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Two separate 90 minute sessions to discuss your work in detail. Notes and brainstorming solutions with Shrek 2 writer J. David Stem

One on One, 90 min coaching session with J. David Stem. Clarity, Solutions. Brainstorming. "Worth 10x what I paid" Jason D. Smith. At the end of this wide-ranging session, you walk away with clarity on exactly what to focus on to bring your script to life. "Meeting was SO helpful. Weight lifted off my writing shoulders." — Annie Glade "No professor has moved my craft forward like David." — Shauna, ex Studio Exec The exact diagnostic method I used at Disney, Paramount, DreamWorks for 25 years.

Stop stumbling through plots and learn how to write like it matters. Most writers nail structure but their characters feel hollow. This intensive teaches you Emotional Authorship — the framework I used to land Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, and $2.5B in box office. You'll learn The Primal Questions that diagnose broken characters in minutes, and build characters audiences love. 3 live sessions. Lifetime access. Hot Seat coaching. Plus a 1:1 treatment review.

This powerful tool is trained on my coaching and will unlock your story and characters to deep levels you may never have considered. An incredible tool that is like having me coaching right along with you. It will not write for you, but it will absolutely force you to question and think in ways you haven't until now!

Your opening is everything. Why? Because it shows the reader you understand craft and character and care to create something amazing. Ideally, your character should be living a lie, unknowingly waiting for the story to come kick them in the teeth and force them to either heal or die. M. Night beautifully sets that up here. And the line from the son, "I think God did it" -- sums up an ongoing convo that's about to get tested to the max in this beautiful film.

Here I discuss what makes a compelling opening that draws the reader in, how to introduce characters and world building. And to demonstrate you understand and care about the craft of screenwriting and value the readers time and attention in the first 2 pages.