Dark Fairytale

The product genre analysis

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Fairytale for grown-ups

Characters embark on a journey in magical worlds, where they meet and resolve their deepest personal conflicts/fears/disorders

Every complex psychological problem can be deconstructed to basic feelings. Fairy tale tropes provide tools to interact and deal with basic feelings

Summary

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Pan’s Labyrinth meets Inception in a grim Fairy Tale world

Similar products examples

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#fairytale #psychological #gothic #darkfantasy #horror #adventure #mystery #emotional

Archetype examples

• Dark, Gothic, Horror visual aesthetics
• Grotesque shapes, forms, colors. Expression of primal emotions.
• Psychology. Hero's state of mind affects the fairy world
• World's Duality, Black and White morale, Light/Darkness, Good/Bad, Sin/Virtue, Obedience/Disobedience, Normal/Magical
• High visual Contrast of worlds Duality
• Witchcraft and magic. Rituals and curses based on european/slavic folklore
• Until Midnight. The fairy world has a specific set of rules/conditions that hero needs to meet or obey
• Objects are alive and/or possess supernatural powers
• Companions and friendly creatures are Tools that help the Hero to complete/proceed the Journey. Companion sacrifice, use of his skills, fly, speed, etc,
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General Archetype Features

• The Journey. The Hero embarks on a journey in a Fairy World
• Mind Games. The Fairy World is a product of hero's imagination, mental disorder, subconsciousness where he solves his problems
• The way home. The Hero is lost and tries to find a way home/recall his identity/wake up
• The Magic trigger. A supernatural event/encounter marks the beginning of Hero's journey
• The transition. Hero must complete his transition (maturing/fighting fears/resolving a deep trauma, insanity) to complete the journey
• The chosen one. Only the hero can fix/rescue/save the fairy world
• Defeat Evil. Characters are Good or Evil, Evil force oppresses the fairy world
• The Dark Secret. There is a dark secret that needs to be unraveled
• The Need. The hero is driver by primal needs: fear, hunger, thirst, cold, longing for love/care
• Rescue a friend. The Hero is trying to rescue his friends/relatives captured by supernatural/evil forces
• Bad behaviour. Hero gets punished for his misbehavior, lies, sins
• The test. The hero is assigned to complete a set of specific tasks to complete/proceed in his journey
• Return to the roots. Hero learns to appreciate the importance of things that he already has
• The choice. Hero finds himself in a grey area of morality and needs to make a decision
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Story Archetypes Examples

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• Hero's companion. Animals, helpers, animated items, inner voice, alter Ego, other creatures that accompany the Hero
• The Cheshire Cat. A supernatural creature that guides and helps the Hero
• Evil stepmother. An evil force that oppresses the Hero
• Hero's love interest/family/friend. Someone hero cares about
• An ogre in the cave. Creature guarding a precious item or a passage
• The Giver. A character that gifts a hero a supernatural artifact/powers
• The Beautiful Princess. A manifestation of good/dignity/purity of the fairy world
• The Villagers. Habitat/citizens of the fairy world. Good or mean, quarreling, going along with their lives
• The Flying Monkeys. Minions of the Evil Force
• The Gaston. A champion that hunts/hurts/competes the Hero
• The Sphinx. A gatekeeper that places the Hero on a trial
• The Charon. A creature that transfers the Hero between two worlds
• The good hunters. A force that acts in the name of good and helps the Hero
• The Boogeyman. A manifestation of collective fear/guilt/shadow side of society
• Shapeshifter. The creature that keeps in secret it's true nature. Cursed castle servants. creatures that are turned into another form
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Character Archetypes Examples

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• The Dark Forest. Dangerous, undiscovered, forbidden places. From where no one returns.
• The Rabbit Hole. A passage/gateway between the worlds.
• The Hometown. A cozy familiar hometown, from where the Hero begins his Journey
• The Sacred Ground. Shrine/Church/Forest Grove. Place of religion, faith, society moral pillar. Hero's Place of Strength
• The Dark Tower A place where the root of Evil dwells.
• The Lumberjack house Locations for specific creatures of specific professions.
• Cursed Village. A place touched by evil
• The Ogre's Den. A dangerous place where the monster lives
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Archetype Locations

• Folklore
• Modern psychotherapy issues. PTSD, loss of a close one, self-harm, self-identification, coping with live
• Suffering from a psychological deviation
• Bullying
• Christian social values and conflicts.
• Oppressed Power. Discrimination, control, violent rule.
• Inability to deal with live circumstances. Committing a crime. Personality Weakness. Substance abuse.
• War. Geopolitical violent conflicts.
• Parenting. Children-Parents problem.
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Real World problems references