by Kal Bishop
FORWARD
Kal Bishop's 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 hero used to be the one in white. Now he is harder to spot.
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
CONSIDER THIS: o Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template. o Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template. o Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template. o ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template. o Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template. o 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. o Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey. o Heroine's Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey.
(For the Complete 188+ stage Hero's Journey simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ )
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
*****Second Catharsis*****
If the Antagonism is friend, a mercy killing is required. In Return of the Jedi (1983), Vader wants to die.
Else the Hero will realise the deceit and be forced to vanquish the Hero. In Spiderman (2002), the Green Goblin deceives Peter and forces Peter to kill him.
Instinct. It is not unusual for the Hero to rely on superior instincts at this stage. In Silence of the Lambs (1991), Clarice instinctively turns around to shoot Buffalo Bill. In Heat (1995), Vincent instinctively reacts to take out Neil.
*****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 bullrider; never taught me a thing, never once came to see me ride..."; Ennis tells his family story. Learn more... WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY! The Complete 188 stage HeroÂ’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.heros-journey.info/188 stages of the Hero's Journey can also be reached from http://www.story-structure.org/You can also receive a free sample file by entering your email address at this site. You can post this article on your web site or blog as long as no changes are made, the author's name is retained and the links to our site URLs remains active.**********************************Kal Bishop, MBA