“Chris Canaan teaches an excellent class, sharing his experience and skill as a professional writer in a dynamic, engaging fashion. Furthermore, he relates to each individual student and carries them forward with consistent, hands-on, enthusiastic teaching, employing specific guidance in the essentials of this coded art form.”
— P. Davanzo, MD, Assistant, Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine. Student 2003
“Chris, I thoroughly enjoyed your class. It was funny, enlightening and illuminating on may different levels. You are an artist, and your insights into the are to screenwriting were invaluable. And you were always respectful, even gentle when you critiqued student work. Your comments were always positive helpful and encouraging. You are a warm, genuine person and an accomplished practitioner of your craft. Thanks for your effort.”
— James Kavanaugh, UCLA Extension student, 1997
“Chris wants to see every writer he works with succeed. His non-threatening classroom environment and individual attention really helped this tentative writer open up her emotions and become a more confident in her writing.”
— Maeve Murphy, UCLA Extension student, 2001, graduate University of Illinois
“Flying in the face of the dictum “Those who can’t do, teach” is Chris Canaan. Who knows how Chris finds the time to write three screenplays, two novels, and a TV miniseries, while driving to UCLA once a week from Thousand Oaks! Who knows how he manages to read reams of these student pages without shoving a shotgun into his tonsils? And who knows how he can be so accommodating and encouraging and insightful and wise.”
— Ed Gines, UCLA Extension Student 2002, Graduate of Long Beach State
“I’ve been a student of Chris’s for over a year, and continue to grow as writer. He constantly finds news ways to approach my material, forcing me to look at so many different aspects of my story and my writing. I feel that I have discovered so much under his tutelage, and yet I know I still have so much more to learn. I look forward to my next workshop with him, for I know my work will be viewed in a safe environment, with a critical, but fair eye, and for the sole purpose of making me a better writer.”
— Laura Salisbury, student 2003, 2005 Graudaute of UCLA University
“Chris has a unique way of shaping your story as he culls the elements that are essential to the core of good screenwriting. His combination of emotional fervor and structural expertise were invaluable. And… his classes are a whole lot of fun. I have not met another teacher so truly committed in his students development as writers.”
— Donna Sozio, 2003, Graduate of San Diego State
“Chris Canaan, while reminding us of the classical elements of drama, insisted that a screenplay, no matter how well-structured, must come from the writer’s heart. By sharing his own experience of writing successful scripts, Chris created a safe environment in which screenplays grew from vague ideas to vivid, credible scripts. I can’t wait to take his class again.”
— Wesley Harris, UCLA Extension Student 2003, MFA Candidate University of New Orleans
“Everything I know about screenwriting, I know because of Chris Canaan. He broke down the barriers and demystified the myths of screenwriting by applying his “real world” knowledge and years of experience in the business in his teaching. He makes screenplay structure understandable, and taught me how to apply structure to the story I want to tell. He has taught me to probe the depths of character, making me see and create characters that are unique and compelling. My characters now have a beating heart, all because of Chris. Also, Chris has given me the tools to change my destiny. I am now a student at the American Film Institute, getting my Masters i n Screenwriting. I attribute my success at the AFI because of what Chris has taught me. His knowledge was a foundation that has made me competitively light years ahead of my classmates. I thank him so much for everything I have achieved.”
— Melissa Nowak, UCLA Extension student, 2004 Graduate University of Kansas, MFA Candidate AFI
“Chris Canaan is a phenomenal instructor who possesses unmatched passion for teaching and sharing his love for movies, screenwriting, and life. He taught me to dig deep into myself and into the story I want to tell. His class is educational and his charm and wit make it entertaining as well. My writing has improved considerably since taking his class.”
— Jason Ancona, UCLA Extension student, 2004, Graduate Bradley University
“Chris, your class turned out to be above and beyond my expectations and your personal style of teaching suite me well. Not only did I walk away from you class feeling as though I got my feet wet in screenwriting, but your comical personality kept me amused the whole time. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun in class. Thank you.”