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From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and Academy Award Winners….

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…

Below is a deconstruction of a classic transformation that sticks rigidly to the Hero’s Journey.

Top Gun (1986); basic deconstruction

FADE IN:

Context: narrative: when Top Gun was established.

Context: aircraft on a carrier; taking off; the music “Danger Zone”

Meeting the Hero: Ordinary World: inside the aircraft carrier.

Status of Hero and Sidekick: Maverick and Goose! Great!

Meeting Hero and Sidekick: Mav and Goose in their aircraft; their relationship.

Hero’s Capabilities: Mav scares the migs away.

Hero’s True Nature: Mav sacrifices himself to save Cooger.

Magical Gift: the picture of the mig.

Hero’s Nature: you lost your license twice; you’re a hell of an instinctive fighter.

Herald: the commander.

Hero’s Inner Challenge: your family name is not the hottest.

Pushed out of the Ordinary World: you’re going to Top Gun.

Interdiction: you mess up and you’ll be flying rubber ducks out of Hong Kong.

Entrance into a New World / First threshold: on the bike.

Threshold Guardian: Jester.

Meeting the Mentor and his assistant: Viper and Jester.

Rules: in each combat sequence you are going to meet a different challenge.

Elixir: name on the Top Gun plaque.

Foreshadow of the Shape Shifter: seeing Ice.

Developing Characters and Relationships: ah you kill me…

Meeting the Shape Shifter: Ice; figured it out yet.

Developing Characters and Relationships: meeting the boys in the bar.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Mav sings the song in the bar.

Polarization: Charlie blows off Mav.

Developing the Romantic Challenge: Mav visits Charlie in the bar.

Decreasing Polarization / Developing the Romantic Challenge: Mav tells the Mig story; you’re the one.

Charlie chases Mav; she wants to hear about the Mig.

Developing Shape Shifter: who was covering Kruger?

Forced to the Belly of the Whale: rush to get in the air.

Physical Separation: Mav defeats Jester.

Celebration: the flyby.

Trial and Transformation 1:

Developing Characters and Relationships: in the locker room; you’re dangerous; confrontation with Ice.

Called to see Viper for the illegal flyby.

Reprimanded in Viper’s office.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Goose and Maverick outside Viper’s office.

Viper and Jester discussing Mav; flew with his Old Man; if you went into battle would you want him with you; winning over Viper.

Reference the Inner Challenge: referencing Mav’s father.

Maverick agrees not to let Goose down.

Trial and Transformation 2:

Charlie gives Mav her number.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Slider you stink; the volleyball game.

Mav in Charlie’s house; not allowed a shower.

Referencing the Inner Challenge: Mav talks about his father; allowed a shower.

Charlies and Mav in the lift.

Developing the Sidekick: Goose meets his wife and kid.

Trial and Transformation 3: Charlie puts down Mav in the lesson.

Charlie pursues Mav - he gets on the bike

Charlie pursues Mav in her car.

Charlie tells Mav that she’s fallen for him.

The note from Mav in bed.

Regression:

Developing Characters and Relationships: I feel the need for speed.

Jester successfully targets Mav mid air.

Developing Characters and Relationships: in the steam room; Ice tells Mav that no one trusts him.

Inner Challenge: the photo.

Meeting the Oracle: Goose’s girlfriend tells Charlie he’s fallen for her.

Seizing the Sword: take me to bed.

Night Sea Journey: back in the air; I’m in.

Near Death Experience: Goose dies.

Mentor’s Guidance: keep going; there will be more death; got to let it go.

Introspection: maybe it was my fault.

Reward: in the car with Charlie; I’ll be here if you need me.

Reward: Goose’s wife forgives him; he loved flying with you.

Reward: the panel clears Mav of wrongdoing.

Atonement with the Father: Mav flies again but doesn’t engage; I’ll fire when I’m good and ready.

Shape Shifter Revealed: Ice says he’s sorry about Goose.

Apotheosis: Mav quits.

Denial / Refusal: Charlie tries to convince him no to quit.

Magic Flight: she’s got that job in Washington.

Inner Challenge conquered: Mav visits viper who tells him the truth about his father.

Rescue from Without: the graduation; call to active duty - the crisis situation.

Goodbye to the Mentor: give me a call, I’ll fly with you.

Crossing the Return Threshold: back on the aircraft carrier; given their orders.

Resistance to the Final Conflict: Ice doesn’t want Mav as backup.

Preparing the Final Conflict: Mav gets into the fighter.

Final Conflict: Mav called up.

Time Pressure: this thing will be over in two minutes.

Final Antagonism: Mav disengages and reengages after thinking about Goose.

Master of Two Worlds: Mav destroys the migs.

Celebration: the crew celebrate.

Return to the Old / New Self: requesting fly by.

Celebration / Shape Shifter Challenge conquered: you can be my wing man anytime.

Outer Challenge conquered: Mav follows the Mentor’s advice and lets go.

New Self: Mav will become an instructor at Top Gun.

Romantic Challenge conquered: Charlie comes back for Mav.

FADE OUT: credits

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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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/.