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: Planet of the Apes (1968)

FADE IN:

Context: strange lights; New World.

Introduce the Hero: Taylor.

Journey to a New World: some time in the future.

Hero's Nature: ethical question: is man that strange creature that still makes war against his brother?

Introduce Allies: in hibernation.

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Pushed into the Journey: the crash.

Foreshadow of the danger: Stewart is dead.

Pushed to the Journey: the water floods the ship.

Overview of the New World: pull back of the desert landscape.

No Going Back: the ship sinks; "OK, we're here to stay."

Backstory: the question is not when we are but where we are.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor, Landon and Dodge.

Pushed to the First Threshold: we've got 72 hours 'cause that's when the groceries run out.

Leaving behind the Old World: Landon plants a US Flag.

Dangerous Journey to the First Threshold: Taylor et al fall.

Warnings of the Journey to the First Threshold: the lightning. The rock falls.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Taylor, Landon and Dodge, "there's only one reality