Quick! Name 5 Black queer women TV characters.

Exactly.It shouldn’t be that hard.

Do you want to write a TV pilot with a Black queer woman lead? Are you already working on a script & need to revamp your character/s? Are you simply interested in learning more about the legacy of Black queer women on TV?

Femmes, Studs, & None of the Above: Crafting Nuanced Black Queer TV Characters is an invitation to dive into character studies of unsung icons like Tasha Williams from THE L WORD, Tess Pearson from THIS IS US, Nova Bordelon from QUEEN SUGAR, and others. You'll complete fun character exercises and craft original characters that defy tropes and drip with nuance.

All class meetings will be held via Zoom. The link to join your Zoom classroom will be provided on the morning of your class. Please check spam folders if you do not receive an email confirmation upon registration. For more information on how to download or use Zoom, please click here.

 Meet Your Instructor:
NOVA CYPRESS BLACK

NOVA CYPRESS BLACK (dey/dem/deirs/NOVA) is a collage of Midwest tranquility, Southern hospitality, & East Coast grit. Dey write deir name in all caps as a reminder to take up space as a Black trans gender-expansive lighthouse. NOVA was a Staff Writer on season 3 of Showtime’s The L Word: Generation Q & co-wrote episode 304. Dey are a proud alum of the 2021 Outfest Screenwriting Lab & the 2021 Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab. Deir 1 hour sci-fi pilot BLACKSEED made the 2022 GLAAD List. Currently represented by Circle of Confusion & United Talent Agency & affiliated with Damn Write Originals, NOVA has several projects in development while working on their directorial debut, an experimental documentary about non-binary folks of the African diaspora. Dey are currently an artist-in-residence at Sequoia Ascension in Atlanta, GA.

Course Takeaways

• Learn embodiment tools to add to your writing practice
• Critically analyze Black queer women TV characters
• Read & dissect produced TV pilots & video clips
• Build community with writers with similar creative prioritizes
• Create & present a nuanced character profile for at least one original TV character

Course Expectations

• Pre-work: Read & watch the assigned TV pilot script, come prepared to discuss
• Homework throughout: Read & watch assigned TV pilots, come prepared to discuss + continue to complete Character Profile Worksheet
• Final Presentation: Create a visual aid for final presentation

Course Skeleton

• Week One: Character Profile Basics
• Week Two: Character Relationships Part 1: Framily
• Week Three: Character Relationships Part 2: Boo Baes
• Week Four: Presentations

We offer full refunds for cancellation with written notice up until 7 days before your class start date. From 6 days to more than 24 hours before class begins, we offer a 50% refund. If you drop a class less than 24 hours before the class begins or after it has started, you are ineligible for a refund.