|
Author: Kal Bishop Article source: http://www.clickok.co.uk/. Used with author's permission.
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.
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.
Screenplay in 17 days
Simply devote a day to each of the 17 stages of the Hero's Journey. It's as simple and as difficult as that!
The following SUMMARY uses Million Dollar Baby - Academy Award Winner Best Film 2005 as an example. It should be noted that there are two heroes in this story, a) Maggie and b) Frankie. Watch the movie, deconstruct it and see how it is built from the ground up:
Call to Adventure - where the hero is pushed to resolve a challenge. Maggie needs to escape her White Trash roots and Frankie needs to resolve issues concerning his daughter.
Refusal of the Call - where there is refusal, resistance, warning and foreboding. Frankie refuses to train Maggie.
The Supernatural Aid - where a mentor encourages the hero along the path. Eddie (Morgan Freeman) begins to help Maggie with her training and simultaneously guides Frankie towards her. As is usual, the supernatural aid has a challenge of his own (Danger Barch).
First Threshold - where a point of no return is crossed. Maggie persists in the gym. There is no dissuading her or going back for her.
Physical Separation (Belly of the Whale) - where the hero physically separates from his Old World and heads into the Transformation. Willie leaves Frankie, who has little else to do but train Maggie.
Transformation (Road of Trials) - where the hero significantly, but not completely, transforms. Maggie becomes a professional boxer.
The Ideal and the Seizing of the Sword - where the hero faces a difficult choice and journey to (often) the heart of the antagonism. Maggie buys her family a house and Frank takes on the role of father.
Rebirth Through Death - where the Hero is reborn. Eddie saves Danger Barch from the gym bully; Maggie doesn't know what to do about the bear.
Atonement with the Father - where the hero confronts the obstacle to the apotheosis. Maggie loses to the blue Bear.
Apotheosis - where the hero has the illumination. Maggie should have listened to Frank and protected herself.
Ultimate Boon - both hero and heroine get a family.
Refusal of the Return - where the hero is repulsed by his Old Self or, on a practical level, there is refusal on some level. Frankie refuses to go back to the gym.
Magic Flight - where the hero attempts to escape from the antagonism or, for some reason, is unable to confront it. Frankie takes Maggie away and attempts to find doctors who can reverse the situation.
Rescue for Without - where the hero is pulled back toward his or her challenges. Maggie's family return; Frankie wants to replace them and resists their arrival.
Crossing the Return Threshold - where the hero confronts the antagonism. Maggie loses her legs and asks Frankie to kill her.
Master of the Two Worlds - where the antagonism is defeated. Frankie kills Maggie.
Freedom to Live - where the hero is freed from the antagonism. Frankie does not return to the gym.
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/
What is Self Mastery? - Part 2
Some of my clients have literally shed weight away with regular use of an elliptical trainer, Yoga classes, and a moderate diet.
Securing Second and Third-round Venture Capital Financing
As your start-up matures, obtaining second- or even third-round funding may allow your business to expand and grow into new opportunities identified after your ...
Guitarists...Are You A Victim and A Loser?
Learn about the biggest enemy of musical progress. Avoid this enemy and your progress is guaranteed.
The Sadness of Old Buildings
From the book No Smooshing! Gary E. Anderson www.abciowa.com For years, I've carried on a not-so-friendly debate with some of my artist friends from the West Co...
Choosing a Truck Wash Location in Nevada, Case Study
There are several well-known truck washes in the Great State of Nevada. Truckers need to get their truck washes as they travel West into California after coming...
The Forex Markets and Its Trend Patterns
There are two types of markets which will become very important for you to identify and understand in order to become a profitable forex trader. These are: tren...
Lingerie Bowl at Home
Ok Guys, we are not as hopless as women think we are when it comes to romance. Here is a tip that will have your woman begging for more!
Presentation Skills - Keeping the Blackberries at Bay
The key to successful presentations lies in the ability of the presenter to bond with the audience through the use of proper eye contact. Read more to discover...
Profits Are Better Than Wages
My mentor, when I was 25 years old, dropped a phrase on me that changed my life forever when he said, "profits are better than wages. Wages will make you a livi...
The ABC of Being a Good Interior Designer
It may seem that all you need to be a good interior designer is a sense of aesthetics and a flair for design. That is a good start, yes, but it gets you about f...
Why More Sales Training Comes Before More Marketing Expenditure
In most businesses, when sales are slow or low, the first reaction is to spend more on marketing. Create better adverts, more adverts; direct sales letters is t...
The Five Worst Date Places
These are the worst places you could choose to go on a date and I recommend that you avoid them like the plague if you want the other person to still like you w...
Customer Care - Do You Really Care?
What is the most important thing in your web design business that builds it and makes stronger every day? Your web site content and promotion? Portfolio? Comput...
5 Simple Steps to Start Your Weight Loss Program
You really don't need to follow the latest fancy fad diet to lose weight. Just following 5 simple steps will guarantee weight loss and a new healthy waistline.
Cant Wait For Payday? Try Check Advance
Check advance can come in really handy when you're waiting for the regular pay check that never seems to come. Check advance stations exist in most major cities...
Bodyguard Training in Mexico; My Experiences While Providing BG Training in Mexico
Mexico the country of Salsa, Tortillas and Corruption; I first arrived in Mexico City in February 2002 as an instructor for the WFB - the World Federation of Bo...
Smart Dust and Virtual Keyboards
Using Smart Dust which is sprinkled onto a rock it maybe possible to type information into a small computer or PDA very rapidly. This could be quite handy for m...
Acne Can Be A Problem At Any Age
Adult, teenage and baby acne have something in common; no one likes the problem. Adult, teenage and baby acne problems are surrounded by myths.
Internet & Mortgage Calculations
"You've been approved!" The words you have always wanted to hear when you filled out the home loan application. It swirls through your mind the opportunities an...
Anti Government, Pro Democracy
Many Americans feel betrayed by their government, our government. I recently met a gentleman at a coffee shop who said he was; Anti-Government and Pro-Democracy...
Do You Have Your Foot On The Pedal? Are You Overwhelmed At Work?
Are you too busy to see the wood for the trees? Are you being honest about the amount of overwhelm you are feeling in your life? Is it time to make some changes...
The Ghost of Expected Surprises
Here, Cratchet, what do you think you're doing? Uh, er, leaving sir. Leaving? It's 5 minutes to the hour. Shall I dock your pay accordingly. Uh, er, no sir. No ...
Currency Trading: How To Get Rich And Powerful From Currency Trading Program
This article describes the secrets on how to create true personal wealth from safe currency trading online from your home or office.
Let a Subordinate Solve It!
Effective change comes from the top, but astute managers
will recognize viable change from all levels of the
organization. When all employees look for ways of...
|
Print this page