Alien Adventure Aliens

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters….

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the tremendous majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expected values the audience has when it comes to what a story is and how it will have to be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural constituents than plainly three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Alien (1979)

o Context using text and visuals [we learn in regards to the Nostromo].

o Introducing characters, motivations, status [Ripley et al wake up and eat].

o Call to Adventure [Mother tells Dallas they're on a detour].

o Hero’s capablenesses [Ripley knows it's not the right system].

o Refusal of the Call [Dallas tells the crew that they're on a detour; they don't like it; Hawks and Doves polarized].

o Journey to the First Threshold on the Magic Carpet is not smooth [to the planet on the Nostromo; the ship may just with regards to make it; repairs necessitated after landing].

o Viewing the First Threshold from a distance [inside the ship]. Very unwelcoming, inhospitable. Hawks push for the adventure and Doves push versus it [Kane wants to go in, Lambert not too thrilled].

o Preparing to enter the First Threshold.

o Entering the First Threshold. Dangerous. Completely dissimilar from the World they are intimate with [dark, windy, inhospitable].

o Hero meets Allies [Ripley argues with Parker, interacts with Ash and we meet Jones].

o Doves versus the adventure, Hawks for it [Kane versus Lambert].

o Threshold Guardian [the ship and the fossilized skeleton].

o Hero immune to the adventure. Pushed into it by the Shape Shifter.

o Into the depths. Kane proceeds down. No Way Back (1). Kane attacked by the alien pod.

o No Way Back (2) . Ripley immune to letting them into the ship. Countered by the Shape Shifter.

o Road of Trials (1). Learning. We learn that the alien is keeping Kane alive and has acid for blood.

o Preparing for the physical separation [Brett and Parker fix the Nostromo].

o Polarization amongst the Hero and Shape Shifter devised [Ripley versus Ash].

o Trial. Conflict. [finding the dead alien in Kane's room].

o Hero Shape Shifter polarization developed. Ash, Dallas and Ripley thoroughly and closely question or examine the alien [Ripley wants to kill it, Ash wants to keep it].

o Hero and Ally kinship devised [Ripley and Dallas].

o Belly of the Whale [Nostromo takes off]. Characters developed.

o Marker of change. Alien explodes out of Kane’s chest.

o Reaction to the modify [Kane's burial].

o Road of Trials Ripley et al hunt for the Alien; Brett killed].

o Realizing the magnitude of the task ["that thing is huge."] Preparing for next Trials.

o Foreshadow of the coming Ordeal [Dallas in the computer room].

o Road of Trials [Dallas dies in the shaft].

o Hero and Shape Sifter polarization.

o Seize the Sword. Ripley finds out that the specimen is to be collected.

o Woman as Temptress. Near death experience [Ash almost kills Ripley; Ash dies].

o Atonement with the Father [Ripley faces the revived Ash].

o Apotheosis. They can not kill the Alien.

o Ultimate Boon. They’re going to blow up the ship.

o Refusal of the Return [Ripley et al prepare to escape].

o Rescue from Without. Ripley forced back in order to rescuer Parker and Lambert. Ripley triggers the nuke.

o Crossing the Return Threshold. Ripley tries to disarm the nuke.

o Magic Flight. Ripley makes a run for it. Escapes. Nostromo destroyed.

o Master of the Two Worlds. Hand-to-hand battle. Ripley throws it out into space.

o Freedom to Live. Jones put to sleep. Physical expressions of Joy: Ripley smiles.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates may be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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Alien Adventure Aliens

KIDNAPPED TO

DIMENSION X!

When Rod Allbright’s cousin Elspeth arrived for a visit the day afterschool let out for the summer, Rod thought his vacation was ruined. Butafter they are kidnapped to Dimension X by a monster named SmorkusFlinders, Rod realizes that Elspeth is the least of his problems. Afterall, what’s a bratty cousin equated to cranky monsters, furious aliens,and the invention that you are stuck in the middle of an interstellarpower play?

And that doesn’t start out to take into account the horrifying personaldecision that Rod will be forced to make before his adventures are over.

From School Library JournalGrade 4-6-In this sequel to Aliens Ate My Homework (Pocket, 1993), Rod Allbright and his bratty cousin Elspeth are kidnapped by Smorkus Flinders, a big and hideous monster from Dimension X. Smorkus is keeping them hostage to trap Rod’s alien friends from the good ship Ferkel. The ship’s captain and crew manage to rescue Rod and Elspeth, but getting out of Dimension X and stopping the evil Smorkus proves to be more difficult. After spending time with some shapeshifters and apprenticing to the warrior Tar Gibbons, Rod acquires new self-confidence, and, discovering that Smorkus knows something in regards to his missing father, the enraged boy defeats the giant and saves the universe. Readers will take pleasure in the trademark combining of humor, nonstop action, and wild characters that distinguish Coville’s books. With it is bright cover, alluring title, and occasional black-and-white illustrations, this book is guaranteed to be ordinary with space-opera fans, comic-book readers, and budding science-fiction enthusiasts.
Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From BooklistGr. 4-6. A sequel to Aliens Ate My Homework (1993), this title stands very well on it is own. Rod thinks his summer is ruinedÿ20when he hears his cousin Elspeth is coming to visit, but that’s not one thing equated to being kidnapped by an alien monster from another dimension. Reality quakes, shape-shifting, and martial-arts training keep Rod far too busy to worry when it comes to Elspeth, as do his endeavors to save the universes (all of them) with his Galactic Patrol alien allies. In addition, Rod discovers that his father, believed to have deserted the family, is actually a missing-in-action fellow member of the Galactic Patrol, making Rod part alien. Coville’s comic touch makes a multitude of wildly disparate elements satisfactory within the context of the story. Rod, a likable kid with believable activenesses and reactions, careens through a far-fetched but happily absorbing plot that’s bound to entertain. Janice Del Negro

Alien Adventure Aliens Pic

Alien Adventure Aliens Image

Most helpful client reviews

3 of 3 persons found the following review helpful.
smart, witty book
By A
Have you ever been transported to another dimension? Do you recognise what it feels like to be shoved into a forty foot monsters ear and eat kispa-dinka evernight? If not, then i suggest you read this book to find out more when it comes to this crazy life. During his adventures, Rod and his bratty cousin elspet are captured by smorkus flinders, a giant alien seeking revenge on Rods alien friends. When rod is reunited with his friends in dimension X, they face a whole new problem. How to get out. Throughout their encounters they meet up with crazy shapeshifters, a ting wongovia, and numerous other strange things. In the end Rod is enlarged and put up in a battle againse Smorkus Flinders and wins. He then finds out that the reason his dad had left them is because he was an alien. This book is a very good book, but an easy read. it is wild, wacky , and witty. it is well written and ought to be enjoyed by children of all ages.

2 of 2 humans found the following review helpful.
Very originative book!
By A
This is a wondrous book.When I original read it I enjoyed it so much that I read it again.Rod Allbright travels to another dimension in I Left My Sneakers in Dimension X.In this book Bruce Coville once again blew me away with his creativity.I cannot wait to read more of Bruce Coville`s funny and stimulating science fiction books.

1 of 1 humans found the following review helpful.
I Left My Sneakers In Demension X
By A
I thought this book was very adventurous. All of the characters had their own great personality and distinguishable look. The settings changed through-out the book. All places were mysterious and you never knew what wierd thing would occur to the characters! There were a lot of main characters of the book. The most necessary reputation was Rod. All of the CRAZY events happend to either Rod or his little cousin Elspeth. Even if these two kids don’t get along….they still get through this scary time together. Since Elspeth is pain (according to Rod), Rod learns that Elspeth may be nice. Also, Rod gets…oh yea, can’t tell you!! Do you want to know what happens next? Read the book I Left My Sneakers In Demension X!!! It was a thriller!!!!!~Kerry:-)

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