The Virgin's Promise. Kim Hudson
“While everyone is keenly aware of the imbalance between the number of male vs. female focused movies, few screenwriters have know n where to turn to find help composing plot s enthralling enough to tip the scales. The Archetype of the Virgin is a clever one to chose, as it evokes innocence on the one extreme, and solid self-possession on the other, an arc author Kim Hudson deftly delineates in The Virgin’s Promise.”
– Mary Trainor-Brigham, M.A., author of Deep Cinema
“A comprehensive answer to the age-old riddle of what do those feminine characters really want.”
– John L. Geiger, co-author, Creativity & Copyright
“Far too many talented, hardworking women and minority screenwriters are underemployed compared to male screenwriters, and women’s perspectives are far too often marginalized, trivialized or ignored in the film and television industries of our world. Kim Hudson’s The Virgin’s Promise will help both male and female screenwriters think about what’s involved in creating more viable female characters, and provides a ready template for those who need one. I look forward to recommending this book to my screenwriting students.”
– Alexis Krasilovsky, Professor, Dept. of Cinema and Television
Arts, California State University, Northridge
“The story of the Virgin is as old as recorded history. Kim Hudson has given that story new life through her book. She has allowed readers to expand their imaginations to create a contemporary vision of this ‘mythical’ character. A must have for any writer’s collection.”
– Ken Rotcop, author of The Perfect Pitch and creator of Pitchmart
“Behind every great film is a great story of transformation. In The Virgin’s Promise, Kim Hudson gives screenwriters a clear explanation of the archetypal journey toward feminine creative, spiritual, and sexual awakening. Highly recommended.”
– Tony Levelle, author of Digital Video Secrets and co-author ofProducing with Passion
“The Virgin’s Promise finally delivers the inversion of the much-discussed Myth of the Hero. A long-overlooked female exploration of transformation, Hudson’s analysis is revealing, engaging and informative. Screenwriters, scholars, and social studies grad students alike will be thanking her for years to come.”
– Jay Miles, media instructor, East Haven (CT) High School
“Kim Hudson’s new book, The Virgin’s Promise, is both a powerful writing manual and a treasure of insight into the feminine nature. It will not only help you master the ability to write powerful female characters and develop the virgin’s journey in fresh ways, but also help you see the deeper meaning in the stories of our lives. I admit I’m a sucker for this kind of stuff, but I believe Hudson has added a valuable volume that should be part of any writer’s – or student of humanity’s – library.”
– Derek Rydall, author of I Could’ve Written a Better Movie thanThat! and There’s No Business Like Soul Business, founder, ScriptwriterCentral.com, EnlightenedEntertainer.com.
“The Virgin’s Promise is a groundbreaking and profound addition to the canon on screenplay structure. With great clarity Kim Hudson offers a method for understanding and writing successful screenplays about characters whose dramatic journey follows an internal path to discovery and acceptance of their true identity in spite of formidable obstacles. I am certain that many important and successful new films will be inspired by this book.”
– Sharon McGowan, producer of Better than Chocolate and TheLotus Eaters
“A story well told can change the world. Hudson unlocks the secret to writing stories of self-fulfillment in this lovely and inspiring book. A must read for all story tellers and screenwriters.”
– Mireille Soria, producer of Ever After
“For a work as thought provoking and even profound as this, The Virgin’s Promise is thankfully accessible and not for a minute esoteric during its read. The icing on the cake is Hudson’s style and use of language. At once simple and yet complex. The Virgin’s Promise is a bit like the perfect haiku: Sparse and philosophical.”
– Deepa Mehta, screenwriter/producer of Fire, Earth, Water andBollywood/Hollywood
Published by Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 379-8799, (818) 986-3408 (FAX)
Cover design by MWP
Interior design by William Morosi
Edited by Paul Norlen
Printed by McNaughton & Gunn
Manufactured in the United States of America
Copyright 2010
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hudson, Kim, 1960-
The virgin’s promise: writing stories of feminine creative, spiritual, and sexual awakening /
Kim Hudson.
p. cm. -- (Great unproduced film scripts)
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-932907-72-8
1. Motion picture authorship. 2. Motion picture plays--Technique. 3. Archetype (Psychology) 4. Archetype (Psychology) in motion pictures. 5. Characters and characteristics in motion pictures. 6. Virgins. 7. Femininity. I. Title.
PN1996.H74 2010
808.2’3082-dc22
2009053119
Printed on Recycled Stock
To Jamie, Jesse and Buzz
Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Part One
CHAPTER 1: ARCHETYPAL THEORY
Comparison of the Virgin and the Hero