A Character-Driven Approach to Screenwriting

Beginning in January, I will be teaching a series of one-week online classes which will immerse you in a unique storytelling methodology. Plus, an opportunity to receive a free autographed copy of my book The Protagonist’s Journey: An Introduction to Character-Driven Screenwriting and Storytelling.

Begin with character. End with character. Find the story in between.

That’s a writing mantra I originated over a decade ago. Ever since I was hired as a screenwriting professor at DePaul University in 2016, I have started and ended every class I teach, both undergraduate and graduate students, invoking that aphorism. It lies at the very core of everything I do as a writer and teacher. Indeed, it’s how I start and finish The Protagonist’s Journey!

Every year since 2010 when I launched Screenwriting Master Class, a unique educational resource for writers, I have taught the Core curriculum. Eight online courses, each one-week long. In aggregate, they offer a comprehensive education in character-driven storytelling and screenwriting theory. I will begin the next cycle of Core classes in January 2024. Here is that schedule:

CORE I: PLOT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Plot = Structure and explores the inner workings of the Screenplay Universe: Plotline and Themeline. Start date: January 15.

CORE II: CONCEPT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Concept = Hook and examines multiple strategies to generate, develop and assess story ideas. Start date: January 29.

CORE III: CHARACTER — A one-week class which begins with the principle Character = Function and delves into archetypes: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Trickster. Start date: February 12.

CORE IV: STYLE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Style = Voice and surfaces keys to developing a distinctive writer’s personality on the page. Start date: February 26.

CORE V: DIALOGUE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Dialogue = Purpose and probes a variety of ways to write effective, entertaining dialogue. Start date: March 11.

CORE VI: SCENE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Scene = Point and provides six essential questions to ask when crafting and writing any scene. Start date: March 25.

CORE VII: THEME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Theme = Meaning and gives writers a concrete take on theme which can elevate the depth of any story. Start date: April 8.

CORE VIII: TIME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Time = Present and studies Present, Present-Past, Present-Future and time management in writing. Start date: April 22.

“I can’t think of anyone more qualified in this field than Scott.” — Charlie Wachtel, Academy Award, BlacKkKlansman

Each Core course consists of four components:

• Lectures: There are six lectures written by me, each posting daily Monday through Saturday.
• Workshops: Optional writing exercise offering you the opportunity to develop aspects of your original stories.
• Teleconference: I will host a live 90-minute Zoom video conference call to discuss course material.
• Forums: The online course site has 24/7 message boards where you may engage in conversation about the craft.

For those of you who have not taken an online class, the interface is extremely easy. Plus, online classes can be an amazing experience. Most of the activities you can do on your own time — download and read lectures, review and respond to forum discussions, upload optional writing exercises and track comments. In addition, I’ve been teaching online for two decades and it never ceases to amaze me how much of a community emerges in such an environment. In fact over the years, dozens of writers groups have emerged from my online classes.

People around the world are responding to this approach to writing. In fact, I’ve traveled to Europe 4 times (!!!) in 2023 as an invited guest to lead seminars, masterclasses, and workshops.

If you’re new to screenwriting, have intermediate experience, or you’ve read it all, but want to explore character-driven screenwriting, here is your chance to learn the foundation of screenplay structure that goes beyond formula.

“Scott Myers is an uncommonly sensitive and erudite thinker and writer about the craft of modern screenwriting.” — Phil Hay, Crazy/Beautiful, The Invitation, Destroyer

These eight Core classes represent decades of my work on the front lines of the entertainment business as a writer and teacher, over time pulling together a coherent, comprehensive, and cohesive approach to screenwriting theory.

This is not about secret systems or magic formulas, rather the Core content presents a story-crafting process that starts with characters, ends with characters, and discovers the story in-between. That process of engaging you with your story universe through your characters and getting you in touch with these living, breathing individuals informs every step of your creative process, leading you to story structure, themes, conflict, subplots, and all the rest. As I say, Character-Driven Screenwriting.

This cycle, I am offering a special sale price. Normally, the Core classes are $95 each. In 2024, each is on sale for $79!

A popular option is the Core Package which gives you exclusive access to the content in all eight Craft classes which you can go through on your own time and at your own pace, plus automatic enrollment in each 1-week online course — all for nearly 50% off the normal price of each individual class. If you sign up now, you can have immediate access to all of the Core content.

“I’m a huge fan of Scott’s classes, and I signed up for his Core Package, which I cannot speak highly enough about. If anyone wants to take a serious look at improving their writing, there is more than enough material to keep you busy for a few… dare I say, lifetimes? He’s the best. No bones about it.”

~ Heather Farlinger

This year, I’m making available a special offer: If you enroll in the Core Package, I will send you an autographed copy of my book: The Protagonist’s Journey … for free!

“Scott is a brilliant guide for anyone looking to get into screenwriting.” — Lisa Joy, Westworld, Reminiscence

My book is an introduction to character-driven screenwriting and storytelling. The Core curriculum takes you much deeper into the subject matter and touches on all the key principles you need to know to elevate your screenwriting chops.

To learn about any of the Core classes, click here.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in 2024!