Class Description
Do you daydream of other worlds and wish to lose yourself in a fantasy? Magical Realism has built the most beautiful movies, such as US by Jordan Peele or features of the Marvel Universe, taking the imaginative ideas from the writer's mind, translating them to on-screen, and ultimately touching thousands of people forever. In this seminar, we will break down magical realism to better understand how to keep our escapist fantasies grounded without losing their captivating power over audiences. We will read through the scripts and talk about Jordan Peele's movie US, Charlie Kaufman's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and David Magee's Life of Pi. During this close reading, we will identify and discuss essential elements of magical realism and how to translate the elements on screen. Writing prompts will help students, and we will generate physical tools to connect the dreams and daydreams we have to physical, tangible writing teetering between the world between our physical reality and make-believe.
We welcome a collaborative space where ideas flow out of us, cascading around our own experiences and views of the world. Screenwriters and short story writers are encouraged to attend.
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.
Covid-19 Update:
GrubStreet's space will be mask-optional when Boston's Covid-19 Community Level is low or medium. When the Covid-19 Community Level is high, our space will require masks. Please check GrubStreet's Covid-19 page for the latest info on masking and Community Levels before visiting in person.
Space Accessibility:
Our space is ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA-compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.