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 hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188 stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

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) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharsis).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story.

and more…

A story IS transformation. That involves moving from one psychological state to another. Sometimes this psychological transformation does not involve a physical movement from one place to another but most often – and ALL THE TIME in successful Hollywood stories – the Hero embarks on a physical journey that stimulates the psychological transformation.

By pulling the Hero through a physical experience, you are stimulating a psychological transformation. In the beginning the Hero will be dressed one way, after being pushed through some stages of the journey, the psychological change will reflect in clothing, behaviour, attitudes and beliefs.”

Not only are we familiar with the physical journey from modern cinema, but also in our fairytales (Red Riding Hood goes to Grandma, Jack goes to the market before climbing to the beanstalk…etc…).

a) In The Last King of Scotland (2006), Nicholas travels from Scotland to Uganda.

b) In Gladiator (2000), Maximus travels from Germany to Rome.

c) In An Officer and a Gentleman (1983), Zach travels from his Ordinary World to the New World of the Navy.