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CLASSES BY DATEClick “Buy Now” Under Each Class to Enroll. Email info@writingpad.com or call 323-333-2954 if you have further questions or want to ask about payment plans.
IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU: A ONE-PERSON SHOW WORKSHOPHave you ever thought about turning your life into a one-person show? Or do you have an idea for a solo-show but can’t figure out how to develop it? In this four-week class, actor, performer, director, and teacher, Julie Brister will help you channel your inner Julia Sweeney or Eric Bogosian. Let Julie show you how to get your story on the page, and your show on the stage! Her fun, improvisational writing exercises will transform your annoying relatives into hilarious, three dimensional characters and your most embarrassing moments into irresistible stories. You’ll learn to discover and trust your voice and experiment with genre and tone. Julie’s balanced workshopping sessions will give you useful feedback without popping your ego and inspire you to stay on track. She’ll even share her secrets for getting your show produced. By the end of this class, you’ll have written a significant chunk of your solo-show, and it won’t be long before the audience is clapping and shouting, “Bravo!” just for you!
About Julie Brister:
Work The Room: Mastering The Power of The Pitch
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Instructor: Victor Levin Tues., Feb. 28 & Mar. 13, 2012 (incl. 1 pitch session to creative execs) 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. |
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About Victor Levin:
Victor Levin has written for numerous TV shows, including NBC's “Mad About You,” which he ran in its final two seasons, HBO's “Dream On” and that network's “The Larry Sanders Show.” He shared Emmy nominations for Mad and Sanders. In features, he wrote DreamWorks' "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!!!” (2004), co-wrote "Then She Found Me" (ThinkFilm, 2008) with Helen Hunt and Alice Arlen, adapted "My Sassy Girl" (2008) for Gold Circle and co-wrote Fox International's "We Are Family" (in production) with Daniel Shere and Yuri Korotkov. He is also the author of a one-act play, "Death in Scarsdale" (1981) which continues to receive productions across the country. In addition, Victor has written and directed commercials and has won two Clio Awards and the Cannes Lion de Bronze. He was an Associate Creative Director at Young & Rubicam NY and BBDO, and Vice President for Creative Services at Margeotes, Fertitta & Weiss. Victor anticipates making his feature directorial debut with his script, "5 to 7," to be produced by Mockingbird Pictures. He holds a B.A. from Amherst College.
BLOGGER'S PARADISE: CREATING IRRESISTIBLE CONTENT
You want to share your passion for food, movies, politics, or fashion with the world, but you don't know where to begin. The time has come to dive into the exciting world of blogging! In this one day class, veteran blogger Carol Penn-Romine will help you create a compelling concept for your blog and explore ways to reach an ever expanding audience. She'll also cover topics such as finding your niche, blog longevity, and using your blog to promote yourself. Through fun in-class exercises, you'll brainstorm ideas for your blog and find your voice. By the end of this class, you'll have everything you need to take the cyber world by storm. Your audience awaits! New and experienced bloggers welcome.
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Instructor: Carol Penn-Romine Sat., Mar. 3, 2012 Cost: $45 (Includes snacks and tea) |
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About Carol Penn-Romine:
Carol Penn-Romine is a food writer, Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef and culinary tour guide, offering food tours of Ireland through her company, Hungry Passport Culinary Adventures. Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, Leite’s Culinaria, Gastronomica, Cornbread Nation IV: The Best of Southern Food Writing, and Farmhouse Magazine. She is a past editor of Edible Los Angeles and a contributor to Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods. She blogs about food and travel at www.hungrypassport.com, and in 2009-2010, she blogged her way around the planet in “52 Cuisines in 52 Weeks."
LITERARY FEAST: WRITING A CULINARY MASTERPIECE
You are passionate about food, and you want to write about it. Authentic Sichuan restaurants, elusive hoagie trucks, and challenging cassoulet recipes occupy your thoughts. In this one-day class, veteran food writer Carol Penn-Romine will help you navigate the complex world of food writing. Through a series of mouthwatering in-class exercises, you'll draft a review, a slice of your food memoir, or an addictive apple pie recipe. You’ll build a food vocabulary and learn how to spice up your writing for specific publications. By the end of this class, your writing pantry will be stocked with everything you need to make your culinary mark and you won’t have gained a pound!
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Instructor: Carol Penn-Romine Sat., Mar. 3, 2012 Cost: $45 (Includes snacks and tea) |
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About Carol Penn-Romine:
Carol Penn-Romine is a food writer, Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef and culinary tour guide, offering food tours of Ireland through her company, Hungry Passport Culinary Adventures. Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, Leite’s Culinaria, Gastronomica, Cornbread Nation IV: The Best of Southern Food Writing, and Farmhouse Magazine. She is a past editor of Edible Los Angeles and a contributor to Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods. She blogs about food and travel at www.hungrypassport.com, and in 2009-2010, she blogged her way around the planet in “52 Cuisines in 52 Weeks."
BOOM! AND THE WORLD CHANGED: PAGE ONE OF YOUR NEW NOVEL
Have you always dreamed of writing the Great American novel but you don't know where to start? Or do you want to get your latest book project on the road so you can finish it by year’s end? In this class, successful novelist, Ernessa T. Carter, will share helpful tips for opening your novel with a bang. She'll show you how to create an irresistible main character and a story that sizzles from page one. By the end of class, you’ll have written or re-written a first page that agents, editors, and readers will definitely want to turn. You'll also have a good idea of how you are going to get that book done. Don't dream about writing a novel, kick-start it with this class!
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Instructor: Ernessa T. Carter Sunday, Mar. 4, 2012 |
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About Ernessa T. Carter:
Ernessa T. Carter’s novel, "32 Candles," was published by Harper Collins in summer 2010 and was an Essence Book Club Pick. Her second book, “The Awesome Girl’s Guide To Dating Extraordinary Men,” will be released in Summer 2012. Ernessa has worked as a music journalist in Pittsburgh and a radio writer for American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest in Hollywood. She runs the blog, Fierce and Nerdy. She’s a retired L.A. Derby Doll, a graduate of Smith College and Carnegie Mellon University’s MFA program.
So You Want To Be A Writer?
You’ve always dreamed of finding the time to write on a regular basis or to finish a few poems, a scene from a screenplay, or a short story. You can do it, and this class will help you! Brand new writing exercises and our balanced work shopping sessions will motivate you to keep your writing practice going. You’ll be too busy having fun writing to let your inner critic slow you down! We’ll also address individual writing practice/project issues, and help you tackle revision without pain. Experienced and beginning writers welcome.
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Instructor: Marilyn Friedman Wed. P.M. Section Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, 2012 (4 Wed. p.m.'s & 1 elective)* 7:30 p.m. -10:00 p.m. Cost: $235 (Includes snacks and tea)
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Mar. 17, 24, April 14, 21, 2012 (4 Sat. a.m.'s & 1 elective)* 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Cost: $235 (Includes snacks and tea)
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About Marilyn Friedman:
Marilyn Friedman has taught writing in the Bay Area and in Los Angeles for the past seven years, including classes at Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, The Writing Salon, and the Southern California Writers Conference. She is the founder and lead instructor at Writing Pad. Her poetry has been published in numerous journals including Pearl, Squaw Valley Review, California Quarterly, Karamu, and The Great American Poetry Show. She has written articles on love and dating for Match.com and is currently working on a memoir about her experiences as a swing dancer. Marilyn has a BA in English and Writing from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and a Master’s Degree from Boston University.
* Elective is a one day class of the student's choice, remaining 4 classes are with Marilyn Friedman.
FINISHING SCHOOL
Enroll your unruly writing project in Finishing School! We’ll take the poetry, short story, novel or screenplay project that you’ve dreamed about writing and help you build a realistic but fun plan to get it done. In-class and homework assignments will help you access your imagination in new ways, inspire you to generate new pages every week, refine and elevate the craft of your work, and nudge that project to the finish line. Before you know it, your stacks of ideas will flow into a manageable, page-turner that will sing like the Von Trapps at Christmastime!
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Instructor: Marilyn Friedman Wed. P.M. Section Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, 2012 (4 Wed. p.m.'s & 1 elective)* Cost: $235 (Includes snacks and tea)
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Sat. A.M. Section Mar. 17, 24, April 14, 21, 2012 (4 Sat a.m.'s & 1 elective)* Cost: $235 (Includes snacks and tea)
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About Marilyn Friedman:
Marilyn Friedman has taught writing in the Bay Area and in Los Angeles for the past seven years, including classes at Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, The Writing Salon, and the Southern California Writers Conference. She is the founder and lead instructor at Writing Pad. Her poetry has been published in numerous journals including Pearl, Squaw Valley Review, California Quarterly, Karamu, and The Great American Poetry Show. She has written articles on love and dating for Match.com and is currently working on a memoir about her experiences as a swing dancer. Marilyn has a BA in English and Writing from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and a Master’s Degree from Boston University.
* Elective is a one day class of the student's choice, remaining 4 classes are with Marilyn Friedman.
FROM BEDTIME STORIES TO TALES OF TEENAGE WOE: WRITING FOR KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS PT I
Is it your dream to write the next Harry Potter series or “Where The Wild Things Are” but you’re not sure where to start? Or are you already working on a tale for kids, but you want to learn how to make it a bestseller? In this class, published children's author, Derek Taylor Kent, will show how to structure a children's or young adult book, how to write appealing characters for your target age group, and navigate the complexities of the publishing world. With the aid of fun, hands-on exercises and balanced workshopping sessions, you will have completed a draft or several chapters of a stellar children’s or YA book by the last session of this class.
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Instructor: Derek Taylor Kent Mar. 18, 25, Apr. 1, 15, 29, 2012 (5 Sun. a.m.'s) |
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About Derek Taylor Kent:
Derek has a three book deal with Harper Collins for a series of comedic children’s novels entitled "Scary School." The first novel was released June 2011 and the other two will be released in 2012 and 2013. His other children’s book series, Rudy and The Beast, was recently optioned by renowned producer Colin Callendar. Derek also wrote the feature comedy script Cupids which is currently under option at Liberty Films. He wrote a musical-comedy called "King Kalimari: The Musical," which had a sold-out run in 2007 and garnered rave reviews and the short musical film "Rock Obama: The Barack Obama Musical" which was a hit at film festivals and is featured in a documentary about the Barack Obama campaign. Derek also recently wrapped shooting a comedic web pilot for Comedy Central premiering in February 2010. Derek has taught writing and drama throughout Los Angeles. He holds a BA in Writing and Theater from UCLA School and is a graduate of the writing program at Second City.
FROM BEDTIME STORIES TO TALES OF TEENAGE WOE: WRITING FOR KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS ADVANCED
You’re in the middle of your answer to "Hunger Games" or "Go The F**k to Sleep." Now you’re not sure how to end your YA or children's book, and you've run out of ideas. No problem! Successful YA novelist, Derek Taylor Kent, is here! He’ll guide you to a compelling third act and share his secret recipe for a titillating ending. Every week, you’ll workshop new chapters, do fun, in-class writing exercises, and complete targeted homework assignments that’ll help you strengthen your character arcs and push that book to the finish line. By the end of this class, you will have completed a draft of your YA novel or picture book!
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Instructor: Derek Taylor Kent Mar. 18, 25, Apr. 1, 15, 29, 2012 (5 Sun. a.m.'s) |
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About Derek Taylor Kent:
Derek has a three book deal with Harper Collins for a series of comedic children’s novels entitled "Scary School." The first novel was released June 2011 and the other two will be released in 2012 and 2013. His other children’s book series, Rudy and The Beast, was recently optioned by renowned producer Colin Callendar. Derek also wrote the feature comedy script Cupids which is currently under option at Liberty Films. He wrote a musical-comedy called "King Kalimari: The Musical," which had a sold-out run in 2007 and garnered rave reviews and the short musical film "Rock Obama: The Barack Obama Musical" which was a hit at film festivals and is featured in a documentary about the Barack Obama campaign. Derek also recently wrapped shooting a comedic web pilot for Comedy Central premiering in February 2010. Derek has taught writing and drama throughout Los Angeles. He holds a BA in Writing and Theater from UCLA School and is a graduate of the writing program at Second City.
THE FOUND STORY: FINDING YOUR STORY IN THE STREET
What if you could harness the detritus of your daily life to write a Pulitzer prize winner? In this one day class, veteran novelist and published short story writer Melissa Clark will show you how to use the materials all around you such as newspaper clippings, old photos, and graffiti to inject your writing with new surprises that you could never have dreamed up on our own. You'll play literary games that will open your creativity to new possibilities. By the end of this class, you'll be armed with a writer’s block busting toolkit as well as the beginnings of an new tale so imaginative it would have made Charles Bukowski jealous!
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Instructor: Melissa Clark Sunday, Mar. 18, 2012 |
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About Melissa Clark:
Melissa Clark is the author of “Swimming Upstream, Slowly” (Random House/Broadway Books), which was named a Target Breakout Book. Her short stories have been published in literary journals such as the Santa
Clara review and New Orleans Review. She also created and executive produced the animated television show, “Braceface,” starring the voice of Alicia Silverstone, which ran for five seasons on ABC Family Channel. Melissa has contributed scripts to “Rolie Polie Olie,” “Totally Spies” and “Sweet Valley High”, and has developed television projects for Disney Studios, Scholastic Productions and Cartoon Network. Melissa has taught creative writing and literature at Otis College of Art and Design and at the Esalen Institute for five years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emerson College and a Masters Degree from UC Davis in English and Writing.
FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE: FINISH THAT ONE-PERSON SHOW
Do you have pieces of or a draft of a solo-show but can’t figure out how to pull it together and make it performance ready? In this four-week class, actor, performer, director, and teacher, Julie Brister will help you channel your inner Julia Sweeney or Eric Bogosian. She’ll show you how to polish your show and get it on the stage! Her fun revision exercises and helpful one-on-one consultations will help you figure out what your show is really about, who the characters are, and why your audience should care about them. Julie’s balanced workshopping sessions will give you useful feedback without popping your ego and inspire you to get that show done. She’ll even share her secrets for getting your show produced. By the end of this class, you’ll have a completed a stellar solo-show and you will have the chance to perform a section of it at Writing Pad! It really won’t be long until an audience is laughing, crying and shouting, “Bravo!” just for you!
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Instructor: Julie Brister Mar. 29, Apr. 5, 12, 19, Apr. 26 (4 Thurs. p.m.'s & 1 one-on-one consultation, 1 performance) 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $250 (Includes snacks and tea) |
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About Julie Brister:
Julie Brister is a performer, director and a long time teacher at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre both in NYC and LA. As an actor, she has appeared on Rules of Engagement, Children’s Hospital, The Tonight Show, Reno 911, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Little Britain USA, Spike TV, MTV, FUSE, and she can be seen regularly as Lauralee Hickock on the Onion News Network show In the Know with Clifford Banes. Julie enjoyed a long run of her solo-show Fatparts at UCB and performed it as part of SF Sketchfest 2010, one of the country’s top comedy festivals. She’s directed numerous solo shows in both NYC and LA including Crush, Past Her Prime, and Collections. She has a BFA in Theatre from Southwestern University.
YOU in 1200 Words: WRITING AND PUBLISHING THE PERSONAL ESSAY
Have you always wanted to write a personal essay but you don’t know where to start? Or have you dreamed of seeing one of your essays published in the New York Times or Salon? Then this is the class for you. Using fun in-class exercises, we'll help you transform your bad blind dates and visits from unruly parents into insightful, compelling revelations. Published journalist, Taffy Brodesser-Akner will show you how to make your essay relatable, targeted for the right publication, and tantalizing to readers. You’ll learn about the essential elements of the personal essay: the hook, angle, tone, and epiphany, the structure of personal essays, and the different types of personal essays. We’ll workshop one of your essays until it’s perfect. You'll even get a one-on-one consultation with the instructor. By the end of class, you'll have a kick-ass essay that is ready to be submitted for publication and a plan of where to submit it. Your goal will be to sell your essay within a couple of weeks after the class ends! You can see six essays by Taffy's students here (Beauty Bean, Dad's Divorce, Salon #1, Salon #2, Spirit Magazine, Xojane)--with Taffy's help, they got published and paid for their work!
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Instructor: Taffy Brodesser-Akner Mar. 20, 27, Apr. 3, 24, May 8, 2012 (4 Tues. p.m.'s & 1 one-on-one consultation) 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Cost: $325 (Includes snacks and tea) |
About Taffy Brodesser-Akner:
Taffy Brodesser-Akner is a writer whose personal essays and reported personal essays have been published in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Self, Salon, The Daily Beast, American Baby, Babble, Tablet, amongst other publications. Prior to becoming a full-time journalist, she began and ran Media Bistro's education program from its beginning until 2006. She holds a Bachelor's degree of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing from NYU (Tisch School of the Arts) where she concentrated in screenwriting.
