CINEMA Cleveland & the Cleveland Institute of Art Present Screenwriting 101: Featuring Guest Speaker David Wain Writer of 2008 Box Office Smash Role Models

Cleveland, OH, October 08, 2009 --(PR.com)-- CINEMA Cleveland, a non-profit dedicated to aiding and supporting local filmmakers and artists, in association with The Cleveland Institute of Art, presents Screenwriting 101, a crash course in the aspects of successful film screenwriting, featuring an appearance and discussion with Shaker Heights, OH native David Wain. Wain is best known as the mastermind behind MTV’s The State and for writing and directing the 2008 box office smash Role Models which grossed more than $92 million worldwide. CINEMA Cleveland Executive Director, Eric Swinderman feels “this is a tremendous opportunity for Cleveland area screenwriters and others in the industry to benefit from David’s personal experiences on the journey of the script and writer from idea to page to screen, and an exciting opportunity to collaborate with The Cleveland Institute of Art, a respected leader in arts education.”

Michael Ferrari, screenwriting & film instructor at Cleveland State University and Oberlin College will present the course material. Michael spent his early career working as a screenwriter in California before moving to Ohio in 2006. His scripts have been optioned and developed with Academy Award-winning directors Xavier Koller (Journey of Hope) and Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding.)

The course will be held Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque

Register at: http://www.cinemacleveland.com. The workshop will run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and Lunch will be provided as part of the course fee, with the students having the opportunity to interact with Mr. Wain during this time. Lisa Kramer Reichel, Director of Continuing Education & Community Outreach for CIA says, “Screenwriting 101 presents a special opportunity for The Cleveland Institute of Art to broaden its public programming and connect with the local film community by partnering with CINEMA Cleveland. Hosting the workshop at CIA’s Cinematheque, recently named “one of the country’s best repertory movie theaters” by The New York Times, is also very exciting for us. We look forward to a long partnership with CINEMA Cleveland.”

Students will get an overview of how to develop a feature film idea, how to structure and develop characters and plot into a feature-length industry-standard screenplay. From subject and plot development, to breaking into the industry, agents & managers, film festivals, marketing and many other important elements of the creative & production process. Students will receive a complimentary copy of the screenwriting software Celtx, a valuable tool for the novice & experienced writer alike.

Course Fee is $75 per person or $25 for CIA students (includes lunch options, course materials & free copy of Celtx screenwriting software). More information & Registration information may be found at the CINEMA Cleveland website www.cinemacleveland.com or by contacting Eric Swinderman, Executive Director of CINEMA Cleveland at ericswinderman@cinemacleveland.com. Register Now. Space is limited.

###