How is making movies different from making television?

It’s all storytelling, isn’t it? While we might equally enjoy watching film and television — it takes a wildly different set of skills to create compelling stories in these two mediums. Writer-director-showrunner Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, Star Trek: Picard, The Comey Rule, Transformers, and many more!) wants to share his perspective with you.

In this edition of 30-Minute Mentor, we’ll discuss what it takes to be successful in either medium — and what it takes to make the leap between the two. Plus, live questions from a few creators in the throes of their own projects.

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About Alex Kurtzman

As one of the leading creative voices in the entertainment industry today, Alex Kurtzman is known for his ability to bring complex source material, recognizable IP and original stories to screens with relatable, character-driven narratives that reach mass audiences and receive critical acclaim. With his production company Secret Hideout, Kurtzman is at the helm of the growing “Star Trek” universe on Paramount+ including Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy, and in 2022 — Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Outside of TV, Kurtzman has co-written Star Trek, Star Trek: Into Darkness, The Amazing Spider Man 2, Transformers, and Mission: Impossible III — and has directed films such as The Mummy and People Like Us. Additionally, he executive produced the romantic comedy The Proposal as well as the Now You See Me franchise.

Kurtzman began his career writing for the popular TV series “Hercules.” He went on to write for “Xena: Warrior Princess,” where he moved up the ranks to become a head writer for the show at the age of 23. Kurtzman was a writer and eventual executive producer on J.J. Abrams’ groundbreaking series “Alias,” which led to a fruitful and collaborative relationship with Abrams and helped establish the new wave of engaging action dramas that have dominated television for the past 15 years.

About TN Entertainment Commission

Our vision statement is to increase high quality job opportunities for Tennessee’s creative & technology class through the promotion and implementation of programmatic initiatives that reinforce the State as a relevant market for the production & development of multimedia entertainment properties.

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