The Hero's Journey - Story Structure for Screenwriting: Million Dollar Baby (2004)

The Hero's Journey is the template upon whichfather.
the vast majority of successful stories andRebirth Through Death - where the Hero is
Hollywood blockbusters are based upon.reborn. Eddie saves Danger Barch from the gym
Understanding this template is a priority for storybully; Maggie doesn't know what to do about the
or screenwriters.bear.
The Hero's Journey:o Attempts to tap intoAtonement with the Father - where the hero
unconscious expectations the audience hasconfronts the obstacle to the apotheosis. Maggie
regarding what a story is and how it should beloses to the blue Bear.
told.o Gives the writer more structural elementsApotheosis - where the hero has the illumination.
than simply three or four acts, plot points, midMaggie should have listened to Frank and
point and so on.o Interpreted metaphorically,protected herself.
laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite numberUltimate Boon - both hero and heroine get a
of varied stories to be created.family.
The following SUMMARY uses Million Dollar Baby -Refusal of the Return - where the hero is
Academy Award Winner Best Film 2005 as anrepulsed by his Old Self or, on a practical level,
example. It should be noted that there are twothere is refusal on some level. Frankie refuses to
heroes in this story, a) Maggie and b) Frankie:go back to the gym.
Call to Adventure - where the hero is pushed toMagic Flight - where the hero attempts to escape
resolve a challenge. Maggie needs to escape herfrom the antagonism or, for some reason, is
White Trash roots and Frankie needs to resolveunable to confront it. Frankie takes Maggie away
issues concerning his daughter.and attempts to find doctors who can reverse
Refusal of the Call - where there is refusal,the situation.
resistance, warning and foreboding. FrankieRescue for Without - where the hero is pulled
refuses to train Maggie.back toward his or her challenges. Maggie's family
The Supernatural Aid - where a mentorreturn; Frankie wants to replace them and resists
encourages the hero along the path. Eddietheir arrival.
(Morgan Freeman) begins to help Maggie with herCrossing the Return Threshold - where the hero
training and simultaneously guides Frankie towardsconfronts the antagonism. Maggie loses her legs
her. As is usual, the supernatural aid has aand asks Frankie to kill her.
challenge of his own (Danger Barch).Master of the Two Worlds - where the
First Threshold - where a point of no return isantagonism is defeated. Frankie kills Maggie.
crossed. Maggie persists in the gym. There is noFreedom to Live - where the hero is freed from
dissuading her or going back for her.the antagonism. Frankie does not return to the
Physical Separation (Belly of the Whale) - wheregym.
the hero physically separates from his Old WorldThe Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and
and heads into the Transformation. Willie leavesFREE 17 stage sample and other story structure
Frankie, who has little else to do but train Maggie.templates can be found at
Transformation (Road of Trials) - where the heroYou can also receive a regular, free newsletter by
significantly, but not completely, transforms.entering your email address at this site.
Maggie becomes a professional boxer.Kal Bishop, MBA
The Ideal and the Seizing of the Sword - where**********************************
the hero faces a difficult choice and journey toYou are free to reproduce this article as long as
(often) the heart of the antagonism. Maggie buysno changes are made and the author's name and
her family a house and Frank takes on the role ofsite URL are retained.