A hero goes through a series of steps to be recognized. This is a challenge that every writer must deal with. The best example is what is provided by Joseph Campbell in The Heros Journey. This is a summary of the stages through which a hero must pass from the beginning to the end. The idea is borrowed from Christopher Vogler who outlines 12 stages in his monomyth. Here are the steps to take your hero through during scripting.
The genesis for all characters is an ordinary existence. There is nothing special in life about the person. This position is preferred in drama and scripts because people can easily identify with it. It shows that there is not extraordinary about the heroes we encounter in life.
Call to Adventure points at a stage where there is need for the potential hero to act. It happens because of an extraordinary incidence in his life and that of people around him. The people face such challenges as injuries or safety threat to the people who are important in their life. Though not all situations involve guns, it will trigger the need for the star to ditch his comfort zone. Most heroes show resistance to the call at the beginning.
The hero then encounters a mentor who trains him on vital skills that will help him face the challenge ahead. These skills are rare and will define his performance once he is facing the ultimate challenge. The doubts that used to slow him down will be eliminated. The mentor trains him on very specific skills that will make him courageous and confident to face the challenge ahead.
Crossing the Threshold occurs when a star moves on to take up his call or task. The act to take on the call may come from compulsion or voluntarily. Such a hero finds himself doing something he has never done in his life. This is a point that signifies the commitment to pursue his calling and take on what life throws his way.
Tests, Enemies and Allies. The conqueror is now going into confrontation with the issues that lay ahead. These challenges could be emotional, physical, spiritual or of any other nature. They usually prevent him from moving forward. He has to find allies and deal with the enemies. It is this confrontation that will test his strength and resolve. It will reveal his character.
Approaching the Innermost Cave. This is the pinnacle of preparation for battle. There is a specific place where the battle will take place. There is also a specific skill that will win. Doubts sometimes reemerge but with allies beside him, the hero will overcome. Further, there are people waiting to cheer him when he wins. The anticipation builds tension and is a perfect climax background.
Every hero must finally face his demon. This ordeal will demand that he summons all his strength. For victory to be realized, all the strength possible must be summoned. He faces a situation of life or death. It is after fighting the battle that he seizes the sword in order to claim his reward. There is the brief journey back to where it all began and a resurrection takes place. The hero then sublimes back into ordinary life.
The genesis for all characters is an ordinary existence. There is nothing special in life about the person. This position is preferred in drama and scripts because people can easily identify with it. It shows that there is not extraordinary about the heroes we encounter in life.
Call to Adventure points at a stage where there is need for the potential hero to act. It happens because of an extraordinary incidence in his life and that of people around him. The people face such challenges as injuries or safety threat to the people who are important in their life. Though not all situations involve guns, it will trigger the need for the star to ditch his comfort zone. Most heroes show resistance to the call at the beginning.
The hero then encounters a mentor who trains him on vital skills that will help him face the challenge ahead. These skills are rare and will define his performance once he is facing the ultimate challenge. The doubts that used to slow him down will be eliminated. The mentor trains him on very specific skills that will make him courageous and confident to face the challenge ahead.
Crossing the Threshold occurs when a star moves on to take up his call or task. The act to take on the call may come from compulsion or voluntarily. Such a hero finds himself doing something he has never done in his life. This is a point that signifies the commitment to pursue his calling and take on what life throws his way.
Tests, Enemies and Allies. The conqueror is now going into confrontation with the issues that lay ahead. These challenges could be emotional, physical, spiritual or of any other nature. They usually prevent him from moving forward. He has to find allies and deal with the enemies. It is this confrontation that will test his strength and resolve. It will reveal his character.
Approaching the Innermost Cave. This is the pinnacle of preparation for battle. There is a specific place where the battle will take place. There is also a specific skill that will win. Doubts sometimes reemerge but with allies beside him, the hero will overcome. Further, there are people waiting to cheer him when he wins. The anticipation builds tension and is a perfect climax background.
Every hero must finally face his demon. This ordeal will demand that he summons all his strength. For victory to be realized, all the strength possible must be summoned. He faces a situation of life or death. It is after fighting the battle that he seizes the sword in order to claim his reward. There is the brief journey back to where it all began and a resurrection takes place. The hero then sublimes back into ordinary life.
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