The Hero’s Journey

Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end. In the beginning we setup our hero (or
heroine) and his story, then we throw something at him that is a great source of conflict and
takes him into a whole heap of trouble. After facing many foes and overcoming various
obstacles the hero saves the day and wins the girl.

The thing is, there are many forms of structure and some writers subscribe to one formula, while
others subscribe to another. Some try not to subscribe to any and see the whole idea of
structure as "evil", feeling that a story should evolve organically without rules confining ideas or
obstructing the creative flow.

In the end, a story should dictate the kind of structure it follows or whether it shouldn't follow a
structure at all. There's no point trying to write a comedy and forcing the structure of a thriller
upon it - it won't work. Well, theoretically it won't but I'm sure someone will find a way! Let your
characters define the story and your story define your structure and then use a formula if
necessary to tighten your script. The trick is to initially let the ideas flow without paying too much
attention to structure and then in your second pass begin to focus your story and separate the
wheat from the chaff.
The Hero's journey:

1. Ordinary World
2. Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the call
4. Meeting with the mentor
5. Crossing the first threshold
6. Test , Allies, and enemies
7. Approach to the inmost cave
8. The ordeal
9. Reward
10. The road Back
11. The resurrection
12. Return with the elixir
13.

1. Ordinary World

This is where the Hero's exists before his present story begins, oblivious of the adventures to
come. It's his safe place. His everyday life where we learn crucial details about our Hero, his
true nature, capabilities and outlook on life. This anchors the Hero as a human, just like you and
me, and makes it easier for us to identify with him and hence later, empathize with his plight.
2. Call To Adventure

The Hero's adventure begins when he receives a call to action, such as a direct threat to his
safety, his family, his way of life or to the peace of the community in which he lives. It may not be
as dramatic as a gunshot, but simply a phone call or conversation but whatever the call is, and
however it manifests itself, it ultimately disrupts the comfort of the Hero's Ordinary World and
presents a challenge or quest that must be undertaken.

3. Refusal Of The Call

Although the Hero may be eager to accept the quest, at this stage he will have fears that need
overcoming. Second thoughts or even deep personal doubts as to whether or not he is up to the
challenge. When this happens, the Hero will refuse the call and as a result may suffer somehow.
The problem he faces may seem to much to handle and the comfort of home far more attractive
than the perilous road ahead. This would also be our own response and once again helps us
bond further with the reluctant Hero.

4. Meeting The Mentor

At this crucial turning point where the Hero desperately needs guidance he meets a mentor
figure who gives him something he needs. He could be given an object of great importance,
insight into the dilemma he faces, wise advice, practical training or even self-confidence.
Whatever the mentor provides the Hero with it serves to dispel his doubts and fears and give
him the strength and courage to begin his quest.

5. Crossing The Threshold

The Hero is now ready to act upon his call to adventure and truly begin his quest, whether it be
physical, spiritual or emotional. He may go willingly or he may be pushed, but either way he
finally crosses the threshold between the world he is familiar with and that which he is not. It
may be leaving home for the first time in his life or just doing something he has always been
scared to do. However the threshold presents itself, this action signifies the Hero's commitment
to his journey an whatever it may have in store for him.

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies

Now finally out of his comfort zone the Hero is confronted with an ever more difficult series of
challenges that test him in a variety of ways. Obstacles are thrown across his path; whether
they be physical hurdles or people bent on thwarting his progress, the Hero must overcome
each challenge he is presented with on the journey towards his ultimate goal.The Hero needs to
find out who can be trusted and who can't. He may earn allies and meet enemies who will, each
in their own way, help prepare him for the greater ordeals yet to come. This is the stage where
his skills and/or powers are tested and every obstacle that he faces helps us gain a deeper
insight into his character and ultimately identify with him even more.
7. Approach To The Inmost Cave

The inmost cave may represent many things in the Hero's story such as an actual location in
which lies a terrible danger or an inner conflict which up until now the Hero has not had to face.
As the Hero approaches the cave he must make final preparations before taking that final leap
into the great unknown.

At the threshold to the inmost cave the Hero may once again face some of the doubts and fears
that first surfaced upon his call to adventure. He may need some time to reflect upon his journey
and the treacherous road ahead in order to find the courage to continue. This brief respite helps
the audience understand the magnitude of the ordeal that awaits the Hero and escalates the
tension in anticipation of his ultimate test.

8. Ordeal

The Supreme Ordeal may be a dangerous physical test or a deep inner crisis that the Hero
must face in order to survive or for the world in which the Hero lives to continue to exist.
Whether it be facing his greatest fear or most deadly foe, the Hero must draw upon all of his
skills and his experiences gathered upon the path to the inmost cave in order to overcome his
most difficulty challenge.

Only through some form of "death" can the Hero be reborn, experiencing a metaphorical
resurrection that somehow grants him greater power or insight necessary in order to fulfill his
destiny or reach his journey's end. This is the high-point of the Hero's story and where
everything he holds dear is put on the line. If he fails, he will either die or life as he knows it will
never be the same again.

9. Reward (Seizing The Sword)

After defeating the enemy, surviving death and finally overcoming his greatest personal
challenge, the Hero is ultimately transformed into a new state, emerging from battle as a
stronger person and often with a prize.

The Reward may come in many forms: an object of great importance or power, a secret, greater
knowledge or insight, or even reconciliation with a loved one or ally. Whatever the treasure,
which may well facilitate his return to the Ordinary World, the Hero must quickly put celebrations
aside and prepare for the last leg of his journey.
10. The Road Back

This stage in the Hero's journey represents a reverse echo of the Call to Adventure in which the
Hero had to cross the first threshold. Now he must return home with his reward but this time the
anticipation of danger is replaced with that of acclaim and perhaps vindication, absolution or
even exoneration.

But the Hero's journey is not yet over and he may still need one last push back into the Ordinary
World. The moment before the Hero finally commits to the last stage of his journey may be a
moment in which he must choose between his own personal objective and that of a Higher
Cause.

11. Resurrection

This is the climax in which the Hero must have his final and most dangerous encounter with
death. The final battle also represents something far greater than the Hero's own existence with
its outcome having far-reaching consequences to his Ordinary World and the lives of those he
left behind.

If he fails, others will suffer and this not only places more weight upon his shoulders but in a
movie, grips the audience so that they too feel part of the conflict and share the Hero's hopes,
fears and trepidation. Ultimately the Hero will succeed, destroy his enemy and emerge from
battle cleansed and reborn.

12. Return With The Elixir

This is the final stage of the Hero's journey in which he returns home to his Ordinary World a
changed man. He will have grown as a person, learned many things, faced many terrible
dangers and even death but now looks forward to the start of a new life. His return may bring
fresh hope to those he left behind, a direct solution to their problems or perhaps a new
perspective for everyone to consider.

The final reward that he obtains may be literal or metaphoric. It could be a cause for celebration,
self-realization or an end to strife, but whatever it is it represents three things: change, success
and proof of his journey. The return home also signals the need for resolution for the story's
other key players. The Hero's doubters will be ostracized, his enemies punished and his allies
rewarded. Ultimately the Hero will return to where he started but things will clearly never be the
same again.
Small Summary:
Ordinary World:
Our main character is part of the normal world .His life , his situation is normal and nothing has
changed.
Call to Adventure:
The hero is presented with an opportunity to change his life.

Refusal of the call:

Meeting with the mentor:

Crossing the first threshold:

Test , Allies, and enemies:

Approach to the inmost cave:

Reward:
Our character has now uncovered the reward.

The road Back:

The resurrection:
Our character is now new , he has changed and is a new person.

Return with the elixir: