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: Dirty Harry (1971)

FADE IN: Context: the plaque commemorating the officers of the San Francisco PD who died in the line of duty; the San Francisco police badge.

Antagonism: the girl is shot.

Meeting the Hero: Harry Callahan walks in.

Hero's Capabilities: Harry immediately sees where the girl was shot from and goes to inspect that building.

Hero's Ordinary World: Harry walks around the building and we see San Francisco.

Hero's Capabilities: Harry finds the shell casing and the note.

Call to Adventure : reading the note.

Meeting the Interdictor: the Mayor.

Interdictor's Attitude: "we pay the Police Department to commit crimes