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Posted: 7/22/10

TAMIU Alum Chosen Nationwide for Screen, Stage Writing Program at Northwestern University

 

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Carving out a career as a screenwriter in Hollywood may be a distant dream for some but for Texas A&M International University graduate David Crawford, that dream may soon come to reality.

Crawford, who earned his bachelor of arts in art at TAMIU in 2007, is one of 12 students chosen nationwide to study for an MFA degree in writing for screen and stage at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Students were selected from a total of 400 applicants this year.

“I’m excited,” Crawford said, “The university is in the Chicago area. I want to go there and immerse myself in writing during the two-year program as well as take advantage of some of the internship opportunities available in Los Angeles and New York.”

Northwestern writing alumni, faculty, and visiting artists are at the forefront of stage, film, and television and include John Logan (The Aviator), Tony Kushner (Angels in America), Greg Berlanti (Everwood), Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts (Pepper Dennis), Zach Braff (Garden State), Steve Conrad (The Pursuit of Happiness), Eric Gilliland (That 70’s Show) and Janae Bakken (Scrubs), according to the University’s website.

Crawford, originally from San Antonio, said he became interested in writing after taking video editing and post-production courses taught by Marcela Morán, assistant professor in the Department of Language and Literature at TAMIU.

“It really helped me because when I was a student at TAMIU, I was into video production,” Crawford said, “After I graduated, I worked on local projects and quickly realized that to become a better screenwriter, I not only had to tell a story but also develop my creativity.”

Upon graduation from TAMIU, Crawford moved to San Antonio and applied to another University to study production but was denied admission.

“That setback was a setup for a comeback,” Crawford said, “I stayed in San Antonio and worked on becoming a better writer. I would write stuff and e-mail it to Marcela. She took the time to write back and give me constructive criticism.”

Crawford, who is currently an academic advisor for at-risk males and first-time college students at Northwest Vista Community College in San Antonio, said that some day, he would like to become a teacher.

“One day down the road, I want to become a teacher that would motivate their students to pursue a dream,” Crawford said.

In the meantime, he said he will pursue his immediate goal of obtaining an internship as he enters the MFA program.

“My goal is to do an internship with Comedy Central’s Rock Turn Internship Program, and work with Chris Rock,” he said, “It’s a paid internship that delivers an in-depth, hands-on introduction to the world of television comedy.”

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

Summer University office hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday –Thursday and 8 a.m. – noon Friday.


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu