Conference and Workshop with Author and Screenwriter Tom Lutz

On September 2 and 3, 2008, the Global Media Arts Institute (GMAI), an initiative of Global Foundation for
Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), organized a conference and workshop on scriptwriting with Author, Screenwriter and Director of the MFA in Creative Writing and Writing for Performance at the University of California, Riverside, Dr. Tom Lutz.

During the conference which took place September 2, the acclaimed writer presented the Dominican Republic’s community of aspiring authors and screenwriters with an
overview of the development of Creative Writing as a Discipline an the keys to creating scripts that contribute to existing works artistically and culturally and are also commercially viable.

Lutz described the evolution of the discipline of creative writing from its inception as an art form in Germany during the late 19^th century, to the emergence of Modern Language and Literature Departments within universities throughout the United States. He referred to the important role Wilhelm von Humboldt’s reforms played in the development of modern US pedagogy and learning methodologies, a move away from memorization of knowledge
and towards critical thinking. Lutz also informed conference participants on the fundamentals of successful scriptwriting, placing particular emphasis on:

·          Treatments

·         
Character development and complexity

·          Plot construction