To my great surprise the two teaching positions for which I was best qualified were open and they were looking to hire someone fairly quickly. I agreed to take both positions and to begin whenever they needed me. That turned out to be rather soon, and within a month I was up and running and teaching two classes. My classes were (and still are), Screenwriting and TV/Film Production, two subjects I know quite well.
I had never taught before, and after the first class I realized there was more to this than standing in front of a class of 20 somethings and doing a dog and pony show.
Growing up in the business in the two largest markets in America, my edge was hard and my skin was thick. I have been in writer’s rooms full of vitriol, ego, and four letter words. I have produced live TV where you don’t get a second chance, I have had battles with crews and directors more times in more countries than I care to remember. Threats and intimidation were part of the job. No hard feelings — just trying to get it right.
