Close Encounters of the Third Kind
EST V ACT domestic box office revenue
$83 – 101MM V $116MM
Mythosis universal quests used
4
Audience appeal
17.06 – 20.85%
Script Score
0.60
Close Encounters of the Third Kind directed by Steven Spielberg was released in 1977. The story portrays human curiosity against the backdrop of government high-handedness. The movie is celebrated for its groundbreaking special effects.
1. The invisible plot structure of CEO3K
1A. The script of CEO3K borrows 97% of its events from 4 mythological tales
Neary’s quest is driven by the desire for approval by others. The quest borrows events from the tale of Theseus in Greek mythology. Both Theseus and Neary strive to get accepted by those who rejected them.
Lancome’s quest is driven by the desire for finding an elusive person/object. The quest borrows events from the tale of Gilgamesh in Sumerian mythology. Gilgamesh’s search for the elixir of life is similar to Lancome’s hunt for the UFOs.
Jillian’s quest is driven by the desire to protect & nurture. The quest borrows events from the tale of Demeter in Greek mythology. Both Demeter and Jillian set out to find the abductor & recover their loved ones.
Govt’s quest is driven by the desire to dominate others. The quest borrows events from the tale of Circe in Greek mythology. Both Circe and Govt create a façade of godliness and treachery to control gullible victims.
NOTE: Detailed mirroring of each character’s primary quest to their respective mythological tales is in section “3A. Quests of characters and their mythological counterparts”
Mythosis plot structure
# 531,040
Tales interweaved
Circe, Gilgamesh, Theseus & Demeter
I. How does interweaving mythological tales lead to infinite story plots?
II. Can the pursuit of a Desire have more than one quest?
2. The potential of CEO3K's plot structure: $83 – 101MM
The interweaving of 32 mythological tales can generate a billion unique stories. By using these 32 tales, we can extract the plot structure of any story across various genres. Our study of blockbuster, hit, and flop plot structures led to the discovery of the Mythosis Code, a set of principles for creating compelling stories. The plot structure of a story is analyzed to see how well it adheres to these storytelling principles.
2A. Plot structure evaluation of CEO3K
- All Blockbusters have at least 3 universal quests. CEO3K uses 4 universal quests of Expedition, Acceptance, Family & Power.
- In Blockbusters, each universal quest is mirrored by ONLY ONE character. Neary mirrors the universal quest of Acceptance. Lancome mirrors the quest of Expedition, Jillian mirrors the quest of Family & Govt. mirrors the quest of Power.
- Every Blockbuster character borrows at least 35% of the universal quest. Neary borrows 48% events from the quest for Acceptance & Lancome borrows 36% from the quest of Expedition. Jillian borrows 25% from the quest of Family. Govt. borrows 24% from the quest of Power.
- Blockbusters have a quest interweaving threshold of 0.5. Interweaving occurs when events of 2 quests occur simultaneously in the story. CEO3K’s quest interweaving is 0.5 and is at par.
An example of interweaving the quests of Neary & Govt.:
2B. Box office revenue estimation of CEO3K
The plot structure of Close Encounters of the Third Kind misses the blockbuster mark because of a few shallow quests that also impact the interweaving and hence the cohesiveness of the story.
The Script Score measures a plot structure’s adherence to the four principles of Mythosis Code. We use the Script Score to estimate a movie’s audience appeal & revenues. Blockbuster plot structures have a score of at least 0.64 and appeal to 20% of the audiences.
Script Score
0.60
Audience appeal
17.06 – 20.85%
I. How is Mythosis Code used to estimate revenues?
II. Aren’t box-office revenues influenced by several factors beyond just the story plot?
3. The ideal plot structure of CEO3K
We have identified 32 mythological tales, the superset of all tales across cultures. The quests of these tales have also recurred over time periods. They represent human behaviours that are deeply embedded in our shared memories. Each tale is the richest expression of the pursuit of a human desire. The tales have a unique pattern of events spread over 5 major arcs.
Mapping a character’s quest to the relevant mythological tale reveals the gaps in their quest, if any. Plugging these gaps with the missing events deepens the character quest. The missing events also provide an opportunity for interweaving the various quests. These events strengthen the story and unlock its hidden potential.
3A.Quest of characters and their mythological counterparts
Quest 1: Neary mirrors the universal quest for Acceptance
Neary’s desire for Acceptance stems from the need for approval by others. The tale of Theseus from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Acceptance.
Quest 2: Lancome mirrors the universal quest for Expedition
Lancome’s desire for Expedition stems from the need to find an elusive object. The tale of Gilgamesh from Sumerian mythology is the universal quest for Expedition.
Quest 3: Jillian mirrors the universal quest for Family
Jillian’s desire for Family stems from the need to nurture & protect. The tale of Demeter from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Family.
Quest 4: Govt. mirrors the universal quest for Power
Govt.’s desire for Power stems from the need to dominate others. The tale of Circe from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Power.
3B.Gaps in the current plot structure
The plot structure isn’t cohesive due to the 2 shallow quests.
3C.Unlocking the hidden potential
The plot of CEO3K is a subset of Mythosis plot structure # 531,040. It emerges from interweaving the tales of Circe, Gilgamesh, Theseus & Demeter
Contact us for Mythosis plot structure # 531,040.
Tags: Theseus, Demeter, Gilgamesh, Circe, Acceptance, Family, Expedition, Power, Steven Spielberg, Columbia Pictures, EMI Films, 1977