A typical Wünderstudies show begins with three scenes, each of which introduces a separate narrative thread in a single world. Six players, three scenes, three narrative threads. These threads then collide throughout the show as the players enter scenes with players from the other threads. In the end, all of the threads combine in a big group finale, where all of the characters reach their natural conclusions together.
From the perspective of an individual player, there are three responsibilities to fulfill in the show:
- Set up a very clear desire for your character.
(e.g. Jen wants to take over the company, Bob wants to make his father proud, etc.) - Influence other characters toward or away from the object of their desire, and let other characters do the same to your character.
(e.g. walk in on Jen at an incriminating moment, give Bob an award, etc.) - At the end of the show, let your character's motivation be achieved or thwarted.
(e.g. Jen is given the company when the boss dies, Bob cannot show his award to his father after his father dies, etc.)
Typically, the biggest challenge is exerting influence on other characters, while remaining true to your own character. If your character is a janitor at a midwest high school, how will you influence the president of the United States? If your character is a dolphin in the sea, how will you influence the commander of a German submarine? Sometimes the threads are so far apart, it is very difficult to bring them together in a way that makes sense and drives each character's narrative forward.
The trick to avoid such difficulties is to choose a character which is well positioned to influence the desires of all the previously introduced characters. This is what I call the Heightening Influence Principle, because each new character has more influence than the characters introduced before.
It's pretty simple. If you're in scene 1, just introduce characters with strong desires. If you aren't in scene 1, pay attention to the desires of the characters introduced in scene 1 (e.g. kids who want to be astronauts), so you can choose a character who is well positioned to influence them. Then introduce that character in scene 2 with his/her own separate desires (e.g. leaders of NASA who need a big discovery to bring in funding).
If you aren't in scene 1 or 2, pay attention to all the desires in those scenes, so you can choose a character who is well positioned to influence them. Then introduce that character in scene 3 with his/her own separate desires (e.g. aliens investigating the Earth as a potential food source). Then collide the threads on the fly and see what magic happens. It almost writes itself.
The following video highlights the introductions of characters and their desires in the classic Wünderstudies Christmas show, Elves In Love. Then it briefly summarizes how the narrative threads weaved together to a satisfying conclusion for all the characters.
Note the way the way each new set of characters is set up to influence the desires of the previously introduced characters:
Maintaining proper balance between overly-simplistic narrative and overly-complex narrative is certainly a challenge. However, with the simple principle described above, a complex-but-understandable narrative with a satisfying conclusion can emerge spontaneously on stage. Give it a try!
The trick to avoid such difficulties is to choose a character which is well positioned to influence the desires of all the previously introduced characters. This is what I call the Heightening Influence Principle, because each new character has more influence than the characters introduced before.
It's pretty simple. If you're in scene 1, just introduce characters with strong desires. If you aren't in scene 1, pay attention to the desires of the characters introduced in scene 1 (e.g. kids who want to be astronauts), so you can choose a character who is well positioned to influence them. Then introduce that character in scene 2 with his/her own separate desires (e.g. leaders of NASA who need a big discovery to bring in funding).
If you aren't in scene 1 or 2, pay attention to all the desires in those scenes, so you can choose a character who is well positioned to influence them. Then introduce that character in scene 3 with his/her own separate desires (e.g. aliens investigating the Earth as a potential food source). Then collide the threads on the fly and see what magic happens. It almost writes itself.
The following video highlights the introductions of characters and their desires in the classic Wünderstudies Christmas show, Elves In Love. Then it briefly summarizes how the narrative threads weaved together to a satisfying conclusion for all the characters.
Note the way the way each new set of characters is set up to influence the desires of the previously introduced characters:
- Female elves looking for love
(These are the first characters, they just need clear desires.) - Male elves looking for love
(These could be the male elves that the female elves are looking for. They could pair up and fall in love.) - Santa looking for a new life, and Mrs. Claus poised to take over
(They rule the North Pole. They could help or hinder the elves in many ways.) - Mother Christmas bringing Christmas cheer
(She has motherly influence over Santa, and genie-like powers to grant wishes. The ultimate trump card for the Heightening Influence Principle.)
Early after the introduction of these characters, it seems like love and cheer are both doomed, because Santa has left the North Pole in the hands of his rigid tyrannical wife. She pits the elves against each other in attempt to keep them miserable. However, Mother Christmas convinces Santa to return to his rightful position. Santa makes amends with Mrs. Claus, the elves fall in love, and everyone is filled with cheer.
Maintaining proper balance between overly-simplistic narrative and overly-complex narrative is certainly a challenge. However, with the simple principle described above, a complex-but-understandable narrative with a satisfying conclusion can emerge spontaneously on stage. Give it a try!
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