Summary
AN EXCLUSIVE ON-DEMAND WEBINAR
Learn how to write your best first act in your screenplay from the Academy Award-nominated writer of TOY STORY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GOODBYE LOVER, and more...
You can’t write a great screenplay without a great first act. This puts a lot of pressure on you when you first start and stare at that blank page.
The first act sets the tone, the time, and the setting. It introduces the audience to the characters, the stakes, and the tensions that carry throughout your story. The first act also introduces vital and unique information your protagonist will need through their journey.
So, how do you do this in a way that doesn’t feel forced? In a way that isn’t heavy-handed but memorable and flows for the audience?
How do you write so that it grabs the reader’s attention and never lets go?
In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Alec Sokolow (TOY STORY) takes you through his tried-and-true method for crafting your best first act. He’ll show you how to give your audience the information they need to dive into your film for the next two hours.
In addition to Alec’s work on Pixar’s TOY STORY (nabbing him an Oscar nomination), Alec penned CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, EVAN ALMIGHTY, GARFIELD, and many other projects. His work has grabbed audiences globally and has so far netted over $2 billion in worldwide receipts.
By the end of this webinar, you will have all the pieces you need to craft a fantastic first act from a professional screenwriter with a proven track record using these tools. Don’t miss out on your chance to learn from Alec in this webinar exclusively on Stage 32.
PRAISE FOR ALEC'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION:
"Wonderful insights. Made lots of notes. Thank you."
"Alec is the best! What a world of knowledge!"
"Great session with Alec. Thanks for the insights and wisdom from your storytelling experience. Oh, and for the films!"
What You'll Learn
Writing Your Best First Act
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What is the First Act?
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Functions and Goals
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Grabbing the reader with your first paragraph
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Understanding your “Stasis”
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Setting the time and place
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Establishing the physics of your universe
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Building the stakes
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Setting the appropriate tone
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Understanding the Two sequences of this single act
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Introducing the forces of villainy/antagonist
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Writing the call to action. What forces your protagonist to leave stasis
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Ending strong- Your act break
Who Should Attend
All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to understand essentials tips on writing scripts.
All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to understand essentials tips on writing scripts.
Producers looking to understand essentials tips on writing scripts.
Actors looking to understand essentials tips on writing scripts.
Executive
Alec Sokolow is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, storyteller and character creator who specializes in global branding and franchise creation, which has resulted in over $2 Billion at the box office. Alec regularly works as a screenwriter for all the major studios and various global independent producers. His feature film credits include TOY STORY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, GARFIELD, GARFIELD: A TALE OF TWO KITTIES, MONEY TALKS, EVAN ALMIGHTY, GOODBYE LOVER and DADDY DAY CAMP.
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 character creation and naming includes Buzz Lightyear (and his catch phrase “To Infinity & Beyond”) and Woody.
He has also produced feature documentaries, directed animation shorts and written children's books.
Credits
