Freytag Pyramid
Post date: Mar 23, 2016 5:36:22 PM
Gustav Freytag came up with a system for how plays are written, a basic framework.
Event leads to the next event, etc…
Freytag Pyramid: (has been simplified over the years)
Original format had 5 parts PLUS 3 crisis of drama:
P1 = Initial Stasis, could stay this way forever if nothing changes C1 = Initial Incident, sets the play into motion P2 = Rising Action, stakes go up, more and more to lose P3 = Climax, a whole scene not a single moment
C2 = Tragic moment, aka “The Button”, climactic scene ends with a punctuation mark.
P4 = Falling Action, most intense/interesting, NOT WRAPPING IT UP!, The P1 guy couldn’t imagine the P4 guy exists
C3 = Resolves conflict
P5 = Final stasis, denouement, whatever we’ve been lead to expect, obligatory scene
SAMPLES:
Every Generic Romantic Comedy
P1 = 2 lonely people
C1 = ‘Meet Cute’
P2 = like each other, spend time together, more and more
P3 = Scene where something happens to break up
C2 = specific happening, ex: slam door, etc
P4 = free fall, how to live without, weird behavior
C3 = meet again, back together
P5 = glimpse into future happiness
Bridesmaids
P1 = Kristin single, bakery failed
C1 = pulled over by cop
P2 = hang out, get to know each other
P3 = brings her bakery stuff and sets her off
C2 = she leaves, slams door
P4 = she is miserable and crazy, tries to get a ticket
C3 = at wedding bury the hatchet
P5 = we know they are going to start dating