| FORWARD | | | | protagonists are tortured with water (Green Mile, |
| Kal Bishop's 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is | | | | 1999), protagonists happen to be on vessels that sink |
| the template upon which the vast majority of | | | | (War of the Worlds, 2005) and Heroes are |
| successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are | | | | submerged underwater (Jaws, 1977). The role of |
| based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of | | | | water is ancient and works on the audience |
| Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL | | | | subconsciously; it signifies baptism / dirt to cleanliness |
| below) are based on this 188+ stage template. | | | | / washing away the Old and emergence of the New |
| Understanding this template is a priority for story or | | | | Self. |
| screenwriters. This is the template you must master | | | | (For the Complete 188+ stage Hero's Journey simply |
| if you are to succeed in the craft. | | | | go to ) |
| [The terminology is most often metaphoric and | | | | ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES: |
| applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from | | | | *****New Self of the Road of Trials***** |
| The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) | | | | The beginning of the Road of Trials often sees the |
| to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to | | | | Hero become a New Self. In Raging Bull (1980), Jake |
| Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise | | | | and Joey get married and gain weight. In Brokeback |
| (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)]. | | | | Mountain (2005), Ennis gets married and has children |
| THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY | | | | and gets a job paving roads (not a cowboy). Time |
| SYMBOLISM | | | | Shifts here are not unusual - Ennis has a few children. |
| There is far more symbolism in the most successful | | | | *****New World of the Transformation***** |
| stories than is given credit. Symbolism communicates | | | | It is not unusual for the New World of the |
| stages of the Journey and movement from one | | | | Transformation to be made explicit and developed |
| state to another. What is does is guide the audience | | | | before the hero engages in the Trials and |
| in the required direction and convey subconscious | | | | Transformation. In Walk the Line (2005), Johnny |
| messages. | | | | moves straight from succeeding at the audition to |
| Examples include: | | | | singing in front of a crowd, where he meets June |
| Water. At the stage of the Near Death Experience, | | | | Carter. In Gladiator (2000), Maximus is brought into |
| romantic lovers part in the rain (50 First Dates, 2004), | | | | Proximo's World. |