journey

[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk 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…

The Final Conflict

The Final Conflict is the stage of the journey between the Crossing of the Return Threshold and the Master of Two Worlds. It is where significant challenges are conquered and, amazingly, often completely overlooked.

This stage of the journey includes many important elements, including:

a) Punishment / Interdiction. Often there is a punishment / interdiction / risk of Crossing the Return Threshold or engaging with the Challenge / Enemy.

b) Allies. Often the hero will meet with allies beforehand and their relationships will be developed / the relationship challenges resolved.

c) Magical Gifts. The magical gifts / weapons that may be used against challenges / enemies will be made explicit.

d) Consequences. The consequences of not engaging will be made explicit.

e) Dissonance. A cathartic, dissonance releasing, often humorous moment will precede the battle.

f) Reiteration. Mentors will reiterate the challenges and methodology of the Final COnflict.

g) Engagement. The battle will be engaged in.

h) Celebration. A celebration will confirm the hero’s victory.

i) Challenge Resolution. One of the other challenges will be resolved postthe battle.

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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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.

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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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 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.

There is only one story.

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) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharsis).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story.

and more…

Impossibility.

One element of the most successful stories and screenplays is that the task / transformation is or seems to be impossible (and this is made explicit in a specific sequence). In fact, it may seem downright suicidal. This is one of the elements of a Hero - an Ordinary World person could not succeed.

The “Impossibilty Sequence” may or may not be part of the “Devolved State” state sequence - where it is demonstrated how far the Hero has to go / how much a Hero is a “Fish out of Water.”

This is seen in some of the most successful stories of our time:

In Dances with Wolves (1990), John is told that going to the frontier is madness; the Indians are dangerous.

In Never Ending Story (1984), Bastian doesn’t believe the book is special and can open a door to a new world.

In The Godfather (1972), that Michael could become Don was unlikely.

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/

Managing Creativity and Innovation and related techniques and tools 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.

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Long ago I traveled the stars on a velvet stream of vibrant energy. A song of infinite beauty lilted refrains of everlasting adventure and ascending joy. It was a time of no time; a journey of tranquility within the unending dance of motion and creation.

I knew myself as the thread and the garment of the All That Is. I knew myself to be the one and the many, nowhere and everywhere, powerful and powerless. Nothing was separate from that which I was and nothing was impossible within the never ending space of stars within stars.

A thought in me emerged that I would come to physicality. In the space of a body I would explore the possibility of wholeness through the illusion of separateness.

I would feel the call of the senses as in the way an apple yearns for the ground; even though the limb provides its nourishment. I would truly experience the comfort of warm waters through the contrast of a frigid ocean.

For who can admire the whole beauty of the tree while tethered to her limbs? And who can coo at the warmth if there is no cold? Truly, was my thought, I would come to absolute knowledge of the beautiful Light through the lens of contrast. I would know my Love not unlike a rose that is scaffolded in sublime comfort above a sanguine blanket of thorns.

As the conviction of my thought coalesced into action, a question came upon me…

What if I become lost? What if the cold ocean of this body swallows me whole and no life raft comes to my aid? Could I return?

Fear not I was assured. Nothing which is of the whole is ever cast to the bottom of the ocean. All shall be made whole at the time of your choosing. Even if you neglect to ask the question, your desires are known and the answer is given.

And on the eve of my journey a new song burst forth - a chorus rich with compassionate surety - and heralded these tidings:

• The source of love and nurturing is with you and flows through you at all times. There is never a time, even in your darkest hours, when I am not with you.
• Freewill shall be yours. Whatsoever you may ask for, it shall be granted. From the lowliest of desires to the grandest aspirations, whether beckoned from the depths of fear or the pinnacle of love, it shall all be yours for the asking. The Source of Life shall be at your service so that your journey of contrast may come to fruition.
• You shall know when your thoughts and actions do not match the intended desires of your highest self, for your feelings will be your guiding light. If you are on the path of your highest good you will feel joy and freedom, and if you stray you will feel discord and disharmony. Watch for this beacon of emotions and you will know the path. Choose another thought or another action in times of trouble, and let your feelings in response to these new thoughts or actions move you towards the Light.
• You can not fail. It does not matter what words you speak or what actions you take during your journey, for you shall return to the bosom of love and you will be embraced for the being of love which you are. All things return to love for that is All There Is.

And now I slumber through my days and nights, and at times I hear the chorus of this song as a faint whisper… beckoning me to awaken.

I dip my hands in the cool, cool water and smile. For I feel the gentle nudge to awaken even though there is no warmth in these currents. I turn my thoughts to the melody and feel the beacon as it guides me… to open and loving arms.

Brett Krkosska is a freelance writer and syndicated columnist.
Visit his site, http://www.GodUnplugged.com for perspectives
and commentary on the issues of life.

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