Hero’s Journey, Story Structure, Screenwriting Structure – Dances with Wolves (1990)
The Hero’s Journey is THE screenwriting and story structure template. By utilising this structure, screenwriters can quickly build effective and quality stories. There are more than 188 stages to the Hero’s Journey; the summary below shows how Dances with Wolves (Academy Award Winner, Best Film, 1990) is built around the Hero’s Journey.
Call to Adventure: John Dunbar wants to be reborn; the suicide attempt.
Refusal of the Call: John’s fellow soldiers think he is crazy; reference to the suicide attempt.
Supernatural Aid: The general above the hilltop recognises John as special and grants him his wish – a post on the frontier, Cisco the horse and a promotion (magical gifts).
Crossing the First Threshold: John journeys to Fort Hayes. When “possibly the foulest man I have ever met” leaves, there is no way back.
Physical Separation from the Old World (Belly of the Whale): John makes a physical separation from Fort Hayes – he consciously leaves for the Indian village.
Transformation (Road of Trials): John is welcomed into the Indian tribe and begins his transformation. He begins clumsily (smoking the pipe with Kicking Bird and Stands with a Fist) and ends [this stage] by giving away his hat [identity] in exchange for Indian clothing.
The Oracle, The Ideal and The Sword (Meeting with the Goddess): Kicking Bird advises that John should stay behind, where he will find love [the Ideal] with Stands with a Fist and conquer her [the Sword].
Rebirth through Death and Reward (woman as Temptress): John and the tribe nearly die at the hands of the Pawnee.
Atonement: John tells Kicking Bird that the White Man is coming.
Apotheosis: They must strike the village.
Ultimate Boon: John is going with them. He is Sioux now.
Refusal of the Return: John has to go back for the diary. Stands with a Fist refuses to let him go.
The detailed deconstruction and the Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and FREE 17 stage sample 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.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.managing-creativity.com
