Hero’s Journey and Story Structure: the Mysterious Background of the Hero
The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon – understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero’s Journey:
Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
The Hero’s Journey is also a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have a higher probability of producing quality work when they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.
Mysterious Birth
One critical characteristic of the hero in the Hero’s Journey is his tendency to have a mysterious past. Specifically, there is a high tendency for him or her to be orphaned and / or in some way be dislocated from the family:
In Spiderman, 2002 (US box office $403,000,000), Peter Parker lives with his Aunt and Uncle.
In Star Wars, 1977 (US box office $460,000,000), Luke Skywalker lives with Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen.
In Million Dollar Baby (Academy Award Winner Best Film 2004), Maggie feels separate and distinct from her White Trash family.
Although the hero may not know his or her family, there is a tendency for them to be special in some way. In classical stories, the Hero’s parents are often royalty:
Jesus is the Son of God.
Moses was brought up by the King of Egypt.
Luke Skywalker is the son of Darth Vader.
Harry Potter is the son of famous, gifted wizards.
The hero’s heritage results in an expectation, often termed around “a destiny that he must eventually fulfil:”
Harry Potter must eventually solve the mystery of his parent’s death and right the wrong that was done then.
Luke must one day face Vader and help defeat the Empire.
Moses must return to his people and help the Israelites out of Bondage.
The detailed, complete deconstruction and the Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
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://managing-creativity.com/
