Studio executive Jeff Katz to speak at ISU April 12 about entertainment industry trends

AMES, Iowa -- Emerging opportunities for innovators in the film, comic book, Internet and gaming businesses is prompting change in the entertainment industry. Studio executive, producer and author Jeff Katz--who oversaw production of the box office topper "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"--will share his experiences as a rising star in the industry during his talk at Iowa State University on Monday, April 12.

Katz's lecture, "The Business of Geek: Film, Comic Books and Gaming," will be at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Katz will take the audience through the making of a genre movie from start to finish. He also will discuss his odd career path as comic book author and one of the youngest studio executives ever.

At age 31, Katz has established himself as one of the leading names in Hollywood's genre community. Driven by a childhood love of genre films and comic books, Katz quickly rose through the entertainment ranks, becoming a vice president at New Line Cinema and later at 20thCentury Fox. At Fox, he oversaw production of the hit, "Freddy vs. Jason," and the cult classic, "Snakes on a Plane." At the same time, Katz launched a second career as a comic book writer. His work on comic books, such as "Booster Gold"--which teamed him with DC Comics and comic book superstar Geoff Johns--brought him both critical and commercial success. He recently launched his own company, GeekWeek.com http://www.geekweek.com/, which focuses on all things geek.

Katz has been honored as the youngest member of the Hollywood Reporter's prestigious "Next Generation," and as one of Variety's "10 Producers to Watch."

Katz's lecture is cosponsored by the Department of Art and Design, Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communication, VEISHEA, GeekWeek.com and the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by the Government of the Student Body.

More information on ISU lectures is at http://www.lectures.iastate.edu, or by calling (515) 294-9935.