188 Stage Heros Journey (monomyth) - Magical Gifts, Persuasion
Posted by MyChoices on 03/19/08 in Writing and Speaking
FORWARD
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
OLD SELF, NEW SELF, MASTER OF TWO SELVES
There are three main stages of evolution (roughly mirroring three-act structure)
Initially, the Hero is an Ordinary or Old Self. The Hero is pushed from his (or her) Ordinary World into a New World.
Once in the New World, the Hero transforms into a New Self and becomes a de facto and de jure member of the New World. Then the Hero is thrust away from the New World and New Self.
Finally, the Hero is forced to confront Challenges that were unconquerable as the Old Self. These are overcome and the Hero becomes the Master of the Two Worlds and Selves.
It is important to note that the “New Self” and “Master of Two Selves” are two separate and distinct stages of evolution. For example, in Annie Hall (1977), Annie as an Old Self is shy and embarrassed. As a New Self, she is living with Alvie and becomes confident and dependent on Alvie. But as the Master of the Two Worlds and Selves, she decides to pursue a life without Alvie. These are three separate and distinct stages.
(For the Complete 188+ stage Hero’s Journey simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ )
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
*****Magical Gifts*****
Magical Gifts (often given by a Mentor or Supernatural Aid) do not have to be Harry Potter’s Wand or Ruby Slippers. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), it is simply a set of guns.
*****Persuasion*****
It is not unusual for the Supernatural Aid to pursue and persuade the Hero to journey with him to his Castle, where a magical spell will be demonstrated.
In Star Wars (1977), Ben persuades Luke to come with him to his place.
In Wall Street (1987), Pop takes Bud into the inner sanctums of the airline.
In The Terminator (1984), Reese forces Sarah to follow him.
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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