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 (188+ stages of the Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about…):
(simply go to www.clickok.co.uk for full details)
*****Atonement with the Father*****
In The Godfather (1972), Vito calls peace and meets with the heads of all the families.
*****Apotheosis*****
In The Godfather (1972), Vito realises that it was Barzini all along.
*****Period of Indecision*****
The Hero, even though he (or she) may be willing, does not often commit to the Journey easily. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie wants to know what armed robbery is like.
*****Ultimate Antagonism and Inner Resolve*****
The Antagonist commits an act that forces the Hero to reach inside himself and draw Inner Strength and Resolve.
Often, the Antagonist threatens a vile act or an emotional tie. In Return of the Jedi (1983), Vader tells Luke that he will attempt to convert Leia. In Cinderella Man (2005), Jim Braddock thinks of his wife and kids and his previous poverty and begins to win.
*****Crossing the Return Threshold*****
It is at this stage that the Shape Shifter is quite often revealed. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Pop doesnt like that Moss took up with Bonnie and Clyde and Frank wants to talk to Blanche. This is also a moment of the Red Herring. The Shape Shifter has most definitely the chance to change his mind again.
Learn more
WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!
The Complete 188 stage Heros 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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