journey

[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms (see below for the location of our Home Page) and our isolation and identification of more than 188 stages of the Hero’s Journey that you need to know about…]

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The 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) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

How Plots fit into the Hero’s Journey

The essence of story is transformation and the process of that transformation, at the root level, is the Hero’s Journey. Moving on, there are a finite number of drivers that push (or pull) the transformation forward (sometimes it is the Shape Shifter, sometimes the Antagonist, sometimes the Mentor, sometimes the Romantic Challenge, sometimes the Hero is willing, sometimes the Hero is unwilling, sometimes a combination of these etc…).

Each driver (or combination of) produces its own variable (plot) of the Hero’s Journey. For example, if the Hero is willing, there are obstacles and interdictions. If the Hero is unwilling, there are Pushes or Pulls forward.

Thus we have a Hero’s Journey core + more specific Plots for the extrapolation of core ideas into full blown screenplays or stories.

Learn more

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

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

Kal Bishop, MBA

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Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

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