Stage 32 8 Part Screenwriting Lab: Outline Your Romantic Comedy Feature Film in 8 Weeks

Private Interactive 8-Part Virtual Lab!

Work one-on-one with Reese Witherspoon's former Sr. Director of Development at HELLO SUNSHINE

Payment plans available at checkout through Shop Pay

Limited Class Size -Only 10 Spots Available - 3 Spots Remain!

Romantic comedies are experiencing a resurgence in Hollywood, reclaiming their place as a commercially viable and beloved genre. This resurgence highlights the timeless appeal of love stories with a comedic twist and underscores the importance of mastering the art of writing them. Crafting a successful romantic comedy requires more than just a good premise; it demands a deep understanding of character development, story arcs, and the unique nuances of the genre.

Many aspiring screenwriters face pitfalls when tackling romantic comedies. These can include relying too heavily on clichés, failing to develop memorable characters, or overlooking the importance of a strong, coherent story arc. Additionally, without a clear understanding of what producers and studio executives are looking for, scripts can easily fall flat. This course addresses these common missteps by providing insights into the genre’s possibilities and pitfalls, teaching you how to make your romantic comedy stand out organically, and preparing you for the industry’s expectations.

This lab is led by Matthew Chen, an experienced Development Executive/Producer who most recently served as Senior Director of Development for Film & Television at Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, where he worked on numerous television and film projects, ranging from pitch to release and every stage of development/production/post in between. As an executive and producer for Hello Sunshine, Matthew worked on the Octavia Spencer-starring series TRUTH BE TOLD for Apple and Fifth Season/Chernin Entertainment, as well as the upcoming second season of the Gugu Mbatha-Raw starring series SURFACE for Apple.

Throughout this eight-week virtual online lab, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the romantic comedy genre and the essential elements that make a screenplay stand out. You will learn what executives look for in a good story and romantic comedy as well as delve into themes, character creation, and conflict. You will leave this lab with a strong understanding of story and character arcs, and how rom-coms fit into the three-act structure. By the end of this lab, you will have a well-structured outline that sets you up for success in writing your romantic comedy screenplay.

In addition to private Zoom classes in a small writers' room setting you will also have one on one Zooms with Matthew and direct access to him on email to help you with your outline! 

"I have had the pleasure of working with the great team at Stage 32's Script Services Department and I am very excited to now bring my knowledge and experience to their education platform."

-Matthew Chen, your Stage 32 Educator