How to structure a story in 3 Acts as seen in the film THOR
There are many ways to structure your stories but one of the most common is known as The Hero’s Journey. Joseph Campbell identified this monomyth in his seminal book The Hero With A Thousand Faces, and it was later taken up by Christopher Vogler in The Writer’s Journey. These great myths from all over the… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Introduction
At the start of the Hero’s Journey we meet the hero in their Ordinary World. This is where he usually is from day to day, pootling about, doing whatever it is that he does. It should contrast with the world he’s about to enter on his hero’s journey, the world of the story. The Ordinary… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Ordinary World
We’ve met our hero in his Ordinary World and realised something needs to change. Now comes the Call to Adventure. This is the moment when something happens which challenges the status quo of the ordinary world, forcing the hero to do something to restore order. The Call to Adventure is often also known as the… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Call to Adventure
We are still in the Ordinary World of the story but the Call to Adventure has been made. At this stage we discover if the hero is ready to heed the call, and usually they’re not. It is a rare hero who, on receiving a challenge, just says OK and gets on with it. Makes… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Refusal of the Call
Our hero has had the peace of his Ordinary World shattered by a Call to Adventure which he has failed to heed. The hero needs a little extra encouragement to do what is necessary. Step forward the Mentor. Often the Mentor is already known to the hero and may have been offering advice and giving… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Meeting the Mentor
Our hero has Refused the Call to Adventure and so invoked the help of a Mentor to encourage him to embark on his Hero’s Journey. This stage is the turning point at the end of Act 1 where the hero Crosses the Threshold from their Ordinary World into the Special World of the story. The… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Crossing the Threshold
At the start of Act 2 we find our hero in the Special World of the story. He’s Crossed the Threshold and will now face new challenges on his hero’s journey. This new world should be very different from the Ordinary World he’s left behind. Even if the hero physically stays put, the Special World… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Tests, Allies and Enemies
Our hero is starting to get used to being in this new world with its special rules. He has made allies and enemies, and is determined to succeed on his mission. At this stage of the journey we’re approaching the main ordeal and the hero must prepare to be tested in serious fashion. This is… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Approach the Inmost Cave
The hero has encountered many tests on his journey so far, but none as dangerous as this. Often this point of the story is called the Midpoint or the Point of No Return. It’s when the hero has a direct confrontation with his greatest fear and the goal of his journey is in dire jeopardy.… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Supreme Ordeal
The hero has faced his worst fear, encountered death and lived. This will always bring about a transformation and there is often a reward. This stage of the journey is also called Seizing the Sword. The hero takes possession of the thing he was really after, not the thing he thought he wanted. The reward could… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Reward
The hero has lived through the Supreme Ordeal and received an Reward for facing his worst fear. But the journey isn’t over yet. Somehow the hero must return to his Ordinary World and use the new skills or information he has gained. So now he faces the Road Back. Here is where the hero must… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: The Road Back
The hero has made the decision to embrace his newly formed self and is starting to demonstrate what he has learnt on the Hero’s Journey. But it isn’t enough. The dark forces which have been pursuing the hero on the Road Back now have one last go at stopping him. We have reached the Climax… Continue reading The Hero’s Journey: Resurrection
Jessica Davidson 