Breaking Into the Industry - Creating and Maintaining a Screenwriting Career
Reviews Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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Veialu Aila-Unsworth An excellent class. Jam-packed with loads of practical information - I got a sore hand from writing so many notes!
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Writers’ Room 100th Webcast Celebration: Member Spotlight
The Stage 32 Writers’ Room has just surpassed a milestone achievement - 100 webcasts! For the last year and a half it has been the honor of Director of Script Services Jason Mirch to act as the humble host, guiding webcasts that include script and screenwriting breakdowns, virtual pitch sessions to industry professionals, one-on-one conversations with some of the biggest names in the business, and writing exercises that challenge our imaginations and sharpen our skills. The goal of the Writers’ Room has always been to give writers all over the world the support, access, and education to thrive in their craft and career. Our recent Writers' Room guests have included Oscar-nominated Pixar writer Meg LeFauve, Billion Dollar Producer Amy Baer, AKEELAH AND THE BEE Filmmaker Doug Atchison, Universal Pictures Executive Ken Korba, A QUIET PLACE development executive Linsday Schwartz, GREEN HORNET producer Bradley Gallo, and many more - all of whom spoke and interacted directly with our members. Several of our members have connected with each other and have swapped scripts, collaborated on projects, produced projects they have written, and writers have even been optioned by producers largely because of the Writers’ Room! The Writers' Room is strong because of the incredible members who are serious about their craft and advancing their careers. So we are turning the spotlight over to some of our talented Writers' Room members who will tell us how they broke out in a highly competitive industry and achieved success during this Stage 32 Writers' Room Member Success Spotlight webcast! During this webcast, Writer, Producer, Actor & Stage 32 CEO Rich "RB" Botto and Writer, Producer, and Director of Script Services Jason Mirch shine some light on members who have utilized the power of Stage 32 and the Writers' Room to achieve tremendous success in the industry and learn the secrets they have discovered for breaking out! During this webcast the panel includes: Screenwriter, Martin Reese, who received a $5,000 option agreement from Glass House Distribution and Trick Candle Productions for a script he developed with the help of the Writers' Room! Screenwriter, Chris Torres, who landed representation with Manager Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment after being a part of the Writers' Room and being connected for a meeting by Stage 32! Author and Screenwriter, Christi Corbett, who developed one of her novels into a screenplay which was then optioned by producer Brad Wilson of Higher Purpose Entertainment!Screenwriter and Filmmaker, Chaun Lee, who used the power of Stage 32 and the Writers' Room to develop a short film which she then produced using local crew and cast in Atlanta just prior to lockdown!
The Hero's Journey Formula: How to Craft the Perfect Protagonist
Learn from the Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of TOY STORY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, EVAN ALMIGHTY, GOODBYE LOVER, and more... You've heard of The Hero's Journey, a concept created by Joseph Campbell after studying mythology and storytelling from thousands of years of civilization and from cultures all over the world. It's been applied by writers to some of the most successful films and franchises of all time, including STAR WARS, HARRY POTTER, TOY STORY, THE MATRIX, and countless others. However, knowing what The Hero's Journey is one thing, but understanding how to apply it to your work is a much more challenging task. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand class, you'll dive deeper than the books and online videos on The Hero's Journey to engross yourself in every step, study how it's been successfully applied to scripts, and learn how to use it in your own work. The more you understand these essential storytelling building blocks, the stronger your story will become, winning over readers, buyers, and, most importantly, the audience. The Hero's Journey is the study of how a protagonist transforms over the course of a story, and guiding you through this transformation for four sessions is Oscar-nominated screenwriter Alec Sokolow. Alec is an expert in the Hero's Journey and has used it in his work, ultimately netting over $2 billion in worldwide receipts. His credits include TOY STORY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, EVAN ALMIGHTY, and many more. He's also produced feature documentaries, directed animation shorts, and written children's books using Joseph Campbell's mythical structure. You'll see how you can use the Hero's Journey to infuse your script with the right tone, an immersive setting, entertaining characters, stakes, tension, memorable moments, and more. Don't miss out on your chance to learn from an Oscar-nominated screenwriter in this 4-part class and take your screenwriting skills to the next level. PRAISE FOR ALEC'S WORK AND STAGE 32 EDUCATION: "Alec Sokolow is one of the world's great storytellers, screenwriters, and teachers, and that's a wonderful combination for anyone to learn from." -- An Award-Winning Producer "Wonderful insights. Made lots of notes. Thank you." -- Mark M. "Alec is the best! What a world of knowledge!" -- Selina R. "Great session with Alec. Thanks for the insights and wisdom from your storytelling experience. Oh, and for the films!" -- David L.
How to Write a TV Pilot That Can Get You Staffed!
How to Write a TV Pilot That Can Get You Staffed! It's every writer's dream to become a working writer, and in today's TV-driven marketplace it's all about having the right sample to show a manager, agent and/or show runner. That one sample can lead you to a full time writing job on new and popular TV shows. So many agents and managers that we know are thirsty for well written TV pilots because they know a good sample can get that writer work. A lot of our biggest success stories are from writers with a well written, unique TV pilot. Stage 32 is excited to bring you the previously-recorded 4 part class taught by Amanda Toye, a former development executive who has worked on over 100 projects turned professional writer with a script deal at Discovery Networks and a feature script filming through Good Deed Entertainment November 2017! Learn the insider tips and tricks to help you write a truly great TV pilot that gets you staffed! PRAISE FOR AMANDA'S TEACHINGS: "This class was amazing! Was invaluable insight and instruction!" - Becca Boyd
Robert McKee: The Secret to Writing Compelling Characters (Part 2) | Stage 32 Masters of Craft
Robert McKee returns to Stage 32 with Building a Character - a rare online teaching appearance exclusive to Stage 32! In this exclusive Stage 32 Masters of Craft webinar, Robert McKee teaches the principles and tools required to build fascinating characters, from using both external and internal sources for inspiration, to the importance of self-knowledge as a writer when creating characters for stage, page or screen. Robert McKee, a Fulbright Scholar and member of the Hollywood Hall of Fame, is the most sought after writing lecturer around the globe. He has dedicated the last 35 years to educating and mentoring screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, poets, documentary makers, producers, and directors internationally. Those who have learned from McKee have called him “the Aristotle of our time” (Quincy Jones, Ed Saxon, Steve Pressfield to name a few) because of his insight into the substance, structure, style, and principles of the grand art of story. Peter Jackson (writer/director THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD) lauds him as “The Guru of Gurus.” For the creatives at Pixar (TOY STORY, FINDING NEMO, UP, INSIDE OUT), McKee’s Story Seminar is a rite of passage. McKee’s former students include over 65 Academy Award Winners, 250 Academy Award Nominees, 250 Emmy Award Winners, over 1000 Emmy Award Nominees and 100 Writers Guild of America Award winner.
The Executive Hour with Special Guest Pixar Screenwriter Lorien McKenna
In this Executive Hour we speak with screenwriter Lorien McKenna! Lorien is a former Pixar Story Manager who worked on such features as Oscar-winning UP, Oscar-winning BRAVE, Oscar-winning INSIDE OUT, and THE GOOD DINOSAUR. She also served as a producer for Paramount Animation where she oversaw development for WONDER PARK. Lorien, along with Oscar-nominated writer Meg LeFauve, sold their romantic comedy anthology, THIS THING CALLED LOVE to Hulu with Dan Lin producing; as well as a half hour sitcom, POOG to NBC and WBTV. Lorien also wrote HOW TO SET A FIRE AND WHY, based on the book of the same name by Jesse Ball, for Straight Up Films. Previously, she served as the Co-EP for Hulu's CURIOUS GEORGE series, and has developed projects for Disney Jr., Funko, and Netflix. She is the co-host of the podcast The Screenwriting Life with fellow screenwriter Meg LeFauve. During the webcast, Lorien discusses her unusual career trajectory, working in the "Brain Turst" on Oscar-Winning animated films at Pixar, battling "Imposter Syndrome", tackling adaptations, writing for television vs. features, how hard it is to take notes even as an established writer, and much more!
How To Find Distribution For Your Indie Film
When making an independent film, finishing the film is only half the battle. You need people to actually see the film you’ve worked so hard on. When it comes to distribution, it’s important to know how to get your film into the worldwide marketplace. Once it’s there, you need to know how to generate interest toward it so the film can make its money back for the investors and back-end participants. Distribution comes in all shapes and sizes, but what kind of distribution is right for your indie film? Sometimes it means getting your film distributed by a studio; sometimes it’s creating a self-distribution path. Sometimes —- most typically — the distribution lands somewhere in between. Every film is different and therefore requires a different marketing plan, release strategy, and team behind it that have the passion and drive to get the most out of its release amongst the myriad other movies available. In this on-demand Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, host Tiffany Boyle will get into the details of what the independent distribution process looks like. She will go over how to get the right representative, foreign sales agent, and domestic distribution, and the different options for each based upon the size, genre and execution of a film. She will also discuss what the key points are to look at when reviewing a foreign sales agent and/or domestic distribution deal. Filmmakers should be making an informed decision when choosing who will be handling the licensing of their film for the next 3-25 years, and Tiffany is here exclusively for Stage 32 to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of indie distribution. Tiffany Boyle is the President at Ramo Law and works with producers, financiers and writer clients to bring their new material to life. Having been a Director of Sales at Crystal Sky Pictures, Tiffany has an extensive background in foreign sales. She now works with the attorneys to review, collaborate, develop, submit and supervise creative materials on behalf of clients within the firm. Tiffany has worked on over 100 features including, Stuck In Love, Pawn, Gimme Shelter, Maladies, and I-Lived. She has been to AFM, Berlin, Tribeca, TIFF, Sundance, and Cannes and is constantly expanding her knowledge of how to match films with production and distribution companies.
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