188+ Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Screenwriter, Screenplay Essentials

By Kal Bishop

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 www.clickok.co.uk for full details)

*****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..."

*****Loop*****

Links the start of the story to the end...not necessarily the first scene to the last.. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), we see the Wyoming landscape. Represents the closing of the story but not necessarily the resolution of all challenges. In Star Wars (197), Vader disappears but is not vanquished.

*****Physical Change*****

It is during the First Threshold Outer Cave Trial that a physical change (most often a wound) is inflicted. This is where blood is most often seen. The wound is symbolic of the beginning of the Physical Transformation. As the woudn heals, so it represents the Hero's Changing. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), teh shopkeeper shoots Clyde.

*****Unbearable Antagonism*****

The Hero will suffer an Unbearable Antagonism that will force his hand (and push him past the stage of Lack of Commitment). In Star Wars (1977), storm troopers kill uncle Owen and aunt Beru. In The Incredibles (2004), Mr Incredible sees a person on the street being mugged. This causes him to snap.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

The Managing Creativity and Innovation MBA dissertation, DIY creativity Audit, Powerpoint presentation and Good Idea generator software can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kal_Bishop