188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Screenplay Writing

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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 (188+ stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about...):

(simply go to www.clickok.co.uk for full details)

*****The One*****

As noted before, the Seizing of the Sword (a tangible) is a metaphor for the intangible (Expansion of Consciousness). It is now, once the Hero has gained his (or her) Expansion of Consciousness, that others believe that he (or she) may truly be The One, The Saviour, The Messiah, the one capable of defeating the previously unbeatable Antagonism. In Dances with Wolves (1990), Two Socks takes the meat from John's hand. In The Matrix (1999), Trinity et al begin to believe Neo is the one.

*****Overcoming Doubt (into the Road of Transformation and Trials)*****

Pulled In. Though doubtful, the Hero is pulled into the Transformation. In Shawshank Redemption (1994), the library and helping the guards with their taxes pulls Andy in.

Encouragement. Mentors or some other force may encourage the Hero. In Dances with Wolves (1990), the Indians meet and decide to engage with John. In Scarface (1983), Frank helps Tony's maturation into dealer. In Gladiator (2000), Juba attempts to persuade Maximus to fight. And Proximo is intrigued by him.

*****Apotheosis*****

Apotheosis is the overcoming of the limitations of Inner Challenges. The Hero no longer requires Mentor figures and here, most often, the Mentor departs. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Mama tells them they’re going to die soon; they better keep running; bye baby.

*****Heroine's Journey*****

It is a mistake to believe that the Heroine's Journey is separate and distinct from the Hero's Journey. The Journey is about pulling the Hero through a Process of Transformation, which is not gender (or culturally) specific. A good example is Million Dollar Baby (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 2004) - though Maggie and Frankie both have their challenges, the process towards Apotheosis and beyond is the same.

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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