Vogler Annotation: Pgs. 83-105

Summary
In these chapters Vogler looks into the Ordinary World. He goes through a guide for the journey step by step. Starting with Before the Beginning and ending with Questioning the Journey. Before the beginning sets a tone for the ordinary world. It gives some background and sets a base to grab the reader. From here he jumps to the “title” which gives a clue or link to what the story holds ahead. Following the title is where “the opening image can be a powerful tool to create mood and suggest where the story will go” (p.85). Next is the prologue where the author can give that special link to a back-story or “cue the audience to what kind of movie or story this is going to be” (p.86). As you learn what type of story is about to unfold the ordinary world must be shown to emphasize the special world while showing contrast and foreshadowing the story ahead. “Every hero needs both an inner and an outer problem,” which is normally lead by a question (p.88). Once the problem is disclosed the hero makes his or her entrance. Part of the hero experience is connecting the hero to the audience while identifying and connecting his or her strengths and flaws. Showing your flaws shows your history and or back-story while expressing what you have at stake. This is where the ordinary world brings the theme back into the story and shows the call to adventure. Temptation to need, the options are lost and the call to adventure is made.

Reaction
These chapters dig deep into the ordinary world while expressing the call to adventure while supporting the general theme. I liked when the stories theme supports the inner and outer problems creating an ordinary and an extraordinary world. I felt that an important element of these chapters is the connection to the call to adventure. Just because the story may have all these factors, the level of call to adventure may be a lot higher then the level of conflict.

Questions:
1.) Does the inner problem have to relate to the outer problem?
2.) Is the hero required to have a back-story?
3.) What is the most important part of a great hero?

Vogler, Christopher . The Writer's Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.

Threshold Guardian

Along the road of a great journey all hero's will come upon obstacles. This chapter describes the duty, appearance, and connection of a threshold guardian. According to Vogler, threshold guardian's are generally not the main villain in a story, however they are normally linked to the main villain in some way. The start of the chapter describes what to look for in a threshold guardian; the middle describes what form the guardian might be or do. Last the chapter goes into the details of how to read and conqour your guardian.

Vogler, Christopher. The Writer's Journey. Studio City: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.

Summary of a Practical Guide

In the first chapter of "The Writer's Journey: A Practical Guide,” breaks down the "Hero's Journey." The author explains that the first step to a good story is to show the character in its original environment, a familiar place or area to the character which could possibly be known as home. The second step to a good story is "The Call To Adventure". This is where the problem/adventure is shown. Following this is the third step of the story known as the "Refusal Of The Call (The Reluctant Hero)" comes into play. This is when the hero does not want to step up top the challenge before them. This connects the character more to the audience.

Following the refusal, support comes a friend or mentor. This person helps the hero makes the decision to go forward with whatever decision is holding the hero back from taking action. This plays into the first threshold of the story. This is where the hero accepts the challenge or is shown the first stage of the adventure or journey. Once the hero crosses this threshold they will be tested and challenged, during this process they will either makes allies or make enemies that will support or attack them for he next act of the story. Following this is the buildup or setup to the main event. This is the stepping-stone for the main ordeal. Which leads to the main climax and challenge for the hero of the story.

Once the hero gets past this ordeal the hero generally receives a reward and begins there journey home. Along this journey they may have additional micro climax's that will support the story and add adventure. An example of this would be the final drag race in "Fast & the Furious". Here the story takes a turn towards the final threshold, this may be a stepping-stone on their journey home or a pause for compassion in a romantic comedy. Whatever it may be, it sets the tone for the conclusion, the point where the antidote is returned or the virus is cured. This is the closing point for all the future buildups or ties up in the storyline. That completes the 12 basic steps to great story-telling.

Character Like Me!

James P. Sullivan

So after some long thought and a good movie night, I have decided the character I am the most like is James P. Sullivan, aka "Sulley", from Monsters Inc. Now I'm not calling myself a monster in a way shape or form! I am calling myself a softhearted friend that loves to know everyone around him. Yes I am Tall and have big feet, however there is nothing wrong with that.
The first thing I see in common with Sulley besides his size, is his attitude towards life. In the movie Sulley says “hi” to people all over the place, and according to my friends, I do the exact same thing. In general Sulley is an all around nice guy/monster that works hard for what he wants and cares deeply about his friends and family. I have always held strong values, and will do anything I can to support my friends and family. As in the movie they make it a point that Sulley is a true supporter of his friends and of what he feels is the right think to do. I have been told I am the same way, which means a lot to me. So next time you see a really well done character that relates to you, think about why and how you could be like Sulley.

So, I now how a blog......

YEAH!!!!