5 sessions, Saturdays, March 9 to April 6, 3-5pm Eastern, 12-2pm Pacific
online
$325
Enroll in this class.
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.
Enroll in this class.
About the Instructor
Lauren Veloski is a screenwriter, comedy writer, creative coach, and founder of THAT'S BANANAS. Her first feature script, the indie comedy “SORRY, THANKS,” was praised by Lena Dunham for writing “as seamless as any studio rom-com—if studio rom-coms had astute, nuanced dialogue.” An “unromantic comedy” about casual douchebaggery, “SORRY, THANKS” world-premiered at SXSW, played 15 fests internationally, and sold to IFC/Sundance. After 15 years as the “story brain in the room” on countless television and film projects, Lauren launched THAT'S BANANAS in 2022 to do what she most loves: work one-on-one with writers at all levels, helping them come fully into their badassery and power on the page. Visit her online at www.thats-bananas.com
Student Testimonials
"Lauren Veloski is like a scriptwriting oracle. She thinks so deeply about the concepts we’re discussing, and she has such a clear vision of what makes the work meaningful. I am so glad I took this class. I feel ready to make my own thing, but more importantly, I feel like I have the kind of permission I was seeking to carve a spot for myself. Lauren is a cheerleader, a warrior, a sage."
—Lindsay Hunter, author of "Hot Springs Drive"
"Lauren is pure gold! Full of industry intel combined with a super-passionate heart for the craft and for women’s voices"
—Lisa Lister, author of "Self Source-ery"
"AmazingI hadn't written a "real" screenplay before, and was so happy to be given the confidence to just go for it! It was great to learn the basics of screenplay structure, possibilities for The Heroine's Journey, and to read screenplays written by women in a variety of genres. Lauren was so enthusiastic and supportive."
—Laurel Kaish
"Lauren's insights were mind-blowing to me."
—Eva
"Lauren is a phenomenal teacher, highly recommend!! She keeps it light while diving into the complexities of human relationships and words."
—Kate Anderson
"I loved this class! Lauren is incredibly knowledgeable and perceptive. She has such deep expertise in writing that it's a pleasure just to listen to her talk. The class was thoughtfully organized, offering a balance of instruction, examples, and writing exercises. Lauren was encouraging and inclusive in class sessions and met each person at their level. I recommend her highly."
—Jane Hilberry, poet & professor
"Your class was deeply healing for me. It was fantastic to be uniquely supported by you and equally so to hear your support of others. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. To be able to speak out loud my story after a lifetime of feeling unsafe to express myself was freeing. I am forgiving of myself and others. Hearing others' stories was expansive. I loved being in your class."
—Jeanne Litt