Breaking Bad producer Stewart Lyons will be among the TV and film creators appearing at DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts Visiting Artists Series this winter.
The award-winning guest, who also produces Better Call Saul, will take part in the VAS’ series of feature screenings and onstage discussions with leading talent in the entertainment industry
Other featured filmmakers in the program are:
Kelly Reichardt
First Cow, Wendy and Lucy, and Certain Women
Kirill Mikhanovsky and Alice Austen
Give Me Liberty
Jennifer Reeder
Knives and Skin
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“We are thrilled to feature directors, writers and producers who have been recognized by the Emmys, the Independent Spirit Awards, and elite film festivals,” said Wendy Roderweiss, chair of the series and a professional lecturer in DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts. “DePaul’s highly regarded Visiting Artists Series is a unique forum that features in-depth conversations with today’s best filmmakers,” Roderweiss said.
All events are held on DePaul’s Loop Campus in the Richard M. and Maggie C. Daley Building at 247 S. State St., in the CDM Theater, Lower Level Room 105. Events are free to the public but seating is limited, to register, click here.
The events will also be live-streamed and posted here.
SCHOOL OF CINEMATIC ARTS
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY VISITING ARTISTS SERIES
Feb. 21 | 6-9 p.m.
Conversation with Breaking Bad / Better Call Saul producer Stewart Lyons
Stewart Lyons has served many roles in the film and TV industry, including co-executive producer, line producer and production executive. He has worked with companies including Netflix, Warner Brothers and HBO on 33 television series and 27 pilot episodes, of which 20 were ordered to series, and numerous feature films and TV movies. His most recent and notable work was as the co-executive producer for the premiere season of Better Call Saul, and as line producer for Breaking Bad.
Feb. 28 | Screening: 5:30 p.m. | Discussion: 7:30 p.m.
Give Me Liberty Screening with Kirill Mikhanovsky and Alice Austen
From director Kirill Mikhanovsky and co-writer and producer Alice Austen comes Give Me Liberty, a movie about how the protagonist’s derailed day ends up revealing a hilarious and compassionate intersectional portrait of American dreams and disenchantment. Born in Russia, Mikhanovsky’s passion for film began at an early age and drove him to film school before traveling the world to make award-winning films like his first feature, Sohnos De Peixe, which won the Critics Week award at the Cannes Film Festival. Austen grew up in the Pacific Northwest and studied law before producing award-winning plays for theaters around the U.S. and Europe. She brings her background as a former international lawyer to the table when producing movies.
March 6 | Screening: 5:30 p.m. | Discussion: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Knives and Skin screening with director Jennifer Reeder
Jennifer Reeder’s Knives and Skin follows the unfolding events when a wave of fear and distrust breaks out in a small Midwestern town after the disappearance of a high school student. Reeder’s narratives focus on relationships, trauma and coping, and take cues from amateur music videos and magical realism. Her films have been shown around the world, including at the Sundance Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival and the London Film Festival.
March 11 | Screening: 5:30 p.m. | Discussion: 7:45-8:30 p.m.
Certain Women Screening with director Kelly Reichardt
Kelly Reichardt’s Certain Women” is based on three short stories from American writer Maile Meloy, in which the lives of trailblazing women cross paths in small town America. The film stars Michelle Williams, Laura Dern, Kristin Stewart and Lily Gladstone. Hailed as one of America’s greatest independent filmmakers, Reichardt’s other feature films include First Cow, Night Moves, Wendy and Lucy, and Meek’s Cutoff. In addition to directing, Reichardt is an artist-in-residence at Bard College. Following the screening of “Certain Women,” Reichardt will take the stage for a discussion with the audience.
Photo: Breaking Bad star Brian Cranston and producer Stewart Lyons
About the DePaul School of Cinematic Arts
DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts has been ranked a top film school by The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Faculty are award-winning filmmakers, and the school offers students a place to learn their craft, develop a creative voice, and afilmmaking career. The Second City and DePaul together offer comedy filmmaking degrees with courses in Chicago’s iconic center for improvisational comedy. And the soundstage is a classroom at DePaul’s 35,000-square-foot facilities at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, which include three professional soundstages, green screen cycloramas, a 3-ton grip truck and high-end editing suites and mixing studios. For more information, click here.
