Summary
Learn From a Writer & Producer who's Worked With HBO, FOX, CBS, NBC and More!
4 Intensive Sessions with Writing Exercises & Scenes from Oscar-Nominated Films
PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
There is a critical beat in the Oscar winning 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 on-demand class!
In this four-session Stage 32 on-demand class, Brian will dive 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.
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 over a dozen 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:
“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.
Brian 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 characters 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
PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Who Should Attend
All levels of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to hone their skills in developing interesting characters with world-class dialogue.
All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to hone their skills in developing interesting characters with world-class dialogue.
Producers with an interest in character creation in the entertainment industry,
Actors looking to hone their skills in developing interesting characters with world-class dialogue.
Executive
Brian is a veteran film and television writer and producer who has worked on over 2 dozen films and television shows.
Some of his film credits include the feature film BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS, which starred Jason Alexander from SEINFELD, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, which starred Michael Welch from TWILIGHT, MUSICAL CHAIRS, which was directed by Susan Seidelman from SEX IN THE CITY and TIO PAPI, which was directed by Fro Rojas. As director/writer/producer, he is slated to begin production on a new film BEFORE MOONRISE.
In television, his writing credits include working with HBO, NBC, CBS, Universal Television, FOX on shows such asHERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, DREAM ON, BLOSSOM, RENEGADE and more. He was on the producing team for the critically acclaimed TOUR OF DUTY 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.
As a director Brian 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.
He currently has a nine-episode podcast, IDENTITY THEFT, running on Spotify. This is the first offering from the THRILLING STORIES podcast series.
Credits
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