Dan Haromon's amazingly simple story structure.

[Batutta]

Dan Harmon over at Channel 101 gave a hilariously concise description of story structure a while ago. Thought I'd share--

1) You
2) Need
3) Go
4) Search
5) Find
6) Take
7) Return
8) Change

As I've said, the easiest way to visualize these steps is by drawing a circle, dividing it into 4 equal pieces, and writing numbers around it clockwise, with (1) and (5) at the north and south "poles" of the circle, (3) and (7) at the east and west poles.

1) "You" - who are we? A squirrel? The sun? A red blood cell? America?

2) "Need" - something is wrong, the world is out of balance. This is the reason why a story is going to take place. The "you" from (1) is an alcoholic. There's a dead body on the floor. A motorcycle gang rolls into town. Campbell phrases: Call to Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Supernatural Aid.

3) "Go" - For (1) and (2), the "you" was in a certain situation, and now that situation changes. A hiker heads into the woods. Pearl Harbor's been bombed. A mafia boss enters therapy. Campbell phrase: Crossing of the Threshold. Syd Field phrase: Plot Point 1.

4) "Search" - adapting, experimenting, getting shi* together, being broken down. A detective questions suspects. A cowboy gathers his posse. A cheerleader takes a nerd shopping. Campbell phrases: Belly of the Whale, Road of Trials. Christopher Vogler phrase: Friends, Enemies and Allies.

5) "Find" - whether it was the direct, conscious goal or not, the "need" from (2) is fulfilled. We found the princess. The suspect gives the location of the meth lab. A nerd achieves popularity. Campbell phrase: Meeting with the Goddess. Syd Field phrase: mid-point. Vogler phrase: Approach to the Innermost Cave.

6) "Take" - The hardest part (both for the characters and for anyone trying to describe it). On one hand, the price of the journey. The shark eats the boat. Jesus is crucified. The nice old man has a stroke. On the other hand, a goal achieved that we never even knew we had. The shark now has an oxygen tank in his mouth. Jesus is dead- oh, I get it, flesh doesn't matter. The nice old man had a stroke, but before he died, he wanted you to take this belt buckle. Now go win that rodeo. Campbell phrases: Atonement with the Father, Death and Resurrection, Apotheosis. Syd Field phrase: plot point 2

7) "Return" - It's not a journey if you never come back. The car chase. The big rescue. Coming home to your girlfriend with a rose. Leaping off the roof as the skyscraper explodes. Campbell phrases: Magic Flight, Rescue from Without, Crossing of the Return Threshold.

8) "Change" - The "you" from (1) is in charge of their situation again, but has now become a situation-changer. Life will never be the same. The Death Star is blown up. The couple is in love. Dr. Bloom's Time Belt is completed. Lorraine Bracco heads into the jungle with Sean Connery to "find some of those ants." Campbell phrases: Master of Both Worlds, Freedom to Live.

 

[EJ Pennypacker]

Pretty simple and nice little system.

EJ

 

[10s]

This works. I noticed each section expands in meaning which results in it sounding very similair to others, like Blake Synder

 

[Batutta]

The difference between this and Blake Snyder's book is that this is more of a guide. Save the Cat is a paint by numbers instruction manual, telling you what scenes to put where, down to the page count.

 

[10s]

The difference between this and Blake Snyder's book is that this is more of a guide. Save the Cat is a paint by numbers instruction manual, telling you what scenes to put where, down to the page count.

I disagree here a little, all guidance is only that: guidance, and Snder is only giving guidance. I actually attended one of his workshops. I have an idea what he offers.

As an author you are the final say, as it should be. The main thing for us all is to find the resources that help us reach our own creative goals. These tools don't need to be of use to anyone but yourself. So while we may bicker and have fun debating one another, in the end it's what helps each of us get the job done that counts. Each of us are our own master.

 

[Batutta]

I disagree here a little, all guidance is only that: guidance, and Snder is only giving guidance. I actually attended one of his workshops. I have an idea what he offers.

As an author you are the final say, as it should be. The main thing for us all is to find the resources that help us reach our own creative goals. These tools don't need to be of use to anyone but yourself. So while we may bicker and have fun debating one another, in the end it's what helps each of us get the job done that counts. Each of us are our own master.

I just think there's a point where you stop offering people a sturdy framework to build something with, and start telling people how they should be decorating their house, and I think Blake crosses that point.