معرفی
Carl Kurlander is a Teaching Professor in Film & Media Studies at the University of Pittsburgh's Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences. Transitioning from a 20-year Hollywood career as a screenwriter (St. Elmo's Fire) and TV producer (Saved By the Bell), he now focuses on integrating professional industry experience with academic teaching. His work spans documentary filmmaking, screenwriting pedagogy, and media advocacy projects. Kurlander co-founded the Pitt in LA program and the Pittsburgh Lens initiative, emphasizing hands-on student collaboration. He has produced award-winning documentaries like The Shot Felt Round The World and Burden of Genius, both involving student teams. His research interests include public health storytelling, Pittsburgh's cultural identity, and the intersection of media with urban development.
Education: Duke University/MCA-Universal Studios Scholar Award recipient (1980s), leading to a film production internship. Career highlights include Showrunner roles on Malibu, CA and over 150 TV episodes. He co-authored The F Word: How to Survive Your Family with comedian Louie Anderson and contributes to media outlets like Deadline.com and Scientific America. Kurlander is also the faculty adviser for SCENE (Steel City Entertainment Networking Entity), fostering industry connections for students.
Notable documentaries include My Tale of Two Cities (2023), exploring Pittsburgh's cultural rebirth, and Chasing Covid, addressing pandemic response. His projects often highlight underrepresented narratives, such as the life of playwright August Wilson and transplant pioneer Dr. Thomas Starzl. Kurlander’s teaching portfolio includes courses on screenwriting, documentary production, film analysis, and industry dynamics.
- Scientific Awards: CINE Golden Eagle Award, Best Documentary (Burden of Genius)
- Key Projects: Pitt in LA program, Pittsburgh Lens, PITTch story initiative
- Media Advocacy: Steeltown Entertainment Project, Pittsburgh Entertainment Summit
