Run to the airport with the fervor of a feminist in sensible shoes! This 5-week course is equal parts source text study and wild writing: unbraiding commercial rom-com scenes, then rewriting them per our experience as actual human women! Our approach allows for the genre’s dependable joys, but finds all-new writerly freedom in subverting its tropes and reimaging its comedy front to back—with laughs based in truth and fearless play.
We’ll scrutinize a delightfully problematic genre—the popcorn-worthy AND curse-worthy “Rom-Com”—then embark on our own original/subversive rom-com scripts. We’ll also investigate the few brave outliers that tried to stretch the genre (queer love anyone? women who are unflappable?).
Together, we take a clear-eyed look at the commercial limitations which have historically flattened what’s possible for romance on the screen. In the process, we’ll find our own way as writers towards a version of on-screen love that does not shackle us to our culture’s worst and most sexist prescriptions. Come with your original script ideas, or none at all!
All women-identifying writers & creatives welcome! And all levels are welcome! (and including absolute beginners). The course assumes you have no prior experience with screenwriting, but it’s also fine if you do! Because everyone is moving at their own pace (and because we’re studying scripts together for an ALL-NEW RUBRIC), this course is appropriate for beginner-to-experienced screenwriters.