Learn from Karina Wilson, former story and development analyst for IM Global, who shaped narratives on over 30 Hollywood films including Paranormal Activity and Insidious!

Receive exclusive handouts featuring screenplays of Double Indemnity and The Prestige!

Thrillers never go out of style — there’s always an eager audience craving fresh, smart stories that keep them on the edge of their seat. If you want to write a thriller that stands out in today’s market, this exclusive Stage 32 webinar is your chance to unlock the secrets of crafting perfect plot twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. You’ll learn how to dive deep into your characters and story, elevating your thriller beyond predictable clichés to something truly unforgettable!

Writing an original thriller is no easy feat. Many creatives get stuck in the trap of tired tropes or predictable twists that fail to excite readers and viewers alike. It can feel like walking a tightrope between meeting genre expectations and breaking new ground — all while maintaining suspense, pace, and high stakes. In this interactive webinar, Karina will tackle these common challenges head-on and give you the tools to craft twists that not only shock but resonate on a deeper level.

Karina Wilson is uniquely qualified to guide you through the complexities of thriller storytelling. With nearly a decade as the in-house story consultant for IM Global, Karina helped develop some of Hollywood’s most successful genre films, including Secret in Their Eyes and The Circle. She’s also a renowned horror expert who has taught at UCLA and been featured in major media outlets for her deep analysis of genre trends. Karina’s international perspective and extensive experience make her the perfect mentor for aspiring thriller writers.

You will gain a deep understanding of thriller essentials, including how to craft fresh and surprising plot twists that captivate your audience. You will learn to develop psychologically rich characters and use genre techniques that elevate your story beyond clichés. By examining films like Double Indemnity and The Prestige, you will walk away with practical tools, exclusive handouts, and the confidence to write thrillers that keep readers and viewers on the edge of their seats!

PLUS! You will receive the following handouts to help you:

• Screenplays for Double Indemnity and The Prestige

• Plot Twist Writing Essentials Outline

Praise for Karina:

"She delivered on the topic and gave an informative lecture. I took many notes on how to immediately improve the horror script I'm writing now. That was my goal!" - Martha C.

""Karina is a master of all things horror and story! She knows more about crafting an effective horror story - from the plot to the villain and the scares - than anyone I've ever worked with or learned from. I can see why she's in high demand in the industry!" -- Mark L.

"Karina is passionate about horror and has a lifetime of great experiences and information!" -Cooke Q.

• What Is A Thriller Is–And Is Not

  • The key elements of a thriller

  • The most common mistakes that derail genre focus

  • Understanding plot structure and genre paradigms to create effective twists

  • Formal plot devices

  • What makes a bad plot twist?

• Exploring The Human Condition

  • Focusing on the motivation, not the crime

  • Creating motivated criminals, victims, and detectives (badged and unbadged)

  • Using psychology to create twists

• Going Beyond The Obvious

  • Unusual threats

  • Unique settings

  • Non-traditional antagonists

  • Unexpected outcomes

• Going Into Grey Areas

  • Taking your storytelling beyond the innocent/guilty binary

  • There are no Perfect Victims 

  • Moral compromises

  • Suggestion vs. Exposition

  • What is victory worth for the winner?

• Case Study One: Double Indemnity

• Case Study Two: The Prestige

• Make The Genre Your Own

  • Research diverse stories and characters

  • Explore the real world in 2025

  • Combine disparate concepts to create something fresh

Q&A With Karina

• Screenwriters at any experience level looking to sharpen their thriller storytelling skills

• Filmmakers, producers, and showrunners seeking to understand what makes a thriller script truly gripping

• Novelists and playwrights interested in adapting or writing original thriller material for the screen

• Story editors, development executives, and creative professionals wanting fresh insights into thriller structure and plot twists

Praise for Karina

"She delivered on the topic and gave an informative lecture. I took many notes on how to immediately improve the horror script I'm writing now. That was my goal!" - Martha C.

""Karina is a master of all things horror and story! She knows more about crafting an effective horror story - from the plot to the villain and the scares - than anyone I've ever worked with or learned from. I can see why she's in high demand in the industry!" -- Mark L.

"Karina is passionate about horror and has a lifetime of great experiences and information!" -Cooke Q.