December 13, 1994
Frank Darabont, the director and screenwriter of the critically acclaimed film, "The Shawshank Redemption," spoke to about 100 students Dec. 7 in McKenna Theatre at SF State.
Following a free screening of the film at 2 p.m., Darabont led an open forum answering questions about the business of movie making, his background and his future plans until 7 p.m.
Darabont emphasized to students the importance of developing their own material as well as studying the works of others.
"I read as many screenplays by writers I admire as I can," he said. "It's important to read the screenplays of movies you like."
Darabont also encouraged students to acquire the rights to books in order to turn them into original screenplays.
That is the key in maintaining control of the project, he said.
According to Darabont, he would not have been able to direct "The Shawshank Redemption," about an innocent man's reluctance to lose hope in prison, if he himself had not written the screenplay, adapted from a Stephen King book.
"Writing (your own) screenplay is an advantage because you're not working for a studio and that way you can direct," he said.
In addition to good advice, Darabont brought two of his own screenplays for students to photocopy and read at home.
"(These events) give students a chance to get inside the head of the film maker," according to Muata Kenyatta, director of the Associated Students Performing Arts Center.
The screening was sponsored by the AS Performing Arts Center.
According to Kenyata, the AS Performing Arts Center tries to extend opportunities such as these to students at least once every year.
"I really encourage the film students to attend," he said. "People are preoccupied with finals (right now), but I think there was a good turnout."
In addition to "The Shawshank Redemption," Darabont also wrote the screenplay to "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," directed by Kenneth Branaugh, and is in the process of having his first short story published.