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: Forrest Gump (1994)

FADE IN: Loop: falling feather.

Intro the Hero and his Character: Forrest sitting on the bench.

Catchphrase: life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.

Reference the Mentor: Mama.

Hero's Ordinary World: Forrest as a boy on crutches.

Hero's Backstory: descended from the founder of the Klu Klux Klan.

Meeting the Mentor: Mama / Mrs Gump.

Hero's Ordinary World: renting out rooms in the house.

Mentor's Guidance: you're the same as everybody else; you're no different.

Hero's Capabilities: IQ 75.

Call to Adventure : "