How To Write Your Animation Film: From Idea to Execution + Get The TOY STORY Screenplay
Other education that may be of interest to you:
Masters of Craft: Writing Feature Films with Oscar Nominated Alec Sokolow (Toy Story)
Bonus! You will receive a download of the TOY STORY script, written by your host, Alec! The biggest global streaming services and movie studios are actively looking for family-friendly blockbusters to fill out their upcoming slates. Why? Because G and PG-rated projects are among some of the highest-grossing films in theaters and these films attract this profitable family demographic to their streaming services. So what are the key points a writer needs to know to craft a blockbuster family film? In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, acclaimed screenwriter and Academy Award-nominee for TOY STORY, Alec Sokolow, will give writers and filmmakers an overview of what a family-friendly blockbuster script needs to sell. Using his screenplay for the first TOY STORY movie as a hands-on guide, Alec will walk attendees through the writing process with a look at the project’s background, plot points, character development, and tone. Next, he’ll delve into what choices he made when writing the original film and most importantly why these creative decisions were made. Writing a family-friendly blockbuster with global appeal is more difficult than it seems but Alec will break down the structure and setting to help any writer feel more confident working in this extremely popular genre. A writer must be able to create imaginative, relatable, and specific characters set in a vibrant world but now, more than ever, must make their scripts feel universal with a global appeal. Writers often get caught up in thinking about the success of their script or of their big plot idea but they really need to focus on the dynamics and success of their characters. Everything is character-driven. If you get the characters and their dynamics right then all of the action falls into place and the characters, themselves, drive the plot. Once you have that concept mastered, your scripts will all feel bigger and more universal, leading to the success you want.
Your First Act Blueprint: Essential Script Tips from an Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter
AN EXCLUSIVE ON-DEMAND WEBINAR Learn how to write your best first act in your screenplay from the Academy Award-nominated writer of TOY STORY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GOODBYE LOVER, and more... You can’t write a great screenplay without a great first act. This puts a lot of pressure on you when you first start and stare at that blank page. The first act sets the tone, the time, and the setting. It introduces the audience to the characters, the stakes, and the tensions that carry throughout your story. The first act also introduces vital and unique information your protagonist will need through their journey. So, how do you do this in a way that doesn’t feel forced? In a way that isn’t heavy-handed but memorable and flows for the audience? How do you write so that it grabs the reader’s attention and never lets go? In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Alec Sokolow (TOY STORY) takes you through his tried-and-true method for crafting your best first act. He’ll show you how to give your audience the information they need to dive into your film for the next two hours. In addition to Alec’s work on Pixar’s TOY STORY (nabbing him an Oscar nomination), Alec penned CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, EVAN ALMIGHTY, GARFIELD, and many other projects. His work has grabbed audiences globally and has so far netted over $2 billion in worldwide receipts. By the end of this webinar, you will have all the pieces you need to craft a fantastic first act from a professional screenwriter with a proven track record using these tools. Don’t miss out on your chance to learn from Alec in this webinar exclusively on Stage 32. PRAISE FOR ALEC'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION: "Wonderful insights. Made lots of notes. Thank you." "Alec is the best! What a world of knowledge!" "Great session with Alec. Thanks for the insights and wisdom from your storytelling experience. Oh, and for the films!"
An Oscar-Nominated Writer Teaches You The Hero's Journey
A NEW EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR Learn about the Hero's Journey and how your screenplays can use this imperative tool from the Academy Award nominated writer of TOY STORY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GOODBYE LOVER and more... Plus! A Hero's Journey Worksheet and Exclusive Script Downloads For You! STAR WARS, THE MATRIX, HARRY POTTER, TOY STORY... countless successful films use "The Hero's Journey," a storytelling archetype promoted by author and professor Joseph Campbell. You've likely heard or maybe even read about it, but Stage 32 is here to walk you threw what it takes to apply this essential archetype to your own writing! In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Alec Sokolow will take you through the Hero's Journey so that you fully understand how to use it to elevate your scripts. Alec is a master of the Hero's Journey having applied it throughout his career to his blockbuster films, including 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, successfully applying Joseph Campbell's mythical structure with his work netting over $2 billion in worldwide receipts. The Hero's Journey is bigger than Luke Skywalker, and following this archetype isn't about following a cookie-cutter story. It's about understanding dreams we all share and heightened realities. It leads to star-making roles that actors are dying to play. It's about raising the stakes and challenging your protagonist to change on multiple levels by pushing them beyond their limits. To truly understand the nature of your writing, it is vital to understand the heroic journey you are constructing for your protagonist and go on your own journey as you craft your script. In the process, you'll have a deeper understanding of how to write these journeys, be able to elevate your writing to something that grabs producers and talent, and prove that you're ready for a career in writing big-screen stories. Where else can you learn about this imperative story structure directly from a successful screenwriter who applies it to their work every day? Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from Alec Sokolow and start your own Hero's Journey. 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." "Alec is the best! What a world of knowledge!" "Great session with Alec. Thanks for the insights and wisdom from your storytelling experience. Oh, and for the films!"
The Hero's Journey Formula: How to Craft the Perfect Protagonist
A NEW EXCLUSIVE FOUR-PART CLASS Payment Plans Available - Contact edu@stage32.com For More Information Learn everything you need to know about the Hero's Journey and how you can utilize this crucial tool at a professional level in your writing, from the Academy Award-nominated writer of TOY STORY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GOODBYE LOVER, and more... Plus! Receive Exclusive Script Downloads! 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 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. You'll have direct access to Alec over email for the duration of the class as well as interacting with him during class sessions. You'll have the chance to ask Alec any questions during the live sessions about his work, screenwriting, the Hero's Journey, and how you can use these lessons in your career. You'll also receive exclusive scripts from Alec to keep and study. And all class sessions are recorded and sent to you in case you miss any of the live sessions. Don't miss out on your chance to learn from an Oscar-nominated screenwriter in this four-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." "Alec is the best! What a world of knowledge!" "Great session with Alec. Thanks for the insights and wisdom from your storytelling experience. Oh, and for the films!"
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