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.
Summary:
Call to Adventure. Introducing the hero’s status, capabilities, nature, ordinary world, inner challenge, outer challenge, romantic challenge, the antagonism and more.
Refusal of the Call. On many levels the call is refused, including the interdictor, doves and hawks, punishments and more.
Supernatural Aid. A mentor is sought to provide advice, guidance, direction, magical gifts and more.
First Threshold. Has many functions including No Return, meeting of allies, a shape shifter, back-stories and more.
Physical Separation. Also known as the Belly of the Whale. Includes resistances, obstacles, encouragements and conscious decision towards the transformation.
Transformation. Also known as The Road of Trials. Transformation can include growing, learning, maturing or similar.
The Ideal and Seizing the Sword. Also known as the Meeting with the Goddess. The hero encounters an ideal that results in him seeking and seizing a Sword.
Rebirth through Death and Reward. Also known as The Woman as Temptress. The hero is tempted (often, but not necessarily, by a female) into the depths where he undergoes a near death experience.
Atonement with the Father. Confronting limitations.
Apotheosis. Attaining illumination and insight.
Ultimate Boon. Achieving the Reward. Includes synergy, leadership and reward.
Refusal of the Return. Can include escape with the boon, refusal to release something valuable, refusal to confront the antagonism and other variations. Representative of disgust with the Old Self.
Magic Flight. Escape with the boon, pursuit, obstacles to the escape, change, recognition, the curse of the wizened one.
Rescue from Without. Various forms of force and temptations or time pressures persuade the hero to return - resistance, obstacles, impossibility, final antagonism, encouragement are some processes that mark this stage.
Crossing the Return Threshold. Unusual confidence, a dangerous place, the magnitude of the task, increased intensity, assistance from sponsors and initial weakness of the hero are some elements that mark this stage.
Master of the Two Worlds. A final antagonism, a hand-to-hand battle, multiple catharses, and a final deception are some of the elements that mark this stage.
Freedom to Live. Physical expressions of joy, togetherness, celebration, and ascendance to the throne are some elements that mark this stage.
Afterlife Act. In many stories, the journey may not end there. The hero has an Afterlife of variations: as a ruler, through his children, his marriage to a high priestess, his rebirth after a physical death, his mentoring of new heroes, his fall, his exile, his burial, his legend, his rediscovery by future Gods and more.
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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