Hero's Journey (Monomyth) : Near Death Experience
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.
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 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) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story.
and more...
ABRIDGED TIP(S):
*****Near Death Experience*****
The Hero's Old Self must die before his (or her) New Self can completely be born.
In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zack Maya is beaten to near death by Sgt. Foley - this happens in the martial arts gym, which is representative of Zacks old world - and it happens after his argument with Paula.
In Unforgiven (1992), the Sheriff beats Clint Eastwood to a pulp - in the bar that is, in effect "his territory."
In A Fistful of Dynamite (1971), John sees Dr. Villega give away his compatriots.
Serpent Battle. It is not unusual for the battle to occur with a serpent like creature and for it to occur underwater. The serpent is representative of the evil and the submergence underwater is symbolic of a baptism.
In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is submerged as an Alien sinks the ferry and everything in it. He battles the "serpent like" tentacles of the Alien underwater.
In Star Wars (1977), Luke follows the Princess down into the garbage compartment on the detention level where he is submerged by an underwater, tentacles, serpent like creature.
Dungeon and Hostage. It is also not unusual for the Hero (or close ally) at this stage to be held hostage in a dungeon type situation and tortured.
In Lethal Weapon (1987), Martin Riggs is held hostage in a cell and tortured by "serpent like" whips and electrocuted with "serpent like" wires and water.
In The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Han, Leia et al are tortured by Vader until Luke arrives.
In Goldfinger (1964), Bond is held hostage and nearly spliced in half by a laser.
Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire. Often, the Hero escapes one close death only to face another.
In Unforgiven (1992), a fever nearly kills Clint Eastwood after his beating.
In Star Wars (1977), Luke et al are compressed by the garbage compactor, after Luke nearly dies at the hands of the Serpent.
Related Tags: screenplay, heros, journey, monomyth, story, structure, heros journey, screeenwriting
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