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LISA SPICER – Producer, Editor, Writer

Lisa Spicer has worked in television, film, and video production for over 30 years as producer, writer, and editor. Starting in the documentary unit at KCTS/PBS Seattle, she worked there later on the Bill Nye the
Science Guy show, earning 3 Emmys. As an independent documentary producer, she has worked in Kenya, Mexico’s Lacandon rainforest, Northern Cheyenne and Lummi Indian reservations, Boulder, Seattle, and Bellingham.

Lisa has a BA in Broadcast Journalism and certificates in Filmmaking and Screenwriting (UW). Mid-career she earned an MA in Anthropology (WWU). Integrating anthropology into documentary, she
co-produced Homeless in Bellingham, an award-winning web series and documentary, and served as Consulting Anthropologist for the feature documentary, Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie.

Recently finishing an historical novel, Radio Smokva, she’s now writing about her back-to-the-land childhood and publishing a weekly series on Substack, Collective Effervescence: Research About the Counterculture.

Lisa will lead a workshop called How to Read a Film, with a focus to enhance your fluency in the language of film. Rooted in the practice of mise-en-scene, learn how meaning is conveyed through elements such as camera angle, set design, motif (shapes), lighting, actors, sound, all of which work together in support of the narrative.

Tips and Tools with the Screen in Mind – by Lisa G. Spicer
  • Writing for the screen or with the screen in mind, whether narrative or non-fiction (documentary) film.
    • Ex: From any story, what is selected to be scripted and filmed? How is it framed (what do we see)?
    • Ex: Screenplays are written in present tense
  • As related to writing, film borrows from theater by using elements of mis en scene and motif.
    • Ex: How do theater directors use props and costume to support the narrative?
    • Writing for film or with film in mind can be informed by the craft and how films are actually made.

Ex: Basic camera terminology, used throughout entire process: writing, filming, editing.

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We have a stellar line up of speakers for CAC24, with multiple options to attend.

We have a stellar line up of speakers for CAC24, with multiple options to attend. Find out why The Writer Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America. Join us April 19-21, 2024 at the Four Seasons By Sheraton in Bellingham, WA.