EXCERPTS

Table of contents | Preface | Pages from the book


TABLE OF CONTENTS


PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

4
   

INTRODUCTION

8
   

WARNING

19
   

THE SYNTHETIC MODEL

 
   

I. THE BASIC MECHANISMS

32
   

1. CONFLICT AND EMOTION

 

A. The basic element

33

B. The interest of conflict

37

C. Noteworthy examples of conflict

46

D. How conflict works

50
   

2. PROTAGONIST - OBJECTIVE

 

A. Definition and properties

53

B. The objective's effectiveness

64
   

3. OBSTACLES

 

A. The nature and variety of obstacles

67

B. Creating effective obstacles

80

C. Examples

99

D. The dramatic question and suspense

102
   

4. CHARACTERISATION

 

A. Elements of characterisation

110

B. Action and characterisation

115

C. Techniques of characterisation

117

D. Examples of outstanding characterisations

132
   
II. THE STRUCTURAL MECHANISMS
147
   

5. STRUCTURE

 

A. The three acts

148

B. Plot points (climax, inciting incident, first act/second act transition, twist, etc.)

154

C. Examples of construction

173
   

6. UNITY

 

A. The three unities (time, place, action)

195

B. Other forms of unity

205
   

7. PREPARATION, LANGUAGE AND CREATIVITY

 

A. Justification

207

B. Audience participation

219

C. The grammar of drama

225

D. Preparation and creativity

253

E. Preparation promotes unity

262
   

8. DRAMATIC IRONY

 

A. A powerful tool

263

B. Justification for dramatic irony

271

C. How dramatic irony works

273

D. Properties and applications

282

E. Diffuse dramatic irony

299

F. Suspense, surprise and mystery

303
   

9. COMEDY

 

A. The subject and principle of comedy

316

B. How comedy works

327

C. The importance of comedy

338

D. How to write comedy

344
   

10. DEVELOPMENT

 

A. From the general to the local

346

B. The sequence

350
   
III. THE LOCAL MECHANISMS 355
   

11. EXPOSITION

 

A. Definition and characteristics

356

B. How to place exposition

359

C. The flashback

361
   

12. ACTIVITY

 

A. Principle and definition

367

B. Overuse of activity in the cinema

375

C. Notable examples of activity

378

D. Significant and symbolic

383
   

13. DIALOGUE

 

A. An overvalued resource

386

B. Purpose and technique

388

C. Witticisms and payoffs

397

D. Exploiting irony and stupidity

400

E. Activity and dialogue

402
   

14. EFFET

 

A. Image

405

B. Sound

408

C. The mise-en-scène

410
   
IV. ANALYTICAL APPLICATION OF THE SYNTHETIC MODEL  
   

15. ANALYSES

 

A. The School for Wives

412

B. North by Northwest

424
   
METHODOLOGY  
   

16. INTENTION

443
   

17. COMPOSITION

 

A. Protagonist - objective - obstacles

455

B. The framework

461

C. The step outline

464

D. The treatment

468

E. The full script

469

F. General suggestions

471
   
   

APPENDICES

 
   

18. DRAMA AND LITERATURE

481
   

19. WRITING FOR CHILDREN

488
   

20. SHORT FILMS

500
   

21. DOCUMENTARIES

512
   

22. WORKSHOP EXERCISES

516
   

23. READING A PLAY OR A SCRIPT

523
   

CONCLUSION

529
   
GLOSSARY 533
   
INDEX OF TITLES 548
   
INDEX OF PERSONS 581
   
BIBLIOGRAPHY 589