Instructor: Mick Thyer
Monday - Friday
July 8 - 12
9am – 12pm
5 Sessions
How do you structure captivating stories and create dynamic characters that come alive on the page? This workshop teaches the writer the art and craft behind creating memorable characters, and how to dramatically structure a story with tension, seduction, and payoff. By breaking down and dissecting screenplays such as THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, FORREST GUMP and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, as well as television scripts including HBO’s GIRLS and SIX FEET UNDER, writers learn the key turning points in the Three Act Structure, how to seduce an audience into a character’s plight and build progressively to a satisfying yet unexpected climax. Writers exploring their work on screen or stage will learn the skills to create strong visuals on the page and sharpen their tools in developing dynamic stories.
IN-CLASS EXERCISES:
By exploring how writers use visual description and layer conflict upon conflict, students will learn how to position a character in the story’s narrative and seduce the audience into the Protagonist’s Quest. This workshop will engage students in ‘Method Based’ writing exercises, both in group and individual practice, and help them to develop a strong visual narrative in a screenplay form.
Please bring with you something to write with.
This class will take place at Edgewood Farm - 3 Edgewood Way, Truro.
Mick Thyer is a commercial, theater and feature film director who has been teaching writing workshops in Los Angeles for 10 years. Mick has worked for Disney UK,A Band Apart, Funnyordie, and Beach Glass Films to name just a few. He has worked in Europe, his homeland of Australia, and throughout America in a wide spectrum of theatre and film projects. Mick most recently starred in the new horror film Cheat in Warren PA, produced by 418 Films and set for release later this year. His previous work for this company in The Long Dark Trail is currently screening on most streaming platforms. In 2022 he directed two commercial spots for Healthy Young Minds, an online therapy service based in Colorado. In 2018, he directed his first feature film 48 Hours and One Minute in Belgrade, Serbia and is in post-production for his second feature film Pink Moon as director and actor. Mick continues to work as a writer and director in the feature film and television industry on both coasts and looks forward to his third year teaching at Truro Center for the Arts. Mick is currently in pre-production for his next feature film AWOKEN, to begin principal photography in February 2024.