Our Stories is a screenwriting workshop program focusing on bringing the arts to underserved, low-income communities. Specifically, we aim to teach the craft of screenwriting to minority and underprivileged students who otherwise would not have access to this skill development and creative outlet. This program addresses multiple critical issues facing youth today including a lack of arts education, social isolation due to COVID-19, and difficulty in developing soft skills.

 

Beyond learning screenwriting, Our Stories workshops aim to address challenges many students face regarding social interaction and communication. Due to extended periods of isolation and lack of in-person interaction, students today often struggle with skills such as teamwork, empathy, and communication. Screenwriting workshops provide an opportunity to collaboratively work through the creative process with peers and mentors. Developing stories together helps students improve skills that have been impacted these past years and build meaningful connections.

 

Why Us?

 

Our Stories Screenwriting Workshops was born out of passion and purpose. As a minority female founder, MonaLesa understands firsthand the obstacles that prevent underserved groups from reaching their creative potential. MonaLesa started this business to give a voice to stories and groups that are often silenced or marginalized.

 

Our Stories workshops are tailored specifically to empower minority students with the skills and confidence to share their stories through the art of screenwriting. We offer smaller class sizes, personalized support, and culturally-sensitive curriculum and instruction. Students will learn from (and be mentored by) successful minority filmmakers and content creators.

 

Our Stories Screenwriting Workshops serves as a platform to amplify unheard voices and create opportunities for underrepresented content creators. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds can learn, create, and thrive. Our goal is to inspire and equip a new generation of storytellers to share their truth with the world.

 

Introductory Workshops (1-4)

 

Workshop 1

 

Objective: At the completion of Workshop 1 students will have a basic understanding of constructing a screenplay.

 

Workshop 2

 

Objective: At the completion of Workshop 2 students will possess the fundamental skills to develop an original screenplay

 

Workshop 3

 

Objective: At the completion of Workshop 3 students will have a completed Web Series Pilot episode script critiqued to begin production

 

Workshop 4

 

Objective: At the completion of Workshop 4 all students will have one produced pilot to kickstart Season 1 of their YouTube Web Series along with the foundation to produce and publish a complete season of the Web Series on YouTube