The purpose of drama, and its relationship to Cameron Diaz’s ass

Posted on September 24, 2008 in General Screenwriting | 1 Comment

John August (co-writer of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle) asks his readers to comment on this quote by David Mamet:

“People have tried for centuries to use drama to change people’s lives, to influence, to comment, to express themselves. It doesn’t work. It might be nice if it worked for those things, but it doesn’t. The only thing the dramatic form is good for is telling a story.”

…I haven’t read Mamet’s full essay on “Countercultural Architecture and Dramatic Structure,”1 but through the wonders of Google Book Search, I was able to look at the quote in context. It’s part of a meandering rant, and not the key thesis of his essay. So I feel safe disassembling it without challenging the authority of a revered playwright.

— John August | Read The Full Article