188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Screenwriting Structure 2

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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 www.clickok.co.uk for full details)

*****Time Pressure*****

The Hero (and the story) has no time for the Hero's procrastination (stage of the Lack of Commitment post the Sacred Meeting with the Supernatural Aid ).

Some form of Time Pressure is initiated, which manifests itself in various forms, including.

Antagonism Strikes. Often, an Antagonism will increase the urgency of the Journey and resolution. In The Matrix (1999), Neo is pursued by the agents, interrogated and implanted. In Lord of the Rings (2001), the demon army are born.

Challenge Imperative. Or one of the other challenges will come to the fore. In Spiderman 2 (2004), MJ is moving on.

*****Near Death Experience*****

Post the Seizing of the Sword, a Near Death Experience that results in a birth is common. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), whilest driving at night, the kidnapped man reveals he is an an undertaker.