How Movies Work
Have you ever wondered why some movies or plays grab your attention and then hold it for two hours or more? And why some of them don’t?
Ian Finley says there’s a secret to doing that, and he knows what it is. Ian is our speaker for the Mary Renault Society meeting in September, and he plans to share the secret with us. His topic will be How Movies Work.
Ian has an extensive background in playwrighting and theater education. He was Head of Theatre at Research Triangle High School from 2012 to 2022. From 2004 to 2012 he was Director of Education and Resident Playwright at Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh. Ian was named Piedmont Laureate in 2012 by local arts councils.
Ian is the author of the play NATIVE, which was adapted for film as THE PROBLEM OF THE HERO, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
While at Burning Coal he wrote a series of plays based on the lives of people buried in Oakwood Cemetery. His play 1960 told the story of the integration of Raleigh’s public schools. It was performed at the auditorium of the historic Murphey Elementary School, now Burning Coal’s location. The Murphey School was the first school in the city to be integrated, so the venue of the play was also the subject of the play.
He spoke to us in 2024 with a fascinating look at the gay characters in Shakespeare.
Currently a software developer, Ian still teaches courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at NC State. He grew up in Utah. He received a BFA from the University of Utah and an MFA from New York University.
Our September meeting will be on Sunday evening, September 28, 2025. We will gather at 7 p.m., eat a potluck supper at 7:30, and hear Ian Finley’s talk at 8 p.m.