We just had a WONDERFUL Q&A with Writers' Room members as we welcomed Alice Coulthard, Head of Development at Superbe Films, to discuss her journey from actress to producer and how to write projects that attract talent. I wanted to share a few key takeaways from the session:
• Every character is the main character of their story. Alice reminded us to ensure every character has an arc. This approach can help attract bigger names to smaller roles. Especially as indie budgets shrink, established actors often gravitate toward compelling smaller roles with fewer shooting days.
• International opportunities are booming. We discussed packaging, the international market, and differences between US and UK productions. Now's an excellent time to write projects that can be shot for under $2M in international territories like the UK, Ireland, Hungary, and beyond.
• The global shift in writers' rooms. As US writers' rooms contract, UK rooms are expanding, creating exciting opportunities for writers worldwide.
All fantastic insights for today's market!
If you'd like to watch the replay, it will be made available in the Writers' Room library: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/portal#webcasts
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How can I find this video? There is no search feature under the Webcasts portal (I do have a Writer's Room membership)
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Here you go: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/The-Executive-Hour-Webcast-with-Alice-C.... You can access the Writers' Room webcasts by going to your Writers' Room portal and clicking on ON DEMAND WEBCASTS.
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Thank you Geoffroy!
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“Every character is the main character of the story'" statement from Alice Coulthard is powerful. This insightful quote holds significant weight for anyone involved in screenwriting. I wholeheartedly agree with this perspective and make it a central technique in my own scripts. Far too often, in television shows and movies, screenwriters focus their energy solely on developing the main character’s arc. Their intention may be to strengthen and make the protagonist memorable, but this approach often leads to supporting characters who lack believability and depth. Sometimes, this results in the neglect of crucial subplots, such as the B story. From my experience, investing time to develop every character’s arc within a script brings balance to the narrative and results in a richer, more compelling story. When each character is thoughtfully crafted, the script feels more complete, and every role contributes meaningfully to the overall tale.
Alice’s remarks further reinforce the importance of developing minor characters. She pointed out that "many actors are drawn to compelling small roles, especially those with fewer shooting days". This insight serves as a strong incentive to put effort into creating dynamic and memorable characters beyond just the lead. Well-developed minor roles not only enhance the story but also attract talented actors seeking unique opportunities.
It is also encouraging to learn that international opportunities are booming for screenwriters. This means we can broaden our horizons beyond familiar territories and tap into a global network of possibilities. This exciting development motivates us to revitalize our scripts, acquire new skills, and collaborate with experienced individuals to become the best screenwriters we can be. As we approach the end of the year and look forward to the next, this information is both inspiring and uplifting. It reminds us to seize opportunities, continue learning, and strive for excellence in our craft. Thank you, Geoffrey, for sharing these valuable insights.