Whether you’re writing a screenplay or crafting a novel, structure is everything. One of the most accessible yet powerful tools for story development is the Dan Harmon Story Circle—an eight-step storytelling framework adapted from Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, or the Hero’s Journey. Harmon, the creator of Community and Rick and Morty, condensed the complex narrative arc into a simple, universal loop that every story can follow.
In this blog, we’ll explore the eight steps of the Dan Harmon story circle in depth, using clear examples and practical advice to help you master storytelling for film, television, or any form of narrative writing.
What Is the Dan Harmon Story Circle?
The Dan Harmon story circle is a character-driven structure that maps the protagonist’s emotional and physical journey in a circular narrative. Unlike traditional linear models, this structure emphasizes transformation—the internal growth that happens alongside external events.
It breaks down as follows:
1. A character is in a zone of comfort
2. But they want something
3. They enter an unfamiliar situation
4. Adapt to it
5. Get what they wanted
6. Pay a heavy price for it
7. Return to their familiar situation
8. Having changed
Let’s break these steps down with detailed explanations and examples.
1. The Character Is in a Zone of Comfort
This is the story’s beginning, where we meet the main character in their normal world. This phase grounds the audience in familiarity and sets the tone.
Example: In The Matrix (1999), Neo lives a mundane life as Thomas Anderson, a programmer. We see his day-to-day job and his subtle dissatisfaction with life.
This stage is crucial for building empathy before the story kicks off. If you’re doing a script breakdown, this would be where you identify the protagonist’s everyday surroundings and routines.
2. But They Want Something
Desire is the engine of story. The character becomes aware of a need or goal, which propels them into action. This want must be strong enough to disrupt their comfort zone.
Example: Neo is compelled to discover the truth about the Matrix. His late-night searches and growing paranoia push him to act.
This step is often where you’d hint at what’s to come in your screenplay, setting up the central conflict.
3. They Enter an Unfamiliar Situation
Here, the character crosses a threshold—either literally or metaphorically—into a world unlike their own. This can be full of new rules, characters, or dangers.
Example: Neo takes the red pill and wakes up in the real world. Everything he knew is a lie.
In filmmaking, this is a key transition point often reflected in the film scheduling—a move to a new set, tone, or act structure.
4. Adapt to the Situation
Now the protagonist must learn the rules of this new world. Allies, enemies, and obstacles emerge. The character grows, but not without struggle.
Example: Neo trains with Morpheus and Trinity, learning martial arts and bending reality. He’s not the One—yet.
This part is where character development deepens, and pacing becomes critical to maintain viewer engagement.
5. Get What They Wanted
The protagonist achieves their initial goal—or so it seems. However, this step often comes with consequences or revelations that complicate things.
Example: Neo rescues Morpheus, showing he can face the agents. It’s a victory, but the danger is far from over.
Think of this as the story’s midpoint or a false climax—a crucial beat when organizing a cast and crew shoot or aligning storyboards.
6. Pay a Heavy Price for It
Now comes the emotional core. The protagonist sacrifices something—identity, relationships, even life—to hold onto or evolve from their journey.
Example: Neo dies fighting Agent Smith, symbolically paying the ultimate price.
This phase gives your story depth. Without stakes, the earlier victories lose meaning.
7. Return to Their Familiar Situation
The hero journeys back—but the world hasn’t changed; they have. This step sets up the final contrast and resolution.
Example: Neo returns, but now he controls the Matrix. He’s confident, awakened, transformed.
This beat can also reintroduce elements from earlier script breakdowns to showcase full-circle resolution.
8. Having Changed
The last step cements the transformation. The protagonist applies what they’ve learned to the world they once knew, making them forever different.
Example: Neo flies into the sky at the end, no longer a victim of the system but its challenger.
This stage is vital for emotional payoff. It closes the loop, offering closure and catharsis for the audience.
Why Use the Dan Harmon Story Circle?
The simplicity of the Dan Harmon story circle is what makes it genius. It’s flexible enough for TV episodes, films, or even short-form web content, but structured enough to keep your story cohesive.
Writers often struggle with act breaks or second-act slumps. The story circle acts like a map, guiding both the writer and viewer through a rhythm of expectation and payoff.
Whether you’re organizing a film production calendar or brainstorming character arcs, Harmon’s model helps ensure every story beat serves a purpose.
Final Thoughts
The Dan Harmon story circle is more than a structural tool—it’s a storytelling philosophy rooted in transformation. It helps creators deliver emotional, meaningful, and repeatable narratives across genres.
If you’re working on your next script or refining your storytelling approach, apply this eight-step model. You’ll find your characters richer, your plots tighter, and your audience more engaged than ever before.
Want to structure your next story with ease? Use STUDIOVITY AI to build smarter screenplays, organize your script breakdown, and visualize every beat of the Dan Harmon story circle like a pro.
