Hero's Journey, Monomyth (188 stages)- Screenwriting Tools, Writing for Profit

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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.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Mentor's Backstory*****

The Mentor's Backstory is often made explicit. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde tells Bonnie he cut part of his foot off.

*****Shape Shifter Revealed and The Red Herring*****

The shape shifter's true nature becomes apparent [post the Rebirth through Death]. In The Incredibles (2004), Bomb Voyage assists the Incredibles to escape.

Red Herrings and misdirections are toyed with and implemented. In Star Wars (1977), Han considers "leaving this party." In Syriana (2005), we are led to believe that it is Whiting who will be sacrificed. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), we are led to believe that Severus Snape is a threat.