From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.managing-creativity.com/

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: Thelma and Louise (1991)

FADE IN: Context: Road; Middle America;

Meeting the Mentor in her Ordinary World: Louise in the cafe.

Symbol of the Transformation: smoking lessens your sex drive.

Transformed Mentor / Romantic Challenge: Louise smokes like a pro.

Meeting the Hero: Thelma in her Ordinary World: Thelma at home cooking.

Hero's Inner Challenge: I have to ask Daryl for permission.

Meeting the Interdictor: Darryl.

Developing the Interdictor: Darryl in regional manager; having an affair; asshole.

Foreshadow of the Journey: hey Thelma, when are you going to run away with me? She's running away with me.

Breaking the Interdiction: what time are you picking me up.

Time Pressure: 2 o'clock.

Hero seeks guidance from the Mentor: what kind of stuff shall I bring?

Mentor's Magic Carpet: Louise gets into her car.

Preparing fro the Journey: Thelma and Louise packing.

Developing Characters: the way both Thelma and Louise pack.

Mentor's Romantic Challenge: Jimmy's not home.

Mentor's Guidance: Thelma wants to bring the lantern etc; you don't need to bring al that.

Loop: Pre Transformation State: the joint photo.

Magic Gift / Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: the gun.

Developing the Interdiction and Interdictor: he's gonna kill you.

Leaving the Old World: in the car, leaving town.

Fish out of Water: New Self: Thelma smoking clumsily.

Threshold Marker: stopping at the intersection.

Hero pushing to the First Threshold: can't we stop for a minute.

Mentor resisting the First Threshold: no, it'll be dark soon.

Mentor pushed to the First Threshold: OK, but it's gonna be a quick stop.

Border of the First Threshold: driving to the bar.

New Creatures in the New World: people in the bar.

Mentor's Road Travelled: It's been years since I was in a place like this.

Threshold Guardian: the waitress.

Pushing to the Outer Cave: Thelma ordering some wild drinks; I've had it up to here with sedate.

Mentor Accompanies Hero: I've changed my mind, I'll have a Margarita etc.

Pushed to the Middle Cave: Harlan hits on Thelma.

Resisting the Middle Cave: Louise tells Harlan to take a hike.

Pushing to the Middle Cave: Thelma insists on having a good time.

Remembering the Old World: Thelma references Darryl and Thelma references Jimmy.

Pushed to the Middle Cave: more drinks arrive.

Pushing to the Middle Cave: lets have some fun.

Middle Cave: Thelma dances with Harlan; gets intimate and drunk with Harlan.

Resisting the Inner Cave: Louise sits down; I'm going to the girls room and then we're out of here.

Pushed to the Inner Cave: Harlan takes Thelma outside for some fresh air.

Inner Cave: Harlan tries to rape Thelma.

Resisting the [Death] Trial: Louise pulls a gun; walks away.

Pushed to the [Death] Trial: Harlan calls Louise a bitch.

[Death] Trial: Louise shoots Harlan.

Foreboding: oh my God.

Transformation Proceeds: Thelma takes the driving seat.

Forced out of the First Threshold: Thelma and Louise rush from the scene of the crime.

Obstacle to the Escape: the truck; fucking asshole.

No Way Back: who's going to believe us if we go to the police.

Foreboding: Louise sick; Thelma crying.

Border of the World of the Transformation: arriving at the caf