Story Structure: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) 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: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) deconstructed FADE IN: Context: the backstory of the ring; introducing Allies and Enemies: an alliance of men and elves fight the dark Sauron etc. Introduce Hero in his Ordinary World: Frodo Baggins. Introduce the Mentor: Gandalf. Creatures in the Hero's Ordinary World: the people in the village. Hero and Mentor relationship: "Gandalf, I'm glad you're back." Foreshadow of the Journey: "you haven't aged a day." Status and Capabilities of the Hero: Gandalf and Bilbo discuss Frodo. Meeting Allies: Sam, Pippin et al. Ally's Challenge: the girl. Developing Characters and Relationships: at the party. Call to Adventure : Bilbo disappears with the ring. Interdiction: "there are many rings in this world and none of them should be used lightly…" Refusal : Bilbo won't leave the ring behind. Foreshadow of the Journey: Bilbo leaves. Pull of the Call: the rings speaks and Frodo picks it up. Magical Gift: Gandalf puts the ring in an envelope and gives it to Frodo. Antagonism Developed: the castle; the night riders leave. Backstory: Gandalf in the ancient library. Time Pressure: the night riders reach the border of the village. Foreboding of the Journey: Gandalf afraid on his return to the hobbit village. Backstory of the Antagonist: Gandalf and Frodo discuss Sauron. Time Pressure: the enemy is approaching. Hero forced out of his Ordinary World: "the ring cannot stay in the Shire…what must I do…?" Pushed to a New Self: "you'll have to leave your name behind." Allies forced to travel with the Hero: "I have a better use for you, Sam..." Warnings of the Journey: "be careful, the enemy has many spies…""the ring wants to find its master." Marker out of the Ordinary World / to the First Threshold : the scarecrow; "this is it, if I take one more step, it'll be the farthest I've ever been…" Time pressure / Pursued by the Enemy: night riders. Threshold Guardian battle on entry to the First Threshold : Gandalf meets and battles Saruman. Meeting Allies: Frodo meets Pippin et al. Meeting enemies: Frodo et al barely escape the night riders. Threshold Guardian to the Inner Cave: the gate keeper. The New World and Creatures of the Inner Cave: the Inn. Rules set by an Authority Figure: the barman. Meeting the Shape Shifter: Aragorn. Backstory of the night riders: they were kings who each received a ring. Physical Separation : leaving the Inn under Aragorn's lead. Character Development and Relationships: "we have no choice but to trust him..""what about second breakfast…?" Antagonist Development: Sauron asks Saruman to build an army. Mentor's challenge: Gandalf must escape from the tower. Road of Trials: Trial 1: Frodo et al attacked by the night riders; stabbed; rescued by Aragorn. Mentor's Challenge: Gandalf speaks to the moth. Antagonism Developed: the birth of the ferocious army. Trial 2: the wound is killing Frodo; saved by Arwen; the river of horses. Trial 3: Frodo near death; saved by the Elves. Mentor's Challenge overcome: Gandalf escapes Saruman. Celebrating the passing of the Trials: Sam et al join Frodo. Meeting the Oracle: Elrond. New World of the Sword: the Elvish World. Marker of Change: Bilbo is older and has written a book. Pulled Back: "Sam wants to go back and so does Frodo. Time Pressure: Sauran's evil cannot be contained by the Elves. Meeting New Allies: Legolas, the dwarf et al. The Oracle guides toward the Sword: the fires of Mount Doom. Hero and Shape Shifter meeting: Aragorn confronts Boromir. Hero's Romantic Challenge: Aragorn and Arwen. Hero and Shape Shifter confrontation: Boromir and Aragorn confrontation. Warning against seizing the Sword: there is evil there that does not sleep. Push toward the Sword: Legolas stands. Time Pressure: Dwarfs and Elves argue. Seizing the Sword : Frodo will take the ring to the fires of Mount Doom. The Fellowship is born: Aragorn, Legolas, the Dwarf, Boromir, Sam et al join Frodo. Magical Gifts given by the Mentor: Bilbo gives Frodo a sword and a vest. Warnings of the Journey: Bilbo momentarily turns devil. Developing Characters and Relationships: the break on the rocks Night Sea Journey: forced onto the pass by the birds. Foreshadow of the Shape Shifter's turning: Boromir hesitatingly gives back the ring. Antagonist Developed: Saruman sends out his army. Night Sea Journey: forced into the mines. Serpent Battle : Frodo taken by the serpent. Inner Challenge Conquered: "I wish the ring had never come to me.." Reward: "that's the way out…" Atonement with the Father : Gandalf taken by the ancient beast. Hero and Shape Shifter conflict: outside the mines. Refusal: they have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood, they cannot go back. Shape Shifter's Inner Challenge: "even now, there is time…" Apotheosis : Frodo knows what he must do, he is just afraid to do it; "even the smallest person can change the course of the future…"; looking in the water; meeting with the Lady of the Wood. Antagonist Development: Saruman releases his armies. Magic Gift: the Lady of the Wood gives Frodo the Light… Time Pressure: Saruman's armies approaching. Ultimate Boon : Looking upon the Kings of Old; the huge statues. Time Pressure: "something draws near, I can feel it…" Shape Shifter shows his True Nature: Boromir tries to take the ring from Frodo. Magic Flight : Frodo runs from Boromir and then Aragorn and then Saruman's army; "can you protect me from yourself;""run Frodo, run…" Crossing the Return Threshold : the Antagonist's armies arrive. Rescued from Without : Boromir saves Pippin; the horn of Gondor. Shape Shifter's reward: Boromir dies. Master of the Two Worlds : Aragorn defeats the beast leader; comforts Boromir. Refusal of the Return : Frodo get on the boat; refuses to go back; Sam walks into the water. FADE OUT: Boromir buried; Aragorn et al follow Pippin et al; Frodo and Sam go on. 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 ********************************** 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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