William C. Martell's
SCRIPT SECRETS:
CHARACTER FIRST! *
* Formerly Naked Screenwriting - Lew Hunter has a book coming out called Naked Screenwriting.
SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST! - The big 2 day class is totally revamped for 2009.
In past years we started by finding that great script idea, this year we start by creating a compelling character
and then find the story idea that will best explores that character Movies are about people, so creating interesting
characters is one of the most important elements of writing a screenplay.
The new class will take you step-by-step from blank page to fully formed character, then show you how to find the
story within that character. How to find theme within the character. How to find the character's unique voice and
create the supporting characters who best bring out the character of your protagonist. You'll learn how to show
character through actions, decisions and interactions with environment. This is a different and unique approach to
screenwriting that places character first.
Car chases don't go to the movies, PEOPLE do - so let's focus on the people part of stories!
* * *
Originally I planned on doing San Francisco
in early December of 2008, but I seem to be writing this big studio screenplay instead. Though I have yet to set the dates for 2009 (due to the big studio project), I plan
to actually do some classes - unlike 2008 when I just wrote screenplays. The plan is to do 4 classes in the USA in 2009, so there's one more city to add to the mix... maybe yours.
* * *
SCRIPT SECRETS: SAN FRANCISCO - TBA, 2009 - CHARACTER FIRST class, using ROMANCING THE STONE as our primary example we will start by creating an interesting character and then find the perfect story to explore that character. SIGN UP NOW! Seating is limited!
SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST! is an INTENSIVE two day course -
screenwriting stripped of the theoretical nonsense! Beginning by creating a compelling character, we'll spend all day Saturday and Sunday
learning techniques that will improve your dialogue, description, story
and screenwriting abilities! Creative ways to solve script problems through character. Plus a section on selling your
script and managing your screenwriting career! Class includes a 120 page workbook with exercises, assignments (homework), forms and additional materials.
Interested in attending? E-mail me and I'll put you on the "interested list" and send you more info when I have it.
SanFrancisco@scriptsecrets.net - San Francisco
Register today - SEATING IS LIMITED!
* * *
SCRIPT SECRETS: LOS ANGELES - May TBA, 2009 - BIG IDEA class, using GHOST as our primary example we will start by finding the million dollar high concept idea and then find the perfect story and characters for the idea. SIGN UP NOW! Seating is limited!
SCRIPT SECRETS: THE BIG IDEA is an INTENSIVE two day course -
screenwriting stripped of the theoretical nonsense! This is the "classic class" - starting with finding that great film idea than explanding that idea into a full length screenplay. We'll spend all day Saturday and Sunday learning
techniques to come up with great film ideas, improve your dialogue, description, story and
screenwriting abilities! Plus a section on selling your script!
For 2009 we'll be using the movie GHOST as our primary example, with clips from that film as well as NORTH BY NORTHWEST, THE MATRIX, AIRPLANE, THE BIG SLEEP and DILLINGER.
Interested in attending? E-mail me and I'll put you on the "interested list" and send you more info when I have it.
LosAngeles@scriptsecrets.net - Los Angeles
Register today - SEATING IS LIMITED!
* * *
SCRIPT SECRETS: NEW YORK - TBA, 2009 - CHARACTER FIRST class, using ROMANCING THE STONE as our primary example we will start by creating an interesting character and then find the perfect story to explore that character. SIGN UP NOW! Seating is limited!
SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST! is an INTENSIVE two day course -
screenwriting stripped of the theoretical nonsense! Beginning by creating a compelling character, we'll spend all day Saturday and Sunday
learning techniques that will improve your dialogue, description, story
and screenwriting abilities! Creative ways to solve script problems through character. Plus a section on selling your
script and managing your screenwriting career! Class includes a 120 page workbook with exercises, assignments (homework), forms and additional materials.
Interested in attending? E-mail me and I'll put you on the "interested list" and send you more info when I have it.
NewYork@scriptsecrets.net - New York
Register today - SEATING IS LIMITED!
* * *
Interested in attending? E-mail me and I'll put you on the "interested list" and send you more info when I have it.
LosAngeles@scriptsecrets.net - Los Angeles
Seattle@scriptsecrets.net - Seattle
Minneapolis@scriptsecrets.net - Minneapolis
NewYork@scriptsecrets.net - New York
MyCity@scriptsecrets.net - Pick My City!
SCRIPT SECRETS 2 DAY CLASSES: There are now 3 different versions of the big 2 day class: SCRIPT SECRETS: THE BIG IDEA - using GHOST as primary example, SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST - using ROMANCING THE STONE as primary example, and SCRIPT SECRETS: THEME & CONFLICT using NOTORIOUS as the primary example. Plus. I have 2 other classes in development: SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER IN ACTION a class on writing action movies for the new millennium that uses THE MATRIX as primary example (plus BATMAN BEGINS, BOURNE, and CASINO ROYALE) and SCRIPT SECRETS: INCREDIBLE CONFLICT focusing on central conflicts (emotional and physical) that uses THE INCREDIBLES as primary example. These classes will be in rotation over the coming years, so that there will always be a new class with fresh information!
"Better than Robert McKee's class (and much less expensive) - more information and less pontification."
- J. Bartlow
Wanted to again let you know how much I enjoyed your seminar. You were so right when you said we'd get the nuts and bolts - I actually learned something - a lot of somethings!
- L. Wilkens
