Countercultural Architecture and Dramatic Structure

Summary

David Mamet starts this article explaining that there is a reason behind why everything was created. He also states that when something is done, it has to be done correctly. It is important that beforehand, you prepare yourself and that you know what you’re doing.

Mamet explains that he is a film director, and he know how it’s supposed to be done. He says that it is important to “tell the story through the juxtaposition of uninflected images-because that is the essential nature of the medium…to perceive two events, determine a progression, and want to know what happens next” (60). With juxtaposition, our mind helps us make sense to everything. This is why as a film director, one has to make a movie that will give hints and help understand and think of the future. Another advantage of doing this is that the audience will pay more attention and they will be interested with what’s happening. Mamet also explains that with syllogism, we are able to create a conclusion based on logic, and that there has to be a solution, which signifies when the problem has been solved.

At the end of this article, Mamet states that, “If you want to tell a story, it might be a good idea to understand a little bit about the nature of human perception. Just as, if you want to know how to build a roof, it might be a good idea to understand a little bit about the effects of gravity and the effects of precipitation” (65). It is important to know what’s happening, and how to make the best out of it.

Synthesis

I agree with Mamet. I believe that when something is done, it should be done to best of their abilities. If it's not, then what's the point? I also think that if you're doing something, there should be a base understanding of what's happening, and it should all make sense. For example, I'm watching a movie that takes place in a hospital. I see that the setting does not match that of a hospital, or that the nurses aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing. I believe that they should know everything that is going on, so that hte story is accurate and it makes sense. I also agree with the fact that they have to make it interesting. If it's not, then I won't finish watching the movie, and everything would have been for nothing. Also, the film director should give us hints to try and see what will happen "next". Because honeslty, whenever I'm watching a movie, I'm always trying to figure out what will happen, and how it will end. So it has to be well produced.