Create A Worthy Nemesis!
If the Protagonist is most often your story’s most important character, the Nemesis is not far behind. Indeed some of the greatest characters in film history have been Nemeses including Darth Vader (Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope), the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz), Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), and the shark (Jaws).
If conflict is the stuff of great drama, there is perhaps no conflict more compelling than that of a Protagonist versus a Nemesis. But what makes for a worthy Nemesis? How to develop them?
Following up on my recent Create a Compelling Protagonist course, I’m offering my newest online class starting tomorrow: Create a Worthy Nemesis. It is a 1-week screenwriting course that takes a unique approach to developing this pivotal character. Here are the 7 lecture titles:
Monday, September 3 — Lecture 1: Nemesis v. Antagonist
Tuesday, September 4 — Lecture 2: Shadow v. Light
Wednesday, September 5 — Lecture 3: Fear v. Need
Thursday, September 6 — Lecture 4: Disunity v. Unity
Friday, September 7 — Lecture 5: Overlord v. Underdog
Saturday, September 8 — Lecture 6: Intelligence v. Wisdom
Sunday, September 9 — Lecture 7: Empathy v. Sympathy
Notice the clever theme of v. for versus? There’s a reason for that, one you will discover when you take the class. In addition to the seven lectures that I am writing, there is 24/7 forum feedback, a teleconference, and an opportunity to workshop one of your story’s Nemesis characters.
Also as a special treat, I will offer Log-A-Palooza, the chance for you to workshop one of your loglines, then submit your final version for review by none other than Max Millimeter: Hollywood Movie Producer Extraordinaire!
So sign up today right here and join me for a week’s journey into the dark side of the human soul, the place where great Nemeses figures dwell, waiting for you to find them.
NOTE: For those of you who entered a logline in The Quest initiative and have not claimed your free Core or Craft class, I have 3 of those slot left for the Nemesis class. I will give that complimentary class to the first people who email me requesting it. Or in lieu of taking the actual class, you may request a copy of the lectures. But remember: You must have submitted a logline for The Quest back in May to qualify for a complimentary Core or Craft class.
By the way, nearly 200 Quest entrants have taken a free Core or Craft class or received class lectures, so I’m working my way through the list, as promised. If you have yet to claim your ‘gift,’ you may go here to see what upcoming Core or Craft classes I will be teaching, and if you are interested in one of them for your free course or set of lectures, email me.
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