Character First: The Secret to Selling Your Script & Winning Over Audiences
Practical Tips & Expert Techniques to Create and Pitch Memorable Characters That Hook Buyers and Make Your Project Stand Out
An Upcoming Class by Hollis Rich and Carole Dean
Does your Script Truly Connect with an Audience?
- Do you want to craft characters that emotionally engage audiences and make them root for their success?
- Are you looking to write compelling dialogue that immerses viewers and makes them feel part of the conversation?
- Do you need to perfect your pitch to ensure buyers are emotionally hooked before, during, and after your presentation?
Master the Art of Emotional Storytelling & Pitching
Your story is only as strong as the emotional connections it creates. This online course class taught via Zoom will equip you with the essential tools to transform your writing, develop compelling characters, and pitch with confidence.
Whether you’re crafting a screenplay, a TV pilot, or refining your pitch, these expert techniques will ensure your project stands out in a competitive market.
Why This Class is a Must for Screenwriters & Filmmakers
“After many years of experience in writer’s rooms and as a showrunner, I’ve found out what matters most to audiences: Character, Character, Character.
If they like or connect to the character, they will follow them anywhere and root for them.
When trying to sell a script for a film or television pilot, you want to breathe life into the words on the page – and that happens through the strength and depth of your characters.
If you’ve written strong, memorable characters that connect to readers, development execs at every level who read your script will get it. It will help sell your script and also attract the best actors who know a good part when they see it – and audiences will connect and want to see more.”
– Hollis Rich – Veteran TV Writer/Producer
What You Will Learn:
✅ Develop Multi-Dimensional Characters – Go beyond surface traits to craft layered, emotionally rich protagonists and antagonists that feel authentic and unforgettable.
✅ Master the Art of Dialogue – Learn how to write conversations that reveal character, drive the plot, and immerse audiences in your world.
✅ Elevate Your Story Through Conflict & Stakes – Discover how to weave in character-driven tension that keeps viewers invested from start to finish.
✅ Create Roles That Actors Want to Play – Understand what makes characters stand out to top-tier talent, making your project more appealing to buyers.
✅ Hook Investors & Buyers with a Character-Driven Pitch – Perfect your pitch by showcasing your characters in a way that makes decision-makers excited to be part of your project.
What You’ll Achieve
At the end of these transformative five classes, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pitch your project effectively to producers, network executives, and investors.
You’ll walk away with a compelling pitch, a deep understanding of how to craft characters that sell, as well as the ability to emotionally engage decision-makers and audiences.
Class Details & Discounts:
📅 Start Date: May 20th
🖥️ Taught Online via Zoom
💰 Cost: $600
🌟 Early Enrollment Discount – Save $100 if you enroll by April 30th.
🎬 From the Heart Productions Email Followers – Get 10% off. Use discount code CHARACTER when enrolling.
📽️ Fiscally Sponsored Filmmakers – Get 15% off. Use discount code SCRIPT when enrolling.
INSTRUCTORS
HOLLIS RICH
Writer / Producer
Hollis Rich’s career as a television writer/producer spans both half-hour comedy and hour drama, including Doogie Howser, MD, Grace Under Fire, Picket Fences and Party of Five. Hollis co-created and co-executive-produced State of Grace, a half-hour dramedy featuring Mae Whitman, Alia Shawkat, and Frances McDormand as the off-screen narrator. The critically acclaimed series earned two Humanitas nominations and four Jewish Image Awards for its humorous, authentic depiction of two girls of different faiths growing up in the 1960’s South. Hollis attended UCLA’s Graduate Film School Writers Program and is currently developing two half-hour comedies that feature a disabled lead.
CAROLE DEAN
Founder and President of From the Heart Productions
Carole Dean is the Founder and President of From the Heart Productions, a top-rated 501(c)3 non-profit that supports independent filmmakers by helping them raise funding for their projects. Over thirty years through From the Heart’s fiscal sponsorship program, she has assisted filmmakers in raising over $30 million for their films.
She created the Roy Dean Grant in 1992 and has awarded over $2,500,000 in grants to independent filmmakers, and helped to produce over 80 films through the grant.
Her creation of a business in 1970, Studio Film & Tape, that purchased leftover motion picture film from production then resold it at a discount, helped spark the independent film revolution by giving filmmakers affordable film stock.
In the 1980s, she produced 120 Health Styles Shows that were sold to Oasis Cable and 30 Filmmaker shows, now in the National Archives. She was Executive Producer for BAM 6.6, Women Behind the Camera, Step Away From the Stone, and American Chain Gang. More of Carole’s producing credits are available on IMDB.
Carole Dean is the author of The Art of Film Funding, 2nd Edition: Alternative Financing Concepts & The Art of Manifesting: Creating your Future. Click here to see Carole’s complete Curriculum Vitae
Spots for this class are limited! Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your storytelling, perfect your pitch, and make your script irresistible to executives, actors, and audiences alike.
ABOUT THE CLASS
.5 Classes
Classes are 1.5 – 2 Hours Each
All Classes are Tuesdays at 10AM PST
.
Free Preview Class
Meet the Instructors and Learn About the Class
April 22nd
.
Class 1
Creating Memorable Main Characters
May 20th
.
Class 2
Creating Memorable Supporting Characters
June 3rd
.
Class 3
Creating Memorable Dialogue
June 17
.
Class 4
Creating and Delivering a Powerful Pitch
July 1st
.
Class 5
Pitching Workshop
July 15th
TESTIMONIALS
“Hollis Rich brings an insightful, experienced process to storytelling for the screen and is a practiced guide into the complex worlds of character building and original dialogue. Know that whether you aspire to write comedy, drama or anything in between, Hollis will share her wealth of experience with humor and honesty, and provide a well-defined pathway to the important skills necessary for film and television screenwriting.”
– Brenda Lilly
“Hollis was my instructor for several film and tv writing courses and I still use tools and craft from her courses everyday in my work. She taught me the basics of structure, story, and character, but what I really took away was a deeper appreciation and dedication to the craft itself. I’ve learned about emotional storytelling, truthful characters, and clarity of voice from her, and she’s guided me through many rough creative waters with confidence and care. Her passion for the work in all its challenges and beauty is something she shares generously and readily with her students. Being one of those students is one of my greatest fortunes on my path as a writer.”
– Frances Hebert
ABOUT THE CLASSES
FREE PREVIEW CLASS
April 22nd, 2025
Meet the instructors and get an overview of the class!
CLASS #1 – CREATING MEMORABLE MAIN CHARACTERS THAT EMOTIONALLY CONNECT AND DRIVE THE NARRATIVE FORWARD
May 20th, 2025
From Hollis:
In this class, we will take a closer look at your main characters, identify four essential elements necessary to develop deeper, more complex, believable main characters – INSIGHT, EXPERIENCE, PARADOX AND BEHAVIOR – and how to incorporate them into a feature, short or pilot script.
From Carole:
We cover how to create log lines that are interesting and ironic. Your log line is a major asset to funding your script. You’re the carrier of too much information says Chip and Dan Heath in their book, Made to Stick. I will share how to create a “sticky story.” It has 4 important elements you need to pitch your friends so they can remember and pitch their friends!
CLASS #2 – CREATING SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT WORK WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER(S) TO EMOTIONALLY CONNECT AND HELP DRIVE THE NARRATIVE FORWARD
June 3rd, 2025
From Hollis:
Supporting characters play a unique and vital role, often emerging as some of the most memorable characters in a film or television series.
In this class, we will take a closer look at your supporting characters, identify four essential roles and functions they serve and explore how to develop deeper, more complex, believable supporting characters and how to incorporate them into a feature, short or pilot script.
From Carole:
High Network Individuals (HNI) are goal oriented. They have goals, they have personal missions, and they see a vision of their future. That’s how they became HNI’s.
In this class, we cover how you can create your goals, your mission as a writer and your vision of your future.
CLASS #3 – CREATING MEMORABLE DIALOGUE BY MAKING THE AUDIENCE PART OF THE CONVERSATION
June 17th, 2025
From Hollis:
We’ve talked about how to create main and secondary characters that connect emotionally to audiences and drive your narrative forward. Now it’s time to talk about… how your characters talk. In this class, we will explore how to create memorable authentic dialogue that will bring your characters to life on and off the page and connect emotionally to your audience by making them part of the conversation.
From Carole:
We will discuss UCLA Professor Emeritus Albert Mehrabian’s explanation of his study of presentations. He explains how the person you pitching is receiving your information. This information is to empower you and improve your understanding of presenting your script.
CLASS #4 - THE PRODUCERS’ PITCH: CREATING AND DELIVERING A POWERFUL PITCH THAT EMOTIONALLY CONNECTS TO YOUR BUYER
July 1st, 2025
From Hollis:
Now that we’ve learned how to create characters and dialogue that connect emotionally to audiences, it’s time to face that cringe-inducing rite of passage and large dose of show biz reality called THE PITCH (insert scary soundtrack here).
But, hey, no pressure —
In this lecture class, we will take a closer look at the art and craft of pitching, identify four essential elements and other practical tips from the trenches designed to connect to buyers and help them pitch your project up the chain to their boss, who will hopefully love it and buy it! All students will be assigned to create a ten-minute scripted pitch, which I will personally critique.
From Carole:
Learn the various ways that filmmakers and writers can raise funding. We will cover funding parties and crowdfunding.
CLASS #5 - PITCHING WORKSHOP
July 15th, 2025
From Hollis:
In this workshop class, a limited number of students will be invited to present their pitches in class for my personal critique. The rest of the class will receive my written notes by email. I will also be available by email to answer any questions regarding this specific assignment.
From Carole:
This is our pitch session class. It is the culmination of the class. You want to learn how to pitch to the studios and Hollis is the person who is doing this and she will share her knowledge with us.
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your storytelling, perfect your pitch, and make your script irresistible to executives, actors, and audiences alike.
Questions or Comments?
For More Information, Please email info@fromtheheartproductions.com.
