Screenwriting Plot Structure Masterclass - Michael Hauge [FULL INTERVIEW]

[@igorverevkin7709]

4:17 - The overview of the 6 stages 8:21 - Stage 1 (Setup) 17:04 - Stage 2 (New Situation) 24:24 - Stage 3 (Progress) 28:11 - Point of No Return 29:05 - Stage 4 (Complication and Higher Stakes) 30:51 - Stage 5 and 6 (Final Push and Aftermath) 35:56 - Charachter's wounds 41:37 - Three components of any Hollywood movie 43:50 - Desire 54:26 - Common mistakes in Stages 1 and 2 59:25 - Stage vs. Turning Point 01:02:40 - Hero's Two Journeys 01:12:03 - Structural Device (Important!) 01:24:08 - The Primary Goal of Every Story 01:28:03 - Emotional Peaks

[@johnludwick7447]

Thank you for this!

[@rosharma7443]

Igor Verevkin you are my favorite comment of all time

[@AaronBeckerbooks]

my god thank you.

[@mohamedaghrim3064]

Thanks for your help

[@2Tubist]

Let's keep u up in the top. Everyone should click thumbs up

[@agwandacharles995]

In Africa getting these detailed script writing skills is mind blowing not even the best university in the region can not much. We in the continent are great full thanks to internet.

[@zacharywood9416]

Agwanda Charles I’m glad you’re able to access this video in your area, good luck in your writing!!!

[@andresbaroja6703]

I hope that we will learn about the richness of the many Africas through the creations of this internet generation, best of luck.

[@ryanbiddle6006]

speak for yourself, richards

[@explorerelka]

Follow your African voice. You have a wonderful storytelling tradition of your own. Why not explore that? The west can help you structure your narrative . But you have the best stories to tell. Ask your Grandma, she must be the first storyteller youve come in contact with...

[@komajagensupplies8824]

You are right.... If I knew writing screenplays was a career I would have definitely chose it .

[@NamastayGangstaArt]

I'm really really really trying to understand how anyone could dislike this LOL. This is like pure gold. Especially for new screenwriters like myself that are trying to learn the craft.

[@lise4369]

MakeupByMimiVonLace haters going to hate. It's jealousy because this guy knows his craft and is successful. I find him humble and generous. I'm buying his book!

[@gibransalomon6998]

Some people might not agree with his plot structure. Not me, I’m just tryna learn, but I’ve noticed all these lessons have at least a few detractors.

[@luisfelipesauvalle5807]

@@gibransalomon6998 it portrait a recipy for writing a movie, from the end-point, which is to say, from the point of the finished movie. An analisys. He "detected" such elements in movies. He took apart a movie and told you "oh. check this common elements". You are going to be writing from scratch, that is a substantial diference. If you follow his guidelines you won't be passing after 20 or 30 pages, as your character won't be alive enough to push the story forward. Just make sure your chracter moves through a dramatic arc. Anyhow, that is my two cents, KZbin...

[@bill2953]

@@lise4369 Sucker... his craft isn't writing it's evaluating. He's never written a successful screenplay so that makes him just another opinion. The only opinion that should interest a writer is his/her own and that of the person who signs the checks.

[@lise4369]

@@bill2953 good for you Bill, good for you. I hope your reply to me made your day and made you feel better about yourself. 👏

[@vmathew1609]

Dear Film Courage, I don't know why you decided to offer common folk like myself the knowledge and insight on how to maneuver our way through the screenwriting process, BUT I'm glad you did. The helpful advice you offer is invaluable. I appreciate you and, I sincerely thank you.

[@filmcourage]

Wow, thank you, Valice. We appreciate the kind words and for watching our videos. :)

[@CircmcisionIsChi1dAbus3]

there's a really good university psyche thesis that expertly explains the story process, called "Maps of Meaning"

[@LifeOutward]

Wow. Thanks Michael Haugen and Film Courage. In this 90 minute video, I learned more about screenwriting and story structure than I did in four years of film school. I wish that were an exaggeration. Great video!!

[@markmsmeltzer]

MajorMotionMatt crazy what school systems will do for money right???? :)

[@Azriel884]

My buddy, who I am writing a movie with, told me that I do not need to go to screen writing school, I need to just research it myself. Vids like this make me think he is 100% right.

[@avip671]

But what about the filmmaking part? And did it help you find a job?

[@justacrlon3963]

film school is 4 years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i thought it was one year and a half.

[@01Zenaku01]

Thats what youtube is for...info from the elders. Take it in, it only cost time.😊

[@lise4369]

This interviewer milked him as much as she could and I love her for it! 😂 He's still getting my money though lol I'm buying his books and I love him for being so generous in this interview.

[@bill2953]

Yeah he's the format guru and has influenced virtually every reader in the industry but there's two things he can't do. Write a $$$ making screenplay and justify the plot structure of Pulp Fiction. Breaking his "rules" has liberated writers like Paul Haggis and the Cohen bros.

[@lise4369]

@@bill2953 once again, bravo Bill. 👏👏👏 Your opinion is sooo valuable. 👏👏👏

[@jrviade85]

She milked him? Hmm You naughty girl!

[@DenkyManner]

@@bill2953 they aren't rules, they are observations and are true of most movies and stories. You think Haggis, Tarrantino and the Cohen's don't know everything Hague has observed in movie structure? You'd be shocked if you took the time to see the movies you think don't have these structures actually do. And you learn a huge amount by crticially analysing the ways they do and don't followmthese conventions. You sound frustrated because you don't want to do the real work. You either put in the time to understand structure now or ten years from now once you've realised your mistake. Knowing the "rules" doesn't mean sticking to them. But you do need to know them and all your heroes know them.

[@bill2953]

@@DenkyManner I don't doubt they're familiar with Hauge's observations (even though they are referrred to as rules) in fact Hauge took (them) from their screenplays and dozens more like them. But what about the hit movies where the script didn't conform to Hauge's standards. He never mentions those.. Hunt for Red October comes to mind since the inciting incident doesn't take place til 19 minutes in..omg, scrilege. .lol

[@mrplatink]

WIN, STOP, ESCAPE, RETRIEVE - I cannot tell you how much this just helped me

[@ndaofary]

Apart from the cristal clear 6 stages structure he presents, there are unvaluable insights from Mr Hauge in this video, particularly on the detail about the implementation of each stage or turning points. As for the inner Journey for example, he talks about the wound that the Hero has to overcome to go from identity to essence and he tells when to reveal the wound (mid story) and the best way to do it (through dialogue). I got that detailed explanation after my 4th listening of this video. Bet that other gems like these are present in the video. So let's go for a rewatch 😊 Thank you Film Courage.

[@TheTaleKeeper0]

This might be the greatest script breakdown I have ever seen. Wow.

[@1adadada]

Agreed, and Ive watched them all. ( well nearly). he's just so lovely and so gracious.

[@mr1asvegas784]

Mr Hague's recollection of film plots and story arc's is amazing.

[@oliveavianca]

1:29, just like a duration of a movie, ... only the chosens will be excited to watch this useful lecture. I’m happy to be one of them.

[@cameronthomas6524]

I’ve rewatched this like 10 times you are right!

[@ChristianKrogh-Denmark]

This shouldn’t be free to begin with. It covers everything. So fascinating and so uselful. For anyone, who’s dream is to write screenplays, this is a true treasure. Thank you, Michael! & thank you to the channel, for posting!❤️

[@filmcourage]

Glad this one found you Christian. Most of the credit goes to Michael Hauge for being awesome!

[@ChristianKrogh-Denmark]

Film Courage True. But also YOU for producing it! Thanks :-)

[@Sandra-wj4on]

I could sit and listen to these two over and over again 24/7 and never get tired of hearing them. But then when would I have time to write? LOL! Once again, excellent job FC for an insightful interview, it's pure knowledgeable GOLD. Boo to the hands down. ..they're crazy!

[@thechickenshrink]

I know this video was published 3 years ago, but I have just stumbled upon it because I finally have an idea for a script that I feel is a potential blockbuster. Thank you so much Michael Hauge for this plot structure masterclass, it has already led me to make two major improvements to my script. I have gone through a lot of videos on storytelling and screenwriting, but this one makes everything so clear, it is a game changer for me.

[@filmcourage]

Glad you found this one, best of luck with your screenplay!

[@iqbalkabir1671]

One of the best resource on this subject. So fluent and easy to follow. My sincere gratitude to Mr. Michael Hauge.

[@brendanlorenzo7298]

I watched this after writing my screenplay, to help with the editing process, and it's amazing how much of the 6 stage process I naturally followed. I guess we absorb a lot of this stuff through osmosis by watching a ton of movies and shows but it's extremely helpful to have someone lay the rules out. That way, we are working from a conscious place which we can marry with our innate instincts for storytelling.

[@barbaragundrum3430]

Yup. I'm on page 70. This gave me an immediate idea of what was missing...stage 1. But the rest is there. I can look to more fully develop some of the stages. Working toward 90 pages.

[@elokubano]

That moment when the interview on storytelling becomes a psychological therapy and reflects ones life journey. STAGE 5. HERE I COME!

[@C.Hawkshaw]

Lucky you! Im at stage 1 LOL

[@GeoffKnoop]

This is so great! I’m revisiting Michael Hauge interviews. I’ve sort of gone back into that state of, “I’ll just write something fun, cool premise, blah blah blah.” Now, I’m actually coming up with new scene ideas that get me on track. Listening to him, it feels like weightlifting in my brain. But, it’s getting easier, after I’ve listened to it about twenty times, in the last couple years. Thank you!

[@WhiskandDine]

Storytelling is a beautiful, ancient art form of touching the hearts and minds of others. THIS masterclass, with Michael Hauge, is absolute pure genius, in breaking down an engaging, clear and concise structure for the approach of storytelling, removing many of the fears that would hold one back from wanting to tell a memorable story. Thank you for this!

[@richaagrawal6830]

I can't thank Michael and Film Courage enough for this video. I'm working on a story and I was struggling with its structure for past few months. Yeah, I "was" till I landed here.

[@jinchoung]

hague is amazing. I studied him in college and it's great to see he's still so sharp and relevant today. he's gotten better actually.

[@erikj2738]

Good writers are natural students of human behavior.

[@erikj2738]

@lion THE KING it is obvious

[@perryfogel2636]

I’m curious as to what you are working on and what is your biggest challenge as a writer right now? Let me know!!

[@frederickporter8677]

Yes. A good writer knows what wife would do when husband leaves her after 20 years. It's then about the details, how in depth you go into the character.

[@kyletitterton]

Loads of talented writers are equally odd ball introverts, kinda useless at general conversation. However, I concede that they at least understand what "normal" or engaging interactions should look/sound like.

[@DenkyManner]

This is secretly the best screen writing video on the internet.

[@Alex95334]

How is this free on youtube?

[@DrTremendous1]

Shhh!

[@miquelgraanoogst6633]

Well there is a alot of advertising when I watched this video...

[@michaelstone3463]

The ads, and then the fact that this whole interview/class is pretty good advertising for his seminars and coaching business when he's not writing screenplays.

[@scinzon7361]

Because of Capitalism. ;)

[@tomkent4656]

I think he's too busy to actually write screenplays!

[@melanie1alison2]

Although I get rather tired of Hollywood's standard formulas (understatement), I must admit that Michael Hauge really knows what he is talking about and I am learning a lot from this video. Great masterclass.

[@TheSummoner86]

This is the most useful thing I have ever watched about storytelling. I write and run Table top rpgs with long narratives, this is how it is done.

[@artrebel2764]

Thank you Michael for being so honest, informative and gracious, and thank you Film Courage for your ongoing awesome video collections.

[@evalord9482]

This is one of the best, most informative interviews I have ever seen! This man is amazing, I can listen to him forever. Thank you FILM COURAGE :)

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Eva. We agree Michael Hauge is fantastic.

[@dylandejongh5138]

This is the most comprehensive story structure method I've ever come across. Michael Hauge is brilliant for sharing his knowledge with us. Most plot structures only scratch the surface of how the inner journey relates the outer journey, but this is just pure gold. Much love from South Africa.

[@1adadada]

I recoomend reading dara Marks transformative arc and then lsitening to this lecture again

[@amritaoxymoron1944]

I keep coming back to this video.Sir Michal,my virtual Guru! Thanks a lot.Also appreciate the interviewer.Thanks a lot! This video surely deserves more than 5 M views till now, guys pls share this as much as possible..The least we can do for those who have given us so much! Cheers

[@filmcourage]

Cheers Amrita! Thank you for coming back!

[@10FRANKTV]

Wow! That build up to around the 17 min mark. Just wow! Inspiring on a life level not only screenwriting.I'd never heard of that "hiding in his identity" concept before. Wild!

[@Brave2standalone]

Thank you; you are a brilliant writer/philosopher and a psychologist all rolled into one. You helped me to made my own personal break-through; I just couldn't see it for decades. I feel 'free' now!!!

[@sapitos4]

This man could talk for 2hrs about a hair strand and I would still sit mesmerized watching him. Excellent teacher and excellent video.

[@filmcourage]

Cheers Lou!

[@rraul3057]

Wow this has been more helpful than any other Screenwriting Video on KZbin! I was able to finish structuring my story in 30 minutes. Thanks Very Much for Sharing

[@1adadada]

Brilliant, one of the best structure lectures on here.

[@sedotossou]

Amazing MasterClass. He is so articulated and makes everything easy to understand. The interviewer is also great, asking the perfect questions. Thanks a lot for this.

[@filmcourage]

Cheers Sèdo!

[@theMusicFairy1]

Thank you so much for uploading. I am a total beginner (first time ever and I have no educational background about it at all) at screen writing and I want to write a story inspired from real life but I was stuck on the plot structure specially in act 2; I had act 1 and act 3 but was struggling with act 2. I learned a lot from this interview and it gave me a lot of clarity on how I should structure my plot. Thank you so much. Also I want to say that what Michael said about how the audience become the hero is so true because as a movie lover, it was always like that to me and this is what made me think about becoming a screenwriter.

[@joshuagalvez9678]

This guy is really humble and thinks logically. He thinks before he speaks and knows why he says what he says.

[@filmcourage]

Michael Hauge is great!

[@malikaweeden]

Pure brilliance and humility.

[@norahgriggs]

I just found my own passion for writing screenplays. My dads also a writer and he recommended that I watch this interview. I'm SO glad that I watched this with Mr. Hauge and I feel very confident to start my first screenplay!

[@mstexasg6243]

This has been one of the most informative q n a’s I have heard on the art of storytelling. Great job 👍🏼

[@capuchinosofia4771]

this is an amazing story breakdown! Thank you for doing these interviews!

[@TonyPearl]

Fantastic stuff!! I wasn't so sure when this video started, but the more I watched this powerful video, the more I learned & enjoyed. Now I feel even more confident with my character development & plot writing techniques!

[@jennyh5641]

This was a brilliant analysis and explanation of how effective screenplays work. I greatly appreciate it.

[@chrissierg]

i learned more about people in this than in years of therapy; this guy is brilliant and a joy to listen to... :)

[@frederickporter8677]

Good Will Hunting is one of those scripts that truly deserves an Oscar award.

[@sifugurusensei]

I was never satisfied with Blake Snyder's Save the Cat, which my screenwriting teacher endorsed. Glad i just used the library book. Now, this guy, I feel, knows what the F he's talking about

[@paulc5314]

As an aspiring screenwriter, I am blown away by the genius of his words. It’s like a blueprint for success without the actual plot and dialogue (that’s on you, lol) 😊

[@kaitylerson811]

he has clearly done a lot of great research into psychoanalysis, he references Jung and talks about stories in that similar structured way that brings all these obscure concepts into a far more easily digestable dialogue. If you've ever read Jung the guy was a genius. So many psychoanalysts went around studying the patterns between religious stories, forming central theories as to why all these stories that were separated by thousands of kilometers, oceans, and thousands of years of time- all seemed to connect in their central themes. Suggests these core beliefs and values are embedded in the way that humans exist in the world as oppsed to us artifically constructing them. Like if I were to summarize it- imagine natural selection, the force of evolution- environment shapesp the behaviors and genes and they consoldiate within the average middle ground, the "ideal" so whatever animals maintain or get closest to that ideal produce the strongest offspring and the most offspring (survival of the fittest in essence), what religions do (stories) is help us articulate that invisible "ideal" into explicit stories so its not open to confusing interpretation- so one person might "FEEL" a certain way but feelings are extremely impairing in so many ways. So that's why I believe all these universal stories proposed by religions like Taoism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc (the major religions of history) all try to align the audience towards "the path to heaven" which- in context of biology- would be to align yourself with the IDEAL manner to act in order to produce prosperity, aka, becomine "like-god".

[@natedoggg2002]

Brilliant, Insightful, Educational, Excellent, and Awakening! Thank you for this very helpful video! Micheal Hauge is a Genius!

[@gracemindyatthemovies6310]

Wow, this is worth its length in gold! So much game-changing information here

[@danielschoenbohm]

Story of my life. Again and again. But no one has made it that clear to me. Came to build my selling skills and left thinking about my life 😄 Thanks Michael!

[@mskimlouise]

This is the best video I've seen on screenwriting.

[@ScruffyWarlord]

Glad I came across this channel.

[@dylanmeuser6189]

It's a video that's incredibly helpful as I go about re-writing and editing my two spec scripts.

[@mionysus5374]

Just from a psychological research perspective, this guy is absolutely brilliant! He's done a great job weaving together Carl Jung and Reich...

[@lerufilminternational5431]

Im inspired! I just started my very first Scriptwriting. I am taking notes as I listen. Thank you very much.

[@aliabbasrajani2499]

Insights so deep, I took 5 hrs watching this 1.5 hr long video. Thank you so much ♥️

[@OfficialTornadoboy]

This is the best video, I could watch it over and over and always learn something!

[@samsonnicholas576]

This channel makes screenwriting very intimidating

[@rrogers2370]

Samson Nicholas embrace it.

[@Stephie_L]

You know what really helped me...was before even thinking of structure...just think of an idea / scenes and just write it. That is the hardest part. After you have inspiration everything like order, character development will fall into place :)

[@HeruGalacticEmissary]

Amazing! Thank you for this invaluable Interview. I really appreciate that this does not provide a formula, as much as it provides a structure that is equally aware of the external and internal journey. I'm always more attracted to the Character's internal psychological conflicts and how it manifests externally in the circumstance that is forced on them or that they somehow are attracting to their world. I worked toward that understanding as I'm writing but I wasn't aware how it fits in the hero's journey. Michael has revealed this aspect incredibly and I'm still in the first 24 minutes of the video! Thank you for posting this valuable information for free, it certainly made me feel better about my decision not to go for an MFA.

[@chrissierg]

he is so pleasant to listen to... :)

[@za.jeanpaul]

What an insightful interview! I plan on re-watching this. Thank you Michael and Film Courage :)

[@JoshAtkinson]

I love this man's interviews, his book and I love that the interviewer is reminding us what a great filmmaker Adrian Lyne is.

[@silverdusssst]

This man's mind is a gold mine!

[@writebrobp]

wonderfully explained. Hauge’s insight is terrific!

[@rendacriativabr]

So this Adonias from Brazil and I just would like thank Michael Hauge because as had wached this consversation thats made feel more confident telling my history

[@rogersjgregory]

This was amazing. A wealth of information delivered in a concise and engaging manner. Thank you.

[@revoltanhero2610]

Thank you. Valuable insights are here, a must watch.

[@griggsentertainment6463]

Back for a 3rd time!!! Great interview Film Courage! Michael has some amazing insight on screenplay writing!

[@chrissierg]

he's just the best ever and so pleasant to listen to... :)

[@yoyoyo5621]

wow this was so much more interesting than I thought it was going to be. And he was so clear in explaining things. I was trying to read Story by Robert Mckee and I was having a hard time because it was so wordy. This was so clear and I learned so much more than I thought I was gonna learn from this video thank you

[@filmcourage]

Cheers! Glad you found value in this video.

[@Vincentanton2032]

Really good Interview. Great gentleman, great intelligence. And cool he mentioned vogler. Every word he said is right and vogler would say it the same way. Brillant. Thanks for this long and intense interview. You can't stop listening. Bravo!

[@chungfaame]

Excellent description and diagram to creating an emotionally breathtaking story!

[@silentfilms2932]

Thanks for this free gold on KZbin, really thanks a lot .

[@TatianaBalashova]

Thanks a lot for the interview! ❤I especially liked the part about early experiences defining the identity and transformation process, going back and forth, and the reflective character, it totally makes sense from the psychological perspective, so common in life (I am a therapist learning screenwriting ;).

[@shanelaporte]

Generous and helpful, thank you for posting this.

[@meditationmountainbyrishab919]

Micheal is brilliant & a pure genius screenwriting Guru. Thou in multiple main character films, the Dramatic need to fulfill can and should only be of one character or the audience will lose track of whose story to follow, so there can be multiple important characters but by a rule there should only be one protagonist with clear dramatic need to fulfill. The only exception to this rule is Love Stories, as both main characters have the same dramatic need, that is 'Search for true Love'.

[@ironsmithstudios3973]

I just found this by chance and what a great, helpful and intuitive interview, especially to someone like myself who is only now getting into screenplay writing. Thank you Mr Hauge!

[@j-new6278]

So good, learning and taking crazy notes. Thank you so much!!!! 🙏

[@ЕржанНасанов]

this channel's more worth than any university.

[@ralucastoian4704]

this man is a treasure

[@eetwins21]

Best of the best in story break down. Very simple. Excellent!

[@MarcusEMunya]

I feel like I'm learning as much about my own journey as about writing watching this video. fascinating.

[@jaspergatrill3461]

Excellent interview questions and answers. I have bought your book.

[@JonathanDavisKookaburra]

Hague’s model is simple to learn and powerful to apply. Until i went to his weekend i loved Christopher Vogler’s work most. The combination of hague and vogler’s understanding is everything a screenwriter needs. Sure you can learn more but these models are enough. Brilliant.

[@matthewloftus7389]

Michael over here narrating my life, petty I'm only at stage 2 brah. God speed.

[@princewoyi-kafui6377]

Love this lesson

[@MichaelYoder1961]

It's all the "hero's" journey - read/watch Joseph Campbell on that. Still a great talk and works for all story telling - scripts, novels...This, however does not explain David Lynch films

[@ScribblebytesWorldwide]

I think David Lynch takes themes and assigns a group of characters to a theme and the themes act as characters. I'm thinking of Mulhilland Drive here. The characters couod be anybody as long as they represent a certain theme. For example all the people wearing black are one character and the people who wear red are one character etc.

[@Harry-fk5of]

Learn't more watching this than I did at film school :/ Thank u!

[@Maazzzo]

Can you please enable CCs on this video? I'm deaf, but this is still really interesting and I can't hear the video. Thanks.

[@WaveWonder1]

Matdy James doesn’t look like they’re going to do that dude, luckily you can find most of the information gone over in this video on Hauge’s website ‘story mastery’ where he publishes a lot of helpful written articles: here’s one for starters www.storymastery.com/story/screenplay-structure-five-key-turning-points-successful-scripts/

[@FlyingOverTr0ut]

Amazing content. I'll be sure to buy Hauge's book.

[@emekaabuah6029]

What an interview! I'am writing my first screenplay with four heroes. I know what you said about starting out with one hero which is safer.

[@chrissystewart4123]

I watched film courage all the time! Let's do it. Lights! Camera! Action! My Dream to leave my Hometown Baltimore Maryland to pursue my Hollywood career

[@editacamay3293]

i hope these wonderful things are available to everyone who cannot afford these lessons

[@chrisofnottingham]

This is absolute solid gold

[@reesethestone412]

This was really helpful 😁😁😁

[@akuakritiproductions]

Very informative and useful video! Looking forward for more videos from Film Courage.

[@CoD4Disturbed]

Here's a question for film students/teachers, filmmakers, and those in the industry, that's been frustrating me - What IS "good"? Perhaps it comes down to different philosophies from one person to another, but - Is a script/film being "good" or "bad" not an extremely SUBJECTIVE thing? That's what I have heard over and over - that there is no scientifically correct way to do it - it is art. So who gets to decide the quality of your script? Isn't it up to whatever given individual is reading it or watching your film based on it? Isn't there simply no "correct" answer in terms of a film or script's quality (characters, plot, etc.)? Sure, there are conventional things like structure, but I'd argue you can bend some of those "rules" as many successful filmmakers do. So what is the deal?

[@torin6258]

This is a gem

[@di8017]

Best advice ever! Pure gold

[@lexisrez2895]

36:15 first film I thought of was Midsommar. With the prologue of the incident of the protagonist's family. It is pretty rare and and I thought that film executed pretty well

[@melkazok]

Midsommer messed my psychology up. Even though I am aware that it is a great movie, I am so scared to watch it again which I really want to.