Godfather of Harlem writer Paul Eckstein will co-lead a screenwriting workshop is to be held at Mico University College in Kingston from May 31 to June 1, 2023.

The workshop is organised by local film production company Strike Star Entertainment.

American music producer, lyricist and actor Bryce Wilson will also co-lead the workshops, which are designed specifically for aspiring and/or active creative writers – helping them review, examine and cultivate different formats of writing feature length screenplays, the organisers stated in a release.

“We are honored to have such distinguished members of the film and music industry leading our first screenwriting workshop at the oldest teaching institute in the western hemisphere, Mico University,” Ricky Lee, CEO and Founder of Strike Star Entertainment said.

“The unique combination of talent provides attendees with an insightful guide and a flourishing beginning as we expect to see many students, teachers and educational professionals in these sessions, bringing their stories to the big screen with our step by step guide,” Lee added.

According to the release, the workshops will be expanding on key elements of screen writing for film, including storylines, plot structure, characterisation, dialogue and visual storytelling.

Workshop leaders will provide attendees with a better understanding of the industry’s requirements and needs on the subject of screenwriting through their extensive real time world experience, the release added.

Eckstein has over 40 years of experience as a Hollywood screenwriter. As a film producer, he co-produced the MGM/UA film Hoodlum (1997); he is the co-creator of Godfather of Harlem (2019), and prior to that, he led the writer’s room on the first year of the Netflix hit drama Narcos (2015).

He also wrote and produced the Disney/ABC biblical epic Of Kings and Prophets (2016) on location in South Africa. His other writing credits include Street Time (2002) (Showtime), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) (NBC), and The Dead Zone (2002) (USA).

Meanwhile, featured speaker Bryce Wilson is a multi-faceted trailblazer, two-time Grammy Award-winning producer who has laid a concrete foundation within multiple genres. His production expertise has stamped an imprint on the recording careers of music superstars and his collective work has resulted in US$50 million in sales internationally, the release stated.

Wilson has not only acted, but has also written for film and television, with production accreditation for Judy of Peers.

Strike Star Entertainment is a film and music company, assembled from creative and business entertainment industry professionals with a common goal of producing innovative and impactful entertainment and education, the company said.

It added that its workshops provide a rare opportunity to gain the necessary insight and knowledge on how to write a successful screenplay from industry leaders. Screenwriting Workshop 2023 is the first of a series of educational events the company said it’s planning this year.

Admission to the workshop is free with registration and J$2,500 at the door (Limited seating).