Begins Tuesday, August 26th, 2025

Class will meet weekly via Zoom for 2 Hours on Tuesdays at 8:30 PM Eastern/5:30 PM Pacific.

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us. 

Ethan Warren is the author of the book The Cinema of Paul Thomas Anderson: American Apocrypha (Columbia University Press, 2023) and the forthcoming When I Paint My Masterpiece: The Cinematic Bob Dylan (Columbia UP). His freelancing credits include Bright Wall/Dark Room, LitHub, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. He is a former editor for Bright Wall/Dark Room and is now editor-in-chief of the arts and culture journal Broad Sound.

Learn more about Ethan in our Meet the Teaching Artist series.

Master the art of cultural criticism and turn your creative passions into professional opportunities. In this interactive 6-week workshop, you'll develop the essential skills needed to craft engaging reviews and thought-provoking thinkpieces about film, music, literature, and other art forms you love.

Whether you're looking to break into arts journalism, enhance your critical thinking, or simply express your cultural insights more effectively, this course provides a structured pathway to develop your unique critical voice while learning how to navigate the professional marketplace.

What You'll Learn:

• Critical Analysis Frameworks: Develop sophisticated techniques for analyzing arts and culture through multiple lenses.
• Genre Mastery: Craft both concise, impactful reviews and expansive, nuanced thinkpieces.
• Contextual Depth: Learn to connect artistic works to broader cultural, historical, and personal contexts.
• Professional Development: Create compelling pitches that catch editors' attention and navigate the freelance marketplace.
• Workshop Experience: Receive detailed feedback from both peers and an industry professional with editorial expertise.

Course Structure:

Week 1: The Anatomy of the Review
Analyze exemplary reviews, learn critical frameworks, and draft your first review for peer workshop.

Week 2: Revision and Critical Dialogue
Master constructive feedback techniques, participate in guided workshop sessions, and revise your review with professional insights.

Week 3: From Review to Essay
Explore the thinkpiece format, examine how personal experience enhances cultural criticism, and develop potential essay concepts.

Week 4: Structural Excellence
Learn outlining techniques that support complex arguments, organize your ideas effectively, and prepare for deeper exploration.

Week 5: Drafting with Purpose
Transform your outline into a compelling first draft while incorporating strategic revision techniques and editorial guidance.

Week 6: Launching Your Work
Master the art of pitching to publications, finalize your portfolio pieces, and develop a personalized action plan for your writing career.

Required Reading:

Students will analyze exemplary critical writing from renowned critics, including Roger Ebert and Manohla Dargis, alongside contemporary pieces from LitHub, Los Angeles Review of Books, and Bright Wall/Dark Room.

This workshop is ideal for:

• Aspiring culture critics and arts journalists
• Creative writers seeking to diversify their portfolio
  
• Film, music, and literature enthusiasts wanting to articulate their perspectives
• Working writers looking to break into the cultural criticism space
  
• Anyone passionate about deepening their engagement with the arts

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

This class meets weekly via Zoom. Come prepared for a super fun class with live interaction on Zoom each week and plenty of writing, reading, and talking.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

• Instructor: Ethan Warren
• Begins Tuesday, August 26th, 2025
• Class will meet weekly via Zoom for 2 Hours on Tuesdays at 8:30 PM Eastern/5:30 PM Pacific.
• Tuition is $395 USD.