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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)

*****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.

*****Transmogrification and the Antagonism*****

It is around the time of the Seizing of the Sword and the progression of the Transmogrification that the Antagonism increases in intensity. In Straw Dogs (1971), Norman appears with the gun and rapes Amy too.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)

*****Rest Break*****

It is common for a rest break to occur (past the stage of the Road of Trials). In The Godfather (1972), Michael gets to walk around Sicily.

This is a time to bond with Allies. In Alien (1979), right before the Alien explodes from Kane’s stomach, time is spent getting to know the characters. In Romancing the Stone (1984), Joan gets to know Jack in the downed aircraft.

The Hero and allies reference their Old Selves and Back Story. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zach talks about his days in the PI. In Romancing the Stone (1984), Jack didn’t know the Doobey Brothers had split up; he was into short cuts.

*****Refusal of the Call*****

A staple of the Hero’s Journey and Transformation. The Hero refuses psychologically for a number of reasons, is interdicted by the interdictor (punishments for following the Call) and blocked by Doves using a number of techniques. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie plays hard to get, she’s is going to work. She walks, Clyde follows.

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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