188+ Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Screenwriting and Story Structure Secrets 140507

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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)

*****Night Sea Journey subplot*****

Just as the Hero suffers a Near Death Experience, so do subplot characters. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Alma runs from Ennis and the house and finda another postcard from Jack. Lureen doesn't say anything when they insult Jake; didn't that piss ant used to ride bulls; he used to try.

*****Overcoming the Hero Guardians*****

Though the Heralds are blocked from the Hero by Guardians, overcoming them is not the most daunting task. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Joe justtells Jack and Ennis to "get your scrawny asses in here, pronto."

*****Trial 2 - Antagonising the Antagonism*****

One apsect of the Trial 2 is the Antagonism of the Antagonist. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Frank spits on Bonnie, Clyde beats him up and puts him in the boat.

*****Innate Suitability*****

Trial 2 often sees the Hero demonstrate innate suitability to the New World and Self. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack Twist hits on the guy in the bar.