In the most recent playwriting assignment, I have students create their own play structure (Major Dramatic Curve) for a PLAY that takes place in ONLY ONE ROOM and in ONLY ONE TIME FRAME. All of the students give me a simple nod that says, “No problem.” Then they realize that all of their story plots rely on escaping, trapping, exploring etc. In short, there brain is still driven by movie ideas. They realize they cannot image what two people in one place and at one time could do that would produce any conflict much less rising action of more than a tactic or two. Without jail bars, guns, and car chases they are stuck. Read more