Writing and Speaking > The Heros Journey and Screenwriting: Antihero Explained
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Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Kal Bishop
What they didn’t tell you at Harvard Screenwriting School is that 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.
Most people familiar with this story structure perceive it as the “Quest Theory.” That is, they can see how it can be a template for stories such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Jason and the Argonauts and so forth, but they resist the idea that it explains or is the core behind other stories such as Million Dollar Baby (Academy Award Winner Best Film 2004).
In fact, if you deconstruct the Academy Award Winners (Best Films) of the last few decades, you quickly realise that they are all based around the Hero’s Journey template. That there is, in fact, only one story.
Another gripe about the Hero's Journey is the phenomena of the antihero – that the antihero is definitely not a hero in the classical sense.
This is true, however, the antihero is simply an archetype, in the same way as the Supernatural Aid, Shape Shifter et al. The difference between hero, anti-hero and other variations simply lies in situation, motivation and result:
Where the hero's Ordinary World is idyllic (Lord of the Rings, 2003), the anti-hero's world is uncomfortable and riddled with conflict (Raging Bull, 1980).
Where the hero embarks on adventure for altruistic reasons (Willow, 1988), the anti-hero embarks for selfish reasons.
Where the hero has good mentors (Lord of the Rings, 2003), the anti-hero has dark mentors (Raging Bull, 1980).
Where the hero resists dark temptations, the anti-hero gives in to them (Scarface, 1983).
Where the hero may sacrifice himself to prevent harm to others (Superman, 1978), the anti-hero will consciously set out to do harm (Goodfellas, 1990).
Where the hero will evolve, the anti-hero will regress.
Where the hero will achieve synergy (at the stage of the Ultimate Boon), the anti-hero will achieve alienation.
Where the hero's allies will come to his aid, the anti-hero's allies will betray.
Where the hero's gain is tangible and prized, the anti-hero's gain is dubious (Scarface, 1983).
The detailed, complete deconstruction and 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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