3. The jungle itself is a dense environment that creates obstacles for Jones. He must assert a great amount of energy to make his way through the underbrush.
4. A native guide screams in terror when he unexpectedly uncovers a terrifying headstone.
5. Jones' party must cross a stream without the use of a bridge, a dangerous situation because someone could slip and fall against the rocks.
6. Jones finds a poison arrow in a tree. His guides state that they are being pursued by natives who will kill them if given the chance.
7. The party has to climb over large tree trunks in order to make their way forward.
8. While Jones is trying to decipher a map, one of the guides pulls out a gun with the intent to kill Jones.
9. Jones uses a bullwhip to disarm the killer. The gun falls to the ground and discharges.
11. Jones walks through hanging vines as he makes his way to a dark cave.
12. At the cave entrance, Jones states that Forrestal died there and that "he was good." The guide says that no one has come out of the cave alive.
13. Jones and the guide walk into a dark cave that may contain unknown dangers.
14. Jones cuts an entrance through a giant spider web.
15. Poisonous spiders crawl on the backs of Jones and guide
16. Forrestal's skeleton comes out from the wall when Jones passes his hand through the light entrance. This demonstrates that death is a real possibility.
17. They must swing across a deep pit. Jones saves the life of his guide, who almost falls into the pit.
18. The tree limb is weak, and gives way as they swing across. This sets up an obstacle for their exit.
19. The guide's belief that there is nothing left to worry about concerns Jones. Jones hits the rock slab with his torch. An arrow strikes the torch, almost killing Jones.
21. Jones must figure out how to remove the idol without activating a security mechanism.
22. Jones retrieves the idol by replacing it with a bag of sand, but the platform sinks and activates the destructive mechanisms.
23. The walls of the cave collapse.
24. Falling rocks and boulders endanger Jones.
25. Arrows shoot out from the wall as Jones runs for safety.
26. Guide swings across the pit, and whip falls off branch.
27. Guide negotiates for the possession of the whip. He wants the idol. Time is lost.
29. Jones must choose between the idol and his life. Jones throws the idol to the guide.
30. The native betrays Jones and drops the whip.
31. Jones dives across the pit and clings to the ledge.
32. Jones clutches a branch and tries to pull himself up.
The branch slips, and Jones almost falls into the pit.
33. The stonewall moves downward to close the exit
34. Jones finally pulls himself up, quickly rolls under the rock slab, and retrieves his whip just as the rock slams against the ground.
35. Jones bumps into the dead guide who had betrayed him, then retrieves the idol.
36. A giant boulder rolls down towards Jones.
37. Jones runs for his life. He trips, falls to one knee, then gets up to run again.
38. Jones runs through spider webs with boulder at his heels.
39. Jones dives through the entrance just as the boulder slams against the entrance walls, closing it forever.
40. Jones is surrounded by armed natives with spears.
41. The first guide, who tried to shoot Jones, falls face forward to the ground with arrows in his back. Jones knows the natives will also kill him.
42. Belloc takes the idol from Jones.
43. Jones hands his gun to Belloc. He is now disarmed in a dangerous situation.
44. Jones can't speak to the natives. This is an obstacle that prevents him from warning them about Belloc.
45. Belloc raises the idol. When the natives kneel, Jones runs.
46. Belloc signals the natives to cut Jones' throat. Belloc laughs at Jones' desperation.
47. Jones runs through a dense forest. The natives run after him. The odds against his surviving are overwhelming.
48. Jones runs across a large open field to escape natives.
49. Jones must swim across a river to reach the plane.
50. Jones grabs a vine and swings out into the river.
51. The natives throw spears and blow darts at Jones.
52. Jones climbs onto the plane as it takes off.
53. A snake climbs into Jones’ lap.
54. Jones screams in terror and says that he hates snakes.
55. The pilot, Jock, mocks Jones, and tells him to “have a little backbone.”
The humor at the end of the scene helps the audience to release the tension generated by the obstacles and jeopardy
in the opening sequence. Jock's statement is a complete misrepresentation of Jones' character as experienced by the audience. Because of this, the audience laughs.
SELF CONFLICTS
Self-conflicts generate obstacles whenever beliefs
or values that the protagonist holds interfere with his ability to obtain his goal or interact with other characters. He then must decide whether to hold onto these values and lose his objective, to give up his principles, or in some way obtain
his goal while still keeping his values. Self-conflict can also arise when a character is forced to choose between two incompatible objectives, both of which are important to him. They can also be a result of the character losing confidence in himself or his abilities.
Batman
Bruce Wayne must overcome his fear of telling Vicki Vale the truth about being Batman. Without this, he will never have the complete intimacy that he desires.
Shrek
Shrek feels that he cannot tell Fiona he loves her because she will reject him as being too ugly. Fiona feels she cannot tell Shrek that she gets ugly at night because he will reject her.
Matrix Reloaded
Neo does not believe that he is the ONE.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Frodo does not have the will power to destroy the Ring.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Will cannot accept that his father was a pirate. He believes he cannot love Liz since he is only a blacksmith.
Writing Assignment: Write a description of three (3) self-conflicts that the protagonist must overcome before he can achieve his goals.
ENEMIES
Enemies are created when two characters both desire an objective (or object) that is unique and can be attained by only one of them. If they are unwilling to share and compromise, conflict is generated as they fight for sole possession of the objective (or object). This is the situation that faces the protagonist and the antagonist in the megahit movies.
Physical violence is characteristic of this relationship, since neither the protagonist nor the antagonist cares for the other and sees the other as nothing more than a physical obstacle to the primary objective. Usually, this conflict ends with the death and destruction of the antagonist unless he is saved for the sequel (e.g., Darth Vader in Star Wars).
Avatar
Both Jake and Tsu’tey desire Neytiri.
Independence Day
The Aliens are determined to exterminate the human race. They are the enemies of all the protagonists.
Matrix Trilogy
The Agent Smiths and the Machines are Neo's enemies.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Dark Lord Sauron and his minions are the enemies of the Fellowship and the people of Middle-Earth.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Barbossa is the enemy of Jack, Will, and Liz. Barbossa needs the blood of a Turner to end the Aztec curse.
Writing Assignment: Write a description of three (3) obstacles created by the antagonist that the protagonist must overcome before he can achieve his goals.
RELATIVES
" ... when the tragic incident occurs between those who are near or dear to one
another…if, for example, a brother intends to kill a brother, a son his father, a mother her son, a son his mother, or any other deed of this kind is done…these are the situations to be looked for by the poet."
-Aristotle: Poetics
Emotionally gripping conflict often occurs between the protagonist and a member of his family: his father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, or child. If one of these characters produces obstacles for the protagonist, then the conflict becomes emotionally intense for the audience. This happens because primal relationships are expected to be loving and supportive, not conflict generating.
Empire Strikes Back
Luke Skywalker has to fight with his father, Darth Vader.
Spider-Man
Peter argues with his uncle Ben; then feels responsible when Ben is killed. Peter loves Aunt May, but his actions as Spider-Man place her in jeopardy.
Harry Potter-The Sorcerer's Stone
Harry lives with abusive relatives.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Liz argues with her father, who wants her to marry Norrington.
Writing Assignment: Write a description of three (3) obstacles created by the relatives that the protagonist must overcome before he can achieve his goals.
FRIENDS
Friends are the people we choose to spend time with as opposed to relatives, with whom we have a biological relationship and years of shared experiences while growing up together. Friendships are also usually the results of shared values and goals. Conflict is generated between friends when either the common objectives change or the shared values change.
When characters that are friends fight over an object, there is more at stake emotionally than when people who are strangers engage in conflict. In these situations, questions of loyalty versus personal gain come into play that creates emotional torment within both the characters and the audience. Betrayal by a friend is a powerful emotional situation in a story.
Avatar
The Colonel feels betrayed by Jake.
Shrek
Donkey wants to be friends with Shrek, who rejects him.
Spider-Man
Peter's best friend, Harry Osborn, starts dating MJ.
Matrix
Neo has the support of Morpheus, but is betrayed by Cypher.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Jack cheats and betrays everyone, because he is a pirate, and that is what pirates do.
Writing Assignment: Write a description of three (3) obstacles created by friends that the protagonist must overcome before he can achieve his goals.
LOVERS
The most emotionally intense relationship, of course, is between lovers. If the protagonist decides to place a lover in jeopardy for an objective, the objective must be extremely important, or he will lose the empathy of the audience. This type of sacrifice is usually only acceptable when the survival of the community is at stake, and only when the protagonist makes his choice after much anguish and sorrow.
Titanic
Cal argues with Rose and insists that she stops seeing Jack.
Batman
Bruce Wayne loves Vicki Vale but has problems telling her the truth about his secret life.
Shrek
Shrek and Fiona separate because of a misunderstanding.
Spider-Man
Peter, Mary Jane, and Harry have a love triangle. Peter will not tell MJ that he loves her.
Avatar
Neytiri feels betrayed by Jake when he tries to get her to leave Hometree.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Liz agrees to marry Norrington in order to save Will's life. Will does not tell Liz that he loves her after they defeat Barbossa in the cave.
Writing Assignment: Write a description of three (3) obstacles created by the love interest that the protagonist must overcome before he can achieve his goals.
PHYSICAL OBJECTS
Physical objects are obstacles that can create conflict for the protagonist and excitement for the audience, especially when these objects create jeopardy for the protagonist. The audience feels happy whenever a character overcomes a dangerous obstacle.
Titanic
When the Titanic is sinking, the locked gates become an obstacle that prevents the lower class people from escaping.
Avatar
Neytiri must get up from under the dead beast to save Jake.
Finding Nemo
Nemo must place the pebble into the fish tank filter.
Monsters, Inc.
Sulley must ride the conveyer belts to find Boo's door.
Matrix
Trinity must complete the phone call before she is crushed by the truck.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Frodo must escape from the Spider's webs before he is eaten by Shelob.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Jack Sparrow must find a way to get out of jail.
Writing Assignment: Write a one sentence description of five (5) different physical obstacles that the protagonist must overcome before he can achieve his goals.
NATURAL WORLD
The natural world is also a major source of conflict in stories, both in the obstacles that it creates for the characters, and in not easily conforming to their will. Time plays a critical factor in many of these films. The fact that the objective must be obtained within a set period produces tension and excitement within the story. Distance, the nature of the terrain, and weather conditions also create obstacles. Social structures, customs, laws, and politics can be used to create frustration for the characters.
Avatar
Jake must climb up vines to get to the Hallelujah mountains in order to find and bond with his banshee.
Titanic
The iceberg and the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean are the major natural obstacles for the characters in this movie.
Finding Nemo
Marlin has to swim through the ocean to find Nemo.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Frodo and Sam must survive the lava rivers of Mount Doom.
Pirates of the Caribbean
The cursed pirates must walk under water to attack the British ships.
Writing Assignment: Write a one sentence description of five (5) different environmental obstacles that the protagonist must overcome before he can achieve his goals.
THE SUPERNATURAL WORLD
The supernatural, that which produces terror and is beyond our understanding and control, plays an essential role in many of the megahit movies. Most of these films have characters with powers that are beyond normal human capabilities and antagonists that terrorize the community with their supernatural powers.
Star Wars
The Force, the mystical powers of Darth Vader, and the telepathic powers of the disembodied Obie Won Kenobe
are crucial to the story.
Avatar
Eywa gets the beasts of Pandora to join the final battle to help the Na’vi fight against the humans.
Matrix Trilogy
Agent Smiths can take control of anybody in the Matrix.
Harry Potter-The Sorcerer's Stone
Magic is everywhere in Hogwarts.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Ring makes Frodo invisible. The Wizards have supernatural powers.
Pirates of the Caribbean
The pirates of the Black Pearl are cursed by the Aztec coins and cannot be killed.
Writing Assignment: Write a one sentence description of five (5) different supernatural obstacles that the protagonist must overcome before he can achieve his goals.
PLOTS
Designing the Emotional Roller-Coaster Ride
Plot and Story
Events and Actions
The Inciting Event
Subplots and Subgoals
Plot Twists
Plot Organization
Plot Outline Worksheet
Plotting for Audience Emotional Response
The Emotional Plot Graph
PLOT AND STORY
&nbs
p; We will use three distinct fundamental terms in the conceptual framework for story design. The first is cinematic experience, which refers to the immediately perceived unanalyzed phenomena of viewing a movie. The second is the term plot, which is equivalent to the traditional meaning of the term: "an ordering of the events" used to represent the cinematic experience. The third will be story, which is defined as "the series of actions and decisions that a character performs while pursuing his primary objective and its subgoals." The story is also a representation of the cinematic experience.
Our use of the terms "story" and "plot" differ from Aristotle's terminology. This is justified since more than 2,250 years separates our theories, along with the many different modes and mediums of dramatic presentation which did not exist during Aristotle's lifetime.
A story focuses on the actions, the transformations of a character's values, his emotional reactions, interpersonal relationships, and code of behavior, as he faces conflict while pursuing his primary objective and subgoals. The character's emotional reactions to events and the actions of other characters are essential elements in the story.
Story Design Page 6