The 9 Levels Of Story- Part 2: Creative, Project, & Story

As a follow-up to my last blog, The 9 Levels Of Story- Part 1: Cosmic, Culture, & Life, let's dive into my next three Levels of Story! 

Unraveling the layers of storytelling involves delving into the depths of creativity with a keen eye. Part 2 of our journey, "Crafting and Refining: Creative, Project, and Story Levels" takes us on an introspective quest into Level 4: Unmasking the Creative Level - Understanding Your 'Why'. At the core of every compelling narrative lies the creator's 'why' - the driving force behind the tale being told. Moving beyond the mere events, understanding your 'why' serves as a guiding light, influencing character arcs, plot intricacies, and the very essence of your narrative. By exploring this foundational element, your story transforms from a mere succession of events into a purposeful, thought-provoking masterpiece waiting to be unleashed upon the world.

Level 4: Unmasking The Creative Level - Understanding Your 'Why'

At the heart of every story lies your WHY, the underlying reason for telling this particular tale. This creative level requires you to introspect and uncover the personal or social motivation that drives your storytelling. This isn't just about what happens in the story, but why it matters to you and why it should matter to others. Understanding your WHY provides a Spiritual Guide that controls the crafting of your script.

It informs the CHRONOLOGY of your Storytelling:

• Act development
• Thematic development
• Character development
• Conflict progression & resolution
• Dramatic development
• Revelations, reveals, & reversals
• Plot progression
• Character arcs

It's the emotional core from which all creative decisions emanate. When you clearly understand your WHY, your story gains purpose and direction. It becomes more than a sequence of events; it becomes a message, a statement, a piece of art that has the power to move people, provoke thought, and that rare artistic quality (viewers arguing and debating about your why AFTER they leave the theater).

The kind of questions to ask yourself or research at this stage are:

• What’s the difference between Introspection and Motivation?
• How does Introspection and Motivation drive a Screenplay?
• What is Chronology as a Category in Screenwriting?
• What is Act Development?
• What is Thematic Development?
• What is Character Development?
• What is Conflict Progression and Resolution?
• What is Dramatic Development?
• What’s the difference between a Revelation, a Reveal, and a Reversal?
• What is Plot Progression?

Level 5: Examining The Project Level - Unraveling The 'What'

Once you've established your WHY, it's time to address the WHAT at the project level. This is about defining what your story is.

By using your Thematic Principles as a barometer, you go deeper into the Pillars of your Story:

• EMOTIONS- Psychology, Character and Audience Revelations, Dilemma, Character Arc, etc.
• DRAMA- Situations and Issues, etc.
• PLOTTING- Research, Brainstorming, Reversals and Revelations, etc.
• STORY WORLD- Environment, Locations, Contextual Assets, Framing Devices, Cinematic Sheen, etc.

Here, you're determining and defining the ENVIRONMENT within which your narrative will operate.

There’s a reason it’s called Staging People. . .

It's where your Story “breathes” and comes to life and it demands clarity and decision-making.

• Will your story be a drama, a comedy, an action-adventure, or something else entirely?
• What are the rules of the world you're building, and how do they affect what happens in your story?

The project level is where you turn the abstract WHY into a concrete WHAT that your audience can see, hear, and feel. It's about shaping your inspiration into a tangible form that others can engage with and enjoy.

The kind of questions to ask yourself or research at this stage are:

• What is a Thematic Principle?
• What are common Emotions in Screenwriting?
• What is considered Dramatic in Screenwriting?
• What is considered Plotting in Screenwriting?
• What is considered a Story World in Screenwriting?
• What is considered an Environment in Screenwriting?
• What is necessary Context in Screenwriting?
• What is a Contextual Asset in Screenwriting?
• What is a Framing Device in Screenwriting?
• What is Cinematic Sheen in Screenwriting?
• What are Genres in Screenwriting?
• What are the common Rules in Screenwriting?

Level 6: Decoding The Story Level - Knowing The 'Who' & 'How'

With a solid grip on the WHY and WHAT, it's time to delve into the WHO and HOW at the story level. This is where characters and plot intertwine.

Many of you may know this as “Story-Weaving” and you have several tasks to finish:

• Who are the characters that will bring your story to life?
• How will their interactions and personal journeys drive the narrative forward?

Before this step, you were brainstorming and working out the general ideas and concepts. Up to this point, your characters are concepts and now, it’s time to give them a “SKIN” to walk in. Why do you think they call it “fleshing” out your story? At this level, you define the details of your characters, giving them backgrounds, personalities, and ambitions. You're also crafting the plot, mapping out the events that will challenge your characters and change them over the course of the story.

The HOW also pertains to your storytelling approach: how will you reveal information, build tension, and pace your script? 

Decoding this level is vital for creating an engaging and coherent narrative that not only entertains but also satisfies the emotional and intellectual curiosity of your audience.

The kind of questions to ask yourself or research at this stage are:

• What is considered Characterization in Screenwriting?
• What is considered Story-Weaving in Screenwriting?
• What is Brainstorming and why is it important to Screenwriting?
• What is considered emotional and intellectual curiosity in Screenwriting?

Stay tuned for the final blog in this series, coming soon!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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