IS IT DRAMATIC?

The Essential Questions

See how your screenplay stacks up. Does it answer the Essential Questions of Dramatic Storytelling?

GO TO LINK - "IS IT DRAMATIC?" - top of left-hand column.

PLEASE NOTE: When applied honestly and conscientiously, this "diagnostic" tool will illuminate the re-writing process by directing the writer's attention to both the strengths and the weaknesses of the draft screenplay. Please note - the use of this document does not guarantee the presence of those qualities of freshness, surprise and credibility that are present in potent and compelling screen stories, what is some times referred to as "the magic". It is, therefore, possible that your script may answer ALL of the questions and still be predictable, cliched, stale and/or formulistic.

HOWEVER, if your script does not present characters and character-based actions that will enable the writer or script's reader to clearly and confidently answer these questions - particularly in the section entitled "The Character/s and the Conflict" - you can be assured that your screenplay doesn't yet meet the essential criteria that will allow it to provide meaningful (i.e.: emotionally satisfying) answers to that seemingly eternal question:

"Where's the Drama?"