So, we’re almost to the end of our Heroes’ Journey! We’ve had our character change (and we touched on the Black moment in that discussion) and we’re off to storm the castle in our last battle.  He’s been changed by events, and is a new man, and is trying to apply everything he learned….

But, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s go back to that Black moment and just touch on the elements that make it profound. 

1.      Attack their Greatest Fears – emotionally and physically.  Since the beginning of the story, you know what your hero fears the most…and you’ve been slowly pushing him to this place.  You know that Frodo fears succumbing to the ring, or worse, his own hobbitness.  You know that Bourne fears he’ll never be more than an assassin.  You know that Richard Kimball fears letting his wife’s killer go free.  We know this because we’ve asked hard questions, and we’ve figured out what is at stake for our hero.  So, now, to put it in Jean-Luc Picard language  – make it so.   Bring them to their knees with their greatest fears. 

2.      Unexpected yet Plausible – As in creating great scene dilemmas, you want to create a black moment that makes sense for the movie/situation/character.  Whatever black moment you choose, it must be something that could happen – for example, even though I didn’t love the new Indy movie  (despite Shai LeBeouf) the black moment did work.  Because, even though I didn’t like the crystal skulls coming to life to suck out people’s brains through their eyeballs, and then vanish on a spaceship, it was pretty Indy.  After all, in previous movies, the Ark came alive and punched out people’s souls, and then there was the melting man who “chose poorly” in the Last Crusade.  So, even though I didn’t like the premise (and more on that in this month’s CFO magazine!) the screenwriters DID build up enough plausibility for it to happen.  And, let’s admit it – it was sort of unexpected (and creepy!)  So, you can get away with crazy out of this world black moments if you build up the plausibility.

3.      Build in a Healing Epiphany – you want to make sure that the hero looks back to his mistakes, and sees what he did wrong.  And then, comes to some truth that will open a new door to a new future.  In other words, deal with them on an emotional spiritual, even VALUES level to make them re-evaluate everything they believe in.  One of my favorite movies is Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  Love it…and cried during the epiphany where Steve Martin realizes that John Candy has lied to him…and has no place to go.  And all the annoyance is put aside by his gratefulness that he has a family to return home to.  His perspective is changed and he’s forever a changed man, just in time for the holidays.  Makes sure your black moment rends their heart, and their epiphany heals it.

Okay, enough on Black Moment and Epiphany!  Let’s move on to the Happily Ever After!  What makes a great ending!  Stop by tomorrow…and find out!

And, were still talking about SCENES over at Voices – so stop by and post your scene, get feedback and encouragement!