the Antagonist's Mentors or Lieutenant's roles to be made explicit at this stage (post Trial 3 and the conquest of the Outer Challenge). Conquering them will, after all, be one of the Final Catharses. In Star Wars (1977), Vader defers to Governor Tarkin. In Empire Strikes Back (1980), Vader defers to the Emperor. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond must deal with Goldfinger and the fearsome Oddjob. In Die Hard (1988), John Maclane must deal with Hans and the feroFORWARD

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:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Overcoming the Hero Guardians*****

Though the Heralds are blocked from the Hero by Guardians, overcoming them is not the most daunting task. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Joe justtells Jack and Ennis to "get your scrawny asses in here, pronto."

*****Antagonist's Aids*****

It is not unusual for the Antagonist's Mentors or Lieutenant's roles to be made explicit at this stage (post Trial 3 and the conquest of the Outer Challenge). Conquering them will, after all, be one of the Final Catharses. In Star Wars (1977), Vader defers to Governor Tarkin. In Empire Strikes Back (1980), Vader defers to the Emperor. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond must deal with Goldfinger and the fearsome Oddjob. In Die Hard (1988), John Maclane must deal with Hans and the feroc

gy 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:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Overcoming the Hero Guardians*****

Though the Heralds are blocked from the Hero by Guardians, overcoming them is not the most daunting task. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Joe justtells Jack and Ennis to "get your scrawny asses in here, pronto."

*****Antagonist's Aids*****

It is not unusual for the Antagonist's Mentors or Lieutenant's roles to be made explicit at this stage (post Trial 3 and the conquest of the Outer Challenge). Conquering them will, after all, be one of the Final Catharses. In Star Wars (1977), Vader defers to Governor Tarkin. In Empire Strikes Back (1980), Vader defers to the Emperor. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond must deal with Goldfinger and the fearsome Oddjob. In Die Hard (1988), John Maclane must deal with Hans and the fero

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:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Overcoming the Hero Guardians*****

Though the Heralds are blocked from the Hero by Guardians, overcoming them is not the most daunting task. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Joe justtells Jack and Ennis to "get your scrawny asses in here, pronto."

*****Antagonist's Aids*****

It is not unusual for the Antagonist's Mentors or Lieutenant's roles to be made explicit at this stage (post Trial 3 and the conquest of the Outer Challenge). Conquering them will, after all, be one of the Final Catharses. In Star Wars (1977), Vader defers to Governor Tarkin. In Empire Strikes Back (1980), Vader defers to the Emperor. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond must deal with Goldfinger and the fearsome Oddjob. In Die Hard (1988), John Maclane must deal with Hans and the fero

AMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Overcoming the Hero Guardians*****

Though the Heralds are blocked from the Hero by Guardians, overcoming them is not the most daunting task. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Joe justtells Jack and Ennis to "get your scrawny asses in here, pronto."

*****Antagonist's Aids*****

It is not unusual for the Antagonist's Mentors or Lieutenant's roles to be made explicit at this stage (post Trial 3 and the conquest of the Outer Challenge). Conquering them will, after all, be one of the Final Catharses. In Star Wars (1977), Vader defers to Governor Tarkin. In Empire Strikes Back (1980), Vader defers to the Emperor. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond must deal with Goldfinger and the fearsome Oddjob. In Die Hard (1988), John Maclane must deal with Hans and the fero

the Antagonist's Mentors or Lieutenant's roles to be made explicit at this stage (post Trial 3 and the conquest of the Outer Challenge). Conquering them will, after all, be one of the Final Catharses. In Star Wars (1977), Vader defers to Governor Tarkin. In Empire Strikes Back (1980), Vader defers to the Emperor. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond must deal with Goldfinger and the fearsome Oddjob. In Die Hard (1988), John Maclane must deal with Hans and the ferocious Karl. In Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Zack is demonstrably more vicious than Victor Maitland.

*****Final Conflict: Developing the Antagonism*****

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. One aspect of this process is the buildup of the antagonism's threat. In Straw Dogs (1971), the Major arrives (a mentor and supernatural aid) and is quickly defeated by the Demon King (Tom) [the Major confronts Tom; Tom shoots the Major].

*****Guardians of the Sword*****

The Sword is not easily Seizable. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis waits by the window and Jack arrives late.