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From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.clickok.co.uk/

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

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) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Constant Gardener (2005)

[complex structure: lots of repetitions of Hero's Journey elements and many antagonists to deal with].

FADE IN: the antagonism: Tessa and Arnold are murdered.

Meeting the Shape Shifter: Sandy.

Herald (Shape Shifter) brings Call to Adventure to the Hero: Sandy tells Justin Tessa and Arnold are dead.

Flashback: Polarization of Hero and Romantic Challenge: Tessa heckling Justin.

Resisting the First Threshold: Justin hesitant to go into Tessa’s apartment.

First Threshold: Justin and Tessa in bed.

Inner Cave: Justin identifies Tessa’s body.

Physical Separation: Tessa asks to be taken to Africa.

The Creatures of the World of the Transformation: Africa and the performance.

Magical Gift: Tessa gets the baby present.

Meeting the Supernatural Aid / Mentor: Arnold.

Mentor leads deeper into the Journey: Arnold leads Tessa and gives the sick lady some medicine. Aids referenced.

Mentor guides: Arnold fusses over Tessa.

Trial 1: Tessa gets the email message; Justin tests her about Nairobi Hotel.

Meeting the Antagonist: Bernard Pellegrin, Dr Joshua Ngaba and Kenneth Curtis et al at the party.

Warnings: Justin wants Tessa to stay at home, at least until the bay is born.

Trial 2: Tessa argues with Dr Joshua Ngaba et al.

Warnings: Sandy tells Justin to control Tessa.

Shape Shifter attempts to conquer Hero’s Romantic Challenge: Sandy hits on Tessa.

Trial 3: Arnold tells Tess that the Africans are only given medicines if they agree to be guinea pigs.

Establishing the Journey to the Sword: Tessa loses the baby; asks Sandy if he will push the information she and Arnold will retrieve.

Foreshadow of ACT III: Justin and Tessa see Lorbeer.

Pulled Back: Justin has to think of Tess first; they go back to England.

Reminder of the Inner Challenge: Tessa erupts over the pesticide; Arnold tells Justin he has to trust Tessa.

Inner Challenge: Justin checking up on Tessa (who’s she conversing with on the video link).

Romantic Challenge: Justin wants Tessa and Arnold to stop whatever they’re doing.

Shape Shifter in league with the Antagonist: Sandy talking to Kenny over the phone.

Seizing the Sword: Tessa gets the letter off Sandy.

Rebirth through Death: Tessa murdered at Loki; the police and news reports.

Reward: Justin finds Sandy’s letter to Tessa.

Resistance to Losing the Old Self: Justin doesn’t allow them to pour concrete; nothing can grow in concrete.

Pulled toward the Apotheosis: the child leaves a card at Tessa’s grave.

Atonement with the Father; conquering the Romantic Challenge: Ghita tells Justin that Arnold was gay.

Resistance to the Apotheosis: no records in the hospital.

Apotheosis: Justin discovers that the Africans are being used as guinea pigs.

Refusal of the Return: Justin refuses to not get involved now;; knows Sandy is lying; asks Ghita what is going on.

Developing the Antagonist: we meet Kenny Curtiss playing golf.

Hero’s character change: Justin confronts Kenny.

Magic Flight: Justin forced home.

Obstacle to the Rescue: Justin’s passport taken away.

Threshold Guardian: the doorman at the club.

Rescue from Without: we meet Bernard Pellegrin in London; Justin realises there is another letter; meeting Tess’ cousin, breaking into her files; memories.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Justin travels to Germany to meet Birgit; he has to finish what she started; “welcome to my World;” Justin in changed clothing. Conquering his Inner Challenge: admitting that he lost his faith in her.

Shape Shifter turns: Sandy against Justin now that he has escaped with a false passport.

Pushed towards the Final Conflict: Meeting with Birgit; she tells him to go back to Africa.

Foreshadow of the Freedom to Live: Sandy goes over how the Dr was tortured; Allies challenge overcome: Ghita stands up to Sandy.

Travelling to the Final Conflict: beginning in Kenya.

Master of Two Worlds: Confronting the Shape Shifter (Sandy); Shape Shifter reveals himself.

Confronting the Antagonist 1: Kenny:’s bankrupt. Foreshadow of the Freedom to Live: Kenny shows Justin Tessa’s grave. Foreshadow of the downfall of antagonist 3: Kenny wants Pellegrin’s head.

Confronting Antagonist 2: confronting Donahue. Warnings about the Final Confrontation: Donahue tells Justin how the Dr was crucified.

Danger travelling to the Place of the Final Confrontation: Justin goes to see Lorbeer.

Time Pressure: the hunters arrive.

Inner Challenge overcome: “but this is one we can save?”

Freedom to Live: Justin allows himself to be butchered.

Learn more?

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Journalists are familiar with the panic of deadlines and novelists can identify with the horror of blank pages. Then, what about the desperation of those who feel the urge to write and do not dare or do not know where to go? This is where the online writing sites come in with enormous possibilities for people who enroll in them.

With the onset of the internet, we have the option of allowing ourselves get in contact with other writers and possibly make it to the storefront of the writing community worldwide. Better yet, the interactive relationship among writers helps us build skill, confidence, and an enhanced appreciation of the writing profession.

Internet writing sites do not have to be a showcase for our writing, although some are just that; they accept writings on a sporadic, selective, or random basis. Others only give advice or reviews. Some are just friendly places. Most, if not all, caution their members against scrupulous businesses, agents, and greedy unethical publishing practices. Most combine a few of those things. They are, generally, pleasant and highly encouraging, and it pays any writer or a writer-in-the-making to be a part of a writing site.

In June 2006, it will be five years for me in the writing site where I belong, and I consider registering there to be one of the best decisions of my life. Our site is not only a writing site but a community of people who truly care for each other. The age span of the membership extends–almost–from cradle to grave, as is the diversity and array of the experience of our members. Some of us are highly accomplished authors or English teachers, whereas others may be school children, and such a varied range makes it possible for members to interchange ideas and learn from each other. Since the content ratings are marked and carefully monitored, even the younger set can find and enjoy being in its own niche.

The multiplicity in our site offers us more than the differences in age or experience. We have contests, groups, discussion forums, genre writing, cyber stores, advice forums, and even our own currency. Plus, we are never restricted in our writing; all kinds and genres of writing have a place. Moreover, our site lets its members post their work in the raw or as a first draft immediately, because within a day or two each posted piece will get at least several reviews from other members. This is a wonderful concept, since a writer, especially the novice writer, sees immediately where his weaknesses are and how other writers and readers react to his work. I find the breadth and scope of our writing site truly amazing and give a lot of credit to the upper staff for its conception and innovative and continuing expansion.

Writing, after all, is a language in itself, and to those of us who belong to a writing site, it is the most basic language of all. Like any language, writing’s logic–the way it is understood–is based on standardized grammar, usage, syntax, sentences, paragraphs, phrases, content and construction. When these skills are taught by the highly qualified to those in the position of learning, not in a teacher-student manner but through camaraderie, the performance of everyone will surely improve.

If you are the least bit interested in writing, give writing sites a try. As a writer, you need reviews; you’ll get reviews. You may even sell your work or teach others. If a writing site takes it on itself to better its members as well as I have witnessed it happen, a member who enrolls in a writing site will have everything to gain.

Popularity: 9% [?]

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at at www.managing-creativity.com/

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

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) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

Jarhead (2005) deconstructed

FADE IN: (Loop) narrative; his hands remember the rifle.

New World and Self: you are no longer black, green, etc.

Meeting the Hero: meeting Swoff.

Ordinary World: Fitch being himself.

On a Journey: on the bus.

Threshold Guardian: presenting his papers to the officer.

New World: the barracks.

Meeting the Shape Shifter: Troy.

New Rules: being branded; games played in the barracks.

Developing the Shape Shifter: you want a brand, you gotta earn it. Welcome to the Suck.

Hero’s Backstory: Swoff being conceived; his sister; breakfast conversations with dad; college;

Romantic Challenge: his girlfriend; I’ll write you everyday.

Resisting the Transformation: Swoff in the toilet.

Meeting the Mentor: Sykes.

Developing Mentor: Sykes makes Swoff play the bugle.

Conscious Agreement to the Journey: I’m still here.

Magical Gift (becoming a sniper):

JFK shot.

Training in the assault course.

You are now snipers; I was hooked; Swoff fires the shot.

Push to the First Threshold: listening to the Iraqi statement on TV.

Belly of the Whale: watching Apocalypse Now.

Journey to the First Threshold: on the aircraft.

Goodbye to the Old Self: stewardess waves goodbye

First Threshold: arriving in Iraq.

Threshold Guardian: Kazinski’s speech; the picture of the Kurdish child; kick some Iraqi ass.

Outer Cave: where did the Iraqi’s get their weapons from? Forget politics; we’re here, all the rest is bullshit.

Middle Cave / Meeting Allies: talking about the girlfriends back home in the tent.

Inner Cave: putting on their masks; running in the suits; hrydrating, dehydrating, patrolling the empty desert.

Developing Characters and Relationships: the scorpion fight.

Inner Cave: Waiting in the desert; masturbation; cleaning their rifles; studying the phillipino mail order catalogue etc.

Wondering what she’s doing now.

Trial and Transformation 1:

Outer Cave: Sykes tells them how to respond to reporters; complaints against free speech, that’s un-American etc.

Middle Cave: Talking to the reporters; Swoff admits he’s scared.

Inner Cave: Putting on and playing football in their NBC masks.

Transformation: Taking off their masks; getting naked; Sykes sends the reporters away.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Sykes makes Swoff et al take all that shit down.

Trial and Transformation 2:

Cortez has a son; Kristina has found a new male friend who’s a good listener.

Thinking about his girlfriend in the shower.

Not being able to jerk off in the toilet.

Swoff calls home and is cut off.

Swoff wakes up and clutches his throat; “..you’re making some weird sounds man?”

Transformation: Swoff wants see what it feels like to watch somebody else sleep with your girlfriend.

Trial and Transformation 3:

Outer Cave: Swoff gets some “good shit” from the soldier who writes the major’s love letters.

Middle Cave: The party.

Inner Cave: The fire blows the explosives.

Transformation: Swoff is made a Private.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Swoff is made to burn the shit; the senior officer leaves a present.

New Self: Swoff threatens to kill the sausage boy.

Resisting the New Self: Swoff apologises.

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict:

The Arabs appear in the desert.

Developing Characters and Relationships: insulting the Arab passing in the car.

Meeting the Oracle: they’re going to
the mother of all battles.

Resisting the Journey to the Sword: resistance to taking the pills.

Shape Shifter Revealed:

Digging their holes.

The aircraft fly by; the war will move too fast.

Troy is being thrown out. Swoff told to keep him from f*cking up.

New Self: Troy is branded.

Near Death Experience:

The war comes to them; Swoff pisses himself.

Retrieving the battery.

Pursuing the Iraqis.

Getting hit by friendly fire.

Swoff sees the charred remains; throwing up.

Pulled forward by the burning oil wells.

Digging their holes in the oily sand; the oil burns Fowler’s face.

Rebirth: preventing Fowler.

Rebirth: Swoff calms the horse.

Atonement with the Father: Sykes sits down and talks to Swoff; he loves is job.

Apotheosis: Sykes and Troy sent out to see Kazinsky; “..f*cking show me..”.

Ultimate Boon: Swoff and Troy have an Iraqi in their sight; permission given for the JFK shot.

Refusal:

The major denies their request to take the shot.

Troy argues with the Major for the perfect shot.

Magic Flight:

The planes take out the site.

Rescue from Without: Troy’s already got his papers; have to get back.

Crossing the Return Threshold: Going back to camp over the dunes.

Master of Two Worlds:

The party around the fire; this shit is over; shooting their guns in the sky.

Freedom to Live / Challenge Resolutions: Returning home as heroes; meeting the Vietnam Vet on the bus; his girlfriend has left him; doing their various jobs; Fergis arrives; Troy’s funeral;

(Loop): narrative.

FADE OUT: the Jarheads.

Learn more?

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

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Popularity: 9% [?]

If you’re a speaker or a writer, what is the most important secret of success?

(1) Finance

(2) Strategic Planning

(3) Effective Time Management

(4) Speaking or Writing

You know, the first three are truly important for sustaining and growing your success. But that’s later, on.

If you guessed (4), you’re completely on target.

Speakers speak, and writers write!

That seems so obvious, doesn’t it? But all to many of us believe that we have to have the perfectly thought out business plan, a good amount of cash on hand, and lots of open time to make a go of it, as a successful writer or speaker.

Actually, there’s something I didn’t put on the list, which is truly number one.

You must have passion for speaking or writing.

With it, you’ll create opportunities where there were none.

Doors will open for you when you’re committed to the task, and of course if that leads you to DOING the stuff you should be doing: speaking or writing.

Let me give you an example.

If you aspire to being a professional speaker, improving your speeches and presentations is the smartest investment you can make. And to do so requires lots of speaking opportunities.

Get them by speaking for free at service clubs like the Rotary, and at non-profit organizations, which generally love to learn, but have no money to spend.

Leverage these opportunities by getting testimonial letters you can quote, and by networking.

Soon enough, people will be willing to pay you to speak. You’ll go from free-to-fee presenting, simply by getting exposure and by getting better at your craft.

The same concept applies to writing. Get exposure through ezines and other outlets, and get good at writing.

When it comes to success, remember this formula: Passion first; Business second!

Popularity: 9% [?]

As an entrepreneur, writing letters are just one of the many tasks you do every day. Taking the time to write a good cover letter can pay off in the long run, especially when you’re trying to interest an investor in funding your business or project.

What can a cover letter do?
A good cover letter introduces your business or product, makes a sales pitch and provides a call to action. It arouses interest or curiosity and entices the recipient to read through the rest of your material.

Here are some tips that will help you to write effective cover letters, quickly and easily.

1. Always address your letter to a specific person, and include their job title. Make sure you’ve spelled their name right.

2. Use a “block” letter format, with text justified to the left and double spaced paragraphs. Have someone proofread your letter and watch for spelling and grammatical errors.

3. Keep your letter short — no more than one page. The longer the letter, the less effective it is.

4. Keep your paragraphs short and to the point. Your cover letter needs to have a beginning, a middle and an end. Most cover letters will be between four and six paragraphs long.

5. In your first paragraph, let the reader know why you are writing. (This is called the opening).

6. In your second paragraph, ask for what you want. If you’re asking for money, make sure you clearly state how much you need and what you plan to do with it. Keep your letter factual and don’t use obvious flattery.

7. In your third paragraph, explain your “why”. This paragraph is your sales pitch, so make it count. Focus on what makes you different from the competition, or why the reader should say yes.

8. Your fourth paragraph is your “call to action.” This paragraph needs to be more than just thanking the reader for taking the time to read your letter. What specifically do you want them to do next?

9. Your promise. This can be included in the fourth paragraph, or depending on the type of cover letter you’re writing, you can make it your P.S. This is how you will keep the lines of communication open. It tells your reader what you will do next. Are you going to call him? Will you be meeting again? Whatever you are going to do, make it specific and time oriented, so that the reader knows he has to do whatever you’ve asked him to do within a certain amount of time. (Make sure that you follow up exactly how and when you say you will).

10. Make it easy for the reader to get in touch with you if you have questions. Include your phone number and/or email address in the last sentence, and let them know that they should call you if they have any questions.

Popularity: 10% [?]