Dirk Blackman

Dirk Blackman is a writer, graphic novelist and educator whose career spans studio franchises, independent film, television and comics. His screenwriting credits include Outlander, a sci-fi adaptation of Beowulf starring Jim Caviezel and John Hurt; Underworld: Rise of the Lycans; Deep Blue Sea 3; and Delivered, produced for Hulu as part of Blumhouse Television’s Into the Dark series. He also has uncredited work on Conan as well as another franchise his lawyers suggest he not mention.

He is the co-creator of the graphic novel Savager, a post-apocalyptic horror/action series published by Panick Entertainment and is currently writing a children’s book exploring the mythos of Santa Claus.

Blackman has spent nearly three decades navigating the creative, commercial and psychological realities of working in Hollywood — experiences he now shares with students at Chapman University. His debut book, What The F*** Was I Thinking? A How-Not-To Guide to Surviving a Creative Life, draws on that career to examine failure, resilience, collaboration and the long view of a life spent telling stories and staying human inside a demanding industry.