Afrofuturistic Writing
A course by @savagefictionWriter and Podcaster
A course by @savagefiction, Writer and Podcaster
Unlock the secrets of Afrofuturistic character creation and ignite your scriptwriting journey today.
Dive into the world of Afrofuturism and discover how this artistic and cultural movement redefines identity through science fiction and historical fantasy.
You'll start with the basics of Afrofuturism and progress to creating authentic, deep characters. Throughout this journey, you'll learn to see reality from a new perspective and reimagine it, appreciating the wealth of diverse voices within the genre.
Explore how social, political, and aesthetic perspectives of the Black community intertwine in fictional worlds and different temporal realities. Uncover the crucial role of technology in your creative process, just as in any science fiction narrative.
Under the guidance of Ale Santos, you'll learn to build characters with a strong social background, steering clear of racial stereotypes and enriching your stories with vibrant cultural influences like samba and hip-hop. You'll be able to apply everything you learn to various formats: music, film, and comics, as Afrofuturism transcends literature.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 20 downloads
Why racialize science fiction?
13 minutes, 59 seconds
History of Afrofuturism
10 minutes, 3 seconds
Social discussions in black characters
16 minutes, 17 seconds
The afrofuturist novum
17 minutes, 2 seconds
The afrofuturist character's journey
13 minutes, 16 seconds
What makes good characters?
18 minutes, 54 seconds
What's included in this course?
To start, you'll delve into the roots of Afrofuturism and its significance in contemporary science fiction. Ale Santos will guide you through how this movement places Black experiences, cultures, and religions at the forefront of narratives, challenging traditional white-centered storytelling.
Next, you'll dive into creating characters with authentic social contexts. Learn to bring to life figures that break free from stereotypes by using the concept of "novum" to introduce unique and distinguishing elements into your stories. You'll give your characters depth and realism, making your narratives more impactful and resonant.
Following that, you'll explore the hero's journey from the perspective of Black speculative fiction. This approach allows you to apply classic narrative concepts to your stories but from a unique and refreshing viewpoint. You'll see how to integrate cultural elements like samba and hip-hop, enriching your creative process and adding a new dimension to your tales.
Finally, you'll discover the various ways Afrofuturism manifests in music, film, literature, and comics. This exploration will open new doors and provide you with a broader perspective on how your stories can transcend different mediums.
What is this course's project?
The final project involves creating the core elements of an Afrofuturist narrative. This includes developing a main character that you can utilize across various media, ensuring they transcend stereotypes and embody an authentic, profound representation.
Who is this online course for?
Designed for writers, screenwriters, and creatives interested in delving into Afrofuturism. It's also perfect for professionals in film, music, comics, and any other medium, looking to enrich their stories with new cultural influences and expand their narrative skills.
Requirements and materials
You’ll need a notebook or sketchpad for your ideas and drafts. Having books, music, or any other inspirational materials on hand can also be beneficial. Creativity and a willingness to explore new perspectives will be your most valuable tools.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
Excelente curso, muy claro, completo, bien explicado. Me trajo referencias de autores que no conocía y que voy a explorar, y me clarificó onceptos de la ciencia ficción en general y del afrofuturismo, además de estructuras narrativas. Lo recomiendo!!!
- 2 years ago
Excelente curso, didáctico, comprensible. Muy útil.
- 2 years ago
Curso excelente
- 2 years ago
Genial! Un curso supremamente necesario. Ojalá puedan hacer más con enfoque afrocentrado.
- 2 years ago
The sound quality is poor with delayed speech. No be inflection in voice making the delivery deadpan and appears to lack enthusiasm. Despite this the tutor is very knowledgeable on the subject therefore I would recommend for the depth of knowledge.
Santos has been a finalist for the prestigious Jabuti award and winner of the Yes to Racial Equality trophy, establishing himself as an influential voice in contemporary narrative.
Throughout his career, he has worked on various storytelling projects, including comics, plays and entertainment for companies. His work has been featured in global science fiction anthologies such as Intel's Tomorrow Project. In addition, he has collaborated with media such as Intercept Brasil, Superinteressante Brasil and Vice Brasil.
Recently, he was cited by the Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA) as the most popular Afrofuturist author of the new generation in Brazil and, in the NY Times, he was also recognized as one of the most important exponents of science fiction in Latin America.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Journey towards Afrofuturism
- Why racialize science fiction?
- History of Afrofuturism
- Social discussions in black characters
- The afrofuturist novum
- The afrofuturist character's journey
- What makes good characters?
- U3
Step-by-step character creation
- Reference search
- The character's journey
- Character and story purposes
- Deepening the character
- U4
Expansion of the Afrofuturist universe
- Other outputs for your project
- Other Brazilian authors
- FP
Final project
- Afrofuturistic Writing
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is perfect for anyone wanting to create authentic Afrofuturist characters, drawing on Black cultural references across literature, RPG, games, and digital media.
No prior experience is needed, but having an interest in storytelling, Black culture, or Afrofuturism will help you get the most out of the course.
You’ll learn how to craft complex Black characters, avoid stereotypes, weave in Afro-diasporic cultural references, and apply narrative development techniques across formats like literature, RPG, podcasts, and games.
The course explores Afrofuturism in literature, music, visual arts, fashion, and film, while discussing identity, ancestry, technology, and Black representation in speculative contexts.
You’ll discover strategies to turn Twitter threads into books, transform short stories into audio dramas, and expand digital narratives into podcasts and RPGs.
Yes, the course includes modules on building authentic characters, focusing on avoiding racial stereotypes and developing deep motivations, virtues, and flaws.
It covers cultural references from Afro-Brazilian and African traditions, samba, hip hop, literature, African philosophy, and movements like Afrofuturism to enrich character creation.