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...
[simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ or http://www.heros-journey.info/ or http://www.monomyth.info/ for full details]
*****Legend of the Supernatural Aid*****
The legend of the Supernatural Aid is brought to the Hero's attention before the actual meeting. It has certain characteristics, including:
Powerful Reputation. The Supernatural Aid will have a powerful reputation.
A Powerful Helper. It will be recognised that the Supernatural Aid is able to help.
Decrepit. Conversely and maybe at the same time, the Supernatural Aid may not be recognised as powerful at all and may even be ridiculed. In Star Wars (1977), "....Ben...he's just a crazy old man.."
Warnings. Often, Doves and other archetypes warn against meeting with the Supernatural Aid. In Star Wars (1977), Uncle Own thinks that Obi Wan is just a crazy old man.
Dissuasion. The Hero will be dissuaded from meeting or following the Supernatural Aid. In Raging Bull (1980), Joey tells Jake that Vicky is unattainable. In A Fistful of Dynamite (1971), Juan's fellow bandit tells him there is no need for Juan.
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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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