Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Transformation is the key

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 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.

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 catharsis).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story.and more...

Transformation is the most useful tool for writing successful screenplays

Transformation is one of the most underrated aspects of screenwriting and storytelling. Most writers do not realise that a story IS transformation - the hero moves from an Ordinary Self to a New Self, from an Ordinary World to a New World - it is the journey that gives the hero the capacity that he previously lacked to conquer antagonisms.

The Transformation Process involves pushing the hero on a Journey and incrementally transforming him or her. a) In The Last King of Scotland (2006), Nicholas travels from Scotland to Uganda and in Idi Amin's company, he loses his Old Self and becomes a New Self (that he doesn't like very much).b) In Gladiator (2000), Maximus transforms from a man of the army to a gladiator.c) In An Officer and a Gentleman (1983), Zach moves from being nobody to an officer.