188 Stage Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) - Smart Screenplay Writing
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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 (188 stages of the Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about…):
*****Hero’s Quality*****
The Heralds are attracted to the Hero because he demonstrates a quality. In The Magnificent Seven (1960), the farmers are impressed by Chris and Vin. In Star Wars (1977), music when Luke appears signals that there is a quality about him.
*****Belly of the Whale*****
This is a place where the Hero confronts who he is, what he must do or become. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis says, “…You know I ain’t queer….” And then goes to bed with Jack in the tent.
*****Middle Cave Allies*****
The Middle Cave, whichever it is (First Threshold, Road of Trials or beyond) is where the Hero confronts Allies and Enemies. In Straw Dogs (1971), Janice talks to Henry and John hits Henry for it.
*****Supernatural Aid or Mentor*****
Subconsciously the Hero is searching for spiritual guidance and strength to overcome the Period of Desolation and push forward. He (or she) seeks a Mentor or Supernatural Aid.
Often the mentor is a wretched, deformed old man or woman but it can also be anyone that pulls the Hero in the required direction. In Star Wars (1977), the mentor is Obi Wan. In The Empire Strikes Back (1980), it is Yoda. In Raging Bull (1980), it is Vickie - a young blonde sexually alluring teenager. In Wall Street (1987), Bud Fox has his Dad. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), it is the older Marcus Brody and Sallah. In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), it is the older, longer serving Red. In The Big Lebowski (1998), it is Sam Elliott as The Stranger.
Learn more…
WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at clickok.co.uk/ clickok.co.uk/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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