The Writer's Journey...

This week in Film School I read the book - The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler. It's a fascinating read, based on the mythic story structure of Joseph Campbell. 

Here's a taste of the 12 stages of a HERO's Journey:

1. Ordinary World - The journey starts in the hero's normal world before the story begins.

2. Call to Adventure - The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure to undertake.

3. Refusal of the Call - The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually out of fear.

4. Meeting with the Mentor - The hero meets a mentor to gain confidence, advice or training to face the adventure.

5. Crossing the First Threshold - The hero crosses the gateway that separates the ordinary world from the special world.

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies - The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies & learns the rules of the Special World.

7. Approach - The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to reorganize his helpers or rekindle morale with mentor's rally cry. Stakes heightened. 

8. Ordeal - The biggest life or death crisis - the hero faces his greatest fear & only through "death" can the hero be "reborn" experiencing even greater powers to see the journey to the end.

9. Reward - The hero has survived death, overcomes his greatest fear and now earns the reward he sought. 

10. The Road Back - The hero must recommit to completing the journey & travel the road back to the Ordinary World. The dramatic question is asked again. 

11. Resurrection - The hero faces most dangerous meeting with death - this shows the hero can apply all the wisdom he's brought back to the Ordinary World.

12. Return with Elixir - The hero returns from the journey with the "elixir", so everyone in the world can use to heal physical or emotional wounds.

It's funny, I recognize these stages in the films I love (the ones that inspire), people I've met (many who I have mentored) and specifically my own life experiences. I have been "Called to Adventure" many times, and have left the "Ordinary World" behind.

Film School is once again a new journey full of goals and challenges. Here's to the roller coaster ride ahead, overcoming fears and "Returning with the Elixir"! xo P.

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