Writer/director Alexander Mackendrick (Sweet Smell of Success) said of British drama critic and playwright William Archer, “To speak personally, Archer’s book on dramatic structure [Play-making] is the best text I know on the subject of dramatic construction. Here’s an excerpt from that book first published in 1912:
“One thing is certain, and must be emphasised from the outset: namely, that if any part of the dramatist’s art can be taught, it is only a comparatively mechanical and formal part—the art of structure. One may learn how to tell a story in good dramatic form; how to develop and marshal it in such a way as best to seize and retain the interest of a theatrical audience. But no teaching or study can enable a man to choose or invent good story, and much less to do that which alone lends dignity to dramatic story-telling—to observe and portray human character.”
William Archer
Play-Making: A Manuel of Craftmanship
Mackendrick in his book On Film-making says of that passage, “I would rather say that it is possible to examine how certain dramatists have constructed material in a way that at certain times has seized the interest of an audience. If they have also succeeded in seizing and retaining your interest, you should take a closer look at just how they did this. Though drama cannot be taught as such, it can definitely be learned the way most skills are learned: by examination of others whose work you admire.”
Related Post:
Can Screenwriting Be Taught?
Just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of your posts during the year, 2012. Every one of them has been interesting and most helpful. Best regards, Mary Ann
And thank you for reading and all your comments over the year. Cheers.