Academy Award Winning Director Holds Workshop at UT

Academy Award winning director Ray McKinnon will give an all day directing and acting workshop for students at The University of Tampa on Monday, March 17.

The event will take place on campus in the Reeves Theater in the Vaughn Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The public and members of the media are welcome to observe.

McKinnon, who also acts and produces, will emphasize the complex collaboration between the creative departments to realize a vision. During lunch break he will screen his latest film project.

McKinnon’s visit is sponsored by the UT Department of Communication and the Tampa Bay Film Commission.

Before inhabiting the character Reverend H. W. Smith in the TV series “Deadwood,” McKinnon acted in roles in “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Bugsy,” “A Perfect World,” “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?” and “The Missing.”

McKinnon’s initial foray into directing was his 38-minute dark comedy, "The Accountant," which he also wrote. “The Accountant” went on to receive the 2002 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, as well as awards at the Atlanta, Austin and Nashville film festivals.

McKinnon wrote and directed his first feature film, "Chrystal," which was a nominee for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. "Chrystal" stars McKinnon’s long time friend Billy Bob Thornton. McKinnon is now directing, co-producing and starring in a feature titled “Randy and the Mob,” which is currently being released independently across the country.