188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Abbreviated Excerpts 7

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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)

*****Romantic Challenge Polarized*****

The Romantic Challenge is just that - a challenge that has to be resolved. As such, the Hero and Romantic Challenge are, at first meeting, highly polarized. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Marion argues with Indy outside her bar. In The Deer Hunter (1978), Michael is a world away from Linda. In The English Patient (1996), Laszlo and Katharine have the problem of her husband.

*****Willing or Unwilling Hero*****

Some indication of the Hero's willingness (Willing Hero) or unwillingness (Unwilling Hero) is made explicit. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie runs out to meet Clyde.

*****Seizing the Sword*****

The Sword is a metpahor for an Expansion of Consciousness and represented by a tangible (most often fire (symbolising power), a bride (symbolising Romantic Conquest) or treasure). But it can be any tangible. In Syriana (2006), it is simply a post-it note. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), it is the kidnapping of the owners of the car.

*****Interdiction Broken*****

Punishments and demonstrations of the broken Interdictions is often demonstrated. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis sees the dead sheep.

*****Conscious Decision*****

The Conscious Decision is a staple of the Hero's Journey and Transformation. The Hero explicitly states that he (or she) will embark on the Journey and Transformation. This is expressed in a number of ways. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde asks Bonnie whether she wants to stay in West Dallas, carry on waitressing and dating truck drivers or go with her.

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Learn more… WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY! The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at 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 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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