: a manner of thinking or demeanor

Memories: recollections

Obtaining: achieving or possessing something

Optionlock: the story climax occurs because all options have been exhausted

Order: a patterned arrangement

Perception: the way things seem to be

Playing a Role: temporarily adopting a lifestyle

Prediction: a predetermination of a future state of affairs

Senses: sensory observations

Situation: a situation or environment

Situation: a logistic assessment of one's environment

Start: regarding John Murdoch, the audience is waiting for something to begin

Steadfast: John Murdoch ultimately retains his essential nature

Success: the original goal is achieved

Suspicion: questioning or forming a belief based on new evidence

The Future: what will happen or what will be

The Past: what has already happened

The Present: the current situation and circumstances

Understanding: appreciating the meaning of something