University of California, Irvine Extension hosts free round table with famed screenwriters

Professional Screenwriters Share Secrets of their Success

IRVINE, Calif. – August 30, 2001 – University of California, Irvine Extension is hosting an interactive discussion for their screenwriting program Saturday, September 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Science Plaza, room 1100 at UC Irvine campus. Open to the public, the event features several famed screenwriters, including Leslie Dixon, screenwriter of "Mrs. Doubtfire," who will also be a guest speaker.

Attendees will be able to learn about and discuss the art of screenwriting with Leslie Dixon, Michael Berlin, Linda Voorhees, Terry Black and Nelson Solar [bios following] in a panel discussion format, moderated by Bob Woolery. Writers will share their experiences in the industry and secrets to success.

Leslie Dixon
Dixon launched her career with comedies like "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Look Who's Talking Now," "Outrageous Fortune" and "Overboard." She then transitioned into dramas such as "The Thomas Crown Affair" and "Pay it Forward."

Michael Berlin
Host of UC Irvine Extension's popular film series "Coming Attractions," Berlin is the author of "RAPCITY," "Young Houdini" and "In My Father's House." He is currently writing an on-stage musical entitled, "Boulevard of Dreams."

Linda Voorhees
Voorhees wrote both the award winning TNT production, "Crazy from the Heart" and an ABC mini-series, entitled "For the Love of Zachary." Additionally, she helped write "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride," and has worked with ABC, NBC, CBS, Columbia Pictures and Disney Channel for movie-of-the week programs and various feature films.

Terry Black
Black was a staff writer and story editor for "18 Wheels for Justice," and author of "Dead Heat." He has also written for USA's "Silk Stalkings," as well as CBS's "Dark Justice" and "Tales from the Crypt."

Nelson Solar
Solar currently writes for the upcoming ABC action series, "Thieves," which stars John Stamos and Melissa George. He is known for musical/variety shows such as: "The Latin Grammy Awards," "The Alma Awards" and "The Kennedy Center Presents." Solar has also served as head writer for the Paul Rodriguez Show. He is a recipient of the Disney/ABC Fellowship in Screenwriting and NBC Minority Writers' Scholarship, and was selected to participate in the American Film Institute's summer writers' workshop.

Bob Woolery
Woolery's most recent works include "Libido Factor" and a MGM project entitled "Taj Mahal," starring Uma Therman and Sean Connery. In addition, he is writing and directing American Cinema Theatre's "Ninety-Six Third Avenue." Woolery wrote "Mancuso – FBI," the NBC drama starring Robert Loggia, and he wrote, directed and produced "A.D. 1,000, Evolution of the Vikings", an award-winning documentary on the discovery of North America for the National Geographic. He was recognized as a finalist in Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment Writer's Film Project for his work on "Silk Roads."

University of California, Irvine Extension, the continuing education arm of the University of California, Irvine, offers over 1,600 university-level professional and personal enrichment courses, including 45 certificate programs and specialized studies every year. It serves over 12,000 students annually, most of whom already have college degrees. For the convenience of working adults, most courses are held evenings and weekends on the UC Irvine campus, the UC Irvine Learning Center in Orange and online.

The program also provides custom education and training programs at business sites worldwide. Instructors for all courses are highly qualified UCI-approved leading industry experts. UC Irvine Extension is financially self-supporting, deriving income primarily from course enrollment fees without the assistance of state funds. For more information regarding University of California, Irvine Extension courses and programs, log on to www.unex.uci.edu, email unex@uci.edu or call (949) 824-5414.