School of Cinematic Arts Visiting Artists Series


 

The School of Cinematic Arts Visiting Artist Series (VAS) was founded in 2008 as an educational and community outreach program with the goal of bringing innovative practitioners and industry leaders to the DePaul campus. The mission is threefold: to provide students with opportunities to have direct and meaningful contact with established and emerging innovators and professionals in the field; to raise the national and international profile of the School of Cinematic Arts; and to foster a sense of community among DePaul students, faculty, staff and the professional digital media community at large.

Visiting Artists Series events are crewed by students enrolled in FILM 319/419. In this workshop, students learn the ins and outs of multi-camera shooting timed with multimedia presentations, lightning cues, and live camera switching. They acquire the important skills of talk-show formatted television production, as well as post production and finishing for web streaming.

VAS events are livestreamed. Watch events as they are occurring, or view full-length recorded talks from past events on our
YouTube channel

Film

 

The Wachowskis

Lana and Lilly Wachowski share stories about getting started in the business.

 

Werner Herzog

Oscar-winning director Werner Herzog gives advice to aspiring filmmakers.

 

Emerald Fennell

Academy Award winning writer-director Emerald Fennell talks about her creative approach for the film Saltburn.

 

Bo Burnham

Writer/Director/Performer Bo Burnham discusses the role of writing and directing Eighth Grade.

 

Christine Vachon

Independent film producer Christine Vachon describes the time period she entered the business and her role as a producer.

 

Sean Baker

Writer/Director Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Tangerine) shares how locations inspire his films.

Screenwriting

 

Aaron Rahsaan Thomas

Writer Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T., The Get Down) speaks about using diversity as a superpower.

 

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods discuss the process of writing A Quiet Place.

 

Bob Gale

Writer Bob Gale discusses how Back to the Future got rejected all over Hollywood.

Documentary

 

Steve James

Steve James (Life Itself, Hoop Dreams, America to Me) discusses the importance of being likable.

 

Kathy Kasic

Cinematographer Kathy Kasic (Enter the Wind, Loose Horses) reminds people to trust their cameras.

 

Adam Leipzig

Producer Adam Leipzig (A Plastic Ocean) discusses the potential impact of documentaries and strategies to get your film and message to your audience.

Television

 

Steve Levitan

Emmy Award-winning creator and executive producer of the hit TV series Modern Family shares his journey on becoming a producer and selling the show to the network.

 

Adam Goldberg

Adam Goldberg, creator of The Goldbergs, discusses hiring writers.

 

Sam Bailey and Minita Gandhi

Sam Bailey and Minita Gandhi (Brown Girls) give advice on pitching with confidence.

Animation

 

John Musker

Director John Musker (Moana, Aladdin, Little Mermaid) discusses co-directing and collaborating.

 

Mary Coleman

Mary Coleman, Head of Creative Development at Pixar, explains the importance of structure.

 

Doug Sweetland

Director Doug Sweetland (Storks, Presto) discusses breaking into the industry.