STORY CONSULTING & WORKSHOPS

Stories sell films. Seems simple enough, but you'd be surprised how many emerging (and established) documentary filmmakers have difficulty articulating their story when put on the spot. And while documentary films can be more exploratory than scripted projects, they still require the buy-in of your production team, funding organizations, broadcasters and streamers if you want to reach large audiences. In short, no one wants a film about a subject or thing. They want stories about people trying to do things that reveal something about what it means to be human.

And like any filmmaker, documentary writers and directors need to have a clear vision for their story long before before they take it to camera. That's why for the past 20 years I've helped documentary filmmakers quickly transform their raw ideas into stories through one-on-one consultations or story workshops. Using a simple series of exercises, filmmakers are challenged to hone their ideas and find their focus. Because clear thinking is the basis of good writing. And good writing can create compelling loglines, elevator pitches and treatments that help get documentary films greenlit. 

But since I do way more private consultations for successful production companies than story building workshops for emerging artists, I've decided to create an affordable online writing guide anyone can use called Focus on Story: A Pitch-to-Premiere Writing Guide for Documentary Filmmakers. In hopes of leveling the playing field between established directors and emerging voices, Focus on Story is a short writing guide designed to help all filmmakers quickly transform their initial ideas into compelling and saleable narratives grounded in quality research, character development and story structure.