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.
Anti-Hero:
There are various types of hero: a) the good, willing hero (Star Wars, 1977), b) the good, unwilling hero (Shawshank Redemption, 1994), c) the anti-hero (Raging Bull, 1980), d) the villain (Goodfellas, 1990) etc. Nevertheless, their stories all mirror the hero’s journey template.
The difference between hero, anti-hero and other variations simply lies in situation, motivation and result.
Where the hero’s Ordinary World is idyllic (Lord of the Rings, 2003), the anti-hero’s world is uncomfortable and riddled with conflict (Raging Bull, 1980). Where the hero embarks on adventure for altruistic reasons (Willow, 1988), the anti-hero embarks for selfish reasons. Where the hero has good mentors (Lord of the Rings, 2003), the anti-hero has dark mentors (Raging Bull, 1980). Where the hero resists dark temptations, the anti-hero gives in to them (Scarface, 1983). Where the hero may sacrifice himself to prevent harm to others (Superman, 1978), the anti-hero will consciously set out to do harm (Goodfellas, 1990). Where the hero will evolve (during the Transformation or Road of Trials), the anti-hero will regress. Where the hero will achieve synergy (at the stage of the Ultimate Boon), the anti-hero will achieve alienation. Where the hero’s allies will come to his aid, the anti-hero’s allies will betray. Where the hero’s gain is tangible and prized, the anti-hero’s gain is dubious (Scarface, 1983).
Heroine’s Journey:
People often mistakenly believe that the Heroine’s Journey (or the Anti-Hero’s Journey) is separate and distinct from the Hero’s Journey. This is incorrect. The Hero’s Journey is about transition (The Road of Trials), illumination (Apotheosis), movement from one conscious state to another, challenge and so forth – these are not gender specific.
A good example to illustrate this point is a deconstruction of Million Dollar Baby – Academy Award Winner (2004). There are, in fact, two heroes in this story (Maggie and Frankie). In this story Maggie’s outer challenge is to become a professional boxer and win the Title, her inner challenge is to overcome her White Trash background and her romantic challenge is encompassed in her interaction and relationship with Frankie.
The point to note is that though Maggie and Frankie both have their challenges, the PROCESS towards apotheosis and beyond is the same.
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at
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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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