Newswise — EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University professor of screenwriting David E. Tolchinsky is available to comment on the emotional and physical power of ISIS recruiting videos. The propaganda films often use formulaic techniques found in Hollywood scripts, including “the underdog,” “the chosen one” and “the hero’s journey,” Tolchinsky said.

Exactly how the videos motivate potential recruits is of growing concern to the Department of Defense, which is funding research looking into what’s happening in the brains of those who sympathize with extremist groups.

“The producers of these films are using a range of Hollywood screenwriting techniques and a range of compelling story arcs – from the scrappy band of underdogs which ultimately prevails because the band has right on its side to the isolated character who learns he is destined for some special purpose or mission,” Tolchinsky said.

Tolchinsky is a screenwriter, a professor of screenwriting and the founder and director of Northwestern’s School of Communication’s Writing for the Screen and Stage program. He can be reached at [email protected].

For more information: The University of Chicago is studying how recruiting videos affect the brain. Tolchinsky on the underdog:

“The video 'No Respite' centers on the underdog. A scrappy band of Davids with right on their side defeats a Goliath. Various Hollywood films utilize this same model — 'Gladiator,' 'Inglourious Basterds,' '300' -- as well as a myriad of sports movies featuring teams of rebellious outsiders with no money or training but with a lot of heart and courage who ultimately prevail or prove their worth. Also, often in these movies there’s an emphasis on the group, not the individual. All for one and one for all.”

On the chosen one:

“In contrast, 'Abu Muslim' centers on the idea of ‘the chosen one,’ the person living a life, but not an important life, not the life s/he was destined to live. Here, there’s an emphasis on the individual making hard choices and sacrificing. In one ‘the chosen one’ scenario, the person is reluctant, as Jessica Jones is in 'Jessica Jones' or Peter Parker is in 'Spiderman.' In another version, the person feels s/he was always destined for more. Luke Skywalker in 'Star Wars' is a prime example. The story of the chosen one is ancient – Moses, Noah, Jesus are all examples. We may be pre-wired to react to the chosen one story in a deep way.”On the “hero’s journey:”

“Many Hollywood movies follow a ‘hero’s journey’ structure as described by Joseph Campbell — leaving a safe life behind, facing obstacles and tests, facing some truth mid-way, and ultimately obtaining ‘the elixir’ which could be defeating an enemy or obtaining love. In 'Abu Muslim,' that structure is twisted. The elixir is violence and martyrdom. But still the structure is at play.”On time:

“In the 'Abu Muslim' video, they even reference the clock -- you must act now or miss out on an opportunity. Many Hollywood movies have some kind of time restriction or mechanism that pushes the character (and the viewer) forwards.”