--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the heart of drama is conflict." description: "\"At the heart of drama is conflict.\" — Paul Dano" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/paul-dano-2579_conflict_at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict-178089_1780890.jpg" --- # At the heart of drama is conflict. ![“At the heart of drama is conflict.” quote by Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/paul-dano-2579_conflict_at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict-178089_1780890.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/paul-dano-2579_conflict_at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict-178089_1780890.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/paul-dano-2579_conflict_at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict-178089_1780890.jpg) > “At the heart of drama is conflict.” [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Drama’s essence lies in conflict, which drives narrative tension and character development. **In simple terms:** Conflict fuels drama. Key Takeaway Use conflict to deepen storytelling. Themes drama conflict storytelling narrative character development Mood thoughtful creative Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - scriptwriting - directing - performance workshops Key Concepts literary theory film studies Questions to Reflect On - What types of conflict create compelling drama? - How does conflict reveal character? A Different Perspective Conflict can be overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [All drama is conflict. Without conflict, there is no action. Without action, there is no character. Without character, there is no story. And without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd-field/all-drama-is-conflict-without-conflict-there-is-no-action-without/) [Syd Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd-field/) > [Drama is about conflict, and it's about putting obstacles in the path of people you who care about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-beaver/drama-is-about-conflict-and-it-s-about-putting-obstacles-in-the-path/) [Jim Beaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-beaver/) > [I like conflict, drama's conflict and if you don't have that in the character it's really not a worthwhile role to play for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-dillon/i-like-conflict-drama-s-conflict-and-if-you-don-t-have-that-in-the/) [Matt Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-dillon/) > [Show me one thing here on earth which has begun well and not ended badly. The proudest palpitations are engulfed in a sewer, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/show-me-one-thing-here-on-earth-which-has-begun-well-and-not-ended/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [For me, drama is conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cillian-murphy/for-me-drama-is-conflict/) [Cillian Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cillian-murphy/) > [“In the movie of your entire life, do you want drama and conflict or a straight shot to the top, unencumbered?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-franco/in-the-movie-of-your-entire-life-do-you-want-drama-and-conflict-or-a/) [James Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-franco/) > [Gossiping always results in false allegations made and over exaggeration of events, leading to unnecessary drama and conflict...I personally feel the best way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/gossiping-always-results-in-false-allegations-made-and-over/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Domesticity is essentially drama, for drama is conflict, and the home compels conflict by its concentration of active personalities in a small area. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-west/domesticity-is-essentially-drama-for-drama-is-conflict-and-the-home/) [Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-west/) > [Everyone always says that conflict is drama, and I agree, but I also don't think you need drama everywhere. Or conflict everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-hawley/everyone-always-says-that-conflict-is-drama-and-i-agree-but-i-also/) [Noah Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-hawley/) > [If all the shows on television were about happy, functional relationships, first of all I don't know how many role models there are out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-roth/if-all-the-shows-on-television-were-about-happy-functional/) Andrea Roth > [When a novelist or screenwriter is looking for a subject, the element he's seeking is conflict. Conflict makes drama. Conflict produces great characters and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/when-a-novelist-or-screenwriter-is-looking-for-a-subject-the-element/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [What's interesting to me is drama and conflict. Things aren't interesting without conflict and resolution of conflict - or striving towards a resolutions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-mann/what-s-interesting-to-me-is-drama-and-conflict-things-aren-t/) [Aimee Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-mann/) > [Great drama is all about conflict, and what's a better conflict than Republican-Democrat?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-janney/great-drama-is-all-about-conflict-and-what-s-a-better-conflict-than/) [Allison Janney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-janney/) > [Conflict is what creates drama. The more conflict actors find, the more interesting the performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shurtleff/conflict-is-what-creates-drama-the-more-conflict-actors-find-the-more/) [Michael Shurtleff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shurtleff/) > [The roles I'm interested in or have been interested in, you know, it's going to get down to conflict. Drama is conflict - conflict…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-foster/the-roles-i-m-interested-in-or-have-been-interested-in-you-know-it-s/) [Ben Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-foster/) ## More by Paul Dano > [When somebody mentions that I did a play with George C. Scott, I'm like, it can't have happened. What was I doing on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/when-somebody-mentions-that-i-did-a-play-with-george-c-scott-i-m-like/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [ Of course I think it's a movie for everybody \[Insane Farting Corpse\], but that's probably just because it's a movie for me. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/of-course-i-think-it-s-a-movie-for-everybody-insane-farting-corpse/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [Some projects go as you hope or imagine, and some change or reveal themselves in a different way; it depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/some-projects-go-as-you-hope-or-imagine-and-some-change-or-reveal/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I try to leave my work at the door when I leave the set. It's almost like summer camp. You go in hard, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-try-to-leave-my-work-at-the-door-when-i-leave-the-set-it-s-almost/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I dont normally like getting dressed up, but when I go to events, I like to look put together. Ive got to say, getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-dont-normally-like-getting-dressed-up-but-when-i-go-to-events-i/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [Nobody is a perfect actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/nobody-is-a-perfect-actor/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [The better the acting is, the harder it is to see what the process is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/the-better-the-acting-is-the-harder-it-is-to-see-what-the-process-is/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [ If you could call me buff, my version of buff was when I finished that film \[Swiss Army Man\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/if-you-could-call-me-buff-my-version-of-buff-was-when-i-finished-that/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [The only constant I can find is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/the-only-constant-i-can-find-is-hard-work/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [ Reading the script \[Insane Farting Corpse\], by page two or three, I felt that way. I thought, I'm in. It was so beautiful and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/reading-the-script-insane-farting-corpse-by-page-two-or-three-i-felt/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I went to tranny bars and kind of got used to being around that and then getting dressed up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-went-to-tranny-bars-and-kind-of-got-used-to-being-around-that-and/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [ I'm really excited to share the movie \[Swiss Army Man\] with people, so I'm glad that people are seeing it. And I want them… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-m-really-excited-to-share-the-movie-swiss-army-man-with-people-so-i/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I want to do some bigger films, so long as there's some sort of exciting creative element or a good filmmaker behind them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-want-to-do-some-bigger-films-so-long-as-there-s-some-sort-of/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [As an actor, I always feel you basically have to be able to delude yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/as-an-actor-i-always-feel-you-basically-have-to-be-able-to-delude/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [People have asked me about playing outsiders. I don't consider myself an outsider. Maybe that's why I'm interested in that. I'm not really sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/people-have-asked-me-about-playing-outsiders-i-don-t-consider-myself/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) [Explore all 160 Paul Dano quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) ## More Conflict quotes > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/) [Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/) > [There is a conflict in the Middle East between two entities, and they're both right, each in their own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-between-two-entities-and-they/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Conflict isn't negative, it just is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-crum/conflict-isn-t-negative-it-just-is/) [Thomas Crum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-crum/) > [I have lived in countries that were coming out of conflict: Ireland, South Africa, the Czech republic. People there are overflowing with energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-have-lived-in-countries-that-were-coming-out-of-conflict-ireland/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [Africa, being the major target of colonial plunder, therefore becomes a major source of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-horne/africa-being-the-major-target-of-colonial-plunder-therefore-becomes-a/) [Gerald Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-horne/) > [All drama is conflict. Without conflict, there is no action. Without action, there is no character. Without character, there is no story. And without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd-field/all-drama-is-conflict-without-conflict-there-is-no-action-without/) [Syd Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd-field/) > [The irrepressible conflict propounded by abolitionism has produced now its legitimate fruits - disunion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-irrepressible-conflict-propounded-by-abolitionism-has-produced/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“These are all good things, I said. But no one knows where your country is or who you are. You don't have a familiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shteyngart/these-are-all-good-things-i-said-but-no-one-knows-where-your-country/) [Gary Shteyngart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shteyngart/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [“While there is battle and hatred men have eyes for nothing save the fact that the enemy is the cause of all the troubles;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-butterfield/while-there-is-battle-and-hatred-men-have-eyes-for-nothing-save-the/) [Herbert Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-butterfield/) > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [All men have an instinct for conflict: at least, all healthy men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/all-men-have-an-instinct-for-conflict-at-least-all-healthy-men/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [I didnt like the Survivor shows because of the mean-spirited aspect, and women certainly were part of whatever conflict they would create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-lawrence/i-didnt-like-the-survivor-shows-because-of-the-mean-spirited-aspect/) [Sharon Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-lawrence/) > [“How we traverse the space between us when conflict arises has a profound effect on the health and longevity of our relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/how-we-traverse-the-space-between-us-when-conflict-arises-has-a/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) [Browse all 3,969 Conflict quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At the heart of drama is conflict.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Dano" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Conflict" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/paul-dano-2579_conflict_at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict-178089_1780890.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/paul-dano-2579_conflict_at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict-178089_1780890.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/paul-dano-2579_conflict_at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict-178089_1780890.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“At the heart of drama is conflict.” — Paul Dano", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paul Dano", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "At the heart of drama is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/at-the-heart-of-drama-is-conflict/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```