Monday, September 29, 2008

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

-----Ethos-----


visual:



song: Right now- John Cena

-----Pathos-----

visual:



song: One Wish- Ray J

-----Logos-----

visual:



song: Handle bars- Flobots

Vogler's Annotated Bibliography (Stage One: The Ordinary World & Stage Two: The Call to Adventure)

Vogler, Christopher. “Book Two: Stages of the Journey-Stage One: The Ordinary World & Stage Two: The Call to Adventure.” The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd Edition. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 83-105.

Summary

The ordinary world is the “world of common day”. It stories, the ordinary world is presented at the beginning, and it presents us the background of the main character. One thing that can make the audience interested about the movie, or story, is to select a good title that can strike a metaphor to make the audience curious about the movie, thus convincing them to be part of the experience (84). A prologue if often used in many stories. It gives us a sort of background; a cue to the audience to what kind of story is going to be about (86). The Ordinary world has a very important question, suggest the dramatic question of the story (88). When you start watching a movie, the first time you see the main character (the hero) is unforgettable. You pay attention to everything; what is he wearing, his attitude, if he/she is within a group, etc. Now, most important is what is the character doing at the moment of entrance (89).

One thing that most of the fairy tales share in common is that the hero lacks something, or is missing something. The most common case is the loss of family members (91). We all know that heroes often feel like they are on top of everything, that they are the best. Heroes often posses a flaw called hubris, a kind of pride or arrogance (92). Stories are supposed to establish what’s as stake. If they fail to do so, the audience will be left with the question: “So what?” (94). I think one of the main interesting parts of a story is the Call to Adventure. At this time the audience is focused in the story at the maximum level. It may be true that the fact that the hero is going somewhere else fills us with fears and doubts, but it also makes us curious about what may happen, and what are the consequences going to be (99). The Call to Adventure is what makes the story go on. It may be disorienting and distasteful to the hero, but it is necessary for him to grow (102).

Reaction

In this part of the book, Vogler explains to us what the Ordinary World consists of, and what is the role of it. I totally agree with Vogler when he says that it is the background of a hero, because the hero’s ordinary world let us know how the hero is like. It is like a reflection of the morals and values of a hero. I also agree with the fact that Vogler stated that we pay close attention to the hero when making the first entrance. Personally, I look as much as I can, because I think that will help me to get a better understanding of the personality of the hero. And when heroes think they are the best… I totally hate that. That pride or arrogance (hubris) makes me punch them in the face. When the hero is called for an adventure I pay close attention to the reactions, because I just enjoy watching the facial expressions of acceptance, or refusal. It is also true that the Call of Adventure fills me with questions like: “Is he/she going to be able to survive?” and other ones too.

Questions:

1. Why do you think the Ordinary World and the Special World are so different in a story? What does that tell us?
2. How a hero’s “hubris” can go back to normality? Why do they have that flaw?
3. When stories leave you with the question: “So what?” what do you think was missing?


Friday, September 26, 2008

Peer Review Draft with Reflection

1. The best idea that I got from my peer was?

* The best idea that I got from my peer was to include a time within the story when I became really frustrated about my transition. That was an excellent idea! I think that will make my story even better, and also more interesting.

2. The idea that I don't agree with it?

* I totally agreed with everything my peer said.

3. My draft needs?

* My draft needs grammar and punctuation corrections, and also to include one pitfall that I had while in school.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Vogler's Annotated Bibliography (Threshold Guardian, Herald, Shapeshifter, Shadow, Ally, and the Trickster)

Vogler, Christopher. “Book One: Mapping the Journey-Threshold Guardian, Herald, Shapeshifter, Shadow, Ally, and the Trickster.” The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd Edition. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 49-80.

Summary

Every story is composed of many archetypes that serve a specific function. The archetypes discussed in this annotated bibliography are: the Threshold Guardian, the Herald, the Shapeshifter, the Shadow, the Ally, and the Trickster. The primary function of the threshold guardian is to test the hero. They are early indicators that new power and success is coming (51). Threshold Guardians can be from bodyguards to entrance examiners, whose other function is to temporarily block the way of the hero (52). The call of adventure is one of the main important parts of every story. The archetype in charge of doing this is the Herald (56). The Herald alerts both the hero and the audience that change and adventure are coming (56). It may be a hero’s loved one or ally, or someone neutral to the hero, such as a Trickster or Threshold Guardian (57). It is very common for the hero to have a special love interest or romantic partner that will manifest the qualities of a Shapeshifter (59). Traditional Shapeshifters are witches, ogres, and wizards. They serve the dramatic function of bringing doubt and suspense into a story (61).

The Shadow is an archetype that represents the energy of the dark side, the unexpressed, unrealized, rejected aspects of something, or maybe the power of repressed feelings (65). It challenges the hero and gives him a worthy opponent in the struggle (66). It may also be a force external to the hero, or a deeply repressed part of the hero (68). As many people know, a hero needs some companionship during the journey. An Ally has the function of being a companion, sparring partner, and conscience. It humanizes the hero, and also challenges him to be more open and balanced (71). Allies do not have to be humans; they can be angels or animals (73). The Trickster archetype embodies the energies of mischief and desire for change. They cut big egos down to size and bring heroes and audience to the earth (77). The dramatic function of the Trickster is comic relief (78). In Batman’s movie, Dark Knight, the Joker is an example of a Trickster, because it makes the audience laugh and have a good time while experiencing a suspense scene.

Reaction

I really like this book, and the way Vogler describes every archetype, including their functions, types, and also giving some examples so that you can understand even better. One thing that captured my attention is the fact that characters can switch their archetypes, and become other archetypes in the story. Like I said before, archetypes are like masks worn by the characters. The archetype that I like the most is the hero, of course, but also the Trickster. In Batman’s movie the Joker was one of the most important characters from the beginning to the end. Although it was also Batman’s opponent, he was just hilarious. The Joker’s occurrences in the movie made the audience feel better when the suspension and tragic scenes where taking place. As the book says, it was a comic relief.

Questions:

1. Which of the archetypes discussed in Book One do you like the most? Why?
2. How does these archetypes relate to each other? Describe some ways.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Disney character

Well, the assignment that I had to do for my Analytic and Persuasive class was to choose a Disney, or fairy tale character that relates to me in some way. At first, I had no idea of what character should I choose; there are so many!!! After looking for hours I finally chose one, Sally Carrera. Who? Yeah, Sally Carrera you guys. Have you seen the movie Cars? If you answer is yes, then you know who is Sally Carrera. Oh, come on! Do not look at the picture okay? Do not cheat! You do not know who is Sally? Ok, here it goes.

From the movie, Cars, Sally is a 911 Porsche Carrera. The cute, blue, little Porsche in the movie. Now you know, right? The reason because I chose Sally Carrera is because I am totally obsessed with Porsches, specially with the 911 Carrera, and even more when they are customized with rims, music equipment, etc. I totally understand folks, a girl obsessed with cars, with Porsches? Weird, huh? Yes, but it is as simple as that. If you do not believe me, check out my myspace, I will prove it. My dad and step dad are both mechanics, so I have a pretty good knowledge about cars (not an expert), and a big passion for exotic and sport ones. Since sixth grade I like Porsches; they drive me insane. It is the best car ever. When I see a 911 Carrera at the highway I just go crazy. I feel a sense of power and velocity as I see them pass by. I am totally in love with that car.

On the movie, Sally Carrera can be described as a sweet and eloquent person. She also has a great personality. I consider myself as a sweet person, although some people may not think that. They just need to know me better... There is no doubt that I have a good personality; all my friends and family members say that. I love to laugh and have a nice sense of humor, I also like doing funny faces. Sally Carrera is kind of funny too, so we are somehow similar. Another thing that Sally and I have in common is her cleanliness; she is always shiny and good-looking. I also love to be very clean and to look good everyday. Wow! I never thought that I could relate to a Disney character!

I can be hours talking about Porsches, but I am in college, which means a lot of things to do. However, it was very cool to do this assignment; I wish all of them would be like this one. Well guys, this is it. I hope everybody had fun reading this blog, I did! Thanks for taking the time to read it. See you later!