COM FT 540: Notes for Tuesday, May 27

Key points for this class
Formal elements of drama
Alexander Nevsky
Lawrence of Arabia
Stagecoach
Dramatic structure

Formal elements of drama
A. A combination of:

1. character
2. theme
3. narrative line
4. poetic correspondence (levels of meaning). Environment projects emotional state, etc.

1. psychological impact
2. narrative rhythm
3. theatrical suspense & curiosity
4. thematic tension
5. personal tone

1. excite the reader, viewer
2. lift his consciousness from self to others (personally, socially, cosmically)
3. expand his worldview
4. heal social/personal/societal/trauma
5. identify the world of the reader/viewer in space and time

Question: on how many of hte above-mentioned levels does the film/screenplay operate for you? The more the levels, the richer the film.
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Alexander Nevsky
Real Method acting -- what is in me to bring out character (instead of other way around). Large scale. Big clouds, sky, troops. Musical cutting.
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Dramatic structure
1) exposition. Introduction of character/themes/narrative/dramatic style through conflict involving those elements. Can do anything the first 20 minutes as long as it's consistent (as opposed to "it was all a dream").
2) character determines direction of event. Define characters by how they act, react to each other.
3) environment is also treated as a character.

# of acts in screenplay determined by points of no return -- shifts in character/motive/theme.
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