Events
Contents
One of the fascinating aspects of the Dramatica model is that it is recursive. It represents one full cycle of considering a problem. In fact, a story's dramatics work in such a way that when you reach the end of the story, you return to reconsider the beginning. Mirroring this looping effect, the smallest dynamic units in the model merge right back into the largest structural units. Time doubles back to meet Space forcing you to decide which one contains the solution.
Events and Throughlines
In Plot, Events are the most defined resolution, yet best described by the most broad stroke structural units: Classes. To recap, there are four Classes: Situation, Fixed Attitude, Activity, and Manipulation. Each is represented as an Event. An Event is an occurrence--something that changes (or remains the same) enough to be noticed by an audience. The dynamics of that incident create dramatic meaning at its most delicate level.
There are four Events within the boundaries of each scene. This means that besides character relationships, each scene must also describe a Situation, an Activity, a Manner of Thinking and a State of Mind. All four Classes should be represented to complete a scene. Immediately, one thinks of action "scenes" that just show something blowing up or deliberation "scenes" where nothing moves. How can these be scenes if they don't contain all four Classes? They can't. In fact, they are Events.
Events Masquerading as Scenes
Twenty-four scenes are required for a complete Grand Argument Story. However, if one breaks down those scenes a bit farther, note that 96 Events occur in a complete story as well.
Changing locations during a scene obscures this temporal division of twenty-four scenes. For example, imagine an Activity Event (action) taking place in the jungle. Follow that with a Manipulation Event (deliberation) back home in England. The change in location makes one feel that two different scenes have occurred. Yet, if you design the story well, the Fixed Attitude and Situation Throughlines will also be represented just before, during, or just after changing locations.
Changing locations is part of storyweaving. You have flexibility to bring emphasis to certain aspects of the argument or exploration, and to reduce others. Three Events may occur in one location, followed by the fourth in another. Together, they have filled only one Scene.