Assignment 1-4-5 - Analysis # 4 - Formula's

In general, when we watch movies or read books, we form a generalization as to how the movie or book will play out and try to predict how it will end.  This notion may not be first and foremost on our mind when being entertained but the idea is there in the background (our subconscious perhaps) as to how the “story” will end.  This idea is not something new but rather purposeful because most of these types of entertainment follow a type of formula(s) that follows a type of predicable order with the same outcome (Franklin University 2012). 

A very basic example that exists in numerous adventure stories and movies is that “the hero will always win in the end”.  In Harry Potter, Harry does finally defeat Voldemort at the conclusion of the story.  In Star Wars, Luke Skywalker defeats Darth Vader.  In Lord of the Rings, Frodo destroys Sauron by destroying the ring that was given to him.  All of these stories cannot be more different but the basic formula that is used remains the same.  The heroes in these stories eventually win in the end.

Another element that was formulaic in Harry Potter and in the other two stories mentioned is that the hero may have close companions who may be considered “unusual” or social outcasts that will give support to the hero and will help him throughout the story (Wysaki 2011).  In Harry Potter, Harry has Ron and Hermione for best friends.  In Star Wars, Luke gets help from R2-D2 and C-3PO.  In Lord of the Rings, Frodo is aided his close friends Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took.

Going back to the Hero formula, the villain always has some type of goal that follows a formula where they want to take control of something for their own (Wysaki 2011). Voldemort wants to take control over the magical world and eventually the nonmagical world in Harry Potter.  Darth Vader wants to take control of the galactic empire in Star Wars.  Sauron wants to retrieve his ring to come into full power to take over middle-earth in the Lord of the Rings.

I think that these types of formulas are always followed to some extent with a few twists depending on the story.  Because these formulas are so ingrained into our culture in the form of media or entertainment, I don’t think it’s something we actively think about because it’s simply always present.  I believe that it is important to have formulas in stories because they provide the basic outline to how our culture and society is feels about certain issues or events that are going on today.  If they really wanted to, one could make a story/movie that follows the opposite of the established formulas that are used such as having the antagonist become the victor in the end but will these stories be commercially successful or be accepted at this point in time compared to their formulaic counterparts?

 

References

Franklin University (2012). Module 5: Formulas. Popular Culture.   Retrieved from            https://my.franklin.edu/myfranklin/GetCourseView.do?sectionId=31900

Wysaki, Jeff (2011). The Successful Movie Formula.  Retrieved from http://www.pleated  jeans.com/2011/06/07/the-successful-movie-formula/