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.
Screenwriting Tips: Pushing and Pulling to the Final Conflict
One useful perspective on the screenplay is to regard the Hero's Journey as an inevitable push toward the Final Conflict (and beyond).
Unwilling hero's will be pushed along and will resist. This may be coupled with warnings, interdictions, obstacles and frustrations. But inevitably the hero must move forward. In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Andy Dusfresne is an unwilling traveller but on he must go.
The willing hero will be keen for the adventure but obstacles, warnings, interdictions and punishments will hold him back. In Star Wars (1977), Luke wants to become a Jedi like his father, but Uncle Owen won't have none of it. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indy wants to uncover the Ark but both Marcus and Sallah warn him of the dangers.
Learn more…
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Kal Bishop
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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
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