Oscar-nominated director to heading state film conference

Oklahoma City University will host the Oklahoma Film and Video Studies Society state conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 29, but the registration deadline is Monday. The conference will feature keynote speaker Jeffrey Blitz, Oscar-nominated independent filmmaker and brother of OCU law professor Marc Blitz.

Blitz is perhaps best known for directing the 2002 Academy Award-nominated documentary "Spellbound," and his most recent film, "Rocket Science," was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards and won him the 2007 Sundance Film Festival award for directing. He has directed two episodes of NBC's "The Office" and is working on a documentary on lottery winners.

AGENDA
During his OCU visit, he will screen and discuss "Rocket Science," the 2007 semiautobiographical coming-of-age comedy, to be followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. 

Diana Silver, office assistant at the OCU Center for Interpersonal Studies for Film and Literature, said the event offers filmmakers the opportunity to learn useful techniques directly from professionals. 

"This is a great opportunity for amateur filmmakers around the state to get together for something they are all passionate about," Silver said. "This event allows people in the field a chance to hear and experience things they wouldn't normally get to have such easy access to."

Registration is $25 for the public and $15 for students, including a box lunch. For more information, call 208-5472. "Joanna Rus

  • or