[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms (see below for the URL of our Home Page) and our isolation and identification of more than 188 stages of the Hero's Journey that you need to know about...] 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... Road of Trials or Road of Transformation? Once the Hero is pushed out / past the First Threshold and the Belly of the Whale, s/he journeys through a Road of Trials. But what is the purpose of the Trials? Knowing this helps you to plan and write this very important stage of the Journey. Well, one purpose of the Trials is to push or pull the Hero through a series of incremental Transformations. Often there are three major Trials with each containing 3-5 sequences followed by the demonstration. For example, in Thelma and Louise (1991), Louise leaves Thelma in the hotel room to guard the money, JD knocks at the door, JD seduces Thelma, Thelma turns up in the cafe the following morning changed. This is all part of her transformation away from her Old Self (with Darryl) and toward her New Self. Learn more... The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/ |
