Is OS Response the element of coincidences in a story?

theory
#1

In The Fugitive there are four coincidences that are all Uncontrolled (OS Response):

  • The train wreck: the tracks and approaching train are a coincidence and the wreck in Uncontrolled. Kimble applies Help (OS Problem).
  • The victims of the school bus crash in the hospital: the crash is Uncontrolled and Kimble running into these kids is a coincidence, Kimble applies Help (OS Problem)
  • The St-Patrick’s day parade: no Objective Character has control over it. Kimble applies Hinder (OS Solution) and this is the last time he runs into Deputy Gerard until the finale. From his escape in the parade onwards Kimble has the initiative.
  • Sykes by chance spots Kimble while he’s on the phone explaining he can’t find him (Uncontrolled). Kimble applies Hinder (OS Solution) by defeating Sykes on the train. This puts CPD on his tail but also informs Deputy Gerard about this whereabouts.

In The Bourne Identity there is at least one coincidence that is Aware (OS Response):

  • Bourne runs into Kreutz (the IC) outside of the embassy. He’s Aware (OS Response) that she was in the embassy before and that she’s broke. He applies Actuality (OS Problem) to convince her to drive him to Paris.

Is OS Response the element of coincidence in a story or are these examples merely a coincidence?

#2

The Dramatica concept of Overall Story Response has absolutely nothing to do with coincidence. It is the direction Objective Characters take in response to what they think the Problem is (the OS Symptom).

http://dramatica.com/dictionary/objective-story-response

#3

Hi Jim, I’m a fan of your work, I read narrativefirst.com religiously. I understand what the role of OS Response is in a story form. My question is: if I want to introduce a random event in my story should that event be of the OS Response element? It makes sense intuitively - for me at least - since OS Response is related to Problem and Solution.

Some examples from the fugitive:

  • The train wreck: Hinder (OS Solution, the feigned illness on the bus) -> Uncontrolled (OS Response)
  • The jump off the dam: Pursuit (M/I Solution) -> Uncontrolled (M/I Response)
  • The school bus crash: Uncontrolled (OS Response) -> Help (OS Problem)
  • Escape in the parade: Uncontrolled (M/I Response) -> Avoid (M/I Solution)
  • When Sykes spots Kimble outside of the hospital: Hinder (OS Solution) -> Uncontrolled (OS Response)

I’ve probably stopped making sense at this point but it does seem to me that whenever Uncontrolled appears by coincidence Kimble is tempted to react with OS Problem.

#4

Glad you like my site!

I guess I don’t understand why you would even attempt to connect coincidence with the storyform. Unless the argument is somehow about coincidence, random chance events conflict with the very nature of a construct designed to deliver meaning.

It could be that I don’t understand your definition of coincidence. In my estimation, there is coincidence that an Overall Character would Respond because of a perceived Symptom. They do because it is, not because it correlates.

#5

You have to agree that there are a number of coincidences in The Fugitive:

  • The fact that the bus lands on the train tracks, and that a train is approaching at that moment.
  • The facts that Kimble runs into wounded children from a school bus crash in the hospital
  • The fact that Sykes accidentally spots Kimble when he’s on the phone explaining that he can’t find him.

There coincidences in my mind are all Uncontrolled which is the element of OS Response.

My question is: if I want to introduce a coincidence in my story - like a character finds a item on the street, should I make sure that the event that lead to that coincidence is of a certain element?

#6

I think coincidence is a matter of subjective interpretation and therefore outside of the realm of the storyform. If you want to introduce coincidence you’re more than welcome to do so, Dramatica won’t stop you!