Writing and Speaking > Writing > Writing Human Screenplays and Stories: The Sweet Smell of Success (1957) 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: Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
FADE IN: Context: the city.
Meeting the AntiHero: Sidney Falco buys the paper.
Meeting the Antagonist: JJ Hunsecker's column.
Developing the AntiHero: Sidney walks into his office; Sidney avoiding people on the phone; JJ hasn't mentioned Sidney's client; Sidney short of money.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Sidney with his secretary [Loyal Ally].
AntiHero's Motivation: Sidney wants to reach the top.
First Threshold: in the bar.
Meeting AntiGoddess: Rita.
Meeting Hero's Mentor : Frank.
Meeting Hero: Steve.
Referencing the Antagonist: Hunsecker.
Meeting Goddess: Susie.
Call to Adventure : Susie will try to make Steve a good wife.
Refusal / Warning of the Antagonist: "..I'm telling him in the morning at breakfast…"; he makes me nervous.
Hero and AntiHero confrontation: Steve confronts Sidney.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Susie and Steve.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Sidney with Rita.
Foreshadow of the Trials: meet me there at 2.30?
Journey to the First Threshold : the taxi ride.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Sidney and Susie.
Physical Separation: tell JJ that Steve is the first real man I've been in love with.
Obstacle: Sidney's client in front of JJ's club.
Threshold Guardian: Sidney phones JJ; can I come in for a minute?
Outer Cave / Trial: Sidney walks up to JJ at the table.
Developing the Antagonist: JJ manipulates the Senator.
Developing Characters and Relationships: match me. Not quite yet JJ.
Middle Cave: Meeting the Antagonist's Lieutenant: Lt. Harry Kello.
Developing Characters and Relationships: JJ and Harry.
Developing the Ordinary World: I love this town.
Inner Cave: Antagonist's Motivation: Susie is all I have.
Physical Separation : what you promised, do it. It's later than you think.
World of the Transformation: the 2 nd bar.
Transformation / Trials:
Trial 1: Sidney tries to blackmail Leo.
Trial 2: Persuading Otis to print an item.
Trial 3: Persuading Rita to bed Otis.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Sidney phones JJ.
Antagonist's Motivation: JJ looks at Susie.
Meeting the Oracle: Mary.
Foreshadow of the Near Death Experience: Steve mentioned in JJ's column.
AntiHero's Character: Mary refs Sidney's character.
Sword: Herbie in JJ's column.
Journey to the Sword: is Herbie on stage yet?
Guardians of the Sword: watch out for this guy, he's a press agent.
Seizing the Sword : Sidney gets Herbie to be a client.
Near Death Experience : Steve gets a smear in JJ's column; Steve is fired; Steve comes into Sidney's office; Frank prevents a fight.
Disappointment with AntiHero's path: Sally disappointed.
Foreshadow of the Atonement: Sidney calls JJ.
Goddess' Inner Challenge: Susie can't stand up to JJ.
Foreshadow of the Atonement: JJ discusses with Sidney at the back of the TV studio.
Pushed back from the Atonement: Frank and Steve convince Steve to take it easy.
Atonement with the Father : Steve confronts JJ.
Apotheosis : Susie can't stand up to JJ.
Ultimate Boon : I'll never see him again.
Refusal : JJ wants Steve taken apart; Sidney won't do it.
Magic Flight : Susie says goodbye.
Developing the AntiHero: Sidney doesn't tell JJ that they've called it off.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Sidney and Harry; Sidney tells Harry when Steve is coming out.
Rescue from Without : Sidney gets a call.
Crossing the Return Threshold : Sidney goes back to JJ's apartment.
Master of Two Worlds : Sidney saves Susie from suicide; JJ beats up Sidney.
Freedom to Live : Susie gathers the courage to leave JJ.
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
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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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