Screenwriting: What is a (Hollywood) Story?

To definitively answer this question, we have deconstructed more than 100 Hollywood blockbusters.

The answer is this:

a) A (Hollywood) story is about Transformation.

b) The process of Transformation is [a variation of] the Hero's Journey.

c) The above appies to all genres.

Initially a Hero [the term is not gender or culturally specific], is a Fish out of Water.

Normally there at least three challenges: the Outer, the Inner and the Romantic.

Pre the Transformation, the Hero is in a devolved state and hence the challenges are not conquered. As the Hero Transforms, so his (or her) challenges are conquered.

The process of transformation follows a common pattern: from Planet of the Apes (1968), to Gladiator (2000) to Goodfellas (1990) to When Harry met Sally (1989)...

The process [not is its entirety] is illustrated by the following deconstruction of: When Harry met Sally (1989). You will need to analyse many of our other deconstructions and our version of the Hero's Journey to clearly see and understand the pattern.

When Harry met Sally (1989)

FADE IN: context: the old couple; relationships.

Intro Hero and Heroine: Sally waiting for Harry outside college.

Develop Character and Relationship: Harry and Sally driving to Chicago.

Foreshadow of the Journey: "obviously you have not had great sex."

Backstory: "why did you break up with Sheldon?"

Pushing toward the Journey: "you're coming onto me…""…want to spend a night in a motel…?"

Call to Adventure: we can never be friends because the sex thing will always get in the way.

Refusal: Sally disagrees; the debate.

Goodbye to the Old World: they arrive in Chicago; "have a nice life…"

Marker: the old couple.

Threshold Guardian: Sally with Joe at the airport; reference to the Journey: "do you think that men and women can just be friends, Joe…"

First Threshold Trial: Sally disinterested in Harry on the flight…"I never considered not sleeping with you a sacrifice…"

Foreshadow of the atonement: "how long do I have to lie there?"

Inner Cave: on the escalators; "want to have dinner…, just as friends…""I thought you said that men and women couldn't be friends…"

Physical Separation: "I'll just stop walking, I'll let you go ahead…"

Marker: the old couple.

Meeting Allies: Marie et al and Marie's Challenge [goes for married guys].

Heroine's Backstory: Joe broke up with me; "I'm over him…"; "good, then you're ready."

Pushed to the Transformation: "don't wait too long…"

Meeting Allies: Jess.

Hero's Backstory: Harry's wife wants a divorce.

World of the Transformation: today, the bookstore. Developing character and relationships: Marie and Sally.

Pushed towards the Transformation: Marie pushes for Sally to interact.

Transformation / Trial 1: having coffee. Inner Challenges: Sally talks about wanting a family and the ex.

Journey to Transformation / Trial 2: "what's so hard about finding an apartment? What you do is read the obituaries…""..would you like to have dinner with me sometime…?""…are we becoming friends now…?"

Marker: the old couple.

Transformation / Trial 2: various scenes as friends and character development ending with Casablanca .

Foreshadow of the Sword: walking in the park, talking about sexual fantasies.

Foreshadow of the Transfromation: Sally upset that Harry is glad to see her dating.

Transformation / Trial 3: Harry and Sally go on dates.

Developing Allies and Relationships: with Jess…"you made a woman meow…"

Resisting the Transformation: "I'm so glad I never got involved with you…"; the orgasm sequence.

Developing Character and Relationships: Christmas, buying the tree.

Transformation: New Years Eve, they've fallen for each other.

Marker: the old couple.

Developing Character and Relationships: Sally and Marie's Challenge: "nobody thinks he's going to leave his wife…"

Developing Character and Relationships: Harry and Jess: "if she's so great, why aren't you going out with her…?"

Journey to the Sword: Harry, Sally, Jess and Peter have dinner.

Seizing the Sword: Dinner; Marie and Jess want to see each other.

Marker: the old couple.

Near Death Experience: Harry meets Helen with Ira. Marie and Jess argue about the coffee table. Harry explodes. Harry and Sally argue.

Reward: Harry and Sally both have partners. They're both jealous.

Atonement with the Father: Harry comes over; Joe is getting married; he didn't love her; she'll be 40 someday.

Apotheosis: the kiss. Harry and Sally sleep together.

Ultimate Boon: Synergy: Harry and Sally phone Jess and Marie: "that's great, you should have done it in the first place…""…you will never have to be out there again…."

Refusal: in the shower and over dinner: "it was a mistake…"

Developing Characters and Relationships: Harry jogging etc with Jess. Sally helping Marie choose a wedding dress.

Magic Flight: Sally doesn't want to talk to Harry at the wedding; Sally slaps Harry in the kitchen.

Rescue from Without: being alone in New York during the festive season; Harry keeps calling until Sally picks up.

Crossing the Return Threshold: alone in New York on New Years Eve. Flashbacks; Harry realising he loves Sally.

Time Pressure: Sally is leaving…"the thought of not kissing is just…"

Master of the Two Worlds: Harry runs to tell Sally he loves her; "I've been doing a lot of thinking..and the thing is..I love you…"

Freedom to Live: Marker: Harry and Sally got married: the new couple.

Learn more…

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

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Kal Bishop

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