Avoid Stereotypes: Tips to Writing Authentic, Inclusive Characters

Hosted by Carlos Aguirre

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Carlos  Aguirre

Webinar hosted by: Carlos Aguirre

Former Vice President of Development at Paramount Television Studios

Carlos Aguirre is a respected development and production executive with 15 years of experience working across the entertainment industry in film, television, and digital platforms. In his most recent role as Vice President of Development at Paramount Television Studios, Carlos was instrumental in developing major television franchises, including the upcoming Disney+ tentpole, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES. Prior to joining PTVS, he served as Vice President at Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios, overseeing a diverse slate of Feature and TV projects including the Spanish-language film, CUANDO SEA JOVEN, for Mexico/LatAm, THE VALET starring Eugenio Derbez and Samara Weaving, and an adaptation of the award-winning novel, ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE, which had its premiere at TIFF. He was also a Creative Executive for Paramount Pictures where he worked on such high-profile films as BUMBLEBEE, A QUIET PLACE, and RINGS, and served as Executive Director of Originals at Millennial Latinx-focused Mitu. Carlos began his career at Fox Television Studios where was responsible for developing scripted dramas for the US and Latin American markets. He has been invited to take part in markets and conferences across the globe from Korea to Spain. A proud immigrant from Peru, Carlos has spent his career championing diverse voices. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

A New and Exclusive Stage 32 Webinar!

Hosted by a former Vice President of Development at Paramount Television Studios and Creative Executive at Paramount Pictures

 

PLUS! YOU'LL GET THE PILOT EPISODE SCRIPT DOWNLOADS OF: FRESH OFF THE BOAT , MASTER OF NONE, AND INSECURE!

 

As a storyteller, it's important to bring cultural authenticity and nuance to your work to create powerful and memorable stories that resonate with your audience. This means infusing accurate perspectives and representations into the narrative, rather than relying on stereotypes or generalizations. By doing so, you have the opportunity to craft storylines that are rich in meaning and depth.

However, achieving cultural authenticity can be a complex and sometimes elusive goal.

There are many factors to consider, such as a lack of understanding or knowledge of the culture being represented, the pressure to make the story appealing to a wider audience, and the desire to avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes. Despite these challenges, it's crucial to strive for authenticity in order to tell stories that are truly representative and inclusive.

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, Carlos Aguirre, who recently served as Vice President of Development at Paramount Television Studios where he was instrumental in developing major television franchises, including the upcoming Disney+ tentpole, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLESwill lead you on an exploration of best practices for overcoming stereotypes and finding a unique voice and approach to your story, context, and characters.

You'll walk away from this webinar with keen insight on how to find the balance between authenticity and accessibility. By having the right tools to aim for authenticity and avoid stereotypes, you have the opportunity to create truly unique and powerful stories that stand out and leave a lasting impact. So don't be afraid to challenge the status quo and surprise your audience with something unexpected.

Don't miss out on the chance to learn how you can remain relevant in today's marketplace and instill undeniable power in your stories!


Praise for Carlos

“Carlos appreciates uniqueness and capitalizes on it.” – Geoff Stier, SVP, Original Programming, Showtime

What You'll Learn

Black mermaids, AAPI Superheroes, and Latinx Wednesdays, oh my!

  • Your job is more important than you think.

Universality through specificity

  • Enter through the window instead of the door.
  • Staying true to the culture and experiences being depicted.

A look at successful shows with authentic inclusive representation

  • Reservation Dogs, Master of None, Insecure, Fresh off the Boat.

Crafting authentic and diverse characters

  • Developing characters with depth and complexity - “Tell me about yourself”.
  • Finding Cultural Authenticity at the “root” of all decisions.

Overcoming stereotypes and common pitfalls in the writing process

  • Recognizing and avoiding harmful stereotypes.
  • Representing marginalized communities with empathy and sensitivity.

Balancing cultural authenticity with accessibility

  • Finding the right balance for different audiences.
  • Examples of successful and unsuccessful attempts.

The role of the writer and producer in infusing cultural authenticity

  • Writing authentic characters and stories.
  • Collaboration with diverse writers, consultants and cast.

Best practices for infusing cultural authenticity in television writing

  • Tips and strategies for incorporating authentic inclusive representation in the writing process.
  • Fostering a culture of authenticity and inclusivity in the writers' room.

Conclusion: the future of authentic inclusive representation in television

  • Appreciate the uniqueness of your own story.
  • Ways to continue learning and growing in this area as a writer - lead with curiosity.

Q&A with Carlos

About Your Instructor

Carlos Aguirre is a respected development and production executive with 15 years of experience working across the entertainment industry in film, television, and digital platforms.

In his most recent role as Vice President of Development at Paramount Television Studios, Carlos was instrumental in developing major television franchises, including the upcoming Disney+ tentpole, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES.

Prior to joining PTVS, he served as Vice President at Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios, overseeing a diverse slate of Feature and TV projects including the Spanish-language film, CUANDO SEA JOVEN, for Mexico/LatAm, THE VALET starring Eugenio Derbez and Samara Weaving, and an adaptation of the award-winning novel, ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE, which had its premiere at TIFF.

He was also a Creative Executive for Paramount Pictures where he worked on such high-profile films as BUMBLEBEE, A QUIET PLACE, and RINGS, and served as Executive Director of Originals at Millennial Latinx-focused Mitu.

Carlos began his career at Fox Television Studios where was responsible for developing scripted dramas for the US and Latin American markets. He has been invited to take part in markets and conferences across the globe from Korea to Spain.

A proud immigrant from Peru, Carlos has spent his career championing diverse voices.

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