Arts & Entertainment, Writing

Group Workshop: From Here to Alli by Corey Wright

Aaron Sorkin

Lesson time 18:21 min

After workshopping Corey's script and learning about his background, Aaron discusses the importance of having confidence as a writer, and shares his own origin story, starting with his days as a struggling New York actor.

Students give MasterClass an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars

Topics include: Table read • Script feedback

Preview

Corey? Yes. You're up. Already? "From Here to Alli," is that how it's pronounced? Ah-ee. Ah-ee? Yes. So that's not at all how it's pronounced. At all. So I couldn't have missed any more than I did. "From Here to Alli." Let's read the first couple of pages of it. And then I have some questions I want to ask. I think it's fantastic. I think it's terrific. As you know, I was hoping that you'd tank, but just out of spite, you know? I hear you. But let's read the first couple pages. Go ahead, it's all yours. "Interior nail salon, day. Maddie Lynn Hollingsworth, a middle-aged Caucasian woman who hasn't worked a day in her married life is sitting in a chair in a spa. She's wearing yoga pants with a matching top and sporting a ring that could fund a small business. Chance, a male nail worker is firmly filling away at her toes. Maddie Lynn is on the phone sipping a kale juice. No, Olivia, I'm telling you. It's the absolute best. It was the most gentle colonic I've ever had. It was like he wasn't even there. It was like I wasn't even there. Wait, hold on. She taps Chance on the shoulder. Hola. Um, you're digging into my pinkie toe-y, mucho hurt. Mucho, OK? I'm Asian, and I speak English. Sound good. You just keep it up. Keep at it down there. Big tip-o. Big tip. Yeah. Chance rolls his eyes. Olivia, sweetie? What are you doing over there? Well, it sounds like you're trying to push a car out of your vagina. A what? Honey, a master cleanse on Monday is never something to explore, especially with the way you drink. You're all done. Thank you. Muy [? zapatos. ?] Olivia, honey, I got to go. She slurps down the rest of the kale juice and hobbles out of her chair. She goes up to pay. Over her shoulder on the television screen-- --could be the biggest embezzlement and Ponzi scheme to hit America in the last 100 years. All employees are being indicted and will be brought in for questioning. Meanwhile, Cromwell says it's not his fault. So who's right? More details coming up. But first, Janice with the weather. Such a shame. Thanks, Tom. Well, today's going to be another hot one here in Los Angeles with temperatures ranging in the high 90s. So if you're thinking about hitting the pool-- Meanwhile-- Your card no working. Your machine no working. Swipe it again, please. She does. The machine beeps and seals her fate. Nope. The salon cashier, Hannah, an older Asian lady in a muumuu, holds out her card. Maddie Lynn snatches it back and starts to dig in her purse. This is obviously a mistake. And I can't believe that as a loyal customer who pretty much keeps you in business, you can't figure this out. I'm sorry. Well, me too. Here, try this one. She hands her another card. It works....

About the Instructor

Aaron Sorkin wrote his first movie on cocktail napkins. Those napkins turned into A Few Good Men, starring Jack Nicholson. Now, the Academy Award-winning writer of The West Wing and The Social Network is teaching screenwriting. In this class, you’ll learn his rules of storytelling, dialogue, character development, and what makes a script actually sell. By the end, you’ll write screenplays that capture your audience’s attention.

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Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin teaches you the craft of film and television screenwriting.

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