Elements of Story.

Elements of Story is a ground breaking new story programme, created by Nicole Dade.

I’m passionate about the power of storytelling and in championing and empowering underrepresented stories and voices. Elements of Story was born from my 15 years of experience working with storytellers in film, TV and games as a story developer and script editor. I recognised that dominant story dogma (Hero’s Journey, Save the Cat, Robert McKee, etc) are often not relevant to diverse experiences, and can be damaging and paralysing at a vulnerable time in the development of writers and their projects.

So, I decided to create my own programme that breaks free of outdated storytelling ‘rules’ and jargon and draws together what I’ve learned about story in my practice as a story developer. Elements of Story is the result. I’ve curated a set of story elements (like Story world, Systems, Genre, Character, Form, Expressions of Story) for storytellers of all experiences to explore, be inspired by, and apply whatever resonates to their own work. My aim is to empower people to reach the essence of their story, and help their voices be heard.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

I design and present workshops, webinars, and bespoke, project-based programmes for industry organisations. I also partner with other practitioners to co-design culturally specific initiatives and workshops, like the Moana Pasifika Screenwriter’s programme, and I design sessions for production companies. Elements of Story is constantly evolving and I’m developing webinars, a podcast series and a book.

I present other workshops and sessions, including: Finding the Heart of Your Story, Development 101, Working with Developers, Pitching, Genre, Adaptation and Writing Short documents, and I’m developing Elements of Story for Business.

REVIEWS.

“Most valuable was learning different ways to approach story that are not hero journeys, for me as a diverse storyteller that was key.”

“Elements of Story breaks free of pigeon-holed structures that have held back the tide on our next generation of writers and storytellers.”

“Nicole's preparation, focus and volumes of experience spoke through. No waffle, straight to the point - backed up with examples and references, it covered a massive array of topics.”

"Think-Shoot-Distribute was the most incisive and relevant training I've experienced... Intensive, inspiring, highly practical and valuable. Very well chaired, brilliantly curated and produced." Filmmaker participant

“Think-Shoot-Distribute evolved into one of the most highly regarded development schemes for filmmaking talent in the UK." Creative Skillset

PARTNERS

I’ve worked with international organisations incl: Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania, Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission, PISA, NIDA, Screenworks, Script to Screen, British Film Institute, Film London, Edinburgh International Film Festival, London Film Festival, Film4, Working Title, Scottish Screen, New Zealand on Air, WIFT NZ, Auckland University, University of East Anglia, Creative England and Creative Skillset.

ACTIVITY

• Guest tutor and mentor for NIDA Master of Fine Arts, Dramatic Writing programme.

• 2-day Elements of Story workshop, FilmUp, Script to Screen, New Zealand.

• 3-part Elements of Story webinar for Screenworks for 50 regional NSW participants. It received 100% five-star ratings from participants.

• Moana Pasifika Women Screenwriters’ Programme for WIFT NZ, Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission and PISA. Programme designer, co-presenter and tutor, working with Karin Williams on a 15-week project and talent programme, incl. 3 x 3-day workshops, for 8 female, female-identifying or non-binary people who identify as Pasifika.

• Finding the Heart of your Story 1-day workshop for Episode One Web Series Pilot programme for Shuchi Kothari, University of Auckland.

• BFI London Film Festival, UK: Think-Shoot-Distribute. Designed and ran talent development programme ran for five years. Participants included: Kate Herron (Loki), Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers, 45 Years), Karen Palmer - Storyteller From the Future.

• Film4/Edinburgh Film Festival, BFI, Creative Skillset UK: Director’s Lab. Director development programme.

• Edinburgh International Film Festival, BFI, UK: The Story Works. Screenwriter development initiative. Participant screenwriters: Amanda Coe, Alicia Duffy, Olivia Hetreed, Nathan Parker, Jon Ronson and Jack Thorne.

• Warp Films, BFI, Creative Skillset, UK: Last Laugh: Women Create Comedy. Comedy feature writing development initiative. 

• Warp Films, UK: Darklight, Women Create Horror. Female horror film workshop and development programme.

• Screen East, WT2 and University of East Anglia’s Creative Writing MA: Storylab. Screenwriter development workshop.