The Hero's Journey is the screenwriting template. Screenwriters can use it to write effective screenplays. Below are a few of the elements of each stage of the journey.

The Ultimate Boon. The Ultimate Boon is concerned with breaking through personal limitations. Post the apotheosis, the hero does this with ease, encounters no delaying obstacles and makes no mistake. The hero finds an inner resolve.

Synergy. When the hero and his allies break through the limitations of their egos, they begin to effectively work together to the same goal. In The Dirty Dozen, Lee Marvin's challenge is to make his men operate as an effective unit. When Charles Bronson et al attain synergy - they overpower the Major's men in the war games sequence. The whole second act is constructed around the need to reach synergy. In Beverly Hills Cop, Axel Foley, Taggart, Rosewood and Bogomil finally begin working together to tackle Victor Maitland.

Leadership. The hero is changed. He becomes the leader. He claims the throne. All doubts are removed. In Alien, Ripley and Parker initially antagonise each other. After their apotheosis (that the military wants the Alien, it cannot be destroyed and that they are expendable), Parker and Lambert quickly fall into line.

Physical limitations are surpassed. In Alien, Ripley realises that she has to nuke the Nostromo. In Carlito's Way, Al Pacino realises that he must kill Kleinfeld (Sean Penn).

Dark Mentors are tackled. In Raging Bull, Jake beats up Joey and knocks out Vickie.

Refusal (of the Return). Post the boon, the hero is disgusted at his pre-boon Old Self. He refuses to return to it. Practically, there is refusal on some level.

Refusal to leave something valuable behind. In Raging Bull, Vickie attempts to leave but Jake refuses to let her go, indicating he wants to continue his journey (with her).

Refusal to retreat. In Star Wars, Luke does not want to retreat after Vader defeats Obi Wan but is warned by Ben to "run Luke, run."

Refusal to return to the World of the Ordeal. In Star Wars, Han categorically states that he will not return to the Death Star.

Forced not to partake in a Final Battle. In Mission Impossible 2, Tom Cruise must escape as quickly as he can in order to give his romantic interest the antidote.

Refusal Feigned. In Get Carter (1971, the superior version with Michael Caine), Carter pretends he does not want to hurt Kinnear.

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/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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