Successful business practices have been analyzed throughout history. The resulting statistics lead to the creation of formulas for successful production, marketing, and sales. The film industry is no different, with specific practices and formulas predicting the success and failure of every project conceived. The writers also follow such formulas, guiding their stories to the most popular endings. Story writing formulas can be identified in modern films, leading to predictable endings and repetitive themes.
In action or hero stories, the formula generally follows the steps of Joseph Campbell's monomyth ("Campbell's 'hero's journey'," ). The hero begins the movie either not wanting or not able to help others. In time, he gains the drive and ability to do so. He begins to help others, realizing as he does so that it is difficult and dangerous work. He faces problems that would have been insurmountable, but is able to succeed through determination and newfound ability. He tries to fit in with his previous life, but realizes that he has changed too much to do so. By the end of the movie he has found his new niche, and knows how to fit into it.
Hero films present the same general beliefs. The hero begins by believing himself incapable of helping people. After acquiring superpowers, the hero feels responsible for the safety of those around him. This moral obligation differentiates the hero from the villain, as the villain feels no moral requirement and thus uses his superpowers for personal gain, ending in total corruption. The hero also has those who believe in him, giving him aid when possible and moral support when necessary. This helps keep the hero in line with the moral code of the people, allowing him fight on the side of justice.
Mythology and heroes go hand in hand. Storytellers draw upon the myths of ages in order to find inspiration for their tales (Wordsmith, 2007). In modern films, the heroes often fight a combination of monsters from past stories, the chaos being only limited by the imagination of the writer. The more fearsome the beasts overcome by the hero, the closer the hero can come to death before he succeeds. This, to a point, causes the hero to appear greater, giving the story greater popularity.
The heroes in modern films vary, but they bear some similarities. The hero can be expected to start out as an ordinary person. They then are transformed by their experiences, and learn to fit in as extraordinary people. The settings vary from fantasy to modern cities, but several attributes remain. Regardless of setting, the hero begins at home. He then travels to distant places, as part of his journey of growth. Lastly, the hero returns home. This may not always be a return to the original home, the hero may move to a new life and a new home, but will make a home for himself as part of becoming the hero.
There are various rituals that relate to hero and action films, giving added meaning to otherwise boring scenes (Fulford, 2004). In many cases, the hero changes into specific clothing for his heroic work. This differs from the clothing worn during normal life, giving the audience a clear separation between the hero at work and the hero fitting in with society. In Spiderman, Superman, and The Incredibles, the heroes wear special clothing for their heroic deeds. In Casablanca, Little Miss Sunshine,and Shrek, the heroes do not wear special clothes. They function in their heroic roles and their normal lives in what could be considered regular clothing. There are no special costumes for them, they simply perform all of their activities in normal clothing. Some superheroes perform rituals when changing roles, but others incorporate their superpowers in normal life.
The formulas used to make action or hero films have progressed over time. They keep pace with contemporary stereotypes applicable to hero films. Stereotypes are used to help popularize many stories (Lukas, 2002). Common stereotypes in hero films include weakness in women, strength in men, and the triumph of good over evil. As times progressed, technological enhancements made wild action scenes easier to film. Audience exposure to previous films has led to expectations of almost impossible heroics. Each film made has to be more extravagant than the last. The formulas used in past years were excellent for the times, but do not apply well to the young generations. The stereotypes have changed, and the film industry has changed with them.
If I were making a movie, I would depart from the traditional formula. Rather than maintain the usual predictable plot, I would introduce an element of reality. I would not strive to make a reality movie, but simply have the characters accomplish believable things. The In many films today, the main character is saved by luck. It would be much more unexpected for the main character to die, and his work be picked up by a relative. This could continue as long as necessary to complete the mission, or even end in complete failure of the mission. The common plan showing the good guys winning could be altered, allowing both sides to lose. It would even be acceptable for the bad guys to win, as long as the sequence of events is reasonable.
The film industry has changed drastically since it's beginning in the last century. In that time, the formula for success has changed as well. The formula has been modified to change with the times, but also to achieve maximum monetary gain. The focus on monetary gain over art has led to the degradation of major films, leading to films that are predictable. While there are only a limited number of possible stories to tell, the application of the success formula to these stories has made them far too similar. In the end, the viewer is left with utter certainty of the ending, almost as soon as the story begins. The manufacture of films that fit the mold has removed their entertainment, making many modern films a waste of time and money.
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