generic speaker image
Bill Torgerson - St. John's University. New York, NY, US

Bill Torgerson

Assistant Professor | St. John's University

New York, NY, UNITED STATES

Laughs and Lessons: Whether it's on Growing up in the 80s, Overcoming Divorce, or Learning to Write, Smiles are Guaranteed

Media

Publications:

Bill Torgerson Publication Bill Torgerson Publication

Documents:

Photos:

loading image loading image loading image

Videos:

St. Johns University Composition Writing Students.mov Storm Talks | Professor William Torgerson's responses Torgerson New England comic submission

Audio/Podcasts:

Social

Biography

If something here grabs your attention, let's talk about the possibility of working together.

I'm an assistant professor in the Institute for Writing Studies at St. John's University in New York. My 80s music and movies themed novel, Love on the Big Screen, came out of my own misguided obsessions when it comes to the films of John Hughes and characters played by John Cusack such as Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything.

My adaptation of Love on the Big Screen won the Grand Prize of the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival Screenplay Competition. Given my time in front of classrooms, presenting at all sorts of professional conferences, and events such as the one "Girlfriend Weekend" I did last January, I'm a flexible speaker who feels comfortable in front of a variety of audiences. I specialize in interactive presentations that generate a storm of laughs and conversation.


Industry Expertise (10)

Internet

Motion Pictures and Film

Education/Learning

Media Production

Entertainment

Print Media

Media - Online

Writing and Editing

Library and Information Management

Social Media

Areas of Expertise (10)

Social Media

Reading

Comedy

Collaborative Teams

Education

Writing

Digital Media

Blogging

Creative Writing

Research

Accomplishments (4)

Learning to Surf the Sea of Conversation: A Way Into Meaningful Research (professional)

The Journal of Teaching Writing published this article in their Fall 2011 publication.

Honorable Mention Los Angeles Script and Film Festival (personal)

A Viking on the Subway tells the story of Maija Finehair, a viking warrior killed at the battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 and whisked away to contemporary New York City. This script was awarded an Honorable Mention distinction at the 2011 Los Angeles Script and Film Festival.

Carolina News Channel 14 Teacher of the Week (professional)

Love on the Big Screen (professional)

Love on the Big Screen is a novel and script that tells the story of a college freshman whose understanding of love has been shaped by late-eighties romantic comedies. The script was awarded the Grand Prize in the Rhode Island International Film Festival Screenplay Competition.

Education (3)

Olivet Nazarene University: B.A., English Education 1995

Georgia College: M.F.A., Creative Writing 2007

University of North Carolina Charlotte: Masters, English Education 2004

Affiliations (5)

  • St. John's University, New York
  • National Council of Teachers of English
  • National Writing Project
  • College Composition
  • Association of Writers and Writing Programs

Event Appearances (5)

Title

Girlfriend Weekend: The Greatest Book Show on Earth  Jefferson, Texas

Title

BlogWorld New Media Expo  Los Angeles

2011-11-04

Title

National Council For Teachers of English  Philadelphia

2009-11-20

Title

Association of Writers and Writing Programs  Atlanta, Georgia

2007-03-05

Title

Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival  Providence, Rhode Island

2011-08-21

Sample Talks (4)

Stop Lecturing and Start Engaging: Hands on Activities for the Reading and Writing Classroom

Participants in this lively session will create writing territories and learn how to use those territories to stimulate lively conversation that leads to the writing of meaningful essays, stories, scripts, research projects, and maybe even documentary films.

You Can Finally Do It! Write the ________ You've Been Wanting to Write

Whether it's a story, novel, script, or blog, in this interactive session you'll finally get started on that text that you've always wanted to write.

A Writer on the Craft of Writing

From blogs, to websites, to company newsletters, many people find themselves writing much more than they ever imagined. Whether or not you are looking for ideas to write about or honing your craft, this interactive session will get you started toward writing more effectively.

Love on the Big Screen Comedy Warm Up

"Torg" was so obsessed by 80s music and movies and the impact they had on his love life, that he wrote a book and script about it. Drawing on expertise gained through the writing of his novel Love on the Big Screen, have a good laugh remembering the 80s and thinking harder about how the music and movies of your youth may have influenced you more than you think.

Style

Availability

  • Keynote
  • Moderator
  • Panelist
  • Workshop Leader
  • Host/MC
  • Author Appearance

Fees

500 to 2000 *Will consider certain engagements for no fee