Writing and Speaking > Writing > Heros Journey Deconstructed
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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.
The Hero's Journey:
· Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
· Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
· Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
The Hero's Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
As an example of the use of the Hero's Journey, Sergio Leone's movie: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly has been deconstructed below:
Introduce the shape shifter, his character and capabilities: Eli Wallach (Tuco) shoots a bounty hunter.
Introduce the antagonist, his nature and the Sword: LVC (Lee Van Cleef) kills the innocents; learns of the money.
Meeting the mentor: LVC meets the old man. Enhance the antagonist's nature: LVC kills the old man.
Introduce the hero, his nature, strengths, weaknesses, status, supernatural gifts etc: Clint kills all the men that stand between him and Tuco.
Relationship between the hero and the shape shifter: Clint and Tuco begin their scam.
Familiarity with the hero: LVC knows Clint.
Foreshadow of the Journey to the First Threshold; Develop relationship between hero and shape shifter: Tuco and Clint argue about payment; Tuco warns Clint not to double cross him.
Advance the character and goal of the antagonist: the "half soldier" sequence.
Call to Adventure: Clint double crosses Tuco and drops him off in the desert.
Develop the antagonist: LVC slaps John Carson's girlfriend.
Pulled into the Journey: Tuco hunts Clint.
Hero resists the Journey: Clint escapes due to the explosion in the room.
Pulled into the Journey: Tuco chases cigars.
Unable to Resist the Journey: Tuco captures Clint.
Warning of the First Threshold:
Tuco tells Clint that he will die in the desert.
Inner Cave: Clint almost dies.
Physical Separation. They run into Bill Carson and learn of the gold.
The World of the Transformation: Tuco takes Clint to Monastary; they become friends here.
Back story of the Shape Shifter: Tuco with his brother.
Journey to the Sword: Tuco and Clint on the wagon, get captured by the Blues and enter the prison.
Develop character of antagonist: we learn that LVC is in charge and more about him.
Seizing the Sword: LVC discovers the name of the cemetery.
Rebirth through Death; Near Death Experience: Tuco almost beaten to death.
Reward: Clint gets to travel as a "guest" with LVC.
Atonement with the Father: Tuco kills his fat oppressor.
Apotheosis: Clint needs Tuco; they need each other.
Ultimate Boon: they escape from LVC and his men.
Refusal of the Return: Clint and Tuco decide to blow up the bridge – besides the cemetery is on the other side.
Magic Flight: Tuco runs to the cemetery and finds the grave.
Rescue form Without: LVC turns up.
Crossing the Return Threshold: that's the wrong grave; Clint sets up the gunfight.
Master of the Two Worlds: Clint defeats LVC.
Freedom to Live: Clint allows Tuco to live.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
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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://www.clickok.co.uk/
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