What they didn’t tell you at Harvard Screenwriting School is that 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.
Most people familiar with this story structure perceive it as the “Quest Theory.†That is, they can see how it can be a template for stories such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Jason and the Argonauts and so forth, but they resist the idea that it explains or is the core behind other stories such as Million Dollar Baby (Academy Award Winner Best Film 2004).
In fact, if you deconstruct the Academy Award Winners (Best Films) of the last few decades, you quickly realise that they are all based around the Hero’s Journey template. That there is, in fact, only one story.
The following is a basic deconstruction of Million Dollar Baby (Academy Award Winner Best Film 2004):
Call to Adventure – where the hero is pushed to resolve a challenge. Maggie needs to escape her White Trash roots and Frankie needs to resolve issues concerning his daughter.
Refusal of the Call – where there is refusal, resistance, warning and foreboding. Frankie refuses to train Maggie.
The Supernatural Aid – where a mentor encourages the hero along the path. Eddie (Morgan Freeman) begins to help Maggie with her training and simultaneously guides Frankie towards her. As is usual, the supernatural aid has a challenge of his own (Danger Barch).
First Threshold – where a point of no return is crossed. Maggie persists in the gym. There is no dissuading her or going back for her.
Physical Separation (Belly of the Whale) – where the hero physically separates from his Old World and heads into the Transformation. Willie leaves Frankie, who has little else to do but train Maggie.
Transformation (Road of Trials) – where the hero significantly, but not completely, transforms. Maggie becomes a professional boxer.
The Ideal and the Seizing of the Sword – where the hero faces a difficult choice and journey to (often) the heart of the antagonism. Maggie buys her family a house and Frank takes on the role of father.
Rebirth Through Death – where the Hero is reborn. Eddie saves Danger Barch from the gym bully; Maggie doesn't know what to do about the bear.
Atonement with the Father – where the hero confronts the obstacle to the apotheosis. Maggie loses to the blue Bear.
Apotheosis – where the hero has the illumination. Maggie should have listened to Frank and protected herself.
Ultimate Boon – both hero and heroine get a family.
Refusal of the Return – where the hero is repulsed by his Old Self or, on a practical level, there is refusal on some level. Frankie refuses to go back to the gym.
Magic Flight – where the hero attempts to escape from the antagonism or, for some reason, is unable to confront it. Frankie takes Maggie away and attempts to find doctors who can reverse the situation.
Rescue for Without – where the hero is pulled back toward his or her challenges. Maggie's family return; Frankie wants to replace them and resists their arrival.
Crossing the Return Threshold – where the hero confronts the antagonism. Maggie loses her legs and asks Frankie to kill her.
Master of the Two Worlds – where the antagonism is defeated. Frankie kills Maggie.
Freedom to Live – where the hero is freed from the antagonism. Frankie does not return to the gym.
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
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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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