Date: Saturday, April 12
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Jones Library, 43 Amity Street, Amherst, Mass.
Cost: $10 for the public; $8 Chamber members
Refreshments: Snacks provided by The Black Sheep Deli, The Loose Goose Café, and Rao’s
EMMY-NOMINATED SCREENWRITER DANIEL GIAT PRESENTING
Daniel Giat, who wrote the Emmy Award-winning television movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee will discuss “Why You Hated That Last Movie You Saw” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 in the Jones Library, Amherst, Mass. as part of Valleywood II – a celebration of the digital arts in the Pioneer Valley.
Giat’s screenplay for Path to War — a movie about former President Lyndon Johnson and the Vietnam War, which aired on HBO in 2002 was also nominated for an Emmy. He has written for HBO since 1995.
Valleywood II is being sponsored by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and Reader to Reader Inc., with support from the Amherst Town Manager Larry Shaffer, A – Z International Associates and many other organizations. The opening program on March 8 featured author John Katzenbach and was highly received.
VALLEYWOOD II is planned as an ongoing series of afternoon weekend lectures by regional writers, screenwriters, film-makers, animators, special effects, sound and others who are developing content for Hollywood, television and a wide range of mobile devices – all of whom fit into what is commonly called the “digital economy” or “new media.” The aim is to schedule one, mid-afternoon lecture per month during the school year on either a Saturday or Sunday in the lower level large meeting room of the Jones Library, or other locations in Amherst to be announced.
PR patrons include ACTV, Amherst Leisure Services and Supplemental Education (LSSE), Choreographic Design, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Hidden-Tech, the National Writers Union western Massachusetts local, the Regional Technology Corporation, and the Western Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, among others.
On April 12, Giat will discuss the potential power of movie-watching and why some movies work well while others do not. He notes that “while the rules of drama apply in all forms of storytelling, the near dream-state of movie-watching in a darkened theater with no interruptions can induce in the audience a uniquely powerful emotional identification with the characters on screen and their dramatic dilemmas. They can, but rarely do.”
His talk, with accompanying film clips, will address the concept of a “character’s conscious desire and unconscious need, aiding the audience in understanding why one movie works and another doesn’t.”
Giat has taught screenwriting at Mt. Holyoke College and lectures at Amherst College. Outside of his work and family he says his “great passion is community theater,” and he recently appeared in the LSSE production of The Music Man.
Valleywood II will conclude for the spring on May 10 with David Shepherd, an improv theater and video master, founder of Compass (the granddaddy of “Saturday Night Live”) and Group Creativity, as well as the author of That Movie in Your Head.
Patty Brandts, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, noted in a recent Chamber newsletter that “a big crowd turned out for the opening of Valleywood II” with John Katzenbach, and she was hopeful many more will attend the second program on April 12 to learn about screenwriting and film from Daniel Giat.
She explains that there is a wealth of amazing talent in our area in terms of those serving all aspects of the entertainment industry — from the creative to the technical. But Brandts points out that the digital economy is even far larger, encompassing online learning and even the life sciences. Its her hope that many regional professionals working in the digital economy will see through Valleywood II that the Chamber has much to offer them in terms of networking and business support.
And Larry Shaffer, Amherst Town Manager, views Valleywood II as a means of building awareness that the town of Amherst, as well as surrounding communities, is chock full of extraordinary professionals who are playing major roles in the new media and digital economies, while choosing to live here. Those in the know have long understood the prominent role that many residents are playing in the new media and digital economy. Amherst and the Pioneer Valley’s role in this burgeoning industry is no longer a secret thanks to programs like Valleywood II, he said.
David Mazor, founder and executive director of Reader to Reader Inc. — a charity based on the campus of Amherst College and devoted to distributing free books and other classroom resources to over 400 schools and public libraries nationwide — says he sees “a natural connection between promoting digital artists, many of whom are writers and authors, and Reader to Reader’s daily mission. Afterall, the connection between literature and the film world is as old as Hollywood and building bridges can only assist my organization, as well as regional writers and authors,” he said.
“Also, as a long-time resident of Amherst and the Valley, a former Hollywood film distribution executive and a member of the board of the Amherst Cinema Center, I want to highlight the many talented people residing in this region,” Mazor added. “I believe the digital arts, or the new media, has a huge potential to boost the economy of this town and many other regional communities. It’s my hope that this lecture series not only provides entertainment, but support for the digital arts, for individual artists, for the distribution of books and for local students who are interested in digital arts careers.”
And Amy Zuckerman, principal of A – Z International Associates, an Amherst-based strategic marketing business, founder of the Hidden-Tech network, and the Chamber’s 2004 Dakin Award Winner for Professionalism, is delighted that the community is buzzing about Valleywood II, which she has designed. Zuckerman is hoping that the many people who have expressed interest and excitement about Valleywood II, but missed hearing Katzenbach speak, will mark their calendars for the next two programs.
“Dan presented at the original ‘Valley Goes to Hollywood’ in 2004 and is a superb speaker. You won’t be disappointed,” she said.
Seating is first come, first served.
For more information contact Amy Zuckerman, Principal, A – Z International Associates. Phone: 253-4124; Email: Amy, and Fax: 413-303-9487.