188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Film Script Writing

By Kal Bishop

FORWARD

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.

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).

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)

*****Hero's Backstory*****

The Mentor or Supernatural Aid often knows a lot about the Hero. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde knows all about Bonnie - the guys, the café, wondering how she is going to get away from it.

*****Familial Dislocation*****

Familial dislocation is a common backstory for the Hero. Harry Potter's parents were dead, as were Luke Skywalkers. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), "...my old man was a bullriders; never taught me a thing, never once came to see me ride..."; Ennis tells his family story.

*****Hero's Backstory*****

The Mentor or Supernatural Aid often knows a lot about the Hero. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde knows all about Bonnie - the guys, the café, wondering how she is going to get away from it.

*****Losing a part of the Old Self. Gaining a part of the New Self*****

Before entering the First Threshold, the Hero loses a part of his Old Self and gains a part of his New Self. Often some tangible symbol or behaviour will be lost and gained. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zach leaves his bike behind and tries to cover up his tattoo. In Raging Bull (1980), Jake's wife leaves him.

*****Magic Flight Characteristics*****

An odd characteristic of the magic flight is that it often involves death. In Straw Dogs (1971), Henry kills Janice. In Star Wars (1977), Luke destroys some of the Death Star's fighters. In Scarface (1983), Tony kills Sosa's man.

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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