Events, Speakers & Workshops
(4/18/08)
The Screenwriting & Playwriting Program tries to bring at least one guest speaker to campus every term-- we want students to hear what working professionals have to say about the entertainment industry, and to have the chance to interact with them, one on one.
Previous guest events have included:
SCREENWRITING & PLAYWRITING PROGRAM OFFERS COMICS MASTER CLASS
On Saturday, March 10th, students from the SCRP, FMVD, and DIGM programs attended a one-day Master Class in Comic Book Creation with Comics Guru Andy Schmidt. Andy is based in New York and was an editor for Marvel Comics for nearly six years, where he worked on some of the classic books in the Marvel pantheon, like Spider-Man and The Fantastic Four. Andy is currently the founder of Comics Experience with Andy Schmidt, a New York based comics education enterprise.
Andy brought his years of editorial experience to Drexel and spent the day discussing the basics of creating comics, the differences between comics and other entertainment media, the way to create fantastic super-heroes and their super-villain counterparts, and how to break into the comics business.
Andy Schmidt and FMVD Major Chandler Simms
SCRP Graduate and current Marvel Comics Editor Tom Brennan
Comics fans Unite! …for lunch.
Writer/Director Larry Brand and Director/Cinematographer Kees Van Oostrum, in May, 2007
Writer/producer Jeff Vlaming, whose credits include "Battlestar Galactica,"Lois & Clark," "Numb3rs," and much else, in November, 2006.
Playwright WILLIAM MASTROSIMONE, who, in May, 2006, conducted a full-day workshop and master class with Screenwriting & Playwriting students. Students heard their work read by professional actors and Mastrosimone had the opportunity to discuss character issues (the subject of his forthcoming book) in the morning; after a catered lunch, the students had their scenes read and discussed, with feedback from Mastrosimone and the actors, as well as the fellow attendees. Mastrosimone was extremely generous and offered all the writers very supportive feedback on their work.
JOSH OLSON, here in Spring, 2005-- he was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay, "A History of Violence." He screened the film and cheerfully answered impertinent questions.
Josh with event organizer Matt Kaufhold and Screenwriting & Playwriting Junior Pol Montgomery.
Josh autographs a DVD of his movie for Film & Video Sophomore Lenneal McKudo.
Left to right: Brian Browne (SCRP Junior), Jennifer Couce (SCRP Junior), Pol Montgomery (SCRP Junior), Latisha Jones (SCRP Sophomore), Stephanie Kaplan (SCRP Junior), Josh Olson, Gabe DiDomenico (SCRP Senior), Tom Clough (SCRP Freshman), Katie Nolan (SCRP Freshman), Luke Giordano (SCRP Freshman), Brent Urmey (SCRP Freshman), Mandy Weger (SCRP Sophomore)
SIR BEN KINGSLEY, who came to Philadelphia as part of the Philadelphia Film Festival, but who was questioned on stage at the Prince Music Theater by a panel of Drexel students.
(Sir Ben with, from left: Screenwriting & Playwriting major Tom Dunn; Film & Video majors Ian Pugh, Eamon McIvor and Brandie Posey. Questions they declined to ask: "How many years do you have to work before they promote you to Lord Ben?" "Is it true that you and Patrick Stewart are never seen in the same place at the same time?" and "Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson-- in their prime, ten rounds, who'd win?")
SEX AND THE CITY: Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky, writer-producers for the fabulously successful HBO series, "Sex and the City," screened an episode and shared behind-the-scenes tales of working on the show. Below: Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky, with Screenwriting & Playwriting student Tory Boaz.
PLAYMAKERS: Peter Egan, writer of ESPN's first dramatic series, the controversial "Playmakers," screened an episode and answered questions for several hours, after dining with students and faculty.
(Above: Peter Egan with, from left, Philadelphia Daily News editorial page editor; Drexel Provost Harvill Eaton; Harriet Millan, director of the Drexel Writing Center; distinguished professor Dave Jones.)
THE RETURN OF HOMER'S BRAIN: Mike Reiss, writer/producer of "The Simpsons," made his second visit to Drexel for a day of events-- an evening presentation, an hour with the Honors Program, and lunch and dinner with students and faculty.
Mike talked about his career with "The Simpsons," as well as writing for performers ranging from Johnny Carson to "Alf." (May, 2003)
INSIDE "GUIDING LIGHT" WITH CHRIS DUNN "Will Alan and Olivia get married? Should Alexandra keep Spaulding Enterprises for herself? Will Harley ever figure out how much Eden knows, and is Gus really on her side? And what about Marah, Ben, Remy and Bill, not to mention Marina and Cassie?
For a mind-boggling fifty years, these and hundreds of other characters have made "Guiding Light" the longest-running daily show in TV history. How do soap operas-- excuse me, daytime dramas-- get made? How do the creators find new and exciting ways to make their characters' lives a living hell? Join writer Chris Dunn as he screens a favorite episode and takes you deep, deep, deep behind the scenes of TV's original Springfield." (October, 2002)
WHAT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT "THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS & DOGS"? This 1996 hit put Janeane Garofalo on the map in a gender-bent twist on the "Cyrano de Bergerac" story-- "unattractive" girl gets pretty friend to pretend to be her, so as to woo the guy she's got a crush on. Except, what dope would call Janeane Garofalo"unattractive"? We screened "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" and heard from producer Cari-Esta Albert, who also worked on "Heart and Souls," "Defending Your Life," "The Last Boy Scout," "Gorillas in the Mist" and "Parenthood."Ms. Albert talked about how these film were put together, what it's like to produce movies in Hollywood today, and how tough it is to find a dog that roller skates. (April, 2002)
BUYING & SELLING IN HOLLYWOODAFTER SEPTEMBER 11: Laurie Scheer, who spent 20 years developing and producing projects in the entertainment industry, helped shape MTV, Showtime and Nickelodeon and is an expert in what Hollywood wants came to Drexel to talk about how to sell to Hollywood-- format issues, buyers and sellers, preparing a marketing plan, how to pitch. She gave special emphasis to how the show business marketplace has changed (and will keep on changing) in reaction to the terrorist attacks. (February, 2002)
Fred Bauer, producer of "The Buddy Holly Story," one of the all-time great rock-and-roll biographies (February, 2002)
"It Came from Under $3 Million": Actor/writer/director Larry Brand, who specializes in making low-budget thrillers-- deranged serial killers, beautiful women in jeopardy, conflicted cops, lots of suspense, a few red herrings, and a surprisingly low body count. Is this any way to make a living? You bet it is! Larry screened his film "Paranoia" and talked about how his end of the industry operates. (November, 2001)
Greg Howard, writer of "Remember the Titans" and "Ali." We screened "Titans" and heard him talk about a career in which he's specialized in bringing true stories to the screen. (October, 2001)
Aron Abrams, one of the writer-producers of "3rd Rock from the Sun" and professional funny person, who was on campus to screen one of his "3rd Rock" episodes, talk about his adventures in TV and film, and explain why comedy is a lot more fun to watch than it is to do. (May, 2000)
Ross LaManna, author of the 1998 hit "Rush Hour," "Star Trek: First Contact," and "Titanic" (no, not that "Titanic," a TV version starring George C. Scott) (March, 2000)
Mike Reiss, writer/producer, "The Simpsons" and "The Critic" (October, 1999)
Doug Richardson, writer, "The Money Train," "Die Hard II" (March, 1999)
Tim Minear, writer/producer "The X-Files" (October, 1998)
Workshops
At least once a year, usually in the fall, the Screenwriting & Playwriting Program hosts a workshop for high school students interested in dramatic writing as a college major. The workshop usually includes a panel discussion featuring professional writers, followed by lunch and a class on a specific aspect of screenwriting.
