Free

Submitted material: Logline or synopsis in 2-3 paragraphs<br/> Consult: General story structure advice, suggestions for the four throughlines, meaningful ending<br/> Turn-around: 48 hrs.<br/> Follow-up: None<br/> Free package<br/><br/>

Basic

Jump-start<br/> $79<br/> Submitted material: 3-4 page treatment or less<br/> Consult: Solidify the four throughlines, meaningful ending, suggestions for 2-3 possible storyforms and explanations why<br/> Turn-around: 1 Week<br/> Follow-up: None<br/> Basic package<br/><br/>

Plus

Best Value<br/> $179<br/> Submitted material: Screenplay or less<br/> Consult: Solidify your story’s structure with a concrete storyform, elaborations on theme and advice on how to fill any holes<br/> Turn-around: Currently 3 weeks<br/> Follow-up: Email Q&A specific to your story for the first week following initial consult<br/> Plus package<br/><br/>

Premium

In-Depth Structure<br/> $449<br/> Submitted material: Screenplay or less<br/> Consult: Collaboration on precise storyform, comprehensive understanding of your story’s central message<br/> Turn-around: 4-6 weeks (varies depending on individual writer)<br/> Follow-up: Email Q&A for the first month following initial consult<br/> Premium package<br/><br/>

Max

The Big Time<br/> $1599<br/> Submitted material: Screenplay or less, subsequent drafts (3 max.)<br/> Consult: Collaboration on storyform, guidance with covering all the bases in each draft<br/> Turn-around: 4-12 weeks (varies depending on individual writer)<br/> Follow-up: Email Q&A throughout the development process, as long as it takes! Video chat avail.<br/> Max package<br/><br/>

Jim is also available for Live Video Chat Support if you need help working your way through the Dramatica software. The sessions run $49/half-hour. Fill out the contact form for more information.<br/><br/>

What the heck is a storyform?

If you’re not familiar with this term, a storyform is a map to a story’s central meaning. A story is a complicated, beautiful machine. The pieces within work like a set of tumblers that, once locked into place, serve to provide a writer with a roadmap for the message they wish to impart on an audience. There are literally thousands upon thousands of different storymaps available to writers of every genre – structure knows no boundaries.

Isn’t this just another fill-in-the-boxes Hollywood screenwriting formula thingee?

Stories can share the same storyform, yet be completely different in the way they are executed. Take Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story for example. Both stories share the same storyform. It is the way they are told that differentiates them from each other. Every writer is unique in his or her own particular talents. It is the passion and vision they bring to each project that infuses a story with its life. The storyform simply makes sure that it all makes sense in the end.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of story paradigms that think you can explain it all in 15 sequences or less. They certainly work, but they share such a narrow view of what is really going on, that I tend to stay away from them. Anything I can do to help a piece maintain meaning, yet remain unique, I will do.

OK, you’re making sense here, but why should I listen to you? What have you sold?

Yes, the question everyone really cares about. I have sold something, but I don’t think that accomplishment has anything to do with whether or not someone truly understands story structure. There are those who know more than I, yet haven’t a sold a thing. Likewise, there are those who have sold plenty, yet still write stories that simply don’t work.

Beyond that, there are hundreds and hundreds of articles on this site that explain in great depth my understanding and comprehension of story structure. If for some reason they resonate with you, chances are you would appreciate my particular perspective on building meaning into your story.

Any questions before taking the plunge?

If you have any further questions, feel free to fill out the contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.