CCAD and Film Columbus partner on free screenwriting contest for teens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec 13, 2018

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus College of Art & Design and the Greater Columbus Film Commission are pleased to partner on a free screenwriting contest designed to teach young people about filmmaking in central Ohio.

CCAD’s Continuing & Professional Studies department will host the 2019 Teen Screenwriting Competition, a free, two-part screenwriting workshop for students ages 13-18 on Feb. 9 and 23 at CCAD.

The first workshop will cover the basics—from plot to protagonists—followed by a big homework assignment: writing a script. The second workshop will give students a chance to receive feedback on their work and hear from their peers and instructor.

Then, industry professionals will judge the scripts and select three winners, who will get to attend a three-week filmmaking workshop at CCAD in June and see their scripts turn into short, 3–5 minute movies.

“Columbus College of Art & Design is committed to serving the greater Columbus area with unique learning experiences that cultivate critical thinking and creativity,” said Christine Hill, Director of CCAD’s Continuing & Professional Studies department. “We’re looking forward to working with Film Columbus to bring filmmaking to more young people in Columbus.”

“Film Columbus is dedicated to showing Columbus as a leader in film exhibition, production, and education,” says John Daugherty, Executive Director of the Greater Columbus Film Commission, which is also known as Film Columbus. “We couldn’t think of a better partner on the education front. Columbus College of Art & Design has a top-notch Film & Video program and a fantastic Continuing & Professional Studies department. And we’re thrilled to partner with CCAD to help educate more young Ohioans about filmmaking.”

Although the partnership between CCAD and Film Columbus is new, the screenwriting contest is not. Daugherty said the contest began nearly a decade ago but went on hiatus for several years. He revived the event in 2018, with a screening of the winning film in November at the Drexel Theatre.

In 2019, the contest will expand with additional workshops at CCAD and three winners (instead of one).

“That way, more teens can have an opportunity to work as producers and showrunners and see their idea from concept to reality,” Daugherty said. “There are a lot of preconceived notions about the glamour of the film business, but it’s hard work. And understanding what the different jobs are within the industry is really important.”

The prize is new, too. In June, CCAD will launch the CCAD Film & Video Camp, a three-week filmmaking workshop that will explore everything from pre-production and set design to filming and post-production work. The films will then be screened later in 2019.

The CCAD Film & Video Camp will be free to attend for the contest winners. Other students ages 13-18 can sign up for one, two, or three weeks for $200, $350, or $525 respectively.


About Columbus College of Art & Design

Columbus College of Art & Design teaches undergraduate and graduate students in the midst of a thriving creative community in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1879, CCAD is one of the oldest private, nonprofit art and design colleges in the United States, and in 2019, the college is celebrating 140 years of creative excellence. CCAD offers 12 BFA programs and two master’s programs in art and design that produce graduates equipped to shape culture and business at the highest level. For more information, visit ccad.edu.


About the Greater Columbus Film Commission

The Greater Columbus Film Commission (also known as Film Columbus) aims to grow the film industry in Columbus and central Ohio by creating jobs and providing significant economic impact for the area. “We feel film is both art and business that enriches our communities. We believe Columbus has the potential to be recognized as a top city for film education, exhibition, and production,” says John Daugherty, Executive Director of Film Columbus. For more information, visit filmcolumbus.com.


Media contact

Jeannie Nuss
Director of Public Relations 
614.222.6162
[email protected]