William von Tagen’s visit to campus Nov. 3-6 will include opportunities for students as well as for the public.
The filmmaker will visit film production and creative writing classes to speak informally with students about his education and his career. Boise State students can also enroll in a one-credit workshop, “Plan and Fund Creative Projects” (Arts Entrepreneurship 294/494 cross-listed with Theatre, Film, Creative Writing, Art, Music), from 9 a.m-4 p.m. on Nov. 3-4.
Participants in the workshop will meet with von Tagen and a roster of artists to discuss and practice skills and strategies for successful projects. Topics covered will include developing ideas, creating a pitch, identifying financial sources, writing grant applications, building a team, and promoting the work.
Actor and screenwriter Lily Yasuda will speak to the workshop group about the successful crowdfunding campaign for her film “Like Love,” which was shot in Boise in the summer of 2018.
All students from the classes and workshop will be invited to attend a test screening of von Tagen’s new film, “Heritance,” and share feedback via audience score cards and open input following the screening.
von Tagen shot his first film, “Almosting It,” in Boise. The Egyptian Theatre hosted the film’s world premiere in 2015. The film is available through Amazon Prime.
Contact Jacky O’Connor at joconnor@boisestate.edu for more information about the workshop and public events.
“Making Films: An Evening with William von Tagen,” a free event open to the public, will take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, in the Bishop Barnwell Room in the Student Union Building.
The event brings together campus and community audiences interested in stories from emerging artists in film and television about the challenges and rewards of the creative life. Yasuda and von Tagen will discuss “Heritance.” A Q and A will follow the discussion.
The Public Culture Initiative, housed in the School of the Arts, is sponsored by the School of the Arts and the College of Arts and Sciences, with additional support from the Idaho Film Collection and the Division of Research and Economic Development. The initiative helps support the school’s mission of preparing artists to live and create in the 21st century.