Best Story Circle explanation for noobs (like me) that I've seen (so far). You're a very good teacher. Like a great character, you surprise and win your audience. Thank you for this video.You deserve far more viewers and subscribers, which I know will come 🙂😀
So incredibly helpful! I’ve been looking for something like this. I had heard about the story circle but hadn’t heard it explained it such a good way. Thank you for sharing!
This is actually adapted from the Hero’s Journey which is an archetypal structure that is explained in Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949). George Lucas famously used it while writing Star Wars. Although Campbell’s original structure had 12 steps, lots of variants have cropped up over time. This is the first time I’ve seen an 8-step variant. But they can get as meaty as 17steps. You should give it a read, it's pretty eye opening.
This is my first time hearing about the story circle. It is very good. Thank you for your lesson. You broke it down well. Now, I'm about to go watch Mulan again.
Thank you so much for this. I just started researching the story circle and everything was kind of disjointed and not specific enough to figure it out but your video explained everything perfectly!
Great video. I'm about to do a kickstarter comic series and looking at every source I can find. This was helpful and not just in theory but you showed practice as well.
Great video. This gave me some much needed direction for the story I'm currently trying to write. I'd heard before about the Want/Need idea, but didn't really understand how it worked in most stories. Your explanation and the example of it in Mulan was great. Thanks.
Yours is the third vid on the cycle I've watched and you are the first to ignite understanding and a spark. Thank you! 🌺 On a hopefully not creepy sidenote: Your eyes and eye makeup are magical.. captivating, like, aesthetically ✨
I know this video is old now, and the topic is well disseminated. But it is all new to me. First, what a great story-teller's take on the circle. Second, for anyone seeking to understand the circle, one can place it up against a wide variety of well written yarns about life, which have been created for us throughout human history. But truly understanding the circle, and why it is so important, may be best done by placing the circle over your own timeline. You will see that this pattern plays out in life over and over. You can usually minimize the scale or scope of the story, and match it to distinct cycles in your own life. It's like, inspiration is not an accident, but a recurring happenstance in your own life.
@@nataliesea I have watched this video at least six times already I was in the bob proctor streaming club for 99 dollars a month for over a year and from watching a lot of the streaming club videos the most impactful quote I found is Subconscious mind is universal intelligence and the sole purpose of universal intelligence is to move into form whatever is impressed upon it Just trying to impress this video Also videos from TH-camr secrets of story on characters I have watched those a bunch of times Also TH-camr scriptmonk I have watched his videos a bunch of times Just have to not give up doing the repetition over the next 5-10 years and the subconscious will move it into form I will have TV shows and movies and plays like Tyler Perry
@@nataliesea I have watched this video at least six times already I was in the bob proctor streaming club for 99 dollars a month for over a year and from watching a lot of the streaming club videos the most impactful quote I found is Subconscious mind is universal intelligence and the sole purpose of universal intelligence is to move into form whatever is impressed upon it Just trying to impress this video Also videos from TH-camr secrets of story on characters I have watched those a bunch of times Also TH-camr scriptmonk I have watched his videos a bunch of times Just have to not give up doing the repetition over the next 5-10 years and the subconscious will move it into form I will have TV shows and movies and plays like Tyler Perry
My problem isn't what, it's why. I know what the boss antagonist is doing, but if I can't find out why they're doing it nothing makes sense. I don't want the antagonist to be doing it just to make the story work. There has to be some coherent plan to get what they want. That plan is what my protagonist has to block. Until the third book when the plan almost succeeds and they are finally defeated. Maybe I can use the story circle to write the villain's story as a tragedy. Then I can use that to write the actual book I'm stuck on.
Antagonist development can be one of the hardest parts of telling a good story and this is a great idea for a future video, so thank you for the inspiration!! You have a good start so far when it comes to understanding that the antagonist needs to be just as much of an engaged participant in the story as the protagonist, actively working to block the protagonist’s efforts. Many writers miss the mark on that and the result is half-baked antagonists who only want power or victory seemingly for no reason, and that can definitely hurt the story. So follow that thread of who the antagonist is, why they’re doing this, and why the protagonist is so much of a threat to them. In the meantime while I make an antagonist-focused video, feel free to check out the Enneagram video I released last week and see if you can spot your antagonist in any of the 9 types-the Enneagram can be a great way to kickstart that development! Also, I love your idea of writing a separate backstory with the antagonist using the story circle; that can often be a very fun way to engage with and get to know your villain. Overall, you’ve got an awesome start. Stay tuned for that vid & thank you for being here & commenting!
I’m planning on doing one video a month talking about the story circle in tried and true stories throughout 2024 and maybe beyond, so stay tuned!! In January we’ll be discussing The Lord of the Rings!
What if you have two main characters that each have their individual arcs? Do you start off with two separate story circles and converge them as their arcs bring them together as the story gains its momentum toward the middle and climax, or is it a single story circle regardless of how many POV's you have going on? Nice presentation btw, I paused it at the midpoint to ask this question, so if you end up addressing it by the time the video is done, I'm going to feel dumb! :x
That’s a great question! I’m planning to tackle how to use the story circle with multiple protagonists here in a couple months, but the most helpful way to do it in my opinion is with a separate circle for each protagonist. That way, while the same stuff is happening to them externally, you have their separate emotional journeys fleshed out. :)
Oh, interesting! I hadn't thought about that, but it makes sense. I'm going to put that on my list of video ideas and see if I can find a way to make it work. Keep an eye out! What plot structure do you use instead?
@@nataliesea If I had to work on my so-called "greatest story of all time" which I had in my mind for as long as I can remember... I'll basically write something like a treatment. Characters and then the detailed summary of the plot. However, right now I'm taking a challenge to write a feature in no less than 7 days. For that, I'll spend less time outlining, I'll only write a few lines of character(s) description and just some major story beats and maybe I'll create a plot around those story beats. Haven't tested this yet but it could be fun.
Following a pattern leads to predictability. Untalented people really cling to these notions that there is a formula. All it does is make their work formulaic. Want to know what's 'wrong' with movies and TV these days? This is a big part of it.
So glad somebody said it. This is so true! There are no surprises in story telling anymore because every one is following a formula. Sameness seems to be the name of the game, makes it all boring.
You have to know the rules in order to break them well! Some stories really do play with expectations in great, subversive ways, but structures like the story circle do come from observing successful stories-so there must be something significant about them. I encourage you to check out my debut novel Burnish and see if you still think “untalented people” are the only ones who enjoy knowing about and using story structures. Thanks for the comment!
So, say you decide to use the Story Circle... How do you keep your characters from coming off as selfish/self-absorbed/self-centered? This just screams "ME! ME! ME! MY! MY! MY! I! I! I!" At least in the early parts.
An awesome question! Everyone is self-centered to some extent, so this is a naturally self-focused plot structure that your audience will relate to. However, some characters have needs that focus on other people. For example, Mulan wants to find worthiness and bring honor to her family in her place in the army, but she ultimately joins the army to prevent her father from going into battle a second time and essentially save his life. It’s a delicate line to walk, but definitely doable! If you have more questions about how to effectively use the story circle, feel free to email me or schedule a coaching session with me!
The story circle has got to be the dumbest, most worthless story-telling tool since JJ Abrams's "Mystery Box." I have yet to see anyone successful breakdown a good movie using the story circle than doesn't require the complete suspension of rationality and the inclusion of endless caveats and epicycles to shoehorn the movie plot into Harmon's ridiculous storytelling tool.
What’s the most important storywriting technique? What creates and develops every other technique? Answer: Philosophical Conflict. Watch Tyler Mowery’s video, “What is the purpose of conflict…” To understand more about it and why it’s so important. Even though it’s for screenplay writing, it still applies very well to storywriting as well. The only difference between a great story and a great screenplay is that a story shows the characters’ thoughts, thought processes, basically anything mental, meanwhile, in a screenplay it doesn’t: it focuses more on the actions. That doesn’t mean a great story is better than a great screenplay or vice versa though.
![[Full] 4 ต่อ 4 Celebrity EP.910 | 22 ก.ย. 67 | one31](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4TR3MVpOiw8/mqdefault.jpg)
Natalie, you may be happy that you found the story circle but I'm ridiculously happy that I found your explanation of it! GOD BLESS YOU!
Amazing video. This circle looks clearer than the hero's journey one. Thank you.
It also addresses the needed points more completely and accurately, which gives for a character driven story with strong motivation.
I cried when you explained Mulan 😭
I almost did too! Haha it’s an emotional story for sure.
Same 😂
Best Story Circle explanation for noobs (like me) that I've seen (so far). You're a very good teacher. Like a great character, you surprise and win your audience. Thank you for this video.You deserve far more viewers and subscribers, which I know will come 🙂😀
Thank you so much! That means a lot. :)
So incredibly helpful! I’ve been looking for something like this. I had heard about the story circle but hadn’t heard it explained it such a good way. Thank you for sharing!
That’s so good to hear, I’m happy I could help. 😊 Thank you for being here!
Very good explanation. It helps me. Thank you
This is actually adapted from the Hero’s Journey which is an archetypal structure that is explained in Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949). George Lucas famously used it while writing Star Wars. Although Campbell’s original structure had 12 steps, lots of variants have cropped up over time. This is the first time I’ve seen an 8-step variant. But they can get as meaty as 17steps. You should give it a read, it's pretty eye opening.
@@alexhoag3659 I deleted my not okness out of embarrassment so I guess not
This is my first time hearing about the story circle. It is very good. Thank you for your lesson. You broke it down well.
Now, I'm about to go watch Mulan again.
Well - that’s the best darn video I’ve ever seen explaining the story circle. You really teach so well. Excellent and very charming too.
Thank you very much 😊
you make it sound so much easier than it actually is 😭
Thank you so much for this. I just started researching the story circle and everything was kind of disjointed and not specific enough to figure it out but your video explained everything perfectly!
There can be stories without conflict. And they're good.
Can you name one?
I'm glad I bumped into your video. This was an excellent breakdown. Thanks for sharing!
I'm learning so much about story telling from your videos!
I have been doing research on the story circle but your explanation of it was positively delightful. Thank you for your contact.
Good understanding of the Harmon Circle :). Good video.
Great video! Very well explained :D
P.S. Hair flick at 5:00 is iconic haha
Your explanation is magic! Great video and thanks!
What a wonderful surprise
You are a true treasure
Looking forward to more
Great video. I'm about to do a kickstarter comic series and looking at every source I can find. This was helpful and not just in theory but you showed practice as well.
Great video. This gave me some much needed direction for the story I'm currently trying to write. I'd heard before about the Want/Need idea, but didn't really understand how it worked in most stories. Your explanation and the example of it in Mulan was great. Thanks.
This was such an amazing video, one of my favorites on story structure. Thank you!
Your really great at explaining thing clearly.
I appreciate that!
Yours is the third vid on the cycle I've watched and you are the first to ignite understanding and a spark. Thank you! 🌺
On a hopefully not creepy sidenote: Your eyes and eye makeup are magical.. captivating, like, aesthetically ✨
great video!!
I know this video is old now, and the topic is well disseminated. But it is all new to me.
First, what a great story-teller's take on the circle.
Second, for anyone seeking to understand the circle, one can place it up against a wide variety of well written yarns about life, which have been created for us throughout human history.
But truly understanding the circle, and why it is so important, may be best done by placing the circle over your own timeline.
You will see that this pattern plays out in life over and over. You can usually minimize the scale or scope of the story, and match it to distinct cycles in your own life.
It's like, inspiration is not an accident, but a recurring happenstance in your own life.
Youuuu areeeeeee amaaaaaaswzingggggg
Be sure to read Hero with a Thousand Faces - where this all came from.
Good stuff
I have watched several times
Repetition is the father of learning
Will keep watching
8/26/2023
Thanks so much for being here!!
@@nataliesea I have watched this video at least six times already
I was in the bob proctor streaming club for 99 dollars a month for over a year and from watching a lot of the streaming club videos the most impactful quote I found is
Subconscious mind is universal intelligence and the sole purpose of universal intelligence is to move into form whatever is impressed upon it
Just trying to impress this video
Also videos from TH-camr secrets of story on characters
I have watched those a bunch of times
Also TH-camr scriptmonk
I have watched his videos a bunch of times
Just have to not give up doing the repetition over the next 5-10 years and the subconscious will move it into form
I will have TV shows and movies and plays like Tyler Perry
@@nataliesea I have watched this video at least six times already
I was in the bob proctor streaming club for 99 dollars a month for over a year and from watching a lot of the streaming club videos the most impactful quote I found is
Subconscious mind is universal intelligence and the sole purpose of universal intelligence is to move into form whatever is impressed upon it
Just trying to impress this video
Also videos from TH-camr secrets of story on characters
I have watched those a bunch of times
Also TH-camr scriptmonk
I have watched his videos a bunch of times
Just have to not give up doing the repetition over the next 5-10 years and the subconscious will move it into form
I will have TV shows and movies and plays like Tyler Perry
Thank you for this video! It's very informative and fun! And THANK YOU for not using "Hunger Games" or HP as an example! We need some more variety!
Thank you for this! Ive only heard men explain the story circle and it just wasnt clicking for me
My problem isn't what, it's why.
I know what the boss antagonist is doing, but if I can't find out why they're doing it nothing makes sense. I don't want the antagonist to be doing it just to make the story work.
There has to be some coherent plan to get what they want. That plan is what my protagonist has to block.
Until the third book when the plan almost succeeds and they are finally defeated.
Maybe I can use the story circle to write the villain's story as a tragedy. Then I can use that to write the actual book I'm stuck on.
Antagonist development can be one of the hardest parts of telling a good story and this is a great idea for a future video, so thank you for the inspiration!!
You have a good start so far when it comes to understanding that the antagonist needs to be just as much of an engaged participant in the story as the protagonist, actively working to block the protagonist’s efforts. Many writers miss the mark on that and the result is half-baked antagonists who only want power or victory seemingly for no reason, and that can definitely hurt the story. So follow that thread of who the antagonist is, why they’re doing this, and why the protagonist is so much of a threat to them.
In the meantime while I make an antagonist-focused video, feel free to check out the Enneagram video I released last week and see if you can spot your antagonist in any of the 9 types-the Enneagram can be a great way to kickstart that development! Also, I love your idea of writing a separate backstory with the antagonist using the story circle; that can often be a very fun way to engage with and get to know your villain.
Overall, you’ve got an awesome start. Stay tuned for that vid & thank you for being here & commenting!
Thank You. This seems interesting to practice and try 🤗
Nightcrawler has left the chat.
Can you make a video full of examples of how this circle is used? I cant seem to do it myself!
I’m planning on doing one video a month talking about the story circle in tried and true stories throughout 2024 and maybe beyond, so stay tuned!! In January we’ll be discussing The Lord of the Rings!
@@nataliesea Oh that's so great, I'm really looking forward to it!
Thank you. this really helped me alot.
Thank u cuty
Do these stuff works for love stories and science fiction?
Absolutely! Any story you want to write. :)
Heroes Journey
What if you have two main characters that each have their individual arcs? Do you start off with two separate story circles and converge them as their arcs bring them together as the story gains its momentum toward the middle and climax, or is it a single story circle regardless of how many POV's you have going on? Nice presentation btw, I paused it at the midpoint to ask this question, so if you end up addressing it by the time the video is done, I'm going to feel dumb! :x
That’s a great question! I’m planning to tackle how to use the story circle with multiple protagonists here in a couple months, but the most helpful way to do it in my opinion is with a separate circle for each protagonist. That way, while the same stuff is happening to them externally, you have their separate emotional journeys fleshed out. :)
@@nataliesea Thank you very much for getting back. Look forward to hearing more about it in your future video.
Thanks❤
great Video
Weeellll explained.
I am no Genius but Dan Harmon is no beautiful soul, ask him if you don't believe me.😂😂😂
😂❤ #actress #actor #vlogger
Awesome video..today i unterstood everything😀
Its magic😍
My writer isn't very good, I am stuck on the NEED section :(
Stay tuned, I have a video about character development coming out later this month that’ll help you define your character’s need more!
@@nataliesea That's so cool and thanks for replaying to my comment but it was kinda like a joke cause i was talking about me irl not a character XD
Bahaha I love that. Check out my Enneagram video & see if you identify with any of the types-that might help you find out your own personal need. ☺️
@@nataliesea Oooh! I'll check it out!
The times I tried plotting a story circle, I noticed that for me it doesn't work with a multi-protagonist story.
Oh, interesting! I hadn't thought about that, but it makes sense. I'm going to put that on my list of video ideas and see if I can find a way to make it work. Keep an eye out!
What plot structure do you use instead?
Dan Harmon used it like that for the show community.
@@nataliesea If I had to work on my so-called "greatest story of all time" which I had in my mind for as long as I can remember... I'll basically write something like a treatment. Characters and then the detailed summary of the plot. However, right now I'm taking a challenge to write a feature in no less than 7 days. For that, I'll spend less time outlining, I'll only write a few lines of character(s) description and just some major story beats and maybe I'll create a plot around those story beats. Haven't tested this yet but it could be fun.
@@zoombae But it has it's usage outside that show. Nolan's Batman trilogy is a great example where you can use Harmon's story circle.
@@vinayak5159 That does sound fun-and challenging, but who doesn’t love a good challenge? :) Good luck!
It is similar to the heros journey from Campbell isn't it
harmon based it on campbell's observations
하몬
Subbed just for the fact that you included non binary ppl with ladies and gents in the intro 🙌👍
But also great content. Thank you so much🎉
Following a pattern leads to predictability. Untalented people really cling to these notions that there is a formula. All it does is make their work formulaic. Want to know what's 'wrong' with movies and TV these days? This is a big part of it.
So glad somebody said it. This is so true! There are no surprises in story telling anymore because every one is following a formula. Sameness seems to be the name of the game, makes it all boring.
You have to know the rules in order to break them well! Some stories really do play with expectations in great, subversive ways, but structures like the story circle do come from observing successful stories-so there must be something significant about them.
I encourage you to check out my debut novel Burnish and see if you still think “untalented people” are the only ones who enjoy knowing about and using story structures.
Thanks for the comment!
Yeah, if your brain is geared to find Rick and Morty stories interesting, fine. But imagine showing this to Mark Twain...
???
😎
So, say you decide to use the Story Circle... How do you keep your characters from coming off as selfish/self-absorbed/self-centered? This just screams "ME! ME! ME! MY! MY! MY! I! I! I!" At least in the early parts.
An awesome question! Everyone is self-centered to some extent, so this is a naturally self-focused plot structure that your audience will relate to. However, some characters have needs that focus on other people. For example, Mulan wants to find worthiness and bring honor to her family in her place in the army, but she ultimately joins the army to prevent her father from going into battle a second time and essentially save his life. It’s a delicate line to walk, but definitely doable! If you have more questions about how to effectively use the story circle, feel free to email me or schedule a coaching session with me!
@@nataliesea - coaching would be great, but I dont have a penny to my name.
All what I understand is you are
beautiful!
Non bi- what? I'm not a quantum computer.
that’s okay! some people have a harder time understanding basic concepts like this one. have the day you deserve!
@@nataliesea thanks.
Your so cute! ☺️🥰
Read more…. Yeah, you. Read more. That’s what you lack to be a better writer.
Read my debut novel & get back to me on that 😘
The story circle has got to be the dumbest, most worthless story-telling tool since JJ Abrams's "Mystery Box." I have yet to see anyone successful breakdown a good movie using the story circle than doesn't require the complete suspension of rationality and the inclusion of endless caveats and epicycles to shoehorn the movie plot into Harmon's ridiculous storytelling tool.
What do you recommend as the BEST story-telling tool?
"Outline a Novel With Dan Harmon's Story Circle" by channel name Around the Campfire.
Shows how Shaun of the Dead follows this outline pretty well.
What’s the most important storywriting technique? What creates and develops every other technique? Answer: Philosophical Conflict. Watch Tyler Mowery’s video, “What is the purpose of conflict…” To understand more about it and why it’s so important.
Even though it’s for screenplay writing, it still applies very well to storywriting as well. The only difference between a great story and a great screenplay is that a story shows the characters’ thoughts, thought processes, basically anything mental, meanwhile, in a screenplay it doesn’t: it focuses more on the actions. That doesn’t mean a great story is better than a great screenplay or vice versa though.
Just seeing if you'd give credit to Dan Harmon🎉
wow, really awesome explanation and thank you . could you make a video for how to select a good script as a film producer?
I’d be happy to make a short on it!! Keep an eye out ☺️
@@nataliesea 🤩
Thank you soo much