188 Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Brokeback Mountain (2005)

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The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE 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) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)

*****Hero's Backstory*****

The Mentor or Supernatural Aid often knows a lot about the Hero. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde knows all about Bonnie - the guys, the café, wondering how she is going to get away from it.

*****The Changing*****

Progression through the Cave of the First Threshold is demonstrated. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), "...that's more than I spoke in a year...."

*****Guardians of the Sword*****

The Sword is not easily Seizable. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis waits by the window and Jack arrives late.

*****Inner Caves*****

Whether in the Inner Cave of the First Threshold or the Trials or beyond, it is a place where Inner Challenges reveal themselves. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy flirts with the boys outside. And David remarks, "....you act like you're fourteen....."

*****Push to the Inner Cave*****

Pushes and Pulls are underestimated, even symbolically. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack doesn't mind switching, "...We both ought to be in this camp...."

*****Inner Resolve*****

With the coming of the Inner Resolve, the Hero says goodbye to his Old Self and the Old World. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis drives away and this will be the last time they see each other.