Structure for growth and change

Storytelling, Screenwriting

Jun 15, 2024 

Creating a narrative that inspires people to feel they want to become better and do better things involves focusing on themes of growth, redemption, and the positive impact of personal change. Here’s a synthesis and reorganization of the various story structures to achieve this emotional impact:

Inspiring Personal Growth and Positive Change

Act I: Setup

  • Ordinary World (Campbell): Establish the protagonist’s normal life, highlighting areas where they struggle or where improvement is needed.
  • Call to Adventure (Campbell): Introduce a challenge or opportunity that prompts the protagonist to consider a path of growth.
  • Refusal of the Call (Campbell): Show the protagonist’s initial resistance to change, illustrating their fears or limitations.
  • Meeting the Mentor (Campbell): Introduce a mentor who provides guidance and encouragement, embodying the values the protagonist needs to adopt.
  • Inciting Incident (Brooks): An event that disrupts the protagonist’s normal life and sets the story in motion, creating a clear need for change.
  • Opportunity to Shine (Hudson): Highlight the protagonist’s potential to make a positive impact, even if they don’t realize it yet.

Act II: Initiation

  • Crossing the Threshold (Campbell): The protagonist commits to the journey of self-improvement, stepping out of their comfort zone.
  • Tests, Allies, Enemies (Campbell): The protagonist faces challenges that test their resolve, encounters allies who support their growth, and confronts enemies who embody their old ways.
  • First Plot Point (Brooks): A significant event that forces the protagonist to take action and engage deeply with their journey.
  • Midpoint (Brooks): A major turning point where the protagonist experiences a breakthrough or significant growth, realizing the importance of their journey.
  • Pinch Point 2 (Brooks): An event that heightens the stakes and challenges the protagonist to stay committed to their path.
  • Secret World (Hudson): The protagonist creates a space where they can practice and develop their new skills and values.

Act III: Climax

  • Ordeal, Death, and Rebirth (Campbell): The protagonist faces their greatest challenge, confronting their old self and overcoming significant obstacles. This moment of crisis is crucial for their transformation.
  • Reward (Seizing the Sword) (Campbell): The protagonist achieves a major victory, gaining a new understanding of themselves and their potential for positive impact.
  • Second Plot Point (Brooks): An event that leads directly to the story’s climax, reinforcing the protagonist’s growth and commitment to change.
  • Crisis (Snyder): The protagonist’s most intense moment of struggle, where they must fully embrace their new values to succeed.

Act IV: Resolution

  • The Road Back (Campbell): The protagonist begins to integrate their new understanding and skills into their life, preparing to return to their ordinary world.
  • Resurrection (Campbell): The final test or challenge that proves the protagonist’s transformation, showing they have truly changed for the better.
  • Return with the Elixir (Campbell): The protagonist returns to their ordinary world, bringing with them the wisdom and benefits of their journey. Their actions now reflect their growth and inspire others.
  • Re-ordering of the Kingdom (Hudson): The protagonist’s positive change influences their world, creating a better environment for themselves and others.
  • Final Image (Snyder): A powerful visual that encapsulates the protagonist’s journey and the positive impact of their transformation, leaving the audience with a sense of hope and inspiration.

Key Emotional Elements

  • Mentorship and Guidance: Emphasize the role of mentors and supportive figures who guide the protagonist’s growth.
  • Personal Challenges: Highlight the internal and external challenges the protagonist faces, making their journey relatable and impactful.
  • Transformation and Redemption: Focus on the protagonist’s transformation from a place of struggle to one of empowerment and positive impact.
  • Hope and Inspiration: Conclude with a message of hope, showing how the protagonist’s journey inspires others to pursue their own paths of growth.

Example Scene Framework

  1. Introduction:
    • Ordinary World (Campbell): Protagonist’s daily life, showcasing areas needing improvement.
    • Inciting Incident (Brooks): Disruptive event that creates a need for change.
  2. Commitment:
    • Call to Adventure (Campbell): Challenge or opportunity for growth.
    • Refusal of the Call (Campbell): Initial hesitation, showing fears or limitations.
    • Meeting the Mentor (Campbell): Introduction of a guiding figure.
  3. Growth:
    • Crossing the Threshold (Campbell): Commitment to the journey.
    • Tests, Allies, Enemies (Campbell): Challenges, support, and opposition.
    • Midpoint (Brooks): Breakthrough or significant growth.
  4. Climax:
    • Ordeal, Death, and Rebirth (Campbell): Greatest challenge and transformation.
    • Reward (Seizing the Sword) (Campbell): Major victory and understanding.
  5. Resolution:
    • The Road Back (Campbell): Integration of new skills and understanding.
    • Resurrection (Campbell): Final test proving transformation.
    • Return with the Elixir (Campbell): Bringing benefits to the ordinary world.
    • Final Image (Snyder): Inspiring visual that encapsulates the journey.

By focusing on these elements and structuring your narrative around the protagonist’s journey of personal growth and positive impact, you can create a film that leaves the audience feeling inspired and motivated to become better people and do better things.

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