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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From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms….

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…

EXAMPLE: Desperate Housewives Episode 02.04 My Heart belongs to Daddy - Hero’s Journey [basic deconstruction]

FADE IN

A story [opening catch and resolution]: the inmates make the lawyer apologise to Gabrielle.

Credits

B story: Lynette feels she’s missing out on her son’s growing up.

C story: Susan and Mike decide they don’t have to be naked anymore.

Call to Adventure

A story: Gabrielle wants to get laid.

D story: George wants to kiss Brie.

B story: Lynette tries to take her son to get some doughnuts.

Belly of the Whale

D story: Brie wants Andrew to get to know George at dinner.

C story: Edie sends out an email that Zach is Mike’s son.

Trials and Transformation

A story: the lawyer is attracted to Gabrielle.

B story: Lynette told that her son is suffering emotional trauma.

Atonement with the Father

D story: Andrew and George at dinner.

A story: the lawyer hits on Gabrielle.

C story: Susan sees Zach in the park.

Apotheosis

C story: Susan persuaded to bring Zach back home.

B story: Tom advises Lynette to start hugging.

Refusal

B story: Parker refuses a hug.

D story: Brie tells George she has to stop seeing him.

Freedom to Live / Set up Continuation:

A story: Gabrielle gets a conjugal visit.

C story: Susan sends Zach to Utah.

B story: Lynette throws Mrs Mulberry / the umbrella away.

D story: George gives Brie a kiss and Andrew attacks him.

FADE OUT:

D story: Andrew sent away.

A story: Carlos touches the baby.

C story: Mike finds a flyer.

B story: Lynette feels guilty for killing Parker’s imaginary friend.

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

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

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

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. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters:

The Hero’s Journey:

Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

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

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of conventions. Before screenwriters can decide whether to accept or reject the conventions, they must appreciate their purpose and value.

Consider this:

Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) - All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero’s Journey.

Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.

Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.

Hero’s Journey, Story Structure and the Ideal Choice

A critical element of the Hero’s journey is the Seizure of the Sword. Before this, however, the hero is asked to make a difficult decision - which relates directly to the Ideal that pushes the hero toward the Sword.

In Elizabethtown (2005), drew has to decide whether he wants to return to Ellen (representative of the Old World) or move towards Claire (representative of the New World).

In Spiderman 2 (2004), Peter has to decide whether he wants to sacrifice being Spiderman in order to win MJ’s love.

In The Matrix (1999), Neo has to decide whether he is able to put his own life on the line in order to save Morpheus.

Learn more

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://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 and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

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://managing-creativity.com/

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