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Story Mastery: Hollywood Story Selling With Michael Hauge

Name: Story Mastery: Hollywood Story Selling With Michael Hauge
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)

Tell Blockbuster-Style Stories In Your Webinars, Launches, Social Media, Book, or Presentations

Hot & New

New

Created byMichael Hauge

Last updated 7/2026

English

What you'll learn

Know what story to tell in any given situation to achieve your desired outcome.
Structure your story like a Hollywood movie for maximum impact.
Connect with audiences and customers emotionally to motivate action.
Create marketing stories that lead to sales and revue growth.

Course content

12 sections • 49 lectures • 13h 29m total length

Welcome to Hollywood StorySelling17:56
The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.
- Stephen King, On Writing

Introduction3:35
In this lesson, you will learn to identify 1 or 2 compelling stories that you will develop to perfection by the end of this course.
GOALS FOR THIS MODULE:
Answer the 7 questions audiences ask as soon as you begin your presentation.
Research and begin identifying possible stories taken from your past experiences
Narrow your list by selecting stories that contain the 5 pillars of a great story
Define the heroes of those stories
List at least one potential story from each of the 3 categories
Select 1 or 2 stories to develop as you go through this entire course
Use the Story Template to create a logline for your selected story(ies)
The 7-5-3-1 Approach12:23
In this lesson, you will learn the 7-5-3-1 Approach.
What is the 7-5-3-1 Approach?
The 7 questions audiences ask
The 5 Pillars of every great story
The 3 types of stories you must master
The #1 goal of every story
Story Action #1: Complete Workbook
Complete Pages 11-14 in your workbook
Story Action #2: Share In The Community
Share a takeaway from this lesson with the community. Go to the Community.
Defining Your Hero16:26
Defining Your Hero. In this lesson, you will learn the 8 qualities the heroes of your stories must possess.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete Pages 15-16 in your workbook
Share Your Work
What did your hero learn in your story?
The Hero Checklist10:01
In this lesson you will learn the 8 Critical Questions you must answer about your hero before moving forward with any story.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 17-18 in your workbook
Share Your Work
Why will your audience identify with the problem your hero faced?
Creating Your Logline11:13
In this lesson, you will learn how to quickly and easily express your story in a single, simple sentence.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete page 19 in your workbook
Complete Module 1
Check your Progress:
If you are breezing through the entire course to get an overview of the process:
1. Think of one or two possible stories from your own experiences.
2. Create a logline for each of those stories.
If you are developing your story module by module.
1. Brainstorm at least half a dozen possible stories.
2. Categorize those into 3 groups: personal stories (you’re the hero), successful client stories (the hero is someone you guided or inspired to achieve their goals), and mentor stories (the hero is someone who guided or inspired you with their successes, ideas or principles).
3. Select one or two personal stories and one or two successful client stories you would like to develop for this class.
4. Verify that each of these stories contains the 5 pillars of a great story (and replace or remove any that don’t).
5. Remove or replace stories that are missing any of the items on the Hero Checklist.
6. Choose your favorite of the remaining stories to develop throughout this entire course. (If you want to use one personal story AND one client success story, that’s fine.)
7. Use the Story Template to create the logline for your story.
8. Give yourself a treat — this lesson covered a lot of ground, and you’re doing great!
Share your work
Share your logline in the community

Introduction5:34
In this lesson, you will learn the background to Michael’s 6-Step Success Story ® process.
GOALS FOR THIS MODULE:
Learn Michael’s 6-Step Success Story approach to plot structure.
Apply the 6-Step Success Story process to your selected story(ies).
Identify the key components of each of the six steps for the hero of your story.
Read the Introduction to Lisa Campbell's book
As a way of prepping for this module, you may want to read the Introduction to Lisa Campbell's book.
(Optional but encouraged)
You may also want to watch (or rewatch) the movie HITCH.
You can also read the script below.
Identify one thing from the Hero's Checklist in the Introduction to Lisa Campbell's book
Step 1 - The Setup11:09
In this lesson, you will learn the 6 key components of the Setup.
Complete Workshop Pages
Complete pages 27-28 in your workbook
Step 2 - The Crisis12:19
In this lesson, you will learn the 7 key components of the Crisis/Opportunity/Tipping Point.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 29-30 in your workbook
Steps 3 & 4 - Pursuit and Conflict11:56
In this lesson, you will learn the 5 key components of Step 3 - Pursuit, and the 6 key components of Step 4 - Conflict.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 31-32 in your workbook
Steps 5 & 6 - The Climax & The Aftermath10:53
In this lesson, you will learn the 3 key components of Step 5 - the Climax, and the 4 key components of Step 6: an inspiring Aftermath.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 33-34 in your workbook
Identifying Your Hero' 6 Steps17:08
In this lesson, you will learn the key Hero questions for the 6 Steps.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 35-36 in your workbook
Complete Module 2
If you filled in the blanks and answered all (or most of) the Key Questions for each of the 6 Steps, you don’t have any more to do. You’re ready to go on to the Inner Journey!
But give yourself a new reward for completing your second Module and celebrate how far your story has come already!

Introduction4:13
In this lesson, you will learn the power of adding greater depth, emotion, and impact to your story by developing your hero’s inner journey from identity to essence.
GOALS FOR THIS MODULE:
Discover the hero’s inner journey for your story(ies).
Identify your hero’s Identity and Essence.
Identify the 6 Steps for your hero’s inner journey.
Intertwine the hero’s inner and outer journeys for your 6-Step Success Story.
Read 'The King's Speech' script
We will also be discussing the film THE KING’S SPEECH in detail. Read the script below.
Share a story observation from Dan Henry's webinar.
What Is the Innery Journey?8:57
In this lesson, you will learn how the Inner Journey process fits into your overall story.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete page 41 in your workbook
From Identity to Essence18:54
In this lesson, you will learn how to take the hero of your story from fear to courage with 7 questions for the Inner Journey.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 42-43 in your workbook
Uniting the Hero's 2 Journeys16:54
In this lesson, you will learn what it takes for the hero of your story to achieve their goals. The 6 stages of the hero's Inner Journey invite you to explore and follow the hero's pain.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 44-45 in your workbook.

Introduction9:48
In this lesson, you will learn how close you are to completing your great story.
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR THIS MODULE:
Write a very brief 1st draft of your story using Michael’s 6-Step Story Map®.
GOALS FOR THIS MODULE:
Define the key elements of your story based on your 6-Step outline.
Insert those elements into the Story Map template.
Refine the prose of the story map template, so you have a genuine 1st draft of your story.
Elements of the 6-Step Story19:54
In this lesson, you will learn the Elements of each step in the 6-Step Story.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 50-55 in your workbook
The Story Map STEP 18:52
In this lesson, you will learn how to effectively use the Story Map - Step 1 template in order to move your story forward.
In this lesson, you will learn the Elements of each step in the 6-Step Story.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 56-57 in your workbook
The Story Map STEP 211:33
In this lesson you will learn the crisis that moves your hero to action.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 58-59 in your workbook
The Story Map STEP 3 & 46:25
In this lesson you will learn how your hero’s pursuit and conflict will be identified in your story map.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 60-61 in your workbook
The Story Map STEP 5 & 615:55
In this lesson you will learn the final steps of the climax and the aftermath. Also, we template The Karate Kid as an example.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete page 62 in your workbook
Add Details to Your First Draft
Go over the 1st draft from your Story Map and make the language more natural and effective based on the details of your story. But no need to expand your story yet; you’ll be doing that in our next module when you begin mastering Style & Presentation.
You’ve already done plenty of work for now. Time for a break, a celebration, and a new reward for COMPLETING THE 1ST DRAFT OF YOUR STORY!

Introduction5:01
In this lesson, you will learn to expand the first draft of your story to create more depth, meaning, and emotion in your story.
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR THIS MODULE:
Transport your readers and audiences by adding vivid, captivating, and emotionally powerful action, description and dialogue to your stories.
GOALS FOR THIS MODULE:
Use Hollywood screenwriting principles to create a riveting movie in the minds of your prospects.
Expand the first draft of your story to create more depth, meaning, and emotion in your story.
Persuade your readers and audiences to take action by uniting the emotion of your story with your content, instruction, message, and words of inspiration.
To prepare for this module: Be sure to watch or read the story example: JOHANN HARI'S TED TALK.
Be a Screenwriter PART 126:21
In this lesson, you will learn to create a movie in the mind of your reader.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 74-78 in your workbook
Be a Screenwriter PART 221:30
In this lesson, you will learn more about story from reading and analyzing excerpts from "Beat the Bridge."
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete page 79 in your workbook
Intertwining Stories, Information & Instruction21:36
In this lesson, you will learn to intertwine your story and your unique content.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 80-82 in your workbook
Staying On Track7:50
In this lesson, you will learn the value of making your story too long, and a litmus test for knowing what to omit.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 83 in your workbook
Before moving on to Module VI...
1. Go back to the 1st draft you created with your Story Map.
2. Based on the ideas and principles from this Module, brainstorm ideas for how you might add action, description and dialogue to each step of your story in order to create a movie in the minds of your readers and audiences.
3. Write the second draft of your story using the best of those ideas to transport your prospects into the story and elicit deeper emotion.

Introduction5:32
In this lesson, you will learn to avoid the quicksand that can sabotage your story.
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR THIS MODULE:
Elevate your presentation by avoiding and eliminating the most common weaknesses and mistakes in your story.
GOALS FOR THIS MODULE:
Make certain you’ve selected the best possible story to move your readers and audiences to action.
Tighten the plot structure of your story to maximize emotion. Make the characters of your story more captivating, empathetic, and proactive.
Sharpen the style, clarity, and specificity of your writing and presentation
WATCH THE VIDEO:
As a way of prepping for this Module, watch ED RUSH’S SPEECH.
Read The Green Book Script
Our movie example for this module will be GREEN BOOK, And you can also READ THE GREENBOOK SCREENPLAY if you want.
Bulletproof Story Concepts14:12
In this lesson, you will learn the story selection mistakes.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 89-90 in your workbook
Bulletproof Structure17:08
In this lesson, you will learn structure, so it aligns with the 6-Steps Success Story® principles.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 91-92 in your workbook
Bulletproof Characters19:17
In this lesson, you will learn the process of character development and choosing the correct character for the hero's role.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 93-94 in your workbook
Bulletproof Style15:52
In this lesson, you will learn the style weaknesses that can undermine the impact of your story.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 95-96 in your workbook
Before moving on to Module VII...
Bulletproof your story by going through each step to identify any of the weaknesses presented, and then improve or eliminate them.

Introduction5:37
In this lesson, you will learn powerful Hollywood principles to deeply impact your readers, audiences, and prospects.
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR THIS MODULE:
Apply the most powerful Hollywood principles and techniques to your story, and take your writing, marketing, and presentation skills to a level that will set you apart from your competitors, and will deeply impact your readers, audiences and prospects.
GOALS FOR THIS MODULE:
Research your hero more deeply
Employ alternative openings to your story, and choose the approach that will most effectively transport your prospects into the world you’ve created.
Develop the characters that will best bring out your hero’s goal, conflict, transformation, and success.
Resolve your story in a way that moves your prospects to action and inspires them to live better.
Recognize the times when you should break the rules of storytelling in order to increase emotional impact.
Experience your own transformation as you complete a story that will change the lives of your readers, audiences, and the people whose lives they touch.
READ THE SCRIPT:
Our last Hollywood StorySelling movie example will be HIDDEN FIGURES.
Mastering Openings14:50
In this lesson, you will learn the 5 Alternative Opening Scenes to captivate your prospects & followers.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete page 103 in your workbook
Researching Your Story30:58
In this lesson, you will learn the key research questions for adding depth to your hero.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 104-106 in your workbook
Mastering Multiple Characters19:33
In this lesson, you will learn to elevate your story by mastering multiple characters.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 107 in your workbook
Mastering Endings12:18
In this lesson, you will learn a few key ideas to create the most powerful, persuasive & inspiring endings for your stories.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete page 108 in your workbook
Breaking the Rules17:02
In this lesson, you will learn why - and how - sometimes you just have to break the “rules” of storytelling.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete page 109 in your workbook
Becoming Heroic41:51
In this lesson, you will learn about how I met Will Smith, and how you can use the magic of storytelling to make your characters, readers, audiences, and yourself more heroic.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 110-111 in your workbook

Hollywood Tricks of the Trade Part 123:15
In this lesson, you will learn secret Hollywood techniques that will set you apart from your colleagues and competitors.
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR BONUS #1:
Add to your arsenal of storytelling tools — and multiply the impact you will have on your readers and audiences — by mastering the most powerful principles and techniques I’ve acquired during my 40+ years in Hollywood. THE
HOLLYWOOD SECRETS INCLUDE:
PART 1:
Two additional turning points to add to your 6-Step Success Story
The value of subtext
PART 2:
Scene by scene structural devices to keep your followers captivated.
The power of repetition
PART 3:
Manipulating time to maximize emotion
Raising the stakes
PART 4:
The need for deception
Choosing a great title
Finding the perfect ending
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete page 114 in your workbook
Hollywood Tricks of the Trade Part 229:17
In this lesson, you will learn structural devices that are used repeatedly in Hollywood movies.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 115-116 in your workbook
Hollywood Tricks of the Trade Part 317:22
In this lesson you will learn how Hollywood storytellers use time.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 117-118 in your workbook
Hollywood Tricks of the Trade Part 422:46
In this lesson, you will learn alternative endings for increasing your stories’ impact.
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 119-121 in your workbook

Storytelling For Nonfiction Books32:17
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR BONUS #2:
Greatly increase your industry standing, your persuasive power, the number of your clients and followers, and your business success by applying the Hollywood StorySelling process to stories woven throughout your non-fiction book.
This Bonus Module will reveal:
Why writing a book is essential to building your business
7 Steps to creating a high-impact non-fiction book
The 2 chapters that must open your book
Selecting stories for each chapter
Your most powerful final chapter
Complete Workbook Pages
Complete pages 124-129 in your workbook

Requirements

There are no pre-existing requirements for this course.

Description

Hollywood StorySelling is simple, step-by-step system for crafting powerful sales stories - in just a few hours - that can multiply your conversion rates, whether you’re selling on:

Webinars & product launches
Stage presentations
Sales pages, emails, & social media
Podcasts & interviews
Best-selling nonfiction books

As entrepreneurs, we pour our hearts into our business. Yet too often, our hard work goes unnoticed.

You may have spent countless hours crafting the "perfect" webinar, video, or email series... only to watch tumbleweeds blow through your sales page.

Why?

Because expertise alone isn't enough to move people to buy.

That’s where Hollywood comes in. Hollywood has spent billions learning how to keep audiences on the edge of their seats and drive them to take action - buy tickets, recommend to friends, invest in franchises, and more.

I’m Michael Hauge, the consultant top Hollywood studios call for scripts that emotionally engage AND inspire audiences. I’ve spent four decades shaping blockbusters for A-listers like Will Smith and Julia Roberts.

Plus. I’ve coached entrepreneurs like Russell Brunson and Dan Henry to tell stories that lead to six-figure months, doubled conversion rates, and tripled revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this work for my specific type of business?

Yes. Humans are hardwired to respond to stories. From coaches and consultants to e-commerce, SaaS, real estate, financial services, health and wellness... you name it. I've helped screenwriters, professional speakers, authors, and entrepreneurs in countless niches.

Q: I don't have a dramatic "rags to riches" story. Can this still work for me?

This is one of the most common concerns I hear. The truth is, some of the most powerful selling stories aren't about massive transformations. They're about relatable moments and small insights that changed everything. In Module 1, we'll uncover stories you never realized were valuable, and I'll show you exactly how to frame them to connect with your audience.

Q: I'm already juggling a ton of projects. How much time will this take?

I built Hollywood StorySelling specifically for busy entrepreneurs and business leaders. You can complete the core training in a weekend if you want to binge it, or spread it out in 20-30 minute chunks. And remember, once you create your core stories, you can repurpose them across all your marketing for years to come.

Q: How will I know if I'm getting my investment back?

Great question. Other programs might improve one area of your marketing or business. Storytelling impacts EVERY area of your business. When applied, you can see the benefit in sales, emails, webinars, landing pages, speeches, books, testimonials, and well, everything! Just one successful webinar, launch or speech using these techniques can pay for the program many times over.

Who this course is for:

Business owners, marketers, speakers, and storytellers.

Story Mastery: Hollywood Story Selling With Michael Hauge

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Start Here1 lecture • 18min

Find Your Perfect Story5 lectures • 54min

Story Structure - The 6-Step Success Story6 lectures • 1hr 9min

The Inner Journey4 lectures • 49min

The 30-Minute 1st Draft6 lectures • 1hr 12min

Transporting Your Audience: Style & Presentation5 lectures • 1hr 22min

Bulletproofing Your Story5 lectures • 1hr 12min

Story Mastery7 lectures • 2hr 22min

Hollywood Tricks of the Trade4 lectures • 1hr 33min

Storytelling For Nonfiction Books1 lecture • 32min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: