How does your Hero react to crossing into the Danger Zone? Did they survive unharmed? What new realizations do they have? Join Devin and Adam as they explore the first story event in Movement 3, the Close Call.
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How does this threshold manifest itself? What challenges do you face? What is holding you back from change? Join Devin and Adam as they explore the Second Threshold of your story – Crossing into the Danger Zone.
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How does your hero react as they near the second threshold of change? How do they negotiate their first encounters with the force of antagonism?
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What are the rules of your story’s mythology? What tools is your hero introduced to in order to deal with the unknown world of Act 2?
Though the Watering Hole event may raises the stakes by touching on the dangers of the Unknown World, the Rules & Tools event is our opportunity to equip our hero with some specific knowledge and tools they will need along the way.
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We celebrate our 50th episode by discussing one of our favorite story events…The Watering Hole!
The Watering Hole event provides the opportunity to introduce the creatures who inhabit this Unknown World, whether they are humans, monsters or a variety of species like in the cantina scene of
“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.”
How can this communal setting take shape? As a cafeteria, mess hall, coffee shop, restaurant, bar, a family dinner? How can this been an example of the community at large?
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The First Day of School is the first story event in Act 2 and Movement 2. How does your hero respond to the contrast of Act 2’s Unknown World they have just entered? Are they shy, afraid, boastful, foolish? What does this tell us about them?
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Now that your Hero has agreed to go on the journey, what is the Threshold from Act One to Act Two of your story? What contrasting elements help your audience to understand the difference between the known world and the unknown world?
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After debating, what causes your hero to choose to go on their quest or journey? Is there a mentor or moment of raised stakes that is the catalyst for that choice?
Our hero’s first true action, they make the decision in Choosing to Answer the Call to Quest.
• This marks the beginning of change for your hero, though subtle, we still have a long road ahead of us.
• Our hero’s arc has begun.
• Often marks the end of Act 1 and the beginning of Act 2.
Suggested Story Elements to Include in Choosal of Call.
Key Event (Catalyst): The Key Event is the event that officially changes the perspective of our hero. Ever since the herald has presented our hero with information, and a The Call to Quest has been challenged, our hero has been “on the fence” trying to sort through the disruptions that have abruptly impacted their ordinary life in their ordinary world. The Key Event pushes our hero over the fence, essentially making up our hero’s mind for them.
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Now that your hero has received the call, how do they answer it? Are they a willing Hero or do they have doubts and inner conflicts?
Refusing the Call to Quest provides the opportunity to strengthen our Hero’s character as they are within their ordinary world, and shed light on their internal obstacle(s), definitely highlighting their own uncertainty and lack of confidence in themselves to be able to embark on the journey presented to them in The call to Quest.
• Our Hero hesitates in their decision to heed the call to quest.
• Perhaps something happens that makes our Hero second guess embarking on the journey.
• Our Hero doubts themselves and their ability to physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually embark on the journey.
• Great setup opportunity to show our Hero’s arc in the end and how much they have learned and changed.
Debate (Internal and/or External): The debate is our Hero working through everything the herald character has presented them with. The debate is often more internal than external, and it’s our hero trying to weigh all of their options. Our Hero visits or is visited by something or someone that provides a new perspective that reinforces the importance of the journey.
•Our Hero realizes only they are supposed to go on the journey.
• Though doubt, fear and uncertainty still plagues our Hero.
• Can also include the Meeting with Mentor(s) scene(s).
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What quest, challenge, or invitation is presented to your Hero? What choices? How does it highlight the overall dramatic question of your story?
Our hero must be presented with a challenge, and one that will create a necessity for our hero to have to decide, on their own, if they want to embark on such an adventure. The Call to Quest is often presented to our hero by a Herald character, though it doesn’t necessarily need to be a human or creature character, it could also be an incident, or potentially occur within the Inciting Incident.
The Call to Quest forces our hero into a major decision: To refuse the call to quest and continue on in the comfort of their known world; or, heed the call to quest, thrusting themselves into the Unknown World, which they know little or nothing about…especially the dangers that lurk in the shadows of the Unknown World.
| Join Adam and Devin on their quest to breakdown the Call to Quest story event! |
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