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188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Final Conflict, Inner Resolve
The Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979).
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
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) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story. This is why stories such as Alien (1979), Gladiator (2000), Midnight Cowboy (1969), American Beauty (1999), The Graduate (1967) and many others (all deconstructed at the URL below) appear to be different but are all constructed, almost sequence by sequence, in the same way.
and more...
ABRIDGED TIPS AND EXAMPLES:
(goto www.clickok.co.uk for complete details and sets of examples)
*****Outer Challenge*****
A vital part of the Hero's Ordinary Self is his (or her) Outer Challenge.
The Outer Challenge is often a product (or consequence) of the Hero's Inner Challenge. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zach doesn't care about anyone (Outer Challenge) because no one has ever cared about him, a consequence of his mother's suicide (Inner Challenge). In Titanic (1997), Rose is with Cal (her Outer Challenge) because she worries about money and status (Inner Challenge). In American Beauty (1999), Lester Burnham's Inner Challenge is to feel good about himself and this effects his marriage (Outer Challenge).
*****Ultimate Antagonism and Inner Resolve*****
The Antagonist commits an act that forces the Hero to reach inside himself and draw Inner Strength and Resolve.
Often, the Antagonist threatens a vile act or an emotional tie. In Return of the Jedi (1983), Vader tells Luke that he will attempt to convert Leia. In Cinderella Man (2005), Jim Braddock thinks of his wife and kids and his previous poverty and begins to win.
*****Final Conflict - Reward or Celebration*****
Post the birth of the New Self, a reward is received. Remaining Challenges are conquered. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie and Clyde finally have sex. Bonnie has an orgasm.
*****Trial 2 - Antagonising the Antagonism*****
One apsect of the Trial 2 is the Antagonism of the Antagonist. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Frank spits on Bonnie, Clyde beats him up and puts him in the boat.
Learn more
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The Complete 188 stage Heros Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
The Managing Creativity and Innovation MBA dissertation, DIY creativity Audit, Powerpoint presentation and Good Idea generator software can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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