About the Instructor/Program Director
(3/31/10)
Ian Abrams, Associate
Professor Office: 051 University
Crossings Office Hours: by
appointment
Brief biography: Mr. Abrams went to Hollywood in 1979 and left in
1998. In between, he spent ten years as an entertainment industry
publicist and ten years as a screenwriter. He wrote the 1993 film
"Undercover Blues" and created the television series "Early
Edition," which ran four years on CBS and six more in syndication
and Professor Abrams wishes it would go back into syndication
because he needs the money. Professor Abrams wrote a lot of better
stuff that never got made and some stuff that did get made that he
won't talk about.
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts
& Design
215-895-1332
email: abrams@drexel.edu
Mr. Abrams does not like apples, but you can always get on his good side by bringing him coffee (lots of cream and Equals).
Mr. Abrams prefers to be called "Mr. Abrams" by anyone under the age of 40.
Mr. Abrams is easily irritated.
Despite its persistence, there is no truth to the rumor that, under the name "Gene Simmons," Professor Abrams has been frontman for the band Kiss since the late 1960's.
Apart from screenplays, here's some stuff he's written:
"Unity 2000 lays an egg: Protest march was long on sincerity, woefully short on creativity" (Philadelphia Daily News, August 1, 2000)"Imagining a world without nukes" (Philadelphia Daily News, June 20, 2000)
"'Star Wars' revisited: May the bores be with you" (Philadelphia Daily News, May 3, 1999)
Here's some stuff he's quoted in:
"Promote and Protect: How to Safeguard Your Creative Work From Theft" Article on the Writers Guild website"Field of Dreams" (Story about writers who pitch ideas to studios)
"How to Collaborate on the Internet: Your Screenwriting Partner May Be Only a Modem Away"
And here's a profile of him from the New York Times:
A Successful Screenwriter Polishes the Art of Seduction
Every year or so, Mr. Abrams betrays Drexel by doing a few classes at the Screenwriting Conference in Santa Fe. Here are a few blurry pictures of some of his students.
Other professional information:
Duke University, BA (English), 1977.1979 - 1988: Hollywood publicist/publicity executive; Rogers & Cowan, Los Angeles Theatre Center, Solters/Roskin/Friedman, others.
1988 - present: Screenwriter (film and television), producer.
1995 - 1997: Contract writer/producer with TriStar Pictures. Created CBS TV series "EARLY EDITION"
1997 - 1998: Contract writer/producer with Spelling Television.
1998 - Present: Assistant Professor and Director of the Program in Dramatic Writing, College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University, Philadelphia
Active, 1993 - 1998 in UCLA Screenwriting Mentorship Program.
Founder, 1993, The PAGE BBS, a computer bulletin board system/web site operated by and for professional writers.
Member (since 1994), Duke University Drama Program Advisory Board
Lecturer, Duke University
Chairman, Wednesday Night Writers' Workshop
Representation:
Mr. Jonathan Baruch
RAIN MANAGEMENT GROUP
12300 Wilshire Blvd., # 420
Los Angeles, CA 90025Photo of Mr. Abrams with somebody richer, more famous and better looking than he is
News article about Mr. Abrams' more successful (but shorter) younger brother
Grainy photographic evidence that Mr. Abrams actually had a real Hollywood career.
Mr. Abrams is tickled by the fact that an Early Edition convention was held in Chicago in October, 2001. Mr. Abrams attended and renewed his acquaintance with some of the stars of the show.
Some internet graphics in response to the September 11 attacks that Mr. Abrams finds fascinating.
Here's something he's thought was hysterical since he was eight years old.
Here's a cartoon, which Mr. Abrams clipped 30 years ago when he was an undergraduate, and which is even truer now than it was then.
Here's a really cool link that Professor Abrams' artist mother sent him.
And here's a picture of the Dutch Royal Family with Professor Abrams' Idiot Daughter.
To schedule a meeting with Professor Abrams, pick an empty slot and email him.