Unlocking Disney’s Hero Formula: How Herogram Reveals the Secret to Protecting the Hero’s Identity

Image: Walt Disney’s business card, circa 1921. (Public domain)

Disney is renowned for its captivating stories, often featuring a budding hero embarking on an extraordinary journey. But have you ever wondered how Disney manages to create characters that audiences identify and connect with so effortlessly? The answer may lie in the narrative structure they employ, partly deciphered through the story analysis tool called Herogram.

Image: The 7 flowcharts of Juan Álvarez’s Herogram (The Circle, The Triangle, The Wings, The Nadir, The Crown, The Polarity Axes)

While Herogram proposes a specific order for its nine key moments, the methodology acknowledges that this order can be changed to enhance the story’s clarity, emotional impact, and audience connection. Here are some examples from Disney films, as mentioned in the book:

Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope:

• Change: Moment 3 (Revelation) is presented before Moment 2 (Minor Motive).
• Reasoning: This prevents the audience from questioning Luke’s decision to leave his aunt and uncle after they are attacked, as they wouldn’t have witnessed their potential demise. This maintains audience empathy for Luke.

The Lion King:

• Change: Moment 4 (Threshold) is presented after Moment 5 (Limiting Belief).
• Reasoning: Exposing Simba’s doubts about his abilities (Limiting Belief) before his encounter with Nala reinforces the audience’s perception of his vulnerability and innocence, making his eventual decision to return to Pride Rock more heroic.

Image: The Herogram’s circle applied to The Lion King

Moana:

• Change: Moment 6 (Achievements) is presented before Moment 5 (Limiting Belief).
• Reasoning: By initially showcasing Moana’s success with Maui, the writer creates a deeper emotional impact when she faces her moment of doubt. This emphasizes her strength and resilience as she chooses to continue without the demigod’s help.

Additional Notes:

• Changes in order should always occur within the same act of the story.
• The book also explores the application of the Herogram methodology beyond the nine-moment circle, using triangles for stories with a different flow. Examples include “Total Recall” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”

By understanding these principles, creators can leverage the flexibility of Herogram while maintaining its core purpose of guiding and analyzing narratives.

Image: Example of the non-linear use of Hérgrama by Juan Álvarez

Herogram: Unraveling Disney’s Narrative

Herogram is a method developed by me, which analyzes stories through nine key moments. By studying Disney’s scripts, I discovered that the company uses a specific formula to protect the identity of the hero from the protagonist.

Image:The flowchart of the Herogram triangle, the structuring flowchart of the 3 acts.

The three pillars that protect the hero’s identity:

1. Motivation: In Disney stories, the protagonist’s motivation is often unclear at the beginning. It is presented as a vague desire or an unfulfilled need. This creates a mystery that intrigues the audience and keeps them engaged in the story.

1. Action: The path to success is not easy for the protagonist. They must face obstacles and challenges that test their character. These challenges are essential for the audience to empathize with the character and appreciate their eventual transformation.

1. Achievement: The moment the protagonist finally achieves their goal is crucial. Disney often uses a happy and hopeful ending that rewards the hero for their effort and sacrifice.

Examples of the formula in action:

• Cinderella: Her desire to attend the ball is not initially a heroic goal, but it becomes the catalyst for her transformation.
• Moana: Her journey to save her people confronts her with dangers and trials that turn her into a brave leader.
• Toy Story: Woody starts as an arrogant toy, but his journey with Buzz turns him into a loyal and understanding friend.
• The Lion King: The book analyzes how Simba must overcome his father’s death and his own fear to become the king his people need.

Herogram helps us understand how Disney protects the hero’s identity by focusing on the protagonist’s motivation, action, and achievement. This formula creates stories that audiences identify with emotionally, turning them into timeless classics.

Beyond Disney:

Herogram is not only useful for analyzing Disney stories but can also be applied to any type of narrative. By understanding the nine key moments, writers and filmmakers can create more engaging stories with greater emotional impact.

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in learning more about Herogram and how you can use it to improve your own stories, I recommend reading my book, “Herogram: How to Create More and Better Stories in Less Time.”

Start analyzing your favorite stories with Herogram and discover how narrative structure can help you create memorable characters that resonate with your audience!