Erik Bork Teaches Screenwriting

The Idea is now a 35 lesson video course!

WONDER - Who is my antagonist?

About Erik

Erik is a two time Emmy and Golden Globe winning writer/producer. Best known for his work on HBO’s Band of Brothers and From the Earth to the Moon. He’s mentored hundreds of writers around the world and has taught screenwriting at the MFA level and for UCLA Extension’s celebrated Writers’ Program.

Get Erik’s bestselling
Amazon book, The Idea

 4.7/5 stars (458 reviews)

What has the most impact on a project’s chance of success? It’s not what you may think. Most scripts are fatally flawed because they lack a strong core idea. The Idea, Erik Bork’s best selling Amazon book, will teach you how to recognize and how to fix problems with your core story, before investing six months of your life (or more) on your writing project.

Services

“Starting out and trying to break in as a writer, I found one important element to finding my own success was having a mentor. Working with a coach gave me actionable, ongoing feedback and guidance. That’s what I’d like to offer you.”

Script Consulting

Erik offers a variety of script consulting services for writers; whether you are at the beginning of your idea or at the end of the process.

Writing Coach

Erik also offers limited screenwriting coaching for long term students in search of a mentorship.

Recent Reviews

Kika S.

“I call him a Dream Teacher because it’s one thing to be good at this craft and it’s another to know how to explain it so simply and yet so powerfully that the student can really get it.”

— Kika S.

August 15, 2020

Bohdan T.

“Erik bridges the chasm between you and the industry. He provides both, high standards and guidance to reach them. All this doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. On the contrary but it’s very likely just what you need to advance.”

— Bohdan T.

November 19, 2019

Jaquie B.

“Every time my email pings with something from him I get excited because I know his notes will make me think about my script in a new way and take me closer to it being ‘ready.’”

— Jaquie B.

July 5, 2017

Wade A.

“Erik obviously loves what he does, it comes through when you talk to him; he’s passionate about storytelling and his ultimate goal is for you, and your story to improve. What more can you ask for?”

— Wade A.

February 26, 2015

Marie D.

“Erik is the real thing. He’s insightful, perceptive, incredibly knowledgeable and tells it like it is. Working with him has taken my writing to a completely new level. I only wish I had started working with him ten years ago. He’s as good as it gets.”

— Marie D.

August 21, 2013

Stephen H.

“I would not have made it this far without Erik’s very direct and constructive criticism. I’ve worked with dozens of consultants, and his script notes are the best I’ve ever received.”

— Stephen H.

June 21, 2010

Amy T.

“Erik’s expertise has helped me improve my pitching, my screenwriting and my TV writing. He really knows story but is able to step back and articulate conceptual ideas in a practical way. Erik’s coaching has helped me walk in with confidence.”

— Amy T.

October 5, 2011

Jeff C.

“I’ve worked with half a dozen evaluators before finding someone of Erik Bork’s caliber. Erik has an exquisitely attuned sense of truth and is willing to give critical, hard-to-hear feedback. Most importantly, Erik listens.”

—Jeff C.

June 21, 2010

Jeanne B.

“As the Editor of Script Magazine, I've read countless books on writing. Erik breaks down the importance of coming up with "the" idea to make your story standout from the pack. A fantastic book for every writer - novelist or a screenwriter! This is a must-read. Bravo!”

— Jeanne B.

September 26, 2018 (Amazon)

Matthew V.

“This is the book every screenwriter should start with. Not Story, not Save the Cat. As Bork convincingly lays out, the basic idea IS what makes or breaks a script. There ARE principles for what makes a good one — specific enough that they're hardly ever done right & apply to almost any project.”

— Matthew V.

September 2, 2019 (Amazon)

Gary H.

“I keep a short stack of books on my desk & Mr. Bork’s “The Idea” is on top. For anyone writing creatively, get this book. Read it. Make it part of your creative process. “The Idea” shows you the most important parts of creating stories that engage, excite and entertain”

— Gary H.

February 20, 2019 (Amazon)

HRB

“I am inspired and re-energized after reading The Idea. It’s by far the most valuable book on screenwriting I have ever read. What Erik Bork has created is an essential tool that you can lay any idea against to truly weigh its ability to be a solid, entertaining story.”

—hrb

January 6, 2020 (Amazon)

Graham Yost

“Before starting any project, every film or TV writer, whether new or experienced, should read this book. When Erik sent it to me, I was just beginning a new script. This book showed me problems with the idea I didn't know I had. Better yet, it showed me how to find solutions.”

— Graham Yost, writer/executive producer/showrunner

Justified, The Americans, Speed

Michael Hauge

“Don’t write a word of your next screenplay or novel, and don’t dive into any other books—including mine—until you’ve read Erik Bork’s "The Idea". His simple, essential insights will spare you the pain of spending months or years on your project, only to learn that your concept was doomed from the start. Instead, apply his 7 Elements and guarantee your story goes to the top of every reader’s RECOMMEND list.”

— Michael Hauge, author

Writing Screenplays That Sell; Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds; Storytelling Made Easy

Christopher Lockhart

“Having read over 60,000 screenplays in a twenty-year career, I’ve learned that most scripts are fatally flawed at the idea stage. Too bad the writer didn’t figure it out before investing six months in a screenplay that will never work. This book examines the dramatic principles that create a strong idea and is certain to save writers a lot of time and effort.”

— Christopher Lockhart, story editor

William Morris Endeavor Agency

Kika S.

“I call him a Dream Teacher because it’s one thing to be good at this craft and it’s another to know how to explain it so simply and yet so powerfully that the student can really get it.”

— Kika S.

August 15, 2020

Bohdan T.

“Erik bridges the chasm between you and the industry. He provides both, high standards and guidance to reach them. All this doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. On the contrary but it’s very likely just what you need to advance.”

— Bohdan T.

November 19, 2019

Jaquie B.

“Every time my email pings with something from him I get excited because I know his notes will make me think about my script in a new way and take me closer to it being ‘ready.’”

— Jaquie B.

July 5, 2017

Wade A.

“Erik obviously loves what he does, it comes through when you talk to him; he’s passionate about storytelling and his ultimate goal is for you, and your story to improve. What more can you ask for?”

— Wade A.

February 26, 2015

Marie D.

“Erik is the real thing. He’s insightful, perceptive, incredibly knowledgeable and tells it like it is. Working with him has taken my writing to a completely new level. I only wish I had started working with him ten years ago. He’s as good as it gets.”

— Marie D.

August 21, 2013

Stephen H.

“I would not have made it this far without Erik’s very direct and constructive criticism. I’ve worked with dozens of consultants, and his script notes are the best I’ve ever received.”

— Stephen H.

June 21, 2010

Amy T.

“Erik’s expertise has helped me improve my pitching, my screenwriting and my TV writing. He really knows story but is able to step back and articulate conceptual ideas in a practical way. Erik’s coaching has helped me walk in with confidence.”

— Amy T.

October 5, 2011

Jeff C.

“I’ve worked with half a dozen evaluators before finding someone of Erik Bork’s caliber. Erik has an exquisitely attuned sense of truth and is willing to give critical, hard-to-hear feedback. Most importantly, Erik listens.”

—Jeff C.

June 21, 2010

Jeanne B.

“As the Editor of Script Magazine, I've read countless books on writing. Erik breaks down the importance of coming up with "the" idea to make your story standout from the pack. A fantastic book for every writer - novelist or a screenwriter! This is a must-read. Bravo!”

— Jeanne B.

September 26, 2018 (Amazon)

Matthew V.

“This is the book every screenwriter should start with. Not Story, not Save the Cat. As Bork convincingly lays out, the basic idea IS what makes or breaks a script. There ARE principles for what makes a good one — specific enough that they're hardly ever done right & apply to almost any project.”

— Matthew V.

September 2, 2019 (Amazon)

Gary H.

“I keep a short stack of books on my desk & Mr. Bork’s “The Idea” is on top. For anyone writing creatively, get this book. Read it. Make it part of your creative process. “The Idea” shows you the most important parts of creating stories that engage, excite and entertain”

— Gary H.

February 20, 2019 (Amazon)

HRB

“I am inspired and re-energized after reading The Idea. It’s by far the most valuable book on screenwriting I have ever read. What Erik Bork has created is an essential tool that you can lay any idea against to truly weigh its ability to be a solid, entertaining story.”

—hrb

January 6, 2020 (Amazon)

Graham Yost

“Before starting any project, every film or TV writer, whether new or experienced, should read this book. When Erik sent it to me, I was just beginning a new script. This book showed me problems with the idea I didn't know I had. Better yet, it showed me how to find solutions.”

— Graham Yost, writer/executive producer/showrunner

Justified, The Americans, Speed

Kika S.

“I call him a Dream Teacher because it’s one thing to be good at this craft and it’s another to know how to explain it so simply and yet so powerfully that the student can really get it.”

— Kika S.

August 15, 2020

Jaquie B.

“Every time my email pings with something from him I get excited because I know his notes will make me think about my script in a new way and take me closer to it being ‘ready.’”

— Jaquie B.

July 5, 2017

Wade A.

“Erik obviously loves what he does, it comes through when you talk to him; he’s passionate about storytelling and his ultimate goal is for you, and your story to improve. What more can you ask for?”

— Wade A.

February 26, 2015

Marie D.

“Erik is the real thing. He’s insightful, perceptive, incredibly knowledgeable and tells it like it is. Working with him has taken my writing to a completely new level. I only wish I had started working with him ten years ago. He’s as good as it gets.”

— Marie D.

August 21, 2013

Stephen H.

“I would not have made it this far without Erik’s very direct and constructive criticism. I’ve worked with dozens of consultants, and his script notes are the best I’ve ever received.”

— Stephen H.

June 21, 2010

Amy T.

“Erik’s expertise has helped me improve my pitching, my screenwriting and my TV writing. He really knows story but is able to step back and articulate conceptual ideas in a practical way. Erik’s coaching has helped me walk in with confidence.”

— Amy T.

October 5, 2011

Jeff C.

“I’ve worked with half a dozen evaluators before finding someone of Erik Bork’s caliber. Erik has an exquisitely attuned sense of truth and is willing to give critical, hard-to-hear feedback. Most importantly, Erik listens.”

—Jeff C.

June 21, 2010

Jeanne B.

“As the Editor of Script Magazine, I've read countless books on writing. Erik breaks down the importance of coming up with "the" idea to make your story standout from the pack. A fantastic book for every writer - novelist or a screenwriter! This is a must-read. Bravo!”

— Jeanne B.

September 26, 2018 (Amazon)

Matthew V.

“This is the book every screenwriter should start with. Not Story, not Save the Cat. As Bork convincingly lays out, the basic idea IS what makes or breaks a script. There ARE principles for what makes a good one — specific enough that they're hardly ever done right & apply to almost any project.”

— Matthew V.

September 2, 2019 (Amazon)

Gary H.

“I keep a short stack of books on my desk & Mr. Bork’s “The Idea” is on top. For anyone writing creatively, get this book. Read it. Make it part of your creative process. “The Idea” shows you the most important parts of creating stories that engage, excite and entertain”

— Gary H.

February 20, 2019 (Amazon)

FROM ERIK’S BLOG

Flying Wrestler

3 Stories per Episode

3 Stories per Episode

I recently watched an interview with Friends co-creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman (I think it was here). In it, Crane commented on how they...

read more
The War of Art

The War of Art

The happiest and most free I ever felt as a writer was with some of my earliest scripts. They were the work of a beginner and didn’t go anywhere but I enjoyed them.

read more
Intention and Obstacle

Intention and Obstacle

Aaron Sorkin says he "worships at the altar of Intention and Obstacle." What does that mean? In his Masterclass he defines it as: "Somebody wants...

read more
3 Stories per Episode

3 Stories per Episode

I recently watched an interview with Friends co-creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman (I think it was here). In it, Crane commented on how they...

read more
The War of Art

The War of Art

The happiest and most free I ever felt as a writer was with some of my earliest scripts. They were the work of a beginner and didn’t go anywhere but I enjoyed them.

read more
Intention and Obstacle

Intention and Obstacle

Aaron Sorkin says he "worships at the altar of Intention and Obstacle." What does that mean? In his Masterclass he defines it as: "Somebody wants...

read more
Double Mumbo Jumbo

Double Mumbo Jumbo

Double Mumbo Jumbo is a term in the original Save the Cat book. Blake Snyder used it to caution against including two different types of unrelated...

read more

WATCH THE VIDEO

Want to learn more about Erik?

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What Should A Screenwriter Know Before Writing A Screenplay? – Erik Bork

173,240 views | Jan 7, 2019

Learn Erik’s 10 Key Writing Principles Now

Learn the 10 key writing principles that I’ve identified in my 30 year career as a Hollywood screenwriter and producer.