
Welcome! This lecture explains what you will get out of the course, and walks you through the curriculum.
This lecture jumps right in to the first exciting topic: what PLOT is and how to create it! Here you will discover that plot is NOT what most people think it is at all.
One sentence will describe what plot is and enable you instantly to begin creating plot for your own story.
Here you will learn the 4 essential elements of PLOT.
Examples are so important. Here we look at clips from an adorable animated Disney film, PLANES, that does a beautiful job of setting up PLOT in its first few minutes.
Examples from ANCHORMAN 2 show PLOT being created in a comedy.
The Suspense Guru keys to creating plot work in every genre. Examples from LES MIZ show how plot is created in a musical drama.
The framing story of TITANIC provides great examples of how plot is created.
There's one more AMAZING thing you will learn in this lesson!
The most important decision you will make when starting your story is to select the STYLE. Style is different than genre. There are hundreds of genres, but only 11 styles. Here you will learn exactly what they are. What effect do you want to have on your audience?
Here are the detailed descriptions of each of the 11 STYLES.
Here is where we recap everything you learned in this section!
Vik walks you through the first worksheet. This worksheet is carefully constructed to help you apply what you are learning to your own story. By answering a few Suspense Guru questions about your story, you will already be launched into breaking your story like a pro!
This is the worksheet for section 1. In the resources you will find a special downloadable file containing this worksheet. It will open in the free versions of Adobe Acrobat for Windows or Mac. (Mac users: use the free version of Acrobat instead of Mac's Preview app). You can click and type directly into that file! No need to print out the worksheet and write on it by hand—although you can certainly do that if you wish.
It will only take a single sentence for the Suspense Guru to tell you what SUSPENSE is and empower you to instantly begin developing it for your own story.
Examples from PLANES show how SUSPENSE is added in one vivid scene!
Here we see how TITANIC builds SUSPENSE!
Examples from ANCHORMAN 2, show that Vik's principle of creating SUSPENSE works in any genre, even comedy.
Can a course in suspense leave out an example from the master of suspense, Hitchcock? I DON'T THINK SO!
Now you are ready to learn the one essential element of SUSPENSE!
Here we recap and review everything from this section.
Vik walks you through the worksheet for Section 2. Answering two Suspense Guru questions enables you to create your SUSPENSE!
As before, download the click-and-type version of this file from the resources!
Introduction to Act Structure. What belongs to each of the three acts—Act 1, Act 2 and Act 3?
You will learn the secrets of ACT STRUCTURE.
Joss Whedon, writer and director of AVENGERS 1 and AVENGERS 2, said THE MATRIX is "perfectly structured." That makes it perfect to use here as an example of ACT STRUCTURE. Make sure to see THE MATRIX before viewing this lesson, because there are spoilers ahead!
Now that you know Act Structure, you are ready to learn how to break your story into scenes that carry your plot forward in every scene, capturing and holding your audience's attention!
The worksheet walkthrough. Here you will start breaking your own story into scenes, using what you've learned!
As before, download the click-and-type file from the resources.
Now you are ready to learn how to add scenes that carry your SUSPENSE forward and make your story irresistible.
Examples from THE MATRIX illustrate story-breaking for SUSPENSE!
Now-- Vik's secret to beating the dreaded "Second Act Slog"!
Vik walks you through the worksheet for this Section.
Download the click-and-type version from the resources!
Contrasted to the action film, THE MATRIX, the drama SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK provides examples of everything you've learned. Make sure to see SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK before watching this lecture because there are spoilers ahead!
Examples from Act 2 of SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK provide more examples of how the Suspense Guru keys to success work in every genre, even a quiet personal drama.
Contrasted to the action film, THE MATRIX, the drama LOST IN TRANSLATION provides additional examples of the Suspense Guru principles. Make sure to see LOST IN TRANSLATION before watching this lecture because there are spoilers ahead!
Examples from Act 2 of LOST IN TRANSLATION provide more examples of how the Suspense Guru keys to success work in every genre, even one of the most quiet, personal dramas.
Here is the wrap-up and review for the entire course.
Examples from JUNO, show SUSPENSE being created in a very down-to-earth comedy.
Examples from JUNO, show PLOT being created in a more down-to-earth comedy.
Coupon for a 20% off discount.
How to get one-on-one coaching from Vik in applying the Suspense Guru principles to your own story.
Writers: learn the keys to breaking your story into scenes that grip your audience's attention irresistibly.
Learn The Secrets to Hooking Your Audience
Master Story-Breaking
All writers need to break a story into scenes that maintain plot and suspense. In Hollywood, this is called "Story-Breaking". Mastering story-breaking is a cornerstone of success in all forms of fiction writing including novels, screenplays, tv episodes, stage plays, and YouTube videos.
I have discovered secrets of story-breaking over many years of hard work. They enabled me to create the hit CBS TV series EARLY EDITION. While they took years to discover, I can teach them to you in a matter of hours.
Examples are very important. This course is packed with many examples from perfectly structured films.
Break Your Own Story
Included worksheets walk you through applying everything you learn in this class to breaking your own story. The worksheets are in special Adobe Acrobat files that you download for free. You can click and type right on the worksheet. No need to print them out and fill them in by hand. Open them with the free version of Adobe Acrobat for Windows or Mac.