188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Transcendental Powers Remain Behind

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Transcendental Powers Remain Behind
By Kal Bishop

The 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 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) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story. This is why stories such as Alien (1979), Gladiator (2000), Midnight Cowboy (1969), American Beauty (1999), The Graduate (1967) and many others (all deconstructed at the URL below) appear to be different but are all constructed, almost sequence by sequence, in the same way.

and more...

ABRIDGED TIP(S):

*****Transcendental Powers Remain Behind*****

The Hero must fight his (or her) Final Battle alone - how else can he (or she) be certain that the antagonisms (which in no small measure are psychological) have certainly been overcome.

Allies remain behind: In Lord of the Rings, (2003), Frodo journeys up the mountain alone. In Alien (1979), no one is left but Ripley.

Mentors remain behind: In the Wizard of Oz (1939), the Wizard cannot control his balloon and flies away. In Wall Street (1987), Bud Fox falls out with his Dad, Carl Fox.

Magical Aids remain behind: In American Beauty (1999), Ricky can no longer supply Lester with marijuana. In Bullitt (1968), Frank no longer has Ross' dead body to play with.

*****Rebirth*****

Surviving the Near Death Experience triggers a Rebirth, which is demonstrated in a number of ways.

Physical Expressions of Joy. In Star Wars (1977), Luke et al rejoice at surviving the garbage compactor.

Celebrations. In Dances with Wolves (1990), the tribe celebrates.

Change of Clothes. In Dances with Wolves (1990), John Dunbar is dressed in the full Sioux outfit. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond goes into the bathroom to change and comes back in new clothes.

Goodbye to the Old Self. In Dances with Wolves (1990), John Dunbar literarily says Goodbye as he walks into the tent. In Syriana (2005), Arash says goodbye to his Father.

New Behaviour. In Alien (1979), Ripley takes charge.

Learn more

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Heros 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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