From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.clickok.co.uk/

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: Deer Hunter (1978)

FADE IN: Industrial steel manufacturing town; Clairton, Pennyslvania.

Hero's Ordinary World [work] : the steel mill.

Introduce the Hero: status: high, "see ya Mike." Men shake his hands.

Meeting the Allies: Nick (Shape Shifter), Steve, Axel and Stan.

Foreshadow of the First Threshold: walking home; Stevie's getting married.

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: "you know what a great hunting trip we could have tonight…."

Developing Characters and Relationships: Stan: "hey Mike, you're full of shit….;" "I'm getting married tonight…;" "the first round is on me…;" "your sense of humour ain't funny..;"

Foreboding: Steven's wife afraid and crying.

Foreshadow of the Transformation: Steven's mother; "my son is getting married…and the next thing you know, he goes to Vietnam…"

Capabilities of the Hero: Michael passes the truck from the inside.

Ordinary World [Leisure]: the bar. Meeting more Allies: John.

Preparing the First Threshold: the wedding cake.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Linda is a bridesmaid.

Back Story: the photos of Michael, Nick etc on the wall.

Back Story of the Romantic Challenge: Linda's father is a drunk and slaps her.

Developing character and relationships: in the bar; Michael wins at pool; "no sense in getting too relaxed…"

Pulled to the First Threshold: Steven's Mom pulls him out of the bar and sends him to the wedding…

Developing relationship between Hero and Shape Shifter: Michael and Nick preparing for the wedding; discussing Vietnam; "one shot."

Developing character and relationships: Axel with his girlfriend; Stan looking in the mirror; Nick with Linda.

Hero's Romantic Challenge: Michael leaves without speaking to Linda.

World of the First Threshold: inside the church.

Hero's Romantic Challenge: Michael looks at Linda.

First Threshold: the marriage and the party.. Developing character and relationships: Michael with Linda, Stan hits his girlfriend; Nick asks Linda to marry him etc.

Inner Cave: the Green Beret, "f*ck it."

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: "if anything happens, don't leave me over there."

Physical Separation: Michael won't let Stan have the boots.

Foreshadow of the Apotheosis: Michael kills the deer with one shot.

Rest Break before the Transformation: John plays the piano.

Ordinary World of the Transformation: in Vietnam; the soldiers kills the innocents; Michael kills the soldier.

Transformation 1 / Trial 1: captured and in a cage; the Game being played upstairs.

Transformation 1 / Trial 2: Floating along the river.

Transformation 1 / Trial 3: Falling from the helicopter and breaking a leg. Michael brings Stevie back to safety.

Pulled away from the Sword (New Self): Nick has a picture of Linda.

Pulled toward the Sword (New Self): Nick recovers; tries to call Linda, but cannot speak to her.

Pulled toward the Sword: Nick in the Titty bar.

Resisting the Sword: "can't stay in here with a kid in the room…"

Pulled toward the Sword: Nick hears the sounds of the gunshots.

Meeting the Mentor: and pulled toward the Sword: meeting the Frenchman…"when you say no to champagne, you say no to life…"

Inner Chamber: watching the Game.

Running from the Sword: running out of the Inner Chamber.

Running from the Old Self: running from Michael.

Seizing the Sword: getting into the Frenchman's car.

Reward: the party; Michael goes to see Linda at home.

Resisting the Pull back to the Old Self: Michael makes the taxi drive past.

Pulled back into the Old World: Michael walks Linda to work; she pulls him into the store.

Ordinary World: images of the steel mill.

Old Allies: meeting Axel and Stan walking out of the mill.

Old World [leisure] back in the bar.

Celebrating the Return [to the Old Self]: John pours the drinks.

Resisting / Warning / Foreboding of the Return: Stan et al and Angela don't know what to say about Steve.

Resistance to conquering the Romantic Challenge: Linda and Michael in the motel.

Confirmation of the Transformation: Michael standing in his uniform; Stan asks for Michael's opinion; saving Axel in the tenpin bowling game.

Apotheosis: Refusing to kill the deer.

Atonement with the Father Emptying the cartridge, playing the Game and shooting Stan.

Ultimate Boon: Alienation: they all leave the car without saying a word; conquering the Romantic Challenge: Michael takes Linda to bed.

Refusal: Michael phones Stevie, who doesn't want to talk;

Rescue from Without: Stevie tells Michael he is getting money from Nick.

Magic Flight: Stevie doesn't want to go home: "I don't fit;" Michael takes him home.

Crossing the Return Threshold : Michael goes back to Saigon; meeting the Frenchman; going by the river.

Threshold Guardian: $1500 to get through the door.

Master of the Two Worlds: Michael plays the Game; Nick shoots himself.

Freedom to Live: the funeral back home; silence back in the bar.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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