It begins with two words: FADE IN. But then what?

  • Find your Core Story

    Draw out values in conflict so that your plot line pops

  • Conquer the blank page

    Overcome writers block with carefully-designed exercises developed by a writer, for writers.

  • Tap into your creativity

    Through exercises and goal setting, so that you complete your project and take it all the way through a successful sale.

Learn how to...

Course alumni receive exclusive access to our Story Design Master Community, where you'll connect with fellow writers, creatives, entrepreneurs, producers, funding groups, and distributors — and have access to special events around the country and at major film festivals, like Sundance and SXSW!

  • Develop strong writing habits and create a story that is marketable and sells, grounded in a solid "dramatic premise," guided by an expert, award-winning (and tenured) professor of screenwriting.

  • Develop an industry-quality logline, treatment, pitch, beat sheet, step outline, using the techniques that have led to SJ's success in the film industry - and the success of many students and alumni.

  • Build strong, memorable characters, so that your protagonist, antagonist, and supporting characters attract the attention of A-list actors. And most importantly, your script won't sacrifice plot to character, or character to plot.

  • Dive deep into scenes, conflict, turning points, and create memorable character moments that drive the story forward and create what professionals refer to as "triangulation."

  • Write meaningful dialogue, fueled by what professional writers call "subtext," and develop unique voices for each of your characters in the integrated "character web."

  • Break your story into several key movements, or building blocks, so that your audience and reader is always on the edge of their seat, full of suspense.

  • Develop acts that result in maximum audience engagement and box office returns, by laying a solid yet invisible blueprint that empowers your creativity to soar.

  • Analyze the success of blockbuster projects and learn how to replicate, but also innovate, on their solid foundations, to ensure that your script results in a film that reaches hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. (And gets made!)

  • Leverage your skills to break into Hollywood, get your film made, and understand the ins and outs of the market. We'll place you in charge of your screenwriting career and take the guess work out of the next steps.

  • Master the art of storytelling ethics, and consider how the events developed on-screen impact your audience and interact with the human brain, based on the most recent research. AND SO MUCH MORE!

What do you have to lose?

Your epic FADEOUT is within reach.

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Sarah-Jane Murray

About The Instructor

Dr. SJ Murray (PhD, Princeton; tenured faculty, Baylor) is an EMMY-nominated writer & producer, and executive producer/ showrunner. In 2018, she was selected as one of the #50 Women transforming the media & entertainment spaces in the US. She has won 20 international creative awards and is the author of two books, including Basics of Story Design (2017). She has spoken at, or curated events in collaboration with, organizations including the White House, Harvard, the University of Paris, Microsoft HQ, and sits on the board of the Summit Institute. She lives in Austin with her feisty Wheaton poo, Coco Chanel, and is represented by Claire Best & Associates


Unleash your story.

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Course curriculum

  • 01
  • 03
    STEP 1: Read a Great Script
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    • Video
    • Lesson - Read a Great Script
    • Exercises
  • 04
    STEP 2: Beginnings
    Show details
    • Video
    • Lesson - Beginnings
    • Exercises
  • 05
    STEP 3: World Building
    Show details
    • Video
    • Lesson - World Building
    • Exercises
  • 07
    STEP 5: The Dilemma
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    • Video
    • Lesson - The Dilemma
    • Exercises
  • 08
    STEP 6: Crossing the Threshold
    Show details
    • Video
    • Lesson - Crossing the Threshold
    • Exercises
  • 09
    STEP 7: A New Friend
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    • Video
    • Lesson - A New Friend
    • Exercises
  • 10
    STEP 8: The Midpoint
    Show details
    • Video
    • Lesson - The Midpoint
    • Exercises
  • 11
    STEP 9: All Downhill
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    • Video
    • Lesson - All Downhill
    • Exercises
  • 12
    STEP 10: The Grand Finale
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    • Lesson - The Grand Finale
    • Exercises
  • 13
    STEP 11: Building Blocks
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    • Video
    • Lesson - Building Blocks
    • Story Worksheet
  • 14
    STEP 12: Back to Basics
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    • Video
    • Lesson - Back to Basics
    • Exercises
  • 15
    STEP 13: More Character Basics
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    • Video
    • Lesson - More Character Basics
    • Exercises
  • 16
    STEP 14: Making a Splash
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    • Video
    • Lesson - Making a Splash
    • Exercises
  • 17
    STEP 15: Compare and Contrast
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    • Video
    • Lesson - Compare and Contrast
    • Exercises
  • 18
    STEP 16: To Outline!
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    • Video
    • Lesson - To Outline!
    • Exercises
  • 19
    STEP 17: Please Mind the Gap
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    • Video
    • Lesson - Please Mind the Gap
    • Exercises
  • 20
    STEP 18: Storytelling Ethics
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    • Video
    • Lesson - Storytelling Ethics
  • 21
    STEP 19: To Draft!
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    • Video
    • Lesson - To Draft!
    • Exercises
  • 22
    STEP 20: The Rewrite
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    • Video
    • Lesson - The Rewrite
    • Exercises
  • 23
    APPENDIX: Documentary Film
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    • DOCUMENTARY FILM

Join the story revolution

Thinking about grad school? Think again. In Basics of Story Design, SJ gives you the tools and techniques to unlock your potential and follow your storytelling dreams.

No more writers block. Write that screenplay. Follow your dream.