Prof. Torsten Schulz

Professor of Practical Dramaturgy | Dean of the MA Screenwriting/Dramaturgy program

1Room R 1401Tel: +49 331 6202 222Send an E-Mail

Torsten Schulz was born in East Berlin and studied Film and Television Studies. He worked as an editorial journalist for the "die andere" weekly newspaper of the GDR citizens' movement and, from 1992, as a freelance writer. Schulz has been a professor of Practical Dramaturgy since 2002. He has written, among others, screenplays for films (e.g., "Raus aus der Haut", "Boxhagener Platz"), prose (such as the novels "Boxhagener Platz" and "Nilowsky"), scripts for documentaries (some of which he also directed), audio plays, essays, and articles. He is a father of four children.

Research and Teaching Interests

Dramaturgy (feature and documentary films), story development, screenwriting, audio plays, literary adaptation

Publications and Awards

  • Nilowsky (Graphic Novel, 2023, be.bra verlag)

  • Öl und Bienen (Hörspiel, 2023, RBB)

  • Öl und Bienen (Hörbuch, 2022, ARD Audiothek)

  • Öl und Bienen (Roman, 2022, Klett-Cotta)

  • Mein Skandinavisches Viertel (Sachbuch, 2019, be.bra verlag)

  • Nilowsky (audio play, 2014, RBB/NDR, directed by Judith Lorentz)
  • Nilowsky (audio book, 2013, Hörbuch Hamburg)
  • Nilowsky (novel, 2013, Klett & Cotta)
  • Flemming (series, 3rd season, 2012, ZDF – dramaturgy)
  • Boxhagener Platz – Vom Roman zum Drehbuch zum Film (workshop book, 2011, Vistas Verlag)
  • Revolution und Filzläuse (audio book, 2010, Jumbo Neue Medien & Verlag – director)
  • Boxhagener Platz (audio play based on the film, 2010, Jumbo Verlag)
  • Boxhagener Platz (feature film, 2010, directed by Matti Geschonneck – screenplay, co-producer)

Berlinale, Gala Spezial

Nominated for a German Film Award (Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Meret Becker)

Nominated for a German Film Critics Association Award (Best Picture, Best Cinematography)

  • Verloren (audio play, 2008, RBB, directed by Barbara Plensat)
  • Revolution und Filzläuse (stories, 2008, Ullstein Verlag)
  • Messages for 2099 (radio play, Hessischer Rundfunk / Deutschlandfunk, directed by Kai Grehn, 2007 (co-author))
  • Hotel Bedford – Ein Stück Exil (radio play, 2006, RBB, co-written by Horst Königstein, directed by Barbara Plensat)

Slabbesz – Jury Award of the Writers Association of Lower Austria

  • Boxhagener Platz (radio play, 2005, RBB, directed by Gabi Bigott)

Slabbesz – Jury Award of the Writers Association of Lower Austria

Radio Play of the Month (August 2005), German Academy of Performing Arts

Nominated for an ARD Online Award

Internationale Zonser Hörspieltage, Main Prize

Radio EINS Hörspielkino, Audience Award

Nominated for a German Radio Play Award in the category "Outstanding Audio Book"

  • Boxhagener Platz (novel, 2004, Ullstein Verlag)
  • Der Boxermacher (nonfiction, 2002, Kiepenheuer Verlag)
  • Von einer die auszog (documentary, 2000 – screenplay, director)
  • Einfach raus (TV film, 1999, MDR/NDR – screenplay)
  • Nachtgestalten (book accompanying Andreas Dresen's film, 1999, Aufbau Verlag)
  • TechnoSalsa (documentary, 1999 – screenplay, director)
  • Im Namen der Unschuld (TV and feature film, 1997, directed by Andreas Kleinert – screenplay)

Bavarian Film Awards, Best Actress in a Leading Role: Barbara Sukowa

Adolf Grimme Awards, Final Selection

Venice International Film Festival

  • Raus aus der Haut (TV film, 1997, ORB, directed and co-written by Andreas Dresen – screenplay)

8. FilmKunstFest Schwerin, Main Prize

Jury Award (Main Prize) at the 24th Lucas International Children's Film Festival

Nominated for a Prix Europa Award

  • Das Mädchen Liane (documentary, 1996, NDR – screenplay, director)
  • Kuba Sigrid (documentary, 1995 – screenplay, director, producer)
  • Dicke Freunde (book accompanying  the film, 1995, Thom Verlag)
  • Dicke Freunde (TV film, 1995, WDR/NDR, directed by Horst Königstein – screenplay)
  • Der Mann im schwarzen Mantel (TV film, 1994, NDR/ORB, directed by Horst Königstein – screenplay / co-author)
  • Hitzeschock (TV film, 1993, NDR – screenplay)
  • Das Debüt (documentary, 1985, HFF Babelsberg – screenplay)

Artur Becker Gold Medal for Screenplay and Direction

  • VEB Nachwuchs – Jugend in der DDR (Rowohlt Verlag, 1983 – co-author)

Prizes

Writer in residence: Los Angeles (Villa Aurora), Belgrad (Literarisches Tandem), Johannesburg (Goethe-Institut), Schloss Rheinsberg (Stadtschreiber)

National and International Teaching and Lecturing

Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Kunsthochschule für Medien in Köln, Drehbuchforum Wien, Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst in Luzern, Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden, Filmverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Filmakademie Ludwigsburg, Autorendock Hamburg, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, WGIK Moskau, Albanischer Filmverband in Tirana, Deutsche Botschaft in Montenegro / Podgorica, HFF München, Hamburg Media School, Wits University Johannesburg, Mumbai Film Festival, Internationales Literaturfestival Durban, California State University, UCLA, USC Los Angeles, Drehbuch-Camp Saas Fee, University of Limerick, National University of Ireland in Galway, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Goethe Institute/Zentren: Belgrad, Johannesburg, Sao Paulo, Maputo, Kapstadt, Los Angeles, Windhoek, Dublin and others. 

Further Activities

Editing of anthologies
Dramaturgical contributor and consultant for various film projects

Memberships

P.E.N.

Projects

"Das skandinavische Viertel" (novel, Klett & Cotta, to be published in spring 2018)

"Nilowsky" (film adaption, produced by 42 film)

 

For further information, please visit www.torstenschulz.org