Having already won a Golden Globe, an Emmy and a Writer’s Guild Award in her tenure, writer and director Bridget Bedard has established herself as an accomplished professional.
Now, she’s going to take her talents from Los Angeles and show them to the people of Athens.
Bedard is the award-winning screenwriter of multiple television series, including Mad Men, Men of a Certain Age, 1600 Penn and The Wedding Band. The School of Film will be hosting the brown bag lunch event, “Writing for TV.”
“I’ll be speaking mostly about television writing, since that is what I’ve been doing the last six years, but also feature writing and directing,” Bedard said. “I’m happy to answer questions students have.”
The event was made possible by Annie Howell, an assistant professor of screenwriting and production. Having studied at New York University, the two screenwriters became close in school and have since stayed in touch.
“We produced each other’s thesis films and have been friends and collaborators ever since,” Bedard said. “She invited me to visit the school to share my experiences in the film/TV industry.”
In addition to the brown bag lunch, there will also be a screening of episodes from 1600 Penn and Men of a Certain Age at 31 S. Court St., room 006. Following the screening, Bedard will lead a discussion.
“I thought Bridget Bedard would be a great fit to visit OU,” Howell said. “We have a strong writing community here, and she’s a great speaker.”
This will not be the first time Bedard has spoken on a college campus. However, during her visits, Bedard said she has discovered the power of social media.
“I’ve learned that I shouldn’t say anything incendiary, because students tweet,” Bedard said. “Just kidding.”
Bedard has also received the Garnier Award for Most Promising New Director by the organization Film Independent and has won the inaugural ELLE/Garnier Directing Fellowship at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Her list of achievements also includes several feature films in development, including Operation June Black, about a Christian teen who sets out to save the soul of a sexy single mom only to end up sleeping with her. She is also directing a film starring and produced by Lisa Kudrow (Friends, Web Therapy).
Howell said The School of Film believes the show will provide a thoughtful look at the world of screenwriting.
“I’m really looking forward to yanking her out of Los Angeles for a few days so she can experience life without traffic,” Howell said.
wa054010@ohio.edu
