1.  Hero’s Journey  Post-Aristotelian  Dramatica Theory
Three Story Paradigms
 Hero’s Journey
 Post-Aristotelian
 Dramatica Theory

2. A system to help authors create stories.
Story Paradigm
A system to help authors create stories.
Narrative Theory
Checklist

3.  Hero's Journey Joseph Campbell – 1904-1987 – Myths
Gerpge Lucas – 1944-? – Implementer
Christopher Vogler – Hollywood
John Truby – Modernize

4.  Post-Aristotelian Lajos Egri – 1888-1967 – Founder
Syd Field – ~1940-? – Modernizer
Robert McKee – 1941-? – Hack
Michael Hauge – ~1950-? – Hack

5.  Dramatica Theory Chris Huntley – ~1960-? – Founder
Melanie Anne Phillips – ~1960-? – Tag-along
Jim Hull - ~1970-? – Analyst

6.    Progress Standard Plot Stereotypical Characters Focus on setting
Hero’s Journey
Standard Plot
Stereotypical Characters
Focus on setting
Post-Aristotelian
Character- driven plot
Character focus
Setting- agnostic
Dramatica
Plot shows problems
Characters solve problems 

7. Reflection
Hands: Which of these three story paradigms have you heard of before?
Which proponents?
Post-Its: What questions are you anticipating already?

8.  Hero’s Journey Joseph Campbell George Lucas Christopher Vogler
John Truby
Discussion

9.  Hero’s Journey Joseph Campbell George Lucas Christopher Vogler
John Truby
Discussion

10. Joseph Campbell
( )

11. Comparative mythology
The fundamental structure of ancient myths.
Compare scenes …
…of old stories.

12. The old stories are all the same.
The Monomyth
Prometheus
The old stories are all the same.
Odysseus
Penelope
The Buddha
Osiris
Telemachus
Jesus Christ

13. The Hero with a Thousand Faces
(1949)

14. The Hero with a Thousand Faces
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”

15. Stages: Universal scenes, naturally leading from one to the other.
Two Sections
Stages: Universal scenes, naturally leading from one to the other.
Archetypes: Jungian characters, universally recognized across humanity.

16. Seventeen Stages Call to Adventure Refusal of the Call
Supernatural Aid
Crossing the Threshold
Belly of The Whale
Road of Trials
Meeting the Goddess
Female Temptation
Atonement with the Father
Apotheosis/Apostasis
The Ultimate Boon
Refusal of Return
Magic Flight
Rescue from Without
Crossing the Return Threshold
Master of Two Worlds
Freedom to Live

17. The Monomyth again
In your handouts

18. J. J. Abrams
(1966-?)

19. Lost
The final season DVD discusses Campbell. Abrams repeatedly quotes Joseph Campbell, and tells how each character is a hero in their own way.

20. About the Monomyth and LOST.
Video
About the Monomyth and LOST.

21. We’ll Repeat the Stages
For lack of time, we will not go into detail. We will repeat with Christopher Vogler’s 12-stage version.
To study the original 17 stages, go to ‘Monomyth’ on Wikipedia.

22. Other scholars test the Monomyth.
Others Confirm
Poseidon
Prometheus
Adam and Eve
Other scholars test the Monomyth.
Odysseus
Dionysus
King Arthur
Penelope
Sigurd
Gilgamesh
The Buddha
Krishna
Beowulf
Osiris
Zoroaster
Telemachus
Muhammad
Odin
Jason
Jesus Christ
Roland

23. Post-Its in pairs: Name stories that follow the pattern.
Reflection
Post-Its in pairs: Name stories that follow the pattern.

24.  Hero’s Journey Joseph Campbell George Lucas Christopher Vogler
John Truby
Discussion

25. George Lucas
(1944-?)

26. Star Wars
“… it came to me that there really was no modern use of mythology … and I started reading Joe’s … The Hero with a Thousand Faces. I began to realize that my first draft of Star Wars was following classic motifs … so I modified my next draft …”

27. About the Monomyth and Star Wars.
Video
About the Monomyth and Star Wars.

28. The Hero with a Thousand Faces
(1949)

29. Stages: Universal scenes, naturally leading from one to the other.
Two Sections
Stages: Universal scenes, naturally leading from one to the other.
Archetypes: Jungian characters, universally recognized across humanity.

30. Archetypes
Archetypes are recurring patterns of human behavior. They are symbolized by standard types of characters.
Quick to identify
Stereotype

31. Hero Heroes are the central figures in stories.
Everyone is the hero of his or her own myth.

32. Herald Heralds bring the Call to Adventure.
Could be a person or an event.

33. Mentor The Supernatural World is new and difficult.
Mentors guide the hero.
It is a person, or sometimes a principle.

34. Threshold Guardian
Threshold Guardians stand in the way at important turning points.
The first comes in the Crossing the Threshold stage.
Includes jealous enemies and professional gatekeepers,
and the Hero’s own fears and doubts.

35. Shadow Shadows are the villains and enemies.
It might be the enemy within.
They represent the repressed possibilities of the hero. His or her potential for evil.
Or repressed grief, anger, frustration, or creativity. Something dangerous if it doesn’t have an outlet.

36. Shapeshifter
Shapeshifters represent change. The way other people keep changing.
Or how the Hero’s perceptions of them change.
Often of the opposite sex. Sometimes two-faced.
Sometimes literally a shapeshifer, like a vampire or a werewolf.

37. Trickster Tricksters are clowns and mischief-makers.
They represent our the Hero’s own mischievous subconscious.
They urge the Hero to change.
They provide relief during tense action.

38. And More From Jung Joseph Campbell suggested more archetypes.
And more items and relationships.
To read more, look up Carl Jung.

39. Other Mythic Elements Star Wars The Matrix Harry Potter The Mentor
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Morpheus
Hagrid/Dumbledore
The Oracle
Yoda
Sybill Trelawney
The Prophecy
Luke will overthrow the emperor
Morpheus will find the One
Harry will have the power to vanquish the Dark Lord
Trickster
C3PO
Mouse
Fred & George Han
The Herald
R2-D2
Punky friends invite Neo to the party
Letters
Failed Hero
Biggs
Cypher
Lord Voldemort
Wearing Enemy's Skin
Luke and Han wear stormtrooper outfits
Neo jumps into agent's skin -
Shapeshifter
Han Solo
Snape
Animal familiar
Hedwig
Chasing a lone animal into the enxhanted wood
Luke follows R2-D2 into the Jundland Wastes
Neo "follows the white rabbit" to the nightclub

40. The Power of Myth
(1988)

41. The Power of Myth Documentary on the Monomyth and Star Wars
Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers
Filmed at Skywalker Ranch

42. The Mythology of Star Wars
(1999)

43. The Mythology of Star Wars
Bill Moyers and George Lucas
Follow-up to ‘The Power of Myth’

44. Reflection
Common discussion: Who is the first Threshold Guardian in a favorite movie of yours.
Who is the Mentor in the Matrix?
Two-and-two: Can you already see something good with the Monomyth?
Something bad?

45. Two Champions Christopher Vogler John Truby Movie-centric Practical
12 stages
Author-centric
Theoretical
22 stages

46.  Hero’s Journey Joseph Campbell George Lucas Christopher Vogler
John Truby
Discussion

47. Christopher Vogler
(1949-?)

48. Screenwriter
A Hollywood screenwriter who read Joseph Campbell. And then saw Star Wars.

49. Both old and new stories follow the pattern.
The Monomyth
Poseidon
I Am Legend
Prometheus
The Hobbit
Adam and Eve
Both old and new stories follow the pattern.
Odysseus
Dionysus
King Arthur
Harry Potter
Penelope
Sigurd
Gilgamesh
The Buddha
Lord of the Rings
Krishna
Beowulf
Osiris
The Dark Tower
Zoroaster
Telemachus
Muhammad
Odin
Jason
Ender's Game
American Gods
Jesus Christ
Roland

50. The 7-page memo A Practical Guide to The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Summarized Campbell's work.
Made it practical for Hollywood.
Reduced the Monomyth to 12 useful stages.

51. Legendary Vogler’s memo is one of the most influential, legendary
memos in the history of Hollywood.

52. Vogler’s Disney Movies
The Lion King
Aladdin
Beauty and the Beast

53. The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers
(1992)

54. The Hero’s Outer Journey

55. The Hero’s Inner Journey

56. Vogler became a script consultant.

57. Movies
Indiana Jones
The Matrix
Batman
Avatar

58. Vogler on the Monomyth and the Matrix.
Video
Vogler on the Monomyth and the Matrix.

59. Books Richard Adams Watership Down Dan Brown The Da Vinci Code
J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter

60. Harry Potter and Star Wars
Even many Internet memes are based on the Monomyth.

61. Orson Scott Card
(1951-?)

62. Ender’s Game Michael Collings
‘The Leading Edge: Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy Vol. 16’
Ender Wiggins fulfills all stages of the Hero’s Journey.

63. The Monomyth Applied Vogler mostly works with Hollywood. Poseidon
Rocky
Spock
Poseidon
I Am Legend
Prometheus
Jaws
The Hobbit
Adam and Eve
Vogler mostly works with Hollywood.
Odysseus
Dionysus
King Arthur
The Neverending Story
Harry Potter
Penelope
Monsters Inc
Sigurd
Gilgamesh
The Buddha
Lord of the Rings
Krishna
Wall-E
Spongebob Squarepants
Beowulf
Osiris
The Dark Tower
Zoroaster
Telemachus
Muhammad
Dawnbreakers
Odin
Jason
Ender's Game
American Gods
Kick-Ass
Scott Pilgrim
Jesus Christ
Roland

64. Neil Gaiman
(1960-?)

65. Gaiman Objects
“I think I got about half way through The Hero with a Thousand Faces and found myself thinking ‘if this is true — I don’t want to know.’ “I really would rather not know this stuff. I’d rather do it because it’s true and because I accidentally wind up creating something that falls into this pattern than be told what the pattern is.”

66. Reflection Post-Its in pairs: Match Monomyth stages to Avatar scenes.
Open discussion: Does knowing the Monomyth detract from stories?

67.  Hero’s Journey Joseph Campbell George Lucas Christopher Vogler
John Truby
Discussion

68. John Truby
(~1950-?)

69. John Truby’ Background
John Truby is a screenwriter, director and screenwriting teacher.
He has consulted on over 1,000 film scripts over the past three decades.
He sells the screenwriting software program Blockbuster (originally “Storyline Pro”)

70. John Truby has not written anything himself.
Hack?
John Truby has not written anything himself.

71. The All-American Boy
(1973)

72. Students Beetlejuice Back to School Scream The Addams Family
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Mask of Zorro
Sleepless in Seattle
Leap of Faith
Nightmare on Elm Street
Outbreak
The Negotiator

73. John Truby’s Argument
Others emphasize the inner transformation of the characters.
John Truby emphasizes the moral effect their actions have on others.

74. 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller
The Anatomy of a Story
22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller
(2007)

75. A more open, modern Monomyth
22 Building Blocks
A more open, modern Monomyth

76. Wrong Subtitle The book contains 22 scenes, not steps.
It does contain nine steps, though.

77. Step 1 Create your premise:
State your story idea in a single sentence.
This may take several hours to perfect.

78. Use the seven key steps of story structure:
Weakness and need Desire Opponent Plan Battle Self-Revelation New Equilibrium

79. Step 3
Create your characters:
Create characters from your premise.

80. Step 4 Outline the moral argument:
What is the theme inherent in your premise?

81. Step 5 Create the story world:
Create the world as an outgrowth of your hero.

82. Create a web of symbols:
Step 6
Create a web of symbols:
Figure out symbols that highlight and communicate different aspects of the characters, the story world, and the plot.

83. Follow the 22 “steps” of the book's subtitle.
Create your plot:
Follow the 22 “steps” of the book's subtitle.

84. Create the scene weave:
Step 8
Create the scene weave:
Before writing, list every scene in the story, and weave all plotlines and themes into a tapestry.

85. Step 9 Scene construction and symphonic dialogue:
Construct each scene to further the development of your hero.

86. Truby’s Blockbuster software
(1996)

87. Introduction to Truby’s Blockbuster software.
Video
Introduction to Truby’s Blockbuster software.

88. Randy Ingermanson
(1958-?)

89. The Snowflake Method
bit.ly/18vCf6

90. Reflection
Post-Its in pairs: The Monomyth exists in versions from three to several hundred scenes.
Which version would help you?
Open discussion: What tools do you use to overcome writer’s block?

91.  Hero’s Journey Joseph Campbell George Lucas Christopher Vogler
John Truby
Discussion

92. Discussion
Open discussion: How can you use the Monomyth in your stories?
My view: The Monomyth is stale and not very useful.
Except for fantastic spectacles.

93. The Monomyth is bad Myth scholars doubt its validity.
Feminists criticize its male bias.
Hollywood sees diminishing returns.
Writers doubt its usefulness to them.

94. Scholars Doubt The Monomyth has no support in mythology.
Scholars view generalizing claims with suspicion.
Donald J. Consentino:
‘It is just as important to stress differences as similarities, to avoid creating a (Joseph) Campbell soup of myths that loses all local flavor.’

95. Hollywood Doubts The monomyth structure lacks originality.
It leads to clichés.
The characters are even called archetypes.
Avatar got a thorough bashing.

96. About the Monomyth and Avatar.
Video
About the Monomyth and Avatar.

97. Writers Doubt The Hero’s Journey was designed for ancient myths.
It was never meant for modern stories.
It fails to critically investigate or interpret narrative.

98. David Brin
(1950-?)

99. Old Stories for Feudal Society
It reflects cross-cultural historical similarities.
Not some deeper human insight.

100. The Monomyth is Evil
Kings and priests used the Monomyth to justify tyranny.
Until recently, storytellers depended on the oligarchy for their livelihood.
The aristocracy punished irreverence.

101. Set the Future Free Those historical factors have disappeared.
Modern stories emerged.
Science fiction is the antithesis of Campbell's monomyth.

102. Star Wars on Trial
(2006)

103. Eight Charges
The politics of Star Wars are anti-democratic and elitist.
While claiming mythic significance, Star Wars portrays no admirable religious or ethical beliefs.
Women in Star Wars are portrayed as fundamentally weak.
Star Wars pretends to be science fiction, but is really fantasy.
Star Wars has dumbed down the perception of science fiction in the popular imagination.
The plot holes and logical gaps in Star Wars make it ill-suited for an intelligent viewer.
Science fiction filmmaking has been reduced by Star Wars to poorly written special effects extravaganzas.
Star Wars novels are poor subsitutes for real science fiction and are driving real SF off the shelves.