Creating Compelling Characters in a Horror Series: Lessons from Goosebumps

Crafting Compelling Characters: Lessons from Screenwriting Professionals

In this insightful discussion, Nicholas Stoller & Rob Letterman explore the intricacies of creating engaging character-driven stories in the realms of horror and comedy, drawing parallels to 'Freaks and Geeks.' They emphasize the importance of writing with a focus on human elements rather than heightened soap-opera tones. The conversation also delves into the challenges and humor of pitching ideas during the pandemic and how collaborative writing can influence the creative process. They share valuable screenwriting tips, such as structuring stories in eight chapters and examining successful scripts for better understanding, and discuss how grounding stories in reality can enhance comedic elements. Additionally, they highlight the importance of having a clear voice and tone in spec scripts to break into the industry. The discussion concludes with advice on the development of set pieces and visual effects in storytelling.

00:00 Introduction: Falling in Love with Characters
00:21 Pitching Freaks and Geeks with Horror
01:49 The Challenges of Pitching During a Pandemic
03:12 Writing with a Director's Mindset
04:16 Balancing Visual Effects and Story
05:46 Crafting a Compelling Spec Script
08:06 The Importance of Rewriting and Persistence
09:26 Final Tips for Aspiring Screenwriters

This episode is brought to you by AutoCrit. This episode is brought to you by AutoCrit. One of the most value-packed memberships for any author, AutoCrit brings you an incredible suite of tools that make it a breeze to plan, write AND edit your books all in one place. There's also a wonderful member community stuffed with live events, story workshops, feedback sessions, and even guest appearances that put you right in the room with bestselling authors from around the world.

Head to www.autocrit.com/brock to get yourself a LIFETIME membership.

🎙️Listen to this interview and more on Creative Principles:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/creativeprinci...

🔗 Connect with us:
Subscribe to my channel for more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content!

Follow me on social media:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/BrockSwinson
Instagram:   / creativeprinciplespod  
TikTok:   / creativeprinciplespod  
.
.
.
#disneyplus #disney #horrorstories #horror #goosebumps #tvshow #tvseries #screenwriting #screenwriting101 #screenwriter #podcast