Every Story is the Same

As a writer, I read Joseph Campbell's book and also discovered that he got a lot of his information from Carl Jung, who studied the archetypes in human myth throughout the ages.

Anyone else noticed that the video itself follows this structure?? This is genius 🙌

This isn't the general story, this is the archetype of a "hero's journey" (you said it yourself), a common and very pleasing - even resonant - kind of story. Perhaps this structure resonates with a human audience because we seek meaning, we are drawn to stories with purpose, and that follow this sort Order/Disorder cycle. I would like to give examples where this interpretation falls apart. We'll start with tragedies, I'll go with the most recognizable one - Romeo and Juliet. The characters enter the chaotic world, but they fail to return - the cost was too great and everybody dies. What about more surreal movies, like "A Serious Man" - the movie arguably begins and remains in a world of chaos the entire time. There is no Goddess, there's nowhere to return to. This man's life is simply a road of trials. These are definitely stories, but you would have a hard time contorting them to fit Harmon's model of storytelling. The story circle is an interesting and effective way to interpret stories, but I would make contention with the claim that "Every Story is the Same".

All Disney stories are either: stolen fairytales or someone goes missing/gets lost. ...and most of the time, both.

This video sets it out so well, I keep coming back to this as a resource every time I sit down to write a script. Thanks for compiling it and making such a great edit!

Hey all, I know this one's a little different--more on the informational side than an argumentative one on theory. I do find the Harmon/Campbell argument compelling, but would love to know everyone's thoughts. Discussion is the most important part of these things. Let me know! Have a great Thanksgiving. Much love, Will

I bought a tomato, I ate it, and it was good.

Pickle Rick is the pinnacle of storytelling

"A theory that explains everything, explains nothing." ~Karl Popper

"The Hero with a Thousand Faces" is the one book I would want to have with me if I were to ever be stranded on a deserted island. It is my all time favorite read. Campbell's telling of the story of the "monomyth" is a brilliant story in itself. In the early 90's, I bought the six cassette set of "The Power of Myth" which is the Bill Moyers PBS interview of Joseph Campbell at Lucas' Skywalker Ranch. I played it at work, at home and in my vehicle. Thank you for posting this ... !!!

Will, you're killing it. Love this stuff. Very helpful for someone who might want to write something one day. Thank you!

Generalization leads to great things being left out

These are so well produced and articulated. I absolutely love it.

Thank you so much for this essay! I discovered Dan Harmon because he responded to a tweet from Graham Linehan, creator of Father Ted & The IT Crowd, discussing a story problem Dan had been able to resolve with a suggestion from Graham. He mentioned the story circle theory he was working on, and I was immediately in love. Since then, I've met Dan several times through my volunteer work with SFSketchfest and found him to be a genuine, intelligent, creative man with his own demons that keep him relatable. I have known about and respected George Lucas' crafting of Star Wars through The Hero's Journey for years, and even got to see George's own handwritten notes in his copy of "The Hero With A Thousand Faces" in his library on Skywalker Ranch when I worked there earlier this year. These are people and ideas that I love, and clearly you do too. Mad respect for reinvigorating my inspirations to write and create!

This is amazing. This video and Harmon's insight has given me new clarity to this story I'm writing. Thank you for making this.

Probably the most inspiring video on Youtube. I keep coming back to it and pick up new meanings each time. Great job man!

I love your videos, and really enjoyed this one because it was the perfect balance between relevant, deep, and entertaining. The structure that you described universal to every book, movie, and show almost exactly aligned with the plot of the novel that I am currently working on. It's haunting.

This really helped to understand plotting my novel

this video is so well made i cant even describe how inspiring it was listening to you! I have now a way better understanding about story and story telling then any teacher in my old school could teach me. The way they approach topics are uninteresting and just dull but you created something special and relatable we all know and understand in a simple and entertaining way. Thank you for this awesome video!