188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Story, Screenwriting Structure - Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

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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)

*****Final Battle of the Final Conflict*****

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. It is during the final battle during the final conflcit that the hero experiences a disadvantage. In Straw Dogs (1971), Charlie points a gun at David but it is empty.

*****First Threshold Marker*****

This is a physical barrier between the Hero's Ordinary World and the New World. It is the first of many New Domains the Hero will cross but it is significant as it represents that place where the Hero physically and psychologically fears to tread (initially). Characteristics include:

Journey. The Hero Journeys to the First Threshold, perhaps with Allies.

Overview. The Hero stop here and overview the world into which they are about to enter. In Red River (1948), they stop before crossing the river.

Distance. The Physical Marker is some distance from the First Threshold. In Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Lawrence et al stop before and overlook the desert.

Emotional Reaction. The vista of the New World causes an emotional reaction. In Dances with Wolves (1990), we see the majesty of the prairies.

Danger. The Hero is warned of the dangers of the First Threshold. In Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Omar Sheriff warns Peter O'Toole of the dangers of the "suns anvil."