I introduced the Dramatica concept of Themes, then the four Classes, and then further into the sixteen Types. We managed to slot Fiend into these sixteen, and jiggled things around a little to make them fit into the Dramatica concept of related positions.
Variations on a Theme
Now we have the next sub-division, which it calls Variations.
As you can see, each square of the Type grid is divided into four, giving another chessboard of sixty-four definitions. Some of them don't make any sense to me - for example the Variation Quad at the top left with Fate and Destiny in it would seem to correlate with the Future Type above, not the Past Type where it sits. Some of the others seem to bear little resemblance to the ones underneath.
But let's keep going and trust Dramatica knows what it is doing. The Dramatica document doesn't go into each one in detail, but I'd like to at least write one sentence on each. This will be a large table!
| Universe | Past | Fate | A situation in a person's future |
| Prediction | A determination of a future state | ||
| Interdiction | An effort to avoid a destiny | ||
| Destiny | The future path of an individual | ||
| Progress | Fact | Something which is truly real | |
| Security | Evaluation of a character's protections | ||
| Threat | Evaluation of a character's vulnerabilities | ||
| Fantasy | Something which is unreal | ||
| Future | Openness | Willingness to re-evaluate | |
| Delay | Putting off until later | ||
| Choice | Making a decision | ||
| Preconception | Unwillingness to re-evaluate | ||
| Present | Work | Applying of self to something | |
| Attract | Being drawn towards something | ||
| Repel | Being forced away from something | ||
| Attempt | Trying something while unsure if able | ||
| Physics | Understanding | Instinct | Intrinsic unconditioned response |
| Senses | Raw data supplied to the mind | ||
| Interpretation | Determination of possible meaning | ||
| Conditioning | Responses based on experience or training | ||
| Doing | Wisdom | Understanding how to apply knowledge | |
| Skill | A practiced ability | ||
| Experience | The gaining of familiarity | ||
| Enlightenment | Understanding which transcends knowledge | ||
| Obtaining | Approach | Character's preferred method | |
| Self-Interest | Doing the best for oneself | ||
| Morality | Doing the best for others | ||
| Attitude | A demeanour of being or doing | ||
| Learning | Prerequisites | Preliminary steps which must be met | |
| Strategy | A plan to achieve a purpose | ||
| Analysis | Evaluation of the situation | ||
| Preconditions | Limitations tacked on to an effort | ||
| Psychology | Conceptualizing | State of Being | A character's true self |
| Situation | The arrangement of the environment | ||
| Circumstances | The relation of self to the environment | ||
| Sense of Self | The perception of oneself | ||
| Being | Knowledge | That which is held to be true | |
| Ability | Suited to handle a task | ||
| Desire | The motivation to change | ||
| Thought | The process of consideration | ||
| Becoming | Rationalization | Logical explanation used to mask | |
| Commitment | Decision to stick with something | ||
| Responsibility | Belief of being the most suited | ||
| Obligation | Accepting something in exchange | ||
| Conceiving | Permission | Ability limited by restrictions | |
| Need | That which is required | ||
| Expediency | Most efficient action with good outcome | ||
| Efficiency | Most efficient action no matter the outcome | ||
| Mind | Memory | Truth | Honesty or correct information |
| Evidence | Information supporting a belief | ||
| Suspicion | Questioning a belief | ||
| Falsehood | That which is shown to be erroneous | ||
| Preconscious | Value | The objective usefulness of something | |
| Confidence | Belief in the accuracy of something | ||
| Worry | Concern for the future | ||
| Worth | The subjective desirability of something | ||
| Subconscious | Closure | Bringing something to an end | |
| Hope | Desire things to go as expected | ||
| Dream | Desired future requiring unexpected elements | ||
| Denial | Refusal to let something go | ||
| Conscious | Investigation | Gathering evidence to resolve questions | |
| Appraisal | An initial understanding | ||
| Reappraisal | A re-consideration of a conlclusion | ||
| Doubt | Question validity without investigation |
So what about Fiend?
We had already scoped the Throughlines down to the Type level, so let's see if it's worth narrowing them down any more:
Overall Throughline - Physics - Obtaining
The overall story deals with the rise of a charismatic yet chaotic character from the criminal underworld who rises to temporary power then is taken down. Everyone in the story is involved with Obtaining some sort of success. So it seems obvious that the Variation is Self-Interest.
Main Throughline - Psychology - Becoming
Jake's story revolves around him trying to get past a mental block caused by an experience from his youth. He controls himself because he doesn't want to do it again. Main Throughline Variation is one of Obligation.
Impact Throughline - Mind - Subconscious
Fiend's story is one of mind, and as we already worked out, his subconscious is driving him to engage with Jake. It seems his Throughline is concerned with Hope, he knows the likelihood of things working out, but he wants it to happen.
Subjective Throughline - Universe - Future
The relationship story with Jake and Fiend revolves around competing visions for Jake's future. They both want him to let go of his bloc, but for different reasons. It seems that Jake must make a Choice to let go of the past. Fiend wants him to make a different Choice.
A lot has gone on here
This is a lot of theory to be going on with, but I hope you can see that my thematic elements have really taken a new depth with this sort of analysis. The story of Fiend is no longer just a monster movie horror flick, it's a psychological struggle, a clash of destinies in a world where everyone is looking after themselves. Good stuff.
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