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Independent Game Forums => Dog Eared Designs => Topic started by: Sindyr on April 30, 2006, 06:14:37 PM

Title: Only one conflict per scene?
Post by: Sindyr on April 30, 2006, 06:14:37 PM
I know that sometimes Scenes can occur with no conflicts - do they ever occur with 2 or more conflicts?

What is the signal that a scene is over and that a new one is to be framed?
Title: Re: Only one conflict per scene?
Post by: Matt Wilson on April 30, 2006, 06:51:28 PM
Check out the bit called "When is a Scene Over?" It's right after the conflict section, and it should answer your questions.

If you have a scene with a conflict and then believe that the scene still hasn't addressed the focus or agenda, then probably the conflict wasn't about the right stuff.
Title: Re: Only one conflict per scene?
Post by: Sindyr on April 30, 2006, 07:04:37 PM
So when the conflict is made, it must be made such that the resolution of the conflict naturally ends the scene by resolving the Agenda?

Or vice versa, the resolver/narrator of the conflict must include in his narration the resolution of the scene as well?

Either way, it sounds like you are saying that two conflicts in a scene means that something is not being done right.
Title: Re: Only one conflict per scene?
Post by: Glendower on May 03, 2006, 04:07:43 PM
Quote from: Sindyr on April 30, 2006, 07:04:37 PM
So when the conflict is made, it must be made such that the resolution of the conflict naturally ends the scene by resolving the Agenda?

Or vice versa, the resolver/narrator of the conflict must include in his narration the resolution of the scene as well?

Either way, it sounds like you are saying that two conflicts in a scene means that something is not being done right.

One Scene, one conflict feels pretty right in my mind.  The show I've been directing usually only needs one conflict to get everyone's stakes for the scene out in the open (and these stakes can get pretty diverse!) and usually satisfies the Agenda of the scene, whatever it may be.  I think the key is to make sure that the Agenda being set is very clear and concrete, giving all the protagonists in scene a very strong goal when interacting and stakes setting. 

Agenda + Issue usually = nice juicy conflict.

As for a conflict ending the scene, this happens most of the time.  But a few times there's about 15 -20 minutes of protagonists dealing with the consequences of the conflict at the tail end of the scene.

From what I've read, no where does it say One scene, one conflict.  It's one scene, one AGENDA.  Conflict is simply a means to satisfy the agenda to the scene framer's satisfaction.  If you find you need another conflict, It won't break the game to have another conflict.  The thing is, second conflicts normally just don't normally come up in a single scene.