Become a Storyfinding Hero
Learn how to find the best stories for your clients and take your films to a whole new level.
Sign Up Today!You can be a tripod... or you can be a storyteller
You're a filmmaker.
It's in your blood.
Story. Character. That deep desire to make films that move people, get them to think, maybe even change the world.
But there's a problem...
You sign a client—congrats!—and you dive right in, camera in hand. Maybe the client has already picked a character for you, and you go with it. You hope that the story will find you along the way, and you string a plot together in post.
You make films, the clients pay you, and that's the last you hear of them—and your film.
Your stories are fine, but they're not great.
And fine doesn't make a difference.
So how do you make that change, that one key step in your process, that will take you from a decent filmmaker to a great one?
We at Muse discovered that the best stories start with the best characters. Characters who have desire, motivation, and uniqueness. The more they have of each of those things, the more the audience cares too.
This may sound familiar. But where do you even start finding those people? How do you get them to let you into their lives, on film?
That's the process of Storyfinding. And we'd love to make you a Storyfinding Hero.
Find the stories others can't. See what others don't.
Because remember, your perspective will always be the strongest lens you attach to a camera.
Tired of yet another online course...? We are too.
So we decided to do something about it. To make this course WAY more entertaining (and therefore effective), we tried something different. Really different.
We blindfolded our producer, asked her to throw a dart at a US map, and wherever it landed, we gave ourselves just 3 days to find a story and make it into the film.
This course gives you all access to that adventure. The ultimate way to see how the Muse team finds stories live in the field.
Get lifetime access to Storyfinding Hero for just $27
Based on science, rooted in passion.
At Muse Storytelling, we've found and told some pretty remarkable stories over the years.
We've used these ideas to win Emmys.
We've used them in our work with global brands like FujiFilm, Four Seasons, and the NFL.
We've used them to rack up tens of millions of views for our original web series.
And we've taught our methods in closed-door sessions at Apple, Nike, and the United Nations.
It's not luck; it's our process.
Our storyfinding method works—consistently.
Put in the work, learn a few fundamental ideas, and take your stories to new heights.
Here's what you'll get when you choose to become a Storyfinding Hero
1. The Storyfinding Documentary
In this 30-minute documentary, you get to experience the raw, unfiltered journey of our high-pressure storyfinding challenge and see exactly how the storyfinding process works in the real world...not on a Powerpoint slide.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO:
- Research and find emotionally engaging story leads
- Verify leads and vet stories quickly to save on production time
- Get people on board and willing to step in front of the camera
- Grade the strength of a story so you know precisely what signs to look for that make it clear you've found the story for your project (and you should stop looking)
- Bring the story to life through interviews and a 4-pillar storytelling framework
2. The Story Structure Brainstorm Session
In this training video, we give you an over-the-shoulder view of a 15-minute Storybuilding session where we took our story idea and crafted it into a clear compelling narrative before shooting a single frame.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO:
- Construct plot points from scratch
- Check your story for clarity (so you never have to "find it in post" again)
- Avoid the story development mistakes that lead to overshooting, wasted time, and uninspired, unemotional films
3. The Full, Uncut Final Interview
As a nonprofit, commercial, or documentary filmmaker, you need to know how to conduct effective, emotional interviews to bring your story to life.
You'll get unrestricted access to the entire 70-minute interview, so you can see our unique, science-based interview techniques in action — and we'll explain exactly what we're doing and why.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO:
- Put interviewees at ease, build their trust, and get them willing to be vulnerable enough to share their story
- Direct a conversation without controlling it
- Use questions to naturally draw out the character’s authentic story and capture those emotional moments
- Go beyond surface-level interviews and dig into the deeper, more profound layers of the story without feeling (or being) intrusive
4. Downloadable Resources
Using these templates, schedule, find, and track everything you need for your next great story. Plus, the email we use to pitch storyfinding to clients and explain how it leads to greater results.
YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO:
- Get people to submit their own stories, and even recruit volunteers who will help you find your next great story
- Keep track of all of your characters in a spreadsheet with a color-coded rating system that identifies the strongest candidates
- Send an email that helps encourage clients to step back, giving you the time and budget to do Storyfinding
"What I had was a hobby that I told myself was a business.
I actually wanted a business. I wanted to build a lifestyle around filmmaking. Ultimately, I didn't have the business tools that I needed to actually grow.
I'm just going to do everything that Muse taught me — I'm going to run with it.
I think I got more than I could have ever asked for. I didn't expect the confidence and power I feel over my own life and my own business."
- BARRETT, CALIFORNIA
Here's How Storyfinding Helps You Become a More Profitable Filmmaker
Storyfinding is 100% billable and it’s an easy investment for first-time clients.
Storyfinding is a process and you don't have to do it for free. You can sign a low-risk scope for storyfinding; if you find what the client wants, you'll make the film. If not, the client is only out the storyfinding fee.
It's a strong way to develop better stories and build trust for first-time clients because it costs them less.
You'll be able to close more projects because you've got storyfinding on your side.
When you find the perfect character who fits the story you want to tell, and you can passionately pitch them to your client, it shows. The client might just fall in love with your character too, because they will feel the specificity of the story.
Rather than a general pitch about what you might do, you'll be able to use story to get funded.
Who is Storyfinding Hero For?
If you work with real people in your stories, this course will help you find and develop the best characters inside of those stories.
This mini-course is for those who work in nonprofit, commercial, documentary, or wedding fields.
You'll get access to the mini-documentary and full training course for just
$27
You'll receive lifetime access to...
The 30-min Storyfinding documentary
The story construction brainstorm
The 70-minute uncut final interview
Downloadable resources
