Who Created Superman

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.managing-creativity.com/

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: Superman (1978)

New World: strange galaxy; Krypton: a planet with a red sun.

Meeting the Mentor: Jor El tries Zod et al.

Mentor's Integrity: Jor El is not tempted by Zod's offer.

Time Pressure: the planet will explode within 30 days.

Interdiction: the council forbids Jor El to create a climate of fear and panic.

Foreshadow of the Transformation: Superman will have an advantage on Earth.

Breaking the Interdiction: Jor El and his wife send their son away.

Hero and Mentor pushed toward the Journey: Jor El sends his son away with himself in his crystals.

Goodbye to the Old Self: Krypton destroyed.

Transformation Begins: Superman growing and learning inside the space vessel.

Rules / Foreshadow of the Atonement: it is forbidden for you to interfere with human history.

Crashing onto the First Threshold: Superman crashes onto Earth.

Meeting the Mentors: Ma and Pa.

Fish out of Water: Boy Superman outside his space vessel.

Call to Adventure: we could keep him.

Refusal: Martha, are you listening to me?

Hero's Capabilities: Boy Superman lifts the truck.

Outer Cave: Transformation Progressing: Teenage Superman's Romantic Challenge: Lana.

Hero's Capabilities: Teenage Superman kicks the ball.

Hero's Capabilities: Teenage Superman runs faster than the train.

Middle Cave: Mentor's Guidance: been showing off a bit haven't you son? Is it showing off to express your capabilities? That's not why your were brought here.

Inner Cave: Inner Challenge: Jonathan dies; all those powers and I couldn't even save him

Magical Gift: the Kryptonite.

Physically Separating from the First Threshold: Clark has to leave the farm

Journey to a New World: Clarke journeys North.

Entering the New World: the Ice House.

Meeting the Mentor: Clarke meets Jor El, who answers his questions.

Physical Separation onto the Road of Trials: Clark leaves the Ice House.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Lois.

Meeting Allies: Jimmy, the Chief et al.

New Self: Clarke physically different than before.

Hero's True Nature: a cheque to his grey haired old mother.

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Polarization: Clarke walking out of the office with Lois.

Trial 1: Superman stops the mugger's bullet.

Foreshadow of Trial 2: Superman sees through Lois' purse.

Meeting the Antagonist's Lieutenant: Otis.

Antagonist's Ordinary World: under the subway.

Meeting the Antagonist: Lex Luthor.

Antagonist's Evil Nature: the cop is pushed in front of the train.

Meeting the Shape Shifter: Miss Teschmacher.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Lex with Teschmacher and Otis.

Foreshadow of the Atonement: the nuclear missile article in the paper.

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Polarization: Clarke walks Lois out; asks for a date; she's busy.

Transformation / New Self: Superman appears in costume.

Trial 2: Superman saves Lois from the falling helicopter.

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Polarization decreasing: Lois falls for Superman.

Trial 3:

Superman catches the burglars.

Superman delivers the criminals cuffed to the yacht.

Superman saves the cat.

Superman holds the aircraft up.

Developing the Antagonist in his Ordinary World.

Meeting the Oracle: the chief wants Lois to interview Superman; Lois gets the note.

Journey to the Sword: Superman appears on Lois' balcony; Lois interviews Superman.

Hero's Achilles Heel: can't see through lead.

Seizing the Sword: Superman takes Lois flying.

New Name / New Self: Superman.

Foreshadow of the near Death Experience: Lex discovers the meteorite; it will kill him; he'll hide it in lead.

Developing the Antagonism: Lex steals the nukes.

Foreshadow of the Atonement and Apotheosis: Lois is on the San Andreas fault and someone stole a meteorite.

Night Sea Journey: Lex calls Superman; the high pitched sound; Superman hones into and follows the sound.

Antagonist Revealed: Lex reveals his plan; the nukes are launched; Lex tells Superman that he's bought the land; he's going to own the new coast.

Antagonist Initiates: The nukes are diverted.

Near Death Experience: Superman wants the detonator; Lex leads Superman to the Kryptonite; Lex ties the kryptonite around Superman's neck; Superman falls.

Shape Shifter Motivation: Teschmacher's mother lives in Hackensack, NJ.

Shape Shifter Revealed: Teschmacher helps Superman.

Reward:

Superman neutralizes the East Coast nuke.

Superman shores up the San Andreas fault.

Superman saves the bus.

Superman saves the train.

Superman saves Jimmy.

Superman stops the dam water.

Atonement with the Father:

Superman too late for the West Coast nuke.

Lois dies.

Apotheosis: Superman breaks his father's interdiction; goes back in time; against his Father's express instructions.

Ultimate Boon: Lois alive; Superman and Lois almost kiss; Lois hits on the Clarke and Superman link.

Magic Flight: Superman takes Lex and Otis to prison.

Freedom to Live: this country is safe with you, Superman. FADE OUT.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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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://managing-creativity.com/

Source: www.isnare.com