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Write Now!

With the goal of improving literacy, different feature film, television, and creative writers work with students - individually or in groups - on the basics of storytelling by using the students' favorite movies and television shows as examples. Create Now! has an extensive library of screenplays and books which are shared with interested students and used as teaching tools.

Youth are taught to express themselves in positive ways through screenwriting, poetry, short stories, plays, song lyrics, and news articles. Students are also invited to attend poetry readings and to share public presentations of their work. Each year, Create Now!’s feature performance of "LA Street Scenes" showcases the work of some of the youth in our Write Now! program.

Featured Program: "That 70's Show!"

Veteran sit-com writer Lisa Rosenthal asked the teens in her workshop at Mid-Valley Youth Center to name their favorite TV show. They unanimously agreed it was "That 70's Show." So Lisa taught them the basics about sit-com writing and the kids did the rest. They wrote a very professional and funny spec script with just a little bit of guidance from Lisa. The kids decided to enlist additional help from aspiring actors at this residential institution for troubled youths. Others pitched in to create props, sets and costumes. After intensive rehearsals, they were ready to present their show to all the other residents at the facility.

Create Now! staff contacted the producers of the show. Mark Brazill, co-creator of "That 70's Show," was very flattered that these troubled teenagers took time and energy to write and perform this spec script. He attended their performance, along with co-writers/producers Joshua Sternin, Jeffrey Ventimilia and Linda Wallem. The kids were thrilled, especially when one of their favorite stars, Wilmer Valderrama ("Fez"), also came to meet them.

The performance was a huge success. The producers of the show brought all the kids lots of gifts, including CDs, posters, T-shirts and key chains. They were so impressed with the quality of the teens' work and their enthusiasm that they offered to take time out of their busy schedules to return again to Mid-Valley Youth Center, to answer some of the many questions the kids had. This time they donated an iMac computer to their drama class.

On two different occasions, the boys and girls were invited to visit the show and see how it's taped. They were given special recognition by the producers and stars. Lizeth, one of the girls who acted in the play is now pursuing a professional acting career. Another boy, who was exceptionally shy and withdrawn before the class began, has now "come out of his shell" and is extroverted. This is an experience they'll never forget.

More Write Now! featured Programs:

Journalism Workshop Impacts Teen Girls in Prison

Early Literacy Class for Preschoolers