Ken Dancyger

Ken Dancyger is an acclaimed author known for his work in writing, directing, and producing films. A respected scholar, Dancyger has written several books about the film and television industry, including popular titles such as The Filmmaker’s Handbook, Rewriting: The Mindset and Technique, and Alternative Scriptwriting. He is best known for his work in screenwriting and teaching film production.

Ken Dancyger was born in 1951 in Brooklyn, New York. He studied film theory at Columbia College as an undergraduate and went on to get an MFA in film from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Following his graduate studies, he worked as a professional screenwriter, director and producer for several decades, creating and working on a variety of projects, from short films and industrial videos to feature films.

Dancyger began his career teaching film production at Columbia University in 1983 and spent the following 20 years expanding his teaching to include New York University, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Art Institute of Boston, and numerous other institutions. He has since then become a recognized scholar in the field, writing extensively on writing and producing films, as well as teaching both in US and international universities.

Throughout his career, Dancyger has written several books focused on the film and television industry, including The Filmmaker’s Handbook, the first edition of which was published in 1985. The Filmmaker’s Handbook is an authoritative guide to the techniques and technology used in the film and television industry and contains comprehensive information about about filmmaking processes. He followed the handbook up with Rewriting: The Mindset and Technique, which provides invaluable insights into the craft of writing for both film and television.

In addition to his books, Dancyger has written numerous articles on filmmaking topics, as well as published several textbooks on topics related to film and television. He has also taught classes focused on the craft of screenwriting, developing the popular “Synthesizing Style” approach to film narrative. In his teaching, Dancyger emphasizes the importance of experimentation and encourages students to explore ways of pushing the boundaries of cinema storytelling with the help of emerging technologies.

Having dedicated his life to the art of filmmaking, Dancyger’s books, articles and teachings provide readers and filmmakers alike with the necessary tools for success in the industry. He continues to promote the use of technology in the film and television industry and is an important figure in the ongoing efforts to expand the depth and possibilities of cinematic storytelling.