FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO’S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to www.clickok.co.uk for full details)
*****Road of Trials (1)*****
The Road of Trials is all about the dissolution of the Old Self (the dissolving away of the Old Self). The first part of this is the Letting go of the Old Self. The Hero must pull away from his Old World and Old Self. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zach accepts Paula.
*****New Creatures of the New Domain*****
Arrival in any New World involves being unfamiliar with the creatures of that world. In Straw Dogs (1971), David and Amy arrive in town, only to be watched and smirked at.
*****Demonstrating the Magical Gift*****
One often missed stage of the Hero’s Journey is the demonstration of the Magical Gift. In the Bond franchise, Q also demonstrates the gadgets. In Star Wars (1977), Ben fires up Luke’s light sabre. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie dares Clyde to use the gun.
*****Familial Dislocation*****
Familial dislocation is a common backstory for the Hero. Harry Potter’s parents were dead, as were Luke Skywalkers. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), “…my old man was a bullriders; never taught me a thing, never once came to see me ride…”; Ennis tells his family story.
*****First Threshold Guardian*****
Before the Hero et al enter the First Threshold, they must pass a Threshold Guardian. In Star Wars (1977), Luke and Obi Wan must pass the Storm Troopers into Mos Isley. In Goodfellas (1990), the young Henry Hill gets arrested.
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The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
The Managing Creativity and Innovation MBA dissertation, DIY creativity Audit, Powerpoint presentation and Good Idea generator software can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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