[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk....; 188 stages of the Hero;s Journey you need to know about...] The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. 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) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created. and more... EXAMPLE: Smokey and the Bandit (1977) - [Hero's Journey, basic] FADE IN: context: the cops stop a trucker for transporting beer across the state line; it's bootlegging. Meeting the Herald: Big and Little Enos. Referencing the Hero: he has a big ego and will try anything, legal or not. Hero's Status: everyone knows who the bandit is. Meeting the Hero: the Enos' meet the Bandit; the Bandit laughs at their suits. Call to Adventure: will you make the run? Refusal: it's bootlegging. Overcoming Refusal: the Enos' pay well; the cash. Threshold Guardian to the Mentor: Snowman's wife. Meeting the Mentor: Snowman's in bed. Persuading the Mentor: we can make $80,000 Allies: Fred the dog. Time Pressure: we have to the trip in 24hrs. Impossibility: that ain't never been done before. Magical Gift: the car. Developing Characters and Relationships: debating the channels. Threshold Marker to the First Threshold: the red lights. Developing Characters and Relationships: why we doing this; 'cause it can't be done. Outer Cave: Forced forward: pursued by the cops; getting rid of the cops. Middle Cave: Picking up the beer. Time Pressure: 28 minutes ahead of schedule. Inner Cave: meeting Carrie. Push to the Belly of the Whale: does this thing move? Belly of the Whale: Bandit and Carrie in the car. Physical Separation / meeting the Antagonist: meeting Sheriff Buford T. Justice and his son. World of the Transformation: where did you get that seat cover son? I'm going to get her. Trials and Transformation 1: Outer Cave: Developing Characters and Relationships: Bandit and Carrie getting to know each other in the car. Outer Cave: Developing Characters and Relationships: The Sheriff and his son. Middle Cave: Getting rid of the smoky; telling Carrie he's running bootleg. Inner Cave: Sheriff calls the Bandit; you got trouble coming; Texas Mounty behind the Bandit; Bandit gets rid of the Texas Mounty. New Self / Transformation: Carrie gets a new name. Trials and Transformation 2: Outer Cave: Beaufort T Justice argues with the Sheriff of Arkansas; the Bandit warned of the County Mounty roadblock; the Bandit runs the roadblock; jumping the bridge. Push t the Middle Cave: Carrie told to get off at the Choke n Puke; arriving at the Choke n Puke; Frog leaves. MidPoint / Middle Cave: Bandit meets the Sheriff in the Choke n Puke. Inner Cave: Carrie steals and drives the Bandit's car. Transformation: the truth is I want to stay with you. Trials and Transformation 3: Outer Cave: The Sheriff's car drives under the truck. Middle Cave: The funeral blocks the County Mounty. Inner Cave: The Frog jumps the football field. Transfomration: Frog meets the Snowman and Frog; she's one of them now. Divergence: Fred goes for a walk. Foreshadow of the Sword / Developing Characters and Relationships: I'm a gypsy; I do what I do best, show off. Convergence: the Snowman picks up Fred from the water. Antagonism: speaking to the Sheriff in the gas station. Guardians of the Sword: another road block; doing a bit of pond hopping. Antagonism: the Sheriff stops by the police car being pulled out of the water. Developing Characters and Relationships: put the evidence in the car; there's no way that you could come from my loins. Pushed to the Sword: the Fender Bender. Journey to the Sword: we've got some time, you want to stretch your legs; taking off his hat. Foreshadow of the Near Death: Snowman walks into the bar. Seizing the Sword: do you think we have anything in common; taking off his hat. Near Death Experience: Snowman thrown out of the bar. Reward: knocking over the bikes. Antagonist Deflated: the Sheriff confronts the officer for using that kind of language. Time Pressure: we lost a lot of time; we're gonna really have to cook. Foreshadow of the Apotheosis: Foxy Lady sets up the Sheriff. Atonement: Bandit escapes the cops by hiding in the rockin' chair. Apotheosis: the Sheriff arrests the Captain. Forced to the Boon: here comes the cavalry. Ultimate Boon: the Bandit tempts the traffic cop away; the two other cop cars follow; the Bandit loses them all; the kids help out. Refusal: did you count on all of this; no I didn't honey; we ain't gonna make it son. Magic Flight: the 'copter. Rescue from Without: the Snowman is coming through. Crossing the Return Threshold: the Snowman and the Bandit drive into the Enos' Master of Two Worlds: double or nothing. Freedom to Live: saying goodbye to the Sheriff. FADE OUT Learn more... The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/ 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. |
