Film Test- Iron Man & the heroes journey

Who first Identified the “hero’s journey” story structure?

Joseph Campbell

What was the “hero’s journey” idea based on?

Research done by Carl Jung

What do most hero’s journey movie that fail or are unpopular have in common?

They skip steps

What events make up the first act?

Call to adventure, refusal of the call, meeting with a mentor, & crossing the threshold

Ordinary world

The place where the hero begins; the hero’s “normal life”

Call to adventure

The event that changes everything and pulls the hero out of the ordinary world

Is the call to adventure more often internal or external?

External

What does the call to adventure establish for the audience?

What is at stake for the hero

Refusal of the call

Often, the hero resists and is reluctant to go on the adventure

Meeting with a mentor

Hero will often encounter a character who gives them information and guidance

When can the meeting with a mentor happen in a story?

At any given point, but is most often at the beginning

Crossing the threshold

The point of no return. The hero leaves the ordinary world behind and commits to the adventure that lies ahead

What events make up act 2 of the hero’s journey?

Trials and failures / Allies and enemies, growth and new skills / inmost cave, Death and Rebirth, and Revelation / Reward

Inmost cave (growth and new skills)

Our hero has learned the skills of the new world and is prepared for death and rebirth

Death and Rebirth

Where the hero faces death, either literally or figuratively, so that he can be reborn as a changed person, often appears to die before escaping death

Revelation

Usually a prize for the hero but it can take on many different forms. Can be a celebration, an initiation, or an epiphany. The hero has been transformed and has a new identity

What events make up act 3 of the hero’s journey

Returns changed, atonement / resurrection, new gift

Returns changed

Turning point where the hero realizes they can’t stay in the special world forever, the hero is changed but the story isn't over

Why is the “returning changed” not the end of the film?

The hero is often chased, literally or figuratively, back to the ordinary world

Atonement / Resurrection

The last test of the hero, focused on demonstrating the lessons learned from the special world in the ordinary world

New gift

What the hero has gained from the story; can be treasure but is often wisdom. This part can’t be too drawn out

Arhcetype

A recurrent in literature, art, or mythology. A model or standard that is widely recognized and imitated

What can archetypes apply to?

The plot, symbols, & characters

Is it possible for one character to take on multiple archetypes?

YesI

Is it true that each Archetype will only appear in one character in most films?

No, it is possible for several characters to embody the same archetype

Hero

The protagonist of the story, the character your audience identifies with

Mentor

Dispenses wisdom, motivation, important information, and/or gifts to our hero. Teacher, guide, protector

What is the mentor typically depicted as despite not being limited in age, gender, or form?

A ‘wise old man’

Herald

Issues the call to adventure, or in coming change. Not always in a human form- can be a letter, phone call, force of nature, or other impersonal omen

Trickster

Stirs up trouble and challenges the status quo, represents the desire for change

What does the trickster often provide?

Comic relief, which might be essential to the story

Is the trickster role limited to sidekicks?

No

Shadow

The villain or antagonist. Function in a story is to challenge, even attempt to destroy, the hero. Can be an internal aspect of the hero or a mask worn by another character

What is usually the primary source of the hero’s growth?

The shadow

Shape shifter

A character that turns out differently than he or she initially appears. Can be a figurative or literal disguise, and often brings doubt, uncertainty, and/or suspense to the story. Often just a mask

Threshold guardians

Tests our hero to see how he or she will respond to adversity. Usually not the main villain. Might even be a secret ally but is usually a small character

How to threshold guardians often help the hero?

Via influencing them to discover new power, skills, or wisdom

Who is the hero in Iron Man?

Tony Stark

Who is the mentor in Iron Man?

Dr. Ho Yinsen

Who is considered the herald in Iron Man?

Dr. Ho Yinsen

Who is considered the trickster in Iron Man?

Tony Stark

Who is considered the shadow in Iron Man?

Obadiah Stane

Who is the shapeshifter in Iron Man?

Obadiah Stane

Who is considered to be the threshold guardians in Iron Man?

The Ten Rings terrorist group