If you think your teen is the next Shonda Rhimes, Wes Anderson or Billy Wilder, then our Teen Screenwriters group is the place for them.

Writing Transformation will explore the writing process with the ultimate aim of producing singular pieces of work that express the meaningful experiences of teens. Over four weeks, we will explore the power of understanding and being able to write about moments of personal transformation - no matter how strange, unique or humorous they may be.

With a maximum of six teens per workshop, Writing Transformation will create a safe, confidential, cell-phone free space (all students will put their phones in a bin at the start of session) for teens to explore the realm of story, and foster trusting creative relationships with one another. Their work with Nikki will also allow them to develop an ongoing relationship with a writing mentor, and future opportunities to take more advanced workshops with House of Stories.

At the end of our four week workshop, our young writers will have made substantial gains in their understanding of Story, poetics, style, and drama. They will also have a completed piece of writing appropriate for an academic writing portfolio, and - perhaps most importantly of all - writers will leave our workshop having forged new and meaningful friendships rooted in trust, creativity and openness.

To help foster this trust, please note that Writing Transformation honours each teens’ privacy, and Nikki will not share or discuss any work - process or final product - with parents or guardians, unless there is concern for the writers’ health or safety, or the health and safety of others. Unless they choose to share with you, whatever your teen says or writes in our workshop is treated as strictly confidential to allow them the maximum freedom to express themselves.

Who’s It For?

Writing Transformation is for teens who love to write, and who want to build their skills and writing portfolio by working with a professional writer and experienced instructor. The workshop also aims to get teens away from Zoom and outside in the fresh air, surrounded by other young writers. 

Each week, our writers will be expected to complete one short writing exercise, as well as work on their portfolio projects. Therefore, writers must be so passionate about the art and craft of writing that they won’t need to be coaxed and cajoled into completing each week’s writing work.

Please take note that writers in our workshop will be expected to conduct themselves like professional writers. This means keeping to weekly deadlines (barring exceptional circumstances). Writers who miss deadlines will not be coddled - they’ll simply lose the opportunity to share their work in our group. It cannot be emphasized enough - only teens who are passionate about writing and sharing their work should apply for this workshop.

What happens in each workshop?

The first thirty minutes of Writing Transformation will be devoted to a conversational lesson on Story, relevant to each week’s writing assignment. The second hour of our workshop will be devoted to writers sharing their work, and learning how to give and receive feedback in a manner that’s honest, constructive and nurturing. 

Students will be expected to turn in writing assignments via Google drive in advance of session in order to give their colleagues and instructor time to attentively read their work before each session. This means each week, writers will have five days to complete their writing exercises, and take meaningful steps towards their final projects.

Each week, writers will be tasked with two writing exercises. The first will be relatively short, and assigned based on the week’s lecture. The second writing exercise will entail completing pages and/or drafts of their final projects, uniquely tailored to the needs of each young writer.

Class Schedule & Location

Writing Transformation will place every Thursday (GROUP A) from 4-6:30PM, or every Sunday from 1-3:30 PM (GROUP B) beginning on Thursday, August 5th, 2021 for group A, and Sunday, August 8th for Group B. Please note that Group B will NOT attend class on Sunday, August 15th, and class will thusly be extended by one week thereafter.

Writers will be expected to turn in work every Tuesday (for group A) and Friday (for group B).

Our workshop will take place outdoors, in the beautiful greenery of Riverdale Park. Students should bring a beach towel, or whatever they may need to sit comfortably in nature for two hours.  In the event that it rains, our workshop will take place indoors at a TBH location near Broadview/Danforth that can accommodate social distancing and complies with stage 3 capacity limitations.

Fees*

4 week session: $450 CAD (tax included)

*For teens of exceptional talent, some adjustments to fees may be made if cost is prohibitive. Please email: info@houseofstories.net about your circumstances and include a 1-2 page writing sample from your teen if you feel this may apply to you.

I’m In. Now What?

Potential students are asked to fill out the form below. Nikki will be in touch within two business days about securing your spot.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Nikki Saltz is a screenwriter and story editor based in Toronto, Canada. She is the founder of House of Stories and an alumnus of  the Writers’ Lab at the prestigious Canadian Film Centre. Nikki has taught screenwriting at Toronto Film School and York University, where she trained under leading story editor, Amnon Buchbinder. Nikki has served as a script consultant for the TIFF Writers’ Studio, a juror for the TIFF- CBC Screenwriter’s Award, and has lectured on Story and screenwriting across Canada. Most recently, Nikki was a story editor for the International Emmy award-wining CBC-Gem series, How to Buy a Baby. In 2020, she penned the screenplay for Coming Soon, a thriller produced by Clique Pictures (Riot Girls) and Scythia Films (The Witch), and has multiple projects in TV development. Nikki is also a published author whose essays, short fiction and poetry have appeared in Chatelaine Magazine, The Toronto Star, and other literary magazines. She is currently working to complete her first novel, supported by the Canada, Ontario and Toronto Arts councils. Nikki is also pursuing a certificate in Jungian Myth and Story at the Zur Institute, and will be studying Greek Mythology at Oxford University in Sept. 2021.