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: Jungle Book (1967)

FADE IN: Music and scenery of India; the Ordinary World of the jungle.

Meeting the Supernatural Aid / Mentor and the Hero; hero's back story: Bagheera finds the orphan Mowgli, who is raised by Akela the wolf et al.

Foreshadow of the Adventure: Bagheera knows that one day Mowgli will have to return.

Call to Adventure: Shere Khan has returned and Mowgli must go back to the man village.

Resistance to the Call: Daddy Wolf doesn't want "his son" to go.

Pushed into the Journey: Bagheera agrees to take Mowgli to the man village.

Developing the Antagonism: Bagheera explains why Shere Khan wants to kill Mowgli.

Refusal: Mowgli doesn't want to leave his Ordinary World.

Reviewing the First Threshold from afar: "what up the tree?"

Unprepared for the First Threshold: Mowgli has difficulty climbing the tree.

Conflict with the Shape Shifter in the Inner Cave: Mowgli hypnotised by Kaa.

Saved by the Mentor: Bhageera saves Mowgli.

Hero saves Mentor: Mowgli saves Bhageera from Kaa.

Meeting Allies: Mowgli meets the elephants.

Foreshadow of a future confrontation: "just you wait until I get you in my coils."

Physical Separation: Mowgli pushes Bhageera away; Bhageera leaves him to fend for himself.

Entering the World of the Transformation: Entering Baloo territory.

Meeting a new Mentor: Mowgli meets Baloo.

Transformation; Trial 1 (passive): learning to growl.

Transformation; Trial 2 (passive): looking for the "bare necessities."

Transformation; Trial 3 (active): Mowgli sings along; becomes a bear.

Meeting the Oracle: come and get him champ; the monkeys take Mowgli.

Conflict on the Journey to the Sword: Baloo fights with the monkeys.

Convergence: Allies converge: Baloo calls Bhageera.

The Ideal: King Louis can fix it so that Mowgli stays in the jungle; he wants to learn how to make fire.

Entering the World of the Sword disguised in the Wolves Clothing: Baloo and Bhageera disguise themselves in monkey clothes.

Seizing the Sword: Baloo and Bhageera grab Mowgli.

Near Death Experience: Bhageera and Baloo nearly die escaping from the Monkey Kingdom.

Reward: Mowgli gets to rest.

Atonement with the Father: Bhageera confronts Baloo; Mowgli has to return to the man village.

Apotheosis: Baloo realises that Bhageera is right; Mowlgli can't be a bear.

Ultimate Boon: Mowgli likes being a bear.

Refusal of the Return: Mowgli want to return to the Man Village; accuses Baloo of being just like Bhageera.

Magic Flight: Mowgli runs and Baloo and Bhageera pursue.

Developing the Antagonism and its nature: Shere Khan hunts the baby Deer.

Reintroducing Old Allies: we meet the elephants again.

Antagonist pulled toward the Final Confrontation: Shere Khan learns about the lost Mowgli.

Resisting the Pull to the Final Confrontation: Colonel Hathi resists helping.

Antagonist pushes toward the confrontation: Shere Khan searches for Mowgli.

Hero changed: Mowgli doesn't trust anyone anymore.

Shape Shifter finds a reason to turn: Kaa wants to help Mowgli.

Shape Shifter turns; Antagonist's power over the Shape Shifter demonstrated: Kaa lies to Shere Khan and saves Mowgli; Shere Khan very free with his claws.

Antagonist confident of victory: Shere Khan thinks Mowgli is "a helpless little lad."

Rescue from Without: the vultures can make Mowgli an honorary vulture; he has new friends and dances again.

Master of the Two Worlds (catharsis 1): Battling Shere Khan; Mowgli uses fire to defeat his foe.

Catharsis 2: Baloo is alive.

Physical Celebration: Baloo, Mowgli and Bhageera physically joyous at their victory.

Freedom to Live: Mowgli pulled into the New World (by the girl).

FADE OUT: Bhageera and Baloo dances away.

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