Author: Ron McCluskey
Source: isnare.com

One spring morning in 1977, we crawled out of our tent – relieved that the sun brought an end to a night of hiding from sand fleas. We had made the mistake of camping behind a sand dune and not right on the beach. At dusk, the sand fleas came out and started biting. The mosquito netting on the tent was not fine enough to keep them out and we spent a miserable night.

So, we were looking forward to something much better as we headed for the ferry that would take us to Isla Mujeres.

Isla Mujeres (the ‘Island of Women’) is a small island off the northeast coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Isla Mujeres is close to Cancun, but is a complete contrast to that popular resort. Cancun is the perfect place if you want a modern hotel with all the amenities and frenetic day and night activities.

Isla Mujeres on the other hand is a rather tranquil cozy island. The people are friendly and accomodating, but much more relaxed than those at Cancun.

Soon a modern ferry pulled up to the dock and we boarded. We had to leave our car parked in a guarded lot. That always made me a bit nervous since we had it broken into the previous summer in Villahermosa.

Looking down into the water of the Mexican Caribbean from the top of that ferry was a treat. It was a beautiful sunny day and you could see the bottom of the Caribbean all the way out on the forty odd mile trip. There were areas where the bottom was light sandy color punctuated by other spots that were dark – representing the areas where there were coral reefs.

It was a very peaceful relaxing trip.

When we got to Isla Mujeres, we took our backpacks and headed off the ferry. The first sign we saw was one in English – “Glass Bottom Boat Rides.”

As we had been on a glass bottom boat before, we were thrilled with the opportunity to see some tropical reefs through the panoramic view of a glass bottom boat.

It was too late that day to go, so we went and got a motel. There were several decent motels at reasonable prices and we soon had a room overlooking the eastern beach of the island.

The next morning, after eating some of the food that we had brought with us in our packs, we headed for the glass bottom boat rides. I had snorkeling equipment with me in case there was an opportunity to use them.

After paying the fare, we were soon headed to the boat. The boat was not quite what we had expected. In Monterrey, the boat had accommodated about 30 people. This one was only big enough for about 7. It had an outboard motor and looked like it could not handle more than the calmest of waters.

We spent about forty five minutes going south along the western edge of Isla Mujeres to an area where the captain of the boat said that they fed fish frequently and there would be good numbers to see.

We kept expecting him to pull away the paneling on the bottom of the boat so we could see. We were looking forward to seeing what beautiful fish and coral there were.

The captain threw some fish food around the boat and the fish started swarming around. We again thought that the paneling was about to be moved. But, surprise! – he handed a box to the person seated closest to him. It had glass at one end. He explained that you put the box over the side of the boat and looked through the glass. Then you handed it to the next person.

My wife and I had a very hard time not laughing out loud at the captain and his ridiculous little box. Hardly a glass bottom boat!

However, we were able to each have a good turn and did see a lot of very pretty fish.

I took the opportunity, with the captain’s permission, to go over the side and snorkel with the fish. The other people on the boat had as much fun watching me as the fish I think.

The rest of our time on the island was spent touring the other attractions of the island including an incredible aquarium, but the glass bottom boat ride was the highlight of our time on Isla Mujeres.

Author: Kal Bishop
Source: download

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast 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 expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply 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.
and more…
Hero’s Journey / Monomyth: From Here to Eternity (1953) deconstructed [basic]
FADE IN: context: the army / Hawaii.
Meeting the Hero: Prew arrives.
Meeting the Loyal Ally /Joker / Sacrificial Lamb: meeting Maggio.
Warning: you made a bad decision quitting the bugle core.
Obstacle to the Mentor: he’s not in yet.
Meeting the Mentor: Warden walks in.
Recognising each other: they’ve heard of each other.
Mentor’s rules: you’re not supposed to enjoy yourself….
Hero’s Capabilities: best bugler.
Mentor’s Status: Maggio rushes away from the window.
Mentor’s Capabilities: Warden effectively in charge.
Call to Adventure: Capt. wants Prew to fight.
Refusal: Prew won’t fight.
Magical Gift: Warden gets Prew supplies and advises him to be smart.
Mentor’s Romantic Challenge (RC1): Karen arrives and talks to Warden.
RC1’s challenge: Karen not in love with her husband.
Pushed to the First Threshold: the pool scene.
Warning: about to go to sleep; you ain’t seen them gang up on somebody.
First Threshold / Outer Cave: marching / assembling weapons.
Middle Cave: Maggio saw that; 7 laps too.
Warning: Warden warned off Karen / Levenworth.
Pushed to the Inner Cave: you ought to enjoy yourself.
Inner Cave: Warden visits Karen at home.
Pulled to the Belly of the Whale: Maggio pulls Prew to the Congress Club.
Warning of the Belly: Karen’s ex-lover warns Warden.
Resisting the Belly: Karen not sure by the beach.
Belly of the Whale: Prew meets Lorene / Maggio meets Fatso / Karen tells Warden about the miscarriages.
Warning of the Physical Separation: Pre warned that there are no holds barred now.
Physical Separation: forced into the water / digging a hole / clean the spit.
Trial 1: walking up to The Pass twice.
Trial 2: Warden prevents the Court Marshall.
Mentor’s Guidance / resisting not going forward: Warden tells Prew to be smart.
Pushed to a Transformation: I’m tired of being a stooge.
Mentor’s Capabilities / Old Self: playing the Bugle.
Trial 3: Warden, Maggio and Fatso fight.
Reward: Warden gets Prew a weekend pass.
Resisting the Sword: Maggio doesn’t want Guard Duty: Prew finds it difficult to see Lorene.
New Self: Lorene is really Alma.
Seizing the Sword: Prew tries to get Maggio back; the MP’s catch him; he gets six months in the stockade.
Night Sea Journey: Maggio meets Fatso inside the Stockade.
Romantic Challenge Conquered: Alma invites Prew to her place / Karen persuades Warden to become an officer.
Transformation: Prewitt wants to marry Alma; he’ll fight if he has to.
Resisting the Transformation: Alma doesn’t want to be a soldier’s wife.
Transformation: Karen tells Holmes she wants a divorce.
Foreshadow of the Near Death Experience: Prew told that Fatso is beating Maggio.
[Proof of] Transformation: Prew fights.
Celebration: Prew et al drinking and singing.
Near Death Experience: Maggio dies / Prew plays the bugle.
Atonement with the Father: Prew kills Fatso; Holmes is fired.
Apotheosis: no more boxing / Warden gets on with the new boss / in charge.
Ultimate Boon: Warden doesn’t want to be an officer / splits with Karen / Alma knows Prew killed Fatso.
Refusal: The Japs attack; refusal to believe it; refusal into the armoury.
Magic Flight: Warden et al shoot down the aircraft.
Resisting the Return: Alma doesn’t want Prew to go.
Crossing the Return Threshold: Prew goes back; gets shot.
Freedom to Live: no boxing championship this year; the girls on the boat.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk and our isolation and identification of more than 188 stages of the Hero's Journey that you need to know about...]
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

Author: Kal Bishop
Source: download

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters….
The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast 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 expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply 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.
and more…
Multiple Heroes
When stories include multiple heroes, each undergoes his or her own progress through the Hero’s Journey. A good example of this is Syriana (2005).
Examples of the Heroes in their Ordinary Worlds:
a) We meet Arash as he and the other Pakistanis fight for the work at hand.
b) We meet Bob selling bombs as an undercover CIA agent.
c) We meet Bennett being told what to do by his boss, Whiting.
d) We meet Bryan as the oil and business news anchor.
Examples of their Call to Adventure:
a) Arash is beaten up by the guards.
b) Bob sees that one of his bombs is given to an unknown.
c) Bennet is told to solve any problems with regard to the merger.
d) Bryan is given intimate access to Prince Nasir.
Kal Bishop
**********************************
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

Author: Chris S
Source: articleage.com

The first thing I noticed when I purchased Sit Stay Fetch was that it is meaty.
SitStayFetch is one of the most comprehensive and complete dog ownership tools I have found. Let me say upfront I am a big fan of this Dog Training Package. I was very
happy when I discovered it and have used it to great effect with my own dogs ever since.
Sit Stay Fetch is over 150 pages chock full of all the latest dog training methods and techniques. This, along with the 4 free bonus books that come with it cover every aspect of responsible dog ownership and training.
From before you bring home your new puppy or older dog, right through to advanced obedience training, it seems nothing has been left out of SitStayFetch. If you have a specific question or problem that isn’t addressed you can even email the author Daniel Stevens for the answer! (This is another free bonus that comes with Sit Stay Fetch).
Daniel, who is a professional dog trainer clearly knows his stuff, he has a deep understanding of how dogs think, and what motivates them to do what they do.
What You Get In The SitStayFetch Package
1. SitStayFetch – Dog Training To Stop Your Dog’s Behavior Training
Well over 150 pages jam packed with dog care and obedience training advice. It also includes more than 100 photographs which prove to be a great visual learning tool. The book is very detailed and descriptive and offers clear step-by-step solutions to your dog issues. The main book is broken up into 9 seperate chapters, which I discuss in more detail below.
2. Bonus Book 1 – All The House Training Methods and Tricks
Everything you need to know to quickly and successfully house train (potty train) your new
puppy or even older dog. The two most effective methods of house training are discussed
and described in detail.
3. Bonus Book 2 – Secrets To Becoming The Alpha Dog
One of the key areas to learn and apply if you want a happy and obedient dog. This e-book is based around dogs having developed as pack animals and how you need to maintain the proper hierarchy in the owner-dog relationship. I found this part of SitStayFetch to be most beneficial in curbing some dominant/aggresive behavior in my Dalmation, Harrison.
4. Bonus Book 3 – Dog Grooming Made Easy
This book explores the different bathing, grooming, dental and clipping techniques needed to
keep your dog looking and feeling in peak condition. There are also some very
useful tips in this book on detecting early signs that something may be wrong with your dog.
5. Bonus Book 4 – Tips On How To Security Train Your Dog
It goes without saying that if you are considering training your dog to be a guard dog, you
need to do it the right way. This book outlines the correct methods needed to security train
your dog.
6. Bonus 5 – Free Email Consultation With Daniel
This is a great add-on to the SitStayFetch package, it can be used for any specific dog
related query you may have. Whether you are struggling to correct a behavioral problem or
would like to teach your dog a new trick, you can use this consultation to find the answer. I actually used this free service to fix a destructive chewing habit my mum’s Shih Tzu had developed. It took a couple of days to receive a reply from Daniel (or one of his team) but it was very thorough and did the trick with little Macy (the Shih Tzu).
Topics Covered Within SitStayFetch
As I mentioned earlier Sit Stay Fetch really is the complete dog ownership and training
resource. It’s not really fair of me if I detail every topic Daniel has included in the books, but I’ll just outline the 9 Chapters that provide the books framework.

It’s A Dogs Life
Caring for Your Dog
Training Methods Revealed
Secrets To Understanding Your Dog
Dog Problems Solved
Commands To Start With
Dog Whispering Uncovered
More Dog Problems Solved
Advanced Commands and Tricks

Some specific tips in SitStayFetch which I have personally found to be very useful:

Daniel discusses and explains many of the dog training techniques and methods being used today. He then picks out a couple which he believes to be superior to the others. He bases this on personal experience and most importantly results. A relatively new technique called Dog Whispering receives a strong endorsement from Daniel.

The right age to start your dog off with the various commands and techniques is also covered in detail. For example it is important to start your young puppies off with very basic obedience commands and short sharp training sessions. At this early stage in your puppies life anything else is pointless.

Another great insight Daniel gives is that you should never call your dog over to
reprimand him. This is because dogs need to be praised or disciplined within two or three
seconds of their action (or inaction). So if your dog is disobedient, then you call him over
to discipline him, he will think you are angry at him for coming to you. He will have
forgotten all about the thing you are actually trying to discipline him for.

The list of Dog Problems addressed in SitStayFetch is extensive and is backed by real life
case studies:

Aggression
Thieving
Biting and Nipping
Travel Problems
Coprophagia (poop eating)
2 Dogs In The House
Destructive Behavior
A Death In The Family
Digging Holes
Bad Breath
Disobedience
Cat Chaser
Dominance Aggression
Flatulence
Fear of the Leash
Fleas
Fights Between Dogs
Hot Weather And Heatstroke
Nuisance Barking
Jealousy
Off-Leash Problems
Jumping On Furniture
Jumping On People
Worms

These are the Obedience Training Commands and Tricks Explained in Sit Stay Fetch:

Come (Recall)
Roll Over
Sit Stage 1
Seek (Find)
Okay and No
Training Program
Hold and Leave
Advanced Sit and Stay
Sit Stage 2
Advanced Seek (Find)
Sit and Stay
Beg
Down (Drop)
Fetch (Retrieve)
Heel Stage 1
Catch
Heel Stage 2
Shake
Heel Stage 3
Climb
Stand
Crawl
Wait
Jump

What Type of Dog Owner Would Benefit Most from SitStayFetch?
The easy answer is probably – any responsible dog owner. But more specifically:

Anyone who is just about to get a new puppy or has just recently brought one into their family. If you bought SitStayFetch at this stage you would be able to use it immediately and right throughout your dogs life. It will help prevent any behavioral problems and correct any which may develop along the way.
Anyone interested in addressing a specific behavioral problem in their dog. This type of user would go straight to the relevant section of SitStayFetch and begin to remedy the problem immediately (or even use the free email consultation).
For a dog owner who wishes to teach their dog a difficult or advanced level command.

My Experience With SitStayFetch
I read the books from cover to cover when I first downloaded them (they are also available to order in hard copy). I picked up heaps of useful and useable tips right from the start. I was soon applying the recommended dog training techniques and have now
had great results with my own and families dogs. Even now, if one of my dogs looks to be developing any behavioral problems I reach for my copy of Sit Stay Fetch.
Chris Smith is a dog lover and creator of http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com.
You are the best person in the world to train your dog – why not do it the right way, at home?

Author: Kal Bishop
Source: download

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters….
The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast 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 expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply 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.
and more…
Sample Movie Deconstructed: Schindler’s List (1993)
FADE IN: Context: lighting candles for the dead; Germans defeated Polish army; Jews branded and ordered to the cities.
Introducing the Hero: Schindler getting dressed, his clothing.
Hero’s Capabilities: Schindler ingratiating himself with senior Nazi officers.
Antagonism: the German soldiers in Poland; degrading the Jews; thrown out of their houses; they’ll shoot them if they take off their armbands.
Meeting the Mentor : Schindler looking for Itzhak Stern.
Call to Adventure / Pushing the Mentor into the Journey: Schindler tries to persuade Stern to help him build the company.
Refusal : Stern is sure he doesn’t know anyone who would be interested.
Meeting Allies: meeting the Jewish traders in the church.
Antagonism Developed: the Jews have to enter the ghetto.
Devolved Hero: Schindler doesn’t mind occupying the Jewish house; the owner pushed to the Ghetto.
Meeting the Shape Shifter: the Jew who works for the Germans.
Mentor provides a Magical Gift: Stern introduces the men with the money to buy the company.
Polarization between Hero and Mentor: Stern won’t accept a drink.
Journey to the First Threshold: getting the factory organised; Schindler won’t hire the more expensive Poles; Stern convinces his people that it is a good pace to work.
Overcoming foreboding and warnings of the First Threshold: life will be easier and safer in the factory; they make out they are essential workers.
Getting Past Threshold Guardians / Developing the Mentor: Stern helps people get into the factory; Stern convinces the administrators to issue the work permits.
The World of the First Threshold: the forging of pots and pans; training the workers.
Developing the Hero: Schindler prefers pretty typists.
Celebrating entry into the First Threshold : the group photos.
First Threshold Conflict: bribing the Nazi officials to purchase the factory goods; getting the orders.
Meeting Allies / Hero and Mentor Polarization: Schindler tries to thank Stern; Stern confused by Schindler and hesitant to share a drink.
Inner Cave / Hero’s Backstory: Schindler’s wife turns up.
Pulled to the Physical Separation: the machinist wants to thank Schindler.
Resisting the Physical Separation: Schindler confronts Stern; he is not in this business to save lives; “did you happen to notice that that man had one arm?”
Consciously agreeing to the Journey / Unbearable Antagonism: the one armed man is shot; “he was a metal press worker, quite skilled.”
Developing Characters and Relationships: Schindler persuades the train guards to help him get Stern out of the train, “I think I can guarantee you that you will both be in southern Russia within the week.”
Developing the Antagonism: all the people in the train are going to their deaths; the piled up possessions; the gold teeth.
Developing Characters and Relationships: the people in the Jewish quarter debate their situation. Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: “the ghetto is liberty?”
Meeting the Antagonist: Goeth arrives.
Symbol of the Antagonism and Transformation: meeting Helen Hirsch.
Developing the Antagonist: Goeth shoots the engineer.
Hero and Antagonist Polarization: both Goeth and Schindler shaving.
Physical Separation: the Ghetto is eradicated; Schindler watches from above.
Developing the Antagonist: Goeth randomly shoots people.
Hero and Antagonist battle: Schindler gets Goeth to release his Jews; “I would be very grateful.”
Foreshadow of the Transformation: Stern is working for Goeth.
Pushed to the Transformation: Schindler cannot get Stern out of the camp.
Developing the Antagonist: Goeth tries to shoot the hinge maker.
Transformation / Trial 1: Schindler gives Stern a lighter to bribe the hinge maker onto the list; the list begins.
Transformation / Trial 2: Schindler gives Stern a cigarette case to bribe the boy onto the list.
Resistance to Transformation / Trial 3: The girl dresses up and begs for the life of her parents.
Meeting the Oracle: Stern convinces Schindler that Goeth enjoys killing.
Transformation / Trial 3: Schindler gives a watch to save the parents.
Journey to the Sword: Schindler talks to Helen Hirsch in the basement.
Threshold Guardian to the Sword: Schindler convinces Goeth that forgiveness is power.
Seizing the Sword: Goeth stops killing. But changes his mind and shoots the boy.
Developing the Antagonist: Helen Hirsch files Goeth’s nails.
Foreshadow of the Rebirth: the marriage; the workers give Schindler a present; Schindler kisses the Jewish girl.
Developing the Antagonist: Goeth cannot touch and beats Helen Hirsch.
Foreshadow of the Atonement: The Jews discuss the gas chamber in their bunkers.
Foreshadow of the Atonement: The children are taken; the Germans initiate the Final Solution.
Foreshadow of the Rebirth: Schindler waters the trains.
Rebirth through Near Death Experience: Schindler is arrested.
Reward: Goethe et al get Schindler out of jail.
Atonement with the Father: the Jewish extermination is policy now; Schindler sees ashes for rain.
Apotheosis: The Nazis exhume the Jewish dead; Goeth tells Schindler it is over – they’re sending everybody to Auschwitz.
Ultimate Boon: Stern has that drink with Schindler; Schindler negotiates to buy the Jews; they build up the list.
Refusal: Goeth refuses to give up Helen Hirsch.
Magic Flight: Schindler’s Jews take the train to Czechoslovakia.
Rescue from Without: a clerical error sends the females to Auschwitz.
Crossing the Return Threshold: Schindler pays with diamonds) to get the females out of Auschwitz.
Master of the Two Worlds: safe in the factory until the war ends; restraining the local Nazis, going back to his wife; making faulty armaments; allowing celebration of the Sabbath.
Freedom to Live: the war is over; the speech; they make a golden ring; Oscar wishes he could have saved more; they find food in the next village.
FADE OUT: revisiting the grave.
Learn more?
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

Author: Kal Bishop
Source: download

The Hero's Journey is the template on which the majority of scripts issued are based on success. Films as diverse as Gladiator (2000), Million Dollar Baby (2004), Raging Bull (1980) and Scarface (1983) were built around the hero's journey template. One aspect of the hero character, which often develops its true nature. Often this is implied in the call to adventure, but is illustrated below, when the hero is subjected to various stressful events. True nature is often demonstrated under pressure. In The Godfather (1972), Michael Corleone visits his father in the hospital to discover that they are being watched and therefore his life is in danger. Pending Tom Hagen and others turn to an ally (Enzo The Baker) is so nervous he can not light a cigarette. Michael Corleone lights the cigarette for him, with a steady hand and calm. The Warlord (2005), when a grenade unclips Vitaly, Yuri take in stride the clip and hand grenades, and returned to it. More … The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and free 17 shows the setting and story structure other templates can be found in http://managing-creativity.com/ can also receive regular, free newsletter by entering your email address this site. Kal Bishop ****************************** **** You are free to reproduce this article, provided that no changes are made and author's name and site URL are retained. Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. Specialties include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, works of art exhibited in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written several screenplays. He is a passionate traveler. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/