The Creative Process: Why We Need It and Where to Start
How to create more than a MacGuffin and a tool to help you navigate your personal creative process.
As a kid, my parents took me to Disneyland, and we rode Star Tours. I remember being enamored by R2-D2, one of the iconic robots from the Star Wars franchise.
If you’re not a fan, here’s a quick recap…
In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, R2-D2 carried the crucial Death Star plans in his “rusty innards,” as described by C3P0 (another great robot sidekick). The Rebel Alliance fought valiantly, with Luke, Leia, Han Solo, and others risking their lives to prevent the Empire from getting their hands on the plans. The good guys had to keep R2-D2 hidden from the Empire, who relentlessly pursued him.
R2-D2 was the MacGuffin of the story.
“What is a MacGuffin?” I hear you ask.
A MacGuffin is a popular plot device in storytelling, particularly in films. It refers to an object or goal that drives the narrative and motivates the characters to take action, but ultimately holds little significance to the story. A MacGuffin is simply a means to an end, a device used to move the plot forward and create tension and excitement for the audience.
Another well-known example of a MacGuffin is the “Grail Diary” in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Side note: The actual diary from the movie was sold by Christie’s back in 2012 for an unbelievable GBP 18,750 (or about USD 23,365.78). But, of course, if you’re really keen, you can make your own - here’s a link to a fan on Instructables who did just that.
MacGuffins are how filmmakers and storytellers keep their audiences engaged and the plot moving in the right direction. They encourage action. They create a level of interest of excitement, and as Alfred Hitchcock famously said;
“In many cases, the audience will forgive you
for anything except being boring.”
MacGuffins are meant to help alleviate boredom.