Screenwriting Fundamentals: Writing Powerful Protagonists & Antagonists
Live Virtual Workshop
Sunday, Nov. 3rd
9am EST-12pm EST
Professional screenwriter Carrie Schrader teaches you the fundamentals of screenwriting for television or film in this very hands-on writing class where you’ll learn how to create active, dynamic main characters.
In order to create story, you have to have a strong protagonist who DRIVES THE PLOT.
Making your protagonist ACTIVE so that they are driving the story is the key to writing stories that entertain and critical to writing stories that sell.
You MUST HAVE a main character who is intent on reaching a goal AND an equally strong antagonist (the more the better) trying to stop them. This will save you from the dreaded act sloppies, the place where most stories fall apart because of a weak protagonist/antagonist arc.
In this course, we will use the writing tools that I originally learned from Stewart Stern (Rebel Without A Cause) and honed while at Columbia University Film and Television MFA program in NY. I’ve shared them with my one-on-one coaching clients, who have gone onto successful careers.
I also use them in my own writing practice which has led me to three feature film writing contracts, an up and coming I-can’t-tell-you-the-name television show with A Really Good Home Pictures (JLo/ Ben Affleck/Matt Damon movie, Unstoppable) and my own original television pilots, which both have showrunners attached.
This is not a lecture class. This is a badass, in-depth, WRITING class where I will guide you though a series of proved, professional writing exercises — you will leave with solid character arcs and a draft of an outline.
In class writing assignments and discussions included.
Taught by screenwriting and directing mentor Carrie Schrader.
Space is limited.
Special Note: Your final assignment will be written by you inside of class and then presented for a final discussion. All writing software is on the responsibility of the student to provide. Classroom teaching, one on one sessions and critiques by industry professionals are provided by the class.
*Refund Policy: All classes and workshops are non refundable effective from the date of purchase. Class credit is available to transfer to another class or the same class. You have 1 year from the date of purchase to redeem the credit.
Live Virtual Workshop
Sunday, Nov. 3rd
9am EST-12pm EST
Professional screenwriter Carrie Schrader teaches you the fundamentals of screenwriting for television or film in this very hands-on writing class where you’ll learn how to create active, dynamic main characters.
In order to create story, you have to have a strong protagonist who DRIVES THE PLOT.
Making your protagonist ACTIVE so that they are driving the story is the key to writing stories that entertain and critical to writing stories that sell.
You MUST HAVE a main character who is intent on reaching a goal AND an equally strong antagonist (the more the better) trying to stop them. This will save you from the dreaded act sloppies, the place where most stories fall apart because of a weak protagonist/antagonist arc.
In this course, we will use the writing tools that I originally learned from Stewart Stern (Rebel Without A Cause) and honed while at Columbia University Film and Television MFA program in NY. I’ve shared them with my one-on-one coaching clients, who have gone onto successful careers.
I also use them in my own writing practice which has led me to three feature film writing contracts, an up and coming I-can’t-tell-you-the-name television show with A Really Good Home Pictures (JLo/ Ben Affleck/Matt Damon movie, Unstoppable) and my own original television pilots, which both have showrunners attached.
This is not a lecture class. This is a badass, in-depth, WRITING class where I will guide you though a series of proved, professional writing exercises — you will leave with solid character arcs and a draft of an outline.
In class writing assignments and discussions included.
Taught by screenwriting and directing mentor Carrie Schrader.
Space is limited.
Special Note: Your final assignment will be written by you inside of class and then presented for a final discussion. All writing software is on the responsibility of the student to provide. Classroom teaching, one on one sessions and critiques by industry professionals are provided by the class.
*Refund Policy: All classes and workshops are non refundable effective from the date of purchase. Class credit is available to transfer to another class or the same class. You have 1 year from the date of purchase to redeem the credit.
Live Virtual Workshop
Sunday, Nov. 3rd
9am EST-12pm EST
Professional screenwriter Carrie Schrader teaches you the fundamentals of screenwriting for television or film in this very hands-on writing class where you’ll learn how to create active, dynamic main characters.
In order to create story, you have to have a strong protagonist who DRIVES THE PLOT.
Making your protagonist ACTIVE so that they are driving the story is the key to writing stories that entertain and critical to writing stories that sell.
You MUST HAVE a main character who is intent on reaching a goal AND an equally strong antagonist (the more the better) trying to stop them. This will save you from the dreaded act sloppies, the place where most stories fall apart because of a weak protagonist/antagonist arc.
In this course, we will use the writing tools that I originally learned from Stewart Stern (Rebel Without A Cause) and honed while at Columbia University Film and Television MFA program in NY. I’ve shared them with my one-on-one coaching clients, who have gone onto successful careers.
I also use them in my own writing practice which has led me to three feature film writing contracts, an up and coming I-can’t-tell-you-the-name television show with A Really Good Home Pictures (JLo/ Ben Affleck/Matt Damon movie, Unstoppable) and my own original television pilots, which both have showrunners attached.
This is not a lecture class. This is a badass, in-depth, WRITING class where I will guide you though a series of proved, professional writing exercises — you will leave with solid character arcs and a draft of an outline.
In class writing assignments and discussions included.
Taught by screenwriting and directing mentor Carrie Schrader.
Space is limited.
Special Note: Your final assignment will be written by you inside of class and then presented for a final discussion. All writing software is on the responsibility of the student to provide. Classroom teaching, one on one sessions and critiques by industry professionals are provided by the class.
*Refund Policy: All classes and workshops are non refundable effective from the date of purchase. Class credit is available to transfer to another class or the same class. You have 1 year from the date of purchase to redeem the credit.
Meet your Instructor
Carrie Schrader
Writer/Director/Producer
Carrie Schrader is an award-winning writer-director of short films, commercials, and feature-length films. She co-directed the short film “Don’t Mess With Texas” with Tricia Cooke and Ethen Coen (Coen brothers) and directed the Netflix commercial “Batdad: Battle For Bedtime” (Peacock, Amazon). She currently earns her living from multiple write-for-hire contracts, specializing in adapting real-life stories into film and television. Her latest is with A Really Good Home Pictures, who just debuted “Unstoppable,” produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
Her films have won film festival awards internationally, and she’s honed both leadership and collaborative spirit in the Orchard Project Episodic Lab, the Outfest Screenwriting Lab, IFP, and the Austin Film Festival. She is the creator of #nicewhitemom videos, which critically explore with comedy how white women perpetuate racism. Carrie has a ridiculously expensive but surprisingly useful MFA in directing from Columbia University and will be forever proud of her early days as a theater nerd.