Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter Kim Krizan Teaches Screenwriting at El Camino College

El Camino College Professor and Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter Kim Krizan Inspires Students in Screenwriting Class

In Humanities Room 207 at El Camino College, students gathered to learn about the art of storytelling through movies. The room was filled with eager minds, ready to absorb the wisdom of their instructor, Kim Krizan.

Dressed in a white flowing blouse adorned with red flowers that matched her well-pleated slacks, nails, and lipstick, Krizan stood out against the drab concrete walls of the classroom. With grace and poise, she explained to her students the difference between plot and arc, emphasizing how a character’s change drives decisions, which in turn drives the plot. These elements, she explained, are what make up a compelling story.

At 62 years old, Kim Krizan is not just a professor but also an accomplished screenwriter, actor, and published author of books and comics. Her passion for storytelling shines through in her teaching as she imparts her knowledge and experience to her students at El Camino College every Wednesday evening.

One of Krizan’s students, Helen Binstock, praised her teaching style, noting how receptive and inclusive she is in the classroom. Binstock appreciated the diversity of perspectives and ideas that Krizan encouraged among her students.

Born in Los Angeles in 1962, Krizan’s journey to becoming a screenwriter was not without its challenges. Raised in a strict Jehovah’s Witness household that discouraged higher education, she found solace and inspiration in community college. Mentored by supportive professors at Saddleback College and later Cal State Fullerton, Krizan discovered her love for teaching and storytelling.

Her big break came when she was cast in Richard Linklater’s cult film “Slacker,” leading to a collaboration on the critically acclaimed movie “Before Sunrise,” which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Krizan’s success continued with “Before Sunset” and other projects, solidifying her reputation as a talented writer in the industry.

Despite her achievements, Krizan remains dedicated to teaching at El Camino College, where she finds fulfillment in nurturing the next generation of storytellers. Her students, like film major Finn Disharoon, appreciate her expertise and guidance in the classroom, recognizing the rare opportunity to learn from an Oscar-nominated professor at a community college.

As Kim Krizan continues to inspire and empower her students, her impact on the world of storytelling and cinema is undeniable. Through her passion for teaching and storytelling, she is shaping the future of the industry one student at a time.