Writing and Speaking > Screenplay Seminar: Die Hard (1988) Deconstructed
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Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Kal Bishop
From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters....
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...
Sample Movie Deconstructed: Die Hard (1988)
Introduce the Hero and the Mentor; Mentor gives the Hero a Magical Gift [we meet John McClane on the aircraft; make fists with your toes].
Hero's Status and Capabilities [he's a cop].
Hero on a Journey [with a teddy bear; to see his kids].
The World of the First Threshold [party at the Nakatomi corporation].
Meet the Romantic Challenge and the Shape Shifter [Holly and Harry]. Shape Shifter challenging the Hero for the affections of the Romantic Challenge [Harry hits on Holly].
Inner Challenge and other Allies [the kids want Daddy home; marital troubles]; Romantic Challenge referenced [good idea to make up the spare bed].
Hero views the World of the First Threshold [“California!”].
Meeting Allies [meeting Argyle].
Develop character of Allies [getting to know Argyle].
Back story of the Romantic Challenge [Argyle elicits John and Holly's back story].
Viewing the Inner Cave [John POV's the Nakatomi tower from outside].
Figure of Authority (Threshold Guardian) explains the rules of this New World [the security guard].
Entering the inner Cave [John enters the party].
Strange and Magical Creatures in the inner Cave [John looks around and meets the corporate suits].
Meeting Allies [John meets Joe Takagi and Harry].
Meeting his Romantic Challenge [Harry meets Holly].
Polarity between Hero and Romantic Challenge established [“show her the watch”].
Develop the relationship between Hero and his Romantic Challenge [“kids would love to have you at the house”].
Intercut: with:
Foreshadow of the Adventure [Karl et al on their way].
Enhance polarization between Hero and Romantic Challenge [“since when did you start using Miss Jeniro; change your idea of what our marriage should be…”].
Meeting the Antagonist [Hans et al arrive and take over the building].
Reminder of the Magical Aid [“fists woith your toes”].
Reminder of the Romantic Challenge [the picture of the kids].
Enhancing the Antagonism [the phone is cut off; John loses touch with Argyle].
Defining the characters of the Antagonist's Team [Karl and his brother].
Call to Adventure [Hans et al shoot up the building and take hostages; John has to think.].
Meeting and developing the Antagonist [we meet charismatic Hans; nice suit; benefits of a classical education…]
Magnitude of the Outer Challenge developed [Hans kills Takagi].
Refusal of the Call [“this cannot be happening!”; John reacts to Takagi's death].
Near Death Experience. [John battles and kills Karl's brother].
Foreshadow of the future Near Death Experience [“now I have a machine gun”].
Antatgonist's plan proceeds.
Foreshadow of the Road of Trials [John gets Hans' name].
Antagonist and Lieutenant relationship developed [Hans has to control Karl].
Resistance to the Physical Separation [“this is a restricted channel…”].
Meeting the Mentor [we meet Rod].
Conflict preventing the Physical Separation [John battles Karl on the roof].
John jumps to the other elevator shaft.
Karl almost shoots John in the air conditioning vent.
Meeting the Mentor [Al looks around].
Al shoots some more villains [“next time you want to kill someone..”]
Physical Separation [Al needs backup assistance..]
Meeting the Reporter: Thornburg.
Hero and antagonist confrontation [John and Karl communicate..]
Thorngburg wants the story.
Meeting the Oracle: Hans has lost the detonators.
Meeting the Mentor: John talks to Al.
Mentor's challenge: Al's boss turns up.
Antagonist and Romantic Challenge confrontation: Holly meets Hans.
Road of Trials 1: SWAT try to enter the building; RV blown up; John drops the explosives; the building blows.
Back story of the Antagonist.
Trial 2: Deputy Chief of Police confronts John [“I'm not the one who got butt fucked on national TV”]; “you hang in there..”].
Hero Mentor relationship development; reminder of the Inner Challenge: John and Al talk about their kids.
Trial 3: John tries to save Ellis.
Mentor's challenge developed: Al confronts Dwain.
Journey to the Sword [Hans goes to get the explosives].
Foreshadow / Build up to the Master of two Worlds: the FBI arrive.
Seizing the Sword: John meets and confronts Hans upstairs.
Near Death Experience [John has to run over the glass].
Reward [Thornburg gets Mclane's family details].
Atonement and Apotheosis: Hans toys with the FBI; they'll turn off the power and open the lock.
Refusal of the Return [resistance to shutting down the power grid].
Inner Challenge overcome [John tells Al he loves Holly].
Rescue from Without: John realizes they're going to blow the roof; Karl catches John
Magic Flight [Hans runs; Agents Johnson in the helicopter].
Crossing the Return Threshold [FBI shoot John on the roof].
Master of the Two Worlds [Argyle punches out Han's Lieutenant; John confronts and kills Hans; the fall].
Freedom to Live: John meets Al outside. Romantic Challenge conquered [Holly calls herself Mrs McClane].
Final Catharses [John and Al shoot Karl; Holly punches Thornburg].
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.
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://www.clickok.co.uk/
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