Screenwriting: What is a (Hollywood) Story?

To definitively answer this question, we have deconstructed more than 100 Hollywood blockbusters.

The answer is this:

a) A (Hollywood) story is about Transformation.

b) The process of Transformation is [a variation of] the Hero's Journey.

c) The above appies to all genres.

Initially a Hero [the term is not gender or culturally specific], is a Fish out of Water.

Normally there at least three challenges: the Outer, the Inner and the Romantic.

Pre the Transformation, the Hero is in a devolved state and hence the challenges are not conquered. As the Hero Transforms, so his (or her) challenges are conquered.

The process of transformation follows a common pattern: from Planet of the Apes (1968), to Gladiator (2000) to Goodfellas (1990) to When Harry met Sally (1989)...

The process [not is its entirety] is illustrated by the following deconstruction of: When Harry met Sally (1989). You will need to analyse many of our other deconstructions and our version of the Hero's Journey to clearly see and understand the pattern.

When Harry met Sally (1989)

FADE IN: context: the old couple; relationships.

Intro Hero and Heroine: Sally waiting for Harry outside college.

Develop Character and Relationship: Harry and Sally driving to Chicago.

Foreshadow of the Journey: "obviously you have not had great sex."

Backstory: "why did you break up with Sheldon?"

Pushing toward the Journey: "you're coming onto me