Hero's Journey (Monomyth) and Screenwriting: the Learning Process

By: Kal Bishop
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:59
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About the Hero's Journey learning process.

Basically, people have to get over this idea that the great movies (Godfather, Alien, Scarface etc) aren't originals but situational variations of the same template. That itself takes a while. They have to throw away all these misconceptions they have about creativity, originality etc. There is only one story (how convenient is that!)

Then they have to get to grips with Transformation. That all they'e focusing on is moving the Hero, Allies and Enemies through the Transformation process. They have to get to the point where they accept that a story IS transformation. Usually, this is best done by decontructing many of the successful stories scene by scene - because they only learn and accept if they're shown. If they can just accept that, take it on faith, then they can skip this whole part of the learning curve.

Then they have to understand WHY the Hero's Journey is THE Transformational Process. People perceive it to be a Physical Journey, but it is really a Psychological Journey. They have to understand, for example, the significance of the First Threshold in a psychological context.

Then they have to understand what a hero is, that s/he has four challenges and integrate that with the Journey. My update will do that for them.

Then they have to come up with their idea (their situation) and sit down and write. I can lead them to water, but I can't make them drink.

Dialogue, how real humans interact..these can't be taught. They need to write a few screenplays until they are in the zone with regard to timing, scene length, character focus etc.

But my templates help them do even that. Basically the Advanced Temlates give them everything, even the characters. They just have to be a little flexible with them.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

Managing Creativity and Innovation and related techniques and tools can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author's name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

For 188+ stages of the Hero's Journey, successful story deconstructions and the Advanced Screenwriting Worksheets goto http://clickok.co.uk/

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