From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters.... 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: Omen (1976) FADE IN: Introduce the Hero: Robert Thorn in his way to hospital. Inciting Incident: The baby is dead. Call to Adventure : "you can adopt." Refusal : "she wanted her own…" Overcoming Refusal: seeing the orphan baby; "your wife need never know," "God has given you a son today…" Consciously agreeing to the Journey: Katherine gets the baby. Hero's Ordinary World: at the US Embassy. Pushed to the First Threshold: Robert gets the Great Britain Ambassadorship. Celebrating the Journey: Robert and Katherine rejoice. New World of the First Threshold : their new house; English parks. Foreshadow of the Transformation: Damien disappears by the river. Meeting Allies and Enemies: the dog and Keith Jennings. Rules of this World: the nanny kills herself. Foreshadow of the Sword: Keith Jennings takes photos; the dog. Foreshadow of the Sword: Robert bumps into Keith Jennings, "…please send me a bill for the damage…" Threshold Guardian to the Mentor: secretary tells Robert that Father Brennan is waiting. Meeting the Mentor : Robert meets Father Brennan in his office. Resisting the Physical Separation: Robert throws Brennan out of the office. Foreshadow of the Sword: Keith Jennings develops the photos. Push toward the Physical Separation: Mrs Baylock arrives. Resisting the Push toward the Physical Separation: "I thought you put enquired about a new Governess?" Getting Mrs Baylock's references. Foreshadow of the Transformation: "don't worry little one, I am here to protect thee…" Resisting the Push toward the Physical Separation: Mrs Baylock doesn't want Damien to go to Church. Push toward the Physical Separation: Damien won't go into the church. Resisting the Push toward the Physical Separation: "should we get a doctor to see him?" "Oh, no he is fine." Push toward the Physical Separation: Robert finds the dog with Mrs Baylock. Pushed to the Physical Separation: Damien at the zoo; the giraffe's run. Reminder of the Physical Separation: Robert sees Father Brennan. Push toward the Physical Separation: Damien in the zoo; the baboons attack. Agreeing to the Physical Separation: Katherine wants a psychiatrist. Agreeing t the Physical Separation: Father Brennan arranges a meeting after the rugby game. Foreshadow of the Sword: Keith Jennings takes a picture of Brennan and develops the photo. Physical Separation: Robert visits Father Brennan by the river; Brennan tells him that Katherine is pregnant and that Damien will not let it live. Resisting the Transformation: "I never want to see you again." Antagonism Made Explicit: Brennan dies. Road of Trials: Trial 1: Katherine is irate; she doesn't want to have any more children; she wants an abortion. Overcoming Resistance: Robert sees a picture of the dead Father Brennan in the paper. Trial 2: The Doctor wants to abort. The Ideal: "it was foretold this baby would die, I want to prevent that…" Trial 3: Katherine has a miscarriage. Final Antagonism: Katherine in the hospital; "don't let him kill me…" Pushed Toward the Sword: Robert find the dog still upstairs. Meeting the Oracle : Keith Jennings calls; Robert sees the photos in Keith's apartment; they visit Brennan's apartment; 666. Pushed toward the Sword: Mrs Horton et al have left; Mrs Baylock has sent the dog away (allegedly). Journey to the Sword: Robert and Keith in Rome. Resistance to the Sword: no records of the adoption; the fire burnt the hall of records; Spiletto is in a monastery. Pushing toward the Sword: driving to Spiletto. Pushing toward the Sword: interpreting the poem in Revelations. Threshold Guardian to the Sword: Robert and Keith visit Father Spiletto in the monastery. Foreboding of the Seizing of the Sword: the dogs; someone watching. Seizing the Sword : Robert and Keith uncover the Jackal's skeleton and Robert's murdered baby. Physical Transformation: Robert is injured during the dog pursuit. Preparing to leave the Old World: Robert phones Katherine and asks her to get ready to leave. Rebirth through Death : Mrs Baylock kills Katherine. Reward: Keith finds the town; Robert remembers the poem and Bugenhagen. Transformation complete: Robert wants Damien to die too; new physical face; New Self. Atonement with the Father: Robert meets Bugenhagen and is given the knives to kill Damien; find the 666 somewhere on the body. Refusal : Robert "won't kill a child." Overcoming Refusal: Keith is murdered. Crossing the Return Threshold : Robert flies back home with the knives. Threshold Guardian to the Apotheosis: Robert locks up the dog. Apotheosis : Robert finds the 666 in Damien's hair. Ultimate Boon : Robert battles and kills Mrs Baylock. Magic Flight : Robert pursued by the Police. Master of Two Worlds : Robert takes Damien into the Church but is shot dead. Freedom to Live : Robert's funeral; Damien is free to live. 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 ********************************** 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://www.clickok.co.uk/
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