ETB Screenwriting

“Laurie Hutzler has a method of exploring and developing characters that I personally found very useful. Her gentle process of posing insightful questions should help any writer create deeper, richer and more vivid characters.”

It was an honour and a pleasure working with Laurie on SGW3, she lifted the quality of the story and dialogues to the next level. She perfectly married the way stories are told in movies and books to the way the story is catered to the player in video games. Looking at SGW3 after Laurie did her magic, I see a highly engaging and captivating story that makes me ask for more. I would love to work together again and strongly believe that many video games could use Laurie's magic touch.

“Laurie’s keen grasp of storytelling and her focus on emotional truth have inspired our teams of writers, producers and directors around the world. Whether in Germany, Britain, Hungary, Australia – the list goes on – Laurie’s practical, entertaining methods work in harmony with local cultural specifics. The result has been better stories, more truthful characters and creative teams with a better understanding not only of drama, but of themselves

Laurie Hutzler has a terrific sense of story. She has a gift for inspiring and motivating writers to do their best work. Laurie’s approach will help any writer dig deeper and find the heart of their story. Heart is what great storytelling is all about.

Laurie has taught me more than anyone about the central importance of character in any screenplay. Her method of character analysis provides an invaluable tool for the writer who needs a non-destructive way to self-critique his or her screenplay. At the heart of every Academy Award® Winning Best Film, is a screenplay that is the Best. Laurie's methods help writers create their Best.

Laurie Hutzler knows all the right questions to ask that get you to know your characters inside and out. Her material works, period.

Thanks so much for your insightful talk at the Scriptwriter’s Network! It was really a breakthrough for me in my current rewrite. Thanks also for your helpful website. Your teaching method and kind, generous spirit are much appreciated. I will recommend your book!

Laurie’s class and methods are both groundbreaking and simple. Forget the complex material she draws from: she will make your writing process flow. It unlocks your creativity… even long after you’ve taken her class.

This book is a godsend for any writer! Laurie’s insightful exercises and smart writing schedule make it possible for anyone with a dream and one hour a day to tell complex and emotionally satisfying stories. It is a perfect how-to book… Bravo!

I’m finding the emotional map exactly what I need to give my characters the kind of depth I want them to have. I’ve really enjoyed your essays about familiar shows and movies and what does and doesn’t make the characters/story in each work, as well — very helpful. Thanks for sharing all this great information with other writers!

Laurie Hutzler was instrumental in the development phase of the reboot of the Moomins brand for film and television. Her clear vision and insightful analysis was very important in positioning each Moomins character emotionally and in clarifying and refreshing the brand in consistent and authentic manner. I recommend her Emotional Toolbox method highly in any development process.

Over the last years at Endemol, we have been working with Laurie Hutzler with great, great pleasure. Laurie's contribution to our series, analysis, feedback and her concept of the Emotional Toolbox, were a perfect match in developing the Endemol series characters and stories. Working with our writers and producers, Laurie helped us making our series stronger. Especially working with Laurie on our long running soap year after year, and the continuing feedback on the characters (Emotional Toolbox) in our series, created a lasting and permanent succesful series. We are proud to be able to continue working with Laurie on our series, and with her theory of the Emotional Toolbox.

I have known Laurie Hutzler in a personal and professional capacity for almost 10 years. As I have moved companies, I’ve continued to call on her ability to help inspire creative teams to capture the beating heart of a story. She provides a special blend of careful analysis, empathic understanding, and skillful team motivation. Laurie has been instrumental in the periodic reinvigoration of some of the most important long running series in the world, for some of the largest production companies in the world, and has passed on a way of thinking about character and action which has been of lasting benefits to the teams that produce these much-loved shows.