Screenwriting Workshop a Rousing Success!

Screenwriting Workshop a Rousing Success!

Hollywood screenwriter and director David Wain spent the day with 40 aspiring Cleveland filmmakers at the Cleveland Institute of Art's Cinematheque on November 23 as part of CINEMA Cleveland's Lecture Series.

Wain, a Shaker Heights native and the mastermind behind such comedy gems as 2008's Role Models and the 2000 cult classic Wet Hot American Summer, graciously returned to his home town to impart wisdom and share his personal experiences in Tinseltown.

The day, which ran from 10am to 3pm, began with a screenwriting crash course presented by Cleveland State University faculty member Michael Ferarri. Students received an overview of how to develop a feature film idea, construct a logline and structure and develop characters and plot into a feature-length industry-standard screenplay.

While Ferarri's presentation was structured and packed with valuable information, Wain chose to keep things casual, asking the students to sit as close as possible and he sat on the edge of the stage with only his laptop. Encouraging the attendees to chime in or ask as many questions as possible, he gave the enthralled audience priceless advice on what it takes to make it from Cleveland to Hollywood. More than a plane ticket, he explained, it takes talent, drive, passion, ingenuity and persistence.

CINEMA Cleveland strives to provide informative and entertaining workshops for the artists of Cleveland and is planning more like this one for 2010. We thank David Wain, Michael Ferarri and those that attended and look forward to seeing you at our future seminars.