Starting April 15, I'll be taking this course:

Writing a Suspense/Horror Script

Instructor: Randy Pearlstein

This class is all about writing a screenplay that will keep your audience on the edge of it's seat. Whether it's suspense or horror, the viewers have to be engaged and have fun following the twists and turns of your hero's adventure. Focus will be placed on creating a memorable cast, 3 act structure, peaks and valleys, scenework and dialogue. The only prerequisite is having an idea for your script. We will begin by completing a tight outline and then embarking on your first draft. Writers of all levels are welcome. You can look forward to numerous exercises, film clips, and staged readings.

April 15 to May 27 (6 weeks, no class April 29)

The Teacher:

RANDY PEARLSTEIN has written numerous screenplays including Lions Gate's Cabin Fever and Cabin Fever 2. In addition to writing films, Randy was a regular cast member on the hit series CHAPPELLE'S SHOW and a staff writer on the NBC/Bravo pilot THE LATEST SHOW. Randy studied screenwriting at NYU's film school and has been writing for over 15 years. His other experiences include his work as a stand-up comic and studying directing with Mike Nichols. Randy has been a guest speaker at colleges across North America and at the esteemed Directors Guild of Canada.

The class is sponsored by The PIT (People's Improv Theater) here in New York. They seem to have a lot of really cool improv and writing classes. This class is definitely an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. A) Writing horror movies is one of the main things I want to do with my life/writing career, B) Maybe I'll also meet some new people so that I'm not just stuck hanging out with people from work, C) With the first draft of FAMILY FIRST winding down, this class should provide me with the incentive to really kick ass on the next script (whatever I decide that will be).

Unrelated miscellany:

* Finally saw THE DEPARTED. Great movie. Definitely worthy of best picture. I didn't see what all the fuss was over the violence until the very end and then...headshots galore!

* The 28 WEEKS LATER trailer looks pretty sweet. Lesson from the past: 28 DAYS LATER = great movie, does not = great date movie. No sir.