Renowned Director, Sheldon Epps and Award-Winning Screenwriter,
Larry Gross Join the Roster of Filmmakers-in-Residence

ORANGE, Calif. (January 24, 2008) — Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts announces the appointment of Sheldon Epps and Larry Gross as Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Spring 2008 Filmmakers-in-Residence.  Mr. Epps and Mr. Gross join an illustrious group of industry experts such as David Foster, Polly Platt, Tom Mankiewicz, Carl Franlkin, David Ward, Peter Medak, John Badham, and Robert C. Jones, who have previously served as Filmmakers-in-Residence. 

As part of the 15-week program, Filmmakers-in-Residence host weekly screenings of their own films followed by a Q-and-A session, and often invite guest filmmakers to screen and discuss their projects as well. They also mentor 10 selected students – five each in the undergraduate and graduate levels – by providing advice and critique of the students’ on-going film projects.   Additionally, the filmmakers interact with the larger Dodge College community by participating in small group dinners with students, providing them with the unique opportunity to hear directly from Hollywood’s elite about their experience in the business.

“We are honored to have two prominent members of the film and television community at Dodge this semester,” says Dean Robert Bassett.  Our Filmmaker-in-Residence program is a unique aspect of our curriculum that allows our students the opportunity to learn directly from Hollywood’s insiders in a personal environment.

With a career spanning almost three decades, Larry Gross is a renowned screenwriter-director-producer.  Mr. Gross has written 48 Hours, the Clint Eastwood-directed True Crime and We Don’t Live Here Anymore, which won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at 2004’s Sundance Film Festival.  He has received Western Heritage Awards for 1994’s Geronimo: An American Legend and the 2001 television movie-of-the-week, The Virginian.  Mr. Gross’ adaptation of the novel Veronika Decides to Die is currently in pre-production with Kate Bosworth attached to star.

“I'm excited to be joining Chapman's film school as Filmmaker-in-Residence. My predecessors in this position embody a standard of creative accomplishment I've admired and looked up to throughout my career. It will be a highly rewarding challenge to offer guidance and assistance to students in such an atmosphere,” Mr. Gross says.

Director Sheldon Epps impressive directing resume includes episodes of hit shows like Frasier, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond and Girlfriends, where he also served as a producer.  For the past ten years, Mr. Epps has been the Artistic Director of the celebrated Pasadena Playhouse, where he has conceived and directed a number of Tony Award-nominated productions.  In July 2007, he received a James Irvine Leadership Award, which is presented annually to six Californians who have had a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of others. 

Mr. Epps hopes to give Dodge students an invaluable experience, “This particular program offers these students the opportunity to benefit from the experiences of those who have worked in their respective fields over many years.   As a student, I always wished for more of this kind of practical exposure.”

The unique program is funded by a gift from a gift from Libby Pankey, widow of trustee Ed Pankey and a long-time Chapman supporter, as well as an annual gift from Chapman trustee Michael Hayde and his wife Lynette who serves on the University’s President’s Cabinet.