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

By Kal Bishop

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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)

*****Stage of the Inner Resolve*****

Post the Unbearable Antagonism, with newly gained Inner Resolve, the Hero claws back lost ground. In Return of the Jedi (1983), Luke shows he is stronger than Vader. In Cinderella Man (2005), Jim Braddock starts to win. In The Matrix (1999), Neo plays with the bullets.

*****Afterlife Act*****

Sequences include:

His receives a high status burial (is buried on high ground etc). In Out of Africa (1985), Denys is buried upon a hilltop.

His legend lives on through a select few. In Out of Africa (1985), Denys' legend lives on through Karen.

A prophecy builds up around him.

After a while he is recalled (if had only disappeared or if he is able to wake from the dead - not unusual).

Else his children seek to depose the Demon King and reclaim their birthright (Jason and the Argonauts, 1963).

Daughters hunt for a Hero Knight.

Sons become the new Hero (Jason and the Argonauts, 1963).

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/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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