Comments on: Emotional Logic in the Hero’s Journey

By: Are You Ready To Break Rules? One Word Will Tell You!

Are You Ready To Break Rules? One Word Will Tell You! — Sun, 30 May 2021 00:05:57 +0000

[…] don’t impose rules; they illuminate the inner workings of drama. They show you the underlying emotional logic, so you can deduct your own […]

By: paul graunke

paul graunke — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 16:03:47 +0000

I understand what Karel was saying in using the term “emotional logic”. I prefer the term “emotional flow” myself because that’s my felt sense of what is happening: emotional responses are evoked and directed (flow) according to the logic of the plot analogous to how an irrigation system is used to collect and direct the flow of water. The plot is an emotional delivery system.

By: OZ Film Vs. OZ Audience « The Story Department The Story Department

OZ Film Vs. OZ Audience « The Story Department The Story Department — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 02:04:42 +0000

[…] and producers have been ignorant about universally accepted story paradigms (3-Act Structure, Hero’s Journey) or – worse – reluctant to adopt […]

By: Jock

Jock — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:32:00 +0000

In reply to ozzywood. Poetry in Emotion... nah

By: B S Kumar

B S Kumar — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:07:00 +0000

Structure is there to serve your storytelling. It is your slave, you’re not its. Use it, and don’t fight it. Would a general fight with his own soldiers?

By: TessaMuskett

TessaMuskett — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:18:00 +0000

I love that this article exists because I agree, a movie cannot be over structured. Creativity works in conjunction with paying close attention to structure. Once you’ve figured out what needs to happen, then you can let your right brain go to work on making it happen in an original way.

I agree with your points as they apply to feature films and I thought your use of the term logic made sense in the context. The way it appears to be a paradox in the heading is an intriguing setup for the article that follows. As soon as you make it something like ’emotional flow’ you lessen the impact of the term so it becomes easily ignored or accepted without really being giving serious attention. ‘Logic’ is a commanding concept and there is a logic to the way emotions work. An audience will have a hard time sympathising with a character who acts in a consistently emotionally illogical way.

I would suggest that one exception to the need for resolution and all the stages of the Hero’s Journey is in the short film format. Stages in the process can’t be skipped but one part of the journey can be focused on in the limited time afforded. I’m not sure which parts of the process could be explored in a short film and the resulting movie still be considered successful. Maybe it would have to be the part of the story with the most drama? If the protagonist never reaches the stage of acceptance, despite the audience’s expectations, it’s possible your audience will be dissatisfied. But at least they’ll be talking, right?

By: ozzywood

ozzywood — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:30:00 +0000

In reply to Gaffney.

Hmmm… Interesting point. Thank you for your comment.

I will surely give it some thought. Meanwhile, would you have a suggestion for an alternative label?

By: Jacobs Rayda

Jacobs Rayda — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:35:00 +0000

Hey Peter, really great stuff on structure. I have a script called Crossroads which has five story lines …. almost like the American film Crash… the structure was hard work as everything happens in 12 hours and five stories are told… rayda

By: Gaffney

Gaffney — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:22:00 +0000

Karel, I don’t disagree with your observations, your interpretations, or your comments other than to say that your use of the word “logic” in the description of your argument is discomforting. My understanding and use of the word “logic” flies in the face of the word “emotion.” I understand your argument, but I’m uncomfortable with what you’ve chosen to call it. If I imagine an ordinary human–an everyman–I would make his skeletal system analogous to “logic” and his soul analogous to “emotion.” We need both, but one of those elements can be severely damaged while the other remains healthy; indeed, given the motivation and opportunity, one of those elements can help to heal the other. I also think that, if and when we ignore one of those elements to devote too much care and attention on the other, we can go off the deep end—physically or emotionally.