Since the last time you heard from me, I’ve written two TV pilots, volunteered at the International Edinburgh TV Festival, and officially completed my Master’s degree in Screenwriting! Woof.

Nora Ephron is and will always be, one of my personal heroes, second only to my mom. Which I think Nora would understand.

Since writing my last blog I got to go home for the holidays and had a green Christmas in jolly ole FL, packed my suitcase full of brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tarts and Annie’s Mac & Cheese (two of my fav things that are sadly not widely available in Scotland) and headed back to chilly Edinburgh.

Back in the middle of September 2021 I spontaneously set a new goal for myself: move to New York City. As soon as possible.

One of the things I’ve realized since starting my MA Screenwriting Program at Edinburgh Napier University is: it’s good to be nervous. Dare I say, it’s even necessary.

I’m Lauren, and I recently moved to Edinburgh, Scotland from Tampa, Florida to get my Master’s degree in Screenwriting at Edinburgh Napier University. It feels surreal even typing that.

If you’re a woman and you exist, I’m sure you’ve heard people refer to The Notebook, or Sleepless in Seattle, Bridesmaids, the new Ghostbuster’s or any movie either featuring a predominately female cast or a stereotypically feminine plot as a “Chick Flick.” But where does the term “Chick Flick” even come from? I think it’s important that we learn where the term comes from and unpack whether or not we should kill it with fire or try to reclaim it. 

As my friends and family can attest to, I like to slip my Cannes experiences into conversation whenever possible because it is probably the coolest thing, no definitely, the coolest thing I’ve done.

In honor of nearly five years in Los Angeles, I wanted to share five transparent tips I wish I knew before working in entertainment.