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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:

http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)

*****Middle Cave*****

It is in the Middle Cave of the First Threshold that Allies and Enemies are met. Of (usually) critical importance is the Shape Shifter, who often has a critical competency and is necessary. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the gas pump attendant knows all about automobiles.

*****Supernatural Aid or Mentor*****

Subconsciously the Hero is searching for spiritual guidance and strength to overcome the Period of Desolation and push forward. He (or she) seeks a Mentor or Supernatural Aid.

Often the mentor is a wretched, deformed old man or woman but it can also be anyone that pulls the Hero in the required direction. In Star Wars (1977), the mentor is Obi Wan. In The Empire Strikes Back (1980), it is Yoda. In Raging Bull (1980), it is Vickie - a young blonde sexually alluring teenager. In Wall Street (1987), Bud Fox has his Dad. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), it is the older Marcus Brody and Sallah. In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), it is the older, longer serving Red. In The Big Lebowski (1998), it is Sam Elliott as The Stranger.

*****Physical Marker to the Oracle*****

A physical marker to the Oracle (or one that separates the Hero's World from that of the Oracle) is not uncommon. In Straw Dogs (1971), David opens the cupboard door to find the dead cat.

*****Freedom to Live*****

Part of the Freedom to Live is a New Self. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), junior has a new car.

*****Road of Trials 1*****

A number of things happen on the Road of Trials. Trial 1 takes the Hero et al back to their Old Selves to see if they will successfully pull away. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy changes the plus sign to a minus and David corrects it. The heater stays in the study. And they're all Daddy's chairs.

*****Trial 3*****

Trial 3 centres around the conquering of the Outer Challenge and a significant Transformation to the New Self. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the Barrow gang robs a bank, they shoot a cop (previously a cause for concern), and when they escape; everyone knows who they are.