From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.managing-creativity.com 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. Sample Movie Deconstructed: Taxi Driver (1976) Fade In: context: a cab in the city. Introducing the hero: looking around the city. Crossing into the First Threshold: walking through the door. Threshold Guardian: the taxi office boss. Back story and capabilities needed of the Hero: we learn about Travis; he was a marine; he can't sleep nights; low intelligence: "what's moonlighting." Foreshadow / reference to the Supernatural Aid: Wizard in the background. Hero in his Ordinary World: Travis is his apartment. Reference to the Inner Challenge: wash away the trash and the garbage... Nee Creatures in the First Threshold: Travis driving a cab now; the nightlife. References to the Inner Challenge: the car wash; washing the cab; cleanliness etc. Conflict in the Inner Cave: Travis rejected by the girl in the Kiss and Tell. Inner Cave: watching the porn movie. Physical Separation: seeing Betsy for the first time. Developing the Romantic Challenge: Betsy in the office. Foreshadow of the Transformation: Travis watching Betsy. Meeting the Supernatural Aid: Wizard et al in the caf. Magical Gift: the offer of guns. Developing the Romantic Challenge: Betsy and Tom in the office. Trial 1: Travis asks Betsy to go on a date. Trial 2: Travis and Betsy meet in the coffee shop. Resistance to Trail 3: Travis calls Betsy, she resists and then agrees. Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Palantine in the car. Referencing the Inner Challenge: Travis says that a President should "clean up this place." Foreshadow if the Final Conflict: Iris tries to get in the car and escape. Trial 3: Travis takes Betsy to see a porn movie; she walks away. Journey to the Sword: Alienation for the antihero; the flowers; stomach cancer; feeling lonely. Seizing the Sword: being excluded; Travis is thrown out of the office. Rebirth through a Near Death Experience: Scorsese in the car; he's going to kill his cheating wife. Reward: Travis has made a lot of money. Atonement with the Father: meeting with the Wizard; Travis is "really down..." "...just wants to go out and do something..." "...thinking bad things..." Foreshadow of the Final Conflict / Pulled Forward: Palantine on TV. Pulled Back / Reminder of the Romantic Challenge / Reminder of the Transformation: driving past Betsy. Foreshadow of the Final Conflict / Pulled Forward: Travis bumps into Iris. Apotheosis: loneliness has chased Travis all his life; it cannot be escaped. Ultimate Boon: there is a change. Travis buys the guns. Refusal of the Return: Travis gets fit. He won't destroy his body anymore. Resisting the Pull Back to the Old Self: hesitantly watching porn again. Building the New Self: Travis gets expert with guns. Magic Flight: pursued by the Secret Service. Pushing toward the New Self / Pushing toward the Final Conflict: "you talking to me..." sequence. Becoming the New Self: killing the supermarket robber. Reminded of the Old Self: watching TV. Pulled toward the Final Conflict: Travis drives away from Palantine's speech. Preparing for the Final Conflict: "don't worry about me..."; the card sequence. Rescue from Without: throwing over the TV; Travis can't resist the pull of the Old Self. Crossing the Return Threshold: Travis meets with Iris, Harvey Keitel et al; the bedroom scene. Resisting the Master of Two Worlds / Final Conflict: Travis and Iris having breakfast; she doesn't want to go back. Developing the Antagonism: Iris and Sport. Preparing for the Final Conflict: shoe shining; sharpening the knife. Saying Goodbye to the Old Self: burning the flowers. New Self:: a Mohican Travis. Final Conflict: Failing to kill Palantine's. Final Conflict: rescuing Iris. Freedom to Live: Medal: the letter from Iris' parents. Freedom to Live: Inner Challenge Conquered: Travis stands alongside his buddies; Outer Challenge conquered: heard that Palantine got selected, that's OK; Romantic Challenge conquered: Betsy calls on Travis. Learn more... The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/ You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site. Kal Bishop ********************************** You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained. |
