Words scrawled on frosted glass lined the spiral staircase that aspiring high school writers and filmmakers climbed on their way to The Loft in Minneapolis. Not knowing exactly what to expect, students from many different high schools gathered on Saturday September 27 for a workshop on “The Art of Adaptation” through the non-profit organization Story Board.

Story Board works exclusively with high school students, mentoring them in the art of film making and helping them develop their talent. This year, the organization has joined forces with the Minnesota Opera and together they are leading workshops that will culminate in a student film festival with a $500 prize. “Pinocchio–Story, Stage, and Screen,” is the theme of the workshops and the film festival and is inspired by The Minnesota Opera’s American premiere of The Adventures of Pinocchio, opening this winter.

Bix Skahill, a Hollywood writer who has written Chain of Fools starring Selma Hayak and Life Without Dixie starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Harry Conick Jr., lead the workshop and gave insight to the students on the work that goes into creating a screenplay. Funny and conversational, Skahill brought the language of Hollywood writing to student filmmakers and helped brainstorm ideas for ways to create an original script based on the classic tale of Pinocchio for the film contest.