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 heros-journey.info/ heros-journey.info/ for full details)
*****Atonement with the Father*****
Inner Challenges are faced. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Alma wants to take precautions because she knows that Ennis is having sex with Jack.
*****Interdiction*****
An Authority Figure often Interdicts the Hero from going to the First Threshold or establishes rule when there. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Joe says, “…last year I had a 25% loss, I don’t want that again….”
*****Devolved State*****
This is a total expression of the Hero’s Ordinary World and Ordinary Self. It is a benchmark. In Tsotsi (2005), Tsotsi is part of a criminal gang, which is something he will leave behind by the end of the story. In Get Carter (1971- the superior version with Michael Caine), we discover in the first scene that Jack Carter’s Outer Challenge is to discover who killed his brother, his Inner Challenge is to escape from his criminal associates / past and his Romantic Challenge is to wrestle Britt Ekland away from the mob boss.
*****Middle Cave*****
The Middle Cave, whichever it is (First Threshold, Road of Trials or beyond) is where the Hero confronts Allies and Enemies. In Straw Dogs (1971), the Major arrives in the pub and refuses a drink from Tom. This is also where subplots are developed (which are after all, the Allies and Enemies’ Challenges). In Straw Dogs (1971), Tom and Norman warn John about his brother.
*****Antagonism Seizing the Sword*****
It is common for a Hero to Seize a Sword. But it is not unusual for the Antagonist to, similarly, Seize his (or her) own Sword. In Straw Dogs (1971), Charlie knocks on the door. She lets him in. He rapes her. And then so does Norman.
*****Antiheroes in the Final Conflict - Devolution*****
Heroes evolve and Antiheroes devolve. During the Final Conflict, devolution is expressed in a number of ways. For example, In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the papers say that Clyde left his brother. This is not how he wants to be remembered.
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 story-structure.org/ story-structure.org/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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