Thursday, June 16, 2011

Writing 101: The Story Circle

A while ago, Dan Harmon (creator and head writer of Community) wrote a series of posts on his website’s forum breaking down story structure in a hilarious concise fashion. His methods were written with television in mind, but these story techniques are universal for any writer and any medium. They are based on Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, but simplified for modern storytelling. The way he breaks it down has helped me re-evaluate my own work. It’s amazingly simple.




First, you begin by drawing a circle. Divide it in half vertically, and then divide the circle again horizontally. Starting from the 12 o’clock position and going clockwise, number the 4 points where the lines cross the circle: 1, 3, 5 and 7. Next, number the quarter-sections themselves 2, 4, 6 and 8.

(The images from Dan’s posts were missing so I constructed my own visual representation of the Story Circle):

Download this if you want. Print it out. Doodle all over it.

 
Dan says:
That horizontal line dividing the circle is the first one you want to think about when creating a story. What's above it and what's below it?

Robocop: Above the line, cop. Below the line, Robocop.

Die Hard: Above the line, bad marriage. Below the line, terrorist attack.

Citizen Kane: Above the line, news reel. Below the line, truth.

MacBeth: Above the line, hero. Below the line, villain.

Star Wars: Above the line, farm boy. Below the line, adventurer.

The Incredible Talking Dog: Above the line, dog can't talk...

Back to the Future: 1985 / 1955

etc. etc.




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

Dan says:
ESTABLISH A PROTAGONIST... Who are we? A squirrel? The sun? A red blood cell? America?


2. Need (but they want something)

Dan says:
SOMETHING AIN'T QUITE RIGHT… Something is wrong, the world is out of balance. This is the reason why a story is going to take place. The "you" from (1) is an alcoholic. There's a dead body on the floor. A motorcycle gang rolls into town.



3. Go (they enter an unfamiliar situation)

Dan says:
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD… For (1) and (2), the "you" was in a certain situation, and now that situation changes. A hiker heads into the woods. Pearl Harbor's been bombed. A mafia boss enters therapy.


4. Search (adapt to it)

Dan says:
THE ROAD OF TRIALS… Adapting, experimenting, getting shit together, being broken down. A detective questions suspects. A cowboy gathers his posse. A cheerleader takes a nerd shopping.



5. Find (find what they wanted)

Dan says:
MEETING WITH THE GODDESS… Whether it was the direct, conscious goal or not, the "need" from (2) is fulfilled. We found the princess. The suspect gives the location of the meth lab. A nerd achieves popularity.


6. Take (pay its price)

Dan says:
MEET YOUR MAKER… The hardest part (both for the characters and for anyone trying to describe it). On one hand, the price of the journey. The shark eats the boat. Jesus is crucified. The nice old man has a stroke. On the other hand, a goal achieved that we never even knew we had. The shark now has an oxygen tank in his mouth. Jesus is dead- oh, I get it, flesh doesn't matter. The nice old man had a stroke, but before he died, he wanted you to take this belt buckle. Now go win that rodeo.


7. Return (and go back to where they started)

Dan says:
BRINGING IT HOME… It's not a journey if you never come back. The car chase. The big rescue. Coming home to your girlfriend with a rose. Leaping off the roof as the skyscraper explodes.



8. Change (now capable of change)

Dan says:
MASTER OF BOTH WORLDS… The "you" from (1) is in charge of their situation again, but has now become a situation-changer. Life will never be the same. The Death Star is blown up. The couple is in love. Dr. Bloom's Time Belt is completed. Lorraine Bracco heads into the jungle with Sean Connery to "find some of those ants."



Dan Harmon goes on to explain:
… the REAL structure of any good story is simply circular - a descent into the unknown and eventual return - and that any specific descriptions of that process are specific to you and your story.
It's not that stories have to follow this structure, it's that, without some semblance of this structure, it's not recognizable as a story.
There are some exceptions to everything, but that's called style, not structure.
When I talk about "story structure" I'm talking about something very scientific, like "geometry." Your story could have "perfect" structure, in that it hits all the resonant points craved by the audience mind, but that won't make it a perfect piece of entertainment. Example:

Once upon a time, there was a thirsty man on a couch. He got up off the couch, went to his kitchen, searched through his refrigerator, found a soda, drank it, and returned to his couch, thirst quenched.

That was "perfect story structure." On the other hand, the story sucked.

Here's a converse example:

Once upon a time, a car exploded. A Navy Seal killed a werewolf. Two beautiful naked women had sex with each other, then a robot shot the moon with a Jesus-powered laser. The world became overpopulated by zombies. The End.

Lot of exciting, creative stuff happening, but very little structure. Again, boo, but the lesbian scene did give me a boner. What do you want? You want both. You want to be cool, but you're going to be cooler if the structure is there. Cool stuff with no structure is like that perfect scene you recorded when you left the lens cap on. "Guess you had to be there." Show me an army of zombies and I might say "cool zombies," but I'm not going to "be there."
 
Links to the full posts. All are well worth a read.

22 comments:

Alicia Gregoire said...

Wow. I think my brain just exploded and I'll have to reread this a few more times.

Thanks for sharing!

Michelle Julian said...

Thanks so much for this post. I love outlines that break down story structure!

Unknown said...

The Payday/Installment loan can assist you having men and women unforeseen fees or maybe this specific unforeseen unforeseen sharp emergency. should you've got gotten getting some sort of costs that will can’t hold out until auto title loan in richmond eventually your next pay day progress comes, embody thus on North yankee country of America day cash enhancements and use all of our Payday/Installment loan simply to be loaned simply what proportion simply to be good.

Rida said...

I agree with your ideas about story writing concepts. We should create the sense of interest for readers which can provide them better engagement. Here you can buy assignments online australia for solving your problems.

Anonymous said...

GotoAssignemntHelp offers the best Online Case Study Help in Australia and assignment writing services in Australia, UK & USA.
Hire professional case study writers
Buy Cheap Case Studies Online
Management Assignment Help Online

marketing management assignment help online

help with nursing assignment online

finance assignment help online
help with personal finance assignment

help with corporate finance planning assignment online

Andy Wilson said...

Awesome post. Find quality assignment and academic relates services only at Student Assignment Help, a leading assignment help firm in Australia.

MATLAB solutions said...

This is something very important to understand, I really appreciate your efforts to share such information. Here I am also sharing some information that might be useful for students looking for Assignment Help , in various subjects like, MATLAB Assignment Help , or Matlab Assignment Help Online.

Zara White said...

Nothing is worse than curbing your stupendous new 20-inch rims. A little too much English on the wheel and there goes the rim. While some people have no problem curbing their rims, you are a perfectionist and demand your rims be spotless, rotating discs of elegance. Rather than check your bank account and weigh whether you would rather pay rent or fix bent rims, try this spiffy do-it-yourself solution. You will not need much more than you already have in your garage and a bit of elbow grease.

Henry Jones said...

paper hangover? what a great topic to discuss with everyone even with the quality time when people are caring through social media with emerging tech of assignment help which is very important for the people as well as the general audience who do need help from assignment writing service Sydney with the help of Assignment providers in cheap prices.

ajabgjab said...

its very useful and informative article I have read this blog it's very good kindly share some more blog like this I am waiting for your next article or blog. Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits 

Srinagar Houseboats said...

Thank you for sharing valuable information. Nice post. I enjoyed reading this post. Kashmir Houseboat Price

Nick said...

This is outstanding site to gain knowledge and I have read your all the posts. If you have any information about clip studio paint offer then share with us, and it will help to gain more users.

onlineAssignmenthelp said...

Cad Assignment Help
Looking for online Cad Assignment Help in Australia. United Kingdom. Malaysia. USA. Canda at affordable price visit Thetutorshelp.com We provide best dissertation writing service online. https://thetutorshelp.com/cad-assignment-help.php
Cad Assignment Help

Kashmir Tour Packages said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
wick geo said...

Wonderful guidelines were shared. I enjoyed it a lot.
BookMyEssay provides reliable and professional economics assignment help services. Their team of experts offers customized solutions and timely delivery to help students achieve academic success.

Assignment Help said...

These services can take care of the entire exam process for the student, from registering for the exam to taking it and submitting the answers. Overall, online exam help can be a valuable resource for students who are struggling or need extra support. However, it is important for students to use these services responsibly and not cheat or violate any academic integrity policies.
Online Exam Help

ishan said...

thiruttu vcd 2023 tamil movies download
anavar and winstrol stack
jio rockers tamil 2023
vegamovies.in
www.thiruttuvcd.com 2023
thiruttuvcd telugu movies 2023

assignment work said...

This post offers valuable insights! Writing assignments can be quite a challenge, and seeking melbourne assignment help has been a game-changer for me. It's amazing how different perspectives can enhance your understanding. Thanks for sharing this informative content; it's always good to learn and explore new ways to excel in academics.

saffron exchange said...

Thanks for sharing this insightful blog post! It's always great to learn something new. By the way, if anyone's looking for a different kind of excitement, check out Saffronexch . It's an online speculation platform that adds an extra layer of thrill to your entertainment. Give it a try and see if luck is on your side!

theresafking said...

Get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure into the world of storytelling! Dan Harmon, the genius behind shows like "Community" and "Rick and Morty," has come up with a revolutionary story structure based on Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey. And guess what? I'm here to guide you through this exciting journey!
Imagine drawing a circle, representing the hero's journey, and dividing it vertically and horizontally. This simple yet powerful visual representation allows us to identify key points in the story where the hero crosses important lines. It's like a treasure map, guiding us through the twists and turns of the narrative.
Now, let's dive deeper into this fascinating structure. At the top of the circle, we have the hero's ordinary world. This is where they start their journey, completely unaware of the adventure that awaits them. But as they cross the first horizontal line, their world is turned upside down. They are called to action, thrust into a new and unfamiliar world.
As the hero continues their journey, they face challenges and meet allies along the way. Each crossing point on the horizontal line marks a significant milestone in their transformation. They confront their fears, overcome obstacles, and grow stronger with every step.
But it doesn't end there! The hero's journey is not complete without a final battle or confrontation. As they reach the bottom of the circle, they face their ultimate test, their darkest hour. This is where they prove themselves and emerge victorious, forever changed by their experiences.
So, whether you're a writer looking to craft an engaging story or simply someone who wants to understand the essence of storytelling, Dan Harmon's structure based on Joseph Campbell's The Hero's Journey is a game-changer. If you ever need assistance with your assignments or explore this topic further, don't forget to get global assignment help UK! Let your creativity soar and embark on your heroic adventure!

Assignment help said...

Business Law assignment help experts provide you with the best assignment writing services that help you to score good grades. Business law contains laws that are relevant to business elements. Business law assignment is case study oriented and draws upon the different aspects of the law. The subjects covered are securities law, contract law, and antitrust. Business law assignment help provided by Gradespire covers concepts such as labor law, intellectual property, benefits, trusts, estates, secured transactions, employment law, and bankruptcy. We provide you with essay help in business law, editing, proofreading, and online business law dissertations. We provide you plagiarism-free work with Turnitin reports free of cost.

Cheap essay writers said...

Throughout history, theatre has served as a vital medium for directly and indirectly conveying important information to audiences by addressing fundamental human communication needs. In ancient times, dramatists were revered for their dual role of entertaining the masses while imparting knowledge through their works that could enrich individuals. The significance of theatre as an informative platform was prominently demonstrated in regions such as Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, where dramatists harnessed it to educate rural communities about the recent Kargil conflict by incorporating relevant topics and themes into their performances. Need help writing my essay. Even in an era marked by the proliferation of broadcast media and widespread accessibility to transportation, theatre proved to be a remarkably effective conduit for disseminating insights into the conflict's multifaceted aspects, as well as highlighting the valor and sacrifices of Indian soldiers. These theatrical productions also succeeded in instilling a profound sense of patriotism within their audiences.