The Hero’s JourneyThe Hero’s Journey

Story Structure in Playwriting and Story Structure in Playwriting and ScreenwritingScreenwriting

The Hero (Heroine)The Hero (Heroine)

In mythology and legend, the hero is a man In mythology and legend, the hero is a man who has great courage and strength, is who has great courage and strength, is celebrated for his bold exploits, and is celebrated for his bold exploits, and is favored by the gods. favored by the gods.

The principal male or female character in a The principal male or female character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation. novel, poem, or dramatic presentation.

Why do we like heroes?Why do we like heroes?

We like to see ourselves in the place of the We like to see ourselves in the place of the hero.hero.

We imagine ourselves to have great We imagine ourselves to have great courage and strength.courage and strength.

We like to believe that we are good, not bad.We like to believe that we are good, not bad. We like to believe that anything is possible.We like to believe that anything is possible.

Stories have three parts or Stories have three parts or “acts.”“acts.”

Start End

ACT 1 ACT 2 ACT 3

¼ ½ ¼

Three Acts in TimeThree Acts in Time

120 minute script120 minute script:: Act 1: 30 minutesAct 1: 30 minutes Act 2: 60 minutesAct 2: 60 minutes Act 3: 30 minutesAct 3: 30 minutes

10 minute script10 minute script:: Act 1: 2.5 minutesAct 1: 2.5 minutes Act 2: 5 minutesAct 2: 5 minutes Act 3: 2.5 minutesAct 3: 2.5 minutes

1:2:1 Ratio

1 minute = 1 page

Basic Act DevelopmentBasic Act Development

Act 1: The hero is introduced to a problem.Act 1: The hero is introduced to a problem. Act 2: The hero deals with the problem.Act 2: The hero deals with the problem. Act 3: The hero solves the problem.Act 3: The hero solves the problem.

The Hero’s JourneyThe Hero’s JourneyIn 1949, Joseph Campbell published "The Hero With In 1949, Joseph Campbell published "The Hero With

a Thousand Faces". Campbell's idea was that a Thousand Faces". Campbell's idea was that many of our best loved stories are actually based many of our best loved stories are actually based on the same model, which he called the "Hero's on the same model, which he called the "Hero's Journey". George Lucas' script for Star Wars Journey". George Lucas' script for Star Wars closely followed Campbell's model.closely followed Campbell's model.

Christopher Vogler, a story analyst for Disney and Christopher Vogler, a story analyst for Disney and other movie studios, has applied this idea to other movie studios, has applied this idea to movie scripts. His view of the hero's journey has movie scripts. His view of the hero's journey has 12 steps. Stories or movie scripts will not always 12 steps. Stories or movie scripts will not always contain every step, but he believes that many do contain every step, but he believes that many do follow this pattern.follow this pattern.

The Hero’s Journey: Act 1The Hero’s Journey: Act 11. 1. Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldWe see the hero in his or her ordinary world before the adventure has We see the hero in his or her ordinary world before the adventure has

begun.begun.

2. 2. Call to AdventureCall to AdventureSomeone or something forces the hero to consider leaving the ordinary Someone or something forces the hero to consider leaving the ordinary

world to try to achieve a goal.world to try to achieve a goal.

3. 3. Refusal of the CallRefusal of the CallThe hero, untested yet, has difficulty deciding to act.The hero, untested yet, has difficulty deciding to act.

4. 4. Meeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorThe hero meets with his mentor to decide whether or not to proceed.The hero meets with his mentor to decide whether or not to proceed.

5. 5. Crossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdThe hero makes the decision to proceed toward the goalThe hero makes the decision to proceed toward the goal

The Hero’s Journey: Act 2The Hero’s Journey: Act 2

In Act 2, the hero is out of his familiar territory. In Act 2, the hero is out of his familiar territory.

6.6. Tests, Allies, EnemiesTests, Allies, Enemies

This step in the hero’s journey will take up nearly half This step in the hero’s journey will take up nearly half of the story.of the story.

Usually, near the beginning of Tests, Allies, and Usually, near the beginning of Tests, Allies, and Enemies, the mentor trains the hero somehow.Enemies, the mentor trains the hero somehow.

The hero faces many tests. Along the way, the hero The hero faces many tests. Along the way, the hero will meet new allies (friends) and enemies.will meet new allies (friends) and enemies.

The hero must prepare for the ultimate showdown The hero must prepare for the ultimate showdown between the protagonist and antagonist.between the protagonist and antagonist.

Act 2 ContinuedAct 2 ContinuedAfter struggling through difficult challenges and tests…After struggling through difficult challenges and tests…

7. 7. Approach to the Inmost CaveApproach to the Inmost CaveThe “cave” is a symbol for an extremely difficult test. Often, The “cave” is a symbol for an extremely difficult test. Often,

this is the “tunnel to the hiding place” of the antagonist. this is the “tunnel to the hiding place” of the antagonist. The hero must get mentally and physically ready.The hero must get mentally and physically ready.

8. 8. The Supreme OrdealThe Supreme OrdealThis is the ultimate showdown between the protagonist and This is the ultimate showdown between the protagonist and

the antagonist (or contagonist) where the protagonist the antagonist (or contagonist) where the protagonist appears to die either physically or metaphorically (the appears to die either physically or metaphorically (the death of the dream).death of the dream).

The Hero’s Journey: Act 3The Hero’s Journey: Act 3After facing the ultimate test…After facing the ultimate test…

9. 9. RewardRewardOf course, the hero is not dead. He survives. Because of his courage, he Of course, the hero is not dead. He survives. Because of his courage, he

is given a reward. This is usually what he has been seeking all is given a reward. This is usually what he has been seeking all along. It can be a physical reward (money, the girl, etc.) or a mental along. It can be a physical reward (money, the girl, etc.) or a mental reward (recognition, knowledge that he is capable, etc.).reward (recognition, knowledge that he is capable, etc.).

10. 10. The Road BackThe Road BackThe hero is attempting to get back to his ordinary world. He has attained The hero is attempting to get back to his ordinary world. He has attained

his goal and just wants things to get back to normal. But…his goal and just wants things to get back to normal. But…

11. 11. ResurrectionResurrectionOf course, the antagonist is not dead yet, either. At this point, the Of course, the antagonist is not dead yet, either. At this point, the

antagonist is back for one last try to defeat the protagonist and antagonist is back for one last try to defeat the protagonist and prevent him from keeping the reward. Often, this will take the form prevent him from keeping the reward. Often, this will take the form of a chase scene or one final confrontation. And, of course, the of a chase scene or one final confrontation. And, of course, the good guy wins again.good guy wins again.

The Hero’s Journey: Act 3The Hero’s Journey: Act 3

12. Return with the Elixir (the goal):12. Return with the Elixir (the goal):

After defeating the antagonist for good, the After defeating the antagonist for good, the hero returns to his ordinary world as a hero returns to his ordinary world as a changed individual. The hero has grown changed individual. The hero has grown from his experience.from his experience.

Don’t Forget…Don’t Forget…

120 minute script120 minute script:: Act 1: 30 minutesAct 1: 30 minutes Act 2: 60 minutesAct 2: 60 minutes Act 3: 30 minutesAct 3: 30 minutes

10 minute script10 minute script:: Act 1: 2.5 minutesAct 1: 2.5 minutes Act 2: 5 minutesAct 2: 5 minutes Act 3: 2.5 minutesAct 3: 2.5 minutes

1:2:1 Ratio

TreatmentTreatment

A treatment is a summary of all of the parts A treatment is a summary of all of the parts of a story. It’s like writing a page or two to of a story. It’s like writing a page or two to explain what happens in an entire story.explain what happens in an entire story.

Develop a treatment based on the theme of Develop a treatment based on the theme of “disability” with your group, following the “disability” with your group, following the steps of the hero’s journey.steps of the hero’s journey.

Example TreatmentExample Treatment1. 1. Ordinary WorldOrdinary WorldLuke Skywalker, a farm boy on a distant planet, is frustrated with his life and wants Luke Skywalker, a farm boy on a distant planet, is frustrated with his life and wants

to join the academy.to join the academy.

2. 2. Call to AdventureCall to AdventureAfter a confrontation with some sand people, Luke meets Obi Wan Kenobi. Obi After a confrontation with some sand people, Luke meets Obi Wan Kenobi. Obi

Wan invites Luke to come along with him to learn about the ways of the Jedi.Wan invites Luke to come along with him to learn about the ways of the Jedi.

3. 3. Refusal of the CallRefusal of the CallLuke says that he can’t do it. He needs to work for his uncle. He returns to his Luke says that he can’t do it. He needs to work for his uncle. He returns to his

uncle’s farm but finds it burned. His aunt and uncle are killed.uncle’s farm but finds it burned. His aunt and uncle are killed.

4. 4. Meeting with the MentorMeeting with the MentorObi Wan tells Luke to come with him on his expedition to rescue the princess.Obi Wan tells Luke to come with him on his expedition to rescue the princess.

5. 5. Crossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First ThresholdLuke, Obi Wan, and the droids travel to the bar to hire a ship to take them to Luke, Obi Wan, and the droids travel to the bar to hire a ship to take them to

Alderon.Alderon.

Example Treatment (cont.)Example Treatment (cont.)

Step 6 – Step 6 – Tests, Allies, EnemiesTests, Allies, Enemies Luke gets trained by Obi Wan Kenobi (Mentor) in Luke gets trained by Obi Wan Kenobi (Mentor) in

how to use the force. He uses a light saber to how to use the force. He uses a light saber to train him.train him.

Their ship gets sucked into the Death Star.Their ship gets sucked into the Death Star. They hide and ambush the Stormtroopers.They hide and ambush the Stormtroopers. R2 helps locate the princess from the control R2 helps locate the princess from the control

room.room. Luke, Han Solo, and Chewy disguiseLuke, Han Solo, and Chewy disguise

Character Archetypes: Driver CharactersCharacter Archetypes: Driver Characters AntagonistAntagonist – directly opposes the progress of the – directly opposes the progress of the

protagonistprotagonist Mentor/guardianMentor/guardian – guides and trains the protagonist – guides and trains the protagonist Contagonist Contagonist – inhibits (gets in the way of) the – inhibits (gets in the way of) the

progress of the protagonist, not necessarily directly progress of the protagonist, not necessarily directly opposed to the protagonist.opposed to the protagonist.

ProtagonistProtagonist – moves the story forward – the “good – moves the story forward – the “good guy”guy”

Main characterMain character – we see the story through – we see the story through their eyestheir eyes HeroHero – combination of the protagonist and main – combination of the protagonist and main

charactercharacter+

Character Archetypes: Passenger Character Archetypes: Passenger CharactersCharacters

SidekickSidekick – assists the protagonist, – assists the protagonist, always loyal to the protagonistalways loyal to the protagonist

SkepticSkeptic – doubts that the protagonist – doubts that the protagonist can achieve his goal, may help but can achieve his goal, may help but still doubtsstill doubts

ReasonReason – thinks through everything – thinks through everything logicallylogically

EmotionEmotion – acts on sheer emotion and – acts on sheer emotion and feelingsfeelings

+