Hollywood screenwriter returns to Grand Valley

Before becoming a successful Hollywood screenwriter, producer and director, Patrick Duncan served a 15-month tour of duty in Vietnam, then attended Grand Valley State University on the G.I. Bill. He will share his knowledge with film students and professionals in West Michigan during several events November 17-19.

As screenwriter of the CBS mini-series "Elvis," the screenplay for "Courage Under Fire," in which Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan starred, and both writer of the screenplay and executive producer of the film "Mr. Holland's Opus," Duncan has demonstrated his diversity and award-winning talent.

"The School of Communications is thrilled to bring Pat Duncan back home," said John Harper Philbin, associate professor of film and video production at Grand Valley State University. "He's a very distinguished screenwriter and our film students can learn a great deal from him."

• Duncan will speak to students in Philbin's Film/Video Production's Advanced Scriptwriting class at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, on Grand Valley State University's Allendale Campus.
• A special double-feature of Duncan's films, "84 Charlie MoPic" and "Lessons Learned," begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 19, at Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy S.E. Duncan will conduct a question and answer session at 10 p.m., following the films. This event is open to the public. Both films are rated R for violence and language. Ticket prices are $10 for West Michigan Film Video Alliance members, $15 for nonmembers.
• Duncan will conduct a screenwriting seminar open to the public, on Saturday, November 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grand Valley's DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, 401 W. Fulton. Presented by WMFVA, the seminar is sponsored by the GVSU School of Communications, The Courtyard Marriott-Grand Rapids, Goodrich Quality Theatres, The Community Media Center-Wealthy Theatre, Cafe Solace, and Picture This. Registration is available online at www.wmfva.org or by calling (616) 842-4937.

For more information about these events, or to arrange an interview with Patrick Duncan, contact John Harper Philbin at Grand Valley State University by calling (616) 331-3668.

Additional Information about Patrick Duncan

Even while studying the social sciences at Grand Valley State University in the early 1970s, Duncan had an active interest in the film business and worked as the manager of a small movie theatre. He moved to California in 1976 to pursue a writing career and worked as an accountant for several independent film companies.

He turned to writing full-time in 1981, added production in 1987, then in 1989, scripted and directed his first feature film, "84 Charlie MoPic," which garnered a Grand Jury Prize nominee at the Sundance Film Festival and an Independent Spirit Award nominee for Best First Feature and Best Screenplay.

Some Duncan's other works include: an adaptation of the John Grisham Novel, "A Painted House," for the Hallmark Hall of Fame * which was the highest rated TV movie of the year in 2003; his first play, "Souls of Fire," about the L.A. riots, was produced by Danny Glover; and the Emmy nominated limited series for TNT, "The Grid," about the war on terrorism, which he wrote and executive-produced in 2004.