Function
Overview
Not all scripts are the same. Some tell a story, while others overwhelm you with spectacle. Which is better? Neither.
Aristotle in his Poetics laid out the Elements of Tragedy: elements which have been applied to every type of storytelling thereafter. In Western cultures, Aristotle's assertion that plot and character are the most important parts of story has become the norm. However, it is possible to have a script that is nothing but philosophy. Or a script that is nothing but spectacle.
With FUNCTION we are interested in what sort of performance we are creating. That is, which Elements of Performance are prioritized. Or, how do we want our script to functionally to be presented?
Please note that the Taxonomy of Performance is the intellectual property of Emily C. A. Snyder.
Aristotle in his Poetics laid out the Elements of Tragedy: elements which have been applied to every type of storytelling thereafter. In Western cultures, Aristotle's assertion that plot and character are the most important parts of story has become the norm. However, it is possible to have a script that is nothing but philosophy. Or a script that is nothing but spectacle.
With FUNCTION we are interested in what sort of performance we are creating. That is, which Elements of Performance are prioritized. Or, how do we want our script to functionally to be presented?
Please note that the Taxonomy of Performance is the intellectual property of Emily C. A. Snyder.
Elements of Performance
Before we dive into Function it's important to understand the Elements of Performance. Let's look at Aristotle's list first:
Aristotle's Poetics
While this is a good start, it's not inclusive of all forms of Performance, or even all forms of storytelling. Not all stories have much action. Or are about anything in particular. Many forms of Performance never speak a word, or have a single note, or can be seen at all. Therefore, I offer the following:
Snyder's Elements of Performance (purposely not numbered; subject to refinement)
Aristotle's Poetics
- Plot - The action of the script
- Character - The actors who do the action of the script
- Theme - What the script is about philosophically
- Diction - The words of the script and their specificity and quality
- Music - The musical arrangement to support the emotion of the script
- Spectacle - The visuals and spectacular elements of the performance of the script
While this is a good start, it's not inclusive of all forms of Performance, or even all forms of storytelling. Not all stories have much action. Or are about anything in particular. Many forms of Performance never speak a word, or have a single note, or can be seen at all. Therefore, I offer the following:
Snyder's Elements of Performance (purposely not numbered; subject to refinement)
- Actor - The person doing the Performance
- Action - What happens during the Performance
- Theme - What the Performance is about philosophically
- Expression - (From previous) What senses are engaged during the Performance (as necessitated by the script)
- Production - What senses are engaged during the Performance (from the Interpretation of the script)
Function
FUNCTION: Which Elements of Performance are emphasized in a script.
- Narrative: Emphasis on storytelling by prioritizing action (plot) and performer (character)
- Thematic: Emphasis on philosophy told in theatrical form by prioritizing theme
- Atmospheric: Emphasis on spectacle by prioritizing expression and production elements
None of these are better than one another, although one may prefer one above the other. In Western culture, we've been taught to prefer Narrative storytelling. However many people do seek out educational Thematic performances, or prefer to be overwhelmed by Production with spectacular events.
It may be helpful to consider Function like a chart. Many Performances will include some percent of these Elements. But which ones are prioritized? You'll notice that we are not yet asking about the quality of any of these classifications. Only about which ones are considered most important by the performance.
Here's my assessment about T. S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral, and which Elements he seems to prioritize. Which is, he seems to be mostly invested in his theme and the way he expresses that theme through his poetry.
Take a moment to look at a script that intrigues you. How would you assess the script's function?
It may be helpful to consider Function like a chart. Many Performances will include some percent of these Elements. But which ones are prioritized? You'll notice that we are not yet asking about the quality of any of these classifications. Only about which ones are considered most important by the performance.
Here's my assessment about T. S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral, and which Elements he seems to prioritize. Which is, he seems to be mostly invested in his theme and the way he expresses that theme through his poetry.
Take a moment to look at a script that intrigues you. How would you assess the script's function?
