SPS Stories
Faculty Spotlight
Crafting Characters That Captivate Audiences
Fast Facts
- Lori Fischer is a playwright, screenwriter, and producer with a passion for storytelling across film, television, and theater
- She emphasizes the power of detailed character development, believing that strong, well-rounded characters are the foundation of compelling stories
- She encourages students to take initiative in getting their work produced, sharing real-world strategies for writing, pitching, and self-producing their projects
<p><span class="p-body">Lori Fischer is a firm believer in the power of storytelling and the importance of crafting authentic, compelling characters. As an instructor in the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/writing-and-producing-for-film-television.html">Certificate in Writing and Producing for Film & Television</a> program at NYU SPS, she helps students develop the creative and technical skills needed to bring their scripts to life.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Fischer’s journey with NYU began when she earned her MFA in the Dramatic Writing Department. Even after graduating, she immersed herself in courses at NYU SPS, eager to deepen her understanding of storytelling and film production. When a friend encouraged her to apply to teach, she pitched the Writing Great Characters course—and she has been guiding aspiring writers ever since. “Writing is how I process the world. Writing is my comfort, and rewriting is my deepest joy,” she says.</span></p>
Developing Strong Characters and Stories
<p><span class="p-body">In her classes, Fischer emphasizes character development as the foundation of great storytelling.</span></p>
I want my students to write characters who have a unique vision of the world, a strong driving need, and an unmistakable voice.”
<p><span class="p-body">She challenges students to dig deep, exploring backstories, motivations, and emotional complexities to create believable, layered protagonists. “Believability is derived through specificity. A well-written character can land a writer an agent, a production, and A-list actors.”</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Beyond character development, Fischer brings real-world industry experience into her lessons. From producing and starring in her own play to securing a film festival spot for her short film Kindness Matters, she has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to get a project off the ground. She encourages students not to wait for opportunities but to create their own: “If no one is producing or choosing their work, I want to empower my students to find ways to self-produce because work begets work.”</span></p>
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