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 story-structure.org/ story-structure.org/ for full details)
*****Hero Confident*****
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. Though the Hero is often perceived to be weak, he himself is confident - he (or she) has, after all, gained the required Expansion of Consciousness. In Straw Dogs (1971), David tells Amy to go to bed…”…I can handle this…..”
*****Foreshadow of the Rebirth*****
It is the Foreshadow of the Rebirth (previous to the Near Death Experience) where chalenges and a change in response to them is made explicit. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy doesn’t want to hide in the study with him anymore.
*****Using Magical Gifts*****
With the giving of Magical Gifts (that will aid the Hero’s Journey and help overcome obstacles) comes instruction in their use. In Straw Dogs (1971), Norman tells David to break the gun.
*****Trivial Task*****
During the Period of Desolation, where the Hero is not committed to the Journey and Transformation, a Trivial Task sets the Hero on the right course. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), they steal another car.
****Mentor’s True Nature*****
It is during the First Threshold Outer Cave Trial that the Mentor’s True Nature often becomes apparent. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde gets attacked by the shopkeeper, knocks him out and says “..I ain’t against him…”
*****Hand-To Hand Battle*****
No one can defeat the Hero nor the Antagonist (the Antagonist is the Hero’s Id; only he or she can defeat it). They gravitate towards each other and face each other. Initialy, the Antagonist is stronger (because the Hero is tackling his own psyche).
Status meets status, that is, the Hero’s Sidekick or Loyal Ally faces the Antagonist’s Lieutenant, Good Mentors face Dark Mentors etc. In Spiderman (2004), the Green Goblin and Peter eventually duel amongst themselves. In Superman 2 (1980), Superman and Zod face each other. In Gladiator (2000), Commodus’ forces allow the two to fight hand-to-hand.
Learn more…
WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at monomyth.info/ monomyth.info/
188 stages of the Hero’s Journey can also be reached from heros-journey.info/ heros-journey.info/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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