188 Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Story, Plot and Screenwriting 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.story-structure.org/ for full details)

*****Fear of the Return to the Ordinary World*****

The Hero - willing and unwilling - often lives in fear of the return to the Ordinary World and the Ordinary Self. In Star Wars (1977), Luke never wants to go back to Tattooine. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie wakes up afraid that Clyde is not there. Even seemingly unwilling Heroes do not return to the same place - the Journey has given them a new capacity and transformed them into a New Self. In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Andy does not return home but goes to Mexico.

*****Final Catharses*****

Many stories end with multiple catharses. Brokeback Mountain (2005) is no different.

a) Catharsis 1: Ennis postcard is returned marked deceased.

b) Catharsis 2: Ennis calls Lureen, who tells him about Jake's death.

c) Catharsis 3: Ennis visits Jakes folks. Finds his shirt and takes it back.

*****Magic Flight*****

This is very often , but not always, expressed as a running from Antagonisms and has an air of the supernatural about it. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the guy in the caf calls the police, the cops raid the house and they all run.

*****Foreshadow of the Inner Cave*****

Foreshadows are underestimated. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis says, "....you may be a sinner but I aint yet had the opportunity...."

*****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 aint queer...." And then goes to bed with Jack in the tent.

*****Hero surprises himself*****

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. It is not unusual for the hero, even though he (or she) may have been confident beforehand, to be surprised at his (or her) own overcoming of the antagonism. In Straw Dogs (1971), David whispers to himself, "...Jesus, I got them all....."

Learn more

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Heros Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.monomyth.info/

188 stages of the Hero's Journey can also be reached from http://www.heros-journey.info/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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