Summary
Learn From a Top Hollywood Literary Manager
Get a downloadable 3-Act Structure Cheat Sheet
The 3-act structure is the backbone of any feature film screenplay, guiding the narrative from the opening scene to the closing credits. It provides a roadmap that helps you build a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, ensuring that your audience stays engaged throughout the entire journey. Understanding this structure is crucial because it allows you to pace your story effectively, develop your characters in meaningful ways, and deliver a satisfying resolution that resonates with viewers.
However, many screenwriters struggle with implementing the 3-act structure correctly. Common missteps include a slow or confusing opening that fails to hook the audience, a muddled second act where the conflict doesn’t escalate effectively, and a third act that either rushes to a conclusion or leaves too many loose ends. These pitfalls can weaken your screenplay, making it harder to sell or produce.
Charlie Osowik, a top literary manager with extensive experience in both film and television, is here to guide you through these challenges. With a proven track record of closing deals for his clients on major projects like DEAD BOY DETECTIVES for MAX and working with industry giants such as Warner Bros. and HBO, Charlie brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to the table. His deep understanding of storytelling and passion for helping writers succeed make him the perfect instructor for this webinar.
In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you'll dive into each act of the 3-act structure, starting with how to set yourself up for success by crafting a compelling opening. You'll explore the key elements of the second act, including building tension and developing subplots, before learning how to tie everything together in a satisfying finale. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, this webinar will equip you with the tools to strengthen your screenplay and enhance your storytelling skills.
PLUS! You will receive:
- A 3-Act Structure Cheat Sheet to reference whenever you are writing a script!
Praise For Charlie:
"Charlie is amazing! I learned so much from working with him and feel like my script is in a good spot to shop around. Thank you!" -- Morgan H.
"Charlie is such an inspiration. The way he teaches is really helpful because it is interactive, so you're always learning something valuable." -- Krista M.
"I've taken a handful of courses with Stage 32 and this has been my favorite one. There's no way I would have finished my script with this much attention to detail without Charlie's help." -- Christopher U.
"I really enjoyed this webinar. It was a very comprehensive overview and very useful structure reminder. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the writing so it is always helpful to bring it back within the boundaries of solid structure to keep yourself on par with your story until the end. I highly recommend this webinar. The Q and A was very interesting afterwards, too. Thank you Stage 32!" -Sarah J
What You'll Learn
The First Act (Opening)
- Introduction of characters, setting, stakes, and themes
- The importance of the first 10 pages (hooking the audience)
- Choosing the best point of view
- Identifying the catalyst
- Internal conflict and resistance
- The "Break in Two" rule
The Second Act (Conflict)
- Defining the start of the second act
- Creating conflict and solving problems
- Understanding the length of each act
- Building rising action
- Key elements of Act 2: Dark night of the soul, All is Lost moment, character successes and failures, antagonists closing in, fun and games
- Developing strong B and C storylines
The Third Act (Resolution)
- Tying up loose ends
- Crafting a compelling finale
- Reinforcing themes for strong endings
- Deciding whether to include a tag
Q&A with Charlie
Who Should Attend
All levels of screenwriters looking to hone their craft by better understanding how the 3-Act structure helps your script and helps you sell it.
Producers who want to better understand how the 3-Act Structure works and how it affects the stories they want to produce.
Actors who want to take control of their careers by writing their own work.
Executive
Charlie Osowik is an independent literary manager and native to Toledo, Ohio. He began his career interning at top international sales companies such as FilmNation, Sierra/Affinity and Voltage, amongst others. His first full-time entertainment job was working as an assistant to the CEO of MGM. After two years there, he went on to work for a partner in the feature literary department at Gersh, where he stayed for another two years. It was there that he realized his passion for guiding writers and directors could be turned into a career.
In June 2018 he established his own company, Charles Osowik Management. He quickly secured deals for his clients with Warner Bros, DC, HBOMax, Comedy Central, Gunpowder & Sky and many others. Charlie loves all genres and is thankful to have clients working in all formats and tones. He is a firm believer in quality over quantity and surrounds himself with people who deeply connect with what they do. He most recently secured a Co-Executive Producer level staffing position for his client writing a new series for Netflix and landed a tentpole franchise feature writing assignment with Macro.
Testimonials
Praise For Charlie:
"Charlie is amazing! I learned so much from working with him and feel like my script is in a good spot to shop around. Thank you!" -- Morgan H.
"Charlie is such an inspiration. The way he teaches is really helpful because it is interactive, so you're always learning something valuable." -- Krista M.
"I've taken a handful of courses with Stage 32 and this has been my favorite one. There's no way I would have finished my script with this much attention to detail without Charlie's help." -- Christopher U.
"I really enjoyed this webinar. It was a very comprehensive overview and very useful structure reminder. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the writing so it is always helpful to bring it back within the boundaries of solid structure to keep yourself on par with your story until the end. I highly recommend this webinar. The Q and A was very interesting afterwards, too. Thank you Stage 32!" -Sarah J