Dan Harmon: 'I Hate Canon,' But Gravity is My Guide

Dan Harmon, the creative force behind "Rick and Morty" and "Community," has significantly influenced modern character development with his Story Circle framework. Harmon's methods are widely applicable across various storytelling formats, from films to television series. He has garnered three Primetime Emmy Awards, underscoring his expertise in narrative construction. Recently, at an Adult Swim FYC event honoring shows like "Rick & Morty," Harmon engaged in a discussion with animation icons Genndy Tartakovsky and Joe Cappa, moderated by Adult Swim President Michael Ouweleen.

This panel featured three distinct generations of animation showrunners. Harmon, in particular, shared his contrarian stance on "canon," admitting to "hating canon" despite audience affection for it. He elaborated on his perspective, likening a writer's engagement with canon to an aeronautical engineer's relationship with gravity. This profound, yet characteristically eccentric, viewpoint has resonated deeply, much like his influential Story Circle model.