
For the first time in the school's history, Concord University (Athens, WV) is offering a class on Screenwriting.
And I, Mark Botts, am teaching it.
The Dean of Concord's English Department is a film aficionado - it's ridiculous the number of movies that man has seen. He chairs the Film Society, too, and is very proud of the institution's film library, a project he has steadfastly led for many years.
When he and I first met, in the fall 2013, we discussed my teaching (as an adjunct) a World Literature class. I was thrilled for that opportunity.
Our second meeting focused on movies - films - cinema.
And I, Mark Botts, am teaching it.
The Dean of Concord's English Department is a film aficionado - it's ridiculous the number of movies that man has seen. He chairs the Film Society, too, and is very proud of the institution's film library, a project he has steadfastly led for many years.
When he and I first met, in the fall 2013, we discussed my teaching (as an adjunct) a World Literature class. I was thrilled for that opportunity.
Our second meeting focused on movies - films - cinema.
Turns out the Ph.D. was teaching a class on horror films. A class he entitled: Monstrosity. I told him I wanted to audit the course.
He mentioned my M.F.A. in Script and Screenwriting, and he breached the idea of my heading up a class, an eight week mini course, on the subject in the spring.
I said yes.
And I managed not to give the guy a hug.
That would have been awkward. Unprofessional.
Well, the time has come. Spring semester 2014. A handful of students have signed up. We've met twice. Six more times to go. There's years of information to deliver and a penance of time to deliver it all, but the group seems eager and capable.
I'll post several times about the experience.
For starters, I'll say this: teaching the subject of screenwriting is forcing me to know even more what I believe and what I practice.
He mentioned my M.F.A. in Script and Screenwriting, and he breached the idea of my heading up a class, an eight week mini course, on the subject in the spring.
I said yes.
And I managed not to give the guy a hug.
That would have been awkward. Unprofessional.
Well, the time has come. Spring semester 2014. A handful of students have signed up. We've met twice. Six more times to go. There's years of information to deliver and a penance of time to deliver it all, but the group seems eager and capable.
I'll post several times about the experience.
For starters, I'll say this: teaching the subject of screenwriting is forcing me to know even more what I believe and what I practice.