Press Releases For Immediate Release February 11, 2006 Contact:Toni Miller (213) 740-2328 or (626) 319-7231; scripter@usc.eduKevin Durkin (213) 821-1685; kdurkin@usc.edu Writers of Capote Honored at 18th Annual USC Scripter® Award ceremony LOS ANGELES — Capote author Gerald Clarke and screenwriter Dan Futterman were honored at the 18th annual USC Scripter® Award ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 11. The sold-out event, sponsored by the Friends of the USC Libraries, drew a crowd of 400 and benefited the Doheny Library Preservation Fund. On hand to fete the writers were a number of literary luminaries and Hollywood personalities. Capote director Bennett Miller presented the screenwriter award to Futterman, while Scripter Selection Committee Chair, Tom Schulman (Academy Award® winner for 1989's Dead Poet's Society), presented the author award to Clarke. Emcee Henry Winkler introduced the first clip from the award-winning film. Screenwriter, novelist and educator Howard A. Rodman highlighted the book-adaptation process and presented a clip from the award-winning film. Comedy legend Hal Kanter served as grand master of ceremonies. In accepting the Scripter Award in the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library, Clarke said, "I'm very honored to receive this award. When I was working on my second biography about Judy Garland, I spent many days in this library. One of the great repositories of movie history is right here in these walls." "A mystical bond unites all writers. To quote Henry James: ‚We work in the dark, we do what we can...the rest is the madness of art," said Clarke. Accepting his Scripter, Futterman said: "Winning this award is great because it gives me a chance to talk about Gerald Clarke. I'm honored to have worked with him and to call him a friend." The University of Southern California's Scripter Award was created to recognize both the author and screenwriter behind the year's best film adaptation of a book while raising visibility and support for the USC Libraries. The black-tie dinner honoring the winning writers was held in the Doheny Memorial Library, one of USC's oldest buildings and a Los Angeles historical landmark. Proceeds from the event benefit the Doheny Preservation Fund. Past Scripter winners include the authors and screenwriters of Million Dollar Baby, The Hours, A Beautiful Mind, L.A. Confidential, The English Patient and Schindler's List.