Run to the airport with all the fervor of a feminist in sensible shoes! This 5-week course is equal parts craft and source text study: unbraiding commercial hit scenes, then “rewriting them” per our experience as actual human women! We’ll be scrutinizing a delightful AND delightfully problematic genre: the curse-worthy, but also popcorn-worthy, Rom-Com. Our approach is to allow for its dependable joys, but find 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 also investigate the few brave outliers that tried to stretch the genre and beef up the genre’s intelligence (queer love anyone? women who are unflappable?). Together, we take a clear-eyed look at the commercial limitations which have historically plagued and 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!
Scripts studied: “When Harry Met Sally,” “Knocked-Up,” “Kissing Jessica Stein,” “Never Been Kissed,” “Annie Hall,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “The Princess Bride,” “Moonstruck.”
Additional information: All screenwriter levels welcome! Because everyone is moving at their own pace, this course is appropriate for beginner to experienced screenwriters.