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Topic outline

  • General

    Welcome to Media Lit/Film Studies
    film projector
    This unit begins your Hero's Journey through film analysis. Each lesson is designed to introduce you to the 3 act structure of film and the hero's journey many of our favorite characters in the movies take right before our eyes.

    This unit will be interactive so be prepared to do some reading, viewing, listening and creating.

    Let the journey begin! approve

     Creative Commons License
    Hero's Journey Film Analysis Unit is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
    • Minnesota ELA Standards Alignment File
    • ISTE Standards Alignment File
    • Download a copy of this course. File 966.5KB Moodle backup

  • Topic 1

    Introduction to the Hero's Journey
    Task 1 is to watch the Christopher Vogler video introducing the Hero's Journey.
    Task 2 is to read both articles linked here.
    Task 3 is to add your two cents to the forum discussion link in this lesson.

    You will use this video and these articles as the foundation for the work you do in this unit. You will refer back to them often.
    • Christopher Vogler on The Hero's Journey Page
    • Dishing on the Intro Forum
    • Hero's Journey Excerpts from Stuart Voytilla URL
    • Vogler's Archetypes URL

  • Topic 2

    Mapping the Journey
    In this lesson you will create a 2 mind maps. Mind map 1 should show the hero's journey and the 3 act structure of the story. Mind map 2 should show the different archetypes found in the hero's journey. You will find the information you need to complete these mind maps in the articles your read for lesson 1.

    Check out the links for free web based mind mapping applications to help you with this activity. Watch the tutorials each site provides to introduce the mind mapping tool and decide which one fits your style best. Each web application allows you to save your mind map as a pdf, jpeg, xls or other file type for sharing. Please save your mind map as a pdf to upload for grading.

    • MindMeister Mind Mapping Tool URL
    • BubblUs Mind Mapping Tool URL
    • Mind42 Mind Mapping Tool URL
    • Mind Map 1 and 2 Assignment (2.2)

  • Topic 3

    A Visual Review of the Hero's Journey and the 3 Act Structure


    Watch this short video, Hero's Journey/Monomyth with Christopher Vogler discussing the Hero's Journey and illustrating his points with clips from films.

    Then watch the second short video showing the 3 act structure of a film.
    • Hero's Journey/Monomyth Video URL
    • 3 Act Structure Video URL

  • Topic 4

    A Visual Review of Archetypes


    This video uses the film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children to demonstrate the 7 character archetypes. Take a few moments to watch this video.

    • Archetypes URL

  • Topic 5

    Film Analysis


    In this lesson you will watch a video about analyzing films.
    You will read about how to analyze a film.
    You will look at several examples of good film analysis.
    • Looking at Movies, 3e - Video URL
    • Looking at Movies, 3e - Writing About Movies URL
    • Another Voice on 3 Act Structure and Analysis URL
    • Cracking Yarns URL

  • Topic 6

    Your Turn!
    You need to choose a film from the film list to watch. You will need to watch this film at least once, but 2 or three screenings would be most beneficial.

    If you do not own, or cannot rent the film or do not have access to Netflix you should check out http://www.crackle.com. This site allows you to watch movies etc for free. The catch is there are several short commercials inserted in the film to cover the cost of offering the service.

    Additional sources for films:
    http://www.hulu.com
    http://www.videosurf.com/videos/Fancast
    http://www.archive.org/index.php
    • Film List File

  • Topic 7

    Document the Hero's Journey
    Use the Hero's Journey Graphic Organizer to document the hero's journey in the film you chose to watch. Watch the film again if you need to document the sequence accurately.

    • Hero's Journey Graphic Organizer File
    • Prezi URL
    • Prezi for the Hero's Journey Forum

  • Topic 8

    Document the Character Archetypes
    Fill out the Character Archetypes graphic organizer. Watch the film again if you need to and pause the film as needed to accurately record the characters and the archetype they fit.
    • Character Archetype Graphic Organizer File

  • Topic 9

    Choose Your Path

    It is time for you to choose how you will analyze your film and start writing! Do a little research on your film. Visit imdb.com, look for reviews from others.

    * Plan your thesis statement.
    * Construct your support
    * Outline your paper.

    One last look at hero's journey! Watch the video titled Hero's Notes outlining the steps of the hero's journey.
    • Internet Movie Data Base URL
    • Film Analysis Organizer File
    • Film Analysis Organizer Assignment (2.2)
    • Hero's Notes URL

  • Topic 10

    The End of this Journey

    It is time for you to start writing! Be sure you follow MLA Guidelines. Cite all sources used in the paper. You do not need a cover page. Be sure your header includes your last name, first name, course name in MLA format.


    • Film Anlaysis Essay File
    • Film Analysis Essay Assignment (2.2)
    • The Owl at Purdue URL
    • Son of a Citation Machine URL
    • Easy bib URL
    • Electronic Library of MN URL
    • Research Project Calculator URL
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