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.
Story Structure: Beverly Hills Cop deconstructed
During the Transformation, the Inner Challenges of Allies are developed. Either that or the Antagonism.
FADE IN: context; Detroit; working class neighbourhoods.
Hero’s character and capabilities: Axel pretends to be a crook; selling contraband.
Hero in his Ordinary World: in the police station.
Hero’s status: other cops follow him around; seek his attention.
Meeting the Interdictor: Inspector Todd.
Foreshadow of the Interdiction: Todd warns Axel.
Meeting the Herald / Foreshadow of the Journey: Axel meets Mikey; the bonds.
Hero and Mikey’s backstory: Axel and Mikey playing pool. References to the Supernatural Aid: Jenny Summers.
Developing the relationship between Hero and Herald: Mikey took the fall for Axel; Mikey loves Axel.
Meeting the Antagonist’s Lieutenant: Zack turns up.
Unbearable Antagonism: Zack kills Mikey.
Interdiction: Foley’s boss warns Axel not to interfere with the investigation.
Breaking the Interdiction: Axel goes to Beverly Hills.
Crossing into the First Threshold: Axel in Beverly Hills.
New World and strange creatures of the First Threshold: the strange characters of Beverly Hills.
Hero is a fish out of water in the First Threshold: the bag in the front seat sequence.
Threshold Guardian: the hotel is full; getting a room in the hotel.
Meeting Allies: Serge.
Meeting the Supernatural Aid: Jenny Summers.
Discussing the coming Journey: Axel asks Jenny about Mikey.
Mentor guides the hero toward the Antagonist: Jenny guides Axel toward Victor Maitland.
Threshold Guardian to the Antagonist and his Lieutenant: Victor’s secretary.
Meeting the Antagonist and his lieutenant: Axel walks into Victor’s office.
Physical Separation: Axel gets thrown out of the window.
Journey to the World of the Transformation: the police arrest Axel.
Entering the New World of the Transformation: “this is the cleanest police car in the world; the nice police station; the clean cell…â€
Meeting the Shape Shifter: Taggart punches Axel.
Meeting Other Allies: Bogomil makes Taggart apologize. Referencing the Journey: Bogomil discusses Victor Maitland and the Interdiction; Billy Rosewood takes Axel to the cell.
Saved by the Mentor / Encouraged toward the Trials: Jenny bails out Axel.
Mentor reveals back story of the Antagonist: Jenny tells Axel about Victor Maitland.
Hero already a master of the First Threshold: Axel orders room service; comfortable in the expensive hotel.
Trial 1: evading Taggart and Rosewood with the free meal and the bananas.
Trial 2: Finding the coffee grounds and seeing the bonds unloaded.
Developing the challenges of the Allies: the anti - banana disguise sequence; Taggart is uptight; Rosewood doesn’t stand up for himself.
Warnings of Trial 3: Jennie won’t bail Axel out again.
Journey to Trial 3: Axel commands the security guard.
Developing the character and challenges of allies: Taggart and Rosewood waiting sequence.
Trial 3: Axel takes control and checks Victor Maitland’s crate.
Developing the character and challenges of allies: Rosewood tells Taggart he eats a lot of red meat.
Trial 3 [intercut part 2]: Axel gets some communication…
Hero and Ally relationships developed: Axel jumps in Taggart and Rosewood’s car. They go to a strip joint.
Seizing the Sword: Axel prevents the robbery in the strip joint; wins the trust of Taggart and Rosewood.
Near Death Experience and Allies Inner Challenge: the super cop story doesn't wash; Bogomil plays by the book; Taggart and Rosewood are off the case.
Reward: the new team; “look man, I ain’t falling for no banana in the tailpipe…â€
Threshold Guardian to the Atonement with the Father: the maitre de at the restaurant; pretending to have an STD.
Atonement with the Father: Alex gate crashes Victor’s lunch; overpowers Zack.
Apotheosis: Alex tells Bogomil about the coffee grounds and that he suspects Maitland.
Ultimate Boon: Synergy: all the Beverly Hills Cops are on Axel’s side now…Bogomil understands the meaning of the coffee grounds.
Refusal of the Return: Bogomil argues that Axel doesn’t have the information to issue a search warrant.
Warned away form the Final Confrontation: the Chief wants Axel outta here.
Magic Flight: Rosewood told to escort Axel to the city limits.
Ally conquering his inner challenge: Rosewood argues Axel’s case; he begins to stand up for himself.
Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Victor Maitland interrogates Jenny.
Rescue from Without: Axel convinces Rosewood to take him to the warehouse.
Convergence: Axel., Rosewood, Jennie and Serge together in the art gallery.
Border of the Return Crossing: Axel et al outside the warehouse.
Crossing the Return Threshold: inside the warehouse; finding the drugs.
Pushed towards the Final Confrontation: Axel gets caught.
Antagonist reveals himself: Maitland confronts Axel and Jenny.
Pushing the Ally Transformation and setting up the Final Conflict: Jenny put in the car; Rosewood has to act alone and rescue Axel..
Antagonist’s lieutenant reveals himself: Zack reveals that he “popped his little buddy…â€
Ally overcomes Inner Challenge: Rosewood rescues Axel; commands Taggart to meet him.
Convergence: Taggart et al find out that Rosewood et al are at Maitland’s house.
Warning against the Final Confrontation: Taggart warns Axel and Rosewood not to enter Maitland’s house.
Master of the Two Worlds: Axel, Taggart and Rosewood enter Maitland’s house; Rosewood reveals his new self; Maitland and Zack defeated; rescue Jenny; Bogomil comes on side [see Final Confrontation].
Freedom to Live: Bogomil overcome shis Inner Challenge [confronts the Chief with a super cop story; doesn’t play by the book]. Taggart is relaxed enough to go for a drink. Medals: the robes.
Learn more…
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/You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
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://managing-creativity.com/Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kal_Bishop
