Great Protagonists:
How to Write Memorable Main Characters
A two-week interactive workshop taught by Margaret South, developer of
feature films and founder of All Girl Productions.
June 3 & 17, 2024
8 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern (5 to 6:30 p.m. Pacific)
One of the most common criticisms of any screenplay, novel or memoir is, “I don’t like the main character.” And without a likable main character, your story will fall flat from the beginning.
The key to a great story is a great protagonist—one who inspires readers or viewers to come along for the journey.
But what makes protagonists likable? Can they be flawed and still be a hero? How do you create a character that will make your audience care about them from the very beginning?
In other words, how do you write a Great Protagonist?
In this ninety-minute live session, Margaret South will give you the tools you need to build a great protagonist. She’ll share prompts to help you discover the depth of your main character, and she’ll evaluate your protagonist as time allows.
She’ll also share her simple checklist, “The Four Traits of a Hero,” which will show you how to measure your character’s likability and relatability. Ms. South developed this system during her years working for Bette Midler and Disney Studios. It’s an invaluable tool that you’ll use over and over to make your stories succeed and sell.
Whether you’re writing a love story, memoir, buddy comedy, science fiction or horror, story is story. Write a great protagonist, and your audience will come along for the ride.
Here’s how the class will unfold.
Common Complaints:
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The Main Character is unlikable.
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What does the main character want?
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Main character is too apathetic, doesn’t take action
Discussion about your main character
Presentation:
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The Four Traits of a Hero
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Examples of great protagonists
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Great protagonists challenge the status quo
FAQ:
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Does your main character have to be likable?
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Can you have more than one protagonist?
Writing prompts
Faculty
Margaret South founded All Girl Productions with Bette Midler and Bonnie Bruckheimer, and developed feature film projects for Disney, Fox and Tri-Star Studios, HBO, ABC, and NBC, including the beloved Beaches. Together with Ms. Midler, she wrote the screenplay A View from a Broad for Disney Studios.
Ms. South also created the innovative Kids Talk Story curriculum, provided in public schools. She has appeared at the Crossroads Writers' Conference, the Maui/Hawaii Writers’ Conference, the Women in Film Convention, as well as American Pen Women, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She has worked with writers for over three decades.
$149 for three hours of instruction
EVENING CLASS
June 3 & 17, 2024
8 to 9:30 PM Eastern (5 to 6:30 PM Pacific)
You can sign up for only this class or the Storytelling Trio at a discounted price.
Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.
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