Effective Story Structure

 


100's of movies deconstructed from our main page

 

 

El Cid (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 1943) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

Blade Runner (100 Greatest Films, 1982) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Academy Award Winner Best Film Nominee, 2100) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

Kaalia (Bollywood, 1981) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

Planet of the Apes (Greatest Films, 1968) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey]

Platoon (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 1986) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

Schindler's List (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 1993) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

War of the Worlds (2005) [Story Structure, basic]

X-Men (2100) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

 

Story Structure

There are various forms of Story Structure:

Three Act Structure with two Plot Points. In terms of screenwriitng, the screenplay is 120 pages long (actually, normally slightly less), with the Act I ending around page 30 and Act II ending around page 90.

Four Act Structure is the same as above, except that Act II is divided into two by a midpoint (around page 60). In some countries, such as Italy, Four Act structure is the norm: e.g. boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy loses girl, boy wins back girl.

Various techniques increase Act numbers. For example, Whammo theory (a Whammo every ten pages) takes us to twelve Acts.

However, there is no doubt that the Hero's Journey is by far the most valuable Story Structure:

Macro stages of the Hero's Journey take us from the Call to Adventure to the Freedom to Live (17 stages).

Extended Macro Hero's Journey takes us from the Call to Adventure to teh Afterlife Act (18 stages).

Micro Hero's Journey breaks up the Macro stages and exceeds 188 stages.

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El Cid (1961) [Story Structure, basic]:

•  Context [we learn of Spain in the time of the Cid].

•  Introduce the Antagonist.

•  Introduce the Hero.

•  Hero meets a Mentor [The Cid meets his father, Don Diego].

•  Introduce a Shape Shifter.

•  Hero commits a wizened act [lets the Muslim prisoners go]. The Call to Adventure or Inciting Incident.

•  Introduce the Romantic Challenge.

•  Obstacle to fulfillment of the Romantic Challenge presented by the Romantic Challenge's rival, hero's rival and shape shifter.

•  Hero relates his inner challenge to his romantic challenge.

•  Pushed to the First Threshold [El Cid's family name shamed].

•  No way back [El Cid forced to challenge the King's champion].

•  Polarization between the hero and his romantic challenge.

•  Hero given a new challenge / trial in the First Threshold. Hero succeeds.

•  A Reward to encourage the physical separation [El Cid will win the hand of Sophia Loren].

•  Belly of the Whale. Physical Separation. El Cid leaves.

•  A trial. Hero passes..

•  Reward for passing the trial.

•  Polarization between hero and romantic challenge increases.

•  Transformation. Road of Trials (1). El Cid rescues the prince from the dungeons – the thirteen guards.

•  Growth of the antagonist [Ben Yusif takes the city of Valencia].

•  Transformation (2). El Cid avenges Sancho.

•  Resistance to Seizing of the Sword [the queen attempts to persuade Sophia Loren to dissuade Rodrigo from seizing the Sword].

•  Hero Seizes the Sword [Rodrigo forces the king to swear].

•  Hero receives the reward [Rodrigo wins over Sophia].

•  Forced onto a Night Sea Journey. Near death experience [survives with the aid of the people [the leper and the child].

•  Reward [his own army].

•  Atonement with the Father [The Cid faces the King]. Hero transformed [the Cid returns with a beard.

•  Apotheosis. The king imprisons the Cid's wife. He is not a good king [he will march against the king unless his wife is released].

•  The Ultimate Boon Rodrigo's twin daughters]. The Shape Shifter. The Shape Shifter comes around. The Cid takes Valencia. The Cid is offered the crown.

•  Refusal of the Return [the king will not help the Cid defend Valencia against Ben Yusif]. Sophia asks where the Cid “finds the courage.”

•  Rescue from Without. Ben Yusif and his armies appear on the shore. The Magic Flight. The Cid is injured and retreats from Ben Yusif.

•  Rescue from Without. El Cid must return to battle tomorrow (with the arrow inside him.”)

•  Master of the Two Worlds. The Cid returns to the field in between life and death.

•  Freedom to Live – Spain was saved from the Moors.

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War of the Worlds (2005) [Story Structure, basic]:

Fade in – context of the story (narrated by Morgan Freeman). Images of bacteria open and close this story.

Introduce Hero - his superior skills; his status (people require his attention and help); his archetype (the common man); his nature (selfish); references to his sexual life

Hero's romantic challenge - his ex-wife

Introduce hero's allies – his daughter Rachel and his son Robbie

Expand romantic challenge / expand on the hero's Ordinary World / character; ex-wife sets hero a task (“take care of our kids).

Foreshadow of the adventure (news reports of freakish light storms).

Expand inner challenge / expand character and relationship between hero and allies – fraught relationship between Ray and his kids

Foreshadow of the adventure (more news reports of storms)

Expand relationship with ally #1 / Princess (Rachel).

Major foreshadow of the adventure – the alien storm and it's effects

Expand relationship with ally #2 – (Robbie)

Expand status of the hero – (Ray's interaction with other people; them following him around; them asking him questions)

Call to adventure – (attack / appearance of the antagonist / aliens)

Refusal of the Call – Ray returns, is shocked and momentarily refuses to believe what he has witnessed; Rachel and Robbie resist following Ray.

Magic carpet and Interdiction – Ray et al get in the SUV; Mannie orders Ray et al to get out of his SUV; Ray breaks the interdiction, ordering Mannie to get in the SUV under pain of death.

Forced to the adventure – the alien attack forces hero et al to leave in haste.

Journey to the First Threshold – dangerous and in haste; amidst internal conflict and character development.

First Threshold – expand the hero's internal challenge; expand relationships between hero and allies

Belly of the Whale – Hero et al go underground (the basement); antagonist attacks; Hero passes the trial (escapes from the attack and fire).

Meeting with the Oracle – the journalists show Ray the scale of the attack; provide information regarding the aliens.

Forced out of the First Threshold – Ray hears the aliens coming; Robbie finally believes the nature of the danger (sees the destruction).

Journey to the Ordeal – conflict and expansion of hero and ally relationships

Warning about the dangers of the Ordeal – (stay together; the aliens; other people wanting the car); Rachel spotting the dead bodies in the river

Refusal to endure the Ordeal – Robbie tries to join the passing troops; motivations behind allies actions

Expansion of hero and ally relationships

Pulled into the Ordeal (forced out of their car)

Foreshadows of the Ordeal (comments that “Europe got the worst of it.”); the burning train, the birds

Attack of the antagonist; escape from the antagonist – the rush to the boat; Robbie tries to help others; Ray acknowledges the character of his son

Rebirth / Near Death Experience / Baptism / Night Sea Journey / Battle with the Serpent – Ray, Robbie and Rachel are forced into the sea

Escape from Serpent – Ray et al run from the boat and the alien attack; the shower of clothes

Separation and Moral Lessons – Robbie runs toward the troops; Ray needs to let his son go.

Belly of the Whale

Meeting the Demon King;

Enhancing of relationships (Ray comforting his daughter)

Hero growing (Ray sings a lullaby);

Relationship with the Demon King (Ray interacts with Harlan);

Reminder of the antagonist

Enhancing the character of the Demon King

Reminder of the antagonist

Danger of the Demon King; Harlan gets close to Rachel, confrontation between hero and Demon king

Hunted by the antagonist; with superior gifts, the hero diverts / escapes from the antagonist (Ray uses the mirror to divert the alien eye).

Battle with the Demon King in a dangerous place / situation - Ray and Harlan battle in the presence of the aliens (Ray seems to lose this battle).

Ritual Death – Ray forced to kill Harlan to save his daughters life (against the odds, as he lost the previous tug-o-war).

Meeting with the Goddess – Ray's wins his daughter over (as indicated by her cuddling him).

Forced into the Final Confrontation – the aliens seem to capture Rachel; Ray defends against the attack

Search for the Goddess – Ray searches for Rachel

Final antagonism of the antagonist – the aliens really do capture Rachel

Magical Gifts – Ray gets the grenades

Journey to the Final Confrontation / a Dangerous Place / Journey to the Princess – Ray reaches the attached alien cage and finds Rachel.

Battle with the antagonist – Ray destroys an alien tripod with the grenades (catharsis #1).

Reward - bacteria have destroyed the aliens; the army destroys the enfeebled alien tripod (catharsis #2); we get a closer look at the dying alien (catharsis #3).

Inner challenge conquered – Ray returns to Boston to find his family and loved ones, including his separated son and his ex-wife. Father, son conflict resolved; romantic challenge resolved.

Fade Out – Morgan Freeman's narration explains the death of the aliens due to the bacteria.

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Kaalia (Bollywood, 1981) [Story Structure, basic]:

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Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Academy Award Winner Best Film Nominee, 2100) [Story Structure, basic]

Introduce Male and Female Supernatural Aids (Mother and Father mentors) and their challenge [Li and Shu Lien; that they love each other].

Female Mentor departs on a journey to deliver the Sword.

Female Mentor enters a New World [Beijing].

Female Mentor delivers the Sword and meets her own Mentor [even Mentors have Mentors]. Her Mentor provides guidance: to admit her love for Li.

Meeting the Heroine [Jen]. Heroine's challenge [to be free; to be a warrior is to be free].

Develop the value of the Sword [Governor Yu].

Introduce the Interdictor [Jade Fox].

Heroine seizes the Sword. Conflict.

Battle with the Mother. Heroine saved by the Antagonism.

Mother and Heroine interaction. Restating the heroine's challenge. Mother gives guidance to the true path.

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation [remembering the desert].

Setup the nature of the antagonism [preparing for the battle with Jade Fox].

Significant antagonism [danger of Jade Fox illustrated].

Father and Antagonism battle.

Mother attempts to persuade the Heroine to follow the true path [return the sword].

Father offers to guide through the transformation. Retrieves the Sword.

Hero resists.

Physical Separation. Heroine and antagonism separation [Jade Fox].

Mother attempts to dissuade Father from the Journey [Li and Shu Lien interaction].

Transformation [Lo comes for Jen; in the desert].

Seizing the Sword [Lo sacrifices his life; persuades Jen not to marry].

Atonement with the Father [Li expresses his love for Shu Lien]. Jen becomes a warrior.

Seizing the Sword [Jen steals the Sword].

Rebirth Through Death [beating the warriors]

Atonement with the Father [Battle with Mother and Father].

Apotheosis [she is nothing without the Sword].

Ultimate Boon [Being a warrior does not make her free]

Refusal of the Return [refusal to give the Sword back].

Magic Flight [Jade Fox kidnaps Jen].

Rescue from Without [Li comes for her].

Crossing the Return Threshold [Jade Fox and Li battle; Jade defeated].

Master of the two Worlds [Li crosses into the Other World; Jen uses her knowledge to attempt to save Li].

Freedom to Live [Jen jumps the mountain].

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Platoon (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 1986) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: text: "rejoice O enjoy young man in thy youth..."

Introduce Hero arriving in a New World: the body bags; "alright cheesedicks, welcome to the nam…;" "the faces of the returning soldiers…"

Overview of the New World: the jungle near the Cambodian border.

Pushed Forward: "hurry up…"

Warnings: "what are you afraid of?"

Meeting the Antagonism: Barnes: "you are one sorry sonofabitch Taylor,"

Meeting the Mentor:: Elias: "you're humpin' too much stuff, I'll hump it for ya but next time, ask me first."

Meeting Allies, Developing Characters and Relationships: the men during rest break…

Developing the Hero / Reflecting on the New World: Taylor: "I hate it here…"

Hero's Status: he's a new guy and nobody cares about the new guys.

Danger of the Journey: "if you're gonna get killed n the 'nam, it's better to get it in the first few weeks..."

Meeting the Shape Shifter: O'Neill.

Pushed to the First Threshold / Developing Characters and Relationships: Barnes decides who will go out.

Guided by the Mentor: Elias takes care of Taylor.

Journey to the First Threshold: dark, wet, foreboding, dangerous.

Hero's Backstory: Taylor narrates about his Mom, Pop, Gran, the men etc..

Physical Deformation on entering the First Threshold / beginning of the Transformation / Resurrection: Taylor is hit.

Developing the Antagonist: "take the pain," Barnes kills a defenceless enemy.

Polarization: Barnes et al versus Taylor and Elias et al.

Polarization: O'Neil puts Taylor et al on toilet duty.

Meeting Allies / Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor volunteered; smoking…etc.

Inner Cave [protagonists]: entering The Underworld and smoking marijuana.

Developing the Mentor's familiarity with the Inner Cave: Elias shares smoke through the rifle barrel.

Inner Cave [antagonists]: Barnes' barracks.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Barnes, O'Neill, the Lieutenant etc.

Rest Break: music in the protagonist's Inner Cave.

Resistance to the Physical Separation: the bunker complex; "lets get outta here.."

Pushed to the Physical Separation: the bunker explodes; men dies.

Foreshadow of the Atonement Barnes stares Taylor down.

Pushed to the Physical Separation: a man is strung up.

Physical Separation: the village sequence; Taylor makes an innocent dance; killing the innocents; Elias and Barnes fight; they torch the village.

Trial 1: saving the girl from the gang rape; taking sides.

Polarization: Elias reports the illegal killing; the men take sides.

Foreshadow of the Sword: thinking about killing Elias.

Hero and Mentor Relationship: Taylor and Elias talk about the stars; losing the war.

Developing the Hero and the Situation: Taylor narrates; the civil war amongst the men.

Danger of the Journey: the leech, "don't drink that asshole, you're going to get Malaria…"

Danger of Trial 2 developed: the fire fight; the bombs.

Meeting the Oracle and the Knowledge of the Sword: Elias needs three men to circle around.

Trial 2: Taylor risks his won life to rescue Gator.

Antagonist developed: Barnes admonishes the Lieutenant.

Journey to the Sword: Elias goes down by the river.

Trial 3: Taylor "gets two of them fuckers…"

Journey to the Sword: "I'll go get Elias…"

Threshold Guardians of the Sword: Elian Elias shoots the enemy as he glides through the jungle.

Resisting the Sword: Taylor runs after Barnes and Elias.

Seizing the Sword: Barnes shoots Elias.

Night Sea Journey: they are getting out with the helicopters.

Rebirth through Death: Elias Elias is alive; pursued by the enemy; dies.

Foreshadow of the Atonement (+growth): this time Barnes looks away.

Atonement with the Father: Developing the threat: "Barnes has been shot 7 times and he ain't dead yet…" Barnes enters The Underworld; Taylor and Barnes fight; Barnes pulls a knife…"I shit on all of you…"

Apotheosis: "people like Elias get wasted and people like Barnes make up the rules…what can we do about it."

Ultimate Boon: King is going home.

Developing the Antagonist: Barnes makes the soldier walk.

Refusal of the Return / Shape Shifter Decides: Barnes won't let Red stay out of this one.

Magic Flight: King flies away.

Rescue from Without: the ambush starts.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Taylor decided not to DD; Taylor takes control; saves his partner from the hole; kills the enemy.

Final Antagonism: Barnes almost kills Taylor.

Master of the Two Worlds: Taylor survives and kills Barnes.

Freedom to Live: Taylor goes to hospital; Red gets 2 nd platoon.

FADE OUT: Taylor in the helicopter.

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Blade Runner (100 Greatest Films, 1982) [Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: text roll on; the Replicants, Tyrell Corp etc.

Ordinary World: LA in 2019; the flying cars; the fires etc.

Inciting Incident: Leon is tested; he shoots the psychologist.

Ordinary World Developed: “a new life awaits you in the off-world colonies…the chance to begin again…etc”

Meeting the Hero in his Ordinary World: Deckard wants noodles….

Shape Shifter forces the Hero to the Herald: Gaff brings Deckard to Bryant.

Journey to the Herald: developing the Ordinary World: more of this sci-fi world.

Meeting the Herald: we meet Bryant.

Call to Adventure: Bryant wants Deckard to hunt down some skins.

Refusal: “I don't work here anymore…”

Forced to the First Threshold: “you know the score pal, if you're not cop you're little people…””no choice huh…”

Backstory: Deckard views Leon's test; six Replicants escaped; foreshadow of the Sword: “what do they want from the Tyrell corp?” overview of the antagonists…

Journey to the First Threshold: to the Tyrell Corp.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Deckard meets Rachael.

Meeting the Mentor: Dr Tyrell.

First Threshold Trial: Deckard tests Rachael; Rachael doesn't know she's a Replicant; developing characters and relationships: Dr Tyrell and Deckard talk about Rachael; they've given her memories.

Inner Cave: Deckard visits Leon's apartment.

Developing the Shape Shifter: Gaff makes origami.

Meeting the Antagonists: Meeting Roy and Leon…

Inner Cave [Antagonist]: Roy and Leon visit the eye maker.

Developing the Antagonist: Roy kills the eye maker.

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: the eye maker tells Roy to see Sebastian.

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Rachael comes to visit Deckard; convinces her that they are implanted memories.

Developing the Hero: Deckard at home.

Physical Separation [Antagonist]: Pris runs into Sebastian; Sebastian invites her in.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Pris and Sebastian.

Physical Separation [Hero]: Deckard analyses the photo to find the scales.

Pushing toward Trial 1: sourcing the snake scales.

Resistance to Trial 1: Abdul Hassan doesn't want to reveal the snake's buyer.

Resistance to Trial 1: Taffy Lewis is resistant to helping.

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Deckard calls Rachael.

Trial and Transformation 1: finding and killing Zhora; feels sorry for killing her.

Foreshadow of the Master of Two Worlds: Bryant reminds Deckard he'll have to kill Rachael too.

Trial and Transformation 2: Leon attacks Deckard; “painful to live in fear isn't it…”; Rachael kills Leon.

Trial and Transformation 3: / Developing Romantic Challenge: Rachael and Deckard in his apartment….”would he kill her? No, but someone would;” Rachael plays the piano…”I don't know if it is me or Tyrell's niece…” [what separates her and a human?] Deckard and Rachael kiss.

Meeting the Oracle and Learning of the Sword: Roy meets Sebastian; Sebastian guides Roy to Dr Tyrell. Developing Characters and Relationships: Pris, Roy and Sebastian.

Journey to the Sword: Roy and Sebastian journey to Dr Tyrell.

Threshold Guardian: Sebastian beats Dr Tyrell at chess….”you better come up…”

Seizing the Sword: Roy gets to meet Dr Tyrell and “wants more life, fucker.”

Developing the Antagonist: Roy kills Dr Tyrell and Sebastian.

Night Sea Journey: the cop tries to arrest Deckard, Pris hangs up on him and the street urchins jump on the car. Going into Sebastian's apartment.

Rebirth through Death: Deckard kills Pris.

Atonement with the Father: Roy arrives and finds Pris. He is alone now.

Apotheosis: Deckard pays fro Zhora, Pris and Leon with his fingers.

Ultimate Boon: I'll give you a few seconds before I come…”

Magic Flight: Deckard runs; Deckard hunted.

Foreshadow of the Rescue from Without: Roy about to terminate; “not yet…”

Rescue from Without: Roy is dying; Roy saves Deckard's life; valuing life; letting the bird fly free.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Deckard goes back home to rescue Rachael.

Master of the Two Worlds: Gaff lets Rachael live.

Freedom to Live: Deckard and Rachael get away together; “it's too bad she won't live, but then again, who does…”

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Schindler's List (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 1993) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: Context: lighting candles for the dead; Germans defeated Polish army; Jews branded and ordered to the cities.

Introducing the Hero: Schindler getting dressed, his clothing.

Hero's Capabilities: Schindler ingratiating himself with senior Nazi officers.

Antagonism: the German soldiers in Poland; degrading the Jews; thrown out of their houses; they'll shoot them if they take off their armbands.

Meeting the Mentor : Schindler looking for Itzhak Stern.

Call to Adventure / Pushing the Mentor into the Journey: Schindler tries to persuade Stern to help him build the company.

Refusal : Stern is sure he doesn't know anyone who would be interested.

Meeting Allies: meeting the Jewish traders in the church.

Antagonism Developed: the Jews have to enter the ghetto.

Devolved Hero: Schindler doesn't mind occupying the Jewish house; the owner pushed to the Ghetto.

Meeting the Shape Shifter: the Jew who works for the Germans.

Mentor provides a Magical Gift: Stern introduces the men with the money to buy the company.

Polarization between Hero and Mentor: Stern won't accept a drink.

Journey to the First Threshold: getting the factory organised; Schindler won't hire the more expensive Poles; Stern convinces his people that it is a good pace to work.

Overcoming foreboding and warnings of the First Threshold: life will be easier and safer in the factory; they make out they are essential workers.

Getting Past Threshold Guardians / Developing the Mentor: Stern helps people get into the factory; Stern convinces the administrators to issue the work permits.

The World of the First Threshold: the forging of pots and pans; training the workers.

Developing the Hero: Schindler prefers pretty typists.

Celebrating entry into the First Threshold : the group photos.

First Threshold Conflict: bribing the Nazi officials to purchase the factory goods; getting the orders.

Meeting Allies / Hero and Mentor Polarization: Schindler tries to thank Stern; Stern confused by Schindler and hesitant to share a drink.

Inner Cave / Hero's Backstory: Schindler's wife turns up.

Pulled to the Physical Separation: the machinist wants to thank Schindler.

Resisting the Physical Separation: Schindler confronts Stern; he is not in this business to save lives; "did you happen to notice that that man had one arm…"

Consciously agreeing to the Journey / Unbearable Antagonism: the one armed man is shot; "he was a metal press worker, quite skilled."

Developing Characters and Relationships: Schindler persuades the train guards to help him get Stern out of the train, "I think I can guarantee you that you will both be in southern Russia within the week."

Developing the Antagonism: all the people in the train are going to their deaths; the piled up possessions; the gold teeth.

Developing Characters and Relationships: the people in the Jewish quarter debate their situation. Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: "the ghetto is liberty…"

Meeting the Antagonist: Goeth arrives.

Symbol of the Antagonism and Transformation: meeting Helen Hirsch.

Developing the Antagonist: Goeth shoots the engineer.

Hero and Antagonist Polarization: both Goeth and Schindler shaving.

Physical Separation: the Ghetto is eradicated; Schindler watches from above.

Developing the Antagonist: Goeth randomly shoots people.

Hero and Antagonist battle: Schindler gets Goeth to release his Jews; "I would be very grateful."

Foreshadow of the Transformation: Stern is working for Goeth.

Pushed to the Transformation: Schindler cannot get Stern out of the camp.

Developing the Antagonist: Goeth tries to shoot the hinge maker.

Transformation / Trial 1: Schindler gives Stern a lighter to bribe the hinge maker onto the list; the list begins.

Transformation / Trial 2: Schindler gives Stern a cigarette case to bribe the boy onto the list.

Resistance to Transformation / Trial 3: The girl dresses up and begs for the life of her parents.

Meeting the Oracle: Stern convinces Schindler that Goeth enjoys killing.

Transformation / Trial 3: Schindler gives a watch to save the parents.

Journey to the Sword: Schindler talks to Helen Hirsch in the basement.

Threshold Guardian to the Sword: Schindler convinces Goeth that forgiveness is power.

Seizing the Sword: Goeth stops killing. But changes his mind and shoots the boy.

Developing the Antagonist: Helen Hirsch files Goeth's nails.

Foreshadow of the Rebirth: the marriage; the workers give Schindler a present; Schindler kisses the Jewish girl.

Developing the Antagonist: Goeth cannot touch and beats Helen Hirsch.

Foreshadow of the Atonement: The Jews discuss the gas chamber in their bunkers.

Foreshadow of the Atonement: The children are taken; the Germans initiate the Final Solution.

Foreshadow of the Rebirth: Schindler waters the trains.

Rebirth through Near Death Experience: Schindler is arrested.

Reward: Goethe et al get Schindler out of jail.

Atonement with the Father: the Jewish extermination is policy now; Schindler sees ashes for rain.

Apotheosis: The Nazis exhume the Jewish dead; Goeth tells Schindler it is over – they're sending everybody to Auschwitz.

Ultimate Boon: Stern has that drink with Schindler; Schindler negotiates to buy the Jews; they build up the list.

Refusal: Goeth refuses to give up Helen Hirsch.

Magic Flight: Schindler's Jews take the train to Czechoslovakia.

Rescue from Without: a clerical error sends the females to Auschwitz.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Schindler pays with diamonds) to get the females out of Auschwitz.

Master of the Two Worlds: safe in the factory until the war ends; restraining the local Nazis, going back to his wife; making faulty armaments; allowing celebration of the Sabbath.

Freedom to Live: the war is over; the speech; they make a golden ring; Oscar wishes he could have saved more; they find food in the next village.

FADE OUT: revisiting the grave.

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Planet of the Apes (Greatest Films, 1968) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey]

FADE IN:

Context: strange lights; New World.

Introduce the Hero: Taylor.

Journey to a New World: some time in the future.

Hero's Nature: ethical question: is man that strange creature that still makes war against his brother?

Introduce Allies: in hibernation.

-----

Pushed into the Journey: the crash.

Foreshadow of the danger: Stewart is dead.

Pushed to the Journey: the water floods the ship.

Overview of the New World: pull back of the desert landscape.

No Going Back: the ship sinks; "OK, we're here to stay."

Backstory: the question is not when we are but where we are.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor, Landon and Dodge.

Pushed to the First Threshold: we've got 72 hours 'cause that's when the groceries run out.

Leaving behind the Old World: Landon plants a US Flag.

Dangerous Journey to the First Threshold: Taylor et al fall.

Warnings of the Journey to the First Threshold: the lightning. The rock falls.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor, Landon and Dodge, "there's only one reality…"

Pulled Forward: they find a plant and look for more.

Warning of entry to the First Threshold / Physical Marker: the scarecrows.

Pulled Forward: the waterfall.

Losing the Old Self: stripping and having their clothes stolen.

Pulled deeper into the Outer Cave: Taylor et al follow their clothes.

Strange Creatures in the World of the First Threshold: the humans.

Foreshadow of the Romantic Challenge: seeing Nova.

Meeting the Antagonists: the Apes arrive to hunt the humans.

Pushed into the Middle Cave: the Apes follow the humans.

Middle Cave conflict: the Apes hunt and capture the humans.

Inner Cave: Taylor is captured.

Meeting Allies and Enemies: Nova and the humans in the cage; the talking apes; Zira discusses in the surgery.

Reference to the Antagonist: Zira mentiond Zaius.

Pushing toward the Physical Separation: Taylor tries to talk.

Resistance to the Physical Separation: "he has a gift for mimickry…"

Meeting the Antagonist: Zaius arrives.

Develop the Character and Threat of the Antagonist: Zaius: "the sooner humans are exterminated, the better…"

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Nova is put into Taylor's cage

Meeting Allies and developing characters and relationships: Zira introduce Taylor to Cornelius.

Pushing toward the Physical Separation: Taylor writes on the ground.

Resistance to the Physical Separation: Nova rubs out Taylor's writing; the fight in the cage.

Foreshadow of the Master of Two Worlds: Ziaus wants to talk to Cornelius about his expedition and rubs out the writing in the cage.

Physical Separation: Taylor writes his name.

Refusal of the Physical Separation: Cornelius thinks Taylor's writing is a stunt.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor with Cornelius and Zira in their home.

Warning of the Transformation: Cornelius warns Zira that their theories will provoke outrage.

Developing the Antagonism: Dr Zaius enters.

Resistance to the Transformation: Zaius squashes the paper aeroplane.

Forced to the Physical Transformation: Zaius wants to castrate Taylor; Taylor escapes.

Transformation / Trial 1: Taylor runs riot in the city; sees a stuffed Dodge.

Pushed to Transformation/ Trial 2: "take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape."

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Taylor in the cage with Nova; they take Nova away from Taylor; Taylor in the opposite cage from Nova.

Transformation/ Trial 2: the trial.

Transformation/ Trial 3: they cut up Landon's brain.

Meeting the Oracle and learning of the Sword: Cornelius tells the court about his discovery in the Forbidden Zone.

Pushed to the Sword: Taylor will be emasculated. Developing Character and Relationships: Taylor and Zaius.

Journey to the Sword: Taylor busted out of jail, with Nova.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Cornelius, Zira and Taylor; non one is in charge of Taylor now.

Entering the World of the Sword: discussing the Forbidden Zone and the river.

Developing Character and Relationships: Taylor shaves.

Time Pressure; Pushed to the Sword: Dr Zaius et al arrive.

Warning against the Seizing of the Sword: Zaius warns Cornelius and Zira.

Seizing the Sword: inside the cave; examining Cornelius' artefacts; the talking doll; the glasses etc.

Near Death Experience: the shootout with the apes.

Atonement with the Father: Taylor takes Zaius captive.

Apotheosis: Zaius tells Taylor why he's so afraid of him; Zaius knew about humans all along.

Ultimate Boon: Taylor gets supplies and ammunition for him and Nova for a week.

Refusal of the Return: Taylor won't go back and Cornelius or Zira won't go with Taylor.

Goodbyes: Taylor kisses Zira.

Warning: "don't look for the answer, you may not like what you find…"

Magic Flight: Taylor and Nova on their way on the horse.

Rescue from Without: Zaius lets Taylor and Nova go.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Zaius will seal the cave and Zira and Cornelius will stand trial for Heresy.

Master of the Two Worlds: Taylor sees the Statue of Liberty.

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X-Men (2100) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: Context: every few hundred millennia, evolution leaps forward (narration).

Antagonist's Backstory: Magneto as a young Jewish child, pulls the fence open, trying to prevent his mother from the gas chamber.

Introduce the Sword [as Ally]; Capabilities and Inner Challenge: things happen when Rogue touches people.

Intro Hero's Romantic Challenge: Jean Grey talks about the new stage of evolution.

Intro Shape Shifter: Senator Kelly.

Polarization between antagonists and protagonists: Senator Kelly argues with Jean Grey.

Meeting the Mentor: Xavier overlooks the debate.

Meeting Antagonist: Xavier in the crowd.

Polarization between antagonists and protagonists: Xavier tries to convince Magneto to give humans a chance.

Meeting the Hero and his Capabilities: Wolverine winning in the cage.

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: the conference at Ellis Island on the TV.

Hero meets the Sword: Wolverine sees Rogue in the bar.

Pushed into the Journey: "get outta my bar..;" the fight in the bar.

Refusal of the Call: Wolverine doesn't want to give Rogue a ride.

Overcoming the Refusal: Wolverine thinks again.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Wolverine and Rogue in the car.

Referencing the Hero's Inner Challenge: the army tag.

Developing Hero's Capabilities: Wolverine thrown out of the car; he heals quickly.

Pulled into the First Threshold: Sabretooth attacks; rescued by Storm and Cyclops.

Developing the Antagonism: Sabretooth reports to Magneto. Magneto's Capabilities: he can manipulate metal.

Hero and his Romantic Challenge: Jean Grey touches Wolverine.

Resisting the First Threshold: Wolverine doesn't know where he is, he tries to flee.

New World of the First Threshold: Wolverine unfamiliar with his surroundings; sees the X-Men uniforms.

Guided by the Mentor: Xavier mentally speaks to Wolverine.

Meeting Allies: Xavier introduces Storm and Cyclops.

Resisting the First Threshold: "get out of my way, Cyclops."

Pulled into the First Threshold by the Mentor: Xavier mentally speaking to Wolverine.

The World of the First Threshold: "what is this place?"; the X-Men school.

Backstory of the Antagonist: Xavier references Magneto's past.

Time Pressure: give me 48 hrs…

Developing the Shape Shifter: Senator Kelly is kidnapped.

Developing the Hero and his Romantic Challenge: Jean Grey x-rays Wolverine.

Developing the Hero's Capabilities: Wolverine has an indestructible alloy fused to his skeleton.

Developing the Antagonism [Inner Cave]: Magneto metamorphosis Senator Kelly into a mutant.

Developing the Hero's Romantic Challenge, Inner Challenge and Romantic Competitor: Jean reads Wolverine's mind when Scott turns up.

Developing the Hero's Inner Challenge: Wolverine dreams about his operation.

Developing Hero's and Ally's Capabilities: Wolverine stabs Rogue, who absorbs his gift for healing.

Developing the Shape Shifter: the Senator becomes a jellyfish.

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: the Ellis Island conference on TV.

Pushed to the Physical Separation: Mystique convinces Rogue to leave the school.

Mentor provides Magical Gift; Hero in the Inner Cave: Xavier introduces Wolverine to Cerebro.

Resisting the Physical Separation: Xavier thinks it is too dangerous for Wolverine to go.

Physical Separation: Wolverine takes Cyclop's bike.

Developing the Antagonism: Mystique modifies Cerebro.

Confronting Inner Challenges: Wolverine talks to Rogue in the train.

Trial 1: the attack in the train station.

Trial 2: Magneto versus the police.

Trial 3: Magneto versus Xavier.

Meeting the Oracle: Xavier reads Senator Kelly's mind to find out what they want with Rogue.

Shape Shifter's Reward: Senator Kelly melts away.

Resisting the Journey to the Sword: Cyclops doesn't think Wolverine is fit for the uniform.

Obstacle to the Sword: Cerebro knocks out Xavier.

Pulled toward the Sword: Jean Grey knows where Magneto is going.

Developing the World of the Sword: Magneto prepares Rogue for the sacrifice; Wolverine et al overview the map of the conference.

Journey to the Sword: Wolverine et al on the jet.

Threshold Guardian: Mystique and Toad block the way.

Time pressure to the Sword: Sabretooth blocks the way and Magneto begins using Rogue's power.

Seizing the Sword: Wolverine rescues Rogue.

Marker of Change: Rogue has white stripes in her hair.

Near Death Experience: Wolverine sacrifices himself to save Rogue; his wounds open.

Reward: Xavier recovers; Wolverine recovers; Wolverine kisses Jean.

Atonement with the Father: Xavier tells Wolverine about his past.

Apotheosis: Senator Kelly rescinds the Act; it's Mystique.

Refusal: Rogue doesn't want Wolverine to go.

Ultimate Boon: Wolverine will be back for his tag.

Magic Flight: Wolverine of the bike.

Master of the Two Worlds: Xavier comes to see the imprisoned Magneto.

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When Harry met Sally (1989) [Story Structure: Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: context: the old couple; relationships.

Intro Hero and Heroine: Sally waiting for Harry outside college.

Develop Character and Relationship: Harry and Sally driving to Chicago.

Foreshadow of the Journey: "obviously you have not had great sex."

Backstory: "why did you break up with Sheldon?"

Pushing toward the Journey: "you're coming onto me…""…want to spend a night in a motel…?"

Call to Adventure: we can never be friends because the sex thing will always get in the way.

Refusal: Sally disagrees; the debate.

Goodbye to the Old World: they arrive in Chicago; "have a nice life…"

Marker: the old couple.

Threshold Guardian: Sally with Joe at the airport; reference to the Journey: "do you think that men and women can just be friends, Joe…"

First Threshold Trial: Sally disinterested in Harry on the flight…"I never considered not sleeping with you a sacrifice…"

Foreshadow of the atonement: "how long do I have to lie there?"

Inner Cave: on the escalators; "want to have dinner…, just as friends…""I thought you said that men and women couldn't be friends…"

Physical Separation: "I'll just stop walking, I'll let you go ahead…"

Marker: the old couple.

Meeting Allies: Marie et al and Marie's Challenge [goes for married guys].

Heroine's Backstory: Joe broke up with me; "I'm over him…"; "good, then you're ready."

Pushed to the Transformation: "don't wait too long…"

Meeting Allies: Jess.

Hero's Backstory: Harry's wife wants a divorce.

World of the Transformation: today, the bookstore. Developing character and relationships: Marie and Sally.

Pushed towards the Transformation: Marie pushes for Sally to interact.

Transformation / Trial 1: having coffee. Inner Challenges: Sally talks about wanting a family and the ex.

Journey to Transformation / Trial 2: "what's so hard about finding an apartment? What you do is read the obituaries…""..would you like to have dinner with me sometime…?""…are we becoming friends now…?"

Marker: the old couple.

Transformation / Trial 2: various scenes as friends and character development ending with Casablanca .

Foreshadow of the Sword: walking in the park, talking about sexual fantasies.

Foreshadow of the Transfromation: Sally upset that Harry is glad to see her dating.

Transformation / Trial 3: Harry and Sally go on dates.

Developing Allies and Relationships: with Jess…"you made a woman meow…"

Resisting the Transformation: "I'm so glad I never got involved with you…"; the orgasm sequence.

Developing Character and Relationships: Christmas, buying the tree.

Transformation: New Years Eve, they've fallen for each other.

Marker: the old couple.

Developing Character and Relationships: Sally and Marie's Challenge: "nobody thinks he's going to leave his wife…"