The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the cast majority of successful screenplays are built upon. Films as diverse as Gladiator (2000), Million Dollar Baby (2004), Raging Bull (1980) and Scarface (1983) were all constructed around the Hero's Journey Template.
There's this boring discussion in the screenwriting community about what a twist is. What makes a good twist? Or in the patois of my arrondissement - the plot point.
No brainer. What makes it worse is that the question is redundant - because it presumes a three-act structure - which is infantile.
The twist or plot point (first one) occurs around the time of the physical separation (Belly of the Whale) and the beginning of the Transformation (Road of Trials). It is the force that drives the hero to transform. Before this the story is about departure, after this it is about the change and leads right up to the rebirth.
The second twist or plot point occurs around the time of the atonement and apotheosis or ultimate boon. Before this, the focus of the story is on the confrontation, illumination and boon. After this, it is geared toward the Master of Two Worlds.
Which raises another point. What about the twist that changes the action from rebirth to atonement? Usually this is a natural progression - as if the atonement is part of the reward for having undergone the rebirth - so it is not surprising that it is often said that there is no twist here.
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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
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