Applications for Spain summer program now open

Applications are now open for the first summer offering of the Screenwriting and Documentary Storytelling program in Seville, Spain. Offered by the School of Media Arts and Studies, the program runs June 5-July 10, 2022.

Several students from the Scripps College of Communication who participated in this year’s winter break version recently reflected on their experiences.

“It was a wonderful time," media arts major Sydney Hosek said. "The program allowed me to grow, and that was my biggest takeaway— to be flexible and roll with the punches. There was so much to see and do in such a short time that it could be overwhelming, but in making those connections and immersing yourself—I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I loved the academic and touristic aspects equally. This was my first time outside of the U.S., and it’s one month I’ll remember forever.”

Journalism major Anastasia Carter echoed Hosek’s sentiments

“My experience with this program was like none other I’ve ever had before," Carter said. "We were able to visit so many unique and historic sites that have stood for hundreds to thousands of years. From this experience, I’ve taken away that it’s important to be adaptable, but also to go out of your comfort zone whenever possible. From the food to the places to the people, nothing can compare to interacting with a culture for four weeks.” 

Each student was required to adapt a short story from Washington Irving’s “Tales of the Alhambra” into a short film screenplay. A two-day trip to Granada to tour the Alhambra, a palace fortress where Irving lived and wrote for a time during the 1820s, helped bring Irving’s stories to life. 

"It was wonderful to recreate a story in script format after actually seeing the place in which it took place," said senior MDIA student Akira Jakkson. "Being able to walk within the Alhambra in Granada while adapting short stories that took place there is a very special feeling, and I think incredibly valuable to any screenwriter.”

Working in teams of two, with the help of students and recent grads from the University of Seville who served as translators, the students learned how to research and write a prospectus and a two-column documentary script that they supplemented with a visual appendix.

“The documentary project was far more intense than I thought it might be," said VisCom student Vanessa Abbitt. "Conducting interviews and doing research was fun, but I had never made a two-column script before. Having done it once and having written the prospectus I’m ready to do it again. Now I am enrolled in photojournalism III where our entire semester is spent making a documentary. I feel ready now to go out in the world and tell the story about anything.”

In addition to the workshops, field assignments and field trips, the students met weekly with Spanish filmmakers who screened and discussed their work. 

“The weekly screenings with Spanish filmmakers were such a treat," Carter said. "I’ve never gotten to interact with those who create films before. It was really nice to be able to ask them questions directly related to their work and to be able to make the connection between the brainchild and the brain behind it.”  

Journalism major Emma Dollenmeyer  agreed

“The weekly screenings were not only informative but entertaining as each one touched on a different style of documentary filmmaking, I truly felt as if talking to the filmmakers after inspired me when considering the visual aspect of our own documentary script,” Dollenmeyer said.

Applications for this summer’s five-week Screenwriting and Storytelling in Spain program (June 5-July 10) are being accepted now.  The program is open to all OHIO students. No screenwriting experience or Spanish language skills are necessary. Acceptances are granted on a rolling basis. Apply now.

For more information, contact program director Frederick Lewis.