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]
*****Belly of the Whale*****
This is a form of Netherworld in between the First Threshold and the World of the Transformation. It is where the Hero comes face to face with what s/he must do or be or become or face. This stage is characterised by certain elements:
Again, this is a New Domain, somewhere we have not been before. In Superman (1978), Clark travels north and builds the Ice House. In Thelma and Louise (1991), they book into a hotel.
Lack of commitment is noticeable for unwilling Heroes. In Thelma and Louise (1991), Louise doesn't yet know what to do.
New Knowledge. Here a Mentor or other guide teaches new skills and knowledge. In Superman (1978), Clark learns from Jor-El through the crystals.
What the Hero is getting into. In Harder they Fall (1956), Art shows Eddie the video.
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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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