Study the greats, become the GREATEST! For 5 weeks, SCREENPLAYS BY BADASS WOMEN (Including YOU!) offers a supportive, uproariously fun and explorative kaleidoscope of screenwriting study AND practice for “non-screenwriters” (beginners!). Poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers belong here! “Badass” is about freedom, cinematic joy, and safe exploration—zero screenwriting know-how required to join. Sessions will toggle between three elements—script study, community exploration, writing—connecting the dots between our lived experiences on Planet Patriarchy, the historically marginalized “female gaze,” and our vast creative reach as women/nonbinary writers.
Using a fresh rubric (screw you, “Save the Cat”), you’ll learn how to write a screenplay in full possession of its gobsmacking potential. You’ll learn screenwriting 101 essentials while finding your unique cinematic prowess. Weekly, we’ll deep-dive groundbreaking screenplays written by women or nonbinary writers, engaging in conversation about what exactly these cinematic worlds offer that’s brilliantly off-kilter and essential. Concurrently, YOU’LL write diligently into your own (first ever?!) screenplay idea.
Absolute beginners belong here! And so do medium-beginners. This course is created for “non-screenwriter” beginners, but because everyone is moving at their own pace (and you’ll be working with me one-on-one throughout) it’s also appropriate for writers with mid-level screenwriting experience.
Screenwriters we study may include: Elaine May, Ava DuVernay, Greta Gerwig, Callie Khouri, Maya Rudolph, Adrienne Shelly, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Polley, Katie Dippold.
Enrollment criteria:
All female-identifying/nonbinary writers welcome! Roll up your sleeves, sit your ass in that chair, and become a goddamn legend already.
One-on-one support:
The class price reflects Lauren’s commitment to one-on-one support. Each student will meet one-one-one with Lauren at least once during the 5 weeks, to crystalize their script idea, and get hands-on guidance. Additionally, Lauren is available for Zoom “office hours” ongoingly across all 5-weeks, to help you through any struggles, troubleshoot, and buoy confidence!
Course expectations:
We’ll read 2 brilliant screenplays every week as “take-home work,” as you develop your own original script idea (or use the class to continue one you already started) and begin to write into it. Every writer will bring a “share” into class from their script-in-progress once.
Student Testimonials:
“This is a fantastic course! I loved the environment Lauren created – so supportive, enthusiastic and intellectually engaging. Her resources are fantastic, it feels like a curated experience – well worth it!”
“Lauren is the kind of teacher I wish every student, creative, and young-girl could have. It is both refreshing & healing to be guided by a person who believes you story is worth sharing simply because it is yours and therefor it is special. This class, the material brought forward for analysis and the safety created for conversation & sharing is truly motivating.”
“This class is a blast whether you’re totally new to screenwriting or more experienced. Lauren does a great job of balancing the class between reading and watching great films and shows, teaching industry standards in format and genre and working on your own project- brand new or work in progress. The group was wide ranging in experience and expertise, but Lauren set a great tone of encouragement and positivity. I would definitely take another class with Lauren.”