Emmy Award-winning writer, creator, producer and actor Lena Waithe of Twenties, The Chi and Queen & Slim will headline DePaul University’s Courier 12 Screenwriting Conference Feb. 5-6.
DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts will present a series of virtual panel discussions with top screenwriting talent and TV and film executives from across the entertainment industry. Slated speakers include screenwriters Liz Hannah of The Post and Nicole Perlman of Guardians of the Galaxy.
“Given everything we’re facing right now, this is a hard time to be creative. We’re relying on film and television writers more than ever to provide escape, to inform, and to unify us as a society through their art,” said Brad Riddell, associate professor in the School of Cinematic Arts.
Courier 12 celebrates accomplished writers and gives them an opportunity to inspire DePaul students and aspiring screenwriters around the world “to keep believing in their voice and doing the difficult work of creation,” said Riddell, a working screenwriter whose credits include American Pie: Band Camp and the upcoming feature comedy, Later Days.
Friday, Feb. 5
A Conversation with Lena Waithe
6-7 p.m.
Emmy Award-winning writer, creator, producer and actor Lena Waithe of Twenties, The Chi and Queen & Slim speaks with DePaul School of Cinematic Arts faculty members Jess King and Fatou Samba about her trailblazing career.
Saturday, Feb. 6
Breaking in: JB Ballard, Sam Campos and Roberto Larios
11 a.m.-noon
DePaul alumni share how they got their start in the industry after graduation. Writer’s assistant JB Ballard of Shameless and Moon Knight, ABC development executive Sam Campos, and Verve talent agent Roberto Larios in conversation with filmmaking faculty member Matt Quinn.
We Know Morph Dies: Decoding Writers’ Room Short-Hand
12:15-1:15 p.m.
Showrunner Chris Cantwell of Halt and Catch Fire and Paper Girls speaks with faculty member Kat O’Brien about working in a writer’s room.
Writing Movies, Writing TV, Writing Partners
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Liz Hannah of The Post and The Long Shot and Brian Millikin of Haven and Teen Wolf discuss their writing process with faculty member Scott Myers.
Adapting ‘Arrival’
3:45-4:45 p.m.
Screenwriter Eric Heisserer will discuss the development of his Oscar-nominated adaptation of Arrival. Riddell will moderate.
Breaking Barriers: Inclusive representation in Film & TV
5-6 p.m.
Writer, producer Sahar Jahani of Thirteen Reasons Why and Ramy discusses breaking barriers with faculty member Fatou Samba.
Writing Superheroes and Beyond
6:15-7:15 p.m.
Screenwriter, producer and director Nicole Perlman of Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel appears in conversation with faculty member Anna Hozian.
Admission to the Courier 12 Screenwriting Conference is free and open to the public but separate registration is required for both the Friday and Saturday programs at https://depaulvas.eventbrite.com.
