There are certain aspects of the Hero's Ordinary Self that are commonly made explicit, including:

Innate Capabilities. Once we meet the Hero, we learn of his or her capabilities. Often Hero's have supernatural abilities, which in the modern day translates into them being exceptional at something. In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is excellent at his job - which we know by the way he sensitively handles the load he is lifting at work. In Gladiator (2000)

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 www.clickok.co.uk for full details)

*****First Threshold Guardian*****

Before the Hero et al enter the First Threshold, they must pass a Threshold Guardian. In Star Wars (1977), Luke and Obi Wan must pass the Storm Troopers into Mos Isley. In Goodfellas (1990), the young Henry Hill gets arrested.

Magical Gift. This is often where a Magical Gift is used. In Star Wars (1977), Obi Wan uses his powers. In Jason and the Argonauts (1963), the Goddess uses one of her spells.

*****Ordinary Self*****

There are certain aspects of the Hero's Ordinary Self that are commonly made explicit, including:

Innate Capabilities. Once we meet the Hero, we learn of his or her capabilities. Often Hero's have supernatural abilities, which in the modern day translates into them being exceptional at something. In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is excellent at his job - which we know by the way he sensitively handles the load he is lifting at work. In Gladiator (2000),

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 www.clickok.co.uk for full details)

*****First Threshold Guardian*****

Before the Hero et al enter the First Threshold, they must pass a Threshold Guardian. In Star Wars (1977), Luke and Obi Wan must pass the Storm Troopers into Mos Isley. In Goodfellas (1990), the young Henry Hill gets arrested.

Magical Gift. This is often where a Magical Gift is used. In Star Wars (1977), Obi Wan uses his powers. In Jason and the Argonauts (1963), the Goddess uses one of her spells.

*****Ordinary Self*****

There are certain aspects of the Hero's Ordinary Self that are commonly made explicit, including:

Innate Capabilities. Once we meet the Hero, we learn of his or her capabilities. Often Hero's have supernatural abilities, which in the modern day translates into them being exceptional at something. In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is excellent at his job - which we know by the way he sensitively handles the load he is lifting at work. In Gladiator (2000)

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 www.clickok.co.uk for full details)

*****First Threshold Guardian*****

Before the Hero et al enter the First Threshold, they must pass a Threshold Guardian. In Star Wars (1977), Luke and Obi Wan must pass the Storm Troopers into Mos Isley. In Goodfellas (1990), the young Henry Hill gets arrested.

Magical Gift. This is often where a Magical Gift is used. In Star Wars (1977), Obi Wan uses his powers. In Jason and the Argonauts (1963), the Goddess uses one of her spells.

*****Ordinary Self*****

There are certain aspects of the Hero's Ordinary Self that are commonly made explicit, including:

Innate Capabilities. Once we meet the Hero, we learn of his or her capabilities. Often Hero's have supernatural abilities, which in the modern day translates into them being exceptional at something. In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is excellent at his job - which we know by the way he sensitively handles the load he is lifting at work. In Gladiator (2000)

*****First Threshold Guardian*****

Before the Hero et al enter the First Threshold, they must pass a Threshold Guardian. In Star Wars (1977), Luke and Obi Wan must pass the Storm Troopers into Mos Isley. In Goodfellas (1990), the young Henry Hill gets arrested.

Magical Gift. This is often where a Magical Gift is used. In Star Wars (1977), Obi Wan uses his powers. In Jason and the Argonauts (1963), the Goddess uses one of her spells.

*****Ordinary Self*****

There are certain aspects of the Hero's Ordinary Self that are commonly made explicit, including:

Innate Capabilities. Once we meet the Hero, we learn of his or her capabilities. Often Hero's have supernatural abilities, which in the modern day translates into them being exceptional at something. In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is excellent at his job - which we know by the way he sensitively handles the load he is lifting at work. In Gladiator (2000)

There are certain aspects of the Hero's Ordinary Self that are commonly made explicit, including:

Innate Capabilities. Once we meet the Hero, we learn of his or her capabilities. Often Hero's have supernatural abilities, which in the modern day translates into them being exceptional at something. In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is excellent at his job - which we know by the way he sensitively handles the load he is lifting at work. In Gladiator (2000), we discover that Maximus is an excellent swordsman in battle.

Challenge Feasibility. One purpose of demonstrating the Hero's Capabilities (above) is to demonstrate that the challenges he (or she) will face are surmountable. In Gladiator (2000), we believe that Maximus can quickly become a gladiator because we are [early on] exposed to the fact that he is capable in battle and with a sword. In Return of the Jedi (1983), we do not believe that Luke is a Jedi because we were not exposed to the completion of his training. This is a major failing of this movie. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), we believe that Indy is capable of hunting for the Ark because we initially see him retrieve the treasure in South America.