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 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) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story. This is why stories such as Alien (1979), Gladiator (2000), Midnight Cowboy (1969), American Beauty (1999), The Graduate (1967) and many others (all deconstructed at the URL below) appear to be different but are all constructed, almost sequence by sequence, in the same way.
and more...
*****Conquest of the Romantic Challenge*****
The conquest of the Romantic Challenge is the Hero's Reward (post the Rebirth through Death). This is what is commonly referred to as the Mystical Marriage.
Rewards are referenced. In Dances with Wolves (1990), Kicking Bird's wife brings up the topic of John's relationship with Stands with a Fist.
Obstacles to the Reward are referenced. In Dances with Wolves (1990), Kicking Bird's wife discusses the mourning.
Removal of Obstacles is normally straightforward. In Dances with Wolves (1990), Kicking Bird tells Stands with a Fist that she can stop mourning. In Star Wars (1977), Luke swings to the other side of the bridge, Leia in his arms.
Rewards are given. In Star Wars (1977), Leia gives Luke a kiss. In Dances with Wolves (1990), John Dunbar and Stands with a Fist marry.
Sex. The boy gets the girl, of course.
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Go to http://www.clickok.co.uk/index4.html for more info on the 188+ stage Hero's Journey....
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