How Much Baggage to Give Your Heroes and Villains (From Script)
In this week’s round up brought to us by Script magazine, learn how to write compelling characters by creating unique backstories that keep an audiences attention. Plus, screenwriter turned therapist Phil Stark shares advice on tackling that screenplay that you can’t seem to finish and read exclusive interviews with multi-hyphenates Brian A. Metcalf and Scrambled filmmaker Leah McKendrick.
BACKSTORY: How Much Baggage to Give Your Heroes and Villains
Think of your character’s backstory as their secret identity—whether they wear a mask or not. By giving your reader only occasional glimpses of insight into who they really are, you are retaining the all-important mythical quality that cinematic personas require to keep an audience’s attention.
Ask Phil: Never Ending Script
As a therapist, I work with clients on improving their mental health. As a screenwriter, I work with writers on improving their craft. This column will be a place where I can do both. This week, I answer a question about working on a script that feels like it’s never going to be finished. Is it procrastination or resistance?
The Era of the Multi-Hyphenate: An Interview with Filmmaker Brian A. Metcalf [SERIES]
Determined to succeed in an ever-challenging industry, Brian A. Metcalf created his own multi-hyphenate career. But what started out of necessity has made him a better informed, more versatile storyteller. His ability to assume multiple roles has also empowered him when working on projects.
Capturing Raw Thoughts on the Page: An Interview with Scrambled Filmmaker Leach McKendrick
Scrambled
Leah McKendrick talks about why she had to write this story, the importance of being a multi-hyphenate, what she learned from her collaboration with cinematographer Julia Swain, and more!
New Script University Live Webinar – BACKSTORY: How Much Baggage to Give Your Heroes and Villains
In this live webinar, Jon James Miller will share the tricks of the screen trade in how much to share with the audience over the course of a character-arc, in order to retain the mystery and relevance that can make fictional characters so iconic and timeless.