Chapter 3: Countercultural Architecture and Dramatic Structure Summary and Analysis

Mamet attended a radical college in Vermont during the turbulent 1960s. The college organized a new program called the "School of Countercultural Architecture." The thought behind this new school was that traditional architecture was too stifling. The focus in this new way of looking at architecture was on how the architect "felt" versus the purpose of the building. As a result, these counter-cultural buildings were a big failure. They were not well built and have fallen or will fall down. They are beyond repair. Applying this experience to film making, Mamet stresses the importance of tradition and planning. If filmmaker does his work pre-production, his chances of success are far greater than if he waits and tries to patch up a bad movie while it is being produced or edited.

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