Masters of Craft: Writing Feature Films with Oscar Nominated Alec Sokolow (Toy Story)

Bonus! You will receive a download of the TOY STORY script, written by your host, Alec! 

The biggest global streaming services and movie studios are actively looking for family-friendly blockbusters to fill out their upcoming slates. Why? Because G and PG-rated projects are among some of the highest-grossing films in theaters and these films attract this profitable family demographic to their streaming services. So what are the key points a writer needs to know to craft a blockbuster family film?

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, acclaimed screenwriter and Academy Award-nominee for TOY STORY, Alec Sokolow, will give writers and filmmakers an overview of what a family-friendly blockbuster script needs to sell. Using his screenplay for the first TOY STORY movie as a hands-on guide, Alec will walk attendees through the writing process with a look at the project’s background, plot points, character development, and tone.

Next, he’ll delve into what choices he made when writing the original film and most importantly why these creative decisions were made.

Writing a family-friendly blockbuster with global appeal is more difficult than it seems but Alec will break down the structure and setting to help any writer feel more confident working in this extremely popular genre.

A writer must be able to create imaginative, relatable, and specific characters set in a vibrant world but now, more than ever, must make their scripts feel universal with a global appeal.

Writers often get caught up in thinking about the success of their script or of their big plot idea but they really need to focus on the dynamics and success of their characters. Everything is character-driven. If you get the characters and their dynamics right then all of the action falls into place and the characters, themselves, drive the plot. Once you have that concept mastered, your scripts will all feel bigger and more universal, leading to the success you want.