Roland Mann

Course Director
Character Creation and Development

Roland Mann is a writer, editor, speaker, and professor. As writer, he is best known for his work on Cat & Mouse, a comic that ran for nearly two years, garnered critical acclaim, and led Roland to other work. Other titles Roland wrote include Rocket Ranger, Miss Fury, Planet of the Apes: Blood of the Apes, Krey and Demon’s Tails. As editor, Roland is best known for his time as a Malibu/Marvel Comics editor where he edited The Protectors line of comics and many Ultraverse titles. While there, he developed a knack for finding and promoting new and budding creative talent. Roland also served as Editor and Publisher of Silverline, a line of independent comics that included such titles as Switchblade and The Scary Book. Roland earned an MFA in Writing from Spalding University, a Master’s degree in English from the University of North Alabama, and a Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Martin Shapiro

Course Director
Creative Writing Portfolio I

Martin Shapiro is an award-winning screenwriter and producer. He created the horror comic book series Chopper (published by Asylum Press) and sold the movie rights to it. His action-thriller screenplay Lair of the Fox was optioned by Ilya Salkind (Producer, Superman). Martin has written and developed projects for MGM, HBO, and numerous production companies, including an adaptation of Dragonlance, the New York Times bestselling series of fantasy novels, and the role-playing game Millennium’s End. He received his Master’s degree in Screenwriting from UCLA. While in the program, he won the prestigious UCLA Showcase award for his war drama Crossfire. Prior to entering the film business, he served for seven years in the U.S. Air Force.

Jennie Jarvis

Course Director
Script Analysis and Criticism

Jennie Jarvis worked in the film and television industry in Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and New York City before returning to her home state of Florida where she coordinated the Screenwriting Competition for the Jacksonville Film Festival. While working in Beverly Hills, she served as a script analyst, producing coverage for producers, investors, actors, and writers. She has operated as a freelance script consultant (“script doctor”) for over ten years working with clients around the world. Through her independent production company, she has written and directed a number of short narrative and documentary films. Jennie’s credits include Matrix: Reloaded, Matrix: Revolutions, American Idol, The Riches, Accepted, and more. She holds a BFA in Film from Florida State University, an Master's degree in English (Film Studies/Dramatic Literature) from the University of North Florida, and an MFA in Writing for the Stage and Screen from Queens University of Charlotte.

Christopher Odom

Course Director
Multimedia Terms and Genres

Christopher C. Odom earned his MFA in Film & Television from UCLA. As a winner of multiple domestic and international film awards, Christopher’s independent film work work has been nationally televised and screened in cities worldwide, including Tel Aviv, Berlin, Cannes, Los Angeles, and New York. His feature films have won several awards including best picture wins in Berlin and San Diego. A former Story Analyst for Creative Artist Agency (CAA) and a current member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), Christopher’s screenplays have also accumulated numerous accolades and awards.