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.
Consider this:
• Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) – All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero’s Journey.
• Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.
• Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.
Transformation x3 or x7
In modern film, it is not uncommon for the transformation to complete within three stages:
In The Matrix (1999), Neo first learns martial arts by simulation, then practices with Morpheus, and then has to jump the building.
In Alien (1979), the alien first pops out of Kane’s chest, then takes Brett and then Dallas.
In Gladiator (2000), three major battles and Maximus is the lead gladiator.
However, there are occasions where the progression completes in seven stages (Jason and the Argonauts, Moses). There are many references to the number seven in “Old World” literature: seven heavens, seven lives etc.
It is probable that the 120 minute duration of modern film reduces the transformation from several to three stages.
Learn more…
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/
