188 Stage Heros Journey (monomyth) – Heros Backstory, Near Death Experience
Posted on September 23, 2008 - Filed Under Business | Leave a Comment
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Kal Bishop's 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
SYMBOLISM
There is far more symbolism in the most successful stories than is given credit. Symbolism communicates stages of the Journey and movement from one state to another. What is does is guide the audience in the required direction and convey subconscious messages.
Examples include:
Water. At the stage of the Near Death Experience, romantic lovers part in the rain (50 First Dates, 2004), protagonists are tortured with water (Green Mile, 1999), protagonists happen to be on vessels that sink (War of the Worlds, 2005) and Heroes are submerged underwater (Jaws, 1977). The role of water is ancient and works on the audience subconsciously; it signifies baptism / dirt to cleanliness / washing away the Old and emergence of the New Self.
(For the Complete 188+ stage Hero's Journey simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ )
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
*****Hero's Backstory*****
The Mentor or Supernatural Aid often knows a lot about the Hero. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde knows all about Bonnie - the guys, the café, wondering how she is going to get away from it.
*****Near Death Experience*****
The Hero's Old Self must die before his (or her) New Self can completely be born. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zack Maya is beaten to near death by Sgt. Foley - this happens in the martial arts gym, which is representative of Zacks old world - and it happens after his argument with Paula. In Unforgiven (1992), the Sheriff beats Clint Eastwood to a pulp - in the bar that is, in effect "his territory." In A Fistful of Dynamite (1971), John sees Dr. Villega give away his compatriots.
Serpent Battle. It is not unusual for the battle to occur with a serpent like creature and for it to occur underwater. The serpent is representative of the evil and the submergence underwater is symbolic of a baptism. In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is submerged as an Alien sinks the ferry and everything in it. He battles the "serpent like" tentacles of the Alien underwater. In Star Wars (1977), Luke follows the Princess down into the garbage compartment on the detention level where he is submerged by an underwater, tentacles, serpent like creature.
Dungeon and Hostage. It is also not unusual for the Hero (or close ally) at this stage to be held hostage in a dungeon type situation and tortured. In Lethal Weapon (1987), Martin Riggs is held hostage in a cell and tortured by "serpent like" whips and electrocuted with "serpent like" wires and water. In The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Han, Leia et al are tortured by Vader until Luke arrives. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond is held hostage and nearly spliced in half by a laser.
Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire. Often, the Hero escapes one close death only to face another. In Unforgiven (1992), a fever nearly kills Clint Eastwood after his beating. In Star Wars (1977), Luke et al are compressed by the garbage compactor, after Luke nearly dies at the hands of the Serpent.
Learn more...
WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.heros-journey.info/
188 stages of the Hero's Journey can also be reached from http://www.story-structure.org/
You can also receive a free sample file by entering your email address at this site.
You can post this article on your web site or blog as long as no changes are made, the author's name is retained and the links to our site URLs remains active.
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Kal Bishop, MBA
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