Script to Screen: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

After Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens screens Sunday, May 15, at UCSB’s Pollock Theater, manager Matthew Ryan intends to dig deep for behind-the-scenes secrets from the film’s editor Maryann Brandon about assembling what became 2015’s highest-grossing film, working with fellow editor Mary Jo Markey, and, of course, collaborating with director J.J. Abrams.

The Force Awakens will mark the 31st edition of UCSB’s Script to Screen, an ongoing program in which Ryan breaks down a movie by screening it and then moderating a discussion with its prominent talents. Last month, it was Jaws and screenwriter Carl Gottlieb. Past screenings include Field of Dreams, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Grand Budapest Hotel — and not just screenwriters but directors, production designers, and, well, editors. Ryan originally interviewed Brandon at the Oscar Wilde Awards, and “she was just so interesting and cool, I thought we should bring her up.”

Ryan has overseen the 296-seat Pollock (equipped to play digital and traditional film formats) since October 2010. Script to Screen evolved with the support of former Universal Studios chief/Montecito Picture Company head Tom Pollock (whose parents, Joe and Helene Pollock, are the theater’s namesakes) and screenwriter Scott Frank, who funds the program (which Ryan runs with 23 students: 16 interns, seven staffers). “I teach them how to make a four-camera TV show,” Ryan said.