By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Some of Hollywood's best-known writers, directors and producers who have ties to Buffalo will be coming here this summer to teach the "business" of the entertainment industry. Plans were unveiled Tuesday for the Buffalo Summer Institute in Writing and Media Production.
The institute is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Jennifer Koch-Gibson. She organized similar workshops while working at UB a couple of years ago that featured some UB alums who've made it big in Hollywood. Now, Koch-Gibson is planning a stand-alone Institute this July that will offer aspiring actors, writers and directors a chance to learn from the best.
"Participants are given an unprecendented opportunity to hone their artistic vision and develop critical business skills in an intensely creative, hands-on environment with mentorship from top industry professionals," Koch-Gibson said.
Koch-Gibson secured $50,000 from investors to create the Institute. Students will be charged $695 in tuition. But she says that's much less than what similar workshops charge for the quality of the instructors she's bringing in.
Mark Strickland of the Buffalo Niagara Film Commission says this is just what this area needs.
"We need it not only to help our own regional filmmakers but to send a message to the rest of the production world that Buffalo Niagara has first-rate talent on both sides of the camera," Strickland said.
Organizers say the Institute will also feature several evening events that will be free and open to the public, including an appearance by UB graduate and original Saturday Night Live writer Alan Zweibel.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Mark Scott's interview with Jennifer Koch-Gibson.