Script to Screen
[Workshop Series]
Three-Part Workshop Series | Group Mentorship
Part One: The Script | TBD
Part Two: Pre-Production & Filming | TDB
Part Three: Post-Production & Distribution | TDB
Live on Zoom
Bringing a film to life is not one step, but many. Fresh Kills took me over 20 years to come to fruition. It journey was long, messy, beautiful, insanely hard and not for the faint of heart. It’s something you should ABSOLUTELY NOT DO! Yes, you read that correct. If that statement makes you walk away then be grateful. However, if you shrug and keep moving then LET'S GO!
As many of you may know I wrote, directed, produced and mostly self financed Fresh Kills. It took everything I had an then some. Made so many mistakes and was thrown to the wolves many times. I’ve been putting together my notes from this experience for years now in hopes to do exactly what i needed so very badly- guidance. In this 3 part series I want to do exactly that- guide you from your beat sheet to your film festival submissions. Something I so wish I would have had. I became fortunate to gather a few amazing female producers who helped me push this film over the finish line but it was sort of like moving a freight train with the brakes on. While this series is built around my own film, you will learn what I did and then apply it to your script, idea or already created first draft.
Why I’m doing this? As I said I wish this was available to me. But it’s more than that. I believe in stories. Human stories from ALL people- not just a chosen few that keeps the status quo in place. I make sure to give back as much as I can to support the next wave of voices to (hopefully) change the world- or at least one person in the audience.
This is a three-part course. You can take each part individually or complete the full Script to Screen workshop—from writing the script to pre-production, filming, and distribution:
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Part One: The Script – 4 weeks
Without a strong script, nothing else matters. We break down Fresh Kills act by act, from my earliest draft to the final shooting script. You’ll leave with your own beat sheet and a clear vision of your story. -
Part Two: Pre-Production & Filming – 4 weeks
How to take your words off the page and into production. From pitching and financing, to casting, shot lists, schedules, and directing actors — the practical realities of bringing the script to life. -
Part Three: Post-Production & Distribution – 4 weeks
What happens after “cut.” Editing, sound, music, festivals, distribution, and how to carve a path for your film once it’s finished.
Take Part One today and get 10% off your continued growth in Parts Two and Three. Don’t miss the chance to complete the series for less.
10% off for all returning students.
Script to Screen Workshops
Hosted by Jennifer Esposito
Part One: The Script – 4 weeks
Without a strong script, nothing else matters. We break down Fresh Kills act by act, from my earliest draft to the final shooting script. You’ll leave with your own beat sheet and a clear vision of your story.
Part Two: Pre-Production &
Filming – 4 weeks
How to take your words off the page and into production. From pitching and financing, to casting, shot lists, schedules, and directing actors — the practical realities of bringing the script to life.
Fresh Kills
Written and Directed by Jennifer Esposito
“Fresh Kills stands tall alongside the best post-Godfather gangster movies…Fresh Kills would make a fascinating double-feature with Martin Scorsese's breakthrough feature Mean Streets…" RogerEbert.com
“This is powerful filmmaking on every level” “Esposito wrote, produced, directed, and stars, knocking it out of the cinematic park!” Edge Media Network
“A compelling and much-needed reimaging of the typical mob film’s gender politics, Fresh Kills reveals Esposito as a confident, assured filmmaker.” Alliance of Women Film Journalists
“…a gritty yet heartfelt look at mob life as seen through female eyes…To sum up, Esposito is not merely a “female Scorsese” or a “Modern Normand.”… Esposito is indeed her own artist with her own naturalistic style.” Screen Comment
“Jennifer Esposito creates something authentic and captivating. Fresh Kills is a uniquely compelling piece of work in the pantheon of gangster movies, grounded by powerful performances and a stellar directorial debut.” Film Inquiry
"Jennifer Esposito scores a victory in every way imaginable with her directorial debut, an epic that is not only one of the best films at Cinequest this year but one of the best movies of 2023.…It's an electrifying debut that reinvents and reinvigorates mobster tropes.”
The Mercury News
“This has that Mean Streets vibe and yet there is a level that even Mean Streets couldn't touch that Fresh Kills does…In my humble opinion the acting on display here really begins with an award recognizing type performance from Odessa A'zion. Connie is the catalyst for all that Rose experiences and in a lot of ways how she feels as this lifetime of shit unfolds. Emily Bader who plays Rose has this incredible ability in which I love how controlled she is in moments of stillness where you can literally touch the screen and brace yourself for what comes next…”
Go Indie
Important Notes.
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This is a three-part series. You can take each course individually or complete the full Script to Screen journey—from writing the script to pre-production, filming, and distribution.
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All participants are required to watch Fresh Kills in its entirety prior to attending the workshop. A private screener link will be provided upon registration, along with a copy of the script. This pre-screening is essential for engaging in discussion and fully understanding the case study examples presented throughout the sessions.
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Space is limited to keep the group intimate.
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All sales are final. No refunds.