Amy PowellAmy PowellImpact—TechImpact—Tech

5/205/20Prof. LedererProf. Lederer

Excerpted from Christopher Excerpted from Christopher Vogler’s Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyThe Writer’s Journey

**Images from George Images from George

Lucas’ Lucas’ Star Wars Star Wars and and Disney’s Disney’s The Lion King The Lion King

HeroHero In a story, the hero goes through 12 stages In a story, the hero goes through 12 stages

The Ordinary WorldThe Ordinary World The Call to AdventureThe Call to Adventure Reluctance/Refusing the CallReluctance/Refusing the Call MentorMentor Crossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First Threshold Tests, Allies, and EnemiesTests, Allies, and Enemies Approach to the Inmost CaveApproach to the Inmost Cave The OrdealThe Ordeal The RewardThe Reward The Road Back The Road Back The Final ChallengeThe Final Challenge Return With the “Treasure”Return With the “Treasure”

The Hero Begins…The Hero Begins…

In the Ordinary WorldIn the Ordinary World

Most stories take the hero out of their Most stories take the hero out of their mundane everyday lives and place them in a mundane everyday lives and place them in a special ‘world.’special ‘world.’

In order to make the new world stand out, you In order to make the new world stand out, you have to paint a vivid picture of the old or have to paint a vivid picture of the old or ordinary world that the hero initially inhabits. ordinary world that the hero initially inhabits.

The Ordinary World - TatooineThe Ordinary World - Tatooine

The Call to AdventureThe Call to Adventure

The hero is called from his/her ordinary The hero is called from his/her ordinary world in order to get the ‘treasure,’ right a world in order to get the ‘treasure,’ right a wrong, or chase Mr. or Ms. Right.wrong, or chase Mr. or Ms. Right.

The call to adventure sets the stakes for The call to adventure sets the stakes for the reader or viewer. The hero’s goal is the reader or viewer. The hero’s goal is clear: get the girl, grab the treasure, get clear: get the girl, grab the treasure, get back.back.

The Call to AdventureThe Call to Adventure

“ “Help me, Obi Wan Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi. You’re my Kenobi. You’re my only hope!”only hope!”

ReluctanceReluctance

Often, in the beginning of an adventure, Often, in the beginning of an adventure, the hero will refuse the call, citing other the hero will refuse the call, citing other responsibilities or the fear of getting “in too responsibilities or the fear of getting “in too deep.” deep.”

Usually, this reluctance is overcome by the Usually, this reluctance is overcome by the mentor figure or by circumstances that mentor figure or by circumstances that have become more extreme or intolerable have become more extreme or intolerable than the actual adventure may be.than the actual adventure may be.

ReluctanceReluctance

The First ThresholdThe First Threshold

The first threshold signals a twist in the The first threshold signals a twist in the storyline. storyline.

The plot intensifies, and the hero must act.The plot intensifies, and the hero must act.Usually, something traumatic happens to Usually, something traumatic happens to

spur the hero to action – i.e. someone spur the hero to action – i.e. someone dies, gets dumped, or is kidnapped, etc.dies, gets dumped, or is kidnapped, etc.

This trauma is the catalyst that shoves the This trauma is the catalyst that shoves the hero into the new, ‘special world.’hero into the new, ‘special world.’

Mentor EncouragementMentor Encouragement

Tests, Allies, and EnemiesTests, Allies, and Enemies

The first test of the hero’s moral character and The first test of the hero’s moral character and determination usually occur in highly social determination usually occur in highly social settings.settings.

Cheap diners, dance clubs, and seedy cantinas Cheap diners, dance clubs, and seedy cantinas are good settings for this kind of interaction.are good settings for this kind of interaction.

The hero’s ability to pick out allies from enemies The hero’s ability to pick out allies from enemies in this tricky setting displays his or her mental in this tricky setting displays his or her mental acumen (brains).acumen (brains).

Tests, Allies, and EnemiesTests, Allies, and Enemies

AlliesAllies

EnemiesEnemies

Approaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost Cave The hero, now firmly committed to the adventure, The hero, now firmly committed to the adventure,

approaches his or her enemy where they ‘live.’approaches his or her enemy where they ‘live.’

In modern films and novels, it is usually the headquarters In modern films and novels, it is usually the headquarters of the enemy.of the enemy.

The Hero must outwit his enemy’s guards in order to get The Hero must outwit his enemy’s guards in order to get to the treasure.to the treasure.

The “inmost” cave is a dangerous place, often deep The “inmost” cave is a dangerous place, often deep underground, where the treasure is hidden. underground, where the treasure is hidden.

Approaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost Cave

In mythology, the inmost cave may represent the In mythology, the inmost cave may represent the land of the land of the

……or a mazeor a maze

……or a cave where the dragon hides the treasureor a cave where the dragon hides the treasure

……ooooor the bad guy’s hideout.ooooor the bad guy’s hideout.

Approaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost Cave

Approaching the Inmost CaveApproaching the Inmost Cave