Time Pressure. The Antagonism will initiate a Time Pressure that will speed up the Hero's return. In Goldfinger (1964), there is limited time to diffuse the nuke.

*****New World of the First Threshold*****

Entry. Upon entry into the First Threshold, some marked characteristics are noticeable.

Polar Opposite. The New World of the First Threshold is markedly different from

The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) 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. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE 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) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Rescue from Without*****

This is where the Hero is pulled out of No Mans Land or pulled toward the confrontation with the Greater Antagonism. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond is drawn to Fort Knox.

Dastardly Deed. Often, the Antagonist will draw the hero back by means of a dastardly deed. In Spiderman (2002), the Green Goblin kidnaps Mary Jane.

Time Pressure. The Antagonism will initiate a Time Pressure that will speed up the Hero's return. In Goldfinger (1964), there is limited time to diffuse the nuke.

*****New World of the First Threshold*****

Entry. Upon entry into the First Threshold, some marked characteristics are noticeable.

Polar Opposite. The New World of the First Threshold is markedly different from

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE 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) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Rescue from Without*****

This is where the Hero is pulled out of No Mans Land or pulled toward the confrontation with the Greater Antagonism. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond is drawn to Fort Knox.

Dastardly Deed. Often, the Antagonist will draw the hero back by means of a dastardly deed. In Spiderman (2002), the Green Goblin kidnaps Mary Jane.

Time Pressure. The Antagonism will initiate a Time Pressure that will speed up the Hero's return. In Goldfinger (1964), there is limited time to diffuse the nuke.

*****New World of the First Threshold*****

Entry. Upon entry into the First Threshold, some marked characteristics are noticeable.

Polar Opposite. The New World of the First Threshold is markedly different from

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 catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Rescue from Without*****

This is where the Hero is pulled out of No Mans Land or pulled toward the confrontation with the Greater Antagonism. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond is drawn to Fort Knox.

Dastardly Deed. Often, the Antagonist will draw the hero back by means of a dastardly deed. In Spiderman (2002), the Green Goblin kidnaps Mary Jane.

Time Pressure. The Antagonism will initiate a Time Pressure that will speed up the Hero's return. In Goldfinger (1964), there is limited time to diffuse the nuke.

*****New World of the First Threshold*****

Entry. Upon entry into the First Threshold, some marked characteristics are noticeable.

Polar Opposite. The New World of the First Threshold is markedly different from

(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Rescue from Without*****

This is where the Hero is pulled out of No Mans Land or pulled toward the confrontation with the Greater Antagonism. In Goldfinger (1964), Bond is drawn to Fort Knox.

Dastardly Deed. Often, the Antagonist will draw the hero back by means of a dastardly deed. In Spiderman (2002), the Green Goblin kidnaps Mary Jane.

Time Pressure. The Antagonism will initiate a Time Pressure that will speed up the Hero's return. In Goldfinger (1964), there is limited time to diffuse the nuke.

*****New World of the First Threshold*****

Entry. Upon entry into the First Threshold, some marked characteristics are noticeable.

Polar Opposite. The New World of the First Threshold is markedly different from

Time Pressure. The Antagonism will initiate a Time Pressure that will speed up the Hero's return. In Goldfinger (1964), there is limited time to diffuse the nuke.

*****New World of the First Threshold*****

Entry. Upon entry into the First Threshold, some marked characteristics are noticeable.

Polar Opposite. The New World of the First Threshold is markedly different from the Hero's Ordinary World; it is usually the Polar Opposite of the Ordinary World. In The Matrix (1999), the world of the machines is nowhere like Neo's normal World. In Goodfellas (1990), the World of the gangsters is the polar opposite of both Henry's and Karen's parent's World. In Dances with Wolves (1990), Fort Hayes is quiet and uninhabited. John Dunbar has just come from fighting in the civil war.

Unfamiliar Creatures and Behaviours. The New World is full of unfamiliar creatures, people, behaviours, colours etc. In The Matrix (1999), Neo breaks free from his pod to find humans in pods and machines farming them. In The Last King of Scotland (2006), Uganda and Ugandans are totally new to Nicholas.

*****Pushed to the Inner Cave*****

Pushes and Pulls are an underestimated aspect of story telling. A Push nearly always takes the Hero et al to the Inner Cave (as there is always resistance to it). In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the law arrives and they shoot their way out of the house.

*****Ultimate Boon*****

The prize that is the result of the Apotheosis. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack is happy that Ennis has gotten divorced.

*****Final Conflict*****

Often in the Final Conflict, it is the Hero that travels to a place of great danger (from his perspective). But the danger can come to him (or her). In Straw Dogs (1971), Tom et al drive to David's house and once inside, become antagonistic (the pointing and pushing).

*****Final Catharses*****

Many stories end with multiple catharses. Brokeback Mountain (2005) is no different.

a) Catharsis 1: Ennis’ postcard is returned marked deceased.

b) Catharsis 2: Ennis calls Lureen, who tells him about Jake's death.

c) Catharsis 3: Ennis visits Jake’s folks. Finds his shirt and takes