188 Stage Heros Journey (monomyth) - Afterlife Act, Final Conflict - Inner Resolve
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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
CONSIDER THIS:
• Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 – uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero’s Journey as a template.
• Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) – All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero’s Journey.
• Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.
• Heroine’s Journey stories (Million Dollar Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all based on the Hero’s Journey.
(For the Complete 188+ stage Hero’s Journey simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ )
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
*****Afterlife Act*****
Sequences include:
His receives a high status burial (is buried on high ground etc). In Out of Africa (1985), Denys is buried upon a hilltop.
His legend lives on through a select few. In Out of Africa (1985), Denys’ legend lives on through Karen.
A prophecy builds up around him.
After a while he is recalled (if had only disappeared or if he is able to wake from the dead - not unusual).
Else his children seek to depose the Demon King and reclaim their birthright (Jason and the Argonauts, 1963).
Daughters hunt for a Hero Knight.
Sons become the new Hero (Jason and the Argonauts, 1963).
*****Final Conflict: Inner Resolve*****
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. In Straw Dogs (1971), post the Unbearable Antagonism, David finds Inner Resolve: “…..this is where I live….I will not allow violence against this house…..”
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.
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Kal Bishop, MBA
Tags: monomyth, the stages of the