Kriss Turner to Discuss Filmmaking and Writing and Producing Sitcoms at University of Richmond

November 3, 2006

When screenwriter Kriss Turner read an article that said 42.4 percent of black women had never been married, she was inspired to write the screenplay for “Something New,” about interracial dating.

She will bring the film to the University of Richmond Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in Jepson Hall, Room 118. Following a showing, Turner will speak about what moved her to write the screenplay and how she hopes to inspire filmgoers with her narrative. The program, “From 42.4% to ‘Something New’: Scripting the Interracial Romantic Comedy,” is part of the Richmond Quest lecture series “What Moves Americans to Define Race as We Do, and Is It Time for a Change?”

Turner also will speak Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. in Ryland Hall, Room 500, about writing and producing television sitcoms. Both programs are open to the public at no charge.

“Something New” was produced by Stephanie Allain and directed by Sanaa Hamri. Stars include Blair Underwood.

Born in Hawaii, Turner now lives in Los Angeles, where she has written for television since 1993. Her credits include “Sister, Sister,” “Living Single,” “Cosby,” “The Whoopi Show,” “The Bernie Mac Show” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”