When it comes to captivating audiences, screenwriter David Mamet has three simple questions that make all the difference.

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Story

How David Mamet Defines Drama

It was October 19, 2005. The Astros took the Cardinals 5-1 in Game 6. Steve Martin’s indie film Shopgirl hit a handful of theaters. And that morning, something was brewing in the mind of David Mamet.

Either at his typewriter, or perhaps by pencil and pad, the man behind The Verdict, The Untouchables, and Glengarry Glen Ross began to chisel a manifesto for the writer’s room of his new series, The Unit.

“As we learn how to write this show,” he began, “a recurring problem becomes clear. The problem is this: to differentiate between drama and non-drama.”

He continues, “Everyone in creation is screaming at us to make the show clear. We are tasked with, it seems, cramming a shitload of information into a little bit of time.”

Mamet refers to the studio suits as “penguins,” who are forcing his writers to “communicate information” rather than create drama.

[Lesson 1] He clarifies, “the audience will not tune in to watch information. You wouldn’t, I wouldn’t. No one would or will. The audience will only tune in and stay tuned to watch drama.”

Let’s dive into the weeds with Mamet for some additional rules (or read the full “Mamet Memo” right here).

[Lesson 2] Avoid the easy, first draft crutches. "All the little expositional scenes of two people talking about a third — this bushwah is less than useless, should it finally, God forbid, get filmed.”

Later, he also writes: "Any time any character is saying to another 'as you know,' that is, telling another character what you, the writer, need the audience to know, the scene is a crock of shit."

[Lesson 3] Boring on the page = boring for the audience. "If the scene bores you when you read it, rest assured it will bore the actors, and will, then, bore the audience, and we're all going to be back in the breadline.”

[Lesson 4] The scene must serve the character. "The main character must have a simple, straightforward, pressing need which impels him or her to show up in the scene."

[Lesson 5] Avoid fluff or poorly written fillers. "Any scene, thus, which does not both advance the plot, and standalone (dramatically on its own merits) is either superfluous or incorrectly written."

Key takeaway: Drama, not anything else, captivates audiences.

Want more? Here’s a handful of interview quotes from the Creative Principles podcast that support Mamet’s mindset (subscribe here):

• Ed Solomon: "If your characters are juicy and have a weight and heft to them — that's how you're ultimately going to get something made."

• Justin Halpern & Patrick Schumacker: "If character decisions aren't driving the story forward, it just becomes a sketch."

• Paul Lieberstein & Aaron Zelman: "We wanted to do people that are living, without 'soap stuff,' or overarching concepts."

Marketing

Two Ways Drama Hooks Readers

Forget bland information and generic messaging. To captivate your audience, you need to infuse your marketing with the power of drama:

• Focus on engaging your audience. As Mamet emphasizes, the audience will only tune in for drama, not mere information. Marketers need to craft compelling content that pulls people in.

• Take responsibility for making every touchpoint compelling; don't rely on gimmicks or others as a crutch. It's the marketer's job to craft persuasive experiences, not the celebrity spokesperson.

The more you embrace drama, the more likely you are to create unforgettable experiences that will make your brand a household name.

Habits

Taking Full Ownership of Your Success

As a writer, you can turn David Mamet's advice into actionable steps to improve your craft and create compelling content across various formats:

1. Cultivate a ruthless editing mindset

• Scrutinize every paragraph, sentence, and word

• Ask yourself: "Does this advance the story or central theme?"

• Be prepared to cut or rework it mercilessly

2. Take full responsibility for your writing

• Understand the quality of your work rests solely on your shoulders

• Don't rely on others to fix weak spots or make your writing compelling

• Seek feedback, but use it to make the necessary improvements

By breaking down Mamet's advice into actionable steps, you can develop the habits necessary to create engaging, memorable content that resonates.

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