100s of Movies / Films Deconstructed

From our deconstruction of hundreds of HollywoodInterdiction: take no further steps towards marriage.
blockbusters....Breaking the Interdiction: Mozart gets married; moves
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which theto Vienna.
vast majority of successful stories and HollywoodTrial 2:
blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of theThe King wants a musical tutor for her niece.; Salieri
Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are basedblocks it
on this template."...why must I submit sample of my work just to teach
Understanding this template is a priority for story ora 13 year old girl.."; "..well I won't..."
screenwriters.Developing Characters and Relationships: Constanze
The Hero's Journey:a) Attempts to tap intobrings samples of Amadeus' work to Salieri.
unconscious expectations the audience has regardingDeveloping Hero's Capabilities: Salieri looks at Mozart's
what a story is and how it should be told.b) Gives thework...it's miraculous; Salieri walks away.
writer more structural elements than simply three orForeshadow of the Resolution: "...from now on we are
four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.c) Interpretedenemies...I will ruin your incarnation..."
metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows anTrial 3:
infinite number of varied stories to be created.andForeshadow of the Resolution: Papa arrives in the
more...dark costume.
Sample Movie Deconstructed: Amadeus (1983)"...What is your financial situation? They say you have
FADE IN: Context: screams; the antagonist's regret /debts..."
Inner Challenge.Foreshadow of the Sword: "...that one will..."
Meeting the Antagonist: Salieri.Developing Characters and Relationships: Papa meets
Foreshadow of the Journey: Salieri thinking backConstanze; out on the town.
[flashbacks].Foreshadow of the Resolution: Papa's mask.
The Ordinary World: Austria; snow Mozart's era.Pulled Back: "...I want you to come back to Salzburg..."
Meeting the Herald: the priest.Polarization: Mozart mocks Salieri's music.
Refusal: Salieri playing the piano; "..leave me alone..."Foreshadow of the Resolution: "...that's right, mock me..."
Call to Adventure: "...all men are equal in God's eyes..."Meeting the Oracle: Mozart working on Figaro; Lorl (the
Antagonist's Backstory: "...you must know this...""...it wasmaid servant) arrives.
very popular in its day..."Developing Characters and Relationships: Mozart
Foreshadow of the Journey: Salieri conducting theworking on Figaro, Constanze and Papa arguing.
opera [flashback].Ideal: Lorl visits Salieri; "...next time they're out of the
Introducing the Hero's Capabilities: "...that was Mozart..."house, let me know..."
playing for the King as a young boy.Seizing the Sword: Salieri sees that Mozart is working
Pushed to the First Threshold: "...for Gods sakeon the 'Marriage of Figaro."
confess...give yourself some piece..."Pushed to the Near Death Experience: Salieri tells the
Threshold Guardian: Salieri's father; "...my father did notKing's counsel that he is working on Figaro.
care for music..."Resisting the Near Death Experience: Mozart tries to
Conscious decision to embark on the Journey: "...pleasedefend himself in the King's audience.
God..."Near Death Experience: Herr Director rips out the
Threshold Guardian overcome: Salieri's father dies.ballet.
First Threshold:Battle with the Serpent: Mozart begs Salieri for help.
Outer Cave: New World; the King's court composer.Reward: the Emperor attends rehearsals; the pages
Middle Cave Threshold: the door.are put back in.
Middle Cave/ Meeting Allies: meeting Amadeus andAtonement with the Father: Figaro is marvellous; the
Constanze.King yawns; the audience don't like it; "...why don't they
Romantic Challenge: "...will you marry me..."come..."
Push to the Inner Cave: "...Mozart is not here..."Apotheosis: Salieri's opera is exceptional with Mozart's
Pull to the Inner Cave: "..they've started without me..."help; "...the best opera yet written..."; Mozart
Inner Cave: "...that's Mozart! That giggling, dirty mindedcongratulates Salieri.
creature crawling on the floor..." Mozart playing for theUltimate Boon: Mozart father dies; Mozart writes Don
Pope.Giovanni; Salieri sees a way to kill Mozart.
Push to the Physical Separation: "...if I don't satisfy, youPushing to the Resolution: Salieri dresses up and asks
can dismiss me..."Mozart to write a Requiem for the dead.
Developing the Hero and Antagonist: "...on the page itDeveloping Characters and Relationships: Salieri
looked simple, almost childish..."discusses how exactly to kill Mozart with the priest..
Pushed to the World of the Transformation: PopePulled Back: Emanuel's version of Don Giovanni;
sends Mozart to Vienna.commissioning it for the masses.
Meeting the Mentor, Allies and Enemies: the King andPushed Forward: Foreshadow of the Magic Flight: "...I
his councillors.want it [the money] here in my hand..."
Physical Separation:Refusal: Lorl doesn't want to go back.
Developing the Antagonist: Salieri playing the piano.Pushed Forward: Salieri turns up in the mask.
Developing the Hero: Amadeus trying on wigs.Pushed Forward: Constanza pushes the Requiem;
Developing Characters and Relationships: Mozarthere is a man with real money.
meets the King, Salieri et al.Magic Flight: Mozart gets drunk and Constanza leaves.
Trial 1:Rescue from Without: Salieri takes the sick Mozart
We're going to commission an opera from you...back home.
Resistance to the Trial: an opera set in a harem inCrossing the Return Threshold: Constanza feels she
Turkey.must come back.
Polarization: Mozart toys with Salieri's tune.Master of the Two Worlds: Mozart tells Salieri what to
Developing the Antagonist: "..why did he create the lustwrite.
and then deny me the talent..."Freedom to Live: the burial; Salieri watches himself
Antagonist's Romantic Challenge: meeting Salieri'sbecome extinct; returns back to his room in the
crush.institution.
The Turkish opera is a success.Learn more...
Developing Characters and Relationships: the KingThe Complete 188 stage Hero's Journey and other
congratulates Mozart; "...but there are too many notes..."story structure templates can be found at
Romantic Challenge: "..my landlady, she's theYou can also receive a regular, free newsletter by
fiancé of Herr Mozart..."; when do you marry?entering your email address at this site.
Romantic Challenge: Salieri realises that Mozart hasKal Bishop, MBA
had his girl. At that moment I knew, the creature had**********************************
had my darling girl; for the first time in my life I began toYou are free to reproduce this article as long as no
have violent thoughts.changes are made and the author's name and site
Pulled back to the Ordinary World: Amadeus' fatherURL are retained.
persuades the Pope to give him one more chance.