12 Stages Of The Hero's Journey - Christopher Vogler

Summary

In this script, Christopher Vogler, a Hollywood development executive, screenwriter, and author, explains the 'Hero's Journey' narrative framework. He breaks it down into 12 stages, starting from the 'Ordinary World' and progressing through the 'Call to Adventure', 'Refusal of the Call', and 'Meeting the Mentor', to the climax at 'The Ordeal' and the resolution in 'Return with the Elixir'. Vogler emphasizes the transformative power of the journey, where the hero confronts fears, learns, and ultimately shares their experiences to benefit others, promising a rewarding experience for the audience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Hero's Journey is a narrative framework that outlines a 12-stage journey for a hero in storytelling.
• 🌐 The 'Ordinary World' is the first stage where the main character and their world are introduced, setting the scene for the story.
• 📣 The 'Call to Adventure' is a pivotal moment that signals the start of the hero's journey and often involves a problem or desire that needs to be addressed.
• 🙅‍♂️ 'Refusal of the Call' is a stage where the hero resists the adventure, expressing the natural fear of the unknown.
• 👨‍🏫 The 'Mentor' stage introduces a wise figure who provides guidance and reassurance, often equipping the hero with tools or knowledge for the journey.
• 🚀 'Crossing the Threshold' marks the hero's departure from the ordinary world into a new, special world, signifying the start of their adventure.
• 🔍 'Tests, Allies, and Enemies' is a stage where the hero faces challenges that help them understand the rules of the new world and identify who can be trusted.
• 🛤️ 'Approach' is a phase where the hero and their team travel towards the central conflict, deepening relationships and revealing character dynamics.
• 💀 'The Ordeal' is a critical stage involving a near-death experience or a confrontation with the hero's greatest fear, leading to transformation.
• 🏆 'Reward' follows the ordeal, where the hero reflects on their journey, gains a new understanding of themselves, and often receives a prize or recognition.
• 🏃‍♂️ 'The Road Back' is a high-energy phase where the hero must return to their ordinary world, often pursued by antagonistic forces.
• ⚔️ 'Resurrection' is the climax where the hero faces their final test, using all they've learned to confront the antagonist and achieve resolution.
• 🔄 'Return with the Elixir' is the final stage where the hero returns to their ordinary world, bringing back wisdom, power, or a solution to benefit the community.

Q & A

What is the 'Hero's Journey' according to Christopher Vogler?

The 'Hero's Journey' is a narrative pattern identified by Joseph Campbell, which Vogler simplifies into 12 stages to analyze scripts. It outlines the journey of a hero from their ordinary world to a transformative adventure and back.

What are the 12 stages of the Hero's Journey as described by Vogler?

The 12 stages are: 1) The Ordinary World, 2) Call to Adventure, 3) Refusal of the Call, 4) Meeting the Mentor, 5) Crossing the Threshold, 6) Tests, Allies, and Enemies, 7) Approach, 8) The Ordeal, 9) The Reward, 10) The Road Back, 11) Resurrection, and 12) Return with the Elixir.

Why is the 'Call to Adventure' important in a story?

The 'Call to Adventure' is important because it announces a problem or desire that needs to be addressed, generating energy and drawing the audience into the story.

What is the significance of the 'Refusal of the Call' in the Hero's Journey?

The 'Refusal of the Call' signifies the hero's natural fear of the unknown and sets up the audience's expectation of the challenges the hero will face.

How does the 'Meeting the Mentor' stage serve the hero's journey?

The 'Meeting the Mentor' stage provides reassurance and guidance to the hero, often offering knowledge or tools that will aid them in their journey.

What happens during the 'Crossing the Threshold' stage?

During 'Crossing the Threshold,' the hero leaves the ordinary world and fully enters the special world, marking a significant turning point in the story.

What is the purpose of the 'Tests, Allies, and Enemies' stage?

The 'Tests, Allies, and Enemies' stage challenges the hero, revealing their strengths and weaknesses, and helps to define their relationships with other characters.

Why is the 'Approach' stage necessary in the Hero's Journey?

The 'Approach' stage allows the hero and their team to develop deeper relationships and understand the rules of the special world, preparing them for the ordeal ahead.

What typically happens during the 'Ordeal' stage?

The 'Ordeal' stage involves a confrontation with death or a near-death experience, leading to a rebirth and transformation of the hero.

What does the 'Reward' stage signify in the Hero's Journey?

The 'Reward' stage signifies the hero's reflection on their transformation and the gains they've achieved after facing their greatest fear.

How does the 'Resurrection' stage differ from the 'Ordeal' stage?

The 'Resurrection' stage is the climax where the hero faces the final test, often a showdown with the antagonist, using all they've learned, unlike the 'Ordeal' which is a transformative experience.

What is the significance of the 'Return with the Elixir' stage?

The 'Return with the Elixir' stage signifies the hero's return to the ordinary world, sharing the wisdom and transformation gained from their journey, often benefiting the community.