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: Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

FADE IN:

Hero's Romantic Challenge: by the grave; Sam's wife is dead; "Mommy got sick…"

Developing the Hero's Romantic Challenge: how will Sam cope; "do you know how to make juice…"

Meeting the Hero in his Ordinary World: Sam at work; the cards.

Call to Adventure [Hero]: "what you really need is a change…"

Starting the Journey: [Hero] Sam getting on a flight to Seattle.

Encouraged to Transform [Hero]: "in a few months you'll meet other women…"

Refusal [Hero]: "it just doesn't happen twice…"

CREDITS

Meeting the Heroine and her Romantic Challenge: Annie and Walter getting into their cars; Walter just isn't right for Annie.

Time Pressure: Walter and Annie are engaged.

Developing the Heroine's Challenge: over dinner; Walter allergic to almost everything.

Heroine's Back Story: the relatives and family history.

Meeting the Mentor [Heroine]: grandma.

Call to Adventure [Heroine]: Introducing the Inner Challenge: "destiny takes a hand…"

Refusal [Heroine]: "destiny is something we've invented to explain accidents…"

Encouraged by the Mentor [Heroine]: "magic…signs….coincidences"

Border of the First Threshold [Heroine]: "you go, I'll be ten minutes behind…"; Annie in the car listening to the radio.

First Threshold [Heroine]: Jonah on the radio; "my Dad needs a new Mom…"

Pushed toward the Physical Separation [Heroine]: referencing the Inner Challenge: "sure you do…"

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation [Heroine]: in the café; "I bet he's tall with a cute butt; maybe I'll just go out to Seattle…"

Pushed toward the Physical Separation [Heroine]: referencing the Inner Challenge: "it was like…magic…"

Meeting Allies [Heroine]: Annie at work; Becky et al.

Pushed to the Physical Separation [Heroine]: "you should write about this…"

Developing the Heroine and Ally relationship: "whatever it is you can tell me…"

Resisting the Separation from the Ordinary World [Heroine]: "Walter did something crazy the other night…what was it?"

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict [Heroine]: "we should meet in New York…"

Hero's Romantic Challenge: Sam at home alone on New Years Eve.

Developing the Heroine and Ally relationship: Sam puts Jonah to bed.

Developing Hero's Romantic Challenge: Sam home alone; Maggie appears.

Developing the Hero: Sam's client wants space for her platters...

Referencing the Inner Challenge: "fate…when everything intersects…the Bermuda Triangle…"

Developing Characters and Relationships and pushing toward the Physical Separation: Jonah at the doorstep; the letters arrive.

Developing Characters and Relationships and resisting the Physical Separation: Jonah reads the letters; Sam won't look at any of the letters.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Jonah and Sam brushing teeth.

Heroine's Romantic Challenge: Annie and Walter in bed.

Frustration; Reference to the Inner Challenge [Heroine]: Annie in the kitchen; listening to the radio.

Preparing for the Physical Separation [Heroine]: Annie speaks to Dennis.

Preparing for the Physical Separation [Hero]: Sam asks Jay what it's like "out there…"

Developing Characters and Relationships: Jonah introduces Jessica.

Physical Separation [Hero]: Sam arranges a date.

Foreshadow of the Final Confrontation: watching the movie. Physical Separation [Heroine]: Annie writes the letter. Accepting the Inner Challenge: "what if he's my destiny…" Developing Characters and Relationships: Annie and Becky.

Pushed toward the Trials: Jonah has a nightmare.

Marker: both Annie and Sam sit outside on a bench.

Trial 1 [Heroine]: Annie tracks down Sam and hires the detective agency.

Foreshadow of the Sword: Jonah likes Annie's letter.

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Jonah rings and wants to go to New York for Valentines Day.

Trial 1 [Hero]: Sam goes on a date, Victoria shops and cooks dinner.

Time Pressure: Jonah calls the radio station.

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Sam sees Annie at the airport.

Trial 2 [Heroine]: Annie goes to Chicago.

Trial 3 [Heroine]: Annie gets the MFEO letter.

Trial 2 [Hero]: Sam has dinner with Keith and Harriett; "she laughs like a Hyena…"

Foreshadow of the Sword: Jessica books the tickets to New York.

Time Pressure: Annie meets Walter in New York and they look for a ring.

Trial 3: Sam argues with Jonah.

Meeting the Oracle: Jessica tells Sam that Jonah has gone to New York.

Foreshadow of the Atonement: "Walter, there is something I have to tell you…"

Journey to the Sword: Sam flies to New York.

Atonement with the Father: Annie tells Walter.

Apotheosis: "I have to go…"

Seizing the Sword: Sam finds Jonah on top of the Empire State Building.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Annie runs to the Empire State Building.

Threshold Guardian: "sorry Ma'am, you're too late…"

Near Death Experience: Sam and Jonah leave; Annie doesn't find anyone at the top.

Rescue form Without: Jonah's left his bag.

Master of the Two Worlds: Jonah and Sam return and see Annie.

Freedom to Live / Challenges conquered: holding hands…

Learn more…

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

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.