In this post, we will be discussing a new narrative structure: Dan Harmon story circle structure.
There are many narrative structures or formulas that tell us how events should be spread out in a movie. In AVfilmschool we have already talked about the three-act structure, Blake Snyder’s beat sheet, and the 5 plot points structure.
Dan Harmon Story Circle Structure
This structure is a guide for building a compelling story. The theory consists of a loop of 8 steps:
You (the protagonist), Need, Go, Search, Find, Get, Return, Change.
To simplify Dan Harmon’s Story Circle Structure, the story of the movie can be summarized as such:
8 steps of Dan Harmon’s Story Circle
Step 1: YOU
You refer to the protagonist of the story. In this step, you establish and present the natural world of the story.
Step 3: NEED
The need is the main drive for the character and the story. This stage states what will be going to do throughout the story. He needs to get back to the girl he loves. She wants to save the world. They need to survive the zombie outbreak…
Step 3: GO
Here is where things start to complicate in the story. The protagonist enters an unfamiliar situation and starts to chase after his need.
Step 4: SEARCH
The protagonist will never achieve his need that early in the movie… The Go failed, now he needs to search for a new solution.
Step 5: FIND
Now the main character has found the solution… But things will not be resolved yet. This is the turning point of the story where things usually do not go as expected.
Step 6: GET
Reaching the goal is never easy. In this step, the protagonist will have to face the greatest danger or sacrifice the most important in order to get what he wants.
Step 7: RETURN
The hero’s journey is completed. The protagonist has returned to the starting point. Suffered great loss. But the movie is not over yet… Yes. He now has a new need. But this time, the characters are equipped with the experience they had in steps 5 and 6. This is the climax of the story.
Step 8: CHANGE
The resolution of the final conflict. This is the final showdown where the protagonist puts an end to the conflict once and for all.
Dan Harmon Story Circle Examples
To better understand this story circle we will try to pinpoint its 8 steps in popular movies and Tv series.
Story Circle Examples in Movies
Here is a video by StudioBinder where they used Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight as an example to Dan Harmon’s Story Circle Structure:
Another example of these 8 story steps: Lion King
Story Circle Examples in TV Series
These 8 story steps can be also applied to TV series.
We can look at the story arc of a single episode. Or the arc of a whole season.
For example, check out these Dan Harmon story circle examples of the pilot episode of Breaking Bad and that of season 1:
Why Use this Narrative Structure?
Dan Harmon Story Circle is a formula for an entertaining commercial feature film. It ensures that there are enough twists and turning points in your script.
When you follow this story circle and have good characters and story. You will also make sure that the hero’s journey in the screenplay is complete.
The audiences are more likely to stay on the edge of their seats when watching your movie.
But, I will say it again… this is NOT a formula to success. Use it only if you think it will help you.
The best uses of Harmon’s Circle would be in the brainstorming phase.
Use this as a template for Dan Harmon story structure:
The protagonist has a need. He goes to search for it. He finds what he needs, but in order to get it, he must face extreme challenges. In this journey, the protagonist returns to where he started, but he gained new experience which will help him change his world once and for all.
This will give you a clear idea about the journey of your protagonist.
After that just write.
You can mix things up, add or remove plot twists. Or even changing the order of events.
