Class Description
In this seminar, writers will explore character creation using examples from binge-worthy television shows such as Game of Thrones, Atlanta, Breaking Bad, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Mr. Robot.
We will discuss what made each of these character-driven stories so compelling to watch. We’ll explore protagonists and antagonists, start a character biography and explore scenes designed to bond the audience to the character. We’ll use film clips as examples to see the characters in action.
Through a series of exercises, students will generate a character of their own. This seminar is designed for writers of literary or genre fiction, playwrights and screenwriters, or binge-watching addicts interested in finding out what makes their favorite characters tick.
Writers explored:
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Unreal)
Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot, Homecoming)
Donald Glover (Atlanta)
Jenji Kohan (Weeds, Orange is the New Black, Glow)
Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones)
David Chase (The Sopranos)
Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders)
Jill Soloway (Transparent)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag)
Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul)
Class Format
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!
Scholarship Information
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. Please visit the Resources tab to access the video-conference link.
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!