The Hero's Journey is the screenwriting template. Screenwriters can use it to write effective screenplays. Below are a few of the elements of each stage of the journey.

The Belly of the Whale.

Physical Separation. The hero makes a physical separation from the First Threshold. In Dances with Wolves (1990), John Dunbar travels to the Indian village. In Raging Bull (1980), Jake has a baby and puts on weight.

Resistance to the Ordeal. There is resistance to the hero entering the Ordeal or leaving the First Threshold. In Dances with Wolves (1990), Wind in his Hair tells John he is not welcome.

Conscious Decision to Undergo the Ordeal. The hero consciously agrees to enter the Ordeal. In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), the library and helping with the guards with their taxes pulls Andy in.

The Road of Trials.

[This is the beginning of the Ordeal -the meat of the adventure].

Clumsily Enters. The hero clumsily enters the world of the ordeal. He is like a bull in a china shop. In Scarface (1983), Tony makes his way to the dance floor (when Elvira and Frank first take him to the nightclub) like a bull in a china shop. In Dances with Wolves (1990), John Dunbar clumsily smokes the pipe. Introductions are awkward ("he is right, introductions should come first").

Potential Rewards. The rewards of the journey are visible and entice the hero into the journey. In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Andy believes he can make a difference by building a library and helping the guards with their taxes. In Scarface (1983), Tony Montana is entranced by the rewards visible in the nightclub.

Marker of Change. Change is in the air and it is illustrated by a marker. In Dances with Wolves (1990), the buffalo arrive.

Trials. Usually in sets of three. In The Matrix (1999), Neo first learns martial arts by simulation, then practices with Morpheus, and then has to jump the building.

The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and FREE 17 stage sample and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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Kal Bishop

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller.

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