| From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood | | | | getting arrested. |
| blockbusters at | | | | Trial 1: punching Ned; not stepping in the puddle. |
| The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the | | | | New Self: "...I don't have to worry about |
| vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood | | | | anything...""...[this town] is beginning to grow on me..." |
| blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the | | | | Trial 2: Bedding Nancy Taylor. |
| Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based | | | | Trial 3: Robbing the bank and dressing as Bronco with |
| on this template. | | | | the money. |
| Understanding this template is a priority for story or | | | | Meeting the Oracle: Phil wants Rita. |
| screenwriters. | | | | Journey to the Sword: slowly winning Rita over day |
| The Hero's Journey:a) Attempts to tap into | | | | by day... |
| unconscious expectations the audience has regarding | | | | Threshold Guardian: Rita resists coming in. |
| what a story is and how it should be told.b) Gives | | | | Seizing the Sword: kissing Rita. |
| the writer more structural elements than simply three | | | | Pushed to the Near Death Experience: Rita just won't |
| or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.c) | | | | sleep with Phil; Phil depressed. |
| Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, | | | | Rebirth through Death: the car crash; the electric |
| allows an infinite number of varied stories to be | | | | toaster; the truck; jumping off the building. |
| created.and more... | | | | Reward: the "I'm God " sequence; Rita believes Phil; |
| Sample Movie Deconstructed: Groundhog Day (1993) | | | | Rita spends the day with Phil; Rita stays the night. |
| FADE IN: Context: clouds. | | | | Atonement with the Father: seeing the opportunities; |
| Meeting the Hero in his Ordinary World: Phil is a | | | | Phil sets out to improve himself; giving the old man |
| weatherman. | | | | money; bringing Rita and Larry coffee; reading; |
| Foreshadow of a Journey: "..I'm going to the | | | | learning to play the piano; ice sculpting; sending Ned |
| Groundhog festival..." | | | | running. |
| Resisting the Journey: "..I want to stay an extra | | | | Apotheosis: "...sometimes people just die...""...not |
| second in Punxatawney..." | | | | today..." |
| Meeting the Shape Shifter: Larry. | | | | Ultimate Boon: Rita asks Phil out for a cup of coffee. |
| Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Rita. | | | | Refusal: "...can I take a rain check...I have some |
| Journey to the First Threshold: in the van. | | | | errands to run..." |
| Foreshadow of the Elixir: "..I'm probably leaving PBS..." | | | | Magic Flight: Phil saves lives and helps everyone in |
| Developing Characters and Relationships: Phil, Larry | | | | town. |
| and Rita in the van. | | | | Rescue from Without: Rita sees Phil playing the piano. |
| Developing the Romantic Challenge / Border of the | | | | Master of Two Worlds: everybody thanks Phil. |
| First Threshold: Rita has booked a B&B for Phil. | | | | Elixir: Rita buys Phil; "...I love you too..." |
| First Threshold: waking up in his bedroom; the routine | | | | Freedom to Live: "...lets live her..." |
| of the first day. | | | | Learn more... |
| Meeting Allies and Enemies: Ned Ryerson et al. | | | | The Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and other |
| Transformation Marker: the puddle. | | | | story structure templates can be found at |
| Fish out of water in the First Threshold: Phil walking | | | | You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by |
| clumsily through the crowd. | | | | entering your email address at this site. |
| Resisting the Physical Separation: The highway is shut | | | | Kal Bishop |
| because of the blizzard; "I'm a celebrity in an | | | | ********************************** |
| emergency..." | | | | You are free to reproduce this article as long as no |
| First Threshold: reliving Groundhog day again. | | | | changes are made and the author's name and site |
| Physical Separation: "...no tomorrow - no | | | | URL are retained. |
| consequences; we can do whatever we like..."; | | | | |