Calvin College hosts Emmy-winning screenwriter

Is GR a part of the new Hollywood?
Emmy-winning writer/producer to speak at Calvin

Is Grand Rapids a part of the new Hollywood? Emmy-winning writer/producer
Scott W. Smith is doing his part to help make that happen. Smith will come to
Calvin College April 14-15 to hold a lecture and screenwriting workshop.
He’ll share his success story and explain why this is an exciting time to
work in filmmaking – even if you live in the Midwest.

"Scott is making a niche for himself right on the cutting edge of the new
technologies and delivery systems that are transforming movie making in the
United States," said film studies professor Bill Romanowski.

Smith has more than 20 years of experience in the field and his work has taken
him to all 50 states and more than 15 countries working on everything from
documentaries to national TV programs to Web videos.

In 2008, Smith was hired to scout locations for Drew Barrymore’s directorial
debut, "Whip It!," which comes out this year. The production company chose
Michigan.

Smith has five years of experience working in Los Angeles. He told the
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier last November that he went there to try to be the
next Steven Spielberg. "It was fun and frustrating, you can be so close to
making it and still be so far away," he said.

But Smith is encouraged by the new opportunities available for this generation
and this region, considering that Michigan and the Midwest are attracting more
and more filmmakers.

"He’s got a great story to tell, one that will not just inform students
about what’s happening with the new media, but encourage and challenge them
to explore these new alternative channels that are opening up avenues for their
creative work," said Romanowski.

Smith recently won an Emmy for his screenwriting Web site. Here's the link:
http://screenwritingfromiowa.wordpress.com/

For more information regarding Smith's visit, please contact Bill Romanowski
at 616.526.8527.
Received on Fri Mar 27 09:59:25 2009