Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
The
Showdown.
The hero must face one last challenge, usually of life and death against
his greatest foe. He must use all that he has learned on his quest to succeed.
The
Resolution.
In movies this is usually a happy ending. The hero succeeds and we
all celebrate.
Example:
Table 1.1 Feature Film Plots Against the Hero's Journey
Shrek
Mulan
The Incredibles
Howl's Moving Castle
Shrek is an ogre who
lives in a swamp and
just wants to be left
alone.
Mulan is the only
child of the honored
Chinese family, Fa.
Former Superhero,
Mr. Incredible—now
Bob Parr—is stuck in
a dead-end job
where he tries to
help people, be a
good dad, and fi t
into “normal”
society.
Sophie is a girl who
lives in a magical
land. At a parade
she is accosted by
soldiers and saved by
a wizard. Her friend
warns, “Wizards steal
the hearts of beautiful
girls.”
Introduce
the
Hero
Hero
Has
a
Weakness
Shrek is an ogre.
She's a girl. She is
smart, headstrong,
and loud. This is not
a good combination
for an honorable
Chinese female.
Bob wants to fi ght
crime—and lies
about it to do so.
Bigger problem: He
likes to work alone.
Sophie doesn't see
herself as beautiful.
There are esteem
issues.
Shrek's swamp is
invaded by fairy tale
characters displaced
by Lord Farquaad.
Shrek wants his
swamp back. Donkey
knows where Far-
quaad lives. Shrek is
forced to go with
Donkey.
Unexpected
Event
Mulan's weakened
father, Fa-Zous, is
called to join the
army and fi ght the
Huns.
Mr. Incredible gets
a secret message
from a beautiful
woman calling for
his services to
defeat a government
robot gone haywire.
Sophie makes hats.
The Witch of Waste
visits Sophie's hat
shop after hours.
When Sophie won't
help her, she turns
Sophie into an old
hag.
Call
to
Adventure
Farquaad gives Shrek
a choice: Rescue the
princess or die. Well,
OK. Shrek goes to
rescue the princess,
but only after Far-
quaad promises to
give him his swamp
back if he does.
Knowing her father
would never survive,
Mulan disguises
herself as a man and
joins the army.
Bob takes the bait.
Come on, Bob—her
name is MIRAGE—
see through it. He
answers the call,
defeats the robot,
and accepts a new
job—all while
deceiving his family.
Unable to tell anyone
she is cursed, Sophie
leaves to fi nd a way
to remove it. She
meets a scarecrow
who gets her a job in
Howl's moving castle.
There she cuts a deal
with a cursed fi re: I'll
free you if you free
me.
