In this section of Vogler, he discusses the first and second stage of a story, the Ordinary World and the Call to Adventure. The Ordinary World can also be known as the 'world of common day' because this is the comparison for the rest of the story. It is through this stage the the audience gets hooked to the story. However, prior to viewing the audience has to be in a certain state of mind for the particular film, play, or novel they are about to view whether it be a thriller, drama, comedy, etc. Before the story even begins two metaphors are used, the title, which has to be multi-leveled for the condition of the hero and his world, and the opening image which creates the mood and states where the story will go. All good stories in the Ordinary World raise a dramatic question, present the inner and outer problems of the hero, and also have the hero make an entrance which introduces the hero to the audience. But the most important function of the Ordinary World is the identification between the hero and the audience of the bat because they have to sense they are in some way equal. The Ordinary World is the first statement of the main idea. Vogler then moves on to the Call to Adventure which is the event that gets the story going. Now they may present themselves in many different forms to the hero. For example, by a message or a messenger, from an accident or coincidence, may come from a temptation, delivered from the Herald, from a loss in the hero's life, or just the hero is running out of options. No matter the way the Call to Adventure is presented to the hero it is still ultimately a process of selection.
Vogler seems to be very adamant in relating his archetype of the Hero to the audience. It is talked about, so far, in all of his chapters about the importance of the Hero being humanize to a level at which the audience can have a sense of being equal. Not only is is important for the Hero to be relatable but Vogler also discusses how powerful the opening of a story must be in order for it to be a success. Without grabbing the readers attention and making the Hero relatable what is to come of your story? Vogler makes writers focus heavily on these two components because without an audience your story is just words written on paper.
When Vogler discussed how the Ordinary World and the Special World have to be very different I began to reflect on my life to see if I have a contrast that like. After sitting with the idea for a while I finally had an ah ha moment, how could I now have thought of this sooner? For me, the Ordinary World would be the life I live when I am back home in West Chester, Pennsylvania with the comforts of my family and friends close by; then my Special World would be my life here at Eckerd College, where new adventures and challenges are presented to me everyday that I would never be able to experience in my own 'Ordinary World'.
Some Questions to Think About...
1. In your own life, what would you consider your Ordinary World vs. the Special World?
2. In your first project how is your hero presented the Call to Adventure? Did your hero have more the one 'path' to choice from?
3. Say you are the audience, what is the best way for a movie to capture your attention?
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