Pen Freak

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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.

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).

and more...

DRAGON BATTLE

(simply go to http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)

The value of the Hero's Journey is best appreciated by understanding and applying the symbolism and metaphors. One example is "Dragon Battle."

As in the fairytales you are familiar with, before the hero is able to rescue the Princess, he (or she) must battle her guardian, often a dragon.

Thus (bearing in mind that the Princess can be literal or a metaphor for a tangible):

In When Harry met Sally (1989), before Harry beds Sally, he must help her overcome her disappointment regarding her ex-lover.

In The Godfather (1972), before Michael is able to marry Apollonia, he must go through the traditional ritual.

In Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Cheyenne must kill Morton's men before he can rescue Harmonica.

In The Matrix (1999), Neo and Trinity must overcome the Agents before they can rescue Morpheus.