Summary
Learn from a prolific film and television writer and producer who has worked with HBO, NBC, CBS, Universal Television, FOX!
Get writing exercises with examples + samples of scenes/outlines from relevant feature films
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand; it is no longer live and the instructor is not available for personal questions, but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
When it comes to crafting an unforgettable screenplay, having a compelling hero and villain is key. Heroes and villains are the backbone of any great script because they provide the emotional stakes and conflict that keep your audiences engaged. Whether it’s a story about love, adventure, or survival, the hero’s journey and the villain’s challenge create tension that drives the plot in your story forward. Understanding what makes these characters tick is crucial to elevating your storytelling and creating characters that resonate with viewers long after the credits roll.
Yet, many creatives struggle with getting this right. How do you make your hero relatable without making them dull? How do you craft a villain who is both formidable and human? These are the questions writers, directors, and actors often wrestle with. In this Stage 32 virtual class, we’ll dig into what sets apart memorable heroes and villains from the rest, what common traits they share, and how you can use these insights to build your own dynamic characters in your script. Through practical exercises, you’ll learn how to create layered characters who are compelling, believable, and unforgettable.
Brian Herskowitz has worked on over two dozen films and television shows for FOX, HBO, NBC, Universal TV and on feature films starring talents like Jason Alexander and Michael Welch. Brian has proven his ability to create characters who leap off the page and captivate audiences. His decades long career in both film and television gives him a well-rounded perspective on what makes characters work across different mediums and he's excited to share it with you.
Throughout this Stage 32 class, you’ll explore what makes a great hero or villain, how to define their strengths and weaknesses, and even how to handle non-human villains. After each session, you’ll complete writing exercises designed to help you apply what you’ve learned to your own script. By the end, you’ll have the tools to create unforgettable characters that any producer will want to get on the screen!
PLUS! You will receive:
- Writing exercises with examples
- Samples of scenes/outlines from relevant feature films
**Even though this class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email we still encourage you to participate in the exercises or assignments
Praise for Brian’s previous work
"As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course."
- Jason Alexander(Seinfeld, Shallow Hal, Listen Up)
"The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course."
"Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them."
"A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over."
What You'll Learn
Session One: Defining What Makes a Great Hero and Villain
- Examples of Great Heroes and Villains
- What makes them great?
- Why does a hero or villain stand out?
- What are the common denominators that draw us in?
- Q&A with Brian
Homework for Session One:
- Define your hero and write a 1-page detailed bio.
- Write a second bio, equally detailed for your opponent/villain.
Session Two: Working with the Hero and Villain in your Script
- What makes your main character special?
- What makes your villain special?
- What makes them both human?
- Q&A with Brian
Homework for Session Two: Write a one-page document detailing how your villain and your hero will interact.
Session Three: Skills, Strengths, Flaws, and Weaknesses
- How to use these elements to create unforgettable heroes and villains
- What sort of skills does your hero need?
- What about skills for your villain?
- Does your hero have weaknesses?
- Does your villain have strengths?
- Q&A with Brian
Homework for Session Three: 20/20 Exercise – put your hero and villain in the same room – let the sparks fly
Session Four: Alternative Villains and How to Handle Them
- Does a villain have to be Human?
- What about monsters?
- What about love stories?
- Tips and Tricks for unforgettable heroes and villains.
- Q&A with Brian
Homework for Session Four: Write a 2–4-page scene
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand; it is no longer live and the instructor is not available for personal questions, but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Who Should Attend
Writers of all levels who want to learn how to write compelling heroes and villains.
Directors of all levels who want to learn how the creation of the character takes place.
Actors of all levels who may want to create their own projects and want to learn how to write compelling heroes and villains.
Executive
Brian is a veteran film and television writer and producer who has worked on over 2 dozen films and television shows.
Some of his film credits include the feature film BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS, which starred Jason Alexander from SEINFELD, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, which starred Michael Welch from TWILIGHT, MUSICAL CHAIRS, which was directed by Susan Seidelman from SEX IN THE CITY and TIO PAPI, which was directed by Fro Rojas. As director/writer/producer, he is slated to begin production on a new film BEFORE MOONRISE.
In television, his writing credits include working with HBO, NBC, CBS, Universal Television, FOX on shows such asHERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, DREAM ON, BLOSSOM, RENEGADE and more. He was on the producing team for the critically acclaimed TOUR OF DUTY where he was recognized by the TV academy for his contribution to the show by the Emmy winning post-production sound department. Brian co-wrote the FOX pilot MANTIC with Jason Alexander. Also, he worked as a punch-up writer on BOB PATTERSON and LISTEN UP.
As a director Brian wrote and directed the award-winning short film ODESSA OR BUST starring SEINFELD’S Jason Alexander and RUSHMORE’S Jason Schwartzman. His new short content series MURRAY GHOST which he directed, produced, wrote, and edited is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit.
He currently has a nine-episode podcast, IDENTITY THEFT, running on Spotify. This is the first offering from the THRILLING STORIES podcast series.
Testimonials
"As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course."
- Jason Alexander(Seinfeld, Shallow Hal, Listen Up)
"The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course."
"Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them."
"A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over."
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