The Hero's Journey Formula: How to Craft the Perfect Protagonist
Other education that may be of interest to you:
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 Stage 32 4-session on-demand 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.
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!"
Screenwriting 101
Learn the essential fundamentals of screenwriting from the Oscar-nominated writer of TOY STORY, MONEY TALKS, GOODBYE LOVER, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, EVAN ALMIGHTY, and more! PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you hone your screenwriting craft! If you want to be a successful screenwriter with a fulfilling, long-lasting career, it is imperative you understand the basic fundamentals of the craft. From structure and character development to dialogue and subtext to building stakes and conflict,, there are certain elements of screenwriting you need to be proficient in if you want to create noteworthy screenplays. Stage 32 is here to help. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will learn all the essential fundamentals of screenwriting. Teaching you everything you need to know about the craft of screenwriting is Oscar-nominated screenwriter Alec Sokolow. In addition to Alec’s work on Pixar’s TOY STORY (which garnered him an Oscar nomination), Alec penned the hit films MONEY TALKS, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, EVAN ALMIGHTY, GARFIELD, and many other projects. His work has grabbed audiences globally and has netted over $2 billion in worldwide receipts. Now, Alec is sharing his secrets of the craft exclusive with the Stage 32 community! In a jam-packed 90 minutes, Alec will teach you how to approach your own screenwriting like a professional and how to get the most out of your time and talent. You will learn how, and why, you must create dynamic characters, a solid structure, and a story that can captivate audiences around the world. Whether you’re brand new to screenwriting and looking to learn the fundamentals or you’re a veteran screenwriter looking to further hone your craft from one of the most accomplished screenwriters in the industry, this webinar is a must. PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you hone your screenwriting craft. 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!"
Deconstructing the Oscar-Nominated Script: ANATOMY OF A FALL + Script Download
This year's Oscar buzz is strong and a clear film has been garnering a ton of attention due to it's complex and layered script and beautiful cinematography - ANATOMY OF A FALL written and directed by Justine Triet with her co-writer Arthur Harari. Nominated for five Academy Awards - including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Film Editing - this nuanced and powerful film is certain to make a splash this awards season. However, why does this complex story about a woman suspected of her husband’s murder resonate with audiences around the world? It all starts with the script. And as a creative, it's important for you to understand WHY it works so well. In an exclusive Stage 32 Deconstructing the Oscar-Nominated Script Webinar, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Alec Sokolow will break down the script for ANATOMY OF A FALL to shed light on the intricacies of the script that make it so compelling and provide you with a thorough assessment of of the piece to help inform your own writing. In addition to Alec’s work on Pixar’s TOY STORY (which garnered him an Oscar nomination) and many other projects. His work has grabbed audiences globally and has netted over $2 billion in worldwide receipts. Alec is a master of story and is exclusively sharing this breakdown of one of his favorite films of the year with the Stage 32 community. During this information-packed webinar, Alec will take you through the ANATOMY OF A FALL script as he examines the main driving force of the narrative, themes, character arcs, pacing, subtext and much more! Don’t miss this chance to dissect one of the year’s best scripts with one of the most prolific and critically acclaimed screenwriters in the business! PLUS! You will receive a copy of ANATOMY OF THE FALL to study from! PRAISE FOR ALEC'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION: "Wonderful insights. Made lots of notes. Thank you." - Nick M. "Alec is the best! What a world of knowledge!" - Carolyn R. "Great session with Alec. Thanks for the insights and wisdom from your storytelling experience. Oh, and for the films!" - Kaitlin L.
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 Stage 32 on-demand 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!"
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.
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