Stage 32 4-Part Class: Heroes & Villains: How To Write Protagonists and Antagonists That Leap Off The Page

Learn from a prolific film and television writer and producer who has worked with HBO, NBC, CBS, Universal Television, FOX!

Get writing exercises with examples + samples of scenes/outlines from relevant feature films

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand; it is no longer live and the instructor is not available for personal questions, but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

When it comes to crafting an unforgettable screenplay, having a compelling hero and villain is key. Heroes and villains are the backbone of any great script because they provide the emotional stakes and conflict that keep your audiences engaged. Whether it’s a story about love, adventure, or survival, the hero’s journey and the villain’s challenge create tension that drives the plot in your story forward. Understanding what makes these characters tick is crucial to elevating your storytelling and creating characters that resonate with viewers long after the credits roll.

Yet, many creatives struggle with getting this right. How do you make your hero relatable without making them dull? How do you craft a villain who is both formidable and human? These are the questions writers, directors, and actors often wrestle with. In this Stage 32 virtual class, we’ll dig into what sets apart memorable heroes and villains from the rest, what common traits they share, and how you can use these insights to build your own dynamic characters in your script. Through practical exercises, you’ll learn how to create layered characters who are compelling, believable, and unforgettable.

Brian Herskowitz has worked on over two dozen films and television shows for FOX, HBO, NBC, Universal TV and on feature films starring talents like Jason Alexander and Michael Welch. Brian has proven his ability to create characters who leap off the page and captivate audiences. His decades long career in both film and television gives him a well-rounded perspective on what makes characters work across different mediums and he's excited to share it with you.

Throughout this Stage 32 class, you’ll explore what makes a great hero or villain, how to define their strengths and weaknesses, and even how to handle non-human villains. After each session, you’ll complete writing exercises designed to help you apply what you’ve learned to your own script. By the end, you’ll have the tools to create unforgettable characters that any producer will want to get on the screen!

PLUS! You will receive:

• Writing exercises with examples
• Samples of scenes/outlines from relevant feature films

**Even though this class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email we still encourage you to participate in the exercises or assignments

Praise for Brian’s previous work

"As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course."

- Jason Alexander(Seinfeld, Shallow Hal, Listen Up)

"The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course."

 "Mr. Herskowitz  is very knowledgeable, patient,  and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them."

"A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over."