Every great story moves through the same architecture, whether the storyteller knows it or not.

Dramaturgy is the invisible structure that makes a story land.

Dramaturgy is the craft of dramatic composition: the principles, drawn from theatre and reinforced by every screenwriting framework since, that explain why some stories grip an audience while others lose them in the first minute. The principles are simple to name and harder to apply. A protagonist with a clear desire. A conflict or obstacle that puts the desire at risk. Stakes that matter. A turning point that changes the trajectory. A resolution that delivers transformation. Without these elements, a story flatlines. With them, even a one-minute anecdote can be unforgettable.

Five principles every effective story carries:

• A clear protagonist with a recognisable desire
• A conflict or obstacle that puts the desire at risk
• Stakes that make the outcome matter
• A turning point that changes the trajectory
• A resolution that delivers visible transformation

In this video, Eric walks through the principles of dramaturgy that underpin every memorable story, with examples drawn from theatre, film, and professional storytelling, and shows how to apply them to the stories you tell about your own work.

Structure is what makes stories repeatable.

That's the architecture this video installs.