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: Chicago (2002)

FADE IN: Context: Jazz era.

Foreshadow of the Shape Shifter: Velma arrives.

Shape Shifter 's Capabilities: don't worry, I can do it alone.

Meeting the Shape Shifter: Velma sings "..al that Jazz" on her own.

Meeting the Hero: Roxie watches Velma.

Foreshadow of the Journey: Cops waiting for Velma.

Dissuaded from the Journey: lets go babe.

Developing the Hero: Roxie takes her 'brother' home.

Pushing toward the Journey: don't you think it's time I met your friend?

Warning: wake up, you're never gonna have a show and I'm just a furniture salesman.

Call to Adventure: Roxie shoots Fred.

Foreshadow of the Transformation: Roxie sees herself as a dancer in the mirror.

Meeting the Fool: Amos takes the blame for the murder.

Foreshadow of the Transformation: Roxie dancing.

Developing the Fool [lyrics]: Amos.

Developing the Hero [lyrics]: Roxie's character.

Refusal: the cops don't believe Amos did it.

Pushed to the First Threshold: Roxie arrested; taken to jail.

Meeting and developing the Mentor: Matron Morton.

Resisting the Outer Cave: I don't think I belong here.

Foreshadow of the Journey: Velma gives Morton some money for the publicity.

Rules of the Cave: when you're good to mama, mama's good to you.

Middle Cave / Meeting Allies: the other inmates and their crimes; "…you would have done the same…"; Cicero.

Inner Cave: Roxie sees Velma and Morton dealing.

Resistance to the Physical Separation: keep your paws off my underwear.

Pushed to the Physical Separation: in Morton's office; if you tell them the truth they'll hang you; you need [Mentor] Billy Flynn.

Developing the Mentor: Billy Flynn.

Resisting the Physical Separation: do you have $5k?

Physical Separation: Amos brings Billy $2k; he takes the case.

New Self: Billy manipulates Roxie's background; the new clothes and dress.

Developing the Shape Shifter: Velma notices that Billy notices Roxie above herself.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Velma advises Roxie not to let Billy hog the limelight.

Trial 1: the press conference.

Success of Trial 1: everybody wants to be Roxie.

Transformed: Morton visits Roxie in her cell; paying the other girl to do her laundry.

Hero and Fool Backstory: Roxie sings about her and Amos.

Foreshadow of the Resolution: I'm gonna be Roxie.

Trial 2: Velma proposes a double act.

Trial 3: Billy takes on a new client; Kitty Baxter...until Roxie's having a baby.

Meeting the Oracle: who's the father? Amos appears as soon as he hears about the baby.

Developing the Fool: Mr Cellophane.

Seizing the Sword: Amos visits Billy; he's not the father.

Resisting the Near Death Experience: Roxie doesn't want to wear the dress; Billy quits.

Near Death Experience: The first female execution.

Reward: Roxie agrees; Give 'em the Ol' Razzle Dazzle.

Atonement with the Father: Velma on the stand.

Ultimate Boon: Roxie is innocent.

Apotheosis: Billy tampered with the diary.

Magic Flight: Billy moves onto the next case.

Refusal: no one wants to take Roxie's picture anymore; there ain't no baby; we'll be in touch.

Rescue from Without: Velma appears.

Crossing the Return Threshold: there's only one business where that's no problem.

Master of Two Worlds: the double act.

Freedom to Live: rapturous applause, thank you.

FADE OUT:

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/

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Kal Bishop

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