2007 Programs by Visiting OLLI Scholars“Author Talk and Book Signing” with Jeanne Johnson and Dan Bessie Dan Bessie began his career in animation at MGM studios, working on Tom & Jerry. After 40 years as a writer, producer and director of both live and animated films – including prestigious award winners – his first book, the family memoir Rare Birds, critically acclaimed by The NY Times, Publishers Weekly, etc, was published by the University Press of Kentucky. After teaching screenwriting and creative writing in California for 20 years, he authored his film career memoir, Reeling Through Hollywood (Blue Lupin Press). Now living in France, he continues to write, and to edit and illustrate books for others. He is the son of “Hollywood 10” screenwriter Alvah Bessie. Jeanne Johnson’s background in Great Britain includes degrees in education and counseling. After 14 years as an elementary school teacher, and 10 as a personal relationship counselor and adult educator (including 7 as a Quaker chaplain / counselor in a men’s prison) she met Dan Bessie on the internet. They married in 2001 and she moved to California, where, for 4 years, they jointly taught creative writing to prison inmates. In 2006 they took up residence in southern France. Her first book, Starlings in the Park (Blue Lupin Press) was published in 2006, and she is currently working on a novel based on her own life experiences. Both Dan and Jeanne have a permanent residence in Brantome, France. Dan and Jeanne will co-facilitate the following events: “A New Look at Old Movies (and at some new ones too)” with Jeanne Johnson and Dan Bessie Most of us growing up with movies of the late 1930s into the 1940s have wonderfully nostalgic memories. But what went into producing those films? What were the creative, commercial and political choices the writers, actors and directors made in making them? Concentrating on many of the best-loved films of that period and immediately following it, this course, using clips as well as screening two or three complete films – interlaced with ample discussion – will examine the aesthetics of movie making itself. Touching on subjects such as the studio system, the role of stars, the screenwriter’s craft, producers, directors and actors choices, the documentary film, and the Hollywood Blacklist, we’ll try to discover how all this has influenced (or not) some of today’s more well known films. “Writing from Life: Fact, Fiction, Memoir?” with Jeanne Johnson and Dan Bessie A Five-day mini-course April 9 -13, 2007, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, UCONN Waterbury Campus This mini-course has limited enrollment capacity and requires pre-registration by calling OLLI @ 203-236-9924. New and established writers will be encouraged to explore the exciting possibilities that exist in using their life experiences in the development of memoir, creative non-fiction or fiction. Whether writing for grandkids, aspiring to become published authors, or simply wanting to develop their own creative soul, each participant will be assisted in discovering their unique voice. Touching on the work of authors from the classics to today, the course will also include in-class writing exercises and the opportunity for everyone to share their work. |