Chicago Filmmaker Approved for Fulbright Specialist Roster

CHICAGO - Oct. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- Two-time Emmy^® nominated filmmaker Steven Fischer has received a Fulbright honor. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Council for International Exchange of Scholars recently recommended the writer/producer for the Fulbright Specialist Roster.

As a Fulbright Specialist candidate, Mr. Fischer will be considered for projects requested by overseas academic institutions that require expertise in his fields: cartoon and live action film production, and creativity. Mr. Fischer is currently in discussion with the American Studies program at the University of Debrecen in Debrecen, Hungary, to present courses and workshops during the Fall 2014/Winter 2015 semester.

Mr. Fischer’s work includes the critically acclaimed 2007 film Freedom Dance featuring Mariska Hargitay and the 2011 documentary Old School New School, a personal study on creativity with a bevy of artistic heavy-weights, among them: actor Brain Cox, jazz great McCoy Tyner, and cinematography legend William Fraker. Film link: http://on.aol.com/video/old-school-new-school-517357810

Starting his career in 1990 as a cartoonist, Mr. Fischer studied at the UK’s London Cartoon Centre. In addition to two published cartoon books, Mr. Fischer has created cartoons and animation for the Boston Red Sox, the Directors Guild of America, 9-1-1 Magazine, Rocky Run Tap & Grill, Blue Dot Heating & Plumbing, DuPont, and the University of Maryland.  Since 2002, he has taught cartoon and video production courses at Northwestern University, Illinois Center for Broadcasting, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Waubonsee Community College and Anne Arundel Community College. He illustrates his teachings with lively personal stories drawn from 23-years as an artist working on projects featuring Martin Scorsese, Bill Cosby, Bill Melendez, Kool & The Gang, Margaret Cho, and Richard O’Brien.

Currently, he is working on the German film 10 Billion about food security and teaching cartoon storytelling at Northwestern University.

In April 2014, Mr. Fischer will appear as a guest lecturer on the ultra-luxury yacht SeaDeam (http://www.seadream.com/) for a Transatlantic cruise from San Juan to London. He is scheduled to present five lectures on topics ranging from the history of cartoons to creative self-development.

The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious awards programs worldwide, operating in over 155 countries. Founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946, The Fulbright Program offers highly competitive, merit-based grants for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists aimed at international educational exchange. The program was established to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of experience, knowledge, and skills.

The Fulbright Specialist Program sends U.S. faculty and professionals to serve as expert consultants on curriculum, faculty development, institutional planning, and related subjects at overseas academic institutions for a period of two to six weeks.

About the filmmaker:

Steven Fischer is a two-time Emmy^® nominated writer/producer/director of fiction, non-fiction, and animated stories. His credits include the films Freedom Dance (2007), Old School New School (2011), and the lovable Steve & Bluey cartoons. His commissioned work includes various films for: Maryland Public Television/PBS, Romanian Television Network, TV Asia, Nextel, DuPont, Nalco/Ecolabs, AmeriCorps, Hollywood Stars II, the Boston Red Sox, and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

Mr. Fischer speaks internationally on creativity and storytelling, and has received invitations to speak at: Mindcamp Toronto, American University, Northwestern University, Chapman University, National Louis University, Illinois Center for Broadcasting, The Art Institute of Wisconsin, Northeastern Illinois University, Avila University, Facets MultiMedia, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Waubonsee Community College, Anne Arundel Community College, Flintridge Prep, Roland Park Country School, Family Awareness Network, Chicago Cultural Center, Hollywood Shorts, Script DC, Globo Theater Miami, Cultural Impact Conference, Smith Farm for the Healing Arts, and YMCA.

For more information about Steven Fischer contact: http://www.stevenfischer.net