1. I am standing like always. 2. I want to move. 3. I begin moving, entering a new situation of movement. 4. I adapt by planting my foot. 5. I have moved. 6. But I used up some energy. 7. I return to being still 8. But I am moved.
Story Circle is very similar to Store Circle. o 1. Customer is in a zone of comfort. o 2. Customer is in the need of a product. o 3. Customer ventures out and enters a store. o 4. Customer adapts to unfamiliar prices. o 5. Customer thinks he gets what he wants. o 6. Customer pays a heavy price for it. o 7. Customer returns to his familiar situation. o 8. Customer hopefully feels at least temporarily satisfied.
I wonder who came up with this circle before Dan? It's like salesmen are writing movies these days. Predictable, forgettable, snackable, marketable content. Where are the artists?
@@samuelfaict5755 I think it all depends on the real goal of the story; income vs. art. That's not to say those two can be combined, but with the media nowadays movie makers can entertain an entire planet if they're up to it, so the movies produced can be streamlined a whole lot.
Samuel Faict Its originally called the Hero’s Journey. I dont remember the name of the man who discovered it but he did so by studying and comparing religious myths and stories and found that all of them had this core story structure which he called The Hero’s Journey. Dan Harmon’s story circles is a more simplified version of it
@Cameron Carter the thing is, if you remove Batman from the story it wouldn't be the same regardless... the whole story would be different as a result. That's like saying someone walks into a dark room holding a flashlight, so let's replace the flashlight with a banana. I get what you mean, that a lot of the pull and attraction to The Dark Knight is the Batman and Joker elements, but the reason why this is a "good movie" is because it is well-structured, even if you don't believe it to be well written. It's a realistic exploration of fictional comic symbols which proved that there is substance to those very characters. So in that way, the story wouldn't work unless Batman were in the role as he is.
The change Batman goes through is not that he now kills, (and is a debate whether he does kill him or not depending on your point of view) you can see he goes back to not killing in the third movie. His change is in his struggle to reconcile his inner view of the world and how he wants the world to see him (as a symbol), he changes in that he no longer cares what gotham thinks of the symbol of Batman as long as Gotham itself is secure and becoming a better place.
@@TylerMowery I agree he kills him, but I've had conversations with people who are convinced he didn't because he didn't intend to and that he fell the same fall and didn't die so they argued Harvey's death was an accident because a fall from that hight wouldn't kill you, etc. Yet to me, he killed him wether he wanted or not. I said it is debatable in my comment because I've had debates about it with people hahaha! Although I do stand on the fact that his moment of change is not marked by killing Harvey but by starting to act in ways he wouldn't have before... And a good example is the fact that he saves Reesse in the middle of the day (he never did Batman stuff in day-time, let alone do it to save someone who could and was going to out him as Batman)showing his change of mind before the climax.
fabroc8 I believe that his change was to realize that only someone who's willing to do the dirty work can be the protector of Gotham and not a squeaky clean person. He wanted Harvey to be the white knight but was corrupted. The dark knight wasn't corrupted so by the end he learns that someone who does the dirty work themselves can be the protector of Gotham. At the midpoint of the story, where the hero gets what they want, Harvey declares “I am the Batman” and is taken in. Batman wants Harvey to be the new protector for Gotham. Harvey can’t handle the problems the protector of Gotham would face since he turns to two face. The joker wanted to prove that everyone is corruptible. Throughout the whole film the joker was blackmailing people and corrupting them into betraying the good guys. At the end he even tries to make the two boats blow each other up. And you always end all the smaller story narrative problems first before the main one. The last problem Bruce solved was stopping Harvey from going to kill Gordon’s family. The whole story is about corruption and how the incorruptible are the only ones who can be the protectors of Gotham.
THIS IS THE EXACT VIDEO IVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR FOR YEARS. After hearing Charlie Kauffman's speech at BAFTA, I was convinced story structure was a "cog in the machine". And ever since, have been trying to find a middle ground between the extremes of no structure and a structure. This video perfectly described it, establishing the structure to be a guideline rather than a rule, describing how some may fail, and including an exclusive purpose from one of my favorite screenwriters to have ever lived on the earth, Charlie Kaufman
Mr. Mowery, I truly feel you do an amazing job of explaining screenwriting as an art. You are an inspiration as well as a great teacher to help even someone as dull as me understand the power of storytelling. You are a true testament to the craft. Godspeed and continue to do the amazing work you are doing. God bless.
I came across this video six months ago and it single-handedly changed my entire scriptwriting process from having a single idea to developing the storyline to actually writing the script. Thank you so much.
Argh, I love your channel but you missed the critical parts of Dan Harmon's story circle. Its a tool. Let me explain - You come up with an idea in your head. Maybe four scenes or a beginning and a climax. Doesn't matter. The idea of the story circle is to place your ideas down in their corresponding place on the circle, then use the tool to help flesh out the legs of your story's missing points. That's why its an 'unblocker'. If you have writers block, go back to the story circle and find out what you're missing. Also you forgot to mention that the lateral line between 3 and 9 o'clock is the descent into the dark room, the top half of the circle is order, the bottom half chaos. If the top half of the circle is your nice, clean house, the bottom is your basement where the lights don't work and nobody ever goes down there. The difference between 1 and 6 should be in 100% opposition from each other. The farthest point from normality and 'the zone of comfort'. I love your videos and hard work, keep up this fantastic channel.
@@vlc-cosplayer I waited tables for almost 20 years. I've served enough tools in my lifetime. So thank you for that sentiment. Also thanks to the original commenter. I watched all the way through this video trying to figure out what was so genius or revolutionary about this model. Wasn't until I read this comment that the originality of this perspective clicked. Side note: I kind of feel like the video creator forced some square pegs into round holes to make Dark Knight fulfill the story circle model through four acts. It does not put the protagonist in a familiar or comfortable situation to simply "still be Batman". He's Batman during all the other situations as well.
That circle is an interesting approach, especially since it's usuable in the entire story and every scene. That's one of the things I love about stories; every scene is a small story in its own, with needs, goals, and opstacles. I like it how you also approached the fact that full focusing on story structure isn't a guaranteed either to write a good one. It's a creative process after all.
When I first read about this I started to think about serialised TV series. And you can see this structure over the entire show, over each season, each season 'act' over each episode then act then scene. Obviously this only works for shows that run their entire course and some shows fall out of this structure (usually when they jump the shark) but it's interesting
I’m glad you mentioned what Charlie Kaufman said at the end there. Story structure is only a tool to tell a story, but what’s the most important is that you have something to say in the first place.
The story circle also works for authors of short stories and novels. This has helped complete my first novel - something no workshop or book has ever done. I was stuck in my story and used the story circle to "unblock" myself. Thanks.
It is still Harmmon's method. The hero's journey as a method doesn't work. It was never intended as that. That's why Harmmon had to create this method.
I won't dispute that it is instructive as a method and that it his own approach, but it's still derived from the hero's journey, whether or not that was the original intention.
The point of the video is not to discuss what Harmon based his story circle on, but to give an example of how to use a structure in storytelling. Anyone who's making a video about the story circle will obviously know where it came from, wouldn't they?
I'm a novice screenwriter and I've been refreshing my basics on the story structure and this is the best explanation and example of the usage of the story circle that I've seen so far. Already requested to be a part of your Facebook group. Looking forward to learning more things from you
I’m taking a screenwriting class this next semester, and your videos are super helpful to me! I’m an actor, so writing isn’t necessarily what I’ll be doing the rest of my life, but I think it’s really important for me to learn about storytelling from all aspects of production in order to change my perspective of my own work. Anyway, thanks for making these concepts super digestible for my simpleton brain lol
I've been binge-watching videos to help me with my writers block. It's helping a lot and giving me motivation to open my laptop and start writing again. Thank you.
I just got done reading The Writer's Journey by Vogler, and one interesting aspect of all this that he mentions is "mirroring". After doing some research into this, it really makes sense to me that the second half of the story should mirror the first half. For example, if the story begins with a person being born, it could end with his/her death. If in the first half the person is running from the law, the second half could be about them willingly facing justice. For me, this creates a certain harmony and resonance.
Hi, Tyler Mowery. I'm from Indonesia and really really thankful to you for this tremendous video. This knowledge can't be paid with anything. Truly thank you and owe you for this video.
Not gonna lie, I learned about the Hero’s Journey in 10th grade and never again so I completely forgot about it until you made this comment and now I’m running over to it for help because I remember now that I thought it was helpful all those years ago. Smh my memory is crap and this confirms it
Loved this video. I wrote down the story circle with the words “Help others feel less lonely” in the center. Already I can tell this is going to help tons. Thanks for the video!
This is amazing! Been learning about story structure for a while and stumbled upon Harmon's circle. And as I cross reference your video with other writing paradigms, there are so many similarities. I also seemed to notice some things about the use of the circle that opened my eyes more. For example, #6 on the circle tends to be some kind of dramatic twist/unexpected turn of event that affects the "hero" so I shouldn't always be shoehorned into thinking literal "pay a heavy price". And with #4, this is where obstacles arise and the "hero" adapts to (overcomes) them. It can go back and forth between #3 and #4 (unfamiliar situation arises, "hero" adapts, rinse and repeat) until they reach #5, "Get what they want". I'm still working on a way to add #2 into the mix with #3 and 4. Maybe I'll add #3.5 in that, after entering an unfamiliar situation, there may be a new want while still having an over arching want (#2) for the circle (probably best used on a micro level instead of the macro level). Im done rambling lol
Tyler, I just want you to know that I took three university level screenwriting courses and I have learned more from your videos than I learned in any of those classes. Many thanks for your hours of work 🙏
Loved this video! Especially the Charlie Kaufman quote. Touches on something so inspiring. Showing yourself in your story and in turn inspiring others.
These beautiful explanations, interpretations, and analogies of yours make your videos so much more lovable. Hands down the best video that I have watched on screenwriting so far.
Aside from being a great guide to narrative writing, this is probably the best explanation as to why The Dark Knight is such a great movie. The Joker was such a great villain that he made Batman spin his story circle in the mud four times, and it was beleivable every single time.
I've been watching your Complete Screenwriting Masterclass series to help with my screenwriting class as I write my own story for the class. This video was amazing in helping me look at the story circle in a new way that I haven't before. Thank you so much for this video and the whole series, it is helping me so much with the story I'm creating and is making me think about how I want to develop as a writer in the future.
Dude, check out his tv shows Community, and Rick & Morty. Masterfully written and hilarious. You've missed out big time on his awesome work. Also Harmon Quest, but it's not as good.
Just finished a script about Nazi Germany and Leni Riefenstahl. Use the circle to check its structure and was pleasantly surprised, Already had great reception. Thanks
I was so stuck and I know what I’m writing needs to be told but I was lacking structure. This helped me so much. If I get to successfully pitch my script I’m definitely thanking you for it. But I’m gonna thank you now for helping me to move on with it. This is so well narrated and edited. Well done!
I don't know why this made me so emotional, but it really touched on something. I have been struggling to complete one of many novels and as I watched this video, so many thoughts popped into my mind that I had to force myself to finish the video first. I am so glad I opted to view this because it has helped me to see a few things more clearly.
This helps me a lot, I've been looking through the lens of the whole story just relying on the structure, but I never thought too much about how the acts are structured themselves, than you
This video has been super helpful, thank you so much for making it! Now, whether I'm stuck on an entire act of my story, a segment of it, or even a single scene, I can come back to this and untie a lot of knots of confusion!
Using this concept, I outlined my first feature length screenplay. I used the story circle for the overall storyline/plot. I then divided my story into three acts and applied the story circle to each act. I can't believe how neatly everything fit together. The only two beats from Dan Snyder's 15 beats that I was able to fit into my outline were the very first and the very last to further illustrate my main character's growth. Other than that, the story circle works much better than the 15 beats and provides a bit more clarity than the three act structure diagram.
Werner Herzog in his MasterClass part 4: 'Writing A Script', states the following: "Very often I have had the feeling this whole 3 act structure that is being thought in filmschool is kind of ridiculous. What is 3 acts in 'Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes'? And that the leading character from a certain point at the end has to change and has to be a different man. No, not so. Not in 'Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes'. Aguirre is bad and is only worse at the end. So, it doesn't function with me like that. Sometimes, it may be something like 5 or 6 acts in a film that I have made. I think it's brainless, it's really brainless to structure yourself in it. It very often is a signature of mediocre films. it becomes very very predictable. And I don't want to make that kind of films."
Hey just learned about your channel. Lots of great writing channels out there, but for what it's worth, this is the one that managed to get me out of my creative rut. So subscribed and ringing the bell. :) Keep it up.
I just realized that I was already following your group on facebook. Once again, thank you for your fantastic learning videos on writing techniques. You're amazing.
Thank you for encouraging this budding superhero/sci-fi writer! I loved that you used The Dark Knight, one of my favorite movies. And I love Rick & Morty. Cheers!!
Could you do a breakdown of a movie thats a little more ambiguous? This was very helpful but I'm finding it hard to break down movies that arent as upfront about protagonist need as batman. For example: Jacob's Ladder. He's stabbed in vietnam, then on a subway, which he has to find his way out of. He gets home and we meet his girlfriend. Things start to fall apart. Yet its not about his relationship. Its about him letting go of his attachments to his life while he lives in purgatory (because he died in vietnam). There is also no return to normal situation, he only goes further and further into despair and madness. This would really help.
I’ve never found anyone actually admit that Batman killed Harvey Dent in the Dark Knight. Its told so subtly that most people don’t realize that the Joker won even when Batman and Gordon lied about who killed the five people Harvey killed, because still he destroys the idea of Batman and His one rule. It’s a pick your poison kind of moment.
i am writing a story based on the multiple points of view by various characters. and i have done various edits to the circle. here is one of the charecters circles. 1.you are in an unfamiliar situation 2.you want it to stop/you get some help 3.It gets worse 4.you try to escape the situation 5.you get beaten down 6.you are at rock bottom 7.Something important happens 8.they change
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS VIDEO. Very helpful and extra points by using one of my all-time favourite movies, The Dark Knight. All hail the legendary Heath Ledger! And Chris Nolan!
I really enjoyed this. I like seeing things broken down and explained into something that I can follow and us that makes sense. Thanks for this video. :D
I like your essay. It's easy to understand. a bit long but good. I like that your message in the end is that a good story is actually more like a feeling. Like Kaufman says. Being you and stating the even if not writing with the story circle in the end you still got it accidentally. I never think about the story circle, never heard of it. But I alwyas got most of the important points for the story circle to work.
It's based on a Campbell idea and what I personally found out while reading Campbell is that I was always creating stories based on a more or less similar scheme. I think that the circle is really deep in us and we use its parts instinctively. I don't believe that this is a good idea to "check" if you got your story thru every point. The most important thing is that some points may be lacking in your story and it's OK, and that story is always about a change (of a hero / world / idea / anything). Thanks for the video, I'm watching them all and it's really great work.
This is a good video and I love Dan Harmon as much as the next guy, but if you are an aspiring writer and this video is blowing your mind then maybe think about taking an english literature class.This is just the hero's journey. It has been around for hundreds of years.
I don't believe the zone has to be that comfortable. Alice in Wonderland starts with her being bored. Wizard of Oz starts with Dorothy already having a problem. Many stories start with a murder.
@@kingly4900 I guess most characters do get into less comfortable zones and they want to get back to their earlier zone. They didn't know how comfy it was when they were complaining at the beginning.
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instablaster...
It does though really
1. I am standing like always.
2. I want to move.
3. I begin moving, entering a new situation of movement.
4. I adapt by planting my foot.
5. I have moved.
6. But I used up some energy.
7. I return to being still
8. But I am moved.
Exactly! 😂
Lmao
Sounds like a great story
Mmm, metaphorical
This story moved me
Story Circle is very similar to Store Circle.
o 1. Customer is in a zone of comfort.
o 2. Customer is in the need of a product.
o 3. Customer ventures out and enters a store.
o 4. Customer adapts to unfamiliar prices.
o 5. Customer thinks he gets what he wants.
o 6. Customer pays a heavy price for it.
o 7. Customer returns to his familiar situation.
o 8. Customer hopefully feels at least temporarily satisfied.
I wonder who came up with this circle before Dan? It's like salesmen are writing movies these days. Predictable, forgettable, snackable, marketable content. Where are the artists?
@@samuelfaict5755 I think it all depends on the real goal of the story; income vs. art.
That's not to say those two can be combined, but with the media nowadays movie makers can entertain an entire planet if they're up to it, so the movies produced can be streamlined a whole lot.
Leto85 hahahha
Samuel Faict Its originally called the Hero’s Journey. I dont remember the name of the man who discovered it but he did so by studying and comparing religious myths and stories and found that all of them had this core story structure which he called The Hero’s Journey. Dan Harmon’s story circles is a more simplified version of it
@@mikehawkertz9237 the man was Joseph Campbell who wrote a book called hero with a thousand faces .
Almost every video about filmmaking has Heath Ledger's joker as the thumbnail lol
Because it works!
TPK Productions the dark knight is one of the best written movies
@@ScaredStraightProductions So true!
Yepp, trying to cash in on somethnig popular.
@Cameron Carter the thing is, if you remove Batman from the story it wouldn't be the same regardless... the whole story would be different as a result. That's like saying someone walks into a dark room holding a flashlight, so let's replace the flashlight with a banana.
I get what you mean, that a lot of the pull and attraction to The Dark Knight is the Batman and Joker elements, but the reason why this is a "good movie" is because it is well-structured, even if you don't believe it to be well written. It's a realistic exploration of fictional comic symbols which proved that there is substance to those very characters. So in that way, the story wouldn't work unless Batman were in the role as he is.
The change Batman goes through is not that he now kills, (and is a debate whether he does kill him or not depending on your point of view) you can see he goes back to not killing in the third movie. His change is in his struggle to reconcile his inner view of the world and how he wants the world to see him (as a symbol), he changes in that he no longer cares what gotham thinks of the symbol of Batman as long as Gotham itself is secure and becoming a better place.
correct
Interesting thoughts. He absolutely kills Harvey. I'd be interested to hear how that is up for debate.
@@TylerMowery I agree he kills him, but I've had conversations with people who are convinced he didn't because he didn't intend to and that he fell the same fall and didn't die so they argued Harvey's death was an accident because a fall from that hight wouldn't kill you, etc. Yet to me, he killed him wether he wanted or not. I said it is debatable in my comment because I've had debates about it with people hahaha! Although I do stand on the fact that his moment of change is not marked by killing Harvey but by starting to act in ways he wouldn't have before... And a good example is the fact that he saves Reesse in the middle of the day (he never did Batman stuff in day-time, let alone do it to save someone who could and was going to out him as Batman)showing his change of mind before the climax.
fabroc8
I believe that his change was to realize that only someone who's willing to do the dirty work can be the protector of Gotham and not a squeaky clean person. He wanted Harvey to be the white knight but was corrupted. The dark knight wasn't corrupted so by the end he learns that someone who does the dirty work themselves can be the protector of Gotham.
At the midpoint of the story, where the hero gets what they want, Harvey declares “I am the Batman” and is taken in. Batman wants Harvey to be the new protector for Gotham. Harvey can’t handle the problems the protector of Gotham would face since he turns to two face.
The joker wanted to prove that everyone is corruptible. Throughout the whole film the joker was blackmailing people and corrupting them into betraying the good guys. At the end he even tries to make the two boats blow each other up. And you always end all the smaller story narrative problems first before the main one. The last problem Bruce solved was stopping Harvey from going to kill Gordon’s family.
The whole story is about corruption and how the incorruptible are the only ones who can be the protectors of Gotham.
That’s always been my position too.
THIS IS THE EXACT VIDEO IVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR FOR YEARS.
After hearing Charlie Kauffman's speech at BAFTA, I was convinced story structure was a "cog in the machine".
And ever since, have been trying to find a middle ground between the extremes of no structure and a structure.
This video perfectly described it, establishing the structure to be a guideline rather than a rule, describing how some may fail, and including an exclusive purpose from one of my favorite screenwriters to have ever lived on the earth, Charlie Kaufman
Kaufman is fantastic!
Mr. Mowery, I truly feel you do an amazing job of explaining screenwriting as an art. You are an inspiration as well as a great teacher to help even someone as dull as me understand the power of storytelling. You are a true testament to the craft. Godspeed and continue to do the amazing work you are doing. God bless.
I came across this video six months ago and it single-handedly changed my entire scriptwriting process from having a single idea to developing the storyline to actually writing the script. Thank you so much.
Argh, I love your channel but you missed the critical parts of Dan Harmon's story circle. Its a tool. Let me explain - You come up with an idea in your head. Maybe four scenes or a beginning and a climax. Doesn't matter. The idea of the story circle is to place your ideas down in their corresponding place on the circle, then use the tool to help flesh out the legs of your story's missing points. That's why its an 'unblocker'. If you have writers block, go back to the story circle and find out what you're missing.
Also you forgot to mention that the lateral line between 3 and 9 o'clock is the descent into the dark room, the top half of the circle is order, the bottom half chaos. If the top half of the circle is your nice, clean house, the bottom is your basement where the lights don't work and nobody ever goes down there. The difference between 1 and 6 should be in 100% opposition from each other. The farthest point from normality and 'the zone of comfort'.
I love your videos and hard work, keep up this fantastic channel.
Without all of this ^ the story circle is basically 3-Act structure put in a circle.
can you link something which speaks about these points?
please and thanks :)
@@rixbase check out studio bindors video on this topic
Thankss for this
@@vlc-cosplayer I waited tables for almost 20 years. I've served enough tools in my lifetime. So thank you for that sentiment. Also thanks to the original commenter. I watched all the way through this video trying to figure out what was so genius or revolutionary about this model. Wasn't until I read this comment that the originality of this perspective clicked. Side note: I kind of feel like the video creator forced some square pegs into round holes to make Dark Knight fulfill the story circle model through four acts. It does not put the protagonist in a familiar or comfortable situation to simply "still be Batman". He's Batman during all the other situations as well.
That circle is an interesting approach, especially since it's usuable in the entire story and every scene.
That's one of the things I love about stories; every scene is a small story in its own, with needs, goals, and opstacles.
I like it how you also approached the fact that full focusing on story structure isn't a guaranteed either to write a good one. It's a creative process after all.
When I first read about this I started to think about serialised TV series. And you can see this structure over the entire show, over each season, each season 'act' over each episode then act then scene. Obviously this only works for shows that run their entire course and some shows fall out of this structure (usually when they jump the shark) but it's interesting
I’m glad you mentioned what Charlie Kaufman said at the end there. Story structure is only a tool to tell a story, but what’s the most important is that you have something to say in the first place.
I'm loading up on information and ideas of different storytelling techniques to finish a long-overdue project. These tips are worth a fortune.
Glad to hear it!
The story circle also works for authors of short stories and novels. This has helped complete my first novel - something no workshop or book has ever done. I was stuck in my story and used the story circle to "unblock" myself. Thanks.
Life With Lani Would you say this would also work for flash fiction?
@@FilmUnveiled yes
You're giving Dan Harmon credit for what is really just a boiled down hero's journey. In fact I think he's said as much in past interviews.
It is still Harmmon's method. The hero's journey as a method doesn't work. It was never intended as that. That's why Harmmon had to create this method.
I won't dispute that it is instructive as a method and that it his own approach, but it's still derived from the hero's journey, whether or not that was the original intention.
The point of the video is not to discuss what Harmon based his story circle on, but to give an example of how to use a structure in storytelling. Anyone who's making a video about the story circle will obviously know where it came from, wouldn't they?
I'm a novice screenwriter and I've been refreshing my basics on the story structure and this is the best explanation and example of the usage of the story circle that I've seen so far. Already requested to be a part of your Facebook group. Looking forward to learning more things from you
Glad the video was helpful!
I’m taking a screenwriting class this next semester, and your videos are super helpful to me! I’m an actor, so writing isn’t necessarily what I’ll be doing the rest of my life, but I think it’s really important for me to learn about storytelling from all aspects of production in order to change my perspective of my own work. Anyway, thanks for making these concepts super digestible for my simpleton brain lol
Glad you’re enjoying the videos!
I've been binge-watching videos to help me with my writers block. It's helping a lot and giving me motivation to open my laptop and start writing again. Thank you.
Glad they have been helpful!
I just got done reading The Writer's Journey by Vogler, and one interesting aspect of all this that he mentions is "mirroring". After doing some research into this, it really makes sense to me that the second half of the story should mirror the first half. For example, if the story begins with a person being born, it could end with his/her death. If in the first half the person is running from the law, the second half could be about them willingly facing justice. For me, this creates a certain harmony and resonance.
This page is worth billions. Subscribed
Hi, Tyler Mowery. I'm from Indonesia and really really thankful to you for this tremendous video. This knowledge can't be paid with anything. Truly thank you and owe you for this video.
I've watched at least a dozen videos about Harmon's Story Circle and yours is by far the best. Well done.
This whole method is based on Hero's Journey
Yeah it's really wild that this video is blowing peoples mind.This is very literally english literature 101.
@@danielhammond2212 Exactly
“Dan Harmon observed” I think he means Dan Harmon read “the hero with a thousand faces”
Not gonna lie, I learned about the Hero’s Journey in 10th grade and never again so I completely forgot about it until you made this comment and now I’m running over to it for help because I remember now that I thought it was helpful all those years ago. Smh my memory is crap and this confirms it
The Bible says, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Pro. 27:5, 6
I’m reading Screenwriting: A Sequence Approach - and The Story Circle works perfectly within a ‘sequence’.
I'm not a writer but isn't this the same as Campbell's A Hero's Journey? Great job on the video too.
"Heros journey" is bullshit too.
Dan Harmon explicitly references the Hero's Journey in his post about story structure.
It's basically a dumbed-down version and easier to apply to modern pieces. So, yes.
Yes it is based on Christopher vogler analogy Which again is based on joseph Campbell's work
@@NostalgiNorden The Hustler, Mean Girls, The Black Panther, Star Wars, Little Miss Sunshine...... Hero's Journey structure
Loved this video. I wrote down the story circle with the words “Help others feel less lonely” in the center. Already I can tell this is going to help tons. Thanks for the video!
I think that The Dark Night is the quintessential movie to analyse to understand for the Story Circle.
I agree
Too bad Rises stank
@@yankeesrule587 yeah, but no one's talking about tdkr here.
This is amazing! Been learning about story structure for a while and stumbled upon Harmon's circle. And as I cross reference your video with other writing paradigms, there are so many similarities. I also seemed to notice some things about the use of the circle that opened my eyes more. For example, #6 on the circle tends to be some kind of dramatic twist/unexpected turn of event that affects the "hero" so I shouldn't always be shoehorned into thinking literal "pay a heavy price".
And with #4, this is where obstacles arise and the "hero" adapts to (overcomes) them. It can go back and forth between #3 and #4 (unfamiliar situation arises, "hero" adapts, rinse and repeat) until they reach #5, "Get what they want". I'm still working on a way to add #2 into the mix with #3 and 4. Maybe I'll add #3.5 in that, after entering an unfamiliar situation, there may be a new want while still having an over arching want (#2) for the circle (probably best used on a micro level instead of the macro level).
Im done rambling lol
Yea the Story Circle is a great tool!
I’m so happy I found this UA-cam channel. Great job man!
SUPERB VIDEO!!! VERY INFORMATIVE!!!
And just when i thought i could not love Charlie Kaufman even more ...
He's great. One of the good guys.
@@TylerMowery He is my favorite screenwriter, the end. Lol.
Really well done. One of the best explanations of Harmon's Story Circle I've come across. Thank you for this.
Tyler, I just want you to know that I took three university level screenwriting courses and I have learned more from your videos than I learned in any of those classes. Many thanks for your hours of work 🙏
Loved this video! Especially the Charlie Kaufman quote. Touches on something so inspiring. Showing yourself in your story and in turn inspiring others.
These beautiful explanations, interpretations, and analogies of yours make your videos so much more lovable. Hands down the best video that I have watched on screenwriting so far.
This is probably the best and most easily understood explanation of the story circle I've ever seen. Great video!
This guy is giving us gold!!!
Aside from being a great guide to narrative writing, this is probably the best explanation as to why The Dark Knight is such a great movie. The Joker was such a great villain that he made Batman spin his story circle in the mud four times, and it was beleivable every single time.
I've been watching your Complete Screenwriting Masterclass series to help with my screenwriting class as I write my own story for the class. This video was amazing in helping me look at the story circle in a new way that I haven't before. Thank you so much for this video and the whole series, it is helping me so much with the story I'm creating and is making me think about how I want to develop as a writer in the future.
Great vid. I didn't know Harmon, and it's a different way to look at the story than the proposals of Field, McKee and Snyder. Thank you.
Dude, check out his tv shows Community, and Rick & Morty. Masterfully written and hilarious. You've missed out big time on his awesome work. Also Harmon Quest, but it's not as good.
@@TokisanGames I love Rick & Morty.
Just finished a script about Nazi Germany and Leni Riefenstahl. Use the circle to check its structure and was pleasantly surprised, Already had great reception. Thanks
( this is my mom's account) I always wished to be a writer. But I have never got such good advice. Thanks for making this wonderful channel
I was so stuck and I know what I’m writing needs to be told but I was lacking structure. This helped me so much. If I get to successfully pitch my script I’m definitely thanking you for it.
But I’m gonna thank you now for helping me to move on with it. This is so well narrated and edited. Well done!
I don't know why this made me so emotional, but it really touched on something. I have been struggling to complete one of many novels and as I watched this video, so many thoughts popped into my mind that I had to force myself to finish the video first. I am so glad I opted to view this because it has helped me to see a few things more clearly.
I just want to say thank you for putting so much effort into these videos because they are very helpful and so interesting to watch.
This helps me a lot, I've been looking through the lens of the whole story just relying on the structure, but I never thought too much about how the acts are structured themselves, than you
Marvel needs to watch this video. Especially before the Fantastic 4
I imagine it will be hard with so many main characters. This alone could make it a non traditional superhero story.
using this as a starting point for at home study
Bravo Tyler. This is amazing work that truly inspires.
Thank you!
I speak for all when I say your work is a writer's blessing. First time here, viewing more in the following days.
Kauffman words really got to me, I cried a little
Kauffman hit the spot with those words. Totally agree.
This video has been super helpful, thank you so much for making it! Now, whether I'm stuck on an entire act of my story, a segment of it, or even a single scene, I can come back to this and untie a lot of knots of confusion!
Thank you for putting it together, very helpful!
Incredibly helpful! I needed to see this. I've studied other structures and this has by far made the most sense to me. Thank you!
Using this concept, I outlined my first feature length screenplay. I used the story circle for the overall storyline/plot. I then divided my story into three acts and applied the story circle to each act. I can't believe how neatly everything fit together. The only two beats from Dan Snyder's 15 beats that I was able to fit into my outline were the very first and the very last to further illustrate my main character's growth. Other than that, the story circle works much better than the 15 beats and provides a bit more clarity than the three act structure diagram.
Learnt Alot from Nairobi Kenya.
Thanks so Much
this is an incredibly helpful video to me
Good to hear!
Good Work on Exemplifying the Story Circle
Great channel you have, my man! Thanks for your work!
omg !.. I've been rewatching the dark knight for over 11 years and Im still learning new thing about it
This is probably the best story structure/elements that I've learned. Thank you!
I am blown away..
Werner Herzog in his MasterClass part 4: 'Writing A Script', states the following:
"Very often I have had the feeling this whole 3 act structure that is being thought in filmschool is kind of ridiculous. What is 3 acts in 'Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes'? And that the leading character from a certain point at the end has to change and has to be a different man. No, not so. Not in 'Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes'. Aguirre is bad and is only worse at the end. So, it doesn't function with me like that. Sometimes, it may be something like 5 or 6 acts in a film that I have made. I think it's brainless, it's really brainless to structure yourself in it. It very often is a signature of mediocre films. it becomes very very predictable. And I don't want to make that kind of films."
Bruh he make documentaries he don't care about story
@@cothinker680 There is no storytelling in documentaries?
Fried gold . Good on you sir much appreciated.
Currently working on my feature film and this video was helpful! Thank you!
You're welcome! Glad I could help
very nicely and clearly explained. so much effort. well done
this helps me understanding story circle
Hey just learned about your channel. Lots of great writing channels out there, but for what it's worth, this is the one that managed to get me out of my creative rut. So subscribed and ringing the bell. :) Keep it up.
Glad to hear it! Thanks for subscribing!
I just realized that I was already following your group on facebook. Once again, thank you for your fantastic learning videos on writing techniques. You're amazing.
Thank you for encouraging this budding superhero/sci-fi writer! I loved that you used The Dark Knight, one of my favorite movies. And I love Rick & Morty. Cheers!!
Thank you for explaining it so well!
Could you do a breakdown of a movie thats a little more ambiguous? This was very helpful but I'm finding it hard to break down movies that arent as upfront about protagonist need as batman. For example: Jacob's Ladder. He's stabbed in vietnam, then on a subway, which he has to find his way out of. He gets home and we meet his girlfriend. Things start to fall apart. Yet its not about his relationship. Its about him letting go of his attachments to his life while he lives in purgatory (because he died in vietnam). There is also no return to normal situation, he only goes further and further into despair and madness. This would really help.
I’ve never found anyone actually admit that Batman killed Harvey Dent in the Dark Knight. Its told so subtly that most people don’t realize that the Joker won even when Batman and Gordon lied about who killed the five people Harvey killed, because still he destroys the idea of Batman and His one rule. It’s a pick your poison kind of moment.
i am writing a story based on the multiple points of view by various characters. and i have done various edits to the circle. here is one of the charecters circles.
1.you are in an unfamiliar situation
2.you want it to stop/you get some help
3.It gets worse
4.you try to escape the situation
5.you get beaten down
6.you are at rock bottom
7.Something important happens
8.they change
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS VIDEO. Very helpful and extra points by using one of my all-time favourite movies, The Dark Knight. All hail the legendary Heath Ledger! And Chris Nolan!
A good foundation to start and to review for those who have attempted to write and wonder were to begin in the jungle of information.
Yayyy!!!
Finally its here.. Dying for this Sir!!!
Thank you soo much for making this!!
You're welcome! I hope it's helpful!
@@TylerMowery I Just joined to your screenwriting group Sir.. Can I share my Ist screenplay on this?
@@tanwir6138 Yes you can!
@@TylerMowery Thank you soo much Sir!
I really enjoyed this. I like seeing things broken down and explained into something that I can follow and us that makes sense. Thanks for this video. :D
This is excellent m8. Keep it up!
Thank you!
I am not a screenwriter but I definitely appreciate this, I hope it'll help my videos. I know it will. Well done Thank you~
Thanks Tyler! Very informative.
Thank you for this, it will be a tremendous help.
Glad it's helpful!
Fantastic, going to play around with this model.
This is a really good and interesting structure
I like your essay. It's easy to understand. a bit long but good. I like that your message in the end is that a good story is actually more like a feeling. Like Kaufman says. Being you and stating the even if not writing with the story circle in the end you still got it accidentally. I never think about the story circle, never heard of it. But I alwyas got most of the important points for the story circle to work.
GREAT VIDEO!! You should be genuinely proud!
Well done. This was helpful.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for this video and other valuable information. I'm so happy I discovered Tyler's channel!
Story Cirlce feels like a rebranded Hero’s Journey 🤷🏾♂️
Simplified
amazing stuff! keep up the good work!
This is so so so brilliant. I loved your video so much. So helpful
This was amazing ! Thank you so much!
Great and very informative. Thank you very much.
It's based on a Campbell idea and what I personally found out while reading Campbell is that I was always creating stories based on a more or less similar scheme. I think that the circle is really deep in us and we use its parts instinctively. I don't believe that this is a good idea to "check" if you got your story thru every point. The most important thing is that some points may be lacking in your story and it's OK, and that story is always about a change (of a hero / world / idea / anything). Thanks for the video, I'm watching them all and it's really great work.
This is a good video and I love Dan Harmon as much as the next guy, but if you are an aspiring writer and this video is blowing your mind then maybe think about taking an english literature class.This is just the hero's journey. It has been around for hundreds of years.
Many things to learn from you. Thank you so much for such an informative content.
Very good explanation.
Thank you!
"Batman in a zone of comfort, but he wants something"
More like in the friend zone and wants something xd
I don't believe the zone has to be that comfortable. Alice in Wonderland starts with her being bored. Wizard of Oz starts with Dorothy already having a problem. Many stories start with a murder.
Yeah zone of comfort should be changed because a story could easily start with the characters in an uncomfortable situation.
@@kingly4900 I guess most characters do get into less comfortable zones and they want to get back to their earlier zone. They didn't know how comfy it was when they were complaining at the beginning.
1:25
I have that book sitting right beside me!!!
This video was wild! Absolutely amazing to a newbie like me, I learned so much!
Thank you so much for your videos, they are really helpful ! :)