Huston School of Film & Digital Media and IADT to Sponsor Screenwriting Conference Give Me Direction
GIVE ME DIRECTION, a new conference focusing on the art and science of writing for the screen which will be attended by a mix of Irish and international guests including Hollywood legend Shane Black (Lethal Weapon), Paul Fraser (Somers Town), Eran Kolirin (The Band's Visit) and Conor McPherson takes place this week on 4th and 5th June.Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) in partnership with the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) are delighted to have industry support from two of the leading film schools in Ireland: Huston School of Film & Digital Media and Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT), both of which are sponsoring panel sessions during the conference.
Huston School are sponsoring the UNTITLED panel, a three-way discussion on how to get the best out of creative collaborators chaired by Roddy Doyle with Conor McPherson and Rob Walpole on the panel. Established in 2003, the Huston School of Film & Digital Media runs a number of MA courses in NUI Galway, including Production & Direction, Screenwriting and Film Studies. The MA in Screenwriting was the school's inaugural programme and offers training in screenplay writing, integrated with courses in film history and analysis, supported by regular film screenings and workshops.
Commenting on their involvement with 'Give me Direction', course coordinator James Finlan said: 'We are delighted to be involved in this unique event. Screenwriting is the foundation on which creative cinema is built and Conor McPherson represents the best of Irish writing talent".
IADT are sponsoring the DON'T GET WEIRD ON ME panel which explores the arthouse versus commercial cinema debate and will have Eran Kolirin, Mark O'Rowe, Shane Black and Damien O'Donnell on the panel. Since establishing in 1997 with 450 students IADT has grown to 1,650 full-time students, 800 part-time students and is set to grow to 2000+ full-time places. IADT has built an international reputation in the creative, cultural and digital media sectors. Donald Taylor Black, Creative Director of the National Film School, said "The NFS is delighted to sponsor Friday's opening session, "Don't Get Weird on Me", to mark the 10th anniversary of IADT's MA in Screenwriting, the oldest-established such programme in Ireland."
Other sessions during the conference on Friday include LIVE LONG & PROSPER: a hard headed discussion on making a living as a scriptwriter and MONGRELS: a conversation on what it takes to move between formats as a writer with input from a range of writers with a background working in of theatre, film, and TV. There will also be a showcase of the best of new Irish writing talent with a reading of scenes from Memorabilia written by Kevin Barry and currently in development with the IFB.
The conference will open with a public interview with Shane Black on Thursday evening in the Light House Cinema.
WHEN: 4th & 5th June 2009
WHERE: The Light House Cinema & The Shelbourne Hotel
TIME: 4th June 16.30 - 21.00 / 5th June 9.30 - 18.00
Tickets for the event have now sold out