Hollywood Alumni Offer a Week of Lectures, Talks, and Professional Development
Monday, October 5, 2026

The Iowa Writers’ Room and the Office of Writing and Communication are thrilled to launch this year's “Big Binge” by welcoming Raphael Bob-Waksberg (BoJack Horseman) to campus next week. In addition to the Binge’s traditional 1-credit class, this year an astonishing roster of UI alumni from the television and film industry travel to Iowa City to participate in “Binge Minis”—a slate of daily craft talks and panels focused on writing for the screen. These events are completely free and open to all undergraduate and graduate students at UI. Space will be limited, so please RSVP for the talks you plan to attend by clicking the link below.

  • The Iowa Writers’ Room Big Binge Presents: Binge Minis—Craft Talks on Television and Film Writing, Producing, and Generating Creative Work
    • Monday 10/12 (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.—Shambaugh House Lounge) “First Five Pages”—Join David Kajganich (Suspiria, The Terror, Bones and All) and Lila Byock (Watchmen) as they read and discuss five pages of a new script they are working on. They will answer questions on craft and process.
    • Tuesday 10/13 (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.—Shambaugh House Lounge) “The Outline”—Join a roundtable of screenwriters as they talk about the role of outlining in television and film, and its influence on their creative process.
    • Wednesday 10/14 (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.—Shambaugh House Lounge) “The Scene”—Join a roundtable of screenwriters for a detailed discussion on what makes a good scene, and how writers can improve their skills in this essential element of craft.
    • Thursday 10/15 (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.—Dey House, Frank Conroy Reading Room) “Book to Screen: Adapting and Producing Your Work”—Join an all-star panel of writers and producers, including alumni David Kajganich, Lila Byock, Sam Shaw (Manhattan, Castle Rock), Mark Lafferty (The Right Stuff, Talamasca), Rob Lorenz (Mystic River, Letters from Iwo Jima), Mark Johnson (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Holdovers), and friends for a conversation about adapting work for the screen, and storytelling from the producers’ perspective.
    • Friday 10/16 (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.—TBD) “Q&A: Raphael Bob-Waksberg”—Big Binge resident instructor Raphael Bob-Waksberg (BoJack Horseman) will give a public Q&A on writing. The location will be announced shortly. Please RSVP at the link below to make sure you are notified.

RSVP to these events by following this link: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2QPjT8X3vpbp6S