Join The Oscar Nominated Writer Of TOY STORY, EVAN ALMIGHTY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GARFIELD, and more as He Teaches You How To Develop and Write Your Hit Animation Movie

Plus! You'll receive Alec's screenplay for TOY STORY

What makes a great animated feature film screenplay?

In this exclusive Stage 32 4-session on-demand class, you will explore and celebrate screenwriting for animated films with the Oscar nominated writer of TOY STORY, Alec Sokolow. 

Alec is a screenwriter, storyteller, and character creator who specializes in global branding and franchise creation. Alec regularly works as a screenwriter for all the major studios and various global independent producers. His feature film credits also include CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GARFIELD, GARFIELD: A TALE OF TWO KITTIES, MONEY TALKS, EVAN ALMIGHTY, DADDY DAY CAMP and more. Alec has also written the meta video game storyline and user interface for Activision's billion-dollar franchise SKYLANDERS: SPYRO'S ADVENTURE and SKYLANDERS: GIANTS. Alec’s storytelling has created global receipts of over $2 billion.

Do you have an idea for an animated movie? A unique world you wish to explore, or a unique point of view in our world, that you believe can be truly realized with animation?

Then it's time to develop your idea into a feature length animated screenplay that connects with the intended audience (i.e., a producer, a pitch representative, a network, a studio, a streamer, etc).

You'll walk away from this class with the tools and vision you need to write your animated feature at the highest level. 

If you are looking to create an animated script that imbues your authentic voice with a style of storytelling that evokes emotions, then this is the class for you!

PRAISE FOR ALEC'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION:

"Alec is not only an incredible educator, but extremely knowledgeable and down to earth. I can't thank Alec enough for his guidance!" - Leo S.

Session 1 – DEVELOPING YOUR ANIMATED FILM CONCEPT

TOY STORY? DEPLOY STORY!

Everything begins with an idea. A spark. A point of view. In this session we will discuss the brainstorming and ideation for the animated writing process. How to take that spark and develop it into a feature length screenplay worthy of a read. We will work through the steps and techniques to mold you idea and reveal the story you will commit to telling.

• Loglines. Telling your movie in one sentence.
• Key Steps for analyzing your structural signposts
• Understanding the marketplace in shaping your story
• Animated Film conventions and how to make them work for you
• Q&A with Alec

Session 2 – DEVELOPING YOUR CHARACTERS

INSIDE OUT: Building Your Character's Inner Life

Character. Character. Character. Everything begins and ends with your characters. What they want? What is their perspective? In this session we will explore and implement a method used to draw out and create the characters that will populate your animated film. We will look at tone, mood, motivations, and questions of characters in your story.

• Creating a character’s motivations and “Freuds.”
• Naming your characters.
• Shaping your character’s identity and voice.
• Tying your supporting characters to the main story line.
• Setting character themes; setting, dialogue, and introductory descriptions.
• Creating arcs for your character
• Q&A with Alec

Session 3 – DEVELOPING YOUR WORLD

THE LION KING: The Rules Of Your Jungle

Once you have your world and your characters, you will need to create stakes and goals that test and reveal your character. You will need to test them and bring them to the very precipice of losing everything they most desire. So, how do you realize this?

• Creating storylines.
• Building stakes.
• Incorporating misdirections that reveal bigger themes.
• Set pieces and sequences.
• The journey within.
• Q&A with Alec

Session 4 –EXECUTING ON YOUR IDEA

FANTASIA: Turning Dreams Into Reality

Animation filmmaking has its own unique process from ideas through production. It requires visual assets, world building, character creation and, of course, an animation studio. The more you know about this world of animation, the easier it will be for you to realize your ideas and navigate your entire process.

• A Guide to navigating the animation world
• Understanding how your screenplay will be marketed and sold.
• Branding your characters.
• Ensuring your Characters connect with the audience
• Q&A with Alec

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: The opportunity to learn from an expert in the field in this intensive way is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity.

• This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn the skills you need to develop and write a hit animated film. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This class consists of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration.
• PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to write their animated feature film.

All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the fundamentals of writing animated feature films.

Producers who want to better understand how to make a successful animated feature film.

Animators who want to learn the fundamentals of storytelling in animated feature films.