From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters....

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero's Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more...

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Mission Impossible (1996)

FADE IN: Context: "...give us the name…" sequence.

Meeting the Hero and his status: "get rid of that scum…"

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Claire.

Credits / Context: the images.

Meeting the Mentor / Shape Shifter: Phelps; "I like the theatre.

Call to Adventure: Phelps is given a mission; should he choose to accept it.

Ordinary World: covert ops, Prague.

Meeting Allies: Claire Ethan, Sarah etc…

Developing Characters and Relationships: around the table; can we get some real coffee.

Warning: that list cannot get out of our hands.

Magical Gifts: the glasses; the explosive gum.

Preparing for the First Threshold / Developing Characters and Relationships: going over the plans.

First Threshold from afar: Watching the party via hidden cameras.

Time Pressure: windows open by 23.00.

Outer Cave Trial: the lift.

Threshold Guardians: security / the CCTV operators.

Time Pressure: Jack…constantly late.

Middle Cane conflict: the computer room; the doors won't open.

Time pressure: open these doors.

Inner Cave: Inner Cave: Jack, what are you doing; Jack dies.

Interdiction: abort.

Contravening the Interdiction: the package is in the open; Ethan attempts to recover the disc.

Pushed to the Physical Separation: Jim apparently dead.

Resisting the Physical Separation: abort Sarah!

Physical Separation: Hannah's car explodes; Sarah dies.

Pushed to the World of the Transformation: Ethan pursued.

Time Pressure to the World of the Transformation: in one hour.

Meeting the Mentor: Eugene Kittridge.

Learning of the Antagonist: Eugene tells Ethan about Max.

Pushed to the Transformation: Ethan escapes from Kittridge et al; the water tank exploding.

Exploring the World of the Transformation: Ethan alone; enters the building.

New Self: new passports.

Trial 1: seeking out Max; Job 3:14

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Ethan sees Phelps.

Romantic Challenge: Claire appears.

Journey to Trial 2: the email message.

Trial 2: the match; in the car; blindfolded; meeting Max.

Developing the Mentor Kittridge arrives; plans to capture Ethan.

Pushed to Trial 3: Max agrees to $10m for the list.

Romantic Challenge: Claire wants to help Ethan.

Trial 3: convincing Franz and Luther. Planning to break into Langley.

Warnings and Difficulty of the Trial: going over Langley security.

Foreshadow of the Shape Shifter: Franz gets out a knife.

Journey to the Sword: breaking into Langley.

Threshold Guardian to the Sword: William Donloe enters the room.

Time Pressure: the sweat drops.

Seizing the Sword: Ethan grabs the disc.

Near Death Experience: the knife drops; Donloe raises the alarm.

Celebration: the smiles in the car.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Hero and Shape Shifter: Ethan and Franz.

Reward: seeing the bible; Ethan knows it was Phelps; Ethan finds a friend in Luther.

Atonement with the Father: Ethan's parents arrested; Ethan calls Kittridge.

Apotheosis: Ethan meets Phelps.

Ultimate Boon: Phelps is the mole; Franz killed Sarah et al.

Refusal: she can't know about me Ethan.

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Ethan sends a message; we're on for tomorrow.

Disgusted with the Self / Sexual Reward: "…come here…"; Ethan with Claire.

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Ethan sends a note to Kittridge.

Time Pressure: 10 minutes to the London Terminus; on the train.

Magic Flight: Pursued by Kittridge; Claire avoids Kittridge.

Antagonist 2: Max gets the list.

Max can't send the list.

Antagonist 2: Max tells Phelps where Ethan is.

Magic Flight: Kittridge follows.

Shape Shifter Reveals: Claire reveals herself.

Antagonist 1: Phelps confronts Ethan.

Rescue from Without: Ethan puts on the glasses.

Unbearable Antagonism; Phelps kills Claire.

Crossing the Return Threshold: climbing on top of the train.

Master of Two Worlds: battle on the train.

Catharsis 1: Franz dies.

Catharsis 2: Phelps dies.

Catharsis 3: Kittridge captures Max.

Freedom to Live: Ethan with Luther in the café.

Ethan in the aircraft; his next assignment.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

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Kal Bishop

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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 http://www.clickok.co.uk/

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