David Mamet Memo to "The Unit" Writing Staff
David Mamet's memo provides guidelines for the writing staff of the TV show "The Unit" regarding the importance of drama, storytelling, and creating engaging scenes that advance the plot.
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to write this script? Why should you write it in this tone or rhythm? Why are these particular characters in this particular story? Why are they making the choices they make? Why is this story screaming to be told?
Main character is…. [Phil, because he takes the main action and develops most] Agenda is … [To complete their journey] Problem or issue is … [George's lack of foresight means they run out of fuel] Conflict is between … [Between men and machine, between fallible, imperfect human beings and the unforgiving demands of their journey] Complicating facto
... See moreMamet points out, as E. M. Forster did before him,8 that our only interest should be in what happens next.
Every work must be about something. It must have a theme. 2) Every work must have a concept, that is, a unique twist or slant or framing device. 3) Every work must start with an Inciting Incident. 4) Every work must be divided into three acts (or seven or eight or nine David Lean sequences). 5) Every character must represent something greater than
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