Writing Memorable Characters
In this live webinar, Cody Smart will explore how to write impactful characters that feel fresh, three-dimensional, and original, and who the reader can easily connect with.
Writing amazing screenplays starts with crafting memorable characters that jump off the page and become the types of characters people quote and remember for years to come.
Script doctor Cody Smart will share what she’s learned throughout her years helping elevate all sorts of Hollywood scripts: character-driven stories are what readers and buyers are looking for.
In this live webinar, we’ll explore how to write impactful characters that feel fresh, three-dimensional, and original, and who the reader can easily connect with.
We will discuss how to write protagonists that lead the action and aren’t passive actors in their own journeys. We’ll talk about a protagonist’s core wound or flaw, how that is linked to their arc, and how their arc should be connected to the turning points of the script.
We’ll learn about the importance of writing antagonists that feel like the heroes of their own stories, and are as equally interesting and fleshed out as the protagonist, as well as worthy adversaries.
We’ll also cover how to write supporting characters that aren’t just stereotypes or fillers, and instead powerful, layered characters that have unique subplots that can reflect different aspects of the protagonist’s journey.
We’ll explore how to give characters unique voices, how to introduce characters in action, and how to describe characters in powerful ways.
Finally, to better understand and put all of this into practice, we will break down memorable characters from famous films and TV shows to see how they did it.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- How to craft memorable characters that jump off the page
- The importance of writing character-driven stories
- How to write characters that feel fresh, three-dimensional, and original
- The importance of writing characters the reader can easily connect with
- How to craft protagonists that lead the action and aren’t passive actors in their own journeys
- The importance of the protagonist’s core wound or flaw, how that is linked to their arc, and how their arc should be connected to the turning points of the script
- How to write antagonists that feel like the heroes of their own stories, and are as equally interesting and fleshed out as the protagonist, as well as worthy adversaries
- How to write supporting characters that aren’t just stereotypes or fillers, and instead powerful, layered characters that have unique subplots
- How to give characters unique voices
- How to introduce characters in action
- How to describe characters in powerful ways
- How the best film and TV writers have crafted the most memorable characters audiences love
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Beginning screenwriters who want to learn how to write great characters
- Intermediate screenwriters who want to learn how to flesh out their characters some more
- Advanced screenwriters who want to learn how to elevate their characters and take them to the next level
- Writers who want to learn how to write powerful, character-driven stories
- Writers whose characters all sound the same
- Writers who want to learn how to flesh out all of the characters of their stories, not just the protagonist
- Writers who want to learn how to connect character to structure
- Writers who want to learn how to write interesting flaws and core wounds for their protagonists
- Writers who want to learn how to introduce characters in action and in more interesting ways
- Writers who want to learn how to convey character through action: SHOW not TELL
- Writers who want to study how the great ones have mastered character writing, and how to apply that to their own writing
Learn from an expert instructor!
Cody Smart is an independent writer and script doctor from Chile. She holds degrees in English Literature & Linguistics, Screenwriting, Development and Producing.
She worked as a script analyst for Sony, she’s a judge for multiple script and film competitions, she’s written some award-winning shorts, she’s head of the coverage department at a script hosting site, she does a bi-monthly vlog with tips for screenwriters for Story Data, and she’s an instructor for the renowned Writers’ Program at UCLA Extension. She takes pride in helping writers take their work to the next level.
Top screenwriting and film publication, founded in 1989, published by Active Interest Media. Twitter: @scriptmag
