The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

By understanding exactly what elements make up each major stage of the Hero’s Journey, screenwriters can easily build a screenplay from the ground up.

A critical element of the Call to Adventure is the Antagonism. The story and editing determine where and how the antagonism is introduced, but it is rare to find not a mention of it during this stage of the journey:

In Star Wars (1977), the first sequence introduces the antagonism (Vader) and the need for a resolution.

Often, the antagonism is referenced if not actually introduced:

In Dances with Wolves (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 1990), the Pawnee and the White Man are not developed as antagonists until a much later stage. But the White Man as antagonist is referenced early on (”the Indians are nothing but thieves and beggars.”)

And sometimes the antagonism is simply a tool to help with the hero’s other challenges:

In Million Dollar Baby (Academy Award Winner Best Film, 2004), The Blue Bear and the gym bully are tools to push a) Maggie to the apotheosis and the Ultimate Boon and b) help overcome Morgan Freeman’s challenge.

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://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 and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

Tags: Screenplay Structure, Story StructureScreenplay Structure, Story Structure

Share This

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

The Hero’s Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.

Consider this:

Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.

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.

Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.

Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.

Editing Effects

It is of importance that the Hero’s Journey should be considered a Process rather than a linear guideline.

Although a significant majority of successful stories follow the Hero’s Journey in a linear fashion (Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) etc), a less significant number of successful stories play with the linear timeline:

a) In Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000), we first meet the supernatural aids (Li and Shu Lien) and learn of their challenge (that they love each other) before we meet the heroine, who appears (on first viewing) to be the Shape Shifter.

b) In Midnight Cowboy (1969), Joe Buck sets off almost immediately on his journey and flashbacks are used (to great effect) to introduce the character, his Call etc

Learn more

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://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 and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

Tags: Heros Journey, Screenwriting, Story StructureHeros Journey, Screenwriting, Story Structure

Share This

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.managing-creativity.com

The Hero’s Journey is THE template upon which most successful stories and screenplays are built upon. The following is a summary deconstruction Silence of the Lambs - Academy Award Winner Best Film (1991):

Introduce Hero and Capabilities [Clarice tackling the FBI assault course].

Herald brings the Call to Adventure [Jack Crawford sends Clarice to visit Lecter (her Supernatural Aid)].

Threshold Guardian [Dr Chiltern obstructs Clarice’s visit to Lecter].

Refusal [Lecter refuses to help].

Overcoming Refusal [Lecter’s cell mate is rude and causes Lecter to help Clarice by way of apology]. Lecter sends Clarice to the First Threshold [the garage].

Physical Separation / Belly of the Whale [Lecter says he’ll help Clarice catch Buffalo Bill].

Antagonism developed [Buffalo Bill kidnaps senator’s daughter].

Transformation / Road of Trials x 3 [Clarice controls the police officers; analyses the dead body in Clay County; learns about the cocoon].

Resistance to the Meeting with the Oracle [Dr Chiltern obstructs Clarice from seeing Lecter before he is moved].

Journey to the Sword [Lecter journeys to meet the Senator].

Seizing the Sword [Clarice gets the info she needs, which Lecter has written in the case files; Clarice learns the significance of Silence of the Lambs].

Rebirth through Death [Lecter escapes and kills].

Reward [Clarice knows Lecter will not come after her].

Atonement with the Father [Clarice learns that Buffalo Bill can only covet what he sees].

Apotheosis [he’s making a skin suit].

Ultimate Boon [Crawford has (allegedly) found Buffalo Bill].

Refusal [Crawford tells Clarice not to come to Chicago but go to Belvedere instead].

Magic Flight [Senator’s daughter attempts to escape].

Rescue from Without {Clarice directed toward Mrs Lipman].

Crossing the Return Threshold [Clarice enters buffalo Bills House].

Master of the Two Worlds [Clarice and Buffalo Bill gun battle].

Freedom to Live [medals, graduation, Lecter confirms he has no plans to call on Clarice].

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://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 and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

Tags: Heros Journey, Screenplay, Screenwriting, Silence of the Lambs, Story StructureHeros Journey, Screenplay, Screenwriting, Silence of the Lambs, Story Structure

Share This