The Early Years of Dan Harmon: From Arkansas to Hollywood
Dan Harmon was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1973. He grew up in a conservative Christian family and spent his childhood in Arkansas. He attended Brown University but dropped out in his second year. After working odd jobs for a few years, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in writing for television.
Harmon’s early years in Hollywood were not easy. He worked as a writer on several unsuccessful shows and struggled to make ends meet. However, his big break came in 2009 when he created the hit sitcom Community, which ran for six seasons.
The Rise and Fall of Community: Dan Harmon’s Breakout Show
Community was a critical and commercial success, earning a cult following for its sharp writing, pop culture references, and meta humor. Harmon’s unique vision and storytelling style were a major factor in the show’s popularity. However, his tenure on the show was not without controversy. Harmon clashed with network executives and cast members, and was fired after the third season. He was rehired for the fifth season but left the show again after the sixth and final season.
Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, Community remains a beloved show among fans and critics alike. Its influence can be seen in other shows that followed, such as Rick and Morty, which Harmon co-created.
The Story Circle: Dan Harmon’s Approach to Storytelling
One of the hallmarks of Harmon’s writing is his use of the “story circle,” a narrative structure he developed based on Joseph Campbell’s “hero’s journey.” The story circle consists of eight stages: a character is in a zone of comfort, they want something, they enter an unfamiliar situation, they adapt, they get what they want, they pay a heavy price, they return to their familiar situation, and they have changed.
Harmon has used the story circle in his writing for Community, Rick and Morty, and other projects. He has also discussed the technique in his podcast and online writing tutorials, making it a popular tool for aspiring writers.
Dan Harmon’s Controversies: From Offensive Jokes to Apologies
Harmon’s career has not been without controversy. In 2018, an old video resurfaced in which he simulated rape on a baby doll. The video, which was intended as a parody of Dexter, was widely criticized as offensive and insensitive. Harmon apologized for the video and took a break from social media.
Harmon has also been accused of mistreating women on the set of Community. In 2018, actress Megan Ganz, who worked on the show, called out Harmon on Twitter for his behavior. Harmon apologized publicly and privately to Ganz, and she accepted his apology.
Dan Harmon’s Future: From Movies to New TV Shows
Despite the controversies, Harmon remains a prolific writer and producer. He has several projects in the works, including a movie adaptation of the video game Minecraft and a new animated series for Fox called Krapopolis. He also continues to host his popular podcast Harmontown and collaborate with other writers and artists.
As Harmon’s career continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how he continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and creativity.
