James Egan ’85

Screenwriting professor James Egan M.F.A. ’85, a writer and producer whose credits range from In & Out (1985) to Angels in the Dust (2007), will see his film American Primitive starring Josh Peck, Tate Donovan, and Adam Pascal (Rent), receive its world premiere on July 11 at Outfest in Los Angeles.

Egan’s previous film, Angels in the Dust, won the Amnesty International VARA Award for social justice.

He began working in the film business by underwriting completion bonds on films by filmmaker John Waters (Hairspray, Cecil B. Demented). The experience gave Egan a comprehensive knowledge of the film budgeting process, from preparing the script to delivering negatives to distributors.

Egan’s screenwriting career was launched when his UCLA thesis project was sold to the BBC as a mini-series, The Huxleys. While working for the BBC, Egan formed a successful working relationship with Zenith Entertainment, one of the BBC’s largest program suppliers.

In 2000, Egan founded Wild at Heart Films, to create “media that makes a difference.” Wild at Heart Films continues to partner with Zenith Entertainment, producing Martin Scorsese’s The 12, a television series that has been sold to The Sci-Fi Network. Egan produced Jackpot (2001) by the Polish Brothers, which won the John Cassavetes Award for best low-budget feature at the 2001 Independent Spirit Awards. He executive produced Kimjongilia with Mike Figgis, which premiered in Sundance 2009 and will premiere in Los Angeles on Aug. 8 and New York City Aug. 14, 2009.

Egan also serves on the national board of the Wounded Marine Careers Foundation, which is working with entertainment professionals to train wounded members of the military and aid them to find careers in the film and television industry.

Looking toward his next project, Egan recently signed a contract with the University Press to do a book on film director John Waters.