Spring 2025
Screenwriting
The Screenwriting Journey is an immersive program designed for aspiring screenwriters eager to master the art and craft of storytelling for the screen. Whether one dreams of writing for Hollywood blockbusters, indie films, or television series, this program provides a comprehensive exploration of the essential elements and techniques of screenwriting. By the end of the Journey, participants will have developed a solid foundation in screenwriting, equipped with the tools and knowledge to start crafting their own compelling stories for film. Whether you’re new to screenwriting or looking to enhance your existing skills, join us on this creative exploration and bring their cinematic visions to life.
Girls Write Now Collaboratory
This Journey is Closed, but You Can Pre-Enroll in a Spring 2027 Journey Now!
Learning Objectives
Screenwriting Courses
Screenwriting Foundations: Crafting Compelling Stories for Film
This course is designed to help develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s film industry. Screenwriting Foundations: Crafting Compelling Stories for Film provides insight into the work of a screenwriter – a deep understanding of film storytelling and professional scripts, short-form and full-length scripts, professional working practices, and employment strategies. Specific topics range from story structure and formatting scripts to actually producing the film.
Teleplays Essentials: Crafting a Pilot
Writing for TV is designed to help develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s TV industry. Writing for TV provides insight into the work of a scriptwriter – a deep understanding of TV storytelling and professional scripts, drama vs comedy scripts, professional working practices, and employment strategies. Specific topics range from story structure and formatting scripts to actually seeing a script to fruition.
Screenwriting Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Screenwriting Journey will be matched for one cycle. Each pair will meet 2 times per month and, as a pair, attend an engagement event at least once per month.
Screenwriting Community Experiences
As a mentee or mentor in the Screenwriting Journey, you’ll attend at least one community engagement experience of your choice each month. It is strongly recommended that you attend the following Screenwriting Journey meetings:
- March 8, 1-2 pm ET
- April 5, 11-12 pm ET
- April 28, 6-7pm ET
- May 24, 10-11 am ET
- May 27, 6-7 pm ET
Script 360 Adventure
The Screenwriting Journey belongs to the Script 360 Adventure.
This Adventure focuses on exploring scriptwriting through lessons and experiences that discuss playwriting, teleplays, and screenwriting! It is great for mentees who want to explore scriptwriting at a high level.
Find Your Journey
Find Your Journey
Book Club: Page to Stage (Fall 2025)
This Journey invites mentees and mentors to explore classic and contemporary literature through both reading and performance. Participants will read three books and then experience them brought to life through dynamic solo stage adaptations in partnership with Literature to Life (LTL).
Independent Study (Fall 2025)
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Teach GWN (Fall 2025)
In this Journey, Members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a community studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three community studios, one per month. Participants will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and Mentors can facilitate a community studio either solo (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Fall 2025-Spring 2026)
In this two-Cycle Journey, participants will explore the power of comedy as a tool for social change, with a special focus on stand-up comedy. From climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and mental health, you’ll learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique. Comedy is a form of intelligence—whether you’re new to comedy or a seasoned performer, this journey will help you use humor as a force for social impact.
The Lead Incubator (Fall 2025-Spring 2025)
The Lead Incubator is a crucial extension of the Lead Community Change Journey, offering Mentees the space, resources, and support needed to implement their project plans and drive meaningful change in their communities. It acts as a dynamic platform where they can turn their ideas into action. Mentees participating in the Lead Incubator focus on advancing their community-based social activism projects with the support of their mentors and Girls Write Now’s resources.
Explore Tour (Fall 2025)
Explore the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now offers through a multimedia, multi-genre experience with mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Build new skills and deepen existing ones across fiction, journalism, publishing, and formats like video, podcasting, and visual storytelling. Ideal for mentees working across media or focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your goals.
Through the Lens: Photography & Visual Storytelling (Spring 2027)
Discover the art of telling stories through images. In this Journey Mentees and mentors will explore the creative and technical elements of photography while learning how photographers use composition, light, perspective, and narrative to capture meaningful moments and communicate powerful ideas.
Bridging Queer Voices: Storytelling Across Generations (Spring 2027)
This Journey explores the rich tradition of storytelling between generations, highlighting how stories connect past, present, and future. Participants will engage with personal and cultural narratives shared across age groups, learning to honor diverse perspectives. Through writing and creative expression, you’ll develop skills to preserve and share meaningful stories that build understanding and community.
Social Media & Marketing (Summer 2025)
This Journey is designed for mentees and mentors who want to understand the power of social media and how to use it effectively to grow an audience, promote their work, and build a personal or professional brand. From crafting engaging posts to creating a consistent online presence, this course covers the essential strategies and tools needed to thrive in the world of digital marketing.
Book Club: Summer Read (Summer 2025)
Book lovers, unite! Each cycle, we’ll close read three new books and discuss them at monthly fixed meetings. When you apply, you can recommend a book that might be chosen for the journey! We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story.
