Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
Perhaps the hero must pass a series of tests or his head will be cut off. T h e Greek
hero Perseus, portrayed in the movie Clash of the Titans, must undergo many ordeals or
his beloved princess Andromeda will be devoured by a sea monster. Other tales put
family members in jeopardy like the father who is threatened in Beauty and the Beast,
T h e hero Belle has a strong motivation to put herself in a dangerous position at
the mercy of the Beast. H e r father will languish and die unless she does the Beast's
bidding. T h e stakes are high and clear.
Scripts often fail because the stakes simply aren't high enough. A story in
which the hero will only be slightly embarrassed or inconvenienced if he fails is likely
to get the " S o what?" reaction from readers. M a k e sure the stakes are high — life and
death, big money, or the hero's very soul.
BACKSTORY A N D EXPOSITION
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