Writing and Speaking > Writing > Academy Award Winners Deconstructed: Rocky (1976)
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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: Rocky (1976)
FADE IN: introduce Hero in his Ordinary World: Rocky fighting Spider.
Hero's Capabilities: Rocky knocks out Spider after he head butts him.
Hero's Inner Challenge: "hey Rock, you're a bum, you know that…a bum"
Hero's Material Challenge: $40.55 for winning the fight; "when do I fight again…"
Foreshadow of the Transformation: Butkus the dog in the window.
Developing Hero's Character: walking home.
Hero's Ordinary World: in his apartment.
Hero's Inner Challenge Developed: lonely; no friends; talking to the fish.
Hero's Desire to escape his Ordinary World: "if you guys could sing or dance, I wouldn't be doing this, you know…"
Hero's Character Developed: Rocky Marciano on the wall.
Hero's Intelligence: talking to himself; not too bright.
Hero's Back Story: the photos on the wall.
Hero's Inner Challenge: looking at photos of himself; look what I've become; the single bed.
Romantic Challenge: Rocky goes to visit Adrian.
Romantic Challenge's Challenge: Adrian has no self-confidence, "I want you to go downstairs and clean up the cat litter…"
Ordinary World: Rocky collecting in the docks.
Hero's True Nature: Rocky doesn't break Bob's thumb.
Meeting the Mentor: Gazzo.
Meeting Enemies: Gazzo's driver.
Hero's Character Developed: not too bright, "how do you spell, Del Rio…"
Encouraged to leave his Ordinary World: Rocky's gonna have to start breaking thumbs…"next time do as I tell you…"
Interdiction: "Rocky, don't you think you ought to take a rest…"
Near Death Experience before Meeting the Mentor: "you put my stuff on skid row…"
Meeting the Mentor : Mickey.
Spiritual Guidance: "you got heart but you fight like an ape…"
Magical Gift: Tangible Symbol of the Transformation: "you never even got your nose broke…"
Discouraged from the Journey: "you think about retiring? Well think about it." "hey, I dig your locker man."
Developing the Romantic Challenge: going to see Adrian in the pet shop.
Hero's True Nature: Rocky lifts a bum and takes him inside.
Reminder of the Inner Challenge: "Spider Reco..is he still around?"
Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: Apollo Creed on TV.
Meeting Allies: Paulie.
Ally's Challenge: why don't you talk to Gazza about me? Paulie needs a job.
Foreshadow of the First Threshold: "why don't you come around for some bird tomorrow?"
Meeting the Antagonist: Apollo Creed on TV.
Polarization between Hero and Antagonist: Apollo is a thinker..."be a thinker, not a stinker."
Antagonist's status: "you callin' Apollo Creed a clown! This man is champion of the World…"
Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: "he took his big shot and become Champ…"
Resistance to the Physical Separation: educating the girl, "hey Rocky…screw you creepo…"
Inner Challenge: "..yes, who are you…"
Developing the Antagonist / Hero and Antagonist Polarization: Apollo gives a local underdog a chance: something "smart."
Pulled Back into the Ordinary World: collecting again; "hey Rock..take her to the Zoo.."
Call to Adventure : Apollo chooses an Italian Stallion.
Developing Ally's Challenge: Paulie wants Rocky to talk to Gazzo.
Trial on entering the First Threshold: Paulie and Adrian argue; Paulie throws the Turkey out of the house;
First Threshold : Adrian agrees to go out with Rockie.
Threshold Guardian: the skating
ring is closed; $10 for 10 minutes.
Inner Cave : ice skating with Adrian.
Resistance to the Physical Separation: Adrian resists coming into Rocky's apartment.
Physical Separation : Adrian comes into the apartment; they kiss.
Mentor pushes the Hero toward the Transformation: "you had the chance to become a great fighter but instead you became a collector for a cheap, second rate loan shark…it's a waste of life…"
Refusal of the Call . Rocky refuses Creed's promoter.
Preparing the Transformation: Paulie wants a job as an assistant; Rocky reveals his feelings to Adrian; Gazzo gives Rocky some training money.
Mentor pulls hero toward the Transformation: Mickey comes to persuade Rocky in his apartment.
Road of Trials:
Trial 1: getting up early; five raw eggs; running before dawn.
Tangible Symbol of the Transformation: the stairs to the library.
Romantic Challenge Developed: "what do you see in my sister?"; "gaps…I got gaps, she got gaps, together we fill gaps..I don't know…""you balling my sister…"
Trial 2: breaking the ribs in the meat factory.
Trial 3: no fooling around during training; "just make the meat…" "I'm sorry.."
Meeting the Oracle and guided toward the Sword : Mickey wants Rocky to get balance and speed; Maciano had the same problem and this string cured it.
Encouraged toward the Sword [with Allies]: Transformation: Adrian looks great in the red coat; Butkus is a present.
Foreshadow of the Final Confrontation: Rocky pounding the beef in the meat house.
Movement toward the Sword: Rockie gets a roommate.
Foreshadow of the Sword: in the gym with Mickey; making Rocky into a very dangerous fighter:
Seizing the Sword : the run; training in the gym; making it to the top of the stairs.
Near Death Experience : the visit to the stadium; "I can't do it." "I can't beat him."
Reward: Inner Challenge Conquered: "all I want to do is go the distance, to prove I ain't just another bum form the neighbourhood…"
Reward: Romantic Challenge Conquered: Adrian puts her arms around him.
Atonement with the Father : pre-fight preparation; looking at himself in the mirror; praying.
Comedic Element: Paulie does a little advertising.
Apotheosis: Apollo thinks it is all a big joke.
Ultimate Boon : Rocky knocks Apollo down; Rocky gets a real fight; Rocky can take him; he's in his league.
Refusal : Apollo signals Rocky was lucky; he doesn't believe it.
Symbol of the Transformation: Rocky's nose is broken.
Magic Flight : the rounds rack up.
Rescue from Without : "I can't see nothing you got to open my eye..cut me Mick…""you stop this fight and I'll kill you…"
Crossing the Return Threshold : back into the ring; round 15; they look like they've been in a war these two…"
Master of the Two Worlds : Round 15 fight.
Freedom to Live : "there won't be a rematch"; "don't want one," "Adrian…I love you…"
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/
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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://managing-creativity.com/
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