Story Structure: Empire Strikes Back (1980) Deconstructed
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. The Hero's Journey: · Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told. · Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on. · Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created. The Hero's Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays. Hero's Journey: Empire Strikes Back deconstructed FADE IN: Context; the famous text based roll on screen. Introduce Antagonist [probes launched from the Imperial destroyer]. Introduce Hero [Luke riding across the snow; wants to check out the probe]. Forced to the First Threshold [Luke attacked by the Ice Monster]. Hero's Ordinary World: the Rebel outpost. Developing characters and relationships of Allies [Han Solo with Chewy]. Foreshadow of the Journey [Han tells the General he ahs to leave]. Developing the Romantic Challenge [Han Solo with Leia]. Developing characters and relationships of Allies [R2 and C3PO]. Foreshadow of the push to the First Threshold [n one knows where Luke is]. Warnings of the First Threshold [between you and me, I think commander Luke is in considerable danger]. Forced to the First Threshold [Luke hasn't come back, Han will have to go after him]. Warnings of the First Threshold [Sir, the temperature is dropping too rapidly; your Ton Ton will freeze before you before you reached the first markers
]. Capabilities of the Hero / First Threshold Outer Cave Trial [Luke escapes the Ice Monster through use of the force and the Light Sabre]. Foreboding of the Trial [don't say things like that, of course we'll see aster Luke again']. Middle Cave Trial [the situation worsens for Luke]. Foreboding of the Trial [the shield doors must be closed; Leia et al extremely pessimistic]. Meeting the Supernatural Aid [Obi Wan tells Luke to seek Yoda]. Inner Cave [Han finds Luke; opens up the belly of the Ton Ton]. Time Pressure [haven't got much time
]. Celebration of passing the First Threshold Trials [Han and Luke rescued]. Developing characters and relationships [that's another one you owe me, kid...; R2, C3, Han, Chewy, Leia etc glad to see Luke]. Resistance to the Physical Separation [Han can't leave until they have activated the energy field]. Developing the Romantic Challenge [Leia kisses Luke]. Foreshadow of the Physical Separation [they think they think they've found an Imperial droid]. Pushed to the Physical Separation [we better start the evacuation]. Developing the Antagonist [Vader knows that the Rebellion is in the Hoth System]. Preparing the Physical Separation.; developing Hero, characters and relationships [Luke bids farewell]. Pushed to the Physical Separation [a fleet of Star Destroyers is approaching; preparing for the ground assault]. Developing the Antagonist [Vader kills the Admiral]. Preparing the Physical Separation; developing characters and relationships [Leia gives instructions]. Resistance to the Physical Separation [the Imperial attack]. Pushing past the resistance to the Physical Separation [the transporters push past the star destroyers]. Time Pressure [yes Lord Vader, the shields will be down momentarily]. Capabilities of the Hero [Luke battles the increasingly ferocious Imperial invasion]. Forced to the Physically Separate [come on, that's it
; Vader arrives] Journey to the World of the Transformation [yes R2, we're going to the Degoba System]. Obstacle on entering the World of the Transformation [Han can't get to light speed]. Camouflage and Trickery [the Millenium Falcon hides in an asteroid field]. Arrival into the World of the Transformation: a new, unfamiliar World; polar opposite to that from which the Hero has come. Threshold Guardian [the serpent]. Developing the Antagonist, character and relationships [asteroids do not concern me, Admiral]. Developing character and relationships and the Romantic Challenge [sorry sweetheart, I haven't got time for anything else
' Han and R2 etc]. Meeting the Supernatural Aid / Mentor [Luke meets Yoda]. Hero does not recognize the Mentor: Luke doesn't know the creature is Yoda. Developing the Romantic Challenge: Leia and Han. Developing the Antagonism: the Emperor and Vader speak. Resisting and then agreeing to the Transformation: Yoda thinks Luke is too old, too impatient and then agrees. Trial 1: Han et al escape the Whale in the asteroid. Trial 2: Spiritual Guidance; Luke meets Vader inside the tree. Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Vader hires the bounty hunters. Wolves Clothing: the Millenium Falcon hides amongst the garbage. Trial 3: Spiritual Guidance; Yoda lifts Luke's fighter out of the water. Developing the Antagonist: Vader kills another Admiral. Becoming aware of the World of the Sword: Han sees that Lando's city in the sky is nearby. Foreshadow of the Journey to the World of the Sword: Luke sees that Han and Leia will be in danger. Resistance to the journey to the World of the Sword: Yoda dissuades Luke. Threshold Guardian to the World of the Sword: the fighters guide the Millenium Falcon into the city in the sky. Meeting the Shape Shifter: Lando Calrissian. Romantic Competition: Lando likes Leia. Shape Shifter's back story: Lando recalls his and Han's history. Foreshadow of the Seizing of the Sword: R2 is shot. Separation: Luke will go to the city in the sky; Obi Wan nor Yoda will be able to help Luke if he decides to go. Suspicions of the Shape Shifter. Development of the Romantic Challenge: Leia admits her feelings for Han. Foreshadow of the Seizing of the Sword: Chewy finds R2. Seizing the Sword: Lado gives up Han et al to Vader. Foreshadow of the Atonement: Luke is on his way. Near Death Experience: Han et al are tortured. Shape Shifter turning: Vader goes back on his deal with Lando. Developing the Shape Shifter / Foreshadow of the Atonement: Lando tells Han et al that Vader is after Luke. Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: the carbon freezing unit. Reward: Han lives through carbon freeze; Leia admits she loves Han. Warning of the Atonement [Luke, it's a trap
]. Atonement with the Father: Luke battles Vader. Refusal: Lando frees Leia et al; they refuse to trust him. Magic Flight: Han flies off; Leia et al pursued by Storm Troopers. Foreshadow of the Apotheosis: Luke and Vader battle; Luke avoids the freezing unit; almost on a par with Vader. Crossing the Return Threshold: Lando advises all to leave; the Empire has taken over; fighting their way back to the Millenium Falcon. Apotheosis: Luke learns who Vader is. Ultimate Boon: Luke can destroy the Emperor; he has forseen this. Rescue from Without: Luke calls Leia
she hears his call; they rescue Luke. Master of the Two Worlds: Luke talks to his father from the Millenium Falcon; the Millenium Falcon still can't get into hyperdrive; Time Pressure etc. Freedom to Live: Luke et al escape; Vader doesn't kill another Admiral; Luke gets another hand. Learn more
The Complete 188 stage Heros 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 ********************************** You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.
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