From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters....

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...

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Deer Hunter (1978)

FADE IN: Industrial steel manufacturing town; Clairton, Pennyslvania.

Hero's Ordinary World [work] : the steel mill.

Introduce the Hero: status: high, "see ya Mike." Men shake his hands.

Meeting the Allies: Nick (Shape Shifter), Steve, Axel and Stan.

Foreshadow of the First Threshold: walking home; Stevie's getting married.

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: "you know what a great hunting trip we could have tonight