Writing and Speaking > Screenwriting Classics: Planet of the Apes (1968) 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: Planet of the Apes (1968)
FADE IN:
Context: strange lights; New World.
Introduce the Hero: Taylor.
Journey to a New World: some time in the future.
Hero's Nature: ethical question: is man that strange creature that still makes war against his brother?
Introduce Allies: in hibernation.
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Pushed into the Journey: the crash.
Foreshadow of the danger: Stewart is dead.
Pushed to the Journey: the water floods the ship.
Overview of the New World: pull back of the desert landscape.
No Going Back: the ship sinks; "OK, we're here to stay."
Backstory: the question is not when we are but where we are.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor, Landon and Dodge.
Pushed to the First Threshold: we've got 72 hours 'cause that's when the groceries run out.
Leaving behind the Old World: Landon plants a US Flag.
Dangerous Journey to the First Threshold: Taylor et al fall.
Warnings of the Journey to the First Threshold: the lightning. The rock falls.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor, Landon and Dodge, "there's only one reality…"
Pulled Forward: they find a plant and look for more.
Warning of entry to the First Threshold / Physical Marker: the scarecrows.
Pulled Forward: the waterfall.
Losing the Old Self: stripping and having their clothes stolen.
Pulled deeper into the Outer Cave: Taylor et al follow their clothes.
Strange Creatures in the World of the First Threshold: the humans.
Foreshadow of the Romantic Challenge: seeing Nova.
Meeting the Antagonists: the Apes arrive to hunt the humans.
Pushed into the Middle Cave: the Apes follow the humans.
Middle Cave conflict: the Apes hunt and capture the humans.
Inner Cave: Taylor is captured.
Meeting Allies and Enemies: Nova and the humans in the cage; the talking apes; Zira discusses in the surgery.
Reference to the Antagonist: Zira mentiond Zaius.
Pushing toward the Physical Separation: Taylor tries to talk.
Resistance to the Physical Separation: "he has a gift for mimickry…"
Meeting the Antagonist: Zaius arrives.
Develop the Character and Threat of the Antagonist: Zaius: "the sooner humans are exterminated, the better…"
Developing the Romantic Challenge: Nova is put into Taylor's cage
Meeting Allies and developing characters and relationships: Zira introduce Taylor to Cornelius.
Pushing toward the Physical Separation: Taylor writes on the ground.
Resistance to the Physical Separation: Nova rubs out Taylor's writing; the fight in the cage.
Foreshadow of the Master of Two Worlds: Ziaus wants to talk to Cornelius about his expedition and rubs out the writing in the cage.
Physical Separation: Taylor writes his name.
Refusal of the Physical Separation: Cornelius thinks Taylor's writing is a stunt.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor with Cornelius and Zira in their home.
Warning of the Transformation: Cornelius warns Zira that their theories will provoke outrage.
Developing the Antagonism: Dr Zaius enters.
Resistance to the Transformation: Zaius squashes the paper aeroplane.
Forced to the Physical Transformation: Zaius wants to castrate Taylor; Taylor escapes.
Transformation / Trial 1: Taylor runs riot in the city; sees a stuffed Dodge.
Pushed to Transformation/ Trial 2: "take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape."
Developing the Romantic Challenge: Taylor in the cage with Nova; they take Nova away from Taylor; Taylor in the opposite cage from Nova.
Transformation/ Trial 2: the trial.
Transformation/ Trial 3: they cut up Landon's brain.
Meeting the Oracle and learning of the Sword: Cornelius tells the court about his discovery in the Forbidden Zone.
Pushed to the Sword: Taylor will be emasculated. Developing Character and Relationships: Taylor and Zaius.
Journey to the Sword: Taylor busted out of jail, with Nova.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Cornelius, Zira and Taylor; non one is in charge of Taylor now.
Entering the World of the Sword: discussing the Forbidden Zone and the river.
Developing Character and Relationships: Taylor shaves.
Time Pressure; Pushed to the Sword: Dr Zaius et al arrive.
Warning against the Seizing of the Sword: Zaius warns Cornelius and Zira.
Seizing the Sword: inside the cave; examining Cornelius' artefacts; the talking doll; the glasses etc.
Near Death Experience: the shootout with the apes.
Atonement with the Father: Taylor takes Zaius captive.
Apotheosis: Zaius tells Taylor why he's so afraid of him; Zaius knew about humans all along.
Ultimate Boon: Taylor gets supplies and ammunition for him and Nova for a week.
Refusal of the Return: Taylor won't go back and Cornelius or Zira won't go with Taylor.
Goodbyes: Taylor kisses Zira.
Warning: "don't look for the answer, you may not like what you find…"
Magic Flight: Taylor and Nova on their way on the horse.
Rescue from Without: Zaius lets Taylor and Nova go.
Crossing the Return Threshold: Zaius will seal the cave and Zira and Cornelius will stand trial for Heresy.
Master of the Two Worlds: Taylor sees the Statue of Liberty.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
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Kal Bishop
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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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