story structure for the War that never ends

[Doug Millison]

I'd like to read an article that compares the way Pynchon entertwines
movies, history, and fiction in his novels, GR especially, and the way this
seems to be playing out in real life in the current situation.  What is
that Barthes quote you mention every once in awhile, Dave?

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011014/en/industry-bart_5.html

"[...] Since World War II, this nation has not demonstrated a keen aptitude
for conducting and winning wars. Hollywood, on the other hand, has been
turning a handsome profit from warfare for generations. From ``All Quiet on
the Western Front'' to ``Band of Brothers,'' war has been anything but hell
for show business.

Viewed from a Hollywood perspective, one can argue that the nation's dire
experiences have often stemmed from misguided story structure. The Korean
War had a serious third-act problem, with China suddenly intruding into an
otherwise tight plot. The Gulf War (news - web sites) had no third act at
all; the president just said ``cut'' and everybody went home. The Vietnam
drama was seriously lacking in audience involvement or empathy.

The studios would ask, where were the rewrites? For that matter, where were
the story notes?

These issues take on all the more urgency now that modern combat plays out
before the world on live TV, as though it were a giant reality show. People
watch with numb fascination as each side makes its moves and the president
summons help from ``America's Most Wanted.'' The audience is both global
and critical.

Given this spectacle, it may not be such a dense idea after all for
intelligence experts to tap into showbiz savvy. This war may go on
sporadically for years, we are told. If that's the case, the key players
better find a way to sustain audience involvement. There clearly will be a
need for dramatic surprises, and a viable three-act structure. [...] "



Doug Millison - Writer/Editor/Web Editorial Consultant
millison at online-journalist.com
www.Online-Journalist.com