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Writing and Speaking > Writing > Screenwriting; Story Structure; Heros Journey: The Inciting Incident
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Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Kal Bishop
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the cast majority of successful screenplays are built upon. Films as diverse as Gladiator (2000), Million Dollar Baby (2004), Raging Bull (1980) and Scarface (1983) were all constructed around the Hero's Journey Template.
The Inciting Incident is a confusing term and, in general, not very helpful.
Within the context of the Hero's Journey, it could represent a few points of action.
The first and most obvious is the Call to Adventure. For example, in Gladiator (2000), it could be the point where Marcus Aurelius asks Maximus to take his place.
Generally, the hero undergoes a refusal and the inciting incident could also be that which forces the hero to overcome his or her resistance. In Gladiator (2000), Maximus overcomes his resistance quite easily (after the consultation with his man-servant). However, in Star Wars (1977), resistance is overcome after the experience of the Unbearable Antagonism (Luke sees that his uncle and aunt have been murdered). The inciting incident could also be the Unbearable Antagonism.
Finally, the Inciting Incident
could be that event that pushes the hero to the First Threshold.
Perhaps the Inciting Incident is useful in [infantile] three, four or five act structures, but amidst the complex Hero's Journey, it is less useful.
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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