I am a sucker for a good movie – (I think The Dark Knight Rises is a good movie), that makes me a movie buff. But, what does it take to make a good movie. Well you will find tons of articles on the internet, that tell you a good story makes a good movie.
If you ask a filmmaker this question, you will get a dramatic answer. An actor will tell you a great story and a good director makes a good movie. A director will tell you a good screenplay, a good performance from his actors, will get you a good movie. A screenwriter will tell you a good story evolves from a good idea, thinking, hitting your head against a wall, and fearlessness.
What they do not tell you is that a good story is rooted in mythology. “Mythology” is the study of myths or a body or collection of myths. A myth is defined as a sacred narrative usually explaining how the world or mankind came to be in its present form, although, in a very broad sense, the word can refer to any traditional story [Wikipedia].
This article deals with two concepts that actors, writers and directors study, concepts that have helped these artistes define and improve their craft. ‘The first is called ‘The Monomyth – The Hero’s Journey’ and the second ‘The Archytypes’. Joseph Campbell gave the most defining documentation of the Monomyth in his book ‘The Hero With A Thousand Faces‘ and although he also dealth with the archytypes, you will find Christopher Vogler’s book ‘A Writers Journey‘ more mordern to read.
The Hero’s Journey Overview
- Hero/Heros is/are introduced into the ORDINARY WORLD
- He/She/They receive the CALL TO ADVENTURE
- He/She/They are RELUCTANT at first or REFUSE THE CALL, but
- are encouraged by a MENTOR to
- CROSS THE THRESHOLD and enter the Special World, where
- they encounter TESTS, ALLIES, AND ENEMIES.
- They APPROACH THE IN-MOST CAVE, cross a second threshold
- where they endure the ORDEAL
- They take possession of their REWARD and
- are pursued on THE ROAD BACK to the Ordinary World.
- They cross the third threshold, experience a RESURRECTION, and are transformed by the experience.
- They RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR, a boon or treasure to benefit the ORDINARY WORLD.
THE STAGES OF THE HERO’S JOURNEY
The Ordinary World: The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable or unaware, is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma. The hero is shown against a background of environment, heredity, and personal history. Some kind of polarity in the hero’s life is pulling in different directions and causing stress.
The Call To Adventure: Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of change.
Refusal Of The Call: The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the adventure, however briefly. Alternately, another character may express the uncertainty and danger ahead.
Meeting With The Mentor: The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the worlds who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey. Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage and wisdom.
Crossing The Threshold: At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.
Tests, Allies & Enemies: The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.
Approach To The In-Most Cave: The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.
The Ordeal: Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.
The Reward: The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.
The Road Back: About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home. Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.
The Resurrection: At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level. By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved.
Return With The Elixir: The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed
THE ARCHYTYPES
The hero’s Journey is populated by archetypes. They are recurring patterns of human behavior, symbolized by standard types of characters in movies .
Heroes: Central figures in stories. Everyone is the hero of his or her own myth.
Shadows: Villains, antagonist or enemies, perhaps the enemy within. The dark side of the Force, the repressed possibilities of the hero, his or her potential for evil. Can be other kinds of repression, such as repressed grief, anger, frustration or creativity that is dangerous if it does not have an outlet.
Mentors: The hero’s guide or guiding principles, for example Yoda, Merlin, Gandalf, a great coach or teacher.
Herald: One who brings the Call to Adventure. Could be a person or an event.
Threshold Guardians: The forces that stand in the way at important turning points, including jealous enemies, professional gatekeepers, or your own fears and doubts.
Shapeshifters: In stories, creatures like vampires or werewolves who change shape. In life, the shapeshifter represents change or ambiguity. The way other people (or our perceptions of them) keep changing. The opposite sex, the way people can be two-faced.
Tricksters: Clowns and mischief-makers, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. Our own mischievous subconscious, urging us to change.
Allies: Characters who help the hero through the change. Sidekicks, buddies, girlfriends who advise the hero through the transitions of life.
Anyway, we deal with this topic in a studio session sometime this month.
