The Hero's Journey is the study of how a protagonist transforms over the course of a story, and guiding you through this transformation for four sessions is Oscar-nominated screenwriter Alec Sokolow.
Alec is an expert in the Hero's Journey and has used it in his work, ultimately netting over $2 billion in worldwide receipts. His credits include TOY STORY, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, EVAN ALMIGHTY, and many more. He's also produced feature documentaries, directed animation shorts, and written children's books using Joseph Campbell's mythical structure.
You'll see how you can use the Hero's Journey to infuse your script with the right tone, an immersive setting, entertaining characters, stakes, tension, memorable moments, and more.
You'll have direct access to Alec over email for the duration of the class as well as interacting with him during class sessions. This is the chance you've waited for to learn one on one with a screenwriter of Alec's stature and knowledge.
https://www.stage32.com/classes/The-Definitive-Class-on-The-Heros-Journe...
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Super psyched to work with Alec!
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Alec is a superstar.
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Thanks for the kind words. If you still feel that way after this course, then I'll know it was time well spent!
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Ready for a method to the madness.
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Alec: Modesty is a good indicator that you'll probably be great.
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Alec, thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience. I'm very much looking forward to hearing what you have to say, and to meeting the others in this class. :)
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Today's the day! Ready to get my hero up and moving.
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What kind of a story are you working on, Cara?
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Hey everyone! Excited for Alec's class to start today. Look forward to everyone getting started!
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I second that. Hello hello. See you all soon!
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Fabulous first session! :D
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That was awesome! Thanks Alac, I learned a thing or two...maybe more then two.
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Thank you all. Hope everyone got something from our discussion. At the end of the session someone asked if there was going to be an "homework." At the time I just asked everyone to keep writing. But, after sleeping on it, I would like to ask everyone (who reads this) to come to class next Monday prepared to discuss what you all are working on. And specifically, since we are going to be talking shut the end of the first act, beginning of the second act in the next three points of the Hero's Journey, to be prepared to discuss your work accordingly. Thanks.
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Oh, and not "shut." Darned spellcheck. "about"
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Roger that!
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Copy that on the copy Captain!
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Alec, I know everyone is so excited for this journey with you. Also, everyone I sent along the scripts for Toy Story, Star Wars, and The Hero's Journey diagram. If you didn't get it, let me know and I'll email again.
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They Rosemond, can you re-sand to me. Thanks much!
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@Valerie Francis working on a military biopic, but also plan to go back and revise an historical drama and a Christmas comedy to include heroic elements. What about you?
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@Alec Sokolow thanks for the incentive to quit procrastinating and have this info prepared for next Monday. My inner brat needs & responds to timelines lol!
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Cara Rogers - I'm writing a thriller.
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Hi Rosemond, I haven't gotten the scripts, please email again. Also, please let us know when/how the replay can be seen. thank you!
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Hey everyone, I'll resend to those who did not receive the scipts.
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What are everyone's go-to resources for understanding the Hero's Journey? I have (and have read) The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Campbell) but I find The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers (Christopher Vogler) much more accessible.
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Happy Thanksgiving to all you jive Turkeys! May you turkey be moist and you potatoes not too lumpy.
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Hi everyone! Just a note that Final Draft is having a Black Friday sale (for new purchases and existing customers to upgrade to version 12). If you don't already have the software, it's a good time to pick it up.
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Can't wait for tonight's session! I have questions ... especially about the "tests" phase. :)
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Hey guys, digging the class !
We used Star Wars as an example and I cant think of a better story to use. It has it all and changed my life for sure. Here's a remake I created for Hermosa Beach Film Festival which I founded. The Rebel Base is Hermosa and the evil empire in the Studio System. I worked with Gorge Lucas on some of this and yes, that is the Millennium Falcon in that last scene! It's in QCS i min. in. Enjoy the show...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhESJLmwA3w&t=125s
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Great class tonight. Thank you for letting me talk out my issues with the first act. It's hard to describe a story in a nano second and try to get to the point of what I was struggling with regarding the first act. But, Alec got the gist of my story's original first act and that made me happy. I'm learning a lot and I knew I would. Great class. Thank you, Alec and again, thank you everyone for allowing me to talk it out, out loud. I look forward to our third class and our new homework assignment. I know this will also help my character's journey and point of being/story/purpose...
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@Natalie as I shared at the end of class, I learned just listening to his responses to your questions, and everyone else's. Keep interacting!
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Fantastic class. Alec, thanks so much for taking the time to help me better understand the tests stage. And thanks to all the other students for allowing me to have the floor. Much appreciated. :)
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Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. I'm glad the class is resonating. The best is yet to come! One other thing... I've been thinking about the tests that were in Toy Story's second act and one that I failed to mention is how Woody was tested by the other toys in Andy's room. I always saw the toys in Andy's room like a town in a classic western or Dr. Seuss story. They were a collective character with individual personalities. And Woody's position and place among them was sacrosanct at the start, then he lost his place and was shunned by them. Which forced him to confront another fear... That he would not be accepted in his "ordinary world." This was a huge test for him to confront and ultimately helped him transform into the more heroic version of himself...
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@Alec Sokolow thank you for sharing the additional test, Woody's shunning - works perfectly with what I'm writing, and I'd never thought of it from that perspective before.