Want to write a screenplay?

Here’s an interesting gift idea for the aspiring writer on your Christmas list, courtesy of the USM Film Program.

Hollywood screenwriter and former Biloxian David Sheffield will teach a master class in screenwriting Jan. 2-14 from 6 to 10 p.m. at USM Gulf Park in Long Beach. Cost is $300.

Sheffield will teach students how to “pitch” their story ideas, turn their ideas into story outlines and then into the proper screenplay format.

Sheffield, a classmate of mine at USM, was a writer for Saturday Night Live, where he wrote sketches for Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo. He also wrote the screenplays for Coming to America and The Nutty Professor, among other movies.

His early career included portraying the Golden Flake’s clown on WDAM in Hattiesburg. (That’s from my recollection, not his resume.)

Go here to enroll online:

www.usm.edu/professional-development-educational-outreach/screenwriting-master-class