2009 LUL Academe Ethiopia Aristotle, Poetics

... NEW:



meyerhold.us
2007 : new Texture
Featured Pages: Playscript Analysis

Aristotle in DRAMA subdirectory

Examples based on the plays read and movies on the list -- in class.

(c)2004 *

Summary

eShakespeare-Hamlet Backwards and Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays by David Ball; Southern Illinois University Press, 1983 : - Part One: Shape - 1: What Happens That Makes Something Else Happen? - 2: And What Happens Next? - 3: But Do It Backwards - 4: Stasis and Intrusion - 5: Obstacle, Conflict - 6: Ignorance is Bliss (or: the Very Cause of Everyone's Lunacy About Hamlet) - 7: Things Theatrical - Part Two: Methods - 8: Exposition - 9: Forwards: Hungry for Next - 10: Missing Persons (character) - 11: Image - 15: Families - 16: Generalities: Mood, Atmosphere - 17: The Unique Factor - 18: Changing Eras - 19: Climax - 20: Beginnings/Endings - 21: Rereading - 22: What Next?

Notes

The Poetics [page?] 2008 vtheatre.net

Semiotics

Theatre Books Master-Page *

...


Structure

from script.vtheatre.net:

Aristotle (The Poetics) divided six main dramatic (v. epic) principles in two cathegories: structure and texture. ( see 200/drama files )

The three under structure are Plot (Story, Action), Character (hero) and Idea (Message).

pyramid-script

Part Five: Dramatic Structure and the Playwright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_structure : Aristotle divided drama into three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end. Perhaps equally influential to writers and literary critics alike has been the analysis of dramatic structure of Gustav Freytag, a modern application of five-act structure. [ hyperlinked content ]
I. Play: Structural Points (Composition)
A. Exposition
B. The inciting incident
C. Rising and falling dramatic action
D. Crisis Climax
E. Resolution
F. Denouement

II. The Playwright (Notice the spelling: “-wright” like a wheelwright or shipwright. The person is a playwright, and a playwright practices playwriting).

H. Tools

1. Dialogue
a. The scripted conversations of the characters.
b. Reveals character and plot.

2. Stage Directions
a. The playwright’s explanations and descriptions of what happens on stage.
b. Reveals action.

3. Structure (Narrative): Story
a. The way in which the playwright arranges the sequence of events.
b. Linear vs. Non-Linear (Star Wars and Fargo vs. Memento and Pulp Fiction)

I. Process

1. Internal
a. The collection, research, and thought process stage.
b. Think of a sponge soaking up everything around it.
c. Germination of idea

i. Rough story line
ii. Decide on message
iii. Creates characters
iv. Envision stage moments
v. Decides on style of dialogue
vi. Brainstorms structure

d. Research

2. Crafting or writing
a. Ways to begin:
i. Character
ii. Plot
iii. Improvisation with actors

3. Development
a. The text is now in a 2nd draft by this point.
b. Staged Readings (Allows the playwright to see audience reaction in an informal environment).
c. First productions

i. The playwright typically works closely with the director.
ii. Re-writes during rehearsal


III. Production and Show

1. A company selects a playwright’s script.
2. The producer negotiates the performance rights for the play through the playwright or his agent.
3. The theatre company pays the royalty fees.

a. Based on:
i. Playwright’s name
ii. Whether the play is a one act, full length, or a musical.
iii. Professional and Amateur Rights
iv. Physical size of the theatre
v. Ticket prices

http://script.vtheatre.net/5 -- writing

PS

Some scripts are plot-oriented, some -- character-centerred, some have "an idea" as main principle.

* How the three of the structure categories interdependent?

Homework

Give examples of plot, character or idea oriented scripts, plays, movies.

NB

To connect the three structure principles with the three texture principles.

Rex05

Next: Texture

and film analysis
* GODOT.06: Doing Beckett => main stage Theatre UAF Spring 2006 *