Narrative Alchemy - From Plato to Marvel - Learn to Write
3 Weeks
·Cohort-based Course
Discover the craft of writing and traditional storytelling with AI tools. No experience is necessary; all creatives are welcome.
Narrative Alchemy - From Plato to Marvel - Learn to Write
3 Weeks
·Cohort-based Course
Discover the craft of writing and traditional storytelling with AI tools. No experience is necessary; all creatives are welcome.
Member | Creative Partner Program
Course overview
Story > Everything
Dive into the world of Narrative Alchemy and brace yourself for a two-week immersive course that's tailor-made for writers of all levels.
In this course, you'll learn how to write stories based on the teachings and techniques of the greatest storytellers of all time, from Plato to the cinematic universe of Marvel. Whether you've never written a story or if you've been writing for your whole life, this course was built for you.
As a cohort, we're all going to start from the ground up, learning how to build a strong foundation and framework to house our stories and story worlds. The teachings, tools, and techniques taught in this course can be applied to fiction writing, screenwriting and playwriting, and expressive writing.
The goal of this course is to help all levels of writers learn how to write stories that are artistically and personally fulfilling.
Secondly, I want to help writers develop three-dimensional characters and story worlds that feel as real as smelling freshly baked cookies.
Lastly, we’ll take our characters and our stories into Midjourney and ChatGPT to help bring our words to life with simple, easy-to-use tools and techniques.
When you're finished with this course, you'll have a foundational structure and framework for imaginative writing, an AI-enhanced storyboard crafted from your unique story and characters, and a story you can be proud of and build upon.
Welcome to Narrative Alchemy.
Who is this course for
01
Writers, you can be at any level of learning & discover how to use creative AI tools to help tell your stories using traditional techniques.
02
Filmmakers, you can take traditional screenwriting skills & learn how to use creative AI tools, instantly bringing your story to life.
03
Artists, this course will immediately bring you up to speed on a variety of creative AI tools designed to enhance your storytelling.
Designed for all levels of storytellers
Start from The Beginning
- Discover the roots of storytelling to understand how and when our collective history of storytelling began.
- Learn how Aristotle and Plato paved the way for modern storytelling in Marvel and more.
- Create stories based on timeless techniques with universal appeal.
Archetypes, Character Development, and Understanding The Hero’s Journey
- Discover what makes a character stick with us after seeing a movie or reading a story.
- Learn the importance of building a character's Psychology, Sociology, and Physiology.
- Create characters that feel real, human, and three-dimensional.
"Good" stories and "Bad" Stories
- Discover the simple yet complicated concept of cause and effect in stories.
- Learn the importance of building a compelling narrative with the right tools and structure.
- Create stories that you can objectively identify as a "good" story versus a "bad" story.
Bring Your Stories to Life
- Discover the immediate benefits of bringing your story to life with an AI-enhanced storyboard.
- Learn how to translate your creative writing into stunning pictures that accurately tell your story.
- Create characters and worlds as real as our own.
Traditional Storytelling Meets AI
- Discover the power of the creative AI tools Midjourney and ChatGPT.
- Learn how to use these tools to bring your story to life and expand your story world.
- Create worlds and imagery without sacrificing your artistic intent.
AI Ethics and Creative Writing
- Discover ethical insights for responsible AI creativity with societal impact.
- Learn how to apply AI ethical awareness to navigate the complexities of AI and make informed decisions in your artistic pursuits.
- Create stories using AI tools for ethical, informed creative decisions.
What’s included
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Live sessions
Learn directly from Milan Cucuk in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
Narrative Alchemy - From Plato to Marvel - Learn to Write
Course syllabus
11 live sessions • 62 lessons • 17 projects
Week 1
Feb
14
Narrative Alchemy | Getting Started
Feb
15
Session 1
Feb
16
Session 2
Feb
17
Session 3
Introduction: Traditional Storytelling and AI
Causality: "Good" Stories vs. "Bad" Stories
The Cat Sat on The Mat: Writing Naturally Dramatic Narratives
Character Development, Storytelling, Narratives
The Hero’s Journey (and your own journey)
Vetting Your Story Idea Before You Write It
Writing Your Story
Week 2
Feb
20
Session 4
Feb
21
Session 5
Feb
22
Session 6
Feb
23
Session 7
Feb
24
Session 8
Introduction to Creative AI Tools for Storytelling
Editing and Rewriting Your Story with Creative AI Tools and Assistance
The Refiners Fire: Distilling Your Story to its Purest and Most Compelling Form
Storyboarding: Bringing Your Idea to Life with Creative AI Tools
Packaging Your Story for Development or Sale
Student Showcase
Week 3
Feb
27
Session 9
Feb
28
Session 10
Euan McLeod | Special Guest Speaker Senior Vice President - HBOMax
Hollywood Meets AI
Euan McLeod is the Senior Vice President of HBOMax, where he focuses on the future of storytelling, entertainment, and live experiences.
Euan understands the value of storytelling in any form, and he's a supporter of storytellers using creative AI tools to tell their stories.
Euan will be joining one of the classes in this course for a live Q&A session, where students will be able to speak to him directly and ask questions about storytelling, the movie industry, and more!
Industry Leaders & Student Testimonials
Euan McLeod
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Charlie Fink
Daniel Novotny
Gregg Simon
Jeff Renfroe
Sandy
Christina
Meet your instructor
Milan Cucuk
Author | Runway Creative Partner | Writer-Director
Hey! I'm Milan Cucuk.
(pronounced meh-lawn que-cuk)
I was raised in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley in California before moving to Salt Lake City, where I volunteered for the Sundance Film Festival from 2007 to 2016. I hold a BFA in Film and Media Arts from the University of Utah, and my portfolio includes screenplays, a novel, and several short films I wrote, directed and produced.
My first short AI film, "1,000 Miles" (2023), has been featured in Forbes, won the award for Best Experimental Film in the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival and the Florence Film Awards, and was a semi-finalist in the Austin International Art Festival, Paris International Short Festival, and Nashville Independent Filmmakers Festival.
Throughout 2024, I'll teach this writing course, "Narrative Alchemy," and my AI filmmaking course, "Midway Cinema." Feel free to check that course out here: bit.ly/aicinema.
I'm also a member of the Creative Partner Program by Runway, the company that has made AI cinema a reality for storytellers.
Lastly, I spend my time outside of teaching my classes focusing on my filmmaking career, and I'm currently in pre-production for two films I'm writing and directing.
Looking forward to seeing you in class!
"1,000 Miles" | AI Cinema
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Story
"1,000 Miles" is the story of Axel, a down-on-his-luck space trash collector who abandons his post to rescue a girl he heard on a distress call.
This short film was written using a variety of tools and techniques taught in the course.
Featured in Forbes
"1,000 Miles" has been featured in Forbes. You can read the article here Bit.ly/ForbesMDC
Awards
"1,000 Miles" (2023), has won the award for Best Experimental Film in the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival and the Florence Film Awards, and was a semi-finalist in the Austin International Art Festival, Paris International Short Festival, and Nashville Independent Filmmakers Festival.
What do Midway Cinema students receive for $699?
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AI cinema training from an award-winning, traditional filmmaker
Students will gain invaluable insights and expertise from Milan Cucuk, a seasoned filmmaker and storyteller with a background in traditional filmmaking.
Milan will guide students into the future, using years of traditional storytelling techniques to bring each student's story to life with AI cinema.
Narrative Alchemy | Cohort 1 | Spring 2024
20 Hours | 10hrs/Modules + 10hrs/Project
Office Hours
M-TH | 9 am-3 pm MST
You may contact your instructor during office hours with any questions or issues that may arise before or during the course.
Your instructor's email is: Info@MilanCucuk.com
Lecture & Teaching Hours
Mon-Thurs | 5pm-6:30pm MST
The course consists of live-streamed lectures and lessons. If you cannot attend a class, you may watch the recorded stream at any time and follow along with the coursework.
You may also schedule one-on-one time with your instructor for deeper learning at: Bit.ly/MilanCucuk
Portfolio work
Your own pace | 3-5 hours per week
The course is broken down into 20 hours, depending on how fast or slowly each student works on their projects outside of the livestream sessions. Approximately 3-5+ hours will be needed to work on portfolio projects outside of the live-streamed sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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