Course Outline

Day 1: Story Design

Day one addresses the three confusions writers commonly face when structuring a story, then presents seven steps to building deep structure. The session concludes with techniques for creating a single driving force that unifies the narrative.

The Anatomy of Story Master Class is built around the principle that great storytelling is not a mystery but a craft that can be learned through systematic design. Rather than relying on inspiration alone, this approach teaches writers to construct narratives from the ground up, beginning with the fundamental architecture that supports every compelling script. The method emphasizes that character and plot are not separate elements but deeply intertwined forces that must be developed together. By understanding how these core components interact, writers gain the ability to build stories that feel both structurally sound and emotionally resonant, moving beyond formulaic templates toward original, well-crafted work.

Day one of the Master Class focuses on story design, beginning with the common confusions that trip up even experienced writers when they try to structure a narrative. The session introduces seven concrete steps for building deep structure, moving from abstract concepts to practical application. Writers learn how to identify the central driving force that will unify their entire story, ensuring that every scene and character serves a purposeful function. This foundational work establishes a clear roadmap, allowing participants to see how individual story elements fit together before they begin the detailed work of scene construction and dialogue.

The second day delves into the twenty-two building blocks that appear in every successful script, offering writers a comprehensive toolkit for constructing their narrative. These structural components range from the opening image to the final confrontation, each serving a specific purpose in advancing the story and developing the protagonist. Understanding these building blocks gives writers the ability to diagnose problems in their own work and make precise adjustments. Rather than guessing at what might work, participants learn to recognize which structural elements their story needs and how to deploy them effectively for maximum dramatic impact.

Throughout the three-day intensive, writers work with a methodology that emphasizes clarity and intentionality over guesswork. The Master Class provides a repeatable process that can be applied to any story, whether the writer is starting a new project or revising an existing script. Participants leave with a practical framework for thinking about story structure that goes beyond simple three-act formulas. The approach encourages writers to trust their creative instincts while grounding their choices in proven structural principles, resulting in scripts that are both original and dramatically powerful.

Day 2: The 22 Building Blocks

Day two covers the 22 building blocks found in every great script — the structural and character elements writers can use to construct scenes and sequences that hold together dramatically.

Day 3: Applying the Method

The final day focuses on applying the structural and character principles from the first two days to a writer's own material, working through the practical mechanics of plot and character development.