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Title: Story Structure: Scarface (1983) Deconstructed Post by: Daniel Franklin on October 24, 2007, 03:31:05 PM The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon – understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero's Journey: · Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told. · Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on. · Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created. The Hero's Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays. Story Structure: Scarface (1983) Deconstructed The following deconstruction is best understood by watching the film simultaneously... FADE IN: Context established with visuals, narrative and music [the expulsion of Cuban criminals from Cuba by Castro]. Introduce the hero, his character and his back story [Tony Montana being interrogated]. Introduce Loyal Ally, his character and his relationship to the hero [Manny in the bus with Tony, getting it all wrong]. Introduce hero in his Ordinary World [Tony in jail]. Interacting with Sacrifical Lamb [Angel]. Herald brings the Call to Adventure [Manny tells Tony that if he kills the communist (Rebenga), he can get a green card]. This is a keen Hero [for a Green Card, I'll carve him up]. Refusal of the Call [Rebenga resists execution]. Viewing the World of the Transformation from a distance [Tony views the nightclub from the burger bar]. Warnings of the World of the Transformation [Manny cautions Tony]. Threshold Guardian [Omar]. Consciously leaving the Old World behind [Tony tells his boss he's taking care of his investments]. Viewing the First Threshold from a distance and Warnings [Tony observes the apartment from the exterior; tells Manny to wait; he doesn’t like Colombians]. Inner Cave and Near Death Experience. [Tony nearly gets his head sawn off]. Physical Separation [Tony arranges to meet Frank personally]. Meeting the Supernatural Aid [Tony meets Frank]. Foreshadow of the Seizing of the Sword and the Meeting of the Romantic Challenge [Tony meets Elvira]. Clumsily entering the World of the Transformation [Tony in the nightclub for the first time]. Meeting the New and Strange Creatures of the World of the Transformation [Frank tells Tony who everyone is]. Motivations of the Mentor [Frank discusses Tony with Omar]. Enhance Romantic Challenge [polarity between Tony and Elvira established]. Warnings of the Transformation [Tony muses taking over the organization with Manny]. A rest period [hitting on chicks by the beach; preparing for the Trials]. Back story of the Hero [Tony meets Mama and Gina]. Expelled from the Old World [Mama throws Tony out]. Achilles Heel. [Tony warns Manny not to mess with Gina]. Time Stretch [Hero transforming, transformation sequences…]. Pushed to the Sword [Elvira says, "I don’t sleep with the help."] Meeting the Oracle and guided toward the Sword [Tony meets Sosa and realises he can become the boss]. Threshold Guardian [Omar dies and Tony convinces Sosa]. Conflict on the Journey to the Sword [Frank doesn't like the deal Tony made with Sosa; falling out with Frank]. Preparing for the Sword [Tony meets Elvira and asks her to think about marrying him]. Conflict with the Guardians of the Sword [Tony shot at in the nightclub; the bent cop]. Seizing the Sword [Tony kills Frank]. Reward [Tony gets married, buys the big house etc]. Achilles Heel developed [Gina hits on Tony]. Night Sea Journey [they're not hungry anymore…Manny recommends another money launderer]. Alienation [in the bathtub; Tony falls out with Elvira and Manny]. Near Death Experience [Tony gets busted; the lawyer can’t get him off]. Atonement with the Father [Tony turns to Sosa]. Apotheosis [the restaurant scene; "is this it, is this what it is all about, is this what I killed for…"] Refusal of the Return [Tony disgusted with himself; he has become the murderer of children]. Magic Flight [Tony kills the Shadow and returns to New York]. Alienation [Manny, Elvira, Gina are nowhere to be found]. Rescue from Without [Sosa calls and they threaten each other with war]. Possibility of Redemption[Tony communicates with Mama]. Crossing the Return Threshold [Tony kills Manny]. Master of the Two Worlds [Gina dies; Tony dies]. Freedom to Live [none, for this antihero]. Learn more… The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/ You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site. Kal Bishop, MBA ********************************** You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained. Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kal_Bishop |