David Baboulene Ph.D.
Author. Scriptwriter. Producer. Story Consultant. Academic.
I have devoted my life to the study and creation of stories. I get excited by new stories and aspiring writers, and I love to help creatives make stories the best they can possibly be.
In addition to his ten published books, David is the story consultant or writer on more than 50 books, film and television productions.
David is a film producer and story consultant for a current slate of around ten upcoming films and television series, including his first Hollywood blockbuster, The Queen of Fashion, starring Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Hayley Atwell (Captain America) and Richard E. Grant (Withnail and I). Also in pre-production, The Grand Euthanasia Hotel is a television series based on the book entitled Shaking Hands with Elvis, written by Paul Carrol and published by David's company, DreamEngine Media.
David's most recent available broadcast work includes the multi-award winning feature film, Homeless Ashes (Amazon Prime, 2019) starring Lew Temple (Once Upon a time in Hollywood) and Maria Howell (The Hunger Games); The Oscar-qualified White Gold (2020); and the Modern Horrors, Hosts and Witch (both available on Amazon Prime). David's competition wins include Jason Wingard's Pavement (The Uncertain Kingdom, 2020); Ray Panthaki's Ernie (The Uncertain Kingdom, 2020),
Vanessa Perdriau's The Widow's Last (Enter The Pitch, 2017); Carolyn Goodyear's IMDb Script-to-Screen Winner HomeWreckers (2020); and of course, David's own Mere Mortals, winner of the Euroscript Film Story Competition.
He has also written and produced his own film from scratch, Bella (2021) - a story without conflict, dialogue or a 'bad guy' - which you can follow through the entire development process and then watch in the members' area.
David was awarded a Ph.D. for his original research into story theory (2017). He has since been applying it in his work and refining the tools and methods for the story expertise he teaches, based on the power of knowledge gaps and subtext.
It is amazing how few people in story industries understand how stories work. Through David, you, too, can learn how stories work and can use this super-power as a back door and cheat code to get a career as a writer in books, film, television or theatre.
A Little Name-Dropping...
In creating the knowledge gap theory of story, David kept things grounded in the real world through conversations with famous names on what they think made story work for them. Including:
From Books: LEE CHILD (The Jack Reacher series).
From Film: BOB GALE (The Back to the Future trilogy).
From Theatre: WILLY RUSSELL (Shirley Valentine, Blood Brothers...)
From Television: JOHN SULLIVAN (Only Fools and Horses; Citizen Smith...)
From Acting: MARK WILLIAMS (101 Dalmations; The Harry Potter films...)
Among others. You can find these conversations - and more - in The Story Book. For a complete listing of David's credits, please refer to the IMDb (Internet Movie Database).
David in action!
David at BAFTA, London...
...for the premiere of Homeless Ashes.
David on set in the Sierra Nevada.
David presenting at the London Screenwriters' Festival.
On set for his film, Bella.
David presenting his 3-day residential course for Enter the Pitch.
David with a 'friend' at Pinewood Film Studios.
David with Nick Park.
At the American Film Market, Santa Monica, with producer, May Thyn Kyi
Acting with Fab Santino on Witch, Budapest, 2021.
David with producer/director, Marc Zammit.
With Russell Shaw, on the set of Witch, in Budapest.
My books are massive.
What Writers say about David
"David Baboulene’s insights into storytelling have been hugely helpful to our production. His in-depth understanding of plot, character motivation, and his theory of the ‘knowledge gap’ are both illuminating and valuable."Gillan Williams Producer: Hosts (2020), Exit Plan (2016), Feed Me (2022)
Ray C. Doyle Author: Lara's Secret"David has a unique approach to writing. He shows you how to be complete, step-by-step, from the outset. I now have a contract for my thriller trilogy. Success is unlocked when David turns the key."
"We cannot recommend David Baboulene highly enough. His insights and expertise on story creation have been invaluable, helping us get the script of Hallo Joe to the point where we’ve sold the option and look forward to full production”Mark Halliley Scriptwriter: Hello Joe
Kris Mole Author"Once you have learnt David's revolutionary approach, you will find the proof of it in every single story you ever hear, read or watch, ever again, and you will never write in quite the same way again. David’s discoveries are a game changer for writers."
Carolyn Goodyear: Multi-Award Winning Scriptwriter"David’s love and understanding of story has elevated many of my scripts which have subsequently gone on to be produced and win awards. He’s a fantastic story consultant – encouraging and full of good ideas. I can’t imagine ever writing a script without asking David to read it."
"David has been invaluable in my story development. He has improved my screenwriting immensely, and has given me the tools I need to write the best possible stories."Cheryl Neve: Writer/Director
"Meeting David was an epiphany for me. It did take me a month or two to fully grasp his advice, but when it did sink in and I started to write again, I just felt so much freer and infinitely more creative. My book is now complete, and I am so, so proud of it. I am now sitting here looking at two contracts to publish."Steve Askham: Author: Life's a Peach! (2022)
Hannah Stevenson Producer - Eaten by Lions (2019)"The insight that David brought to our project was invaluable. David was able to turn our script that was a compelling story attracting initial interest into a page turner of a screenplay. He is creatively inspiring while maintaining a kind, collaborative humility that should not be underestimated. Thank you so much David."
Alex Marx: Writer/Director"A story is based on the psychology in the conversation between an author and an audience. David brings the world genuinely new tools and methods that give you an objective and measurable understanding of how good your story is and clarity in how to improve it. Highly recommended."
Lauraine Faulkner (Author)"Every session provided another ‘eureka moment’ for me; another sudden insight into ways to improve my stories and find direction for me as a writer."
"David's work can benefit every writer on the planet. A game changer for writers."Kris Mole: Author Gatecrashing Europe
"Everyone who works in story industries needs to know what David Baboulene knows."Alex Marx: Writer/Director
Enrolment
Every month I take a limited number of students through the course. I am there to help you and answer questions. Please use the Contact Me form to get notified of the next enrolment and receive my regular emails on story goodness..
Thank you, David