Dan Harmon Story Circle: 8 Proven Steps to Better Stories

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
  • Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a creative loop? You start a script, get halfway done, but because you can’t figure out the ending, you abandon it, then start a new one. And then it happens again. And again. ►► bit.ly/2H4HiFY
    So writer/producer Dan Harmon tackled this problem.
    He took centuries of storytelling principles and turned them into an easy-to-use guide for building a compelling story.
    One circle. Eight steps.
    Understanding good narrative structure won’t just make you a better writer.
    It’ll make you a better storyteller.
    Today, we’re going to look at Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’, a film with a seemingly complex plot, that we can break down into the 8 steps of the story circle.
    The theory boils down to three sentences:
    (1) A character is comfortable (2) but they see something they want, (3) So they head out into uncharted territory to get it (4) but have to change in order to succeed. (5) When they finally grasp it, (6) they pay a hefty price (7) and return to their original situation (8) having changed inside (and sometimes outside).
    Keep watching and see how this applies to Batman!
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ความคิดเห็น • 1.2K

  • @shefsam
    @shefsam 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3027

    Act I - Your get your character stuck up a tree
    Act II - You throw rocks at him/her
    Act III - You get 'em down
    The End

    •  4 ปีที่แล้ว +326

      Act II - You set the tree on fire
      (I like it better, you get more tension this way)

    • @rmiller2741
      @rmiller2741 4 ปีที่แล้ว +80

      Act III - You shoot a moon rocket at him loaded with rainbows and pony's, then you lure him into the rocket and blast off into another dimension. The End.

    • @aecofspades7298
      @aecofspades7298 4 ปีที่แล้ว +52

      That's the easiest story foundation I've ever seen lol but where the actual story telling begins is how you add little things in between to arouse the person watching it or reading it. Thank you for making everything easier.😂

    • @danwilliams1935
      @danwilliams1935 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Didn’t Aaron sorkin say this?

    • @wormbag80
      @wormbag80 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Basically making them suffer, risk everything they care about, and then give them what they want at a cost

  • @JohnHarrisonForever
    @JohnHarrisonForever 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1992

    It looks like Harmon's story circle is a slightly simplified adaptation of Joseph Cambell's "Hero's Journey" which is a narrative framework that pretty much every story ever told follows. If you're not aware of it, I definitely recommend reading up about it, it's pretty interesting stuff, and helpful to keep in mind while writing.

    • @TheSkepticalIdealist
      @TheSkepticalIdealist 6 ปีที่แล้ว +108

      That's exactly what it's supposed to be.

    • @ZoeRaeMusic
      @ZoeRaeMusic 6 ปีที่แล้ว +74

      Harmon used that cycle as a basis of developing his. He talks about it in interviews.

    • @6drk6mrc6
      @6drk6mrc6 6 ปีที่แล้ว +94

      I don't think every story is a monolith. It is way too generalizing and simplifying. There are a lot of stories going around, not all are Hero's Journey. And not all have a return to status quo.

    • @oz9213
      @oz9213 6 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      big surprise an alcoholic pos stole someone else's work and called it his own

    • @bonrad5444
      @bonrad5444 6 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      he pretty much jammed the false ending and the low point together, which i think is a good way of looking at the hero's journey since those two beats really go hand and hand.

  • @louierubio
    @louierubio 6 ปีที่แล้ว +378

    A series where this is applied to hit movies and classics would be awesome

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  6 ปีที่แล้ว +71

      Great idea! Passed it along to our team.

    • @aaronlittle5478
      @aaronlittle5478 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You may find this useful. Writer K.M. Weiland breaks down many movies and books into the classic 3-Act structure in her story structure database at www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com.

    • @CircmcisionIsChi1dAbus3
      @CircmcisionIsChi1dAbus3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      @@StudioBinder did it ever come into being?

    • @alexanderdumas-
      @alexanderdumas- ปีที่แล้ว

      @@CircmcisionIsChi1dAbus3of course look up their beatsheat into interstellar it’s great

    • @williamwilson1222
      @williamwilson1222 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@StudioBinderplease?

  • @BasicShapes
    @BasicShapes 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1450

    _David Benioff has left the chat._
    _D.B. Weiss has left the chat._

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  5 ปีที่แล้ว +64

      😂😂

    • @DarkApocalyptiaX
      @DarkApocalyptiaX 5 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      The D's of writing

    • @yugioh887
      @yugioh887 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      You know D&D actually look at TH-cam comments

    • @gabrielidusogie9189
      @gabrielidusogie9189 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Could you please tell me who those writers are?

    • @marka1052
      @marka1052 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Gabriel Idusogie Game of Thrones

  • @2MuchSwag4Funzies
    @2MuchSwag4Funzies 5 ปีที่แล้ว +696

    I think what people in the comments misunderstand is that the story circle isn't just one circle, it's a bunch of little circles throughout every step of the main circle. I guess you should have mentioned that. But that's how it is.
    It's also worth noting that to make better use of this you have to understand where the "beats" are. A beat is a moment that drives the story forward, and it's scattered throughout the circle.

    • @Soldiershak
      @Soldiershak 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      A lot of the misunderstanding probably comes from the visual which makes it looks like pieces of a pie

    • @f.b.i9574
      @f.b.i9574 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Renz, imma write this down.

    • @2MuchSwag4Funzies
      @2MuchSwag4Funzies 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Iraj Islam Dafo Kere a fellow fan. Tyler Mowery is the best at visualizing his explanations

    • @ellugerdelacruz2555
      @ellugerdelacruz2555 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      FUN FACT:
      The Kishotenketsu, an ancient storytelling structure, can actually correspond to the Dan Harmon Story Circle.
      Ki (Introduction):
      1. You
      2. Need
      Sho (Development):
      3. Go
      4. Search
      Ten (Twist):
      5. Find
      6. Take
      Ketsu (Conclusion):
      7. Return
      8. Change
      For centuries Eastern and Western storytelling structures have been at odds with one another, but Dan Harmon managed to create something that makes the best of both worlds.

    • @kianathomassin7440
      @kianathomassin7440 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lm..n

  • @mythosESveritas
    @mythosESveritas 5 ปีที่แล้ว +925

    in step #6 you said "you must push the antagonist to the brink," I believe you meant protagonist

    • @jawhoneytv
      @jawhoneytv 5 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      mythosESveritas ye the antagonist has already beeen pushed to the brink its protags turn 😀

    • @moonshadow1795
      @moonshadow1795 5 ปีที่แล้ว +94

      Though it can work both ways

    • @djanitatiana
      @djanitatiana 4 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      Perhaps even the same thing since the antagonist is usually the repressed shadow of the protagonist

    • @johntenor8999
      @johntenor8999 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Either way protagonist is obviously what was meant to be said in this part of the lesson

    • @JohnSmith86132
      @JohnSmith86132 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      clearly, it's the protagonist he meant, no doubt. The video shows batman while he is speaking, also the #6 storyline is talking about Batman being pushed to the brink.

  • @korkritdanpradit8280
    @korkritdanpradit8280 ปีที่แล้ว +248

    It should be :
    1. You - Bruce/Batman
    2. Need - He want to retire to be with his gf, so he need Harvey to succeed.
    3. Go - He try to help Harvey, even got the Joker attention in the process.
    4. Search - He try to adapt to win, try thinking like Joker only to find that the Joker is just an agent of chaos.
    5. Find - He finally got a chance to kill/catch the Joker
    6. Take - He catched the Joker, but loose his gf.
    7. Return - Joker escape, Harvey turns bad, it’s up to him once again.
    8. Change - Bruce don’t want to quit anymore, he must give more to fix everything. Kept Harvey in the light, while still doing what his gf believed.
    Actually this video got most of them right, but the narrative made it confusing. It tried too much to incorporate all the storylines, while in fact, story circle tends to revolve around the arc of each character, not the sequences.

    • @Heshallnotreturn
      @Heshallnotreturn ปีที่แล้ว +7

      You are amazing I don't know why people overcomplicate this bruh

    • @jewelz.a
      @jewelz.a ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you for simplifying. I feel the video did not clarify the distinction between steps 6 & 7.

    • @korkritdanpradit8280
      @korkritdanpradit8280 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@jewelz.a Agreed. I remember Dan Harmon said the main different is : when "take" happen, the character have to pay the price as an exchange too.
      I think it makes sense, because you don't have to "change" if everything goes your way. :)

    • @spacewiz163
      @spacewiz163 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I really like this thank you🙂

    • @nikkinewbie6014
      @nikkinewbie6014 ปีที่แล้ว

      That approach of applying the circle to one character arc - I think that’s what the poster tried to do but this fell short for me.
      Nolan is a master of plotting. I was critical going in that his masterpiece could be simplified down like this.
      I think part of the “problem” is just that Nolan used so much craft in this thing! Bruce doesn’t even have the biggest character arc! And because it’s a thriller through and through, the villain is driving the plot for almost the entire movie - even after the midpoint where the hero typically goes on the offense.
      Bruce does go on the offense but still gets outplayed in the end. The Joker won - he really did and Batman was effectively benched for eight years after this movie.
      Harvey was a fallen hero and experienced the biggest arc. A negative one. In fact Nolan said he intended the title The Dark Knight to apply equally to Harvey as much as it did to Batman.
      So you’ve got so much subversion of tropes going on (in the best way possible). I mean…when Rachel actually gets killed? The whole theater was in disbelief!
      So yeah - this might not have been the right movie to try to demonstrate this model. There’s just too much going on to be simplified in this manner - and fifteen years later I’m STILL here for it! 😂😂
      How awesome is it that it will be back in theaters in September 16 for Batman Day? So awesome! I guess all the other Batman iterations’ invitations to the “Showcase Theater Ball” that night got lost in the mail. 😂😂😂😂

  • @rrbcraftergames3361
    @rrbcraftergames3361 3 ปีที่แล้ว +567

    1. you protagonist
    2. you need
    3. you acts on his need
    4. you finds his need
    5. you takes
    6. some twist happens
    7. you returns
    8. you change

    • @shinitai.x
      @shinitai.x 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Thanks 😊

    • @inner.inspire
      @inner.inspire 2 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      6 can be - You pay the price ... just to keep the "You" theme across all of them

    • @miguelsolana8590
      @miguelsolana8590 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      @@inner.inspire found it funny though. Was kinda a twist🤪

    • @mello.1483
      @mello.1483 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Thanks dude

    • @mello.1483
      @mello.1483 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @the_trashman 😐

  • @immanuela209
    @immanuela209 5 ปีที่แล้ว +121

    Just when I was having writer's block on a script, this drops in my recommended. Thanks TH-cam and StudioBinder!

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      We're glad you found it helpful! What other content are you interested in seeing?

    • @soffmusic9655
      @soffmusic9655 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      There is no "script" is there Immanuel?

    • @pharaoh6824
      @pharaoh6824 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@soffmusic9655 Probably not and he also forgot to thank the algorithm, spies and god of coincidence.

    • @ellugerdelacruz2555
      @ellugerdelacruz2555 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@StudioBinder FUN FACT:
      The Kishotenketsu, an ancient storytelling structure, can actually correspond to the Dan Harmon Story Circle.
      Ki (Introduction):
      1. You
      2. Need
      Sho (Development):
      3. Go
      4. Search
      Ten (Twist):
      5. Find
      6. Take
      Ketsu (Conclusion):
      7. Return
      8. Change
      For centuries Eastern and Western storytelling structures have been at odds with one another, but Dan Harmon managed to create something that makes the best of both worlds.

  • @Som3D
    @Som3D 4 ปีที่แล้ว +396

    "this circle can make you a better writer"
    Me after watching: "OK SO MY CHARACTER IS NAMED MR PEANUT BUTTER"

    • @TomEyeTheSFMguy
      @TomEyeTheSFMguy 4 ปีที่แล้ว +45

      And he needs some jelly

    • @aleksandramohorko1539
      @aleksandramohorko1539 4 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Why do I imagine mr. Peanut butter looks like professor poopy butt hole from Rick and morty lmao

    • @eggytricky
      @eggytricky 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Aleksandra Mohorko I thought of the same thing with mr poopy butthole but without the Professor part omg

    • @alexman378
      @alexman378 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      They managed to get people to cry over a Raccoon called “Rocket”, mourning his friend, the talking tree. Mr Peanut Butter is not outside the realm of possibility of a successful character if done properly.

    • @notactuallywill3620
      @notactuallywill3620 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Aleksandra Mohorko cause Dan Harman

  • @lazycat2900
    @lazycat2900 4 ปีที่แล้ว +544

    Look, in my opinion, people can do whatever they want. They could follow this model or they could not. It all depends on them and how well they do it. BUT, as some people say,
    "You need to know the rules in order to break them."

    • @aaronlittle5478
      @aaronlittle5478 4 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      I learned how to juggle as a kid and I find it a great metaphor for this philosophy as a writer. There are a handful of rules you learn to keep 3 balls in the air -- each hand does the same thing scooping from outside to inside and tossing up at eye level toward the other hand, one and then the other. Keep the objects about at eye-level and in the same plane. Now, breaking these rules becomes a juggling trick like going in a circle, tossing straight up etc. But you have to be competent with the standard rules first.

    • @JaimeD.
      @JaimeD. 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@aaronlittle5478 Good comparison. Do you still juggle for the fun of it?

    • @GlennSteel69
      @GlennSteel69 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Learn the Rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.

    • @Bat_Boy
      @Bat_Boy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I agree. The movie ‘House’ (1977) comes to mind. It doesn’t just break the rules, it exist in a completely different universe where it follows a completely different set of laws of physics. To call it an “experimental film”, is missing the point. This movie tortured my mind.

    • @lightyearsawaythejourneyaf6144
      @lightyearsawaythejourneyaf6144 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agreed 👩‍🚀

  • @Minish23
    @Minish23 5 ปีที่แล้ว +149

    This is really handy for stories where the focus is on a singular character as a protagonist, but I'm curious what happens when you have a secondary and tertiary protagonist mixed in...

    • @Mcgif21
      @Mcgif21 2 ปีที่แล้ว +43

      Just use the same framework for each character separately but you should also use the story wheel for the characters collectively so each story ties into each other.

    • @adams3079
      @adams3079 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Agreed, I see a similar transition for Harvey as well as Bruce. I think a broad plot circle is full of character circles each reaching fulfillment in different parts of the story and providing the momentum to move the story along. I believe this can be applied but as part of a larger wheel. Thanks for this.

    • @nikkinewbie6014
      @nikkinewbie6014 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@adams3079 Correct. Nolan said that he intended the title ‘The Dark Knight’ to apply equally to Harvey and Bruce. TDK is the second act of The Trilogy. I believe that the overarching theme of the Dark Knight Trilogy is something along the lines of : ‘in order to cope with deep grief and the deaths of those we love, we should honor what they stood for but we must also live our lives to the fullest, in the present. If we lose loved ones to violence, we should seek justice - not vengeance because that poisons our souls and imprisons us and dishonors the dead. First and foremost- we must not get stuck in our grief; rather we should embrace life, and seek love and happiness. It’s okay to move on.
      Side characters and subplots are often used to play out different aspects of and/or the opposite of the overarching theme. Ra’s AlGuhl sought vengeance for his wife in his backstory which foreshadowed Talia’s quest for vengeance against Bruce in Rises. Each of the three movies shows Bruce and his nemesis dealing with deaths of significant others. In Rises Bruce suffered the symbolic death of Alfred when he leaves him to try to make him retire. The hidden driver of plot in that movie is Talia and her goal is vengeance. She suffers same fate as Harvey - death. The message is clear.
      In TDK, the Nolan’s really go for making Harvey Two Face a cautionary tale. They point up the theme by playing out it’s opposite I.e. Harvey seeks vengeance (like younger Bruce did in Begins).
      Meanwhile, we see Bruce’s growth because - in stark contrast to Harvey - Bruce truly honors what Rachel believed when he saves The Joker from falling to his death. He intends for the Joker to be punished and this is him seeking justice and not revenge. This calls back to the scene in Begins when Rachel is lecturing Bruce in the car about the difference between justice and vengeance.
      When you consider that Harvey and Bruce suffered the exact same loss - the love of their lives, their different reactions make Bruce that much more heroic.
      As for The Joker, yeah…this story circle tries to account for him as an oh by the way we had the Joker in this - when there are those that would argue that it is Joker’s desire line that drives the plot more than Batman/Bruce’s does. At the very least they are running parallel and almost equal - which might explain why you come away from this film not quite feeling like Batman was the outright STAR of this movie. He was the HERO yes - but his actions did not drive the plot the way they did in Begins.
      What kind of gives credence to The Joker almost being a protagonist level character of this movie was that he was actually right about many things including about Harvey whose code (adhering to the law) was indeed a bad joke and dropped the second HE was the one that suffered injustice.
      The Joker even made Batman break his one rule 😩 albeit not out of wrath or vengeance but to save an innocent. Even the Ferry Boat social experiment subjects were perilously close to blowing each other up.
      The citizens (society) voted to do it by vast majority but no one could actually bring themselves to pull the trigger. That’s not the same as the idea being dismissed out of hat.
      And on the other boat, it was the one criminal (symbolically Batman / vigilante?) that took it upon himself to make the decision for everyone else on his boat when he threw the trigger out the window. What gave the criminal the right? The copycat Batman asked “What gave Batman the right “ too. Batman acted on Gotham’s behalf and it resulted in escalation. Did he make things worse? It’s a question raised in the movie. So brilliant.
      But back to our boss criminal - when under the guise of volunteering to pull the trigger - he tells the law (the guard) to cooperate with him and he was given the trigger! Was that appropriate? Probably not.
      The question this installment in particular poses is which world view is closer to being universal - Bruce’s or Joker’s? This is not humanity’s best showing in this movie because Joker is not as far off the mark as Bruce seems to believe. He has placed faith in the people of Gotham when the truth is that most of them were easily manipulated to contemplate murder and some even attempted it (if the accountant isn’t dead in one hour…I blow up a hospital”. Bruce and Gordon really are exceptions rather than rules.
      As far as usefulness of this story structure, I don’t know. You can paste this story circle on top of TDK’s plot after the fact and I guess it lines up? But there’s no way this would have been sufficient by itself to PRODUCE the plot on the front end. TDK was the wrong example. There are layers on top of layers going on here. Maybe Iron Man would have been a better choice as it was much more simply plotted.
      No disrespect to anyone intended.

  • @ArthurMoore
    @ArthurMoore 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2360

    This is the most complex way of explaining that movie I’ve ever seen. Lol

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  6 ปีที่แล้ว +142

      Glad you enjoyed it! Did we get your subscription? ;-)

    • @ArthurMoore
      @ArthurMoore 6 ปีที่แล้ว +119

      Yes and the bell as well. But not because of this video. Great job with the channel.

    • @____uncompetative
      @____uncompetative 6 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      Arthur Moore Yeah. I know. Complete gibberish. I can only think Dan Harmon is trolling everyone.

    • @galiciaart
      @galiciaart 6 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      or the best

    • @TylersTrying
      @TylersTrying 6 ปีที่แล้ว +44

      Tell me, what's a better way to tell a story? Because literally all great stories follow this or a similar structure.

  • @Ze_No_One
    @Ze_No_One 4 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    love the little touch of editing on that circle like a timer for each section, and all the editing ofc

  • @axl_is_alex
    @axl_is_alex 5 ปีที่แล้ว +247

    This just helped me with my D&D campaign...Thank You!

    • @Super_BeastGirl
      @Super_BeastGirl 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I was thinking the same thing!

    • @bennersftw2644
      @bennersftw2644 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Exactly what I'm currently using it for! Also implementing the therefore; but principle used by creators of South Park and the Witcher 3 side quests. :)

    • @4saken404
      @4saken404 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      lol That's exactly why I came to! (Though I do need to write more often just for the sake of writing.)

    • @helium-379
      @helium-379 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @suny123boy1 It works well in a D&D campaign if the group is more story centric. A campaign depends on the type of D&D group for it to be sucessful. A good dungeon master knows his groups well.

    • @sylvi--5517
      @sylvi--5517 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      suny123boy1 Ugh, who cares

  • @GeorgeLoch
    @GeorgeLoch 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I look at Harmon's "Story Circle" or Campbell's "Hero's journey" as guidelines with many good ideas within. I, personally, don't see The Dark Knight neatly fall into a structure like this, but it simply contains elements of it. "Paying a price", for example, is a key element in Batman's growth as a character and I would say it's a defining characteristic. The irony that a silver-spooned billionaire chooses to subject himself to mental and physical anguish is about overarching outward goals (Save Gotham) and inward goals (Save himself from grief) throughout the trilogy. It's raw and relatable. So, yes, one of the "Circle's" elements are essential, but not sequential. It's just present. Thanks for the presentation. Kudos to the designer!

  • @nico_ventolini
    @nico_ventolini 4 ปีที่แล้ว +55

    The circle may not apply to every story out there, but it does apply to every story in the top 30 all time box office hits. Which means, this structure is the most effective way to evoke emotion from the general audience.

  • @alforeman3297
    @alforeman3297 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Correction at 5:22 - "You have to push your *protagonist to the brink." Amazing work here! Thank you.

  • @DippedInInk
    @DippedInInk ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Need more breakdowns like this. The way they do storylines for anime/manga is amazing.

  • @adisuyash
    @adisuyash 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was confused before watching this video - but after watching - I am more confused ....thank you studiobinder

  • @kaguth
    @kaguth 6 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Dan Harmon's system is pretty much the Syd field paradigm with Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey but simplified into really easy to remember points. Very nice!

  • @dandan5928
    @dandan5928 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    It’s basically the hero’s journey. Not a bad thing! Really quite a good template for a story

    • @lreking8929
      @lreking8929 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Today's writers are over-reliant on templates, and the Hero's Journey in particular. Writing requires originality and creativity, not the slavish adherence to other people's ideas.

    • @scorchwave1
      @scorchwave1 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      ​@@lreking8929depends what your goal is. If you're writing a screenplay templates make more sense. If you're writing a novel without a traditional structure have fun with it. It's better to learn the rules first and break them later

  • @OMGSAMCOPSEY
    @OMGSAMCOPSEY 4 ปีที่แล้ว +174

    Coming to rewatch this after watching "never ricking morty" for the meta

    • @MartinKronerMusik
      @MartinKronerMusik 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      The Dan Harmon Story Circle is the STORY TRAIN. Mindblowing.

    • @MartinKronerMusik
      @MartinKronerMusik 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      it even has the same colors. fuuuuck.

  • @Dr_Ayman_1
    @Dr_Ayman_1 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    00:00 introduction
    01:04 1 - you : estabish the protagonist
    01:30 2 - need : somtying isn't right
    02:20 3 - go : crossing the threshold
    03:14 4 - search : the road of trails
    03:58 5 - find : meet the goddess
    04:35 6- take : paying the price
    05:46 7 - return : bringing it home
    06:30 8 - change : master the both of worlds

  • @habibishapur
    @habibishapur 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My problem with every writing guide online like this one is that the best stories I've experienced dont follow these tips whatsoever. Yet, they're still better than every hero's journey story I've ever seen/read.

    • @bahaalkhateeb2994
      @bahaalkhateeb2994 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      There are a ton of story structure out there, if a story is so good it is probably using one of these structures. And yes, not every story uses a structure, sometimes breaking the rules in a clever way is what makes a story interesting.

    • @Tysto
      @Tysto ปีที่แล้ว

      I've analyzed a bunch of Hollywood movies beat for beat, and they all follow three-act structure with a midpoint crisis. And they nearly all have three or four other things in common, like the heroes going into the extraordinary world at the beginning of act 2 but then moving deeper into it (more dangerous) in the middle of act 2.

    • @habibishapur
      @habibishapur ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Tysto but why would you look at hollywood when looking for good storytelling?

    • @hydra5758
      @hydra5758 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@habibishapur Could you provide an example for your favorite stories that take a less orthodox approach?

    • @habibishapur
      @habibishapur 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@hydra5758 i cannot remember what i had in mind a year ago, but off the top of my head i can think of nier automata as an example of a story that has been branded into people's memories through sheer pain, and has a very unorthodox structure. I mean, i didnt even grasp the true extent of the emotional torment that the story was administering until i read some side material that the director created.
      I wish i remembered a better example, as one of the biggest draws about nier automata's story is precisely how unorthodox it is. So its not really a good example. More of an exception.

  • @HowardWimshurst
    @HowardWimshurst 5 ปีที่แล้ว +273

    Well made video! I always like seeing the dark knight broken down as it is such a masterpiece we can learn from. But... I think maybe Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan should take credit for this one, certainly not Dan Harmon (but by reading the comments i don't think i need to even say that at this point)
    Plus it's mostly Campbell's the hero's journey. And if you really want to go back to the source (highly recommend) so that you're not getting secondary knowledge, i recommend Aristotle's Poetics, which was written way back when all of this began.
    Also the video starts out with a great clip from Adaptation. If you have watched Adaptation you would know that Charlie Kaufman (writer and main character) finds story structures like the hero's journey to be "bullshit" and he is completely sick of the conventional structure that hollywood movies cling to. It seems like it is not the only way to write a movie, but i do think that it is important to at least understand the rules of narrative before you break some of them

    • @yuriccaldone
      @yuriccaldone 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I guess the point of the video is to reach a broader audience and to that end a name like Dan Harmon would speak louder at this point in time than Campbell's or Aristotle's, however it does mention that those principles were not invented by him.
      Particularly, I don't think that a clear understanding of theory is important at all. There are all kinds of artists and a lot of great art comes from intuitive people that, by not being aware of supposed rules, are able to create stuff that subverts the expectations of the genre they are tackling, but, you know, not everything is about disruption. There will always be a place for a well executed established structure, no matter how much people like Kaufman despise them. I, for one, am of the opinion that sticking too close to a template often will cause your art to become 'soulless', as they say. Take recent Pixar movies and compare them to their earlier efforts. Most of them are certainly competent -- cash grab sequels aside -- but are they memorable? Adding a little bit of mystery, quirkiness and confusion can go a long way into making your art stand out from the crowd. Even a flaw is better than a played out script. At the end of the day, the problem with Hollywood is that putting big money in risky projects is not a good idea.

    • @mik3y448
      @mik3y448 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think they chose the Dark Knight because Chris Nolan absolutely hates the idea of a Monomyth.

    • @austinerb7571
      @austinerb7571 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Explains why Kaufman's films are so hard for me to follow

    • @renosvoyage
      @renosvoyage 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Is it The Hero's Journey or The Hero with a Thousand Faces?

    • @jujuria13
      @jujuria13 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Dark night have me headaches. Too many plot holes.

  • @Christopherhaden
    @Christopherhaden 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    The communing with the Goddess moment of The Dark Knight is capturing the joker not Harvey claiming to be the Batman.

  • @JRMilward
    @JRMilward 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    This is a really beautiful and well-presented - simplified - take on the classic Hero's Journey. This would certainly help beat writer's block for some types of story, but - and it's a huge, wobbly but - this is only one type of story; the Hero's Journey is actually pretty limiting if used as a guide to constructing narratives rather than analysing existing ones. This only became obvious to me after reading John Truby's "The Anatomy of Story"; it doesn't deal with a cyclical, Hero's Journey-type plot, but with an even more fundamental structure of premise and design principle, plus character needs (moral and psychological), their weakness(es) (again moral AND psychological), and how you can establish the change that will be necessary to reach by the end. It's also good because it doesn't stick to one genre or one type of story (i.e. the hero's journey); the examples cited in text are from a pretty eclectic range. Can't recommend this enough. But excellent video; really enjoyed it.

    • @White_Z33
      @White_Z33 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      One question, if I understand how this circle works, I have some doubts, for example, how do I structure the story? In 3 acts with Syd Field's paradimg? Or do I need to use more acts? There are many structures, such as putting the 8 steps together along with the inciting incident, plot points, midpoint, and pinch points.

  • @Weird_Quests
    @Weird_Quests 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Like other's have stated - it's pretty much a simplified version of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey - definitely recommend to read the book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" - it goes into more depth about how each story is part of the same universal framework we've all grown used to in our local and global culture.

  • @davidwalter2002
    @davidwalter2002 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My Theatre History professor broke it down as follows:
    1. Status quo - Establish the way things are
    2. Inciting moment - Something happens to change the way things are
    3. Rising action - Reactions to change
    4. Reversal of fortune - It looks as though the protagonist will lose
    5. Climax - The culmination of the resolution the story has been working toward
    6. Falling action - The pieces fall into place as a result
    7. Denouement - The dust settles

  • @mzaite
    @mzaite 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I'm a story Circle nerd, I'd love to just see regular "How this does or doesn't fit the circle" looks at stories.

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That's a great idea; we've just added it to our list. :)

  • @coryecker2170
    @coryecker2170 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "Dan harmon distilled centuries of story telling..."
    Joseph Campbell: 😮

  • @joaquincanay3979
    @joaquincanay3979 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The fact that you are talking about Batman makes the learning of this process of writing so much better! Good choice of analogy

  • @NoisqueVoaProduction
    @NoisqueVoaProduction ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If I may add something. Maybe the best illustration is not a Circle, but a Spiral.
    Since they are in a cycle, but they are not always the same cycle. There is change and growth in every cycle. So I think the Spiral is a more suitable illustration

  • @EjaxPlus
    @EjaxPlus ปีที่แล้ว +3

    after testing dan harmon story cycle for a bit, i noticed that it's not supposed to cover a whole film in one cycle. it's more of a subset in plot points, and in each character arc. however the cycle quadrants did helped me on the upper half and lower half momentum, and the relationship between each opposite points. it's a useful guide to aha moments, or at least ground your film to a meaningful story.

  • @TimZoet
    @TimZoet 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Even though I had never forgotten, thank you for remembering me how great this movie is

    • @thunderbird1921
      @thunderbird1921 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      There's a ninth step I think is CRITICAL to writing any good story: KNOW the era you're writing in, if it's set in the past. As a history buff I cringe when I see film stories that clearly don't fit their era setting (speaking style, culture, etc.). One notable example in some ways is Disney's Princess and the Frog, it claims to be set in the 1920s, but in many ways feels like (and honestly would work much better in) the early 1970s. Some elements (like the idea of interracial dating) even if a joke just don't fit the 20s South at all.

  • @JaysCashVault
    @JaysCashVault 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This has to be the best channel I have recently found I can’t thank you and your team enough! I just wish I would have found the channel earlier this week has been so helpful since I’ve subscribed

  • @DorineAalund
    @DorineAalund 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    -Who is the One that Drives this Story,
    -What the One Needs,
    -the First thing to do,
    -Trials that the One Faces,
    -Figuring out what the One want's,
    -Failed and Lost Something,
    -Making a Comeback,
    -the Moment that Changes Everything,
    -All Full Circle, and
    -the Cycle Continues.

  • @deepakpatel771
    @deepakpatel771 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Amazing breakdown. But, I think taking the circle map of this kind of film will not help but confuse the beginners.

  • @pharaoh6824
    @pharaoh6824 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I don't know how many times I've watched videos about Dan's story cycle and other videos about how good The Dark Knight is but I enjoy it every time. Thanks.

  • @ianp.j.c.5615
    @ianp.j.c.5615 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    [1:16] The "8 proven" circle used as a clock is genius!

  • @Jay-eg9mv
    @Jay-eg9mv 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    In context of Man of steel
    1. Clark Kent is established as a man who wants to help others using his abilities but has to hold back cuz the world is not ready to learn about his existence
    2. He needs the world to accept him as one of us. He also needs to find where he comes from and why he was sent to earth.
    3. He sets out doing odd jobs and tries to live as an ordinary man while risking his identity using his powers to help people when needed
    4. He is not satisfied by living among humans while knowing he can never be one of them so he needs to find about his origins to understand his purpose in the world.
    5. He finds what he was looking for, his origins and the reason why he was sent to earth
    6. He pays the price by giving away earth’s location to General Zod
    7. He returns to the start, a man who wants to help others with his powers, this time by saving the world from zod
    8. He is changed, from secretly helping others and not knowing his purpose to a god like being who is known by the world as Superman who’s purpose is to be the symbol of hope that krypton never had.

  • @ellugerdelacruz2555
    @ellugerdelacruz2555 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    FUN FACT:
    The Kishotenketsu, an ancient storytelling structure, can actually correspond to the Dan Harmon Story Circle.
    Ki (Introduction):
    1. You
    2. Need
    Sho (Development):
    3. Go
    4. Search
    Ten (Twist):
    5. Find
    6. Take
    Ketsu (Conclusion):
    7. Return
    8. Change
    For centuries Eastern and Western storytelling structures have been at odds with one another, but Dan Harmon managed to create something that makes the best of both worlds.

  • @mahalkongmarikina1188
    @mahalkongmarikina1188 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    1. You. Establish the protagonist.
    2. Need. Something isn't right.
    3. Go! Crossing the threshold.
    4. Search. The road of trials.
    5. Find. Meeting the godess.
    6. Take. Paying the price.
    7. Return. Bringing it home.
    8. Change. Master of both worlds.

  • @daftyfunky
    @daftyfunky 6 ปีที่แล้ว +182

    You can also apply this to the entire story arc of The Dark Knight Trilogy:
    Batman *BEGINS* _ORDER_
    The Dark Knight *FALLS* _CHAOS_
    The Dark Knight *RISES* _ORDER_

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  6 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Good point!

    • @josephvanwyk2088
      @josephvanwyk2088 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      As any trilogy - it reflects your basic 3 act structure. Star Wars 4-6, Lord of the Rings 1-3, The Hobbit 1-3, The Matrix 1-3 - the good ones will always reflect: movie 1= act 1, movie 2= act 2, movie 3= act 3.

    • @devilsadvocate4081
      @devilsadvocate4081 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nope, the 3rd is Rising from Pain

    • @justsomevikingwhodiscovere1026
      @justsomevikingwhodiscovere1026 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The Dark Knight *TRIPS*

  • @nadiasemprini8459
    @nadiasemprini8459 ปีที่แล้ว

    Like I said yesterday in the video about foil characters, subtitles are essential not only to understand whatever narrator, but the examples themselves. It's a feature that international audience appreciate a lot (like me, from Italy)

  • @WASSERAN
    @WASSERAN 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Editing is amazing!

  • @vivienmadlen
    @vivienmadlen 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    1. you (establish the protagonist)
    2. you need (protagonist needs externally / wants something internally)
    3. you go! (protagonist acts / entering the chaos circle)
    4. you search (protagonist faces obstacles)
    5. you find (but its not as the protagonist expected)
    6. you take (but not without paying a price)
    7. you return (bringing home what you took)
    8. you change (protagonist has developed)

  • @Daniel22222
    @Daniel22222 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you guys, your channel has really helped me become a better writer and this technique has made me feel so accomplished just for writing a story circle

  • @Plamen0619
    @Plamen0619 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is how you explain a topic.

  • @jeremiahthornton7938
    @jeremiahthornton7938 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you for making this video! I struggle with writer's block because I can't find the right words to describe my scene. But thanks to the chart, I may have found a way to move past it.

  • @MorpheusBlake
    @MorpheusBlake 4 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    _"The only sensible way to write a story in this world is without rules."_

    • @azariahirungu4094
      @azariahirungu4094 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      This is better advice than from the video

    • @monogalaxia
      @monogalaxia 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      A story IS rules. Is a way for the mind to cope with needing rules to understand the world

    • @verbulent_flow6229
      @verbulent_flow6229 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      In my opinion, stories should be a way to help the mind understand itself without massive tomes of psychology, instead of being senseless entertainment. Often, people judge a story based on their emotional attachment to its characters and its realism, which bothers me as someone with Maladaptive Daydreaming.

    • @iatwiatw
      @iatwiatw 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      That sounds cool and all, and I know that you're paraphrasing the Joker in The Dark Knight, but replacing "to live" with "to write a story" ruins the statement.
      Stories do have rules and a general flow. Thousands of years of storytelling prove this.
      The funny thing is that the Joker in Nolan's movie would never say that paraphrased line. As crazy as he is, the Joker knows the power of a good story. He wants to live in a world where the current rules of society are abolished. Something happened to him that made him believe that society failed him, and he wants to show everyone else that society will fail them too. Now, the Joker could have just gone on killing and robbing senselessly, but he didn't do that.
      To achieve his goal, the Joker decides to tell two violently tragic stories.
      The first story is about the white knight. It wants to say that even the best of us can be corrupted when the stakes become personal. All it takes is one bad day. That story is for Gotham's citizens, to rob them of hope and trust.
      The second story is about two boats, two sets of explosives, and two triggers. It's a larger and more general version of the first story. It wants to say that people are inherently selfish, therefore, no one is worth being selfless for. That story is for Batman and other upstanding citizens, to rob them of conviction and purpose.
      Both of those stories conform to established beats of storytelling: there is a character. That character has a set of beliefs and a comfort zone. The character is taken out of their comfort zone. The character's beliefs are challenged, and those beliefs change. The character goes back to their comfort zone. The comfort zone is no longer the same in the character's eyes as a result of their beliefs changing.
      Unfortunately for the Joker, the lesson of his first story was heard by only a handful of people, because Batman hid the true ending from the citizens. The lesson of the second story did not materialize at all, because the citizens defied the Joker's expectations of them.
      So wait a minute. In the second story, the characters' beliefs were challenged, but their beliefs didn't change. Why? Doesn't that break the storytelling rules? Yes and no. Because in the context of The Dark Knight, the boat incident wasn't a story, it played out in real life. The story was the Joker's plan, but it's not what the actual citizens did.

    • @npc6817
      @npc6817 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      you know, rules are good, they do limit your freedom but encourage productivity and creativity. regardless of if you like this formula or not you're still going to set up rules for yourself when you write.
      no one starts writing any story, you begin with something to set your boundaries, even something as vague as "I'm going to write a sci-fi novel"; that's two rules right there, you're not going to write historical fiction and it won't be a short story that's the first boundary you set for yourself.
      then you begin some worldbuilding and what's that if not setting the rules of how the setting functions in relation to backstory? then you work on some characters and you're doing the same, choosing the rules of how everyone acts and reacts to the plot considering their past experiences and your plans for them.
      so in the end rules aren't just good, they're essential, your creativity should express itself in choosing the rules you want to follow in your work and how to work in their constraints.

  • @nixeradicatus
    @nixeradicatus 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    What movie is the Cage one shown at the beginning? "What are my themes? Coffee and a muffin." It's so accurate. LOL

  • @CinemaQuirks
    @CinemaQuirks 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This was one of the best video for the writing process

  • @thatsketchyboi6688
    @thatsketchyboi6688 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This video is so perfectly edited and mad and described and just everything about this break down is immaculate

  • @StephonMarburyFan
    @StephonMarburyFan ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This was not only a great video about screen writing but this was also a great Batman video. I’m blown away.

  • @totallyanonymousbish9599
    @totallyanonymousbish9599 5 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Does this apply to every kind of story? I am writing a paranormal romance and this structure confuses me big time.

    • @habitualresistor9548
      @habitualresistor9548 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I wrote short stories, comic strips, and other stories to be read. And the best advice I get usually for anything having to do with writing story, is from screen writers. You can apply almost any type of writing advice, to any type of writing.

    • @nomukun1138
      @nomukun1138 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The story circle is a very useful tool if you lose sight of what the story should be. But if you already see the moon, why worry about the finger pointing at the moon?

  • @tiredman4540
    @tiredman4540 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Was really enjoying this, when I realised I haven't seen this film yet! Coming back soon!

  • @Derekivery
    @Derekivery 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I like this but I believe when you describe step 2 you are talking about "want" not need. The words can (and also are) used interchangeably by people but I think it is better to explain the motivation to make it clear in step 2 you are establishing what the character wants to happen.

    • @breakyourstory
      @breakyourstory 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I agree that “want” would be more appropriate because that represents the goal, the external story. “Need” is generally used to represent the internal story/inner journey (character arc), which is not the main drive of the plot.

    • @caitlinwhitaker1266
      @caitlinwhitaker1266 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      A.R. Partie Agreed. The Dramatic Want and the Dramatic Need... in other words: the A-Story and the B-Story.

  • @filipcolumbeanu4845
    @filipcolumbeanu4845 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Would love to see these examples on a very low concept realist story .
    As Mr Rogers said: ”We don't have to bop somebody over the head to...make drama on the screen. We deal with such things as getting a haircut, or the feelings about brothers and sisters, and the kind of anger that arises in simple family situations”

    • @nomukun1138
      @nomukun1138 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      You - Fred is a writer trying to create a children's show
      Need - But he wants it to be something more than mindless entertainment
      Go - Fred decides to put off writing to gain more life experience
      Search - Becomes friends with Margaret McFarland, a child psychologist, and becomes a Presbyterian minister
      Find - After years of study and work, he understands what he wants to put in the show.
      Take - But now he's a forty year old man wearing frumpy sweaters.
      Return - Fred McFeely Rogers returns to Pittsburg to create Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, a television show focusing on "children's emotional and physical concerns, such as death, sibling rivalry, school enrollment, and divorce."
      Change - His show is fantastically influential and acclaimed, and more importantly, it is a comfort and help for countless children.

  • @tinabennett8073
    @tinabennett8073 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Harmon's Story Circle reminds me of The Hero's Journey.

    • @apyorick
      @apyorick 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Because he stole it and passed it off as his own. Which really surprised me

    • @apyorick
      @apyorick 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Actually feeling super betrayed about it as a Rick and Morty fan. That's like if George RR Martin just wrote lord of the rings and called one book to end it all

    • @levihint
      @levihint 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Everything is stollen and repackaged. Good artists just know how to do it well.

    • @adamschaller8847
      @adamschaller8847 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@apyorick So Dan Harmon didn't "steal it", he acknowledges that this is actually just his simplified interpretation of the Hero's Journey that he uses to write stories. He never claimed to have invented it

    • @ellugerdelacruz2555
      @ellugerdelacruz2555 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      FUN FACT:
      The Kishotenketsu, an ancient storytelling structure, can actually correspond to the Dan Harmon Story Circle.
      Ki (Introduction):
      1. You
      2. Need
      Sho (Development):
      3. Go
      4. Search
      Ten (Twist):
      5. Find
      6. Take
      Ketsu (Conclusion):
      7. Return
      8. Change
      For centuries Eastern and Western storytelling structures have been at odds with one another, but Dan Harmon managed to create something that makes the best of both worlds.

  • @obsidiansnow3790
    @obsidiansnow3790 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Harmon never claimed to come up with this. He has said many times how much The Hero's Journey shaped his writing.

  • @rsvjr619
    @rsvjr619 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    @5:25 I think he meant to say “Protagonist” - you have to push your *protagonist* to the brink...

    • @poetfrost
      @poetfrost 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ramon Vasquez Jr. AL already got there and both of you are being hypercritical without putting things in context but cheers!

  • @topicruben
    @topicruben 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I agree with Arthur Moore, but it's worth watching it several times taking notes! Thank you for this video!

  • @remnantsoftheashes3767
    @remnantsoftheashes3767 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I never have issues with ending a story. I always know the beginning, the middle of the story the climax portion, and the wrap up, the end. My problem isn't knowing the major elements of the plot I'm building, it's more so everything in between it that trips me up, the build up, the character development, how should a character respond according to the character traits I've given them, how can I escalate from a soft spot to an intense piece and transition smoothly between it? How do I make the characters surrounding the main character important enough to have meaning to a reader or audience?

    • @amvschool7414
      @amvschool7414 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Can you please share me how you do the ending????

    • @remnantsoftheashes3767
      @remnantsoftheashes3767 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@amvschool7414 okay so the first thing I do, is come up with the point of your story. What are you trying to tell everyone or what are you trying to convey as far as meaning? If you have a goal for what your story means you can write according to the message you're trying to send. Then drive your character in the directions it takes to get there. I'm more in to screen writing so a lot of times when I'm trying to paint an image of a scene in my head, I listen to music that fits the mood or the theme to help give me inspiration for how to write a particular scene. Music is a powerful tool to me. So establish what your story means I'd say, once you know what it's supposed to mean it will be easier to write an ending.

    • @amvschool7414
      @amvschool7414 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Actually the problem that I face with the ending is that I don't want any particular of my characters to take the spot, be it the protagonists or the antagonists. But yeah, I've still thought about many different endings because of that. Not to mention that I certainly don't like the cliche ones. I've been writing this Mystery/thriller, comedy and action story called Losers on Wattpad. Will you give it a read for once? And provide some constructive criticisms also? Infact, I'd be happy to make the story with you too, together. I've only released 3 chapters till now and it have already reached up to rank #No 29 in humour category. You can check it out if you want to, and provide feedback.
      Username: LuciferDaredevil2
      Title: Losers
      Or you can just find it by searching it on humour category number 29.

    • @remnantsoftheashes3767
      @remnantsoftheashes3767 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@amvschool7414 oh yeah, well I guess the message of it would depend on the genre as well, I didn't factor that in, I'm writing sort of a thriller story about a guy who gets caught up in a bad crowd for money to support his family and ends up regretting it and trying to make amends, so my overall message is redemption and what it takes for the character to want to change. I'll check yours out, if it's comedy I would think it's written a little bit differently, and yeah I'd be happy to check it out, I know a lot about writing, but I'm never gonna claim to be a good writer, so I'll look it over and I'll tell you what I would like to see or what I liked or disliked, don't take what I say as a professional with years of experience because I'm fresh out the gate myself, I just happen to have an eye for detail and imagination. So I'll give it a try.

    • @samuelayandokun4634
      @samuelayandokun4634 ปีที่แล้ว

      Give all characters motivation and give them a trait and think how such trait would react

  • @Musashi246
    @Musashi246 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is one of the best made videos I’ve ever seen on TH-cam!

  • @jessebarnett1186
    @jessebarnett1186 5 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    It seems like Batman Begins would be a more straight forward example of the hero's journey.

    • @craig8304
      @craig8304 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      True
      1. YOU - Bruce has a fight in prison. Meets Ducard. Picks the blue fower.
      2. NEED - Establishes back story intercut with a training montage. Bruce's parents are murdered. He wants to bring justice to Gotham, stop Falcone.
      3. GO - Bruce confronts Falcone, then leaves Gotham. Has to kill a criminal to pass his final test to become a member of The League of Shadows. He fights them, saves Ducard's life.
      4. SEARCH - Bruce returns to Gotham. Gathers equipment and allies, prepares to become the Batman.
      5. FIND - Bruce takes Down Falcone, gets what he needs (Batman reveal). A water Vaporiser is stolen from Wayne enterprises. While Batman is looking for the missing drug shipment he is set on fire by Crane.
      6. TAKE - Rachel is captured by Crane. Batman resues her and is chased by the cops. At wayne manor Ducard reveals himself as the real Ra's al Ghul and burns down Wayne Manor.
      7. RETURN - Batman suits up and takes on Ra's and his men, saves Gotham.
      8. CHANGE - Bruce has now fully completed his arc, becoming the Batman.

  • @PrecisionRifleNetwork
    @PrecisionRifleNetwork 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is very helpful.. thx.

  • @samanthaa.6055
    @samanthaa.6055 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I'd like this applied to a short film script.

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Use the story circle worksheet in the description and let us know how it goes!

    • @rafaelanikolle9082
      @rafaelanikolle9082 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      The channel "Tyler Mowery" has a video called "how to write a short film" where a short film is analised using the story circle.

  • @naconico93
    @naconico93 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It will be great with another examples, more generes

  • @c.d.dailey8013
    @c.d.dailey8013 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Wow. This is a very interesting video. I find that using some kind of detailed plot structure makes writing a whole lot easier. At best stories write themselves. I did come up with a way to divide a plot structure to eight parts. I divide the story to four acts. I take the middle of the story and split it to two separate acts. Adding the beginning act and ending act gives a total of four. Then each act has two parts one part sets up the act. The second part is an exciting part to end the act. The act endings are in order lock in, mid point, final break and climax. This video has its own variant of the structure. It should still work. I find that the eight parts in that structure parallel the eight parts I came up with. I like how this story structure is like the Hero's Journey but more gerelized an vague. I am a big fan of the Hero's Journey. It can work well for heroic adventures in speculative fiction. The best example that comes to my mind is Star Wars. I find that a more vague version of it can fit a wide variety of stories. This is like Save the Cat. I like how this story structure in the video addresses the character development of the protagonist. I find that this character development is very helpful for good storytelling. A character arc is a mix of character and plot. So it helps to develop and unify both. I even wonder if theme can work here too. A protagonist is better when they are dynamic. When they change, they may learn some kind of lesson along the way. It is a more subtle way to address theme. Subtly is the better approach. It is not a good idea to get all preachy. I am a fan of the Hero's Journey. I have noticed that if I try to do a simple bare bones fantasy story it ends up being highly derivative of the Hero's Journey. I think that is because this is a good structure. It bridges the gap between story plot and mystical processes in New Age. It is a nice blend. I can add in psychology, which is good for character development. I can also add theme which is involved with mysticism. Setting is also important. It can really change. I prefer a more outlandish setting, and my favorite genre is fantasy. I think fantasy gives me a lot more leeway to get into the heroic and mystical parts. I think that studying the technical details of plot is a lot of fun. It may seem formulaic at first. However I find it very liberating. It is a matter of learning the rules before breaking them. There are many variations of detailed plots out there. So it is good to compare and contrast. So one can tweak structure to suit different stories and still make it work. The key focus is tweaking. One shouldn't overdo things and break the plot. It is going to make the story suffer. Even if one uses the same structure, there is still a lot of room for variation. The structure is so abstract and vague that it can apply to any story idea. When people complain about cliches, it is about more concrete things in stories. These are things like instalove, pseudo medeval Europe fantasy world, love triangles, the dark lord, damsel in distress, maguffin, chosen one, Merlin clone mentor etc. I think it is possible to copy the same structure over and over again without it getting stale. If it does get stale, than only the savviest audiences would notice, like critics. It is also really nice to be able to change plots around for even more creative variation. This video adds more to the fun creativity by having its own plot structure. That is awesome. The beginning of this video has writers stumped with their script. I can see how story structure can help. It would also help to write an outline. I am a plotter, so this is second nature to me. Outlining is a vital part of the writing process. I can't stress this enough. It helps avoid writer's block. It is even taught in English class. There are different ways to write an outline. When doing a story, I like to show a plot structure and then give the specific events of the story. The story circle worksheet can even work as an outline. I am new to scripting, but I imagine tha outlining can still apply here.
    Now I am curious about Batman. Maybe I ought to check out this movie. I have seen most of the recent Marvel movies and I like them. I would like to go further and chack out DC. The only recent DC movie I have seen is Wonder Woman, and I like that. I noticed something. Harvey Dent looks just like Jaime Lannister form Game of Thrones. The resemblence is striking. The Prince Charming from the Shrek movies also looks like Jaime. Harvey gets disfugured and looses his good looks. The same thing happened to Jaime. Harvey looks a lot more horrifying. I am surprised that something outdid Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones is so intense that it got a MA rating. I wonder what the rating of Dark Knight is. So I Googled it. I find that it is PG-13. They are really pushing that rating. Yikes! It is not going to discourage me from watching the movie. I am just saying. Yikes!

    • @stripstick
      @stripstick 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts. Very insightful.

    • @fordandelite2136
      @fordandelite2136 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      And long

    • @nikkinewbie6014
      @nikkinewbie6014 ปีที่แล้ว

      I appreciate your comment regardless of the length. TDK is a really good one to break down as far as story structure and just about every other aspect of craft there is. Various structures apply after the fact but I would love to know which - if any - Nolan consciously used. I suspect he knows them all and they are second nature to him at this point.
      If you have not already seen TDK (I’m replying from ‘the future’ 😂😂 it’s a great stand alone movie; but you might enjoy the origin story Batman Begins before you watch TDK. Watching them in order really enhanced my experience watching TDK, especially if you want to analyze the craft deployed - because each of the movies in the Trilogy “talk back and forth” to each other. Rises comes full circle with big payoffs to the set ups in the preceding movies. Plus the Trilogy has an overarching theme that can be traced throughout.
      The majority of those who have chosen some form of Story as their career and have therefore invested money and years of their lives learning about craft and have proven their proficiency via either their success in their chosen field…you know, professionals, masters of craft, people that know of what they speak as exemplified by their standing in the industry laud this movie as masterfully done.
      But of course you get those who have zero professional credentials but only illusions of grandeur that convince them that they can intelligently call TDK “badly crafted trash” with any kind of authority. There’s a difference between saying you didn’t like a movie and actually stating an issue with how it was made.
      Those that raise massive issues with how TDK was crafted are mostly trolls. You can recognize them because they come onto a video about a movie they don’t like to waste their time debating people about why other people do. For what purpose? Because a troll has to troll. 😂😂😂.
      Anyway, ignore them watch it for yourself. But again, try to watch Begins first if u can 😂

  • @blundy1
    @blundy1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Banana nut.
    That's a good muffin.
    Joker doesn't give fake addresses to Batman, he simply swaps them when relaying it to him - stripping him of any sense or victory. Even with his "choice", he is not allowed to choose.

  • @MPproductionschannel
    @MPproductionschannel 6 ปีที่แล้ว +80

    Nicely put together video, but I'm pretty confused... I love Harmon's model and I love the Dark Knight, but like many "3 Act Structure" guides I've seen in the past this feels a little shoehorned; many of the steps you've argued feel like plot points pulled from all over the place and presented as main character beats, like the "search" beat which is normally about the characters adapting to the situations and changing to suit their main goals (Wants Vs Needs) but you've argued that it's just him jumping hurdles, and while his character does have beats that do illustrate change I think the film's arc is more presented in ideas that are presented by different sides; it's more like an essay film perhaps?
    I mean, the film might well have a simple Harmon Circle I'm missing, most definitely based round the idea of what a hero has to do (breaking his one rule) to become the hero they need (which literally vocalizes the Wants Vs Needs... maybe the arcs in the people of the city? Probably just him figuring out what Gotham needs as a hero) but for such an arc to be discussed you need to actually discuss the beats that define the edges of each "section", otherwise you're not discussing structure, because we're not discussing the actual fine lines that make up the film, just a vague estimation of what happens where and shoehorning it in.
    Anyway, long rant over, nicely produced video my friend.

    • @handdrawnbink
      @handdrawnbink 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It feels like a lot more detail because it's not a 3 act structure, The Dark Knight is a 5 act structure. Harmon's work is also solidly based in 5 acts

    • @denverharrington8768
      @denverharrington8768 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      A further note, if still interested, Joseph Campbell, who originally derived the hero's journey, was actually a sixteen act structure. But, try not to see this in terms of ACTS. This story circle is still broken into acts. You can make 3, or 5. These are progressive steps in a story that is scaled down from a monomyth. It works. This isn't shoehorned. This is excellent story telling. This isn't a template overlay onto Batman, this is, I promise you, how the script was approached. Because writers and story tellers can pour out a random tale, but the ones that follow this format are the best because they ring so true to the narratives we naturally structure around our lives. (Hero With A Thousand Faces, long book - didn't read it all but worth a dip ;) )

    • @mrmonkeboy
      @mrmonkeboy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@nikolaj3988 Harmon says (in his podcast) that the second thing he does while writing (first - follow the story circle) is to throw the rules away. He often ignores his own rules. Which makes sense.

    • @appledough3843
      @appledough3843 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Mega Pixel Productions
      It actually fits pretty well in the circle. The youtuber that made this vid just didn't put some of the points in the right places.

    • @onedankind8168
      @onedankind8168 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      If you don't have acts, beginning, middle and end. Then you end up with something that feels like it's not going anywhere, and then it ends. Go watch Fantastic Beasts #2 for a good example of this when contrasted to the spectacular Fantastic Beasts #1.

  • @UnknownCallerProductions
    @UnknownCallerProductions 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    all i have to say after watching: this is the kind of thing makes me want to actually study film. thanks for the motivation family!

  • @wallyverseplus
    @wallyverseplus 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Amazing!! Thank you so much for this master class.

  • @Jubemiester
    @Jubemiester 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is such a great video. I always return to it before I start a new script.

  • @NeonPixels81
    @NeonPixels81 ปีที่แล้ว

    Every time I start getting distracted, I think of the scene from Star Wars where Gold Five just keeps saying "Stay on target...stay on target..."
    No idea why this works for me, but it does somehow. It always snaps me out of my distraction and gets my focus back on the page.

  • @Sant182
    @Sant182 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    There is a lot of information you missed Dan Harmon wrote about his Story Circle method in the Channel 101 wiki

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Sorry for glossing over some of the finer details. We also wrote a blog on Dan Harmon's Story Circle that might go over anything overlooked in the video: www.studiobinder.com/blog/dan-harmon-story-circle/

  • @gianthills
    @gianthills 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    There is no master chart blueprint to good story writing.
    When its not working , you know it. When it is working, you know it. The more you write, the better sense you have as to how to fix problems. When it is not working , it could take months to sort it all. People talk structure in general terms but your story cannot have dead weight, so you might think your story is finished, but the reality is , you should cut about 20 pages. Writing is editing. It has to move from one séquence to the other, always raising the stakes for your main character. But the big selling point wont be your structure or dialogue. All that will be expected. It is the concept that will sell it, and that is something no chart can help you with.

  • @OfficialMbro
    @OfficialMbro 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    bruh, hella helpful idk what ppl mean that it's complex it's quite simple to grasp on to.

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      We're glad you found it helpful!

  • @Queenstaful101
    @Queenstaful101 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Just what I needed. Thank you!

  • @ELMQ
    @ELMQ 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    It's also called the "Hero's Journey" and a common thing since 1949 (Joseph Campbell).

    • @jekster
      @jekster 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Except the Hero's Journey is a much better structure than how it's displayed here.

    • @poetfrost
      @poetfrost 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Well done! Well spotted! One can always complicate matters and Campbell was excellent in writing a whole book on what was covered here in nine minutes. If you wish for more depth do read a book.

  • @Anastasia-Guinnova_26.
    @Anastasia-Guinnova_26. 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This helped me understand this movie better and is helping write my own story out.

  • @movies4you839
    @movies4you839 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Never subscribed so hard in my life.

  • @sniperactive1965
    @sniperactive1965 ปีที่แล้ว

    Greek storytelling to Joseph Campbell's the hero's journey to this. There is nothing new under the sun.

  • @yuneshtimalsina3415
    @yuneshtimalsina3415 5 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    This doesn't work for every movie.
    and I am so confused

    • @RacingSnails64
      @RacingSnails64 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Roaster Coaster
      it's not universal, it's just a very typical story format.

    • @10418
      @10418 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Tell me one movie it didn’t work for

    • @apilgrim8715
      @apilgrim8715 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@10418 Macbeth

    • @richardrose2606
      @richardrose2606 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@10418 - To Kill a Mockingbird
      - Robinson Caruso

  • @Chordant.youtube
    @Chordant.youtube 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Here’s an element. Have John Williams write the original dark knight score instead of Hans Zimmer. Even people who don’t pay attention to music or are interested will change the story, the audience’s view, and almost anything else. It’s crazy what music can do in this circle as well!

  • @professormancaptain4210
    @professormancaptain4210 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I'm very happy someone made in analysis using Harmon's story circles. I hadn't known anyone had, though I've known about his diagram based advice for a few years. Hat tip, this is damn fantastic.

  • @albertabramson3157
    @albertabramson3157 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Quarter:
    i. Explain why our character is different or interesting
    ii. Inciting Incident forces hero on journey
    iii. Up the stakes, impossible odds
    iv. How hero solves problem
    Overtime: Death Star explosion, B story climax

  • @Regalman
    @Regalman 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This was soooo therapeutic for me. I applied this analysis to my on life and after enduring chaos and devastation, I am at step 7. This puts things into great perspective for me. Now to push forward and WIN!

    • @nomukun1138
      @nomukun1138 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The Hero Within by Carol Pearson is a very interesting book applying heroic archetypes to personal growth. I wish you great success in recovering after chaos and devastation!

    • @nikkinewbie6014
      @nikkinewbie6014 ปีที่แล้ว

      That is the gift of Story. It benefits us in every aspect whether listening, telling or learning the craft behind it. I have found the various perspectives propounded by various professionals in this field to be thought provoking and enlightening. When I apply certain aspects of Story to my own life it’s like “Yeah. Of course! Why didn’t I see that before?”
      The most important revelation that I see across almost every perspective has been the concept of wounds experienced that have not been healed but that have instead kept us stuck in one place psychologically and in our life journey.
      With the requisite courage and honest and if properly prompted with thecright questions, it’s often possible to trace backwards through one’s life and see destructive patterns or stagnation and/or limiting misbeliefs which are just stories we tell ourselves over and over cementing them into our reality.
      But just like the hero in a well told story we can each achieve a character arc that results in the shattering of misbeliefs and self limiting patterns and emerge transformed on the other side of our journey.
      Story can be so powerful and life affirming. Story is the gift that keeps on giving to anyone willing to look a little deeper into the content they consume - past the inclination to only be entertained. There’s so much more!
      Continued success to you in pushing forward!

  • @RealLifesJourneyBecomingPinoy
    @RealLifesJourneyBecomingPinoy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    this is awesome,

  • @elektra81516
    @elektra81516 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Quentin Tarantino: "I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that"

  • @wisomfrombeyond
    @wisomfrombeyond 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    thanks for the work book!!! Treatment in progress!!!!

  • @markparkinson6947
    @markparkinson6947 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I would love to see you explore other story structures, like the 3 act structure or 5 act structure. Or basically structures with any amount of numbers.

  • @alicewhitexo
    @alicewhitexo ปีที่แล้ว

    Please do this with a less intense story! I’m curious to see slower paced “less eventful” films analyzed against this

  • @kurtcleary6794
    @kurtcleary6794 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    This is the problem with the internet. I know, I'm going there. Joseph Campbell's conception of a narrative arc has been around for nearly a century. And whilst it basically applies to western narrative in particular, it is pretty universal and everyone who writes story, whether they be screenwriters or novelists or in animation, is aware of the ideas and beats inherent in a narrative circle.
    Dan Harmons story circle is a simplified version of this. Because Rick and Morty episodes are twenty minutes long. Even watching this video you can see how many plot points you've had to miss out just to make your argument fit.
    The reason I'm saying this is that I probably spend too much time on TH-cam, and I just constantly see the same pseudo information regurgitated between channels and lament the possibility of someone picking up The Hero With a Thousand Faces or something similar and actually offering us new information.
    Like The Dark Knight predated Rick and Morty by 8 years, they have as much to do with each other as Embrace of the Serpent and Crocodile Dundee.
    Videos like this aren't even journalistic or accurate, they're just the screenwriting equivalent of microwaved noodles.

    • @A123-d8o
      @A123-d8o 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      YAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!!!!! POP OFF, QUEEN!!!! SLAAAAAAAAAY SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

    • @nomukun1138
      @nomukun1138 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@A123-d8o The previous comment brought up some interesting points. Your comment has no nutritional value.

    • @A123-d8o
      @A123-d8o 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@nomukun1138 SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

    • @KiLlACaMrOn94
      @KiLlACaMrOn94 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      You had me in the beginning, you lost me at the end 👍🏽

  • @alpine_studio
    @alpine_studio 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you so much for this awesome writing advice!

  • @thedreampipe
    @thedreampipe 6 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    REally love the animations of the story circle. Very well done. How did you do that? The whole video was dope.

    • @StudioBinder
      @StudioBinder  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Glad you liked it! We've got the dream team here at StudioBinder. ;-)

  • @shakedfrank190
    @shakedfrank190 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    just noticed the circle on the side is moving im high and thats an amazing work

  • @ceelothatmane9421
    @ceelothatmane9421 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I person believe in starting from the ending and resolving how to come to that end.