Screenwriting Seminar: Hero's Journey and The Role of Allies
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are primarily based upon. Understanding this template may be a priority for story or screenwriters:
The Hero's Journey:
o Makes an attempt to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has relating to what a story is and the way it should be told.
o Gives the writer additional structural components than simply 3 or four acts, plot points, mid purpose and therefore on.
o Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite variety of assorted stories to be created.
The Hero's Journey is additionally a study of repeating patterns in successful stories and screenplays. It is compelling that screenwriters have the next likelihood of manufacturing quality work after they mirror the recurring patterns found in successful screenplays.
The Hero's Journey is also a study of conventions. Before screenwriters can decide whether or not to accept or reject the conventions, they must appreciate their purpose and value.
Contemplate this:
o Titanic (1997) grossed over $600,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
o Star Wars (1977) grossed over $460,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
o Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $436,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
o ET (1982) grossed over $434,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
o Spiderman (2002) grossed over $432,000,000 - uses the Hero's Journey as a template.
o Out of Africa (1985), Terms of Endearment (1983), Dances with Wolves (1990), Gladiator (2000) - All Academy Award Winners Best Film are based on the Hero's Journey.
o Anti-hero stories (Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990) etc) are all based on the Hero's Journey.
o Heroine's Journey stories (Million Greenback Baby (2004), Out of Africa (1980) etc) are all primarily based on the Hero's Journey.
Hero's Journey and the role of Allies
The hero's allies play an integral half of most stories. 3 dimensional allies make for a richer stories.
Three dimensional allies - just like the hero - have their own challenges, mentors and limitations. In Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000), both Li and Shu Lien (mentors) have an inner challenge and a mentor (Sir Te).
It's not uncommon for the allies, at round the time of the atonement, to confront their own limitations. In Star Wars (1977), this can be when Han and Chewy discussion "leaving this party." In Elizabethtown (2005), this is when Hollie states that she will learn Faucet, Comedy and Organic Cooking.
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Kal Bishop, MBA
Author Resource:
Jeff Hunt has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Screenwriting, you can also check out latest website about
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