FILMMAKING FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN: POLTERGEIST DECONSTRUCTED
A Special Seminar with Poltergeist Screenwriter Michael Grais
The UNM-Taos Arts Academy is very excited to offer students, writers, filmmakers, and the general public an extraordinary opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the filmmaking process in a free, evening seminar with acclaimed screenwriter and filmmaker Michael Grais.
The two evening program will feature a screening of the movie, Poltergeist, on Tuesday, April 20th and a seminar, Filmmaking from Script to Screen: Poltergeist Deconstructed, on Thursday, April 22nd. Both programs start at 6:30 pm on the UNM-Taos, Klauer Campus. Although not required, it is recommended that participants pick up a copy of the Poltergeist script and read it before the April 20th screening. Scripts can be obtained from the UNM-Taos Art Academy, 575-737-6276.
Using his mega-hit Poltergeist as an example, Grais will lead a detailed discussion about the process of creating a movie and writing for the screen. He will deconstruct the finished film in relationship to its original blueprint, the script, providing a clear and practical understanding of how writing determines every step in the film making process.
Michael Grais has written and produced movies of domestic and international acclaim, whose gross revenues have exceeded five hundred million dollars. After Emerson College and N.Y.U. Film School, Grais decided to relocate to Los Angeles. He began writing for episodic television and then launched into features. He has written everything from romantic comedies to thrillers for seven Academy Award winning producers/directors including Steven Spielberg.
His films and TV credits include Poltergeist II, Visitors from the Unknown, Great Balls of Fire, Marked for Death, Sleepwalkers, Cool World and Who Killed Atlanta's Children. Actors that have starred in his work include Dennis Quaid, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, Brad Pitt, Kim Basinger, Gabriel Byrne and Steven Seagal. Currently Grais is working on a film about the current border situation that Peter Fonda will direct and they will produce together.
Everyone is welcome to come to this event, but it should be of particular interest to screenwriters, writers in general, actors, filmmakers, film technicians, movie buffs and anyone interested in working in the film industry.
Delicious refreshments will be provided by the UNM-Taos Culinary Arts Program.
------------------
For more details, please call UNM-Taos Arts Academy Program Coordinator Sabra Sowell at (575) 737-6256 or Gary Cook, Art Academy Head at (575) 737-6276.
UNM-Taos is a branch campus of the University of New Mexico. The Arts Academy offers classes year round in the visual and performing arts including Drawing, Jewelry, Ceramics, Photography, Printmaking, Pueblo Pottery, Painting, Motion Media/Film, Dance and Music. Our hallmark is dedicated, experienced educators who care deeply about their students and are professional practicing artists.
