Welcome to the Creatorwood Bootcamp 🎬. In the next 5 days, you’ll be getting a completely free email course on how to take your story idea from blank page to six-figure film (and beyond).
To kick it off, it’s Michael, here with a question for you: What film should you actually make?
The answer to this question is the secret to making hit films.
But before we dive into the full run-down of Day 1 of the Creatorwood Bootcamp, you can watch the YouTube video to accompany Day 1 of the Bootcamp right here 👇
There are millions of talented storytellers in the world – but few create stories that spread through audiences like wildfire. Your story idea (often called premise) defines the ceiling of your success.
No matter how great you are at writing, filmmaking, or marketing – a story premise that no one wants to experience won’t sell.
You might think the answer to a great story premise is simple: “The one I’m excited about!”
That’s a great start, but if you want to build a real business making films, it’s not just about what you want to create. It’s also about what viewers want to watch.
Here’s how we reverse engineer a hit film, even if you’re just getting started:
Step 1: Find Your Story Gap
A story gap is an underserved demand in the storytelling market—something audiences crave but Hollywood or creators haven’t fulfilled yet.
To find one:
Go to Amazon, study top-selling books in your genre.
Look at Netflix/Hulu or box office hits and notice genre trends.
Compare what’s popular in books vs what’s missing in film. That’s often a goldmine.
AI tools (like Creatorwood) make once-impossible stories now affordable to create. What Hollywood ignored might be your big opportunity.
You can read my full article on Story Gap for free here.
Step 2: Know Your Audience
Your first film is likely your hardest to sell—but it shouldn’t be your hardest forever. That’s why we need cumulative advantage, or a series of films that once someone watches one, they keep coming back for more.
This makes each one of your film launches bigger than the last… building an advantage that is near impossible to beat.
Instead of guessing who might like your movie, show, or animated series:
Ask: What are they passionate about?
Are they sports fans? Fantasy lovers? Romance readers?
Think themes, obsessions, and fandoms, not just demographics.
Creatorwood gives you access to the emails of every customer who watches or buys your film. That’s a massive advantage, you’re building a list of fans who’ll come back film after film that you can market & communicate with to for years to come.
Step 3: Choose Your Format
Ask yourself:
Is this a movie (60–120 mins) or a series?
Are you making vertical films (perfect for mobile/short-form) or horizontal?
Are your episodes 3–5 minutes, 10–20 minutes, or longer?
Creatorwood helps break your story into a movie or episodes, but you’re still in charge. Start small. Short-form is a great entry point. But go with what best fits your creativity and the market.
Your 3 Action Items for Today:
Find your story gap by analyzing what’s selling in books vs film.
Define your audience by understanding their passions.
Choose a format: movie or series? Vertical or horizontal? Short or long?
Watch the full Creatorwood Bootcamp playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0ua6wekasnZeLYLwpxl4kcKgale-c6ZT
Bonus Gift: 50 Free Author Marketing Superpowers
Want help marketing your film like a pro?
I made a free deck of 50 illustrated Author Marketing Superpowers that work just as well for films.
Originally built for authors, now here to help filmmakers.
Tomorrow, we dive into testing your idea before you spend a dollar making your film.
See you then!
And remember…
Your story deserves to be seen,
Michael and the Creatorwood Team