BEMIDJI, Minn. – When fiction turns into film, unexpected things can happen. A long work may be compressed and a short work might expand.

On Tuesday, March 18, Will Weaver, a retired professor of English at Bemidji State University, will present “From Fiction to Film,” or how his 25-page short story “A Gravestone Made of Wheat” became the acclaimed independent movie “Sweet Land” starring Ned Beatty.

“Every adaptation has its pathway, with surprises and detours, successes and failures,” Weaver said. “I will talk about changes from story to film, and contrasts between working with Hollywood versus the independent film community.”

His talk at the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation (CRI) is part of the spring Tuesday morning lecture series sponsored by the Academy of Lifelong Learning and coordinated by the CRI. The lectures are free and open to the public at the CRI, an off-campus facility located at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North.

Weaver will also introduce his forthcoming novel for young adults called “Saturday Night Dirt,” scheduled for release March 24. His talk replaces a lecture originally scheduled for March 18, “Indonesia (Islam) Religion and Culture in Southeast Asia.”

The Academy of Lifelong Learning offers humanities-based programs that are made possible in part with private donations and BSU support. More information about ALL is available by contacting the Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900 or by visiting its Web site, http://www.cri-bsu.org.

2008 Spring Academy of Lifelong Learning Lecture Series Schedule

• March 18: Will Weaver, “From Fiction to Film.”
• March 25: M. James Bensen, “The Impact of Emerging Technology on Our Lifestyle.”
• April 1: Russ Lee, “Assisting the Assisters After a Disaster.”
• April 8: Janet Rith-Najerian, “Dragonflies.”
• April 15: Fulton Gallagher, “Opera – For Real!”

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
March 18 – 10-11 a.m. – Academy of Lifelong Learning lecture series presents Will Weaver “From Fiction to Film.” Location: Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N.; Bemidji, Minn. Cost: free. For information: (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3244; http://www.cri-bsu.org.