Syndetics cover image
Image from Syndetics

The 36 dramatic situations / Mike Figgis.

By: Figgis, Mike [author.]Publisher: London : Faber & Faber, 2017Description: viii, 186 pages : illustrations (black and white) ; 22 cmContent type: text | still image Media type: unmediated Carrier type: volume001: 43917ISBN: 9780571305049 (pbk.) :Other title: Cover and spine title: Thirty-six dramatic situationsSubject(s): Motion pictures -- Plots, themes, etc | Performing ArtsDDC classification: 791.4301 FIG LOC classification: PN1997.8Summary: The original '36 Dramatic Situations' was written in French by Georges Polti in the 1850s. Polti synthesised all drama as belonging to combinations of 36 situations. In the book he illustrates each 'situation' with examples from classical and French theatre. When Mike Figgis used the book as an aid in putting together a treatment for a film, he found that his landscape of creativity had altered quite radically and ideas came forth with relative ease. He realised that Polti's book was a system of reference which could be a powerful tool for writers. So he began updating all of the references, moving the focus away from theatre and focussing primarily on cinema. In the first half, each 'Dramatic Situation' is laid out under the 36 headings. The specific 'Situation' is then explained more fully, followed by an example from a specific film, accompanied by an explanation of how the device is used in the film.
Holdings
Item type Current library Collection Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode
Book MAIN LIBRARY Book PRINT 791.4301 FIG (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 113602
Short Term Loan MAIN LIBRARY Book PRINT 791.4301 FIG (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 2 Available 113603

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This book is an essential tool to stimulate writers into thinking about plot in an entirely different manner.

The original '36 Dramatic Situations' was written in French by Georges Polti in the 1850s. Polti synthesised all drama as belonging to combinations of 36 situations. In the book he illustrates each 'situation' with examples from classical and French theatre. When Mike Figgis used the book as an aid in putting together a treatment for a film, he found that his landscape of creativity had altered quite radically and ideas came forth with relative ease. He realised that Polti's book was a system of reference which could be a powerful tool for writers. So he began updating all of the references, moving the focus away from theatre and focussing primarily on cinema. In the first half, each 'Dramatic Situation' is laid out under the 36 headings. The specific 'Situation' is then explained more fully, followed by an example from a specific film, accompanied by an explanation of how the device is used in the film.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • Introduction (p. 1)
  • The 36 Dramatic Situations
  • 1 Supplication (p. 19)
  • 2 Deliverance (p. 24)
  • 3 Revenge Following a Crime (p. 27)
  • 4 Revenge Contained Within a Family (p. 33)
  • 5 The Pursued - The Fugitive - The Outsider (p. 35)
  • 6 Disaster (p. 40)
  • 7 Cruelty and Misfortune (p. 43)
  • 8 Revolt (p. 49)
  • 9 Daring Enterprise - Brave Adventure (p. 55)
  • 10 Abduction (p. 60)
  • 11 The Enigma (p. 63)
  • 12 Obtaining (p. 68)
  • 13 Enmity of Kinsmen - Family at War (p. 71)
  • 14 Rivalry of Kinsman (p. 74)
  • 15 Murderous Adultery - Crimes of Passion (p. 76)
  • 16 Altered States - Madness (p. 79)
  • 17 Fatal Imprudence - The Gambler (p. 91)
  • 18 Coincidence (p. 95)
  • 19 Dream State (p. 99)
  • 20 Self-Sacrifice for Idealism (p. 105)
  • 21 Self-Sacrifice for Family (p. 110)
  • 22 Everything Sacrificed for Passion (p. 113)
  • 23 Necessity of Sacrificing Loved Ones (p. 119)
  • 24 Rivalry Between Superior and Inferior (p. 122)
  • 25 Adultery - Betrayal of Love (p. 126)
  • 26 Incest (p. 131)
  • 27 Discovery of the Dishonour of a Loved One (p. 137)
  • 28 Obstacles to Love (p. 142)
  • 29 An Enemy Loved (p. 147)
  • 30 Ambition (p. 149)
  • 31 Conflicts with Power (p. 153)
  • 32 Mistaken Jealousy (p. 156)
  • 33 Erroneous Judgement (p. 162)
  • 34 Remorse (p. 168)
  • 35 Recovery of a Lost One (p. 174)
  • 36 Loss of a Loved One (p. 177)
  • The Film Chart (p. 181)
  • The Cards (p. 192)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Best known in this country for the Oscar nominations for best screenplay and best director for 1995's Leaving Las Vegas, English director and musician Figgis serendipitously stumbled upon George Polti's seminal 1895 theatrical treatise, The 36 Dramatic Situations, which postulates that all dramatic situations can be delineated among 36 types. Intrigued by the application this system may have for film, Figgis adapted Polti's construct for cinema. The result is this complementary and slightly modified spin on Polti's text. Following an introduction and explanation of his methodology, Figgis sequentially presents the situations in, generally, brief three- to seven-page chapters. Each one opens with a description of a specific film or films (some 150 used) followed by possible narratives that might employ a particular scenario. Appendixes include a chart of the films used as supporting material, grids for personal use, and, finally, a visual representation of the scenes onto a template of cards that could be reproduced. VERDICT Will be of particular benefit to screenwriters and playwrights but also potentially revelatory for all fiction practitioners.-Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

There are no comments on this title.

to post a comment.

Powered by Koha