Stage 32 4-Session Class: How You Can Develop Memorable Characters and World-Class Dialogue

Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details
Taught by Brian Herskowitz

$399
Class Schedule (4 sessions):
Thursday, Mar 23RD 3 - 5PM PDT
Thursday, Mar 30TH 3 - 5PM PDT
Thursday, Apr 6TH 3 - 5PM PDT
Thursday, Apr 13TH 3 - 5PM PDT
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Class hosted by: Brian Herskowitz

Screenwriter & Producer of over 3 dozen feature films and television shows

Brian is a writer, producer, and teacher, who produced the feature films BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT (co-writer), BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS from director-writer Allan Katz, MUSICAL CHAIRS directed by Susan Seidelman, and TIO PAPI directed by Fro Rojas, which Brian co-wrote. As a writer, Brian has completed well over a dozen feature films. His first screenplay KAMI HITO E (THE THIN LINE) was based on his experience as an international Judo champion training in Tokyo. From there he continued to write, and his first produced feature was a low-budget slasher titled DARKROOM. He’s just completed his first novel and is working on his second. He wrote and directed the award-winning short film ODESSA OR BUST starring SEINFELD’S Jason Alexander and RUSHMORE’S Jason Schwartzman. His new short content series MURRAY GHOST which he directed, produced, wrote, and edited is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit and has been honored at Festigious Fest and Just4Shorts festivals. As director/writer/producer, he began production on a new low-budget horror film BEFORE MOONRISE in the late fall 0f 2022. In TV, his credits include a staff writing position on the NBC sit-com BLOSSOM, multiple episodes of the syndicated series HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, and ACAPULCO HEAT, the HBO hit comedy DREAM ON, CBS’s RENEGADE, THE EXILE, MURDER, SHE WROTE, the TV movie MURDER OF MY AUNT, the FOX Network’s YOUNG HERCULES, and CBS’s critically acclaimed was series TOUR OF DUTY (associate producer) where he was recognized by the TV academy for his contribution to the show by the Emmy winning post-production sound department. Brian co-wrote the FOX pilot MANTIC with Jason Alexander. Also, he worked as a punch-up writer on BOB PATTERSON and LISTEN UP. For the last thirty years, Brian has taught screenwriting, first with WRITER’S BOOT CAMP, then with UCLA EXTENSIONS, and for the last fifteen years, he has held the post of Lead Faculty for the prestigious BOSTON UNIVERSITY in LOS ANGELES WRITER IN HOLLYWOOD graduate degree program. His scriptwriting textbook, PROCESS TO PRODUCT: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR THE SCREENWRITER, is available on Amazon.com and in bookstores. He currently has a nine-episode podcast, IDENTITY THEFT, running on Spotify. This is the first offering from the THRILLING STORIES podcast series. Full Bio »

Summary

Learn How To Craft Characters That Pop Off The Screen And Write Dialogue That Resonates With Your Audience From A Writer And Producer Who Has Worked With HBO, FOX, CBS, NBC and More!

Payment plans are available - please contact Sam at edu@stage32.com for more information

 

There is a critical beat in this year's runaway hit film EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE when the lead character Alpha-Waymond declares "Every rejection, every disappointment, has led you here, to this moment. Don't let anything distract you from it." 

This is a great example of perfectly developed character saying a transcendent and memorable line at just the right time. It isn't an accident. Moments like these are earned on the page through well crafted writing and Stage 32 is here to teach you how you can develop memorable characters and world-class dialogue in your scripts. 

Brian Herskowitz is a veteran film and television writer and producer who has worked on over 2 dozen films and television shows (with HBO, FOX, CBS, NBC, UNIVERSAL and more) and he's bringing his experience across all formats to the Stage 32 community!

In this interactive four-session class, Brian will delve into what makes a character memorable and then how that special character can lead you to unforgettable dialogue. Brian is going to teach you how creating memorable characters and world-class dialogue can be the difference between a movie or show that’s “fine” and one that’s exceptional.

You'll have direct access to Brian on email for the duration of the class so you can ask him questions about the class and the projects that you're working on. 

Don't miss this chance to take your writing to the next level and your scripts from good to great!

Plus! Brian will provide you with exclusive handouts to help develop your characters and dialogue! Downloads include:

  • Selected scenes from the script of THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
  • Selected scenes from the script of PAN'S LABYRINTH
  • Selected scenes from the script of THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7

 

Praise for Brian's Teaching & Knowledge:

“As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course.”

- Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, Listen Up)

"I have a master's degree and a doctorate, Brian is by far the most caring and best teacher I have ever had." - Alan J.

"The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course." - Katie R.

"Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them." - Sandra O.

"A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over." - Peter L.

What You'll Learn

SESSION 1: Who's Talking?

Great dialogue and great character’s go hand in hand. Here we explore how who’s speaking presents the opportunity for memorable lines.

In Class:

  • How to create a memorable character?
  • What should be in a character bio?
  • What is the character’s role in the story?
  • Understanding the relationship between character and voice
  • Q&A with Brian

Assignment:

  • Write a bio for your main character.
  • Truth and Dare – write 10 truths the audience can immediately tell from seeing and hearing your characters. Now write 10 things that are NOT initially known when the character has been introduced.

 

SESSION 2: What Are They Saying?

This session we explore the elements of memorable dialogue. Now that you know who’s speaking, it’s time to dissect what they are speaking about.

In Class:

  • What makes dialogue stand out?
  • When to speak and when to zip it
  • Elevating your character with dialogue specific to their story
  • Releasing your imagination onto the page
  • Q&A with Brian

Assignment:

  • Character voice exercise

 

SESSION 3: How Does “Voice” Relate To Your Character?

Great lines and great characters can make for world class dialogue, but they must connect to each other. In this session we will discuss how that connection works, and how to use it to your advantage.

  • What does great dialogue do?
  • How dialogue motivates action?
  • How to handle dialects?
  • How long is too long?
  • How to avoid cringe-worthy and “clunky” dialogue?
  • Q&A with Brian

Assignment:

  • 20/20 Exercise

 

SESSION 4: How Dialogue And Character Lead To Scene Work

In our final session we’ll put all the tips and tricks together to create a scene with memorable characters and world-class dialogue.

In Class:

  • How what your characters do can define them MORE than what they say
  • How do you know where the scene begins and ends?
  • Tips and tricks for character development
  • Tips and tricks for memorable voice
  • Q&A with Brian

Assignment:

  • Write a 2–4-page scene

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

  • This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn the fundamentals of developing and writing memorable characters through exceptional dialogue. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
  • This class will consist of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration and spaced one week apart from one another. In addition to the presentation-style lessons, you will have the opportunity to ask questions during each session.
  • Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the process.
  • **Brian will be available on email during the 4 sessions to answer any questions you have about the class.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information.

About Your Instructor

Brian is a writer, producer, and teacher, who produced the feature films BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT (co-writer), BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS from director-writer Allan Katz, MUSICAL CHAIRS directed by Susan Seidelman, and TIO PAPI directed by Fro Rojas, which Brian co-wrote.

As a writer, Brian has completed well over a dozen feature films. His first screenplay KAMI HITO E (THE THIN LINE) was based on his experience as an international Judo champion training in Tokyo. From there he continued to write, and his first produced feature was a low-budget slasher titled DARKROOM. He’s just completed his first novel and is working on his second.

He wrote and directed the award-winning short film ODESSA OR BUST starring SEINFELD’S Jason Alexander and RUSHMORE’S Jason Schwartzman. His new short content series MURRAY GHOST which he directed, produced, wrote, and edited is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit and has been honored at Festigious Fest and Just4Shorts festivals. As director/writer/producer, he began production on a new low-budget horror film BEFORE MOONRISE in the late fall 0f 2022.

In TV, his credits include a staff writing position on the NBC sit-com BLOSSOM, multiple episodes of the syndicated series HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, and ACAPULCO HEAT, the HBO hit comedy DREAM ON, CBS’s RENEGADE, THE EXILE, MURDER, SHE WROTE, the TV movie MURDER OF MY AUNT, the FOX Network’s YOUNG HERCULES, and CBS’s critically acclaimed was series TOUR OF DUTY (associate producer) where he was recognized by the TV academy for his contribution to the show by the Emmy winning post-production sound department. Brian co-wrote the FOX pilot MANTIC with Jason Alexander. Also, he worked as a punch-up writer on BOB PATTERSON and LISTEN UP.

For the last thirty years, Brian has taught screenwriting, first with WRITER’S BOOT CAMP, then with UCLA EXTENSIONS, and for the last fifteen years, he has held the post of Lead Faculty for the prestigious BOSTON UNIVERSITY in LOS ANGELES WRITER IN HOLLYWOOD graduate degree program. His scriptwriting textbook, PROCESS TO PRODUCT: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR THE SCREENWRITER, is available on Amazon.com and in bookstores.

He currently has a nine-episode podcast, IDENTITY THEFT, running on Spotify. This is the first offering from the THRILLING STORIES podcast series.

Schedule

Thursday March 23rd 3pm-5pm PST

Thursday March 30th 3pm-5pm PST

Thursday April 6th 3pm-5pm PST

Thursday April 13th 3pm-5pm PST

FAQs

Q: What is the format of a class?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 120-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I purchase this class on-demand?
A: If you purchase this class on-demand, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording.

Testimonials

“As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course.”

                                                                                     - Jason Alexander

                                                                         (Seinfeld, Shallow Hal, Listen Up)

 

"I have a master's degree and a doctorate; Brian is by far the most caring and best teacher I have ever had."

"The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course."

"Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them."

"A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over."

Questions?

If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.

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