Episoder
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Find the free PDF with questions to help you craft Act II on this episode's post on my Substack: https://creativehabitat.substack.com
Welcome back! Today, we are diving into the infamous Act II. This episode is for any writer struggling with Act II and anyone interested in story structure.
Note: I am using examples from Mean Girls (2004), Se7en (1995), and Shrek (2001) so you can expect spoilers for these movies.
In the episode, we go through the three key stages of Act II:
* Tests, Allies, Enemies
* Approach to the Inmost Cave
* The Ordeal
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:45 Introduction to the episode
03:19 Spoiler warning
03:34 What Act II is all about
11:15 âTests, Allies, and Enemiesâ
17:01 âApproach to the Inmost Caveâ
34:55 âThe Ordealâ
01:03:00 âThe Reward/Seizing the Swordâ
01:04:28 Wrapping it up
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit creativehabitat.substack.com -
Welcome to Writing Studio, a podcast dedicated to all things creative writing, especially screenwriting and playwriting. If that's something you're interested in, consider subscribing to never miss an episode.
In this episode, we go through all the stages of the Heroâs Journey. Itâs meant to serve any writers who wish to learn more about it or refresh what they already know about this structural template.
To find the free PDF with a short summary and tips for each stage of the journey, check out this episode on my Substack: https://creativehabitat.substack.com
Next time, weâll chat a bit more about how to use these principles in your brainstorming, plotting, and editing process.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:45 Introduction to the episode
05:25 Overview of Heroâs Journey and its stages
14:36 Stage I: Ordinary World
20:58 Stage II: Call to Adventure
26:07 Stage III: Refusal of the Call
30:02 Stage IV: Meeting with the Mentor
35:29 Stage V: Crossing the Threshold
39:53 Stage VI: Tests, Allies, Enemies
45:08 Stage VII: Approach to the Inmost Cave
53:51 Stage VIII: The Ordeal
1:00:18 Stage IX: Reward/Seizing the Sword
1:07:14 Stage X: The Road Back
1:11:40 Stage XI: Resurrection
1:15:57 Stage XII: Return with the Elixir
1:20:24 Wrapping up and a few final thoughts
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit creativehabitat.substack.com -
Manglende episoder?
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Can you imagine discovering a camera that takes pictures from the future?
Thatâs exactly what happens to three friends in Time Lapse, a movie from 2014 weâll be diving into today.
If you donât have time to listen to the entire episode, I can sum it up with a perl of my wisdom here:
âBecause if you donât get specific, then itâs just blah.â
Next month, weâll be getting into El Metodo, a Spanish movie from 2005.
After that, Iâll be changing the format of this podcast a little bit. These first episodes have taught me so much and slowly, Iâm getting more comfortable talking into the microphone (it still feels weird tbh). But more on the upcoming changes later!
Until then, stay creative âš
Katja
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit creativehabitat.substack.com -
There are movies that reveal a new plot hole or inconsistency every time you watch them. And then there are movies that just get better and better with every rewatch because you notice details that make you appreciate them more each time.
Luckily, Coherence (2013) is one of the latter.
I could go on and on about this one, guys. But I wonât, donât worry.
Thank you for joining me, hope you enjoyed the movie as much as I did. And, if that wasnât obvious, I do highly recommend rewatching this one.
The next episode comes out in about a month and weâll dive into Time Lapse (2014). See you on October 28th!
Stay creative âš
Katja
I you enjoyed the episode, consider subscribing and don't forget to check out my Substack at https://plotbending.substack.com/
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Notes
As I was editing this recording, I noticed I had made a few mistakes. Oh well, you live and you learn, right? Iâve thought about re-recording it but to be honest, it would be too much for me. So in the spirit of embracing imperfection, I am uploading the file as it is. Itâs my own fault for choosing a film that is just so well thought-through.
Some specifics:
* I apologize for mispronouncing Alex Manugianâs name. Only after filming the episode did I actually hear it in a video by Jim Byrkit and itâs pronounced more like âma-noo-ggenâ (with the G as is âgasâ not as in ârangeâ).
* Towards the break into Act III, of course, the group goes out because they heard the noise of someone breaking in the car, not because they want to steal the book from the other house. I donât exactly know why I mixed these two up when recording. Probably because I was nervous hehe.
* I only noticed the next one after rewatching the film again. Regarding the book, I do now agree that it technically is a MacGuffin. What Iâm talking about in the episode - the theoretical basis or however youâd like to call it - comes only from Hughâs brotherâs notes and not the book itself.
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Sources & material to dive deeper
* YouTube video Coherence Explained by Director Jim Byrkit (trailer). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_sXZlgXLJA&t=196s
* YouTube video James Ward Byrkit, Director, Coherence I DePaul VAS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bk9dYWgJ_0&t=2s
* Topel, F. Fantastic Fest 2013: James Ward Byrkit & Emily Foxler on Coherence. https://www.mandatory.com/fun/576483-fantastic-fest-2013-james-ward-byrkit-emily-foxler-on-coherence
* Tobias, S. How James Ward Byrkit constructed Coherence. https://thedissolve.com/features/emerging/633-how-james-ward-byrkit-constructed-coherence/
* Minow, N. Interview: James Ward Byrkit of âCoherenceâ. https://web.archive.org/web/20161114114849/http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2014/06/interview-james-ward-byrkit-coherence.html
* Prigge, M. Review: âCoherenceâ is a mind-blower thatâs actually mind-blowing. https://www.metro.us/review-coherence-is-a-mind-blower-thats-actually-mind-blowing/
* Lattanzio, R. How Gotham Nominee James Ward Byrkit Made âCoherenceâ in 5 Days with No Script or Budget. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/how-gotham-nominee-james-ward-byrkit-made-coherence-in-5-days-with-no-script-or-budget-190468/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit creativehabitat.substack.com -
My fellow storytellers,
Welcome to our Playgroundâs new addition: the Plot-Bending Movie Club đŹ
As youâve noticed, itâs in the form of a podcast and its idea is pretty straightforward: in each episode, we will talk about a movie. For more deets, listen to the first micro episode!
The first *real* episode is coming your way at the end of the month on September 30. We will chat about the movie Coherence (2013) and Iâm already excited about it because this film is really such a delight to rewatch.
Hopefully, Iâll see you there!
Stay creative âš
Katja
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit creativehabitat.substack.com
