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)
*****Hero’s Quality*****
The Heralds are attracted to the Hero because he demonstrates a quality. In The Magnificent Seven (1960), the farmers are impressed by Chris and Vin. In Star Wars (1977), music when Luke appears signals that there is a quality about him.
*****Rebellion*****
This stage of the Hero’s Journey is quite common. It is one of the tools used to push the Hero past the Period of Desolation. In In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack argues that “…Joe got no right making us do something against the rules….”
*****Secondary characters are functional*****
Secondary characters are functional, that is, they most often exist to fulfil specific story functions, especially help the Hero through his (or her) Transformation.
Once you have figured out what your Hero’s Transformation will be, then you can decide which secondary character Archetypes will be most useful. The subplot evolves from thereon: you give the secondary characters their own challenges to resolve.
*****Seizing the Sword*****
The Sword is a tangible. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), it is Ennis’ and Jack’s reunion. It is also an Expansion of Consciousness and, in Brokeback Mountain (2005), is represented by Alma seeing Ennis kiss Jack.
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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