Teaching Experience

In addition to teaching CSUN’s intro to screenwriting class, “Foundations in Media Writing,” I taught a sample graduate-level class in our master’s program pedagogy course, and further designed syllabi for two more courses.

Sample Class slides

These presentations are, of course, incomplete without the professor (me) talking to the class along with them. Some of the slides may be self-explanatory, but others may only make sense in the context of the class lecture.

What is a story?

This is a lesson intended for the early part of the intro to screenwriting class, in which I discuss what elements constitute a story and why.

Building Your Character

In this lesson, I discuss one possible method of character creation, known as the “Character Tree.”

In a subsequent lector, I explain Lajos Egri’s Character Bone Structure as an alternative.

INTERTEXTUAL CONTINUITY IN AMERICAN CINEMA

This is the introductory lecture for a survey course I designed in the pedagogy class of our master’s program.

Here, I layout the basic outline of the course, and explain key terms, as well as the relevance to the students.

sample syllabi

Foundations in media writing

An introductory-level course for film students of every discipline. The lesson plans are designed to accommodate various interest levels, from novice to experienced writer.

I taught this course in the 2019-2020 academic tear. I had to modify it in the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 shutdowns, and it still worked well on Zoom.

PRODUCTION AND DIRECTION FOR WRITERS

A course for writing students to experience the entire production process, from prep to post, in order to fully understand how their work will be turned into a completed film.

Sequels, Prequels, remakes and reboots

AKA Intertextual Continuity in American Cinema

A survey course examining the development of franchises over time.

I designed it as a film appreciation course for a lecture hall or theater, to accommodate a large number of students.

podcast

The Call Sheet

I produce, and sometimes host, a podcast series about filmmaking, with a target audience of film students and people new to the entertainment industry. Guests included former Head of Production at Amazon Studios, John Lynch; Oscar-nominated animation director Tim Reckart; Emmy-nominated editor Scott Powell, and many more.