188 Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Story and Screenwriting Secrets 010507a

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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.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Overcoming Doubt (into the Road of Transformation and Trials)*****

Pulled In. Though doubtful, the Hero is pulled into the Transformation. In Shawshank Redemption (1994), the library and helping the guards with their taxes pulls Andy in.

Encouragement. Mentors or some other force may encourage the Hero. In Dances with Wolves (1990), the Indians meet and decide to engage with John. In Scarface (1983), Frank helps Tony's maturation into dealer. In Gladiator (2000), Juba attempts to persuade Maximus to fight. And Proximo is intrigued by him.

*****Final Conflict: Unbearable Antagonism*****

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. An Unbearable Antagonism pushes the hero to the stage of the Inner Resolve. In Straw Dogs (1971), David is surprised that Amy really doesn't care....but he does...and keeps Henry in the house.

*****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.

*****New Self at the Seizing of the Sword*****

By the time the Hero is about to Seize the Sword, he (or she) has further incrementally Transformed. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack has a new car now.

*****Reward*****

Post every Rebirth there is a Reward, and there are a few Rebirths post Near Death Experiences in the Hero's Journey and Transformation. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie kisses Clyde in the car.

*****Romantic Challenge Polarized*****

The Romantic Challenge is just that - a challenge that has to be resolved. As such, the Hero and Romantic Challenge are, at first meeting, highly polarized. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Marion argues with Indy outside her bar. In The Deer Hunter (1978), Michael is a world away from Linda. In The English Patient (1996), Laszlo and Katharine have the problem of her husband.