Task Assignment
– Pick up a movie you like.
– Breakdown the story arc (what are the 8 stages).
– Breakdown the characters into their archetypes.
– Create a timeline for the main character starting before the film.
Introduction: Nightmare Before Christmas
For this assignment I decided to analyse Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” because I consider it as one of my most iconic childhood movies.
The plot revolves around the misadventures of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, and who one day decided he wanted to take control over Christmas by kidnapping Santa Claus.
In this way, the audience is invited to join Jack onto his journey towards becoming the next Santa Claus and travelling between both Halloween and Christmas Town.
1. Story Arc
The following analysis is based on Nigel Watts’ 8-Point Story Arc:
1. Stasis: Jack Skellington is living in his comfort zone and fulfills his role as the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town.
2. Trigger: He gets bored of his daily routine, wants to resign his job as the Pumpkin King and aspires to become the next Santa Claus of Christmas Town.
3. The quest: Jack needs to travel to Christmas Town in order to learn the skills on how to be a successful Santa Claus. In addition, this implies entering into a completely unfamiliar situation.
4. Surprise: Even though he was putting an enormous effort into learning Christmas crafts and traditions, he realizes his Halloween nature is intact. In other words, instead of getting into the real “Christmas Spirit”, Jack is turning Christmas into an unpleasant and terrifying holiday.
5. Critical Choice: Despite of his flaws and in hope of becoming the next Santa Claus, Jack sends Lock, Shock and Barrel to get rid of the characters standing in his way. Therefore, they kidnap his enemy – the real Santa Claus -, putting into danger the Christmas holiday.
6. Climax: When Christmas comes around, Jack fails to fulfill his duty as Santa Claus. Instead of bringing joy to the children, they start to get scared of him. In this way, the character pays a heavy price for his actions, and he realizes he needs help.
7. Reversal: Jack travels back to Halloween Town in order to save Santa Claus from the Oogie Boogie and in hope of saving the Christmas holiday.
8. Resolution: After being saved, Santa Claus returns to Christmas Town and brings joy to the children once again. Jack learns from his mistakes, accepts his fate as the Pumpkin King and starts appreciating Halloween even more than before.
2. Characters and Archetypes
Hero: Jack Skellington can be considered as the hero of the story. Even though he was responsible for almost ruining the Christmas holiday, he actually had harmless intentions and wanted to make a change for better.
Mentor: Sally is the character who tries to talk Jack out of his plan of becoming the next Santa Claus. Not only does she provide motivation, but also tries to advise him and talk sense into him.
Threshold guardian: The mayor of Halloween Town is responsible of guarding his world and wants to make sure that everyone there has a peaceful life. For this reason, he is the first one to be skeptical when Jack wanted to become the next Santa Claus instead of being the Pumpkin King.
Herald: All the town meetings and gatherings can be considered as the Herald, since they announced what was going to happen next in public.
Shapeshifter: Jack can also be considered as a shapeshifter, since you get to meet both his good and bad intentions. On the one hand, he wants to make a positive difference at Christmas, however, this implies getting rid of Santa Claus. On the other hand, after realizing that he never would be as skillful as the actual Santa Claus, he regrets his actions and wants to restore peace to both worlds.
Shadow: One could consider Santa Claus as the shadow of Jack Skellington insomuch as he was interfering with the idea of taking his place. However, the real enemy is the Oogie Boogie, who is the only character of Halloween Town who actually has bad intentions and wanted to eliminate the real Santa Claus.
Trickster: Lock, Shock, and Barrel are playful characters and can be considered as the tricksters since they show the absurdity of the situation and announce how they want to kidnap Santa Claus.
Allies: Apart from being a mentor, Sally can also be considered as an ally, since she tries to save Jack and be a good influence on him. Dr. Finkelstein can also be seen as an ally, since he provides Jack with flying skeletons, also known as reindeers, during Christmas Night. In this way, these characters fill in the gaps where Jack is deficient.
3. Hero’s Journey
Ordinary World: Jack Skellington lives in his ordinary life and excels at being the Pumpkin King. He has earned the respect of Halloween Town and has a high reputation within his neighbors.
Call to Adventure: The protagonist is tired of his routine and wants to leave his comfort zone. He wants to be the next Santa Claus, rather than being the Pumpkin King, and therefore he travels to Christmas Town.
Refuse to the Call: Despite the fact that the Mayor and Halloween Town do not want him to travel to Christmas Town, Jack refuses to accept their warning.
Talks to Mentor: Jack talks to Sally about his ideas and how he was planning to take over Christmas. She also tries to stop him and advises him not to do so.
Crossing the first Threshold: Jack travels across two worlds: from Halloween Town to Christmas Town.
Tests, Allies, Enemies: The protagonist is being challenged and tested by Christmas Town. He has to adapt to their customs and learn how to actually get into the “Christmas Spirit”. Dr. Finkelstein is also involved in helping him throughout his mission.
The Approach to the Inmost Cave: Jack is struggling with the preparations for Christmas Night and therefore plans to kidnap Santa Claus.
The Ordeal: Jack realizes that he is overwhelmed by the responsibilities of Santa Claus and questions himself if he is ever going to be able to take his role.
The Reward: After receiving help from his friends at Halloween town, he manages to prepare all the Christmas presents for the children. In this way, he is one step closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming the next Santa Claus.
The Road Back: Jack realizes that instead of bringing joy to the children, he frightens them. In order to save Christmas, he travels back to Halloween Town and wishes to restore peace.
The Resurrection: Jack faces the final battle against the Oogie Boogie and successfully saves Santa Claus and Christmas.
The Return: The protagonist appreciates even more Halloween and accepts his fate as the Pumpkin King.