188 Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Screenwriting Story Structure

188 Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Screenwriting, Story, Structure
By Kal Bishop

FORWARD

The 188 stage 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 188 STAGE 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) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Supernatural Aid or Mentor*****

Subconsciously the Hero is searching for spiritual guidance and strength to overcome the Period of Desolation and push forward. He (or she) seeks a Mentor or Supernatural Aid.

Often the mentor is a wretched, deformed old man or woman but it can also be anyone that pulls the Hero in the required direction. In Star Wars (1977), the mentor is Obi Wan. In The Empire Strikes Back (1980), it is Yoda. In Raging Bull (1980), it is Vickie - a young blonde sexually alluring teenager. In Wall Street (1987), Bud Fox has his Dad. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), it is the older Marcus Brody and Sallah. In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), it is the older, longer serving Red. In The Big Lebowski (1998), it is Sam Elliott as The Stranger.

*****Pre the Hand-to-Hand battle*****

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. It is post the initial catharses and the increases antagonism that the hero often demonstrates calmness and confidence. This is illustrated in many ways. In Straw Dogs (1971), David fixes his glasses and plays music, disconcerting his enemies.

Learn more

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Heros Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.monomyth.info/

188 stages of the Hero's Journey can also be reached from http://www.story-structure.org/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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