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

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

Writing What You know | Heroes and Villains | Cliche vs Archetype | Caricature vs Character | One dimensional vs multi-dimensional | Writing Character bios (becoming experts on your char) | Defining Char needs, wants, behavior | Character contrast and supporting cast

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

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

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

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

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