
Our training is based on the story principles outlined in John Yorke‘s bestselling book Into the Woods.
EVERYTHING you DO is ABOUT STORY
Understand why stories underpin everything – and how to use them effectively to transform your world and your work.
From speeches to strategy. From finance to HR. Whether you’re creating a brand or a TV series, a video game or a research bid, a novel or a pitch, join us for:
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CPD training and workshops
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Conferences and masterclasses
-
Practical online courses taught in small groups
-
Script development consultancy
EVERYTHING you DO is ABOUT STORY
Understand why stories underpin everything – and how to use them effectively to transform your world and your work.
From speeches to strategy. From finance to HR. Whether you’re creating a brand or a TV series, a video game or a research bid, a novel or a pitch, join us for:
-
CPD training and workshops
-
Conferences and masterclasses
-
Practical online courses taught in small groups
-
Script development consultancy
TRANSFORM your ORGANISATION
The best sales teams are good storytellers, the most effective strategies follow a narrative, and the most loyal customers are emotionally engaged. Stories determine the success of any organisation – let our flexible training packages bring your teams up to speed.

[The course] really transformed the way we discuss ideas. For my team it was a real step change, giving them a shared vocabulary and improving everyone’s ability to feedback on each other’s work in a positive collaborative way.
– Russell Finch – Managing Partner Somethin’ Else

PROGRESS your CAREER
We offer accessible, industry-focused CPD courses for professionals at any stage of their career. Fit premium training around your work and home life, and join our thriving online community of creative industry practitioners. See our latest bursary opportunities and alumni updates.
The fact that the team wanted to find out more about our requirements in order to ensure that we received the most appropriate [professional training] was greatly appreciated. It was great to get options on the practical task…and it was a perfect fit.
– Luned Whelan – Executive Manager TAC TV
LEARN from
INDUSTRY EXPERTS
John Yorke is widely acknowledged as the UK’s foremost expert on story, and Into the Woods is the bestselling book on the subject in the UK. John works with a team of narrative trainers who are experts both in their field and in teaching practical ways to apply story structure.

John is one of those rare speakers who has deep expertise but wears it lightly. He held our audience spellbound with great insight and superb examples, delivered with a mixture of intelligence and humour that was exactly what our event needed.
– Martin Lee – Acacia Avenue
Our LATEST ARTICLES
Lessons from a John Yorke screenwriting course, by filmmaker Jamie Di Spirito
How does John Yorke’s advanced screenwriting course transform the way you see story? Jamie Di Spirito, writer and director of award-winning short film Thrive (2019) shares his experiences.
How a John Yorke course helped Amy Jarrold’s growing career in factual TV
Amy Jarrold made the leap to TV yet felt she lacked a solid understanding of how successful factual stories are crafted. During lockdown she embarked on John Yorke’s Story for Documentary and Factual online course. Here, she details her experiences and its lasting impact on her work.
Nick Dixon on what game writers need to know when pitching
Every game begins with a treatment that’s a few pages long – so how do you distil a whole game into a couple of thousand words? Here, game designer Nick Dixon explains how to write a proper video game treatment and the importance of effectively combining narrative and gameplay.
WHAT people SAY ABOUT our TRAINING
John ran a session for the Channel4 Cutting Edge Directors’ scheme. It was fascinating, and he used an extraordinarily broad range of cultural references in a brilliantly accessible way. We would jump at the chance of working with him again.
I knew when I saw your slides the night before that we were in for a treat and you didn’t disappoint. It was a fascinating insight into the way in which storytelling applies to the business world.
Story lies at the heart of everything we do at the NFTS. John’s witty, wide ranging and informative talks, tailored to our students’ needs, are unmissable events in our Screen Arts calendar.
WHO we WORK WITH







