Laurene Debord-Foulk has been chosen to adapt the award-winning 2004 novel, Hawk, by three-time Pulitzer nominee, Dr. William Wallis, as a pilot episode for a television series. The project is under the supervision of Dr. Wallis as well as producers Randy Feldman and Glen Shapiro. Shapiro has also optioned Ricardo Reyna’s (MFA ’06) script, Compadre Christmas. Reyna was also assigned the re-write of Wallis’ original feature screenplay, Mind Control. Candidate Scott McGee (current) was chosen by Shapiro to adapt Mind Control as a television series pilot.

Jen Kohler (current) was one of the founders of Movies That Matter, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing feature documentaries to the Las Vegas area, whether on campus or in community venues.

Brian Williams (current) had his play, Anita Bryant Died For Your Sins, selected for the 2009-2010 subscription season of the West Coast Ensemble Theatre Company. It will be produced in August, 2009.

Punsakdi Chidthai (MFA ’08) has been hired to adapt Lobster Girl as a feature motion picture by Dakuwaka Productions. Lobster Girl was one of the biggest selling independent comic books of 2007.

Jia Xing (MFA ’08) taught upper division screenwriting courses at UNLV.

Jamey Combs (MFA ’06) was admitted to the Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700. After working at Level Three Post, where he was involved in the digital transfer process and color correction of such shows as 24 and ER he took over a position as an editor for a number of “promos” for daytime television such as Ellen and Live with Regis and Kelly. Jamey continues to teach editing courses at Pasadena City College.

Ryan Emter (MFA ’07) has also taken a position at Level Three Post.

Lisa Henthorn, currently on a leave from the program following an internship, wrote an episode of the CBS series, Swingtown, that aired in August. She also served as Script Coordinator on the series, Jericho. La Migra, a feature film that she scripted, is available on DVD.

Jill Salvo (MFA ’05) is working as the Production Office Coordinator for the popular Jonas Brothers Band, with a hand in all aspects of music video and television show production.

Nicole Gonzalez (MFA ’06) taught three courses in television and feature film screenwriting at Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Kareem Isaaq, (MFA ’02) is producing an animated short film based on his script, The Addict.

Michael Sweeney (MFA ’03) is in pre-production on Easement, a script he wrote that he intends to direct.

Bill Arthur (MFA ’04) has agreed to representation by The Rozen Group, starting with his script, The Pizza Guy.