Announcement: The next chapter in my own hero’s journey!
I have accepted an offer to become a full-time assistant professor at the School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University in Chicago. It is a six year appointment beginning September 1, 2016 and is a tenure track position.
I am excited about this opportunity. The School of Cinematic Arts is a young, energetic, and growing program offering BA and BFA degrees, the latter with concentrations in Cinematography, Creative Producing, Directing, Editing, Production Design, Visual Effects, Screenwriting, Documentary, and Sound Design. The school also has MFA degree programs in Animation, Cinema, Creative Producing, Documentary, Game Design, and Screenwriting.
DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media, home to the School of Cinematic Arts
Since I began teaching as a hobby through the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program in 2002, then part-time when I launched Screenwriting Master Class in 2010, I have discovered I am equally passionate about it as I am with my writing. The fact I have hosted Go Into The Story — primarily in my view an educational resource — for 8+ years is a testament to that fact. So this move marks a logical next step to continue exploring screenwriting theory and practices, and grow as a teacher.
When I visited DePaul for a tour, interviews, and meetings with faculty and administration members, I heard a clear, emphatic vision for the School of Cinematic Arts: To become among the best schools for film studies in the country, one with top faculty committed to teaching first and the lives of their students, second-to-none facilities offering all students the opportunity to get hands-on experience creating visual stories, and comprehensive connections to the Hollywood and independent film and TV communities.
In the past, I have been approached by other universities, but none of them offer the unique combination of assets the School of Cinematic Arts has. This is a situation in which I believe I can use my experience and skill sets to work alongside colleagues, and together provide students with the very best education possible in their chosen areas of concentration.
For example, I suggested I could expand my Pixar and the Craft of Storytelling class into a 10 week undergraduate course. Sure! I inquired about the possibility of teaching a class on a character-based approach to story development. Great! Since the program is young, nimble, and has strong support from the University, the administration encourages faculty to be innovative in what they bring to their teaching in order to best facilitate students’ education.
Speaking of which, there is probably no better way to learn the craft of filmmaking and television than by actually making stuff, and the School not only provides students with state-of-the-art equipment, they also rent two 10,000 foot soundstages at the Cinespace Chicago Film Studio lot, the same facility which is the production home to several TV series including Empire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, and Chicago Fire.
What does this transition mean for you? In accepting this position, my work at the School of Cinematic Arts becomes my number one priority. However the administration at DePaul supports me in continuing to host Go Into The Story, my partnership with the Black List, and my work with Screenwriting Master Class.
As far as Go Into The Story is concerned, I will continue to do multiple posts on a daily basis, however I am going to explore scaling back the quantity. Currently I average 6 posts per day. I think I can continue to provide readers just about the same experience with 4 daily posts. I have some additional thoughts which should make the blog an even more valuable resource moving forward, but I’ll address those in a post tomorrow in which I will provide an update on the site’s upcoming move to the Medium platform.
Regarding Screenwriting Master Class, that will require a more substantive change. For example, during the academic year, I will not offer any of my online workshops — Story Prep, First Draft, Rewriting — the only times I will be available to teach those sessions is in the summer (Tom Benedek will handle SMC workshops from September through May). However I will still oversee 1-week online Core and Craft classes as I can fit those into my schedule. I will provide more information on that front in a post the day after tomorrow.
I will continue my partnership with Franklin Leonard and the Black List. Indeed, I am slated to be a mentor at the next Black List screenwriter lab in October in Los Angeles. Since I consider the Black List to be the most important brand related to screenwriting in Hollywood and their team is doing important work on behalf of screenwriters, aspiring and professional, I am motivated to maintain and grow that association.
My family has enjoyed our 11 year stint in Chapel Hill and we leave with fond memories, for me especially my 8 years teaching in the Writing for Screen and Stage program at the University of North Carolina. My thanks to WSS acting director Dana Coen. I am proud of what we have accomplished in developing the program and intend to continue supporting the many graduates who are working in the industry I have had the pleasure to teach over the years.
I’d also like to thank my friends and cohorts Rick Duffield and Tom Waring for bringing me on board to Trailblazer Studios. My 8 years there were a real education about the business aspects of the entertainment industry as well as TV production and post-production. I am grateful to have had the chance to work with a creative group of people and help establish the company’s original programming group.
That said, we are moving to a world class city and the School of Cinematic Arts is located just a few blocks from the Art Institute and Millennium Park. Great location! As is our townhouse apartment in Lincoln Park as Luke can walk to school and I’m about 5 minutes from The L station which drops me off a block away from the SCA.
Plus this: My oldest son Will is in a doctoral program at the University of Chicago, which means our entire family will be living in the same city for the first time in 8 years.
Let me close this announcement with something I have learned during this lengthy application and interview process for the assistant professor position. One of the things I had to do for my interview visit to DePaul was give a 45 minute presentation about my background, both personal and professional, and in preparing it, as I looked back on my life, I realized at every single point where I had a choice between playing it safe and following my creative interests and ambitions, I always opted for the latter. Indeed the central theme of my presentation was how my life really has been grounded in what Joseph Campbell says is the central theme of the Hero’s Journey: “Follow your bliss.”
Leaving academics… music… stand-up comedy… screenwriting… television producing… blogging… teaching… at every juncture when confronted with a creative opportunity, I’ve always responded by saying, “I can do that.”
And this opportunity? A no-brainer. I’m thrilled to start this next chapter in my own hero’s journey.
Special thanks to Brad Riddell, assistant professor at the School of Cinematic Arts. He first contacted me two years ago and made me aware of the program. We have stayed in touch since then and, indeed, Brad was my point person throughout this application and vetting process. He’s a terrific teacher, talented writer, and I can tell we will not only be good colleagues, but also friends. Also thanks to David Miller, Dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media who has been a staunch supporter of the School of Cinematic Arts during his entire tenure at DePaul and has been especially gracious in his interactions with me.
Indeed, all the faculty, administration, and students I met in my visit were great. I can’t wait to get to Chicago and contribute whatever I can to help build on the excellent foundation already in place.
Onward!
UPDATE: Overwhelmed with gratitude at all the kind words from folks here, on Twitter, Facebook, and email. I love writing, movies, TV, teaching, and exploring the wonder that is Story. I cannot imagine what my life would have become had I not started this crazy blog, such a central part of just about everything I do as a writer and teacher. So my thanks to any and all of you who somehow found your way to this site. Here’s to more years of learning together and inspiring each other as we continue to Go Into The Story!
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