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)
*****Threshold Guardian*****
As is normal, a Threshold Guardian blocks entry into the First Threshold. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the teller says that there is no money; the bank failed three weeks ago. This is a time of the Great Depression.
*****Foreshadow of the Final Conflict****
A Foreshadow of the Final Conflict is not uncommon (the very detailed stage between the Crossing of the Return Threshold and the Mastery of the Old and New Worlds and Self). This is not unlike the stage of the Elixir, where the ultimate goal is made explicit. In Straw Dogs (1971), the boys say that, “…we can take care of our own here, usually do…”
Learn more…
WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at clickok.co.uk/ clickok.co.uk/ or managing-creativity.com/ managing-creativity.com/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.
**********************************
Kal Bishop, MBA