The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters:
The Hero’s Journey:
• Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
• Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
• Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
The Hero’s Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.
The Hero’s Journey is also a study of conventions. Before screenwriters can decide whether to accept or reject the conventions, they must appreciate their purpose and value.
Consider this:
• Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) - All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero’s Journey.
• Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.
• Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.
Farewell to the Old Self
Once the hero has completed the Transformation (also known as the stage of the Road of Trials), he says goodbye to his Old Self and welcomes his New Self.
Pre the farewell, there maybe forces pulling him back as well as pushing him forward. In Elizabethtown (2005), Drew has three simultaneous conversations - Ellen represents his Old Self and Claire represents his New Self to be.
There is a tangible break from the Old Self. In Dances with Wolves (1990), John Dunbar explicitly states (after finding the skinned buffalo), a disassociation with his fellow “White Man.” In Elizabethtown (2005), Drew says goodbye to Ellen.
There is also a transfer of symbols that accompanies the change (often clothing or a signature expression). In Dances with Wolves (1990), John Dunbar trades his hat and jacket away.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com
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