The Hero's Journey Formula: How to Craft the Perfect Protagonist
Other education that may be of interest to you:
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!"
How To Write Your Animation Film: From Idea to Execution + Get The TOY STORY Screenplay
Join The Oscar Nominated Writer Of TOY STORY, EVAN ALMIGHTY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GARFIELD, and more as He Teaches You How To Develop and Write Your Hit Animation Movie Plus! You'll receive Alec's screenplay for TOY STORY What makes a great animated feature film screenplay? In this exclusive on-demand Stage 32 4-session class, you will explore and celebrate screenwriting for animated films with the Oscar nominated writer of TOY STORY, Alec Sokolow. Alec is a screenwriter, storyteller, and character creator who specializes in global branding and franchise creation. Alec regularly works as a screenwriter for all the major studios and various global independent producers. His feature film credits also include CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GARFIELD, GARFIELD: A TALE OF TWO KITTIES, MONEY TALKS, EVAN ALMIGHTY, DADDY DAY CAMP and more. Alec has also written the meta video game storyline and user interface for Activision's billion-dollar franchise SKYLANDERS: SPYRO'S ADVENTURE and SKYLANDERS: GIANTS. Alec’s storytelling has created global receipts of over $2 billion. Do you have an idea for an animated movie? A unique world you wish to explore, or a unique point of view in our world, that you believe can be truly realized with animation? Then it's time to develop your idea into a feature length animated screenplay that connects with the intended audience (i.e., a producer, a pitch representative, a network, a studio, a streamer, etc). You'll walk away from this class with the tools and vision you need to write your animated feature at the highest level. If you are looking to create an animated script that imbues your authentic voice with a style of storytelling that evokes emotions, then this is the class for you! PRAISE FOR ALEC'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION: "Alec is not only an incredible educator, but extremely knowledgeable and down to earth. I can't thank Alec enough for his guidance!" - Leo S.
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.
An Oscar-Nominated Writer Teaches You The Hero's Journey
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 on-demand 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!"
ScreenMasters Workshop: Go Pro as a Writer
ScreenMasters is an intensive ongoing workshop designed for screenwriters who have mastered the fundamentals of their craft and are ready to move on to the next phase of their creative and professional development. Participants will be led through innovative presentations that will encourage new ways of thinking about the unique creative process of “writing for the screen,” and collaborative workshops sessions will explore how to put these lessons into practice to bring your screenplay to the next level. For every screenwriter, the leap from gifted amateur to working professional can be the most challenging career step they face. ScreenMasters is based on the simple idea that the best way to remove any obstacles to real-world career success is to deliver extraordinary screenplays that speak for themselves. The concept of this workshop goes beyond the basics of screenwriting to delve into the deeper artistic issues that can transform a merely good project into something a little more extraordinary. Each weekly session will begin with a topic discussion led by industry veteran Michael Schulman, and then the remaining class will be a lab environment for intensive workshopping of works in progress or guidance on career development issues, blocks or troubles students may be running into. The workshop is suitable for projects in any genre and at any stage of development. Enrollment in the workshop will be limited, and interested participants will be asked to submit a short (<1 page) statement outlining your background and writing experience, a brief description of the project to be workshopped, and what you would like to get out of the workshop experience. Michael Schulman is an industry veteran whose career includes stints at William Morris, ICM, and CAA as well as creative executive positions on three different studio lots including Netflix. Michael spent two years as VP Development at Michael Mann’s company where he worked on ALI, THE AVIATOR, and TEXAS KILLING FIELDS and other projects. Michael has worked with other top industry professionals in the development and/or acquisition of many well known features including THE SIXTH SENSE, VENGEANCE, HIDEAWAY, SHANGHAI and GROUNDHOG DAY. Michael has led webinars on the streamer acquisition process and has been quoted and interviewed in the industry media. ***Please note: This class is not booked yet, it is an application process. You can submit your application between now and February 4. The class shows booked on this page because that is how our system is technically set up, but it is a private class that Michael will be choosing the 8 from the application.*** THE APPLICATION PROCESS This class is limited to 8 students and is exclusive to active Stage 32 Writers' Room members. You must submit an application for review by February 4, 2022. The application can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YX6TFYL. Michael will be reviewing applications and will select the 8 students for the workshop. You will be notified by February 11, 2022 if you will be chosen for this class. If you are chosen, you will be invoiced via email from Stage 32. Since this is a private group, login links and recordings will be sent directly from Stage 32 Education.
How to Get Staffed as a Comedy TV Writer for a Streamer like Netflix, Amazon or Hulu
People are glued to streaming platforms more than ever and desperate for a show to make them laugh. Everyone who's read your script knows you're funny. Why can't that show be yours? We're giving you the expert tools to get in the room and make this the year you launch your television comedy career. Do you dream of your joke being the next viral meme? Or your show being the next awards-sweeping TED LASSO? Are you unsure how to navigate comedy audiences in a world where tastes and platforms are rapidly changing? No matter what your style or skill set, there's an audience out there for you. But you won't find them until you put yourself out there with the right tools to get staffed or sell your brilliant comedy. Every day there's a new streamer with its own brand and audience to cater to. From TED LASSO to PEN15 to SPACE FORCE, there have never been so many opportunities available. But while making someone laugh gets you a career, it takes more to get you in the door, and these digital players aren't following the rules of traditional networks. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you'll learn the ins and outs of streaming writers' room styles and how to be effective within them so that your jokes get airplay. You'll understand how to write stories that will thrill a showrunner and get you staffed in a room. You'll have the chance to analyze your pilot to consider where it fits in the marketplace, how to view it as though you're the executive, and determine how to strengthen your concept so that it's ready to sell. You'll discover the differences between platforms, budgets, schedules, audiences, and development needs, and more. Most importantly, you'll learn how to get your work into the right hands and snag that comedy gig at a top streaming platform. Taking you through the state of streamer staffing season and pilot selling is literary and talent manager Spencer Robinson of Art/Work Entertainment. With over 20 years of experience, Spencer has had clients in films from directors Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Gore Verbinski, and more. His clients have worked on projects from Netflix, The CW, Cinemax, CBS, NBC, FX, Starz, Nickelodeon, EPIX, and TBS, to name a few. Using his extensive experience helping writers get staffed and sell their pilots, Spencer teaches you the do's and don't of writing for streamers vs. network and how to tailor your script to make the best impression on executives at the biggest streamers in town. He lays out how streamers differ from the formatting to structure and specifically analyzes what you should consider before tackling your pilot. Spencer also dives into staffing and sales, and what approach is best for you, with the opportunity to ask Spencer any questions about yourself and your comedy career pilot during the Q & A. He'll also debunk common misconceptions about selling a comedy series in today's market and how you can use IP to sell your show. Whether you have the next great comedy series are ready to land a spot in a streaming room, this webinar ensures you walk away prepared for success. PRAISE FOR SPENCERS TEACHINGS: Spencer was awesome! Super informative and detail-driven - providing great insights. Packed so much into a short amount of time which I'm super grateful for! -Eric C. Spencer Robinson has high energy and packs a ton of information in his lecture. Most importantly Spencer gives realistic advice while encouraging writers to move forward fully informed of the terrain. -Oweeda N. Spencer opened my eyes to how the TV world works with broadcast and streaming. What a great crash course! -Ricki L. "Very enlightening. Gave a realistic view of how difficult it is to get a pilot made but was just inspiring enough to give hope. :)" -Clive M.
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