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April 1995, Week 2

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Subject:
From:
"D. Allen Simpson, Made In Alaska" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 12 Apr 1995 16:48:58 CDT
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----------------------------Original message----------------------------
        We've had a simple thread going now for a while concerning
pre-recorded messages and their uses in films.  Most of the messages
have been about movies that use them, rather than their significance,
i.e. more of a list of movies, rather than a discussion.
        However, I have recently been reading an interesting film-
oriented book, "The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For
Storytellers and Screenwriters" by Chris. Vogler.  In part two, he
discusses the use of the Herald in storytelling, and esp. in script-
writing.  Typically, the Herald archetype appears in Act One to
bring a challenge to the hero, or protoganist, or announces the
coming of significant change.  I think one example listed recently
is the message by Princess Leia to Ben Kenobi relayed via R2D2 and
accidently intercepted by Luke Skywalker (Star Wars).  Another
examply, in the textbook, is when a phone call arrives for Joan
Wilder from her sister, helping precipitate Wilder's wild
adventure in South America (Romancing The Stone).
        Often such a pre-recorded message is simply a means of
bringing news to the hero of a "new energy" that will change the
balance.  The telegram for Gary Cooper in "High Noon" that
announces his enemies are out of jail and headed to kill him is
another classic example cited in the book.
        I think it is interesting that such a device has become
and remains such an important part of the script, and essentially
seems to have been handed down as a device from the oldest
stories, like Greek tales and other mythic stories.
        Doug Simpson

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