Take your screenwriting career to the next level

The next cohort starts in 2024

Hey! Charla here. I’ve written for The Last OG, People of Earth, Hoops, and other comedies and I can say with confidence that the vast majority of TV writing and industry courses don’t prepare students to be working writers. When you join the Werking Writer Masterclass, you’ll learn what it takes to be successful inside and outside of the writer's room. Get the training, knowledge, guidance, and community you need to mindfully build a system for your career so you can stop feeling lost and start WERKING.
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Charla Lauriston

Course curriculum

    1. Introduction

    2. Course Overview

    1. The Writer's Room

    2. How to Pitch In the Room

    3. How to be Original

    4. Work for this Week

    1. Breaking Story

    2. Module 4 Overview

    3. Professional Boundaries in the Room

    4. The Staffing Interview

    5. What Making it to the Room Means

    6. How to Pitch Part 2

    7. Work for this Week

    1. A Bird's Eye View of the Hollywood Machine

    2. Networking Overview

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. How to Network

    4. Networking Across + Finding Collaborators

    5. Managers + Agents

    6. Working with Reps

    7. Work for this Week

    1. The Pitch Doc

    1. THE STAFFING INTERVIEW

Get in the driver’s seat of your screenwriting career

The Werking Writer School will teach you how to confidently navigate Hollywood, and how to be the creative entrepreneur that professional screenwriting requires.

  • Go from industry novice to Hollywood boss

  • Turn procrastination into progress

  • Build a supportive professional network

Here's What Writers Had to Say About The Werking Writer School

“The Werking Writer Course helped me with nearly all aspects of my writing. After taking it I’m procrastinating less, networking more, and have a clearer sense of direction on how to advance professionally. Most of all I’m enjoying writing more than ever. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about screenwriting.”

Levi M.

“Becoming aware that there are so many skills outside of just the craft of writing and comedy that are crucial to your success is so important. Every creative needs to understand that writing and creating is just one component of being in the industry and this class definitely helps to fill that gap. If you feel stuck or as if you don’t know what move to make next – I would definitely recommend this class. Even if you feel you are progressing well in your career, Charla uses her lived experience to help you avoid common mistakes. ”

Jordana J.

“I left my job as a development executive at the top of 2020 to be a writer and spent the next two years writing. Going into The Werking Writer course I was burning out and looking for accountability as I was losing sight of my career. Charla and this program helped me get out of my own way and not only get unstuck, but help me gain a renewed focus. Each week offered tons of practical information that can be employed immediately — and you will be required to. This program also made me feel less alone. Gathering regularly with a trusted community of creatives that know your struggle was therapeutic and rejuvenating. The information and relationships I have gained in this program are lifelong.”

Selam A.

“This program gave me specific insight into the film/TV industry that I’ve rarely if ever heard anyone talk about in a class before (for example how a writers’ room actually works), as well as mindfulness and management practices for me to reach my full potential. Applying tools from Werking Writer has given me more control, and therefore less stress working in such a challenging industry. It’s been an incredibly valuable experience.”

Nicole A.

“As someone who’s gone into credit card debt taking comedy classes (sorry, credit score in my early 20s) and attended numerous industry workshops and panels over the last decade, I’ve never had a program provide such clear, proven, and actionable advice for those looking to make the leap from balancing day jobs and side hustles to pursuing screenwriting and filmmaking full-time as this one. Charla’s insights throughout these modules are useful for writers and creators at various stages in their career. I definitely feel like I’m armed with a lot more knowledge about breaking into an industry that hasn’t been covered elsewhere.”

Meghan R.

“The Werking Writer Course helped me with nearly all aspects of my writing. After taking it I’m procrastinating less, networking more, and have a clearer sense of direction on how to advance professionally. Most of all I’m enjoying writing more than ever. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about screenwriting.”

Levi M.

“Becoming aware that there are so many skills outside of just the craft of writing and comedy that are crucial to your success is so important. Every creative needs to understand that writing and creating is just one component of being in the industry and this class definitely helps to fill that gap. If you feel stuck or as if you don’t know what move to make next – I would definitely recommend this class. Even if you feel you are progressing well in your career, Charla uses her lived experience to help you avoid common mistakes. ”

Jordana J.

“I left my job as a development executive at the top of 2020 to be a writer and spent the next two years writing. Going into The Werking Writer course I was burning out and looking for accountability as I was losing sight of my career. Charla and this program helped me get out of my own way and not only get unstuck, but help me gain a renewed focus. Each week offered tons of practical information that can be employed immediately — and you will be required to. This program also made me feel less alone. Gathering regularly with a trusted community of creatives that know your struggle was therapeutic and rejuvenating. The information and relationships I have gained in this program are lifelong.”

Selam A.

“This program gave me specific insight into the film/TV industry that I’ve rarely if ever heard anyone talk about in a class before (for example how a writers’ room actually works), as well as mindfulness and management practices for me to reach my full potential. Applying tools from Werking Writer has given me more control, and therefore less stress working in such a challenging industry. It’s been an incredibly valuable experience.”

Nicole A.

“As someone who’s gone into credit card debt taking comedy classes (sorry, credit score in my early 20s) and attended numerous industry workshops and panels over the last decade, I’ve never had a program provide such clear, proven, and actionable advice for those looking to make the leap from balancing day jobs and side hustles to pursuing screenwriting and filmmaking full-time as this one. Charla’s insights throughout these modules are useful for writers and creators at various stages in their career. I definitely feel like I’m armed with a lot more knowledge about breaking into an industry that hasn’t been covered elsewhere.”

Meghan R.

“The Werking Writer Course helped me with nearly all aspects of my writing. After taking it I’m procrastinating less, networking more, and have a clearer sense of direction on how to advance professionally. Most of all I’m enjoying writing more than ever. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about screenwriting.”

Levi M.

FAQ

  • Who is this course for?

    This course is for writers who are actively trying to break into Hollywood and have at least one completed half-hour comedy or drama pilot script.

  • I’m not just a screenwriter. I’m also an Actor/Director/Panda. Is this course for me?

    Yes! This course is built for multi-hyphenates who have a strong desire to be in a television writer’s room.

  • Do I need to be a working screenwriter to join this course?

    No. This course is for new and aspiring screenwriters who are actively working towards breaking into Hollywood or have just broken in within the last 1-2 years.

  • What makes this program different?

    There are tons of screenwriting courses out there but none of them teach you how to navigate the industry. There are also lots of coaches and consultants in Hollywood but most of them are executives who have never actually stepped foot in a writer’s room. You’ll be learning from writers who’ve been exactly where you are and who can give you the actionable guidance you need to get you moving in the right direction.

More Testimonials

“This program was exactly what I needed to push me in the right direction when I felt stuck in the neutral phase of my career. Being a creator as well as a mom, I appreciated the tools and assignments that led me to dig deep and discover new and mindful ways to tackle my busy life. Charla’s warm persona was also so supportive and helpful. She brought in mentors who were candid and honest which were awesome. I appreciated and learned a lot from the writer’s room module and pitch breakdown which weren’t sugar-coated or overly optimistic but very real and insightful.”

Debi B.

“Werking Writer made me realize that despite getting an MFA for fiction a decade ago (and working as a freelance creative for hire since then), I had never really understood how to take my personal creative work to a professional level. One of the biggest things I’m taking away from this is a strategy and plan for *finishing* projects and setting realistic goals, plus the writer’s room is demystified by talking with people with typical careers, and by the info, Charla provides each week. This is such a generous offering for people who want to break in, and it’s real talk. I got something out of every part of it.”

Nicole K.

“As a writer, I know my what and why - the "how" of it all is what I have been seeking. The Werking Writer course answered that question for me in a big way. After taking this course, I have a clear framework for the mindset, productivity, networking, and financial management skills needed for longevity in this industry. If you are looking for forward momentum in your career, you need to take this course!”

Nicole B.

“The Werking Writer program was EXTREMELY helpful to me. The way Charla provides a framework to change your mindset, own your value, and create concrete goals that are in your control is profoundly impactful. The mentor sessions with working writers at all levels gave me a glimpse into the inner workings of the industry that I feel has prepared me for my career and made it all seem so much more possible.”

Erica W.

“This program was exactly what I needed to push me in the right direction when I felt stuck in the neutral phase of my career. Being a creator as well as a mom, I appreciated the tools and assignments that led me to dig deep and discover new and mindful ways to tackle my busy life. Charla’s warm persona was also so supportive and helpful. She brought in mentors who were candid and honest which were awesome. I appreciated and learned a lot from the writer’s room module and pitch breakdown which weren’t sugar-coated or overly optimistic but very real and insightful.”

Debi B.

“Werking Writer made me realize that despite getting an MFA for fiction a decade ago (and working as a freelance creative for hire since then), I had never really understood how to take my personal creative work to a professional level. One of the biggest things I’m taking away from this is a strategy and plan for *finishing* projects and setting realistic goals, plus the writer’s room is demystified by talking with people with typical careers, and by the info, Charla provides each week. This is such a generous offering for people who want to break in, and it’s real talk. I got something out of every part of it.”

Nicole K.

“As a writer, I know my what and why - the "how" of it all is what I have been seeking. The Werking Writer course answered that question for me in a big way. After taking this course, I have a clear framework for the mindset, productivity, networking, and financial management skills needed for longevity in this industry. If you are looking for forward momentum in your career, you need to take this course!”

Nicole B.

“The Werking Writer program was EXTREMELY helpful to me. The way Charla provides a framework to change your mindset, own your value, and create concrete goals that are in your control is profoundly impactful. The mentor sessions with working writers at all levels gave me a glimpse into the inner workings of the industry that I feel has prepared me for my career and made it all seem so much more possible.”

Erica W.

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