Story Development for Artists: from Idea to Reality

An 8-week course on how to develop an idea into a story using timeless techniques

OVERVIEW

VIDEO

INSTRUCTORS

PRICING

BENEFITS

TESTIMONIALS

COURSE OVERVIEW

Develop your story idea into a world of its own

Everyone has IDEAS; now learn how to take that idea/sketch/napkin drawing and build it into a STORY with relatable characters, solid structure, and themes using timeless, but simple techniques inspired by everything from ancient myths to contemporary film, books, comics and animation. Students will develop their own ideas, characters and stories using written premises, outlines, treatments, fictional biographies and character histories, becoming the absolute authorities on their invented worlds – with an eye toward preparing each student’s creative development work for real-life application in their media of choice; film, TV, animation, comics, etc.

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

8 weeks

Materials:

None

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded

Assignment:

Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.

Skills Level:

Intermediate

Feedback:

Individual recordings

Q&A:

Once a week

Prerequisites:

None

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

8 weeks

Materials:

None

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded

Assignment:

Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.

Skills Level:

Intermediate

Feedback:

Individual recordings

Q&A:

Once a week

Prerequisites:

None

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

8 weeks

Materials:

None

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded

Assignment:

Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.

Skills Level:

Intermediate

Feedback:

Individual recordings

Q&A:

Once a week

Prerequisites:

None

COURSE OVERVIEW

Course Trailer

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

EXPAND ALL COLLAPSE ALL

The more you know, the better.

Week 1 | Overview of Course, Steps, and Goals: the Need for Intellectual Property

Intro to story: What is it? Why do we love it? How do we make it? | Selection and creative thinking process techniques; how to effectively select what to spend your time on: from doodle to passion project

Week 2 | Brainstorming Tips and Tricks

An Introduction to Building Strong, Relatable Characters | Lecture and Scene Analysis on Powerful Character Introductions and First Impressions | Using contemporary and classic film and TV | Flexing and Applying Your Critical Eye to Introducing Characters

Week 3 | Writing What You Know

Week 4 | World Building: Small Scale and Large Scale

Building your story: from stick man to final render | Story vs. plot / what vs. how: what happens and how to show it | Image systems and motif; the seduction of pretty pictures | Serialized vs. episodic

Week 5 | Story and Structure

Classical and contemporary models for story | Three-act structure and other lies | A, B, and C plots | Deciding what works best for you

Week 6 | Putting It All Together

Deciding which story to tell; the Star Wars model | Building your story, then writing it: note cards, outlining, sculpting; writing inside out vs. outside in; just like drawing | Weaving character and story: how to build theme; where to find it and when; controlling ideas and keeping it simple

Week 7 | Building Loglines and Descriptions

The elevator pitch: how to take your creative research and pare it down to bare essentials | Workshopping with peers: collecting constructive criticism

Week 8 | How to Schedule and Strategize Your Creative Project

Now what? Planning for next steps: intro to TV, feature, and comic strips; writing novels/prose | Pitching/selling vs. controlling your I.P.

Story Development for Artists: from Idea to Reality

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Instructor

Unleash your creative potential

Joshua Pruett

/Freelance Artist

LECTURES BY Joshua Pruett

Joshua Pruett is a Primetime Emmy and Annie Award Nominated Writer, Author and Storyboard Artist best known for his work on MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000, PHINEAS AND FERB, and Disney XD's MILO MURPHY'S LAW. His original, debut middle grade book series SHIPWRECKERS will launch in 2019 from DISNEY/HYPERION. Writer, on upcoming Netflix animated series "The Last Kids on Earth."

Joshua has over a decade of experience inflicting laughter on others as Storyboard Artist, Writer and Creative Consultant for Disney TV, DreamWorks Feature Animation, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks TV, Awesomeness TV, Sprout/NBC Universal, Disney China/Beijing, Zombie Bake Shop, Netflix and Paramount Feature Animation. Most recently, he developed THE HAUNTED MANSION for Disney TV with his friend and writing partner, Scott Peterson.

His first novel, THE JUNGLE BOOK: THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS THE PACK, with Scott Peterson, adapted the 2016 live action feature film into a novel for young readers. He is also the author of the short story horror anthology THE MISERY COMPANY, currently available on Amazon.com.

REQUEST SYLLABUS

SUMMER TERM REGISTRATION

Apr 29, 2021 - Jul 19, 2021

ONLY

$699

COURSE BEGINS

July 11th

PRICING SCHEDULE

Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education.

These FINANCE OPTIONS allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.

EMPLOYER
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ANIMATION GUILD
CSATTF

PAYMENT
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”

Santosh Oommen

Informative, knowledgeable and answered a lot of questions I had about story and the business of it.

”

Erik Eulen

Josh has been a great resource for learning. His experience and knowledge was obvious and he was very engaging with the class about topics and additional reading material suggestions.

”

Abram Buck

Josh is very knowledgeable. He broke down story development in a way that makes it easier for me to understand what makes stories great. I really enjoyed learning under him.

”

Janneke van den Biggelaar

Joshua was able to create a great and most of all safe space to share ideas. It made me feel like I was taken serious, especially since I’ve been struggling with insecurity issues. His feedback was always very good and helpful.

COMPANIES THAT HIRE OUR STUDENTS