Writing and Speaking > Writing > Screenwriting: Creating Character
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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.
Screenwriting: Creating Character
Most screenplays reveal character in [more or less] the same way.
a) The Hero's Status. In The Deer Hunter (1978), the men in the steel mill shake hands with Michael, seek his attention and follow him. He has high status. In The Gladiator (2000), Maximus walks through the field and his men follow him with their eyes. He has high status. In Spiderman (2002), Peter Parker has low status: no one will let him sit next to them on the bus. In Forrest Gump (1994), Forrest has low status: no one will let him sit next to them on the bus.
b) The Hero's capabilities.
In The Deer Hunter (1978), Michael is the survivor and good at everything: he passes the speeding truck from the inside lane and always wins at pool. In The Gladiator (2000), Maximus is excellent in battle and thoroughly believable as a gladiator post his transformation.
c) The Hero' True Nature: In Gladiator (2000), Maximus touches the tall wheat grass and is considerate towards his men. In Midnight Cowboy (1969), Joe Buck turns the light in the bus back on again after he is asked to by the old lady sitting next to him.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
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Kal Bishop
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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://www.clickok.co.uk/
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