Are you interested in character archetypes?

If you want to learn more about five primary character archetypes — Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, Trickster — here’s your chance. I’ll be teaching Core II: Character & Style, a unique 4-week online course through Screenwriting Master Class starting next Monday (3/28). 

The first two weeks of the class delves into what amounts to a character-based approach to screenwriting, starting your story development process with the Protagonist, then using primary archetypes to grow the plot from your characters. 

The second two weeks focus on the invisible character in your script: Narrative Voice, the attitude you take toward your story as its genre impacts your style.

If you’re a character-first type of writer, this course will not only play to your strengths, it will help you to see characters in a whole new light.

And if you’re a plot-first writer and want to write focused but multilayered characters, the class will open up creative ways to approach your writing,

For more information, go here.

Don’t forget the 6-week online Prep: From Concept to Outline courses that Tom Benedek and I teach. We are offering new sections beginning March 28. Here’s a testimonial from a writer who took a previous Prep class:

“Just wanted to let you know, roughly 8 weeks from the end of our Prep course, I hold in my hands 100 printed pages containing the 1st Draft of my script. I’m not sure where the next step in this journey toward my dream will take me, but I know without any doubt, I never would have made it this far without your guidance and the tools you provided during the SMC Prep course.”

— Paul Labich

Go here for more information. 

Finally some exciting news: Tom and I are pleased to introduce a series of Craft courses, 1-week long seminars that provide a deeper immersion into specific areas of the screenwriting craft. Here is the preliminary schedule for our first 4 Craft courses:

Story Summaries: From Loglines to Beat Sheets (April 4–10, 2011) — Scott Myers

The First 10 Pages (April 11–17, 2011) — Tom Benedek

Handling Exposition (April 18–24, 2011) — Scott Myers

Spec Movie Script vs. Spec 1-Hour TV Pilot (May 9–15, 2011) — Tom Benedek

The courses are 1-week long and cost only $95, so they are an accessible, easy way to learn key aspects of the craft from professional screenwriters.

Thanks for your continued support of Screenwriting Master Class!