Screenwriting, Screenwriters, Screenplays Ocean’s Eleven (2001) Deconstructed
From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.clickok.co.uk/
The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero’s Journey:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
and more…
Sample Movie Deconstructed: Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
FADE IN: Meeting and learning about the Hero in his Ordinary World: Danny Ocean; in prison; Confidence Trickster. Hero’s Romantic Challenge; my wife left me; the ring.
Foreshadow of the Journey: going into the casino.
Meeting the Herald: Hello Frank.
Refusal: My name is Ramone; wait for me.
Herald pushes the Hero toward the Sidekick: you can find Rusty here
Foreshadow of the Antagonist: picture of Terry Benedict.
Interdictor: phoning the parole officer; “no I wouldn’t think of leaving the state”
Meeting the Sidekick and his Capabilities: Rusty teaching cards.
Hero and Sidekick meeting and relationship: Ocean and Rusty playing cards.
Frustration: “God, I’m bored”
Call to Adventure: knock off 3 casinos.
Warning: the most inaccessible vault
Foreshadow of the Trials: why do this? Ref Tess later.
Meeting the Mentor: Reuben; refusal; the previous casino robberies.
Persuading the Mentor: we’re going to rob Terry Benedict’s casinos.
Warning about the Antagonist: he’ll kill you and then he’ll go to work on you.
First Threshold:
Meeting Allies and their Capabilities: Frank; Malloy twins; Livingston, Basher, Yan, Saul, Linus etc.
Developing Characters and Relationships: everyone gets to know each other.
Pulled towards the Physical Separation: very lucrative and very high risk; if you’re interested follow me
Pushed toward the Physical Separation: get in the Goddamn house.
Warning and Impossibility: the plans to break into the casinos.
Physical Separation: I want to know everything about everything
Trial 1: Livingston almost gets caught.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Frank gets the cars at discount.
Developing Characters and Relationships: Saul gets dressed to play his part.
Developing the Antagonist: we learn about Benedict; he will go after you and your family.
Romantic Challenge: we meet Tess.
Trial 2: Ocean argues with Rusty about Tess.
Developing the Goddess: Tess buying art.
Developing the Goddess and the Antagonist: Tess with Benedict.
Developing the Antagonist: Benedict checks out Saul.
Developing the Romantic Challenge / Foreshadow of the Sword: Ocean meets Tess.
Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: Saul talks about the briefcase.
Symbol of the Transformation: I lost the ring.
Hero and Antagonist battle: Ocean meets Benedict at Tess’ table.
Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: practicing the heist.
Push to Trial 3: Basher has problem with the power.
Trial 3: robbing the pinch; going back for Linus.
Obstacle to the Final Conflict: Ocean is red flagged; Linus replaces Ocean.
Developing Antagonist and Goddess: Tess dresses for Benedict.
Obstacle to the Final Conflict: Saul not feeling too well.
Journey to the Final Conflict: the briefcase arrives.
Obstacle: someone recognises Saul.
Journey to the Final Conflict: preparation.
Seizing the Sword: Ocean kisses Tess and plants the phone on her.
Near Death Experience: Frank is sacked.
Near Death Experience: Bruiser hits Ocean.
Near Death Experience: Saul falls unconscious.
Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: the Lennox Lewis fight progresses.
Reward: the lights go out.
Threshold Guardian: the door won’t blow.
Reward: they break in to get the $160m.
Atonement with the Father: Rusty calls Benedict and tells him he is being robbed.
Pushed to the Boon: go upstairs and watch TV.
Apotheosis: it was staged; the SWAT team have the money.
Ultimate Boon: Benedict says he’d give up Tess for the money.
Refusal: Tess runs out of the Casino.
Magic Flight and Transformation: “wait, that’s my husband”
Celebration: Ocean’s Eleven looking at the casinos.
Crossing the Return Threshold: Three to six months later; Rusty waiting for Ocean outside prison.
Master of Two Worlds: Tess waiting for Ocean.
Freedom to Live: followed by Benedict’s men.
Learn more
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Kal Bishop
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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.clickok.co.uk/
Tags: Screenplays: Oceans Eleven (2001) deconstructed, Screenwriters, Screenwriting