The summer semester is now open for registration! This year, we're offering the following fantastic courses:
*MAKING MONTAIGNE BLUSH: WRITING YOUR SELF PORTRAIT*
MONDAY JULY 24, 2006 and MONDAY JULY 31, 2006
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fee: $40 ($30 for active Word Street volunteers)
Instructor: Frank Tempone
Literary Nonfiction: the personal essay, first-person reportage, the lyric essay, et al. is not the new and exciting genre people some people would lead you to believe. In fact, its history dates back to the first days of the written word. One extraordinary man, Michel de Montaigne, picked up the torch in the 16th century and attempted to perfect the inherently imperfect form. In this two-part course, you will study the various forms of the essay and write several of your own. Readings will be assigned and provided prior to the workshop.
*THE GEARS OF CINEMA*
MONDAY AUGUST 7, 2006 and MONDAY AUGUST 14, 2006
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fee: $40 ($30 for active Word Street volunteers)
Instructor: Matt Babb
Scholar and filmmaker (“Rated R for Zombies”) Matt Babb will help you build a cinematic vocabulary in session one by showing you techniques used in classic and contemporary films. In the second session, you’ll put the new techniques to use as you learn how to use available resources to make your own low-budget movies.
*STRUCTURING THE SHORT STORY*
TUESDAY AUGUST 1, 2006 and TUESDAY AUGUST 15, 2006
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fee: $40 ($30 for active Word Street volunteers)--Enrollment for this course is limited to seven prepaid registrants.
Instructors: Vivian Dorsel and Steve Dietemann
The emphasis in this course will be on formal structure, including conflict (desire-resistance), image patterns, repetition, thematic passages, and dialogue. Students will develop a story draft in response to the first session’s activities. (Instructors will be available during that time by e-mail.) The second session will be devoted to a workshop discussion of the students’ completed drafts. Each student will receive a free copy of Douglas Glover’s story collection, Bad News of the Heart.
*GRAPHIC NOVELS AND SEQUENTIAL ART*
WEDNESDAY JULY 26, 2006 and WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9, 2006
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fee: $40 ($30 for active Word Street volunteers)
Instructor: Tim Callahan
Tim Callahan, writer of the “Futurespective” column at Sequart.com, will tell you everything you need to know about comic books and graphic storytelling through an emphasis on structure, storytelling, dialogue, and layout. Students will design and produce their own minicomics in preparation for the second session which will feature an appearance by noted graphic novelist Howard Cruse ("Stuck Rubber Baby," "Wendel") who will share his experiences with the class.
*WRITING FOR THE YOUNG ADULT AUDIENCE*
THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 2006 and THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2006
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fee: $40 ($30 for active Word Street volunteers)
Instructor: Kerry Cohen Hoffmann
Kerry Cohen Hoffmann has recently published a novel entitled "Easy" (Simon & Schuster, 2006) and she’d like to share her experiences with you and help you write fiction for a young adult audience. In the first session, she’ll explore style and technique, and the second session will provide you with an opportunity to have your story critiqued by a professional author.
To register: Send an e-mail to courses@wordstreet.org
with your name, contact information, and the names of the courses you want to take. Or, call 997-3307 on Wednesdays or Saturdays to register by phone.
Checks or money orders should be made out to “Word Street” and sent to PO Box 782, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Please indicate on the check the courses for which you are registering.
We hope to see you all this summer!