Writing Pad has sparked such joy in my life, and I'm so glad that I found it via a random google search. I'd been looking for a writing class, and was inclined to do a continuing ed class at a university. But I was sold on Writing Pad because they show you where their students get published and that their method works. I've loved my teachers Brett and Erika. The only negative is that the classes are so good, that I keep taking more and more. Kudos to Marilyn for an awesome business! read more

Writing Pad is one of the best kept secrets in LA. I canNOT recommend it highly enough. It has (no exaggeration!!) changed my life. I'd been struggling to get my ideas from brain to draft, had such a hard time structuring my time so I'd get things done, felt like writing without feedback was setting me back. Writing Pad solved ALL of those problems and then some. The instructors are *incredible* -- I've taken two classes with Jack Kukoda and Todd Waldman, and my scripts are eons beyond what I would have been able to accomplish alone. They are fantastic writers who have written MANY of my favorite shows (Superstore, Community, Happy Endings!!!) and I get to take a small, personalized class with them??? Sometimes people can Do but not Teach-- it is clear Writing Pad seeks instructors who excel at both. The classes are run like writers' rooms, everyone giving feedback in a constructive and serious but absolutely not intimidating way. I've also made a ton of friends from my classes and met people I'm collaborating with!! ALSO IT IS WILDLY AFFORDABLE FOR THE VALUE. BEYOND WORTH IT. I could go on forever but I won't because I sound like I'm trying to get you guys to join my cult or something (I'm just really enthusiastic and grateful, okay??), So I'll end with this: look up writing pad classes, find a teacher and course that interest you. SIGN UP. You will not regret it. 100000 stars!!! read more

To anyone reading this, if you want to learn how to write screenplays for TV or Film, or just learn how to be a better communicator, do yourself a favor and take a class here. I can't believe more people don't utilize the amazing staff of instructors they have. Who, are all industry vets with multiple TV pilots and feature film screenplays sold and written on some of the most watched shows on television. Not to mention they've helped over 120 writers get published and countless staffed on TV shows you watch on a regular basis. I just wrapped up my TV 1 Comedy Animation class with Mike Brenner (Bob's Burgers, King of the Hill) and he's given the most helpful and encouraging feedback I've received for my writing. He was very honest and always constructive. He also gave you the opportunity to think about the solution to an issue he brings up in your story, so you can reach conclusions yourself. He's an excellent instructor. I'm also enrolled in their TV Comedy Certificate and I couldn't recommend it more. You get discounts plus payment plans. The program has a structure that takes you from idea to the first draft. Then, you get detailed notes from an industry professional. And at the end, you'll have a pilot that has been shaped and approved by vetted industry professionals. You can't get that anywhere else. Trust me, I've looked. read more

I have been taking several classes with Writing Pad and I have been having the greatest time! I work in the movie industry, in a different discipline (post-production,) and it is really difficult to find a safe place to experiment and try new things while getting real feedback from working writers / producers / and showrunners. That is what I value the most here. I am currently working on a pilot, a personal essay and how to refine my stories to be encapsulated in a pitch live with a showrunner. I really like how the instructors know me and are enthusiastic about letting me explore the same material in other formats. I think the personal essay class cracked my storyline for my TV2 class. I have been searching for my voice for a while and because of this workspace, I like what I am writing. I couldn't say enough good things about how Marilyn and Mr. Pad run this business. I even gave a gift certificate to a re-recording mixer for his work on my last short film. Thumbs up!! read more

I have mixed reviews about Writing Pad. I was so excited to find an alternative to the expensive school programs in LA. Writing pad is very affordable, the class size is small so there is plenty of room for feedback, and the times have been convenient and manageable. The instructors are people who work in the industry they teach so they give relevant feedback. While I appreciate the feedback, the best part is that the people I met in the class developed into a writing group that has continued on outside of class. What I have been unimpressed and disappointed about is my interactions with writing pad staff members. While my in-person interactions have been pleasant, any email interactions I have had were passive aggressive, accusatory, and unprofessional. Each time, I have felt wrong for even asking a question. Now, I'm not from LA, so maybe this is how people in LA treat each other. But, I haven't experienced that anywhere else in business or academic interactions in LA. These interactions have been so negative, I won't be returning to Writing Pad anymore. It doesn't make sense to me to give my money to people who treat people like that. I will gladly spend more money to go to another school that operates in a more professional way. read more

I've taken several classes at Writing Pad and it's been a great experience. They offer a variety of classes at convenient times and locations. It's been a great way to work on a writing project with deadlines and feedback. I've been focused on TV classes and have learned so much. All of my teachers have been extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and experienced. I highly recommend any class with Mike Benner. He gives great feedback, helps students find their voice, and explains character, structure, etc. in a way that is easy to understand. I've also taken a number of workshops and gone to speaker panels organized by Writing Pad, and really appreciated all of the industry information provided. It's a tricky industry to navigate and Writing Pad is a great guide. read more

Coming from a Scientific background - I needed to exercise the creative side of my brain in fear of atrophy in my adult life. Writing Pad was a great place to come to activate my creativity. I took online as well as classroom classes and found high value in all of them. It's amazing how much one can learn from instructors that are well immersed in the field - as well as the other students that have the right drive to pull them in. Overall, I felt that the community built by Writing Pad is one that I most valued. There's a solid vibe of openness and authenticity with everyone I've met in the group as well as the classmates. If you want to learn from "Can-do" & "Did-do" folks, this is the place for you. I only wish I could devote more time to it as building a creative product is fulfilling on several levels. Take the class, you won't regret the time well spent. read more

I learned about Writing Pad at an industry panel. Everyone on the panel said that if you want to be a staffed writer take classes at the Writing Pad. They said USC is great but we know if you have taken classes at the Writing Pad we can trust you in a writers room. I signed up for the certificate program!! After TV 1 with Todd Waldman and TV2 with Brett Paesel, I have a completed pilot. TV 1 with Todd really made me understand the making of a pilot. Todd also shares so much about the business side it's like two classes in one. He really cares about your writing and goes above and beyond to help his students get to where they need to be. I highly recommend any class he teaches. Looking forward to taking another one of his classes. TV2 with Brett was magical for me. Loved her notes and her style of teaching. I highly recommend her! The pitch class was an amazing experience. I think that it's a good class to take before you pitch anything! I cannot say enough good things about the Writing Pad. The staff is so helpful. They always get back to me right away. The networking events are amazing. If you are in the certificate program they make sure you meet everyone on the panels. They really care about you and your career! I have sent a number of friends here and everyone has thanked. read more

This is the west branch of Writing Pad. It's quite cozy. Mostly, I take Lauren Strasnick's class here. It keeps me writing and I get consistent, constructive feedback on my work every week. Lauren makes sure that each person gets positive and helpful feedback, and she's great at pinpointing issues in a scene. Most of all, she's approachable and really cheers for you. This is the class to take. I've repeated her class so, so many times. It's worth every bit of the investment. The class is fantastic and has helped me finish several novels. If you are looking for some consistency and great feedback, sign up for the class. read more

Lauren Strasnick's Novel Writing Workshop at Writing Pad is by far the best writing workshop I have ever participated in--and I have taken a bunch. Lauren is a published author with a strong understanding of the writing process and how to help students develop the skills they need to move their story forward. This is not a theory class. This is a hands-on, learn-by-doing-it type of class--which is awesome. You bring four pages of your story each class and get constructive feedback from Lauren and everyone else in the group. Lauren creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their work (no matter how raw or unpolished it might be). She gives feedback not only on the words you bring in but also on your overall story, characters and plot--and suggests movies, novels, and books on writing for you to read/watch that might help with the specific aspect of your novel you are currently struggling with. If you've been dreaming about writing a novel and believe that having deadlines and getting constructive feedback from experienced writers will help you get to the finish line, then check out Writing Pad's website and sign up for Lauren's next class! PS: I've taken other great workshops at Writing Pad, but this is sincerely my favorite one by far. read more

The problem with writing a review on Yelp is that, if it's a really great restaurant and there aren't a lot of reviews, you don't want to share your enthusiasm with other people because then the restaurant gets all crowded and popular and you can't get in. But I feel our instructor Lauren deserves more props, so I will thus give them to her. Crowds, be damned! The Writing Pad staff -- specifically our instructor Lauren -- make this an easy recommendation. Lauren creates a comfortable, humorous, non-pretentious environment, where you get a lot done without feeling judged. She's a published author, so you know you're getting input from someone who's been in the trenches. Basically, if you're looking for a writing workshop where you will make some headway on that great novel and want to be in an environment where you feel safe to try and fail (and you enjoy snacks), then this is for you. read more

I've taken 4 TV Drama classes with Writing Pad and I have learned so much. Marilyn and Jeff are so understanding and helpful. I absolutely love and appreciate Writing Pad and all of the staff and instructors that I've met so far. I can't thank them enough for making their classes available via Zoom and offering payment plans in such uncertain times. These classes are keeping me sane! I highly recommend Writing Pad. read more

Terrible school does not treat students well . They do not know me I was polite and tried to take a class they refused . Go anywhere community college writers Bootcamp . The instructors here lie about there work they have done . Not a very good environment to take classes . bad customer experience . I just wish there were more places for writers to write in la and feel good and feel free to ask questions . Horrible staff please check other schools . read more

I've taken classes at the Writing Pad from a studio exec, a working television writer and a literary manager. I can't imagine how else I would get time with any of them without the Writing Pad, let alone get feedback from them on my work and encouragement to keep going. Each teacher shared a specific expertise and seemed excited to do so. I'd always heard that the entertainment industry was a brutal competitive place and I'm sure it is but all three teachers were generous with their time and wisdom. All three seemed like they really wanted everyone in the class to succeed and find a future in the industry. read more

I have enjoyed Terri Cheney's classes so much. I have taken 4 classes at Writing Pad now, and found Terri to be an exceptional teacher. She really helped me take my writing to the next level and her feedback was so thorough and thoughtful. I can't wait to taking more classes at Writing Pad (and with Terri) in the future. read more

Being someone who believed for so long, that I could NEVER write, although I had plenty of ideas, the Writing Pad is JUST what I needed! This place is the real deal. After taking a one-day workshop, I was hooked. I took the 5-week TV1 intensive with Tyler Dinucci and it was the most encouraging, creative and safe place for anyone to learn or improve their writing skills. It really is for anyone, whether you have never writing anything before or are a veteran. The fact that the classes are kept so small, it feels like a true writers room, everyone helping you develop your ideas and create a fun atmosphere. I now have a finished structure of a pilot I've been wanting to write forever (currently working on the pitch book) and I can't thank The Writing Pad and Tyler enough. Tyler is the best, by the way! Super funny, supportive and knowledgable. Take his class!!! read more

My experience at Writing Pad as been beyond 5 stars, truly excellent. I initially took a one-day seminar in the fall of 2019 to gauge my interest. From my very first class, I felt very welcomed and knew that the instructors teaching were very knowledgeable about their craft. After this session, I signed up for the TV Drama certificate program, which includes a process that will take you from beat sheet to script - twice! Right now, I've taken TV 1 and TV 2 with Ryan O'Nan and couldn't be happier! I've grow immensely as a writer. I feel like every session gives me real world insight into the industry, since Ryan is currently working on many TV shows, as well as an opportunity to workshop and elevate my script. The Writing Pad has supported my growth as an artist in many ways. Speaking of, the staff is also extremely supportive. I've had many questions about which classes to take, advice on certain problems, etc. and I've always been met with a positive and thoughtful response. Marilyn and Jeff go out of their way to connect with their students and make sure their students are thriving. They are also really quick at answering emails and calls. I would highly recommend The Writing Pad for serious writers at all levels! read more

Writing Pad is the best place to get started taking your writing seriously. I took a few memoir classes with Brett Paesel, who is the coolest, and an online proposal class with Little, Brown editor Nicky Guerreiro last summer, and I drummed up a proposal for my memoir using what I learned in both classes. I started pitching it to agents a couple months ago and I had an overwhelming response. From the 15 agents I queried, I ended with 5 offers. What! Literal dream come true. In the course of the process, every agent marveled at the strength of the proposal. That class is a godsend! It provided the perfect blueprint for success. Nicky and Brett are such marvelous teachers. And I am so grateful for Writing Pad. It really got me back writing for myself again after a long break. Thanks again! You and Jeff have a really special business going. I was a creative writing major in college and I learned how to write, but the professionals teaching WP classes taught me how to be a writer, which is what I really was after. I am one extremely satisfied customer. ***pro tip: there is an amazing thai place next to this WP campus. I loved getting dinner there before/after class! read more

I've taken several classes with Writing Pad -- specifically TV writing. What keeps me coming back to WP is the quality of teachers. I've never seen a school that consistently gets teachers with as quality and relevant experience in the industry. The scripts I've written while at WP have gotten me high placements in several prestigious TV festivals and competitions. Most importantly, these classes have introduced me to meaningful, lifelong connections with likeminded peers. It's common knowledge that you have to put in your own hard work to make it in this industry (or any industry) but Writing Pad is a great place to get your feet wet, get feedback, and learn the ropes. read more

I could not be more pleased with the classes and workshops offered by Writing Pad. I have taken several classes at Writing Pad and I plan to take several more. I am always amazed at the level of instruction and feedback. Five stars is not enough in my opinion! Nowhere else can you receive this level of instruction, guidance, and critical feedback from highly successful professionals currently working in the industry. Every instructor has gone above and beyond to assist me and help with my level of understand of TV writing, as my original idea for a pilot is being developed. Less than a year ago, I had a vague idea of a tv comedy that I wished to pursue. I was given clear structure in TV 1 with Devanshi Patel, as she offered priceless instruction for my development of the pilot's beat sheet. Next, I was blown away with the level of instruction and professional feedback that I received from both Steve Peros and Jack Kukoda in my following classes. All three instructors that I had the privilege of working with were organized, respectful, and willing to go above and beyond to make this the best experience imaginable for me. Over the course of several months, I was able to go from a beat sheet to writing a complete original pilot episode. I can't wait to continue on this journey with Writing Pad. I could not have done this without this fantastic program, and I highly recommend the Writing Pad to any one with aspirations of being a writer. read more

The Writing Pad is the first place I've ever taken writing classes at. The staff and Steve (teacher) made it very easy to feel like a second home. My emails and phone calls were quickly returned and the class setting was comfortable. As far as instruction, Steve listened to each project with patience, noting details of the story that could be enhanced. The feedback from him is really priceless. Coming from a novice, I can say that after TV1 I have a understanding of story structure and I've ended class with a beat sheet I'm proud of. Now on to TV2 read more

I've taken a lot of classes with Writing Pad, mostly in novel writing and YA writing. They've got a lot of different types of classes in all genres. I really love coming to class. The teachers I've had, particularly Gretchen McNeil, are honest but kind, and they will give you feedback that makes sense for where you are in the field. My shout out to Gretchen is because she's consistently on point, clear, and a wonderful lecturer. I leave class feeling excited to continue work on my project. Those of you who have been writing for a while know that while many teachers (and many books) can impart the wisdom, it takes a special sort of personality and understanding to make you feel confident in your own work. Gretchen's a great asset to Writing Pad. She's also a good ambassador for the Writing Pad "brand," in the sense that they really encourage generosity and support in students. Everyone in class is from a different walk of life with different levels of writing experience. Most of the students (myself included) are amateur writers who may have a project in the pipeline and/or work as writers in different capacities (such as screenwriters who want to try out fiction or grantwriters who like scifi), although I have had some published authors in classes. It's generally a group of people who love to write and love to read and like having a community to share that with. The environment isn't snarky or competitive as it can be at some other places. If you're interested in finding a good writing tribe, Writing Pad's as encouraging and lovely as it gets. read more

I've taken three writing classes at the Writing Pad and am signed up to take two more. Brett Paesel, who teaches the Humorous Personal Essay class, was such a great teacher that I ended up taking that class again to work on another essay. I really enjoyed Matteson Perry's Storytelling Essay class also. I tried out for the Moth soon after his class ended and won a StorySLAM from it. I'm so glad I listened to the Writing Pad's Marilyn Friedman, who recommended it. I plan to take another Storytelling class with Matteson in the future. read more

I'm very happy with the teachers and the classes The Writing Pad provides. I've taken them at both locations as well as online. It's a great opportunity to pick and choose the level and type of writing you're interested in learning. I can say that the classes, and the expertise that the teachers brought to them, helped me have the confidence to write the pilot that has gotten me staffed in my first room in Toronto. read more

All of the classes I've taken at writing pad have been great! The teachers are great and the class sizes are small. When I wanted to accommodate a change, Marilyn was very helpful and put my request through. Highly recommend! read more

I took a class here and honestly don't feel like I got the value promised. I reached out to the owners and asked if they could supply me some more information to back up their claims about their former students being staffed on shows. They refused. If you make claims about the success of your former students what is the harm in providing more details? Confused? You are better off reading books than this read more

The classes at Writing Pad have been incredibly instrumental in developing my skills in writing, pitching, and overall storytelling, as well as expanding my knowledge of the tv and film industries. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great community with talented teachers! read more

Very rude bad customer service. Teachers lie about there credits . Owner does not listen and try to force classes on you that you don't want . Go to a community college or save up to take quality writing classes bad school . read more

I recently took Matteson Perry's storytelling class, and had the time of my life! I really needed a creative outlet, and I loved going to see The Moth storytelling slams, and was looking for a class to prepare me for competing in one of the live events myself. This class was everything I could hope for and then some. The owners are really passionate and encouraging, and it seems like everybody who works there really wants to be there. Matteson is a former Grandslam winner, and I can see why, as he allowed us to watch a video of one of his stories (and I later watched more of them online myself). He is somebody who should always continue to teach, because he has such intuition with students, and just the right touch, critiquing without criticizing, helping writers to find the real story they want to tell in a more entertaining way to an audience. At the end of the 5 week class, we all got to participate in a performance of the story we selected, which was held at a Weworks space downtown. We could invite friends and family, so it was a nice night with a supportive audience - the perfect way to get our feet wet as storytellers. After the performance, we all went to a local bar to share drinks and food, which was also a great part of the experience - getting to meet new people with shared interests. The space itself (I went to the Culver City studio) is very small, but was very conveniently located to my house. Parking in the lot fills up, but there are plenty of meters nearby. My only criticism would be that sometimes classes were scheduled at the same time, and people would have to walk through our classroom to get to theirs (which was disruptive). I will definitely take more writing classes at the Writing Pad, and am now very interested in taking their podcast class read more

I've had a great experience with Writing Pad, which ultimately led me to enroll in their certificate program. The certificate program offers some cool panels and events that they put on. They've always been accommodating with a welcoming atmosphere and want you to succeed as a writer. I recently took a class at this West LA location and couldn't be more satisfied. My instructor was really engaging and knowledgeable when it came to crafting story and pilots in particular. The staff is easy going and quick on email if you ever get stuck in traffic or find yourself running a few minutes late. I highly recommend them for anyone trying to hone their craft, network with other writers and gain insight into the industry. read more

My experience at writing pad has been very positive. The quality of classes depend on the instructors and your learning style, but they do a really good job of curating currently working professionals who give great feedback and help shape your work. Their classes are good for writers of any level, since instructors will meet you halfway, whether you need more structural foundation, or simply help punching up your work. The environment is also extremely community-based, which is very energizing. read more

I've never experienced a more current, relevant, hands on curriculum for learning television writing than at the Writing Pad. I've taken classes at writing schools around town including UCLA extension, and Writing Pad has by far the best selection of teachers of anything I've taken. Rather than learning from a TV writer that wrote on a hit show 20 years ago like the West Wing or Freaks and Geeks, you'd get someone who just got out of room on a current show like Mr. Robot or Man in the High Castle. In addition to fantastic educational information, the instructors and staff also provide amazing career guidance. They have a wide range of types of writers, from short stories to novels to feature films to non fiction essays to TV. Marilyn and Jeff who run the school have a fantastic database of writers to connect you with for classes that best suit your needs, and script consultations from expert writers. They sincerely want to help you work towards your artistic goals, and have good insight into a several writing bases industries. When I started taking classes there, I worked in animation as an artist but hadn't yet gotten any writing credits. Since educating myself in my nights and weekends over the past few years, I'm now writing professionally for animation. read more

I've taken a dozen classes at Writing Pad over the past few years and I can't recommend them enough. There's a great group of teachers with a variety of teaching styles. This past year, I had a TV pilot optioned and over the past three years was hired to write two TV movies and won screenwriting several contests. My work at Writing Pad with some smart and helpful teachers was the key to these accomplishments. read more

Writing Pad is awesome. Teachers are fantastic and supportive, the space is warm and inviting and the other students have all been very kind, talented and inspiring. A big shout out to Matteson Perry's Storytelling Class in particular-- he is a total ninja when it comes to structure and getting to the core of the story you are trying to tell. He's also super funny, and does a great job being available for extra feedback and advice. I've taken his class twice now, and would highly recommend to anyone interested in live storytelling. read more

I've done several classes with Writing Pad over the past three years. I've been doing Memoir Writing with Brett Paesel, Comedy screenwriting with Devanshi Patel, Drama writing with Dailyn Rodriguez, Drama Writing with Sam Ernst, a pitching class with Natalie Gergely and Novel Writing with Jennifer Brody. All of these classes have taught me so much about craft and handy tips for writing and helped my general knowledge about each kind of writing. The teachers were all so generous and so skilled. I can't believe how much energy and insight they have for each student's writing. They are able to see each project on its own terms and offer extremely useful feedback, ideas and advice. I came into this from a mainly playwriting background, wanting to learn about writing for television, memoir and novel writing and I am thrilled with how much I've learnt. I also really appreciate being made to write stuff! I find as a writer, one of the things that's hardest is making myself write. Doing classes at Writing Pad made me write constantly! I would recommend taking classes to writers of all levels of experience. I'm thrilled with what I'm learning and really enjoy the classes and talking to the other students. Marilyn and Jeff, who run Writing Pad are a delight, as are all the staff there. I recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about craft and have a reason to write. read more

I studied creative writing at UCLA and have taken writing classes all over -- UCLA Continuing Ed, Gotham, NYU, New School, etc -- and it was Lauren Strasnick's Novel Writing Class from Writing Pad that finally kicked my life-long goal of finishing my novel into gear. The reason? Unlike other courses where a huge chunk of class time is dedicated to studying other literature, this class dedicates all of its time to reading your work and getting feedback (every meeting). I've taken several classes at other schools where only a few students are assigned a spot to read in class which takes the fun out of showing up, let's face it. Secondly, we read our work aloud in class. This benefits your work two-fold: reading your work aloud is a crucial part of the editing process (you catch so many hiccups in your writing) and also you don't have 100 pages of your classmates' work to take home during the work week to read and comment on for "homework". I'm a grownup now; the only homework I want to do is writing my effing novel. Lastly, Lauren herself gives the most astute feedback I've ever received or have observed given to others; it's thoughtful, practical, encouraging and tailored to your voice and story goals. She brings a great knowledge of books and film and often points students in the direction of titles that may shed light on their own plot, characters or structure. Some might wonder where all the lesson planning is, but in my experience the writers that get better are the writers who get to writing and that is why I continue to sign up for this course again and again and again. read more