David Mamet on Drama

David Mamet, in his books and lectures, emphasizes that drama is about characters in action while they pursue of objectives. He believes that true drama is driven by characters continuously striving to achieve their goals despite obstacles. According to Mamet, the essence of drama lies in the simplicity of the conflict and the clarity of the characters' desires. Each scene should serve the story by advancing the plot and revealing character through action towards one’s goals rather than exposition.

Mamet’s golden rule is: “Invent nothing, deny nothing, and stand up, speak up, stay out of school.” Though you might think he’s bashing getting an education, he isn’t. He just posits that actors, playwrights, directors, and screenwriters gain the bulk of a useful education practicing their craft in the theater or on a film set and not in the safe confines of a university.

In other words, you must lace up your shoes, get on the field, and play the game, even when you know you know all the other players are better than you. To get good, you gotta run the plays when the clock is about to run out and jump back up for more when you get pummeled. You need to act with consistency in the face of adversity. Only then can you make micro adjustments that actually matter to winning the game, which in the storytelling business is putting asses in seats that they happily pay for.

And guess what? That’s exactly how your characters need to act when they are up against all odds in pursuit of their goals.

Mamet champions the idea that the best drama is grounded in reality and the authenticity of human behavior. Characters should act in ways that are consistent with their objectives, and the dialogue should reflect their intentions (i.e. how they go about attaining their objectives) rather than serve as a vehicle for the writer’s philosophical musings.

David Mamet on Melodrama

Conversely, Mamet views melodrama as a form where characters’ actions are dictated by the needs of the plot rather than their own objectives. Melodrama often involves exaggerated emotions, contrived situations, and characters who act irrationally or inconsistently for the sake of dramatic effect. Mamet criticizes melodrama for its lack of authenticity and its tendency to manipulate the audience's emotions through spectacle rather than substance.

He asserts that melodrama can undermine the credibility of a story by prioritizing sensationalism over truth. When characters are pushed into extreme situations without believable motivations, the result is often a disconnect between the audience and the narrative.

You might momentarily be moved to tears through empathy at the loss of a dying mentor up on the big screen, the rising music deftly playing on your emotions. Yet outside the theater, days later, when someone asks you what the movie was about, you might be hard pressed to say anything other than “the VFX were amazing.”

Applying Mamet’s Insights

Incorporating Mamet’s principles into your screenwriting (or fiction, or graphic novels) can help you craft compelling, authentic drama. Focus on clear, objective-driven characters and ensure that each scene advances the plot organically.

For every character, in any given scene, always ask these four questions:

• “What singular thing do they want?” (Objective)

• “What will they do to get it?” (Intention)

• “What happens if they don’t get it?” (Stakes)

• “Why now?”

Do I Need To Be A Purist?

Some people feel that many of David Mamet’s movies are too rigid or intellectual. Perhaps by following a crystalized set of rules he dries up some of the emotional juice. To each his own.

In stark contrast, The Lord of the Rings movies, while critically acclaimed and beloved by many, do incorporate elements of melodrama, especially in their portrayal of epic battles, grand speeches, and heightened emotional moments. These films are filled with larger-than-life characters and sensational plot points, which are hallmarks of melodramatic storytelling. The grandeur and spectacle of The Lord of the Rings contrast with Mamet's preference for the nuanced and understated drama found in his works.

But no one can deny that they made a lot of money and are remembered fondly by millions of people decades after their release.

In each story you will need to suss out the balance between drama and melodrama.

Err on the side of using melodrama sparingly and only when it serves to enhance the story’s emotional impact without sacrificing believability and consistency in how your characters behave.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can create a screenplay that resonates with your audience on a deeper level, blending the raw authenticity of drama with the occasional heightened moments of melodrama to keep the story engaging.

Takeaways

You got hard-earned insight from one of the most respected playwrights, screenwriters, and directors of the last fifty years on how to get better at your craft.

David Mamet is the first to say he’s still a student of drama and is always pushing to be more effective. That is, he keeps trying new ways to give an audience an experience that will stick with them for a long time, that compels them to debate with their fellows about what they just saw. He wants an audience to feel AND to think.

That’s a lofty goal worthy of dedicating the better part of your life.

If you’d like to dive deeper into his insights, here are a few of our favorite books by David Mamet:

• Three Uses of the Knife: On the Nature and Purpose of Drama — Kindle and Paperback

• Bambi vs Godzilla: On the Nature, Purpose, and Practice of the Movie Business — Kindle and Paperback 

• True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor — Kindle and Paperback

• On Directing Film — Paperback

Until next time, keep creating, keep dreaming, and let’s write stories that stand the test of time!

Do Share This Journey: If you found this guide helpful, spread the word! Your fellow creators might just find the keys they need in these words.