What is A Dan Harmon’s Story Circle

What is A Dan Harmon’s Story Circle

Dan Harmon’s Story Circle is a narrative structure tool designed to help writers create cohesive and compelling stories. Harmon, co-creator of “Rick and Morty” and “Community,” developed this method to simplify Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” into a more accessible format. Here is a breakdown of the Story Circle and its eight steps:

1. You (A character is in a zone of comfort)

   • This step establishes the protagonist in their ordinary world. The audience gets a sense of who they are and what their life is like.

2. Need (But they want something)

   • The character experiences a need or desire that pushes them out of their comfort zone. This sets the story in motion.

3. Go (They enter an unfamiliar situation)

   • The protagonist embarks on a journey or takes action to pursue their need or desire, entering a new and unfamiliar world.

4. Search (Adapt to it)

   • In this new situation, the protagonist faces challenges and must adapt to overcome them. They learn new skills or gain new insights.

5. Find (Get what they wanted)

   • The protagonist achieves their goal or obtains what they were seeking. However, this victory is often accompanied by complications or costs.

6. Take (Pay a heavy price for it)

   • The protagonist faces a significant setback or loss. They must confront the consequences of their actions and the sacrifices they’ve made.

7. Return (Then return to their familiar situation)

   • Having undergone transformation, the protagonist returns to their familiar world, bringing with them newfound wisdom or power.

8. Change (Having changed)

   • The character has changed as a result of their journey. They integrate their new knowledge into their old life, which has also been changed by their experiences.

     

Example Application

Let’s apply the Story Circle to a simple narrative:

1. You: A farmer lives a quiet life in a rural village.
2. Need: A severe drought threatens the village’s water supply.
3. Go: The farmer sets out to find a legendary spring.
4. Search: Along the journey, the farmer encounters various obstacles, like wild animals and rough terrain.
5. Find: The farmer discovers the spring and fills his canteen with water.
6. Take: On the way back, the canteen is stolen by bandits, and the farmer fights to retrieve it.
7. Return: The farmer returns to the village with the water.
8. Change: The farmer is celebrated as a hero and has newfound confidence and respect in the village.

Benefits of the Story Circle

• Simplicity: It breaks down complex narratives into manageable parts.
• Flexibility: It can be applied to various genres and formats, from TV shows to novels.
• Focus on Character Development: It emphasizes the protagonist’s journey and transformation.

For more in-depth exploration, you can refer to resources such as Wired’s interview with Dan Harmon and Medium’s breakdown of the Story Circle. These sources provide detailed insights into the application and advantages of this storytelling method.