Saturday, January 18, 2025 The Department of Narrative Arts is proud to present the inaugural HCU Narrative Arts Conference. This conference will feature a dynamic array of guest speakers who explore the craft of storytelling in fiction, film, video games, and more. With acclaimed songwriter and novelist Andrew Peterson opening the conference and featured sessions with bestselling author Bret Lott, Emmy Award-winning actor Tony Hale, and groundbreaking game designer Chris Skaggs, this year’s Narrative Arts Conference will help writers and artists explore how to develop narrative skills, navigate creative industries, and pursue excellence in community. Anchored by a shared Christian foundation, the Department of Narrative Arts and our guests hope to inspire and encourage a new generation of storytellers. View Conference Schedule Join us in the new Morris Center for Law & Liberty — the event will begin in the President’s Gallery on the second floor of Independence Hall and breakout sessions will be held in Founder’s Hall. (CAMPUS MAP) Schedule and Break Out Session Descriptions TIME SPEAKER SESSION 9:00-10:00 AM Andrew Peterson Morris Center for Law & Liberty The Morning Star Rises: The Creative Process as Light in the Darkness Andrew will explore how art dispels the shadows of the past and present and points toward a promised future. 10:30-11:30 AM Breakout Sessions Bret Lott Morris Center for Law & Liberty The Little Things that Count: Why Detail Matters Drawing on his own experience as a writer and teacher, Bert Lott will give a presentation on the importance of detail in writing fiction. Chris Hartwell Cinematic Arts FH 302 From Dream to Screen: The Making of ‘Do No Harm’ How does a filmmaker turn an idea into a feature-length reality? Join filmmaker Chris Hartwell as he takes you behind the scenes of his debut feature, Do No Harm. From crafting a compelling story and securing financing to casting acclaimed actors like Harry Shum Jr. and Ronny Chieng, Chris will share his journey—successes, struggles, and lessons learned. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or a seasoned storyteller, this session will inspire and equip you to take the next step in your creative process. Brandi Sea Heft-Kniffin Digital Media FH 102 Start with Words: Unlock Stories That Stick What if the secret to unforgettable storytelling isn’t just a random spark of inspiration, but the incredible power of words? What if you could stop staring at a blank page, waiting for ideas, and instead unlock creative concepts that tell stories only you can tell—stories that stick? In this session, award-winning designer and creative strategist Brandi Sea Heft-Kniffin will show you how to start with words to create bold, impactful concepts and uncover what she calls “uncommon inspiration”—the type you won’t find by scrolling Instagram. Through her proven process, you’ll learn how to:-Tap into words to unlock the unique concepts only you can express. Train your brain to spot inspiration in the world around you. Transform your concepts into stories that resonate with your audience. Whether you’re looking for a concept for graphic design, film, video games, or fiction, this session will empower you to adopt a process-driven approach to creativity that works for any medium. With practical tools and insights, you’ll discover how to develop concepts and tell stories that truly stand out. If you’re ready to overcome creative block, start with words, and create work that resonates, this session is for you. 11:30-1:00 PM Lunch Break 1:00–2:00 PM Breakout Sessions Kionna LeMalle Creative Writing FH 302 Voice and Logic: The Intersection of Fiction and Rhetoric When it comes to fiction, we often limit our craft talk to such techniques as dialogue, gesture, and free-indirect style. We examine the role of plot, conflict, and character, but we may not immediately think of the tools of rhetoric. In this session, executive writer and novelist Kionna LeMalle, shares how effective use of logos, pathos, ethos, and kairos come to play in our fiction writing. She will also provide insight into how her fiction training equipped her to write non-fiction daily and why all rhetoricians should study the artform. Tony Hale Cinematic Arts Morris Center for Law & Liberty A Discussion with Tony Hale A wide-ranging conversation about success, failure, ambition, faith and doubt with three-time Emmy winner, Tony Hale. Jaclyn Parrish Digital Media FH 102 The Theology of Fun Our culture is pathologically preoccupied with productivity. Religious voices insist everything must drive a “spiritual” profit (Read your Bible! Share the gospel! Make yourself useful to the Kingdom of God!), and non-religious voices insist everything must drive a material profit (Wake up, you need to make money!). This leaves little space for art, music, or beauty, much less games, goofiness, or fun. However, when we look at God’s design, we discover something incredible. Fun is not extra to the human life; it is essential. In fact, God made you…for fun. 2:15-3:15 PM Breakout Sessions Lesley Clinton Creative Writing FH 302 Poetry Workshop: Developing Authorial Restraint Because poets work in the interior landscape of epiphany, we often experience two related temptations: the twin siren songs of editorialization and self-expression. This workshop will provide strategies for applying authorial restraint in the revision process. Participants will learn to assess drafts for elements that do not serve the poem and to reveal interior treasures with nuance and control. The workshop will include a presentation component and a writing exercise. Christian Scott Cinematic Arts FH 102 So… Tell Me About Yourself As a writer, you will meet, talk to, and interview with dozens of people throughout your career. Many of those conversations are you asking that people to invest in you. That could be giving you a job, financing your project, or choosing to represent your career. At the end of the day, you’re asking that person to put their reputation and resources on the line for you. This session is designed to help you stand out as a trustworthy person. Chris Skaggs Digital Media Morris Center for Law & Liberty The Imladris Thesis As video games continue their rapid ascent to being the most widespread and influential artistic medium in the world we, as Christ-In-Us Creators, ought consider how we can best embrace this pivotal moment in technology and entertainment so as to represent Heaven to Earth in this fascinating new medium. 3:30–4:30 PM Bret Lott, Andrew Peterson, Tony Hale, Chris Skaggs Morris Center for Law & Liberty Closing Panel These four famous artists come together for a wide-ranging discussion on being artists and being Christians. This session will be moderated by Bret Lott.
