Psychology for Screenwriters: Building Conflict in Your Script

Join us at the Drama Book Shop for an in-person conversation with William Indick, the author of Psychology for Screenwriters: Building Conflict in Your Script

People’s lives are made up of good and bad decisions, histories filled with triumph and pain, and behaviors formed from a lifetime of experiences — your characters should be no different. But writing psychologically complex characters requires an understanding of human behavior.

Fortunately, you don’t need a Ph.D. in psychology to add complexity to your screenwriting. William Indick will help you add psychological depth to your script with insights from brilliant psychological theorists like Freud, Jung, and Adler. Get ready to create characters and conflict that will have your audience begging for only one thing —more.

William Indick earned his bachelor's degree in psychology (1993) and master's degree in music therapy (1996) from New York University. After working as a special education teacher and as a creative arts therapist, he earned his Ph.D. in developmental psychology (2001) from Cornell University. Dr. Indick is a Professor of Psychology at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, where he writes books and teaches courses in the area of media psychology. He is particularly interested in the psychology of film and screenwriting, and the effects of media immersion on mental health. Dr. Indick’s books include Psychology for Screenwriters (2023), Media Environments and Mental Disorder (2021), The Digital God (2015),

Ancient Symbology in Fantasy Literature (2012), The Psychology of the Western (2008), Psycho Thrillers (2006), and Movies and the Mind (2004). Originally published in 2004, Psychology for Screenwriters has been translated and published into seven non-English language editions and has been adopted as a text by screenwriting and filmmaking instructors around the world. The 2nd edition of Psychology for Screenwriters will be released in 2023, and it will include three new chapters on the psychology of the Western, Fantasy, and Sci-fi genres.

Tickets will be available February 1st 2023

Important Information–Please read before purchasing.  

• Ticket purchase includes entrance to the event and a copy of Psychology for Screenwriters: Building Conflict in Your Script
• It is recommended that guests wear a mask inside. 
• No merchandise, photos, or other souvenirs will be allowed to be signed.