5 sessions, Sundays, May 3 to 31st, 3-5pm Eastern, noon-2pm Pacific
online; max 12 students
$380
Enroll in this class.
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. 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 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. Weekly, we’ll deep-dive several of the most groundbreaking screenplays by women, engaging in conversation about what exactly these cinematic worlds offer that’s brilliantly off-kilter and essential, as well as WRITE diligently into our own fresh (first ever?!) screenplay idea.
Absolute beginners belong here! Because everyone is moving at their own pace, this course is appropriate for true screenwriting beginners to screenwriters with mid-level experience.
Screenwriters we study may include: Ava DuVernay, Callie Khouri, Greta Gerwig, Elaine May, Maya Rudolph, Adrienne Shelly, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Polley, Katie Dippold.
Enrollment criteria:
All female-identifying 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, and each student will meet one-one-one with Lauren 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.
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 from Past Screenplays for Badass Women
“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 materical brought forward for analysis and the saftey created for conversation & sharing is truly motivating.”
“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!”
“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.”
“Lauren was very encouraging and really available to her students. She is super knowledgeable and passionate about screenplay writing. I appreciated how insightful she was in analyzing the scripts we read in class and getting to heart of the scenes we workshopped. I learned a ton and I know that I will continue to use her handouts as reference as I go further on my screenwriting journey.”
“Lauren was a great instructor especially since this was the first time I took a screenwriting class. I appreciated how she catered her class based on everyone’s individual experience, and how she also provided 1x1 sessions to ensure we were all supported. She also provided great feedback on my project and she was always super encouraging and thoughtful, especially in moments where I felt stuck. I would highly recommend Lauren’s classes to others!”
“This course covered so much ground. It was my first foray into screenwriting and I am so glad, because Lauren is a really thorough, experienced, and supportive teacher with an interesting angle to teaching screenwriting. I’m compelled to keep working on the project that I began while in this class and hope to take another Badass class soon.”
Student Testimonials from Other Classes Lauren Has Taught
"Lauren Veloski is like a scriptwriting oracle. I feel ready to make my own thing now, 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 the best screenwriting teacher I’ve ever had. No, seriously. Remember your favorite teacher from school who made you feel seen and met you where you were at and knew exactly what you needed to hear? That’s her.” —Aliza Small, writer & comedian
“I want everyone who feels like they have a story trapped inside them to take a class with Lauren, regardless of whether that's a screenplay or a novel or a short story. This class felt like the safest place ever to explore my creativity and be vulnerable in sharing my ideas, and that's such an incredible gift for a writer.” —Kristina Johnson, writer