From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk/

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

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) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more...

EXAMPLE: The Graduate (1967) - [Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: meeting the Hero / going on a journey: Ben in the aircraft; arriving in the airport.

Time Pressure: parking limited to 3 minutes only.

Herald: Ben's father asks him to come downstairs, to meet the guests / friends.

Resistance to the Journey: Ben hesitates to go downstairs; he is worried about his future.

Creatures of the Ordinary World: meeting the guests downstairs.

Hero's Capabilities: hey "trackstar”; I want to hear all about that award you won.

Hero's Status: we're so proud of you.

Pushed towards a Transformation: what are you going to do now? About your future? There's a great future in plastics…

Hero's backstory: Someone reads Ben's yearbook.

Forced to a Journey: I have to get out of here; Ben goes upstairs to be alone.

Meeting the Mentor / Shape Shifter / Antagonist: Mrs Robinson finds Ben in the room alone.

Antagonist familiar with the Hero: …the track star doesn't smoke….

Call to Adventure: will you drive me home?

Refusal: take the car; do you know how to work a foreign shift?

Time Pressure: lets go.

Pushed to the First Threshold: will you come in please, until I get the lights on.

Crossing the Threshold Marker: would you mind walking in front of me into the house; the main door.

Resisting the Outer Cave: I was glad to drive you home but I have some things to think about.

Pulled in: please wait until my husband comes in.

Rules: I'm very neurotic.

Outer Cave Trial: you didn't think I'd do something like that did you, Mrs Robinson; Mrs Robinson you're trying to seduce me.

Resisting the Middle Cave: are you trying to seduce me? I'm not sure.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Elaine's room and her portrait.

Middle Cave: will you unzip my dress; I think I'll go to bed.

Resisting the Inner Cave: what if Mr Robinson were to walk in now? Would you like me to seduce you?

Pushed to the Inner Cave: would you bring up my purse; I'm putting it on the top step; will you stop acting this way and bring it inside.

Inner Cave: Mrs Robinson naked; I want you to know I'm available for you; if you won't sleep with me now you can call me anytime.

Forced out of the Inner Cave: Mr Robinson arrives.

Pushed to the Belly of the Whale: I think you should take it easy; sow a few wild oats; have a few flings this summer.

Resisting the Conscious Decision: do I have to do this?

Conscious Decision: diving into the pool sequence.

Goodbye to the Old Self: the fading image.

Belly of the Whale: Ben calls Mrs Robinson from the hotel; give me an hour.

Creatures of this World: the people in the hotel.

Threshold Guardian: the hotel receptionist.

Creatures of this World: the people in the party.

Fish out of Water: Ben is uncomfortable and out of place in the hotel and nervous when Mrs Robinson arrives.

Threshold Guardian: getting a room from reception.

Pushing to the Physical Separation: Ben phones Mrs Robinson and gives her the room number.

Fearing the World of the Transformation: Ben anxious in the room.

Resisting the Physical Separation: Mrs Robinson undresses; I can't do this.

Pushed to the Physical Separation: is this your first time?

Physical Separation: I am not inadequate.

Transformation and Trials 1:

New Self: Ben with glasses in the pool.

Being undressed by Mrs Robinson.

Goodbye to the Old Sel

f: closing the door on Mom and Pop.

Watching TV in the room with Mrs Robinson; she leaves.

Foreshadow of the Romantic Challenge: What are you doing Ben? Elaine is coming down from Berkeley, why don't you give her a call?

Mom asks Ben where he goes when he stays away all night.

Transformation and Trials 2:

Antagonist's Backstory: Mrs Robinson, could we have a conversation this time? Having a conversation; Mrs Robinson got married because she got pregnant.

Interdiction: don't talk about Elaine; don't you ever take that girl out.

Ben starts to walk out; Mrs Robinson persuades him to promise never to take out Elaine.

Transformation and Trials 3:

Pushed to the Trial: Pop encourages Ben to ask Elaine out.

Resisting the Trial: Mrs Robinson is angry; Ben tells her he won't see her again.

Ben takes Elaine to a strip joint; Elaine cries and Ben chases her, explains and then kisses her; he has a compulsion that he has to be rude all the time.

Meeting the Oracle: it's still early, lets go somewhere else.

Journey to the Sword:

Recognised as Mr Gladstone at the Taft Hotel.

Ben tells Elaine that he had an affair with a married woman and that it's all over now.

Seizing the Sword: I want to; arranging a date for tomorrow. The kiss.

Night Sea Journey: Mrs Robinson gets in the car and threatens to tell Elaine everything. Ben runs to Elaine.

Near Death Experience: Mrs Robinson appears and Elaine realizes the truth.

Ben watches Elaine leave.

Rebirth: Ben tells Pop that he is going to marry Elaine.

Atonement with the Father:

Driving to Berkeley; spotting Elaine.

Getting a room.

Watching and following Elaine; running after her in the bus; talking to her in the bus.

Elaine meets Carl at the zoo.

Apotheosis: Elaine comes into the Elaine's room; Ben tells her he loves her; Ben tells Elaine that he didn't rape his mother; Elaine screams; Elaine is OK, she's drinking a glass of water; I want you out because I don't like you; Elaine doesn't want him to go.

Ultimate Boon:

Elaine comes back into Ben's room; will you kiss me. Will you marry me etc.

Refusal / Denial / Disgust: Mr Robinson appears; he and Mrs Robinson are getting divorced. I will get you arrested if you ever look at Elaine again; get outta here.

Magic Flight:

Elaine has left school. She leaves a note.

Ben drives back home.

Ben sneaks into the Robinson's home; Mrs Robinson calls the police.

Time Pressure: sorry you won't be invited to the wedding.

Rescue from Without: Ben finds out where Carl is getting married from his classmates.

Crossing the Return Threshold:

Stops off at the gas station to find out which church.

Gas runs out and he runs.

Knocks on the glass window.

Final Antagonism: Ben sees the post-ceremony kiss.

Master of Two Worlds: Elaine calls for Ben; he gets past Mr and Mrs Robinson; they run; into the bus.

Freedom to Live: smiling in the bus.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk.

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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