One of the things I’ve realized since starting my MA Screenwriting Program at Edinburgh Napier University is: it’s good to be nervous. Dare I say, it’s even necessary.

The show tackles present-day issues in a way that’s heartwarming and surprisingly wise, set against the backdrop of adolescence: a time that’s all about growing up, finding out who you are, and figuring out who you want to be in the world.

The holidays are here and with all the festivities, of course, comes some of the biggest releases of the year! A lot of Oscar buzz has begun with the new releases and with all of these wonderful pieces coming out, it can be hard to decide which one fits your current movie-viewing vibe.

This weekend, many of you will have a few extra days to cozy up on the couch and catch up on some home entertainment. No matter what your traditions are, this is a time of year where we reflect on the special people in our lives, whether it be our family or close friends. With that spirit in mind, here are some recommendations for movies and shows centered around family and friendship.

I’m Lauren, and I recently moved to Edinburgh, Scotland from Tampa, Florida to get my Master’s degree in Screenwriting at Edinburgh Napier University. It feels surreal even typing that.

As you seek career advice to further develop your skill set, let’s uncover how to cultivate a meaningful, reciprocal relationship with your mentor.

Vinnette Carroll, actor, director and playwright, was the first black woman to direct a production on Broadway. She paved the way for black women in the theatre, expressing herself through gospel music on stage.

If you’re a woman and you exist, I’m sure you’ve heard people refer to The Notebook, or Sleepless in Seattle, Bridesmaids, the new Ghostbuster’s or any movie either featuring a predominately female cast or a stereotypically feminine plot as a “Chick Flick.” But where does the term “Chick Flick” even come from? I think it’s important that we learn where the term comes from and unpack whether or not we should kill it with fire or try to reclaim it. 

It’s no secret that Broadway is pretty behind on creative team diversity. With the pact made by Black Theatre United that was signed by many industry professionals, we can hope for change in the near future. For now, here are some upcoming productions to look out for that have gender-diverse creative teams that we’d like to point out:

I binged this series over the course of two or three days and watched the entire second season in one sitting. Coming from a person who usually doesn’t watch more than one episode of a show at a time, this is highly unusual.

Movie musicals have struggled to find their film industry footing since the golden age of Hollywood. Ever since Hello, Dolly (1969), movie musicals haven’t quite hit the “right note”. I would argue that the main, overarching issue has been: casting.

In the next installment of Screenplays Through the Decades, we take a look at the 1960s with The Apartment and The Graduate. They’re both some of the most iconic movies— so let’s break down the screenplays.

The second season of Never Have I Ever dropped July 15 on Netflix and I may or may not have stayed up until 3 AM binging it… Unsurprisingly, I laughed, I cried, and I loved it just as much as the first season.

In the early days of 20th-century theatre and ballet, there were no “lighting designers.” Instead, lighting was considered part of set design and usually was handled by an electrician. This changed when Jean Rosenthal began her career. She pioneered the field of lighting design and paved the way for many women who have gone into technical theatre.

Black Widow is a film not centered on Natasha. In fact, I would argue she isn’t even framed as the protagonist. This is a film about family and coping with past trauma to varying degrees.

There are SO many funny women thriving in their careers and they deserve recognition. So let’s start with these 3 hilarious women that you should know about.

Sometimes in order to know where your screenplay is headed, you have to know where film has been. So, we’re going to take a look at each decade’s most prominent and iconic screenplays and break them down for you. We start in the 1950s with Sunset Boulevard and Singin’ in the Rain.

Born in London on January 11, 1899, Eva Le Gallienne would become a major Broadway star before she was even 21.