From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and Academy Award Winners....

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...

Below is a deconstruction of a classic transformation that sticks rigidly to the Hero's Journey.

Tootsie (1982); basic deconstruction

Fade In: Meeting the Hero and Romantic Challenge 1: Michael teaching acting classes; Sandy.

Ordinary World: Michael auditioning.

Frustration: you may high on "and”.

Ordinary World: working in the restaurant.

Meeting Sidekick: Jeff.

Meeting Allies: at the party.

Developing Characters and Relationships: at the party.

Elixir: raising the money to do Jeff's play.

Call to Adventure: Michael helps Sandy to prepare for the audition; will pick her up at 10 and enrage her.

Refusal: Sandy doesn't get the part.

Foreshadow of the Antagonism: references to Ron et al.

Meeting the Mentor : meeting George Fields.

Pushed to the First Threshold: no one will hire you; oh yes, watch me.

First Threshold: we meet Tootsie.

Threshold Guardian: the receptionist.

Antagonist: Ron; gosh I'm afraid you're not right for this role.

Overcoming the Interdiction: was that for real in there; which answer will get me a reading, Miss Marshall.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge 2: meeting Julie.

Outer Cave : the audition.

Push to the Middle Cave : where's the Russian Tea Room.

Middle Cave : telling George in the Russian Tea Room.

Preparing for the Trials: buying clothes.

Developing Characters and Relationships: getting into a taxi; in the apartment with Jeff.

Inner Cave / Romantic Challenge 1: telling Sandy ; trying on her clothes; in bed with Sandy .

Time Pressure to the Trials: the clock.

Preparation: getting dressed; it works but don't play hard to get.

World of the Trials and Transformation: arriving at the network.

Creatures of this World: meeting everyone.

Push to the Trials: the script arrives.

Trial and Transformation 1:

Michael has to kiss Van Horn.

Developing the Antagonist: Ron.

Developing Romantic Challenge 2: Michael and Julie meet on set.

Transformation: Dorothy hits Brewster over the head; changes the script.

Foreshadow of the Sword: Carlisle patronizing; "good girl”

Devolved State: no one asks for Michael's autograph; Julie with Ron.

Trial and Transformation 2:

Michael complains about Ron's condescending attitude.

Developing Challenges: who answers the phone?

Developing Romantic Challenge 1: Michael pretends he's got a cold to Sandy .

Transformation Progressing: Dorothy getting asked for some autographs.

Transformation: filming.

Transformation: Dorothy getting asked for lots of autographs.

Foreshadow of the Near Death: meeting the Dad.

Foreshadow of the Sword: seeing Julie whilst out with Jeff.

Developing Characters and Relationships: tips / tits.

This World: stop thinking of me as a woman.

Foreshadow of the Death: Van Horn hits on Dorothy.

Foreshadow of the Death: Dorothy sees Ron kiss another girl.

Trial and Transformation 3:

Developing Romantic Challenge 2: Sandy invites Dorothy over to rehearse.

Developing Romantic Challenge 2: Dorothy arrives at Julie's apartment.

Guardian: Mrs Crawley.

Developing Romantic Challenge 2: cooking; dinner; tell me about Ron.

Transformation / New Self / New Name: Dotty.

Developing Romantic Challenge 1: Sandy waits for Michael; she's cooked him dinner.

Foreshadow of the Regression: wouldn't it be nice if a man could just be honest.

Developing Romantic Challenge 1: Sandy saw Dorothy; candies with Dorothy's name; did you see that cow they hired.

Pushed to the Transformation: Sandy tells Michael to make up his lines.

Transformation: Dorothy makes up her own lines.

New Self: Dorothy makes it up as she goes along; the photo shots; fame.

Regression:

Pushed to the Regression: George invites Michael to the party.

Guardians of the Regression: Van Horn and the broadway producer at the party.

Regression: Michael is honest with Julie; the slap.

Transformation: Dorothy tells Von Horn to call her by her proper name.

Meeting the Oracle: come to the farm.

Developing Romantic Challenge 1: lying to Sandy .

Warning: Jeff tells Dorothy not to do this.

Time Pressure / Foreshadow of the Near Death: in two weeks it'll be all over.

Journey to the Sword: arriving at the farm and meeting Dad.

Seizing the Sword: falling for Julie at the farm.

Foreshadow of the Atonement: can I tell you something.

Foreshadow of the Near Death: Dad puts his arms around Dorothy.

Near Death: I'll stay up with you; by the piano; Dad wants to be with someone, to share.

Developing Romantic Challenge 2: talking about flowers in Julie's bedroom; I was always waiting for these rosebuds to open; Dorothy strokes Julie's hair.

Reward: chocolates from Julie's Dad; everyone asks for her advice; Dorothy's contract is renewed.

Warning of the Atonement: tell them what; this is major fraud.

Pushed to a Transformation: phone call from Julie.

Transformation: Julie wants to break up with Ron.

Developing Antagonism and Hero: Ron asks why Dorothy doesn't like him; I understand you a lot better than you think I do.

Developing Hero: Dorothy has trouble with the baby.

Near Death:

Julie walks back in; Dorothy tries to kiss Julie; spurned; that's my father, you've got to tell him; you've got to see my father and let him down gentle.

Les asks Dorothy to marry him.

Brewster waits for Dorothy outside his apartment; this is a nightmare.

Brewster serenades Dorothy.

Dorothy invites Brewster up to stop him serenading.

Brewster wants Dorothy; saved by Jeff.

Sandy turns up at the apartment; candies from a guy named Les; I'll tell you the truth; I'm in love with another woman; Sandy walks out - I don't take this shit from friends, only lovers.

Michael sees George to try to get him off this show; restating the plot; I'm in trouble man.

Pushed to the Atonement: have to redo the take.

Pushed to the Atonement:

Candy for Julie; I love you but I can't love you.

Time Pressure to the Atonement: 15 seconds to the commercial; countdown.

Atonement with the Father: Michael reveals all on camera; the story.

Apotheosis: everyone's reactions to the realization that Dorothy is a man.

Denial: Julie slaps Michael / Michael in the park.

Elixir: the play is on.

Catharsis 1: Michael visits Les.

Magic Flight: Michael runs after Julie.

Crossing the Return Threshold: can I call you sometime; I was a better man as a woman than as a man.

Master of Two Worlds: will you loan me that little yellow outfit.

Freedom to Live: making up, arm in arm, FADE OUT.

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, MBA

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