Writing and Speaking > Writing > Heros Journey: Character Arc
0
Reviews [ add review ],
Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Kal Bishop
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters:
The Hero's Journey:
• Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
• Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
• Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
The Hero's Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.
The recurring patterns of the Hero's Journey are also a study of conventions. Before you can decide whether to accept, reject or play with conventions, you must understand their purpose and value.
Consider this:
• Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 – uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
• Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) – All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero's Journey.
• Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey.
• Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004),
Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey.
Hero's Journey - Character Arc
The Character Arc follows the hero's change from one state to another. Implicit is the understanding that the hero (or antihero) undergoes some form of transformation.
There are four major areas of transformation:
The first is from refusal to acceptance of the adventure. Even if the hero is unwilling, s/he is thrust into the change process.
The second is the Transformation or Road of Trials itself.
The third is the Rebirth through Death, which follows the Seizure of the Sword.
Finally, the fourth is the Atonement with the Father and the Apotheosis.
Each of the above has a specific purpose. The above four major areas allow the screenwriter to tangible move the character through the change process - rather than leave him or her grappling in the dark.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/
Article reviews
Post your review
[ Note : no HTML/URLs - will removed automatically ]
More articles from Writing and Speaking > Writing
|
