Maddie Breeland
Justine Patrick
& Jeremiah Smith
Oh my gosh, we’re back again! Due to popular demand, Roadmap returns with the Writing Strong Female Characters Virtual Panel! Last month, a general overview was explored, covering many of the cringeworthy ways women are depicted in the media, especially film & TV; the definition of a strong female character; and the many bad habits that are ingrained in today’s writers when it comes to writing women (and how to break them)!
This second helping will delve deeper into the issue, this time with concrete examples of female characters done well - and, well, not so well - so you can see actual pages that work well and don't work at all!!
In today's marketplace, it's more important now than ever to portray females as the dynamic human beings they are. Not only does a poorly written female character isolate half of your audience, it also makes execs that read your script quickly pass on it. Learn how to break the habit of writing a stereotypical token female character and prevent execs (particularly female) in the industry from dismissing your work out of hand.
This 90-Min. Panel Will Cover - with Examples!
- The definition of "strong female characters"
- Character Introductions
- Female Relationships *-beyond romance and children!*
- Female Antagonists
- Dialogue
- Motivations & Ambitions
- Realistic Women vs. 'Media Realistic' Women
- Creating Diverse Female Character Traits
- An exploration of the shift in what Hollywood is looking for in female characters
A graduate of Boston’s Emerson College with a degree in producing for film and TV, Maddie Breeland recently joined Dean DeBlois’ (HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON) Anvil Pictures, as Director of Development. Maddie began her career as a development assistant at Fox 2000 Pictures (THE HATE U GIVE; HIDDEN FIGURES; LOVE, SIMON) before working for Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney live-action features, and eventually being promoted to development coordinator at Walt Disney Pictures (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST; ALADDIN; MULAN). At Anvil, Maddie will develop and produce live-action and hybrid content as part of their deal with Universal (JURASSIC WORLD; THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS; FURIOUS 7), including upcoming projects, TREASURE ISLAND and MICRONAUTS. She’s a fan of all genres but personally loves action, adventure, sci-fi/fantasy, thrillers, and true-crime documentaries. Maddie is a huge advocate for diversity and inclusion and aims to make content that promotes underrepresented groups.
Jeremiah Smith is an animation and comedy writer who transplanted from the middle of nowhere to Los Angeles. He works as a script reader and analyst for Mar Vista Entertainment, and occasionally as a freelance script editor. Recently, he wrapped up a writing gig for Mondo TV. When not geeking out on books, comics, videogames, television, movies, and whatever else catches his fancy, he can be found torturing his family and friends with some semi-terrible-ish jokes.
Maddie has a terrific, collaborative imagination! After integrating Maddie's notes, my Sci-Fi Pilot, SOLARPUNKS, became a Semifinalist in the 2021 ScreenCraft Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenwriting Competition.
~ Bradford Richardson, Screenwriter
Questions?
If you have any questions or any trouble accessing the recording, email our Director of Education Alexandra Davies at alex@roadmapwriters.com!