188+ Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hollywood Blockbuster Secrets

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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 Departs*****

When the Supernatural Aid is no longer needed, he (or she) departs or travels to where he (or she) is needed. In Midnight Cowboy (1969), Ratso dies. In Silence of the Lambs (1991), Lecter makes a final phone call to Clarice. In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Aslan departs. In Fistful of Dynamite (1971), John dies.

*****Rebellion*****

It not uncommon for the Hero to embark on the Journey or Trivial Task through a minor act of rebellion. The Hero takes the initiative. In The Incredibles (2004), Mr Incredible rebels and deceives his wife. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zach rebels against his father.