March 31, 2009 at 10:10 am · Filed under Uncategorized
From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters….
The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero’s Journey:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
and more…
Sample Movie Deconstructed: Blade Runner (1982)
FADE IN: text roll on; the Replicants, Tyrell Corp etc.
Ordinary World: LA in 2019; the flying cars; the fires etc.
Inciting Incident: Leon is tested; he shoots the psychologist.
Ordinary World Developed: “a new life awaits you in the off-world colonies…the chance to begin again…etc”
Meeting the Hero in his Ordinary World: Deckard wants noodles….
Shape Shifter forces the Hero to the Herald: Gaff brings Deckard to Bryant.
Journey to the Herald: developing the Ordinary World: more of this sci-fi world.
Meeting the Herald: we meet Bryant.
Call to Adventure: Bryant wants Deckard to hunt down some skins.
Refusal: “I don’t work here anymore…”
Forced to the First Threshold: “you know the score pal, if you’re not cop you’re little people…”"no choice huh…”
Backstory: Deckard views Leon’s test; six Replicants escaped; foreshadow of the Sword: “what do they want from the Tyrell corp?” overview of the antagonists…
Journey to the First Threshold: to the Tyrell Corp.
Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Deckard meets Rachael.
Meeting the Mentor: Dr Tyrell.
First Threshold Trial: Deckard tests Rachael; Rachael doesn’t know she’s a Replicant; developing characters and relationships: Dr Tyrell and Deckard talk about Rachael; they’ve given her memories.
Inner Cave: Deckard visits Leon’s apartment.
Developing the Shape Shifter: Gaff makes origami.
Meeting the Antagonists: Meeting Roy and Leon…
Inner Cave [Antagonist]: Roy and Leon visit the eye maker.
Developing the Antagonist: Roy kills the eye maker.
Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: the eye maker tells Roy to see Sebastian.
Developing the Romantic Challenge: Rachael comes to visit Deckard; convinces her that they are implanted memories.
Developing the Hero: Deckard at home.
Physical Separation [Antagonist]: Pris runs into Sebastian; Sebastian invites her in.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Pris and Sebastian.
Physical Separation [Hero]: Deckard analyses the photo to find the scales.
Pushing toward Trial 1: sourcing the snake scales.
Resistance to Trial 1: Abdul Hassan doesn’t want to reveal the snake’s buyer.
Resistance to Trial 1: Taffy Lewis is resistant to helping.
Developing the Romantic Challenge: Deckard calls Rachael.
Trial and Transformation 1: finding and killing Zhora; feels sorry for killing her.
Foreshadow of the Master of Two Worlds: Bryant reminds Deckard he’ll have to kill Rachael too.
Trial and Transformation 2: Leon attacks Deckard; “painful to live in fear isn’t it…”; Rachael kills Leon.
Trial and Transformation 3: / Developing Romantic Challenge: Rachael and Deckard in his apartment….”would he kill her? No, but someone would;” Rachael plays the piano…”I don’t know if it is me or Tyrell’s niece…” [what separates her and a human?] Deckard and Rachael kiss.
Meeting the Oracle and Learning of the Sword: Roy meets Sebastian; Sebastian guides Roy to Dr Tyrell. Developing Characters and Relationships: Pris, Roy and Sebastian.
Journey to the Sword: Roy and Sebastian journey to Dr Tyrell.
Threshold Guardian: Sebastian beats Dr Tyrell at chess….”you better come up…”
Seizing the Sword: Roy gets to meet Dr Tyrell and “wants more life, fucker.”
Developing the Antagonist: Roy kills Dr Tyrell and Sebastian.
Night Sea Journey: the cop tries to arrest Deckard, Pris hangs up on him and the street urchins jump on the car. Going into Sebastian’s apartment.
Rebirth through Death: Deckard kills Pris.
Atonement with the Father: Roy arrives and finds Pris. He is alone now.
Apotheosis: Deckard pays fro Zhora, Pris and Leon with his fingers.
Ultimate Boon: I’ll give you a few seconds before I come…”
Magic Flight: Deckard runs; Deckard hunted.
Foreshadow of the Rescue from Without: Roy about to terminate; “not yet…”
Rescue from Without: Roy is dying; Roy saves Deckard’s life; valuing life; letting the bird fly free.
Crossing the Return Threshold: Deckard goes back home to rescue Rachael.
Master of the Two Worlds: Gaff lets Rachael live.
Freedom to Live: Deckard and Rachael get away together; “it’s too bad she won’t live, but then again, who does…”
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
March 31, 2009 at 5:08 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Sometimes, to get inspired, you need to understand the value of your skills and what you have to offer the world. Writers and Poets possess important abilities that the world needs desperately.
Recall your first love. Was there music involved? A favorite love song? Do you remember the words? Lyrics are poems in themselves and why do songs have lyrics, anyway? Why isn’t the music sufficient? Well, sometimes it is. Most of the time, music alone fails to garner praise from the community of listeners and there’s a fantastic reason: lyrics communicate for listeners the words they often do not have to describe their emotions. Time and again, Poets and Writers (capitalized here because of the significance they have in this article) express what they feel in such a way that those not skilled in our area use our words to speak their own. In some cases, people had no idea what they felt about someone until they heard it expressed in a song.
Let’s explore another genre (and be patient with me if it’s not your primary one): romance. Don’t worry, we’ve more genres to briefly explore. In the case of romance, which has fueled the interest of wives, mothers and daughters, the art of romanceeven seductionis explored. On a deeper level, romance readers learn romantic methods of communication. They learn the vocabulary of love.
What about the value of Science Fiction? What is affectionately called Sci-Fi is also called Speculative Fiction, which is perhaps a more appropriate name. Why? Because it speculates about the future. If we can write it, then it can become. Since movies come from screenplays, discussing movies for this topic is just as appropriate as the novels, though of course, the book is almost always better, isn’t it? For example, “Star Wars” speculates about future technology and worlds. From that type of speculation comes important dreams, plans, ideas, concepts for technology, etc. I’ve always wanted a landspeeder because of “Star Wars”. If I get one, it’ll likely be because someone who watched or read “Star Wars” made it come to life. This can go much further, of course, to concepts portrayed in such movies as “Independence Day” and “War of the Worlds”, in which Earth must defend itself. By predicting possible future complications now in our literature, we create future solutions today.
Virtually every novel, poem and article or essay depicts some aspect of human history. If you’ve ever read memoirs of deceased family members, then you know the value of every comment about past life. I think Jose Marti advised us to have a son, plant a tree and write a book so that we could attain immortality. Books can outlive them all. What we write today could well exist hundreds, even thousands of years from now. I remember seeing a book written by Christopher Columbus and not caring what he wrote, just that something so full of life from the past stood in a glass case in front of me. When you start that negative talkyou know what I’m talking aboutremember too that you have your abilities for a reason. The world needs you to do what you’re made to do. If you’re made to write, then do it.
Pen to Paper~
Chris Goebel
Editor, Humdinger Literary E-zine http://www.humdingerzine.com
Subscribe to Chris Goebel’s newsletter, Jack of Genre: Newsletter for Writers, at: http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Jack-of-Genre.html
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Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website? Just include the author’s blurb (above) with the article. Make sure not to change the article in any way and to keep the entire blurb intact.
March 30, 2009 at 3:47 am · Filed under Uncategorized
After the publication of my first book, I started experiencing a new phenomenon in my life. In fact, it probably started before the publication, but became more frequent when I began my promotional tour.
People love to imagine themselves as writers. They want to write books. I’m excited by that. More and more people are approaching me for advice about writing. Books are in my top ten favorite things and I can’t get enough. I love to encourage and support writers. However, I don’t think that the people who approach me really believe they can do it.
While I am looking forward to what these people want to put in print, I have a nagging feeling that their stories will never be published. Why? Because no one has ever passed the hand test. Every time someone asks me about writing, self-publishing, organization, processes, or anything else, I look at their hands. For me, the sign of a writer is the constant presence of a pen and paper.
I have carried a little notebook and pen everywhere for as long as I can remember. Whether I use it to scratch out a grocery list, scripture references, or a “to do” list for work doesn’t matter. The notebook is always in use and constantly referred to when I am writing, which I do every day.
It is disheartening when a potential author approaches me, asks for advice, and then asks me to write it all down in my notebook! In fact, I have started to leave my notebook in my briefcase or purse when I am talking to people. To me, empty hands means that you are not expecting me to say anything important. When I see empty hands, I know that my notebook can stay put because the exchange is for entertainment purposes only.
I like the idea of mini-celebrity, but I like the idea of sharing even more. My nature is that of an educator/entrepreneur. I love to learn things and share them. I do this mostly through writing and speaking. The constant presence of my notebook reflects my deep belief that valuable information is everywhere and I don’t want to miss anything. I don’t like the idea of a notebook-free experience.
Another strong belief is that everyone has an interesting story. Asking questions about how to write them and publish them are important. It is especially important to ask those questions to people who are experienced, so please grab the opportunity whenever it arises. We are writers, we love to tell stories and break down processes! We are also very likely to do present the topic in articles or workshops. But, we have to draw the line at writing down dates and titles for you.
I am trained as a psychologist. You can trust the three Ivy League graduate degrees that inform these very basic conclusions. Every writer wants fans. We like to believe that someone is relating to us and that our message has been conveyed clearly enough for people to understand. We love to see your approach because it means that our skills are intact. So please, never hesitate to walk right up.
Your desire to relate is equally compelling and relating on a professional level is a widely accepted practice. “I write, too” is great way to make contact. After that, it is perfectly alright to change the subject or go further. If you just want social or professional contact, make it plain. Let’s exchange cards and go on with it. But, if you ask for advice it is a reflex for me to look at your hands and make a judgment call. Sorry, but its happened enough for me to have to make a choice about my response.
I want everyone to live as full a life as they can. I want to spare you the troubles that I have endured. I want to give you the real deal. But no one wants to waste their time. When your inner conflicts are resolved, your confidence is intact and you truly believe that you are approaching a person who has information that will take you one step closer to your dream, you will have your notebook ready.
March 29, 2009 at 3:51 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Anti-Aging Treatments – Popular Options for Gaining the Bonus Years
The desire to look younger, more vibrant and fit has not been more popular as they are today. Because of this, innovations and discoveries have multiplied to cater to the growing clientele that wants to seek a better lifestyle and get those bonus years that people of different cultures have always aspired to. When it comes to anti aging treatments several procedures and approaches are now open. Sometimes the only limiting factor is the method that will most fit the patient and the budget. Following are examples of the later innovations of anti aging treatments that have gained wide acceptance.
Botox – The most common method for treating skin wrinkles is the Botox. This anti-aging treatment is performed to 4.6 million patients a year in the US alone according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Botox injections are ideally performed by plastic surgeons that have passed through and are members of the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. However, parameters that qualify a Botox injector vary from state to state. Aside from plastic surgeons, Botox providers could include dermatologists, clinical spas, nurses, physician assistants, and general medical doctors.
Be sure to read part II of Anti-Aging Treatments – Popular Options for Gaining the Bonus Years
March 27, 2009 at 7:28 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Nothing helps a couple remember their special day like a personalized wedding gift. Such a gift can bring back all the sentiment of their ceremony and celebration by displaying their names, initials or wedding date on a precious item.
Personalized gifts are widely available, though most stores will add a small charge for this service. It is important to note that a personalized gift will usually require additional processing time, which may delay delivery. Therefore, when ordering a personalized item, it is important to purchase the gift well in advance of the wedding date.
Monogrammed Gifts
Monogrammed gifts are both practical and romantic. From towels and glassware to stationary, monogrammed wedding gifts are a personal treasure.
Personalized Photo Options
Newlyweds are left with literally hundreds of photos documenting their wedding day and honeymoon. Engraved frames and photo albums give the couple beautiful storage and display options. These wedding gifts are usually personalized with the couple’s wedding date.
Autographed Gifts
Document the well-wishes of family and friends with an autographed gift. Wedding guests can sign a large matte of a photo frame, a specially made platter, or a fabric wall hanging.
Many home items can be personalized with beautiful results. Engraved photo coasters can display wedding memories while protecting new furniture. Embroidered throws accent the married couple’s home with color and warmth. Seasonal gifts such as personalized ornaments and tree skirts can add to the new couple’s holiday decorations. Embroidered table linens allow the newly married couple to entertain with pride.
Spiritual Items
For the devout couple, a personalized Bible would hold special significance if given in advance of the wedding, it could even be used as part of the ceremony. An engraved wall cross for display in the home is another option for the spiritual pair.
A Personalized Future Toast
Wedding guests can order bottles of wine or champagne with personalized labels for the happy couple. Engraved wine glasses or bottle stoppers would nicely compliment the wedding gift. The married couple can open the bottles to toast on their honeymoon, or save them for a milestone anniversary.
Amy Lee Johnson regularly contributes to Wedding-Vows-4u.com a site dedicated to helping you with information about everything wedding related. We feature article directories on many topics such as Wedding Vows and Wedding Gowns to help you get the information you need – check them out!
March 27, 2009 at 4:34 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Are you an acute procrastinator? I was. Fifteen years ago I made a new
promise to myself and wrote these words. “I am an introverted, procrastinating
perfectionist who is striving to be an extroverted, results-oriented champion.”
It was time for me to move on and take charge of my life. I was reading all those
wonderful success-oriented books, listening to tapes and going to workshops. I
was learning how to discipline myself, achieve my goals, and get rid of that
negative behavior that had crept into my life. You know…the “Doubt Syndrome.”
“I’m not sure I can do it.” “It might be too tough for me to start.” “Someone else
is much better at this than I am.” No one else had to criticize me…I was doing a
good job all by myself.
Is overcoming procrastination important to you? Do you want to change because
you know it is slowing you down from achieving your goals and getting things
done?
Does putting things off give you an anxiety attack? Do you get overwhelmed?
Many times we hold back from doing the things that will bring us the most
success because they are out of our comfort zonemarketing, selling, new
computer programs to learn, writing that new book, and much more. The longer
we put it off the more stressful we feel about getting it done.
The main reason we put off things is Perfectionism. Preparing a brochure, writing
an article, or a report isn’t perfect yet in our mind. Yet, you show it to a friend and
they think it is terrific.
How do we change? First, we have to WANT (the WILL) to change. We must
have a burning desire to change before anything will happen. “Wishful Thinkers”
will have to wait. They are not ready yet to make a commitment. I know a lot of
people, who want to quit smoking, lose weight, or write a book. They talk about
it. They know what they have to do to achieve that goal. Nothing happens
because they are just wishful thinkers. They love to talk about it because it
makes them feel like they are doing something about it-they are “thinking.”
Here is a guide that can work for you to stop or cut down on the “2 Ps” in your
life: Procrastination and Perfectionism.
1. Identify one area where procrastination haunts youi.e. you keep
avoiding it.
2. Write down the ultimate Goal for this procrastinating task.
3. Break it into small easy steps that you can identify.
4. Prioritize the small steps in #3.
5. Identify any potential problems and be prepared in advance to combat
them (very important step to your success).
6. Give yourself deadlines and promise to keep them.
7. Keep on going. Do not let difficult problems get in the way.
8. That writing project, article, or report may not have to be perfect if the
content is valuable to the recipient. If you just have to have the book
perfect send it to an editor after you finish your first imperfect draft. Let
someone else do the editing and you can make the recommended
changes and corrections to your writing project and get that feeling of
relief
that only a procrastinating perfectionist knows.
Don’t let perfectionism paralyze you. Keep on going. Pretend it is perfect if you
get stuck. Don’t stop if it is not perfect or you will never get anything done. And
above all, reserve private time to write and avoid interruptions during this time.
Your success in combating the 2 Ps in your life means you will achieve your
goals.
- – -
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the
author’s name and site URL are retained.
Are you stuck with a specific goal or writing project that is important to you?
Contact Joan Clout-Kruse, the 90-Day Book Writers’ Coach at
CoachJoan@powerhousewriting.com to get you back on track. Finish writing
your book in 90-Days is available for the serious-minded, committed writer.
Contact Joan at 650 759-2042 or check out her Web site at http://powerhousewriting.com to get your book done fast.
March 26, 2009 at 9:25 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
One of the over riding benefit of Chamonix Mont Blanc France is its distance to Geneva airport. You can depart from the United Kingdom in the early morning and be skiing in the early afternoon. The popularity of Flybe and reasonably priced flight services has led to lower flights furthermore with only a 1 hour trip duration from Geneva and Chamonix a ski weekend is now within the range of anyone; furthermore all the luxury catered chalets are free from Thursday to the Sunday to enable one to enjoy cheaper plane tickets and empty slopes. On disembarking the plane at Geneva airport unitl receiving the skiing badges awaiting for you arrive in the chalet; your itinerary is planned to ensure that the group spends the least amount of time on route and the max. of the holiday skiing.
A ski break in Chamonix Haute Savoie is an exciting trip provided one get the finer details correct so you can enjoy your valuable holiday. This means getting the travel transfer and catered chalet bang on and ferrying the group onto the runs as painlessly as we can. Our goal is to provide the most amount of mountain time with the min. hassle coupled our standard high standards of comfort cooking and personal service. With this in mind we lay on swift airport transfers exceptional catered chalets exceptional cuisine and will advise and arrange guides and instructors.
March 26, 2009 at 9:23 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Have you ever thought of starting your own think tank and perhaps making it online? Well, that would certainly be a good idea and if you to develop a think tank you’ll want to develop some Web presence and you’ll want smart people to come to Web site and discuss various important issues which are important to you and important to the world we live in.
There are unlimited topics to discuss other various endeavors involved in the human experience. There are regional issues, weather issues, technology, humanities, education, transportation, energy, water, natural disasters, business, economics, human conflicts, food and agriculture, medicine and cures, and the list goes on and on.
But where will you find very smart people who will want to come in share their ideas with your group? One way to develop a Web presence for an online think tank is to write short and sweet articles and put them online, while at the bottom of each article insert a byline with a link, which leads to your online think tank Web site.
It works very well and the more articles you write the more people who will come and visit. This is one way that you can develop a Web presence for an online think tank. Please consider this in 2006.
“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
March 22, 2009 at 11:26 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Longest Journey by E. M. Forster might be a good read, but busy life styles can make reading hard to achieve. Sometimes we do not understand that extended journeys to the office and different daily chores may take up enormous chunks of our time. A career, caring for kids or housework all cut down the time you have to persue your hobbies. It’s easy to use the time you spend doing chores to get up to date on those books you can’t find the time to read. With convenient media files, you can savor Rich Dad’s Advisors: Protecting Your #1 Asset by Michael A. Lechter by Download Audio Book Online, or audible books brought to life by Terry Brooks without even picking up the book. In the modern fast paced environmant multitasking is a must. Audible books such as Pimsleur Polish I Complete Course by Dr. Paul Pimsleur available from Download Audio Book Online make the best use of of the wasted moments in our schedule, whether it’s waiting time in a dentist’s surgery or taking the family to music lessons. Many audio-books are available for download as mp3 files these include Pimsleur English for Korean Speakers I Part 3 by Dr. Paul Pimsleur, so use of your mp3 player and headphones you have the opportunity to listen to the latest best seller, like audio-books written by Malcolm Hulke without dragging a heavy book around. An extra benefit of audible books is renting or purchasing the title which interests you and listening to it at your own pace. Interested in studying Arabic? Why not try out audio-books? Maybe new sales techniques matter to you, or you can enjoy mulling over modern views about religious belief or modern spirituality. Audible books are in stock in a huge assortment of titles and writing styles. It really doesn’t matter if you like natural history, nuts over love stories even if your interests lie in self-help, you can access many titles straightaway. Choices are wide open; it’s simple to subscribe to a program and hire titles or else make a purchase.
Reading enthusiasts will invariably seek out a way to read, even so the most convenient way may be the large number of audio titles available today. A author or celebrity can heighten the experience of numerous stories. Reading a title is not the same as enjoying an audio book narrated by Joyce Carol Oates, including nuances presented during a rendidtion. Savoring audio books recounted by Michael Connelly can add more meaning to the story and often can convey a great deal more than words on a page.
Don’t forget audio books when you next want to purchase books, audiobooks are a tremendous way to fit the studying you would like to achieve into your frantic life.
March 20, 2009 at 7:50 am · Filed under Uncategorized
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