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 http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)
*****Dissatisfaction*****
Part of the Period of Desolation. Before the Hero commits to the Journey and Transformation or is forced to by an Unbearable Antagonism, dissatisfaction and frustration sets in. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Enis asks “…why didn’t we get the powdered milk….”
*****Disgust*****
Disgust is a core part of the Refusal, post the Ultimate Boon. The Hero (or major character) is disgusted by what he (or she) has become or was. It is a reaction to the Transformation so far. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Blanche regrets the path she has chosen.
*****Mentor’s Backstory*****
The Mentor’s Backstory is often made explicit. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde tells Bonnie he cut part of his foot off.
*****Marker of Change*****
Change is in the air and it is illustrated by a marker (before embarking on the Road of Trials). In Dances with Wolves (1990), the buffalo arrive. In Godfather (1972), the exchange of gifts and the chaperones foreshadow a new beginning. In Romancing the Stone (1984), Joan looks at Jack with bedroom eyes.
*****Push to the Crossing of the Return Threshold*****
The Rescue from Without pushes the Hero to the Return Crossing. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), “…is your Daddy the marrying kind?”
*****Conscious Decision*****
The conscious Decision (almost an Accepting the Inevitability of the Journey and Transformation) is a very common part of successful stories and screenplays. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack says hello to Ennis; that they will be spending time up on the mountaion together is inevitable.
Learn more…
WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.monomyth.info/
188 stages of the Hero’s Journey can also be reached from http://www.heros-journey.info/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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