The Megahit Movies

by Richard Stefanik

  Men in Black

  Preservation of the world from destruction necessitates fighting and destroying the source of evil. (World Security)

  Sixth Sense

  To obtain freedom from terror means that one must confront and understand that which terrorizes them. (Happiness)

  The Grinch

  To become part of a community sometimes means having to apologize and change your behavior. (Social Recognition, Esteem)

  The Wizard of Oz

  Security, or freedom from fear, is found in the power of self-confidence used to confront life’s problems. (Self-Esteem)

  Shrek

  To achieve happiness one must share their home with others. (Happiness) Spider-Man

  With great power comes great responsibility. Preservation of the community from crime necessitates fighting and destroying the sources of evil. (World Security)

  Finding Nemo

  To obtain family security, one must preserve the lives of the young and protect them from destruction. (Family Security)

  Monsters, Inc.

  Friendship sometimes means helping the person you love to achieve her desires, even if it means separation. (Loyalty and Freedom)

  Matrix Trilogy

  Preservation of the community from terror necessitates fighting and destroying the source of evil, even if it requires self-sacrifice. (World Security)

  Pirates of the Caribbean

  A person can both be a pirate and a good man.(Self-Esteem) Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone

  Sometimes one needs to break all the rules to save the world. (World Security)

  Bruce Almighty

  Security, or freedom from fear, is found in the power of self-confidence used to confront life’s problems. (Self-Esteem)

  Lord of the Rings

  Preservation of the community from terror necessitates fighting and destroying the source of evil. (World Security)

  A-STORY & B-STORY The A-Story in a movie tracks the efforts of the protagonist to obtain his primary objective. It is the sequence of choices that he makes to overcome the obstacles and problems that prevent him from achieving his goal.

  The B-Story of the movie tracks the character’s arc and tranformation of his values as he pursues his objective. It usually also involves the changes in his relationship with the love interest of the story. The main emotional thrust of the movie is to be found in the B-Story.

  Titanic

  The B-Story is the transformation of Rose from the obedient daughter who will marry the man her mother wants for her, to a free spirit and an artist.

  Star Wars

  The B-Story is the transformation of Luke into a Jedi Knight. E.T.

  The B-Story is about Elliott earning self-respect plus the esteem of Michael’s friends and his family.

  Jurassic Park

  The B-Story concerns the change of Dr. Alan Grant from a man who hates to be around children to a protective parent.

  The Lion King

  The B-Story is about Simba overcoming his feelings of false guilt and fighting for his rightful position as ruler of the Pride Lands.

  Batman

  The B-Story is about Bruce Wayne finally being able to share his secret and tell Vicki Vale that he is really Batman.

  Home Alone

  The B-Story is about Kevin’s transformation from being a helpless child to someone who can protect his home from burglars.

  Sixth Sense

  The B-Story is about Cole overcoming his fear of seeing dead people. Jaws

  B-Story is about Capt. Brody overcoming his fear of water in order to kill the shark.

  Men In Black

  The B-Story is about K leaving the MIB to go back to the woman he left behind.

  The Grinch

  The B-Story is about the Grinch finally forgiving the people of Whoville for his childhood humiliations.

  The Wizard of Oz

  The B-Story is about Dorothy finally learning that she has the ability to solve her problems by using intelligence, courage, and compassion.

  Shrek

  The B-Story is about Shrek accepting the friendship of donkey and expressing his love for Fiona.

  Spider-Man

  The B-Story is about Peter accepting that with great power comes great responsibility and shielding the people he loves from danger.

  Finding Nemo

  The B-Story is about Marlin finally stopping being over-protective of Nemo and to have faith in his son.

  Bruce Almighty

  The B-Story is about Bruce changing from being selfish to giving blood to the community.

  Matrix Trilogy

  The B-Story is about Neo being loyal to Morpheus and Trinity. Pirates of the Caribbean

  The B-Story is about Will Turner accepting that he can be both a pirate and a good man.

  STORY CLIMAX & PLOT CLIMAX The plot climax answers the following question: What happens to the primary objective? Who obtains the objective at the end of the film? What is the outcome of the battle between the protagonist and the antagonist?

  The story climax answers a different set of questions: What is the final choice of the protagonist? What is the value expressed by this final choice? What code of behavior does this choice represent?

  The plot climax focuses on the things that happen to the protagonist during his final battle: the events and obstacles that he has to overcome to obtain the final prize.

  The story climax focuses on the final choice of values that the protagonist makes in his last battle with the antagonist. At this last moment before the completion of his “life and death” struggle with the antagonist, what interpersonal code of behavior does he ultimately choose?

  In some stories, the primary objective itself is transformed when the protagonist decides that the “prize” is not worth the destruction of certain values that he holds dear. For the plot, it is the final events that are important. For the story, it is the final choice of the protagonist that is significant.

  Titanic

  The story climax occurs when Rose decides to rejoin Jack on the Titanic instead of staying on the lifeboat: she decides to stay with the man she loves. The plot climax occurs when Rose throws the jewel “the heart of the ocean” back into the ocean above the sunken Titanic, then rejoins Jack in her dreams (or after her death) on the staircase under the clock on the Titanic.

  Star Wars

  The story climax occurs when Luke decides to rely on “the spiritual force” instead of “computerized technology” to guide his final torpedo drop. The plot climax occurs when the Death Star is destroyed.

  Phantom Menace

  Queen Amidala decides to return to Naboo and wage war against the Trade Federation. The story climax occurs when she humbles herself and begs the Gungan Boss to help them defeat the Trade Federation. The plot climax occurs when Anakin destroys the control vessel, making the warrior droids inoperative, thereby, winning the battle for Naboo.

  E.T.

  The story climax is Elliott’s decision to help E.T. escape, even if it means losing him. The plot climax occurs when E.T. and Elliott fly over the road blockade constructed by the U.S. Government Agents.

  The Lion King

  The story climax occurs when Simba decides to return to the Pride Lands. The plot climax occurs when Simba defeats Scar in battle.

  Return of the Jedi

  The story climax occurs when Luke Skywalker refuses to join the Emperor and the dark side of the force. The plot climax occurs when Darth Vader kills the Emperor by throwing him into the abyss at the center of the Death Star.

  Batman

  The story climax occurs when Batman realizes that the Joker is the man who murdered his parents. Batman then decides to fight him in the public arena. The plot climax occurs when the weight of the gargoyle pulls the Joker off the helicopter rope ladder and causes him to plunge to his death.

  Jurassic Park

  The story climax occurs early when Dr. Grant expresses a paternal concern for the survival of the child
ren. He drops the raptor claw and shelters the children in his arms. The plot climax occurs when the T-Rex destroys the Raptors.

  Home Alone

  The story climax occurs when Kevin decides to defend his home against the burglars. The plot climax occurs when the old man saves Kevin by hitting the burglars with a shovel.

  Forrest Gump

  Since Forrest never makes a major decision, the real story climax comes from Jenny, when she decides to marry Forrest. The plot climax occurs when they get married.

  Jaws

  The story climax occurs when Capt. Brody decides to force the Mayor to sign the voucher to hire the shark killer, Quint. The plot climax occurs when Capt. Brody finally succeeds in killing the shark.

  Independence Day

  The story climax occurs when Russell Casse decides to sacrifice his life and steer his fighter plane up into the alien’s ultimate weapon. The plot climax occurs when the alien spacecraft implodes and is completely destroyed before it destroys Area 51 base and the remaining human fighters.

  Men in Black

  The story climax occurs when K allows himself to be swallowed by the Edgar-Bug in order to get his weapon in the belly of the beast. This is an act of potential self-sacrifice for the good of the community. The plot climax occurs when the Edgar-Bug is destroyed by K and Dr. Laurel Weaver.

  Sixth Sense

  The story climax occurs when Cole Sears accepts that he can see dead people. He understands they do not want to terrorize him, but need his help. The plot climax occurs when Dr. Crowe realizes that he is dead.

  Empire Strikes Back

  The story climax occurs when Luke Skywalker decides not to join his father, Darth Vader, and become part of the dark side of the force. The plot climax occurs when he falls down the central tunnel of the space station and escapes being destroyed by Darth Vader.

  The Grinch

  The story climax occurs when the Grinch decides to save Cindy Lou Whos’ life and to return the Christmas presents to Whoville. He then apologizes. The plot climax occurs when his apology is accepted and he is integrated back into the Who community.

  The Wizard of Oz

  The story climax occurs when Dorothy believes that she has the power to solve her own problems. The plot climax occurs when Dorothy is transported back to Kansas.

  Shrek

  The story climax occurs when Shrek tells Fiona he loves her. The plot climax occurs when Farquaard is eaten by the Dragon, Shrek kisses Fiona, and the spell on Princess Fiona is broken.

  Spider-Man

  The story climax occurs when Peter does not tell MJ that he loves her. The plot climax occurs when the Green Goblin is impaled by his transport.

  Finding Nemo

  The story climax occurs when Marlin backs Nemo’s instructions for all the fish to swim downwards. The plot climax occurs when Nemo is freed from the Dentist’s fish tank and the clutches of Darla.

  Monsters, Inc.

  The story climax occurs when Sulley puts Boo in her bed and her door is shredded. The plot climax occurs when Mr. Waternoose is exposed in the Simulation Room and is taken away by Roz and the CDA.

  Bruce Almighty

  The story climax occurs when Bruce prays for Grace’s happiness and not his own. The plot climax occurs when Bruce comes back to life and is reunited with Grace.

  Matrix Trilogy

  The story climax occurs when Neo accepts that he is the ONE and sacrifices himself to save the people of Zion. The plot climax occurs when the Machines stop destroying Zion.

  Pirates of the Caribbean

  The story climax occurs when Will accepts that he can be both a pirate and a good man. The plot climax occurs when Barbossa is killed by Liz, Will, and Jack, and the curse is ended.

  Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone

  The story climax occurs when Harry decides to fight Prof. Quirrell (Voldemort) for the Sorcerer’s Stone. The plot climax occurs when Harry triumphs over Prof. Quirrell (Voldemort).

  Lord of the Rings Trilogy

  The story climax occurs when Frodo decides not to destroy the Ring. This shows that the Ring is too powerful for any human or hobbit to possess. The plot climax occurs when Gollum falls into the lava river holding the ring which is then destroyed.

  CREATING THOSE SPECIAL MOMENTS

  Scenes

  Scene Actions

  Point of Attack

  Crisis

  Confrontation

  Climax

  Resolution

  A Model Scene

  Establishing Scenes

  Transition Scenes

  The Opening Scene

  Introduction of the Protagonist

  Introduction of the Antagonist

  Climax Scenes

  Resolution Scenes

  The Essential Scene Elements “Dramatic structure is actually made up of a connected series of ministories (scenes or sequences) which combine to make up larger blocks (acts or chapters) that combine to make up your work as a whole. A scene, the smallest dramatic unit, is really not different in its structure from a chapter or an act, and in turn, they are not different from your plot as a whole. Each has a beginning, a middle, and an end.”

  —Ronald Tobias, Theme and Strategy

  Scenes are the basic units through which a story is told. In each scene the characters are in conflict over some “objective” that is necessary for the completion of either a subgoal or the primary objective of the story. By the end of the scene, one character will win the “objective” and the other will lose it. During the conflict over this scene objective, characters will make choices about their values, and character transformations will occur.

  The objective of the scene may not be something physical. It could very well be a piece of information that one character is trying to get from another character, or it could be a change in attitude that one character is trying to bring about in another. But something vital to both characters is usually at stake.

  Since film is a visual medium, its primary mode of communication is through actions and images, instead of dialogue. Dialogue is more essential to radio or stage plays.

  There are four moments (or beats) in the model or ideal standard scenes: a scene crisis occurs when one of the characters receives information that forces him into action; a scene confrontation between two opposing characters; a scene climax in which the conflicting character’s actions reach a peak; and the scene resolution that reveals which character obtains the objective and how they emotionally feel about the result.

  The story is told through a series of scenes starting from the opening scene and ending with the final scene of the story. There are specific types of scenes that must be part of this structure: a scene that introduces the protagonist to the audience; a scene that introduces the antagonist;

  a climax scene in which these two characters battle for control of the primary objective; and a resolution scene in which one of the characters is established as the victor.

  Some writers believe that there must be two other critical scenes in each story: plot points (or plot twists) that occur one-third and two-thirds of the way through the series. They believe that this is necessary to make the story unpredictable and, thereby, hold the audiences’ attention.

  A plot twist is a subgoal that leads to a dead end and that fails to help the protagonist achieve the primary goal as he expected that it would. He must, therefore, revise his plans and choose another subgoal. Two thirds of the way through the story, this new subgoal will also fail to bring about the desired objective. He is then forced to choose one more course of action that will lead directly to the climax scene in which the protagonist will fight with the antagonist.

  The scenes should naturally flow into each other; the actions taken by characters in the earlier scenes must cause actions in the scenes that follow. The intensity of the conflict should increase with each scene. This can be accomplished by sequentially placing in danger objects that are of a higher personal value to the protagonist and the aud
ience.

  The protagonist will demonstrate the priority of the objects that he values through his actions, decisions, and the intensity of the anguish that he exhibits at the possibility of loss of these objects. For example, one preference ordering, from the lowest to the highest priority, might be as follows: material possessions, a job, money, status, honor, integrity, selfrespect, respect of his family, his personal freedom, the survival of the community, his life, the life of his lover, and the life of his child.

  The same preference ordering might also be shared by the audience. The conflict is intensified when objects that have a lower value are placed in jeopardy first at the beginning of the story, while objects with the highest value are placed in jeopardy during the climax scene.

  This priority structure increases the audience’s emotional involvement with the story since the protagonist’s order of values reflects their own, or what the audience would like their values to be, under ideal or heroic conditions. This structure also solidifies the audience’s empathy for the protagonist, and hatred for the antagonist who continues to place these objects of value in danger of being destroyed.

  Each scene should emotionally advance the story forward. Once the internal structure of each scene is clearly understood, this can be easily accomplished. Each scene would consist of a unique decision and transformation of character that would not be repeated again in a later scene. In each scene, either the protagonist and his supporters win, or the antagonist and his supporters win. Alternating the victors helps to keep the audience involved and makes the conflict less predictable. Alternating the scenes between interior and exterior locations also maintains the audience’s interest because it induces a visual variation for the audience.

  SCENE ACTIONS Scene actions consist of the actions that the characters perform in order to obtain the “objective” at stake in the scene. Each action provokes a reaction from another character. The audience maintains interest in the conflict whenever unexpected tactics are used by the characters to obtain their goals. But if the actions are predictable, the audience will become bored.

  Some actions may be morally objectionable to the audience. If the antagonist performs these immoral acts it will solidify the audience’s enmity for him. If the protagonist commits what is usually accepted as an immoral act, then he must establish a justification for his behavior by appealing to extenuating circumstances in order to maintain the audience’s empathy. The audience will decide whom to like and whom to hate based primarily on what characters do instead of just what they say.