Great Stories Use the Hero's Journey
The vast majority of great stories use the Hero's Journey...
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.
As an Example, let's briefly deconstruct Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981):
Call to Adventure: Army intelligence want Indy to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis do.
Refusal of the Call: Army intelligence not sure of they want Indy to seek the Ark; Marcus (and later Sallah) warn Indy that the Ark is something that was not meant to be disturbed.
Supernatural Aid: Marcus and Sallah are Indy's two mentors.
Crossing the First Threshold: Indy travels to Nepal, where he meets Marion.
Physical Separation from the Old World (Belly of the Whale): Marion's bar is burnt down; they both leave for Cairo.
Transformation (Road of Trials): Marion is separated, Indy swears revenge against Belloq and escapes capture by the Nazis, Indy escapes death by poison.
Meeting with the Goddess: Indy meets an Oracle and finds the location of the Well of Souls. Indy steals into the Well of Souls to recover the location of the Ark.
Rebirth through Death (Woman as Temptress): Indy and Marion buried alive in the tomb.
Atonement: Indy battles the Nazis.
Apotheosis: Belloq is about to depart with the Ark; no time left.
Ultimate Boon: Indy captures the Ark.
Refusal of the Return: Indy and Marion depart. Say goodbye to Sallah.
Magic Flight: Indy and Marion on the boat home.
Rescue from Without: The Nazi submarine appears and retakes the Ark.
Crossing the Return Threshold: Indy threatens to blow up the Ark.
Master of the Two Worlds: Indy knows to close his eyes.
Freedom to Live: The Ark hidden away by army intelligence.
Learn more...
The detailed, complete deconstruction and 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/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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