From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.clickok.co.uk/
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…
Sample Movie Deconstructed: Star Wars (1977)
FADE IN: Context: galaxy far, far away. Empire versus the Rebellion etc.
The Antagonism; Good versus Evil polarization: Darth attacks Leia’s ship; Darth versus Leia; Leia taken hostage (Sword).
Heralds seek a Hero: Herald’s journey dangerous, full of obstacles, near death experience, separation: C3PO and R2 escape Vader’s clutches.
Heralds pursued: Stormtroopers after the droids.
Meeting the Interdictor (Uncle Owen) and the Hero (Luke).
Call to Adventure: Heralds and Hero Sacred Meeting: Luke gets Leia’s message.
Interdiction: Uncle Owen forbids Luke to seek Obi Wan.
Yearning for the Transformation: Luke looking at the moons.
Breaking the Interdiction: Luke forced to pursue R2.
Mentor Guardians / Near Death Experience: the sand people.
Meeting the Mentor : Obi Wan magically appears.
Safe Haven: Obi Wan takes Luke back to his home.
Spiritual guidance, back story and magical gifts (light sabre).
Refusal : Luke cannot go with Obi Wan.
Antagonism Developed (Outer Cave): the Empire has taken control; fear of the Death Star will keep the individual star systems in line.
Unbearable Antagonism: Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru murdered.
Antagonism Developed (Middle Cave): Leia interrogated with needles.
Conscious Decision to Transform: “I want to learn the ways of the force like my father….”
Warning at the Border of the First Threshold: “we must be cautious.”
Entering the New World of the First Threshold : Mos Isley.
New and Magical Creatures: the creatures upon entry.
Threshold Guardian: the storm trooper guards.
Foreboding of the Cave: uncomfortable about entering the bar.
New and Magical Creatures: the aliens in the bar.
Rules by an Authority Figure: the barman.
Outer Cave: confronting the criminal wanted on several star systems.
Foreshadow of the Physical Separation : Storm Troopers outside the bar.
Middle Cave / Meeting Allies: Han and Chewy.
Hero and Shape Shifter relationship: Luke and Han’s relationship antagonistic.
Departing the Old World and the Old Self: “you’ll have to sell you speeder…””that’s alright, I’m never coming back here again…”
Inner Cave / Shape Shifter’s Back Story: Han shoots the bounty hunter.
Antagonist Developed (Inner Cave): “I think it’s time we demonstrated the full power of this battle station.”
Foreshadow of the Push : Antagonists pursue the Luke et al.
Physical Separation: Forced off the First Threshold: the Storm Troopers chase Luke et al off Mos Isley.
Mid Point: The Antagonist’s threat made explicit: Alderran destroyed.
Road of Trials [not very well developed in this movie] : Luke training and learning about the force.
Developing Characters and Relationships: “let the Wookee win.”
Cynicism: Han skeptical about the force.
Time Pressure to Sieze the Sword: “terminate Leia.”
Fish out of Water: arriving amidst Alderran’s debris.
Pulled In / Miscalculation: following the short range fighter onto that small moon.
Foreboding: I have a bad feeling about this.
Resisting the Pull: “they won’t get me without a fight.”
Resistance Futile: entering a much larger world.
Antagonist Alerted: “the Princess may still be of some use to us.”
Foreshadow of the Atonement: Vader sense the presence of Obi Wan.
Chameleon: Luke et al hide in the smuggler compartments.
Wolves Clothing: Luke et al get the Storm Trooper uniforms.
Guardians: questioned by control; blasting into the control room.
Meeting the Oracle: the database informs of the geography of this World and tells Luke et al that Leia is on board.
Mentor’s Challenge: Obi Wan leaves to release the tractor beam.
Warnings and Refusal to Seize the Sword: Luke has to persuade Han and Chewy.
Separation: R2 and C3PO stay behind.
Journey to the Sword dangerous and pessimistic: “this is not gonna work…”
Foreshadow of the Atonement:: Vader sense Obi Wan.
Threshold Guardian to the Sword: the guards.
Comedic Element: “how are you?”
Seizing the Sword: Luke rescues Leia.
Preparing for the Atonement: Vader knows he must face Obi Wan.
Night Sea Journey: going down into the garbage level.
Serpent Battle: Luke battles the underwater serpent.
Near Death Experience: the garbage compartment contracts.
Celebration at the Rebirth: Like et al rejoice at escaping death.
Mentor’s Challenge: Obi Wan releases the tractor beam.
Separation: Han and chewy chase the Storm Troopers.
Hero’s Inner Challenge conquered: Luke can do it alone.
Reward / Romantic Challenge conquered: Leia kisses Luke.
Convergence: Hero and allies converge.
Shape Shifter’s True Nature: “shall we leave this party?”
Atonement with the Father: Obi Wan faces Vader.
Apotheosis: there is nothing you could have done.
Magic Flight: the Millenium Falcon is pursued.
Celebration: “we did it.”
Push to the Final Conflict : “are you sure the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship…”
Ultimate Boon: they have the plans that can destroy that Death Star.
Refusal” “I’m not going back there again.”
Shape Shifter as Romantic Competition: “you think a princess and a guy like me…”
Returning to the Sponsors: back to the rebel base and meeting senior commanders.
Time Pressure: “no time for our sorrows, commander.”
Time Pressure: the Death Star prepares to orbit.
Rescue from Without: “a small one man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense.”
Antagonis’s Confidence: “this will be a day long remembered…”
Shape Shifter’s True Nature: Han won’t stay; Luke…”may the force be with you…”
Romantic Challenge / Encouragement: Leia kisses Luke.
Matching Peers: Luke and Biggs.
Crossing the Return Threshold: viewing the Death Star from a distance; diving in.
Master of the Two Worlds: Destroying the Death Star. See FINAL CONFLICT.
Freedom to Live: Medals; Ceremony; Reward.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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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://www.clickok.co.uk/
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