This topic will be about storytelling with a stronger focus on a storytelling format called the hero’s journey. You may watch this video to gain a better understanding of how the hero’s journey format is structured with some visuals to hopefully help reinforce some of the topics that we will be discussing.
Hero’s Journey written summary
- Ordinary World
This is the introduction to the characters and the world.
There should be a clue that there’s a problem or a question that needs to be dealt with in the future
- Call to adventure
Announce to the audience that there’s a desire or a problem that needs to be solved.
Emotionally charged, this gives the audience more of a reason to care. Here is someone who is relatable, and they need something or their world is in trouble.
- Refusal of the call
The reaction. Most of the time, the hero doesn’t want to go, can’t go, or has something holding them back, they may have already gone once and it didn’t work out.
Turning away from the adventure that’s being offered. It’s here to tell the audience that they are afraid. They are being asked to go into the unknown and we can relate to that. Stepping out of our comfort zone. Or, someone else will step up and warn the hero and put obstacles in the hero’s way
- Meeting the mentor
The mentor is someone who has possibly been through their own hero’s journey and assists the hero or reassures the hero that their journey is possible. Or, there can be NO mentor and the hero will be on their own in their journey and it can be scarier. More horror
- Crossing the threshold
Now we are going into that special world, or the new world.
- Tests allies enemies
Non fatal challenges that are a bit scary and are difficult. The rules of this special world are still new and the hero must figure out who their allies are, become familiar with the new rules of this world. This is usually where teams are formed and or partners are made
- The approach: Preparation for the final challenge
Not quite to the center of the problem yet but it is following the journey of the hero of how they get there, a bit of travel time, growing the bond of these characters over time. The first impressions you had of some of these characters start to change. Relationships get deeper or they may be tested. Betrayals or bonds. Lots of comedy or romance can develop. Go deeper with the characters
- The ordeal / Death / Rebirth
Death or near death. Very dramatic scene. Second chance and brought back and transformed. The ordeal they went through was so dramatic that it shattered their old self, and now they come out of this ordeal transformed. Faces their greatest fear
- Reward, seizing the sword
Reflection. Recompose, experimentation of this new identity. The hero comes out as not quite the same person anymore, and this is a great time for reflection. Mirror scene. I didn’t think I could before and now the hero has a new confidence to do what they weren’t able to do before. Realization.
- The road back
Urgency, a race, the reward is gone and something needs to be redeemed. Not quite home yet, still a lot of flaws and outcomes that can trip up the hero
- Resurrection
This is the climax of the movie, most of the questions that have been asked throughout the movie are now being answered. How have I changed and what have I learned? Taking all of the experiences and knowledge to put to a test. Faces their fears. Hero is now fully realized, and learned their lessons. Looks like the bad guys are going to win but then the hero pulls out one last burst of energy and then the hero is able to overcome
- Return with elixir (reward)
A good hero will take responsibility for a group, they step up and or they sacrifice something for the movement, but it is good for the community. Because the hero went through something dangerous and faced their fears, they have something to give or to share.
This will be a group participant activity that I love to do with a larger group of people, and can be a really good example of how collaborative stories can be!
Session II
Then we dive into the hero's journey
- Can you give examples in your own life when you went through your own mini hero’s journey? Please share with the group
- Can you pinpoint any of these events in one of your favorite movies or tv shows?
- Why do you think this format works so well and why do you think we like it so much?
Agenda:
3:45 ~ 4:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
4:00 ~ 4:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
4:10 ~ 4:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
4:50 ~ 5:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
5:10 ~ 5:15pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
5:15 ~ 5:55pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
6:00 ~ 6:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
6:20 ~ 6:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements
Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘
Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting at the conclusion of the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate your ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for two times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1500 lifetime membership fee, or NT$1000 for students.