Film 383: Screenwriting

Open up the Cornell University course catalog for Spring 2007 and here's a class you'll find...

FILM 383 Screenwriting
Spring. 4 credits. TR 2:30-4:25 CT 124 Limited to 12 students. Prerequisite: Completed application and permission of instructor. Students must go to 225 Schwartz to pick up application. N. Sagan

Yes, starting next month, I'm Mr. Chips. The Cornell film department was looking for a new screenwriting instructor and a friend of a friend thought I'd be perfect for it. And I decided what the heck, I'll apply for the spot. One interview later, I'm on the faculty.

I've guest lectured at colleges before, but this will be the first time I've taught my own class. Brand new experience! It could be a lot of fun, and I like the idea of giving back; teaching strikes me as a good way to honor the instructors who nurtured and inspired my craft.

On the other hand, will this interfere with my writing? That was my concern about taking the job, and I have to admit I'm juggling a lot these days. But a few hours a week isn't going to break me, and I suspect the time spent talking about the process might even help me past writer's block when I encounter it. Hope so, at least, and I'm looking forward to finding out.

Weirdly, the child part of my brain is having an identity crisis because it's convinced the universe only has one Professor Sagan who teaches at Cornell: my father. And now these adults are giving me an office, access to the faculty lounge, and even a cornell.edu email address. What's up with that?

Comments

[Audrey Harper]

That's awesome, congratulations! I wish I were a student there.

You keep the Sagan legacy alive, and I thank you for that. I'm sure he'd be proud of you.

Question: Will you ever do a book tour?

[Ângelo Fernandes]

I think you did well to accept the job. Congrats.

who knows it may give you more and new ideas for you to write :)

I've given up teaching (I'm a primary teacher) but working with more adult students seems like a great challenge. good luck and enjoy it.

this semester I sign up for a screenwriting curse as well. but I'm not very fullfilled with the program of it.

ângelo

[John Scalzi]

Ooooh. I wanna take this course.

[Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows]

Your dad taught at Cornell? What was his name?

[Elizabeth]

Wow congrats. Sounds interesting! I bet teaching will help the writing process, because students are pretty crazy people :)
I'm sure your father would be incredibly proud of having another Professor Sagan in the family.

[Nick Sagan]

Audrey: You're welcome and thank you! No touring plans at the moment, but I'll post the moment that changes.

Ângelo: Thanks, I appreciate it. Out of curiosity, what's not working with that screenwriting class? I'll make sure mine doesn't fall into the same trap.

John: Move to Ithaca.

Sunshine: Oh, you.

Elizabeth: That's really nice of you to say, thanks. I know he'd be proud--it's a good feeling.

[Ângelo Fernandes]

In theory the class should be working fine.
the schedule is well set - we should now be working the 12 steps of the hero and how to apply it on the screenwritting, for example.

The problem is the person who orientates is too easy and a wanderer, so of the 3h per class, only an hour is produtive, which is quite boring.

As a teacher, notice that she needs a better guide line for this classes. Untill now, there's nothing new that some book about this issue don't say.

ângelo

[Nick Sagan]

That wandering focus can be frustrating in a teacher. Hopefully, I won't have that problem--I have that "screenwriter's temperament" where everything I write should move the story forward, and I plan to carry that same spirit over to my teaching.

And three hours sounds a bit long for a writing class. I'm sticking with two.