MyStories FOREVER Vault
MyStries FOREVER Vault

Core Techniques

Storytelling Foundations

Master the frameworks that professional filmmakers use to create compelling stories that resonate across generations.

Great family stories don't happen by accident – they're crafted using proven techniques. In this module, you'll learn three powerful frameworks used by professional documentary filmmakers and storytellers.

The Four Pillars

People, Place, Plot, Purpose

The SHARE Method

Story structure framework

The 3-1 Rule

Interview technique

The Four Pillars of Story

Based on the acclaimed Muse Storytelling process, the Four Pillars framework helps you create deeper, more meaningful family stories by ensuring all essential story elements are developed.

People

Who is at the centre of this story? Explore their motivations, feelings, and relationships.

Questions to ask:

  • • What were they like as a person during this story?
  • • What personal qualities helped them in this situation?
  • • Who supported them, and how did that support matter?
  • • How were they different after this experience?

Place

Where does the story unfold? Consider the physical environment and its emotional impact.

Questions to ask:

  • • What did this place look like, sound like, smell like?
  • • How did the setting affect how people felt or acted?
  • • What details about this place stand out in your memory?
  • • Why was this particular location significant?

Plot

What happens? The sequence of events and how they connect to create meaning.

Questions to ask:

  • • What happened first, and then what?
  • • What was the turning point in this story?
  • • What obstacles had to be overcome?
  • • How did the situation resolve?

Purpose

Why does this story matter? The significance and meaning behind the experiences.

Questions to ask:

  • • Why is this story important to you?
  • • What did this experience teach you?
  • • How did it shape who you became?
  • • What wisdom would you pass on from this?

Why This Matters for Family Stories

When all Four Pillars are developed in your family stories, they become more than just anecdotes – they become meaningful narratives that connect generations. This framework ensures your stories have depth, context, and emotional resonance that will engage viewers for years to come.

The SHARE Method

The SHARE method gives you a simple structure for helping family members tell engaging, meaningful stories. As the director, your job is to guide the storyteller through each element.

S

Start with
a Hook

H

Highlight the
Challenge

A

Action:
What Happened

R

Reveal the
Lesson

E

End with
Impact

S

Start with a Hook

Begin with something that grabs attention – a surprising fact, an intriguing question, or a vivid description.

Examples:

  • • "Did you know your grandfather once went a year without speaking?"
  • • "The day I met your mother, the air smelled like cinnamon and broken glass."
  • • "It was the coldest day in fifty years when our family's journey began."
H

Highlight the Challenge

Every good story has a conflict or obstacle. What problem did the main character face?

Examples:

  • • "We had only 24 hours to evacuate before the flood waters arrived."
  • • "I had to choose between my dream job and staying close to family."
  • • "The wedding was in an hour, and the ring was missing."
A

Action: Describe What Happened

This is the heart of your story – what did they do to address the challenge? Use vivid details.

Director Tips:

  • • Encourage descriptions using all five senses
  • • Ask for step-by-step details of what happened
  • • Draw out dialogue and interactions between people
R

Reveal the Lesson

What wisdom came from this experience? What did they learn about life, family, or themselves?

Questions to ask:

  • • "Looking back, what did that teach you?"
  • • "How did that experience change your perspective?"
  • • "What would you want your grandchildren to learn from this?"
E

End with Impact

Close with something memorable – a reflection, a callback to the beginning, or a thought-provoking question.

Examples:

  • • "And that's why I still keep that old photograph in my wallet."
  • • "To this day, whenever I smell cinnamon, I think of that moment."
  • • "I wonder sometimes what would have happened if I'd chosen differently."

The 3-1 Rule

The 3-1 Rule is a powerful interview technique: for every 3 questions you prepare, let 1 emerge naturally from what the storyteller shares. This balance keeps the conversation structured yet authentic.

The 3 Prepared Questions

  • 1. Opening question – Something easy and engaging to start
  • 2. Core story question – Gets to the heart of what you want to capture
  • 3. Reflection question – Asks about meaning or lessons learned

The 1 Emergent Question

Listen for "doorways" – moments when the storyteller mentions something intriguing that deserves exploration:

  • • Emotional shifts in tone or expression
  • • Brief mentions of significant events or people
  • • Phrases like "That reminds me..." or "I never told anyone..."

Why This Works

The 3-1 Rule prevents you from being a slave to your question list while still ensuring you capture what's important. The emergent questions often lead to the most powerful, unexpected stories – the ones your family member might not have thought to share.

Continue Your Training

Interview Skills

Master active listening, question techniques, and handling sensitive topics.

Practice Exercises

Put these frameworks into practice with guided exercises and scenarios.

Master Storytelling with Dive Deep Dialogues

Take Your Skills Further

Art of Story

Structured modules and exercises to become a more compelling narrator.

Explore App →

Story Threads

Interactive tools to map, discover, and preserve your family stories.

Explore App →