c) Within each Cave of the First Threshold, the Hero (and subplot Allies) undergo a period of initiation that brings them closer to their New Selves. In Spartacus (1960), Spartacus et al train to become gladiators.

d) Upon exit of the First Threshold, the Hero demonstrates his (or her) Changing. Here he (or she) is slightly more evolved, a marked change from the earlier Devolved State. In The Matrix (1999), after the simulated training, Neo has to jump a real building and survive. Even though he does so badly, this is a marked change from hi

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

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 catharsis).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story.

and more...

EVERY GOOD HERO TRANSFORMS IN THE FIRST THRESHOLD

Whilst Transformation is the essence of the whole story and can be traced back to before the Call to Adventure and does not end until the Mastery of the Old and New Worlds and Self, a significant change occurs in the First Threshold. Consider this: In The Godfather (1972), before entering the First Threshold, Michael Corleone is having fun with Kay in a hotel, plans to marry her, wants nothing to do with The Family business and is safe because the other Families know he is a "civilian." Upon departure of the First Threshold, he is prepared to kill a police Captain, incite a war between the Families, will be hunted by the other Families and will voluntarily leave Kay behind and disappear to Sicily (where he will further follow the traditional path by marrying a Sicilian).

This part of the Transformation follows a number of distinct steps, a few of which are:

a) Upon entry into the First Threshold, the Hero loses a part of his Old Self and gains a part of his New Self. In Raging Bull (1980), Jake's wife leaves him and he hooks up with Vickie.

b) Within the walls of the Outer Cave, the Hero is a Fish out of Water. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1983), the new recruits are losers who have been "listening to punk rock music and bad mouthing their country."

c) Within each Cave of the First Threshold, the Hero (and subplot Allies) undergo a period of initiation that brings them closer to their New Selves. In Spartacus (1960), Spartacus et al train to become gladiators.

d) Upon exit of the First Threshold, the Hero demonstrates his (or her) Changing. Here he (or she) is slightly more evolved, a marked change from the earlier Devolved State. In The Matrix (1999), after the simulated training, Neo has to jump a real building and survive. Even though he does so badly, this is a marked change from his

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharsis).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story.

and more...

EVERY GOOD HERO TRANSFORMS IN THE FIRST THRESHOLD

Whilst Transformation is the essence of the whole story and can be traced back to before the Call to Adventure and does not end until the Mastery of the Old and New Worlds and Self, a significant change occurs in the First Threshold. Consider this: In The Godfather (1972), before entering the First Threshold, Michael Corleone is having fun with Kay in a hotel, plans to marry her, wants nothing to do with The Family business and is safe because the other Families know he is a "civilian." Upon departure of the First Threshold, he is prepared to kill a police Captain, incite a war between the Families, will be hunted by the other Families and will voluntarily leave Kay behind and disappear to Sicily (where he will further follow the traditional path by marrying a Sicilian).

This part of the Transformation follows a number of distinct steps, a few of which are:

a) Upon entry into the First Threshold, the Hero loses a part of his Old Self and gains a part of his New Self. In Raging Bull (1980), Jake's wife leaves him and he hooks up with Vickie.

b) Within the walls of the Outer Cave, the Hero is a Fish out of Water. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1983), the new recruits are losers who have been "listening to punk rock music and bad mouthing their country."

c) Within each Cave of the First Threshold, the Hero (and subplot Allies) undergo a period of initiation that brings them closer to their New Selves. In Spartacus (1960), Spartacus et al train to become gladiators.

d) Upon exit of the First Threshold, the Hero demonstrates his (or her) Changing. Here he (or she) is slightly more evolved, a marked change from the earlier Devolved State. In The Matrix (1999), after the simulated training, Neo has to jump a real building and survive. Even though he does so badly, this is a marked change from hi

This part of the Transformation follows a number of distinct steps, a few of which are:

a) Upon entry into the First Threshold, the Hero loses a part of his Old Self and gains a part of his New Self. In Raging Bull (1980), Jake's wife leaves him and he hooks up with Vickie.

b) Within the walls of the Outer Cave, the Hero is a Fish out of Water. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1983), the new recruits are losers who have been "listening to punk rock music and bad mouthing their country."

c) Within each Cave of the First Threshold, the Hero (and subplot Allies) undergo a period of initiation that brings them closer to their New Selves. In Spartacus (1960), Spartacus et al train to become gladiators.

d) Upon exit of the First Threshold, the Hero demonstrates his (or her) Changing. Here he (or she) is slightly more evolved, a marked change from the earlier Devolved State. In The Matrix (1999), after the simulated training, Neo has to jump a real building and survive. Even though he does so badly, this is a marked change from hi

This part of the Transformation follows a number of distinct steps, a few of which are:

a) Upon entry into the First Threshold, the Hero loses a part of his Old Self and gains a part of his New Self. In Raging Bull (1980), Jake's wife leaves him and he hooks up with Vickie.

b) Within the walls of the Outer Cave, the Hero is a Fish out of Water. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1983), the new recruits are losers who have been "listening to punk rock music and bad mouthing their country."

c) Within each Cave of the First Threshold, the Hero (and subplot Allies) undergo a period of initiation that brings them closer to their New Selves. In Spartacus (1960), Spartacus et al train to become gladiators.

d) Upon exit of the First Threshold, the Hero demonstrates his (or her) Changing. Here he (or she) is slightly more evolved, a marked change from the earlier Devolved State. In The Matrix (1999), after the simulated training, Neo has to jump a real building and survive. Even though he does so badly, this is a marked change from hi

c) Within each Cave of the First Threshold, the Hero (and subplot Allies) undergo a period of initiation that brings them closer to their New Selves. In Spartacus (1960), Spartacus et al train to become gladiators.

d) Upon exit of the First Threshold, the Hero demonstrates his (or her) Changing. Here he (or she) is slightly more evolved, a marked change from the earlier Devolved State. In The Matrix (1999), after the simulated training, Neo has to jump a real building and survive. Even though he does so badly, this is a marked change from his earlier state, where he refused and was caught by Agent Smith.