Dramatica theory (and software) has many touch points with other popular writing reference works. One example is comparing Dramatica's four act "Signpost" structure to the act structure described in the book SCREENPLAY: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field. In SCREENPLAY, Mr. Field describes the structure of a screenplay to be broken into three acts. In a typical 120 page long screenplay, the first act is around 30 pages long, the second is 60 pages long, and the final third act is 30 pages long.

In a later revision, Mr. Fields updated his act descriptions by dividing the long second act into two, 30 page segments. This is frequently referred to as the 30-60-90 rule for screenplays, where each number represents the transition of one act to another in a four act screenplay.

Mr. Field's newer description falls into line with Dramatica's four signpost view of a story's act structure where each story is divided into four "signposts." Dramatica takes the act structure a step further by separating a story into four throughlines -- the Overall Story throughline, the Main Character throughline, the Impact Character throughline, and the Relationship Story throughline. Each of the four throughlines are subdivided into four "signposts" or acts. The throughlines allow a writer greater flexibility in pacing a story while maintaining the act integrity needed to structure the story effectively.

For a more comprehensive comparison of Dramatica to other stories, check out How & Why Dramatica is Different.