Dramatica Tip
of the Month
November 2004
Stories
with One or Two Players
Question: If I have only
one character (a'la Castaway), how do I define the character via Dramatica,
when the minimum number of characters is two (Main and Impact)?
Answer: Cast
Away actually has two characters on the island-- Chuck Noland and
Wilson (the soccer ball). Even though Wilson cannot talk,
Chuck voices the alternative perspective to his own. You'll
notice that time on the island is equally spent between the four
throughlines. Stranded
on a deserted island is the OS throughline. Obsessed workaholic
is the MC. Stoic sidekick is the IC. And the strained
relationship is the MC/IC. So, even though there isn't another
PERSON on the island, the storyform necessities are nicely handled.
I
suggest that you do the same for your one character piece. The "other" can
be the character's absent parent, teacher, child, boss, or whatever. Just
make sure that IC perspective (in fact, all four perspectives) are
communicated.
Whether
you have one player or one-thousand players, you need to communicate
the four throughlines to your audience. The throughlines form
the basis of your airtight argument (if, in fact, your intention
is to create a Grand Argument Story [GAS]).
With
two players, it's easy to tell a GAS. One is the MC. The
other is the IC. Their relationship is the MC/IC. And the
larger scenario in which they find themselves is the OS.
You
can have one player describe all four perspectives if you want. For
example, the MC might say, "You know, your problem is that you're
bias blind's you to obvious flaws in your logic (IC=Fixed Attitude). Sure,
I'm stuck in a rut and can't seem to get out (MC=Situation), but
that doesn't explain why we have to play games with one
another instead of just recognizing the fact that we're meant for
each other (MC/IC=Manipulation). And if you don't get up off
your ass and start shoveling this stuff, that foreman over there
is going to ship our asses off to some worse work camp (OS=Activity)."
You
see, the number of players does not limit your ability to express
any or all points of view in your story.
|
