How to pitch your documentary
We hear about and see a lot of pitching tools for drama. But what do you need for a great factual pitch? Emma Millions explains.
Articles
Read stories from John, our experts and community, and find out more about the world of narrative structure in exclusive interviews with screenwriters, producers, games writers, copywriters, and filmmakers. Start browsing or select a category below.
It’s easier than you think to create great pitch decks
If you find yourself being asked by a producer, commissioner, broadcaster or financier to deliver a super slick pitch deck, don’t panic.
Does your character have an internal desire that drives your story?
Your character has a ‘want’, but do they have a ‘need’? BAFTA-winning John Yorke explains how you establish a character’s internal desire.
Lessons from a John Yorke screenwriting course
How did a John Yorke Story screenwriting course transform the way actor, writer and director Jamie Di Spirito sees story?
How a JYS course helped my career in factual TV
Amy Jarrold details her experiences on John Yorke’s Story for Documentary online training course, and its lasting impact on her work in TV.
What game writers should know when pitching
Every game begins with a treatment – so how do you distil a whole game into a couple of thousand words? Game designer Nick Dixon explains.
Why three-act business stories don’t work anymore
Richard Benson explains how writing business stories in five acts can create more impact than three.
How five-act structure make ads more effective
Can an ad made for just £50 deliver more effectively than a John Lewis advert featuring Elton John and costing £7m? We break two ads into five acts to find out.
How to master five-act structure
John Yorke works with a screenwriter as she learns to master the core elements of five-act structure: inciting incidents, moments of hope and despair, and the point of no return.